Columbia County, Wisconsin - Chapter 10: The City of Portage, 1880 (part 1 of 3)

Chapter 10: The City of Portage

Early Settlement - Growth of Portage - Portage Thirty Years Ago - Portage in 1860 - "Claim Twenty-one" - Richard Freeman Veeder - The Guppey Plat and Veeder Claim - Organization and Government of Portage - The Canal - The Schools - Religious Institutions - Manufactories - Ferries and Bridges - The Fire Department AND Fire Record - Bank.s - Wisconsin Editorial A.ssociation - Early Justice in Portage - The ScHULZE Band - The Post Office - Hotels - Public Halls - Local Militia- Orders and Societies - Cemeteries - Portage of To-day.

Henry Carpenter, now residing at Coloma, Waushara County, was the first white man to make, within the present city limits of Portage, improvements of a permanent and progressive character, though preceded, as a resident, by Silas Walsworth. Mr. Carpenter says :

" I landed in Portage in July, 1837 - my wife and I and a man and wife by the name of Hart. Henry Merrell was keeping a sutler's store when I came, in a building close by the fort.* He afterward built and moved to the west side of Fox River. The first white woman who came to the portage, and permanently settled there, was Sarah Carpenter, my wife ; the first white child born at the portage was George Carpenter, my son. Silas Walsworth kept a small grocery on the Wiscpnsin River, near the place where I built my hotel. Gideon Low (an army officer), then living at the fort, was building the Franklin House when I came, and afterward moved into it."

Neither Carpenter nor Low came to Portage to settle there, although they finally became residents. The same may be said of Henry Merrell, who was a suttler at Fort Winnebago, and came to the portage in 18-34. He built a store on the west side of the Fox River, opposite the fort, in the summer or fall of 1837, about the same time that Carpenter erected the old original United States Hotel. Both Merrell and Low lived and died in Portage. Silas Walsworth, whom Carpenter found living on the portage in July, 1837, came the same year. He afterward married the Widow Pervonsal, more familiarly known as Madame Pauquette, and, in 1846, when Columbia County was organized, was chosen to fill the responsible office of County Judge, though he failed to qualify and assume its duties. He came to the portage as a trader who might at any time leave for another place.

The year 1838 witnessed the advent of Andrew Dunn, Hugh McFarlane, Clark Whitney, J. Garrison, Archibald Barker, Jonathan Cole and others. Dunn, McFarlane and Whitney, it seems, were the only ones who "came to stay." The full tide of immigration set in during 1839-40, and continued unabated for nearly twenty years.

Growth Of Portagk

The development of Portage, during the first fifteen years of its existence, was rapid. Unlike most Wisconsin cities and villages, dependent upon the local water-power site for their earlier greatness. Portage commanded a large share of the trade of all those portions of the State lying between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien ; that is to say, the products of the region of country extending along the Fox and' Wisconsin Rivers found their way to Portage, where exchanges and sales were made, and thus the place became, and, in fact, has since remained the entrepot of Central Wisconsin. Under these circumstances, its growth has been rapid, though of a less substantial nature in the earlier part of its history than now. In fact, from 1849 to

1860 may be denominated the speculative period in its development ; while the era of permanent progress occupies the time from the latter date to the present. The canal, of course, was the improvement toward which every one looked and the thoughts of all reverted. When it was finally decided that there should be a canal, before the survey had been made, great excitement prevailed among the people owning and occupying the little cluster of houses along Wisconsin street. It was generally believed that the two rivers would be connected through Bronson avenue, inasmuch as the two streams approached nearest together at this point, and a demand for property along the avenue was necessarily soon manifested. But, as some experience has long since taught, there is no telling where canals and railroads are going until they get there ; the Portage Canal was no exception to the rule. Bronson avenue property owners were seriously disappointed when the fiat went forth that the canal, with a perplexing elbow in it, should be located some distance northwest of them. This announcement created confusion, and real estate values were sadly effected. Immigrants were constantly pouring in, but very few of them chose to locate upon " the flat;" they preferred high ground. And then it was that the first settlements were made along the brow of the semi-circular hill, then so clearly discernible, in what are now the Second and Third Wards. The population of this new settlement was composed almost entirely of former residents of Fremont, Ohio. A very brisk rivalry soon sprang up between the old residents of " Lower Town " and the new comers of "Upper Town;" and when the latter became influential enough to secure the removal of the post-office to the north side of the canal, the name " Gougeville " was immediately substituted for " Upper Town " by the chagrined denizens of "The Flat. " The energy and industry of all classes, however, soon united in the common cause of progress. The two settlements became one, and local differences of a character to retard development were thereafter seldom indulged in.

In the fall of 18.5o, there were ten dry goods stores in Portage, with an aggregate stock worth nearly a quarter of a million of dollars. Of other mercantile establishments, such as grocery, drug, clothing, hardware, jewelry and tin stores, thei'e were sixteen. This number did not include the "grocery stores " where liquor was the chief commodity dealt in. In several of the establishments mentioned, the daily receipts were from $100 to $150, and it was generally conceded that more business was transacted in Portage (then but three or four years of age) than in Jamesville, the latter having the advantage of three times the population and twenty years' experience.

" Three years ago," says a writer of 1854, "it was but a bare frontier settlement around the old Fort Winnebago ; now it numbers 3,000 inhabitants, and is the center of trade for a large tract of the best country in the State. Two freight and passenger steamers are running to this place weekly from the Mississippi River, thereby connecting Portage with St. Louis and New Orleans. There is but one check to its growth, and that I regard as only temporary ; I mean the Veeder claim dispute, just decided by the Supreme Court in favor of Veeder."

During 1854. manufacturing institutions, schools and churches sprang up on every hand. The very atmosphere appeared to throb with the pulsations of progi'ess. McNeal & Burgher completed their four-story stone flouring-mill on the canal in this year ; Smith & Blair established a furnace on Dodge street ; work was commenced on the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad depot buildings ; a classical institute was placed upon a sound footing ; a daily mail was established between Madison and Portage ; H. Orton organized a circus, and gave a performance for the benefit of the poor ; while numerous other progressive movements were made.

In 185.5, D. Vandercook built and finished his substantial brick block, 46x65, three stories high ; B. F. Pixley erected a steam planing-mill, on the north bank of the river, near the ferry. Arnold, Fai'go, Mappa, Dunn and McFarlane broke ground for an extensive brick structure (now the- Corning House), on the northwest corner of Cook and Wisconsin streets ; Mr. Sexton completed a block of stores on Cook street ; six brick buildings, the property of Mr. McTighe, were in course of construction ; the Methodist Church was completed ; the Presbyterian Church was commenced ; the Episcopal Church was finished, and numerous private residences were occupied for the first time A local editor sums up the work of two years as follows: " Two years ago this month (August), we took possession of the room we now occupy as a printing ofBce - which was hurriedly finished for the purpose - in an isolated building, with a few temporary cabins in the immediate neighborhood. The corner opposite was cultivated as a vegetable garden, and one unfinished building on DeWitt street stood alone between us and the corner above. Now, the space, from street to street, is covered with handsome business blocks - one banking house, twelve new stores, offices, saloons and shops - and the busy hum of trade rises from the spot then covered with cabbages and potatoes. On the next corner, where the grassplat spread so invitingly for the circus folks to pitch their tents, now stands a block of fireproof buildings, fifty-four feet high from cellar to battlement, with a front of one hundred and thirty feet, and built in a style unexcelled by any in the State. Alongside of this, fronting on Wisconsin and Cook streets, masons iire actively engaged in raising the walls of a block of still larger size ; and still another store and brick building is being erected on the northwest corner of Wisconsin and Cook streets, by Mr. Haertel. Three handsome church edifices are being finished with all the dispatch that circumstances will admit." At this date, the population of Portage, officially ascertained, was 2,062, as follows : First Ward, 612 ; Second Ward, 443 ; Third Ward, 464 ; Fourth Ward, 543. This did not include the residents in the vicinity of the Fort, those in Pacific or that portion of Lewiston embraced in the business of the city. In September, Prospect Hill was surveyed and laid out in city building lots by Dr. McCuUoch, and in the early part of October, Milo H. Pettibone purchased of Thomas Christopher the lots corner of DeWitt and Cook streets, paying therefor $4,000. One of the conditions of the sale required Mr. Pettibone to erect within one year a brick block, not less than three stories high, and to occupy the entire front on DeWitt street (114 feet). C. J. Pettibone was then at work on a similar structure on the opposite side of the street. As showing the normal condition of things at that date, it is stated that during three months of the summer and fall of 1855, more than ten thousand persons, with their teams, stock, etc., crossed the Wisconsin River in the neighborhood of Portage, en route for homes in the great Northwest.

At the beginning of the year 1856, contracts had been let for the completion of 100 buildings the then coming season. Among other institutions in successful operation at that date, there were five hotels, one iron foundry and machine-shop, one steam saw-mill, one planing-mill, one flouring-mill and three brick-yards. Besides the numerous mercantile institutions already established, eleven brick structures, to be filled with new goods when completed, were then in process of construction ; five churches and three printing-offices helped to make up the list of important things.

In the fall of 1856. Ketchum's Second Addition to Portage was laid out, and became a part of the city ; the Portage Bridge Company was organized, and preparations made for the construction of the great bridge over the Wisconsin River. About the middle of November, on a damp, still morning, the heavy atmosphere vibrated to notes never before heard in the vicinity. Whence came they? The "thing" screamed again. The oldest settlers' knees trembled, and women are said to have fainted. The citizens assembled in little knots on the street corners, and, finally, a Committee of Safety having been appointed, it was ascertained that a railway construction train, somewhere between Pondsville and Cambria, had run out to the end of the road to wake up the natives with its little whistle. Fear and sorrow was soon afterward turned to joy when the iron horse came puffing into the city.

A local newspaper, announcing some of the principal business changes within the month, tells us that " Mr. Van Winter's Block, on Cook street, is now in working order, Mr. Van Winter having removed his stock round the corner into No. 1, and Messrs. Emmerson & McGrath having taken possession of No. 2. Messrs. B. & S. Schwartz, finding their three stores, on the east side of the canal, too small for their stock, have taken the one recently vacated by Mr. Van Winter. J. Servis & Co. (newcomers in town) have taken the store formerly occupied by G. W. Babcock, in Pettibone's Block, which they have filled with readymade clothing. Mr. Babcock has changed his quarters to Verandah Block, in the store heretofore occupied by J. B. Miller. 0. Case still offers bargains at the 'People's Store,' formerly known as Anderson's." At that date, the population of Portage was 4,364. It is not surprising that new additions to the city and new stores and manufactories were so frequently announced. Building did not cease through the entire winter (and it was a cold one). A public sale of real estate took place the day after Christmas, at which $13,000 changed hands for -city lots, most of the purchasers proceeding immediately to rear houses thereon.

The panicky condition of affairs in 1857 had its effect upon the progress of Portage. There noticeably less activity in all kind of business. Real estate ceased to advance in price, there was less demand for building material, money became scarce, cash customers were in greater demand and the people moved cautiously. The end of the speculative era had arrived. Then commenced the substantial and permanent period of the young city's growth. The completion of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad and the spanning of the Wisconsin River with the great bridge in this year are important items in the history of Portage. It was cause for congratulation that the citizens had never voted the credit of the city, except to aid in the building of the bridge, and, while other cities and villages were struggling to meet their bonded obligations, Portage occupied the enviable position of a brilliant exception in the matter of indebtedness. Private capital was no less plenty than in years past, but there was less of it in sight.

In the spring of 1858, in spite of the hard times, there were from fifty to eighty buildings being erected, many of them of brick, of the most substantial character. Labor, lumber and lots had become as good a circulating medium as coin itself. Lumber men bought lots, built houses and paid in lumber ; laborers obtained lumber and building lots in exchange for work, while land-owners contracted for work, lumber and other material, and gave an equivalent in lots.

In 1859, the assessed real and personal property, in the city of Portage, was valued at A correspondent draws the following picture : " Seven years ago, I entered Portage on a lumber-wagon, after a tedious four days journey from Milwaukee. What is now a large, well-built city, with an enterprising population, was then an unreclaimed waste, dotted by a few straggling houses. Its growth has been almost magical. It contains many structures that would do honor to a much larger city. The churches, especially, are unusually fine edifices, and speak well for the intelligence and morality of the inhabitants. There are also several large blocks built in a substantial and tasteful manner. The color of the brick made here is the same as that of the far-famed Milwaukee brick, and gives to the place a cheerful and pleasing appearance."

The war of the rebellion came, and the unparelleled progress that has always characterized the history of Portage was again temporarily checked. The implements of industry were laid aside, and the destructive weapons of war taken up. Hundreds of the best men composing the thriving population gave up their pursuits of peace and joined the grand army to aid in -obliterating treason. Many of them never returned. A new generation has grown up. Confidence in the integrity of the Government has been fully restored. The rays of a new industrial era are just beginning to shed their welcome splendor over the battlements of progress. Portage, through all the tribulations that resulted disastrously to other cities, has not receded. Her commercial supremacy has been steadily maintained. Her reverses have simply checked, not diminished, her prosperity. She boasts of shrewd and enterprising merchants. All that is now lacking is the development of the manufacturing advantages she naturally possesses, she being, as it were, the "half-way house " of Wisconsin.

Portage Thirty Years Ago

Fort Winnebago, in 1850, claimed a population of 300 or 400 inhabitants, but had, by actual count, probably 200 ; and no small share of these were merely transient stoppers in the place. There were three villages then - the little collection of houses under the hill this side of the Fox River at the fort, the little hamlet down the plank road at the United States Hotel, and what is now the site of the city. A Detroit firm, Webb & Bronson, had bought and platted a large tract, including a portion of what is now the Second Ward, and extending nearly to the fort; and for a long time the proprietors did not give up the idea that over near the fort was to be the future city ; for none of the inhabitants even then doubted that Portage was to be an important point. In that little burg were to be found Henry and G. H. Merrell, in the drygoods and grocery business ; L. Berry, in the same line ; A. Sheret, we believe, Bully O'Neil, the tinker, in the tin business, and somebody running a blacksmith-shop. The post office for this whole section of country, with a semi-weekly mail, was also over there, and was kept by G. T. Getty, and John Graham was the first clerk. M. R. Keegan and C. H. Moore held forth in the old Government building at the left of the bridge, on the opposite side of the river, and ran a grocery and provision store ; F. Steber occupying one corner of the store as a watchmaker and jeweler. Mr. Moore afterward conducted a store on his own account on Canal street, just in the rear of the building afterward occupied by N. M. Henry. Later, he pulled up stakes and went West. Mr. Steber also soon after removed over and continued in the jewelry business until his death in 1872. Dr. Prentice lived at the fort, in one of the officers' buildings, at the right of the road, and practiced his profession. He also, a few years later, removed "into town," where he still resides. C. D. Hottenstein, also physician and surgeon, resided in that locality as well ; but in 18.')6 or 1857, removed to Columbia, Penn. William Spain resided at the fort, and occupied his time in civil engineering. James Chancellor, now of St. Louis, taught school there during the week, and preached on Sundays. Erastus Cook lived in a little house on the avenue in front of the Franklin House. He and a Mr. Burnham kept a little store near the Franklin House. Capt. Low lived in the old agency building. -

The Franklin House was a somewhat noted hotel, and for a short time was kept by Mr. Ahlum, who removed to California the same year. He was succeeded by Burnham & Arrasby as proprietors, and, a little later in the year, Aaron Thompson, afterward Marshal of the city, assumed control. John Graham acted as clerk for Ahlum, and Charlie Thompson officiated for his father as clerk, hostler and " bar keep."

The post office was, late that year or early the following year, removed over to " Gougeville," as Uncle Henry Carpenter delighted to call this portion of the town, and was kept in the store of T. Dean & Co. - N. W. Dean, of Madison, being the Co. - and John H. Clark was the post office clerk. L. Berry succeeded Mr. Dean as Postmaster. Thad. Dean, in 1852, went over the Plains to California, but in a few years returned.

The little burg at the fort was not entirely abandoned for a number of years after, but no traces of a town are now left, the buildings having either rotted down or been removed.

Uncle Carpenter's town down the plank road, consisted of a dry-goods store, kept by himself, with 0. P. Williams, as clerk ; the Wisconsin House, kept by M. Van Winter ; the old United States Hotel, with mine host Carpenter as proprietor ;, one or two private houses ; and a first-class steamboat landing. Mr. Van Winter continued there for a time, but yielding gradually to the onward march of progress in this direction, he first removed half-way up and located a store about where the channel of the Wisconsin River now is, and afterward abandoned the flat entirely, came into town and erected the handsome brick block now occupied by Loomis, Gallett & Breese, as a dry-goods store.

On the morning of the 2d of February, 1852, the old United States Hotel, located a few rods south of the presant building, was destroyed by fire. In the hall of this building, Langrische & Atwater and the elder Adams' theatrical troupes used to delight the natives in the rendition of tragedies that would make a saint weep and a Winnebago Indian lay his tomahawk down at the foot-lights. It is related that Moses M. Strong, being present at one of these entertainments, was called out by the boys and responded by " You'd scarce e.xpect one of my age to speak in public on the stage, etc.," which called forth rounds of applause. And here, too. the young folks, together with the festive old devotees of Terpsichore, occasionally assembled and " hoed it down " with great animation and delight. It may be mentioned, also, that in this building historic tradition hath it tliat the first wliite child was born in the city - George Carpenter.

Portage proper was confined, principally, to a limit east of De Witt street and south of Pleasant, with a few scattering houses to Ketchum's Point, and about an equal number south of the canal. That year, Edwin Sylvester erected the Washington House on the corner south of where now stands the First Ward Schoolhouse, John Graham officiating as clerk. Perry Lee afterward became proprietor, and ran the hotel till it was burned in 1859 or 1860. Theophilus" Muelhause (old Louis) acted as hostler for him for a number of years. R. Twentyman erected a building in the opposite block, and opened a store. He soon left for England, and died in two hours after reaching his home. Stewart & Anderson, with Hoppock & Greenwood, of New York, opened a store in the building opposite Hank James' old ball alley. The firm never got rich there, but were always happy, and Harve would always be in fashion if he never laid up a cent. A steam mill by Campbell, Buchanan & Murison was in contemplation, and partially constructed that fall. These, together with a few isolated buildings, constituted nearly all south of the canal.

That which has become so beautiful and thickly settled a residence, as well as business portion of the town, was then straggling enough ; and its residents were exceedinfily sensitive as to any intimation that north of the canal, on the ridge, was not the center of Portage, and, possibly of the State. The feeling between the different localities was oftentimes bitter, and men's interests in one or the other little hamlet had entirely too much to do with the opinions of each other. It is strange now to remember that such strong jealousies ever existed. The main institutions on the present site of the city were Uncle Dick Veeder's tavern, C. B. Smith's store and a liberty pole. The town was then, however, as now, rich in saloons, for the population. Main street was the principal business street. Veeder's tavern stood opposite the old barn, and in 1860, together with the new and commodious structure of that name, was consumed by fire. In the old "tavern," for "Uncle Dick" never allowed any one to speak of it as an "hotel" without a rebuke, there were many incidents, and much of interest which would repay a recital, but would fill a volume. The old house was known far and wide, and was the favorite stopping place of lumbermen in their weary return from Galena and other points below, long before emigration set this way. E. B. Treadwell was the faithful and obliging clerk. C. B. Smith's store was the store of the place. Smith was a rollicking genius, and exactly suited to work up a lively trade with the equally rollicking and devil-may-care community. During the summer months, his goods were transported by river, from Galena, by the old steamer Enterprise, a stern-wheeler of no mean pretensions at that early day. She made regular weekly trips, was well patronized and did a thrifty and profitable business. In the fall, Ellas Thomas inaugurated the system of hauling goods by teapi, from Milwaukee, for Smith, and the succeeding years witnessed an immense business in that line, which was continued until superseded by the iron horse in the winter of 1856. Lorenzo Burger clerked for him and afterward went to California. Riley Moulton also clerked for Smith, and afterward married his widow. They removed to New Lisbon, where Mrs. Moulton died. A little later, the store of Smith was occupied by Isaac Brill, a dry-goods and clothing store, and in the winter of 1851 or 1852, was destroyed by fire.

The spring and summer of 1850 wittnessed the coming, from Ohio, of C. J. Pettlbone, C. G. McCulloch, George Wall, John A. Johnson, E. L. Jaeger and perhaps others. Mr. Pettlbone opened a store in an old building. He brought on a large stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and opened for awhile, without, however, very flattering success. He finally, with a portion of his goods, started for Madison. On his way down he became mud-bound, and, while absent, his wise disposed of barrels of sugar, and other goods in proportion, to customers 80 and 100 miles north. On his return, with this flattering evidence of business, he concluded to remain. He succeeded beyond expectation, and he here laid the foundation for a large fortune. Mr. E. L. Jigger was the head clerk for him at that time, and remained with him for a number of years thereafter. McCulloch soon became the leading druggist and was located at the head of Main street and on the north side of Conant, and Dr. Best ran a smaller establishment of the kind further down the street, and also practiced at his profession. Fred. A. Peabody, a wide-awake Yankee, ran a grocery on Main street. Mr. Brewer run a butcher-shop on the opposite side.

while Dave Morgan and a curly-headed mulatto ran a barber-shop a door or two below Dr. Best's. Frank Winnie was shoeing horses on Conant street. John Gates came in the fall of 1850, and opened the " Janesville store," in a building opposite the City Hotel, on Cook street. Mr. Older came with him. Mr. Gates " organized" the first dray in town. George and Robert Norris run a tin-shop next door to Mr. Gates. The Time» office was opened in a building which then stood on Cook street. It was afterward removed to Canal street.

The legal fraternity was represented then by John Delaney, M. D. Ingraham, D. J. M. Loop, L. Van Slyck, Alvah Hand, Judge Kellogg, W. R. De Witt, A. C. Ketchum, J. A. Johnson and L. S. Dixon. John Delaney was eminent in his profession, and was widely known as a politician. M. D. Ingraham was another gifted and brilliant young man, whom all old settlers remember well, and his death, a year later, was universally lamented. D. J. M. Loop - and who, of all old neighbors, cannot remember him ? Van Slyck was Justice then, and Loop practiced in Van's court, and it was Van's chief delight, when the frisky little disciple of Blackstone became enraged and unruly, to take him by the nape of his neck and the seat of his pants and throw him bodily through the window into the street. Alvah Hand, ever faithful to his client, continued the practice here till his death, which event occurred several years ago. Judge Kellogg died in 1874 at Rio. De Witt went West in search of another " rattletrap " farm in 1860. A. C. Ketchum went to Memphis. John A. Johnson was the first partner of L. S. Dixon. Judge Dixon came late in the fall of 1850, fresh from the Vermont University, and the law school at Ballston Spa, we think, and here laid the foundation for the eminence he subsequently achieved at the bar and on the bench

The town was soon full of mechanics, among them Alexander Carnagie. Alexander Chrystie and a man named Johnson ran a carpenter-shop on the corner near the City Hotel, and the building was afterward occupied by Col. Vaughan (brother-in-law to LeRoy Gates), a daguerrian, who removed to the Territories years later. H. Sexton and L. S. Thompson carried on the furniture business at HoUenbeck's old stand.

The first and only schoolhouse, at that time, excepting the Portage High School, with Mrs. Butz (afterward Mrs. Cornwall) as Principal, was situated in a small building and Delos Brown was the pedagogue.

The Presbyterians were the only denomination who could afibrd a church building, and Rev. W. W. McNair, who was the only preacher living there, preached the first season, at least, to the greater portion of the church-going community. Jenny Lind Williams used to come in eight or ten miles each Sunday to preside at the organ. The church stood on Cook street, nearly opposite the jail. Mr. McNair built and lived in the Doty House, and a few years after removed to the northwest part of the State. Williams is dead.

The construction of the canal between the two rivers, by the" State, was then in progress, and a large number of laborers were attracted hither seeking employment, which was readily obtained. Thomas Reynolds had the contract for the work proper, while Gelson McNeal constructed the locks. Charlie Kingsbury, of iSt. Joseph, Mo., was in charge of the dredge boat, then working its way up the Fox, and a Mr. Alton was chief engineer, and had general supervision over all. The first boat through the canal was the steamer John L. Mitchell, which event occurred May 23, 1851. The appearance of the boat called out quite a concourse of people who gazed upon it in wonder and indulged in extravagant prediction? as to the future. The first steamboat whistle ever heard on the " Wisconse" in this region, was that of the old Enterprise. Perry Williams was the first man to catch the shrill sound. Never having heard its like before. Perry mistook the sound for the cries of some drowning raftsman in the last agonies of despair, secured a skiff and started to his relief. An experienced riverman happening along, informed Perry that he was a "'cussed dunce and had better go West," or words to that effect.

C. W. Mappa erected the first warehouse, which stood opposite the upper lock on the river bank. It afterward toppled over and was long since removed.

Capt. William Weir then took the fort under his protecting wing, as captain of the post in charge, and guarded faithfully and well the interests of " Uncle Sam."

Michel Brisbois lived where John Graham's new brick block now stands. Mrs. B. was the of Pierre Pauquette. Valentine Helmann was then shoving the jack-plane, while Owen, John and Larey Ward, Tom Dalton, Pat Sheehan, Jack Maloney and others, were like-wise engaged when not studying the sand bars and intricate channel of the " old Wisconse."

Of those not already mentioned, there were La Fayette Van Dusen, Dr. Seaman and Henry Ensign. All three are living in the Golden State. Of others now absent or dead, there are remembered Dr. F. W. Miller (an excellent physician, trusty friend and esteemed citizen), L. Cornwell, Amasa Wilson, E. Childs, J. M. Crawford, Deputy Sheriif Spoor, Dan Boylan, Jim Scott, Doc. Rollins, Dick Lamb, Thornton Thompson, Gale Anderson, Sam Carpenter, Charlie McNeal, D. B. Peck, Uncle Major Linn, Col. Morehouse and family, John Lodge, J. B. Sandderson, W. E. Waite, and last, though perhaps least, in size, little Sam Pearsoll.

The spring and summer witnessed the coming of a large number who have since been identified as among the city's most prominent citizens: J. J. Guppey, Josiah Arnold, J. B. Fargo, Q. N. Richmond, Samuel Edwards, R. 0. Loomis, H. S. Haskell, Milo and William Pettibone, A. B. Alden, 0. Ward and others. Guppey then, as now, was County Judge. Not that he has held the office continuously since that time, for, be it remembered, he was an active participant in the late war, first entering the service as Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth Regiment, and afterward assuming command of the Twenty-third, as Colonel.

Felix McLinden, "when the sun was low," assisted Samuel Reynolds about the improvement, and officiated in those days as Sergeant-at-arms of the Assembly. In a little building on Main street, N. H. Wood ran an auction store. H. G. Hansen and 0. C. Bellrude kept a shoe-shop on Conant street, at the head of Main, and Thomas Buttrey had a similar institution, also on Conant street. Among other ancient "landmarks" deserving a passing notice were old Jo Robinson and old Uncle Lord, both graduates from the militai-y post at Fort Winnebago.

The jumping of claims was of daily occurrence, and a street fight or a "knock-down " among the contestants for a corner lot was a frequent and indeed animating pastime ; and may we not be pardoned for incidentally mentioning, at this late day, that we also occasionally "got one in under the ear," ourselves, but always, however, in defense of an honest claim. " Oh, dem was good times." The whole town site west of De Witt street, with occasionally here and there a house, was then in its primeval condition, being almost entirely covered with undergrowth. Main, and the east end of Cook, Conant and a little settlement in the Third Ward on Pleasant street were in town, and anywhere outside of them seemed like going into the country. Down by Hiurtel's Brewery, Emder's, the bank corner and Coming's store, pigeons were hunted among the then dense oak-trees, with no indifferent success. Mr. Whitney, one of the early pioneers (who died a year or two after), resided in a little frame house fronting on Canal street. The house formerly stood where Emder's Hotel now stands, and Whitney's always had a little wheat-field in his inclosure. Beyond Mr. Whitney's and near the upper lock, resided old Mr. Dempsey, who afterward removed to Lewiston, and, a few years ago, while fulfilling a contract for wood with us, fell from a load, was run over and instantly killed. A little further up and just beyond the lock, stood the building so long occupied by 0. P. Williams as a residence, and which was afterward burned. In this house lived Hugh McFarlane, and in one end of the same he conducted a store. Here John Delany was dividing his time in reading law and waiting on any stray customer who chanced to favor him with a call. In the upper part of the building, Mrs. Cornwell conducted the Portage High School, an institution which was alike creditable to the enterprising citizens and its accomplished preceptress. From McFarlane's it was a short half-mile walk through the woods to the house of the late Andrew Dunn. Dunn, McFarlane and William Armstrong were early pioneers, and laid claim to a large tract of land, embracing the most of that part of the city. McFarlane was Portage's first representative in the assembly, and in making laws for the "boys" and advocating the interests of his constituents in general, proved himself a valuable member. Dunn, in 1857 or

1858, removed to New Lisbon, and, a few years later, died in the insane asylum at Madison. Across Silver Lake a mile from Dunn's, was, and still is, Conrad Collipp, the happy possessor of a valuable tract of land which has, under his supervision, been improved and beautified, and also increased in value tenfold. Samuel Slifer was Mr. Collipp's nearest neighbor. He died in 1851. Patrick Carroll made claim to what is now known as the Pettibone farm on the hill half a mile east from Collipp's. There was no road there in those days, the new pinery road not having been laid out until a year or two after. Benjamin Schulze made his claim that year, and was then living, as now, in the Second Ward. Out on ihe old pinery road. Coop. Lemour, from Canada, stuck his stakes and erected a small brick house, and, still further on, Enoch Pixley, also from Canada, pitched his tent and soon thereafter erected a brick building, and, for a time, ran a hotel for the accommotlation of the pinery trade. These two buildings were the only brick structures in the whole village. Lemour removed to California in 1858. Bemus J. Pixley lived out in the bush opposite Mayor Gallett's residence, and James Marrs lived in the old dilapidated building in front of H. S. Haskell's. Solomon Leach and 0. F. Waggoner landed here some time subsequent to the flood. Mr. Leach is rightfully entitled to the honor of building the first saw-mill which was situated on the island in the river opposite his house above the bridge. The mill was noted chiefly for its speed, the saw running on the same time-table with the Oxford stage, up one day and down the next. Mr. Waggoner for a year maintained the ferry across the river where the bridge now stands. He afterward located on the bluft' which now bears his name, four miles up the river, but having a natural love for the attractions of the frontiersman's life, he soon thereafter moved further to the front. These half-dozen residents composed about all of what now constitutes the thickly settled and populous Fourth and Fifth Wards. Communication with the outside world was then by Frink & Walker's stage line to Madison, and the Veeder House, which was the stage house, oftentimes swarmed with travelers and river men on their way to the pinery.

A writer in November, 1850, says: "The canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers at this point is very nearly completed. The work of excavation is finished, and but a small portion remains to be planked. The locks at each end are nearly finished - all, we believe, except the hanging of the gates. In addition to this improvement a levee or embankment is being erected by Messrs. Webb & Bronson (the enterprising proprietors of that part of the land on which the city is located, sold by the General Government), extending from the high land, or blufi", on the south side of the canal to the bluif on the other side of the portage. This embankment, when completed, will entirely prevent the overflow of the portage. It is now far advanced, and will cost about $16,000. Messrs. Webb & Bronson have also completed a turnpike road across the portage, from Carpenter's Hotel, on the Wisconsin River, to old Fort Winnebago, on Fox River, at a cost of $1,700.

" Heretofore, there has been but little said on the subject of the progress of our city, for the reason that while its progress has been rapid beyond parallel, it has been steady and unmarked by any particular distinguished incident. Good buildings have been erected and others are still going up. The number built within the past year is over two hundred. Among them are stores of all descriptions, mechanics' shops, taverns, offices, etc. The population of the city, as shown by the Marshal's returns, is 1,176, and is steadily increasing. This rapid improvement, startling and wonderful as it is, has been made in the face of the most serious drawbacks. Previous to the erection of the levee on the shore of the Wisconsin, eligible sites for building could only be found on the lands lately purchased from the Menomonee Indians, to which no higher title than that of a claim could be obtained. The ultimate value of such a title is subject to many contingencies, and present values and the safety of erecting buildings are determined entirely by the moral sense of the present inhabitants. So far, the confidence of those who placed a high estimate upon that moral sense has not been abused.

" The noise of hammers and saws is to be heard on every hand. The present progress of improvement is accelerated beyond that of any former time, and, during the rise of our city, the settlement in the surrounding country has more than kept pace with it. Building materials, water-powers of any capacity desired, and a rich, rapidly settling country are with us and around us. No obstacle, save that of the title to the land, stands in the track of our advancement."

'- The tourist finds at this place," says a writer at Fort Winnebago, in October, 1851, "objects of deep interest. Here is the line that divides the northern and southern waters. Let us ascend the beautiful elevation that lies between the two rivers, for observations. On facing the east, we see the wide tracts once possessed by the Winnebagoes. On the right hand rolls in silent majesty the Wisconsin River, which, emptying into the Mississippi, at length reaches the Gulf of Mexico. On the river is the flourishing village of Fort Winnebago, or, as it is called, Portage City. Here, but a few years since, we wandered through a grove, where naught but the grav; of the murdered Pauquette arrested the attention. Now, how changed the prospect ! The place is sprinkled over with pretty white cottages and substantial stores of various kinds. A small, neat church stands in bold relief upon the brow of the table land ; and this being the shire village of Columbia County, the spot where the court house is to be erected is very attractive. Standing on the high ground, it is to be a splendid building, facing a square. The courts are now held in the old garrison. On the south rise the Baraboo hills, and on the left hand the fertile lands, lately ceded to the United States by the Menomonees, stretch out in boundless extent."

"I noticed," says a writer in 1860, "some very extensive stores in which the quality of goods and amount of display were not a whit behind Milwaukee. In W. W. Forbes magnificent establishment in Pettibone's Block, there are no less than a dozen clerks busily engaged in their various departments. C. J. Pettibone's 'headquarters,' as he calls it, is in full operation. Pettibone opened his store in Portage eight or nine years ago, when it was a small village of only one tavern, one grocery, and a blacksmith-shop, where the lumbermen and farmers got cheated so badly that they christened it Gougeville. Indeed, that was the regular name for a long while of the now important and pretentious Portage. Pettibone's store has been carried on upon an honest principle, and has been largely influential, by square dealing, in removing from the incipient city its odious name. I also observed some fine stores on Cook street, and in the Vandercook Block, which appear to be prospering.

" Portage has one thing that is peculiarly enviable, and that is the beautiful cream-colored brick, of which most of her best buildings are made. Those who visit the place cannot fail to admire the splendid appearance of the Bank Block, Pettibone and Vandercook buildings, the Presbyterian Church, etc. These edifices owe their chief beauty to the material of which they are composed. I think that the pressed brick here are equal, if not superior, to the famous Milwaukee article. An extensive stone quarry back of Fort Winnebago furnishes substantial foundations for these beautiful structures, but there seems to be no disposition to use stone above the ground when brick and lumber are so easily obtained. The only stone building that I saw, except the county jail, was Reynolds, Craig & Co.'s Fort Winnebago Mill, at the junction of the canal and Fox River. This is an enormous building, four stories high, and now literally crammed with grain and flour, there being only room enough for six or eight runs of stone to operate in. The mill grinds steadily from Monday morning till Saturday night without cessation. Large quantities of flour and feed are sold and sent ofl' daily.

" Portage is insufficiently supplied just now witli good hotels. Last winter the, Lee House burned down, and, about a month ago, the famous Veeder House was destroyed by the same means. The City Hotel and the McTighe or Ellsworth House are all that are now left to fill the vacancy, and they are crowded to repletion.

" The system of union schools just established here is in great favor. Prof MagoSin, foi-merly of Carroll College, and more recently Principal of the Waukesha Union School, is at the head of an able corps of teachers, and is doing much in the cause of education."

The land upon which a large portion of Portage now stands presents historical features of interest. Although the city is still young, title to a very important part of its site dates back many years. The land in question is that covered by what is known as the "Grignon Claim," frequently referred to as " Claim No. 21." The following is a copy of a deed made by the

' I IThe United States of America to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye that there has been deposited in the General Land Office a certificate, numbered "266, of the Register of the Land Office at Detroit, in the Territory of Michigan, whereby it appears that, by the second section of the act of Congress approved on the 17th day of April, 1828, entitled "An Act to confirm certain claims to lands in the Territory of Michigan," Augustin Grignon was confirmed, saving the rights of the heirs of John Ecuyer [or Lecuyer], deceased, in his claim in volume numbered one of the Reports of the (Jommissioners on Land Claims in the Territory of Michigan, to the tract of land containing six hundred and forty-eight acres and eighty-two hundredths of an acre, situate at the portage of the post from which a birch twelve inches in diameter bears north 3o degrees west, distant eleven links, and a birch 14 inches diameter bears south G4 degrees east, distant To links ; thence up the river north forty degrees, west twenty chains, to the landing-place (entered prairie at five chains), north 70 degrees, west five chains, north 01 degrees, west 26 chains and .5(1 liuks (at three chains foot of island), south 81 degrees, west eight chains and uO links to an aspen

'seven inches in diameter (corner on the bank of the river); thence north 10 degrees and 15 minutes, west thirty i chains thro\igh prairie to the top of the hill to the corner of the pickets which surround the grave of the late .John Ecuyer (no post, no bearings near) ; thence north 50 degrees east (at 15 chains enter barrens, after passing through ' old field at 41 chains a pond, at 46 chains left the pond, and at 58 chains a wet prairie), 118 chains to a post on the ji,60 links to landing-place at Portage, south 47 degrees, east '2i chains and 40 links to a post on the margin of,river in a marsh : thence south 25 degrees and 30 minutes, west 116 chains and 70 links (entering timber land at 100 chains)

),. I In testimony whereof, I, Andrew .lackson, President of the United States, have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto aflBxed. Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, the liljth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, and of the independence of the United States the fifty-ninth. ANDREW JACKSON. x:?^^^^!^ By the President. Eli.iah Hatwood, /8KA1.\ Commissioner of the General Land Office.

o i.( I. ^ygygjijj Gngnon came into possession of the above described lands by purchase from the I'^'eirs of John Lecuyer, who acquired title to it by priority of settlement.

", Under an act of Congress entitled " An act to confirm certain land claims in the Territory <){ Michigan," commissioners were appointed and sent out by the Government of the United 'States to inquire into the validity of title to "'certain claims," and it was in accordance with the report of the commissioners that the Grignon claim became a valid one, recognized by the United States, from whom a patent accordingly is,sued. The boundaries of this claim have ever since relied upon and followed by local surveyors, and frequent reference to " Claim No. 21 " made in the land records of Portage. The land was patented to Grignon in April, 1832, 'and on the 18th of June, of the same year, an indenture, made ''between Augustine Grignon and Nancy Grignon, his wife, of the first part, and Daniel Whitney, all of Green Bay, county of Brown, of the second part, to wit : That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of $500 to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, conveyed the property to Whitney. This conveyance was witnessed by Peter B. and Charles A. Grignon, and acknowledged before L. Grignon, a Justice of the Peace, being recorded June 26, 1832, by Samuel Irwin, Deputy Register of Brown County.

On the 14th of June, 1836, Sheldon Thompson, of Buffalo, N. Y., and De Gamo Jones, of Detroit, Michigan Territory, became the purchasers and owners of the land, paying therefor $12,500. Messrs. Thompson and Jones were trustees for themselves, Robert McPherson, Daniel Whitney, G. P. Griffith, and others, constituting "the Wisconsin Shot Company." They remained the owners of the Grignon claim until October 17, 1839, when the Portage Canal Company came into possession through purchase. The consideration was $34,234.61. "This indenture" was witnessed by Evan Griffith, B. L. Webb, Asher B. Bates and Samuel Haines Porter, and acknowledged by Sheldon Thompson before N. K. Hall, Commissioner of Deeds for Erie County, N. Y., and by De Gamo Jones before Samuel Haines Porter, a Notary Public in Wayne County, Mich. ; received for record May 30, 1840, by Jacob McKinney, Register of Deeds, Brown County.

Thompson and Jones, it appears, again came into possession of the property, for in September, 1842, Claim 21 was sold by them, as trustees for themselves, and others, constituting the Shot Company, to Benjamin L. Webb, and in May, 1844, Alvin Bronson became the purchaser of an undivided four-nineteenths of the claim, paying Webb therefor $2,500. In November, 1849, a plat of the town of Fort Winnebago, covering the Grignon claim, was made by Messrs. Webb and Bronson, John Mullett, Surveyor. The boundary lines of this plat may be easily traced upon any of the modern maps of the city of Portage. The northwesterly boundary, designated as "' the line of public lands," as distinguishing them from the early Menomonee possessions, begins at a point on the Fox River, opposite old Fort Winnebago, and runs southwesterly to the corner of Adams and Conant streets ; thence almost directly south across the canal to the Wisconsin River ; thence southeasterly along the bank of the river to a point half a block east of Ontario street; thence northwesterly on. a direct line to Fox River, and down that stream to the place of beginning.

Richard Freeman Veeder

was a man of wonderful constitution, and, had the laws of health been studied and more care^ fully observed by him, it seems as though he might have lived to an age not often allotted to mankind. His name is intimately associated with the early settlement of Portage. While he was frequently rude and rough in speech, he had a heart wonderfully tender and sympathetic, which was never appealed to in vain, and few men performed more acts of charity than " Uncle Dick." Hundreds will remember hiiii for his charities, and speak kindly of his name, and all who ever knew him will never forget the peculiar characteristics which so emphatically distinguished him. He died at his residence, in Portage, January 19, 1870, aged about fifty-eight years. He lives largely in the remembrance of the people of Portage because of the " Veeder Claim," an account of which is given.

The Guppey Plat And The Veeder Claim

The plat of Portage City, covering Lots 2 and 3, and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 5, and Lots 5 and 6 of Section 8, all in Town 12 north. Range 9 east, and known as the " Guppey Plat," was surveyed in July, 1852, by Henry Meriton, and was recorded August 14, of the same year, in Volume VII of deeds, pages 2 and 3, by Josiah Arnold, Register. This plat was made under the provisions of a law of the United States authorizing County Judges to enter in trust for settlers thereon any portion of the public domain occupied as town sites. The above-described lands were entered by Joshua J. Guppey, County Judge of Columbia County, at the United States Land Office, June 1, 1852, but it being soon afterward discovered that the Government authorities at Washington would only recognize as valid the entry of lands on even sections, the tracts on Section 5 passed to the State, under the act of Congress, approved August 8, 1846, granting the "land equal to half of three sections in width on each side of Fox River, and the Portage Canal for the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers." The Governor having selected the odd sections for the State, and the land comprised within the boundaries of Section 5 being within the limits of the grant - although the Indian title to it had not been extinguished when the grant was made - it was held that when the Indian title was extinguished the Governor's selection of the odd sections operated upon it, and it became the property of the State. Hence, its entry at the United States Land Office being unauthorized, the title must be secured from the State. Therefore, it will be seen that the County Judge, in making a plat to Section 5, was laboring under a very natural misapprehe.nsion of the then undefined law, and his action was not binding, his title having failed.

Finally, it having been conceded that title to Section 5 was vested in the State, Richard F. Veeder, who, in 1850, as one of a committee of settlers, platted an addition to the Webb k Bronson survey covering portions of Sections 5 and 8, was assured by his friends that he had a valid claim. Mr. Veeder had been living for several years on Block 163 of the Webb & Bronson plat, but had improvements to the value of $100 or more on the southwest quarter of Section 5. The State law, approved August 8, 1848, providing for pre-emptions on improvement land, gave to each person, who had made improvements worth $50 or more on each quarter-section of such land, the right to purchase the same at $1.25 per acre. There was also a State law passed at a later date, providing for the entry of any improvement lands occupied as town sites by the County Judge in trust for settlers thereon. This law, it will be observed, was similar in its provisions to the law of the United States on that subject. Under the State pre-emption law of 1848, Mr. Veeder made application to purchase the land as a pre-emption ; under the State law for entry of town sites. Judge Guppey made application to enter the land in trust for settlers. Other parties - whose claims it will not be necessary to consider here, as the principal contest was between Mr. Veeder in his own interest, and Judge Guppey, acting as Trustee for the settlers - also attempted to establish pre-emption rights to the land.

As against the claim of the former, the rights of the settlers may be briefly stated, as follows: In February, 1850, a committee of settlers (acknowledged as such by the settlers), composed of R. F. Veeder, S. Dean and William R. Dewitt, laid out a plat, commonly known as Spain's Plat, which was duly recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds. It is described in the book of plats as " an addition to the town of Fort Winnebago, laid out by authority of a committee appointed by claimants in the said addition, which is situate in the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 8, and the southwest quarter'^of the southwest quarter of Section 5, Town 12, Range 9, consisting of five blocks, surveyed by William II. Spain." At this time, Mr. Veeder, believing that his improvements on the Indian land were on Section 8 and not on Section 5, encouraged the people to settle on the latter section, assuring them that no one claimed the lots on that section. In the winter of 1850-51, the settlers on both sections jointly petitioned the Legislature to pass a law which would insure each settler on Section 5 not exceeding five lots at a reasonable price, and Messrs. A'^eeder, Thomas Christopher. J. A. Johnson and F. W. Peabody were appointed by the settlers a committee to urge the enactment of such a law. These gentlemen took the petition to Madison, and labored arduously to secure the required legislation, Mr. Veeder uniting with the others in the request.

AVhen a hearing was reached at the State Land Office, all these facts were shown, and the Register decided that Mr. Veeder had a right to the land by pre-emption, for the reason that he had $50 worth of improvements thereon prior to any other occupancy thereof. On the 8th of August, an appeal was taken to the Circuit Court, and the decision of the Register was reversed. A counter appeal was then taken to the Supreme Court, where the decision of the lower court was set aside, and the original decision of the Register of the State Land Office affirmed, the higher tribunal declaring that the equitable relations existing between the settlers and Mr. Veeder could be more properly determined in other proceedings between them. The result was that Mr. Veeder took the legal title to tracts on Section 5, subject to the equitable rights of the settlers thereon ; and, as before stated, the action of the County Judge in laying out the same into a plat was of no binding force.

This decision was reached in 1854. The litigation had very much impeded the development of the young city, and, after the decision was made, the settlers and Mr. Veeder differed so much about their respective rights, that the impossibility of an amicable settlement between them became more and more apparent, and improvements continued to be delayed for several years on account of the difficulty new-comers encountered in obtaining good titles. There seems, however, to have been no personal ill will between the settlers and Mr. Veeder, for the latter is said to have been a very kind-hearted man and good neighbor, while the former were of that class of order-loving citizens who will undergo much sacrifice to secure peace and quiet. At last, and in the year 1860, Mr. Veeder's misfortunes practically worked an unlooked-for settlement of the whole matter; for, on the 22d of March of that year, a judgment was recovered against him and others as sureties for Mrs. Sarah A. Babcock on an administrator's bond, amounting to |7,198..34, and his interest in lots on Section 5 was sold out in due course of law under an execution issued to satisfy said judgment. The lots were bid in by the settlers thereon or their friends for nominal sums. Prior to this time, most of the settlers, or parties interested in their behalf, had obtained tax titles to the lots occupied by them, so that with the tax deeds and the deeds of the Sheriff, the settlers considered their titles perfected.

In April, 1854, Mr. Veeder replatted a part of the southwest fractional quarter of Section 5, the survey being made by L. Van Slyck, but the plat was never recognized by the citizens or the local officers. All descriptions of lots on Section 5 were and have continued to be given to the present time in accordance with the plat laid out by J. J. Guppey.

There have been numerous additions to Portage since the Guppey Plat originated. Dunn, Haskell & Tenney's Addition, made in July, 1854, covers the north half of the southeast quarter of Section 6. Then came Schultz's Addition and Houston's Addition, lying in what is now the Second Ward, north of the railroad track ; McFarlane, Dunn & Armstrong's Addition, south of the railroad depot ; McCulloch's Prospect Hill Addition, on the Wisconsin River, one mile west of Mac street; Ketchum & DeWitt's "Rattle-Trap Farm" Addition,^ long since vacated, lying in the northwestern portion of the Second Ward ; Borden & Fargo's Addition, south of the Wisconsin River, in Section 7 ; Ketchum's Addition, bounded by Houston street on the north and Hamilton street on the east, containing eight blocks ; Leache's Addition, a strip along the Wisconsin River, east of the bridge ; Haskell & Fargo's Addition, bounded by North, West and Harrison streets and the west line of Section 6 ; Hettinger's Addition, Hart & Norton's Addition, Pixley's Addition and H. R. Pettibone's Addition, on the Northern Division of the St. Paul Road.

The city limits of Portage are two and a half by three miles square, containing about four thousand eight hundred acres, including the area covered by waters of the Wisconsin River.

Organization And Government Of Portage

The first steps toward the township or precinct organization of the territory now included within the city limits of Portage were taken in July, 1846, when the County Commissioners set off "all that portion of the county embraced in Town[ship] 12 lying north of the Baraboo River, and Town[ship] 13 and Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8; also, Town[8hip] 13 and the north half of Town[ship] 12, Range 9 " - the territory described to " compose an election precinct to be known by the name of the Winnebago Portage Precinct ; elections to be held at the house of Gideon Low ; Richard F. Veeder, Daniel D. Robertson and Henry Merrell being appointed Judges of Election in said precinct." Such is the record of the County Commissioners dated July 10, 1846. No part of the territory west of the Fox and east of the Wisconsin Rivers and north of a line, connecting these two streams, running northeasterly and southwesterly through the present limits of Portage, was then attached to Columbia County (it being Menomonee land and belonging to Portage County. Consequently, all that portion of " Town[ship] 13 and Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8,'"' as described by the Commissioners ; also that portion of Town[ship] 13, Range 9, lying west of Fox River ; also the northeast fraction of Town[ship]

12, Range 8, lying east of the Wisconsin River, and the northwest fraction of Town[ship] 12, Range 9, lying north of the above- described northeasterly and southwesterly line connecting the two streams, not then composing any part of Columbia County, the election precinct of Winnebago Portage, as formed by the Commissioners of Columbia County, was composed, in part, of territory belonging to Portage County. " Fractional Town[ship] 14, Range 8," referred to by the Commissioners, included territory now belonging to Marquette County, which was then embraced in Portage County. Much depended upon the intelligence of voters in those days.

On the 9th day of February, 1849, the title of the Menomonee Indians having been extinguished, and an act extending the northern boundaries of the county from Fox River to the Wisconsin River having been passed, thus bringing into the jurisdiction of the county what are now the towns of Lewiston and Newport and the unsurveyed fractions of Townships 12 and 13, Ranges 8 and 9, already described, the toivn of Winnebago Portage was organized by the Commissioners, with boundaries described as follows : " The fractional parts of the townships lying north of the Baraboo River and west of the Wisconsin River ; also, the north half of Township 12 and the fractional part of Township 13 [lying east of the Fox River], Range j> 9, in Columbia County, are hereby organized into a town to be called Winnebago Portage, and the Franklin House, in said town, is designated as the place for holding the first election." For some reason, the Menomonee lands lying in the county, although having been rightfully acquired, were not included within the boundaries of the town of Winnebago Portage ; consequently, all the territory now embraced in the city limits of Portage lying north and west of a line running southwesterly from a point on Fox River opposite old Fort Winnebago to the corner of Conant and Adams streets, thence southerly to the Wisconsin River, was still outside the pale of sub-organization. The first election held by the electors residing within the newly made boundary lines of the town of Winnebago Portage took place, as specified, at the Franklin House, Gideon Low, proprietor, on the first Tuesday (3d day) of April, 1849, with the following result :

For Supervisors, Richard F. Veeder received 13 votes, Henry Carpenter, 13 votes, Edwin Sylvester, 13 votes. The last-named was selected as Chairman of the Board. For Assessor, Cornell Vaughn, 13 votes; for Treasurer, Henry Merrell, 13 votes; for Town Clerk, D. J. M. Loop, 13 votes ; for Justices of the Peace. B. F. Veeder, E. Sylvester, M, Ahlum and H. Carpenter, 13 votes each; for Constables, H. Hanson, 0. Bellrood, and H. McFarlane. 13 votes each ; for School Commissioner, Henry Merrell, 13 votes ; for Overseers of Highways, E. Sylvester, M. Ahlum and Gordon H. Merrell, 13 votes each.

It was agreed by the thirteen electors present that the place of holding the town meetings should be at the office of D. J. M. Loop. At a meeting held on the 18th of June, it was voted that a tax of $50 be levied for the support of common schools, $100 for the repair of roads and bridges, and §200 for other expenses of the town. On the 16th of November, a special election was held to fill vacancies, occasioned by resignation, in the offices of Justice of the Peace, at which Lorenzo Van Slyck, Michael Van Winters, Erastus Cook and Dr. James Prentice were chosen. At a meeting of the Town Board, held November 29, M. D. Iiigraham was appointed Superintendent of Common Schools for the town of Winnebago Portage.

On the 8th of January, 1850, the County Board, in session at Wyocena, resolved to change the name of the town of Winnebago Portage to the town of Fort Winnebago, and also to relocate the boundaries as follows : The surveyed portion (excepting Section 33, in which Fort Winnebago itself was situated) of Town 13, Range 9, and a sufficient extent of the Indian, or unsurveyed, land west of Fox River to constitute it a town six miles square, were included and organized into a town called Port Hope (now Fort Winnebago), and the unsurveyed balance of Town 13, Range 8, and the northeast fractional part of Town ]2, Range 8, and the northwest fractional part of Town 12, Range 9, were attached to Fort Winnebago for town purposes. Range 7 and the fractional portion of Range 6 in Town 13 were not officially included in the town of Fort Winnebago at this date, but nominally belonged to it. In April, officers for the town of Fort Winnebago were chosen as follows :

Supervisors - Erastus Cook (Chairman), Henry Carpenter and Richard Dempsey ; Town Clerk, Cornelius H. Helms ; Treasurer, Thomas E. Best ; Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; School Superintendent, D. Vandercook. Justices of the Peace - M. Van Winters, Walter N. Kellogg, Thomas Reynolds and Edwin Lolls. Constables - Donald Fairchilds, Samuel Spaulding and Azarial Feey ; Overseers of Highways, District No. 1, M. Van Winter, No. 2, Erastus Cook ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Edward Christopher.

Officers elected April, 1851: Supervisors - A. C. Ketchum (Chairman), John Brewer and C. H. Helms ; Town Clerk, L. D. Burges ; Treasurer, T. E. Best. Justices of the Peace - L. Van Slyck, Andrew Dunn, J. B. Sanderson and G. T. Getty ; Assessor, R. F. Veeder. Constables - William Anderson, William Fennegan and Charles Spore; School Superintendent, W. R. De Witt; Sealer of Weights and Measures, H. Merrell. At this election, 441 votes were cast "for the permanent location of the county seat at Fort Winnebago," and 7 votes against the proposition.

On the 11th of November, 1851, the County Commissioners authorized the formation of the town of Caledonia from territory then embraced in the towns of Fort Winnebago and Dekorra. This made the Wisconsin River and the town line between what are now the towns of Newport and Lewiston the western boundary of the town of Fort Winnebago, the other boundary lines established in January, 1850, remaining unchanged. Under this condition of things an election was held in April, 1852, with the following result :

Supervisors - Decatur Vandercook (Chairman), John Brewer and John Gates ; Town Clerk, Charles H. Seamon ; Treasurer, Richard F. Veeder. Justices of the Peace - L. Van Slyck, William E. Waite and H. R. Pettibone ; Assessor, George Wall ; School Superintendent, James Chancellor. Constables - John M. Crawford, William Fennegan and Thornton Thompson ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, J. Belbond.

In November, 1852, the Board of Commissioners granted the prayer of P. K. Gill and others to organize the town of Newport, all that portion of Town 13, Range 6, lying on the east side of the Wisconsin River, and the west half of Range 7 in the same town, being duly incorporated in such town, and the house of James Cristie, in the village of Newport, being named as the place for holding the first election.

During the same session of the Board, Range 8 and the east half of Range 7, Town 13, were set off from the town of Fort Winnebago and formed into a new town, which was named Lewiston, the house of E. F. Lewis being designated as the place for holding the first election.

The work of re-organization was still further continued at this session of the Board, by that body setting off, in compliance with the request of Alexander McDonald and others, so much of the south half of Range 9, Town 12 (town of Dekorra), as lies east of the Wisconsin River, and attaching it to the town of Fort Winnebago, leaving the latter confined to all that territory lying east of the Wisconsin River contained in Town 12, Range 9, embracing the northeast fractional part of Range 8 in the same town lying east of the Wisconsin River, and , the historical Section 33, in the then town of Port Hope, in which old Fort Winnebago was located.

December 15, 1852, after the receipt from time to time of various petitions with that end in view, Section 33 was awarded to Port Hope, and, two days later, the Commissioners granted authority for changing the name of the town of Fort Winnebago to the town of Portage City. In April following, an election for town officers took place, with the following result :

Supervisors - C. H. Moore (Chairman), Francis Winney and F. A. Hilbert ; Town Clerk, John Lodge ; Treasurer, C. H. Helms ; Justices of the Peace, H. R. Pettibone and M. Auerback ; School Superintendent, A. C. Ketchum ; Assessor, C. J. Pettibone. Constables - W. R. Clough, Theodoi-e Hoffman, D. W. Hinkley and J. Thompson ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, William German.

In November, 1853, the name of the town of Port Hope was changed to the town of Fort Winnebago, and it has borne that title to the present time. At the annual session of the County Commissioners for 1853, the prayer of J. J. Guppey and others, that all that part of the town of Portage City lying north of the Wisconsin River and south of the town of Lewiston be attached to the town of Lewiston, was duly granted, but, at a subsequent sitting of the Board, a reconsideration of the subject was taken, and a bill passed leaving the matter to the electors of the town of Portage City to be voted on at their next succeeding aiinual election. The result was favorable to the town of Lewiston, and the territory in question was duly set off to that town.

City of Portage. - On the 10th of March, 1854, " An Act to incorporate the City of Portage," passed by the State Legislature, was duly approved by Gov. Barstow. The salient features of the charter were contained in the first, third and forty-third sections, as follows : Section 1 provided that, " from and after the first Tuesday in April, 1854, all that portion of the west fractional half of Section 4 which lies south and west of the Fox River, Sections 5 and 6 ; all that portion of Sections 7 and 8 which lies north of the Wisconsin River ; the west fractional half of Section 9, and claim No. 21, known as the claim of A. Grignon, in Township 12, north Range 9 east, in the county of Columbia, State of Wisconsin, shall be a city of the name of the City of Portage, and the people inhabiting said district shall be a municipal corporation."

Section 3 provided for the division of the city into three wards, bounded as follows : " All that part lying south and east of the canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers shall constitute the First Ward ; all that part lying north of said canal and east of De Witt street and the road leading from the same to the north line of said Town 12, shall constitute the Second Ward, and all that part lying north of said canal and west of De Witt street and said roads shall constitute the Third Ward ; but the Common Council shall have power to change said lines of division as they may deem convenient and proper."

Section 43, it will be observed, created the town of Pacific out of so much of the town of Portage City as remained without the newly incorporated city. It provide! that " the connection between the city of Portage and the town of Portage City shall be dissolved, and the duties now or heretofore imposed upon the officers of the town, so far as they relate to the city of Portage, shall be imposed on the officers of said city of Portage ; and so much of the town of Portage City as is not included in the limits of the city of Portage shall be the town of Pacific, for the purposes of town and county government, and they shall hold their next meeting at such place within the organized town of Portage City as the present Board of Supervisors shall appoint, and thereafter the place of meeting shall be decided by a vote of this town meeting."

On the 30th of March, an amendment was passed, providing, among other things, that " all that part of the city lying north of said canal and west of De Witt street, and the road leading from the same aforesaid, shall constitute the Fourth Ward." At the first charter election, held, as provided by law, on the first Tuesday in April, 1854, 366 votes were cast, and the following officers elected : Mayor, William Sylvester ; Clerk, John Lodge ; Treasurer, D. Vandercook ; Assessor, Henry Carpenter ; Marshal, Alexander Chrystie ; School Superintendent, W. S. M. Abbott ; Aldermen - First Ward, M. Van Winter, John McTighe ; Second Ward, Josiah Arnold, George Wall ; Third Ward, Alva Stewart,* John Gates; Fourth Ward, William Armstrong, S. L. Knapp.

1863 - [Charter amended so that Aldermen should hold their office for two years, one-half going out each year. Those elected for the short term this year were Messrs. Emder, Randall, Ten Eyck and Ginder.] - Mayor, W. K. Miles; Clerk, C. C. Britt; Treasurer, B. S. Doty; Assessor, Thomas Christopher ; Marshal, J. Coleman ; School Superintendent, H. B. Munn ; Aldermen - First Ward, H. Emder, M. R. Keegan ; Second Ward, C. J. Randall, L. Funkenstein ; Third Ward, George Ten Eyck, Thomas Buttery ; Fourth Wai-d, John Ginder, Peter Karch.

9. Resigned and W. F. Bailoy elected to fill the vacancy November 7 ; at the same time J. 0. Preacott was elected to fill a vacancy In the Second Ward in place of S. B Rhodes, removed.

1868 - [Charter amended and boundaries of the city changed as follows : Beginning at a point in the center of Fox River where the east and west (juarter line of Section 33, Town 13, Range 9. intersects the center of said river; running thence west along the quarter line, through Sections 33, 32 and 31, Town 13, Range 9, to the centre of Section 36, Town 13, Range 8; thence south along the quarter line through Section 36, Town 13, Range 8, and Sections 1 and 12, Town 12, Range 8, to the south ([uarter post of Section 12, Town 12, Range 8 ; thence east along the south line of said Section 12 and of Sections 7, 8 and 9, Town 12, Range 9, to the south quarter post of said Section 9 ; thence north along the quarter line through Sections 9 and 4 till it intersects the easterly line of Claim No. 21 (known as Grignon's claim); thence northeasterly along the east side of said claim to the center of Fox River ; thence down Fox River along the center thereof to the place of beginning. Ward 5 was created and the ward boundaries changed as follows : All that part lying south and east of the canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and north of the Wisconsin River, shall constitute the First Ward. All that part lying north of said canal and east of Adams street, extended in a straight line to its intersection with the new pinery road and east of said new pinery road, extended north to the north line of said city, shall constitute the Second Ward. All that part lying north of said canal and between Adams street so extended, and DeWitt street and said new pinery road, shall constitute the Third Ward. All that part lying southerly of Carroll street, extended from DeWitt street, westerly to the Wisconsin River, and along said river to the west line of said city, and all that part lying south of the Wisconsin River, shall constitute the Fourth Ward. All that part lying westerly of DeWitt street and northerly of Carroll street, commencing at DeAYitt street, and running westerly along said street to the Wisconsin River, and along the banks of said river tothe west line of the city, shall constitute the Fifth Ward.] - -Mayor, J. P. McGregor ; Clerk, V. Helmann ; Treasurer, P. Karch ; Assesssor, J. Gates ; Marshal, Geo. C. Snider ; School Superintendent, J. J. Guppey. Aldermen - First Ward, H. Emder.J Carl Prehn ; Second Ward, J. 0. Prescott, S. S. Brannan ; Third Ward, W. G. Bebb, George Port ; Fourth Ward, W. W. Corning, H. Bolting ; Fifth Ward, John Ginder, C. R. Gallett (short term).

187(3 - [Charter codified, consolidated and amended; boundaries of Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards changed as follows : All that portion of the city commencing at the canal bridge on Wisconsin street, running thence northwesterly along Wisconsin street to its intersection with Mac street, thence northerly along Mac street to its intersection with the railroad track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, thence easterly along said railroad track to its intersection with Adams street, thence in a southerly direction along said Adams street to the said canal, thence along said canal to the place of beginning, shall constitute the Third Ward; all that portion of the city lying southerly of Carroll street, extended from Mac street westerly to the Wisconsin River, and along said river to the west line of the city, and all that part lying south of the Wisconsin River shall constitute the Fourth Ward ; all that portion of the city lying westerly of Mac street and the new pinery road, and northerly of Carroll street, commencing at Mac street and running westerly along said street to the Wisconsin River, and along the banks of said river to the west line of the city, shall constitute the Fifth Ward.] - Mayor, W. W. Corning ; City Clerk, Valentine Helmann ; Treasurer, James Collins ; Assessor, William Hensel; Marshal, William Edwards ; School Superintendent, N. K. Shattuck. Aldermen - First Ward. Julius C. Hass, John Brickwell ; Second Ward, E. S. Purdv, John M. Holmes ; Third Ward, E. C. Maine, H. 0. Lewis ; Fourth Ward, R. C. Rockwood,' George Port ; Fifth Ward, C. R. Gallett, Joseph Huebl.

1879 - [Charter amended March 4, and boundaries of the Fourth and Fifth Wards changed as follows : -' Beginning, on the northerly bank of the Wisconsin River, in the center of Cass street ; thence running north through the center of said Cass street, to the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad track ; thence east along said track to the center of Mac street ; thence south through the center of Mac street to the center of Wisconsin street ; thence southerly through the center of the said Wisconsin street to the canal connecting the Fo.x and Wisconsin Rivers ; thence westerly and northerly along said canal and river to the center of said Cass street, the place of beginning, shall constitute the Fourth Ward. All that part of said city which lies west and south of Wisconsin street, all that part which lies west of said Cass street and south of said railroad track, and all that part which lies north of said railroad track and west of the new pinery road, shall constitute the Fifth Ward."] - Mayor, Josiah Arnold; Clerk, John O'Keefe. Jr.; Treasurer, V. Helmann ; Assessor, Thomas Bennett; Marshal, Fred. Sieverkrop ; School Superintendent, A. C. Kellogg ; Aldermen - First Ward, Peter Mahon, Christian Schultz ; Second Ward, Job Purnell, R. B. Wentworth ; Third Ward, J. E. Wells, G. J. Cox ; Fourth Ward, Henry Little, George Port ; Fifth Ward, William Rallies, Jacob Clemens.

The Canal

In 1837, a company was chartered, under the name of the " Portage Canal Company," for the purpose of building a canal connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. This company was composed of Sheldon Thompson, of Buffalo, N. Y.; DeGarmo Jones, Detroit, Mich.; Robert McPherson, Daniel Whitney, S. P. Griffith, and others, who were also the incorporators of the Shot Tower Company of Helena. They were the owners of all the plat of the village of Fort Winnebago. In the year 1838, they commenced to dig a canal at a point on Fox River, where it is crossed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Its course was on the line of Bronson avenue, about two rods north, entering the Wisconsin River near Mac street. About $10,000 was spent by the company, when the work was abandoned.

Nothing further was done for some years. It finally attracted the notice of the General Government, and Secretary of War Poinsett called the attention of Congress to its value as a route for military communication and transportation, and urged an appropriation for the construction of locks around the rapids and a canal to unite the two rivers. To effect this object, in August, 1846, Congress passed an act granting the State of Wisconsin alternate sections of land, three miles on each side of the Fox River. In 1848, the State accepted the grant and appointed a Board of Public Works, who were charged with its execution. A new route was chosen, and between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock, on the 1st day of June, 184'J, the first soil was broken. Thomas Reynolds, of Madison, was awarded the contract of constructing the canal and Nelson McNeil, of Eau Claire, the locks. The work progressed somewhat slowly, being delayed by misunderstandings between the contractor and State. The men working upon it were kept out of their money for weeks and months, and were compelled to abandon it for that reason, leaving it in an unfinished condition. A resident of Portage thus describes the work, in March, 1851 : " The banks of the canal at this place are crumbling before the thaw, in many places, and flilling into the stream. The planking is in great part afloat. By prompt attention, the work done on the canal may be saved to the State. As it is now, it presents a melancholy spectacle of premature decay. The unpaid laborers, lately employed on the work, whose destitution and wrongs have aroused the indignation and sympathies of our citizens, will hardly assist in its repair, unless they are secured in their pay, as recommended by Mr. Crosswell, nor will they suffer strangers to be duped and wronged as they themselves have been." Repairs were subsequently made, the water let in, and on Saturday, the 24th day of May, 1851, a boat attempted to pass through the canal. The event was chronicled, at the time, as follows, by the Portage paper :

" First Boat Through the Canal - almost. - The beautiful steamer, John Mitchell, nearly accomplished the feat of passing through the canal at this place, from the Fox into the Wisconsin River, on Saturday last. She came up as far as Main street. As the John Mitchell came up the canal, the Enterprise came up the Wisconsin River to the head of the canal. The blustering rivalry between these inhabitants of different waters (the throat of each giving its best puff and whistle alternately), was quite exhilarating, and called out a large concourse of citizens, to gaze upon the scene presented, and make predictions for the future. After a short time, boats and citizens withdrew, amid strains of music, and the ' noise and confusion ' were over."

The water was drawn off, and the work of strengthening the banks and bottom, to prevent the quicksand from pouring in and filling up the bed, was proceeded with ; but their efforts were of little avail, if the same local authority quoted can be relied on. On the 31st day of August, 1851, the water was again let in, and the next morning it presented a rather novel appearance, the planking having raised from its fastening, at the bottom, and floated on either side of the iurfiice, and forming two floating plank-roads. Fortunately no high winds prevailed ; but had a storm arisen and stirred up the angry waters, there is no telling where the planking might have been hurled to, or where the destruction would have ended.

On Sunday night, September 28, 1851, the Wisconsin River, which had been unusually high for some days, broke into the canal, and cut a channel through its southern bank, some fifty yards wide and eight or ten feet deep. The wai-ehouse of C. W. Mappa was undermined, and other houses fell in and floated off. The planking of the canal, together with a quantity of lumber lying on the bank of the Wisconsin, floated into the Fox River.

But little was done from this time until in 1853. As the Constitution of the State forbade the creation of any public debts, the Board of Public Works were limited in their expenditures to the receipts from the sale of land granted by Congress. At this stage of affairs, a company proposed to take charge of the work, completing the canal, and the improvements contemplated on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. On the 6th day of July, 1853, an act was passed by the Legislature of this State, incorporating the " Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement Company." composed of Mason C. Darling, Otto Frank, Morgan L. Martin, Edgar Conklin, Benjamin F. Moore, Joseph G. Lawton, W. H. Peak and Theodore Conkey. The State gave to this company all the interests that had been acquired by it, under certain conditions. The act making the transfer from the State to the improvement company, was approved by Gov. Coles Bashford, Oct. 3, 1856. The company was instructed to commence the work within ninety days, and to finish the improvement within three years. They failed to comply with the law, and finally the United States took the work off their hands.

As builr, by the Government, the canal was commenced in the fall of 1874, under the direction of Col. D. C. Houston, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., assisted by Capt. G. J. Lydecker, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., with Mr. John Pierpont and Mr. Edward Sargent, as civil assistants, until the winter of 1875 and 1876, when Capt. Lydecker and assistants Pierpont and Sargent were called to other work on the Fox River, and Col. Houston was assisted by Lieut. F. A. Hinman, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., with Mr. Edward C. Hinman, as civil assistant. The work of construction was done by contract, by Messrs. Conro, Starke & Co., of Milwaukee. The excavation was made by a steam excavator, wheelbarrows and small construction cars. The work was commenced at the lower end - in order that it could be drained as completed - and consisted of an excavation seventy-five feet wide and seven feet deep, with a timber and pile revetment on both sides. The latter was completed as fast as the excavation would permit. During the season of 1874, the work was completed about one-fourth of a mile. During the season of 1875, the revetment and excavation on the north side were completed, and, on the south side, about three-fourths finished. The balance of the work was completed in June, 1876.

" The canal is seventy-five feet wide, inside the revetment, two and one-half miles long, and seven feet from the top of revetment to the bed.

" Messrs. Starke & Conro, completed the canal between Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and turned it over to the Government Friday last, July 30. The revetment on southerly side of the canal, between the bridge and the lock, was not carried through to the river, because a lock side and canal basin is to be constructed, between the canal and the river, requiring the whole of the point of land between them for that purpose ; it is not yet determined whether the work of constructing the basin will go forward this season or not. The canal is a completed job, and is not excelled by any other work of the kind, of which we have any knowledge. There is six feet of water in it, which is a great abundance for any demand that will ever be made upon it.

" On the evening of the 30th, a party of gentlemen accepted an invitation from the officers in charge, to take passage on the Government steamer, Boscobel, on a trial trip through the canal, from the Wisconsin to the Fox. As a matter of record, we give the names of the following gentlemen: Hon. Alva Stewart, Hon. R. L. D. Potter, Messrs. G. J. Cox, E. E. Chapin, A. J. Turner, T. L. Kennan, W. D. Fox, Fred W. Schulze, E. S. Baker, John Cable, and others, whose names do not occur to us, besides Government officers in charge of the work. As the steamer coursed its way down to the Fox, trains passed by on the several divisions of the railroad. For some distance, the theme of conversation was the change wrought in the line of trade and commerce, within the past five years, by the introduction of steam power, and we all wondered how Louis Jolliet regarded it, if his spirit was floating about in this vicinity, where, 203 years before, on the 17th of June, he had hauled his batteaux across this same portage, between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, on his voyage of discovery, where steamboats and railroads now hold sway. And thus conversation ran on through the evening, until 10 o'clock, when the little excursion had been completed."

At the upper end, the Portage City lock connects the canal with the Wisconsin River, with a lift from the canal of from nothing to nine feet, depending on the stage of water in the Wisconsin River. At the lower end, the Fort Winnebago lock connects it with the Fox River, having a lift of six feet from the Fox River.

These locks above mentioned, have both been rebuilt by the Government ; the former in 1880, and the latter in 1874 and 1875. They are, as previously mentioned, thirty-five feet wide and one hundred and sixty feet long, between gates.

The United States steamer, Boscobel, was the first boat to pass through the canal, after its completion. On June 30, 1876, the steamer passed from the Wisconsin to the Fox River and returned. Everything was found to be in good working order, and navigation was opened immediately, and has been uninterrupted since that time.

The Schools

The subject of education is one of prime importance to every community, and the degree in which it is fostered and promoted is always a sure index to the intelligence and liberality of the people. The refinements of education constitute the most elegant and ennobling pleasures of life. The moral sentiments are elevated and the face of humanity made to shine with celestial luster. It has truly been said that, " an education is that which no misfortune can depress, no clime destroy, no enemy alienate, no despotism enslave ; at home a friend, abroad an introduction, in solitude a solace, in society an ornament."

As illustrative of the tendancy of the times, it will not be out of place to show the attention education received at Fort Winnebago forty-five years ago. Maj. Green, then commanding officer at the fort, engaged, in 1835, Miss Eliza Haight as governess in his family, and he allowed the children of other officers of the fort to attend the private school thus established.