Door County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1881 (part 3 of 3)

provision line was practiced, there would bea sore famine in the land before the opening of navigation. Finally the flour and pork gave out - groceries of every sort run out, and the settlers were reduced to the necessity of living on "potatoes and salt." They had not even the diet that Beecher claims was good enough for a laboring man, viz: "bread and water." 'True, water was here in abundance, or could be had by entting a hole through the ice, but the bread was conspicuous for its absence, 'Scarce a family then residing in the settlement but what lived entirely on potatoes and salt for days and days, and we believe we are safe in saying that they were all in' like condition. Occasionally a load of supplies could be obtained from outside, but the amount brought would only afford a femporary supply. On such ogeasions, it was no wneommon thing to see those who obtained a few pounds of meal or flour divide with their less fortunate neighbors, thus showing the bright side of humanity in the time of general need. Of course the supplies so obtained weresmall and infrequent; yet their arrivals were occasions of rejoicing and encouragement, and brought to: the surface the better feelings of humanit which otherwise might have rusted to death. Fishing throug! the ice for trout was followed by some of tho settlers, which aided in eking out the food supply of the place; but when the spring rains came and drove the ice out of the creeks emptying into the bay, our eitizens held high carnaval, for sucker time had come, "Gentle Annie," and a "square meal" was indulged in by all concerned, with an avidity and relish seldom known before, or since, 'by the dwellers of this region. While the snekers 'were going to, and returning from thett spawn beds those who went through the famine declared "that the bones of the fish so clinched through skin and shirt that they could not be separated until the bones were decomposed. If any eseaped that condition, it was because they lined. their shirts with tin, which saved the garment." Such are fish reports, but in the general meaning not facts.

'That season, the ice did not leave the bay until the 8th of May. 'The same day a vessel from Chicago loaded with supplies (about $8,000 worth) entered Sturgeon Bay point. That there was rejoicing over the event, ean bea matter of no question. Every household had a supply! They ate, and were happy! As the man that looks in a glass, and when he turns away from it, straightway forgets what manner of man he is, 0 these people ate themselves to repletion and seemingly forgot they were ever suffering with hunger.

More than a score of years have rolled 'their rounds since then. 'The forest on either side of the bay has receded before the "mareh of civilization," or more properly speaking, before the sturdy blows of the axeman's strong arm. Broad fields show thrift and perseverance. True many, perhaps a majority of the old settlers have disappeared from among us, and the everchanging kaleidoscope of time has covered the trails and hidden the sears of that eventful year from view, until the stranger would never dream that gaunt hunger ouce stalked. grim and hideously defiant through the settlement - pinchi the features of both old and young, and sickening the spirit almost to despair. To suppose its recollection has faded entirely from the memory of those who passed through the dark days of that long and cheerless winter is an error, for as they gather round their firesides to commune with each other, after the main labors of the season are over, memory reverts to the times of their trials, and they repeat the legends of the days when they struggled and suffered, that their ehil dren may profit. by their experience. At times, while so repeating the tales of the past, the humerous side of the scene presonts itself and is enjoyed with a pleasure, mellowed by time, whieh breaks the force of the reality, and almost, makes them think they were dreaming, and their sufferings in those goneby days were illusory and mystical instead of being an 'unquestioned reality.

The Cold Winter

The winter of '62~'3 is often referred to as the coldest _ ever experienced in this section, certainly during the life of any of the present generation; the coldest day being the Ist of January 1863. This was followed up for a week or so with a sharpness that made one believe there was to be a repetition of the glacial period. Prior to the Ist there was no uncom mon coldness in the atmosphere, and many of our people here thought, (as those elsewhere did). that the month of January Yas to bo from fair tomiddling for mildness; but growing cold and a rapid falling in the thermometer during the night of December 31, dissipated this belief. New Year's day opened with intense coldness, and a fierce wind from the northwest, and it seemed as though the north pole had moved down upon usin good earnest. Not dreaming of such a change in the weather, many of the dwellers here were caught with a small supply of wood; besides this, many of the homes were not in condition to stand a siege from the frost king, with comfort, and many of the stoves in use in the settlement were not fitted fot use in this climate. Putting these things together, it was notstrange that that particular New Year's day. is remembered asa "landmark," and quoted as a measure in time - a prominent date in the history of the place. The cold on that day was severely intense; yet the wind made the weather more severe and cutting than the thermometer really indicated at that time. In fact we have no date to show that the winter of 1862-3 was so cold as the present one, (1881) with the exception of the one cold day mentioned above, and no doubt, that if we had "enjoyed" a severe west wind the other day when the thermometer was dancing around the thirties we would have found the twin of the cold of 1863, with only a few degrees in the downward grade in the thermometer. But we don't get a "wind blizzard" every cold snap, and for this reason are apt to retain the memory of those we do get, for a long, long time. The present winter has been steadily cold; a we have become used to it. 'The cold of '63 came upon us suddenly and sharp.. Tt was comparatively unexpected. Its "claws" were as sharp as though they had been ground on an iceberg, and polished on a jagged rock, and when it struck it was "from the shoulder," and caught us almost sans caloute. But it was cold though! "0 how eold! ""Henee the recollection of it, ae THE BOYS IN BLUE.

Although Door county was but spareely settled at the time of the civil war, she did her share toward suppressing the champions and backers in the cause of seceding Southern States. Not afew men shouldered muskets and made off for the line of conflict, who had taken up wild lands in this viein- 'tg; built og cabins, and therein planted thetr familie in the dernese. As they-left their weeping wives and crying chilren, the common expression wast "Cheer up! we've had our breukfast - 'will take our dinner with us, and be home for supper!" Many a supper time came and went; time rolled on, and ears passed by ere the war closed. While the men were off on jixon's line fighting for the Government, the women and children in Door county were battling with hardships and strugling to keop life in their bodies, It was a. common seene in ose days to see that sex of the human family that most wear calico, wading in the deep snows of winter gathering wood to burn; chopping down the largo forest trees, clearing, and making preparations to farm. Cattle fed on the tender twigs of tree tops, and in most eases the women had to do the felling of the trees. 'The hardships were general, and each one carried their portion of the burden. With the 'wife courage was kept upby the thought of the joys that would take place when her husband returned! With the husband thoughts of making those at home happy, was the beacon light that guided him through drudgery and long years of war. In 1865 the war closed, but anumber of Door county's noblest sons returned not - powder and lead was their death warrant, and Southern soil covered their bones! The iron tongue of a bell did not mark the event, but the human tongue of a Northern wife yet quivers in remembrance, and tears enough have been shed to moisten the baked dust that covers graves a thousand miles ave The soft southern breeze that sways the wild grass over. a father's grave, fans the brow and lifts the curls that cluster around the head of fatherless daughters in Door county! But nature commands all things, and by the same law she invigorates life, destroys an existence. The sorrowi bird sings just as sweetly after grief, and the human fai is of like nature. * * * A number of the men who enlisted from this county returned, and still reside here, being among the most respectable citizens. They are quite old now, and in some it ces their hair has turned as white as the record of St.John. Long may they live to enjoy the blessings of peace ina Union they helped to preserve! seated THE GREAT FIRE OF 1871.

'The year 1871 will long be remembered in the annals of Door county - in fact in the history of the whole Northwest. The year Was one of unusual destruction throughout the country =the loss was pretty evenly divided between the mishaps of water and fire. On the lakes hundreds of lives was swallowed up by the mighty waves, and vessel wrecks were strewn at intervals from Chicago to Buffalo. On terra firma, forest fires raged most furiously - particularly was this the ease in northeastern Wisconsin. The fire was general, but Door, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties suffered most, although a corner of Brown county received quite a severe blister. As this brief history is but a local affair, we, shall particularly give facts of the fre that was encircled within the limits of this county.

The main reason why the fire was so destructive was on account of the long and continued drouth. Previous to 71 no extensive drouths had visited this section. Refreshing and growing rains were as regular as the planting seasons. But in 1871 irregularity took the place of regularity, and cultivated lands beeame parched and cracked - as is often the case in treacherous frontier States. The great loss of life was much ing tothe unsettled state of the county. Ten years ay clearings were small and far between. Those who bought land and had started a farm were generally men of meager means. Not a few settled upon homesteads, with their pocketbooks much contracted for want ef dollars. Under these circumstances it could not be expected that rapid progress would or could be made in as heavily timbered a country as this was. Many of the settlers, in hewing a farm from the forest, had to

"eat it as they went." That is, when they cut a tree, they worked it up into shingles, shaved out by hand, split it into boalts, barrel staves, or some other marketable product. The marketing or hauling was generally done on rude carts, drawn by cows, and oxen, and when close pinched, by man and wife. 'The little jag or load was traded for groceries and supplies, which were carted home and sustained life while more trees were felled and worked into marketables. 'Thus was the progress of settling and clearing a farm in Door county from 1855 to a decade later. True, when the year 1871 dawned, the settlers had made considerable progress, and let a good deal of the light of civilization into the dense forests, but the deprivation and hardships they had to contend with for long years, made their progress slow, and they were entirely unprepared - not being protected from forest fires by large clearings. With clearings small, and far between, imagine the position of the settlers that were in what is now known as the "burned district!" Up from the highways that were usually moist - yes, muddy - rose huge columns of dust, looking like smoke ot clouds; swamps and marshes that for years before were covered with water, were trayersable in 1871.

It is a hard matter to get at the origin of the de, for the blaze was general. 'The first start might have been lit from sparks of some land clearer's log heaps; or the smouldering coals of some camp fire might have been fanned into a blaze by the wind, Onee started, and with the whole country as combustible as a powder magazine, no other result could be looked for than was experienced. By the middle of September. matters really looked serious. 'The. swamps were onfires corduroys and! wood structures were burning, "and fences being reduced to ashes. No rain came, but the fire serpent kept rapidly crawling forward and covering) the bosom of the forest! (So intense were the flames that the running fire burned out the heart of large maples, and the sturdy ol trees that had held out'against all assaults for a century or more, toppled over and added fuel to the flames. Gnawing at the roots, and feeding on the tops of the trees, the fire spread miles each day. The whole atmosphere, for many miles around, was oppressive to. inhale, At night the sight was disheartening. The whole heavens, around the horizon were aglow, and the dark red, as seen through the smoky atmosphere, seemed to be an indicator of some great calmity soon to take place. Days went by, and the settlers fought the fire and saved their property as best they could. Saturday, October 'ith, the fire took a new start and brisked up, but ina few hours Julled again, and hopes were entertained that the worst was over. Sunday, (or "sad day," as it was afterward termed)

October 8th, the morning dawned with no perceptable change. In the afternoon the wind was quite fresh, and eontined brisk until late in the evening, when there was' a sudden change. 'The wind had evidently gone to rest, as js frequently the cuse in summer time - but there seemed te be something unnatural about the stillness! In a few minutes there came a gust of wind, followed by a loud roaring. Here (Sturgeon Bay) the night was dark, but toward the west and south-west (the direction from which came the roaring) dense clouds were noticeable. Then aflame shot up, and the heayens seemed to be on fire! Flames were visible but a few minutes, and traveled with great velocity in a southerly direcgion. After the first large flash or flame, a glow was visible, bht at times almost hid by the huge columns of 'black smoke. "The terrific roaring of the wind at a distance, together with the noise of falling timber caused the stoutest hearts to flutter. The night was made more hideous by the startling eries of birds, fying frantically in all directions. Time dragged on, and mornin dawned. During Monday reports of distress came in from al portions of the country. North of Sturgeon Bay the fire had done much damage, but to the Westward, in Nasewaupee and portions of Gardner townships, a tornado had passed through, dealing death and destruction on every hand - alittle place known as Williamsonville, was completely wiped out of existence, but on Monday evening a drenching rain set in which lasted for several hours, and completely stayed the further progress of the great fire of 1871. 'Tuesday, October 10th, in company with several others, the writer of this sketeh started for the "tornado district," with a mule team well loaded with supplies for the destitute ones. 'The road was filled with burnt, and burning trees and at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon adistance of only four miles had been made toward Williamsonville. Tt was evident that to get the team to Williamsonville (six miles distant) would consume the time of at least another day; hence a portion of the erowd loaded themselves with what they could carry, and set out on foot, while the team re-traced its steps. The journey was dreadful! The odor of wild birds and animals, together with that of hogs, cattle and horses that had been roasted alive, mingled with the dense smoke of burning timber, was almost stifling! Some portions of the road were blocked with trees nine deep - burning and smouldering, making the journey both slow and difficult. Williamsonville was finally reached - the sight was the most horrible imaginable! Dead bodies were strewn in all directions, and most all burned beyond recognition. Something like thirty-five bodies lay in one heap! Some had one or both legs burned off; another was an arm, while still another had the head or other parts burned toa crisp - men, women, and children composing the pile. The fleshy substance that remained uncharred, was cooked through, and when moved would fall into pieces! Added to the most affecting sight, was the almost unbearable odor that arose from the burned bodies that had been moistened by the drenching rain! Nearly ten years have elapsed since that terrible sight, yetit is as fresh In memory to-day as the date it was witnessed -the great black trees stand out now as visionary mourning statues as they stood in reality October 1th, "71.

Williamsonville was a little sottlement established by the Messrs. Williamson, in the dense forest a few miles South of Little Sturgeon - the manufacture of shingles being the main pillar upon which rested the foundation for forming the setflement. A mill, store, boarding house, large barn, blacksmith shop, eight dwelling houses, and minor buildings made up the sottiement - all of which were reduced to ashes. From 76 to 80 persons were in the settlement at the time of 'the fire, and all perished in the flames except seventeen. Out of eleven of the Williamson family, but two eseaped - Thomas and his mother. We interviewed several of the survivors, and all told, insubstanee, one and the same story. The clearing of Williamsonville was small - some six or seven acres. For a week or two they had been fighting the flames, and setting back-fires, "and began to feel pretty safe." In the evening a heavy puff of wind came, leveling trees in all directions; and hat seemed to be the refletion of a big fire bounded up in the south, or south-west, Then came another heavy gust of wind, and with it a sheet of fire that rolled along over the tree tops: then sparks came down as large and thick as rain drops. In afew minutes the buildings wereall on fire, and the strife was to save life instead of property. A general Tush was made for thevacant part of the clearing, known as the potato-pateh, It was there that the thirty-five dead lay in one heap, and it was within ten feet of where lay the thirty-five that the old lady Williamson sat with a wet blanket over her, and was saved. A woman whose head rested against the lower part of Mrs, Williamson's blanket, was roasted to death. Thomas Williamson was sayed by wrapping himself in a wet blanket, and rooting face downward, into an old ash-bed. Out of the seven that got into the well, two perished. Beside the human lives that were lost, sixteen out of seventeen horses, and five out of six oxen burned to death, beside some forty hogs, ete. One of the most shocking reports, was concerning two men that endeayored to kill' themselves by pounding their head against a stump, while they were fairly roasting!

County Mysteries

Re-tracing the tracks from Williamsonville to Sturgeon Bay, the first place where the buildings werestill standing, and where there was any signs of life, was Mr. Daley's place - a distance of five or more miles, From Daley's to town a numbor were burned, In fact, a vast amount of property throng out Nasewaupee towiship'was licked up and carried out of existence by the fire, and a number of lives were lost. Gardner, Union, Brussels, Forestville and Clay Banks townships also were severely scorched, and the lives of some of the inhal itants were saved by digging holes deep in the earth, and then crawling into the pits. 'The scenes that followed in the path traveled by the fire and tornado, beggars all description, and one might as well break off citing incidents first as' last, for thousands hada hand in the battle, and each one saw or experienced some particular thing that the others did not Although the timber districts of the whole North-eastern part of the State were more or less ruined by the fires, the tornado dealt its heaviest blow at Williamsonville, this county; Robinsonville, Brown county; Sugar Creek, Peshtigo, Menekaunee, and Marinette, Oconto county. It was estimated that in the cirenit about 7,500 persons were rendered homeless, The catastrophy not only resulted in great loss to life, buildings, roads and fences, but some of the best farming lands were burned to barrenness.

But as sunshine follows storm, so did humanity soothe the blistered, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. From all over the State - from nearly' every State - even from Europe came assistance, and by mixing the assistance with hardships, the unfortunates "pulled through." " To-day, those who have not passed from earth, are standing on their own feet; comforte surround them, and the meat, they eat is sweeted by the bitter experience they endured in by-gone years.

From Mrs, Josephine Graham we learn some particulars concerning the s0-called"sunken island" in the vicinity of Port du Morts (Death's Door). Mrs. Graham states that the Island was situated in Lake Michigan, about five miles South east of Rock Island, and known as "Little Gull," because of its whiteness and appearance of a gull at long range. The Island was irregular in shape - being about fifty feet in width by one hundred feet in length; was entirely a formation made of small stones - ranging from the size of a walnut to rocks weighing several pounds. By no means was the Islanda place of Vegetation, for not even grass grew upon it. In the sum- mer of 1846 or '47 Mr. Graham built a fish shanty or house on "Little Gull," to be handier to his nets that were set. "out side" (which phraze means that the nets were set out in the lakeseveral miles from Rock Island). Into the small fish palace, on the island of sea pebbles, Mrs. Graham went and cooked for her husband during the summer months, but as fall approached and Old Michigan began to froth, the inhabitants of Little Gull returned to Rock Island, where terra firma was more extended. The next season Little Gull was too small to even "squat" on - having diminished a good deal during the winter. It continued to grow smaller each year, and long years ago disappeared below the surface of the water. 'Then the spot was referred to as the "outside shoal." Still the work of "goingdown" continued, and small sail crafts, of Hight draft could navigate over the shoal, A. few years "ago the water over the shoal was of a depth sufficient to hide the appearance of a shoal, and a large steamer suffered a heavy Joss by grounding on' the bar. To-day the once dry island is covered by fathoms of water. By the superstitious it is claimed that the disappearance of Little Gull sland is a mystery, and that the neighboring Islands haye also settled anumber of feet. Land marks prove the latter statement untrue, while the mystery connected with the "sunken Island" does not seem to be difficult to solve, 'The fact that the little island was entirely formed of small stones - unquestionably heaped up by the sea - it does not seem unreasonable to suppose that the same power that rolled the stones up, could also level or roll them down again. 'THE BERTHOLF MYSTERY.

Among other incidents connected with the early history of the county, was the mysterious disappearance of one H. B. Bertholf in August 1857. Messrs. Bertholf and D. H. Rice (better known as judge Rice) entered into partnership for the purpose of cutting and_ shipping cedar, suchas fence posts, telegraph poles, railroad ties, ete., and had purchased quite a large tract of land a little South'of Rowley's Bay, where they were to build a pier, and go into the business - on_ an extensive seale, as it was deemed in those days. Mr. Rice was at the proposed field of operation, awaiting the arrival of Mr. Bertholf, who was on his way (a foot) with the necessary funds for starting the enterprise. After leaving Sturgeon Bay, no definite traces of his whereabouts have ever been, ascertained, though at about that date a man stopped at Clark's fisheries at Whitefish Bay, and some of the old settlers are of the belief that the man was Bertholf, But if such is the ease, the mm tery is as profound as ever, for there all traces end. In the Gréen Bay Areocate, dated' October 29th, 1857, the following

"On Monday, the 24th of August last, Mr, H. Bertholf, whose family reside in Kenosha, left Sturgeon Bay to go to Bailey's Harbor, on the lake shore, since which time he has not been seen or heard of by his friends. He started to go from Sturgeon Bay across the portage to the Lake Shore, intending to go by that way, stopping the same night at Whitefish Bay, and go on to Bailey's Harbor the next morning. 'The men at I. S, Clark's fishing station, at Whitefish Bay, have some recollection of a man stopping at their shanty about the 24th of August, and their description in part corresponds with Mr, Bertholf, but after canvassing the matter over carefully with them, it is consid" ered very doubtfvl about that man being Mr. Bertholf, and many here have 'come to the conclusion that he has not been'seen since he left Sturgeon Bay on the 2ath of August.

The first intimation the people here had of his disappearance, was the arrival of his son at Sturgeon Bay in the latter part. of September in quest of his father, the family becoming alarmed for his safety, not having heard from him since he left home in August. A search was at 'once instituted by the son, who visited every settlement along the Lake Shore from Sturgeon Bay to Rowley's Bay, but with the exception of the above mentioned supposition of his having been seen at Whitefish Bay, no traces of him could be found, He was known at all the settlements and was expected along by several people, but no one had seen him, and the son returned to Sturgeon Bay.

'Rumors were afloat of the sudden disappearance of a gang of fishershen from a point on the Lake Shore where Mr, B. must have passed, and several of the citizens at Sturgeon Bay, with the son, went over to investigate it, which resulted in the fact that the fishermen did not here for a week after Mr. Bertholf should have passed their camp. jee then Mr. F, Robinson, son-in-law of Mr. B., hus, with the assistance of many of the people of Door county, been' searching the shore and the woosls without success. A reward of $600 has been offered by the city of Kenosha for the recovery of his body and the apprehension of the murderers, should he have met with foul play. 'The whole matter is still involved in profound mystery - whether he hhas been murdered or met with an accident in the woods, is a question yet tobe solved. He was known to have had considerable money about him to enter lands which he was then going to select, but this knowledge, it is believed, was confined to but very few of his friends.

Mr. Bertholf was widely known in this region, as having heen connected with Gardner's mill at Pensaukee, and for the two last years has had charge of Bradley's mill at Sturgeon Bay. Since Mr. Robinson Teft, the search in the woods has heen continued without success, but all here still hope that the borly may yet be recovered, and. if he has een murdered, the perpetrators of the horrible crime brought to justice,

Early in the fall of 1879 a skeleton was found in P. G. Hibbard's clearing, town of Jacksonport. 'The bones were unearthed a few' rods from the lake, near the creek running through the north end of Jacksonport. Being more or less decomposed, it was evident that the skeleton was aged, and the Bertholf affair was at once brought to notice. The more the matter was talked over the stronger publie opmion grew in the belief that it was the remains of the man that mysteri ously disappeared in that vieinity in 1807. Bertholt had in his head some filled teeth, but all search (after the finding of the skeleton) for such minor parts, was without effect. One day a year later, or in 1880, after a heavy rain, Mr, Hibbard happened to be neat the place in his clearing whore the skeloton was found, and thought he would take a look at the place of excavation. The soil was sandy, and the rain had wrinsed and exposed many small bones, and among them Mr. H. found several teeth; one of them hollowed out, and looked as if it had been filled some time years before. After further search he found a small lead bullet - bruised, and badly blackened with age. The last two finds were sufficient to convince Mr. H. that the skeleton found was that of Mr. Bertholf, and that he had met his death by foul play. "On elther side of the ereck used to be adense thicket, and Mr. Hibbard is of the opinion that Bertholf was about to eross the ereek, when he was shot in the back, robbed, thrown into a hollow, and his remains covered with sand or earth. It is also stated that the wateh Bertholf used to carry, found its way to a Michigan pawn shop, and was afterward recognized. At any rate, by many the belief is strong that the skeleton found was none other than that of the man Bertholf who so mysteriously disappeared twenty-three years ago. Further than, supposition, the mystery is unsolved, and still sleeps on with the multitude of unknowns. cia

The Press

The organization of the county; townships within its borders, and many incidents, ete., have been narrated in preceding chapters of this sketch, and we now turn our attention to the advancement and improvements of the county. In the latter part of this nineteenth century, the press stands on one of the pillars upon whieh rests the first principle of civilization, and it is the press that acts as a lever to start the great balance wheel which steadies the public mind; keeps in motion mechanical man, and drives the business of the world! Henee, we will first mention the press, in chronicling the advancements.

'The first newspaper published within the limits of Door county, was the Door County Advocate, established March 22d, 1862, and published by Joseph Harris, Sr, and a Mr. MeCord, A short time afterward Mr. Harris assumed the sole control of the paper. 'The subscription price was then, as now, $1.50 per year. A copy dated December 20th, 1864, is' at hand. At, the "mast head" is printed: "Joseph Harris, Editor; W. L. Abbott, Local Editor." 'The paper was a five-column folio, "well filled with news. and made partienlarly interesting by a column article headed "Savannah Captured." In 1866 Mr. Henry (better known as Harry Harris) purchased an interest in the paper, and it was then published by J. & H. Harris, Under their supervision the paper was enlarged to tts present size - a seven column. folio. In April 18%, Mr. Frank Long, who had been in the office from boyhood, purchased the Advocate, and is its present owner. 'The journal, from its foundation, has been considered, in polities, a Republican organ. Sine established, the 4vvocate has received from the county, for printing, $14,915.93.

In 1873, October 24th, the Fxposior was established by Pinney & Co. It was a four-column, eight page quarto, and opened up newsy, with the brightness of a sunbeam in a clear summer's morn. "It was Independent in polities - in. fact, the paper was given encouragement by men of all parties, irrespective of party; it being deemed that. a second paper was greatly needed in Door county. After a time, Mr. Geo, Pinney became the sole proprietor, and in 1876 the paper was a Demoeratie sheet, supporting "Tilden and Reform." In May, 1877, the paper changed hands - and was bought by its present owner, Chas. I. Martin, a young man residing in the county from borhood, and who was the frst "prinser's devil" in. the offic. With the changing of proprietors came a difference of opinion, and the paper stepped baek to its first love, viz: Independent - in religon favoring no particular ereed, and in. polities heeding no party lines. In the election of 1880 the Zzfositor published all three tickets and platforms, but personally, the editor favored Weaver & Chambers; on local affairs the journal championed the principles of men, not party. In June, 1880, the £xforifor was changed in make-up to the present style, an eight column tolio, equipped with a new and improved newspaper press, engraved heading, new type, ete., and is much the largest paper published in the county. Sines established, the £apositr has received from the county, for printing, $267923 - competition, of eourse, Tedueing printing rates.

amuskrat skin, or owl wing would pay for a good sized advertisement, while a cord of rotten green wood dumped in front of the office door stood for two years subscription. 'The former as beencontinued up to the present day of civilization. A seore of yearsago, as now, delinquent tax lists, sheriff and mortgage sales kept newspaper publishers out" of the poor house (belonging to the same family as do druggists, doctors, and lawyers) - they live mostly on the misfortunes of 'the gen eral public.

From the time white men first began to traverse Door county, the waters of Sturgeon Bay have occupied the attention of the inhabitants not a little. The bay, before the canal was dug, cut the county nearly in two, and the transportation of men, horses, wagons, ete., from one bank to the other, was a task'that consumed time'and cost money. As early 'as 1859 steps were taken to establish a regular ferry line, and the County Board granted a ferry license or charter to E. 8. Fuller. The license or charter was drawn, which provided that said Fuller should furnish and keep in repairs sufficient. boats and seows for the accommodation of the travelling publie. In the spring of 1860 Mr. Fuller started the first regular ferry, fully equipped, and plyed the boats between his lime kiln," 'on the west side of the bay, and what is now known as the grist mill dock, on the east bank of the bay. For passengers he had the usual style of boats, but for transferring teams, wagons, ete., the craft was a singular one. Tt was constructed of two large canoes, which ran parallel, and were fastened together with large beame, covered with close planking, Itis stated that this ingenius structure worked well, and was a good transport for 'teams and articles of considerable weight; and it towed much easier than the usual scow model. The rates of fare were: team and wagon, 50 cents; foot passengers, 10 cents. Mr. Fuller's charter was for three years.

After Mr. Fuller's charter expired, Mr. E. T. Sehjoth was made ferryman, and the landing moved half a mile farther up toward the head of the bay, the ferry running from Sehjoth's doek, on. the west side of the bay, to what is now the 8. B. L. Co.s'dock, on the east bank of the bay - making the passage much shorter than the Fuller route. For carrying teams, Mr. Sehjoth used the ordinary build of scows, and when a team was transferred passengers were expected to lend a helping hand on the mammoth oars that moved the scows - the usual fare being collected, also. Some years later Mr/Schjoth had a rope stretched across the bay from the east to west bank,

'The hand ferrying worked very well for a while, but the increase of travel demanded a faster and more certain means of transfer. Consequently, in 1873 the County Board appointeda committee to draft rules and regulations governing a steam ferry. The rules drawn were: "The ferry is to be kept running at ali times during the day, from 5 o'clock a. x. to 8 o'clock P. a, as may be required or necessary; the total rate of fare to he:" One span of horses or oxen, wagon and driver, 3 conts; single horse, wagon or buggy, and driver, 20 cents; foot passengers 5 cents." A notice for proposals to build or establish a steam ferry was advertised, but without effect. Finally, in the latter part of the year 1873, Mr. Robert Noble tmade a proposition to establish a steam ferry, whieh proposition was aceepted by the Board - Mr. Noble to run the ferry and collect as toll the rates given above. A ten years ferry license or charter was given him, and Mr. Sehjoth stepped down and_out at the close of navigation, 1873. During the winter of "73-4 the present steam ferry 47é was built, and put into commission at the opening of navigation, 1874, and since that date has been a good public servant

In. the organization of the county, in 1851, the county seat was located at a certain place in the' forest, in the vieinity of what is now Bailey's Harbor township. A Mr. Sweet, who had purehased a large tract of land in Bailey's Harbor, "was the main worker in getting the county organized, and the county seat located. No doubt that at that time he saw in the dim distance a city covering his lands; the streets long and wide, with large stores and business houses looming up on either side; magnificent county buildings as a background, and himself a bonanza king. * * * 'Time rolled on, and in two or three seasons Mr. Sweet's property went into the hands of Alexander Mitchel, the well known Milwaukee banker. No steps were taken to carry out the county seat organization, nor were any town or county officers elected, Four or five years afterward, or in November, 1856, the early settlers of Sturgeon Bay (then called Otumba) resolved to carry out the organization, and proceeded to take the legal and necessary course to remove the county seat from Bailey's Harbor to Sturgeon Bay. Messrs. A. G. and W. H. Warren, Joseph Harris, Sr., and John Garland were the main active ones, and they accomplished their purpose. At that time Sturgeon Bay was in its infaney, and the total value of property would not exceed, in dollars, what is now owned by any one of the main companies now carrying on business here. The "county buildings" were structurés that in this day many of our county farmers would not use to shelter cattle, and the jail was a root house. A few years later the building now known as the "old court house" 'was ocenpied; a log jail built, and the outfit was considered "pretty comfortable." But with years of use the old court house became uncomfortable, and was too small. In 18789 a new briek court house was built, and now Door county has a building, for its size, not excelled in the State. The jail, however, is, if possible, inferior to the pioneer root house. A decade ago'the county 'officers occupied a humble building, but for their services received a large salary. To-day the true American principle is adopted, and the county officials oceupy amagnificent building, but their pay is humble, compared with the salary paid' in by-gone years. Sturgeon Bay has grown from asettlement of a hand ful of inhabitants to a thriving place with a population of an even 1,200 the Ist day of June, 1880. The branches of business earried on in Sturgeon Bay, will be found in the county directory, whieh appears among the last pages of this book. - + LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

'The Sturgeon Bay Library Association was incorporated by act of the Legislature passed March 17th, 1866. The charter members were D. A. Reed, D. H. Rice, Wm. K. Dresser, George Pinney, G. W. Alien, Joseph Harris, Sr, W.-H. Wead, Henry Schuyler, John Garland, and E. M. Squire. 'The' spirit which Ingplred 'these charter members no longer inspires their associates and successors. 'The minutes of the society show that for several years after its incorporation the association held public weekly meetings, at which these pioneers, improved and amused themiselves and 'the country by heavy debates, resolving that "Capital punishment should be abolished," that' "Women should vote," that "the President. of the United States should be impeached" and that the society was the custodian of the welfare of the country generally. Sometimes when the debate ought to have begun and time was ealled, if the combatants were not ready to come to the serateh, the assembly did not spend a _profitless evening, by any means, but they selected one of their number to read an instruetive znd entertaining article from one of the numerous patent office reports which then, as now, garnished the shelves of the library. Not only were there debates and select readings, but the exercises were varied by recitations, essays and songs - but no prayers. 'The interest in those public meetings languished and died out in 1872; or about that time. It wasa gradual decline. A few patriotic members however, still hung on and onee a year met and elected themselves officers of the association. By figuring and seraping and appealing to the patriotism 'of our _representatives in congress and at Madison, the shelves of the library were loaded with session laws, messages and documents, blue books, patent. office reports and other valuable reading matter until there were over 300 volumes in the library. 'This entitled the association to receive from the State all books published by authority of the State and, on making the proper application, a full set of Wisconsin 'reports was added to the library. In 1879 an effort to revive the public meetings of the society was made. There were two entertainments, two fizzies and one smash. It was not for want of an appreciative audience, but for failure on the part of the appointed performers. 'At present, although there are no publie meetings, the library association is thriving. Within afew weeks some 80 new Volumes have been added to the library, and the mombers can now entertain themselves with reading the writings of Irving, Hawthorne, Scott, Holland, George Elliott and many other standard authors. Any one ean become a permanent member of the society by paying three dollars in cash or by donating three dollars worth of books, - or a temporary member by paying a smaller sum according' to the time and depositing the value of the book drawn. The society has in its treasury about seventy dollars which will shortly be invested in books. ttt ae

Agricultural Society

Notwithstanding the many obstacles that confronted, and made farm progress slow with the pioneer settlers, every year added more acres of tillable land to each farmer's clearing, and by 1865 Door county began to "look up" as an agricultural district. It was in November 1865, that the Door county Agricultural Society was organized under the provisions of Chapter 80, of the revised statnes for the year 1858. 'The headquarters of the Society were at Sturgeon Bay, the county seat.

To be sure, the first exhibition in '66 was not a "mammoth affair," but what there was it was good, and the Society was placed square upon its feet. For some' years afterwards the fairs grew finely, anda general interest was _taken - tarmers bringing in their big squashes, Iucions watermelons, fine wheat, good corn, choice varieties of oats, barley and rye, new and productive 'kinds of potatoes, hardy and well adapted fruits of all kinds, while the excellent quality of Door county maple sugar sweetened the whole affair. 'The useful housewife ornamented the hall with elegant bed quilts, warm mittens, and an excellent display of all kinds of needle work. Young maidens of sweet sixteen championed and made close 'competition for exhibiting the best loaves of bread. In fact, the flower of usefulness bloomed promiscously all over the county, and every one seemed anxious to sow a larger amount of the seed each succeeding year. Finally a fair exhibition of cattle, horses, sheep, and swine could be seen at the annual meeting of the Door County Agricultural Society. Then skilled work began to be placed on exhibition, and mechanical ingenuity stood prominent in the general display. Progress moved on, and small 'prizes wore awarded for speed jorses owned in the county, and making a reasonable record at the Fair trots, Various difficult and amusing feats were introduced, and prizes awarded to_ "those who came out top of the heap." ' In faet, Door county Fairs became quite popular with the general public, and the outlook for permenancy was being well grounded,

But alas, that injurious element (Jealousy) that gnawsat the vitals, and when once rooted will poison any public organization, began to get a good hold and grew in the Agricultural Society. 'Then polities - which in loeal affairs, is cussed and foxy - began to work indirectly at the Fairs, and the annual meetings began to contract, experience cramps of disorganization, and in 1880 no fair was held.

However, there has always been a few old "true blues," and it is to be hoped that they will exert themsolves to the utmost. the coming season, and again set the Agricultural Society back on its foundation. Once again fastened on the wheels of progress, the Fair could be made better than ever; united action, floated on the wings of "pull together." would revive the Agricultural Society, with honor to the people and eredit to the county.

Churches And Lodges

With the advancement of the county, the different religious nominations began to do missionary work_at various parts of the county. At as early date as 1853 and '54 gospel preachirg was not unfrequent. 'To-day nearly every settlement in th county has one or more churches. At the present time th: Roman Catholic creed undoubtedly has a larger following th: mall other churehes combined. 'The different churches in the Scandinavian tongue have 2 large membership, while the Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Episcopal, Lutheran, ete., have many supporters.

The first lodge or secret. society of importance that was established in the county was that of the "Good Templars" in 1864, with headquarters at Sturgeon Bay. It was a temperance institution, which beeame vigorous and grew in membershiy for several years, then di.cord began to take the place o peace, and a second lodge was estabiished - but personal strife instead of temperance was the main work of the majority of the leaders, and the usnal result of wrangling came - both Jodges defuneked. A lodge was also organized at Fish Creek, but it followed the path of the Sturgeon Bay lodges.

In 1878 a "Temple of Honor" lodge was started, which was another champion of temperance, For atime' the Temple flourished, but before the year 1878 drew to a close, the Temple of Honor, as an organization in Sturgeon Bay, had collapsed, and was ho more.

In 1878 the Henry 8. Baird Lodge of F. & A. M. was started in Sturgeon Bay. Also the Order of ihe Sons of Hermann, Both organizations are in a flourishing condition, and gaining members.

Even as far back as when salt and potatoes was the only eatables "those the best off" in Door county could get, amusé- ments were not lost sight of. 'True, broadeloth clothes, standup collars, dyed mustaches, gold-plated wateh chains and twenty-five cent diamond rings were not so commonly worn by gentlemen as in thsse modern days; neither did the ladies wear so many silk dresses, false hair, jewelry, and put on manners as do many of the piano thumpers of to-day, but for real fun, the men who wore blue and brown overalls, 'coupled with ladies donned with dresses of home made cioth the "old times" but twenty in number could kick more enjoyment out of the same number of hours than a whole regiment of 1880 society - a dollar molasses pull had a greater amount of sweetness in it than a hundred dollar party of this decade.

But with the change of date comes modification in amu: ment. The "shin dig" has been changed to a "social ball," or "grand hop," a "gathering for a sing" to a "sociable," "backdoor exercise" toa "eireus," where the clown sings foolish pieces, and the audience pronounce it "grand," ete. - But such is modern improvement! and we all take a hand in it - the old and young; from all nations and localities - Door county not being an exception.

However, Inmbering' is carried on quite extensively in the county yet, and in the lumbering camps the amusement is more of the "old time style," and really our lumbermen. find life in the woods far pleasanter than those unused to that sort of business generally believe it to be; but those who have been initiated, and have spent a winter or two among the pines long to go into camp again when the logging season commences. 'True, they have to work hard, both early and late, but then there isa lot of fun in this kind of life that ean be found no where else, and those who have once enjoyed it are alway anxions to do so some more. It is a kind of jolly free life, which, when once tasted, is not soon forgotten and is alwa enjoyable. Instead of being a dull life - filling the boys with ennui and disgust, it is the very reverse - life, tun and frolic intensified with a variety that does not clog or flag. 'The hard labor of the day gives a greater zest for the music, songs, games and danees of the evening and these in turn bring rest the weary laborer, and sweet sleep that restores the stren; and elasticity to the body and mind, and preparing, them for the next day's labor. 'This goes on day after day and evening, through the winter, and makes the boys long for the return of the logging season. None but. those who have, been there know the pleasure and benefit of a good dance, at least one evening in a week, in the logging camps. The boys will work the better for it, and be anxious to come again. Like the natives of the West India Iles who rise early and 'commence work that daylight may come, the loggers will put in. their time with greater energy under the belief that the week will roll 'round quieker than when time hangs heavily on their hands for the want of something exciting. So they push forward their work that they may havea good rollicking dance on Saturday night. In this way all interested are benefitted, and the winter passes off profitably as well as pleasant.

The Canal

THE CANAL. Of public improvements, the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michiin. Ship Canal is the most important and costly within the oundaries of Door county. By Chapter 365 of private and local laws, of Wis. for 1864, the present Canal Company was incorporated. It names William B. Ogden, Freeland B. Gardner, Thomas H. Beebe, Jesse Spaulding and A. E. Goodrich, of Chicago, Alexander Mitchell, Anson Eldred and Daniel Wells, of Milwaukee, Joseph Harris and George Bennett, of Sturgeon Bay, A. P. Lyman, of Sheboygan, Charles D. Robinson, Henry 8. Baird, George Strong, Andrew E. Elmore, H. F. Waring, Jas. 8. Baker, and F.S, Schettler, of Green Bay, W. M. Whitcomb and Uri Balcom, of Oconto, Edwin C. French, of Peshtigo, Andrew Reed, of Depere, Richard 8. Fay, of Boston, George P. Smith, of Philadelphia, Elisha Riggs, of Washington, D. C., J. 8. Speirgelberg and David Magie, of New York, Elias Gill, of Hartford, and Wm. G. MeMaster, of Lockport, as ineorporators of the company, and confers on them the usual powers of bodycorporate. 'The act also names William B. Ogden, F. B. Gardner, Thomas H. Beebe, Joseph Harris, George Bennett, Alexaner Mitchel, Charles D. Robinson, H. 8. Baird, W. M. Whitcomb,

Anson Eldred, and Andrew Reid, as the first Board of Direc tors, with power elect one of their number President, and to hold till their successors are elected and qualified.' The same act repealed Chapter 129 of private and local laws of 1856, and Chapter 237 of private and local laws of. 1858, - acts passed to incorporate the Sturgeon Bay Canal Company, in pursuance of which nothing seems to have been done

By an act of Congress, approved April 10th, 1866,2. acres of government land, lying nearest the canal, in Wisconsin, were ceded by the United States to the State, to aid in the construction of the breakwater, harbor and ship canal. On the 4th of October, following, the Directors met at Milwaukee, and organized the Canal Company by the election of Wm. B. 0 den as president, and Joseph Harris as secretary and treasurer.

Nothing further seems to have been done till the winter of 1868. By an act of the Legislature approved March 5th, 1863 the lands and franchises granted to the State were accepted, subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions contained in the grant from Congress. By the same act, and for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the grant, the lands, (not the franchises,) were conferred upon the Canal & Harbor Company, subject, also, to the same restrictions, terms and conditions. By the terms of this act, the Company were to cause the route to be surveyed and established, to prepare a plan for the construction of the canal, and a diagram thereof, to be approved by the Governor, and 'filed with the Secretary of State. The Company were then to proceed to construct the canal in conformity with the plan and diagram, and to receive the lands, a fourth at a time, as the work be advaneed, in payment therefor. 'The State was to be relmbursed for any expenses it might incur in protecting the lands or otherwise, 'The act, taken in connection with the subsequent acts of the Company, is in the nature of a contract, whereby. the Company agree to build the canal for the State, and to take the lands in full payment therefor.

About 1870 the project for a narrow gauge railroad to Sturgeon Bay from Fond du Lac was agitated, and the Legislature of that year passed an act authorizing the Canal Company to consolidate with the railroad company, then recently charted; but nothing ever came of it.

'The canal project slept till 1871, when a new shoot was taken. Congress this eat made at, appropriation, and authorized the Secretary of War to cause to be made a survey, maps, and an estimate of the cost of the proposed canal and harbor. A new survey was made by Capt. Casgrain, since engineer of the Company. The old route, which had been surveyed and the timber cut out by private contribution, was, abandoned, and the present route of the canal established. Since then the ernment has taken charge of the harbor and break waters, leaving the canal only, for the Company to construct. But still nothing, of consequence, was done towards building the canal. The time had not come.

In 1873 the Legislature authorized the Company to mortgage the lands as security for the bonds of the Company to the amount of $350,000, which the Company were to negotiate, and thereby procure funds to construct the canal. The mortgage and bonds were prepared, and the matter placed in the hands of the financial agent' of the Company; but, either because the bonds could not be sold, or because of the panic the Company thought it could do better to wait, or for some other reason, the matter fell through, and no funds were derived from this source.

Meanwhile "trespass funds" had been accumulating in the State treasury, the net proceeds of which belonged to the Company. Some $40,000 had thus accumulated, when, in the summer of 1872, with these funds and others furnished by the Company, work was actually begun, and continued till the fall of 1873. "On the 7th of October, of that year, 'the. Compan received the Governor's certificate that one fourth of the worl had been done. This entitled them to one fourth of the grant, and after some time spent in procuring a construction of the act of 1868, and in getting the lands apprised, one fourth, in value, of the grant was conveyed to the Company.

From that time forward, with occasional interruptions, the work has been continued with commendable energy. On the Fourth of July, 1878, was celebrated at this place the union of the waters of Lake Michigan and Sturgeon Bay by way of the candl. During the past season, the summer of 1880, the canal was much used by light draft 'vessels, and by the larger craft in the lumber trade on their return trips. Already the Company has received three-fourths of the land, and a good share of fourth quarter of the work has been done. 'The prospect now is that the close of 'the season of 1881 will find the work completed, furnishing a safe and convenient outlet to the lakes for the vast and rapidly inereasing commerce of Northern Wisconsin.

From the following diagram an idea can be obtained of the improvement - representing both the Canal and Harbor. The black, or heavy rulling, is to represent the bank protection and sheet piling.

The Lake

bor is to be dredged out to an average depth' of 16 feet; will be 800 feet wide at the mouth of the canal, 1,200 feet long to the crib protection, with an entrance into the basin of 235 feet. The breaks are cribs, filled with stone, and act as "swings" for protection against the sea. The dotted lines is to be pile work, which will allow the sea or swell to pass through, instead of rolling on into the basin or Harbor.

From the Chief Engineer, Wm. T. Casgrain, we learn that the total amount of earth removed or excavated (to the date of the close of navigation 1880), in the canal and including dredging required to fill back of the docking and revetment, is 1,005,648 cubic yards;

On'the Harbor of Refuge, at the Lake entrance of the canal, the Government has appropriated $120,000, and expended to the close of navigation, 1880, $107,000; leaving $13,000 on hand to be used on contract not completed. The original estimate of the cost for the Harbor of Refuge, was $180,000. Therefore, there is yet to be appropriated $60,000, 'The present Congress (1881) will probably appropriate $10,000.

Uncolored Facts

'The following is a true sketch of one of the early settlers now living in Nasewaupee township: Some 18 or twenty years ago a young man and his wife got a forty acre tract of land and set about making a farm. "He had little or no capital; but he was full of hope and hard days work, and he went about his work witha full determination to suecoss - and he did. All of our old settlers have a vivid recollection of the hard winter, when most of them were reduced to bread and potatoes for a diet, and_ some, as they express it, lived on potatoes and salt. Of this last class was the one of whom we write. During that long winter he worked on his lot elearing it up, and eutting cord wood. His diet not containing sufficient 'substance to sustain his strength as an ordinary farmer's meal would. For continued exertion he used to carry his potatoes into the Woods in his pocket, and when hungry would roast and eat vhem. In this way 'he worked on, frequently assisted and cheered by his wife. Before spring, these two banked about thirty cords of wood, which they had conjointly drawn down to the shore on a hand sled, besides doing much other work abont the place. This is but' an instanee of what men have been forced to endure inopening up a farm in this county only a few years ago; and he is not alone in suffering hard- ships, for most of the settlers were on the same level at that time." The pluck which actuated this man has had its reward. 'To-day he owns one hundred and twenty acres of land with well enclosed fields and good buildings; and cattle and sheep cluster about his barns. In a word, he is a well-to-do farmer. pre ec COUNTY POLITICS.

No history of any county or state is eomplete without a sketeh ofits early organization, both geographical and political, and as the former phase of Boor county has been given somewhat at length in this work, it is deemed but just to the readers of these sketches to relate the story of the first vote for Governor in the eounty - the first, so far as any data can be found. 'The 'occurrence took place in the fall of 1855. The contest then lay between William A. Barstow, Democrat, (who was a candidate for re-olection,) and Coles Bashford, Republican. Up to that time, with the exception of Farewell, Whig, the Governors of the state had been Democratic, and Barstow would have been Teelected but froma, large defection in the ranks of his arty who believed that his administration had beon tainted wit! "crookedness." The aid given to this project by the people of Sturgeon, Bay may be gathered from the following: - When election day came, whether there was any legal authority for it or not, a board of election was organized in the dining-room. of the upper mill boarding house. Here it sat in the cold until the votes around there were polled; and until the conclusion was arrived at that the statutes did not require even a board of election to suffer with cold while on duty for the State, 50 without adjournment, the members took exercise in the open air and warmed themselves in that way. Having an eye to business as well as pleasure in. their walks, they strayed down to the middle mill, and polled the votes there. After warming themselves by the furnace, they again went on theit_ travels - opening the ballot box to all they met on the road, 'The board next brought up at the lower mill, and getting ready for business in he engine room, the hands belonging to and working around the mill, to the umber of about forty, were marched through the room and voted. When this work was completed, the board went back to the place of beginning, stopping by the Way to take half a dozen votes of those coming from their work in the woods. It was sundown when the board got back to their starting place; but seeing boatman coming across the bay, they met him at the shore, took his vote, and then returned to the room where the polls were opened, and closed them there. The board then went to a private house to count the votes; and found. that Bashford had received a majority of eighty-one votes ina poll of eighty-five or eighty-seven - ifour informant's recollection serves him aright. The yotes for Barstow were cast by Frenchmen who asked as a privilege that, they might be allowed to vote as their fathers had voted before them - Demceratie, and the Republicans knowing ,no doubt, that they had a good working majority for Bashford, allowed them to vote as they desired. When the vote was announced the clerk was directed to write up the returns, and present them to the members, next day, for signature, which was done, A messenger Was sent from the lower mill to carry the result to Green Bay. From thence it went to Fond du Lae, by private express, where the railroad was "met," and the "returns" were sent on from there to Madison by wail, and were counted according to the make up. 'The tickets voted here on that occasion were not what politicians call "straight" - being composed of men from both parties. In fact, the only strictly party ticket, used that day were those voted by the Frenchmen spoken of above, the balance of that kind of literature being stowed away in the pockets of one of the clerks until the next day, after it 'was too late to make "corrections, &e." It may be' claimed ag beyond controversy that this election originated the system of split tickets in this county, and the example then set has been followed to a great extent ever sinee - at times bringing to "ashes" the hopes and calculations of numerous apirants for official place. Admitting the illegality of the proceedings, and the further fact that the polls sought the voters instead of the voters seeking the polls, the election was conducted as fairlyf and honorably as many have been since, both here and elsewhere. There were no candidates "buzzing" the voters, and "setting up" the drinks; no deposits in saloons for free drinks to the electors; no repeaters to swell the poll list, or any vote taken or offered from a "man. of straw;" henee there was no necessity for a 7 to 8 commission to determine the legality of the Vote of the county. The only prejudice this election could have to the interests of the nation, may be that in looking for precedents, those who managed the Louisiaua affairs and made Hayes President, may have found an unwritten record of the Door county election of 1855, and acting upon its teachings gave their celebrated verdict which set aside the uation's choice. The population of Door county in 1855, as shown by the census of that year was 739. Allowing one voter for five inhabitants the total number of voters would be 148. OF those 8 or $7 wore east at Sturgeon Bay with a majority of 81 for Bashford. The certificate of the State canvassers that year gave Barstow, Democrat, 36,355 votes, and Bashford, Republican, 36,108--s majority for Barstow of 151. The Supreme 'ourt set aside this certificate and decided Bashford elected. By this it will be seen the important part played by Door

County Politics

We have spent much time searching old records and documents concerning the result of elections held in the county, and believe our searchings have ferrited out the correct results. Standing aloof from the, pow-wow of polities, we shall give facts and figures only, The following fs. the "vote for Governor, from 1850 to 1879 (the present oflcial being elected In

Yote For Governor Vote For Assemblyman

During the year 1852, °53, °54, '55 and °56, Door county was included in an assembly district with Brown county, and was Tepresented in the Assembly by a Brown county man. For about twenty years after 1858, Door county was promiscuously "mixed up" with Oconto, Kewaunee, and Shawano counties, forming an Assembly District. Below we give the names of the counties or county that, with Door, formed an Assembly district, but we only give the vote of Door county, marking the name of the candidate elected with a *, and post office address, As with other public offices, the candidate elected for Assemblyman does not take his seat until the beginning of the year after his election, for example: - A man elected in 1856, does not take his seat until January, 1857. The following is the total vote from 1856 to 1880:

(Assembly Dist. Door, Oconto, and Shawano). stgytJohn Wiley, Shawano.--+---- se] Wine 8: Finley (Assembly Dist. Door, Kewaunee, Ete. 4860¢Wm, 8. Finley, Kewaunee. io0] Unknow (Assembly Dist, Door, Oconto, and Shawano). 86:4E. B, Stevens, Sturgeon Bay. [J MeCormick. (Assembly Dist. Door, Oconto, and Shawano.) 186286. C. Ginty, Oconto..ner- capt | Bdwin' Hart (Assembly Dist. Door, Oconto, and Shawano.) 16;¢Hermanm Naper,, Shawano---199 | Louis Goldstucke (Assembly Dist, Door, Oconto, and Shawano.) 1864*D. A. Reed, Sturgeon Bay.ods [Jo Ws Coullard (Assembly Dist, Door, Oconto, and Shawano) 186stIsanc Stephenson, Marinette 536] Charles Bagley (Assembly Dist. Door and Kewaunee.) 186o"David Youngs, Abnapees-+" 440] Constant Martin, (Assembly Dist. Door and Keweunee,) 186700. Kilgore, Baley's Harbor.--208 | Dovid Youngs, (Assembly Dist. Door and Kewaunee) sass. Ry MeDonaldy Abnapee.--go| Wan. Bisby-n= A Reet Bs "(Assembly Dist. Door and Kewaunee.) 186980. L, Harris, Jackonport.w-3st | Ge W. Allen (Assembly Dist. Door, and Kewauree.) 18704]. MeCormics Ahnapee.on-on-nage 'D. W. Sebbine (Assembly Dist, Door and part of Kewaunee) 7G. W. Allee, Bturkeon Bay. - -ata| John Garland (Assembly Dist. Door and part of Kewaunee.) ASD. W. Srebbins, Ahnapee.----678| Mt. MeCormick (Assembly Dist, Door and part of Kewauvee,) 3 iro Kilgore (Assembly Dist, Door and part of Kewaunee. stratchares Scoble ea iver aps as J. Hoos : (Ascembly Dist. Door and part of Kewaunee.) 1075¢L. M. Washburn, Sturgeon Bay 492 | John Noyes (Assembly Dist, Door county, only} 10763. , Weight, Sergeos ba Keyncl 26. Sone

F Ent Of Schools

Previous to 1863 each towmalip elected a Town Superintendent of Schools. The following is the vote from 1863 to 1879, for Connty Superintendent aaa ae Sohn Sam

Judge

There was no vote for County Judge until 1861, and that year the election was a warm one; the towns of Sturgeon Bay and Sevastopol were thrown out of the summing up of the

Vote For President Summary

No matter how many incidents are related of the early day hardships, the coming farmers of Door county will scarcely comprehend the difficulties under which the early settlers labored in getting their lands ready for the plow - and er 'The soil was covered with heavy timber, and in too mam stances held a large erop of rock. Both: the timber and rock had to be harvested, to make room for a crop of grain. He who believes that this labor was light and pleasant - who. surmises that the rock could be pitehed around as easily asa croquet ball can be batted, or the trees hauled as lightly a a Dilliard eue - greatly mistakes the situation, and undervalues the days, and in fact years of unremitting toil the old settlers put in to make farms here "in the wilderness." Most of those 'who came here to make farms, came to stay, and went to work under unfavorable cireumstances in too many instances, to build ap a home in which to spend the remainder of their lives, How they succeeded is evidenced in every section of the county. The broad fields, stripped of their original upper and lower crops, show how faithfully the pioneers performed their work and paved the way for their successors to make a fair start in life without undergoing the hardships incident to the opening of a new country. To-day we are forced to acknowledge that they have sueceeded betier than the dreamers of those early days claimed they would do, and if there is any credit in preserverance on so unpromising a field as this then looked, those brave workers are entitled to that eredit. If their successors do faithful work, our county will stand as @ monument of what labor and preserverance can do, even under adverse circumstances. Our belief is that this work, like revo- Jutions will never go backwards.

The present winter of 1880-1 has fully reeorded the fact that the climate here is as desirable as any, and prefarable to many sections of the Northwest. We do not have the extreme low temperature in winter experienced in other sections, probably owing to our proximity to the Lake, which remains open throughout the year, and exercises great influence in equalizing the temperature. Neither is this county subject to storm of extreme nature, as is fully proven the present winter by the numerous snow-blockades that have taken place elsewhere. Our friendly summers, with breezy days and cool nights, eannot be surpassed.

Like all other places on "mother earth," we have some drawbacks, but taking all in all, it must be acknowledged by the unprejudiced that Door county is one of the prettiest little Kingdoms of material wealth and beauty in the whole Northwest.

At this date the opportunity for land buyers is excellent, but these lands eannot long remain at present ruinous prices, nor will they long go begging for enterprising buyers.

County Officers For 1881

SwERIFF: - Arnold Wagener, 'born in Prussia 1844; married Isabella Terens 1874; has three children. Mr. Wagener 'came to America 1853, and to Door county in 1874.

County CreRK: - George Nelson, born in New York City 1850; married Mary Madden 1871; has three children. Mr. 'Nelson came to Door county 1860.

Rearster oF DEDs: - James Keogh, Jr., born in Ireland 1850; married Rosa (. Simon 1873; has three children, Mr. Keogh came to Door county in 1855.

Ccerk oF Tae Cracurr Court: - Henry C. Graham, born in Ohio 1843; married Celestia M. Thorp 1868; has' two children. Mr.Graham eame to Door county in 1858, and in 1868-9 carried the U. 8. mail from Fish. Creek to Sturgeon Bay - there were no roads on that route then, and his compensation for services were $2.50 per week in County orders, and the orders would.bring about 50 cents cash on the dollar.

County JupGE: - F. J. Hamilton, born in New York in 1842; married Ellen A. Raymond 1869; has three children, Mr. Hamilton eame to Door county in 1871.

Final Mention Of Settlers

In giving the organization of each town in the county, we endeavored to give a biography of every settler residing in the town, who had lived in Door county ten or more years. 'Though we made a thorough canvass, of course not a few of the old settlers were missed - some being away from home when we called, ete. We have persistently advertised from time to time for those we failed to see, to send in their bio graphies, and if any are missed in this final mention, the fault Tests with themselves for not furnishing the information. We have given these biographical sketches, in order that a record might be had of the old settlers of the county, and particularly handy for hunting up those encircled by the 'band of relationship - which record will be more valuable when a few years have elapsed than now. The following will conclude the biographical mention of old settlers.

1853, is the year Wm. Jackson, of Bailey's Harbor, came to the county. He was born in Green Bay 1827; married Caroline Schermer 1858; has eight children. Is a farmer by occupation.

1665, Frederick Fidler, of Sevastopol_retired from labor; born Germany 1801; married Anna E. Trankler 1851; has one < Louis, who married Nellie Knudson 1878, and has, one child.

1867. William Marshall, Liberty Grove - agent for the North Bay property; born in Scotland 1839; married Agnes Campbell 1862; has seven children,

1868. Thomas Dimond, proprietor of the Sister Bay saw and grist mill, and pier Owner; born Ireland 1847; morried Ellen J. Agan'1870, Second marriage 1880, to Alice @. Cullen; has two children.

In my letter of the 17th inst. I omitted mention of some of the old settlers for want of time to "write them up" before the mail went out. The following completes the mention of the old settlers in this town - if my-recollection serves me right:....1869, I think was the year the National Hotel was built here by Thos. W, McCullough (who came to the Harbor with his father in 1857). Tn "1879 the Natioual was enlarged by the addition of a spacious and elegant public hall and bar room. ...1867, F, & A. Braasch built astore here, and filled it with general merchandise, provisions, etc., to exchange for forest products, Ayyear later Adam Sechrest was added to the firm changed to Braasch & Sechrest. They built a large and commodious store, and did a thriving business for some time, when the firm was dissolved, and Roger Eatough purchased the buildings built by F. & A. Braach, and converted them into a public house, now known as the Globe Hotel. ..-.1870 Thomas Severn purchased of Alexander Mitchell, of Mil- Waukee, the property here known as the Sweet property; platted and Jaid out the village of Bailey's Harbor, and built a fine store and residence here, near the shore end of the old pier. 'The store was occupied by 'T. & H.C. Severn, and was filled with an immense stock of provisions, groceries, hardware, crockery, china, boots and shoes, drygoods, ready made clothing, etc; continuing until 187-, when they sold out the store and pier property to F, Wohltmann, 'who is still doing business at the old stand... .Ta 1870 F, Wohltmann first came to Bailey's Harbor with a stock of goods, and occupied the store built by the Messts Braasch until 187-, when he bought theSevern property, as above stated. He carries a" general stock of goods. and exchanges them for farm and forest products. Last year he rebuilt the pier, making a strong and substantial structure of it.

Death List

DEATH LIST, About six months have elapsed since we began gathering biographies and general information for this history of Door county. The mighty wings of time carry much, and their course is direct - many of the old settlers whose biography appeared in former chapters of this history now rest in the bosom of mother earth, and May day will mark their resting place with green grass. We are handed the following conerning those we visited last summer, who have sinee departed is life,

Ener Rasmusson, died October 3d, 1880, at hishome, in Sevastopol. Deceased was born in Norway in 1805; came to Door county in 1835 - direet from the old country; married Tearer Johnson 1827; had -five children - all married, viz: 'Thelata married H. Olsen, and lives in Norway. Bertle married Christena Olsen, and lives in Norway. Elias married Jennie and lives in Sevastopol township. John married Lucy Spaulding, and lives in Sevastopol township. Elizabeth married Fred Berger, and lives in Clay Banks.

E, Schermer, died November 18th, 1880, at his home, in Bailey's Harbor. Deceased was born in Prussia 1796, camo io 'America and Door county in 1856; married Caroline Harlder 1826; had six children, married as follows: Erestine married 'Adam Hendricks, Caroline married Wm. Jackson. Yetta married Jacob Apple. Polina married Hans Boose. Bertha married Gottfrey Nelson. ant Uist, Loreh, died, December 18th, 1880, nt his residence in

'There are a number of others of the old settlers who have died sinee we began to put this sketch, in type, but. the relatives of the deceased have failed to hand us the partienlars; hence, the fault of not mentioning the departed rests with the relatives, and not with us.

In Conclusion

Promiscuously through this sketch we have chronicled sorte of the many hardships that have been experienced in Door county, and no doubt the general reader looked upon the bare facts a8 myths, or romances. But the verity of an unwritten istory of a new county is always full of interest and heroism - Iit is made up of reality, hardships, and endurance, with the spice of the Indicrous enough to season. The only trouble Fras the gathering of the facts; weaving them into shape blending the lights and shades in such a manner as to attract the attention of the reader.

Hardships are long remembered, but prophecy iz not yet bold enough to declare all the beauties that are awarded us for trials of endurance. Groop together, in one imaginary bouquet, all the facts which concern our material wealth, fertility of soil, numerous water courses, beauty and salubrity of climate, and the adaptability of climate to the most certain and bountiful produets of the field, choicest productions of orchard and garden, the progress of social and religious institutions and privileges, established and equipped sehools in every town in the'county groop together all this, and the intelligent thinker will comprehend and appreciate th awards for handahipe and pelnatlons s-expefiqnoed in this count hopped from the body of a tree, now rest in a cushioned chair; many a pioneer that slept on a bed made of hemlock, pine or cedar boughs, now sleep on a mattress of feathers; many a child that was lulled to sleep in the half-round of a 'tree trunk, 18 now father or mother of children that sleep in walnut cradles ornamented with French veneering; many a father that culti- Yated land with a grub-hoo, can in this deeade look, smilingly at his son that tills the soil with improved horsepower machinery! Such has been progress in Door county.

t progress and nature have strange ways of doing the most beautifal things. All of the pioneer settlers of this connty have now past the meridian of life - not a few of the main workers have passed from this life on to the unknown in the t few years. No doubt but that it is with a sensation of lf sadness that the remaining pioneer settlers comprehend that the longest days in their life are passed, and every day that follows materially shortens their lives - the gray hairs that are sonumerous in their heads are true indications that they are no longer golng up hill, but down! They are) gradually, but surely settling behind the western clouds of life; then to' the rave, and - then the unknown! But the work of the pioneer as béen valuable; he ns opened the way for his children, and their childrens' children to keep step with advancement - they should always look forward, and not backward!

Let us_all of us_never forgot that every station in Ife is necessary; that each deserves our respect; that not the station itself, but the worthy fulfillment of its duties, does honor to man. Cas. I. Martin, von ja Mra,' Ar Schuyler, us a Et oy, James 0. Pinney, Cedar Street House, eens. ea Benes Hoel ieee roe na Sarin, at pcs BREE, roo Realejo Iron Works, { pontlolie a aa aoe SORA

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