La Crosse County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1881 (part 11 of 16)

Sec. 22'.i0. No wdl, or any j.art thrrei.f, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, canceling or obliterating the sanies with tiie intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some pers.Jn in his pre-eiiee, and by his direction, or by some other wdl or codicil in writing, executed as i.rescribed in this ebapter," or by some other writing, signed, atav-tcd and subscribed in the manner provided in tins eiiaiiter. i'^n- the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing contained in this section sh:dl prevent the revocation imjilied by law. from subsequent changes in the condition or circumstances of the testator. The j/ower to make a will imjdies the power to revoke the same.

OF THE ADOPTTOX OF CIITLDllEX. Sec. -11121. .\nv iuhahiianl of tlii^ State may ;.< titinii the CcHinty Court, in the county of his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birtli; but no such petition made by a married person shall be grant. 'd, miles'^ the husband or wife of the j^eiitioner shall join therein ; nor sliall any such petition be granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more, shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court.

Si'.c. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living parents of such child, unless the court shall find tliat one of the parents has abandoned the child, or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may be given by the parent, if any, haviniT the care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned the child, such consent may be given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child lias no guardian, such consent may be given by any of the next of kin of suoh child, residing in this State, or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be apj'oiiited by the couit.

2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent niay be given bv the mother, if she id living, and has not abandoned-such child.

Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall bo satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of sufficient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having reference to the degree and condition of it,5 parents, and that it is proper that such ad<i]ition shall take efl'ect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts tliat, from and after the date thi'v.'of, such child .'.^liali be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ; and by sucli order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption.

Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall he deemed for the purjioses of inheritance and succession by such child, cu.stody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption, anil all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born iti lawful wedlock of such parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property exjires>Iy limited to the heirs of the body of such parents.

The natural ]iarents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all leo-al rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of maintenance and obedience to sucli natural parents.

Interest

The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A hig!;er rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expi'cssed in writing. If a higher rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so jiaj-ing mav, by himself or his leiral representative, recover treble the am.junt so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10 }ier cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered.

Jurisdiction Of Courts

The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil ;ind crimiiial actions within their respective circuit.^, .<id)ject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court.

The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective counties, and shall have exclusive a[p]iellate jurisdiction in tlie coiuities of IJrown. Dodge. Fond du Lac, Milwaukee and Winuebago in all cases of ap]ieals from JusticfS of the Peace in civil aetions, aiid all ca.-^es commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there sluill be an aiiswt-r put in, showing that the title of lauds will come in question.

And such Courts shall iiave concin'rent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and ]>roceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the fallowing extent res]icciively :

Tlie County (jourt of Drown, when the value of the pro]ierty in controver.>y, after deducting all payments and set-ofl'>, shall iiot exceed five thousand doll.-irs.

They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where the value does not exceed the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annullment of marriage contract.

All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows:

All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record ; all county ofiicei's. Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated academies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferryman at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph operators and superintendents, conductors, cncjineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of ariy railruad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all jiersons more than sixty years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to disability ; all persoiis who have bt-en convicttd of any infimous crime, and all persons who have served at any regular term of the ('iicuit Court as a grand or petit jui'or within one year, except lie shall be suuimoned on a special venire or as a talesman.

Weights And Measures

Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties, the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows:

Fifty puunds for a bushel of green apples : fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flaxseed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for a bushel of rape .seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of barley ; f.irty-iive p'lnnds for a bu~hel of timothy seed ; forty-four pounds for a bushel of parsnips ; forty-two [lounds for a bushel of common fiat turnips ; thirty-two {lounds for a bushel of oats ; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches.

No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel other than the staiiihird weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the ofiender shall foifljit not less than five nor rnore than fifty dollars.

Damages For Trespass

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, tiirow down or injure any fence, hedge or wall inclo.>-ing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw down, injure, remoye or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, llower, grain or otiier vegetable production, or dig up, sever or carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building, signboard, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, sta*iding or being upon the land of another or held in trust, or who shall \Yillfully, maliciously ar wantonly cut down, root up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove, mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in anyliighway or public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscription thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument, erected or tree marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision thereof, or deface or obliterate aiiy figures, lettei's. device or inscription thereon, made for such purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp thereon, erected or being on anj' bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public ground, highw,>y, turnj)ike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such lamp-post, or tear, defice, mutilate oi- injure any book, map, pamphlet, chart, picture or other property belonging to any public library, or take and carry awa\^ the same with intent to convert to his own u«e, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be punished by imprisoiiiiicnt in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

Any person v.dio shall willfully, maliciously or vrantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by such animal ; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture, torment, cruelly beat or kill any such animal belonging to himself or anotlier, or being the owner or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

ESTRAYS. Xo stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a rt-?ident of the town in which it is found; nor unless it is I'ouiid ujion land owned or occupied by him. Every finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a iiotiee with the Town Clerk witlun ten davs, who shall transmit a co{>y thereof to the Countv Clerk.

If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a copy of such notice in two public places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, no shall publish such notice four successive weeks either in some newspaper piihlished in the county or in an adjoining county, if one be pu'ilisheJ nearer his residence tlian any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is published « ithin twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places in his county. Such notice siiall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and tlie time wlien such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publirrh as required, the finder shall be liable to double the amount of d-imngC'; sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or publiili for one year, tiie finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of the town, and the amount recovered to be addeii to the school fund of such town.

The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's office. The finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile necessarily traveled to make the same.

The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice is filed in the town Clerk's office, by proving tliat the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful charges incurred in relation to the same. If tlie owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges, either party, on notice to the other, may ap]ily to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who, for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, ami the amount found due, with the costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as provided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute proi)erty of such finder; but if tlie appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by the Sherifi' or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled to one-half the proceeils, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within ten days. If the findei' sliall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the value of such stray, to be recovered by the town.

If any jierson, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first payini; the lawful charges, he shall be lia.ble to the finder for tlie value of such stray. If the finder shall neglect to do any act ])rescribed above, he shall be jirecluded from acquiring any right in such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto.

The (Jverseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in tlieir respective villages, shall be Fence ^'iewers, and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers.

All I'eiices fuiir and a li.ilf fcct luL'h. and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, boards or stone walls, or any combination tliercof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and hedges oi- other thiii_s wliieli shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the Fence Viewers, witliin whose jurisdiction the same may be. shall be ileemed legal and sufiicient fences. Every partitinii of a fence, or line uponwhich a fence is to be built, made by the owners of the adjijining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence ^'iewers ill writing, under their hamU. after being recrded in the Town Clerk's ofiice. shall oblige such owners and tlicir heirs, as hmg as tliey remain owners, and after parting with the ownership, until a new partition is maile. A divisiun of a jmrtition fence, or line upon which a partition fence between adjoining land,-, shall be built, may be made bv Fence Viewers in the following case-; :

1. When any owner of nninclo-cd lands shall de\sire to inclose the same, he may have the line between his hmd and the adjoinii:g land i.f any other j/crson divided, and the portion upim which the respective owners sliall erect their siiare of the jiartition fence assigned, whether such adjoining land be incloscl or not.

~. \\ hen any lands belonging to difl'erent persons in severalty, shall have been occupied in comm.jii, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide with him the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of each assigned.

3. When any controversy shall ari-e about the rii^ht of the respective occupants in partition fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and the share of each assigned.

In eitiicr case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing under their hands,. divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his share thereof, and in the secona and third cases direct within what time each party shall build or repair his sliare oi'the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such decision in the Town Clerk's office. If citb.er party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his o\>-n part, build or repair such part, and recover doubb the expense thereof

AVhcre tlie whole or n greater share tlir.n beloni's to him has been built bv one of the occupants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall bo obliged to pay for his share of such fence.

Where tminclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half tlie partition fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant.

If any person sh;i11 determine no' to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining anv partition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants, he shall not be required to maintain any part of sucli fence during tlie time his lands shall lie open.

Landlord And Texant

, The common law right to destrain lor rent is aboli^lied. The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be aljsolutely void, and shall not in anywise effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made

3. To a. purchaser npon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lauds bv a conveyance thereof, after the period for redein})tion, if :iiiy. has expired. A tenancy, a will or sufferance may be determined liy the Imdlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant giving one month's notice of his intention to (piit. or if the terms of ]iavment are for less than a month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for nun-payment of rent, fourteen davs' notice to cjuit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by aiJixing the same in a conspicuous jKirt of the premise?, \\here it may lie convenieiuly read, and. at the cxpi- ^-atioa of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or maintain an action for the ri-covery of the possession thereof or pi-oceed in the manner prescribed by law to remove such ten.int without further or othernotice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter- .-nination to quit, the tjiiant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to double the rent agreel upon, to be collected the same as single rent.

Every Town Clerk shall, on applicatioa of any person rc-idiug in his town, record a desciiption of the marks ur brands with wliicli such p'-rson may be desirous of marking hi< hor.<e<, c.ittle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town, and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such offense 8-3 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense §10 ; and, if any person shall willfully destrov or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs of another, he shall forfeit §10, and pay to the party injured double damages.

Surveyoks And Surveys

The survtyor niiv app-iiit and remove tleputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with the County Clerk. He sliail be responsible on his bond for tlie faithful performance by every deputy of his duties.

(1.) To execute, him<i.iror by his dt-puty. any survey whi'ju may be required of him by order of court, or upon applicatiun of any inuividual or corporation.

(2.) To make a record of the [dat and fii-ld notes of each survey made by him or his deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of reference, and to file and preserve in his otFice tlie original field notes and calculations thereof.

(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his office ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to his successor in othce.

(o.) To administer to every chainnian a-.i'l marker assisting in any survey, before commencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation fiiithfully and impartially to discharge-tlie duties of chainnian or marker, as the case maybe; and tlie surveyor and his deputies are empowered to administer the same.

The surveyor and his dejjuties may demand and receive the following fees, except it be otherwise agreed upon with the parties empluving them, to wit:

Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows:

The father, mother and children, being of sullicicnt ability, of any poor person, who is blind, old, lame, impotent or decrcfiit. so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be a])proved by the Super visors of the town wliere such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do, the Su[iervisors shall apply to the County .Judge for an order to compel such relief

Abstract Of Lam'S Married Women

In Wisconsin, tlie marriage of a femmc sole, executrix or administratrix, extinguishes her authority; and of a female ward, terminates" the guanhanship as to custody of person, but not as to estate. The liuslpand hohls his deceased wife's lands fur life, unless she left, by a former husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisiotis exist, by which powers may be given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judgment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action for ejectment aftijr his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and personal property of those after February 21, 1S50, remain their separate property. And any married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any }iroperty as if unmarried. She may insure the life of her husband, son. or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit. The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit. Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of the wife are her separate property, and she may sue. and be sued alone, in regard to the same. She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release her dower in any lands which Jier husband has conveyed.

If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the fimily, and for which he. is liable.

The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them himself; and he continues so liable, if he tarns her out of his house, or otherwise separates himself from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if slie deserts him (unless on extreme provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her : bnt what the misconduct must be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency.

If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and rti)resents her to be so, he is responsible, the same as if she were his wile, even if it is known that sue is not his wife.

All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prosecuted in the name of the real jiarty in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered within twenty doys.

Arrest

Defendant may be arrested: 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for injury to the person or character, or for injury to. or wrong taking, detaining or converting property, or in an action to recover damages for projiortv taken under fiilse pretenses.

2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied by a ]iublic officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corporation as such, or fictor agent or broker, or fur misconduct or neglect in official or professional empluyment.

4. AVIiere the defendant \v;is ;::uilt_v of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or disposing of the property for the talking, detaining or disposing of uhich the action is brought.

Attachment

is allowed on an affidavit on belialf of the creditor, tliat he bedieves that any third jierson (naming him) has projjerty effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execution, on a .similar affidavit.

Judgment

is a lien on real estate in the county renderel from the diate of docketing, and in other counties from th<: tunc of filing a transcript, and tlie lien C'^>iitinucs for ten years. It bears intere.--t at 7 per cent, or as high as 1'") per cent if stipulated for in the contract.

Stay Laws

On sums not exceeding -^'lO. exclu-ive of costs, one month; between §10 and §llO, two months: between §30 and $oU, three ir.ontlH : over S-30, four months.

A homesteiid not exceeding f >rty acre^ used for agriculture and a residence, and not included in a town plat or a city or vill.ije : or. instead, one-ipiarier of an acre in a recorded town ]»Iat, city or vilhi-e. Alsc. 1. Eaunly i^liide : 2. Eainily pietures and -elirH.l-books : ?., Private library: 4, >eat or pev, in church: .',. lught of burial: G. Wearing-apparel, beds, bedsteads and bedding, kep't and u-ed in the family, stoves and appurtenances, ]iut up and used, co.iking utensils and houselnpld furniture to tiie value of §200, one iruii, rifle or fire-arm to the value of §.30 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool tlierefrom, necessary food for exempt fir one year. ])rovided or iirowing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleiirh, one plo^w, one ilrag and other farm utensi!-. including tackle for the teams to the value of S.jO ; 8, .Provisions and fuel for the family for one year ; tl. Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding §200 in value, library and implements of a professional man to tlie value of S-00 ; V), Money arising from insurance of exempt property destroyed by fire ; 11, Inventions for debts against tlio inventor; 12, Sewing-macliines ; 13. Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State; 14, Printingmaterial and presses to the value of §1.500 ; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for family support for si.xty days previous to issuing process.

Limitations Of Actions

- Eeal actions,^tu'e7Ui/2/''T's : persons und(:r disabilities, five years after removal of the same. Judgments of Courts of I'lOeord of the State of Wisconsin and scaled instruments when the cause accrues -within tlio Siatc, twenty yrars. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities other than penalties and forfeitures, tresjiass on real property, trover detinue and replevin, six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners end Constables, for acts done in their cfficial capacity, e.\copt for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander, assault, battery and fiilse imprisonment, t'co years. Actions against Sherifl's, etc., for escapes, o}ie year. Persons under disabilities, except infints, may bring action afrer the disability ceases, providid the jioriod is not extended more than///'*; 2/ertrs, and infants one yeur ahev cording of age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, o»e 7/63'' from deuih; against the same, one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise mu^t be in

Commercial Terms

((?, - Stands for at or to: lb for ]>ound3, and bbl. f'U- barrels; %1 for per, or by the. Thus ; Butter sells at 20faoUc \'^ lb. and Flour at SSf" 12 "j-f bbl. % for per cent., and £ for numbers.

May 1. Wlieat sells at .§1.20,''', §1.2.5, " si !lcr June." ,S't7/i;/- J;/ /(c means that the person sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June.

Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at; a fixed price, -within a certuin length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the person selling s^iort to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he m.iy buy and fdl his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts" are termed '-bears."

Buying lotoj is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of graiti or shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by tlie rise in prices. The " longs " are termed -" Inills," as it is for their interest to " operate " so as to toss " the prices ujiward as much as p'.'ssible.

Suggestions To Those Purchasing Rooks By Subscription

The business of jmblishing buoks by subscription having so often been brought into disrepute by agents making rc])resent;ition3 and declarations not auili"n7,ed by tlie publislicr, in ordt-r I'j ](rcvent that as much as ]iossible, ami that tliere may be more general knowledge of the rehitiiju such aiients bear to tiieir iirinciinil, and tlie law "-overnini: saclt cases, the followini:

A subscripticiu is in the natui-e of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber agrees to ]ja_v a certain sum fbr the work deseribed; the Ciiusid'tatinn is cc-nciirrent tliat the publislier sliall [)ubli-h tb.-' buok named, and dclivur the same, for which the subscriber is to jny the price named. The nature and ciiaracter of the work is described by the prospectus and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, wlio is merely employed to soli-it subscriptions, for wiiicii he is usually paid a commission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which the subscrijttions are authorized to be made by the publisho'. Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or cliange the agreement of the publisher, as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should see that such condition or ch->.ngcs arc stated over or in connection vith his signature, so that the jmblisher may have notice of the same.

All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business, should remember that 'the law as written is. that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contemplating subscribing sliould distinctly understand that all talk before or after the subscrijuion is made, is iiut admissible ns evidence, and is no part of the contract

Persons cniploj'ed to solicit subscriptions iire known to the trade a? canvassers. They are agents a])pointed to do a ])articulur busine.;:- in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to tlte prejudice of their principal, nor can tliey bind their principal in any other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be mode ip anxthing else but money. They cannot e.xtcTid the time of payment beyond the time of deli.ery. nor bind tlieir principal fur the payment of expenses incurred in their business.

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing their names to any subscrijition bi.iok. or any wi-irieu instrument. wouM examine carefully what it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some cue disinterested wlio can.

Wf, the. People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ; in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect r/ovei-nment, insure domestic tranquillitt/, and promote the general vjelfare, do establish this Constitution.

Declaration Of Rights

Section 1.' All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights.

Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one shall bo twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to bo a witness against himself Every one slial! have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of habeas corpus sliall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion.

Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime.

Sectiox 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of Illinois, runs witli the boundary lino of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to the mouth of the ^lepominie Iliver: up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule; along the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of tlit^ Desert: thence in a direct line to the head of Montreal River; down the main channel of that stream to tiie middle of Lake Superior; thence througli the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River: up the channel of that stream to the first rapids; thence due south to tlie main branch of the St. Croix; down that river and the ]\li.ssissippi to the northwest corner of Illinois; thence due ea^t with the northern boundary of that State to the place of beginninrr.

Sectiox 1. The ijualifif'd electors are all male persons twentv-one years of age or upward, who are(l.) white citizens of the Uiiited States; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that have declared their intentions, according to law. to become citizen^ ; (3) who are persons of In ban blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any tribe.

Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non conijnis mentis or insane, and those convicted of treasc'n and felony and not pardoned, are not cjualified electors.

Sec. G. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infaruous crime, or those who bet on elections, may bo excluded by law from the right of suli'rage.

Sec. 2. Mcudjers of the Assetubly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the members of the Assembly.

Sec. o. Census shall be taken, every ti^n year?, of the inhabitanis of the .State, beginning with IS.J.5, when a n-cw apjiortionment of members of the Senate and. Assembly shall be made; also, after each United States census.

Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of tlie peace, members are privileged fiom arrest in all cases; nor subject to any civil proce,-s during a session.

Sec. 17. Tbe style of all laws shall be, '- The people of the State of "Wisconsin represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : "

Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and fifty dollars and ten cents ibr each mile traveled in going to and returning frotu the seat of governuientj. As amended in ISiJT.

Sec. 22. Hoards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature.

Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his teriu of office.

Sec. Z\. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another; (2) for laying out, opening or altering highways, except in certain cases; (u) for authorizing persons to keep ferries; (4) for authorizing the sale of tlie property of minors; (5) for locating a county seat ; (G) for assessment of taxes ; (7) fur granting corporate )iowcrs, except to cities; (S) for ap]iortioning any part of the school fund; and (9) for incorporating any tONvii or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added by amendment, in 1S71.

Sec. 32. [General law.^ shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1S71.

SrcTiox 1. The executive power shall he vested in a Governor, who shall hold 'nis office two years. A Lieutenant Governor .sliall he elected at the same time and for the same . erm.

Sec. 4. The Governor shall be (1) commanJcr-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the State; (2) he has. power to convene the Legislature in e.xtra session ; (3) he shall communicate to the Legislature all necessary informatinn; |4) he shall transact all necessary business with the ofiicers of the State ; and (Cj) shall expedite all legislative measures, and see that th^ laws are faithfully executed.

Sec. T. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any cause, the executive office is vacated by the Governor.

Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall l^e President of the Senate. The Secretary of State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are incapacitated from any causes to fill the executive office.

Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before they become laws. Bills returned by the <Jovernor witliout his signatare may become laws by agreeiuent of two-tliuvls of the members present in each house.

Section 1. A Secretary of State. Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the times and places of choosing membeis of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices for two years.

Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature and Executive Department. He shall bo ex officio Au'litor.

Section- 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not extend bu'ther than removal from ofiice; but the person impeaclied shall be liable to indictment, trial and jiunishmetit. according to law.

Si:c. 2. The judicial power of tiic State is ve-ted in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, Court-; of Probate, and in Justices of the Peace. Munir-ipal courts, also, may be authorized.

Sec. :j. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdicliori only. Trial by jury is not albavijil in any case. The Court shall lia\e a general superintending control over inferior courts, aihl ])owfr to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo vrarranto, certiorari, and other original and remedial writs.

Sec. 4. [The Supreme Court shnll consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associato Justices, each for the term often years.] As amended in ISiT.

Sec. 8. The Circuit Courts ^hall liave orioinal jurisdiction in all matters civil and criminal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prolubited hereafter by law, and appellate jurisdiction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their order.^ and judgments into eflect.

Sec. 9. Vacancies in the r.fnce of Supreme or Circuit Judge shall be fdled by the Governor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or after said electiori.

Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during the term for which they are respectively elected. Eafh Judge shall be a citizen of the United States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen.

Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Ciicuit Court shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial purposes.

Sec. 12. 'i'liere shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk.

Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from ofiice by vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly.

Sec. 15. .Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the se\eral towns, villages and cities of the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years. Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law.

Sec. it. The style of all writs and process shall be '" The State of Wisconsin." Criminal prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State: and all indictments shall conclude against the peace and dignity of tb.e same.

Sec. 18. A tax shall be iiii]iosed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall constitute a fund, to be applied toward tli'^ payment of the salarv of Judges.

Sec. 21. Siitute laws and such jutlicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be published. 2so general law shall b'' m Ibrce until published.

Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide fir the apijointmeiit of three Commissioners to revise ilic rules of practice in the several (>jurts of Record in the State.

Sec. 20. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more jiersons in each organized county of tlie State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers.

Finance

Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasnry'cxcept in pursuance of an appropriation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having accrued.] A.? amended in If^TT.

Section 1. The supervision of public instruetion shall be vested in a State Superintemlciit and such other ofiicfrs a-; the Le^'i-latiiiu shall direct. 'J"he annual compensation of the State Superintendent shall not exceed t^che hundred dollars.

Sec 2. The schni.l iund to supjiMit ai.d. maintain common schools, academies and normal schools, and to i.iircha>e aiipaiaiu- and libraries therefor, shall be created out of (1) the proceeds of lands from the I'mted States; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats; (o) out of moneys jjaid as exemptions iV"m military duty; (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal laws; outof any grant tn the State wheie the juirposes of such grant are not specified; (6) out of the jiroceeds of the sale of five hundie<l thousand acres of land granted by Congress SeptendnT 14, 1S41 ; and |7] cut (jf the five p.a- ceiitum of the net proceeds of the ]iiiblic lands to which the State shall liecoine entitled on her a(linis>iou into the Unitm (if Congress shall consent to such appiopi iatioii <if the {wd giants last mentioned.)

Si:r. r,. District sde. .Is shall be ..-lablidied by law which shall .be free to all children between the ages of four and tv.diiy _\iar>. No sectarian in.-tracli( ii shall be allowed thertin.

Sec. 4. Each town and city .-hall ral-e for coiinnon schools therein by taxation asum equal to onc-lialf the amount received from the bcliuol lund of the State.

Constititiox Of The State Of Wiscoxsix

Sec. 5. Provisions shnll be maile by law for the distribution of the income of the school fiinil among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year.

Skc. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General sliall constitute a Board of Cominissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds thereof.

Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide..

Sectiox 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but shall nut bo created by 'special act, e.\cc]it fur municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws.

Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by law so as to [irevent abuses. [Xo county, city, town, village,' sclinol district, or other municipal corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable projierty therein.] As amended in ls'i4.

Sec. ,"). The question of '' bank '' or "no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in fivor of banks, the Legislature shall have power to grant bank char crs, or pass a general banking law.

Section 1. Auu-ndmcnts to the Constitution may be projiosed in cither house of the Legislature, and referred to the next Legislature and published for three months previous. If agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or aniendnuiits shall submit them to the vote of the people; and if the people shall approve and i-atify such amendment or amcnduierits, the}' shall become a part of the Constitution.

Sec. 2. Jf a convention to revise or, change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the next general election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide f^r the same.

Section 1. The political year for "Wisconsin shall connnence on the first Monday in January in each year. General elections shall be 1. olden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in X^ovcniber.

Sec. 3. United States oilicers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to office in this State.

Skc. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor (except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby.

Sec. 6. Elective ofiicers of tlic Lec;islature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a Chief Clerk, .^nd a SergeuTit-at-Arnis. to be elected by each House.

Sec. 7. No county ^ith an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided, without submitting the (|uestion to the vote of the ])eo[ile of the county.

Sec. S. [The Legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws, fir locating or changini: anvi^nnntv seat.] See amendment ad^ipted in 1S71, as Sec. 31 (Subilivision 5] of Art. lY.

Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed vacant, and also the manner of fdling the vacancy, wliere no provision is made for that purpose in this Constitution.

Section 1. All rights under the Territorial goverrfinent are continued under the State government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union.

Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of AVisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution shall remain in fyce until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed.

Sec. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property sliull pass to and be vested in the State. Criminal prosecutions, ofien--es committed ugainsc the lau^, and all actions at law and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the State.

Sec. 5. Officers holding under authority of the L^nited States or of the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority.

Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of government until otherwise j)rovided by law.

Sec. 7. Existing county and tov.n officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices.

Sec. S. a copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United States to be laiil befuie Congress at its pro-ent sessidii.

Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of tiic people for ratification or rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held ibr Governor, Lieutenaiit Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legislature and members of (^ingress, on the second Monday of ]\Liy next.

Sec. 11. Tlu' several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted accordinrr to the existitig law'- of the Territory of AViscunsin.

Se<\ l-j. The common law in t'orce in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature.

Sec. 14. The Soiuitors first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor, Lieurenant Governor and other State ofiicers first elected under tliis Constitution, shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of .Tune next, and hold their offices for one year from tlie first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the iiicinbers of the Asi=eniMy first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and continue in ofliee until the first Monday m January next.

Wo, the undersigned, metiihcrs of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of AVisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adojited by the Convention.

\Ve, the people of tlic United States, in order to form a viorc perfect unioHy establish justice, insure domestic iranijuiiUty, provide for the coinraon defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the llrssin^/s of Uh,.rti/ to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for tlic United States of America.

Article

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Itepresentatives.

Skc. 2. The House of iicprcsentative.'? shall be cimposed of members chosen every second year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.

Representatives must be twcnty-fi\e years of age. and must have been seven years citizens of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be cliosen.

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to population, which shall be determined l.iy adding to the whole number of free persons, including apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fiftlis of all other per.sons. The enumeration shall bo made within thn-e yi'ars af;rr the first meeting nf Congre<-. and every ten years thereafter in such manner as Congre-s sliall bv law direct. States shall have one Re]iresentative only fur each thirty thuu-and, but eaeli State shall have at least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made. New ilampshire shall choose three; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode Island, one; (,'onni'ctiei;;, five; Xm ^'ork, six ; New Jersev, four ; i-*ennsylvania, eight ; Delaw.ire, one; Maryland, .--ix ; \'ii'gliiia, ten; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, fi»"e, and (icorgia, tliree.

Skc. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, clioscn by the Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator shall have one vote.

Senators shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem- Iding, in conseipience of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expiration of the sccoml year; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any .State nuiy be fiUeiJ^by temporai'v ap[juintuients of the Executive until the next meeting of the Legislature.

All Senators shtill have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years citizens of the United States, ninl shall he inh-ibitants of the State for which they siiall be chosen.

The Senate shall choose their other oflRcers. and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the ^'ice President, or when l;e shall exercise the office of President,

The Senate shall have the sob; powtT to try inipeachments, When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice sliall preside, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be iieccssarv to conviction.

Judgment ''". cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disijualification to hold any office under tlie United Statt-s ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial and punisiiment according to law.

Sec. 4. Tlie Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places an.! manner of holding elections for Senators and Representative-, but Congress may make or alter such rculations, except as to the place of choosing Senators.

Skc. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majonty of tach sh.-iU constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, umler penalties.

Each IldU-o .-iKdl keep a journal, which shall be publisheil at tlieir discretion, and one-fifth of those present may require tlie yeas and nays to be entered on tlie journal.

Xeither House shall adj.iurn f u- ni'irc than tlirue days without the consent of the other, nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting.

Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representa-tives shall be fixed by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from aricst during attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except fir trea.son, felony and breach of the peace, and shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or deflate in either House.

2so Senator or Representative shall, during the time fir which In' was elected, be appointed to any tivil office under the United States wliich shall have been created or the enmlunienlwhereof shall have been increased during such tinn-; and im pcrs.m holding otlire under the Lnited States .shall be a member of cither House during his cnntiiiuance m office.

Every bill passed by the House of Rejiresentatives and the Senate shall, bef ne it l.iecomes a law, bo presented to the President; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, vritli his objections, to that House in whicli it originated, wlio shall enter the objections on their journal ami proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if ajiproved by twothirds of tliat House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall liave been presented to him, shall be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in case it shall not be a lav.-.

Every order, resolution or vote requii'ing the concurrence of tlie Senate and House of Representatives (except a question of adjournment), shall be approved b\' the President before taking effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House, as in the case of a bill.

To lay and collect ta.xes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout tlie United States;

To promote the progress of science and usfful arts, by securing for limited times to auth.ors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining tlie militia, and for governing such parts of them as may be employed in the service of the United States - the several States to appoint the officers auil to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive legislation, in all oases, over the seat of Government, and over all forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards and other needful buildings; and

To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all jiowers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or ollicer thereof

Sec. 0. Foreign immigration or the impoi-tation of slaves into the States shall not be prohibited by Congress prior to the year one tlmusand eiirht iiundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed not excee<ling ten dollars f^r e.ie'h person ~ii impijrteil.

No tax or duty shal! be laid on articles exported from any State obhgano,! of contract., or ^rant anv title of nobility ^ ^^' "' ^""^ tiie

Sec. 2. The President slinll ho the C"inmandcr-in-Cliief of the army and navy of the United State.=;, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual service uf the United States; lie niay rei[aive the written opinion of the principal officers of the several e.xecutive departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses aL'^ainst the T nited States, except in cases of iinpeaclunent.

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of tlio Senators jiresent concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, Judges of tlie Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for; but Congress may vest the appointment of inferior otiicers in the President alone, in the courts of law. or in the heads of departments.

The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, bv granting commission^; which shall expire at the emi of their next session.

lie shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend measures to their consideration ; he may. on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them a.s to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; lie shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

Sec. 4, The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on imiieachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or otlier liigli crimes and misdemeanors.

Section' 1. The judicial power of the Uuit'jd States shnll be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in ofliee.

Sec. 2. The judicial power sliall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which tlie T'nited States shall he a party; controversies between two or more States ; between a State and citizens of another State: between citizen^ of dilVerent State? ; between citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof and f ireign States, citizens or subjects.

In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, tlie Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all otlier casrs mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regulations made by Congress.

All crimes, exi^cpt in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where the crime was committed ; but Congre-s shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed witliin any State.

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levyiii:; war against tlir-m, or in adhering to their enemies, giviii;r thi.-m aid and comfort. N..i person shall be convicted of treason unlc.-s on tlie testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Congress shall liave power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason bhall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, e.xoopt during the life of the person attainted.

Section 1. Each State shah. givoTull faith and credit to the public acts, record^ and judicial pniceedings of every other State, ami C'ongress may prescrilio the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, ami the effect thereof.

Fugitives fVoiu justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Executive, he delivered up aiid removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.

^<o person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in conseipience of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.

Si:c. -'!. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed within the jurisdiction of any otiier State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, witliout the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as \w\\ as of Congress.

Congress shall Ifave power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other ]iroperty Itelonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constituthui shall be construed to prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State.

Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be pr^itectcd against invasion ; and on an ajiplication of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legislature cannot bo convened), against domestic vi(.ilence.

Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Ileiuses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on applieation of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several States, sh.all I'all a convention for pri.)|)osiiig amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of th(^ several States, -or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratilieatiou may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made pr.or to the year one tliousand eight hundred and eieht shall in any manner aflect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of tlie first article; and that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suftrage in the Senate.

This Constitution and the laws of the United States maile in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made under the authority of tlie United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby; anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

Senators and ilepresentatives, members (jf the several State Legislatures, and all executi\e and judicial o'lieers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to supjiort this Constitution ; but no religious lest shall ever be required as a qualification to any olilce or public trust undi/r the United States.

The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sulTicieiit for the establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.

DoXK in convention by the unanimous consent of the States piesent, the seventeenth day of Septomber, in the year of our Lord one tliou^^and s.-ven hundrcil and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelt'th.

Geokoe Wasiiixgtox

Congress shall nvdko no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of spoerli or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and t^) pctitiun the Govei'iiment fir a redress of grievances.

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people tu keep and beai- ai'ius shall not be infringed.

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be ([uartei'cil in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of wai', but in a manner to he prescribed by law-.

1'he right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be viohxted. and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supp(/rted by oath or nilinnation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

No person shall be lield to answer for any infunous crime unless on an imlictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in- tlie militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeojiardy of life or limb fur the same ofi'ensc ; nur shall he be cunipelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against liimself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or jiropcrty without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for uublic use without ju>t compensation.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and to be inf)rmed of the nature ami cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him : to have compulsury pr^icess for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance uf counsel for his defense.

In suits at comiiKHi law. when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury .^liall \iv pre-crved. and no fact tried by a jury sliall be otherwise re-examined in any i-ourt of the I'nited ."^tates than according to the rules of the common law.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people.

Article XI. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity corumenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State.

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one of whom, at lea>t. shall nut be an inhabitant of the same State ts'ith tiiesselves ; distinct ballots shall be made f'lr President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit sealed to tlie seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted; the person having the greatest number of votes for President shall be President, if such number be ii majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding three on the list of those voted fur as President, the House of Kepresentatives shall choose immediately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by States, each State having one vote ; a (pioruiu foi- this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. Tlie person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose tlic Vice President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall he neeessavv tu a choice. Put no person ineligible to tlie office of President shall be eligible to that of \'ice President of the Uniteii States.

Section 1. Neither slaverv nor involuntarv servitude, e\'''ept as a punishment for crime whereof tiie ]):ntv shall have been dulv convicted, sliall exist witliin the Lnited States, or any place subject tu their juri^dit'tion.

Section' 1. All persons Ijorn ur naturali/.i'.l in the United Suites, or subj'ect to the jurisdiction tlioreof, are citizens of tlio United Srate^. and wf the St:ite wherein they reside. No Slate shall make' or enforce any lawwhicii slrdl aljndge the pri v-ileLTes or imiuunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population, counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote is denied to any of the male inliabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twentyone years of age in such State.

Sec. o. iS'o peiion shall hold any office under the United States or under any State, who having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of twothirds of each House, remove such disability.

Six. 4. The validity of t!;e public dfbt of the United States, including pensions and bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

SiXTiox 1. The right of citizens to vote sliull not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on nceount of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

yote. - The Republican or Peaiocratic majority in ench county is given :is between Smith and Mallorv, Greenback majority is only given when tlie vote for Allis eiceeJs the others, and is takeu from the highest vote.

Geological Formatiox Of The Keoion

The geological formations of La Crnsse County are substantially tlie same as in tlie adjoining counties of Vernon, Monroe aiul Trempealeau. Wliere the blutVs arise over four hundred and five hundred feet above the level of the Mississippi and Black Rivers, the upper layer of rock is limestone, often of a thickness of fifty to si.xty feet. Below the limestone and -ivherever it is absent on account of the incisions in the bluffs, Potsdam sandstone' makes its appearance, more or less impregnated with lime, of greater or less hardness, and consisting of horizontal layers of various thickness ami of a volume of from four to five hundred feet, according to the elevation of the bluffs. There is a total ab5enee of other intermixtures to this and the limestone formation, except that the former is often of brownish color from oxide of iron or ochre. On many places, especially where the bluft" incisions are low, as for instance, at the mouth of State Road Cooley, the lower base of the I'otsdam sandstone is visible, and underneath a layer of caolnr of greater or lesser thickness appears, often as hiose sand, and often as an easy crumbling, soft rock, mostly of a glittering white, sometimes of a dirty yellowish-white color. Granite, which, by the geological rules, should underlay this, is, according to our observations, not to be found in the county. It is not unlikely that in some places Niagara shale underlies the rot>,diiin sandstone, as may be observed in the corresponding bluff' jiarts on the Minnesota side, for instance, at Dre.^bach extending out to the surface of the Mississijtjii.

All the above formations appear in liorizontal layers and belong to the old Silurian system. In many places of the county, especially in the towns of Hamilton, Barre, ]?angor. Burns, etc., petrefactions are imbedded in the Potsdam sandstone, which, with the stone itself, are of the Silurian period. In the lowest strata there are found the little shells " Lingula prima " and " antiqua," as remnants of the most ancient animal creation, whilst in the upper layers of Potsdam sandstone shells of the higher order and tribolites abound. Probably, remains of rhizopods, corals, crinoids, fishes, etc., of the Silurian period are imbedded here, though we have thus far not succeeded in finding any.

It is thus apparent that the geological formation of La Crosse County consists of sediment from the ocean that once covered the Isortli American Continent, or the greater part of t!;e same. Indications of the friction of moving ice masses upon tlie rocks, which are so frequent iu the State of Wisconsin, are scarcely visible in La Crosse County ; but we have found large and small loose 8tone.s .that bear tlrose marks, of which, however, it is difricult to say whether they belonged to the finding-place at the time of the ice period, or whether they were carried there by earlier or later ice or water-floods. Petrified trunks and branches of trees, that are found on the tops of our blutl's and even in the valleys, were undoubtedly brought there by the Northern flood, the same as the many inflated, bubble-like but almost porphyry-hard stone formations that are numerously deposited in some places, whilst those of the shape of fungi, that are found in smaller and larger dimerisions, have developed in the wav of stalactites' at their finding-places, and, like the f)rmer, consist mainly of silicate of lime. Remarkable objects are the hollow balls' of stone (quartz nodules) of from six to twelve inches diameter, that are found mostly in the upper layers of the Potsdam sandstone, are easily detached from the stone, and are closely covered on their inner walls with colorless crystals. Along some of the bluffs, especially along the bluft'-line at the mouth of Mormon Goolev, in the town of Shelby, there have been found cubiform crystallized groups of pure lead, and it seemed to appear that they had rolled down from the adjacent hill. Recently an enterprising citizen, at the State Road Cooley, in the town of Shelby, has dug a sloping shaft, close to the road ascending to St. Joseph's Ridge, into the blufls, expecting to find copper. Among dift'erent materials without value, he has struck a bed of sandy marl of greenisliblue color similar to malachite, but which did not staml the copper test of our chemist, Mr. L. Runckel. It is not impossible, yea, very probable, that at some places in La Crosse County, smaller or larger masses of less precious ore may be found ; but it is unlikely that, according to the geological formations, they would be remunerative. P.ut the Potsdatn sandstone, especially the upper beds that are more or less impregnated with lime, yield an excellent reddi«h-brown, bluish-gray or whitish-gray fine-kerncleil building stone.

The geological rock formations of La Crosse County and the adjacent counties on the Wisconsin side, as well as in Minnesota, at the time of their being covered by the ocean, consisted of one horizontal, coherent plane that was torn up by the ibrce of the departing waters. 'J'he immense detrition consequent thereof has partly been carried south, ami partly forms the valley bottoms. Tlie extensive deposits of sand along the rivers, especially the Mississippi and Rlack Rivers, often of a thickness of one hundred feet and more, are the results of this flood and the crushing of the sandstone. Even to-day the washing and working of the southward flowing waves is easily perceptible at dift'erent elevations of the perpendicular precipices of the Potsdam sandstone and the limestone surfaces on the Wisconsin as well as on the ^linnesota side, ao'l, in some instances, the washings are ])articularly distinct, as, for instance, on the perjicndicularly ascending i;hiir ill the rear of Wyle's farm and further south in the town of Bergen, Vernon County.

The violent j>ower of the waters in the ancient Silurian period, in their grand process of demolijliing rock and carrying oft" the detritus, has, in the course of time, formed the orographic relief of the earth's surface, and tlie hydrographic order of flowing waters and small lakes of our lamlscaiie. The ])resumption of a creation of our territorial picture by a momentary dictate, or even during a process of a few years' duration, must wane before the forum of geological science. It is more obvious and natural that, after the great flow of waters, a coarse impression of the present landscape was left behind, whicli. in the course of time, gradually molded itself in its present form. The original flow of the Silurian waters, with its efl"ects, has, no doubt, concentrated itself in the ilirection of the present Mississipjii Valley, and unfolded its mighty powers in the direction from north to south. The currents from the side valleys, and their smaller tributaries, especially in the territories of the Chippewa, Eaii Claire, Beef, Trempealeau, Black and La Crosse Rivers on the east, and of Pine Creek, Root River and Crooked Creek, on the west side of the main valley, no doubt followed the main stream and were au.xiliary in its formations, whilst within their ow n ])rovince3 they achieved similar orographic objects in a smaller measure, Tlie landscape must have ajiiieared monotonous and melancholy after the drain. Bald, rocky bluffs, and barren, desolate. sto!iy vallevs, made their appearance, large ami small channels were filled with water, and before tliey found their regular beds lakes must have formed, and the water must have moved on over cascades and falls. The marine animals and plants that were not destroyed or carried otf bv the fl'wd remained to enliven the lakes and rivers. But no plant and no animal vivified the air or land, no human eye couhl perceive the disconsolate desert, for man did not then exist.

Tlip rock of tlic Silurian svsteni. is tliat of our country, is the oklcst rock formation that has been built up by sediuiciits of the ocean upon the [iriniitive r^jck. At that time, the temperature of the water and air was incomparably hiiiher than at present, the same as that of our globe itself. The evaporations of the water from the barren earth must consequently have been very rapid and voluminous, and the rainfalls immense; we will not call thetn deluges, because there were no sinners yet to drown. There were no grass plains, no brush, no f jrests yet to stop tlie colossal rain-streams ru,~hing down liills and dales in their course. The rough, bare stone plateaus were at the mercy of the rapid streams ; the surfaces of the bluffs were gradually waslicd off; the intervening large and small valleys were washed out, their surfices smoothened, their beds decpcncil and transfornud into regular stream channels, until the landscape assumed the orogi'ajdiic foini and system of the present time.

There was undoubtedly a period when the waters on the North American continent, as well as on the whole globe, wcie a torpid mass of ice - it was the so-called Ice Period, and before the revolution above described. The movements of the ice masses upon the rocks and of the glaciers left their distitict grinding marks ia the direction of their movement, which are to-day plainly visible in many places of our county. As in our days, and in our region, snow and ice melt with tlie increase of warnitli in spring, so must have melted the ice at this pro-historic time, only in a longer period. The ocean was restored by the waters of the dissolved ice ; extensive ice-fields of enormous thickness and ice mountains began to move ; rocks, that before had rolled from the projecting islands of the ice ocean ujion the icy plain, or that were frozen to its lower strata, were carried away hundreds of niiles to places where they had no relations whatever. Geologists call such blocks erratic " foundlings " (bowlders). Often they have tlie size of small houses, and lay strewn about on filains or at the foot of hills. 1'his catastrophe must have preceded the Sduiian piL-riod.and the commotion of the Sdurian ocean.

Let us now return to the barren, stony skeleton of our own province, which, after the cessation of flow of waters, presented itself for a fair vegetation and vivification by animals. It would doubtless be very interesting to the reader to insert here a history of the origin arid development of the plants and animals that from beginning \\\> to our day have enlivened our country, but tliat is not within our present object. Eut we cannot leave it unmentioned that the different genders and species of plants and animals were not produced at once or in the lapse of a few years, but that the}' gradually develo])ed in a I'emarkably long period of time, and ascended to an increasing higher perfection, and that tlprse inhabitants, in conjunction with the detritiK of stony material, in the end furi.i-hcd the I'ich. humus soil that now firms the essential substance of the orographic surface of the earth.

How long the Silurian Ocean covered the earth ; what time it took to firm the Silurian rock system by the ocean's sediment; of how long a duration the ice period wa<, aIldho\v nlaIly years passed away until our country received its fundamental adaptibilitv to become enliveticd by plants and animals of diflercnt kinds and species, up to the appearance of man in his diflercnt forms, races and colors, it is impossible even to appro.xiraately estimate. Certain it is, however, that to the geologist a )'Criod of six or seven thousand years fir sucli devehipment cannol; be sufficient: nay. considci ing all the facts that ajipcar to !iim in his scientific researches of the development of the earth, and its inhabitants, his mind must conjecture a period of a hundred thousand and niore years.

Tlie geological fonnatimi cf the area of our county presents a landscape of bluffy hills, interspersed with ero.-inn-valleys. Chi the west side of tlie blull-lands expands a w;(!e level delta, extending northerly to the I'lack River and southerly to the Mississippi. A main chain of the bluffs, forming the we-tein border of the bluff land, runs nearly parallel with the said -4wo ri\cis. frc-m the niuth in tn-\\n of Farmington. through tbeto'.\nsof Holland, Onalaska, Cani]bcll. La C'ro>sc and Shelby, and extending fir r'ut in the tnwn of Eci'gcM in \"crnon County; only in Iront of the norilurn section lilack River makes a tleparture, forming a large curve in a northwestern direction, leaning on Tremjiealcau County, and returning to the bluffs near Oni'.laska. On many jdaces, thi> chain of lulls is intersected to the depth of the talile- land, as by mountuin passes, leading to the valleys in the rear and affording free exit to the numerous bruoks of the valleys. Along the west side of this chain of hills one may perceive vault-like indentures and picturesque rock sceneries in a thousandfold variations, and more or less deep, tray-liko vales and dales atTording mostly a beautiful view. Similar bluffs extend in the rear of these main pillars in an easterly and southeasterly direction, thus forming the main and side valleys between them. In comparison with the main hills, we would call tiiem of the secondary order. Tliese secondary elevations partly run parallel v.itli each other, and partly depart in diverging or converging curves, thus forming the direction and shape of their valleys. Tlicy frequently send out prefectures, mostly in a rectangular direction, which, as bluffs of the third order, shape, corresponding smaller vales and hollows that descend to and connect with the secondary branches. A labyrinth is thus fjrined of hills and dales, which, however, is expressed in a regular system, and may easily be depicted m a geographical map.

Considering the relatif>n of these interior valleys to the main valleys of the Mississippi and tlie Black River, we must designate them as of the secondary order. On the southern terminus of the couniy, but in the greater part situated in Vernon County, we find a large bluffojiening leading to the long ami extended ''Coon \'alley," which sends out a few side valleys to the towns of Greenfield and AVashington in our county. Another no less extensive pass in the bluffs leads us into the secondary valley of -'Chipmunk Cooley," which, by means of intruding blufis is cut up into three narrow, long valleys extending into the towns of Shelby, Bergen and Hamburg. A third well-marked o]>ening in the blufis leads to the long and expanded "Mormon Cooley," in the towns of Shelby and Greenfield, with its numerous larirer or smaller side issues of the third order. A fourth gate to the interior, guarded on both sides by high blufis, is the mouth of the comparatively short and narrow " State Road Cooley," in the tov.n of Shelby. On the north side we have the fifth and most expanded opening to the . greatest valley in the county, the -' La Crosse A'alley," which extends from the prairie through the whole county in an easterly direction to ^Monroe County. As side valleys, appear in town of Campbell the narrow "Smith's Cooley." in town of Barre the narrow "Roberts Cooley," then the very extensive "Bostwick Valley," of several miles' length and with a great number of long side-issues. A narrow buc important side valley shoots out from La Crosse Valley in a southeasterly direction in the town of Bangor, known as "Dutch The balance of the passes in the bluffs further north lead to comparatively small, and at their termini, closed-up valleys, among which is "Sand Lake Cooley." in the town of Onalaska. and " S]iring Cooley " and "Long Cooley," in the town of Holland.

The bottoms of these valleys of all these difierent orders gradually slo]ie in the direction of the above described gates toward tlie fronting delta, partly toward the Black River, and partly towanl the Mississippi. All the water falling down upon La Crosse County and that coming from a distance east and south through the clefts and fissures of rock, feeding innumerable springs, must naturally move toward the streams of the main valley - the Coon Creek, Chipmunk Creek, Mormon Cooley Creek, State Road Creek, and the more voluminous La Crone River descend into the Mi.-sissippi ; the creek of the Sand Lake Cooley, Half-way Creek, Fleming Creek, and others, into Black River.

La Crosse County, especially the blufl'y part, is rich in springs and creeks, with the exception of the ridge-plateaus and the sandy prairie, and (excelling the steej) slopes) is covered with a layer of humus more or less thick. Tliese two factors, the abundance of water and the rich humus layer, impart to the county the greatest facdities for cultivation, of which the luxuriant growth of trees upon the slopes of the blutfs, the prolific growth on the farms in the valleys and upon the plateaus bear am[.Ie testimony.

T H E P I C T U R E D C A V E . Bv Kkv. Ei'Wak[» Brown. This curious cavern is situated on the farm of David Samuel, in the town of ]]arre. four miles from West Salem, and eight miles from La Crosse, on the northwest quarter of Section 20, of Township 1'), Range t]. "it was discovered in October, 1878, by Frank Samuel, a son of the owner of the land, eighteen years of ag^', who had set a trap for racoons at a hole of considerable size in the hill. Finding that he could, with a little difliculty, crawl into the aperture, which had been dug by wild animals through a land slide at the foot of a clift' of Potsdam sandstone, he entered, and finding that it opened into a spacious cavern, he procured lights, and with his two older brothers and a^'friend explored it. They found the walls extensively covered with pictures and hieroglyphic characters, and charcoal paintings. It thus became known to a few neighbors, and a fewboys. who, in the winter, resorted to it and built fires and carved their names and their own pictures.