Columbia County, Wisconsin - Chapter 6, 1880

Chapter 6

Political Divisions - County Officers from 1846 to 1880 - Fox and Wisconsin Rivers Improvement - Probate AND County Court - County Buildings - Agriculture - Agricultural Societies - Potter's Joint Stock Emigration Society'.

The town government is intrusted to a Town Board of Supervisors, consisting of three members, elected annually at a town meeting. The other town officers are Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, one or more Assessors, four Justices of the Peace, Overseers of Highways, and Constables, not more than three. The Justices of the Peace hold office for two years, two being elected at each annual town meeting. The other officers are elected annually at the town meeting.

The form of city government depends upon the charter granted by the State Legislature. There are generally a Mayor, the chief executive officer ; a Common Council, consisting of one or more representatives from each ward in the city, and the city officers - a City Clerk, City Treasurer, City Attorney, Chief of Police, Fire Marshal and City Surveyor.

A village is governed by a Village Board, consisting of a President and six Trustees, elected at the annual charter election. At such election, there are also chosen a Village Clerk, Treasurer, Supervisor (to represent the village in the county government). Marshal and Constable, and, when necessary, a Justice of the Peace and Police Justice, each of whom holds office for two years.

The county government is in charge of a County Board of Supervisors, consisting of the Chairman of each Town Board, a Supervisor from each incorporated village, and one from each ward of every city in the county. The county officers are Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, Coroner, Clerk of Circuit Court, District Attorney, Register of Deeds, Surveyor and Superintendent of Schools, all elected biennially.

Where a county has more than 15,000 inhabitants, the County Board of Supervisors may, if they choose, divide the county into two superintendent districts, for school purposes.

Fox And Wisconsin Rivers Improvement

The Fo.\ and Wisconsin Rivers have been an important highway for nearly two hundred years. They were the route by which, in 1678, Louis Joliet and his companion. Father James Marquette discovered the Upper Mississippi.

It was the wish of the founders of the republic to preserve this great natural water route unobstructed, and to make it a permanent means of communication between the lakes and the Mississippi. In the ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, adopted July 14, 1787, it is provided that the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, shall be common highways, and forever free.

The same provision, in substance, is embodied in an act of Congress relating to said territory, passed August 7, 1789, after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States ; in an act of Congress establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, approved April 20,

5. Mr. Brayton was elected in 1849, but BIr. Ensign claimed to hold over. He filed his resignation January S, 1850, and the Board of Supervisors appointed Isaiah Robinson to fill tiie vacancy. He as.-umed to act but a few weeks, when Mr. Brayton was adjudged to be entitled to the office, and toolt possession.

1836 ; in an act of Congress relating to the admission of Wisconsin as a State into the Union, approved August 6, 1846, and in the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin.

In 1839, under the direction of the War Department of the Government, a preliminary survey of the rivers and the estimate of the cost of their improvement were made by Capt. Cram, of the United States Topographical Engineers.

In 1846, by ah act of Congress approved August 8, a grant of lands was made to the State of Wisconsin, on the admission of such State into the Union, for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, in the Territory of Wisconsin, and of constructing a canal to unite these rivers at or near the portage.

After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its Legislature, approved August 8, 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 Congress, 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 Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company, a corporation created under an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin, approved July 6, 1853. 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 the proceeds to hold in trust, for the payment of State indebtedness, the completion of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by 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, Wis., the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted 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, approved April 13, 1861, and the acts amendatory thereof, the purchasers at the 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 works of improvement before mentioned.

Under instructions from the Engineer Department of the United States, issued in July, 1866, Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren took charge of the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. These were continued by the United States under the supervision of Gen. Warren and his successor, Col. D. C. Houston, until completed and perfected.

By an act of Congress, approved July 7, 1870, the Secretary of War was dii-ected to adopt such a plan for the improvement of the Wisconsin River as should be approved by the Chief of Engineers, and also was authorized to appoint a Board of Arbitrators to ascertain how much, in justice, ought to be paid to the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company for the transfer of its property and rights, including locks, dams, canals, and other property, in and to the line of water communication between Portage City and Green Bay - the arbitrators, in making their award, being required to take into consideration the amount of money realized from the sale of lands theretofore granted by Congress to the State of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of the water communication, and to deduct the amount thereof from the actual value of the works of improvement as found by the arbitrators.

The act also provided that all tolls to be received by the Government from the work should be deposited in the Treasury until the Government should be re-imbursed all moneys it should expend on the work.

The arbitration took place in 1871. It appeared that the moneys expended by the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company and its predecessors in interests considerably exceeded the sum of two million dollars, exclusive of interest. The arbitrators fixed the present value at $1,048,070, from which was deducted the full amount of money realized from the sale of lands granted by Congress, $723,070, leaving a balance of $325,000, all of which was to be paid to the company in case the Secretary of War should elect to take with the improvements the waterpowers and the personal property ; and in case he should elect not to take the latter or either, the value of the water-powers was fixed at $140,000, and of the personal property, $40,000, leaving as applicable to the improvement the balance of $145,000.

The Secretary of War elected to take the improvement only, and by act of Congress, approved June 10, 1872, an appropriation was made therefor. In October, 1872, the company delivered its deed of conveyance to the United States covering the works of improvement, etc., and received the sum of $145,000.

The moneys for which the Government received credit on the purchase from the company - as the amount realized on the sale of the lands granted by Congress, with the expenses of sale, were about equal to $1.25 for every acre of land granted.

The award was not satisfactory to the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, especially as many of the corporators were heavy losers in both that and the preceding company.

The Wisconsin River, having its rise in the northern part of the State of Wisconsin, runs southerly until it approaches the Fox River, turns abruptly southwesterly, and, running in that course 118 miles, empties into the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. The Fox River, having its rise in the southern part of Wisconsin, runs northwesterly until it approaches the Wisconsin River, turns abruptly northeasterly, and, running in that course 160 miles, empties into Lake Michigan at Green Bay.

The course of the two rivers below the portage, the point of nearest approach, is surprisingly straight, and nearly upon a due line passing through Prairie du Chien and the straits of Mackinaw. The divide, or portage, separating the Wisconsin River waters, putting into the Gulf of Mexico, from the Fox River waters, putting into the St. Lawrence, is a level sand prairie, without rock, and in width one and one-half miles. The Wisconsin at the portage is at the summit-level. It is about eight feet higher than the Fox at the portage, and about 200 feet higher than Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Fox, and 169 feet higher than the Mississippi at the mouth of the Wisconsin.

A canal at the portage connects the Wisconsin and the Fox, and a slack-water communication, extending from the portage to Green Bay, a distance of 160 miles, overcomes by locks and dams the fall of 200 feet, and connects the Wisconsin River with Lake Michigan. The Fox River, from its mouth to Oshkosh, on Lake Winnebago, has a low-water channel of about four feet, and from Lake Winnebago to the portage of about three feet. At stages of high water, boats of three, four and even five feet draught have passed from Lake Michigan up the Fox River, and down the Wisconsin into the Mississippi River. As late in the season as June, boats of 300 tons burden have made the passage. In stages of low water, the Wisconsin cannot be navigated, on account of the shifting sand.

The slack-water improvement now in operation chiefly extends from the portage to the mouth of the Fox, and consists of levels formed by dams, extending across the river, around one end of each of which there are short canals, and in the canals, locks. In all there are twenty-two locks ; more locks than levels. The height overcome exceeds 200 feet, while the lockage does not exceed 195 feet. The intention is, by the locks, canals and dams, and by dredging, to make a permanent channel of five feet in depth, which will connect the waters of the VVisconsin with those of Lake Michigan. The canal at the portage is over two miles in length, while the canals at the dams are only long enough to furnish approaches to the locks.

Ortage.City

Taking all together, there are about six miles of canal. That at the portage is seventy feet wide, while the approaches to the locks are in many cases wider than seventy feet, and in all cases of sufficient width for the locks. The locks are 160 feet long; by 35 feet wide.

The system of improvement on the Wisconsin is being carried forward upon the plan of wing and closing dams, which will narrow up the river to such a width that the current will scour out its own channel and maintain it. The work has not been carried on as fast on the Wisconsin as on the Fox River, as it required time to perfect the system so as to adjust it to what is believed will result in the effectual improvement of the stream. When this work is completed, there will be, it is confidently expected, a permanent channel of five feet in depth from the Mississippi to Green Bay.

Until January 1, 1850, the court having jurisdiction over the settlement of estates of deceased persons, and of the appointment of guardians to minors, spendthrifts, idiots and insane persons, was called Probate Court, and the title of the Judge thereof was Judge of Probate. After that date, the name of that court was County Court, and the designation of its Judge was County Judge.

From January 1, 1850, to 1854, and from 1858 to 1860, the County Court of this county had civil jurisdiction ; but, with these exceptions, it has been and is now merely a court of probate, with certain additional authority in various county matters, conferred by the general laws of the State on county courts.

November 5, 1849 - Joseph Farrington appointed guardian of the minor heirs of Elbert Dickason (deceased), viz., Andrew J., Ruth J., Francis M., Oliver H., John W. and Lucinda Dickason, all of Wyocena.

April 1, 1850 - Minor heirs of Samuel W. St. John (deceased). Levi St. John appointed guardian of Seth B. St. John, and Harriet St. John appointed guardian of Harriet M. St. John.

November 11, 1859 - James A. Stebbins and Mary A. Stebbins, his wife, of Scott, adopted Sarah McCutchin, child of John and Julia A. McCutchin.

Couxtt Buildings

Oourt House. - After the question had been definitely settled that Portage was to be the future county seat, a deed was made to the county, by Messrs. Webb k Bronson, of Block No. 180 of their plat, for county purposes. The county records were removed to Portage, and, until 1856. the ofiBcials occupied the upper part of Lemuel Berry's store, on the east side of the canal. The old building is still in existence. It stands on the northeast corner of Clark and Pleasant streets, and is owned and used by the city for housing its fire apparatus. From the Berry store, the county records and officers removed to Vandercook's building. In 1861, the subject of a county building was agitated ; but the report from the committee on that subject, providing for building a court house, at an expense not exceeding $12,000, was laid on the table - ayes, 12 ; noes, 11.

In 1863, the subject was brought before the County Board again (the Board having been reduced to three), and L. W. Barden offered a resolution, appropriating $8,000 for building a court house. Barden was Chairman of the Board, and when he put the question, C. L. Brown voted "aye." Barden was silent, and the resolution was declared adopted. When the Board met, in January following, an effort was made to place the $8,000 in the general fund, but it was resisted by G. M. Bartholomew, who had just been elected Supervisor. The initiatory steps toward building were taken soon afterward. A plan was presented by Alexander Carnagie, proposals were solicited, and a contract was let to Carnagie & Prescott February 10, 1864, for building the court house, at the sum of $17,830. The site was presented to the county by citizens of Portage. Work on the building was commenced in the spring of the same year, and was completed in the fall of 1865, at the contract price, and, with the sidewalks, iron fence, grading, trees and all other improvements and additions, cost the county something less than $26,000. It is a model of architectural neatness and simplicity. Its dimensions are 80 feet front by 60 feet deep, constructed of cream-colored brick, with dark trimmings. It is three stories high, with a well-proportioned dome, surmounted by a colossal statue of Justice, sword in hand and scales extended. Entering at the front of the court house, the visitor finds himself within a spacious hall-way, leading through the building, with a corridor passing at right angles in the center. The first door on the right, and near the entrance, bears the ominous inscription, " Sheriff," and one cannot help but think of executions, documentary and otherwise - principally otherwise. On the left is the Treasurer's office ; and we remember that it is the especial duty of the blind image that stands upon the zenith of the brown dome above to guard over this particular place, and to strike down with her sword the first who dares to misappropriate the funds within. At the north end of the corridor are the rooms of the County Judge and the Clerk of the Court ; at the south end, the oflSces of Register of Deeds, Clerk of the Board and District Attorney, all these offices having fire-proof vaults, for storing documents, etc. On the second floor are the court-room and jury-rooms, the former being 58x56 feet in size, handsomely finished, with a seating capacity of 400.

The County Jail. - Within the walls of this institution are placed individuals of a retiring disposition, who forego the pleasures of freedom and outdoor exercise for definite periods, unless death or the Governor interferes. A refuge for this class was built in Columbia County in 1851, by H. McNeil, upon a block of ground given to the county by Webb & Bronson. It was of stone, two stories in height, with cells in the upper part and the Sheriff's dwelling on the lower floor. It was destroyed by fire in 1864. The present jail was erected in 1865 by Carnagie & Prescott. It is of substantial stone, thirty-two feet square and two stories in height, surrounded by a brick wall, within which the prisoners are allowed to air themselves. The Sheriff's dwelling is a well-arranged two-story brick structure, standing in front of the jail.

Columbia County Poor-House. - Prior to 1858, the care of the poor of Columbia County was vested in the towns in which the unfortunates resided. It was the duty of the town oflicers to provide homes for all paupers within their jurisdiction, and pay the necessary expenses from a town fund set aside for that purpose. On the 3d of November of the year above mentioned, the County Board of Supervisors voted to abolish the town system, and measures adequate to the establishment of a county poor-house were immediately taken. At the same session of the board, Daniel White, John Quincy Adams and H. W. Roblier were appointed Superintendents of the Poor, and $1,500 was appropriated to aid them in the performance of their duties. The old E.xchange Hotel, together with one acre of land in the village of Wyocena, was purchased, and on the 30th of December, 1858, it was formally opened for the accommodation of the poor of the county. In 1867, a brick addition forty feet square and two stories high was built by Messrs. Carnagie & Prescott, and, in 1878, a second addition, 36.x40 feet and two stories high, was constructed by the same parties. The total expense incurred the last year (1858) the town system was in vogue was $7,633.74 ; during the first ten months under the county system the expenditures amounted to $3,929.40. In 1872. there were 26 inmates of the poor-house, of whom 11 were insane, and the cost of caring for them was something over $4,000, including the salary ($400) of Hugh Hill, the overseer, and $200 paid other help. The Superintendents, in their report for 1879, say : " The number of inmates at the poor-house at date of last report was 49 ; admitted during year, 49 ; total number at the poor-house during the year, 98. Of this number, 8 have died, 2 have been bound by indentures, 1 has been sent to the Industrial School for Girls at Milwaukee, 1 has been sent to the Reform School for Boys at Waukesha, and otherwise discharged, 38. Remaining at poor-house at date of this report, November 1, 1879, 48. Of this number, 13 are insane, 3 are demented, 4 are blind, 2 crippled, 2 have a cancer, 2 are over eighty years of age, 8 are seventy years, 7 are over sixty, and none are under twenty-two years of age. There has been furnished at the poor-house during the year 2,983 weeks' board, at a cost of $4,074.77, being $1.37 per week, which includes all expenses for provisions, clothing, bedding, furniture, fuel, lights, medicine, medical attendance, repairs, salary of steward, hired help and other miscellaneous expenses."

The total expenses during 1879 were $6,829.28. Messrs. Adams and Roblier have been continually in oiEce as Superintendents. Upon the death of Mr. White, George Wall succeeded to the position. Mr. Wall was succeeded, in turn, by W. W. Corning. The county has acquired title to seven acres of land adjoining the original one acre bought in 1858, and, in 1875, forty acres were purchased on Section 16, a short distance north of the village of Wyocena.

Agriculture

He who follows agriculture is the pioneer in all new countries, and prepares the way for lawyer, editor, miller, minister, blacksmith, and all others who depend upon anything but farming for a livelihood, and who never fail to come after them when the soil has been made sufBciently productive. There are better agricultural counties in the State than Columbia, but they are few. There are poorer counties, too - much poorer - and a great many of them. Columbia County is therefore far above the average, as statistics will show.

Any other condition of things would be unnatural, as, with its productive soil and good markets, the county has always furnished a field for profitable returns to industry, skill and means applied to the labor of tilling the ground. The whole county is more than usually well watered. Where there are no springs, lakes and streams, good water is obtained at a moderate depth. Generally, speaking, the soil is most suitable for raising wheat, or was when new, and that has always been the principal product. Corn, oats, barley, rye, flax, hops, tobacco, potatoes and other root crops, fruits and grasses, are also cultivated. The southeastern portion of the county is considered the richest in agricultural worth, though there are patches of very excellent land in other parts. A general idea of the productiveness of each town is herewith given :

West Point. - Soil rich, above the average; wheat the principal product; more timber than prairie ; well watered ; no sand, or but very little in the soil ; especially noted as a hog-raising section ; land valued at $14 per acre.

Lodi. - Largely devoted to dairying ; generally well watered ; land surface more or less broken by bluffs ; northern portion sandy ; valuation, $14 per acre.

Arlington. - Said by many to be the richest town in the county ; devoted almost exclusively to grain-raising ; no waste land in the town ; four-fifths of the area under cultivation unfenced ; but little attention paid to stock ; valuation, $19.50.

Leeds. - Second in agricultural importance to Arlington, and especially noted for its flocks of fine-wool sheep ; largely prairie, but sufficiently wooded to make the lands valuable ; well watered ; valuation, $19.

Hampden. - Somewhat more marshy and hilly than the two previously described towns, but none the less important as an agricultural section ; stock-raising is a leading industry ; valuation, $19.50.

Columbus. - One of the richest agricultural towns in the State ; in a high state of cultivation ; no waste land ; excellent water ; valuation, $20.50.

Lowville. - South and southeast parts prairie ; the northern portion hilly ; well supplied with timber ; agriculturally very rich ; boasts the most extensive farms in the county - Warren Gilbert's, for instance ; largely devoted to stock-raising ; valuation, $13.50 ; considered very low.

Dekorra. - About one-half under cultivation ; timber abundant ; somewhat marshy ; sandy along the river ; quite a number of good farms in the town, however ; valuation, $6.

Wyocena. - Soil the better order of light lands or sandy loams ; mostly timbered ; some swamp ; wheat and corn the chief products ; dairying carried on to some extent ; two-thirds in cultivation; valuation, $7.20.

Springvale. - About two-thirds under cultivation ; not materially unlike Wyocena as to soil, marsh and timber ; penetrated by small streams ; stock-raising quite a feature ; valuation, $10.50.

Oourtland. - North third mostly prairie ; remainder made up of " openings " and marsh, sandy clay soil; a valuable farming section ; stock-raising to some extent; valuation, $16.75.

Randolph. - South half mostly prairie, with black loam soil ; northern part covered with " openings," sandy clay soil ; quite a number of large farms ; considerable stock raised ; valuation, $18.

Scott. - Something over one-third under cultivation ; southern part regarded as the garden spot of Columbia County ; noted for its natural meadows along the Fox River, marked by numerous " openings ; " stock-raising quite an interest ; valuation, $11, which is considered very low.

Marcellon. - Nearly one-half under cultivation ; scarcely so rich as Scott ; the finest portions lie in the second and third tiers of sections running from east to west ; small amount of prairie; well timbered ; quite an area of tame meadows ; valuation, $7.25.

Fort Winnebago. - About one-third under cultivation ; southern portion regarded as good land; northern part "bluffy ; " quite an area of marsh along the Fox River; valuation, $6.40.

Lewiston. - A large proportion of this town is waste land, being for the most part low and wet; perhaps one-third of the town is under cultivation ; valuation, $3.20.

Newport. - The best portion lies along the AVisconsin River ; the most thoroughly cultivated part is that occupied by the Norwegians ; remainder of land below the average ; valuation, $5.

The following table exhibits the principal farm products growing in the county of Columbus at the time of making the annual assessment for the year 1879 :

And Villages Number Of Acres

In addition to the foregoing, there were grown iii the town of Caledonia, 1 acre of flax ; in the town of Fort Winnebago, 4 acres of cranberries ; in the town of Hampden, 1 acre of tobacco ; in the town of Lodi, 3 acres of cranberries and 19 acres of flax ; in the town of Randolph, 1 acre of flax, and in the town of Springvale, li acres of flax. There were also 188 acres of hops cultivated in the county, divided as follows : Caledonia, 23J acres ; Columbus, 5 ; Dekorra, 4 ; Fort Winnebago, 1 ; Hampden, 3 ; Leeds, 5 ; Lewiston, 54 ; Marcellon, 6i ; Newport, 40 ; Otsego, 22 ; Portage City, 7 ; Springvale, 10 ; West Point, 3, and Wyocena, 4. For two or three years prior to 1868, hops were largely grown throughout the county.

The early settlement of Columbia County was made by a robust, thrifty, industrious and frugal class of men and women, in their youth and prime of physical life, full of energy and days' work. They found a rich soil, like themselves new and young and full of fertility, yielding readily to the will and wishes of the earnest and ambitious toiler who owned and cultivated it, and rewarding his efibrts with abundant harvests of all kinds. The land yielded so abundantly and persistently, that the opinion prevailed for many years that the grain-producing qualities of the soil were inexhaustible, hence the straw was burned to get it out of the way, and the manure was permitted to go to waste. Crop after crop of grain was taken from the soil, and nothing returned in exchange therefor to preserve its fertility, until, through course of time, the crops became less and less, and less still, so that now, lands which at one time would yield with reasonable certainty thirty to forty bushels of wheat to the acre, cannot be depended upon to yield with like certainty ten or fifteen bushels of wheat to the acre. Meantime, the habits of slothfulness and waste, begotten of prosperity, have, in some cases, become a part of the farmer's being, and they seem to have no desire to shake off" the wretched and ill-begotten incubus that weighs and keeps them down, and places them at great disadvantage in the general struggle against impending adversity. There are exceptions to this, the general condition of the farmers of this county, but such exceptions merely establish the rule.

Agricultural Societies

Columbia County Ai/ricultural Society. - It was at the autumn meeting of the Board of Sujiervisors of Columbia County, held at Portage in November, 1851, that a suggestion for the organization of an agricultural society was first acted upon. Jessie Van Ness, of West Point, made the suggestion. The members received the proposition With favor, and a preliminary meeting was called. It met in Schoolhouse No. 7, in the town of Fort Winnebago. Van Ness became President pro tem. Messrs. Joseph Kerr, of Randolph ; F. C. Curtis, of Lowville, and Guptil, of Scott, became the Committee on Constitution. Messrs. Ketchum and Bartholomew, of Lodi ; Jones, of Springvale ; Bushnell, of Wyocena, and Adams, of Fountain Prairie, were appointed a committee to nominate officers. On the 19th of the same month, the meeting re-assembled at the same place, when an address was delivered by Joseph Kerr, of Randolph ; an acceptable constitution was reported, including five short articles. The qualifications for members consisted in subscribing to the constitution and paying 2.5 cents. On that occasion the following persons wrote their signatures and became the charter members : Jessie Van Ness, Fred C. Curtis, G. M. Bartholomew, A. Ketchum, J. Q. Adams, Thomas Dalzell, Perry Lee, J. B. Fargo, E. K. Vaughan, H. W. Phelps, Joseph Utley, Yates Ashley, Reuben Baughman, G. Smythe, Joseph Kerr, John Byrne, J. A. Guptil, Daniel S. Bushnell, Josiah Arnold, H. Carpenter, Alvin Alden, Elijah Lee, David Wyman, S. K. Vaughan, James Andrews, Shadrick Sherman, Hubbel West, Jr., Charles Spear, Fred G. Smythe, J. C. Smith, Henry Converse, J. Whitney, Jacob Rood, Stephen Brayton, 0. Jones, Michael Van Winter, Ransom H. Mead, C. M. Kingsbury, M. Wheeler, Mr. Sargeant, B. M. Haynes, John McTighe, Alex McDonald, A. A. Bull, Henry Ayer and J. W. Rhodes.

The first oSicers of the society were : President, J. Van Ness, West Point ; First Vice President, Joseph Kerr, Randolph ; Second Vice President, Thomas C. Smith, Columbus ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis, Lowville ; Recording Secretary, John A. Byrne, Otsego ; Corresponding Secretary, Henry Converse, Wyocena. Executive Committee - Messrs. Curtis, Guptil, Adams, Bartholomew, Bushnell and T. C. Smith.

The first fair was held in November, 1852, on the commons at Wyocena. The receipts were $15.75, and the disbursements, f 11.80. The society claimed the gathering to be a success.

January 4, 1853. At that date a meeting was held, various amendments to the by-laws were made, and the following officers elected : Joseph Kerr, President ; D. S. Bushnell and G. M. Bartholomew, Vice Presidents ; Henry Converse, Recording and Corresponding Secretary ; F. C. Curtis, Treasurer. Executive Committee - Messrs. Rockwood, Adams, Converse, Van Ness and Merrell.

June 14, 1853, when Kerr, Van Ness and Converse, as Executive Committee, resolved to "hold the next show and cattle-fair at Wyocena, September 28, 185-3," and to " award premiums as the funds of the society would allow," judges for fourteen classes were appointed. At that exhibition there were nineteen entries under the department of horses, and twelve under that of cattle; poultry, one; farm implements, two - one of which was a plow and the other a vertical gate. The receipts of the exhibition were $20, and the disbursements, $18.81.

In November of the same year, Joseph Kerr was elected President, Jessie Van Ness and J. T. Lewis, Vice Presidents, and Henry Converse and F. C. Curtis were continued as Secretary and Treasurer. The Executive Board chosen consisted of James C. Carr, William Wiley, D. S. Bushnell, J. F. Hand and Hugh McFarlane. At a subsequent meeting of the Executive Committee, it was decided to hold the ensuing exhibition at Columbus, September 20, 1854. The scene of the rural festivities was at the forks of the road on the westward declivity of what is now Lewis & Cook's hill. The Mountain House, kept by A. P. Birdsey, then situated there, a little

-building between the two roads owned by him, was the hall of fine arts, and in it were displayed a few fruits and some fine needlework, etc. There were ninety-nine entries in all. The receipts for fees of members were $32. Of this $18 was disbursed in premiums, together with 31 volumes of the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, and sundry diplomas.

The next business meeting of the society was held at Portage November 16, 1854, N. H. Wood presiding. James C. Carr, of Fountain Prairie, was elected President ; C. J. Pettibone, of Portage, and Peter Van Ness, of Lodi, Vice Presidents ; and Henry Converse, Secretary. E.xecutive Committee - William T. Whirry, of Randolph ; N. H. Wood, of Pacific ; John A. Bowen, of Columbus ; R. H. Mead, of Waushara ; and E. F. Lewis, of Lewiston.

Since that date, fairs have been held and officers elected as follows: In September, 1855, Portage won the prize by offering a handsome donation. The receipts of the exhibition were $52.50, and $120 was paid in premiums. J. W. Earll delivered the address. OflBcers elected in November - President, Peter Van Ness ; Vice Presidents, M. W. Patton and Andrew Dunn ; Secretary, F. B. Haslim; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - Messrs. Powers, Folsom, Adams, Hardy and McFarlane.

1856 - Fair held at Wyocena the 2d and 3d of October. Receipts, $117.19 ; disbursements, $126.15. Address delivered by J. J. Guppey. Officers - President, John Converse ; Vice Presidents, J. C. Carr and Daniel White ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - R. T. Graves, T. Terrill, T. Dalzell, A. P. Smith and John Ewing, Jr.

1857 - Fair held at Wyocena September 22 and 23 ; address delivered by J. T. Lewis ; premiums, $84; receipts, $244; entries, 183. Officers - President, John Converse; Vice Presidents, W. T. Bradley and R. T. Graves ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - A. W. Ingalsbee, Peter Van Ness, R. H. Mead, D. White and J. J. Guppey.

1858 - Fair held at Portage September 23 and 24; receipts (including Portage City's subscription of $175 and the State appropriation of $100), $401 ; disbursements, $476.25. Officers - Pi-esident, Royal T. Graves ; Vice Presidents, J. J. Guppey and J. C. Carr ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - D. White, W. T. Bradley, J. T. Lewis, P. Van Ness and E. F. Lewis.

1859 - Fair held at Portage September 20 and 21 ; entries, 201 ; premiums, $303.50 ; funds on hand November 17, $67. Officers - President, J. J. Guppey; Vice Presidents, R. T. Graves and J. C. Carr ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - P. Van Ness, D. White, Samuel McConochie, John 0. Jones and Nathan Hazen.

I860 - Fair held at Cambria, the citizens paying $165 for the luxury, September 18, 19 and 20 ; receipts, $402 ; expenditures, $309. Officers - President, Daniel White ; Vice Presidents, R. T. Graves and J. Q. Adams; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - H. S. Haskell, A. W. Ingalsbee, J. Whitney, C. L. Brown and W. N. Baker.

1861 - Fair held at Portage September 18, 19 and 20; receipts (including appi-opriation and subscription), $475.21; expenses, $426; out of which had been paid $363 in premiums. Officers - President, John Q. Adams ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. B. Dwinnell ; Secretary, Henry Converse ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - P. Van Ness, R. T. Graves, Conrad Collipp, Thomas Robertson and G. W. Campbell. At the business meeting of November it was decided that elections for officers should take place on the second day of the fair of each year.

1862 - Fair held at Portage September 24, 25 and 26. Officers - President, J. B. Dwinnell; Vice Presidents, John Pardee and Ervin McCall; Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - C. Collipp, W. Rice, J. Van Ness, B. Williams, P. Houston, R. McConochie, W. Young, J. Bradley and J. Q. Adams.

1863 - Fair held at Lodi September 22, 23 and 24 ; receipts (including two years' State appropriation), $769; disbursements, $607. OfHcers - President, J. B. Dwinnell; Vice Presidents, R. McConochie and J. F. Hand ; Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis.

Executive Committee - C. Collipp, A. McDonald, P. Van Ness, R. T. Graves, P. Houston, JR. Jones, F. Clark Smith, J. W. Bobinson and C. Roys.

1864 - Fair held at Columbus September 21, 22 and 23; receipts, $619; disbursemetits, $480 ; Officers - President, J. 0. Eaton ; Vice Presidents, R. McConochie and J. Q. Adams ; Secretary, H. B. Munn ; Treasurer, F. C. Curtis. Executive Committee - J. P. McGregor,

1865 - Fair held at Portage September 19, 20 and 21 ; receipts, $687 ; disbursements, $632. Officers - President, J. Q. Adams ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. 0. Jones ; Secretary, C. C. Britt ; Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell. Executive Committee - J. Van Ness, C. Collipp, P. McKenzie, F. C. Curtis, R. B. Sanderson, A. W. Ingalsbee, R. McConochie, J. B. Jones and J. B. Smith.

1866 - Fair held at Portage September 19, 20 and 21 ; receipts, $812 ; disbursements, $992, including $112 expended in building Floral Hall. Officers - President, J. Q. Adams ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and F. C. Curtis ; Secretary, C. C. Britt ; Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell. Executive Committee - Cyrus Hill, R. 0. Loomis, David Owen, J. T. Lewis, L. H. Doyle, J. W. Robinson, R. T. Graves, R. McConochie and J. R. Jones.

1868 - Fair held at Portage September 23, 24 and 25 ; receipts, $977 ; disbursements, $1,125, including $200 for a tent and $175 for Floral Hall. Officers - President, F. C. Curtis ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. T. Lewis ; Secretary, C. C, Britt ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Executive Committee - J. B. Dwinnell, P. Pool, D. Owen, L. H. Doyle, T. Sanderson, F. L. Henry, I. McCall, L. Lloyd and J. Pardee.

1869 - Fair held at Columbus September 22, 23 and 24 ; receipts, $960 ; disbursements, $780 ; 700 entries were made, which was far in excess of any previous year. Officers - President, F. C. Curtis; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and J. T. Lewis ; Secretary, L. H. Doyle; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Executive Committee - J. B. Dwinnell, E. F. Lewis, R. 0. Loomis,

1870 - Fair held at Portage September 21, 22 and 23; receipts, $909; disbursements, $867. Officers - President, A. G. Cook ; Vice Presidents, H. S. Haskell and F. C. Curtis ; Secretary, L. H. Doyle ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors (one from each town) - G. A. Clark, J. S. Richmond, F. F. Farnham, J. R. Jones, S. M. Carr, C. Baker, J. Foster, E. Fairbanks, J. W. Robinson, J. Ewing, J. B. Dwinnell, F. L. Henry, M. H. Smith, E. T. Hooker, D. Buchanan, B. F. Flower, C. Collipp, G. Perry, P. Houston, I. McCall, J. Van Ness and M. W. Twitchell.

1876 - Fair held at Portage September 26, 27 and 28 ; receipts, $1,135 ; disbursements, $1,314. Officers - President, F. C. Curtis; Vice Presidents, V. E. Brewer; and J. Foster Secretary, E. S. Baker ; Treasurer, J. Q. Adams. Directors - J. Whitney, W. McDonald, M. H. Smith, P. G. Stroud, E. S. Purdy, G. G. Marvin, D. H. Langdon, J. W. Leffingwell, J. J. Sutton, J. R. Jones, H. C. Field, E. Roys, K. Scott, A. C. Jennings, Louis Lintner, D. Owen, N. P. Irons, T. Sanderson, J. B. Dwinnell, G. W. Webb, J. F. Warren, J. Van Ness and C. Spear. F. C. Curtis delivered an address on butter making and the care of cows.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held February 24, 1880, it was decided to hold the next fair at Portage, September 13, 14 and 15, 1880. It was also decided to issue complimentary tickets to editors and clergymen, and the Treasurer's bond was fixed at $1,0(10. The present indebtedness of the society is $597.50. Article XII, of the society's rules and regulations, contains the following: "No games of chance, or pools on horse-racing will be allowed on the grounds during the fair, and the sale of malt and spirituous liquors is strictly prohibited." And it is worthy of remark that its provisions have been implicitly adhered to.

Union Fair. - A meeting was called to assemble at the building of Leuders & Krause, in Columbus, Saturday, August 7, 1875, to consider the propriety of organizing an agricultural society, composed of people living in that vicinity. On motion, A. G. Cook was made Chairman, and H. D. Bath, Secretary. On taking the chair, Mr. Cook said that he supposed all understood the object of the present meeting was to determine whether a fair for this section of the country should be held at or near the city that fall, and declared the question open for consideration. C. L. Bering understood the object to be also the election of officers. He stated that Capt. Wisner had the Bearer Dam subscription, and had the consent of the persons named thereon to transfer the same to Columbus. The amount that had been secured was $215, and this was without any special effort, and when only $200 had been asked. The Chairman said it was customary when such bodies were organized to adopt articles of association. As it was proposed to make this fair a permanent institution, that course, doubtless, would be proper. G. W. Hazelton said at the suggestion of some parties he had drafted some resolutions which could be used if desired. He supposed it was the design of the people living contiguous to Columbus to organize a local fair. Fairs have lately become local expositions. On account of the small premiums necessarily offered, it was impossible to draw competition any great distance. No antagonism was meditated against the Columbia County fair. It was designed merely to make this a local organization for the benefit of people contiguous to Columbus, and to accommodate a section not accommodated by any other fair as they are now located. He then read the subjoined resolutions.

The citizens of tlie counties of Columbus, Dodge and Dane, residing in, and within convenient distance of' Columtnis, assembled, pursuant to notice, at Holmes' Hall, in said city, August 6, 1875, for the purpose of taking into consideration the organization of a local fair, to be held at or near said city, do hereby adopt the following resolutions, viz.:

Resolved, For the purpose of bringing together annually, or so often as may be deemed best, at the city of Columbus, all persons interested in a periodical exposition of stock, farm products, specimens of mechanical skill, of the fine arts, etc., we do hereby organize a fair to be known as the Columbus Union Fair, and cordially invite the co-operation herein of the surrounding towns.

Resolved, That the officers of the Columbus Union Fair shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and an executive committee of five persons shall hereafter be elected annually, for the term of one year.

Resolved, That the said officers and the said executive committee shall, until a code of by-laws shall be prepared and adopted, be fully empowered to take hold of this subject, and make all needful rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this organization ; to fix a time and place for holding the fair ; to prepare and publish a listof Judges, together with a premium list, and to do all acts and things necessary in the premises, and that a majority of said officers, including the committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Resolved, That the following persons are hereby designated and elected as officers for the current year, and until their successors shall he duly chosen.

The following officers were then elected : President, Clarendon Roys, of Hampden ; Vice President, J. Webster, of Elba ; Secretary, C. L. Bering, of Columbus ; Treasurer, M. Adams, of Columbus. The following gentlemen were selected as the Executive Committee : John Foster, of Fountain Prairie ; E. Fairbanks, of Hampden ; G. Weeks, of York ; J. J. Sutton, of Columbus ; C. K. Stewart, of Elba. Mr. Hazelton suggested that the working committee ought not to be too cumbersome, and favored the appointment of a co-operation of one from each of eight or ten adjoining towns, to take hold of the fair and help make it a success. The following were at length selected as such committee : W. A. Pulver, Otsego ; Henry Fields, Fountain Prairie: Levi Nelson, Hampden; W. W. Drake, Columbus ; Harvey Baxter, Bristol; Eli Sherman, York; S. Austin, Portland; H. J. Rol)erts, Elba; William Williams, Calamus. On motion of G. W. Hazelton, A. G. Cook, of Columbus, was added as Chairman of the above committee. Mr. Cook expressed the opinion that a permanent fair could be organized, and that it would not be difficult in time to raise money to erect suitable buildings, and, perhaps, purchase the required grounds. C. L. Bering moved that a committee of three be appointed by the chair to solicit aid and obtain the funds necessary for immediate use. Adopted. Adam McConnell, M. B. Misner and Dr. D. C. Davies were selected as such committee.

The first fair of the society was held on the 6th, 7th and 8th days of October, 1875, and was a complete success financially and otherwise. The total receipts were $1,587.50, from which were paid out for premiums, $894 ; general expenses, $395.66 ; Secretary's office, $31 ; leaving a balance on hand of $26J.84. - *

The second annual fair was held October 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1876. Total receipts, $1,917.99. Paid for premiums, $1,319.80 ; expenses, $543.79 ; Secretary's expenses, $54.40. The exhibition was a success, but financially it was not satisfactory. The officers of the society were the same as the previous year.

In 1877, another successful fair was held. The total receipts were $1,730.55 ; premiums paid, $1,166.82 ; fair expenses, $510.85 ; Secretary's oflBce, $52,88. The fair was held the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th of October. The officers at this time were John Foster, President ; Chas. L. Bering, Secretary ; M. Adams, Treasurer.

In 1878, the fair was held September 18, 19, 20 and 21, with total receipts amounting to $562.17, from which premiums were paid of $200 ; expenses, $288.66 ; Secretary's ofiice, $50. Owing to a storm which destroyed the main building during the second day of the fair, the latter was a comparative failure. Officers for the year, James Webster, President; Charles L. Bering, Secretary, M. Adams, Treasurer.

The officers for 1879 were James Webster, President ; M. Adams, Secretary ; L. Birdsey, Treasurer; the annual fair was held September 24, 25 and 26, with total receipts of $1,199.11, from which were paid for premiums $740.50 ; fair expenses, $321.24 ; Secretary's office, $45 ; leaving a balance on hand of $42.37. It was a success in every particular, greatly encouraging to its officers and friends.

The exhibition grounds of the society are owned by A. W. Ingalsbee, and are situated onehalf mile northeast of the city, and are well adapted for the purpose. The society is not a joint-stock company, and was formed simply by the people organizing and electing officers. Its resources consist in the proceeds of their exhibitions, after expenses are paid, together with $100 anually appropriated by the State.

Lodi Union Agricultural Society. - The Columbia County Agricultural Society had its annual exhibition in the village of Lodi September 22, 23 and 24, 1863. The fair was a success financially and otherwise ; the attendance was good, although but few attended outside of the towns immediately surrounding. This fact suggested to James 0. Eaton, of Lodi, the idea of an organization of a union fair composed of citizens of neighboring towns. In the issue of the Lodi Herald, October 7, 1863, was published from his pen, the following letter :

" Editor Herald : - Permit me through your columns to call the attention of the farmers and others interested in agricultural matters, in the towns of Bekorra, West Point, Lodi and Arlington, in Columbia County, and Roxbury, Bane and Vienna, in Bane County, to the propriety of organizing a union agricultural society. At the fair recently held in this place, the receipts were nearly $600, and probably not $25 of the amount were received from persons living beyond the limits of these towns, while a number of premiums went beyond the limits of those towns in Columbia County ; and those towns in Bane County, which contributed largely to the receipts of the fair, received no part in the disbursement of the premiums. That those towns in this county are, as regards county fairs, isolated from the balance of the county, was fully demonstrated by the non-attendance at the fair in this place, of persons living in other portions of the county. Nature intended that these towns in Dane County should aflSliate with those in Columbia County, and it is self-evident that the people do not intend to deviate from the course pointed out by nature. Lodi as a central point would give but a short distance for gathering together of stock, and from the fact that all these towns are first-class agricultural towns, but little effort would be necessary to get up and sustain from year to year, one of the most successful fairs in the State.

" What say you, gentlemen agricultui'ists, to having a meeting of the friends of the enterprise, for the purpose of organizing such an association ? *

It was not until 1866, that the suggestions of the letter were carried out. A preliminary meeting for the organization of the society was held at the Lyon House, in the village of Lodi, July 28, 1866, pursuantto the following call:

All persons in the towns of Roxbury, Dane, Vienna, West Point, Dekorra, Arlington and Lodi, who are in favor of organizing a union agricultural society, are requested to meet at the Lyon House on Saturday, .July 28, at 3 o'clock P. M., to organize such a society.

At this meeting, James 0. Eaton was elected temporary Chairman, and George Yule, temporary Secretary. On motion, it was resolved that the meeting proceed to organize an agricultural society, embracing the towns of Roxbury, Dane and Vienna, in Dane County, and Wes- Point, Dekorra, Arlington and Lodi, in Columbia County. It was also voted that the' organizat tion be known as the Lodi Union Agricultural Society. Richard Lindsay, W. S. Schermerhorn and Alpheus King were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws to be submitted at the annual meeting in October. Alpheus King, of Dane, was elected President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary, and H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer.

The first fair of the society was held in the village of Lodi, October 2, 3 and 4, 1866, and was regarded as a success. Annual fairs have since been held up to and including 1879, from which were received from all sources $13,872.7:2, of which amount have been e.xpended for premiums, $6,652.55 ; rent of grounds, $1,295; fitting up of grounds, $2,938.12. It has paid its premiums in full every year, excepting in 1878, when the weather was so unfavorable the fair was a comparative failure.

A constitution and by-laws were adopted at the annual meeting in October, 1866. The oflicers of the society from that date to 1880 have been as follows : 1866 - Alpheus King, of Dane, President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1867 - Alpheus King, of Dane, President ; H. AV. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1868 - Alpheus King, of Dane, President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary ; II. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1869 - Fred Perry, of West Point, President ; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary: H. M. Ayre, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1870 - Jonas Narrecong, of Lodi, President; H. W. Cass, of Lodi, Secretary; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1871 - Jonas Narrecong, of Lodi, President; Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, Secretary; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1872 - P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, President ; Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, Secretary ; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1873 - P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, President ; Isaac Van Ness, of West Point, Secretary ; J. B. Dwinnell, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1874 - Robert Steele, of Dane, President; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary; D. C. Stanley, of Vienna, Treasurer (died during the year). 1875 - Robert Steele, of Dane, President ; E. .W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1876 - J. T. Collins, of Arlington, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; P. S. Kingsley, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1877 - J. 0. Eaton, of Lodi, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; J. Caldwell, of Arlington, Treasurer. 1878 - J. 0. Eaton, of Lodi, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; J. Caldwell, of Arlington, Treasurer. 1879 - Robert Steele, of Dane, President ; E. W. Gardner, of Lodi, Secretary ; Job Mills, of Lodi, Treasurer. 1880 - A. A. Boyce. of Vienna, President ; E. W. GartJner, of Lodi, Secretary ; Job Mills, of Lodi, Treasurer.

At a special meeting of the Executive Committee, held February 12, 1870, a contract was made with James McCloud for grounds for a period of five years, for the purpose of holding the annual fairs, Mr. McCloud to fit up and furnish the same for the convenience of the fair, and to receive an annual rent therefor of $250.

At the annual meeting of the society, August 30, 1873, on petition of Thomas Sanderson and twenty-five other freeholders of the town of Leeds, that town was admitted to all the privileges of the society.

In 1875, an arrangement was made with the Lodi Driving Park Association, by which the * society was to have the use of their park for fair purposes, and its meetings have since been held at that place. The grounds have been well fitted up for all purposes of an agricultural society. One of the best half-mile tracks in the State affords an opportunity for the display or training of fast horses ; an art hall, 34x110 feet, suitably arranged for the display of such articles as are found therein, and a hall for agricultural products, are among the attractions. At this time (1880), the society has no floating debt, but is owing $675, due in 1884, contracted for fitting up the grounds. By legislative action, it has been placed on the same footing, for State aid, as the county societies.

In 1844, the Potters' Union, of Staffordshire, England, was supporting in idleness a large number of unemployed potters, at an expense of some £70 per week. The idea was then conceived of organizing an emigration society, in order to give these unemployed men, or others "of their trade, an opportunity of emigrating to America, where lands were cheap and where industry would surely be rewarded, thus relieving their country of surplus labor, and enabling those that remained to obtain better wages. It was argued that a redundancy of hands depreciates the value of labor and lowers it in price ; if, therefore, any plan could be acted upon by which that redundancy could be destroyed, an efficient blow would be given to the cause of labor's wrongs. " Low prices are the effect of surplus labor ; surplus labor is a consequence of the increasing power of production and the ignorance of the working classes. If the working classes had possessed intelligence, the millions of money expended by them in battling with effects - in useless strikes for a raise of price when starving men were in the land, and prepared to work at any price - would have been devoted to a more sterling object; to the eradicating of the cause that produced low prices, and the consequent distress that has existed and that now exists among the working classes of this empire."*

It was to this process of reasoning that the pottei's of Staffordshire owed the existence of their joint-stock emigration society. If a general plan of emigration could be brought into practical operation, the £70 per week being expended could speedily be dispensed with, by the removal of its claimants to happy homes in this Western World, where they would not have to starve on the charitable pittance of their brethren and to waste their days in idleness, but where all the powers of their existence would be called into active operation, and where industry and economy would be certain of producing independence in the progress of time.

The "Potters' Joint-Stock Emigration Society and Savings Fund" was organized, according to an act of Parliament, May, 1844. Its object was " to raise a fund, by weekly contributions from each member, according to the number of shares held by such member, to purchase, in the Western States of the North American Union, 12,000 acres of land ; to raise on the same buildings for the use of British operative potters desiring to emigrate, through the medium of shares, of not less than =£1 each."

It was proposed that, with the moneys realized by these ,£1 shares, a given number of families, elected by ballot, should be sent to the society's land, to each of which families should be given twenty acres of land, and the migrating expenses of the whole to be defrayed by the company's funds. It was also permitted of any member who had paid £1, the privilege of emigrating, he bearing his own expenses, and to choose twenty acres of land, erecting thereon a building, and to cultivate the same. Any one elected by ballot, who did not choose to go, was permitted to dispose of his chance as he might think proper to any member of the society. Women were permitted to become members of the society, but were not permitted to hold office. Its general management was vested in a President, Vice President, Secretary, two Money Stewards, three Trustees, two Treasurers, one Estate Steward and one Deputy Estate Steward, who were permitted to remain in office so long as they gave general satisfaction, and did their duty according to its rules and regulations.

The objects of the society met with the approval of the great body of men in whose interest it was organized; its membership rapidly increased, and. in 184G, when a sufficient fund ' had been raised for the purpose, Hamlet Copeland, John Sawyer and James Hammond were sent out to purchase land and make such preparations as were necessary for the welfare of those who desired to emigrate. They brought with them a fine set of fancy pottery, designed as a present for the General Land Commissioner, at Washington. When they arrived in that city, the Commissioner was absent, but his brother,, who was a clerk in the department, received them, and in his name accepted the present and advised them to seek a home in Wisconsin. Coming to this State, they carefully looked over the field, and selected 1,640 acres in a body in the town of Scott, Columbia County. This they had surveyed into twenty-acre tracts, on each of which was to be erected a dwelling-house for the occupancy of the emigrants.

In the pottery trade, as carried on in England, there were eight branches, and each branch had its separate union. After a sufficient time had elapsed, as the society thought, for the committee sent out to make all due preparation, each of these unions selected one of their number to form an Estate Committee, who were to come with the emigrants, and see that each member of their respective unions received his just credits and was not imposed on by the General Committee. This Estate Committee was composed of Isaac Smith, Henry Dooley, Enoch Pickering, George Summerfield, Joseph Cloous, Samuel Fox, George Robertshaw and William Bradshaw. Easter week, 1847, a band of emigrants, consisting of the eight mentioned and others to the number of forty-four, left the potteries in Staffiardshire, accompanied by a band of music and a turnout of several thousand people, who came to see them off and bid fiirewell. Taking ship at Liverpool, they sailed for New York, and, after spending five long, dreary weeks upon the water, they landed at Castle Garden. By way of the Erie Canal they journeyed to Buffalo, N. Y., and thence to Milwaukee by lake. Here they were met by James Hammond, who was to be their conductor to the "promised land."

Arriving in Scott, they found but four houses erected, and all in an unfinished condition - not a window in nor a door hung, and no real provision made for their comfort ; but this was not the fault of the committee, as they had not been given time enough to have all things in readiness. The men were of necessity required to go to work and build houses for themselves, in the mean time living as best they could. At this time, provisions were hard to obtain, with or without money, and starvation seemed to stare them in the face. For days and weeks, bread was not to be obtained ; potatoes, too, were scarce, butter unknown, and the outlook was dreary indeed. Discouraging reports were sent back to friends in England, which had the effect of discouraging emigration and to cripple the work of the society. Many who had taken an active interest in the work, withdrew their aid, so much so that sufficient funds could not be raised to even supply the wants of those who had already been sent out, much less to send others. At this juncture, the society was re-organized, and, instead of limiting the membership to the potters, all trades were permitted to unite in furtherance of the object which brought it into existence. Every effort was made by the society to prevent the spread of discouraging reports. Circulars were issued and scattered broadcast, in one of which the general agent spoke as follows: "At the commencement of the Potters' Joint-Stock Emigration Society, and up to the present time [May, 1848], its operations were confined to working potters alone. It is now the pleasure of the founder to announce that these o])erations are thrown open to the service of other trades ; and that the success of the potters in their land movement for trade's protection, is of the most cheering character. Apart from strikes, they have succeeded in raising the price of their labor upward of 20 per cent, and throughout a long and unparalleled stagnation of trade, they have conserved the improved price thus secured. This great success is wholly a consequence of their land operations. Instead of resorting to ruinous strikes, they have put the ax to the root of all trades' evil - surplus labor. In ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, these just demands have been complied with ; and when refused, and men discharged from their employ, these objects of persecution were at once removed to self-supporting twepty-acre farms, rejoicing in their release from the oppressor's yoke."

On the first purchase of land by the society, in the town of Scott, were settled in the first year 134 persons. The settlement was given the name of Pottersville.

The new rules adopted by the society secured to each individual who chose to avail himself of the privilege, twenty acres of land and two years' credit for twelve months' provisions on the store of the colony. To every balloted member, twenty acres of land, five broken up, sown and fenced ; a good substantial log dwelling ; passage money for family, and two years' credit for provisions - all for the small contribution of sixpence per week. The balloted member had also all the emigrating expenses of himself, wife and children, under eighteen years of age, defrayed by the society.

In 184'J, Thomas Twigg was sent out with full power to purchase 50,000 acres of land, and did purchase a considerable amount in the towns of Fort Winnebago, Columbia County, and Moundville, Marquette County. On Section 4, on the banks of the b'ox River, at a place called Twigg's Landing, he opened a store for the society and also put in operation a blacksmith-shop, A branch store was also started in the town of Scott. The Trustees at this time were John Johnson, Charles Adams and Thomas Twiggs. The Stewards in charge of the store were unfortunate in the transaction of the business, contracting debts which could not be paid on maturity. Suits were brought against the society, judgment obtained, and a levy made upon the tract of land first purchased in the town of Scott. Friends of the parties then living on the land, bought it in and permitted the occupants to remain thereon, paying therefor a proportionate part of the amount paid. News of this state of affairs was sent back to England, confidence was lost in the management of the society and it soon disbanded. A few of the emigrants returned to England, but the greater part remained, some of whom entered land for themselves elsewhere in this and adjoining counties, and in due course of time became substantial citizens.