Walworth County, Wisconsin - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 4 of those read), 1882 (part 3 of 3)

Dm-ing the three years of general depression which followed the financial crash of 1857. the village lost ground, and the population was still fiu-ther depleted during the war. It has never since contained so large a population as was reported at that time. It has. however, improved with age in general appearance. Finer private buildings have been built, which, together with the new county buildings, chiu-ehes. and the excellent and commodious school building, render it one of the handsomest inland villages in the State. As a center of trade, it has not fulfilled the expectations of the sanguine years of its youthful existence, though it shares in just proportion with the neighboring town of Delavan the local trafiic of the surrounding towns.

The Park And Buildings

The Elkhorn park is one of the finest in the State. It contains, including the bordering streets, an area of eleven acres, Iseing forty-f om- rods long by forty rods wide. It was reserved by the county for its use. and has been adorned and beautified by the county and village authorities. In a state of nature, it was a magnificent oak opening, quite clear from undergrowth, and fairly shaded by burr, white and black oaks, all old when the first white man saw them. The old oaks still stand, and among them have been planted the maple, hickoiy, and many evergreen trees. It still, however, retains the ancient, pristine beauty of the early days, and is, to the old settlers, one of the few oak openings spared to remind them of the woods as they first saw them.

It has no fence, and requires none, as cows and hogs, by ordinance of the village corporation, are not allowed to run at large. It was formerly inclosed, the expense of erecting the fence being defrayed partly by the county and partly by the citizens of Elkhorn. The time when the fence was built is in doubt - probably in 1853. It is certain that the authorities were exercised on the fence question as early as November. 1852. Prior to that time, it had been an open park, like a New England common. At that time the subject of inclosing the park

Your committee, to whom was referred ti e fencing of tlie public square, make the following report: First. That they have had the ma'ter under consideration, and liave had the estimate of a good mechanic, and find that the lumber will cost $-.37!l.84. aside from some other materials that will be necessary, and, in consideration of the above, your committee have come to the conclusion to reconunend that this Board raise $350, in consideration tliat the citizens of Ellihorn will go on and construct a good and substantial post and rail fence (according to a diagram herewith submitted), as pledged by divers citizens of Elkhorn, which said pledge is herewith attached, and that the Clerk be authorized to draw orders for the same, it being understood that the citizens of Elkhorn are to paint said fence with two coats of mineral paint and oil.

November 25. 1852. the work of building the fence was put into the hands of a citizens' committee, consisting of Hollis Latham, Edwin Hodges and Otis Preston, and, through the efforts of that committee, the fence was built and the park inclosed. The funds were fru-nished jointly, in accordance with the resolution above cjuoted. and remained till the spring of 1880, at which time it was removed by Mr. Jacob Ketchpaw. who purchased it of the county for tlie sum of $22.

The pavilion, which still stands, in the eastern part of the park, whs built by private subscription. Squire Stanford was the builder. It first served as a speakers' stand and rallying-point for the old settlers' meeting. Jime 12, 1872. and has ever since been the point of rendezvous for the Fourth of July celebrations, old settlers' meetings, and other important outof-door gatherings of the village and country.

The com-t was for some years held in buildings outside the park- first, in a frame building, owned by Mr. Le Grand Rockwell, which served as court room, post office, grocery store, lawyer's office, and for all other uses that the wants of the public or the r)rivate necessities of the owner required.

The first court house, a wooden structure, two stories in height, with quite an imposing fa<j'ade, supported by four pillars and siu-mounted by a cupola, was built for the county by Levi Lee, in 1841^2. It was occupied for court purposes for the first time in April, 1842. It was, at the ime of its completion, the second best court house in the State, and was an object of local pride to all residents of the county. In 1846, Sheldon Walling built for the county a one-story fire-proof building at a cost, when completed, of $534. It was erected on the site of the present fire-proof office building, and. with the court house above mentioned, continued to adorn the park till it was torn down and the old court house moved to its present site, to make room for the present county buildings. Mr. Lee received his pay for the court house in land deeded to him by the county, which embraced a large part of the j)reseut site of the village. Further mention of Mr. Lee appears in the biographical part of this work. The old court house, still standing on the south side of Walworth street, was bought, and is still owned, by Mr. Edward Elderkin. It is one of the few old structures remaining to remind of the early days.

The present fire-proof county building, now occupied by the Register of Deeds, the County Judge, and containing all the probate and abstract records of the county, was erected during the summer of 1866. The builders were Squire Stanford. A. Stevens and George Dewing. The cost of the building was 14.265. It is a plain brick structure, well adapted to the uses for which it was designed.

The court house was completed and the final accounts rendered by the building committee, consisting of N. M. Littlejohn, Alex. Frazer and E. B. Dewing, at the annual session of the Board of Supervisors, in November, 1875. The entire work was done by Squire Stanford, the original contract being made for completing the building for the sum of $19,249. Additional work increased the cost of the building to $21,287. The furniture, fixtures and incidental cost amounted to $2,467, making the entire cost of the new structure $23,755. It is two stories in height, built of brick, on a raised basement of stone. A cujiola rises above the roof, stu-moirnted by a statue of Justice. Its style of architecttire is not ornate, but impresses with an idea of solidity and utility. It is one of the finest court buildings in the State. It has two entrances, iu the center, from the north and south. The first floor is fitted uji for county offices for the Sheriff, Superintendent of the Poor, County Clerk, County Treasiu-er. Clerk of the Circuit Com-t. and "session room for meetings of the County Board. The second floor is devoted to court purposes, and contains a' commodious court room, jury room and Judges" apartment. It is a permanent structm-e. built to eudm-e the ravages of time for many generations yet to come.

The jails, as public buildings, although always standing outside the park, deserve mention, more especially the old log jail, long ago gone, which was the fitrst building erected by the county. It was built in 1840, by W. B. Johnson, in accordance with the plans and specifications furnished by Mr. A. K. Allen. The specifications were as follows:

Description of the building of the jail for Walworth County - 14x20 feet, 7 feet between floors. Of oak timber 10 inches in thicjiness - square; floors of tlie same, to be grooved into the side logs, 5 inches deep and 4 inches wide: a partition across the house of the same descniption of timljer, to be dove-tailed into the side logs. Two doors, the one in the partition, the other in the side, to be made of oalv plank li inches in thickness - double, the plank on one side crossing those on the other at right anjrles, and nailed with 20-penny nails, in rows an incli apart eac;h way, perpendicularly and horizontally. The doors to be hung with strap hinges, 3xi inches at one end, and Ixf inch at the other, of a regular taper, and to extend across the door, with tlie exception of being split at the butt end, in such a manner as to straddle the shank of the hook; the hooks to be proportionably stout, witli pins to go through both branches of tlie straps. The logs of the body of the house and of the'partition to be spiked together at the corners and at each side of the doors - (the corners formed by the ends of the partition with the sides of the house excepted) in the following manner: The logs at the corners to be lajiped together across each other - let into each other in such a manner as to fit down tight upon the logs under them, and spiked with f inch spikes, where the logs lap at the corners, by boring through the upper log and driving the spike 5 inches into the log under it without boring. A plate to be put above'the upper flooi'and spiked down in the manner of the other logs. Two windows in the one room, 8x10 inches, with a bar of iron across each way at right angles, two in tlie other, large enough for four lights of 7x9 glass, the logs to be spiked at the sides of them as at the corners of the house, and the larger two to be grated with inch iron bars, three each way to each window, and the whole to be covered with a good shingle roof. The cracks between the logs to be pointed with good lime and sand mortar, upon the outside. The gable end to be studded and sided.

The above job to be let to the lowest bidder, and the Commissioners reserve one bid. The whole to be completed by the 1st of April, 1840, and to acceptance of the Commissioners of said County of Walworth.

If the Commissioners do not accept of the building when the contractor supposes it to be finished, it is to be decided by three disinterested persons chosen by the parties. There is a diamond to be made in the door in the partition 7 inches square. The person taking the job to give bonds in the sum of foOO, condition for the faithful performance of the contract.

The fastenings of the doors to be put on agreeable to the directions of the Commissioners, and will be jiaid for by said Commissioners separate from the other part of the building.

The jail was conscientiously built in accordance with these specifications, and served the piu-poses of impending justice for many years. It ke]it few people iu who desired to get out, and was finally condemned by the Grand Jtuy as unfit for the purposes for which it was intended. Among the tenants best remembered was William Brown, a young German boy. who came into its hospitable boundaries after it had fallen into a somewhat dilapidated state. He was arrested for horse-stealing, but. having but a moderate command of the most broken English, and showing none of the characteristics of the hardened thief, he rather won the affection of all who saw him. and there seemed to be no very energetic move made for his indictment. He was held in durance vile till two Grand Jiu-ies had failed to find a bill against him, when, imder constitutional limitations, he was set free. The lenity of the citizens to the unfortunate and friendless boy did not. in this instance, prove misplaced. He became a respected citizen, and was uever after suspected even of criminal intent. Diu-iug his nominal incarceration, his home was iu the old log jail. Otis Preston was at that time Sheriff, and shared the general sentiment of the people toward his prisoner. He allowed him the " freedom of the yard," which took in all Elkhorn at that time. He spent pleasant days in clearing up the park. Rainy days and evenings he stayed at home in the jail and played " seven up," and other innocent games, with such of his acquaintances as might drop in: Mr. Preston noticed that his company occasionally kept late hours, and brought him up at one time with a round ttu-n by telling him that the "jail hours" closed at 9 P. M.. and that if. thereafter, the light was not out and his visitors dispersed at that hour, he wmild fake the keij aimy from him. On rlie faihire of the jury to find an indictment, the Judge delivered his discharge j^apers to Sheriff Preston, who found him somewhere on the park grounds, read him the paper, demanded the key of the prisoner, walked over to the jail and locked him out.

About the year 1852. the old jail was condemned, and a better one built near the northwest corner of the park, at the intersection of Chm-ch and Court streets. This, in .turn, gave way to the present jail, which was completed in 1878. The old building, with lot. was sold, and the present site pm-chased. at the northwest corner of Church and Walworth streets. The new lot cost $1,000. and the buildings thereon - jail. barn, shed and jailer's house - $9,546. The total cost of the property was $lV). 546. The buildings were erected by Messrs. Nolan & Shearer. of Janesville: the plans' were fimiished by architects Koch & Co.. of Milwaukee. The jailand appurtenances are fitted with all modern appliances for the safety and health of those confined. It is a model of perfection for the uses for which it was built.

Early Taverns

The first effort to build a tavern on the site reserved by the county for that purpose was made by Richard Hogaboom. James Farnsworth and Benjamin Arnold. Nf^ither of them nor all of them had sutficient capital for the undertaking. Thoy nevertheless determined to build the tavern, and thereby become the proprietors of the most valuable corner in the embryo city of Elkhorn. They boiight a frame in Sheboygan, had it shipped to Racine, and from there hauled it by horse teams to Elkhorn. Before it was fairly erected, they came to the too common grief of many whose hopes overleap their powers, and were obliged to sell out to a man having less hope but more money. Rev. Levi Lee finished the building, and, at the same time, took off their hands the contract they had made to erect the court house. He completed the tavern in 1842. and received his deeds for the lots early in 1843. There were residuary interests that installed James Farnsworth as the first landlord. He did not remain long. Gen. Sheldon Walling succeeded him. as a lessor of Elder Lee. who owned the tavern. Walling was too genial to suit the ideas of Mr. Lee. who desired the tavern to be run on strictly temperance principles. This had perhaps less to do with the change than the fact that Gen. Walling was not over-scrupulous in the prompt i)ayment of his rent. At any rate. Mi'. Lee concluded to run the hotel himself, and moved in as landlord some time in 1 842. In 1843, George Young, the father of Dr. George H. Young, now a resident of Elkhorn, leased the house. He remained one year, at the expiration of which time Mr. Lee again took the house himself. In 1845. Wilmot Brothers took t.e house. They were followed by D. B. Packer, who remained till Mi-. Lee felt constrained to make another change. The succeeding landlords were: Dewing & Bemis, Baird Brothers, and John Aiken. About 1850, E. P. Eaton bought the house of Mr. Lee. improved it. and kept for several years one of the best taverns in the county. Mr. Eaton sold out to Lyman Edwards and moved to Iowa. Edwards rented to S. C. Russ, who kept the house in splendid shape till the hotel was piu-chased by the present proprietor, John H. Snyder, who came into possession April 10. 1869. Since that time, he has so completely metamorphosed the house that it is unrecognizable to old visitors. It was in early days a square, two-story house, on the corner; now it extends eighty-two feet on Wisconsin street, sixty-six feet on Walworth street, and is thi-ae stories high, with a double veranda on two sides. Nothing is left to remind the early traveler of the old house save the old oak paneled doors, and the iron thumb door-latches, bought by Farnsworth over forty years ago. They still do duty at the entrances of the remodeled hotel.

Some time in 1842. Edward Elderkin Imilt a second hotel, nearly on the site now occupied by the old court house. A part of the building is still standing, directly east of it. It was, on its completion, leased to C. Bellows. He kept it but a short time. Samuel Mallory bought his lease and furniture, and opened the house October 28. 1844. It was known as the Walworth Center House, and. under the management of Mr. Mallory and his very efficient family, became one of the, best taverns in the county, and ch-ew largely on the patronage of the rival house, then kept by the A^^ilmot Brothers. Mr. Mallory ran the house, with a short iutermis sion, for nearly five years, during which its reputation as a first-class tavern never waned. The following rhythmic announcement, which appeared in the first number of the Western Star, is sued at Elkhorn August 28, 1845. tells of the excellences of the hotel at that time:

S. Miillorv takes pleasure to inform The public that he lives at Elkhorn, And that he has a public hotise in charge, To which he invites the public at large. Accommodations of all kinds, and good cheer. With choicest liquors and strong beer; Lemonade, soda beer, and Tom and .Jerry. Which gentlemen can have to make them merry. His talile is furnished with the substautials of life, Cooked and prepared by his daughters and wife. Myself will attend you and give you the food. With desserts and pastry, which "shall all be good. Mv l)arn is furnished witli wild and tame liay. Which gentlemen can have for reiuly pay. My oats I will sell at one shilling a peck. And that I will have, in spite of Tom Dick. As for barn room to feed, you can have it free. If yourself }ou will feed with me; But. as I want a part of the fleece. If you don't feed yourself, it's a si.\pence apiece. Call at the Walworth Center Him.se. if you mistake not. p'or the ElkJiorn House is kept by D. C. Wilmot. A mistake in the house, you can plainly see. Is a loss of your custom, and a damage to me. M_v charge shall be reasonable, according to times; My attention shall be strict, and I'll do without rhimes. I'll undergo fatigue, and be always on hand To retain the reputation the house now commands."

This hotel changed landlords often after Mr. Mallory left it, and fell fi-om its high estate as age dilapidated it. It has been abandoned as a hotel for many years, and stands now a melancholy reminder of the good cheer of other days, gone never to return.

The fu-st fi-ame house was built by Hollis Latham. Albert Ogden and Milo Bradley, in the spring of 1837. It was first occupied by the family of Daniel E. Bradley, June 12, 1837. Some part of it is still in existence, being a part of Heniy M. Eastman's barn.

The first marriage was that of Hollis Latham to Louisa, daughter of Daniel E. Bradley, April, 1838. Their oldest son. Le Grand Latham, was the first child l)orn in the town. He was born January 7. 1839. Other early marriages were: John Jones to Mary Hicks, in 1840-41; Albert Ogden to Chai-lotte Boyce, September. 1843; Edward Elderkin to Mary M. Beardslev. December. 1843: Le Grand Rockwell to Finances Hickok, Auijust. 1844; H S. Winsor to Maria L. Husted. January, 1845.

Le Grand Rockwell was also the fu-st Postmaster, appointed in 1838; the first Clerk of the Cotu't, appointed in April, 1839; the fu'st Register of Deeds, ajipointed Februai'y, 1839, He also established the lirst bank. August 10. 185G. The first post office, the first store and the first court were in a building built by him.

The first sehoolhoiise was built in the summer of 184tl The money was raised by subscription. It was a wooden structiu'e. on the school lot. west of the park, where the house of Mr. Belden 'Weed now stands.

The fu'st schoolmaster was Edwai'd Elderkin. He taught an evening school in the new schoolhouse in the winter of 1841. He was also the first law^'er. He arrived in October, 1839.

The fu'st shoemaker was Peter Golder, who had his house near the geographical center of the county, south of the lot now owned by Mr. O. Livingston. Here he lived and did work at his trade. He is and has been for a quarter of a century the Probate Judge of Walworth County.

The first hotel was begun by Hogaboom, Farnsworth and Arnold. It was finished by Levi Lee in 1842, and occupied the corner of the present site of the Central House. James Farnsworth was the fu'st landlord.

The first tavern was the old frame building built and occupied by the fii'st settlers in 1837, and kept open to all travelers by the Bradleys till the " hotel " above mentioned was built

The first prisoner imprisoned in the log jail was William Johnson. He was committed fi'om Whitewater for some slight offense, for a term of ten days. Sheriff Walling was away, and the jail as yet unfinished and guiltless of locks. Under Sheriff Albert Ogden, however, put the prisoner in jail and fastened him by a leaning timber against the ou.tside of the door.

The first doaf came in from Geneva, on the trail of HoUis Latham and Albert Ogden, in 1839. He owned no master, but was a sort of neighborhood dog. He was black, good-natured, a pluoky fighter, a splendid hunter and a general favorite. He was as well and favorably known as any inhabitant of the village. His name was Barney Ogden, and, as such, was attached to the petition for the post office and the appointment of Le Grand Rockwell as Postmaster. Perhaps, through the weight of his name, Rockwell got the appointment. Certain it is that, for years after, Barney received his public documents fi'om Washington with as much regularity and in as large quantity as other Walworth County constituency. Here he lived for twelve years, the terror of snakes, wild hogs, deer, rabbits and squirrels, and the friend of every man. woman and child in the settlement. He grew old and stiff, blind and deaf, and came to a tragical end by being accidentally run over by an ox-sled in 1849. He was properly interred, but. as no stone marks his grave, the place of his final rest is not known.

The War Period

During the war of the rebellion, Elkhorn stood shoulder to shoulder with the other towns in the county in vigorous and stanch support of the Union cause. The history of the loyal work of the men and women of the several towns is so interwoven that no attempt will be made to give a separate accoiuit. The county was one of the eai'liest to respond to the first call for troops, and Elkhorn was among the first of the towns. Dm-ing the years of the war, she raised for the families of volunteers $1,600; for bounties to furnish her full quota, $8,280 - a total amount of $9,880. Thirty-eight citizens of the little town did personal service. Dui'ing the whole war period, the women worked incessantly, having a vigorous and eft'ective Woman's Aid Society. For further and more specific and merited mention, the reader is referred to the war record, in the history of the county at large.

The Largest Fire

The most destructive conflagration that has ever visited the village broke out on the night of February 26, 1867. It commenced in the store of F. C. Odell, and resulted in the entire de- stniction of the Centralia Blook. and several buildings north and soiith of it. Otis Preston lost three stores, worth $3,000. They were occupied by R. O. Preston and Edwin Hodges. South, in the same block, was the store of Charles Dimlap. ocei^jiied by F. C. Odell. all of whom were completely burned out. Mr. Stephen C. Leggett also lost his dwelling house by the same fire. Anthony Grrafl' was also burned out. The tu'e at the time was a great disaster to the place. It was the work of an incendiary. Charles Hay. a simple young man. was tried and sentenced to the penitentiary. He was generally believed to have been the tool of more designing and crafty jjarties.

The affairs of the town were administered under the act of incorporation until 1857, at which time the village was incorporated, (embracing within its corporate limits the entire town. Thus the town government was entirely superseded, and. as the two are co-extensive, no effort need be made to draw any line of demarkation or separation between the administration of affairs under the two forms of government further than to state, as above, the time at which the change occm'red. The roster of officers and other chronological details will therefore appear without further mention of the change.

First Town Meeting

The first town meeting of Elkhorn was held at the court house on Tuesday, Aj^ril 7, 1846. Ltvi Lee was chosen Moderator, and Alonzo Piatt Secretary.

It was resolved that the Moderator should appoint a committee of three to report the amount of money necessary to be raised for town expenses the ensuing yeai\ Le Grand Rockwell, Horace N. Hay, and H. S. Winsoi were ajspointed such committee, and reported: For contingent fund. $45; for road fund. $20: for school fund. $20. recommending that $10 of the contingent fund be used to pay the Town Clerk, and that, in addition to the above. $5 be raised for a poor fund.

It was also resolved that the compensation of the town officers should be $1 per day. and that the Town Clerk should jiurchase three suitalsle books for the use of the town. " the cost of all which shall not exceed $6." The following is the first jjoll list of the town: Samuel Mallory, Edward Elderkin, H. Van Brunt. William L. Stowe. Levi Lee. Alonzo Piatt. C. N. Meigs.' Zenas Ogden. Russell Crandall. Edward Winne. Hollis Latham. George Watson, Cm-tis Bellows, William H. Mickle. William K. May. Samuel Tubbs. Job O. Mattison. James L. Tubbs. H. H. Hartson. Levi Thomas. George H. Young. Horace N. Hay. Maj. Cooley, OiTin Maxham. John S. Boyd. H. S. Winsor. Clark McCarty. Reuben R. Boiu-n. V. D. Meacham, John Gillispie, William Garfield. Dexter Dewing. Zophar Chittenden. William E. Gregory. John Matheson, Edwin Hodges, Alex. S. Brown, John F. Brace, George Hmnphi-ey. Lucius J. Wilmot. E. K. Frost, David Hartson. George Gale. Le Grand Rockwell. E. G. H;irtson. George Dewing. Lewis Bemis, Davis Reed, Charles Garfield. F. A. Ftter. Noah Harriman, John G. Parker, Booth B. Davis. Total number of votes polled, fifty-three, all of which for State Government.

The first school district organization of the present town was effected April 22, 18-46. The School Commissioners were George H.' Young, Edward Winue and H. S. Winsor. The whole town was at that time made one school district, and has so remained ever since. The school fund at the disposal of the committee at the outset was not over-large, as appeal's from the records. It was voted that " the siuu of §9, now in the treasm\v, and the fiu'ther sum of $20, raised by vote of the town, be ap])lied to the use of said District No. 1 in said tovm." So District No. 1 was ushered into existence possessed of an old wooden schoolhouse, 20x20 feet in size, and cash in hand amounting to $29. There was at that time a population of perhaps two hundred, and not far fiom forty scholars. No records of the enumeration of scholars appears at that date.

The first schoolhouse which was occupied on the organization of the district came as a heritage from the old town district. No. 1. It was built in the summer of 1840, on Lot 8, Block 9, on the west side of the park, the original lot reserved for school purposes by the Commissioners when thi^ town was platted. It served the district till 1850, at which time it was replaced by a more commodious brick structure, which still stands on the lot, and is now the residence of jMi'. Belden Weed. This building was the village schoolhouse for eighteen years. In 1868, it was sold, and the present building erected.

It is located at the eastern terminus of Walworth street, where ample grounds were secured by vacating the street, which formerly extended further eastward, and by the piu'chase of ground on either side. It stands in the center of the street teiminus, facing the street approach fi-om the west. It is built of brick, in a substantial manner, and is surmounted with a belfry, or observatory. It is two stories in height. The body of the building is 00x45 feet, with a frontal projection, for entrance and stairways, of fifteen feet. There are four schoolrooms - two on the first floor, one on either side of the hall, and two on the floor above. The rooms below are occupied by the primary and intermediate departments; those on the second floor, by the grammar and high schools. The plan of the building was fiu'nished by G. P. Randall. Squire Stanford did the carpenter work, and Stevens & Dewing the masoni-y. The total cost, including lot, fence and furniture, was $14,994.37. It has a seating capacity for 200 scholars. It is now inadequate for the scholars enrolled, and additions will be made in the near future.

The schools were conducted under the old class system till 1851. At that time, the graded system was adopted. The change was effected under the administration of Le Grand Rockwell, H. F. Smith and Edwin Hodges, who constituted the School Board at that time, and under the supervision, as teachers, of IVIi'. and ]\Irs. Rogers, who at that time were engaged to teach the school.

The last report of the County Superintendent of Schools gives the following statistics of the district: Total valuation of all school property, $11,300; amount of money received for 1881, $4,773.55; amoiint expended, $3,165.62; number of teachers, 5; number of scholars enumerated, 330; number attending school, 273; number of volumes in library, 200; average monthly wages of teachers, male, $88.89: female, $45. Joseph F. Lyon is the present School Clerk, and Howard L. Smith Principal.

Select Schools

Since the organization of the high school department, no select schools have been sustained. Prior to that time, for many years, such schools were sustained. Among the earliest teachers remembered who taught the higher branches were Misses Friend, Hattie M. Perkins and Huxley. Lorenzo Hand and Everett Chamberlain also taught what was known as the Elkhorn Academy. These schools were taught in a ))uilding still standing on South street, and used by the Lutherans as a place of worship. There was also a private school taught for a time in the basement of the Methodist brick church, afterward burned.

The population of Elkhoru by the-Federal census of ISSO was 1,122. At the close of 1881, it is estimated fi-om the last school census to considerably exceed 1,200.

About 10 per cent of the population are farmers. The average value of the farming lands is $40 per acre. The lands are productive, and under a high state of cultivation. The farming area, owing to the small dimensions of the town (foiu- square miles), is not even one-tenth that of the average of the hiU townships of the county. The showing of crops in proportion to the area compares favorably with the best agi-icultm-al towns of the county. The grain crops of 1880 were as follows: \Mieat, 950 bushels; corn, 11,190 bushels; oats, 8,985 bushels; barley, 895 bushels. There were also made 26,426 pounds of butter, and 67,879 pounds of cheese. The hay crop amoiinted to 454 tons.

Business Firms

Lyon Brothers, grocers; established by Levi C. Merrick, now of the firm of Spaulding & Merrick, Chicago, in 1860; present proprietor since 1864.

F. A. Warning, grocery, saloon and public hall; established in 1856. Otis Preston (Shanty), di-y goods and clothing; established in 1851. Edwards & PrestOn, drj- goods; established in 1876.

H. C. Norris, hardware and stoves; successor to Meigs & Norris since 1879. Anthony Graft', manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes; established in 1859. William L. Stowe, furnitiu-e; established by William L. Stowe & Son in 1875. Lucius Allen, fui'niture; established in 1876.

D. T. Barker, lumber, coal and building material; established in 1871. N. Car.swell, dealer in grain, and proprietor of grain elevator since 1880.

N. Hanson & Co , manufacturers of sleighs, carriages and farm wagons, and blacksmiths; established in 1848, by Frank Russell. Edward McDonald ran it fit-om 1860 to 1870; present proprietors since 1870.

There are, in addition, milliners, artists, i:>ainters. butchers, shoemakers, carjienters, and followers of every other industrial calling which goes to make up a refined and thi-ifty community.

There is at present (1882) a windmill for custom grinding, and a cheese factory, formerly a steam grist-mill, which, with what have been before enumerated, comprise all industrial pursuits within the town limits.

The Elkhoru Bank was organized August 10, 1856, by Le Grand Rockwell and D. D. Spencer, with a capital stock of $25,000. The business was conducted by these gentlemen, Mr. Rockwell being President, and Mr. Spencer, Cashier, until August 5, 1857, at which time Mr. Rockwell sold his interest to Mr. Spencer, and Mr. J. C. Mills was elected President in his place. Mr. Spencer soon withdrew; and the business of the bank was virtually suspended.

March 16, 1858, the business was re-organized, Mr. Mills remaining President, and Mr. J. A. Pierce being appointed Cashier. July 5, 1858, Mr. Mills resigned, and Mr. J. A. Pierce was elected his successor; and Mr. George Bulkley, Cashier. January 14, 1861, Mi'. Pierce withdrew, and Mr. J. L. Edwards was elected President, Mr. Bulkley still retaining his place as Cashier. This arrangement continued until March 25, 1865, when the Elkhorn Bank ceased to exist, and the Fir,st National Bank of Elkhorn was organized.

The First National Bank of Elkhorn was organized January 9, 1865, by the oflticers and a portion of the stockholders of the Elkhorn Bank, its predecessor, and some otlier parties. The amount of capital subscribed was .550,000, in shares of $100 each. The shareholders and number of shares subscribed bv each were as follows: J. L. Edwards, 150; George Bulklev, 100; W. H. Conger, 80; George" W. Wylie, 70; Amos Fellows, 50; O, Hand, 50.

The necessary authority and approval of the Comptroller of the Cui-rency was obtained, bearing date January 31, 1865, and the tii'st meeting of the stockholders was held February 4, 1865, when the following persons were elected Directors, a portion of the original stock subscribed having, in the meantime, changed hands: J. L. Edwards, George Bulkley, R. T. Seymour, O. Hand, W. H. Conger.

At a subsequent meeting of the Boai'd of Directors, held on the same day, the followingofficers were elected: President, J. L. Edwards; Vice President, William H. Conger; Cashier, George Bulkley. In November, 1869, Mr. William H. Conger was appointed Cashier, vice George Bulkley, resigned.

Soon after its organization, the bank piu-ehased for its office and place of business the building previously occupied by the Elkhorn Bank. In the summer of 1880, the bank building was thoroughly remodeled and repaired. A new vault was built, a new safe purchased, and other improvements made, which make it equal in safety and convenience to any country banking house, and superior to most. With the exception of the temporary move in the summer of 1880, while the building was remodeled, the bank has been continuously located in the same place. The present officers are: C. Wiswell, President since 1870; J. L. Edwards, Vice President since 1869, and President fi-om the organization of the bank to that time; William H. Conger, Cashier since 1869, and Vice President fi'om the organization of the bank to that time; Hem'y Adkins, Assistant Cashier, and Teller or Assistant Cashier since the organization of the bank.

Th(^ present capital of the bank is $50,000, and siu'plus, .|7.800. Its deposits are large for a coimtry bank, its stockholders are wealthy, and it promises to be one of the permanent institutions of Walworth County.

The Exchange Bank of Rockwell & Co. was organized August 17, 1857, by Le Grand Rockwell and John R. Wheeler. Mr. L. R. Rockwell was admitted as partner April, 1858. After continuing in business for a short time under this management, the name of the bank was changed to " Rockwell & Co. "s Bank," and it was made a bank of issue, with a capital stock of

125, UOO. In ]S61, the circulation was retired, the bank continuing business luitil November 20, 1871, when, the senior partner, Mr. L. G. Eockwell, having died in 1869, the bank was closed.

St John's Church in the Wilderness. - This was one of the earliest mission churches established by the Ejiiscoi^al Chiirch in the State, and the earliest in the county. It was founded through the direct and jjersonal efforts of three young men - Hobart. Adams and Breck - who, with headquarters at Nashotah. Waukesha County, did faithful and persistent missionary labor at varioiis points in the State. The church was organized October, 1841, with David Hartson, first warden, and Le Grand Eockwell, Edward Elderkin, H. S. Winsor and H. H. Hartson. first vesti-jTnen. At first, services were held in the schoolhouse. Revs. Hobart, Breck and Adams officiating alternately. In 1848, the society was re-organized conformable to the statutes of the State, and services were held at the court house by Eevs. J. McNamara and J. Ludkim. In 1853, the name of the church was changed, it being known simply as " St. John's Church at Elkhorn." Eev. G. E. Peters was chosen Eector, and, diu-ing his pastorate, the present lot was purchased, and the chm-eh erected and furnished. The ladies connected with the society carpeted and cushioned the house, purchased the melodeon and subsequently piarchased a parsonage lot. In 185G. the church edifice was enlarged, and since 1875 improvements have been made to the vahie of about |2,0(J0. The church has been repaired, a parsonage built, an organ piirchased and a fence built around the church and rectory lot. The number of communicants at present is thirty-nine. The first record of baptisms was made December 25, 1853, Eev. G. E. Peters officiating: the whole number since that time is 212. Since the close of Eev. G. E. Peters' pastorate, in 1856, the following clergvmen have officiated: Eevs. H. M, Thompson. J. McNamara, Joseph H. Nichols. J. C. Passmore, C. T. Seibt, A. F, VV, Falk, D, D, ; C, N. Spaulding, D. D.. George W. Dean, D. D., G. W. Harrod. B. D., E, H, Eudd, B. D., C,' M, Pullen, B. D., Henry Hughes, B. D.

The Baptist Chmvli of Elkhoi n. - This society was organized on the 18th of December, 1852, at an adjourned meeting held in the court house. Rev. Thomas Bright, Moderator, and William H. Pettit. Clerk. At this meeting, articles of faith and covenant were adopted, and it was voted to call a council to meet on the 13th day of January following to consider their claims to recognition as a regularly constituted Baptist Church. The following were the constituent members: Rev. Thomas Bright. Eliza J. Bright. Levi Jackson, Lydia Jackson, Nelson Lee, Mary Lee, Jane Mallory, H. H. Leonard, J. Parmlee, Alvina Frost, H. N. Hay, Margaret Hay, D. P. Handy. L. W. Handy. Joseph Viles, Eleanor Viles, G. G. Viles. Diadema Dewing, Christopher Wiswell, Almira Wiswell, John Martin, Eliza Martin, Edward McDonald Meleta McDonald. At the council, which met according to call, the churches at Delavan, Geneva, Spring Prairie, Sugar Creek and East Delavan, were represented by delegates, consisting of the pastors of the several churches and a number of lay members. The coiuicil was duly organized and voted that the organization of the church at Elkhorn was satisfactory. Rev. Thomas Bright was accordingly installed as pastor, with the usual religious exercises. He remained with the church four years, and has been succeeded by the following clergymen : Revs. G. W. Gates, Thomas Brande. J. H. Dudley. J. E. Johnson, Levi Parmly, F. M. lams. A. L. Wilkenson, F. D. Stone, G. A. Cressey, and S. E. Sweet, the present pastor. The following persons have served as Deacons: Levi Jackson. E. McDonald. D. P, Handy, C. Wiswell. D. R. Johnson. P. R. Jackson. S, D, Littlefield. L. Knapp. H. C. Paden. The following have served as Clerks: D. P. Handy, D. E. Johnson (twenty-two years). W. E, Osbom, C, H. Burbank. H. Jackson and Daniel Salisbury. In 1853. a church edifice was erected, on the corner of Coiu't and Broad streets, at a cost of 12.200. The building is thirty-five feet by fifty-five, has been kept in good repair and is a pleasant and convenient place of meeting. It was dedicated on the 1st day of Januaiy, 1854. At the time of its organization, the chiu-ch had twenty-four members. This niimber has been increased to 263. comprising all who have been connected with it since its organization. The present membership is 100. and the Sabb;ith school, which was organized in 1857. now numbers 130, P. E. Jackson being the present Sxiperintendent,

-The Lutheran Cliurch. - In 1870, the Lutherans of Elkhorn and vicinity, who had previously been obliged to go to Burlington to attend church, determined to organize a society of their own. They accordingly invited Rev. H. P. Duborg, of "Whitewater, to become their pastor, piu'chased a building that had lieen previoiisly used for a schoolhonse, of L. G. Rockwell, for $401), and fitted it up for a church Ijuilding. ^h: Duborg afterward moved to Illinois, and Rev. J. J. Meier took charge of the society, biit resided at "Wheatland, Racine County. On tne 21Jth of March, the society was re-organized under the name of The Evangelical Lutheran Peace Congi-egation, " and, during the year, it was received into the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the State of "Wisconsin. In 1876, the congi-egation bought a parsonage house. Rev J. J. Meier removed, in 1879. and was succeeded by Rev. William Buehring. followed l)y Rev. Johannes Dejung. The chiu'ch has now a membership of twentv-iive, and chiu-ch property valued at $1,100.

First Congregational Church of Elkhorn was organized as siich at the Elkhorn House, then kept by G-eorge Young, on the 9th of December, 1843. Rev. Amnon Gaston was chosen temporary Chairman, and James O. Eaton, Clerk. The organizing members numbered eight, as follows: James O. Eaton, from the Congregational Chiu'ch of Sutton. Mass.: Mrs. Mary M. Eaton, from the Congregational Chiu-ch of Middlebmy, Mass.; Mrs. Ann Walling, Mrs. Lydia Hickox. fi-om the Congregational Cluu-ch of Victor, N. Y. ; Mrs. So[)hroniii F. Eastman, from the Congregational C!hiu-ch of Newbury, Yt. ; Mr. Jacob H. Young and Misses Margaret and Gertrude Young, from the Reformed Dutch Church, Princeton, N. Y. The pastors in the order given have been Revs. D. Pinkerton, Samuel E. Miner, J. D. Stevens, L. H. Johnson, J. B. L. Soule, J. D. Peet, C. C. Adams, A. L. P. Loomis, P. S. Van Nest, J. G. Sabin, H. Fowle, and Newton Barrett, the present pastor, settled May 1, 1881. The chm-ch building is located on the west side of South street. It was built at an early day as a imion church, but is now the property of the society. The present number of commimicants is 100. The Sabbath school numbers upward of 100 scholars, with an average attendance of sixty-five. It has a small library - about 100 vokunes. The chm-ch society is in a healthy condition financially, being out of debt, and about to build a new and commodious chiu'ch building.

UniversaUst Church. - The XJniversalists held services many years ago in the old court house. No reliable information can be obtained concerning this early movement, except that the first preacher was Rev. H. D. L. Webster. He preached at stated times to a small but faithful parish for some years. Following his pastorate, the interest languished, and the organization lost life. Occasional services were held by A. C. Barry. D. D., then living in Racine, and. in 1874, a new interest was awakened. In 1875, a neat chm-ch. named Barry Chapel, in honor of the pastor, was built. In 1876, Mi-. Barry became resident pastor; he remained two years. In 1878. the society was re-organized. The officers elected at the first annual meeting held at Barry Chapel. January 7. of that year, were: Moderator, Squire Stanford; Treasurer, Charles Wales; Clerk, Dewitt Stanford; Standing Committee, Virgil Cobb. Stewart Ellswortli, William Ellsworth. At that date, there were thirty members of the parish. The present membership is about thirty. Rev. M. G. Todd, residing at Columbus, Wis., has had pastoral charge of the parish since 1878, holding services one Sabbath in each month. There is a tioiu-ishing Sabbath school connected with the chm-ch.

The Catholic Church was organized at an early period. The first mass was said in Elkhorn by Father Pendergrass. at the house of Mr. Fahey in the fall of 1852. Meetings were held thereafter at the houses of Messrs. Hatton. Dumphy and Morrissey. and in Squire Stanford's carpenter-shop. The chm-ch was organized in 1860, at which time the old tannery was pm-chased and fitted uj) as a place of worship. The Executive Committee were James Lennon, Wm. Fanning and P. Morrissey. In 1865. the building was enlarged and thoroughly repaired. The committee at that time was: James Leimon. Michael Bagnall, P. Mon-issey and A. Graff. Services were held in the old chm-ch till 1880. at which time the present edifice was completed sufficiently for occupancy. It was finished in 1881. The chm-ch property is valued at $10,000. The ministering priests have been: Fathers James, one year; Brannan, five years; Roach, two years; Kinney, two years; Dumphy, six years; Vahey, the first resident pastor, since 1879. The congi-egation comprises ninety-five families, fifty yovmg men and as many young women.

Methodist. - The society was organized as early as 1840 or 1841. In 1855, the society erected a tine brick chm-ch, which was subsequently biu-ned. Their present place of worship is a plain substantial wood church. The society is small, numbering some thirty families. The present pastor is Rev. H. G. Sedgwick.

Harmomj Lodge, A., F. &. A. M., was established at Elkliorn. in 1848. It was the first Masonic lodge in the county, and one of the earliest in the State. It was subsequently removed to Delavan. Its charter was sitrrendered many years ago. Dispensation for Harmony Lodge was gi-anted by M. W. A. D. Smith in the year 1848. The first ofiicers and members were as follows: Officers - Eeubeu K. Bourn. W. M.": Lot Mayo, S. W.; Caleb Croswell, J. W. ; Thomas Harrison, Treasurer; Lyman Cowdery, Secretary; Oliver Cowdery, S. D.; Edwin Daniels, J. D.; Robert Wylie, Winthi-op Norton, Stewards; S. W. Henderson, Tiler. Members - William Berry, Isaac Meacham, Elisha Mayo, J. D. Monell. Jr., Daniel B. Packer, Edward Winne, William L. Stowe, Caleb P. Barnes, Daniel Dobbs, William H. Hyatt, Joseph Bowker, Horace Rust, Thomas McHugh, John Bromagham, Edwin A. Cooley, Sheldon W'alling.

Elkhorn Lodge, No. 77, A., F. & A. M.. was organized by dispensation May "21. 1856; chartered June 11, 1857. Charter members. Lot Mayo. Delos Brett. Ed Winne. First officers - W. M., Lot Mayo; S. W., E. W^inne; J. W., Delos Brett; Treasurer, W. L. Stowe; Secretary, S. Remer; S. D., S. W. Henderson; J. D., J. A. Ball; Tiler, John W. Henderson; Stewards,

Elkhorn Lecture Association. - Organized in 1879. Has held lecture courses with success during: each winter since its orsranization. Present officers are: President. J. M. Bai'ker; Secretary, W. D, Lyon; Treasurer, J. W. Hayes.

The Southern Wisconsin Board of Trade was organized in February, 1881. The object of the association as stated in the by-laws, are "to foster, Tiaintain and encourage the dairy and other agricultural and commercial interests of the community."" Officers - President, D. L. Flack, Geneva; Vice President. S. Faville, Delavan; Treasurer, W. D. Lyon, Elkhorn; Secretary, W'. H. Morrison. Elkhorn; Directors, S. Faville, Delavan; Asa Foster, Sugar Creek; C. B. McCanna, Spi'ingtield; R. Pearson, Sharon; Alonzo Potter, La Fayette. Sale days are Wednesdays of every other week. The first sale day was February 10, 1881; total sales were $1,- 519.36; 3,652 pounds of butter at 22 to 32 cents per pound, and 4.320 pounds of cheese at 11-J cents per pound. Sales have since been held regularly. The aggregate sales have reached as high as $4,000.

The We.<stern Star was the first newspaper published in Elkhorn and the first in the county. Its chief claim to notice rests on the priority of its establishment. It was, when first issued, a folio sheet, 7ixl2 inches in size. It was subsecjuently enlarged. No, 1, Vol. 1, was issued August 8, 1845. The advertisements give positive proof to these later generations chat at that date D. C. Wilmot kept the Elkhorn House; George H. Young, M. ,D., practiced medicine and sui'gery in Elkhorn and vicinity; George Gale was editor of the paper, also an attorney at law. and one of the proprietors of the firm of Gale & Utter, who published the paper. J. O. Eaton spread himself miscellaneously all over the pages, as the leading dry goods man. He was about " piilling up stakes," and notified everybody to call and settle accounts, "if they wished to settle with J. O. Eatou,"' .a delicate hint that George Gale, Edward Elderkin or H. S. Winsor, resident lawyers in tlie town, might have the bills of delinquents put in their hands for collection. The marriage announcement of the week, August 8, 1845, was as follows:

FolU' more stanzas follow, telling of " hoiu-s of care," and how there was a "void none else could fill," and how still I dream of yoit ; " how she would " rush his hand to grasp," and '- O, that it was so," etc., etc.

A Great Discovery

; The most important discovery ever made was that made b}' our grandfather, Adam, when he discovered the art of tailoring. His de.seendants have followed it and improved it through every generation down to the present day.

The subscriber would respectfully inform the inlialiitants of Elkliorn and vicinity, that, having profited by the experience of all generations since Adam, he is now prepared to execute all business entrusted to his care, with neatness and di.spatch and in the latest fashionable style.

The paper, in addition to the above, contained notes on the geography and history of the county, from which the compilers of this work have copiously drawn.

The Walworth Coiiaitj Democrat was begun by Edwin A. Gooley, in 1848, and ended by him in about two years. The materials were sold and taken out of the county.

The Star was published for years. It was succeeded by the Walivorfli County Reporter. ptiblished by Dr. E. R. Utter, and F. A. Utter, his son. It was a lively Democratic paper while it lived, and was discontinued immediately after the Presidential election of 1850 - not from want of patronage but from pressure of outside btisiness, which demanded the attention of the proprietors. The material was sold out to the Elkhorn Independent at the time of its discontinuance - a Republican paper, which had been established some years before by Edgar J. Farnum.

TheWalwortli Count tj Independent is the present survivor of journalism in the town, and traces its genealogy to the first paper published in the county - the Western Star. As the Elkhorn Independent, it was established June. 1853. by Edgar J. Farnum. of North Geneva., as a seven-cokmin-to-the-page folio. Mr. Farnum. after publishing the paper a few months, sold it to James Densmore. who continued its publication for fom- years - until June. 1857. While publishing the paper, Mr. Densmore associated with him Mr. John Hotchkiss, and the paper was published under the fii-m name of Densmore & Hotchkiss until June, 1857. Mr. Densmore then sold his interest in the Independent to Frank Leland and George S. Utter, who for the year previous had been pttblishing the Geneva Express, and the circtilation of the two papers was combined. Mr. Utter retired irom the firm after a few weeks, and the Independent continued to be puljlished by Hotchkiss & Leland for two years and a half - tmtil January. 1860 - when H. F. Bennett purchased the interest of John Hotchkiss. and the paper continued tinder the management of Leland & Bennett. In 18t)3. Mr. Bennett sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Leland, who continued to be the sole editor and publisher until July, 1874, when John D. Devor ptu'chased Mr. Leland's interest, and continued as the editor and publisher until

January 1, 1877. at which time he sold his interest to J. W. & D. J. Sankey. IVIi-. Saukey died December 18, 1878. and. on the 1st of January. 1879. the Independmit was piirchased by M. T. Park and C. M. Treat. After continuinp; in the paper for a few months. Mr. Treat sold his interest to M. T. Park, and retired fi'om the paper, and Mi\ Park continuing the sole editor and proprietor.

f^ome time prior to 1878. the name was changed to the Walwoiilt Connttj Independent. It is the leading organ of the dominant part}' in the coimty. Mr. M. T. Park, the late editor, is now (1882) Assistant Secretary of State. The proprietorship changed January 1, 1882, j\Ir. Eugene Kenney becoming a partner, and the tu-m name Park & Kenney. C. H. Burdick. formerly of the Geneva News, took charge of the local cohimns. He has been connected with joiu'-. nals of the county and as correspondent of metropolitan pajiers for the past ten years. (April 1. 1882, its ownership and editorship passed to S. S. Rockwood, formerly a teacher in the Normal School at Whitewater, and more recently Assistant State Superintendent of Schools for "Wisconsin. )

The Walworth Cimuty Liberal was started in October. 1873, three numbers being issued prior to the gubernatorial election of that year, which resulted in the election of William R. Taylor as Governor of Wisconsin. The fu-st proprietor was Isaac B. Bickford. formerly of the Creston (Illinois) Times. His connection with the paper extended over about two months. Being an entire stranger, and imacquainted with local political affairs, his editorial connection with the paper'^^was merely nominal. The editorial functions were delegated chiefly to Judge Wyman Spooner and Otis Preston. Judge Spooner wi-iting all articles pertaining to national politics, leaving the local and State matters to the care of Mr. Preston. Mi\ Bickford, though a young man of fair ability, could not make it available in the new enterprise, and, having gone in with too much hope and too little capital, found himself embarrassed before the paper was fairly established, and sold out to a syndicate of Democratic reformers, desirous of establishing an organ in the coimty. It was made up of some of the leading citizens, who, on the completion of the purchase, installed in possession and management Mr. Albert C. Beckwith and Eugene Kenney, under the firm name of Beckwith & Kenney as publishers. Mr. Beckwith assiuued the entire editorial control fi'om that time. The paper itnder its new management retained the good will of its former editors. Messrs. Spooner & Preston, who continued for a time to contribute to its columns. It increased rapidly in circulation, and soon ranked among the leading Democratic country joiu-nals of the State. June 27, 1874, Mr. Henry H. Tubbs, a printer, bought into the concern, and the firm name was thenceforth changed to Beckwith. Kenney & Tubbs. July 2. 1875. the office, with its entire contents, was burned. The tire is believed to have been incendiary, as the office was detached from other buildings, and liad had no fire in it for a week previous to its destruction. The slip shown on the following page, issued by the proprietors the day following the disaster, gives all that was known or probably ever will be known as to the fire or its origin.

The fire resulted in the dissolution of the firm. Albert C. and Edward S. Beckwith, made a determined attempt to go on, and. under the revised name of the Elkhorn Liberal, started again July 16, 1875. Totally bankrupted l)y the fire, with even their books and subscription list gone, the denouement of this desperate attempt to recover was what might have lieen expected. They had the sympathy of the entire cortfrnimity, but it did not take such tangible form as to perpetuate the paper, and the Beckwiths, seeing the struggle to be hopeless and thankless, issued the last number January 7, 1876. The paper was ably conducted diu-ing its existence, and its demise was regretted, not more by its political friends than by its fair-minded opposers. It was one of the ablest Democratic papers ever paiblished in t)ie county.

The Conservator was started by Mi-. Otis Preston October 10, 1857. It was in magazine form and contained twenty-eight pages. Its birth was at an inauspicious time, and only one number was published. It contained much valuable information concerning the town of Elkhorn and vicinity. It went out before it was fairly established, one of the victims of the financial .crash of 1857.

Walworth Co. Liberal Vol Ii

About 13 o'clock, as nearly as can now be learned, on Thursday night, the Liberal office was discovered to be on lire, apparently beginning in the lower southca.st corner (in front), and being already under such headway that its fate was certain. The building was a lighl frame affair, two stories in height, the upper one unoccupied, about 23 feet by 3G on the ground. It was the propert}' of .James R. Brown, Esq., of Racine. Whether insured or not, we have no present means of knowing.

There had been no fire in the printing office for about a week. The stove and pipes were, besides, habitually in excellent order. No lights had been used since Wednesday evening. No smoking was indulged in on the premLses.

As to the publishers, the affair was a total loss, not being insured to the amount of a dollar. The Liberal was started in 1873, almost without capital, and was slowlj' laying the groundwork for one of the very best news and job offices in the county. Its publishers had wrought daily, and often niglitly, with their own hands, and the reward began to be visible in the distance. Not a particle of property was saved ; not even the books of the firm.

As to the origin of the fire, we would speak with due caution ; but, from the time and circumstances as told above, and from the further fact that the day and night had been rainy and almost without wind, we are compelled to think that it was not purely accidental. More than this cannot now be stated. The publishers are not aware of su(^b a degree of ill-feeling as would be likelj- to prompt such wrong-doing ; but they are, perhaps, not in the best position to judge. The Liberal has no useless whine or reproach to make ; its business is to square accounts as well as may be done without the Ijooks ; and, at the earliest day possible, resume its weekly labors again. We do not doubt the justice or generosity of the people among whom our lot has for so long been cast, and fear nothing but useless delays.

The building ne.\t, north of the Liberal office, belonged to the Hartwell Estate, and was occupied by .John Hatch, who, with his family, was obliged to bundle out in a much less orderly manner than he moved in. The building was saved, with a lo.ss of, say, a hundred dollars, owing mainly, perhaps, to a Babcock Extinguisher, and the pluck of William T. Jones.J. L. Edwards, Hiram Bell, W. L. Stowe, J. D. Devor and several other citizens, whose names do not now occur to us.

Several large lights of glass were broken by the heat in Warning's store front, and, whatever resemblance to walnut his doors may have once had, was hopelessly blistered out.

The Lice Man was started by Mi-. Otis Preston June 24, 1864. It was a trade paper, showing considerable ability in its editorial conduct. It was peculiarly local, and aimed to di-aw trade to Elkhorn and bring the importance of the town as a trade center before its readers. It flom-ished in 1864 and 1865. and was revived for a short season in 1867. Its circulation was free, and its merits were entirely beyond the fate which places it as one of the defunct papers of the county.