Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3, 1880 (part 15 of 15)

" They were not of that stripe of men who hang around the corners all day whittling drygoods boxes and never have courage enough to get away from the end of their mother's apron strings ; but men and women who pitched their nightly tents on the broad prairie or under the spreading oaks, night after night, until they found a resting-place in Waupun and the country around it, where they have labored to build up and improve the place of their choice and make it what it is to-day, the pride of its people ; men who have stood by it in clouds and sunshine watching with interest its slow but sure growth, ever firm in the belief that there was before it a bright prospect of future usefulness and prosperity."

The Waupun Pump and Windmill Works. - Like many another institution, the Waupun Pump and Windmill Works had their origin in the day of small things. In 1852, when Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties were only thinly settled with new-comers, Milo J. Althouse, then a young man just starting to make his way in the world, with no resources but his own hands and his energetic will, made his first essay in the pump manufacture - a single pump planed, bored, fitted with handle, spout and bucket, and finished by his own hands, and by his own hands then set in a well. Returning from this completed job, he commenced another, to be finished and carried to the customer before a third was entered upon. By these slow steps was first put in motion a business which has since reached across the continent, finding its principal market in a dozen States. Endeavoring always to make his work excel, Mr. Althouse soon found his business and his reputation so growing as to warrant the opening of a shop and the purchase of improved tools. In 1859, he left the little shop, on a farm where he had worked alone, and opened a shop in the village of Waupun. From working by hand he advanced to horse-power for running the augers, and gradually augmented the force as the demand for his work increased. In 1861, Mr. Althouse introduced steam-power, and again enlarged his shop to meet the growing business. He still carefully maintained the quality of his work, and his stamp was a synonym for the best on all work in his line. Every stick of timber used was carefully inspected, and every piece of leather for packing was selected from the best part of first quality sides, all else being rejected and sold for scraps. The same careful selection of material has been continued throughout.

In those days, the wind sweeping overhead was undreamed of as a motive power, or at least not dreamed of in any practical way as a power applicable to the ordinary work of a farmer ; but, about 1860, the first windmills, with partially self-regulating devices, were introduced in the Northwest. Their progress was slow for years ; the devices themselves were imperfect. Those who now find such a machine a necessity were not then educated to the knowledge of the benefits to be derived from its use ; and the large stock and dairy interests of Wisconsin, which now more than ever before make this machine necessary, were then comparatively in infancy. But, ten years ago, Mr. Althouse foresaw the growing future of this power, and its intimate connection with the pump business, and made arrangements for manufacturing one of the best windmills then invented. In 1873, Messrs. George and Albert Raymond having their attention called to the matter, commenced experimenting with wind-engines, and, in February, 1874, in connection with Mr. Althouse, patented the Althouse & Raymond Windmill, which, with some later modifications, is now known through Wisconsin and the Northwest as the " Althouse Vaneless Windmill," and enjoys the reputation of being the most perfect self-regulating wind-engine yet invented. In the following spring, Hon. George F. Wheeler and L. D. Hinkley became associated with Mr. Althouse, under the firm name of Althouse, Wheeler & Co. Since that time, the business has been carried on by the firm, and their trade has extended from Massachusetts to California, and from Canada to Florida and Texas, within the Union, and still further on the west, has reached the Australian fields, and, in the Far East, the winds which ripple the old Euphrates propel the sails of their engines.

Nearly sixty thousand pumps, made in this establishment, are in use in the Northwest ; and nearly three thousand wind-engines bearing their stamp are pumping, churning and grinding.

The pumps made are mostly wooden pumps, of all sizes, from a cistern pump of two inches boreto a mammoth of six inches. The special feature of these pumps, introduced by Mr. Althouse, and distinguishing them from the old wooden pumps, is the making of a detachable hard-maple cylinder in which the bucket works. This simple improvement adds immensely to the durability and ease of working of the pump. Of course, the greater part of the windmills made are of the smaller sizes, the most common size for farm use being the ten-foot wheel. They manufacture pumping windmills of eight feet, ten feet, twelve feet, fourteen feet, sixteen feet and twenty-five feet in diameter, and also make geared mills for driving matihinery. These are mostly made in sizes of sixteen feet and twenty-five feet. In prosperous times, the business of the establishment has been $10,000 per month, with a pay-roll of $3,000 per month, distributed among about fifty men. Like all other business, this has felt the depression of the last three years, in reduced production and sales, and continues its work on a somewhat ^narrowed scale, awaiting the "good time coming " which shall justify more active efibrts.

This is one of the institutions which has contributed, in no small degree, to give Waupun a steady and solid prosperity when other places have stagnated after premature expansion.

M. K. Dahl's Plow-Factory. - One of the oldest manufacturing establishments in Waupun is Dahl's Plow-Factory, on the Dodge County side of Washington street. Upper Town.. The first building, now occupied by Mr. Dahl, was erected in 1846 or 1847, by Bly & Ely, and had been occupied as a plow-factory since about 1850. Mr. Dahl manufactures plows, land rollers, sulky plows, harrows, cultivators and other farming utensils, in which he has built up a large business.

F. F. Zimmerman's Wagon Factory. - In 1865, Mr. Zimmerman began the business of wagon making and repairing, on the Fond du Lac County side of Washington Street, in Upper Town, in a building formerly occupied in the country as a schoolhouse. He manufactures wagons, carriages and cutters, giving employment to from ten to sixteen men. He now has three large buildings, and carries on an extensive and constantly increasing business.

Morse ^ Morris' Carriage Factory. - In 1876, 0. A. Morse, Jr., erected, on the corner of Franklin and Drummond streets, three commodious buildings for a carriage factory. In 1877, Mr. Morris purchased an interest in the factory, which gives employment to nine- men in the manufacture, exclusively, of carriages, phaetons, buggies and cutters.

Thomas Stoddart's Organ Manufactory. - Thomas Stoddart brought his knowledge of organ-building from Scotland, and about 1860, after retiring from the post office and other active business, began the manufacture, in a shop near his residence on Prison street, of pipe and reed organs. He has patent " coupbos " and resonance boxes, as well as a patent bellows or air pump, and makes all with his own hands the softest-toned instruments extant. He does not manufacture " for the trade," but for musical people only. He has built over fifty instruments, one of which is a "barrel organ," eight feet high. This is an organ which plays by machinery. Mr. Stoddart is one of the only three men in America, who can make a "music barrel," which will play the simplest or most difficult music. The one mentioned plays from Handel, John Sebastian Bach and other distinguished composers.

The Waupun Stone Mills. - The first flouring-mill built in the vicinity of Waupun, was erected in 1846, by Forest & Smith, at the foot of Mill street, on the Rock River, in the North Ward of Waupun. The lumber for it was sawed the year previous, by the same parties who had a saw-mill nearby. In 1848, the mill burned, having caught fire from lumber spread over the engine to dry. " In the fall of the same year, the present stone mill was begun and finished for business in the early spring of 1849. It is four-stories in height, and equipped with both water and steam power, and is the oldest mill in the vicinity. It has three runs of stones, with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The mill is now owned by T. W. Markle and W. W. Harris, Mr. Markle having owned an interest in it since 1857.

Clishy's Steam Mill - In 1876, Lorenzo Clisby erected a large steam flouring-mill, near the track of the C, M. k St. Paul Railway, on the Fond du Lac County side of Waupun. It is equipped in modern style, with all the latest improved machinery. It has five runs of stones, with a capacity of 125 barrels per day. It does both custom and job work.

The Waupun Bank. - The first bank of issue, or real banking institution of any sort in Waupun, was the Waupun Bank, which opened for business in 1856, with L. B. Hills as Cashier. Owing to hard times, it suspended in September, 1857, and its business passed into the hands of its creditors. John N. Ackerman was chosen President, and L. B. Hills, Cashier, and the bank resumed operations again in November of the same year. It continued in business until about January, 1859, when it suspended, never to be revived. On searching the safe after the second suspension a pack of cards and two dollars in counterfeit money were found. There were no losses to speak of occasioned by the failure of this bank.

The Oorn Exchange Bank. - In 1857, William Hobkirk was the means of securing a charter, and starting the Corn Exchange Bank, in a stone building on the south side of Main street, erected by him for that purpose. It was organized under the State- law as a bank of issue. Andrew Proudfit was President, and William Hobkirk, Cashier. When State Banks were compelled to withdraw their circulation, by high taxes purposely imposed, the Corn Exchange continued on in the general banking business. On the 6th of August, 1875, the bank having been some time without any officer but a cashier, Mr. Hobkirk closed its doors and made a trip to South America. The heaviest loser was Mrs. Margaret Drummond, who had about $60,000 intrusted to the bank. Several years after the failure Mr. Hobkirk returned and settled a portion of the bank's indebtedness, but never opened it for business.

The Citizens' Bank. - After the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank, in 1875, the village of Waupun had no bank until early in 1876 when Almon Atwood, of the town of Waupun, started the Citizens' Bank in the old Corn Exchange building. Almon Atwood was President, and A. Robinson, Cashier. The enterprise not proving satisfactory to its projector, business was discontinued, and the bank closed in February, 1877.

G-eorge Jess ^ Company's Bank. - In the summer of 1876, George Jess and David Metcalf began the erection of the handsome two-story brick and stone block on the corner of Main and Prison streets for a bank, and, in the fall, opened for business, under the name of George Jess & Company, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The firm has a commodious and wellappointed office, and does a general banking business, such as buying and selling inland and foreign exchange, receiving demand deposits without interest, selling letters of credit and sellilig ocean steamship passages. It is a private bank, having no charter.

Waupun Library Association

In 1858, the following petition circulated in the village of Waupun : " We, the undersigned, agree to pay the sum of $3 yearly, until we withdraw from the society, for the purpose of establishing a Library Association in the village of Waupun, the same to be governed by laws adopted by its members. Books shall be received for the first year's subscription, if said books shall be approved by a committee to be chosen. Said subscriptions shall be paid as soon as the society is organized."

Village of Waupun, J ^^ ' Whereas, an application has been made to me by five proprietors of the Waupun Library Association, requesting one of their number to be authorized to call a meeting of the proprietors thereof, for the purpose of making a permanent organization of said Association, as provided in Chapter 49 of the Kevised Statutes of said State. It is therefore ordered that Edwin Hillyer be and is hereby authorized to call said meeting, to be convened at Dodge's Hall, on the 16th of February, 1858, at 7 o'clock in the evening, and that he give due notice of said meeting.

draft a Constitution. They performed the task, and the Constitution was adopted the same night. The election for permanent oflficers resulted as follows :

President, H. L. Butterfield ; Treasurer, George W. Bly ; Collector, William Buen ; Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer. Directors - C. S. Kneeland, David Ferguson, A. H. Rounsville, George Wirt, Geo. Babcock, M. Leary and Charles Smith. Book Committee - L. B. Hills, Jesse Hooker, R. W. Wells, John Ware, George E. Jennings. The latter committee began at once to receive books from members and purchase others with the funds obtained for fees and dues. The library was opened in Edwin Hillyer's office ; and when hje moved to Thomas Stoddart's stone block, corner of Prison and Washington streets, the library was ajso moved there, where it has since remained. During several years, Mr. Hillyer served as Librarian and gave the use of a large room in his office free of charge. Latterly, a nominal rent has been paid, and the Librarian is now paid $30 per annum for his services. The library contains nearly three thousand volumes of choice books, which may be used by any person not a member of ithe Association by complying with the rules and by-laws, and paying ten cents per volume. On every Saturday evening the library-room is open, and has always been well patronized. Its financial condition is sound, and new books are constantly added. Since the first year the officers have been as follows :

1862, 1863 and 1864 - President, A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk, W. W. Houghton ; Librarian, B. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. JBly ; Collector, George B. Jennings.

1867 and 1868 - President, Charles Jones ; Vice President, W. H. Taylor ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville; Collector, G. B. Jennings.

On the 8th day of February, 1875, many citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had long been residents of the State, met together for the purpose of organizing an' Old Settlers' Club. A Club was formed and a committee appointed to draft rules for its government. A resolution was also adopted, that all citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had been twenty-five years resident of the State, should be entitled to membership. The meeting adjourned to February 15, 1875, for the purpose of perfecting a permanent organization.

On the last mentioned day, rules for the government of the Club were presented and adopted. The Club permanently organized by the election of James McElroy, President; John

Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was adopted that the Old Settlers' Club hold their first meeting March 2, 1875 ; that a picnic dinner be furnished, and that members of the Club only participate.

Before the meeting, appointed for March 2, 1875, convened, the following named residents of Wisconsin became members, giving the date of their entrance into the State :

These only comprise those who settled in the State previous to the year 1850, yet all who <3ame in that year, were admitted to participation, together with their families.

On the 2d of March, 1875, pursuant to notice and invitsftions, the old settlers met in Waupun. A large company was present. An old-fashioned dinner of pork, beans and brown bread was served in abundance. Men and women partook of it with a relish. Old times and old scenes were talked over. The evening was spent in social enjoyment. All were pleased with the first Old Settlers' Club meeting.

On the 25th of November, 1875, the Executive Committee of the Club appointed December 4, 1875, as the time for the election of officers. On the day last named, James McElroy was re-elected President ; John Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was then adopted, that the Club hold their annual meeting on December 21, 1875. Accordingly, on that day, the second annual meeting of the Club was held in Waupun. It was a success. The banquet was enjoyed by about 650 old settlers and their guests. The evening was spent in social intercourse, music and literary entertainments. This meeting, though held in 1875, was really the meeting for 1876.

Owing to the inclement season of 1877, and oth-er reasons, no annual meeting was held. The Executive Co&mittee having previously called a meeting, for the election of officers, on the

6th day of February, 1878, all of the past officers were re-elected. A resolution was adopted that the Club hold their annual meeting for 1878 on February 15, and that all who had been residents of Waupun or vicinity for twenty years, be entitled to membership. On the day last named, the Club held their third annual meeting. The gathering was large. Old men and women, with their families, met and exchanged congratulations. A banquet was served, and many partook of the repast. The afternoon and evening was spent, by those present, in pleasant intercourse. All were pleased and all voted the meeting a success.

At this time, it was determined that the Club should not hold its annual meetings in the winter ; that the next one should be held in the open air. Consequently, on the 15th of June^ 1879, the fourth annual meeting of the Club was held in a grove one mile from the city, invitations to all old settlers having been extended. The novelty of an out-door meeting, the season of the year, and the pleasure of meeting old friends and faces, brought out a large assembly. A long table had been prepared and was spread, loaded with the good things of life, generously furnished by the old settlers. It was estimated that at least 1,200 partook of the ample bounty. This meeting was a success, and will be remembered by all present with pleasure. The day w;as beautiful, and was enlivened by music and addresses.

Wisconsin State Prison

This institution was located in the village of Waupun during the year 1851, and opened for the reception of convicts in the spring of 1852. By a law enacted in 1851, Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth were appointed Commissioners to determine the best point in the State for the location of a State Prison. They examined different points, and, on July 4, 1851, a majority of the Commissioners (Bullen and Taylor) decided to locate at Waupun, Mr. Worth dissenting in favor of Madison.

On July 21, 1851, a contract was made with J. K. Smith for the construction of a main, upright part of a temporary prison for $4,600, the dimensions of which were 26x80 feet, three stories high, of wood, above a stone basement. The Commissioners estimated the sum necessary to continue the erection of the prison and pay indebtedness at $25,000, and also recommended the purchase of an additional twenty acres of land, for the sum of $800, which recommendation, however, does not appear to have been acted upon.

John Taylor, of Waupun, was, March 28, 1852, appointed Commissioner by the Legislature, but was removed by Gov. Farwell before taking possession of the office, and Henry Brown,, of Fond du Lac, appointed in his place, who took charge of the prison April 2, 1852.

On July 12, 1853, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to let the contract for the mason work of the south wing of the prison, and, in December following, Andrew Proudfit contracted to complete the work by December, 1854, for the sum of $12,624; it was ready for the accommodation of prisoners in January following.

By an act of the Legislature, the management of the State Prison was placed in the hands of a Commissioner, who was elected by the people at the general election in November, 1853, to hold his office for two years, from January 1 next succeeding the election. He appointed one person to perform the duties of Deputy and Clerk, and also appointed all other officers. The prison building, at this time, only contained sixty-seven cells ; number in confinement, sixty-one.

The Commissioner, from January 1, 1854, to December 31, 1855, was A. W. Starks, of Baraboo. In accordance with a law passed by the Legislature the Commissioner, during the year 1855, let the convict labor as follows :

Histoby Of Fond Du Lac Countt

To Mensink & Boland, for the labor of convicts in shoe-shop, for one year, at 60 cents per day, and 25 cents for apprentices for the first six months.

E. McGarry, of Milwaukee, was the Commissioner from January 1, 1856, to December, 1857 ; John Lowth, Deputy^ An appropriation of $10,000 had been made by the Legislature for the construction of the main or center building, but there being no money in the treasury, the ury, the Commissioner had to negotiate for the purchase of material on credit and keep the employed. He also recommended the building of a stronger wall around the prison yard, as the board fence had become much decayed and alForded poor protection against escapes.

Gov. Bashford, in his message, recommended the leasing of the labor of convicts, providing, that they should be fed, clothed and furnished with the usual necessaries of life by the contractors, who also should pay all expenses of guarding the prison, and allow the State a reasonable compensation for the services of the convicts.

On account of the convening of the Legislature each year early in January, it was impossible to complete the annual report for the preceding year before the meeting of that body. The time for making the annual report was therefore changed to October 1.

The Legislature also passed a law giving the Commissioner the authority to diminish the term -of any convict, sentenced for a specific term, against whom no infraction of the rules had been reported, not more than five days in each month.

The foundation for nearly all the front wall was laid during the year 1861, also iron-work for front wall received, each panel weighing about 800 pounds. The prison report states that the prison continued to turn out shoes for the soldiers.

Hans C. Heg was re-nominated by the Republican State Convention, for the office of Commissioner, but afterward declined, and Alex. P. Hodges, of Oshkosh, nominated in his place, and elected ; he held the office for the next two years, with Martin Mitchell as Deptity and Henry Cordier, Clerk. Seven hundred and eighty prisoners were received to September 30, 1862, of whom 116 remained in prison at that time.

The next Commissioner was Henry Cordier, of Waupun (formerly of Oshkosh), who held the office for three terms, from January, 1864 to December, 1869. John Wingender, Clerk ; N. H. Palmer, Deputy.

The joint committee of the Legislature on State aflfairs, having recommended the construction of a sewer from the prison yard to Rock River, a distance of 2,800 feet, the Legislature appropriated the sura of $2,500 for that purpose, and work was commenced during the spring of 1864, and finished next year.

A number of convicts were let to the Green Bay Stave Company, for making barrels for a term of one year. The contract did hot prove proBtable, and was not renewed.

Number of prisoners confined September 30, 1865, was 90, being a decrease of 23 since the year previous ; total received up to that time, 1,011.

Four thousand dollars were appropriated by the Legislature in 1866, for steam-power, and a contract was made with Hiner & Co., of Fond du Lac, for an engine of sufficient capacity to be used in the cabinet shop.

The prison buildings at this time consisted of main building (used as Commissioner's residence, office, officers' rooms, chapel and hospital), cell-room, female prison, workshops, washhouse, barn and stable and woodshed. The prison proper, or cellroom, is 200 feet long, 50 feet wide and 50 feet high ; built of dressed limestone ; ten windows on each side, each being

16x5 feet. In the middle part of this room is a stone block containing the cells, four tiers,. 280 cells in all, which are 7 feet long, 4J feet wide and 8 feet high ; the north cellroom to be a fac-simile of the south cellroom.

The manufacture of chairs was, during the year 1868, inaugurated at the prison ; a considerable number of the prisoners were employed in quarrying and cutting stone. The prisoners' dress was changed from the striped dress heretofore worn, to one uniform color - light gray - theformer being used only as a means of punishment, but has since been entirely abandoned.

On January 1, 1870, George F. Wheeler, of Fond du Lac, assumed the management of the prison, having been elected Commissioner; he appointed C. S. Kelsey. of Montello, Deputy; D. B. Parkhurst, of Berlin, Clerk; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Prison Physician.

The workshops were, on the 2d day of May, 1870, destroyed by fire; also about 300,000- feet of lumber, considerable cord-wood and other property. The shops were immediately rebuilt, and ready about January 1, 1871. They are now 375 feet long, 54 feet wide, two stories high, with engine-house attached, two dry-houses and brick smoke-stack, 110 feet high.-

During the next year, Mr. Kelsey resigned his position as Deputy Warden, and was succeeded by B. H. Bettis ; L. D. Hinkley was appointed Clerk, in place of D. B. Parkhurst, resigned. Mr. George F. Wheeler was re-elected Commissioner, and held the office until December, 1873.

The Legislature, during the session of 1873, passed a law, changing the management of" the prison, which law went into effect in January, 1874. Three Directors were appointed by the Governor, with the advice and ^consent of the Senate, to hold their office for two, four and six years, and thereafter all appointments to be for six years. In place of the Commissioner, heretofore elected by the people at the general election, tlje Directors appointed a Warden, whohas charge and custody of the prison, also appointed the Clerk, both to hold their office for a term of three years. The Warden appointed all other officers, subject to the approval of the Directors.

The Governor of the State appointed as the first Board of Directors, ex-Gov. !N"elson Dewey, of Grant County, for six years ; W. E. Smith, of Milwaukee, for four years; Joel Rich, of Dodge County, for two years. They met at the prison February 12, 1874, and appointed- George F. Wheeler, the former Commissioner, as Acting Warden, and L. D. Hinkley, Acting Clerk.

On April 1, 1874, H. N. Smith, of Sheboygan County, was appointed Warden, and Jacob Fuss, of Brown County, Clerk, for a term of three years from January 1, 1874. The Warden appointed S. D. Hubbard, Deputy; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Prison Physician; Rev. E. Tasker, Chaplain; G. J. Heiderman, Superintendent of Shops.

During the first year of the new administration, arrangements were made with the C, M. & St. P. R. R. to run a side track into the prison yard, for which purpose four and one-half acres of land lying between the railroad track and the prison grounds had to be bought. The manufacture of wagons was also introduced, employing from twenty-five to thirty convicts.

S. D. Hubbard resigned his position as Deputy Warden September 30, 1874, and was succeeded by V. B. Knowles, who remained until April 30, 1875, when he resigned, and Joel Rich, one of the Directors, acted as Deputy until January 1, 1876, when his term of office as Director expired, and he was appointed Deputy.

The Legislature having authorzed the leasing of the labor of convicts, the Warden advertised for proposals for the labor of from fifty to seventy-five men, but no bids were received.

On the morning of February 1, the engine-house was burned, also about 20,000 feet of lumber, and the engine. The house was immediately rebuilt, making it a one-story building, with fire-proof roof The engine was also repaired, and two new tubular boilers put in in place of the old flue boilers worn out.

An experiment was made by employing a number of convicts in the manufacture of brooms, however, did not prove satis:factory, and was therefore abandoned.

The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, for five years from January 1, 1878, at the rate of 40 cents per day, nine and three- fourths hours to be a day's work. All other manufacture on the part of the State was therefore discontinued after January 1, except that a few men were kept in the wagon-shop, where it was intended to work up the old material on hand.

H. M. Kutchin, of Fond du Lac, was, in January, 1878, appointed one of the Directors in place of Wm. E. Smith, whose term had expired, and who had been elected Governor of the State.

Alexander White, of Fond du Lac, was, April 10, of the same year, appointed Deputy Warden in place of Joel Rich, resigned. The continued increase of the number of prisoners seemed to make it necessary to complete the north cellroom, which was done during the summer following at an expense of about $8,000.

From the Directors' and Warden's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879, the following statistics are gathered : Total number of prisoners received to that time, 2,730 ; total number confined, 309, of which 225 were employed under contract. Age of those confined, 21 under twenty years ; 47 from twenty to thirty ; 65 from thirty to forty ; 56 from forty to sixty ; 20 over sixty. The total number of life prisoners received were : Murder, 54 ; murder, first degree, 29 ; murder, second degree, 11 ; rape, 2 ; desertion, 1 - total, 97. Discharged on Governor's pardon, 31 ; on order of courts, 8 ; on order of Secretary of War, 1 ; removal to Insane Asylum, 3; died, 6 - total, 49 ; leaving in prison, September 30, 1879, 48. Longest time served, 17 years ; shortest, 2 years and 9 months.

The total amount of appropriations received from the State since the organization of the prison is $1,993,481.23, or an average of $41,240 a year to September 30, 1877. Owing to the large amount of manufactured goods, material and bills receivable on hand when the convict labor was contracted to Wells & Co., no appropriation was asked for and received, for the two years from October 1, 1877, to September 30, 1879, and none asked for the year ending September 30, 1880, the last annual report showing all bills paid, with cash on hand $11,090.

George W. Carter, of Fond du Lac, was, January 1, 1880, appointed Warden in place of H. N. Smith, whose term of ofiice expired on that day. Jacob Fuss |Was re-appointed Clerk, Alexander White continued as Deputy Warden ; Rev. Victor Kutchin, Chaplain ; Drs. H. L. Butterfield and D. W. Moore, Prison Physicians ; Henry Brooks, Turnkey.

Waupun A Dozen Tears Ago

"Waupun, a village containing something over 3,000 inhabitants," says a writer in 1868, "is situated on the Horicon Branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The village lies in the counties of Fond du Lac and Dodge, Main street being the county line. The distance ro m Milwaukee is about sixty miles ; from Green Bay, eighty-five miles ; from La Crosse, one hundred and fifty miles, and from Madison fifty miles. There are direct railroad communications with all of these places. "Chester, a small station on the C. & N-W. Railway, is situated about two and one-half miles east of the village. The ready commuuication thus aflForded with Milwaukee, Chicago and Green Bay, renders this a better place of market than most inland towns. One great essential to the rapid growth of a place - a good' water-power - is wanting here ; and Waupun has been obliged to depend mainly upon the agricultural wealth of the surrounding country, and the enterprise and energy of the early settlers, for its advancement.

" The first white settlers in this locality came here between the years of 1839 and 1841. One of the first buildings, if not the first erected here, was a tavern put up by Mr. Seymour Wilcox. Soon after him, Nathan Newton, John N. Ackerman, Nathaniel Dodge and William

McElroy made settlements here. Since that timie, Waupun has grown slowly but steadily, and the wilderness has been converted into rich and well-cultivated farms. In the ' early days' of the settlement, Seymour Wilcox owned nearly all of the land where Waupun now stands. Gen. Winfield Scott, the hero of many a well-fought battle with our country's foes, once stopped over night at Mr. Wilcox's tavern. Before the railroad was laid through this place, most of the farmers carried their produce to Milwaukee with ox teams and heavy lumber wagons, the trip there and back taking about five days at shortest.

" I know of no more accurate criterions by which to judge a place than its churches, schools, press and saloons. At the last village election the temperance ticket was chosen, and there is not now a whisky saloon in the place. Of the churches, schools and press, I propose to speak.

" There are six churches in the village. The Congregational Church, Rev. J. M. Williams, Pastor, has a large membership, and exerts an extensive religious influence upon the community. The Methodist Church has been longest organized at this place, and probably has the largest membership. The Pastor, Rev. J. C. Robbins, has labored earnestly among his people, and with good success. The First Baptist Church, Rev. J. 0. M. Hewitt, Pastor, though hardly equal to the others in membership, is not inferior in other respects. The Free-Will Baptist Church, Rev. E. IST. Wright, Pastor, prospers well financially and spiritually. There are also the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Mission, Rev. Charles Thorp, Deacon in charge, and the Catholic Church, Rev. G. L. Willard.

" There are three ward schools, all well supported, and all under the direction of well qualified teachers. There has been considerable talk about establishing a central high school here, but no very energetic action has ever been' taken about the matter.

" Two weekly newspapers are published here, both strongly Republican. The Waupun Times, John R. Decker, editor, is published every Tuesday, and has now nearly closed its eleventh year. The Prison Qity Leader has just entered its third year, and is a live local sheet, edited and published by Short & Oliver.

" Western States generally have shown much liberality in the construction of their public buildings, but perhaps none more than Wisconsin. Surely its penitentiary is one that may compare favorably with the best institutions of the kind in the Union, and has often been termed the 'model prison of the country.' The convicts are under excellent discipline, the result of the earnest labors of the present Commissioner, Mr. Henry Cordier, who has been three times elected to this office. The institution is now nearly self-supporting, and it is expected soon to be entirely so. A prison school, established a little more than a year ago, is now in successful operation.

" The manufacturing interests of Waupun are considerable. The Waupun pump, patented and manufactured by Mr. M. J. Althouse, is the premium pump of the Northwest. Mr. A. came here in the ' early days' of the village, worth but little, as far as pecuniary wealth is concerned, but containing within him the indomitable energy and perseverance which have since characterized him as an extensive business manager. He made his first pump with his own hands, and for his own well. Afterward, he made a few for his neighbors, and soon obtained a patent and started a small factory. Enlarging and erecting new buildings, he rapidly won the favor and patronage of the public, and acquired considerable property. But every one must expect reverses in fortune. Mr. Althouse was not an exception. His large manufactory was entirely destroyed by fire last winter, and Mr. A. suff"ered a loss of $12,000 in stock not easily replaced. Fortunately, he owned a planing-mill separate from this factory, and, building a large addition to this, he immediately converted it into a manufactory. He is now doing an immense business. He employs -thirty-five hands, besides twenty-three who are engaged in the sale of the pumps throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Two teams are kept running continually from each of the points, Madison, Mineral Point, Fond du Lac, Appleton and Waukesha, in this State. Mr. A. usually makes about 6,000 pumps annually, but will turn out 7,800 this year. The timber used in the manufacture of these pumps is white-wood, and is obtained from Michigan. The machinery is all new, and is run by steam. Besides his manufactory, Mr. A. has a large building which he uses for a repository and office.

" The mammoth wagon and carriage factory of Messrs. Wells & Co. is an institution in which Waupun justly feels a pride. This firm succeeded that of A. D. AUis & Co. Mr. Wells employs thirty hands, and makes 300 wagons, 100 carriages and 50 cutters annually, selling them chiefly in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He obtains his stock from the East, and gives special attention to light work.

" Messrs. Zimmerman & Geidel are doing a good business in the wagon and carriage line. This firm employs thirteen hands, and manufactures 125 wagons, 30 carriages and about 40 sleighs and cutters annually, and finds a sale for them in this State.

" The Prison City Marble Works of J. S. Gee & Son are worthy of mention. These have been established many years at this place, and work of a first-class character is done.

" The flouring-mills of this place were quite useless in the summer season until Harris & Son put an engine into their mill in order to run it by steam when water was low. The other mill runs the greater part of the year, and Mr. William Warren is doing quite a good business with it. Both mills have two run of stones, one each for flour and feed."

Waupun Fike Company No. 1

Early in 1874, the village of Waupun having suffered several losses from fire which might have been avoided had there been an organized fire department, purchased a Champion Chemical fire engine at a cost of $2,000, and built a neat two-story engine-house on Main street near the railway crossing for its reception. This building cost about $750. On the 6th of October, of the same year, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a fire department, when the following persons signed the by-laws and became members, to serve without pay: 0. A. Morse, Jr., S. J. Morse, Frank Heath, J. E. Stanton, P. M. Pryor, Albert Raymond, George Raymond, Ole Oleson, J. W. Oliver, J. A. Baker; W. E. Warren, C. H. Ackerman, P. Weidner, Isaac Thompson, S. Peterson, W. H. Purcell, E. L. Schofield, D. S. Pryor, H. D. Schulte, P. Thompson, Thomas Purcell, J. E. Jones, W. G. Oliver, C. Christophersen, H. 0. Shipman, W. Blosfeldt, Thomas McDonald. D. A. Lowber, W. Germain, F. H. Robinson, E. A. Conrad, James McFarlane, J. M. Robbins, B. W. Mentink, F. R. Pierce, W. T. King, H. McRoberts, H. Hanisch, C. A. Pierce, J. Staub, John Fieldstad, Charles Larson, Charles Hanisch, Charles Dahl and T. W. Gee. At the same time, the following officers were elected : Foreman, J. A. Baker; First Assistant, W. E. Warren; Second Assistant, P. Weidner; Secretary, J. W. Oliver ; Treasurer, W. G. Oliver.

In 1878, the city purchased a water engine for $500, and caused to be made at a local shop a hose-cart, which is far more light, durable and convenient than those made for that purpose at the regular factories, and its cost was one-third less. The hook and ladder wagon and appurtenances were also made in Waupun, and are models for neatness, durability and effectiveness. The present officers of the Company are: Foreman, Drysdale Ferguson; First Assistant, T. W. Gee; Second Assistant, Frank Heath; Secretary, J. W. Oliver; Treasurer, 0. A. Morse, Jr.

An act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 17, 1852, incorporating the Dodce County Mutual Insurance Company, with Edwin Hillyer, L. B. Hills, Josiah Drummond, B. Hinkley, J. N. Ackerman, George W. Bly, L. P. Preston, N. J. Newton, J. D. Tanner, Joseph T. Hillyer, J. W. Brown, J. Look and Logan Graves, as Directors.

The act declared that "the corporation shall have power and authority to make contracts of insurance with any person or persons or any body, corporate or politic, against loss by fire of any houses, stores or other buildings whatsoever, or of any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, for such term or terms of time, and for such premium or consideration as may be agreed upon by them, the said corporation, and the person or persons agreeing with them (it), for insurance. * * * Every person who shall at any time become interested in said Company, by insuring therein, and also his heirs, administrators and assigns, continuing to be insured therein, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to be members thereof, for and during the terms specified in their respective policies, and no longer, and shall at all times be concluded and bound by the provisions of this act."

The act of incorporation further declared that, when any loss should occur, every stockholder would be compelled to pay his proportion of it, according to the amount of insurance on his property ; and the corporation would have a lien upon that property for the amount, whatever it might be. This was an unconstitutional provision, but it served the desired purpose.

At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the salary of each was fixed at $2 per day for services actually rendered. The Company began at once to secure business, which constantly increased during nearly twenty years. Risks were taken in all portions of the State ; losses were paid promptly, the assessments were light, and misfortune alone was the cause of the Company's failure. As high as $2,500 per year salary was paid to the Secretary and $1,500 to the President, W^th good compensation to the Directors and other officers. In the latter part of 1870, George W. Bly, the Secretary, conceived the idea of going abroad, and, as he never returned, the Company was finally compelled to go out of business, which it did in 1875, by going into bankruptcy. E. D. Foote was appointed Assignee and E. M. Beach Attorney for the Assignee. About nine hundred premium notes were sued, and a dividend of 10 per cent declared in favor of the stockholders. The notes outstanding amounted to $40,000, but many of them were worthless. The officers, from the organization down to its death, of the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company have been as follows :

1854, 1855, 1858 and 1857 - President, Edwin Hillyer ; Vice President, C. C. Cheney ; Secretary, L. B. Hills; Treasurer, George W. Bly. In October, 1857, the President and Secretary having resigned, John Ware was chosen President and Edwin Hillyer Secretary for the balance of the year.

1865 - President, George W. Bly; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, George Babcock. In July, the President and Secretary resigned, and J. T. Hillyer was chosen President and George W. Bly Secretary for the balance of the year.

1870 - President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, 0. L. Omstead; Secretary, George W. Ely ; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. Before this term expired, Mr. Bly went on a tour from which he has never returned, and George Babcock took his place as Secretary.

1871 - President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, George G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, George Babcock. Before the year ended, the President and Treasurer resigned, and William Hobkirk was chosen President, and George F. Wheeler, Treasurer.

1875 - President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. In August, Mr. Hobkirk disappeared, and Chester Hazen was chosen President. Mr. Baker resigned in June, and E. D. Foote was chosen Secretary in his place.

There is a marked contrast between the times of thirty-five years ago and now, in and around Waupun. Those who now live upon the same farms upon which they settled at that time cannot realize the change. Like the years of man, it has been creeping steadily on. Then the entire country was mostly one unbroken wilderness, streams and prairies. About thirty-five years ago, the great majority of land around Waupun was entered or pre-empted. Though the soil was rich and productive, yet what an amount of determination and courage was required to develop the country to make it a suitable abode for man, those who possessed that determination and courage very well know. With an unflinching hand the commencement was made ; there was no putting the hands to the plow and looking back. The cabin was erected, the home, however homely, was started, the grounds were broken ; then, in case there were funds left sufficient to buy the few necessaries for immediate use, that was a happy home.

At that time, there were no roads laid out or opened. The settler was compelled to travel with his ox team, in some instances, thirty or forty miles to mill, and fortunate was he who had a grist to grind. There were no schools or churches. There were none of the conveniences so requisite to make life in a new country desirablfe ; there were none of the conveniences and privileges of to-day.

The country was rich in all the natural advantages, yet no country, however fruitful, however rich the soil, can be brought to a satisfactory state of production except by the untiring energies of man.

The commencement was made, the cabins were built, the lands were cleared and broken, and each succeeding year brought in additional numbers, so that in five years there was hardly a piece of Government land to be found.

Many coming in without money sufficient could enter no land. Did they lie down under the misfortune of having no money ? No ; a home they would have, and where there is a will there is a way. They pre-empted a quarter-section, and soon found an opportunity to sell for money enough to pay for an eighth.

Necessity with many of the older settlers was often great, and often became the mother of invention. Who, of this day, would think of building a wooden house without the use of boards. Our latter-day mechanics would tell you that it would be almost impossible, yet it was sometimes done, with not a board either in floor, door or casing from foundation to ridge, and it was a good, warm and cleanly kept house, and in it hospitality was extended in a regal manner.

Between the old settlers, as they came in and became acquainted (and they did not wait for an introduction), there existed a bond of sympathy, a bond of love. There was a bond of friendship formed which continued for years, and which still exists.

What with all their poverty, their inconvenience, and, in many cases, their entire ignorance of life in a new country, by their determined perseverance and energy they accomplished more than many in more affluent circumstances would.

Agricultural and domestic implements were very crude. Contrast the difference between the appliances now used in husbandry and housekeeping with those used thirty-five years ago - those were the days of the bull-plow and crotch-drag, with wooden teeth ; then bone and sinew was the motive power. From earliest morning until late at night the watchword and reply was work, work.

As soon as the land was taken and occupied, so as to have a population sufficient to form a town government, towns were laid out and organized ; roads were laid out and opened ; schoolhouses, however rude, were built, and schools, the great precursor of all good society, were opened.

Those rude schoolhouses served a double purpose : a place where the old settlers held religious service, as well as for schools. Contrast the difference between those attending service and the style and manner of that service, at that time and now.

Thirty-five years ago, those who desired to attend religious service in the style of the day, their conveyance would have been a lumber wagon, drawn by a yoke of oxen, and happy was he who could indulge in that luxury.

Think of a man at this day loading his good wife and family into a lumber wagon, and driving to either of our churches ! No matter how devout ; no matter what the circumstances ; no matter if he had no mortgage upon his farm, and determined to have none, the universal expression would be, that man is a boor, his wife a slave, and both unfit for society.

As the years rolled on, the settler, by his industry and frugality, was enabled to exchange his cabin for a home more commodious. The farms were improved and soon began to return to the husbandman a surplus.

Milwaukee was then the only market. Men, T;o-day, complain of the prices paid for their produce. Thirty years ago, many a load of wheat was drawn by ox teams to Milwaukee, often requiring ten or twelve days to make the trip, and sold for four shillings per bushel.

Those were times that tried men's perseverance. Some fell by the wayside ; others, with that determination characteristic of the brave man, met with tha^t signal success born of valor and zeal. Mechancis began to come in, and, in almost every department of mechanism, the artisan had something to do. Mills were built, thereby relieving many of the terrible inconveniences the old settlers had to contend with.

As soon as the farms began to produce more than required for the family, thereby having something to exchange for merchandise, stocks of merchandise were brought in and opened.

From the earliest settlement up to twenty-five years ago, the settlers had kept on in the even tenor of their ways ; contentment and thrift, peace and good will, among and with all were kindred associates. Our own beautiful village (now city - mark the change !) was being built up. Men of the different professions found a place where to lay the foundation for reputation and wealth. Most signally have many of them failed to reach the mark aimed at, while others, more successful, are enjoying the fruit of their labors, and wear their honors well.

About that time that memorable enterprise so well remembered by most of you, to wit, the building of a railroad from Milwaukee northwest, to run through our section, was started.

Many still living have a recollection of the ease with which they could mortgage their homes to aid in that enterprise. Many, who had so mortgaged their farms, will remember the hardships and difficulties encountered in redeeming their homes.

Up to this time there had been no marked distinctions in society, no graded classes. The honest poor man was a peer with the more affluent. Then poverty was no crime, there was that fraternal feeling existing between all the people, which characterized them, and which left an indelible impression upon the mind that can only be eradicated by death.

From twenty-five down to twenty years ago, there had been no very marked change; the industry and frugality that had characterized the lives of very many of the first settlers were then prominent, and I can truthfully say is a marked feature with them to-day. As industry and frugality were with them the cynosure to success, so it will be with any and all people.

Railroads opened into the county, new branches of enterprise started, an influx of men who had nothing to lose, but everything to gain, bent upon getting a living and wealth by their wits, and too often at the expense of every moral prihciple. Teachers of almost every creed known, either social, political or moral, setting forth their peculiar dogmas, teaching a new order of things, the influence of which was then deeply felt, and in some instances to-day lamentably deplored ; all these with many other influences brought to bear, it is not strange that a radical change should have been produced upon society.

From the earliest settlement to twenty-five and even down to twenty years ago, the wants of the settler were few and easily supplied. That which they could not buy and pay for they went without, but now a change was approaching, and, indeed, we may say a change had come.

The county being settled up, the farms better improved, society of a grade said to be more refined introduced ; the children, growing to manhood and womanhood, anxious to adopt the advancing style of the day ; schools of a higher grade established ; fine churches built, whose pulpits were occupied by salaried ministers ; the means of communication being supplied ; agricultural and domestic implements of a higher and more costly grade being introduced in place of those now worn out. The consequent attendants of an additional and heavy expense in supporting all these, it is not strange that a change should come. Under the rigid economy of the old settler, with his determination to be free and untrammeled from debt, too many of them were seemingly compelled to succumb to the influences, the demand and seeming necessities of the times, and, as Adam yielded to the importuning of Eve, to eat the apple, and thereby fell from his high estate, so, in some instances, we find the old settler who had a home free and unincumbered, a fireside around which he could rally his family and say, this is my possession, listened to the siren song sung by all these influences, and, listening, fell, a slave to style, a slave to things external and perishable, a slave to his own folly.

The query arises, Are the people to-day more happy, more prosperous ? Is society better ? Is the standard of morals higher under the enhanced cost of living and supporting caste and style than were the old settlers in their honest industry and frugality ? In short, are the people more happy? Are they more contented ? Do they enjoy themselves better with a " plaster " on their farms and homes, though they dress in style and ride in a coach, than did the old settlers with homes free and unincumbered, though they dressed in homespun and rode jn lumber wagons ?

One thing is certain, and that is that manual labor and the demand for it is the measure of a people's prosperity. In the earlier days, the farmers' sons were educated for farm work, the noblest of all professions ; to-day they are educated for all other professions, and, in every other kind of business, there is an over-supply of labor. The farms are deserted by the farmers' sons, and machinery takes their place, the result is the country is filled with idlers and tramps.

When, by the introduction of any of the appliances, the demand for labor is cut short ; when we see honest labor go begging for work and none to be had, then we may readily conclude that our country, in its financial condition, is not prosperous.

No country can be prosperous in all its enterprises where the masses have only employment and wages sufficient to enable a man to support his family and educate his children.

That there are errors in our system of living is a foregone conclusion. The question for old settlers to consider is, What is the remedy ? It is suggested that a strict adherence to those habits of a rigid economy, industry and punctuality that so characterized the fathers ; a strict adherence to honesty and sobriety ; a fraternal regard for all ; a strict observance of these rules will place us on a higher plane, and mark our distinction among our fellow-men.

Waupun Schools

District Number 1. - The first school opened in Waupun was tauglit in 1844, by Charles Cleveland, in a small wooden building, situated on the line between Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties, near where the railway crosses Washington street. The schoolhouse was large enough to seat thirty scholars, but there were by no means thirty school children in Waupun at that time. The district was No. 1, and composed the territory of the present city of Waupun, a portion of the town of Waupun in Fond du Lac, and a portion of the town of Chester, in Dodge County.

In 1847, the original school building having become inadequate to satisfy the demands made upon it by the rapidly increasing numbers of school children, a new frame building was erected on the corner of Madison and Jefferson streets, where the Episcopal Church edifice now stands, in the South Ward. This served for District No. 1 until 1853, when the building now used by Utter as a warehouse, on Washington street, was built. On the 23d of September, 1853, $1,000 was pledged for the erection of a schoolhouse, and A. K. Starkweather, B. Hunger, John Ware, Charles Smith and B. B. Baldwin, were appointed a building committee, with instructions to purchase not less than one acre of land for a site. They purchased the land on which the present South Ward building now stands, and erected the building now owned by Mr. Utter.

On the 22d of October, 1860, by a resolution offered by Eli Hooker, District No. 1 was divided into two districts, the line between Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties separating them.

The Clerks of District No. 1 were W. H. Taylor, Eli Hooker, S. K. Vaughn, B. Hinkiey, B. B. Baldwin, A. K. Starkweather, Jesse Hooker, Charles Smith, Cromwell Laithe and William Euen.

The South Ward School. - After the division, in 1860, of District No. 1, that portion lying in Dodge County was called the South Ward School and continued to use the school building that had served the undivided district. The number of school children continued to increase, and, in 1872, $10,000 was voted for a new building of brick and stone. Thomas H. Green, of Fond du Lac, furnished the plans, and the contract for constructing the edifice was let to A. Wisnom, of the same city. The building is a handsome two-story structure of brick, with basement and cupola, and contains four commodious schoolrooms, capable to accommodate 400 scholars. It was finished in 1872, and the old school building was sold to Graves & Norton. In 1877, a high school department was organized, and money for its support is obtained .annually from the State. The average in the South Ward is 220, divided in four departments - the high school, grammar, intermediate and primary, requiring five teachers. In the high school department, all the higher branches and languages are taught. The average wages paid to male teachers is f80 per month, and to female teachers |31.25 per month.

The North Ward School. - The North Ward, after being set off as a separate district in October, 1860, had no schoolhouse. A lot on Franklin street containing three-fourths of an acre of land was therefore purchased of Seymour Wilcox for |450, and early in 1861, the erection of the present plain but substantial brick and stone structure began. The plan was furnished by Mr. Whiting, who also had the contract for the wood-work. Eli Hooker was overseer of the work of construction. The building cost something over $6,000, and was finished for occupancy in the fall of 1861. It contains four large rooms, which accommodate 250 pupils. The school is divided into four graded departments, the same as the South Ward

In 1868, all the records and papers of the North Ward School were burned. The clerks have been Eli Hooker, M. J. Althouse, A. Nudd, W. J. Oliver and Emil Haueisen.

The Post Office

The first Postmaster to serve the inhabitants of Waupun and vicinity was Seymour Wilcox, was appointed in the winter of 1840 and 1841, and kept the office in his log house near where the old family residence now is. He received no stated salary, and .the revenue of the office at first was very little, indeed, only a few letters coming into his hands during the first year. There were neither envelopes nor postage-stamps in use then, and the Postmaster collected 25 cents for an ordinary letter from the person to whom it was directed. Even at that exorbitant rate the settlers were thankful enough to get a letter, and whenever one arrived the whole neighborhood knew it, and sooner or later learned the contents of the precious missive. Mr. Wilcox was succeeded as Postmaster by B. Hinkley.

In 1848, John N. Ackerman secured the appointment of Postmaster, and moved its office to his residence in " Upper Town," or the western portion of the village. As there had been a spirited rivalry between Upper and Lower Towns for some time, the inhabitants of the latter naturally rebelled at having the office moved a half-mile to the west. They could do but little, however, but complain, until the ingenuity of William Euen brought both revenge and a return of the post office. He drafted a general order demanding that the Postmaster deliver to him whatever mail might be in the office for persons whose names were signed to the document. As all the people of " Lower Town " signed this order, Mr. Ackerman was obliged to deliver the mail to Mr. Euen, who thereafter was compelled to take a horse to transport the large quantities of letters and papers directed to people living in "Lower Town." Finally, early in 1849, L. B. Hills received a commission as Postmaster, and the post office was moved back to "Lower Town." Mr. Hills served nearly four years.

In 1853, Artimadorus Ingersoll was appointed Postmaster by Franklin Pierce to succeed Mr. Hills, but was removed before the end of the year for refusing to obey the orders of the politicians in appointing a deputy, and Cromwell Laithe was appointed to take his place. Mr. Laithe served the balance of the term, and soon after Buchanan took his seat as President in' 1857, Thomas Stoddart was appointed Postmaster. He served four years, until June, 1861, when J. H. BrinkerhofF, the present incumbent, was appointed by Abraham Lincoln. The Waupun post office became a money-order office in August, 1866.

During several years after the office was first established, mail was sent and received only once each week, and when the mail carrier arrived twice a week, the inhabitants thought there could be nothing like modern mail facilities. Now, mail is received and sent out six times each twenty-four hours, and the revenue of the office amounts to nearly $1,000 per quarter. When the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company was doing business, the Waupun post office paid out through its money-order department as much as any office in the State, with two or three exceptions.

When Mr. Hinkley was Postmaster, he carried the letters remaining in the office to all great occasions in the crown of his hat. When, therefore, any one asked whether there was any mail in the office, he took the office from his head and looked over the little package of begrimmed missives in short order, handing out whatever he found for parties present. The inhabitants regarded this as a great convenience, and were not backward in praising Mr. Hinkley for establishing the post office on the top of his head.

Waupun Agkicultueal And Mechanical Association

This society was organized in 1868, holding its first fair in the fall of that year, at Waupun. There were seven annual exhibitions by the society. The organization wound up its affairs in 1875. Except financially, its fairs were always a success ; they had a material influence for good upon the agricultural interests of the vicinity.

The First Burial Place. - A knoll of dry land near the railroad store where the C, M. & St. P. Railroad crosses Washington street, was first used as a burial place by the inhabitants of Waupun. When the railroad was built, the graves were all defaced and dug over, and no one knows iiow precisely where the first graves were located.

Waupun Cemetery. - In 1853, a tract of one and one-half acres of land was purchased of Tohn N. Ackerman', on the west side of the Beaver Dam road in Dodge County, in Section 5, 4.nd named Waupun Cemetery. This was used mostly by the people of Upper Town and vicinity during several years, but in 1862, when Forest Mound Cemetery was opened, it nearly fell into desuetude.

Forest Mound Cemetery. - In 1860, Thomas Stoddart made a visit to the cemetery at Alton, 111., and was then impressed with the idea that Waupun had no such burial place as the inhabitants and the beautiful surroundings entitled her to. " Go back to Waupun," said Mrs. Brown to Mr. Stoddart, " and open a beautiful cemetery, and do make it large enough, for there is plenty of room in this country for the dead to have eternal sleep undisturbed." Mrs. Brown, was a Scotch lady, and made such a remark because in Scotland the want of room is so great in cemeteries that corpses are buried one upon another, and seven years is about as long as the dead can be allowed to rest without being dug up to make room for others. The subject was thereafter agitated in Waupun, and resulted in a meeting at the oflBce of W. H. Taylor, when the statutes concerning cemeteriec ~'ei<, wnsulted. On the 16th of November, 1862, W. H. Taylor, George W. Bly, Thomas Oliver, Thomas Stoddart, Charles Jones, T. W. Markle, H. L. Butterfield, A. W. McNaughton and William Hobkirk were chosen Directors or Trustees of Forest Mound Cemetery, and these nine, with Edwin Hillyer, subscribed $75 each for twelve acres bf shaded, hilly, dry land, on Section 82, in Fond du Lac County. Thomas Stoddart platted the grounds into lots and laid out the carriage ways. The lots are all of uniform size, each lot and walk being one rod in width. The grounds had many oak shade trees, just as nature planted them, and evergreens and maples have been added since, until Forest Mound Cemetery is an attractive spot.

W. H. Taylor was Secretary until 1867, and Thomas Stoddart has occupied that position ever since. There has been no change in the Board of Trustees, although some of them are dead and others permanently absent.

Bodges Hall. - The first public hall in Waupun was called Dodge's Hall. It is now owned by Thomas Stoddart, and known as Grange Hall. It was finished in 1856, and was the pride of the village in those days.

Opera Hall. - The principal hall of Waupun is Opera Hall, built by Thomas Oliver, in 1868. It is light and high, capable of accommodating 500 persons, and well appointed as to stage property and scenery. It is owned by Luther Butts, and situated in the second story of the large brick block on the corner of Mill and Washington streets.

Other Halls. - Utter's Hall, in the second story of the old South Ward School-house, is a large room frequently used for balls and other public entertainments and meetings. It is on Washington street, opposite the Simpson House. O'Donovan's Hall, in the fine brick block belonging to Patrick O'Donovan, is used mostly for dances, balls and festivals. The Good Templars' and Odd Fellows' Societies have halls, but they are little used except for lodge meetings.

Simpson House. - This hotel, of which Mrs. M. A. Simpson is proprietor, is a well-kept house, and consists of two buildings situated on the north side of Washington street, east of the railroad. Mrs. Simpson makes a success of hotel keeping.

Fisher House. - This hotel, by the Fisher Brothers, is on the site of the old Exchange, built by Seymour Wilcox, now the corner of Fond du Lac and Washington streets. It is well patronized.

Fun In Ye Olden Time

Along in the forties, Waupun was notorious for practical jokes, lively social gatheringsy wide-awake old folks and tricky young ones. A few illustrations will be given to convey an idea of what was constantly kept up by the fun-lovers for nearly twenty years.

By invitations, and other modes of advertising, David Bruce once gathered a large crowd at his place for a dance, but the fiddlers failed to appear. Dennis Morse and a companion were present, and being a good whistler, Dennis was requested to whistle for the dance while Mr. Bruce drove five miles for a fiddler. Dennis complied, and his friend thumped a sonorous dishpan, to enable the dancers to keep time. Bruce foujid no musician, and, on returning, requested Dennis to keep on with the whistle and dishpan while he went for yet another fiddler. Both journeys were unsuccessful, but the dance went off merry enough, and Mr. Bruce collected the usual fee to "pay the fiddlers." When the crowd had gone, Mr. Morse inquired of Mr. Bruce if he was still agent for the Moline plows - if so, he would take one, provided credit could be extended until spring. Credit was offered, and Mr. Morse took the plow. When spring came, Mr. Bruce dunned Mr. Morse for pay for the plow. "Pay!" exclaimed Dennis; "I paid you well enough when I whistled for your dance." Mr. Bruce was indignant, and sued for the value of the plow. Mr. Morse, as a good joke, put in a counterclaim for whistling and pounding on the dishpan, and won the suit! From that day, David Bruce never engaged a whistler until he had agreed upon terms.

When Dr. H. L. Butterfield first came to Waupun,' he had neither money nor clothes,. and as people were very backward about getting sick enough to require a physician's services, his condition grew worse instead of better. Finally, the wife of Mr. N., one of their prominent citizens, fell ill, and the husband sent for Dr. Butterfield. The Doctor did not appear as ordered, and a few hours later, Mr. N. called at his office and personally requested Dr. Butterfield to go and attend to his wife. Mr. N. returned home, but no Doctor appeared that day. Next morning, he called at the Doctor's ofiBce, and again demanded "why in Christendom his wife was not attended to?" " I'll tell you," meekly replied Dr. Butterfield, who now smokes rich Havanas in a luxurious home ; " I am too ragged to go- anywhere - I can't even leave my chair when anybody is around." " I can fix you out," said Mr. N.; " you just put on my pantaloons and visit the woman. I can stay here till you return." The Doctorpulled off' his dilapidated trousers, consisting of nothing but short legs and a weak waistband, donned his customer's suit and left. He paid a visit to the patient, and spent a half-day in making other visits and calls, and attending to business that he had neglected a fortnight for want of pantaloons. When he returned to his office, he found Mr. N. nearly insane. People had called on him in numbers, and as he couldn't possibly get into the ragged, short-legged unmentionables left by the Doctor, he had to receive in his bare legs or shin down the streets in the same ludicrous condition. No little merriment has been had over this laughable circumstance.

Joseph Hobkirk was at one time Justice of the Peace. As such, a certain young man was brought before him to be tried for stealing a turkey. The prosecution had a shrewd lawyer ; the case was well presented and the evidence of guilt was overwhelming. However, to the great astonishment of all - even the prisoner - and the disgust of the plaintiff" and his attorney. Justice Hobkirk decided "Not guilty." Shortly afterward, he was taken to task by the angry plaintiff" for rendering such an unjust verdict. " You see," replied the sly Justice, " I couldn't find the boy guilty, for he didn't steal the turkey, and knew nothing about it. You just come along^ with me to dinner, for my wife is an expert at roasting turkeys, and then tell me if you don't think the old bird was worth catching." Thus the joke leaked out. /

Thirty years ago, or more, heavy merchandise was very costly in Waupun, owing to heavy freight rates. Salt, in particular, was regarded by the farmers as a most burdensome necessity on this account. When, therefore, on one bright winter's morning it was announced that a salt well of great strength had been struck on Dr. Butterfield's lot, a perfect furor of excitement ensued. The glorious news spread far and wide, and the usually quiet little village was soon crowded with an excited populace, who had come in from miles around. Salt water from the rich bonanza well was handed freely around ; was sipped by every one and pronounced by many who professed themselves judges, to be equal to water from the famous Syracuse wells. It was found in every store ; was carried home in bottles ; boiled down by many to test its strength ; and analyzed by a village expert, and found to contain soda, magnesia and other ingredients, and a very large percentage of pure salt. Property rose at a bound two or three hundred per cent, and, as the location of the State Prison was still an unsettled matter, a meeting of the citizens was called and a committee appointed to draw up and forward to Madison a full statement of the rich discovery, which was thought would be a powerful lever to use with the prison locating Committee in favor of Waupun. But, on account of a private dispatch, this letter was not sent, and, when the citizens found out that fact, a howl of indignation went up against the Postmaster, who was denounced as a traitor. Immediately, steps were taken to oust him from his office, and the excitement grew more intense than ever. Matters finally began to look serious, as property was advancing, leases were being made and various improvements planned, and the secret was let out that a young Scotch clerk, who is now an old Scotch hardware merchant, had poured half a barrel of rock-salt into the famous well. Next day, not a man could be found who would acknowledge that he had been sold, but a peep into several woodsheds would have disclosed dozens of tin pans spoiled in boiling down water from the salt well.

Richard Graham, the clothier, was very bashful in his earlier days. He, therefore, was made the butt of numerous practical jokes. On one occasion he invited a friend to a New Year's dinner. The wags of the village issued between one hundred and two hundred invitations to the best people in the vicinity to appear at his house to dine on New Year's Day, signing Mr. Graham's name. Enough of them came to fill the house, much to the chagrin and consternation of all, as there was not food enough in the house to feed one-quarter of those present. However, necks had not begun to grow stiff in those days, and the joke was taken goodnaturedly.

John Carhart came to Waupun unmarried, and soon after began to pay marked attention to one of the village belles. Occasionally, he prolonged his visits well into the night. Two fun-loving Scotchmen, who afterward became prominent business men, stretched a rope across the street on which John would return, and attached to it a man of straw. This straw man was placed in the path, and the boys posted themselves on house-tops on either side of the street, each grasping one end of the rope. Just as Mr. Uarhart reached the spot, the rope was jerked and the straw man shot into the air past his head. The sight of a man springing from the ground into the air like a rocket was so unusual that the frightened lover took to his heels and was never seen to pass that spot alone after dark.

Other tricks without number were perpetrated by a certain mischievous clique, whose members are now the principal citizens of Waupun, such as temporarily stealing horses, cows, fowls, carriages and anything come-at-able ; sending out bogus wedding cards, frightening excitable individuals by arresting and trying them on bogus processes for various crimes ; sending the doctors post haste where they were not wanted ; causing prominent men to be sued for bogus bills of indebtedness ; using young ladies' names to invite Tom, Dick and Harry to call ; charging losses by theft upon innocent but nervous parties, and keeping the vicinity in an uproar generally, and everybody on nettles lest they should be made the butts of practical jokes. There was only now and then one who would not take these pranks in good part, and all such were reserved for further tantalization.