Buffalo County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1888 (part 10 of 13)

Literary Societies

existed at different times and places, some merely for social intercourse and as a means of acquiring fluency in expressing thoughts and opinions, others with a view to permanency and to furnishing materials for instruction. AH these societies labored under the mistake that a "Budget" was a necessary appendage to each of them, and that the said "Budget',' could be kept free from gossip and annoying small talk.. The people of the present time, especially young people, see, and have seen, all their lives, a newspaper in every nook of the country, and as everybody is more competent than any editor to get up a paper, a paper, yclept "Budget," is gotten up, and edited in turn by every member. The Budget soon manages to stir up a rumpus, and society and literary effort collapse together. We had such a society here in Alma, for some time quite a creditable affair, and of laudable intentions. After it had met its fate, the books accumulated in its libraiy were de- .posited in the library of the school district, where, I hope, they will be properly taken care of and used to advantage. A similar society was lately in operation at Fountain City. It was founded in 1879, Miss Cora Cla,rk, president. From a program before m» it appears that the customary exercises were practiced, including singing, reading, declamation, news of the week and debates. It Continued for five or six years.

The professional lecturer has; as previously stated, not met with any marked success among us, whether he spoke in English or in German. One kind of lectures, however, has found attentive listeners among the class for whom it was intended. This is the Agricultural Institutes, which perhaps should have been mentioned under the head of "Agriculture" but may also find its place here. These institutes are always kept in Mondovi, and as I am not now a farmer and living about twenty -five miles from the place named, I may be excused from saying much about the matter.

Having always maintained, that, as the teacher, so is the school, I am naturally interested in everything calculated to improve the intellectual standard of the teachers. The last important movement in that direction was the " Reading Circle." Its main intention was to furnish to teachers suitable books at reduced prices, and to induce them to assemble at convenient places and times to discuss the matters contained in these books. It was in the fall of 1886 when operations were first begun in this county and some progress was made during that winter, which was continued during the winter of 1886 and 87. The severity of the two winters, the particular configuration of our county, and, it must be said, though it may be disagreeable) the indolence of many teachers, especially those who were most in need of the proposed improvement, prevented the success to which the scheme seems to be fairely entitled.

With some of our teachers there is little or no danger that it wiil ever be said of them, as of Horace Greely : " He is a self-made man and admires his creator," although I wish that every one of them were entitled to the vanity implied in the quotation. For, say whatever you may, every educated person is to a certain extent or degree " self-made" in mentality, and to that degree he or she is useful or at least original.

The reader, however, will excuse, if he should notice, this personal tone or color, if he remembers that I was educated for a schoolmaster, and that for so many years I have stood at the head of educational affairs in this county. I do not care much for politics, being therein of a most uncomfortable independence, but on education, public, private or otherwise, I am very earnest and decided, without wishing to impose upon others.

With the above I meant to close the chapter, on Education, but I found that something important had been overlooked, that is the "Educational Column " in the Alma Express, afterwards and now the Buffalo County Journal. More or less regular communications appeared in that paper soon after Mr. J. C. Rathbun had entered into the office of County Superintendent. By this I do not mean official reports, which as a matter of course had been published before as occasiron required, but articles on educational subjects suggested by official experience or otherwise, but not actually of an official nature- On my return to the office in 1882 I continued the practice, at the same time extending it by translating the articles into German and publishing them in the " Republikaner." These articles had a tendency to keep the people posted on educational matters, to rouse dormant energies in both teachers and people, and to keep interest in schools and schoolmatters alive. Mr. Schmidt also continues the practice.

Press

I shall accord every one of these papers a separate article, and will in these introductory remarks only speak of the relation of the press in general to our population.

It is usually conceded, that, other things heing equal, the number of newspapers in a country is directly- proportional to the number of those who are able to read, hence inversely proportional to the number of illiterates. There are some apparent exceptions to that rule. They are not real, since other conditions are different. I have seen it stated, and I believe it to be approximately correct, that in Gerfliany there is but one newspaper to every six thousand inhabitants, while there is one to every five thousand in Prance. But Prance at piresent is a republic, while Germany is a monarchy, or a combination cf monarchies under a central government. This is one reason why more papers are issued, proportionally, in Prance^ Another reason is the different character of these two nations; the Germans being rather slow, solid and conservative, while the French are rather quick, superficial and revolutionary, and have from time immemorial been remarkable for loquacity and gossiping. Of course, the newspaper is not the only standard by which the intelligence of a nation is to be judged, and even if it were the question would still be perminent: In which of the two countries are proportionally the most readers of papers ? It must be remembered that in France there are many active political parties, each ha,ving its organs, and each party-fraction having the same, while in Germany there are but two great parties, and the papers of the opposition and its fractions are considerably bridled.

But, to come back to our own county, we have a population of 16,483 and so there would be one paper for every 5,494 persons. This would not be a very bad proportion under any circumstances, but it neither indicates the proportion of educated and illiterate persons, nor the general culture and intelligence of our population. Local papers like ours, though useful, and even necessary can not compete with papers published in large cities and cannot furnish all the news and other information desirable to so many different persons.

The proportion of actual illiterates is very small among us, and as we are in a free country, and parties, and fractions of such are not wanting, but rather as abundant as other weeds, it can readily be understood that the three county papers are by no means all the papers subscribed for and read among us. But in relation to these latter I think that the German population does comparatively more for them, taken together, than the other parts, since many Germans do not only keep the paper printed in their native language, but also one or both of those printed in English. They are in a measure compelled to do so, while Americans and others, who can not read German, are naturally excused from supporting papers printed in that language.

The "Beacon" must have been established at Fountain City in 1856. Citizens of Fountain City assure me that they had a paper in their place before there was one at Winona. The oldest copy of the "Beacon" which I had access to, is in possession of Mr. John Clarke of Fountain City, and dated March 20, 1858. It was Republican in politics. Among advertisements I noted, those of R. W. Feigel and Schuster & Bro., Merchants, A Finkelnburg, Surveyor and Court Commissioner, Robert Strohmann County Surveyor, Marvin Pierce Attorney and Counsellor at Law; of taverns and hotels: Fountain City House by H. M. Hamann, Wisconsin House by Ehler Schumacher, Washington House by J. P. Behlmer, all at Fountain City; Alma House by W. H.'Gates at Alma. Buehler & Clark advertised the Fountain City flour mill, etc The number also contains the list of the Grand and Petit Jury.

In consideration of the Tax-List, then, and for many j-ears afterwards, a lucrative job, which was worth contending for, the Fountain City "Advocate" was started in 1857, but it did not live to geta chance at the tax-list, which in 1858 had to be published in the "Trempealeau Times." Its successor was the " Buffalo County 4rf- «ertiser " published by Marvin Pierce an C , Bohii, jr. It lived from 1860 - 61. The Beacon having expired in 1858 and the press and material been removed to Bau Claire, Fountain City was: for several years without a newspaper. For those who may think there is something in a name, I will give a synopsis of the consecutive proprietors and editors of the above named papers, although none of them with the exception of Mr. Bohri is at present alive or known to the younger generation.

Fountain City Beacon

buffalo county advertiser. From 1860 to 1861. Proprietors: Marvin Pierce and C. Bohri, jr. The " Advocate " was the successor of the " Beacon," and the was required in order to obviate the publication of the tax-list in an adjoining county. After having accomplished thisspecial purpose it expired. The county -seat having been removed from Fountain City to Alma, (see Organization) the latter place offered the better chance for a newspaper enterprise. This brings us down, to the papers yet in existence. But before entering uport their separate history I must mention a venerable relic, not of the press of this county, but still preserved within it. This is a number of the Ulster County, N, Y., Gazette, published January 4th, 1800. It contains an account, at considerable length, of the death and burial of President Washington. Also some correspondence between Congress and President John Adams. Besides these items it contains a description of the battle of Zurich, in which an army of Russians under Gen. Korsakoff combined with another army of Austrians under Gen. Hotze, was defeated by the French under Gen. Massena, and some rumors about actions between the French and Dutch in the Netherlands. Mr. Clarke has this paper pasted on glass, so as to offer a go d chance for reading both sides of the sheet, in a substantial frame.

It was established at Alma in April 186,1 by Jas. M. Brackett and one Rockwell, as a six colunjn folio under the name of "Alma Journal." It existed since under the following proprietors:

The next proprietor, Geo. W. Gilkey found it advisable to change the name again, and the paper became the " Alma Weekly Express." It passed into the hands of

In 1879, when Mr. DeGroff enlarged the paper to an eight column folio, he also changed the name to " Buffalo County Journal." According to his own statement he has been " wedded and devotedly attached " to the paper, ever eince he became sole proprietor of it, which we do not doubt, although at times he manifests some uneasiness, and has occasionally run away from it, to Madison and other places, the last time as the Senator from -this district.

Whether or not the paper would have a case against the editor and proprietor for a divorce on account of " wilful desertion," we are not lawyer enough to decide, but we know that it still adheres to him, as it always did, and still does, to the Republican party and its principles. Although Mr. DeGroff is not a practical printer himself, he has a very efifective job printing office, both in English and in German, though not as complete in the latter as in the former; yet, with the assistance of some of his German friends he would get along swimmingly by simply asking for advice. It is not, of course, to be expected that one man should do everything, but what he does, ought to be done creditably, and I believe that applies to our friend John as his accomplishment. His shadow did not grow less for a number of years, and we hope it will never, until he enters that blissful realm, where there is too much light to admit of shadows.

With this I intended to dismiss my friend DeGroff and his paper from the pages of this book, but as both have some excellent qualities I found that I should say something more. The "Journal" has in course of time, and espeoially under Mr. De Groff's editorship considerably improved, and is a very readable and interesting paper, especially as a chronicle of passing events of the neighborhood. Liberal space has been granted for the last nine years to an "Educational Column" edited by the different county superintendents who he'ld office during that period. Other interesting correspondences have also from time to time found a place in it. It is, also, the official paper of Buflalo County and deserves to be patronized, by subscription as well as by advertisements.

About two years after the incorporation of the City of Buffalo in this county ,'during the contest between said city and the village, then still a part of the town of Alma, for the county-seat, a German newspaper was considered to be a necessity and Mr. Christian Lohmann was induced to come to the place and to undertake the publication of said paper. Mr." Lohmann was a practical printer and had had various experiences in the way of editin papers. The outfit, I think, originally belonged to him, and subsidies were furnished to induce him to come. The first number of the paper was issued on the 15th day of March, 1861, It was then, as now called the "Buffalo Gounty Republikaner" not so much because the editor was Republican in politics or sentiment, but because the leading people of the place were so. The start of the paper, too, fell into that period, when the "irrepressible confiigt" had begun to assume the shape and dimension of serious war. This would have given an ambitious man of honest Republican sentiments a fine chance for making the j^aper interesting and successful. But there was no ambition about Mr. Lohmann, and I do not remeipber that he had any decided opinions in regard to politics, although I was daily in his office during the months of May and June. About the beginning of the next month the financial basis of Mr. Lohmann's establishment had disappeared and he departed, leaving the press and other materials in possession of the corporation. About that time I took a notion to become the editor and proprietor of the abandoned paper, but failing to secure the desired partner, desisted from the attempt. Some time afterwards, about the 1st of October, 1S61, Mr. G. G. Oppliger, a practical printer, and until then employed at the Nordstern of La Crosse, purchased the concern, at a bargain, but conditioned for remaining in Buffalo City for about three years. Mr. Oppliger possessed the necessaay energy, experience and ambition to make the enterprise a success. He had by his former residence in this county acquired sufficient local discrimination to begin with. He issued the paper at Buffalo City until May 28th, 1864, when for better facilities of communication and otherwise, he transferred it to Fountain City, where it is still in existence. Mr. Oppliger sold the Republikaner to Major John F. Hauser on the first day of April, 1869. Major Hauser sold to Joseph Leicht Nov. 4th, 1871. Up to that period the politics of the paper had remained Republican and agreed with the title. Mr. Leicht, not having passed through the struggle of the Civil War, listened to the seductive voice of those, who would have annihilated the memory of that struggle, and paralyzed its results, if they had been able to do so, and the paper become by degrees democratic, partly perhaps, in deference to the sentiment of a majority of the citizens <jf Fountain City. Like Mr. Oppliger, in his time, Mr. Leicht had to work very hard, and, like Oppliger, must be credited with the laudable ambition of making the paper a success in every respect, which he accomplished to a remarkable degree. After having had the property and management of the paper for over ten years, and having put in a power press, he conceived the idea of entei'ing a larger field of labor, and began the issue of the "Westlicher Herold" at Winona, Minn. The "Republikaner" he sold to Frederick Hepp and John L. Utermoehl, of whom the latter became the editor and manager of the paper, in which position he remained until a short time,ago. After his retirement from it Mr. Hepp associated himself with Mr. Jacob Meili, who now acts as editor and manager. There being a great many Germany especially in the lower part of the county, some of whom have never had time or opportunity to acquire a sufficient knowledge of the English language to render the reading of newspapers in it an easy matter, it was quite natural that the Republikaner should acquire a considerable circulation, and it must be admitted that under the different managements it has always been conducted with considerate moderation, has always done as well as could be expected under the circumstances with regard to general news, and has been a faithful chronicle of psssing events in the county without descending to gossip and unwarranted reflections. It may not be said to be absolutely perfect, but it deserves the patronage it holds and receives. In connection with this German paper we can not omit to mention, that it received in course of time the emoluments connected with the county printings and that the tax-lists are also published in it, and were, for a number of years past. There were now and then some objections raised to this official support to a paper not printed in English, but the general good sense of the community finally acquiesced in the practice, conceding the fact that citizens and tax-payers should not be deprived of official intelligence merely because their opportunities for acquiring as sufficient knowledge of the so-called official language of the country had not been very extensive.

Personally' I have always been on good terms with the editors of this paper, and have written for it every New Years Greeting or Carrier's Address since its existence, with the exception of one, and have assisted as the intermistic editor of it on several occasions. I have, also, edited the Educational Column of it during my last two terms of office as County Superintendent.

any place of the size of Fountain City, and is equally well 'provided for printing in the English as well as the German Language. Auction Sales are often published in both of these languages on the same page. !

This paper is published at Mondovi, It was founded by the present publisher, Mr. Walter L. Houser, in 1876, the first issue appearing February 4th. It has since changed proprietors, having been conducted by Geo. E. Gilkey, W. H. and C. E. Edes and John C. Rathbun respectively. Publication was suspended, though only for one week, in 1879 when Messrs. Edes sold the material to Hon. J. W. De Grofif, and took one of the imposing stones and wrote an epitaph upon it: '' Died for want of support." It was resurrected, by Mr. Geo. E. Gilkey, who bought an entire new outfit. Since that time the paper has been prosperous. It is Republican in politics, devoted to the cause of temperance, and the interests of Buffalo County.

The above is a copy, almost "verbatim et literatim " of the sketch written by Mr. Houser, the founder and present proprietor of the paper. It remains to be added that the office is also piepared to do job work in a satisfactory manner. The Herald is a four page seven column paper, and is said to have gained much in circulation since Mr. Houser resumed the editorship.

Other Papers

Although these are all the papers published, they are by no means all the papers read in the county, and if is not a part of the history of the press, it is certainly a part of the general history of the county, to say something about the most prominent papers imported from other places.

As a matter of course the papers published in adjoining counties are taken in the neighborhood of their places of publication. _ such papers are the Pepin County Courier of Durand, the Herald of Wabasha, the Eau Claire Free Press, Eau Claire News, the Independence News, and the Arcadia Leader, the Winona papers Republican, Westlicher Herold and Adler.

Those papers which are published at a farther distance, but circulate here in noticeable numbers, we might for oonspicuity divide into three classes, according to the language in which they are printed.

English Papers

Pioneer-Press and Globe of St. Paul; Republican-Leader and Chronicle of La Crosse; Tribune, World and perhaps Puck of New York; Tribune, News etc. of Chicago.

German Papers

Nordstern of La Crosse; Herold and Germania of Milwaukee; Illinois Staats-Zeitung of Chicago; Staats-Zeitung of New York; Christliche Botschafter of Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati Volksblat; Volkszeitung and Freie Presse, St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Norwegian Papers

. In this sketch no notice could be taken of papers devoted to. special purposes. With the exception of one, the papers name(J are newspapers in the general acceptation of the word. Some papers, and especially periodicals from other countries, the most, from Germany, are also taken, but space does not allow of their enumeration.

Papers in other than the languages named may also be kept, but with the exception of "Slavie," published at Racine by Chas. Jonas, I do not remember to have seen any. The "Slavie''" is published in Bohemian. There is now a paper published at Winona in the Polish language and probably circlulates in some, especially the lower eastern parts of the county.

Religion, 461

Civilized people have religion and means of manifesting the same. For the latter purpose those of about the same opinions or doctrines unite and form congregations or churches, which according to their means erect houses of worship, also called churches,, temples, synagogues, and so forth, according to the usage of their predecessors. The historian can but note the existence of the different congregations and of their arrangements for regular-religious services, for the instruction of children and others in the respective tenets of the church and in morals and manners according to these, besides which, or included in which, their beginning and growth may be properly mentioned. With doctrinal or disciplinary differences between the different churches, or their origin, he has nothing to do. In this aversion to the discussion of the above named points the author is confirmed by the habits of most people in this county with regard to said objects. There is a general disinclination among the people to meddle with things that may conoern others, but do not interest themselves. This, of course, does not exclude an interest in the doctrines of one's own church or creed and in the prosperity of the same, it only means that each person should be held responsible to his own conscience with regard to religious matters.

The Christian churches of this county may be divided into two main classes, Catholic and Protestant. The Catholic church is a unit in doctrine as well as in name. Not so the Protestant church, which appears even in our limited territory in several denominations.

Roman Catholic Conqregations Ok Churches

1. Congregation of the Immaculate Conception at Fountaip, City. It was formed in 1856 and built its church edifice in 1858. This is the oldest congregation of any denomination in this county, existing now over thirty years and maintaining divine service for about'twenty-nine uninterruptedly. At present it consists of about 100 families. Regular services Sunday and Feast-day except second Sunday in each month. With the Church is connected a Catholic school with a full common school course of study, and a boarding institute, attached thereto. The following Reverend gentlemen have been in charge of this congregation or church: Reverends: Tappert, Schraudenbach, Self, Kleiber, Joerger, Rasch, Spitzlberger, Schmidt, Koke, Moder, Geyer, Pfaller, Loserez, Stroehle, Uiker, Schaller, Klein and at present Rev. W. A. Hackner to whom I am indebted for the inforniation above put down.

The congregation was formed and the church built ip, 1868 under the pastorate of Rev. Lawrence Spitzlbergqr. About 45 families belong to it, and it has been, and is yet under the charge of the resident priest at Fountain City, who holds regular services at Alma every second Sunday of each month. The Reverend gentlemen in charge of this church are above enumerated, beginning with Rev. Spitzlberger.

This, like the next preceding, is a dependence to the church at Fountain City, as far as religious services are concerned. These are regular once a month on a week day. The congregation numbers about 20 families. It was originally formed in 1868 and built its church the same year, under the pastorate of Rev. Spitzlberger, from whom beginning the Reverend gentlemen in charge are named above.

Having been a resident of Buffalo City from Spring 1859 I can. testify that mass was celebrated and probably a sermon or short exhortation preached long before the congregation was formed and the church built. This was usually performed in the house of Henry Erding, who is now a resident of Wabasha County, Minn.

Religion

by the priest residing at Fountain City. A chapel had been built some little distance above the present one, but was probably removed down to near the place of the latter in 1867, the time of Rev. Lawrence Spitzlberger's pastorate, and of the building of the manse or parsonage house attached to the church. - Considering that Rev. Spitzlberger during his pastorate 1867 to 1869 also built the churches at Alma and Buffalo City in 1868, and was at one time pastor of the Fountain City church, it is not quite clear, whether he was the first resident priest in charge of this church, or it was simply a "filiale" to that of Fountain City. But after removal the old church was enlarged by being made longer, and in 1877 under the pastorate of Rev. L. Lay, a new, and for the situation splendid, church of brick was erected. Services are regularly held three times a month, the fourth Sunday being appointed for service at the church in Montana. There is a parochial school attached to the church, and accommodations for boarding some of the pupils are also provided. The number of families belonging to the congregation has not been reported to me. The following Reverend gentlemen were in charge of th;s church and congregation: Rev. L. Spitzlberger, 1867 - 1869; S. Self for two months in 1869; L. Lay, 1869 - 1878; Theodore Beau, 1878 - 1880; Ig. Schaller, 1880 - 1881; L." Lay, 1881 - 1883; SqJ). Rohr, 1883 - 1887; Rev. J. M. Uiker being the present incumbent. 5. St. Peter^s Church in Montana.

The church is situated on the ridge between the valley of the Waumandee and that of the Trempealeau, in Sect. 11 of Township 22 Range 10. The people from these parts used to attend church at the Waumandee, but the distance, 10 - 12 miles was too great, and in 1874 they formed a congregation of their own, building a nice brick church in 1878. Church and congregation are attended from Waumandee, regular service being held once a month.

For the information regarding the churches in Waumandee and Montana I am indebted to Rev. J. M. Uiker of Waumandee. 6. St. Joseph's Congregation in Glencoe.

This congregation was formed 30 years ago and a church, if I am not mistaken, built somewhere near the Trempealeau River about 2 - 3 miles from the present one, which is situated on a nice level space between the residences of Henry Wuertemberger and Geo. Cowie, and was built about 20 years ago. Service is held every alternate Sunday, and sermons preached in English and in Gerna:an, a custom also practiced in Waumandee. The congregaiio:ia "Consists of 65 families.

The church was at different times attended from Waumandee, as appears by the names of Ileverends Spitzlberger and Lay, but was mostly independent or attached to the church in Arcadia. Hev. A. Mendel, P. Schmid, Flamang, Jos. Baur, B. Klein, were in charge, the present incumbent being Rev. Wekes, to whom I am indebted for the above information.

All these churches are situated in the lower part of the county. In the upper part is but one church of this denomination, 7. St. Patricks Church in Canton.

This church is situated in Section 12, Township 24, Range 12, about 6 miles west of Mondovi and 12 - 13 miles east of Durand. It is in charge of the priest residing in the latter place. The congregation was formed in 1867, the church built in 1868, and regular services were held from 1869 till now, but I can not state how often. The church is situated on a hill and can be seen from a considerable distance on the east and north side. Reverends J. B. Smedinck, John Meurs, Father Fagan, Froehlich , Wirz, Keller, Mendel and B'lamang have been in charge. At present and during six years past Rev. Jos. M. Baur is, and was, pastor. To him I am indebted for the above information.

It would be wrong to omit the expression of my obligation to the Reverend gentlemen named in the above sketches for the prompt and explicit answers I received from them to the circulars forwarded to each.

Protestant Congregations Or Churches Lutheran Congregations

Of these the Norwegian churches are the strictest, the most numerous, and closely connected by a Synodal Union with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

The members of this congregation live mostly in Little Bear Creek Valley and in the valleys of tributaries to that Creek, in the towns of Nelson, Maxville and Modena. Some of the members from Modena live in the central and southern part of the town east of the hills separating Brown's and Jensen's creeks from Bear Creek. The congregation was formed in 1866 and the church built about the same time or soon after. The church is situated at the southwest corner of Section 12, Township 23, Range 13, in the Town of Nelson, close to the line of Modena. Its first pastor was Rev. K. Thorstensen, from the beginning until Sept. 7, 1873, since which time Rev. P. A. Moeller is in charge. The congregation has very much increased in the course of time and in 1885 numbered about 120 families, or about 650 persons, of whom 341 were confirmed members and hence communicants. In 1885 the congregation was divided into two congregations, the one in charge of Rev. F. A. Moeller, being in Synodal Union with the Norwegian Ev. Lutheran Church of America, and building a new church this year. (1887.) Of the other I have no report. Regular services were at first held every fourth week but now are held every third week.

This congregation was formed in 1867, and came under the ministry of Rev. K. Thorstensen until 1871, then under that of Rev. L. Sherwen till 1873, and from that time until now is in charge of Rev. F. A. Moeller. Its regular services are every third or fourth week, and its church stands near the center of Section 20 Township 24 Range 1], near the Thompson Valley fechoolhouse in the Town of Mondovi. It numbers 73 confirmed members.

3. Bennett Valley 'Norwegian Ev. Lutheran Congregation. This congregation was organized May 23d, 1867. Its church stands in Elk Creek Valley on Section 22 Township 23 Range 10 in the Town of Dover. In the beginning it had no regular service and but little of any kind since there were at that time too few Norwegian ministers of the genuine Lutheran creed, and the congregation was poor. In 1867 Rev. K. Thorstensen of Dunn Co., Wis., held some services; in 1868 - 69 Rev. O. Valdeland of Trempealeau Co., until 1870; Reverends Jensen and S. Swennungsen also of Trempealeau Co. in 1871, and after that Rev. L. Sherwen of the same county regularly once a month. In 1873 this congregation united into one parish with the Lyster and Thompson Valley congregations with Rev. F. A. Moeller as minister, and since that time enjoys regular services every third week. A church was built in 1879, quite a pretentious affair for its situation, but subsequently the tower of it was blown down by a storm.

This small congregation was organized in 1877, Dec. 15. Rev. F. A. Moeller has been ever since, and is now, the pastor of it, and it belongs to the Synodal Communion of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. It consists of 14 families only. In regard to schools connected with these congregations the reader may satisfy his curiosity in the chapter on Education. There is a Norwegian church situated in Sect. 24 of Township 24 Range 10, close to the line of Trempealeau county, belonging probably to a congregation of which many inhabitants of the eastern parts of the Town of Naples may be members. This church, a large edifice, is not put down in the Atlas of Buffalo County, and may have been built since its publication. I saw it in 1882 when hunting up a schoolhouse in the same section. The pastor whose name I do not know, resided right across the line in Trempealeau County.

For the information regarding the four Norwegian congregation in this county and the religious schools connected with them I am indebted to Rev. F. A. Moeller of the Lyster Norwegian church. 5. German Ev. Lutheran St. Michael's Congregation oj Fountain City.

It was formed in 1860 and built its church in 1862. The members reside in and about Fountain City. There is regular service every Sunday, a sermon in the forenoon, religious instructions in the afternoon. There is a Sunday and a parochial school connected with the church for the instruction of confirmands. The pastors of this congregation were Rev. Ernst Strube 1860 - 1874; John Hacker 1874 - 1881; P. B. Nommensen 1881 - 1887. From and after October 9th, 1887 the Rev, Augustus F. Nicolaus will be in charge of it,

This congregation was formed in 1858, its church was built in 1860, at that time on Southwest corner of the Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 6 of Township 20, Range 12 adjoining Herman Street of the City of Buffalo. On account of some disagreement with the grantor of the property Mr. J. J. Mueller, the church building was removed to a lot in the city.

Rev. J. Koehler 1873 to 1876, Rev. B. P. Nommensen 1876 - 1883, Rev. J. Frennd since 1883. He is the present pastor, and to him I am indebted .for the information given about this church and the orie next in number.

The time of organizing this congregation is unknown to me, but the church was built in 1878. It stands on the east side of the road going up the valley of the little Waumandee, on the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 7, Township 21 Range 11. The first pastor was Rev. P. B. Nommensen and its present is Rev. J. Freund, residing at Buffalo City.

Of this congregation and its church if it possesses one, I know nothing, but Rev. J. Freund named it as one of the charges connected with the pastorate of Buffalo City.

This congregation exists now for a long time, as I remember having heard of it perhaps twenty years ago. Its church stands in Sect. 36 Township 21 Range 10, about half a mile east of the Catholic church. I have never yet learned of the name of any pastor in charge of this congaegation, and this must excuse my neglect to make inquiries of the present one.

The congregation for this church was formed in 1859 under the leadership of Christian Lehmann, gun-smith. They finally felt strong enough in 1871 to build a church, which is situated in the lower part of the city. During 1886 the congregation built a new and handsome tower to the church and furnished it with a bell. The services in this church were not always regular, since there were not always resident pastors. A Sunday-school is connected with it. At present and for some time past regular services were held twice a month. The resident pastors were: Reverends Kenter,- Huecker, Ziegler and Fuehrer; Reverends Haeusser and R. Fricke were non-residents, and Rev. Albert Maerz officiated at intermittent times during his stay in Waumandee.

tiers of this county. It was formed in 1887 and built its church in the same year, the dedication being performed in the last Sunday in August 1887. It has regular services on alternate Sundays. Rev. Richard Fricke vras the first pastor.

3. Evangelical Congregation in the Beef River Valley. This congregation, of which Rev. John Leonhardy, sen., was for many years pastor de facto, consists of residents of the valleys of Beef River and its tributary creeks within the town of Alma. Its ancient place of meeting was in the schoolhouse of School Dist. No. 3 of the town of Alma. But in 1886 they determined to build a church, for which purpose they purchased land in Section 17, Township 22, Range 12, of Mr. James Bates, for a church site and a cemetery. The church, a handsome brick veneered building stands on the southside of the Beef River road near the old house of Mr. Chauncey Bates. It was built during the summer of 1886. The first pastor was Rev. R. Fricke.

The first traces of this congregation reach back to 1859 or 60, but about that time the organization collapsed on account of troubles with the preacher. When it reorganized I could not t«ll,. but sometime about 1875 Rev. Albert Merz, a native of Neftenbach, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, was its pastor, and a ohurchi was built on a hill in Section 29, near the junction of the maim road up the Waumandee valley and that leading intoUlrich's Val-- ley. After the departure of Mr. Merz the congregation seems to< have become dormant.

This congregation, which I know to exist, is quite numerous-, and for some time they have had a resident pastor, but at the present time I am not sure of there being one in the valley. Their meetings are held at the schoolhouse of Joint District No. 3 of the town of Cross, where I found the song books used at their devotional exercises, at which some one, very often my friend Leonhard Fried, plays the organ. In the absence of any public information in regard to this congregation I appealed to him for a history of it, but received no answer. Knowing Irom practical demonstration his friendly interest in my work, I can only ascribe to some untoward accident, that an answer failed to reach me. Rev. Haeuser, who for some time acted as pastor of the Reformed chvM-eh at' Alma resided for some years in Eagle Valley, near the sehooUiiouse named, and' a&ted as pastor' of this' cotigrfegation. Whether 'Rev. Friekeever did<thesame Icoiild not learn. I can not now wait for further developmehts.

Chuecites At Mondovi

Present Pastor: Rev. Thos W. Stan*p. Servities: Sunday 11 a. m. Sunda,y School 12 m., evening service 7 p. ni. Tuesday class meeting 7 p. m., Wednesday 2:30 'p. m. and Thursday 7 p. m. prayer meeting/Saturday 3 p. m. Bible meeting.

Although application was made, no report was reeeived of Rev. Mr. Stamp. From reports furnished by Rev. A. Kidder I give the following general dttta regarding the common history Of the three churches.

Congregations of Methodists and Baiptists were formed pre^ vious to 1861. They held their sei'vices in the SchoolhoUse according to agreement among themselves and in that year th© Congregationalists entered into these agreements. In 1867 the Methodists finished their church withan asSi&tanee of $150 'from each of the two other congregations. In 1870 the union established by this agreement was dissolved. But dating its continuance it was productive of harmony and especially beneficial fdrthe Sunday school. The congregations had 'now grown too numerous not to wish for separate accommodations. 2. ^ccpUst Ohiirch.

Present pastor. Rev. A. O.Robitison. Stervices: Stitiday, 11 a. m. Sunday school, 12 m. On alternate -Sundays evening service 8 p.. m. Prayer' meetings Wednesday evenings. Although application! has been made, no report was received from Rev. A. C. Robinson^ From memory and from notCs of others I supply the following: Rev. B. F. Morse must be considered the father Of the Baptist Congregation at Mondovi. He came in 1856, and says': "For the first ten years of my miiiistry my fieiW 'of laTaor extended over parts of three counties, Buffalo, Pepin and Eau ClMre. 'I 'supported myself principally by farming." The "Elder," as Mrv Morse was familiarly called, was a favorite with numerous Christians of all denominations. He was highly respected for his sincerity and unafifeeted affability towards all pers-oris. POr many years he was the pastor of this church, arid during his

the congregation built a splendid new church and furnished it neatly and comfortably. On several occasions he was the speaker at agricultural fairs and always did meet expectations. For some years age and infirmity compelled him to quit the ministerial service. I regret to learn that he is about to move to the farther West, but he takes with him the best wishes of the writer among those of a host of others.

To resume the history of the church, it appears that this congregation, in common with that of the Congregationalists, extended assistance to the Methodists for the furnishing of their church, and that it occupied the same church with them and the Congregationalists for about three years. According to the statement in the Buffalo County Atlas their new church was built in 1873 at a cost of $5,000. It stands at the corner of Main and Franklin streets. 3. Congregational Church.

This was in point of time the last of the congregations organized at Mondovi. Its Jpresent pastor is Rev. Alberoni Kidder. Services: Sunday 11 a. m. and 7 p. m. Sunday school at 12 m. Tuesday class meeting 7 p. in. Wednesday prayer meeting in the evening.

With the history of this church the name of the Reverend Alberoni A. Kidder is intimately connected, and I am enabled to give from notes furnished by him the following sketch of his life in which I introduce such points of the history of this church as he was connected with and were furnished by him.

Rev. Alberoni A. Kidder was born at Wordsboro, Vt., Feb. 13, 1814, as the youngest son of Nathaniel Kidder, a farmer. He lired at home until 22 years of age, and had but limited opportunities for education. He taught school when 19 years of age, married in 1836 and began to study for the ministry in 1844, received license to preach in 1847, was pastor at Alexander, Genesseo Co., N. Y., and at Friendship, N. Y., for five years. Came to Eau Claire 1856 and organized the first Congregational Church in that city, being its pastor for six years. In 1861 he visited Mondovi and on the 17th of August organized the Congregational church of that place, of which Messrs. Thomas Dillon, Samuel Newton and wife Luther Eager and wife, Mrs. Susan B. and Miss Hannah A. Waste were the first members. Public services were held on the following day, Sunday, August 18th, in the schoolhouae. In this school- house all three congregations used to meet as related above. For about six months Mr. Kidder held services on the Sundays; allotted to his congregation until in Nov. 1862, Rev. J. M. Hayes, then at Durand, was commissioned by the Am. Home Missionary Society to take charge. Mr. Hayes resigned in 1864, Rev. Kidder resumed charge in 1866. The Methodists having with the assistance of $150 from this and the same amount from the Baptist Congregation, finished their church, the Congregationalists occupied it for the first time on January 11th, 1868, Mr. Duty B. Allen acting as clerk. In 1869 the following persons were received into membership: Misses Mary A. Fleming, Lizzie Rowe, Anna andlda Hunter, Bertie Neal, and Anna M. Allen. Mrs. Martha Barrows, Messrs. Hiram Barrows, Joseph Fleming, Chas. F. Eager and F, H. Dillon. In 1870, the congregation built its church which was dedicated on the 30th of December of the same year. The following gentlemen were pastors after that: Rev. Kidder for six months, Rev. Wm. Lemon for three months and Rev. S. P. Wilder for three months; Rev. Wm. Gordon 1872, Rev. J. S. Norris 1873, Rev. R. R. Radclifif 1875, ReV. W. B. Williams 1877 to 1880, Rev. A. Doremus 1881 to 83. From 1883 to 85 the church had no pastor, but since that time Rev. Kidder has acted as such.

I hope that other churches in Mondovi and elsewhere will not accuse me of partiality for having given such an extended history of the Congregational Church and its spiritual founder. I do not want to excuse myself about it, but wish to express my thanks to Rev. Mr. Kidder for the materials furnished to the same, only regretting that I was not so liberalfy supplied with similar materials by some other reverend gentleaien.

Unitarian Church At Gilmanton

The corporate title of this church is "Unitarian Society of Gilmanton." Its church edifice was completed in 1886, pursuant to the organization of the society in January of the same year. Its pastor is Rev. N. C. Earl. Regular services every Sunday at 11 p. m. The Gilmanton Temperance Union is connected with the Church Rev. Mr. Earl, says in his report: The church is a Union Church, built by the people, and free for all dominations.

Although it would have been exceedingly gratifying. to me to receive infortjiation of religious establishments in this town, I could not, in the absence of any public arrangements, apply for official informatiijn to any one. What I here state must, therefore, be considered as true, only as far as my Casual information extends, and any error should be charged rather to the want of authentic sources of information than to any other cause.

Norwegian. part of the population belong all to the same religious denomination, of whose churches we spoke above. The (Grerraan part seem to be satisfied with private religious meetings .and exercises of a Christian Evangelical cliaracter, but they have ino close congregation and no churgh edifice. The American families belong, as usual, to different denominations, of which the Methodist Episcopal seems the most numerous. For some time a ipreacher of this denomination was resident in the town. Of the incumbents ofithis pastorate I'remember only a few by name, as jRev. John Holt, Rev. Massce, Rev. Yokom etc. Noticing that 'Rev. Nott had held religious services in Modena, I supposed that ;at pre.sent, or, for some time past, no resident pastor had been apipointed for Modena, but I have learned from inquiry that there is a Modena Circuit for which at a late meeting of the West Wisconsin Conference Rev. Robert Smith has been appointed as the pastor of this circuit, and that he resides at Misha Mokwa. Possibly the towns of Maxville, Nelson and Canton are included in this circuiti

Having'always held that statements in regard to churches and religious associations should be based upon authentic statements, I hope to be excused for being as brief as possible i.n cases where such information is not procurable, and no public records in regard to such exist. In the same condition are the sources of information concerning religious matters in the towns of Maxville Canton and Nelson, There are no churches in any of these three owns, except those already mentioned among Catholic and Lutheran churches. I know quite well, that services or meetings of a distinctly religious character are held in schoolhouses, but whether regular or occasional, by what denominations, and other particulars I have been unable to learn. As places of such meetings I may designate the schoolhouses in the Cascade Valley, at Burnside, and in the North Branch Valley.

Evangelical Association

They are Protestant Churches and should have been enumerated as such, nor is there any other reason for delaying to do so, except that I waited for direct communications in regard to some of them. But I have now to finish this chapter, and shall give such information as I possess, regretting that I am perhaps rather short in this matter.

This congregation was formed in 1859. Its church was built in 1869. Regular services are held about every two weeks. A Sunday school and a Missionary Society are connected with the church. Its pastors were: Rev. Seder, Von Eschen, Linse, Umbreit, Ausmann P. Speich, Held, John Dietrich, U. Elmer, C. Mueller, G. Schwantes, J. W. Hennemann; H. Best, who is the present pastor and has my thanks for the information given in regard to it.

The building is situated near the Northwest Corner of the Northeast Quarter of Section 16, Township 21, Range 12, in a very conspicuous place, and a grave-yard attached on the eastside. This church and congregation is attached to the foregoing, and are held as in the former, every two weeks. Its pastors -were always the same, as enumerated above. There is a campmeeting ground in Sec. 10, not very far from the church. 8. Church in Montana,

This congregation is one of the oldest in this county, not only of this denomination. Its founders were the first settlers in the upper part of the Waumandee Valley, and its membership is nurherous. Its first church, which was a frame building of dimensions aad exeiJUtiofl that were very creditable, considering the times and other circumstances. But in 1884, the old building having been insufficient for .several years, a much larger and more pretentious church was built of brick. I regret that although blanks for reporting have been sent to the present and also to the former pastor, no answer was received, and I had to rely on my own recollection alone.

The building is sitnated in Section 30, Township 21, Range 11, at the fork of the Fountain City and Buffalo City Road. - It was built in 1S74, and is a frame building, brick-veneered. The services in this church are held by the resident pastor of the above.

This church, which is a frame building, is situated on Section 2, Township 22, Range 11, and was built- in 1880 or 81. It is a dependence to the church in Montana whose pastor probably holds regular services once a month. Each of the three last named churches has a graveyard, which in No. 4 and 5 surrounds the church, but in No. 6 is separated from it on a hill south of it. At Montana there is a good dwelling house for the pastor, and there are also sheds or stables for the horses of those from a distance attending service.

This congregation was formed in 1866, and built the church in 1874. Services are held every two weeks, except at the time of quarterly meetings. Sunday school and prayer meetings are held when there is no other service. The pastors of this church were the Reverends V. Umbreit, Pfefferkorn, Held, Wittenwyler, who dedicated the church. Field, Habei-mann, Werner, Eileit, Best', and Clement, the latter- being the present pastor. The church is under the pastorate of Arcadia.. For the report on this church I am indebted to Mr. Jacob Meili, situated near the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 4, Township 22, Range 13. I think the congregation belongs to the Methodist Episcopaljdenomination. Rev. Hemshemeier, of Wabasha has been holding services in the sanne, but at what stated times I am not informed.

Church On Beef Slough

In regard to this so-called church I take the liberty of copying the letter of Mr. Thomas Irvine, secretary of the Mississippi River Logging Co.

In reply to yours of 14th inst. I have to say, that the^building to which you refer was not erected for church services exclusively but was intended for a " Workmen's Library" and a comfortable place for them to spend their Sunday in reading and writing.

It has no corporate title and is entirely free to any Christian denomination that may wish to hold religious services therein. The building was erected in the year 1881. In 1882 and 83 ministers from various localities and of different denominations held regular services here. In 1884 and 85 Rev. Benj. Nott, Methodist, held regular services In 1885 Rev. Mr. Stromme, Reformed Lutheran, held regular services and preacHed in the English and Norwegian languages. In 1886 Rev. J. H. Avery, Methodist, occupied the place and preached regularly, but on Oct. 1st he was removed to Viroqua, and for the coming season no arrangements have been made for a permanent pastor.

There is a suitable Library furnished by the Company besides writing material for the use of the workmen, and a goodly number spend their Sundays here in reading and in writing letters to their friends at home. Yours truly

Mr. Irvine has been the originator of the scheme indicated in the above letter, and he is yet the liberal and active patron of the institution. Lectures and exhibitions for the entertainment of all who might attend have been held, and were sometimes assisted by musical talent from Alma. Though not strjctly and exclusively religious, the institution has done much good to a number of workmen and others, and Mr. Irvine should receive the credit fo rit.

General Remarks

this county. It was my desire aad intention to do justice to all equally, but as I was furnished with means for my purpose by some and these means were withheld by others, there could be no uniformity in the production. .^Having tried to give everybody the same chance to be heard, and to speak for themselves, I wish to decline the responsibility for accidental omissions and errors.

It may be remarked also that these public arrangements, though accommodating the majority, do not include the whole body of our people. There are, in fact, numerous persons, originally of one or the other of the denominations mentioned above, who do not consider themselves members of any church. These have, so far, not especially organized in opposition to any mode of worship, and are, practically, a moral, intelligent and influential element of our population. Although we have so many churches of so many different denominations, there has been, and still is, an uninterrupted social .intercourse, in which religious differences or distinctions are entirely ignored. It is to be hoped that this spirit of toleration and mutual respect be continued during coming generations as it has existed up to and during present times.

Public Health

Although this point might have been discussed^ along witb the "Climate" of the county, there are yet so many items connected with it that it appeared necessary to devote a particular chapter to it. There are also such relations between public health aad' public policy that the latter name might have been adopted instead of the former, but as numerous points of our public policy, such as rocords of births, marriages and deaths, are yet in a very unsatisfactory condition, while public health, being under the directionof recent laws, and otherwise of great importance, was chosen.

1. The climate of Northwestern Wisconsin is considered by physicians as a tonic and stimulating one, because of its latitude and the comparative dryness of its atmosphere.

2 and 8. Spring and early winter months are noted for the development of pneumonia, catarrhal inflammation of the air* passages, such as croup and bronchitis, and inflammation of the throat. The months of hot summer and the fall are noted for the different types of malarial fevers, and in the fall and early winter typhoid fever appears either sporadic or epidemically.

4. In the winter of 1870 an epidemic of measles prevailed in a considerable part of the county; in the winter of 1872 - 73 intermittent fevers in the Mississippi Valley, especially in the northern parts of it.

In the winter of 1873 the only epidemic of small pox occurred in this county. The disease was imported into Buffalo City by emigrants from Germany, who were probably ignorant of its existance among themselves. Hygienic precautions were totally neglected, and the disease spread to Alma and Fountain City, however only in isolated cases. This was followed by an epidemic of whooping cough. Epidemics of scarlet fever occurred two or three times. Diphtheria occurred epideniically at Fountain City in the winter of 1880, and at Gilmanton in 1882. Epidemics of measles and of whooping cough were observed in 1886 and 1887.

These are all the answers I received. They are explicit enough as far as they go, but as not any one physician can know so precisely what happened in all places in the county, I have to depend on recollection for some of the statements.

With regard to epidemics I remember the occurrence of typhoid fever, which carried off a number of young people at Mondovi. This must have been some twenty years ago.

A similar epidemic occurred in the Big Waumandee Valley in 1873 and '74, during the time when Dr. Franz Ferragut lived at Alma. He attended most of the cases.

Having been for two years the president of the Committee on Health of the Common Council of the city of Alma, I am naturally interested in the laws pasaed by different legislatures. I think it would be well if every citizen should become acquainted with the regulations in regard 1o public health, and in order to do myshare towards promulgating the knowledge of these laws and regulations, I here insert them in full.

To Local Boards Of Health And All Others Concerned

The State Board of Health respectfully calls attention to the amendments to Chapter 167 of the Laws of 1883, made by Chapter 291 of the laws of 1887. For the better information of all concerned the unrepealed portions of the original act, together with the amendments thereto, are here reprinted in their proper relations to each other.

1. That in every Town, Village and City in the state there shall be duly organized a Board of Health, which may be composed in part of persons who are not members of the Town or Villdge Boards or City Councils, and that every Board of Health shall appoint and constantly maintain a health officer.

2. That the names, occupations and Postoffice addresses of all the officers of such Boards shall be reported to the State Board of Health when organized, and also whenever for any reason a new Health Officer is appointed.

3. That cases of contagious disease shall be reported by all Physicians or when no physician is in attendance, by heads of families to the respective local Boards of Health, and that Health Officers shall report the same to the State Board of Health in such manner and with such frequency that the State Board shall be fully informed with regard thereto.

OF 1887. An Act for the Better _ Protection of the Public Health. Section 1. The town board, village board or common council of every town, village or fcity in this state shall hereafter, within thirty days after each annual election organize as a board of health, or shall appoint wholly or partially from its own members a suitable number of competent persons who shall organize as a board of health for such town, village or city. Such organization shall include the election of a chairman and a clerk, and every board of health organized as provided in this act shall immediately after its organization appoint a health officer for the town, village or city, who shall be ex-officio, a member of the board of health and its executive officer; and ,the board of health as thus

(Constituted shall, until their successors in office are duly organiized, perform all the duties and have all the powers that are given tto boards of health by the general statutes of the state. Every ihealth officer appointed under the provisions of this act shall be, ^whenever the same is practicable, a reputable physician, and shall ihold his office during the pleasure of the board, and until his sucicessor shall have been duly appointed and qualified, and in case lof the occurrence of a vacancy in his office, the board of health ;shall immediately fill the same by a new appointment; provided, that the foregoing provisions shall not apply to any town, ci'ty or village in which a health board is organized and a health officer appointed under the provisions of a special charter, but every local fooard of health, whether organized under the provisions of this act or otherwise, shall immediately after each annual or other organization report to the State Board of Health the names, post- (offlee addresses and occupations of the chairman, clerk and health thereof, and shall make a similar report whenever, for any irjeason a new health officer is appointed.

Section 2, It shall be the duty of every health officer, apipointed under the provisions of this act, or by the provisions of .special charters, upon the appearance of small pox, diphtheria, .scarlet fever, Asiatic cholera, or other dangerous contagious disease ;in the town, village or city under his supervision, immediately to all the circumstances attendant upon the appearance of isuch disease, and to make full report thereof to the board of which ihe is an executive officer, and also to the state board of health, and it ishall be the duty of such health officer, at all times promptly to take such measures for the prevention, suppression and control of .the diseases herein named, as may in his judgment be needful and proper, subject to the approval of the board of which he isameinher, and it shall be the duty of every health officer to keep and transmit to his successor in office a record of all his official acts; and the salary or other compensation to be paid to every health officer appointed under the provisions of this act shall be established by the board of health by whom such officer shall be appointed.

The term dangerous contagious disease, as used in this act shall be construed and understood to mean such diseases as the State Board of Health shall designate as contagious and dangerous to the public health; and health officers shall make report to State Board of Health concerning the progress of such diseases and concerning the measures used for their prevention and control, with such frequency as to keep the board fully informed with regard thereto, or at such intervals r,s the said board may direct.

Section 3. Whenever any physician, residing and practicing in the state shall know that any person whom he shall be called upon to visit is sick with small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, Asiatic cholera, or other dangerous contagious disease, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the board of health of the town, village or city in which such sick person shall be at the lime, and any physician who shall refuse or neglect to give such notice for a period of forty-eight hours shall, on conviction thereof, be liable to a penalty of not less than five nor more than twenty-five dollars for each day of such refusal or neglect after the expiration of said forty-eight hours; provided that the notices herein required may be sent by mail, or except in the case of cities may be given to or left at the residence of any member of the board of health, and notices so mailed or given within the time specified shall be deemed a compliance with the provisions of this section.

When any person is sick with any of the diseases named in this act, and no physician is in attendance, all the provisions of this section shall apply to the responsible head of the family or the person in charge of the building in which such person may be.

Section 4. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this act, or any of them, shall be paid by the town, village or city by which, or on behalf of which, such expenses shall have incurred.

Section 5. Upon complaint being made under oath by any citizen of the state before any magistrate . or justice of the peace, fcharging the commission of an offense against any of the proviisions of this act, it shall be the duty of the district attorney of the .county in which the offense shall have been committed to prose- 'cute the offender, and all sums recovered under the provisions of this act shall be for the benefit of the school fund.

Section 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the pasBs,ge and publication thereof,, and all acts or parts of acts, inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby v^-. pealed.

In the absence of public information with regard to othe towns or corporations I can but state that the provisions of th law demanding the organization of boards of health have beei carried out at Alma and at Fountain City. At Alma the result o the action of that board has been a moderate success, and theri was less cause of complaint this year than last, though, of course there is always some grumbling about such matters. I presumi there were similar results and experiences at Fountain City.

It can not be denied that in general there is little incliiiatior to apply precautionary measures for the preservation of public health. Everybody seems to think that he will not be attacked by epidemic diseases, and to care but little if others become vie tims of such. Experience, says the proverb, keeps a very severe school, but it is the only one in which fools will learn anything. ] hope we will not be quite so neghgent as to require instruction in that school.

The subject having now received attention from the legisla ture, it is to be hoped that the people will, through the laws and their application, be educated to the proper understanding and appreciation of the importance of this subject.

Earlier Marriages

EARLIER MARRIAGES. The following is an abstract from the earliest record extant of marriages that took place in this county. It is sometimes so very difficult to ascertain dates of such events, even of those who ought to know, as the magistrates or clergymen, or of the parties themselves. To be sure it is now a long time since these events, and most people have short memories, yet as that event happens to most persons but once in their lives, and is certainly important Bnough, an exception might reasonably be claimed for it. On account of the difficulty above alluded to, I concluded to investigate the record, which by law was formerly required to be kept in the office of the clerli of circuit court. I was not just very greatly surprised to find this record far from complete, but otherwise it must be correct as far as it goes. The justices of the peace and ihe clergymen of the various denominations were evidently not ifraid of the penalty imposed for neglecting their duty of filing a 3opy of each marriage certificate issued, or a full length notice Derformed by them. Accidental losses might also happen at a ime when communications were not very perfect, and people night trust to accidental accommodations for sending such docunents to the proper places. A word is to be said in explanation )f the abstract. The numbering of the items is according to the jlace in which each was found, not always according to the date of ihe event. This disagreement explains itself from the fact that ome certificates were not immediately filed and others were. Only he names of the contracting parties are given, with the date of the narriage. Whenever a name underneath does not appear with he syllable "i?«w." before it, the performance was by a justice of he peace. The initials P. J. after a name mean Police Justice of he City of Buffalo. Where the syllable "iJe?;." stands before a lame it signifies that the name of a clergyman follows:

Public Societies

PUBLIC SOCIETIES. Public_Societies we consider such associations, as have no intention or pretension of with olding their constitutions from publicity, and have no ritual, nor passwords or other distinguishing marks or signs, by which their members may be assured of the connection of other members to which the parties belong. These public societies are nevertheless of a private character, and there are conditions of membership, and also obligations of members to the society and to each other, usually, however, not of a very rigorous kind. Meetings of such societies, although often of a private character, are by no means secret or exclusive, and at other times rather public, having at such times many features of an exhibition. All of such societies have a distinct trait of sociability in it; although the particular purpose may not always be the cultivation of this sociability. So, for instance, is the particular purpose of Turner Societies the practice of such gymnastics as may tend to general development of the body for strength and agility. The particular purpose of singing societies is the cultivation of vocal music, especially of the quartette. Shooting Society are intent on perfection of markmanship with the rifle, and so with every other society in a similar way. In the present chapter I shall treat of these societies in chronological order, but may occasionally vary the same for cogent reasons. It is noticeable that most of the public societies exist among the German part of our population, an out-growth of the general disposition for social intercourse. It must be confessed that the descendants of the early immigrants are not quite so prominent in upholding this particular characteristic of their ancestors. Many of the latter too bave acquired an inclination to be members of secret societies formerly almost unknown among them. I am not prejudiced for one or the other kind of societies, having never belonged to a secret and belonging in fact at present to but one public society. What - 1 intend to state here must be taken as a mere historical relation of facts, not as a criticism.

Turner Societies

These societies were founded nearly thirty years ago, when the old settlers were fresh from Germany and Switzerland, in both of which countries such societies then existed. Many of the early settlers had either in the old country or during a previous sojourn in larger cities in this country, become members of Turner societies, and at that time the National Turners' Union of America was a numerous and well organized body, in which, however, not all the scattered societies were united. A Turner's pass admitted every member of a society belonging to the National Union into any society belonging to the same as a member, with all the privileges of other members. Many of these societies cultivated singing, theatrical performances and general mental culture, and those who could afford it had good libraries of instructive books. But in our own county the means for such things were missing, and besides gymnastics, singing aud sociability were the only purposes recognized. The oldest of these societies in this county was probably organized at

Buffalo City

It must have been established in 1858. In 1859 it had, by report, some 30 members, but dissolved the same year, the members having become scattered. It did not belong to the Union, but petitioned for admission, when an opposition society was started under the name of

This society at first consisted of seven members, five of whom are still living in this county, three at Alma, one at Belvidere and one at Buffalo City. It organized on the 20th day of May 1859, and placed itself at once under the jurisdiction of the National Turner's Union. The highest number of members at any time was 18, of whom 8 or 9 belonged to the "Singing Section." Five members enlisted in the army, Chas. Kessinger, Joseph Kessinger in the fifth regiment, R. R. Kempter, Gerhard Damm and Wm. Dreusicke in the ninth regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. Of these only R. R. Kempter and Wm. Dreusicke returned. The society continued until 1863, although the proceedings show the last meeting to have been held July 6th, 1862, and was never formally dissolved. The members removed to other places, and since, on account of the war. almost all local interest had begun to flag, this society shared the effect of the general indifference. At a Turner Society had been founded on the 6th day of March 1858. This is the oldest of these societies of which we have the exact date of organization, and it may have preceded the first society of this sort at Buffalo City by some months. The principal organizer was G. G. Oppliger, who was elected Speaker or President, J. J. Senn was elected Secretary, Michael Pistorius Treasurer, Joseph Halbeis Instructor, and Anton Burch Overseer of Property. Like most of the societies this also became in time inactive, partly on account of removal of members o other places, partly because of other reasons. It was, however, formally kept up, and revived, until it united with the Germania Society on the 26th of May 1872. Some members of the latter society form what is designated as the Turner Section This section has been periodically active^ whenever it found a good and enthusiastic instructor, as for instance in Mr. William Finkelnburg, but at present is reported as dormant.

Alma

at any time, at least not under that name. There were certainly some among the younger men who had received the necessary training, and might have acted as instructors, but no energy was expended in the formation of a society. Only once there was an attempt, but it was a little late in the day, so to speak, because the patriotic spirit of which Turner societies had formerly been born had largely evaporated in the older men, and never existed in the younger men and the boys. It should not, however, be left unrecorded that Mr. John Brueger, while he was a clerk in the store of J. A. Tester, and afterwards, did instruct the youngsters of the village in gymnastics, and that he was very systematic and also very successful. For the purposes of exhibition many things were learned which did not really belong to the gymnastics of the Turners, but served their purpose and animated the participants. Like other exertions this needs some stimulant, and ambition fur-

Roller-skating and base-ball struck our place, as they struck every other, and it will require another equally disinterested and energetic young man like John Brueger to again put life and mettle into the enterprise. Provisions for the purpose have been made in the constitution of the Concordia society. This closes the account of Turner Societies. Gymnastics will always be attractive to young people, and exhibitions of skill in them will always attract a full house once or twice every year, but material for an oldfashioned "Turn-Verein^' will after a while be wanting entirely, if it is not so already.

Next after the above, partly because of the partial relationship, partly on account of the j^roximity of the time of starting them, come the

Shootikg Societies

It must be remarked, that these two words do not very closely translate the German words "Schuetzen," "Verein." The word "Rifleman" or "Marksman" is the closest translation of the word "Schuetze," which by consent has come to mean one who shoots and hits, not merely something, but a given target or point. As the special purpose of these societies we may designate the practice of rifle shooting for the purpose of improving and reaching, as near as possible, perfection in it. There is something of a military character about it, as we might infer from the constitutions of the different societies, but all the resemblance their exercises and tournaments have with military camps is that plenty to eat and to drink is required on both occasions, for which fact I do not wish to blame, but to commend them. Unquestionably these societies originated in the fact that there were a goodly number of men living in the count}' who had come from Switzerland, a country, which not only furnishes sharpshooters of proverbial exellence, but in which shooting matches and preparatory exercises or practice occur every Sunday during the milder seasons, in every village and valley, and where the management of such societies is perfectly understood.

My old friend John Buehler, now the landlord of the Sherman House in Alma, thinks that the organization of the two principal societies and their union as Buffalo County Riflemen's As- sociation dates from a picnic, connected with a shooting match at Mr. Schaettle's place, called Spring Lake, where he had a brewery at that time. John, who was 25 years younger than he is now, was moved by the spirit, and mounting a stump made a speech to the participants in said shooting match, in which peroration he vividly and with his peculiar force drew a mental picture of the advantages, enjoyments and profits, which would accrue from regular organization and confederation. This picnic happened on the fifth day of May 1862, at least I find in the record of proceeding of the Turner Society that a picnic and shooting match was to be held on that day and place, and that afterwards a committee was appointed to settle up the matter. In the year following the societies at Alma and Fountain City were organized, almost on the same day. Arrangements were made for an annual tournament, to be held alternately in one of the two places, and the first one was held at Fountain City on the 16th and probably 17th of August, 1863.

" Alma Shooting Society." It was originally founded on the 24th day of May 1863, and consisted of 28 members, of whom three. Christian Lehmann, ,T. A. Tester and John Hemrich still live and remain members of the society. Seven of the original members live outside of Buffalo County, seven have died and eleven are still residents of this county, though no longer members of the society. Such affairs do from time to time begin to flag, members remove, become dissatisfied, the others, though remaining, become discouraged, and some times even the whole fabric dissolves into nothing. There were languishing times in this society also, until in 1874 it was reorganized and duly incorporated. At the time of the incorporation or soon afterwards, the number of members was 36, and it increased very fast, so that on the 17th of February 1878, when the West Wisconsin and Minnesota Schuetzenbund was founded, it numbered 58 members. But before that event, especially before reorganization and incorporation, it had no settled place for its practice and tournaments. For some time it held them in the ravine that comes down on Cedar Street near Polin's, then at the Probst property now owned by Louis Mueller, then on vacant lots in Block 13, Lower Addition, the targets being on the hillside near the eastern terminus of Swift Street. Tlie incorporation was sug-. gested by the offer of C. A. Boehme to sell the society its present park, which is situated but a very short distance below the actual town, comparatively level, but sloping slightly towards the Alma and Fountain City road and the river generally. An unpretentious shooting hall was at first erected, but after a few years was found to be inadequate for the attending crowd and a new and large one was built near the old, by which the society managed to involve itself into liabilities which are still encumbering it. The present membership is 34, certainly less than nine years ago, yet still sufficient to maintain the society as an independent unit, who would not be submerged by joining, as proposed, the Concordia Society. The park is a beautiful spot, and has been more than once selected for picnics and other excursions by the German and Norwegian societies of La Crosse, who always find a cordial welcome, not only by the members of the society, or its corporative representatives but by the people of Alma altogether. This is the last society of which I remain a member. I have never fired a shot in practice or in tournament and have for sufficient reasons refused to hold any office in the society. I do not want to grumble or croak, but would give fair warning to my friends, that if some of their overbearing practices are not abandoned the membership will be reduced to nobody. Or do some of them really aim at that ? Well, the city will then acquire a piece of desirable property.

The Fountain City Schuetzen Verein was originally founded- in the year 1868, at about the same time as the society at Alma. What was its numerical strength at the start I can not say, but I know some of those who always were members of it, as Christ Bohri, Jr., Fred Hepp, Arnold Giessen, R. W. Feigel, J. B. Oenning, J. J. Senn, who are yet members of the same, or at least of the Germania. In 1872 this society lost its separate identity by becoming. May 26th, incorporated with the Germania. In 1870 the tournament of the Wisconsin District of the United States Sharpshooters' Union was held at Fountain City, in which riflemen from all parts of the state participated. In 1878 when the society became a member' of the West Wisconsin and Minnesota Association it numbered 62 members. In becoming a part of the Germania Society, and forming within it the shooting section, the club had, in fact, lost its claim to the membership of those who were not active participants, but supported the society by paying their annual dues, and by rendering necessary services on occasions when such were required. Hence only those are now counted as members of said section as actually take part in the practice and tournaments. Fountain City set the example of inviting ladies to try their skill with the rifle, and the custom was adopted at Alma in the same direction. The present number of active members is only 20, but as the membership of the Germania is 50, they may be considered quite numerous. The first place of practice was in the lower end of the town, but afterwards in the upper, where in 1879 they built a nice hall and where they still have their station.

The West Wisconsin and Minnesota Schuetzenbuv-d. This union of societies was founded on the 17th day of February 1878 b}' a convention of delegates from the societies of Alma, Fountain City, Winona Germania, and La Crosse. G. G. Oppliger was elected President and Christ. Florin, Secretary of said convention. After working out a constitution and rules for practice and tournaments the convention passed the following resolutions:

1. That until differently resolved the shooting tournaments or festivals should be h'eld by the original societies in turn and by no others;

3. That the societies having now joined, should pay their initiary fee of 13.00 each forthwith, the amount of 10 cents per member, however, not before the meeting of the next diet.

Further resolutions were, to have the constituti-tn printed in 250 copies, also rules of practice 100 copies on cardboard for posting up in the shooting halls; also that no members of societies not in the union should be admitted, and the customary vote of thanks to the Fountain City society and its president.

To improve the members of the union in the use of firearms, and to effect a greater harmony in regard to rules and arrangements; also to advance the interests of social intercourse and friendly relations among the members of the different societies.

dial intercourse among the members, especially as long as the four original societies were the only ones. But at the tournament at La Crosse the representatives of St. Paul were admitted without asking the consent of the diet and this numerous and by. its representation powerful, society began to create trouble. Not that the members attending our festivals were not very cordial companions, but the society itself, especially at the tournament at St. Paul exceeded the previous and reasonable expectations on which the union had been founded by admitting into it the society at Monroe, Green County, Wis. This society, rather small, was situated in a distant part of the state, which could not be reached except by a circuitous and expensive voyage. The union had been founded by four societies so located, that each could be reached by short and cheap transportation. The accession of St. Paul did not materially change this condition, since that place could at least be reached by all with convenience, though a visit to this capital of Minnesota was rather a heavy tax upon the less opulent members. Nevertheless there was a considerable attendance from this place, as also from all other societies at the festival at St. Paul. The St. Paul attendance at Winona was by no means verj' satisfactory , but at the next festival the attendance of St. Paul at Alma consisted of no more than three men out of a membership of 115 - 120, and only one of these was a genuine member of the St. Paul society, although the two otheis, one an American, the other a Swede, had to be admitted upon the assurance that they were members. The excuse of the former frequenters of the festivals was that the game season had opened and that they preferred to go hunting. This prejudiced the Buffalo County members against those from the larger places, and it was remarked that these festivals had lost their ancient character as popular enjoyments, and that this could only be restored by returning to the old Buffalo County Association, in which a neighborly regard could be extended to any members of societies from Winona or La Crosse if these societies would reciprocate the favor. This put an end to this West Wisconsin and Minnesota arrangement, which might yet well continue, if it had for ever been confined to the five - or rather four - societies, since the fifth, that of Wabasha never actually aceeded to the union, although it had sent a written application, and paid the initiary fee for entering into the confederation,

The former haraiony between the societies of Fountain City and Alma still continues, and the festivals afford an annual opportunity for a convivial meeting of old friends and comrades, not only of those who have so often met in the friendly contest of amis, but also of a number of others, who have either never joined in, or have for various reasons abandoned the sport. There are at these festivals usually some friends from La Crosse and Winona, and they are always cordially welcome, but others are not seriously missed.

Singixg Societies

They do not depend upon any weapon for their practice or amusement, and do not waste any powder and lead. The cultivation of one of the most precious gifts of nature and civiUzation to mankind, the gift of song, is the object of their association and of their meetings. That the members are jovial fellows and know how to enjoy life reasonably, and are always ready to contribute to the enjoyment of others, goes without saying. That they are almost exclusively Germans or Swiss by -birth or descent is equally true, and that in their songs they are often prone to cherish the memory of their fatherland, will not detract from their character of good, loyal and useful citizens of this country. We have a German rhyme, a piece of a whilom popular song which says: "Where they sing you may tarry long, Bad men never love a song." Bfit they need neither apology nor recommendation from me.

Singing societies have a history of more than twenty-five years in this county. I would bespeak the one connected with the Buffalo City Turngemeinde, organized in 1859 as the first, but I think there was one at Fountain City at or before that date, probably connected with the Turner society in the same way. All these societies have their ups and downs,-for human enthusiasmus does not last forever, and there is a longing after variety in every human breast. One of the difficulties in this case is to find a suitable leader, somebody ambitious and patient, with just enough' capacity for the work, a modicum of self-assurance and at the same time politeness and forbearance enough to conciliate the tardy and unskilful. If he does not get tired, some one else will, perhaps several of the choir, and one or the other of the four voices will be crippled or enfeebled, perhaps entirely missing. What is to be done in such a case but to wait until the elements become settled again? But for all that there is so much fascination about the endeavors, especially in the admiration of a public exhibition, when every thing goes as straight as a string. And so it happens that some of these societies have managed to exist for a long period, and do exist and flourish yet. Of these I intend to give as much of a history as I am able to, from documentary evidence and recollection.