Rock County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1856 (part 1 of 7)

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By a resolution of the Rock County Agriculturjal Society and Mechanics' Institute, the undersigned were appointed a committee to compile and superintend the publication of a Volume of Transactions of the Society from its commencement, and a brief history of Rock county ; comprising, also, a synopsis of the history of the first settlement of each township in the same. The committee, in entering upon the duties assigned them, did so with many mLsgivings as to the result of their labors.

It was thought by some that we should not be able to avail ourselves of sufficient material to get up a respectable volume, and by others that the expense and Ask would be too great for the Society to incur in the present state of its finances, and especially as we were about to fit up new Fair grounds, which would necessarily absorb all our available means. - These objections seemed plausible, to say the least. But, on the other hand, it was urged that with the material already in our possession, and that which would be readily and cheerfully contributed by our friends, would be amply sufficient for such a book as the Society proposed to publish ; and in respect to the objection regarding funds, it was believed that the work would pay for itself; and another and more important reason urgad for its immediate publication, was, that the facts and incidents for the historical part," unless secured soon, in a great degree would bo forgotten and lost past recovery - that now " we can catch the shadow ere the substance fades " - for wo have the " living witnesses," the identical actors in the interesting drama of the " first settlement of Rock county," living in our midst.

So far as the first objection is concerned, the committee are happy to be able to say, they have found no lack of material ; but, on the other hand, have quite often been puzzled to decide what to select from the superabundance of matter before us, and that, too, of so desirable a cliaracter. Our duties would have been less onerous to have compiled two volumes, than to abridge and compress, as we have been compelled to, the material into one. To those gentlemen who have so kindly and promptly responded to the inquiries made of them, and requests to them to furnish articles for our book, our most cordial thanks are tendered.

That our friends will not find eiTors, and many things to criticise and object to, perhaps, we do not flatter ourselves to believe. But we crave at their hands, the charitable consideration that however much they may find which they beheve might have been bettered, they will attribute it to defects of the head, rather than the deliberate intentions of the heart.

If there are excellencies and merit in the work, and we believe there are many, the credit belongs mainly to our numerous contributora, our labor being confined mostly to the compiling and areangement ; and our sole object has been to render this volume a book of interest, entertainment and profit, to all those whose interests are identified with our locality, and especially to our Farmere and Mechanics ; and if we have succeeded in any measure in our feeble efforts to do so, we shall have accomplished the object of our highest aspirations.

Part 11

The following is the present Board of Officers of the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute : Z. P. Burdick, President, C. R. Gibbs, Rec. Secretary. OiTin Guernsey, Cor. Secretary. Josiah F. Willard, Treasurer,

Board Of Directors Situation, Extent, Bounds And Area

That portion of the great Northwestern Territory lying north of the parallel of 42 degrees 30 minutes, and west of lake Michigan, except a portion of said Territory lying north and east of the Menomonee river of Green Bay, belonging to and forming the upper peninsula of Michigan, and another portion lying west of the river St. Croix, included in and constituting a portion of the Territory of Minnesota, now forms the State of Wisconsin.

The Constitution bounds Wisconsin as follows, to wit: " Beginning at the north-east corner of the State of IlEnois, that is to say, at a point in the center of lake Mich^n, where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty-nine minutes of north latitude crosses the same, thence running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through lake Michigan and Green Bay, to the mouth of the Menomonee river; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule river ; thence up said last mentioned river to lake Brule ; thence along the southern shore of lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in the lake of the Desert; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as marked the survey made by Captain Oram; thence down the main channel of the Montreal river to the middle of lake Superior; thence through the center of lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Louis river; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollet's map ; thence due south to the main branch of the river St. Croix; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ; thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the north-west comer of the State of Illinois ; thence due east, with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois, to the place of beginning, as established by ' An act to enable the people of Illinois Tenitory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States,' approved April 18th, 1818."

Wisconsin, then, is bounded on the north by Micliigan, British America, and Minnesota; east by Michigan; south by Illinois; and west by Iowa and Minnesota.

Its extreme length from north to south i,< 285 miles, and from east to west 255 miles; but from the irregularity of its border, it contains in land but 5.'5,924 square miles, or .34,511,360 square acres.

Wisconsin, although so recently settled by the whites, was visited at an early day by French missionaries, prompted by a religious zeal worthy of any religious denomination. Catholic though they were. In the month of October, 1660, the missionary, Mesnard, reached Che-goi-me-gon, on lake Superior. In 1672, Dablon and Aloues landed at Green Bay, and visited the country at various places between that point and the head of lake Michigan. Again, the next year, 1673, in the month of May, Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, and Joliet, an agent of the government of France, with five companions, landed at Green Bay, where they found an Indian village. Here they procured guides to accompany them up Fox river to the Portage of Wisconsin, down which river they descended to its junction with the Mississippi, where they arrived June I'/th, 1673, and made the first discovery of the Upper Mississippi. The country was nominally under the government of the French, whoclaimed it until 1763, about one hundred years from its first discovery, when it was ceded to Great Britain, at the close of the French war, who retained it twenty years, and until the acknowledgement of our independence by that country, 1783. At this time it was claimed by the State of Virginia, as a part of the Illinois country, conquered by Colonel George Rogers Clark. In March, 1784, it was ceded to the United States by Virginia, although Great Britain kept possession of the"' country until 1796, when it was surrendered in accordance with Jay's treaty, ratified the previous year.

A Territorial Government was provided for the country north-west of the Ohio river, by the Ordinance of 1787. By an act of Congress passed May 7th, 1800, this north-west country was divided into two goveraments, the tv«stern called Indiana Territory. Again, by an act of 1809, this was suLdivided, and Illinois Territory constituted. Previous to the division and organization of Illinois Territory, the Territory of Michigan was organized from the northern part of Ohio Territory. In 1818, Illinois having formed a State Government, its northern portion, and what now constitutes Wisconsin, was attached to the Territory of Michigan, of which it remained a part until Michigan assumed a State Government, in 1835. At that time John S. Homer, Secretary and acting Governor, convened a session of the Legislature at Green Bay, from the remainder of the Territory. This session transacted no business except the passage of several memorials to Congress, among which was one asking for the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, the i*at of government to be located at Cassville, on the Mississippi.

In April, 1836, Congress passed an act organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, which was fully carried into effect July 4th, 1836, and which included the country west of the Mississippi and north of the State of Missouri.

The first session of the Legislature, in 1836, by a proclamation of General Dodge, who was the first Governor, was convened at Belmont, now in Lafayette county, on the 25th day of October, of that year. The second session was held at Burlington, now in the State of Iowa, November 6th, 1837, at which session the seat of Government was located at Madison, where the third session of the Legislature was held November 26th, 1838.

October 5th, 1846, a convention was held at Madison for the purpose of drafting a State Constitution, which was adopted in convention, December 16th, 1846, but rejected by a vote of the people at the election held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847. A. Hyatt Smith, of Janesville, Israel Inman, Jr., of Rock, John Hackett, David Noggle, of Beloit, David L. Mills, of Fulton, Sanford P, Hammond, of Magnolia ; James Chamberlain, of LaPrairie ; Joseph S. Pierce, of Clinton ; George B. Hall, of Lima ; and Joseph Kinney, Jr., of Avon, were delegates to that convention from the county of Rock.

On the rejection of the first constitution, it became necessary to call another convention, which was held December 16th, 1847, and a constitution adopted in convention, Februaiy 1st, 1848; this was approved by the people at the election in the April following. The delegates to the second convention were E. V. Whiton, of Janesville, (now chief justice;) E. A. Foote, of Footvillc ; A. M. Carter, of Johnstown ; Joseph Colley, of Beloit ; Paul Cfandall, of Lima; and L. P. H&rvey, of Shopier.

May 29th, 1848, Wisconsin was admitted into the Union. The following is a list of the Governors of Wisconsin as a Territory and a,s a St»te, with the date of appointment or election :

Henry Dodge, appointed April ISth, 1836; re-appointed March 9th, 1839. James Duane Doty, appointed Sept. 30th, 1841. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, appointed June 21st, 1844. Henry Dodge, appointed April 8th, 1845. Nelson Dewey, elected May 8th, 1848; re-elected Nov. 5th, 1849. Leonard J. Farwell, elected Nov. 4th, 1851. William A. Barstow, elected Nov. Yth, 1853. The last election was held Nov. 6th, 1855.

Note. - The office of Governor at this time is in dispute, William A. Barstow having received the certificate of election from the legal State canvassers, hut Coles Bashford, the opposing candidate for the same oflSce, claimino- to have had a majority of the votes cast in the State at the same election ; and that through fraud the certificate of election was withheld from him and given to Barstow. Both parties qualified, hy taking the necessary oath of office, as prescribed by the constitution. The Supreme Court are now investigating the matter; but Barstow has given notice to that court that he denies its jurisdiction in the case. What the result of the matter will be, remains to be determined. So we leave a blank for the office of Governor at the present time.

State Superintendents

Eleazer Root, elected May 8th, 1848; re-elected Nov., 1849. Azel P. Ladd, Nov., 1851. H. A. Wright, Nov., 1853. A. Constantine Barry appointed in 1855, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of H. A. Wright. Elected Nov., 1855.

Conokb88Ional Districts

2d. C. 0. Washburn, member - composed of the counties of Adaras, Buffalo, Bad Ax, Chippewa, Crawford, Dunn, Dane, Douglas, Grant, Green, Juneau, Iowa, Jackson, LaCrosse, Lafayette, LaPointe, Marathon, Monro<«, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Richland, Rock, St. Croix, Sauk and Trempaleau.

3d. Charles Billinghuret, member - composed of the counties of Brown, Calumet, Columbia, Dodge, Door, Fond dti Lac, Jefferson, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marquette, Oconto, Ozaukee, Outagamie, Shawanee, Sheboygan, Washington, Waupa<!ea, Waushara and Winnebago.

Senators In Congress From This State Judicial Circuits

counties. 5th. Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland counties. 6th. Chippewa, Jackson, LaPointe, Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties- 1th. Adams, Waushara, Waupacc^ Portage and Marathon counties. 8lh. Crawford, Bad Ax, LaCrosse, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, Trempaleau

Education

No State in the Union has made such ample provision for general education as Wisconsin. Congress provided that section 16 in every township should be appropriated for the support of schools - in addition to which the Constitutional provisions, setting apart the 500,000 acres donated by Congress to the State ; also the 5 per cent, reserved on all sales within the State, by general government, and a still larger addition will accrue from the sale of swamp lands - altogether will constitute a school fund of moro

The above school fund is not all available at present, but is yearly increasing. The State Superintendent, Hon. A. C. Barry, reports, for the year ending August 31st, 1855, 3,223 School Districts. Average monthly wages for male teachers, $22,84 ; for females, $12,09. There were 94 School houses, of brick ; 88 of stone ; 1 286 framed ; 927 logs. Total value of these school houses, $542,663. The amount divided in 1854, was about $100,- 000; in 1855, $125,906. The amount expended during the past year for school purposes, was $264,764. The whole number of scholaiB in the State, over four and under twenty years of age, Sept. 1st, 1855, was 186,085, of which number Rock county had 11,049.

Population Of Thb State, 600,000

The Secretary of State, Hon. A. T. Gray, in his annual report, speaks thus of the census returns : " Owing to the insufficiency of the compensation allowed clerks, it is believed that in most cases they have failed to return the full number of inhabitants in their towns, especially in the sparsely settled portions of the State, and that the footing of the figures is at least fifty thousand Zess" than the real number of inhabitants; and if so, the total population of the State, on the first day of June last, amounted to over 600,- 000."

Census Of Wisconsin Soil And Face Of The Country

The soil of Wisconsin is probably more varied than any other Western State - from the rich, dark, vegetable loam of the prairies, to the granatic, sandy soil of the north, it has almost every intervening variety. With a clayey sub-soil, the prairie lands, for fertility, are unsurpassed. The soil of the openings and timbered lands, are not so rich as the prairies, yet produce abundant crops and are surer for wheat.

Wisconsin is far from being a level country, neither is it mountainous, but gently undulating, except, perhaps, the mining region, which is broken and bluffy, with a rich soil for farming purposes. The prominent features of the State are the prairies, destitute of tree or shrub, and only covered by a luxuriant growth of grass. The prairies are much smaller than in other States, consequently much more feasible for settlement, from the proximity of timber. This State is well timbered and amply watered.

The oak openings seem to be much like the prairies in character of soil, only not as rich. The trees are so scattering that men frequently make farms without felling - only girdhng them - ^besides the openings are annually burnt over, like the prairies.

Geological And Mineralogical

The great western bed of limestone underlying the almost entire western and south-western countiy, also extends into the southern portion of Wisconsin, and forms the geological characteristic of all that portion of the State south of the Wisconsin river, and comprising the entire country from lake Michigan to the Mississippi, river; this includes the lead mining region, which prevails throughout the counties of Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, together with some leads in adjoining counties.

The rich and inexliaustible copper mines are found in the primitive rfx'k region, stretching from the falls of St. Anthony to lake Superior. In the region intervening between the lime stone of the south, and the primitive of the north, the transition sand stone prevails, interspersed with limestone and primitive rock.

Climate And Health

The climate of Wisconsin is superior to that of any other country in the same latitude, and in no part of the Western States is the mortality so small, compared with the population. The purity of the atmosphere, and of its water, which flows from its numerous pelucid springs, the dryness of the air, both in summer and winter, the small amount of cloudy, humid weather, all conspire to produce its healthiness. Even the swamps, marshes and meadows, are fed by pure water from springs, and they are not exposed during the hot season to the burning sun, because of the continual growth of grass which never decays until killed by the autumn frosts; thus saving the noxious miasms, which are so deleterious to health iu more southern regions.

United States Court

The District Court of the United States for the District of Wisconsin, Andrew G. Miller, Judge, holds one term at Madison and one at Milwaukee annually.

Black Hawk War

As the Black Hawk War formed a marked epodi in the history of the North West, it might not be deemed altogether inappropriate to the object of this volume, to give a short sketch of it; and, although Rock county was not the theater of any " glorious victories," or " defeats," yet it is certain that this county was one of the favorite resorts of the Indians, both previous to, and during that war, and consequently intimately connected with its history, and deeply interested in its subsequent results.

The valley of the Rock river, was one of the choicest hunting grounds of the Potawattamies, Winnebagos, Sauk and Fox Indians, and their'^trail up and down the river is hardly obliterated at the present day. The disturbances among the Sauk and Fox Indians,{on the north-western frontier, commenced in the spring of 1831. The immediate procuring cause of the outbreak, was disaffection on the^ part of some of the Indians, with existing treaties for the sale of their lands in Illinois, dating sometime previous. It appears that a treaty had been made by Gen. Harrison, at St. Louis, in November, 1804, with the chiefs of the Sauk and Fox nation of Indians, by which tho^e Indians had ceded to the United States all their lands on Rock river, and much more elsewhere ; this treaty was again confirmed by other portions of the tribe in 1815, and again in 1816. The lands lying at, and near the mouth of Rock river, were now surveyed, and sold by the United States government, and the larger part of the Indians removed across the Mississippi. These lands included the great town of their tribe, near the mouth of Rock river. The purchasers from government, moved on to their lands, built houses, made fences, cultivated fields, and thus took possession of the ancient metropolis of the Indian nation. This Indian town consisted of about three hundred lodges, and was situated near to the site of the present town of Rock Island.

One old chief of the Sauks and Foxes, called Mucata Muhicatah, or Black Hawk, always denied the validity of these treaties, alledging that some Indians had been imprisoned at St. Louis, that some chiefs were sent down txt provide for their defense, and, while there, without consent of the Nation, sold the lands and came home drunk, and loaded with presents. Black Hawk was now an old man. He was an Indian patriot, a kind husband and father, and was noted for his integrity m all his dealings with his tribe and with the Indian^ traders. He was distinguished for courage iand clemency, and never was defeated in his life, although he had fought many a hard battle.

Believing that the treaty was void, Black Hawk resisted the order of the government, for the removal of his tribe across and west of the Mississippi, though compelled to comply. In the spring of 1831 he recrosed the river with his women and cliildren, and three hundred warriors of his own tribe, together with some allies from the Potawattamios and Kickapoos, and established himself in his ancient hunting grounds. He ordered the whites away, threw down their fences, unroofed their houses, cut up their grain, dfove off and killed their cattle, and threatened the people with death if they did not leave. The settlers appealed to the Govemoi' of this State, who, in turn, called on General Gaines, of the United States army, and General Clark, the superintendant of Indian affaire, to procure the removal of the Indians, and protect the settlers in their rights.

General Gaines repaired to Rock Island, with a few companies of regular troops, where, finding the Indians determined on war, he called on Governor Reynolds, of Ilhnois, for seven hundred mounted volunteers. The call was made on the northern counties, when one thousand and five hundred men soon responded.

This force was organized and divided into two regiments, an odd battallion, and a spy regiment. The first was comraande 1 by Col. James D. Henry - the second, by Col. Daniel Lieb - the odd battallion, by Maj. Nathaniel Buckmaster - the spy battallion, by Maj. Samuel Whiteside - and the whole Brigade by Maj. Joseph Duncan.

Having been thus organized, the army marched to the Mississippi, about twelve miles below Rook Island, where they found Gen. Gaines, with a steamboat and provisions. Then a plan of operations was arranged, in accordance with which, they ascended the river next day, expecting a battle ; but the Indians, in the meantime, had quietly crossed to the west side of the river, and disappeared. The army encamped at Rock Island, the site of the present town, several days, during which, the Indian town was burnt ; and lIiiLs in an hour perished that which had been the delightful home of six or seven thousand Indians, where generation after generation had been born had died, and been buried; where the old men taught wisdom to the young; from whence the Indian youth had gone forth in parties to hunt or to. war.

brought Black Hawk, aad the chiefs and braves of the hostile band, to Fort Armstrong, which was situated on the lower point of the island, to sue for peace. A treaty was formed with them by which they agreed forever to remain west of the Mississippi, and never to recross it without permission from the President, or the Governor of the state. Thus they ratified the treaty of 1804. This ended the campaign, and the troops were disbanded.

The Sauks and Foxes were divided into a warlike party, led by Black Hawk, and a peace parly, led by Keokuk ; the latter being most numerous. Keokuk was bold, sage, eloquent; by means of which he succeeded in keeping this bettor and larger part of the tribe at peace with the whites, whose power he widely deemed it folly to resist. The turbulent, restless spirits followed his rival. Black Hawk commanded the chivalry of the nation, with which he re-crossed the Mississippi, in the spring of 1832.

He marched up the Rock river into the country of the Potawattamies and Winnebagos, who inhabited the Rock river valley in northern Illinois and Rock county in Wisconsin, intending to make them his allies.

Governor Reynolds, of Illinois, apprised of the movement, assembled a force of 1800 men at Beardstown, composed of four regiments ; Col. Dewit commanding the firat, Col. Fry the 2d, Col. Thomas the 3d, Col. Thompson the 4th, Co\ Henry the Spy Battaltion, and Gen. Whiteside the whole.

On the 27th of April, Gen. Whiteside, accompanied by Gov. Reynolds, took up his line of march. The army proceeded by way of Oquawka, on the Mississippi, to the mouth of Rock river, and here it was agreed between (Jen. Whiteside and Gen. Atkinson, of the Regulars, that the volunteers -should march up Rock river about fifty miles, to the Prophet's town, and then encamp to feed and rest their horsas ; and await the arrival of the regular troops, in keel boats, with provisions.

When Gen. Whiteside, with his forces, arrived at the Prophet's town, instead of awaiting as was agreed, set fire to the village and entirely consumed it; then marched on forty miles higher up the Rock river.

At Dixon, G^n. Whiteside came to a halt to await a junction with Gen. Atkinson; and here parties were sent out to reconnoitre the enemy, and ascertain their position. Here they found two battallions of mounted volunteers from Peoria, Fulton Tazweli and McLean counties, under command of Maj. Stillman. This force, begging to be put forward upon some dangerous service, were ordered up Rock river to spy out the Indians. Maj. Stillman began his march on the 12th of May, and pursuing his way up the southeast side, he came to " Old Man's creek," since called " Stillman's run," a

. Here he encamped just before night, and in a short time a party of Indians on horse-back, were discovered about one mile distant from the eBcampment. A squad of StiOman's men mounted their horses without orders or commander, and were soon followed by others, stringing along for a quarter of a mile, to pursue the Indians and attack them. The Indians retreated after displaying a red flag, the emblem of defiance and war, but were overtaken and three of them slain. Black Hawk was near with his main force, and being prompt to repel an assault, soon ralUed his men, amounting to about 700 warriors, and moved down upon Maj. Stillman's camp, driving the disorderly rabble, the recent pursuere, before him. These valorous soldiers came back with their horses upon a full run, and in this manner broke through the camp of Maj. Stillman, spreading dismay and terror among the rest of the men, who immediately began to join in the flight, so that no effort to rally them could possibly succeed. The Indians pursued them thirty or forty miles. They continued their flight until they reached Dixon. The night after their arrival, the trumpet sounded a signal for the officers to assemble at the tent of Gen. Whiteside. A council of war was held, in which it was agreed to march early the next morning to the field of battle. In consequence of the iU-advised and misjudged march from the Prophet's town, the wastefulness of the volunteers, and leaving the baggage wagons behind, without motive or necessity, there were no provisions in the camp, except in the messes of the most careful and experienced men. The majority had been living upon parched com and coffee for two or three days. Having obtained some beef from John Dixon, then the ordy white inhabitant on Rock river above its mouth, they started before daylight the next morning for the scene of the disaster of the night before. When the volunteers arrived the Indians were gone. They had scattered out all over the country, some of them as high up as Rock county, Wis. Gen. Whiteside, finding no Indians, soon after returned to Dixon, where he met Gen. Atkinson with provisions and the regular force. The army now amounted to 2400 men, and had the men been willing to serve longer, the war njight have been ended in a short time ; but the volunteers were anxious to be discharged, which was done soon after by Gov. Reynolds, at Ottawa. Col. Fry's regiment, however, volunteered to remain until a new force could be raised. The companies of the regiment were so disposed as to guard the whole frontier. Capt. Adam W. Snyder was sent to range through what is now Winnebago county, in Illinois, and Rock county, Wisconsm, thence west to Galena; and while in this service, fell into an ambuscade of seventy Indians. The men mani- fested a disposition to run; but by tho exertions of Gen. Whiteside, who was accompanying them in the capacity of a private soldier, they -were rallied and the enemy repulsed, with the loss of two of their number. Gen, Whitfeside, being himself a capital shot, in the commencement of the action Killed the Indian commander'; from which ' moment tlie Indians began to retreat. In the mean time the Indians attacked several detached setfclernents in different quarters. Qn Indian creek, 1 5 miles from Ottawa, fifteen persons out of three families,' by the name of Hall, Davis and Pedigrew, were massacred, and two young ladies, Misses Sylvia and Rachel Hall, 1 5 and 1 7 years of age, were carried into captivity. After a variety of hardships and adventures, they were ransomed for the sum of $2000, in horses, wampum, &c. This company of Indians, after this massacre, retreated up the Rock river, above the mouth of the Peckatonica, into Rock county, Wisconsin. Indian wars are the same in all ages and all countries - a description of this massacre is only a repetition of hundreds previously described. They approached the house in which these families resided, in the day time, and so suddenly did they appear that the occupants were not aware of their danger, until they were attacked. Some of the inmates were immediately shot down with rifles; others were pierced with spears or despatched with the tomahawk. The Indians aftel-wards related with an infernal glee, how the women squalked like geese when they were run through the body with spears, or felt the sharp tomahawk entering their heads. All the victims were carefully scalped, their bodies mutilated and mangled ; the little children were chopped to pieces with axes, and the women were tied up by their heels to the walls of the house. On the 15th of June, the new levies, to the number of three thousand two huiidred men, arrived at the rendezvous at Beardstown and Hennepin, and were fomied into three brigades.

But before the new army cOuld be brought into the field, the Indians had committed several inurders. One man was killed on Bureau creek, another in Buffalo Grove, another between Fox river and the Illinois, and two more on the east side of Fox rivei", on the Chicago road, about six rniles north-west of Ottawa.

Not long after the new forces were organized on the Illinois river. Black Hawk, with a hundred and fifty warriors, made an attack on Apple River Fort, situated within twelve miles of Galena, and defended by twenty-five men, under the Command of Capt. Stone. This fort was a stockade of logs set in the ground, with block houses at the corners of the square by way of towers and bastions. It was niade for the protection of a scattering village of miners who lived in their houses in the vicinity, duriiig the day, and retired into the fort for protection at night. The women and children, as usual in the day time, were abroad in the village, when three men on an express from Galena to Dixon, were fired on by the Indians, lurking m ambush within half a mile of the village. One of them was wounded ; his companions stood by him nobly, retreating behind him and keeping the Indians at bay. The alarm was heard at the fort in season to collect in the scattering inhabitants. Now cam« on a fearful struggle between the twenty-five men in the fort and six times their number of Indians, The Indians took poss-esiion of the log houses, knocked holes between the logs, through which to fire at the foi't with greater security. , Here was a desperate struggle for dear life. They well knew they had to, contend with an enemy who never made prisoners, and the result must be victojy or death to themselves and families. The women and children moulded bullets and loaded the guiis for their husbands, fathers and brothers, who kept up an unceasing fire for about fifteen hours, when the Indians retreated. What the Indian loss was never could be ascertained. The loss in the fort was one man kiUed and one wounded. One of the express men who first retreated into the fort, immediately passed on to Galena and gave the alarm. Col. Strode, of the militia, loit no time in marching to the assistance of the fort at Galena, and the Indian spies seeing no favorable opportunity made bi^t a feeble attack on the place, and finally raised the siege and withdrew.

About this time a party of Indians, made an attack on three men near Fuit Hamilton, in the lead mines ; two, of the men were killed and the other escaped. Gen. Dodge, of Wisconsin, who happened to arrive at the fort soon after, with twenty men under his coiiunandj made quick pui'suit after these Indians, who were chased to the Peckatonica, and there took shelter under the high bank of the river. Gen. Dodge and his party charged upon them in their place of concealment and shelter, and killed the whole party, eleven in number, with the loss of three men of his own party, mortally wounded. About this time Capt. James W. Stephenson, of Galena, with a part of his company, pursued a party of Indians into a dense thicket on the prairie. - He commenced an attack upon them from a distance, but the Indians haviiKithe advantage, succeeded in killing three of his men, when he ordered a retreat They, however, were unwilling to give up so, and cjvme to the resolution of returning to the fight and charging the enemy in their fastness.

The command was given to make the charge, the Captain himself leadinothe way; but they were repulsed by the Indians, who still had the advaiitage of their covert. The charge was renewed a second and a third time witii no bettor success, but with the loss of three more of his men killed and himself wounded. It now became necessary for him to retreat, as he from the first had but a few men with him. This attack of Capt. Stephenson, and, also that of Gen. Dodge, are uneqiialed in tkc bistory of modern warfare in daring and desperate courage. The Indians row had possession of the entire country from Chicago to Galena*,, occupying every grove, vaylaying every road, and attacking evoy party of white man that attempted to travel through the country. But their supremacy was of short duration. Near the last of June new forces assembled on the Illinois river, were put in motion by Gen. Atkinson of the regular army, who- now assumed the command, of the whole. Maj. John Dement, with a battallion of spies attached to the first brigade, pushed forward across Rock river into the heart of the Indian country.

Maj. Dement, hearing that a trail of abo^t five hundred Indians had been discovered the day before, ordered his whole command to saddle their horses and remain prepared for battle, while he with twenty men rode out on to the prairie to reconnoitre and make discoveries. They soon saw seven Indian spies ; and some of his men gave chase, but their commander fearing an ambuscade endeavored to call them back. The main body of the Indians soon came down upon them^about three Jiundred in number - firing and yelling, and soon compelled them to retreat slowly to their camp, closely pursued by the Indians* Here his whole party took possession of some log houses, which answered for a fort, and resisted the attack of the Indians for nearly an hour ; when the Indians retreated with a loss of n,in.e killed - the loss of the whites were five killed^

WTien the news of the battle reached Gen. Atkinson, at Dixon, he at once ordered a brigade toward the Mississippi, below Galena, while he with the rest of the army marched farther up the Rock river. Black Hawk in the meantime with a large portion of his forces had been lying for more than two weeks near Rock river, and where Janesville now is. His camp was situated just out of the city limits, on lands now owned by Alderman Levi St. Johp, of the city of Janesville, and J. P. Wheeler, Esq., of LaPrairie. It has since been, known as Black Hawk Grove,and is rendered particularly interesting for visitors, from this historical reminiscence. The Misses Hall who were captured in Illinois, referred to above, were with the Indians at this place, and were ransomed while here. The tent poles, ashes and brands of the Indian camp fires, were to be seen here until within a very few yeare. General Atkinson having arrived at the mouth of the Pockatoruca river, and hearing that Black Hawk was farther up the Ikick river, determined to pursue him with the intention of deciding the fate of the war by, if possible, one general battle. Black Havyk judging of his intention from the report of his spies, hastily broke up his camp at Black Hawk Grove and moved still farther up the river to the foot of Lake Koshkpupng, where he again ca-..

- c&knped on what is now tlie fairn of George W. Ogden, Esq., of Milton. - Here lie remained several weeks, when he again removed to an island in Lake Koshkong, and aftewards to the region" of the Four Lakes. The Indians undouhtedly left this place in a huny, as 'they had reason to believe that Gen. Atkinson was after them, though very slowly.

On the 30th of June, Gen. Atkinson passed thi'ough the Turtle village, a considerable town of the Winnebagoes, situated where Beloit now is - then deserted by its inhabitants - and encamped one mile above it, on the open prairie, hear Kock river, and near where Beloit coUfege gi-ounds now are. The Indians were prowling about his ciimp all night. The march was continued next day. Both his and the Indian tffiil are easily traceable across the farms of Col. 0. iGiiernsey aiid Hon. J. F. WiTlard, in Janesville, at the present time ; as they, instead of following the river, struck across the gi'eat bend in the town of Rock, approaching EoCk river again near Monterey bridge, iu Janesville. The march was contintied the next day, but nothing occurred until they arrived at Lake Koshkonong, except a variety of false alarms, and occasional sight of Indian spies. Having scoured the entire country around, and being. satisfied that no enemy was near, the aiiAj again moved forward on the eastern shore of L^e KOshkonong and Up Rock river to Burnt Village, at the mouth of the White Water river, another considerable town of the Winnebagoes, where it was joined by the- brigade of Gen. Pasey and a battalion from Wisconsin, commanded by the brave and indomitable General Dodge.

During the iiiarch through the northern part cff Rock county, the scouts had captured an old blind Indian, nearly famished with hunger, who had been left behind by his friends, the Indians. Being, as he said, old, blind and helpless, he never was consulted by the other Indians, and could give no account of the movements of his party, except that they had gone farther up the riven It was Concluded, magnanimously by the army, not to kill the old man, but to give him food and leave him to die a natural death. He accordingly wias furnished with food and left; but before he had even satisfied his natural hunger, Pasey's men fell in with him and murdered him another of those indellible stains on civilized life and Christian warfare. If as we are so ready to assume, such trefeitment of an inoffensive, helpless old man - prisoner of war - would have been an evidence of barbarism and bloodthirstiness-^oming from the Indians - ^ignorant and unenlightened as they are - how much more I'eprehensible, being perpetrated by their betters - their civilized and Christianized enemies ? How greatly were they under obligation to set them an ekample of mercy - where p&ih and cruelty were uncalled for and unnecossaryi While Atkinson was sloWy and tardily re- connoitering around tho vicinity of Burnt Village, without discovering tlie whereabouts of the Indians, Black Hawk and his party lay encamped on what is now known as Black Hawk Island, in Lake Koshkonong. Tl\e Winnebagoes subsequently informed the whites of their location, when preparations were soon made to make an attack upon them. Black Hawk, through his spies, ascei'tained Atkinson's intention, and fled from the island.

Atkinson having spent eight weeks, and accomplished nothing - ^less than that even - ^for he seemed farther from the attainment of his object than when he started - ^besides which, he was now running short of provisions, and detachments were sent out to procure supplies - Gen^ Dodge and others with their detachments were despatched to Fort Winnebago, situate at the Portage between Fox and Wisconsin river, while Gen. Atkinson thought best to lay by and build a fort, than which nothing would seem less necessary^as the whole ambition of the Indians consisted in their efforts to keep out of the way, and would in all probability have succeeded i'n doing so, but for the efficient operations of Gen. Dodge. He having arrived at Fort Winnebago pm-suant to orders, was informed of the location of Black Hawk and party - ^by some Winnebago chiefs - immediately called a council of officers, when it was decided, although in disobedience of general orders from Atkinson to pursue the Indians at once, which was dons amidst great, hardship and fatigue, and the Indians were finally overtaken as they approached the broken "coast " of the Wisconsin river, about four o'clock in the afternoon. About this time the advanced guard was passing over some uneven ground, through the high gi-ass and low timber - they were suddenly fired upon by a body of Indians, who had here secreted themselves. They kept firing from behind fallen trees, and none could be discovered except by the flash and reports of their guns. The troops were formed in order of battle - an order was given to charge upon the enemy, which was so spiritedly obeyed that the Indians retreated a short distance, when they again made a stand, which they did repeatedly, only to take up a new position. The Indians contested the ground inch by inch - ^firing from the tall grass and bushes - until they were absolutely pushed out at the point of the bayonet, such was their desperation in this their last contest. They were finally driven into the tall grass on the Wisconsin bottom - so tall as to be above the heads of men on horeeback - and night now coming on, further pursuit was abandoned until morning. Next morning it was ascertained that the Indians had crossed the river during the night, and escaped. The total loss of the Indians in this battle was nearly one hundred, while the whites only lost one killed and eight wounded. This was the final battle, which broke the spirit of the contending Indians who now were contented to cross the Mississinni and remain there. Thus we perceive that much credit is due to the encrgv and perseverence of the gallant Gen. Dodge, in bringing this war to a close.

Gen. Atkinson and the regulars were deeply chagrined at the success of the militia; and although Gen. Dodge acted contrary to orders, yet he accomplished what the regulars never would have done. And he should ever be held in grateful remt^mbrance by the people of Wisconsin, who now so largely, enjoy the fruits of his noble daring and generous sacrifices upon that occasion.

Black Hawk and son aad Prophet soon after captured by somi friendly Winnebagoes and taken down the Mississippi river to Jeffei-son Barracks, where a treaty was made, by which the Sauks and Foxes ceded to the United States a largo tract of land bordering on the Mississippi from Desmoine to Turkey river, in Iowa. The prisoners were held as hostages for the performance of the treaty and peacable behavior of the hostile Indian-^. They were taken to Washington City where they had an interview with President Jackson. They were afterwards permitted to retui-n to their people. Thus ended the Black Hawk war.

Rock coimtj- is botitided, 'nortli by Dane and Jeflfei'son, east by Walwortli, south by the state of Illinois, and vrest by Gb-een. The city of Janesville is ihe county seat. Eock was set off from Milwaukee county, December Y, 1836, and fully organized' Febraary 19, 1839.

Lima, Milton, Fulton, Poi-ter, IJnion, Magnolia, Center, Janesville, Harmony, Johnstown, Bradford, La Prairie, Rock, Plymouth, Spring Valley, Avon, Newark, Beloit, Turtle, and Clinton, and the city of Janesville, organized from portions of Janesville, Rock, LaPrairie, and Harmony.

This county is about equally divided between prairie and oak openings, and a more uniformly rich, arable county of land, is not to be found in the state. There is hardly an afire of waste land in the entire county.

Rock river runs through near the middle of this county from north to south, and those who are acquainted with the west well know that the valley of the Rock river is unsurpassed in the world beside-^takin^ all things into consideration. The rich and uniform fertility of its soil, its abundant crops, th6*iiealthfiilness and salubrity of its eliroate, its superior water powcra, as frequently as desirable for villages all along from the source to the mouth of the river ; the purity of its spring and well water, the admirable formation of the country for the construction of railroads at much less expense than almost any other section of country, makes this not only one of the most desirable locations for the fanner, but the mechanic, the professional man, and manufacturer. Here the man of easy circumstances, who wishes to retire from the turmoil of the busy world, can find a pleasaiit home, and that, too, in tlie midst of a society composed of a great majority of eastern people of tlie most independent, intelligence, and entei-prising classes.

The principal prairies are Rock, Jefferson, Du Lac, Ramsey's, Catfish, Morse's, and Turtle ; Rock prairie extends almost through the county from east to west, and varies in width from six to eighteen miles.

On Rock river is a belt of timber and openings. Groves are interspersed through the prairie at intervals,, besides which, points of openings jut into the prairie at different places, thus rendering the outlines of the prairie unequal, and at the same time bringing wood and timber within a short distance of all its settlers ; in fact, few men on the prairie live more than three miles from timber.

Jefferson prairie is mostly in the town of Clinton ; a small part also in Bradford and Turtle. Turtle prairie extends into Rock county - Du Lac prairie, in Milton and Lima, mostly in Milton - Ramsey's prairie in Fulton - and Catfish prairie lying in the towns of Fulton, Porter, and Union - also Morse's prairie in Fulton. These last are much smaller than Rock prairie, but not surpassed by it in beauty and richness of soil. In fact, a farm on one of these small prairies is more desirable, and more valuable, as in the division of the prairie into farms, most of them have more or less woodland in connection, or, at least, near by.

There are also several fine small marshes, from which several streams - tributaries to Rock river - emanate. These mareh lands, affording pure sprin"- water, are no detriment to the health of persons living on their margins, even ; but have come to be considered the most valuable lands in the county, producing most abundant and luxurient gi-owth of grass, some even as high as three tons of hay to the acre.

Pkincipal Streams

Rock river rises in Fond du Lac county, and runs south, through Dodge, Jefferson - the towns of Milton, Fulton, Janesville, Rock and Beloit, in Rock county, into Illinois; thence into the Mississippi at Rock Island.

Badfish rises in Rutland, Dane county, passes through Union, CookviUe and the town of Porter, emptying into the Catfish in the town of Fulton.

Aftonor Bass creek, rises in Magnolia, and runs south-east through Magnolia Center and Rock, and empties into Rock river near the villaffe of Afton. s ,

Sugar River, which rises in the western central part of Dang county, passes through the whole length of Green county from north to south, thence bearing easterly, passes through the town of Avon, in Rock county, and empties into the Peckatonica, in Illinois.

Tui-tle Creek rises in Turtle lake, near the north-east corner of Richmond, "Walworth county, runs south-west, enters Rock county, passing through the towns of Bradford, LaPrairie, Turtle, and Beloit, into Rock river, almost exactly on the State line at Beloit.

Lake Koshkonong is eight miles long and nearly three miles wide. Rock river runs through this lake. A part of the lake lies in Rock county, a small portion in Dane, but mostly in Jefferson county.

The principal villages are Beloit, Shopier, Afton, FootviUe, Evansville, Union, CookviUe, Waucoma, Fulton, Fulton Center, Johnstown, Edgerton^ Milton, Emerald Grove, Johnstown Center, and Janesville city, the county seat,

Population

The Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad passes through the town of Lima to Milton village ; here it branches, the north branch passing through Milton and Fulton, in this county, thence to Madison and the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien ; the south branch through Milton and Hai-mony to Janesville, to which place it was opened in January, 1852. From Janesville this road will Extend west through Janesville, Rock, and Spring Valley, thence through Green, Lafayette and Grant counties, to the Mississippi, at Dubuque.

ing from Milton to the Mississippi. Through the exertions of Joseph H. Budd and John P. Dickson, Esqs., principally, this road was projected, the company organized, route surveyed, and a large amount of stock subscribed ; when in 1854, by a mutual arrrangement, it was consolidated with, and made a part of, the Milwaukee and Mississippi railroad. At the present time it is under contract, and will be constmcted to Monroe, Green county, probably within the year.

Chicago, Fond du Lac and St. Pauls railroad was for several years known as the Rock River Valley Uiiion Railroad; with a charter connecting with the Illinois and Wisconsin road frotn Chicago to the State line, thence from the connection on the State lino, in the town of Clinton, through Clinton, Turtle, LaPrairie, to the city of Jauesville. At this place it branches ; one leading up the valley of the Rock river to Watertown, thence to Fond du Lac, on lake Winnebago. This branch passes through Janesville, Harmony -and Milton, in this county - the other branch passing through Janesville and Porter, in this county, to Madison ; thence north-westerly to St. Pauls, in Minnesota. This company was chartered in 1848, and it is due mainly to the indefatigable exertions and perseverance of Hon. A. Hyatt Smith, the projector, and for several years its President, for accomplishing what it did during several of the most unprppitious seasons that we have ever experi" enced in the west ; and that, too, with very little cash capital, comparatively. About twenty miles were completed from Fond du Lac to Waupun ; all the heavy grading, culverts and peiTaanent mason work, from the State line to the city of Janesville, and much of the remainder of the gi'ading done through the intervening distance from Janesville to Waupun, also from Janesville to Madison. This company, however, at last was compelled to suspend work on the road, and finally went into bankruptcy. The present company having closed up and satisfactorily arranged the entire indebtedness of the old company, so as to clear it from all and every incumbrance, have now (the fall of 1855) commenced work on the road with every prospect of a speedy completion of it to Janesville, where it will beyond a doubt be runnino- in the spring of 1856.

This road will form a part of the main trunk of the great railroad thoroughfare to the Pacific ocean, via. St. Pauls, on the northern route, surveyed by Gov. Stevens ; the most feasible and nearest route by several hundred miles by which the Pacific waters can be reached.

The Racine, Janesville,- Beloit and Mississippi Railroad is another thoroughfare passing through Rock county. This company was chartered in 1852, with a capital of three millions of dollars. At first the charter authorized the construction of the road from Racine through Janesville to the

Mississippi; but in 1853 was so amended as to authorize the branching of the road at Delevan, so that the south trunk shall pass through Clinton, Turtle and Beloit, thence south-west to the Mississippi at Savannah. The other through Bradford, Johnstown, Harmony and Janesville, thence west to the Mississippi. It is already in running order to Delavan, Walworth county, and early in the seasonof 1856, will probably be completed to Beloit; the grading being already done, and the ties on the ground, and iron purchased.

Beloit and Madison RailroadCo. was incorporated Febraary 18, 1852. By the charter the company are authorized to create a capital stock of $1,200,. 000, and to locate, construct, and operate a single or double track railroad, from the village of Beloit to Madison, thence to the Wisconsin at Portage City, thence through the extensive pine regions of the north to lake Superior. This company have aiTanged, upon very favorable terms with the Chi- ' cago and Galena railroad company, to run in connection with, and operate this road as a branch of that already popular and profitable thoroughfare. This road has been completed to Footville for more than a year, and the heavy gi'ading, for most of the remaining distance to Madison, is done. . This road passes through the entire town of Beloit, following the Rock river to Afton, whence it bears west of north, through the towns of Rock, Plymouth, Center, Magnolia, and Union, in this county, from thence to Madison.

The Kenosha and Mississippi Raiboadj aheady in process of construction j unites with the ChicagOj Fond du Lac and St. Pauls, and Racine, Janesville, Beloit and Mississippi roads at Clinton in this county.

The reader will perceive that our county is so completely covered with a net work of railroads, either constructed or projected, that hardly a town has not at least one road running through it, and some with several. Janesville is the central point of eight railroads ; Beloit of six, affording the most ample facilities for transporting our lai-ge amount of surplus produce to the eastern markets, and in return bringijig us the goods and manufactures from the east, besides affording great traveling and emigmting facilities.

The county at first was organized in 1839, on the county government principle. In 1842, that system was superseded by the present town government system.

The following is a list of county oflScers froni the organization on the town government system, to the present time, in their proper order, with the dates when they each entered upon the duties of their respective oflices :

District Attorneys

Note. - At the election of 1854, the county canvassers gave the certificate of election to G. B. Ely, for District Attorney, on account of an informality in the returns from the town of Turtle, which they rejected, and which being counted would give the election to M. H. Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter ap- pealed from their decision to the Supreme Court, which has recently decided that they have a right to go behind the certificate of election, and have decided in favor of Carpenter's claim. Mr. Ely held the offiee for more than x>ne year.

On the i4th day of July, 1835, Mr. John Inman, of Lucerne county, Penn- "sylvania, and William Holrnes, of Ohio, started from Milwaukee on an exploring tour for the interior of Wisconsin', and having heard the glowing reports of the returned soldiers of the " Black Hawk war,'' concerning the Rock river country, they determined to see it and judge for themselves. Having obtained a couple of ponies from the Indians, upon which they packed their provisions, and lifle in hand, took Up their line of march ; and in two days anived at Fort Atkinson, on the Rock river, which had just been evacuated by Gen. Atkinson and his army. Here they encamped for the night. The next day they traveled west to the mouth of the Catfish river, and camped within the present site of Fulton village. During the night their ponies left quite unceremoniously, compelling their toasters to " pack their traps " as they best could ; accordingly, iii the mornii^, shoulderitig their luggage, they went dowfi the riVer to the present location of Janesville, and after prospecting about during the day, they encamped on the point of the high bluftj on the Racine road, a little north of the present residence of Mr. Levi St., John. Frorii this point Rock prairie is seen stretching away in the distance to the east and south, until bounded by the horizon. The view, to them, was enchanting. They saw before them an ocean of waving grass and blooming flowers, and realized the idea of having found the real " Canaan " - the real Paradise of the world ! After dispatching a hasty " camp breakfast," they strolled over to the beautiful grove about half a mile east of their encampment, and finding there the late head-quarters of the illustrious Black Hawk chief and his army, but juSt deserted, they named the grove " Black Hawk," which cognorflen it still bears. From thence they went south across the prairie to the mouth of Turtle creekj the present site of Beloit; and here solitude reigned-^not a cheerful countenance to greet them ; not even old "Tebo," with his two Indian wives, was here. (Tebo made his claim, however, at Beloit, soon after.)

they came acro-ss their truaat ponies, and secured them. They now decided to return to Milwaukee, fully satisfied with the results of their discoveries, and determined to make the Eock river valley their future home. On the 20th of July, 1835, they left camp, and on the 23d arrived at Milwaukee. - At that time there were but two white families in Milwaukee, and but one betwixt that place and Janesville, and that was the family of Mr. McMillen, who lived at what is now known as Waukesha. He subsequently settled on McMillen's prairie in Rock county.

On the 15th day of Nov., 1835, John Inman, Thos. Holmes, Wm. Holmes, Joshua Holmes, Milo Jones and George Follmer, started from Milwaukee, with an ox team and wagon, containing provisions, tools, &c., and on the 18th day of the same month arrived opposite the " big rock "at Monterey. Here they built a log cabin, and made preparations for winter.

This was the first settlement of Rock county, and it may almost be said to have been the firet permanent settlement of the State. From these small beginnings, made only twenty years ago, a gigantic State of 600,000 inhabitants has sprung into existence, as if by a magician's wand. Where twenty years ago no traces of civilization could be found, now large cities, towns,'and a teeming population are everywhere^ seen. Truly it may be said of Wisconsin, that a " nation has been horn in a day^ Go where you will, its parallel cannot be found.

About the 20th of Dec, Mr. Samuel St. John, with his wife, arrived at the "big rook" settlement; Mrs. St. John being the fii-st white woman settler of the county. On the 15th day of January, 1836, Dr. James Heath and wife joined the little colony. AH these wintered in the loff cabin together.

During the winter and spring of 1836, settlements' began to be made along the river. A commencement was made at Bcloit in the spring of 1836, by Mr. Caleb Blodgett and associates, who purchased Thiebeau's (Tebo) claim. I &2e Beloit history, in another portion of this book. j

Fulton was settled in the spring or summer of 1836, by Robert Stone and Daniel Stonci At Milton, the first settlement was made by Isaac T. Smith, in the spring of 1836. In the fall of 1836, Geo. W- Ogden, Alfred Walker and Aaron Walker moved into the town. Mr. Janes commenced at Janesville in the winter of 1836; and A. W. and V. Pope arrived the same year. Harmony was settled in 1836, by Wm. and J., Spaulding, and G. H. Williston. Rock, by J. Inman and othera, in the fall of 1855;. Turtle, by Wm. Smith Horace Rice and Hudson Case, in 1836. Lima, by James M. Burgess, in the summer of 183,6. Johnstown, by Norman Smith, 1837. Clinton, April 2d, 1837, by W. S. Murray and others. . For more detailed accounts of the first settlement of this county, the reader is referred to the history of the respective towns of the county, in apother part of this work..

Correspondence

I was apprised, some time since, of the design of the " Rook County Agricultural Society," to issue a book, embracing, in connection with records of the transactions of the society, from its infancy, as full and accurate a history of the county, as could be compiled from stich early incidents and facts as might be drawn upon for that purpose. I was pleased to loam that you ."md others had entered vigorously upon the task of collecting information, historical, statistical, &c., for the pages of the volimie in question.

Records of the olden time are interesting ; and they are not without their lessons of instruction. By the light of the past, we follow in the footprints of the adventurous and enterprising pioneer; we see him, as it were, amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilderness into a fruitful iield ; we sit by his cabin fire, partaking his homely and cheerfully granted fare, and listen to the accounts which he is pleased to give us of frontier life, and of the dangers, trials, bar Iships and sufferings of himself and others, in their efforts to make for themselves horhes in regions remote from civilization, and unexplored hitherto, save by the wandering Indian tribes, and the beasts of the forest and the prairie. Through these ancient records we make our way along to the present. From small beginnings we come to the mighty acihevements of industry, the complex results of daring enterprise, subduing and creative energy, and untiring perseverance ! Following on in the path of progress and improvement, we see once waste places rejoicing under the kindly care of the husbandman ; beautiful farms with all the fixtures and appurtenances necessaiy to make the tillers of the soil and their families contented and happy, are spread out before us ; villages and cities have arisen, as if by magic, and by hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands, human souls are congregated within their precincts; in this human hive the hum of business is increasing; the mart of trade and trafiic, and the workshop of the artisan, are thronged; common schools, academies and colleges have sprung up ; young and ardent minds, children of the rich and poor, may press forward together in the acquisition of science; churches are built, and axhristian ministry is sustained, for the inculcation of religious sentiments, and the promotion of piety, virtue and moral goodness ; and lajt, though not least, the press is established, whence floods of light and glory may etnanato for the instruction and benefit of all. Let tJie records of the olden time bo,

I had at first a thought of putting together, in compliance with your request, a carefully prepared communication, embracing some of my early recollections of the county of Rock; but owing to the pressing duties of my position as a clergyman, with rather an extensive field of labor, in connection with the supervision of my home affairs, and attention to other matters, I have neglected to arrange thesp reminiscences ; and now, it being well on toward publication day, I have not time to ransacTi my poor brain foi- the purpose of drawing out and compiling the facts of "long ago." But some how or other, when I take my pen in hand, it will run on ; and " long yarns'' are sometimes the result. I will be careful, however, not to tire your patience. A few thoughts are all I can present, and these will, through haste, bo desultory in their character. You can use or reject all, or any part of them, as you may think proper.

My father, William Lawrence, formerly a resident of northern Pennsylvania, visited Wisconsin, on a tour of observation, in the fall of 1836, Caleb Blodget, then of Beloit, and since deceased, claimed at that time probably thousands of acres in the town of Beloit, and in various other portions in the county of Rock, particulaiy along the 'Turtle creek. Of him my father purchased a couple of " claims," one very near the village of Beloit, the other a few miles out. Passing the ensuing winter in Pennsylvania, he returned to make some improvements on his claims in the spring of 1837, accompanied by my brother and brother-in4aw, G.W. Lawrence, and P. Bostwick. But liis most valuable claim, the one bordering on the village, was out of his reach. It had been re-sold, 1 think ; at all events, it was occupied, hence his right and title were extinguished; the occupant had decidedly the advantage over him. Speculation was rife in those days in the matter of making and selUng claims. I came into the county in Jul}', 1838. Previous to this, various persons had made claims extensively, some for settlement and cultivation, and Others for purposes of speculation, on and in the vicinity of Turtle Creek, and in other places where it was thought farms could be jnade. The central portions of Rock prairie were considered at that time unavailable for farming purposes. Turning a furrow round an eighty acie lot, for instance, was the simple process of maJcing a claim. The man who had thus enclosed this piece of land with a plow mark, would then sell his " claim," perhaps, to some new comer for as much as he could get. My father was not the only one who was " taken in" somewhat in buying claims ; there were many who lost ill this way what they bargained for, and the money which they expended in the fictitious purchase. This plan of money- making, or gouging, did not succeed very well after tlic public laud sale of 1839. In the period of whicli I speak, a man who desired to make a honio in the country, would make or buy a claim ; while on his trip oast for his fomily and effects, some interloper would come along and take possession, in the most deliberate manner, of the absentee's contemplated property. This was called yMmpi/i^r a,. claim. And unless the original claimant had made some improvement, such as throwing up a few logs, poles, or boards in the i^hape of a shanty, plowing or fencing a few acres, he had no remedy, and could only obtain possession by turning off the intnider forcibly, without the aid or interventipn of law. In ease he had made slight improvements, and was designing to become an actual settler, it was thought he had a right to the premises ; and the sympathies of the people, if they did not prevent the of his claim, were frequently of great service in assisting him to recover it. Thus much in relation to making, selling, buying and jumping claims, in the early settlement of Rock covmty.

Beloit was my first stopping place. The harvest of 1838 coming on, I went into a wheat field near Beloit, owned by Caleb Blodget, the largest I have ever seen, embracing, I should think, from 80 to 160 acres. Here I t<x>k my first lessons in faking and binding wheat; J. Hacket, Esq. who was the worthy postmaster at Beloit in those days, was in the habit of exercising himself in a similar manner. In the lapse of eighteen or twenty years he has become rich, I suppose ; but I presume he is not ashamed of his early history as a worker. D. Nogglo, Esq., I think, tilled mother earth for a living, during the iirst years of his residence in the west. He left the plow for the bar. During the period to which I refer it vt as fashionable to work - I mean with the grain cradle, the mowing scythe, the ax, the shovel and the hoe. The farmers' and mechanics' tools in those days were handled without gloves.

The inhabitants of Rock county, in July, 1838, wore not numerous - probably somewhere from three to four hundred, perhaps a ti'ifle over the last figure. At all events, persons living from five to ten miles. apart, considered themselves neighbors. And there was a good deal of sympathy and kind regard for each other.

The first death occuning, to my recollection, after I came to Beloit, was that of a brother, Amos Lawrence, who died in August, 1838. His attending physicians were Drs. White apd Bicknell, the former now deceased, tho latter still a resident of Beloit. My brother's remains werei among the fii-st deposited in the Beloit burying ground. The funerftl service was conducted by a Rev. Mr. Adams, a Congregational or Presbyterian clergyman, living at the mouth of the Pecatonica, now Rocktdn. About a year afterwards, if I am not mistakeii, I was present at the funeral of a Mr. Picket, near Johns town, where Mr. Adams also officiated. On funeral occasions then, peopl would assemble from far and near, thus indicating their sympathy for bereaved and sorrowing hearts.

The first numerously attended public meeting, at w-hich I was present, was held on Jeiferson-prairie, to make arrangements in reference to the approaching land sale of 1839. The objects of the meeting were to fix upon the amount of land which each settler might be allowed to claim; and in the effort to secure this quantity (whether it was a quarter or a half section, I will Hot pretend to say), they agreed to protect each other on the day of Sale, should any attempts be made to overbid them. Another object of the meeting was to appoint bidders for certain districts, who were to bid for the specified lands in the names of their real or contemplated occupants. The sale was held in Milwaukee. There was but very little overbidding.

In the spring of 1838, the village of Beloit was mostly made up of inhabitants who were dwelling in shanties, erected merely for temporary occupation. Aside from these, three of four regular frame buildings, and perhaps as many more log houses, and we have Beloit before us as it was then. But the year 1838 was one of enterprise- and activity. Before its termination quite a village was under way here, and Beloit gave promise of a brilliant future. It is but just to say^ it has made steady progress ever since.

At that day; Janesville had scarcely a name to live. And indeed there were very few persons in the place, or out of it, who believed it ever would amount to much. It had very few attractions I assure you at that time. But from the lips of John P. Dickson, W. H, H. Bailey, Charles Stevens, and other early residents of the place, I presume you have obtained very full particulars in regard to its rise and progress. But an item or two in reference to Janesville, touching its early educational history, and I am ilone.

The first public school, I think, was opened in the summer of 1840. The first teacher was Miss Cornelia Sheldon, daughter of Gen. Sheldon, now Mrs. Woodle. The wi'iter of this, followed her, as instructor, through the ensuing winter. The school-house was a log building, situated in the woods, near Main street, and some three or four streets north of Milwaukee street. Here I let patience have its perfect work for the space of four months. The first debating club of Janesville was organized during this winter. The meetings for discussion and mental improvement were held in ray school room. Pormineut among those who participated regularly in our debates was one James..H. Knowlton, who I think was just about that time undergoing the initiative of public speaking. He was a good debater and con-

Harrison StebLins, now of the town of Porter, I tliink opened the first select school in Janesville, cither in the latter part of the year 184Z, orjii the beginning of 1842. Youts truly,

G, W, Lawrence

I was in company with some families, consisting of women and small children, some of the latter but a few months old. As we were compelled to camp out upon the ground, our first lesson of Wisconsin pioneering was not the most agreeable. However, we made the best of it. I made a claim two miles north of Skunk Grove, in Racine county, and there spent the winter. During my residence at that place, I became acquainted with Henry F. Janes. And as his name is so intimately connected with the early as well as the subsequent history of Janesville, a brief description of the man and his history, might not be entirely tiniirteresting.

Mr. Janes was a man full six feet and two inches in height, and well proportioned, of rather dark complexion, good natured, free and easy jn conversation, fond of company, especially of a political chum, and an old pioneer, He never tired in hearing or telling a good Story, and had a fund of incidents connected with the first settlements and late wars. He was among the fii-st settlers of Racine county, and made his claijn theve before the land was surveyed, and found afterwards that a part of his claim was on school section, No. 16; and fearing he might be troubled to get a title, he oonclur ded to go farther west. He was of a roving disposition, and liked the excitement incident to a new country, and not tnuph incline^:! to work himself, but to plan for others, he never was veanting for a good exotisp to change his locations.

Accordingly, he determined to do so now, Fitting oni a horse team, he and his party started *est, for the Rook river. On arriving at Muskego Lake they found the crossing at the outlet frozen over, and in attempting to cross, the ice broke, letting in the teams and cutting the' lip of one of the horses very badly, so that it was paralyzed and hung- down. From this circumstance, trivial as it might scorn, they called the outlet of Muskego lake, " Lip Creek," which name it retained for a long time. This , accident and other discouraging circumstances, caused the party to return.

The next time they started, they concluded not to take a team, but J»nes and a man by the name of Harness, commenced their journey to the Rock river, and as they were told by the Indian traders it was but sixty miles, they would pack through with a single horse.

The weather was extremely cold, and, there being no track to follow, it was very fatiguing traveling. And when they arrived at what is now called Mount Zion, and seeing the prairie stretching away to the west until bounded by the horizon, and supposing that the Rock river was still west of that, and their provisions like to fail, they became discouraged and returned back for a supply of provisions. Again they started with full supplies and reached the river in safety.

Janes traveled abopt for some time, and in consequence of cold weather, and expofeed as one must be in camping out, and the glare of the snow affected his eyes so that he could scarcely see at all. But on the 1 5th day of January, 1836, he made his claim, where the city of Janesville now stands. Many have given him great credit for foresight in making his locations, but in the absence of any sight it was probably " more by hit than good wit."

The winter of 1836 was very cold, and ttie spring late and backward, so that it was not until the middle of May that cattle could, obtain grass enough to live upon - on which day Mr. Janes and family started for the present '*' ( of Janesville.

The company consisted of Janes and family, Richard Miller, Levi Harness, a Mr. Beasley and myself. As many of your readers are unacquainted with traveling in a new country, .1 will give some of the incidents connected with a jottjney from Racine to Janesville, in May, 1836.

The iStreams were high and the ground very wet, and for the first twenty miles a grasat.many swamps to cross. The first day there came a squall of wind, accompanied by rain and hail, of such force that we were obliged to drive thecoverea. wagons to the leeward of the heavy loaded ones, containing the iprovi^ns Jvud farming tools, to prevent them from being blown over. In this way we roda out the storm, Avhich continued for half an hour or more, wlien *e iproeeedsii on our journey.

The firet night vw« sejeoted our camping ground among a few scattering trees, and, flattered ou,rselvies t.hat we should enjoy a good night's rest after t\S fatigues of o'lr days' .jouriiej. But in this we were sadly disappointed - for iti -the night WO were visited by another shower, which drowned from tboir bods tliose who were on the ground. The family had a bed in one of the wagons, in which they succeeded in remaining; but those whom the shower had driven from their ground beds, had to shift for themselves a? they best could - some around and some under the wagons. I located myself in a wagon load^ed with furniture, but covered; and by sitting and stooping over, could keep tolerably dry, but if my hat happened to touch the t-anvass, the wata- would pour through in streams. In the morning I found the wetting had gi\eri me a cold, and my stooping had set my nock in such a position that I could not be cohsidorod an "upright man" for the next few days, how-much-sOever I might have Coveted such an appellation.

The s'econd day- we forded the Fox river at Rochottsr, when we were gladdened by the sight of a man and small house^t being the only one on our route. His name was Godfrey,' and seemed as much pleased to see us ;i3 we were to meet him ; and although we were going to settle on Rock river, ha was very gla^ that he should'have neighbors so near him.

We had up to this place found a' few wagon tracks to guide us on our route, but from Godfiey'swest, no wagons had ever yet been. We followed a " section line "and camped where it crossed Honey Creek. Our camp was on section 1, town 3 north, range 18 oast. The creek was at full banks and cold. The sides were steep, which mad(J fording very diflficult, but we took our spades and removed some of the turf and put all the oxen before one wagon and started to ford. Our oxen were strong enough, but when the leaders drew, as the wagon struck the opposite bank it brought the wheel cattle down flat, arid the rest pulled them out, wagon- and all. By repeating the operation, we finally got all safely over arid continued our course west, until noon. Then taking a turn to the left, wo came to a creek which Janes said the Indians called Pac-achc-woe, but I thmk it is now called Sugar Cl-eek.

On starting in the afternoon we had to climb a very steep hill to gain the tableland - ^in going iip which one of the oxen refused to draw, and after some delay, Janes took the "sucker pole "himself and'tho way he made the " fur fly " was a caution to all horned cattle, especially to the balkjr ox himself. Our route lay south of where West Troy now is, and came to the large marsh, southwest of Troy, where it is abOut one mile wide, and as we wore on "the straight go-ahead principle" did' not think it best to turn to the right or to the left, arid the result in this instatico proved that a man can go so .straight that he will run into the ground. To illusti-ate how it is done, I will give a description of crossing a marsh. All went well, until we were within forty rods of the west side, when a mare on which Janes' oldest boy was riding, T^egan to flounce and show signs of sticking fast in the mud, the mother of.tte boy called to liim to dismount, but the father said no, stay on - which latter he did - ^but down went mare, boy and all - the boy had no trouble in getting off, as the mare's back was nearly even with the svu'- rounding marsh. A halt was called - all the teams stopped, and a council of war was held, examination made, and we determined to " go ahead." The first thing to be done was to contrive ways and moans to extricate the old mare from her perilous situation, and bringing to our aid a " motive power," inherent in the matcr.ial constitution, known as instinct, with which wo, after applying much of our own strength, brought to boar in relieving her from her muddy position. I took a young colt of hers, and carrying it a couple of rods ahead, held il. While the men lifted and she struggled to get to her colt, she would make some progress towards the shore. Tlus operation repeated some dozen of times brought Old Betty upon terra firma. Old Short Horns, of " sucker pole " memoi'y, were unyoked and left to get through as thej best could. The other oxen were hitched before one wagon, and all hands lifting and tugging at'the wheels, we finally succeeded in getting across ; but during the process all the oxen, in turn, sometimes one and then anothei-, would be down in the mire. "When there were but one or two down at a, time, we could possibly draw them put and keep going; if too many were down at a time, to do so, we had to unyokeor unhitch and let them up. We had unloaded before, all the barrels from the wagons, and when we had completed the business of getting the wagons across, we placed the side boards of the wagon boxes along upon the mud, and rolled the barrels upon them, one at a time, carrying our side boards as occasion required, and in that way were our baiTels of pork and flour taken forty rods over the mire, to hard ground. Here wo camped for the night, and I have since learned that Othni and Alexander Beardsley were encamped in hearing of our cattle bells. - They were in search of "claims," and at that time marked theirs at West Troy.

About noon the next day we came to Turtle Lake, and let ,the cattle feed and drink. We had been told this was the last place at which water could be had before arriving at the Kock river. In order to prepare ourselves for such an emergency, we took a look at our loads to find a barrel for cariying water, as we should be obliged to remain here all the afternoon and night, and take an early start next morning, unless we could find something to take along some water. After a long search, all the water tub we could afford to empty was a keg, containing about twenty gallons of maple sugar vinegar. We concluded to sacrifice the vinegar under the circumstances for the sake of taking the water and commencing our journey immediately. Accordingly the vinegar was poured' upon the sandy shore of Turtle Lake, and the keg re-filled with water, and we took up our line of march that afternoon. Our road was good and we went on merrily, and camped that night on the prairie, near the present residence of John A. Fletcher, Esq., of Johnstown.

The prairie grass was now green and largdy intei-spersed with flowers - its appearance was that of a beautiful flower garden, and in fact I have never seen it look more delightful than at that time - ^not the mark of a plow to be seen, nor a house, nor a fence, nor anything to show that civilized man had ever been there. The country was alone in its glorious grandeur.

The weather was now growing warm, and vegetation considerably more advanced than at Racine. In the morning we started on our last stagfe for Rock river. The cattle were very thirsty. One hog we had along was almost tij-ed out, and when we were within two miles of the river we poured out the remainiug contents of our keg to furnish a wallowing place for him, which served greatly to revive him. When the cattle came in sight of the river they made a break for it, and some pushing others in, where they miist swim or drown, when all satisfied their thirst. We arrived at the house of Samuel St. John about noon, and after feeding our teams started for the house of Mr. Jaiies, which he had previously built upon his claim. Mr. St. John went with us as pilot, to show us the way, as the creek, or " Spring Brook " as it is now called, between his house and Janes' was very much swollen by rain, and in many places it was eight or ten feet deep, which, if we should drive into, would probably drown some of our teaim. We went up the creek towards Black Hawk Grove - crossed and ascended the hill the other side, and after that found no difiiGulty. On arriving at the house of Mr. Janes, we soon took out the geods and deposited them inside as quickly as possible, as there were sti'ong indications of a storm.

All the families I heard of as living in the vicinity of Janes' then, were Wm. Holmes, Sen., on the west side of the river; John Holmes had a cabin near where the old brick yard was, above the steam mill ; Samuel St. John, south of the present city; and Dr. James Heath just above the Monterey stone quarry.

I stopped a few days with Janes, and made a claim on the farm now owned by Mrs. Strunk and children, and built a cabin to secure it in my absence.

On the 25th of May I started in company with.Breesley to go back to Racine. We provided ourselves with food for dinner, but not for supper, as we expected to reach Rochester by night. We filled a pint flask with water, and put it in our pocket, thinking it would last us' to Turtle Lake, 20 miles ; but with fast walking we soon grew thirsty aiul drank it, and after that allayed our thirst with the waterwe found in the cattle tracks along our route. We were not able to reach our 'neighbor'a' house, at. Fox Elver, and consequently were compelled to camp out, without food, fire, or blankets. We had one. overcoat. We were awake in the morning without being summoned by that modern contrivance called a gong ; and before sunrise forded Honey Creek, waist deep, and in good time for breakfast arrived at neighbor Godfrey's, where avc discussed his hospitalities in a manner to flatter the ambition of the most fastidious cook in the country. At this place we met the families of Major Meacham, Mr. Spoor, and two others, on their way to Troy. After breakfast, and a short chat with the new comers, we started on. As there was no boat, we were obliged to ford the river, which was much deeper than when we crossed it on our way out. It was our only chance. I placed my journal in my hat to keep it dry, (I was not troubled with money with which to take the same precatition,) and with my overcoat rolled up and placed upon my shoulders, taking a long stick with which to keep steady, we took to the water, like tnie believers in hydropathy. Breesley was a man above the usual size ; he succeeded well, but I not being well built for wading, should certainly have been compelled to swim if I had not .takes the precaution to provide myself with the stick. Our transit across the river was watched by our new acquaintances with deep interest; and I cannot say but the thought that they were watching us with anxiety inspired us with courage, and a sort of pride to stem the angry current; and aided us much in making a safe passage. At least, it gave us great pleasure to know that wo were watcl.cd with interest by those strangei's. I have since renewed the acquaintance I then made, with some of them, and found them such people as one would choose for neighbors and friends.

At the time of taking the precaution of securing my journal in the top of my hat, I little thought of ever being called upon for an extract like this.

Towards evening of the same day, I arrived at my home, having traveled through some of the best, and certainly some of the most delightful and beautiful country I had ever before seen. In sixty-five miles I passed but one house. At that time I did not know of a family residing in- what is now Walworth county ; if .there were any, they must have lived on the extreme south side.

A Chaptek On Names

The first settler at Beloit was Thiebeau, but the people called him Tebo. After he sold his claim" at Beloit, he moved to the foot of Lake-Koshkonong, where I was acquainted with him. He told me that the name, Koshkonono-.

was a Winnebago nam«, and means "the place where we shave;" as when he and another kvadej: first came into the. country, they left- thoir razors at the lake, and would ti'avel around ainong the Indians trading for furs ; but when they wanted to shave, they -returaed to their head-quarters at the4ake. The Pottawattamies had a village on the oast side, and their name signified : The lake we live an^ Emerald Grova was named by Dr.- James Heath. Mount ZionvraS fii-st so called by James AVood and Erastus Goddington. Johnstown took its name ft-om J. A. Fletcher, Esq. ; Prairie du Lac, from the small lakes on the north-east side of the:pl'airi'e ; but our letters, being frequently miscamedto Prairie du Sac, or as we generally called it SaoPrairie» north-west of the Wisconsin river, in order to prevfent that, we met and named the town Milton. Otter Creek took its name from the number of slides along its banks at the time of surveying.

In company with Dwight Foster; F. A. Jewett, Gilbert MeNaught, and my brother, wo left Milwaukee in the month of September, 1836, with an ox teanij wending our way' westward for the Rock river valley^ for the purpose of finding homes m this,'then/ar Northwest, so recently the theatre of tlie severe and protracted conflict between Black Hawk and' his savage hordes, and the " pale facesf in which Indians had the worst of the conflict, not to say of the cause, and in which they' wore completely subdued and driven beyond the Mississippi, and a perrrianent peace established a few years previous. We took aboard a bag of -flour, some pdrk, and a very few cooking utensils - ^sufficient for " baching it " on the frontier. After leaving Waukesha, we found but one settler before reaching what is now the city of Janesvilie. Here Mr. Janes kept a small log tavern. This was the only building in the " city." We .stayed here' all night, sleeping on some deer skins, thrown on the floor ; and this, indeed, we- thought to be very gobd lodging, we were so fatigtied with our travel. The next morning we started on Atkinson's trail, a little east of north, and ti-aveled across Rock and Du- Lac prairies, until wo ai'rived at Otter creek, in the north part of the county ; from this point we traveled duo west until we reached Rock river, at the foot of lake Koshkonong, where the village of Milton "is now situated, with its two giant irou- arms diverging and reaching out already to Madison arid Janes- ville, and yet in a short time to grnsp the "father of waters" at Dubuque and Prairie du Chien, the hand of civilization had not made a mark. Here we concluded to stop and commence our future homes. My brother, a few months previous, had been here and built a small log cabin, in which we at once commenced " housekeeping." My claim included the camp ground of Black Hawk, and from indications, the Indians must have remained several weeks, living on clams, fish, wild rice and game. We found heaps ,of clam shells, three or four feet across, and a foot deep ; and even at the present day I frequently run my plow through these heaps of shells. This old camp ground covered nearly two aci'es ; the tent poles were then standing together, with his flag-stag painted in a fantastic manner. These poles remained standing severaJ years. Here were several recent graves, also one skeleton, placed in a wood trough, with another turned over it, inside of a small pen, laid up of poles, all on the surface of the ground. I have plowed out at various times, large shells, at least a foot and a half in length, shaped like the periwinkle - undoubtedly sea shells - but how they came here is the question. A large number of ancient mounds are here ; I have, however, leveled sevei'fil of them with my plow, and turned out various rehcts, such as human bones, beads, pieces of wampum, stone battle axes, &c.

Thiebeau, (pro. Tebo,) a Canadian, the former and earliest proprietor of Beloit,, with his two Indian wives, resided near my claim, on what is now known as Thiebeau's point. He with his family - he had three or four children - remained here until the winter of 1837-38, when he was murdered, no doubt by his son Francis and his mother, one of his wives. This resulted fronj a family quarrel;- he wishing to remain here and cultivate the land, they were anxious to follow the Indians west of the Mississippi.