Jefferson County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1879 (part 14 of 28)

One Thursday afternoon, in 187S, a terrible tornado swept across the State from Iowa, taking Jefferson County en route, killing one man and injuring several others, besides inflicting damage to houses and farm property estimated at $50,000. The columns of the Banner and Union of that date contained graphic accounts of the terrible visitation, from which- the following selections are made. After refei'ence to the unexpected and unprecedented violence of the storm, the journalists note the strange agitation that was observed in the clouds, and th;it a deep roaring sound, accompanied by an incessant faint glimmer of lightning, tilled the hearts of all with alarm. It soon became evident to those who are posted in such things that a tremendous cyclone was approaching from a point a little south of west. As the track of the storm became more defined, it was seen to pass north of this city, about two miles. The fearful, ominous roaring, that filled the air with an oppressive, overwhelming sound, gave ample token of the terrible disasters that lay in the path of this monster of the air. An extraordinary discharge of rain accompanied the storm, although the air was cleared in an liour. Soon, messengers began to come in for medical assistance, and the town was full of rumors of the destruction to life and property that had taken place.

The tornado is supposed to have started near Dubuque, Iowa, and, after passing through Mineral Point, entered Jefferson in the township of Oakland from Christina, Dane County. Here it passed across a part of Cedar Lake, and those who saw it state that the water was drawn up to the clouds, creating a sight fearful and grand to behoM. The water thus sucked up by the cyclone was precipitated, with immense force, upon the land farther to the east. The country there looks as if it had been swept by the Mississippi. Gathering force with every current of air, it struck the large barn, 36x54, lately built by William Ward, and crushed it like an egg-shell. In the barn were three horses, two of which were instantly killed by the falling timbers. Although the house was next east of the barn, it was but little injured; yet large hickory, oak and poplar trees, standing all about the house, were twisted into bjisket-stuff. Mr. Ward's orchard lies south of his house, and was completely ruined. His damages could not have fallen far short of §3,000. A few rods east is what is known as Oakland Center, where stood two churches, a brick schoolhouse and the parsonage of the Free- Will Baptist Society, occupied by Rev. 0. II. True. In a short area of space, the havoc was tremendous. The Baptist Church was a large, square two-story brick building, with the upper story occupied as a dwelling by Widow Hall and her daughter. In an instant and without any warning, the entire upper half of the building was crushed to atoms down to the second floor. Both of the women were overwhelmed in a whirling avalanche of bricks and timbers. Mrs. Hall was caught under a part of tivo walls and her left collar-bone broken, besides being severely cut about the head with flying bricks. The daughter managed to go through the terrible ordeal with less bodily injury. Finding she could not extricate her mother, who was crushed under the ruins, she screamed for help. Rev. 0. H. True heard her cries, and, with others, finally succeeded in taking both from their perilous situation. The brick schoolhouse and the new brick Moravian Church were quickly demolished, the latter an absolute mass of ruins ; a part of the west wall and the ends of the schoolhouse only remaining. The parsonage was moved over a foot to the east, the west side badly injured and the west cellar wall blown in. Mrs. True stated that the cyclone seemed to her as if some mighty power had struck the house a sudden blow with a weight like a mountain. Mr. True, while attempting to go to the assistance of Mrs. Hall, was caught by a second gust, but seized a limb of a tree to hold on, when the force of the wind straightened him right out in the air. His two children, Edgar and Lucy, were in a small outbuilding, with a young man by the name of Johnson. Johnson vas blown over the fence into the road, a distance of iive rods. Edgar was blown against I. tree, and managed, by holding on, to save himself from being drawn up into the air. Lucy vas blown against the road fence.

Farther to the westward was the Cambridge stage, which was struck with the storm and )verturned, frightening the horses so that they broke loose and ran. There was a lady paslenger in the coach, who was uninjured, however. The barn of George Champney was next inroofed, and considerable damage done to his other farm buildings. The track of the torlado from here lay for a mile and a half through timber and open fields. Old veteran oaks, hree feet in diameter, were twisted and broken like pipe-stems. The barn of S. Chapman vas partly unroofed ; also that of P. Eversohl. Striking the hill on which stood the house if John Daniels, it demolished a large new barn, hop-house and wind-mill. The house standng near the scene was uninjured, except in the loss of chimneys. George Horton was in he basement of the barn, standing close in one corner, when the barn came down. He barely iscaped being killed, as a large beam struck the ground, passing close to his body. There was I terrible desolateness seen at the residence of R. Hawk. When it struck this place, John Daniels, Willie Daniels, Mrs. Kreuger, George Hallan and a hired man by the name of Uharles Schmidt, were in the barn. In an instant, the barn was crushed into fragments, and Schmidt, who was standing near Daniels, was struck on the head by a falling piece of tim- )er and instantly killed. Mr. Daniels caught hold of a post and held on to it. The two )oys, Willie Daniels and George Hallan, slid down into the basement, and escaped unhurt. ^Irs. Kreuger was dashed against a beam, and somewhat injured, her clothing being com- )letely stripped from her person, except a small portion at the waist. That any of the occu- )ants of the barn escaped death was considered a miracle. A valuable horse and cow were dlled in the basement. Near the house of Mr. R. Hawk stood a large oak-tree, which vas blown across the roof, partially crushing it in, but preventing, no doubt, its farther lestruction. Mrs. Hawk was blown through a bedroom door, and against the north end of )f the house. A large oak rail was driven into the roof endwise, like an arrow. The house vas moved from its foundations, and badly racked. All about is a wide-spread scene of lestruction. A large pasture lot was covered with the fragments of the barn and outbuildngs.

Next east in the track of the storm was a log house and stable occupied by Mr. Kreuger, I tenant of Mr. Hawk. Everything was completely wrecked here. Mrs. Witchie, an old lady, vas taken up bodily, carried a distance of eight rods, and dashed with great force against the -oad fence, two of her ribs broken, and she receiving such injuries about the head and breast as -endered it for awhile very doubtful if she lived. The house of William Northy, a log tenenent, was next made the scene of disorder. The cyclone swept the house from its foundation, )urying three occupants in the ruins. Mariette Frary, who had called in, was caught by a fallng stove, resulting in a fracture of her right leg. No other persons were injured. The cyclone lere seemed to have changed its course, striking the residence and barns of Christian Gross, ^ith all the power of its center vortex. The scene here baffled description. The whole premses were a wreck, and the fields for a half-mile covered with broken boards and building mate- -ial. The family, at the time, were in a room in the south half of the house. The wind moved ;he upright portion of the house clear from the cellar, and dropped it on the ground on the east lide. That portion in which the family were was unroofed, and the beds blown no one knows ivhere. The stove was thrown down, and the fire scattered about the room. The doors were so ammed together as to prevent any chance of getting out, and the family was in imminent danger of being burned alive. Mr. Gross, although very ill at the time, managed to get hold )f a peck measure, and with the contents of a swill barrel standing in the room, put out ;he fire. A large barn, 50x32, a smaller barn, three granaries, a smokehouse and a windmill were blown to atoms in a moment. The smokehouse was full of meat, but not a ves- ;ige of the same could be found. A hired boy, who had just taken the team into the basenent of the large barn as the storm struck it, was lifted into the air, carried sixty rods and landed against a fence. He was rendered completely dazed by the occurrence, and for hours could scarcely speak. Another boy stated that he saw the hired man carried over the windmill. A field of rye lay to the east of the house, and this was stuck full of broken lumber. The heads of the rye in the track of the storm were cut clean off, as with a reaper. An oak-tree, as large as' a man's body, was broken off and landed fifteen rods away in the ryefield. One granary contained 300 bushels of oats, and not a kernel of the grain could be found. A large farm wagon was carried twenty rods from the barn. The damages to Mr. Gross cannot be less than §3,000. At this point the cyclone took a due east course, and struck the new barn of Fred Musschel, on the Jefferson Road, two miles north of Fort Atkinson, completely demolishing the same, unroofing the barn of widow Hopson, and tearing up a number of trees in front of her house. A lumber wagon was standing but a few feet from Mr. Musschel's liouse, which was landed fifty rods east on the marsh, yet, strange to say, the house was not injured in any manner. After crossing Rock River in a due east course, the cyclone demolished the barns of A. Hake and E. Hake, and continued on through the towns oi Hebron and Sullivan, occasionally striking the earth and tearing things to pieces wherever it touched.

The track of the cyclone varied from ten to 150 rods in width. Its center was. a whirlwind of awful power. This can be seen by the manner in which trees and other articles are whirled in all directions. In one instance, a piece of a fence-board was driven over two feet into the ground at an angle of forty-five degrees. On the farm of S. Chapman, in Oakland, an oak-tree nearly three feet in diameter, and perfectly sound, was broken off si.x feet from tiie ground. At a moderate estimate, the damage done to farm property in Jefferson County amounted to over $50,000, most of which is in the town of Oakland. No such visitation has ever before occurred in this portion of the State since about 1851, when it ia reported a similar tornado passed through the northern part of the country.

The Fighting Finch Family

In 1832, when a call was made by the Government for volunteers to fight that redoubtable warrior, Black Hawk, a family named Finch, then residing in St. Joe, Mich., immediately offered all its available war material - the father and twelve sons. Finch, Sr., was rejected, but all the juniors were mustered in. They passed through the conflict without a scratcli, returning to their home delighted with what they had seen in the vast territory over which they liad traveled, and determined upon removing to the west side of the great lake, for the purpose of permanent settlement, as soon as practicable. Accordingly, in 1838, the Finch colony settled in the soutiiern part of what is now Jefferson County, on the east side of Lake Koshkonong. Their departure from St. Joe was a source of considerable relief to the timid citizens of that place, for the young Finches were wont to indulge in periodical "war-dances," and on such occasions it became necessary for all other inhabitants of St. Joe to bar their doors and windows and remain in seclusion until the "fun" ceased. Coming to Wisconsin, the Finches left none of their eccentricities behind. In point of population, they acted upon the belief that there was room for no one else except a Finch in the vicinity of Lake Koshkonong. An inofl'ensive Norwegian, wlio, unfortunately, happeneil to have been a previous settler in that locality, \v;ia unmercifully beaten and finally driven from his home by them, within a few days after their arrival. Sheriff Bird, of Dane County, hearing of the affair, repaired to the dominion of the Finches, for the purpose of asserting his power as an ofiScer of the law, but lie found the belligerents to be so numerous that he wisely concluded not to make a single-handed attack. Returning to Madison for re-enforcements, he met and informed Gov. Dodge of the situation.

" E.xliaust the power of the county, sir," replied the Governor, in his usual brusque and emphatic manner, "and if that don't do, I'll call out the militia, by G - d, sir. If that Finch tribe is going to run this Territory, I'll find it out mighty soon, now /tell you."

These instructions were capaljle of no misconstruction; the Sheriff's course was clear. Summoning the aid of Luther A. Cole, then Deputy Sheriff of Milwaukee County (to which Jefferson County belonged), and a Madison constable, the intrepid official set out for Finchland, letermined upon the capture of the offenders. The officers first went to a house of a man named Stevens, who was in some way implicated in the affair. They found the door of the house closed ind locked, with Mrs. Stevens' avoirdupois resting firmly against its inside. Their demand 'or admission was positively refused, and, there being no other alternative, the door was kicked 'rem its hinges, Mrs. Stevens being summarily disposed of in an opposite corner of the room, Tom which she immediately came forth with a freshly-primed Queen Ann musket. While in ;he act of " drawing a bead " on Sheriff Bird she was disarmed by Mr. Cole. Stevens was bund in bed, feigning a violent attack of sickness, but was arrested and sent in charge of the ;onstable to Madison.

The next morning, at daybreak. Sheriffs Bird and Cole moved upon the domicile of one )f the Finches, but found no one at home. Proceeding some distance further, they came upon I solitary member of the numerous brotherhood, cutting house-logs in the woods, where his arrest Bras effected by the exercise of considerable strategy on the part of the officers. Had he known :heir purpose, the keen blade of his ax would certainly have tasted their blood, but he was cotn- Dletely disarmed of any suspicion by the inquiry from one of the officers as to the nearest route icross the lake. Dropping his ax upon the ground, he proceeded to give the information, but, jefore he had finished. Sheriff Cole closed in upon and seized him, while Sheriff Bird read the nrarrant for his arrest. The officers, with their prisoner, started at once for Fort Atkinson, where ;hey arrived shortly before noon.

During these proceedings, Mrs. Stevens had not been idle. Although the ground was cov- ;red with snow and the weather was biting cold, it afterward transpired that she walked several niles through the woods to the cabins of Ben and Nat Finch and spread the news of the an-est )f her husband, adding the startling information that the officers had left her house in search of some of the Finches. Such an outrage could not be tolerated, and Ben and Nat were soon istride their chargers and on the trail of the daring officials.

Sheriffs Bird and Cole, with their prisoner, had just sat down to a smoking hot dinner at " the brt " when two horsemen rode up and alighted. Their names were Ben and Nat Finch, and, is they stepped into the dining-room, Bird and Cole were upon their feet, their hands upon their pistols. The Finches were thrown entirely upon the offensive ; in other words, the officer.'! " had ;he drop on them." It would have been a happy moment for an artist and a thrilling subject ibr his canvas.

" Recon you know the law says crimes shall be tried in the county where the act is comuitted, don't you? " remarked Ben, with an air of legal wisdom.

Again Bird and Cole were upon their feet, and again their firm right hands clasped their pistols' handles ; but the two Finches had vanished, and, a moment later, were in their saddiet ind had disappeared in the direction from whence they came.

There was no time to be lost. The purpose of Ben and Nat Finch was too apparent t« idmit of any doubt or delay on the part of the officers. Hastily securing the services of & teamster, and instructing him to drive to Lake Mills with all the speed at his command. Bird and Cole, with their prisoner, were soon on their way toward Madison : but the almost impassable condition of the road was a source of serious delay, and when the party reached Lake Mills their horses were completely exhausted. The proprietor of the tavern was informed of the situation, and instructed, if any one came that way inquiring for " three men in a wagon," to say that they had taken " the old road to Madison." A new road had recently been opened from Lake Mills to the Capital, and it was by this route the officers, having called into requisition a fresh relay of horses, left for their destination.

The noise of the wagon rolling over the frozen earth had scarce died away in the adjacent forest, when ten men, armed with rifles and pistols, each mounted, appeared in front of the tavern door at Lake Mills. It was the Finch brigade. Alighting from their jaded animals, they filed into the bar-room, and, by way of introducing themselves to the affrighted inn-keeper, called for " the best in the shop."

" Did you see three men in a wagon pass this way ?" queried Ben Finch, diving into the inner recesses of a corduroy coat and bringing forth a roll of " wildcat scrip " with which to settle for the drinks.

" Yah ! Tree vagons and a men - de old road py Madison," quickly replied the officiating Teuton behind the bar, as if imparting a terrible secret.

" The old road, eh ? Then give us another dose, and we'll take the same route," replied Finch, drawing his slouch hat mysteriously low upon his weather-beaten brow.

To the great relief of the inhabitants of Lake Mills, the Finch cavalry were soon in their saddles and galloping away over the hills in the direction of Madison.

" That occurred many years ago," said Mr. Luther A. Cole, " but I shall never cease to thank that honest Lake Mills fellow for the manner in which he carried out our instructions, thus averting what certainly must have been an awful tragedy. We reached Madison with oui man, and were congratulated by Gov. Dodge for the strategy we had displayed. It cost Finch his eighty acres of land, and six or eight months in jail. Ben Finch, who, it afterward transpired, was the ringleader in the unprovoked assault upon the Norwegian, escaped to Michigan, and was never caught. The rest of the family scattered about in different directions, and. I believe, became good citizens."

Schools, Resources, Population, Etc

In few counties in Wisconsin can so many flourishing and attractive villages be found, all being eligibly located, constantly improving, irrefutably indicating not only a healthy condition of affairs, but an increase of intelligence, refinement, enterprise and wealth. Newspapers, schools and churches are distributed throughout the county, and, with other sources of moral and intellectual development, are generously encouraged and abundantly patronized. The educational interests, particularly, are attended to with the greatest care and diligence, school buildings that are creditable to the taste and liberality of the communities in which they are located are found in every hamlet, and, with the public schools, are under the control of experienced and capable teachers. The University is supplied with an able faculty, and, through the means afforded by the public and private institutions of learning, the youth of both sexes are provided with facilities for the ac(juisition of a classic and scientific education. The extent and importance of this subject can be better illustrated, perhaps, by reference to the last report of C. J. Collier, County Superintendent of Schools. After stating the number of his visits to schools at 222, he expresses himself as happy to report improvement, during the past year, in school work, as evinced by the following items in the report :

Although schools, as a general rule, are among the first things to be affected by " hard times," yet he is able to report 10 per cent increase in the average length of the school term, and, with a 3 per cent decrease in number of children between the ages of four and twenty, a 6 per cent increase in the number registered, and a 10 per cent increase in the average attendance ; also, from the teachers' reports, that the number of visits made to schools by School

5oards and patrons have been increased more than 50 per cent during the last year. More are has been taken by the patrons to provide suitable buildings and furniture for the comfort nd convenience of the pupils, as is shown by the increased valuation of school property. Each f these items of improvement, although small, is a step in the right direction.

During the past year, "232 teachers were employed ; 703 persons examined, and 298 certicates granted ; of this number, 10 were first grade, 38 second, 210 third, and 40 limited.

In conducting examinations, Mr. Collier endeavored to ask such questions as would test the pplicant's knowledge of principles, rather than facts, and although those teachers having expeience, and those who have had some special preparation, either by institute work, or at school, ave had no difficulty, beginners have found the work somewhat difiicult; yet all seemed esolved to do their best in acquiring and using practical ideas instead of theoretical.

The institute at Fort Atkinson, commencing August 5, was remarkable for the average age nd experience of the teachers in attendance, and its effect will be felt in the schools during the inter. The institute was conducted by Profs. Salisbury, Emory and Maxson. Of the first BTO, nothing need be said, as it is well known that their presence at an institute insures good ; but of Prof. Maxson, the Superintendent felt called upon to speak a word, he being a ew worker among them ; his thorough scholarship, his happy illustrations of his work, his ractical knowledge of a teacher's requirements, ^attainments and duties, and his genial manner, on him many friends, and the teachers of this county would be pleased to meet him often in le future, and to listen to his instruction.

The number of districts that have adopted a series is 44 ; that loan books to pupils, 17 ; lat sell to them, 10 ; that have adopted the plan of free text-books, 4.

During the year, ^14,752 was paid to male and $16,721.77 to female teachers, which with iterest on the school property, valued with improvements, sites and apparatus, at $131,179.00, uperintendent's salary, printing and stationery, made the total expenses for the year $5.5,968.71. 'he expenses, per capita, of school population is $5.27 ; of pupils enrolled, $8.57 ; of average ttendance, $11.65. The expenses, per capita, in each town, he states as follows :

Town

The following statistics from the report of the Secretary of the State for 1878, bearing irectly upon the schools and other interests, will serve to confirm what has already been cited

The most casual observer of passing events cannot but have noticed a marked improvement in all the departments of industry during the past five years. Not only has more soil been brought under cultivation, but the tillage has become more thorough and systematic. The farmers, as a rule, have manifested a disposition to avail themselves of the inventions and laborsaving machinery which American skill is constantly providing to lighten the toils of the husbandman. As the sickle was abandoned for the cradle, so was the reaper in turn substituted for the cradle, accomplishing more in a day among the broad fields of waving grain than the primitive harvester could have garnered in a season.

Fruit is receiving very general attention, and remedies removed the causes of previous failures. With ordinary care, every species of fruit known to the climate can be raised in abundance and thrifty orchards be cultivated " things of beauty " to the landscape, as also "joys forever " to the household in yielding a plentiful abundance of fruits that at one time could only be procured abroad.

The dairy interests have also become prominent factors in the prosperity of the county, and the product of the cheese factories located at various places is said to be in constant and growing demand for the European markets.

Hops and tobacco are grown successfully at any point in the county, where they are carefully cultivated. The superior quality of the former has placed them among the best grades of the staple, and secured for them a reputation on the market that commands the preferences of buyers. The number of bales raised the present year will be about 1,200, and they will weigh an average of 200 pounds to the bale, worth, at present prices, about §60,000. Nearly half the crop lias been sold, at prices ranging from 20 to 25 cents. The crop is one of the best in q lality that has been raised in this county for a number of years.

Stock-raising is also receiving the attention the case of its nature demands, and the annual ;xhibitions of pure breeds of cattle, horses, sheep and swine at the county fairs are indications )f the interest taken in a branch of farming that has, until late years, been supposedly conined to the celebrated "Blue Grass" region of Kentucky.

Building materials are easily procurable, and flouring-mills, furniture, bedstead, chair, )room, boot and shoe, woolen, cigar and other factories, lumber and brick yards, saw and jlaning mills are monthly contributing to swell the population, .wealth and material resources of ;he county.

Tas first organized at a meeting of prominent dairymen, held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Fort Atkin lon. on the 20th of December, 1870, at which Milo Jones presided, and W. D. Hoard, of Lake Vlills, officiated as Secretary. After a canvass of the subject, S. Favill, of Lake Mills, A. renkins, of Koshkonong, and D. M. Aspinwall, of Farmington, were appointed a committee to Iraft a plan for permanent organization. At an adjourned meeting, held at the same place, Fanuary 10, 1871, a constitution was adopted and the following board of officers elected: klilo Jones, of Fort Atkinson, President ; S. Favill, of Lake Mills, and J. M. Case, of Cold springs. Vice Presidents ; Q. C. Olin, of Oakland, Secretary, and Daniel Holmes, of Fort Atkinson, Treasurer.

The organization continued in active existence for several years, and by its discussions, fhich were published at length in the county papers, exercised a marked influence in ditfusing - right understanding of dairy agriculture. It was in this association that the idea originated or the formation of the Wisconsin State Daii'ymen's Association, through a resolution offered )y W. D. Hoard, January 26, 1872, which has since grown into one of the most important nstitutions of its kind in the Northwest.

The County Association is prospei'ing, the present officers being E. P. May, President ; Q. '). Olin and C. S- Cartwright, Vice Presidents ; H. C. Drake, Secretary, and R. F. Mcyutchen. Treasurer.

fas the outgrowth of a meeting held during the latter part of August or early in September, .853, at the grist-mill in Hebron. After some informal discussion, it was decided to issue a call or the meeting of all interested in the holding of a town fair. The meeting was convened on he 10th day of September, 1858, and, after a full discussion of the situation, a constitution and ly-laws were adopted, and the following list of officers elected (" The Jeiferson County Society " ras thus launched upon the tide of agricultural time) : President, Milo Jones, Ko.shkonong ; t'"ice Presidents, Peter Harsh, Milford, and Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Treasurer, George P. klarston, Koshkonong ; Recording and Corresponding Secretary, S. C. Writer, Koshkonong ; Executive Committee - C. Bartlett, Milford ; H. H. Meas and John Wentworth, Koshkonong ; ^. P. Parsons, Cold Spring ; George Blanchard, Lake Mills ; Gerard Crane, Oakland ; J. R. Dye, Hebron ; Myron Smith, Sullivan, and Enias D. Masters, Jeff"erson.

The first annual fair of the Society was held on the grounds adjoining the Green Mountain Souse, in the village of Fort Atkinson, September 29 and 80, 1853, D. F. Weymouth, of Jef- 'erson, but now a resident of the State of Minnesota, delivering the annual address. The displays -f stock, farm products, etc., were alike creditable to the exhibitors, as also to those who had the natter in charge, though their firilirii's were of the most meager character, the Society deivjaling

At a meeting held Saturday, December 9, 1854, the following named officers were elected for the ensuing years, and the President was instructed to correspond with the several members of the Executive Committee with a view to ascertain which town was prepared to submit the most favorable terms for the holding of the next annual fair : President, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Vice Presidents - Asa F. Snell, Koshkonong, and J. D. Clapp, Milford ; Treasurer, Erastus Willard, Koshkonong ; Secretary, Milton Snell, Jefferson. Executive Committee, Enias D. Masters, Jefferson ; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; W. J. Barrie and H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; Gideon Ives, Oakland ; N. P. Parsons, Cold Spring ; William Reynolds, Hebron, and George Hyer, Aztalan.

At a meeting of the Committee held at the Court House, in Jefferson, March 2, 1855, the fair was located at Jefferson for five years, on groumls appropriated from the farm of William A. Whipple, in the eastern portion of the village, immediately beyond the village plat, where the annual fair was held on the 26th, 27th and 28th days of September of the same year.

On the 5th of February, 1850, the following Board of officers was elected : President, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Vice Presidents - N. P. Parsons, Cold Spring, and E. D. Masters, Jefferson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Milton Snell, Fort Atkinson. Executive Committee - Kelly Atwood, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; William Sanborn, Jefferson : G. Crane, Oakland ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; C. D. Topping, AVaterloo; Giles Kinney, Cold Spring; C. Bartlett, Milford; Peter H. Turner, Palmyra; John H. Wilcox, Hebron ; J. A. Hadley, Watertown ; J. F. Ostrander-, Aztalan ; H. L. Colton, Concord ; J. Nutter, Sullivan, and E. R. Adams, Ixonia ; the Committee being increased to fifteen, each town being represented therein.

During that year, the Society received the §100 appropriated by legislative enactment to each county agricultural society that held an annual fair and made a report to the Secretary of State.

The fourth annual fair was held on the Society's grounds in the village of Jefferson, October 2 and 3, 1856, J. F. Ostrander delivering the address ; and at a meeting held December 23 following, the annual Board was elected, viz.: President, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Vice Presidents - E. D. Masters, Jefferson, and Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; Secretary and Treasurer, Milton Snell, Jefferson. Executive Committee - A. B. Smith, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; George Hyer, Aztalan ; Nelson Freyer, N. P. Parsons and Giles Kinney, Cold Springs ; 0. P. Dow, Palmyra; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Gerard Crane, Oakland ; Myron Smith, Sullivan ; John A. Wilcox, Hebron ; C. Bartlett, Milford ; John Crosby, Waterloo, and William Sacia, Concord.

During the following year, the grounds were enlarged by the addition of one acre, and the fifth annual exhibition held on the 17th and 18th of September, 1857, the terms of admission allowing the holder of a member's ticket to compete for premiums being $1.

At a meeting of the Society held January 22, 1858, the following ticket was elected : President, Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice Presidents, D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington, and A. B. Curtis, Jefferson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Giles Kinney, Cold Spring. Executive Committee - Kelly Atwood, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Fort Atkinson ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; James Barr, Jefferson ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Edwin Montgomery, Farmington ; N. P. Parsons, Cold Spring; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Gerard Crane, Oakland; Peter Tubbs, Sullivan ; John A. Wilcox, Hebron ; C. Bartlett, Milford ; John Crosby, Waterloo ; and William Sacia, Concord.

The sixth annual fair was held at Fort Atkinson about the last of September, and the following officers were elected January 10, 1859 : President, Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice Presidents, E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills, and Benjamin Nute, Milford ; Secretary, Robert Fargo, Lake Mills ; Treasurer, D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington. Executive Committee - H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; James Barr, Jefferson ; C. Bartlett, Milford ;

Lamb, Waterloo ; Giles Kinney, Cold Spring ; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan; and Edward Ward, Oakland. The seventh annual fair was held at Lake Mills, September 22 and 23, 1859, at which Giles Kinney, of Cold Spring, delivered the address, the receipts aggregating $154.36.

At the annual meeting, held December 10, the following officers were chosen : President, Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice Presidents, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong, and J. F. Phillips, Lake Mills ; Secretary, Robert Fargo, Lake Mills ; Treasurer, A. B. Smith, Lake Mills. Executive Committee - G. W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; Lewis Squires, Waterloo ; Edward Ward, Oakland ; Cromwell Bartlett, Milford ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Milton Snell, Jeiferson ; Joseph Lindon, Watertown ; Marcellus Finch, Koshkonong ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; and Giles Kinney, Cold Spring.

The eighth annual exhibit was given at Lake Mills September 19 and 20, 1860, and the officers elected at a meeting which convened at Jefferson February 19, 1861, were, namely : President, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Vice Presidents, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra, and A. B. Smith, Lake Mills; Secretary, James Barr, Jefferson; Treasurer, A. H. Van Nostrand, Jefferson. Executive Committee - E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; George C. Smith, Oakland ; D. Folsom, Waterloo ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; E. D. Masters, Jefferson ; Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; W. W. Woodman, Farmington ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; Joseph Lindon, Watertown ; J. R. Dye, Hebron, and H. E. Coon, Palmyra.

The ninth annual fair was held on the form of Cyrus Whitney, one mile south of the city of Jefferson, and was liberally patronized. The lot on which it was held was but partially inclosed, and, considering the prevailing excitement incident to the war, the success was most gratifying.

The officers for the ensuing year were : President, Giles Kinney, Cold Spring ; Vice Presidents, E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills, and H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Secretary, James Barr, and Treasurer, George L. Chapin, both of Jefferson ; Executive Committee - -J. B. Cooper, Lake Mills ; D. Folsom, Waterloo ; 0. P. Hyer, Aztalan ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; M. R. Clapp, Milford ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Thomas Rutherford, Oakland, and Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring. At a meeting of the committee, held September 17, 1862, it was decided to indefinitely postpone the holding of the tenth annual fair, the existence of the war doubtless being the moving cause, and, at an election of officers held in 1863, the following ticket prevailed: President, M. R. Clapp, Milford; Vice President, H. H. Wilds, Fort Atkinson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Robert Fargo, Lake Mills. Executive Committee - E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; D. Folsom, Waterloo ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; Robert Masters, Jefferson ; 0. P. Dow, Palmyra ; A. H. Nichols, Watertown; Marvin Robberts, Oakland, and E. P. May, Fort Atkinson.

At the annual meeting held in Jefferson, May 31, 1864, the following ticket was elected; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Vice Presidents, Daniel Folsom, Waterloo, and Joseph Lindon, Watertown. Executive Committee - Robert Masters, Jefferson ; Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; H. J. Munro, Hebron : Austin Kellogg, Concord ; E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; Josiah Drew, Waterloo ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ; A. H. Nichols, Watertown ; S. Wright, Cold Spring ; M. R. Clapp, Milford; J. B. Waite. Farmington; H. E. Coon, Palmyra; John Perry, Ixonia ; E. Schuyler, Aztalan ; Charles G. Hammerquist, Sumner, and W. P. Forsyth, Sullivan.

The fair was located at Watertown for the three following years, the first of the series being held October 4, 5 and 6, 1864, the annual election for officers occurring during its continuance and resulting as follows : President, Daniel Jones, Watertown ; Vice Presidents, Joseph Sinclair, Watertown, and .J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; Secretary, Robert Tompkins, and Treasurer, L. A. Cole, both of Watertown. Executive Committee - Captain Robert Masters, Jefferson ; Hiram E. Coon, Palmyra ; W. P. Forsyth, Sullivan ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Alanson Pike, Cold Spring ; S. W. Budlong, Waterloo ; John Whittet, Jr., Sumner ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ;

The annual fair was held September 13, 14 and 15, 1865, Hiram Barber, Jr., at present a Representative in Congress from Chicago, delivering the address, and §110 being paid in trotting purses.

An election for officers was held in Watertown, March 3. 1866, resulting as follows : President, M. R. Clapp, Milford; Vice Presidents, J. Lindon, Watertown, and E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills; Secretary and Treasurer the Hon. Patrick Rogan and A. H. Nichols, both of Watertown. Executive Committee - J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; William Sacia, Concord; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring; J. B. Waite, Farmington : Amos H. Burnham, Hebron; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; E. D. Masters, Jefferson; Milo Jones, Koshkonong; Homer Cook, Lake Mills; E. P. Ingalls, Milford; L. Stetson, Oakland; H. E. Coon, Palmyra; Myron Smith, Sullivan; C. G. ILimmerquist, Sumner; Clark M. Whitney, Watertown; Col. Henry Bertram, Watertown City, and James K. Ryder, Waterloo.

The Tieasurers report, as submitted at the annual meeting, showed a net indebtedness of §37. 64. The annual fair was held October 4, 5 and 6, 1866, at which the receipts from all sources amounted to $446.07 ; the disbursements to §453.57. Dr. John W. Hoyt, of Madison, delivered the address, receiving therefor the sum of §30. The Society decided to hold the fair at Jefferson for a period of ten years, and the following officers were elected for the year 1867 : President, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong; Vice Presidents, J. Lindon, Watertown, and 0. Manning, Lake Mills ; Treasurer, George Trucks, Jefferson. Executive Committee - E. P. Ingalls, Milford; William Eustis, Oakland; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills; Elias Schuyler, Aztalan; Milo Jones, Koshkonong; C. S.Crittenden, Hebron; C. G. Hammenjuist, Sumner; H. E. Coon, Palmyra" Alanson Pike, Cold Spring; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; D. Folsom, Waterloo; Joseph L. Hall, Watertown; A. H. Nichols, Watertown City; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; William Sacia, Concord; Earl Newton, Sullivan, and J. Barr, Jefferson.

At a meeting of the committee held June 11, 1867, it was decided to locate its fair grounds one-half mile northwest of the village, which was done, and the exposition held thereon October [>, 10 and 11, J. C. Converse, of Beloit, delivering the address.

During the summer of 1867, a contract was executed between the Society and Orrin Henry, by the terms of which the permanent occupation of the grounds whereon the Society held its fairs was secured to the latter (the Society) for a consideration of §1,000. Thereafter the grounds were handsomely inclosed, buildings for Horticultural and Floral Halls erected, a halfmile track raised and graded, and such other improvements perfected as were necessary to a satisfactory occupation of the premises. At tiie annual fair held September 22, 23 and 24, 1868, Clementine," a now celebrated trotting mare, well known to the public for superiority in style, gait, action and speed, made her first appearance in public on this track, when her fine points and superior excellence were exhibited. She was then oivned by S. B. Iliggins, Budd Doble being her present ]iroprietor.

The annual election that took place at Jefferson, January 9, 1869, resulted as follows : President, Q. C. Olin ; Vice Presidents, E. P. May, Fort Atkinson, and Charles Stoppenbach, Jeflerson ; Secretary. George J. Clapp, Milford; Treasurer, William Eustis, Oakland: Executive Committee - Cromwell Bartlctt, Milford; Hiram Ward, Oakland: C. II. Phillips, Lake

The annual fair was held one week prior to the State fair, and the Jefiferson County Board of Supervisors appropriated .^400 to the Society.

Officers elected at Jefferson February 8, 1873, were : President, Q. C. Olin, Oakland ; Vice Presidents - D. W. Curtis, Fort Atkinson ; E. D. Masters, Jefferson, and Walter Pease, AVatertown ; Secretary, D. E. Baker, and Treasurer, James Barr, both of Jefferson ; Executive Committee - E. Schuyler^ Aztalan ; William Mulks, Cold Spring ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ;

The annual meeting was convened in the Court House at Jefferson on Saturdaj', January 3, 1874, at which a resolution, offered by W. D. Hoard, Esq., editor of the Jefferson Comity Union, providing that, in the future, the officers of the Society should consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, a Board of Directors, consisting of one from each town and incorporated village (seven of which should constitute a quorum), and an Executive Committee of five, appointed by the President, was adopted, and the following officers elected under its direction : President, Q. C. Olin, Oakland ; Vice Presidents - William Eustis, Oakland, and N. S. Green, Milford : Secretary, D. W. Curtis, Fort Atkinson; Treasurer, no record of any election; Board of Directors - E. Schuyler, Aztalan ;

The fair was held September 23, 24 and 25, and was conceded a pronounced success, the receipts totalizing upward of $2,000. Premiums were largely increased in amounts on blood stock, and .?50 paid as premium on butter and cheese.

A large number of improvements were made in the buildings of the grounds, the cattlesheds, stalls, etc. A Rockford artist, at the instance of the Society, gave stereoscopic views during the continuance of the fair, and there were many other features of interest to visitors. Among the latter were members of the different Grange organizations throughout the county, who, on the last day of the exhibition, formed an escort to the Hon. Matt H. Carpenter, the orator of the day.

At the annual meeting, held at Jefferson December 19, 1874, the following list of officers was elected : President, Charles Stoppenbach, Jefferson : Vice Presidents. David Gardner, Milford ; William Phillips, Lake Mills, and Daniel Folsom, Waterloo. A Board of Directors, consisting of one from each town, was also elected; and the annual fair was held on the 15th, 16th and 17th of September, 1875, which added largely to the Society's resources.

The annual meeting was convened at Jefferson December 21, 1875, at which several important amendments, recommended by a committee consisting of W. H. Porter, of Jefferson, W. S. Green, of Milford, and Q. C. Olin, of Oakland, were adopted and the election held. Among the most important of the amendments was the one providing that thereafter the life membership fee should be §10 ; conferring the management of the Society's affairs upon a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who, with five Trustees, to be elected annually, were to constitute the Executive Committee, the interests of the Society in the several county towns being delegated to a Board of Directors made up of members from each town. The officers elected were ; Charles Stoppenbach, of Jefferson, President : W. S. Green, of Milford, Vice President ; George J. Clapp, of Milford, Secretary ; Solon Brown, of Jefferson, Treasurer, and J. D. Bullock, of Farmington ; Henry Haskell, Jefferson ; N. Freyer, Cold Spring ; Edward Rankin, Fort Atkinson, and Robert Fargo, Lake Mills, Board of Trustees.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held in Jefferson January 15, 1876, 0. S. Cornish, of Fort Atkinson, and William Phillips, of Lake Mills, were appointed Trustees, vice Edward Rankin and Robert Fargo, resigned.

The annual fair was held on the 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 1876; but, beyond good exhibitions of speed and a match game of base-ball, no new features were presented. The receipts aggregated upward of §2,000.

The annual meeting was held at Jefferson January 9, 1877, when the election for officers was held, as follows : W. S. Green, of Milford, President ; Charles Stoppenbach, of Jefferson,

Vice President ; D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, Secretary ; S. Brown, of Jefferson, Treasurer ; J. D. Bullock, of Farmington ; L. M. Goodime, Koshkonong ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; H. C. Drake, Milford, and D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington, Trustees.

The Society, through its Executive Committee, purchased one-third of an acre of land from C. D. Fuller, and three acres of Joseph Puerner, for $680, which gave them a beautiful grove and furnished accommodations for all of the buildings outside the track.

The annual fair was held at the usual dates in September, 1877, the entries being in excess of those of any previous year. All the departments were well filled, especially Floral Hall, which was very attractive. A. McDonald, of Chicago, gave a chariot race daily, which was highly applauded, and all things combined to render the undertaking additionally successful. the receipts footing up $3,748.78. One feature of the fair this year was the exhibition of butter and cheese, which exceeded that of any previous season.

The annual meeting convened at Jefferson, January 8, 1878, and elected the following officers: W. S. Green, of Milford, President; J. D. Bullock, of Johnson's Creek, Vice President; D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, Secretary, and Solon Brown, of Jelferson, Treasurer; Robert Fargo, of Lake Mills ; L. Stetson, Oakland ; A. T. Seaver, Jefferson ; R. S. White, Koshkonong, and J. C. Wilson, Palmyra, Trustees.

During the summer of 1878, additional improvements were made upon the grounds and buildings, and the officers contributed by every available means at their command to make a success of their undertakirfg that deserved encouragement. . The season opened on September 17, concluding on the 20th, and the display of each department, notably that of butter and and cheese, was especially fine. Floral Hall was a creation of artistic loveliness, and the Indian relics exhibited by Henry Haskell, of Jefferson, and Dr. E. W. Stone, of Fort Atkinson, attracted the admiration of the student and layman, for in them he saw the unwritten language of heroic deeds and tribal relations. A. McDonald illustrated in his chariot races a type of life which departed with the Conscript Fathers, and Signor Pedonto, a daring aerial navigator, that type of life which is rapidly attaining its solution.

On January 17, 1879, the annual meeting of the Society was held at Jefferson, when an election of officers occurred, with the following result: R. S. White, of Fort Atkinson, President ; J. D. Bullock, of Farmington, Vice President, and D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, Secretary ; Henry Haskell, of Jefferson ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ; J. C. Willson, Palmyra ; Robert Fargo, of Lake Mills, and C. S. Cartwright, Sullivan, Trustees.

The fair for 1879 was held on the company's grounds September 16, 17, 18 and 19, and was largely attended, the entries being liberal in all departments, particularly the agricultural and horticultural products. Floral Hall was especially attractive, being filled with the handiwork of the housewife, maiden and little miss. The department of fine arts was also generously filled with works of art contributed by friends and patrons of the association.

Among the features commanding notice was the Swarts steam road engine, which furnished power for a large portion of the machinery exhibited, and the Indian relics, specimens of Lake Superior ores, etc.

On Thursday, the 18th, Prof. Clark made a successful balloon ascension, starting from the grounds about 3 o'clock and pursuing a southwesterly direction until the farm of Zebina Wilson near the town of Palmyra was reached, where he landed, making the distance, eight miles, in forty minutes. Addresses were made by Gov. William E. Smith, of Wisconsin, and the Hon. L. B. Caswell, member of Congress from the Fort Atkinson District, which were to the point and well received.

The educational department, under the supervision of C. J. Collier, County Superintendent, was creditable to himself, the teachers and the county, the exhibits meriting and receiving much attention.

The general practice of the farmers of the county is to crop the uphmds with wheat, corn and oats, the two first mentioned being the principal crop relied upon for market. The prairie and burr oak lands, as a general rule, are the best for corn ; the white oak for wheat ; the timbered and marsh lands for grasses. Clover is successfully grown, in favorable seasons, on the prairie and more compact soils, but is more reliable on the light and sandy portions and the timbered lands. Oats grow well in all parts of the county. The crop of this grain is usually good, except in dry summers. Spring wheat, too, is generally a fair crop. Winter wheat, which, at an early day, was usually a heavy crop and of fine quality, after awhile began to prove a failure, caused by dryness of winters and want of snow, as well as by continual cropping in succession. There are now indications of a return to the successes of former days in this crop. Corn is generally a fair crop - never an entire failure. The substitution of sheep husbandry for exclusive wheat growing, has been f jund profitable on tiie best grass lands. Stock-growing for dairy purposes has been found profitable in all cases where proper attention has been given to the selection of animals, and proper provision made for their care and feed. The root crops used for feeding, grow luxuriantly with deep and clean culture, and produce bountifully on all dry lands not over-cropped.

War Record

When Pericles was called upon to deliver the oration over those who had fallen in the first campaign of the Peloponnesian war (according to Thucydides), he began by extolling Athens, and having expatiated upon her glories, her institutions and her sciences, concluded by exclaiming, " For such a republic, for such a nation, the people whom we this day mourn fell and died." In referring to the " roll of honor " which nearly twenty years ago combined to defeat treason in this our native land, it may not be inappropriate to recur briefly to the condition of that country when the mighty arm of military power was invoked that the majesty of the law might be maintained.

The nineteenth century dawned upon this nation glorious in the promise of a prophetic infancy. Tyranny and oppression, twin offspring of an inhuman parent, had been strangled but a few years before. In 1860, the development of the resources of the States was but just beginning, and, under an acceptable and wholesome form of government, progressing rapidly. The finances of the country, notwithstanding the panic of 1857, were in a healthy and promising condition. Money was plenty, times "flush," to use a suggestive expression of the day; the factory and loom made music all the day long, and the voice of the husbandman was heard amid the fields of ripening grain. Ererywhere and on every side evidences of prosperity were manifest. In bleak New England and the Sunny South, at the East and in the city beside the bay whose waters ebb and flow through the Golden Gate, comfort, contentment and happiness was the trinity to be found at every fireside. The commercial and marine interests were were second to no nation on tlie globe; its paper was " gilt-edged," to express it commercially, and the white sails of America's shipping were almost as numerous on the seas as the white caps that crested the waves. Immigration from continental Europe landed on our shores in an endless stream, contributing to the wealth as also to the horny-handed element of strength and industry, without which nations go down to welcome penury and forgetfulness. At every hearthstone and in every household, when the thoughts of home and country came, a prayer of thanksgiving went up to the Great Father that our love was not lavished in vain, and man was enabled to rise from the sorrows and disappointments of his every-day life as sunset's red glories or the moon's silver hair floating down the broad-breasted mountains.

The rumbling of the coming storm had been heard at intervals in the halls of Congress, on the stump, in the pulpit, at the hustings, when a Toombs or a Yancey lifted up a voice in defense of the slave power and its extension into the Territories. But its admonitions came and went as the idiosyncrasies of radical intolerance. As a result, many have gone before, and wait upon the threshold of Paradise for the coming of those loved ones left behind, who have exchanged the feeble pulses of a transitory existence for the ceaseless throbbings of eternal life. Faithful and fearless on the march, in the strife and at the victory or defeat, they at last laid down at the mysterious frontier, leaving the exalted hope behind that, though the world was lost forever, there would be unfurled another realm of unimaginable glory, where they and all whom they loved on earth might realize the promise which the Great Ruler of the Universe has made unto the just.

These "idiosyncrasies," as will be remembered, culminated on the 12th of April, 1861, when Fort Sumter, ofl' Charleston, was fired into by the rebels. Notwithstanding this overt act of treason, this first act in the bloody reality which followed was looked upon as mere bravado; but when, a day later, Maj. Anderson's surrender was announced, the patriotic people of the North were startled from their dream of the future, from undertakings half completed, and made to realize that behind all there was a dark, deep and well-determined purpose to.

destroy the Government, and upon its ruins erect an oligarchy, the corner-stone of which should be "slavery." But the dreams of these marplots were doomed to disappointment. Their plans for the establishment of a " Southern Confederacy " were to be overthrown, if not in their inception, before realization.

Immediately upon the promulgation of the news of the surrender. President Lincoln, who but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office, issued his call for troops in the following

Whereas, The laws of the United States have been, and now are, violently opposed in several States by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, 1 therefore call for the militia of the several Stales of the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all lawful citizens to facilitate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws and the integrity of the perpetuity of the popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The lirsi service assigned to the forces, probably, will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seize i from the Union. Let the utmost care be talcen, consistent with the oliject, to avoid devastation, ilestruction, interference with tlie property of peaceful citizens in any part of the country ; and I hereby command the persons composing the aforesaid combination to disperse within twenty days from date.

I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures of public safety, which the interest of the subject demands. Abraham Ltncoln, President of (he United States.

The gauntlet thus thrown down by the traitors of the South was accepted in a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. -The world knows with what ready assent the people of the North responded to the call for the defense of that Union they hoped to preserve. The world knows how they, in the strength of this hope, struggled and fought with the legions of wrong till the armor of many was caught in the glint and sunlight of eternity, ere the dews had gone to heaven or the stars had gone to God.

War meetings were iield all over the county, and the scenes witnessed in the cities and surrounding country were not different in any respect from those which occurred throughout the North. The press, the pulpit, the bar and the assemblies of men, both public and private, teemed with well-timed and patriotic expressions in behalf of the enforcement of the law and maintenance of the Union. In the city of Jefferson, meetings were held at the Court House and in the various churches, which were addressed by Gov. Washburn, T. 0. Howe, G. B. Smith, Lieut. Gov. J. E. Holmes, D. F. Weymouth, A. H. Van Norstrand and others, and the sentiments of patriotism which here found expression were taken up and borne to the furthermost parts of the county.

At Fort Atkinson, meetings were convened in the Town Hall, the schoolhouses and at other eligible points, at which speeches were made by Thurlow Weed Brown, L. B. Caswell and others ; funds were subscribed for the equipment of volunteers, and a company, the " Black Hawk Rifles," enlisted for active and immediate service, as Virginia, the last link upon which hung all hopes of a reconciliation, seceded.

What was true of Jefferson and the Fort will apply to the township, villages and hamlets generally. The people throughout the county were keenly alive to the gravity of the situation, and, so far as they were able, contributed to the demands made upon their resources. What was true, in all respects, of the cities mentioned, was true of Aztalan, Hebron, Palmyra, Waterloo, Ixonia, Johnson's Creek, and at less prominent and frequented points. Money was subscribed, enlistments went forward to the field, societies were organized, and the inhabitants seemed each to vie with the other in emulative enterprise for the promotion of the business in hand.

It is impossible for the historian to do that justice to the people their merits deserve. The task of compiling an imperfect record of the part taken by Jefferson County in the contest for national supremacy has been attended with extreme diffidence and embarrassment, and its accomplishment with extreme difficulty. Her soldiers sleep on nearly every battle-field, and, as the slumbers of night enfold us in their embrace, the curtain lifts to reveal to us the white shore against which the pale waters beat - beyond which, in the gleams of a morning-lit land, are seen fathers and brothers and lovers and friends in peaceful, sanctified rest, wondering, if wonder they can, why mortals cling to their frail clay with sighs, for journey over the beautiful river into the unknown and to those we love, though lonesome, is brief ; many went yesterday, more will go to-day, and there are dews to be shed for the departures of to-morrow. Those who survived returned to the welcome of loving hearts and homes, their faces dimpled as by the fingers of joy. They traveled through strange and weary paths, from trials and toils and defeat and death, to the unutterable happiness of a mother's love, a sister's embrace or the hallowed affection of a wife.

As the days of the strife became months, and months lengthened into years, and demands for men and money were repeatedly levied upon the inhabitants of the county, such levies were promptly responded to. The choicest that remained after the constant strain made on these resources replied as cheerfully as they did to the first call to arms, and hurried to the scenes of strife where men died and made no moan and only the wounded were known by their voices. The world never witnessed such an uprising of the masses, such a unanimity of sentiment, such willingness to make every sacrifice for a continuance of that republican form of government guaranteed by the Constitution. Age forgot its crutch, labor its task, to join in the defense of the Lmion, and all the available sources of supply combined to accomplish the end in view - an honorable peace with that Union preserved.

And what can be said of the volunteer soldiers who bore the weight of battle ? What words can the pen employ to do them justice ? What notes of the most exquisite harmony can sound their heroic valor 'i Home, with all its saci'ed associations and comforts, was given up - ^wives and little ones were surrendered to the care of the State ; fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, like the Gracchi of old, yielded up their blood upon the altar of their country's need, and wept not at the sacrifice. Time has gone on with the living since the sad days when it stood still with the dead, but the widow and the orphan know that the husband and the father, life's shadows ended, will meet them at eternity's gate, and that an exceeding peace will some time succeed the grief that is at times too dark for faith.

Thousands of those brave men are sleeping their last sleep amid the palms and crosses until resurrection day. Visit not their tombs in tears, yet deeply burn in the Pantheon of the heart those memories which bind their lives and deaths. " Smother me with flowers ; let the air resound with music, as go I to my eternal sleep," said the Count de Mirabeau eighty years ago. For the dead soldiers let there be songs not sighs, fresh flowers not badges of mourning - neither tears nor clouds, but bright dews and bright dawnings together. Let the memory of their immortal deeds be their monuments, reminding those who survive of the blood they were a part of In the morning, before the king of day surrenders his golden banners, in the noontide and as the twilight advances through meadow and woodland, let that memory be ever present and impel the American citizen, disarmed of resentment, to a confidence and brotherly love that shall shine with irresistible splendor - a Union restored, reform triumphant and a government vindicated.

llecruiting for the First Cavalry was begun June 30, 1861, and the first regiment of this branch of the service, recruited in Wisconsin, is indebted to Jefferson County for some of its most valuable material. Companies D, F and I, were commanded by ofiicers and in part made up of soldiers enlisted in this county. Company D was ofiicered by Capt. Nelson Bruett, at that time and still a resident of the city of Jefferson, where he is at present engaged in the practice of law ; the latter companies being recruited at Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong, Hebron and at points more distant, commanded in part by Capt. Newton Jones, who was mustered out as Major of the regiment, and Lieut. J. H. Morrison, who resigned March 25, 1862, together with Surgeon Gregory, all of whom were from Jeflerson County.

The regiment was organized at Kenosha, during the winter of 1861-62, where, after a period of drill, discipline and preparation, it was mustered into service on the H'th day of March, in the latter year, and proceeded September 17 following to St. Louis, there being quartered at Benton Barracks. A brief halt was made here, when, tlie troubles in Southern Missouri requiring the presence of a force to maintain a more healthy Union feeling, the First was sent thither for that purpose, and camped at Cape Girardeau. From thence it was dispatched to Bloomfield, where the Confederate camp of Col. Phelan was distributed about the country, the main force, however, fleeing into Arkansas, pursued by the First. The pursuit was attended with the loss of Surgeon Gregory, who, while watering his horse in the St. Francis River, near Chalk Bluff, was shot and mortally wounded, his death occurring a day or so thereafter.

From Bloomfield the regiment was scattered in various directions, meeting with hardships and privations innumerable, until July 8, 1862, when it made a second advance into Arkansas, accompanied by a wagon train. After a campaign which was not altogether free from hairbreadth escapes by flood or field, the regiment went into camp at Helena, where it remained from August 8 to September 22, when it was returned to Cape Girardeau, in a condition of depletion caused by disease and death, almost unprecedented. The regiment did scouting duty until October, 1862, and then put to flight Col. Boone, who, with 600 cavaliers, was encamped in the neighborhood of Patterson.

On the 31st of May, 1863, the regiment embarked for Nashville, where it landed on June 15, and three days after was assigned to McCook's Brigade, Mitchell's Division. Stanley's Corps, Army of the Cumberland. Previous to this, and in January of the same year, it was detached from Gen. Benton's force and sent to Pilot Knob, thence to St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau and Bloomfield, where it became a part of Gen. McNeil's command, with which it participated in the battle of Cape Girardeau. Its first movement after being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, was in the direction of Murfreesboro, en route to which point it camped on the battlefield of Stone River, and united with the Union forces at Triune. On the 2-lrth of June. Gen. Rosecranz attempted to rescue East Tennessee from the possession of Gen. Bragg by an attempt to drive the Confederate forces back into Georgia. As is known, he flanked the rebel chief at Tullahoma, and again at Chattanooga, after passing the Cumberland Mountains, concluding the campaign with the battle of Chickamauga. In all of these marches and countermarches the First Regiment took an active part; after the battle of Chickamauga falling back upon Chattanooga, where it crossed the river under the fire of a rebel battery.

In Sherman's campaign against Atlanta, the First remained attached to McCook's Brigade of cavalry, participating in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw and elsewhere.

On the 17th day of October, 1864, the regiment moved to Louisville under orders, where it was re-uniformed, re-mounted and returned to Nashville, going thence to Alabama, engaging in a bout with Forrest and passing through Montgomery, \Vest Point and Macon, where the surrender of Lee and the army of Northern A'irginia, previously announced, was confirmed ; proceeding thence in pursuit of Jeff" Davis, under the command of Lieut. Col. Hamden. At Abbeville the detachment fell in with a squadron of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. Col. Pritchard, after the same game, but separated, and thereafter succeeded in cff"ecting the arrest of the late Executive of the rebel States, notwithstanding the decision of a committee that his apprehension was due to the vigilance and untiring eff"orts of the Michigan troopers.

The regiment remained in and about Macon until May 24, 1865, when it proceeded to Nashville, where it arrived June 14, and on July 19, following, was mustered out and discharged from the service.

The Fourth Cavalry received accessions to its ranks from Jeff"erson County in the complement of Companies A and I, the former being recruited from Fort Atkinson and the surrounding country, while Company I included representations from Watertown, Jefferson, Cambridge, Lake Mills, etc., being commanded by W. P. Moore, with S. B. Tubbs and H. B. Lighthizer, Lieutenants. The regiment was organized in June, 1861, and quartered at Camp Utley, where it was mustered into service on July 2 thereafter. Its first experience with grim-visaged war was in the suppression of the bank riot at Milwaukee. At the conclusion of this informal sortie made by frenzied depositors, the regiment was ordered East, and departed at once for the scenes of active duty, arriving at Harrisburg, Penn., about the middle of July, where it was attached to the Eastern Department, with headquarters at the Relay House, near Baltimore,

Md. Here and in the vicinity it remained until about January 29, 1863, experiencing the fatigues of war, wiien it became a part of Duryea's brigade, and on the 5th of the following March embarked at Forti-ess Monroe for New Orleans, in which city it became identified with the Second Brigade, Army of the Gulf. From its arrival in the Crescent City to its departure therefrom, on the 25th of June, the Fourth Cavalry became familiar with every phase of life to be experienced in a captured city. On May 2, it occupied the post of honor as guard opposite the St. Charles Hotel, corner of St. Charles and Gravier streets, during the conference between the Commanding General and John T. Monroe, Mayor of the city, who with the Hon. Pierre Soule, and other prominent residents of New Orleans, were granted an audience by Gen. Butler. At its close, the regiment returned to the Custom House, and thereafter did provost duty, guard and other service, until the 8th of May, when it was sent to tear up the track of the Jackson & Great Northern road, afterward serving in Baton Rouge, Natchez, Fort Adams, Warrenton, and elsewhere, until late in June, when it was ordered to Vicksburg, and from the trenches witnessed the bombardment of that beleaguered city by Davis and Farragut ; also the subsequent operations for its reduction, until the spring of 1863, when the regiment was ordered back to New Orleans, soon after going to the Teche country, where it became engaged in the battle of Camp Besland.

Its next important move was in connection with the Red River expedition. After the retirement of Banks, the Fourth was ordered to Baton Rouge, the vicinity of which city wa» made the regimental camp-groundsforaseason of respite, recuperation and re-equipmentas a cavalry regiment, having previously served as mounted infantry. ^ With its reconstruction the regiment resumed active duty, being attached to the cavalry command of Gen. Lee, and serving in the extreme Southwest until May, 1865.

At that date, orders came for its transfer to Texas, to which department it proceeded without delay, by way of Vicksburg and Shreveport, going thence through Texas, and finally halting at San Antonio. Here the regiment was consolidated into eight companies, and after a campaign, lasting until May, 1866, remarkable for an absence of the excitement with which they had hitherto been familiar, the regiment was mustered out and arrived home June 17, 1866^ after five years continued and active service.

Companies D and F, of the Twenty-ninth Infantry, were raised in Jefferson County, also. The former company hailed from Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong and the immediate neighborhood, with D. W. Curtis, at present residing in Fort Atkinson, as one of the Lieutenants, while Company F was recruited in .Jefferson, Aztalan and that section, and officered by Charles A. Holmes and Emil Stoppenbach, both of the city of Jeflerson, Captain and First Lieutenant, with John B. Scott, of Aztalan, Second Lieutenant. Captain Holmes was wounded at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, and mustered out June 22, 1865. Stoppenbach resigned July 31, 1863, and Scott May 1. 1865. The regiment went into camp at Madison, where it was mustered in September 27, 1862, and in November following moved to Helena, Ark., going thence to Friar's Point in December, but returning to Helena, where it was assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, and went to Milliken's Bend. On the 16th of April, the regiment crossed the river below Grand Gulf, and proceeded to Port Gibson. The regiment next fought the battle of Champion Hills, and on the 21st of June, 1863, marched to the rear of Vicksburg, participating; in the assault made on the following day. During the remainder of the siege, it was employed against the advanced works, and, after the surrender, fought the second battle of Jackson. The next move was down the river, camping at Carrollton, above New Orleans, but changing its base on September 14, and serving in Southern Louisiana until January, 1864, when it engaged in the Texas expedition, proceeding as far as the Rio Grande, and returning to Algiers in time to take part in the sortie up Red River. After the retirement of that expedition, the Twentyninth returned once more to Algiers, whence it went to Port Hudson, Clinton, mouth of White River, Duvall's Bluff, Little Rock and Memphis, reaching the latter city November 28, 1864.

On New Year's Day following, the regiment embarked for New Orleans, in which city it remained until February 5, when it proceeded to Dauphin Island, where it was assigned to tlie

On May 26, 1865, it embarked for Shreveport via New Orleans, where it performed provost duty for two weeks, when it was mustered out of service, and returned to Madison, arriving there July 5, 1865, with 465 men.

W. W. Reed, M. D., of Jefferson, declined the commission of Associate Surgeon ; John W. Blake, also of Jefferson, became Adjutant, was promoted Captain September 25, 1863, finally becoming Major of the Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. L. W. Ostrander, of the same city, was promoted Second Lieutenant, May 3, 1864.

Company G, of the Fortieth Volunteer Infantry, was also, in part, recruited in Jefferson County, as were Companies I, Forty-eighth, and II, Forty-ninth Volunteer Infantry.

Company G was of the hundred-days' service, one of the Lieutenants of which^John K. Purdy - was identified with the educational interests of Fort Atkinson. The company served in Tennessee, repulsed Forrest on his raid into Memphis, and returned to Madison at the expiration of its term of service, where it was mustered out September 16, 1864, losing but thirteen V men during its term of service.

Company I rendezvoused at Milwaukee in February, 1865, whence it was sent to St. Louis, where it was mustered into service and proceeded to Fort Scott. During the months of May, June and July, it was engaged in strengthening this station, after which it marched to Lawrence and other points in Kansas, remaining there until February 19, 1866, when the company was mustered out and disbanded.

Company H, commanded by Capt. H. 0. Pierce, was mustered into service, and left the State for Benton Barracks March 8, 1805, reaching the latter point March 10. In July, it was sent to St. Louis to perform guard duty. In August, the major portion of the regiment acted in that capacity about Gratiot Street Prison. After the fall of Richmond, the regiment was retained for several months in that line of duty, but finally returned to Madison, where, on the 8th day of November, 1865, it was mustered out of service.

In addition to the foregoing, that portion of the county about Koskonong and Fort Atkinson, etc., contributed to the complement of Company H, Thirteenth Regiment, to the gun-boat, naval and secret service. Jefferson and that portion of the county thereabouts furnished recruits to the heavy artillery, to the Third Wisconsin Light Artillery and to other branches of the service, but, owing to the reasons cited, the facts more particularly in reference thereto could not be obtained.

The company held daily drills at their headquarters in Gen. Chappell's Block. Each of the volunteers wore a red, white and blue rosette, presented by the ladies of Watertown. May 12, they were furnished by the- State with their first uniforms, and allotted to the Third Regiment, as Company A. Their headquarters were also transferred to Mud Tavern, about one and one-half miles west of the city, soon afterward known as Camp Bertram, where the company remained until June 7, when they received orders to report at the headquarters of their regiment, then stationed at Fond du Lac, under command of Charles S. Hamilton. Two months of camp life, however, had caused numerous changes in the original rank and file of the Watertown Rifle Company. The realities of war - the prospect of leaving wives and sweethearts, fiithers and mothers, brothers, sisters, homes, all - served to test the " fighting patriotism " of a large number of those who, in the excitement of the hour, penned their names to the company's roll. But there was no lack of new recruits, and Watertown's first volunteer company took its place at the head of the Third Wisconsin, composed of the following individuals :

Non-commissioned ofiicers - Sergeants, J. Drew Goodrich, George R. Hubb, Robert J. Forsyth, William H. Burns and James T. Myers ; Corporals, Lyman Cook, Daniel A. Tuttle, Ed F. Proctor, Orin S. Howard, Sala P. Webb, Fred Gleaser, Zadock S. Putney and Thomas McKenna; Musicians, Stephen F. Burroughs and John Wisert.

July 12, the Third Regiment passed through Watertown en route for Elmyra, N. Y., where they were to receive their arms and equipments, and then proceed to Washington for active service. Before leaving their camp at Fond du Lac, they were paid by the State $37,000, for past services. The regiment numbered 1,011, officers and men. The regimental and staff officers were as follows :

Colonel commanding. C. S. Hamilton; Lieutenant Colonel, L. H. Ruger; Major, B. Pinckney; Adjutant, L. H. D. Crane; Quartermaster, S. C. Lefferts ; Sergeant Major, James Woodford ; Surgeon, D. A. Raymond ; First Assistant Surgeon, R. 0. Crane ; Second Assistant Surgeon, J. B. G. Baxter ; Chaplain, Rev. W. L. Mather. A brass-band of twenty-four pieces and a full drum corps accompanied the regiment.

Commenting upon the appearance of the regiment as it passed through Chicago, the Tribune of that city said that "the men were a noble and stalwart set of fellows, inured to labor in the mines and pineries."

On their arrival in Chicago, the Michigan Southern Railroad Company had ready for the troops 14.5 gallons of coffee, 700 loaves of bread and 15 haras, made up into sandwiches, which were distributed to them in the cars.

The next news of importance concerning the Watertown Rifles was contained in a letter from Jolin C. Dervin to his brother Thomas, residing in Watertown. It was dated " Camp Hamilton, Hagerstown, Maryland, July 16, 1861," and was as follows:

* * * " We arrived at our home this morning, and expect to be here for some time. We are within a mile of the enemy's camp. Last night, the First Wisconsin Regiment had a battle. They killed thirty Tebs ' and took 600 prisoners, and lost only one man in the contest. AVe are here in danger that no one would think of. We expect to be in the field of battle in a short time. The men are all remly, but as the hour of trial draws near, a deep sadness seems to shadow most faces, but we will do our duty in any event."

Several early promotions occurred in Company A, among them being that of Lieutenant Bertram, who was appointed Adjutant, to succeed Adjutant Crane, appointed to the post of Major. In September, Captain Gibbs resigned, and Adjutant Bertram was appointed in his stead.

Among other duties, the Third Wisconsin was assigned to look after the Maryland Legislature at Frederick City. In September, the secession members of that body were taken prisoners, and a bonfire was made of their treasonable documents.

It also took a prominent and gallant part in the battle of Bolivar Heights in October, 1861. In that engagement. Privates F. L. Tuttle, Jared Harris and Henry Clemens, of Company A, were killed. The regiment went into winter quarters in December at Fredericksburg, Md.

"Captain Bertram's company, Third Wisconsin Regiment, was with Gen. Banks during his recent retreat. The company was on duty as provost guard, and was under fire during the retreat. Sergeant William Whipple was made a prisoner at Winchester, while Corporal Lyman Cook and Privates Louis Burving, George Lockwood, Sidney Lund, W. W. Atterson, William Rupp and Elisha Tuttle are missing."

Captain Bertram was soon afterward appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Twentieth Wisconsin. This promotion was a recognition of his bravery and efficiency as an officer in a fight at Bolivar Heights, near Harper's Ferry, where he commanded two detached companies and captured a cannon from the enemy. L'pon receiving his commission. Col. Bertram returned to Watertown on a brief furlough, and was warmly received by his friends.

The Third Wisconsin bore an important part in the battle of Culpepper, in August, 18<)2. It went into the fight with 500 men, and when the conflict subsided the ranks had been thinned to 225. Lieut. Col. Crane was killed and Maj. Scott and Capt. Hawley wounded. It had the extreme advance of the Twelfth Corps in crossing the Rapidan, and fought bravely on the 1st, 2d and 3d of May with the rest of Gen. Ruger's troops, stubbornly maintaining its grouiiil when others fell back, and finall\' covering the withdrawal across the Rappahannock.

This regiment distinguished itself in many of the desperate battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, and, in January, 1864, those of its members who had survived re-enlisted for three years under a call for volunteers. These brave defenders of the Union were given a thirtydays' furlough that they might return to their homes for a brief period before again taking the field.

Upon returning to Virginia, the Wisconsin boys were always to be found in the thickest of the shot and shell. They participated in all the memorable battles which decided the fate of the rebellion, including the fall of Richmond.

Watertown German Volunteers. - On Monday, August 11. 1862, the Germans of Watertown commenced the work of organizing a company for the Twentieth Wisconsin Regiment, and on Friday, the 15th, the work was completed. The company numbered 106 volunteers, and was composed mostly of young men residing in AVatertown. At noon of the IGth, they were escorted to the depot by a large body of citizens, where they took the train for Madison. Few were the tearless eyes and untouched hearts in all that vast assembly, as the husband parted with the wife, the father and mother with the son, and the brother with the sister, or the

This company went to the front immediately as Company E of the Twentieth Regiment, Lieut. Col. Henry Bertram. December 7, 1862, it acted a distinguished part in the desperate battle of Prairie Grove, near Fayetteville, Ark. Following are the names of those who fell in that engagement :

Col. Bertram had a horse shot from beneath him, and received a slight contusion of the thigh. Capt. Weber received three bullets in his legs, from which he died within a week. The rebels were pursued to Van Buren, Ark., where 800 prisoners, two steamers and a ferryboat loaded with provisions were captured.

Lieut. Frederick Kusel was appointed Captain to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the gallant Weber. Second Lieut. Charles A. Menges succeeded Kusel, and Sergt. Alfred H. Baehr was promoted to the Second Lieutenancy. Menges was subsequently appointed Adjutant.

The Twentieth took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and in the expedition up the Yazoo River to Yazoo City, Miss., where about 500 prisoners were captured. Also engaged at Spanish Fort, Mobile and Browr.sville, Texas.

Watertown Irish Company. - Organized August, 1862. This company was but partially filled by citizens of Watertown, owing to a large number of Irish having previously enlisted in other companies. It was recruited by E. Johnson and Valentine Sweeney. Its members reported at headquarters in Madison September 20, 1862. Their names are as follows : Michael J. Gallagher, Michael Carey, Michael Murphy, Michael Butler, Thomas McAviley, Michael McGill, John Reynolds, Daniel Ford, John Forsyth, Joseph Kenzie. Thomas D. Reed, William Dolan,

There were sufficient accessions to the ranks of this company from other sources within a short time after it took up its quarters at Camp Reynolds to complete the required number, and it was mustered in as Company D of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers, afterward known as tlie " Irish Brigade." It rendered invaluable service in many of the greatest battles of the rebellion, the Watertown boys acijuitting themselves with honor, and returning to their homes at the close of the war covered with scars and glory.

This company became Company B, in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. The regiment received marching orders and left Camp Randall, at Madison, November 2, 1862, proceeding South. While at Cairo, 111., they voted for State officers in Wisconsin. The regiment arrived at Helena, Ark., November 6, and went into camp. It remained there until April, 1863, when orders were received to the effect that its presence before Vicksburg was necessary! May 1. the regiment was engaged in the battle of Port Gibson, in which the rebels were routed and the place captured. In this fight. Matthew ]\Iarshall, Robert H. Roberts and Edward B. Hawkes, of Company B, were killed, and George Parker, Lewis Urtubees, John Lloyd and Allen Welcher, wounded.

On the 16th of the same month, the Watertown boys of Company B were again engaged. Following is an extract from Col. Gill's official report of the part the Twenty-ninth took in this battle. It is dated Champion Hills, Miss., May 18, 1863: rear one stand of colors and about three hundred prisoners. We numbered, when the action commenced, 491 men and officers. Our loss is 19 killed, 95 wounded, and 1 missing. Among the wounded are Maj. Hancock, Capts. Bissell, Holmes, Mott and Delamatyr, Lieut. Ray and Commissary Sergt. Wilson. My officers and men displayed great gallantry and bravery. Capt. Bissell, of Company D, while lying upon the ground wounded and still exposed to the enemy's

After the capture of Vicksburg, the Twenty-ninth was ordered to New Orleans. It was subsequently engaged in the Ked River expedition, and was at the battle of Mansfield, La. In that engagement. Company B suffered the following losses : Killed, Almon Chapin ; wounded - Thomas Martin, Sidney Smith, James Haskins and Anson Weaver ; missing - Corydon Blaisdell, A. C. Grandall, Hiram Thompson, James Irvin, George Holcomb, C. B. Young, James Burke, Calvin Barrett, William Wilson, William Milium and Oscar Herron.

The Twenty-ninth was soon afterward engaged in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads. J. H. Haskins, Oscar Herron and Hiram S. Thompson, of Company B were wounded and fell into the hands of the enemy, but were subsequently paroled and sent to New Orleans, where Thompson died.

December 15, 1864, Corydon Blaisdell, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Mansfield, was released, and, upon his arrival in New Orleans, he wrote as follows to his relatives in Watertown : our rations were one pint of corn-meal, three-fourths of a pint of corn-meal and a little salt - no coffee or anything else. The living is nothing compared with the abuse we have received during the term of our prison life. Of the six captured out of Company B, only William Milium and myself lived to get back to New Orleans. Cyprian B. Young, Alonzo C. Crandall, James S. Irvin and George Holcomb died in prison."

At the storming of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, private Porter Gibbs and Musician Allen Rutherford, of Company B, were taken prisoners, and private Godfrey Dayley, of the same company, had one of his great toes accidentally cut off while making breastworks.

On July 5, 1865, the Twenty-ninth returned from the South. Company B was received in Watertown with all the honors that it was possible for a liberty-loving people to shower upon the defenders of their country. A reception festival was held July 13, at which the sun-browned heroes were the admired of all admirers. D. W. Ballou, editor of the Democrat delivered a stirring welcome address.

The Union Guards. - Organized in the fall of 1861, with the following officers : Captain, 0. D. Pease ; First Lieutenant, Edward E. Roys ; Second Lieutenant, William A. Greene. Sergeants - John Ilazen, R. C. Rowe, Theron Holt, William Faville and John Bean. Corporals - Michael Walrod, Hiram Dayton, James M. Fillmore, W. M. Taylor, Charles H. Visgar, Charles A. Keyes, Joseph B. Harris and Mich. Traynor. Musicians - Star Loveland and John J. Downey.

Capt. Pease's company formed a part of the Sixteenth Wisconsin. After remaining in camp at Madison for several weeks, it received orders to move down the Mississippi, and on the 1st of April, 1862, found itself encamped at Savannah, Tenn, within the borders of secession.

The next heard of the company was its engagement in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, where tiie gallant Capt. Pease was mortally wounded while leading his men to the very mouth of the enemy's cannon. The members of his company who fell in that memorable battle are as follows : Killed - Capt. Oliver D. Pease; Corp. William M. Taylor; privates Alphonse Harrington, August Wollene, Louis Pettis, Chester W. Haskins. Wounded - Sergt. John S. Bean, Corps. Charles H. Visgar and Michael Walrod ; privates J. Edwards, J. M. Lyons, Harrison Fuller, N. R. Towsley, W. Hamilton, M. Farrington, 0. Brien. E. Cook, Dennis Delanty, Josiah W.

The Draft. - When the order for the first draft was made, in September, 1862, the quota for Jefl'erson County was sixty-three. Watertown, having already furnished twenty-five more men than the call demanded, was exempt. There was, of course, n i excitement. While many other portions of the State were sadly depopulated, the people of Watertown could not but feel proud of their record. The town of Watertown drew two - August Hunemann and Henry Mergel being the victims.

The draft of November 12, 1863, however, was the source of considerable uneasiness. The drawing took place at Janesville, and a large number of the citizens of Jefterson County were present. The following individuals, citizens of Watertown, "drew prizes : "

Town of Watertown (167 in the wheel, 28 to be drawn) - Franz Fredericks, Frederick Volkner, John O'Donalds, Peter Kelley, August Cholhoff, John F. Schultz. John Warner, Frederick Strehlow, Jr., .A.dolf Boerschel, John Corpenus, Chris Mercus, William P. Perry, Reinhard Panz, Henry Kumfrick, John Barrett, Richard Sninuiks, Gotleib Gullet, Charles Raymorn, Frederick Moerke, Henry Wegner, William Cinnamon, Ernest Huns, Christian Trachte, Henry Lenas and William Leteaman.

In the draft of September 22, 1864, the following citizens of the Third and Seventh Wards of Watertown (the First, Second, Fourth. Fifth and Sixth Wards having filled their respective quotas by enlistment) were drawn :

On October 15, 1864, a supplemental draft was made in the Seventb Ward, as follows : John McGoldrich, Peter J. Messic, Livingtone Stevens, Thomas Aplit, John McDonald, Christian Clarkin, Barney Cohoe, Luke Butler, Sylvester Coy, Amos P. Wood, Frank Coshern, August Nook, John Dwire, Philip Wright, Joseph Wood, Isaac Smith, John Sprague, John O'Connell, Samuel Rusten and John Frail.

It was announced that supplemental drafts would be made in every subdistrict until the full quota of each was full. "If those first drawn run away or are rejected, this process will go on indetinitely."

Accordingly, a supplemental draft was made of the town of Watertown, as follows : Charles Lamkee, John Owen, James Lavy, Francis Wegner, Frederick Ashereen, Hermann Schroeder, Frederick Trachte, Alanson H. McMillan, Ludowig Cordes. Ernest Barrand, Henry Krammy. Thomas Sloan. Frederick Deitzel, Gottlieb Halkney, Ferdinand L^lealt, John Buck, Joshua Newma^i, Timothy Daly. Frederick Rowe, Gotifield Riochley, John Hughes, August Neno, Richard Shinnick and Talbert Bailey.

Elections were held in the first four wards of Watertown February 13, for the purpose of voting bounties to aid in filling their quotas, at which Commissioners were also chosen to carry the object into effect. The result was :

First Ward (amount to be raised |5,000) - H. Barber, Jr., J. T. Moak and G. Werlich were chosen Commissioners. The vote for the tax was 92 ; against, 5.

April 30, 1865, the draft in the Seventh Ward took place, with the following result : Thomas Shelcox, William Spencer, Philip Wright, Osburn Bradberry, William McLaughlin, Ulrich Haushur, John Crowley and Winthrop Greene.

Happily the services of the foregoing "victims" of this last draft were not needed. The capitulation of Vicksburg, the fiill of Richmond, and the subsequent capture of Jeff Davis spared them to their homes and the pursuit of wealth and happiness.

Scraps of War History. - following are a few of the minor events connected with the war history of Watertown. They will recall many recollections of the " times that tried men's souls," during the great rebellion, and the whole must prove a valuable record in the annals of that bloody strife :

1861, April. - A company of Minnesota militia passed through the city, en route for the field of conflict. This seemingly insignificant incident gave a wonderful impetus to the patriotic feelings of the citizens. A public meeting held for the purpose of raising funds to provide for the families of those who enlisted in the service of their country; Mayor Williams presided. CarlSchurz (now Secretary of the Interior), State Senator Gill and Hiram Barber were among the speakers. Unbounded enthusiasm. Brig. Gen. Luther A. Cole. Second Brigade Wisconsin Militia, organized his staff as follows : Maj. Enos Salsich, Aid ; Mai. Hiram W. Blanchard, Brigade Inspector; Maj. Myron B. Williams, Judge Advocate; Maj. William G. Wedemeyer, Engineer in Chief; Maj. Hiram Barber, Paymaster; Maj. Charles Wood, Quarteripaster ; Maj. Ira Leonard, Commissary ; Maj. W. C. Spalding, Surgeon; Capt. and Rev. J. J. Mclntyre, Chaplain. Master Willie Dennis frightened his parents almost to distraction by climbing to the top of his father's house and nailing the Stars and Stripes to the gable end.

May. - Employes of the Milwaukee i.*c Western Railroad Company raised a flag-staff, 100 feet in lengtli, near their machine sliops, and unfiirleil from its top a beautiful banner, 30x18 feet in size. A committee of ladies - Mrs. J. T. Moak, Mrs. James Tremain and Miss Susan Hartley, drew the starry emblem to its lofty position, at the same time singing the " Star Spangled Banner," amid deafening cheers.

June. - Ladies of Watertown make 500 flannel shirts, at the request of Gov. Randall, to be distributed among the Wisconsin volunteers. Tiie task was completed in five days, and the garments sent to the Governor ready for use. Bibles purchased by citizens and presented to Watertown's patriotic sons.