HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY, WISCONSIN, AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES; AN EXTENSIVE AND MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES— THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES. SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES: ITS WAR RECORD, BIOGRAPH- ICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS; THE WHOLE PRECEDED BY A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, STATISTICS OF THE STATE, AND AN ABSTRACT OF ITS LAWS AND CON- STITUTION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. IX.IL.-rTSTK.A.TIE ID- CHI C A ( ; ( ) : WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY. PREFACE. TT is with no little pride that the publishers present this work to the citizens of Sauk County, knowing that, with whatever inaccuracies it may be found to contain, it will prove one of the most valuable books ever added to their libraries. It is a book wholly unlike any other ever published, being exclusively for and concerning the people of this county, and is of such size, completeness and comprehensiveness as could never have been furnished had the community been less advanced in civilization, culture and wealth than it now is. The index shows what the book attempts to preserve. That it contains errors it would be foolish to deny ; for the very nature of all historical publications, depending as they do upon oft-repeated and oft-mangled stories, imperfect newspaper accounts, and memories weakened by the. toils and sorrows of many decades, renders perfect accuracy absolutely impossible. How- ever, let the public take these prefatory remarks as a pledge that the publishers have spared no means, and the historian no labor or patience, to make every account as nearly perfect as possible. And let every reader remember, also, as he notes the contents of the hundreds of subjects the book contains, that, wherever the historian has been led in the least astray, it was due to the citizens of Sauk County, for whom the work was undertaken, and from whom he obtained the least and the greatest of the facts necessary in its compilation. To those who have taken particular pains to aid in making this a valuable book sincere thanks are here returned ; and, as years roll on, and the work becomes more and more cherished and valuable, the thanks of the future will be still more sincere than ours ; sincere not only, but universal. Western Historical Society. CONTENTS. iiisioirv 01 wisroxmv. 3 Mil f V,,.-,-,-ii, -.. -I..I- VJ l-ll'l .11 los State Siip.-iiiil.-ii.l. ill- . I'.illfgf Sketches ZZZl48 148 MS 149 Tobacci i i.. : ,i-.iii-. 21 57 Fourth A.liuiiii>tinti..ii Fifth Administration !Z"z .'i Manufactures Agriculture' M„,.-i.,l II.- Ii '.'.':, ... " Coppei c...ld ami - 'i . It. id, . 'I..- ... . Cement Rock l.iiuosi. ... . . Peat— II . ' .. . -1 -,- - Railroads, .rV. , . Mi:-.. ... ■ -. -• p.. .'.'. '.'.\1K 179 180 i. in .. 180 1-1 Is] Seventh Administration \\ l: ..is.-. ■ -— i. ii Cmtn.-ii- .-.:. Eighth Administration Ninth Administration 117 69 gg« t £T " i 'IV, luh A.liuiui-tiation i 1-..H & Sixteenth Adininistratiun op.^iapliv an 1 i;...]..gy ■';'•.• A„i,..,,ii a k .-... lu'.i Ilii ..'!!!Z!!l4tl Mil ' ..'..' Ml 142 143 l i; 1 16 146 Ratio ol Si. I,ii. — , Ft llouald and Wiri- linintologj r.-.-s. Sliml- .iii-i V, .. - Fducalinii ..| the P.lilel 21 lll-l|ll:l.- ,,f |l. .,1 .... ' 1 ...... 1 ■ 24 SI it. Pns.ui 21 riupp. » , 1 . :- ,v u.-i- in Narrow Gau ■ 182 191 N<. rth. -in Hospital for the Insain- .' 1 . - - ■ Mllua.il « Population !■> C. utiti — Naiivilv l-\ . '..nun. - ... \ aluation -1 l'i- i ■ . i , Acreage of Principal i'1-.p- .. JUI.Ji illl.a'tintial School Fund income.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.!'..'.'. Slat.' li.iv.i-.ily Agricultural College Norm .1 S 1 Is Ten li.-rs' Institutes Graded Schools S?f rda T' n,D . •:..:::•: .:'." 20] ABSTRACT OI' WISCONSIN STATE LAWS. Page. I Page, l Actions j- . n.cii.ui- .ml i:. a., ill Kl.-ctions 26:1 Landlord and Tenant- Arrest >.'. Fstrays 2711 Limitation ..f A. lions Attn. I nt -s| Exemptions j-| Marks an I P.rauds Adoption of Children ::• I ■-" M.,iii-.1\v ■ Assignment of Mortgap .71 In t . -.-, ■ \ . -. - . I . Aseeesm mt in-l i' .11. . ti.n .f r..\ - i ■ . ': - -. ■ Assessment of Taxes -.. . - . : l Bills ol Ex. lian L '-..r Pr-.im- .. v \ 1 - Honey - n : by Snbact Capital Pimi-I.iii- M I I:- tl i Collection ..f Tax.-, I • .- .,n. - I . I ■ .- ■ i . . ■ , nt! H Comiie.ii s. . ;. Jurisdiction ol Damages f-.u Tr. -pa- j. , Jurors Page. Wisconsin Stav r. institution 287 V. S. Constitution 2:i7 MISCELLANEOUS. oi the State 3«8 IIISTOISV OF S.VlIt COUJVTY. Page. CHAPTER I. Indian ( iipatic.v J" The Mascoutins, ECicka] B. Miamis, Foxes, Sacs and Winnebagoes 310 Early Government 311 First While Men in Sauk County 312 Early Visits to Sank Count} 31 ft liuu Sauk County got its Name 317 Sank Count} on F.ailv Maps I The Winnebago Wai 319 United States Land smve}- and Land Districts CHAPTER II. The First Permanent Settlement County 0fflcsrsl844 to ls.su I Laying Out the Towns Sell T. 1 1 Hon ai, state and Congressional idatioti :l l Territorial. District and State Circuit Court 346 County Judges Political 1'aitie, in sail, ' mi The First \\ hite Woman in the Bara- 1 Valley 1 "■'.' A 'lilt with" Redskins 460 Indian Scale of 1S44 4"2 Early Christian Effort in Sauk County 403 CHAPTER VIII— I'm "Oium : Features 461 Elevations 472 Qj art: tti Ban e 472 Flora and Fauna 486 CHAPTER IX— BaraBOO Forty-tin 4'.H Advent Of the Pioneers .. In:'. c CHAPTER III. Locating Houses Railroads Agricultural Indu Sank County Agri Blood Cattle Stock Breeders' At Dairyii What it • ii \ i- : in Devil's 1 The I'd E.lio R...U Bee Bii I ,,. i. Congr. is It CHAPTER \ I ; - iii.M'i Km irtm :.t i:d Fire Rei : : Governmi > : .: 1 i ,1 ■ In ! Cemeteries CHAPTER XI TiikS.uk Vii.i mis. Early Historj Pbairie on Sao, oi I i ri u Sauk... Page. Early Settlement and Subsequent Growth 586 The Old Court House 586 The First Staging 5x7 Genera] Notes 587 Tin- Bridge 588 Post Office and Postmasters oS'.l Schools 590 Manufacturing 590 Hotels 591 Societies..... 591 churches .. ".!>:-; Attorneys and Physician., 604 S.u k Cnv.or Lnwi.R Sack 594 Inlv s uleineiit aIK i KTO wth 595 I'n ■ ni i Mnii.,1} Company Manufactures Post Office The lh lilue Public Schools Fire Company and Fires... Societies and Churches. Attorneys and Physicians. Mill SlCK ll.lltle Town of Washington .... 614 Town of Dellon.i Town of 1 i 1 in ind \ il ige of North Fie i -., 625 626 Town of Excelsior and Vil Ige Of Village and Town I f Dl It. n N ' loll .. _....„ .... „ c -l r Town of Fairfield CHAPTER XIII— Spuing Gur.r.x. Intro In. |..n Sk. Id, ' 1 • 644 ibie nil Development i l Village Hall Temperance Issue livpie-- Company ■ .2 CHAPTER XIV. Town of Spring Green Town of Troy Town of Bear Creek 670 Town of Franklin Town -III ToUll ol M- 11.11, e 1. Town of Piano .... - Town of Sumter I'OKTIt ills. It MM ; It \I-IIH AI, SKETCHES. lin ,i ... Dc'llona... In Hon Excelsior Fan li.dd f 1>' V ' MAP OF WIS. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. BY C. W. BUTTEEFIELD. I.— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES. The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries. seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through the barriers of the Alleghanies and spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious and the learned, until, at the present time, almost every person is presumed to have some general knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately, these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. The earliest notices of the animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks; but Wisconsin's earli- est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their handicraft. The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history is lost in the lapse of ages, are desig- nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders ; not that building mounds was probably their distinctive employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi- dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to the origin of these people, all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations of this race confined to the territory of which Wisconsin now forms a part. At one time, they must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth- works, tumuli, or "mounds," as they are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation. Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock; rubbish heaps formed in the prosecution of mining operations; and a variety of implements and utensils, wrought in copper or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to sua ing generations ? In other words, who were the Mound-Builders? Did they migrate from the Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere? And as to their manners and customs and civilization — what of these things ? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give place to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended ? These momentous ques- tions are left for the ethnologist, the archaeologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer — if they can. 20 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people, it is generally believed, constituted but parts of one system; the former being, in the main, intended for purposes of defense or religion; the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West are founded on ruins of pre-existing structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses. In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous, to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders; for their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near the waters of the Mississippi. While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, such as are common to certain other portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of earthworks have one peculiarity not observable, except in a few instances, outside the State. This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form — resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed under the general name of "animal mounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up — they rise above the surface two, four, and sometimes six feet — or what particular uses they were intended to subserve, is unknown. It is, however, safe to affirm that they had some significance. A number resemble the bear; a few, the buffalo; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out- lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All this, of course, could not have been a mere happening — the work of chance. The sizes of these mounds are as various as their forms. One near Cassville, in Grant county, very complete in its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure- ment, to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite perfect in its resemblance to the form of a man, was of equal length — a veritable colossus; prone, it is true, and soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a superior civilization. In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works of another kind, but quite as remarkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed use, have been styled "garden beds " They are ridges, or beds, about six inches in heigh' and four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from ten to a hundred acres. The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and arrow-heads, also various other implements — evidently their handiwork. As these articles are frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers. Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show the work of hammering, indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn between the crania of THE INDIAN TEIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21 this ancient race and those of modern ones; the results, however, of these comparisoi iittle, if any, light upon "the dark backward and abysm" of mound-building times. The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in the ancient topper mines of the Lake Superior region. Here are to be found excavations in the solid rock; heaps of rubble and dirt ; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and supporting the mass copper; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what is now the State of Wisconsin, but territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore cf the Gulf of Mexi< o, wrought into various implements and utensils. But there are no traces in Wisconsin of a " copper age " succeeding a " stone age," discernible in any prehistoric relics. They all refer alike to one age — the indefinite past; to one people — the Mound-Builders. II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man first set foot upon the territory now included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the Algonquins and Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checked the advance of the latter in their excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. Already had the French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence; and, naturally enough, the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water- course and its principal tributary, Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississippi. On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the Menomonees. This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from the surrounding tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec- tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a distinct language. Their traditions point to an emigration from the East at some remote period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild rice, from which they took their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places. The harvesters went in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it \\\ in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the chaff, was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left impounded, and boiled in water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that this was the only food of the Menomonees; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skill the game which abounded in the forests. For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting -- HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. grounds npon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one was still in existence at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country of no other of the surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement. In 1634. the Menomonees probably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French, who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of years elapsed before the tribe was again visited by white men, — that is to say, there are no authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In 1660, Father Rene Menard had penetrated the Lake Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenaw, in what is now the northern part of Michigan, whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the waters of Green bay the following year; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory they passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — brought to the Menomonees (who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius Allouez, to win them to Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin, in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on the third of November, Allouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where, on the third, in an Indian village of Sacs, Pottawattamies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors, — eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival, taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in May of the next year. Allouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, " with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of the Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andre, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where his predecessor had already raised the standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages; but the missionary, living almost con- stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding tribes The efforts of Andre were rewarded with some conversions among the former; for Mar- quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them. The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 167 1, and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white fur traders. Gradually and with few interruptions (one in 172S, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois; in its contests, in 1712, 1729, 17,50, and 1751, with the Foxes; and. subsequently, in its conflicts with the English. The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the former was not taken until the fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the lower one being at the mouth of the Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled to the English occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders who endeavored to prejudii e them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time, were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warriors THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 23 by the small pox, and most of their chiefs in the late war in which they had been engaged by the then Frencli commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English lor French traders ; as they could purchase supplies of them at one half the price they had previously paid. It was not long before the sincerity of the Menomonees was put to the test, fontiac's War of 1763 broke out, and the [lost of Mackinaw was captured. The garrison, however, at Green bay was not only not attacked by the savages, but, escorted by the Menomonees and other tribes, crossed Lake Michigan in safety to the village of L'Arbre Croche ; thence making their way to Montreal. The Menomonees continued their friendship to the English, joining with them against the Colonies during the Revolution, and fighting on the same side during the war of -812-15. When, in July, 1S16, an American force arrived at Green bay to take possession of the country, the Menomonees were found in their village near by, very peaceably inclined. The commander of the troops asked permission of their chief to build a fort. " My Brother!" was the response, " how can we oppose your locating a council-fire among us? You are too strong for us. Even if we wanted to oppose you we have scarcely got powder and ball to make the attempt. One favor we ask is, that our French brothers shall not be disturbed. You can choose any place you please for your fort, and we shall not object." No trouble had been anticipated from the Menomonees, and the expectations of the government of the United States in that regard were fully realized. What added much to the friendship now springing up between the Menomonees and the Americans was the fact that the next year — 1 Si 7 — the annual contribution, which for many years had been made by the British, consisting of a shirt, leggins, breech-clout and blanket for each member or the tribe, and for each family a copper kettle, knives, axes, guns and ammunition, was withheld by them. It was found by the Americans, upon their occupation of the Menomonee territory that some of the women of that tribe were married to traders and boatmen who had settled at t',e head of the bay, there being no white women in that region. Many of these were Canadians of French extraction; hence the anxiety that they should be well treated, which was expressed by the Menomonees upon the arrival of the American force. At this period there was a consider- able trade carried on with these Indians at Prairie du Chien, as many of them frequently win- tered on the Mississippi. The first regular treaty with this tribe was " made and concluded" on the thirtieth day of March, 1817, "by and between William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and Auguste Chouteau, commissioners on the part and behalf of the United States of America, of the one part," and the chiefs and warriors, deputed by the Menomonees, of the other part. By the terms of this compact all injuries were to be forgiven and forgotten ; perpetual peace established- lands, heretofore ceded to other governments, confirmed to the United States ; all prisoners to be delivered up ; and the tribe placed under the protection of the United States, " and of no other nation, power, or sovereign, whatsoever." The Menomonees were now fully and fairly, and for the first time, entitled to be known as " American Indians," in contradistinction to the term which had been so long used as descriptive of their former allegiance—" British Indians." The territory of the Menomonees, when the tribe was taken fully under the wins, of the Gen- eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing ridge between the waters flowing into Lake Superior and those flowing south into Green bay and the Mississippi; on the east, by Lake Michigan; on the south, by the Milwaukee river, and on the west by the Mississippi and Black rivers. This was their territory; though they were prac- tically restricted to the occupation of the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying between the mouth of Green bay on the north and the Milwaukee river on the south, and to a somewhat indefinite area west. Their general claim as late as 1825, was north to the Chippewa countrv : 24 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN east to Green bay and I ake Michigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river. Vnd what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters ntury, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand. The Menomonee territory, as late as 1831, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox river, and Winnebago lake: its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west ; Fox river on the south ; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams into Lake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part by the tribe ceding to the United States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half million acres. The following year, t lie Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black Hawk war. That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be weaned from their wandering habits, their permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west, was reserved for their hunting grounds until such time ; s the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1S36, another portion, amounting to four million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis- posed of to tlie United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north, on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight miles long — still leaving them in peace ble possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. Finally, in [848, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern- ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi of six hundred thousand acres; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States; for, notwith- standing there were treaty stipulations for the removal of the tribe to that tract, there were in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain in Wisconsin, Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them fortheir permanent on the upper Wolf river, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but m til one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed in October, 185.'. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in their outl lunteers in the United States army during the late civil war. It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist- ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the Winnebagoes — that is, men of the sea; pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific. The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of M i Green bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron w early times, inha of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the I » , who had advanced eastward ippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of the trili d passed the great river, at some unknown > Green bay. Here, this "sea-tribe," as early, it is visited by an agent ol I reaty concluded with them. Thetribe after w.o I ira, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Batanke, or Sturgi d of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes : ionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the fetid or salt water, translated by the Puants) for the , dthough '.here is the tribe had be leanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on the second -ah i ,. some of that nation were noted al a Sa< (Sauk or Saukis) village by Father Alii - THE INDIAN TRIBES OF "WISCONSIN. 25 As early at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading. " We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them in September of that year, "we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the savages much soured against the French, who were there trading ; ill-treating them in deeds and words, pillag- ing and carrying away their merchandise in spite of them, and conducting themselves toward them with insupportable insolences and indignities. The cause of this disorder," adds the mis- sionary, " is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this year come to trade, and particularly from thesoldiers, from whom they pretended to have received many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain that the arms of France were carried into the territory of the Winnebagoes over two hundred years ago. The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two Jesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had "three or four leagues of rapids to contend with," when they had advanced " one day's journey " from the head of the bay, " more difficult than those which are common in other rivers, in this, that the flints, over which" they had to walk with naked feet to drag their canoes, were so " sharp and so cutting, that one has all the trouble in the world to hold one's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found an idol that the savages honored ; " never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank him that, by his assistance, they had, in ascending, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream ; or else, if they had to ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused the idol " to be lifted up by the strength of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear no more " to the idolatrous savages. The mission of St. Francis Xavier, founded in December, 1669, by Allouez, was a roving one among the tribes inhabiting the shores of Green bay and the interior country watered by the Fox river and its tributaries, for about two years, when its first mission-house was erected at what is now Depere, Brown county. This chapel was soon after destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt in 1676. The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of Hading and trafficking with white men; for, following the footsteps of the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them, were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what territory was occupied by the Winnebagoes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head of Green bay. A direct trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne- bagoes to any great extent until the beginning of the eighteenth century. As early as 1679, an advance party of La Salle had collected a large store of furs at the mouth of Green bay, doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them; generally, however, the surrounding nations sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disposed of them, in turn, to the French. The commencement of the eighteenth century found the Winnebagoes firmly in alliance with France, and in peace with the dreaded Iroquios. In 1718, the nation numbered six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winne- bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient seat, and from which they had been driven either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the West or Southwest. Their inter- course with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so. joining with them, as did the Menomonees, in their wars with the Iroquois, and subsequently in their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760. When the British, in October, 1761, took possession of the French post, at the head of 2b' HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and fifty warriors only ; their nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than three towns. Their country, at this period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing into it, especially Fox river; afterward extended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend the British garrison at the head of the bay, assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the English during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian war of 1790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-15, aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4.500. When, in 1 816, the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Green bay country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who, at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought to be an intrusion. They were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary, their purpose was peace. Their response was an old one : " If your object is peace, you have too many men ; if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the situation, and the deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1S16, at St. Louis, the tribe made a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they continued to levy tribute on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the rest of the nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820, they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim of the Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its mouth, in Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small streams flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis- consin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river, although they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829, a large part of their territory in southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wis- consin river, was sold to the General Government ; and, three years later all the residue lying south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet before that date supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the first of November, [837, "The Winnebago Nation of Indians " ceded to the General Government " all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the great river." This arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river, Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands e 1 ewhere. All had bei ome lawless, and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over eight hun- dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over one hundred thousand acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times THE INDIAN TKIBES OF WISCONSIN. 27 changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-live hundred. When the territory, now constituting the northern portion of Wisconsin, became very generally known to the civilized inhabitants of the eastern part of the United State , found to be occupied by Indians called the < 'mi 'Pi w \s. Their hunting-grounds extended south from Lake Superior to the heads of the Menom'onee, the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers; also farther eastward and westward. At an early day they were engaged in a war with the Sioux — a war indeed, which was lung i ontinued. The Chippewas, however, persistently maintained their position — still occupying the same region when the General Government extended its jurisdiction over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the Mississippi. By treaties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the year 1S27, the General Gov- . eminent had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of what is now the entire State. The same policy was pursued toward this tribe as- with neighboring ones, in the purchase of their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until, in 1S42, the last acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention of the General Government to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their lands to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi; but this determination was afterward changed so as to allow them to remain upon certain reservations within the limits of their old- time hunting grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located in Bay- field, Ashland, Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red Cliff band, the Bad River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band. Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by white men, the Sacs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamies) are, in history, the most noted. They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso- ciations, they were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1669, Allouez found upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and earl)- in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located upon the Fox river of Green bay, at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for catching fish arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes, "they made a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and without any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks : one calling themselves Outagamies or F'oxes, whence our English name; the other, Muscfuakink, or men of red clay, the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred the Sacs east of Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw, a name derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green bay; but were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river. Allouez, on the twenty-fourth of April, 1670, arrived at a village of the Foxes, situated on Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is renowned for being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women and children is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man having commonly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the persecutions of the Iroquois. Allouez established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than 28 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonville's more serious campaign ; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 169.3, they had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carrying arms and ammunition to their ancient enemies — frequently causing them to make portages to the southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Afterward they became recon- ciled to the French; but the reconciliation was of short duration. In 17 12, Fort Detroit, then defended by only a handful of men, was attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascou- tens and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only protected themselves but were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying the greater part of the besieging force. The nation continued their ill will to the French. The consequence was that their territory in 1 7 16 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship was not of long continuance. In 17ns, the Foxes numbered five hundred men and "abounded in women and children." They are spoken of at that date as being very industrious, raising large quantities of Indian corn. In 17-^, another expedition was sent against them by the French. Meanwhile the Menomonees had also become hostile; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the Foxes. The result of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of Menomonees; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagos (after passing the deserted village • of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe, also, at this date being hostile ; and the destruction of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in 1-30, and defeated. In 1734, both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736, the Sacs and I Mixes were "connected with the government of Canada ; " but it is certain they were far from being friendly to the French. The conflict between France and Great Britain commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the interests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the con- querors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two nations, then about equally divided, numbered, in 1 761, about seven hundred warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had migrated farther to the west- ward ; but the Foxes — at least a portion of them — still remained upon the waters of the river of Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the former were occupants of the upper Wisconsin ; also, to a considerable distance below the portage, where their chief town was located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its mouth at the site of the present city of Prairie du Chien. At this date, 1766, the northern portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all that part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas. The country around nearly the whole of (ireen bay was the hunting ground of the Menomonees. The territory of Winnebago lake and fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes. The region of the Wisconsin river was the dwelling place of the Sacs and Foxes. During the war of the Revolution, the Sacs and Foxes < ontinued the firm friends of the English. At th nl ol the nineteenth century, only a small part of their territory was included in what is now Wisconsin, and that was in the extreme southwest. In 1804, they 1 eded this to the Unite* that they no longer were owners of any lands within this State. From that date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as belonging to the PRE-TEKEITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29 Indian nations of Wisconsin. A striking episode in their subsequent histor) the Black Hawk War — comes in, notwithstanding, as a part, incidentally, of the annals of the State. Deserving a place in a notice of the Indian tribes of Wisconsin is the nation known as the Pottawattamies. As early as 1639, they were the neighbors of the Winnebagoes upon Green bay. They were still upon its southern shore, in two villages, in 1670; and ten years subsequent to that date they occupied, at least in one village the same region. At the expiration of the first quarter of the eighteenth century, a part only of the nation were in that vicinity — upon the islands at the mouth of the bay. These islands were then known as the Pottawattamie islands, and considered as the ancient abode of these Indians. Already had a large portion of this tribe emigrated southward, one band resting on the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit. uliarity of this tribe — at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in 1669, a village of the Pottawattamies, located upon the southeast shore of Green bay, was visited by Allouez, he found with them Sacs and Foxes and Winnebagoes. So, also, when, many years subsequent to that date, a band of these Indians were located at Milwaukee, with them were Ottawas and Chippewas. These "united tribes" claimed all the lands of their respective tribes and of other nations, giving the United States, when possession was taken of the western country by the General Government, no little trouble. Finally, by a treaty, held at Chicago in 1833, their claims, such as they were, to lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, within the present State of Wisconsin, extending westward to Rock river, were purchased by the United States, with permission to retain possession three years longer of their ceded lands, after which time this " united nation of Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies " began to disappear, and soon were no longer seen in southeastern Wisconsin or in other portions of the State. Besides the five tribes — Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Sacs ami Foxes, and Pottawattamies — many others, whole or in part, have, since the territory now constituting the State was first visited by white men, been occupants of its territory. Of these, some are only known as having once lived in what is now Wisconsin; others — such as the Hurons, Illinois, Kickapoos, Mascoutens, Miamis, Noquets, Ottawas and Sioux, are recognized as Indians once dwelling in this region; yet so transitory has been their occupation, or so little is known of their history, that they scarcely can be claimed as belonging to the Slate. Commencing in 1822, and continuing at intervals through some of the following years, was the migration to Wisconsin from the State of New York of the remains or portions of four tribes : the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Brothertowns. The Oneidas finally located west of Green May, where they still reside. Their reservation contains over 60,000 acres, and lies wholly within the present counties of Brown and Outagamie. The Stockbridges and Munsees, who first located above Green Bay, on the east side of Fox river, afterward moved to tin- east side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reservation joining the southwest township of the Menomenee reservation, in Shawano county, and are fast becoming citizens. The Brothertowns first located on the east side of Fox river, but subsequently moved to the east side of Winnebago lake, where, in 1S39, they broke up their tribal relations and became citizens of Wisconsin territory. III.— PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. When, in 1634, the first white man set foot upon any portion of the territory now consti- tuting the State of Wisconsin, the whole country was, of course, a wilderness. Its inhabitants, the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country. John Ni< mi .1 Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 161S, and had spent several years among the 30 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Indians, was the first of civilized men to unlock the mystery of its situation and people. French authorities upon the St. Lawrence sent him as an ambassador to the Winnebagoes, of whom he had heard strange stories. On his outward voyage he visited the Hurons — allies of the French — a tribe seated upon the eastern side of the lake which bears their name, and Nicolet was empowered to negotiate a peace with them. " When he approached the Winnebago town, he sent some of his Indian attendants to announce his coming, put on a robe of damask, and advanced to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand. The squaws and children fled, scream- ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed with thunder and lightning ; but the chiefs and warriors regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality, that a hundred and twenty beavers were devoured at a single feast." Such was the advent of the daring Frenchman into what is now the State of Wisconsin. " Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Jesuit, Paul le Jeune, in 1640, " are the Meno- monees; still farther on, the Winnebagoes, a sedentary people, and very numerous. Some Frenchmen," he continues, " call them the ' Nation of the Stinkards,' because the Algonquin word Winipeg signifies ' stinking water.' Now they thus call the water of the sea ; therefore, these people call themselves ' Winnebagoes,' because they came from the shores of a sea of which we have no knowledge ; consequently we must not call them the ' Nation of Stinkards,' but the ' Nation of the Sea.' " From these Men of the Sea, Nicolet passed westward, ascended Fox river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to the Wisconsin, down which stream he could have floated easily to the Mississippi, the "great water" of his guides, which he mistook for the sea. This adventurous Frenchman, when so near re-discovering the river which has given immortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ; retraced his steps to Green bay, and finally returned in safety to Quebec. This was the first exploration of what is now Wisconsin — only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims upon the wild shores of New England. Wisconsin, for twenty-four years after its discovery, was left to its savage inhabitants. At length, in 1658, two daring fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior, and wintered there. They probably set foot upon what is now Wisconsin soil, as they made several trips among the sur- rounding tribes. They saw, among other things, at six days' journey beyond the lake, toward the southwest, Indians that the Iroquois had driven from their homes upon the eastern shores of Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river — not the sea, as Nicolet had supposed — on which they dwelt. This was the Mississippi; and to these traders is the world indebted for a knowledge of its existence; as De Soto's discovery was never used, and soon became well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten. From these upper countries, in the Sum- mer of 1660, the two returned to Quebec, with three hundred Indians in sixty canoes, laden with peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn — though exceedingly faint — of what is now the commerce of the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flashed a more brilliant light; for, in 1679, tne "Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return — spreading her sails for Niagara, hut never more to be heard of. Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior ; one "I them, father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward, . as kewenaw, in the present State of Michigan. There is no positive evidence, however, that he or his French companions, visited any portion of what is now Wisconsin; although the next year, 1661, some of his associates probably passed down the Menomonee river to Green bay. Following Menard came Father Claude Alloue/., arriving on the first day of October, 1665, at "Chagowamigong," or "Chegoimegon," now Chequamegon, or Ashland Bay, " at the bottom of Which," wrote the missionary. " is situated the great villages of the savages, who there plant their fields of Indian corn, and lead a stationary life." Near by he erected a small chapel of bark — the PRE-TERRITORIAL AXNALS OF WISCONSIN. 31 first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Pointe, in the present Ashland county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost. The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded also by Allouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattamies, Menom- onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in 167 1, one hundred and five years before the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown county, a chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the "great river" — the Mississippi. French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 1671, the very year in which it seems the indomitable LaSalle, upon his first expedition, passed the mouth of Green bay, but did not enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes. By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits — vague and indeterminate as they were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was dispatched to the distant tribes, proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes, gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of the French government. And why not? She had discovered it — had to a certain extent explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur- traders — none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the "great river," concerning which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if, indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the Xorth- west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored. For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling onward toward the Mexican gulf. Who was that man? His name was Louis Joliet; with him was Father James Marquette. Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a priest, then turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous,' hardy, enter- prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait, Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple : two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits, they coasted the northern shores of I.ake Michigan, moved up Green bay and Fox river to the portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they paddled their frail canoes, until, on the seventeenth of June, they entered — "discovered" — the Mississippi. So the northern, the eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date : therefore, it may be said that its territory had been explored sufficiently for the forming of a 32 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter remained to recruit his exhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his "discoveries" to his superiors. Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679, he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently landing ; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle's party down the same coast to Green bay, in r68o, from the Illinois; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the .Mis- sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is new Wisconsin, by the Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way- down the " great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in 1683, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary, in 167 1, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi- ciently definite, Nicolas Perrot, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory, as well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and "to other places more remote." The voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and his companions frequently landed on the west coast of Lake Michigan, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the west for the seventeenth century. Following in the footsteps of early explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits to carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless coureurs dc hois, was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French. The ninety years of domination by France in this region were years of only nominal possession. The record of this occupation is made up of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French rulers; their contests with the Sacs and Foxes; their treaties, at various times, with different tribes; their interest in, and protection of, the fur trade, and kindred subjects. The Indian re, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for on to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French post, as early as 1721, where resided, besides the commandant and an uncouth squad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary; and near by- were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another blished there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great Britain — when, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post within what is now Wisconsin. The "fort" near the head of Green bay. had been vacated for irs; it was found " rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;" emblematic of the decay— the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of Freni h supremacy, at that America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling rhere was not within the broad limits of u hat is now the Stale, a single boTia fide settler, at the time the French Government yielded up it, possession to the Knglish; that is to say, thei acceptation of the term The military occupation oi v the British, afl fears' \yar, was a brief ; -- 1 1 . 1 1 is now the cit) of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called — I October, 1701, taken possi toi of by English troops, under 1 1 th regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant PRE-TERRITOKIAL AXNAI.s OF WISCONSIN. 33 James Gorrell, in command, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. Tli remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the lion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's War and the capture of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this: The Indian tribes saw tlie danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them. The) banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The struggle was short but fierce — full of "scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur- ance;" but t'.ie white man conquered. The moving incidents in this bloody drama were enacted to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as jusl mentioned, the savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory 1», troops, who never after took possession of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them. An early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the form of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any French Canadian is entitled to the honor of being the first permanent white settler is assuming for him more than the facts seem to warrant. The title of " The Father and Founder of Wis- consin " belongs to no man. After Pontiac's War, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan Carver, who, in 1766, passed up Fox river to the portage, ami descended the Wisconsin to the Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Drown count)'. He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the land opposite, and appeared to live very comfortably. That was the whole extent of improvements in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Northwest Fur Company; the passage of an act by the British Parliament by which the whole Northwest was included in the Pro\ Quebec; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian Dubifque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787 ; the first settlement of the territory northwest of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu- pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the treaty of 17.83 and of 1795, with Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their property, with the right to remain in, or to withdraw from it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is now Wisconsin by British ioldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the Revolu- tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when the western posts, none of which were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river, were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the sup Great Britain over the Northwest was, after an actual continuance oi thirty-five years, at an end. Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of tin throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treat) ol of 1783 with (Ireat Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claimants, seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a count)- 34 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled by Virginians or might after- ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that river, she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upon what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ- ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area included within the present boundaries of this State; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it. Virginia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern- ment became the undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses- sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris- diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 1787, which established a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." But this organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British, until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for the first time, Anglo-American rule commenced, though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the purposes of temporary government, be one district . subject, however, to be divided into districts, as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the Territory ; a general assembly was also provided for; and it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, "otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna Charta for the five great States since that tine formed out of "the territory northwest of the River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government. Under this act of Congress, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong, judges, — the latter, not accepting the office, John Cleves Symmes was appointed in his place. Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At different periods, counties were erected to include various portions of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the 15th of August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of Cleveland ; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne "west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan;" the whole of the present State of Michigan, except its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; a small corner in the north- east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago; and so much of the present State of Wis- consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This vast county was named Wayne. So the feu- settlers then at the head of Green bay had their local habitations, constructively at least, in "Wayne county, Northwestern Territory." It was just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet oi them. Kut the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the count)- of St. Clair, including the Illinois country to the southward, reached no farther north than the mouth of Little Macki- naw creek, where it empties into the River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The PRE-TERRITORIAL AXXALS OF WISCONSIN 35 "law of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which by the British Parliament in 1774, had been continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least. From and after the fourth day of July, 1S00, all that part of the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis- consin. The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash,'' now the city of Vincennes, Indiana. To this extensive area was added "from and' after" the admission of Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of the Territory of Indiana as originally established; so that now all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the^tate of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter- ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of a line drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north- ern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan, of course no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1S09, when all that part of the last men- tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream and " Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, was. by an act approved on the third of February previous, constituted a separate Territory, called Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is now Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and Lake Michigan. When, in 1S16, Indiana became a State, "the territory of the LTnited States northwest of the River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ; so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei- ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon the admission of Illinois into the Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than real, however. In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it, for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi — reaching south a 36 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. the present boundary line between the present States of Iowa and Missouri ; north, to the terri- torial line between the United States and Canada ; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth rivers. It so continued down to the fourth of July, 1S36. A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men- tioned year, including the time which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796, by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance. The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were mostly French Canadians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govern- ment, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purchasing, in 1804, a tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens passing through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle- ments at the head of Green bay and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the breaking out of the war of 1812, with Great Britain. The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this war; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, virtually put the latter in posses- sion of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1S14, the government authorities of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien, and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Colonel McKay, of the British army, crossing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The officers and men were paroled and sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa- nies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 18 15, when the place was evacuated by the British. When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that the contest between the United States and Great Britain was at an end, they generally expressed themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in fact, to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was, therefore, a favorable moment for taking actual possession of the country between the Missis- sippi and Lake Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom- inent points between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort Howard ; at the latter Fort Crawford. At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana- dians cultivated the soil ; at Prairie du Chien, there were not more than thirty houses, mostly occupied by traders, while on the prairie outside the village, a number of farms were cultivated. Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the last war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in 1818, they began to feel, now that the country was attached to Michigan Territory and the laws of the United States were extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory of Michigan, of three Territorial counties: Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford. Their establishment dates PRE-TERRITORIAL A.X3TALS OF WISCONSIN. 37 the twenty-sixth of October, [818. The county of Michilimackinac not only included all of the present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little Nbquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis- sippi river. Its county seat was established "at the borough of Michilimackinai ." The whole area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Mi< liigan formed the two counties of brown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green bay and the Wisconsin ; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the 22d of December, 1S26, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of Michilimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length, and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat "at such point in the vicinity of the Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall designate.'' Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the parallel 46 31' north latitude, — was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior. Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and their offices filled by appointment of the governor. County courts were established, consisting of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed a quorum. They were required to hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi- nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dis- pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed the value of one thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment, They had exclusive cog- nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had at Detroit. Appeals from justices of the peace were made to the county courts. The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government ; the holding of treaties with some of the Indian tribes; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien ; the appointment of postmasters at these two points, were all indications of a proper interest being taken by the United States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man- damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit; the latter place being the seat of government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1823, an act of congress provided for a district court, and for the appointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford, and Michilimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year, in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza- tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien; a June term in Green bay; a July term in " the Borough of Michilimackinac," in each year. In 1S24, Henry S. Baird, of Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until M when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1.S36, when it was abrogated by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin. For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south- 38 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different places in that region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds, aroused them in June, 1827, to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis- consin river to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com- mand of General Henry Dodge. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended the "Winnebago War." It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, by the United States. After the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians, to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General Government purchased of the Winnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all trouble on account of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed, by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fox and Milwaukee rivers. There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter- ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By a treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January, 17S9, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend- ship of the General Government, and a league of peace and unity established between the con- tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at' St. Louis stipulated that the united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro- tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. At this treaty lands were ceded which were circumscribed by a boundary beginning at a point on the Missouri river opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis- sippi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a point thirty-six miles in a direct line from its mouth; thence by a straight course to a point where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that point down the Pox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — six hundred to be paid to tli.- Sa s and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After- ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter- ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with ( rreat Britain, and the ! foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the : Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804. PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 39 Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to the close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1S30, several additional treaties were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government : one in 1822, by which they relin- quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis- sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come lor the two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the " great water." Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed by a large part of the two tribes. But a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock Island. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon their return early in 1831, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander, brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace— agreeing to remain forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration. Early in the Spring of 1S32, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended Rock river. This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers; and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county. They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular forcas. The Indians were sent word by General Atkinson that they must return and recross the Mississippi, or they would be driven back by force. " If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac chief. When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the "great river," a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis- comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis- charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, 1S32. In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General Atkinson, who commenced his march up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general "forting" in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand- ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians; and in one with entire suc- cess — upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing; when, being informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, ir. the southwest corner of what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James I). Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the 40 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the retreating force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1832, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank of that stream, in what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every effort to escape across the river. But that this might now be effected, it became necessary for that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred, sustained a loss of about sixty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans was one killed and eight wounded. This conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis- consin Heights. During the night following the battle, Black Hawk made his escape with his remaining force and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in their flight, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the last con- flict in the Black Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile an armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages; so they were attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This ended the war. The survey of public lands by the General Government; the locating and opening of land offices at Mineral Point and Green Bay; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of the presenl State, on the north by what is now the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee counties and farther westward on the north line of township numbered twelve, and on the west by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine; and the changing of the eastern boundary of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the important events following the (lose of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of what is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior By tlie act of June 28, 1834, congress having attached to the Territory of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of nf Missouri." comprising the whole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present State of Minnesota west of the Mississippi river, and more than half of what is now the Terri- tory of Dakota, the legislative 1 oun< il of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole area, dividing it on the 6th oi September, [834, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties: the country south of that line constituting the county of I north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This whole region west of the Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the treaty of 1832 with tin I States having « ome into ownership of a large tract in this district, several families c rossed the Mi>sissippi, and settled on the purchase, but as WISCONSIN TERRITORY 41 the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, [833, these settlers were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded possession, settlements began, but, from the date just mentioned until September, 1834, after the district was attached, for judicial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municipal law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixth of that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. Before this time to facili- tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points; so, one improvement followed another. On the 1st of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory — that is, of so much of it as lay to the westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com- plied with the request of the memorialists. IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY. The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until the twenty-sixth of January, 1837), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or, at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20, 1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north- east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a point opposite the main channel of Green bay; thence through that channel and the bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence •with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches the lake northwest; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the White Earth river; on the West by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river, and down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of the State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as already fixed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brown, Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili- mackinac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so to speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months afterward. The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and complete. It first determined its boundaries; then it declared that all authority of the govern- ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease on the fourth day of July, 1S36, with a 42 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tn& Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the executive power and authority in and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same time denning his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the several counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of representatives to which each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in session in any one year more than seventy-five days. One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office ; another defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be submitted to congress for their approval or rejection. There was a section designating what offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others regulating the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the United States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries. One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. There was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United States; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con- tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo- dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court. For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned secretary; Charles Dunn, chief justice; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges; W. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov- ernment was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial legislature. The provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the ceusus of the inhabitants of the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county, 5,234; Dubuque county, 4.274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2.706; 1 county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836, as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four- teen, of which the twocounties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The ap ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir- teen councilmen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three representatives; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen; Milwaukee, two councilmen and three representatives; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but ol sentatives, Iowa got six; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the tenth of Octob ing considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera- tions. The permanent location of the capital, the division of counties, and the location of county seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county of Brown, Henry s. Baird and fohn P. Arn.lt, membi rs of the couni ; : Ebenezer Childs, Albert WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 43 G. Ellis and Alexander J. Irwin, members of the house of representatives; from Milwaukee, the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alanson Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon, Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, councilmen, Ebenezer Brigham, John B. Terry and James R. Vineyard; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson, Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen, John Foley, Thomas MeCraney and Thomas McKnight; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, II Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Lefrler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance: from Crawford, repre- sentatives, James If. Lockwood and James B. Dallam. Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette, then in Iowa county, was, by the governor, appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative — ■ was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter- ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri- tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford and Iowa were constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice Dunn. The second district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer. Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids of the Upper Mississippi, to construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan, to improve the navigation of Fox river and to 'survey the same from its mouth to Fort AVinnebago, to increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and arm the militia for the protection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis- lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the three judicial districts and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses of the session ; others protecting ad lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid of schools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request- ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising therefrom for increasing the fund for schools. During this session, five counties were "set off" west of the Mississippi river: Lee, Van Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook; and fifteen east of that stream: Walworth, Racine, Jefferson, Dane. Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc, Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green. The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing the seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin 44 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Territory. Now, as Madison was a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all competitors; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison was fixed upon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the legislature should thereafter meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses, on the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die. In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate to the house of representatives of the United States, to serve for the term of two years, should be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly •, and that the first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of this enactment, Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the 10th of October, 1836. The successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa county— in that portion which was afterward "set off" as Grant county. Jones, under the act of 1819, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1836, the consti- tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented. But, as he was a candidate for election to represent the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-fourth congress — December 12, 1836, notwithstanding he had been elected only a little over two months. The first term of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge. John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been commissioned attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the oath of office. Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by the United States attorney, who received his appointment from the president; while all cases in which the Territory was interested was attended to by the attorney general, whose commission was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of several attorneys to practice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for the action of the court had matured. At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, when the whole machinery had been put fairly in motion, when its first legislature at its first session had, after passing forty-two laws and three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — at this time, the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw- ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, with the village of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 4.5 the shore of Lake Michigan, and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue of the country south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemption by actual settlers. The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of then sions were defined by a line drawn from a point on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix; thence in the same general direction to what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee river. The whole country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east; the parallel of about 43"' of latitude on the south; the Missouri and \V r h ite Earth river on the west; and the Territorial line on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly south of latitude 43° — in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the Iowas, and the Sacs and Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending north to the south line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Winnebagoes. East of the Wirmebagoes in the country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin Territory at its organization. A portion of the country east of Wolf river and north of Green bay and the Fox river; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay, Fox river and the Wisconsin; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had no claim. The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at Burlington, now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1S37. The governor, in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a joint resolution, congress was urged to make an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted — forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State university, at Madison. A bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to prepare for organizing, regulating and perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack- water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the Catfish, the four lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company. This company was given authority to apply to congress for an appro- priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd- numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal was secured, and in July, 1S39, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price of two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance of an antagonism growing up between the officers of the canal company and the Territorial ■officers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to conflicts between'the beneficiaries of 46 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". the grant and some of the leading politicians of the time — the whole scheme proved a curse and a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure of the project. There had been much Territorial and State legislation concerning the matter ; but very little work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1875 that an apparent quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest. Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1838, both houses adjourned until the second Monday of June following. The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis- lature commenced on the eleventh of June, 183S, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not only then before congress, but had been actually passed by that body, though unknown to the Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri- tory being divided before the next general election, to make an apportionment for the part remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have no effect. Having provided that the next session should be held at Madison, the legislative body adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of June, 1S3S, the public buildings at the new capital having been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained unchanged, except that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his piace given to William B. Slaughter, by appointment, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter- ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 1838, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota, extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northward to the United States boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri- tory of Iowa. The census taken in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149. On the third Monday of July, 1S3S, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — was held at Madison. There were present Chief Justice Dunn and Associate Judge Frazer. After admitting live attorneys to practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terms of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison. At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1838, James Duane Doty received the highest number of votes for the office of delegate to congress, and was declared by Governor Dodgs duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of 1 : on the commencement of the third session of the twenty- fifth congress WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 47 on Monday, December 10, 183S, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri- tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and protested against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for his claim was that under the act of 1S17, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and not for parts of two congressional terms; that his term as a delegate from Wisconsin did not commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not expire until the fourth of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of elections. This com- mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele- gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the house by a vote of one hundred and sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was qualified as delegate from Wisconsin Territory, and took his seat at the date last mentioned. On the 8th of November, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer, who died at Milwaukee, on the iSth of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory. On the 26th day of November, 1S3S, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis- consin—being the first session of the second legislative assembly — met at Madison. Governor Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial- izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the division of the Territory into judicial districts; the justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur- chase, the right of pre-emption; and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan. The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of public buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the law-, of the Territory was considered. A new assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford ; Judge Irvin to the second, composed of the counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green; while Judge Miller was assigned to the thud district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties — includ- ing therein the unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes, were, when constituted by name and boundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on the 2 1 st of the following month. "Although," said the president of the council, upon the of the adjournment, "but few acts of ,i general character have been passed, as the discus-,. action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the pa memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territorj ; yel tl believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, 1- a measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charai - ter of the Territory." Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year [838, showed a population of 18,130, an increase in two years of (>,H7 The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first daj ol January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted^ 48 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. consisting of three members from each house : from the council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M. Strong, and James Collins; from the house ot representatives, Edward V. Whiton, Augustus Story, and Barlow Shackleford. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised Statutes of 1S39, a valuable volume for all classes in the territory — and especially so for the courts and lawyers — during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took place on the nth of March, 1839. On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre- sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The attorney general of the Territory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appointed by the judge attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Catlin having resigned, Simeon Mills was selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro- vided by law, until Wisconsin became a State. The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory. The term for which mem- bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor- tionment should be made. As the census would be taken the ensuing June, by the United States, it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session was resolved upon, and then an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capital, and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by congress to defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January, 1S40, to meet again on the third of the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla- ture — which is known as the extra session of the second legrlative assembly — at the time agreed upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa- tives ; the session lasted but a few days, a final adjournment taking place on the fourteenth of August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi- tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat for the first time under his second term, on the eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth congress. The first session of the third legislative assembly commence^- on the seventh of December, 1S40, with all new members in the house except three. All had recently been elected under the new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation. There was. however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested 1 lei 'ion 1 vo members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to the seat of government to some other place. However, as no particular point could be agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February, WIM'OXSIX TERRITORY. 49 1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the 01 Francis J. Dunn, appointed by Martin Van Buren, was commissioned in place of William B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the 25th of January, 1841, but was himself super- ceded by the appointment of A. P. Field, on the 23d day of April following. On the 151I1 of March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the 27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of the Territory, M. M. Jackson. On the 13th of September following, Dodge was removed from office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the president of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841 ; so that Doty and Dodge changed places, Dodge took his seat for the first time, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty- fifth congress— Monday, December 7, 1841. About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal imbroglio broke out afresh. The loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been issued ; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped all work on the canal. During the year 1S41, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began at Madison, on the sixth of December, iS4r. Governor Doty, in his message to that body, boldly avowed the doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved by congress. "The act," said he, "establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec- tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday in December, ' two copies of the laws to the speaker of the house of representatives, for the use of congress.' The sixth section provides that 'all laws of t the governor and legislative assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, "it seems to me, require the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should ' be in force in the district until the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The governor concluded in these words: "The opinion of my predecessor, which was expressed to the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1836, fully sustains this view of the subject which I have presented. He said : ' We have convened under an act of congress of the United States establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as may be required for the government of the people of this Territory, after their approval by con- gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov- ernor and the legislative assembly. At this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. "Congress had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The Territory was the trustee; the canal company the cestui que trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of the lands h d been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held 50 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. for the balance." The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed all the laws authorizing a loan, and all which contemplated the expenditure of any money on its part in constructing the canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on the canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the trust. They resolved also that the congress be requested to divert the grant to such other internal improvements as should be designated by the Territory, subject to the approval of congress; and that, if the latter should decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1842, a tragedy was enacted in the legislative council, causing great excitement over the whole Territory. On that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of sheriff of Grant county. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers. When an adjournment had been announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine- yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county, waived an examination, and was committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the Territory, on a writ of habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man- slaughter, was tried and acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his resignation as member of the council. That body refused to receive it, or to have it read even ; but at once.expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1S42. The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem- ber, 1842. The members had been elected under a new apportionment based upon a census taken in the previous June, which showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou- sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi- cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now assumed a serious character. He refused to "hold converse " with it, for the reason that, in his opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and, as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature made a representation to congress, then in session, of the objections of the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet again on the thirteenth of January, 1S43. It was not until the fourth of February following that a quorum in both houses had assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were then ready to proceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all conflict about its legality. But the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued a proclamation, convening a special session of the legislature on the sixth of March, and still refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of April following. The term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as delegate, having expired at the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep- tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second term at the commence- ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 51 secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field. The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844 — a period of fifty- nine days — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the question of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene- ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot- box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet- ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a "k" and an "a" — Wis- /fonsrtn — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography — Wisronsm — employed in the organic act, was adopted as the true one for the Territory, and has ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had expired. He was superseded as governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1844. On the thirty-first of August, Charles M. Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session in 1845. His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January, was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attention of the legis- lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan with the Mississippi. "The interests of the Territory," said he, "seem inperiously to demand the con- struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, "that the con- struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall be substituted for it." The session terminated on the twenty-fourth of February, 1045. James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W. P. Lynde, on the fourteenth of July, L-nited States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall- madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge. The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminary steps were taken for the formation of a State government. The first Tuesday in April next succeeding was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1S46. The constitution when formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the council who had been elected for four years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature 52 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty oi making an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. On the twenty-second of January, Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On the twenty- fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president. The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun- dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October. After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of December, 1846. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first Tuesday of April, 1S47, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com- menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On the twenty-seventh of that month, Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern- ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken this year, which showed a population of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted to the people on the second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified. The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1848, and adjourned sine die on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy, delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The bill was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1848, Wisconsin became a State. There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So long as the Territory had an existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act. There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off " by the legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all twenty-eight : Milwaukee v Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu- met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe. V.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE. First Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor — 1848, 184,; The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled "An Act to enable the people of Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such State into the Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as "beginning at the north- east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan WISCONSIN' AS A STATE. 53 where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake Michigan [and] Green hay to the mouth of the Menomonee river; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule river; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule ; thence along the southern shore of Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in the Lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon- treal river to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Louis river ; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main branch of the River St. Croix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ; thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State of Illinois; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of beginning." The territory included within these lines constitutes the State of Wisconsin, familiarly known as the " Badger State." All that portion of Wisconsin Territory, as formerly constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as extends from the middle of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits of the State are, of course, -not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed. The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the parallel of forty-two degrees thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, north latitude, and between the eighty-seventh and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it has Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it- has Lake Michigan, almost equal in size to Lake Superior; while the Mississippi, the largest river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi- gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. Wisconsin has an average length of about two hundred and sixty miles; an average breadth of two hundred and fifteen miles. The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people on the second Monday of March, 1848, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held, which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant governor; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer; and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and sixty-six assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided into two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected- - William Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw- ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Chippewa and La Pointe being unorganized. The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern- ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1S4S. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, pro tempore. The democrats were largely in the .majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on the 7th of June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the 8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. < >n the same 54 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and attorney general, were sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as well as the representatives in congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and eighty-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, for congress, over Edward V. Whiton, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty- six. As the thirtieth congress, to which Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th of March, 1849, their terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his seat on the 5th of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 1848. The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit courts, courts of probate, and in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris- diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be no election for a judge or judges, at any general election for State or county officers, nor within thirty days either before or after such election. On the 8th of June, 184S, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, "under the provisions of the con- stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people," continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign State, is an event of no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements, fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. With a soil unequaled in fertility, and productive of all the necessary comforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, " under the most favorable auspices that the State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government. The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats. Their election took place on the 8th of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the 23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 184S. The latter drew the short term; so that his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress : Dodge drew the long term, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of the thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 55 running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of the legislature, on the second Wednesday of January of each year; another prescribing the duties of State officers; one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Richland, Crawford, Adams, Portage, Chippewa, La l'ointe, and St. Croix; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 184S. By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in Madison on the second Monday of January, 1S49, and thereafter at the same place on the same day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election. Another act established a State university ; another exempted a homestead from a forced sale ; another provided for a revision of the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty- five days, adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of August, 1848. The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Whiton being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, com- posed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted; Levi Hubbell of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee, of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, and Calumet; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized; the county of Richland being attached to Iowa county ; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw- ford ; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized political parties in the State : whig, democratic, and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their votes for Lewis Cass and William O. Butler. At this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen : Charles Durkee, tc represent the first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James D. Dotv, the third district. Durkee was a free-soiler; Cole, a whig ; Doty, a democrat — with somewhat decided Doty proclivities. The act of the legislature, exempting a homestead from forced sale of any debt or liability contracted after January t, 1S49, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10, 1S48, were laws the most liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe- sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State — for the worse; but time passed, and their utility were soon evident: it was soon very generally acknowledged that proper exemption laws were highly beneficial — a real good to the greatest number of the citizens of a State. So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north of it, was, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction. John H. Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal 56 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. resignation of his office, thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that. office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes were polled in the district, showing "Wisconsin Territory" still to have a population of not less than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849, he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the new Territory. The year 1848 — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox river of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition, as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid- erable time greatly desired by the people. The State government at the close of the year hac been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph had already reached the capital ; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of prosperity. Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act of the legislature, approved June 29, 1848, providing for the election of judges, and for the classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges, of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office, and, as chief justice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee. and Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of January, 1849 The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of January, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the State, and the indomitable energy displayed in the development of its productive capacity. He recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison, and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, the two houses met in joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn the short term The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot. Walker was re-elected; this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1S49. The legislature at this session passed many acts of public utility; some relating to the boundaries of counties; others, to the laying out of roads; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for; school districts were organized; special tax: were authorized, and an act passed relative to the sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, prescribing the powers and duties of the commissioners who were to have charge of the same. These commissioners, consisting of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands, Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are subject to sale at private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property of the State subject to sale, or that have been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen- WISCONSIN As A STATE. 57 eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one half million acres. A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1S49, instructing Isaai I Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend- ment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico. west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introduction of slavery or involuntary servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849. after a session of eighty- three days. In July, 1848, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W. Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the public acts of the State, of a general and permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M. Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners commenced their labors in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the time until the close of the session of the legislature of 1S49. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment; so a joint select committee of the two houses at their second session was appointed to assist in the work. The laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by, the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundred pages. At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor. S. W. Beall was elected lieutenant governor; William A. Barstow, secretary of state; Jairus C. Fairchild was re-elected treasurer; S.Park Coon was elected attorney general; and Eleazer Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem- ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election. By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full term went into office on the first of January next succeeding their election. The year 1849 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find welcome and happy homes. Second Administration. — Nelson Dewev, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 185 1. On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered upon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth. Moses M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities. Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb- ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850,. consisting of the counties of Crawford, Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holden on the same day Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit. 58 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the " Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government; for obtaining the means of subsistence; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State- On the seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three departments: in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools; in another, musical training is imparted ; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — sewing, knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1874, the building of the Institute was destroyed by fire. A new building has since been erected. The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin of over three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety- five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory. It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish; but the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited wa'er-power of its numerous streams. By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts — the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and Racine constituted the first district ; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa, Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second district; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. At the general election in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district ; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the same district in the previous congress : he ran the second time as an independent candidate. Eastman and Macy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries. The year 1850 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity, owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera; not, however, to a very alarming extent. The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the 8th of January, 1851. Frederick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla- ture was democratic. Governor Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of the president of the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a WISCONSIN As a STATE. 59 sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the 20th of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 22c!, the governor approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu- tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March 31, 1849, as censured Isaac J. Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the senate of the United States. Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for the location and erection of a State prison. Another one — the apportionment bill — was vetoed by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law. The legislature adjourned on the eighteenth of March, 1851, after a session of seventy days. On the 1st day of January, 185 1, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex- ander W. Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term — June 18, 1851 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant to the statute, elected to that office. By an act of the legislature approved March 14, 185 1, the location and erection of a State prison for Wisconsin was provided for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable place for its establishment being Waupun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for the punishment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed as provided for by the legislature, all offenders who might be committed and sentenced accord- ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor. The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced civilization and an enlightened humanity. On the 29th of September, 1S51, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January 1, 1S52. At the general election in November, 1851, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor; Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen, State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except Farwell, who ran as a whig ; his majority over D. A. J. Upham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred. Third Administration. — L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1852-1853. Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On the fourteenth of that month, the legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a majority ; in the assembly, the whigs. The governor, in his message, recommended the memorial- izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought into market; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and offered for sale; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors. The question of "bank or no bank " having been submitted to the people in November previous, 60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given to the legis- lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a general banking law. Farwell recom- mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe- dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one chief justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was passed at this session providing for the election of a chief justice and two associates, on the last Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven: twenty-five for the senate; eighty- two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the office of bank-comptroller was created — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until the first Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the 20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of April, 1852. The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the "Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes, near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, Walworth county. By an act of the legislature approved April 19, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con- tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, " at or near the village of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup- ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the governor of the State. The institute has for its design the education of such children of the State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making. During this year, considerable interest was manifested in the projecting of railroads. At the September election, E. V. Whiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and Samuel Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was to serve a term of four years from the first day of June next ensuing; while the two associates were to cast lots — one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June 1, 1853. Craw- ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem- bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C Eastman from the second: and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce and Butler. During 1852, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets; an increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest: a prevaii- ing confidence among bu<->.ess men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the WISCONSIN As a sTATF. 61 population of the State by immigration; the energetic prosecution of internal impro under the skillful management of companies; the extension of permanent agricultural improve- ments; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages; were among the encouraging prospects of the year. The sixth session oi the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1855. On the twenty-sixth of the same month, William K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges in the assembly against Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu- tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members thereof to go to the senate and impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison 1 sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing January. The office was then to be filled by popular vote at the general election in November, 1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan- uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 2Sth of March, the legislature, in joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sine die on the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days. By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1S53, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural Society." which had been organized in March, 1S5 1, was incorporated, its object being to promote and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria- tion made by the legislature, to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873 ; since which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most pressing needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen- erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and industrial interests of Wisconsin. By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1S53, the "State Historical Society of Wisconsin " was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect, embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers, and to obtain and preserve narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities, and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author- ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State aid has been continued to the present time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical books and pamphlets the largest in the West has published eight volumes of collections and a catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of paint traits and bound newspaper files; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics. On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate 62 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". Justice Crawford, for two years; Chief Justice Whiton, for four years, Associate Justice Smith- for six years as previously mentioned. The first (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu- tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State offices to be supported by them at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars- tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis , for secretary of State, Alexander T. Gray, for State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats. The year 1S53 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec- tations of the most sanguine. Fourth Administration. — William A. Barstow, Governor — 1854-1855. On Monday, the second of January, 1S54, William A. Barstow took the oath of office as governor of Wisconsin. The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred- erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days. In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1854, from the judges of the district court of the United States for the district of Wisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover was secured and lodged in jail in Milwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and rescued the fugitive. Among those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M. Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of ihe proceedings was thereupon taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been committed before the associate justice. At the June term, 1S54, the justices held that Booth was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention. Booth was afterward indicted in the United States district court and a warrant issued for his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July, 1854. In his petition to the supreme 1 ourt, Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case and that it was apparent that the indictment was for an offense of which the federal courts had exclusive jurisdiction. They could not therefore interfera; and his application for a discharge was denied. Upon the indictment, Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation ■ if tlv; fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his WISCONSIN As A STATE. G3 last application bearing date January 26, 1855. He claimed discharge on the ground of the unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of which was to be considered as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem- ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States; and as, upon these last- mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged. The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Booth, was afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected by the State court, Booth was re-arrested in 1S60, and the sentence of the district court of the United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president. By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1S54, a " State Lunatic Asylum " was directed to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or purchased for that purpose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the " Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane.' This was the third charitable institution established by the State. The hospital was opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who, under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi- dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a week for his or her support Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested. The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about four miles from Madison. At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second, and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as republicans — that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat The year 1S54 was one of prosperity for-Wisconsin, to all its industrial occupations. Abund- ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of general health. It was ascertained that the amount of exports during the year, including lumber and mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars. The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the 10th of January, 1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; tiie assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the 1st of February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would expire on that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either from drunkenness 01 profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband. The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in place of Judge Samuel Crawford whose term of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office would therefore end on the thirty-first of May, 1S61. 64 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. On the 27th of May, 1S55, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at Prairie du Chien. On the 18th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to fill his place. On the 5th of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover, having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth, the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850. The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration of the inhabitants in the year 1S55, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the democratic ticket for State offi- cers was declared elected: William A. Barstow, for governor; Arthur McArthur, for lieutenant governor; David W. Jones, for secretary of State; Charles Kuehn, for State treasurer : Wil- liam R. Smith, for attorney general; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction; William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner. The vote for governor was very close; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a small majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a republican The year 1855 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial occupations. There were abundant crops and unexampled prices were realized. Fifth Administration. — Coles Bashford, Governor — 1856-181:7. On the seventh day of January, 1856. William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had determined to contest the right of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison, and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward called at the executive office and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the gubernatorial chair; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation. These were the initiatory steps of " Bashford vs. Barstow," for the office of governor of Wisconsin. The fight now commenced in earnest. O.i the eleventh, the counsel for Bashford called upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a quo warranto against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, by his attorney, asked the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case. On the second of February, Barstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle- gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true. On the twenty-first of February, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar- stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor; that the secre- tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit- ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass so made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to prove that the certificates were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and that he, instead of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter- tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow WISCONSIN AS A STATE 65 was thereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been filed against him by the attorney general. On the day appointed, Barstow filed his plea to the effect that, by the laws of Wisconsin regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor ; and that the board had found that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in law to take the case out of court; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was required to answer over within four days; at the expiration of which time the counsel for Barstow withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter, and the court had determined to proceed with the case, holding and exercising full and final jurisdiction over it; and that the} could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon, on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to the supreme court, against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, "' either by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow. A further hearing of the case was postponed until March iS, when the attorney general filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which Bashford. by his counsel, protested as being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol- lowed ; but the court came to the conclusion to call upon Bashford to bring forward proof, showing his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the opinion of the court that Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which were rendered accordingly. The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub- lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla- ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in "Bashford vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hearing testimony in the case. On the same day Arthur McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State, afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow made it his duty to take the reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on McArthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by the assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1S56. This ended the famous case of " Bashford vs. Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin. The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September, to dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure was taken up— that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the 66 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress, held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State. The republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and Dayton. The year 1856 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some respects decidedly unfavorable. In many districts the earlier part of the season was exceedingly dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where in a flourishing condition. The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of the members of both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic party. On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election, Judge Whiton was re-elected chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years. The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and several magistrates in any county in Wisconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this school any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny, or any misdemeanor; also of any offense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certain cases. The term of commit- ment must be to the age of twenty-one years. At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall governor ; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw. State prison commis- sioner. The democrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor ; D. W. Jones, secretary of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc- tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller. The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as well as to the whole country, in a finan- cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally the year was a fair one for the State. Sixth Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor — 185S-1859. Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1S5S, when for the first time he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature < ommenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick - I,, veil was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not AV1SC0NSIX AS A STATE. 67 be doubted ; but they were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience. They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and execration the whole- sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and. for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought, by providing a 'sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed." At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisi-n of the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year, three commissioners — David Taylor, Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed " to collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin. Their report was submitted to the legislature of 1858, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the Revised Statutes of 185S. At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the second district, both republicans, were elected to the thirty-sixth congress ; while C. H. Larrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district. The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a session of sixty-nine days. At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate Justice Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — whether on the 31st day of May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, 1S60 — he went through with the formality of resigning his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June, 1859. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. Whiton, chief justice of the supreme court, died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th of the same month — the successor of Judge Whiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum- mer both political parties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful — electing for governor, Alexander W. Randall for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble; for secretary of state, L. P. Harvey; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James H. Howe; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction, J. L. Pickard; for state prison commissioner, H. C. Heg. Seventh Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor (second term), 1S60-1861. Alexander W. Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin, on Monday, January 2, i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis- lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of April. At the spring elec- tion. Luther S. Dixon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. In the presidential election which followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in the electoral college, for Lincoln and Hamlin. At the same election, John F. Potter, from the first district; Luther Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when, on the twentieth of December following, W. D. Mclndoe was elected to fill the vacancy. All these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in i860, was a strong repub- 08 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. lican State. According to the census of this year, it had a population of over seven hundred and seventy-seven thousand. On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com- menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an excellent synopsis of the operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the Union. These are his closing words : " The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. The National Government can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands in an attitude hostile to the Union. So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde- pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The government of the United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional laws extend over every Stat^ alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one answer to be made : ' The Government must be sustained; the laws shall be enforced ! ' * On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United States senator to fill the place of Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the fourth of March next ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican, who was elected for a full term of six years from the 4th of March, 1861. One of the important acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun- dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into six congressional districts instead of three. By this — the third congressional apportionment — each district was to elect one representative. The first district was composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock, Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the third, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, Rich- land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa- gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad Axe, La Crosse, M nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, LaPointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1861. At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the supreme court. On the ninth of May following, Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition of the country," said he, " growing out of the rebellion against the government of the United States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session, to provide more completely for making the power of the State useful to the government and to other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war. " At the close of the last annual session of the legislature," said he, " to meet a sudden emer- gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion WISCONSIN As a STATE. 69 or insurrection, or lo repel inva ion within the Tinted States,' and 1 was uithorized, and it was made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the ,peed most efficient manner for responding to such call : and to this end I was authorized to accepi the services of volunteers for active service, to he enrolled in companies of not ie>s than seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. 1 was also authorized to provide for uniforming and equipping such companies as were not provided with uniforms and equipments." " The first call of the president for immediate a< tive servii i ," con- tinued the governor, " was for one regiment of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the passage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough, each containing the requisite number of men,. to make up at least tive regiments instead of one. I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered into service. In less than one month from the date of my first proclamation, at least live thou- sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war, and all appear anxious for active service in the field. I"he time for deliberation," concludes the governor, " must give way to the time for action. The constitution of the United States must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State- to go into every other State and engage in any lawful pursuit, without unlawful interference or molestation; the freedom of speech and of the press; the right of trial by jury; security from unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutional privileges and immunities, must receive new guarantees of safety." The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single exception, no acts except such as appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned sine die on the twenty-seventh of .May, i S6 1. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the State as to who his successor should be. Three State tickets were put in nomination : union, republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey, governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; James H. Howe, attorney general; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp- troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction; and A. 1'. Hodges, state prison commissioner. The War of Secession — .Last Year of Randall's Administration. When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year 1S60 as to show that resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder, then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1S61, should have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a State to secede from it. "Secession," said he, " is revolution; revolution is war ; war against the government of the United States is treason." " It is time," he continued, "now, to know whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written constitution more than a sheet of parchment? The nation must be lost or preserved by its own strength. Its strength is in the patriotism of the people. It is time now that politicians became oatriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by 70 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN. unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity."' "The hopes," added the governor, most eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base, and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of legislation that would 'give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men. "The signs of the times," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off." On the 1 6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and patriotic special message of the president of the United States; that they tender to him, through the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the American people. " Renewing," said they, " the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and the constitution." The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the president of the United States to aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service, in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each, and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service. One hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes; and bonds were authorized to be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen, therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort Su.nter had not yet been surrendered — WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 71 were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then under- stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union. Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first artillery, United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns. This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion. " Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, " the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day. In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of Sumter. "The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds ; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed,'" said Governor Randall, " to consider the military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat- forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels and traitors." "What is money," he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis ? " Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn, sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amend- ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis- consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one. Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of men for three months' duty. " For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of tin nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of April, "organized treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against 1:." " 1 he treasuries of the country," said he, "must no longer be plundered; the public property must be 72 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN protected from aggressive violence; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty- second, Governor Randall reported to the secretarj of war that the First regiment was read) to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled — the regiment after- ward completing its organization. With a wise foresight, Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and Third. and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies assigned to the Second regiment were ordered tu commence moving into "Camp Randall," at Madison, on the first day 'if May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the presi- dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — this time for three years, or during the war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded. At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com- menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified of the second call of the president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regi- ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. " A bill was introduced, and became a law, authorizing the governor in raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organ- ized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service, he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter and subsist volunteers at rendezvous — to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States. Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States servii e, for three years. Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regi- ments, as they came into camp, were to be instrui ted in drill and various camp duties, to secure efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the payment of the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting ami clothing them. The governor was authorized to purchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to i ivernor to carry out the law." Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur- chase two thousand stand of arms; and filly thousand dollars were appropriated to pay tor the same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for the purpose ol | '.he support of families of volunteers residing in their respective limits. The one passed ms session, exempting volunteers from civil process rhile in the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted live dollars per month as extra pa) to enlisted volunteer- having families dependent upon them for support, payable to their families Another authorized tht governor to em ds, clerk-- and WISCONSIN As A STATE 73 messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay- ment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years. The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the "war fund." One million dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor, secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu- tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year i86r, deserve a high commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra session to place tlte State upon a "war footing," was the organization by the governor of the various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L. Utley, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general: Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, paymaster gen- eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Cam]) Scott," was mustered into the United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards ( >n the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin brigade ; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war lied the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one (the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this. Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth. As a number of the companies ordered into " Camp Randall" on the first* day of May to form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war of ;lic seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist- ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made v.p, and the whole mustered into the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1861. The Third regiment having had its companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into "Camp Hamilton" at loud du Lac, where the regiment wa3 organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the se< ond call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates. The determination of the secretary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more v. making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into " < lamp Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was nm tered into the service of the Unit on the ninth of the following month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the Fifth had assembled at " Camp Randall." and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as 7-4 IITSTOBY OF WISCONSIN. United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth; however, he wisely concluded not to call them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. "If they are needed sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, " a call will be imme- diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." "By the authority of our legislature," added the writer, 'I shall, after the middle of August, keep two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an earlier day if needed." About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis- sioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was mustered into the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company "G " of Berdan's regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van Deutsch of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after- ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri. About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec- tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into "Camp Randall," at Madison. They were mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired. The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus- tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi- ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to " Camp Randall," at Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth. The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, 1 861, at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the 18th of September, and ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in September, 1861, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1S61, at "Camp Holton," Mil- waukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter part of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes- ville, being mustered into the United States service on the seventeenth of October, 1861. These thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States service while Randall was governor. From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the or^an- WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 75 ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse Artillery." It rendezvoused at Racine.early in October, 1861, where on the tenth of that month, it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery, Captain Ernest Herzberg, assembled at " Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tenth. The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1861, at Racine. The Fifth battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F. Pinney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley," Racine, where, on the first of October, it was mus- tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk had been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was telegraphed to, and the extra companies — the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Sixth, known as the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in September, Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh, known as the "Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's administration ; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry; one company of cavalry ; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. " Wisconsin," said the gov- ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments >r the war up to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General Government before the close of Randall's administration. The governor, before the expiration of his office, was empowered to organize more artillery companies — ten in all ; and five additional regiments of infantry — making the whole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he wrote: " Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in camp, and will be full by the 25th of December. Seventeenth has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full, by January 1. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * Three regiments of cavalry — two full above the maximum; the third, ahout eight hundred men in camp." It will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably increased by the 6th of January, 1S62, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned. The First regiment — three months' — left "Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June, 1861, for Harrisburg. Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather, colonel. The regiment returned to Milwaukee on the seventeenth of August, 1861, and was mustered out on the twenty-second. The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the service, as previously mentioned, wa^ completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty- 76 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as colonel, left " Camp Randall. Madison, tor Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 — numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from "Camp Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Karrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. 'Hamilton, as colonel, on the twelfth of Jul)-, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy- nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1861, from "Camp Utley," Racine, for Baltimore, Maryland. The Fifth regiment left "Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1S61, liington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1S61, the Sixth regiment, numbering one thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madison, having been ordered to Washington city. It was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel — with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry, nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison, en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of the twelfth of October, 1S61. The Ninth, or German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel," for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from " Camp Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth of November, 1861, destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and privates. On the twentieth of November, 1861, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall," Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Camp Tredway," Janesville — Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor Randall : these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service, of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1861, — making a grand total of infantry sent from Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regiments of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men; Alexander's company of sharp- shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one thousand. Adding these to the three years' regiments, and the whole force, in round numbers, was eleven thousand men, furnished by the Stale in 1861. Eighth Administration. — Louis P. Harvey and Edward Salomon-, Governors — 1862-1863. Louis 1'. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January, 1862. The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had only a plurality "I members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough, indeed, to elect, b) out iide aid, J. \V. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the "Union" ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tenth, read his message to the legislature in joint convention. "No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, "pleads WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 77 with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's i pass through the furnace of a great trial of their virtue, and of the strength of the Government." On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of [une next ensuing Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harvey. Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to organize a red f party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvej and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a large num- ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies oi various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his part) adminis- tered to the wants of the sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission of mercy, they repaired to a boat in the harbor of Savannah, to await the arrival of the Minne- haha, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of the nineteenth of April, 1S62, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the governor ami his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunleith, on which was congregated the part)' ready to depart. Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought to Madison for interment. Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June, the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April previous, Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing the >ad event of the death of the late governor, said: " The last among the governors elected by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic and melancholy end of the honored and lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are. with his memory, treasured up 111 their hearts." He died,*' added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan- thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." The legislature, on the thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the State had " hist an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a. high-toned gentleman, a warm- hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend." Both houses adjourned sine die, on the seventeuth of June, 1862 Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special session of the legislature necessary, lie issued, on the twenty-ninth of August. [862, his proc- lamation to that effect, convening both houses on the tenth of September following. On that day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for by the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. "It is evident," said he, "that to meet further calls, it is ne< essary to relj upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin." The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet elides of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. The) also authorized the raising of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty- sixth of September, [862, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws. 78 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. On the yth of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the army. On the 14th of that month, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy. At the general election in the Fall of this year, six congressmen were elected to the thirty- eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and W. D. Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi- cans ; P.rown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats. The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of January, 1S63. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion. A large number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle. to the United States senate for six years, from the fourth of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected chief justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate. By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 1S5S, as amended by an act passed in 1862, and interpreted by another act passed in 1S75, the terms of the justices of the supreme court, elected for a full term, commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their election. At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field: democratic and union republican. The latter was successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor ; Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield Smith, attorney general ; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent ; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp- troller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner. War of Secession- — Harvf.v and Salomon's Administration. When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive ; three regiments of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer of 1S61, was authorized by the war department to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. Governor Ran- dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza- tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment' was author- ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but was finally turned over to the State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont, which authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin — when Governor Randall received information that the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, however, soon had his authority restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized by the war department to raise three additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries wen all tilled and went into camp bj t-1 1 61. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten companies of artillery, left behind in WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 79 various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor. The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in- chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. '1 red- way, quartermaster general; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general; Brigadier Gen- eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Majoi M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and paymaster general were no longer necessary; and their time, after the commencement of the administration in Wisconsin of 1S62, was employed, so long as they continued their respective offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about the first of June, 1862; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last of August, 1862, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place. Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of this year — 1S62, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call for volunteers for three years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized to the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the whole number of officers, musicians and privates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel George E. Bryant; the Thirteenth, in "Camp Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and nineteen men, commanded by Colonel M. Maloney ; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E. Wood. The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment, Colonel H. C. Heg, seven hundred men, and the Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, were at that time at "Camp Randall," in near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment, Colonel J. L. Doran, and the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking one. and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee. Seven companies of artillery, numbering together one thousand and fifty men, had remained for a considerable time in " Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern- ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri, raised by Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ber- dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men. Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels; the Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn; and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou- sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment was rapidly organ- izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men. SO HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session of 1861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same; also author- izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters, defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi- ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers; another defining the duties of the allotment com- missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One authorized the issuing of bonds for two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author- ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint- ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds; while another authorized the governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments. The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, .... ict was passed providing I ir the discontinuance of the active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general. Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing, by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry regiments. At the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862, an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi- ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of artillery before that time raised in the State, or that might afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for " State Aid" to families of volunteers. Another law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers. On the fifth of August, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ; that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of that year, for three hundred thousand vol- unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of August, the deficiency would be made up by draft ; and that the secretary of war would assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the draft. On the eighth of that month, the governor of the Stale was ordered to immediately cause an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties. Governor Salomon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United States promised to pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for Wisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was eleven thousand nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the stim- WISCONSIN AS A STATE. si ulus caused by a fear of it, that only four thousand five hundred and thirty-seven men were drafted. This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities. Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at Wash- ington. The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's administration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1S61, also, of one company of cavalry under Captain Von Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con- stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now lie shown. The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Freder.ck Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1862, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.- The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Bryant, ten hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1862, with orders to report at Weston, Missouri. The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left "Camp Tredway," Janesville, on the eighteenth of January, 1S62, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twenty-third. The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Loui-, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1S62, it having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks." The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin, was organized at "Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1862, it leaving the State for St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and one officers and men. The Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the service on the last day of January, 1S62, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for St. Louis on the thirteenth of March ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand and sixty-six. The reg. mental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran, was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering in of the men completed on the fifteenth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban, colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fifteenth of March, 1862, and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty- first. The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel, Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mustered into the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, by an order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the State. On the twentieth of April, 1862, the regiment was ordered to "Camp Randall " to guard rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and seventy-three. They left the State for Washington on the second of June. SZ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment — Bertine Pinckney, colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, 1862, at "Camp Randall," the original strength being nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the State for St. Louis. The Twenty-first infantry was organized at Oshkosh, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep- tember, 1862, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel — leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh. The Twenty-second regiment — Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at "Camp Utley," Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1862. Its original strength was one thou- sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the sixteenth. On the thirtieth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey — was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth. The Twenty-fourth infantry rendezvoused at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was completed on the twenty-first of August, 1862, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand strong. On the fourteenth of September, 1S62, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on the nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress- ing the Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen. The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the eighteenth of December, 1862. The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com- mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State for Washington city on the sixth of October, one thousand strong. The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been mustered into the service. On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of Oconomowoc, colonel — was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil- waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second; remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863. The Twenty-ninth infantry — Colonel Charles R. Gill — was organized at " Camp Randall," where its muster into the United States service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep- tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November. The Thirtieth regiment, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October, 1X62. with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks. On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil- waukee county, while two companies remained in " Camp Randall" to guard Ozaukee rioters. WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 83 On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county, ■one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up the drafted men. The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess- more — was not concluded during the year 1S62. The Thirty-second regiment, organized at "Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, \Wth James H. Howe as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862; and, on the thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis, Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty- second was nine hundred and ninety-three. The Thirty-third infantry — Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of October, 1862, at "Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong, moving by way of Chicago to Cairo. The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred and sixty-one — Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its muster into service for nine months completed at "Camp Wash- burn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1S62. Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three— the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — were mus- tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth. The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at " Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four. The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1S62, at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty- fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C. Washburn as colonel. rhe Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1S62, the regiment leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and eighty-six. The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent organizations. The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at "Camp Utley," where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, 1861, the company numbering one hundred and fifty- three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap- tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at " Camp Utley," and was mustered in October 10, 1S61, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January. 1S62. The Fourth battery — Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its muster in was completed on the istof October, 1S61, its whole force being one hundred and fifty one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1S62. The Fifth bat- 84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on the ist of October, 1S61, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery — Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1862, with a numer- ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif- fiths — was mustered in on the 4th of October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, com- manded by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at "Camp Utley," and left the State on the iSth of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ- ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving " Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the 18th of March. At St. Louis, their complement of men- one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The Tenth battery — Captain Yates V. Bebee — after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the 10th of February, 1862, left " Camp Utley," Racine, on the 18th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and seventeen strong. The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the "Oconto Irish Guards " and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, William A. Pile succeeded in enlisting ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the 18th of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi- ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin. The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1863, were Edward Salomon, governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; and Colonel W. H. Watson, military secretary. The two incomplete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1863. The former was mustered in at " Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State, eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the 16th for Columbus, Kentucky; the latter, under command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight, left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment left " Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky, numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Fritz Anneke. On the 17th of February, 1S63, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various duties — the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State. On the 14th of January, 1863, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac- tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president were responded to. There were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed. No additional regiments of infantry besides those already mentioned were organized in 1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress of the United States passed the "Conscription Act." Under this act, Wisconsin was divided WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 85 into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was appointed provost marshal; C. M. Baker, commissioner; and |. B. Donsman, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was appointed provost marshal; L. B. Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at Janesville. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal; E. E. Byant, commissioner; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles Burchard, commissioner; and L. H. Cary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du Lac. In the fifth district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William A. Bugh, commissioner; and H. O. Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. In the sixth district, B. F. Cooper was appointed provost marshal; L. S. Fisher, commissioner; and D. D. Cameron, examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to its completion. The nine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the regiment was mustered out of service on the 8th of September. The enrollment in Wisconsin of all persons liable to the "Conscription" amounted to 121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or paid commutation. In the Summer of 1861, Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as "A," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organized until the Summer of 1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to add to company "A" to complete the battalion. Batteries " B," " C" and " D " were, therefore, organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in October and November, 1863. Ninth Administration- — James T. Lkwis, Governor — 1864-1865. James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the fourth of January, 1864. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use no executive patronage for a re-election; declared he would administer the government without prejudice or partiality; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con- nected with the State;. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were in the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters. On the 1 st day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public instruction. J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to till the vacancy. On the fif- teenth of November, Governor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the position of lieutenant colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to which he had been commissioned on the tenth of August previous. The November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by the two parties, owing to the fact that a president and vice president of the United Slates were to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes for Lincoln and Johnson. The- members elected to the thirty -ninth congress from Wisconsin at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine; from the second, I. C. Sloan ; from the third, Amasa Cobb; from the fourth, C. A. Eldredge; from the fifth, Philetus Sawyer; and 8b HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev- enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was, as to its political complexion, "Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of the session, Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his army had sur- rendered. " Four years ago," said he, " on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God! and next to Him the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop of the rebellion. Let us rejoice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros- pects of an honorable peace." In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion and restoration of peace. At the P'all election both parties, republican and democratic, had tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor; Wyrrian Spooner, lieutenant governor; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state; William E. Smith, state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of public instruction; J. M. Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commis- sioner. War of Secession — Lewis' Administration. The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief) Brigadier General Augustus Gay lord, adjutant general; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju- tant general; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general, and chief of ordnance ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel Frank H. Firmin, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864. "In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry, twelve batteries of light artillery, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp- shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men." Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military matters: three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the payment of bounties to volunteers; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States; one provided for the proper reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov- ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in the service: another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men; another provided for levying a State tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten thousand dollars for that purpose. Two other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel- ling invasion, .suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro- hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi- dence of certain soldiers from this S* te in the service of the United States, who had received WISCONSIN AS A SPATE. 87 local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence. At the commencement of 1S64, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty-fifth regiment of infantry and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the 29th of December, J863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 18C4. In February, authority was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry. On the 27th of that month, the mustering n of the Thirty-fifth was completed at " Camp Washburn " — Colonel Henry Orff — the regiment, one thousand and sixty-six strong, leaving the State on the 18th of April, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the Thirty-sixth — Colonel Frank A. Haskell; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel fames Bintliff; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick ; the Fortieth — Colonel \V. Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second— Colonel Ezra T. Sprague; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb. The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were: the Forty-fourth — Colonel George C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth— Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty- sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth — Colonel Uri B. Pearsall ; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth — Colonel John G. Clark; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard Martin; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ; and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Pugh. All of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which con- stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months), Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth. Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-fust, Twenty-second, Twenty- fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were: the Eighth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty- second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven- teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from the western to the central department. The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to the central division ; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — "A," "E," " F," "G," "11," "I," "K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central 88 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. division; and "D," to the western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp- shooters, was assigned to the eastern division. The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, except that Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January. " To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, " no State has responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of sharpshooters, making an aggregate (exclusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand one hundred and thirty-three men." Several military laws were passed at this session: one authorizing cities, towns, and villages to pay bounties to volunteers; another, incorporating the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home; two others, amending the act relative "to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the payment of salaries, clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from the war fund; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg- ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of suffrage to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual members of the several military organizations of this State; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants ; another prohibits volunteer or sub- stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers ; another, amending a law of 1S64, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro- viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief and care of sick, wounded, and disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed $850,000. On the 13th of April, 1865, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders were issued for the muster out of all organizations whose term of service would expire on or before the first of the ensuing October. As a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning regiments, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled to extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out — the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand ot these were killed or died of wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the military service, to say nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili- tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the National Government. Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence. Shoulder to shoulder witli the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among St.. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart WISCONSIN AS A .STATE. 89 men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. The blood of these brave men drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm — of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra- headed monster secession — would be a lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out- line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable, but none the less effective : the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion. Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was the organization of the surgeon general's department — to the end that the troops sent to the field from the State should have a complete and adequate supply of medicine and instruments as well as an efficient medical staff. In 1S61, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint- ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to take charge of the sick. The practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Madison. The latter, however, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu- tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government. Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern- ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State. TABULAR STATEMENT. We publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the close of the war. but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows how many brave men courageously forsook homes, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, offering their lives in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tooth of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure. I c -t ~ :i j- ; — r £g: lOOOBO'. O H OS CS to -. I ' O i- ~ O '— l •'oav 71 ::c:ieeoi'! ■ ; v - — o ^ to — - ' '-ft* t- d CO O M CO i , - 0. C t: oo r. 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O X 10 -O COTtlCCmt^cOOiCOJ :: :: •' en :•• 1 1 ^ I *" " \ r! ri | 382SS CO 71 • f ^ :c X -r -z z ?l ■- _- CO -r< 01 C _ 01 CM " Wl *» "'- rt z x ..- C- "2 i HIS :. ---•- „- _■ _' -H CI CO ro r. -j „ „ 1 1 SSn™^"^"''"'' K "' 7 - 2 ^ s 1 j 5 z. x z.z~.~!^r< :i § • I a % l i ft > i > c e ■S j* .J i2 - | > > — - > ft 5 < ft s c T 'X p 1 > •f = I _i > 1 < - — > < i - > 1 < T - (2 - - - ■z ■5 X - - < -= < T > ■z. < T - -1; | E-i tr 33 >* > = = >, > cccci < = O > =5 < | a > > | t -z. > < < > I - > I •z\ > < < X a : -3 - 7 1 X > — 5 •7 i I ■B i ' s i I I ! I I 2 1 I a 1 S i Z : 1 5 UI 92 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Tenth Administration. —Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867. The inauguration of the newly elected State officers took place on Monday, January r, 1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. D. Barron was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a majority in both branches of the legislature. " Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his message, "is to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past." " The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April. having been in session ninety-three days. At the general election in November of this year, there were elected t 1 the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from the third; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and ('. C. Washburn, from the sixth district. All were republicans Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven- tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated. The twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867. Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub- lican-Union." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth. On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing. This legislature p ssed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a per diem allowance, as previously given. A sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April, after a service of ninety-three days. To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State. On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Dixon resigned his office but was immediately appointed by the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January following. On the 16th of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was appointed by the governor in his place. The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor ; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor; Thomas S. Allen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for attorney general; A.J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction; Jeremiah M. Rusk, for bank comptroller, and Henry Cordier, for state prison commissioner. Except Craig, all tlu-sc officers were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of anicle 4 of the constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a per diem allowance, was adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every' mile he travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most WISCONSIN As \ STATE. 93 usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly. Eleventh Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 1868-1869. The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January, 1868. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of business transacted. A sine die adjournment took place on the sixth of March. At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Dixon was chosen for the unexpired balance of his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same ele< lion, Byron Paine osen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term, ending the 1st da)- of January, 1872. At the ball election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the democratic ticket, for president and vice president; and, as a consequence, Grant and Colfax received the vote of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket was: H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from the third; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respei tive districts, in the previous congress — the only instance since Wisconsin bee ante a State of a re-election of till the incum- bents. On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R. Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement among the members belonging to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina- tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time, unparalleled in Wisconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions* entered into by the legis- lature of 1S69 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the spring election, on the 6th of April, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the ensuing election: the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad- deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry llaetz, state- treasurer ; S. S. Barlow, attorney general; george F. Wheeler, state prison commissioner; and A. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired on the 31st day of December, 1S69, the duties of the office being transferred to the state 94 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of the Slate was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which is in full for all traveling or other expenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars. Twelfth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (third term) — 1870-187 1. On the third of January, 1S70, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov- ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State ; the only instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice re-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis- lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the assembly. Before the expiration of the month, Governor Fairchild received official information that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern- ment had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city ; but the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to postpone the matter indefinitely. According to section eight of article one of the constitution, as originally adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1S69 proposed an amendment against the "grand jury system " of the constitution, and referred it to the legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March, 1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Atwood, republican, was elected to fill the vacancy on the fifteenth of February following. Early in 1S70, was organized the "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters." By an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its specific objects, researches and investigations in the various departments of the material, meta- physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resouices; the advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement of original invention; the» encouragement of the line arts, by means of honors and prizes awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical and art museums; the encouragement of philological and historical research; the collection and preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The academy has already published four volumes of transactions, under authority of the State. The fourth charitable institution established by Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for the Insane," located at < >shkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis- lature approved March 10, 1S70. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital. WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 95 On the third day of July, 1S70, A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern- ment, showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty-four thousand. At the Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, Alexander Mitchell was chosen to represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A. Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth ; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell and Eldredge were democrats; the residue were republicans. The amendment to section 8, of article 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a large majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law, and no person, for the same offense, shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment, nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident and the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety ma)- require it. Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at its twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, i87i,said that Wisconsin State polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at the hands of the legisla- ture, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William E. Smith was elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this legislature was one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without the inter- vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was provided for. Both bodies adjourned slue die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth of January preceding, Associate Justice Byro 1 Paine, of the supreme court, died; whereupon the governor, on the 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election should be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the people to serve the unexpired time of Associate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan uary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C Johnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his successor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the administration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound principles of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State and its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the legislature, approved March 23, 1871, a "state board of charities and reform" created — to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first daj of December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board was thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor their proceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law. The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society," although previously organized, first under the name of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association,'' was not incorporated until the 24th <>t March, 1S71 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provisio 1 was made for the publication of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society; but by tile act 96 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN of 1871, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate form; resulting in the issuing, up to the present time, of nine volumes. The society holds annual meetings at Madison. At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H. Pettitt, for lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction; S. S. Barlow, for attorney general ; G. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner ; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis- sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of persons or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or altering highways, except in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili- tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability. 5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for extending the time for the collection thereof. 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges, except to cities. 8th. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th. For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof. The legislature shall provide general laws for the transaction of any business that may be prohibited in the foregoing cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State. Industrially considered, the year 1S71 had but little to distinguish it from the average of previous years in the State, except that the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin- ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour or two's duration, in the month of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to the ninth of October — a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event which will render the year 1871 memorable in the history of the State. The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com- mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some instances dangerous. It finally became very difficult to travel upon highways and on railroads. Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over. Persons sought refuge — -some in excavations in the earth, others in wells. The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano were all more or less swept by this besom of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menomonee river, on the west shore of WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 97 the bay and throughout the whole length and breadth of the peninsula, — that is, the territory lying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week in October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of lire— ten or more miles in width and of indefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of property and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by a most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm improvements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully perished. Even those who fled and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps, lakes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf- focation. This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad train — to the roar of a waterfall — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings only, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine — every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend- ing destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ; the atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by crazed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode triumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and children perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared. Mothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were homeless orphans. All around lay suffering, helpless humanity, burned and maimed. Such was the sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that portion of the State. This appalling calamity happened on the Sth and 9th of October. The loss of property has been estimated at four million dollars. At the tidings of this fearful visitation, Governor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to assist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the month, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. It was promptly responded to from all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal contributions in money, clothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries. Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires. A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by David Taylor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 1871. It was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to purchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1S72. Thirteenth Administration. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1S72-1873. The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January 1, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from the previous one, were in the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the 10th of January, with a republican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The next day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message — a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition of State affairs. The recent great conflagrations were referred to, and relief suggested. The work of this session of the Leg- islature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional amendment made necessary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts was another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the commencementof the last decade. By this, the fourth congressional apportionment, each district 98 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racine, Kenosha, Wal- worth, and Waukesha; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia ; the third* of Grant, Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash- ington; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc ; the sixth, of Green Lake, Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door ; the sev- enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau Claire, and Clark ; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Ashland. To this district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Marinette and New. After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi- dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district ; G. W. Hazel- ton the second; J. Allen Barber the third ; Alexander Mitchell the fourth ; C. A. Eldredge the fifth ; Philetus Sawyer the sixth ; J. M. Rusk the seventh ; and A. G. McDill the eighth district. Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside the State, a singular pesti- lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap- ing. Horses kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died, yet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the diffi- culty to substitute other animals in the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease. The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of fanuary, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected speaker of the assembly. On the ninth, Governor Washburn's message — his second annual one — was delivered to the two houses. It opened with a brief reference to the abundant returns from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in manufacturing, to the rapid extension in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in education, throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recommendations — claiming that "many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm," and that " the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it which proposed to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The message was favorably commented upon by the press of the state, of all parties. " If Governor Washburn," says one of the opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman, he is certainly not a small politician." One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec- tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office would expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine die, after a session of seventy-two days. Milton H. Pettitt, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious public officer. WISCONSIN AS A STATE. W Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur- vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and completed within four years, by a chief geologist and four 'assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the work an annual payment of thirteen thousand dollars. An act providing for a geological survey, of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1853, authorized the governor to appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel Green. By an act approved March 3, 1857, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. By an act approved April 2, r86o, Hall was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted by a repeal, March 21, 1S62, of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. Another act changed the management of the state prison — providing for the appointment by the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for four years, and one for six years, in place of a state prison commissioner, who had been elected by the people every two years, along with other officers of the State. At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years from the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at the Fall election were the republican and the people's reform. The latter was successful ; the political scepter p issing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for a second term) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans. The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year, notwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory ; but the financial disturbances during the latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of prices. Fourteenth Administration. — William R. Taylor, Governor — 1874-75. The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day of January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer; A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction; and Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not elected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new political organization, including " all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors of Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty in office, and rigid economy in the administration of affairs." Among the marked characteristics of the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a declaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination is the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;" another, "that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly respected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor- tion," not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre- 100 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of the State. The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities ; the senate was republican, while the assembly had a " reform " majority. In the latter branch, Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met die legislature in joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs." Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the " Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen- ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for a number of years had, as before intimated, been complained of by the people, who charged them with unjust discriminations and exorbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg- islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by a special act, exeept for municipal purposes and in cases where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeded, resulting in the passage of the " Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi- fied freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required the governor on or before the first of May, 1874, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint three railroad commissioners ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor, thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three years. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years; George H. Paul, for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inau- gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis- consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. LTnder his oath of office, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor to expedite all such measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was le f t the chief executive but to enforce the law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti- fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May 1, 1874, in which he enjoined compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. "The law of the land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." "While none," continued he, WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 101 " are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. It provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather multiply the anticipated evils." '' It is the right," he added, "of all to test its validity through the constituted channels, but with that right is coupled the duty of yielding a general obedience to its requirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority." The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its enforcement would bankrupt the companies, and suspend the operation of their lines. The governor, m reply, pleaded the inviolability of his oath of office and his pledged faith to the people. The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor, was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring S ates, and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended both to State . nd United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, the State was fully sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab- lishing finally the complete and absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify or altogether repeal the charters of corporations. Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the office of State commissioner of immigra- tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, 1S76. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of March, 1S74, after a session of fifty-eight days. The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the fifth day of January, 1S74, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State prison directors, Joel Rich, for tw 1 years; William E. Smith, for four years; and Nelson Dewey, for six years: these to take the place of that officer. On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose term of office would have expired on the first Monday in January, 1S76, resigned his seat upon the bench of the supreme court, Governor Taylor appointing Edward G. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district; Lucian B. Caswell, from the second; Henry S. Magoon, from the third; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D. Burchard, from the fifth; A. M. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from the seventh, and George W. Cate, from the eighth district. Lynde, Burchard and Cate were " reform ;" the residue were republican. At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article n of the constitution of the State was duly ratified and adopted by the people. Under this section, as it now stands, it is the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municipal corporations. No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in any manner, or for any purpose, to a 1 '"/ ..ount, including existing indebtedness in the ag exceeding five per centum on the vai e of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt- edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct 102 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same. In 1872, tlie first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature, subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. In 1874, a further sum was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners, whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or fish, by or through the United States commis- sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci- culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding Wisconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission ; their labors have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in view — with flattering prospects of their finally being able to stock the streams and lakes of the State with the best varieties of food fish. The year 1874, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers, excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely destroyed by the chinch-bug. As a consequence, considerable depression existed in business in the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb, the direct result of the monetary crisis of 1873. The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January, 1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses. " Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I congratulate you that order and peace reign throughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not fulfilled our anticipations But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression not common to all the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this law expressed the best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be conceded that the law is defective in some of its details The great object sought to be accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that Wis sin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, " She has never proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and the peace of mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is h nest and just. In this, tlie moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the wholesome restraints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humble, the rich and tlie pool Tin- first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United States senator, as the term for which M. H Carpenter had been elected would expire on the fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the two houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this; for, although the then WISCONSIN As A STATE. 103 incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledge. The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi- nant party was equivalent to an election ; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate; in the assembly, fortv-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority 1.1 each house. On the twenty-seventh, the two houses, in joint convention, hiving met to compare the record of the voting the day previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election. The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine, with five scattering, was declared elected. As in the previous session so in this, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla- ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses. The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State control: rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa- nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March. This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous. On the 16th of February, O. W. Wight was appointed by the governor chief geologist of Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate. On the 24th of the same month, J. W. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three years from the first day of May following, on which day his one-year term in the same office would expire. At the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward »',. Ryan was elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the 1st Monday in Jan- uary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the 1st of July, 1875, was passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March pievious. It required an enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were n'ot entitled to the right of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine. At the November election, republican and "reform ' tickets were in the field for State officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were: Charles D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Petei Doyle, secretar) of state, Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take effect "on and after" the close of this administration; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to fill that position at the Fall election of 1875. During this administration the principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the State and Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc- cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely 104 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriations amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu- rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were brought to light from which over $60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury, while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro- priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre- mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter- prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress, before issuing certificates for its land grants. The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1875, was one somewhat discour- aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely ruined thousands of acres of that # staple. Fifteenth Administration. — Harrison Ludington, Governor — 1876-1877. The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876, by the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket: the governor, like three of his predecessors — Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term) — having been chosen by a majority less than one thousand ; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the other State officers differed with him in politics. The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu- ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S. Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, "to disguise the fact that the people of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, "upon the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature adjourned sine die on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief measures of the session were; The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric- tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro- vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred : and that the senate shall consist of a number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 105 assembly. Since the year 1862, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution ; one hundred in the assembly and thirty- three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion- ment of 1876. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer- ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years. Under this law, DanaC. Lamb was appointed to that office, on the 10th of MarcK, 1876. On the 2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight. The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its January term, 1876. "We can not but think," said Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise in excluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession,'* he added, "enters largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled, and safely to society, exacts the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex; and Miss Goodell has been admitted to practice in the Supreme -Court. By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was estab- lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after; the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of hygienic laws By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1S76, the whole amount of taxable property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real estate and $86,523,142 personal property. This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States, the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field. At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a majority of the votes cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P. Lynde, in the fourth; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L. Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being democrats. 106 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com- mencement of tlie centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved .March 3, 1S71, pro- vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to cany out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate, were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873, " and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which 1'he American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra- tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting," said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, " that such a cele- bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1S74, a large number of foreign governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition. The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the State, with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved March 3, 1S75, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-ofncio members, the United States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis- seminate information regarding the Exhibition; to secure the co-operation of industrial, scien- tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State; to appoint co-operative local committees, representing the different industries of the State; to stimulate local action on all measures intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of the country; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition ; to distribute documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and otheis in the State; to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board ; to care for the interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the exhibitors from the State ; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United States centennial commission. The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might lie deemed necessary for the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board. Its organization was perfected, at the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre- sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood, WISCONSIN- AS A STATE. 107 United States commissioner, and E. D. Holtun, alternate From this time forward, the hoard was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as member of the hoard, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor Jul) 24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1.S76, spoke in commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, "will afford an excellent opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and immigration." Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ- ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its head; and a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1S75, appointing assistants in various parts of the State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition. By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-offrcio member of the board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put forth by the board of managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu- tive Committee,'' to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1S75, one thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable position in the Centennial Exposition — a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the State. In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and oats was a light yield, and of poor quality; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however, generally remained depressed. By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State were apportioned into five judicial circuits: the county of Richland being attached to [owa, Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. Bj an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January, 1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county ot Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a tenth circuit; and, in 185S, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was attached to the third circuit. In 1S58, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit. An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1S65, Dallas county was detached, and made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, [871, t he- twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was "constituted and re-organized." At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, third circuit, Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago; fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc; fifth circuit, 108 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia, Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and Brown- eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk; twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit. The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law, on the ioth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B. Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to the joint convention of the legislature the following day. " We should not seek," said he, in his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren- dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently been less active, and has realized a reduced p.-rcentage of profit." " These adverse circum- stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We have been living upon a false basis; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the Sth of March, after a session of fifty- eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the session of 1S76 The most important of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On the 3d day of April, at the 'regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in January, 1878, his term of office expiring on the first Monday of January, 1884. Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint- ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877, for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate Laws, Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of Wisconsin, he kept in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid. system of economy prevailed. There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages at the general election held on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the "greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor ; James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther, treasurer; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven; so that, hereafter, " the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associa e justices of said court, to hold their offi< es respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 109 end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And thereafter the chief justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold their offices respectively for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight; so that, here- after, "no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation bj law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim against the State, except claims of the United States, and judgments, unless filed within six years after the claim accrued." The year 1877, in Wisconsin, was notable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary matters continued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prospect of a change for the better within the near future. Sixteenth Administration. — William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1879. At noon, on Monday, January 7. 1878, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, b\ the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. On the day following, Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 21st of March following. On the 1st day of April, Harlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court ; the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1S8S ; that of the last men- tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1886. In obedience to a proclamation of the Governor, the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1S78, in extra session, to revise the statutes, A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second ; George C. Hazelton, in the Third ; P. V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ; H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh; and T. C. Pound, in the Eighth. The thirty-second regular session of the Legislature commenced on the 8th day of January, 1879. D. M. Kelly was elected Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 21st, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 5th of March, 1879. On the 1st day of April following, Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, for a term of ten years. Wisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well-watered and well-wooded State. Every where within its borders the lights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and education are prominent characteristics of its people. All the necessaries and many of the comfort-, and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the land he cultivates. Here, the laboring man, if honest and industrious, is most certain to secure a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the unfortunate — the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane — than has Wisconsin. Nor has she been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail- way, and water-navigation, so that the products of the country find ready sale. Her commerce is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative; her natural resources great and manifold. In morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing the greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their requirements. Wisconsin has, in f.ict, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there- fore, must be her future career. TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist. The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con- figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on' the other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 feet above its lowest sur- faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 teet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of mure than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc- cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions ; Lake Michigan on the east, about 578 feet above the mean tide of the ocean, Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit •altitudes of the state. But the rate of ascent is unequal. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long, gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length of the state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within about thirty miles of the lake. If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole elevation maybe looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet the sea, and its extreme apex 1,800 feet. Under the waters of Lake Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley ! b) Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing the state obliquely, and cutting down the central elevation half its height. A line passing across the surface, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while along the trough of this vaHey it would reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in general, the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but on the opposite side, the ^lope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretcher, a< ross the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay -Rock- TOPOGRAPHY AXn GEOLOGY. Ill river valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and was in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water- shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points, and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. Except in the southern part of the state, this valley is confined on the east by an abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky acclivity, known as "The Ledge " — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara limestone, On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi basins — this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over an elevation of 300 feet, and connecting two great systems of drainage. On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp ascent of 200 feet, on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The uniformity of this slope is broken by an extended line of drift hills, lying obliquely along it and extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as the Kettle range. A less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner of Walworth county and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our discussion of the drift. It will be observed that the southeastward slope is interrupted by valleys running across it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward and southward, instead of directing it down the slope into the lake. The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is toward the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that channel the slope. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the Wisconsin river, already referred to. Another of these, conspicuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness, lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others of less prominence give a highly diversified character to the slope. Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded domes, some rising symmetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel- lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding strata, and a part by the heaping up of drift material by the glacial forces. In the former case, they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern part of the state is the West Blue mound, which is 1,151 feet above Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, 824 feet, and in the central part, Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern part of the state rises 1,000 feet, and upwards, above Lake Michigan. The drainage systems correspond in general to these topograpical features, though several minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty, prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, though less so, producing a succession of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the 112 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent. The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi, attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its course, upon the north and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley- above mentioned it turns southwestward to the " Father of Waters." The streams east of the Wisconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green bay. Between the Green-bay-Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in the normal southeasterly direction. In the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen- eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi. If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many exceedingly interesting and instruc- tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which will be apparent by inspecting the accompanying geological map. Our space, however, forbids our entering upon the subject here. The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law- rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake Michigan and about 160 feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when it recurves upon itself and descends to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers, whence it pursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and passes in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system. The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo- graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of effect. The general arching of the surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined the general drainage systems. On the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and presenting different atti- tudes, wore away the surface unequally and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving corresponding divides between, which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed and plowed the surface and heaped up its debris upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces elevating, and external agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages furrowed by the teardrops of the skies. GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. In harmony with the historical character of this atlas, it may be most acceptable to weave our brief sketch of tin- geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth. THE ARCH.-KAN AGE. LAUREN I IAN PERIOD. The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete submergem e 1 :ath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the present territory of the Mate, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 113 mud and sand, as at the present day. and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history under consideration. Back of that, the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi- mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought to bear upon them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro- duced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor- tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and crystalization of the ingredients played a conspicuous part. By this metamorphism, granite, gneiss, mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloride schists and other crystalline rocks were formed. These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient period yet distinctly recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks.. They are therefore very fittingly termed Archasan — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) No remains of life have been found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer- tained, but it will be sufficiently near the truth for our present purposes to consider the formation as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All the rest of the state was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the United States The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are the remnants, seem to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining. As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless ocean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris, thus formed, were deposited beneath the waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that there was any vegetation on the island : the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration: the climate was warm and doubtless very moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the deposition in the surrounding sea. In addition to these agencies, we judge from the large amount of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the beds, that there must have been an abundance of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accumulated, it is probable that there was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata. The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sat d and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thousand feet. L14 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period was repeated, and these sandstones became quartzites; the limestones were crystalized, the shales were changed to slates or schists, and intermediate grades of sediments became diorites, quartz- porphyries and other forms of crystalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore, which we now find chiefly in the form of magnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed the iron-bearing series. As in the preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded, and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by which its extent was much enlarged. The area of the island after receiving this increment was con- siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huro.nian on the accompanying map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by later formations. Penokee range, in Ashland county, is the most conspicuous development of the Huronian rocks in the state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state. A belt of magnetic schist may be traced nearly its entire length. In the northern part of Oconto county , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes deposits of pipestone. In the south central part of the state there are a considerable number of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz-porphyry, that, without much doubt, belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is near Lake Mills, in Jefferson county. THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES. Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region events of peculiar and striking interest. If we may not speak with absolute assurance, we may at least say with reasonable probability, that the crust of the earth was fissured in that region, and that there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action was not confined to a single overflow, but eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified, formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred, during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel and clay, which afterward solidified into sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The historj oi these beds is lithographed on their surface in beautiful ripple-marks and other evidences of wave- action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a vast thickness of sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness. The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and appear to have undergone a chemical metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quart/., epidote, prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more rarely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaphyr. The upper portion of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men- . .iving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 115 molten state, as has very generall) been supposed, but was deposited by chemical means aftei the beds were formed and after a portion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occurs in all the different forms of rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglomerates. This series extends aero,-, the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, the) carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The coppei bearing range of Keweenaw Point, Michigan, extends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett and- Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-northwesterly toward Lake Superior, at a high angle; but in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range in which the beds incline in the opposite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata. PALEOZOIC TIME— SILURIAN AGE. Potsdam Sandstone. After the great Archaean upheaval, there followed a long period, concerning wnich very little is known — a " lost interval " in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of the Archaean strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath its surface. The more resisting bed^, with- stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases the sands and sediments accumulated, as they did over the bottom of the surrounding ocean. The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbedded them- selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw- ings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the contribution of each little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains, a large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds, and among animals, protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites, who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with interstratified lay ers "I" limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archaean nucleus on all sides, and repo>ed on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron- bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result iva , the red Lake Superior sandstone. On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and granites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the inn vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the \ area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, ir, often likened to a rude crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of tin-, m lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the wuv.. of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was mil marked by any great upheaval; there 116 HISTOEY OF AVISCOXSIN. was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present day very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central portion of the state. The beds have been somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin- cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven- ness of its Archaean bottom, and may be said to range from 1,000 feet downward. The strata slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbedded layers of lime- stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of fountains. Lower Magnesian Limestone. During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with- out any very marked disturbance of existing conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed, and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained. This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit, have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones, since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously, as nodules or masses of chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming beautiful miniature grottos; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper, are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few mollusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such was the case in the present instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by streams to its present jagged outline. St. Peter's Sandstone. At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower Magnesian limestone, and it (eased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and SO rests in a sense TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 117 unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone abuts against the sides of the limestone promi- nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional impurities, the formation is a very pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone h firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than 100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now col- lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south. Trenton Limestone. A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa- nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accumulation of clayey matter predominated, and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true limestone, containing but a very small proportion oi magnesia. A sufficient amount of carbon- aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con- siderable lead, with less quantities of .other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distinguished from the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 1 -o feet. The C.alena Limestone. With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone deposit continued, so that we find reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or buff colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc- ture. In the southern portion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north- eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish or greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and these minerals give to this and the underlying formation great importance in that region. Else- where, although these ores are present in small quantities, they have not developed economic importance. This limestone, though changing its nature, as above stated, occupies a large area in the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in east-central Wisconsin. It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as tin- formations sweep around the central nucleus of Archaean rocks, they swing off into adjoining states, whose formation was somewhat more tardv than that of Wisconsin HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Cincinnati A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena limestone, by virtue of which there fol- lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 200 feet. The sediment has never become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay. Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along Green bay, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val- ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting in the bold cliffs known as "The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish- ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre- dominate, the first named being especially abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight resemblance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formatiun underlies the mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Green-bay-Rock- river valley. This was the closing peri >d of the Lower Silurian Age. Clinton Iron < Ire. On the surface of the *hales just described, there were accumulated, here and there, beds of pecu- liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from tne remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from their size and color are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence tiie name "seed ore," or the roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This L a soft ore occur- ring in regular horizontal beds which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily accessible supply of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere. Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been shipped to various points in this and neigh- boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines. Niagara Limestone. Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone-forming era in the history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great- est thickness, scarcely less than eight hundred feet, were laid down. The process of formation was essentially that already described, the accumulation of fie calcareous secretions of marine life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals form a very prominent element in the life of this period, and with them were associated great number, of molluskg, one of which {Pentamerus oblongus) som rtimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of to-day, and may be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, those wonderful animals, the stone lilies {Crinoids), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety, while the gigantic cephalbpods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicinity of th.- reefs, TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119 there seem to have been extensive ( all areous sand Hats and .ire. is over which fine < all an o settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a i ompai i i lose-textured stone. The rock of the reel's is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation, some are coarse heavy beds, some line, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu- lar, impure and cherty. All are highly raagnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad heh lying adjacent to Lake Michigan. Lower I [eldi rbi rg Limb stone. On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is believed to represent this period. It has negle ted, however, to leave us an unequivocal record of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more fossiliferous, that seems to repre- sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi- cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin. During its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and facilitated deposition. At its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an interval supervened, during which no additions are known to have been made to its substructure DEVONIAN AGE. Hamilton Cement Rock. After a lapse of time, during which the uppermost Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata, as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material, forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new era in the life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates swarmed in the previous seas, no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series. But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of lite, as before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely bow far the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by the eroding agencies that have acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles. The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the civ. At the the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion. The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was. it will be observed, in an unusual degree, simple and progressive. Starting with a linn core of most ancient crystalline rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin of T he growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and i oalesi ed with the forming continent. An ideal map of the state would show the Archean nucleus surrounded b\ i om entric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. Lint during all the 120 HISTORY <>K WISCONSIN. vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged, and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters that gave it birth, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply that of surface erosion. . The face of the state became creased with the wrinkles of age. The edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian periods, the great Carboniferous age. the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed, leaving no other record than that of denudation. THE GLACIAL PERIOD. With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up the valleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi- gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris heaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this retreat, a series of halts and advances seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of the ice, after which a more rapid retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and ridges, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the surface of the state in a verj peculiar manner. It is a great historic rampart, recording the position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time noting a great climatic or dynamic change. The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north- ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the land and deposited the red t lay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior ami occupies the Green bay valley as far up a^> the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present Wherever the glacier plowed over the land, it left an irregular sheet of commingled clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the great lakes advanced upon the [and, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine clays and sandy beach lines. With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wisconsin's formations, were produced. And the work still goes on. CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. By Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE. The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and animals, is determined by the following causes : ist. Distance from the equator, 2d. D from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and 5th. Local influences, such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains. Of these causes, the first, distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water and the prevail- ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science. On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce- anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the interior. A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The rate at which the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of i° of the thermometer for every 300 feet is usually adopted. Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure blowing from places where the pressure is high- est, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show- ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West- ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in summer and the Arctic blasts of winter. V22 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera- ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modi- fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man- ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools the air and reduces the temperature of the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is pro- duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels; the warmer water rising to the surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of the neighboring region. This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan. It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con- tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor- tance to fruit-growers. In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that : t is subject to great extremes — to all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con- densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far inland, separate the climate of the Mississippi valley widely from that of the Pacific slope. Between the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2,000 feet to arrest the flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly winds of winter. From this results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world. In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris. London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 60th parallel, we find in eastern North America vast ice- fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest winds of the Atlantic, which spread their warmth and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents of the Pacific. And to con- tinue the comparison still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it is true, by local influences. CLIMATOLOGY OF Wisconsin. 12d The extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and southwesterly winds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after ti great areas of tropical seas, hear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give tin region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summei varies between 8o° for the Gulf states, and 6o° for the extreme north. While in the (lull state the thermometer often rises to ioo°,in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produi the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 6o° for the Gulf coast and 15° for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the valley the cold is sometimes so intense that the thermometer sinks to the freezing point oi mercury. The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accom- panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moist- ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 63 inches to 30 inches. On the At- lantic coast, where the distribution is more equal throughout the year on account of its proximity to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States depend, may be summed up as follows : " 1. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the warm and moist winds which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility. "2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region a sub-tropical climate. " 3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are propagated from south to north; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing upper current, from west to east. " 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes from the south. "5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor- dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate. " 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a warmer and lighter air to the eastward. "7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing over the heated plains, they acquire nearly the same temperature as the southerly currents, but in winter the conditions are reversed." The line of conflict of these aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure, shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experien< ed within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment, especially to the polar currents, and the weather is therefore not so changeable. Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate. The highest mean summer temperature is 72° Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the 124 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. state, and the lowest 64 at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and August, the thermometer often rises as hig 1 ! as 90 , seldom to 100°. In 1S74 the mercury reached this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or three of these "heated terms " during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature. The isotherm of 70 (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem- perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern part of Grant county, touches Madison, takes a southerly direction through Walworth county, passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that sou'thern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore- gon, at 47 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature ; the line then returns and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego. The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap- ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, in the signal service report for 1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the southern part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating effect of the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night. Countries in the higher latitudes having an extreme summer temperature are usually charac- terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly exposed in spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a profusion of rain which deprives the clim tte largely of its continental features. As already stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis- tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the state; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the air of a gi\ ( n area 1 an be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other. In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than in the Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The < onditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil. "The basis of this great capacity (the greal range of plants) is the high curve of heat and moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite tropical tor .1 period in duration from one to live months, in the range from Quebec to the coast of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72° and 77 , in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas; but it may be grown up to the line of 65 , which includes the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the intense heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen. While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45 , that of outhern Ireland and central England is 50 ; the line of 72°, the average temperature for July, runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have a mean temperature of only 60"'. In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as 90^ and above, CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN 125 while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum- mers, then, that causes the grape, Xhe corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where- southern plants mi. out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in Wisconsin. ' In England a depression of 2^ below the mean of 6o° will greatly reduce the quan- tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 6o° being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re- quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain is far north as Hudson bay. Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin. North of the 421! parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properl} to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32 . The decrease of heat from August to September is generally from 8° to g" ; n° from September *o October, and 14 from October to November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45°. A beautiful season, commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No- vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere. According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos- phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake Superior, but it is more conspicuous and protracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed in the southern states. Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A temperature of 36 to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open surface.'' In 1S75, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez- ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14 . The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow. The mean winter temperature varies between 23 in the southeastern part of the state, and 16° at Ashland, in the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 20 is of im- portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tend such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1S76, the mean temperature for De- cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4 above the average mean for many yea.rs ; while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb- ruary was about 12 below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and mild winters. In the same winter, 1 S>5~ '76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only si below zero, the lowest being 12 , while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six times below zero, the lowest being 23°. In the northern and northwestern part of the state the temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury During the exceptionally cold Winter of 1S72-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Dei ber 24, it indicated 37 below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 1 2 ° below the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse region of Michigan, have the same average wintei temperature. The same is true regarding Galena, 111., l.eloit, and Kewaunee. A similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr. Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrad 1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the ( cold of winter. 126 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h ice v for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December 1 ; the time at which it became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea- son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern lake district it rarely remains so long. In 1842-43, however, sleighing commenced about the middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months. The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal- worth county to St. Paul, is about 45°. In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27 , which is an increase of nearly 7 g from February. The lowest temperature of this month in 1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about g° over Match. In 1876 the line of 45° for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, III, touching Lake Erie at Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes. "In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring vegetation, in places remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in- crease from April to May is about 15°. In May, 1S76, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the same mean temperature, about 55°. The extremes of our climate and the sudden changes of temperature no doubt have a marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop- ment of a strong and wealthy nation. During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three- fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electrical discharges and limited to small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and generally lasting two or three days. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and great, it is accompanied by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point. On the south side of the storm center, the wind vers from southeast to southwest, by the south point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are usually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in direction and then ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer lias reached its lowest point. This is the center of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN". 127 wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera- ture 10 or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east w before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly ■so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter, but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre- dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well as in collecting data for scientific conclusions. A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of forests in modifying the extremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men- tion it; while in winter the sensible cold is never so extreme in woods as on an open surface exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United States labor in the woods without inconvenience, when the mercury stands many degrees below zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost insupportable." " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the most abundant fruits of that State; at that time frost, injurious to corn at anytime from May to October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the corn." The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu- tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them, is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this protection is wanting. With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual fpiantity of rain is even locally diminished or increased by the destruction of the woods, though both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed: the proposition, namely, that, within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons." There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa- tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142 years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers. "The 'Blue-Grass' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts of such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount- ains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish water for their cattle." In our own state "such 1ms been the change in the flow of the Milwau- 128 HISTORY OF Wisconsin'. kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the proprietorr of" most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons of the year." " What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water courses in the state from whose banks tire forest has been removed ; and many farmers who selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks dried up during a considerable portion of the year.'' Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests, to droughts and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions chus denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Parts of Asia Minor, North Africa, and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin, already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late. TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. Bv P. R. HOY, M.D. It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely brief notes on the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and vines for the purpose of ornament, to be found in Wisconsin. White Oak — Quercus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree; it is extensively used in architecture, ship- building, etc.; vast quantities are used for fencing; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes- tic consumption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young trees wherever it is practicable, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun- dantly in most of the timbered districts. Burr < >ak — Q. Jifacrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, when not crowded or cramped in their growth, but left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten- sive burr oak openings? The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent changes of moisture and drying; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament. Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicotor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy (if cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive. Post Oak — Q. Obtusiloba. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim- ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation. . TREES, SHRUBS AM) VINES. L29 Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, gra< efui tree, wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes the best fuelof any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur- lington. Worthy of cultivation. Red Oak. — Q. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy of cultivation, even for ornament. Pin Oak — Q. Palustris. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of the state. The wood is of little value except for fuel. The tree is quite ornamental, and should be sparingly cultivated for this purpose. Shingle Oak — Q. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves. Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when its leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. Wood of little value ; common. Sugar Maple — Acer Saccharium. — This well-known and noble tree is found growing abun- dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory. The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting. Red Maple — A. Rubrum. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though highly orna- mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting. Mountain Maple — A. Spicatum. — Is a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow- ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention. Silver Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams, especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they are liable to be injured by winds. Box Maple — Negundo Aceroides. — -This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fuel. Slioulu be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers. White Elm — Ulmus Americana. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu- lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any American tree. The wood is but little used in the arts; makes good firewood ; should be planted along all the roads and streets, near ever; dwelling, and on all public grounds. 130 HISTOPT: OT W1SCC?S'S1"N Slippery Elm — V. Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. The wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily. It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings; valuable for fuel; should be cultivated. Wild Black Cherry — Cerasus Serotina. — This large and beautiful species of cherry is one of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant Teddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em- ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation. Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — Is a small northern species, common in the state and worthy of cultivation for ornament. Choke Cherry — C. Virginiana. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble of cultivation. Wild Plum — Primus Americana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the most ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the roots. The grafts should be inserted about the middle of April. Hackberry — Celtis Occidentalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard, close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy of a lim- ited share of attention. American Linden or Basswood — Tilia Americana. — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises; for this reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather ; takes paint well, and is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil ; bears transplanting well ; can be propagated readily from layers. White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — These two species of thorn are found everywhere on the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not for the small size of the tree, would be valuable. Crap Apple — Pyrus Coronaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wood hard, fine, compact grain, but the tree is too small for the wood to be of much practical value. Well worthy of a place in extensive grounds. Mountain Ash — P. A me ricana.— -This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in the northern part of the state and as far south as 43 . The wood is useless. White Ash — Fraxinus Acuminata. — Is a large, in'teresting tree, which combines utility with beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact- uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars; excellent for fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from its bright green to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl- van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and will amply repay all labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation. TREES SHRUBS .\\l> VINES. 131 Black Ash — F Sambucifolia; — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash. The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc. ; when thoroughly dry, affords a good article of fuel. Deserves to be cultivated in low, rich, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not thrive. Black Walnut — Jtiglaiis Nigra. — This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri- can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture. It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks. are frequently found which rival in richness and beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree, in favorable situations, grows rapidly; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant crop of nuts. Butternut — J. Cinerca. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows rapidly. Shell-Bark Hickory — Carya Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories, grows abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes, but, unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample crop of the best of nuts. Shag-Bark Hickory — C. Inclata. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south. Pignut Hickory — C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre- served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant. Bitternut — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories. Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much used for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple. Water Beech — Carpinus Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size uf the tree renders it almost useless. Iron Wood— Ostrya Virginica. — This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of our woodlands. It is, to a considerable degree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The wood possesses valuable properties, being heavy and strong, as the name would indicate; yet. from its small size, it is of but little use. Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicans. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev- eral names : Wild balm of Gilead, cottonwood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot- toms. It has broad, heart-shaped leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It grows more rapidly than any other of our trees ; can be transplanted with entire success when eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop- lar-. The wood is soft, spongy, and nearly useless. 132 HISTORY OF Wisconsin. Quaking Aspen — P. Tremuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental, but scarcely worth cultivating. Large Aspen — P. Grandidentata. — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to the height of sixty or seventy feet, with a diameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is soft, easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars. Cotton Wood — P. Monolifera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in the arts. Sycamore or Buttonwood — Platanus Occidentalis. — This, the largest and most majestic of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smooth branches. The foliage is large and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and when sawed into lumber warps badly; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit. Canoe Birch — Betula Papyracea. — Is a rather elegant and interesting tree. It grows abund- antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts. For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree. Cherry Birch — B. Lenta. — This is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams. Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet- makers. Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab- inet work. Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gymnocladus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exceedingly durable, and well worth cultivating. June Berry — Amelanchier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms. White Pine — Pinus Strohis. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines. The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan- ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is readily known by the leaves being m fives. It is highly ornamental, but in common with all pines, will hardly bear transplanting. Only small plants should be moved. Norway or Red Pine — P. Resinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. Mitis.— These are two large trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse- quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twos. Vast quantities of lumber are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries of the state are rapidly diminishing. Shrub Pine — P. Banksiana. — Is a small, low tree; only worthy of notice here for the orna- mental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state. Balsam Fir — Abies Balsamea. — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but r iREES. SHRUBS .VXD VINES. 133 little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree. Double Spruce — A. Nigra.— This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses considerable strength and elasticity, which renders it one of the best materials for yard's and top- masts for shipping. It is extensively cultivated for ornament. Hemlock — A. Canadensis. — The hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna- mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is extensively employed in tanning. Tamarack — Larix Americana. — This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a variety of uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in peaty situations, where other trees would not thrive. Arbor Vit.e — Thuja Occidentalis. — This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained from these trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans- planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp. Red Cedar — Junipcrus Virginiana. — Is a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated fence posts that " last forever." The wood is highly fragrant, of a rich red color, and fine grained ; hence it is valuable for a variety of uses. It should be extensively cultivated. Dwarf Juniper- — J. Sabina. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is conside-ably prized for ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds. Sassafras — Sassafras officinale. — Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves bark. Grows in Kenosha county. Should be cultivated. Willows. — There are many species of willows growing in every part of the state, several of which are worthy of cultivation near streams and ponds. White Willow — Salix alba. — Is a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood is soft, and makes the best charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly. Black Willow — S. Nigra. — This is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as the foregoing. It is used for similar purposes. There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however, call attention to only a few of the best. Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen- tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : corus sericea, C. stolonifera, C. paniculata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans- planting to ornamental grounds. Viburnums. — These are very beautiful. We have viburnum lentago, V. prunifolium, V. nudum, V. dentatum. V. pubescens, V. acerifolium, V. pauciflorum, and V. opulus. The last is known as the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus. Witch Hazel — Hamamelis Virginica. — Is an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more attention than it receives. Burning Bush — Euonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw- berry, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains during winter. 134 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Sumach — Rhus typhina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps. Hop Tree — Ptclea trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground. Bladder Nut — Staphyleci trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves. Vines. Virginia Creeper— Ampelopsis quinquefolia. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall colors. Bitter Sweet — Ce/astrus siandais. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common. Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over tall shrubs and trees. Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle ; none, how- ever, worthy of special mention. Frost Grape — Vita cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossom-,, which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this hardy species will be found highly satisfactory. FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. By P. R. HOY, M.D. FISH AND FISH CULTURE. Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have a two-chambered heart; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked, like catfish and eels; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are_ more i liversally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly (la Tired than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit. As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where can you find those conditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes ? We have tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and can say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the pure, cold water of Lake Michigan will have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea. Fish are inconceivably prolific; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to one million eggs, varying according to species. Fish afford a valuable article of food for man, being highly nutritious and easy of digestion ; they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys- tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken from the water ; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con- venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what I shall offer. Our bony fish. F \l \A OF U'lMllN'MX 135 having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the perch family — a valuable family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer. The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. There is a large species of fish known as Wall- eyed pike (Leucoperca amerkand) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider- able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to pro it to a moderate extent. The six-spined bass {Pomoxys hexaeanthus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine- rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated. I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy- ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea " grass bass" is the fish for the million. The white bass {Hoccus chrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water, but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as few of the bad ae any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunlish, Pomotis, which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford abundant sport for the boys ; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the aquarium) as there are so many better. The carp family {Cyprinidce) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They include by far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem- bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, yet their small size is objectionable; they are the children's game fish. The Cypriindw all spawn in the spring, and might be profitably propa- gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish. There are six or seven species of suckers found in our lakes and rivers. The red horse, found every where, and at least one species of the buffalo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib- utaries, are the best of the genus Catastomus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of mud; they are only to be tolerated in the absence of better. The carp (jOyprenius cdrpd) has been successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver. The trout family (Salmonida) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without rays. They inhabit northern countries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their flesh is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace by far the most valuable of our fish, including, as it does, trout and whitefish. The famous speckled trout {Salmo fonlinalis) is a small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than sixty-live or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great salmon trout {Sal. amethystus) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixt) pounds. The Sisioivit salmo siscowit of Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland lakes. The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, as now restricted, the nose is square and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my 136 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small Crustacea on which they subsist. The closely allied genus Argyrosomus includes seven known species inhabiting the larger lakes, and one, the Argyrosomus sisco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans. Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus Esox, armed with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious that they spare not their own species. Sometimes they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large as themselves, and perish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate extent under peculiar circumstances. The catfish ( Siluridce) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habi; and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far off; for he knows full well that she would not scruple to make a full meal off her little black tadpole-like progeny. There are four species known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one hundred pounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish. The small bull-head is universally distributed. The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with- plates instead of scales. There are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food; unfortunately, however, the quality is decidedly bad'. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best of isinglass is obtained. The gar-pikes {Lepidosteus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish. They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well provided with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth. The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common species, Lepidosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidostcous, now only found in North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oolitic deposits, and in the chalk and tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared. There is a fish {Lota maculose) which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen the "lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say — at any rate, the fish is worthless. There are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men- tion here. FAUNA OF WISCONSIN". 137 Fish of the northern countries are the most valuable, for the reason that the water is colder and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude, bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the "Great river," traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu- resque lakes, has physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Few persons have any idea of the importance of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken; enough, however, has been ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fish taken annually. At Racine, during the entire season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand pounds of whitefish and trout, each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than $16,000. It is well known that, since the adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen are enabled to pursue their calling ten months of the year. When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white- fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines, they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number. Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs, including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatchery, also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of perfect health and vigor. As equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, hatchery in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season, many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from the lake. During the past season there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down" being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish. I append the following statistics of the number of fish hatched and distributed from the Milwaukee hatchery previous to 1878 : Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000. They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1S77 : Whitefish planted in Lake Michigan, at Racine, 1,000,000; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers 1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000. Salmon trout were turned out as follows: Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000; Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000 ; Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Troy lake, Wal- worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Walworth county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000; Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county, 40,000 ; Clear lake, Rock county, 40,000 ; Ripley lake, 138 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Jefferson county, 40,000 ; Mendota lake, Dane county, 100,000 ; Fox lake, Dodge county, 40,000 ; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000 ; Little Green lake, Green Lake county, 40,000; Big Green lake, Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county, 40,000; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000; Long lake, Chippewa county, 40,000; Oconomo- woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Pewaukee lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000. LARGE ANIMALS.— TIME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE. Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state of nature, all the rarge wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder- ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order in which animals become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest. There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey, were abundant, but are now no longer to be found. The Antelope, Antilocarpa A?nericana, now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun- dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin, with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Michigan. In Hennepin's narrative, he says; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn- ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of Milwaukee. "Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles " (turkey vultures), " from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon that place, we found above the half of a fat wild goal, which the wolves had strangled. This provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine Providence which took so particular care of us." This must have been somewhere near Racine. "On the 1 6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. A savage we had with us, killed several stags (deer) and wild goats, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big." This must have been south of Racine. These goats were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory. When the last buffalo crossed the Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland caribou — Rangifer caribou — were never numerous within the limits of the state. A few were seen not far from La Pointe in .045. The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previous to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter- minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few panthers may still inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of FAUX A OF WISCONSIN. 139 Black river, December, >863. Badgers arc now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous in the small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties, where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound. All large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. The railroad and improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and prairies. PECULIARITIES OF THE BIRD FAUNA. The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42 46' north, longitude 87 48' west. This city is situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy lumbered district, the base of which rests on Lake Superior. Racine extends six miles further into the lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. At this point the great prairie approaches near the lake from the west. The extreme rise of the mercury in summer, is from 90 to ioo c Fahrenheit. The isothermal line conies further north in summer, and retires further south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct faunas. More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. A striking peculiarity of the ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds that visit us, I will ciinumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago. Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virdis ; mocking bird, Mi?nus pollyglottus j great Carolina wren, Thriothorus ludovkiaiius ; prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea; summer red bird, Pyrangia (estiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loeulator. Among Arctic birds that visit us in winter are: Snowy owl, Xyctea niiva ; great gray owl, Syrnium cinerusj hawk owl, Surma ululaj Arctic three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arclicus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag- pie, Pica hudsonica; Canada jay, Perisorius canadensis; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vesper- tina; Hudson titmouse, Pants hudsonicusj king eder, Somaieria speciabilis; black-throated diver, Colymbus arcticus; glaucus gull, Laurus glaucus. These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock- ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during the warmer days by the summer red bird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old familiar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be mad; within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other. EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. Bv Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now known as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory, education was mostly confined to private instruction, or was sought by the children of the wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries, and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States — representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the I )auphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town." A Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in 1S30. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years. The Original School Code. From 1818 to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837, Michi- gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota, Iowa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April 20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible with the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created. Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon- sin, and it was soon formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature, which met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The first material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session, in 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organ- izing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as twenty electors should reside in a surveyed township, they should elect a board of three com- missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of school lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also pro- vided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate school-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors should be elected annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the basis of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain others being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, previously in existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and support- EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 141 ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important amendments were made at the same time. In 1840, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were anxious to establish a common-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill tax or private subscription was often necessary to supplement the scanty results of county taxation. Until a state government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new states, for educational purposes, a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state, the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed in 1 84 1, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not speci- fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con- stitution. Agitation for Free Schools. Shortly before the admission of the state the subject of free schools began to be quite widely discussed. In February, 1S45, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town to vote taxes on all the assessed property tor the full support ot its schools. A provision of the act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1845, and thus the first free school in the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, in the two constitutional con- ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-school system for the new state soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any- other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre- pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the article on education previously prepared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre- pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To one of these, Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one, went into operation May first of that year. The School System under the State Government. In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The four corner stones were: (1) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; (?.) the school fund created; (3) the system of supervision; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution : (1) Proceeds from the sale of lands granted to the state by the United States for educational purposes; (2) 142 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty ; (5) five per cent. of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1S70. By an act of the state legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were added to the common- school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school fund. The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund, leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes. At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro- vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May 1, 1849. The most important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January 1, 1S62. The School-Fund Income. The first annual report of the state superintendent, for the year 1849, gives the income of the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee county received the largest amount, $69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest, twenty-four cents. The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a glance the quinquennial increase in the income of the fund, the corresponding increase in the number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also, the last published apportionment, that for 1878. It will be seen that since 1855 the increase of the fund has not kept pace with the increase of school population : 70,457 92,105 288,984 $5SS 00 47,716 00 125,906 02 184.949 76 S0.00S3 .518 .67 .64 335.5S2 412,481 450,304 t:S,6.)2 151, S16 34 159,271 38 184,624 64 185,546 01 fhe amount of productive school fund reported September 3c The portion (if the fund not invested at that date, was $58,823. 70. was $2,680,703.27.. EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 14-i The State University. In his message to the first territorial legislature, in 1836, Governor Dodge recommended asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed by the legislature. This was the first official action looking to the establishment of a s1 ite university. The same legislature passed an act to establish and locate the Wisconsin univer- sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature passed an act, which was approved January 19, 1S3S, establishing " at or near Madison, the seat of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name whereof shall be 'The University of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct- ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the erection of the buildings ot said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1S38. seventy-two sections, or two townships, for the support of a "seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this was afterward confirmed to the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how- ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 1S48, declared that pro- vision should be made for the establishment of a slate university, and that the proceeds of all lands donated by the United States to the state for the support of a university should remain a perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, approved July 26, 1848, establishing the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments, and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the erei tion of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act repealed the previous act of 1S38. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1S49. This report announced the selection of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory department, and the election of a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized, with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory department, which was opened February 5, 1849. Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850. Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais- ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1S54, an additional grant of seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra- tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer- sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had been sold prior to September 30, 1866, 74,17s acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than $3.50 per acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university to anticipate its income to the extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1S62 the sum of $104,339.43 was taken from its fund (already too small) to pay for these buildings. The resulting embar- rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by the congressional act of 1862. •Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged $22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17. and $19 per acre. 144 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN. The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851. This is no feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with an appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 1870 — the first actual donation the univer- sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $80,000 for the erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. This was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877. The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re- organization in 1866, has been rapid and substantial. Its productive fund on the 30th day of September, 1877, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni- versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis- lature in 1867 appropriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten years, the sum of $7,303.76, being the interest upon the sum taken from the university fund by the law of 1862 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state tax of $10,000 to increase the income of the uni- versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1S76 provides for an annual state tax of one-tenth of one mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund income, this tax to be "in lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income," and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis- position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income." The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62), was, for the year ending September 30, 1878, $81,442.63. The university has a faculty of over thirty professors and instructors, and during the past year — 1877-8 — it had in it's various depart- ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful oper- ation. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university. Agricultural College. The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was by a subsequent legislative enactment (1S66) applied to the support, not of a separate agricultural college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces- sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 114, laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for the purpose of purchasing an experi- mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer- sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application upon the experimental farm. The productive agricultural college fund has increased from $S,o6i.S6, in 1866, to $244,263, 18, in 1878. Normal Schools. The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains that after the support and maintenance of the EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 145 common schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1848, in the act establishing the Uni- versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in the state as a normal school was incorporated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 — under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organized. The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab- lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it was their fixed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of popular education, by making it, through its normal department, the nursery of the educators of the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of the commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the next ten years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty-five per cent, of the income of the swamp-land fund " to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade- mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass- ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1859, Dr. Henry Barnard, who had become chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents. He inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years, Professor Chas. H. Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the university, entering upon his work as the latter in March, 1864. He managed the department with signal ability and success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. Meantime the educational sentiment of the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools. In 1865, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providing instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the income of which should be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one- fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature of 1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal- school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received and considered. In 1066, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools, located in different parts of the state. In pursuance of this policy, there have already been completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868 ; the Oshkosh Normal School, opened September 19, 1S71, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September 2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an 146 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN'. elementary course of two years, and an advanced course of four years. The student completing the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup- erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate. The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivalent to a permanent state certificate. It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. The precise amount of this securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 187S, was $1,004,907.67, and the sum of 133,290.88 remained uninvested. Teachers' Institutes. In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend $5,000 annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. A law of 187 1, amended in 1876, provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for not less than two consecutive weeks, and appropriates from the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2,000 per annum for their support. There were held in the State, in 1878, sixty-six institutes, varying in length from one to two weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4,944 t Graded Schools. Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the State number about four hundred. The annual report of the State superintendent for 1878 gives the number with two departments as 207, and the number with three or more as 225. A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, who shall have passed an examination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer- sity for admission into the sub-freshman class and college classes of the university, shall be at once and at all times entitled to free tuition in all the colleges of the university." A consider- able number of graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the next four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students, in 1876, in the same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro- vided that from and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and those taking extra studies, should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students for entrance into the regular classes of the classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the scientific department or the sub-freshman class. The Town-ship System. In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys- tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district -lects a clerk, and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors," and are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, and other prop- erty belonging to the sub-districts, with power to control them for the best interests of the schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 14, board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary to record proceedings of the board, have imme- diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns ha\e as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas- sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state. Free High Schools. In 1S75 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of not to exceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has met with much favor. For the school year ending August 31, 1S76 (the first year in which it was in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being an average of $373.32 per school. For the year ending August 31, 1878, eighty-five schools reported and received a pro rata division of the maximum appropriation. The high school law was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the twofold advantages ~f (i)a higher instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) a better class of teachers for these schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the immediate results of the law would be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the larger villages and in cities. School Officers. The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district, consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa- tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine, within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in each t iwn and ward of their county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county superintend- ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that there shall be two superintendents for their county. The town board of supervisors have authority to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high school purposes, and appoint first boards for the same, to locate and establish school-house sites under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend- ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor. State Teachers' Certificates. The state superintendent is authorized by law " to issue state certificates of high grade to teachers of eminent qualifications." Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners, appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations prescribed by him. 148 HISTORT OF WISCONSIN. Teachers' Associations. Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer and a semi-annual or " executive " session in the winter, there are, in several parts of the state, county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is annually increasing. Libraries. The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1848, required that a portion of the income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa- ratus" for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session, enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to $30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this income received by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered to raise money for library books. The operation of this discretionary and voluntary system was not successful. In ten years (185S) only about one third of the districts (1,121) had libraries, embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged upon' the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state tax for their creation and maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how- ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to the repeal of the law, and the library fund which had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the slate that should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall be stimulated and supplemented by State aid, has been recommended by the State Teachers' Association, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete town system of schools and of public education. List of State Superintendents. The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848. The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows : NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY. Hon. E. Root Three years— 1849-50-51. Hon. A. P. Ladd. Two years— 1852-53. Hon. H. A. Wright* One year and five months— 1854-55. Hon. A. C. Barry Two years and seven months — 1855-56-57. Hon. L. C. Draper Two years— 1S5S-59. Hon. J. L. Pickardf ..Three years and nine months— 1860-61-62-C3. Hon. J. G. McMynn Four years and three months — 1S63-64-65-66-67. Hon. A. J. Craigf Two years and six months — 1868-69-70. Hon. Samuel Fallows Three years and six months— 1870-71-72-73. Hon. Edward Searing Four years— 1874-75-76-77. 11,,,,. YV. C, Whitford Two years— 1878-79. * Died. May 29, 1845. f Resigned, October 1. 1S63. J Died, July 3. 1S70. Sketches of Colllges in Wisconsin. Beloit College was founded in 1847, at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and Rev J J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed president, and has continued such until the present time The institution has had a steady growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre- paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-six young men have graduated. Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about $122,000. Lawrence University, at Appleton, under the patronage of the -Methodist church, was organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or a( ademy for three years previous, under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, K, Z. Mason; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, 1>. 1 >. It is open to both sexes, and has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart- ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments amounting to $60,000. Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Lay baptists, was opened as a college in 1S67, having been conducted as an academy since 1S44. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the president, was for many years the principal of the academy The institution has done'much valuable work, particularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu- ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It lias lands, buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000. Ripon College, which was known till 1S64 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at Ripon, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1S63, it has graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large and flourishing preparatory department. Under its present efficient head, the Rev. E. H. Mer- rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000. Racine College was founded by the Episcopal Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev. Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It was for a long time under the efficient administra- tion of Rev. James De Koven, D D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed, in part, to train young men for the Nashotah Theological Seminary. It has property, including five buildings, to the amount of about <§tSo,ooo, and has graduated ninety-nine young men. Its principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat after the English schools. The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, was established at St. Fran- ( is Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined efforts of two learned and zealous priests, the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseph Salzmann. It was opened in January, 1S56, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and witli 25 students. Rev. Jo eph alzmann was rector from September, 1868, to the time of his death, January 17, 1874, since which time Rev. C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by twelve professors, and the students number 267,0!" whom 105 are theologians, 3 1 students of philosophy, and the rest classical students. bio Mono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 1871, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann, * The statistics ; r this di ---. -md ire for the previous vear 150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1874 by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Brue- ner, who is assisted by a corps of seven professors. Besides the college proper, there is a nor- mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common and higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb. The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds, and it is said with the best success. An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien. under the name of Prairie du Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is now known as St. John's College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work. Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1S48, through the labors of Father Mazzuchelli, but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1863, and in 1867 the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings. The Northwestern University, which is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865, at Watertown, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and has a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000. Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Samuel Fal- lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby- terian 'denomination, with -J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has property valued at $30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000. Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian church, in 1846. Prof. J. W. Sterling, now of the state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated classes ; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies. Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service. Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854, but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute. In 1 841, thq Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukesha county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution of learning. This was incorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the faculty and students being otherwise sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five protessors, with Rev. A. D. Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students. Female Colleges. Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis- consin Female College, located at Fox Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in 1863. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fox Lake Seminary, and admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal. \<;i:in LTURE. 151 Academies and Seminaries. The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation: Albion Academy ; Benton Academy; Big Foot Academy ; Elroy Seminary ; Fox Lake Seminary ; two German and English academies in Milwaukee ; Janesville Academy; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc ; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill Institute, Fond du Lac; Milwaukee Academy; Racine Academy; River Falls Institute; Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa Mound; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee; Sharon Academy; and Wayland Institute, Beaver Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu- tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy ; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti- tute; Beloit Female Seminary; Beloit Seminary; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope; Evansville Sem- inary; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school); Kilbourn Institute; Lancaster Institute; Milton Academy; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha); Waterloo Academy ; Waukesha Seminary; Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire; and Patch Grove Academy. The most important of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies,' the former merged in Mil- ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities. Commercial Schools. Schools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil- waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, ( Ishkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three hundred students annually. AGRICULTURE. By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Chemistry and Agriculture at the University op Wisconsin. The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the immediate wants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm- ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres- ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim- ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, wealth accumulated, and means of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the stale has grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed the fishing interest; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the trapping and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of Wis. onsin is tanning, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by the United States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 68 were 152 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1850; 54 in i860; 55 in 1870. The rapid growth of the agriculture 01 the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com- piled from the United States census: Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the 1 south haif of the state, the northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north. The surface of the agricultural portion of the state is. for the most part gently undulating, afford- in- ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difficult. The soil is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie— alternating with oak openings. The prairies have the rich alluvial sr.il ^o characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile, but not as " strong " as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the more sandy soils of the oak lands. In that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has been removed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as the surface rock, the soil is sandy and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and basswood, the soil is "heavier " and very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior. The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to produce an abundant yield. From the raising of cereals the pioneer farmer could get the quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1.S50, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis- consin was the ninth state in order in tin' production of wheat, while in 1S60 this rank was raised to ihird, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by nres. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti- vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is iindant and cheap In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states, AGRICULTURE. 153 land is abundant and cheap, while labor is scarce and costly. In its productive industries each country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimming. Good cultivation of the soil was never thought of. The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above stated was carried to an extreme. Farm- ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the purse, and never putting in. Xo attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future. Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis- ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal product, brought a low price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to be marketed by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the only means of transportation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the state, poor farming was the only profitable farming, and consequently the only good farming, an agriculturo-economical paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economi- cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy- ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri- cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making that method a necessity had passed away. With the rapid growth of the northwest came better home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to $16.61 in i860, an increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus- bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the adoption of a system of mixed husbandry, which should include the' raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a system is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will preserve the soil's fertility and pay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions which 154 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of culture. In such cases the pioneers usually ' go west '' again, to begin anew their frontier farming upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis- consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered, could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased intelligence relating to farming, and partly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness of the old method. The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards, market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967, which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875, according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm crops in this state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri- cultural importance. As has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state. This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even after it had failed to be remunerative. The following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years indicated : Year. WHEAT. RYE. CORN. OATS. BARLEY. BUCK- WHEAT. 1850... i860 ... 1870 ... 1875*--- 4,286,131 I5.657.45S 25,606,344 25,200,000 81,253 888,544 1.325.294 1,340,000 1,988,979 7.5I/,300 15,033,988 15,200,000 3.4M.672 H,059,26o 20,l8o,Ol6 26,600,000 209,672 707,307 1,645,019 2,200,000 79,878 38,987 408,897 275.000 From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured the crops, leaving those who relied princi- pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard tim^s. So that more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times, until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the ♦Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. AGRICULTURE. 155 demands of the market. The value in 1869 of all farm products and betterments of the state was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03 per bushel, the mean price reported by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead- ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1S70, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of all agricultural products and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to this one crop, nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. Of the wheat crop of 1869 24.375,435 bushels were spring' wheat, and 1,230,909 bushels were winter wheat, which is 19.8 bushels of spring to 1 bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies, or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb- ruary and March. The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the phosphates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield, partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bugs, and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an over production of wheat, may largely be attributed the hard times experienced by the "grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to 1S77. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while stock, dairy, and mixed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths, in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These figures do not indicate a dimin- ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as altogether useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked upon with constantly increasing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more difficult problems of a profitable agriculture Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1S75, seventeen states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun- shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state, it will always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summers and the L r reater amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming are followed to a much greater extent than at present. Barley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but live states produced more in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growing season. The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the 156 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. yield is but a medium one, and the quality of the grain is only fair. According to the returns furnished the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22 bushels per acre. Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in 1 S60, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1S70, sixth. The rich soils of the state raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is not necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite grain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats arc looked upon with less favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds which are difficult to exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1870. It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is les3 easily winter-killed when not protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre is about 16 bushels. But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by the breweries f the state, there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price of hops as to make them a very profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those engaged in this new branch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large. Wheat growing had not for several 'years been remunerative, and in 1S67 and 1S6S, the " hop fever " be< ame an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county alone was estimated at over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over $2,000, 000. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield large, and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State Agricultural society says, in his report for that year. " Gases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer a sure and speedy course to wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1S67, the price of hops was from 40 to 55 cents per pound, while in 1S69 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling as low as 5 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1869 and 1S70. The area under cultivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932 acres. The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i860, when there were raised in the 7,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality \ 1 in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown 1 uh. although varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown illy on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. < )f the amount produced Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds; ire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of the secretary of state, the whole number of ,1. res planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain- der of the state, buf [66 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these tii ; show tli.it up to tile present nine tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest. The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the AGRICULTURE. '.",7 counties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha i [in 1869. nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown in the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With the high price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is 5< arcel) possible to make the raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the othei 1 ounties men- tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appro iated that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a find tor cattle and sheep, a\h\ also that the manure made by the animals eating it, i-, of three times the value of that made by ani- mals fed upon corn, doubtless much more flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri- can oil-cake finds ,1 ready market in England, at prices which pay well for it. exportation. If English farmers can afford to carry food for their stock so tar, American farmers may well strive tain if they can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food When greater atten- tion is paid in our own country to the qualit) of the manure made by our stock, more oil-i ake will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here will be exported. The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases, ow scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The in< rease in the price of sugar from 1861 to 1868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the present low prices of this staple has. caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the fust at fond du Lac in 1867 the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk com- pany made, in 1S71, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned the business. Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient capital to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi- cally; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the building of sued) a factory; and, thirdly, the high price of labor and the low price of sugar. The quality of beets raised was good, the polarization test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proportion of hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well throughout the state, and "tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere The limestone soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently, furnish the richest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows throughout the state in the greatest luxuriance. There is occasionally a season sodryas tomake "seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils (lover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win- ter-kill. Vet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay. There has been a growing interest in sto< k raising for the past ten years, although the increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle. md swine; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of hois, heavier English and French breeds, which tire imparting to their progeny their own characteristics 158 EISTORY OF WISCONSIN". of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state. Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the cpjiet habits and readiness to fat- ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-horns there are many herds, some of which are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of "fancy" prices, showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr- shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given, that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming, as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth. YEAR. WHOLE NUM- BER OF NEAT CATTLE. NO. TO EACH IOO ACRES OF IMPROVED LAND. WHOLE NUM- BER OFSHEEP. NUMBER TO EACH IOO ACRES OF IMPROVED LAND. POUNDS OF DUCED. POUNDS OF WOOL HEAD. iS^o ... 1S60 1870 1S75* 183.433 521,860 693,294 922.9OO 17 14 12 II 124,896 332.954 1,069,282 i,i62.Soo 12 9 IS 14 253.963 I,OII,933 4,090,670 (?) 2.03 3-04 3.S2 (?) * E«fima'ed in report of commissioner of agriculture. The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this. staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when the \'alue of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account. The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1850 Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that the wool interest is fairly developed, and the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more than ordinarily good stock. The fine-wooled sheep and their grades predominate, although there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South- downs. < )f all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth zf the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more rapid than lias been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1S50, AGEIOULTUEE. i860, and 1870 the statistics are from the U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro- fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included It has been found impossible to obtain the statistics of butter, except for the census years. YEAR. BUTTER. CHI S] IS50 1S60 lbs. 3.633.750 13,611,328 22,473.036 lbs. 400,283 1,104.300 L59I.798 13,000.000 15,000,000 17,0 0,000 1S75 ---- The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at the Centennial Exhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than was given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition No other state received so large a proportion. New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twenty-one, but only secured one award for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing each year, and there is being made in the better grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition from grain to dairy-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. This interest, which is now an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its own development, and in its inditect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the state. The history of the earlier attempts in fruit raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent reason why those varieties should not do well here. The first orchards died The same varie- ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this state. These peculiarities are hot, and for the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters. The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to with- stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa- ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies 160 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN'. altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Notwithstanding these natural obstacles, a good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state, who have sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel- ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa- tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among the hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few American varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these are a few seedlings that hive originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the prairies, and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake Michigan than in the interior of the state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account of its hardiness and excellenc bearing qualities, is cultivated most generally. Next to this comes the Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary to protect the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a few years considerable attention has been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit. Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro- ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance, and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large. Altogether, the horticul- tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here- tofore. Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organized was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts 1 3 establish such an organization were made at Madison in December, 1846, during the session of the first constitutional convention of the territory. A constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1 $49, another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great importance of agriculture in the west, it i- expedient to form a state agricultural society in Wisconsin." Another constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual organization resulted from this second attempt. The " Wisconsin State Agricultural Society"— the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 1S5 1, at which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons to fill the various offices of said society. At its organization, the society was composed of annual members, who paid one dollar dues eacli year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward AGTtlCTTLTt'IlE I'-'J '. and i ' i the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The first annual fair of the society was held in J tnesville, in October, 185 i Fairs have been held annually since, except during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly $10,000. In 1851 there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of this society have been of excellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more v to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, printed the annual report of the secretary, a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, for many years, $2,000 toward its support. Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussing of papers upon topics of interest to farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the society. The " Wisconsin State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State Fruit ('.rowers' Association," which was organized in December, 1853, at Whitewater. Its avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminating facts interesting to those engaged in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results of the practice and experiments of fruit growers in all parts of the state." Exhibitions and conventions of the association were held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of the war of the rebellion A volume ol " Transactions " was published by the association in 1855. In 1S59 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From i860 to 1S65 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter vear the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association" was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor- ticultural Society." The legislature had previously provided for the publication of the proceedings of such a society, in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society. The new society has held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In 1 87 1 an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The most active, intelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined persistence in seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul- ' tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for whieli they were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the "Patrons of Husbandry" have also done much, both directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By thei frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much valuable intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced. As agriculture, like all kindred professions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancement, all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations, is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of the agriculture of the state. Wisconsin is yet, comparatively, a new State. It was mainly settled by men who had little moneyed capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlei h td consequently t (Struggle for a livelihood in the fare of the greatest difficulties. When these o| 162 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. circumstances are taken into account, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due weight, it must be acknowledged that the present condition of the agriculture of the state is excellent, and that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful growth, toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state. MINERAL RESOURCES. By ROLAND D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of Wisconsin. The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, come under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from which the metals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals ; of the second class, the principal substances found are brick-claw kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime, limestone for flux, glass sand, peat and building stone. LEAD AND ZINC. These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings. Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i860, still holds this prominent position, although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have been found in the crystalline (Archaean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper- bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis- consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin as the " Lead Region," and forms the larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis- sippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois. What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France, III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692 ; and states that in r72i the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the Mississippi, 1700-1 701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, which was written early in the 18th century, shows that the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from MINERAL RESOURCE! 163 the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Jonathan Carver, 1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining before Julien Dubuque, who, 178S to 1S09, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which now bears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1.821, when the attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827, the mining had become quite general and has continued to the present time, the maximum production having been reached, however, between the years 1 S45 and 1847. The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of southwestern Wisconsin for the years 1S60 to 1S73 in pounds: YEARS. GALENA. SMITHSOMITE. YEAR GALENA. SMITHSONITE. 320,000 266,000 1,120,000 4,198,200 7.373.333 [867 1868 [869 1S70 1S7I 1S72 IS73 13 S20.7S4 13.869,619 I.i 426,721 13.754.159 l3.4S4.2iO I I,622,66S 9.9 r 9.734 5.131.445 4,302.383 4.547.971 4.429 5 s s 16,618,160 27,021,383 18,528,906 S41.310 3,078,435 6,252,420 7.414.022 9,303.625 16,256,970 IS62 1863 1864 I865 1866 17,037.912 15. IU5. 577 I3.0I4,2IO 14.' >-' 1 192 Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both the " Upper " and the " Lower " regions — the latter one of which lies wholly within the limits of the state of Missouri— have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead, the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver- lead " mines of Utah and other Rockv Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead region is of one kind only, the sulphide known as galena, or galenite. This ore, when free from mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur. Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits, having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as cerussite. Galena almost always contains some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace. The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the "black-jack " of the miners The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as marmatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, smithsonite, also occurs in abundance, and is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the ore. Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata. with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal- s (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series: 164 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Formation, Thickness. Niagara dolomitic limestone 300 — 300 feet. Cincinnati shales _ 60 — 100 " ( Galena dolomitic limestone _ 250 — 275 " Lead Horizon - Blue limestone _ 50 — 75 " ' Buff dolomitic limestone _ _. 15 — 20 " Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone _ 250 " Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 " The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a. few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian. The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the Galena, Blue and Buff limestones, an aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often together; by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones, and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the Galena beds. The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevices and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the vertical crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an extension laterally from a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth- ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical extension exceeds a hundred feet, and sometimes a number of these sheets are close together and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan- sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retain- ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion- ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled, and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses, though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel with one another, there being two systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores. They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock formation, filled by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice. The " flat crevices," " flat sheets," and "flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the MINERAL RESOURCES 165 galena much of cither the black-jack or drj -bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently being entirely wanting. Cleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite. These materials have sometimes a symmetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open- ing, the central portion being empty. The flat openings characterize the Blue and Buff and lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained. It is not possible, in the limits of this short paper, even to mention the various mining districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly engaged in smelting. Between the years 1S62 and [873, these two establishments have produced 23.903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of r, 991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in 1869, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,888 pounds. The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since i860. An attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel and cla\\ both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore used, caused a very heavy expense for transportation. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at that place has become a flourishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, very great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come. Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed, it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of the region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and since published by the State in the Report of the Geological Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all. IRON. Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to be. done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It appears probable, however, that iron ores will, in the near future, be the most important mineral production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present im- portance. Red Hematites. The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema- tites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined, are always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty per cent. The most important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton ii on ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county, New York, where ii was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its charai ters, both physical and ltiu HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN". and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognise it when coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from phosphorus, it yields always a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee, and at some points reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections twelve and thirteen in the town of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of a mile north of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet. According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore are as follows: iron peroxide, 66. 38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79; silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23 ; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water, 8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66. Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of these ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.7S4 per cent; phosphorus, 1.675 : carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.10S = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty- five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores. It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich., and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1S72, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 82,371 tons. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of the Niagara formation in Wisconsin, but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations. In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone, forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of the deposit is not definitely known. Brown Hematites. These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure, has about sixty per cent, of the metal ; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deposi- tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina, 377; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85, metallic iron, 49.98 — according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east, Wood county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, 1.00; iron peroxide, 73.23; lime, o. 11 , magnesia, 0.25 ; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, 0.10; organic matter, 5.88; water, MINERAL RESOURCES. L67 14.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26. Rrown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling 1 ra< ks and irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and the adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at Cazenovia in the same district. Magnetic Ores and Specular Hematites. These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another. These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin; but it is quite probable that they may before many years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic iron ore, the iron is in the shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72 4 per cent of iron when pure, and this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same as red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions where they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this kind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per cent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat- ter of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 45 per cent, "hard " ore in Wis- consin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, than to smelt his own, even if his furnace and mine were side by side. The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis- trict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40, ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan- tities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Necedah, Juneau county; and very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magneti< and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county ; but in none of these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore. In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronian series. The rocks of these districts are really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series may be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this roi k series holds great beds of lean magni tii and pi 1 nl tr ores. 1 large quantities of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric erosion. \ :a m ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such rii lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a h In the same rock series, for the most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary richness and purity, which, from their 1 , very rarely outcrop. The existence in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. < >ne deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1S77, shows a width of over 150 feet of fii specular ore; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of tin ores is as yet an inference only. The P 110 range itself is a wonderful development of 168 HIST0RY05F WISCONSIN. lean ore, which forms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become almost merchant- able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath heavy accumulations of drift material. Copper. The only copper ore at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of chakopyrite, the yellow sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime- stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not appear that the quantity at any point is sufficient to warrant exploration. Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin, where it is found under alto- gether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and Isle Royale stretch southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other belt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas county, forming a bold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them has sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity. Gold and Silver. Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash- land county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin. Brick Clays. These constitute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles fiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin, having been deposited by the lakes when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along Like Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of country bordering Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely known under the name of " Milwaukee brick,'' though by no means altogether made at Mil- waukee. Others arc ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are MINERAL RESOURCES. 16 f J burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T Sweet that the white bricks are burned from clay which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) the compo- sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milwaukee, (2) the composition of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. 1 and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. VV. Daniells: (1) (2) (3) (1) (2) (3) Silici 38.22 975 2.84 1. 16 16.23 7-54 18.50 75.S0 11.07 3-53 0.31 / I.84 - 1.09 5S.0S 25.38 4-44 8.30 2.16 0.65 °-95 1.85 1-74 0.40 1-54 2.16 Iron peroxide Cron protoxide... Moisture Totals j- 4-09 Magnesia 99.85 99'5° 100.19 At Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each ; at Neenah, 1,600,000 ; at Clifton, 1,7,00,000 ; at Wat- erloo, 1,600,000; and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater, Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and other places. In most cases the cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light- colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay. Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley, in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platteville, Lancaster, and other points in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity. Kaolin (Porcelain -Clay — Fire -Clay). The word " kaolin." is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making chin aware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to the European porcelain-c/tfv was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among scientists until very recently — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a solid rock. True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks " in place,*' that is without being removed from the place of its first formation. The baseof kaolin is a mineral known as kaolinite, a compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco- lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre- dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecomposed, or only partly decom- posed felspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of 170 iriSTOKY OF WISCONSIN. the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material, and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares. The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin, westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent; the glacial forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles, and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers strike across the country in long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging themselves into similar lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size, one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness. The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some being quite impure and easily fusible from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only, while much of it is very pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware. The following table gives the composition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the. sample having been taken from the opening on the land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east, Wood county : RAW CLAY. PRODUCTS. RAW CLAY. LEVIGATIOti PRODUCTS COARSE RESIDUE. FINE CLAY. O 1 \RSE Silica 78.83 13-43 0.74 - 0.37 49-94 36.S0 0.72 trace 0.51 92 36 o-74 0.96 0.10 ; 0.28 Soda 0.0.7 O OI 5-45 0.0S lV.62 0.05 \lumini Carbonic Acid Iron peroxide Lime 2-53 Tota.s.... 99 .6o 99.67 99.60 Potash .... Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east- ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic property, and the same is true of certain layers of the Blue limestone of the Trenton group, in the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become very recently somewhat widely known as the " Milwaukee" cement-rock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation, and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefish MINERAL RESOURCES. 17] bay, and at other points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau- kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show that it has a very constant composition : Carbonate of Lime Carbonate of Magnesia Silica Alumina ._ Iron Sesquioxide Totals I. 2. 45-54 48 29 J2 !' 29.19 17 5" i.ii 1 10 3-03 2 24 + 1 34 - 5.00 1-79 Limestone f<>r Making Quick - lime. Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is burnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower Magnesian yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section $3 of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of " Madison lime." The Trenton limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White- water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation. The Niagara, however, is the gfe.it lime furnisher of the northwest. From its purity it is adapted to the making of a most admirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of points in the eastern part of the state, among which, may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau- kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines, etc.; and Holick & Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. A total ot about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin. Limestone for Flux in Iron Smelting. The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flux, because of their prevalent magnesian character. The stone from Schoonmaker's quarry, near Milwaukee, is used at the Bay View iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime- stone, widely spread over the southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and frequently sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flux. These layers deserve the attention of the iron masters of the state. Glass Sand. Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loos,-, w! the making of glass. It is now being put to tin, use at points in the e. te sand, well adapted to stern part of the state. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Peat. Peat exists in large quantities and of good quality underneath the numerous marshes of the eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can be utilized in the future as a fuel, will depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that it may compete with superior fuels. As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires no Preliminary treatment. Building Stones. All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis of the subject of the building stones of the state, would exceed the limits of this paper. A few of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned. Granite occurs in protruding masses, and also grading into gneiss, in the northern portions of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers, and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, red granites of extraordinary beauty and value occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high value. The handsomest and most valuable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the basement rock of the Apostle islands. On one of these islands a very large quarry is opened, from which are taken masses of almost any size, of a very close-grained, uniform, dark brown stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well known court house is built of this stone. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh- boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand- stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage county; near,Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black River Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau- kee, Marquette county; near Wautoma, Waushara county; and at several points in the Baraboo valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series. All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known locally as the " Mendota " limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the lower Wisconsin, and also in the country about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne- sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara are also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone. In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's "Metallic Wealth of the United States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of Volume 1 1 of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geology of Central Wisconsin, and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the mineral exhibit of the state at the Centennial Exposition ; and of my unpublished reports on the geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior. WISCONSIN RAILROADS. By Hon. H. H. GILES. The territory of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. Explorers had published accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings, and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes and easily accessible by a long line Of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel were avoided. Previous to 1836 but few settlements had been made in that part of the then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, except as mining camps in the southwestern part, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi- tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for the land of promise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo- pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1840 was 30,749; in 1850, 304.756; in 1860,773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop- ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta- tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable land grant was obtained from congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal; then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of communication within their reach, were an indispensable necessity. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Between the years 183S and 1S41, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several railroad companies, but with the exception of the " Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company,' incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L. W. Weeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday of February, 1S4S, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided 174 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. that .^ioo.ooo should be subscribed and five percent, thereof paid in before the company should fully organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the 10th day of May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1S48, authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1S50, its name was changed to the " Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 185 1 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad reached Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 185 2, Edward II. Broadhead, a prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1S54 to Madison, and in 1S56 to the Mis- sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 185 1 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president in place of Kilbourn. The proposed length of this article wid not admit of any detailed statement of the trials, struggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the lake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweed)', Catlin, Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene- factors of the state. In 1S59 and i860, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on its bonds. A foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and property. Idle "Southern Wisconsin Railway Company" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build a road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached Milton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of the Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853. Under a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi company was authorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then purchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty-two miles west of Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of La Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to expect a direct railroad communi- cation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered by the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through the counties mentioned still remains unbuilt. The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to construct a road from LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, die company ;anized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro- iie Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president. Xo work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac 1 Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a mi Milwaukee via West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of 1853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its first president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $200,000, and gave city bonds. The company secured depot grounds 111 Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty- five miles out. Becoming embarrassed in January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green Bay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on the partially graded line. In 1S55 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty mil WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 175 The Milwaukee & Watertown company was chartered in 1851, to build from Milwaukee to Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1S56, and was consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same ye ir. In the spring of 1856 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croix river or lake, between townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and to Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year, to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press, and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company. There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members ol both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com- mittee of twenty from the senate and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the grant upon a company to be created by the bill itself. The work of the committee proceeded harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean- time the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the members of both houses were " propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them to pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate it stood, ayes 17, noes 7. At the session of the legislature of 1S58 a committee was raised to investigate the matter, and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill; to members of assembly $5,000 each, and members of senate $10,000 each. A few months after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse road became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the LaCrosse company completed its line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus. The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1S52. Between the years 1S55 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles. It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. The ,: Madison, Fond du Lac &: Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855, to build a road from Madison via Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee & Watertown company. Its name was then changed to " Milwaukee . >k the name of the "Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail- WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 177 road Company." In 1854, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The old management of A. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and Wm. B. Ogden was made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started from Chicago on the wide (six feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis- consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width, and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 185s. The Rock River Valley Union railroad company had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took place. The partially graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1S52 a new charter had been obtained, and the " Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. A subsequent amendment to this charter had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach- ing that city in 1864. The " Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison road, and from 1S56 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes- ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1S55, and a new organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railwav Company " took their place. The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 1S51 to build a road from Milwaukee to the state line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection until 1S63, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease, May 2, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago division. The " Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its chartenwas obtained. Its name was after- ward changed to the " Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the Eounty of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal- worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a road in Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the principal subscribers tc its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed, and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by it as the Kenosha division. The line was constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1S62. The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail- road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1S72 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to 178 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between the two points. The " Baraboo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road from Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con- solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between Madison and Winona Junction was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 1871, and Winona Junc- tion in 1S74. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with much difficulty. In 1S74 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of §476,743.32, and for the 129 1-10 miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96, and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1S67 the Chicago & Northwestern company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five miles had been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to Winona, Minn. The lattei line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long. With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873, it had in operation a line from Chicago, via Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn., a distance of six hundred and twenty-three miles. In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo- sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company,'' a corporation chartered for the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed at the time that the new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to consolidate with the new company, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its road to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in 1861, and in 1862 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The line from Fort Howard to Escanaba, one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem- ber, 1872, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five hundred and sixty-seven miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all sixteen hundred and sixteen miles. Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or transferred from place to place, as the changes in business may temporarily require. Wisconsin Central Railroad. The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake Superior, with branches. It completed its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, and in that vear leased its line to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 170 1864 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail- road from Berlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield or Superior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem- nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant, but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called the "Winnebago and Lake Superior Railroad Company," and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In 1869 an act was passed consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage, Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1S71 the name of the company was changed to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 187 1 the Wisconsin Central consolidated with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed, a director of the former, should be vice president of the new organization; with a further provision that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive committee. In 1-871, an act was passed incorporating the "Phillips and Colby Construction Company," which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat- ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com- pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also acquired the rights of the latter com- pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion of this important line of road was commenced in 1871, and it was completed to Stevens Point in November of that year. It was built from Stevens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester in 1S72. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis- tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by an act of the legislature of 1S75, was constructed between October 1, 1S75, and October, 1S76, seven y-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager. This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been pushed through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land, and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state. The Western Union Railroad. The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852,10 build a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its bonds for $300,000 in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele- van and Beloit gave $190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built to Burling- ton in 1855, to Delavan early in 1S56, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sin- 180 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1859, who completed it to Freeport during that year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West- ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, it built a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau- kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. A. Olin, general superintendent. West Wisconsin Railroad. The lands granted by congress in 1856 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin, from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in the legislature of 1856, and secured legislation favorable to its interests; but it failed to build the line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the " Tomah & Lake St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to construct a railroad from some point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to such point on Lake St. Croix, between town- ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine. To the company, by the act creating it, was granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, via Black River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles. Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built its road from Warren's Mills via Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to Elroy, and took up its track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago & Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul. It is operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest. It is now in the hands of Wm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as president'; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent. The Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway. In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company " was chartered to build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil- waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West- ern Railroad Company." Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, and its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is still known. In 1S66, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company" was incorporated to build a road from \ppleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It built most of the line from Appleton to that city, and then, under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau- WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 1^1 kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1876, where it connects with the Green Bay & ita road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil wankee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowo< and Appleton, which includes a branch line six miles in length from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of \c\\ York, is its president, and II. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent. The Green Lav & Minnesota Railroad. The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi river, opposite Winona. Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was 'built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most discouraging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a few men at Green Bay and along its line. It was originally chartered in 1S66 as the "Green Lay & Lake Pepin Rail. road Company " to build a road from the mouth of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis- sippi river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in 1870. During 1S70 and 1S71, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 187?, one hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two miles farther, in 1873. In 1876, it acquired the right to use the "Winona cut-off" between Winona and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven miles, thus connecting its road with the chief city of Wisconsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay. gen- eral manager. Wisi onsin Valley Road. The "Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1S71 to build a road from a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. The road was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1872, and opened to that village in 1873, and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length. Boston capitalists furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad, through which the equipment was procured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables a connection with the railroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive theirgoods and supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. Junes F, Joy, of Detroit, is president, and F. O. Wyatt, superintendent. Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, The " Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1852, to build a road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Sheboygan to Plymouth in 1858, to Glenbeulah in i860, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1S72. The extension from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 187 1. Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name of the company changed to "Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad Company." The length of 182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn, Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount exceeding $250,000. D. L. Wells is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superindendent. The Mineral Point Railroad. The "Mineral Point Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to build a road from Mineral Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of Green or La Fayette. It was completed to Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in 1855, making a connection at that point with the Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena. Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It was sold under foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds, and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigation has been had, and ill feeling engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager. The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1870, and extends from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles, and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company Madison & Portage Railroad. The legislature of 1855 chartered the " Sugar River Valley Railroad Company " to build a road from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1857 it was authorized to build south to the state line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1861 it was authorized to build from Madi- son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of 1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City, was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrosse company were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the portion of the land grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Under this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and the right of way secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The LaCrosse company had done considerable grading before its right was annulled. In 1866 the company was relieved from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In 1870 the purchasers of that part of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto, so far as related to that portion of the line. Previous to this time, in 1864 and r865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum. James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, with others, became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 1871, com- pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 1S71 the Madison & Portage company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consolidated with the " Rockford Central WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 18o Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to the "Chicago & Superior Railroad Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have commenced proceed- ings to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts. North Wisconsin Railroad. The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1S69, to build a road from Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in L.S56, to aid in building a road from Lake St. Croix to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 1S7 1, built a short section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1873, the grant was conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con- tained in the act, it declined to accept it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiseon- sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto. Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles during the present year. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that portion from Superior to the intersection of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last-named company have projected a line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered in 1853 as the "Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county of Walworth. The latter company had also graded its line between Geneva and the state line of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago & Northwestern, and over it they now operate their line from Chicago to Geneva. Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad. This is a line two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor in Iowa. It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across both channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists of substantial piling, except a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided with suitable machinery and operated by steam power. Mr. Lawler has secured a patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874. The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad. This road was built in 1S74, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire. It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalist:, of Chippewa Falls, to afford an outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails. Narrow Gauge Railroads. The " Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company *' was incorporated in 1857. Under its charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced ISi HISTORY ill' WISCONSIN. the construction of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty- one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a part of La Fayette county to Platteville, in Grant county, and was completed to the latter point in 1875. Surveys are being ension to YVingville, in Grant county. The " Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Company" was organized under the general law of the state, in 1874, to build a narrow gauge mad from the city of Fond du Lac to the south ' line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its intention to consolidate with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed anil in operation from Fond du Lac to Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond du Lac. The "Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company" was 1 rganized by the enterprising citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully. The li Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company " organized under the general railroad law of the state, in 1S72, to construct a narrow gauge road from Chicago, in Illinois, to the city of Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont. Iowa, and its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kick ipoo river, in Crawford county, Wisconsin. It expects to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Bloomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877). The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating for the purchase of the iron. South of Wauzeka the line i-* located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The publi -spirited citizens of Nei ed ih, in Juneau county, have organized under the general law of the state, and grade.] a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul company's line. The litter company furnish and lay the iron, and will operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length. Conclusion. The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided, and bankruptcy overtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various companies, as in the cases of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, and others, has beet •< ted to give through lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to introduce economy in management. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla- tive ai Hon prohibited railroads from consolidating, ami have sought to control and break down the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the public. The act of 1874, called the " Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of the state, of its right to < ontrol corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the supreme court of the United States. Quite all the railroad, of Wisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued after an organization was effected, was to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 185 interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and municipalities, and then allure tin- farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgagi their farms to secure the payment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money centers of New York, London, Amsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to obtain the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to draw a high rate of interest, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities, were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has been the history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has been 3,785, amounting to §4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to $6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner in his report for 1876. h , ^,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop- ment of the material resources of the state. Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upon which great issues were raised between the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter their rights ; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, are assured of the safety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the railroads depend upon the people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward. LUMBER MANUFACTURE. By W. B. JUDSON. Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth. In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the state with a net- work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun. If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point, to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state. The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, interspersed with prairie openings, patches of hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large 18b HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county, affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumbering is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts : The Green bay shore, which includes the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers ; the Wolf river district; the Wisconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river; the Chippewa and Red Cedar ; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix. Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in operation in 1S09, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair. Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the memory of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water- power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In 1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and, two years later, one at Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the largest in the state. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is known as Norway pine. Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality, and only a limited portion of the land' is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The ii( onto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built on its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856, in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite an extensive lumber manufacturing point. The timber tributary to this stream has been of the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual production LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 187 of [line lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. The whole production of the district, exclusive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about 140,000,000 feet annually. The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at Neenah in 1835. In 1S42, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten- sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling, and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis- trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000. The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac; the former has 21 mills, and the latter 10. Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer- ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log- driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne- bago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies ; the current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the task of piloting a raft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber. With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days, though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev- eral weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from 140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet. Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, but has long been known as a very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the state. The first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 181 9 by Col. John Shaw. The Winnebago tribe of Indians, however, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation of such a fine art, and unceremoniously offered up the mill upon the altar of their outraged 188 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. solitude. The owner abruptly quitted that portion of the country. In 1S39 another attempt to establish a mill on black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same point by two brothers by the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, who eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive operator upon Black river. La Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-mills located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feet of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the business more hazardous than on many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great after the first year. The quality of the timber is line, and good prices are realized for it when sold within a year after being cut. The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber now standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply of the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich pine district in all directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through which the Wisconsin flows. In 1S28 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno- monee. In 1837 another was built on whatis the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's mill at ( Ihippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the north- west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than 3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 The annual production of sawed lumber is from 250,000,00c to 300,000,000 feet; the production of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1.867 tne mill-owners upon the Mississippi, between Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur- ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence nt the two rivers various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the Chippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many places flows between high bluffs, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass, which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting and delivering to the respective owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company, in 1S72, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist- less velocity. In [847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night, LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 189 and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or "pockets " for holding logs at the mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire i covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river opposite the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged "fins '' holding it in position. By this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until it is tilled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the logs to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the process of balancing accounts according to the "marks," at the close of the season, has been one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improvements at Eagle Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process of logging will always be a difficult and ha/.ardous enterprise until adequate means for holding and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Claire rivers, two important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements. The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks market. West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minnesota, the same as that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to hi. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple Clam, Yellow, Xamekogan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater, and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. Such is a brief and somewhat crude descripti n of the main lumbering districts of the state. Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard-woods into lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Alost important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the . is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior, a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Hay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It lias only been completed to Ashland within the last two years. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many stave mills in operation upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft timber as raw material. From Stevens Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim- ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumbet is annually manu- factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point. Tlie extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and 190 HISTORY (IF WISCONSIN. is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted or measured until reduced to saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty years the forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears are entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witness an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction to the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater than by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection of the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resource of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an esti- mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many interested parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximating 35,000,000,000 feet. The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated out of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table gives the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 : LUMBER MANUFACTURED IN 1S76. Green Bay Shore Wolf River - Wisconsin Central Railroad - Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad Wisconsin River - --- Black River.. _. - Chippewa River. - Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs Total - -- 2o6,00O,COO 258,500,000 72,500 000 34,500,000 222,000,000 101,000,000 311,000,000 509,000,000 1,714,500,000 138,250,000 138,645,077 31,530,000 17,700,000 139,700,000 70.S52.747 255,866,999 380,067,000 172,611,823 85,400,000 123,192,000 132,700,000 10,700,000 106.250,000 37,675.000 79,250,000 206,977,000 782,144,000 If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rail- way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests would reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainable_ To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mills, requires the labor of about 18,000 men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,000 persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200 bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 2 pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for 1,800,000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important market for the products of his farm. The question of the exhaustion of the pine timber supply has met with much discussion during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brief notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of the northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising the LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 191 northern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a century these fields have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production having increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all of this tremendous drain upon the forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that are actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the date almost foretold. The pineries of Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and less amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present proportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of pine timber lands who laugh at the prospect of exhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end, the labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses will increase, and the work will progress more slowly. In the future of this industry there is much promise. Wisconsin is the natural source of supply for a very large territory. The populous prairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and unfailing markets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in the cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities in which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large forests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and the ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy state. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great west, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the growth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing demand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a stricter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time only makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will convert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of artisans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now realized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as skilled labor is employed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to which this is carried, the greater is the growth in prosperity, of the state and its people. BANKING IN WISCONSIN. by john p. McGregor. Wisconsin was organized as a territory in 1S36, and the same year several acts were passed by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green Bay and another at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic of 1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its bills unredeemed. The bank at Mineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, but both these concerns were short lived, and their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread over the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of Wis- consin, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the legislation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 1848. So jealous wen the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorpoi itioi for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be 192 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. taken to authorize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers; and this proviso was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said to have been any banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were left to their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker. In the year 1839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing certifi- cates of deposit and lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a banking business. This company commenced business at once under the management of George Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi- cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the institution, which accordingly gradually dried up, In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served the purposes of an excellent currency, being always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty and ability of the managers ; and though " runs " were several times made, yet being successfully met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond question, so that the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have been over $2,000,000. As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis- consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit," furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in request for this purpose For many years this institution furnished the main banking facilities for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchanges. Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon- sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell, some steps were taken to tot the matter; but as the general banking law had then been passed by the legislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understock! that the company would organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and commer- cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as to the amount of business transacted by it before it became merged in the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Hank." In 1S47, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, and was joined in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodman (C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part of their business. After some years they were succeeded' by Win. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office. Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of ( >shkosh ; Ulmann and bell, of Racine; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, while that of the other firms has 1 een wound up or merged in organized banks. In 1S48, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation; but provided the question of "banks or no banks" might be submitted to a vote of the electors, and, if the decision should lie in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a BACKING IN WISCONSIN. 193 general hanking law, but no su< h special charter or general banking law should have any force ibmitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes i asl on ibject. In 1851, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majorit) "1 the votes were cast in favor of " banks." Accordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved by them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which had then been in force about fifteen years, and was generally approved in that state. Our law authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, ind its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating m tes, by deposit of state and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper amounts for the securities deposited, and upon compliance with the law, and that the banks kept these securities good. The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by Governor Farwell. The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi- son by Marshall & Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank," established at Milwaukee under the old management of that company. These banks both went intooperation early in January, 1S53, and, later in that year, the " State Bank of Wisconsin " (now Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1S54, by the " Bank of Mil- waukee " (now National Exchange Hank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1S57, they numbered sixty — with aggregate capital, $4,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation. $2,231,829. In October, the great revulsion and panic of 1S57 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty severely the new banks in Wisconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, but most of them stood the trial well. The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were mostly state bonds, and largely those of the southern states; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not prove entirely sufficient. Another fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed at this time. It was found that many of the banks had been set up without actual working capi- tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state; so that it was expensive and in fact impracticable to present their issues for redemption. While these evils and their rem- edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform. The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the stale into the habit of consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been held in 1S57. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difficult to over- value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the ham onious and con- servative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the legislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the banking law, providing that no bank should be located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants; and that the comptroller should not issue circulating notes, except to banks doing a regular discount deposit and exchange business in some inhabited town, village, city, or where the ordinary business of inhabited towns, villages and cities was carried on. These amendments were approved by the people at the fall 194 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. election of that year. Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican presidential ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war, the effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states At this time (taking the state- ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula- tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252. During the winter following, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur- rency, and co tinuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated and uncurrent ; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, the banking interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the securities deposited to secure circulation. Under these circumstances, on the 17th of April, 1861, the legislature passed " an act to protect the holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the banking law could not be amended except by approval of the electors, by vote at a general election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks until Dec 1, 1861. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed- ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended to facilitate the presentation and protest of circulating notes, and the winding up of banks failing to redeem them, and provided that the bank comptroller should not issue circulating notes except to banks having actual cash capital ; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases ; that after Dec. 1, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation except those of the United States and of the state of Wisconsin. Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to December 1, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers met in convention, and, after discus- sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was evident that the list contained banks that would never be able to redeem their circulation, and the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased. The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Dei em- ber 1. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the banks in the " current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidently unsound, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never be redeemed. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men, all over the state, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen- sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country banks and merchants were suiting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and r.A\Ki\<; ix Wisconsin. ' 195 threw out ten of the seventy banks whose issues it had been agreed should be received as current. Other banks and bankers were compelled to take the same course to protect them- selves. The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charge- of bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1S61. < In that day. a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starting out most probably only with the idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the street-; wit's a band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets. The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up ti money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo- sition to proceed to violence; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the above streets, and volley, of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished. The mob then made a rush into these banks and offices, and completely gutted them, offering more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni- ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was not immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — the worst elements, as is always the case with mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture, the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin- guished. The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over; but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance and apprehension. By the prompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the storm died away. The effect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the bankers and business men the conviction that effectual measures must be taken to settle out- state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held; also of the merchants' association of Milwaukee, and arrangements were made to raise §100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers appointed a committee to take the matter in charge. It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers. Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could be done at home; and it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other depreciated state bonds on deposit to 196 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bonds with those of our own state, .which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy percent, being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain on deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the value of the securities of all the banks on the current list were brought up to their circulation, as shown by the comptroller's report. Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12 per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December 1. While the securities for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie, and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon themselves the great burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir- culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank- ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized. Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time ; but it was all converted into cash, and, when the first of December came, the remaining banks of this state were ready to redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United States. In July, 1S61, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation, $2,317,907 ; deposits, $3,265,069. I'i\ the contraction incident to the preparations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur- rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December 1, 1861, was reduced to about $1,500,000. When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert Wisconsin currency into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good demand all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, is beyond computation. From this time our banks ran along quietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills of state banks out of circulation. BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 197 The national banking law was passed in 1863, and a few banks were io 1 'I under it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-organization of the Fanners' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1863, as the First National Bank of Milwaukee, with Edward D. Ilolton as president, and II. II. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new however, was not very rapid; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the prh I the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to compel them to come in ; so facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a tax of ten per 1 ent. was- laid upon the issues of the state banks, Tl is tax was imposed by act of March, 1865, and at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin stale banks was sixty-six, with capital 83,147,000, circulation $2,461, 728, deposits §5,483,205, and these figures were probably not very different in the spring of [865. The securities for thecin dating re in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own people to be good beyond question, had never been on the general markets of the country so as to be cur- rently known there; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these bonds would be sacrificed, the currency depreciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and people. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption of our state circula- tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own state bonds. In April, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loans of the school fund, and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to receive Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, anil to issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means the threatened panic was stopped ; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currency was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1865, the number of state banks was twenty-six, with capital $1,087,000, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,210. Under the pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza- tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearly every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or more of these institutions. In the great panic of 1873, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in common with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and unimpor- tant; and Wisconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than almost any other state. We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers .1 stormy period, in which great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. It is to be hoped that a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone through the temporary stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment. According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national banks in Wisconsin in November, 1876, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deposits $7,145,360, circulation $2,072,869. At this time (July, 1877) the number of state banks is twenty-six, with capital $1,288,231. deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merely nominal, though there is no legal obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by con.: COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. By Hon. H. H. GILES. The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal comfort and sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory found a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages ; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit- ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories. The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the plow. The ease with which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly mitigated. During the decade from 1835 to 1S45, so great were the demands for the products of the soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration, but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the country was carried on by the exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess, and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state. It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The aim of this article will be to present a concise view of its present status. Allusion will only be incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached. Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance, elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a [people. Its soil of unsurpassed fertility ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ; its water-powers, sufficient to drive the machinery of the world ; its long lines of lake shore on two sides, and the " Father of waters " on another, — need but enterprise, energy and capital to utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of varied.industries shall be heard in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil. The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain means to pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use of their money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for them to play the Shylock. While investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few were ready to improve the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and work-shops. COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 199 For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside the state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome faun machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states. Furs. The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness to convert the natives to their faith. As early as 1624, they were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father Men rd, it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the ,, n^- evw. by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith. Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes, laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for Montreal. The whole commerce of this vast region then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts that cut off communication by water. This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties. Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored. Under the stimulus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses ot the immense forests whose streams were the home of' the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in whose depths were found the martin, sable, ermine, and other fur-bearing animals. A vast trade- in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of the h Yen, h government. When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength- ening its hold upon the country it possessed. The policy of Great Britain was, to charter companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the cupidity of capitalists, and rival organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at their trading-stations — the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their voyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear- ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less profitable. In 1S15, congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob Astor. Mr. Astor organized the American fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North- west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest company. The association was suspended by the war of 1812. The American re-entered the field in 1816. The fur trade is still an important branch of traffic in the northern part of the state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large number of men. 200 HISTOHY OF WISCONSIN. Lead and Zixc. In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention. From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between 1829 and 1839, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to 10,000 tons. After the latter year it rose rapidly, and attained its maximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons. Since that time the production has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable extent. The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest Wisconsin. Owing to the difficulty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to accumulate about the mouths of the mines. Within a few years past, metallurgic processes have been so greatly improved, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru, 111. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the location of these works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in 1S75, from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7,510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor- tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin. Iron. The iron ores of Wisconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to prove of great value. From their product in 1863, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at Milwaukee; in 1865,4,785 tons; in 1S6S, 10,890 tons. Of the latter ,1111011111,4,648 tons were from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 1S6S, 6,361 tons of pig iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During 1869, the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and 2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca- naba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 1S71 was 82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were received from Iron Ridge 85,245 ions of ore, and 5.620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the Wisconsin iron company in 1S72 was shipped to St. Louis, to mix with the iron made from Missouri ore. The following table shows the production of pig iron in Wisconsin, for 1X72, 1X73 and 1874, FURN 11 1 - 1S72. iS73. 1S74. Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee 11 Iron Company, Iron Ridge -. Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville 2l,Si8 3.350 5.033 4.SSS 6,910 3.420 5,600 1,780 29,326 5.S22 4.15? 4.137 33,000 3.306 3,000 6,141 6,000 7,999 6.500 6,S 3 2 7.000 1,528 1 1.300 National [roil Company, Depere '_ ' ompaiiy, W. Depere Ironton Furnace, Sauk county = 2,- 17 "3.9S0 66,f COMMERCE AXI> MAXL T EACTURES. 201 The Milwaukee iron company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of mer- chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw material could be reduced there cheaper than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built also during the same year one of the most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the year 1S73, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1S74 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873, and 85,245 tons in 1S72. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron. In 1S75, 5S,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having suspended, the receipts of ore in 1S76, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1S69, being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total shipments were only 49S tons. Lumber. The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state- ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations. Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees, and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and border- ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their source- ; still, there are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed. Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated down the streams in raft-. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in . arefully estimated, was 355.055,155 feet. The amount of shingles made was 2,272,061, and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the state, for manufac- ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1S73 and 1874 was 987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,544,464 feet. The Chippewa, 90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57.000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of logs. Hon. A. II. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2.000,000, and, taking his own district as the basis, he estimated the whole state at S,ooo,ooo acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876. 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the 202 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta- tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon- sin denuded of its pine forests; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens. Grain. Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time of its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter of 1S40 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000 bushels), and in the spring of 1S41, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the commerce and prosperity of the state, until the city of "Milwaukee has become the greatest primary wheat mart of the world. The following table gives the exports of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years, commencing in 1845 : 1845 1S46 1S47 1S4S 1S49 1850 1851 r852 1853 1S54 1855 1856 1857 185S 1-= 1 I-" 1 1861 1862 1863 [864 186; [86J 1870 >-■:' !~7-' [873 1874 1 8 7! 7.550 15.756 34.S40 92,732 136.657 100,017 51.889 92.995 104.055 145.032 181,568 188,455 22S.442 2gS,66S 282,956 457.343 674.474 7".4o5 603.525 4U.333 567.576 720,365 921,663 1,017,598 1.2211,058 1.225,941 1,211,427 1,232,036 2,2i : ;.579 2.163,346 2,654,028 WHEAT, CORN, bus. bus. 95oio 213,44s 598,411 602,474 1,136,023 2,500 297.570 5,000 317,285 13.S2S 564,404 2,220 956,703 270 1,809,452 164,908 2,641,746 112,132 2,761,976 218 2,581,311 472 3.994,213 43.95S 4.732,957 41.364 7,56s. 608 37.204 13,300,495 1.4S5 14.91 5.6S0 9.489 [2,837,620 S8,9S9 8.992.479 140,786 io.479.777 71,203 11,634,749 4So,4oS 9.59S.452 266,249 9,867,029 342.717 14,272,799 93.S06 16,127,83s 103,173 1 1,40 1 +67 419.133 11,570.565 1,557.953 24,994,266 197,920 22,255,380 556.563 22,681,020 226,895 16,804,394 96,908 2,100 7.S92 363,841 131,716 404,999 13.333 5.433 2,775 562,067 64,682 1,200 79.094 831,600 811,634 326,472 1.636,595 622,469 536.539 35L76S 210, 1S7 772.929 1.323.234 990.525 726.035 1,160,450 ■.377.56o 15,000 15,270 103. S40 322,261 291,890 339.338 63.379 10,398 Soo 63,178 53.2i6 28,056 5,220 44,800 133.449 23.479 29.597 iS,988 30,S22 95,036 120,662 469.325 576.453 931.725 6SS.455 464.837 867,970 [,235.481 54,692 So,365 "3.443 20,030 ii.577 9.735 29,810 126,301 84,047 18,210 51.444 255.329 106,795 9L443 7S.035 62,494 208,896 209,751 255-928 79.879 98,923 220,(164 COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 203 Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple- tion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor- tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state. Dairy Products. Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs, streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives remarkably well. Within a few years, cheese-factories have become numerous, and their owners are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets, and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is exten- sively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter- ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy- gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1S70; 50,130,000111 1S76; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in 1S70, as against 17,000,000 in 1S76, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc- tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1S76, were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000 in 1875 ; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti- mated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in Milwaukee were, in 1S70, 3,779,1 14 pounds ; in 1S75, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds ; ot cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1S76. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly increasing commodity in the productions of the state. Pork and Beef. Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers general h are striving with commendable zeal to rival each other in raising the finest of animals for use and the market. The folk /ii years : ing table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir- YEARS. LIVE lions. BEEF CATTLE. YEARS. LIVE HO'.S. BEEF CATTLE. IS75 1S74 IS73 I?72 I87I... 1S70 254.317 144.9^1 242,326 241,099 IjS,io6 [26,164 66,133 36,So2 46.717 22,74s 17,262 14.172 9,220 12,972 lS6S 1867- IS66 1S65 1S64- I36 3 52.296 4S.7I7 7.54<< 42,2;o 56,826 I2,=2I I3,20O 15.527 12,955 M.230 18,345 I4.t55 204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee since Shipments by Rail PORK, HAM?;. MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS. LARD. I!EEF. and Lake. Barrels. Tierces. Boxes. Bulk, lbs. Barrels. Tierces. Barrels. Tierces. 62,461 56.773 53.702 80,010 90,038 SS.940 77."5: 6g,So5 8S.SS8 74.7=6 34.013 67.933 56,432 15.439 15,292 17-1=4 24.954 20,115 20,192 15,819 9.546 13,146 11,614 7.S05 2,713 5.927 15,811 I2,6S5 42,67s 2S.374 39.572 62,211 39,209 I4.93S 5.S75 5,298 3.239 4.522 34.164 5,000 11,634 5,123,818 2,736,77S 1.4,14.112 1,915,610 4.557.950 5.161,941 4,717.630 2,325,150 1,76s, 190 454.7S6 863,746 3.301 601 9,110 4,065 6,276 3.932 2,535 1,180 3.637 2,523 3.2S7 1,929 5,677 10,987 I3.53S 3.439 18,950 4.734 1S.509 5.015 24,399 5.365 707 462 19.746 10,950 S.56S 5.055 8,820 6,292 2.4S7 7.207 10,546 6.761 4,427 7.53S 10,150 lS,g84 11,852 10,427 36 866 42,987 33,174 1,606 925 2.1S5 " iS6S__ 4.584 5.S71 " 1S63 6,377 Hops. The culture of hops, as an article af commen e, received but little attention prior to i860. In 1805, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used by the brewers throughout the state. In 1S66, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774 bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-live cents per pound, stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk, Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents per pound. The estimated crop of the state for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over $4,200,000. In 186S, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few, however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehen those interested. The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. The price continued to decline until the article was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1S68, by the unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So much of the crop of 1868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1S68, from which it did not soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1S69 was much of it marketed during 1S70, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one- half cents per pound, while that of 1S70 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During the year 187 1, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure of the crop of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production, what was left <>■, rop of 1S70 more than doubled in value before the new reached the market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime COMMERCE AMI MANUFACT1 RES. 205 qualities. The crop of [872 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to < rents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much Largei 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and [874, the crop was fair and prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 1X.000 bales were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were extremely irregular during 1875, and. after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that would not pay the cost of production. In 1X70, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000 bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop oi the previous year. Over 13,000 bales were shipped out of the state. Tobacco. Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of transportation in the railway reports for the year 1871, when the Prairie dtt Chien division of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with 1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the : axi- mum being in 1874,6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1S75. j. 743,854 pounds. The crop of 1S76 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The greater part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf raised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. Itis being contracted for at from four to six cents per pound. Cranberries. The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel- oping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout the northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet, the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 1S51, less than 1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000 barrel's were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. Tl. : 1 .-d in different years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. Spirituous and Malt Liquors. The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of population and with the other industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1S72, two hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1S76, there were two hundred and ninety-three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1S76, 321,611 barrels of lager beei and 43,175 barrels of high wines. In 1S65, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1S70, 108,845 barrels. In 1S65, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1S75, 39,005. A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the sum of $3,216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has furnished since 1870, 1,520,30s barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203,170. The total production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety-three breweries of the state for 1876, was 450,50s barrels. 206 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN. In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1S70, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and 22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664 barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits. Miscellaneous. Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick," remarkable for their beautiful cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten- sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita- ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town lias its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building at Madison, which equals in beauty that of any state in the Union. At Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison, La Crosse, and many other places are found quarries of superior building stone. Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens exhibited at the " Centennial " last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geol- ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie- ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen- erally considered inferior. W \ 1 ER Pi iWEKS. Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple,, ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago- as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-live years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements. All the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi. The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. - 1 -'' in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how- ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over any of the eastern manufacturing points. The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation. The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained. At Little Bull falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring- mills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes. Chippewa river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps. Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considerable water- power, but its extent is not known At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially improved. The river descends twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five miles above Chippewa Falls, $120,000 has been expended in improving the fall of the Chippewa river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively contest, known as the " Dells fight," has been carried on with the capitalists along the river above that town. There are immense water-powers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa and Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. In Pepin county also there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau, Beaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls, the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol- ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the banks present good facilities for building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The Kinnekinnick has a large number of falls, some of them partially improved. Within twenty-five miles of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water- privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved; at Jefferson, Indian Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and it is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded 208 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In Washington county, at West Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota ; also, a good one at Stoughton, below the first, or Lake Kegonsa ; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river. In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large number of splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water-powers on its main stream and numerous branches; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the localities they severally drain, that have had their powers improved, and their waterfalls are singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous and valuable water-powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty miles. Manufactures. The mechanical and manufai turing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, support establishments th.it furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census report for 1870 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year, remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made since the statistics were gathered. In 1S70, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at $2, jg ;. |oo. There were one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844 men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four hundred and eighty-live establishments, employing 2.1S4 men, and their product was valued at $21596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product $2,34 . \oo ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370 ; leather, eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,013,000; malt liquors, one hundred and seventy-six breweries, 835 men, and their products valued at $1,790,273. At many points the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively; indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns; but for details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history. The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have been considered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered in this paper. ( Ioncluding Remarks. Statistics ire usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking information regardinga new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and alue. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the productiveness of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 209 iccustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources, advantages, and'the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor- mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor- mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character. Provision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests. Several of the states of the Union have established a " Bureau of Statistics," and no more valua- ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these i with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the physii al laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its productions; the growth of society, and to (///those facts or conditions which may increase or diminish the strength, growth or happiness of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science, which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences. A writer has said that, " If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state, instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic- ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate- rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to propel the machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur- prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing the state in a proud position of independence. It is impossible to predict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin. From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of the Union in all that constitutes real great- ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver, in 1766, one hundred and thirteen years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of won- derful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remarkable prediction of which we see the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately palaces and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose only decorations are the barbarous trophies of'their vanquished enemies." " Westward the course of empire takes its way ; The four first acts already passed, A fifth shall close the drama with the day ; Time's noblest offspring is the last." THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. By D. S. DURRIE. In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the territory north of the Ohio river, including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay country as an ambassador from the French to the Winnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660 visited the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various points in the northwest. The French government appreciating the importance of possessing dominion over this sec- tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself of the good feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission, in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a circuit of a hundred leagues, inviting the nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabiting the Green bay country, by their chiefs and ambassadors, to meet him at the Sault Sainte Marie the following spring. In the month of May, 1671, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis, Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the morning of the fourteenth of June, " St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully equipped and under arms. Here, too, in the vestments of their priestly office were four Jesuits: Claude Dablon, superior of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude Allouez. and Andre\ All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with eyes and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form, pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vexilla Regis. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it, with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the exaudiat, and one of the priests uttered a prayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and, holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud voice "-that he took possession of all the country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under the king's protection. This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, and on the eighth of May, 1689, Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at the post of Nadouesioux, near Lake Pepin on tiie west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter. The papers were signed by Perrot and others. By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came under the dominion of the French government, the possession of which continued until October, 1 761 — a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671. From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses- -Min, the district of country embraced within the present limits of this state had but few white inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders ; and of these few, the locations were separated by a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by TIIK PUBLIC DOMAIN. 211 the usual water courses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary establishments; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox ~iver. and perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agricu.- turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants of Kinds made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi- ;ix of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under tuthority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with 1 writer, "so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to the agricultural settlement of any country." The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits of the present state of Wisconsin. Within its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory including the fort at the head of Gree'n bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of Fran< e in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British, and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. This grant was evidently intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it, as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas- ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the affections of the Indians. The whole country had already been virtually conquered by Great Britain, and the grant of course was not confirmed by the English government. Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the French and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, ex< ept in general terms. The English made a determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Quebec in 1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domination of In the basin of the St. Lawrence; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded February 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain. Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as that of making private purchases of the natives. conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice of the most reprehensible frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part of the country. In face of the proclamation of 1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under a pretended purchase from, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was claimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council. This was not conceded; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of governmeiu had 212 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success; and, of course, has often been refused. But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have had of informing themselves of the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a delineation of 5he "Carver Grant." The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the French to the English govern, ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and religious privileges. The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the territory acquired. The war inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara. The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of the Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley; and at the close of the revolutionary war, Great Britain renounced all claim to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river. The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country; his expedition having been undertaken and carried forward under the auspices of that state. Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, laid claim to portions of the land comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620 ; and included from lat. 42° 2' to about lat. 45 , extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 41c north 1042^ 2'. The claims of Virginia were from grants from King James, bearing date, respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1611, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the Illinois country; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan. It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre- hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and, consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does not appear to have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon- sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to the general government had she ever exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green Bay and Prairie d 11 Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in no wise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise; and the possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite treaty of peace in 1783; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United Suu-s, retaining possession, however, until 1796 ; at which time the western posts were transferred to the United States. THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 213 All the claiming states finally ceded theii interests to the general government, givii latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed o\' cession from Virgin] was dated March i. [784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others uent thereto. Virginia made a number of stipulations in her died of cession; among others, that tin- French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be prote< ted in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; that 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio, should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about 3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops on the continental establishment. In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back to that state with a recommenda- tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 17S8, Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1 787. The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United States lying north of the 36? 40'. After the adoption of the constitution of the United States the the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi- nance of 1787. Of this ordinance it has been said : " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ- ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great northwest, upon which were based, and with which harmonized all our territorial enactments, as well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness." After the close of the revolutionary war, enterprising individuals traversed the whole country which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio; but the determination of the British cabinet not to evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the people who were disposed to make settlements. The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at the mouth of Detroit river in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held, which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued, /hich resulted at first disastrously to the American troops under Generals Harmar and St. Clair, but finally with success to the American arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred and thirty chiefs and warriors. It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne, sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treaty was that in consid- eration of the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquishments of lands made by the tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render- ing this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquished their claims to all other Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south- ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, except certain reservations and portions before purchased of the Indians, none of which were within the present limits of this state. The Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became 214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN*. absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin- quished by the United States, the Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part of them, they were to be sold only to the United States, and until such sale, the United States would protect all of the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and all other white persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them- selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or power what- soever. The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling upon the lands relinquished by the general government; and such person was to be considered as out of the' protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as it might see fit. It will be seen that the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general government; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who are capable of making treaties. The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda- ries, and the protection of settlements on Indian lands; those that followed were generally for a cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several treaties that took place after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory of the present state, came into possession of the government. As will be seen hereafter, it required trea- ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years before it was fully accomplished. i. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1S04, between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern- ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin ; and including on the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north- ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin- ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war. j. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis- souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of THE PUBLIC J >( (MAIN. 215 the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should lie concluded between the United States and the Foxes of Rock river. 3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern- ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1.S04, to the full extent of their interest in the same. 4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed the treaty of 1S04, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure to do so, to fojfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty, Black Hawk's name appear-, with Others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had "touched the quill " to this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of St. Louis in 1S04, and at Portage des Sioux in 1S15, he said that he did not consider the same valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands. Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the disposition of the lands. 5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, 1816, between the chiefs and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation; that they, for themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest extended. 6. On the 30th of March, 1817, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace ana friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land before made by them within the limits of the United States. 7. On the 19th of August, 1S25, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary between the two first nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and other tribes. 8. Another treaty was held August 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined, as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty. 9. A treaty was made and concluded August 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made. 10. A treaty was made at Green Hay, August 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawat- tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the south- western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional . 216 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation. n. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August 1, 1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, < Htawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois ; and at the latter date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead- mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or sold by the grantees. By this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41" 30' to latitude 43 15', on the Mississippi. Following the meanderings of the river, it was about two hundred and forty miles from west to east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island to Lake Michigan. 12. Another important treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1S31, between the Meno- monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an immense territory. Its eastern division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox river, and Lake Winnebago; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west, Fox river on the south, Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the United States, besides a strip of country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers north, on each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long— still leaving the tribe in peaceable possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by the New York Indians — two townships on the east side of Lake Winnebago. 13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed by this nation lying south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June 1, 1833, or on any part of the country therein ceded. 14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles oi agreement were made and concluded at Green Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation ceded to the New York Indians certain lands on Fox m\« r. 15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United Stales and the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government all their lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land ceded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September THE PUBLIC DOMAIN". 217 (-, [832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie du Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about five millions of acres. 16. On the 3d of September, 1S36, a treaty was made at Cedar Point with the Menomonees, by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper Wisconsin, were ceded to the United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green bay portion; on the Wisconsin river, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, running forty-eight miles north in a direct line, equivalent to 184,320 acres. 17. On the 29th of July, 1837, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississippi, at Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the Mississippi. rS. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing- ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all their islands in said river. 19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government at Washington, November 1, 1837. That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep- tember 21, 1832. 20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre- sentative, on the 3d of February, rS3S, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, i83i,and the treaty made with the same tribe, October 7, 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres. 21. Another treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes ( New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1S32 22. On the 4th of October, 1S42, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, with the Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to the United States. 23. The Menomonee nation, on the rSth of October, 1S4S, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded and relinquished to the United States all their lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov- ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of $350,000, to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges — the tribe to sell and relinquish to the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe by treaty of February 8, 1831. 24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river, May 12, 1S54, being a supplementary treaty to one made October iS, 1S4S. All the lands ceded to that nation under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from the Linked States a tract of country lying on Wolf river, being townships 28, 29 and 30, of ranges 13. 14, 15, 16. 25. A treaty was' made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at La Pointe, on the 30th of September, 1S54. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them in common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wis- 218 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. consin and Minnesota. 26. On the 5th of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes, at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed by them, was ceded to the United States; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty made at Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes. With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders. In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization of the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention. By an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas- kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed, were, if necessary, to be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have until November 1, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25, 1806, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, and for other purposes Another act was approved May 1 1, 1820, reviving the powers of the commissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis- sioners to have power to examine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land office, and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their view, sufficiently established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have been extinguished, decide favorably on the claims presented. About seventy-five titles were con- firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi- gations; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which maybe claimed for the settlement of that place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been successfully made out; and that but few deeds of any sort have been exhibited." This they attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country. They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever < laim the people of the place possessed, and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con tinued possession since the year 1796 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors of these settlers were cut off, by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter- course with their parent c ountry, the people both of Prairie du Chien and Green Bay have been eft, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own; and, although the present population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they inhabit, and, consequently, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have had as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British. Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility > habitual hospitality, cheerful THE PUBLIC DOMAIN 210 submission to the requisitions of any government which may be set over them, are their universal characteristics." In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they " have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certainty, whether either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the thy of Detroit, that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than among collections of state papers. Tradition does recognize the fact of the extinguishment of the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the old French government, before its surrender to the English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab- lished also, that, in the year 17S1, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal purchase from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien." The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory, were : 1 The Northwest territory proper (1 7S7-1S00) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred to in the ordinance of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun- daries. 1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, 1S00, with the seat of government at Vincennes That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state of Ohio. 3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1S05. It was bounded on the south by a line drawn east from the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan. It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in ^36. The state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1S37, with its present boundaries. 4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, 1S10. It included all of the Indiana territory west of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes. 5. Indiana was admitted as a state April 19, 1S16, including all the territory of Indiana territory, except a narrow strip east of the line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her western boundary. 6. Illinois was admitted as a state April 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south of latitude 42 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo- ber of that year, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin. 7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which Des Mi lines and Dubuque counties were formed. S. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848. The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787, one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two states in that part of the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or 1 of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to 220 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". be articles of compact between the original states and the people and states in the said territory, and forever to remain unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the spirit and letter of the compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to form a constitution and state government until the southern boundary to which they are so justly entitled by the ordinance of 1787 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com- pact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her people never succeeded in obtaining from congress what they considered their just rights. It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lake Superior given as a compensation in part for the strip of land awarded to Ohio from her south- ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten- sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula. The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio river, was made pursuant to an act of congress approved May 20, 1785 The geographer of the confederation was diected to commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that should be found to be due north from the western termination of a line which had been 'run as the southern boundary of the state of Pennsylvania; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend through the whole territory. The survey comprised seven ranges, composing ten counties of the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished. Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the mode of laying out land which was then introduced by him, and is still in general use by the government. Soon after the government had acquired title to the Indian lands south of the Wisconsin river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period. The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec- tangular tracts, each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called the principal meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the Wisconsin surveys are gov- erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundary line to Lake Superior, at the mouth of Montreal river, about two hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant from I. aFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares, called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is carried still further into half-quarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab- lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect of the curvature of the earth's surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of its south over its north line being in the state THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. --i about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the north, and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience. In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten and eleven. The sei ond is between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are visually sixty miles apart. On these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the principal meridian, and the corners of new townships are fixed six miles apart as on the original base line. This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but arrests that caused by want of precision in the surveys already made. The northern or western sections of townships, which contain more or less than six hun- dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run- ning the lines from east to west, or from north to south. As soon as the surveys were completed in southern Wisconsin and'the Green Bay section, and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, public announcement was made by the govern- ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were put up to the highest bidder, and such as were unsold were afterward subject to private entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and Mineral Point in the year 1S35. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1S39. From the reports of the general land office, it appears that from 1S35 to 1845 inclusive, there were sold at the three land offices from public sale, 2,958,59- 1 4 ll , '; l a< res, amounting to $3,768,106.51. Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the president March 2, 1829, and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20 east, 4th principal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress approved March 3, 1863, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause the reservation, including the site of the fort, containing three and four-hundredths ai res. situated in the county of brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Whitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis- consin, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1S62, granting lands to Wisconsin to aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one- fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the public interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and platted, to be sold sep- arately at auction. On the 10th of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. About one-half of the lands were sold, and purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous were sold for six thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sold brought about the sum of nineteen thousand dollars. That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised value, and that portion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam creek, was subject to entry as other public lands were offered. On the 20th of May, 186S, a joint resolution of congress was approved, by which the com- missioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause a patent to be issued to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company in pursuance of a resolution passed by con- ■222 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25,1862, and by act of the legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres of land, as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June n, 1S64. The lands thus donated are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J. H. Lockwood and James D. Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots numbered thirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land claims at Prairie du Chien, and com- prised about one hundred and sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1830- and 1831. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, township seven, north of range four west, known as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis- consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa. The lands in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of war, January jo, 185 1, and were originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1X43 In the month of April, 1857, the secretary of wai authorized Hon. H. M. Rice, of Minne- sota, to sell that part of the reservation not impioved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each; and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five hundred and seven acres of the reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed by actual settlers ; and in the month of December, 1857, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to i77yVrr acres. A portion of this reservation was subdivided into town lots, 80 by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundred and forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and disposed of. The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set apart by order of the president, February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following territory: sections two, three, and that part of four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range nine east, also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east, lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago, reserved by order of the president, July 29, 185 1 the whole amounting to about four thousand acres. September the first, 1853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army, having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C. Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H. Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others. The fust land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved June 26, 1834, creating additional land districts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lying north of the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan, which two districts shall embrace the country north of said rivers when the Indian title shall be THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 223 extinguished, and the Green Ray district may be divided so as to form two districts, when the president shall deem it proper;" and by section three of said act, the president was author- ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships are surveyed. An act of congress, approved June 15, 1S36, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab- lished in 1S34, " by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and running thence east between townships ten and eleven north, to the line between ranges seventeen and eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine east.'" to be constituted a separate district and known as the " Milwaukee land district." It included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia. An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in the territory. All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a district to be known as the Chippewa land district: commencing at the Mississippi river on the line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town- ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn, Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts of Buffalo, Trempeleau and Jackson ; also, the new county of Price. An act of congress, approved March 2, 1S49, changed the location of the land office in the Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land offic e and district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be 1 icated. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St. Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix. La Pointe, and parts of Chippewa and Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30,- 1S52, so much of the public lands in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner of township fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth principal meridian, thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian, thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place. The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Shawano, New and Marinette. The La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory: "Commencing at a point where the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to the fniirth principal meridian, thence north to the line between townships fourteen and fifteen north, thence east to the southeast corner of township fifteen north, of range one east of the 224 H1ST0BY or WISCONSIN fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number thirty-one north, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to the Chippewa river, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf- falo, Trempealeau, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in its limits. By act of congress, approved February 24, 1855, an additional district was formed of all that portion cf the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships forty and forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part of Burnett were included within its boundaries. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries, were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north; south of the line dividing townships forty and forty-one north ; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east ; and east of the line dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the president as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau Claire and Clark were in this district. There are at the present time six land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha, Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law, when the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub- ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directed by law), who is alsc authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby. The pre-emption law of 1S30 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe- tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied the tract at the date mentioned, the privilege of securing it by payment of the minimum price at any time before the day fixed for the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he was to file proof of cultivation and occupancy. As men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it occasionally happened that two or more would find themselves upon the same quarter section t in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section equally between them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author- izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering with other settlers having the right of preferem e. This was 1 ailed a floating right. This pro- the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways. As fist as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to tits of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of the same family, to employees, to any person who had not [.aid for eight)' acres originally occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional trai t paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number of these certificates had been issued, and p.issed into the hands of speculators and designing men, and were a sourc e of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1S30 THE I'l BLIC DOMAIN. 225 expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of [834 for two years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of [834 extended only to those who had made cultivation in 1833, consequently the settlers of later date were excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual settlers as late as 1835. The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1X41, provided that every person who should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author- ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum price (one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre), and thus secure the same against competition ; and if any person should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within thirty days give notice to the register of the land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price. At the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1S35, all those tracts on which lead was found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased under certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised. The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty was found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it was abandoned, as the amount expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead collected. In the period of four years the government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars. The act of congress, approved July 1 1, 1846, authorized the sale of the reserved mineral lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' public notice, the lands should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption until after the same had been offered at public sale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac- tory proof being made to the register and receiver of the proper land office, any tract or tracts of land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be sold in such legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received therefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts should not be sold at such public sale, at such price, nor should be entered at private sale within twelve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was changed by an act approved March 3, 1847, providing that any one being in possession by actual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same rents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands prior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty acre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they were then to be subject to private entry at the same price. In 1S47 or 1848 the reserved mineral lands were sold at public sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and they were all disposed of at that price. Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legislature, approved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by an act of congress approved June 18 of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the construction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt often miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands 43,447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1S39, at the minimum price of two dollars and fift) cents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for a short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river, which was made available for manufacturing and other purposes. A canal was also built about a mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of the river. Much 226 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". dissatisfaction subsequently arose; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canal and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for that purpose. At the session of the legislature in 1S63, the committee made a report with a lengthy opinion of the attorney-gen- eral of the state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages against the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875, an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure the purchase money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc- tion of this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subsequently made a part of the 500,000 acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole matter is now closed against further legislative enactments. The next grant of lands made by congress ior internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one approved August 8, 1846, entitled " an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by canal." By this act there was granted to Wisconsin on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation of the above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to one-half of three sections in width on each side of Fox river, and the lakes through which it passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter the same, and each side of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1846, out of any unsold government lands sub- ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov- erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal, approved May 9, 1S4S. In the years 1S54 and 1S55, acts of congress were passed, defining and enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1846, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for this purpose and certified to the state, was 674,100. After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved August S, 1848, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con- gress, was undertaken by the state. It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due ; and in 1853 the work was turned over to the Vox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora- tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1S53. In 1856, by an act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress then unsold were granted by the state, through the said company, to trustees, with power to sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if any, for the company itself. In February, 1866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at public sale at Appleton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted THE PUBLIC DOMAHST. 221 by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust. The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstanding state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan specified in the act approved October 3, 1856. Under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin ..pproved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend- atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the 15th day of August, 1866, filed their certificate in the office of the secretary of state, and thereby became incorporated as the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement. At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States, the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War- ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1S70, the secretary of war was authorized to appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc- cessors of the Improvement company, the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, for the transfer of all its property and rights; and by a subsequent act, approved June 10, 1872, an appropriation was made therefor. The legislation on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement would make a chapter of itself. The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted to completion in a satisfactory manner. On the 29th of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it was submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1S47, and it was rejected. The second convention met December 15, 1847, and, having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the people at the election in 1848. The following are the propositions proposed by congress : 1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools. 2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set apart and reserved for the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in such manner as the legislature may prescribe. 3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap- propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under the direction of the legislature. 4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or disposed of on such terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct. , The title to all lands and other property which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution of the state, vested in the state ; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all lands, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people. The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the 228 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. grant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement, and the lands reserved to the United States by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of aiding in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock river, were to be offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same rights of pre-emption as other public lands of the United States. By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer and attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and university lands, and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands which had been donated to the state. The total quantity of lands offered was 148,021, 44-100 acres, which sold for the sum of $444,265.19. By an act of congress, approved September 4, 1841, there were granted to the state 500,000 acres of land, which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the school fund, and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about 140,000 acres, were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth section of each township, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole number of acres sold up to the year 1877 is 1,243,984 acres, and there remain unsold, subject to entry, 216,016 acres. The state university land grant was made in 1838, and seventy-two sections set apart and reserved. The lands were selected in 1845 and 1S46. On the 15th of December, 1854, an act of congress was approved, relinquishing to the state the lands reserved for the salt-springs, and seventy-two sections were granted in lieu thereof, in aid of the university of the state The number of acres amounts to 92,160, all of which have been sold except 4,407 acres, which are subject to entry. Under the re-organization and enlargement of the university, under provisions of chapter 114, of general laws of 1866, section thirteen provides, among other things, that the income of a fund to be derived from the sales of the two hundred and forty thousand acres, granted by congress by act approved July 2, 1862, entitled : "An act donating lands to the several states and territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and mechanic arts," be devoted to the state university, and the funds arising therefrom to be known as the " agricultural college fund." All of the grant of lands have been sold except 5 1,635 acres. The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1 846, for the purpose of completing or erecting public buildings at the seat of government, known as "Capitol Lands," amounted to ten entire sections, or six thousand four hundred acres. A grant of lands was made to the state by act of congress, approved September 28, 1850, of all the swamp and overflowed lands within its limits. The total number of acres of this grant, as certified to the state from the government, to the year 1877, is 1,869,677. A grant of land was made by congress, approved March 3, 1863, for the construction of a military road from Fort Wilkins, Michigan, to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, of every alternate section of public lands, designated by even numbers for three sections in width on each side of said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. In 1865 sales of land were made to the number of 85,961.89 acres, which realized the sum of $114,856.54. An act of congress was approved June 25, 1864, granting lands to the state to build a military road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake Superior, of every alternate section of land designated as odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1S65. An act was also passed by congress, approved April 10, 1866, granting to the state of Wis- consin a donation of public lands to aid in the construction of a breakwater and harbor and ship THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 229 canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bay with Lake Michigan. The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 1868. In 1S74, the same body by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bay and Lake Michigan ship canal and harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri- cultural purposes by said company. The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, approved June 3, 1856, by the first section of which there was granted to the state, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or lake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior and to Lay field ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line, every alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side of said roads, respectively; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads, and to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same shall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges upon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions as to the disposal of said lands. The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1856, and on the nth of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse & Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant. A supplementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin & Superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on or before January 1, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August 1, 1858. Of this land grant John W. Cary says: "That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of a railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad company. This company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad company, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to Oshkosh, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company failed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued in possession until June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon '- and on the sixth of the same month the present Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was organized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession." A large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison or Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years 1857 and 1858, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc- cessors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant. In 1S56 and 1S5 7, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi- son to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained until 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portag. City railroad company. In 1873, an act was passed chartering the Tomah & Lake St. Croix railroad company, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands from Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the company chartered by this act. This road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad. An act of congress was approved May 5, 1S64, granting lands to aid in the construction of certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1S56, and divided the grant in three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between 230 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". townships twenty-five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield — every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations; another, for aiding in building a road from Tomah to the St. Croix river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac, as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Superior, and a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, was donated. The legislature of 1S65 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. The succeeding legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company," and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1866, and the latter April 9, 1866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage, Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis- lature approved February 4, 1871, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad." HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.I). An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves the discussion of the geographical position of the state; its area, physical features; its elevations, depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatology; the nationality of its people ; their occupations, habits, food, education ; and, indeed, of all the physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health. Geographical Position. The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, conveys an imme- diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistical atlas of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern peninsula of Michigan; on the south by Illinois; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42 30' and 46° 55' N. latitude, and between 87° and 92 50' W. long.; is 285 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west, giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions, or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral undefined. North of 45 ° the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth. Physical Features. Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable. HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 231 It has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage, is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600 feet above the level of the sea, Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and thickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural purposes; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more thickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver- sified w'th stream, waterfall and rapids; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height, assuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian limestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisconsin are illustrative of its beauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its character for salubrity. Geolcn .v. The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only from its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent in the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them. The relationship will be seen still further in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geologii al structures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the cliff prevailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts; while in the north part of the state the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river sandstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesque bluffs, abounds. While west of Lake Michigan extends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie land. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. The general dip of the stratified rocks of the state is toward the south, about S feet to the mile. Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils and sands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining water, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ; while others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In the Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks (a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime and carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those unaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable in the rebel prisoners at Camp Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce stone and gravel, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is so — if so — is a question of some interest. Goitre and cretinism are both attributed to the use of the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here, but not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water. Boiling the water is a preventive of all injurious effects. There is still another objection — partic- ularly applicable to cities — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia which it contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to promote the decomposition of organic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well- water. Geology in general affects all our soils and their products; all our drainage; even our architecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a magnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its bulk of water, or two and a half gallons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone arc ne trl) as porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A single brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction 232 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases, and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when exposed to underground moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our homes, have the same unquestionable relationship to geology and disease. The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro- graphical axis is about 1,000 feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500 feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of the supply and drainage, however, is from the extreme north to the southwest through the center of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal distances from each other. Climatology. The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observations taken at different times, for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind that climate depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings, upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries, like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as it does upon latitude. Our historic period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it has several climates within itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject. The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one, Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea. 420 miles long and 160 broad), on the north side of the state, and the other, Lake Michigan (578 feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and 84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean. Our climate is consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con- nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor as one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water During the winter the mean temperature of the east on the New England coast is 8.38 higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99 lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for the year there is but a fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal- izing agency of an expanse of water. On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215 ; the HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 233 cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 , and the snowy as 45 to 29 In the former the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its attendant rains, gives us that with which we are so abundantly supplied, great variety of food, both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables in the greatest profusion, and of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of. The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is shown by the mean temperature — 70° — for three months at Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany, New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being the same ; while at Baltimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75 °, and around the gulf of Mexico it is 8o°. Another feature of our climate is worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make the thermometer their guide for comfort. It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it. The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by io Q to 15° at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 44 40', longitude 87 °, observations for nine years, is 44.93; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 43 3', longitude 90 53', observa- tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4. Hyetal or Rain Character. Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the area of constant precipitation, neither affected by a rainy season, nor by a partial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an average of four years, was 38.83 inches. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three years was 31. 8S inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes. One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast, while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues wjthout a break, winter being uniform and severe, characterized by aridity and steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate is, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual, quantity — the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc- ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier precipitation being carried further away. One of the most pleasing features of our climate is its frequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the eye as that of England. The hygrometric condition of Wisconsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that given of Poultney, Iowa : 234 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN' ~. , Temperature of Air. Temperature of Evaporat'n Humidity, per cent. Day. Temperature of Air. Temperature of Evaporat'n Humidity, per cent. loth... II 92° 87 92 96 93 7S 75 77 Si 51 55 4S 50 44 19th 20 94° 97 96 Si S 4 Sl° Si So 71 55 4S '3 -- 14 29 30 63 5° The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wisconsin, was twenty-five inches, while at Oxford county, Maine, the average for twelve years was ninety inches. The isohyetal lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the year 1872, show that of Wiscon- sin to he thirty-two. Isotherms. The mean temperature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45 F. which enters Wis- consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction, and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee, whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa- chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70 F. enters Wisconsin from the west but little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes through the state nearly parallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary near the east line of Walworth county ; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a little south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47 F. for autumn, enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20 F. representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east and north and enters Lake Michigan at Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre- sented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes across the. state in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee. W T hat influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no data to show. But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence on the animal economy. This is a question for the future. IIari Yearly mean of barometer at 32 F. ,088 feet above thi 1S69 2S.932 inches. 1 2S.S67 " 1871 2S.9S6 " 1S72 2S.S98 '■ RII A rved the University of Wisconsin, altitude 1^71 2S.892 i 1S74--- 2S.S67 1875 2S.'75o 1876 2S.920 Atmospherii pressure, as indicated by the barometer,is an important element in the causation of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly « HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 235 attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in barometrical vicissitudes. Winds. Generally speaking, the atmospheric movement is from the west. It is of little purpose what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the fact of the constancy of the westerly winds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the feature of our winds upon which so much of our health and comfort depends. Climatological Changes prom Settling the State. There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc- tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment, the more so that it is still in our power not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow evaporation in the forest, in contrast with the rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space. The springs, diminishing in number and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the springs reappear, and the streams are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going on in various parts of the state, their second growth is also going on, both in the pineries, where new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the pine, and in the more cultivated parts of the state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the practice so much in vogue some years ago, of running fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances, the springs and streams in the more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second growth increases and expands. The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering protection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suffer from the want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The growing of our more delicate fruits, like the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished se well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, areas a rule no longer to be found in those localities, having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing, the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties, the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle suffering as much as formerly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in quality and quantity, and competes with the best in the Chicago and the New York markets. 236 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN - . There can, however, be no doubt that the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed localities, would be serviceable in many ways ; in tempering the air and imparting to it an agreeable moisture in the summer; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; in moderating the extreme changes to which our climate is subject; and thus in a measure preventing those discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve (by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed. The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago, when the state first began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod being turned over in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putrifying fomen- tative process, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease. Not, however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations. These were undoubtedly aggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settlers, who were wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines and nursing. These fevers have swept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844 and 1845, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, following in the autumn the summer's "breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to " settling " are much less common and much less fatal than formerly. Relations of Climatology to Sanitary Status. One of the principal reasons for gathering climatological observations, is to obtain sanitary information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health. Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be given. It is, however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are not always made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical district, by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen not for this special purpose, but for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for the most part come. Another caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those of the military of the period, a class from which no very favorable health reports could be expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life. The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis- lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes. More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state. Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin, for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states, acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection, unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not HEALTH <>F WISCONSIN". 237 live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs , or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities. Our climate, approximating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and pole), would a priori 'be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us. Influence of Nationalit^s. Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different "nationalities sensibly affected our health conditions ? Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern- ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically, mentally and morally. England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peoples than any other. From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament, already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm diat the general inter- mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali- ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char- acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some Yery interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe), produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing' of races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there on the way to England. We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new type, distinct from all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as the country has lands to be occupied and there are people in Europe to occupy them, such spec- ulations can be but of little value. ^a» HISTORY (>F WISCONSIN Occupations, Food, Education, etc., as affecting Public Health. The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa- tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of the laborers on the soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it may be said (of so many different nationalities are we composed), that we have no habits which serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton, and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient, fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the state health. History of Disease. In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to tne year 1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases, in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like- wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi- ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general. After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1824. The principal disease of the Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common among men than women, the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs, and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi- lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs, generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year. This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age. Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838, HEALTH (>F WISCONSIN -o9 of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says, there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1S57 : the Winnebagoes have suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859: the chief malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863: of the Menomonees, there is a large mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the report for 1S65, one cannot but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports. The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for 10 years, commencing 1S29, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the Union as a state). FORT HOWARD, GREEN BAY 30 I This abstra- Intermittent fever 30 Remittent do 11 Synochal do 4 Typhus do Diseases of respiratory organs 101 Diseases of digestive organs 184 Diseases of brain and nervous system 9 Dropsies 1 Rheumatic affections 61 exhibits the second quar- only, the mean strength being All other diseases 114, excepting vene- real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul- cers, injuries, and ebriety cases. Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu- monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar- rhoea and dysentery, 1S4 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the post returns, are 25, being i% per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6, and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength. T. ,k of Ratio of Sickness at Fort Howard. Si isons. MEAN STRENGTH. ™ MBER TREATED. RATE I'ER I.OOO OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY. 1.764 1,702 1,526 1,594 715 726 1.073 636 405 425 703 399 1.647 ISO TOI7 240 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality, according to the medical reports, is -fa per cent. ; and of the adjutant-general's returns, i t 3 j- per cent. I ok I U INNEBAGO. Intermittent fever 21 Remittent fever. _ 10 Synochal fever I Typhus fever — Diseases of the respiratory organs 141 Diseases of digestive organs go Diseases of brain and nervous system.. 2 Rheumatic affections 26 abstract exhibits the fourth quarters mly, the mean strength being 1,571. All other diseases, 80, with the exceptions i above. Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, n pneu- monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhoea and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis; under the class of brain and nervous system, 1 epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these, 3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, 1 pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, 1 gastric enteritis, 1 splenitis, etc. TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO. Seasons. MEAN STRENGTH. M MBF.R TREATED. RATE PER 1,000 OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY. 1.535 1-505 1.527 I.57I 552 517 581 495 36o 343 3S0 315 Annual ratio. 1.534 2,145 1,398 Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half. Intermittent fever 262 Remittent fever 61 Synochal fever — Typhus fever — Diseases of respiratory organs 177 Diseases of digestive organs 722 Diseases of brain and nervous system 16 affections 5S s abstract exhibits only, the mean stre All other diseases, 309, w exceptions as above. the third quarters lgth being I.8S5. vith the same list of Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu- monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7 epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being 2tV per cent. The causes of death are: 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, 1 common cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of fever, while the same quarter of 1836, with a greater strength, affords but one case, the difference seeming to depend upon the temperature. HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 241 y The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the annexed table : TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OF SICKNESS. Seasons. MEAN 11 KKNC.TH. NUMBER TREATED. RATIO [>ER I.OOO OF MEAN STRENGTH TREATED QUARTERLY. 1, 660 1.749 1,885 1,878 9S7 1,267 1.948 I.270 595 724 1.033 1,793 5.472 3.052 Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph- ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table giving rise, if not to " land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases. The reason for using these early data of the United States Army medical reports in pref- erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler; and again — these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable. To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse to the state institutions. The Institution for the Education of the Blind. The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those of school age — that is — under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes- ville in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever, recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1S73, no sick list. For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 187 1, health of the school reasonably good ; few cases of severe illness have occurred. The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per- sons in the state, as shown by the census of 1.S75, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the number of pupils as 156. Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the ailments; and the physician's report adds: "The sanitary reports of the institution from its earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location. Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent- 242 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public to the fact that the chief cause conies under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments, we would simplv direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis- ease — which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the degree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry into the subject, with the view of adopting preventive means, be a wise step? The evil is fear- ful ; the cause is plain; so, too, is the remedy." Industrial School for Boys. This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized in i860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10, 1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : S,of typhoid fever; 1, of typhoid erysipelas: 1, of gastric fever: 3, of brain fever; 1, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive chills; 5, of consumption; 1 of dropsy; and 1 of inflammatory rheumatism. The State Prison. This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1S76, there were 266 inmates. But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and manageable character. State Hospital for the Insane. This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 males, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over one half of these have been improved j nearly one third recovered j while less than one quarter have been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the year, October 1, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year ending September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis- sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our insane amount to 1 in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and prisons being in round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration, that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity — three to one — than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as affecting importation, that those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home; while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane: II EA I. Til OF WISCONSIN 243 Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state, where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes, etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is it of less interest to know, as Dr. II. adds: We draw our patients from those families where phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange- able in hereditary cases, so too arc insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel- ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state ? Much. Early treatment is one means, of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated in table No. ro of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse- quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented In- the state, (congress at the same time restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.) By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still Other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or anything, nd the want of cultivation being alike destructive. The Northern Hospital for rut: Insane. This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1 S 7 3 . The total number under treatment September t,o, 1S76 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. Xo ailment oi .111 epidemic charac- ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr. Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and socio! City 01. Milwaukee. Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all Ith statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases. ■ h side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi- gan in lat. 43"' 3' 45" X., long. 87 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate, ird of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized : In children under five f age, 758 out of 1,24 umption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum, carlet fever, [32; typhoid fever, 52 ; inflammation of the lungs, ri; still- born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7% out of ever)- 100, one third less out of a like number of deaths than in San I which city, in 4,000 deaths, jji died of con- sumption, being n out of every 100 deaths for the year ending Jul)'. 1S69. The deaths numbered 1,655, tne population being at the last census report, 71,6 244 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Table of Principal Causes. Consumption 143 Inflammation of lungs 56 The Milwaukee population being about Convulsions ._ 259 72,000, the death rate per annum for Diarrhoea 131 every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21, Diptheria 74 after proper deductions of deaths from Scarlet fever 52 other causes than from disease, showing Typhoid fever _ 49 very favorably as compared with other Oldage _ 28 cities. Still-born 123 Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York, 32; San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. Among seventeen of the principal cities of the Union, Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. An impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove this, its deaths from consumption being only 6 percent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; an ^ of Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malarial disease occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. The mortality among children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the poor foreign-born population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found. This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the subject within our reach. Health Resorts. Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon- sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are not only becoming more numerous, but also more frequented from year to year. Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in latitude 43 5' north, and longitude 89 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and southwest. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun- dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move- ment of glacier ice over the face of the country. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and University hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise prominently above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene- trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, io}^ feet of red shale belonging to the same series, and 209^ feet of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archaean. In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and the higher grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone. The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern shore, where .it Mr Bride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, magnesian limestone, to which the name of Men- dota is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata is about HKALTH OP WISCONSIN". 245 9 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone layers, the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with 10 to 20 percent, of < alca- reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone ol con iderabli value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however, quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, marly loose sand In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries, cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen tube overlaid by a gray- ish, magnesian limestone, the lower magnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but largely composed of a flinty-textured, heavy-bedded, quite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds So feet. Madison, with the conveniences and com- forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful, but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort. Though there are no vital statistics of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of a century has made us sufficiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1S45, it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which passed very generally through the state, and Mas attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1S54 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1057 it suffered lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1S65, it suffered from a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It hasalso had two visitations of the epidemic grip {grippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five years since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south- west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen- terv. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia. Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptheria seeming to be taking its place. All the ordinary eruptive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild type. Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi, is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feel above the level of the sea. The cliffs on both sides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's edge. We give this notice of Prairie du Chien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of the public that it possesses on.: of the must superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting main' persons by its remedial miner. d properties. Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Port Howard. It is, however, proper to add that from its geographical position and beautiful situa- tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a popular summer resort, particularly fur southern people. Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chi< a built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and 246 HISTORY OF ■WISCONSIN'. gravel, consequently it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its coolness and salubrity. Waukesha, iS miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout the country. Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and de- lightfully located resort for the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions, and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors. The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 miles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenery. It is high and dry; has pure water and fine air, and everv-day boat and drive views enough to fill up a month pleasantly. Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing. Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, and So northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies; and is claimed to be one of the healthiest little places on the continent. Devil's Lake is 36 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis- consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's admiration than this. Tt is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very favorite resort, and should bi 1 so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health. Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attrai is its annual summer crowd. Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluff over- looking the lake, and from the beaut)' of its surroundings as well as from the character of its mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort. Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from those seeking health or pleasure, ( "it wok ix Diseases. In order to ascertain whether the 1 lasses of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them with those d in the army medical irts Howard, Crawford and Winneb with those given in the V. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of th< Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratoi onsumption, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the dig< : enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the malarial fevers. At 1'ort Howard alone do the diseases of the di ns seem to have outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the reports of the commissioners of Indian affaii ures of the relative prevalence of the three Then disturbing or qualifyi operating and affecting the amount or distribution of these classi r belts. For instance, there are two HEALTH OF Wisconsin'. 247 irregular areas in the state; the one extending from tin- Mississippi east and north, and the other starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which an- more subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the stale. While it is found thai those parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the pineries. Again, it is found that the part of the state most subjec' to enteric, < erebro-spinal and typhus levers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western short- of Michigan, and stretching acrosi the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is a bell much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western hall of the southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts state. The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of \\ i i on- sm does not differ from that of an}- other state cast of us, in this striking particular; the farther tory of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, thai the improvement in public health must progress with the general improvement of the state, as has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influem ever, that sanitary science has brought to beai upon disease, of which England is so happy an illustration, has scarcely as yet begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, and has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, I" be governed, as by any other enactment. The organization of a state board of health is a new era in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the stale health. To it is com- mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large must follow the efforts it is making. There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being equal, is a health)- climate. Our hygrometrii al re< ords show Wisconsin to have one of tl climates in the ITnited States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively stagnant state of the atmosphere, where they are most fatal. Where high winds prevail such diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while proverbially high and frequent (carryiri and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the i their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative ate of atmosphere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it di rid poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of arsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a stale of moisture is seen only in our lowest shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and then only for a very limited In \ cry hot weather. But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira- tor)- diseases The same mistake is made with regard to ts in such dison simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are -sarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmos] Pike' Peak, . mlse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin- ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, < on. Lit ive on ) 248 rn-n'oiiY WISCONSIN. injury. The average rate of the pulse in healthy visitors is from 115 to 120 per minute (the normal rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). And where there is any organic affection of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high elevation that make these remedies (?) destructive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer- able to Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in excess of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our temperate latitudes — our proportion of respirator}- diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor- ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table: CLIMATOLOGlCAl DlSTRIBl riOM OF l'ri'.h>.\;\ l'i-i VSES. Deaths by Phthisis. Per cent, of entile Mortality. Deaths by all diseases of Res- piratory Organs. Per cent. Mortality. :-. 1S5O, U. S. ' trnsus 3,426 2.55S 657 S66 290 17-65 14-55 7.36 9-99 1.0S4 22.27 13-77 24.00 15.00 1S.43 Michigan, 1S50, U. S. Census Illinois, 1S49-50. U. S. Census Wisconsin, 1 • nsus Now, while the moil i of the United States census for 1S50 are acknou . they are. nevertheles the causes of mortality. Bu1 i certain relative ipecial, truths which si us in our estimate. Respirator) di- al! kinds increase in proportion as the tern] le humidity of the air being the I this class of diseases is variableness of climate. Still, this featur of our climate is i i see in the I i unpared with other states. Indeed, it is still disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates. This mm iption is rare i Dr. Terry says the annual ratio of pulmonan i them than in the southern 1 the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering : pulmonarj affectioi 1 the colder districts ol the ineis localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our experience of Propor 1 1< PNEUM. 3.424 2.553 S66 549 S95 647 arolina -. 562 4-9 194 When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other states of the Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New d states. The United States census of 1850, i860 and 1S70. gives Wisconsin 94 deaths to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 249 census of i S 70 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- consin arc alike. These four states show the lowest death-rate among the states from consumption, the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate. Climatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the state of Wisconsin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health, and alike good for agricultural purposes. STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 1S75. ADAMS COUNTY. population. Towns, cities and W) | I | j < 200 844 164 261 117 204 1113 444 126 121 199 189 501 127 198 153 -no 100 229 137 408 112 lis 99 131 182 433 115 398 154 465 401 397 469 84 7 m Richfield ' White Creek 242 3,451 3.045 ASHLAND COUNTY. Ashland La Pointe 141 180 44S 282 409 321 AYFIELD COUNTY. BARRON COUNTY. Towns, i Wl ... 459 364 ; . ; i 1 240 319 216 182 SI 106 628 Hi 542 206 2.068 1,669 BROWN COUNTY. 175 385 35S ft 1,911 3.6I11 1.721 482 1,017 J'.< 5 1 9 705 579 1.4S9 1.266 llillllliolt... "2 909 633 529 h }*§ 384 434 6 "6 806 696 477 wrtgh?s?own v "!^!::::::: 941 1.222 18.376 i.i 899 53 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. BURNETT COUNTY. POPULATION Towns. Cities ani> White. Co.ored Villages. 7. I | i < 433 ■231 87 751 379 191 82 652 11 5 i 1 827 BUFFALO COUNTY. 296 34 307 138 376 iSS 277 413 339 275 215 402 341 717 899 552 465 500 254 293 279 137 336 321 22 7 372 309 240 212 S§§ 671 501 421 494 : 3 550 712 Cross 574 Gilmanton Glencoe 785 515 1,388 Fountain I'm 994 Total 7.517 2 3 14.219 CALUMET COUNTY. Clilltuii 864 1 1.061 668 1.00S 1,016 837 910 690 809 l.iioo 592 875 949 753 639 12 Hi 3 i'6 i 193 16 156 183 1.892 1.173 1/267 1.SS4 Rantoul M'M'klu iiIki- Total 7.720 6.989 (LARK COUNTY. 197 210 518 310 43 I'.'c li 205 88 113 65 1 187 Perkins 107 289 186 121 138 171 135 — 3.294 7.282 CHIPPEWA COUNTY. POPULATION. TOWNS, CITIES AMD White. 1 £ a £ < 361 488 654 .'-•■ 329 1,360 1,046 34 6 442 269 420 606 1.755 288 1.(17 1 ' - 252 368 _ 5,670 "6" 6 "3" "4" \"l»im 908 I'lulU'i-ua lalls city 5.050 !;;i ! Kavwt" ' :::;:::::::::::. 1.6SS wh,'at, ..'.'."'.'.'.'.v.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'::. .. 8,312 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 512 639 481 912 66 2 662 376 749 515 596 541 705 149 853 759 130 2,164 t§8 423 486 580 33 497 584 400 Hi 618 351 712 497 506 505 74 3 S62 737 119 2.161 556 374 347 442 540 3 1,009 1.223 r;ilrdoNi;i 8 "5" L>Vknrr;i. .!'.'.'. "!"'.'."""'. 1.280 1,103 Lfwiston Lodi l',448 III 1,721 1,496 249 M il.rll.Ml Newport i;,tn,l-»ll>ii — 1.186 783 Wist w. Vil. 15 9 67 14,710 14.1169 "S sn:) CRAWFORD COUNTY. Brid e ort 177 755 798 313 49S 894 411 429 fg 485 704 583 7.759 186 765 588 766 258 404 326 352 535 124 209 468 687 697 511 ■ ' v 12 18 "s" f. 11 SlL 1,618 1.113 571 720 763 964 393 ..ill 1 Scott Bei a 1.094 7,276 15,035 DOUGLAS COUNTY. 346 I 3 I 6 I 741 IF WISCONSIN 251 DOOR COUNTY. POPULATE. Towns. Cities and Villages. White, jcoiored | £ 1 £ gf 210 359 344 420 166 368 831 286 220 4,343 186 316 ST!) 210 206 325 107 278 192 211 l 181 454 IRS Fofestville Nasewaupi'e 672 418 Sturgeon H.i\ \illaK'-' 1 Washington 54 9 530 Total 3,677 8,020 DANE COUNTY. DUNN COUNTY. Colfax 178 261 490 1 10 349 821 156 . 400 us 212 490 23 1 463 19l> 1,467 124 115 313 203 146 hi s 239 203 117 188 348 1,036 1.067 192 954 3.433 254 IMIUII Lucas. ■ i" 2 Red Cellar R l" 1 662 1,176 • 245 Stanton Tainter Tiffany 7,394 6.021 DODGE COUNTY. Ashippun 742 Beaver Dam town Beaver Dam city 451 694 Fu\ LUrl.i 632 381 1,356 508 Hori.-oi. villa-,- 833 804 1.318 1,245 951 956 912 559 '956 1,026 soil 558 Westfnrd ... |' :-. , 5 A r, wMs Waupun village, lsl ward, 628 441 1 24,785 23.541 35 POPULATION. Towns, Cities and White. Colored | | | I Ubion 679 592 451 575 586 576 419 12 866 540 655 530 593 2S3 517 54 6 563 518 582 4 16 474 740 549 571 413 587 575 691 588 448 £87 559 504 495 661 457 3116 479 491 555 55S 484 "l" 3 T i 3 1 60 "4 20 1 T 1,261 1,135 1,030 1.121 1.593 1.130 1.430 1168 906 1.353 1.173 1.051 78E 10,0a 1 1.417 1.71,8 1.079 919 1.057 1.151 1.057 1,018 1,392 1.307 973 589 1.036 1.039 1.118 1.621 1.191 1.003 >ve 25.814 52,798 FON DU UAC COUNTY. l'.i\< -In-.-. 4 649 676 1 1 109 1 1 I 563 748 630 611 1 872 612 580 498 1 5,149 24.604 98 80 IllVKiKY oi' WIM'ONMN*. EAU CLAIRE COUNTY. FOPl'LATIfiX. Towns, Cities and \V1 Ite. I olored | | | l kugnsta village 549 461 419 4.646 281 158 701 196 260 93 337 393 507 383 387 3.777 179 163 553 463 m 290 327 13 13 ~ 1,056 844 706 8.4 40 400 321 1.254 959 503 171 723 Lilirulll 8,724 7.250 15,991 GREEN COUNTY. 476 565 585 669 695 759 348 450 867 540 462 1.525 550 530 639 446 521) 437 585 554 750 654 751 350 433 84 7 486 441 597 530 393 496 10.900 "l" "6" 2 "a" ii 913 1.150 E:::::::::::: 1.510 701 1,714 1.1 in ""."".."»"• 876 870 11,102 32,027 GRANT COUNTY. 111. mini:. l:' : i . ■ I Glen llliv Lima GREEN LAKE COUNTY. POPULATION. Towns. Cities and White. Colored j I - | - Berlin Berlin ritv 548 1.5S6 7117 630 737 537 1.076 232 554 1.755 691 759 112 682 521 1,015 225 .„. 6 "6" 6~ 1.102 3,341 1.399 895 1.285 1.419 2,091 726 458 7.632 7,642 15,274 IOWA COUNTY. Arena ... Milllm Mm.-r.il 1 MnSrnW . l.-Mu'evV:.'-. Tom 924 2 1 1, 159 1.1178 705 3 3 1 1 358 12.384 11,714 26 9 JACKSON COUNTY. 1,428 699 71 I 226 613 12S 565 1.334 620 429 467 5,294 1 2,768 423 210 :::.::::::::::: Millstou ~J~ 6,039 11,339 JEFFERSON COUNTY. Aztalan 669 665 2.0S1 1,7 1 1 715 799 571 798 24S US 1.115 3.286 1 4 3 3 5 18 1,812 2.115 1.273 :;. 556 1.199 I.lMi 503 815 2, ISO 6.569 1,192 608 1,968 752 515 r -, 728 255 489 397 1,065 3,283 17.137 "i ,! "i 40 1 «,;::"■;: Waterlown i 4th, and 7th wards 17.702 STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. JUNEAU COUNTY. \VI ,,. Towns i g -E = ■:■ ■ "■ - - "■ \riin -i i i 519 .• m I. gj 569 V 1 001 ' 748 ! Wonewoc . 1 7.301 3 KENOSHA COUNTY. Bi t Par some?" Wheatland l.ni',1', - . 13.W7 KEWALN EE CO UNTY. Mont;., li.-r. Red River... 917 Total 14,405 LA CROSSE COUNTY. ■ 1 461 ■■■ 1,195 98a 2 182 499 1 1,590 17 LA FAYETTE COUNTY, ,V.n:,!:;„::: li.-lll.MI.. . n.ii; n-j:..:i i:;i, i ; i-. .i .■ Ia> .■!!.•.. (jr.mot. .- Total. g & - - 660 ■J 11 116 1,281 1 2 1 5 1 11.388 - 1 2.671 l,7-.'l 469 --J.--.-m l.i. si LINCOLN COUNTY. MARQUETTE COUNTY. 163 338 ■1. 19"" 271 425 : 1 669 542 669 Total 8,697 MARATHON COUNTY. 373 135 ll I 232 l?g 159 139 1,1 110 • 263 ~~ 5.524 50 1 19 385 1,260 "l" pwlton 264 ■Hi'"' ' "' ".'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.' 1 10,111 254 HISTORY OF AVI scox SIX. MWITOWOC COUNTY. ™--— Towns, - am. Wl ,te. Colon.-, g | 5 fc | 951 SSI 773 935 1)34 3,226 606 901 1,(1(10 779 1,057 594 1,005 1,019 858 343 955 780 883 791 875 1,1 IS J 092 787 853 1,014 644 1,016 549 953 857 313 1.906 1,604 1,714 1,564 1.822 l.SO'.l 2.260 1.430 5,724 1.234 1.652 1.754 cSmeiviVu;:::::::::::::::::: "l" Franklin'.' .'.'.'..".'."."."".'! '.'.'.'.'.'.'.' Manitowoc cit.\ Meeme 1.423 2.073 1.143 1,958 1.951 1.715 ""::.::::::::: 19,535 38,456 3iii.w aiki:i: COUNTY Milwaukee! Fnsl V. a Sec i * Tlilrteeutli ward. Fran kin lV;m.; I . i .. I 5,101 1 3,183 i; 10 2 1.758 1,232 1,199 1.051 61.758 60,979 96 9 1 MONROE COUNTY. Adrian AliK'-lo Byron Clifton ■■ Jefler ion. La Fay.-n, . LaGram Little Fa'li . Lincoln ... New Lymi ■ Portland.. . Rldgevilie.. Toman!,!!*.!! Wellington Wells Total.. 681 - 410 ■•■ 33 35 1 5 1 6 1.1 16 1,1(77 2.231 294 629 9.925 17 5 4 OCONTO COUNTY. Towns, Cities and W, ite. I 'nkii'n £ | 1 s - Gillett 196 551 1 52 1,416 563 2,371 1,495 744 268 179 361 HIS 1,086 453 2.086 1,(122 5.17 185 375 Maple Vallc\ Oconto town 3 6 2 T 3 2.537 1.017 4,457 1.281 Total 7.786 6.017 13.812 OUTAGAMIE COl.'XTY. . . 3,307 4811 54 6 1 238 536 170 689 ,8511 842 719 562 980 263 40S 111 Hill -L 1 ; 1 3,403 492 463 718 179 516 140 655 731 811 669 533 937 236 338 92 100 2 17 62 1 11 "o" 1 22 9 3 i "7" 20 6,730 1.009 1,559 417 1,052 1.353 1.581 1,653 1.388 1,095 1,917 499 FiwiTuiii Seymour'.'.'.'.'.!!'.!.'.'"!!!!!!!!! 203 200 537 1,384 Total 13.233 12,313 25,558 OZAlKMi: COUNTY. 1.376 1.04 : 992 910 1.617 1 197 1.0,81 8.516 1,268 1,(1119 8 11 1.522 1.181 8.029 1 1 ' 1,916 1.756 Grafton - 2.060 PIERCE COUNTY. Clifton 388 324 712 1.170 G Ira ".-n KH 1,070 5 1 1 544 1,916 I7; ,.,' ' 430 369 141 730 973 326 253 579 T( "mtt - 7.045 " 35 15.101 STATISTICS OF WISCoXSIN". .';-,;, POLK COUNTY. I'ol'l 1 u» » Wl ite Colored Towns, Cities and :i » " to ~ < \l.lon 510 447 555 171 383 Luck 209 :.i; 47 45 Sterling 111! 244 Total 3.548 3.045 rs 65 6,736 PORTAGE COUNTY Amherst 650 III 394 277 m 15! 541 571 141 651 783 234 719 711 315 5 75 :; 15 230 332 232 120 497 895 199 49ti 514 130 61(1 711 134 612 687 289 7,0" 1 1,225 721 478 726 509 2 11. Eau Heine Lanark 1.04 1.037 Stockton 271 1.207 1.331 1.428 Stevens I'oi First ward Second ward 7.842 1 14,856 PEPIN COUNTY. Uban 194 197 271 311 759 315 593 120 ~~ iTowT 181 271 535 117 2,750 2 P" 'i?U£«rt 975 Lima Pepin St.ickh.4m 585 6(10 1,128 237 ROCK COUNT'S, Fulton "™ ".""'. ".'."!"!" ILninnir, 115 377 2.11.2 506 542 9i.ll l.O'.O 613 463 5,041) 611 598 662 945 483 639 II 580 1,009 433 2,371 4 73 498 952 950 523 400 5.015 387 533 515 930 171 603 51(1 497 558 537 1,015 31 ■ : "i 2 20 1 878 723 4,(,05 981 1.041 1.922 2,0 1 1 1 136 8.-3 10,115 1,191 1.131 1 079 Magnolia Plymouth ' 1,019 T Union .'. . ..'.'.Y'.\'.\\'.Y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 19.127 90 M 39.039 RACINE COUNTS. POPULATION. ('.... srs.Ci riES am. Wl ite. ,,„„„.„ g i - | 1.403 1,502 538 '506 .' - : .' sill 1.121 1,345 4 55 1,104 457 C.,.VI0 710 408 725 755 1 'f 2,847 993 Nor« .. i. ■ 62 "l" 2 51 MM 1 1,616 13,973 RICHLAND COUNTY, .198 587 4113 353 902 334 5 (190 1 435 403 III 3 8,896 8,436 16 5 ST. CROIX COUNTY, 160 355 184 235 636 277 648 340 979 394 361 329 604 277 259 fit 520 8.009 119 24 7 145 209 !3g 253 572 297 993 831 260 316 685 261 308 223 3)4 166 396 304 "4 "l" a :::' i li'i'u ii'i'n.- '.'.'.".'..'.'.'.'. '".'.'.'.'.. 417 2 ; 3( ..( 52tf 1,220 1,977 ■ ■ ■ . . 621 483 72 330 916 683 si.i|-|-i:,,l ,• St. Josepb Warren'.'.'.'.'.".'.' Total 6,941 14.966 SAUK COUNTY. 2.026 406 416 311 382 483 560 1,931 402 413 281 485 342 449 497 11 8 "l" 3.970 08 Excelsior 932 1,057 ■2oG HISTORY OF WISCONSIN" SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd. POPULATION. Towns, Cities and White. Colored | J | | 391 tn 604 156 954 1,114 533 392 551 567 683 439 645 374 6)3 549 l.lii ! 045 1,126 5 1 li 381 501 526 378 575 2" "3" 17 n 766 1,270 1,311 1,153 1,999 2,242 1,049 773 1,052 1,093 .... «v,iii,-i,i. ....'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.;;;; 1,220 13,81b 13,088 26,933 SHAWANO COUNTY. 53 206 31,:! 272 147 213 80 238 11,1 911 72 131 405 218 3,548 130 345 198 124 441 135 196 68 228 136 60 362 21(1 197 •12 26 \3 10 ~i7 .S3 236 708 Hartland Herman 918 282 Palla ... '"'.'.'.''.'.'. '.'.'.'.'.'.'. '.'.". 148 Oil, Sliauiinu |.,\vi Sli.iw :iiiij ' il\ 1 12 224 789 Total 3,048 6,635 *SlriilK'f Indian*. SHEBOYGAN COUNTY. Holland".'.'.'.".'."!!^;!!!."!." 1,004 1.1. VJ Mil 1137 552 1,3119 793 2 S3 754 796 565 1,150 918 99 I ,1 ! 969 1.085 1.402 1,149 793 544 106 267 710 631 1.192 683 911 8 1 5 1 1.973 2.237 2.1137 2, 1 1 6 1,658 ..'.'.".'.'.'.'.'.'..'.'. 2.(175 1,569 550 Sll,-lM,\ I,-:, . ills village ... 1.175 Tlil.tll'KALlCAl COUNTY. POPULATION. Towns, cities and White. Colored 2 5. 3 | E 1 Arcadia 1,464 201 517 293 285 774 557 410 755 316 406 882 1368 169 493 212 291 741 856 463 335 706 303 112 795 "3 *88 1.040 510 576 1.515 1,745 ISurnside Caledmiia Dodcri Ettrlck G 1 745 619 878 7.844 7,144 TAYLOR COUNTY. VERNON COUNTY. 476 483 506 361 358 451 650 519 5S1 1,12 55 1 254 464 659 355 1.04(1 522 442 403 458 640 456 451 343 638 359 434 569 487 524 552 561 223 435 621 266 970 473 441 34 4 10.245 55 1 53 936 1.374 939 957 812 717 885 'li'ull'l'ni"'" 1 '" ' Ji ' 1.194 1.115 447 I. ! 1,280 623 2,016 1 "l 58 55 883 747 11.166 21,524 W M, WORTH COUNTY. IJQIl Lyons Blrliinniid Shnron Spring Prairie Troy Walworth Total is •. 1.3K9 in 1.011 1,270 4,895 211.259 STATISTICS or Wisconsin WASHINGTON COUNTY. POPI LATH'S. Towns, Cities and White. Colored ?! J 1 ^ £ Erin...'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'".'.'.'!.'!.'!!!!!'! 951 660 612 1,030 1,103 1.028 731 936 951 •-'ill 1,005 B55 451 601 12,882 s.v, 689 .-.. i 889 956 1,321 1,014 S?9 160 855 634 11,576 "l" .... 1.808 1.350 lirir 1.9S5 Kewaskuui !'7S6 rville 1 912 B e 1 Bi - ■] town 893 1,235 23.862 4 ... WAUKESHA COUNTY. BiooktielU DelaSeld Eagle Genesee Menomonee.'. Mertou Mukwonago Muskego New Berlin.... Ottawa Oconomowoc town Oconomowoc city. Waukesha tow'u! Waukesha village, Total 1,128 1,095 m 1.303 562 731) 573 710 1,115 4 4 1.054 4 4 1,318 1,449 21 16 15,140 14,196 33 2li 3. SOT 29.425 WAUPACA COUNTY. Creek 393 426 131 411 456 111 478 388 408 534 ?!! 510 566 448 205 938 413 261 427 38 451 390 363 402 112 439 376 36 1 303 532 182 436 sol 495 512 397 184 '369 388 l" 7 „ 7 2 * Helvetia 223 Matteson 373 Roya'tcm Ocalju.ltinvla 1,006 1,078 498 10,146 9,451 W A U S II A U A COUNTY Wl ite Towns, cities and Villages. i 2 i -i * ~ ' - 537 ' 4T3 6 Col a 117 Dakota 223 Hancock barton* 101 ' 1 '" 309 : 3T9 369 588 856 Richford 186 Saxville 319 IRJSET^ :.:::::::::::. 322 335 171 708 5,953 5.560 4 6 11.523 WINNEBAGO COUNTY. Aigoma .... 111. ok Wolf ClaWon I'l'lt'all ... l;nVhlo..l... Dtica Vmlan.l . U i,„l,,.st,T Winneconn Wolf Klver. Total. 609 , w 331 2.01,3 1.622 1,690 8,26 : 11 1,018 ■ '. 3 1.312 4 1 460 23,106 21.825 51 „ 1.275 1.123 1.023 m WOOD COUNTY. Centralis city Dexter Grand Rapidscitj Grand Rapids Port Edwards'.'.!".! Rudolph Remington Sigel wo.'hV'!. !.'.!!!!!!!! Total 1 376 297 1 125 104 3,291 2,760 ii 1 258 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". POPULATION BY COUNTIES. SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS. Asllkitl'l i!i!wi.-i.i 1C: I l/aili.i I'c-iilli ... I.7»1 809 15.317 in -. -.i ■ ■ i-i.-j.-.s i ■ ■■-. ... ■■ ■ ■.MiiT 1.5(11 J..,.. I -'.(III) 1:1.(111 80,391 ■ •.'•J.c.lrJ il. Ill S.I.I.S | .,; ■ J'.'. Hi. ■ ..-.■■- S.llll ■ ■Jll.l I'- ll, (111 ,-n.iii-: Hi. Ml i-.'.u-j'i :>:.;. i. is •jii.i.ii; r..ii:ll 30,591 lii.iil 1 • l.ll.S ■J.'.ssl 1-J.lSli ■.•c, ii.;-; 2,'Jii.'. :),'.! 11 35,873 1 i.'.'i'.i 1. I.Mi l.-,,llli5 l.v.'Ti •J4,l:W :u,!i(is IT).:!! ii i 13,907 ll.lll.i •.•:(.'.) i:. •J-.'.lli'.l B95 : .M.il'Ji; i t.sr.i; 1 ;.:!:.:! i I, ,,, ■ following: "Onthe 1st STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 259 NATIVITY BY COUNTIES. CENSl 4 3 93 34 ■-; i 8 41 11 379 39 29 97 19 - 92 27 119 : i :*; in; .vjiii HISTORY UF WISCONSIN. VALUATION OF PROPERTY [X THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. '■ , M'ATIiiX Adams Ashland lSaytiel'd.'. ".'.'.'.'. Buffalo'.'.'.'.!.'.'.'! Burnett Calumet Chippewa Clark Columbia Crawford Dodge.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'!! Douglas Dunn Eau Claire Fonddu Lac... Given Lake... Iowa Jefferson Kenosha '. Kewaunee La Crosse Lincoln ..I'.!.'.'! Manltowoe Marathon Marciuelte. .. Milwaukee.... Monroe Oconto Pepin Pierce Polk Portage Kaeiuo Ilirlilaml Rock St. Croix Sauk Taylor Waukesha Waupaea " aushar.-i Total 2.107.211 2,35. ,.9:2 i!:iis:i:, : : ■'■'u'/'s— i.'wlvj'i":! 1.I-SJM, 2,5i;n.',n . ■ : ■ ' 1.77.-.. 117 5,29i,.5!i9 1,711.9111 1,1.:;:; 11117 1,11111. 111 I 3.111,557 :■,.:; 1. -.--;t-. . 2,kii;;,.;kn 8 II',. 421 1,9111.988 U.-.'SS, 1-Jl) 111,559.519 1.927.H31 2.4.S1, I... 5,32J.8>;9 si'osi'm 1 ., ■ • . 13.4111,111 ,7iu.;:,7 2.927,448 1 U39.528 9.5 11.991, 5..-)isa. 1-Jti 1,512,541 . 5..8H9.M3 3.HI7.3111 5.351,83'J 5. H7 l.ll HI 2.079.979 l',l,s.-....-,i.l 2,1,33 in-.' 3.972.011 3. I*.".. 4 7.1 830 599 3. 173.->l|l i:'i!-!(':<>'»r in, 11H..1..-.11 •j. r.'iu,. -,.-.7 18,393,458 3.927.213 5,4111. -.sr, 8U7.1S4 , 3.213.255 1 :.-. 1,. -.'ii r,.'. -:.>..im 2, 31 1 1.7 IT. r.'.sm.-.iis $351,780,351 .111 and' villas. |..,.|i.'ll\. 15,31111 1,100 33511 15.71111 5.HSII us;,.).; 5,368 '.'. ' .'. 1,1,725 17,7211 3,500 55.9311 .1,1,1.. 21 2 IS '.'7.2H2 8.73.1 771. ;.2ini .:■,,, lil.il III ■■■'■ 211.495 3,735,817 3,111111 13,2211 55.1114 1,300 91.1 12 i. urn 3511, :;' in 121,n;,-, 7.112!) 2.351 3,200 5C.93II 259 linn 1119. HI.", 71',. 995 23. Mil 15.075 172.31111 19.2811 lll.SI.II ■ lu,;:!'; 3;. 915 2 12.1,51, 41.370 2.: 125 129. 3111 218.70H 31.1111 111'. < S9.SIIH 751.9511 68,720 22 500 ,ii,,i ,i P 'in. 1.3(111 1 III mill 60,033 10.38S 329, l,3S ,3,897 1. 51 111 1 1,393 60,11 I 18I.S75 312.1128 88,(170 ' " 4!l.51ii 21,1.1143 2H2.3III 111,1140 1111.380 .91 195 71 1.51 11 1,820 524.580 815,2,'* 1 1!" l.lli; 250 STATISTICS OK \\ ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS GROWN IN [876. COUSTIES. »„»»«„ Wheat. nats. Barley. B Hops. Tobacco I Adams 11.456 i6 13,923 9.21SX 2,734 10.21 1 S4.072 29. 101', 352 5 9.671 11.765 }*■■:"?' Ssiins 15.608 \\r • 10|581 61.54! si 3 177* 2(i re 1 34.191 8,013 34, 13 ! 16,845 1 19 9 1,81 ' 12l?u4 ' : i' ''■-', 15 ! i 1 ■ ' 1 1.608! 1 ; : . 1 1K.USII 8i847 83 8'554 2,839 666i 1.170 1 6 19 2.164 3,045 1,273 4,299 6TO 93 5,063 1,769 357 '636* 1,421 29K 282* 870 26 1 185 , 648 1.588 7.410 27 15. own ... .' in'442^ 1, | ; 11 181 9.293 15.701X 13,22 ', 12.384"... 27.T01 ... Is.', 15,959 6ii' 4 20.XS 53.691 34.110 13.516 in w.i 6 9! 1 -. 1 1 1 1 ; 1 1 . » 39 ■" is 136 15 1,156 933 3 155 1,892 613 7,61 1 3 520 68 11 11 11 : ' , 28 212 ma 1,169 8 • K:ui Clair,- !■' 1 • 1 11 I.ac 29 41 1 10,145 Jefferson runeau K.-li.»,li.i Kewi ! 6 3 ill 16 670 ■ ■ . 355 If 121 ■' u84K 4.104 P. 076 ' 'MM', oil". 33.81 6 w, 1,904 - -J il 12.106 22, 199 45.456 11.613 15.404 958 5.233 116 10.503 '724 51 1 2.430k 56 1 258 2,212 1,770% 15 03SH 1 1611'. 4,332 550 fi ; ; - . 6.002 7,659 15.416 9 £ .; 11 3 1 1 2 390 il' 15 ' ... \ 2 I'l'"' II I/.'SV 1'. 282 Shawano '. 19 1ST 295 340 110 14 13 .'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.. 14 5 3 1,169 Waupaca Winnebago 3 9 3 Total 1.025.801 V 175.314* 11.184)4 4,842 | 62.008*! •_'62 >I;Y OF WISCONSIN". ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS GROWN IN 1876. O n \ties. KUMBEB "I ICR1 '';:',' i.^.'.:'.' 1 Pot; Roots. i.„pl, Tin r. ! 161 241 266 341! 30 909* 6 75 5 58 1 25,040 1.1.V.MIOU 24,175 553 5 5,769! 13.361 1,925 100 10,032 29 856 5,665 1 1,390 : 816 32, 256 J 10 ' 2 1 9 4.000 ""126.000 51,879 1.733 1,918* 2, 193 100 1.583! in 1 1, I'- 16 D 30 111 16 1 ll! 219 2 500 000 l|060 1, isr 781 1,633 106 9 51 61J 46 11 94 ' 18* 10 99 86 1,935 • 5.980* 100 99 1 45 14,986 126.116 20.313k -,1 026 16.211 19.433 2S.71M, :,i ;i;n;: 88!058M i 00 3,848 1,037 566 1,515 107 ■' 1.007 IIP 108 L38 50 ill) 71 13 100 46 151 1, 112 20 774M 118 I, i 1,349 60X 457 1,7:10 2 !79 . 19 9 ' 1 1,974 2,6 12 9,770 72 1 1,176 2,723 878 1 141 10 ' 10 I'Ti 133 11 1 10 121 KL 843 sin 5,416 Sll 10 1 18 S 101 1*- 30 185 400 !\ ! Inn-, „ 1 ! 1 19 91,194 ■■ ! 80 12,690 - 2.798 16 880 lEy : ,:. '■'-' ; ''- :;:: ^-^::-: 610 Total. B89.018 1 123.420K 1 1.624 17.664X 1.090 226X1 76.945* ABSTRACT OF LAWS. WISCONSIN. ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS. Sec. \2. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to cither of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election : 1. Citizens of the United States. ■1. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con- formably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization. 3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress t-> be citizens of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding. 4. Civilized |iers< ns of Indian descent not members of any tribe. Every person convicted of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights ; and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall offer to rote, shall be permitted to vote at such election. Sec. 13. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which he actually resides. Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be held in the towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in Congress, Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be elected in such year. Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town meeting was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have been ordered by the Supervisors when they establish more than one election poll, except that the first election after the organization of a. new town shall be held at the place directed in the act or proceeding by which it was organized; and all elections in villages constituting separate elec- tion districts and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the Trustees of such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un- less a different provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city. Sec. lb\ Whenever it shall become impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the place designated therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac- ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. I pon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Hoard of [nspectors shall cause proc- lamation thereof to be made, and shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjourn- ment, and the place to which it was made. 264 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN Sec. 20. A registry of electors shall annually be made : 1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had a population of three thousand or more. 2. In each ward or election d. strict of every incorporated village in which, by law. sep- arate elections are held ; which village at the last preceding census, had a popula- tion of fifteen hundred or more. 3 In every town containing a village which, at said census, had a population of fifteen hundred or more, in which village separate general elections are not by law required to beheld 4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or village in which a registration by this chapter is required. Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this chapter. The persons authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis- tricts shall constitute the Board of Registry therefor, Sec. '21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre- ach general election, at the place where said election is to lie held; and in election districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred v less, they shall sit for one day, and in districts at which there were more than three hundred votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such list. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8 o'clock in the evening of each day during which they shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law i Inks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election only. The proceedings shall be open, and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election days, and in town the Hoard shall lie filled in the same maimer that vacancies arc filled at elections. _!± The said Inspectors at their first meeting, and before doing any business, shall severally take and Subscribe the Oath of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall at their first meeting make , rs of their respective districts, placing thereon the lull names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector - residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding house shall be stated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec- tion district appearing on the poll list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author- take therefor such poll-list from the office where kept, omitting such as have died or removed from the district, and adding the n imes i i all other persons known to them to be elect- ors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding general election, the said Board therein may make such registry from the besl means at their command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last poll-list . They shall complete said registry as far as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make foui thereof, and certify fehcoriginal and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina- tion or making copies thereof, and one copy shall be retained by each Inspector for revision and a at the second meeting They shall withm two days after said first meeting file the original registry made by them, ami said poll-list in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk. and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in ten of the most public places of said election district, or mill publish" the same in a newspaper at an expense not exceeding one cent for each name Si C. 23. The Inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place desigmn. holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the A.BSTKACT OF LAWS 265 preliminary registry, the Board shall complete the registry on the same day ; but if there are more than that number of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry first by erasing the name of any person who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oaths of two electors of the district to be not entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall appear ami if chal- lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street ami num- ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challenged answer the questions, and take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election ; but if any person shall refuse to answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person who is nut twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is required to be corrected, but will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other- wise qualified to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or the final registration of electors by appearing before the Board of Registration of his election district and establishing his right to be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered to the .Hoard in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi- dence in the election district and place of residence therein, giving the number ami street of the applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when he came to the United States ami to the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the Upon receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of such applicant, if it appears to the Board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be filed in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as provided by this section. The form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of .State. Every person named in this section shall be subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other offense in respect thereto as led in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offerin_ election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned, no name shall be added thereto by any person or upon any pretext. Within three days after the second meeting the said Board shall cause four copies of the registry to be made, each of which shall lie certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be tiled in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub- iction at the office where deposited without charge. Sec. -!4. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on stry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district n Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at ■id meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided : but in case any one shall, after the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter of the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been duly registered, provided be shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi- davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis- try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the facts showing that he was not such elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the affi- davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state- ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election shall not be registered, such person shall be entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was enti- tled to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal 266 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. from the election district or otherwise, since that election, which affidavit shall also be corrobo- rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for other non-registered voters. No one freeholder shall be competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than three voters. All of said affidavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the laws of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names ami resideni e of the electors voting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the registry and return it, together with all such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk. No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be returned to the County Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a newspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry, ami shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed m such city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to the same compensation per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices. COMMON SCHOOLS. Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of the Town Board, describing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within twenty days after the making thereof. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, ami appointing a time and place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitant to notify every quali- fied voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi- lience, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed dierefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district. Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not lie given, or the inhabitants of a district shall neg- lect or refuse to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any school dis- trict having been formed or organized shall afterward lie disorganized, so that no competent authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner hereinafter pro- vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, ami served in the manner prescribed in the pre- ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in tins and the preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time and place so directed. Sec. 41."). Whenever il shall bo necessary to form a districi from two or more adj towns, the Town Hoards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by then' writ- ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at leasl two of the Super- visors of each town; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and deliver the notice ol formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the sail nd returned in the time and manner hereinbefore prescribed ; and any such district may be altered only by the joint action of the Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that other districts are altered. Sec. H6. Every school district shall he deemed duly organized when any two of the offi- cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have co n sen ted to serve in the offices to which they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the fir-t meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof: and every school district shall he considered as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district for the term of two years. Sec. 425. The annual meeting of all school districts in which graded schools of two or more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other school districts on the last Monday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly recorded at the last previous annual meeting; but at any annual meeting a majority of the electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such district shall be held on the last Monday of August instead of the last Monday of September. Said determination to take effect when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have been filed with the Town Clerk in which the schoolhouse of such district is situated, and to remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of sucli district. . 426. The Clerk shall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of which shall be affixed to the outer door of the schoolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when such meeting shall have been adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed illegal for want of due notice, unless it shall appear that the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent. Sec. 427. Special district meetings may be called by the Clerk, or. in his absence, by the Directors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special meeting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting, except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be particularly specified in the notices calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice left at their places of residence, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor. Sec. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is qualified to vote at a general election for State and county officers, and who is a resident of such school district. ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES. Sec. 169. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes; and all personal property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town. shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district purposes. BORROWING MONEY. Sec. 174. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual meeting, vote a sp cia] tax to be collected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, author- ize the District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and thereupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe- cute arid deliver to the lender such obligation therefor, and such security for the repayment. including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the district, subject to the directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by law. Sec. 498. Every District Clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for his district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such 268 HISTGEY OF WISCONSIN. district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and for the use of the district. Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the tune limited therefor, shall be liable on his official bond to pay the town the amount which such town or any school district therein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every County Superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to eich town the amount which such town or any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be recovered in either ts and 10-per-centum damage-. Si C. L099. If [lie property so levied upon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof: and if il cannol lie sold for want of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement uf the fact, and return the property to the person from whose possession he took the same; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in i lie same manner as if no levy had been made. HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. Sec. L223. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision oi the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty : 1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns. and cause i" I"' removed all obstructions tin refrom. 2. To 'iniM' 1 1 < 1 1 of the roads used as highways a- have been laid out but not sufficiently described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then pros, ait time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded, to be a certained, described and entered of iec. id in the Town Clerk's office. ABSTRACT OF LAWS -71 3. To cause bridges which are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be kept in repair. 4. To divide their respective towns into so many mad districts as they shall judge conven- ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in the office of the' Town Clerk ; but no such division shall be made within ten days next preceding the annual town meeting. 5. To assign to each of the said mad districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as much as practicable. 6. To require the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law. 7. To assess the highway taxes in their respective towns in each year, as provided by law. 8. To lay out and establish upon actual surveys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper: to discontinue such roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter. INTOXICATING LIQUORS. SEC. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective towns, villages and cities may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors, to be drank on the premises: and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any quantity of such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The .sum to be paid for such license for the sale of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred and fifty dollars; and for the sale of such liquors not to be drank on the premises shall be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars. Sec. 1549. Every applicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of five hundred dollars, with at least two sureties, to be approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold- ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his v. ill keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house; that he will permit no gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi- cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ- ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon intoxication, or to habitual drunkards; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such Supervisors, Trustees or Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy any judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may apply the proceeds of said bond toward the satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or in part, in such manner as it may see fit. Sec. 1550. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any 272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. quantity whatever without first having ohtained license therefor, according to the provisions of this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besides the costs of suit, or, in lieu of such fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed sixty days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per- son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper county until such fine and costs are paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case of a second or any subsequent conviction of the same person during any one year, the punish- - ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he knows or has good reason to believe that an offense against this chapter, or any violation thereof, has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com- plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it shall appear to such Justice that there is reasonable cause to believe that such offense has been committed, he shall, immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com- plaint and requiring the officer to whom sucli warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war- rant may require the officer to summon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the trial to give evidence. Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before such Justice and conduct the same on behalf of the State. Sec. 1553. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police officer* marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi- bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall make complaint against the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or cities to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, and for every neglect or refusal so to do every such officer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros- ecute therefor. Sec. 1557. Any keepar of any saloon, simp or place of any name whatsoever for the sale of strong, spirituous or malt liquors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal or traffic in, or, for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever within one mile of either of the hospitals for the insane; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. Sec. 1075. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation, and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation*, whereby he or it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the hearer, any s'nii of money, as therein mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and shall lie negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to the custom of mer- chants. Hut no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village orscl 1 district, whether drawn by anj officer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law ABSTKACT OF LAWS. 273 to bo made negotiable, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made. L680. On all bills of exchange payablfl at sight, or at future day certain, within this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future daj cer tain, within this State, in which there is not an express stipulation to the contrary, grace should be allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign hills of exchange payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand. Sec. 1084. All' notes, drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable paper maturing on Sunday or upon any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day. HOURS OF LABOR. Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen years of age and of women employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day; and any employer, stockholder. director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age to labor more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work- shop for more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars for each such offense. Sec. 172'.*. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business, where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, am* all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall no/ apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or year. FORM OF CONVEYANCES. Sec. 2207. A deed of quitclaim and release of the form in common use or of the form hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to pass all the estate which the grantor could lawfully convey by deed of bargain and sale. Sec. 22HS. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form: WARRANTY DEED. A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C I>. grantee. of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County. (Here describe the premises.) Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of . 18 — . In the presence of) jSEAL.] J QUITCLAIM DEED. [SEAL.] A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby quitclaims to C D, grantee, of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County, ( Here describe the premises ) Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . In presence of ^ ZZIZZZj [Sal:] -<4 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Such deeds, when executed and acknowledged as required by law, shall, when of the first of the above forms, have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that he is lawfully seized of the premises ; has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran- tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the quiet possession thereof ; that the same are free from all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war- rant and defend the title and possession thereof in the grantee, his heirs and assigns against all lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such deed, following the description of the land; and when in the second of the above forms, shall have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right, title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem- ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging. MORTGAGES. _'209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form : A B, mortgagor, of — County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County. i Here describe the premises ) This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness : 'Here slate amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otherwise, time or times when due. rate of interest, hij and In whom payable, tie. , The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof. Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of . IS — . In presence of [SEAL.] [seal.] when executed and acknowledged according to law shall have the effect of a conveyance of the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment of the indebtedness therein sit forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess- ments levied and assessed upon the land described during the continuance of the mortgage shall be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for tax<>s. ;is fully as the forms of mortgage now ami heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof as to payment of either principal, interest or taxes. ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE. Sec. i2l'10. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form: For value received I. A I!. o\' — , Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis- consin, the within mortgage (or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of County, \\ isconsin, the — — day of , 18 — . and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds of — : County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgages, on page ), together with the and indebtedness therein mentioned. Witness ray hand and seal this day of , 18 — . fn presence of 1 A B. [SEAL.] ABSTRACT OF LAWS 275 shall be sufficient to vest in the assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee under the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment. Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not require an acknowledg- ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded. TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY DESCENT. Sec. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life of another, not having lawfully devised the same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in the next section, in the manner following: 1. In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right of representation; and if there be no child of the intestate living at his death, his estate shall descend to all his other lineal descendants; and if all the said descendants are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally, otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow, to his parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to her husband, if she shall have one at the time of her decease, and if she shall leave, surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate. 3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased brother or sister, by right of representation. 4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister, his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances- tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming through an ancestor more remote; provided, however, 5. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or more other children, and any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such deceased parent, shall descend in equal shares to the other children of the same parent, and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation. 6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate equally; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State. and be added to the capital of the school fund. Sec. 2271. When the owner of any homestead shall die, not having lawfully devised the same, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics' liens, in the manner following : 1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow. 2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, upon her marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section. 3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, according to the preceding section. 4. If he shall leave no issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre- ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon. 276 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. OF WILLS. Sec. 2277. Every person of full age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen years and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own right of any lands, or of any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis- pose of the same by last will and testament in writing; and all such estate not disposed of by will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay- ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the next preceding chapter, and in sec- tion twenty-two hundred and eighty. Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate of the devisor therein, which he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear by the will that the devisor intended to convey a less estate. Sec. 2279. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making of his will, shall pass thereby in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator. Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa- ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics' liens. Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the age of eighteen years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts ; and all such estate not dis- posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate. Sec. 2284. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent sub- scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will. Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or given, would have been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved to him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion to and out of the parts devised or bequeathed to them. Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and no provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the testator as if he had died intestate ; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro- vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child. Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can- celing or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will or codicil in writing, executed as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con- tained in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power to revoke the same. OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. Sec. 4021. Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth; but no such petition made by a married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein ; ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 277 nor shall any such petition he granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more, shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court. Sec. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living parents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child, or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may be given by the parent, if any, having the care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned the child, such consent may be given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child has no guardian, such consent may be given by any of the next of kin of such child, residing in this State, or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed by the court. 2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother, if she is living, and has not abandoned such child. Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall be satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of suffi- cient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer- ence to the degree and condition of its parents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall take effect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date thereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ; and by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption. Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inheritance and succes- sion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption, and all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property expressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents. The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of maintenance and obedience to such natural parents INTEREST. The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep- resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10 per cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered. JURISDICTION OF COURTS. The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court. The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective counties, and shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in, showing that the title of lands will come in question. And such Courts shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro- ceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively : The County Court of Brown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduct- ing all payments and set-offs, shall not exceed five thousand dollars. The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. 278 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The County Court of Fond du Lac, when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand dollars. The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not exceed five million dollars. The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars. They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where the value does not exceed the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annullment of marriage contract. Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where two hundred dollars or less are involved. The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundred dol- lars, or the imprisonment six months. JURORS. All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows: The following persons shall be exempt from serving as jurors: All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer ; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record ; all county officers, Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated academies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry- man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph operators and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who have served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except he shall be summoned on a special venire or as a talesman. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Capital punishment has been abolished in this State. WOLF SCALPS. A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties, the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows: Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans. Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples; fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax- seed, rye or Indian corn studied, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed-; forty-four pounds for a bushel of pars- nips ; forty-two pounds for a bushel of common flat turnips ; thirty-two pounds for a bushel of oats : and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches. ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 279 No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law; and, for any violation, the offender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars. DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS. Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw down, injure, remove or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or (any away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building, sign l»>ard, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove, mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscrip- tion thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map. pamphlet, chart, picture or other property belonging to any public library, or take and carry away the same with intent to con- vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun- ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars. Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by such animal; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture, torment, cruelly beat or kill any such animal belonging to himself or another, or being the owner or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hun- dred dollars. ESTRAYS. No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the town in which it is found; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the County Clerk. If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a copy of such notice in two pub- lic places in such town; if it exceed five dollars in value, ne shall publish such notice four 280 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. successive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if one be published nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub- lished within twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and the time when such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publish as required, the finder shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town. The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's office. The finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile necessarily traveled to make the same. The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice is filed in the town Clerk's office, by proving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges, either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who, for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and the amount found due, with the costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro- vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of such finder; but if the appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by the Sheriff or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the value of such stray, to be recovered by the town. If any person, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first paying the lawful charges, he shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from acquiring any right in such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto. FENCES. The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers, and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers. All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair,' consisting of rails, timber, boards or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the Fence Viewers, within whose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufficient fences. Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owners of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewers in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's office, shall oblige such owners and their hens, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership, until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition fence between adjoining lands shall be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following cases : 1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire to inclose the same, he may have the line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upon which the respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether such adjoining land be inclosed or not. 2. When any lands belonging to different persons in severalty, shall have been occupied in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 281 to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide with him the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of each assigned. 3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti- tion fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and the share of each assigned. In either case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such deci- sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his own part, build or repair such part, and recover double the expense thereof. Where the whole or a greater share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu- pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of such fence. Where uninclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half the partition fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant. If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining any par- tition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants, he shall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie open. LANDLORD AND TENANT. The common law right to destrain for rent is abolished. The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made 1. With the consent of the landlord; or 2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris- diction; or 3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days' notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by affixing the same in a conspicuous part of the premises, where it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi- ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main- tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by iaw to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter- mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent. MARKS AND BRANDS. Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep 282 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town, and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such offense $5 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if any person shall willfully destroy or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages. SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS A County Surveyor is elected every two years. The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every deputy of his duties. It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor: (1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation. {-.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of reference, and to file and preserve in his office the original field notes and calculations thereof. (3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his office ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to his successor in office. (4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his office, to any person on demand and payment of his legal fees therefor. (5.) To administer to every chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com- mencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties of chainman or marker, as the case may be ; and the surveyor and his deputies are empowered to administer the same. (G.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law. The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other- wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit : For each day's service, $3. For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return- ing, 10 cents. For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents. For recording a survey, 50 cents. For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.50 per day, unless they be fur- nished by the person for whom the survey is made. For making a copy, 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate. SUPPORT OF THE POOR. Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows: The father, mother and children, being of sufficient ability, of any poor person, who is blind, old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do, the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief. Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State. ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 283 MARRIED WOMEN. In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femme sole, executrix or administratrix, extinguishes her authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not as to estate. The husband holds his deceased wife's lands for life, unless she left, by a former husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisions exist by which powers may be given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg- ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per- sonal property of those after February 21, 1850, remain their separate property. And any married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried. She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit. The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit. Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in regard to the same. She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed. If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family, and for which he is liable. The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them himself ; and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates him- self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency. If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife. ACTIONS. All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose- cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered within twenty days. ARREST. Defendant may be arrested : 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses. 2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied by a public officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora- tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in official or professional employment. 3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the Sheriff cannot find the same. 284 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or sing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought. An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one of the above causes. ATTACHMENT is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and that it is due on contract ; and, 1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of his creditors. 2. That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do so with intent to defraud creditors. 3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, his property from the State with intent to defraud creditors. 4. That the debt was fraudulently contracted. 5. That he is a non-resident. 6. Or a foreign corporation. 7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud creditors. The amount sued for must exceed $50. GARNISHMENT is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any third person (naming him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execution, on a similar affidavit. JUDGMENT is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered from the date of docketing, and in other counties from the time of filing a transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract. STAY LAWS. In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren- dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows : On sums not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and $30, two months : between $30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months. EXEMPTIONS. A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible : 2, Family pictures and school-books ; 3, Private library; 4, Seat or pew in church: 5, Right of burial; 6, Wearing-apparel, beds, bed- steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used, cooking utensils and household furniture to the value of $200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to the value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow, one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis- ions and fuel for the family for one year ; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 285 mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding $200 in value, library and implements of a professional man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insurance of exempt property destroyed by fire ; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, Sewing-machines; 13. Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State ; 14, Printing- material and presses to the value of $1,500; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for family support for sixty days previous to issuing process. LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS. Real actions, twenty years ; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same. Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin, six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables, for acts done in their official capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander, assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes, one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases, provided the period is not extended more than five years, and infants one year after coming of age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same, one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in writing. COMMERCIAL TERMS. $ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now, United States currency. £ — Means pounds, English money. @ — Stands for at or to ; lb for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; ^ for per, or by the. Thus : Butter sells at 20(«j30c f lb, and Flour at $8(« 12 f bbl. % for per cent., and # for numbers. May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20(ai$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June. Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts " are termed "bears." Buying long is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. The '• longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate " so as to " toss " the prices upward as much as possible. SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into disre- pute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following statement is made: A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described; the consideration is concurrent that the publisher shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the 20b HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com- mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that the publisher may have notice of the same. All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business, should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub- scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract. Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery, nor bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business. It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what it is : if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN CONDENSED. PREAMBLE. We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ; in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the general welfare, do establish this Constitution. Article I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights. Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish- ment of crimes. Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged. Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good shall never be abridged. Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. Sec. ti. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun- ishments inflicted. Sec. 7. In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected. Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against himself. Every one shall have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion. Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs. Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime. Sec. 11. The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. Sec. 12. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts, shall never be passed. Sec. 13. No property shall be taken for public use without compensation. Sec. 14. All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited. Sec. 15. The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens. Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt. Sec. 17. Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed. Sec. 18. Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses. Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any office. 287 288 HlSTOKY OF WISCONSIN. Sec. 20. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law. Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue. Article II. BOUNDARIES. Section 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to the mouth of the Menominie River: up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule; along the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croix ; down that river and the Mississippi to the northwest corner of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern boundary of that State to the place of beginning. Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted and confirmed. Article III. SUFFRAGE. Section 1. The qualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward, who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizens ; (3) who are persons of Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any tribe. Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non compus mentis or insane, and those convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors. Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township officers when otherwise directed by law. Sec. 4. No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence on business for the State or United States. Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse- quence of being stationed therein. Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet on elections, may be excluded by law from the right of suffrage. Article IV. LEGISLATIVE. Section 1. The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and Assembly. Sec. 2. Members of the Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem- bers of the Assembly. Sec. 3. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made ; also, after each United States census. Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of November of each year. Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in the same manner as members of the Assembly. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 28b> Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legislature, unless a resident of the State one year, and a qualified elector. Sec. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority shall be necessary to form a quorum. Sec. 8. Each House shall make its own rules. Sec. 9. Each House shall choose its own officers. Sec. 10. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings. Sec. 11. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year. Sec. 12. No member shall be eligible to any other civil office in the State, during the term for which he was elected. Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any office of the United States, during the term for which he was elected. Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall be issued by the Gov- ernor. Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from arrest in all cases; nor subject to any civil process during a session. Sec. 16. Members are not liable for words spoken in debate. Sec. 17. The style of all laws shall be, " The people of the State of Wisconsin rep- resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : " Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embrace more than one subject. Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be amended by the other. Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, shall be entered on the journal. Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov- ernment]. As amended in 1867. Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature. Sec. 23. One system only, of town and county government, shall be established by the Legislature. Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce. Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low- est bidder. Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of office. Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits against the State may be brought. Sec. 28. Public officers shall all take an oath of office. Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, and may provide for organizing the same. Sec. 30. Members of the Legislature shall vote viva voce in all elections made by them. Sec. 31. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or con- stituting one person the heir-at-law of another ; (2) for laying out, opening or altering high- ways, except in certain cases; (3) for authorizing persons to keep ferries; (4) for authorizing the sale of the property of minors; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ; (7) for granting corporate powers, except to cities; (8) for apportioning any part of the school fund ; and (9) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added by amendment, in 1871. Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871. 290 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Article V. Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his office two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same term. Sec. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State. Sec 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and places of choosing members of the Legislature. Sec. 4. The Governor shall be (1) commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the State; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi- cate to the Legislature all necessary information ; (4) he shall transact all necessary business with the officers of the State ; and (5) shall expedite all legislative measures, and see that the laws are faithfully executed. Sec. 5. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum.] As amended in 1869. Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons. Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any cause, the executive office is vacated by the Governor. Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are incapacitated from any causes to fill the executive office. Sec. 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per annum.] As amended in 1869. Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house. Article VI. ADMINISTRATION. Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices for two years. Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature and Executive Department. He shall be ex officio Auditor. Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasurer and Attorney General shall lie prescribed by law. Sec. 4. Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected every two years. Article VTL judiciary. Section 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not extend further than removal from office ; but the person impeached shall be liable, to indictment, trial and punishment, according to law. Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts. Courts of Probate, and in Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized. Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only. Trial by jury is not allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts. and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and other original and remedial writs. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 293 SEC. 4. [The Supreme Court shall consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associate Justices, each for the term often years.] As amended in 1877. Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits. Sec. 6. The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits. Sec. 7. There shall be a Judge chosen for each Circuit, who shall reside therein; his term of office shall be six years. s. The Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all matters civil and crim- inal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prohibited hereafter by law, and appellate juris- diction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, man- injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their orders and judgments into effect. Sec. 9. Vacancies in the office of Supreme or Circuit Judge sh%ll be filled by the Gover- nor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or after said election. Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen. Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Circuit Court shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur- poses. Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk. Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly. Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall be elected in each county, who shall hold his office for two years. Sec. 15. Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages and cities of the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years. Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law. Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may be established in and for any township. Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same. Sec. 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti- tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges. Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The' office of Master in Chancery is prohibited. Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or defend his case in his own proper person, or by attorney or agent. Sec. 21. Statute laws and siych judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub- lished. No general law shall be in force until published. Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the appointment of three Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State. Sd . 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each organized county of the State. Power- granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers. 294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Article VIII. FINANCE. Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the Legislature may prescribe. Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro- priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed -within six years after having accrued.] As amended in 1877. Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, association or corporation. Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner provided in this Constitution. Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year sufficient to defray estimated expenses. Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State, which shall be paid within five years thereafter. Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or defend the State in time of war. Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays. Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth and seventh sections of this article. Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State. Article IX. eminent domain and property of the state. Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border- ing on Wisconsin. Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall vest in the State of Wisconsin. Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the people. Article X. education. SECTION 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend- ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars. Sec. 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies and nor- mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor, .-ball be created out of (1) the proceeds of lands from the United States; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats; (3) out of moneys paid as exemptions from military duty: (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal laws; (5) outof any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified: (6 out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep- tember 14, L84 1 ; and (7) out of the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con- sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned. I Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be- tween the ages of four and twentj year-. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein. Sir. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation asum equal to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State. CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF Wisconsin. 29i Sec. •">. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the Bchool fund among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year. Sec. 6. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The proceeds of all lands granted for the support of a university by the United States shall (•(insti- tute "the University fund," the interest el' which shall be appropriated to the support of the State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university. Sec. T. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board of Commissioners to sell school and university lauds and for the investments of the proceeds thereof. Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide. Article XL CORPORATIONS. Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by special act, excepl lor municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws. Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the consent of the owner, except by jury trial. Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property therein.] As amended in 1 S 7 4 Si C. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article. Sec. 5. The question of " bank " or "no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks, the Legislature shall have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general hanking law. Article XII. Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposedin either house of the Legis- lature, and referred to the next Legislature' and published for three months previous. If agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments shall submit them to the vote of the people; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, they shall become a part of the Constitution. Sec. :!. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the next general election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide tor the same. A:: in l.i: XIII. MISCELLANE01 S PROVISIONS. PION 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan- uary in each year. General elections shall he holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November. SEC. 2. A duelist shall not be qualified as an elector in this State. Sec 3. United States officers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to office in this State. 296 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor (except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby. Sec. 5. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their residence. Sec. 6. Elective officers of the Legislature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House. Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided, without submitting the question to the vote of the people of the county. Sec. 8. [The Legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of Art. IV. Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature shall direct. Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be' deemed vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose in this Constitution. Article XIV. SCHEDULE. Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union. Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed. Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall inure to the use of the State. Sue. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the State. Sec. 5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis- consin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority. Sec. G. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of government until otherwise provided bylaw. Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices. Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United States to be laid before Congress at its present session. Sec. !'. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or I on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legisla- ture ami members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next. Sec. 10. [Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted according to thei existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin. Sec. L2. [Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] Sec. L3. The c mon law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature. Sec. 11. Tlie Senators first elected in the even-numbered Seriate districts, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter upon their duties on tin- first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the Srst Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the CONSTITUTION OF THE L'XITED STATES. 297 members of the Assembly first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next. Sec. 15. The oath of office may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Peace, until the Legislature shall otherwise direct. We, the undersigned, members of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention. In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our bands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb- ruary, A. D. 1848. Morgan L. Martin, President of the Convention and Delegate from Brown < 'ovnty. Thomas McHugh, iSS crt tor//. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. CONDENSED. PREAMBLE. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestie trampiitlity, -provide fir the common defense, promote the general welfare, and serin;- the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ARTICLE I. Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature. Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be chosen. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to population, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there- after in such manner as Congress shall by law direct. States shall have one Representative only for each thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative : and until such enumeration shall be made, New Hampshire shall choose three; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode Island, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four ; Pennsylvania, eight ; Del- aware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, live ; South Carolina, five, and Georgia, three. Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be tilled by elections, ordered by the executive authority of the State. £98 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. Senators shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem- bling, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira- tion of the second year; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third , the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any State may be filled by temporary appointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the Legislature. All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years citizens of the United States, and shall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be chosen. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President, The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments, When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre- side, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to conviction, Judgment \n cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disqualifica- tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial and punishment according to law. Sec. 4. The Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu- lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators. Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day be appointed. Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under penalties. . House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two- thirds vote, expel a member. Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth of those present may require the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal. Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other, nor to any oilier place than thai in which they are sitting. Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed bylaw, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of the peace, and shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either I [i use. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed ivil office under the United States winch shall have been created or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding office under the ( nited States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office. Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but may be amended by the Senate. Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 299 il with his objections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two- thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall be a law. as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives (except a, question of adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak- ing effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House, as in the case of a bill. . 8. Congress shall have power : To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises shall lie uniform throughout the United States ; To borrow money on the public credit; To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes; To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bank- ruptcies ; To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures ; To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States ; To establish post offices and post roads; To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ; To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ; To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the laws of nations ; To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water ; To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years ; To provide and maintain a navy ; To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ; To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur- rection and repel invasions ; To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint the officers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ; To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all forts, magazines, arsenals, dock -yards and other needful buildings; and To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro- hibited by Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a, tax or duty may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported. The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safety in cases of rebellion or invasion. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be 300 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu- meration hereinbefore directed to be made. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. In regulating commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or pay duties in another. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any office under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State, without the consent of Congress. Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws; and all such duties shall be for the use of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger. Article II. Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected as follows : Each State shall appoint in the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electors equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress; but no Senator or Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an elector. [ The third clause of this section has been superseded and amended by the 12th Amendment.] Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States. A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President; and he must have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. If the President be removed from office, die. resign, or become unable to discharge the duties of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed or a President elected.* The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been electedf and within that period he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them. Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) thai 1 will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." * By act of Mun-h 1 , 17''.;. e, ,ri L T. ss pp.vni.-il f >r this coritinc;f'n<-y, .IcHignfl i.. tti.- chiff Kxi.utiv i salary was fixed February 18, 1793, at $26, ami was increased March 3, 1873, to $50,1 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 301 Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army anil navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual servh f the United States; lie may require the written opinion of the principal officers of the several executive departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the 1 nited States, except in cases of impeachment. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa- dors, other public ministers and consuls. Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for; hut Congress may vest the appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. He shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn- ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com- mission all the officers of the United States. Sec. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Article III. Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa- tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party; controversies between two or more States ; between a State and citizens of another State; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof and foreign States, citizens or subjects. In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu- lations made by Congress. All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed within any State. Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. A i, ; I !LE IV. Section 1. Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi- cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 302 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu- tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress. Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State. Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis- lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. Article V. Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend- ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress ; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no State, without its consent, shall '"' deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. Article VI. All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the LTnited States under this Constitution. This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. Article VII. The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of ibis Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independem f the United States of America the twelfth. I \ u i i \ ess WHl REOF we have hereunto subscribed our names. < ■ EORGE WASHINGTON, President and Deputy from Virginia. [Other signatures omitted.] CONSTITUTIONS OF THE I NTTED STATES. 303 Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several Slates, pursuant to the Fifth Article of the original Constitution. A R.TICLE I. Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Article II. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to 'keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Article III. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Article IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Article V. No person shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life or limit for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to In' a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law : nor shall private property be taken for rjublic use without just compensation. Article VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Article VII. In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall he preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rides of the common law. Article VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun- ishments inflicted. 304 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Article IX. The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis- parage others retained by the people. Article X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. Article XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. Article XII. The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, ami the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi- dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme- diately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States. Article XIII. Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have bem duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Article XIV. Section 1. All persons burn or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris- diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make 1 or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 305 due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law. Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population, counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty- one years of age in such State. Sec. 3. No person shall hold any office under the United States or under any State, who having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two- thirds of each House, remove such disability. Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Article XV. Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. SBC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 306 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COUNTIES AND CITIES WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES. Note. — The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Green- back majority is only given when the vote for Allis exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote. Adams Ashland Barron , Bayfield Bn'.wn Butialo Burnett Calumet Chippewa Clark Columbia Crawford Dane Dodge Door Douglas Dunn Fond du Lac Grant Green Lake 1 La Fayette Lincoln Ma rath' hi... Milwaukee. Monroe .... Outagamie.. IV l'i" Pierce Gubernatorial and Presidential Vote — L877 L876— Continual. Maj Richland .... Rock Sauk Shawano.... S I Trempealeau Vernon Walworth . ■ 1 Waupaca. ... Waushara .. Winnebago . Wood 1201 isit. 269 1598 1! ' - 167 2'. 'Ol 994 2484 ! 17:: 1282 lines 247 729 1620 922 L737 254 731 416 1374 2187 257 22:1* 196 R II. K. 70 R. 1 I ,2 ft. 126: R. 1531 R. :n R. 483 R. 1025 D. 170 <; 354 1775 4212 1-: : ' 26 12 2080 1736 246 111". 1970 304' 1592 54 41: 109 R. 447 R. 2893 R. 39 R. 1194 D. D. I). R. 1570 l: 1647 R. 2242 D. 1726 D. 206 R. 1050 R. 1532 R. 666 4). 87 Appleton Beaver Dam Beloit Berlin Buffalo Centralia Chilton Chippewa Falls. Columbus Eau Claire F i d i Lac... Fort Howard.... Grand Rapids..., Green Bay Hudson Janesville Kenosha La Crosse Madison Manitowoc Menasha Milwaukee Mineral Point .... Neenah Oconomowoc ... Ocon Oshkosh Plymouth Portage Prairie du i In. n Prescott Racine Ripon Shawano.. Sheboygan Stevens Point..., Watertown Waupaca Wausau 320 377 219 146 4816 260 L15 84 172 27(i 724 240 155 87 1052 270 55 248 252 459 884 85 42 333 207 605 314 671 1057 284 311 5027 249 146 125 167 311 954 127 351 13 17 1050 21 745 456 14 64 "475' 254 1205 1 ;*2 121 696 250 km; 514 10S5 I 291 82 IS 572 212 1013 1542 544 1549 125: POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. States and Territories. Population. \i,i, ~ i:. n. 1*72. States and Territories. 'snll'ire Miles. PoPUL vtios Miles K. K. 1*72 187U. 1875. 1870. 1875. States. 50.722 2,12(1 59.26S 5S.01111 996,992 4*1.471 560.247 537.451 1 J5.I115 is;,; is 1,671 25 1,111! Slates. Pennsylvania 46,000 1,306 29. 3s.' ■15.601 237.504 1(1.212 .lii.Di.l 33,001 53.92 1 3,521.791 217.553 1,25,1, 520 81*. 579 442,014 1.051. Oil '"25*1259 925.145 <':ilil.,i ML. 1 2'H '.!'■ 1.490 485 1,950.171 113.916 104.501 1 17,491 til 90,932 Hi. 77( 121,2(11 69.91 1 : 38,113,253 9,658 39.K64 14,1*1 131,7oo 14,999 91,'*74 86.7*6 ' 9.118 392 Michigan* Minnesota Mississippi Missouri s 3.5 31 17.151 391964 05,211 i.ii; \. mi 2,01,5,260 W»s gun I"ota! Territories. Aggregate of U. S.. ""498 Nevada New Hampshire New Jersej 965,032 442,730 1.265 North Carolina, "i.ly ::::::::.: 2.915,203 38,555,983 Wl, *5! PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD Population and Area. San Salva.l 11, ,11. Unas San II,, mi: .•26.S17.llis 2,5011,11011 2.00 1,500, il... 165.0O11 Census. Square Miles. 1871 121.515 1611.21 1', US.SIV , 17*7 1 111, 1 222,* 262,:'. Bogota Port su Prince i ,,. 2 1 I. IS I 332 Olio 136.900 1 160,11.0 25,00.. 177. son 91,600 2", III. (Mil) THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN IN BARABOO VALLEY. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Indian Occupancy— The Mascoutins, Kickapoos, Miami-, I'ci\i:n, sws ani> Winnebagoes— Early Government— First "White Men in Sauk County— Earl-* Visits to Satjk County — How Sauk County got its Name— Sauk County on Early Maps— "The Winnebago War"— United States Land Surveys and Land Districts. indian occupancy. Modern scientific research has demonstrated to an almost absolute certainty the fact that the first inhabitants of this Western territory were the ancestor of "our noble red men," the North American Indians. And, this being the case, the fifty millions of people calling them- selves "the white representatives of a boasted civilization" are simply the progeny of foreign invaders. In applying the principles and results of these acknowledged truths to the territory whose history falls within the province of this work, we cannot consistently overlook the character of this pre-historic occupation, so far as the evidence of it exists. It is very properly termed pre- /listnn'f occupation; for, unlike our more fortunate brethren of the Eastern Hemisphere, no inscribed tablets of aborginal times have been preserved to us, and we have been left to grope in the dark in search of something tangible upon which to base the logical conclusions so recently arrived at. True, a variety of testimony presents itself in proof of the generally accepted theory, that a very powerful race of no ordinary degree of intelligence once held pos- session of these hills and valleys; their implements of agriculture, of war and of commerce, are yet quite numerous, and are highly prized by archaeologists; their battle-walls and mound-like tombs time and the ravages of civilization have not yet obliterated. But among all these mysterious evidences of ancient habitation, no traces of a written language arc found to establish the date of such occupation or the origin of the occupants. The theory that they were the ancestors of the present race of Indians is founded upon the hypothesis that the habits and customs of the so-called Mound-Builders, as is shown in the pattern of their unique instruments, were not materially different from the habits and customs of the inhabitants of this country at the time of the first visitation of the French Jesuits. There is no convincing reason in the argument that the ancient earthworks, so numerous in Wisconsin, were built ami utilized by the Aztecs, and many able writers upon the subject have long since abandoned the ground taken in defense of this theory. The indolent ancl predatory habits of most of the Indian tribes now in existence cannot be held in contrast with the habits of the first occupants as an argument against their identity ; for we do not know that they were not similarly disposed. Ami. though it may be true that the designers and builders of these ancient fortifications and queer-shaped mounds were uniformly industrious, it is also historically true that races degenerate : ami it is further of historical record that in the past century " Poor Lo's" tribulations have been of a nature calculated to speed him on his downward course 310 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Upon this subject the late Dr. I. A Lapham, who was a close student of the Indian char- acter, says: "The inhabitants of Egypt have ceased to build pyramids and sphinxes; the Greeks have ceased to erect temples, and yet we have reason to believe that their descendants occupy the same country. Is it more strange that the ancestors of the present Indians should have erected mounds of earth than that the aborigines of any country should have had habits differ- ent from their posterity ? We need not, therefore, look to Mexico, or to any other country, for the descendants of the Mound-Builders. We probably see them in the present red race of the same or adjacent regions. If the present tribes have no traditions running back as far as the times of Allouez and Marquette, or even to the more recent time of Jonathan Carver, it is not strange that none should exist in regard to the mounds, which must be of much earlier date. It is by considerations of this nature that we are led to the conclusion that the Mound-Builders of Wisconsin were none others than the ancestors of the present tribes of Indians." Dr. Lapham thinks the relative ages of the different works found in Wisconsin are prob- ably as follows : First and oldest, the animal-formed mounds still to be seen in many parts of the State, and the famous works at Aztalan, in Jefferson County ; second, the conical mounds built for sepulchral purposes, which come down to a very recent period; third, the indications of garden-beds, planted in regular geometrical figures or straight lines ; fourth, the plantations of the present tribes, who plant, without system or regularity, in small hillocks. Within the boundaries of Sauk County are found many notable and interesting evidences of pre-historic occupation and existence. The geographical position of the county is such as to intimately associate it with some of the important chains or series of earthworks that are found extending along most of the favorable routes for primitive transportation between the great lakes and the Mississippi River. The county in this regard seems to confirm the generally accepted theory that primitive man existed in greatest numbers along the borders of lakes and rivers ; and the more prominent these bodies of water and the position occupied appear with relation to the great problems of transportation and subsistence, the more numerous are these ancient arti- ficial works. The importance of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and their navigable tributaries has been recognized by all nations and tribes in this region that have a written or traditional history. This and the numerous evidences of a pre-historic occupation found along their entire course, would seem to warrant a conclusion that these rivers have furnished a medium of transportation from the days of primitive man's unrecorded existence down to the present time. In this great thoroughfare of ancient and modern times, the ''portage" occupies a central position, and, judging from the many evidences of pre-historic occupation, Sauk County was once a favorite abode of primitive man. He was presumably nomadic and war-like in his nature, and the causes which led to his departure from this region are shrouded in a mystery as deep and inde- finable as are the particulars of his advent. THE MASCOITTINS, KICKAPOOS, MIAMI?. FOXES, SACS AND WINNEBAGOES. The first positive knowledge we have of his successors comes to us through the medium of French Jesuits. We are told that as early as the year 1615, Samuel Champlain heard of a tribe of Indians living many leagues beyond Lake Huron, called the Fire Nation, better known at a later date as the Mascoutins. Their homes were upon the Fox River at that time, as it is believed, and here they were visited by civilized man a little less than a score of years after. It is presumed that their villages were located within the present limits of Green Lake County, somewhere on Fox River, between Berlin and Lake Puckaway, and that they claimed as their hunting-grounds, among much othi that now included within the boundary lines of the county of Sauk. The nearest tribe to the Mascoutins down the Fox River was that of the Winnebagoes, whose homes wire at the mouth of that stream. To the south, extending perhaps well up Rock River, was the territory of the Illinois. In the immediate neighborhood of the Mascoutins (but in what, direction is uncertain), were the Kickapoos and the Miamis. The Illinois, who lived in a. country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes," were afterward driven beyond the Missis- HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 311 sippi. but subsequently returned to the river which still bears their name. Meanwhile, there commenced an emigration of the Mascoutins and their kindred, the Kickapoos and Miarnis, to the southward, as far at least as the south end of Lake Michigan. Their place was taken by the Foxes and their relatives, the Sacs, and, in time, these also emigrated, but not to the south- ward : the course taken by them was to the west- and southwest. It is certain the Foxes claimed for a time the country now forming Sauk County, as well as much other circumjacent territory. Then came the Winnebagoes from below — that is, from the head of Green Bay — moving up the Fox River by degrees, having outlying villages on the shores of Winnebago Lake and in the valley of Rock River. They finally reached the "portage," and their territory extended down the Wisconsin. This brings us to the time when the United Stares began making treaties with them. The first of these was held at St. Louis, June 3, lSHi, with that portion of the tribe residing on the Wisconsin. This treaty (soon after the war with Great Britain, in which the Winnebagoes engaged on the side of the British) was one for peace only, no cession of land on the part of the Indians being made to the United States. In 1820, the Winnebagoes had five villages on Winnebago Lake, and fourteen on Rock River. The claim of this war like tribe was very extensive, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast boundary stretched away from the sources of Rock River to within forty miles of its mouth, in Illinois, where they had a village. On the west, it extended to the heads of the small streams flowing westward and southwestward into the Mississippi. To the northward, it readied as far as Black River and the Upper Wisconsin : in other words, to the Chippewa territory : but did not extend across the Fox to the lands of the north side, although they con- tended for the whole of Winnebago Lake. Within their territory, then, in 1825, was the whole of tlie present county of Sauk. By treaties held with the Winnebagoes in 1829 and 1832, all their territory south and east of the Wisconsin River was acquired by the General Government. West of the Wisconsin, including the whole of the present county of Sauk was still a part of Winnebago territory ; but, in November. 1837, this nation ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the Mississippi River. Not an acre was reserved. So the Winnebago title to all of what is now Sauk County was extinguished, and the whole was ready for the surveyor. EARLY GOVERNMENT. The first civilized claimants to the territory now included within the boundaries of Wiscon- sin were the French. The whole of the Northwest was claimed by France from 1671 to 1763, when it was surrendered to the British. By the " Quebec Act " of 1774, all of that region was placed under the local administration of Canada. It was, however, practically put under a despotic military rule, and so continued until possession passed to the United States. Before the last-mentioned event, and during and after the Revolution, the conflicting claims of Virginia, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, to portions of the country, were relin- quished to the General Government. All these claims were based upon supposed chartered rights. Virginia adding to hers the right of conquest, as she contended, of the " Illinois country," during the Revolution. As early as October, 177S, Virginia declared by an act of her General Assembly, that all the citizens of that commonwealth who were then settled or should thereafter settle, on the western side of the Ohio, should be included in a distinct county, which should be called Illinois. No Virginians were then settled as far north as the southern boundary line of what i- now Wisconsin, and, as none thereafter located so far north before Virginia relinquished to the United States all her rights to territory on the western and northern side of the Ohio, it follows that no part of the territory which afterward became Wisconsin was ever included in Illinois County as a part of Virginia; nor did the last-mentioned State ever exercise any juris- diction over the territory of this State, or make claim to any part of it by right of i Wisconsin was never a part of Virginia. Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 17s7. establishing a government over the territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 17 s -'! from 312 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the United States of the southern portion, the northern part being held by the British Government until 1796. Arthur St. Clair, in Febru- ary, 1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government for the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established in what is now the State of Illinois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north "to the mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek, on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of the present State of Wisconsin, although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized county up to that date. In 1796, Wayne County was organized, which was made to include, beside much other ter- ritory, all of what is now Wisconsin, watered by streams flowing into Lake Michigan. From 1800 to 1809, what are now the limits of Sauk County were within the Territory of Indiana, and in the year last mentioned passed into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indi- ana Territory exercised jurisdiction over what is now Wisconsin, at least to the extent of appoint- ing two Justices of the Peace, one for Green Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year 1809, the Illinois Territorial Government commissioned three Justices of the Peace and two militia officers at Prarie du Chien, the county of St. Clair having previously been extended so as to include that point, and probably Green Bay, thereby bringing into its jurisdiction what is now Columbia County. In the course of time, other Illinois counties had jurisdiction, until, in 1818, what is now Wisconsin became a portion of Michigan Territory. By a proclamation of Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan Territory, of October 26, 1818, Brown and Crawford Counties were organized. The county of Brown originally comprised all of what is now Wisconsin east of a line passing north and south through the middle of the port- age between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, except a small portion of the Door County penin- sula, which was included in the county of Michilimackinac. The limits of the county extended north into the territory of the present State of Michigan so far that its north line ran due west from the head of Noquet Bay. An east and west line, passing near the northern limits of the present county of Barron, separated the county of Crawford from the county of Michilimackinac on the north ; on the east it was bounded by the county of Brown ; on the south, by the State of Illinois, and on the west by the Mississippi River. The present county of Sauk was thus included in the county of Crawford. By an act of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, approved October 29, 1829, to take effect the 1st of January following, the county of Iowa was established, embracing all the present State of Wisconsin south of the Wisconsin River and west of Brown County; in other words, it included the whole of what was previously Crawford County lying south of the Wisconsin River. This left the territory now comprising Sauk County still remaining in Crawford County. On the 6th of September, 1834, the county of Milwaukee was set off from Brown County, embracing all of the last-mentioned county south of a line drawn between Townships 11 and 12, in all the ranges east of Range 9. By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved December 7, 1836, Township 10 north, Range 6 east, and Township 10, Range 7, were included in the then newly organized Portage County, which embraced all the territory of the present Columbia County, and the western tier of towns in Dodge. Upon the formation of Sauk County, in January, 1840, the above-de- scribed territory was set off from Portage County and attached to Sauk. From this date to the spring of 1844, Sauk County was attached to Dane County for judicial purposes. In this year it was fully organized. FIRST WHITE MEN IN SAUK COUNTY." John Talon, intendant of Canada, labored assiduously to develop the industrial resources of New France. In 1670, he ordered Daumont de St. Lusson to search for copper mines on Lake Superior, and at the same time to take possession, in a formal manner, of the whole interior country for the King of France. St. Lusson set out accordingly, accompanied by a small party of men and Nicholas Perrot, a Canadian voyageur, as interpreter, who spoke Algonquin fluently Bj I \\ Butterfi. ld,of U u HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 313 and was favorably known to many tribes of that family. It was arranged thai St. Lusson should winter at the Manitoulin Islands, while Perrot proceeded to invite the tribes to a general '"li- fer. nee at the Sault Ste. Marie, in the following spring. The interpreter, having first sent mes- the different tribes of the North, proceeded to Green Bay to urge the nations upon its waters to the meeting. St. Lusson and his men, fifteen in number, arrived at the Sault more than a month in advance of the day set for the meeting: When all the Indians hail reached the rapids, the Frenchman prepared to execute the commission with winch he was charged. A large cross of wood had been made ready. It was now reared and planted in the ground. Then a postof cedar was planted beside it with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms. " In the name." said St. Lusson, " of the most high, mighty and redoubtable monarch. Louis, fourteenth of that name, most Christian King of France and of Navarre, I take possession of this place, Sainte Marie du Sault, as also of Lakes Huron and Superior, the island of Manitoulin. and all coun- tries, rivers, lakes and streams contiguous and adjacent thereunto ; both those which have been discovered and those which may be discovered hereafter, in all their length and breadth, bounded on the one side by the seas of the North and of the West, and on the other by the South Sea : declaring to the nations thereof, that from this time forth they are vassals of His Majesty, bound to obey his laws and follow his customs : promising them, on his part, all succor and protection against the incursions and invasions of their enemies : declaring to all other potentates, princes, sovereigns, states and republics — to them and their subjects — that they cannot and are not to seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid countries, save only under the good pleasure of his most Christian majesty, and of him who will govern in his behalf; and this on pain of incur- ring his resentment and the efforts of his arms." Thus passed, so far as words and shouts could effect it, the Northwest, including the present State of Wisconsin, under the dominion of France. And why not ? She had discovered it — had to a certain extent explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had proclaimed the fait!: to its won- dering savages. But none of her fur-traders — none of her missionaries — none of her agents — had yet reached the Mississippi — the great river, concerning which so many marvels had been heard. Now, however, the hour was at hand in which would be solved the problem and be revealed the mystery of the "great water" of the savages. The Governor of Canada was resolved that the stream should be reached and explored. He made choice of Louis Joliet, who was with St. Lusson when the Northwest was for the first time claimed for the King of France, and who had just returned to Quebec from Lake Superior. This was in the year KiTi!. Said the Governor on the "2d of November: " It has been judged expedient to send Sieur Joliet to the Maskouteins [Mascoutins], to discover the South Sea, and the great river they call the Missis- sippi, which is supposed to discharge itself into the Sea of California." " He is a man," con- tinued Frontenac, " of great experience in these sorts of discoveries, and has already been almost at the great river, the mouth of which he promises to see." Joliet passed up the lakes, and, on the 17th of May. 1673 (having with him Father James Marquette and five others), started from the mission of St. Ignatius, a point north of the Island of Mackinaw, in the present county of that name in the State of Michigan, journeying in two bark canoes, firmly resolved to do all and to suffer all for the glory of re-discovering the Missis- sippi. Every possible precaution was taken, that, should the undertaking prove hazardous, it should not be foolhardy ; so, whatever of information could be gathered from the Indians who had frequented those parts, was laid under contribution before paddling merrily over the waters to the westward, and up Green Bay to the month of Fox River. The first Indian nation met by Joliet was the Menomonees. He was dissuaded by them from venturing so far into ulterior regions, assured that he would meet tribes which never spare strangers, but tomahawked them without provocation; that thewar which had broken out among various nations on his rout. , him and his men to another evident danger — that of being killed by the war parties coi in the path ; that the " great river " was very dangerous unless the difficult parts were known; that it was full of frightful monsters who swallowed up men and canoes together ; that there was. 314 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. even a demon there, who could be heard from afar, who stopped the passage and engulfed all who dared approach ; and lastly, that the heat was so excessive in those countries that it would infallibly cause their deaths. Nevertheless, Joliet determined to persevere: so he ascended Fox River to the portage. Joliet found the Fox River very beautiful at its mouth, having a gentle current. It was full of bustards, duck, teal and other birds, attracted by the wild oats, which were plentiful, and of which they were very fond. As the party advanced up the river a little distance, it was found to be difficult of ascent, both on account of the currents and of the sharp rocks which cut their canoes. Nevertheless, the rapids of the stream were passed in safety, when the party not long after came to the nation of the Mascoutins. In their village were also gathered two other tribes — the Miamis and Kickapoos. The Miamis were found to be civil in their deportment. They wore two long ear-locks, which gave them a good appearance. They had the name of being war- riors, and seldom sent out war parties in vain. They were found very docile, disposed to listen quietly to what was said to them. The Mascoutins and the Kickapoos, however, were rude and more like peasants, compared to the Miamis. Bark for cabins was found to be rare in this vil- lage, the Indians using rushes, which served them for walls and roof, but which were no great shelter against the wind and still less against the rain when it fell in torrents. The advantage of that kind of cabins was that they could be rolled up and easily carried whenever it suited these Indians in hunting-time. The view from the Indian village was beautiful and very picturesque, for, from the emi- nence on which it was perched, the eye discovered on every side delightful prairies, spreading away beyond its reach, interspersed with thickets or groves of lofty trees. The soil was found to be very good, producing much corn. Plums, also, and grapes were gathered in the autumn in quantities by the Indians. The arrival of Joliet and his party at the village of the Mascoutins, was on the 7th of June: their departure was on the 10th. '• We knew," wrote Father Marquette, '-that there was, three [thirty] leagues from Mas- koutens [Mascoutins], a river entering into the Mississippi ; we knew, too, that the point of the compass we were to hold to reach it was west southwest, but the way is so cut up by marshes and little lakes that it is easy to go estray, especially as the river leading to it is so covered with wild oats that you can hardly discover the channel. Hence, we had good need of our two | Miami | guides, who led us safely to a portage of twenty-seven hundred paces [the site now occupied by the city of Portage], and helped us to transport our canoes to enter this river [ Wisconsin], after which they returned, leaving us alone in an unknown country in the hands nf Providence. ■• We now leave," continues Marquette, " the waters which flow to Quebec, a distance of four or five hundred leagues, to follow those which will henceforth lead us into strange lands. Before embarking, we all began together a new devotion to the Blessed Virgin Immaculate, which we practiced every day, addressing her particular prayers to put under her protection both our persons and the success of our voyage. Then, after having encouraged one another, we got into our canoes. The river on which we embarked is called Meskousing [Wisconsin] ; it is very broad, with a sandy bottom, forming many shallows, which render navigation very difficult. It is full of vine-clad islets. On the banks appear fertile lands diversified with wood, prairie and hill. Here you find oaks, walnut, whitewood, ami another kind of tree with branches armed with thorns. We saw no small game or fish, but deer and moose in considera- ble numbers." In passing down this river they entered upon territory now included within the limits of Sauk County — the first white men who ever looked upon its hills or valleys, who ever floated along its southern border, or ever, perhaps, set foot upon its soil. On the 17th of June, with a joy that was inexpressible, Joliet and his party entered the Mississippi. After dropping down the "great river" many miles, Joliet returned to Green Bay, thence to Quebec, to report his discovery ami explorations to the Governor of New France. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 315 EARLY VISITS To SAUK COUNTY. Not many years elapsed after the voyage of Joliet and his companions down the Wisconsin, before the river was again navigated by civilized man. Louis Hennepin, a Recollet friar, and his party, as a detail from La Salle's expedition to the Illinois, reached the portage in 1680, on his way from the Upper Mississippi to the great lakes, passing up the Wisconsin and down the Fox River to Green Bay. He says : •' After we had rowed about seventy leagues upon the river Ouiseonsin [Wisconsin], we came to the place where we were forced to carry our canoe for half a league. We lay at this place all night, and left marks of our having been there by the crosses which we cut on the barks of the trees. Next day, having carried our canoe and the rest of our little equipage over this piece of land [the portage], we entered upon a river [the Fox] which makes almost as many meanders as that of the Illinois at its rise." Le Sueur and his party made the portage in 1683, on their way to the Mississippi. " About forty-five leagues up this river [the Wisconsin], on the right, is a portage, of more than a league in length. The half of this portage is a bog ; at the end of this portage, there is a little river [the Fox] that falls into a bay called the Bay of the Puans [Green Bay], inhabited by a great number of natives that carry their furs to Canada." In 1766, Jonathan Carver made a voyage to St. Anthony's Falls, by way of the portage, from the East. Of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and the carrying place [the portage], he wrote : •'The Fox River, from the Green Bay to the carrying place, is about one hundred and eighty miles. From the Winnebago Lake to the carrying place, the current is gentle, and the depth of it considerable ; notwithstanding which, in some places, it is with difficulty that canoes can pass through the obstructions they meet with from the rice-stalks, which are very large and thick, and grow here in great abundance. The country around it is very fertile, and proper in the highest degree for cultivation, excepting in some places near the river, where it is rather too low. It is in no part very woody, and yet can supply sufficient to answer the demands of any number of inhabitants. This river is the greatest resort for wild fowl of every kind that I met With in the whole course of my travels ; frequently the sun would be obscured by them for some minutes together. '•About forty miles up this river from the great town of the Winnebagoes, stands a smaller town, belonging to that nation. Deer and bears are very numerous in these parts, and a great many beavers and other furs are taken on the streams that empty themselves into this river. The river I am treating of is remarkable for having been, about eighty years ago, the residence of the united bands of the Ottigaumies and the Saukies, whom the French had nicknamed, according to their wonted custom, Des Sacs and Des Reynards — the Sacs and the Foxes. About twelve miles before I reached the carrying place, I observed several small mountains, which extended quite to it. These, indeed, would only be esteemed as mole-hills when compared With those on the back of the colonies ; but as they were the first I had seen since my leaving Niagara, a track of nearly eleven hundred miles, I could not leave them unnoticed. " The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebago Lake, is about fifty yards wide, but it gradually decreases to the carrying place, where it is no more than five yards over, except in a few places, where it widens into small lakes, though still of a considerable depth. I cannot recollect anything else that is remarkable in this river, except that it is so serpentine for five miles as only to gain in that place one-quarter of a mile. " The carrying place, between the Fox and Ouiseonsin Rivers, is in breadth not more than a mile and three-quarters, though in some maps it is so delineated as to appear to be ten miles. Near one-half of the way between the rivers is a morass overgrown with a kind of long grass ; the rest of it a plain, with some few oak and pine trees growing thereon. I observed here a great number of rattlesnakes. I observed also that the main body of the Fox River came from the southwest, that of the Ouiseonsin from the northeast: and, also, that some of the small branches 316 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. of these two rivers, in descending into them, doubled within a few feet of each other, a little to the south of the carrying place. That two such rivers should take their rise so near each other, and, after running such different courses, empty themselves into the sea at a distance so amazing (for the former, having passed through several great lakes and run upward of two thousand miles, falls into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the other, after joining the Mississippi and run an equal number of miles, disembogues itself into the Gulf of Mexico), is an instance scarcely to be met in the extensive continent of North America. I had an opportunity, the year following, of making the same observations on the affinity of various head branches of the waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi to each other, and now bring them as a proof that the opinion of those geographers who assert that rivers taking their rise so near each other must spring from the same source, is erroneous. For I perceived a visibly distinct separation in all of them, notwithstanding, in some places, they appeared so near that I could have stepped from one to the other. " On the 8th of October, we got our canoes into the Ouisconsin River, which at this place is more than a hundred yards wide ; and the next day arrived at the great town of the Saukies. This is the largest and best-built Indian town I ever saw. It contains about ninety houses, each large enough for several families. These are built of hewn plank, neatly jointed and covered with bark so compactly as to keep out the most penetrating rains. Before the doors are placed comfortable sheds, in which the inhabitants sit, when the weather will permit, and smoke their pipes. The streets are regular and spacious ; so that 'it appears more like a civilized town than the abode of savages. The land near the town is very good. In their plantations, which lie adjacent to their houses, and which are neatly laid out, they raise great quantities of Indian corn, beans, melons, etc., so that this place is esteemed the best market for traders to furnish themselves with provisions, of any within 800 miles of it. " The Saukies can raise about three hundred warriors, who are generally employed every summer in making incursions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee nations, from whence they return with a great number of slaves. But those people frequently retaliate, and in their turn destroy many of the Saukies, which I judge to be the reason that they increase no faster. " Whilst I stayed here, I took a view of some mountains that lie about fifteen miles to the southward, and abound in lead ore. I ascended one of the highest of these, and had an exten- sive view of the country. For many miles nothing was to be seen but lesser mountains, which appeared at a distance like hay-cocks, they being free from trees. Only a few groves of hickory and stunted oaks covered some of the valleys. So plentiful is lead here, that I saw large quan- tities of it lying about the streets in the town belonging to the Saukies, and it seemed to be as good as the product of other countries. " On the 10th of October, we proceeded down the river, and the next day reached the first town of the Ottigaumies. This town contained about fifty houses, but we found most of them deserted, on account of an epidemical disorder that had lately raged among them and carried off more than half of the inhabitants. The greater part of those who survived had retired into the woods to avoid the contagion. " On the 15th, we entered that extensive river, the Mississippi. The Ouisconsin, from the carrying place to the part where it falls into the Mississippi, flows with a smooth but a strong current ; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and sandy bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a few islands, the soil of which appeared to be good, though somewhat woody. The land near the river also seemed to be, in general, excellent ; but that at a distance is very full of mountains, where it is said there are many lead mines." The Wisconsin River was visited by Maj. S. H. Long in 1817, and again in 1823. He says : " The Wisconsin River, from its magnitude and importance, deserves a high rank among the tributaries of the Mississippi. When swollen by a freshet, it affords an easy navigation for boats of considerable burden through a distance of more than one hundred and eighty miles. [The actual distance to the portage is but 118 miles.] Its current is rapid, and, like the Mis- sissippi, it embosoms innumerable islands. In a low stage of water, its navigation is obstructed HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 317 by numerous shoals and sand-banks. At the distance from its mouth above mentioned [ which is too great an estimate by over sixty miles], there is a portage of one mile and a half across a flat meadow, which is Occasionally subject to inundation, to a branch of Fox River of Green Bay, thus affording another navigable communication which boats have been known to pass." In 1819, the Fifth Regiment of the United States Infantry made the voyage from Fort Howard, near Green Bay, to Prairie du Chien, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, cross- ing the portage. Capt. Henry Whiting, of that regiment, says : " The Fox River, from Lake Winnebago to the portage, has always a strong current, and is often entirely overgrown with grass and wild rice, but presents no other impediments. It winds through a narrow prairie, bordered by oak openings and undulating lands, generally of a beautiful appearance, but prob- ably not remarkably rich in their soil, which, wherever the river washes them, seems to be a sandy, reddish loam. The portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers is about two thou- sand five hundred yards ; the road runs over a marshy prairie. There is a Frenchman (Francis Le Roy) residing on the rising ground between the rivers. He keeps the proper transportation for boats and baggage. The limestone bluffs and highlands begin on the Wisconsin about eight miles below the portage. Just above Prairie du Sac appears to be the apex of the highland of that river, and the head of the great valley through which it winds." Ebenezer Childs records making the same trip in a bark canoe, in 1821. He conducted the first Durham boat that ever went up the Fox and over the portage. In 1826, a flotilla of thirty-five boats carried the Third United States Infantry from Green Bay to St. Louis, by the same streams and crossing. In 1827, Gen. Pass passed over this route to ascertain the feeling among the Winnebagoes toward the United States Government. Ih'W SA1 K COUNTY GOT ITS NAME. The name this county hears was suggested to the minds of those upon whom the great responsibility of christening it devolved by the traces they found of an Indian village, once located on the Wisconsin River, in the present town of Prairie du Sac. History, both written and traditional, tells us that the tribe to whom the village belonged called themselves the Saukies. Having searched the vocabulary of Indian appellations in vain for the root of the word, the writer addressed a professional friend (who is an adept in Indian nomenclature), holding a high position in the Smithsonian Institution, requesting a scientific explanation. The following rei)ly sheds electric-light luster upon the subject : Dkai! Sih — Sacs, Sauks and Saukies are synonymous — all being the names applied to the Indians closely allied to the Foxes. The Jesuit missionaries wrote " Saukies," which was afterward cut short into " Sauks ; " but the French, finally, wrote las more in harmony with their language) " Sacs," the identical pronunciation being retained. The latter orthography is the one usually adopted by I'.nglish and Americans: hence we find almost universally in nor printed books '■ Sacs and Foxes." Now, the county got its name from " IVairie du Sac ; " but in the use of the word, the old adage of being " more nice than wise " was reversed ; it was " more wise than nice" to call it Sauk County" instead of "Sac County." The meaning of the word as applied to the village, is, of course, the Sauk meadow, or, as (lie French prefer to write it, the Sac meadow; that is. •• I'rairie du Sac." Yours, P. S. — I forgot to say that the meaning of the word Sauk is unknown. Concerning the settlement of the Sauk Indians at this point, Augustin Grignon,* in his "Recollections," says: " As the details of the war which eventuated in the expulsion of the Sauks and Foxes from the Fox River Valley, in 1746, are of much interest, I shall give them as fully as I have learned them from the lips of my grandfather, Charles De Langlade, who took an active part in some of the occurrences narrated, and from other ancient settlers and Indians. " The Outagamies or Foxes were at this time ocated at the Little Butte des Morts, on the western bank of Fox River, and some thirty-seven miles above Green Bay. Here they made it a point, whenever a trader's boat approached, to place a torch upon the bank, as a signal for the * Augustin Ori-nwi was mice the posxrssnr of the 1.11111," ti]n.n which a large portion of 1 1 1 * • city of I' stands. Hecamehy tin- i.in|.i.]ty thriaiL'h Mm Kmyer. wl,., lipid it mid, r French title, and deeded it to Grignon in 1832; ' being, of course, a I'nitei! Mat.- patent, wa, -i-n.-.t hy Ami:, v, tael^nn, I'p-i.lent — Kl>. 318 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. traders to come ashore, and pay the customary tribute which they exacted from all. To refuse this tribute, was sure to incur the displeasure of the Foxes, and robbery would be the mildest punishment inflicted. This haughty, imperious conduct of the Foxes was a source of no little annoyance to the traders, who made their complaints to the commandants of the Western posts, and in due time these grievances reached the ears of the Governor of Canada. " Capt. De Velie was at this time commandant of the small garrison at Green Bay. He was relieved by the arrival of a new officer, whose name I have forgotton. and the new com- mandant brought with him demands for the Sauks of the village opposite the fort, who had hitherto demeaned themselves well, to deliver up the few Foxes living among them, in conse- quence of inter-marriage or otherwise. All were readily given up, except a Fox boy, who had been adopted by a Sauk woman. De Velie and his successor were dining together, and, becom- ing somewhat influenced by wine, some sharp words passed between them relative to the tardi- ness of the Sauks in rendering the Fox boy ; when De Velie arose, and taking his gun and a negro servant, crossed the river to the Sauk village, which was surrounded with palisades or pickets. He found the Sauks in council, and was met by the Sauk chief, of whom he demanded the immediate surrender of the remaining Indian. The chief said he and his principal men had just been in council about the matter, and thought the adopted mother of the youth was loath to part with him, yet they hoped to prevail upon her peaceably to do so. The chief proceeded to visit the old woman, who still remained obstinate, and De Velie renewing his demands for immediate compliance, again would the chief renew his efforts; and thus three times did he go to the sturdy old woman, and endeaver to prevail upon her to give up the boy, and returning each time without success, but assuring De Velie that if he would be a little patient he was certain the old squaw would yet comply with his demands, as she seemed to be relenting. But, in his warm blood, the Frenchman was in no mood to exercise patience ; than he at length drew up his gun and shot the chief dead. Some of the young Sauks were for taking instant revenge, but the older ami wiser men present begged them to be cool, and refrain from inflicting injury on their French father, as they had provoked him to commit the act. By this time De Velie, whose anger was yet unappeased, had got his gun reloaded by his servant, and wantonly shot down another chief, and then a third one ; when a young Sauk, only twelve years of age, named Ma-kau-ta-pe-na-se, or the Black Bird, shot the enraged Frenchman dead. " The garrison was too weak to attempt the chastisement of the Sauks, but upon the arrival of a re- enforcement, joined by the French settlers, Charles De Langlade among them, the Sauks were attacked at their village, where a severe battle occurred, in which several were killed on both sides, and the Sauks finally driven away. In this Sauk battle, two of my father's uncles were among the slain on the part of the French. The Sauks now retired to the Wisconsin River and located themselves at Sauk Prairie, where they still resided, and had a fine village, with comfortable houses, and were apparently doing something in mining lead, when Carver visited the country in 1766, but which appeared to have been several years deserted when I first saw the place, in 1795, as there were then only a few remains of fire-places and posts to be seen. The brave young Sauk, Black Bird, became a distinguished chief among his people, and Mr. Laurent Fily, an old trader, told me many years since, that he knew Black Bird well at the Sauk village at the mouth of Rock River, and that he lived to a good old age, and Fily added, that he was the same person who in his youth had so fearlessly shot De Velie." SAUK COUNTY ON EAKLY MAPS. As early as the year 1632, Samuel Champlain, then at Quebec, drew a map of the Valley of the Saint Lawrence, and of the region of the Upper Lakes — the first attempt of the kind. His delineations of the country to the westward and northwest ward of Lake Huron were wholly from Indian reports. Upon this map, Fox River is placed to the north of Lake Superior, and the Wisconsin is rudely given as leading into a northern sea. There is a narrow space between the two rivers, and, possibly, it had been described to him by the savages. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 319 But the first map of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and the portage, made with any degree of accuracy, was by Father James Marquette, who accompanied Louis Joliet up the first-men- tioned stream and down the last, in 1673. The portage is distinctly traced, and the general course of the two rivers given. Other maps were published at subsequent periods, down to L768, when the one by J. Carver appeared, attached to his " Travels." This one is, considering the circumstances under which it was made, exceedingly creditable. It locates the " carrying place " — the portage — and has a representation of Swan Lake, besides a pretty accurate delineation of the Baraboo River. On the south side of Lake Puckaway is the Winnebago Upper Town, and on Sauk Prairie, down the Wisconsin, is located the " Saukies Chief Town." The Portage, then, in 1766, was about the boundary line between the Sacs upon the AVisconsin and the Winneba- goes upon the Fox River. In 1830, John Farmer, of Detroit, published a '"Map of the Territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin." Fort Winnebago appears as if situated between the Fox and Wisconsin, while " Etoi's " [Le Roy's] house occupies the site where the fort was, in fact, located ; that is, on the east side of the Fox. Pauquette's place is designated farther down the last-mentioned stream. but on the west side. The Baraboo River is noted as " Bonibau's Creek." Winnebago villages are represented down the Fox and the Wisconsin, and upon the Baraboo. Farmer's revised map of 1836, has Fort Winnebago in its correct position, on the east side of Fox River. The whole of the territory now constituting Sauk County is a complete blank, except as a part of Crawford County. There is, however, a rude representation of the Bara- boo Bluffs, but the Baraboo River is wholly wanting. The first '• Map of Wisconsin Territory, compiled from Public Surveys," has upon it, cor- rectly located, the village of Prairie du Sac. There is also represented, immediately opposite Arena, the village of Ozaukee, located on the north side of the Wisconsin River, and upon its immediate bank. On Mitchell's "Map of the Settled Part of Wisconsin and Iowa." of 1838, the territory now constituting Sauk County is correctly represented as constituting a small part of the terri- tory north of the Wisconsin River, belonging to the Winnebago Indians. On a manuscript " Map of Wiskonsan, drawn by Charles Doty and Francis Hudson, 1844," now preserved in the archives of the State Historical Society, the boundaries of Sauk County are correctly delineated, and so much of the Government survey as was then completed is indi- cated. But the first published map upon which Sauk County appears, is that of Morse & Breese, of 1847. Upon this map, the townships and ranges are indicated, also the Baraboo River. The next published map upon which Sauk County is represented, was Farmer's map of Wisconsin and Iowa, in 1848. Honey (.'reek and the Baraboo River are pretty correctly delin- eated, while Prairie du Sac and Ozaukee occupy the same positions as in previous maps. Sauk County, upon the admission of Wisconsin as a State into the Union, was so fre- quently represented upon various maps that farther notice is unnecessary. k "TIIK WINNEBAGO WAR." Though this memorable conflict did not take place in Sauk County, an account of it will be interesting, as showing the causes which usually lead to Indian wars : In the early part of the year 1827, a party of twenty-four Chippewas, being on their way to Fort Snelling, at the mouth of St. Peter's River, were surprised and attacked by a war-party of the Winnebagoes, and eight of them were killed. The commandant of the United States troops at the fort took four of the offend- ing Winnebagoes prisoners, and (certainly with great imprudence) delivered them into the hands of the exasperated Chippewas, who immediately put them to death. This act was greatly resented by the chief of the Winnebagoes, named " Red Bird," and in addition to this source of enmity was to be added the daily encroachment of the whites in the lead region ; for at this time they had overrun the mining country from Galena to the Wisconsin River. In the spirit of revenge for the killing of the four Winnebagoes, Red Bird led a war-party against the Chip- pewas, by whom he was defeated, and thus, having been disappointed, he turned the force of his 320 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. resentment against the whites, whom he considered as having not only invaded his country, but as having aided and abetted his enemies in the destruction of his people. Some time previously, a murder by the Winnebagoes had been committed in the family of a Mr. Methode, near Prairie du Chien, in which several persons had been killed. It was appar- ent that a spirit of enmity between the Indians and the whites was effectually stirred up ; and, for the first time since the war of 1812, disturbances were daily looked for by the settlers and miners. On the 28th of June, 1827, Red Bird, We-Kaw, and three of their companions, entered the house of Registre Gagnier, about three miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained several hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird leveled his gun and shot him dead on his hearthstone. A person in the building, by the name of Sip Cap, who was a hired man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier turned to fly with her infant of eighteen months. As she was about to leap through the window, the child was torn from her arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped, and thrown violently on the floor as dead. The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when she snatched up a gun that was leaning against the wall, and presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape. Her eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers ; and they both arrived in the village at the same time. The alarm was soon given ; but, when the avengers of blood arrived at Gagnier's house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled infant. It was carried to the village, and, incredible as it may seem, it recovered. Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from the scene of their crime to the rendezvous of their band. During their absence, thirty-seven of the warriors who acknowl- edged the authority of Red Bird, had assembled, with their wives and children, near the mouth of the Bad Axe River. They received the murderers with joy, and loud approbation of their exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set abroach ; and the red men began to drink, and, as their spirits rose, to boast of what they had already done and intended to do. Two days did they continue to revel ; and on the third the source of their excitement gave out. They were, at about 4 in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in the scalp-dance, when they descried one of the keel-boats, which had a few days before passed up the river with provisions for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return in charge of Mr. Lindsay. Forthwith a proposal to take her, and massacre the crew, was made, and carried by acclamation. They counted upon doing this without risk; for they had examined her on her way up, and sup- posed there were no arms on board. Mr. Lindsay's boats had descended the river as far as the village of Wabashaw, where they expected an attack. The Dakotas on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed their approach with insults and menaces, but did not, however, offer to obstruct their passage. The whites now supposed the danger over ; and, a strong wind at that moment beginning to blow up stream, the boats parted company. So strong was the wind that all the force of the sweeps could scarcely stem it; and, by the time the foremost boat was near the encampment at the mouth of the Bad Axe River, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One or two French- men, or half-breeds, who were on board, observed hostile appearances on shore, and advised the rest to keep the middle of the stream ; but their counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew were Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen, combined a profound ignorance of Indian character with a thorough contempt for Indian prowess. They urged the boat directly toward the camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men on deck. It m?y be well to observe here, that this, like all keel-boats used in the Mississippi Valley, was built almost exactly on the model of the Erie and Middlesex canalboats. The men were rallying their French companions on their apprehensions, and the boat (named Oliver II. Perry) was within thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly the trees and rocks rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the warwhoop, and a volley of rifle-balls rained upon the deck. Happily, the Winnebagoes had not yet recovered from the effects of their debauch, and their arms were not steady. One man only fell from their fire. He was a*. HISTOEY OF SAUK COUNTY. 321 little negro, named Peter. His leg was dreadfully shattered, and he afterward died of the ■wound. A second volley soon came from the shore ; but, as the men were lying at the bottom of the boat, they all escaped but one, who was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non- resistance, the Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes, with intent to board. The whites, having recovered from their first panic, seized their arms, and the boarders Were received with a very severe discharge. In one canoe, two savages were killed with the same bullet, and several were wounded. The attack was continued until night, when one of the party, named Mandeville, who had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four others, who succeeded in setting the boat afloat, and then went down the stream. Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen wounded. They managed to put 693 bullets into and through the boat. Two of the crew were killed outright, two mortally and two slightly wounded. The presence of mind of Mandeville undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not reach the mouth of the Bad Axe until midnight. The Indians opened fire upon her ; which was promptly returned, but, owing to the darkness, no injury was done, and the boat passed on safely. Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left their houses and farms, and crowded into the dilapidated fort. An express was immediately sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling, for assistance. A company of upward of a hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted. In a few days four imperfect companies arrived from Fort Snelling. The consternation of the people of the lead mines was great, and in all the frontier settlements. This portion of the country then contained, as is supposed, about five thousand inhabitants. A great many of them fled from the country. On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with Government troops, arrived at the portage ; : and, while here, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his approach, and directing the former to halt and fortify himself at the portage and wait his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jtfierson Barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler from Fort Howard, on Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. At the opening of the council at the Butte des Morts, between the Government and the Indians, the Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the mur- derers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, " they will come in." In reply to the question, "Who will come in?" he said, "Bed Bird and We-Kaw." After making this answer, he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came, and took position in nearly the same place and in the same way, when, to like questions he gave like answers; and at sundown a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that object, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his property. There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote them- selves for the good of their people, but only to reconcile those who were about to be driven to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders com- mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the Indians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall sufl'er for it. One scalp is held due for another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity. About noon of the day following, there were seen descending a mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass it could 322 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. be discerned that the direction was toward Maj. Whistler. They bore no arms, and Whistler was at no loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox River, when, suddenly, singing was heard. Those who were familiar with the air said, "It is a death-song." When still nearer, some present who knew him said, "It is Red Bird singing his death-song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp- yells were heard. The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us, says an eye-witness, were lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on ; but when the " scalp-yells " were uttered they sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no loss to know what these "yells" were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but, doubtless, inferred the first. Barges were sent across to receive, and an escort of military to accompany, them within Whistler's lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird. And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was Whistler's encampment. In the lead was Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called. Kar-ray- mau-nee spoke, saying, " They are here. Like braves they have come in ; treat them as braves ; do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he was not the big Captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him. The military had been previously drawn-out in line. The Menomonee and Wabanackie (Oneida) Indians were in groups, upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant, were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable-looking We-Kaw a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on the Red Bird. In height, he is about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry ; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet. He and We-Kaw were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's Hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and, taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion ; then, rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of his calumet, struck lire on a bit of punk witli his Hint and steel, lighted, and smoked it. All sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows: They were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any except two; the third had gone away ; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. As their friends, they liad come with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty ; the meaning of which was. to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little tobacco and something to eat. They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so. they bad turned away our guns and saved their people. They were affmonished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances; that their friends should be treated kindly, ami tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white children were tried: that, for the present, Red Bird and VVe-Kaw should net be put in irons; that they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 323 Having heard this. Red Bird stood up; the commanding officer, Maj. Whistler, a few paces in front of the center of the line, facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick sur- vey of the troops, lie spoke, saying, " / am ready." Then, advancing a step or two, tie paused, saying, " I do not wish to be put in irons. Let me be free. I have given away my life; it is gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his linger and thumb and blowing it away) " like that," eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, "I would not take it back : it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Maj. Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when, the Major stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kaw marched through the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over them. The com- rades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them Maj. Whistler's advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco. We-Kaw, the miserable-looking being, the accomplice of the Red Bird, was in all things the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command, and worthy to be obeyed ; the other, as if he had been born to be hanged — meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf, gaunt, hungry and bloodthirsty ; his entire appearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were admitted into safe-keeping at Prairie du Chien, to await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder. The next spring, Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie du Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay, by way of the portage, for that purpose, convicted and sentenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit the pardon of the others. President Adams granted it on the implied condition that the tribe would cede the lands then in the possession of the miners. The Winnebagoes agreed to this. Mine. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision was made for two sections of land to her and her two children ; and the Government agreed to pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago Indians. In closing this account of the " Winnebago war," we give an anecdote which places the Winnebago character in an amiable light : The militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after the affair of the boats, seized the old chief, De-kau-ry, and four other Indians ; and he was informed that if Red Bird should not be given up within a certain time, he and the others were to die in his place. This he steadfastly believed. A messenger, a young Indian, was sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs: and several days had elapsed and no information was received of the murderers. The dreadful day was near at hand, and De-kau-ry. being in a bad state of health, asked permission of the officer to go to the river to indulge in his long- accustomed habit of bathing, in order to improve his health ; upon which Col. Snelling told him if he would promise, on the honor of a chief, that he would not leave town, he might have his liberty and enjoy all his privileges until the day appointed for his execution. Accordingly, he first gave his hand to the Colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloff and in the most solemn adjuration promised that he would not leave the bounds prescribed, and said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word. He was then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. " But no ! " said he. "do you think I prize life above honor?" He then remained complacently until nine days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and still nothing was heard promising the apprehension of the murderers. No alteration could be seen in the countenance of the chief. It so happened that, on that day. Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson Bar- racks, ami the order for the execution was countermanded and the Indians permitted to return to their homes. 324 IIISTOUY OF SAUK COUNTY. UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS AND LAND DISTRICTS. As soon as a considerable tract of country south of the AVisconsin was secured from the Indians by treaties, the General Government commenced the survey of it. The following is a tabulated statement of the surveys made in Sauk County, with the date of survey and name of surveyor': TOWNSHIPS Surveyor's Names. Date Of Survey. Township Township Township TowNsmr Township Township Township Township Township Township Township Township Township Township Township Township l'ow NSHIP Township !'.-« \s|| II' Toll NSHIP Tow \siiir Township 8, Range 3 East 8, Range 4 East 8, Range 5 East 9, Kanue 3 East 9, Range 4 East 9, Range 5 East 9, Hange 6 East 10, Mamie 3 East 10, Range 4 East 10, Range's East lo, Range 6 East 10, Range 7 East 11, Range 3 East 11, Range 4 East 11, Range 6 East.... 11, Range 6 East.... 11, Range 7 East.... 12, Hanoi: 3 East.... 12, Range 4 East.... 12, Range ;"» East.... 6 East.... 12. Range 7 East.... L3, Range 2 East.... : 3 East.... 13, Rangi 1 East. .. 13, Hanoi: 6 East.... I ■:, Range 7 East.... I Township Lines. \ Subdivisions I Township Lines. I Subdivisions I Township Lines. j Subdivisions I Township Lines. I Subdivisions I Township Lines. I Subdivisions I Township Lines. "j Subdivisions i 'I hi nsliip Lines. | Subdivisions I Township Lines. I Subdivisions I Township Lines. I Subdivisions i Township Lines. | Subdivisions | Township Lines. ) Subdivisions I Township Lines. \ Subdivisions f Township Lines. \ Subdivisions I Township Lines. | Subdivisions I Township Lines. ( Subdivisions i Township Lines. \ Subdivisions i Township Lines. i Subdivisions I Township Lines. i Subdivisions ) Township Lines \ Subdivisions f Township Lines \ Subdivisions i Township Lines i Subdivisions i Township Lines I Subdivisions ( Township Lines '( Subdivisions I Township Lines I Subdivisions i Township Lines i Subdivisions - Tow uship Lines I Subdivisions i Township Lines I Subdivisions I Township Lines i Subdivisions 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1843. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1843. Isl quarter, 1840. 1st quarter, 1840. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842. 1st quarter, 1840. 3d quarter, 1843. 1st quarter, 1840. November. 840. 1st quarter, 1840. Dec, 1844, and Ja 1st quarter. 1 840. 2d quarter, 1842. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842. William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt Robert I). Lester William A. Burt Robert D. Lester William A. Burl Alvin Burt William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt. Robert D. Lester William A. Burt .lames M. Marsh William A. Burt Charles E. Freeman William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt Alvin Burt William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840. James M. .Marsh November, 1844. William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840. James E. Freeman December, 1844. William A. Burt March, 1840. James E. Freeman 4th quarter, 1844. William A. Burt March, 1840. James E. Freeman November, 1844. William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840. Alvin Burt 2d quarter, 1842. J. E. Whitcher \pril, 1845. (larret Vliet , August, 184"). J. E. Whitcher ■ \pril. 184'.. Theodore Conkey \ugusi, 1845. J. E. Whitcher.." \|uil, 181".. Theodore Conkey July. 1845. J. E. Whitcher \pril, 1845. John Briuk September, lSl.j. .1. E. Whitcher April. 1845. John Brink September, [845. J. E. Whitcher April, 1845. (buret Vliet .ulv, 1845 .1. E. Whitcher April, Isl",. ("larret Vliet lune and July, 1845. .1 I'.. Whitcher \j.ril, ls| i. (larret Vliet June, 1845. .1. E. Whitcher Vpril, 1845. Theodore Conkey August, 1845. .1. E. Whitcher April. 184",. John Brink September 1845. J I. Whitcher April. 184.",. John Brink September, 184.",. ( DECEASED,' BARABOO. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 327 The northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, fixed April 11, 181s, on the parallel of 42° 30' north latitude, became, properly enough, the base line of these surveys. A principal north-and-south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was run, extending from the base line to Lake Superior, at right angles with the last-mentioned line. The Fourth Meridian is west of the territory of Sauk County, running on the east boundary of what is now the county of Grant, and on the west boundary of La Fayette and Iowa Counties, and thence onward due north, a distance west of the most westerly point of Sauk County of six miles, striking Lake Superior a short dis- tance west of the mouth of the Montreal River. Parallel lines to the Fourth Meridian were run every six miles on the east and west sides of it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the first six miles of territory east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six miles, and so on to Lake Michigan — Sauk County lying in Ranges "J. •">, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east. Parallel lines north of the base line (the north boundary line of the State of Illinois) were run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles, cut the whole into blocks six miles square, called townships. These are numbered by tiers going north from the base line, the first tier being known as Township 1 north, the second tier as Township - north, and so on. As the most southern boundary of Sauk County is distant from the base line seven town- ships, of course the first or most southern tier of townships in the county is numbered 8 north ; and as there are six tiers, they are numbered consecutively Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 north. But the county does not include the whole of Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 north, of Ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east, as a considerable portion is included in the Counties of Colum- bia, Dane. Iowa and Richland. By the end of 1833, a large amount of public land in Wisconsin, south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, had been surveyed ; and, the fact being reported by the Surveyor General, two land districts were erected by an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1834. These districts embraced all the land north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. The area was then divided by a north-and-south line, drawn from the base line to the Wisconsin River, between Ranges 8 and 9. All east of that line was called the Green Bay Land District ; all west, the Wisconsin Land District. A land office of the eastern district was established at Green Bay : of the western district, at Mineral Point. The public sales of the surveyed lands in the two districts were held in 1835, at Green Bay and Mineral Point. It was provided in the act of Congress creating the Green Bay and Wisconsin Land Districts, that they should embrace the country north of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, where the Indian title to the same had become extinguished. On the 1st day of November, 1837, the Winnebago Indians ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the Mississippi River. By this treaty, the United States came in possession of lands north of the Wisconsin, of which that portion now constituting Sauk County was a part; so this territory (with much other) was ordered surveyed, which survey, as before stated, was finished in 1845. The two land districts — the Green Bay and Wisconsin — were then extended north, Sauk County falling in the Wisconsin District, the land office being at Mineral Point. An old settler who witnessed the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District, says: "Each Register and Receiver of a land office had a salary of §500 per annum, together with 2 per cent upon all sales, until the whole amounted to $3,000 a year. During 1835-36, most of the land between Rock River and the Mississippi and Wisconsin were offered for sale. Eight hun- dred and sixty-three thousand acres and more were sold, a large portion of which fell into the hands of speculators, which greatly retarded the settlement, of the country. Most of those lands remained unoccupied for many years. The Milwaukee Land District embraced the south- east portion of the territory as far north as Manitowoc. The Green Bay District was north of it, and Mineral Point west. The first officers of the Milwaukee District were Col. Morton, 328 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Register, and Rufus Parks, Receiver. The first sale was advertised to take place November 18, 1838, and found the settlers generally unprepared to purchase their claims. They therefore petitioned to President Van Buren for a postponement of the sale for one year. It was granted for three months only, and commenced February 19, 1839. The settlers were afraid of having their lands bid upon by speculators at the sale, and formed combinations to protect each other in obtaining their lands at $1.25 per acre. To effect their purpose, one man in each township was previously chosen to bid oft" each man's land and give his name to the clerk of the register. Thus all confusion was prevented, and each man obtained his claim. The sale in the Mil- waukee District was conducted in this manner. It commenced on the south line of the Terri- tory, near Lake Michigan, and proceeded to the north line of the district, when they offered the next range west, and so continued until the whole was passed over, making about 132 townships in all, and nearly 27.000,000 of acres. In offering a township for sale, the register began at Section 1, and went through each section in regular order until he reached Section 36, except Section 16, which was reserved for school purposes. Each section was offered for sale in 80-acre lota, beginning at the northeast corner and going through in regular order, making 228 offers in each township. Each purchaser had his name taken down by a clerk of the register, with the description of his land, the number of acres purchased, together with the price paid. At the close of each day's sale a copy of these sales was given to the Receiver, who took the money of each purchaser and gave him a receipt therefor, which was called a duplicate. The duplicate was by act of Legislature made evidence of title upon which deeds could be made, until the issue of the patent from the General Land Office. The patent was a deed from the United States to the purchaser, made upon parchment and signed by the President of the United States and the Commissioner of the General Land Office. At the close of each public sale, the office was closed for three months, to give time for the land officers to make their report to the General Land Office, and prepare plats of each township, showing that lands had been sold. When the land office was opened for private entry then land could be purchased in lots of 40 acres, which could not be done at public sale. At the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District a very small amount was bought for speculaton, the experience of 1835-36 not having been fo'rgotton, when immense sums were lost in the purchase of wild lands during the terrible speculative mania of that period ; so that nearly all the lands not taken by actual settlers were left open for private entry of actual settlers. It was the unfortunate policy of the United States Government in the earlier period of its history to discourage the settlement of its hinds previous to their sale, and to sell, when they sold, in very large tracts. After a time this policy was changed, permit- ing persons living upon the public lands at a given time to buy 160 acres previous to the sale, at the minimum price of $1.25 an acre. They also changed the law in regard to the sale, so that they were offered in 80-acre lots at the public sale, and could be bought at private sale after- ward in lots of 40 acres. The early land surveys in Wisconsin were made under the direction of Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, the father of Maj. Charles H. Williams, now of Baraboo. Mr. Williams was appointed Surveyor General of the Northwestern Territory by Andrew Jackson. The number of acres contained in each of the townships in Sauk County is as follows : Township 8 north, Range 3 east, 10,851.53 acres ; Range 4, 6,485.46; Range 5. 2,601.36. Township 9 north, Range 3 east, 23,059.87 acres; Range 4, 23,059.32; Range 5, 22,850.29; Range 6, 13,106.91. Township 10 north, Range 3 east, 23.071.26 acres; Range 4, 23,034.59; Range 5, 22,713.25; Range 6, 22,489.38 ; Range 7, 5,626.83. Township 11 north. Range 3 east, 22,960.75 acres; Range 4, 22,991.89: Range 5, 22,754.56; Range 6, 22.399.36; Range 7, 22,812.87. Township 12 north, Ranse 3 east, 22,737.85 acres; Range 4, 23,066.96 ; Range 5, 22,651.22; Range 6, 22.s04.47; Range 7, 22,703.31. Township 13 north, Range 2 east, 23,242.44 acres; Range 3. 23,079.65; Range 4 V 22,894.11; Range 5, 22,480.42 ; Range 6, 16,885.01 ; Range 7, 2,187.26. EISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 329 CHAPTER II. The First Permanent Settlement— County Officers from 1844 to 1880— Laying Out the Towns— Territorial, State and Coxgression w. Representation— Tj rritoki m District Court and State Circuit Court— County Judges— Political Parties in Sauk Coi nty. the first permanent settlement. Early in the spring of 1838, Berry Haney, who was then engaged in staging between Min- eral Point an.l Fort Winnebago, now Portage City, received information of the ratification of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians for the purchase of their lands in this region, and on his next trip to the fort took with him Jonathan Taylor and Solomon Shore, for the purpose o making a claim on Sauk Prairie. Taylor was left opposite the prairie, while Shore accompanied Haney to the fort, and returned to him with a skiff, in which they crossed over the river. They marked out a claim for Haney on the present site of Sauk City. Taylor made a claim on an adjoining tract above, and Shore took a third claim still farther up the Wisconsin River. In the month of June, 1838, Haney employed James Ensminger and Thomas Sanser to break ten acres. When these men came to perform their work the Indians threatened to burn their camp. They therefore dug a pit, walled it with logs, and protected it with a covering of earth, as a fire proof dwelling. These were the first permanent locations and improvements made by white men on the soil of Sauk County. There had been an attempt made in the fall of 1837 by Archibald Barker and Andrew Dunn to pre-empt a piece of land at the Winnebago corn-fields near Baraboo, but the Indians destroyed their shanty and compelled them to leave the country. Mr. Barker subsequently returned and became a permanent resident, and still resides in the county. James S. Alban, December 20, 1838, moved with his family to the south end of Sauk Prairie, wherehe built a cabin in the midst of a small cluster of trees. His was the first white family in the county. Mrs. Alban survived but a. few years. The beauty and fertility of Sauk Prairie soon attracted others hither. In December, 1838, Albert Jameson, accompanied by Andrew Hodgett, Alexander Bills and Nelson Lathrop, came and located claims on the prairie, farther back from the Wisconsin, near the present southern boundary of the town of Sumter. William Johnson arrived soon afterward, from Belmont, crossing the Wisconsin River on the ice, and established himself near Jameson, in the valley of Honey Creek : erecting a cabin, he engaged, during the winter, in getting out rails to fence an inclosure. Jameson and Johnson brought their families about a year later. Early in April, 1839, Charles 0. Baxter came to the prairie and purchased the claim of Solomon Shore. A short time previously, the site of Prairie du Sac A'illage was claimed and occupied by David P. Crocker; and about the same time, Albert Skinner and John Wilson brought the second and third families into the county. Other claims were occupied during the spring by H. F. Crossman, Burke Fairchild, William Billings, William May, E. B. Harner, a person by the name of Hunter and another named Parks, with his family. In the course of the spring, also, Berry Haney moved in with his family and occupied his claim. His son, Charles B. Haney. was bom here November 30, 1839. he being the first white child born in the county. The 4th of July was this year celebrated at the site of Prairie du Sac, by twenty-five persons, among whom were foui females — Mrs. Alban, Mrs. Skinner. .Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Haney. Jonathan Hatch. Cyrus Leland and George Cargel. with families, became residents of the prairie during the summer. The German settlement at Sauk Prairie, was founded in 1840, by Count Augustine Har- aszthy, and his cousin, Charles Halasz, who set out from Hamburg, in March, 1840 panied by a considerable number of German and Hungarian followers. They found the most 330 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. desirable portion of the prairie occupied by the Americans, but here they decided to establish themselves. The Count bargained with Fairchild for a portion of his claim, thirty rods in width upon the river, and extending a mile into the interior, for the sum of $400. He then made a trip to Milwaukee for supplies. While visiting Milwaukee again in the fall, he made the acquaintance of an Englishman of rank and wealth, by name of Robert Bryant. A partnership was formed between them, and together they purchased Haney's claim. Upon this tract of land, in the summer of 1841, they laid out a village, which was at first named Haraszthy, subsequently Westfield, and still later, Sauk City. In the fall of 1840, Edmund Rendtorft', a prominent citizen of German birth, became a resident of Sauk City. The village of Prairie du Sac was laid out by David B. Crocker, Calvin Frink and John La Mesuere, in 1840, two miles above Sauk City. This village was settled chiefly by Americans, and when Crocker came here, in 1839, he brought with him a stock of goods, and opened here the first store in the county. The location of these two villages so near together engendered a spirit of rivalry, which was maintained for many years. The first saw-mill in the county was erected by Robert Bryant, on the site of the present Sauk City Mills, on Honey Creek, in 1842. William H. Clark, the first lawyer in the county, took- up his residence at Sauk City in the spring of 1842. The first physician was Dr- J. B. Woodruff, who located at Prairie du Sac in 1843. Rev. John Cramer, an itinerant Methodist minister, preached the first sermon in the county, at the house of Henry Teel, in May, 1840. The first wedding ceremony occurred at the same place, August 15, 1841, in the union of the Rev. James G. Whitford and Mrs. Sarah Sayles, a widowed daughter of Mr. Teel. In January, 1841, a Presbyterian society of nine members was organized at Prairie du Sac, by Rev. S. Chafee, and about the same time a Methodist class was formed at Teel's house by Rev. James G. Whitford. John Wilson, who has already been mentioned, came with his family from Helena. Iowa County, and located by the creek which bears his name, near the line between the present towns of Troy and Spring Green. A little later, a man by the name of Turner located still further down the Wisconsin River Valley, near the site of Spring Green Village. They were the pioneer settlers in this portion of the county. From Sauk Prairie the settlement of the county extended in radiating lines up the laby- rinthian valleys of the Honey Creek region, and over the hills into the broad basin of the Baraboo River. In the summer of 1839, Alban, while reconnoitering the highlands north of Sauk Prairie, came suddenly upon a singular miniature lake, cradled far below his feet between preci- pices, against whose wild, towering rocks tall, clinging pines appeared like mere dwarfs. The opening through its lofty barriers upon the north side disclosed to Alban a, glimpse of the Baraboo Valley. While at Madison, soon afterward, he related what he had seen to Eben Peck, at whose suggestion the two immediately set out to explore the country. Arriving near the present site of Baraboo Village, they found upon the north side of the river, near the lower part of the rapids, the village and corn-fields of the Winnebago Chief, Caliminee. Here Peck- proceeded to mark out a claim, including the fine water-power at the lower ox-bow or great bend of the stream, at which the Indians manifested strong displeasure, and obliged the intruders to re-cross the river. In the fall, Peck visited his claim, accompanied by his wife, Roseline, on horseback, and while here they met Abraham Wood and Wallace Rowan coming up the valley from Fort Winnebago, who immediately laid claim to the water-power at the upper great bend of the river, in the western outskirts of the Baraboo Village. There was a second Indian vil- lage at the time near Wood and Rowan's claim, at the site of the village of Lyons ; but there were no longer any hostile demonstrations from their occupants. Wood was living with a Winne- bago woman, said to be a daughter of the chief, Dekaury, and remained during the winter, making preparations to build a dam and saw-mill; their mill was completed during the winter of 1841-42. About a month later. James Van Slyke came to the Rapids, concluded to "jump" Peck's claim, and likewise engaged during the winter in constructing a dam. He enlisted in his HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 061 enterprise James A. Maxwell, of Walworth County, who furnished teams, provisions, mill-irons and means to pay the men. Thus equipped, Van Slyke, early in the spring of 1840, com- menced vigorously prosecuting the work. In the month of June, however, high water carried away the greater portion of his dam, Meanwhile, Peck had commenced proceedings in court at Madison to maintain his right to the claim, resulting in a decision in h is favor. Van Slyke. thus doubly discouraged, sold his mill-irons to Wood and Rowan, returned Maxwell the remainder of his outfit, and abandoned his undertaking for the time being. In tl arly part of the fall of 1840, Peck moved on with hisfamily, but for want of means never undertook to improve the water-power. Joseph H. Finley was the first man to ascend further up the Baraboo Valley and select a location. He began opening a farm in L839, about six miles above the Rapids, within the present town of Excelsior, near the village of the Winnebago Chief, Dandy. Though the Indians were in general hostile to such intrusion. Finley was not molested. They were removed out of the country by United States troops early in 1840; and in March of that year, the site of their village was claimed by .lames Christie, a Scotchman, who became a prominent and much respected citizen. He removed from the county in 1852. When he came, two lodges were all that remained of the deserted Indian village, one of which he occupied as a dwelling for his family until a better could be constructed. It was several years from that time before this part of the county began to be rapidly settled. Prominent among the early settlers of Excelsior were A. W. Stark, a descendant of Gen. Stark, of Revolutionary fame, who came to the town in 1850, and S. A'. R. Ableman, now deceased, who came in ISIS, and after whom the village of Ableman was named. In the fall of 1844, Don Carlos Barry, who then resided at the Rapids, in inspecting the country farther up the valley, discovored a lode of copper in Section 1 of the present town of Reedsburg. He occupied the place the following spring, and, with the assistance of two miners from the lead region, proceeded to test the value of his discovery. It was quickly exhausted however, yielding only about two tons of ore. In May. 1845, James W. Babb settled upon the prairie which bears his name, just west of the site of Reedsburg. He erected a hewn-log house, and in the fall, leaving his house and chattels in charge of some Indians, returned to bis family in Ohio. His son, John Babb, and family, accompanied him hither the following spring. His own family and a son-in-law, Stern Baker, joined him in 1*47. The settlement of the county extended up Wisconsin River to the northeast part of the county in 1841. In the spring of that year, John Mead, J. B. McNeil and Samuel Bradley located at or near the mouth of Dell Creek, where the village of Newport was laid out. In 1852, Edward Norris and a man by the name of Marshall built here a saw-mill and laid out the village. It had a rapid growth; nearly a dozen large stores were erected and heavily stocked ; in 1854, lots were held as high as a $1,000 apiece; and it is said that in 1856 the place numbered nearly one thousand inhabitants. The La Crosse line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was to have crossed the river at this point, but th# crossing was afterward located where Kilbourn City now stands; consequently, Mr. Norris and eight or ten other families are all that remain of that once flourishing village. In 1841, the Dell House was built in this section of the county by Robert Allen, a bachelor ; it was first occupied by J. B. McEwen and family. The present site of the village of Delton was selected, in an early day, by Edward Norris. In 1847, he associated with himself Jared Fox and Henry Topping, and commenced the erection of a fine flouring-mill, which was completed in 1849. During the latter year, Fox & Topping brought here a large stock of goods for sale, and, the following year, erected a fine block of stores. Immigration, following close upon the steps of the pioneers, spread rapidly over the adjacent country, and, in a brief time, every township in the county received a thrifty and enterprising population. COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1844 TO 1880. At an election held at the house of Samuel Shaw, in Sauk Prairie Precinct, in the county of Sauk and Territory of Wisconsin, on the 11th day of March, 1844, the following-named 66-Z HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. persons received the number of votes set opposite their respective names for the following- described offices : For Sheriff', Joshua E. Abbott received 39 votes, and Burke Fairchild, 1 vote ; for County Commissioners, John Hoover, 43 votes, Levi Moore, 44 votes, William G. Simons. 46 votes, Arba M. Seymour, 1 vote, Thomas B. Cowles, 1 vote ; for Clerk of the Board of Commissioners, Burke Fairchild, 38 votes, and William Eikey, 1 vote; for Register of Deeds. Eben M. Hart, 4(5 votes, and Samuel Riggs, 1 vote; for Treasurer, Nathan Kellogg, 38 votes, and William Eikey, 1 vote; for District Surveyor, William H. Canfield, 44 votes: for Coroner, John C. Kellogg, 44 votes, and H. P. Kelsey, 1 vote ; for Collector, James I. Waterbury, 46 votes; for School Commissioners, Cyrus Leland, 4(3 votes, AY. H. Canfield, 45 votes, and A. M. Seymour. 43 votes: for Assessors. Harris Searle, 45 votes, Jonathan Hatch, 46 votes, Luther C. Pock. 13 votes, George Williams, 2 votes, A. M. Seymour, 1 vote ; for Justices of the Peace, Cyrus Leland, 43 votes, Prescott Brigham, 43 votes, Alvin Crane. 24 votes, Burke Fairchild. 1 vote. A. M. Seymour, 1 vote, and Daniel B. Crocker, 1 vote; for Constable, John B. Skin- ner. 38 votes, A. M. Seymour, 1 vote, Samuel Kelsey, 1 vote, and John Hoover, 1 vote; for Judge of Probate, Prescott Brigham, 14 votes, and Samuel Kelsey, 1 vote. The Judges of Election on this occasion were Lyman Crossman, Prescott Brigham and Daniel R. Baxter ; Clerks, George H. Howard and Henry Wagner. There wee 47 votes cast in all. On the 23d of September. 1S44. a second election took place for county officers, resulting as follows : Sheriff', John B. Woodruff; County Commissioners, Prescott Brigham, John Rus- sell and Levi Moore; School Commissioners, Wallace Rowan. Don C. Barry and Abram Crane ; Assessors, Jonathan Hatch. Abraham Wood and Harris Searls ; Collector, James J. Waterbury : Register of Deeds, E. M. Hart: Treasurer, Charles 0. Baxter; County Surveyor, W. H. Canfield; Clerk of the Board. Andrew Garrison ; Judge of Probate, Lorrin Cowles ; Coroner, Thomas L. Clarke; Road Supervisors, Isaac Gibbs. McC. Thacker and Adam Dunlap. These officers entered upon the discharge of their duties on the 1st of January, 1845. At an election held September 22, 1845, the following officers were chosen: County Commissioners, Alexander Crawford, Prescott Brigham and John Russell; Clerk of Board, Edmund Rendtoff; Register of Deeds, Prescott Brigham; School Commissioners, Jonathan Hatch, Albert Jameson and Harvey Canfield; Assessors. .John Gallard, Isaac Gibbs and Valen- cia Hill; Collector, Harris Searle; Coroner, Richard (.'lark: Surveyor. Charles <>. Baxter; Treasurer, Charles 0. Baxter. 1846 — Sheriff, II. F. Crossman; Register, Prescott Brigham ; Treasurer, Curtis Bates : Commissioners, James Christie, A. Jameson and Egbert Cary ; Clerk, R. II. Davis; Judge of Probate, George Cargel ; Collector. James II. Haines: Coroner, Lewis Benson: Surveyor. Charles O. Baxter; Assessors. Edward Cadwell, .1. B. Crawford and Francis Webster ; School Commissioners, II. Canfield, Hiram Bailey and William II. Hibbard. 1847 — County Commissioners. Jabish T. Clement. .lames Christie and Curtis Bates; Clerk, I.'. II. Davis; Register. Prescott Brigham; Treasurer, .lames Maxwell; Collector, Charles Halasz; Coroner, Andrew Hodgett; School Commissioners, John II. Shearer, Cyrus Leland and Silas Remington ; Assessors, .1. II. Haines. Uriah Kendall. Cyrus Hill and J. B. At this election a voie was taken upon two important subjects — the new constitution and negro suffrage. There wen- 111 votes cast in the countj for the ratification of the (first constitution, and 157 for its rejection. There were fifty-eight voters who east their ballots in favor of giving the colored man equal rights, while 143 i'yc^ and unfettered American citizens exercised their privilege against the proposition. 1848— Sheriff, William Dunlop; Treasurer, Harvey Canfield: Commissioners, Charles Kearns, Charles Halasz and Jacob Slentz; Clerk. U. II. Davis; Judge of Probate, William II. Clark: Clerk of Circuil Court, Boswell li. Clement; Register, E. P. Spencer: District Attorney. C. C. Remington; Surveyor, Charles (.). Baxter; Coroner. Philip Slaymates ; School Commissioners, Harvey Canfield, A. Haraszthy and J. B. Crawford. There were 245 votes cast for and twelve against the new constitution. The vote for President and Vice President was as follows: Van Buren and Adams, 159; Cass and Butler. 158; Taylor and Fillmore, 149. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 3:33 [849 — The county having been divided into six townships, elections were held on the 3d of April in ouch for the purpose of choosing town officers — three Supervisors, a Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, etc. — the Chairman of the Town Board being a sitting member of the County Board. The following persons composed the County Board, which met for the first time in special ses- sion on the 13th of August : James Christie, John B. Crawford, James Cass, James J. Water- bury, Nathaniel Perkins and David C. Reid. On the 13th of November, an election took place for county officers, resulting in the choice of Alexander Ostrander for District Attorney, Charles Halasz for Treasurer, George Cargel for Clerk of the Board and W. H. Canfield for Surveyor. At this election, twenty-six votes were cast for and eighty-one against " equal suffrage for col- ored persons." 1850 — Board of Supervisors (elected in April) — Lewis Butterfield, Ebenezer Martin, Joseph Davis, Harvey Hurlbut, Diah Remington, * Lyman Clarke (Chairman), Calvin Danforth, and Leonard Thompson. County officers (elected in November) — Sheriff, David F. Baxter ; Register, E. P. Spencer; Clerk of the Board. James T. Moseley ; Clerk of the Court, Boswell R. Clement ; District Attorney, Alexander Ostrander ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Coroner, John Marshall. 1851 — Board of Supervisors (elected in April) — James B. Avery (Chairman), William Huntington, James Christie, Solomon Soule, G. F. Albertus, Samuel Shaw, Diah Remington, Joseph Lester, John H. Rork and Daniel B. Young. County Treasurer, Richard H. Davis. 1852— Supervisors (chosen in April) — Bela Warner, Patrick Hickey, James Heany, Sol- omon Soule, James Waddle, Henry Myres, Ransom E. Stone, Chauncey B. Strong, Reuben Thornton. John Marshall, Joseph Lester, John H. Rork and John Wilson. County officers (chosen in September) — Sheriff, Daniel W. Wheeler; Treasurer, Curtis Bates; Clerk of the Board, James S. Moseley; Register, Edward P. Spencer; Clerk of the Court, George Mor- tens ; District Attorney, J. B. Quimby ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Coroner, Royal C. Gould. At this election, there were 1,013 votes cast for and 150 against the business of banking. L 853— Supervisors (chosen in April) — R. H. Davis, Lemuel Thompson, Putney Fuller. Diah Remington, Samuel Northrop, Ebenezer Martin (Chairman), E. G. Wheeler, Ezra Greg- ory, A. H. Brownell, J. I. Waterbury, G. F. Albertus, Alexander Stewart and Joseph Lester. l s '"4 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Charles Armstrong, Caleb Cook, Ebenezer Martin, Putnam Fuller, Isaac Palmer, G. F. Albertus, John Dennett, A. H. Brownell, Solomon Brown, Charles 0. Baxter, E. G. Wheeler, Alex. Stewart, Ezra Gregory. County officers (chosen in November: — Sheriff, Ebenezer Martin; Treasurer, G. F. Albertus; Clerk of the Board, J. S, Moseley : Register, Edward P. Spencer ; Clerk of the Court, John Bear ; District Attorney, J. B. Quimby; Surveyor, G. Stevens; Coroner, Charles Halasz. 1855 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — James A. Maxwell, Samuel Northrup, Harvey Lippitt, P. Chapman, Nathaniel Mitchell, Lemuel Thompson. William Benham, John Dennett, A. II. Brownell, S. W. Hovey, E. B. King, J. B. Woodruff, John II. Rork. Evan Evans. Ezra Gregory and James A. Thompson. 1856 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — C. C. Remington. W. F. Longley, C. Christie, Ben- jamin Teel, John Bear, H. Bailey, J. F. Grone, Eli Denis. P. Fuller, M. G. Todd, S. Brown, Charles Halasz, J. S. Strong. 0. Thomas, B. Gregory, J. K. Thompson and D. H. Borland. County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff, John E. Donavan ; Treasurer, Henry Ochsner; Register, James M. Clark ; Clerk of Hoard. E. W. Olinf ; Clerk of Court, G. Mertens ; Sur- veyor, Josiah Dart ; District Attorney. N. W. Wheeler ; Coroner, E. P. Newell. 1857 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — E. Martin. S. Northrup, P. Chapman, Matthew Hill, N. Mitchell, H. Bailey, J. I. Waterbury, II. S. Archer. M. G. Todd. S. Brown, C. 0. Baxter, H. W. Andrews, E. Evans, N. Wheeler. II. Pelton. W. L. Clemons, F. Lickam and S. N. Kinsley. * Su. ,,'. ,1. .1 l.y ''yru- L>'l:tml in Nuv.-i ' ' ...n.i. 334 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 1858 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — E. Martin, M. Temple, J. Monroe, J. S. Tripp, John Bear, G. Nippert, W. Palmer, C. H. Rice, A. W. Starks, J. Cottington, C. Root, J. G. Blakeslee, Alexander Stewart, N. Wheeler, R. E. Stone, E. Evans, A. R. McCoy, P. Chap- man, A. B. Bradley and H. W. Andrews. County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff, Ebenezer Martin ; Register, James M. Clark; Treasurer, Thomas D. Lang; District Attorney, Smith S. Wilkinson ; Clerk of Board, J. J. Gattiker : Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart ; Sur- veyor, E. Norris ; Coroner, B. W. Strong. 1 859 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Hiram Cook, J. G. Blakeslee, George Hufnail, S. J. Seymour, Marsena Temple, P. Chapman, Otis Ryder, H. W. Andrews, John Monroe, Charles Armstrong, A. R. McCoy, William Palmer, D. H. Boland, J. G. Train, R. E. Stone, Henry Ochsner, Eli Jones, D. D. Thompson, J. S. Tripp, H. McKenna, Alexander Stewart and < '. W. Hayes. I860 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Evan Evans, James A. Taylor, C. 0. Baxter, G. C. Bancroft, Eli Jones, George Nippert, R. E. Stone, N. Furst, D. H. Boland, William Palmer, James C. Lamb, D. K. Noyes, John Monroe, William All, Elijah Gleason. E. C. Watson, J. W. Luce, Hiram Cook, J. G. Blakeslee, George Hufnail, S. J. Seymour and Marsena Temple. County officers (chosen in November) — -Sheriff, R. M. Strong ; Register, Charles Armstrong ; Treasurer, T. D. Lang ; District Attorney, N. W. Wheeler : Clerk of Board, J. J. Gattiker ; Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart ; Surveyor, D. Woodward ; Coroner, N. Peck. 1861 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Edward Sumner, J. D. Dewey, S. J. Seymour, William C. Cody. P. Chapman, J. B. Carpenter, A. R. McCoy, L. Thompson, G. F. Albertus, W. W. All, 0. S. Knapp, W. P. Cobb, Norman Wood, M. Temple, J. S. Tripp, Austin Seeley, W. '. — Beginning on the section line between 34 and 35, Town 10, running west to the bounds of the county line ; thence north along the county line three miles into Town 11 ; thence east on said line to the corner of District No. 2; thence south to the place of beginning. Will- iam Johnson was appointed Road Supervisor. District No. .{.. — Beginning half a mile east of the northeast corner of District No. 3. run- ning due north alcng said line until it strikes the county line; thence east to the county line ; thence south until it strikes District No. 2 ; thence west to the place of beginning. Chester P. Matson was appointed Road Supervisor. District No. ',. — Beginning half a mile east of the northwest corner of District No. 2, run- ning north to the county line; thence west to the county line; thence due south to the north- west corner of District No. 3 ; thence east to the place of beginning. McCager Thacker was appointed Road Supervisor. It was then ordered that Sauk Prairie Election Precinct consist of Road Districts No. 1, 2 and 3. and that the judges thereof be John Hoover, John Mann and W. II. Hubbard, elections to be held at the house of Joshua E. Abbott, Prairie du Sac; that Baraboo Election Precinct com- prise Districts 4 and 5, elections to be held at the house of James Webster, Baraboo; judges. Abraham Wood, Luther Peck and Orin Hudson. Jonathan Hatch was appointed Assessor for District No. 1, Harris Searle, for Districts 2 and 3, and Luther Peck for Districts 4 and 5. The first county order was issued in favor of Charles Hart for 827, being in payment for services in " locating the county seat." Noah Phelps and John Morrison were allowed 842 and 821 respectively for similar services. The Clerk of the Board was directed to procure a seal, from Milwaukee or elsewhere, for the use of the Board of County Commissioners, " the design of which shall be an engraving of a breaking-team, with one or more yoke of oxen and plow in the foreground, with the words sur- rounding the margin ' Seal of the Board of <_~'<>un/j/ Cnnuiiissioncrs. .Sunk County, Wisconsin Territory.' " Upon the introduction of the Board of Supervisors system in 1849, the county seal was remodeled. It is now the exact size of one of the "dollars of our daddies," the design sheaf of wheat, a plow and a grain rake, the whole being surrounded by the words '• Board of Supervisors of Sauk Count//. Wisconsin." Lyman Grossman, Cyrus Leland and Daniel B. Crocker, as principals, and John L. Mess- imer, Arba M. Seymour. William H. Hubbard and Joshua E. Abbott, as sureties, having entered into a. bond with the County Commissioners to erect and build a good and substantial frame building. 20x30 feet, two stories high, in form suitable for a court house, were requested to place the said building on the public square of the county seat. At a subsequent meeting, it was ordered that "a gaol be erected and built, to be paid out of the funds of the county from the sale of town lots, or the same to be given in exchange at a fair valuation." It was provided that the building should be completed by the 1st of the fol- lowing December, but at a later meeting the order was rescinded. At the July meeting of the board, the Clerk was directed to issue county orders to the three County Commissioners, for services rendered as such, at the rate of 7.~> cents per day, which amounted in the aggregate to $18. P. C. Hale was allowed $85 for books for county purposi 5, and S. F. Blanchard 811 for transportation of the same from Milwaukee. Arba M. Seymour 338 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. was authorized to make, for the use of the Register of Deeds and the Clerk of County Commis- sioners, two pine tables three and a half feet wide and four and a half feet long, " to be stained with Venetian red, one large drawer in each." On the 26th of August, the board discovered that the time had arrived for the appointment of a District Attorney. William H. Clark was honored with the choice of the board, and was directed to " enter upon the duties of said office at the present term of the District Court." On the 30th of September, the Clerk, under instructions of the board, reported on the tax- able property of the county, as follows : Assessed value of farming lands, with all the improve- ments thereon, $38,736 ; assessed value of town lots, with improvements, in the village of Prairie du Sac, $4,675 ; assessed value of merchandise and personal property in the county, $14,496. Upon the total amount ($57,907) a tax of nine mills on the dollar was levied. DIVIDING THE TOWNS. The territory now included in Sauk County once composed a single election precinct, as has been shown, and that it was afterward organized into five road districts, or two election pre- cincts. A third election precinct was created April 5, 1848, called Bluff Precinct, bounded as fol- lows : Beginning at the town line between Towns 10 and 11, running south two miles; thence commencing at the county line and running west to the west line of Towns 10 and 11 ; thence north five miles; thence east to the easterly line of Sank County, agreeable to the petition signed by thirty-five electors in said county ; A. Jameson, George Jeele and John Hoover, Jr., being appointed Judges of Election. It was also ordered " that the county of Adams shall be an election precinct called the County of Adams Precinct, J. H. Finlay, Andrew Dunn and — Baird to be Judges of Election." On the 10th of January, 1849, Sauk County was divided, by order of the County Com- missioners, into six towns — Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac. Kingston, Eagle, Brooklyn and Baraboo. the boundaries being as follows : Honey Creek. — Commencing on the Wisconsin River, on the town line between Ranges 5 and 6 ; running thence north to the northeast corner of Town 9. Range 5 ; thence west on the town line four miles ; thence north on the section line, six miles to the town line ; thence west on the town line to the western boundary of the county ; thence south on said boundary line to the Wisconsin River ; thence up said river to the place of beginning ; the whole being the terri- tory now embraced in the towns of Spring Green, Bear Creek, Franklin, Troy and the four western tiers of sections (the west half) of the town of Honey Creek. The house of Jonathan W. Harris was designated as the place for holding the first election, which took place on the 3d of April, 1849, with the annexed result : Supervisors, James Cass (Chairman), Dewitt Houghton and Joseph Davis ; Clerk, H. B. Stames ; Treasurer, J. A. Taylor ; Assessor, Henry Keifer ; Superintendent of Schools, J. N. Cassel. Prairie and 1 1. Range 5 : thence east on the town line four miles; thence south on the town line, between Ranges 5 and 6, four miles; thence east on the section line to the Wisconsin River; thence along said river to the place of beginning ; the whole being the territory now embraced in the town of Prairie du Sac and the four eastern tiers of sections (the east half) of the town of Honey Creek. It was stipulated that the election should be held at the schoolhouse in the upper town. That event occurred on the 3d of April, 1849, with the following result: Supervisors, Nathaniel Perkins (Chairman), Samuel Kelsey and Charles Halasz ; Clerk, Cyrus Leland ; Assessor, Archibald Hill ; Treasurer, P. B. Staymates ; School Superintendent, J. B. Woodruff. Kingston. — Commencing on the Wisconsin River on the section line between Sections 24 and 2">, Town 10, Range 6; running thence west on said section line to the town line be HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 339 Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north seven miles on the town line; thence east on the section line twelve miles to the eastern boundary of the county ; thence south on said boundary line to the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning, embracing what is now the towns of Merrimack and Sumter, and Sections 19 and 20 of the town of Freedom, and Sections 23 and 24 of the town of Baraboo. The first election was held at the house of John Hoover, resulting in the choice of J. I. Waterbury (Chairman), Samuel Shaw and Isaac Gibbs for Supervisors ; Prescott Brigham for Town Clerk ; S. Mather for Assessor ; Cyrus Hull and David Randall (both receiving 34 votes), for Treasurer ; R. E. Stone for School Superin- tendent, and James Moreland for Sealer of Weights and Measures. Eagle. — Commencing at the southeast corner of Town 11, Range 5; running thence wesl on the town line to the western boundary of the county ; thence north on said boundarv nine miles ; thence east on a section line through the center of Town 12, eighteen miles ; thence south between Ranges 5 and 6, nine miles to the place of beginning — comprising an area of territory now embraced in the towns of Washington, Westfield and Freedom (except Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, and 18, Town 11, Range 6), and the south half of the towns of Ironton, Reeds- burg and Excelsior. The first election in the town of Eagle was held April 3, 1849, with the following result: Supervisors, James Chrystie (Chairman), J. W. Henthom and Reuben Ward: Clerk, L. B. Swallow ; Treasurer, Hiram Hubbard ; School Superintendent, Josiah Hunter ; Assessor, George Randall. Brooklyn. — Commencing on the eastern boundary of the county on a section line between Sections 13 and 24, Town 11 ; thence west on said section line twelve miles to the town line between Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north on said town line to the northern boundary of the county ; thence east on said boundary to the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the eastern line of the county ; thence south on said boundary to the place of beginning — embracing what are now the towns of Baraboo (except Sections 23 and 24), Greenfield, Fairfield and Delton, and Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18 of the town of Freedom. The village of Baraboo is indicated upon the plat of the town of Brooklyn as " Adams," then the county seat, and it was ordered by the Commissioners that the first election in the town of Brooklyn be held at the court house, and it was so held April 3, 1849, resulting in the choice of John B. Crawford (Chairman i, Sol,, mon Soule and Lyman Clark, for Supervisors; D. K. Noyes, Town Clerk; William Griffiths, Treasurer ; A. A. Noyes, Assessor, and Harvey Canfield, School Superintendent. Baraboo. — Commencing on the town (12) line between Ranges 5 and (J ; thence running west on the section line between Sections 13 and 24, Town 12, to the western boundary of the county ; thence north to the northern boundary of the county ; thence east on the north boundary eighteen miles, between Ranges 5 and G ; thence south nine miles to the place of beginning — comprising the present towns of Lavalle, Winfield and Dellona, and the north half of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. The house of D. C. Reed was designated as the place for holding the first elec- tion, which occurred April 3, 1849, resulting as follows: Supervisors — D. C. Reed (Chairman), William Adams and Lewis Butterfield ; Clerk, William McClung ; Assessor, Don Carlos Barry ; School Superintendent, Patrick Hickey ; Treasurer, Thompson Shepard. At the same sitting of the board, it was further ordered that " the county of Adams, now attached to Sauk County for judicial purposes, be- a town called Lemonweir. On the 8th of January, 1850, a new town, called New Buffalo, was created out of territory somewhat vaguely described as follows: "Town 13, Range 6, as far north as the petition calls for; no further east, nor west, than the range line, and commencing at the southeast corner of Town 13, Range G ; thence one mile west and three miles south ; thence west to the range lines between Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north to the northwest corner of Town 13, Range G ; thence west and north to the limits of Sauk County." At the same sitting of the board, the town of Flora was created. Its boundaries were as follows : Commencing on the Wisconsin River on the county line ; thence south on said line to the southeast corner of Section 24, Town 12, Range 7 ; thence west on the section line seven miles : thence north to the line between Towns 12 and 13 ; thence east one mile : thence north 340 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. to the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning, including what is now the town of Fairfield, with the exception of Sections 2, 11 and 14. Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 were also set off from the town of Brooklyn, and added to the town of Eagle. In November, 1850, the remainder of Town 10, Range 5, was added to the town of Honey Creek, in accordance with the prayer of residents therein, and, at the same sitting of the board, the town of Honey Creek was divided, and the town of Spring Green created, the latter being set off as follows : "Commencing two miles north of the south line of Town 9, running thence west to the west line of the county, and all that part of said town lying south of said line shall be a town called Spring Green." Out of the town of Baraboo was also created the town of Dellona, by setting off all the north half of Town 12, Range 5, and the whole of Town 13, Range 5. On the 11th of December, 1850, acting upon the petition of interested residents, the board, by a vote of five ayes to three noes, agreed to the formation of a new town out of parts of Bar- aboo and Eagle, to be known as the town of Reedsburg. On the same date, an alteration of the boundaries of the town of Brooklyn was authorized, the town of Eagle being wiped out, and the town of Freedom created. In August, 1851, it was ordered by the board that '• all that portion of the tract of country lying north of the north line of Town 13, Range 6. be embraced in a new town, to be called Lemonweir." During the same session of the board, it was ordered that Town 13, Range 2 (now the Town of Woodland), be annexed to the Town of Reedsburg. Also, that a new town to be called Marston be organized out of the territory embraced in Town 12, Range 3, Town 13. Ranges 2 and 3. and Town 11, Range 3. Section 36, Town 13, Range 6, was taken from the Town of Flora and annexed to the Town of New Buffalo. In December. 1851, the Town of Dells was organized out of territory embraced as follows : Smith half of Town 15, Range 5, and Town 14, Range 5 ; also Sections 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, Town 14, Range 6. The boundaries of the town of Lemonweir were changed so as to comprise Town 14, Ranges 2, 3 and 4, and the south half of Town 15, Ranges 2, 3 ami 4. In September, 1852, in accordance with the prayer of the citizens of Brooklyn, the town of Greenfield was organized, composed of territory described in the Supervisor's journal as follows : " All that portion lying east of the range line between Ranges 6 and 7, the west line of which to be the line above mentioned." At the same session of the board, all that tract of country lying upon the east side of the Wisconsin River, consisting of Town 14, Ranges 6 and 7, and Town 15, Ranges 5, '» and 7 (now Juneau County), were organized into a town called Jackson. Also, Towns lti and 1 7. Ranges 4 and 5 (now Juneau County), were set off as a new town called Quincy. The northeast boundary line of the town of Dells was altered so as to make the main channel of the Wisconsin River its northeastern boundary, and the order of December, 1851, organizing the boundaries of the town of Lemonweir, was rescinded. It was also ordered that all of that portion of Adams County lying upon the cast side of the Wisconsin River and not being within the town of Quincy, be attached to the town of Jackson ; and all that portion of the same county lying west of the Wisconsin River, including Town 18, Range 4, be attached to the town of Quincj . In November. 1852, Town 13, Range 4, was set off as a new town called Winfield. The name of the town of Dells was also changed to that of Kildare. Sections 19 and 20, Town 11, Range 0. were attached to the town of Freedom. One of the most animated scones in the history of the board occurred at this session over a proposition to divide the town of Prairie du Sac. \ rote was taken by towns, on a motion to postpone action on the petition, resulting in eight noes and five ayes. The vote on the question of division stood the same. In December. 1852, Sections 2, 11 and 14, Town 12, Range (then belonging to the town of New Buffalo), were annexed to the town of Flora. The order providing for the divi- sion of the town of Prairie du Sac was also taken up, and a vote to reconsider was carried. A HISTOET OF SAUK COUNTY. 311 subsequent motion to rescind the order was voted down — ayes, five, noes, eight. A petition from citizens of the " Lemonweir " for a new town, to be called Hillsdale, was granted. The terri- tory now in Sauk County, then included in the town of Hillsdale, was that comprised in the north half of the towns of Lavalle and Woodland. The greater portion of the town, however, lay in the present county of Juneau. It was at this session of the board that the name of the town of Brooklyn was changed to Baraboo, and the southern division of the town of Prairie du Sac was christened Lower Prairie du Sac. In December, 1853, the name of the town of Flora was changed to Fairfield. In November, 1854, the town of Reedsburg was divided, and the new town thus created was called Westfield. It was also the wisdom of the board that the town of Kingston be like- wise severed, ami the name of .Merrimack given to the new town. The action of the board in this regard was prompted by the result of the elections previously held in the towns of Reeds- burg and Kingston, at which the citizens voted in favor of a division. It was during this session of the board that the town of Honey Creek was divided, and the town of Franklin created. In December, 1855, so much of the town of Marston as was then included in Town 11, Range '■'>. and Sections 25 to 36, inclusive, in Town 12, Range 3, was organized into a new town, called Washington. In January, 1857, Town 13, Range 2, was set off from the town of Marston, the new town being called Woodland. In December of the same year, the town of Troy was organized out of the towns of Honey Creek and Spring Green. The organization of the town of Excel- sior bears the same date, it having been formed out of the towns of Dellona and Freedom. The territory of the town of Freedom was further abridged, about this time, by Sections 19, 20. 2'.', 30, 31 and 32 being attached to the town of Baraboo. In September, 1858, the town of Bear Creek was created out of the town of Franklin. In November, 1859, the towns of Marston and Washington were divided, by setting off from the former all that part lying south of the town line between Towns 12 and 13, and from the latter all that part lying north of Towns 11 and 12. Out of the portions thus set off, the town of Ironton was created. In November, 1861, the name of the town of Kingston was changed to Sumter, and the town of Marston was also changed to Lavalle. There have been other slight changes from time to time in the boundaries of towns. No new towns have been created, however, and for the past twenty years the number of towns in the county (twenty-two) has not been increased or decreased TERRITORIAL, STATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION. The First Legislative Assembly under the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, convened at Belmont, La Fayette County, in October, 1836. The counties of Brown, Crawford, Iowa and Milwaukee, then embraced the whole territory of what now constitutes Wisconsin. Until 1840, Sauk County was a part of Crawford, and was so represented in the Territorial Legislature, at the first session of which James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam sat as Representatives. Thomas P. Burnett claimed a seat in the Council, but was rejected by that body, as the appoint- ment of members belonged exclusively to the Executive of the Territory. At the second session (1837—38), the Representatives were Ira B. Brunson and Jean Bru- net ; no member of Council. The first session of the Second Legislative Assembly convened at Madison November 26, 1838, and adjourned December 22. Council, George Wilson ; Representative, Alexander Mc- Gregor. Second Session (1839) — Council, George Wilson; Representatives, A. McGregor and Ira B. Brunson. Third Session (1839-40) — Council, Joseph Brisbois ; Representatives, Messrs. McG and Brunson. 342 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Fourth (extra) Session, 1340 — Council, Charles J. Learned ; Representatives, Messrs. Mc- Gregor and Brunson. First Session, Third Legislative Assembly. 1840-41 — Council, C. J. Learned ; Represent- atives, Alfred Brunson and Joseph R. Brown. Second Session, 1841-42 [Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson and Sauk] — Council, Ebenezer Brigham ; Representatives, Lucius I. Barber and James Sutherland. First Session, Fourth Legislative Assembly, 1842-43 — Council, Lucius I. Barber; Repre- sentatives, Isaac H. Palmer, Lyman Crossman and Robert Masters. Second Session, 1843-44 — Same as previous session. Third Session, 1845 — Council, John Catlin ; Representatives, Charles S. Bristol, Noah Phelps and George H. Slaughter. Fourth Session, 1846 — Council, John Catlin ; Representatives, Mark R. Clapp, William M. Dennis and Noah Phelps. First Session, Fifth Legislative Assembly, 1847 [Dane, Green and Sauk] — Council, Alex- ander L. Collins ; Representatives, Charles Lum, W. A. Wheeler and John W. Stewart. Second Session, 1848 — Council, A. L. Collins ; Representatives, E. T. Gardner, John W. Stewart and Alexander Botkin. Constitutional Conventii ins. The first Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison October 5, 1846, and adjourned December 16, having framed a constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on the first Tuesday in April, 1847, and the same was rejected. Sauk County was represented in the convention by W. H. Clark. The second convention met also at Madison December 15, 1847, and adjourned February 1, 1848, having framed a constitution which was ratified by the people in March following. It does not appear of record that Sauk County was represented in the second convention. State Government. The First Session of the State Legislature convened at Madison June 5, 1848, and adjourned August 21. Sauk County, together with Columbia, Marquette and Portage, was represented in the Senate by Henry Merrell, of Fort Winnebago, who was chosen for two years. These counties comprised the Second Senatorial District. Delando Pratt represented the county in the Assembly. Second Session, 1849 — Assembly, Cyrus Leland, of Sauk City. Third Session, 1850 — Senate, G. De G. Moore, Prairie du Sac; Assembly, Caleb Cros- well, Baraboo. Fourth Session, 1851 — Assembly, Nathaniel Perkins, Sauk City. Fifth Session, 1852 — Senate, James S. Alban, Plover ; Assembly, Jonathan W. Fyffe, Prairie du Sac. Sixth Session, 1853 — Senate (Twenty-third District created), David S. Vittum, Baraboo; Assembly (Adams and Sauk), Charles Armstrong, Baraboo. Seventh Session, 1854 — Assembly, Cyrus C. Remington, Baraboo. Eighth Session, 1855 — Senate, Edwin B. Kelsey, Montello; Assembly, R. H. Davis, Bar- aboo. Ninth Session, 1856 — Assembly, D. K. Noyes, Baraboo. Tenth Session, 1857 — Senate (Ninth District), J. T. Kingston, Necedah; Assembly (Adams County detached and Sauk divided into two districts), James G. Train, Merrimack, and Abram West, Reedsburg. Eleventh Session, 1858 — Assembly, S. H. Bassinger, Prairie du Sac. and Samuel North- rup, Dellona. Twelfth Session, 1859 — Senate, H. W.Curtis, Delton ; Assembly, Nelson Wheeler, Bar- aboo, and E. 0. Rudd, Reedsburg. *3 e <^Zc^ y&T^^?^-~if/^*^ ( DECEASED ) BARABOO HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 345 Thirteenth Session, 1860 — Assembly, Ephraim W. Young, Prairie du Sac, and Edward Sumner, Baraboo. Fourteenth Session, 1861 — Senate, John T. Kingston, Necedah ; Assembly, John Bear, Franklin, and Marsena Temple, Newport. Fifteenth Session, 1862 — Assembly, J. S. Tripp, Sauk City, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo. Sixteenth Session, 1863 — Senate (Fourteenth District), S. S. Wilkinson, Prairie du Sac ; Assembly, Alonzo Wilcox, Spring Green, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo. Seventeenth Session, 1864; — Assembly, same as in the previous session. Eighteenth Session, 1865 — Senate, S. S. Wilson, re-elected ; Assembly, William Palmer, Logansville, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo. Nineteenth Session, 1866 — Senate, A. W. Starks, Baraboo ; Assembly, William Palmer, Logansville, and R. M. Strong, Reedsburg. Twentieth Session, 1867 — Assembly, James I. Waterbury, Prairie du Sac, and Stephen S. Barlow, Delton. Twenty-first Session, 1868 — Senate, S. S. Barlow, Delton ; Assembly, J. I. Waterbury, Prairie du Sac, and John Gillespie, Dellona. Twenty-second Session, 1869 — Assembly, Carl C. Kuntz, Black Hawk, and John Gillespie, Dellona. Twenty-third Session, 1870 — Senate, B. U. Strong, Spring Green ; Assembly, C. C. Kuntz, Black Hawk, and George C. Swain, Kilbourn City (?). Twenty-fourth Session, 1871 — Assembly, same as previous session. Twenty-fifth Session, 1872 — Senate, John B. Quimby, Sauk City ; Assembly, William W. Perry, Prairie du Sac, and George C. Swain. Twenty-sixth Session, 1873 — Assembly, J ' Young, Black Hawk, and John Kellogg, Reedsburg. Twenty-seventh Session, 1874 — Senate, Johr B. Quimby, re-elected ; Assembly, Carl C. Kuntz, Black Hawk, and David E. Welch, Baraboo. Twenty-eight Session, 1875 — Assembly, Thomas Baker, Prairie du Sac, and E. D. Welch. Twenty-ninth Session, 1876 — Senate, David E. Welch, Baraboo; Assembly, David B. Hurlburt, Logansville, and Silas J. Seymour, Reedsburg. Thirtieth Session, 1877 — Assembly, same as previous session. Thirty-first Session, 1878 — Senate, David E. Welch, re-elected ; Assembly, A. P. Ellin- wood, Reedsburg, and D. B. Hurlburt. Thirty-second Session, 1879 — Assembly, Ulrich Hemmi, Black Hawk, and A. P. Ellin- wood. Thirty-third Session, 1880 — Senate, E. E. Woodman, Baraboo; Assembly, Ephraim Blakeslee and Thomas Gillespie. If previous Republican majorities in Sauk County indicate anything, the thirty-fourth session will witness the attendance of the same gentlemen from this county who took part in the Thirty-third Assembly. Congressional Representations. The act of Congress, approved April 20, 1836, organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, con- ferred upon the people the right to be represented in the National Congress by one delegate, to be chosen by the votes of the qualified electors of the Territory. Under this authority the Ter- ritory was represented by the following delegates : George W. Jones, elected October 10, 1836: James Duane Doty, September 10, 1838 ; James Duane Doty, August 5, 1840* ; Henry Dodge, September 27, 1841 ; Henry Dodge, September 25, 1843; Morgan L. Martin, September 22. 1845, and John H. Tweedy, September 6, 1847. By the Constitution adopted when the Territory became a State, in 1848, two represent- atives in Congress were provided for by dividing the State into two Congressional Districts. * Doty afterward regi-neil, he having be.n ai>|">iiite.l < iu\ ,•< uomf the Territory hy I'reMihnt Tyler September !;',. lstl 3-46 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. the First District being composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock and Green; the Second District, of Washington,. Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Cal- umet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe. Under this authority, an election was held May 8, 1848, and William Pitt Lynde was elected member of Congress from the First District ; Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lac, for the Second Dis- trict. The people, therefore, then residing within the limits of Columbia County, were repre- sented in the Thirtieth Congress by Dr. Mason C. Darling. At the first session of the State Legislature, which continued from June 5 to August 21, 1848, the State was divided into three Congressional Districts, Sauk County falling in the second. This appointment continued unchanged until 1861. The district was represented during that period as follows : Thirtv-first Congress, 1849-51, Orsamus Cole ; Thirtv-second, 1851-53, Ben C. Eastman ; Thirty-third, 1853-1855, Ben C. Eastman ; Thirty-fourth, 1855- 57, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty-fifth, 1857-1859, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty- sixth, 1859-1861, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty-seventh, 1861-63, Luther Hanchett.* At the Fourteenth Session of the Legislature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 9 to May 27, 1861, the State was divided into six Congressional Districts, Sauk County falling to the Third. Under this appointment the district was represented as follows : Thirty-eighth Congress, 1863-65, Amasa Cobb. Mr. Cobb was thrice re-elected, and was succeeded by J. Allen Barber, who served until 1873. The present Congressional apportionment was made at the twenty-fifth session of the Legis- lature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 10 to March 27, 1872, when the State was divided into eight districts, Sauk County again falling into the Second District, composed of the Counties of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk and Columbia. In the Forty-third Congress, 1873-75, the district was represented by Gerry W. Hazleton ; in the Forty-fourth, 1875-77, by Lucien B. Caswell ; in the Forty-fifth, 1877-79, by Lucien B. Caswell ; in the Forty-sixth, 1879-81, by Lucien B. Caswell. TERRITORIAL DISTRICT COURT AND STATE CIRCUIT COURT. Until 1823, all that part of the Territory of Michigan now forming the State of Wisconsin had no separate courts, except County Courts of very limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, and Justices' Courts. All important civil cases and all criminal cases, except for petty offenses, were tried by the Supreme Court at Detroit. Here the judicial power was vested in three judges ap- pointed by Congress, originally to hold the office during good behavior, but subsequently limited to four years. In January, 1823, an act of Congress provided for the appointment of an addi- tional Judge for the counties of Brown, Crawford and Michilimackinac. That court had con- current civil and criminal jurisdiction with the Supreme Court of the Territory. The law pro- vided for holding one term of court in each year, in each of the counties named in the act. Hon. James D. Doty was appointed Judge of this court at its organization, and held the office until May, 1832, when he was succeeded by the Hon. David Irvin. This court continued as organized until 1836, when it was abrogated by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, what is now Sauk County being then a part of Crawford County ; it consequently came under the jurisdiction of Judges Doty and Irvin. The terms of the District Court for the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford, which was established by the act of 1N23, were held once in each year in each of those counties, at Mackinac in July, at Green Bay in dune, ami at Prairie du Chien in May. Although Judge Doty had received his appointment in 1823, yet he did not arrive in the district until midsum- mer, and no regular term of the court was held that year. In October, 1824, he appointed and held a special term for the trial of criminal cases at Green Bay. At this term the first grand jury was impaneled in Brown County, and the Hon. Henry S. Baird, who was the pioneer law- yer of Wisconsin, was appointed District Attorney. A large amount of criminal business waa * Died November 21, 1862 ; WalL-r IV Mclndoc chow.Mi to fill vacancy. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 347 brought before the grand jury. Forty-five indictments were found and presented to the court, one for murder, on which there was a conviction, some for assault and battery, larceny, selling spirituous liquors to the Indians, and last, but not least, twenty-eight cases for illicit cohabitation. The large number of the latter arose from the reprehensible practice adopted by the traders and French inhabitants of taking Indian women as wives, according to the custom of the natives. Those cases were generally disposed of by the defendants being brought into court on a warrant. Most of them pleaded guilty, when the court suspended sentence until the close of the term, with the intimation that all who presented the court, in the interim, certificates of legal mar- riage, would be let off by paying a nominal fine, which fine was afterward fixed at $1 and costs. Some of the delinquents refused to marry, and were fined $50. In 1825-28, Judge Doty and H. S. Baird, Esq., traveled from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien in a bark canoe, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, with a crew of Canadians and Indians, the time required for the journey being from seven to nine days. In May, 1829, Judge Doty. M. L. Martin, Esq., and H. S. Baird. Esq., made the trip from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien on horseback, accompanied by a Menomonee Indian guide. They were the first white men to attempt and accomplish the land journey from Green Bay to the Mississippi. After the organization of Iowa County in 1830, the county of Crawford was attached to [owa County for judicial purposes, and remained so until Wisconsin Territory was organized in 183G. the term of court that had theretofore been held at Prairie du Chien being thereafter held at Mineral Point. When the Territory was organized in 183p, it embraced the present States of Wis- consin, Iowa and Minnesota and a part of the Territory of Dakota. The judicial power of tin- Territory was vested in a Supreme Court. District Courts, Probate Courts' and Justices of the Peace. The Territory was divided into three judicial districts, and Justices Charles Dunn, David Irvin and William C. Frazer, composing the Supreme Court by Presidential appointment, were assigned to the districts ; Chief Justice Dunn to the First District, composed of the counties of Iowa and Crawford (to which latter county Sauk County then belonged); Justice Irvin to the Second District, Dubuque and Des Moines Counties ; and Justice Frazer to the Third Dis- trict, Milwaukee and Brown Counties. The Territory of Iowa having been organized July 4, 1838. embracing that portion of Wis- consin west of the Mississippi River, the Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin, at its session in 1839, made a new division of this territory into judicial districts; the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford, constituting the First District, to which Chief Justice Dunn was assigned ; the counties of Dane (to which Sauk had but recently been attached for judicial purposes), Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green, constituting the Second District, to which Judge Irvin was assigned; and the counties of Brown, Milwaukee and Racine, constituting the Third District, to which Judge Miller, the successor of Judge Frazer. upon the death of the latter, was assigned. Upon the admission of Wisconsin as a State in the Union, it was divided into five judicial circuits, Sauk County, together with the counties of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette and Portage, being in the Third Circuit. At an election on the first Monday in August, 1844, Charles II. Larrabee was chosen Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, his term expiring Decem- ber 31, 1854. At the previous April election, in 1854, he had been re-elected for a full term of six years, commencing January 1. IS.",.",, ami to endat the close of the year 1859; but. Sank County having been taken from the Third Circuit in April, 1855. and attached to the Ninth, it came into the jurisdiction of Judge Alexander L. Collins. In the meantime, in accordance with a constitutional provision, Circuit Judges had been relieved of the duties devolving upon Supreme Justices, or. in other words, the Supreme Court had became an entirely separate tribunal, presided over by Justices especially chosen for that purpose. On the 5th of September, 1858. Judge Collins resigned as Judge of the Third Circuit, and Luther S. Dixon was appointed in his place until a successor was elected and qualified. Before the next April election, however, Judge Dixon resigned, having been elevated to the Supreme Bench, and Harlow S. Orton was elected Judge of the Ninth Circuit to fill out the full term for 348 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. which Judge Collins had been elected, which expired December 31, 1860. On the 3d of April, 1860, Judge Orton was elected for a full term of six years, but he resigned January 28, 1865, when Alva Stewart was appointed to hold until the next April election. In April, 1865, Judge Stewart was elected to fill out the full term of Judge Orton, which he did, and in April, 1866, he was a» ain elected, but this time for a full term of six years, which began January 1, 1867, and ended at the close of the year 1872. In April of this year, he was re-elected for a second term. However, on the 2d of April, 1877, upon the increase of the Ninth Circuit by the addition of Juneau, Adams and Marquette Counties, Judge Stewart resigned, but was appointed on the 5th of the same month as his own successor to fill out his full term. In April, 1878, he was re- elected for another full term, which will close December 31, 1884. COUNTY JUDGES. On the 11th of March, 1844, the qualified electors of Sauk Prairie Precinct, which then embraced, together with other territory, all that now contained in Sauk County (then belonging to Dane County, for judicial purposes), came together and cast their ballots for a complete set of county officers, including Probate Judge. This office Prescott Brigham* was chosen to fill. In the fall (September 23) of the same year, the county having been organized and another election precinct (Baraboo) created, a second election took place in pursuance of the provis- ions of the organic act. Lorrin Cowles,* father of Dr. Charles Cowles, of Baraboo, was elected to the office of Probate Judge. It is the belief of an old settler that Judge Cowles' successor was George Cargel. Maj. W. H. Clark* was then elected to the office, and, at the expiration of his term, he was succeeded in 1849 by James M. Clark, who was re-elected. Judge Clark resigned before his second term of office expired, and R. G. Camp* was appointed to fill the vacancy. E. G. Wheeler was chosen to the position in 1853, and served till 1857, when S. S. Barlow was elected as his successor. John B. Quimby succeeded to the office in 1861, and, being reelected in 1865, retired in favor of C. C. Remington in 1869. Judge Reming- ton resigned the position in 1872, and John Barker was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy. James W. Lusk was elected in 1873, and Giles Stevens, the present incumbent, in 1877. In the early history of " Old Sauk," County Judges (by which title these dignitaries are now most generally known) had jurisdiction, as now, over probate matters only. Early in the fifties, an act was passed by the Legislature giving them jurisdiction also over civil cases. This law was subsequently repealed. The " oldest inhabitant " recalls some pleasant memories of the individuals who have served the people of Sauk County in this capacity. He recalls their characteristics, their manner and their dignified bearing. Judge Cowles (who is entitled to the distinction of having been the first County Judge in Sauk County, after its organization), he remembers as a sturdy, honest old farmer, and likewise Judge Cargel ; both fully competent to handle the affairs of the office at that date. Maj. Clark was a native of Madison County, N. Y. A graduate of Hamilton College, he was a fine scholar and an able lawyer. On account of his skill in his profession and his ability in the Legislature (he having been a member of one of the Territorial Legisla- tures), he came to be known as the " Lion of Sauk." An amusing incident is related concern- ing the Judge, who, being engaged in the prosecution of a case of theft, in which the prisoner was charged with having stolen a light wagon, replied to the Latin phrase, falsus in uno, falsus in omnibusf, used by counsel for defense, by saying, sotto voce, " Yes, a man that will lie about a one-horse wagon will lie about an omnibus." Judge James M. Clark was a graduate of an eastern law school. He was a sociable gen- tleman, thoroughly competent. He went from here to Tennessee, and later removed to Greeley, Colo., where he now lives. Judge Wheeler, now of Sioux Falls, Dak., bore his honors c;isv and had the confidence of the people. His successor, Judge Barlow, made a good Judge. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 849 He lias also distinguished himself as District Attorney, member of the Assembly several terms, and Attorney General of the State. Judge Remington was a man of strong convictions, and, like most men of mark, had some enemies. Judge Lusk holds a high position among the leading barristers of the State as a gentleman endowed with superior legal attainments. He filled the office of County Judge with credit both to himself and to the people. Judge Stevens, the present amiable incumbent of the office, is well read in his profession, has a clear legal mind, and is regarded as a correct and conscientious official. POLITICAL PARTIES IN SAUK COUNTY. For the past twenty-four years, Sauk County has been largely Republican. Prior to 1856 and subsequent to the organization of the county in 1844, it was under Democratic rule. The change of front came in November, 1856, at the Presidential baptism of the Republican party. As an index to the political complexion of the county for the past thirty-two years, the follow- ing figures will be interesting : 1848— Zacharv Taylor, W., 149; Martin Van Buren, F. S., 139; Lewis Cass, D., 158. 1 S.V2— Franklin Pierce, D., 681 ; Winfield Scott, W., 622; John P. Hale, F. S., 156. 1856— John C. Fremont, R., 2,014; James Buchanan, D., 993; Millard Fillmore, A., 4 Is,;. (—Abraham Lincoln. 1!., 2,309 ; Stephen A. Douglas, D., 985; John Bell, U., 2. 1864— Abraham Lincoln, R., 2,076 ; George B. McClellan, D., 985. 1868— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 3,262 ; Horatio Seymour, D., 1,366. 1872— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 2,702; Horace Greeley, L., 1,354. 1876— Rutherford B. Hayes, R., 3,395; Samuel J. Tilden, D., 2,201 ; Cooper, G., 16. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. CHAPTER III. Locating the County Seat— Court Houses— Railroads— Agricultural Industries, Soil, etc.— Sauk County Agricultural Society— Blood Cattle— Stock Breeders' Associa- tion Dairying— Statistical— Hops, and the Panic of 1868 -Nature's Provisions. locating the county seat — court houses. In 1843-44, the people of Prairie du Sac petitioned the Legislature to fully organize Sauk County. The residents of the Baraboo Valley remonstrated, on the ground that there were not voters enough in the county from which to draw a jury-list, and fill the county offices; and, fur- ther, that it was not politic, at that time, to burden themselves with the expense of a fully or- ganized county. But this remonstrance availed nothing, for the Saukites had made up their minds to lose no time in which to allow Baraboo to gain strength, and a bill was pushed through the Legislature and approved May 10, 1844, under the provisions of which Noah Phelps, of Green County, John Morrison,* of Jefferson, and Charles Hart, of Milwaukee, were appointed Commissioners to locate the seat of justice. They were instructed to make a thorough exam- ination of the whole county, and make the location "with regard to the future as well as the present population." They finally decided to locate it at one of the Sauk villages — the one which would make the largest donation. Sauk City, or Lower Town, offered the Bryant- Haraszthy House, estimated to be worth $3,000. Prairie du Sac, or Upper Town, offered a certain number of village lots, supposed to be worth more than the Lower Town offer. The Commissioners accepted the Prairie du Sac offer, and the seat of justice was located accordingly. Some months later the people of Prairie du Sac offered the deeds of the donated lots to the County Board. It was then discovered that they contained a clause making the lots revertible to the original donors in case of the removal of the county seat. This excited great indigna- tion among the residents of Sauk City, Baraboo and the region known as the Bluffs, and several public meetings were held at which the matter was discussed. In the summer of 1845, at one of these meetings, a committee was appointed, consisting of Count Haraszthy and Edmund Rendtorff, of Sauk City, and Levi Moore, Abram Wood, Thomas Remington and William H. Canfield, of Baraboo, to make an exploration of the inter- ior of the county, and ascertain whether the land was fit for settlement and cultivation. The committee started on this exploration on the 10th of November, 1845. Count Haraszthy's mare and a week's provisions, a shot-gun, two rifles and a bird-dog constituted the outfit. They took the pinery road to Seeley's Creek, and camped that night in a pinery shanty. In the morning, the Count took the halter off the mare and told her to go home to her colt, and, taking one day's provisions, the explorers started for the primeval forests. The next day, Wood shot a deer, but ilid not get it, and a partridge, which the Count bagged, had to suffice for dinner, supper and breakfast, for six stalwart men. Another day was passed with nothing but water to drink, and the next breakfast and dinner, also, were a blank. It was proposed to shoot the dog that night for supper, but Capt. Moore's trusty rifle brought down a fine yearling buck, and the fast was soon terminated. The committee crossed over the head-waters of Honey Creek, passed on to Bear Creek, thence down Narrows Creek to the Baraboo River, and thence to Baraboo. They eubsequently reported to a mass meeting that the interior of the county was not only fit for cultivation, but would make a fine agricultural district. In the winter of 1X45-41), the Legislature was petitioned to re-establish the seat of justice by a vote of the people. The petition was granted, and on the 7th day of April, 1846, an elec- tion was held, resulting in the removal of the county seat to Baraboo. The county board HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 351 appointed twelve Commissioners to designate the point for county-seat purposes. They made an arrangement with the school district for the southeast quarter of Section 35, which quarter the school district had previously claimed. On the day of the Government land sale, which occurred soon afterward, Prescott Brigham, then a County Commissioner, purchased the said quarter-section in his own name, and with his own money, there being no funds in the county treasury, and subsequently deeded it to the county. The County Commissioners platted it into a village, and called it Adams, in consideration of Mr. Brigham's high regard for the renowned Massachusetts family of that name. The survey was made by Charles 0. Baxter, and the rec- ord of it bears date of April, 1847. The name was changed to Baraboo in 1852. The block upon which the old Western Hotel was afterward built was purchased by Sumner & Maxwell before a public sale of lots was held. Harvey Canfield and C. C. Remington were appointed Commissioner and Clerk, respectively, to conduct the sale of lots, and about $4,000 was realized therefrom. With this money a wooden court house and jail were subsequently put up on the north side of Fourth street, facing the public square. The courthouse was two stories high, and was completed in April, 1848, by Col. Edward Sumner, the contractor. The jail, it is said, resembled a huge dry-goods box, and was surrounded by a high wooden fence. Abe Wood was among the early inhabitants of this "jail." He had been incarcerated for attempting to shoot Henry A. Chapman, and, soon after being locked up, raised a portion of the loose floor and dug his way out. But Baraboo did not long enjoy her county seat laurels in peace and quiet. About 1850, Reedsburg became an aspirant for county seat honors. The contest waxed warm for some time, and finally reached a climax in the spring of 1851, when the citizens of the "burg" took the position that no rafts or logs should pass over their dam en route for Baraboo. The services of a United States Deputy Marshal were called into requisition by the Baraboo people, and the Reeds- burg dam was partially cut away. This event has since been referred to as the "Reedsburg war." In 1852, the leading residents of Reedsburg petitioned the Legislature to have a nine-mile strip stricken from the southern portion of Juneau County and attached to the northern part of Sauk County. The petition was granted, and the strip added in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners. This brought Reedsburg nearer the geographical center of the county. In 1853, through the efforts of Charles Armstrong, member of the Legislature, the strip was set back. But Reedsburg was not yet prepared to relinquish its claim, and, in 1855, they again came before the Legislature with a petition, praying that the county seat question be submitted to a vote of the people. The petition was granted, and in April, at the spring election, the question being submitted, Baraboo came off victorious. The necessity for a new and better court house becoming apparent, the County Board at once took steps toward building. Sixty of the prominent citizens of Baraboo came forward with a $3,000 subscription to defray a portion of the expenses. In the fall of 1855, a contract was let to P. A. Bassett for the erection of a two-story brick building, 40x60 feet, in the center of the public square. The structure completed, was formally accepted by the board on the 1st of January, 1857. On the night of the 4th of July, 1857, the old court house (then the property of Peter Van Wendall) was destroyed by fire. A local writer thus sums up the history of this ancient land- mark. " The remorseless fire on the night'of the 4th inst., destroyed the last vestige of this vener- able edifice. As we stood and saw the fire-fiend wrapping it in his lurid glare, and as one by one the old timbers dropped to ashes beneath his fiery embrace, we could not help letting our thoughts wander back to the past, when the old court house was the pride of our village, the best building in all Sauk County. Erected in 1847, when Baraboo was scarcely a hamlet, and this county numbered its inhabitants by scores instead of by thousands, its construction was a work of no small magnitude. When completed, no wonder that the pioneers, long used to the hut and wigwam, should gaze upon it with honest pride. A year or two after the building 352 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. was put up, we well remember how a new acquaintance volunteered to show us the sights, and took us the first thing to see the new court house, then the ' elephant ' of the place. The second story was not only the court-room, but the schoolroom, the church, the lecture-room, and, in fact, the only place for the accommodation of public assemblages. At last the wants of the people, growing with the increased population, demanded a new court house, and ere a larger and more showy building could be completed, the old court house was left deserted, for a time, when its upper story was let for a printing office to D. K. Noyes, then the proprietor of the Republic. At last, neglected by man and abused by the elements, it was not fit for a printing office, even, and the Republic changed its quarters. After that it stood empty and forlorn until about two years ago, when it was bought by P. Van Wendall, and moved a short distance to the east, when a new front was built for it ; and, being otherwise- rejuvenated, it presented an entirely different appearance. It was then turned into a saloon, and no doubt felt the degrada- tion deeply. But it was not long to endure this humiliation. The fire came, and as the flames seethed, hissed and roared in, around and about it, it was cleansed of all impurities, and its ashes sank to earth as pure as nature herself." In 1857, a hexagonal stone jail was built near the corner of Second and Broadway, over- looking the river and the picturesque hills and vales beyond. Col. Sumner was the contractor. In 1864, an addition, or rather a new wooden jail, was built in the rear of the stone structure, which had come to be considered unsafe. The construction of this latter building was super- intended by Jonas Tower, of Ironton fame. In 1867, the interior of the new court house was remodeled. New floors were laid, parti- tions altered, two fire-proof vaults put in to accommodate the records of the County Court and Register of Deeds, and a Sheriff's office added. When the question of a permanent location for the county seat was finally settled, and Reedsburg ceased to be an aspirant, the citizens of Baraboo turned their attention toward the improvement of the public square. A large number of the principal kinds of shade and orna- mental trees were planted throughout the park. Many of them have grown to be full size, and now spread their cool branches above the heads of a new generation. RAILROADS. About 1850, leading citizens of Sauk County obtained a charter for a railroad through the Baraboo Valley. The corporate title was the Fort AVinnebago, Baraboo Valley & St. Paul Rail- way Company. At that time, A. Hyatt Smith, Robert J. Walker and others were engaged in building (chiefly on paper) a line of road from Chicago to Janesville, and from there, it was understood, the main line was to pass through Madison and the Baraboo Valley to St. Paul, while a branch was to lead via Fond du Lac to the Lake Superior region. Messrs. Smith & Walker had organized a company for this purpose, under the statutes of Illinois and Wisconsin, known as the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, and later as the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Company. They had a charter from Janesville to Madison, and had laid con- siderable track between Chicago and Janesville. The scheme had every element of apparent suc- cess in its composition, and the citizens of Sauk County, fearing the road from Madison to St. Paul might be located at a point too far south to be of any benefit to them, procured the charter referred to, and subsequently obtained amendments to it securing the right of way from Madison to Baraboo, and thence northwestward to La Crosse or any other point on the Mississippi River. They stood ready to deliver this charter to Messrs. Smith & Walker, and also to furnish finan- cial aid, just so soon as those gentlemen manifested their ability to put the road through. In 1852, a bill was introduced in Congress granting to the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du Lac people the alternate sections of land for six miles on either side of the proposed routes to aid in the construction of the roads. A clause in this bill provided that, in case the lands which would so fall to the company had been settled by private entry, an equivalent should be given them from the then unoccupied lands in other parts of the State. The bill passed to a third reading, and was defeated by one vote, when its friends were confident of its success. Opposition to it came HISTORY OK SAUK COUNTY. 353 chiefly from Milwaukee, from parties then engaged in directing the affairs of the La Crosse & Milwaukee road, now the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. They fought it vigorously from the very beginning, but, having twice met with defeat (in the first and second readings), had withdrawn from the contest, and openly conceded its ultimate success. The friends, as well as the enemies, of the grant, were very numerous. The "third house " was com- posed almost entirely of Wisconsin men. Smith & Walker had opened regular headquarters, and it is said the former expended §80,000 in the one article of wine during the two winters that the contest lasted. P. A. Bassett and Col. James Maxwell, of Baraboo, went to Washington at dif- ferent times in the interest of the grant, Mr. Bassett being present when the final vote was taken. The defeat of the grant bill, of course, left the managers of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Company without prospective resources, and they were compelled to let the project rest. In the winter of 1856-57, negotiations were opened with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, of which William B. Ogden was then President. P. A. Bassett, of Bar- aboo, having been delegated by the citizens to consult with Mr. Ogden, proposed to him that if the company would take the matter in hand and build a road through the valley, Sauk County would give in bonds and securities the sum of $450,000, and that the city of Madison would increase the amount to $600,000. Mr. Ogden promised that the route should be surveyed the following spring and work commenced as soon thereafter as possible. The crash of 1857 ruined the company's calculations in this regard and postponed further consideration of the sub- ject. A corporation known as the Milwaukee & Western Railroad Company also enjoyed the favorable consideration of the people of Sauk County at an early day ; but before any action was taken by the company toward locating a line, the corporate name was changed to the Milwaukee, Waterto^n & Baraboo Valley. Judge S. L. Rose, of Beaver Dam, becom- ing President of this company, secured an amendment to the charter, and called it the Mil- waukee, Watertown, Beaver Dam & Baraboo Valley Railroad Company. The sum of $100,- 000 was named as the amount Sauk County would be required to raise to aid in its construc- tion, and Judge Rose made a tour through the Baraboo Valley for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions. Special elections were held in some of the towns through which the proposed line was to have passed, and money voted to aid in its construction. The town of Merrimack pledged itself to raise $50,000 should the line cross the river at that point before the bonds were issued. Other towns along the contemplated route held out similar inducements. The company was thus thrown upon its own resources to commence the work, and for the want of means the project was abandoned. It remained, however, for that great railway genius, Byron Kilbourn, to successfully enlist the support of the citizens of Sauk County in favor of a railway scheme calculated to make the "poor rich and the rich richer." The agents of Mr. Kilboum's enterprise invaded the county from the direction of Milwaukee and induced numerous farmers to give their notes, secured by mortgages upon their property, for the stock of the then comparatively unknown La Crosse k Milwaukee Railroad. In many parts of the county they found but little difficulty in securing customers for their paper. The advantages of a road running in front of every stockholder's door were pictured in attractive colors and eloquently dwelt upon. Then there was something irresistibly enticing in the prospect of forthcoming dividends upon the stock, which would surely enhance its value 100 per cent by the time the road should have been completed. Meetings were held at all the principal points in Sauk County, at which enthusiastic speeches were made in favor of subscribing to the stock of the road. Mr. Kilbourn was present in person at many of these gatherings, and frequently harangued the assemblage. An old settler of Baraboo remembers hearing him, on one occasion, state that the road would in all probability pass through Baraboo ; at any rate, " Baraboo stood as good a chance as any other point in the county." That same evening a meeting was in progress at Newport, at which the speakers assured the citizens of that pretentious place that the road would certainly cross the river there. These promises, though glaringly inconsistent, served the desired purpose to keep 354 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. up the excitement, and farm mortgages continued to be given with the utmost confidence in the declarations of the railroad men ; in fact the granting of mortgages became a mania which lasted so long as there were unencumbered farms and confiding farmers in the county. It is a remarkable fact that farms with mortgages upon them were considered worth more than those that were unmortgaged, so earnest were the people in the belief that the stock of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company would appreciate in value and pay handsome dividends to the holders of it. Not to be the possessor of shares of this company was for a time considered a social disqualification, and, it is said, not a few neighborly feuds occurred between holders and non-holders on account of a manifest feeling of superiority on the part of the former over the latter. But there finally came a revelation which, at this late date, seems almost cruel to refer to. The first intimation the people had of the " true inwardness " of the scheme was contained in the announcement that the company had decided not to cross the Wisconsin River at Newport ; neither would the line pass through the Baraboo Valley. On the contrary, the managers had concluded not to penetrate any part of Sauk County with their road. Still the holders of stock remained hopeful. Passing over the question of anticipated dividends, the stock, they thought, would certainly be redeemed at par, and in this way they would escape loss. Then came the in- telligence that the road had passed to other hands, and that the individuals composing the original company, were no longer responsible to the mortgagors for the redemption of the stock they held. Following close upon this astonishing information, came still more tangible evidence of duplicity, in the form of interest-bills upon the bonds of the defunct company. It had been stipulated be- tween the farmers and the railroad men that the interest upon the bonds should be paid by the lat- ter, but now that the company had ceased to exist in name, the bondholders naturally pounced upon the grantors of the mortgages for interest satisfactions. Recourse has since been had to the courts, decisions being rendered in favor of the bondholders. In the meantime the road was rapidly approaching the Wisconsin River from the east. Apparently nothing definite had been determined upon as to the point of crossing, and the cit- izens of the village of Newport, though sadly disheartened over the prospect before them, resolved to press their claims to the last. The village had been built up principally upon the verbal promises of the officers of the La Cross & Milwaukee Company that the road should cross the Wisconsin River at that point, and in anticipation thereof, lots rose to a very high price. Soon afterward, however, the company purchased land a mile and a half up the river, and procured a new location for the crossing. Many of the Newport citizens were stockholders in the road, Imt had no power to remedy the great wrong inflicted upon them. Finding themselves unable to obtain redress, they next endeavored to secure a depot on the line of the road opposite their place. In December, 1858, the company's Board of Directors granted a memorial, signed by the most prominent business men of Newport, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Delton, and the surround- ing country, to allow Newport to erect a depot, on the east side of the river, at her own expense, and have the trains stop there. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and forthwith was heard in the then almost deserted village, the busy sound of ax, saw and hammer, and within ten weeks one of the handsomest depots on the line of the road stood erect and ready for use. On the '25th of February, 1859, a grand festival was held to celebrate the event, and the next day the first passenger train stopped there. And Newport was " resurrected." Some of the toasts on that festive occasion were very appropriate. For instance: "The Resurrection — New- port on theright, Kilbourn City on the left." " The citizens of Newport and vicinity — may they never be obliged to go to Kilbourn City to get on a train." And this one, aimed at the heads of the railroad managers : "The La C. & M. R. R., from Lone Rock to the head of the Dells — " A serpent once roamed in a garden, 'tis said, With deception and lies as bis theme; And engulfed in corruption our primitive head. ISy his false and fraudulent schemes. " So his offspring can now, in all they may do, lie known by the manner they travel — The serpentine course this railroad pursues, Will their origin fully unravel." HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY.' 355 But the confiding people of Newport were not permitted long to enjoy the privileges and benefits accruing to an ordinary way station. Mr. Kilbourn soon pushed his road up the east side of the river to the present site of the city which bears his name. A crossing was there effected, and, with characteristic energy, Mr. Kilbourn completed his road to the Mississippi River, about one mile of the line passing through Sauk County. The feeling against the company was very intense, not only in this county, but in other parts of the State where the people had been hoodwinked. In order to quiet the deceived mortgagors, the La Crosse & Milwaukee Company finally signed over to them their State land-grant. Sales of this grant have since been made, and the proceeds distributed pro rata among the mort- gagors. About 20 per cent has so far been realized upon the original amounts invested. The facts concerning subsequent movements to obtain a road through the Baraboo Valley are very meager, though the citizens did not pause in their efforts to secure this long-desired out- let. In the fall of 1862, the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Company made a preliminary examination of a route from Madison to La Crosse, and, in March following. Vice President Perry H. Smith, of Chicago, wrote to Gen. Starks, of Sauk County : " The route is an exceed- ingly feasible one, though some portions of it will be quite expensive. Our Board of Directors have determined to extend their line to the river, although, with the uncertainties of the times, I can make no positive promises of an immediate commencement of the work." At a meeting of citizens held July 23, 1863, the Baraboo Valley Railroad Association was organized with P. A. Bassett as President, and correspondence was at once entered into with various railroad companies, setting forth the advantages of the route and the extent to which the people of the county would lend financial aid. In September following, the Chicago <& North- Western Company made a survey from Madison to La Crosse, through the Baraboo Valley, Col. Van Meenan, the surveyor, reporting favorably upon the route. Here the subject appears to have been temporarily dropped. The next railroad movement was made in January, 1865, when Gen. Starks introduced a bill into the Legislature to incorporate the Portage City & Baraboo Valley Railroad. The measure passed, and under this charter meetings were held in Baraboo and Greenfield, the latter town pledging $15,000 in aid of the road. In Baraboo, a resolution was adopted pledging $100.- 000. In June of that year, Gen. Starks, R. H. Strong and A. A. Avery had a conference with the Directors of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and a re-organization of the Baraboo & Portage City Company was effected. In September, a route was surveyed by Chief Engineer Sill to Pine Island, above Portage. It was the original purpose of the company to continue the survey to Baraboo through the Lower Narrows, but the changing interests of " Mit- chell's road " put a check upon further progress in this direction. On the 11th of October, 1865, a meeting of the Directors of the " Madison, Lodi & Bara- boo Valley Railroad Company " was held at Madison, Baraboo being represented by Messrs. Starks, Thomas, Sumner and others. The company thus named was formally organized on the 6th of .March following, 500 shares of the stock being taken, and $5 per share paid in. Noth- ing tangible grew out of this movement, and it was not until 1869 that the people of Sauk County, heartily disgusted with the coquettish managers of the great lines from whom they had cause to expect something, resolved to go into the railroad business themselves. In October of that year, Col. S. V. R. Ableraan expressed the popular sentiment in a communication signed '' Locomotive," published in the local papers. The article, the caption of which was " Shoulders to the Wheel," argued the ability of the citizens to construct a line of road through the valley, and thus place themselves in a position to dictate terms to either of the companies operating in this State who desired to make connection with them. This opening gun, as it were, was fol- lowed by a broadside from the pen of J. C. Lusk, in which was expressed the intense feeling stirred by Col. Ableman's eloquent appeal. The first meeting was held on the 19th of Novem- ber, 1869, and was attended by delegates from far and near. An executive committee was appointed, headed by Col. Ableman, and it was resolved to apply for a charter. An instrument, covering the ground, was accordingly drawn up and passed by the next Legislature. A 356 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. permanent organization was effected July 1, 1870 (the Baraboo Air Line Railroad Company) by the election of the following officers: President. T. Thomas; Vice President, J. Mackey; Sec- retary. T. D. Lang ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong ; Directors, S. V. R. Ableman, J. F. Smith, Moses Young. S. P. Barney and Jonas Narracong. At this meeting, 500 shares of the stock were taken, $5 on each share being paid in. In the meantime, propositions had been received from various railroad officials, which gave great strength to the undertaking and encouraged the managers to use every energy they possessed in the interest of the project. About this time, a public statement was made by Messrs. Tracy and Dunlap, of the Chicago & North-Western, that that company proposed to undertake the construction of a line through the Baraboo Valley. Holding the charter for a route through the "lake gap," it was evident the Air-Line people occupied a strong position. The Michigan Central road, through James F. Joy and George E. Easterly, also made a proposition to build the road, but the North- Western managers seem to have held out the best inducements, and arrangements were finally made with them. On the 12th and 13th of July, the Directors of the Air-Line road had a conference with the Directors of the Chicago & North-Western, at which a basis of agreement was accepted by both parties and reduced to writing. Under this agreement, a re-organization of the Air-Line directory was effected, five of its members retiring and being succeeded by George L. Dunlap, James H. Howe, Henry H. Porter and John B. Turner, of the North-Western Company, James L. Hill being jointly chosen on behalf of both companies. The history of the enterprise from that time to the present is unattended by events of a nature demanding exhaustive consideration in these pages. It is sufficient to say that the basis of agreement has been strictly adhered to by both parties. Sauk County, so long in a position to aid in the building of a road through her fertile valleys, came promptly forward with the amount stipulated in the agreement. Work upon the road was commenced and vigorously prosecuted to the end. The results have been of a character beneficial to both the people and the company. The road was completed to Baraboo on Friday, September 8, 1871, and on Tuesday, the 12th, a grand celebration took place, such a one as was never before held in these classic pre- cincts. There were music, speaking, cannon-firing and great rejoicing generally. It is estimated that 10,000 people were present. One of the remarkable features of the occasion was the great arch erected over the track. On either side of the track a circle of hop-poles had been formed. Through the spaces between the poles, hop-vines were wreathed until the poles were entirely clad with green. On the top of the columns rested a broad arch, surmounted by a large keystone, upon which were piled immense golden pumpkins, strings of red-cheeked apples, sheaves of wheat and stalks of corn. In the center stood a flag-staff, from which floated a ban- ner. The iron-horse reached Reedsburg on New Year's Day (1871-72), but, on account of the unfavorable season for outdoor celebrations, the observance of the event was postponed. The material interests of the county have undergone a greater degree of development in the past nine years than during the entire period of its history preceding the advent of the railroad ; and the permanent location at Baraboo of the company's roundhouse, workshops and business headquarters for the Madison Division, contributes almost immeasurably to the importance of the road to every part of the county. Passing through the southwestern portion of the county, with stations at Spring Green and Lone Rock (the latter just over the line in Richland County), the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee .V St. Paul road furnishes a convenient and valuable outlet for the people of that section. Chiefly in consequence of the advantages thus afforded, Spring Green has grown to occupy the third position in the list of prosperous villages in Sauk County. The total amount of farm mortgages given in Sauk County to different railroad companies was $120,100, as follows: La Crosse k Milwaukee, $87,200; Watertown & Madison, $4,020 ; Madison, Fond du Lac & Michigan, $27,300 ; Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo Valley, $600; Milwaukee & Horicon, $1,000. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 357 AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES, SOIL, ETC. Sauk County presents productive features of remarkable diversity. Almost every known kind or quality of soil is found within its borders. There are large areas of prairie, which, it seems, were especially adapted by nature to the raising of corn ; hills dimpled with small valleys and surmounted by table-lands, where the best winter wheat in the State is grown, and marshes calculated for meadows, both wild and tame. Beginning in the northwest portion of the county, in the town of Woodland, we find, in the valleys, a soil of rich loam, and on the ridges the quality of clay in which winter wheat thrives and yields abundantly. This town, however, is more particularly noted for its timber ; in fact, is the great lumbering region whence, in early days, came all the rafts of pine logs that were gathered and floated down the Baraboo into the Wisconsin, and thence to the Mississippi. It was here also that the Wonewoc Wagon Company got their timber until that institution closed down Passing west into the town of Lavalle, we find the diversity of soil and the variety of pro- ductions more marked, though the features west and south of the river are very similar to those described in Woodland. East of the river, the soil is sandy. Wheat and corn are raised in this region in about equal proportions. Dairying is the principal industry in the southern part of the town. The town of Winfield is very bluffy, and the soil sandy, though a few of the best farms in the county are situated in this town. In Dellona, the characteristics are very much the same as in Winfield. The town is largely devoted to corn. The town of Delton may be fitly described as poor and sandy north of the two southern tiers of sections. The extreme southern tier comprises the best soil in the town, though there is a strip of very productive land along the Wisconsin River. Webster's Prairie is particularly noted for its sand and unproductiveness. Corn is the principal product in the town. In the town of Fairfield, the cultivated portions are devoted chiefly to corn. The best lands are in the north part of the town. An extensive marsh, covering some seven or eight sec- tions, exists in the southeast portion. The south half of Greenfield is very broken and sterile, though there are occasional valleys of fair soil. The north half consists of good prairie soil. A large part of the famous Baraboo Valley is in this town. Corn, wheat and oats are grown here quite extensively. Dairying is one of the substantial interests of the town. Turning westward, we pass into the town of Baraboo, and find two distinct soils, with the river as the dividing line. North of the stream are the "oak openings " and sand; south of it, the clay and maple groves, where winter wheat of the very best quality is raised, samples of it having taken the first premium at a recent State fair. Here, also, are many sugar orchards, while north of the river not a maple is to be seen, except those transplanted there. The north- west portion of the town is largely devoted to corn. In the town of Excelsior, the best lands lie between Baraboo and Ableman, though there are patches of good land in other parts. Corn predominates. Within the boundaries of the town of Reedsburg is contained some excellent soil ; especially is this true of Babb's and Narrows Prairies. The town is especially noted for the great quanti- ties and superior quality of potatoes raised there and shipped from the railway station. Hop- raising also forms one of the leading agricultural pursuits. The north part of Ironton is formed of similar soil to that of the two prairies in the pre- viously described town. The southern portion of the town is broken and hard to cultivate. Corn and wheat are raised in about equal proportions, while stock-raising and dairying receive con- siderable attention. This town is noted for its iron mines, from which it derives its name. The town of Washington is or was before advancing civilization bore down upon it very heavily timbered throughout. The soil is very strong, and it has the reputation of being prob- ably the best winter wheat section in the county. 358 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The agricultural characteristics of the town of Westfield are not unlike those of the town of Washington. Winter wheat and hops are the chief productions. Winter wheat also forms the principal production of the town of Freedom, which is almost wholly a timber region. Two-thirds of the town of Sumter is prairie land, which is almost exclusively devoted to corn. The famous Kirk vineyard is situated in the northeast corner of this town'. The south and southwest portions of the town of Merrimack are considered the best lands in its borders. The north and northeast parts are sandy and unproductive. Corn predomi- nates. The only town in the county exclusively prairie, and therefore a good corn region, is Prairie du Sac. In the northern portion of the town the soil is rich and heavy, but it grows thinner as we pass south, and finally disappears entirely, enormous sand beds taking its place. The town of Troy is considerably broken, with a large area of sand in the southern por- tion. There is some excellent land in the Honey Creek Valley. Corn is the leading agricult- ural feature. Honey Creek is devoted to wheat, and has some very good land in its borders. Its hills are well, wooded and valleys fertile. In the town of Franklin, corn and wheat are raised in about equal proportions. The southern part of the town is prairie, the north being heavily timbered. Crossing into the town of Bear Creek, we find ourselves in a region of naked bluffs and fertile valleys, where the dairying interest takes the lead of all other industries. There are two cheese factories in this town, and there is probably more of this article manufactured here than in any other town in the county. Wheat and corn receive considerable attention. The town of Spring Green, the last in the category, is largely prairie, interspersed with sand beds. Corn and rye are the principal products. SAUK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The organization of this society took place in 1855. The first meeting of which there is any record was held on the 22d of February (an historic day) of that year, at Taylor's Hall, in the village of Baraboo. Due notice of this meeting had been given, and the attendance was large, considering the very primitive state of agriculture at that date. Alexander Crawford was called to the chair and James S. Moseley was appointed Secretary. A twelve article constitution was presented and adopted. The first article declared the objects of the society to be the "promotion and improvement of the condition of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical, manufacturing and household arts." The remaining clauses set forth the obligations and duties devolving upon the officers of the society, and included specified rules for governing the manage- ment of fairs. Then followed the election of officers for the ensuing year : James M. Clarke was chosen President; Daniel Pound, Vice President; James S. Moseley, Secretary and R. H. Davis, Treasurer. An invitation being extended to those present to become members by signing the constitution and paying into the treasury the sum of $1, the following-named individuals responded : James M. Clarke, William J. Huntington, R. R. Remington, Benjamin L. Brier, Isaac W. Mm lev. Charles A. Clarke, B. B. Brier, William Stees, Francis K. Jenkins, John B. Walbridge, B. F. Mills, Rufus N. Flint, Alexander Crawford, John B. Crawford, S. V. R. Ableman. Charles II. Williams, Moses M. Chaplin, Ebenezer Martin, Stephen M. Burdick, Samuel Northrop, Oliver W. Thomas, James S. Moseley, Daniel Pound and John Acker. An Executive Committee was chosen as follows : Messrs. Morley, Remington, Williams, Jenkins, Acker and E. 0. Rudd, A. F. Kellogg, Zoeth Eldridge, Henry Ochsner, Alexander Stewart, William Andrews, E. G. Blakeslee, Albert Kelley, Ransom E. Stone, James K. Thompson and John Young. A premium list was arranged, and October 16, 1855, set for the date of the first fair, to be held in the village of Baraboo ; but unfortunately there is no record of such fair having been lull. The last meeting of the Executive Committee, prior to the date appointed for holding the HISTORY OF SAUE COUNTY. 359 fair, took place on the 15th of September. At this meeting, James M. Clarke tendered his resignation as President of the society, and R. G. Camp was appointed to fill the vacancy. The next meeting was held on March 15, 1856, when Mr. Camp was elected President; I. W, Morley, Vice President; R. H. Davis, Treasurer, and M. C. Waite, Secretary. An Execu- tive Committee was also chosen, composed of one representative from each of the seventeen towns in the county. Nothing of consequence appears in the proceedings of this meeting in refer- ence to the fair held the year previous. We are informed, however, that there was a balance in the treasury of $135, which is conclusive evidence that the first fair of the Sauk County Agricultural Society was at least a profitable one. At this meeting a premium list for the next fair, to be held at Baraboo on the 1st and 2d of October, 185G, was presented, aggre- gating $249.50 in cash. The names of eighty-six members appear on the roll. In the fall of 1856, there seems to have been a re-organization of the society, as appears from a minute in the proceedings of a meeting held on the 1st of October, to wit: "On motion, the funds of the old society were passed over to the present organization." Officers were elected on the same date as follows : President, R. H. Davis ; Vice President, J. B. Crawford ; Treasurer, I. W. Morley ; Secretary, E. Martin. Among the seventeen Directors chosen at this meeting appear many new names, indicating a complete revolution in the manage- ment. At the July (1857) meeting of the Executive Board, President Davis presented his resigna- tion, which was accepted, John W. Powell being appointed to fill the vacancy. The Treas- urer's report showed $23. '.'7 on hand. On the 19th of September, Mr. Martin resigned the secretaryship, and was succeeded by William H. Joy. Five days later, the annual meeting for the election of officers was held, resulting in the choice of John B. Crawford for President, R. R. Remington for Vice President, John W. Powell for Treasurer, and James M. Clarke for Secretary. No reference is made, in the proceedings of the meetings held this year, to the fair of October, 1856. On the 28th of August, 1858, the Executive Committee met, and adopted the report of the Committee previously appointed on premium list. Premium money to the amount of $244 was voted to be distributed at the approaching October fair, which, it was subsequently resolved, should be. held at Reedsburg. October 14, at the close of the fair, the annual election for officers was held, with the following result: President, J. B. Walbridge ; Vice President, A. W. Starks ; Treasurer, William H. Thompson ; Secretary, H. H. Peck. August 12, 1859, the Executive Committee met, and elected A. M. Starks, President, and A. B. Bradley, Vice President. It was also decided that the next fair and cattle show should be held at Baraboo, on the 21st and 22d of September. A resolution was passed to the effect that "a diploma be considered the highest possible testimonial of approbation this society can bestow." Henry Getchell and R. Jones were appointed a committee " to make inquiries as to the cost of leasing grounds and erecting suitable buildings for the convenience and accommoda- tion of the society." The Committee reported in favor of accepting the offer of a site made by John B. Crawford, with whom they were further instructed to make a written agreement, and also to mature plans for a building. Mr. Peck resigned the secretaryship. M. C. Waite was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the board adjourned. In January, 1860, it was resolved to procure material, and fence the ground leased of Mr. Crawford. In March, contracts were closed with P. A. Bassett for boards, and with Metcalf & Paddock for posts, and Messrs. Lee & Lemeroux were employed to build the fence. The fair this year was held at Baraboo, on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September. The records show that there were 150 exhibitors and 801 entries. Premiums were awarded to the extent of $277.50. while the receipts from all sources amounted to $398. At the close of the fair, A. W. Sturks was elected President: F. K. Jenkins, Vice President ; John B. Crawford, Treasurer, and M. C. Waite, Secretary. The Board of Directors this year was composed of twenty mem- bers, and the membership of the society was 140. The financial report showed that there had 3bO HISTORY OF SAUK COUXTY. been paid $297.23 for work and material on the fence inclosing the grounds, and $548.60 on the building. The annual fair for 1861 was held at Baraboo on the 16th, 17th and 18th of September. There were two diplomas awarded : Mrs. C. A. Hutchins for best lace cape, and Mrs. F. Long- ley for best sofa pillow. The sum of $142 was disbursed in premiums. The highest premium ($5) was given to F. G. Staley for the best-conducted farm. The business meeting of the society, held on the second day of the fair, resulted in the election of Harvey Canfield for Presi- dent, R. R. Remington for Treasurer and H. H. Potter for Secretary. The receipts of this fair were $253.23. In January, 1862, Peter Cooper was chosen President of the society in place of H. Can- Held, deceased. F. G. Staley was elected Vice President to supply the omission made at the preceding annual election. No record of the fair held this year is to be found. In 1863, there were 298 entries and $203.40 paid in cash premiums. The receipts amounted to $285.55, and the total expenditures to $291.79. The old board of officers was re-elected. No record exists for 1864. The regular annual meeting of the Executive Committee was held January 21, 1865, at which Charles H. Williams was chosen President; E. Walbridge, Vice to hold business meetings in June, but failed on account of a quorum not appearing. President; R. R. Remington, Treasurer, and J. J. Gattiker, Secretary. Two attempts were made to hold business meetings in June, but failed on account of a quorum not appearing. The next record of the society is dated the 18th of February, 1866. At this meeting, it was decided to hold a fair on the 10th and 11th of October, and $235 were offered in premiums ; according to the Treasurer's report, however, only $127 was disbursed for this purpose. This was the most profitable fair held by the society up to that date. The receipts from all sources amounted to $533.91, while the expenses were but $289.21, leaving a balance of $244.77. Charles H. Williams was re-elected President and J. J. Gattiker Secretary. H. H. Potter, J. B. Crawford and F. G. Staley were chosen Vice Presidents, and Henry Cowles Treasurer. The records for 1867 are somewhat brief. The fair took place in October, but we are left in the dark as to the financial result. A resolution was passed at the business meeting that followed, extending thanks to John Y. Smith for an address delivered on the occasion ; also one to the effect that " in future a diploma be offered in place of any first premiums to those who shall prefer it to the money." The following officers were chosen : President, II. H. Potter; Vice Presidents, J. B. Crawford, J. G. Graw and D. D. Lee ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ; Secretary, J. J. Gattiker. On the 18th of September, 1868, in pursuance with a previous call, a meeting of the Executive Committee was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of holding the usual annual fair. A majority of the six gentlemen present favored a proposition not to hold a fair, and it was so determined, though the reason for this action does not appear. It certainly could not have been for lack of funds, for the report of the Treasurer showed that there was $676.10 on hand. The record of 1869 is also dated the 18th of September, and is very much to the same effect as the preceding. It reads as follows: "The meeting was called for deciding whether it would be advisable or not to hold a county fair. There was no quorum present, but those in attendance were decidedly of the opinion that, under the present circumstances, it would be best to dispense with the fair. The lease on the Crawford ground had expired, the building had been taken down, and there was no place to be had except Emery's race grounds, for which he would charge for two years at the rate of $100 per year. The officers thought it to the advantage of the society to find a piece of ground which could be bought for a permanent location." In May, 1870, it was decided to hold a fair on the 6th and 7th of October, and a list was made up offering $455 in cash premiums, $84 being for trotting and running. Four hundred articles were entered for exhibition, upon which there was paid $304. Forty acres of land ^^y. B A R A B O HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT V. 363 were purchased this year from Adam Nixon for $1,5-10, twenty acres of it being sold after- ward for §600. At the close of the fair the society found itself in debt .$779.59. Officers were chosen as follows: President, H. H. Potter; Vice Presidents, J. M. True, J. G. Grow and I. W. Morley ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ; Secretary, J. J. Gattiker. The fair of 1871 was held in the society's new building on the 20th, 21st and 23d of Sep- tember. There were ninety exhibitors and 326 entries in the different departments. The old board of officers was chosen, with the exception of I. W. Morley, who was succeeded as one of the Vice Presidents by John B. Crawford. Owing to the heavy expense attending the construc- tion of a new building, the financial condition of the society this year was not favorable, though the prospects were bright. The receipts from all sources were $1,070.70, but the expenses were sufficiently large to make the indebtedness $1,155. The result of the fair of 1872 composes no part of the very brief record of that year. A meeting was held on the 23d of March, at which it was decided to hold the fair on the 17th wnd 18th of September. A very extensive premium list was adopted, amounting to $749.50. There is no record of the officers elected this year; and, for the following year (1873), while we have a list of the officers, there is no record of the fair. The officers for the latter year were : President. H. H. Potter ; Vice Presidents, James Morey, H. Ochsner. John Dennett, P. J. Parshall, I. W. Morley, J. W. Wood; Secretary, John M. True; Treasurer, T. T. English. In 1874, the officers were: President, H. H. Potter; Vice Presidents, J. B. Crawford, D. E. Welch, W. C. Cady, P. J. Parshall, A. Hoage, W. Thiele, J. B. Clark, B. U. Strong, N. H. Briggs, G. I. Bancroft, T. Gillespie, T. J. Morgans, E. Kimball, H. Ochsner, William Dennett, Isaac Gibbs, John Young and A. Cottington ; Treasurer, T. T. English ; Secretary, John M. True. In 1875, John True was chosen President ; a Vice President was chosen from each town ; Henry Cowles was Treasurer, and Philip Cheek, Jr., Secretary. In 1876, H. H. Potter was elected President, H. Cowles Treasurer, and John M. True Sec- retary. The receipts this year were $1,032.08, the fair being held on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September. Charles H. Williams was chosen President in 1877, J. M. Highland, Treasurer, and G. A. Pabodie, Secretary. The fair was held on the 26th, 27th and 28th of September. Receipts, $790.25. In 1878, John M. True was President, John M. Highland, Treasurer, and George A. Pabodie, Secretary. The Vice President representation by towns was changed this year, two Vice Presidents being chosen — J. W. Wood and H. B. Knapp. The officers for 1879 were the same, with the exception of O. H. Cook being chosen as Vice President in place of J. W. Wood. The present officers are John M. True, President ; O. H. Cook and J. W. Wood, Vice Presidents ; J. B. Duncan, Treasurer ; F. N. Peck, Secretary. The receipts of the last exhi- bition were $536.84. For the past six or seven years, the winter meetings of this society have been full of interest. The attendance is very large from all parts' of the county, while not a few practical men from other parts of the State take interest enough in them to be present. The meetings are chiefly devoted to the reading of papers on various topics pertaining to agriculture, horticulture, etc*. and the discussion of those papers. BLOOD CATTLE. The rearing of blood cattle has become one of the leading industries among Sauk County farmers, whose tastes have a tendency in that direction, and this feature of the farmyard, to all appearances, results in financial returns quite as satisfactory as many of the leading branches of agriculture. The ample area of lands in the county which produce sweet and nutritious grasses also makes the dairying interest a profitable one, and dairymen have not been slow in seeing the 364 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. necessity for improving the breed of their milch cows. Hence the demand for short-horns, Jer- seys, Ayrshires, etc., and the consequent new departure of a few farmers who have turned their attention entirely to rearing them. Probably the first to take the lead in this industry in Sauk County was C. H. Williams, whose farm, near the village of Baraboo, is well adapted to stock- raising. He brought the first short-horns into the county about twenty-seven years ago. and has now something like thirty head. The Major is the most extensive breeder of fine cattle in the county. R. A. Morley and John M. True come next in point of numbers, though there are others, among whom may be mentioned W. T. Kelsey, of Prairie du Sac, G. W. and A. S. Waterbury, R. E. Stone and James Grisim, who have probably been longer in the business. Of Ayrshires. Mrs. C. C. Remington has eight or ten head, while A. G. Tuttle is the owner of half a dozen fine Jerseys. STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. * On the 13th of June, 1874, Charles H. Williams, H. H. Potter, John M. True, John B. Crawford, R. J. Wood, J. W. Wood, J. H. Vrooman, William Fessler, Melatiah Willis. P. W. Carpenter, H. J. Farnum, Charles Teel, G. C. Astle, A. J. Sears, R. Johnson, Charles Payne, S. McGilvra, S. W. Emery, Ryland Stone, R. E. Stone, J. R. Hall, N. W. Morley, James Hill, William Christie, H. H. Howlett, R. A. Morley, Levi Cahoon, Amos Johnson and 0. H. Cook, met in the Court House, Baraboo, and organized " The Stock Breeders' Association of Sauk County," a joint-stock company with a capital stock of $4,200, having for its purpose " the procuring and keeping of imported and thoroughbred horses and mares for breeding pur- poses." On the 10th of February, 1875, II. H. Potter, M. Willis, Amos Johnson, John B. Craw- ford and Charles Teel were chosen Directors of the Association, and on the 13th of the same month, H. H. Potter was elected President, J. B. Wood, Treasurer, and John M. True, Secretary. The officers for 1876 were H. H. Potter, President; J. J. Gattiker, Treasurer, and John M. True, Secretary. Directors — Ross Johnson, H. J. Farnum, A. Johnson, H. H. Potter and J. B. Crawford. The Directors for 1877 consisted of R. Johnson, P. W. Carpenter, H. H. Potter, Robert Wood and Amos Johnson. The others officers were the same as in 1876. On the 12th of January, 1878, R. H. Strong was chosen President, E. Walbridge. Treas- urer, and J. M. True, Secretary. Directors, P. W. Carpenter, R. Johnson, R. H. Strong. F. Baringer and 0. H. Cook. In 1879, R. J. Wood was made President, Messrs. Walbridge and True being re-elected Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Messrs. Johnson and Strong were succeeded in the directory by H. J. Farnum and R. J. Wood. The present officers are : President, John B. Crawford ; Treasurer, E. Walbridge : Secre- tary, John M. True. Directors, George C. Astle, R. Johnson, J. B. Crawford, O. H. Cook and Fred Baringer. DAIRYING. Sauk County has become somewhat distinguished for her dairy products, one of her citizens having secured the highest prize awarded at the National Dairymen's Fair held in New York in 1S79. The principal dairymen in the county are A. & D. Beckwith and Aaron Southard, of the town of Bear Creek, who manufacture cheese on quite an extensive scale. J. A. Morley and Archibald Barker, of the town of Baraboo, are the next most extensive dairymen, butter bein^ their chief prodnct ; John Tordoff, Lavalle, cheese; Amos Johnson, 0. K. Cook, H. Bradbury and John Monroe, Greenfield, butter and cheese; Peter S. Young and Henry Hills, Sumter, cheese. In 1879, J. A. Morley prepared an exhibit of butter and sent it to the National Dairymen's Fair, where it took the first premium ($50) in the Wisconsin Class. This entitled it to compete for the sweepstakes, for which no butter could be entered that was not the best of some State class. The sweepstakes prize ($100) it also took, it being pronounced the HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 3(55 best butter in the Fair. Then, again, it took the conditional prize of $100 offered by the Higgins Salt Company, which that company agreed to pay to the winner of the sweepstakes, should it happen that the winning butter was salted with the Higgins salt, as was the case with the Morley butter. STATISTICAL. The following tabulated statement of the agricultural productions in Sauk County for 1878 is taken from the records of the County Board, and will furnish a fair idea of the productive wealth of the county : NUMBER OF BUSHELS. \l UBEB OF POl NDS TOWNS 5 1 5 1 j, | l ! i I :- 5 i= i 1 1 ! [8S66 1 1835 :i'll 2015 ■••-■ -•■■'•• 15 50 4 u.> 1890 S1915 6000 201 ■JiiC. 1 ■■' . ■1 1 -3U Jl'i 164 i 12 15 'il .11 192 ■.: L65 32 im.-in 4 7- 93 ii 1 20 1-7 51 .,; 14 i - '. |, •■ ' 11 '■!!■'. ij.. .,'.,'■ 18545 4-JiiU : ■ 81 1426 061 5191 130 102 24' . '.'.-.17 :.; 20 313 21 6 2914 588 1 .1'. 18837 2JUK4 .".M1S92 2,111 109161772859,731528 30005 75883 12S508 18375 1' 102 73557 961 h,j:ii:i In 1879, there were grown in the county the following acres of crops: Wheat, 38,230; corn, 29,0231 : oats, 24,518; barley, l,553| : rye, 1,738| : potatoes, 2,766f; root crops, li!> sets of saws: woolen-factories, 2; foundries and machine shops, 4; smelting furnaces. 1 : other manufacturing establishments, 24. Population of county (estimated), 25,000. Population of villages (estimated): Baraboo, 3,000 ; Reedsburg, 1,500; Sauk City, 1,600; Delton, 500 ; [ronton. 100; La Valle, 100 ; Lyons, 200 ; Manchester, 50 ; Merrimack, 100; Spring Green, 600 ; Prairie du Sac, 800 ; Loganville, 500. HOPS, AND Till: PANIC OF 1868. Sauk is the banner hop-raising county of Wisconsin, and. in fact, of the Northwest. Har- vey Canfield, Benjamin Colon and Mr. Cottington arc believed to have been the pioneers in the business in the county. Producers then thought themselves fortunate if they obtained 7 cents per pound for their crop, after hauling it to Beaver Dam, which, in early times, was the nearest market. About L863, owing to an increased demand for hops, the price advanced to such an unusual figure that farmers everywhere were induced to devote a portion of their lands to the cultivation of the article. For the next four years, notwithstanding the increased acreage 360 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. and supply, there was no falling-off in prices; on the contrary, hops advanced steadily, and in 1865, i - eached the extraordinary figures of 50, 55 and even 60 cents per pound, with fair pros- pects of going still higher. By this time, the cultivation of other farm products was almost entirely abandoned. Preparations had been made throughout the county to plant almost every available acre of tillable land into hops. Producers purchased from outside sources the necessary small grains required for feed and flour, and turned their undivided attention to hop-raising. The excitement ran high. Speculators, with pocketfuls of money, were plenty, and anxious to buy. Hundreds of farmers, with but very few acres of land, who had hitherto been considered poor, and in fact were poor, suddenly became reputably rich. A man needed no higher indorse- ment than to have it said of him, " He has a hop-yard." His credit was good at any of the mercantile establishments in the villages where he did his trading. " I'll pay when I sell my hops," was a sufficient guaranty for almost unlimited credit. It was a day of liberal dealings, not of sharp bargains, as now. The man with a hop-yard never stopped to say "It's too high ; I'll give you so much," and he seldom inquired the price of an article he sought to purchase. It went on the books, and much depended upon the conscientiousness and fair-dealing qualities of the merchant. Farmers' daughters wore silks and attended universities ; sons went to col- lege, clothed in broadcloth, and the airs of opulence. There were evidences of wealth on every hand, and not without cause. A great many men became comparatively wealthy. The farmers in a radius of ten miles who had made $10,000 in three years, could not be enumerated upon the fingers twice touched. Enormous hop-houses of fantastic shapes were built ; fine blood horses were purchased ; family carriages, phaetons and fancy harness found ready sale — " If you'll wait till my hops get ripe ;" though toward the latter part of the period of excitement the cash was paid in most cases, and a great many old accounts were squared. But the end came, finally, and at a very inopportune time, when the acreage had been largely increased. Prices fell, and with a crash, too. Most of the crop of 1867 was held for higher figures ; 30 and 35 cents was not enough. "They'll be worth more next year," said the hop-grower; but his prophecy was shorn of its wisdom the following season, when the bottom of the market dropped completely out, and hops became a drug, commercially, worth from 3 to 5 cents, with but few buyers. The old crops on hand were, in many instances, more than a dead loss ; the pickers had been paid half the value of a pound of hops per box at the date of picking, which, a year later, amounted to more than the market price, and about the only profit left the producer, was contained in the conversion of his hop-poles into stovewood. One good result, however, of this hop excitement, was the substantial farm improvements made during its existence. The large and costly hop-houses now make good barns. Hop-raising, however, was not entirely abandoned after the panic ; some farmers still continue to grow them quite extensively, and to some degree of profit. nature's provisions. Thirty years ago, when farms were small, owing to the great length of time required to clear away the heavy growths of timber, many of the settlers in the western portion of the county found themselves in straitened circumstances and were compelled to fight starvation at great disadvantage. But nature seems to have provided a way for those who persevered in their efforts to gain a livelihood. John Jessop, of the town of Ironton, had but recently taken a claim of forty acres. He strove for a time to feed and clothe his family from the product of a few acres, but the period was drawing near when he would be called upon by the Government to pay for his land, and money he must have. At that date wild honey was very plentiful. The woods echoed with the buzz of the busy bee. Relinquishing his farm labors, Mr. Jessop turned his entire attention to the gathering of honey. When he had accumulated a wagon load of the "native sweet," he set out with his ox team for Baraboo, Portage and intervening commercial points, where he peddled it out to the citizens by the pound, for cash, provisions or anything else useful he could get. In this way. after making several trips, he paid for his land and sup- plied his family with the necessaries of life. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 30( Another of the natural products of the western portion of the county, which indirectly fur- nished food and raiment for a large number of settlers in early days, was ginseng root, so highly prized for medicinal purposes by the Chinese. In some localities, the root was very plentiful, and for a time the people generally devoted their attention to digging and shipping it to market, where they received as high asftl per pound for any quantity it might be their good fortune to gather. A widow lady, in the town of Washington, earned enough money in this way to pay off a con- siderable mortgage on her farm, which the previous hard times had compelled her to negotiate. Ginseng, so common with us, is a rare herb among the heathens of Asia. With them it is the panacea for all ills, and after it has undergone a process known to the Cantonese as leong-tsue, it enhances greatly in value. Large quantities of the article arc transhipped to Australia, the Hawaiian Islands and that other Chinese province, California, where it finds ready sale among the nations of the Orient at the exorbitant figures of $25 and $30 an ounce. It. is said to derive its great value in their estimation from having cured a former emperor of the colic. The cutting of hop-poles furnished profitable employment to many during the great hop excitement from 1S65 to 1872. One of the principal industries in the towns of Ironton and Lavalle at the present time is the cutting and hauling of stave timber to the mills of Messrs. Paddock & Keith. The burning of charcoal and smelting of iron ore also furnish employment to a large number of the residents of the same towns. In the southernpart of the county, where there is less soil than sand, the raising of melons has become a profitable industrial pursuit. Berries and grapes (wild and tame) and the stronger varieties of tree fruits flourish in every part of the county. Only about one-third of its broad and fertile acres are now under cultiva- tion. With its great diversity of soil and peculiar adaptability to almost every variety of useful products, who can estimate the future importance of Sauk County ? HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. CHAPTER IV. SAUK COUNTY'S WAR RECORD. The First Note of Alarm— Rallying of Patriots— Where they Fought and Died— Sauk County's Contributions— The Draft— The Roll of Honor— What it Cost. Treason, always despicable, even unto the eyes of traitors, never became more intensely odious than in 1861, when the climax of a conspiracy, long brewing, was reached, and the best government under the sun found itself face to face with an unholy and unrighteous civil war. The object of the South in attempting a separation of the Union was the erection of a great slave empire, encircling the Mexican Gulf; the duty of the North was clearly to prevent the success of a scheme so monstrous and inhuman. The first movements of the confederates were made under very favorable circumstances. They were in possession of many of the chief national offices, and they very largely controlled the army and the navy. Their military plan embraced three principal objects — the seizure of the forts and coast defenses, the capture of the national capital and the possession of the Mississippi River. The South was, nevertheless, thrown upon the defensive from the beginning of the struggle, and very soon effectually beleaguered. It was the unfaltering aim of the North to bring the war to a close, with as little bloodshed as possible, by the capture of Richmond, the rebel capital ; but the first forward movement terminated almost disastrously at Bull Run on the 21st of July, 1861. This battle, how T ever, was without military significance, since it did not secure the seizure of Washington by the rebels. It taught the North the real nature of the terrific struggle in which they were engaged. On the day after the battle. Congress voted $500,000,000 and called for 500,000 volunteers. From that moment, the rebell- ion was doomed. This act of President Lincoln and his patriotic Congress increased the nation's confidence in them to deal the righteous blow, and, at the same time, struck terror to the hearts of the secessionists. The responses to the call were immediate and of the most encouraging character. Already a previous call for three months volunteers had been filled. No State in the Union was more prompt in sending forward volunteers than was Wisconsin, and no part of Wisconsin responded with greater vigor than did Sauk County. Twenty-six of her sons volunteered under the first call for 75,000 men, and joined the Madison Guards. The following from the Baraboo Republic of April 25, 1861, fairly illustrates the depth of interest in the preservation of the Union at that time: " The events of the last few days in this village will never fade from the memories of those who witnessed or bore a part in them. Our commonly sedate population have been elevated to a most unbounded pitch of enthusiasm for their country, on the one hand, and of intense indig- nation toward those, on the other, who have proved traitors to it. On Friday, Mr. Nash, of the Madison Guards, arrived here after having enlisted fourteen names in Sauk City and Prairie du Sac — < !. E. G. Horn, Julius Schroeter, David A r eidt, Robert Mettler, August Wandrey, Arthur Cruse, Samuel F. Clark, Anton Fischer, Ed Studelman, Ed Carl, William Bartholdt, Peter Jacob, John Jenewein and Richard Smith — twelve Germans and two Americans. Peter Jacob has served in the Crimean war. Forthwith recruits began to fall in, and the martial sound of drum and fife, unheard in our streets this many a day, inspired all hearts with patriotic enthusi- asm. Among the Baraboo volunteers to the Madison Guards were two sons of a lady who depended upon them and one other for her support. She gave the other permission to go also when he should have replenished her wood pile! On Saturday, they were initiated into military drill by A. G.'Malloy,* also a volunteer, who had served in the Mexican war and was an Orderly on Gen. Worth's staff. In the evening, a meeting was held to organize a home company to * Now V. S. 1:,.%,. mi.. < -II. . I..1 .il I ll.T-uM, 1V.XHM. HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 369 offer themselves to the Governor in the service of the Union. F. K. Jennings was called to the chair, and D. D. Doane appointed Secretary. Speeches full of feeling were made by D. K. Noyes and others, and a temporary organization effected by choosing A. G. Malloy Captain and D. K. Noyes First Lieutenant. On the Sabbath morning, the strange sound of the drum, beat by the expert hand of Rev. W. H. Thomson, to the tune of ' Yankee Doodle,' announced that the volunteers were about to leave. A very large concourse of citizens met in front of the court house to do honor to the noble hearts that so promptly responded to their country's call. Rev. C. E. Weirich, by invitation, acted as Chaplain, and delivered an address eminently appropriate to the occasion. A national hymn was then sung, and, after the benediction, the friends of those about to encounter the dangers and hardships of war were invited to bid them adieu. During the exercises many eyes were moist, but at this juncture every face was wet with tears. Men whom we had never suspected could be touched with tenderness, stood with flowing eyes, as sis- ters, mothers and wives came up to give the parting kiss. After taking their seats in the wagon, E. N. Marsh, in behalf of the volunteers, made a brief but touching address to those assembled. At half-past 9, with flying colors and to the sound of the drum and fife, under a banner inscribed on one side ' The Union Forever,' and on the other ' Baraboo Volunteers to the Mad- ison Guards,' they drove out of town, followed by a procession of wagons and numerous friends on foot. Following is a list of the Baraboo volunteers : Lafayette Lock, Augustus D. Kimball, Charles VV. Porter, Albert B. Porter, John J. Foster, F. D. Stone, Edward N. Marsh, Oscar Allen, Harvey Ames, R. S. Hill, A. Sutcliffe and David Dewell. These twelve volunteers were enrolled among the Madison Guards, and left Madison yesterday (April 24) for Milwaukee. They have unanimously resolved not to taste a drop of liquor until they get back to Baraboo." The particulars of the organization of the " home company " referred to in the foregoing, are given herewith, as they appeared in the local newspaper: "At the Methodist Church that morning, after the departure of the Guards, Mr. Weirich spoke upon the duty of maintaining the Government, and the impression made will never be effaced from the minds of those who heard him. On Monday, the recruiting continued, and at night, with no call but that of the drum, there was a spontaneous gathering of the ladies, as well as of the more war-like sex. The court house was fairly jammed, and the feeling was such that one might put out his hand and almost feel the electricity in the air. J. B. Avery was called to the chair, and E. Wyman chosen Secretary. Several items of news, just received, were read by T. Thomas, and the same gentleman proposed a fund for the support of the families left, offering to give $25 per month. The announcement was greeted with tremendous cheering. 0. W. Fox responded with $5 per month, and Job Barstow, the same. The following committee of ladies was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose : Mrs. R. Jones, Mrs. J. F. Flanders, Mrs. C. A. Sumner, Mrs. J. B. Avery and Mrs. B. F. Mills. N. W. Wheeler, C. C. Remington, Mr. Crawford. Si.. Timothy Kirk, W. H. Thompson, Mr. Blackett and others made eloquent and patriotic speeches. Maj. Rowley and other "drummers from Narrows Prairie, had just come in time, and the thunder heard in that court room, to the tune of ' Yankee Doodle ' was never heard there before. A. G. Malloy was then chosen Captain without opposition, and A. N. Kellogg came forward to say that the Republic office claimed the privilege of furnishing one volunteer — Joseph I. Weirich — and of equipping him with a Sharp's rifle. The meeting then adjourned. ■• On Tuesday, the recruiting continued, and in the evening another meeting was held, with 0. W. Fox, Chairman, and E. Wyman, Secretary. After various patriotic speeches, the following resolution, introduced by C. Armstrong, was adopted : " Whereas, It is reported that some one or two citizens of this town are in the practiceof utteringsentiments of approval of the course pursued by the Southern States in making war upon our Government, and, while we tolerate full freedom of speech and of the press in time of peace, we cannot nor will not. now that civil war lias been commenced, submit lo hear piracy and murder approved, much less witness the United States Constitution violated and traduced by any resident of Sauk County, in their either directly or indirectly giving aid or comfort to the enemy. Therefore. • Re otved, thai the presence of traitors is of itself sufficiently burdensome, and that, if they value the privilege of remaining among us. they must be quiet. 370 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. "For several seconds after its reading not a whisper was heard, then the whole audience at once sprang to their feet and sent up three of the lustiest cheers ever heard in Wisconsin. " On Wednesday morning, Hon. Moses M. Strong being in town, the citizens called for him, when he appeared on the court house steps and made a Union speech, half protesting against the policy of the administration, but deeming it the duty of every good citizen to support the Government. After his speech, the recruits started for Reedsburg to enlist accessions to their ranks. Flags, meantime, have been put up in a dozen or more conspicuous places, and the enthusiasm for red, white and blue emblems is constantly increasing." Arrived at Reedsburg, the Sauk County Riflemen (for such was the name by which these first recruits were known) stopped at the Alba House, where a grand reception awaited them. Speeches were made by prominent citizens, including William Miles, N. W. Wheeler, F. K. Jenkins and Rev. W. H. Thompson. Ten recruits were there enrolled, and "the boys" returned to their homes to await the call of the Governor, to whom their services had previously been offered. From this date forward, a blaze of excitement pervaded Sauk County. Impromptu meet- ings were held in every village and settlement, at which recruits were raised and funds voted for the relief of those left in dependent condition by the enlistment of fathers, brothers and hus- bands. The ladies were notably active in forming societies with relief ends in view, and making bandages and picking lint to be used on the field of battle in case any of their dear ones were so unfortunate as to be wounded. In Baraboo, the school children, some 200 in number, paraded the streets beneath the folds of the American flag. C. A. Sumner & Co. displayed a large flag with eight black stars, representing the disloyal States, surmounted by twenty-six white stars. On the 4th of May, squads of volunteers from different parts of the county came into Baraboo, and a grand parade took place, winding up with a presentation of red, white and blue badges to the volunteers, Mrs. C. A. Sumner making the presentation address. The Sauk County Rifle- men, while awaiting a call from the Governor, visited Reedsburg, where Capt. Malloy was pre- sented with a handsome sword. In anticipation of this event, the Reedsburg boys went over to Ironton to borrow a cannon, but, being refused by the owner of the ordnance, it became necessary to take the weapon any w r ay. The following Saturday a visit was made to Dellton, and later, to Sauk City, but this sort of jollification was cut short on the 28th of May, when an order was received from Adjt. Gen. Utley, commanding them to report for duty. Before departing for the front, the company (after being sworn in by Lieut. Col. Atwood, of the Sixth Regiment), was presented with a stand of colors by the ladies of Baraboo. The departure for Madison was taken June 25, the occasion being one long to be remembered, by citizens and soldiers alike. The volunteers marched slowly along the streets to the court house square, followed by the Hook and Ladder Company and Mr. Thomson's singing-class, consisting of thirty young girls, dressed in white, heads uncovered, and sheltered from the sun's rays by the stars and stripes. Reaching the position assigned them, they sang a touching national hymn, written by Emeline S. Smith : " Who saiii that the stars (in our banner were dim — That their glory had faded away'.' Look up and behold ! how bright through each fold They are flashing and smiling to-day. A few wandering meteors only have paled — They shot from their places on high; But the jijcul and the true still illumine the blue, And will while all ages go by. Heaven's blessing upon it ! Its stars never shone With a luster so pure and so warm; Like a beacon's calm ray, pointing out the safe way. They gleam through this gathering storm. Their heart-cheering light led our fathers aright Through all the dark perils they knew; The same magic glow shall lead us to the foe, And guide us to victohy too ! " HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 371 On behalf of the Sauk County Bible Society, Rev. C. E. Weirich and S. P. Kezerta pre- sented each member of the company with a neat pocket testament; and Sauk County's first complete company took its departure for the front. The company rendezvoused at Madison for a time, under rigorous discipline. Being assigned as Company A, the extreme right of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, they left for the scene of conflict July 28, 1861. With them went the heartfelt sympathies of the citizens of Sauk County for the integrity of the Government. 1 1 was the substantial result of their first patriotic efforts toward maintaining that Government. But they did not pause. Volunteers continued to go forward until the serpent-twined palmetto had ceased to wave, and the" peculiar institution" — slavery — was entombed, never again to exist in a free and enlightened country. The following names appear upon the company's description book as those of the persons sworn into the United States service: A. G. Malloy, Captain; D. K. Noyes, First Lieutenant; T. C. Thomas, Second Lieutenant; Sergeants — J. A. Schlick, J. A. Coughran, J. C. Miller, Albert Fox and H. F. Pruyn ; Corporals — H. A. Lee, J. F. McLoney, J. I. Weirich. II. J. Iluiitinton, A. F. F. Jensen, John Starks, C. H. Foote and George M. Jones; Musicians — T. .1. Johnson and A. G. Johnson. Privates — R. H. Avery, R. Atridge, E. D. Ames, J. Alexander, T. Anderson. W. P. Black, E. Birum, T. B. Butterfield, E. A. Broughton, J. Brecher, F. H. Bunker, F. M. Cran- dall, H. H. Childs, H. L. Childs, Philip Cheek, Jr., W. H. Copeland, W. H. Clay, A. Darrow, W. S. Durlyn, J. M. Foster, S. Fort, J. T. Flowers, C. W. Farrington, A. Fancher, D. C. Fen- ton, F. Fletcher. II. D. Fordyce, J. B. Fowler, L. D. Finton, I. Fort, A. Fowler, C. M. Fesen- don, F. Gerlaugh, F. Graham, W. H. Groat, G. A. Harp, S. J. Hutchens, P. Hoefner, J. Hill, J. Hedges, D. Hedges, J. Hall, J. G. Hodgedon, I. Inman, R. Jones, B. H. Jones, T. Joy, H. D. Jones, T. A. Jones. J. J. Jenkins, T. L. Johnson, F. K. Jenkins, A. P. Johnson, J. 0. Keyes. A. Klein, C. Kellogg, W. Klein, S. W. Keyes, C. Loit, J. C. Langhart, S. M. Long, W. L. Livesley, J. H. Moulon, H. C. Mattison, N. Moore, G. C. Miles, M. T. Moore, P. Nip- pert. 1 >. < »dell, M. Pointon, J. Pearson, W. Palmer, U. Palmer, W. Pearson, W. B. Ryder, E. H. Richmond, G. W. Russell, C. Reed, G. Rosser, G. Rice, I. Scott, W. W. Spear. W. Soare, E. F. Smalley, P. Stockhouse, W. B. Thomas, L. B. Van Luven, E. Wyman, C. J. Weidman. C. A. Winsor, H. Williams, P. Will. J. Whittey and H. H. Young. WHERE THEY FOUGHT AND DIED. First Regiment. — This was the first regiment organized in Wisconsin in compliance with the President's call for 75,000 three-months volunteers. In it was Sauk County's first contri- bution df men, who went forth to vindicate the right and punish- treason. A list of those enlist- ing in the Madison Guard (which formed one of the companies in the First Regiment) from this county has already been given, but they were not all accepted. The description book of the company shows the names of those who were accepted, as follows : From Baraboo — Oscar Allen, II. B. Ames, L. F. Locke. A. I). Kimball, E. N. Marsh, A. B. Porter, C. W. Porter, D. W. Dewey, R. S. Hill, F. D. Stone, H. Sutcliffe, J. J. Foster. From Sauk City and Prairie du Sac— S. F. Clarke, E. Carl, J. Jenewine, P. Jacob, Anton Fischer, C. E. G. Horn, D. Viedt, H. Wandrey. The three months having expired, they were mustered out August 21, 1861. Upon the re-organization of the regiment, quite a number of the Sauk County boys had joined other regiments, then forming, the history of which will be found in subsequent pages of this chapter. The Iron Brigade. — Sauk County was well represented in the famous Iron Brigade, which was composed of the Second, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry Regiments and the Nine- teenth Indiana. The representation from this county in the Second and Seventh Regiments, though small, was in fair proportion with that of other counties of greater population ; it was in the ranks of the Sixth Regiment, however, that the patriots of " Old Sauk " were most numerous. It is due to the memory of those who fell at the Wilderness, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and to those who lived through the greatest battles of the 372 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. rebellion, that at least a partial record of the attendant events of their services should be given in these pages. The Second Regiment was originally enrolled under the President's call for 75,000 three-months volunteers. Under orders to rendezvous at Camp Randall, the various companies were organized early in May, 1861. Meanwhile, the General Government had decided to accept no more troops for this short term of service, and, accordingly, on the 16th of May, the regiment was called upon to re-enlist " for three years or during the war." With the exception of one company, the entire regiment complied enthusiastically. On the 11th of June, the Second Regiment, thus organized, was mustered into the United States service, being the first Wisconsin organization so mustered. On the 20th of the same month, the regiment left for Washington, and was the first body of three-years men to appear at the capital. On the 2d of July, they were ordered to Fort Corcoran, on the Fairfax road, where they were brigaded with three New York regiments, under Col. (now Gen.) Sherman, and, on the 16th, when the movement on Manassas was made, were attached to Gen. Tyler's Division, by whom the enemy was engaged at Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run. On the 21st, the Second Regi- ment was ordered to assault one of the enemy's batteries. They moved up, under a terrific enfilading fire of shell and canister from other batteries, formed in a line at the foot of a hill and charged up, driving back the rebel infantry, which had emerged from a cover in pursuit of a body of our troops just repulsed in a similar assault. Here they fought against enormous odds for over an hour, but, the enemy being re-enforced, were compelled to fall back, having suffered a loss of 30 killed, 105 wounded and 60 prisoners. On the 23d, the regiment went into camp near Fort Corcoran, where they remained until August 27, when they were transferred from Col. Sherman's command to that of Brig. Gen. Rufus King. The subsequent history of the regiment was identified with that of the Iron Brigade until May, 1864, when they were engaged with the Army of the Potomac in the advance upon Richmond, under Gen. Meade. The several companies composing the Sixth Regiment were ordered to rendezvous at Camp Randall about June 25, 1861. Under the direction of Col. Lysander Cutler, the regiment was mustered into service on the 16th of July, and on the 28th they left for Harrisburg, Penn., where they remained until the 3d of August, at which date they moved by rail to Baltimore, Md. Proceeding to Washington on the 7th, they encamped at Meridian Hill, joining at that place the command of Gen. Rufus King. The Seventh Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Randall in August, 1861, and was organized under the direction of Col. Joseph Van Dor, being mustered into service September 16. They left the State for field service on the 21st, and reached Washington on the 1st of October, join- ing Gen. King's command at Camp Lyon. It is here that the history of the Iron Brigade properly commences, though its organization took place in August previous, being composed of the Fifth and Sixth Wisconsin and the Nine- teenth Indiana. The brigade marched on the 3d of September, occupying a position at the chain bridge, five miles from Meridian Hill. They crossed the Potomac on the 5th of Septem- ber, and, after assisting in the construction of Fort Marcy, recrossed the river, and, October 5, went into winter quarters at Fort Tillinghast, on Arlington Heights, Va. Here they remained until March 10, 1862, when they took part in the advance upon Manassas. Nothing of start- ling importance occurred until the forenoon of the 28th of August. The brigade having been assigned a position in the advance line of the Army of Virginia, they proceeded slowly on the left of the army, via Gainesville, to Groveton, where they turned to the right on the Bethlehem Church road, and lay under arms until 5 in the afternoon, when they returned to the Warrenton pike, inarching toward Centerville. While moving by the flank, the Second Regiment was attacked by a battery posted on a wooded eminence to the left. The regiment promptly advanced upon the battery, and soon encountered the enemy's infantry. While awaiting the arrival of the rest of the brigade, this regiment sustained and checked for nearly twenty minutes the onset of " Stonewall " Jackson's entire division, under a murderous concentric fire of musketry. When the brigade arrived, the battle was continued until 9 in the evening, when HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 6(6 the enemy was repulsed, although he continued to hold his own line. About midnight, Gen. King, who had been promoted to Division Commander, ordered a retreat by the Bethlehem road to Manassas Junction, where they arrived next morning, having been compelled to leave a number of their wounded and hospital attendants to fall into the hands of the enemy. August 30, the Second, having been temporarily consolidated with the Seventh Wisconsin, moved with the brigade in the second line of battle, to assault the enemy's left, posted in a thick wood. While engaged in assaulting this position, the success of the rebel attack upon the left flank of our army made it necessary to fall back. The "Iron Brigade " formed in line of battle, and retained the position until the entire army had passed in safety on the road to Centerville. Concerning this movement an eye witness writes: " Gibbon's* brigade covered the rear, not leaving the field until after 9 o'clock at night, gathering up stragglers as they marched, and showing so steady a line that the enemy made no attempt to molest them." The brigade also participated in the movements of the army under the command of Gen. McClellen. and, on the 14th of September, was assigned the duty of storming Turner's Pass, of South Mountain, where the rebels were strongly posted in a gorge. The assault commenced about half-past 5 in the afternoon, the Second Regiment leading on the left of the road, and the Sixth and Seventh on the right. At 9 o'clock, the enemy was routed and driven from the Pass. On the 15th, leading Hooker's division, in advance of the entire army, they pursued the retreating rebels through Boonsboro to Antietam Creek, where a skirmish ensued. This move- ment led them to take a prominent part in the battle of Antietam, which commenced the follow- ing day. Early in the morning, the brigade became hotly engaged, dislodging the enemy in their front and occupying his position for two hours, until relieved by fresh troops. On the 19th, they marched to the Potomac and went into camp at Sharpsburg. On the 20th of October, the Twenty-fourth Michigan was added to the brigade. After many severe marches, the brigade reached Brook's Station, Va., November 5. In the mean- time, Gen. Gibbon having been placed in charge of the division, Col. Cutter of the Sixth took command of the brigade, but was soon succeeded by Gen. Meredith. Taking part in the gen- eral movement of the army, ordered by Gen. Burnside, they left Brook's Station on the 9th of December, and crossed the Rappahannock on the 12th, under fire of the enemy's artillery. In the great battle of Fredericksburg on the loth, the brigade held an exposed and very important position on the extreme left. During the two days following, they were constantly under arms, retiring safely on the evening of the 15th to the north side of the river. They went into winter quarters on the 23d, near Belle Plain, Va. On the 20th of January, 1863, they broke camp, and took part in the movement known as the •' Mud Campaign." On the 12th of February, the Second and Sixth, under command of Col. Fairchild, proceeded down the Potomac and made an expedition through Cumberland County, Ya., capturing a number of horses and mules, seizing a quantity of rebel stores and taking prominent secessionists prisoners. A second expedition, with similar results, was made in March. The command of the Army of the Potomac having been transferred to Gen. Hooker, the brigade took part in the forward movement toward Fitz Hugh Crossing on the 28th of April. The engineers, with the sharpshooters stationed for their protection, having been discovered and driven back by the enemy, the brigade was formed for the purpose of forcing a passage of the Rappahannock. Companies B, D and E, of the Second, manned the ponton wagons and ran them down to the river, when the whole line advanced on the double-quick under a galling fire from the enemy's rifle-pits. The pontons were launched and instantly filled by men from all the regiments, who pushed across, and, led by the Sixth Wisconsin and the Twenty-fourth Michigan, charged up the heights, carrying the rebel rifle-pits by storm and capturing several hundred prisoners. A series of rapid movements through Maryland, with unimportant results, then followed, and, on the 30th of June, the brigade formed itself at Marsh deck. Adams Co., Penn. At '"'i 'iil'l'uu lui'l I ii api'uinted Hriiaute t 'uiiimitiider in M.i\ 374 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. an early hour on July 1, they moved cautiously in the direction of Gettysburg. When within a mile of that place they turned to the right, under orders to advance to the support of Gen. Buford's cavalry, then hard pressed by the enemy. The Second, having that day the lead of the marching column, first met the advancing enemy. The regiment came into line on the double-quick behind a slight elevation, and, without waiting for the rest of the brigade to form, advanced over the crest, receiving a volley which cut down over thirty per cent of the rank and file. With true Wisconsin bravery, they dashed upon the enemy's center and crushed it, thus checking the rebel advance. After a conflict of half an hour's duration, the rebels abandoned the field, leaving over 800 prisoners, including Gen. Archer and the Second Mississippi, with its colors, in the hands of the brigade. They stubbornly resisted the re-enforced assaults of the enemy that soon followed and pursued him from Gettysburg, on the 6th, toward the Potomac, camping at Warrentown Junction, Va., on the 25th. The Iron Brigade was employed in picket and guard duty on the Rappahannock and Rapi- dan until the 10th of October, when they took part in the vigorous campaign that followed, fre- quently meeting and repulsing largely superior forces of rebels. On the 28th of December, the total number of men belonging to the Seventh, present with the army, was 249. Of these, 211 re-enlisted as veterans. On the 21st, 227 of the Sixth also re-enlisted, and at various dates during the month forty members of the Second had done likewise. The veterans of the Sixth and Seventh were mustered into service January 1, 1864, and those of the Second soon after- ward. The veterans of these regiments were then allowed short furloughs to visit their homes, and in March were assigned to position as First Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps. Accompanying the grand forward movement of the army of the Potomac, under Gens. Grant- and Meade, the Iron Brigade, commanded by Gen. Cutler, broke camp at Culpeper on the night of May 3, crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and marched in the direction of Chancellorsville. On the morning of the 5th, a line of battle was formed in the Wilderness. They advanced by companies through a heavy growth of pine and underbrush and soon encoun- tered the enemy's line. At a distance of forty paces, the enemy, directly in front, poured in a terrible fire, which was returned with such effect as to throw the rebels into disorder. Our troops immediately charged with the bayonet, and at this point Corporal George A. Smith,* Company H, Seventh Regiment, rushed forward and captured the battle-flag of the Forty- eighth Virginia. The brigade continued to advance, driving the enemy to his second line, which was also routed, " the severe fire from our ranks, strewing the ground with dead and dying.." After driv- ing the enemy a mile and a half through the timber, he was re-enforced, and the Iron Brigade compelled to fall back to its original position, where the line was re-formed. At dusk they advanced to within seventy-five yards of the rebel lines, where they lay on their arms all night. At daylight next morning the battle was resumed, and the brigade participated in the grand charge upon the rebels in front, forcing them steadily back until re-enforcements reached them, when another retreat became necessary. During the day, after two unsuccessful attempts to break our lines, the enemy, having massed his troops and made a determined assault, was again repulsed with great slaughter. During this assault, Gen. Wadsworth, division commander, was killed. The command then devolved upon Gen. Cutler, Col. Robinson, of the Seventh, assuming command of the brigade. On the 10th of June, Col. Bragg, of the Sixth, became brigade commander. , On the 8th of May, while preparing breakfast near Spottsylvania Court House, the brigade was ordered forward. After a severe contest, they were compelled to fall back a mile, when they rallied and drove the enemy over the ground where they had just fought, and. taking a strong position within three hundred yards of the enemy's works, successfully resisted several attempts to dislodge them. On the evening of the 9th, the enemy drove in our pickets and established a body of sharpshooters within fifty yards of our breastworks. Sixty men from the Seventh vol- unteered to drive these sharpshooters out, and did so. The next day was spent in attempting to charge the enemy's works, but the brigade was driven back each time. The 11th was occupied HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. S75 in shelling and skirmishing on both sides. On this day, the Second, having been reduced to less than one hundred men, and having lost both field officers, who were wounded and in the hands of the enemy, was detailed as provost guard of the Fourth Division, thus severing its connection with the Iron Brigade. On the morning of the 12th, the brigade again took part in an unsuccessful assault, shortly after which they moved about three miles to the left, to the support of the Second Corps. Eere they occupied a position on the right of Gen. Hancock's troops, standing in deep mud and keeping up a constant fire for the protection of the troops who were at work on the fortifications. From constant firing, their guns became so foul that it was necessary to send details of men to wash the guns while their comrades kept up the fire. In many instances, the weariness of the men was so overpowering, having been under fire day and night since the morning of the 8th, that they lay down in the mud and slept- under the enemy's fire, notwithstanding the exer- tions of the officers to keep them awake. Early on the following morning the brigade was relieved. Participating in the movement of our army to the left, they marched from this place late in the evening. Their next fight occurred near Jericho Ford, on the Po River, where, after a two hours* engagement on the evening of the 23d, the rebels were driven from the field in disorder. The conduct of the brigade in this action was highly complimented by the officers of the army. Similar scenes were enacted and like hardships endured by this gallant body of men, now whittled away by death and disease to a mere corporal's guard in comparison with its former pro- portions, until the final and death blow to rebellion had been dealt. After this, they partici- pated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Five Forks, and, when Richmond had fallen, took part in the grand review at Washington. Under orders to report to Gen. Logan, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, the Sixth and Seventh moved by rail and steamer to Louisville, Ky., arriving on the 22d of June, 1865, where the Seventh was mustered out of service on the 3d of July, and reached Madison on the oth. The Sixth was mustered out on the 14th of July. On reaching the capital of the State, they were the recipi- ents of an enthusiastic reception. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the words of command were given, the bronzed veterans wheeled to the right, drums and fifes struck up their stormy music, and, with guns at right shoulder shift, and bayonets beaming in the slant sunbeams under the green arches of the summer trees, the last organized fragment of the old Iron Brigade, bear- ing the rent and shot-torn banners on which are inscribed the names of such historic battles as South Mountain. Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Cold Harbor. Peters- burg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Five Forks, passed on, to dissolve and disappear from men's eyes forever, but to live immortal in history and in the memory of a grateful people. Who faltered or shivered ? Who shunned battle-stroke? Whose fire was uncertain? Whose battle-line broke? Go ask il of history Tears from to-day, And I he record shall tell you Not Company A. The record shows that there were but nineteen members of the Second Regiment who were residents of Sauk County. Of these, three — Thomas Bever, Conrad Piatt and Hermnn Hoppe — died from the effects of wounds received in battle. The initial company (A) of the Sixth Regiment was made up entirely of residents of Sauk County, mostly citizens of the towns of Sumter and Baraboo. The list of deaths in this com- pany is as follows: Killed in action — First Lieut. Howard F. Pruyn, Laurel Hill, Va.. May 8, 1864; Sergt. A. Fowler, Hatcher's Run, Va.. February 6, 1865; Corp. John Alexander. Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; Corp. L. D. Fen ton, Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, 1864. Privates — William P. Blake, Antietam; Fred. Bunzel and Fred. Bauer, Gravelly Run. Va.. 376 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. March 31, 1865; Henry Bodecker, Hatcher's Run; W. H. Copeland, Sylvester Fort and Frank Garlaugh, Antietam ; John Hedges, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864 ; R. M. Jones. Gettys- burg Penn., July 1, 1863; James 0. Kyes, Antietam; William J. Kitner, Petersburg, Va., August 19, 1864; Charles Kellogg, Wilderness; Jacob E. Langhart and G. C. Miles, South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862; William Pierson, Gettysburg; John C. Whitman, South Mountain. Died of wounds — Corp. Richard Artridge, received at Fredericksburg, Md., Sep- tember 14, 1862. Privates— Ashbury Bales, William Kline, Uriah Palmer, Levi Pierson, George Rice and Henry Stults. Died of disease: Privates — H. D. Ames, Frank M. Cran- dall, J. G. Hodgedon, James Hill, Israel Inman, Thomas A. Jones, Dennis W. Johnson. Mar- shal E. Keyes, John Voss and Harry Williams. William L. Johnson, Company H, Sixth Regiment, resident of Sauk County, died of dis- ease in Andersonville, October 21, 1864. There's a cap in the closet, Old, tattered and liluo. Of very slight value. It may be, to you ; But a crown, jewel-studded, Could not buy it to-day, With its letters of honor — Brave "Company A." Though my darling is sleeping To-day with the dead, And daisies and clover Bloom over his head, I smile through my tears As I lay it away — The battle-worn cap. Lettered "Company A." Those of Sauk County's patriots who lost their lives while serving in the Seventh Regi- ment, were : Corp. George J. Dewey, Company E, killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 10. 1864 ; Edwin Wheeler, Company B. Antietam; Sanford Frost, Company B, Gainesville (Bull Run); W. 1'. Carter, Company A. died of disease October 14. 1862; George W. Root, Company E, died of disease February 2:1. 1862 ; Homer Newell, Company 15, died of disease, August 18, 1864: A B. Frost, Company B, February 8, 1865. tit Andersonville. The commissioned officers of Company A, Sixth Regiment, were : Capt. Adam G. Malloy, promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventeenth Regiment early in 1862; David K. Noyes, wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862, necessitating an amputation of the right foot ; dis- charged July 2-'!. L864; Lewis A. Kent, mustered out with regiment July 14, 1865. First Lieutenants— David K. Noyes, resigned October 30, L861 ; Thomas C. Thomas, resigned Sep- tember 2-".. 1 862 ; John A. Coughran, resigned December 3, 1862 ; Howard F. Pruyn, killed in action May 8, 1864 ; Howard J. Huntington, discharged July 15. 1864: Mair Pointon. mus- tered out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — T. C. Thomas, John A. Coughran, H. F. Pruyn, II. J, Huntington (wounded in action June 18, 1864). promoted : Nelson Moore, mustered out with regiment. Ninth Regiment. — Nearly all the members of Company D. of this regiment, were residents of the towns id' Honey Creek and Prairie du Sac, the towns of Sumter and Troy also contrib- uting. The regiment was raised under an order authorizing the organization of an exclusively German regiment. They rendezvoused at camp Sigel, Milwaukee, and were mustered^ October 26,1861, with Frederick Solomon as Colonel. They left the State for Leavenworth, Kan., January 22. 1862, crossing the Mississippi ami Missouri Rivers on the ice and becoming a part of the great "Southwestern Expedition." which commenced operations in Kansas and Southwestern Missouri with a view of reducing to allegiance the Cherokee and other Indian tribes, working under the influence of Confederate emissaries. In this respect the expedition was successful, but the climate proved fatal to the health of our troops. The heat was intolerable, rising to EISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 377 118° in the shade. During this time, some most remarkable forced marches were made through the rebel-infested portions of Missouri. The first battle of importance in which the Ninth Regiment was engaged was at Newtonia, Mo., on the 29th of September, 1862. Here Companies D (the Sauk County boys) and G, with a section of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, under command of Lieut. Col. Jacobi, advanced upon the fortified position of the enemy for the purpose of ascertaining his strength. The rebels, numbering 3. 00(1 men, with four pieces of artillery, were concealed in the vicinity of a large stone barn and behind stone fences. When our troops had advanced within thirty paces of the enemy, he arose in his sheltered position and delivered a murderous fire. Mean- time a large number of rebel cavalry came up on both flanks, cutting off and capturing our infantry. A second expedition against Newtonia was organized, but the rebels had fled, leaving one wounded behind. The line of march was then taken up. and the First Division, to which the Ninth belonged, crossed the Arkansas line, encamping at Pea Ridge on the 17th of Novem- ber. ( In the 7th of December, the rebels under Gen. Hindman were engaged, and the bloody battle of Prairie Grove was fought. After much privation and many forced marches through this God-forsaken country, the Ninth Regiment, with portions of the brigade to which it belonged, reached St. Louis early in July, 1863, where it remained on guard duty until the 12th of September, when the entire command was ordered to Helena, Ark. Here they remained until October 10, when they set out for Little Rock, reaching that place on the 22d, when the Ninth was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps, under Maj. Gen. Steele. In January, 1864, 213 members of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. They left for Shreveport, La., on the 23d of March, to take part in the Red River expedition. While at Terre Noir, La., on the 2d of April, the rear of the advancing column was attacked by Shelby's cavalry, but succeeded in routing the enemy after a loss of ten killed in the regiment. Resuming the march, they were joined on the 9th by Gen. Thayer's command, and on the fol- lowing day encountered the enemy, who was driven back. On the 15th, they encountered the rebel forces, under Marmaduke. at Poison Springs, and a brief engagement followed. On the 26th, it having been determined to abandon the Red River expedition, the return march toward Little Rock was commenced. On the morning of the 30th, as our forces were preparing to cross the Saline River, the rear of the column was assaulted by the enemy in greatly superior numbers, and the battle of Jenkins Ferry was commenced, in which the Ninth lost fourteen killed and seventy wounded. During this assault, while Gen. Rice was in the act of complimenting the regiment for their gallant behavior, he was instantly killed, when Col. Solomon took command of the brigade, leaving Maj. Schlueter in charge of the regiment. On the 1st of May they were again in motion, reaching Little Rock on the 3d. November 17, 1864, the regiment was consolidated into four companies of veteran volun- teers under Lieut. Col Jacobi, and January 22, 1865, a second expedition to Saline River was undertaken. They returned to Little Rock on the 5th of February. Embarking on the 4th of June, they moved down the Arkansas and Mississippi, and, ascending the Red, Black and Washita Rivers, landed on the 13th at Camden. Here they remained until August 3. returning to Little Rock. The Ninth was mustered out on the 30th of January, 1866, and on the 14th of February was disbanded. The losses in Company D were: Killed in action — Sergt. Julius Dobezensky. Newtonia. Mo. : Corps. Casper Boul, Sarcoxie, Mo., Arthur Cruse and Max Crasher. Newtonia. Pri- vates — Benjamin Anderson, Jenkins Ferry, Ark. ; Gustav Baumgarth and Christian Baumgarth, Newtonia; Emanuel Bieneck and John Lohr, Jenkins Ferry ; Christian Lambrecht and Herman Roediger, Newtonia ; Andrew Sauter and Frederick Schleuke, Jenkins Ferry. Died of wounds — Corp. Preissner Marzel, Princeton, Ark. Privates, Fred. Bidenstein, Jenkins Ferry; Jacob Kuntz, Fort Scott, Kan.; Julius Kohn, Springfield, Mo.; Charles Kuehne, Spoonville, La. 378 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Died of disease — Privates George Accola, John Boul, Peter Bettler, Edward Dischler, John Grossmeyer, Christian Haidle, Franz Jesse, Charles Jaedick, Lovien Kingsley, Gottleib Lauten- bach, Michael Pingo, Julius Raedel and John Rufe. Company D's commissioned officers were : Capt. Charles Buckenen ; First Lieuts. Charles E. G. Horn, promoted Captain of Company A April 30, 1862. and promoted Lieutenant Colonel of Second Missouri in May, 1864 ; John Gerber, transferred to Company F and after- ward promoted Captain of Company K and transferred to Company H ; Jacob Bohn, resigned February 6, 1863 ; Herbert Pfotenhauer. Second Lieutenants — Jacob Bohn, promoted to Com- pany B, transferred to D and resigned as above ; Detler Heick, resigned August 13, 1862 ; William Schulten, promoted to Company B and afterward promoted to Company D, Independ- ent Battery ; Hugo Koch, promoted to Company H and transferred to Company I ; Louis Schuetz, transferred to Company A and promoted to Company E ; Richard Kempter, resigned May 21, 1863 ; Gerhardt Zucker, resigned July 3, 1863 ; Anton Fischer. Eleventh Regiment. — In this regiment there were representatives of Sauk County in Com- panies B, D, E, F, G, H and K, the representation being comparatively small in each. The Eleventh Regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, under Col. Hovey, in Gen. Steele's command, and under orders to proceed South, passed through Missouri into Arkansas. The first engagement of any note was at Bayou Cache, on the 7th of July, when Companies D, G, H and I held in check a vastly superior force of rebels until re-enforcements arrived. The Eleventh's losses were four killed and twenty wounded. They arrived at Helena on the 13th. In October, they returned to Pilot Knob, Mo., and remained in that State during the winter. On the loth of March, 1863, they embarked at St. Genevieve for Memphis. From there they proceeded to Milliken's Bend, La., and took position in the Second Brigade, Fourteenth Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. The 1st of April dawned upon the Eleventh Regiment leading the advance at Anderson Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss., where the rebels were driven back in confusion. May 15, the brigade took part in the battle of Champion Hills, and the next day cut off the retreat of the enemy at Black River Bridge, the Eleventh Regiment taking upward of 1,000 prisoners, with a regimental stand of colors. On the 19th they were in the trenches before Vicksburg, and participated in the terrible charge of the 22d. They were actively employed in the siege that followed, and were there when the place surrendered. Immediately after that event, the Eleventh joined the expedition to Jackson, and took part in the '• Second Teche Campaign," going as far as Opelousas. Returning over almost impassable roads, they embarked at Algiers on the 19th of November for Brazos Santiago, Tex. There they received orders to re-enforce Gen. Banks at Aranzas Pass, and afterward to proceed to Fort Esperanza, where they arrived too late to assist Gen. Washburn in reducing the enemy at that place. Three-fourths of the regiment having re-enlisted, they were relieved from duty on the 11th of February, and mustered in as veterans on the 13th. The non-veterans were temporarily transferred to Col. Guppey's regiment (the Thirty-third). The re-enlisted portion reached Madison March 21, and were received in splendid style by the State authorities and citizens. They again left the State on the 25th of April, and proceeded to Memphis. They afterward participated in the various expeditions in Northern Mississippi and Alabama, doing good service, for which they were highly commended by the commanding officers. The regiment was mustered out in Mobile September 4, 1865, and reached home on the 18th. The death losses among those from this county were: Died of wounds — William E. Stearns, Swerin Mather, Company F. Died of disease — Henry Brill, Company F ; Samuel Almv, Hiram Porter, Company H ; Peter Alexander, Company F : Abraham Kondrickson, Company E ; Amos Colborn, Company H ; George Parsons, Sergeant, Company H ; Andrew Hodgett, Company F; David A. Hesford, Company F; John Anderson, Company K ; Ernest Black, Company F. Twelfth Regiment. — Company B of this regiment was composed almost exclusively of residents of the towns of Reedsburg, Lavalle, Ironton and Westfield. while the towns of Dellona and New Buffalo furnished about one-third of the members of Company E. There were also oriS^M?* ( ioaj, fpc^cj /A p J7 f BARABOO, HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 381 residents of Sauk County in A and K. The Twelfth Regiment received their first military instructions at Camp Randall, under Col. George E. Bryant. They left the State for Weston, Mo., on the 11th of January, 1862, reaching there on the 16th with frozen rations and forty men disabled by the intense cold and exposure. February 15 they inarched to Leavenworth, Kan., and on the 1st of March they left for Fort Scott, reaching there on the 7th. On the 2d of April they found themselves in Lawrence, and after a short rest started /or Fort Riley to join the projected expedition to New Mexico. Here they were joined by the Thirteenth Infantry and Eighth Battery of Wisconsin. On the 18th of May, the expedition scheme having been abandoned, the whole force returned to Leavenworth, the Twelfth proceeding to St. Louis the next day after their arrival. June 2 the regiment reached Columbus, Ky., ami, after repairing the railroad and building several bridges, moved to Humboldt, Tenn. On the 1st of October, the regiment was moved to Bolivar, Tenn., and attached to the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. They formed the reserve at the battle of the Hatchie on the 5th of this month, and November 3 commenced the march south- ward with the Army of the Mississippi, under Gen. Grant. Subsequent movements antedating the 18th of April, 1863, were of no particular consequence. On the afternoon of this day, they met Gen. Chalmers' infantry in force at Hernando, Miss. The rebels were routed after seven of their officers and sixty men had fallen into our hands. The next day the enemy's main body was found near Coldwater River, but our efforts to dislodge him were of no avail. These expe- ditions served as the decoy which enabled the gallant Col. Grierson to reach the heart of Mis- sissippi in his famous raid through that State. On the 11th of May, the Twelfth embarked at Memphis and made the well-known land and water voyage to Grand Gulf. On the 9th of June, they proceeded up the river to War- renton and rejoined their division, taking a position in the trenches on the left of the army investing Vicksburg. Their loss during the siege was one man killed and five wounded. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment joined the expeditionary army under Gen. Sherman, and marched toward Jackson, then in the hands of the rebels under Jo Johnston, and took part in the assault on that place. After the rebels had fled, the regiment returned to Vicksburg. On the loth of August they embarked at Natchez, and took the advance in the expedition to Harrisonburg, La. Similar movements of no particular moment were continued until the 25th of January, 1864, when the Twelfth was re-organized as a veteran regiment, 521 of the 667 members then present, re-enlisting. On the 3d of February they accompanied Gen. Sherman on his famous Meridian expedi- tion, and took part in the action at Bolton, Miss., with a loss of three killed and four wounded. On the 13th of March, the veterans of the regiment returned to their homes on furlough. Rejoining the command May 3, at Cairo, 111., having been transferred to the First Brigade, they accompanied Gen. Gresham up the Tennessee River, thence through Alabama and Georgia, ami joined the Army of the Tennessee on the 8th of June. On the 11th, they formed in line of battle and charged two miles through the timber, capturing the skirmish line of the enemy in front of Kenesaw Mountain, before which the regiment were constantly employed during the remainder of the month, sustaining a loss of thirty-four men in killed, wounded and missing. On the 5th of July, forming a part of our line, they advanced toward Nickajack Creek. driving the enemy from a strong line of rifle pits, and forcing him across the stream to his main works. Fortifying the point thus gained, on the 8th and 9th they built bridges and established themselves on the enemy's side of the stream. During the night of the 9th, t lie enemy aban- doned his works. At this time the regiment was transferred to the First Brigade, Third Division of the Seventeenth Corps. On the 17th of July they were again put in motion, and on the 21st, as part of a storming party, carried a fortified ridge in front of Atlanta. In this action, the Twelfth captured forty- eight prisoners and 500 stands of arms, sustaining a loss during the day of 154 in killed, wounded and missing. The next day they aided in capturing nearly the entire attacking for ;e the Twelfth losing thirty-four in killed and wounded. In the general movement of the army as 6M HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. it closed upon Atlanta, the Twelfth was highly commended for its part in the desperate struggle. They were engaged in all the battles of that campaign, and in November joined with Sherman's forces in their celebrated "march to the sea." They commenced the joyous homeward journey on the 1st of May, reaching Washington in time to participate in the grand review. From there they went to Louisville, Ky., where they were mustered out on the 16th of July, 1865. The death losses in Company B were : Killed in action — Sergt. Frank W. Henry, Atlanta, July 22, 1864 ; Privates — Luther B. Cornwell, Atlanta ; Andrew Dowden, Atlanta ; Amos and George Ford, Atlanta ; Evert H. Hagaman, Atlanta ; John E. Wickersham, Atlanta. Died of wounds — Sergt. Spencer S. Miles, Marietta, Ga., Oct. 7, 1864; Corp. William Richards, Atlan- ta ; Corp. George W. Bell, Marietta ; Privates — Nathaniel Camp, Kenesaw Mountain. June 14, 1864 ; Ralph Hoyt. Rome, Ga., August 19, 1864 ; Mark B. Long, Chattanooga, Tenn., No- vember 23, 1864 , Charles Riefenrath, Kenesaw Mountain ; James Sammons, hospital steamer, July 3, 1864. Died of Disease — Privates James T. Allen, Charles L. Campbell, Horace Curtis, Malachi Conklin, George Curtis, Henry Dearholt, Hamilton Duddleston, Alvis Hobart, Jehiel D. Hagaman, Anderson Hobart, Daniel Lane, James B. Mason, James B. Meade, Watson C. Osborn, Charles T. Pollock, James Palmer, Thomas Settle, Elijah Seymour and F. C. Wood. Company E — Killed in action — Corps. John Stultz and Charles Fields, Atlanta ; Private Daniel A. Titus, Atlanta. Died of wounds — Second Lieut. James H. Thayer, Marietta ; Privates C. A. Boughton, Atlanta ; J. L. Boyd, David's Island, N. Y. ; Henry A. Fluno, Nickajack, Ga., July 6, 1864 ; William Stowell, Atlanta. Died of disease — Privates Amund Annunson, E. W. Barton, G. W. Bailey, James H. Clement, J. C. Edmonds, W. H. Fisher, J H. Freeman, C. L. Gloyd, Wesley Harbaugh, Enos Johnston, A. Knapp, G. W. Marshall, G. C. Montague, Horace Ostrander, Henry Rockwell, Laredo S. Smith, Harlan A. Squires and John W. Velvick. The commissioned officers of Company B were : Captains — Giles Stevens, mustered out October 30, 1864; Chester G. Higbee, mustered out December 2, 1864; Jonathan W. Root, mustered out with regiment, July 16, 1865. First Lieutenants — Benjamin F. Blackmail, mus- tered out October 30, 1864 ; Harrison P. Ballard, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieu- tenants — James W. Lusk, promoted First Lieutenant in Company A, April 10, 1862, and resigned April 7, 1863 ; Chester G. Higbee, wounded at Marietta, Ga., August 22, 1864, and promoted as above ; Stephen J. Davis, mustered out with regiment. Fourteenth Regiment. — There were members of this regiment in Companies A, H, I and K from Sauk County, the largest number being in the latter company, from the towns of Green- field and Baraboo. The Fourteenth Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Wood, Fond du Lac, and was mustered into service, under the supervision of Col. David E. Wood, January 30, 1862. They left the State on the 8th of March, and reported to Maj. Gen. Grant, at Savannah, Tenn., on* the 28th, being assigned to the Sixth Division. They entered at once into active service, their first fight being at Corinth. They afterward participated in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg and Atlanta, and passed through the different campaigns with Grant and Sherman. They were mustered out at Mobile, Ala., on the 9th of October, 1865. The percentage of casualties among those from this county who were members of the regi- ment was very large. In Company K, Rufus Billings was killed at Corinth, October 3, 1862 ; Charles A. Brier and Joseph Covenstance died from the effects of wounds, and Sergt. Charles A. Cowles, John and Michael Aukerbrand, Edward L. Mott and John F. Wilson died of disease. The Captains of Company K were Edward W. Cornes, James W. McCall, Ogtlen W. Fox, John N. Price and John J. Postel. Sevent.rn//, Regiment. — Company H of this regiment was composed of Sauk County patriots. Their organization was effected at Camp Randall, and the regiment mustered into service under Col. John L. Doran, March 15, 1862. They left the State on the 20th of the same month, and on the 14th of April went into camp at Pittsburg Landing. Ten days later they removed to Shiloh, and soon afterward participated in the siege of Corinth. October 3, HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 383 found the Seventeenth on the crest of a hill, near Corinth, awaiting an attack from the enemy, which soon came, and the regiment made a gallant charge, driving the rebels from the field. Their loss during this action was forty-one killed, wounded and missing. On the 5th they joined in the pursuit of the enemy. At Grand Junction, Miss., November 6, they were transferred from the First to the Second Brigade, commanded by Col. Bouck, of the Eighteenth. Col. Doran having been placed under arrest, Lieut. Col. Malloy took charge of the regiment November 22. They found themselves before Vicksburg on the 18th of May. in time to take part in the charge of the 19th, obtaining position within seventy-five yards of the enemy's works, which they maintained under a heavy fire of shot and shell for nearly two hours. Their loss was forty five in killed and wounded. In the grand assault of the 22d, the Seventeenth lost twenty- three killed and wounded. After the surrender, the regiment camped within the enemy's works until the 12th of July, when they moved by transports to Natchez. On the 27th of August, they were furnished with horses, and for some time thereafter were employed as mounted infan- try. September 1, they captured a Black River steamer, after a brisk skirmish. On the 5th df September they encountered the enemy near Trinity, and after a running tight of nine miles, during which they captured twenty-five prisoners, they entered Fort Beauregard, the flag of which fell into their hands. Returning to Natchez, they remained until the latter part of Octo- ber, when they moved to Vicksburg. In January, 1864, about seven-eighths of the regiment re-enlisted for three years, and oa the 8th of March the veteran Seventeenth left for home on furlough. April 22, they were assigned to the second brigade at Cairo, 111., for an expedition through Tennessee. At Hunts- ville. Ala., the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, and on the 22d of June took part in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. On the 20th of July they were in the trenches before Atlanta. From this time forward they were employed with Gen. Sherman's forces in their famous march. After attending the grand review in Washington, the Seventeenth moved to Louisville, where they were mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865. The death-losses of Company H, during the war, were as follows: Died of wounds — Privates James Flanders and John McMahon. Died of disease — Privates Ira L. Ames, N. A. Burgess, Gottleib Bantling, Daniel Carmichael, Joseph Herman, Joel Hamblin, John McNulty, John McClure, Thomas Nelson, Frederick Ordman, John Power, Charles Plum, Walter P. Scott ami James P. Watson. Commissioned officers of Company H : Captains — Charles Armstrong, mustered out May 21. and reappointed September 2, 1862; resigned March 24, 1863; Samuel R. Apker, mus- tered out with regiment, July 14. 1865. First Lieutenants — Samuel R. Apker, promoted; Darius E. Palmer, mustered out January 24. 1865; HeniyA. Nolf, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — Richard Rooney, resigned April 16, 1862; Miles Joyce, resigned Novem- ber 27, 1862; Darius E. Palmer, wounded at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863, and promoted as above; James B. Fowler, mustered out with regiment. Ninetciuth Hcijiment. — The initial company of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County, principally from the towns of Reedsburg, Baraboo, Winfield, Woodland and Westfield. They were mustered into service at Camp Randall, April •"><>, 1862, under Col. Horace T. Sanders, and left for the Potomac on the 2d of June. Going to Norfolk, Va., soon afterward, they remained there until April, 186:!. and thereafter did outpost and picket duty in Virginia and North Carolina. They were engaged for the first time at Newbern, N. C, on the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1864. On the 12th of May, a portion of the regiment participated in the movement upon Fort Darling, and on the 16th, in attempting to dislodge a party of rebel skirmishers, lost twenty-five men killed and wounded. In June, they accompanied the advance of Gen. Grant's army upon Petersburg, and participated in the celebrated assault upon the enemy's works. In August, the re enlisted men of the regiment, 250 in number, received .eteran fur- loughs, and reached Madison on the 22d of that month, returning in October, and proceeding at once to the trenches before Richmond. On the 21stof October, they took part in the battle of 384 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Fair Oaks, leaving on the field 7 officers and 136 enlisted men, most of whom were wounded and captured. The regiment returned to Camp Chapin, before Richmond, with eighty men, where they were joined by the non-veteran portion, who had been on duty at Norfolk. On the 3d of April, 1865, they were ordered to assault the enemy's works, and, meeting with but little opposition, marched into the city and planted the regimental colors upon the city hall. Their subsequent movements were unimportant, save that which brought them home. They were mustered out of service on the 9th of August, in the rebel capital, and reached Madison on the 15th. The fatalities in Company A were : Killed in action — Sergt. Ferris B. Palmer, Fair Oaks, Va., October 27, 1864; Corp. John Fuller, Fair Oaks; Privates Robert Cheek, Petersburg, Va., August 7, 1864; Sylvester Searles, Petersburg. Died of wounds — Corp. Alvah Rath- bun, Fort Monroe, Va., Nov. 5, 1864; Privates Charles Day, Hampton Va., June 6, 1864 : Ephraira Hanes, Portsmouth, Va., July 5, 1864; William Miller, Richmond, Nov. 1, 1864: Daniel Sanborn, Jr., Annapolis, Md., March 20, 1865. Died of disease— Sergt. James Smith. Sergt. Albert P. Steese, John Casey, W. B. Hobby, William Horsch, Jesse Mallon, James Markee, Newman W. Pitts and Samuel Street. The officers of Company A were : Captains — Rollin M. Strong, promoted Major October 10, 1863 ; promoted Lieutenant Colonel December 29, 1863 ; wounded and taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Va., October 27, 1864, and discharged from service April 11, 1865 ; Henry A. Tator, mustered out April 19, 1865. First Lieutenants — Henry A. Tator, promoted ; Alex- ander P. Ellinwood, transferred to Company A, Independent Battery, May 1, 1865 ; promoted Captain Company E, May 23, and mustered out August 9, 1865. Second Lieutenants — A. P. Ellinwood, promoted ; Emory Wyman, mustered out February 22, 1865 ; Charles A. Chandler, transferred Captain Company A, Independent Battery, June 21, and mustered out August 9, 1865. Twenty-third Regiment. — Company K of this regiment was recruited in the towns of Prairie du Sac, Spring Green, Franklin, Sumter, Bear Creek, Troy and Westfield. The principal part of Company F was also composed of Sauk County men, from the towns of Baraboo, Del- lona, Excelsior, Greenfield and Merrimack. The regimental organization was perfected at Camp Randall, under the superintendence of Col. Guppey, and left for active service September 15, 1862, under orders to proceed to Cincinnati, then menaced by Kirby Smith's forces. Passing through Cincinnati, they crossed into Kentucky, and were assigned to position in Gen. Green Clay Smith's Division. After marching through various parts of the Blue Grass State, they pro- ceeded to Memphis, Tenn., by water, arriving on the 27th of November. The regiment was there assigned to the First Brigade, Tenth Division, and at once took position in the army destined for the reduction of Vicksburg. On the 28th of December, the regiment moved forward to within a mile of the enemy's works. From this date to January 1, 1863, they were exposed to rebel shot and shell without suffering material loss. January 2, the Army of the Mississippi proceeded up the river to Mil- liken's Bend. Embarking on the 9th, the Twenty-third ascended the White River to the " Cut-off," where they crossed to the Arkansas River and moved up that stream to Fort Hind- man, which they proceeded to invest the next day. At noon on the 11th, the investment having been completed, a general engagement commenced. While moving forward, the Twenty- third was assailed by an unexpected enfilading fire from the enemy's rifle-pits. Companies B, G and K were thrown out as skirmishers, the remaining companies attacking the rifle-pits. The conflict continued with great fury for three hours, when the rebels, anticipating the charge which had been ordered, raised the white flag and surrendered unconditionally. The regiment received many congratulations for their conduct from the division and brigade commanders. Their loss was four killed and thirty-four wounded. The regiment then returned to Young's Point, near Vicksburg, but the malaria of the Yazoo swamps came near accomplishing what the rebels had failed to do, and of 700 men in line of battle, three-fourths were under the surgeon's care. The health of the regiment improving, their next active work was at Cypress Bend, HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 385 Ark., on the 18th of February, when a body of rebels were driven through the native swamp, some prisoqers and munitions of war being taken. March 30 found them on the battle-field at Port Gibson, Miss., and on the 2d of May were the first to enter that village. On the 15th, the line of march was resumed, and the loth witnessed the battle of Champion Hills, in which the Twenty-third participated with such ardor and effect as to receive the congratulations of the commanding General. The next day, they pushed forward to Black River Bridge, capturing the Sixtieth Tennessee, with its colors. The 18th brought them to within three miles of Vicks- burg, and on the 22d they took part in the general assault on the enemy's works, pushing for- ward to the base of one of the forts. At the close of the siege that followed, the Twenty-third numbered but 150 men for duty. August 24, they proceeded south, in transports, to Algiers, opposite New Orleans. After an extended expedition through Mississippi, the brigade to which the regiment was attached was attacked, at Carrion Crow Bayou, on the 3d of November, by a vastly superior force. The Twenty-third stood firm, doing effective work, until Hanked on both sides, when the order was given to fall back. This movement was executed without panic, and upon the arrival of re-enforcements, they again advanced in line, forcing the enemy back and gaining possession of the field. The regiment, at the beginning of the action, numbered 220 officers and men, of whom 128 were killed, wounded or taken prisoners, the latter including Col. Guppey, who was severely wounded. The regiment thereafter engaged in the Texas and Red River expedition. On the 8th of April, 1864, occurred the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, in which the Twenty-third lost seven killed, fourteen wounded and forty-three taken prisoners. The last general engagement in which they participated was at Mobile, Ala. In the meantime, they had performed some wonderful marches and engaged in numerous skirmishes. They were mustered out of service July 4, 1805, reached Madison on the 16th, and were disbanded on the 24th. Company K's loss was as follows; Killed in action — Sergeant James Hilliard, Carrion Crow, La., Nov. 3, 1863 ; Privates Benjamin F. Lindley, Fort Hindman, Arkansas, January 11, 1863 ; Samuel McCready, Fort Hindman ; James McKeever, Carrion Crow. Died of wounds — First Lieut, Andrew James McFarland, July 4, 1863; Corporal William Jones, July 17, 1863 ; Privates William M. Ballard, November 4, 1863 ; Lewis < Meson, January 12, 1863. Died of disease— Capt. Nathaniel S. Frost, December 18, 1862; Sergeant Orson Patchin, November 23, 1862 ; Corporal Henry Jacobs, January 23, 1863 ; Corporal Thomas Hardy, September 17, 1864 ; Privates N. B. Aldrich, Robert Blakely, James Burnham, Joel Campbell, Henry Clements, Moses Dewey, Dudley M. Douglass, John W. Getty, Stephanus Hines, Nelson Hines, Hugh Hughes, David E. James. Henry Mather, P. S. May, Alexander Murray, John F. Nichols, James Oakley. Thomas Phegley, M. S. Parker, Charles Rouse, Frederick Schluckebier, A. M. Thompson, A. D. Thornburg, E. R. Thornton, J. W. Thomas, L. Wanzee and Frederick Waffenschmidt. Company F : Killed in action — Privates John Hague, Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1*64: Erastus D. Miller, Blakely, Ala., April 8, 1865. Died of wounds— Private John W. Kezartee, August 20, 1863. Died of disease— Christian E. Weirich (Chaplain), First Lieut. Elisha L. Walbridge, Serg. Oliver W. Thomas, Serg. Ezra G. Seamans, Corporal William H. Hamilton, Corporal F. M. Crawford, Privates L. J. Bailey, Z. E. Bailey, Charles Bates, C E. Blivin, E. W. Case, Edward Delap, J. M. Densmore, E. R. Freeman, P. H. Kipp, P. Knowles, William Lippitt, James W. Mason, Andrew J. Miles, C. K. Newell, William Pol- lock, Jacob Piatt, Marcus Remington, James D. Roberts, E. C. Spear, B. B. Spooner, John Staley, George Stowell, G. H. Smith, C. L. Stoner, John Shearer, Marvin Van Orman and John Waltz. Officers of Company K : Captains — Nathan S. Frost, died in hospital at Memphis Decem- ber 18, 1862 ; Ephraim S. Fletcher, resigned July 30, 1863 ; John Starks, discharged May 20, 1864. First Lieutenants — Ephraim S. Fletcher, promoted ; A. J. McFarland, died at Portage July 4, 1863 ; Joseph W. Richardson, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieuten- ants — John B. Malloy, resigned January 28, 1863 ; Basil Smout, resigned December 24, 1864. 38b HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The officers of Compmy F were : Captains — Charles H. Williams, promoted Major August 29, 1862, and resigned February 25, 1863 ; Jacob A. Schlick, mustered out with regiment July 4, 1865. First Lieutenants — Elisha L. Walbridge, died May 31, 1863, while on his way home on leave of absence ; Daniel C. Stanley, wounded and taken prisoner at Carrion Crow Bayou, La., November 3, 1863, and exchanged December 26, 1864 ; mustered out with regi- ment. Second Lieutenants — Daniel C. Stanley, promoted ; Robert E. Crandall, taken prisoner at Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1864, and exchanged June 12, 1864; mustered out with regiment. Twenty-sixth Regiment. — About one-half the members of Company K of this regiment were recruited in the towns of Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy. The regiment rendez- voused at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, September 5, 1862, under the management of Col. W. H. Jacobs, and was mustered in on the 17th. They left the State October 5, and proceeded to Washington. On the 15th, at Fairfax Court House, they were assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Eleventh Army Corps. Their first battle was at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, and proved very disastrous, nearly 200 of their number being left on the field. Their total loss here was 37 killed, 117 wounded, 20 prisoners and 3 missing. The 1st of July found them at Gettysburg, where they were again overwhelmed by a largely superior force of rebels. The loss in this engagement was 41 killed, 137 wounded, 26 prisoners and 6 missing, but four of their officers escaping unhurt. On the 2d of October they joined the Army of the Cumberland at Bridgeport, Ala. On the 22d of November they participated in a movement against the enemy on Mission Ridge, Tenn., and did effective work. During this short campaign, they sustained no loss, but the hardships they endured were unusually great. Many of the men were destitute of shoes and blankets. April 23, they were assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Corps. On the 14th of May, 1864, the regiment took a position before the enemy's works at Resaca, and thrice attempted to drive him hence, sustaining a loss of 6 killed and 40 wounded. May 25, they took part in the battle of Dallas, 5 of their number being killed and 32 wounded. In pursuing the enemy they captured a battle-flag, and on the 19th of June found themselves before the rebel works at Kenesaw Mountain. Here, on the 22d, an attack was made, the enemy being driven within his works. In this action, the regiment lost 9 killed and 30 wounded. At Peach Tree Creek, on the 20th of July, the Twenty-sixth captured the battle-flag of the Thirty-third Mississippi, together with forty prisoners Their loss in this action was 9 killed and 36 wounded, duly 22, they were before Atlanta, and August 3, were placed in the front line. The 10th of December brought them in front of Savannah, where siege operations were commenced. After the abandonment of that place by the enemy, they commenced their move- ment northward through the Carolinas. On the 15th of March, 1865. they were at Averysboro, N. O, and participated in the action near that place, routing the enemy and occupying his works. Their loss at this place was 7 killed and 10 wounded. March 18, they arrived on the field at Bentonville, and took a position us a part of the reserve. The homeward march was commenced April 30, after the declaration of peace. They were mustered out in Washington June 13. The death loss in the Twenty-sixth was unusually large. The official figures place it at 249. i )f this number, 12s were killed in action. The casualties in Company K were: Killed in action— Capt. August Schueler. Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863; Sergt. Otto Bernhard, Peach Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; Corp. George Regenbrecht, Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; Corp. August Efleck, Chancellorsville; Privates John Hermann, Gettysburg; Jacob In'dermauer, Chancellorsville; Jacob Klink, Burnt Hickory, May 25, L864; Martin Mengelt. Chancellors- ville; Fred Roell, Burnt Hickory; Michael Rausch, Chancellorsville; Fred Roehrich, Gettys- burg; David Rothacker, Gettysburg. Died of wounds — Fred Steinhoff and Fred Sonnen- schein. Died of disease — Sergt. Fritz Laisch, Fred Balk. Frank Gotthardt, John Mueller. Company K was officered as follows: Captains — Louis Pelosi, resigned March 12, 1863; August Schueler. wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863, his leg being amputated on HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 387 the field, from the effects of which he soon died ; Edward Carl, resigned September 26, 1864 ; Frederick Koerner, discharged November 4, 1864 ; Casper Buechner, mustered out with regi- ment, June 13, 1865. First Lieutenants — Jacob Heip, resigned November 19, 1862; H. J. Berninger, wounded at Chancellorsville, losing his leg above the knee; resigned February 26, 1863 ; Charles H. Doerflinger, discharged February 25, 1864 ; F. Koerner, wounded at New Hope Church, Ga., May 25, 1864, and promoted a3 above. Second Lieutenants — Edward Carl, promoted from Company D ; Henry Greve, promoted from Company E ; Christian Phillip, promoted from Company F ; afterward promoted as Captain of Co. I, and killed at the battle of Resaca, May 15, 1864 — a brave man. Tin 1 Forty-ninth. — Though the representation from Sauk County in this regiment was small, it nevertheless has a history of local interest, which is given as follows: The Forty-ninth Regiment, Col. Fallows, left the State on the 8th of March, 1865 ; moved direct to Benton Barracks, Mo. Remaining there only a few days, it removed to Rolla, arriving at that place on the loth of March. Maj. Noyes had command of the regiment until the 8th of April, when Lieut. Col. Coleman arrived and took command. Company E was stationed in the town for patrol duty. Other companies and detachments were sent in different directions to keep bush- whackers and guerrillas in check. On the 14th of April, Maj. Noyes was detailed on court- martial and military commission duty in St. Louis, remaining there until the 18th of September. The regiment having previously been ordered to St. Louis, Maj. Noyes was placed in command. On the 7th of November, Col. Fallows and all the staff-officers reached Madison and were mus- tered out, and a week later Lieut. Col. Coleman and Maj. Noyes, with the other seven com- panies, were likewise discharged. On this occasion, among other promotions, Maj. Noyes received a Lieutenant Colonel's commission. First Cavalry. — Company F of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County. The regi- mental organization was perfected at Camp Harvey, Kenosha, by Col. Edward Daniels, the last company being mustered on March 8, 1862. They left the State March 17 for St. Louis, and until May. 1863, remained in Missouri. On the 31st of that month they reached Nashville, Tenn., and were assigned position in the cavalry corps of the Army of the Cumberland. Their first engagement was at the battle of Chickamauga. October 2, 1863, they distinguished themselves in an attack upon the rebels under Gen. Wheeler, near Jasper, Tenn., killing and wounding seventy-nine of the enemy, and taking a large number of prisoners. The loss to the regiment was but four wounded, one prisoner and three missing. They remained in Tennessee until early in 1864, participating in numerous skirmishes. On the 17th of January, they took part in the battle of Dandridge, sustaining a loss of thirty-two men killed, wounded and missing. On the 9th of March, they again encountered Gen. Wheeler's forces, but were compelled to fall back. Thenceforward the regiment, with the First Cavalry Division, accompanied the march of Gen. Sherman's forces, taking part in daily actions with the enemy. May 26, five com- panies, with a portion of an Indiana regiment, attacked a brigade of rebel cavalry near Burnt Hickory, routing the enemy with great loss, and capturing three officers and forty-four men. They were subsequently engaged at Big Shanty, Lost Mountain, Chattahoochee River and Beechtown Creek. Toward the latter part of July they encountered the forces under Gen. Armstrong, and after a loss of thirty-one men were compelled to withdraw. On the 4th of November they left for Louisville, where they were remounted and attached to the Second Brigade. Col. La (Jrange commanding. Marching thence to Hopkinsville, Ky., they drove the enemy from the place. The enemy was also put to flight at Elizabethtown. A vigorous cam- paign then followed in Tennessee and Alabama. They were present at the surrender of Mont- gomery, and on the 16th of April, 1865, aided in the capture of Fort Tyler, where they lost seven killed and fourteen wounded. The history of the First Wisconsin Cavalry is particularly interesting and important, from the fact that they were instrumental in the capture of Jeff. Davis, and, had it not been for the unsoldierly conduct of Col. Pritchard, of the Fourth Michigan, they would have accomplished 388 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. this pleasant duty themselves. Leaving Macon, Ga., May 24, they reached Edgefield June 15, where they were mustered out on the 19th of July. The death losses in Company F during the war were : Private Edward Ochsner, killed at L'Augville, Ark., August 3, 1862. Died of Disease— Lieut. H. W. Getchell; Privates Frank- lin V. Angel, George Boundey, Henry Bray, Ira W. Clark, W. W. Crawford, James Coinbest, John Farmer, C. R. Foster, Austin Fowler, Jonas Fuller, H. J. Greiber, M. B. Gallagher, John Hetz, George Harris, E. H. Knowles, C. C. Kimball, C. B. Kimball, F. F. Leonard, John Lemler, Erastus Moore, J. C. McMillen, J. M. Moorehead, Squire Mounce, Nels Oleson, M. A. Pease, D. C. Roberts, A. Sattler, K. Swenson, G. W. Seager, J. Vosburg, J. W. Wilder and Ludwig Wurl. Company F's officers were : Captains — John Hyde, resigned April 30, 1863 ; James M. Comstock, mustered out Sept. 31, 1864 ; Milton Martin, mustered out with the regiment July 19, 1865. First Lieutenants — Newton Jones, promoted from Company M ; Peter J. William- son, mustered out October 31, 1864 ; Milton Martin, promoted ; Charles F. Perry, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — Henry W. Getchell, died at Little Rock, Ark., Sep- tember 13, 1862; John L. Church, mustered out October 31, 1864; William E. Lamb, mus- tered out with regiment. Third Cavalry. — Company F of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County, principally in the town of Baraboo. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Barstow, Janesville, January 31, 1862, under Col. W. A. Barstow, and left the State March 26 for St. Louis. While on the way, 12 men were killed and 28 injured by a railway accident near Chicago. May 27, under orders, they reached Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where they were moui.ted, and on the 17th of June, Companies C, F, I and M arrived at Fort Scott, in the vicinity of which they were engaged in the pursuit of bushwhackers. Early in August, they encountered the enemy, under Col. Shelby, near Montevallo, Mo., without definite results. November 30, they engaged in the battle of Cane Hill, and December 7, took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. May 30, a portion of the regiment were attacked in the Cherokee Nation by Gen. Cooper's Indian and Texan troops, whom they repulsed with great slaughter, the detachment losing five men, killed and wounded. On the return from Fort Blunt, the rebels again attacked them, and were again repulsed. July 17, they took part in the battle of Honey Springs, aiding in the capture of all the enemy's artillery and a large number of prisoners. October 16, in a raid upon Wal- dron, Ark., the rebels were routed. The next day a force of rebel Indians was repulsed. Mak- ing Van Buren their headquarters, they engaged in numerous successful raids in that section, and rendered important services in guarding the telegraph and escorting trains thrpugh the enemy's country. October 6, 1863, Company I fell into a trap at Baxter Springs and lost 22 killed and 4 wounded. The prisoners taken on this occasion by Quantrell's gang were first robbed and then murdered, many of the bodies being burned. Early in 1S64, three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisted, and in April, while in Little Rock, Ark., received veteran furloughs. Thereafter, Company F was stationed at Fort Insley, Mo., and mustered out at Fort Leavenworth September 29, 1865. The death losses in this Company were mostly from disease, the only deaths on the battle- field being those of George R. Kelley at Battletown, Mo., October 10, 1863, and Nathan Janney, Van Buren, Ark., September 25, 1864. Those dying from natural causes were Sergt. Claghorn K. Robinson, Privates John C. Hutchins, E. R. Hall, S. D. Jarvis, J. H. Johnson, Henry Manke, George Priest, George Richards and Charles M. Tinker. William H. Gardner lost his life in an aifray at Fort Scott, Kan., July 28, 1863. The officers of Company F of the Third were : Captains — David S. Vittum, promoted Lieut. Col., March 9, 1865, and resigned July 17 ; Charles W. Porter, resigned June 19, 1865 ; Leonard P. Luce, mustered out with regiment, September 29, 1865. First Lieutenants — Asa Wood, resigned May 5, 1862 ; W. J. Plows, resigned December 8, 1862 ; Clark B. Wilsey, resigned August 10, 1864; W. Porter and L. P. Luce promoted; Quimby Loveland, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — Charles O. Ferris, mustered out April 9, 1862 ; HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 38& Seth H. Craig, transferred to Company K ; C. B. Wilsey and C. W. Porter promoted ; Eli M. Cooper, mustered out February 7, 1865 ; Q. Loveland, promoted ; Henry Southard, mustered out with the regiment. Sixth Battery. — Recruited chiefly in Sauk County, in the town of Spring Green ;J mustered into the United States service at Camp Utley, Racine, October 2, 1861, and left the State March 15, 1862, for St. Louis. On the 19th they embarked for New Madrid, where they were placed in charge of a siege battery, during the siege of Island No. 10. After its surrender, they pro- ceeded up the Tennessee River, and May 26 took position in the reserve of the besieging forces before Corinth, and on the 3d and 4th of October were engaged in the celebrated battle of that name, losing four killed and twenty-one wounded. From here they moved in a circuitous direc- tion toward Vicksburg, as a portion of the army destined for the reduction of that place, partici- pating in the battle of Champion Hills and numerous sharp skirmishes en route. Reaching Vicksburg May 19, they took position in the trenches, and were constantly engaged in the duties of the siege until the surrender. September 27, 1863, found them at Memphis, Tenn., and October 6, at Glendale, Miss. Here they joined the celebrated expedition under Gen. Sherman across the Cumberland Mountains. November 24, they planted two guns at Mission Ridge, and were engaged in the assault the following day without loss. From this date until the close of the war, they were almost continually on the move, but without being engaged in any actions of note. They were mustered out July 18, 1865. The death losses in the entire battery, which of course included other than Sauk County men, quite a number being from Richland County, are herewith given from the official records : Killed in action — Second Lieut. Daniel T. Noyes, Corinth, Miss., October 4, 1862; Corp. L. B. Honn, Corinth; Corp. Alva B. Page, Vicksburg, July 3, 1863; privates G. W. Barney. G. D. Brown, Gilbert L. Thomas, Corinth ; died of disease, John G. Haskins, Edwin R. Hunger- ford, Benjamin I. Johnson, V. A. Bennett, B. Benson, R. E. Banks, William Calborn, C. Campbell, W. A. Gordon, A. Hauxhurst, Enoch Johnson, P. B. Moss, M. W. Murphy, J. G. Marden, E. J. D. Perry, H. B. Phillips, John Rodgers, Menzo Tennant, S. F. Wheeler and M. Weaver; died of accidents, S. J. Gould and Franklin King. The officers of the Sixth Battery were : Captains — Henry Dillon, mustered out October 10, 1864; Thomas R. Hood, resigned May 17, 1865 ; James G. Simpson, mustered out with battery, July 3, 1865. Senior First Lieutenants — Henry Dillon, promoted; Samuel F. Clark, mustered out October 10, 1864 ; John Jenewein, mustered out with battery. Junior First Lieutenants — Thomas R. Hood, promoted; Alba S. Sweet, mustered out with battery. Senior Second Lieu- tenants, John W. Fancher, resigned August 3, 1863; James G. Simpson promoted; Sylvester E. Sweet, mustered out with battery. Junior Second Lieutenants — Daniel T. Noyes, killed October 4, 1862; J. G. Simpson, promoted; John Jenewein, promoted; S. E. Sweet, promoted ; Lucius N. Keeler, mustered out with battery. Surgeon, Clarkson Miller, resigned January 16, 1865. !90 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY ROSTER. SAUK county's contributions. There were Sauk County men in various other military organizations not mentioned among the foregoing sketches. Their names, companies and regiments or batteries will be found in the following list, compiled from the records on file in the Adjutant General's office at Madison. It is the most correct list of soldiers accredited to Sauk County, during the war, now in existence. Besides being copied from official documents, a large part of it has been revised by competent parties, familiar with the names of those in this county who laid their lives upon their country's altar : ards, Norman SimonJs, William Stronner, D. S. Vittuin, Clark Wilsey, James Wright, Morris Waite, George Kelley, Augustus Kimball. Charles Porter, Walworth Porter, Charles Pratt, John Dennis, Charles H Davis, Royal Dennison, C. 0. Ferris, C. E. Foster, William Gardner, Schuyler R. Hill, Robert Kelley, Martin Cummings, Edwin C. Clark, James Colton, Eli M. Cooper, Harrison J. Case, F. A. Copeland. Sixth Wisconsin liatlery — William R. Jones, Griffith R. Jones, Lucius M. Keeler. Twelfth Wisconsin Battery — lohn Aron, William Fuller, William P. Harvey. Ninth Illinois Cavalry— Hamilton Wells. TOWN OF BARAB00. First | Kan.) Infantry— Co. K— Jerome Miner. Second Infantry— Co. D— William H. Langdon. Co. H — John Wrightmire. Sixth Infantry— €o. A— George W. Russell, George Rice, Ira Scott, Elon Wyman, Jacob Schlick, Howard F. Pruyn, Thomas Corwin Thomas, Joseph I. Weirich, Charles Kellogg, John Miller, D. K. Noyes, E. Neudick, Mair Pointon, E. Richmond, Waldo Rider, Frank Gra- ham, Howard J. Huntington, James Hill, George Harp, Frederick K.Jenkins, John J. Jenkins, Ralph H. Avery, Edward D. Ames, Kner Birum, Frederick H. Bunker, Francis M. Crandall, William H. Copeland, Edward Calk- ins, William Kline. Tenth Infantry— Co. H— Delos F. Feegles, George Ma- son. Eleventh Infantry— Co. F— Frank Lawdy, William Stearns. F. D. St. me, George W. Wing, La Fayette Locke, George Moag, Harvey Ames, George W. Brown, Henry Brill. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— 0. W. Fox, Martin W. Hurlbut, Henry Bl'ackett, Charles A. Brier, Charles Cowles, Ira E. Sweetland. Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — James Watson, Adam G. Malloy, William' (I. Morron, Albert Porter, William Pow- ers, William Hoxie, John Hamilton, Charles Armstrong, Theodore Armstrong, Samuel Apker, Ira L. Ames, Betts, Elliott B. Calkins. Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A— Hamor Sutcliff, Sylvester Searls, R. M. Strong, Edson Wheeler, Emery Wyman, Giles Livingston, Walter 1'ietzsch, G. A. Paddock, Or- lando Rhines, John Fuller, Robert Cheek, George Gib- bons, Thomas -l. Johnson, A. G. Johnson. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— Joseph H. Rhodes. Elijah C. Spear, Charles l.ecker, Thomas B.Scott, Joseph S". Savage, Charles A. Thomas, George Van Ormen, Mar- vin Wiggins. II. II. Williams, Elisha L. Walbridge, Langdon, Argalus Langdon, William Lippet. Edwin N. Marsh, Charles Monro, .lames ff. Meason, Sain- uel Maxhara, Jesse Morley, Zepheniah Palmer, Adam Richards, William Quackenbush, Jacob ('line. Russell ,rge Dustin, Elisha W. Ellis. Dyer W. Hitch- cock, Peter Kipp, Edward Kingsbury, John 15. Alexan- der, William \. Brill, Jasper N. Babcock, 11. H. Baldwin, Thomas P. 'ke, Chauncj M. Blake, Robert P.. Crandall, Charles Klumpp, Charles l'. Cook, A. M Case First Cavalry Co. I' John I'.urkly, Peter Schlick, John M. Mnreiiead, Krastus Moore, Edward I'. Ochsner, mlei Henry Getchell, John Gilliam, Jasper Knowles. William t 'raw I', ml Second Cavalry— Alberl P. Catlin. rinr.l for,, l,„ Co I' -Ethan Wyman, Ami.* Letcher, Abram Minot, Levi Jin Id, Hiram H. Rice, George Rich- row N OF BEAR CREEK. Fifth Infantry— Co. 11 — Calvin H. Woodcock. Elerentit /ilfariln/—l\nhen MeCati Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— 11. 0. Field, Daniel L. Tal- bott. Nineteenth Infantry— Co. C— William C. Haskins, Abner Harriman. Infantry — Richard Cunningham, Andrew J. Williams. William H. Bowers, Lyman H. Hayden. Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — Alexander M. Thornp- son, Edwin R.Thornton, Joel Campbell, Jefferson Dag- get, Willis Campbell. William Ballard. Sixth Battery- John G. Haskins, Welcome Phetteplace, George D. Dalrymple, Edgar J. Burdick, Oliver J. Burn- ham, Sylvester Sweet, Albe Sweet, John McCan ',/ Unknown — Byron Reynolds. TOWN OF 1IELL0NA. Fourth Infantry — Co. D — Marshall Newell, Jackson Peck. Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Elijah Seymour. Co. E— James Camp. Lewis T, Linnell, John Galespie, Henry Stutson, Isaac Henry, William A. Vincent, Leander Tiff- any, William Whorry, Alfred W. Stark, Erastus Casper, \ '.[ Jameson, Uura Stowell. Seventeenth Infantry — Co. A — John Erwin. Co. H— Nicholas Stein. Twenty-third Infantry — Co. F — Jacob Vanderburgh, George Stowell, John Fuller, Seymour J. Fuller, Lucius A. Crosier, Phil.. Stutson. John Guwan, Eli ha II. Catlin, liitt. Co. J — William Austin. r— Hiram Huggins. F — James Riley. ..1 EXCELSIOR. Fourth Infantry Co. D — fulius Hubbard.* »The in>.t soldier fro HISTOUY OF SAUK COUNTY. 391 Sixth Infantry — Co. A — II. 1>. Jones, T. L. Johnson, Daniel Odell, John Starks, W. 15. Thomas, John M. Fos- ter, Philip Cheek, Jr., T. A. Jones, B. H. Jones. Seventh Infantry — Co. A — W. P. Carter. Twelfth Infantry— Co. E — lohn Caddies, Samuel A. Burhans, William II. Harrison, John C. Montaney. \ Infantry — Co. A — George Mead. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F — Jasper Udell, G. B. Paddock, J. F. Gorgus, Charles II. Williams, William G. Clark, Marvin K. Jopp, Isaac Fry, 0. W. Sutton, Israel Greeny, Henry Weller, 0. W. Thomas, G. B. Pearl, John Staley, Edgar Case, W. G. Braley. Twelfth Battery — G. W. Huntington. First Cavalry— Co. F— Henry C. Waltz. Third Cavalry — Co. F — Thomas Chamhers, William Ableman, M. Malone, Charles I'orte, Thomas Rothwell. Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry — Co. J — Alphonzo E. Jopp. TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. Fourth h.fantry— Co. D— Eli Norton. Sixth Infantry — Co. A — Charles Loit, John Breker, V. Sayraft, William H. Johnson. Seventh Infantry — Co. B — Homer Newell, Leroy New- ell, Robert Hanly. Eleventh Infantry— Co. H— Truman Newell, Titus Chap- man, H. 1'orter, Samuel Almy. Twelfth Infantry— Co. A— J. Johnson. Co. E— A. E. Kinney, Freeman Hurlburt, Milton, M. Hildreth, Charles Coleman, James Cornish, Henry Marston. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. II— M. W. Hurlburt, George Hurlburt, Richard Myres. Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — Derius Palmer, Andrew Byron. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Newton Hopkins. Tweni I / fantry — Co. F— Jack Miles. Harrison Morrall. \ L Sexton, 1'. G. Crandall. F.r Cat -Co. F — A. G. Cooper, Henry Vroman, Herkermer Fuller, Wyman Getchell, Lyman Inman. Foster's Battery— Henry C. Ilackett, Ephram Hackett. Reyiment Unknown— L. H. Wells, Charles Hildreth. Hiram Norton, Andrew Norton. La Payette Atkinson. William Carl. Town OF FRANKLIN. Second Infantry— Co. A— Thomas Bever. i > ry — Co. II— William L. Johnson. Seventh Infantry— Co. B— Charles Walker. Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Joseph Robinson. • v ' ■ ■ ' "'"< Infantry — William P. Harvey. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — John Hudson. Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — James Laitx, Thomas Wilcox. Alexander Murrey, Adam Cramer. John Rover. Frederick Bever, George Morgan, Jacob Henry. Tin nty-xi.. 'ih Infanti y — Christian Wintermantel, Ninth Illinois Cavalry— Hamilton Wells. s II', ,,„,,„ ISatterij— Sampson Bever, Martin Weaver. Twelfth Wisconsin Battery— Charles Sweet. Serum/ Infantry -Co. K— John Stair, Man Kyle. Gott- fried Kyle. Jacob Zimmerly. C. A. Piatt, Conrad Piatt, 1 bchminschnider, William Maekler. Sixth Infantry— Co. A — Gottlieb Roser, Philip Nippert, Frank Gerlaugh, Eli A. Rroughton. William P. Black, John Alexander, Philip Hoefer. Eleventh Infantry— Co. F— Peter Alexander Twelfth Infantry— Co. E — George Armstrong, Jacob Auble, J. C. Knapp, Abram Knapp. Fourle.nth Infantry— Co. K— Newton Clark, Edward K. Hill. Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Edward Kellev. Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A— M. Hofer. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. K— Charles Bender, Will- iam Sproul, B. P. Palmer. First Wisconsin Cavalry— Henry Nippert. Sixth Wisconsin Cavalry — Wilder Jacobs. TOWN OF GREENFIELD. Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Charles Reed, Frank Fletcher. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— Rufus Billings, George Winters, Sanford Beardsley, John Aukerbran Michael Aukerbran, Joseph Covenstance, Edward L. Mott, Henry Tucker, John Simonds, Ebenezer Dawley, Charles Letcher. Sev.nteenth Infantry— Co. H— Albert Deveraux, George Winke, Rhinehart, Henry Loos, Wesley Loos, Homer, Peter Braintes. Nineteenth In fantry— Co. A— E. L. Palmer. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— T. M. Crawford, Henry Fussier, Zoeth Bailey, B. W. l'ryne, Henry H. Johnson, M. Van Ornian, Lewis Stonner. Reyiment Unknown — Abram Lazert. Tenth Battery — I. W. Jackson. First Cavalry— Co. F— Milton Johnson, Morton Van (Irinaii, Maxwell Clark. A. S. Baker. Third Cavalry— Co. F— George W. Montgomery. HONEY CREEK. id Infantry— Co. K— Herman Hoppe, Augus Wan- icy , .ban Ri Third Infantry — Co. I — Ludwig Sawal. Sixth Infantry — Co. A — Augustus Klein. Ninth Infantry— Co. D — lohan lorbryansky, Gottfried Bogshart, Peter Leiken. Johan Riks, Max Kroscher, Johan l.ohr, Ferdinand Keller, Carl I.ehmaun, Carl .lac- dike. Peter Gudeyan, Michael Gudeyan, Christian Ahorn, Franz Jesse, Joseph Mueller, August Radel, Julius Radel, August Hildebrand. Heinrich Sorg. Vicens Heck. Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A — Michael Hoefer. 'Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. K — Johan Gaess, Michael Bausch, G. Pfeifer, lohan Mueller, Wilhelm Pimler, Christian Heldstab, Albert Hertner, Heinrich Nold, Mar- tin Meng el, George T aescher, Fourth U.S. Battery— Sylvester Fort, Isaac Fort. Si-rih /lattery — lohn Jen'ewin, Leonard Schueler. Twelfth Illinois Reyiment— Carl Harter. TOWN 01 IR0NTON. Sixth Infantry— Co A— S. M. Long, D. C. Fenton, Chauncv Winsor. William Croat, Nelson M 'e Seventh Infantry— Co. D— Isaac Frost, Edward Wheeler. Seventh Infantry— Company unknown — George J. De- wey. Eleventh Infantry— Co. E— Abraham Hendrickson. Twelfth Infantry— Co. 1'.— Anthony Benson, Elias Rob- inson, IS. F. Blackmail, Lucius Carr.Matson C. Osbourn, Samuel Barnet, Constance Beuchat, Albert Sprague, Fer- nando C. Wood, Gil Spicer, Archibald Mellon, James Simon, H.J. Groat, Charles Pearson, Hiram Hawkins. John Kinneman, Jr., William Richards, M. B. Long, Henry Ramo, J. C. Wickersham, N. Camp. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. A - L. Jones. Co. I— Chester Green. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Seventeenth Infantry — Co. II — Hugh Harper. Nineteenth Infantry— Go. A— H. E. Stowe, John Mellon. Co. G — Julius Sparks, Lewis Calhoon. Third Cavalry — Co. F — C. K. Robinson, Anthony Hol- bert, Jesse Bailey, Charles M. Kester, William Stans- field, Daniel Wright. Regiment unknown — George Keworthy, Ezra B. Rey- nolds. Edward Woodworth, John Maucka. Sixth Infantry— Co. A— William Pierson, Reuben Jones. Co. K — lohn Holden. Twelfth Infantry — Co. B — John Juta, Henry C. Palmer, John Sanborn, John Oliver, George W. Bailey, William Dowell, Ephram ISlakeslee, Harrison P. Bollard, William Buudy, Elwood Mason, Jehial D. Hagaman, Ebert H. Hagaman, Levi Seeley, George W. Dickins, FraDk Culi- gan. Sixteenth Infantry— Co. F— Charles A. Norton, Ole Nel- son. Nineteeth Infantry — Co. A — Daniel Lanbutn, Sidney A. Howard, Alvah Rathburn, James Curtis. Regiment unknown — Alfred A. Mathews, William Bai- ley. John Holden, Jr., Joseph Fisher. Fletcher Gardner. Twelfth Wisconsin Battery — John H. White, Eliacum Perry. First Cavalry — Co. H — Alexander Wilkinson. Second Cavalry— Co. F— George H. Sterner. Third Cavalry— Co. E— G. M. Taylor, [saac Van Sice. I OWN OF BIFFALO (DEI.TON). Third Michigan Infantry— -Co. I— William H. Kirkland. Fourth Infantry— Co D — Alonzo Woodford. Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Albert Fox. James F. McLon- ey, Charles H. Foot. Isaac Tucker, Herbert A. Lee, Harry Williams, William II. Clay, Jarvis Hall. Co. K— Silas W. Temple. Seventh Infantry— Co. I! — Gustavus P. Briggs, George Gaymon, Sanford Frost. Twelfth Infantry— Co. E— George Freer, Justus Freer, William Wharry, Lorenzo Clement, Madison Clement, William H. Fisher, Harvey Canfield, John Bromley, George Lanshae, John Montague, Wesley Ballis, Chaun- cey R. Richardson, H. A. Squires, William Hanser, Sam- uel Campbell. Co. E— William H. Denham. Fourteenth Infantry— Go. K— John Wilson, Edwin Hall. Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Charles Barens, A Bates, Andrew F. Washburn, William H. James, M. T. Blake. Twenty third Ohio Infantry — John .1. Welch. First Cavalry— Co. D— James Dunlap. Co. F— Elias W. Kirkland. Ira W. Clark, Holden Smith. Third Cavalry— Co. F— Samuel Welch, David Morrison. Regular Army — Alonzo Blake. TOWN OF MKRHIMACK. Sixth Infantry— .Sweden Rich. Co. A— J. G. Hodge- don, Lawson D. Finton. Dewit C. Finton, Thomas B. Buttertield, Henry II. Childs. Ninth Infantry— Co. D— William Theile. Eleventh Infantry — Co. A — Michael Donahue. Co. F — Edward Baker. Co. G— Anthony Dever. Co. H— Royal F. Randall, Amos Colburn, George Parsons, John Dever, Fred Barns. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K — Henry Shane, Jesse EI well. Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Samuel D. Crates, George Siyys, Thomas Hannon, Stephen St. John. James T. Flowers, Nicholas Jerret, Esquire Baker. Patrick Kelley, Austin Burgess. Twi nty-third Infantry— Co. F— A. S. Colburn, William H. Hamilton, Henry R. Ketchum. Co. F»-L. J. Bailey, J. M. Densmore, Charles E. Dennett, A. M. Ritter, John Weidman. Regiment unknown — Charles M. Fessenden, Edward D. Fessenden, Amos S. Colburn, Elisha Nettles, Byron J. Odekirk. Sixth Battery— William Colborn, Fred Schwarz, Chris- tian Burgen, Alfred Rich. First Cavalry— Co. G— Thomas Kelley. Second Cavalry — Co. E — Isaac Walters. N. Kennison, Edwin Pierce, Joseph G. Dean. TOWN OF PBAIR1F. DU SAC. antry— Co. D— John Jansen. Co. 1— G. W. Dillsy. E. S. Fletcher. Sixth Infantry— Co. A — A. Fancher, Richard Attridge, II. L, Childs. Ninth Infantry— Co. D— John Schneider, William Carl, Herman Rudiger, Karl Such, Jacob Bohn, I. Heick, Michael Egger, C. H. Rendtorff, C unrade Kuoni, David Veidt, Anton Fischer, Richard Wehr, Joseph Bulleshach, August Sperling, Fred Schneider, Julius Kohn, C. C. Buchannan, Otto Stadelman, Edward Stadelnian, T. Helm, C. E. G. Horn, J ohn Stiefenhafer, I. Zimmerman, John Kehl. Jr., Peter Llurisch. Co. D — Jacob Thuny. Casper Buhl, Christian Kindschi. Arthur Kruse, ETfiard Kind- sclii. Ehrenth Infantry— Co. H— Henry Turner. Co. K — Baltiser Braun. Thirteenth Infantry — Co. K — William A. Wyse. Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— Charles Davis, Andrew A. Boy n ton. Fifteenth Infantry — Company unknown- -Robert Met- tler. Seventeenth Infantry — Henry McKennan, Surgeon. Illinois Cavalry — Car) Lachmund. first Cavalry — John Church. Srronil Cavalry — Co. E — Jerry O'Larry, R. W.Sawyer, William Ellsworth, A. Margueth. Seen,/ Wisconsin Battery — Edward Neudick. Sixth Wisconsin Battery— C. B. Worthington, Charles Richardson. B. Jackson. Andrew Howe, J. W, Fancher, August Dilley, I. F. Clark, C. A. Trowbridge, Hiram James, Fred Baker, A. B. Page, H. P. Dunning, Levi Venneps, E. I. Williams. Twenty-thud Infantry — Co. K — Rudolph Braun. George Steil, Henry Clemens, Dudley Duglas, Martin Kanen, James Bnrnham, Phillip Steuben. N. I. Troser, John 0. Link, John W. Gelty, Philander I. May, Edwin Morrill, Arthur Ettridge, Homer Wardwell, Bartholomew Malloy, John Malloy, Hartson I. Thomas, Chauncey Thomas, John M. Thomas. Basil Smart, Henry Jacobs, George M. Davis, E. Mclnnis, Jacob Eluse, Audon Bartsch. Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. K — Edward Carl, L. Schlos- sen, Leonhard Von Wald, Smith Freeman, Gottlieb Pfeil, David Rothacker, Albert Morsbach, Conrad Hartmann, Christian Philip, Lutzius Philip. TOWN OF EEEnSBFRO. Sixth Infantry — Co. A — G. M. Jones, Theodore Joy, George Miles, J. A. Coughran, John W. Dickins, Leroy D. Dickins, Alfred Darrow. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY li'Xi Seventh Infitntrii — Co. A — llufus Hodgeman, A 11.it! ( '. Hunt. Co. E— George W. Root. Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Samuel Fausnaught. Twelfth Infantry— Co. 1!— Edward Buelow, F. W. Henry, Augustus H. Johnson, l'hilo Lane, Spencer L. Miles, .lames W. Lusk, .lames Miles, Ellis Pond, C. F. Pollock, Charles Reifenrath.fi. 1). Spicer, Milo E. Seeley, Giles Stevens. Co. E— Henry 11. Rennet. Co. K— W. W. Winchester. \ Infantry — Co. A— Jacob Auhle, Peter Iirad- dy, J. W. Benjamin. Ezra Burton, Hugh Collins, John Carry. II. C, Cole. Julius Castle. James C. Castle, C. A. Chandler,!'. A. Dwinnell, 0. H. Dwinnell, C. A. Dan- forth, Charles Day, Albert E. Dixon, Peter Empser, A. P. Ellinwood, John Fosnot, Martin Gatinstet, Giles Craft, Nelson GarJner, Charles Holt. Ephraim Hinds, A. Harsk, Edward Harris, James Hobby. William Hobby, Jacob Herbel, Edward Leonard, E. D. Milder, James L. Marker. R. S. Pitts. Newton W. Pitts, Amos Pettys, Frank Pettys, l',u--el Kediield.Dwight R William Since, N. P. Stuce, Martin Seeley, H. V. V. Seaman, Charles Stone, John Thorn, Richard Thorn, Henry A. Tator, Henry Waldron, Orson Ward, George Wattenberger, Menzo Winnie, F. S. Winchester. Co. G— Holden Miller. Co. I— Amos 0. Rowley. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— Peter Knowles, W. W. Pollack, John Waltz. Company unknown — Smith Deur- reaux, Ira J. Hall, Thomas Holton, Jason Shaw, Robert Robatham. Tenth Wisconsin Battery— A.. Day. E. T. Shepherd. Twenty. sixth Infantry— Co. K— William H. Kipp. Twelfth Wisennsm Halt, r„— John Collins, John Down- ing, George Flaut, M. L. Jewett, Jay Jewett, William .Miles, John White. Ninetei Wisconsin Battery— Co. G— Dexter Green. First ( Co. F — Amos Knowles, E. H. Knowles. /• ' Co. I II. J. Gardner, George Priest, Moses Van Camp, Henry Buelow. TOWN OF SPRING GREEN. Second Infantry — Co. K — Rosselus Davidson. Tenth Infantry— Co. G — Harvey Devol. Twentieth Infantry — Co. K— Alexander McCarty. Twn y-third Infantry— Co. K— Thomas Loosee, Addi- son Thornburgh. Granville Parton, Charles W. Thin, Morris Parks, Thomas J. Pagely, Benjamin Rhodes; Lewis Olson, Milton Campbell, Hans Anson, Moses Dewev, Jessie J. Fuller, Hugh Hughes, David B.Jones, William Jones, David .lames. Smith Love. Twenty-, ■ ( Infantry — Co. A — Amandus Silsby. > •• II Battery — Joseph Lester, Armstrong Moore, Daniel I Noyes, George M. Spencer, Thomas H. Shelden, Asa A. Shell. -n, Jacob P. Seiders, Thomas Grif- fith, Menzo W. Tenants, John Proctor, Richard Proctor, Ephraim J. D. Perry. Horace I'heltyplaee, Riley 0. Allen, George W.Benedict, James M. Bailey. William II. Bailey, Lorenzo Beckwith, Byron Babcock, Daniel J. Davi", Silas 0. Davis, Evan W. Evans, David Evans, Thomas H.Grinell, Thomas Goodman, William Hamilton, Nathan I'.. Hood, Thomas .1. Hungerford, Watson F. Hare, Thomas B. Hood, Alexander J. II 1, David B. Hood. Joseph M. Hood, Edwin R. Hungerford, George Jones. Sixth Infantry— Co. A -Sylvester Fort, Isaac Fort, Alison Fowler, Charles W. Farrington. Dayton Hedges, John Hedges, Jacob Langhart, James B. Fowler, L. B. Van Luven, Uriah Palmer, William Palmer, Edward F Smalley, Christian Chriss. Xinth Infantry — Co. D — lohn Weir, Florran Clement, Herman Albrioht, Jacob Tenney, Jacob Nolt, Christian Hart man. Eleventh Infantry— Co. 15— Charles White. Co. F— Jo- seph Fauman, Frank Kern, Andrew Hodget, Augustus Michael, David llesford, James Lenox, Rodney Hurlburt, William A. Johnson, Swerin Mather, Reuben King, Will- iam Divine. Co. H — Alexander Furbur, Henry Bluker, Eugene Davis. Sixteenth Infantry— Co. D— Mathew Clark. Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — Levi Schnell, William Renley, Harlon Baxter, Chester Ricker, Thomas Harter, Henry Mather, James Hilliard, Stephanus Hines, Nelson Hines, Elish Palmester, W W. Rose, Henry Rose, G. W. Johnson, John Batch, James Oakley, Conrad Coon, John Rooney, Frederick Woffensmet, Charles Rowse, Henry Steele, Frederick Sloguber, Lewis Wanckee, Alexander McGinnis, .1. C. Damon, Jerome Hugerboom, J. 0. Perry. Sixth Wisconsin /lattery — Edwin Ricker, John Camp bell, James Brat, John Keller, Victor Bennett, Third Cavalry — Co. F — Benjamin Johnson^ David Dewel. TOWN OF WASHINGTON. Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Israel Inman, W. H. II. Inman. Seventh Infantry— Co. B-Abram B. Frost, Henry H. Travis. Co. G— Warren A. Hart. Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Lewis Bitney, Lursis Town- ser. Eighteenth Infantry— Co. A— Elias White. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — lames Upham. Twentieth Infantry — Co. B — Horace Herten. Company unknown — Campbell Miller, Alexander Miller, Robert J. Pewell, John Lee. Twenty-second Infantry — Company unknown — Edson D. W 1. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— H. D. Newell, Theodore Guim, Charles Bates. Co. 1- William II. Wood. Co. K— Andrew Baker, Addison Thornburg. First Battery- -Nathan Frosl Sixth Wisconsin Battery — Henry W. Miller, Peter Grim. Twelfth Wisconsin Battery— Frederick Rowe, Henry C. Grever. Second Cavalry — Co. M — Clark R. Buell, James A. Buell. TOWN OF TROY. Ninth Infantry — Co. D — Flonan Schroper, Gustav Baumgarth, Christopher Baumgarth, George Luck, Val- entin Sutter, Henry Bick, Jacob Kuntz, Conrad Kuone, Peter Jacob. lifer, ith Infantry — Co. G — lohn By water, Jacob l.ange- neckhaid, William S. McCready, John Anderson. Seventeenth Infantry— Co. II— John Kelly, Anton Plon Twenty-thud Infantry— Co. K— Washington Ambler, Phillip A. Th as. Orson Patchier, Benjamin Linley William H. Harris, Henry Boch. Co. K— PeierSchuetler, Gilbert Walser, George Dascher, Jacob ludunianer. B ernhard Ott, Daniel Baker, Andrew Baker. John Davis. Samuel McCready, Anton Bartsch. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY Twenty-sixth Infantry — Jacob Hauser, Theobald Fuchs, Christian Diehl, Jacob Gasser, John I'. Witwen, Gubert Walser. Sixth Battery — lohn William Robson, Solomon Wheeler, Franklin Wheeler, William Runyan. ' Missouri Swiss Regiment — George Trey. TOWN OF WESTFIELD. Second Infantry — Co. K — Henry N'ippert. Fifth Infantry — Co. K— Charles Fosdick, Iowa, John Fosdick, Iowa. Sixth Infantry — Co. A — lohn C. Weidman, Henry Saare, George Moog, M. T. Moore, Peter Stackhouse. Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Joseph Palmer, James Rich- ards. Ira Wiiislow, Jacob Apple. Ninth Infantry— Co. F— Earnest Brandt. Eleventh Infantry— €o. F— Earnest Black, William Black, Sr. Co. G— Leslie Graves. Co. K— William Stackhouse. Twelfth Infantry — Co. B— Frederick Giles, George Mead, Franklin .Fosdick, Henry Sargant, Sylvanus Richards, John Selden, J. W. Root, Charles Gulliford, Henry Deerholt, John Kyle, Thomas Little. Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — Lucius M. Jones — Com- pany unknown — G. F. Jones. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Alexander Wiedman, John Werron .lames B. Taylor, Dwelton Shelden, Charles Shelden, .lames Fosdick. Harlow Shelden. Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— H. D. Snell, Molby Culvin, Beaman S] ler, William Sallade, Samuel Emery, Cephus K. Newell, N. B. Aldrich, Calvin Bliven, Philip Stackhouse, George \b»>g, John Shear, Henry Black, John Hinds, E. (i. Seamans, A. A. Wescott. Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry— Co. B— Riley Mead. Berdan's Sharp Shooters — Charles Edward, Jonah El wood. Third Cavalry— Co. F— Daniel Waltz. Navy — Arend Benkers. TOWN OF WINFIELD. Fourth Infantry— Co. D— William P. Stittock, William P. Cott.ington, George Foyles, George Underwood. Sixth Infantry— Co. A— James Whitiy. Twelfth Infantry — Co. B — John Fessey. Horace Curtis, George Curtis, Dennis Curtis, Lewis Curtis, L. B. Cornell, Jonas Salmon, Alfred Darrow, John Kird, James Lams- bury. Charles Camel. Co. E — Judson Cruker. Co. A — John Seaman, John Seymour. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Frederick Barber, Eleazer Millard, William Millard, William Reynolds, Henry Grotta, Michael Keril. L. D. Ford, William Swcatland, Seth Sweatland, Patrick Garrigan, Timothy Hasley. Co. E — John Eagon. Tw.iiti, third Infantry— Co. F— John Hayne. First Wisconsin Cava'lry— Co. F— Herkimer Fuller. Third Wisconsin Cavalry— Co. II— Bradley Fuller, Co. F — M. Kevil, George Kelley. TOWN OF -Samuel J. Hutchins. Co. I— Sixth Infantry — I William H. Nichols. Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Oscar Tabor, Stephen Davis. Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — Jonathan Stanley. Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A— James R. Apker, Je Mellon, George \V. Cooper, .lohn Ilollingshead. Sixtieth Ohio— Co. C— Adolphus Mellon. First Cavalry — Co. II — Nicholas S. Chambers. Third Cai-airy— Co. F— Frederick Reincke. THE DRAFT. Under the call of the President, dated October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers to serve for three years or the war, the quota of Sauk County was 197, divided among the towns as fol- lows : Fairfield, 6; New Buffalo, 9; Dellona, 5; Excelsior, 8; Winfield, 7; Reedsburg, 14; Lavalle, 6 ; Woodland, 7 ; Ironton, 12 ; Washington, 8 ; Westfield, 7 ; Freedom. 6 : Baraboo, 24 ; Greenfield, 7 ; Merrimack, 8 ; Sumter, 7 ; Honey Creek, 10 ; Bear Creek, 8 ; Franklin, 7 ; Spring Green, 8 ; Troy, 8 ; and Prairie du Sac, 15. The 5th of January, 1864, was fixed as the date the draft should take place in case the quotas were not filled, but volunteers came for- ward in sufficient numbers to obviate a "last resort." Under the President's call for 500,000 volunteers, dated July 18, 1864, the quota of Sauk County was 437, divided bv towns as follows: Fairfield, 12; New Buffalo, 9; Dellona, 11; Excelsior, 15: Winfield, 8;" Reedsburg, 27; Lavalle, 18; Woodland, 12: [ronton, 25; Wash- ington, 30 ; Westfield, 13 ; Freedom, 9 ; Baraboo, 42 ; Greenfield, 18; Merrimack, 19; Sumter, 16; Honej Creek, 30; Bear Creek, 18 ; Franklin, 20; Spring Green, 16 ; Troy, 23; Prairie du Sac. 16. On the 1st of October, 1864, Deputy Provost Marshal Philip Cheek, Jr., was compelled to remind the citizens of Sauk County that there 1 was still a deficiency in their quota. He said: ■'The draft will commence in Sauk County on the 3d of* October, and those drafted will report at Prairie du Chien on the 19th. The towns that have not filled their quotas up to this date by the record of my office are as follows: Dellona, 4: Excelsior, 6; Winfield. 1 ; Reedsburg, 7; Ironton, 4 ; Lavalle, 11; Woodland. 6; Washington, 19; Westfield, 4; Freedom, 5 ; Honey Creek, 17; Sumter. 3; Franklin, 14; Bear Creek, 8." Accordingly, the draff took place in the towns of Lavalle, Woodland, Washington, Bear Creek and Franklin. In some a supplemental draft was necessary, owing to quite a number of those enrolled having business and being absent in Canada when the drawing took place. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 395 In March, 1865, the last draft took place, but the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee happily made its enforcement unnecessary. In connection with the subject of the draft, the following from N. V. Chandler, of Reeds- burg, concerning local credits and bounty money, will be of interest. " I had held aloof from enlisting from a conviction, that, so long as there were still tens of thousands of single men who had not entered the service, there was no pressing call of duty for one situated as I was, to sacrifice the comfort of those depending on me by doing so. I realized that, with the high and constantly rising scale of prices for the necessaries of life, the pittance of SI?, per month, with all the bounties then offered by the National and State Governments, would be entirely inadequate to the comfortable maintenance of my wife and six children during my absence, even should I be so fortunate as to return at all. Nevertheless, I foresaw that the time would come when it would become a duty to enlist, and I settled that time to be whenever the needs of the Government should require it to levy and enforce a draft. That time had now come. A draft had been ordered, and the time for it to take place fixed. I left my home in Reedsburg on the evening of December 25, 1863, to go to Clinton Junction, Rock County, on business. While there, a rousing war meeting was held in the evening, and a local bounty of $300 was offered to every man who would enlist and be credited to the town. I was urged to enlist and take the bounty. I stated my willingness to do so, but questioned whether my credit to the town of Clinton would stand in view of the fact that I was a resident of another county. There was a division of opinion upon the question, no authoritative decision upon such a case ever having been promulgated, so far as any one present knew. I finally offered to telegraph to Lieut. Col. Lovell, in command at Camp Randall, Madison, stating the case, and if he decided that I could be credited to their town I would enlist and pay the expense of the telegram, other- wise the town should pay the cost of the message ; which proposition was accepted, and I telegraphed at 11 A. M. of December 28, I think, about as follows : "Lieut. Cm.. Lovell, Camp Randall, Madison, Wis.: ■■ Vm resident of Sauk County. Can I be credited to Clinton, Rock County, and take local bounty? " N. V. Chandler. " On sending the dispatch, I stated to the town authorities that I would wait, if necessary, for an answer, until the arrival of the passenger train from the north at 12.5 A. M. of the 29th, thirteen hours, when, if no answer came, I would proceed homeward via Chicago. Frequent visits to the telegraph office during the afternoon and evening gave no answer, and it was within ten minutes of train time, and I had given up all expectation of one, when the following came rattling over the wires : " N. V. Chandler, Clinton Junction: " A man will be credited to the town whose bounty he takes. " Lovell, Lieutenant Colonel, commanding Camp Randall, Madison, Wis. " It seems that the question was as new to Col. Lovell as to me or to any one with whom I conversed at Clinton Junction, and he could not answer it ; but recognizing the impor- tance to the recruiting service of an official decision of the point by the highest authority, he had at once forwarded my message to the Secretary of War, by whom it was kid before the full Cabinet, a decision arrived at, and that decision telegraphed back to Col. Lovell in season to hold me. The next morning's dailies throughout the North contained the following telegraphic announcement: ' It was decided in full Cabinet, yesterday, that a man will be credited to the town whose bounty he tak£s.' The decision had undoubtedly been made in my case." THE ROLL OF HONOR. How sleep the brave who sink to rest. By all their country's wishes blest. When Spring, with dewy fingers cold. Returns to deck their hallowed mold, She there shall dress a sweeter sod TIimi Fancy's feet have ever trod.'' «ye HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The decoration of the graves of those who fell in the cause of the Union was extensively participated in throughout Sauk County, in May, 1868. In Baraboo, the citizens generally laid aside business cares and joined in the solemn procession that proceeded to the cemetery on that occasion. The heroes who sleep their last sleep, or whose monuments are in this home of the dead are twenty-or.e in number. They are but a platoon of the regiment of the county's slain A far greater number lie on the fields where they met death in their country's cause, or in unknown graves where the dead of the battle-field, the hospital or the prison pen, have been gathered together. Of these nineteen, a brief record is given : Harlan B. and Burrett C. Cochran ; the former killed at the battle of Falling Waters, on the Potomac, July 14, 1863; the latter died suddenly at home July 27, 1865, eight days after leaving his regiment, and one day before he was to have been discharged from service. Robert Crawford, one of the earliest and most esteemed settlers. He was a member of the Third Cavalry, and died January 30, 1868, from the eifects of exposure in the south. Francis Marion Crawford, son of the preceding ; a member of Company F, Twenty-third Regiment : died at Greenfield, Miss., where his body rests. Henry R. Ketchum, Company F, Twenty-third; died from disease contracted in the service. Henry W. Getchell, Lieutenant Company F, First Cavalry ; died at Little Rock, Ark., in a rebel prison. Charles Cowles. First Sergeant, Company K, Fourteenth Veteran Volunteers; died Sep- tember 20. 1864, at Brownsville, Ark. Elisha L. Walbridge, First Lieutenant Company F, Twenty-third ; died March 31, 1863, while on his way home. Howard H. Baldwin, Company F, Twenty-third ; returned home sick at the close of the Vicksburg campaign, and died some two months after his return. Charles A. Brier, Company K, Fourteenth; mortally wounded at Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862; died 26th of the same month at Mound City Hospital. Rev. John M. Springer, drafted September 1863 ; assigned to the Third Infantry, he was soon afterward made Chaplain ; right knee fractured at the battle of Resaca, from the effects of which he died in the hospital at Nashville. John Starks, Company A, Sixth Regiment (Iron Brigade) ; severely wounded at Gainesville on the 28th of August, 1862 ; received a mortal wound at Vicksburg, "with a manifestation of a chivalrous and soldierly spirit scarcely ever surpassed," wrote Col. Vilas, after the battle. Charles A. and Oliver W. Thomas, sons of Mrs. Joanna Thomas, who gave four of her five sons to the defense of the Union; Charles died at Milliken's Bend, and Oliver at Memphis. Frank H. Crossman, Fortieth Regiment; died May 17, 1867, aged 21 years. W. G. Fuller, Captain in the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteers; killed by guerrillas inOct. 1864. Warren A. Brown, Forty-sixth Infantry; died at Athens, Ala. George W. Wing, Eleventh Infantry; died from diseases contracted in the South. George Turner, died while in the Navy. Edgar Ames, enlisted early in 1861, in Company A, Sixth Infantry; died at Arlington Heights ; his was the first deatli in the company. His father belonged to the Seventeenth, and also died in the service. Col. David S. Vittum, Third Wisconsin Cavalry ; died in Baraboo, April 10, 1880. Reedsburg'g Roll. — Capt. II. A. Tator, Sergt. F. W. Henry, Corp. Alvah Rathbun, Sergt. Spencer S. Miles, Henry Bulow, Jason W. Shaw, Lafayette Ackerman, James Markee. John Hines, G. W. Priest, Harrison Root, George W. Root, George C. Miles, Lewis Curtis. John Collins, Hugh Collins, and John Mcllvaine. What it Cost. — The amount of money paid by the several towns in Sauk County fur war purposes during the rebellion was about $100,000. The county raised $12,000 by tax for the support of families of volunteers. In addition to this, for the same worthy purpose, the town of Franklin raised $300 ; Reedsburg, $800; Washington, $3,600, and Woodland, $1,800. There is no measure by which can be calculated the amount of human suffering and self sacrifice result- ing from the unhappy strife. BAR AB 0. HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. CJHAPTEE V. NATURE'S WONDROUS WORK. Devil's Lake— The Dells of the Wisconsin— The Peewit's Nest— The Upper and Lower Narrows— Parfhret's Glen— Doeward's Gorge— Mirror Lake— The Devil's Post Office— Echo Rock— The Bee-Hive— Fern Dell— Congress Hall. devil's lake. " Nestled close down between wild, rocky bills. Feeding no rivers and fed by no rills. Devil's Lake lies, like a jewel rare, Dropped from the Oceans casket there." Strangers coming to this delightful spot for recreation and pleasure or a brief surcease of business cares, are seriously perplexed to know why it is called Devil's Lake. " Blast me heyes," said a discerning English tourist, after returning from a trip on the " Minnewaukan," "hi caan't see hanything that looks like the devil, you know." Nor can any one explain the reason for applying to it so opprobrious a title. When the lake was first discovered by the whites, they called it Spirit Lake, because they were told by the Indians whom they found here that the daughter of one of their chiefs had drowned herself in it on account of a love affair, and that at certain stages of the moon her spirit could be seen floating over its smooth surface. From Spirit Lake, they say, it " degenerated " into Devil's Lake ; but the two words are so far from being synonymous that this explanation can scarcely be accepted. There is certainly nothing about the lake or in its vicinity that suggests the devil or his handiwork. On the contrary, there is everything to suggest something nearer heaven : for here nature has toiled with a divine hand. The place is less romantic than picturesque. It is almost devoid of cozy glens and wild nooks arched "with moss-covered rocks from which ooze springs of clear, cool water; but there is some- thing sublimely grand in the view obtained from almost any point. It is a perpetual object of interest, full of strange, inspiring beauty ; a home for poets and artists ; a retreat for lovers and misanthropes. A current of fiction seems to pervade the surcharged atmosphere, and it is not surprising that love-tragedy tales are willingly related to those who will listen, by the few inhabitants there- abouts. It is said — and of course no one will dispute the authority — that in very early times, before white men came to till the lands, there was camped on the lake's shores for awhile, a roving Indian band. The dusky chief of the tribe had a bright-eyed daughter named Ke-she-ah- ben-o-i|ua, which in our language means the "early dawn." She is described as having been beautiful as dawn, with a slender form of swaying grace, and dark, sweet eyes, full of love. It was in the queen month of summer, splendid June, when the Indian band lit their camp-fires in the woods just back from a grassy slope near Devil's Lake. And by strange chance a hunter. who had strayed here from vine-wreathed France, strolled, weary and woe-begone, longing for sight of some human face. He discovered the lake, and, well-pleased with so beautiful a picture, wandered down to its shore. But Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua had preceded him to that wild nook, for she loved the sky and its twin-sister in the water. So when Pierie's eyes caught sight of her. they were magnetized and spell-bound by her wonderful beauty. The shy Indian maiden was startled by the unusual presence of a white hunter, and she vanished among the trees like a scared bird. Site was not averse to the stranger's face, and for a long tune she pondered the mystery in her heart; but at night she found the pale-faced hunter in her father's tent, smoking the pipe of peace. A blush of recognition and a downward glance of the sweet eyes Ke-she-ah- ben-o-qua gave in return for Pierie's admiring look. From this their acquaintance grew and ripened into love. For months the French hunter camped with the Indian braves, and when the 400 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. corn was ripe and rustled on its stalks, and the moon hung full in the sky, Pierie went to the Chieftain to ask of him his daughter ; and Windago, a young brave who had jealously watched Pierie and loved Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua from afar off, went also. The old Chief gave a strange reply. Actuated by pride only, he led the rival lovers to the side of Devil's Lake, and pointed to a pine tree, high up in the crags of the opposite shore, in the topmost branches of which he had seen an eagle seek her nest. He said, " The chosen suitor shall be he who can first bring to me from yonder tree, an unfledged eaglet." Windago and Pierie were in their canoes and across the lake in a trice. They were pretty nearly even in scaling the almost insurmountable rocks to the base of the tree, but here Pierie gained upon Windago, and climbed the tree first. He went up, up, and — ! victory — clasped the eaglet in his hand. But fierce Windago, seeing his adversary triumph, threw a glance of wicked hate upward, and gave the branch of the tree whereon Pierie's foot rested, a wrench that sent poor Pierie headlong, bleeding and lifeless on the rocks below. A wild cry, in falling, like the cry of a broken heart, the pale French hunter gave. And Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua. Ah ! she saw it all from the opposite shore of the sweet little lake, and, with a wail of despair, threw herself into the water, and her spirit went to meet her lover's on the Shadowy Plain. It is said that on moonlight nights, the shades of the lovers may be seen floating over the water. So it was named at first Spirit Lake. " Woe to the warrior, maid or child, That meets the specter, weird and wild, i lr hears the notes of the vengeful cry That fills the air as it passes by ! " Notwithstanding the persistency of these ever-present "spirits" in flitting from rock to rock and hill-top to hill-top and skipping over the water at all hours of the night, regardless of the weather, Devil's Lake has become a favorite summer resort for large numbers of people from almost every clime. Its popularity is increasing from year to year, and its convenient location — situated on one of the principal railway lines running northwest from the great city of Chicago, the entrepot of America — brings it within easy access. Visitors, to the number of seventy or eighty, can find first-class hotel accommodations at the Cliff House — a structure built in Swiss style, with ample wings and verandahs, and surrounded by groves and walks, bo*th nat- ural and artificial — now under the management of W. B. Pearl, an experienced landlord. At the south end of the lake N. C. Kirk has erected a row of summer cottages with all the appur- tenances to housekeeping. Each cottage will accommodate six of eight persons, and, as an evidence of their popularity, they are in constant use during the summer months usually devoted to quiet vacations by "city folk." Bathing, boating and fishing occupy the time of the pleasure seeker, either of these recreative pursuits being conducive to good health and amiable dispositions. In 1868, a small steamboat, the " Capitola," was placed on the lake, but it soon proved to be too small a craft for the accommodation of visitors, and, in 1873, Capt. Thompson, who has an eye to the comfort of every one, built a larger boat, the " Minnewaukan," capable of conveying 150 passengers. A trip around the lake on the " Minnewaukan " is one of the most pleasant features in the long list of pleasant things with which the visitor meets. The particular points of interest about the lake can be better seen and more thoroughly appreciated by a pedestrian tour over the bluffs ; though the most striking objects are pointed out from the deck of the "Minnewaukan." The curiosities of the east bluff, aside from the magnificent view, are the Devil's Doorway and Elephant Rock. The Doorway is situated over !< hi feel above the lake's level, and is in the form of two well-defined columns of bowlder stone standing side by side, and reaching probably forty feet above the base. The top sto.ie of each column appears to have fallen at the same moment, and, meeting each other over the aperture between, formed an arch or lintel. Elephant's Rock is a large sandstone bowlder, some fourteen feet long and eight feet high. In form, if represents an elephant lying upon one side, with well-shaped head and ear. It is said that Capt. Thompson appropriated the ivory tusks, and that a Chicago traveling man secured the trunk. There tire many other fantastically shaped rocks on the east bluff, which a HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 1 ( »1 well-developed imagination might form into various things, from a dry-g Is box to a locomo- tive. The especial features of the west bluff' are the Turk's Head and Cleopatra's Needle, the latter being about fifty feet high, and standing out from the face of the bluff'-wall in an attitude of perpendicular security. The Needle can scarcely be called an obelisk, which literally means a high, slender monument of one stone. The Supreme Architect has used many stones in the of the Needle. Therefore it would not be a convenient article to transport, and when transported would be very difficult to reconstruct. Should Chicago become ambitious for an obelisk to perpetuate the memory of a wicked woman, as did Gotham, she may go elsewhere than Sauk County for it. The Turk's Head is a rocky promontory which stands a short distance north of the Needle. The rocks comprising it appear to have been piled one upon the other, or left there when the bottom of the adjacent territory "dropped out." At a distance the huge mass has the outline appearance of the turbaned head of a Turk. The facial complexion is also of the Ottoman hue. The tall pines in front so obstruct the view that we are left in the dark as to whether this par- ticular Turk occupies a sitting posture and smokes the serene nargile. After all, it may be only the head of a Turk severed from the offending body by a God-fearing Russian, or a gory-handed Circassian. The impressions left upon the minds of those who visit Devil's Lake are naturally very marked. The awe-inspiring hills, witli great quartzite bowdders clinging to their sides, and massive piles of sandstone heaped high above the soil-level of the adjacent peaks, are silent though eloquent witnesses of Nature's wonderful work. By what process did the result we see come about'.' Let us consult the scientific mind. James 11. Eaton, A. M., in a report on the geology of this region says : Running east and west through the center of Sauk County are two parallel ridges, with an average elevation of 400 to 500 feet and a base of two to four miles. The distance between them is three to four miles. The Baraboo River runs in this valley, and empties east into the Wisconsin. A north-and-south valley cuts half-way through the end of the southern ridge, and trends east toward the valley of the Wisconsin. In the north end of this valley lies Devil's Lake. The ridges are compact, crystalline sandstone, without cement, or quartzite. The predominant colors are pink and red. often banded with straight or contorted parallel lines of lighter or darker colors. In some places, the rock is a homogeneous wdiite quartz with distinct and well-formed crystals. Both the nature of the rock and its position give evidence that it is metamorphic Potsdam sandstone. The rock presents all gradations, from the simple sandstone to the perfectly crystallized quartz. The Potsdam sandstone consists of snrdl, round grains of quartz, and is very loosely cemented. It can easily be crumbled with the fingers. Pieces of the quartzite may be obtained in all stages, from this friable sandstone to that where the grains are apparent and the rock is less friable, to that where the homogeneoi! here nearly approached, but the small grains can still be seen, and finally to the perfect homo- geneous quartz. No sharp geographical line of demarkation between the sandstone and quartzite. and no gradation in any direction, is observed. The homogeneousness of the colored quartzite is nut as perfect as it appeal's. Whenever a. surface has been subjected to the weather, the rains come to view again. The bandings of the quartzite are very similar to those in the undisturbed sandstone. These bands sometimes consist of layers of fine grains of sand. Some of the great blocks of quartzite, winch have fallen down the sides of the valley, arc mostbeauti- rered with regular ripple-marks. They must have been first made in the moving sands. The layers are nearly as perfect as in the sandstone, and have a dip equal to the inclination of the ridges. The dip on either side can be seen best from the opposite aide. The anticlinal ridge on the east side "f the lake is removed by the valley, which trends to the east, and on the west by another valley, which comes down to the lake. Vertical joints also lead to th sion that the ridge has been formed by the upheaval of the horizontal layers of sandstone. The layers were not traced north and south to determine whether they are continuous horizontally. Both the nature id' the rock and its position forbid the idea of aqueous fusion or active volcanic 402 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. agency. The change must have taken place by the purely wet way of partial solution and crys- tallization, or by a low degree of heat, working for a long series of years, through the moisture in the sandstone, probably aided by the pressure which lifted the ridges. If the latter, the change and elevation of the rock took place at the same time, and both effects were produced with extreme slowness. The ridge must have been raised before the glacial epoch. Abundant proofs of the movement of glaciers over the rock since it has been metamorphosed have been dis- covered. In many places on the elevated portions, smoothly polished surfaces of quartz of great extent have been exposed by removing the soil. Before the glacial epoch, there seem to be no data for fixing the time of the elevating and metamorphic action. There has, therefore, been ample time for metamorphic action of the most extreme slowness. Dr. Lapman has advanced the view that the Baraboo River once ran through this valley on its way to the Wisconsin, and was turned from its former course into its present one by glacial drift. If this view is correct, as the facts seem to warrant, this valley may have been made at any time from the Lower Silurian up to the glacial period. It is not necessary to introduce any great convulsion. The regularity of the layers would forbid any sudden and violent upheaval and cracking of the i-ock. The slowly-acting agencies of the atmosphere and of water can have thrown down the great mass of debris which" lies on the south of the valley. The valley is about half a mile wide. The ridges slope up from two hundred to three hundred feet, as steep as the large blocks will lie upon each other, and the remaining height is a per- pendicular wall cut by vertical fissures into most fantastic shapes, with natural fortifications and castles, turrets and towers, making one of the most charming bits of landscape in our State. A word in evidence that the Baraboo River formerly ran through the valley and was turned aside by the glacier drift: The surface of the lake is thirty feet above the court house at Baraboo, and one hundred and sixty feet above the Wisconsin River to the south. The lake is more than thirty feet deep, and has a bottom of sand. There is, therefore, a sufficient descent. The valley is a natural course for the river, and running water would have given it some of the features of its present form. In the valley, both north and south of the lake, there is an abundance of drift. In a few hours, a large variety of northern rocks was col- lected — granite, syenite and Lake Superior rocks. They, with sand, have filled up a deeper \ al- ley to such a height that the river finds a new course to the Wisconsin. There is another point of great interest in this region, which does not appear to be easy of solution. On the top of the ridge, and in lines running north and south, are conglomerated bowl- ders. These are local, and do not extend far to the south of the southern ridge. They consist of rounded, water-worn pebbles, and large bowlders of quartzite imbedded in friable sandstone. Some of these conglomerated bowlders weigh many tons. They are evidently deposited at a very little distance from the place of their origin. Evidently, in this immediate neighborhood, pieces of quartzite have been for a long time subjected to running water, and have formed them- selves in a bed of sand, which has been hardened, and some moving cause has carried them into their present position. The place and time and agencies which have produced these effects demand a more careful and close study. There are also signs of a secondary metamorphic action in some of the quartzite. A number of specimens were obtained, which were homogene- ous, but contained large numbers of rounded pebbles, of the same quartzite, or of white quartz, firmly imbedded in them. It is the opinion also of the State Geologist that this valley has been at some time the pas- sage of a large stream. The large size of the valley, he thinks, suggests that it may have been the passage of the Wisconsin River, which at the close of the glacial period found Its ancient channel obstructed by the great drift heaps that are now to be seen in it. If this is a correct view, he says, the river (the Wisconsin) must have had a passage through what is now known as the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo, "a much wider channel than is needed by that small stream." The Narrows spoken of by the State Geologist bear a close resemblance to some parts of the Dells of the Wisconsin, and this gorge, like the Dells, was in all probability cut through by HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -103 the action of water forcing itself down from the north and west — first finding an outlet through the smallest imaginable crevasse, and gradually wearing away the rocks until the entire stream of water flowing in from above could pass through. The State Geologist offers this explanation of the origin of the valley of Devil's Lake as a suggestion only- The Baraboo, he says, may be the stream to which the work should be allotted, " but, if so, we must imagine it to have been a much larger and more powerful stream than now." Very true ; and in all probability it was a much larger stream than now. There is pretty good evidence that at one time the Baraboo River was a much larger stream than the Mississippi is now, ami that it covered the entire area now known as the Baraboo Valley. This being true — and the proposition is not only reason- ably plausible in the very nature of things, but is substantiated by the testimony of a very large number of learned men in regard to the former size of other rivers — we must accept the theory advanced by Prof. Eaton that the Baraboo did pass through the valley of Devil's Lake, and. further, that the valley was none too large to accommodate it. Accepting this theory, then, leads also to the conclusion that the valley between the point where is now located the village of Baraboo, and what is now the Lower Narrows, was once an inland sea, so to speak, and remained so until the pressure of the water forced an outlet through the rocks (the Narrows). The course of the river then changed from the valley of the Devil's Lake to its present channel. THE DELLS. About two miles north of the south lines of the counties of Juneau and Adams, the Wis- consin River, which for many miles above that point is very broad and flows lazily along, meta- phorically turns upon edge and rushes with a deep and sometimes deafening roar through a nar- now, crooked gorge seven and one-half miles in length. This narrow passage is cut through high grounds (or, more properly, through a mountain of sandstone), which, after bounding the river valley on both sides for a great distance northward, gradually approach and join. The lower or south end of this gorge terminates a short distance above Kilbourn City, at a point where the north line of Sauk County strikes the Wisconsin River. The stream flows on across the north line of Section 4, in Township 13 north, of Range 6 east, with a course bearing to the eastward, crossing into Section 3, but soon turning back again into Section 4. Here a dam crosses the river. All above this point is known as the " Upper Dells." From this dam is seen Columbia County and the village of Kilbourn City, in the town of Newport, on the right ; Sauk County and the town of Delton, on the left ; the river forming the boundary between the two counties. Below the dam — or, what is specific enough, below Kilbourn City — are the "Lower Dells," where the river again turns upon its edge, but less ferociously than before, and continues in this peculiar attitude for another seven miles, the east side being in Columbia County and the town of Newport ; the west side in Sauk County and the town of Delton ; but the general trend of the Wisconsin is toward a southeast course, in the '-Lower Dells." At the point where the river loses its characteristics of a gorge, it is called "the Foot of the Dells-" Just how long the "Old Wisconse " has been traveling through these gorges, no one will pretend to say. There are good reasons for believing, however, that this rock-walled pathway is not very ancient in comparison with the age of the earth. The river, which is believed at one time to have passed to the east of the high grounds referred to, doubtless forced its way through the soft sandstone of these hills by degrees, something after the manner of the Baraboe's passage through the Narrows. Throughout the whole length of the narrow passage, from the " Upper Jaws " to " the Foot of the Dells," fanciful names have been given to the most striking objects and places. Begin- ning at the dam and traveling up the river, the first striking feature of the gorge is Angel Rock, situated about one-half mile from the steamboat landing in Kilbourn, on the right-hand side of the river. It is a rugged projection, curiously shaped. This lofty crag a lively imagination can easily transform into a huge angel with outspread wings ; hence the name. It is also called Marble Rock, from the peculiar little round lumps of sandstone found on the ledge and in the river below. 404 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Swallows' Rock, or where the swallows live, is a little further along on the same side. In early spring and summer, thousands of beautiful little swallows may be seen here in the brown cliffs, occupying innumerable holes in the rock, safe from danger, and the happiest family to be found anywhere. Their jolly twittering can be heard far out upon the water. The Jaws of the Bells, or entrance to the Dells proper, are guarded by two immense rocks — High Rock and Romance Cliff — standing like sentinels on duty and sternly looking down in their stately grandeur, as if disputing the right of man to explore the intricate passage beyond. High Bock, on the right, rises from fifty to seventy-five feet above the river. It presents a rugged, rough aspect, with curiously shaped sides, and has a meager growth of stunted pines, birch, and other trees and foliage. Romance Cliff, on the left, is a grand old pile of stately rocks, covered with a dense growth of trees and shrubbery. It is somewhat higher and more stately than its vis-a-vis, High Rock, and lias much more of the curious and wonderful in its makeup and general appearance. It is suggestive of the stately crags and beetling cliffs of the weird and grand scenery of the Rocky Mountains. Chimney Rock is one of nature's singular freaks, left standing for innumerable ages, formed by the action of the wild waters, looking like the old-fashioned stick and mortar chimney of the days of the forefathers. Standing out from the cliff behind, it looks as if the touch of a child's finger would topple it into the river. It is on the right, just beyond High Rock. Echo Cove. — A most pleasing echo can be heard here. It repeats everything, and is a beautiful place for bathing and enjoying a quiet hour in a cool, pleasant retreat. The Bell Souse, "a wild, rambling old rookery," on the left, is one of the first frame houses ever built on the river above Portage. It was erected in the year 1837-38, by Robert V. Allen, and for many years was used as a tavern. ( 'hapel Gorge is the next point on the right hand, and nearly opposite the Dell House. It is a beautiful, shaded glen, and is named from the peculiarly shapen rock at its entrance, resembling a chapel or place of worship. The Gorge is pleasant and shady. Boat Cave is just beyond the Chapel, on the same (east) side of the river. It should always be visited to be appreciated, although a general idea may be had from the steamer's deck. It is cin' of the most peculiar formations, showing the action of the water upon the soft sandstone. It can (inly be traversed in a small boat. Beginning with a perfectly arched doorway, only large enough to admit an ordinary skiff, it opens out in a vaulted chamber in the solid rock of the cliff, then turns at right angles and, through another hall with a water floor, ends in a large door far- ther up the river. Circle Bend is the next place of interest in ascending the stream, where the river and rocks form :i half-circle. The rocks are high and bold, presenting a cliff of solid masonry, formed and carved ami hewn anil worn into a wall of adamant by the action of the whirling waters. Its top is covered with a dense growth of cedar, hemlock, pine, birch, oak and all the many varieties of ferns and shrubbery that so abundantly abound throughout the Dells. Sturgeon Rock, mi the left, is a bold, projecting rock, resembling a sturgeon. Here w^e enter upon the looked-for wild grandeur of the Dells. Navy Yard is on the left of Sturgeon Rock, and is one of the most picturesque and won- derful formations on the river. Here the imagination pictures huge stone vessels of war, with prows and sides and ribs so solid and stanch that for ages they have withstood the battles and warring of the waters, and. as time has rolled on, they have become more complete and shapely in form and build. Bold guardians are they of the Narrows. Eaton Grotto is a long, deep opening — a rift in the face of the cliff from top to bottom — extending back some forty feet into the rugged wall of rock. It is on the opposite side from the Navy Yard. Gates' Ravine,dXhO on the right, is a few hundred yards further up the stream, and extends back from the river nearly a, mile. It is a delightful place for a ramble, and is filled with beau- tiful ferns and flowers, tall cliffs, rugged crags and sparkling streams. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 405 Skylight Cave is a very similar opening to that of Eaton Grotto, and is just at the head of the Navy Yard, on the same side of the river as the latter. Here, with a small boat, one can seek the deep recess of the rock for upward of a hundred feet, lighted only by a little rift in the rocks overhead. It is a delightful place to visit. The Narrows. — Here the river suddenly narrows to the width of only fifty-two feet, and the water is eighty feet in depth. The river is now running upon its edge, hemmed in on either side by ponderous rocks. In low water, the current is nearly as calm and placid as at any point on the Dells, but when the river is up, the raging waters come pouring through this narrow gorge with groat force. The Old Bridge.— In the year 1850, Schuyler S. Gates erected a substantial bridge across the Narrows. This was the first bridge ever built across the Wisconsin, and was used for a num- ber of years. Thousands of teams and passengers paid toll here. It was carried away by the high water of 1866. The. Devil's Elbow is the point where the river makes an almost square turn, just at the entrance of the Narrows. Black Hawk's Cave can now be seen on the left hand. It was here (the legend hath it) where the old chief hid safe and secure in the days of the Black Hawk war. Notch Rock.— This is (to raftsmen) the dread of the Narrows. It is a square, bowlder- looking rock, on the left, and is known as Raftsmen's Terror, on which in high water, rafts are sometimes broken, and lives lost. It can be seen close down to the water's edge. Rattlesnake Bock is the high crag or solitary-looking rock on the left, just back of Notch Rock. It is covered with, shrubbery. Artist's Glen. — This is one of the most beautiful ravines on the river. It is on the right, nearly opposite Rattlesnake Rock. This glen is delightful for picnic grounds, and has a large number of fine butternut and other trees, affording an elegant retreat. Sliding Rocks are here upon either side of the stream, and are so called from their peculiar formation, the sides being oval-shaped and sliding inward, throwing the water to the center of the stream. The Ancient River-Bed is seen as a sand bank on the left. In an early day, the river divided here, and a part ran around, coming out and uniting with the main river at or below the Dell House, forming a large island. Cold-water Canyon.— This canyon requires a full half-day to explore thoroughly. It is one of the grand features of the Dells. You proceed through a rocky defile and under frowning crags — a glory of cavern and valley. Far-distant archways are seen overhead. Here one scrambles and slides, between towering chasm walls so near together that both sides can be reached at once by the hands. In this canyon fourteen varieties of ferns are found, including one that is fragrant. Finally, you come to the Devil's Jug. — In a moment you reach a deep, wild, narrow gorge, walled in with rocks, which are in some places almost vertical, and in others overhanging the pathway. The gorge is 80 narrow that we do not see the Jug until we step inside of it, and look around with wondering curiosity upon its splendid curves and magnificent proportions. It is, of course, a broken jug, the ravine extending through and beyond it for a considerable distance, and on one side the lines are imperfect, owing, doubtless, to the unusual hardness of the rocks ; but the other side is hol- lowed into a perfect resemblance of the inside of an immense jug, as smoothly fashioned as if turned upon a potter's wheel. The entire width of the jug is about thirty-five feet at the bot- tom, and its height is not far from seventy feet. The rift at the top is quite narrow, admitting light enough to see with tolerable distinctness, but leaving the upper part of the cavern in twi- light gloom. The gorge beyond the Jug is passable for some distance. A ramble through this vast canyon, and a visit to the Jug will afford a world of pleasure. All the many varieties of ferns and mosses may be gathered here. The Devil's Arm Chair. — You will wonder why his Satanic Majesty should perch his chair in such a place, unless he, too, is an admirer of the wonders of nature. It is on the left and but a short distance up the river from Coldwater Canyon. The next place of note is the 406 HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. Clam Banks, in which nothing is to be found except the name to remind us of the delicious bivalves gathered on the shores of Narragansett Bay, unless, in imagination, a collection of pro- digious stones is converted into clams. Ruffle Rocks are upon each side of the stream, and would look well on the shirt fronts of the giants of olden days. They adorn with becoming grace the river's sides for a long distance. Chameleon Cave is a seam in the bank, and can only be visited by climbing a ladder from the steamer's deck, going to the high bank, and then down into the earth. You will need the light of a lantern and guide to reach the bottom. It contains beautiful changing mosses. It is on the right just above Steamboat Rock. Steamboat Rock challenges especial attention. It stands on an island in a curious circular cove, and resembles, from some points, a huge ocean steamer, without smoke-stack and wheel-house. It is about 250 feet long by 100 feet wide and some 40 to 50 feet in height, with perpendicular, rugged sides and covered with pine, oak and shrubbery. Rood's Glen. — This- is just beyond Steamboat Rock, on the right. It is a large cavern, and if it were near a large city would be made useful as a lager-beer hall. Honey Bee Spring is on the left, just above. The rock is shaped like an eagle's beak. Arch Cove is a delightful place for picnic parties. It is here one can get the best view of the many islands at the head of the Dells, and of the river for a long distance. The Cove is a beautiful, shady recess, and contains an elegant spring of pure, fresh water. It is on the left- hand side of the river. Nearly opposite, on the right side of the river, at the upper jaws of the Dells, is the Witches' Gulch. — At the head of the Dells, on the right, extending three-quarters of a mile from the shore, will be found this remarkable gulch. The precipitous rocks tower aloft on either side to the height of perhaps a hundred feet, their sides being worn smooth and their ragged edges rounded off by the long-continued action of the water. One can almost touch with outstretched arms both sides of this gloomy gorge, which surpasses in grandeur anything hitherto seen in the Dells. The rocks overhead are in many places shelving and rounded into immense scallops. The stream through this wild pass is in many places waist-deep. It contains many curious points — a miniature waterfall, Phantom Chamber, Fairy Grotto, and hundreds of other remarkable features. The Islands. — From the head of the Dells, or " Upper Jaws," a fine view of the river, bluffs and islands, is had for a long distance. This view is often compared to a similar scene in Lake George. Above the Dells the river " spreads itself" all over the country, as it were, and is full one-half mile in width and very shallow, the water in summer being not over one or two feet in depth. About three-fourths of a mile above Witches' Gulch, are seen on the left bank, a num- ber of interesting points. Hornets' Nest has the shape, and at a short distance the general appearance of an immense hornets' nest, [t serves as a pillar in front of a natural portico, the rock having in the course of time been washed out, leaving a flat roof overhead, with the Hornets' Nest as its principal support. Passing through the archway formed by this singular rock, we ascend and follow the hillside for a few rods, and presently stand in Luncheon Hall. — The waters have at some remote period swept through here with great force, wearing a passage through and under the rocks, and leaving the flat rocks which formerly stood at the " top of the heap," as a natural roof for the hall, which is of considerable extent. The roof has a single break, a few inches wide ; otherwise it is perfect ; and the rocks which support it furnish convenient seats and tables. Located on the top of a ridgb, the hall presents a grand appearance to the spectator at a distance, and commands a fine view of the river. Once within its massive portals, awe gives place to curiosity, and the visitor finds pleasure in observing the odd shapes which the rocks have assumed under the slow but persistent action of the current which once swept the Wisconsin Valley, leaving its impress on every hill, and cut- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 407 ting its way through the rocks until it formed the romantic channel through which the river now runs. A short distance from Luncheon Hall, is found the wonderful Stand Rock. — To reach this, one must ascend the bank a short distance and follow along the edge of the ridge, coming to the rock upon the upper side. The top of the rock — a large sandstone slab — is nearly as level as the floor, and its superficial area is about 18x24 feet. A pathway leads to the foot of it, and the view from below is more interesting than that from above. The water-rounded column which supports the super-poised tablet is of rather irregular shape and is sixty-two feet high. With the neighboring rock, a sort of arch is formed, somewhat resembling the cavernous opening at Luncheon Hall. All around is a scene of beauty. The hills are covered with trees clothed with magnificent summer foliage; a fine farm, trees and shrubs spread out up-riverward, and the glen is full of ferns and flowers in great profusion. THE LOWER DELLS. The river here is broader and the banks present a greater diversity of bluff and bottom than in the Upper Dells, but the character of the rock composing the banks is the same, and a similar, though varied, succession of curious and pleasing forms is presented. The rocks have been worn and hollowed and rounded into every imaginable shape. In some places, great shelves, with stalwart ycung pines growing upon their very edges, overhang the dark waters ; elsewhere, perpendicular walls loom up like the front of some vast fortification, and, a little further on, a similar wall is supplemented with coigns, bastions, projecting towers and covered archways ; again, the rocks are rounded at their bases, so as to resemble the stems of small vessels — much inferior in size and appearance to the ponderous hulks at the Navy Yard in the Dells above. Then the rocks slope gently downward to the green, grassy vale, where a pretty farm gives charming variety to the panorama, and on the opposite side to the broad bottom, where the village of Newport once stood in her pride, now interesting in her remarkable decay. Farther down the river are more noted objects. The lofty banks here, as above the dam, are crowned with a luxuriant growth of trees, shrubs, plants and grass. The first attraction after leaving the dam, going down the river, is Taylor's Glen, on the left — a wild half-cavern and half-vale, which winds around and under the village of Kilbourn City. Echo Point. — Standing upon the rocky cliff where the tunnel from Taylor's Glen comes out under the railroad, any unusual elevation of the voice brings a prompt and distinct response from the massive, smooth-faced cliff opposite, every word and tone being repeated with surprising clearness and accuracy. Persons curious in such matters (and who is not ?) may easily reach Echo Point by walking a few rods down the railway, to the river bend, and descending the pathway to near the mouth of the tunnel, where the benches of the rock afford good standing-places. Bear's Cave is on the same side, a few rods below, and is a hole in the rock, with a cleft extending out to the edge of the cliff, and thence downward to the water's edge, the cave form- ing a recess near the top. Chimney Rock is a little further down, on the same side, and in size is less than the one up the river, but greatly resembling it in situation and appearance. Then comes the Pulpit, standing near the water's edge, and shaped like the sacred desk in some sanctuaries. Below this on the river, but above it in height, is Observation /'<>int, standing upon which you can see a magnificent landscape. On the opposite side Stultz Rock, a terror to raftsmen, whose rafts are sometimes drawn into the eddy and whirled to destruction thereon. Steering clear of this treacherous place, and turning a point, we have in front of us Signal Peak, upon which the red man, it is said, used to light his signal fires to warn his brethren up and down the river when there were enemies around. Swinging around the bend, we soon come to the Sugar Boivl. which stands out in the stream, as cleverly molded as one could wish. The shape of this singular freak of nature is as true to its name as that of anything up the river, though it is hardly so striking as the interior of the Devil's Jug. 408 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The Inkstand next claims attention. At first first view it seems a counterpart of the Sugar Bowl, but we soon perceive a difference. The rock, entire at the top, parts a little way down, and the passage, tapering gradually, is at the water wide enough to admit a small canoe. It bristles on the top with small pines. Lone Rock stands in massive majesty mid-river, smiling with its summer chaplet of verdure upon the tawny flood that washes its feet. It is a broad oval in shape. As we approach we find that its sides are perforated with caverns, into the largest of which, the Cave of the Bark Waters, or, as the Indians call it, the place of the Nah-huh-nah, we push our boat and rest awhile. From the other side, a few straggling gleams of light reach us through Reflection Arch. — Nothing in this vicinity is more curious and wonderful than this rock, the outer walls and internal caverns of which show the abrading effects of different currents and eddies of water. Leaving this romantic spot, we head up stream along the south side of the river, to Grotto Rock. — This is formed by an immense flat rock, and is supported by massive jambs of the same material. It is quite spacious, and is surmounted and surrounded by the luxuriant arborescence and verdure, which throw a graceful charm over all the scenery oft his region, and form a lovely setting for many a striking or quaint and curious picture. Places of interest in the Lower Dells besides those already mentioned, are Falls of the Dam, Coldwater Spring, Earle's Cave, The Ovens, Hawk's Bill, Bald Hill, Cobble Stone Cove, and many others. MINOR PLEASURE RESORTS. The Peewit's Nest. — Two and a half miles west of Baraboo is located the romantic Skillet Creek Falls, better known, perhaps, as the " Peewit's Nest." Skillet Creek derives its name from a skillet-shaped rock which exists near the falls. The name of Peewit's Nest is attached to the place for the reason that large numbers of the species of bird commonly known as peewit, or pee- wee, build their nests among the rocks. A road leads within a few rods of the spot, which is a gorge but a few feet in width, but of great depth, comparatively, formed by Skillet Creek in passing through rock of different degrees of hardness. For a quarter of a mile above the " Nest " the water is still and deep, imperceptibly moving in a channel probably twenty-five feet wide. Then comes the dam, a structure half-natural, half-artificial, of twelve or fifteen feet span, but hanging thirty-five feet above the water below. Before the dam was built, the water, after col- lecting to a depth of twenty feet or more, ran in a trickling stream over the thin rock which formed *the foundation for the artificial portion, erected in 1856 by John R. Shoards. No swell- ing flood will ever carry out this dam until rock shall rot and mortar mold, for it is literally " dovetailed " into the solid rock, extending fully fifteen feet higher than water has ever flowed. Immediately below the dam, the gorge opens, and on the north side is the Peewit's Nest proper. It consists of a perpendicular opening, shaped like a horseshoe, about fourteen feet the longest way, with its open side nine or ten feet across, the walls on the side opposite the stream being slightly overhanging. Across its throat, some twelve feet above the water, rests a sill, the rem- nant of the flo.tr of a retired blacksmith's shop, commonly believed to have been of the bogus order, which was in full blast as early as 1845. William Brown, of Baraboo, at that time hav- ing a plow which needed mending, took it there for repairs, and only succeeded in landing it in the shop by letting it down with a rope from the overhanging cliff forty feet above. From this circumstance, the extent of the blacksmithing operations there maybe guessed. Ill-natured per- sons surmised that the building was thus peculiarly located, being over a pool twenty-five feet deep, in order to scuttle any disagreeable-looking dies or molds in case of a sudden visit from " the powers that be," or, rather, that were. Below the " Nest," the stream speedily contracts to a width of about eight feet, and here, probably, is the only mill-wheel in the world whose axles rest in sockets of solid rock. The wheel is itself thirty-four feet in diameter, with a face of about four feel breadth, and bearing on a five-inch axle. This wheel once furnished power HlsTOltV OF SAUK COUNTY. 409 for a small saw-mill, situated at the mouth of a gorge, and admirably contrived so that one man performed all the necessary labor for running it. Here, in early times, Mr. Shoards sawed about 200,000 feet of lumber per year. This wheel utilized 99 per cent of the force of the water, a greater portion than any other pattern then in existence ; and the necessity for this economy in force is apparent on looking at the stream a little lower down, where it trickles no faster than a thirsty cow could drink. Yet this little stream has performed the wonder- ful work of cutting its way through the solid rock to a depth, in places, of seventy-five feet. While upon the subject of counterfeits, it will be in place here to say something of another mysterious spot, said to be located in Section 33, town of Franklin. Ine arly times, it was known as "Bogus Camp," and is thus described by a gentleman who visited it over twenty-one years ago. "'It is situated in a sly-looking pocket of natural formation in the rocks, overhung with high bluffs. In front is located a pretty grove of oaks and maples, and near by a refresh- ing spring leaps from the hillside. When I visited the place in 1858, in company with several gentlemen, we found an old trough, about thirty feet long, which conducted water into a log cabin, which was then partially decayed. Within the cabin was a dilapidated forge, and, it is said, an old pistol and other trinkets had been found there before. Near by was a powerful press, constructed of trees. A rock maple, eighteen inches in diameter, had been felled in front of a sturdy old oak. The maple, for a space of six feet opposite the oak. had been hewn down, and in the flat surface was sunk a groove two inches wide, three inches deep, and about six feet long, intended probably to receive a bar containing counterfeiting dies. In the standing oak had been mortised a hole, perhaps six inches square, and deep enough to receive the end of a lever ; and near by we found the lever, a red elm, seven inches in diameter and seventeen feet long. Here, doubtless, fifty years ago, a gang of outlaws carried on their nefarious work unin- terrupted." The Upper and Lower Narrows. — Near Ableman Station, in the town of Excelsior, the Baraboo River has cut through the high range of bluffs, making a wild and ragged gorge nearly a mile in length. For most of the distance the revine is just wide enough to admit of the passage of the river, railroad and a wagon road. At some points the overtopping walls are 200 feet high. The place is known as the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo, and is an interesting spot, very convenient of access. It was at the south end of this gorge that Col. S. V. R. Ableman, recently deceased, finally decided to locate, in the belief that it was the only place a railroad could pass up the Baraboo Valley. And he was right. Here can be procured the finest specimens of the quartzite rock and the most beautiful conglomerates found in the State. On Section 31 of the town of Excelsior is another gorge, known as the Narrows of Nar- rows Creek. In its structure and rock occurrences, it is similar to the Narrows of the Baraboo, the veined quartzite, however, being less developed than at the latter place. The Lower Narrows has its romantic features as well, and must be seen to be appreciated. Geologically, it is an interesting locality. Prof. Daniels thus wrote of it twenty-two years ago : " The lower part of the Baraboo Valley is one of the most interesting portions of the State. In variety and picturesque beauty of scenery it cannot be surpassed in the West. The Potsdam Sandstone has here been violently disturbed, and in some cases changed from a soft, crumbling state into a very hard quartzite, usually of a red color, but often gray, or banded with red and white. Manges of this quartzite extend often several miles, and form lofty hills with precipi- tous escarpments. The high bluffs of the Baraboo at the Narrows, at Spirit Lake and at Gar- risonville, are mainly composed of quartzite. At the latter place, just back of Mrs. Garrison's house, the quartzite forms the top of the bluff", wdiile at the base the sandstone seems only slightly changed, and furnishes a building material of excellent quality. On the opposite bank of the river the rock is unchanged, but a band of limestone occurs in it so pure and extensive as to be quarried and burnt for lime. This is located on land owned by Mr. Eiky, and is the only instance of the discovery of good lime in the Potsdam Sandstone of this State.'' Parphrep's trim. — Eastward fn»m the mouth of the valley of Devil's Lake, Section 29, town of Merrimack, the southern face of the quartzite range continues high and bold. On Mr. 410 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Fitzsimmons' place in Section 22, near what is known as Parphrey's Glen, a favorite resort for pleasure seekers, one of the highest points on the whole range of bluffs occurs. This point is in use by the United States Coast Survey as a signal station. Parphrey's Glen is the objective point for tourists and others seeking a view of nature's beauties. There was once a grist-mill at this place, and the oldest settlers whisper that previous to that time a distillery nourished there and corn was made up into juice ; but of course no one will believe such a slander. The ruins of the pond and mill now form a romantic place of special interest. The dam was built across the mouth of a canyon which is walled in by sandstone, some fifty to seventy-five feet in height, worn out far back into the rock at the lower side, walls nearly touching at the top. After proceeding up this channel some thirty rods, you are surprised and pleased on turning a point to see a series of beau- tiful cascades. Very fine ferns and mosses abound here in profusion. After you have taken your picnic lunch, you can drive two miles farther and visit Dorward's Gorge, in the town of Caledonia, Columbia County. This beautiful dell is the ancient bed of a small lake, no doubt. The different stages of water are marked by the erosions in the rock and the terraces washed up at the several boundaries. At one point, the creek has worn a bed through solid rock, and the south shore is a perpendicular wall, most beautifully covered with mosses, kept continually moist with the drip from a spring at the top of the bluff. It is culled "Weeping Rock." Mirror Lake. — Situated between the Dells and Devil's Lake, as connecting links, as rest- ing-points on the way, are several beautiful scenes. They are located upon Dell Creek, a small river emptying into the Wisconsin at the ruins of Newport. The water is very pure, conse- quently shadow pictures are one of the principal features of this pretty locality. Mirror Lake isthe name given to about three miles of Dell Creek, along whose shores are glimpses of a nar- row canyon with its moss-covered walls from seventy-five to one hundred feet in height; the beauti- ful fern-clad Dell, with its sparkling spring brook, and shady seats; the mossy grotto to whose ragged out-lines cling the exquisitely tendriled vine, and ever-varying shaded lichen ; the overhanging crag, bare of all foliage, as if fearing to risk its life at such a dizzy height. On the left as you go up the creek you find The Devil's Postoffi.ee, situated at the outlet of a small ravine; the shelving letter-boxes, deliveries, etc., are all there. Imagine the Postmaster and call for your mail. Next, on the same side, is Echo Rock, a high promontory at a bend in the stream, composed of a light yellow sand- stone. A very distinct echo is heard from the top. The Bee-Hive is on the left. It resembles an old-fashioned bee-hive, the base about half way to the top of the bluff, the apex reaching to the top. At the terminus of the creek is situated Fern Dell. — This is one of the neatest little places in this whole region. Is a valley hemmed in by overhanging rocks, about seventy feet high, a mass of verdure clinging to their sides. Congress Hall. — This is on the east of the village of Delton, a short distance from Mirror Lake. Is evidently an old bed of Dell Creek. At ordinary times, but little water is found — in the shape of a small rivulet formed by springs, which winds its way through. The Hall is an eroded canyon, in the soft yellow sand-rock, wildly broken and distorted in its windings. Some places where the rock is harder, the passage is quite narrow, and then widens into large, spacious rooms. These views as they develop are quite pleasing and somewhat different from all others in this section. It is well worth a visit. The Dell Creek is noted for its excellent fishing — mostly pickerel and black bass. It is confidently believed that no county in the State, or any section of equal size in the State, can successfully compete, in point of variety of scenery, with " Old Sauk " as a pleasure resort. And there is certainly no part of Wisconsin that approaches it as a vast schoolroom for thestudy of nature's wonders. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 411 CHAPTER VI. The Sauk County Press— Some of Sauk County's Illustrious Dead— First and Last Census i\ Sai k Coi nty— The Old Settlers' Society— The County Poor— Ornithology. the sauk county press. BARABOO. Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1850, Cyrus II. McLaughlin,* a practical printer, found himself in Baraboo with a few eases of types and an ancient hand-press. It is believed that Mr. McLaughlin came from Madison, where he had been engaged in the mechanical department of one of the Capital papers. He was soon joined by another journeyman typo, one II. A. McFad- den, who, it is said, hailed from Monroe, Wis. The vacant loft of Morehead's tin and hardware store was secured for an office, and, on the 25th of June, 1850, the first; number of the San k •. C'linit// Standard was issued therefrom. Politically, the Standard advocated the prin- ciples of the Whig party, but the convictions of its editors soon changed, whether from a right- eous regard for " political purity," or from causes of self-interest, will probably never be known. The change of front occurred in February, 1851, and, about the same time, Mr. McFadden retired, his interest having been purchased by M- C. Waite. In May of the same year, Duncan C. Nevin, of Albany, N. Y., succeeded Mr. Waite, and, at the close of the first volume of the Standard, George R. Clarke, now of Chicago, and John H. Wagoner, became the propri- etors. This partnership lasted until the 10th of March, 1852, when Mr. Wagoner sold out to R. H. Davis. t N. V. ChandlerJ then became the virtual publisher of the paper, he agreeing to perform the mechanical duties of the office for a stipulated sum per week, which must have been a great relief to Messrs. Clarke & Davis, for neither of them knew anything of the " art preservative of all arts." When Mr. Chandler took charge of the office, the position of " devil " was being filled by H. A. Perkins ;§ John W. Blake|| was "first imp." Mr. Chandler held the position of publisher until September, 1852, when David S. Vittum purchased Clarke's inter- est. On the 22d of December, Cyrus H. McLaughlin, one of the founders of the Standard, and the undisputed Nestor of journalism in Sauk County, bought into the concern, becoming the partner of Mr. Vittum, and, at the close of the Standard's third volume (June 8, 1853), his name appeared as sole owner. In the early part of August following, R. C. Gould became the associate of Mr. McLaughlin, and, on the 30th of August, 1854, they both retired in favor of Andrew C. Holt, who conducted the paper alone until May 30, 1855, when Victor E. Peck and James I. Dennis became the publishers and proprietors. On the 6th of August following, the more appropriate title of Democrat was substituted for Standard, and, in December, the name of J. W. Phelps appeared at the editorial masthead, indicating that individual as the political editor. In March, 1856, J. H. Wells, the warm supporter of " Barstow and the balance," and a reputed member of that historic and politically-renowned band known as the " Forty Thieves." succeeded to the interest of Mr. Dennis in the Democrat, and took the editorial seat of Mr. Phelps. The paper was then enlarged from twenty-four columns, its original size, to twenty- eight columns. But circumstances over which the editor had no control caused the suspension of this much-managed paper in November, 1856. The Baraboo Republic. — In December, 1851, Silas Noyes, In-other of Col. D. K. Noyes, of Baraboo, established a Whig paper in Portage called the Northern Republic, which he conducted with fair success, considering the tribulations which beset the party whose cause it championed. Both the party and the paper finally went down together, ami the material of the latter was removed to Baraboo, where, in January, 1855, the proprietor having associated with him his 412 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. brother D. K., the Baraboo Republic was established, with the latter as political writer, and the former as miscellaneous editor. It was the exceptional good fortune of the Republic to have been born and reared in the sunlight of Republicanism, and it seems to have-been received with as great favor locally as was the party whose principles it chose to expound, though there were, at first, occasional omissions in its weekly issue which could not be avoided, however great the disappointment to its patrons and well-wishers. The first change in the management occurred October 13, 1855, when Silas Noyes withdrew, and his name as " miscellaneous editor " was "lifted from ehe form." In the following number (October 20), Henry A. Perkins and John Blake appear as the publishers, "office in the old court house ; " and in January, 1856, D. K. Noyes, the editor, having been chosen to represent his district in the Assembly, N. W. Wheeler made his bow to the public as the temporary perpetrator of editorial pabulum and local jokes. In September following, Ansel L. Kellogg* became associated with Mr. Noyes as contrib- uting editor, and, in October, the names of Mr. Kellogg and H. A. Perkins appear as publish- ers, with the former as editor-in-chief. Mr. Noyes, after nearly two years of editorial labor, bade adieu to his friends and supporters in the following words : " We have labored nearly two years, as far as we have been able, to build up a good Repub- lican paper in Sauk County. We have never claimed to be the gifted, the eloquent, the states- man ; we claim to be a patriotic pupil, willing to learn the politics and the history of our country. We can say to the friends of the Republic that we leave it in a prosperous con- dition, our hopes have been fully realized, the Republic is a living paper, and we leave it content." The new proprietors thus saluted the public: "Having been thus favorably introduced to the readers of the Republic, we are, of course, expected to make our bow and deliver a set speech. The former we do with a diffident pleasure ; against the latter, however, we shall have to protest, being unable, in these exciting times, f to offer anything better than an impromptu expression of our hope to serve the right and to meet the approval of our readers in so doing. We contemplate many improvements, not the least of which is the moving of our charters to Mr. Taylor's bank building, south of the new court house." The editor's promise of many new improvements was carried out at once, the leading being a complete new dress of type. The Republic soon obtained a high rank as a leading party organ. The copartnership between Messrs. Kellogg & Perkins was dissolved January 5, I860, and on the 4th of June, 1862, Mr. Kellogg's connection with the paper ceased, ami John W. Blake and C. E. Stuart became the proprietors. In August, 1863, Mr. Stuart withdrew, leaving Mr. Blake sole owner, in which capacity he continued until the 12th of April, 1865. In the meantime (August, 1864), the subscription price of the paper, owing to the advance in the price of paper, etc., was increased from §1.50 to §2 per annum. William II ill: was the successor of Mr. Blake. Mr. Hill was fresh from Southern battlefields, and, being an old ami experienced journalist, the Republic, under his management, lost nothing in loyalty or business prestige. In August, 1866, the proprietor dispensed with the "patent out- side" system, which, even then, had become chronic in interior journalism. The appearance of the paper was further improved by providing it with a new dress of type. April 15, 1868, the form of (In Republic was changed by the addition of a column to each page, the columns also being made narrower. On the 28th of August, 1872, Mr. Hill penned his valedictory, announcing his withdrawal from the proprietorship of the paper in favor of Joseph I. Weirieh. He said: "However * N"« ■ •' i ''I""' I V'v. \.:: , n M ._«.,-■. ,,!,.,!} plnii of pi intinu'. When the I'rcsiilent i-su.-.l his i-lp in til-' /,', /,,'l .50 per annum. * Tin' Prouty pp-- \v.<- |ai. nt. <] about tt yi'.irs a ; _-.> ly t ] l «■ !:■ v ;' 1'r-mty, of M:i/.' Maul.- Th.> first 'tie was manufactured in Bara. 1 il th t -ui ,.lry of W. F. Wuoklrr, and i- now in nso in Mazo Manio. Otiito :i miinOor >f tlnnn w. rr nnoP in tin- ~ i f. -molry used in tin- officos . .f interior pap-o-. Tin' inanufa. tun a th -■ pr -- ■-■ '.\ trri.-ij ui in Malison. Mr lYuity'-p 1 ' ' ylinder the bed of tl 414 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The Sauk County Democrat — An eight-column weekly newspaper, issued at Baraboo on Saturdays, by Joshua G. Ford. The Democrat, which in politics is all its name indicates — being, in fact, nothing if not a Democratic organ — was established January 31, 1880. Mr. Ford is a veteran newspaper publisher, having been almost continuously in the business for the past thirty years. He published the Southern Shield at Owensburg, Ky., for many years sub- sequent to 1856. The Democrat is a good local paper. Price, $1.50 per annum. • The Wheelbarroiv Express. — Was the title of a seven-by-nine sheet perpetrated by Cyrus H. McLaughlin in the fifties, after his return from the West. The little nondescript bristled with spice and jokes. McLaughlin, like many another man, had his enemies, and he made vigorous use of the Express as the whip or mentor, wielded in the form of ridicule, with which he punished them. The paper was short-lived. SAUK CITY. Pioneer and Wisconsin. — The initial number of this paper was issued November 23, 1853, L. Joachime & Co. being the publishers, with C. Duerr as editor. It was located at the com- mencement of its existence in the place, Sauk City, where it yet remains. The first issue, and many subsequent issues, were five-column and quarto in size. In the salutatory, the editor speaks at large of the difficulties besetting the enterprise at such an early day, and alludes to the toils and deprivations of the pioneer as an illustration applicable to the character of the undertaking and position of the paper. He announces that the paper " will be Independent in politics, siding with parties only according to the demands of justice and the necessities of the times, and shall maintain the same position with regard to all other topics." The paper was edited in a fairly vigorous style from the first, and took sides strongly against slavery and pro-slavery laws, although leaning clearly to the side of Democracy and general Democratic interests. April 21, 1855, the paper became the property of C. Kuntz. The new editor announced to the people that he would maintain the principle of independence in politics — that he would oppose slavery with might and main, and go against temperance fanaticism and Know-Nothing- ism with all his strength. He also speaks of the paper as the first publication on the banks of the Wisconsin, and further says that " it will doubtless have to fight for existence, like every- thing else in a new country." The paper, having been enlarged to six columns, with four columns printed in English, June 1, 1854, previous to Mr. Kuntz's ownership, was continued the same in size, but without anything printed in English. Messrs. Kohn & Baumann bought out Mr. Kuntz January 19, 1856, and immediately reduced the paper to its original size, five columns. During the time the paper was in the hands of these gentlemen, it maintained neutral ground, with a manifest preference for the Republican party. October 2, 1858, L. Crucius and H. Kleinpell bought the paper and effects, and very soon after it became thoroughly Republican in politics, the position which it now maintains. During the war, the Pioneer gave its earnest support to the Government, and loudly rejoiced when the slaves were liberated; consequently became very unpopular among Southern sympathzers, large numbers of whom then lived across the river in Dane County; so much so, indeed, that during Shrovetide festival, in February, 1863 (a festival that was then largely celebrated by the Catholics in this vicinity), and while the maskers from over the river were parading the streets of Sauk, some one cried out : " Destroy the Pioneer!" A rush was almost simultaneously made for the office, and, doubtless, it would have come to grief had not the home-guards and citizens generally rushed to the rescue. In iN'>7. it was enlarged to six columns in size again. March 1. 1878, II. Muehlberg purchased Mr. Kleinpell's interest and assumed the editorial management. Mr. Muehlberg came into the position thoroughly fortified and prepared to main- tain and improve the excellence of the paper, from having been connected with it for many years as foreman. The new (inn briefly announced in their salutatory that the paper would be con- ducted much as before, being independent upon all topics, and that it would be their chief aim REEDSBURG. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 417 to advance the general interests of the community and to improve the former high standard of the paper. In 1879, the paper was enlarged by a weekly supplement, patent-sheet, called " The Story Teller," issued every week. The Pioneer and Wisconsin is now the oldest living paper in Sauk County, and is said to be the oldest paper in the State printed in the German language. It is ably edited and has a large circulation. Keedsburg. Tin- lieedsbun/ Herahl — Made its first appearance on the 21st day of October, 1856, pub- lished by C. Lowman and P. Ruge, in the west wing'of the Reedsburg Hotel (L. Ordway's building), $1.50 per annum, " invariably in advance." The Herald was a seven- column quarto, filled with interesting reading matter and local advertisements, and, if we are to judge from the character of the selections on the first page, its "scissor editor" was brimful' of the tender passion, — for there we find two pieces of poetry : ''Think Not, Sweet One," and "True Pur- pose of Woman's Lips," the latter containing all the words in the vocabulary that would rhyme with •■Kiss." These were followed by a story from Putnam s Monthly, entitled " How I Courted Lulu," in seven tableaux. The first column of the first page was devoted to profes- sional and business cards, among which we find those of " E. G. Wheeler, attorney and coun- selor at law, County Judge and general land agent;" " J. Mackey, attorney and counselor at law, and Commissioner for the State of New York ;" " E. W. Olin, attorney at law and Notary Public;" "William Miles, attorney at law, Notary Public and land agent;" " G. Stevens, civil engineer and County Surveyor;" " Dr. Ramsey, office at post office." Among the busi- ness cards were the announcements of J. B. Gregory, brickmason, and W. Warren, blacksmith; and Alba B. Smith and J. and A. Smith carried on the Alba and Mansion Houses, respectively. Turning to the second page of this the first copy of the Herald, we find, in large, black campaign type, the names of James Buchanan, for President of the United States, and John C. Breckenridge for Vice President. Samuel Crawford was the choice of the Herald for Con- gress, and J. II. Wells and M. C. Waite for Senator and Assemblyman. E. C. Watson headed the county ticket for Sheriff, followed by E. P. Spencer for Register of Deeds, Charles Halasz for Treasurer, H. Nickerson for Clerk of the Board, William H. Joy for Clerk of the Court, William J. Huntington for Coroner, Giles Stevens for Surveyor and J. S. Tripp for District Attorney. Just how the Herald came to be Democratic in politics, we propose to let its editors tell in their own language. The " To the Public " or salutatory was signed by J. Mackey, E. G. Wheeler and S. Ramsey, who, after a brief appeal for public patronage in the measure of their merit, say : " In coming before you to make our editorial bow, and ask your aid in carrying forward an enterprise, we shall depart somewhat from the path usually marked out by our predecessors, and shall confine ourselves to a brief statement of the facts connected with the origin of the Herald, and which have led to its publication, and given it the character in which it now appears. Some two months ago one of the publishers of this paper came here with the greater part of type and other printing materials, wishing to establish a paper in our village, and sought the aid of out- citizens in the enterprise. The proprietor met witli encouragement — the people were anxious (or seemed to be) to have such a channel of communication. Subscriptions were made and money raised to prosure a press, and it was agreed by those mostly interested i.i the matter, that the paper should be devoted to home and foreign news- agriculture, literature, science, local infor- mation, etc., and independent in politics, and a prospectus was issued accordingly. In the mean- time, a variety of causes, incident to ajirojectof this nature, conspired to delay its publication for •-in,' weeks longer than was anticipated, ami it was finally ascertained, that in order to bring the paper out at all, and give it such a character for stability and permanency as is necessarj to secure the public patronage, the individuals whose money and credit bad procured the pre-, etc.. should take the conduct and management of the paper into their own hands. With that view, a meeting of the stockholders was called, and the subject freely discussed, resulting in the 418 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. appointment of the undersigned* as editors of the paper. The offer had been freely made to all classes of our citizens to take stock in the press at $5 a share, thus bringing it within the reach of all, and, though this offer had been before the public for nearly two months, and this, too, with the understanding that the paper should be independent in politics, yet when the stockholders were called together, it was ascertained that, out of 120 shares, only three were owned by Repub- licans — the Republican party thus giving the project the ' cold shoulder.' It was therefore agreed, that, inasmuch as the Democrats of the village were obliged to take the whole burden upon their own shoulders, justice and sound policy would dictate that the paper should ad- vocate the sentiments of the Democratic party of the country. It was with this understanding that the undersigned accepted the appointment of the chair editorial. We have accordingly raised to our ' mast head ' the Democratic national, State and county tickets, and shall float them there and battle for their success, until their final ratification by the people on the 4th of November next." Following this was an editorial article, addressed " To the Electors of Sauk County," set- ting forth the rare and righteous principles then claimed for the Democratic party, and perforat- ing the Republican platform with virtuous anathemas. An account of the troubles in Kansas, a telegraphic dispatch conveying the news of Democratic victories in Pennsylvania and Indiana, and an article on the early settlement and commercial advantages of Reedsburg, completed the contents of the second page. On the third page were the marriage notices of Walter Bates and Isaac Flinn. of Baraboo, to Miss Ruth Bunker and Miss Emily L. Bunker, of New Buffalo ; Stephen A. Greenslitt to Miss Minora Loomis, both of Dellona ; Moses Young, of Reedsburg, to Miss Catharine Amelia Medberry, of Troy ; and Jonathan Knoles, of Freedom, to Miss Lydia Burnard, of Washing- ton ; a list of letters remaining unclaimed in the post office of Reedsburg (E. W. Young, P. M.); the advertisements of Green & Waterman, dry goods, groceries, etc. ; L. H. Jewett, variety store : A. Petty, jewelry ; M. & E. W. Young, staple and fancy goods; T. Lichtenhein & Co., dry goods and ready-made clothing; M. Finch, harness and saddlery; J. & A. Smith, stage line ; Ring & Demerest, market, eating saloon and groceries ; Clark k Sanburn, livery stable ; George Meyers, furniture and hardware, and numerous smaller notices of farms for sale, etc. The fourth page contained a few short selections, and most of the third-page advertisements already mentioned, which the editors were compelled to duplicate to " fill up." Number 3 of the Herald announced the result of the election as follows : " Three cheers for the Democracy of Reedsburg ! They have done nobly. Within the last year, they have increased their vote from 46 to 110, while the Shanghais have increased theirs since last fall but 8. So much for a full discussion of our principles ; they have but to be understood to be embraced. Our opponents, who counted on 150 majority, have but 34. " P. S. — Just as we are going to press we have returns showing that the Republicans have carried the county by not far from 900 majority." On the 5th of March, 1857, a dissolution of copartnership took place between Messrs. Low- man & Ruge, in the publication of the Herald, Mr. Ruge retiring from the firm and Mr. Lowman remaining as sole publisher. In April, there having arisen some dispute between the Herald and a Baraboo cotemporary, as to the authorship of a certain article. Mr. Lowman's name was placed at the head of the local columns, with the announcement that he would be responsible for all that appeared therein in the future ; and a month later (June 4) the Herald passed entirely to the management of Mr. Lowman, he having purchased it from the stockhold- ers. Messrs. Mackey, Wheeler and Ramsey also withdrew from editorial responsibility, and Mr. Lowman's name appeared as sole editor and proprietor. But the struggle for existence, though manful, was without avail, and on the 21st of November, in Number 4 of Volume II, the editor made an aide appeal to his patrons, pointing out to them their duty toward their adopted party organ. The appeal, however, had not the desired effect of bringing a sufficient number of the delinquents to time to encourage Mr. Lowman's further publication of the Her- *MeBsrB. Muok'-y. "Wheeler and B HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 410 aid, and the property was turned over to its original editors, Messrs. Wheeler, Ramsey and Mackey, who, after a delay of about a month, brought it out reduced in size to a six-column quarto. The editors acknowledged that they were not surprised to sec, •■ notwithstanding the three week -' repose of the Herald,'' that the world had continued to wag. The old year had gone, and the new arrived ; Kansas had not failed to bleed ; the Wisconsin Legislature had assembled in an- nual session, ostensibly to make laws, but, as the editor feared, only to do mischief; the Presi- dent had not changed his Kansas policy — and still the Herald had actually been in a state of suspension for nearly a month ! The new management was very brief. Retrenchment became so urgently necessary that N. V. Chandler, who had removed hither but a short time previous, was employed to get oul the paper at a stipulated price per week, which he continued to do until some time in February, 1858, when, on consultation of the managers, examination of 1 ks, etc., it was demonstrated that every number published involved a positive loss; under these circumstances, it was resolved to suspend publication forthwith, and the Reedsburg Herald was numbered among the things that were. The lu-cdaliiiri/ Free Fress. — The life of a country editor, as we all know, is not an easy one; even after he becomes permanently established his trials do not cease. He still continues to be the ill-paid subject of merciless criticism, unless it so happens that within his composition is found that anomalous quality fitting him for the exceptional position of one who knows how to run a paper to suit everybody. But rarely have we encountered a recital of tribulations so vivid as the following from the pen of N. V. Chandler, the founder of the Free Press. For genuine perseverance and perpetual disappointment, the case, we believe, is without a parallel. "After the suspension of the IFerahl," says Mr. Chandler, "upon the publication of which I was employed by the Herald Printing Company, after the ' Lowman fiasco,' I busied myself as best I could, doing such jobs of printing as I could obtain to do, using the material of the defunct Herald, which I rented for that purpose, and, to eke out a subsistence, doing any other kind of work that offered, and even going to Baral and other points to work at my trade, when work could be procured. Sometime in the fall or winter of 1859-60, E. G. Wheeler, who had acquired a controlling interest in the stock of the company, sold the material of the Herald to a Mr. Wells, of New Lisbon, and I was thus deprived of my chief source of income. Business of all kinds, all over the country, was at a very low ebb, and the prospect of success in the news- paper business was far from flattering, even if I had possessed capital to embark in it. One day 1 was remarking to a friend, Mr. Willard Shumway, the low condition of my finances, and de- spondingly inquired how I was to obtain the means of supporting my family, when he said tome 1 Why don't you start a paper here?' ' Start a paper !' said I. 'Wha1 have 1 got to start a paper with? 'Circulate a subscription,' said he, 'among the business men.' 'How much will you give?' said I, somewhat amused at the idea, which at the moment I did not entertain at all. • Oh, I will give something,' said he. And so the conversation terminated. But the idea remained with me. I had canvassed almost every other scheme for obtaining an honest liveli- hood, and the prospect looked gloomy enough. After thinking the matter over for a day or two, I came to the conclusion that it could do no hurt to try the experiment. I had heard of a second-hand press I could buy at Richland Center for $50, and 1 believed that for $200 I could get together enough second-hand material to print a six-column paper. ■• Accordingly, I drew up a subscription paper, setting forth my intentions, and promising that if the sum of 8200 was raised. 1 would establish a paper and publish it one year, refund- ing the amount in advertising, job work or subscription — no portion of the monej to be paid to me until the first number appeared. Notwithstanding the liberality of this proposition, after two weeks of persistent canvassing (during which 1 exhausted my powers of rhetoric and per- suasion, and after demonstrating over and over again to my own satisfaction, at least, that if the amount was forthcoming, the paper would be also, and that for one year, at least, Reedsburg would be represented among the newspaper towns of the State), I had only obtained the pledge of $165, in sums of $5 to $20. In a fit of desperation, I went to J. F. Danforth, who was known to have some money, and proposed to him that if he would put down his name for the balance, 420 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. $35. I would give him a mortgage on the material of the office, when procured, before demand- ing the money, and would repay the loan in cash, with lawful interest, which was then, I think, 12 per cent. After thinking the matter over two or three days, and after much urging, and after taking counsel as to the binding nature of the agreement, he finally signed the subscription. "All this looks very ridiculous at this distance of time, and in the light of the recent finan- cial prosperity of the town and surrounding country ; but it was all dead earnest then. Like the boy engaged digging out a wood-chuck by the roadside, when asked by a traveling preacher who came along, if he thought he would get the animal. ' Get him ?' said the boy, ' I've got to get him ! — we're out of meat, and the minister is to be at our house to-night !' I was out of meat, and something had to be done. " Well, the amount of $200 being subscribed, the question arose as to how I was to make it available to purchase material. By its terms, no part of the subscription was to be paid until the appearance of the first number. My whole available capital was §5 in gold, while I was in debt to the various merchants for the means of previous subsistence. But faith in my ability to accomplish whatever I undertook was then strong within me, and, nothing daunted, I set out for Richland Center to secure the press, walking the entire distance. I left Reedsburg about 11 A. M. of a hot day in the beginning of May, and traveled through the woods, over mads entirely new to me, a considerable part of the way, to everybody else, also, as I could scarcely distinguish the track, and only went by ' blazed ' trees. I stayed all night at a farm- house six miles this side of the Center, and the next morning walked in, through a drizzling rain. I saw the press and its owner, and quickly agreed upon terms — which were that I should pav $50 for the press, and 15 cents a pound for about a hundred pounds of nearly new minion type, which was in a ' pied ' condition — he making the purchase of the type a condition of sell- ing me the press. But when the question of pay came to be discussed, a difficulty arose that threatened to be fatal to the enterprise. He knew nobody in Reedsburg : I was known by no- body at Richland Center. I offered a note signed by myself and two citizens of Reedsburg, pay- able in two months. Finally, he bethought him that he hail a slight acquaintance with George Flautt, then a law student at Reedsburg, and wrote him a letter, in which he stated that if George would certify to the responsibility of my indorsers, lie would sell me the press. 1 imme- diately started for home, where I arrived the same night, having walked thirty-six miles, and made the bargain that day. " George Flautt having signed a statement that the indorsers of my note were good, I procured a team and went for my press and my hundred pounds of minion type. After resting a lew days, I started for Milwaukee and intermediate points, to hunt up the balance of the type necessary to get out a paper. I walked to a point fourteen miles beyond Portage, forty-four miles from Reedsburg, the first day ; and the next morning walked four miles further, to Cam- bria Station, and took the cars for Beaver Dam, where I had acquaintances. I went to the Citizen office and inquired of the proprietor if he had any second-hand type for sale. He said he had not, but, after a few moments' thought, said there was an old disused office lying in town, and that George Stewart was agent for the sale of it. I went to Stewart, who at first refused to sell a part unless he could sell the whole, which included a power-press ; but finally he acted upon my suggestion that he ask the advice of Mr. Wells, of the Citizen. This gentleman, upon being consulted as to what he would do with the material in question if he owned it, replied : 'Box it up and send it to the foundry for old type, as quick as I could.' This decided Mr. Stewart to -ill. ami lie asked me what proposition I had to make. I told him I would give him 50 per cent of the type-foundry price for everything I selected, which Mr. Wells tolcl him was an exceedingly liberal offer. Then came the question of pay, and I had a much harder time to convince Mr. Stewarl of the safety of selling me $2(H» worth of material than I hail the Rich- land (enter man. He was not convinced of the responsibility of my sureties, and one propo- sition after another was rejected, until finally I proposed to re-enforce the note signed by myself and the two Reedsburg men (one of whom was John Kellogg, whose unindorsed note would now he good for thousands of dollars) with a mortgage upon the materials purchased, and upon HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. +-i the press which I had at home. This proposition was accepted, and I succeeded in selecting type, -cases, sticks, rides, dashes, etc., to the amount of $225, which I boxed up and shipped to Reedsburg without further delay. Eight miles from Beaver Dam, I had two brothers living, and one of them, Charles A. Chandler, who was a mechanic, accompanied me home to assist me in getting the office running. In the course of a month, on the 25th of June, 18(30, 1 got out my first paper upon this condemned, second-hand type, which an excellent printer, Mr. Cullaton, had pronounced utterly unfit for use, and upon the $50 press, which, when 1 bought it, was so utterly out of joint that the seller had no idea that it could ever be used ; and so well did I use my knowledge of presses and type that, when it appeared, the paper was highly complimented by the State press, and the Milwaukee Sentinel, in noticing it, went so far :i- to say, 'printed from new type.' Upon the issue of the paper. I realized upon my subscrip- tion paper which I had previously circulated, §160, not availing myself of the arrangement with Mr. Danforth ; and. as the number of cash-paying subscribers was very fair, I was at once able to liquidate the indebtedness, and put the paper, which I had christened the Free Press, upon a paying basis. " I fulfilled my agreement with the citizens of Reedsburg, continuing the paper until the 7th of September, 1861, when, the war being then in progress, the people of this community, like those of every other throughout the nation, were greatly exercised over the heavy taxation, expected to ensue, and could give no positive assurance of support, though they professed them- selves satisfied with the paper, and would do what they could to support it. But Mr. Wells, of New Lisbon, having lost his press, through inability to pay for it, made me what I regarded a good offer, to move my press up there, which I did. I run the Juneau < 'ounty Argus until the fall of 1802, when, the county having gone Democratic and elected a county ticket in the interest of Mauston, thus depriving me of the county printing, I suspended publication, and in February following moved my family and printing material back to Reedsburg; but I did not engage in publishing a paper, because of the unsettled and embittered state of public feeling. In the last days of that year 1863, 1 entered the military service, where I remained until June, 1866 — more than a year after the close of the war. Upon arriving home, I found that my press and material had been sold, to go to Mazo Manie, and I therefore turned my attention to other pursuits." Mr. Chandler has neglected to mention the fact — which of course every one then knew, but which every one would not know a hundred years hence should we now fail to record it — that the Free Press was a stanch Republican paper, and its first number was issued just in time to announce the nominees of the Chicago Convention of June, 1860 — Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. In his indorsement of the nominees, the editor said: " As to our political course, we need only to refer our readers to the flag which we carry at the mast-head, inscribed with the names of the gallant rail-splitter of Illinois and the printer-lawyer of Maine, and to the declaration of principles as set forth by the Republican National Convention. And now up to the ceiling goes the editorial felt, while we hurrah for Old Abe. the giant of the West." The motto of the Free Press was, "Pledged but to truth, to liberty and law." Typo- graphically it was probably the neatest paper in the Northwest. In its first number we find the business cards of Stevens & Miles, J. Mackey and E. G. Wheeler, attorneys at law : of A. O Hunt and A. West, Justices of the Peace; of Dr. S. Hall, physician and surgeon ; of J. Barn- hart, wagon and carriage maker; of M. Finch, harness-maker; of A. Pettyes, fashionable tailor: of William A. Pixley, watchmaker and jeweler; F. A. Weir, advertised the Alba House, and Perley Sargent the Western Hotel, while Justus Freer appeared as the landlord of Cottage Inn, at Delton. Sanford & Son sold sufficient dry goods to enable them to employ a column of the Free Press to tell the people about it, while J. L. Green was not far behind in the same line of business. John Kellogg sold plows and ice cream and lemonade and anvils, and anything else in any other line to be thought of. Dr. Ramsey sold drugs, paints, high- wines, etc.; Volney Ayres did blacksmithing, and Electa Ayres had a farm for sale ; I! C. Lewis *-■!> HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. was the village tinner, and D. R. Kellogg took pictures ; J. W. Lusk and H. M. Haskell, issued insurance policies, and M. Shumway sold ice; Murray & Jones, Baraboo, kept hard- ware, while Moritz Pietzsch bound books ; G. H. Stewart & Co., of Beaver Dam, advertised the product of their woolen mill — and altogether the Free Press was well patronized. As has been stated by Mr. Chandler in his reminiscence, the Free Press was suspended in September, 1861. After a sleep of nearly eleven years, it was resurrected. The first number of the new series appeared March 22, 1872, and the success of the enterprise, it is said, was marked and immediate. Mr. Chandler continued its publication until July 1, 1878, when he disposed of what he had made a very good property to John W. Blake, a veteran typo and pub- lisher, and John H. Powers, the latter now being one of the publishers of the Baraboo Repub- lic. In November, 1879, Mr. Powers sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Blake, who is at present the sole proprietor. The Free Press is the largest paper published in Sauk County, being a nine-column quarto. On political propositions it has always been soundly Republican ; locally, it is a fair specimen of what a local paper should be. The Sauk County Herold — Printed in the German language, is the title of the only other newspaper published in Reedsburg. It was established in 1876, the first number being issued on the 22d of December of that year, by William Raetzmann and Richard Porsch. It is an eight-column quarto, ably edited and carefully printed. In the spring of 1877, Mr. Raetz- mann purchased his partner's interest and is now the sole publisher and responsible editor. Peaieie du Sac. Sauk ('utility News. — This paper was established by the firm of Burnett & Son, of Black Earth, Dane County, and G. W. Ashton, of Prairie du Sac, on the 21st of October, 1876. It was a six-column quarto, with E. W. Ashton as responsible editor. The News was printed at Black Earth and published at Prairie du Sac. Mr. Ashton conducted the paper until Nov. 1877, when his interest passed into the hands of S. W. Corwith, who enlarged it, adding one column to each of its four pages. Politically and socially, let the News speak for itself, in a prospectus issued by its present editor, Mr. Corwith, soon after mounting the editorial tripod : " It will advocate good government, independent of party lines. Principles first, men and par- ties afterward. The News will labor for the interests of this town and the county in particular, and the world in general. It will appreciate kindness from its friends and kicks from its ene- mies, if any there be. For every dollar it receives it will give value in the very best service that can be rendered through its columns. The News will always exercise the broadest charity con- sistent with right and justice; it will not censure without cause, or approve that which has no merit." The circulation of the News has increased from 150 copies, under former management, to 600. Spring Green. In December, 1877, J. F. Morrow, of Spring Green, established the Dollar Times, a weekly journal with greenback proclivities and patent outside, printed at Black Earth. Dane County, and dated and circulated in Baraboo and Spring Green. Robert T. Warner was the editor of the Baraboo edition, while Mr. Morrow conducted the Spring Green issue. The Dollar Times was a sprightly local paper, but seems to have espoused an unpopular political cause. The Baraboo issue was suspended under a postal regulation' relative to rates of postage. About this time the name of the paper was changed to the 1 at, r-County Times, and under this title, suspended publication in the spring of 1880. SOME OF SAUK COUNTY'S ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD. The compiler of this work has been only partially successful in his efforts to secure for its pages sketches of the lives of the leading actors in this historical drama. Not a few of the early settlers and others prominent in the county's history have passed away, leaving no record of their lives ; and, in some instances, there are no relatives, at this late date, to furnish the desired infor- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -423 Jonathan Hatch was born in Milton, Conn., September 14, 1793 ; he died in the village of Lyons on the 14th of January, 1879. When quite young, his parents moved to Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and at the age of eighteen he left his home and went to the head of the Alleghany River and engaged in lumbering, rafting on that and the Ohio River. In 1813, he spent ten months in the army and helped to build Fort Stephenson, on the Lower Sandusky, being engaged meantime in several skirmishes with Indians. In 1835, he came to Wisconsin, and in 1836 first saw the soil of Sauk County, being of a party of surveyors that platted " Superior City," on the Wisconsin River, opposite what is now Sauk City. In June, 1839, he moved to Sauk Prairie, and there raised the first oats, corn, wheat and potatoes ever brought forth from Sauk County soil. He was married in 1818, and eight daughters and one son was the result of this union. He became a widower, and in due course of time — June 12, 1845 — married a sister of William Johnson. By her he had one child, a daughter, now the wife of J. B. Duncan. The daughters of his first wife grew to womanhood ; the son died young. Jonathan Hatch was highly respected. James S. Alhan was one of the very first pioneers of Sauk County, Mrs. Alban being the first white woman in the county. He located on Sauk Prairie in January of 1839, and afterward engaged in the practice of law at Sauk City. He was well read in his profession. About 1850, he removed to Plover, where he was subsequently chosen to represent his constituents in the Legislature. He also served as County Judge, and, when the rebellion broke out, entered the Union army as Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment. He lost his life on the battle-field at Shiloh. Peescott Brigham emigrated from the town of Shrewsbury, Worcester Co., Mass., to Blue Mounds, Wis., in 1838 ; thence to Sauk County in June, 1840. Mrs. Brigham died October 20, 1846, and is remem- bered as a most excellent woman. Their house was like an oasis in the desert, ever open to strangers and neighbors. Mr. Brigham's last days were spent with his son-in-law, T. B. Cowles, in the town of Sumter. At an early day, he was an advocate for locating the county seat at Baraboo Rapids, as it was then called, and loaned to the county the money with which to purchase from the Government the quarter-section of land upon which the village now stands. Out of respect for Mr. Brigham, the place was first called Adams, by his request, from the great esteem in which he held John Quincy Adams. Mr. Brigham was elected to the office of Register of Deeds in 1845, serving two years. He died on the 28th of May, 1862. Eben Peck was born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt., in 1804, and was taken to Middlebury, Genessee, now Wyoming County, N. Y., by his parents when quite a child, and on his return to Ver- mont in 1827, he established himself in business in Middleton, Rutland County. There he was married February 24, 1829, to Miss Roseline Willard, whose mother was Julia Ann Burn- ham, and her grandmother Burnham (wife of John Burnham, an able member of the Bennington ban was a sister of Gen. Isaac Clark, of Castleton, Vt., a soldier of the Revolution, who also commanded a regiment in the war of 1812, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention and Judge of the County Court; died at Castleton January 31, 1822. Gen. Clark was the grandfather of Satterlee Clark, a Wisconsin pioneer of 1830. Miss Willard was born February 24, 1808, at Middleton. She was married in the house in which she was born, her parents, grandparents ami others being present. In 1832, they removed to Middlebury, N. Y., and thence, in 1836, to Blue Mounds, Wis. Mrs. Peck was the first white woman to cross the Baraboo Bluff's. She now resides on her farm near Baraboo, in the enjoyment of good health. Mr. Peck started for California in 1844, and, though since reported as in Texas or New Mexico, is supposed to have been massacred by savages on the plains. 424 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY AiinsTON HARASZTHY, more familiarly known as Count Haraszthy, was born in 1812, in the Comitat of Bacska, Hun- gary. His family was one of the oldest and most influential of the old nobility, the name appearing frequently in the history of that country extending over a period of seven hundred and sixty yeai-s. He was educated to the law, as was the custom there, and at the age of eighteen was a member of the body-guard of the Emperor Ferdinand, which was composed of nobles. After filling the office of Chief Executive of State for a period, he became the Private Secretary of the Viceroy. When the Liberal movement began in 1839-40, he at once took the lead of that party, but was afterward, through the failure of the movement, compelled to leave his country. He came to New York, and, after traveling over the United States, he wrote and published a book upon their resources. The work was designed to invite emigration from Hun- gary, and was the first work upon that subject ever printed in the Hungarian language. About 1S40, he made Wisconsin his home, purchasing large tracts of land, founding several settle- ments, building bridges, constructing roads and establishing ferries. Having in his possession valuable State papers, the Austrian Government opened negotiations for their surrender. The question was referred to Lewis Cass, who succeeded in gaining permission for Havaszthy to return to Hungary and remain for one year. This he did, settling up his affairs, and, although his landed estates were confiscated, he succeeded in saving $150,000, which he brought with him to this country, together with his family and a large portion of the family plate and paintings. Returning to Wisconsin, he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1842, after having, through the perfidy of a land officer, lost $5,000 in attempting to establish a colony, he came to the beauti- ful spot where now stands the village of Prairie du Sac. Here he founded a new colony, calling it by his own name (Haraszthy), and had it incorporated. He started a horse ferry across the river, mape excellent roads, established mills and stores, and subsequently ran a steamboat down the Wisconsin and Mississippi to St. Louis. But yearly recurring prairie fires destroyed his crops and many of his buildings ; besides, the commercial crisis of 1847 crippled him severely. His family joined him in 1844. and in 1846 he succeeded in having his place selected as the county seat of Sauk County, building a court house at his own expense. Still, the many losses between that year and 1849 told heavily on his finances, and, with a long train of over fifty associates, he started overland for California. He settled at San Diego, was elected Sheriff of the county, afterward laid out '' Middle San Diego," and, in 1852, was elected a member of the Legislature. From San Diego, he removed to San Francisco, thence to the adjoining county of San Mateo, devoting himself to agriculture. President Pierce appointed him Assayer in the United States Branch Mint in San Francisco, and at a later period he was made melter and refiner. In 1856, he removed to Sonoma County, and engaged in viniculture. He was the first to employ Chinese labor in his vineyards. In 1861, he was appointed by the Governor of California as a Commissioner to visit the wine countries of Europe, which resulted in the importation of four hundred different varieties of grapevines. A year later, he was chosen President of the Cali- fornia State Agricultural Society. In 1863, he organized the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, to which he conveyed his four hundred acres of vines in Sonoma County. In 1868, he went to Nicaragua, where he became interested in sugar plantations, and erected an extensive distillery for the manufacture of spirits. In 1869-70, he returned to California to charter a vessel with which ti> open trade between San Francisco and the ports of Nicaragua. Upon his return to Central America, he was drowned while attempting to cross a stream of water by means of a fallen tree which reached from bank to bank. His body was never found, and it is suoposed to have been devoured by crocodiles or carried by the swift current to the ocean, four miles distant from the scene of the tragedy. Count Haraszthy will long be remembered as one of the substantial pioneers of " Old Sauk." James Maxwell was born at Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., May 1, 1789. Removed to Walworth County in 1837, which county he represented in the Territorial Council for six years, being President HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. *25 of that body in 1840. In the spring of that year, he crossed the Baraboo Bluffs and began ai Manchester the improvement of the water-power, but soon after he returned to Walworth County, where he continued to reside until 1840, when he came to Baraboo the second time, and made a permanent settlement. In the same year, he erected the first building upon the public square, the once well-known old corner store. The only other building in Baraboo proper at that time, was the log schoolhouse. In 1851 and 1853, he was a prominent candidate in the Whig con- ventions of the State, and at one of those conventions was nominated for Secretary of State. The decline of that party worked Mr. Maxwell's defeat. In 1856, he removed to the western part of Nebraska and opened a large farm on the Platte River. At the date of his death — the 16th of December, 1869 — he was residing at the home of his son in Baraboo. Stephen Van Ranssalaek Ablejian was born December 25, 1809, in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County. State of New York. lie died July 10, 1880, at Ableman, Wis. His father,' Christian G. Ableman, was born in Prussia, liermany. He was a soldier of our Revolution. His mother, Reirina Kanier, was born in Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y. In a few months after, her parents arrived from Bordeaux, in France. In 1820, his parents moved to Albany. Stephen for two years was sent tn the Laneastarian School in that city. In May, 1822, he was bound an apprentice during his minority, as the old indenture reads, " to learn the art, trade and mystery of a carpenter and joiner, after the manner of an apprentice, for and during the full end of the term, during all which the said operative, his said masters, faithfully shall serve, their secrets keep, and their lawful commands everywhere readily obey. He shall do no damage to his said masters, or see it done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said masters, nor waste his masters' goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any person. At cards, dice or any other unlawful game he shall not play. Whereby his said masters may have damage with their own goods or the goods of others ; without license from his said masters, he shall neither buy nor sell. He shall not absent himself day or night from his masters' service without their leave; nor haunt- ale-houses, taverns or play-houses, but in all things behave himself as a faithful operative ought during the said term; and the said masters shall use the utmost of their endeavors to teach or cause to be taught or instructed the said operative in the art, trade and mysteries of a carpenter and joiner, and promise to provide for him sufficient meat, drink, boarding, mending, lodging and washing, fitting for an operative during said term of time, and pay him in cash the sum of $25 per year, to be advanced and paid as his necessities may require. Signed and sealed." This indenture was canceled December 25, 1830. In 1825, by the consent of his masters, he enlisted as a drummer in the National Guards, Ninth Rifle Regiment, and served in all their drills in this capacity for four years. He was then rhosen Ensign, and rendered this service for three years, until elected Captain of the same company. He then took his discharge. It reads, "Thirty- first Brigade, Ninth Rifle Regiment. S. V. R. Ableman has paraded in the said Ninth Rifle Regiment, uniformed and equipped according to law, and has performed all such military duty as has been required of him for the space of seven years last past, and is, therefore, free from military duty, except in cases of insur- rection or invasion, or when called into actual service." May 4, 1831, he married Elizabeth Bolt Jarvis. She was bom October 25, 1812, and died May 19, 1800. She was confined to her bed for the last eleven years of her life, a great sufferer from neuralgia and rheumatism. Nearly all her joints became ossified. The issue of this marriage was two children — a son who was born June 14, 1832, ami drowned in the Bay of San Francisco March 24. 1853, and a daughter, Laura Elizabeth (now Mrs. E. C. Watson), burn September 7, 1835. After Mr. Ableman's marriage to Miss Jarvis, he immediately opened a carpenter shop on Water street, Albany, and has since performed many heavy contracts. July 2'.'. 1833, Ensign Ableman was elected Captain, with rank from date, of the National Guards, Ninth Rifle Regiment, Thirty-first Brigade, commissioned by Gov. William L. Macy, Levi 426 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Hubble Adjutant General. In 1838, he was elected Colonel of the Two Hundred and Forty- ninth Regiment, New York State Militia, and duly commissioned. In 1843, Col. Ableman was elected Alderman of the Eighth Ward, Albany, N. Y., and served as such, and was subsequently re-elected. He was also appointed Commissioner of the Poor of said county, and keeper of the almshouse for 1842 and 1843. In the spring of 1845, he came to the broad West, arriving with his family in Milwaukee on the 17th of June. He established there the first Woodworth Planing Mill, and, in 1848, he built a steam planing-mill, and a sash, door and blind manufactory on West Water street. This season he located lands in Sauk County, in Excelsior. In 1850, he sold his mills and moved temporarily to Baraboo, and commenced improving his lands. After a few months' residence here, he moved to the point that afterward became his permanent home. In 1853, Col. Able- man was appointed United States Marshal for the State of Wisconsin, by Franklin Pierce, and served as such until Buchanan's administration, in June, 1858. While in this capacity, he arrested the slave Glover, whose case, it will be remembered, caused so much excitement and agitation. November 30, 1865, he married Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Capt. Watson, and widow of the late Capt. Adam Gilmore. In 1869, the Colonel wrote and published several articles, over the signature of " Locomo- tive," urging the people of the Baraboo Valley to organize for railroad purposes, and laid down a plan of operation. The force with which these letters were written caused an organization to be made, which was entitled the Baraboo Air Line Railroad Company. The Colonel was chosen President of this company. The commencement of the work, and then the sale to the Chicago k North-Western Railroad Company, and the construction of the line through the county within one year's time, was viewed with inexpressible satisfaction by the Colonel. The Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company, out of esteem for him, named the station at the village then known as Excelsior, "Ableman." The post office and village have since received the same name. Col. Ableman built the well-known hotel, the Delavan House, in Albany. He also built the Methodist Church in Baraboo, on coming here, and before settling on his lands at Ableman. When he selected those lands, he drove across the country from Milwaukee. The belief then was that the first railroad west would follow the Baraboo Valley. The Colonel looked along this valley, and, coming to the Narrows near Ableman, readily decided that a railroad never could miss that point, and so purchased lands there. It was many years before his hopes of a railroad were realized, and he was then past active life. His sole remaining ambition was to sit on his porch and see a train go by. He lived a number of years after the present road fulfilled his desire. Col. Ableman was a man of strong characteristics, but one of the best-hearted and most genial friends in the world. He was a giant in size and strength, but never used his physical power but usefully. Cyrus Clark Remington was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., November 10, 1824, and died in Baraboo, October 13, 1878. He came to Wisconsin when 16 years of age with his parents, who settled in Waukesha County. All imaginable hardships in pioneer life were the lot of the Rem- ingtons in their new home, and the subject of this sketch was compelled to apply himself vigor- ously to the toils incident to farming. His few leisure hours, however, were devoted to study, and he soon became competent to instruct the youth in his father's neighborhood, and was for several terms engaged as teacher. He remained in this capacity — farmer-teacher — tor nearly six years, when he went to study law in the office of Alexander Randall, of Waukesha, after- ward Governor of the State. He subsequently went to Milwaukee and finished his professional reading with Messrs. Finch A Lynde, being admitted to the bar February 16, 1847. In May following, he entered the county of Sauk, en route for Baraboo, with his wardrobe and library upon his back in a carpet bag, and with 25 cents in his pocket. At that time, Lyons was the Athens <4' the Baraboo Valley, and here young Remington paused in his westward march, and HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 427 took board at the house of Alexander Crawford. In 1852, he was married to Maria S. Train, by win mi he had six children. In 1854, he represented in the Assembly, the district com pris- ing Adams and Sauk Counties, and he was County Judge of the latter from 1870 to 1873, when he resigned. As a lawyer, Mr. Remington stood at the head of the Sauk County bar. lie never sullied his professional character by a questionable, much less a dishonorable, act. As a wise counselor, he was the reliance of many business men, who had implicit faith in him. As a citizen, he was honorable, patriotic and public-spirited. It is worthy of record, that, when the war of the rebellion broke out, he loaned the United States Government $1,000 to help the cause along, and did it from a pure sense of duty. This act was characteristic of his citizen- ship. Albert Jameson, one of Sauk County's earliest settlers, died at his home, in the town of Sumter, November 17, 1875. He was born in Wilkesbarr, Penn., August 15, 1809. Removing to Ohio in 1834, he spent two years in that State, and then went to Rockford, 111., where he married Miss Elizabeth Hoover, November 25, 1837. From Rockford he soon removed to Belmont, Wis., and, in December, 1838, in company with three others, he came to Sauk County, crossing tho Wisconsin River on the ice. The following season, the four pioneers made claims on Sauk Prairie, where Mr. Jameson lived until his death, with the exception of a few years he spent in California, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho. He was an enthusiastic lover of the sublime and won- derful in nature, and was always entertaining and happy in his descriptions of what he had seen. He had collected many rare minerals and curiosities in his travels in the wonderful West. IIenuy Howard Potter, was born November 6, 1824, at Hartsville, Onondaga Co, N. Y. He came to Baraboo in 1849, remaining a year as clerk for James A. Maxwell. Returning to Pennsylvania (where his parents made their home soon after his birth) he remained five years, returning to Baraboo permanently in 1855. In the fall of 1856, he was married to Emma A., eldest daughter of James A. Maxwell. Five children were born to them. Mrs. Potter survived her husband, and is still a resident of Baraboo. Mr. rotter possessed traits that gave him many warm friends. He was warm-hearted, charitable, trustful, candid. His influence was powerful through his large accpuaintance with men, but he never used that influence unworthily. Alexander Crawford was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in 1798. In 1830, be removed to Ohio, and there resided until 1839, when he removed to Michigan. In 1844, he came to Wisconsin, and in February, 1845, settled in Baraboo. The public lands were not then in market, but a claim of an acre was bought from Moore & Wood, on which Mr. Crawford erected a log house, occupying the spot upon which he lived until his death. For many years, his was a favorite stopping-place for travelers. Count Haraszthy was numbered among the transient guests. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford celebrated their golden wedding on the 23d of September, 1869, and on the 13th of September, 1870, Mr. Crawford was relieved of his earthly cares by death. Robert Cram ford was born in Greenfield, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1820. He came to Wisconsin, and settled in Baraboo in 1845. He helped to erect the old Maxwell Mill, and w T as a partner with B. L. Brier, in the erection of the first carding-mill northwest of Madison. In 1863, Mr. Crawford enlisted in the Third Cavalry, in which he served three years. During this period his health was undermined, and after his return he failed rapidly. He was of the mold of men through whose energies the young territories have grown great — honest, neighborly, of sound judgment, enterprising and public-spirited. He died January 31, 1868. 428 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Harvey Canfikld was born in New Milford, Conn., July 4, 1794, and removed with his father's family when a boy to the then wilds of the West, Onondaga County, N. Y. He came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled in what was afterward known as the village of Lyons. He was an energetic business man, speculative and enterprising. Before coming to Wisconsin, he was a contractor on the Erie Canal at Little Falls ; then a farmer, salt manufacturer and merchant ; then a gold digger in the Carolinas ; afterward a contractor on the Oswego Canal, and also on the Auburn & Syra- cuse Railroad and the Genesee Valley Canal. He died, it is supposed, of heart disease, while plowing on his field near Baraboo, on the 18th of October, 1861. He was buried with Masonic honors, of which order he was an active member. Daniel Schebmeehoen. Diligent search fails to reveal the birthplace of Daniel Schermerhorn. He was born August 27, 1793, and died in Wonewoc August 26, 1875. The following tribute to his memory appeared in the local papers at the date of his death : " And so the pure, grand, peculiarly eccentric, widely-known, honest ' Old Judge ' has at length been admitted to the ' Grand Lodge above.' The patriot soldier, the first magistrate, and the ever-esteemed citizen, the pioneer whose name all pioneers loved to hear so well, very ripe in the harvest time, is gathered in by the Mighty Reaper. A remarkable man, whose sterling, positive qualities commanded such respect that most of the time for fifty-four years he was in public life, a sworn officer of some sort, although he never attended school six weeks in his life ; yet he had a great understanding of very many things of the world, and not a narrow view of any question whatever. His ideas were as ennobling as his once towering, noble form and features ; in every way a self-made man ; aye, every inch a man. His life was indeed a grand success — from boyhood to manhood." Daniel Baxter was born in 17S7 in one of the New England States. He came to Wisconsin Territory in 1837, settling in Green County. He moved to Prairie du Sac at a very early date in the county's history. Mr. Baxter held an honorable place in public life in the Empire State, having been a member of the Legislature in 1828 and 1829, in which capacity he served with Silas Wright. Millard Fillmore and other noted men. He was a member of both of Wisconsin's Consti- tutional Conventions. He was also one of the contractors who built the old Territorial Capitol, for his part in which, it is claimed, he never received his full pay. He died at Prairie du Sac on the 18th of September, 1867. James W. Babb was born about three miles from Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., September 26, 1789. He remained in Virginia until the fall of 1810, when he was about twenty-one years old. remov- ing at that time, with his father, to Greene County, Ohio, where he remained for a year or two before returning to Virginia, to bring thence as a bride, Rebecca Scarft", whose acquaintance he had formed before moving thence. He ultimately received from his father 400 acres of valuable land, which he improved, and became one of the substantial men of his section. But, having fre- quently become security for other parties, and generally having the debts to pay, he found him- self, in the year 1845, seriously embarrassed, and determined to sell his property in Ohio, and remove to the " Far West," and make himself a new home. Accordingly, he disposed of his real estate, and early in April, 1845, started for Wisconsin Territory, in company with two persons named Kilpatrick, distant relatives of Mr. Babb's, one of whom lived near Janesville. and had been East on a visit. This person gave Mr. Babb a glowing description of a beautiful prairie, with rich, deep soil, lying in the valley of the Baraboo River, above Baraboo, which he had crossed in one of his hunting tours, and which had rarely, if ever before, been trodden by the foot of civilized man ; and it was to sec and claim this prairie that Mr. Babb started from Ohio. He was also accompanied by his son John. The journey was made with a horse team across the HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 429 >i,iiis of Ohio. Indiana and Illinois, and with a short tarry at Kilpatrick's house in Rock County, Wis., the party pushed on to this place. Arrived at Baraboo, then a mere hamlet, the party was augmented by several persons, among others by a Mr. Clark, who knew the way. They probably came through the Narrow Creek Gap, as the first view they obtained of the prai- rie was from the bluff back of the Dixon place, on the 1-th day of May. Mr. Babb was then upward of fifty-five years of age, in the very prime of his manhood, of strong physical frame, robust health and iron will, and the difficulties and hardships of such an undertaking as he con- templated, and which would-be sufficient to appeal to one of less courage and powers of endurance, had no horrors for him. Sticking his claim stake, he proceeded at once to improve, employing parties upon Sauk Prairie to come up and break seventy acres of land, upon a' portion of* which lie raised, the same season, a crop of buckwheat, potatoes, etc. He built a double log house, after the Southern style, two stories in height, consisting of two buildings sixteen feet square, separated between by an open space twelve feet wide, but with the upper story extending the whole length, forty-four feet. The front of the building faced the south. Upon the north side, the alley between the buildings was extended twelve feet by an addition of logs, and closed at the north end, making a room twelve by twenty-eight feet, one story high. The whole was covered with shingles, obtained from an adjacent pine grove, where there were already hardy lumbermen engaged in converting the timber into lumber and shingles. To raise this house — the logs having been prepared by Mr. Babb and his son, and perhaps some other persons — it was thought to utilize the labor of the friendly Indians; but after getting the building up some distance, Mr. Babb became afraid that the reckless way in which they handled the heavy tim- bers would result in seriou3 injury to them, procured help from Baraboo and Sauk, respectively sixteen and twenty-eight miles ; and thus the building was raised. The same summer he went to Baraboo, purchased lumber, built a flat-boat, loaded it with provisions and other useful articles, and poled it up the river to his place. The boat was afterward used as a ferry-boat to cross teams at Reedsburg, when the river was too high to be forded. Some time in December he- returned to Ohio, where he remained during the winter. Early in the spring of 1846, accom- panied by his sons John (and his wife) and Strother and Wash Gray, he started for Wisconsin again, bringing some household stuff and a set of blacksmith's tools, which Strother knew how to use. They arrived here in time to get in a crop that season. Early in the fall, Mr. Babb returned alone to Ohio for his family, and w T as somewhat hurried up in his preparations for moving by the intelligence that the land sale in this district would take place on the 1st of December. ( In the 30th day of October, he started on the return journey, with his wife, his son Philip, his daughter Betsey, and her husband, Stern Baker, bringing the remainder of his worldly goods, cattle, etc. It took nearly a whole month to reach Whitewater, and there the weather was so cold that the party halted for a couple of days, and Mr. Babb left them to go to Mineral Point to enter his land, which he did, entering 000 acres in a body at that time. Journeying onward, the party reached Portage City, then Fort Winnebago, on the 28th of November, where they found considerable anchor-ice running, and a high wind prevailing, and they were obliged to camp eight days before they could prevail upon the ferrymen to cross them over. Upon this sid they were rejoined by Mr. Babb, who was accompanied by Don C. Barry, and they made the home stretch inside of two days, arriving at the Prairie on the 8th day of December, 184(3. For years, Mr. Babb and his family were constantly surrounded by Indians, and for some time they were almost his only neighbors; and it speaks volumes for his justice and generosity, that he and his were always upon friendly terms with the aborigines: ami that, throughout the whole period of thirty years which elapsed since his first settlement, neither he nor any of his family ever lost $5 by the depredations of their red neighbors, shows that they fully appreciated tin- justice and generosity. Mr. Babb died on the 14th of May, 1ST"), and was buried according to oft-expressed wishes, without religious ceremony. •' Babb's Prairie " will probably be known as such to future generations. It is the garden apol of Sauk County. Mr. Babb made acquisitions to his original claim until his farm comprised 1,800 acres, almost all of it being at one time or another under cultivation. The productions of 430 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. this farm were very large. In 1860, there were raised upon it, 17,500 bushels of grain. 900 bushels of potatoes, 160 tons of hay, and a proportionate amount of vegetables. Philip Babb. the eldest of the sons, still resides upon the homestead. Alfred Avery was born near New London, Conn., on the 9th of March, 1797. He was descended from an ancient and honorable family that settled early with the Massachusetts colony. From the early settlement of New London and Groton, his ancestors, the Averys and the Allyns, on the mother's side, held a prominent place in society. The first thirteen names on the Groton mon- ument to those murdered at Fort Griswold were his immediate relatives. His father was one of the few picked men whom " Mad Anthony " Wayne led that dark night to take Stony Point. In 1805, his father, with his family, formed a part of a colony which emigrated from Granville and Granby, in Massachusetts, to Central Ohio. The new Granville that they built soon be- came a marked educational center. When he was but nine years of age his father died, and he was thus thrown early in life upon his own resources, and, when only twelve, engaged to chop and clear a piece of land. He was but a mere lad when he supported his mother and two sisters. A youth of fifteen, he served in the war of 1812, after which he engaged in the mercantile business, driving the hogs and cattle which he took for pay, over the mountains to Baltimore, and carrying provisions to New Orleans on flatboats. Before the advent of railroads, he had crossed the Alleghany Mountains eighty times, and when there were twenty-six States in the Union, he had visited all of them on business. He helped build the Ohio and Maumee Canals; established one of the first iron foundries in the State ; and was President of the first bank in Granville. He removed to New York in 1846, and engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business, in which he continued until 1854, when, having established his eldest sons in the same business, he ceased to be an active partner. In 1868, he came to Baraboo, where he lived and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community, until xApril 11, 1880, when he died, in the eighty- fourth year of his age, mourned by all who knew him. Mr. Avery married Jane Mower in 1823, by whom he had four sons and two daughters. In 1836, he became a widower, and, in 1843, he married Lavinia Dexter, by whom he had one daughter. "William Lt/sk was born in Union, Broome Co., N. Y., January 19, 1802, and died at his residence in the village of Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis., June 8, 1ST'. 1 . During his early childhood his father died, and he was left to the care of his grandparents, who resided in Canaan, N. Y. From them he received a faithful religious education, and when seventeen years old he was converted and united with the church. He fitted for college in Lenox, Mass., a pupil of Dr. 'Jonas King, the distinguished missionary to Greece. After graduating at Union College, at the age of twenty, he taught, for one year, the acad- emy at Springfield, Mass., and then entered the Seminary at Princeton, where he completed his theological course. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Columbus in 1826, and ordained by the same body April 23, 1829, and entered at once upon the work of the ministry, with the energy and devotion which has characterized his whole life, and continued in the service until he was obliged to relinquish it on account of ill health. He had as classmates in the Seminary Revs. Dr. Bethune and Erskine Mason, and while they lived was on very friendly and intimate terms with them. Mr. Lusk's mind was an unusually active one, and by constant reading ami correspondence he kept himself well acquainted with the events of his time. He gathered a valuable library am! was a great reader, and no new work from the press escaped his attention. Mr. Lusk has labored in various fields, the most prominent being the churches in Cambridge, Saratoga Springs, Nunda, Cherry Valley, Batavia and Huron, in the State of New York. Will- iamsburg, Mass., ami Piqua, Ohio. He became stated supply of the Presbyterian Church of this village, which had been recently organized, remaining until the spring of 1860, when he removed to Piqua, Ohio. In November. L869, he returned to Reedsburg and resumed his work HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 431 as stated supply of the Presbyterian Church, in which he continued until October, 1874, when the infirmities of old age obliged him to give up his charge. He was genial and attractive in social life, instructive and earnest in the pulpit, and greatly endeared to his family and all the people among whom he labored. He left three sons and one daughter. One of his sons, bear- ing the same name as his father, is an alumnus of Princeton Seminary, now connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and resident at North Haven, Conn. Marcus Warren. one of the oldest and wealthiest citizens of Sauk County, died at the residence of his brother, in Baraboo, on Sunday, February is, 1872, aged sixty-two years. The deceased settled where Sauk City is now located, in 1845 or 1846. He brought with him a heavy stock of goods, the first stock of any importance brought into the county. At that time the few residents on the Baraboo did their trading with him. He soon purchased what was known as the Bryant residence, which he converted into a hotel, at the same time buying the Bryant interest in the village, thus becoming one of its leading proprietors. He was afterward joined by his brothers, of whom, however, only T. M. Warren became a permanent resident of the county. Mr. Warren soon became the leading moneyed man of Sauk City, and was largely interested in real estate. When he died his fortune was estimated to be worth about $300,000. J. F. Smith was born in Irasburg, Vt., February 1, 1822. At the age of thirteen, he was left alone in the world, so far as paternal care is concerned, but, by indomitable energy and perseverance, he acquired a liberal education, and entered business relations of life in the employ of the Messrs. Hammonds, of Crown Point, N. Y. Later in life, he was engaged in the lumbering business in Pennsylvania, but not finding it lucrative, he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was connected with the iron manufacturing interests of that place. From there he removed to Chicago, where he became identified with the banking business until 1858, when he removed to Ironton, Sauk County. He was first in the employ of Jonas Tower, in the iron mines, and afterward a part- ner, until the death of Mr. Tower, in 18G8, by whose will he was made equal heir with others in the estate, and eventually became sole proprietor of the iron mines. In later years, he turned his attention to land matters, and at his death was considered the richest, and perhaps the most extensive, farmer in the county. A. W. Starks. Knowledge of the early life of this well-known pioneer is unfortunately very limited. He was born, it is believed, in Williamsburg, Mass.. in 1801. He was for a time a resident of Jefferson County, N. Y., and at a later period lived in Albany and became one of the Aldermen of that city. He came to Wisconsin early in the forties, and in 1844 or 1845, was Marshal of the then young city of Milwaukee, where he continued to reside until 1852. when he removed to Sauk County. In 1853, he was elected State Prison Commissioner on the Democratic ticket. The honesty with which he discharged the duties of the office, and his refusal to be influenced by partisan considerations, drew upon him the hostility of political factions, and charges were preferred against him, which, after strict investigation, were disproved. At the expiration of his term he returned to his farm in Sauk County, and when the war broke out he took a position against the secessionists, which wholly identified him with the Republican party. In the move- ment in 1861, to unite the loyal masses of both parties, in the support of the Government, Mr. Starks was brought forward as a Union candidate for the Legislature. He received unanimous support, and thereafter served five successive terms in that body. He died June 20, l s 7^. Joseph Mackey was born May 17, 1822, in the town of Broome, Schoharie Co., X. Y., and died October 22, 1879, at Minneapolis, Minn., in the 58th year of his age. He received academic instruc- tion at Schoharie Court House, and in 1842, commenced the study of law. In 1845, after 432 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. admission to the bar, he removed to Gilboa, N. Y., where he practiced his profession till 1848, when he removed to the county seat of Schoharie County, and was elected District Attorney. In 1854, he came West and settled in Reedsburg, where he resided about a year before his death. He entered immediately in the pursuit of his calling and continued to practice law until about 1870, when he engaged in banking. He removed to Minneapolis in 1878. The leading traits of character developed in Mr. Mackey were the energy and thoroughness by which he accomplished everything he undertook. As a lawyer he was particularly noted for the complete and perfect preparation of his briefs. At the age of twenty-five, he married Cornelia, daughter of Daniel Mackey, of Gilboa. The result of the union was three children, two of whom. with their mother, survived their father. Joseph I. Weirich* was born at Mooresville, Harrison Co., Ohio, April 14, 1837. He was the second son and third child of Rev. Christian E. and Maria Weirich. His father, a Methodist preacher of ability. and a man of eminent Christian character, was also at several periods an editor and publisher ; and here we have a key to the life of this sou, who drew his moral inspiration and acquired his love of the editorial profession from the same paternal source. When but fifteen years old, young Weirich was accepted as an apprentice in the office of the Washington (Penn.) Examiner, where he served three years with creditable acceptance. In the meantime his father had joined the Wisconsin Conference. So, on completing his apprenticeship, Joseph came to this State, in 1856, with the rest of his father's family. During the next two or three years, we find him engaged as a compositor in Madison, first on the State -Journal, where he was associated at the case with A. J. Turner and Peter Richards ; afterward on the Patriot, where he was the imme- diate associate and friend of S. S. Brannan — names honorably connected with the history of Wisconsin journalism. At a later date, he was similarly employed on the Richland Democrat ; and, partaking of the itineracy of his father, who was assigned to Baraboo as preacher in the fall of 1859, the son, in 1860, first went to work as a printer upon the paper which eventually he was to own and edit. In January, 1861, he had an attack of lung fever which came near proving fatal. The crisis past, he rapidly recovered his strength, and renewed work in the office, continuing in that employment until the President's first call for three years' men to sus- tain the Union, when he enlisted as a private in Company A of the Sixth Regiment, Iron Brigade, of whose original muster only about twenty-five men survived the war. He was wounded in the breast at the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862, and was honorably dis- charged as Sergeant at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He now rejoined the family circle, which during his absence had centered at Monroe, and renewed his occupation as a printer* During the next four or five years, he was mostly employed on the Monroe papers, the Sentinel, Republican and Vindicator, being foreman of the last two offices; and during this period, also, it was his happy fortune to be married to Miss Rebecca Ball. In 1869, he removed with his family and a number of kinsmen and friends, forming a colony, to Eden, in Dakota Territory; but. severe experience during the succeeding winter causing him and others to abandon their agricult- ural adventure, he returned with his family t Monroe and resumed his former work. In August, 1872, he purchased the Baraboo Republic, which ho conducted alone till the spring of L 874, and afterward, till his death, jointly with the present writer. So passed away, on the 21sf of December, 1877, this dear friend. Beneath flowers in the sunny cemetery at Monroe, near the bed of "The Best Chaplain in the Army," from whom he inherited so much of the best thai was in him, and of whom he lias written as his Sainted Father, sleeps the mortal part of Joseph I. Weirich. Ii II IBOD C Xi. was born at Bristol, Oneida Co., N. Y.. September 26, L810. At the age of seventeen, he entered the the academy a1 Canandaigua, where he remained three years in the capacity of |ni|iil and teacher. While there, lie had for fellow-student Stephen A. Douglas, whom he in i. ri:il ;illi- l.j E. I: " ' 25. ISTv 4&&**£T [ DECEAS E D ) I RONTO N. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 435 later life encountered in political debate on the prairies of Illinois. On leaving the academy, he entered Middlebury College, and, while there, commenced his career as an Anti-slavery lec- turer, and in so doing incurred the displeasure of those in authority in that institution, on account of which he voluntarily left without completing the course. After that, his persecutions in that behalf came fast and more trying, until he had received violent treatment at the hands of pro-slavery mobs on no less than forty different occasions. He early espoused the temperance cause, and delivered nearly one hundred lectures on that subject before arriving at the age of twenty-one. At this time, the doors of the churches were closed against the temperance lec- turer, and. to use Mr. Codding's own expression. " the pioneers in the temperance cause had to get their hearing in the churches by printing pamphlets and throwing them over the walls of Zion from the outside." A great deal of light has since been infused into the church after sim- ilar means. After leaving college, he was employed by the Anti-Slavery Society to lecture in the New England States. He came West in 184o. stoutly maintaining his opposition to slavery. He was ordained a minister of the Congregational Church at Waukesha in 1846, Owen Lovejoy officiating as one of the ministers on that occasion, in whose behalf Mr. Codding afterward had the honor of declining a nomination for Congress. Mr. Codding also declined a like nomina- tion on another occasion. His extensive researches and investigations soon led him to change his religious views, and placed him outside the so-called orthodox churches. As a religionist, he may be classed among that branch of the Unitarians represented by Theodore Parker. He held, like Thomas Paine and many other men of deep thought, that there is a religion arising from man's relation to God and his fellow-man not dependent on written revelation. The one- ideaism of his life was to plant himself on the broad platform of eternal truth and justice, and defend it against all assailants. His discourse was argumentative, sometimes eloquent. Although not a politician, the Republican party had no aider advocate than he, and he especially endeared himself to the thinking people of Baraboo during his four years' residence among them for his righteous denunciation of secession. His death occurred on the 17th of June, 1866, upon the eve of his intended departure for Bloomington, 111., where he was under engagement to preach. To Ichabod Codding, Chief Justice Chase once paid this tribute: " I have heard Webster, Clay and most of the great orators of this country, but none of them could equal Codding. When I say greatest orator, I wish to qualify the expression. Many may be ranked higher by the usual standards, but by the standard which, after all. should measure the power of oratory — that of effect produced upon a large and promiscuous audience — Codding surpassed any speaker I ever heard." David P. Chandall was born at Austerlitz, Dutchess Co., N. Y., November 24, 1802. He was twice married — in 1828 to Catherine Bradt, and in 1838 to Priscilla East, who survived him. By the latter he had three children, two of whom, Robert B. and Mary C, are still living. In 1831, he went from his native town to New Orleans, and remained South till 1846, when he removed to St. Charles, 111., and the next year to Baraboo. Here the first home of the family was a room ten feet square in Brown's saw-mill. In 1851. Mr. Crandall with his family returned to Mississippi, where they remained until 1856, when they came back to Baraboo. Mr. Crandall was a man of mark and was famous for his endurance. He was one of the first members of Rev. Ichabod Codding's church in Baraboo, and was also a prominent Mason, being the first Master Mason made by the Baraboo Lodge of that order. His character was marked by noble and admirable traits. 1! II. ('AMI'. The subject of this sketch died in Baraboo. November 5. 1872. He was born in Litch- field. Conn., in IT'- 1 '. 1 . Early in life he studied law. and was Judge of Probate a number of years in his native State. He came to Wisconsin and located at Baraboo in the fall of 184S. He also held the office of County Judge of Sauk County for a short time at an early day. He was always a firm opponent of slavery, and during the war was a zealous friend to the soldier. He was strictly honest and upright in his dealings, and was frequently honored by his fellow-men with positions of trust and responsibility. 436 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY Newman Peck was born in the town of Bristol, Hartford Co., Conn., on the 24th of December, 1796. He came to Wisconsin in 1841 and settled in Racine County. In 1856, he came to Sauk County and located in the town of Excelsior, where he continued to reside up to his death. Mr. Peck was the first Deputy Sheriff that his native county in Connecticut ever had. He was one of the first Assessors in Racine County, and the first Justice of the Peace in the town of Excelsior. He was < loroner of Sauk County one term. He was a man that had read very extensively, and his memory of men and events was very remarkable. John C. Young was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., November 10, 1790, where he lived till March, 1834. removing thence to Otsego County. From there he went in 1848 to Jefferson County, and in May, 1 s -~>(>. he settled on Section 5 in the town of Reedsburg, where he died on the 17th of February. 1878. Mr. Young was particularly illustrious in having, been a soldier of 1812, and also a Mason of over sixty years' standing, having received all the degrees of the order obtaina- ble in America. R. A. Orvis was born in 1827. He came to Baraboo in April, 1857, and engaged in business as a mer- chant, with his uncle, Ransom Jones, afterward entering into and for six years continuing in partnership with H. A. Peck. Later, he was associated with Messrs. Lang & Camp. In the spring of 1870, Mr. Orvis sold out his business in Baraboo and removed to South Bend, Ind., with a view of forming a more important business connection. Soon after his departure, the construction of a railroad to Baraboo being assured, he made frequent visits to his home — his wife still living in Baraboo — and, had not his untimely death occurred, he would, doubtless, have made his permanent home here. He was drowned at South Bend on the 13th of Decem- ber. 1870. J. II. ROKK was born in Essex County, N. Y., August 12, 1811. At the age of 14 he removed, with his parents, to Sheridan, Chautauqua County, N. Y., where, on the 15th of September, 1830, he was married. In 1837, he removed to Racine, and from there came to Sauk County, settling in Reedsburg, on the 11th of February, 1848. Six months previous, he had been here and had erected a log-house half a mile east of the present village. He continued to reside in the town and village until his death. He had filled numerous minor offices, and at the time of his death was a member of the Board of Trustees. He was the father of nine children, six of whom survived him. Mr. Rork was a highly respected citizen, and was particularly noted for having been one of the very first settlors in Reedsburg. Ai.oxzo Wilcox i at Edmeston, N. Y., March 18, 1810. When twenty-one years of age, he removed to .Medina, in the same State, ami from that place he went to Chicago in 1835, where he purchased and partly improved forty acres of land now included in the corporate limits of that city. In 1837, he became a merchant in Joliet, 111., where he became deeply interested in the political issues of the day. taking a decided stand with the Abolitionists about the time of the assassina- tion of Lovejoy, and in consequence he lost many friends, and, with the rest, his business. In 1840, he went to Warsaw, Wis., ami, in 1843, to Madison, where, the following year, he married Miss M. F. Toffelmire, by whom he had seven children, lie filled several minor local offices, and. in 1848, Was a Free-Soil candidate for State Senator. Iii 1849, he was nominated for Congress by the same party, but declined. In 1854, he resui 1 the study of medicine at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, he having studied a brief period in 1839 for the profession of a physician. He graduated, but never offered himself as a practitioner. In 1856, he identified himself with the interests of Sauk County, settling in the town of Honey Creek. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 437 in 1862, he removed to Spring Green, and represented his district in the Assembly during the winter of 1863-64. He was Sergeant-at-Arras in that body in 1865. He died at his home in Spring Green, March 25, 1878. David Sands Vittum, the fifth child in a family of eight of David and Dolly Vittum, was born at Sandwich, N. II., October 21, 1820, where he resided till his tenth year, when his parents removed to Meredith Village in the same State. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1845, and subsequently read law for two years at Laconia, N. H. On being admitted to the bar, he prac- ticed as an attorney in company with a Mr. Lyford for two years, and then for two years more in partnership with George S. Stevens, of Meredith. In 1851, he came to Wisconsin, first stopping in Milwaukee, and in August of that year came to Baraboo. Although a member of the Sauk County bar for many years, it was only in the early part of life here that he was known as a practicing attorney. For a time, he edited the Sauk County Democrat, one of the first newspapers published in the county. But he may be said to have devoted most of the years previous to the war to business operations, making speculative ventures chiefly in the way of real estate and land warrants, in which he laid the foundation of his fortune. He was State Senator in 1853-54, then representing the counties of Sauk, Juneau. Adams and Marquette. In 1861, he raised, in Sauk County, Company F of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, which was mustered into the United States service in January, 1862, and served with the regiment until it was mustered out in 1865, when he came home with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, Col. Vittum returned to his business pursuits. He took an interest in the Island Woolen Company, which he held for a number of years. In 1873. he organized the First National Bank, subsequently buying out the Sauk County Bank, of older existence, and consolidated its business with that of the new bank. He continued at the head of this bank till his death. In Ins social character, Col. Vittum was a dignified and polished gentleman, of tender sensibili- ties and warm heart. He was very exact in his business habits, but liberal and accommodating to those whom he could favor. II. A. Tatoe was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 23, 1826. At the age of ten years, he removed with his father's family to Delavan, Walworth County, where his father died October 20, 1836. In 1854, Capt. Tator removed with his mother and sisters to Reedsburg. In November. 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Infantry, and was soon after commis- si, ,ned as First Lieutenant of his company. Three years later, he veteranized with his regiment and served to the close of the war, succeeding to the command of the company on the promotion of Capt. (now Colonel) Strong. He returned to his home in September, 1865. In August, 1869, he went West for his health, but died on the 24th of September, at Brigham, Utah. S. A. Dwinm I.I. was born in Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., and was the eldest of a family of ten children. At the age of nineteen, while attending school at Springfield, Mass.. he was converted and began a life of Christian service which was decided and steadfast to the end. The next year, he entered Phillips' Academy at Andover, Mass., and while there united with others in forming a society called "The Missionary Fraternity," for the purpose of gathering information about the con- dition of heathen nations, and of preparing themselves for missionary work. Among the mem- bers "f this society were Champion and Grout, afterward pioneer missionaries to the Zulus in South Africa. On account of ill health, Mr. Dwinnell was compelled to leave school and give up his purpose to preach the Gospel. Some time previous to this, he had become convinced that total abstinence was the true ground to be taken against the evils of intemperance, and so he signed the temperance pledge, although he stood entirely alone among his companions in doing it. In 1834, after a careful and candid examination of the subject, he came to the conclusion that slavery, as it existed in the United States, was a sin against God and a great wrong to the 438 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY; enslaved, and that it ought to be abolished at once. From that time, he cast his lot with the little band of reformers who were called Abolitionists, and with tongue and pen advocated the cause of emancipation. In 1835, he came West to Indiana, and three years later moved to Walworth County, in this State. While residing there, Mr. Dwinnell organized the first Sab- bath school ever held in the county, held religious meetings at his own house, and when called upon conducted funeral services ; he also spoke frequently upon the subject of temperance. On his first visit to Reedsburg, in the fall of 1848, he gathered together the entire population of the village (twenty-nine in all), on the evening of the Sabbath, and spoke to them upon the duty of obeying the law of God. Two years after this, he sold his farm in Walworth County, and became a citizen of Reedsburg, then a little hamlet of twenty-five families. Here his interest in the cause led him to active work, and as a result the Congregational Church of the village invited him to become their Pastor, and he was licensed by a council of ministers, called together at Baraboo, in August, 1852, and a year later he was ordained to the Gospel ministry. Mr. Dwinnell's work as preacher extended through about fifteen years, ten years of which time he was installed Pastor. His labors were abundant. He preached in the schoolhouses far and near. During the period of his ministry he delivered over sixteen hundred sermons, attended about nine hundred other meetings, conducted 122 funerals and traveled 13,545 miles. In all these years, he left his people but five Sabbaths without providing for the supply of his pulpit. As a preacher, Mr. Dwinnell was plain and practical, dealing faithfully with the evils of the day. He spoke boldly against Sabbath-breaking, profanity, intemperance and slavery. No consideration of self-interest, no fear of pecuniary loss, ever kept him silent when he felt that he ought to speak, or made him endeavor to soften the repulsive features of what he believed to be a wrong. " A man of thoughtful mind and courage strong, And conscience keen to feel the force of right ; He struck hard blows 'gainst every form of wrong, Doing whate'er he did with all his might." During the war he taught the duty of supporting the Government in its struggle for exist- ence : and when the war was finished, he rejoiced that the shackles were stricken from the limbs of the slave, and that our land was free in fact as well as in name. He preached his last sermon in 1867. Since that time, though laid aside from active work, he did much with his pen, writing sketches of the pioneers of the State, and tracing the growth of her towns and cities. The last two years of his life he was confined mostly to the house, and at times suffered intense pain ; but he bore his sufferings with Christian patience, and, when the hour of death came, he fell asleep in the full assurance of a blessed immortality. He left behind the faithful wife, who had been his companion for more than forty years, three sons and three daughters. John Starks was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1841. While very young, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, who finally settled in the town of Excelsior. When the war broke out, young Starks was attending the Collegiate Institute in Baraboo. He laid aside his books, and became a mem- ber of Company A, Sixth Regiment, going out as a Corporal. At the battle of Gainesville, he was wounded in the knee, and carried the leaden missile to his grave. When wounded, he had in his pocket a commission as Adjutant of the Twenty-third Regiment, and, upon recovering, joined that regiment at Paris, Ky. He was at the battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham- pion Hills, Black River Bridge and the storming of Vicksburg. At the latter place, he was wounded in the In-cast, and never wholly recovered. The office of Adjutant of the Twenty-third had been filled when Capt. Starks reached the regiment, and he was given a lieutenancy in one of the companies. He afterward received a Captain's commission, and died at his home in Excelsior March 16, 1865. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 439 James F. Flanders was born in Enfield, N. H., in 1813, and came to Wisconsin in 1838 as an accredited minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first appointment was on the Troy Circuit, in Wal- worth County. He became identified with the interests of Baraboo at a very early date, and was the leading spirit in the organization of the first Methodist society in the place, being the first to preach the Gospel in the little " slab church.'' This was a building composed entirely of slabs from the lower mills. Mr. Flanders' little flock used mother earth as a floor and sawdust for carpeting around the desk. He died at Marietta, Ga., on the 12th of September, 1864, of dropsy of the heart. ML' >.\ NO! ES, i ne oi the founders of the Baraboo Republic, died at Mason City, Iowa, on the 18th of Janu- ary. 1 s7o. He was born in Chelsea, Orange Co., N. Y. in 1833 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844. In 1855, he engaged in the publication of the Baraboo Republic, in conjunction with his brother, W. W. Noyes, having previously been connected with the Portage City press. He removed to Iowa in 1857, and for a few years engaged in farming, but, being a practical printer, his love for his chosen profession led him again to engage in it, and he purchased an interest in the Cerro Gordo Republican. This he retained, with, perhaps, an intermission of a few months, until his death. As a mark of appreciation of his services to the county as its pioneer editor, about a year previous to his death he was elected County Auditor. He left a wife and three children. Joseph Gaylord Blakeslee was born at Paris Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y., February 12, 1805, and died at Ironton December 26, 1878. His parents were pioneers in that part of New York, in which he found much more hard work than opportunities for education- In the absence of canals ami railroads, the usual routine of his rural youth was mostly varied by trips with sleigh to Albany, 140 miles, with farm produce and return with merchandise. The fashion and economy of those early days are illus- trated by his taking from home enough cooked provisions for the round trip of ten days to two weeks, in order to clear anything by such hauling. Experiences in trading on such trips caused him, when of age, to engage in peddling through most of the New England States, in which he acquired more of experience than capital. During several years following, he alternately formed, ran a saw-mill and essayed a wagon and blacksmith shop, employing several hands. Soon after being married, January 1, 1835, to Ruby Bliss, who survives him, he had the mis- fortune to have his shop, tools and stock consumed, which led him to give up all his remaining property to his creditors. With several long-time acquaintances, he then determined to abandon New York, and make a new start in Wisconsin, in which Territory he settled, near Salem, Keno- sha Comity, in 1844. One drawback after another, including sickness, induced him to desire a new location, and, hearing of the Baraboo country, he, with several friends, made no less than seven prospecting and hunting tours between 1848 and 1852. during which, by means of cash and warrants, he entered several hundred acres of excellent land lying about one or two miles northwest and west of Ironton Village. On this land lie settled in the spring of 1852. Much of this land he soon disposed of, but retained enough for a good farm until about ten years ago. This farm being situated in Lavalle (then Marston, including what now is Woodland, Lavalle, Ironton and Washington), he was soon chosen Chairman of il of Supervisors, and many times represented it in the old county boaid. In these early days he was also a noted Justice of the Peace, and thereby acquired the title of " Squire." which clung to him through life. After the death of .lames Tower, founder of Ironton. who was one of the members of the County Board, he was appointed and then elected to the position, which he retained about four years, and gained the respect and good will of his colleagues. Having a good offer for his farm, he disposed of it in the spring ol 1868, and purchased a comfortable home in the village of Ironton, where he resided until his death. Throughout his Sauk County career, he was one of the landmarks of Republicanism, never wavering in its support, and contributing 440 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. freely of his money, time and labor for its success. He was specially noted for the persistence with which he insisted that his town should always be represented in county convention, whose every session he has attended for a generation. The massiveness and shape of his head betok- ened, what he really possessed, much more than average mental endowments, which, had they in youth been fairly cultivated, would have raised him to much more important stations in life than he occupied. While observation and keen analysis, with sound reasoning and considerate judgment, guided by justice, insured him a fair measure of social, official and financial success without wronging another, and placed him on the right side of most public questions, and caused his opinion to be respected and frequently consulted; wealth and station, however, were but secondary with him, for he distributed the one and waived the other more than is generally known. He was for many years an Odd Fellow, but gradually communed more and more with the Free Masons, with whom be remained in good standing to his death. He also worked with the Good Templars for a number of years. In all these organizations, he was an active and influential member, and frequently held important official positions in each. In the pioneer days of the Little Baraboo, many were those who were freely welcome to his bed and board, and a seat about the old-style fireplace ; and often did the capacious old log house contain a merry com- pany whose down-right old-fashioned sport and ready wit caused the walls to fairly ring again; and often do his children refer to the endearments of the old farm home. John Metcalf was born in Rhode Island in 1786. He came to Wisconsin in 1831. and commenced the build- ing of a shot-tower at Helena, in company with Mr. Ilambleton and Capt. Terry, but the Sac and Fox [ndians becoming hostile, the work was abandoned. In 1832, and until 1835, lie was in the employ of Daniel Whitney (the first American owner of the present site of Portage), who had obtained permission of the Menomonee Indians to make shingles on their lands lying along the Wisconsin River. He and Mr. Whitney took into the pinery a whip-saw, and sawed by hand a, raft of lumber, which Mr. Metcalf ran to the Portage. Therefore, he was the pioneer raftsman of Wisconsin, having, of course, the honor of running the first raft through the Dells. His account books show that he had dealings with Augustin Grignon, from whom Mr. Whitney pur- chased title to the land Portage now stands upon. Grignon held the land by a title from the French Government, and the deed from him to Whitney is signed by Andrew Jackson, then Presi- dent of the United States. After peace was concluded with Black Hawk, the tower at Helena was finished. Gradually failing, however, in business prospects at that place, Mr. Metcalf pur- chased, in 1849 or 1850, one-half of the "Upper Mills" in Baraboo, where he remained until death snapped the brittle thread, if indeed it was* not unwound to its natural end, on the 22d of January, 1864. Mr. Metcalf was never married, and had at his death no known relatives. James Steele was particularly illustrious for having reached the great age of one hundred and thirteen years six months and eleven days, as claimed by his son William Steele, of Delton, at wdiich place the elder Steele died April 23, 1872. He was born at Harper's Ferry, Va.. and settled in Sank Countyal a very early day. He was one of the leading citizens of Newport. The old gentle- man claimed to have borne a part in the Revolution, and later to have participated in tin of Maumee. under ; ' Mad Anthony Wayne," of whom he spoke in terms of enthusiastic eulogy. He was married a second time when ninety-eighl years of age to a Canadian-French woman who was ninety-one. She died November 12, L873, aged one hundred and two years four months and fourteen days. William Palmek was born at Acquia Creek, Md., in 1805, and died at his residence in the town of West- field, September 20, 1873, in the sixty-eighth year of his ago. Mr. Palmer learned the trade of a carpenter in his native State, and soon became a master builder. In 1828, he went to Phila- delphia, where he remained six years, and where he was married. In 1884. he removed to HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 441 Belmont Co., Ohio. Here he acquired considerable property, but meeting with subsequent financial reverses, he wenl to California in L850, returning in two years with means to Tree his property "f its incumbrance. In L854, he removed to Wisconsin, arriving in Reedsburg on the 16th of May. He soon afterward purchased 160 acres of land near Loganville, of King Thompson, and entered 600 acres more lying adjacent thereto. In 1855, in company with Chauncey P. Logan, he built a saw-mill, and. with J. D. Mackey, in 1861, a flouring-mill at Loganville. In 1864, he was elected to the Assembly from the south district of the county, and re-elected the next year. At the expiration of his second term and until his death, In- devoted his attention to the management of his farm, retaining a lively interest in town politics. He was Chairman of the Town Board when he died. A wife and five children survived him. Herbert X. Huntington was born in Connecticut April 'J, 1807, and died in Baraboo January -. 1878. While quite young, he removed with his parents to Mexico. Oswego Co., X. Y., where be was educated. He married. February 'l. 1836, Miss Amanda M. Steele, the schoolmate of his youth. Two children were the result of this union, one of whom died in infancy. The other is now Mrs William Staley, of Baraboo. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huntington removed to Scriba, N. Y.. where they resided till 1851, when they came to Wisconsin, settling in Baraboo, and Mr. II. engaging in the mercantile business. He was a careful, sober and industrious busi- ness man, with a sound and reliable judgment. Julius Converse Chandler was born in West Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., August _ :> .. 1833. The disease of which was dropsy, induced by cirrhosis of the liver. He was the fifth son of William B. Chandler, in a family of thirteen children, all of whom possessed strong characteristics, and several id" them cupied important and responsible positions, both in civil and public life. Julius entered as an apprentice to the printing trade at an early age in the office of the (Irrrn M»iuit,i. man, published at Montpelier, Vt., which was the leading paper in the State. On completing his apprenticeship, he set out as a journeyman, his first stopping-place being Quincy, Mass. In 1853, he went thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where his brother William then resided, and worked for a time as a compositor on the Leader. In the fall of the same year, he went back to Quincy, and was married to Miss Helen W. Adams, of that place. Returning to Cleveland, he continued his work there until August. 1854, when he removed to Janesville, in this State, where he worked on the Democrat, of which Judge Armstrong was editor. From Janesville he went to Portage, where he and his brother, John A., started the I'lidi'/icinicnt. John withdrew at the end of nine months, and after the paper had lived two years, Julius sold to Robert B. Went- worth. He continued a year longer in Portage, out of business, and then went to Friendship ami started the Adams County /ni/fpi-mleiil, which he published till the war broke out, when he enlisted in the Second Regiment. In the first battle of Bull Run, he was disabled so that he was discharged from the service. He then returned to Friendship and continued the In ent irregularly till May. 1864, when he again enlisted, this time in the Fortieth, a 100-day reg- iment, serving till October. In December of the same year, he entered the service of his brother. William W., as traveling agent of the Star Freight Line, and so continued for about two years and a half, in the meantime selling his office at Friendship. In 1867, he removed to Bar- aboo, and soon afterward established the Sauk County Herald. Still later, he made newspaper ventures at Augusta, Hau Claire and Elroy, and. in 1877, he edited a paper called Frontier Business, al Morris. Minn. The sobriquet " Shanghai " was given to him by the local Democratic politicians, as the representative of the Republican or " Shanghai " party, as it was called by the Democracy in 1854-55. The new species of Shanghai poultry was introduced into the State about the time the Republican party was in the period of incubation. When it finally made its appearance, it was dubbed the " Shanghai party," because it was a new species of fowl in the political bam- 442 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. yard. Mr. Chandler's ardent advocacy of the principles of the new party, as well as his per- sonal appearance, obtained for him the cognomen of " the Shanghai ;" he accepted it and used it as his nom de plume in some of his correspondence, and by it he ever after was generally known. He died at Baraboo, August 28, 1878, aged forty-five years and five days. His widow still resides in Baraboo. FIRST AND LAST CENSUS OF SAUK COUNTY. In the spring of 1842, Sheriff A. A. Bird, of Dane County, to which Sauk County then belonged, under official instructions and in accordance with an act entitled "An act to provide for the taking of the census of the inhabitants of the Territory of Weskonsan, approved Feb- ruary 18, 1842," returned the names of the following persons, as "heads of families," then voiding in the county. The figures set opposite the names indicate the number of persons be- longing to each family, though they really included others : Sauk Prairie. — Prescott Brigham, 4; E. P. Brigham, 4; Josiah E. Abbott, 7; J. Wag- goner, 5 ; Andrew Garrison, 2 ; Nathan Kellogg, 6 ; William G. Simons, 5 ; H. F. Crossman, 6; John La Messeure, 15; W. Langdon, 3; Calvin Frink, 11 ; John Gallard, 3; A. Morgan, 4; George Dunlap, 3; Jonathan Hatch, 9; Albert Skinner. 7: J. Havden. 8; Adolph Rendtorff, 6; James S. Alban, 8. Total, 116. Baraboo. — M. Grain, 2; Robert V. Allen, 2 : Levi Moore, 5; Moses Nulph, 4 ; John Meads. 1 ; M. Gillson, G : Orrin Hudson, 1 : Peter Manaar, '■'< ; John Rainey, 2; John de la Rond, 1; Thomas Kelsey, 1 ; C. Randall, 7 ; Henry Lewis, 6; Milo Blood, 5; Don Carlos Barry, 6; .lames Christie, 6; D. Gilson, 7: Edward Kingsley, 5; Mrs. Y. B. Hill. 6; Abram Wood, 3; Wallace Rowan, 11; John Draper, 5; Lewis Branson. 5; William II. Canfield, 3; Simeon Griffith, 5; Richard Clark, 1; Thomas Clark. 3; Solomon Shaffer, 3; Edward John- son. 5; Daniel Brewster, 3; Eben Peck, 5; William Stephens. 1 ; S. Knox or Traux, 5. Total, 134. Helena. — [The name of the census district which is supposedto have included a strip of ter- ritory south of the Wisconsin river. It is well known that Charles Halasz, Robert Bryant and others whose names are familiar in the history of this county, lived on the lower end of Sauk Prairie, north of the river, but, as the taking of this census occurred two years before the organ- ization of the county, and while it belonged to Dane County, it may be that Helena census dis- trict lav on both sides of the Wisconsin. Such is the opinion of an old settler of Baraboo. — Ed.]— P. M. Nichols, 4; Charles Halasz. 13; Robert Bryant, 10; Birosch, 8; Alvin Crane. 8; II. B. Staines. 9; E. Brown, 1 ; Cyrus Leland, 10 ; John Russell, 2 ; Henry Tin!. 6; M. Blodget, 1 ; John Hoover, Jr., 3; John Hoover, Sr., 4; Zenas Herrington, 8; Albert Jameson, 5 ; Albert Myers, 4 ; John Kellogg. 4 ; Andrew Hodgett, 1; William John- son. 9; Samuel Mather. 3; D. I!. Baxter. 4; George Cargill, 5; Samuel Woodruff, 9; Will- iam Tanner, 1: John Wilson. 7: Frank Pravoncil, 5. Total, 146. This census was by no means a correct one. It is the only one in existence, however, taken at that early day. It is known to be incomplete for the reason that the names of several of the first settlers in the county who were heads of families wore omitted. The census-taker seems to have contented himself with the names of those at the head of families, and those en- gaged in business, overlooking many persons then engaged as " hired hands." For instance, it will be observed that there were thirteen persons, in the ••family " of Charles Halasz. This doubtless included ten or a dozen men then in the employment of Mr. Halasz. The same may also be san] in reference to the figures opposite the names of many others. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 443 In 1870, the population of Sauk County was 23,060; in 1875, 26,932, an increase in five years of 3,872. The population for 1880, by towns, is as follows : Merrimack 829 Lavalle 1, Prairie du Sac I Reedsburg 2,547 Spring Green L,09i Sumler 745 Troy 1.02s Washington 1,169 Westtield 1,462 Winfield 780 Woodland 1,367 Total 29,104 THE OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY. A preliminary meeting of the old settlers of Sauk County was held in the parlor of the Baxter House, in Prairie du Sac, on the 22d of February, 1872. Jonathan Hatch, a pioneer of 1839, was called to the chair, and Charles Halasz was chosen Secretary. The following old settlers — opposite whose names are placed the dates of their arrival — were present : Jonathan Hatch. July, 183l» ; William and Alexander Johnson, December, 1839; George Dunlap, May. L840; Charles Halasz, June, 1840; Cyrus Hill. June, 1840; J. I. Waterbury, September, 1840; John Gallard, April, 1841 ; Archibald Hill, May, 1841; D. R.Baxter; May, 1841; John Acola, May, 1842; William It. Canfield, May, 1842; Henry Gatwinkle, August. 1842; A. M. Seymour, September, 1S42 ; George Owen, September, 1842; H. H. Webster, December, 1842; John Tlnlke. May, 1844; James 11. Haines, May, 1844: John B. Crawford, October, 1844; B. F. Brown, May, 1845; James Cowles, October. 1845; John Sharpe, February. 1846; David B. Crandall, November, 1846; Robert B. Crandall, February, 1S47 : Ransom E. Stone. February, 1847; D. K. Noyes, June, 1847 : Ryland Stone, September, ls47: S. W. Corwith, September, 1847 ; L. V. Tabor, October, 1847. Annual meetings of the remaining old settlers of Sauk County continue to be held. The proceedings are very interesting, but are not usually of an historical nature, partaking more of sociability than of reminiscence. THE COUNTY POOR. Upon the organization of Sauk County, the town poor system, then in vogue in other and earlier settled parts of the State, was adopted. In March, 1854, by vote of the Board of Super- visor, the distinction between town and county poor was abolished, and three County Superin- tendents of the Poor were chosen — one to hold office for three years, another two years, and the third one year. E. G. Wheeler, Charles O. Baxter and James Maxwell were elected to the offices thus created. From this date until November, 1855, the county at large was responsible for the care and maintenance of all the paupers within its borders, a poor tax being levied in each town, and turned over to the county for that purpose. At the fall meeting of the board of this year, the distinction between town and county poor was restored, the old system town caring for its own paupers being again adopted, and the county caring for such transient paupers as might come within its borders. This system remained unchanged until 1*72, when, at the spring term of the board, the town system was again abolished. Immediate measures were taken for the location of a poor farm and the construction of a poor house. A committee, of which H. P. Ellinwooil was chairman, was appointed to select a site. and. after making an examination of some thirty or forty farms in different parts of the county, the committee reported in favor of purchasing 125 acres of land of James B. Clark, in Section 34, town of Reedsburg, and paying therefor $5,000. The report being adopted, an appropriation of $4,000 was voted toward building a poor house, and the work was soon afterward commenced. At the •Including population of village! Population of 1 : 11 444 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. same sitting of the board, J. I. Waterbury, G. Stevens and Enos Kimball were chosen Superin- tendents of the Poor. A Superintendent is chosen annually, one going out' each year, and three being continuously in office. While the new poor house was being built, and during the prevalence of a wind storm Sep- tember 26, 1872, a portion of the north wall was blown down. Two young men, named Thorn and Knowles, were unloading brick at the time at the base of the wall, and the former was con- siderably bruised. The heaviest portion of the falling mass overreached them, however, but their escape from instant death was almost miraculous. A separate structure was erected for the safe-keeping of the county's insane, or that portion of tins unfortunate class who are returned from the State asylums as incurable. During the year 1879, there were cared for at this institution sixty-one paupers and fifteen cases of insanity. The present Superintendents of the Poor are Anton Fischer, 0. Thomas and N. Stowe. "l:\lTllnl, ntiY. One of the most peculiarly interesting evidences of home talent and industry to be found in this county is a collection of birds, animals, insects and minerals, gathered and prepared by Mr. Charles Dininger, of Sauk City, taxidermist and ornithologist. "This splendid collection", large in number and numerous in variety, is the result of nearly half a lifetime's labors ; twenty- nine years of hard work and study having been almost uninterruptedly devoted to the work of collecting and preparing these specimens for permanent preservation. The amount of persever- ance, enterprise, talent, strength and time, that it takes to accomplish anything really appre- ciable in such a field of effort, can hardly be overestimated, and is seldom ever fully appreciated. A man, to be successful in such work, must not only be imbued with a love and engrossing admiration for nature and her productions, but he must be willing to give the best energies of his life entirely to his pursuit : for thus, and thus only, have the varied mysteries of nature been solved, and her paramount beauties exposed. Although but few may ever look at this collection with aught save the interest created by curiosity, yet that few will give Mr. Dinninger the credit which is due to his fine intelligence, and unusually excellent achievements, in placing before them, from field, forest and stream, so much that is graceful and beautiful, as well as being, in many cases, exceptionally rare and remarkable. The number of birds, of various species, indigenous to tins part of the country, is very large, and includes many of exquisite beauty of plumage as well as perfection of form. Of these, and those also that come to this county annually (migratory birds), Mr. Dininger has succeeded in getting specimens, there now being several hundred in the collection, and all being very per- fect, from the wee young ones of our red-throated humming-bird in their nest, to the monster gray eagle, sitting in native majesty on his perch, and that measures 8 feet 4 inches from tip to tip of his wings. The albinos (odd specimens of regular species) are. perhaps, the si novel in appearance of any kind here, and, though being almost unknown, are worthy of careful men- tion. There are a pair of beautiful white quail ; a yellow-breasted white robin; a black robin, with white-mottled head and white-tipped wings ; a variegated robin, being white, brown and yellow : a white pheasant, with beautifully tufted head and heavy brown ruff; a white specimen of the specie purple crakle, or blackbird: a white redwing starling i very rare), and female starling, with red on wings ; a snowy owl, with mottled plumage, and ears like the great horned owl (not mentioned in any work). Among the others there are large numbers of exc lingly imens, of which may be mentioned : A pair of pilated woodpeckers, now very rare : a pair of Bohemian waxwings, or wanderers, a bird which, it is said, roams through, the cold regions of the entire globe; a yellow-headed crakle, indigenous to California; a yellow-breasted chat, strayed hither from the Sunny South : a greal heron, of magnificent plumage, and a cor- morant, with greenish Mack body and neck, beautifully mottled crest, and mottled, dark bronze- colored wings — a most superb specimen. The description could be continued to almost any length, so many and worthy are the various specimens: but the above is sufficient to give a fair idea of the character and merit of HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 445 the collection, which, be it remembered, has been made entirely in this county. Below is given a catalogue of the different birds that abound in the county, with their common names, nil of which are represented in Mr. Dinninger's collection : Bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, pigeon hawk, sparrow hawk, marsh hawk, white- breasted hawk, broad-winged hawk, rough-legged hawk, goshawk, cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, black-belted hawk, American fish-hawk, great horned owl, snowy owl, snowy owl (or a very light-colored mottled, with cars; not found in books), mottled or screech owl. barred owl, hawk owl. long-cared owl. brown wren, golden-crested wren, red-crested wren, black-billed cuckoo, blue-jay, red-headed woodpecker, golden-winged -woodpecker, yellow-bellied woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, whippoorwill, night-hawk, belted kingfisher, great northern shrike, white-bellied nut-hatch, kingbird, peewit or Phoebe bird, ruby-throated humming-birds, Maryland yellow-throat, black -throated blue warbler, yellow-rump warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, black and yellow warbler, black-throated green warbler, black-burnion warbler, bay crested warbler, black-poll warbler, lesser red poll, brown thrush, water thrush, wood thrush, green black-cap flycatcher, American redstart, scarlet tanager, purple marten, barn swallow, bank swallow, chimney swallow, white-bellied swallow, cat-bird, cedar bird, Bohe- mian chatterer or waxwing, purple finch, siskin, snow bunting, the American creeper, black-cap titmouse, American skylark, goldfinch, bluebird, song-sparrow, fox-colored sparrow, tree spar- row, indigo bird, red crossbill, rose-breasted grossbeak, ground robin, bobolink or rice bird, red- winged starling, rusty blackbird, swamp blackbird, purple crakel or crow Jblackbird, cow bunting, meadow lark, Baltimore oriole, turtle dove, passenger pigeon, pinnated grouse, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, quail, sandhill crane, bittern or stake driver, least bittern, great heron, snowy heron, green heron, night heron, golden plover, kill-deer, king plover or semi- palmated snipe, Wilson's English snipe, field plover, parrie plover, yellow-legs, prairie plover, sandpiper, woodcock, clapper rail, sara or common rail, coot or mud hen, hell diver, Canada goose, snow goose, white-fronted goose, brant, black duck, ruddy duck, redhead duck, pentail duck, wood duck, mallard duck, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, buffel-headed duck, spoonbill duck, scaup duck. American widgeon, sheldrake, goosander, hooded merganser, common cormorant, double-crested cormorant. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. CHAPTER VII. REMINISCENCES. Pioneer Days— Early Visits to Sauk County— A Tribute to some of the First Pioneers —The First White Woman in the Baraboo Valley— A Tilt with Redskins— The Indian Scare of 1844— Early Christian Effort in Sauk County. PIONEER DAYS.* Early in the spring of 1838, Berry Haney received private information from George W. Jones, who was then Delegate in Congress from Wisconsin Territory, that the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, for their lands north of the Wisconsin River, had been ratified. Haney, at that time, was engaged with Col. Abner Nichols, of Mineral Point, in staging between Min- eral Point and Fort Winnebago. They had two men in their employ by the names of Jonathan Taylor and Solomon Shore. Haney lived on Black Earth Creek, at the place now called Cross Plains. On the receipt of the intelligence of the ratification of the treaty, he sent Taylor to the Wisconsin River, opposite Sauk Prairie, there to await the coming of Shore, who went with Haney to Fort Winnebago, to purchase a skiff to take down the river to Sauk Prairie, in order to get across. They met at that point according to previous arrangement, crossed over, and proceeded to mark out their claims. The first one marked out by them was for Berry Haney, on what is now Sauk City. Taylor claimed the next above Haney, and Shore the next, which claim I afterward purchased and own at this time. Haney, I believe, had the first land broke in Sauk County. In June, 1838, he employed James Ensminger and Thomas Sauser to break ten acres, for which he paid them $100. The first place in the shape of a dwelling, on Sauk Prairie, was built by Ensminger and Sauser. They dug a pit in the ground, about four feet deep, twelve by sixteen or eighteen feet square, logged it up, and covered the hole with hay and earth, making a sort of root-house. This they did for the purpose of preventing the Indians from burning them out, as they had threatened. James S. Alban (who was afterward Judge of Portage County) and family moved on to Sauk Prairie in January, 1839, being the first family, 1 believe, in Sauk County, or what is now Sauk County. I believe it is claimed by John Wil- son, of Wilson's Creek, that he and family were the first. However this may be, I cannot say ; 1 have always understood, until a few years since, that Alban and family were the first. I left Rock Island for Wisconsin about the 1st of April, 1839, on board the old steamer Fayette. I arrived at Galena in due time, and there took stage — or rather wagon — for Mineral Point. The proprietor was John Messersmith. We arrived at his place at Elk Grove, at noon, where we were very politely entertained by the Squire and his family, and after an excellent dinner we proceeded on our way. We arrived at Mineral Point in the evening of the same day. I there lay over one day for the stage — or rather wagon, again — to Madison. At Mineral Point, I met Berry Haney. who introduced me to A. A. Bird, of Madison, who was also waiting for the stage, and to many prominent citizens of the Point. We were one day in going from the Point to Haney'a place in Black Earth Valley, where I arrived, I believe, on the 6th of April. A few days after I arrived at Haney's place, Haney, Joseph Denson, from Iowa Territory, and myself, started for Sauk Prairie. We followed a dim trail to the river, left our horses on the south side and crossod over in an Indian canoe. We visited several of the cabins and claim- shanties, among others, that of D. B. Crocker, which was situated where the village of Prairie HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 447 ilu Sac is now situated. While there, a little incident occurred that may be worth relating. The day was pleasant, and we were all seated out in front of his cabin, admiring and conversing upon the beauties of the country, when some one of the company discovered an animal of some kind approaching the grove below us, from the prairie. Some supposed it to be a deer, others thought it was a wolf. Denson, being an old hunter and a good marksman, proposed to go down and try to get a shot. He took Crocker's gun and went down to the grove, where he soon dis- appeared. Presently we heard the report of the gun, and very soon saw Denson with his hat oft', running with all his speed toward us, making signs to us to come to him. We all ran as fast as we could. When we came up to him he told us he had shot an animal, the like of which he had never before seen. He said when he fired, it leaped into the air about ten feet, and then he thought it was making after him, which was the cause of his running and giving us signals to come to him. After reloading his gun, we cautiously advanced to the spot, and there found a monster lynx pierced through the heart. The only families that were then settled in what is now Sauk County, were those of James S. Alban, Albert Skinner and John Wilson. Wilson was living at Wilson's Creek at the time. There were several young men making and improving claims when I came. They were H. F. Crossman, Burk Fnirchild, D. B. Crocker, William Billings, William May, Nelson Lathrop, E. B. Harner and an old bachelor by the name of Hunter. The third family that moved in was named Parks, and the fourth, Jonathan Hatch. Some time in October, 1839, five of us, Berry Haney, Burk Fairchild, Solomon Shore, Samuel Taylor and myself, crossed the bluff's over to the Baraboo Valley. The trail led us over the bluff's immediately back of what is now known as the Teel place, the highest peak, I think, in the center range between the prairie and Baraboo. The trail led us directly to the Baraboo River, at the place where Maxwell's mill-dam now stands. Here we forded the river and entered the village of the Indian Chief, Oaliminee, where we were very warmly ami hospitably received. We rested and refreshed ourselves and horses, and were very much amused in seeing the Indians playing at cards and horse-racing. Some of them would stake their last string of " wampum " on a single chance at cards. The game we could not understand. After spending about two hours at this village, we started to traverse the river above, which we did, whenever it was approachable, as far up as " Dandy's " village, which was five or six miles above. At this village we were received with marked dis- pleasure by the Indians, many of them gathering around us, and making much noise and con- fusion. They made signs and gesticulations for us to leave. After some parley with them, however, we succeeded in restoring quiet, and afterward purchased some corn to feed our horses for the night, and left them in peace. We encamped about two miles above the village, where I spent the most disagreeable night of my life. It was very chilly and dark, and rained the entire night. We had no shelter except that afforded by our blankets, which was but little, and we were drenched to the skin in a short time, through blankets and all. After much trouble we succeeded in making a fire, which somewhat relieved us from the cold. The next morning the rain ceased. After drying our clothes, and taking breakfast in the Indian style, we pro- ceeded up the river to the Narrows, from which point we returned on the direct trail to the lower village, where we had the honor of dining with the Chief. We spent several hours at this village, and then went down the prairie to the Narrows below, from which place we returned home. After a very tedious and tiresome journey across the bluffs, we arrived at Sauk some hours after night, and lodged in the primitive house (or dugout, as we used to call it), which was a very agreeable change from the night before. We saw no visible signs of white men in the Baraboo Valley. I think in all probability we were the first white men that ever crossed the bluffs between the prairie and Baraboo Valley. Some time in the after part of the summer of 1839, Cyrus Leland and George Cargel moved their families to the prairie, being the fifth and sixth families who came ; and a little later in the season of the same year. Berry Haney moved his family to the prairie, being the seventh. On the 30th of November. 1839, Charles B., son of Berry and Anna Haney was born, being the 448 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. first white child born in Sauk County. There was nothing further of importance transpired during the winter of that year. The winter was very cold, with much snow, which covered the ground until spring. This ends my first year's stay in Wisconsin. EARLY VISITS 'TO SAUK COUNTY.* On the 1st day of May, 1848, 1 set out from my home at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, for my first visit to the valley of the Baraboo, of which I had heard, for the first time, only four or five years previous. A young man whose father's farm adjoined that of my father in Massachusetts, had spent the preceding winter with us. During that time, the land warrants which Congress had granted to the soldiers of the Mexican war, began to come upon the market. My friend sent to a New York broker and bought one for 160 acres for about $120, and wished me to assist him in its location. Sauk County at that time was regarded as the best portion of the State accessible to us for obtaining Government lands. For that reason we directed our jour- ney here. Friday morning, May 3, 1848, found us at the little village of Prairie du Sac, the guests of Rev. Warren Cochran, who then resided there. He had removed the autumn previous from the vicinity of our home in Walworth County, and was preaching alternately at that village and at Baraboo. We found him at the time too feeble in health to ride to Baraboo to preach on the next Sabbath, and he wished me to hold meeting in his place. He was then in the vigor of early manhood, of strong physical powers, a towering intellect and a benevolent heart — such a giant intellectually and morally as is seldom found on the frontiers. He came to Wisconsin with the intention of founding a college. Although he failed in accomplishing that object, he did estab- lish a school of elevated character, which became the Baraboo Collegiate Institute, and which continued to educate for usefulness large numbers of youth, until it was supplanted by the pres- ent graded school. Mr. Cochran went everywhere preaching the word with the zeal of an Apos- tle, there not being a village or schoolhouse in the county in which his voice at one time or another was not heard. At 8 A. M., we set out for Baraboo upon substantially the same road now traveled over Sauk Prairie, which then was but partially under cultivation. About midway of the prairie we met Maj. James A. Maxwell and family on their way to Sac Village to attend a quarterly meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had removed with his father from Walworth County the year previous and purchased the lower water-power on the Baraboo, now known as the village of Manchester. As we passed up the southern slope of the Baraboo Bluff's, we were presented with the finest landscape view we had ever beheld. Sauk Prairie for a dozen miles, dotted all over with fields of growing grain, was presented to our vision. It was a scene worth a hundred miles' travel to look upon. For six miles across the bluffs there was aj that time not a house to be seen, and the road was filled with bowlders. In the vicinity of Devil's Lake, the scenery was more Alpine than anything I had before seen west of New England. We found Baraboo to be a pillage of some three hundred inhabitants, lying mostly near the river on both sides. On the south side was a saw-mill, which was converting logs from the Baraboo pinery into lumber, most of which was rafted down to the cities .•ml villages on the Mississippi River. The largest hotel in the place was kept by Lyman ('link, now of Windom, Minn. It was situated just north of where the present railroad depot stands, and has since been converted into a brewery. There were also a dozen to a score of dwellings, mostly small, on the south side. The river was crossed by a bridge. On the north side ran a street parallel with the river. upon which were two or three stores and several houses. A small unfinished grist-ir.'lt of run of stones stood upon the site of the present large flouring-mill of R. H. Strong. The pro- prietor, whose name was Brown, had been killed by the fall of a timber in raising an addition to it, a few weeks previous. The county seat had been removed from the village of Prairie du Sac the year previous and located upon a square quarter-section composing a part of the land between the first and second bluff from the river, the present court house standing somewhere i :ii writing nf S A. Divinm-ll. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 449 near the center of it. The village was named Adams, and this strange anomaly in namea was presented to a stranger. The post office was Baraboo, the village was named Adams, the town was Brooklyn, while the only town in the county named Baraboo was what is now Reedsburg, with some adjacent territory. The County Commissioners had caused a village to be platted the previous summer, and m order to raise money to build a court house had sold a large num- ber of lots at public sale, at from $4 to $8 a lot. A court house, in size about 26x36 and two stories high, hail been erected on the north side of the public square. Col. E. Sumner was pro- prietor of a small, unpainted, two-story hotel at the northeast corner of the public square, which forms a part of the present Western Hotel.* Col. James Maxwell bad built a small store at the southeast corner of the park, since known as the " Corner Store." Besides these, there were ;i few board shanties occupied by families. The village site was covered with a sparse growth of small oaks. Mr. Cochran had directed us to the house of Dr. Charles Cowles for entertainment and information. He then lived on Peck's Prairie, four miles down the river. We found him at home. We introduced ourselves, and, when he came out to care lor our team he peered anxiously into our wagon, and, seeing a quantity of oats there, said: " 1 am glad you have brought prov- ender, for there is not a bushel to be bought in all this region." Dr. Cowles informed me that I would be expected to officiate at the funeral of a young man at the court house on the coming Sabbath. I spent Saturday in preparing a discourse and in assisting my friend in exploring the country. On Sabbath forenoon, we proceeded to the court bouse, which we found filled with some 200 people — a very fine-appearing congregation for a new country — only one of whom. Col. Maxwell, bad I ever seen before. Col. Alexander Crawford had charge of the funeral arrangements. The congregational singing was good. I informed the congregation that I was not a preacher, either lay or clerical, and was not much used to public speaking, but, in conse- quence of the illness of Brother Cochran, I had consented to try to officiate on that occasion. I addressed the people from James: "For what is your life V It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The body was buried about forty rods northwest of the court house, where quite a large number of graves had already been made, and the whole entirely unprotected. In the afternoon, I gave a lecture in the court house, on temperance, in connection with Dr. Sewall's plates of the human stomach, which I had brought with me. Those plates showed the condition of the stomach in a healthy state, and also in the various stages of disease, from the moderate and the immoderate use of alcoholic liquors. Monday, May 7. 1848, was spent in assisting my friend in selecting land on which to make a home, which we found about two miles northeast of the village and a short distance north of where the cemetery is now located. A large portion of the land in Sauk County was then open for entry, although it had been in the market two or three years. The principal set- tlements in the Baraboo Valley were on Peck's Prairie, below the village, ami at Christiehood, named for a Scotchman who was a pioneer settler on a prairie some miles above the village, on the north side of the river. There were a few families on Webster's prairie, so named for the first settler there, and a few also on Babb's and Narrows Prairies. On Tuesday forenoon, we returned to the village of Baraboo, where the people had assembled at the first election for State officers, consisting of executive and legislative officers and Judges of the Circuit Court, which at first acted as Judges of the Supreme Court also. The grist-mill there was the only one in this valley, and the only one in the county except Leland's, on Honey Creek, two miles or so northwest of Sauk City. On Tuesday afternoon, we set out for the land office at Mineral Point, and spent the night at Prairie du Sac. The first settlement in the county had been made at that place in the years 1839 and 1840. Some men, having viewed the prairie from the high- lands on the south of the Wisconsin, swam across upon their horses, and made claims for farms at or near the sites of the present villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City. During two years, eight men settled there with families, together with four single men. Among the settlers of 1839 were two lawyers, Cyrus Leland, afterward a member of the Legislature, and James ±50 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. S. Alban, some time after a Circuit Judge of the Stevens Point Circuit, and Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry, who fell at Pittsburg Landing in April, 1862. Hans B. Crocker, who came during that year, opened the first store in the county in 1840, with a stock of $200 or $300 worth of goods. Among the settlers of 1840 was R. H. Davis, for many years Treasurer of the county, who taught the first school in the county in a framed room, 18x24, which stood on the present site of Sauk City. It was a private school of twenty pupils in the fall of 1841. The teacher was promised $20 per month for three months ; but a number of the bills of poor families were never paid. Berry Haney opened the first, public house in 1840, and, building a ferry-boat, combined, the business of innkeeper and ferryman. Maj. W. H. Clark, a lawyer, settled there in 1841, and, with the assistance of his wife, taught the second school, in 1842. The first regular preaching in the county was by Rev. P. W. Nicols, in 1842, at the log cabin of Jonathan Smith. Among the settlers of 1840 was Augustus Haraszthy, an Hungarian Count, and his cousin, Charles Halasz, who were the pioneers of the German seltlement at Sauk City, and of all those of Sauk County. Among the settlers of 1840 was also a German by the name of Lueders, who some years after planted the pioneer vineyard of Wisconsin, on the steep bluff on the south side of the river, and at the time of his death, a few years ago, was the most extensive grape-grower in the State. Several of the single men dug a room into the river bank, and there for a season kept bachelor's hall, in the only dugout I ever heard of in Wisconsin. On Wednesday morn- ing, May 9, we crossed the river, and, after proceeding some miles through sparsely settled open- ings, we entered the valley of Black Earth Creek. It consisted of prairie from eighty rods to half a mile in width, with thin openings on each side as far as we could see. We soon discovered a peculiarity in the settlement which we had noticed nowhere else in the West. The houses were all built of logs, about 18x20 feet in size, and two stories high, in connection with each of which was a field of three or four acres, fenced and broken. We also noticed that many of the houses were unoccupied. At noon we stopped upon the banks of the creek to feed our team and ourselves. I suppose it was somewhere near where the village of Mazo Manie now stands. The current of the stream was quite rapid at that point. There came from a neighboring house two women to get water, of whom we inquired concerning the settlement. We found them to be good talkers and quite intelligent. They were disposed to give us all the information we sought. They informed us that some five or six years previous to that time a project had been formed among the operatives of a certain manufacturing city in England to form a colony and emigrate to the frontier of the United States to engage in farming. For this purpose, 200 men, with families, entered into a written compact, by which each was to put a certain sum of money into a common treasury and send out two men as agents to enter land, build houses, and fence and break a small field for each family before they came over. Each family was to have 80 acres of land, and the settlement to extend along the creek for the distance of twelve miles. Many of them had large, not to say wild, expectations. As one of the women remarked, they thought if they should only get upon a farm in America they should live on strawberries and cream. They seemed to imagine, that if they could only become the possessor of a farm, a house and field on the rich prairies of the great West, they would have all the fortune they needed for this life. 1 >!' the inconveniences and trials incident to settling in a new country, they knew nothing and anticipated nothing. When they found themselves from right to twelve miles from a physician, a store, or any of the conveniences to which they had been accustomed in England, and engaged in a business of which they knew absolutely nothing, many of them became homesick and dis- couraged. One after another left for other places to find business by which they could sup- port their families, until one-half of them had deserted their homes. 1 think it was not true, however, that in the final result they regretted their emigration to the United States. At that time n seems that none of them had returned to the land of their birth. On Tuesday, the 24th day of October, 1848, 1 set out from my home in Walworth County on my second journey to the Baraboo Valley. I bad three passengers, all of whom, like myself, were looking for homes. 1 had unexpectedly and providentially come in possession of several // fcz^rscc^sl£- SAUK CITY HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. T- : ; land warrants, and came to find land upon which to locate them. Our journey was through the villages of Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Aztalan, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Columbus, Fall River and Wyocena. We reached Portage on Thursday evening. On Friday forenoon. October "27, we visited Fort Winnebago. We crossed the Wisconsin River by ferry, owned and tended by a half-breed Frenchman*. At the landing on the south side was a wind grist-mill,f the first I had seen in the West. As the Wisconsin overflowed its banks, we found no settlers for three or four miles, after which our way was through openings, where we found an occasional dwelling and a small farm. In the afternoon we reached Baraboo, and put up with Col. Sumner, where we unexpectedly found a company of four who had arrived there the evening previous, from the same town in which we lived in Walworth County. Soon after we arrived, a heavy rain set in, which continued until 9 A. M. on Saturday. As we learned that a man by the name of David C. Reed was building a mill and founding a village on the river sixteen miles above, we resolved to proceed thither. After leaving Lyons, there was no house on the way except the beard shanty of Thompson Shepherd, on Copper (.'reek. In what is now Reedsburg, we found the frame of a saw-mill, and five log shanties which stood in what is now Main street, just in front of where Reineke's hotel and Roper's eating-house now stands. The west shanty was occupied as a sleeping-room, with berths one above the other in steamboat style. It had an outside stone chimney so poorly made that much of the smoke found its way into the room and rendered its occupants quite uncomfortable. The second cabin was used as a storeroom, and the third, fourth and fifth, by the families of Powell, William McClung, the millwright, and Elder A. Lock. On Sunday morning, our company engaged Mr. Reed to go with them to look for land, on the plea of necessity that he could not leave his work to go on a week day. Mr. Reed inquired of me if I was going with them. I told him I was not ; that I was intending to come here to settle, and I was coming with clean hands, so I could reprove the people for Sabbath- breaking and other wrong-doing. He laughingly replied that they were not going to break the Sabbath, but only intended to bend it a little. I told the company that sooner than look for land on that day I would return home without any. I induced one man to remain with me. At the breakfast table I gave notice that, with the permission of Mr. Powell, I would give a lecture in that room in the evening. During the day, I took a stroll by myself, on the only road that led into the place from the north, crossing a part of what is now the Greenwood Ceme- tery. Near where Smith Devereaud now lives, the track turned west to the creek on which Reed and Powell had cut a quantity of hay during the summer, from which circum- stance the stream was named Hay Creek. Upon the rocks, under the pines, I sat down and prepared my lecture for the evening service. In the evening, twenty-nine persons assem bled in Mr. Powell's cabin, when Elder A. Lock offered prayer and 1 gave a lecture upon law. I remarked that law was not arbitrary, as many supposed, but was founded in the nature of things ; that moral law was founded in the nature of moral beings, and grew out of the relation the) sustained to each other — angels with angels, men with men, and the whole with God, their maker. I then spoke of the Sabbath law, showed the necessity for rest one day in seven, and the reasonableness that men should obey it. I then presented the law which bound the citizen to the Government, and his duty to cast his vote for rulers who would sustain correct principles. This was just previous to the Presidential election at which Taylor was chosen President. I dwelt also upon the application of law in other matters. It is worthy of mention that not one of the five men who went out to look for land on that Sabbath settled in the county, although all professed to be searching land for that purpose One of them, who was a Sabbath-keeper and sanctuary-goer at home, made a pool- selection, and in the sale of it. some years afti mitted a State-prison offense. Five of the eight men who reached Reedsburg on Saturday the 28th of October, I s 18, went hunting land the next day, and one of the others let his horses go, with the agreement thai At tli.ii .1 it.' tli-' 1. n\ i id— hilt tin- Wisconsin I;: . William Armstrong, nnw ;i r.--h!--nt --f ).. MMisL.-.l tult a century ago by tin' famous I'n-i n- I'm t Erei.-t.-il l.j S-ilmin-n l.-iiih, who is -nil living in l\ut:i K ,.. wh.-re In s.-ttl. .1 in 1 -.:.<. -Hi). 454 HISTORY OF SAUK COT T NTY. they should make a good selection for him. David C. Reed took them nearly ten miles from home before he showed them any vacant land. They made claims on three quarter-sections that dav. two of them very good ones, the best of which I entered after all the others had obtained their lands. At that time there was not a family settled in the present towns of Westfield, Washington, Woodland or Winfield. I think there were three or four families near where the village of Ironton now is. and two or three near by. in the south of Lavalle. There were five on Babb's Prairie and five on Narrows Prairie, a small Irish settlement, known as Sligo, in what is now Dellona. the Butterfield settlement in the north part of Excelsior, of about a dozen fami- lies. Christihood, near where Ebenezer Church now is, and a community on Seely Creek, now North Freedom. Of all the fifty families or so then living in the present ten towns in the north- west part of Sauk County, I think not more than five or six now (1876) remain, and some of them are depleted of a part of their numbers. Mr. Reed informed us that a fine, large prairie, surrounded with heavy timber, could be found to the south of Narrows Creek, near its head. Several of us made an ineffectual attempt to find it on Monday, and returned to the settlement on Narrows Prairie to spend the night. On Tuesday morning, four of our company, including myself, started out again with the determination to find the coveted prairie. After traveling several miles up the creek, we crossed to the south and struck into the timber to find a section line. The day was cloudy, and when we found a line and followed it to a section corner, we discovered that each one of us was completely turned about — north to us was south, and east was west. In this bewildered state we passed the rest of the day. tracing the section lines near the center of what is now the town of Washington. The country was covered for the most part with a fine growth of young oak timber, with small streams of water each half-mile, along some of which were strips of prairie. When night came, we kindled a fire by a large log, in front of which we built a bower, and, covering the ground with dry grass, which we pulled for the pur- pose, we slept comfortably till morning, although it snowed quite freely during the night. None of the company, except myself, were accustomed to the woods, and all gave up to me to pilot them out. Fortunately, I had with me a sectional map of Wisconsin — which on that day I would not have lost for $50 — by means of which I discovered that the stream upon which we camped emptied into Narrows Creek. We resolved to follow it down, and had not gone far before we were delivered from our bewilderment, and the points of the compass were all right again, much to our satisfaction. We proceeded to the house of Mr. Pitts, near where the Parker Schoolhouse now stands, and, taking my team and buggy, which had been left there, we came directly to Reedsburg, which we reached at noon. After dinner, I informed Mr. Reed of our inability to find the large prairie surrounded by heavy timber, of which he gave us such a glow- ing description before we set out on Monday morning. To our chagrin, he informed us that the prairie was in the valley of Narrows Creek, which at that time consisted of only a small piece of open land. He had sent us upon a "wild-goose chase." He evidently feared that we were all of us a set of speculators, and wished us to locate our warrants as far from the village as possible. Mr. Reed was the only man in this part of the country who could give information a- to vacant hinds in this region. T said to him that T wished to hire his services for a day to show me land, and would pay him any price he should demand. Making very little objection on the score of his own business, he went with me. The first quarter-section he showed me as vacant whs the one upon which I now live. He said that his millwright had claimed one eighty of it, and he had promised to enter it for him. but had been disappointed in respect to money to do it; that if I would enter it and give him one forty, it would be satisfactory. This I promised to do, and at the same time told Mr. Reed that I should need a quarter-section of timber to go with it, and he gave me a descriptions of one adjoining his land on the south, which I entered. We traveled northeast over lands now owned by the Messrs. Sparks, Pelton, Montross and Charles Pelton, and I took descriptions of all the best locations on the route, none of which I entered, however, as there were more valuable ones to be found elsewhere. Soon after we set out, a severe northeast snow storm set in. which continued for thirty-six hours. In the course of the afternoon, Mr. Reed gave me an interesting account of his life, and remarked with special HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 455 e to the manner in which he had spent the preceding Sabbath, " I know far better than I do," he said ; " I was brought up by a Baptist minister, ami well instructed by him and his wife. After 1 was married and they became superannuated, I took them home and cared for them as long as tbey lived. I know my duty better than 1 do it." How many id' us air com- pelled to make the same acknowledgment ! On Thursday, November 2, we looked over land near Babb's Prairie to find a quarter- section to enter tor Mrs. Pamolia Tator, then living at Delavan. The storm still continuing, and the bushes being covered with damp snow, we were nearly as wet as though we had been out in a rain-storm without an umbrella. I passed an uncomfortable night, hut. fortunately, took no cold. The whole company, having made satisfactory selections, proceeded to Baraboo on Saturday, where we spent the Sabbath. On the 20th of February. L849, 1 set out on my second journey to Reedsburg for the pur- pose of entering land. On Friday, March 2, we arrived. Since our last visit, in November, the dam had been finished and the" saw- mill put in operation, although it was without roof or other covering. One family bad been added to the population, that of Austin Seeley. He had put up the frame to the L part of what has since been known as " the old mill-house," and cov- ered it with green, rough hoards. His family had recently removed from Delavan, and they were living in it. We obtained dinner here, but found the people quite short of provisions. In the afternoon we proceeded to Narrows Prairie, and found lodgings with William Pitts. On Saturday we spent the entire day selecting a quarter-section of land for myself, ami were well paid for our labor. It was a mile or more north of where Loganville is now built, and consisted of rich prairie with a fine stream of water running through it, and sixty acres of heavy timber on one corner. It has been since converted into a farm, which for several years past has been owned and occupied by H. B. Dornick. On Sabbath, March 4. we rested, according to the commandment. On Monday we looked out a quarter-section, with a mill-site upon it, on Nar- rows Creek, for the young man who accompanied me. but he was cut down by death before he improved it. A mill'was afterward built upon it by D. 0. Sheldon. That was the day Zachary Taylor was inaugurated President of the United States. On Tuesday, March mi as happy a family as an} other. Having been a boarder in his family for many months, [ am a good witness to the fact that hi- wife, the •" Amanda " of his boyish love and the mother of his children, was as tinea specimen of a pioneer matron as ever administered to the necessities of way-faring human- ity. When the latch-string of the cabin door was pulled by either friend orstranger, the incomer i saluted with a kind " Come in " and greeted with a -mil.' of welcome. With few of the accomplishments of the modern lady, and with none hut a common education, she was adapted to the situation in which Provi lence had placed her. and her cabin home was as happj a- industry, cheerfulness, gentleness and truth could make it. When, blown by the : the fell destroyer the lamp went out. and her gentle spirit ascended from her paradise on earth to the paradise above, and her body was consigned to the sepulcher at Prairie du Sac. I ling tears burned 1 n the cheeks of all alike — husband, children, friend and neighbor! This sad occurrence broke the family up, and the children were sent to Ohio to be reared and educated by a kind old uncle. He must have discharged his duty well, for the only son of HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ^59 Amanda is now a prominent young lawyer at Stevens Point, this State, and the eldesl girl became the wife of a member of Congress. Mr. Alban, after the dea^h of Ins wife, became a lawyer, then County Judge, Assemblyman and Senator from the same county, and when the war of the late rebellion broke out became the Colonel of a regiment of volunteers and fell at its head on the bloody field of Shiloh. "Green be the grass aben Friend of my early days — None knew thee but to love thee. None named thee but to praise. THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN IN THE BARABOO \ ALLE1 . In the autumn of 1840, we arrived at Barahoo. Our nearest white neighbors here were on the other side of the Bluffs, six miles. Land on this side of the Wisconsin River was not as yet in market. We made a claim of a mill privilege, and settled near it on one side of the Baraboo River, and claimed a piece of fanning land on the other, and got it fenced and a larger part improved : then my husband left, under the pretense of going to Oregon, and claiming the offers of Government then held forth to actual settlers. From that time, 1 have struggled alone to bring up my little family. Other settlers soon began to come into the place; 1 received numerous families into my house, sometimes with seven and eight children, until they could hunt claims, and frequently sent our teams to assist in erecting their house.-,, all without charge — too glad, you see, to get neighbors. Well, it was a hard place, and we strove hard to live for seven long years, and then the land was thrown into market, and, no money to be got, a great many were deficient m the means to enter their land ; finally, the null privilege and land that we were residing on was entered from under us by a speculator, and then a drunken man broke into the house and drove us out, and destroyed everything in it that he could, and threw the rest out of doors. I took my children and went to the neighbors, and never lived in the house again. I soon got a board shanty put up on the opposite side of the river, near our improved part of the claim and moved into it. I then went to the land office to try and get a pre-emp- tion on my improvements, but was informed that 1 must bring proof of my husband's death, or 1 could have no pre-emption. I immediately wrote to my parents, residing in York State, requesting them to send money to enter my farm. They sent it, but while on its way hither, a man named Brown, then residing at Whitewater, came here to visit his parents, and, my larm taking his fancy, he immediately went to the land office and entered it. The settlers^ had previously formed a claim society, and had their officers all elected — Esquire Crawford, Presi- dent — and a constitution framed and published. One of its articles was, •• that if any actual settler had his improvements entered from him, there should be a committee appointed to wait on the purchaser, and endeavor to repurchase." Finally Brown returned to Baraboo, and I had an interview with him. He said I could have it hack by paying him $60 more than he gave. I informed him that my money had arrived; this being Saturday, he said he would call on Monday morning and complete a settlement with me ; and so that same morning our claim society met and chose their committee to wait on him, provided he did not.settle with me. I he committee waited for him to fulfill his promise until noon, and, learning that he had not called, they went to see him, and found that he had -one to the land office, as was supposed, to enter another claim. They followed and overtook him at Sauk Prairie and brought him hack two or three miles toward Baral intending to have him fulfill his promise. He finally voluntarily proposed to go hack to Sauk Village, take his money and deed the land over. They concluded to let him do so. Two or lime of the committee went back with him for that purpose ; the rest returned to Baraboo. Brown and the tWOOr t hree witnesses went before Esquire Leland and got the deed executed. Leland asked Brown if it was his own voluntary act. He said yes. If it had not been, he could have just as well said uo, as he was before power legally authorized to command the 'Written i Urs. Rosaline !'■ ck, ol B 460 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. peace ; supposing that they had previously had him in duress, there was no compulsion at that time. The witnesses paid my money over to him, and he authorized Leland to take charge of it until he (Brown) called for it — but he never called. Brown wrote to me to go to Leland and get my money, as I could not have the land. He waited two years, until two witnesses to the deed had gone to California, then threw it into chancery to make a forced deed of it ; and after adjournments and appeals for four or five years, our beautiful "Court of Equity" at Madison pro- nounced it all Brown's — fences, improvements, everything — and mulcted me in the cost of some hundreds of dollars. Now, according to Leland's testimony, there was no force. Their other point, or quibble, was, that he had never received the money. Then, what business had he to put my money into another's possession ? True, Brown had a right by United States" law to enter the land : he had also a right to deed it. After Host my improvements, I sold my last cows, at the rate of 812 and $15 apiece, and thereby raised money and bought the piece of land I now live on, and afterward entered some more; but it was a long time before I got ahead far enough, besides supporting my family, to make improvements on any part of it. But the robbing is not all done yet, for within the last year I owned a delightful little grove of timber, consisting of about three hundred trees, mostly large forest shades, situated on a beautiful elevated building-let in town, near the banks of the Baraboo River, reserved for my own use, where, if my life was spared long enough, I anticipated building a snug little residence to die in. And during a freshet one spring, some two or three hundred citizens, with twenty or thirty teams, cut the whole of it down, and. without saying " by your leave," hauled and rolled them into the Baraboo River to save a flouring mill, valued at $25,000 or $30,000, owned by some of our rich capitalists ; and they saved it, and do you think that either of the propri- etors, or those who committed the trespass, have called on me to say, " Thank you, madam ? " Not a bit of it. If they had offered me their mill, water privilege and all, at that time, I should have been reluctant to make the exchange, for if I owned a mill, somebody would be sure to steal the grist and toll both. Now this was robbing Peter to pay Paul, with a ven- geance. And so my whole life, it seems, thus far has been spent in striving to accumulate for others' benefit ; and if I am taxed in future as formerly on what little I do possess, I think, when I leave the world, I shall leave the young Peck — quite independent. A TILT WITH REDSKINS.* Blue Mound, we ascertained, was not the permanent home of my uncle* He had, during the summer previous to our arrival, determined to locate in Sauk County, and had abandoned a long, dark hole in the ground that for years had absorbed every surplus dol- lar and the best years of his life in attempts to secure the leaden treasure which he believed to lie just beneath the last stroke of pick and gad. Sauk County was, at this time, only a county in name. Its territorial limits had been fixed; to use a Western phrase, it had been ''staked out." hut there were scarcely white men enough to fill the usual county offices. Of Indians, there were enough and to spare. Their title to the land had been extinguished, but it was not yet surveyed. Each emigrant selected such portion of the public domain as seemed to him good, and either staked out the boundaries or marked the dimensions of his claim by " blazing " the trees. Tn case of dispute between claimants, the matter was settled by a squatter's court, acting under a code of laws adopted by themselves in mass meeting, from whose decisions there was no appeal, for the unhappy man who attempted to evade a decision of that court had better n°ver have been born. My uncle had made a claim at what is now called the Bluffs, seven miles west of Prairie du Sae. The latter was then a village containing one log store, wherein was also a hotel, one blacksmith-shop, one cabinet-shop and four log dwelling-houses. One mile south was Sauk City, then called Ilaraszthy, named after the principal proprietor, an Hungarian refugee Count. It was a rival village of Prairie du Sac, containing about the same number of inhabitants. The r Qen John i Kellogg HISTORY (>F SAUK COUNTY. 401 principal business of these two villages was to fight each other, the residents of each believing that all which prevented their village from rivaling New York City was the close proximity of the other, and the inhabitants of each seemed fully convinced that, to attain greatness and prosperity, the first step was to destroy its rival. A more beautiful site upon which to build a city, so far as nat- ural beauty of location is concerned, than that upon which Prairie du Sac is built, is hard to find. In 1S40, i't was confidently believed that at nodistant day the Wisconsin River would bear upon its bosom the commerce of the West ; that at Prairie du Sac, or Haraszthy, would be the grand outlet and market for all that vast and beautiful farming country lying for thirty miles on either sub- <,f the river. It was considered very doubtful whether either Madison or Milwaukee would ever amount to much. Baraboo, the present flourishing village and county seat, was then unthought of. It consisted of one saw-mill and two or three shanties. As I have before stated, Indians were numerous ; they were not only numerous but troublesome. Their visits to the settlers were made without reference to the rules of etiquette, the night being generally selected as the time to make them, and they were usually successful in carrying away with them as souvenirs any little useful articles found lying around, especially '• kokcosh," " wahampra " and " washcobra."* If the man of the house was temporarily absent, the family were sure of receiving a visit from one or more of them. At the time of which I am writing, the Black Hawk war had so recently taught them lessonsof prudence that they did not dare make any open attack upon the settlers. Still, their numbers so greatly predominated over the whites that they plundered us whenever occasion served, believing we would submit to little annoyances rather than attempt to punish them, and by so doing provoke hostilities. And, upon general principles, they reasoned correi tlv. Our nearest neighbor on the north, or up the river, was Mr. Garrison, whose family con- sisted of himself and wife. The latter belonged to one of the first families in New Brunswick, and had been accustomed to good society. Mr. Garrison had been compelled to leave his wife alone while he made a visit to Mineral Point on business. The Indians soon discovered that there was no man about the premises, and determined to take advantage of the situation. Dur- inu r the first night of Mr. Garrison's absence, they visited the cabin used as a storeroom, which was adjoining the dwelling-house, and carried away the major part of the provisions intended to supply the family during the summer, or until they could harvest the first crop. The next morn- ing, Mrs. Garrison discovered her loss, and in the flour the Indians had spilled upon the floor moccasin tracks were plainly discernible. Unlike many ladies, who. in her situation, would have abandoned all and fled to the nearest neighbors for protection, Mrs. Garrison determined to stay and defend her property. There was a, double-barreled shotgun in the house, and plenty of ammunition, but she lacked the skill to load it. Fortunately, about this time a Bob,"f then a boy of thirteen years, came along upon his regular morning errand of hunting the cows. Mrs. Garrison called him in and showed him the tracks in the flour. She told him of her loss, and asked him to load the gun for her. •• Why. Mrs. Garrison, you won't shoot them, will you ? " '•Yes, I will, if they come around here again while Mr. Garrison is gone." "Well, I'll load the gun for you, but I wouldn't shoot them, for I'm afraid they would rise and murder us all." " I don't care; we might as well be murdered outright as to starve for want of provisions they steal from us. Put in a good big load, Bob," she continued. Accordingly, Bob loaded the gun heavily with powder atid "bouble B" shot, and, having finished the operation, wended his way toward the prairie. He had been gone about an hour, when, just as he came in sight of the house upon his return, he heard both barrels of the gun discharged almost simultaneously, and at the same instant saw an Indian, near the house, spring into the air and fall upon his face in the road, evidently badly wounded if not killed. Two other Indians, his companions, caught him up and ran with him toward their camp. To say that B >b 462 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. was frightened, was no name for it. He full)' expected that the Indians would retaliate, and per- haps destroy the settlement before night. He ran at once to the house, and upon his arrival found Mrs. Garrison just struggling to her feet, rubbing her shoulder and moaning with pain. The recoil of the gun had thrown her violently to the ground, and almost dislocated her shoulder. "Good heavens," exclaimed Bob, "what have you done, Mrs. Garrison? " " I really don't know. I wish he had been at my end of the gun. I believe my shoulder is gone." " Never mind your shoulder ; where is the gun ? Let me load it for you at once," said Bob, "they may come back here and kill you." "Yes, that is right, Bobby, load it up again. But don't put in so much next time ; it shoots both ways." -- Why. Mrs. Garrison," exclaimed Bob, "I believe you have killed that Indian." " I hope so," she replied ; " I'll teach them to steal my pigs." " What were they doing ? " queried Bob. " Why," said she, " I had started to the pig-pen with a pail of swill, and what should I see but three great strapping fellows in the pen taking out one of my best shoats. I called to them to puckachee [go away], but they called me a squaw ami laughed at me. I dropped the swill and brought the gun. When they saw me coming with that in my hand they dropped the pig and ran around the stable. I ran to the upper side, and, putting the gun over the fence, got a good rest, and when they came in sight, I took the best aim I could and pulled both triggers at once — I was afraid one barrel might miss — ajid the recoil of the gun knocked me nearly a rod, I should think, by the way my shoulder feels. But, Bob, do you really think I killed him ? " " I am afraid you have, Mrs. Garrison, and you must go away from here at once ; they will come back and murder you." " What ! go away and leave all these things to be stolen, and the animals to die of starva- tion ? I shall do nothing of the kind ; and if they come, the dogs and this gun will hurt some of them. I don't believe they will trouble me again.' THE INDIAN SCARE OF 1844. f I was. at the- time, living with William Farnum, Sr., on the prairie near the Bluffs. Some time in the night, Albert Jemison waked us up and told us that Mrs. Brewster, who lived between Baraboo River and the Bluffs, had come over the Bluffs barefooted and out of breath, bringing the news that old Richard Clark had been killed by the Indians, and his house burned, ami that the savages were coming this way. We asked him what we should do. and he said that every one must take care of himself. Then he left, ami I, wishing to do something for myself ami country, went to John Hoover's, near by, am! told him that the Indians were coming, and that we must do something for the people. So I took a small pony of his and started over the prairie to give the alarm. 1 called first mi Uncle Bill Johnson, telling him the story as Jemi- son had told me. lie asked me what wo were to do. and I said, a- Jemison had done, that every one must take care of himself. I then called on Philo Barber's brother, waked him up ami told him that the Indians were upon us. The strong man trembled lil e an aspen, and faltered. "What shall 1 do?" Again [ gave Jemison's advice : "' Take care of yourself.' " I next called on Thomas Tab in I hi sal [uestion was asked. " What shall we do?" with the same response given. I had now reached the lower part of the prairie settlement. The Tabor ■ luded that discretion was the better part of valor, and asked to go with me back to the Bluffs. There was a terrible confusion by this time. Wagons could be heard going in every direction, ami voices everywhere were asking, " What, shall we do?" Thomas Tabor made some provisions for his wife to make her escapt — in some wagon, I think — to where they were think- ing of making a place of defense. Then one of the Tabors got on that wee pony behind me. ould have done so had there been room on its hack, hut two were all that could squeeze t, [ir.ivi..i tli.> »-i».|..n ith of her husband, and, In due married Dr. | I'.y .limn - \ Taylor HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -It;:! on. When we got to the Bluffs, we learned that all the people were collecting at Uncle Bill Johnson's for self-protection. Some came in wagons, some on horseback and cithers cm foot. Thev brought all the old guns and pitchforks that they could get in the hurry, and such treas- ures as they possessed. I believe that Uncle Teel brought his cook-stove. There were about one hundred and fifty persons in all. It was arranged that the women and children should go into the cellar, and the men stand battle. While waiting for the attack, the women were running bullets, and all was bustle and confusion, some asking and others advising what to do. * We had been in suspense all night, and still no signs of the Indians: and we held a coun- cil of war, and concluded to send a scout to reconnoiter the grounds in the neighborhood of Uncle Clark's house. But not a soul dared to act as scout except John Grey. He took a horse (a gray one) and started alone cm his mission. An hour and a half passed, and he did not return. whereupon we became more and more alarmed, and a company of men, headed by David Baxter, started out to find what bad become of him. They went about a mile and met Johnny return- ing. They heard his story, and then put spurs to their horses and rushed back, crying "The Indians are upon us !" What a consternation and confusion they created ! The women and chil- dren fled to the cellar, and stout hearts st 1 still in terrible anticipation. But from John Grey we learned the true story. He had been to Uncle Clark's house. It was not burned, and Uncle Clark had no remembrance of having been massacred. In fact, he had seen or heard no Indians. Baraboo slept peacefully, undisturbed by the war-whoop of the savage. The people now con- cluded to disperse, and. as a closing scene, word was given to take aim and lire. But, to our amusement, and consternation likewise, only one gun went off. By the time daylight began to break, the fort was vacated. It seems, from what I can learn, that Mrs. Brewster had started barefoot over the Bluffs to Sauk Prairie on business, and had met an Indian, wdio frightened her. Uncle Clark bad that day been burning some brush heaps, and the great smoke led Mrs. Brewster to believe that the house was burning. Her imagination did the rest. EARLY CHRISTIAN EFFORT IN SAUK COUNTY. It was my privilege to be one of those inevitable men on the frontier, a Methodist itinerant preacher, as early as the spring of 1841. I was not, however, the first of my class to visit Sauk County. That honor, I think, belongs to Rev. James G. Whitford, now of Volga City, Iowa. It has been suggested to me that, possibly, Rev. John Crummer preceded him. but of this 1 have no knowledge sufficient to form a belief. Mr. Whitford. after spending a number of years of widowerhood, part of them near St. Paul, as an Indian and frontier missionary, very naturally desired to find a fellow-sufferer of the gentler sex. hoping, as many do, that by uniting their sor- rows they could bear them more joyfully. Mrs. Sarah Sayles. the widowed daughter of Henry Teel, who had removed to the Bluffs . 625 feet. Town of Merrimack, Section 28, 260 feet; Section 23, 580 feet. Town of Westfield, Logansville, Section 17, 330 feet ; Section 11, 660 feet. Town of Freedom, bridge on east half of Section 2, 268 feet ; Sections 23 and 26, 830 feet. Town of Baraboo, depot grounds, Section 2, 280 feet ; cliff-top on middle west line of Section 24, 850 feet. Town of Greenfield, road-bed on Section 26, Township 12, Range 7, 215 feet; point near the middle west line of Section 15, Township 11, Range 7, 900* feet. Town of Reedsburg, surface of creek, Section 35. 280 feet; highest points on Sections 29 and 30, 580 feet. Tov\n of Excelsior, middle north half of Section 2, 290 feet ; bluff-top in east half of Section 5, 575 feet. Town of Fairfield, bridge, center Section 23, 225 feet ; bluff-top, southeast quarter Section 22, 590 feet. Town of WinSeld, southeast corner Section 27, 280 feet ; southeast corner Section 24, 468 feet. Town of Dellona, Section 5, 300 feet; Section 19, 390 feet. TIIK BARABOO QTTAKTZITE RANGES. It will be interesting to consider those isolated areas of Archrean rocks which are found pro- truding through the surrounding horizontal Silurian strata, at points widely scattered over the Central part of the State. Besides doubtful isolated areas, which may be somewhere connected with the main Archaean region without intervening horizontal strata, there are many others which occur as'much as fifty or one hundred miles within the region of the Lower Silurian rocks. All .if die scattered patches are but points of the universal Archiean basement, upon which all the later strata are built, having earned their especial immunity from complete burial by virtue of the resistant nature of their materials. They are, properly, buried mountains, and were high islands and reef-ledges in the early Paleozoic seas. All the areas, except the one, or rather the group, including the Baraboo ranges in Sauk County, are of small size, generally occupying much less than a Bquare mileofarea. With the same exception, they are all mound-like in form, rising, usually, somewhat abruptly from the surrounding country, which is frequently level, and HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 473 showing, always, considerable rock exposures on the Hanks and summits, being often almost all bare rock. They reach heights of from 50 to 250 feet, but are usually lower than the surround- ing outlying bluffs of the horizontal strata. The Baraboo group, unlike the others, constitutes a series of bold ridges, one of which reaches elevations of 800 and 900 feet above Lake Michi- gan, and a length of over twenty miles. The nature of the rocks composing the several areas is not always the same. The large areas in Sauk County, and a few others, are chiefly of quartzite; a number are of quartz porphyry; still others of granite, which is different in differ- ent cases ; andyet others, occurring in Jackson County, and close to the main Archaean area, .nc of ferruginous quartz schist. Except in the eases of the granitic areas, these rocks are generally quite distinctly bedded, and are usually tilted at high angles. The Baraboo quartzite ranges occupy much the largest extent of territory, and are at the same time much the most striking and most important as influencing the topography of the State of any of the isolated Archrean areas that occur within the region of the Silurian rocks. Their bold character, and the dissimilarity between their rocks and those of the country around, have drawn to them the attention of the State Geologists as well as of other scientific men. Percival regarded the quartzites composing the ranges as resulting from a metamorphism of the Potsdam sandstone of the surrounding region. Hall refers them, correctly, to the Archaean, making them Huronian, but his detailed examinations were not published. Alexander Winchell calls them "Lower Potsdam," on the evidence of some fossils belonging to the Middle Potsdam, and found in the sandstone lying against the quartzite. This he regards as proving the " Lower Potsdam " age of the quartzite, losing sight of the fact that the latter is unconformable with the sandstone, and projects upward into the horizon, not only of the Middle Potsdam, but even far above, into that of the St. Peter's. The Archaean age of the quartzite was first definitely proved by the State Geologist in 1872, and this conclusion has since been abundantly confirmed by the work of other geologists, and also by his own further researches in the region. The Baraboo Bluffs constitute two east-and-west ranges, extending some twenty-five miles in length through the towns of Caledonia, in Columbia County, and Greenfield, Merrimack, Sumter, Baraboo, Honey Creek, Freedom, Excelsior and Westfield, in Sauk County. The southern one of the ranges is much the bolder and more continuous, and the two are not exactly parallel, but diverge as they are traced westward. At their eastern ends, in Columbia County, they unite in a bold point, rising abruptly from the low ground of the Wisconsin Iliver, at the easternmost point of the great, bend which the quartzite ranges compel it to take. Tracing them westward, we find the two ridges, about midway in their lengths, some four miles apart, and at their western ends a mile or so more than this. Here a bold, nearly north-and-south cross-ridge, also with a quartzite core, unites the two, thus finishing an entire cordon of bluffs around a depressed interior. All around the outside of this circuit of hills, except beyond the western cross-ridge, the country is comparatively low, and often quite level, so that the ridges rise very boldly, forming, for a non-mountainous country, quite a striking feature of the landscape. The southern quartzite range is broken down in only one place, the gorge in which lies the Devil's Lake, and, as seen from the low ground of the Wisconsin River on the south, presents a continuous wavy crest, often with large areas of bare rock, and with elevations of from 500 to 70(1 feet above the river, and of 700 to 900 feet above Lake Michigan. Its higher portions have a width of from one to four miles, the outline being quite irregular on account of the deep and very anciently eroded valleys that indent its sides. The great antiquity of these valleys is evinced by their showing, on their sides and bottoms, layers of horizontal sandstone, clinging to the underlying quartzite. The sandstone has evidently been deposited in valleys which were originally formed long before its deposition, ami have been carved out anew in the same places, on account of its friable and non-resistant nature. The country on top of the range is heavily timbered, presenting, in this regard, as also in its almost universal heavy clay soil, a marked contrast w T ith the lower country around. This clay soil has caused the making of many excel- lent farms on top of the range. It occurs alike on the quartzite and the high-level sandstone. In the eastern extension of the Bluffs, it might be regarded as of glacial origin, but to the 474 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. westward, the glacial drift-limit is reached about midway in the length of the range, and some other origin must be sought. The northern range is much less pronounced than the southern. For about seven miles west from the junction of the two, in Columbia County, it forms a continuous ridge some 300 or 400 feet in height, but generally much less than a mile in width. Further west, its height lessens for long distances, the Archaean rocks forming its core, at the same time becoming covered by the overlying horizontal sandstones, through which they appear here and there in small outcrops. Further west still, this range rises again, and where it joins the cross ridge at its western extrem- ity has become again bold, with a height of 200 to 300 feet. Although thus indefinite in its middle portions, the higher ground never entirely disappears along the line of the range, except at the three points where the Baraboo River and one of its tributaries cut through in deep gorges. The depressed area within the circuit of quartzite bluffs is, for the most part, somewhat higher than the surrounding outside country, and toward its eastern and western extremities rises rather rapidly up to the inclosing ridges. In Columbia County, much of the area between the ranges is as high as the northern range itself, and is underlaid by a great thickness of sandstone, which fills in the canoe-shaped trough of the uniting quartzite belts. At one time, the rest of the valley between the ranges was filled in a similar manner, and has since been partially recarved in the friable sandstone which still forms its bottom. This valley is now traversed longitudinally by the Baraboo River, which enters and leaves it, by deep gorges, through the northern ridge, having a fall between the gorges of about seventy feet. The rock constituting the great body of the Baraboo ranges is a quartzite of a non-granular (usually flaky) texture, and of a color from nearly white, through gray, pink and amethyst, to purplish-red and even brick-red, the gray and deep red being the most common, the white the least so. Very rarely a distinct granular texture is seen. The quartzite is frequently very dis- tinctly laminated, the lines of lamination being contorted in a remarkable manner, and marked by alternating light-colored and dark-colored lines. There is never any cleavage parallel to the lamination lines. Next in abundance to the regular quartzite. and merging into it, are heavy beds of a fine metamorphic conglomerate, usually of a grayish to amethystine color, in which the matrix and pebbles are alike quartzite, and not always very well defined from one another. Forming thin layers between the thick layers of quartzite, is in many places to be seen a pecu- liar greasy-surfaced quartz schist, the laminae of which are composed of quartzite like that of the regular quartzite layers, seamed and covered on the surface with a soft, lilac to white, tale-like mineral. Tins slate or schist usually exhibits the true slaty or transverse cleavage. The soft mineral pervading it is suspected to be always, as it certainly is sometimes, aluminous rather than magnesian. It occurs occasionally, forming slaty layers with but little quartz admixture, and, in small seams, even entirely pure. It then lias rather the physical characteristics of a compacted clay, and this appearance is borne out by the analyses given beyond, which show that the pure clay-like kinds are probably not distinct minerals, but rather a mixture of a clayey sub- stance with fine silica. In both physical properties Mini chemical composition, this material is closely allied to the pipestone of Southwest Minnesota, from which it differs only in color. Other quartz schists of quite a different character have been observed forming the lowest layers of the north quartzite range, both at the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo and at the Upper Narrows oi the same stream. These are white to straw-colored, distinctly granular in texture, the quartz grains being of translucent, glassy quartz. The whole rock is more or less pervaded by a soft, clayey material, and splits out in large thin sheets. On the northernmost portions of the north range, at. the Lower Narrows, and also for a short distance to the westward, a great thickness of quartz porphyry is also to be observed. This porphyry resembles that of the several small porphyry areas of the adjoining portions of Columbia, Marquette and Green Lake Counties, and proves at once that, we must regard these areas as part, of the same formation that appears in the Baraboo ranges. Iii the quartzite, milk-white veins and nests are frequently to be seen. In some places, as at the Upper Narrows, the white quartz veins show, frequently, geodic cavities lined with quartz HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 475 crystals of great clearness and beauty, and not unfrequently of very largo size, though usually small. In the veins at the Upper Narrows, such crystal-lined cavities are exceedingly numerous. Along with the crystals, sometimes compacted over them, sometimes loose in the cavities, and again in thin seams by itself, is to be seen a soft, white mineral. This is often pulverulent, at times gritty, at others a nearly impalpable powder, and is shown by analysis to be essentially a silicate of alumina. With the white quartz, in nests of some size, is often to be observed brill- iant specular iron in largo crystalline surfaces. It occurs also in some of the layers of quartzite in fine scales. Titanic iron is' also reported. These, with the peculiar aluminous silicate alluded to in connection with the quartz schists, are the only minerals known t :cur in the Baraboo rocks. The quartzites and associated rocks are quite distinctly bedded, though the bedding is not unfrequently obscured by cross-join tjng, which is often to be observed on a grand scale. The dip, wherever observed, is toward the north through the whole extent of both ranges, but varies much in amount. In the southern range it is usually quite low, as low sometimes as 15° in the middle and broadest portions. In the northern range, the dips are always much higher, running from 55° to 90°. The rocks of the two ranges appear, however, to be parts of a continuous series, the quartz porphyry beds of the northern range constituting the uppermost layers. Beginning the detailed descriptions at the best known, and at the same time one of the most remarkable, points about the quartzite ranges, we note, first, the occurrences in the vicinity of Devil's Lake, in Township 11, Ranges 6 and 7. Here the southern range is cut entirely through by a deep quartzite walled valley or gorge, 500 feet in depth, and three-fourths of a mile in width. In its northern portion, this valley trends due north and south for about a mile; turn- ing then abruptly at right angles, it extends eastward two miles and a half. In the north and south part lies Devil's Lake, with a length of something more than a mile, and a width one- fourth less than this, its surface being about one hundred feet above the valley surface at the eastern end of the gorge, more than one hundred feet above the Baraboo River at Baraboo, and more than two hundred above the Wisconsin at Merrimack. It is held in this elevated position by two immense morainic heaps of glacial drift lying at either end of the lake, and rising more than one hundred feet above its level. The lake has a nearly level sandy bottom, except near the shores, and is, over most of its area, some thirty feet in depth. It has no outlet and but one small stream running into it. It is thus, probably, fed chiefly by springs, and maintains its level by evaporation and by filtering through the heaps of gravel and sand which hold it in place. Near the northwest corner a small stream, running into the Baraboo, passes within a few rods ol the lake, and, possibly, carries with it some of the lake water. On its west and south sides, the lake washes the bases of the bounding cliffs of the gorge. Both east and west cliffs are highest near their southern ends, toward which they rise gradually from the north, following, roughly, the dip-planes, which also rise southward, and the edges of which can be seen, quite well marked, on either wall of the gorge. By aneroid measurement, the highest point of the west bluff is 475 feet above the lake level, or 800 feet above Lake Michigan, and the southern portion of the east bluff but little lower. In their upper portions, the cliffs are vertical, sometimes for as much as two hundred feet or more, but their lower parts are clothed with a heavy talus or "ankle," com- posed of great blocks of the quartzite that have fallen from the cliffs above. These masses are often as much as twenty feet on a side, with a somewhat regular shape imparted by the powerful ioints that everywhere traverse the quartzite, and cut it into blocks only needing to be slightly dislodged in order to fall down the cliff. For the greater portion of their lengths both east and west bluffs are quite narrow, being backed by deep ravines opening northward. The northern end of the east bluff, especially, is a mere crest, having behind it one of the ancient, sandstone- lined ravines that have before been mentioned. In its east and west extension, the valley preserves the same characters as above described, the cliff on the north side being the highest and boldest, and retaining for a long distance the height it attains at the corner where the valley bends. Along the face of this cliff, the heavy quartzite beds are seen on the strike, and present, therefore, an appearance of horizontality when 476 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. viewed from the valley below. At the mouth of the valley (southeast quarter Section 20, Town- ship 11, Range 7 east), the northern cliff' is of horizontal sandstone, behind which the quartzite passes, while the south cliff terminates in a sharp, rocky point, known as the Devil's Nose. Doubling the Nose, we are on the south side of the range, with Sauk Prairie in front, and the high bluff with its roches-montonees surfaces of quartzite behind. These surfaces rise in rude steps, which are due to the gradual northern dip. Near the top of the sides of the ravine, on the southwest corner of the lake, horizontal sand- stone and coarse conglomerate occur, the pebbles of the conglomerate coming from the quartzite against which it lies. Nowhere else along the sides of the valley, until we reach its eastern end, are there any indications of its ever having been filled with sandstone, and, consequently, of its equally great antiquity with other ravines about the quartzite ranges. This occurrence itself is not, necessarily, any such indication, for the sandstone is found only at a high level, and may, therefore, have been introduced from the northward, quite independently of the valley of Devil's Lake, which, we are thus led to believe, is of more recent origin than the Potsdam period. This valley has evidently been, at some time, the passage of a large stream. We cannot suppose that it has been produced by any other process than that of erosion, and such an erosion as could only be effected by the agency of running water. Confirming this view, we find, high up on the cliff sides, within 150 feet of the summit, remnants of large pot-holes, several feet in diameter, presenting smoothed surfaces, and having about them many small pebbles and smoothed bowlders, which may have been engaged in the work of their formation. The large size of the valley suggests that it may have been the passage of the Wisconsin River, which, at the close of the Glacial period, found its ancient channel obstructed by the great drift-heaps that are now to be seen in it and was forced to find its way eastward to the valley of the great river that for long ages before the Glacial period drained the whole basin of the Wolf and Upper Fox, through the valley of the Lower Wisconsin to the Mississippi. This valley, which the deflected river reached at Portage, and which it subsequently appropriated as its own, passes altogether to the eastward of the eastern extremity of the quartzite ranges. If this is a correct view, the river must have had a passage through the northern range also, and this passage would be found in the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo, a much wider channel than is needed by that small stream. This explanation of the origin of the Devil's Lake Valley is offered as a suggestion only. The Bara- boo may be a stream to which the work should be allotted, but, if so, we must imagine it to have been a much larger and more powerful stream than now. Only ten miles above on its course, the gorge through which it passes the northern range presents no such proportions as seen about the Devil's Lake Valley. The rock in the vicinity of Devil's Lake, omitting reference now to the Silurian conglomer- ate and sandstone, is nearly altogether the typical quartzite of the region, as above described. It generally shows some shade of red. On the weathered surface of some of the large fallen masses in the edge of the lake, a distinct tendency to a granular texture is perceptible, while a fresh surface shows generally no traces of it. Fine lines of lamination are nearly everywhere to be seen, and are generally quite strikingly marked, but there is never any structure parallel to them. They are nearly always bent into sharp angles, or curved and contorted, presenting often the irregularities seen in the bedding of sandstone. While many of the bendings in these lines may be due to original irregularities of deposition, or to contortion at the time of disturbance and alteration, there are surfaces where they present such a peculiar knotty and concentric appear- ance as strongly tn suggest a concretionary origin. The lines are alternatingly ligl't and dark red. In a few places white quartz veins with geodic quartz crystals are seen, but these do not characterize any considerable portion of the rock. All about the Devil's Lake Valley the bed- ding of the quartzite is quite distinct, and is made apparent by the existence of large dip sur- faces, often beautifully ripple-marked. At the northern ends of both east and west bluff's of the lake many such surfaces occur. Others are seen on the sides of the railroad track about mid- way the length of the lake. These all give an inclination to the north of 15° to 25°, the higher figure being seldom readied, and a strike of north 80° east. The quartzite layers are HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 477 many feet in thickness, showing no internal structure whatever parallel to the general dip direc- tion, but being affected everywhere by the curved and bent lamination alluded to. Between the quartzite beds occur layers of greasy quartz slate, usually but a few inches in width. Such a layer is well exposed on the side of the railroad track on the east side of the lake, the lamina' dipping north 37°, or transverse to the bedding planes. The slate is quartzite, like that of the surrounding beds, but is penetrated by a soft, greasy mineral, and affected by slaty cleavage. As the cleavage planes of the slate approach the surface of the adjoining quartzite, they curve toward and penetrate it to a short distance. Large surfaces of quartzite, which have had one of these slaty layers removed from above them, show a peculiar ridgy appearance, evidently due to the passage into them of the slaty cleavage planes. At the summit of the east bluff, near its southern end, indications of a somewhat lower dip than elsewhere are seen, while at Devil's Nose, surfaces occur slanting as much as 29° northward. At the latter place, many cross joints oliseure the bedding, nearly all of the planes, however, sloping northward. Some very large ones were noted, with as high an angle as 82°, covered with a shining, soft, greasy film. In seams and nests in the quartzite, in this vicinity, occurs a compact, but soft, clay-like substance of a, lilac color, which is penetrated by fine white strings, and contains: Silica, 62.16 ; alumina, 29.67 ; iron oxide, 4.17 ; lime, 0.16 : water, 2..~>0 — 99.36. This substance appears to be the same as that which pervades and gives character to the quartz schists of the region, and is closely allied to the red " pipestone," that occurs with the quartzite of Barron County, and again in southwest Minnesota. On the summits and sides of all the cliffs about the lake and valley, two sets of very marked vertical cross-joints are to be seen, the more prominent and persistent set trending north 45° west. These joints have produced, on the upper portions of the cliffs, a striking col- umnar appearance, the separate columns of quartzite, twenty to forty feet in height, often standing entirely detatched by joint cracks from the main cliff. In some cases, intervening masses of quartzite have fallen, and left entirely isolated needles at a distance from the cliff face. As in the ravine at the southwest corner of the lake, so also in many other places on the north bank of the ridge, horizontal ledges of sandstone and very coarse conglomerate occur, abutting against, and unconformably overlying, the quartzite. At the northern point of the east bluff, the contact of the two formations is beautifully exposed. Here the ends of columnar, joint-detached masses of the quartzite are surrounded and filled between by the horizontal sand- stone, the whole capped with a heavy layer of a conglomerate composed of angular, subangular, and rounded masses of quartzite, embedded in a coarse, friable, sandy matrix, which is occasion- ally cemented by the brown oxide of iron, and is not unfrequently almost altogether excluded by the included bowlders. The quartzite of the bowlders and pebbles is the same as that of the ledges further up the bluff. Places also occur where the sand and quartzite pebbles are wedged down into the joint-cracks of the quartzite. Eastward from the mouth of Devil's Lake Valley, in Section 29, Town 11, Range 7, the southern face of the quartzite range continues high and bold on the right hand, as far as Section 25, Town 12. Range 8, in Columbia County. On Mr. Fitzsimmon's place on Section 22, Town 11, Range 7, Sauk County, near Parphrey's Glen, and only a short distance from the south slope of the ridge, one. of the highest points on the whole range of bluffs occurs, the eleva- tion being nearly one hundred feet greater than that of the Devil's Lake bluffs. The point is in use by the United States Coast Survey, as a Signal Station. North from the Signal Station, the quartzite range has a width on top of nearly three miles. As far as Section 3, Town 11, Range 8, Columbia County, the south face of the range, except at the higher levels, where large surfaces of bare quartzite occur, is composed of sandstone, with some coarse conglomerate, which flanks the quartzite in horizontal layers. These flanking sandstones are well exposed at the mouth of the Devil's Lake gorge ;„in Parphrey's Glen, on the line between Sections 2:! and 22, Town 11, Range 7, and again in Dorward's, or St. Mary's Glen, on the line of Sections 18 and 7. Town 11, Range 8, Columbia County. In all these places, the sandstone layers appear to possess a small dip, about 5° away from the quartzite core. At Dorward's Glen, the quartzite 478 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. is to be seen at the north end of the gorge, and lying upon and against it sixty feet of hori- zontal sandstone and bowlder conglomerate. These are exposed on the wall of the gorge, the conglomerate forming the base of the cliff and the stream-bed, with a thickness seen of four feet. The bowlders of the conglomerate are largely irregular, angular masses, reaching up to eight inches in size, and are almost entirely without surrounding matrix. The quartzite at the head of the glen is non-granular, pinkish-gray to red, and without plain bedding. East of Section 3, Town 11, Range 8, as far as the end of the range, the flanking sandstone appears to be want- ing, outcrops of quartzite in places extending from summit to base of the southern face of the range. Such a place occurs on the northern side of Section 3, and southern side of Section 31, Town 12, Range 8, near Mr. Fleming's house. Here the quartzite bluff rises immediately from the north side of the Portage road, showing for the first steep ascent of 250 feet, large loose masses and rough exposures cf a metamorphic conglomerate, in which matrix and pebbles are both of quartzite; the pebbles being very small, and in no way different from the matrix. From the top of this slope, a gradually rising wooded steep is crossed for about a third of a mile to a second nearly precipitous rise of over a hundred feet. The summit is of bare rock, ami is a mere crest, others similar to it occurring east and west along the range. The bedding of the quartzite is distinct, the strike being north 63° east, and dip 60° north. On Sections 31, 35, 26 and 27, Town 12, Range 8, numerous other large quartzite expo- sures occur. On the southeast quarter of Section 27, large outcrops on the road-side show pink- ish-gray opaque quartzite with very fine greenish-black streaks (mica?). The eastern end of the quartzite range is on Section 25, Town 12, Range 8, where the two ranges unite in the bold point that has been heretofore alluded to. On the north side of the point, the horizontal sandstone begins again to flank the quartzite. On the northwest quarter of Section 25, the road ascending the bluff shows sandstone, with a slight slant eastward, nearly to the top. Near by, on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 2(3, are large rounded exposures (roches-montonees) of quartzite, showing on the top glacial furrows and scratches, and also several large smoothed pot-holes, the largest two feet wide and one foot deep, with connecting furrows. Occurring where no stream could now possibly run, these pot-holes are of interest, as showing the great erosion the quartzite must have undergone since their formation. Along the northern side of the north range and westward from the eastern extremity, the flanking sandstone continues nearly to the county line. On the south side of Section 23, well up on the bluff', a steep ravine has laid bare the sandstone and quartzite nearly in contact. The quartzite here is a Hue metamorphic conglomerate, in which the matrix of pinkish-white quartz embraces darker-hued pebbles one-sixteenth inch to one-quarter inch in diameter. The pebbles are very firmly attached to the matrix, and are not always well defined from it. Nests and veins of white quartz occur in this rock. On the northeast quarter of Section 22, Township 12, Range 8, a deep ravine shows a great thickness of sandstone, with a bed of bowlder conglomerate, dipping northward, or away from the quartzite. Further westward, along the road from Portage to Baraboo, which follows the tout of the bluff, sandstone is seen in numerous places. On the northwest quarter of Section 21, high up on the bluff', a well goes through ten feet of sandstone and then into quartzite. It is quite probable that the quartzite core is in places along here entirely covered by sandstone. The core does not extend, however, beyond the southern line of Sections 19, 20 and 21, for here wells pass through over 170 feet of sandstone. After passing the county line, the north slope of the quartzite is again free from its sandstone mask, and is to be seen in small outcrops dipping north t',n . On Sections 23 and 26, Township 12, Range 7, the Baraboo River passes the north quartzite range in a gorge known as the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo. The passage is nearly half a mile in width, the level bottom extending to the foot of the cliffs on either side. The cliff's rise 10(1 feet above the river, and show finely the great beds of quartzite and associated strata. The gorge is much wider than needed bv the small stream that now occupies it, and HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY 479 may, as already suggested, have been at one time used by the Wisconsin, as the valley of Devil's Lake seems to have been. It is unlike the hitter valley, in having been in part, at least, formed first before the Potsdam period, as indicated by (he way in which horizontal sandstone and con- glomerate ledges occur around the heads of steep ravines that extend down the cliff toward the main gorge. It is a combination of a, paced section made along the west line of Sections 23 and 26, and of another not so carefully measured, made about forty rods further west. The first follows closely the edge of the cliff, where the quartzite beds are exposed, to the southern edge of the ridge"; the other runs a little west of north from the Garrison place, in the northeast quarter of Section 27, and passes for a long distance over horizontal sandstone and conglomerate layers filling an old ravine in the quartzite. Beginning with the north end of the section, we find, forming the north face of the range, in bold, northward-sloping ledges, quartz porphyry about 600 feet in width. This porphyry is for the most part dull red to pinkish on the weathered surface, which is a good deal altered, often iron-stained, and has generally a whitish undercrust. The least-altered specimens show a brownish-pink matrix, through which are scattered, very thickly, large facets, up to an eighth of an inch in diameter, of bright-red cleavable feldspar, and, more sparsely, minute facets of a white kind. In nearly all specimens a few small greenish-black blotches, apparently composed of fine mica scales, occur, as also small iron stained cavities, which often show linings of minute quartz crystals. The porphyry is very distinctly bedded, showing an east-west strike, and a dip of 58° to 60° north. Toward' its lowest portions, and higher up on the bluff, it becomes grad- ually more slaty in character, the feldspar facets, though very numerous, becoming at the same time less well defined, and the surface of the laminre becoming covered with a soft, greasy mineral. This finally changes to a distinct schist, about eighty feet wide, containing a large proportion of the soft mineral, and allied to the greasy quartz schists occurring at Devil's Lake, but without transverse cleavage. Continuing the ascent of the bluff southward, quartzite is seen lying immediately underneath the schist, and forming the body of the ridge to the foot of its southern slope. At first this quartzite is much veined and seamed with reticulating veins of white quartz, in which fine specular iron is occasionally to be seen. At the summit of the hill, this character is less marked, and the rock is a dark reddish-purple quartzite, with a distinct tendency to a granular texture, the individual grains being vitreous and translucent, but the rock as a whole having a dull, opaque appearance. The bedding of the quartzite is not everywhere very plain. Toward the north the layers appear to conform to the directions noticed in the over- lying porphyry, but further southward the inclination is much steeper, and on the south slope, near the end of the ridge, beautifully ripple-marked vertical surfaces are seen. Interstratified with the quartzite in places are some greasy-surfaced schistose layers. At the foot of the hill, near the Garrison piace, the lowest member of the series is seen in a peculiar white to straw- colored quartz schist or slate. This slate occurs in regular smooth-faced, brown-tinted layers, one-sixteenth inch to three or four inches in thickness, and has a fine granular texture, the grains being of more or less angular quartz. Surrounding the grains and pervading the mass is a fine white pulverulent matrix, which renders the rock soft, and has a highly argillaceous odor when breathed upon. Only about fifteen to twenty feet are exposed. The northward dip is very plain, the edges of the layers in places being much bent out of the true inclination, which, as seen in the old shaft near by, is as much as 60° to 70". The whole thickness of the metamor- phic rocks represented in this section is not far short of "j,000 feet. A short distance westward, and a few feet above the quartz schist just described, horizontal sandstone is quarried. Further up the bluff, this is succeeded by a great thickness, probably a hundred feet, of a horizontally bedded, coarse bowlder conglomerate, the bowlders chiefly of red quartzite from the rocks near by, and the matrix usually a loose, friable sand. The conglomerate rises nearly, or quite, to the summit of the ridge. The east bluff of the Narrows does not present so fine a section as the one just described ; the exposures are, however, very large. At the south point of the cliff, the elevation is 310 feet above the Baraboo, and the rock a very compact, red-tinged, slightly vitreous quartzite. 480 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY Near the middle of the cliff, a very steep ravine indents its face. On the south side, and around the head of the ravine, are horizontal ledges of a conglomerate of quartzite pebbles up to six inches in diameter, for the most part without matrix. What matrix is present appears in many places to be almost as much of a quartzite as the pebbles themselves, though in others it is sandy and friable. On the north side of the ravine, semi-translucent, amethystine quartzite is seen, unconcealed by conglomerate. Further northward, the steep north 70°-dip of the quartzite is very plain, the dip surface being often laid bare for a great distance, and giving a very steep slope to the north side of the ridge. The east cliff of the Narrows does not extend so far north as that on the west. West from the Narrows, for about two miles, the north face of the range trends north of west, continuing to show all along beds of quartz porphyry. Since the strike throughout is east- west, the existence of a very much broader belt of porphyry than shown in the Narrows section is indicated. On the south side of the southeast quarter of Section 16, the porphyry reaches its northernmost point, showing in a bold, rocky projection. The rock hert presents a dull, brownish appearance mi a weathered surface, and is much fissured by weathering, the surfaces of the fissures showing generally a brownish iron stain. A schistose structure is apparent in places, and the bedding is plain, with an east-west strike, and dip of 55° north. A fresh frac- ture shows a compact, flaky matrix, of dark-brown to nearly black, sometimes grayish, color, the last being characteristic of altered portions. The color is not quite uniform, but is mottled with fine strings and specks of whitish or pinkish color, and of indefinite outline. This matrix fuses easily to a black glass. In altered specimens it is easily scratched by the knife ; in unaltered ones the knife makes almost no impression. Sparsely scattered through it are minute white and pink feldspar facets, and still fewer large brick-red ones. In this regard the rock is quite different from that of the Narrows section. About one eighth to one-fourth of a mile eastward from this rocky point, in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 21, the porphyry is seen again in a large exposure, showing the same weathered appearance and bedding structure. Specimens from this place resemble the rock last described, having somewhat more numerous feldspar facets, and containing — silica, 71. "24; alumina, 12.20 ; iron peroxide, 1.71 ; iron protoxide, 5.44; lime, 0.98; mag- nesia, 0.13; manganese oxide, 0.97 ; potash,J..86 ; soda, 4.29 ; water, 0.81— 99.63. The large content of soda, as compared with potash, is noteworthy. The quartz porphyries have thus been traced along the north flank of the range from the Baraboo Narrows, in Section 23, to the south side of Section 16. Judging from the bedding directions, their whole width cannot be less than three-fourths of a mile, nor their actual thick- ness short of 3,200 feet. They arc found nowhere else in the Baraboo region. From the description and analysis given, it will be seen that these rocks have a matrix too silicious to be purely feldspathic, through which are scattered crystals of orthoclase, possibly also of a soda feldspar, the porphyritic quartz crystal generally characteristic of quartz porphyry being absent. They are evidently nearer to true quartz porphyry, however, than to the non-silicious porphy- rites. Further west again, and until we reach the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo, in the town of Excelsior, the quartzite exposures along the north range are only occasional, as on the low ridge north of Baraboo, and on the northeast quarter of Section 23, Township 12. Range 6. On Sections 28 and 29, Township 12, Range 5, in the town of Excelsior, the Baraboo River breaks southward through tlie north quartzite range in a narrow gorge, 201) feet in depth and something more than half a mile in length, known as the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo. For most of its length the ravine is just wide enough to admit of the passage of the river, rail- road and a. wagon road. Here the quartzite core of the north range is finely shown, flanked on either side, and even overtopped by the horizontal sandsi and conglomerate. At the southern end of the 3ection — the jaws of the Narrows — horizontal sandstone layers, alternatingly hard and quartzitic, and soft and friable, are seen abutting against and overlying heavy beds of northward sloping, pinkish-gray, dark gray and purple, vitreous quartzite. The HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 481 exacl contact of the two formations is finely exposed, the sandstone filling the cracks between the layers of qaartzite and including large detached masses of the latter rock. A short distance northward, along the wall of the gorge, this quartzite is terminated by a steep ravine, on the north side of which comes in the veined quartzite that forms the body of the ridge. This curiously veined rock may be described as a light to dark-reddish, sometimes purple, usually somewhat vitreous quartzite, which has been shattered throughout into small, sharply angular fragments, and these cemented together again by milky- white vein quart/., the numerous cavities in which are lined with small, brilliant, and very perfect quartz crystals. The extensive Assuring to which this rock has been subjected is indicated not only in the interlacing veins of white quartz, which often make up half the mass, but also in the frequent juxtaposition of different-looking fragments of the quartzite. Certain portions of the rock are more fissured than other neighbor- ing portions, and then appear like wide veins into which numerous fragments of the wall rock have fallen. In some of the crystal-lined cavities, a soft white coating is noticed in the crystals. The same material is seen sometimes lying loose in the cavities, and again tilling cracks in a more compact condition. According to Prof. Daniels' analysis, it contains silica, 53.15 per cent, and alumina. 45.09 per cent, the balance being water. The bedding of the veined quartzite is indistinct. It appears to stand at a high angle to the northward. North of and overlying the veined rock is another belt of quartzite without veins, of a pinkish color, and containing much of the greasy, talc-like mineral, which, in places, imparts a highly schistose character to the rock, sometimes predominating over the quartz. In these cases, the slaty laminae incline westward 15 , while the whole rock is intersected by east and west planes, standing at nearly 90°. The schistose layers are only in the upper portion of the belt which further south is purer quartzite, with an evident northward dip. The quartzite is overtopped for nearly the whole length of the section by horizontal sandstone and conglomerate layers. The conglomerate capping the bluff in its highest portions, and overlying the veined quartzite, shows a mass of pebbles and small bowlders of the veined rock, compacted together without matrix, or with one that is very hard ami quartzite-like, and of a brownish color. A fine exposure of this conglomerate is to be seen at the top of the cliff, at a point just east of the southernmost of the two railroad bridges within the Narrows, anil on the south side of the bend which both gorge and river here make to the eastward. At the top of the cliff, on the north side of the bow, 140 feet above the railroad track, sandstone, partly hard and brownish, with a vitrified appearance, and partly friable, is underlaid by horizontal ledges of conglomerate, having a hard quartzite matrix, and including red quartzite pebbles and bowl lets of all sizes. Twenty- five feet below the top of the cliff, the junction of the conglomerate with the underlying vertically bedded quartzite is seen. As viewed from the track below, the unconformability is very strik- ing. The conglomerate extends northward from this point, and down the side of the ravine next north of the bend of the river, to within thirty feet of the railroad track. Its lower portions show a loose, friable, brownish matrix of coarse sand, the quartzite pebbles running up to a toot in diameter, but being usually smaller than this. Below the conglomerate, and abutting directly upon the railroad track, is a cliff, twenty to thirty feet high, of coarse, brownish, friable sand- stone, without pebbles, showing cross-lamination on a grand scale. North of the ravine, a low sandstone ridge is capped by the lower layers of bowlder conglomerate. On Section 31, of the town of Excelsior, is another gorge, known as the narrows of the Narrows Creek. In its structure and rock occurrences, this gorge is similar to the narrows of the Baraboo, the veined quartzite, however, being less developed than at the latter place. Between the two gorges the summit of the range is quite level. Westward from the passage of Narrows Creek the north quartzite range curves southward to meet the north-and-south ridge that connects it with the southern or main range; in the road, near the center of Section 36, Town 12, Range 4; Reedsburg, well up on the ridge, quartzite is exposed with an east-and-west strike and dip of north 70°. This is its northern limit, and the western end of the range, for just west of the road a rocky ravine, over one hundred feet in depth, shows the quartzite flanked on the north by heavy beds of coarse conglomerate and friable 482 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. sandstone, the quartzite occurring only on the eastern wall of the ravine, the western side being altogether of sandstone. South from the center of Section 86, along the connecting ridge, the ground rises steadily for several miles. For the first mile, horizontal sandstone ledges are seen rising to an elevation of 520 feet. In the north part of Section 13, Town 11, Range 4, Westfield, elevations of over 600 feet are reached. In this vicinity, and over a considerable area in Sections 11, 12, 13, 14, 23 and 24, low outcrops of quartzite occur, the area including them being all very high, and constituting a rounded swell above the general level. A long, low outcrop, near the Lutheran Church, in the southwest quarter of Section 13, shows dark, purplish red, flaky-textured quartzite, which is plainly bedded and laminated, and dips 57° northwest, the strike being north 47° east. Southward from the quartzite outcrops, the elevation continues to be between 500 and 600 feet in Sections 23 and 26, but the only rock to be seen is horizontal sandstone. Westward from these sections the elevation remains about the same, and one passes insensibly on to the Lower Magnesian limestone. Eastward, in Sections 24 and 25, the descent of 200 feet to the head- waters of Seeley Creek is very rapidly made, and sandstone is exposed through nearly the whole vertical distance. On Section 35, a large exposure of reddish glassy quartzite occurs in a ravine at an eleva- tion much below that of the country occupied by sandstone to the northward. A few rods up the ravine sandstone ledges occur at a higher level. Taken together with the construction of the high country all through the east side of the town of Westfield, this outcrop is believed to indi- cate the existence throughout of a quartzite core only slightly covered with sandstone layers. The outcrop just referred to is on the slope downward toward the valley of the Wisconsin, and is really the western end of the southern quartzite range. From here eastward to Devil's Lake, we find this range as bold and wide as it is east of the lake, and characterized by the same heavy timber and clay soil. In Town 10, Range 5, Honey Creek, the southern slope of the range is in the northern row of sections. On the south side of Town 11, Range 5, Freedom, are very high-rounded swells, some of which are among the highest points on the range. On the northern slope, in this town, the streams flowing north into the Baraboo set back into the ridge in deep ravines, about which sandstone sometimes occurs at high levels. On the northwest quarter of Section 22 the quartzite shows in two blufl's, 150 feet high on either side of the creek, witli a distance between of about one-eighth of a mile. The rock here is for the most part closely like that at Devil's Lake, but portions are unusually light-colored, showing a light brown weathered surface, and a nearly white, slightly granular fresh fracture. Regularly interbedded is a soft, light gray, greasy, finely laminated clay slate, containing, according to analysis by A. C. Pres- cott, silica, 59.84; alumina and iron oxide, 35.39; magnesia, 0.10; water, 4.67 — 100, the iron oxide being in a very small amount only. Both quartzite and slate are plainly bedded, the strike being north 23° west, the dip 16° north. On the road extending southward from Bloom's Station across the range into Honey Creek, horizontal sandstone ledges are seen, as far as the northwest quarter of Section 23, at an eleva- tion of 530 feet. In the southern part of the same section, quartzite is exposed at an elevation of 700 feet, and along the east side of Section 26 an elevation of 830 feet is reached. In the southern row of sections of Town 11, Range 6, Sumter, the south slope of the range is very bold and prominent, owing to the low ground of Sauk Prairie, which stretches from the foot of the bluffs for eight or nine miles to the southward. All along the slope toward the prairie are large rough exposures — as, for instance, on the west ; Sauk road, on Section 31 ; in the ravine mi Section 27 ; mi the east Sauk road, in Section 35, and all along the range east- • ward from here to the Devil's Nose. On the north slope of the range in the northeast quarter of Section 15, Town 11, Range 6, dark-grayish, somewhat granular quartzite shows in a large exposure, with a dip of 26° north. Within the circuit of the quartzite ranges are a few isolated points of quartzite and schist- ose rocks, which rise through the sandstone that forms the basement of the valley. One of these on the south line of Section 29, Town 12, Range 7, on Peck's Prairie, is a low, rounded HISTORY OF SAUK COITNTY. 4M ridge seventy-five feet high. The rock hero is a light pinkish-gray metamorphic conglomerate, composed of small rounded pebbles of quartzite l-16th to l-8th of an inch in diameter, imbedded in a finer-grained matrix of similar character. An obscure north 70°-dip is to be seen at a few points, and veins of milky quartz occur, carrying nests of large-surfaced, brilliant specular iron. One of these veins is seventy-five feet long and two feet wide, with nests and seams of specular iron, one to three inches wide. A few rods west of the quartzite, at the center of the north line of the northwest quarter of Section 32, horizontal sandstone ledge3 are seen. Other areas showing quartzite and slate occur on Section 5, Town 11, Range 6 ; Section 4, Town 11, Range 5 ; and Section 2, Town 11, Range ' 5. The two former are high, rocky points, the latter a low outcrop on the river side. Still another occurs on the southeast quarter of Section 33, Town 12, Range 5, near Ableman's. Here a railway cutting passes through the point of a ridge, near the north bank of the Baraboo River. At the west end of the cutting, coarse white sandstone, in horizontal ledges, lies against a craggy cliff of light-colored quartz schist, resembling that at the south side of the section at the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo, but less regularly slaty. At the junction of the two rocks, large bowlders of quartzite are in- eluded in the sandstone, which itself fills in the cracks between the layers of schist. One hun- dred and thirty feet from the west end of the cutting, the light-colored schist gives place to a gray or greenish clayey rock. Some of the layers are bright green in color, and marked with very fine lines of lamination. These layers are apparently quite silicious. Seventy feet further, pinkish granular quartzite is indefinitely exposed. The exposures throughout the cutting, though in places forty feet high, are very much jointed and confused. The position near the end of the ridge has caused much weathering and alteration. There is evidently a high dip, ap- parently to the north. Geologically, the quartzite ranges passing through Sauk County are the most important and most interesting formations of the kind in all the Northwest. Wisconsin's amazon. Much the most important stream in what geologists have been pleased to term the Central Wisconsin District, is the Wisconsin River, which, with its valleys, constitutes the main topo- graphical feature of the region comprising the greater part of eight counties. As this river washes the eastern border of Sauk County, a scientific description of it will be interesting. The total length of the river, from its source to its mouth, is about 500 miles. Rising in Lac Vieux Desert, on the summit of the Archaean water-shed, at an elevation of 951 feet above Lake Michigan, it pursues a general southerly course for 300 miles over the crystalline rocks, and then, passing on to the sandstones which form its bed for the remainder of its course, continues to the southward for some eighty miles more. Turning then westward, it reaches the Mississippi within forty miles of the south line of the State, at an elevation of only thirty feet above Lake Michigan. Like all the other streams which run to the south, southeast and southwest from the crystalline rocks, it has its quite distinct upper or crystalline rock portion. In the ease of the Wisconsin, however, we may conveniently regard the river as having three distinct sections: The first including all that part from the source to the last appearance of crystalline rocks in the bed of the stream, in the southern part of Wood County ; the second, that part from this point to the Dells, on the south line of Adams and Juneau Counties ; and the third that portion from the Dells to the mouth of the stream. The first of'these divisions is broken constantly by rapids and falls, caused by the descent south of the surface of the Archaean area, and by the obstructions produced by the in- clined ledges of rocks which cross the stream. The second and third sections are alike in being almost entirely without rapids or fall?, anil in the nature of the bed rock, but are separated by the contracted gorge known as the Dells, which, acting in a measure as a dam. prevents any con- siderable rise in the river below, the water above not unfrequently rising as much as fifty feet in flood seasons, while below the extreme fluctuation does not exceed ten feet. The total lengths of the Archaean, upper sandstone and lower sandstone sections of the Wisconsin are, respectively, 300. G2 and 130 miles, the distance through the Dells being about seven miles. 484 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. For a description of the course of the river more in detail, we begin with its entrance into the district in the northern part of Marathon County. From here, where the width, according to the Land Office plats, is from 300 to 500 feet, the river pursues a general southerly course through Towns 29, 28, 27. 26, 25 and 24, of Range 7 east, and Towns 24 and 23, of Range 8 east, in the southern part of Portage County. In this part of its course, the Wisconsin flows through a densely timbered country, and has, except where it makes rapids, or passes through rock gorges, a narrow bottom land, which varies in width, is usually raised but a fev;' feet above water level, and is wider on one side than the other. Above this bottom, terraces can often be made out, with surfaces in some cases one or two miles in width. Above, again, the country surface rises steadily to the dividing ridges on each side, never showing the bluflf edges so char- acteristic of the lower reaches of the river. Heavy rapids and falls are made at Wausau (Big Bull Falls). Mosinee (Little Bull Falls), Stevens Point, and on Section 8, Town 23, Range 8 (Conant's Rapids). All but the last named of these are increased in height by artificial dams. Two miles below the foot of Conant's Rapids, just after receiving the Plover River on the east, the Wisconsin turns a right angle to the west, and enters upon the sparsely timbered sand plains, through which it flows for a hundred miles. At the bend, the river is quiet, with high banks of sand and a few low outcrops of gneiss at the water's edge. From the bend, the course is west- ward for about nine miles; then, after curving southward again, the long series of rapids soon begins, which, with intervening stretches of still water, extend about fifteen miles along the river to the last rapid, at Point Bass, in southern Wood County. East of the river line, between the city of Grand Rapids and Point Bass, the country rises gradually, reaching altitudes of 100 feet above the river at points ten or fifteen miles distant. On the west, the surface is an almost level plain, descending gradually as the river is receded from. At Point Bass, the gneissic rocks disappear beneath the sandstones, which for some miles have formed the upper portions of the river banks, and now become in turn the bed-rock, and the first division of the river's course ends. The main tributaries which it receives down to this point are, on the left bank, the Big Eau Claire, three miles below Wausau; the Little Eau Claire, on the north side of Section 3, Township 25, Range 7 east, just south of the north line of Portage County; and the Big Plover, on Section 0, Township 28, Range 5 east, just at the foot of Conant's Rapids. On the right bank, the Placota, or Pig Rib, about two miles below Wausau; the She-she-ga-ma-isk, or Big Eau Pleine, on Section 19, Township 26, Range 7 east, Marathon County; and the Little Eau Pleine, on Section 9, Township 25, Range 7, in Portage County. All of these streams are of considerable size and drain large areas. They all make much southing in their courses, so that their lengths are much greater than the actual distances from the sources to the Wis- consin at the nearest points, and all of them have a very considerable descent, making many rapids and falls over the tilted edges of schistose and gneissic rocks, even down to within short distances of their junctions with the main river. The streams on the west side head on the high country along the line of the Fourth Principal Meridian, about forty miles west of the Wis- consin, and at elevations from 200 to •'!<•!) feet above their mouths. Those on the east, head on tin' divide between the Wisconsin and Wolf, about twenty miles east, at elevations not very much less. Reaching back, as these streams do, into a country largely timbered with pine, and having so large :i descent, they are of great value for logging and milling purposes. The second section of theWisconsin River begins at Point llass. with a width of from 700 to 900 feet, 'l'h'- next sixty miles of its course, to the head of the Dells, is a southerly stretch, with a wide how to the westward, through sand plains here and there timbered with dwarf oaks and interspersed with marshes. These plains stretch away to the cast and west for twenty miles from the river bottom, gradually rising in both directions. Scattered over them, at intervals of one to ten miles, are erosion peaks of sandstone from 50 to 300 feet in height, rising precipitously from the level ground. Some of these are ne;ir and on the bank of the river, which is also, in place-, bordered by low mural exposures of the same sandstone. The river itself is constantly obstructed by shifting sand-bars, resulting from the ancient disintegration of the sandstone, which in the vicinity everywhere forms the basement rock, but its course is not obstructed by rock rap- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 185 ids. As it iiears the southern line of Adams and Juneau Counties, the high ground that limits the sand plain on the west, curving southeastward, finally reaches the edge of the stream, which, by its southeasterly course for the last twenty miles, has itself approached the high ground on the east. The two ridges thus closing in upon the river have caused it to cut for itself the deep and narrow gorge known as the Dells. In the second section of its course, the Wisconsin receives several important tributaries. Of those on the east, the principal ones are Duck Creek and Ten Mile Creek in the southern part of Wood County, and the Little and Big Roche a Cris Creeks, both in Adams County. The two former head in a large marsh twenty-five miles east of, and over one hundred feet above, the main stream. The two latter head on the high dividing ridge on the west line of Waushara County, at elevations between 150 and '200 feet above their mouths. These streams do not pass through a timbered country, but. have very valuable water- powers. Of those on the west, two are large and important — the Yellow and Lemonweir Rivers. Yellow River heads in Township 25, in the adjoining corners of Wood, .Jackson and Clark Counties, and runs a, general southerly course nearly parallel to the Wisconsin for over seventy miles, the two gradually approaching one another, and joining in Township 17, Range 4 east. The Yellow bus its Archfean and sandstone sections, the former exceedingly rocky and much broken by rapids and falls, the latter comparatively sluggish and without rock-rapids. The upper portions of the river extend into the pine regions, and much logging is done in times of high water. The water-powers are of great value. The Lemonweir is also a large stream. Heading in a timbered region in the southeast corner of Jackson County, it flows southward for some distance through Monroe, and, entering Juneau on the middle of its west side, crosses it in a southeasterly direction, reaching the Wisconsin in Section 24, Township lf>, Range 5 east, having descended, in its length of some seventy miles, about two hundred feet. The Dells of the Wisconsin, as already said, is a narrow passage cut by the river through the high grounds which, after bounding its valley on both sides for many miles, have now grad- ually approached and joined. The total length of the gorge is about seven and one-half miles. At the upper end, about two miles north of the south line of Juneau County, the river narrows suddenly from a width of over one-third of a mile to one of not more than 200 feet. Through- out the whole length of the passage the width does not much exceed this, while in one place it is only fifty feet. The water in the gorge is very deep, although immediately above it there are broad sand flats, with scarcely enough water at low stages to float a canoe. The perpendicular sandstone walls are from fifteen to eighty feet in height, the country immediately on top of them being about one hundred feet above the river. From this level, about midway in the passage, there is a rapid rise in both directions to the summit of the high country on each side. In sev- eral places, branch gorges deviate from the main gorge, returning again to it. These are, evi- dently, old river channels, ami are now closed by sand. The streams entering the river in this portion of its course make similar canyons on a smaller scale. At the foot of the Dells, the Wisconsin enters upon the last section of its course, and also upon the most remarkable bend in its whole length. From a nearly southerly course, it now turns almost due east, in which direction it continues, with one or two subordinate turns, south- ward for about seventeen miles, through low sand-banks, as far as Portage. Here it bends abruptly south again, and, reaching its easternmost point at the mouth of the Baraboo, soon swerves around into the final southwestward stretch to the Mississippi. The cause of this long detour to the east is sufficiently evident. As the river leaves the Dells, it finds, lying directly athwart its course, the two bold quartzite ranges which extend east and west through Sauk County for upward of twenty miles, and, crossing into Columbia, finally unite about eight miles east of the county line, in a sharp and bold, eastward-projecting point, which rises 400 feet above the river bottom. Above Portage, where the Wisconsin forms the southern line of the town of Lewiston, the ground immediately north is lower than the water in the river, the heads of Neenah Creek, a tributary of the Fox. rising within a short distance of its banks. In times of high water, the Wisconsin overflows into these streams, and thus contributes much to a totally different river system. At Portage, the Fox, after flowing south of west for twenty 486 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. miles, approaches the Wisconsin, coming from the opposite direction. Where the two streams are nearest, they are but two miles apart, and are separated by a low, sandy plain, the water in the Fox being five feet below that of the Wisconsin at ordinary stages. The greater part of this low ground is overflowed by the latter stream in times of high water, and to this is chiefly due the spring rise in the Fox. After doubling the eastern end of the quartzite ranges, as already said, the Wisconsin turns again to the west, being forced to this by impinging on the north side of a high belt of limestone country, which, after trending southwest across the east- ern part of Columbia County, veers gradually to a westerly direction, lying to the south of the river along the rest of its course. Soon after striking this limestone region, the river valley assumes an altogether new character, which it retains to the mouth, having now a nearly level, and, for the most part, treeless bottom, from three to six miles in width, ten to thirty feet in height, usually more on one side than on the other, and bounded on both sides by bold and often precipitous bluff's, 100 to 350 feet in height, of sandstone capped with limestone. Immediately along the water's edge, is usually a narrow timbered strip, rising two to four feet above the river, which is overflowed at high water. The line of bluffs along the south side of the valley is the northern edge of the high limestone belt just mentioned, which reaches its greatest eleva- tions ten to fifteen miles south of this edge. In front of the main bluff face, especially in its eastern extension, are frequently to be seen bold and high isolated outliers of the limestone country. On the north bank of the bluffs are at first the edges of similar large outlying masses, but further down they become more continuous, the river crossing over the northwestward trend- ing outcrop line of the Lower Magnesian limestone. In this last section of its course, the Wisconsin is much obstructed by bars of shifting sand, derived originally from the erosion of the great sandstone formation which underlies the whole region, and to whose existence the unusual amount of obstruction of this kind in the river is due. The peculiar instability of these sand-bars, and their liability to form and disappear within a few hours, renders their control very difficult. In view of the enormous quantities of this already disintegrated sand in the region drained by the river and its tributaries, many of which have their entire course through sand districts, the construction of a continuous canal along the Wisconsin River, from Portage to its mouth, would appear to be the only way to utilize the natural highway from the lakes to the Mississippi, which is offered by this and the Fox Rivers. In the last section of its course, the Wisconsin receives within the limits of our district only one stream of importance, the Baraboo, which enters the river near the easternmost point of its great bend. Heading in the adjacent corners of Monroe, Vernon and Juneau Counties, at an elevation of about 400 feet above its mouth, the Baraboo runs southeastward into Sauk County, where it breaks into the valley between the two east-and-west quartzite ranges already alluded to, through a narrow gorge in the northern range. Turning then eastward, it runs along the middle of the valley between the two ranges for about fifteen miles, and then, break- ing again northward through the north range, follows its northern side east to the Wisconsin. The Baraboo is a stream of very considerable size, and yields a number of excellent water- powers in the valley between the quartzite ranges, having a fall on this portion of its course of seventy feet. The tributaries on the south side of the Wisconsin, in tiiis section of its course, are of little importance, owing to the nearness of the limestone divide. The most noteworthy is Duck Creek, which, with its branches, drains a considerable area in the towns of Pacific, Springvale and Courtland, in Columbia County, cutting a long way back into the divide. FLORA AND FAUNA.* On a bright July morning, of the year 1841, a keelboat, freighted with furs, floated down the Wisconsin River from Fort Winnebago. Besides its crew, it harbored two passengers, Mr. J. Grapel, the brother-in-law of Mr. E. Rendturff, and my person, both intending to land on the western bank of the river, at a point • lulv ,.t.«.rvati..u»..f K Ci I I, ii. iIit- SAUK CITY HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 48U styled Sauk Prairie. About noon the same day, the craft cast anchor at the coast of Prairie du Sac, in shallow water. The obliging boatmen, being French Canadians, voluntarily carried our persons on their backs through the surf, and soon after we received the welcome of Messrs. Rendturff and a few other persons, who had noticed the arrival of two new-comers. My object at that time was not to settle in the Wisconsin Valley, but to study the flora and fauna and make general observations connected with natural sciences. Forty years ago, all the country west of the Wisconsin River up to the Rocky Mountains was left blank on the maps, and styled Wisconsin Territorium. Therefore, on of the first proceedings I engaged in was to determine by astronomical observation the point of landing. This was near the present Sauk City bridge, in latitude 43 degrees and 15 minutes north, and about 89 degrees 38 minutes west longitude from Greenwich. After knowing where I was, the counting-up of the houses near the river bank in the village of Westfield, the present Sauk City, was easily performed. The foot- ings of all the streets added together amounted to one frame building occupied, one frame school and meeting house, one two-story frame building in progress of finishing, and a few log cabins. A mile north of Westfield, near the river bank also, the present village of Prairie du Sac, another settlement, was located, the buildings of which did not outnumber those of the lower town. The settlement west from the river had extended to a distance of three miles, and amounted to about four families. To the northwest, in the present town of Sumter, near the Baraboo Bluffs, a settlement of about six families had located. And last, further north, on the Baraboo, a saw-mill was in operation. After having been introduced into almost every log cabin, and having shaken hands with .the polite and obliging pioneers, we may be permitted to direct our attention for a short time to the scenery that surrounds us, near and distant, and strive to catch a slight impression of the contours of the landscape. Nature had then entered the zenith of the summer season. To the north, about six miles distant, rising abruptly from the prairie, extending east and west, lay the Baraboo Bluffs, densely clothed by a luxurious growth of timber ; to the west, the outline was indented with outlyers of bluffs, which served in a great measure to relieve the monotony, while the southern margin of the prairie was girded by a belt of oak openings that divided in a marked line the prairie from the lowlands of the south. At a distance of about fourteen miles could be seen the Blue Mounds, the highest landmarks of the Northwestern plains, while on the east the Wisconsin River coursed, its banks garnished by a narrow belt of timber, and the stream itself being interspersed by a series of islands, which sustained a most luxuriant vegetation of mixed forest trees; and now last, but not least, a beautiful green prairie carpet, dotted with innumerable flowers of great variety, lay beneath our feet, and stretched away beyond the verge of the hori- zon. Suffice it to say, the landscape of Sauk Prairie, in its uncultivated aspect, was appropriate to leave a very favorable impression on every mind susceptible to Nature's charms. Therefore, it is not surprising that a spot on the earth, where nature offered so many inducements for home- seeking men, was not passed over by the pioneer without accepting the invitation to stop and build up a home. The latter remarks apply to some extent to myself, for extensive journeys afterward over the Western Continent, and by sea and land in both hemispheres of the globe, did not expunge the impression left by the lovely spot above considered. But there was much else to be considered that contributed to the rapid settlement, and pros- perity of Sauk County, the productivity of the soil ranking foremost. The topography of the county sustains the suggestion that the soil of the area covered by the county is of very diverse composition and of variable chemical combinations, and is therefore adapted to furnish the various ingredients of life necessary for a great variety of agricultural plants. If we study the flora of the twin range of the Baraboo Bluffs somewhat close, and compare the result of our investigation with the variety of trees and shrubs that are indigenous to the whole State of Wis- consin, we gain the information that a relatively large percentage of the inhabitants of the forests and fields of the State are represented in Sauk County. The majority of vegetables for- eign to Sauk County favor either particular localities or else the border of the great lakes. 490 HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. The range of the Baraboo Bluffs is for a great extent covered by glacial drift, the progres- sive disintegration of which furnishes a soil that contains an abundance of food for plants in general. The dissolution of the magnesian limestone formation generates a productive soil for all cereals, but where the deposits of the Potsdam sandstone predominate, the soil is of inferior quality. Yet this, in its -natural state, furnishes nourishment for some shrubs and herbaceous plants. Luckily the greater part of Sauk County is not desolated to any extent with the last- mentioned unproductive soil. In connection with the cultural development of the county of Sauk, we return once more more to Sauk Prairie, as the principal treeless area of the county is termed, which is occupied by the town of Prairie du Sac and by the greater part of the towns of Sumter and Merrimack. Sauk Prairie is the cultivated starting-point of Sauk County. What the nursery is to the orchard, that has Sauk Prairie been to the county. The people here, favored by an area of productive land where scarcely a single root obstructed the plow on sixty and more square miles, and where timber for log cabins and all farm purposes lies close at hand in every direction, were enabled in a few years to supply the new-comers with the necessities indispensable to starting new farms. The basin of Sauk Prairie, now closely dotted by neat farmhouses and barns, was in ancient times intersected by rambling water-courses, for in some sections the subsoil reveals a layer of clay of equal composition for many square miles overlying pebbles and gravel. Granitia and gneisoidic bowlders of three feet in diameter, lying near the surface, are sometimes met with from four to seven miles dis- tant from the bluffs and several miles west of the present river bed, and a sandy ridge, the back- bone of the prairie, strikes from east to west to the length of six miles. Not unfrequently we meet, by penetrating several feet deep, within the square of a few acres, the evidences of a stream bed covered by brick clay. All these prehistoric evidences prove that the ultimate condition of the prairie basin depended on the diminution of water flowing from north to south. Now, having related a few facts concerning the variable condition of the subsoil of Sauk Prairie, it may be easier to account for the great variety of plants in some sections of the country ; whilst another tract of land, having the same surface soil, produces a relatively small variety of indigenous plants. The topography of a country largely influences the climate ; and this is in a limited degree the case in the area of 800 square miles, which is covered by Sauk County. On the northern slopes of the Baraboo Bluffs, crops may be grown to advantage that would not yield a remunerating harvest on the prairie, and yet the soil in both locations may be the same. Favored by the configuration of the ground occupied by the county, and also aided by a productive soil, the flora of Sauk County is exceptionably numerous in variety. Of the prominent forest trees, we mention only the oak in six and more varieties, the maples (soft and sugar), the ash, elm, poplar, birch, linden, hickory, butternut, cherry, mountain ash, crab apple, tamarack, and a variety of trees secondary in value. Trees of the pine order present themselves occasionally, but in small groves only. Of indigenous plants, collected by my youngest son Herman (who inherited from his father the inclination to study natural objects) in the town of Prairie du Sac, the variety of species numbers nearly six hundred. Of these, ninety-five species belong to the grass and sedge tribe ; seventeen species are ferns ; twelve species are orchids ; the remaining varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are shared by different species. But the above number foils far short of representing the variety growing forty years ago in this section, before the plow invaded the prairie and oak openings. I herewith submit the result of my observations on the rain-fall in Sauk County, taken since 1859. I have in that time made observations on the weather and aurora borealis phe- nomena six times a day, and will soon publish a work of 500 pages on the subject : 1860, 32.09 inches; 1861,40.89; 1862, 45.52; 1863, 32.37; 1864,28.36; 1865, 30.88; 1866,24.50; L867, -".1.28; 1868, 19.36; 1869, 35.80; 1870, 25.21 ; 1ST I, 30.47; 1872, 19.05; 1873, 26.77; 1874, 21.67; 1875, 24.55; 1870, 27.63; 1877, 28.22; 1878, 38.56; 1879, 27.47. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 491 CHAPTER IX. BARABOO. forty-three years aoo— advent of the pioneers— the first village surveys— baraboo in 1847— The Baraboo Claimants' Association— Substantial Improvements— The Rail- road and its Beneficent Results— The Busy Baraboo— The Post Office— Government — Organized as a Village — The Baraboo Whisky War— The River on a Rampage — Origin of the Name "Baraboo"— An Immortal Brotherhood Destructive Fires in Baraboo— Banks— A President in Baraboo— Educational— Religious— Hotels— The Tom Paine Anniversary— Secret Societies— Temperance .Esthetic and Social Life — The Cardiff Giant— The Home of the Dead— Olla-Podrida— Lyons— Manchester. FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO. Wisconsin having been organized as a Territory in April, 1836, its first Governor, Henry Dodge, after perfecting the arrangements for its government, took the initial steps toward securing a cession to the United States of the remainder of the Winnebago territory. By treaties held with this Indian tribe, in 1829-1832, all their lands south and east of the Wisconsin River had been acquired by the General Government. A large area of territory west of that stream, including the whole of the present county of Sauk, still belonged to them. In the summer of 1837, Gov. Dodge, having consulted with the principal Winnebago chiefs and ascertained their views, proceeded to the national capital to perfect arrangements for a second treaty. In this he was successful. Even at that early date, a large number of adventurous individuals, anxious to lay claim to the fertile lands of the Winnebagoes when they could legally do so, impatiently awaited the result of Gov. Dodge's negotiations. Henry Dodge, Jr., a son of the Governor, was then located at Mineral Point, at that time a scene of much activity in consequence of the recently discovered lead mines. Being in com- munication with his father in Washington, he occupied an important position as one naturally calculated to receive the first information relative to the success or failure of the negotia- tions then pending. Among the few individuals enjoying the confidence of young Dodge were two Milesian miners — Archibald Barker and Andrew Dunn— names not unfamiliar in the subsequent history of Sauk and Columbia Counties. When, in November, 1837, the last treaty with the Winnebago Indians had been signed, ceding to the United States Government all their lands east of the Mississippi River, Gov. Dodge at once conveyed the intelligence to his son in advance of its public announcement. Messrs. Barker and Dunn were not disappointed in their anticipated receipt of information upon the subject ; but the sequel illustrates the proverb that '"haste makes waste." Taking their departure from Mineral Point, they proceeded northward in the direction of the Baraboo Valley, of which they had already heard favorable reports from roving Indians. They reached the Wisconsin River at a point a few miles south of the present site of Sauk City, constructed a light raft and were soon across the stream. They passed over the sand plains of Lower Sauk Prairie, and pushed on through the more inviting region further north. A deep worn Indian trail led them through the dark and lonesome ravines and over the grand old hills east of Devil's Lake, and, finally, to the banks of a considerable body of water, which, from its sluggish appearance, they supposed to be a bayou belonging to " the sand-island stream," the Wis- consin. Following the trail toward the West, in search of a convenient crossing (Mr. Barker says he then believed the end of the bayou could not be far away, and that they would soon pass around it) they discovered that the water moved, almost imperceptibly, in the opposite direction 492 HISTORY OP SAUK COUNTY. to that which they were traveling. Soon they came to a place where the water was more shal- low, and they saw that it was a living, moving stream, and, for the first time, discovered that they were on a river, of considerable width and volume. It was the Baraboo, the stream that threads the center of the valley of which they were in search. A low, rumbling sound, which become more and more distinct to their expectant ears as they pursued their journey, told of rushing waters, and sped them on in eager anticipation of new disclosures. The winding trail soon brought them again to the water's edge ; and here they beheld the famous Baraboo Rapids, now so dextrously harnessed to turbine wheels. Near by, they found a rude log bridge, par- tially the work of man, but chiefly the result of floods, which had carried the drift-wood from above and lodged it upon the rocks, over which the translucent waters of the Baraboo leaped in apparent ecstasy. Crossing to the opposite shore of the stream, the adventurous explorers again struck the Indian trail and continued their westward course, passing over ground now included in the village limits of Baraboo. Rounding a heavily wooded hill and turning slightly to the north, the trail led them to a large open space almost surrounded by forest trees and under- growth. It proved to be an abandoned Indian corn-field, and, to the agricultural mind, was like an oasis in a desert ; for here were several acres of land almost ready for the plowshare. The merits of the stream for water-power purposes having previously been discussed by the claim-hunters, they resolved to go no farther, and at once made preparations to camp for the night; for the shades of evening had overtaken them, and the chilly November atmosphere was a sufficient admonition that nature's shelter must be sought. Here, beneath the protecting branches of a stalwart oak, the weary men were soon lost in sleep, dreaming, mayhap, of happy homes and plenty ; for, although they were in a new and strange region, far away from friends, their hopes were bright, their slumbers golden-visioned. The next morning, the two hardy miners set about the task of building a cabin, having brought with them the necessary tools. During the following day, while Barker and Dunn were busily engaged at work, having reared the walls of their prospective shanty to a height of five or six feet, their progress was suddenly arrested by the appearance of a band of Indians, who, in angry tones and with threatening manners, interposed their objection to further proceedings, and demanded that the new-comers leave the premises immediately. The irate natives empha- cised their expressed disapprobation by tearing down the unfinished cabin. The two white men — and on that occasion they were unusually white — attempted to explain matters, telling the In- dians of the recently matured negotiations between their leading chiefs and the "Great Father," but all to no purpose. The information was not official. The great chiefs had not yet notified their people of the fact that a treaty had been made, and, until such notification came from the proper authorities, no pale-faced pre-emptor of Indian corn-fields would be permitted to live upon the west side of the Wisconsin River, unless at the peril of his life. Such was the import of the red man's wish, clearly expressed in his repeated ejaculation, /n/cJatcfiee, and the two white men knew too much of the Indian character to disobey. , Gathering their little stock of provisions, their blankets and axes, they quietly withdrew, leaving the Indians in possession. Following the Baraboo River along its north bank, they reached the Wisconsin and camped for the night. The next morning they pushed on up that stream until they came to a point opposite "the Portage." Crossing to the opposite shore, they visited Fort Winnebago, where they remained a few days, undetermined as to future movements. During their stay at the Fort, Hugh McFarlane, with whom they were acquainted, came up from Mineral Point. He, too, had been favored with special information concerning the treaty with the Winnebagoes, and was in search of a claim. McFarlane said he had good reason to believe a city would some day be built near the "carrying-place" (the Portage). A3ide from the Fort buildings, there were then less than half a dozen houses within a radius of fifty miles, but there were indications that the interest then centering about Fort Winnebago would result in a large permanent settlement in that vicinity. Procuring a stock of provisions, Barker, Dunn and McFarlane crossed the Wisconsin River and made a joint claim of the land opposite the west end of the portage, in the belief that this would prove to be the most favorable point for the loca- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. *v° tion of the prospective city. Here they constructed a cabin of logs, chinking the cracks between with a composition of mud and grass ; but, soon after its completion, the grass took fire in the middle of the night, and the entire structure was destroyed, together with the effects of the occu- pants, including their boots, hats and coats, the occupants themselves barely escaping with their lives. In this sad plight the three men crossed the river on the ice and reached the Fort early the next morning, their feet sore and bleeding, having walked nearly two miles over the frozen earth. As soon as convenient, they returned to Mineral Point, making the trip on foot, wrapped in blankets, their pedal extremities encased in Indian moccasins. Barker returned to Baraboo Valley in 1841, and, with a party of loggers, proceeded to the head-waters of the Baraboo River, where he superintended the cutting of the first "run" of logs that ever passed down this stream. The logs were sawed at the mill of Wood & Rowan, and Mr. Barker floated the lumber down the Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers to Dekorra, in Columbia County. In the winter of 1842-43, he again went up the river with a crew of six men and four teams, for the purpose of cutting and launching another " run " of logs. The snow was two feet deep on this occasion, and the party were nine days traveling thirty miles, being com- pelled to cut roads and bridge the streams along the entire route. Mr. Barker declares that to have been the coldest winter he has ever experienced in Wisconsin. Before reaching the pine- ries his feet were so badly frozen that it became necessary for him to have medical attendance. Being unable to walk, lie proceeded to Fort Winnebago in a wagon and remained there under treatment until early in the spring, having suffered the loss of all the toes of his right foot. Re- turning to the pineries as soon as he was able to travel, he succeeded in getting together a large number of logs, and, when the river opened in March, ran them to Wood & Rowan's mill. Here they lay awaiting the sharp tooth of the saw until June, 1843, when, during the great freshet of that spring, they went over the dam, and, together with the saw-mill, were carried to the Gulf of Mexico. After this calamity, which also worked untold ruin to many others, Mr. Barker, in casting up accounts, found that he had but five toes and one horse — "a very sorry nag." The latter he soon traded off, for fear of accidents, obtaining therefor the land he now lives upon, in Section 29, town of Baraboo. Since then his experience has been varied. The first wheat he raised he hauled to Hecock's mill, near Dodgeville, Iowa County, giving half of his crop to have the other half ground into flour, and paying cash for ferriage over the Wiscon- sin River. And yet he was more fortunate than most of his neighbors, who, having neither money nor teams, were compelled to grind their grain in coffee-mills. ADVENT OF THE PIONEERS. The first settlement at the Baraboo Rapids resulting in permanent location commenced in 1839, with the coming of Eben Peck, Wallace Rowan, Abram Wood and James Van Slyke. Mr. Peck was probably the first of these to make a claim to any portion of the territory in this region. Messrs. Rowan and Wood came about the same time, or very shortly after. The particulars of the settlement of these parties will be found in a subsequent article of this chapter, devoted to the different water-powers. Wallace Rowan is accredited with having been the first settler in Columbia County. He lived near the present site of Poynette, and kept a sort of half-way house between Mineral Point and Fort Winnebago, where he numbered among his guests many persons whose names have since become eminently connected with the history of Wisconsin. He came to Sauk County in company with Abram Wood in 1839. The two made a claim of the land and water-site at the " Upper Ox-bow " of the Baraboo River, and built a saw-mill thereon, the first mill on this stream. Rowan had a large family ; he lived with them near the Upper Ox-bow. Wood was also a man of family, his wife being a squaw, the daughter of the Indian chief De-ko-ra. She is represented as having been a superior woman, considering this fact, while Wood is remembered as the terror of the country. He was a very large man, of dauntless energy, fearless and daring ; a hard drinker, rough and profane, and most terrible when angered, if under the influence of liquor. A few anecdotes may serve to illustrate the character of the man. He was peaceable enough when sober, but when tipsy he went prowling 494 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. around the country in a lawless way, helping himself to anything he desired, and taking ven- geance on those whom he did not like. One night he entered the cabin of one of his neighbors and deliberately carried off a keg of beer. He was discovered in that act by the lady of the house, who grabbed him in the back by his shirt, he being coatless, and demanded that he should relinquish the beer. This he showed no disposition of doing, and, her grip being a firm one, he dragged her a considerable distance, bawling out the while at the top of his voice, " Keep fast hold, madam, and I'll take you straight to h — 1 ! " His taking of a Mississippi River steamboat at an early day is quite amusing, and shows the fearlessness of the man's nature. He and three others who styled themselves the " Baraboo Rushers," took passage on a steamboat for Saint Louis. On the way, one of the boatmen took ill with the cholera, which was raging at the time. The idea of the cholera on board caused much consternation, and it was decided to leave the sick man on shore. But none of the crew would venture near him, so great was their fear of the disease. Then up spoke Abe: "Give us a blanket, and we, the Baraboo Rushers, will take him ashore. We ain't afered of man or devil, much less a gripe in the stomach." A blanket was furnished, and at the next landing the four men took the victim off, carrying him straight to the hotel. " We want a bed for a sick man," said Abe to the landlord. " Beds all full," was the reply. " Show me one, I'll empty it d — d quick," retorted Abe. But the land- lord was not disposed to do so. Meanwhile, the captain, considering that the " Baraboo Rush- ers " were exposed to the infection, concluded that then was his time to get rid of them ; and without a touch of the bell put the boat out from the landing and continued the journey. The "Rushers," seeing the state of affairs, dropped the sick man on the 'hotel porch, and started after the boat. They were all good swimmers, and in a very short time they " overhauled her." To say they were angry does not half express what their feelings were. As soon as he touched the deck, Abe began to swear, and such swearing even those boatmen had never heard. He cursed all of the crew from the highest to lowest, up and down and every other way. At last, the captain threatened to put him ashore. This was the signal for a row. The "Rushers" were armed after the manner of backwoodsmen, with tomahawks, knives and revolvers. Flour- ishing these, they sprang forward for a battle. The suddenness of the attack and the daring of the men, so surprised the captain and crew that they surrendered without a struggle. When he had them completely at his mercy, Abe flourished his tomahawk over the captain's head and cried: " We don't want your d — d old rickety boat, but we intend to teach you that the Bara- boo Rushers are not to be trifled with. This craft never lands again until we say so, nor starts till we get ready. If that don't suit you, we will run her to h — 1 in spite of you." The cap- tain was very willing to agree to the terms, and for the remainder of the trip the " Rushers " had things their own way. Some years later Abe Wood was killed, not far from Baraboo, by being pitched backward in a wagon, and thus having his neck broken. Rosaline Peck* was the first white woman who ever looked on Baraboo Valley. She came here with her husband, Eben Peck, and his brother Luther, in the fall of 183!). They made the trip from Madison to Sauk Prairie in a carriage. From thence they were obliged to travel on horse- back, following an Indian trail to the Baraboo River. The water was very high, and Mr. Peck advised his wife not to cross the river, but she was determined to see the claim made by Mr. Peck a few months previous, and so swam her horse across at the expense of a thorough wetting. Capt. Levi Moore'" looked in on this part of the world in 1840. He at first thought that he could not live in so wild a country, and was about turning his face in another direction, when he accidentally met Mrs. Peck. Her bright, hopeful face caused a re-action of feeling, If a little woman like her could endure the hardships, he certainly could. So he remained. What is known as the middle mill-power was claimed in June, 1844, by George W. Brown, a resident of Whitewater. The land was pre-empted in 1846, at the land sale, by William Brown, f a brother of George, who deeded it for the claimant. George W. Brown, upon his HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 495 arrival in 1844, immediately set about improving the power, and, in August of the same year, Marvin Blake, a brother-in-law of the Browns, George Grant and several workmen made their advent here, for the purpose of assisting in the erection of a saw-mill at that point. While ex- cavating for the mill, the workmen found the remains of a mammoth, some eight feet from the surface. The position of the bones showed the animal to have been some thirty-six feet long. The bones, though apparently well-kept, on being taken from their resting place, gradually air- slacked and became dust. The mill was in running order the next spring, but, in 1847, it proving insufficient for the amount of work to be done, a better and larger mill was erected on the same power. A few months previous to the erection of the saw-mill, its proprietors had built a grist-mill on the opposite or north side of the river, and this was the first grist-mill on the Baraboo. It began work with one run of stone. W. H. Canfield came to this part of the country in 1842. He found his way hither from Madison by means of marked trees, the road having been surveyed, but not improved. He took up some land near Ski'.let Falls, some three miles from Baraboo. Himself and wife lived in a dry-goods box for six weeks, and until the erection of a log house was effected. Hiram Web- ster, now a blacksmith on Third street, was also one of the comers of 1842. The building of the mills of course brought many new-comers, and as early as 1845, quite a village had sprung up. Previous to this, times had been hard for the settlers. People pounded the wheat and corn they used for bread, or ground it in hand-mills. Capt. Moore had a hand- mill which for a time served the whole country. Money was not to be had, and people had great trouble in securing their lands from parties who went about "jumping claims," the settlers, in many cases, not being able to make the necessary improvements to hold them, and having no means to defend their rights. Even when the land came into market, in 1846, few if any were prepared to attend the sale. But at or near that time, Maxwell purchased from the Government the mill claim held by Eben Peck, and in 1848 moved here with his family. The Pecks had pre- viously let a portion of their claim pass into the hands of Augoston Haraszthy, and he had erected a small frame house near the dam, and had opened a store there. This building the Maxwells purchased in order to obtain an undisputed title. They then built, on what is now the east side of the square, the first frame building on the north side of the river. This was for a long time known as the "corner store." The same year, 1847, the Western Hotel was erected by Col. Sumner. D. K. Noyesf came to town the same year, and found the Western in process of building on his arrival. This hotel was kept for a time by Col. Sumner, and later was many years under the supervision of William Wallace. In 1845, Lewis Hayes, Delando Pratt and Josiah Hayes bought a portion of the middle power and erected a shingle and lath mill, and a chair-factory. Philarmon Pratt,* in 1847, bought the saw-mill and a half-interest in the water-power. The next year he settled with his family at this place. The first physician in Baraboo was Dr. Charles Cowles. He came from Ohio to Milwaukee in 1846. Milwaukee at that time had less than two dozen houses in it. Leaving his wife and child in the Milwaukee woods, he went to Baraboo, or rather to the residence of his father, Judge Lauren Cowles, a short distance below Baraboo. The Judge started immediately after his son's wife and child, but, owing to the bad state of the roads, it took two weeks to make the trip. The Doctor began to practice at once in this part of the country. But that was up-hill work in those days. In January, 1847, he showed, on one occasion, a most remarkable endurance — going after supper to see a patient a distance of sixty-four miles, facing a keen north wind, and stopping for neither rest nor refreshments of any kind. The next year, the Doctor came to Baraboo and purchased the two lots where his residence now is. The total cost of the lots was $7. He still continues to practice here. David, Samuel and Simeon Crandall, brothers, in company with Ira Angle and G. W. Knapp, came to Baraboo in 1846, and the five and their families moved into the log schoolhouse on the south side, where they remained until buildings could be erected. * Now residing in Baraboo. 4yb HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Another arrival of 1846 was the Walbridges, Elisha and Eleazer, brothers. The former died in the army. Eleazer Walbridge is a real estate and insurance agent, still residing here. Mr. Herschinger came to town the same year. THE FIRST VILLAGE SURVEYS. At the land sale which took place in 1846, one of the County Commissioners, Prescott Brigham, purchased the quarter-section of land now included in Baraboo proper, with his own money, for the county. The Commissioners platted a village, having the court house square in the center, and named it Adams, at the suggestion of Mr. Brigham, who held the Adams family, of Massachusetts, in great esteem. This was done in April, 1847. The village of Adams is described as follows in the field-notes of Charles 0. Baxter, the surveyor : " Commencing at the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 35, Town 12, Range 6; thence east forty chains to the quarter-post between Sections 35 and 36 ; thence south thirty-nine chains sixty- four links to the section corner on the town line ; thence west on said line thirty-one chains fifty links to the Baraboo River ; thence north forty-one and west four chains ; thence north seventy-eight and west six and eight one hundredths chains to an open line through Section 35 ; thence north thirty -five chains fifty-five links to the place of beginning — the plat covering the southeast quar- ter of Section 35, Township 12, Range 6. except a small fraction on the south side of the river." About the same time. George Brown caused a survey to be made of his property, the greater portion of which lay south of the river. He called his plat Baraboo. From the field-notes of the surveyor, we find the boundaries of the plat to have been as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 2, Town 11, Range 6 ; from thence south six chains thirty links to the Baraboo River (eight chains fifty-eight links to the south bank of the river) ; thence south twenty-two chains seventy-five links ; thence west twenty chains ; thence north thirteen chains ; thence east twenty chains to the east line, one chain seventeen links south of the river — the plat covering forty acres, a strip equal to about thirty lots lying along the south side of the river, being "reserved for private use " by Mr. Brown for mill and other purposes. The plat extended north of the river to the extent of thirty-four lots, 62x132 feet in size. On the 14th of January, 1849, the Board of County Commissioners ordered that the name of the village plats of Adams and Baraboo, as they then (and do now, in fact) appeared upon record in the Register's office, be changed and known by the name of Brooklyn. The villages continued to be separate, however, until the village charter, which was obtained in May, 1866, united them under the name the place now bears. At the suggestion of the postal authorities in Washington, in 1852, the name of Adams was dropped. The post office was thereafter known as Baraboo. The following additions have been made to the original plats: Mrs. Peck's First Addition, June 15, 1849 ; Wallace's Addition, August 9, 1849 ; Mrs. Peck's Second Addition, July, 1855; English's Addition, November, 1856; Moore & Drown's Addition, April, 1860; Thomas' Addition, May, 1873 ; Camp's Addition, September. 1873; Brown's Addition, October, 1873; Langdon's Addition, July, 1874. In July, 1855, R. G. Camp laid out an addition east of Mrs. Peck's Addition, which he called the village of Litchfield — a favorite name with the Judge, he having been born in Litchfield, Conn. — and his son Arthur made an addition to the village of Litchfield in September, 1873. These two last additions are not incorporated with the village. BARABOO IN 1847.* In the spring of the year 1847, I arrived with my wife and family at the village of St. Charles, in the State of Illinois, where my wife's sister, with her husband, John Lock, and family, had taken up their residence. The fever and ague prevailed everywhere in the West that season. To a new-comer it was discouraging. Mr. Lock had gone to Baraboo with his son Lafayette, and his wife (now Widow Nelson), who with his daughter still reside in Baraboo, was waiting the result of his exploration. I was introduced to Mr. Eber Crandall, who had been to Ity ' liiu I'-- Aiin-trMTi'_'. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 497 Bamboo, and bad entered lands upon wliicli lie intended to locate as soon as possible. His three brothers (David, Samuel and Simeon) and two sisters, with their husbands and families, had already taken up their abode at Baraboo. Seeing that the ague prevailed in St. Charles, and, as far as I could learn, everywhere throughout Illinois, I concluded to start for Baraboo, where Eber Crandall assured me that the disease did not prevail. I accompanied a man from Canada, whose name I cannot recall, he having a team and covered wagon. At that time, corn was one shilling and oats 10 cents per bushel ; hence our supplies did not cost much. We went by the way of Sun Prairie, my fellow-traveler having a desire to visit an acquaintance who had the previous year taken up his residence on that prairie. We stopped at Waterloo overnight and in the morning struck Sun Prairie, which at that time included all the prairie between Waterloo and Mineral Point. We drove all day and met only one person, from whom we could get no information. Fearful of getting lost and night coming on, we struck for the timber, and, for- tunately, right to the shanty of my comrade's friends, where we stayed all night. We started early in the morning for Dekorra, on the Wisconsin River, at which place we found a deserted blacksmith shop and other marks of an abandoned settlement. We perceived a ferry-boat on the other side of the river, and by waving our handkerchiefs, at length persuaded the boatman to come over, and we were landed safe on the west side of the Wisconsin River. We then drove over the bluffs, on the summit of which there was here and there a settler. I remember one, named Lewis, an Irishman, who had served in the United States Army and received his discharge at Fort Winnebago. Descending the bluffs to the Baraboo River, we found no habitation in sight, but discovered a rope fast to a tree and extended across the river, and on the opposite bank was a ferry-boat. We yelled and hallooed, and, at length, discovered a tin horn suspended on a small burr oak tree. Finally, after repeated blowings by first one and then the other, we perceived a woman running, who jumped into the boat, took hold of the rope and pulled the boat across to us. There was quite a rapid current in the river, and in her efforts to get the boat across the woman blistered her hands. Imagine our surprise on finding her a most intelligent lady. She informed us that her husband, Andrew Garrison, had gone over to their former home on Sauk Prairie, and that the hired help was with William Eiky, at the limekiln. Mrs. Garrison (after- ward Mrs. Dr. Taylor) directed us where to find feed for the horses, and prepared for us an excellent dinner ; and, after partaking heartily, we started for the county seat. As we passed up the Baraboo Prairie, we saw here and there a breaking-team turning over the virgin soil. We passed Mrs. Peck's place. She was at that time engaged in having a house built, while she and her family occupied a shanty in the rear of her present residence. Opposite here, Fred- erick Stanley had erected a shanty, which he and his family occupied. I expected to see some- thing of a town, but on we drove, and just as the sun was setting we came up to a log house, over the door of which was a buck's horn. I jumped out of the wagon, and, the door being open, entered. The house consisted of one large room, in the middle of which, seated around a table, were some half-dozen men in red shirts, playing cards. Finding I was not observed, I started back to the wagon, feeling alarmed for our ladies. At a short distance, I perceived a tall, stout- built man, and, stepping up to him, I said, " Sir, is there no other place that a stranger could get accommodations over night, only there?" pointing to the buck's horn. I discovered in his features an open, manly expression, and intuitively felt that we were safe. He opened his broad, frank mouth, and said, "Yes, if you will take up with such accommodations as I have in my little house, you are welcome," at the same time starting with me toward the house. On entering, I found a house unsurpassed for cleanliness — in fact, one of the cleanest I ever had my foot in. This was the home of Alexander Crawford. Here he lived with his wife and his son John. Although the couple were somewhat advanced in years, they seemed to be perfectly happy. Here I met my brother-in-law, John Lock, who was boarding with them. He had located a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and sent his son back to St. Charles after cattle, intending to break up and improve the land, and move up his family as soon as possible ; but when his son Lafayette arrived at St. Charles, he found a recruiting rendezvous bidding up for volunteers for the Mexican war, and he enlisted. His love for army life never forsook him. He 498 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. was among the first to enlist in the three-months service of the late war, and soon after being discharged, on the expiration of the time of his enlistment, he re-enlisted, and was Orderly Ser- geant of Company F, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. So he was in the first and in the last bat- tle of the rebellion. Mr. Remington, then a young attorney, was boarding at Crawford's, and acting agent for the County Commissioners in disposing of lots at the county seat, then called the village of Adams. I bought some three or four, not intending that I would ever settle on them. I looked around for a day or two, but it was such a wilderness of a country that I could see no prospect of making my business at all profitable. I could not see where customers were to be found that would sustain a tailoring establishment. I started back for St. Charles, stopping on the way at Madison, Janesville, Beloit and other villages, in all of which business was dull and ague prevailing. I returned to St. Charles, not knowing or having determined where I would locate. Eber Crandall assured me that in a very short time Baraboo would be a large town. I finally hired teams, and, with wife and two children, started thitherward. The last day of our journey we reached the foot of the bluffs about sunset, and put up at the Hoover tavern. It was kept by Mr. Hoover's son-in-law, Job Barstow. Mr. Barstow piloted us in the morning over the bluffs. On the way, we met people who were returning from the Fourth of July celebration, which, I learned, had been held at the house of Mrs. Peck, at Baraboo. We passed over what was called t he west road, and crossed the river near Wood & Moore's mill. We passed near the house occup ied by Abraham Wood and the saw-mill known as Moore's & Wood's mill. The vil- lage of Lyons had the same year, or previously, been laid out, but, owing to the enterprise of George and William Brown, who had that season selected the quarter-section of land adjoining for a county seat, the few settlers at Lyons felt somewhat jealous at the superior prospects and advancement of Baraboo. We drove on down to Brown's mill and crossed a rude bridge which spanned the river near where the present bridge stands. Erastus Langdon had built a house (i. e., had an inclosed frame). He kindly proffered us shelter, and his kind lady prepared for us a good dinner. Dr. S. P. Angle at that time occupied a shanty near where John Loy's shop now stands. He introduced me to Col. Maxwell, who was then engaged in the framing of a building which was afterward known as Maxwell's store, and stood on the corner where the Burrington Brothers afterward built a better one. I was greatly discouraged, but the old Colonel, who most of his life had pioneered it, gave me every encouragement possible. He told me that Col. Sum- ner had gone east to Ohio after his family, and would build a good hotel. He introduced me to old Mr. Canfield, who was a generous, good, kind-hearted man, who proffered me house room free of expense till such time as I could build. My family, in the meantime, was at the house of Erastus Langdon, who kindly proffered to shelter us until we should conclude what we would do. Daniel Kelsey, then a young man, was boarding with them. I finally purchased Mr. Langdon's house, and he moved out and into a shed. Marvin Blake, a brother-in-law of Mr. Langdon's, lived in a shanty near where his present residence stands. The house which I bought from Mr. Langdon was neither lathed nor plastered, and it had a shake roof. Jeptha Jackson occupied a small house which stood in the street near where the American House now stands, owned at present by Mr. Peck. George and William Brown hail, some two years previous, made claims to the land embracing the water-power, and which at that time constituted the village of Baraboo proper; William had sold his interest to George, and George soon sold a portion of the water- power to Philarmon Pratt, with the saw-mill. George intended fully to improve the north-side grist-mill. In raising au addition to it, a timber fell on his head and killed him. Delando Pratt had some two years previous purchased from the Browns a portion of the water power, and commenced the manufacture of hubs and bedsteads. Owing to the sudden death of George W. Brown, business became somewhat suspended. His father, Cliauneey Brown, was his legal heir, and he with his son William, administered on the estate. They proceeded to complete the mill. Philarmon Pratt and the Browns became involved in law. and for years they kept up the fight, so that every term of the court Pratt vs. Brown and Brown vs. Pratt filled the calendar. Delando Pratt sold the portion of the water-power he owned to John Seaburn, and joined his father-in- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 499 law, Mr. Schermerhorh, in the tanning business. Both of those establishments in a short time were destroyed by fire. The Browns had completed the mill, and afterward that was burned. Such were the circumstances that myself and a few others were fully satisfied in our own minds that it was the work of an incendiary, and we believed we knew who he was. The dam went out, and for a long time Baraboo proper was at a stand-still, no business being done. Finally, Joseph F. Sanford and Patrick A. Bassett bought it and built the present mill, now owned by R. H. Strong. Lyman Clark came to Baraboo in the spring of 1847 and pre-empted forty acres directly southeast of the original village of Baraboo. But, anxious to build a hotel, he disposed of it to Judge Camp for a mere trifle. Lyman built the Baraboo House. He never turned any one away, money or no money, and frequently would apply to me to lodge some of his guests, and he would often consult with me as to the best means to help some new arrival. I remember one morning he came to my house and said that there was a family, consisting of a man and wife, with two children, that had been stopping at his house for some days, and were out of money ; that the man was sick, and the woman was a tailoress and willing to work ; that he had a span of young horses and a wagon. The day previous, Clark said he had killed his only cow for meat, and had not feed for this man's horses. I went over and found the family greatly discouraged. I owned a shanty and lot near where Mr. Patrick Dougherty now resides. On consulting with him, they concluded to move into it. Soon the man recovered his health, and in a short time he purchased land north of Baraboo and the Wisconsin River, where, 1 believe, he still resides. His family are grown up, and I understand all are in comfortable circumstances. His name is Gardiner Myers. After he had become prosperous, I joked him relative to his feeling so dis- couraged on his first arrival. Col. D. K. Noyes, then a young man, came the same year, and, I think, taught school one quarter. He then engaged in land agency, pre-empting and entering for settlers. As there was no room in the tavern in which to transact business, he would run over to my house, which con- sisted of one room with a shed in the rear. In that room I carried on tailoring, had my work- bench, the cooking-stove, table, etc. Sometimes a half-dozen of neighbors, besides him, would come over with two or three new arrivals and make out their pre-emption papers or contract to enter lands for them. It was fun for us men, but pretty trying for the women, who at times were greatly bothered to get along with the housework. It soon became evident that David's mind was not. settled. He hurried up, the next season, a little house near where Daniel Kelsey lives, and then started for Vermont. In a few weeks, he returned with his better half and went to housekeeping. The first political meeting I attended in the West was held at Widow Peck's house. She had built her house that year. The upper part was a hall, where Harris Searl, who was Jus- tice of the Peace, and resided with Mrs. Peck, held his court. Being the only large room in the vicinity, it was used for public meetings, balls, etc. In the fall of 1847, Col. Batkin, then a lawyer, who, by the way, was a great practical joker, residing at Madison, was a candidate for member of the Territorial Council. The Colonel was a Whig, and his competitor, whose name I have forgotten, resided in Marquette County. It was agreed that they would jointly canvass the district ; hence, they were to hold a joint discussion at Baraboo. Public notice having been given, nearly all the inhabitants turned out, so that Mrs. Peek's hall was well filled. By agree- ment, it was Col. Batkin's privilege to open the discussion. He commenced by complimenting the intelligence of his auditors, whom he flattered up to the highest notch, and in eloquent and glowing terms, eulogized the beautiful valley of the Baraboo, dwelling on its magnificent advan- tages, its water-power, its great manufacturing privileges, its romantic scenery, its productive soil. Then he paused, and at length exclaimed : " One thing you especially need, and you are justly entitled to it; and that is, a good road over the bluffs. How can you procure it ? How can that most desirable end be attained ? I will tell you how ! If, through your sufferance, I have the honor to represent you in the Territorial Council, send me your petition to organize a company for the purpose of macadamizing the highwav over the bluffs. You don't desire to subject 500 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. the inhabitants of Sauk Prairie to pay toll on the way to your mills, nor persons coming to transact business at the county seat. Hence, I shall endeavor to get an appropriation from the Territorial treasury to macadamize that road." Of course, cheers rolled up for Col. Batkin. His competitor hemmed and hawed, and assured them if they voted for him, he would do all for them that Col. Batkin could do or had promised to do. The meeting closed with a speech from Hon. William Welsh, of Madison. Then Jim Badger struck up the violin, many joined in the dance, and did not go home till morning. The next discussion between these two gentlemen was at Prairie du Sac. The Colonel's competitor led off; so he thought he would take all the wind out of the Colonel's sails. He started in, deprecating their condition, being shut out from com- munication with the beautiful valley of the Baraboo, and having to pass over such a miserable, dangerous road. If he should be elected, he would put a bill through the Legislature appropri- ating a sum toward macadamizing the bluffs. At that time, Prairie du Sac was smarting under the removal of the county seat, and hoped to get it back again ; hence, anything that would con- tribute to the advancement of Baraboo, Prairie du Sac was decidedly opposed to. The Colonel rejoined ; "Fellow citizens : I am astonished at the diabolical proposition made by the gentleman. What is that he proposes ? Why, that you shall be taxed to build up a town in a barren, worth- less, rocky, stone-bound region, where there is no town, nor never ought to be one ! When I look upon your beautiful, rich prairie, your magnificent river, the trade and business which must necessarily center here, I think with indignation of the proposition made by my opponent, that you should be taxed to help build up a competing town, where neither God nor sensible man ever intended there should be one." The Colonel was overwhelmingly elected. He car- ried both sides of the bluffs. The following year, George Hiles built a rough building, directly west of the Baraboo House, for a store. He procured some whisky and a few groceries. Soon after, William Hoxie came from McHenry County, 111. He brought with him a remnant of an old stock of goods, and went into partnership with Hiles. In a short time Samuel Hiles came. Mr. Hoxie was elected Justice of the Peace. W. H. Clarke, known as " Mayor Clarke," also as the " Lion of !?auk," at that time resided at Sauk City, but soon after removed to Baraboo. He was considered the best counselor at law the county afforded. Among the first cases which were tried before Esquire Hoxie, a motion was made to dismiss. It was argued pro and con. The court seemed perplexed — hesitated. Samuel Hiles was present ; he watched earnestly the countenance of the Justice. His sympathies evidently prompted him to assist the court. At length he exclaimed: " Sqaush the d d thing, Bill ; squash it ! " In 1849, Rev. Warren Cochran came. He was a man of very decided, positive character. He thought his mission demanded that everything should move under his dictation, and yet, I presume, he was sincere. He was opposed to every kind of amusement. He had great powers of invective. 1 remember once hearing him preach, in which he denounced and ridiculed dan- cing. " Some," said he, " hold that it teaches them to be graceful in their movements, and really teaches them gentility. " Well," said he, " in this Ideality, they have a quadruped to teach them manners." James Badger was the fiddler. On the day following this sermon, William Dunlap, who was then Sheriff of the county, met Badger and told him that Cochran had outrageously abused him. " Why, he called you the worst oame that could possibly be applied to any one, a quadruped!" "What is that? "says Badger. •• Why, it is the worst name that could be given any person. I would prosecute him ! Right out before the whole congre- gation he called you a quadruped." Neither Dunlap nor Badger knew what the term meant, and Badger was for some days in dead earnest in his threats to prosecute Cochran for slander. Judge Camp came, I think, in 1848 — it may have been 1849. There were several from Litchfield County, Conn., who came about the same time, among whom were Mr. Tuttle, now in the nursery business, and who was for a time partner with David Munson in the mercantile business ; Deacon Clark and family and others ; Lodge Brier came from Indiana, but was a brother-in-law of Judge Clark and also of James Maxwell Brier, was a millwright and built the mills known as the Maxwell Mills. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. . r >01 Warren Cochran sought to make Baraboo just what a quiet New England village was, not considering that our population was cosmopolitan, and could not all be alike. But such was his organization that every one must submit to what he deemed right. However, he saw the neces- sity of combining as many of the religious elements in one body as possible. Being himself a Congregationalist, he sought to unite the Presbyterian element with the Congregational. For a time it seemed to progress favorably, but there was Deacon Lodge Brier, a Hoosier possessed of all the rigid prejudices of the old Scotch-Irish character ; Judge Camp and Deacon Clark also, who had come from Litchfield County, Conn. Then, there was Dr. Cowles, who taught the choir. The discordant elements, of course, could not long remain united. Disagreement and difference of views sprang up. Elder Cochran would not yield a hair's breadth. Judge Camp was the leader of the opposition ; Deacon Brier sided with the Judge ; Deacon Marvin Blake stood in the breach, trying to conciliate both sides. They had a very angry discussion at a church meeting held on a certain Saturday afternoon. Dr. Cowles, laughing in his sleeve at the whole performance, sided with the Elder. Elder Cochran preached the next day, and took for his subject '•Prejudice." He eloquently portrayed the various manifestations of prejudice, and finally exclaimed : " There are those in the congregation who, if they were transferred to heaven in their present condition, would walk the gold-beaten streets of the New Jerusalem, and gaze on its pearly walls — yes, they would walk up to those walls and pick those pearls, and deliberately turn around and say : ' We have got as good an article as these in Litchfield!' " That was the hair that broke the camel's back. No more union of Presbyterians and Congre- gationalists in Baraboo. The Elder next attacked secret societies, Masonry and Odd Fellowship. Well, we had neither then at Baraboo, but the boys had a society known as the " One Thousand and Ones." It was a burlesque on all secret organizations. But the Elder, in his sermon, after denouncing Masonry and Odd Fellowship, said : " I don't know what that order is, but I believe it consists of one thousand rascals to one decent man. We organized a lyceum and debating club, and invited some of the ablest lecturers of the times, among whom was Ichabod Codding. Mr. Codding was pleased with the liberal sentiment of Baraboo. He did much to elevate the standard of free thought, and divested orthodoxy of some of its more odious features. The result of his labors was the organization of the Unitarian or Liberal Christian Church, and the erection of their meeting house. But there was still a more liberal element prevailing in that community — a class who demanded the reasons, the why and where- fore, of every doctrine. But the war commenced and absorbed every consideration. Hardly a regiment left the State for the seat of war that had not a representative of Sauk County in its ranks. Sauk County was patriotic. THE BARABOO CLAIMANTS' ASSOCIATION. Great excitement existed in the Baraboo Valley at the time of the Government land sale, and for some time afterward, regarding the claims of early settlers. The people, unable to hold their lands by law, banded together for mutual support until such a time as they could get the money to make their payments. The Baraboo Claimants' Association was organized September 7, 184(3, as a means of protection of the rights of first settlers, Alexander Crawford being appointed chairman of the meeting held at that time. An extract from the constitution will show the purpose of the organization. " Whereas, Congress has from time to time passed pre-emption laws for the purpose of encouraging the settlement of the public domains and securing to settlers the benefit of their improvements, and, whereas, under a full belief in the protection afforded by these laws, many enterprising, industrious and worthy citizens have embarked their all, and been induced to settle on Government land in this section of the country, thereby spending labor and means, and undergoing all the privations incident to the settlement of a new country ; and whereas, Govern- ment has recently proclaimed these lands for sale on the 20th of November next, without giving the usual notice of six months, as has always been done, thereby depriving the settlers of timely notice, and placing it out of their power to procure means to purchase their lands at the public 502 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. sale ; therefore, for the purpose of securing to ourselves our just rights, and to protect our improvements, it is unanimously resolved that we will be in readiness to protect each other in our respective claims to the utmost of our power ; and that a claim shall consist of not more than 320 acres, in two legal subdivisions, for the purpose of farms or settlement only, and not for speculation." The officers of the Association were : Harvey Canfield, President ; Abe Wood, Vice Presi- dent, and John B. Crawford, Secretary. The resolutions were signed by fifty-six persons, resi- dents of the precinct of Baraboo. The following were within the limits of what is now the town of Baraboo, and will show who some of the early settlers were : Harvey Canfield, Ralph Cowles, Andrew Garrison, Andrew Washburn, Job Barstow, Jr., Nathan Dennison, Hiram Webster, J. T. Clements, G. Willard, Andrew Paulson, Chester Matson, E. G. Williams, James Christie, Alexander Crawford, John B. Crawford, Dr. C. Cowles, Luther Peck, A. F. Washburn. Marvin Blake, J. H. Jackson, Job Barstow, Chauncey Brown, J. Lamar, W. B. Clement, Edward Johnson, W. H. Canfield, Erastus Gilson, James Waddle, Levi Moore, Abe Wood and H. P. Van Valkenburgh. Notwithstanding the organization of this society, the lands were in some cases entered from under the settlers. From the Madison Express, of August 24, 1847, something more respecting the society and its work is learned : " Previously, Eben Peck had started for California, and had probably been massacred by the Indians, as nothing was ever heard of him afterward, and nearly all of his party are known to have suffered such a fate. This left Mrs. Peck to fight her battles alone, and to support herself and her two little children. A meeting of the Claimant Society was held August 10, 1847, with James Waddle in the chair. Count Haraszthy, an Hungarian, addressed the meeting, and pictured out their wrongs in glowing terras. A committee of five was then appointed to draft new resolutions, the substance of which was as follows : " ' Whereas, certain persons not residing in the county, unjustly and in defiance of the rights of early settlers of the county, have entered the claims of those, who, from unseen and unfortunate circumstances, have been unable to protect themselves, and as Chauncey Brown has chosen to seize upon, and enter lands, embracing all the improvements of Widow Peck ; it is resolved that we will defend and protect each other; that we will prevent any and all persons from taking possession of the lands thus entered by Chauncey Brown, Jr., one Esterbrook and Simeon Crandall, and use our best endeavors to punish any person or agent of such person who shall attempt fo take possession of or improve such claims.' " The fourth of July had been celebrated for the first time that year, and the table was still standing in the grove. After the resolutions had been drafted, a meeting was held at that place, and it was resolved that Simeon Crandall should listen to the reading thereof. He refusing to come peaceably, they carried him to the spot and laid him out on the table. But as soon as an opportunity occurred he made an attempt to escape, and would have done so had not an enthusi- astic dog, that had the rights of old settlers at heart, seized and detained him until his captors could again get possession of him. He was therefore obliged to listen to the reading of the resolutions ; and he afterward made a satisfactory settlement with the claimants of the land. But Chauncey Brown, Jr., held on to his newly acquired property, refusing even to sell it. The enraged settlers followed him finally to Sauk, where he had taken refuge, taking him from his bed one stormy night, and forcing him to begin with them, on foot, a return journey to Baraboo. On the way, after repeated threats of hanging, they rolled him in a mud-puddle, and that brought him to terms. He agreed for a certain amount of money to deed the land to Mrs. Peck. To con- summate this all parties went back to Sauk, where the deed was made out and the money paid into his hands. The money he gave for safe-keeping to the official by whom the business was transacted. But the matter did not end here. The deed, having been obtained by force, would not stand in law, and by taking the matter into the courts Brown won the case. The land suit was in law five years, and cost Mrs. Peck several hundreds of dollars. Besides all this, not being able to prove her husband's death, she did not have the same advantages in entering lands HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 51M as the others had. In order to secure herself a home, she borrowed money at 50 per cent interest, and purchased an 80-acre piece, upon a part of which she now resides. There were other similar cases in which the association participated as the defenders of old settlers' rights ; the foregoing, however, will suffice to show the character of them. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS. The growth of Baraboo has been of the cautious character, and what it is to-day is the result of mere necessity. This speaks well for the frugality and bank accounts of its citizens, though in the past five or six years there has been a more general unloosing of purse-strings. Let us review the various stages of its growth. In April, 1856, a local correspondent wrote : " The village and vicinity are rapidly increasing in population. In the village there are six churches organized ; three of them have good houses built, and stated preaching. Baraboo has a popula- tion of about 2,000, and is the most healthy, as it is the most beautiful, village in the State. We have a first-class female seminary, and it is in a very prosperous condition. Baraboo has a water-power superior to any within a hundred miles of her. On what is known as the Baraboo Rapids, within a distance of less than two miles, four dams have been built, and there is a chance for another. At the lower mills, known as Manchester, there is a large flouring-mill, a saw-mill, and a carding and cloth-dressing establishment. At the next dam above, which is situated centrally in the village of Baraboo, there is a large grist-mill — built the past season — a saw-mill, a lath, picket and shingle machine, an extensive cabinet and planing establishment, and other machinery. At the next dam above is a saw-mill ; and at the next above that is another saw- mill, doing the best business of any mill on the river ; also an extensive machine and cabinet- ware establishment, which gives employment to a large number of hands." A year later, the editor of one of the local papers set forth the advantages of the place in the following terms : " We have one bank, one banking-house, eight dry-goods stores, five grocery stores, three hardware and stove stores, three drug stores, two flouring-mills, three saw-mills, one carding-mill, one tannery, two furniture factories, one sash factory, one pottery, one jewelry store, one book store, five hotels, a livery stable and two markets. We have besides half a dozen physicians, as many lawyers, the same number of clergymen, two dentists, two daguerreans, five or six painters, as many shoemakers, half a dozen blacksmiths, five cabinet and wagon makers, two gunsmiths, and as many harness-makers." In 1862, the institutions were thus reckoned up: One bank, three boot and shoe stores, one bakery and confectionery, six blacksmith-shops, two cabinet warerooms, three cooper-shops, five dry-goods stores, two drug stores, two dentists' rooms, one daguerrean gallery, two flouring-mills, three grocery stores, one gunsmith shop, two hardware stores, four hotels, one harness-shop, one hub-factory, one jewelry store, one millinery and book store, one music store, two meat markets, one mill for grinding corn, one pump factory, one sash and blind factory, three saw-mills, two tailor-shops, three wagon-shops, one woolen-factory, one college and one female seminary. " It is a perfect New England town," says a writer of 1863, " transplanted to a new coun- try, with its wide streets, shaded by beech, locust, elm and maple trees, its clean, fresh-looking white-painted homes, embowered in shrubbery, roses and trailing vines ; its gardens, fruit orchards, pleasant walks and that general air of refinement denoting a population intelligent, cultivated and independent. Baraboo, although the shire town of Sauk, one of the oldest and richest farming counties in the State, is more especially noted for its manufactures, to the devel- opment of which it has brought a genuine Yankee skill and perseverance. The beautiful Bar- aboo River, gracefully winding through the valley about a stone's throw from the court house square, is the archimedean lever that turns numberless mill-wheels, and offers a cheap, immense and inexhaustible motive power to future mills and factories that must sooner or later arise upon its banks. The beauty of the scenery in the vicinity, differing from that of other parts of the State in its larger variety, is the universal remark of travelers and tourists. The residents themselves pay but little attention to it and frequently go abroad for "a change of scenery." The somewhat renowned Baraboo Bluffs lie but two miles distant, in view of nearly every part 504 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. of the village ; .and the steep declivities of the " lake gorge " are likewise visible. Overhang- ing the north side, is a beautiful hill known as Mount Mercy. The village itself is adorned with many fine oaks of open forest growth, and the surrounding knolls and valley-dimpled plains are covered with handsome groves and shrubbery." THE RAILROAD AND ITS BENEFICENT RESULTS. When the Chicago & North- Western Railroad had been completed to Baraboo, the company very wisely selected this place as the grand central distribution point for what is known as the Madison Division, and temporary workshops, roundhouses, etc., were erected with all the speed consistent with the uninterrupted progress of the road westward. The effect upon the business interests of Baraboo was immediately perceptible. There was a general revival in trade, and a noticeable activity in real estate. South Baraboo, especially, became the scene of renewed enter- prise. There seems to have been an awakening of the progressive spirit that predominated in pioneer days, when mills and dwellings, schoolhouses and churches, were completed in a fort- night. Building lots were in greater demand at advanced prices ; likewise, brick, lumber and stone. Mechanics and common laborers were less plentiful than formerly ; there was no longer any excuse for idleness. Handsome brick stores and hotels and neatly finished dwellings was the result. Baraboo long since took on the airs of a city, and the gradual and substantial increase in population during the past ten years entitles her to recognition as such. In 1879, the railroad company enlarged their shops and increased the capacity of their roundhouse to twenty-five stalls. The total amount expended in improvements of this character was from $40,000 to $50,000. A large portion of this was paid to residents of Baraboo for material and labor. The average number of men employed in connection with the company's shops at this point is about one hundred. The estimated disbursements on the division will reach nearly $60,000 per month, or $720,000 per annum. Of course, this amount is not all dis- bursed in Baraboo. For instance, the aggregate of the monthly salaries paid to agents, tele- graph operators and clerks distributed along the line of the division will reach about $4,000. It is estimated that $12,000 per month is paid out to " train men " (conductors and brakemen), $4,500 to section men, and at least, $10,000 for extra men employed in connection with the con- struction department. The monthly salaries of engineers and firemen approximate $8,000; $5,000 per month, is considered a fair estimate of the average amount expended in the con- struction and the repair of bridges, and a like amount is disbursed every month among the employes of the company who are stationed permanently in Baraboo. Supplies and ordinary repairs cost $10,000 per month on an average. Here we have nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for operating expenses alone, expended annually on the division running from Belvidere to Winona, a distance of 219 miles. Baraboo, being located midway between the two points, and being the division headquarters, necessarily reaps vast benefits from the road, other than the advantages arising from its favorable situation. It is claimed that about $200,000 of this amount is expended in Baraboo. This may be a slight exaggeration ; it is considered, however, a very fair estimate, speaking in round numbers. There is no denying the fact that the permanent location of the division headquarters at this point, combined with the ordinary advantages of the road, has placed Baraboo in the front rank of interior cities in Wisconsin. A few years ago, the place was scarcely known outside a radius of fifty miles ; now it has become renowned, wherever civilization has penetrated the Western Hemisphere. This very desirable condition of tilings has been brought about chiefly through the energy of its own citizens in striving to secure an outlet by rail. A great many earnest efforts were made in this direction at an early day, but the citizens were deceived in the promises made them by the managers of Milwaukee's railway interests. It was not until they "put their own shoulders to the wheel " that outside capital saw a safe investment in the construction of a road through the Baraboo Valley. The road completed, Baraboo's advantages as a business place, as a permanent home, and as a summer resort, became known. ( ^* :<-, ■■>. i y BARABOO. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 507 THE BUSY BARABOO. The hum of a thousand wheels now greets the ear, where, forty years ago, no sound of progress was heard. The Baraboo River has been made the patient servant of commerce, and the torrent, subdued to man's service to drive the complicated machinery invented by his in- genuity, has been taught to leap forth in the morning to its toil, and to glide away at evening to its rest. The bark canoe of the savage no longer ruffles its glassy surface ; the voice of the savage has been hushed, and his canoe turned adrift. Civilization now casts its resplendent rays athwart this ancient stream. Science and industry have measured and 'utilized its powers. Let us see to what extent and to what purpose. The Middle or Island Woolen-Mill Power.— In the fall of 1839, Abram Wood and Wallace Rowan, while penetrating the wild Baraboo Valley from the east, in search of a water site, made a claim of the land on the river where now is situated the Island Woolen-Mill. Rowan soon returned to his home, near the present site of Poynette, in Columbia County, where he kept a hotel. Wood remained and engaged in making improvements, building a dam — the first on the Baraboo River — and getting out mill timbers. The erection of the mill was commenced the following spring, but very little progress was made that year. The next fall, Levi Moore came to the place and made a claim of half a section of land near Skillet Falls. The Captain, as he is generally called, built himself a hewn-log house on his claim, and when this was finished he was employed by Wood & Rowan to work upon their mill, he being a mechanic and the possessor of a kit of edged tools. The mill was soon finished and put in working order. In 1843, Capt. Moore purchased the half-interest of Rowan, Wood selling about the same time to Henry Perry and Moses Nuff. In the spring of 1844, the dam and mill were swept away by a freshet. This calamity was as unexpected as it was serious. It had been the intention of the hardy pioneers to manufacture a large amount of lumber that year. Numerous rafts of pine logs lay above the dam, awaiting the sharp tooth of the saw ; but now all was lost. The torrents had carried almost every vestige of the results of the millmen's labors. The misfortune bore so heavily upon Perry and Nuff that they relinquished all interest in the claim. But the Captain, though disheartened, went bravely to work, and Abe Wood having come into possession of one-half of it, through the action of Perry and Nuff, joined him in the herculean task of putting up another building not far from the site of the one that had been carried away. A four-foot dam was constructed across the west arm of " the ox-bow," and a race about five hundred feet long cut through the narrow neck of land, thus securing to them a good fall of water. The mill was soon finished, and the rattle of the old " up-and-down saw " was again heard in the land. It is worthy of remark that, though Wood was acknowl- edged to be a fair specimen of the genus belonging to the family of " hard cases," the Captain avers that such a thing as a harsh word never passed between them during their six years' part- nership. In 1848 or 184'.*, Wood, becoming involved, was succeeded in the business by J. B. Clement. In 1851, the mill was closed, and it remained idle until 1858, when M. J. Drown became the owner of a half-interest in it. The other half was soon afterward purchased by George H. Stewart, of Beaver Dam. The purpose of this partnership was the building of an extensive woolen-mill. But before the project was entered upon, Mr. Stewart disposed of his interest to Mr. Drown, who immediately set about carrying out the original design. Work was commenced early in 1863, and, in just one hundred and ten days from the date of the ham- mer's first stroke, the machinery was in operation. In 18G5, Mr. Drown disposed of an interest to William Andrews and D. S. Vittum, and soon afterward Messrs. Drown & Vittum bought Andrews out. They ran it until 1807, when it was turned into a joint-stock company, the stockholders being Messrs. Vittum, Drown, Andrews and Henry Rich. Two or three years later, Andrews' stock was purchased by Alfred Avery, who, in 1873, together with Mr. Drown, sold out to Messrs. Rich & Vittum. The concern then ceased to be a stock company. On the 10th of May, 1875, J. A. McFetridge, an experienced manufacturer of Beaver Dam, purchased of Mr. Vittum a one-fourth interest in the establishment, and in January, 1876, Mr. 508 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Rich and his brother, Willis B. Rich, bought Mr. Vittum's remaining interest, the firm becoming Rich, McFetridge & Rich. In the fall of 1879, Henry Rich purchased his brother's interest. Messrs. Rich & McFetridge are now carrying on the business under the name of the Island Woolen Company. Their goods, mostly fancy cassimeres, are manufactured from the fine-blood wools of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The annual product of their looms is between ninety thousand and one hundred thousand yards, and they give employment to about thirty-six hands. Sales are made throughout the Northwest. In 1867, M. J. Drown and others organized the Baraboo Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of $35,000. The company had for its purpose the building of an extensive fur- niture factory on the Island Woolen-Mill dam. The project was soon perfected, and the factory put into successful operation. In 1876, the personal property of the company passed to the First National Bank of Baraboo, and the real estate to William Andrews. The concern was subsequently transferred to the Island Agricultural Works, whose managers recently turned their attention to the manufacture of Maj. A. McNaught's " Challenger Threshing Machine," ten of which were turned out and put in use during the season of 1879. The Agricultural Works Company now have a contract with Minnesota manufacturers to put in use in that State a number of " Challengers " equal to any other machine of a similar character. The Lower Water Power. — In the summer of 1839, Eben Peck and James Alban crossed the bluffs from Sauk Prairie, for the purpose of exploring the Baraboo Valley, a glimpse of which Mr. Alban had but recently seen from the high bluffs east of the Devil's Lake. They struck the Baraboo River at a point since known as the Lower Ox-bow, about one mile below the present village of Baraboo. Crossing over the stream, they came upon two small Indian vil- lages, the inhabitants of which met them with frowns of disfavor. The two white explorers, regarding discretion as the better part of valor, recrossed the river as if to return over the bluffs ; but, instead of doing so, they camped for the night near the stream, upon the land that Mr. Peck had pre-determined should be his claim. Returning to Madison, Mr. Peck's home, he gave a glowing description of the region he had visited, and he announced his purpose soon to make a home at the foot of the noble rapids. In the fall, he, in company with his wife, Rose- line, and brother Luther, again visited the spot, crossing the bluffs on horseback, Mrs. Peck riding upon a man's saddle. They met with no opposition from the Indians, and, while passing through the fertile precincts of what is now known as Peck's Prairie, they met Wallace Rowan and Abram Wood, who were on their way to examine the Baraboo Rapids. The Pecks returned to Madison, and Wood and Rowan soon afterward made a claim further up the river. A month later, James Van Slyke and Chester Matson visited the Baraboo Rapids, and, after a careful inspection, concluded to locate on the Lower Ox-bow. It is not quite certain whether they knew at that time that the land had been previously claimed : at any rate, they commenced work upon it, and, being short of money, they acquainted James Maxwell, then of Walworth County, and Berry Haney, of Dane County, with the facts concerning the advantages of the location, and from them obtained means to improve their power. Upon this subject Mr. Maxwell says : " Van Slyke returned to Walworth County in the early part of the following winter (1840) and induced me to take a half-interest witli him in building a saw-mill, he to do the work, I to furnish the means. Hence, in the early spring of 1840, I let him have two yoke of oxen, chains and wagon, loaded them with a set of saw-mill irons, pork, flour and beans, and he set out for the Baraboo Valley with four or five hired men." At what date they commenced work upon the dam is not positively known ; it is the opinion of a few old settlers that Wood and Rowan preceded them in making the first improve- ments on the Baraboo River. Work progressed rapidly, however, until Van Slyke & Co. were summoned to Madison to prove their title to the property. This they failed to do. " The suit with Peck," continues Mr. Maxwell, " dampened Van Slyke's ardor, and, the June floods sweeping away what improvements had been made, he sold the mill-irons to Wood k Rowan, disposed of the provisions, and drove the train back to me, I think some time in July, 1840." HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 509 In the fall of 1840, Mr. Peck moved his family from Madison and took up his abode on his claim. But he, like other pioneers of a new country, was kept busily engaged earning the necessaries of life for his family, and had no time to devote to improvements. In 1846, when the land was ready for market, Van Slyke again put in an appearance and entered the land under the pre-emption act of June, 1840. Mr. Maxwell furnished the means to enter it, for a half-interest, and afterward purchased the remaining half. Van Slyke executed the deed to Maxwell August 14, 1846, but did not himself receive a deed from the Government until 1848. In the winter of 1846-47, Col. Maxwell, his son James and a man named Esterbrook came hither and ran the lines of the Van Slyke claim. They found Count Haraszthy upon the prem- ises with a stock of goods, and found also that they should require another " forty " to cover the entire water-power. Esterbrook, by agreement, went to Mineral Point and entered the requisite " forty." This he deeded over to the Maxwells November 17, 1848. In the spring of 1848, the dam and race having been completed, work was commenced upon the saw-mill. The subsequent transfers of the present grist-mill property, as they appear from a recent deed made of it, are as follows : July 18, 1849, Col. Maxwell sold to his son James, and Benjamin L. Briar; in November, Benjamin McVickar purchased a quarter-interest, and, about the same date, James T. Flanders purchased another quarter ; September 25, 1850, Maxwell and Briar deeded the remainder to McVickar & Flanders ; April 1, 1854, McVickar sold to Mr. Flanders ; January 27, 1857, Mr. Flanders deeded to Sarah Jane Cook ; September 25, 1857, John and S. J. Cook to John Woodruff; October 21, 1859, the Sheriff, under foreclosure, to Walter P. Flanders and Ebenezer Lane ; Lane immediately sold to Flanders, who in October got a deed of the Sheriff; December 22, 1866, W. P. Flanders to Charles H. Wheeler and Olivet W. Gunni- son ; August 19, 1870, they conveyed it to W. S. Grubb ; October 5, 1874, Mr. Grubb to B. M. Jarvis and J. C. Spencer ; a year later, Jarvis sold his interest to R. H. Spencer. Of the improvements which have been made upon this water-power, a great deal might be written. The old Maxwell grist-mill (now the woolen-mill) was built under the supervision of B. L. Brier, now of Jamestown, Tenn., and, the saw-mill having burned down, a new one was erected upon the ruins of the old, in 1857, by the Cooks, whose names appear in the foregoing as purchasers from Mr. Flanders. They also built a tannery, and purchased of L. Brier a card- ing machine, and from other sources obtained one set of woolen-mill machinery, and put it into operation in the saw-mill building. This property having passed back to Mr. Flanders, he rented it in 1858 to John Dean, who added new looms, and, assisted by his brothers, James and William Dean, carried on the business until about 1865. In the meantime, the Maxwell grist- mill, which had been doing good service, was leased by the proprietors of the Baraboo Flouring Mill, on the " Central " dam, and closed down. The machinery was subsequently purchased and placed in the Honey Creek Mill, now the property of Koenig & Fagel. The empty mill building and the water-power were then purchased by Mr. Dean, and utilized by the removal of his woolen machinery thereto. Andrew Andrews and Henry Rich becoming the partners of Mr. Dean, the institution was conducted for a time under the firm name of John Dean & Co. It then passed to the hands of Joseph Ellis, Ira L. Humphrey and G. H. Bacon. The latter sold his interest in 1873 to M. J. Drown. Under this management, operations were suspended in the fall of 1874. Levi Crouch subsequently became the purchaser of the Ellis interest. During the early part of the summer of 1880, Edmund Brewster purchased the property, and is now engaged in erecting extensive buildings for a paper-mill. The old woolen-mill will be devoted to the manufacture of yarn. For the past six years, the old saw-mill building has been run as a grist-mill, having been fitted up for that purpose by Spencer Brothers. The mill has two runs of stones, with a com- bined capacity of forty barrels per day. The Central Mill Privilege. —In 1844, George W. and William Brown came to Baraboo from Whitewater, the former in June and the latter in July, for the purpose of locating perma- nently. They laid claim to the land upon which South Baraboo now stands, including the water site now known as the " Central Mill Privilege," and commenced building a dam across the 510 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. stream. The dam completed, a saw-mill was erected and put in operation. In 1847, William Brown sold his interest to his brother George, and the latter soon afterward disposed of half the property to Philarmon Pratt. About this time, Delando Pratt, brother of the preceding, having purchased 200 inches of the water, built a mill on the same dam and fitted it with machinery for sawing lath and shingles. It was used for this purpose only two or three years, when it was sold to John and Thomas Seaborn. From that time, the building was known as the "cabinet-shop." The Seaborn brothers put into it machinery for the manufacture of bed- steads, chairs and cabinet furniture, and continued to occupy it for that purpose for fifteen years, when it was consumed by fire. Previous to this unfortunate occurrence, J. N. Savage had become a partner in the business, and was a large sharer in the loss, as was also M. Partridge, who was at the time conducting exclusively the chair department. A part of this building, together with an addition built for the purpose, was at one time occupied as a foundry and machine shop, and considerable in this line was accomplished. Among other works, a steam engine was constructed, which was set up and run at Prairie du Sac. The enterprise was finally abandoned. A short distance east of the old cabinet-shop, a building erected by D. Schermerhorn and P. Pratt was occupied for a time as a tannery. Mr. Pratt afterward used the shop as a hub-factory. The structure, with the cabinet-shop, ended in smoke. A lath-mill was also built by Mr. Pratt in connection with his saw-mill, and the upper story was used as a sash and blind factory. The building was afterward occupied by Mr. P. A. Bassett, who did an extensive business in the manufacture of staves and headings for flour barrels. The building fell a prey to the devouring element, involving a heavy loss to Mr. Bassett and also to Mr. Heylman, who was at the time engaged in the sash and blind business in the upper story. The stave mill was imme- diately rebuilt and put in operation by its founder, Mr. Bassett, who ran it until about 1863, when his son, William P. Bassett, having obtained control of it, moved the machinery to a point five miles west of Baraboo and there continued the business until 1875. Returning to Baraboo with his apparatus, he re-established himself on the north side of the river, two blocks east of the "Central Mill Privilege," where he has since continued the manufacture of staves and headings, which are shipped to principal points in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Mr. Bassett also manufactures flour barrels for the local market. During the busy season, the insti- tution requires the services of a fifty-horse-power engine and about twenty men. Baraboo Flouring Mills. — In 1846, a grist-mill was erected by George W. Brown on the north side of the river, upon the site now occupied by the Baraboo Flouring Mill. It was fur- nished with two runs of stone, and did the custom work for the then sparse population inhabiting an area of some forty or fifty miles' radius. During the construction of an addition to this mill, December 15, 1847, Mr. Brown was instantly killed by a falling timber. The property then reverted to Chauncey and Carissa Brown, father and mother of the deceased. In 1852, this mill shared the fate of the three across the river, being destroyed by fire. In 1855, P. A. Bassett and J. F. Sanford purchased a half-interest in the water-power and the north-side mill site, and erected a four-story building, about 40x50 feet in size. Four runs of stone were put into this mill, and were kept busy day and night to supply the demand. The next year, Mr. Bassett, having bought out his partner, erected a separate mill for custom grind- ing, converting the original one into a strictly merchant mill. Finding a want of room for the storage of wheat and flour, Mr. Bassett, the same year, erected another building of the same size and height as the first, filling the space between the two mills and thus connecting them. Thus matters progressed until 1862, when the property passed to the hands of R. H. Strong and L. H. Kellogg, commission merchants of Milwaukee. Mr. Strong soon afterward became the sole proprietor, and has ever since carried on the concern. There are eight runs of stone in the merchant mill, with a combined capacity of 125 barrels per day; the custom mill has two runs. The machinery of both is entirely new. An excellent brand of flour is made, which finds ready sale in all the leading markets, shipments being made to Norfolk, Va., New York, Pitts- burgh, Boston, Cincinnati, Portland, Me., and the lumbering stations of the Lake Michigan shore. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 511 The Upper Water Power. — In 1844, George and Edward Willard came to the Baraboo Valley and made a claim on the river about two miles above the present city of Baraboo. A dam and saw-mill were constructed and put into successful operation. The proprietary interests of the Messrs. Willard soon passed to Culver & Conkey, who, a year or two later, sold to Met- calf & Crossman. In 1850, Nathan Paddock and Martin Waterman purchased Mr. Crossman's interest, and for thirteen years the firm remained unchanged. But sharp competition, aided by the depressing effects of the war, resulted in financial embarrassments which led the creditors to take measures that would secure them from loss. In 1863, Capt. Levi Moore took charge of the property as legal creditor. The firm had previously built a second structure, and placed in it the necessary machinery for the manufacture of furniture, which was rented and operated by Ryan & Hollenbeck. In 1866, Thomas, Claude & Thomas purchased the entire property, and established, in the furniture department, a hub and spoke factory, the furniture machinery being removed to the shops of the Baraboo Manufacturing Company on the island. In 1874, a Mr. McDonald, of Chicago, purchased the institution. By him it was sold in 1875 to Jacob Hes- peler, of Ontario, Canada, and, in 1878, M. J. Drown became and is now the owner. This dam furnishes seven feet head of water, which sets back over thirteen miles. Miscellaneous. The Baraboo Foundry. — In 1867, Nathan Starks purchased 200 inches of the " Central Power " water, and established on the south bank of the river, an iron foundry, engaging largely in the manufacture of hop-stoves, an article in great demand at that date. The hop panic which followed soon afterward seriously involved Mr. Starks, and he was compelled to suspend operations. The property then passed to Gen. Starks, brother of Nathan, who rented the estab- lishment to William E. Kittredge. Upon the death of Gen. Starks, the property was inherited by his daughter. She rented it to W. F. Wackier, who in 1870, purchased and now conducts it. Tub and Barrel Factory. — In 1877, Langdon Bros, commenced the manufacture of barrels, tubs, churns, etc., on the lake road, south of Baraboo. In 1879, they removed to the village and established themselves on the north side of the river, opposite the railroad workshops. Here they manufacture by steam almost all kinds of cooper's ware, such as pork and pickle barrels, making a specialty of butter and pork packages. They also make the body of a patent churn, sold largely in Ohio by the patentees, and manufacture churns of their own design. Sash, Doors ami Blinds. — George Reul & Sons have been engaged in the manufacture of these and other articles used by builders since 1876. Their machinery is propelled by a thirty- five-horse-power engine. Besides supplying a large demand in Sauk County, they make ship- ments to different parts of the Northwest. Breweries. — The manufacture of beer in Baraboo has grown to be quite an industry. The first brewery in the place was located on the north side of the river, and was burned down, with other property, at an early day. In 1866, George Ruland established a small brewery on the south'side'of the river. The capacity of the concern has been increased from time to time to accommodate local custom. In 1867, George Bender and Frank Miller embarked in a similar enterprise, just east of Ruland's brewery. Miller soon withdrew from the firm, and Bender conducted it alone until his death a few years ago. The business is now carried on by his widow, who, in 1876, added to it a two-story brick hotel. An ale brewery was established by Parrish Brothers, also in 1867, on the north side. In 1868, L. Parrish sold to E. R. Bow, and, in 1870, business was suspended. Tanneries. — In 1850, Squire Schermerhorn established a tannery in a building put up by Mr. Pratt on the south side of the river. In 1856, Baldwin & Densmore built a tannery on the lower water-power. Both enterprises were unsuccessful, and the business was abandoned after a short time. The Baraboo Tannery was founded in the early part of 1866, by D. H. Daniels & Co., D. Munson being the silent partner. In 1867, W. S. Grubb became associated with the original 512 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. founders, and the firm name was then changed to Daniels, Munson & Co. The late Andrew Andrews succeeded to the management of the institution, which finally proved unprofitable, and business was suspended. The buildings were located on the river, about one block below the main bridge, and covered some 450 square feet. THE POST OFFICE. The first settlers of Baraboo had but little time to devote to letter-writing, and, correspond- ence between they and their friends in far-off Eastern homes being limited, a post office was not among the first requirements. It was not until the winter of 1846-47 that serious thoughts of having a' post office in the then embryo village were entertained. Prior to that time, the pioneer citizens had received their mail matter from Prairie du Sac, and it is needless to say that, the country being naturally in a wild state with few roads, there must have been considerable irregularity. A post office was finally established, early in 1847, Dr. Seth P. Angle being the first Postmaster. Prescott Brigham, having loaned money to the county with which to purchase the land for a county seat, insisted upon his right to give the place a name, and, out of his great admiration for the abilities of certain members of a renowned Massachusetts family, he chose to call it Adams, and it was so recorded in the Post Office Department at Washington. The mul- titude of post offices in the United States similarly named, however, soon convinced Government officials that the name must be changed, and the citizens were officially notified of the fact. The next question was, What shall we call it ? And, as is usual in cases of this kind, there was a division of opinion. An effort was made to call it Brooklyn, the name of the town in which the village was located ; but opposition to this proposition soon became so violent that the Brook - lynites were compelled to abandon the ground they had taken in favor of it. Finally, in 1852, the name Baraboo having been substituted for Brooklyn, as it applied to the town, the villagers agreed upon the adoption of the same name, and the momentous question was settled, once, and doubtless, for all time to come. When the post office was first established, Mr. Brigham, who lived on the road leading north from Prairie du Sac, contracted to carry the mail. During fair weather, he made regular weekly trips ; but in the fall, winter and spring, the seasons of bad roads, he rarely came through oftener than once every fortnight. A remedy for inconveniences of this character finally came in the form of better roads, and, at a memorable period in the later history of the county, the iron horse came snorting through the great Baraboo Valley, distributing epistolary favors and the great dailies, fresh from the lightning printing presses, to all classes The office was first located " under the hill," on the north side, near the present site of Mr. Kelsey's residence. Dr. Angle soon afterward built the house now occupied as a parsonage in connection with the Catholic Church, and moved the post office thereto. In the spring of 1848, Eber W. Crandall was appointed to succeed Dr. Angle, and the new incumbent removed the office to the real-estate office of D. K. Noyes, "under the hill," where it remained until Mr. Noyes wearied of the duties thus imposed upon him in the absence of the Postmaster. The Colonel still has the twelve pigeon-holes which, over thirty years ago, accommodated all the mail matter that came to Baraboo. Before the expiration of Postmaster Crandall's term, he located the office in Tuttle & Munson's store, which stood near the present site of Fisher's drug store. Here it remained until B. L. Purdy became Postmaster, who removed it to the corner of Second and Ash streets, within a few feet of the spot where now stands the residence of J. C. Spencer. Mrs. Lucy F. Perkins, now of Sioux Falls, Iowa, was the successor of Mr. Purdy. She removed the office to the present residence of H. N. Souther, just east of the high school building. There it remained until 1857, when James Buchanan, in pursuance of the Demo- cratic doctrine, " to the victors belong the spoils," appointed James H. Wells to the office. Mr. Wells was or had been the editor of the Sauk County Democrat, and, being one of the " victors of 1856," was thus rewarded. He located the office in a small building opposite the present office of the Sauk Count// Republican. In 1859, T. J. Wood succeeded Mr. Wells, and he remained in the position until 1861. In the grand distribution of places that occurred early HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 513 in this memorable year, the Baraboo Post Office prize was drawn by Samuel Hartley. It was he who erected the frame building that now serves as an office for the Republican, and fitted it up for a post office, placing therein 472 boxes and seventy-six drawers. In May, 1867, Col. D. K. Noyes succeeded to the position and has held it continuously to the present time. The Colonel has been assured by his Democratic friends that, as a reward for his faithful services, he will be permitted to enjoy an extended vacation after March 4, 1881. When Col. Noyes took charge of the affairs of the office, he purchased the building erected by Mr. Hartley, and remained in it until January, 1872, when, having previously built a substantial brick on the corner of Ash and Third streets, he removed the office thereto. The office has all the modern conveniences, including 200 Yale lock boxes, 392 glass boxes and eighty-three large drawers. The office became a money-order office in 1867, the first order being issued to A. Lory, of Baraboo, in favor of Otis T. Garey, of Biddeford, Me., for .$1, on the 9th of September of that year. The first week's business amounted tj $130.25. Upward of 27,000 orders have been issued to date. D. W. K. Noyes has filled the position of Assistant Postmaster for the past five or six years. GOVERNMENT. The original town of Baraboo did not include the present village of Baraboo, but comprised the territory now embraced in the towns of Lavalle, Winfield and Dellona, and the north half of the towns of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. The first election in the town thus bounded and described, occurred April 3, 1849, at the house of D. C. Reed, situated in what is now the village of Reedsburg. The town was subsequently divided, from time to time, until the name Baraboo was dropped entirely, so far as it related to the territory mentioned. The village of Baraboo, until the winter of 1852, was located in the town of Brooklyn, which originally embraced within its limits the territory now comprising the towns of Delton, Fairfield, Greenfield, Baraboo, and parts of Freedom, Excelsior and Dellona, or about one-fifth the entire area of the county. The first town meeting for the town of Brooklyn was held at the court house in the village of Baraboo on the 3d of April, 1849. F. C. Webster, William Babb and David Vanalstein were the Judges of Election, while D. K. Noyes and F. G. Stanley acted as Clerks. The ticket chosen was as follows: Supervisors, John B. Crawford (Chairman), Lyman Clark and Solomon Soule; Town Clerk, D. K. Noyes; Town Treasurer, William Griffith ; Assessor, A. A. Noyes; Justices of the Peace, D. Vanalstein, R. H. Davis, W. H. Canfield and D. K. Noyes ; Super- intendent of Common Schools, Harvey Canfield; Constables, E. W. Piper, F. C. Webster and C. A. Clark. The town having been divided into thirteen road districts, the board at its first meeting appointed a Road Overseer for each district and apportioned the taxes of the town, which amounted to $473.30. The next town meeting was held on the 2d of April, 1850, town officers being chosen as fol - lows: Supervisors, Lyman Clark (Chairman), John Metcalf and Leonard Thompson ; Clerk, D. K. Noyes ; Treasurer, Peter Folsom ; School Superintendent, John D. Perkins; Justices, W. II. Canfield and John D. Perkins ; Constables, C. A. Clark, James S. Badger and Joshua Delap ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, D. Munson. The new board came together on the day of their election and voted to raise $400 taxes to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year. The following was the result of the spring election in 1851 : Supervisors, James B. Avery (Chairman), Harvey Canfield and Isaac Palmer; Clerk, Joseph H. Waggoner; Treasurer, J. D. Perkins ; Assessor, James A. Maxwell ; Superintendent, Josiah Dart ; Justices, R. H. Davis and Peter Cooper; Constables, Royal C. Gould, L. Parrish and Samuel Hartley ; Sealer, W. Andrews. In 1852, the officers were : Supervisors, Bela Warner (Chairman), John Monroe and Jabish T. Clement; Clerk, Mark Shepard ; Assessor, M. C. Waite ; Treasurer, J. H. Pratt; Super- intendent, Peter Conrad ; Justices, Isaac Palmer and A. B. Dearborn ; Constables, C. H. Mc- Laughlin, J. G. Wheeler, G. W. Tucker and R. T. Tinkham ; Sealer, James Dykins. 514 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. In December, 1852, the County Board voted to change the name of the town of Brooklyn to that of Baraboo, and at the spring election of 1853 the following officers were chosen : Super- visors, R. H. Davis (Chairman), A. P. Dearborn and H. D. Evans: Clerk, E. L. Walbridge ; Treasurer, J. H. Pratt ; Assessor, M. C. Waite ; Superintendent, D. S. Vittum ; Justices, D. Schermerhorn, C. Armstrong, W. H. Canfield and R. M. Forsythe ; Constables, L. Parrish, C. H. McLaughlin, E. Hart and R. C. Gould ; Sealer, James Dykens. 1854 — Supervisors, Charles Armstrong (Chairman), R. C. Gould and H. H. Webster; Clerk, E. L. Walbridge; Assessor, M. C. Waite; Treasurer, J. H. Pratt; Superintendent, J. B. Avery ; Justices, William Brown and Martin Waterman ; Constables, John Miller, Daniel Smith, R. T. Tinkham and Hiram Langdon ; Sealer, R. Parrish. The record of the election for 1855 is incomplete, and only shows that James A. Maxwell, Charles J. H. Haines and B. B. Brier were chosen Supervisors, and L. F. Cook, Town Clerk. In 1856, the result of the election appears to have been as follows : Supervisors, C. C. Remington (Chairman), C. A. Clark and S. M. Burdick ; Clerk, N. W. Wheeler; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Treasurer, B. L. Purdy ; Superintendent, Warren Cochran ; Justices, Lyman Clark and G. B. Crawford ; Constables, Lyman Messenger, Daniel Smith and P. Burdick ; Sealer, R. Parrish. 1857 — Supervisors, E. Martin (Chairman), C. C. Barnhaus and D. D. T. Perry ; Clerk, N. W. Wheeler ; Assessor, R. R. Remington ; Treasurer, B. L. Purdy ; Superintendent, War- ren Cochran; Justices, E. W. Olin, E. Martin, R. R. Remington and B. B. Brier; Constables, D. Smith, H. H. Webster and D. Chamberlain ; Sealer, R. Parrish. 1858— Supervisors, E. Martin (Chairman), D. D. T. Perry and A. Christie; Clerk, N. W. Wheeler: Treasurer, W. H. Thompson; Assessors, R. G. Camp and R. R. Remington; Super- intendent, H. A. Peck ; Justices, D. K. Noyes, W. H. Thompson, A. Christie and C. Arm- strong ; Constables, D. Smith, E. L. Walbridge and John Miller ; Sealer, R. Jones. 1859 — Supervisors, Charles Armstrong (Chairman), Daniel Brown and George Holah ; Clerk, A. L. Slye ; Treasurer, W. H. Thompson ; Assessors, R. G. Camp and J. B. Avery ; Superintendent, H. A. Peck; Justices, A. Christie and Charles Armstrong; Constables, G. Gibbons, E. Martin and C. Messenger ; Sealer, R. Jones. 1860 — Supervisors, D. K. Noyes (Chairman), F. G. Stanley and A. Allen; Clerk, B. L. Purdy; Superintendent, H. A. Peck ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark; Assessors, R. G. Camp and A. Christie ; Justices, George Mertens and F. K. Jenkins ; Constables, G. Gibbons and W. W. Wolcott ; Sealer, G. Gibbons. 1861 — Supervisors, E. Sumner (Chairman), E. Walbridge and A. Allen; Clerk, D. D. Doane ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Superintendent, H. A. Peck ; Jus- tices, D. K. Noyes and A. Christie; Constables, J. C. Dockham, W. B. Boutwell and A. Wilder; Sealer, G. Gibbons. 1*62— Supervisors, E. Walbridge (Chairman), A. Allen and F. G. Stanley; Clerk, D. D. Doane ; Treasurer, Bela Warner ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Justices, B. L. Purdy, George Mer- tens and E. Walbridge ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Joseph Scott and Henry Holah ; Sealer, William Brown. 1863 — Supervisors, F. G. Stanley (Chairman), A. Christie and A. R. Case ; Clerk, D. D. Doane ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark ; Assessors, R. G. Camp and E. Kimble ; Justices, A. Christie and J. S. A. Bartley ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, John Miller and Robert Lott; Sealer, B. L. Brier ; Poundmaster, P. Pratt. 1864 — Supervisors, R. G. Camp (Chairman), William Andrews and A. R. Case; Clerk, D. D. Doane ; Treasurer, George Holah ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Justices, G. Mertens and B. L. Purdy ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Peter P. Calhoun and Orin Huyck ; Sealer, B. L. Brier. 1865 — Supervisors, F. G. Stanley (Chairman), George Hall and David Munson; Clerk, A. C. Tuttle; Treasurer, D. D. Doane; Assessors, R. G. Camp and E. Kimble; Justices, J. S. A. Bartley and A. Christie ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Robert Lott and H. Calkins ; Sealer, John Caldwell ; Poundmaster, P. Pratt. IIISTOHY OF SAUK COUNTY. 515 1866 — Supervisors, George Mertens (Chairman), David Munson and J. II. Harris ; Clerk, Mair Pointon ; Treasurer, D. D. Doane ; Assessor, F. G. Stanley ; Justices, B. L. Purdy, D. K. Noyes and J. J. Gattiker ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Charles Pfannstiehl and George Caldwell. A full complement of town officers has been elected each year, but since the spring of 1867 they have exercised no authority in the management of municipal affairs in Baraboo. ORGANIZED AS A VILLAGE. The Legislature of 1865-66 passed an act incorporating Baraboo as a village. Section 1 of the incorporating act provided for the boundaries of the village as follows : The southeast quarter and the south half of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 35, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 36, in Township 12 north, Range 6 east, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 1, and the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 2, in Township 11 north. Range 6 east, in Sauk County, shall hereafter be known and designated by the name of the village of Baraboo. Section 2 provided that the management of the fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns of the village should be vested in a President and six Trustees, one Clerk, one Treasurer, one Con- stable (who shall be ex officio Marshal), one Attorney, one Surveyor, and such other officers as the Trustees might see fit to appoint. Section 51 of the charter related that the first election for officers should be held on the second Monday in April, 1866, "in case this act shall take effect on or previous to that date ; and in case this act shall not take effect on or previous to that day, or in case no election shall be held on that day, then such first election of officers may be ordered and appointed by any ten freehold voters." The first record, however, of any election held under the provisions of this act is dated April 2, 1867, when the qualified electors residing within the boundaries of the village assembled at the court house and proceeded to cast their ballots for a village President and the required number of Trustees. The record informs us that " the whole number of votes cast for Presi- President and Police Justice was 104, of which number S. M. Burdick received 83 and William H. Clark received 21; that the whole number of votes cast for Trustees was 104, of which B. F. Mills received 103, A. Andrews, 101 ; T. D. Lang, 96 ; J. R. Hall, 104 ; B. L. Purdy, 103; C. C. Remington, 80; J. R. Dibble, 2; M. J. Drown, 11; and T. Thomas, James Dykins, William Marrah and D. K. Noyes, 1 vote each. Consequently, Mr. Burdick was elected the first President, and Messrs. Mills, Andrews, Lang, Hall, Purdy and Remington the first Trustees of the village of Baraboo, which, up to the present writing, has been under village government. The first meeting of the first Board of Trustees was held April 5. The officers elect, with the exception of Mr. Remington, took the oath of office, and the vacancy created by the declina- tion of Mr. Remington to serve was filled by the appointment of C. A. Sumner. The appointive offices were then filled as follows : Clerk, John Barker ; Attorney, C. C. Remington ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong ; Constable, J. C. Dockham ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Fire Warden, M. C. Waite. The village attorney was instructed to draft suitable ordinances for the guidance of the board and the government of the village, and the first meeting of the first Board of Trustees was adjourned for ten days. The second charter election was held March 9, 1868, and resulted in the choice of M. Mould, President and Police Justice, and E. Walbridge, C. T. White, T. D. Lang, James Dykins, Will- iam Powers and Andrew Andrews, Trustees. The appointive officers this year were Anton Fischer, Clerk; R. M. Strong, Treasurer ; Frank Fletcher, Constable ; W. II. Clark, Attorney ; W. H. Canfield, Surveyor; M. C. Waite, Fire Warden, and James Goodwin, Poundmaster. In I860, J. R. Hall was chosen President; M. C. Waite, Police Justice, and N. W. Wheeler, Frank Avery, W. Burrington, T. T. English, William Moore and B. Frank Brown, Trustees. Officers appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk; R. M. Strong, Treasurer; C. C. 516 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Remington, Attorney ; J. C. Dockham, Constable ; W. H. Canfield, Surveyor, and James Goodwin, Poundmaster. 1870— President, J. R. Hall ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees— N. W. Wheeler, Frank Avery, J. C. Chandler, Thomas Oates, T. T. English and B. F. Brown. Officers appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk ; R. M. Strong, Treasurer ; W. H. Clark, Attorney ; D. E. Kelsey, Constable; E. Barstow, Street Commissioner; James Goodwin, Poundmaster. 1871— President, J. R. Hall ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees— J. G. Train, D. Munsou, B. F. Brown, A. Andrews, George Mertens and G. W. Merchant ; Supervisor, J. G. Train. Officers appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk ; Mair Pointon, Treasurer ; C. C. Remington, Attorney ; B. J. Paddock, Constable ; Daniel Pruyn, Commissioner ; Abram Hunt, Pound- master. • 1872 — President, James Dykins ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees — Frank Avery, William Hoxie, T. T. English, M. Mould, J. J. Gattiker, and J. G. Train ; Supervisor, J. G. Train. Officers appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; J. J. Gattiker, Treasurer; John Barker, Attorney ; A. Andrews, Constable ; M. C. Waite, Fire Warden ; S. W. Emory Commissioner ; Thomas Oates, Poundmaster. 1873 — President, Samuel S. Grubb; Trustees — J. M. Haines, F. Barringer, William Hoxie, T. T. English. T. D. Lang and H. H. Webster ; Supervisor, William Stanley. Officers appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; T. D. Lang, Treasurer ; H. J. Huntington Attorney ; A. Wistans, Marshal; George Nelson, Poundmaster. 1874— President, M. Mould ; Police Justice, Eli Jones ; Trustees— T. T. English, T. D. Lang, James Dykins, John Barker, P. Pratt and A. Andrews ; Supervisor, William Stanley. Officers appointed— Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk; John Barker, Attorney ; J. R. Davis, Marshal; Andrew Patrick, Poundmaster. 1875— President, M. Mould; Police Justice, J. W. Blake; Trustees— T. T. English, T. D. Lang, William Hoxie, John Barker, James Dykins and Gustavus Scharnke ; Supervisor, W. Stanley ; Justice of the Peace, S. Hartley. Officers appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk, Fred Johnson, Treasurer ; J. R. Davis, Marshal and Commissioner; W. C. Hatch, Poundmaster. 1876— President, Frank Avery ; Police Justice, J. W. Blake ; Trustees — G. W. March- ant, P. Pratt, G. Scharnke, John Thatcher, W. Stanley, and J. H. Halstead ; Justice of the Peace, R. T. Warner ; Supervisor, George Mertens ; Constable, L. 0. Holmes. Officers appointed— Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; W. Stanley, Treasurer ; Henry Cowles, Marshal ; William Hatch, Poundmaster ; M. Hoffman, Commissioner. 1877— President, D. S. Vittum; Trustees— W. Stanley, D. E. Welch, Isaac Green, W. Scharnke, W. Hoxie and J. Thatcher ; Clerk, Philip Cheek, Jr. ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ; Police Justice, R. T. Warner ; Constable, L. 0. Holmes ; Assessor, E. Walbridge ; Supervisor, J. J. Gattiger ; Attorney (as appointed by board), John Barker ; Street Commissioner, (ap- pointed), George Claus. 1878 — President, D. S. Vittum ; Trustees — William Power, Isaac Green, W. Hoxie, A. Fischer, J. G. Train and E. A. Watkins ; Clerk, Philip Cheek, Jr.; Treasurer, L. 0. Homes; Police Justice, R. T. Warner ; Supervisor, J. J. Gattiker ; Commissioner (appointed), M. Hoffman ; Marshal (appointed), L. 0. Holmes ; Poundmaster, W. Hatch. 1879 — President, D. S. Vittum ; Trustees — William Hoxie, William Powers, J. G. Train, A. Fischer, W. Schranke ; Clerk, Rolla E. Noyes ; Treasurer, M. Hoffman ; Police Justice, Jasper A. Dibble ; Justice of the Peace, T. C. Thomas ; Marshal, L. 0. Holmes ; Constable, J. Prethero ; Supervisor, George Mertens; Commissioner (appointed), M. Hoffman; Attorney (appointed), John Barker ; Poundmaster (appointed), M. Hatch. 1880 — President, William S. Grubb ; Trustees — George Nicholson, W. Dower, J. Dykins, W. Stanley, Ira L. Humphrey and Frank Avery; Clerk, R. B. Griggs ; Treasurer and Commis- sioner, E. 0. Holden ; Police Justice, J. A. Dibble ; Justice of the Peace, T. C. Thomas ; Su- pervisor, George Mertens; Poundmaster (appointed), F. N. Ross; Attorney (appointed), John Barker. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 517 Baraboo has about outgrown her village garments, and must necessarily become a city within the next two or three years. THE BARABOO WHISKY WAR. "Alas ! the depths of sin anil shame That Bacchus' devotees have found ; Their hopes can now but. live in name, Their joy is but an empty sound. Their manood has departed hence, For which they find no recompense. "Despairing Hope to frenzy driven — In drunkards' wives and children too — Has roused the strength to woman given And urged such deeds as they can do. Their votes go not in ballot-box, So more direct they slay the ox. " With aching hearts, but purpose true, They make their way to hell's dark door, From which the flames of wrath do spew; King Alky feared ne'er thus before — But with such blows as woman gives They struck him hard " right where he lives." "And lest his imps with lawyers bound Should bring him back again to life. They put him deep down in the ground Without the aid of drum or fife. His mourning friends look sadly on, While all his foes rejoice 'twas done." Thus sang the local poet. The cause that inspired his muse will perhaps be better understood if given in prose. It was in the spring of 1854. A resident of Baraboo, a hard drinker, but withal a good citizen, when not "in his cups," became an habitual patron of the "Brick Tavern " bar. His appetite for liquor led him to neglect his family, and finally resulted in his attempting to take the life of his wife. The neighbors of the unfortunate woman, knowing the facts, and very naturally deprecating the cause, had more than once beseeched the proprietor of the rummery to refuse liquor to those of his customers whose thirst for it led them to deeds of violence ; but their appeals, being in opposition to the successful pursuit of his nefarious business, were not heeded. The wife, acting under the impulse of her despemte situation, had also sought to arouse the blunted sympathies of the rum-seller by personal interviews in her own behalf ; but all to no purpose. Death finally intervened, and the family of the poor inebriate saw the grave close about the form of the husband and father. In the meantime, the dispensation of intoxicat- ing drink went on unmolested in all the ante-rooms of hell then flourishing in Baraboo. Sympathy for the widow and orphans was very deep throughout the village, and a quiet though earnest determination to put an end to such sad and disgraceful affairs in future seemed to take possession of the better classes of citizens. Especially was this feeling noticeable among the ladies, who were naturally the first to appreciate the situation of their grief-stricken sister. The painful subject furnished an excellent theme for the pulpit, and nearly all the ministers in the place referred to it in their discourses. The Sabbath succeeding the funeral, W. II. Thompson, Pastor of the Methodist Church, became particularly eloquent in denouncing the political system which permitted the sale of liquor, and said he wished " to God the thunderbolts of heaven would shiver the brick tavern and its contents, animate and inanimate." Lawyer Pratt, in private conversation a few days later, said he would like to see all the liquor in the village poured into the streets. In this expressed wish, a large number of the indignant citizens of Baraboo discovered a suggestion for summarily solving a difficult problem. At an impromptu 018 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. meeting of a few stalwart ladies, the subject was discussed and a line of action quietly deter- mined upon. As the local poet tells us — " The drunkard's threat, the midnight shriek ; The cracking whip, the loaded gun,* The fruits of Rum and Rummy's votes — All plainly show what must be done— ' Destroy the fiend !' The word, the blow; the last came first. " They came with resolution fixed, Some forty matrons less or more ; And daughters, too, with earnest look, In all perhaps about threescore. Blessed prospect, ! Something now is surely meant." Hark ! There's a sound of devastation — a sudden unloosing of liquid devils. The bar- room of the Brick Tavern is in the process of female invasion. Fumes of liquor infect the air. " Rye," " Bourbon " and " Fine Old Tom " meet a common fate, and are rapidly absorbed by the parched earth in front of the hotel. The whilom dispenser of these evil spirits is wrapped in slumber; for it is early morn, and none but sober citizens are* abroad. The righteous work of destruction proceeds so quietly that his repose is not disturbed. In disposing of the empty bottles, a corrugated " Schnaps " is deposited in an adjacent dry goods box in which a reveler of the previous night has taken lodging. The breaking of the falling bottle does not molest him, but there is a familiar smell about it which brings him to his feet with all the alacrity of a toper invited to drink ; and he looks out upon the strange scene and weeps. Across the street a grocer, " who keeps a little to accommodate his customers," has just opened his establishment, after having taken one of his own "eye-openers." Thither the earn- est band of women go, but before reaching the place the door is locked. The ladies make the liquor-seller a proposition to buy his stock that they may destroy it, but, while he hesitates to set a price, an entrance is effected from the rear of the house; and the quiet turning of faucets and drawing of stopples is not molested until the "wrath of the casks" has flooded the floor, and the "silent workers " are on the march toward " French Pete's." By this time the news of the revolution has spread to all parts of the village. The populace is alarmed. Rumors of a general uprising are abroad, and the people crowd upon the scene of action only to learn the facts, and calmly watch the result. There are many loud and earnest exclamations of acquies- cence in the proceedings ; there are also murmers of disapproval. The report of a gun is heard ! The keeper of the bagnio that is now being attacked, after uttering murderous threats against the Amazonian brigade, has discharged his shot-gun in the air, intending to scare them away ; but the ruse avails nothing. " While the earth drinks in the rum The throng around exclaim, ' Hurrah! A glorious jubilee has conic ; We are ahead of Maine afar.' " It is the most vigorous temperance movement ever witnessed by the people of Baraboo — temperance with a vengeance. Elder Cochran is present, his face wreathed in smiles. To him it is a pleasing sight to see the poisonous stuff mingling.with the dust. The keeper of the saloon has joined the crusaders and is also emptying the bottles of their contents. He has irrigated his parched throat with the best in the house, to give him courage, and is now hurling beer glasses through mirrors and windows and creating a general havoc. The excitement is intense. Sheriff Munson commands Elder Cochran to disperse, but the Elder assures that high official that such a thing would be a physical impossibility. Another crash within ; the drunken saloon-keeper has fallen through a glass door. Tim Kirk mounts an empty beer barrel, and in supplicating tones beseeches the ladies, in the name of the forefathers and free institutions, to desist. He •The inijiti'MK'iitM mill which tin- ilw-wcl inc-l.rintv hud nuiiulit In " rhu."ti»r " hi* wife. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 519 promises them that within thirty days every rum-seller in Baraboo shall be driven from the place. The ladies quietly withdraw and go to their homes ; the crowd gradually melts away, and peace once more hovers about the scene. A week or ten days later, warrants of arrest are issued for the ladies who are alleged to have been the ring-leaders in the crusade, and whose husbands are reckoned to be responsible for any damages that may be adjudged against them. They are taken to Lower Sauk for an impartial trial (the officials probably fearing that a Baraboo jury might hang them !) The Teu- tonic Justice holds them to answer before the Circuit Judge, anil remands them to the pro- tecting care of the Sheriff, who returns with them to Baraboo, but does not find it within his heart to lock them up, and they are released on their own recognizance. At the next term of the Circuit Court Judge Wheeler assesses the total damage at $150, which is immediately paid. And thus endeth the Baraboo whisky war. THE RIVER ON A RAMPAGE. On the night of March 14, 1859, the Baraboo River, greatly swollen by the spring rains and melting snows, burst through the north wing of the boom, just above Bassett & Pratt's dam, carrying down a large "drive" of logs with great force against the upper dam timbers, which gave way. This increased the flow of water in that direction, and hurried thither hundreds of other logs, which, like so many battering rams, soon beat a large hole in the dam, and, within thirty minutes' time, a torrent of water four feet in depth, poured through the chasm with irresistible force. The immense volume of water, as it poured through the opening, struck the bank just above the flouring-mill, and was rapidly undermining it. As piece after piece of the dam gave way, the current gained force and volume, and at daylight beat so furiously against the bank, which kept dropping into the insatiable flood, as to oblige Mr. Bassett to look to the security of the large quantity of Hour then stored in the mill. Several teams were employed to transport the flour to the neighboring buildings. This task about finished, it occurred to the assembled citizens that something should be done to stem the ravages of the stream, and repair the break. Great confusion reigned, some proposing one method, some another, but all agreeing that something must be done. Finally, William Brown took the lead. Parties were sent off to fell trees, and others were dispatched for teams to draw them to the spot. In a very short time the progress of the water was checked. Large trees, secured by cables, were deposited where the current struck the bank hardest. Brush, logs and stftnes were gradually added to the mass to give it weight. It is said there were nearly 500 men engaged in the work. But the current was not wholly checked until some 6,000 cubic yards of earth had been washed away. By this time, one-third of the dam was gone. The immense flood of water passing down broke away some twenty or thirty feet of the lower or Maxwell dam. The excitement had scarcely died away, when, early the following morning, the bells in the village rung for help. A large part of the artificial bank, made the previous day, had been carried off", and lodged against the bridge. The foundation of the mill was again being attacked by the relentless and obdurate current. A force of men and teams was soon on the ground, and two or three hours of unre- mitting labor warded off the threatened danger. The loss on this occasion was estimated at $2,000; but the citizens considered themselves fortunate in having saved the Bassett-Pratt Mill from destruction, as it was then the largest institution of the kind for many miles around, and about it centered the interest of the entire community. ORIGIN OF THE NAME "BARABOO."* In introducing the following letter from Prof. Henry, it is due also to other gentlemen who have sought to assist me in ascertaining the origin of the name " Baraboo," that I should express to them my thanks. In answer to my own letters of inquiry upon this question, I have received letters from Mr. Draper, of the State Historical Society ; Mr. Tapley, of the Green Bay 520 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Gazette; the Rev. Father in charge of St. Mary's Church at Green Bay at the time of its bi-centennial celebration some years ago ; and Gen. Cobb and Hon. J. Allen Barber, Repre- sentatives in Congress from this district. I have also conferred with and am indebted to several gentlemen connected with the press of the State and of Chicago, familiar with the early history of Wisconsin, certain of them translators from the French. That these latter gentlemen failed to hit upon the natural solution presented by Prof. Henry, is perhaps due, in part, to the fact that, with the main question, I submitted to them also all the theories which had been advanced in respect to the name, and that these theories had a tendency to mislead them. Generally it was assumed by those whom I consulted, as it had been assumed in all instances to which their attention was called, that Baraboo was derived from a French surname. Other theories were advanced, but only to be finally rejected by those who made them. Aside from the name of the mythical old Frenchman, "Barabeau," to whom legend assigned a shanty at the mouth of the river in days prior to the settlement of the valley, a number of names of real per- sonages give hints of the name Baraboo. The Barbou family were, perhaps, the most celebrated printers of France from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Jean Louis de la Bruyere Barbeau in 1759 published, under the title of Mappemonde ffistorique, an ingenious map, then entirely new, in which geography, chronology and history were simultaneously presented. Royer P. F. Barbault (pronounced Barbo), a native of St. Domingo, of African descent, took part with his countrymen in the insurrection of 1792, and was honored with a mission to France, where he afterward continued to reside. He was an author, an editor and lawyer of some repute, and held a place of importance in the French Bureau of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Tapley suggested the name of " Gen. de la Barre, Governor, resident at Montreal, of the French Possessions of the Northwest." There is no mention of a Governor de la Barre in the outline histories of Canada contained in Appleton's Encyclopedia or the Conversations Lexi- con, though I find a reference to a Lieutenant General of that name who was in the French serv- ice in the latter part of the seventeenth and the commencement of the eighteenth century. There was also a Col. Isaac Barre (descendant of a French refugee) in the English service, a friend of Wolfe, and wounded at the siege of Quebec by the side of his chief, whose death he wit- nessed. He was one of the many to whom were attributed the letters of Junius, and of him it was said : " His name will always be connected with the history of America." I took no especial pains to assure myself as to the correctness of Mr. Tapley's citation, because, while the idea was in itself plausible enough that some one of the personages thus named — high in the French and English service in the early history of the. Northwest, or in the French Bureau of Foreign Affairs, or in the invention of charts of the world, or in printing — should have held such rela- tion to some one of the early explorers as that the name of the former should be bestowed by the latter upon one of his discoveries, still there is an inherent probability that a name thus con- ferred would have been recorded and perpetuated. For this reason I was led to favor the theory that the name might have been derived from the name of some American officer of French descent and name, connected with some of the early army expeditions, or with the first garrisons at Fort Winnebago. This suggestion, together with others made in the premises, I made in my letter to Mr. Barber, referred to Prof. Henry. I record them here, realizing how far "out of the way" they are, especially when contrasted with Prof. Henry's solution of the question, as a matter that may be of curiosity to some, and as show- ing that I have neither overlooked nor ignored any suggestion made to myself. Recently, in a letter upon this subject, Hon. J. Allen Barber wrote to me : " Mr. Hoar, a gentleman versed in the "curious in literature," has expressed the opinion that Prof Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution, if any one, can find out the facts in the case." Accordingly, my previous letter to Mr. Barber was referred to Prof. Henry, and the following is his reply, received through Mr. Barber. The letter (copied) is without date or signature, as below ap- pended : " I have received a communication from Mr. Hill, inquiring as to the origin of the term ' Baraboo ' given to the river, town and village in Sauk County, Wis. Of the history of the name HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 521 I know nothing. It is not impossible it is, as your correspondent suggests, a corruption of some French or English officer's surname ; but it seems to me much more probable that it came either from the French Barbue — cat-fish — a not uncommon designation of rivers and creeks by the early voyageurs; or from Barbeau — carp, or sucker. What is now ' Putnam's Creek ' in Essex County, N. Y., running into Lake Cliamplain from the west, south of Crown Point, was Riviere a la Barbue of the French, and is so set down on M. de Levy's map of 1748, and in Pouchet's Me- moir of the war of 1756-60. On Russell's map, 1783, Barbe R. (Riviere a la Barbue of Morse's Gazetteer, 1797), enters the lake from the northeast, 'forty miles W. N. W. from the extremity of Long Point in that lake.' A third R. a la Barbue is mentioned in the same gazetteer, and by Alcedo, and is laid down on the maps of the last century, flowing westerly into Lake Michigan — now known, I believe, as the (South) Black River, between Ottawa and Allegan Counties, Mich. 'Catfish River,' the outlet of Four Lakes in Dane Co., Wis., still retains that name. I might add other examples of streams bearing the French or English name of this fish. The transition from Barbue to Baraboo is easy, and Riviere a la Barbue comes to be Baraboo River, as naturally as Point au.v Bales to point Abbaye, or Bale de la Bete grise to ' Bay Degrees,' or Baie des Noquets to ' Bay de Nock.' "Though the French in America uniformly gave the name of barbue to the cat-fish (Pime- lodus), all the French-English dictionaries into which I have looked, restrict it to a marine fish of the turbot and flounder family — the 'brill,' 'dab' or 'sandling.' This has occasioned some curious mistakes : For example, in the English translation of Labouton (London, 1703, Vol. I, p. 246), where the great cat-fish of the western rivers are described as 'lake dabs or sandlings.' Occasionally, too, translators confound barbue into barbeau (carp or sucker). The latter was described by Sagard, in 1631, under its Huron name, Einehataon, as somewhat resembling the Barbeau of Europe. There are two pr three of these ' Carp Rivers ' entering Lake Superior from Northern Michigan, and ' Point Barbeau ' is named in Foster and Whitney's Report (Part 2, p. 395) as an important fishing station on Lake Michigan. It would be nearly as easy to make Baraboo from Barbeau, as from Barbue — if the river, on examination, proves to be richer in suckers than in catfish." Referring to French and English dictionaries for the term Barbeau, in like manner as Prof. Henry has referred for the term Barbue, I find that it is synonymous with Barbel, which applies, not only to a particular kind of fish, but (vide Webster), to "the small vermiform proc- ess appended to the mouths of certain fishes." The barbel proper (or barbeau) is described as " a large, coarse, fresh-water fish found in European waters, having several barbs or beard-like feelers pendant from its leathery, sucker-like mouth, which give it its name. It grows to the length of three feet, and attains to a weight of from eighteen to twenty pounds." Old Izaak Walton speaks of "the barbel, so called by reason of his barbs or wattles." Barbue has a like signification. Fish of the turbot family are unlike the cat-fish, in that the former are round, flat, with small heads, while the cat-fish is large-headed, long and tapering. I infer that the terms barbue and barbeau or barbel were applied by the French voyageurs to the fishes of American waters, not from any resemblance in their form to the European barbue or barbeau, but from their having the same head-like feelers pendant from their mouths. It would follow that within this category should be included the sturgeon, our native variety of which, as well in respect to its barbs, its sucker-like mouth, its general form and coarse flesh, bears a resemblance to the bar- beau or barbel proper. The sucker has no wattles. I place the more stress upon this distinc- tion that, while the Baraboo is rich in suckers and cat-fish (the former being the most numerous), we have in a reminiscence of Baraboo's earliest settler, Mr. Archibald Barker, a very remarkable account of a shoal of sturgeons encountered by him in running, in the spring of 1841, the first raft which left the Baraboo. Mr. Barker says : " In Company with Ed Kingsley, going down [the Lower Baraboo Rapids], each on a crib, I halloaed to him to look — that somebody seemed to have made a dam of stones across the river. As we approached we saw it was the backs and tails of fishes. We were soon among them, and found they were sturgeons. I killed three with my handspike. In jumping into the 522 HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. water to get them I was knocked down by others running against my legs. Forja short distance, the river seemed to be jammed full of them." I incline to the opinion that " Riviere a la Barbeau " should in the case of the Baraboo be interpreted "Sturgeon River." But, whether we apply the term Barbeau to sturgeons or suck- ers, it gives us a solution which we believe will be accepted as conclusive and satisfactory of the origin of the name Baraboo. It strengthens this conclusion that the Winnebago name of the river, Ocoochery, signifies " plenty of fish." It is further in favor of the French derivation of the name Baraboo that the French gave to the river the first name under which it appears in any record — that of the Belle *Chasse, and names bestowed by the French upon bay, river, hill and prairie, abound, from Depere, by the " Portage" and Prairie du Sac, to Prairie du Chien. In speaking of the transition of the term Barbeau to Baraboo, we have also to take in account the familiar roll of the French "r" — thus : Bar-r-r-beau — and we have, with scarcely a transition even, the name of our river, town, village and valley. Believing, as I have already in other words said, that we have here the derivation of a name for which until this time no derivation has been found, I have but to add that whatever thanks the discovery is entitled to are due mainly to Prof. Henry, while it is not less due to Mr. Barber that I should reiterate my thanks to him. Following is an extract from a letter addressed to Mr. Hill, by Louis Claude, dated March 12, 1872 : " The name ' Baraboo ' is now up for final judgment, and although the abundance of 'suckers,' both aquatic and terrestrial, which it appears has always distinguished this valley, lends so great a weight to the ' Barbeau ' theory that I will not ' carp ' at it, still I beg to offer the following mite of suggestion — it can hardly be called information — viz. : Fifteen years ago I brought here a map, of the date of about 1837, which a small but dishonest boy sold me (emphat- ically) on the cars for one of 1857. On this map the Baraboo River was marked as ' Barivaut's ' or 'Baribaut's' Creek. I had always believed the above to be the correct derivation." Concerning the name Baraboo, the Hon. J. Allen Barber writes : " It seems probable that the name is a corruption of some French word or phrase, as it does not appear like an Indian term. The place is at or near the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, on the route from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, and in the ordinary line of communication between the two by means of canoes. In 1649 and 1650, the Hurons and their allies, who had been converted to Christianity by Father Brebeuf, were overthrown by the Iroquois, and part of them fled to Wisconsin on their way to the Mississippi. They were met and driven back by the Sioux. They were found by some French traders, in 1659-60, stationed about six days' journey south- west of Lake Superior, or not far from what is now called Baraboo. Very soon after that period, they had returned to Green Bay. As they were all Christians, may they not have given the name of their religious teacher, whose memory they would honor, to their temporary residence near the portage? The word ' Brebeuf might possibly leave its shadow behind it in the form of Brabo or Baraboo. The phrase ' bois brule ' was not infrequently applied to localities by the ' voyayeurs.' It is the name of a river farther north. It may also have been applied casually to the small stream near the portage, and have been converted into Baraboo by some rude pioneer or hunter, who had no knowledge of French. These conjectures, of course, have very little value, but such possibilities sometimes serve a purpose when positive information is wanting. The fact that the intelligent people who now live in Wisconsin, and very near to the locality in ques- tion, have no record or tradition respecting the name, gives force to the supposition that it was casually applied, and has been corrupted into its present form. Barbaroux is a not uncommon French name, and if left behind by some trader with the Indians would very easily become 'Baraboo.' " The suggestion that the last syllable of the name of Brebeuf might have been corrupted into a guttural with the/ silent (perhaps favored by the fact that in certain French words ending in f—clef, for instance — the/ is silent) was submitted to the Rev. Father of St. Mary's Church of m:i|j pul.liahort (an a|>|"'ftrH from iu i;.-ograi>liy) in 1H17, now in the possession of Mr. y^^/^^t ( *, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James A. Hawley. The Rev. E. B. Tut- hill became Pastor in March, 1861, and in August, 1*6-J, was succeeded by Rev. E. B. Miner. Mr. Miner resigned in July, 1864, and was followed by Rev. H. S. Clark, and he in July, 1865. by the Rev. F. Z. Rossiter. In March, 1870, the Congregational Church having proposed uniting by letter with the Presbyterian Church, it was agreed that joint-meetings should be held — the morning Sabbath service and Sunday school in the Congregational Church, and the evening Sabbath service and week-day meetings in the Presbyterian Church — " the arrangement to be entirely informal, and to continue one month, in the hope that it will expedite an organic union." At that date, there were ninety-two names of members on the roll of the Presbyterian Church, and one hundred Sabbath school pupils. This attempt to unite the two churches was not entirely successful, a few of the Congregationalists withholding their presence, the united portion, however, occupy- ing the Congregational Church for nearly one year, when they went back to the old Presby- terian Church. The Rev. Mr. Rossiter was, soon after this event, succeeded by the Rev. George F. Folsom, and during the second and third year of his pastorate the present Presbyterian Church edifice was built at a cost of something over $12,000. For about a year prior to May, L879, the church was without a pastor, the Rev. R. L. Williams, the present incumbent, begin. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 537 ning his labors on that date. The present membership of the church is given at 175. The con- gregation is usually very large. The Elders of the church, since its organization, have been John D. Perkins, Merritt Clark, Eliphalet Dustin, B. L. Brier, Marvin Blake, Chauncy Hall, Darwin Hill, Leonard Newcomb, Harper T. Savage, Jedediah Hubbard, Miller Blachly, Ezra 0. Holden, John B. Crawford, Henry Cowles and Ira L. Humphry. Unitarianism. — The organization known as the Free Congregational Society was accom- plished February 16, 1860. The founder of the society, Rev. Ichabod Codding, who had be- come widely and favorably known as a powerful advocate of liberty and reform during the Presi- dential canvass of 1860, preached in the court house October 28 of that year and on several occasions thereafter, taking charge of the society's destinies May 18, 1861. Mr. Codding at once drew about him a large circle of warm friends and supporters. The congregations were large, and the efforts of both society and pastor for the Anti-slavery cause and the local sanitary commission, showed that they could both preach and practice. Mr. Codding, on account of ill health, resigned his charge in March, 1865, and died* in Baraboo June 17, 1866. The Rev. A. A. Roberts was settled in October, 1865, and ordained February 13, 1866, as Pastor of the society, which now became generally known as the Unitarian Church. This charge was partly brought about by the generous aid of the American Unitarian Association in building the church edifice, which was dedicated on the 11th of December, 1867. Mr. Roberts closed his pastorate in September, 1868, and was succeeded in October following by the Rev. Fred May Holland. Since the pastorate of Mr. Holland, the society has had no regular minister. The Rev. Mr. Albee, of Sparta, favors them with an occasional lecture. For the past six or seven years, the church has been used for theatrical and other similar purposes — in fact, it is about the only hal in Baraboo that will accommodate entertainments of this character. In connection with the history of this society, a rather amusing incident, implicating a well- known citizen, is related. During the incumbency of the Rev. Mr. Roberts as Pastor, an effort was made by a few of the members to oust him. At a meeting at which the matter was dis- cussed, and after the disgruntled members had given their reasons formaking"a change, the afore- said well-known citizen arose and opposed the proposition to dispense with Mr. Roberts' services. He cited, in defense of his position, the fact that the pastor had done a great deal toward build- ing the church and bringing the society up to its then prosperous condition; " and," he contin- ued, warming up to a moderate degree of earnestness, "if you turn him out now, d d if I don't quit this church and go over to the hell-fire and brimstone fellows at once." The German Methodists. — The pioneer German Methodists in Baraboo were Frederick Fil- bert and wife and George Wolf and wife. Meetings were held as early as 1865, in the basement of the English Methodist Church building. The first Pastor of the little congregation was the Rev. Charles Mueller, who was accidentally drowned in the Missouri River in 1866. The suc- cessors of Mr. Mueller have been the Revs. G. A. Saultzer, Mr. Wentz, Conrad Hedler and Frederick Griekmann. In 1868, the society purchased, for $1,300, the old Presbyterian Church building, opposite the public schoolhouse, where they have been permanently located ever since. The society had grown to considerable proportions in 1874, when a disaffection occurred and one- half '! members withdrew and joined the Alb'rechts. The original organization still continues to li id pother. 77/. Episeojiidiuns. — On the first Sunday in dune, 1867,' a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church began services in a small upper room on Oak street, Baraboo, then used as a Good Templars' Hall. Taylor's Hall was soon afterward rented and transformed into a house of worship. A few months later, a parish, under the name of Trinity Church, was duly organ- ized according to the canons of the church, and became an incorporated body, according to the laws of the State. In September, 1868, it was resolved to purchase the property on the north- east corner of Oak and Sixth streets, known as the seminary property, then owned by P. A. Bas- sett, and $1,000 was the amount of purchase money agreed upon, one-fourth of which was raised ' Sir article on " Illustrious Dead " of Sank County for 1 i f . ■ mid servii'i-n of Mr (.'milling. 538 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. in local subscriptions, one-fourth in Milwaukee and the balance in various Eastern cities. A deed for the property was executed in June, 1869. Mr. Hudson remained as Rector of the church until April, 1873. His successors have been the Revs. Ritchie, Lemon and Cow- drey. The Lutherans. — In 1870, the Rev. Baumbach, of the town of Honey Creek, came to Baraboo at the solicitation of a few German citizens desirous of forming themselves into a religious society. Meetings were held in the institute building, and an organization perfected with the following constitutional members : Dr. Koch and wife, William Schultz and wife, Mr. Curtis and wife and Mr. Alpeter and wife. In 1878, a church edifice was built on East Fourth street, at a cost of $2,000. The stated Pastors have been the Revs. Giesel and Shaffelman, the latter now being in charge. The membership is given as thirty-seven. The Albrechts. — "Emmanuel Church of Baraboo of the Evangelical Association of North America " is the title of a religious organization perfected in 1875, having for its purpose the dissemination of the quasi-Methodist doctrines of Jacob Albrecht, who, about 1790, established this form of religion in Pennsylvania. Among the leading names of those who figured in the early history of the society are the following : William Scharnke, George Wolf and wife, Gus- tave Scharnke and wife, Leonard Smith and wife, Tobias Clavadatcher and Peter Sprecher. Services were first held in what was then known as Post Office Hall. David Wolfs wagon-shop was subsequently rented and fitted up for the accommodation of the society. In 1879, a neat brick-veneered church edifice was built on Second and Broadway, at a cost of about $2,500 The Rev. C. F. Finger was the minister who first had charge of the organization. In the spring of 1876, the Wisconsin Conference sent the Rev. Mr. Reichert as permanent Pastor. Conrad Wiegand was Mr. Reichert's successor. The present Pastor is the Rev. Peter Massueger. The membership of the church is about 100. HOTELS. The early pioneers of Baraboo and vicinity took lodgings in Nature's vast chamber, with the star studded canopy for a roof; and, though their couches were hard, their consciences were clear and their repose sweet and unbroken. Not a few of the old residents, who are still living, remember the luxury of a night's rest in the log schoolhouse north of the river, after the erection of that structure in 1843, or in the rude 10xl2-cabin of some kindly neighbor on the south side. Some time in 1843, James Webster, father of H. H. Webster, of Baraboo, completed a frame building in Lyons and accommodated new-comers. This was the first house in the Baraboo Valley approaching the hotel order. Early in 1847, Col. Edward Sumner purchased of the county a lot at the northeast corner of the court house square, and put up a small one-story frame. He also took boarders, and " slept " sonic of the strangers then coming to this region " looking land." This was known as the Adams House. It was twice enlarged, being raised from two to three stories at the second enlargement. Col. Sumner went to California in 1849, renting the Adams House to a man named Watson, who kept it until the return of the Colonel from the " land of gold " in 1852. In the meantime, the name of the village having been changed from Adams, for which the Adams House was named, the latter had been christened the Western Hotel. It was then the principal public house in the place, and as such was the headquarters for all classes of people, the bureau of information and the nucleus of village gossip. It was here, in later years, that Maj. Clark, "Jim" Brown, Levi Crouch, "Charley" Sumner and several others, familiarly known to the residents of Baraboo, were wont to stretch their legs beneath the mahogany of the old Western and discuss religion, crops and politics. But it is remarkable what different effects the food had upon different persons. Look at Crouch, for instance, and then Sumner; look upon this picture and then upon that. The efforts of the old Western landlord to increase the avoirdupoise of one seemed to have taken unanimous effect upon the other, and vice versa. Maj. Clark occupied the seat of honor at the table, and usually led off' in the diurnal jokes. " Jim " Brown was always in a hurry. He kept a small stock of goods near by, the receipts from the HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 539 sale of which averaged probably 15 cents a day ; but he ate as rapidly as a merchant doing business up among the thousands. He finally " starved out " and went West, where he was successful. He is now one of the permanent guests of the Palmer House, and deals largely in wheat. In 1855, Col. Sumner sold the Western to Dunn & Davis. Dunn sold his interest at the end of a year to William Wallace, Davis' interest being subsequently mortgaged to J. E. Wright. Wallace ran the house until 1870, when both interests were leased to a man named Campbell. He remained in control one year. The house was then closed. About six months afterward, William Pearl, now of the Cliff* House, Devil's Lake, rented the premises and conducted the hotel until a week previous to its total destruction by fire, November G, 1878. The Baraboo House, built by Lyman Clark in the fall of 1817, is another landmark. It now does service as a brewery on the south side of the river. The Wisconsin House, now the property of Herman Albrecht, was built in 1852 by a Ger- man named Cornell or Connell. The City Hotel, under the hill, also dates its existence from about this period. When the railroad was completed to Baraboo, there was an increased demand for hotel accommodations. In 1873, P. Pratt converted his residence, just west of the railroad depot, into a very neat little hotel, and still conducts it as such. Mr. Pratt is one among the very few men now living who have witnessed and been identified with the growth of Baraboo for the past thirty-four years. In 1878, the North- Western Railway Company erected an extensive eating-house near their depot in Baraboo, and placed B. K. Cowles in charge. This house does a large transient busi- ness and has a good reputation. Last, but by no means the least, may be mentioned the Sumner House, erected in 1877-78 (being opened in September of the latter year) by Charles E. Sumner. It is 60x66 feet in size, exclusive of kitchen and outhouses, two-stories high, and has seventeen numbered rooms, neatly and tastefully furnished. Its outer walls are built of sandstone blocks, uniformly sized and edged. The architecture, in style, is rustic, of attractive design, augmented by an iron front and large French plate glass in the lower story. THE TOM PAINE ANNIVERSARY. The "29th of January, 1867, marked an important era in the history of Baraboo. The occasion was the celebration of the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the birth of Thomas Paine, by a few of the leading members of the " Free Congregational Church," of which A. A. Roberts was then Pastor. Efforts to secure the church building having failed, owing to the opposition of a majority of the members, the admirers of Paine repaired to one of the halls of the village, and there held their exercises, consisting of a lecture by Mr. Roberts and brief eulogies of the philosopher and statesman by others present. The affair created quite a stir in church circles, and was for some time afterward the subject of much discussion pro and con. Happily for those who took part in the celebration, there were no statutory laws prohibiting the expression of opinions that were not derogatory to the teachings of Paine. There were no pillories for the punishment of disbelievers ; there were no stocks for the hands and feet of free-thinkers ; there were no branding-irons to scar the foreheads of " heretics." The epoch of "religious" murders had passed away. Less than 150 years ago, when Tom Paine was a boy, a law was in force in Maryland, providing that, " if any person shall, within this province, willingly, maliciously and advisedly, by writing or speaking, deny our Saviour to be the Son of God. or shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead of any of the three persons or the unity of the Godhead, and shall therefor be convicted by verdict, shall, for the first offense, be bored through the tongue and be fined £20 to be levied of his body. And, for the second offense, the offender shall be stigmatized by burning in the forehead the letter B, and fined =£40. And that for the third offense, the offender shall suffer death without the benefit of clergy." 540 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. There has been a great change since the enactment of this barbarous law by the Christian gentlemen of Maryland. The Christianity of Paine's day is not the Christianity of our time. The preacher of that period who would have dared to deny the existence of a hell forty miles deep, filled with salamandrian devils, would have been roasted to a cannibalic brown and dished out to soulless swine. And so would have been the Rev. Mr. Roberts, J. J. Gattiker, Matthew Mould and Isaac Green, had they then lived and dared to eulogize a man who denied the inspi- ration of the Bible. But what has this to do with the history of Baraboo, says an orthodox friend. It has much to do with it. The history of the institutions of Baraboo has been given with all the attendant details of growth and improvement. It would be a dereliction of duty not to say something of the improvement of the mind, the expansion of the realm of thought, the intellectual develop- ment, and the progress of true Christianity. The indorsement of the deistical doctrines of Thomas Paine in 1867, it seems, did not meet with the complete approval of the Unitarian Church in Baraboo. Only a small minority stood firm and carried out their determination to celebrate the birth anniversary of the man whom they believed had given utterance to their sen- timents. A majority of the members, however, at first regarded the movement premature ; but when the 29th of January came again, no objections were made to holding the exercises in the church building, and a full attendance resulted. Fred May Holland, the Pastor, delivered a lec- ture. He is said to have been " very guarded in his utterances, and his most conservative lis- teners took no offense. " Since then, celebrations have been held annually, and the admirers of Thomas Paine have lost nothing of their social standing or respectability. SECRET SOCIETIES. Baraboo Lodge, No. 34, F. $• A. M. — Organized November 6, 1851, under a dispensation granted, on the 27th of October previous, to James Maxwell as W. M.; Harvey Canfield, S. W.; John G. Wheeler, J. W. ; George J. Miller, S. D. ; ( !. G. Gollmar, J. D. ; R. M. Forsythe, Sec. ; Daniel Schemerhorn, Tiler. H. G. Jones and W. D. Truax were the only Masons present, besides the officers, at the organization. On the 8th of June, 1852, the Lodge received its charter. The instrument was dated at Janesville, and signed by A. D. Smith, G. M. The Worshipful Masters have been : James Maxwell, who held from the date of dispensation to the end of 1852; W. D. Truax, 1853 ; Edward Sumner, 1854; M. C. Waite, 1855-57 ; D. Rug- gles, 1858; W. H. Joy, 1859 ; H. A. Peck, 1860; F. M. Stewart, 1861-64 ; Levi Crouch, 1865; F. M. Stewart, 1866; T. D. Lang, 1867 ; T. C. Thomas, 1868; A. J. Cooper, 1869; F. M. Stewart, 1870; M. C. Waite, 1871; T. C. Thomas, 1872-3; T. D. Lang, 1874 ; John Barker, 1875; D. S. Vittum, 1876 ; W. W. Andrews, 1877 ; D. S. Vittum, 1878 ; John Barker, 1879-80. The present S. W. is R. Metcalf; J. W., W. B. Blachley. The membership i s 108— M. M., 88; F. C, 5; E. A., 10. Baraboo Valley < 'hapter, No. 49. — This is the only Masonic Chapter in the county. Its membership is not entirely confined to Baraboo, quite a number being residents of Reedsburg ; one of Ableman's and one of Lavalle. It was organized July 5, 1875, with George G. Swain. II. P. ; E. A. Watkins, K. ; Mair Pointon, Scribe ; J. E. Owen, Sec. ; T. D. Lang, T. The chapter was chartered February 16, 1876, with the following charter members, including those mentioned above ;is officers : George S. Rockwell, William Fox, G. M. Rule, John H. Hull and S. H. Waldo. The High Priests have been G. G. Swain, D. S. Vittum and John Barker. The membership is given at thirty six, one of whom — D. S. Vittum — is dead. Baraboo Lodge, No. 51, L. O. O. F. — This Lodge was first organized and chartered about 1850, but was not successful financially. At that early day, Odd Fellowship was not on so substantial a basis as it is now, and the Lodge went down after a short existence. It has been found impossible, after so many years, to obtain the names of the original charter members, but the following are known to have been connected with the lodge as charter members : D. K. Noyes, Charles Wood, M. D. Evans, L. C. Stanley, Dr. S. Angell, T. Kirk and C. H. Mc- Laughlin. The present Lodge (No. 51; was chartered Oct. 23, L871, with the following charter BARABOO, HISTORY OF SAUK COUHTY. 543 members: D. K. Noyes, E. M. Coon, H. H. Webster, H. D. Newell, James Dylans and W. 0. Stephenson. It lias now (1880) about 125 members. The Lodge owns its own building, 22x70 feet, with store below and lodge-room in the second story, which is neatly and appropriately fur- nished. The Lodge has seventeen Past Grands, and is entitled to three representatives to the Grand Lodge. Following is the list of the Noble Grands from 1871 : D. K. Noyes, H. H. Webster, F. B. Baldwin, A. J. Gorman, A. H. Cowles, F. Barringer, Thomas Libbey, P. P. Palmer, L. 0. Holmes, J. M. True, H. D. Potter, H. D. Snell, J. W. Blake, Fred Baldwin, A. A. Roberts, W. H. White, T. Spellan, and Edwin R. Bow, the latter being the present incumbent. Northwestern Encampment, No. 20, I. 0. 0. F. — Was instituted at Reedsburg, Sauk Co., on the 15th day of January, 1868, by P. G. M. C. C. Cheeney, of Janesville, with the follow- ing charter members : B. F. Blackman, Leander Wheeler, Albert Spooner, Nelson Wheeler, J. F. Hackett, C. M. Gaylord, J. G. Blakeslee, A. Mellen, J. B. Kastater, G. H. Flaut, John Kellogg, E. G. Jackson, and R. A. Wheeler. After two years' work, the lodge at that place having suspended, the Camp surrendered its charter. On the 15th day of November, 1875, it was revived, and located at Baraboo. The following were the charter members : L. 0. Holmes, P. P. Palmer, II. D. Potter, Thomas Libby, A. C. Tuttle, A. H. Cowles and S. F. Smith. The Camp was instituted by Grand Patriarch Dr. J. H. Vivian, of Mineral Point. The first officers elected were L. 0. Holmes, C. P. ; S. F. Smith, H. P. ; P. P. Palmer, S. W. ; A. C. Tuttle, Scribe ; Thomas Libby, Treasurer, and H. D. Potter, J. W. The Camp now numbers about forty members. The present officers are A. A. Roberts, C. P. : P. P. Palmer, H. P. ; George Bloom, S. W. ; H. D. Potter, Scribe; George Merriott, Treasurer ; Fred Baldwin, J. W. The Camp is entitled to one representative in the Grand Lodge. Both the Camp and the subordinate lodge are in a healthy condition, financially and otherwise. MUSICAL. Baraboo has been musically inclined for a number of years. Dr. Charles Cowles might be termed, with propriety, the father of music in this and other parts of Sauk County. He taught singing-school in this village and neighborhood some twenty years, and many of those who might now be termed "old singers," received their first lesson from him. Since his retirement from the position of " singing master," several have attempted to fill his place, but have sig- nally failed. On the 10th of June, 1867, after a musical convention held by Prof. H. R. Palmer, an association known as the " Sauk County Musical Society," was formed, who adopted a constitution and by-laws, elected Rev. Mr. Rossiter, President, D. D. Doane, Secretary, and 0. W. Fox, Conductor. This being a new experiment, it did not long survive, for we find by the records of the association that it did not exist subsequent to May 20, 1868. The next attempt at a musical organization we find to have been made after a convention held in the Congregational Church on July 18, 1872. This organization was known as " The Baraboo Musical Union," with D. D. Doane, President, William Butler Secretary, and J. Hawes, Conductor. This association, like its predecessor, was of short duration, and gave up the ghost after running a few months. Two failures, following so close together, was rather discouraging to associated musical efforts, but after a few years the desire again found expression through Mrs. D. S. Vittum, who invited the singers of Baraboo to her house on the evening of October 23, 1878, for the purpose of organizing a musical society. This association was organ- ized under the name of the "Baraboo Choral Society," and, after effecting an organization by electing J. J. Gattiker, President, A. C. Tuttle, Secretary, and J. Hawes, Conductor, continued to meet at the residence of Mrs. Vittum until a suitable place for weekly rehearsals could be procured. This society is still in existence, having met in different places, but is now meeting on Tuesday evening of each week, in Gattiker's new block, in the room occupied by the Ladies' Art Society. Baraboo can boast of one unorganized musical fraternity, which meets at the residence of J. J. Gattiker on Monday evening of each week. This gathering of the lovers of good 544 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. music was set on foot by Mr. J. Hawes, in the year 1871, for the purpose of cultivating a taste for a higher order of instrumental music. With few exceptions, on each Monday evening can be heard overtures, duets, solos, etc., by the old masters ; and all musicians who visit Baraboo, always find a welcome at this hospitable home ; also the lovers of good music, whether perform- ers or listeners. TEMPERANCE. The cause of temperance has found many advocates and stanch friends in Baraboo. As early as 1843, an organization known as the Washington Temperance Society was perfected here. It enjoyed quite a long and useful existence. Solomon Shafer will be remembered as one of the leaders. In 1850, this society was supplanted by the "Sons of Temperance," and "the Sons" in turn by the "Good Templars." The different Christian ministers of course took a deep interest in the success of all these movements, and materially aided them by picturing from the pulpit the evils of intemperance and the good results of total abstinence. Elder Cochran was particularly vehement in this regard. The agitation finally, in 1854, led to a wholsome uncork- ing of jugs and breaking of bottles by a large number of stalwart temperance women. The Good Templar and other organizations have been constantly at work ever since emphasizing the vigorous work of their predecessors of 1854. In regard to the individuals who, in more recent times, have kept the importance of the work before the public, it would be impossible to particu- larize; the attempt to do so, indeed, would be invidious. All classes of citizens have manifested their feelings in this regard. And, as a result, the sight of a drunken man on the streets of Baraboo is an unusual thing ; where thirty and even twenty years ago, it was not uncommon to encounter half a dozen in an evening's walk. This is not alone true of Baraboo; the writer finds the same condition of things to have existed in other parts of the State. If this salutary change can be attributed to the efforts of temperance workers, there is indeed cause for congratu- lation. ESTHETIC AND SOCIAL LIFE. While the various institutions pertaining to the growth and prosperity of Baraboo are being discussed, it behooves the historian not to forget or overlook the social and aesthetic side of life here ; for, nationally and provincially, it may be truly said that the condition of the home life, with its various social and aesthetic relations, is as certainly an evidence of the real intelligence, purity and power of a people, as aught else. The social and aesthetic life of Baraboo can claim marked excellence when contrasted with that which exists in many other communities of equal age, opportunity and consequent experi- ence. It is, in fact, far above the general average existing at large, and has been so, as far as the better evidences prove, for many years. What element or class deserves the greatest distinction or credit for building up and continually promoting this condition, it is not easy to decide ; as there seems to be almost a balance of the forces for good between male and female here, and because the prevailing sentiments, liberal and conservative, or religiously orthodox and radically heterodox, appear to be pretty equally divided throughout society. But, considering the particular means by which the social and aesthetic life here expresses itself, in the form of working clubs or organizations, especially, conducted by the women of every shade of opinion, thus united it can be said that they are justly entitled, as a class, to the mo3t praise. These organi- zations, although having in some respects special and different methods of working, are all devoted to the same general objects, viz., the cultivation of a liberal and high social status, and the dissemination and acquisition of knowledge upon all matters pertaining to the aesthetic culture in vogue and demanded as a part of our civilization. The Old Uexpi'riatis. — Probably the first literary ami debating society organized here under a name, where essay reading or intellectual contest and disquisitions on " realization or anticipa- tion " were indulged in, was the Hesperian Club of " auld lang syne." The society was formed during the time the old Academy and Collegiate Institute were running, before the war, some time in the latter part of the " '50's," and was in its day a flourishing affair, and a power among the HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 545 young folks. It probably received its name from the old legend of the sisters Hesperides, that reside in the west, where the sun goes down, and that were connected with heaven and earth, and were great singers; and, taken all in all, were an unusually excellent set of girls, "so the story goes." The society collected books and established a library, 'some of the old books of which are still here in possession of the public school. After running a number of years, the Hesperian Club, it is to be regretted, went up, where all good things are wont to go. May its shade rest in peace in the garden of the Hesperides, soothed to rest by the sweet refrains of the fairy sisters, its patron saints, and content in the memory of past well doing. The (loose Club. — About seventeen years ago, while the great rebellion was at its height, a few of the leading women of Baraboo united in forming a reading circle, believing that they had a right to, and should pay attention to what was going on in the world of science, the arts, and philosophy, as well as to the duties of housekeeping. The first steps taken in this direction by the little band of pioneers, bound upon exploring the world of aesthetics, supplied a capital theme for the sportive remarks of a few of the masculine wiseacres and wits of the place, who denominated the " reading circle " the " Goose Club ;" and, as the children were permitted to go to the club meetings, they, it was allowed, were the goslings ; the general conclusion being that they all met to gabble, and consequently would not last long.. The first meeting of the reading circle was held in the schoolroom of Miss Nethaway, a select-school teacher, and since that time they have met regularly every Saturday evening at the same place. They have no constitution or special mode of procedure, the meetings always being conducted in an entirely informal manner. The matter for reading is furnished at will by the members, and has been since the commencement; and almost everything under the light of the sun has been read about at these meetings, and perhaps discussed. As for gossiping, it was never done ; for if that sort of thing had been indulged in it is safe to say the Goose Club would have ceased to fioat long ago ; and further, it is presumptuous and ungenerous to suppose that these women had no higher aim than the indulgence of such a puerile diversion as talking about themselves and neighbors alone. One of the social habits of the Goose Club, followed from the first, has been the giving of annual dinner parties, each of the ladies taking turns as hostess at these fetes. At such times, of course, the ganders are invited ; and it may be easily believed that they are nothing loath to come and enliven these festive occasions with their sublime cackle. The first members were the Rev. Mrs. Codding, Mrs. Dr. Slye, Miss Eva Slye, Mrs. Judge Remington, Mrs. J. G. Train, Mrs. Freeman Longly, Miss Nethaway and Mrs. Norman Stewart. There have been acquisitions to the membership at various times, and withdrawals as well. Of the original members, five only are now left, but the institution still exists, and is a credit to its founders and the village. Literary Club of '76 — So called from having been established in the winter of '76. This club was the successor of the Hesperians, being devoted to similar objects, and being made up of both sexes. The organization meeting was held at R. H. Strong's, the members being the rep- resentative young folks of the town. Much enthusiasm was manifested at starting out, and a determination expressed to raise funds and revive the old library and establish a free reading- room. Subsequently, the meetings were held at different private residences until September of 1877, when the society had, by giving lectures, readings, dramatic plays, concerts, etc., and by personal contribution, accumulated about $175. Then they decided to open a reading-room, and did so, making public announcement in the papers to that effect. The reading-room was supplied with periodicals and books contributed by various parties for library purposes in connection with the old books of the Hesperian library. It was kept open about a year ; then, as but few of the business men encouraged and aided the enterprise, it was closed, although it had been well pat- ronized. The books contributed were returned to their former owners, and so ended the second library enterprise. Industrial Art Association. — Fine art, as relates especially to painting, drawing, etc., had but few real working representatives, or even patrons, here ten years ago ; but now nearly every 546 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. house is adorned by landscapes and various sketches in oil and crayon work, besides other artistic embellishments too numerous to mention, a majority of these productions being the work of those living here. This change is doubtless due, in large measure, to the influence exerted upon the taste of the people by a resident artist, a Miss Maclure, who has been located here some seven or eight years. She has been engaged almost exclusively in the work of teaching painting and drawing since being here, and has been very largely patronized by young and old. In this con- nection it is but fair to state, in honor of this woman's influence and work, that she is a consci- entious artist of superior abilities, having made Art the work of her life, and having kept up with the improvement of the times. At different intervals, various and special teachers have been here, and have always met with encouragement when there has been any real merit exhibited. The organization, the name of which heads this article, and which is really the slow outgrowth of the work of years, held its first meeting Feb. 25, 1880, at the house of George Mertens, and was attended by a large number of the prominent ladies and gentlemen of the place. After dis- cussing what arts should be studied, the meeting proceeded to organize and elect officers. J. L. Claude was elected President ; Mrs. F. Longly, Vice President ; Miss Minnie Drown, Secretary. Subsequently, a constitution was drawn up and submitted by a committee, and indorsed by the society, Article 2 of which says : " The general objects and purposes of said association are the cultivation of the principles of art, and their application to industrial pursuits ; the receiving of gifts, trusts and loans; and the having and maintaining such suitable establishment, and using of suitable means, as the association may be able to acquire." The association has a suitable room provided for their use, where they hold meetings, recep- tions and art fairs. Their regular meetings are convened once a month, and at these times every- thing pertaining to art, useful as well as ornamental, or for domestic or general use, whether in the realm of architecture, sculpture, painting, or the making of laces and doing fancy work, is open for discussion. The Woman's Club. — This club was organized April 23, 1880, by the following ladies as members : Sarah Powers, Adele Cook, Addie Donavan, Lizzie Woodman, Ida P. Roberts, Emma Train, Sarah Spence, Fanny Holz, Mary Donavan, Lucy Case and Emma P. Scott. Officers : Lizzie Woodman, President; Fanny Holz, Vice President; Lucy Case, Secretary. The above union was entered into by the ladies that they might better and more freely and kindly inter- change thought and experience, and thereby become more mutually helpful to each other and society than they could be individually and alone. According to their constitution, the objects are " to strengthen the feeling of sympathy and fellowship among women, independently of social distinctions, and outside of the natural and proper affiliations of personal friendships, or any existing organizations ; and to discuss without personalities such theoretical and practical questions as relate to the well-being of home and society ; and also to extend our knowledge and broaden our culture by such reading and study as we shall deem best adapted to our needs. The meetings of the club occur semi-monthly. Before it lies a broad field to be explored, and may they long continue in the course they have blocked out. The [>t>n;ix Society. — Many years ago, a Dorcas Society of elderly ladies was operating here, and under their direction what was called the " Little Dorcas Society " was set afoot, and met as children, but, as the years slipped by and the little misses grew to womanhood, the older ladies withdrew leaving the Little Dorcases now mistresses of the field. It is almost needless to mention the fact that this is a benevolent society, devoted almost solely to relieving the wants of the sick and afflicted, whoever they may be in the community. Words of praise given to such an institution as this, and so begun, can but feebly express the admiration which every right-minded person must feel for the noble and constant work of this society. Long may it exist, and may each member rear children to grow into another. They give suppers, theatricals and various entertainments to raise money, and many a dollar do they raise for the suffering ones. Last year they raised about $200. Magazine Club. — There are now three magazine clubs here that operate on the inter-ex- changeable system, each member of the clubs taking some periodical which is in turn changed for HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 547 others, with the various members, until at last it comes home well read if not worn. This is a most excellent idea, and materially reduces the expense of the best of reading, while it stimulates each one to read and keep up with the times and neighbors. There was a literary society of a social nature formed here during the past winter, which met in the parlors of the Presbyterian Church. And in all probability these meetings will be resumed next season. The Quintecem Club — Organized in the latter part of 1879. The club is composed of fifteen members, as is indicated by its name, and has for its purpose the social enjoyment of its founders and the entertainment of their visiting friends. The members are A. H. Noyes, D. E. Morgan, Frank Strong, R. E. Noyes, Jacob Van Orden, George Rockwell, Fred Lang, Dr. W. II. Vittum, Walter Richards, Mark Warren, Lee Bohn, Ward Monroe, Will Warner, Cyrus Brown, and Frank Eldridge. They have a nicely appointed club room in Post Office Block, The floor is covered with a durable canvass, and the ceiling hung with gilt and black chandeliers, while in one end of the room stands a handsome piano and in the other a Monarch billiard table. Then there are chess, checkers and card tables, comfortable chairs and sofas, and all the appurtenances to a gentleman's club-room, the entire outfit rivaling similar institutions in the great cities. Each of the members is a host, and all are gentlemen, whom to meet is a pleasure. Hunting Clubs. — Baraboo is the home of the members of three sporting clubs — the Gram- pus Club, consisting of Charles H. Davis, J. W. Davis, Thomas Thompson, William Thomas, E. Blakesleeand Benjamin G. Paddock; the Skillet Creek Club, consisting of N. C. Kirk, George Mertens, Norman Stewart, A. L. Slye, T. D. Lang, C. A. Swineford, W. S. Grubb and John Hull ; and the Owl Club, consisting of Joseph Hawes, Sr., D. D. Doane, A. L. Slye, and T. D. Lang. These clubs make extended excursions into the game and fish regions of this and other Western States, and were never known to return with empty game-bags. THE CARDIFF GIANT.* The " Cardiff" Giant" controversy, instead of subsiding like a collapsed humbug, is grow- ing warmer and more mysterious. Below we give the Chicago Tribune's version of the creation of " Old Cardiff"," which, if true, would seem to settle the question, and cause people to laugh loudly at one of the best-planned and most successful humbugs ever perpetrated, outrivaling the Mermaid, Joyce Heth or any of the rest of Barnum's best. On the other hand, we have before us a copy of the Onondaga (Syracuse) Standard, of February 2. containing ten affidavits and a copy of about as many freight bills, showing that the big iron-bound box which the Tribune assumes to have contained the gypsum giant, really contained tobacco manufacturing machinery of George Hull, our former townsman, packed with unmanufactured tobacco ; and showing as straight a tracer as ever lawyer or railroad man could desire for conviction, that the said mysteri- ous iron-bound ton-and-a-half box was conveyed to a point on the Black River Canal, south of Rem- son, Oneida County, and there opened in presence of Orson Davis, a reputable affiant, and that its contents were tobacco machinery and tobacco, as aforesaid, and that said contents were then transferred to a canalboat in waiting. The supposition, on a review of this theory, is, that George Hull was smuggling his wares away from seizure by the revenue officers, he having been "confiscated" and proceeded against at Binghamton some weeks previous for having defrauded the Government. While the erudite, keen, scrutinizing Syracuse detectives are out affidaviting their Chicago cotemporaries, we, an unpretending countryman, well acquainted with George Hull, will suggest to them the way they were fooled, as follows : The box which they traced from Chicago to Black River Canal was not the box that started, but got duplicated by a box of similar dimensions, somewhere in the region of Cardiff"; and while the giant statue was being buried one night on Newell's farm, George Hull's machinery, boxed at the place of somebody in league with him, was trundled right along to the Black River Canal for the very purpose of * From the firs ducing the article i much interested ' 548 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY having this same tracer follow it as the same box which left Chicago. The head or heads cun- ning enough to originate the giant hoax are certainly shrewd enough to mystify a people by just such a trick as this. The Tribune says : " In an article on the ' Cardiff Giant,' published in the Tribune about two months since, it was asserted that the ' ancient individual ' was made in Chicago. There was sufficient ground for making the assertion at that time, but the evidence necessary to prove it could not be obtained. It was known to exist, however, but those who possessed the facts were unwilling to divulge them, fearing that they might in some way compromise their reputations as honest men. They read the opinions given by learned scientists as to the antiquity of the piece of gypsum, and laughed in their sleeves. They could not understand how people could be so easily hum- bugged. This cannot be wondered at, because they were workers in marble and could not tell whether the statue had been cut out by a workman or not. The majority of those who were present when the ' last one of an extinct race ' was unearthed, did not know whether it was stone or a petrifaction. Hence the excitement which followed, and the interest taken in the ' giant ' is, in a measure, excusable. The opinion of an eminent sculptor of New York, who was called upon by the finder (?) to examine it, was not regarded, for the reason that he main- tained that it had been chiseled out. Such a thing was impossible, they said. He did not know anything. The learned scientists — gentlemen who have devoted years of study to unravel the secrets of antiquity — were next called upon. They confirmed the statement of the unlearned rustics, and said it was really a petrified man. There were some men who were incredulous, and these endeavored to explode the theories advanced by the said scientists, but, as they were in the minority, they were unsuccessful. Every story started by them was circulated through- out the country, and so were the refutations made by those pecuniarily interested in the 'giant.' The latter individuals had the best of it, and many thousands of people in the country to-day firmly believe the Cardiff Giant is really a petrifaction, and that he, thousands of years ago, walked, talked, ate and slept. To prove that this is not true is the purpose of this article. The few men who were aware of the circumstances connected with the making of the image, have furnished the information. Their names are suppressed, but if the gentlemen now exhibiting the swindle to the people of the East want them, and the affidavit of the man who cut the figure out, they can be satisfied upon application. "In the latter part of June, 1868, two men, one of them at present a large owner in the giant, arrived in Chicago. They had some time considered the feasibility of inaugurating a humbug, and had determined upon having something ancient — a statue so old that it would cause wonder and create such an excitement that before it subsided their pockets would be full, and their object accomplished. The work of cutting out the statue would have to be done secretly, and none but a man who could remain quiet was competent to do it. They searched for some time, and finally met a German who had been in this country about four years, then in the employ of a well-known sculptor of this city. He agreed to do the work for $75, down. A block of gypsum, twelve feet long, three feet wide and eighteen inches thick, was procured from Fort Dodge, Iowa, and placed in a gentleman's barn near Lincoln Park, on the North Side. The owner of the structure was let into the secret, as was another, an assistant to the German. These were the only persons, beside the two men mentioned, who knew anything of it. Even the three did not know what was to be done with it when it was completed. In the latter part of July, the two commenced the work of chiseling. In consequence of the thinness of the stone, about a foot and a half was taken off one end of the block, in order to hav^ a better pro- portioned man. A model was necessary, so one of the men who made the arrangements — Hull by name — who is himself a giant in size, with sufficient intellect to humbug the learned savans and wise men of the East, stripped and chose the peculiar position to suit the twisted and unfa- vorable position of the stone. The artist then inquired what was -to be made, and was instructed to make anything — a monkey, a baboon, or something that would represent a man. So, without questioning the motives of his employers, he set to work. There was no necessity for his leaving the bam for a drink when employed, as plenty of beer was supplied him. At the close of the HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 54U eighteenth day the figure was nearly completed. He did not work at it steadily every day, but whenever he got an opportunity during the daylight, also at night. His employers then came to look at it, but what was their surprise when they found that the artist had given the figure any quantity of hair. There were ringlets dangling from the head, lung beard and patches on other parts of the body. Hull said that would never do — hair would not petrify. The German was puzzled, and knew not what they meant, but removed the hair at their request. In two days more the work was pronounced done by the artist, and his employers, after examining it, expressed themselves as satisfied. Now to make it look old. A gallon of strong acid was pro- cured and put on him. It ate into the soft material, producing spongy-looking cavities. A quantity of English ink was then applied, and this had the effect of giving the giant the appear- ance of venerable age. The next step was packing him in a box. During the next week the box was carted to the Michigan Southern Railroad depot. It remained there for so long a time that the owners were notified to take it away, as it occupied so much room and could not be moved to make space for goods received and delivering. It was subsequently removed and placed aboard a schooner, which sailed for some Eastern lake port. The next heard of it was being unearthed on a farm in New York State, and an announcement of its antiquity. What has been done with it since, the public well know, and therefore repetition is unnecessary. " The artist, who is a very modest man, and whose name is yet unknown to fame, does not consider this his best effort. This is evidenced by a remark he made when told that it was a very poor piece of workmanship. 'Veil,' said he, ' they hurried me like doonder — any baker could make so goot a tings out of dough.' He further said, in view of these hard times, that he would be willing to take orders for duplicates from the admirers of antiquity and petrifaction at the same price, provided that the ten-acre quarry at Fort Dodge, which was purchased by Hull & Company to get the stone to make the giant, is not already exhausted by parties seeking specimens of this now celebrated stone for their cabinets. " If the owners of the giant who perpetrated the joke on the savans, and a goodly portion of the people of the country, find that their swindle is in any waynnterfered with by this expose, let them secure the services of some influential newspaper, and some more affidavits and opinions of the wiseacres of science, and they may be able to sell some more stock in their enterprise. If they do this, as stated before, the names of men in this community — honest, responsible men, who are now acquainted with all the circumstances — will be given, backed by their affidavits, and conclusive proof will be brought forward to show the Cardiff Giant to be one of the greatest humbugs ever gotten up in this country." The "discovery " of the "giant" naturally excited a good deal of interest, as is shown by the following : Syracuse, December 24, 1869. To tht Postmaster, Bamboo, II is.: Dear Sir — Has the man Hull alluded to in the inclosed slip ever lived in your town ? He is said to have figured there as a manufacturer or dealer in tobacco, or both. Any information you can give of him, the time he was there, his surroundings and conduct, will be thankfully received. Is there a Mr. Henry Peck living in your town ? By communicating early you will place me under great obligations. Yours, etc ., A. Westcott. Address Dr. A. Westcott, Syracuse, N. Y. In reply to the above very polite note, Dr. Westcott, of Syracuse, is informed as follows George Hull came to Baraboo in the spring of 1867, from Binghamton, N. Y., he said. He leased a shelly kind of a building, of the value of about $400, perhaps, and entered in on the manufacture of cigars, employing a couple of workers, and being associated with certain others as peddlers of his wares. His chief delight, socially, was to expound infidelity, bet on Seymour's election, and advocate New York Democracy generally. His peddle-wagon move- ments were as mysterious, circuitous and nocturnal as characterized the four-horse teams toting " Old Cardiff." Consignments of cigars and tobacco sent to him from east and west, were known to have been deposited in unreasonable and unseemly places. 550 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. In the latter part of August (we think), of the same year, at about midnight, one night, the " cigar- factory," which stood aloof from other buildings, was discovered in a roaring blaze, from sill to rafter, and from end to end ; and nothing was saved from the fire. Meanwhile, George Hull was away, on one of his peddle-wagons. Next morning it was ascertained that there had recently been insurance on the stock, amounting to about $12,000; and many people said, "Nigger in that fence!" And so thought the insurance companies; for out of all his insurance, we are credibly informed that he settled, or compromised, or was allowed to ' slide,' on receipt of less than $1,000, after much blustering about heavy lawsuits, following the com- panies to Federal Courts, etc. His family, we think, returned to Binghamton, the spring or summer following, and our community mostly supposed he was with them ; and the next heard of him by this public was that he was a brother-in-law or relative of the Newell who exhumed the petrified giant near the hamlet of Cardiff, twelve miles from Syracuse; and our villagers, who knew George well, all said : " George Hull holds a good share of the trumps in that game !" And after it was ascertained that, although ostensibly having no pecuniary interest in " mummied relics of a race of giants," yet he had been known to receive a loan of $9,600 from Newell, and there's not a man who knew him here who could be made to believe that he ever intended to pay a cent of it. Since our community have all come to be interested in George Hull as a very wily fortune- maker, whose name will go down to posterity famed as a humbugger whose genius Barnum may covet, it is natural that his peculiar traits of character and uncommon conduct should be closely scrutinized. A prominent official of this city, who is known to have been on terms of intimacy with him, has divulged the fact that Baraboo came near being decided upon as the scene of the wonders of petrifaction. Near our village, on every hand, are some of the most remarkable Indian mounds found anywhere. Haifa mile below the village, are several scores of the largest and highest of these conical tumuli that we ever saw — and we have seen many thousands. One of the largest of these, a little isolated from the main group, on a slight elevation, near Judge Remington's house, George Hull selected, one Sunday, as a receptacle of a petrified — something; he hadn't decided whether to chuck in a graven Indian, or gorilla, or mongrel rhinoceros crossed with a hippopotamus. "'Twill sell fifty times as well as any cigars I can make!" declared George. But circumstances changed his field of operations. This incipient idea, not bad, indeed, for a " sell," grew in George Hull's mind, until it assumed the proportions of the Cardiff giant, which was born of George Hull's wily brain, and has made the scientific men of the East as big a butt of ridicule as ever were takenjn and done for. We have before us a photograph of the Giant, taken by Gott, of Syracuse. He hath a high intellectual head with a phiz and expression resembling Bishop Simpson full as much as George Hull. His right hand, open, rests on the abdomen, the left behind. Our District Attorney has recognized a perfect type of that of one of our most prominent citizens in the ponderous pro- portions of another prominent feature, and openly charges him with being in complicity with Hull and standing with him for the model. The knees are a little cocked or bent, while the feet and toes are atwist and look as though "Old Cardiff" was laid out after he had got cold. Though not a graceful form, it is well conceived for an idea of petrifaction. Length of body, 10 feet, 4.V inches, weight 2,990 pounds. We gaze on it some as we should on the image of gold, 60 cubits high, which Nebuchadnezzar set up in the plain of Dura; and feel about as much like taking stock in it as Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego felt like'falling down to that fellow. We know by the peculiar twinkle in the small, keen blue eyes of George Hull's cranium that he would not scruple to humbug the world, nor any part thereof. The first time we made his acquaintance, those eyes looked right at us, and seemed to peer into us, and pry, and gimlet, and cork-screw their way clear down into the innermost recesses of our soul. And his giant six- foot-three form, with his broad shoulders, and full but not obese person, straight as a glass bottle; with about one whisker per square barley-corn on his round face, and his ever-sleek hair, HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 551 made him a very remarkable-appearing person indeed. And yet how little we thought, when we punched amateur billiards with him, and discussed politics and the merits of cigars of his own manufacture with him, and stage-coached on the same seat with him, and glistened to his inge- nious theological dissertations — little we thought, we repeat, that our companion was so soon to surmount the tip-top round of Fame's ladder, apply his thumb to his nasal organ, and, taking a sight o'er his digits, defiantly pipe to a world of Science, History, Literature and Finance, the mellifluous tune of " tweedle, deedle, dee!" We have in our day seen crowned heads and princes, and mighty potentates ; we have seen the Japanese embassay ; have shaken hands with live Presidents, and in solemn awe beheld dead ones in their sarcophagi ; we have seen Daniel Webster eat, and smelt his breath after he had drank, and saw him lying in state at Marshfield ; we have seen Gen. Scott a-hossback and Lola Montez in swimming ; we have seen Henry Ward Beecher with a bile on his nose, and Tom Hyer, and George Hyer, and John C. Heenan ; and Blondin lugging a cook-stove on a rope across Niagara's yawning chasm ; we have seen a wax statue of the crucifixion in the largest cathedral in America, and heard Barnum lecture on Temperance, and gazed at Pat Wildrick when he couldn't wipe his nose ; we saw Andy Johnson swing around the circle, and met the Black Hoss Cavalry ; but insignificant on the tablet of our recollection shall be all these, when we consider that George Hull, with the ingenuity adequate to dupe, diddle, defraud and gull a whole conti- nent, did nevertheless once lend us a dollar ! George, come back now and we'll pay you ? Yes, George come back ! You shall have the freedom of the village and a key to Bender & Miller's beer cellar. The President and Trustees will greet you with open arms, and every man in town will tumble down and do you homage. Women will peep from behind curtains at you as you pass, and grin benignantly. Children will shy away and twist around you and point at you and say, sotto voce ! " Old meat Cardiff!" The revival meeting might not commend your idea of the proper use of gypsum, but we warrant you a special prayer, if we have to pray it our- self. No Connecticut town ever waxed prouder of being the home of Barnum, than will Bara- boo of having been the home of Hull. We'll erect a grand triumphal arch, on which shall be inscribed : "The Hull Hog or None" and Joe Davis be your charioteer as you are drawn through it in a chariot formed of the Hull of Sam Hartley's steamboat, while the band plays Hull's Victory, and the procession shall Hull and eat peanuts, and the boys play no games but Hull-gull ! Hull shall be the watchword ; Hull the password ; Hull the countersign ; and the parole shall be Hull. We'll have the almightiest Hull-ibulloo in the Hull world ; and after you're gone there'll be more children named Hull than there were after you left t'other time — or if there are not there ought to be ? George, we cry unto you again : " Come ! Stand not on the oi'der of your coming, but come. You little imagine how much more you'd be lionized here now than you were in days of yore; and if you'd only strip and strike that twistified attitude you assumed for the Teutonic chiseler (for you to chisel the world by means whereof), why — Silently we'd gaze on Hull, As on a lion loose ! [The "giant" was shipped from Chicago to Union, New York, and from there taken in the night by four-horse team to Newell's farm, in the town of Cardiff. There it was buried in New- ell's barnyard, and when it was considered "ripe," Mr. Newell employed some men to dig a well, selecting the spot where the " gia.it " lay. When the workmen came upon it and reported the fact, the excitement in that community can well be imagined. Of course Hull and New- ell were present, fully prepared to be greatly astonished. The well was abandoned, the giant being removed to the barn and placed on exhibition. Thousands and thousands of people visited and paid $1 each to look at it. When curiosity began to wane, a stock company was organized and the giant was disposed of to speculators at the small figure of $100 per share, Hull and Newell disposing of their interests. The last heard of the Cardiff giant it was in New York 552 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. City. Hull subsequently turned his attention to the manufacture of a stone giant, and running short of funds, enlisted the patronage of P. T. Barnum, who was furnishing the necessary funds to complete it, when a former employe of Hull in the cigar business threatened to expose the fraud unless he was paid $10,000. This amount not being forthcoming, he did expose it, and the scheme was abandoned. Hull is now living near Binghamton, N. Y., engaged in raising tobacco. He is as poor as a church mouse. — Ed.] THE HOME OF THE DEAD. The first death of a white person in the Baraboo Valley is said to have been that of Dr. John Morrison, a resident of Jefferson County. Dr. Morrison was one of a commission of three appointed to locate the seat of justice of Sauk County, and while in this official capacity, being in W. H. Canfield's "sugar bush," he was stricken with apoplexy and died suddenly on the night of March 15, 1844. The body was taken to the home of the deceased for burial. The next death was that of Fred Blabern, who was drowned in the river, below the Lower Narrows, during the July (1844) flood, which proved so disastrous to mills and dams throughout the country. The body was not recovered. In 1845, a man named Birdwell, employed by George and William Brown in constructing their dam, met his death by the caving of an embankment. His is believed to have been the first burial of a white person in these parts. William Brown thinks the body was interred in an old Indian burying-ground northwest of the village, on what is now the Ruggles place. The next death within the memory of the oldest settler was that of Wallace Rowan, one of the very earliest of early pioneers, who went to sleep on a little knoll near his rude abode, not far from the grave of the unfortunate individual who lost his life in the treacherous cave. Mr. Rowan died in the winter of 1845 or spring of 1846, leaving a large family. One of his daughters, the wife of James La Mar, now resides in the town of Fair- field. She was born in Platteville, Grant County, as early as 1830, and is probably the oldest living woman born in Wisconsin. In 1847, a part of Block 20, of the village of Adams, was set aside for burial purposes, and the body of George W. Brown, who was accidentally killed by the falling of a mill timber Decem- ber 15, 1847, was the first buried in this plat. A year or two later, the Baptist Church purchased of Ira S. Angell the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 35 for burial purposes. Mr. Angell's mother, a member of this church, who died about this time, was buried in these grounds — the first interment made in them. Her name being Mercy, the new cemetery took the name of Mount Mercy. It is a lovely spot, overlooking the Baraboo Bluffs and valley for many miles on either hand. Quite a number of the pioneers of Baraboo, of both sexes, were laid away on Mount Mercy when their earthly pilgrimage had closed. But the advance of civilization and progress soon caused their remains to be disturbed. In 1855, the Baraboo Cemetery Association was organized; ground was purchased of John B. Crawford, in Section 26, and the bodies previously deposited in the three burying-grounds already mentioned were disinterred and removed to the new plat. The first Trustees of the Baraboo Cemetery Association were R. G. Camp, Ransom Jones, Irwin Crain, Thomas English, Edward Sumner, John B. Crawford and Benjamin L. Purdy, Mr. Camp being President, Mr. Purdy, Secretary, and Mr. Jones, Treasurer. Five of the ten acres of land purchased of Mr. Crawford were surveyed by Josiah Dart, and laid out in burial-lot form. Mr. Crawford received $400 for his land, $2u(i cash, ami the balance at the end of a year with 12 per cent interest. There seems to have been some misunderstanding concerning the transfer of title from lots in Mount Mercy Cemetery to the new grounds, as will appear from the following resolution, which appears on the records of the new association, dated September 12, 1855 : Resolved, That this association accept no more certificates from Mount Mercy Association, and fill out no deeds to persons claiming lots in the same, until said association indemnify this association for lots thus deeded, or make an assignment of their grounds to this association. HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 553 The difficulties were soon settled, however, and the bodies then lying in Mount Mercy ground were removed to the new plat. The receipts from the sale of lots, during the first year of the new association's existence, amounted to $373, but a very small portion of it being paid in. In the meantime, the ladies of the village had held a fair for the benefit of the association, the proceeds amounting to $88.75. The remaining five acres (the north division) of the original plat have been improved, and, in the spring of 1879, an additional ten acres were purchased of Mr. Crawford for $500. The present officers of the association are T. Thomas, President ; W. S. Grubb, Treasurer ; Louis Wild, Secretary. Catholic Cemetery.— -In 1872, the Catholic Church of Baraboo purchased four acres of land, situated on the Kilbourn road, and laid it out for the purposes of a cemetery. The first interment therein was that of the body of the Rev. Mr. Coghlan, who died while in charge of the parish. The cemetery belongs to, and is entirely under, the management of the church. OLLA PODRIDA. Mrs. Peck was the first white woman in the Baraboo Valley. Capt. Levi Moore is the oldest living male settler on the Baraboo Rapids. Archibald Barker was the first white man who came to Sauk County with the intention of settling. He is now a resident of the town of Baraboo. The first bridge built across the river was at a point where the present bridge crosses on the street leading to the depot. It was constructed, in 1846, of rough round logs, and was what is known as a " crib bridge." Abraham Laezert was the pioneer Crispin in Baraboo. Daniel Schermerhorn also made boots and shoes here as early as 184S. E. M. Hart was the first school teacher. Dr. Charles Cowles was the first physician. In 1859, William Crawford and James Crawford, Jr., while fishing below the lower dam, caught a sturgeon which weighed 113 h pounds, and was six feet long. A discussion of the merits of this "catch " among old settlers brought out some pretty tough fish stories, one by Archibald Barker, who says that, in 1842, while running the first raft of lumber ever taken down the Baraboo, he saw in the stream, at a point just below the Lower Narrows, a very large school of sturgeon plowing along, their backs being out of water. They had, apparently, formed a line reaching from one bank to the other, and Mr. Barker says, when he first discov- ered them, he thought some one had dammed the river. He killed three very large ones with a hand-spike, and, while in the water trying to secure them, he was knocked down by others fully as large as those he had killed. While upon the subject of fish, it may be well to state that P. A. Bassett caught the first eel ever taken from the Baraboo River by any of the early white settlers. Thomas Fullerton preached the first sermon in the Baraboo Valley, at the house of Mrs. Valentia B. Hill, in the winter of 1842. Mrs. Hill was the first person baptized in these parts, and her son, Ichabod B. Hill, was the first white child born in the same region ; the latter event occurred January 9, 1842. The first rat ever seen in Baraboo was found in Mrs. Garrison's store, which stood on the corner just east of the Sumner House, in 1858. The old lady called upon some of the boys, Levi Crouch among the rest, to kill the rodent, which they did, with neatness and dispatch. It was a Baraboo Constable who, acting under instructions from the Sheriff, levied upon some swine to satisfy a judgment, and, upon reporting the fact to the court, said : " I have seized the hogs and have them in my procession." LYONS. The first village plat made of any part of the Baraboo Valley was that of Lyons, located just west of the present village of Baraboo. It was recorded in April, 1846, and it was confi- dently believed by those interested that this spot was especially designed by nature for the future 554 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY metropolis of Sauk County. James Webster built a hotel here in 1843, having become a resi- dent the year previous. Mr. Webstefdied in 1853. Alexander Crawford came in 1844, and erected a house near Webster's. He also kept hotel, and accommodated travelers and new- comers ; Mr. Crawford departed this life in 1870. Thomas Morehead came in 1850. In this year a school was established in Lyons, which is now in School District No. 6. Diligent search and inquiry have failed to unearth the early records of this institution of learning. George Holah, one of the school officers, has furnished documents showing the names of those who have taught school in the district from 1867 to 1876, as follows : Francis Avery, L. M. Park, Delia Odell, Samuel F. Beede, Hannah Holah, Lina A. Flanders, Belle M. Flanders, J. M. Savage, Mrs. A. B. Savage, Mary Perigo, Jennie Dodd, Robert B. Crandall, William Barker, Prof. J. S. Kimball, Bertie Van Sice, Belle Remington, Emma J. Jones, F. T. Twist, G. A. Pabodie, W. B. Sprague, R. DeT. Evans, George A. Gross, Nellie Bacon and R. R. Remington, Jr. Mr. Holah came to Lyons in 1856 : J. P. Atwood, Robert Lot, and J. W. Aldrich date their settlement early in the fifties. Lyons succumbed to the inevitable, and gave way to the more rapid growth of Baraboo, of which it is now a very lively suburb. It is to Baraboo what Brooklyn is to New York, and, occupying this position, it must be a consolation to its citizens to know that their village may some day receive the surplus population of Baraboo. The location is all that could be asked. With the more thorough improvement of its water-power privileges will doubtless come additional population, and with the latter — well, Lyons, as one of the wards of the city of Baraboo, would be in a position " not to be sneezed at." MANCHESTER. The first claim made to any part of the land comprised in the Baraboo Valley was at a point on the river known in early times as the " foot of the rapids." It was here, as has been shown in the first part of this chapter, that Eben Peck, in the face of Indian opposition, and amid the surrounding solitude of a wild and unsettled country, determined to make his home, and soon afterward carried out that determination. The history of the water-power and the manufacturing interests of this point has already been given. In May, 1850, a village survey was made here, the field-notes of that survey as they appear in the Register's office being as follows : " This certifies that I have surveyed for Walter P. Flanders a town plat, called Man- chester, situated on the northeast quarter of Section 1, Town 11, Range 6, with lots, blocks, streets and alleys. All full lots are 66x132 feet; the streets are 66 feet wide, except that on the south side, which is 33 feet ; all alleys are 16h feet wide. At the northwest corner of the public square a stone is planted, which is 10 inches long, 10 wide and 5 thick, from which a white oak, 18 inches in diameter, bears south 37°, and east 91 links distant; and a white oak, 12 inches in diameter, bears north 29J°, and east 72 links distant. The southwest corner of Block No. 5 is 71 links northeast of a post in the center of said section, from which a white oak, 10 inches in diameter, bears north 24°, and east 85 links distant. Fractional Blocks 1, 2 and 3, lying west of Front street, are in Brier and Maxwell's Addition." The foregoing was signed by Peter Folsom, Jr., Deputy Surveyor, and E. P. Spencer, Register of Deeds, and acknowledged before John D. Perkins, Justice of the Peace. The plat covered the entire quarter-section described, and in its time was among the most noted paper villages on record ; though in reality there were a few mills and dwellings to mark the spot. In fact, the place has by no means been lost sight of, but as a village it will probably nover prove a success. Edmund Brewster will doubtless do his share toward rejuvenating it ; and should the movement now on foot to establish a watch factory there result favorably, Manchester will at least hold its own with the pretentious little village of Lyons, which in early days competed for supremacy with Baraboo, and was distanced. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 555 CHAPTER X. REEDSBURG. A l.i gend — Early Settlement— Shanty Row— Manufactories— Schools— Churches— Post Office— Hotels— Banks— Eire Department and Fire Record— Ellinwood's Fair Grounds —Orders and Societies— Government— Bridges Over the Baraboo— The National Anni- \ ersart— First Criminal Trial— A Pen Picture— Cemeteries. a legend. Far back in the misty past, before the dawn of civilization, two Indian hunters — " noble red men " they must have been — met in mortal combat in a grove of quivering aspens upon the banks of the Baraboo. Both were slain ; each died from the effects of the other's knife-wounds. Near their lifeless forms lay the carcass of a deer, punctured with arrows, its flesh still hot and jerking. A deep silence pervaded the awful scene, but no explanation of the cause was needed. It was the result of a sanguinary chase. Over hills and crags, through thickets and across streams, the lithe hunters had given pursuit to the deer, each bent upon its capture. The ani- mal finally slain, they quarreled over its possession ; quarreling, they fought, and, fighting, they died. Had they been wise men, they would have divided the spoils, one taking the meat and the other the hide ; but perhaps the smiles of a " dusky maiden " depended upon the result, and, this being an Indian legend, such is presumed to have been the case. The fallen braves were buried side by side on the crest of a large mound which stood where now stands the Mansion, or Sallade, House. Here for many years their sorrowing relatives and friends were wont to gather and bewail their loss. Among the mourners who came most fre- quent were the mothers of the deceased hunters ; and it was from the lips of one of these old squaws that the story of the tragedy was obtained by the earliest white settlers in that vicinity. Recollections of the mothers' lamentations at the graves of their sons are yet recalled by residents of Reedsburg. In the center of the mound, it is related, stood a tamarack pole, fifteen feet high and five inches in diameter nearest the ground. On top of the mound, around the graves of the dead Indians, a trail several inches deep had been worn into the earth by the feet of the mourn- ers, who often came in large numbers and walked in a circle about them, singing and crying piteously. It was a sad day for the faithful frequenters of this lonely spot, when the graves of their honored dead were desecrated by the "implements of labor and liberty" — the pick-ax and spade — in the hands of their white brethren. It seems but little less than vandalism. The bones of these scions of American aborigines, together with the gravel and sand that surrounded them, were finally consigned to the current beds of the Baraboo as a part of the dam which, in after years, David C. Reed was glad had washed away — " For now I know what ailed it, and can build a better one; I'm glad on it." EARLY .SETTLEMENT. The Indian was the earliest known inhabitant of the region about Reedsburg, but his moc- casined footprints are no longer to be seen. He left many evidences of his presence along the Baraboo, and when the first white settlers came they found his tribe in larger numbers than was at all times comfortable or convenient. The fall of 1844 saw the first white man in these parts, at least the first who came with the intention of remaining. Don C. Barry, accompanied by a man named Henry Perry, while exploring this part of the country in search of a lumbering loca- tion, discovered traces of copper in Section 1 of what is now the town of Reedsburg. A claim 556 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. covering the " find " was made and Perry left in charge, while Barry returned to his home. The next summer he came back, bringing with him from Mineral Point two experienced miners. In the meantime, James W. Babb and his son John came to the Baraboo Valley, reaching a point looking out upon the prairies from the Narrows Creek Gap on the 12th day of May, 1845. Pro- ceeding further up the river, Mr. Babb and his son soon reached the fertile lands comprised in the tract since known as Babb's Prairie, and here they concluded to stop and make their claims. Mr. Babb, unlike most new-comers, was blessed with some means, and with it he employed par- ties then living on Sauk Prairie to come to his claim and with their teams break seventy acres of land, upon a portion of which he raised, the same season, some buckwheat and potatoes. He built a double log house two stories in height and sixteen feet square, separated below by an open space twelve feet wide, but with the upper story extending the full length, forty-four feet. The building was covered with pine shingles from the forests further west. During the sum- mer, he went to Baraboo, purchased lumber, built a flat-boat, loaded it with provisions and polled it up the river to his place. In December, he returned to Ohio, and early in the spring of 1846, accompanied by his sons Stiother and John, the wife of the latter and Washington Gray, he returned to Sauk County, arriving in time to put in a crop that season. Early in the fall, Mr. Babb made another trip to Ohio for the remainder of his family, consisting of his wife, his son Philip, his daughter Betsey and her husband, Stern Baker. The party, after a long and tedious trip, arrived at "the Prairie" on the 8th of December, 1846. At the point where the village of Reedsburg now is, Mr. Babb soon ascertained that a magnificent water-power could be obtained, and he looked upon the section with a desire to possess it. He did not have money enough to enable him to invest in the enterprise at the time, but he hoped at some future day to lay claim to it. Before that day arrived, David C. Reed, then a resident of Walworth County, heard of the superior advantages for a mill site in this part of Baraboo, and, in the spring of 1847, he, in company with a Mr. Powell, came and laid claim to the land upon which the principal part of Reedsburg now stands, including the mill power. In June, 1847, the first improvements were commenced — the construction of a dam and the building of a shanty for the accommodation of the men engaged in the work. In June, 1848, the frame of a saw-mill was put up, and during that summer a few accessions were made to the yet meager population. SHANTY ROW. It was in the fall of this year that the famous " Shanty Row" was built. When Austin Seeley and family came in January, 1849, the inhabitants were Messrs. Reed and Powell, and the family of the latter; William McClung (the millwright) and family; J. L. Green and Keves Bishop (two single men). The snow was three feet deep and food was exceedingly scarce. A few frozen potatoes and a short allowance of " cannel," with wild meat, composed the daily bill of fare. The weather being extremely cold, and the inhabitants thinly clad, hunger was, per- haps, the least of their sufferings. The houses were of the rudest pattern, and afforded but little protection from storms. The rain and snow beat in on all sides, and during severe showers at night, the older members of families were compelled to protect their sleeping children from the torrents by holding over them umbrellas, and placing milkpans, buckets and other vessels on the beds beneath the "leaks," to catch the water. The wind, at times, would whistle through the apertures in the walls and almost blind the inmates with ashes and dust from the mud fire-places and earthen floors. The little log houses, five in number, composing "Shanty Row," were made of tamarack poles taken from the river. These poles had been cut by George and Edward Willard, of Bara- boo, along the upper banks of the Baraboo, and had been floated down stream to where Reed and Powell were building a dam. Here they were confiscated anil turned to building purposes by the settlers, who were out of doors, without a roof to shelter them, ami had no time to wait for permission from the owners to take them. Two apartments were erected under one roof; that is to say, two rooms, twelve by sixteen feet, were built twelve feet apart, tamarack poles of sufficient HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 557 length to reach across both structures being placed on top, thus forming a covered compartment between the two. The roof was made of elm bark, peeled horizontally from adjacent trees, and used in the same manner as shingles, two tiers of bark being sufficient to cover one side of the shanty. The cracks in the shanties were " chinked and daubed," with pieces of three-cornered wood and a liberal proportion of the native swamp mud, which, in soft weather, existed in generous quantities ; and, when this composition of bog and basswood dried, there was no neces- sity for windows for purposes of light or ventilation. Probably the most annoying feature of one of these frontier dwellings was the basswood door, which, during damp weather, would grow much too large for the aperture. Mrs. Seeley remembers, on one occasion, when her door was " on a swell," having placed a large stick of wood against it on retiring. During the night, un- der the influence of a warm fire and drier weather, contraction set in, and the door "went to with a bang." The noise brought the sleeping occupants of " Shanty Row " to a sitting posture ; but, not hearing a second volley, their fears of an attack from Indians were soon dissipated. The houses in " Shanty Row " were numbered after the manner of more palatial residences in large cities. No. 1, which stood at the west end of the row, next to the river, was known as "Bachelors' Hall." It was here that " the boys " came together and discussed the day's topics, after which they joined in devotional exercises and retired to their respective apartments, to be up with the lark in the morning. In No. 2, lived Mr. Powell and his family, consisting of a wife and four children, one boy and three girls. With Mr. Powell lived a young man named Brace, who afterward married the eldest daughter, a buxom girl of twenty years, and 210 pounds avordupoise. It is said that a gunny-bag, somewhat altered and revamped, figured as an important part of the bridal trosseau. The third house, or No. 3, was the domicile of William McClung and his wife and daughter. Mr. McClung was the millwright employed by Reed & Powell, to superintend the building of the saw-mill. In No. 4 lived Elder Locke, his wife and six children — John, Susan, James, Rebecca, Levi and Phoebe. The Elder is said to have been the first to preach the Gospel in Reedsburg. His pulpit was a chair, and his temple the open roadway. He now resides on Hay Creek, a few miles northwest of the village. The fifth shanty in the row was the last one put up, and its first occupants were the family of J. H. Rork, who came in February, 184!', from Racine. Unlike some of the other settlers, they came moderately well supplied with provisions and money. They found the people in the shanties in a state of destitution, the only eatable thing in the whole row being a shank of venison ; and they at once shared their plenty with the less fortunate. But a time came when they were as destitute as the others. Sickness and misfortune attended them ; they shared their provisions with the others until all were gone, and potatoes were all they had for food. Provisions could not be obtained nearer than Portage or Madison, and there were neither teams nor time to haul them hither. There were seven members in the Rork family ; J. II. and Diena Rork, the father and mother ; L. E. Rork, A. R. Rork, Wealthy Elizabeth Rork, W. W. Rork and 0. 0. Rork, the children. Early in 1849, Mr. Powell sold out his interest in the mill to Caleb Croswell, a new-comer, and Mr. Croswell in turn sold to William Van Bergen the same year. In this year, also, the mill was put into operation, and the first lumber sawed was used to cover the mill and build a shanty, into which Austin Seeley and family moved temporarily, and which was afterward known as the " old mill house." The completion of the mill marked an important era in the history of Reedsburg. Its pro- jectors met with many difficulties in the form of bad weather, scarcity of provisions, impassable roads, sickness, etc. As already stated, work was first commenced in June, 1847. A pleasing feature of the work was the finding of a solid rock bottom in the river bed, upon which the dam was built. This must have been an agreeable surprise to the inhabitants, who, from the character of the ground upon which the village now stands, had about arrived at the conclusion that there was nothing but mud beneath them. The weather being cold, and working in the water a disa- greeable task, a few of the many Indians in the neighborhood were employed to wade into the stream and deposit the material for the dam. They were paid for their labor in economical 558 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. quantities of whisky, which with poor Lo is a currency always above par, no matter how freely it may be " watered." The mill building was raised in June, 1848, three days being devoted to the work. There were present representatives from all the then settled parts of the county, and it is of oral record that "a good time" was had. " The year 1849," says Mrs. French in her " Sketch Book," " brought a few other settlers. Z. T. Carver and his wife and two children came that year. So did Daniel Carver. The latter located on a farm. Mr. Vernoy and family, J. P. Mowers, Horace Carver and Samuel Chase also settled here that year. D. B. Rudd and E. 0. Rudd, brothers, were among the pioneers, having arrived here in 1849. They were single men, and they brought their mother and sister to keep house for them. But Col. Strong, who came in the next year, finally coaxed that sister to accept the position of Mrs. R. M. Strong, and to make glad his home instead of theirs. The blow was a terrible one to the brothers. Neither ever took another housekeeper. The frost of life's winter is gleaming among their dark hair, but no gentle hand ever strokes it away. Though wealthy and influential, they have turned from womankind, and live only to console each other. Z. T. Carver, A. F. Leonard, Samuel Leonard, his father, John Leonard, and George Huffnail, were also settlers in 1849." The first frame house, if we except the slab shanty known as the " Old Mill House," was put up in the fall of 1849. It was built and occupied by Austin Seeley and family, and is still standing, being the residence of J. F. Danforth. The next frame was erected by John C. Clark, on the present site of the Reineke House, and known as the Clark House, it being used as a hotel. It was one and a half stories high, and was regarded as a " bi^ thing," probably second only to the mill. It was here that the first store in the place was located, a stock of goods being opened for sale in the bar-room by 0. H. Perry. The goods were the property of J. F. Sanford, now of Lavalle, who then kept a store in Baraboo. The amount of merchandise on hand was small, and in order to prevent the annoyance of people asking for articles not on hand, a half-sheet of paper containing a catalogue of goods for sale was kept posted on the door, so that all might ascertain, without asking, if the articles wanted were there. In the spring of 1851, the store was removed across the street to a little frame built for that purpose. J. S. Strong was the founder of the next store in the place. He kept a small stock of dry goods, groceries and crockery. The old gentleman's three sons assisted him. Two of the sons are still residents of Sauk County. The territory of the present town of Reedsburg was formerly divided between the towns of Baraboo and Eagle. In 1850, a town of Reedsburg was established, named in honor of D. C. Reed. It comprised the present towns of Woodland, Lavalle, Winfield, and a portion of Iron- ton, in addition to what is now known as Reedsburg. The town articles were drafted in a blacksmith-shop, and upon the top of James W. Babb's hat. The first officers of this town were John II. Rork, S. Kerstetter and W. P. Randall, Supervisors ; and Daniel Carver, Treas- urer. Reductions of territory were made at intervals until 1854, when the town was included in its present boundaries. At this time, there was a great range for county seats. Every man, as soon as he built a house, marked out a court house square and expected his place to be the county seat. In consequence, there was a great deal of rivalry and jealousy between different portions of the county. The original village plat belonged to D. C. Reed and George H. Irwin, a rela- tive of Reed's ; one owning the land south, and the other that north of Main street. The additions to Reedsburg are Mackey's First, made August, 1853, and Dwinnell's Addition, made about the same time; Mackey's Second and Third Additions, Mott's three Additions, and Mrs. Titus' Addition. The village was laid out and platted in 1852. In the spring of 1851, occurred the somewhat famous saw-log war, or better known prob- ably as the Baraboo war. It was then a common thing for early settlers engaged in the logging business to cut timber from the vast domains of Uncle Sam without his permission, and before the old gentleman surveyed and sold his hinds in that region, there was a wide expanse along the upper waters of the Baraboo covered with tall and graceful pines. Among others who cut and rafted saw-logs from this section were George and Edward Willard, of Baraboo. The y£7f.-J*/ r (, t eC^ /J?,(CX< REEDSBURG HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 561 building of a dam at Reedsburg seriously interfered with the successful pursuit of rafting, and it soon became optional upon the part of Mr. Reed for rafts to pass over the darn. It finally occurred to him that it would be to his interest to prohibit further operations of this kind. In doing so, he would not only prevent the probable demolition of his dam, but it was in the natural order of things that the large number of logs then lying in the stream could be purchased at a low price, and made into lumber at his mill. But the Willards insisted upon their right to pass their logs over the dam, and when Mr. Reed, backed by the citizens of Reedsburg, positively refused them this privilege, they returned to Baraboo for the purpose of mustering a sufficient number of their friends to help them cut the dam and pass the logs over. In the meantime, the Reedsburg citizens dispatched a messenger to Madison for the United States Marshal, who, they supposed, would seize the logs, they having been cut from Government land. They were disappointed, however, when the Marshal appeared with a posse of men and ordered the'daui cut away and the logs released. An indignation meeting was called at once, and a large and excited crowd assembled in Sanford's store. Inflammatory, as well as conciliatory, speeches were made, but E. G. Wheeler finally convinced the crowd that it would be the height of folly to attempt resistance to United States authority. It is worthy of record that there was no recourse to violence ; and, although the cutting of* the dam was a vital blow at the then leading interest in Reedsburg, the citizens bore their misfortune with true pioneer fortitude. In July, 1852, when the Rev. S. A. Dwinnell came to Reedsburg with his wife and six children, he found upon the site *of the present village twenty-seven families and eight single men, 114 persons in all. This was the growth of three years. Following is a list of the inhab- itants at that date, the figures indicating the number in each family : J. S. Strong, 4 ; L. Gay Sperry, 4; Austin Seeley, 4; S. H. Chase, 2; Z. T. Carver, 6; 0. H. Perry, 2; Eber Bene- dict, 4; Peter Barringer, 4; Volney Spink, 5; A. H. Witherall, 2; P. B. Smith, 3; W. Mc- Clung, 3; A. C. Reed, 8; Dr. R. G. Williams, 7; Kindred Priest, 3; H. H. Carver, 4; J. Clark, 5; J. C. Bovee, 3; E. G. Wheeler, 6; W. W. Carpenter, 3; Garrett Rathbun, 7; Harry Bishop, 3; J. Mowers, 6; William Peck, 4; Aaron Hall, 4; Orlando Secor, 5, and David C. Reed, 5. To these must be added Mr. Dwinnell's family of eight, making the entire population, twenty-nine years ago, 122 persons. The business portion of the village was located in what was then a black-alder swamp. In the eyes of strangers, this was regarded as a draw- back to the growth of the village. The people coining from Baraboo and all the region east, as well as those coming from what is now the town of Winfield and the settlement in the town of Dellona, known as Sligo, were obliged, in order to get to the stores, the tavern and the saw- mill, to travel along a ridge of hard land from near " Kelsey's Corner " to the rear part of what is now the Central House, and around to the north of the Mansion House into Main street, near Strong's store, now the saloon and eating-house of William Roper. Main street, from "Kelsey's Corner" to Nelson Carver's saloon, was an impassable swamp. A ditch had been dug on the north side of it, which remained the only improvement upon it for two or three years. It was afterward so covered with sand that teams began to travel over it, but it was many years before it was rendered perfectly safe for teams to pass without getting " sloughed." In the summer of 1851, business was greatly depressed. It was a very hard time for the laboring man and the mechanic. Money and provisions were scarce. Lumber was the only article which was abundant. Mr. Dwinnell brought with him a large quantity of flour and a number of cows, which he exchanged with his neighbors for lumber, labor and hay, greatly to their advantage as well as his own. A deep gloom hung over the future of the place. With few exceptions, everything about the village looked '-slipshod, down at the heels, out at the toes." The exceptions were the new, commodious, painted Reedsburg Hotel, built the year pre- vious, by John Clark ; also the two-story store and dwelling of J. S. Strong, which was also painted, and just west of it a large building being erected for stores and a dwelling by Volnev Spink. To these should be added the cabinet-shop, and a dwelling over it, of Austin Seeley, "near the northeast part of the park, now occupied, with more recent additions, by J. F. Danforth. This building was also painted white. The other houses were mostly small" unpainted and without cornice or ornaments. Most of them were covered with rough boards. 562 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The causes which led to the stagnation of business in Reedsburg and prevented its growth while other villages in the county were prospering, are numerous ; but a recital of them in these pages would only have the effect of opening afresh wounds that have gradually healed. Be- sides, it is not the purpose of the publishers to revive sad recollections of the local feuds they find to be a part of the history of every community. There is enough to record that is pleasant, and, as it was not through the medium of personal differences that the village attained its pres- ent important position, but the result of liberal ideas and a close adherence to the mandates of the much-violated Golden Rule, it is proper that all save that which will impress future gener- ations with the integrity of their ancestry, should be consigned to oblivion. Therefore we pass over much that has been written concerning early personal strife in Reedsburg, and take up the record of that which resulted for its good and bound lasting ties of friendship. This is ably set forth in one of Mr. Dwinnell's pioneer sketches. He says : " The first direct effort to save the place from ruin was the organization of the Reedsburg Mill Company, in August, 1851. It consisted of E. G. Wheeler, John H. Rork, Z. T. Carver, Daniel Carver, S. A. Dwinnell, D. C. Reed, Eber Benedict and W. W. Carpenter. The first five persons above named were con- stituted a board of trustees, of which S. A. Dwinnell was chosen President and E. G. Wheeler Secretary. The design of the company was to purchase the property of Reed and clear it of incumbrance ; to put the flouring-mill in operation and give deeds of lots to such persons as were entitled to them by previous purchase of Reed, and sell lots to those who wished to erect build- ings. In order to effect this object, the stockholders gave a mortgage upon real estate to the amount of the stock subscribed by them. In the month of November following, Messrs. Wheeler and Reed were sent as agents to the city of New York, to make an effort to raise money upon these farm mortgages. In that intended negotiation they were unsuccessful. But Reed found there an old acquaintance by the name of A. H. Irving, who loaned him sufficient funds to can- cel the mortgage held by Van Bergen, upon the quarter-section south of Main street, and to purchase of A. A. Mott,* of New York, the quarter north of Main street. Irving took a deed of the property and gave Reed power of attorney to give deeds to such persons as had purchased lots of him, or might wish to do so. This delivered the place of the embarrassments which threatened to ruin it, and relieved the anxieties of those who had purchased lots of Reed and built upon them. In the spring of 1852, Abram West, J. H. Rork and Z. T. Carver made an arrangement with Reed to put the flouring-mill in operation. In order to raise the necessary funds to effect this object, the farmers in the vicinity, as well as some of the inhabitants of the village, advanced money and agreed to take pay in grinding. By this means the mill was run- ning in season to grind the grain of the harvest of that year. It was a great convenience to the people in this region, who had previously been obliged to go to Baraboo or Delton for all their milling. In the year 1854, J. and S. Mackey purchased the property of Reed, and the year following they took in their brother, Dr. E. R. Mackey, as a partner. The financial prosperity thus became permanently restored. Settlers began to come in rapidly. Money became plenty, and a large number of houses and stores were built. A. B. Smith erected the Alba House, and D. C. Reed and Dr. E. R. Mackey the Mansion House. In 1856, Northrup & Young built a large store and filled it with goods. About the same time came J. Johnson & Co. and J. V. Kelsey, and opened dry goods stores. George Meyers opened the first furniture store. The country around rapidly filled up with the population, and people came here to trade for a dis- tance of twenty and thirty miles to the west. Reedsburg consequently became the center of a large business, and its commercial prosperity was from that time assured." A local writer, in the fall of 1856, speaking of the growth of Reedsburg, said : " From forty to fifty good substantial buildings have been erected within the last eighteen months, some of which, for beauty of finish, will compare favorably with those of any inland town East or West. We have three public houses, one 40x62J feet, three stories ; one 30x60 feet, three stories, with large and commodious outhouses attached to each. We have thirteen stores and groceries, one ready-made clothing establishment, one cabinet, one shoe, one wagon and two ♦Into whu-r hun. I* it htrl ( ;l [|, n tliro- ynr- prrvk'n- I'V 11" nun fulMlliurnt ..[ the .■uiulitiniin uf li bcmd between he and Mr. Reed.— En. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ~' r > :] blacksmith shops, all doing a successful business. Two new stores are now in progress of erec- tion, and the building of two more large stores is contemplated the present fall. Several large and elegant dwelling-houses are in progress of erection in different parts of the town. A saw, grist mill and sash factory are propelled by water, the former of which is surpassed by no mill in the county. The steam saw-mill is also in successful operation. Still, there is a great lack of machinery to supply the necessary wants." A year later, a local correspondent of a Baraboo paper, wrote : " A grist and saw mill have been in successful operation for a number of years, and one steam saw-mill has been estab- lished more recently. We also have ten dry-goods and provision stores, two good hotels, one drug store, one boot and shoe store, one hardware store, one harness-shop, one gunsmith, one sash, door and blind factory, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one cabinet wareroom, two churches and one seminary." In 1866, there were in the village seven dry-goods and two drug stoics, two groceries, three saloons, two furniture rooms, one hotel, one jewelry store, two boot and shoe shops, three blacksmith-shops, one harness and two stove and tin shops, with other minor institutions in pro- portion. Of professional men, there were three lawyers, three physicians and four clergymen. The year 1873 was a very profitable one for Reedsburg. A resume of the principal busi- ness transacted that year was prepared by Mr. Chandler, of the Free Press, from which the following figures are taken : Hops shipped, 2,837 bales, valued at $226,960 ; potatoes pur- chased by produce dealers, 20,029 bushels ; pork, 281,841 pounds ; 40 head of cattle, 270 of sheep, 25,000 pounds of poultry, 1,000 pounds of venison, 600 partridges, 11,000 pounds of hides and 175 pelts, 10,000 pounds of butter, 17,000 dozen of eggs, 33,000 pounds of wool, 13,000 barrels of Hour, 30,000 hoop-poles and 13,750 railroad ties. There was purchased by dry-goods and grocery dealers $214,025.98 worth of stock. The books of the two hard and tinware firms showed' transactions to the extent of $45,000. About $10,000 was expended by the ladies in the purchase of millinery goods; $8,000 went for jewelry, $14,087.99 for drugs ami medicines (and it wasn't a good year for the doctors either), $4,526 for musical instruments, and $2,615 for sewing machines. The growth of Reedsburg for the past five years has been of the most substantial character. It is now the second village in size and population in Sauk County, and, so far as the enter- prise of its business men is concerned, has no superior, if indeed it has an equal, in the county. Its tasty brick business blocks give to it the character of a city in appearance, and remind one that the destruction by fire of the old-fashioned frames which formerly lined Main street was but a temporary loss. It is said the first brick building in the place was a small one-story con- cern which stood where now stands the Reedsburg Bank. It was occupied as a merchant^ tailoring establishment, and was burned down. Upon its ruins, in 1878, was built the bank edifice referred to. Prior to this, however, the residence of A. L. Harris was erected by William Dierks. Then followed Kelsey's store, Kreutzmann's saloon and Harris & Hosford's store (veneered). This brings us to the fire of 1878, after which Peter Byrne and J. S. Dear- holt put up bricks. The bank building was next, after which came Reineke's hotel. Barker's furniture store, Judge Stevens' red brick, Timlin's tin store and Brooks' hall and restaurant. The institutions of Reedsburg, however, have separate histories which must be distinctly treated. All the sources of information have been exhausted to make the record complete and reliable. .MANUFACTORIES. Kellogg s Mill. — As is already known, the improvement of the Baraboo River, at what is now Reedsburg, was commenced in June, 1847, by David C. Reed and Mr. Powell, and a year later, the frame of a saw-mill was erected. Some time in 1849, Mr. Powell sold out his interest in the mill to Caleb Croswell, who, in turn, sold to William Van Bergen the same year. In the meantime, a grist-mill had been commenced, but for the want of funds the work was often delayed, and for a long time the citizens procured their flour at Madison and Portage. Mr. 564 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Reed becoming involved in debt, Messrs. Garver, Rork and West, who had been working for him, finally took charge of and completed the grist-mill. They ran it for about a year. In 1853, J. Mackey, then of Schoharie County, N. Y., made arrangements for pur- chasing the grist and saw-mills, together with 320 acres of land adjacent to them, and 600 acres of pine land, lying from eight to fourteen miles further up the river. Mr. Reed, not being able to raise the heavy mortgages on his property, was obliged to let it pass out of his hands. In the spring of 1854, Joseph Mackey and his brother Safford took possession of the mills. At that time the grist-mill consisted of one run of stones, and the saw-mill of two up-and-down saws, both mills being much out of repair. The new proprietors put them in complete order, and im- mediately began to pay cash for labor and supplies, which gave a new impetus to the business and growth of the town. The nearest mills to the east were then at Delton and Baraboo ; and to the west, on the Kickapoo River. An additional run of stones was put in the grist-mill to meet the increasing business. In 1855, the Mackey brothers associated with them in business another brother, Dr. E. R. Mackey, who remained here until 1861, when he returned to New York. In the winter of 1861, the Mackey mills were destroyed by fire, and several thousand bushels of wheat were lost in the conflagration. But the proprietors immediately began the erection of new mills at the points where the others had been. The grist-mill, thus rebuilt, is 40x60 feet on the ground, three and half stories high, and has five run of buhrs, two of which were put in when the mill was first built, and the others somewhat later, giving it a capacity for grinding of from eight hundred to a thousand bushels per day, or five hundred barrels of merchant work in a week, besides the reg- ular custom. The property was purchased of Safford Mackey, in February, 1880, by John Kel- logg, the present owner. The water-power is capable of driving more than twice the amount of machinery that it now runs. The dam has been recently rebuilt, making one of the best water- powers on the Baraboo River, affording in all from one hundred and sixty to two hundred horse- power. Cooperage. — The manufacture of tight-barrel cooper stock (staves and headings) was in- augurated in Sauk County, in 1871, by E. A. Miller at Valton, and J. P. Stafford at Reedsburg, following the building of the railroad. These parties continued the business, with some success, up to 1875-76, since which time both concerns have been controlled by Charles Keith and B. G. Paddock, with A. E. Miller, who holds a working interest, as superintendent. The Reeds- burg factory is the largest and most complete institution of the kind in the State, cutting 30,000 staves and headings annually. The firm supplies the largest machine barrel manufactory in Chicago, or any other part of the Northwest, witli material. The Reedsburg factory was de- stroyed by fire March 7, 1880. A new one was finished on the 10th of May, and is now in com- plete operation. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a boiler and engine room 30x36, in which is a sixty horse-power engine, and boilers double that capacity. Twenty-one hands are employed in the Reedsburg factory, and twelve in the factory located at Lavalle. These facto- ries afford a ready market for the large supplies of white oak, basswood and ash, to be found in almost any section of the county, and their central locations place them among the leading institutionswithin its borders. It is quite an advantage to farmers to be able to dis- pose of their timber for cash, instead of reducing it to ashes to get rid of it, as was the case in early times. The firm of Keith & Paddock dates back to June 3, 1858, when they were in busi- ness, as merchant-t, in Ironton. They still continue the mercantile business at Lavalle. Reedsburg Brewing Company. — Frank and Florin Meckler built the first brewery in Reeds- burg. It seems to have lacked the merit of success that was desired, and its founders, while endeavoring to bring it to a greater degree of perfection, were so unfortunate as to see it destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1877, Frank Meckler and Fred Schrader built a second brewery, and had put it into operation when, in the fall of 1878, Meckler failed, and the property was sold on a mortgage, Hagenah & Geffert being the purchasers. They took possession in March, 187'J, and at once commenced the work of making additions and other improvements on a large scale. In June, 1880, William Dierks purchased a fourth interest, and the Reeds- HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 565 burg Brewing Company was formed, composed of Mr. Dierks, Henry Geffert and John and Peter Hagenab. The most important feature of the establishment is the summer beer vault, situated a few rods northeast of the brewery. It was perfected at a cost of nearly $5,000, and is doubtless, the best vault in the State. Here the temperature is kept at 40° Fahrenheit, only 10° above the freezing point, and this, during the hottest of summer weather. It is a complete refrigerator, on a scale sufficiently extensive to accommodate nearly 10,000 gallons of beer. Beneath the brewery building proper are two oblong vaults, formed in the solid rock some ten feet below its surface, where the winter's product is stowed in enormous casks. The other parts of the establishment are in keeping with the features above described. The product of the brewery, at the present time, is sixty barrels, or -,400 gallons per week, which falls far short of supplying the demand. The trade is almost exclusively local, but very little being sent beyond the boundaries of Sauk County. . SCHOOLS. The first school in the village of Reedsburg was a private one taught by Miss Amanda, a daughter of Rev. J. S. Saxby, in the winter of 1840-50. It consisted of seven pupils, and was kept in a shanty twelve feet square, lighted by a single window, and occupied by Mr. Saxby's family, consisting of seven persons. This was a case of teaching under difficulties. In the spring and summer of 1850, Miss Amanda Wheeler, now Mrs. S. H. Chase, taught the second school in the L to the mill-house and in the Saxby house, which was afterward the Green Tavern. It consisted of about twenty pupils. In the fall of 1850, a school district having been formed in the village, and a small house built on Walnut street, 15x22 feet in size, now a portion of the residence of Patrick Carney, the first public school in town was kept during the following winter by R. M. Strong, who afterward distinguished himself in the war of the rebellion. This small schoolhouse served the district for six years, and S. J. Brown, C. P. Sanford, Seymour Sage, Miss Esther Smith, now Mrs. J. J. Nye, and several others taught there. During the summer of 1856, the district purchased of J. and S. Mackey three-fourths of an acre of land, on the northwest corner of Sixth and Pine streets, for .$300, and erected a schoolhouse 30x40 feet in size, and intended for three teachers. Thomas Mobrey was the builder. In December, J. S. Conger and wife commenced school in it, assisted by Miss Emma Tator in the lower room. Mr. Conger and wife were good teachers and excellent disciplinarians, and continued the school for three years. They were succeeded by A. P. Ellinwood, who con- tinued two years, until he entered the army in 1861. He was assisted by Miss Alma Haskell. Charles Newcomb had charge of the school for the next year, assisted by his wife, and the year following W. S. Ilubbell taught, assisted by his wife. After Miss Emma Tator left the lower department, it was taught by Sarah Shaw, Francis M. lams and perhaps others. In the fall of 1863, Miss Sarah Flanders was employed to teach in the upper department, and her sister Mary in the lower. After this, Mr. William Gillespie taught a year, succeeded by J. Bloomer and George Gregory, each for a year, during much of which time Miss Frances Smith, now Mrs. A. L. Harris, taught the lower department. In the autumn of 1867, Orsen Green took charge of the upper department and George Gregory the lower, until the burning of the schoolhouse in February, 1868. In the summer of 1868, a new schoolhouse was built upon the site of the old one, in size 40x50 feet, arranged for three departments and four teachers F. Green, of Wyocena, was the builder. It cost about $5,700, not including site or apparatus. Albert Earthman commenced teaching in October, and continued in charge of the grammar department for six years, much of the time without assistance in his room. He was assisted in the intermediate and primary departments by various young ladies, Miss Emeline Martindale in the latter. In the autumn of 1874, J. H. Gould became Principal of the school, and continued in charge two years, assisted the first year by Miss Jennie Little and the second year by Miss Roxa Taylor. During the principalship of Mr. Gould, some half a dozen of his pupils were graduated in certain branches, and entered the State University at Madison. In the fall of 1876, J. S. Thomas took charge 566 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. of the school for two years, assisted the first year by Miss Taylor, and the second by Miss Anna Sneathen and J. S. Ingalls. Mrs. Bell Sheldon succeeded Miss Martindale in the Primary room, and continued until 1877, when Miss Alice Greene took charge of it. The Intermediate Department was taught in 1874-75 by Miss Lena Little; in 1875-76 by 0. G. Schonfeldt; in 1876-77 by Willis Stone, and in 1877-78 by Miss Carrie Peck and Miss Anna Sneathen. In the autumn of 1878, J. H. Boyle, assisted by Miss Mary Nelson, took charge of the school. Miss Mary Neeley also took charge of the Intermediate Department, and Miss Alice Greene the Primary. At the beginning of the school year, in 1879, a new department was created, known as the Second Primary, Miss Hannah Weinzierl being employed as teacher. Miss Mary Neeley also succeeded Miss Mary Nelson as assistant to Mr. Boyle, Miss Nellie Neeley being employed to fill the vacancy thus created in the Intermediate Department. In September, 1879, the School Board took adequate measures for carrying out the provis- ions of an act of the Legislature providing for the establishment of free high schools. Addi- tions were made to the schoolhouse for the accommodation of two extra departments, one of which was immediately organized. The school system of Reedsburg has reached a remarkable degree of perfection- The average enrollment is about 300 pupils, the percentage of attendance being very satisfactory. The cost of maintaining the schools, not including the expense of building and improvements, is in the neighborhood of $2,400 per annum, or about $8 for each pupil. There are seven frame schoolhouses outside the village, most of them good ones. The Carver Schoolhouse is two miles west of the village, and the Jones Schoolhouse about two miles east of it, while the Safford Schoolhouse is in the south part of Babb's Prairie. There are four schoolhouses in the south part of the town, nearly on a line east and west. In these country temples of learning, schools are usually taught seven months in the year, for the most part by female teachers. Elder Barbour's Select School. — This is one of the institutions of the past, but it will be remembered by many still living who patronized it. Frances Dwinnell Elliott, daughter of the late S. A. Dwinnell, who was one of the pupils in this school, recently wrote the following rem- iniscence of it: "It was taught in the fall, winter and spring of 1854-55. A finely bound volume of Tupper that I received as a prize the last day of school bears date March 16, 1855. A pleasant upper room over Danforth & Shumway's store was the Seminary building, and, there being no cloak room, our various wrappings disputed with the blackboard for the possession of the walls. The only ornament was a board placed conspicuously opposite the door, bearing the inscription, ' Order is the first law of Nature.' The Elder's patience was often sorely tried by our failure to observe the same. He was an excellent instructor. I shall never forget how, after a tedious explanation of a problem on the board, he would say, ' Now, if there is one in the class that doesn't understand this perfectly, I will go all over it again.' After teaching a few weeks, he realized that it was not good for schoolmasters to be alone, and secured an assistant in the person of Miss Mary J. Strong, an aunt of the Colonel's. How well all remember her, with her plain, freckled face, and bright auburn hair, but with such a sweet expression' of countenance and grace of demeanor as to be really beautiful. Her character was one of the few in this world that can truthfully be denominated 'perfectly lovely.' To my youthful eyes she was perfection itself, and as one too good for earth she is yet inscribed in my memory. Main street was then in quite a primitive state, and the mud was appalling to behold and wade through. Wegirls, in consequence, adopted the bloomer costume, and a gent by my side, who was one of the boys in that distant period, says it was vastly becoming. I believe he never buys nineteen yards for a dress without wishing we had never doffed it. But in the breaking of winter the mud grew unbearable, even with pants ; and one day, at noon, we grew desperate, and, going down to the mill, we confiscated each of us a slab, and, marching up single file with them on our shoulders, we deposited them with due solemnity on the mud. There were quite a lot of them, and, by laying them end to end, they covered quite a length of sidewalk. It should be inscribed on the HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. &b7 archives of Reedsburg that its first sidewalk was laid by the young ladies of Elder Barbour's select school." And so it is inscribed. THE CHURCHES. The civilizing influences of religion have done much for the welfare of Reedsburg. Elder A. Locke, who still resides near the village, was the first to preach the Gospel in the place. The 12th of July, 1848, was the date and "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" the text of his sermon. The people assembled in the shanty of Mr. Powell, which stood in what is now Main street, almost in front of the old Strong store, now Roper's eating house. He continued to hold services here and also at Ward's, in the eastern portion of Narrows Prairie, and on the Little Baraboo, near where Ironton now is, for a year or more before any other minister came. He lived during the time in a shanty which he had built a short distance east of the Powell place. The next resident minister was J. S. Saxby, a Congregationalist from Walworth County. The Methodists. — The first church organization was effected by the Methodists in November, 1850, at the house of John Clark, the Rev. N. Butler, of Baraboo, officiating. The congrega- tion was very small, consisting of J. H. Rork and wife, John Clark and wife, Garrett Rathbun and wife, Zabina Bishop, Phillip B. Smith, Mrs. Willard Bowen, Mrs. A. C. Reed, Mrs. Volney Spink, and Mrs. Peter Barringer ; but the membership was largely increased, and, in 1853, the society numbered sixty-three. In the fall of 1865, the church erected a tabernacle of boards, 20x30 feet in size, at the northwest corner of Fourth and Locust streets. It had a seating capacity of about 100, and served them as a place of worship for eight years. In 1872, a commodious church edifice was erected at the northeast corner of Pine and Second streets. It is B5x 5< i feet, and will seat 225 persons. It was dedicated February 16, 1873, the Rev. S. Fallows, of Madison, officiating, the text of the sermon being " He musfneeds go through Samaria." At this meeting a subscription of $630 was raised toward liquidating the $1,<>00 indebtedness of the society. Following is a list of the Pastors since the organization : Nelson Butler, E. P. Sanford, W. P. Delap, J. Bean, E. S. Bunce, A. V. House, E. H. Sackett, J. Bean again, R. Row- botham, John M. Springer, C. C. Holcomb, E. S. Bunce again, O. B. Kilbourn, B. L. Jack- son, R. Pengilley, I. A. Sweatland, John Harris, R. Langley, N. Leach, J. B. Bachman, J. W. Bell and J. H. Whitney. The (Joni/ regat ii malists. — The next church organization — that of the Congregationalists — took place in the village schoolhouse, February 8, 1851. The Rev. Warren Cochran and the Rev. J. S. Saxby officiated. There were present, composing the membership of the society, J. S. Strong and wife, J. S. Saxby, wife and daughter, I. W. and L. R. Morley and their wives, N. Cornish and wife and three others, to which number S. A. Dwinnell and wife and two others were soon added, making twenty-two in all. In 1855, a church edifice, 32x50 feet in size, and valued at $1,600, was erected at the corner of Third and Pine streets. It was built by Abrarn West and Volney Spink, and was dedicated on the 18th of October, 1855, Rev. Warren Coch- ran preaching the sermon. It was the first church building erected in Reedsburg. At that date, the nearest structure of the character on the north was at Stevens Point, on the east at Baraboo, on the south at Dodgeville, and on the west at La Crosse. In 1871, the house was repaired and re-furnished at an expense of $1,200, and was re-dedicated on the 17th of De- cember of that year, the Rev. M. Bennett preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Pastors have been the Revs. J. S. Saxby, from 1849 to 1851 : S. A. Dwinnell, from January, 1852, to Jan- uary, 1868 ; Warren Cochran one year, H. H. Hinman one year, M. Bennett four years, W. H. Hinckley three months, W. Mooney one year, and J. A. Bartle^tt, who came in the fall of 1879. The Baptists. — On the 24th of January, 1852, Elder Peter Conrad, then engaged in mis- sionary work among a few small and scattered congregations on this then sparsely settled frontier, succeeded in organizing a Baptist society in Reedsburg. The first communicants were William J. Bentley and wife, Z. Craker and wife, Ammon Vernoy, Mrs. Eber Benedict, Mrs. James 568 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Vernoy, Mrs. Daniel Carver, Mrs. H. H. Carver, Mrs. L. G. Sperry and Mrs. J. C. Bovee. The members were by no means well to do financially, though their faith stood unalterably at par, and until 1873 they had no settled place of worship. The old schoolhouse, the Alba House, Union Hall, the Congregational Church and the basement of the Presbyterian Church were used alternately by the society. At one time during this long period, the erection of a church edifice was seriously contemplated ; a lot was purchased and some of the timber hauled upon the ground, but the stringency of the times prevented the consummation of the plan. In the spring of 1872 the project was renewed, and this time with better success. In June of that year, J. N. Parker, the architect and builder, laid the foundation, and during the summer and fall raised and inclosed the building, which was completed the following year (1873), at a cost of $2,000, and dedicated October 12, Elder Raymond, of Chicago, officiating, being assisted by Elders Fish and Seamans. It was shown by the report of the Treasurer, Elder Barbour, that the indebtedness of the church at that date was $1,100, of which amount $400 was owing to the building fund. At the close of the evening service on the day of the dedication, the remaining amount of the indebtedness, $700, was subscribed. The Pastors of this church, since the time of Mr. Conrad, have been the Revs. E. D. Barber, B. D. Sprague, W. J. Chapin, Mead Bailey, John Seamans, E. D. Barber again, G. W. Lincoln, J. Staley and F. Hill. The Presbyterians. — This church was organized in what was then known as the new school- house, on the 22d of November, 1857, by the Rev. Hiram Gregg, of Baraboo. The original members were T. Tait and wife, L. Gifford and wife, Chester Buck and wife, and Miss L. Buck. A church edifice, 38x60, was erected during the following year, dedicatory services being held in the basement in December, the Rev. William Lusk, Sr., preaching the sermon. The house was not wholly completed till 1870. It was dedicated in December of that year, the Rev. B. G. Riley, of Lodi, officiating. The structure cost $5,200. The Pastors of the church have been the Revs. William Lusk, Sr., William Lusk, Jr., T. Williston, S. A. Whitcomb, William Lusk, Sr., again, D. S. White, H. L. Brown and J. A. Bartlett. St. Peter s Church. — The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1868, and August Rohrlack became Pastor in 1869. The church was composed mostly of families from Hanover, Germany. They soon made a purchase of an entire block, just north of the Con- gregational Church, upon which was a dwelling-house, which was fitted up as a parsonage and schoolhouse. In 1870, a church edifice, 40x70 feet, was erected at the southeast corner of Fourth and Locust streets. The most striking feature of the structure is its eighty-foot steeple, in which hangs a bell weighing 1,500 pounds. The dedication took place on the tenth Sunday after Trin- ity, 1870. A parish school was erected near the church in 1874. The Rev. Mr. Rohrlack taught the first school connected with this church. He was succeeded by Julius Neils. Mr. E. Lussky is the present teacher. The size of the school ranges from sixty to ninety pupils. St. Johns Church. — A second Lutheran society was organized in 1874, consisting of about twenty-five families, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Woerth. Among the first members were William Stolte and wife, George Stolte and wife, John Meyer and wife, Fred Dangel and wife, John Fuhlbohm and wife, Henry Kipp and wife, Fred Niebuhr and wife, and William Raetzmann and wife. Services were held in the English Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church until the fall of 1878, when the society erected a house of worship on Market street, in the northern portion of the village. The edifice cost $1,500. The pastors have been the Revs. Th. Jahnsen, George Woerth, Dr. Deichman, and G. F. Engelhardt, the present incumbent. The membership is about seventy families. The Catholics. — About three years ago, the Rev. Father White, of Baraboo, visited Reeds- burg"at the solicitation of«a few Catholic families residing here, and held mass in private houses. A yearprevious to this, Mrs. E. F. Buelow took the initiative in starting a subscription for the purpose of building a church in Reedsburg. The object was accomplished in the spring of 1880, a $1,200 church edifice being erected. The subscribers to the fund and members of the parish are the families of Paul Bishop, Patrick Tierney, Peter Byrne, Stephen Timlin, William Horkan, E. F. Buelow, Edward Timlin, Mrs. Frank Ingalls, Win. Boehm, Frank Meckler and Mrs. Loselet. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. THE POST OFFICE. In 1849, Horace Croswell received an appointment as Postmaster of Reedsburg. The mail matter which then came to this point was not sufficiently cumbersome to necessitate the building of a special apartment for it, and Eber Benedict's slab shanty became the post office; though it is said that Lavina Reed carried the letters in her pocket during the first part of Horace's term of office, because she and Horace were both young and much inclined toward each other. Croswell, as a part of his contract with the Government, took the mail pouch on his back and made weekly trips to Baraboo, sixteen miles away, the schedule time being eight hours. L. Gay Sperry was his successor as mail carrier. He reduced the time between the two points to six and a half hours. This he continued to do for a year. When the " Strong building " (now Roper's eating-house) was erected, and a store established therein, the post office was removed thereto by Mr. Croswell. Caleb Croswell, brother of Horace, and also a brother of the founder and editor of the Albany (N. Y.) Argus, succeeded Sperry as mail-carrier, and placed on the route his team of white and brown mules. About 1851, the change in adminis- tration carried with it the usual decapitations in the Post Office Department, and whether or not Mr. Croswell's head fell under the political guillotine, or whether he resigned the office, is not of record. At any rate the office became vacant and E. W. Young was appointed. He remained in office until 1861, keeping it in the store of Young, Northrup & Co., and on the 16th of March of that year he was succeeded by J. L. Green, who removed it to his store, which stood where Finch's harness-shop now stands. In the spring of 1865, E. 0. Rudd succeeded to the position. The office was then located by Mr. Rudd in Henderson's store, where it was attended by his sister, Mrs. Col. Strong. When the Colonel returned from fighting the battles of his country, he and his wife took up their residence in the original Strong building, erected at an early day by the Colonel's father, taking the post office with them, where it remained until about 1869, when John Kellogg was appointed to the position. He remained in office till 1873, resigning in favor of A. L. Harris, the present incumbent. The office became a money order office July 1, 1869. The first order was issued on the 15th of that month ; the remitter was Horace F. Chace, of Reedsburg, and the payees Swale, Cameron & Co., Milwaukee, the amount being $23.63. Since then over 12,000 orders have been issued. C. F. Sheldon has been in the office as assist- ant for several years. HOTELS. The first hotel in Reedsburg was a " tavern," for it was by this somewhat antiquated appel- lation that the Clark House, built in 1849-50, was known. J. C. Clark was the proprietor. The structure was one and a half stories high, and the entire population pointed to it with feel- ings of pride as the first frame building of note in the place, the material of which it was con- structed being the product of the greatest institution for many miles about — the saw-mill of Reed & Powell. The Clark House stood wliere the American House (the property of Mrs. Reineke) now stands. There were many changes in the proprietorship and management of this house, and it is not in the power of the •' oldest inhabitant " to recall the names of those identified with its history. Thomas Ingalls, A. P. True, John Schaum and George Stewart are enumerated as having been among the individuals connected with its later management. It was for some time the property of J. D. Mackey, who sold it to G. Reineke. It was destroyed by fire in May, 1877, and rebuilt of brick. Upon the death of Mr. Reineke, his widow succeeded to the management. The next hotel was built by J. S. Saxby, though it was used at different periods as a resi- dence by Mr. Saxby, a man named Secor and A. West. The latter sold it to H. H. Treadwell, who converted it into a hotel. By him it was subsequently transferred to John Sanborn, who sold it to Jehu Seeley. A Mr. Clark then came along and purchased it. but soon sold out to one Percival, who removed it to a farm two miles west of the village, and it now does service as a farmhouse. 570 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The Mansion House came next in the category of hotels. It was built in 1855 by Dr. Mackey, and was a part of the property of the Mackey brothers. It was purchased and carried on by Ransom Smith & Sons, but in 1859 reverted to the Mackeys on account of the inability of the Messrs. Smith to pay for it. L. Gaylord then became the lessee, and he was succeeded by one Cooper, concerning whom there are many mysterious things related. It is said the Mansion House, under his management, became a rendezvous for bad characters who inaugur- ated an era of systematized plunder. Charley Hunt remembers having, in the capacity of an officer, searched the premises and found portions of stolen harness and other articles furnishing satisfactory evidence tending to justify the general belief that there was "something decayed in Denmark." It is also asserted that on one occasion a wagon with a small party of men aboard arrived at the house one dark night, and the hostler was instructed to care for the horses and have them ready to start at 3 in the morning, but he was threateningly warned not to use a lantern or go nearer the wagon than was absolutely necessary in the performance of his duty. After the last member of the suspicious crowd had left Reedsburg, the hostler ventured to relate what had happened, supplanting his story with the statement that he did make an examination of the wagon and found therein the body of a dead man. When Cooper left the country, G. W. Bellinger came into possession of the Mansion House and converted it into a private resi- dence. He soon afterward sold to Thomas Ingalls, who opened it again as a hotel. W. H. Finch, now of Kilbourn, succeeded Mr. Ingalls, and he sold to 0. E. Briggs, who conducted it until March, 1878, when Mr. Ingalls again took it. In February, 1880, Dr. N. W. Sallade bought the property and is the present manager. What is now the Central House was built in 1856-57, by Alba B. Smith. It was then known as the Alba House. Mr. Smith sold to E. G. Wheeler, whose son-in-law, Ruben Green, managed it until about 1859, when F. A. Weir became the proprietor. In 1861, it fell into the hands of one Woolsey, who, it is said, was in some way connected with the Cooper gang, and under whose management the Alba House fell into disrepute. Woolsey, it is said, was no better than he ought to be. In 1863, N. V. Chandler rented the house, and, as illustrating the low ebb of affairs at that time, Mr. Chandler relates that he only paid $5 rent per month for the entire establishment, livery stable and all. In November, 1863, Mr. Chandler retired in favor of George Mead, who kept it till May, 1864, when Daniel Clark purchased it of a Mr. Love- land, of New York, who came into possession by purchase from Mr. Wheeler. Clark sold to Schwecke k Stotte, the present proprietors, who closed it as a hotel and kept a store in the lower part, making dwellings of the upper. In November, 1876, it was remodeled and re-opened as a hotel by Frank P. Ingalls, whom no one can conscientiously say does not " know how to keep a hotel." BANKS. The first hanking business done in Reedsburg was by a Mr. Ege and H. M. Haskell, both of Portage. It was of the wildcat order, and, like many others of the same character, went to pieces when Southern securities began to depreciate. In the winter of 1868, a private bank was established by Mackey, Rudd & Co. (Joseph Mackey, E. 0. Rudd and J. W. Lusk). Messrs. Rudd and Lusk retiring soon afterward, Mr. Mackey conducted the business alone until about 1876, when he withdrew also and went to Minneapolis, Messrs. Rudd and Lusk and Henry Geffert, Moses Young'and H. C. Hunt, being his successors. In the summer of 1877, the Reedsburg Bank Building was erected, the institu- tion being permanently located therein. The present officers are J. W. Lusk, President ; Henry Geffert, Vice President; George T. Morse, Cashier. In 1863, Dr. S. Ramsey engaged in the business of buying and selling foreign and domestic exchange, and has since devoted a large share of attention thereto. In 1875, he announced himself in gold letters as a full-grown banker, and from that date to the present time has received deposits in the regular way of other bankers. The Doctor is also considered an adept in diag- nosing a hop-yard, and, in his time, has invested many thousands of dollars in the article. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 571 FTRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE RECORD. In October, 1873, in accordance with a previous resolution of the Village Board, a Babcock fire apparatus was purchased, at a cost of $6f>0 for the complete outfit, consisting of a truck, four six-gallon extinguishers, provided with twelve chemical charges, four ladders, aggregating sixty-eight feet in length, ten fire-buckets, two axes, two pike poles, one hook and chain, five lanterns and sixty feet of drag-rope. The equipment was temporarily housed in Mrs. Wheeler's barn. On the 15th of November, a meeting of citizens was held, at which the Babcock Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, of Reedsburg, was organized, with Moses Young as Foreman, James Lake, First Assistant ; A. R. Rork, Second Assistant; W. A. Wyse, Secretary; W. Warren, Treasurer, and A. W. Sallade and 0. H. Perry, Chemical Captains. In June, 1877, a hand engine was purchased of the city of Fond du Lac for $350, which is now in use. In the winter of 1879-80, the Village Board voted authority to build an engine- house, and the fire apparatus of the village is now properly housed. W. W. Rork is Chief of the Department, while F. G. Rodermund and 0. E. Byington are Foremen of the engine and hook and ladder companies respectively. Following is a record of the principal fires which have occurred in Reedsburg : In November, 1852, the small store building of J. F. Sanford, in charge of 0. H. Perry, took fire in the night, and burning through the floor was discovered and extinguished. The goods were badly smoked, which was the principal loss. The fire was thought to have been caused by a coal from the pipe of a smoker. The second fire was the burning of W. Warren's blacksmith-shop, in May, 1855, caused by concealed fire in a load of charcoal left over night near the shop. In December, 1859, the store of L. M. Swallow, standing where Horkan's saloon now is, was burned in the night-time, evidently an incendiary fire. In 1860, the large frame house of Stern Baker, on Babb's Prairie, was burned in the day time, caused by a stove standing too near the plastered wall of the sitting-room. December 8, 1860, the saw-mill, flouring-mill and storehouse, with 2,000 bushels of grain belonging to J. and S. Mackey, were burned. Loss, $7,000, with no insurance. Caused by coals carried by one of the workmen into the lower part of the saw-mill to warm a rubber belt. In August, 1861, the large log house and granary of J. W. Babb were burned with all their contents. It is supposed to have been caused by fire dropped from the pipe of one of the harvest hands. It was the first log house and the second dwelling erected in the town of Reedsburg. In 1862, a small house near Maj. McClure's, on. Narrows Prairie, was burned. It was supposed to have been caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp left burning through the night in the room of a sick person. April, 1864, Northrup's drug store, which stood where Geftert's old store now is, and an unoccupied store building on the west of it, were burned in the night-time, and it was supposed to be the work of an incendiary. February 7, 1868, the schoolhouse was burned from hot ashes poured beside the building. No insurance. A hop-house belonging to a German by the name of Meyers, near Babb's Prairie, was burned, with its contents, in September, 1868. In 1871, the meat market of C. S. Hunt was burned in the day-time ; caused by a defective flue. In December, 1871, the dwelling of Benjamin Bost was burned, with no insurance; cause unknown. January 22, 1874, the house of Levi Waltz, in the southeast part of the town, was burned. June 12, 1874, Mechler's brewery and the dwelling of F. L. Mechler were burned. Loss, $6,000, partly insured. September 30, 1874, the hop-house of A. F. Scoon, in the southwest corner of the town, was burned. Loss $1,100 ; insured for $600. 572 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. May 8, 1877, all the buildings on the north side of Main street, between Walnut and Mar- ket streets, except Kelsey's brick store, were burned by a fire which started in the north end of Peter Byrne's saloon, on the corner of Walnut and Main streets, consuming three one-story buildings and seven two-story buildings. Loss $20,000 ; well insured, as most of the goods were saved. May 21, 1877, Peter Byrne's saloon and Reineke's hotel, on the north side of Main street, near the river, were burned, the fire commencing in Byrne's saloon. On the 25th of November, 1878, a fire broke out in A. M. Sanders' blacksmith-shop, and soon the whole structure, including the adjoining paint-shops, was in a blaze. An account of this fire is worthy a place in history, from the fact that it was the first conflagration that found the village prepared to combat. The flames were extinguished in ten minutes. December 31, 1878, a fire occurred in Harris & Kellogg's building. The printing offices of the Free Press and the Herald had a narrow escape from total destruction. The damage was estimated at the time at $10,000. February 3, 1879, A. R. Rork's cigar factory took fire, and the flames spread to the resi- dences of W. Barstow and F. Moritz, all being consumed. March 18, 1879, the carpenter-shop of Hackett & Buckley was destroyed ; loss $3,000 ; insured for $1,600. On the 7th of March, 1880, the stave-mill was burned — the last fire of any consequence in Reedsburg. ellinwood's fair grounds. In the fall of 1872, A. P. Ellinwood conceived the project of converting a portion of his land north of Babb's Creek into a driving-park and fencing and otherwise improving the grounds with a view to holding annual fairs thereon, and accordingly, in furtherance of the idea, partially fitted up a track ; but circumstances rendered the immediate fulfillment of his plans impracticable. The work of putting the grounds in order was not relinquished, however, and the track was completed in 1874. On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October of the same year, the first fair was held, which proved to be a success even exceeding the expectations of those most interested. There were 550 entries, thirty of them being babies. Mrs. Barnhardt's took the first prize for beauty, while that of Mrs. Bishop carried off the prize for corpulence. There were fully 5,000 people present. The next gathering occurred on the 3d, 4th and 5th of July, 1875, the 4th falling on Sunday. The first day was devoted to prize declamations, there being two series of prizes, and the victors afterward coming together in competition for a third prize, which was won by Mrs. Nellie Seeley. On Sunday, the 4th, the features were patriotic sermons by the Rev. John Bascom, President of the State University ; H. Stone Richardson, a prominent Methodist divine, and W. Langdon Sanders, a Baptist minister of equal prominence. On Monday occurred the commencement exercises of the public schools, which closed with a lecture entitled " Backbones, " by the Rev. Mr. Sanders. The foregoing is a fair sample of the character of celebrations that have since been held on each recurring anniversary of the Nation's birthday. Mr. Ellinwood makes it a point to secure the attendance of " stars of the first magnitude, " and it will not be surprising if he succeeds some time or other in capturing a President of the United States, or a real live Prince, to edify the people of Reedsburg and vicinity. Thus far, his books reveal the names of the following distinguished individuals: Robert Collyer, Prof. Swing, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Will Carleton, Schuyler Colfax and Robert Marion La Fol- lette. Fairs are held in the fall of each year. Mr. Ellinwood, in the capacity of President of the Association, has entire management of affairs. Mrs. Ellinwood superintends the arrangement of exhibits in Floral Hall. The Association is recognized by the State, and receives the annual appropriation of $100, usually given to like associations. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ORHKKS AND SOCLKTIEi?. Tlie Masons. — In 1856, a Masonic Lodge was organized, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No. 79. It worked under dispensation for a year. In 1864, it was transferred to Ironton, and was thereafter known as Ironton Lodge. The charter officers of this lodge were : E. G. Wheeler, Worshipful Master ; W. H. Young, Senior Warden ; Moses Young, Junior Warden. In 1866, a charter was granted for a new lodge, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No. 157. The charter members were Moses Young, W. M. ; Giles Stevens, S. W. ; Henry A. Tator, J. W., and S. Ramsey, J. C. Young, E. W. Young, A. E. Markee, W. Mackey, A. P. Ellinwood, R. M. Strong, W. H. Young, J. Mackey, J. W. Lusk, W. W. Warren, C. A. Chandler, and A. W. Sallade. The Worshipful Masters of this Lodge have been Moses Young, 1866, 1867, 1871 and 1880; Henry A. Tator, 1868 and 1869; Giles Stevens, 1870, 1874, 1876 and 1877; J. W. Lusk, 1872 and 1873 ; H. A. Chase, 1876 , J. N. Parker, 1879. The present officers are Moses Young, W. M.; E. F. Seaver, S. W. ; W. 0. Pietzsch, J. W.; John Kellogg, Secretary; D. D. Russell, Treasurer E. 0. Byington, S. D. ; N. W. Porter, J. D. The present member- ship of the lodge is sixty ; fourteen of these belong to Baraboo Valley Chapter, No. 29. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month. The lodge has a very convenient and well-arranged hall, built at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated December 27, 1879, the late Col. D. S. Vittum, of Baraboo, acting Grand Master, conducting the ceremonies. The Rev. J. A. Bartlett delivered an able address entitled, " Freemasonry Justified." The Odd Fellows. — In December, 186.5, a lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted in Reeds- burg, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No. 135. W. O. Pietzsch, Dr. Gaylord, John Hagenah, George 0. Pietzsch, S. F. Smith and E. F. Bulow were among the charter members. North- western Encampment, No. 21, was also organized at the same time, the charter members being the same as in the subordinate lodge. In 1869, the charters were surrendered, and the camp was removed to Baraboo. Gn the 5th of April, 1877, the subordinate lodge was re-instated, with authority to work in the German language. The charter members of the re-instated lodge were W. 0. Pietzsch, E. F. Bulow, Peter Empser, John Hagenah and Frank Meckler. The Noble Grands since then, have been E. F. Bulow, W. 0. Pietzsch (two terms), A. Boehm, William Stolte, William Raetzmann and G. Oehlers. G. H. Shultz is the present Vice Grand ; H. Fanteck, Secretary; William Stolte, Treasurer, and William Henrich, P. S. There are thirty- six members, eight or nine of whom belong to and attend the meetings of the Camp at Baraboo. The lodge has a neatly appointed hall, over S. J. Dearholt's store, where it meeis on Thursday evening of each week. Temperance. — The first load of goods brought to Reedsburg consisted of two barrels of whisky, one barrel of pork and a few minor sundries. The wagon containing it took the lead, and its driver was the avant-eourrier of the little band of pioneers who arrived a few hours later and took up their temporary residence in "Shanty Row," which had been constructed the pre- vious season by Messrs. Reed & Powell. One of the shanties in the row was used as a store- house ; and it was here that the devil, in the form of intemperance, first developed the skirmish line of the grand army which destroys mankind with rum. It must not be understood that the occupants of the shanties were intemperate ; just the reverse. Of course, a few of the men imbibed a little, but the majority of the community abhorred the name of whisky, and the duty of consuming the two barrels of liquor fell to the Indians, who were employed to assist in build- ing the dam, being paid in "fire-water," a species of wampum always above par with poor Lo. In the spring of 1849, E. G. Wheeler visited Reedsburg, and was entertained by the citizens in their usual spirit of liberality. In the " storeroom " was a keg of whisky on tap, and an extra glass was set out for the Judge ; but he would have none of it. He mildly rebuked those present for permitting the sale of liquor, and finally, in his indignation, remarked that he felt as if he could lecture. That was sufficient. In fifteen minutes every person in the village was present, and the Judge was given the opportunity he expressly desired. Mrs. Seeley says she 574 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. never, before nor since, heard such eloquence. Singing followed, and every one felt good. And Judge Wheeler's was the first temperance lecture in Reedsburg. The first temperance organization in the place was effected about 1850. The society was known as the Washingtonian Society, and embraced a large number of the citizens. Meetings were often held in the little rude schoolhouse on Walnut street, which was afterward converted into a dwelling-house and occupied by Patrick Carney. When the Congregational Church was finished, in 1855, the society transferred its headquarters to the new edifice. There were many stanch workers in the reform movement, and, though it would seem invidious to particularize, the name of S. A. Dwinnell should be mentioned in this connection. His opposition to the liquor traffic was characteristically earnest, and, though he had many friends he made not a few enemies. It was the recollection of Mr. Dwinnell that L. B. Swallow established the first saloon in Reeds- burg, on the corner now occupied by William Horkan. Swallow carried on the business in defiance of the statutes, and, in the winter of 1853, he was indicted by the grand jury, but eventually escaped punishment. Finally, about 1856, after he had triumphed over his opponents for three or four years, he sold his business, joined one of the village churches, "and," says Mr. Dwinnell, " became a respectable citizen." He took to preaching finally, but soon fell from grace. Probably the most successful temperance organization ever known in Reedsburg was effected in the spring of 1878, when the Blue Ribbon Band was organized, with Mrs. Austin Seeley as President, and Mrs. Olive Rork, Secretary. The band now numbers nearly 400 members. Enthusiastic meetings are held on alternate Sunday afternoons in the churches and public halls. The Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor and Good Templars have also flourished in Reeds- burg. James A. Stone, S. C. Chase, N. W. Porter and others have been and are active workers in the cause. Grand Army of the Republic. — On the 10th of April, 1880, a large number of the tried and true patriots of Reedsburg came together and organized H. A. Tator Post, No. 13, G. A. R. The post was instituted by L. O. Holmes, of Baraboo. The following are the charter mem- bers : W. G. Hawley, W. I. Carver, O. W. Schonfeldt, W. A. Wyse, James Miles, C. F. Shel- don, H. P. Persons, A. S. Brooks, H. C. Hunt, W. 0. Pietzsch, E. F. Bulow, R. E. Nichols, Peter Empser, B. Rathburn, Philo Lane, J. H. Fosnot, George Lawsha, S. L. Miller, M. H. Medberry, M. E. Seeley, D. G. Spicer, E. F. Seaver, David Sparks, H. B. Turney, George Swetland. Officers were elected as follows : H. C. Hunt, Post Commander ; William G. Haw- ley. Senior Vice Commander ; E. F. Seaver, Junior Vice Commander ; H. B. Turney, Ser- geant ; W. A. Wyse, Chaplain ; James Miles, Quartermaster ; J. H. Fosnot, 0. D. ; A. S. Brooks, 0. G. ; 0. W. Schonfeldt, Adjutant ; W. I. Carver, Sergeant Major; M. H. Medberry, Quartermaster's Sergeant. Reedsburg Manner Turnverein. — Organized March 17, 1875. Charter members : Henry Kreutzmann, William Raetzmann, Henry Liessmann, Henry G. Shultz, Henry Westedt, Will- iam Gade, Henry Reineke, Henry Beushausen, R. Tansend, C. Gehle, Frederick Vorlop, William Riggert, William Stolte, William Pahl, Frederick Moritz, Emil Lanz and Frederick Berg. The first officers were : William Raetzmann, President ; Henry Liessmann, Vice Presi- dent; William Pohl, Secretary ; William Riggert, Assistant ; William Stolte, Treasurer ; F. Moritz, Assistant; Emil Lanz, Turnwart ; F. Berg, Assistant; Henry Beushausen, Zeugwart ; Henry Reineke, Assistant. A hall was fitted up in the rear of Roper's eating-house, and sup- plied with gymnastic machinery. Two evenings of each week are devoted to exercises under the instruction of a regular trainer. Business meetings are held once a month. The member- ship has been as large as thirty. GOVERNMENT. On the 29th of May, 1849, a special town meeting was held in the town of Baraboo, with the following result : Lewis Butterfield and William Van Bergen, Justices of the Peace for two years ; Lewis Johnston, for one year ; Charles Minchin, Constable ; Jacob P. Mowers, Sealer of Weights and Measures. HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 575 The first regular town election was held at the house of D. C. Reed, April 2, 1850, sixty- two votes being polled. The successful candidates were : For Supervisors, Lewis Butterfield (Chairman), Eber Benedict and Samuel Northrup ; Town Clerk, Horace Croswell ; Assessor, Samuel Northrup and Eber Benedict received fifty-nine votes, according to the record ; Town Superintendent, Horace Croswell; Town Treasurer, John H. Ilork; Constables, Alex. Murry, Charles Minchin and Jacob P. Mowers ; Sealer, Horace Croswell. In 1851, the town of Reedsburg was organized, and on the 1st of April a town election was held at the schoolhouse, at which 102 votes were polled. The following officers were elected : Supervisors, John H. Rork (Chairman), Sebastian Kerstetter and William P. Randall; Super- intendent, Robert G. Williams ; Clerk, Oliver II. Perry ; Justices, William Randall and Will- iam Andrews ; Treasurer, Daniel Carver ; Assessors, Alanson C. Reed and John Randall ; Con- stables, Alfred Leonard, Amos R. Sprague and John Kerstetter ; Sealer, Horace Croswell. In the early records of the Town Board (1850), we find that a school had been taught in School District No. 2 for three months, the wages as agreed upon between the Clerk and the teacher being twelve shillings per week, or $18 for the term. Reedsburg continued under town government until the spring of 18G8, when it was incor- porated as a village according to a special act of the Legislature, sitting the previous winter. The first election under the charter was held on the 13th day of April of that year, 107 votes being polled as follows : President and Police Justice, A. 0. Hunt, 105 votes, and C. M. Gay- lord, 1 ; Trustees, Nelson Wheeler, 100 ; W. Warren, 105 ; Moses Young, 104 ; D. B. Rudd, 105; D. Schwecke, 105 ; O. H. Perry, 65; E. A. Dwinnell, 41; G. Bellenger,l ; H. Smith, 1; Clerk, Giles Stevens; Treasurer, H. C. Hunt; Constables, G. Bellinger and W. II. Root; Attorney, G. Stevens ; Street Commissioner, G. Bellinger ; Surveyor, G. Stevens. 1869 — President and Police Justice, A. O. Hunt ; Trustees — Moses Young, Henry Gef- fert, A. P. Ellinwood, W. Warren, M. Finch and E. G. Gregory ; Clerk, G. Stevens ; Treas- urer, H. A. Tator. 1870 — President, John H. Rork ; Police Justice, J. D. Mackey : Trustees — E. Buelow, A. F. Leonard, R. C. Lewis, Henry Geffert, William Stolte, and N. W. Sallade ; Clerk, G. Stevens ; Treasurer, J. V. Kelsey. 1871 — President, N. W. Sallade; Justice, A. O. Hunt ; Supervisor, S. Mackey ; Trustees — Moses Young, W. Warren, W. Stolte, J. Barnhart, R. C. Lewis and A. F. Leonard ; Clerk, Moses Young ; Treasurer, J. Mackey. 1872 — President, A. P. Ellinwood; Justice, A. West; Trustees — Austin Seeley, W. Stolte, A. Barnhart, Thomas Ingalls, B. A. Barnhart and G. Stevens ; Supervisor, John Kel- logg ; Clerk, G. Stevens : Treasurer, W. Stolte. 1873 — President, A. F. Leonard ; Justice, R. A. Wheeler ; Supervisor, W. I. Carver ; Trustees — H. Geffert, A. R. Rork, John Geffert, J. B. Clark, James Lake and J. F. Danforth ; Clerk, J. F. Danforth ; Treasurer, William Finch. 1874 — President, W. Warren ; Justice, W. A. Wyse ; Supervisor, W. I. Carver ; Trustees — H. J. Smith, A. P. Ellinwood, Peter Dangel, H. Halm, S. Ramsey and J. W. Gale ; Clerk, A. P. Ellinwood ; Treasurer, M. Finch. 1875 — President, D. A. Barnhart; Justice, R. A. Wheeler; Supervisor, W. I. Carver; Trustees — W. G. Hawley,* Peter Dangel, Thomas Ingalls, William Roeckel, E. L. Leonard and W. Stolte: Clerk, W. G. Hawley;* Treasurer, W. Stolte. 1876 — President, A. P. Ellinwood ; Justice, A. West ; Supervisor, S. Mackey ; Trustees — S. J. Dearholt, P. Buck, A. L. Harris, W. Stolte, P. Dangel and W. Roeckel ; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, M. Finch. 1877 — President, Moses Young ; Justice, F. J. Mackey ; Supervisor, H. C. Hunt ; Trus- tees— F. G. Rodermund, N. W. Sallade, H. J. Smith, J. H. Rork, J. H. Hagenah, Fred Schroeder ; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, W. A. Sallade. •Resigned as Trustee and Clerk April 12; W. A. WyBe appointed to fill vacancy. 576 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 1878 — President, Safford Mackey ; Justice, W. G. Hawley ; Supervisor, H. C. Hunt ; Trustees— J. Kellogg, H. J. Smith, E. F. Seaver, J. H. Hagenah, A. P. Ellinwood and P. Dangel ; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, Moses Young. 1879 — President, R. C. Lewis ; Justice, J. M. Stewart Supervisor, Paul Bishop ; Trus- tees — D. A. Barnhart, F. G. Rodermund, J. C. Young, W. Roeckel, John Buckley and Henry Krug; Clerk, W. P. Briggs ; Treasurer, A. R. Rork. 1880 — President, Horace J.Smith; Justice, W. P. Briggs ; Supervisor, H.J. Smith; Trustees— J. B. Clark, George Hagenah, H. Geffert, A. S. Brooks, W. Stolte and J. W. Gale; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, J. W. Gale. BRIDGES OVER THE BARABOO AT REEDSBURG. The only place in the town of Reedsburg where the Baraboo River could be crossed before the erection of bridges was just below where Kellogg's mill now stands. The water there was about two feet deep at a low stage, and ran rapidly over a rock bottom. Of course a flood stopped all travel. In the spring of 1858, some emigrant families, bound for Narrows Prairie, reached here at the time of the flood. After camping several days on the high grounds, near where the Congregational Church now stands, the water subsided enough to enable them to cross. They took over their household goods in a scow belonging to J. VV. Babb. Mrs. Stern Baker, who was then living at her father Babb's, came down with her clothes-line and assisted. The line was tied to the horns of the cattle, and, one at a time, they were forced into the stream and swam across. No one knows the value of bridges like those who have settled a new coun- try in advance of their being built. The first bridge over the river was built in the spring or summer of 1849, by D. C. Reed and others, as a volunteer effort. It stood two or three rods above the present bridge in the village, where the stream was then quite narrow. In the course of two or three years, the land on the west side of the river became so soft in the wet season of the year as to be unsafe for travel, and a new bridge was deemed indispensable. Therefore, in the winter of 1853, D. C. Spaulding and James Goodwin entei - ed into a contract for building a new one. It was about the length of the present structure, and was placed upon the ground where it now stands. It was made entirely of wood, the posts of the piers being put down through holes cut in the ice. It cost $300, $75 of which was paid by the town. The third bridge was erected in the winter of 1861-62, by John H. Rork, at an expense of $1,200, which was paid by the town. It was placed upon stone abutments and piers, about thirty feet apart. The portion of the bridge between the piers was upheld by two piers of timber, placed at the center, in the form of a letter A, with an iron rod running from the top of the A to the bottom of the bridge. This proved to be an insufficient support, and the bridge fell in August, 1867. There were teams upon both the second and third bridges when they went down, but they escaped without injury. A temporary bridge was built in August, 1867, some ten rods below the mills, which was used until the following winter, when the present bridge, made in Chicago, was put in by John Kellogg and C. M. Gaylord at an expense to the town of $3,000. In the spring of 1851, the town voted an appropriation of $100 for two bridges over the river, below the village. During the ensuing summer, the Fordham and Cole bridges were built, partly by volunteer efforts of individuals. They have since been rebuilt and kept in repair at the expense of the town. THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY. Mrs. Belle French, in her "Sketch Book." relates the following: "The first Fourth of July celebration in patriotic Reedsburg occurred in 1849. There was little with which to make a celebration. The men determined to raise a liberty-pole on that occasion, and regretted that they had no flag to adorn it. But the women resolved that a flag should adorn that same pole, and they set their wits to work in order to find material. The men wore blue denim clothes, and so did many of the women, but this, after much wear, was not very blue. Neither could HISTORY TOF SAUK COUNTY. 577 they get a piece large enough for the ground-work of the flag, so it was resolved that the stars should be blue upon a white ground. The men wore buckskin patches on the seats and knees of their pantaloons, and, to economize as well as to get pieces that were of a brighter blue, the women cut out the half-worn denims under the buckskin and made it into stars. A woman's under-garment furnished a square of white and some stripes, while, by a little shortening up of the men's shirts, some red stripes were obtained. But the women did not know how to cut a five-pointed star, and, in consequence, the stars on that flag all had six points. Horace Croswell was the ladies' man and general confidant at that period. To him the women confided the secret, showing him the flag. 'That won't do,' he immediately declared. ' The national star has only five points.' So the stars were all ripped oft'; and, as there was no material to make new ones, one point of each was cut off and the others twisted into shape. One young lady, Agnes Mc- Clung, embroidered on a piece of cloth that charming couplet : •• ' The star spangled banner, long may it wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.' This was tacked on the flag, and the work was pronounced complete. Then came the dinner to prepare. Groceries and luxuries were few, but the combined possessions of the settlers formed quite an array of dainties, though no one person could have made even a pie, independent of her neighbors. Rev. A. Locke delivered the address. His only trouble was his forgetting the exact date of the Declaration of Independence ; and, no one being able to inform him, his hearers bade him " proceed and never mind it.' Otherwise the lecture was pronounced a success. The dinner, the like of which had never been tasted in this part of the world before, was highly enjoyed, and the remains of it were given to the Indians, that they might make merry too. The celebration was held in the mill, which had neither floor nor roof. But some loose boards had been put down, and upon these the people danced that night, lighted by only a few flicker- ing tallow-dips. It was the first dance in Reedsburg." Elder Dwinnell tells us of the succeeding celebrations : " The second celebration was in 1850. The day being rainy, the assembly convened in the west wing of the newly erected hotel of John Clark, near the bridge. An able address was given by E. G. Wheeler. " The third celebration was held on the public square, in 1852, the writer giving the address. Many of his hearers were displeased with it because he arrainged our nation as inconsistent and wicked in boasting of being the freest and most enlightened nation on the globe, while holding 3,000,000 of its people in the most abject and degrading bondage. The objection was grounded on the position, which the speaker regarded as false, that nothing should be said on the Fourth of July in which all did not agree. A picnic dinner was provided by the ladies. " In 1853, a celebration was held in the park, the address being given by E. G. Wheeler. The procession marched to the music of a flute and a violin. The States were represented by thirty- one young ladies, each carrying a banner with the name of the State printed upon it, the two who led the procession being dressed in Bloomer costume, the first that had been seen in these parts. After a picnic dinner had been served, sentiments and toasts were in order. L. Gay Sperry gave the following, referring to the representations of the States : ' Behold the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin ; and yet Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.' " The fifth celebration was held in the park July 4, 1856. The assembly was large and the day fine. E. G. Wheeler was President of the day, and J. Mackey Orator, and Rev. E. D. Bunce Chaplain. A. B. Smith provided dinner at his newly opened Alba House, now the Cen- tral ; $100 was spent for fireworks, which were sent up from the southeast corner of the public square. This was the first exhibition of the kind in this part of the county, and was witnessed by large numbers. Taken all in all, in its results and consequence, near and future, that was the most important celebration' ever held here. It was estimated at the time that it cost the people $1,000. 578 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. " In 1858, J. S. Conger and wife projected a picnic celebration for their pupils. It was held on the land of A. A. Mott, some thirty rods east of the Congregational Church. The writer addressed the children, giving them an account of the cause of the separation of the United States from the British Crown, with the blessings which had accrued therefrom. " In 1860, the celebration was held on the public square. E. G. Wheeler was President of the day, J. S. Strong, Marshal, and the Rev. William Lusk, Jr., Chaplain. The Orator was Hon. S. S. Wilkinson, of Prairie du Sac, whose address was regarded as able and patriotic. There were fireworks displayed in the evening. " In 1864, the Sunday school of the Congregational Church, being the only one then in the village, with a large number of persons from this and other places, accompanied by a band of music, went to a grove near Andrews' mill, in the south part of the town, and celebrated the day. Rev. W. Shumway was Chaplain, and addresses were given by Rev. J. H. Roscoe and the writer. A picnic dinner was spread, and we had an enjoyable time. The whole proceed- ings were under the charge of J. S. Strong as Marshal, just previous to his lamented death. " The next celebration was on the public square on the 4th of July, 1870, Joseph Mackey and Rev. W. Lusk giving the addresses. Several illuminated balloons were sent up in the evening. " In 1874, there was a celebration under the auspices of the Women's Temperance Union of the place. They assembled on the park at 10 A. M. and marched to Ellinwood's Grove, where they were entertained with music and addresses by Revs. M. Bennett, N. Leach, W. Lusk and G. W. Lincoln. Another was held at the same time in Sparks' Woods, where a good number attended. " In 1875, the 4th of July occurred on Sunday. The day was celebrated under the direc- tion of Capt. A. P. Ellinwood upon the fair grounds. Rev. W. L. Sanders was Chaplain, and sermons were preached by President J. Bascom of the State University, and Rev. Stone Rich- ardson, of Madison. " In 1876 and 1877, they were under the same auspices, upon the fair grounds, and the Rev. Stone Richardson and Rev. Robert Collyer were the Orators. " In 1878, the celebration was held on the public square. The expected Orator, Hon. C. Pope, of Black River Falls, being detained by sickness, impromptu addresses were made by Rev. J. W. Bell and H. L. Brown, which were regarded as well adapted to the occasion by the large audience which listened to them. " The celebrations of 1879 and 1880 took place at Ellinwood's Park." THE FIRST CRIMINAL TRIAL. The Rev. S. A. Dwinnell, in one of his numerous sketches, relates the following : " On Sunday, October 5, 1851, two men, by the name of Judson Baxter and William M. Reynolds, from the State of Illinois, came driving into the village with a four-horse team attached to a lumber wagon. It was-at 4 o'clock P. M., and just at the time our people were assembling for divine worship in the little schoolhouse on Walnut street. Such a team was quite a novelty at that time in this part of the country — as nearly all the people drove oxen — and it attracted very general attention. Putting up their team at the Reedsburg Hotel, kept by John Clark, they proceeded very soon to Jesse Leach's blacksmith-shop, now the building of George Mead, near the Central House, and got him to work for them, I remember quite well that the click of his hammer was very annoying to the worshipers at the schoolhouse. On Monday noon, the two men started west on the newly opened State road to La Crosse. It was soon discovered that they had paid Leach for his Sunday work, as well as their hotel bill, in counterfeit coin, and that they had stolen a nail hammer and a small vise from Leach's shop. The necessary papers for their arrest, having been made out by E. G. Wheeler, were issued from the office of L. B. Swallow, a Justice of the Peace, and put into the hands of Constable A. F. Leonard. Just as night set in, he, in company with Justice Swallow, set out on foot, to overtake and HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 579 arrest the culprits. Arriving at the cabin of Richards brothers, a few miles west of where Ironton now is, and making known their business, they found them ready to join in the pursuit, for they also had received bogus coin from Baxter and Reynolds, in change for a $5 bill, which they had paid them for whisky the day before. After a long search in the darkness, they finally found the men, about midnight, asleep by a fire, under an oak, not far from the prairie in the south part of what is now the town of Woodland. Each of them had a loaded Sharp's rifle and a large knife lying by his side. In accordance with a previous arrangement, two of the company seized the prisoners while the other two bound them with cords before they were fairly awake. Finding no counterfeit coin in their wagon, the officers made a long but unsuccessful search for it in the vicinity, and then, harnessing the team, started for Reedsburg, where they arrived Tuesday afternoon. The prisoners at once dispatched Constable Leonard to Bara- boo to summon witnesses, and to engage attorneys for their defense. On Wednesday morning, October S, W. H. Clark and J. H. Pratt, two of the best criminal lawyers, at that time, in the county, appeared for the defense of the prisoners. There was no one to appear for the prosecution. The District Attorney resided at Prairie du Sac, thirty miles away. Lawyer Wheeler had been called away, and L. G. Sperry, who sometimes took charge of suits before a Justice, was also absent. In this dilemma Mr. Leach came to me, desiring that I would act as prosecuting attorney. I told him that I had never conducted a suit before a Justice in my life, and I did not like to undertake it. He said that there was no other person who could do it, and that, unless I would engage in the work, the prosecution must be abandoned. Under these cir- cumstances, I told him I would do the best I could to convict the prisoners. I first arraigned them for theft — a jury was called, and they were convicted. They appealed the case to the Circuit Court — a young lawyer of Baraboo, by the name of Clark, giving bail for them. The bail was forfeited and Clark was obliged to pay it. They were next arrainged for uttering coun- terfeit coin. There was no difficulty in proving their paying out the coin which we charged as bogus ; but wc had trouble in proving it to be spurious. The lawyers for the prisoners got a decision from the Justice that each witness called to give his opinion as to the coin should first swear that he was an expert in the business of detecting counterfeit coin. Among other witnesses, I called J. S. Strong, who testified that he had been accustomed to handling coined money for thirty years and had never had a spurious piece passed upon him yet. As he was un- willing to say that he was an expert, his testimony was rejected. I then called Dr. R. G. Williams, who testified that he was a practical chemist, and that he could test the coin by the use of sulphuric acid. He applied the test in the presence of the court, and pronounced the coin, which had been passed by the prisoners, to be spurious. That point was then conceded by the prisoner's counsel. They then introduced a witness, who swore that he was a partner of George Hiles, of Baraboo, that Baxter and Reynolds purchased goods at their store, on Saturday pre- vious, and that he passed upon them counterfeit coin to the amount which we had proved that they had passed upon others. Upon that testimony, the Justice discharged the prisoners. The trial lasted three days, and nothing was left undone, on the part of the prisoners, in efforts to bribe the witnesses and intimidate the counsel for the Government. The Justice evidently had but little confidence in his own legal ability to act in the premises, and was fearful, that, if he committed the prisoners, he should perpetrate some error whereby he would be liable to a suit for false imprisonment. He therefore made his decision as favorable to them as possible. I was well satisfied with that, my first effort in conducting a suit, but was deeply indignant at the discharge of the prisoners, under the circumstances, and so informed the court. The next day after the discharge of the prisoners, the two Richards brothers brought to this village a bag, containing about a peck of bogus 50 cent pieces made of Babbett metal, which they had found concealed in some brush near where the men were arrested. 580 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY A PEN PICTURE/ " How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view." It was the 2d of July, 1851, that my childish eyes first saw its towering sand-bank. I well remember following the cow-path that led from Prospect Hill to the edge of the village, and gazing upon the fifteen or twenty houses that composed it. Two of them, Mr. Strong's and Mr. Seeley's (now Mr. Danforth's), were conspicuous on account of their white paint. The others were tinted in various shades by the weather, whose taste seemed to run in the direction of slate color, the front of Squire Wheeler's house having evidently had the most time spent on it. But what would Reedsburg have been without a Squire Wheeler and Squire Wheeler's unfinished house ? It was the dancing-hall of the place. My first entrance into society (which happened to be at a candy-pulling) took place in that same hall. We enjoyed it a great deal more than if we had been in a parlor, for we were not used to parlors. Mrs. Strong — dear woman ! — owned the only one there, and that was on the second floor, and only used on great occasions. Her sitting-room, with its " bough ten " carpet and big lamp, was quite bewildering to most of us, accustomed to bare or sanded floors and tallow dips. The Strong mansion, indeed, gave us a glimpse of city life, for it contained kitchen, dining- room and sitting-room, in three separate apartments, while the rest of us combined them all in one, with sometimes a bedroom thrown in. What a pleasure it was when the sewing circle met there, or the sing ! I can yet see the merry group that composed them. Young faces — now grown old — bright eyes — now spectacled and dim — and the beautiful old face of our hostess, now lying beneath the sod. How much good one such refined, joyous Christian woman does in the world ! Another dear spot was the schoolhouse — that little old dwelling opposite Judge Wheeler's. I don't know who occupies it now ; but if it is haunted by the ghosts of its former occupants it must be a lively place. It was for a long time schoolhouse, lecture-room, town hall and meeting house — the different denominations occupying it once in two or four weeks. There my good father preached his first discourses ; there Elder Conrad sermonized, and Mr. Locke held forth at 4 o'clock. There the first choir was organized. That day " the men set on the women's side and sang new-fangled tunes that old folks didn't know," as some one reported at the Lyceum the next week — the Lyceum of which L. Gay Sperry was the life ! There the Maternal Association held its annual meetings, where long before the days of Women's Suffrage Conventions, a Mrs. President presided, and Madame Secretary presented a report, with the usual begged-leave permission, while we children and our papas looked on admiringly, feeling, like the newly elected Squire's wife, that it was a great honor to us all. There, too, was kept the writing-school — the only one worthy to be historic. It was held at night, of course ; 'twould have been much less interesting in the day-time. The teacher, a pretentious youth, knew how to use the pen, and often spent the recess-time in sketching scrolls and birds to ornament our copy-books. One night he drew a graceful swan, and just above its outstretched wings inscribed his own initials — A. H. B., — when a young girl, the merriest of the group, ran up, ami glancing at it said : " What's that ? Oh, I see, A. H. B. — Goose ! " then, ducking her head in her peculiar style, received the shouts of laughter that proclaimed a telling hit. The poor fellow never outlived the name while she stayed in that locality. It stuck to him like wax. It was from the same building, too, that our first paper was issued. It was during the school of S. J. Brown, if I remember right — than whom we had few better teachers. It was called The Tattler, and did not disgrace its name. It was edited by the scholars, one of each gender being appointed for every paper. Messrs. R. Rork and W. I. Carver, and Mrs. Bellinger, will perhaps remember filling in their turn the chair editorial of that interesting sheet. Then there was our first daguerrean gallery — in that old square house that Mr. Sage commenced to By Friuii't'H I>\* inn' II Kllh.tl HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 581 build. It was the favorite resort for the young men and maidens; but whether the pictures or the picture-makers possessed the greater attraction, was never satisfactorily settled. Certain it is that " impressions " were made there that have never been effaced. It is pleasant to linger on the past. THE CEMETERIES. The first burial in the town was that of the body of a man named Farringtno, who died at the house of Don C. Barry, on Copper Creek. Farrington was in the employ of the Govern- ment Surveyor, who was then (1846) subdividing the towns into sections. The body was enclosed in a coffin of rough boards, by Mr. Barry, James W. Babb and Dr. Woodrough, of Prai- rie da Sac. On the 6th of February, a young man named David D. Howard died at the house of John H. Rork. At that time, David < '. Reed gave a tract of land for the burial of the dead, opposite the present residence of Mrs. S. A. Dwinnell, which was used for that purpose five years. In this solemn spot were deposited the bodies of five adults and six children. Upon the completion of the present cemetery, the bodies were removed thither. On the 20th of June, 1854, the Greenwood Cemetery Association was organized, consisting of S. A. Dwinnell, E. D. Barbour, J. S. Strong, 0. H. Perry, W. Bowen, Eber Benedict, J. L. Green, E. W. Young, Volney Spink, A. H. Witherall, L. B. Swallow, H. H. Carver, Daniel Carver and S. H. Chase. On the 5th of August of that year, the Trustees of the association purchased five acres of land for the sum of $40, of S. A. Dwinnell, situated half a mile north- east of the village, and in the autumn the grounds were surveyed and platted by S. J. Brown. Two principal aisles were laid out through the center of the ground at right angles, the remainder of the plat being appropriately laid out in lots and minor avenues. The lots were offered for sale at $2.50 to $4 each, with but few purchasers. The first interments were the bodies of Mrs. Atwater, foster sister of David C. Reed, and her infant child, in the fall of 1854 ; James Cotting- ton, February 12, 1855, and two children whose names are not remembered. The grounds were consecrated on the 9th of May, 1856, a touching and appropriate address being delivered by Elder Dwinnell. In May, 1868, the Trustees purchased of Mr. Dwinnell, an additional three acres of land for $150. The grounds were soon platted and the entire eight acres inclosed. A row of maples was planted along the entrance side of the tract, in April, 1869, and the place was otherwise cultivated and beautified. In 1873, there had been 360 burials, of which 189 were of adults. In May, 1868, the German Lutheran Society purchased of S. A. Dwinnell two acres of land adjoining the Greenwood Cemetery on the south, for the sum of $100, and the first inter- ment was made in November of that year. Among the first burials was the body of D. Schweke, in April following. He was a leader in the society, and was deeply interested in the purchase of the grounds. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. CHAPTER XI. THE SAUK VILLAGES. Early History— Prairie dtt Sac, or Upper Satik: Early Settlement and Subsequent Growth— The Old Court House— The First Staging— General Notes— The Bridge— Postoffice and Postmasters— Schools— Manufacturing— Hotels— Societies— Churches. Sauk City, or Lower Sauk: Early' Settlement and Growth— Causus Celebre— The Old Military Company— A Murder— Comparative Notes— Government— Hotels— Man- ufactories— Post Office— The Bridge— Public School— Fire Company and Fires— Socie. ties and Churches— Saukyille, or Middle Sauk. This locality, including the above villages, or village and burgs, with their euphonious titles, may be justly called the site of the parent settlement of Sauk County; for here the first emi- grants pitched their tents, in 1838 and 1839, and here the first improvements that amounted to anything were made, and for many years these points were a sort of commercial metropolis or center for the entire adjoining county. When the surveyors for the " Superior City " fiasco came to the old tramping-grounds of Black Hawk, on the bold and imposing bluffs extending along the east bank of the Wisconsin, they beheld spread out before them to the west, as far as their vision could reach beyond the river, one of nature's most beautiful panoramas; a land to them then denied, which gave promise, through the perfection of its natural resources, of a future that would some day become excellent in every detail of civilization, if not celebrated in the annals of history. That condition, then only so dimly foreshadowed, has at last been realized ; scarcely half a decade has passed by, and the scenes that then only resounded to the savage cries of wild animals, and the blood-curdling yells of the aborigines, now re-echo the plow-boy's whistle, the faithful call of domestic animals, the constant whir of busy machinery, and the joyous shouts of happy school children, or the laborer's voice. Forty years ago, the wild flowers bloomed in countless profusion and variety on these prai- ries, and civilized man had scarcely invaded the precincts of virgin nature ; now all is changed ; the whole country teems with the fruits of peace and industry, and myriads of houses dot the landscape, the dwellings of happy families. What a marvelous transformation is this, and how seemingly impossible ; and yet the country is almost aged already, so precocious has been its development ; and very many of those who began the work of taming the wilderness, and thus gave the first impetus to the steps of infant progress, are now no more. Fortunately for them and their successors, history comes to the rescue and furnishes a meed of praise, and perpetuates the record of their efforts and achievements for the instruction and entertainment of their posterity. When we pause to think that this beautiful country — now completely conquered by the white man's hand, and yielding abundantly the various productions needed to supply the demands of his growth — was but a few short years ago only a haunt for wild beasts and the unrestrained sons of the forest, we can scarcely comprehend the change. Neither can the efforts of those who first invaded the land and turned up the native soil to the sun's mellowing rays be understood by the young of to-day. Only those who have been here from the first, and seen the gradual progress that the passing years have wrought, can fully realize the change and appreciate the struggles and sufferings of nearly half a decade in the past. Then, men here had almost to fight day by day for the barest necessities while they were making homes for themselves and their successors, and paving the way for a future of successful effort, in the work of utilizing nature's resources, HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY 583 to supply man's necessities. Of the men who first came here in adventurous youth, but few remain to tell the tales of living in a "dug-out," or lying down to sleep with the canopy of heaven for a covering, and the howls of wolves to disturb their slumbers. All the past seems but a phantom of the mind, a creation of some idle moment when com- pared with the realities of to-day ; yet such is the history of progress and civilization almost everywhere; the scenes of the past forty-one years' growth here are but a repetition in the main of the vast work of development that has been going on for nearly three hundred years in this country, and that even now is coursing onward through the mighty West. Those who first stuck claim-stakes here were Americans, or Yankees, a restless, adventurous kind of people, who are ever fond of change and new scenes, and for whom a pioneer life is replete with a certain wild enjoyment. Many of these, disliking the restraints and incumbrances of an older civilization, as the country improves go on farther to the front, and finally end their lives far from the place of beginning, perchance, in a wild, new country. Had they but located permanently somewhere, and let the youths of their families do the advance work, they might have lived to see and enjoy the results of their early efforts. Yet, perhaps it is well that the country is large enough, and life broad enough, to allow every man at this age to select a place to suit his fancy and convenience, even though his nocion may not be productive of lasting good to himself, or those who may have to depend on him. THE EARLY HISTORY. It is said that Jonathan Hatch, one of the Superior City surveying party, crossed over to Sauk Prairie, at or near this point, at the time the survey of that paper city was being made, on a prospecting expedition ; but, as the land had not been secured as yet by treaty from its Indian owners and occupants, he did not remain. However, nothing absolutely authentic relating to this matter is known, and, as Mr. Hatch is dead, nothing further will be known. Who the parties actually were who came here and made the first claims, it is not easy to decide, owing to different accounts ; but that none came here before 1838 seems very evident, for the treaty securing these lands from the Indians was not ratified before that time, and, con- sequently, any settler coming here previously would have been in danger of losing his life. It appears to be the prevailing opinion that James S. Alban with his wife and three children were the first family that settled here; they, it is said, arrived here in December, 1838, and crossed the river on the ice. Although they were, in all probability, the first white family who came, yet they were by no means the first white persons, for their advent was heralded by a number of young and old men, who had come, during the spring and summer of 1838, and made claims extending back from the banks of the Wisconsin, and who were living in a dug-out near the banks of the river, where the thrifty town of Sauk City now stands. Perhaps a brief description of this primitive habitation will not come amiss here. The dug-out is a mode of dwelling often adopted on the frontiers, when the people have little time and less money with which to put up a comfortable house, or where there is so little certainty of life and property being left unmolested by Indian depredations and prairie fires, that it does not appear advisable to erect anything more expensive ; they are usually made by digging a hole in the ground to the depth of three or four feet, then rolling up logs around and above this hole, and covering the whole with almost anything that will keep the water out. This sort of habitation is used almost exclusively on the plains, owing to the scarcity of timber, etc., but though it furnishes protection from sun, wind and rain, yet it is but a poor excuse for a dwelling, and is hardly to be tolerated by any but the hardy frontiersman and hunters, who can eat or sleep almost anywhere. The "dug-out" of our subject, is said to have been made by James Ensminger and Thomas Sanser, in June "or July, 1838, they having come here to do some breaking (the first done there) for a Mr. Berry Haney, who, 'with Jonathan Taylor and Solomon Shore, came to this point quite early in the spring of 1838. Haney laid claim to the land where Sauk City now stands, and Shore and Taylor made each a claim next above Haney's. During this summer 584 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. and the following winter and spring, H. F. Crossman, William May, D. B. Crocker, Burk Fair- child, I. B. Harner, N. Lathrop, Mr. Hunter and a few others came in. In the spring or summer of 1839, Albert Skinner put in an appearance with his family, and settled at Lower Sauk, and built, or bought out J. S. Alban, and took the single men to board, a blessing to them, as they would testify, were they here. This was the second family that settled here. Soon after, Charles Parks and family came and built, or moved into a house built by D. B. Crocker, on his claim, a part of which is now a part of " Prairie du Sac " Vil- lage. This was the first house erected at Prairie du Sac, but as to who really built it, that must remain unknown ; suffice it to say, it stood on the lot now occupied by Jacob Ochsner. About the last of June, Jonathan Hatch and family moved in, going at once into a large cabin which Mr. Hatch and H. F. Crossman had previously erected, where a house now stands, on the property of Miles Keyser, a little south of Prairie du Sac, or Upper Sauk. During this season, Charles 0. Baxter, Joseph Denson, William G. Simmons and Mr. Haney and family, and Cyrus Leland and George Cargel and their families moved in, with perhaps a few others, making, in 1839, a settlement on the present village sites and adjacent, of not more than forty persons, all told. However, considering the difficulties to be met and overcome by emigrants at that time, when the greater part of the entire State was unbroken wilderness, traveled by Indian trails alone, this may be regarded as a very good showing, and speaks volumes for the enter- prise and push of the pioneers. Of those mentioned above, not a single individual now lives here, unless we mention Mrs. Judge Quimby, one of the family of Cyrus Leland, then a mere child, and Mrs. A. Hill, daugh- ter of J. Hatch. The majority of the first comers are dead ; the others have moved away, and their places have been filled by new forms and faces during the constant changes which time is working everywhere. The first celebration and jollification in the county, according to the white man's idea, was indulged in here on the 4th of July, 1839, and probably every settler in the county partici- pated in commemoration of the great national event. About twenty-five grown persons are said to have been present, including the few women in the community. That they had a glo- rious time cannot be doubted, although they had neither cannon nor fireworks, nor the present national plague, the small boy and firecracker ; neither did a brass band regale their senses, and, very likely, not even the military fife and drum stirred the patriotic pulse; yet it was an occasion of good-fellowship, and an expression of sincere patriotism. The demolition of baked beans and corn bread, together with the recounting of their various experiences, it may be sup- posed, constituted the chief business of the day. PRAIRIE DU SAC, OR UPPER SAUK. This village is one of the most naturally attractive, as well as pleasantly located, in the county. The streets are nearly all broad, and richly shaded with stately trees, the growth of forty years ; and the entire aspect of the place is one that Goldsmith would have delighted to describe, so quietly restful and peaceful is the scene, and so far removed from the restless and more pretentious activities of large commercial centers. To the north, east and south, the broad Wisconsin trails its lazy, tortuous way throughout the land, basking like a silvery serpent, be- neath the sun's glorious beams, while to the west extends Sauk Prairie, the richest portion of Sauk County, presenting to the eye a most magnificent rural view. Any lover of nature will acknowledge the perfection and beauty of the whole picture, and, perchance, may in- dulge a sigh that all the world, and every place in particular, is not so happily conditioned. The inhabitants here are, with a few exceptions, of the stanch old New England stock, or are representatives of the Eastern States, all well known in our vernacular as Yankees, who have dropped out of the ever westward -flowing tide of their brotherhood, and settled down here. Some of them, but a few, however, came to the country previous to 1845, there being, all told, not more than four or five. They are Archie Hill, J. I. Waterbury, George Owens and D. K. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 5K. f > Baxter. The remainder are recruits of a much later day. The intellectual and moral standing of the inhabitants are exceptionally good, there being, for a place of its size, excellent educa- tional facilities, and besides, two flourishing churches, and one other church, now not in a healthy condition. The amount of business transacted here, and goods sold, is equal to that of any place of its size in the county, and, in point of fact, it is claimed by many that the place has a more extensive trade by far than any other of equal size in the county. Almost every class of busi- ness is represented and will be mentioned further on. Early Settlement and Subsequent Growth. In 1839, D. B. Crocker, who first laid claim to the land where the principal part of the village now stands, laid out a part of his claim in village lots and streets, thereby taking the initial step toward the upbuilding of a village. From this time forward, this point began to assume proportions, and, for a time, was the leading burg on Sauk Prairie. In the fall of 1839 or the spring of 1840, Mr. Crocker, who, it appears, was quite enter- prising, put up a log building and brought in a small stock of merchandise, this being not only the first store in the county, but the first one, according to all accounts, this side of Madison. Such an undertaking was then attended with a great deal of difficulty, for nearly everything had to be brought from Milwaukee over the most abominable roads imaginable. The store building stood a little south of the Baxter House, and was torn down two years ago. During the above-mentioned time, John LeMeassure and William Frink came and bought an undivided half of Mr. Crocker's claim, and proceeded to erect cabins. The winter of 1839-40 was very severe. In 1840, Joshua Abbott came here, and, with Mr. Archie Hill, who also came this year, erected a frame building for a hotel, the land upon which it stood being donated by D. B. Crocker & Co. In the spring of 1841, Mr. Abbott moved his family here and opened the hotel, this being the first frame building, as well as tavern, in the county. The building was main- tained in this capacity but a few years, it being converted, eventually, into a tenant house. It is now owned by Mrs. Drew, and occupied as a photograph gallery and the residence of Dr. Whitford. In 1840, William Frink built and started that much-needed thing on the frontiers, a black- smith-shop. This shop stood where his successor, T. Kelsey's, shop now stands. The officiat- ing mechanic was a man by the name of Axtell, who came about this time. Here, all the first settlers came to get their plows, chains, etc., mended, and, very likely, many of them received here their first introduction to the weight and virtues of a sledge-hammer, when it had to be wielded for a couple of hours or so. During this year, 1840, William Simmons went oft' and brought back a wife, then bought out Charles Parks, and went to keeping house ; this was the first marriage of any one in these parts. The first mail received in the county was brought here in 1840, from Madison, by William Frink, who carried it on horseback. It is related that, in coming through at one time, he lost the road and wandered over the hills, until finally, at night, he came to the banks of the Wis- consin, where he lay out in a terrible storm, not knowing where to cross. The mail was, at that time, distributed by Cyrus Leland. In 1840, Lyman Crossman was appointed Justice of the Peace, and about two years after, having married two or three couples, he was married himself, his wife being the present Mrs. George Owens. About the time of his marriage, he was appointed Postmaster, and very soon after he went to keeping hotel in the building which had been Mr. Crocker's store. This hotel had been started the year before, by two new-comers, who bought out Crocker. Hub- bard and Seymour ; they soon after disposed of it to a Mr. Shaw, from whom Mr. Crossman took it. Here the first regular post office was kept. The building, after passing through several hands, was finally demolished two years ago. 586 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Previous to this, in 1840 or 1841, a Methodist itinerant preacher, a Mr. Fullerton, put in his appearance, and held the first religious services here, probably at the house of Charles Parks. Since those first devotional exercises, so very many years ago, various thriving societies have sprung into existence, and where once great difficulty was experienced in the enjoyment of relig- ious privileges, now every opportunity is offered for divine worship; such are the present bless- ings, and such is the state of advancement. A wagon-shop was one of the first mechanical institutions of the place. It was opened by George Owen, in 1843, and to this gentleman belongs the distinction of having made the first wagon, constructed on modern principles, made in the county. As in those days, everything was made in a very thorough manner, of the best material to be had, this wagon was, doubtless, a first-class vehicle. To trace out connectedly the various business developments as well as social conditions of the place from year to year as they came into existence, is almost literally impossible ; however, it is the purpose of the work to give a fair index to the general early growth by tracing out sub- jects, not individuals solely, in an impartial manner. Messrs. Hubbard & Seymour, when they came in, purchased a part of the Crocker claim, to which they added a wing, and continued the store until they disposed of their interest. After Hubbard & Seymour, it is said H. Chapman and a Capt. Esterly with him, came here from the West Indies, in 1844 or 1845, s\nd opened a small store in the house which Mr. Le- Meassure built in 1839. This house was afterward sided over, and now stands on Front street, and is used for a warehouse. It is the oldest house that is of any value now in the county. The firm of Chapman was but short lived, as the founder had more money than experience. While Chapman kept store, he often, as most dealers did, sold liquor by the quantity, and, it was thought, at retail as well without a proper license. At any rate, it was known that he sold liquor, and George Skinner, of Lower Town, not being particularly friendly toward Chapman, determined, so to speak, that he would make the place too hot to hold him, and, to carry out this intention, brought suit against him for retailing liquor without a license. When the case came off, it was sworn away from this point by the defendants, and Skinner was beaten, proving that you are never sure of anything except costs in law. This circumstance is narrated particularly because it was one of the first, if not the first, of the kind in the county, and because a few parties in this local- ity labor under the impression that Chapman was beaten and forced to leave owing to the result of the suit. The Old Court House. In 1843, the county seat was located here as the most desirable and accessible point in the county. The owners of the town site gave their interest in what is now the public square to the county for a court house square, and the people contributed from their slender means to build a court house and presented that also, on condition that the county seat should remain here, but their most sanguine hopes in this direction were eventually doomed and the county seat removed to Baraboo. Had this not occurred, the place would now have been a much larger town, the center of prosperous manufacturing industries and extensive commercial transactions, and would doubtless have had a railroad, and such advantages for development as ready outside com- munication brings would have been secured beyond a peradventure. During one of the first court sessions here, while Judge Irwin presided, a rumor came in that a large number of black bears were roaming around through the country but a short dis- tance from the village. The Judge, being something of a sportsman, suspended the administration of justice, and Judge, jury, officers, prisoners and all, it is said, went hunting. The Judge, before starting out, told Mrs. Grossman (now Mrs. Owens) not to get dinner until they returned, for they would bring in bruin, and sure enough they did return with a monster bear, as black as jet, that measured fifteen inches from the tip of his toes to the last joint above in the foot. This illustrates the free-and-easy nature of judicial proceedings on the frontier. The jurymen, it is said, came in, in ringed, streaked and speckled attire, looking like a lot of bushwhackers bent upon making a raid upon the village. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 587 In 1844, the first stage was run between this point and Madison, by Prescott Brigham as proprietor, jehu, and mail and express man. Subsequently, the stage business became one of the chief necessities of the community, and lines were established running to Mazo Manie, Bara- boo and Merrimack, and, perhaps, at times to other localities. Prescott Brigham was the first Register of Deeds in the county. Some time in the year 1844, the steamer Otter, Capt. Cook commanding, came to Lower Sauk, and finally pulled up at Prairie du Sac for repairs, as she could go no further. She was a rather old hulk, and had for load and ballast a cargo of Norway rats, the first ever seen here. These proceeded to unload themselves and disperse around town, to the great disgust and annoy- ance of the townspeople, immediately after the boat arrived. The people were then very much in need of some means by which they could get goods brought to the place cheaply, and were only too ready to listen to Capt. Cook, when he proposed, if they would assist him in rebuilding his vessel, to run the boat regularly between this and various points on the Mississippi River. Thereupon, the people took the matter in hand, and fitted him out in shape with a good boat. The Captain proved to be an unreliable and ungrateful wretch ; for, after making two or three trips, he was never seen again, and his benefactors were left to do as best they could, Capt. Cook having sailed for other shores with boat, money, good-will and all. About 1846 or 1847, Cyrus and Eleazer Leland erected a building, and Messrs. Howard and Leland put in a stock of merchandise, dry goods and groceries, and began keeping store, but did not continue business long before selling out. The parties succeeding them were Messrs. Baxter and William Hubbard, Mr. Baxter being the backbone of the institution. After running for a brief period, the store and goods either passed out of their hands, or the business was dis- continued, and the building, after being the property of various parties, was at last converted to its present use as post office and book store. The firm of Keyser & Morrel started here about 1848, and continued for a few months only, when they were succeeded by the firm of Green & Morrel, who kept quite a large assortment of goods. What other firms may have sprung into existence here before 1850, if there were any, cannot be ascertained, and, as everything in the way of commercial enterprise seemed to spring into life here and pass away like mushrooms, it is not to be wondered at. A disciple of St. Crispin located here at an early date, in the person of Mr. Crane, and, from that time to the present, the last and awl mechanic has been here, ever ready to supply feet coverings or soles for the wayfarer. Various other mechanics doubtless came in before 1850. In the spring of 1850, M. S. Moore came here from the East, and opened a store in the present post office building, which he occupied until he could erect a new building, the one which is now occupied by E. C. Moore, son of M. S. Moore, and successor in the business started by his father nearly thirty years ago. This establishment is one of the old stand bys, and the proprietor is one of the oldest merchants who began business in the county, and one of the most influential in his locality, having been responsibly connected with nearly all of the local enter- prises of the village that have been on the tapis since he became a citizen. General Notes. The land here was entered in 1843 by William Hubbard, for the settlers, and was afterward divided among them. M. E. Moore started a lumber-yard in 1851 ; he was succeeded by C. Obrecht, who has a yard here now. Mrs. S. R. Mathews conducted a store here as early as 1850, which had been established by her husband about where Congar Bros.' store now stands. Dr. Bassenger started a drug store as early as 1853. A. F. Ansel had a store here in 1855. The firm of M. E. Moore & Smith was running here from 1854 to 1857, now M. E. Moore alone. After Ansel, H. B. Stanes kept store for a time, when Mercer & Weight came, and subsequently, in 1860, Mr. Belle. 588 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. In 1860, it is said there were five dry-good stores running here, one hardware and tin store, two boot and shoe stores, three blacksmiths, one wagon-maker and four saloons. There are now four general stores, two drug stores, one furniture store, one hardware and tin shop, one book store, four blacksmiths, four shoemakers, two harness-makers, one wagon-maker, three dress- makers, two milliners, one tailor, one broom-maker, one photographer, one marble-cutter, one meat market, one poultry dealer, one paint-shop and undertaker, one dealer in pumps and wind- mills, one dentist, one dealer in farm machinery, one dealer in organs and sewing machines, one saloon. The hotels and manufacturing interests are mentioned elsewhere. Of physicians, there are two There is also a newspaper, a spicy sheet, called the Sauk County News, con- ducted by S. W. Corwith. In 1850, D. Morrell started a tannery, a little west of the village, and did a good business for many years. The Bridge. Previous to the arrival of M. S. Moore & Son, a bridge charter, securing rights and pro- visions for building a bridge, had been obtained, but nothing further had been done. A bridge across the Wisconsin at that early day was a very great desideratum, as the difficulty and slow- ness attending a ferry-boat passage over was very great, and retarded a great many from coming here to trade, besides being a great hindrance and annoyance to the inhabitants of the village, who had to go and come over the river when they made trips to the cities for supplies. But, notwithstanding this condition of things and the charter privileges, nothing was done, no one having been found ready to take shares and advance money enough to push the thing through until Mr. Moore came. He at once took hold of the matter, for if anything was to be done it must be done without delay, as the charter would soon expire ; and owing to the rivalry existing between Upper and Lower Town at that time, the chances were that they could not get another charter ; therefore, without delay the enterprise must be, and was, started during the fall of 1850, under the direct supervision of Mr. Moore, the engineer or chief mechanic being Thomas Worthington. Very little was done this year, but in 1851 the work was begun in good earnest. At first spiles were driven into the hard-pan about twelve feet beneath the bed of the stream or sand surface, and on these the bridge was built, there being no other foundation. The result was as had been predicted — the ice and spring freshet nearly swept the entire bridge away ; so the stockholders could do nothing but start the work again in the spring. This time the foundation was supported by putting in stone piers at convenient distances, and making the bridge as strong as possibly can be done when wood is the material used. The bridge was about eighty rods long, with a suitable draw, and originally cost about $1,500. It has been repaired occasionally, owing usually to the effects of ice or a lumber raft striking the piers, which has been by no means unfrequent, for the raftsmen at first seemed not to care to avoid a collision with the bridge ; and even at the present time it occasionally occurs. The bridge, it is estimated, has never been a paying investment for the stockholders, although a liberal toll is asked. In conclusion, it may be added that this bridge was the first crossing over the Wisconsin, and remained so for several years. One of the most interested parties in the bridge was E. B. Crane, now dead. He was a resident of Bloomfield, N. J. A. M: Morell was the first President ; M. S. Moore, first Vice and Secretary ; A. Ostrander, first Treasurer. In 1852, E. B. Crane was President ; Thomas B. Worthington, Vice President end Secre- tary ; S. B. Bassenger, Treasurer. 1853— E. B. Crane, President ; E. P. Taylor, Vice ; M. S. Moore, Secretary ; S. H. Bassenger, Treasurer. 1854— E. B. Crane, President; E. P. Taylor, Vice; M. S. Moore, Secretary; S. H. Bassenger, Treasurer. 1855— E. B. Crane, President; E. P. Taylor, Vice; M. S. Moore, Secretary; S. H. jr, Treasurer. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 589 1856— E. B. Crane, President ; E. P. Taylor, Vice ; M. S. Moore, Secretary ; S. H. Treasurer. 1857 — Elisha P. Tabor, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; A. N. Seymour, Secretary ; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. 1858 — S. H. Bassenger, President; John Dennett, Vice; D. T. Noyes Secretary; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. 1859 — S. H. Bassenger, President; John Dennett, Vice; I. F. Smith, Secretary; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. I860 — S. H. Bassenger, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. 1861 — S. H. Bassenger, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. 1862 — Henry Rowell, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith Secretary ; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. 1863— John Dennett, President ; J. P. Wiswell, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S. Moore, Treasurer. There has been no change in the above officers since, with the exception that E. C. Moore was elected Secretary in 1868 ; and J. I. Waterbury President in 1878. The Directors at various times since the organization of the Bridge Company, have been J. P. Wiswell, Hiram Perkins, W. H. Hubbard, P. B. Stamatz, Isaac Morehouse, J. I. Waterbury, A. J. Lewis, 0. Morehouse, E. B. Crane, E. P. Taylor, John Dennett, A. M. Moore, Cyrus Hill, William Dunlap, John Whitehead, D. T. Noyes, Thomas Ambler, N. H. Drew, S. H. Condit, C. R. Akers, A. M. Baldwin, Fred Harris, H. C. Beach, S. S. Mather, the latter being the present Director. PostOffice \m> Postmasters. Frank Grossman, as has been stated, was the first Postmaster here ; he was considered a very worthy man, and was a member of the Territorial Council at one time. The Germans of Lower Town held him in high estimation, so much so, in fact, that on a Fourth of July, about 1840, a large number of them turned out early in the morning and marched up to Prairie du Sac and gave him a rousing salute of musketry and "three cheers for 'Squire Crossman," with a "long life and many blessings." He has been dead these many years. George Cargel succeeded Mr. Crossman, and held the office until his death, having performed in a faithful and satisfactory manner the duties of his position, and was succeeded by his widow, an amiable and worthy woman, who conducted the affairs of the office until 1851 or 1852, when, Simeon Dean, of Lower Sauk, was appointed to the office. The office was then removed to Lower Sauk, and the Upper Sauk people were obliged to go to Lower Town for their mail for about six months ; when a new office was established, and G. A. Ostrander, a lawyer, was ap- pointed Postmaster. Mr. Ostrander held the office but a short time, then resigned and went to New York, where he has become signally noted in his profession. After him, in 1853, J. D. Evans was appointed to fill the vacancy. He was a tailor by trade, and kept a shop and book- store where the post office now is. His was quite an eventful career, and ended in a most deplo- rable manner. He was a drinking person when he came here, and probably never would have received the position had it not been that one of the churches took him up, believing it to be an act of charity to endeavor to save him. Through their aid he took a start, and married a very estimable lady. He was elected to several town offices and was on a fair way to prosperity, but at last, for some unexplained reason, he shot himself. After his death, his wife held the office until August 1, 1861, when Thomas Baker, the present incumbent, and a representative man, was appointed to the position. Mr. Baker, since he has held the office, has repeatedly expressed a desire to resign, but to this his townsmen will not listen, believing that an old, tried and efficient officer is better than a novice. The feeling of respect which is almost universally expressed for him is a tribute of which any one may be proud. 590 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Schools. The first teacher here was a Scotchman named Quentin Smith, who taught what would be called a select school, in a private dwelling, probably his own, as early as 1843. There was at that time no schoolhouse, and, indeed, so far as can be ascertained, the village did not have a public schoolhouse until the old court house reverted back to its builders. As is often said, "No great loss without some small gain," so, although the place lost its prestige when it lost the county seat, yet the people had a building ready to their hand for a schoolhouse. Who may have been the first pedagogue to train the young idea in this first temple of law and learning remains to us unknown, as the early Secretaries' reports have disappeared. But Q. Smith was, in all probability, the teacher. The old court house supplied the educational needs of the burg until 1856, when the present neat and substantial stone structure was erected on the site of the old schoolhouse, that having been sold to F. Myers for $112 and converted into a workshop. It is now used for a barn ; so has it descended from the topmost round of usefulness. The stone schoolhouse, 30x40, cost $1,200, I. Morehouse being builder. Nothing was added in the way of accommodations for pupils until the district purchased the old academy when the academy organization suspended operations. This building was purchased for $1,450, and removed to its present site during the spring of 1871. The school is now divided into three departments, and is said to maintain a very fair standard of excellence. The Academy Association. — This is one of the has beens, the absence or loss of which must be a source of regret to many, although in the loss of the academy the public school has been undoubtedly benefited, for, where private institutions of learning are maintained, the public schools usually suffer in direct proportion to their prosperity. The first movement toward start- ing an academical school was caused almost entirely by the severely felt want of a good school. A meeting was first held by the citizens of the place, at the schoolhouse, June 10, 1863. At this meeting twelve corporators were elected, and all the preliminary steps taken toward organ- izing a joint-stock company. The corporators were: S. S. Wilkinson, L. Tabor, R. Meriher, J. Werner, L. F. Smith, E. Watson, M. S. Moore, I. D. Evan?, J. Dennett, J. Perkins, J. Leverell and D. Conger. The corporation elected S. S. Wilkinson, President ; M. S. Moore, Vice; D. Conger, Secretary, and I. D. Evans, Treasurer. The Capital stock was put at $2,000, with shares at $25 each, the institution to be called Prairie du Sac Academy Association. Soon after, a committee was appointed to sell shares, and fifty were disposed of. A committee was also appointed immediately after this to select a site for building and report on same. When this committee reported, it was decided by the corporation to increase the stock $500. October 31, a meeting of the stockholders was held, and nine Trustees were elected, and subsequently a schoolhouse site was purchased for $100, from S. S. Wilkinson, Lots 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 in Block 12. A school building was completed in August, 1864, the property being mortgaged to raise the funds needed that were not supplied by the stockholders. The building cost $1,809.50. The compensation for teachers was not to exceed the tuition received. The first Principal was John Lovewell ; school commenced September 12, 1864. After the school had run a few years, it was stopped and the house sold to the district, as before stated. Manufacturing. M. S. Moore, as early as 1853, erected a building to be used as a warehouse. In 1860, this building was fitted up and machinery put in by a Mr. Rowell, the same to be run as a steam-mill. The engine was twenty-five or thirty horse-power. Two or three runs of stone were soon put in for grain grinding, after which it was run for a time, but, like all of the mills that have been started in this locality, it did not pay ; consequently the venture was not a success, and the mill had to cease operations. The machinery was subsequently sold and removed, and the building converted to its present use as a tin and hardware shop. Eureka Mill— This mill was built by J. Werner in 1864, for the firm of T. West & Co. It was started first as aplaning-mill, but in 1868 two sets of buhrs were put in and the milling HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 591 business begun. This continued for about two years, when the mill suspended operations. Nothing further was done for three or four years ; then 0. Burnett bought the establishment. He ran it until about 1879, then stopped it. Conger Brothers then bought the machinery, and soon after sold it to Mr. Bloom, of Bloom Station, who ran the mill for a short time, then removed the fixtures, leaving the mill as it now stands, vacant, waiting for some enterprising person to convert it to some useful purpose. The Christian Plow Manufactory. — The plow-shop of James Christian was built in 1858, by the present proprietor. Mr. Christian is a practical workman and inventor, and deserves a wider field for effort than is here offered. The machinery of the establishment, from the powerful and novel horse-power to the drill, was all made by him, and usually differs very materially from what is generally used, and is also very ingenious, perfect and strong in every detail of construction. He has ready at hand everything needed by a mechanic in his business, besides mechanical appliances for various other uses. There are from fifty to seventy- five plows a year made here, beside the repairing which is done, one man only, the proprietor, doing the work. The plows are all sold in this vicinity, and are said to be thoroughly good in every respect. Warehouse and Elevator. — The largest grain warehouse and elevator in the county, and the only one in this section, stands on the river bank at this point. It was erected, in 1869, by M. H. Keyser k Co., at a cost of $10,000. The foundation is of stone, sixteen feet high, 40x40. Upon this is erected a massive frame about forty-four feet in height. One hundred and fifty thousand feet of the best lumber and over one hundred kegs of spikes entered into the construction of the building, besides the various other articles used. It has a capacity for the storage of about 50,000 bushels of grain. This being the only grain-shipping point in this part of the county, an enor- mous shipment is made annually, the amount sometimes exceeding 100,000 bushels per annum. The proprietors of the warehouse are also owners of the steamer Ellen Hardy, a boat of 150,000 tons. She is one hundred and twenty feet lcng by twenty-three feet beam, and draws but six- teen inches. Besides shipping grain, the firm ship annually about two hundred car-loads of live- stock, both grain and stock being sent to market by way of Portage on the Ellen Hardy and the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Reaper Manufactory. — The manufacture of reapers by J. Werner is one of the indus- tries carried on at this point that will probably become very large in the future, although now only in its infancy. The machine manufactured is called the Challenge Harvester, and is, in its chief points of excellence, the invention of Mr. Werner, the same being covered by patents. These are principally a double adjustable reel with serrated beaters, an endless chain and slat- ted platform, and a lever arrangement for raising or lowering the entire machine at will. In addition, it may be said of this machine and for the inventor that it is said to be unexcelled by anything now in use in the general excellence of its mechanism and the material used. Hotels. One of the oldest hotels in the county is the Baxter House, D. K. Baxter,' one of the pio- neers and probably the oldest landlord in the county, being its proprietor. The hotel was built by the firm of Steinmetz & Fife, who kept the old hotel here for some years prior to that time. Of them, it may be said in this connection that they were, in their day, called the prime land- lords between Madison and Prairie du Chien. Soon after the hotel was completed, Mr. Baxter purchased it and christened it. It is a large and commodious building, and is well managed. Societies. Cemetery Association. — The first meeting of the people for the purpose of organizing a cemetery association here, was convened November 11, 1859, at the schoolhouse. After pre- liminaries, an organization was effected and the following Trustees elected : Nath. Kenison, Samuel Kelsey, M. S. Moore, Samuel H. Bassinger, George Owen, J. E. Wright and I. More- house. These Trustees were so divided that a portion of them could be elected each year. Six 592 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. days after this, a meeting of the Trustees was called, and committees were appointed to select grounds and draft by-laws. Nath. Kenison was elected President; I. Morehouse, Secretary, and M. S. Moore, Treasurer. February 20 following, another meeting was held and arrange- ments made to purchase three acres of land, from Mr. Kenison for a cemetery, and to have the same platted and laid out in lots each side of a central avenue. The lots were priced at $5, $7, and $10, according to location. But little more than twenty years have passed since that time, and yet these grounds are now thickly studded with tablets reared to the memory of the departed, telling us how rapid is the flight of time and how fleeting our existence. The grounds are well kept and present an attractive appearance to the passer-by. Eureka Lodge, No. 113, A., F. £ A. M. — This lodge of the ancient order received its charter in June 1858, there being at first but seven members, as follows: S. S. Wilkinson, W. M.; J. S. Tripp, S. W.; S. B. Dilly, J. W.; H. J. Turner, S. F. Amy, H. McKennan and Isaac Richardson. The lodge is now large and thrifty. The present officers are : J. S. Tripp, W. M. ; Ed Ortell, S. W.; J. Werner, Jr., J. W.; George Grow, S. D.; J. N. Cole, J. D.; D. Grodo- phorst, Secretary ; Thomas Baker, Treasurer, and H. L. Page, Tiler. Prairie Lodge, No. 18, I. 0. G. T. — Was organized December 22, 1857, with twenty-two charter members. This lodge has withstood the changes and incidents of twenty-three years, and has now a membership of sixty-six, but of the first members, one only is now left. The old standby of the institution, Charles Evans, has labored at all times, and many times successfully, to prevent the lodge from sinking, and has at intervals occupied nearly all of the positions of trust and distinction that the order has to offer. The first officers were : Nath. Kenison, W. C; M. A. Wadsworth, W. V.: J. D. Evans, Secretary ; R. W. Sawyer, Marshal, and E. C. Miller, Chaplain. At one time a division of feeling arose here on the temperance question, or with regard to running the lodge, and a new lodge was organized called the Excelsior. It lasted but a few years. There was also a lodge of the I. 0. 0. F. here a few years ago, but it also sus- pended, and is now no more. Sauk Prairie Bible Society. — The Prairie du Sac Bible Society, was organized on the 13th day of February, 1853. The first officers were : Curtis Bates, President ; F. Jones, Vice ; C. Stuzaker, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1 854, officers were : C. Bates, Presi- dent ; E. Kellogg, Vice ; J. S. Hart, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1855, S. H. Bassenger was President ; E. Watson, Vice ; L. A. Cooper, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. This year the name of the society was changed to Sauk Prairie Bible Society, and became an auxiliary to the American Bible Society. In 1856, the officers were : M. S.Moore, President; Thomas B. Cowles, Vice ; I. Smith, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. 1857. — M. S. Moore, President; R. H. Davis, Vice; I. Smith. Secretary; I. D. Evans, Treasurer; Rev. Noyes, General Agent. 1858 — There was no change made in the officers. 1859 — The officers the same, excepting S. H. Bassenger being elected Secretary instead of I. Smith, and the Rev. R. B. Seymour becoming general agent. In 1861, M. S. Moore, President; J. S. Tripp, Vice; S. H. Bassenger, Secretary ; I. D. Evans still retaining the office of Treasurer, and Rev. R. B. M. Seymour, General Agent. In 1862, the only changes made were in R. M. Merrihue being elected Vice President, and A. M. Seymour, Secretary. In 1863, I. F. Smith was elected Secre- tary in place of A. M. Seymour. In 1864, L. T. Stowell became Vice President, the balance of the officers remaining as heretofore. In 1865, L. T. Stowell was elected President ; J.. I. Water- bury, Vice ; the balance of the officers retaining their former positions. No change was made until 1868, when M. S. Moore was elected President; Rev. D. C. Miller, Vice; E. C. Moore, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. There was no further change in officers until 1870, when Rev. B. F. McKinney succeeded Rev. D. C. Miller as Vice President. In 1871, Rev. W. H. Blair became Vice President, and Thomas Baker, Treasurer. In 1873, the only change made was B. F. McKinney, he being elected Vice President, In 1874, Rev. E. C. Hall was elected Vice President. In 1875, Rev. G. F. LeClere succeeded Rev. Hall as Vice President. In 1877, Rev. A. Reid was elected Vice President. In 1878, H. Glarner was made Vice Presi- dent. Since that time, no change has been made in the officers of the society. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 593 Churches. The Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac* — Two brief extracts from the earliest records of this church will best show the main facts concerning its organization. " In the winter of 1841, Rev. S. Chaffee, by request of the few members of the Church of Christ who had emigrated to Prairie du Sac, and who were living without being organized into a church, visited the place, preached one sermon, and organized a Presbyterian Church. " " Prairie du Sac, January 22, 1841. At a meeting for religious purposes, after the sermon, the following members of the different branches of the Church of Jesus Christ were in due form constituted the First Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac, by Rev. Solomon Chaffee." These original members, eight in number, were Calvin Frink, Mrs. Lydia L. Frink, Mary E. Frink. Charles F. Parks, Burke Faircliild, John C. Kellogg, Nathan Kellogg and Mrs. Jane Axtell, None of them are now here. On November 29, 1844, the church was by unanimous vote, made Congregational. Arba M. Seymour (who joined the church December 4, 1842) was a leading mover in this change. On April 4, 18(34, the church was, by a large majority vote, made fully Presbyterian, and so remains. Martin S. Moure (who joined the church January 14, 1851) was prominent in this change. Till 1864, the church was connected with the Presbyterian and Congregational Con- vention of AVisconsin. On October 8, 1864, it united with the Dane Presbytery. It now be- longs to the Presbytery of Wisconsin River. The first minister of the church began to preach here in February, 1842. The list of ministers is as follows: Philip W. Nichols, E. G. Bradford, W. Cochran, E. G. Miner, J. G. Kanouse, D. T. Noyes (who, some time after ceasing his ministry, became Lieutenant of artillery in the late war, was killed in the service, and is buried at Prairie du Sac), Henry Hutchins, J. Silsby, Charles Thompson, Rufus P. Wells, John W. Densmore, Henry W. Woods, William H. Blair, Erwin C. Hull, George F. Le Clerc, Archibald S. Reid (now preaching here; September 1880). Elders (Presbyterian) prior to November, 1844, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Charles F. Parks, Burke Faircliild ; since April, 1864, Martin S. Moore, Arba M. Seymour. David Congar, Luther T. Stowell, Isaac F. Smith, Daniel Wells, Lavalette V. Tabor, John Wotring, David S. Congar, Richard L. Hand, E. Conway Moore. Deacons (Congregational) from 1844 to 1864, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Arba M. Seymour, Elias B. Crane, Martin S. Moore, S. H. Bassinger. Luther Keysar. Deacons (Presbyterian) before 1844, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Quentin Smith, John S. Mann; since 1864, Isaac F. Smith, George T. Moore. The first house of worship, quite a small one. of the value, probably, of $500, was built in 1851, and dedicated in October of that year, Rev. J. G. Kanouse preaching the sermon. It was afterward considerably enlarged. On May 30, 1867, it was sold for $200, to the Free-Will Baptists, and by them soon removed to its present site. The second house of worship, that now used (1880), was built just after a marked revival, in 1867, during the ministry of Rev. J. W, Densmore, and dedicated on February 14, 1868, Rev. Edward G. Read, then of Madison, preaching the sermon. It is in size 37x57, cost near $5,000, and seats nearly 300. It is comfortable, commodious, and attractive, and will probably suffice for many years to come. The Sunday school has long been a very pleasant and flourishing one. The whole num- ber of church members received, including the original ones, has been 229. The present mem- bership is fifty-two. The church lias passed through some trying and some very cheering phases of experience. It has exerted and still exerts a strong influence for good in the com munity. Like all persons and all institutions, it must be known by its fruits. Long may it produce those both good and abundant, showing itself faithful to God and to all His truth. The Union Unitarian ami Unirerxalixt Parish of Prairie Du Sac — Was organized on the 25th of August, 1867, with E. W. Young, Joseph Keysar, John Dennett, John Werner, Miles H. Keysar and Joshua Perkins for Trustees. The names of the original members are as follows : * Prepare.1 September, Issi.t. by the past...! >>t tie ehurcli. ,j 594 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. Elisha P. Tabor, George Frost, E. H. Keysar, Charles Bunnell, Edward Oertel, Ophelia Frost, Hannah Tabor. Frances J. Coburn, Maria Werner, Betsy Wiswell, Elmeda Wiswell, Harriet E. Miller, E. \V. Young, John Werner, Joseph Keysar, Joshua Perkins, J. P. Wiswell, Stephen Coburn, M. H. Keysar, John Dennett, L. A. Perkins, J. M. Perkins, E. T. Perkins, Mary A. Watson, Nathaniel Perkins, Mary C. Morrell, S. D. Perkins, A. A. Perkins, Isaac Tabor, D. Tabor. A church in connection with the parish was instituted April 30, 1871, with the following officers and membership: E. W. Young, Moderator; Edward Oertel, Treasurer; Elisha Tabor, Joshua Perkins. Deacons ; Rev. M. G. Todd, temporary Pastor and Clerk ; Isaac Tabor, S. M. Blake, John Werner, Elvin Wiswell, Mrs. M. A. Watson, H. W. Perkins, Hannah Tabor, Cynthia Cummings, Fanny Coburn, Mary D. Benton, J. Werner, Mrs. Young, Miss M. C. Morrell, Mina Perkins, Emma' Miller, Elmeda Wiswell. Universalism was first preached in Prairie du Sac, by Revs. M. G. Todd and J. C. Craw- ford. The first settled minister was Rev. J. M. H. Smith, who, after a brief pastorate, was suc- ceeded by Mr. Todd. In 1873, Rev. B. F. Rogers became the minister of the parish, but re- signed his office after one year's service. During the succeeding years until 1877, it had no minister, and only an occasional supply of its pulpit by Rev. Mr. flesselgrave, of West Point. In this year, Rev. A. Constantine Barry, D. D., was called to the vacant pastorate, and under his judicious labors the broken fortunes of the parish have been gradually repaired, and some- thing of the old prosperity restored. It is free of debt, owns a neat and commodious house of worship costing $5,000 ; is turning attention again to abandoned or neglected enterprises, and equipping itself anew for the Master's work. Sai K City (in Lowei: Sauk. One would scarcely think, upon a cursory glance when first visiting this thriving village, that here was the first site of any permanent habitation for a white man in the county, and still less would he realize that more than forty-one years have since come and gone, " like birds in the night," so quiet has been the passage of Time and so lightly has he touched each spot with his aged fingers. And yet the town and county are old — old in civilization as a part of the white man's domain, and old in the history of its former tenants, the aborigines, who, it is said, had once a large village just at this point. Their history, though for them unpenned, is told in the legends of hunters and travelers, and their unique mound farms, and the relics of a rude archi- tecture, and by the weapons and various utensils left, that mark, with unerring certainty, their condition before the white man came. Those who have virtually made a success of the growth of this place and given it its present sta- bility are principally Germans, the community to-day being essentially Teutonic, and expressive, in all its operations, of the German life, feeling and intelligence, and embodying the various domestic and social institutions that are necessary to the happiness of this home-abiding, home-loving peo- ple. Of the inhabitants here, more than one-tenth are solid, jolly, fun-loving, joyous, generous, honest and industrious German people, and they are prosperous, too — a condition that need scarcely be mentioned. The Yankees are wont to say the Germans will thrive where any other class of people would starve, so well understood is their thrifty way of getting on in the world in spite of all obstacles. And this is essentially true, and is a remarkable feature among this people, (■>! they will undoubtedly get on, and get on well and happily, where many other classes would be discouraged and fail. To attempt to account for this is useless ; it is on? of the pecu- liarities natural to the German constitution, and thai is ;i good thing to inherit. The village site is such that, at any time in the future, should the tide of coming events bring a railroad, the town could be built up and extended almost ad libitum. The streets are broad Mini well kept, being lined with pretty cottages and fine dwellings, ami are beautifully shaded by fine, wide -spreading old trees, the growth of thirty or forty years. Socially, relig- iously and politically, there exist here the same differences that are found almost everywhere, and, in some things, more extreme differences than in many localities, especially in religious HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 595 sentiment; yet the German character, fortunately, is such that the happy mean of mutual toler- ance and forbearance prevails, and a general harmony of interests seems to obtain, which is doubtless in great part due to the high order of intelligence existing here, and to the liberalizing sentiment that prevails largely everywhere throughout this favored land. The management of public affairs, while being just and sufficiently generous, in maintain- ing the interests of all, is withal conducted in a very prudent and economical manner, the system evidently being founded upon the necessities of the whole, and having grown into perfection as the town has grown. The public schools are an honor to the community, everything obtainable by this method of education being provided to the utmost limit of the law, from the infant department to the high school. Commerce and general business in this village are thrifty and well up, and, considering the location, very large amounts of goods are sold annually. There are now eight general stores, three hardware stores and tin shops, two drug stores, three notion, grocery and confectionery shops, two furniture stores, three harness-shops, two tailors, two milliners, one jewelry store, five wagon-shops, five blacksmith-shops, five shoe-shops, three meat markets, one photographer, one barber-shop, one livery stable, one tobacconist, eleven saloons, two dealers in agricultural implements, and two lumber dealers, the last-named business being carried on here very extensively, especially by C. Obrecht, the largest dealer in the county ; there is also a green-house here which has been in operation for some time. The manufacturing interests are represented by the above-mentioned mechanics' shops, and more especially by four breweries and two mills, which will be spoken of hereafter. Early Settlement and Growth. Although the first-comers (mentioned elsewhere) in the county made claims here as early as 1838, immediately after the treaty with the Winnebagoes was ratified, and did something in the way of starting, as making the dug-out spoken of, getting some land broken, and building a house or two before 1810, yet it remained for Count Augoston Haraszthy and William Bryant to give the town the starting impetus' in growth that has made it what it now is. The name of the Count and many of his exploits is yet familiar to most of the Germans here. Owing to political troubles, and a certain youthful ambition which stimulated him to come out and see the new world, he embarked in March, 1840, for America, accompanied by his cousin Charles Halasz. Their intention at starting was to go to Florida, but they were diverted from their purpose through seeing one of Capt. Maryatt's novels while on board the ship, which con- tained descriptions of a trip on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and through hearing that the country adjacent abounded in rich mineral deposits, and was so healthy that one could hardly die. So on they came for Wisconsin, and, after employing an interpreter, and buying horses and camp equipage, they started on a prospecting expedition. Suffice it to say of this, they first went to Rock River, near Lake Kosbkonong and located, but finding they had taken land already claimed, and after getting burned out, they picked up their traps, such as were left, and started for the Wisconsin River. After going safely through the various unpleasant as well as the pleasant features attending a tramp through the wilderness, they came, at last, in July. 18-10. to the scenes portrayed to them by fiction. The desirable portions of the country being already taken, the Count, if he would stay, where, as he was wont to say, " everything was very splendid," must needs buy a claim. This he did, buying at Srst a claim made by Burk Fairchild. In the fall he went to Milwaukee and remained there during the following winter. During this time, he became ac- quainted with an Englishman by the name of Robert Bryant, who hail just come to Milwaukee, and who was well supplied with the needful. The Count, by giving glowing descriptions of the country here, and showing how an immense fortune could be made by building up a town, in- duced Bryant to embark with him in the scheme. In the spring of 1841, they came out to Sauk, and immediately purchased a claim of Berry Haney, the first one made here, for $1,000. Very soon after, a force of laborers and mechanics were employed to come here, ami the upbuilding of the place began in earnest. 596 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. During this year, the village was platted by Charles 0. Baxter, under direction of Har- aszthy and Bryant. It is said that the only house worth mentioning that stood here before 1841 was a large log building that was burned about 1845 ; here Albert Skinner lived and kept boarders — the workmen of the Count and Bryant. In 1841, a number of buildings were erected and several fresh arrivals heralded. The first frame, it is said, was built by a man by the name of Morgan, for Haraszthy or Bryant, and which is yet standing here in town, a small affair, owned by Mr RendtorfF, and in which he lived for several years. However, at that time, the different houses were built so nearly at the same time that it is difficult to say, after the lapse of so many years, to which distinctly and beyond doubt belongs the right of first. The large house on Water street, now owned by Charles Deinnger, was erected in 1841, and at that time was considered a grand affair for the frontier, and even at this time is a handsome and commodious structure. It was intended, at the first, as a dwelling for Mr. Bryant. While it was being built, he lived in a log cabin in the north part of the village. This building was eventually used for a store and hotel kept by Marcus Warren, and finally was purchased by its present owner especially to accommodate his collection of birds, animals, insects, etc. (spoken of in the general history). After the above house was finished, one of the social customs called house-warmings, pecul- iar to all new countries, was indulged in, in honor of the new acquisition. The warm- ing took the form of a grand banquet and dance, and nearly everybody in town was present from far and near. Speeches were made and toasts drank, to the echo of cheers and laughter and hilarity, and such a sumptuous repast delighted the senses and regaled the appetites of the sturdy frontiersmen as may never be forgotten by those who partici- pated. When evening came, the dancing was ushered in, young and old, if there were any old, taking a hand, and " they danced all night, till broad daylight, and went home with what girls there were in the morning." Although this jollification occurred at so early a day, yet it was not the first one, for Albert Skinner, on the 4th of July previous, had given what in all proba- bility was denominated a grand ball, the first in the county. In 1841 or 1842, Francis Halbleib erected a house and opened a tavern, and kept liquor. This was the first inn and saloon in the place, and was the only regular public house in the vil- lage for several years subsequently. It is now used for*a store and photograph gallery by P. J Schadde. During tnatyear, the Count had a house built, and various other parties alse built, and some say that the Count opened a store here this year, Ed Rendtorff, who came in the fall of 1840, being the clerk. At about this time, a young man came here and opened a store. This is said by many to have been the first one in the place, and where the Count afterward kept store for a time. The winding up of this person's life and business occurred soon after, and illustrates how wholly uncertain life is, and how easily our brightest anticipations of success and our various schemes for personal benefit may come to nought. He had been here but a few weeks, and had just got his little stock arrange'! and the opening work done, when one night himself and his establishment were struck by lightning. He was instantly killed, and the store literally disemboweled. This was a sail catastrophe, and was keenly felt by the little community. In all probability, this person's death was the first that occurred in the town or village. At this time, a great strife for pre-eminence existed between Haraszthy and its rival above, the little village of Prairie du Sac, in which the latter got rather the best of the bargain, seem- ingly, when the county seat was located there. However, in after years, a change came over the scene in many respects. In 1841 or 1842, the first marriage between parties living in both villages was solemnized, and John Gallard, of Lower Sauk (or Haraszthy), and Miss Caroline Hatch, of Upper Sauk (or Prairie du Sac), were married. Mr. Gallard still lives in the north part of Sauk City, in the enjoyment of a comfortable home, and can tell many a tale of the first days and people of Sauk Citv. HISTORY OF SAUK CiU'NTY. 597 One of the early enterprises of the founders of the village was in steamboating, they having an interest in the Rock River, which, under their management, made several trips to various points on the Mississippi. In 1842, Count Haraszthy went over to Europe and brought out his family, one of whom was the old General, his father, said to have been a man of very fine qualities and great executive abilities. Some time after the Count's return, about 1844, a brick building was erected by him and Bryant, or by Bryant, who was really the moneyed man of the firm, as when he came to Mil- waukee in 1840, he had $90,000, which he proceeded to spend here right and left. The brick for this building were made by Jacob Rasche, in a small yard where a part of C. Obrecht's lumberyard now is. After the building was finished, it was filled with a stock of goods, some say by Marcus Warren, others by Haraszthy. . Be this as it may, they both started stores here at about the same time, one in the brick and the other in a building erected by John Gallard in 1843, for a shoemaker named Daniels. This man Daniels became discouraged while building, it is thought, as he could not get it done, and at last ended his melancholy and dejection by hanging himself. The building stands on Water street, and is now occupied for a private dwell- ing ; but, whether it is visited by the spook of its former owner, and whether the walls sadly resound at the midnight hour, to the rattle of the last, or the tap of his hammer, tradition saith not. Marcus Warren had not been here a great while before he bought out Mr. Bryant's interest in the town property, it is said, for about $5,000. Bryant then went to Milwaukee and sold property which he had there, and then went to California, having only a little more than enough left of his handsome fortune to get him there. So ended his speculation in building up Sauk City. The land at this point was entered at the land sale, by Gen. Haraszthy, and it is said that Bryant was so confiding, and unknowing of the tricks of land buying, that he came near losing everything, and would have lost his claim, had it not been for one of his workmen, who, seeing how his money was going, and how things were going generally with him, interfered in his behalf. One of the first things was a blacksmith-shop, as a matter of course, for nothing is more needed in a new place. The first smith to open here, according to most accounts, was a sturdy German by the name of Harter ; soon after, another blast and forge were running in opposition, A. Maunk being the operator. The Count, after having had a hand in nearly every speculation set afoot in the place, from running a steamboat to keeping store, finally, after the advent of Marcus Warren, toward whom the town property seemed to gravitate, as if by mutual attraction, determined to close up his business and go forth to new scenes. This he did, about 1848, and so the town lost its most enterprising citizen of early days. His experiences there (many of these are given in his biography) and hereafter savor almost of the character of romance, so peculiar were they. Charles Halasz, who came with Haraszthy, remained here until his death, which is sup- posed by many to have been caused by grief over the death of his wife. He was the first regular lumber merchant here, having opened a yard in 1846, and was also one of the first Justices of the Peace. He was a good-natured man and a great story teller, and was wont to beguile the hours for his friends by relating the novel experiences of the early days in Sauk City. Squire Halasz also built the first warehouse here. He was succeeded in his business by Paul Lach- mund, his son-in-law. The name of the place Haraszthy, was at quite an early day changed to that of Westfield, as being more short and appropriate. Then a few years after it was again changed, to be called Sauk City, after the name of the county ; principally because this was the first settlement in the county, and therefore entitled to that distinction. It may be asked what is in a name ? In reply it may be said: Everything! to those who have a right to a name and are worthy of it. Dr. Woodruff came about 1847, and opened a store in the building now occupied by the United Workingmen. This store, it is said, did not continue long, the proprietor becoming involved, oaa HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. partly through trusting out goods to the workingmen of Bryant and Haraszthy, and partly through inattention to business and poor management. At about this time or soon after, two or three brick buildings were erected or were being erected, and the town generally was growing quite rapidly. In 1850 or 1851, the old Astor House was built, also the present United States Hotel, and Charles Noble's old store, which burned in 1877. The first drug store is said to have been opened here by R. Winter about this time. Previous to 1850, one of the principal industries of Sauk City was commenced, an industry that has since grown very large in dimensions, and that always flourishes among such social and easy-going people as the Germans. Beer-brewing was begun here in a very primitive manner by Mr. Leinekugel, who, for want of better means, had to begin the work by boiling the ma- terials in a big kettle. How the product of this first process tasted, tradition saith not, but that it was welcome, and not discarded by any, may be well believed. But that it was up to the standard of the article manufactured here at present is not probable ; yet when it came fresh from the old iron kettle, who can say that it was not as sweet and pleasant to take as any, and, with- al, what better means of brewing the foaming beverage were in vogue a century or two ago any- where. One of the chief features of the olden time which should have been maintained, but that was only introduced for a brief time, and then, like the Arabs, silently took its leave, to be eventually consigned to oblivion, was the telegraph line of the Milwaukee, Green Bay & Madison Telegraph Company, that ran their wires through here in 1850, and established an office in the old store of Marcus Warren, where Van Eschen's furniture store is now kept. The operator was Mr. Conradi, who had but just come here, and was employed by Mr. Warren as clerk. The line did so little business, and paid so poorly, that it was abandoned in two or three years, the operators being paid oft' in large part by worthless company notes. A telegraph connection with this point to-day would doubtless prove a more profitable investment, and is one of the things that must come here sooner or later, for in the two places, Upper and Lower Towns, there is as much a necessity for the means of quick communication with the outside world as there is for a railroad. In 1852, a Dr. Wolff" came and started a drug store where Mrs. Caspar Leman keeps. Also about this time, or soon after, J. J. Heller started in business here by keeping a small hardware and tin store. From this beginning, lie has gradually grown into his present business, which is one of the best in this part of the country. In 1857, he built his present large double store and dwelling-house, which is one of the most substantial structures in the town, and is stocked with a complete line of general goods. Very soon after Mr. Heller began business, Mr. Conradi and E. Rendtorff opened a drug store, which is still being conducted by Mr. Conradi, who can now be regarded as one of the oldest permanent fixtures of the place, and who will deal out a dose of medicine or philosophy with equal readiness and precision. Mr. Rendtorff', one of the old firm, retired some years ago to rest on his laurels. He has been here since 1840, and it is a question if there are any living anywhere belonging to the German element of that early day that came before he did. He is yet hale, and enjoys the confidence of his friends and townsmen to an unusual degree, having held responsible public positions for many years. In November, 1853, the Pioneer am Wisconsin, said to be the oldest German paper published in the State, was established here. The advent of the paper was hailed with delight, for a town with a newspaper in it at that time was considered quite advanced, in fact much above the average in enterprise and go-aheadativeness. One of the most needed of manufacturing enterprises at an early date was the saw-mill or grist-mill. This need was supplied here by the erection of a steam saw-mill of a good capacity, a little south of the village, about 1851, by Garhart Wingen. In 1854, it became the property of the firm of Mann & Peasler, for whom it was enlarged and refitted by the millwright Martin Ludi, new machinery being put in. The mill was run but a few years, as the owners, failing to HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 599 get enough logs to saw to make it pay, were compelled to discontinue the work and abandon the mill to their creditors. Another of the early manufacturing enterprises was a foundry by'Mr. John Rosche, estab- lished in August, 1854. This institution was operated by him until 18b'8, and at one time, it is said, did a very fine business, casting stoves and various other articles. It passed from him into the hands of a Mr. Frezel, who converted the foundry into a machine-shop, and run it until L872, when it was abandoned. There was also a distillery established here as early as 1854, by Robert Hantzsch, which, though small, did a very good business for several years. It subsequently passed into the hands of Mr. C. Obrecht, who run it until the Government placed the tremendous revenue on distilled liquors. The law permitted the stock on hand at the time it was passed to be exempt from tax, after this was used up the still was abandoned. In this connection, an account of an occurrence at the time this still was started will doubtless interest many : Causus Celebre. Some of the incidents connected with the war against saloon-keepers made by the women of Baraboo, in May, 1854, may yet be fresh in the memories of a few here; but after the lapse of so many years, it will not be at all singular if those occurrences have been nearly forgotten, although at the time, a prodigious excitement was created here by the affair, and throughout the entire county and country at large. It appears that the women of Baraboo, having become thoroughly incensed at the social condition existing there among the men through intemperate habits, determined at all hazards to drive out the saloon-keepers. So one morning, without previous warning, they turned out, some fifty or sixty strong, and marched to the attack. They first went to the Wisconsin House, kept by one Cornell or Connell, and demanded his liquor. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell and Miss Fanny Heller, who was present, remonstrated, but without avail ; in went the women, and out came whisky barrels, beer kegs, bottles and all, pell mell, the heads of kegs and barrels were knocked in, the belligerents being armed with axes, spades, shovels, hoes, sticks, etc., which they used without ceremony, and the liquor was allowed to "gush." In the melee, the landlord's wife had her arm cut with an ax or hatchet. From this place they went to a grocery store kept by a Mr. Warner, and proceeded to enact the fore- going scene. Mr. Warner met them at the front door and declared that he was going to defend his property to the last, but while he was parleying at the front with some of the women, the others went in at the rear, and gave vent to whatever they could find in the way of whisky or beer. After having achieved two victories, the women felt strong enough to go through the whole town, and thereupon proceeded to storm the principal stronghold of the enemy — a saloon kept by a man called French Pete. Peter, when he saw the female brigade coming, knew what to expect, and stood prepared to receive them with an ax in hand, but, not feeling this to be sufficient protection, he dropped the ax and run for a gun, then went and got a huge bowie- knife, and rushed about like a lunatic, threatening the lives of the whole party. At this, the women became somewhat frightened and called upon the men to help them, but the men refused to have anything to do with the battle. Thereupon the women plucked up courage and sailed in, determined to carry the day at all hazards. One of them gave Peter a tremendous whack on the head with a spade, and fairly knocked him out of time, while another hit him on the arm. A young man who went to the rescue of Peter, was seized by the collar by one of the invaders ; owing to the bursting of a button, he was It ft like Adam in Paradise, in less time than it takes to tell it, and within a short titne. the entire stuck in trade was demolished, and the interior and exterior of the institution left smelling worse than a still. The women, being satisfied by this time, ceased operations, and retired. The news spread like wild-fire through the county, and was for a time the chief topic of conversation ; the people of Sauk City sent messages of condolence, and there seemed to be about an equal division of feeling on the subject in various quarters. Complaint was entered before Squire Ilalasz, of Sauk City, and six of the women ringleaders were sued. They arrived in Sauk on the 2d day of June, 1854, under charge of Constable Robert Morsback, 600 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. and were arraigned before the Justice for trial, Mr. Remington, of Baraboo, now dead, and J. S. Tripp being their defense, with J. B. Quiraby as Prosecuting Attorney. The trial lasted two days, when the women were bound over to the Circuit Court in the sum of $200, but, not furnishing the same, they were handed over to Sheriff Munson to be lodged in the county jail. The defense then issued a writ of "habeas corpus," and secured their liberty until next court session. They appeared at court July 3, 1854, and were tried before Judge Wheeler, who, after listening to the pros and cons of the case, sentenced the six to a fine of $30 each. So ended the case. At this time, 1855, there was a population in the village of 700 all told, 390 of whom were males, and 310 females. During the fall of this year, a flatboat-load of potatoes was shipped from here, but did not get far on its way down the river before it ran on a sand-bar, and, being very heavily loaded, went to the bottom ; thus the bed of the Wisconsin was sowed with more than 2,000 bushels of potatoes. The Old Military Company. In the spring of 1854, one of the institutions that have long ceased to be, the old Sauk City Rifle Company, was organized, having about sixty-four members when in thorough running order. Robert Hantzsch was Captain ; one Bentine, First Lieutenant, and Jacob Bohn, Second Lieutenant. There were four Sergeants and Corporals, and a brass band of seven instruments besides a drummer. During the winter following, they received their guns and accouterments, Martin Loddi going after them, by order of the Governor, to Mayville, and bringing them through. On the 15th day of April, 1855, they appeared in uniform for the first time. The riflemen, dressed in gray pants, green coats and glazed caps, being led by their gallant Captain and the brass band, must have presented a novel and striking appearance. The company continued to be one of the prominent organizations of the place until 1861, when, after the three months' service was over, they enlisted, becoming Company D of the Ninth Volunteer Infantry, Charles Buchenau being Captain, C. E. G. Horn, First Lieutenant, and Jacob Bohn, Second Lieutenant. There were then sixty-five members, all told. The evening before starting, the ladies of the town prepared a grand banquet for them at the Astor House Hall. Patriotic speeches were made, and the whole affair wound up with a grand dance, the last for many a brave fellow. The next day, they left in grand style in a train of fifty-eight wagons, being led on the way to Mazo Manie by the band. They first went into camp at Milwaukee. When they were mustered in, they were pronounced the finest company in the gallant Ninth. They afterward did splendid service, and won laurels for themselves and honor for their country- men. A Turners' society and theatrical society, two of the social orders common among the Ger- mans, were at one time prominent features here, each having a goodly membership and being in a thriving condition during their best days. They have long ceased to exist. One of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in the county was committed here, in the summer of 1856, by William Millard, who shot James Davis, on the ground that Davis had threatened his life and was too familiar with his wife. Millard, from a concealed position, discharged a heavily loaded shotgun into Davis' person, which killed him. Millard was tried and sentenced to the penitentiary, from which he was pardoned by the Governor on the 3d of December, 1858. In 1856, the Sauk City Bank was established, with M. D. Miller as President and G. B. Burrows as Cashier. The following year, a counterfeiter issued a bill on the ban!' for $5, but, as the bank did not issue any $5 notes, he was soon caught. After running a few years, the bank discontinued. Its place is now supplied by J. S. Tripp, who for the convenience of his patrons and the people at large, does a banking business in connection with his legal practice. Clippings from Old Files or the " Pioneek \m Wisconsin." During 1859, the boats ran very freely. Early in the spring, a two-master sailed down the river carrying adventurers to Pike's Peak. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 601 The one hundredth anniversary of Schiller's birth was celebrated this year (November 10; in grand style, Mr. Schroeder, the leader of the Liberal element here, being the speaker. In December, 1859, Mrs. Beller threw herself into the river and was drowned. Her body was found eight days after. In 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was elected, a grand demonstration was indulged in, nearly all the people exerting themselves to show their appreciation of the circumstance. Van Amburgh's show here this year was the first circus on record. A Democratic Club formed here this year, called the National Hickory Club, used to ham- mer the Republicans. During this year, Peter Kohl was awarded first premium at the State Fair for grapes raised here. The Sauk County oil excitement raged this year, and culminated in a meeting on the 3d of April, 1861. There are plenty who have stock now laid by to show for that meeting. In August, 1862, two large squads of men were enlisted, one of ninety men and one of forty-six. A Home Guard was organized in September of this year, under command of D. Heick. During this year, the Sauk County Rifle Company met with a severe loss. February 3, 1863, the Pioneer am Wisconsin office was threatened by maskers celebrating Shrovetide, but they were not permitted to do any harm, the office being defended by the Home Guard and citizens generally. " In July, 1841," says Mr. Lueders, " there were at Sauk City the following buildings : One frame school and meeting house, one small frame building occupied, a two-story frame partly finished, and six or eight log houses. The pioneers were exceedingly kind and obliging to strangers who came there and to each other, and the whole appearance of the country was charmingin nature's garb." The Pioneer am Wisconsin in an editorial of 1854, says: "Sauk City is a flourish- ing town on the banks of the Wisconsin, ninety miles from Prairie du Chien, and forty miles from Portage City. There are two saw-mills here, one saw and planing-mill and one saw and grist mill, besides a distillery, a brick-yard, a printing office, ten stores, hotels, and saloons. There is a Humanist society, and one Catholic, one Lutheran and one Methodist Episcopal Church ; a singing society, a theatrical society and a military company. The popu- lation here and in this vicinity are principally German, the most of whom are farmers. Wild land can be bought for from $2 to $5 per acre." The principal business firms here now are J. J. Heller, Kouni & Co., Mr. Conradi and Mrs. Anna Hamburger. Government. The village corporation was organized, and a charter secured, by act of Legislature approved March 30, 1854. This charter provided that the voters should meet at the District Schoolhouse, in the village, on the first Saturday of April, 1854, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of electing officers. Two Judges of Election and a Clerk were to be elected viva voce ; these to superintend the regular ballot election of officers. According to the provisions of charter these officers were, one President, ex officio Trustee, and five Trustees, a Clerk and a Treasurer. Annual elections for ensuing years were to be held on the last Monday in March, for which the Trustees must give ten days' notice, together with place of election. This charter, it appears, was designed and secured principally for the purpose of enabling the village to obtain funds for the construction of a levee or causeway, from the cast shore of the Wisconsin River to and across the island opposite to Sauk City." The President and Trustees were authorized to raise any sum of money not exceeding $2,500 on the credit of the corporation, and secured by bonds against the corporation, to be expended on said causeway or levee, and in providing such boats and tackle as might be deemed necessary to connect the causeway with the west shore of the river or Sauk City. The rates of toll allowed for crossing were 25 cents for team of horses or cattle and wagon; 15 cents for 602 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. single horse and wagon or buggy ; 10 cents for man and horse ; 5 cents each for horses or oxen, if not in droves ; if in droves 3 cents each ; for foot passengers the same. On March 9, 1857, an act amendatory to the charter was granted by the Legislature in compliance with a petition of the people of Sauk City. There being no prudential provisions in the draft of the first charter, such measures as were deemed obviously necessary, were demanded and incorporated in the charter, by this act. Among the various ordinances adopted, one for the establishment of a fire department may be especially mentioned, as it indicates par- ticularly the prudent character of the people at that early date, for many villages in adjacent localities of equal pretensions to advancement, had nothing of the kind then, nor for many years after. April 26, 1858, an additional act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the President and Trustees of the town to borrow any sum of money not exceeding $20,000, secured by bonds on the credit of the village, for the purpose of building a bridge across the river from the cause- way or levee to the village, providing a majority of the legal voters should indorse the raising of such a sum. The money not to be borrowed for a term of years under two nor exceeding twelve, nor at a rate of interest over 12 per cent per annum. In March, 1866, another act was passed providing for the maintenance of the bridge. March 4, 1868, an act was passed remodeling and amending the preceding acts of the Legislature. At this time, a police or municipal court was established, the President being Police Justice, and the Marshal being constituted Constable. The establishing of streets, grades and walks was then particularly provided for, the tax-payers being permitted to pay the road tax in labor, money or material at will. J. S. Tripp drafted this amended charter. March 8, 1870, another amendatory act was passed, by which the President and Trustees received authority to use the money received from the payment of village licenses for village purposes. This last act has proved a capital one in every respect ; as the money thus obtained is more than sufficient to pay all the expenses of the village government, and laying cross walks, digging drains, etc. After having fairly run the gamut of amendments, the town has at last got a good government. April 1 , 1854, the Judges of first election were Charles Nebel and Simon Snyder ; Clerk J., B. Quimby. The first village officers elected by ballot were as follows : Simeon Dean, President; J. B. Quimby, Clerk ; Marcus Warner, Treasurer; Charles Nebel, J. H. Hantasch, Thomas Cook, F. Halbleib and A. Class, Trustees. March 26, 1855 — J. H. Hantzsch, President; C. Leland, Clerk; Marcus Warren, Treas- urer ; Charles Halasz, Aug. Scharff, Charles Deininger, Robert Conradi and James J. Heller, Trustees. March 31, 1856— Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi, Treasurer ; Charles Halasz, W. H. Guett, Max Stingelhammer and J. B. Quimby, Trustees. March 30, 1857— Charles Halasz, President; R. Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi, Treas- urer ; F. Siebenmann, Thomas Burnett, Curtis Bates, W. Nebel, W. H. Guett, Trustees. March 29, 1858— Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; J. H. Hantzsch, Treasurer ; A. Gilmore, C. Spiehr, W. Lenz, J. S. Tripp and J. J. Heller, Trustees. March 28, 1859— J. S. Tripp, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk; W. H. Guett, Treas- urer; A. Gilmore, J. J. Heller, J. Veidt, A. Class and J. Gallard, Trustees. March 26, 1860— J. S. Tripp, President; Robert Morsbach, Clerk; C. C. Buchenau, Treasurer; A. Gilmore, J. .1. Heller, C. H. Deininger, A. Class and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees. March 25, lstil — I. S. Tripp, President; Dr. H. McKennan, Clerk; C. Buchenau, Treasurer; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Charles Deininger, J. J. Heller and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees. March 31, 1862— J. S. Tripp, President; Robert Conradi, Clerk ; F. Schlungbaum, Treas- urer ; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr, J. J. Heller ami Charles Deininger, Trustees. March 30, 186:!— J. B. Quimby, President; J. B. Kehl, Clerk; G. B. Burrows, Treas- urer ; J. J. Heller, A. Class, A. Gilmore, Charles Nebel and M. Derleth, Trustees. HISTORY OF SAUK COl M 5 603 March 28, 1864— J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer ; J. J. Heller, A. Class, M. Derleth, Martin Loddi and J. Veidt, Trustees. March 27, 1865— J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer; A. ('lass, C. Deininger, M. Stingelhauimer, J. Veidt, C. Obrecht, Trustees. March 26, 1806— J. B. Quimby, President; H. Kleinpell, Clerk; C. Bates, Treasurer; A. Class, M. Stingelhammer, C. Obrecht, L. T. Stowel, and B. A. Jacobs, Trustees. March 2.".. 1867 — J. S. Tripp, President; II. Kleinpell, Clerk ; Curtis Bates, Treasurer; William 11. Guett, S. llaniard, Charles Halasz, John Buerke and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees. March 3, 1808— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice; H. Kleinpell, Clerk; John Buerke, Treasurer; William H. Guett, A. Class, Charles H. Ross, Ch. Spiehr and Stephen Bernard, Trustees. March 29, 1869— J. B. Quimby, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk: Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; William H. Guett, Ch. Spiehr, Stephen Bernard, A. Andres and C. Nebel, Trustees; Val Sutter. Constable and Marshal. March 28, 1870— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice : J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, A. Billiter, K. Derleth, Stephen Bernard and A. Class, Trustees ; S. Amberg, Marshal and Constable ; J. S. Tripp, Village Representative in County Board. March 27, 1871— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice; John S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; Adam Class. Stephen Bernard, K. Derleth, Phil Hoefer and J. J. Heller, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal ; Supervisor County Board, J. S. Tripp. March 25, 1872— Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Nick Truckenbrodt, A. Class, William Lenz, J. Thiehle and John Buerke, Trustees; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March 31, 1873— Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice : J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; William Lenz, Phil Hoefer, N. Truckenbrodt, John Buerke and J. Thiehle, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March 30, 1874— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth, Trustees ; J. S. Tripp. Supervisor County Board. March 29, 1875— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer ; C. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth, Trust- ees; Andrew Williams, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March 27, 1876 — Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer; C. Boiler, F. Derleth, F. Commans, William Dresen and John Buerke, Tiustees; M. Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March 26, 1X77 — K. Derleth, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, A. Class, J. Commans, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March — , 1878— K. Derleth, President and Police Justice . J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, J. Commans, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. March 31, 1879— P. Lachmund, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend- torff, Treasurer; H. Muehlburg, J. Weisenborn, William Dresen, C. Kouni, C. Schumm, Trust- ees; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal; P. Lachmund, Supervisor County Board. March 28, 1880— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk; Ed Rendtorff, Treasurer : N. Truckenbrodt, George Roeser, M. Molitor, C. Spiehr and William Dresen, Trustees ; A. Morsbach, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board. 604 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. The present hotels here are the United States Hotel and the Astor House, the latter successor in name to the old Astor House, which is now occupied by N. Truckenbrodt, saloon, which was built by M. Loddi, for C. Schreiber & C. Schneider. The United States Hotel was built by A. Wilde, in 1850; he previously kept a sort of tavern and boarding house. After passing through various hands, it at last, in 1877, came into the hands of the present proprietor, Fred Meyer. The hotel is built in a substantial manner, and there are ample accommodations for about forty guests. McFarland, the man who became notorious through killing Richardson, kept a select school, or sort of academy, here, about 1854, in the upper story of the United States Hotel. Besides the United States Hotel, there is but one other in the place, the Astor House. This is also a substantial brick structure, which has been built for several years. It is now kept in a very satisfactory manner by Chas. Weissenborn Manufacturers. Although several of the old establishments are gone, there are a few left yet, with plenty of room for more. The breweries date back farther than anything else, and of those there are at present four. The oldest of these is Linekugals, which was in operation as early as 1850. At present it has a capacity of about 1,000 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 are manu- factured. The next one built was by Charles Deininger, who began operations as early as 1851. This brewery was purchased by William Lenz, in 1868. He has enlarged and improved it until it has now a capacity of about 1,200 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 to 800 are made each year. Max Stingelhamraer's brewery was built next in 1852, and run by him until he bought the bridge. Since that time it has been run by various parties; George Kazer now owns it. It has a capacity of from 500 to 800 barrels per annum. Joseph Shor built a brewery a little west of the village in 1866. About a year after, Nick Dropon bought in, and within five years was the owner of the institution. His widow now runs it. It has a capacity of from 500 to 800 barrels per annum. The entire product of these breweries is sold here and in this vicinity, and besides, some years there are as many as 500 barrels more brought in from abroad to supply the demand. Sash, Door and Blind Factory and Planing Mills. The fine establishment of Philip Hoefer was begun in 1867, the first part, 24x40, being built by J. P. Tarnutzer at that time. In 1870, Mr. Hoefer became owner, and, between 1872 and 1874, he made improvements on. the building by adding another story and putting up an addition. His business from the first having been prosperous, he finally determined to increase the capacity of the mill very largely, by putting up a large building and adding the latest and best machinery to be had. Having perfected his plans, he began the first of this year and erected a large building, in addition to what he already had, 40x80, with lean-to 18x40. The machinery, which is very complete in every particular, is driven by a thirty-horse-power engine, which Mr. II. says is the best he ever saw. The engine is thoroughly protected by a substan- tial stone house, 28x32, erected in 1876. The mill has a capacity of fifty doors or 100 sash or blinds per day. This is said to be the finest factory of its kind in the county. Mr. Lachmund has a planing-mill here, established by him in connection with his lumber-yard in 1877. This mill is used exclusively for planing and making molding, and is completely fitted throughout for its work. Physicians and Attorneys The following physicians have resided in Prairie du Sac: Dr. Nichols, A. P. Cummings, Stephen Coburn, Corydon Farr, Samuel Bell, Fred H. Conger, D. H. Whitford, Dr. Hooper, Samuel II. Bassenger, Samuel M. Blake, Jonathan Watring and Charles P. Reily. Attorneys resided in Prairie du Sac: A. Eastland, Alexander Ostrander, R. J. Harvey, Smith S. Wilkinson, II. J. Kelsey, George DeGrow Moore, J. H. Northup, R. K. Wilkinson, William T. Kelsey. HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 605 Post Office. The post office was established here in rather an original manner. At the time Simeon Dean was appointed, about 1851 or 1852, the office was at Prairie du Sac, and had been there always before that time, but, as Mr. Dean was a resident of Sauk City, it was proposed to move the office down there rather than have the Postmaster move to Prairie du Sac. Accordingly twenty or twenty-five men from Sauk City went up to Prairie du Sac one day and took the office paraphernalia — " will you, nill you ? " — and moved it to Sauk City. The office was kept in Mr. Dean's store until about 1854, when the store burned. It was then moved into a stone ware- house, now a part of Mr. Schoenfeldt's store. In 1854, Mr. Dean resigned, and F. A. Hoffman was immediately appointed. The people were very much displeased at this change, and requested Mr. Dean not to relinquish the office until they could send a petition to the Postmaster General to have some one else appointed. A petition was circulated, and all but seven of the citizens signed it, to have E. C. Watson appointed, which was done soon after. Mr. Watson did not hold the office long before J. S. Tripp was appointed, who kept post office in his present office. In 1861, after Lincoln's election, the Republicans of this section held a meeting and took a vote as to whom they would like to have for Postmaster ; this vote resulted in the election of William H. Guett, who, being appointed, kept the office where Mrs. Lemm's millinery store now is. Mr. Guett held the office until 1866, when Conrad Kuoni succeeded him. At that time, C. Obrecht put up a small room, an addition to the store he was then keeping, to be used as a post office. This store is now a tin-shop and the post office room a barber shop. Eventu- ally, Mr. Kuoni, who still holds the office, moved it to his store, where the office now is. The Bridge. The first method of crossing the Wisconsin here was on a sort of flatboat, built by B. Hany in 1839, which had to be poled over. Tins institution, with rights and privileges, was pur- chased by Count Haraszthy after he came. This method of transportation was largely improved by him, but was not then, or for many years subsequent, satisfactory or desirable. But when the first charter was granted, in 1854, a radical improvement was made by construct- ing a levee from the east bank of the river, and by running a convenient ferry-boat from the island over the principal channel to the town. This method of transportation satisfied the people for a time, but, as Prairie du Sac had a bridge, they wanted one also. This the Upper Town folks opposed, but at last, by the amendment of 1S5S. they secured the right to raise funds and build a bridge. Immediately after the right was granted by the Legislature, bids for building were advertised for by the town authorities, ami within a short time the contract for doing the work was let to J. B. Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff went to work and succeeded in getting two spans done next the west bank, then failed. The bridge interest then passed into the hands of Marcus Warren. In Augusl of L860, the bridge was finished. After Warren, II. Miller and Mr. Worthington had control of it, and eventually Miller became sole proprietor. He soon after sold to Charles Nabel. Mr. Nabel had had the bridge but a few weeks, when on came a freshet and swept out two spans ; he then sold back to Miller. Soon after this, in July, 1866, Max Stin- gelhammer bought in; they then rebuilt the two spans, and also replaced the draw. The follow- ing year, Mr. Stingelhammer bought out Mr. Miller. In 1878, a terrible storm came, and so affected the draw and two west spans that they had to be rebuilt. This time they were built of iron by a Milwaukee firm, the cost, with repairing of piers, etc., being about $9,000. The village advanced $4,000 on bonds, and gave $1,000 toward this work. The whole cost of repairing and rebuilding since Mr. S has been connected with the bridge has been $32,000. The old part of the bridge will be replaced by iron eventually. The rates of toll are provided by the charter. The bridge paid from $5,000 to"$6,000 per annum at one time, but does not now pay more than $3,000. The village furnish the funds necessary to maintain it in part and take security on the bridge. At some future day it may become the property of the corporation ; then it will proba- bly be a free bridge. 606 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY Prijuc School. The records of this school (District No. 5) date back to 1847 only. But, as previously stated, there was a school here as early as 1841. Who the first teacher was, or what the num- ber of pupils, remains unknown. The first male teacher, recorded as having been employed here, taught in the winter of 1850-51. The schoolhouse at that time was valued at $500, with half an acre of land on which it stood. It had two rooms, with entry. In 1860, a committee of carpenters and masons was appointed, at the annual meeting, to draft a plan for a new schoolhouse and make an estimate of costs. This being done, and the tax-payers approving, a contract was let to Charles Nabel, Jan. 27, 1861, to build according to plan. The house is a substantial structure, built of brick, having two rooms and entries. It was finished in 1860, and cost, when completed, $2,096.2*2 In January of 1862, it was conse- crated by a celebration in honor of educational interests, on which occasion F. G. J. Lueders was principal speaker. In 1871, and in 1874, additional frame buildings were erected. The one erected in 1871 cost about $750 ; the other, with hall, cost about $650. In 1877, a high school department was established, the Principal having supervision over the lower departments, which are three. The estimated value of the property is at present $3,825, besides a school library con- taining 326 volumes. The first recorded treasurer's bond was $200, now it is $6,000. Total money raised in 1850, for school expenses, was $250.17 ; on the other hand, the sum expended on the school this year (1880), amounts to $2,123.68. The number of male school children in 1850 was 85, females 88; the average attendance 97. Now the number of school children in the district is 185 males and 217 females, with an average attendance of 262. The first male teacher received $50 for teaching the winter school in 1850. Now the Principal here commands from $800 to $1,200 per .annum. Several meetings were held this year (1880) for the purpose of making arrangements for erecting a commodious new school building. However, nothing has been accomplished thus far. It should be mentioned that a French and English boarding- school was opened here in the spring of 1854 by H. J. Turner, which run a few years, accommodating not more than thirty pupils at any time. Fire Companies and Fires. Previous to 1854. there was neither a fire extinguisher nor fire company in Sauk City, much as they may have been needed, and then, in all probability, there would not have been either, had not J. J. Heller, on realizing the unprotected condition of property, had a small hand-engine constructed, during the early portion of that year, for his individual use. This extinguisher though small and somewhat rude in construction, was, nevertheless, quite ingeniously gotten up, embracing the salient principles embodied in the best of engines, and was vastly superior to no engine at all. On the Fourth of July, 1854, the oldest house in town caught fire, while the tenants were away celebrating, and before it was discovered, it had so far advanced, that, had not the little engine come to the rescue, it must needs have perished. Thus to the work of this primitive affair is Mr. Rendtorff indebted for the preservation of this relic of by gone days. It is said that troubles never come singly, and sure enough, again this year, on November 21, there was another fire. This time Simeon Dean's store, tin-shop, barn and four horses were destroyed, and Charles Nabel's house and store and Mr. Klutch's cooper-shop were also burned. This fire, for so young a town, was a very large one, and caused the men of the place to think it about time that they should prepare some sort of a defense against this common enemy. Accordingly, a public meeting was held December 26, 1854, to consider the question. Charles O. Baxter and Cyrus Leland were elected President and Secretary, and a committee was appointed to consider a plan of action. The committee, after due deliberation, recommended an organization consist- ing of four departments ; first, an engine corps ; second, hook and ladder; third, bucket company ; fourth, rescue and protection, with a Captain of entire company, and Captain to each depart- ment. The second meeting was held January 2, 1855, when the previous recommendations HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 607 were acted upon, and the company permanently organized. John A. Ilantzsch was elected provisional Captain of the company; J. J. Heller, Captain first department; W. Cook, Captain second department; F. Frenzel, Captain third department. The fourth department was filled by the rihV company, who volunteered to supply the place. Soon after this the company, out of personal funds, provided hooks, ladders, and tin buckets. September 20, 1857, the company was recognized, and incorporated by the town authorities, in conformity with the provisions of the amended charter of that year. In August, 1859, a hook and ladder wagon was purchased. With tli ese few appliances the company got along for nearly three years more, then $225 was raised, partly by subscription, to purchase a small hand-engine. This was bought in Mil- waukee, anil arrived here on the 21st of April, 1862. Then the company for the first time felt that they were prepared to render really efficient service. The balance of the money needed to pay for the engine was raised by giving a picnic in Stingle- hammer's grove. The company also purchased a lot for their use this spring (1862), and succeeded in persuading the town authorities to build an engine-house. A few years subsequent, the village purchased a large hand-engine, and various equipments, from the Madison Kire Department, costing about $1,200, so that now, considering the needs of the place, the company is very fairly provided for. The company has on all occasions given evi- dence of willingness to do and has, through its exertions, has saved a good deal of valuable property at different times. About the first house saved was J. J. Heller's, in May, 1862. In 1867, Mr. Hoffman's house, now the Catholic priest's dwelling, was saved. Very soon after the company succeeded in putting the fire out at Lenz's brewery. While Viedt & Lachmund were keep- ing store where Van Eschen now is, on May 2, 1875, the building caught on fire and was saved. When the fire of June 3, 1877, broke out, and burned Charles Nebel's store, erected in 1851, and William Phillips' and Nick Truckenbrodt's buildings, south of the old Astor House first known as the Leibig house, the fire company managed to save the hotel, which is yet standing, and Mr. Conradi's drug store. Taken all in all, the record of the company is first-class. Societies and Churches. Singing Society. — German social life is never complete without social singing, or singing societies ; and nothing conduces more to harmony of feeling than engaging in evoking the almost divine harmonies of sound that have been evolved by the master minds in music during past ages. Germany is the land of great composers, and where the people are all lovers of the sublime art, and her sons and daughters, wherever we find them, still maintain the national excellence in this particular. When the first gathering for social singing was convened here, no one can tell, but doubtless at a very early day ; and even the exact date when a permanent organization was formed, cannot be given, as the Secretary's books were burned in Trucken- brodt's fine hall three years ago. However, the society is about twenty-six years old, being one of the oldest in the State. The first members were, as nearly as can be ascertained, Robert Morsback, John Klutch, Edward Rendtorff. Max Stinglehammer, II. Schlegelmilch, Edward Kuehn, Theodore Schramm and I). Heick. Robert Morsback was Leader. There are now forty-six members, twenty-five of whom are singers, the remainder being passive members. Charles Naffz is Leader. The present officers are II. Schlegelmilch, President; Max Stingel- hammer, Vice President ; John Buerki, Secretary ; Edward Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Edward Stadel- mann, Librarian ; II. W. Thede, Standard Bearer. The officers are elected annually. The first standard was presented by the ladies in 1862. Last New Year's the society celebrated for their twenty-fifth anniversary. Benevolent Society. — The Sauk City Benevolent Society was started in 1874, the first movers in the matter being Andrew Kahn and John Buerki. The first meeting was held at Truckenbrodt's hall, March 4, 1874, there being about twenty persons present. They then organized, ami elected John Buerki President; John Baertsch, Vice President; Andrew Kahn, Secretary ; Henry Trueb, Treasurer; Gasper Steuberand Edward Neidiker, Bysiters. Of the first members five or six have withdrawn, but, on the other hand, new members have come in, until now 608 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. there is a membership of thirty-two. The society is strictly a mutual protective organization, with no secrets or password. If a member is not able to work he gets a regular appropriation of $3 a week. In case of the death of a man, the heirs get $30 from the treasury and 50 cents each from the members. When a man's wife dies, he gets $15 from the treasury and 25 cents each from the members. A man cannot be over fifty-five to join, and must be in good health. The membership fee is $3. The meetings of the society are held once a week. Sauk City Brass Band. — A brass band was first organized here at about the time the old military company was formed. There were at first but five members — John Junge, D. Schramm, A. Vogel, Ed Kuehn and Henry Schegelrailch, J. Junge being the leader. In 1856, the band number was augmented by the addition of Samuel Kleiner and Peter Bernhardt. With the exception of a few changes, the band continued until 1868 or 1869, when it broke up, never having been more than nine or ten strong at any time, and seldom more than the first seven. In the present band, organized but a short time, there are ten members : Samuel Kleiner, leader, and V. Wuerth, E. Van Eschen, Rudolph Kleiner, Nic Muller, A. Marguart, M. Bohnsak, Charles Schlungbaum, Ed Stadelmann and John Meyer. Cemetery Association. — The Sauk County Cemetery Association was organized at the schoolhouse, July 27, 1852. The Trustees elected were Henry Wild, Thomas Cook, L. Accola, T. Hitzmier and Curtis Bates. On the 6th of September following, the land of the cemetery was purchased from John Gallard for $50, and soon after was platted. At present, lots sell for from $8 to $10, according to location. At present, P. Lachmund is President ; F. G. J. Lueders, Treasurer ; Ed Rendtorff, Secretary. Mr. Rendtorff has been Secretary of the society for twenty-four years. Mr. Lueder is now Superintendent of the grounds, which are tastefully laid off and ornamented with shrubbery. A. O. U. W. Society. — The only secret society now in Sauk City is the lodge of United Workingmen, No. 62, A. O. U. W. This order was organized here May 1, 1879, with eighteen charter members, which have since increased to thirty-eight. The charter officers were H. Muhlburg, P. M. W. ; John Bach, M. W. ; A. Fischer, V. ; J. Shaddi, G. F. ; H. Meyer, Secretary ; M. Loddi, Treasurer ; J. Just, Financier. The officers now remain the same, with the exception that A. Ferber is now G. F., and Samuel Kleiner, Secretary. Humanists. — The society of the " Free German Association " held their first meeting, ac- cording to various accounts, as early as 1842, at which time they styled themselves "Humanists," the name which is now commonly applied to them. Charles Duer, now deceased, was their first speaker, but the society was not regularly founded until the 24th of October, 1852, after Mr. Ed- ward Schroeder became speaker. The society was incorporated June 3, 1853, as the " Free German Association of Sauk County." At first the organization met with strong opposition from church people, which has become modified during the passage of time. The congregation has no settled dogma, neither do the members recognize any authority as being infallible, and to be explicitly fol- lowed. The works of nature, and the revelations of human experience in history, serve as foundations for whatever opinions may be entertained, subject to the analysis and conclusions arrived at by reason. The chief principles acted upon are for the advancement of general intelligence, and the maintenance of sincerity, honesty and truth in all things, as opposed to hypocrisy and false- hood. All members stand on a footing of perfect equality, without regard to sex. The speaker is the teacher of the old and young, and the general exercises consist in lectures, singing, decla- mation and the instruction of the children in morals, under his supervision. The congregation belongs to the Wisconsin Union of Free Congregations, and to the Union of Free Congregations of America, and to the North American Union of Radicals. The society owns two halls, one at Sauk City and one at Honey Creek. Their speaker, Mr. Edward Shroeder, has recently gone to Europe as the Delegate for the German Free-Thinkers of America to the Free-Thinkers' Con- gress at Brussels. The Catholic Church and Society. — Sauk City St. Moysius Congregation is the oldest Catholic congregation in Sauk County, and one of the oldest in Western Wisconsin. It was founded in the year 1*44. The first baptism recorded is that of Catharina Holbleib, baptized HISTORY OP SAUK COUNTY. 609 2d of October, L844. The first Catholic priesl was Rev. Albert Inama, of the order of the Prsemonstratensians, of the Convent Welten, near Innsbruck, Tyrol, who died 1879, in Roxbury Town, Dane County, Wis. The first Catholic Church was built in Sauk City in 1845. It was a small frame building, and was burnt down by an accident in the following year. During that year Count Haraszthv, an Hungarian nobleman, gave lots to the Catholic congregation for build- ing purposes, the deed of said lots being dated 17th of February. lS4(i. In the same year. Rev. .Maximilian Gaertner, of the same order as Rev. Inama, arrived and took charge of the congre- gation remaining until 1858, when he retired to his home country, Tyrol, where he afterward died. In 1851, the 29th of May. Brst steps were t iken to erect the new Catholic Church build- ing which is now in use. Catholics and non-Catholics united for this purpose, and $880 were subscribed. On the '21st of July. 1851, the corner-stone was laid, and Mr. Stingelhammer did the mason work. Messrs. Werner. Kraus and Mortens were building committee. The rear or brick part was first finished, then the work stopped because of lack of funds. In 1853, work was re- commenced, and the church finished under the supervision of Rev. Gaertner and Rev. Wein- hardt. The building is 103x50 feet and thirty feet high (walls inside clear thirty-nine feet), and cost about $13,000, all of which is now paid. The Rev. Weinhardt left in 1861. Hissu Rev. Voessem, finished the plastering and left in 1865. Since then several priests have bad I the congregation, which consists of about 130 families, of which twenty-five are Irish. A Catholic school is attached numbering about seventy Catholic children. There is also a mis- sion belonging to this congregation situated in town of Honey Creek, consisting of about forty Catholic families. They "have just finished a stone church 50x28 feet, eighteen feet high; steeple, seventy-six feet, at a cost of about $1,800. The Rev. Herman Grosse is now the Priest. in Reformed Congregation. — The first preaching of this society was held in the old schoolhouse as early as 1850, the Rev. Mr. Snangler being the minister. He continued here until 1856, when Rev. Mr. Knoepfel came. After him in 1858, the Rev. Etter was minister. Then in 1859, Rev. R. Ruetenick became Pastor. During Mr. Ruetenick's time the society was regularly organized. He was succeeded by Rev. A. Winter, in 1860. The church was built in 1861, at a cost of $2,000, during the pastorate of the Rev. Winter. In 1864, the Rev. J. Brecht became minister. He remained until 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. Herpjd, After him in 1869, came the Rev. F. Kuenzler, who served until 1*77. when the Rev. J. G rueniga n .superseded him. In 1875, the Rev. S. S. Thalers, the present Pastor, was installed. At first there were but five members, C. Obrecht, J. L. Accola. J. Buerki, (1. Schaefer and C. Shultz, these being Swiss and German] There are now 250 members of the same nationalities. Ennojflirnl Axxoeiatuni. — The first services of this denomination were held here in the schoolhouse in 1844, by Bishop Johannes Seybert, the first Bishop of the German Evangelical Asso- ciation of America. With him came the Rev. Mr. Miller, who afterward came out here for some time every four weeks. A few years after their services were held every Sunday, the place of meeting being changed to the house of Mrs. J. E. Wright, at Saukville. The church was built in 1871. by John Thilke, and was consecrated by Bishop Escher. The society here is a branch of the Salem Church, at Honey Creek, and is supplied by their minister. There arc fifty-live members here. ATTORNEYS AND PHYSICIANS. The following is a list of attorneys that have practiced here: William H. Clark, James S. Alban, Cyrus Leland, J. Stephens Trip]), John B. «Juimby and J. W. Johnson. Physicians : John B. Woodruff, William Wolf, George H. Briggs, Henry McKenna, H. G. Lachmund and A. F. Jonas. SAUKVILLE, OH MIDDLE SAUK. This little village lies midway between Upper and Lower Town. The most thai has e\ done here toward erecting a village is the work of J. E.Wright, now deceased, but, owing to the unfa- 610 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY". vorable location, just between the villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, very little more than making a fair start has ever been accomplished, for, as the trite old saying expresses it, " that which stands between two stools must needs fall to the ground." It is not beyond the possibilities that at some future time a railroad may pass directly through here; then who can say but that that which has heretofore shown small vitality may suddenly take new life unto itself, and withal out- strip its more favored competitors. At least, whatever may occur, it is always well to look on the bright side, and hope for the best. And furthermore, that the village of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac may some time be united by the growth of a village here, is to be devoutly desired, for then the interests of the two places may become identical, and correspondingly strong and influ- ential abroad. A huge brick chimney and a dilapidated wooden structure now mark the spot where, in 1852, .1. E.Wright, in company with P. Tinker, a practical machinist, began the erection of a steam saw and grist mill combined. In 1853, Soreno Wright came on from the East and purchased J. E. Wright's interest in the mill, and, with Mr. Tinker, went on and completed it. The mill began running in 1854, and for that early time was a large institution and did an extensive busi- ness. The mill continued in active operation until October, 1858, when it was burned (cause unknown), with a loss of $5,00.0. After the building of the mill, in 1854, J. E. Wright, Sr., put up a large store building, which is yet standing near the road on the handsome property of his estimable lady. This store was first occupied by a Mr. Forbes, of Portage City. Subse- quently, after having been used several years as a store, it was converted to its present use as a private dwelling. Shortly after the buildnig of the mill and store, blacksmith-shops, wagon- shops, etc.. were started. Of those that were started early, none are left, and, to sum up, the business of the place is now represented solely by the blacksmith and wagon shop of Mr. Habermann. After the burning of the mill, Soreno Wright immediately began building a steamboat, for a good boat with a special home interest at this point was then very much needed. She was ninety feet long, twenty-two feet beam, and eighteen inch draft when loaded, being constructed especially for navigating the Wisconsin. A large part of the machinery was made at the old foundry and machine shop of Mr. Rosche. The boat was launched in July, 1859, and made her trial trip in a satisfactory manner, with about two hundred and fifty on board. She was first called the Wisconsin Pioneer, but the name was subsequently changed to the Sauk City Enter- prise. This boat was for many years one of the principal craft on the river, as well as the repre- sentative boat of this section. The church of the German Evangelical Association is located a short distance south of Saukville. Tin: SAI K BATTLE. At a very early day, in the career of Sauk City, the raftsmen made a practice of tying up here at night when they could, and going up town en masse to rampage and bum, perhaps the whole night through, constituting themselves a law unto themselves, to the terror of the saloon- ists and the law-abiding citizens, ft was but the common turn of affairs for them to run the saloon-keepers out of their places, and to bill defiance to all restraints, and to indulge in the most indecent routs conceivable. This sort of thing could not last always; so, after long suffering, the Germans, who are slow to anger, bul determined when they gel started, turned nut in strung numbers one night, .ami. armed with cudgels, attacked a large gang of raftsmen. The engagement was a hotly- ed and bloodj one, but a worse whipped ami used up ct iwd of rowdies it would In- hard to find : bloody noses, cracked skulls and broken bones was their condition generally. Some of the worst injured ones brought suit against the Germans lor damages, but when it came to be tried, the lawyer who acted for plaintiffs was chased from Lower to Upper Town by the infuriated defendants, ami SO ended this affair as well as any further abuses by the raftsmen. They had had enough. AIK COUNTY. CHAPTER XII. Town \m>\im \>-i oi Lavalle— Town of Washington— Town of "Winfield— Loganvillf. \m> Town oi Westfield- Town oi Dellona— Town oi Freedom and Village <>i North Freedom— Town oi Greenfield— Town and Village of [ronton- Town oi Exi'klsiok AND Vn VG LBLEJIAN— VILLAGE AND TOWN 01 DeLTON— NEWPORT— TOWN "I WOOD- LAND — Town of Fairfield. TOWN AND VII. LACK OF LAVALLE. The town of Lavalle is formed of Township 13 north, Range '■'• east, lying in the north tier of towns of Sauk County, and, were it not for the town of Woodland, which stands by itself on the west, would he the northwest corner town of the county. It is hounded on the north by Juneau County, on the east by the town of Winfield, on the south by Ironton, and on the west by Woodland. The surface of the town is uneven, hut well watered by the Baraboo River and its tributaries. Good wells are easily obtained : springs are abundant. Timber is plenty and of good quality, principally oak. of several varieties. Railroad ties, hardwood timber and staves are made in large quantities. Considerable pine was found here at an early day. hut it is now- very scarce The soil is clay and black ami sandy loam : rock, principally sandstone ; some lime- stone is found, of good quality for building purposes. Adjacent to the streams are found some picturesque masses of perpendicular rock, from fifty to two hundred feet in height, decked out with vines, mosses and shrubs, adding greatly to the beauty of the landscape. Wild fruits com- mon to this latitude are abundant in season. In early days, wild bees were so common that wild honey was obtained with but little trouble. Bee-trees are frequently found at this time by those who know how to trace them. Several good water-powers exist in the town ; one at Lavalle. on the line of the Madison Division of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad, which crosses the town from the southeast to the northwest ; another is found on Section '24, where William Rathbun has a good saw-mill in operation ; and another on Section 1, on Big Creek, where Harvey Gifford lias a fine saw-mill in operation ; still another mill is doing a flourishing business at a switch on the railroad, called Podunk, owned by a Milwaukee man. Large quantities of railroad ties, wood and timber, are bought here. A store, boarding-house and blacksmith-shop are in operation at this point. The first white man to locate in the town was Samuel Karstetter, who built a shanty on Section 28, in L847. Mr. Manelious Pearson, a native of England, came in L 848, and, in .Inly of that year, erected the first substantial house, situated on Section .'14. Mr. Pearson still resides on the farm of his first choice. His daughter Mary Ann, now Mrs. George Inman, horn September 21, 1850, was the first white child horn in the town. Among the very earliest settlers should I in addition to Karstetter and Pearson. George Harrison, who came in L848, Jabez Inman. in 1849, Ansel II. Brownell in 1850, John Tordoff in 1851, Edmund Tordoff in 1851, A. I>. Potter in 1853, W. S. Hubbellin L854, George W. Dickens in 1854, am! John While in 1854. The territory nov embraced in the town of Lavalle was originally in the town of Bai and subsequently in the town of Marston. It became the town of Lavalle in 1861. The first town meeting was held in the village of Lavalle April 1, 1862. ,1. G. Blakeslee was elected Chairman: E. B. Hageman md J. II. Douglass. Supervisors; C. K. Christnot, ('Ink: II. G. Howard, Treasurer; II. A. Sturgess, Assessor; David Beery. II. A. Sturgess and Calvin Gard- ner, Justices. The first school dis rid V, as organized w 1 1 1 1 . ■ the town was a pari of Marston. in 1851. A schoolhouse was commenced that year, situated on the north side of Section 33, near the Iron- ton and Lavalle load. Owing to a lack of harmony among the people, work tva 612 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. it. It was finally completed in February, 1853. This is said to have been the first school in the town of Marston, of which the present town of Lavalle then formed a part. When the school- house was completed, W. S. Hubbell was Clerk, William All, Treasurer, and Samuel Hoskins. Director. The first teacher was William II. Brown. The first religious meetings were held at the house of the Rev. Mr. Hamlin — also a Sab- bath school, with Mr. Hamlin as Superintendent — in the summer of 1851. Mr. Hamlin was a Free-Will Baptist minister. Village. — The early settlers in the vicinity of what is now the village of Lavalle were J. F. Hamlin, Solon Rushmore, A. H. Brownell, Elisha Potter, Ezra Hagaman, Sebastian Kar- stetter and M. A. Matthews. Mr. Hamlin made a claim of the land upon which the village is situated, and commenced the improvement of the water-power in the year 1849. He built a temporary board shanty, in which to live, on the south side of the Baraboo, opposite the point he decided upon as the most feasible one for the construction of a dam and mill. He was soon afterward joined by Solon Rushmore, who took an interesl in the enterprise. The year of 1849 was spent in making a dam and building the frame work of a mill, and, in the spring of 1850, the machinery w^as put in. The mid irons were manufactured in Baraboo by Sanford (.!. F. i & Becktel, who were then carrying on a foundry at the county seat, the former being engaged in the mercantile business also. Mr. Sanford settled in Baraboo in 1848, and owned the first stock of goods ever taken to Reedsburg for general sale. The saw-mill was put into operation in the summer of 1850, the first lumber turned out being used, it is believed, in the framewwk of a more substantial dwelling for Mr. Hamlin. It is still standing as a part of the residence of Mr. Hunneberg. In 1864, the mill property passed to the hands of .1. F. Sanford. who removed to Lavalle and took immediate charge of it. A flour-barrel factory was soon established in connection witli the saw-mill. Both institutions were carried on successfully for a few years. The manu- facture of broom-handles also became a part of the enterprise. In 1869, Mr. Sanford turned Ins attention to the building of a grist-mill, to lie propelled by the same water-power employed in running the saw-mill, barrel factory, etc. A large three-story building was erected just below the dam, and, the necessary machinery being procured, the citizens of Lavalle were soon enabled to use home-made flour. The grist-mill is now the property of Lyman Beery and Theo- dore Yager. It has three run of stones, which are employed principally on custom work. In 187 4, the old machinery in the saw-mill was taken out and the establishment fitted up for the manufacture of staves, by Stafford & Co., of Reedsburg, who had rented the building and a certain portion of the water-power for a term of three years. In 1876, Messrs. Keith \ Pad- dock, who also own and conduct the Reedsburg stave-mill, obtained control of the concern. In the fall of the same year, a building was erected a short distance above the dam. In it were placed a steam boiler and engine and other necessary machinery for the manufacture of staves. Work was commenced and carried on until the L5th of June, L878, when the establishment was destroyed by fire, at an estimated loss of $1,200. Immediate preparations were made for occu- pying the old saw-mill building, and, in due course of time the buzz of busy saws again echoed in the cpiiet precincts of Lavalle. The capacity of this mill is about 500 staves an hour. In L879, the combined product of Messrs. Keith & Paddock's Lavalle and Reedsburg Mills was 1,500,000 staves. A. E. Miller is Superintendent of both establishments. The surrounding country, being heavily wooded with oak and basswood, furnishes an inexhaustible supply of profitable employment to large numbers of industrious citizei^. The man- ufacturers find a ready market for their work in the leading cities of the West, the major part of it being shipped to Chicago, where.it is made into pork and Hour barrels. In 1*74. the Northwestern Hoop-Pole Company, of Chicago, put up a steam mill in the eastern part of Lavalle, in which machinery for the manufacture of hoop-poles and dressing of staves was placed. The business has been conducted with varied success up to the present time. In 1878, F. Itickeii set up a carding machine in the upper part of the stave-mill, where he does local carding on a small scale. HISTOID OF SACK COUNTY. 013 So much for the manufacturing interests of Lavalle. The early growth of the place was necessarily slow, situated as it was in a dense wilderness, scarcely accessible to ordinary road wagons. But the pioneer's first pathway is always rough, and he is thankful if he can but dis- cern the outlines of even an Indian trail. New-comers gradually found their way inti hills and valleys, which weresoon settled upon and cultivated. A school was established in the tall of 1855. It was held in a little shanty just north of the present residence of I! was selected to supplant Mr. Barney, but he lived only a few months, and upon his death J. F. Sanford, one of Mr. Cobb's sureties, was appointed. Mr. Sanford held it ten years, and resigned in favor of William 11. Croft, who. in the spring of L876, withdrew in favor Mr. B. G. Paddock, more commonly known as " Ben," who is the present incumbent. While the people of Lavalle are all law-abiding Christians, their religious enthusiasm has never led them to erect extravagant temples. Methodist meetings were held in the place as early as 1 856, soon after the construed f the " shanty schoolhouse." Stated services have been of frequent occurrence since. The Adventists, existing in very limited numbers until recently, have also held meetings. Sanford's Hall. Field's Hall and Odd Fellows' Hall have been used by both denominations. In 1*7 S . the Adventists built a neat church edifice. Among the sub- scriber- to the fund were Elder Groat, of Ironton ; J. Abbott Douglass, Robert White, W. 11. Field. B. ('. Douglass and J. 'N. Nye. Elders Graves and Hitchcock have supplied the pulpit. In December. l s 75. a lodge of Odd Fellows — Lavalle Lodge, No. 244 — was chartered, with II. A. Sturges, H. P. Apker, Wenz Mihlbauer, Asa Gale, R. W. Clarke and Frank P. Sanford as charter members. The P. G.'s in the lodge tire Messrs. Sanford, Apker', Muhlbauer, Sturges, dale. A. Found. F. Myer and B. Douglass. There are about thirty members. The temperance cause has received considerable encouragement in Lavalle. Probably the most effective organization of this character in its history was accomplished in August, 1879, when a Good Templar's Lodge was instituted. The charter members were Mary. Fannie and Parker Apker, W. Bierd, A. Clement. II. W. Douglass. J. A. Douglass, Henry Eger, Alice Graham, Annie Head, Seth Kingsley, W. Marden, II. Paddock, Dell Sanborn. Charles Sander-;. Milo Seeley, Mrs. A. Pound and Robert Wilkie. II. W. Douglass was the first W. C. T. : the present is Herbert Paddock. The lodge is in g 1 working condition. Before the railroad reached Lavalle the traveling public were accommodated by C. Ilenne- berg. Upon the completion of the railroad in 1872, J. F. Sanford enlarged his residence, ate; converted it into a hotel. W. X. Carver is the present lessee of the Sanford House. The town of Lavalle was formerly a. part of the town of Marston, in which was also included the territory of what is now the towns of Woodland, Washington and Ironton. The two former were set off as separate towns, leaving what are now Ironton and Lavalle, the town of Marston. A petition was -cut to the Hoard of Supervisors, praying for a change in mime from Marston to Lavalle, but the prayer was not granted. The inhabitants of the smith end of the town then 614 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. petitioned to be set off as a separate town. To this, the citizens of the north end, for some reason best known to themselves, demurred, but the Ironton people succeeded in carrying through the project, and the town of Ironton was the result. This naturally left the records of all the territory in question in possession of the town of Marston (now Lavalle), and it was con- sidered a pretty good joke when the town of Ironton found itself compelled to make a tran- script of them at its own expense. Marston soon after became, as it is now, the town of Lavalle, and every one was happy. The village of Lavalle now contains three general stores, one hardware, one drug, and one hardware and grocery store ; one hotel, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one livery-stable, one shoe-shop, millinery store, one saloon, one stave-mill, one hoop-pole factory, one grist- mill, one carding-mill, one graded school, one church, one Odd Fellows' Lodge, one Good Tem- plars' Lodge, and has one doctor. TOWN OF WASHINGTON. This town is situated in the western tier of towns in Sauk County, and twelve miles south of the north line of the county. The territory included within the limits of the town was origin- ally a part of the town of Eagle, subsequently was organized as the town of Marston, in con- nection with the townships now known as [ronton and Lavalle, and, on the 1st of April, 1856, the town of Washington was organized. The town boundaries included the present territory. Town 11 north, Range 8 east, together with the two tiers of sections lying directly on the north, being a part of Town 12 north, Range 3 east, making the town eight miles north and south, and six miles east and west, in extent. The first election was held in the schoolhotise. on Section 15, April 1, 1856. The inspectors of election were II. W. Reeve and Nelson Wheeler. The whole number of votes cast was seventy-five. The officers elected were D. II. Roland. Chairman; Arva Frost, Joshua Holmes. Supervisors; E. S. Drake. Clerk; H. W. Reeve, Superintendent of Schools : G. W.Gray, Treasurer : Ira Jones, Assessor : Nelson Wheeler, Thomas J. Gray, Justices of the Peace: 4. in the schoolhouse on Section 2; Rev. Mr. Hall officiating. Rumors of meetings held in private houses, prior to this date, may have some foundation, but nothing positive is known. The first deatli of a white person is believed to have been that of a young boy named Willie Beman, which occurred in the fall of 1853. A daughter of Mr. Aden Tucker died in August, 1854, and a daughter of Samuel Welch September 11, L854. The early marriages were Isaac Frost, to Mary Wheeler, in the spring of 1S55; L. Acker- man, to Jane Wheeler. The first white child born in the town was of the family of Washington and Frances Gray, born in 1852. In the spring of 1865, indications of carbon oil were found on the surface of a spring, on the farm of J. C. Piper, Section 36, Washington. Two companies were at once organized, with a view of developing the oil business in this town. Each of them leased about a thousand acres of land in the vicinity of the discovery. One was composed mostly of parties from Sauk City ; the other from citizens of the town and other parts of the county. The Sauk City Oil Com- pany procured an engine and boiler and drilling apparatus; an expert was employed, and the drilling commenced. Excitement ran high. Fabulous prices were asked for land in the vicinity. Parties by the name of Long & Perkins" built a hotel near the proposed well. The drilling progressed to the depth of 138 feet, when the drill was lost. Shortly after- ward the work was abandoned. The excitement abated, and the citizens of Washington awoke from their dreams of sudden prosperity to the fact that they were only an agricultural people. < )n a Saturday evening, shortly after the New Ulm massacre of Minnesota, when the people living on the frontier were excusably nervous on the subject of Indians, a Mrs. Stambaugh, living a mile and a half northwest of Sandusky, seeing, as she supposed, a party of Indians pass through the w is near her place, took her little ones and tied to Mr. Hart's, one of her nearest neighbors, and sought protection. On hearing her story, the news soon spread, and, by common consent, the neighboring settlers gathered with their wives and children at the Hart place, taking with them only such weapons and household goods as they could conveniently carry. Here they made a stand, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Fort Hart was soon in order to resist an attack. Windows and doors were barricaded; weapons, from a rifle to a pitchfork, put in order. A young man living further south, and who happened to be at Hart's, mounted his horse and made a bold push for home. On the way, he spread the alarm without stopping to enter into particulars. As he passed Mr. Reeve's place, on a dead run, he made out to shout, " Oh, Harvey, tin 1 Indian*