Sauk County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1861 (part 3 of 13)

The Barfrey Gouge

Is situated in section '22, town 11, north range 7 east, four miles east of Devil's Lake, upon the south side of the Baraboo Bluff. It is the prettiest bit of scenery in the Baruboo Bluffs, if a great - extent, or a broad view is not taken into account. It seems to be a parting of the upper rocks - the SEnd end conglomerate - down to the quartzite on the south-east front of the bluff, a width of about seventy-five feet, a depthof about one hundred, and a length of about one-third of s. mile, opening into a valley on the top of the bluff, from which is emptied a lively stream, that tumbles and leaps through the gorge and down the bluff side, having a fall of some four hundred feet, within a distance of half a mile. It has from an earl}- day been used as a mill power stream.

This romantic place is upon the south slope of the Baraboo Bluff, three miles east of the Parfrey Gorge, and six and a quarter wiles east of Devil's Lake. It has a gorge in it, in the sand and conglomerate rook, down to the quartzite, which is here only exposed in the creek bottom at one place. The walls of perpendicular rock are seventy-live fret high, and the vale between them of the same width. It has its interesting points. The " Weeping

Rock" Is beautiful. The hand of man, an appreciative child of nature, lias also added charms to the place. Upon one .side, overhanging the gleUj is a painter's studio. Hero have been executed, by the Dor wards, father and son. large altar pieces for many of the finest Catholic churches in the north-west. Upon the Vast hide, a little back from the cliff, and opposite the studio, is a Catholic chapel of stone, rudely built, entitled St. Mary's of thk Pines. Mr. B. I. Dxmvard, while gaining a living, in Milwaukee, as a portrait painter, became converted to the christian religion, and sought retirement in the Baraboo Bluffs, where he has devoted his time to religion, poetry and painting, lie has edu- j cated one son a priest and one a painter.

With turmoil, Take me to your sheltering bosom ! Soothe my brain with nature's gladness, Pour the balm and wine and oil ! Dull routine my life has wounded

As you pour From your never-failing fountains; From your dark, mysterious prison. Swelling still the streamlet's store ; Laughing to the light of morning

By the might Of the Eternal Fount of Being, Through the darksome ways of error, Far more dismal than the riight Of your hidden stony barriers;

Limpid springs ! Oh, thou speedest like an angel, With a healing benediction, Folded underneath his wings ; Warbling sweetest a* then meetest

Like to thee '. That my soul could mirror beauty, As thy bosom's liquid crystal ! That my songs might he as tree. Varied, lasting as thy siiuring !

Towering high. Decked with cones tor jewels, pendent In your green, immortal vesture ; Though your heads are in the sky, Yet, like mortal man beneath you,

Of your tears ! And the color of your needles, And the heavenward direction Of your steins, which rise like spears, That my song may still point upward

With his breath ; Steadfast as a righteous canyon, High above the vanished ages; Moveless 'mid surrounding death ; How your silence, and your shadows,

To the eye, How thy white cross, in the sunlight, -Oleums, and prompts a prayer in -whispers ; Shall my mouldering ashes lie Blessed and near thee, though unheeding

'3long the hills, Far removed from sordid traffic, Filled with springs forever weeping Through the rocks in mossy rills; .Shall my lowly memory linger

May be known ; And the hearts that 1 have cherished, "\\ ill remember me in yonder Sacred symbol in the stone ! They will say. " His hand engraved it !"

Of a day ; Upward springing through the azure, Upward to the source of beauty, From the strife of sin and clay, Soared his spirit to our Savior,

All strangers visiting Devil's Lake should also visit this place, -And most excursionists do. The. Railroad runs through it 9i miles west of Baraboo, at Ableman. It is a half mile through it, 20 rods wide, and the quartzite walls are about 400 feet high. The great metamprpliic muss is here more crystaline and pumicelike than at the Lake in the Bluffs.

A certain view of the rocky wall of the Narrows, from the railroad depot, (that Col. Ableman points out to his friends) represents a Comic Face. The view is enjoyed best by a comic mind.

Jug Hock is worth visiting. It is a solid rounded mass of sand rock, in the shape of a jug, on a pedestal, entirely free from the cliff, some ten to 15 feet, and standing 75 feet high. It is a half mile west of Ableman, on the north side of Narrow's Creek.

Which is a fac-simile of the Narrows above described.. Narrows Creek passes .through it. and a good wagon road. One mile west of this place there is a small and romantic canon that sports. a little stream from oil the blufL.

Is located about seven miles E. by X. E. from Baraboo. by road, and eight miles N. E. from the lake. The opening in thebluff of quartzite is half a mile wide, 400 to 500 feet in hightv and half a mile in length. One mile south is Eikey's lime quarry,, which is much visited by students to hunt the fossil trilobate,. and other fossils. From here to the Lake of the Bluffs thereare several wild and romantic indentations in the main bluff, each, having a rivulet.

There are four great openings through the bluffs of this upheaved quartzite region. The longest and greatest is Devil's. Lake ; next, Lower Narrows ; then, Upper Narrows ; and lastly, Narrows of Narrows Creek.

Hoover Hollow

This gorge is one and a half miles S. by S. W. of Devil's Lake. It is in the quartzite, and is probably 200 feet deep, is about the sanie in width, in the norrowest place, and about SO rods in length, through which runs a small stream. There is a wildness of scenery here that invites many Visitors.

J A H E S O N Hollo W.

This indentation, upon the south side of the Baraboo Bluffs, is more of a vale than a conon or gorge. It is less romantic and wild than many other points. Its narrowest points are about 40 rods in width. A small brook comes down through it. It is in the quartzite principally ; some sand-rock upon the south face of" the east bluff. It is one mile west of the Hoover Hollow. Thewest Sauk road runs through it.

Otter Cuekk

OTTER CUEKK Is four miles west of the Like of the IJlufis. [t pierces the south side of the Bamboo Bluffs thr*Mi<*li a gorge of quartzite and sand rock, forming a basin of nearly a mile square in the bluff, with several arms. Here there are bol 1 points of sand-cock. 'There is a good wagon road through, the valley, joining the west Sauk road.

The Wm. John Sox Bluff

Is located five miles S. \V. of the Lake of the Bluffs. It i.-, an -isolated one '2')'-) feet high. It has an erea of one acre upon the top. A perpendicular sandstone face t« the S. E. Twenty rods from its foot, upon this side, is a pond of about one acre, at the bottom of a conicle depression. Near this perpendicular rock Wta. Johnson has a substantial stone farm bouse. To the west flows Otter Creek, cutting this off from a chain Otter Bluffs. It is about midway, X. and.S., of Sauk Prairie, also K. and W., which gives it a commanding position tor views. It well pays the lover of landscapes to visit the top of this bluff.

Prospect Hill. Opposite Prairie Du Sac

Is a point worthy of a visit. You have the Wisconsin River .at your feet, glimpses of which can be caught for several miles .dither way among the foliage of the islands. !u the foreground

-js one of the prettiest villages in the northwest. Almost every building can be seen ; also Sauk City, one and a half miles farther .south. You have Sauk Prairie before you. with every house, street and lane plain and distinct, and the Honey Creek Bluffs, Otter Creek Bluffs and Baraboo Bluffs as background. It is ten miles south of the Lake of the Bluffs. Many quite extensive travelers have spoken in the warmest terms of this magnificent view, and compaired it favorably with places of greater note that they have visited. There are extensive vineyards upon the adjoining hill sides.

Natural Br Idge

This archway in the bluffs is about J I I'm ! high, and 10 or 15 broad. The upper surface of the bridge, over the door, is from *-{<> to 50 feet above the floor. It i.- on a -our putting off from the south side of the Baraboo Bluffs, in section number IT. town 10, north of range 5 'cost, \] miles X. K. of King A: PagleTs grist mill, it may be described as a cove scooped out id' the side of the bluff, with a rock wall arm thrown three- fourth* of the way across its front, forming an aiupit heanv behind of an area of an acre. Through this wall there i- an opening as above described.

The wall over the ragged archway is about three feet fride' on the tup. forming a giddy pathway. I ndcrneath the floor if the archway there is a caver n-like room that, did it extend a lew feet further, would also form a second door through the bluff, but as it is. ii forms a cool, dry room, about seven feet high, twenty-five feet deep, and thirty to fifty feet broad. We doubt whether a superior can be found in this whole region of country as a retired and romantie spot.

The Honey Creek bluffs abound in romantic sand-rock scenery. There is the NzGQER IIkad rock, which stands 150 or t!00 feet high. Its juniper capped summit represents the woolly hair. It has the fiat nose, the chin. neck, chest and abdomen, profile asviewed from the distance.

The riLLARS ; when' the cliff end of a bluff is supported upon pillars. It is a beautiful spectacle. The recess behind the pillars is 15 or "J'l feet across the end of the cliff. There are other points of much interest in tins \ alley that we will not use. space to describe. Thev are within a radius of 10 or 12 miles from the Lake of the Bluffs.'

Falls At The Head Of The Fast Branch Of

On Section 55. Town 11 North, Range 5 F. a half a mile frons the house of Galand Jacobs, is a fall of water of about thirty feet, twenty feet perpendicular. In high water it makes an imposing appearance. In the dry months id' summer but little water runs over it. It is not visited much, although it is a pretty piece of scenery. To the sreologfet it must lie an interesting point to visit. It is about eighteen miles west by south-west from Devil's Lake.

Are twelve miles north of Lake of the Bluffs. They are grand beyond description. A person visiting this place should first call upon Hiram Bennett, at his photograph gallery, at Kilbourn. He is the prince of land-cape photographing. He has the points all mapped out. and is entertaining and enthusiastic.

The simple passage of the Wisconsin Fiver through a gorgey and gorgeous channel of soft shaly sand-rock, for 4 or 5 miles, in a zig-zag manner, i- not all there is of the Dells. There is in this neighborhood many such passages; which make a very interesting collection of dells and dingles.

In high water the river finds a passage around the narrow defile into a valley, and thence into its channel, a distance of about a mil.1. This is upon the west side of the river. From this ravine has at some tine' past apparently flowed in a channel farther west

The centre of interest is at the Elbow, by river men called the " Devil's Elbow.'' The angle of curvature is so abrupt that rafts often break up more or less in their passage. In high water it is unsafe to "run the Little Dells." The great river is here compressed to a width of 52 feet. It has a depth in low water of t>5 feet, and 93 feet in high water. Its rocky banks are about 75 feet high. Upon a map of the --Territory of Ouiseonsin," published by David II. Burr, in 1836, is lettered at the Elbow, "The river has high rocky banks overhanging the water, so narrow a person can jump across."

There might profitably be written many pages without exhaxisting the subject upon this most interesting place, but it is not the province of this " Guide Rook " to entre into details.

There is a fine one at Devil's Lake, one just below the Kilbourn Dam, and one in the valley, a short distance east of King's Mills, town of Honey Creek.

Geology

"We quote and add a few brief words upon this subject : "Thematerial of the ridges (Bluffs') is mainly a dark colored quartsite ; with this in places are selicious aud talco-selicious schist and two or three kinds of conglomerate. (The color of the quartziteis of many hues, from a light pray, or an ash color, to the sombre tints above referred to). Through the whole length of the valley the dip is uniformly a little west of north ; the angle from 20° to 80°. For 20 years past brief notices have appeared. in the journals of the country, the main point under discussion isrdoes, or does not, this metamorphic rock antedate the Potsdamsandstone. I think beyond all doubt or cavil they antedate the- Potsdam epoch - it is either Huronian or Laurentian in age.

_ Section 1. - North aud south through the south range on section line 1 of map. A, quartzites; A, quartzites with some schists; C, conglomerate; S. P., Sauk Prairie; B. V., Barabao Valley; L, level of lake.

The quartzite shows in many places lamination and cross-lamination of the more modern sandstone. Many of the most distinct ripple-marks I have ever seen. The most remarkable feature of this locality is the very striking system of vertical joints which every where intersect the quartzite. The bearing of these joints are N. E. & S. }Y. and S. B. & N. W. These joints together with the bedding joints have cut the rock into seperate blocks Weighing by calculation from 70 to 200 tons.

At Baraboo Lower Narrows the metamorphic rocks are in great force. The cliff on either side of the river which here makes a direct cut through the range from South to North, being as much as 400 feet in height. At the bottom of the hill upon the South

Section 2. - Through North range of W, Bluff of Baraboo Narrows, A, thick-bedded dark colored tpiartzites, with some talco siliceous schist: B, siliceous schist; C, horizontal sandstone; B. V. Baraboo Valley.

Directly above the schist I found a horizontal undisturbed sandstone.'' The above is condensed from a paper that was read before the Wisconsin Academy of Arts, Science and Letters, Feb. 13th, 1872, hy Holland Irving, E. M.. Prof, of Geology, Mining and \Metalurgy, at the ! niversity of Wisconsin.

There have been official reports made and papers published by many Scientist upon the Geology of the Baraboo Bluffs in the neighborhood of .Devils Lake, D. ]>. Owen, U. S. Geo; James G-. Percivar, 'Wis.-St. Geo ; Daniels, do ; dames Hall, do; I. A. Lapham ; Roland Irving; James II. Eaton ; Alexander Winehell ; T. C. Chamberlain ; Warren Wood. It was, we understand, from W. Wood that A. Winehell obtained his information for the foundation of his remarks upon this region. There is at present a Geological survey in progress under charge of Dr. I. A. Lapham. We hope this point may be reached in course of the present or next season.

Fourth Sketch

^ HIS town lies at the upper or east end of the SSwSf Sauk Praire basin, between the Wisconsin river and the Baraboo bluffs, and upon their southern slope. Its topography is peculiar and interesting, showing the many evidences of the great physical forces of the gkicieral period. Swirl holes from 50 to 100 feet deep, and 20 rods at the top less or more, and conical hills 50 to 100 feet high. The general surface of the ground looks like a ''chopped up sea." We believe that there is no portion of country in this part of the State, in a circuit of at least fifty miles that we are acquainted with, that exhibits so plainly glacial deposits. There are abundance of marks upon the bluffs N". W. of the town that has been smoothed off and scratched by glaciers. The valley in which Devil's Lake lies has been filled up by glacier debris, and probably the Lake was scooped out by the same forces. There are frequent small ponds and isolated marshes, affording water for stock. Where the Chicago and Northwestern R. R. Co. have cut through the small hills, it shows most beautifully, this drift deposit. Here is a sand bed, then perhaps clay or gravel next, and so on deposited irregularly. The soiL upon the farms differ as much. A farm may have all grades of soil, from barren sandbeds to the richest alluvial. The earth in places con- tains many boulders from a small size to a cubic yard: mostly granitic. The soil of the town will average fair. making a good, and well watered district of country. The Wisconsin river being upon the south, and the Baraboo bluff with its numerous springs upon the north. with small isolated ponds and marshes through the middle, also the SeaiTs creek that is formed from tl).> springs of the bluff, passes nearly through the middle of the town to the Wisconsin river. Unlike the water from the bluffs west of the Lake gap, it is here hard. We can account for it on no other principle except that east of the Lake gap the soil on the top of the bluff is tilled with cobble lime stone, whereas west of the gap there can scarcely be one found. The southern face of the bluff east of the gap is soft sand rock, conglomerated with quartzite pebbles and boulders. There is a most beautiful exposure of this rock at Pafrey's grist mill, between the X. E. and N. W. quarters of Sections 22 and 23. The face of the bluff has parted from 20 to 50 feet, to the depth of about 100 feet; and extending about a quarter of a mile back into the bluffs. Through this dell runs a small creek. The conglomerate, about 50 feet thick, is here most beautifully exposed through the entire length of the dell. This is indeed a romantic looking place. The town is well timbered with a great variety, on the bottoms grow willow, white maple, elm, birch, cherry, ash; on the knolls and bluffs white, red, black and burr oak, hickory and poplar and hazel; some pine about the rocky cliffs. Hence we have a town of good land, an abundance of water and timber, and a fair stone ( sand stone) for building. The abutments and piers of the It. R. bridge at Merrimack, across the Wisconsin River, are partly being made of this rock, taken from the bluffs near Pufrey's mill. The town was the favorite abode of the ancient mound builder. There are many large and interesting groups of mounds, containing many perfect and beautiful shaped animal mounds.

$ y TdHE town of Merrimack, according to record, was £(&S organized "April 3d, 1855. According to previous notice, the qualified voters of the town of Kingston residing in township No. 10 and 11 north, range 7 east, met at the hall of Walter P. Flanders the 3d of April, A. D. 1855, at 9 o'clock a. m., for the purpose of organizing a new town to be called Merrimack, and to hold the first annual town meeting for electing the respective town officers for said town."

M. Quiggle, S. W. Hovey and M. Brindlerwere elected supervisors; II. M. Manly, assessor: Jas. G. Train, treasurer; Chas. Xatfz, clerk; Normaji "Wood, superintendent of schools; John Quiggle, Sanrl Shaw and J. M. Haines, justices of the peace; J. Emerson, constable.

1858 - This year hogs were restrained from running at large. A. B. Bradley, X. Furst, H. M. Jones, supervisors; J. M. Haines, clerk; J. G. Train, treasurer; A.

B. Bradley, superintendent of schools; M. Quiggle, Chs. Xaftz aiull). B. Randall, assessors; David Swartz, L. Prems, I. Shipman, constables.

I860 - N. Furst, M. Quiggle, L. Premo, supervisors; J. M. Haines, clerk; H. M. Jones, treasurer; J. G. Train, school superintendent; Sam*l Shaw, Clis. Naffz, justices of the peace; D.B.Randall, assessor; Wm. Hamilton, I. Shipman, James Morey, constable.

A special town meeting was called, Dec. 12th, and S300. raised as bounty money, to induce men to enlist into the volunteer military service of the United States to save a draft that would be made upon the town for volunteers.

18G1 - A special town meeting was called Feb. 17th, to authorize the town to raise *200. for each volunteer required to fill the quota of the draft; the money to be borrowed. The town was so authorized.

A special town meeting was called Oct, 8th, to authorize the town to borrow §2.600 to pay men who volunteered in the military service of the U. S, The town was so authorized.

Special town meeting called Aug. 27th, to authorize the town to subscribe the capital stock of the Baraboo Air Line R. R. company, which was agreed to, to the amount of $10,000. Upon the question there was 167 votes cast, 99 for, 66 against giving town bonds to said B. A. L. R. R. Co., when it shall have been completed through the town.

In 1860 Mr. Samuel D. Coats settled in the town. Mr. C. is a portrait and landscape painter. He has all he can do in portrait painting at from $20 to $100 apiece. His delineations are very true to nature.

The Health of the town may be judged of by the Census Report of 1870. 2 died this year of Consumption; 2 of Lung Fever; 1 by Accident; out of a population of 621. There are three more Males than Females. The oldest jierson enumerated is 77 years. 144 families.

Agricultural

pERRIMACK is adapted to a wide range of Ag- -T^ ricultnre. Its abundance of water renders it valuable for the production of butter, cheese, and stock. Its great variety of soil adapts it to any of the cereals grown in this latitude. The farmers thus far have confined themselves mostly to the production of wheat, oats and corn. The Census Beports of 1860 and 1870, giving the crops of 1850 and 1869 are as follows: bHE town contains one village which, was laid f^%$ out in September, 1SG5, by Walter P. Flanders, and named Merrimack by Mrs. J. G. Train, from Merrimack, N. H.

It commands a fine view of the river and the surrouding scenery is pleasant. It was first called Brown's cabin; as soon as the cabin was fairly completed, Brown was mysteriously missed and has never since been heard of. Chester Mattson, who was then a bachelor, built the second house and Geo. Grant's family occupied it. Mattson and Grant opened a tavern, (we believe Thomas Trott was also an interested party) and a ferry across the Wisconsin river. The place became known as Matt's ferry. It is as well known by this name at present, as Merrimack. Mattson made energetic efforts to get a direct road from Madison to Baraboo. He succeeded in getting a State road laid; the papers bearing date Oct. 2d, 1848. It soon became a great thoroughfare and known as "Matt's Ferry road." Mattson was a visionary, speculative, energetic, enterprising man. No old settler can ever forget the Old bachelor. Flanders purchased of Mattson and Trott, and laid the town out as before stated. W. P. Flanders built a store in 1852 (when half completed, it burned down but was immediately rebuilt.) and put into it a stock of goods. In 1853 J. M. Haines and Lyman Hodsdon purchased this property and put in a good stock of general country merchandise, and for nine years did a liberal and profitable business.

For the last decade of years it has not improved much if any. Since the building of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, it has taken a lively start. Its status in 1870 was 150 inhabitants, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 2 blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a physician, no lawyer or settled clergyman. There is a wire ferry across the river; the wire cord being 1,200 feet long. W. P. Flanders had for several years a dairy of 25 or 30 Herefordshire cows; it is now sold out.

At present it would be difiicult to give the true population or business of the place while the R. R. is being constructed. The R. R. bridge will be 2,000 feet long and 35 feet above the water.

Its anticipated ad can tages. It is situated at the crossing of two great Xational thoroughfares, viz : the Ship Canal from Green Bay to the Mississippi river, and the Chicago and Northwestern R. R., the through line of the Xorthern Pacific R. R. It has a rich country surrounding and tributary to it.

In 1S44 Harris Searl built a small grist mill upon SeaiTs creek, in S. E., X. W. quarter Section 4, Town 10 north, Range 7 E. It affords here about 50 inches of water. When the mill was completed so that he groun d a little for himself, there came a great freshet that swept out a part of the dam and undermined the mill so that it tipped partly over. The damage was so great it was never repaired.

In 1840 David King built a grist mill at the bluff on a branch of the Searl creek, using a good deal of the furniture of the Searl mill. He used a 20 foot overshot water wheel. In 1849 it burned down in mid-day, while they were eating dinner. He then built a saw mill , with an IS foot overshot water wheel, below the grist mill site; it would saw but 400 or 500 feet of lumber in a day. In 1851 he completed a new grist mill with a 3G foot overshot water wheel* He did a fair business for a few years. In 1857 Mr. King died. David King was a man that will be held kindly in the memory of all who knew him. The community was much indebted to him for his mechanical ingenuity. He was a blacksmith, gunsmith, carpenter and niill-wright ; was enterprising, hard-working, steady, sober, and an honorable man. Mr. Narracong bought this mill and put in a steam engine in 1855. It did not meet his expectations and proved a complete failure. Fordice Roper in 1856 built a new mill farther up the stream, near the mouth of the dell. Frederick Roper then came in possession of the mill. He used a 40 foot overshot wfoicW»*jBe sold to Isaac Gibbs. In 18G0 Frederick and John Roper built a distillery, and for 10 years manufactured a small amount of whisky each year. Many a farmer exchanged a few bushels of Rye for a few gallons of . Robert Parfrey purchased of I. Gibbs, the Roper grist mill in 18C5, and put in a 60 foot overshot wheel and did a very good business. He has now a small reacting 6-inch wheel, under 75 foot head. The little creek here falls within a half-mile, probably 300 feet, chafing and foaming down the side of the Baraboo Bluffs through a little canyon, making line scenery.

There was a steam saw mill and machine shop built in Merrimack in 1858 or '59. Its money transactions became tangled, and it has for many years lain idle. The Wisconsin river, at an early day, was considerably navigated, but for a few" years past the trade has fallen off in consequence of better R. R. facilities. It is now being used more, as the Fox river is better improved for the shipment of grain; and for the last two seasons a steamer has made daily trips from Prairie du Sac to Portage. There is no reason why there should not be a large amount of business done through this channel, when the Government shall have finished the improvements now in progress of construction.

Social Axd Religious Relations

il£%§ C' 1851> at tlle ll0Ilse of S-W- Hovey, and called it the Free Will Baptist Society of Merrimack. Elder Maynard assisted. Melinda Maynard, Betsy Hovey,

Mary Olds, Salvina Premo, S. K. Hovey, Anne Premo, Mary Bostic, S. W. Hovey, Chaucy Olds, Joseph Premo, Minerva Premo, Doreas, Michael and Lewis Premo, were the members. At the present time there are 20 resident members.

The first class of Methodists was organized at the Ferry in 1852. It had six members. Esau Green (now deceased.) class leader, and his wife; "Win. Swet, and Mrs. Swet his mother; John Cornish and wife. It now. 1871, numbers about 35. Geo. Pigg is the present class leader. In 1856 there was a class formed at the bluffs, A. Baker, (class leader.) Mrs. Polly Bailey, Sarah Mathews, Mrs. Louisa Farnham, and Edward Richmond. It now contains 25 members. In 1860 they erected a chapel 20x30, which is located about in the centre of the town. It is the only edifice of the kind in town except the Humanist Hall, although the Freewill Baptists are about erecting one in the Tillage of Merrimack.

In 1860 Elder Warren Cochran assisted in organizing a Congregational Church. It had six members. Elder C. preached here for a short time, after llev. Jas. S. Jenkins six months. The Society has for some years been discontinued.

The Humanists have an organization and a hall, in the S. E. part of town, but owing to a split that exists amongst them, they number but three or four families. Carl Burr (deceased.) settled in Merrimack in 184S and became a gifted humanist speaker, and was much admired by his people, and much respected by all who knew him.

The people of Merrimack have always been liberal in support of Common Schools. At the Ferry, for 10 oi' 12 years, they kept up an excellent lyceum, and at times paid lecturers to lecture to them.

Baraboo And Its Waterpovers

^I^IIERE is scarcely any section of country that has not ils interesting (Jvp features. Nature, however, is not equal in her gifts. There are barren wastes ; and many points rich in natural wealth, are made useless !>y contingencies. There are points that all men consider favored places from the fact that their latent natural wealth is made easily available. It is a fact that throughout the country those places that were selected by a former race are the first chosen by a succeeding race of men. In this county the Indian villages were the first points selected and settled upon by the pioneers. Where Indian villages have stood, the while man's city is to stand or does already stand. The Indians those the sites of their predecessors - the mound builders - for their villages. At Baraboo, Cal-i-mi-ne, the head chief of the Winncbagos, located his council house in the midst of a large and imposing cluster ol ancient mounds. The first white family in this valley settled within sixty rods of Cal-i-mine's site. A little farther up the stream, near Lyons, a band of Indians lived. Here, also, are fine groups of ancient mounds; and here, also, was the fiast white man's choice for a home. Our oldest settler, Archibald Barker, attempted to build a cabin at these cornfields as early as the spring of 1837, but it was torn down by the Indians, and he was driven oft". In 1*40 their fields were not only occupied, but the river was dammed near them. An old settler, John B. Ck.vwfokd, now possesses the land. Two leagues further up the stream the chief, Dandy, had his village and fields ; and here, too, were the first farms opened in the valley of the Baraboo by James Christie and Captain Finley, a Scotchman and a Tcnncsseean.

Not only generation after generation, but race after race, seem to followin the footsteps of their predecessors, as if attracted so, magnet like. Throughout the Northwest large towns have invariably grown up where Indian villages stood. These circumstances may he offered as a proof that Baraboo will always hold a conspicuous rank among the cities in the

That the Indians were ardently attached to the country at the Baraboo Rapids, is evident from the II ct that when ihcy wereffrst removed by the U. S. Dragoons to their Rcsi rvc in Minnesota, " the cries of the squaws and children could be heard for a mile distant, as they left their old homes." The next year, Dandy's band came back and raised a crop ot corn a short distance above win re Rcedsburg is now located. A company of Dragoons came and again took this band to their new home; but again they came bach; and most oi that hand have sir.ee spent their lives as. vagabond beggars through the country, - dispirited and broken hearted.

The Baraboo Hirer is about 70 miles lone, and 200 feet wide at Bamboo, and furnishes about 10,000 inches of water, ns reckoned upon the edge of a dam. The stream is mack up almost entirely of springs, and has but a few marshes in the valley. The water does not get very low in a "dry time. ' The rapids and t >wn have heretofore labored under the disadvantage of being walled in by the Bamboo Bluffs, upon the south and east of the rapids, containing much mountain-like scenery, and arc composed largelv of palaeozoic rock, malting the building of roads across it difficult and the travel upon them tedious. This has been heretofore the "bugbear" to Bnraboo prosperity. Now that tlie Chicago and Northwestern Railway - which will lie the main trunk of the Northern Pacific Railroad - pasnes through the place, it re mo v * the hrlh rto perphxitj' of bad road; and when some improvements r.re put upon the river, requiring but a trilling outlay of money, the a! National Chip Canal from Green Bay to the Mississippi can be broughl to our doors. The stream is of ample depth and width, and is a belter stream lo navigate than the Wisconsin river, on accouut of current ai I sand. Notwithstanding the hitherto want of public lit iroughl'ires, the place has grown stcsdily, and at this time has the largest Woolen Mills (unless il may be the Racine Mills.) and Furniture Manufacti ry in the it-late. There is one item worthy of note in the manufacture ol woolen goods. The dyers at each oi the factories say that Ihcy save to their < m plovers from 10 to 23 per cent, of coloring material,1 over any other place that they ever worked at, and get finer colors. rl his circumstance is probably owing to the water of th» river containing so large a per ecntage ol soluble iron. There is atone place up the rivetv- Sproid's Slough - a very large mineral spring, ami the whole valley is largely iron-bearing.

The people of Baraboo, as early as loT)2, made a move towards building a railroad through the valley, - sending Col. Jann s Maxwell to Washington as a tabby member 'to assist in getting a grant of land for that purpose. A grant of land was i btalned, but was so arranged as to favor the interest of Milwaukee in the building of a road towards St. Paul ; stipulating, however, thai v In n the said road was built, "Mar i nmpanics could use it for a eon.»i i it ion. Our ! < ality was in a direct line from Milwaukee to LaCrosse ; and the first sum vs for the constructs* n of their road were made through ilic Barahoo Valley ; but yn account, of crossing the Kickapoo Valley, which is very r<;i:-ij. I hey swung their line around its head, about :24 miles (rem the airline, leaving the Bamboo Valley quite eft' the route upon which they built. While Chicago and Milwaukee were yet fighting the land-grant battle, in the winter of 1853, a survey wag made froiu Madison to Baraboo, and was intended to be a link of the 2\or.thern Pacific Railroad. This was Hie pioneer railroad survey pointing northwest. In the fall of 1803, a preliminary survey was made from Madison via Baraboo to LaCrosse, or s unc north of that place. In 1870, another survev was made on the same ioutp. The great work of pushing forward tiic Northern Pacific was commenced with much vigor this season, - extending from St. Paul and Duluth towards Puget Sound. The Chicago, and Northwestern a v. deemed it for their interest to open up this> the long mkeJ-of air-line, but difficult ro,j 1 to build, it boiug now a nec^ essary connecting link with their roads near the Mississippi River already completed and connecting with the Northern Pacific. The Baraboo people, together with their neighbors on the route, ever ready to catch any favorable railroad breeze, were at once up and doing. The Baraboo Air-Lin* Railroad Company was organized, under a special charter. They soon Consolidated with the Chicago and Northwestern. In the fall of 1S70, work was commenced upon the line at Mad son, - (their road being completed from Chicago to that place.) July £5, IS* 1, a celebration was held at Lodi upon the opening of the read to that place. At the writing of this, th<" line to Baraboo is nearly graded, the bridge across the "Wisconsin Rivet completed. In four weeks more the track will probably reach Baraboo. After living these many long year.-- a prison-like life, we find ourselves located upon two great national thoroughfares, - the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the Green Bay and Mississippi Ship Canal.

The community is much indebted to Col S. V. R. Ableman for his sanguine and stirring appeals for action two years ago this fall. His articles over the signature of -'Locomotive'' will not soon be forgotten by a grateful people. Also, to T. Thomas for his untiring exertions and indefatigable labor in carrying into execution the plans of the company, together with Joseph Maekey. Esq., of Recddmrg; Narricong, of Lodi; and R. M. Strong, of Baraboo.

"ynjROM what, evidence, wc can collect, it would seem that Wood & rf*?\ Rowen, ami Matsou A VauSiykc, commenced their dams in the <*^' wlntei of 1800-40. Wood & Rowen made the first commencement at a point a little above where the Baraboo Manufacturing Company's Factory n«w stands. Abraham Wood, was a Missourian or Kentuckian. He had a squaw for :i \\ ifc : she was a good cook, and was a fine, obliging woman. Wallace Rowen was a Teiim ssccau, He had a large family, and had for n lone; time been a frontiers man. Hi3 whole family could «pcak Winnebago fluently. Draper & Post were the mechanics who built the mill. Draper came in as a partner before it commenced running. In 1842, Draper disposed of his interest to the old firm. In IS 13, Levi Moore bought out Rowcn, and Moses Xulph and Harry Perry bought out Wood. In July 1844, there came a flood that washed out a part of the (lam and the mill, which was completely broken to pieces, find some of it carried entirely out of the river. The first drive of logs that came from the Baiaboo Pinery were in the boom, having been cut and brought there by A. Barker and James Christie. The boom broke awa}', and the logs, in going over, probably caused the first breach in the dam. There was a man of the name ot Fred. Blabern drowned at that time ; he was on a raft of lumber below the Narrows, with Ed. Willard. In a short time after the mill went out, Wood took back his half of the property. August 10, 1844, each definitely defined "his claim. Wood had surveyed to him the south-east quarter section 84, and Moore the southwest quarter section 35, Town 12 North, Range 6 Enst. They now resolved to put the new dam farther up the stream, at the head of the " bend," make a low dam and carry the water across the " bow" in a race. October 25 and 20, the race was laid out, leveled and staked by an engineer, and the following winter was dug by Anderson & Poison. ("I find there is 0 feet 1 inch fall in the river from the beginning of the mill-race to the end. Grade [or the bottom of the race,] is 3 feet above the present surface of the water at the upper end," - See Field-book W. JT. making 12 feet and 1 inch natural full in the river from the head of the race to the foot of it.

In the following summer the dam was put in and mill completed. J. Clement built it. The saw-mill was finely constructed and did an excellent business. In the winter of 1840-41, Mr. A. Barker logged in Seelcy Creek, and ran the logs down to the mill in the Spring. The following summer he ran out a raft 110 feet long to Dekorra, which was the first ratt run out of the river. IIo says : "in running down the cribs to the lower end of the rapids, where we coupled up, one day in company with Ed. Kingsley, going down each on a crib, I hallooed to him to look and see that somebody seemed to have made a dam of stones across the river. As we approached we saw it was the backs and tails of fishes. We were soon amongst them, and found they were stargeons. I killed three with my hand spike. In jumping into the water to get them I was knocked clown by their running against my legs. For a short distance the river seemed to be jammed full of them."

In Octo'oer, 1842, Captain Finley built three or four flat boats and ran them to Sauk, where he loaded them with potatoes and ran them to St. Eouis.

Jabish Clement bought out Wood soon after the mill was completed, and Moore & Clement ran it for about two years. They were not successful in partnership, and their afl'airs became involved.

The Island Woolen Manufacturing Company

[HIS fine property now laid idle until 1S59, when M. J. Drown and Oh"' 6. II. Stewart, of Beaver Dam, got hold of the Clement claims, and in of 1800 those of L. Moore also. Stewart soon withdrew, leaving Drown and his friends the field. The purchase was made for the purpose of erecting a "Woolen Mill. This summer a dam was completed, a factory 40x90 and one set of machinery put up, and started work that fall. In 1865 William Andrews came into Ihc firm; 1800, Col. D. S. Yittum ; 18G7, Henry Rich; subsequently, A. A. Avery and "William Rich. The reputation of this house, from the beginning to the present time, has stood high for the excellence of their goods and fair dealing. They have at the present time two full and complete sots of machinery of the most approved kinds, besides machinery for custom work. They manufacture from 8,000 to 10,000 yards of cloth per month, or about 100,000 yards per year. They, employ about 3G operatives. Their factory stands within a few rods of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. The firm is known as the "Island "Woolen Manufacturing Company." Their business is promptly and systematically conducted, and consequently runs with smoothness and regularity. They have a large capital invested, and probably turn out moro cloth than any other mill in the State.

The Baraboo Manufacturing Company

?^AS organized in the winter of 18G6--G7, as a Joint Stock Company, the following individuals subscribing; M. J. Drown, A. A. Avery, William Andreirs, Frederick Hertel, T. Thomas, Levi Crouch, "William Hill, William r'abner, II. R. Ryan, S. "W. Ryan, Charles A. Sumner and B. F. Mills. Those persons whose names are in Ralics have disposed of their interest. They commenced the construction of their factory in the spring of 1867, With an available capital of $35,500. They placed their manufactory building about 200 feet abovo the Island "Woolen Mills. It is 40xl2G feet. They also have a Blacksmith Shop, Warehouse, Paint Shop, Dry House, Steam Rooms, or Chests, Sheds, Barns, etc. etc. The Ryan & Hollinbeck machinery that did so large and successful a business at the Upper Mills, the}' put in here as a part of their machinery equipment. Henry Ryan was their first general manager, for six or eight months ; and was succeeded by M. Patridge, for a year ; then C. A. Sumner and George Ryan, for five months ; then again and at present, M. J. Drown,

The goods Chiefly manufactured at present arc chairs and bedsteads . These are sent in large bills over the entire Northwest, - as far eait a*

Chicago, as far south as Texas, west to Omaha, and north to Rpd Bivcr. Their sales amount to from $00,000 to §73,000 per year. The Railroad Company has granted them a switch, being about a mile from the depot but near the track of the road. They intend erecting a large wareroom upon it. Their orders crowd them constantly, and they are continually increasing their business.

The Lower Or Maxwell Water-Power

VtfjTIE property generally known as the Maxwell water power, now 6TP owned by William S. Grubb and Humphrey, Racon & Co., is at the ** foot of the Rapids, which fact gives it a peculiar advantage) there being no back-water from other dams to interfere with its usefulness. The river here being in the form of an ox-bow, with a good fall, and race cut across 'he upper end of It, a low dam is sufficient, which very much lessens the cost of building and repairs. This alone is a great item in the keeping up of a water power. The depot buildings, machine and repair shops of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway are about one hundred rods distant. The distance across the upper end of the how is about twenty rods. The race does nut intersect the river at its nearest point, coming within eight or ten rods of, and then running parallel with and down the river about eight}' rods, at which point a fall of about fourteen feet is obtained. This arrangement enables the proprietors tn create several powers from the same dam. This was the first power selected upon the rapids or river. In the summer of 1839, James Alban, Esq., the first white settler upon Sauk Prairie, while on a visit to Eben Peek, at Madison, (whose was also the first white family there,,) related that while he was one day reconnoitering the blull's bordering Sauk Prairie upon the north, he came in sight of a very singular looking lake, ensconseel most majestically amongst wild rocks and precipices, and that through its opening he saw what looked like a fertile valley beyond. He said he intended, in a short time, an exploration of the valley of the Baraboo. Peck at once proposed to go with him, and to go immediately, which was agreed to, and they started the next day and went as far as Albans, and from there to the Baraboo river, intersecting it at a point near where the lower dam now stands, and, crossing the river they found two Indian villages. The Indians were illdisposed, and told them to "puckerchee." Peek selected this ox-bow or great bend of the river as his claim, and marked it, but they were obliged to start on their way home that night, for another chief had been sent for -who now came, and with a quivering chin told them, "krunkshun!" They re-crossed the river, hut staid that night upon Peek's claim. Returning to Madison, Peck gave a glowing description, of the Baraboo and his claim. Iu the fall, Eben Pock and Rosaline his wife, and Luther, his brother, made u, visit to his claim upon the Baraboo river. Hence, without doubt,

Mrs. Tcck, who now resides at Baraboo, not, only haS/tbe honor of being the first white woman at Madison, hut also the first at Bamboo, or in the

Bamboo Valley. They crossed the Ulufta on horseback, Mrs, Peck riding a man's saddle borrowed of John Hoover upon Sauk Prairie. In riding towards Portage City upon what is now called Peek's Prairie, they met, to their great surprise, Wallace Rowan and Abraham Wood, who were on their way to look at the Bamboo river. 'Wood and Howan at this time made a claim of the upper ox-bow or great bend of the river. It is believed that soon after this visit, late in the fall of 1839, Wood put up a bouse and moved his family into it. He had a squaw tor a wife, with two email children. In the winter ar.d spring following he was preparing to erect a clam. In about a month after this last expedition of Peck's, two pioneer explorers, Chester Matson and James Van Slyke, visited the Baraboo rapids in search of a mill power, and after looking them over, concluded to "jump" Peck's claim. This must have been quite lute In the fall. Being men of small means, they applied to and obtained James Maxwell, of Walworth, and Perry Ilaney, of Dane county, as backers. At what date they commenced building, or making active preparations for building a dam, we have not been able to determine ; but A. Barker, Mrs. Peek. L. Moore and James Haines, all old settlers, believe that Wood was upon Ins claim first, and probably made some preparations to build first, but that Van Slyke, having the most means, prosecuted the work of building most v.igpn >usly after hq commenced. The work at this lower dam progressed rapidly until it was nearly ready for graveling, (it being a tree dam,) when Peck served "papers" upon Van Slyke & Co., and summoned them to Madison to a suit to try titles to the disputed claim. . This suit went in Peck's favor. The next spring or summer the floods carried first a part, and subsequent high waters the remaining part of the dam away, In the fall of 1840, Peck moved his family on to his Baraboo claim.

For a few years now this mill site became a dead letter. There was no capital, and scarcely any provisions in the settlement. Each family had to turn its own coffee mill, boil its own wheat, and pound its own hominy. When the land came into market, in 1846, I believe, there -was not a man in the settlement who attended the sale. In fact, there was no money here, and no trade nor traffic, no commerce of any kind by which to obtain it. The settlement was far back upon the frontier, and what little money the settler may have brought had been paid out for the necessaries of life. Maxwell now purchased from government the disputed claim, and in the spring of 1848 came on- with his family, bringing also a stock of goods. The county scat now having been removed from Sauk to Adam-, and a village platt laid out, he purchased a lot and erected a store building upon the corner where now the Burlington Brother- trade, which has since been familiarly known as "the Maxwell corner." This was the first frame building at Adams, now Baraboo. The first store, however, upon the Garaboo rapids was kept near the Maxwell dam, by Augustine Harasztky and J. C. Grapcl, near the Peck house. This store building was the first frame building in tlio Bamboo Valley. It was built ic 1S-13. Maxwell commenced rebuilding the dam in April, 1847.

In consequence of doubts as to who commenced the first improvement of waterpowers upon the Baraboo Rapids, I addressed James A. Maxwell, of Boulder, Colorado, and received the following courteous reply:

Yours came duly to hand. The answer has been unavoidably delayed. Your history of the first settlement of the Baraboo Valley is mainly correct. Wood <* Rowen and James Van Slyke both began work In the fall of 1S.19 on their respective waterpowers. Van Slyke returned to Walworth county in the early part of the following winter, and by hi* glowing description of the B'irnboo country and water powers I was induced to take a one-half interest with him in building a saw mill, he to do the work, I to furnish means, Hence in the early spring of 3S40 I let him have two yoke of oxen, chains and wagon, loaded them with a set of saiv mill irons, pork, flour and beans, and lie set out for the Baraboo Valley with four or five hired men. Father wag at the time a member of the Council and at Madison. At my request he either went over with Van Slyke, or soon afterwards, to see if his representation* -were all right and my investment a safe one. The suit with Beck somewhat dampened Van Slyke's ardor for building, and the June flood took it all [apart] away. So he sold the mill irons to Bowen & Wood, disposed of the provisions, and drove the train back to me, I think sometime in July 1S;0. In 184G, when the laud was ready for market, Van S'yke entered the Sand by the preemption act of June 1st, IS40, he being there and at work with the men at the passage of the act. I furnished Van Slyke with the means to enter it for a half interest in it, and father afterwards bought the remaining half. In the winter of 13-16-7, father, Esterbrook and I visited the place and ran out the lines of the quarter entered by Van Slyke. We found Haraszthy with a store of goods on it, and found al.-o that we should need another forty to cover the entire water power, and Esterbrook, by agreement, went to Mineral Boiut and entered it. In the spring of 1S-17 w e began building the saw mill - my father, B. L. Briar and I in the form of a stock company. Father and I owned the property and furnished the means ; Briar was the mill-right - worked for so much per day and was Interested in the mill when done only to the amount of his labor. In the spring of 1S-13 I moved to Baraboo, living in the Haraszthy store building, and went vigorously to work deepening and widening the race. During that season we sold a half interest to J. F. Flanders and Benjamin McVickar, of Milwaukee, with an agreement to build 8 flouring mill at a cost of 510,000, which was finished in the winter of 1S4S-9.

In the year 1850, I think, ( I am not certain, however, as to dates, having no memoranda here by which to refresh memory,) we divided the property. Leaving Flanden and McVicar with the saw mill and all the surplus wiiterpower and land, father and I with the flouring mill and two acres of land around it, with 200 indies of water to run it, and Briar with the carding mill and water to run it. There the matter stood up to about the time I left.

In the spring of 1856, Charles Cook, an Englishman, bought of W. P. Flanders, the water-power, except the 200 inches previously sold to Maxwell, and tliat season put up a saw mill on the ruins of the old one that had been burned down. He also built a Tannery and commenced the tanning business; and purchased of L. Briar a (aiding Ma< liine, and put into the building one set of Woolen Mdl Machinery. The hard times of

1S.")7 found him involved, and the properly went back to Flanders, Cook losing ftbou* *-">. (><)(). In the wintev of 1838, John Dean, from Massachusetts, an Englishman, leased from Flanders (he woolen mill building and power, purchased the Cook machinery, brought on some looms and run with much energy, assissed at times by his brothers William and James as partners, for seven years. lie then purchased the Maxwell grist mill building and water-power, and litting it up put his woolen mill machinery into it. In 1805, A. Andrews, familiarly known as "Boss" Andrews, went into partnership with him, continued tor one year and sold to Henry Rich. Rich continued about a year. In ISC!) John Dean sold to James II. Dean, William C. Greaves and Joseph Ellis each a one fourth interest. This factory has prided itself for the past few years in its tine colors and beautiful Afghan blankets. In February, 1870, G. II. Bacon and Ira L. Humphrey purchased the John and James Dean interests, and iu the fall Mr. Greaves' interest. Hence at present the frm stands, Bacon, Humphrey & Ellis. In the spring of 1S71 they put both building and machinery in excellent repair, sud for the last four months they have been turning out about :3,S0O yards of cloth per month. Bacon and Humphrey before going into this mill had each established a reputation for being steady, thorough, successful business young men. Since their connection with this piece of property, both the general appearance of the property and their goods show thoroughness to the extent of their means. They should have a little more capital to do the business they ought to do.

Aug. 1S70, Flanders sold his water-power to Wheeler & Gunnison, of Milwaukee, who expected to establish paper mills. We think it was the distance from railroad communication that worked a reverse in their plans, in part. In the Spring of 1871 they sold to William S. Grubb. At present there is no improvement of powers or shops of any kind, except the woolen mill, upon this the finest of the water-powers upon the Baraboo River, having a fall of between thirteen and fourteen feet, with a low dam to keep up - about four feet high. It being at the foot of the rapids, the proprietors will not be annoyed by any other parties flowing water on to teem.

The Middle Water-Power

YV^'IIIS power was surveyed out and claimed June '2d, 1844, before the 6TP Townships were subdivided by Congress, by George W. Brown, of Whitewater. In July, Marvin Blake, a brother-in-law, moved on, - (Brown being a bachelor,) - also George Grant and family, with several other workmen, with provisions and tools. In December, he had his dam in and saw-mill running. This mill did not suit him ; therefore the next season he built another saw-mill, which was a far better one. While excavating the pit. a skeleton of a mammoth was discovered ; but the bones were so decayed that they could not be preserved. The next season he erected a grist-mill upon lite north side of the river, - the saw-mill being upon the south side. This was the first grist-mill of any magnitude upon the river. In December, he got one run of stone in operation. The next season lie commenced building an addition to his grist-mill. On the 16th of December, he intended to go to Milwaukee after another run of stones. He was making an addition to the size of the mill building ; after it was raised, he intended to start. Ah! this calculation sadly failed! "While raising a bent ot the frame, it fell ! lie saw it coming and alarmed others, but did not clear himself. A timber struck his head, and he died in a few moments. This was on the 15th. lie was an enterprising man, and much respected. The land was pre-empted in William Brown's name, at the general land sale. In reply to inquiry, he furnishes the lollowing definite information :

W. II. Can-field, Esq.: - In reply to your inquiries, I wfH *t.ite that I pre-empted the water-power now known as the Middle Power, in BaraboA, in l&M, and " proved up" thereon in 1S45, and received Duplicate at the Mineral Point Land Odice. In ls-id I deeded all to my brother George \V. Brown, - eJ-J ne'i sec. 2, T.ll R. (i, e. - Vole Vol. A, Seeds, 8an& Couitfy, pp. awd-mi. Manchester Water Power was "proved np" by VanSlykc, at Mineral Point, in the same hy.u. I got my Duplicate. I came to Caraboo in July lsw, and was in cu-partnership with George W. Bro.wn until the date of the deed aforesaid. WILLIAM BROWN.

The first sale of any portion of the water-power was to Dolando Pratt, and Lewis and Josiah Hayes, - 200 inches of water and a strip of land, - in 1840. By fall, they had erected buildings for shops, in which were turning lathes, it shingle machine, chair- factory machinery, lath saws, etc. For a year or two they did a good business, and seemed to flourish. At last the firm disagreed, and discontinued their business.

This season there was a bridge built across the river, where the present one now stands. It was of logs, - i. e., log piers, with stringers connecting them, and covered with plank.

In 1847, Phil inuou Pratt bought one half of the water-power and the sjiw-mill. In the spring lollowing, he moved his family to Baraboo. In 18 - , his saw-mill was burned, and he erected the present improved mill.

In 1818, Daniel Sclierme.h"in, father-in law of Delando Pratt, put up a tannery upon the saw-mill property belonging to Philarmon Pratt and opened a boot-and-shoo shop. (Abraham Lic/ert, however, claims to have done the first shoenuiking in the village.) Mr. S. was a man of much energy*, hence he did a lively business. The community charged him with being hasty in using some of his own leather, before it was fully tanned. Boys having on his make of boots or shoes, to irritate him, would bellow like a bull or bawl lik'> a calf, when they would meet him, and declare that their boots had not been fully killed. The old gentleman, being of an irritable nature, it would vex him exceedingly, to the amusement of the boys. Mr. Schermerhom was elected Justice of the Peace, and made an excellent one. He removed to Juneau County, where he soon became County Judge; ehincry. In October 183G, J. X. & H. T. Savasrc bought each one-third of the concern, paying §4,000 each, - Thomas Scaburrn withdrawing. Hence John Seaborn and the two Savages constituted the new firm. Harper T. Savage introduced the "Cottage Bedstead." They had been running chiefly on a patent washboard, turning them out by thousands. He labored hard to persuade the firm that any timber less than 3}£ inches square was sufficient for posts. He sent at his own expense to Massachusetts for patterns. "Seeing is believing.'' The firm could now see that the "Cottage" would actually withstand all that ought to be put upon any bedstead; and then there was beauty and symmetry in its form. They made at once 300. Ryan A: Hollinbeck and other cabinet manufacturers soon copied it. II. T. Savage continued with the firm one year. L. Wild took his place. For two years the new firm did an excellent and lucrative business, paying up much past indebtedness, increasing their stock, and their force of operatives to about sixteen hands, and had §3,000 in bank. But December 2d-, 1864, presented another picture to them. A fire the night previous burned their stock and large lot of lumber, and Pratt's Hub and Spoke factory.

Some time, perhaps a year, after this, John Seaborn had his dwelling burned. Some time after, II. T. Savage had his dwelling burned. - 1- Thomas Seaburn moved to San Francisco, and went into his old business. Recent letters bring intelligence of his being burned out, with a loss of §."j,0G0. These parties are "all-tired" unfortunate !

In July, 1851, Isaac Bectol put up a foundry and machine-shop on the Pratt-Hayes property. In 1854, he went to California; discontinuing his business here.

In 1853* P. A. Bassttt and J. P. Sanford purchased of the Brown estate their one-half interest in this water-power, and commenced rebuilding a large and elegant mill, - the citizens subscribing some to the enterprise. Soon after tire mill was completed, Sanford withdrew. At first, they put in 4 run of stone, but soon after added two more. Bassctt did a very large and liberal flouring business. Most of the wheat of Sauk Prairie was hauled over the bluffs to Bassett's Mills. The merchants were many limes compensated for their contributions towards the building. The road to the railroad, 14 miles distant, soon became dotted with teams drawing flour. He added a cooperage to his business, trccting a large building for a shop, employing from 13 to 30 coopers in setting up barrels. He had in operation a complete set of barrel machinery. He not only supplied all the mills within a circuit of fifty miles with barrels, but packed heading and staves and sent into Minnesota and over the Northwest. He extended this branch of business until it became quite a mammoth concern. He was the liiost popular business man Baraboocver liad ; ever ready to a-sist in enterprises accessary to the town. The community were reaping too great a benefit from his business to have it long continue, lie had to succumb to pressure in the summer of 18G3, and made an assignment of his property. Again the community were fortunate in having this property pass into the hands of R II. Strong, a resident of Milwaukee. Mr. S. is popular among Ii is employes, an eventempered; steady, careful business man. The mill, under its new proprietor, has done a large business, but not as largo as under ils former administration. Mr. Strong Las recently "become a resident of Baraboo and is preparing to erect an elevator upon the new railroad here. For the past eight years the mill has ground an average of about 115,000 bushels. George Cooper has had charge of the null since Strong h:.s owned it, and is as even tempered a man as the proprietor.

In 180G, Nathan Starks put up on the old Pratt-Hayes power, a machine shop for working iron on quite an extensive scale, and a foundry. He did not make the business pay. J, J. Gattiker became a partner in January 1807, but in March following disposed of his interest. The property is now owned by G^n. A. W. Starks' estate, and lias been rim for more than a year by W. E. Kittridgc as lessee.

At the present lime, there is upon this " Middle Water Power :" a flouring mill, with G run of stones; a saw-mill with lath and other saws: a machine shop and foundry. There must be from $125,000 to $150,000 worth of business done here annually.

The Upper Mill Power

rjjrr CLAIM was made to the water-power at the head of the Rapids (/-v tlte of 1843, and timber -got out for the mill-frame in the following winter. July 28th, 1844, a survey of the claim was made for the firm, which consisted of Ed. and George Willard, and Don Carlos Parry. I?i September, 25th, 28th and 20th, the mill was raised. - We had a temperance raising, which was uncommon in those days. In a month or six weeks after the mill was raised, they commenced sawing some, under a low head. I). C. Parry sold out, not long after the mill was started. Tins season the mill did a good business, sawing the logs irom Peck's Pinery. In 1845, large drives of logs came down from the Paraboo Pinery. Alva and Alanson Culver, brothers, and Amos Conkey, purchased the mill this summer. In 1846,several families moved in about the mill, giving it the appearance of an embryo village in the woods. All the mills had plenty of logs, and times were lively. Samuel Shaw put in the basement some lath saws and a turning lathe. In 1847, John Metcalf, of Helena, and Frank jErossman, of Prairie i\u Sac, purchased the property. Metcalf brought on a slock of general country merchandise, built a store building mar the mill, and for several years sold goods. Nathan Paddock and Martin Waterman, in 1850 bought Crossmau's interest. The mill ran nicely, and for several years doing an average business of 1,000,- 000 feet per year. In is.-,."",, the firm built a large and commodious furniture shop, adjoining the saw-mill, and put in water-wheels for the running of a factory. In Is.'jT, they erected a new mill, larger than the old one,

The Lyons neighborhood was made [sad by the news ot "Uncle Chester'?" [death, i lie was called by this Dame »y everybody.) He was born at Rochester, Windsor county, Vt., November [28th, 1804, and died" April 23rd, 1885, j aged 80 year.- 4 months and 27 days.

Mr. 1\. T. Tinkham thinks his ancestry was of the old Purfcans. - He was the oldest of a family of eleven children, eight boys and three girls. - Three brothers ;ire still living : One at St. Albans, Vermont ; one at Augu-ta, Illinois, and is postmaster at that place : one at North Fayston, Vermont.

'-Uncle Chester" left Vermont in 1842 or 1' 13 and came to Racine, Wisconsin and entered into partnership with an uncle in tlie grist mill business. In ls51 he dissolved par::: rship and came to Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, and made his homo at his sister's Mrs. 11. T. Tinkkam's. Two^'oars later he went to La Ones* where bis brother Joseph resided, and took him up a farm, but worked a good deal of Ids time with his brother at the carpent r's business. lie came back to Baraboo in Is.")!), and has since resided h< re, making his home at H. T. Xink ham's a portion of the time, and a part he kept bach* lor's hall in or.e of his own houses near by. lie lived n bachelor's life.

In recalling th : rn mori s of the dead we are more interested in them if they had peculiar traits of character th : stood out bold and Independt at. We will always look hack with joy to our bachelor neighbor for his integrity, purity oi character am) usefulness; even the little children clung to him as to a parous He was very modest and retiring - so much so that his acquaintance only extended among his relatives and to those with whom he had business. fjo 'was fond of company, provided ill threw themselves in his way, but took no pains to seek society. Although a i walker and in good health he only visited the city once in 3 years and then to execute a deed, the distance being but one and a half miles. He was a srn ;. worker but it. |?as without fret or bi He was mechanical and orderly. A carpenter and mason. Was fond of soii i icadmg. Always temperate and foi t i last ten years became quite a hygenkt - taking into his stomach no stimulants or narcotics. Had he been more thpro _; in throwing off a hard cold contracted in the fore part of our hard winter, ho might have continued for years .' as his system seemed unimpaired up to this time. He was extremely afraid oi making trouble for any one, A pleasanter, kinder man in a family could n ; be found. He never was too tired i let the water-pail remain empty or sec any lettle work neglected.' Lie was - f i religious turn of mind, but never made any open profession which we think ar so from his dread of being ous. His well spi ut life was long ... I i bl 3 ing, and an example to the v,

On May 1st the friends :icd neighbors of another old settler were summoned to attend theiuneral of Mrs. Aun Paddock. She died at her home near Baraboo, Wis., April 29, 188§, ot consumption. She was born in Economy, Nova Scotia, July 11th, 1S27, and was therefore 57 years, 9 months and 18 days old. She was the ninth child of a family of 11 children, live boys and six girls. Her family were of English Scotch lineage, and moved to the town of Lysander, Onondago county. X. Y., July. 1833. Hero they rented land until tbespring of L'843. when they moved to Anlioch. Lake Co.. 111., and purchased government land. j)uriug 181-1-5 Ann made her home with her sister, .Mrs. Nathau Paddock, in Milwaukee.

She was married Sept. 10th, 1845, to Gfeorge, younger brother of Nathan Paddock. The following winter she- and her husband moved to their farm in Antioeh, and lived thi re until Sept. 1852, when they remove 1 to Baraboo, Wis., which place has been her home for the past thity-three years.

She was the mother of six boys, two having died in infancy. The four remaining ones were present, with their father, to administer to her last wants.

Before her marriage, while in Milwaukee in 1844, she became a christian, under the preaching of Elder R:iynj v was baptized by Elder Manning at ' wautosiv, and united with the Br.'sfeT church of that place. The noveuaat 4 \& then made with the Lord, she has i h ir been faithful to, - always feeling deep i V - t rest io the conversion of souls, espt'd I aily for those of her children. M. tears have been shed for them.

She will be greatly missed among ;!|£ sick and afflicted - for onto such shed lighted to minister, combining, as ?! did, the natural tact of a nurse wi most excellent judgment of remedi I

Mrs. Paddock had been an invalid I nlaoy mouths, and bore her suffering with patience and fortitude becoming i christian. For a few days before death she seeoied so much better t\ui those around her were hopeful her id! might be prolonged, but during the nig hi after having been assisted to walk al u] the room, she sat down, leaned againsl her husband, and died suddenly of hemj morhaee of the lungs.

Thus had passed away a devoted v.1- - and mother, and a kind friend and ucL bor - one who shared with us the bard - ships and trials as well as the pleasui - ot a new country life, and whose inl ehce was always for good.

When the news came to u, of the death ot Dr Cowles we wore affected as though it had beeD one of our own family. Oo the day of the funeral in cooversing with old settlers, I found that they were affected id the same way. The great throng coming in from the surround ng country to the funeral, showed how much they loved and respect ed him. But with th* sadness came pleasant reflections. He had lived over his three score and-ten. He had a strong aod active and comely physique with a Dice blending of nervous and biiinutemperament and a buoyancy of spirit that but few possess in so larize a decree His presence would make a sick man well without a pill. His endurance was unbounded. Uutil lately he had no sickness or impaired c.msiitu tion. A uuht ride on hors back of sixty miles with the mercury 26° below zero to visit a patient without injury to his health attests his wi«ry make up. His perception was as quick as a wuuiau's. He possessed a quick, active and yet reflective brain. - All in all, he was just fitted fur great usefulness, and the Baraboo Valley ha» reaped a harvest of his services.

Best of ah, the old settlors learned years ai:o that he was a true dem >crat without an aristocratic hair on his head, the poor mau's triend anil their physician, pay or no pay. If a begging Indian oame to you aud presented an alms paper it was sure to have Dr Cowled' name to it in the way ot recommendation. While slavery existed he was a posi tive, active, political abolitionist; an enthusiastic, powerful temperance lecturer, a christiau whose prayers were more from the ends or his finders than from his lips. He has pm into church buildings many hundred dollars and for the support of his denomination (Congregationalism) he was prod igatty lib eral. His impulsive nature at times led him to say things that he much regretted His dia<rnosi> as a physician was, we be lieve, seldom disputed or questioned. A case was takeu to Chicago wherein at first the medical men differed w;th him, but an acknowledgement was made before the close that Dr. Cowles' decision was ri^ht. He was no policy mau, but when convinced of a truth was ready to act upon if even it very unpopular.

Dr. Cowles was burn in the town of Geneva, Ashtabula Co, Ohio, Oct. 5, IS 16; received a common school education; spent a year at Oberliu; read m diciue at Gull Prairie, Mich.; took lectures ai Wi lerby, Ofiio; received his diploma Feb. 25, 1845; followed his father's family to the theu wilderness Baraboo Valley, making his residence here in .May, 1846.

Dr Cowles was the second physieian in Sauk Co. and the first in the Baraboo Valle). lie joined the Od Settlers Association at their first meeting and has delivered ten or twelve addresses of welcome to their annual gatherings.

He was app inte 1 exa uining surgeon lor soldiers, aud in 1885 was accused by personal enemies of taking biibes fr<>m the soldiers in getting pensions. Although the strictest scrutiny by government tailed signally to establish any point against him, so delicate was his sense of honor and s ) scrupulous had he been during his whole lite to keep his reputation char in all matters pertaining to busine»s that the mere suspicion with all that followed broke his heart, aud ul timate y caused his death.

His familiar face and form has not been seen as frequently on our streets during the winter. - but to church and prayer meeting, to the bed-side of the sick he still went until almost the close of Ilia long and useful life. He was confined tu his bed only thirty-six hours, and retained his consciousness until the last.

Ou Friday morning our citizcis were a-tonuded by the report of tbe deatb of L-r. C-iwIes, aa eminent phvsiciau and an old and respected resident of this city, His death was quite su iileu , he having enjoyed usual g<>od hea'tb until Wednesday foreuoou, Feb. 16, at which time tie was taken with a severe chill, followed by hemorrhage of the In igs. From that tiaie, fo the time of his death, which occurred at eleven o'clock on Thursday night, he was confined to his bed. During that 6hort period he received all the care and a'teutinus tbatl<>viug relatives and kii d iriends could give.

The funeral s>-rv-ce of tiie deceased was held in the C"iis!rega ional churcli ou M"uday. Fet>. 21 at 2 o'clock aud was conducted by Rev, R L. Williams former paso-r ol the Presbyterian church, o! this city. The service was opened with the hymn; "There is an Hour ( f Peaceful Rest," by a selected quartette, f"U"Wt-d b\ seripnre real iug. R< v. Mr. Bac -!), pastor of the Baptist church iheu offered ? most fervent prayer which touched the sad hearts of die many Iriends who hud assembled to p»y their re^pec's to the memory of the departed one. Appro pna'e remarks were Mien m id* by Hev. R L. Williams, the suhstauce of which will be found elsewhere in these columns.

After a short prayer by Rev. M. Benson, pastor of the 51. E. Church, the service closed with, '"Nearer My G >d to Th> e," aung with uiiiuli feeling by the Quaitette. An opp >rtuuity for the friends to view the remains was then giveu, after which they were interred in the cemetery. Thus has ended au honored and peaceful life. The sympathy of the eutire community is extended to all the bereaved relatives.

Since that time he has lived and practised medicine in this city of his choice, so that his private and public life nas been identified with tbe growth and development of this region. These forty

I yenrs embrace an era of the grandest - event- aud achievements the world has ! ever seen. He was no idle spectator in ; these historic years.

Physically he was possessed of a oon- (stitutiou of vigor and strength with I great p >wers cf etidutaoce Iii former ! years ha was often compelled to make | long j urneys on hors-e back in visiting ! his pa'ieuis. Iu one uight he rode sixj ty m les with the thermometer at 26° : below ztro. A man of feeble frame | would bbve broken down years ago, as in his enthusiasm for his profession he ; shrank from no hardship in the perjfo:manceof itn duties.

Bel ngiug to a family which embrac- | ed in its member-hip some of the best I educat -rs of ( ur country, he was himj self a stroig, neiv- us, incisive tliinber ! and in his lei ure moments a dibgeut j render books requiring profound i thought for their mastery.

But while he had physical and mental strength, he had m re than all that; he was sir nig in his mora] nature; he had m ra1 convictions aud was true to his convictions. He was brave, ofteu eloquent and always bold in advocating wliat he bel eved to be right. A worldly self interest did not lead him, policy never shaped his course. He espoused all the great ref rms wheu it was not popular to do no and did not wait for the tnurnph of a cause before he helped it.

Iu his religious life there was no half way iu his belief iu the truths of the g spel. His bible class can testify tli at there was no uncertain sound in hi* teaching of the bikle. He loved his church with the same strong devotion which wis the prominent characteristic ol his life. F'.r her he prayed. For her he labored and sacrificed, only bis closest Iriends knew how much. Aod here next to his home he will be sadly missed.

As a physician, he will be missed from the bedside of the sick. He will be missed from ibe streets which his vigor ous form has walked these forty years. He will be missfd at the annual gather ing of the Old settlers, where his tunc >-f auecdote and ready wit contributed so much to the hilarity of the occasion, lie will be Diiseed from public and re ligious gatherings, where he was alway ready to champion the cause of trutl aud right. \lo<<t of all he will be miss ed in his eharoh and in his home - in his euurcu where ms ardent labors aud capacity for leadership made all rely on him fur counsel and help - in his home where he showed most strongly his geuial and jovial disposition, and tiis devotion to those he lov.'d. The poet has 6uug 'The good dio not." So that while we shall miss him it is pleasant to feel that there is a sunsein which he is still with as. All glasses of his acquaintances, from many a slave whom he has helped toward freedom, rnuuy a poor Indiau whom he has sheltered from tke iuclemency of the storm, many of the poor whom his tendei heart prompted him to befriend, to those leaders of thought aud public opinion with whom he always stood shoulder to shoulder, will cherish bis memory, and testify that there lived a strong, earnest, kindly christian man. By the power of memory he will walk our streets and enter onr homes. His voice will still speak for truth and reform, and his words, merry or earnest, will be heaid in the halls of memory.

putting in two saws, - an upright and a rotary, with improved machinery throughout. The hard times of 1853-9 found the firm with liabilities which it became difficult, under the pressure of the times, to meet. In 1800, Paddock and Waterman went to the Mountains. In 1858, Joseph Shoards had in the basement of the mill the machinery for making wooch n bowls, and for a season turned out quite a goodlj' number of this household ' goods. Levi Moore ran the mill from 18C0 to 1804. In 1861, the dam

In 1855, Henry Ryan and P. S. Ilollenbeck, from Portage City, put into the new shop a set of cabinet factory machinery. For a while they did a losing business, and came near " going under ;" but fortunately, just thin the prices of furniture commenced to advance, which after a short time put them on to a sound footing, and for several years they made their business lucrative. Their sales varied from $10,000 to .$20,000 per year. In 180-'}, Ilollenbeck went out of the firm. In 18G7, Ryan's lease ran out, and this machinery was moved into the Baraboo Manufacturing Company's shops.

Nathan Paddock came back from the mountains in 1807, and in the spring of 18G8 sold the Paddock-Waterman interest to Terrill Thomas. - Louis J. Claude soon became a partner, and Corwin Thomas, brother of T. Thomas, also took an interest, the firm standing : Thomas, Claude »fc Thomas. This season the firm put into the Ryan shop, after making thorough repairs, a set of hub and spoke and wagon-gearing machinery of the latest, and most approved kind ; which if run to its full capacity could turn out the wood work of ."30 wagons per day. In 1800 and 1870, they did a heavy business in this line. From the lumber manufactured at the sawmill, and the amount of wagon gearing manufactured, this power must do a business of about §100,000 per year. This mill has done the largest lumber business of any upon the rapids. Thomas cut 1,300,000 feet since January 1st. 50,000 feet of this was for railroad construction.

This water-power has about 7 feet fall, and is at the head of the rapids. The dam sets the water back for several miles, forming an immense reservoir to draw from, which is of great value in running machinery.

A Brief Recapitulation

A BRIEF RECAPITULATION. Y*f*f HE whole fall of the Baraboo Rapids, as now improved, is44 feet - CtP 7, I'd, 10 and 14, at each dam respectively. If there should be an- *^ other dam erected upon Alexr. MeGilvra's land, from 0 to 10 feet more may be added, making good our old estimate of 50 feet and more fall upon the rapids.

of the Northern Counties of Wisconsin s.i rapidly nsto destroy from 1000 to 1000 human lives, besides immense herds of domestic animals, - notwithstanding the parched earth, the water of the Baraboo river has been usually high. It must ever be so, as it is made up from veins gushing forth from the bowels of the earth.

Our rapids water-power is not one half improved ; yet at the present time we turn out &."ji5,0'j0 worth of manufactured goods, annually, and employ about 130 operatives.

There is an opening for a vast amount of capital, to be yet advantageously employed upon these rapids. The lower, or Grubb water-power, presents a fine open fie'd now for the employment of capital.

FBITTS. AKABOO may not lie compared to some of the Middle States for y> its delicate fruits; but when compared with Wisconsin and Minnesota, there is not a point therein that is its superior. As it grows older, the climate seems to become more adapted to fruit-growing, and experience teaches how to cultivate it. This year apples are a drug upon the market at from 25 to 59 cents per bushel ; besides there being a good supply of pears, grapes, plums and cherries. Within four miles of Bftr.1- boo there are at least twenty acres of vineyard and probably & hundred acres of orcharding.

Mr. A. G. Tuttle, a nurseryman and fruit-grower, one mile from towfi, for the last five years has taken four of the first premiums upon apples in the professional list at the Wisconsin State Agricultural Fairs. He took fifteen premiums upon dificrent kinds of fruit this season j which is a proof of not only his .-kill, but shows how this region compares with other portions of the State. The apple, the pear, the plum, and the old Kentish Cherry (Early Richmond) are the kinds of tree fruits that we can cultivate with success.

tiic n.\n.vnoo valley xfrisKnv is particularly identified with the fruit culture of this section of country.- In 1800 James M. Clark, an experienced and most excellent pomologist and nurseryman-, and his son associated with A. G. Tuttle and son in the nursery business, entitling th< ir business '- The Baraboo Valley Nursery."' In 1801 Mr. Clark and son withdrew. Mr. Tuttle being an enthusiastic disciple of Pomona, flourished in his new undertaking by adapting the light varieties to the climate, soil and exposure ill the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and for many years has enjoyed an extensive trade.- Of late he has turned much attention to grape culture. At my solicitation he has furnished me with a wood cut of his new residence. For a description of it and the grounds 1 take pleasure in quoting an article from the pen of the excellent President of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society : merit, still haunts mo; and so here goes for what it's worth, '.' pencil ings by the way," of some things I, in common with Messrs. Lund, J^r. Bo\\en, Hahich, I. and X. Dean, and Gripprr, recently saw and participated in afc bis beautiful house and grounds. " See that beautiful Pine," says Lund. *« You have Pine on the brain," is the rojoind. ?r of Gripper ; " how much that Norway Spruce excels in symmetry, beauty and grace !" when in {act both specimens were as near perfect as could well be imagined by the eye. So voted the entire company, and this before wc had alighted from the wagon.

No sooner entered his wclHaid-out grounds than a magnificent show of Flemish Beautv Pears attracted our attention. " This is the pear of the period, most reliable of any, bears well, and is good enough for any one." Pear trees, seem to have done exceedingly well here. "We did not see any blight, but all his trees looked perfectly health}-.

Mr. Tuttle has always been , i thorough advocate of the merits of the, Famcuse apple, both tree and fruits; and we all were rejoiced to see him prove his faith by his works. For here we saw the best show of this fruit our eyes ever witnessed, - trees literally loaded down. Other sorts were doing well, but this I think surpassscfl them all for fruitfulness.

Speaking of varieties, Mr. T. said : " We have now three sorts on which we can rely with perfect safety," and named them as the Famcuse, Utter and Walbridgc. The last one he says is a goad bearer, and of as good quality as the Northern Spy, and boars every year. To this short list I presume some may object, but it is just to say that Mr. T. has had large experience upon this Sauk County soil.

We all indulged to our hearts' content anions the grapes. Here too Mr. Tuttle is (mite at home, and few can spend an hour as we did in his company among his vines and not learn some new thing.

n-ady market in the north pait of the State. No has Concords p'anted largely, but is substituting the Rogers as fist as p«*slble, giving the preference to Rogers' No. 9, 1~> and 4. Many others are excellent, but these ho thinks the nest, ami only surpassed by the Delaware.

I cannot write of all I saw, and cannot but wish there were more doing like him. I Mr conservatory was well stocked with plants, and his cellar with peara, plums, ctdi" O. S. Wili.ey.

The River

THE RIVER. R ANY a query, relative to its euphony, has been made by both p residents and strangers.. I have collected a few items relative thereto that may serve to satisfy the curious, at least in part. John l)c iaRorid, a Frenchman who settled at Fort Winnebago May ."">, 1828, and now living with his Winnebago wife, upon the backs of the Barabon River, six miles from Portage, says the river received its name from a Captain Bmb?atiy, who was in Moran's expedition against the Indians, and who wintered at the mouth of this stream.

On a " Sixpenny Map of the United States," brought from Glasgow, in Scotland, by John Dickey, in 1842, a river hearing the name of Belle Chn.ise, occupies a position nearly where the Baraboo River is situated - Mr. Dickey thinks the map was published in 1817. Its English would be "beautiful chase," - tine hunting grounds. Hence the " beautiful hunting ground river" empties into the Kc-pOQ-sa&ti, or "flowery bank river" - Wisconsin River.

Morse «fc Rives' Map of Wisconsin, published in 1S44, is the first to call it Baraboo. The Winnebago Indian name is Ocoochry, signifying " plenty of fish."

View 01

ARABOO is an incorporated town of about 3000 inhabitant?, situated on the Rapids of the Baraboo River, and is the county scat of Sauk county, Wisconsin. It is also on the main trunk line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, about midway between Chicago and St. Paul, and distant thirty-seven miles northwest from Madison, sixteen from Lodi, sixteen southeast from Reedsburg, all on the line of the railroad; sixteen west-by-south from Portage, fourteen south from Kilbonm City, both on the Milwaukee and St Paul Railway; and fifteen north of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, on the Wisconsin River. Its contour is broken, and its soil a glacial debris. Most of the town is from sixty to eighty feet above the river. This deposit is at least one hundred feet in depth, and, probably, at the time of its deposition, dammed the river to the height of its thickness, forming a lake of the valley above, which has subsequently filled up. The circumstance of Col. Ablcman's obtaining, from a well boring at his hotel near the river, pine leaves and pieces of wood from a depth of twentyfive to thirty feet below the surface, is proof of this theory, in connection with the fact of the river now running over this detritus at the Rapids, giving a fall of about fifty l'eet. Hence, it was neither Wood nor Van Slyke who built the first dam at Caraboo, but the " Great Architect of tho Universe, who doeth all things well."