Sauk County, Wisconsin - Chapter 12, 1880

Chapter 12

Town and Village of Lava lle - Town of Washington - Town of Winfield - Logan ville and ToAVN of Westfield - Town of Dellona - Toavn of Freedom and Village of Noktii Freedom - Town of Greenfield - Toavn and Village of Ironton - Town of Excelsior and Village of Ableman - Village and Toavn of Delton - Newport - Toavn of Woodland - Toavn of Fairfield.

Town And Village Of Lavalle

The town of Lavalle is formed of Township 13 north, Range 3 east, lying in the north tier of towns of Sauk County, and, were it not for the town of Woodland, Avhich stands by itself on the Avest, would be the northwest corner town of the county. It is bounded on the north by Juneau County, on the east by the toAvn of Winfield, on the south by Ironton, and on the Avest by Woodland. The surface of the town is uneven, but well Avatered by the Baraboo River and its tributaries. Good wells are easily obtained ; springs are abundant. Timber is plenty and of good quality, principally oak. of several varieties. Railroad ties, hardwood timber and staves are made in large quantities. Considerable pine Avas found here at an early day, but it is now very scarce. The soil is clay and black and sandy loam ; rock, principally sandstone; some limestone is found, of good quality for building purposes. Adjacent to the streams are found some picturesque masses of perpendicular rock, from fifty to two hundred feet in height, decked out with vines, mosses and shrubs, adding greatly to the beauty of the landscape. Wild fruits common to this latitude are abundant in season. In early days, wild bees Avere so common thatAvild honey was obtained with but little trouble. Bee-trees are frequently found at this time by those who know how to trace them. Several good water-powers exist in the toAvn ; one at Lavalle, on the line of the Madison Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad, which crosses the toAvn from the southeast to the northAvest ; another is found on Section 24, where William Rathbun has a good saw-mill in operation ; and another on Section 1, on Big Creek, where Harvey Gifford has a fine saw-mill in operation ; still another mill is doing a flourishing business at a switch on the railroad, called Podunk, owned by a Milwaukee man. Large quantities of railroad ties, wood and timber, are bought here. A store, boarding-house and blacksmith-shop are in operation at this point.

The first Avhite man to locate in the town was Samuel Karstetter, who built a shanty on Section 28, in 1847. Mr. Manelious Pearson, a native of England, came in 1848, and, in July of that year, erected the first substantial house, situated on Section 34. Mr. Pearson still resides on the farm of his first choice. His daughter Mary Ann, noAv Mrs. George Inman, born September 21, 1850, Avas the first white child born in the toAvn. Among the very earliest settlers should be mentioned, in addition to Karstetter and Pearson, George Harrison, who came in 1848, Jabez Inman. in 1849, Ansel H. BroAvnell in 1850, John Tordoff in 1851, Edmund Tordoff in 1851, A. D. Potter in 1853, W. S. Ilubbell in 1854, George W. Dickens in 1854, and John White in 1854.

The first school district was organized while the town Avas a part of Marston, in 1851. A schoolhouse A\as commenced that year, situated on the north side of Section 33, near the Ironton and Lavalle road. OAving to a lack of harmony among the people, Avork Avas suspended on it. It was finally completed in February, 1853. This is said to have been the first school in the town of Marston, of which the present town of Lavalle then formed a part. When the schooliK.iise was completed, W. S. Hubbell was Clerk, William All, Treasurer, and Samuel Hoskins, Director. The first teacher was William 11. Brown.

The first rclicrious meetings were held at the house of the Rev. Mr. Hamlin - also a Sabbath school, with Mr. Hamlin as Superintendent - in the summer of 1851. Mr. Hamlin was a Fr.'c-Will Baptist minister.

MUaqe. - The early settlers in the vicinity of what is now the village of Lavalle were J. F. Hamlin, Solon Rushraore, A. H. Brownell, Elisha Potter, Ezra Hagaman, Sebastian Karstottor andM. A. Matthews. Mr. Hamlin made a claim of the land upon which the village is situated, and commenced the improvement of the water-power in the year 1849. He built a tonijtorary board shanty, in which to live, on the south side of the Baraboo, opposite the point he decided upon as the most feasible one for the construction of a dam and mill. He was soon afterward joined by Solon Rushmore, who took an interest in the enterprise. The year of 1849 was spent in making a dam and building the frame work of a mill, and, in the spring of 1850, the machinery was put in. The mill irons were manufiictured in Baraboo by Sanford (J. F.) & liecktel, who were then carrying on a foundry at the county seat, the former being engaged in the mercantile business also. Mr. Sanford settled in Baraboo in 1848, and owned the first stock of goods ever taken to Reedsburg for general sale. The saw-mill was put into operation in the summer of 1850, the first lumber turned out being used, it is believed, in the framework of a more substantial dwelling for Mr. Hamlin. It is still standing as a part of the residence of Mr. llimneberg.

In l.SiJ4, the mill property passed to the hands of J. F. Sanford, who removed to Lavalle and took immediate charge of it- A ilour-barrel factory was soon established in connection with the .saw-mill. Both institutions were carried on successfully for a few yeai's. The manufacture of broom- handles also became a part of the enterprise. In 1869, Mr. Sanford turned his attention to the building of a grist-mill, to be propelled by the same water-power employed in running the saw-mill, barrel factory, etc. A large three-story building was erected just below the dam, and, the necessary machinery being procured, the citizens of Lavalle were soon enabled to use home-made flour. The grist-mill is now the property of Lyman Beery and Theodore Yager. It has three run of stones, which are employed principally on custom work.

Li 1874, the old machinery in the saw-mill w-as taken out and the establishment fitted up for tiie manufacture of staves, by Staftord ifc Co., of Reedsburg, who had rented the building and a certain portion of the water-power for a term of three years. In 1876, Messrs. Keith & Padd(K-k, who also own and conduct the Reedsburg stave-mill, obtained control of the concern. In tln' fall of the same year, a building was erected a short distance above the dam. In it were placed a steam boiler and engine and other necessary machinery for the manufacture of staves. Work was commenced and carried on until the 15th of June, 1878, when the establishment was destroyed by fire, at an estimated loss of ^1,200. Immediate preparations were made for occupying the old saw-mill building, and, in due course of time the buzz of busy saws again echoed in the <|uict precincts of Lavalle. The capacity of this mill is about 500 staves an hour. In 1S7'.>, the combine-l product of Messrs. Keith & Paddock's Lavalle and Reedsburg Mills was 1,500,000 staves. A. E. Miller is Sui)erintendent of both establishments. The surrounding country, being heavily wooded with oak and basswood, furnishes an inexhaustible supply of mafrnal, and uflords ))rofital)l(« employment to large numbers of industrious citizens. The manufaiturcrs find a ready market for their work in the loading cities of the West, the major part of it being shipped to Chicago, where it is made into pork and flour barrels.

In 1874, the Northwestern Hoop-Pole Company, of Chicago, put up a steam mill in the eastern part of Lavalle, in which machinery for the manufacture of hoop-poles and dressing of staves was placed. The business has been cotiducted with varied success up to the present time.

So much for the manufacturing interests of Lavalle. The early growth of the place was necessarily slow, situated as it was in a dense wilderness, scarcely accessible to ordinary road wagons. But the pioneer's first pathway is always rough, ami he is thankful if he can but discern the outlines of even an Indian trail. New-comers gradually found their way into these hills and valleys, which were soon settled upon and cultivated. A school was established in the fall of 1855. It was held in a little shanty just north of the present residence of B. G. Paddock. There are no records of this school prior to 1865. In 1859, the district built a more spacious schoolhouse, which was occupied until 1875, when the present very creditable temple of learning was constructed, at a cost of $1,800, the old schoolhouse being converted into a town hall. At the end of the school year of 1879, there were 127 pupils in the district over four and under twenty years of age who had attended school. There are two departments, Marion Groat and Charlotte Beauchat presiding over them as Principal and Assistant respectively.

A post office was established in the spring of 1856, with S. P. Barney as Postmaster. It was what was then commonly known as a special office, the mail being carried from Reedsburg by the citizens, who at first were in the habit of having a meeting and "drawing cuts" to decide who should carry the mail for the next two weeks. W. H. Young is said to have been the first victim of the "cut system." Finally a subscription was taken up and a regular mail carrier employed. This continued until the railroad reached the place in 1872, Mr. Barney held the office until 1864. It then became what Mr. Barney aptly terms a " a political office," requiring the special attention of an individual with strong party leanings and more or less political influence. William P. Cobb was selected to supplant Mr. Barney, but he lived only a few months, and upon his death J. F. Sanford, one of Mr. Cobb's sureties, was appointed. Mr, Sanford held it ten years, and resigned in favor of William R. Croft, who, in the spring of 1876, withdrew in favor Mr. B. G. Paddock, more commonly known as " Ben," who is the present incumbent.

While the people of Lavalle are all law-abiding Christians, their religious enthusiasm lias never led them to erect extravagant temples. Methodist meetings were held in the place as early as 1856, soon after the construction of the " shanty schoolhouse." Stated services have been of frequent occurrence since. The Adventists, existing in very limited numbers until recently, have also held meetings. Sanford's Hall, Field's Hall and Odd Fellows' Hall have been used by both denominations. In 1878, the Adventists built a neat church edifice. Among the subscribers to the fund were Elder Groat, of Ironton ; J. Abbott Douglass, Robett White, W. H. Field, B. C, Douglass and J. N. Nye. Elders Graves and Hitchcock have supplied the pulpit.

In December, 1875, a lodge of Odd Fellows - Lavalle Lodge, No. 244 - was chartered, with H. A. Sturges, H. P. Apker, Wenz Mihlbauer, Asa Gale, R. W. Clarke and Frank P. Sanford as charter members. The P. G.'s in the lodge are Messrs. Sanford, Apker, Muhlbauer, Sturges, Gale, A. Pound, F. Myer and B. Douglass. There are about thirty members.

The temperance cause has received considerable encouragement in Lavalle. Probably the most effective organization of this character in its history was accomplished in August, 18^' when a Good Templar's Lodge was instituted. The charter members were Mary, Fannie .. Parker Apker, W. Bierd, A. Clement, H. W. Douglass. J. A. Douglass, Henry Eger Graham, Annie Head, Seth Kingsley, W, Marden, H. Paddock, Dell Sanborn, Charles Milo Seeley, Mrs. A. Pound and Robert Wilkie. H. W. Douglass was the first W. ' present is Herbert Paddock. The lodge is in good working condition.

Before the railroad reached Lavalle the traveling public were accommodate berg. Upon the completion of the railroad in 1872, J. F. Sanford enlarge' converted it into a hotel. W. N. Carver is the present lessee of the Sanfo

The town of Lavalle was formerly a part of the town of Marston, the territory of what is now the towns of Woodland, Washington a^" were set off as separate towns, leaving what are now Ironton j~ A petition was sent to the Board of Supervisors, pravi^'^- to Lavalle, but the prayer was not granted. The ' pctitinnetl to be set off as a separate town. To this, the citizens of the north end, for some reason best known to themselves, demurred, but the Ironton people succeeded in carrying through the project, and the town of Ironton was the result. This naturally left the records of alUho territory in (juestion in possession of the town of Marston (now Lavalle), and it was considered a pretty good joke when the town of Ironton found itself compelled to make a transcript of them at its own expense. Marston soon after became, as it is now, the town of Lavalle, and every one was happy.

Tho'vilhu'c of Lavalle now contains three general stores, one hardware, one drug, and one lianlware and grocery store ; one hotel, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one livery-stable, one slioe-shoi),'"one millinery store, one saloon, one stave-mill, one hoop-pole factory, one gristmill, one carding-mill, one graded school, one church, one Odd Fellows' Lodge, one Good Templars' Lodge, and has one doctor.

Town Of Washington

This town is situated in the western tier of towns in Sauk County, and twelve miles south of the north line of the county. The territory included within the limits of the town was originally a jtart of tiie town of Eagle, subsequently was organized as the town of Marston, in connection with the townsliips now known as Ironton and Lavalle, and, on the 1st of April, 1856, the town of Washington was organized. The town boundaries included the present territory. Town 1 1 north. Range 8 east, together with the two tiers of sections lying directly on the north, being a part of Town 12 north. Range 3 east, making the town eight miles north and fioutli, and six miles east and west, in extent. The first election was held in the schoolhouse, on Section 15, April 1, 1850. The inspectors of election were H. W. Reeve and Nelson Wheeler. The whole number of votes cast was seventy-five. The officers elected were D. H. Boland, Chairman; Arva Frost, Joshua Holmes, Supervisors; E. S. Drake, Clerk; H, W. Reeve, Siipfiintcndent of Schocds ; G. W.Gray, Treasurer ; Ira Jones, Assessor ; Nelson Wheeler. Thomas J. Gray, Justices of the Peace; G. V. Ostrander, Thomas DeVoe, Samuel Drake, Constables.

Siiltsiijuciitly. the two tiers of sections from Town 12, Range ?', were cut off and annexed to ihc Town of Ironton, leaving the town in its present form, that of a Government township of thirty-six sections.

several hundred. These springs form clear brooks of never-failing water, which are a great convenience to the farmers for the watering of stock. Windmills are almost unknown. On the highest ridges, good water is obtained at an average depth of seventy-five feet. Narrows Creek and its tributaries flow through the northeastern part of the town, and tributaries of Honey Creek through the southeastern, of Bear Creek through the southwestern, and of WilloAv Creek through the northwestern part. Speckled trout Avere once quite plenty in the latter streams in early days. At this time, they are not found in numbers great enough to satisfy the lovers of the rod and line.

The rock is composed of lime, flint and sandstone. One large limekiln is in successful operation on Frederic' Rowe's farm, on Section 6, and another has been recently started by G. L. Sebring, on Section 2.

There are two post offices in the town. The Sandusky Post Office was established in the fall of 1855. The first Postmaster was William Dano. and the present is H. W. Reeve. The office is situated at the northwestern corner of Section 33. For the past fifteen years, the office has had four mails a week. Arrangements have been perfected by which it is expected soon to have a daily mail. The second office was established February, 22, 1880. It is called Tuckerville, and is situated on the north side of Section 14. John T. Pollock is Postmaster. Mails arrive and depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

There are ten school buildings in the town ; all frame but one, which is of logs. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 2, in 1854. School was taught by Miss Jane Wheeler. R. 0. Mvers was Clerk of the district, and Nelson Wheeler, Director.

The first store was opened and kept by William Dano and J. Holmes, at Sandusky, in the spring of 1855 ; the second by Robert Hawke, and the third by H. W. Reeve, opened in the spring of 1861. Mr. Reeve is still in business at this writing (1880). Another is kept by Fred Zweig, also at Sandusky. The two latter are all that are in operation at this time.

There are four churches in the town. The first was built by the Sandusky Society of the Evangelical Association of North America. The building was erected on land donated by Mr. C. J. H. Erff"meyer, on Section 27, in October, 1864. Cost of building, $400. The society was organized at a meeting held at the house of Charles Schluter, June 5, 1862. Trustees were elected - Frederic Schoephoister for one year, Henry Ties for two years and Charles Schluter for three years. C. J. H. Erffmeyer was Chairman of the meeting, and the Rev. Joseph Harlacher, Secretary. Mr. Erffmeyer donated one acre of land in the northeast ((uarter of the northwest quarter of Section 27 for church and cemetery ; in consideration of which, he was voted lots free for a family burying-ground. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was the first Pastor. Among the first members were Charles Schluter, Fred Schoephoister, Henry Ties, Chris Schluter, C. J. H. Erffmeyer, John Schoephoister, Christian Uphoff, Ernest Bicrnhiet and Chris Gieseke. The present membership is about forty families. The present Pastor is the Rev. . .

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is situated on the north side of Section 26. This society was organized about 1864. The first regular Pastor was the Rev. A. Susner. Six years previous to this, meetings were held in private houses by various traveling ministers. The first meeting was held in the log cabin of Mr. Charles Brandt, in 1858; the old house still stands. Among the first members were Charles Brandt, Frederic Brandt, Henry Brandt, John Wise, Chris Krueger and Mr. Westedt. The church was built in October, 1871, at a cost of about ^400. The membership was thirty-one families; Trustees, Charles Muchow, Aug Krueger and William Krueger ; Pastor, Rev. M. Claus.

The society known as the United Brethren was organized about 1868, and meetings were held in private houses. The first Pastor was the Rev. George Hickey. In 1876, a very neat and roomy church was built at a point known as Tuckerville, on the north side of Section 14, and dedicated the last Sunday of June, 1877. The Pastor at that time was the Rev. James Aldrich. The cost of the building was about $1,100. Among those who contributed toward the building of the church may be mentioned John Shoup, Nelson Blood, William Blackburn, Levi Purdy and Philip Apple ; Adam Tucker donated the site. The present Pastor is Rev. J. Good. The first Baptist services were held in the schoolhouse on Section 27, about 1869,

Mr John Seamans officiating. About 1872, the society was organized, the first regular Pastor bein<T Rev Harvey Bacon. In 1875, a building was bought, situated on Section 34, that is used as a church. The present membership is fourteen, and Mr. A. L. Prouty is Pastor.

The Methodists have no church building within the limits of the town of Washington. They are connected with the Ironton Church, a history of which is given in that of the town of Ironton. The first Methodist services held in the town of Washington were conducted at the schoolhouse on Section 2, in the summer of 1855. Preaching was by the Rev. Mr. Hall. The churcii at Ironton was built in 1863, and the present Pastor is Elder George Tyake.

Forest Lodge, No. 106, I. 0. 0. F.. was instituted about 1863, J. G. Blakeslee, D. D. G. M of Ironton, doing the work. The lodge was instituted in Reeve's Hall, Sandusky. D. B. Marsh was elected N. G., and H. W. Reeve, R. S. The lodge had a membership of thirty-five. About 1873, the charter was surrendered by consent of the members.

The Good Templars had an organization in this town in 1867. Meetings were held in the Sandusky schoolhouse at first, and subsequently in Reeve's Hall. The lodge was organized by Miss Emery (State Lecturer). It only existed about three years.

There are several steam saw-mills, one water-power grist and flouring mill and one cheese factory in the town. In addition to these should be mentioned several cooper-shops and a few blacksmith-shops. Mr. William Schoephoister is rebuilding his steam saw-mill on Section 22. Its capacity will be 6,000 feet per day. Hardwood is the principal timber in use ; much of it is worked up into wagon material ; shipping-point, Reedsburg. E. & H. Staples have a steam saw-mill in operation on Section 33. Another is run by Charles Nebel on Section 31. John Williams has a new grist and flouring mill on Section 14, run by water-power; capacity, 100 bushels per day. A cheese factory is in operation at Tuckerville ; run by Edwin Booker, lessee ; capacity, 400 pounds per day. A cooper-shop at Sandusky is owned and run by Thomas Lyndon, and doing a good business. Several others are operated in difierent parts of the town by various parties.

The first white settler in the original town of Washington was Washington Gray. He built his log caliin on Section 35, Town 12, Range 3, in the spring of 1850. He was followed in November of the same year by R. 0. Myers, who located on Section 3, Town 11, Range 3. As that portion of Town 12 on which Gray settled was subsequently set off and attached to Ironton, Mr. Myers is left the first settler in the town of Washington, in its present form. The next settler after Mr. Myers was Sevyer Selden, who located on Section 2, Town 11, Range 3, where he still resides. Nelson and John Wheeler followed, settling on Section 35, Town 12, Range 3. From 1852 to 1856, the town settled very rapidly. Among those who came in about this time may be mentioned Clark Miller and family, 1852 ; Campbell Miller, 18.'>.2; Lewis Lumcry, 1852: E. S. Drake. 1853; D. H. Boland, Doc and Edward Davison, Z. Staple.s, the Strouds, William Dano, J. Holmes, H. W. Reeve, Gilbert Wheeler, Jeremiah & C. R. Buel, Addison Hale, A. C. Harris, Philip and George Apple, Samuel Thompson, Timothy Chapman. The first German settler was Charles Schluter, coming in 1856.

The niisiTig of log houses was the order of the day. In fact, it became quite a tax on the time of the first settlers. Some weeks they Avere away from home at raisings five days out of the seven ; but, as they were glad to get neighbors, the service was rendered cheerfully. Mr. Myers .says the first time he saw an assessor was when a gentleman came up from Sauk City, assessing the town of Reedsburg. He was warned out to do road work on a slough five miles from his hdine, by the Patliinaster of his road district, and who was living at Cazenovia, eight miles distant.

The first frame house in the town was built by (xilbert Wheeler on Section 14. The first mill was built by William Cobb and H. W. Reeve, a steam saw-mill, situated near Samlusky, on Section 32; sawing commenced January 1, 1857.

Tlie first grist-mill was built in 1.S79, on Section 14, by John Williams (water-power). The first post office established was the Sandusky office; William Dano, Postmaster, appointed in the fall of 1855.

The first schoolhouse was built on Section 2, in 1854 ; Miss Jane Wheeler was the first teacher. Previous to this, in 1853, Miss Laura Tucker had taught school in a private house.

The first church was built on Section 27, and dedicated October 2, 1864, by the Sandusky Society of the Evangelical Association of North America ; Joseph Harlach, Pastor.

The first religious meetings are believed to have been held by the Methodists, in the fall of 1854, in the schoolhouse on Section 2 ; Rev. Mr. Hall ofiiciating. Rumors of meetings held in private houses, prior to this' date, may have some foundation, but nothing positive is known.

In the spring of 1865, indications of carbon oil were found on the surface of a spring, on the farm of J. C. Piper, Section 36, Washington. Two companies were at once organized, with a view of developing the oil business in this town. Each of them leased about a thousand acres of land in the vicinity of the discovery. One was composed mostly of parties from Sauk City ; the other from citizens of the town and other parts of the county. The Sauk City Oil Company procured an engine and boiler and drilling apparatus ; an expert was employed, and the drilling commenced. Excitement ran high. Fabulous prices were asked for land in the vicinity. Parties by the name of Long & Perkins built a hotel near the proposed well.

The drilling progressed to the depth of 138 feet, when the drill was lost. Shortly afterward the work was abandoned. The excitement abated, and the citizens of Washington awoke from their dreams of sudden prosperity to the fact that they were only an agricultural people.

On a Saturday evening, shortly after the New Ulm massacre of Minnesota, when the people living on the frontier were excusably nervous on the subject of Indians, a Mrs. Stambaugh, living a mile and a half northwest of Sandusky, seeing, as she supposed, a party of Indians pass through the woods near her place, took her little ones and fled to Mr. Hart's, one of her nearest neighbors, and sought protection. On hearing her story, the news soon spread, and, by common consent, the neighboring settlers gathered with their wives and children at the Hart place, taking with them only such weapons and household goods as they could conveniently carry. Here they made a stand, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.

Fort Hart was soon in order to resist an attack. Windows and doors were barricaded ; weapons, from a rifle to a pitchfork, put in order. A young man living further south, and who happened to be at Hart's, mounted his horse and made a bold push for home. On the way, he spread the alarm without stopping to enter into particulars. As he passed Mr. Reeve's place, on a dead run, he made out to shout, " Oh, Harvey, the Indians are coining ; the woods are full of them," and passed on like the wind. This very naturally excited Mr. Reeve's fears. And he prepared to put his cabin on a war footing. Bullets were run ; the rifle loaded ; corn knives and scythes placed at hand. Barricades were erected, and things began to look as though no small band of Indians would have any business with that ranche. About this time, neighbor Joseph Powell put in an appearance at the Reeve fortress. He and Mr. Reeve determined to reconnoiter Fort Hart. At great risk of being shot for redskins, they made out to gain admission to this formidable place. Here they found about thirty men, women and children crowded into one small room, the floor covered with bedding and sucli household goods as the refugees in their flight had brought with them ; women and children, pale and trembling ; men evidently nervous, yet pretending to be cool. All sorts of weapons had been pressed into the service, from a flint-lock rifle to a brush scythe. It was certain that no scalps would be taken here without a desperate struggle. One old man with considerable bravado opened the door and called out - -' Come on, ye blood-thirsty savages," but shut it very hastily for fear of being taken at his word.

Capt. Reeve and the veteran Powell watching an opportunity when no painted warriors were in sight stole quietly back to the protection of their families. Greatly to Mr. Powell's alarm, he found his home deserted. It was plain the wife and little ones were prisoners in the hands of the merciless savages. In fear and trembling he made a closer search of the premises, expecting every moment to stumble upon the murdered remains of some of his dear ones. Finally, a faint voice from the log barn-loft reached him. Greatly to his relief he found them all safely hidden away under the hay. Mr. Reeve, in order to allay the fears of his family, pretended to doubt the actual presence of any Indians and went to bed, hut not to sleep. His wife, not satisfied with this arrangement, spent the long night in anxious watching. She was very positive that, if they were permitted to live till another day, they should go back to Ohio at once. The long night passed without an unusual sound. The clear light of day brought with it confidence and hope. The garrison at Fort Hart ventured on an investigation. It was then discovered that Mrs. Stambaugh's ferocious Indians were only three innocent neighboring hunters, who, in passing her place in the dusk, by their bronzed faces and buckskin suits, had caused her to mistake them for Indians. Thus ended the great Indian scare of Sandusky.

When the settlement was young, one summer evening, as one of Sandusky's fair mothers was wending her wa}' home from a neighbor's, accompanied by her son, a hopeful of perhaps fifteen years, they suddenly discovered a large black animal approaching them. Black bears were quite common in those early days, and, recognizing Bruin at once, they took to their heels for safety, the animal lumbering along behind them. The mother, finding that she was likely to be left behind by her stalwart son, seized him by the coat-tails, to help herself to escape from the savage brute in pursuit. Imagine her feelings when the bo}' tried to shake her off, very coolly observing, " What is the use of us both being eat up ; " but the mother wouldn't let go, and together they reached their gate, only a few steps in advance of - not a great hungry bear, but of a pet black calf.

The people of Washington, like their neighbors in other towns of Sauk County, date many of their financial troubles back to the hop crash of 1868. For a few years previous to that year, the growing of hops had been very remunerative. The yield was so good and prices so fair, that very large profits were realized. Men could count their money by thousands who had only had hundreds before. It got so that a man who was known to have a hop-yard was counted financially solid, no matter how small the yard. An extravagant credit was given the hopgrower, which in many cases was injudiciously used. The clearing of land and general farming were neglected ; many spent their large profits lavishly and went deeply in debt on the strength of their expectations. Suddenly the collapse came, as it always does, sooner or later, in such cases. Goo<l crops in other hop-growing districts, and a general increased production throughout the country, caused prices to tumble. The crop of 1868 was picked on the expensive prices of previous years, and, when the hops should have been marketed, they were so low that many held on, hoping for a raise. This was going from bad to worse, as the prices still declined ; ruin followed ; mortgages and executions were uncomfortably common. Many have never recovered from the effects of the disasters of that time. The planter did not suffer alone; all classes, merchants and mechanics, were crippled alike. To redeem their fortunes, people turned their attention again to legitimate farming. Lands were cleared, staple products cultivated, more attention given to stock and dairying, and to-day, Washington is prosperous, and safer by far than she was in the [)alniy days of hop-growing.

Town Of Winfield

is formed of Township No. 13 north, Range 4 east, and contains thirty-six sections. It is situated on the north line of Sauk County, the third town west from the Wisconsin River. The territory comprising this town was first organized as a part of the town of Baraboo, and was organized as the town of Winfield in November, 1852. The first Chairman of the Town Board was Lzra Gregory: Clerk, Hiram Prltmi.

The surface of the town is formed of ridges and valleys, Avith stretches of table-land on the bluflp; soil, black and sandy loam in the valleys ; and uplands, clay loam. Water is abundant and of good quality. Good springs are numerous. Twin Creeks and tributaries flow from the northern part of the town to the southwest, emptying into the Baraboo on Section 31. The head-waters of o her streams form in this town. The rock is principally sandstone.

Many picturesque masses of Rock, forming bluffs of considerable height, add greatly to the beauty of the scenery. The town contains many well-improved farms, tasty residences and good outbuildings. The population in the west and northeastern parts of the town is mostly Irish. In the southeastern and central, mostly English and American.

There are seven school buildings generally good structures. On the northeast corner of Section 21 is a fine Catholic Church, situated on a tract of four acres given by Mr. Martin Conway for church purposes, being the only church in the town. People of other denominations either hold services in the schoolhouses, or go to Reedsburg, which is not far distant.

The Catholic society was formed in 1867. The Trustees were Patrick Dailey, Patrick Whitty and Martin Conway. A wooden church edifice was built in the fall of 1868, at a cost of over $2,000. The Rev. John Conroy was the first priest. He was succeeded by the Rev. B. De Goy, and he by Rev. C. Van Droste, who is in charge at this time. The membership numbers about seventy families, representing the towns of Winfield, Lavalle and Seven Mile Creek. Service is held in the church every alternate Sunday.

This town has the credit of being the first in which hops were grown in Sauk County. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Jesse Cottington (one of the pioneers of Winfield, of whom a biographical sketch is given elsewhere in this work) ordered a lot of hop roots from the yards of C. D. Palmer, Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he had been for several years overseer. The roots were shipped to Milwaukee by boat, and brought from Milwaukee by wagon to Reedsburg. Mr. Amos Cottington brought them to his father's in Winfield, Section 26, in a home-made wagon, composed of a dry-goods box. supported on running gear, the wheels of which, were formed of sections sawed from the end of a log. Mr. C. planted about an acre of hops from tliese roots, but, from being so long on the way, many of them had become damaged, and failed to grow. He built a hop-kiln of logs, size 12x24 feet, without windows or stove. By burning a pit of charcoal, he procured fuel with which he could dry his hops. The charcoal was burned on the ground floor, in such a manner as to produce the desired effect. As he had no press, the hops of the first picking were stamped by foot into a sack, the first crop yielding only 150 pounds. This sack of hops was marketed in Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis. The transportation is worthy of mention. A friend, Mrs. Van Camp, was going to Columbus on a visit ; her conveyance, one horse and wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Cottington, with the sack uf hops, accompanied her. After various mishaps, capsizes and breakdowns, the party reached Columbus, where the hops were sold for 30 cents per pound. So the receipts of the first Sauk Co. hop crop were $45 in ^old. In the spring of the year following his first planting, Mr. Cottington, at the request of Harvey Canfield, of Baraboo, sent for some roots for him, and in the same box had some sent for himself to complete his yard. His second crop amounted to 2,000 pounds. These were sold at Madison for 25 cents per pound. Mr. Cottington supplied roots to his neighbors and neighboring towns, and thus was inaugurated a business that, in a few years, caused almost a revolution in the agricultural interests of the county. It was a rival in a small way to the gold excitement of California. During the year 1867, the receipts for hops in this county reached $2,000,000. In the year (1867), Mr. Cottington's crop sold for $8,000. He became a dealer in hops, and handled that year about $200,000 worth.

It is not positively known who was the first actual white settler in Winfield. It is reported that a man by the name of Bowen made a claim in the southeastern ])art of town in the year 1848, and built a shanty. Mr. Alexander Locke claims to have built the first shanty in the town. He came to Town 13, Range 4, now Winfield, in April, 1849, and built a shanty, 12x12 feet, on the southeast quarter of Section 34, he Jiaving taken that tract in 1848, by land warrant. Mr. Leonard and George Huft'nail built a shanty together, to the north of Mr. Locke, and the same spring that he built his shanty. Mr. S. J. Seymour, of Dellona, says, in regard to the early settlemeiTt of Winfield, that he was on Section 24, of this town, on the 13th day of June, 1840, looking land ; that he found Mr. William Andrews with his two sons and his son-in-law, named Mills, eating their dinners by a log fire, on the tract of land now owned by Mr. Silas Fish. The party had come up from Baraboo, with D. K. Noyes, the day before, who had shown them the land. They had not. as yet, built even a shanty. They shortly after did build one on this tract. And in the fall of that year, Mr. Seymour helped them raise a log house, in which Mr. Andrews made his home.

Mr. Sevmour further says, that, about the first of June of the same year, he found some land newly broken on the northwest quarter of Section 36, on the tract of land now owned by Mr. Powell ; that he was informed that the improvement was made by a man named Duncan. He was not aware of any other improved claim in the town at this time. He afterward helped Mr. Duncan raise his house, but cannot remember whether it was prior to raising the Andrews house or not. He also states that Mr. Mills commenced a log shanty on the place now owned by Mr. Carlisle, and that after cutting a few logs, Mr. Mills met with a serious accident, cutting one of his legs badly. This caused him to leave his claim and go East, to his home. Mr. John Carlisle came in 1849, and bought this tract, whether from the original claimant or not does not appear.

Among the early settlers may be mentioned John Pel ton and his sons, who came in 1850 ; Lachlan and Joseph Mcintosh came in April, 1851 ; Robert Greenwood and sons, in 1851 ; Edward Hemingway in 1851; George F. Lawson, in the spring of 1851 ; Samuel Montross, in 1852 ; Jesse and Amos Cottington, February, 1352 ; Thomas Senogles, July, 1852 ; Peter Golden^ in 1H50: John Flynn, in 1850.

The first schoolhouse was built in the spring of 1852, and was situated on the northeast quarter of Section 34, near the road, and just south of where Mr. Ransom's house now stands ; this was District No. 1. Mr. Jesse Cottington remembers helping to build the schoolhouse, for his assessment for the payment of glass, sash, etc., was $1, and, not having that amount of money by him, he walked to Lyons and borrowed it of a member of his family. The first teacher was Miss Esther Smith, now Mrs. Jonathan Nye. Previous to this, a school was kept, for a short time, in Mr. A Locke's house, by a Miss Cole.

District No. 2 was organized October 7, 1852, with William Andrews, Clerk ; T. C. Safford, Director; Tiiomas Senogles, Treasurer- The schoolhouse was built that fall, and school commenced in December, with Miss C. D. Hastings, teacher. Her contract provided for tN\elve weeks' school, at ^2 per week. The schoolhouse was built on the northeast quarter of Section 24. The new house was built in the summer of 1875, on the northeast quarter of the same section.

Religious services were first held in Mr. A. Locke's house, next in William xindrews'. The Catholic Church was built in 1868, being the only church building in the town.

The first white child born in this town was Harriet Locke, daughter of Mr. A. Locke (so says Mr. Locke). The first death was that of a Mr. Barber, who died about 1851. Mr. Leonard also died at an early day. Mr. James Cottington, who came to the town in 1850, died February 11, 1855.

Among the notable features of the town, may be mentioned the large apple tree in the orchard of Mr. (J. R. Kelk-y. The variety is the Pennsylvania Red Stripe ; age, twenty-eight years ; circumference, si.x feet ten inches near the ground ; area covered by the top, forty-six feet east and west, and forty-eight feet north and south. The tree is healthy, and the fruit laige and fine. It bore twenty -six bushels of apples last year. >L-. Kelley also has a curiosity in the shape of a native aj.ple tree. The tree was discovered by Mr. Golden, who entered the land in 1S,:)II. It WHS then about fifteen years old. It was bearing a yellow, sweet apple, about the size of a Transcendent Crab. Mr. Kelley has cultivated it, and the fruit is much improved, being now as large as an average Golden Russet. The fiavor is sweet and the color yellow.

The wood resembles the wild crab somewhat. The tree is now nearly ten inches in diameter, and has borne, this year, about eight bushels of fruit.

Loganville And Town Of Westfield

This town is six miles square, Town 11, Range 4, and is situated six miles east of the west line of the county, and twelve miles south of the north line. The territory comprising it was originally a part of the township of Eagle, and was set off from the town of Reedsburg, to which it subsequently belonged, and was organized as VVestfield in 1854. The first town officers were : J. K. Thompson, Chairman ; Martin Oavey and Henry Nippert, Supervisors ; William Baird, Clerk : , R. B. Balcom, Treasurer; Chancy P. Logan, Justice of the Peace; Lyman Twist, Assessor; N. H. Briggs, Superintendent of Schools ; R. T. Root, Constable.

The town is composed of hills and valleys, ranging north and south in the central and western parts, and east and west in the eastern. The soil is clay loam on the uplands and a black loam in the valleys. Strong and fertile, even to the summit of ridges, tame grasses and all products common to this latitude are grown very successfully.

The timber is abundant, and principally of the diff'erent varieties of oak (white, red and black). Maple, hickory, basswood and elm are found in considerable quantities. There are no large marshes.

The town is watered bv Narrows Creek and its tributaries. A great number of natural flowing springs are found. Good well water is obtained at an average depth of forty feet. The advantages of water, while both valleys and uplands are so productive of grass, makes the growing of stock very profitable.

Fully three-fourths of the inhabitants are German ; the balance is made up of Americans, Irish and English. The market towns are Ableman and Reedsburg.

A good water power is found at the village of Loganville, where Mr. Frank Dorn has a grist-mill in operation. Iron ore has been found in the town in quantities that promise to pay for working. Work has been commenced with a view to develop the mines. X There ^re many good hop-yards in cultivation in this town, and some of the old hop-growers are hopeful of striking it rich again some day. The experience with hops has been the same in this town as that already described in neighboring towns.

A German Lutheran Church was built in the spring of 1865, on the north side of Section 15. It is a frame structure ; Rev. A. Rohrlack is Pastor. Among the first members should be named Henry Licht, Henry Giffert, Sr., Henry Giffert, Jr., Fred Tilker, Fred Horstmann, Henry Luhrsen, Nicholas Hasz, Nicholas Luhrsen, William Funte, Fred Gade, William Krueger, Christ Kcenecke and Fred Darger. A. E. Winter is the present Pastor.

The German Lutheran (Zion's) Church was organized in 1865. The same year the church was built at a cost of about ^2,300. It was built of stone, and is situated on the north side of Section 23. Rev. Christopher Kessler, Pastor. Among the early members were Caspar Luckensmeier, H. Schmidt, Fred Schulte, William Schulte, Carl Uphoff, H. Behn, Johan Hahn, Heinrich Schewe, H. Burraeister, H. Shroeder, H. Baumgarten, William Kopf, Peter Hasz and I. C. Luhrsen, and their families. The present membership number sixty families. There is a good school in connection with the church.

St. Peter's German Lutheran Church, Loganville, was organized in 1874 ; Mr. C Kesler, Pastor. The church was built the same year at a cost of about ^1,500. Among the early members were Henry Niemann, John Williams, August Meyer, Christian Hasz, Nicholas Hasz, Fred Tilker, Henry Licht, Aug. Marquart, George Kruse, Aug. Schacker, Charles Behn, William Behn and Henry Jacobs. Present membership, about fifty families. George Worth is the present Pastor.

The first Methodist meetings were held in what is called the Bacon Schoolhouse, about 1853, by the Rev. Mr. Butler, the circuit preacher. The first organization was in the Loganville Schoolhouse, about a year later, Rev. Mr. Bean presiding. Among the early members were Daniel Gulliford and wife, David Wise and wife, Samuel Bliven and wife, and Mrs. Sarah Newell. In 1876, a log church was built on Section 28.

The German Methodists built their first church in 1859. The building was made of logs, and was used till 1877, when the present church was built, at a cost of $1,800. This is a fine, brick-veneered buihling. The first Pastor was the Rev. Adam Salzer ; present Pastor, Rev. William C. Krueckmann. Among the active members are Henry Faller, John Werron, Philip Grubb, George Moag, Peter Stackhouse, N. Haefer, and Chris. Moag.

R. Sprague is said to have been the first white settler in this town. He located here in 1850. He was followed by Horace Smith, in 1851. Martin Davey, Lyman Twist, John Mepham, John Selden and others came in 1852. The next three years brought large numbers of settlers. Among these we find Chancey P. Logan, Stephen N. Kinsley, William Palmer, R. B. Balcom and James Davis, all of Loganville. Daniel Gulliford came, in 1854, from Sumter, Sauk County, where he had been a resident since 1846. Among the early German settlers were John G. Schaum (1851), John Werron (1852), John Moag (1853), nnd H. W. Kopt (1854).

In February, 1854, Mr. Chancey P. Logan built a log cabin in the southeast corner of Section 8, on the site of the village of Loganville, near Narrows Creek. The old log house still stands, but has not been tenable for many years. This was the first improvement, and the origin of the village. Mr. R. B. Balcom joined Mr. Logan, and the two, Avith their families, lived together for several years. In the summer following, S. N. Kinsley, A. II. Bosworth, R. T. Root, Truman Parker, William Palmer and others located here. William Palmer erected the first frame house in the village in the summer of 1854. Mr. Kinsley afterward bought it and made it his home. Mr. Logan and Mr. Kinsley at once commenced work i>n a dam and saw-mill. By tapping the Narrows Creek across a narrow neck, a good head of water was obtained. Tiie mill was completed and sawing commenced early the following spring. The old mill stood till about 1877.

In the spring of 1855, a j)0st office was established, called Loganville. S. N. Kinsley was appointed Postmaster. The office was held in the first frame building mentioned above.

The first sclioolhouse was built by Logan and Kinsley, at their private expense, on the present school site ; but the district afterward bought it. S. N. Kinsley was the first teacher. When the present schoolhouse was built, in 1869, the old one was moved down street, and is now used by Adam Leischer for a wagon-shop.

Tiie tirst religious services were held in the log cabin of Logan in May, 1854, and were conducted by S. A. Dwinnell, a Congregational minister of Reedsburg. Meetings were held about every alternate Sunday. The peo])le were scarcely ever without a minister. In the pioneer ilays, ministers were far more ])lenty than churches. The Baptists organized a society in 1855. Rev. 1). B. Barber and Rev. John Seamans were the leaders. The Presbyterians oriranized in 1S5!».^ The first Pastor was the Rev. S. Uhlfelder.

The first store was opened by A. D. Gibsoi;, now deceased. The second store was opened by K. P. c<: H. H. Newell, in a building erected by Logan & Kinsley, who gave the rent free for one year to encouragr the jtarties to locate with them. The first wagon-shop was kept by William 11. liogan ; the first blacksmith-shop by A. Lennox and L Richards. John Putnam was the first cabinet-maker. A grist-mill was built in the summer of 1861 by D. J. Mackay and William Palmer.

At the present, the village has a population of about 200. It has a good water-power, one grist-mill, owned and run by Mr. Frank Dorn. Two general stores, one kept by J. C. Luhrsen, the other by John Williams. Two hotels, one kept by Adam Leischer, and the other by George Raetzmann ; one harness-shop, one wagon-shop and three blacksmith shops. One of these is a new shop, kept by Henry Heitkamp. One shoe-shop; one wagon shop, kept by Adam Leischer ; one cooper-shop ; and one milliner-shop, kept by Mrs. Adam Leischer. There are two physicians. Dr. E. G. Cristman has been in practice in Loganville about thirteen years, and is favorably known throughout the county.

The Westfield Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was organized March 4, 1876 - Henry Meyers, President; Nicholas Hasz, Secretary. The present officers, 1880, are : J. C. Luhrsen, President ; Nicholas Hasz, Secretary; Henry Niemann, H- W. Kopf, William Behn, Assessors. The company does business in the towns of Westfield, Freedom, Excelsior, Reedsburg and Washington.

Town Of Dellona

The territory now included in the town of Dellona originally belonged to the town of Baraboo, which also embraced the territory composing the towns of Lavalle and Winfield and the north half of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. In November, 1850, the north half of Township 12, Range 5, and the whole of Township 13, Range 5, was set off from the town of Baraboo and called Dellona. In January, 1857, the town of Excelsior was organized from the town of Freedom and that portion of the town of Dellona, lying south of the line between Townships 12 and 13, making the boundaries of the town of Dellona the same as at present.

The first settlement upon the territory now included in this town was made by Patrick Hickey in the year 1845, when "Sauk County belonged to Dane County, and had less than 300 inhabitants within its borders. Mr. Hickey was followed by Peter Haskin, Patrick Mulligan, James Slaven, John Timlin and S. J. Seymour.

In 1847 occurred the first birth in the town, that of Bridget Slaven, and the 14th of February, 1850, witnessed the tying of the first hymenialknot. Patrick Hickey was the happy bridegroom. Michael Hickey's is believed to have been the first death of a white person in the town. This sad event occurred on the 4th of June following the first marriage.

In 1851, a log schoolhouse was erected on Section 20, and a district school established, a Miss Wheeler being the first teacher. A post office had been established the year previous called Dellona. Samuel Northrup, one of the pioneers of the county, was the first Postmaster. A Roman Catholic Church was built in 1858, the pulpit being at first supplied by an itinerant clergyman.

The town of Dellona is largely devoted to agriculture. A cheese-fiictory was established in the town a few years ago, by J. L. Dwyer, and carried on about two years, when it ceased opei'ations.

The present town of Freedom was originally embraced in the towns of Brooklyn, Eagle and Prairie du Sac. On the 11th of December, 1850, an alteration of the boundaries of the town of Brooklyn was authorized, the town of Eagle being wiped out and the town of Freedom created. A complete set of town officers seems to have been chosen April 3, 1849. The Supervisors were James Christ (Chairman), J. W. Hentham and Reuben Ward ; Town Clerk, L. B. SwalloAv ; Assessor, George Randall ; Treasurer, Hiram Hubbard ; School Superintendent,

The first settlement made on any part of the territory now included in the town of Freedom was in 184G, by R. N. Kingsley. on Section 2. Samuel D. Sleutz settled soon afterward, in the same year, on Section 7. The Rev. James Waddell entered the south half of the northeast quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12 on the 11th of February, 1H47. William Sproul and George Nippert were the next settlers. Then followed the gradual occupation of all the available cultivatablo lands in the town.

Mary Waddell was the first white child who first saw the light of day in the town of Freedom ; she was born May 17, 1847. July 16, 1848, occurred the first death, that of Elizabeth Harrison. A district (No. 4) school was established in the winter of 1849-50, J. R. Guile being the first teacher. A private school had been taught previous to this, by a young lady whose name is not now recalled. The first religious services were held at the house of Mr. Ilirschinger, in the fall of 1847, the Rev. James Waddell officiating. Nicholas Guile built a saw-mill on Seeley Creek at an early day, and in 1878, Gustavus Scharuke built a grist-mill on the same stream.

The year 185G witnessed the building of the first house in what is now the village of North Freedom. John Hackett was the builder and owner. In 1867, Bloom & Kimball erected a saw-mill, which was soon afterward destroyed by fire. They now have two saw-mills. There arc now in the village eight stores, including a drug store ; three blacksmith-shops and a wagon and paint shop, and three churches. John Ladd opened the first store in 1871. A post office was also establishe<l this year, Avith J. M. Haines as Postmaster. The village of North Freedom was surveyed and jjlatted by W. C. T. Newell in 1873.

In >Iay, ls71, G. W. Bloom purchased a tract of 27 acres of land in Section 2, and in 1872 it was surveyed and platted and called the village of Bloom. The depot buildings of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Company are located on Mr. Bloom's plat. There are also a store and several dwellings on the phit. Tiie people of these villages are particularly proud of their temperance record, there not being a saloon in either of them. Two temperance organizations exist as follows :

Earnest l.odge, No. 482, I. 0. G. T., was organized at the Methodist Episcopal Church, under the management of Miss Genie F. Nash, January 31, 1879. There were twenty-five charter members from that time to May 25, 1880, when there were eighteen initiated into the

There are two churches in town, the Advents and Methodist, which have been in operation for a good many years. Twelve or thirteen years ago, they used to hohl their meetings alternately in the schoolhouse of District No. 5; then they each wanted to hold protracted meetings, and finally a misunderstanding arose and the house was closed against the Methodists. The Methodists then went at it, and built what is known as the basswood shanty. This proved a very cold investment during the winter, for hardly any one's religious enthusiasm was strong enough to take them to that little church at Russell's Corners verv often during cold weather. It is said that, the lumber being green when it Avas built, it slirank so that it was almost as open as a sieve. When the Methodists purciiased the Templars' Hall (Section 5), James Halsted bought the basswood building.

The first meeting of the Fairfield Lodge, No. 264, was held at the Methodist Episcopal Church, April 16, 187S. After the granting of the charter, the following officers were elected and installed : H. Porter, W. C. ; Mrs. N. M. Herrick, W. Y. ; M. L. Dame, R. S. ; William Kinney, Treas. ; F. B. Thomas, F. S. ; A. Norton, W. C. ; J. Wrightmyre, W. M. ; H. Bunker, P. W. C. T. ; Mrs. F. B. Thomas, R. H. S. ; Mrs. H. Porter, L. II. F. ; Carrie Agers, A. S. ; Anna Deval, D. M. ; H. Bunker, L. D. ; Lizzie Thayer, I. G. ; Perry Porter, 0. G. This lodge is the only secret society that has headquarters in this town. It is the successor to the old Lincoln Lodge that was started here many years ago. Owing to some dilficulty between the members, it was broken up. Lincoln Lodge was, at one time, quite inlluential, and succeeded in building a hall to hold their meetings in. After the difficulty, however, the hall was sold to the Methodist Episcopal Society, and it now serves a very good purpose as a church or place to hold religious services.

The first town meeting recorded was held at the schoolhouse, near Russell's Corners, pursuant to previous notice, on the l/ith day of April, 1850, and the town organized into an independent precinct. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Chairman of Town Board, Harvey Hurlbut ; Side Supervisors, Benjamin Teel and John Inman ; Town Clerk, T. M. Adams ; Assessor, Benjamin Teel ; Treasurer, John B. Russell ; Superintendent of Schools, Jesse Bushnell ; Justices of the Peace, Jesse Bushnell, Edwin Plummcr, T. M. Adams and Ben Clark ; Constables, Peter Parshall and John II. Bennett ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, David B. Norton. The whole number of votes cast did not exceed thirty. At a special meeting, held the 14th day of May following, a vote was taken and carried to raise $150, to pay the town expenses for the ensuing year. At the end of the first fiscal year, there was left a balance of ^70.79 uncollected taxes in favor of the town. At first, but $100 was appropriated to defray the expenses of public schools. In 1852, at annual town meeting, April 6, the chief question of interest to the electors was the moving an appropriation of money to build a bridge over the Baraboo River. In response to motion made, $50 was voted for this purpose. This included all charges to be made against the town. The bridge Avas built near Mr. Buttcrfield's, being the first public work of that kind that the town had engaged in. The town was divided into seven road districts at the first, which in the progress of time have increased slowly until there are now thirteen. During the first five years or more after the town had been organized, cattle and swine were allowed to roam on the commons, excepting uncastratod males. At the annual town meeting in 1855, there were forty-seven voters, there being an increase of seventeen in five years. At this meeting $250 were voted for school purposes.

At the town meeting, April, 1858, voted to purchase a certain piece of land at Russell's Corners for a burying-ground, to pay for which the sum of $12 was appropriated, and this is the only cemetery in town. In 1800, the town electors had increased to ninety-six, and the Superintendent's report shows $218.74 used for educational purposes. During the year 1802, a fence was built around the graveyard. November 17, 1862, a special meeting was called for the purpose of raising money to pay the volunteers enlisted from this town, by L. H. Wells. After the meeting was called to order, it was at first proposed to raise ^361 ; motion put, and lost. It was then moved that the above sura be raised by a tax on the next assessment roll. This motion, being agreeable to the voters, was approved. On the 1st day of December, 1863, pursuant to a call of twelve electors of the town, a special meeting was held for the purpose of raising more money to pay volunteers. At this meeting it was decided by vote to raise and pay $200 each to six men, required to fill out a town quota of men demanded for the service. Again, on the 27th of February, 1864, a special meeting was held, and a vote taken to pay $200 each to every volunteer from this town. On the 16th of August of the above year, another meeting was held pursuant to a special call, and a vote was taken to levy a tax to raise $2,400 bounty for twelve volunteers. At this meeting, seventy-two votes were polled, fifty being for the tax, and twentytwo against it. Pursuant to call, another meeting was convened soon after the above, namely, in January, 1865, when $2,400 more was appropriated to pay more men for going to the war.

July 29, 1865, another special meeting was called to raise money to pay for destroying a different foe, the enemies in this case being wildcats and wolves, which had become exceedingly troublesome. The bounty voted was $10 for every wolf-skin, and $5 for every wildcat or lynxskin. This was eventually reduced to $5 and $3.

Amount of money used for education in town in 1865, was $311. At the town meeting, on the 2d of April, 1878, the voters denounced the action of former Town Board, and declared they had been acting fraudulently and deceptively in collecting a larger amount of money than had been voted at the annual meeting. (For number of voters now in the town, consult census reports. )

The Franklin Mutual Farmers' Insurance Company was organized in the town of Franklin, January 6, 1877, and at first included only the towns of Franklin, Spring Green and Bear Creek. James Bandol was elected President at the time of organizing, and holds the position still ; Richard H. Douglas, Secretary. The Directors were George G. Morgan, Richard H. Douglas, James Bandel, Edward Lester and James Ochsner. In 1879, the company embraced the towns of Ithaca, Buena Vista, Sylvan, Richland, Willow and Rockbridge, in Richland County.

The amount of property now insured by' them is $158,886; their losses thus far have amounted to only $62, and no assessments have been made. The rate of survey and policy for each individual is $1.50 ; the funds obtained in this way have thus far been enough to pay all running expenses, and leave a surplus on hand sufficient to pay any small losses. Nearly all the leading farmers in the towns enumerated above are members. The officers are now the same as mentioned at first. The Assessors are George Morgan, Edward Lester and James Ochsner The community are indebted principally to the effiirts of James Ochsner, James Bandel and Richard 11. Douglass for getting the company established.