Boscobel City (part 3 of 3)

The additions to the population, however, were slow, and the buildings put up for residence, mechanical or commercial purposes, proportionately dilatory. In 1850, S. H. Sheffield built opposite the present corner of Main and Church streets, after which, nothing was done until two years later, or in 1852. This year a one story and a half frame house ornamented Lot 2, on Section 28, through the efforts and enterprise of Alfred Bray ; the schoolhouse was alsobuilt in 1852, and still stands diagonally opposite the Arcade Hotel. It was used as a schoolhouse until 1859, when it was sold at auction to William Peters and John Wilkinson, Jr., but subsequently changed hands, and now does duty as a dwelling. The following year, what isknown as the "Nash House," occupied by Capt. Robert Nash, was added to the village improvements, George Wineman building the same, and occupied by Peter Walker as a store, the first after that of Mr. Wineman above mentioned, known in the vicinity. In the same year, John Hopkins built the house now owned and occupied by Hiram Gilmore.

The year 1854 was a year of rest and relaxation, so to speak, as far as building is concerned ; there was neither anything completed or projected during that season. In 1855, and until 1858, there was but one building erected, namely, that on North Main street for the occupation of the Rev. Charles Levan, a minister of the Christian denomination, who organized the Christian society in Smelser. The house is now owned and occupied by Columbus Hyde. Daring 1858, another store was provided for the patronage of villagers and and residents of the surrounding country ; it was built by Pearl and Speer Spencer, who subsequenldy sold out to William Peters. The building occupied by them was afterward sold to Brandon & Jeffrey, and is used by that firm as a warehouse.

Previous to the war, Isaac Dodson erected a blacksmith and wagon shop on North Main street ; Thomas Ulraer built at the corner of "Water street and Cabanis avenue, and Andrew Gregg put up the story-and-a-half frame now occupied by the store of J. H. Cabanis. These constituted the improvements made in the village from 1848 to 1860. In 1861, the war broke out, and all operations designed to benefit the corporation an d enhance the value of property were practically suspended. The population at this time did not exceed fifty, including men, women and children, and from this limited capacity to furnish recruits, eight soldiers shouldered their guns and represented the infant town in the armies of the North. When the war closed, the task of improving the village was resumed, and, between 1866 and 1880, some of the most prominent and faultlessly constructed buildings were erected. These included the two churches, the Odd Fellows' Hall, Cabanis' store, Wilson's Hotel, the residences of John Huntington, Dr. Oettiker and others, etc., etc.

The village was surveyed and laid on the 18th of May, 1870, by Joseph Allen, on Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, the land therein being owned originally by J. M. Smelser, J. H. Cabanis, George Wineman and Alfred Bary. These sections were divided into four blocks, comprehending a total of forty-one lots, and divided by Main and Bast streets and Cabanis avenue, running north and. south, and Water, Brady and Church streets, running east and west.

The village now contains 1 drug store, 1 millinery store, 1 blacksmith, cooper, wagon, harness, and shoe shop, 1 physician, 1 school, 1 hotel, 2 stores, 2 churches, and a population of 125 souls. Within the past fourteen years, or in the fall of 1867, the name was changed to Georgetown, by which it has since been known as a quiet, unpretentious inland village, attractive alike to the man of moderate means who is ambitious to secure a home, as also to the more irealthy citizen anxious to retire from the active scenes of life.

The Post Office was established in 1849, in the log cabin of George Wineman with that gentleman as Postmaster. Since that date it has occupied various sites in the village (always prominent), and is now in the store of J. H. Cabanis.

Mail facilities are ample and regular, and the following gentlemen have been the recipients of Executive confidence in addition to Mr. Wineman : Robert Nash, Frank Dirigley, Robert Wilson and James H. Cabanis.

Educational. - The first school taught in Smelser Township was that taught by D. B. Patterson, in a log schoolhouse built in the spring of 1836, near the future village of Smelser. The first school taught in the present village site was, in 1848, where George Dirigley officiated as teacher, and the following were among his pupils ! J. H. Cabanis, J. N. Cabanis, John, Ellen and Hannah Richards, Henry, Mathew, Maria and Mary Calhoun, Emily Simmons, John and Frank Brandon, Elizabeth and Susan Smelser, Mary and William Forqueran, Sylvester Campbell, Preston Bray and others. The same year, the schoolhouse was burned down and the pupils were then taught in private houses. This lasted until 1852, when the schoolhouse, now a residence opposite the Arcade Hotel, was built and taken possession of, remaining in the service until 1860. That year the present house was built, and has since been occupied. It is of frame, 28x40, and cost $700.

Georgetown M. U. Church. - The first Methodist services held in the township were in the residence of a Mr. Morgan, the Rev. Mr. Quigley, now an attorney of Galena, oflBciating as Pastor. The church in Georgetown was organized under the auspices of the Rev. John Murrish in 1855, and consisted of but few members, among whom were John Richards and family, John Hopkins and family and Mrs. Hannah Brandon. Services were first held in the schoolhouse, which was so used until 1860, when the congregation removed to the new schoolhouse, where it remained seven years.

In 1867, the present frame church edifice was built at a cost of $1,400 and upward, and has since been occupied. It will seat 300, and is handsomely finished.

The present number of communicants is quoted at 50, and the following pastors, the same who have served at Jamestown, have been assigned to Georgetown : The Revs. William 8omraer- \ sides, John Bean, Mr. Bunce, Stephen Pike, John Truzadar, William Cook, James Simrns, William Howarth, William Sheppard, and T. J. Lews, at present occupying the pulpit.

The Christian Church - Was organized in 1853 by the Rev. Charles Levan and the following members : Hugh Calhoun and wife ; Mr. Farqueran and wife ; James Plunkett and wife ; C. Y. Otwell and wife and Miss Fanny Pretts.

The congregation worshiped in the schoolhouses until' 1867, when the Christian Church on Main street was built and is now in use as it has been from that date. It is of frame, 27x 40, will seat an audience of 250 and cost about $1,500.

The present membership is about twenty-five, and the following ministers have served since the church was organized : The Revs. Charles Levan, Daniel Howe, Henry Exley, George Sweeney, John Henry, Mr. Warmoth, William Sweeney, E. Searls and Mr. Monroe, the present incumbent.

Georgetown Lodge, No. 39, I. 0. G. T. - Was first organized in 1868 and re-organized December 17, 1870, with fifteen members and the following officers : J. 0. Luce, W. C. T.; Miss Annie Brandon, W. V. T.; George S. Cooper, Chaplain; Miss Amanda Nichols, W. S.; Miss C. E. Hightshoe, W. C; and John R. Jones, F. S.

The society meets regularly in Brandon & Jeffreys' Hall and is in a flourishing condition. At present its roster of membership contains forty-three names, officered as follows; Miss Annie Brandon, W. C. T.; Miss Fannie Becket, W. V. T.; Charles F. Wineman, R. S.; Benjamin F. Luce; F. S.; Miss Esther Kay, W. T.; Miss Ella Brandon, Chaplain.

Morning Star Lodge, No. 185, I. 0. 0. F. - Was organized December 8, 1871, under and by the provisions of a charter granted to Thomas Thomas, H. W. Smith, B. F. Saltzman, W. J. H. Newton, J. M. Quick, William Kay and William Lee Valley by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

Meetings were regularly convened in a hall over Brandon & Jeffreys' Hall and continued to be held here until 1873. " In that year the craft erected Odd Fellows' Hall, a commodious frame, 26x40, occupied in part by the Odd Fellows and Masons and in part as the town office, at a cost of $1,100, and has since met here.

The present membership is stated at twenty-six, the value of lodge property at $1,000 and the officers as follows: William Kay, N. G.; Edward Lorey, V. G.; B. F. Saltzman, Treasurer; and H. Gilmore, Secretary.

Georgetown Lodge, No. 185, A., F. ^ A. .M - Was chartered June 15, 1872, under a dispensation granted to twelve members and the following officers, bearing date October 18, 1871 : Peter Heil, W. M.; R. L. Wilson, S. W.; William Thomas, J. W.; James 0. Luce, Secretary ; and John Eplett, Treasurer.

Meetings were first held in Brandon & Jeff"reys' Hall until the completion of the Masonic building, when the lodge was removed thither and has since convened there.

The present membership is thirty, the value of lodge property quoted at $250 and the ofiBcers: John M. Quick, W. M.; Dr. James Oettiker, S. W.; Albert Launver, J. W.; John Bplett, Secretary ; and Ernest Bernsheive, Treasurer.

Smelser Cemetery was established years ago, before the village of Georgetown had been conceived in the minds of its founders. It consisted of a tract of land lying to the north of the present town less than a mile, donated by J. W. Smelser and Hugh Laird. The first burial within its sacred limits is a question of doubt. Whether it was a man from Elk Grove in the employ of Mr. Smelser, who was frozen to death, or whether it was Col. De Long, father-in-law of Mr. Smelser, cannot be determined at the present day. But since that event many a forefather of the town has been laid in this narrow cell, a prey to dim forgetfulness and cherished memories.

Georgetown Cemetery

The Association was organized April 5, 1877. The cemetery grounds have only recently been regularly laid out and their decoration begun, but in time, from their natural advantages and the care bestowed upon their adornment, they will undoubtedly come to compare favorably with those which show the handiwork of years and care.

Village Of Big Patch

a village of about sixty inhabitants is situated partly in Section 3 and partly in Section 4 in the northern part of Smelser Township. At one time it was known as Kaysville, but was subsequently changed to " Big Patch," after a prominent mine in the vicinity, discovered by Fitz & Javrow it is supposed, and worked by the flock of miners who came into the country at a very early period of the county's settlement, or about 1832.

The first settlements made in the vicinity of the present village were those of John Harnes, who, it is believed, made his appearance there in 1835, and his brother Diederick, who followed John the succeeding spring. Soon after, William Cormack and Hardin Butler kept them company, as also did Thomas Row, the latter opening up the first farm in this portion of the county, and to him and William Kay is the present village indebted for whatever of prosperity or development has since attended its history.

In 1836, Thomas Robinson, Stephen Lloyd, James Gillis, Henry French and George E. Cabanis passed through this section en route to the Blue River, and were entertained at the cabin of Hardin Butler. Upon their arrival at Blue River, they succeeded in securing a lease of lands upon which to prospect, and sunk a shaft. After laboring diligently for weeks in the pursuit of treasure without results, one by one gave up the undertaking and returned whence they came. Mr. Cabanis reached Big Patch, mentally confident that he had thrown away the opportunity of his life for the acquisition of wealth, and while moodily reflecting upon the uncertainties of the future and the eccentricities of fortune, was nearly paralyzed at the announcement made by an arrival that '' some Dutchmen had struck the biggest lead of the year at Blue River, in a shaft sunk by four fools who had quit when they were within eight inches of a 2,000- pound nugget." Mr. Cabanis relates that he knew to whom the stranger referred in his remarks, and although he said nothing at the time, he has never since eeased condemning his hasty action of forty-seven years ago.

William Spencer settled near the village in 1847, Stephen Dinsdale in 1840, and many others whose nomadic instincts and unsettled ways of life led them to wander elsewhere instead of remaining to take the tide of fortune at its flood. In 1811, William Kay opened a store, the first in the neighborhood, built a mill, and engaged in smelting. Previous to this, however, the number of inhabitants had been increased by the arrivals of Dr. J. C. Campbell, John Spink, John Clayton, and some others, whose numbers had the effect of resolving the widely separated neighbors into an ambitious corporation, as it were. In 1843, John Walker, T. M. Robinson, probably Thomas Booth, etc., settled near the village. In 1845, George E. Cabanis, who had immigrated into the vicinity ten years previous, and had returned to Illinois, came back with his family. John Wilkinson, too, settled in the present village, also William Fortney, and others. This year Thomas Brooks died, the first death in this portion of the township of which there is any authentic record.

The following years were not marked by the arrival of prominent citizens or large delegations, neither were improvements of a character to encourage the hope that a town would ever be built on the banks of the Branch. In 1846, Kay's store, mill and farmhouse, Row's farmhouse, and Joshua Yeadon's blacksmith-shop, were the only buildings for miles around ; and it was not until 1849 that the first overture toward establishing a village on the present site was made. This was done by James Rawson and Charles Butler, who built a grocery and house of entertainment on the Platteville and Dubuque road. The house still stands, devoted to its original uses, upon the very spot of its origin.

Years before this a school had been established, churches had been organized, and some efforts to create a community of feeling if not of acquets and gams, had succeeded in manifesting their existence. These influences had a tendency to concentrate the number of inhabitants who desired to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the agencies cited, and as a consequence, houses were built up nearer together than upon farms separated by sections of land. Residences attracted manufacturers to some extent, and shops of mechanics went up in the neighborhood, while a store was established to supply families with commodities it would otherwise have been impossible to procure nearer than Platteville. It should also be observed that a mill had been established at an early day by William Kay and added its influence to the surrounaings. In short, a village was established almost before its residents became aware of this distinguished fact, but being without the mining district after its location, and the competition of surrounding villages more favorably situated, Big Patch has failed to improve with age, either in its personal appearance, if one may borrow a term, or in the number of its inhabitants. It is pleasantly situated, however, surrounded by a rich agricultural region, and as a quiet, unpretentious, cheerful place, for a quiet, unpretentious, cheerful citizen to locate, it offers superior inducements.

Educational. - The first school taught in Big Patch was in a log house located one quarter of a mile below the store, the product of a " building bee," in which George B. Cabanis, William Fortney, William Kay, Joshua Yeadon, William Spencer and John Wilkinson were the moving spirits. Joseph Thompson was the teacher, whose pupils were made up of the children of the above-named gentlemen, with others in the neighborhood.

This was in 1846, and the school was continued in the log edifice one year, when it was removed to a house near the mill-pond, used by George H. Frank as a blacksmith-shop. The next school was taught in a house erected by the Sons of Temperance on the Cabanis farm, the village first began to draw public funds, which were used in part payment for the tuition of scholars, the balance being paid by the parents. In this school taught George Frank, H. B. Harvey and Linus Boscorn, and from school graduated students who have since been quoted among the most prominent and influential citizens in this portion of the county.

In 1860, the School Trustees purchased the old Methodist Church, and removed it to Section 2, about one and a quarter miles east of the village, where it was retained for a number of years, and finally succeeded by a new edifice, which has since been used.

At present, one teacher is employed to teach an average daily attendance of forty pupils ; the cost of supporting the school is $250 per annum, and the Board is composed of John Vine, Director ; Henry Kettler, Treasurer, and Simon Harker, Clerk.

Big Patch Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. - The first Methodist Episcopal class organized in Big Patch was during the year 1856, and consisted of Mrs. George B. Cabanis, Mrs. John Wilkinson, Maj. M. M. Griflith and wife, John Wilkinson, Mrs. Hannah Buxton and George Thomas.

The first services were conducted in the old schoolhouse, located on the Cabanis farm, which the congregation subsequently purchased, and, removing it to front the Platteville road, made the services more accessible to those who attended public worship.

In 1874, the old church was disposed of, and the present edifice erected. It is of frame, 28x36 feet, located on the edge of the village, with a seating capacity of 200, and cost $1,200, complete. The present congregation numbers 150, and the following Pastors have served since the organization : The Revs. John Trimby, William Sommersides, John Bean, Stephen Pike, Mr. Bunce, John Trezedar, William Cook, James Simons, William Howard, William Sheppard and T. J. Lewis.

The Primitive Church - Was organized in 1845, under the Rev. Mr. Hobson, and a large membership, including William Kay and wife, Isaiah Gill, Thomas Raw and wife, John Clayton and wife, Mrs. John Booth, Mrs. John Wilkinson, Mrs. G. E. Cabanis, Levi Eastman and wife, Mrs. John Walker and many others.

The first place of worship was the residence of Mr. Kay, which was so used for a number of years, or until about 1850. About that time, the congregation erected a plain frame building near the center of the village, which was used for sacred purposes until 1874, when it was sold to George Fox, and has since been utilized as a blacksmith-shop. Its absence was supplied the same year, however, by the handsome frame structure since employed, which occupies the old site, and is certainly one of the most attractive church edifices in this portion of the county. It is 30x40 feet, will comfortably accommodate an audience of 300, and cost a total of $1,600.

The present congregation numbers 125, and the ministers following have had charge at intervals: The Revs. Mr. Hodson, Joseph Hewett, James Alderson, Mr. Lasonby, George Wells, William Tompkins, T. A. Clifi", J. Dawson, Henry Lees, Christopher Hendry, Thomas Doly, John Harrington and J. Arnold.

Big Patch Mills - A short distance west of the village have been in service since 1846, when they were erected by William Kay and supplied with one run of buhrs, with which he did the mill work of the neighborhood for a period of ten years. In 1856 or 1857, Mr. Kay sold the investment to David Wilkinson, who enlarged its capacity, and, in 1868, further augmented its resources by the introduction of a steam engine.

The mill now contains two run of stone, one for flour and one for feed, possesses a capacity of turning out twenty-five barrels of flour daily, and does a business of $12,000 per annum.

Big Patch Cemetery - Is adjacent to the Primitive Methodist Church edifice, and on lands donated for burial purposes by William Kay and Gen. Dennison, say in 1849, when a cemetery association was organized, of which William Kay, John Clayton, Levi Eastman and Thomas Raw were the Trustees.

The first burial, however, occurred four years previous, or in the spring of 1845, the mortal remains laid in this consecrated spot, at that time, being those of John Booth, an early settler, who resided on the edge of the village.

Subsequent to the organization of the association, the cemetery was surveyed and platted by Cbirles Doty, and laid out with tasteful regard to beauty and attraction. The grounds contain a large number of imposing and elaborately sculptured monuments, and is appropriately planted with flowers, shrubberies and forest trees.

The Post Office - Was first established in Big Patch during the year 1858. Anterior to that time, mail facilities were limited to Galena and Platteville. David Wilkinson was appointed Postmaster, when the oflSce was located, and has since survived the efforts of rivals to supersede him.

In addition to the villages of Georgetown and Big Patch, the town of Smelser is the locum n tenens of three villages, namely, Elmo, St. Rose and Cuba City, the outgrowth of which are due to the building of the Galena & Southwestern Railroad, the route of whi ;h, from Galena to

Woodman, courses near the Eastern boundary line of Smelser. Though deriving their importance almost entirely from the fact they are railroad stations and shipping- points for the country immediately tributary thereto, they manifest the presence among their inhabitants of no inconsiderable amount of enterprise. The improvements, though limited, are substantial, and schools of a superior order, with churches that bear the impress of congregational character, in their dimensions and finish, dot the prairie landscape with commendable frequency.

Elmo Station

Up to the year 1854, the present village site was farming lands, the arable acres of which, rich in the sunshine and shadow, teemed with abundant crops, causing the husbandman to rejoice when the harvest was laid by, and the tanned reapers, when the fields were lying brown and bare, to pause and inhale the dreamy air in the russet season of the year.

During that year, however, Emanuel Whitham, an enterprising cultivator, erected what was then, and still is known as the "Junction House," a huge frame structure at the crossing of the road to Galena and Mineral Point. It was used as a tavern, and furnished accommodations for man and beast when the highways of the country were crowded with the "prairie schooner " and other conveyances of emigrants on their journey to the far West. For three years this was the solitary domicile or improvement in the vicinity. It still stands, its uses unchanged, its accommodations yet accessible. This was the only building erected for three years next succeeding in the vicinity. In 1857, Mr. Whitham built a residence opposite the present station building, that has also survived the rush of events and progress. No other improvements were either projected or completed, anterior to the survey and grading of the railroad.

When it became evident that a railroad was to be built, there was no inconsiderable excitemwit occasioned, and the prospect of a village at this point influenced the conclusion that land owners thereabouts would be greatly profited as a consequent. In the summer of 1874, Mr. Whitham caused a survey of the village site, appropriating forty acres for that purpose, and laying the same off" into 200 lots ; the same year the depot grounds were donated by D. J. Weatherby, and in the summer of 1875, the station was built. The same year, J. S. White erected the store still occupied as such, opposite the depot, and the next season the post office was located in the depot with T. H. Leslie, who also carried a stock of goods there, as Postmaster. These improvements were followed by the building of a harness-shop by James Welch ; a blacksmith-shop by Robert Whitham, and residences by Robert Whitham, T. L. Leslie, Ephraim Hough and Emanuel Whitham, Jr. Since this epoch in the history of Elmo, improvements have ceased to be things of beauty, or joys of even passing signifipance. They still constitute the village proper, and will so continue until a day when rapid increase of population necessitates a provision for its accommodation.

The post office is located in White's store ; churches are sought at other accessible points, and the school patronized is in the township of Elk Grove, La Faye.tte Co., a short distance from Elmo.

St. Rose Station

Equidistant between Cuba City and Elmo, and the eldest of the three, is St. Rose, so named by the Rev. Father Samuel Mozzuchelli, thirty-two years ago, when he purchased land and founded St. Rose Church. The first settlers in the vicinity were J. V. Donohoo, John O'Niell and Joseph Banfield. In 1853, Mark Lukey kept tavern in the brick house near the railroad^ crossing. The railroad was surveyed through here in 1870, graded in 1872, and its building commenced two years later. In December, 1874, J. V. Donohoo set apart ten acres of land on Section 25 for village purposes, and caused it to be laid out into lots upon the express understanding that St. Rose should be the only station between Platteville and Benton, Mathew Murphy of the latter place acting as the surveyor. When the road was completed and the too confiding property owner realized the utter unreliability of railway capitalists, he vacated the premises, not before he had sold one lot, however, Thomas Murry being the fortunate purchaser, for the consideration of f 100.

The improvements in the prospective village had all been completed before the same was laid, and consisted of a store, hotel, wagon and blacksmith shop, and these, with the station, the residence of Thomas Murry and that of J. V. Donohoo, erected in 1880, constitute all that have been made since 1849, except the church near by.

St. Rose Catholic Church - Located one-quarter of a mile west of the village, was first built in 1851, on land purchased of Levi Eastman, by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli in September, 1849. This church was of brick, 30x20, and cost $900. Father Mazzuchelli remained in charge until his removal to Benton, after which it came under the care of the Dominican Fathers at Sinsinawa Mound, and so continued until the surrender of the college at Sinsinawa by that organization.

During the winter of 1856, St. Rose Church was irreparably injured by the severe frosts, and, in 1859, the edifice was torn down, when the present frame church, 30x60, was erected upon its site at a cost of $1,200, and blessed and dedicated in November, 1861.

The present membership is made up of thirty-nine families, and the following Pastors have served since the present church was built: The Rev. Fathers M. B. Fortune, - . Prendergast, P. Allbright, J. M. Cleary, T. O'Neill and W. Miller.

Cuba City

The largest and most prosperous railroad station in Smelser is twelve miles south of Platteville, and a point at which a large business in shipping is annually transacted.

The first settler in the vicinity of whom there is any authentic record was " Jack " Debord, who came during 1846 and built his house on the identical spot now occupied by the depot. Isaac Nichols made his advent about the same year, and put up a residence half a mile southeast of the village. In 1851, or thereabouts, the Davis family emigrated to Smelser from the East, and building the Western Hotel, still standing, kept tavern until 1858. In that year a man named Blodgett succeeded to the proprietary interest, and after a year's experience transferred his title to William Miller. In 186?, Robert Packard a -' sucker teamster," who was wont to drive a team of six horses with one line, resigned, his role as equestrian director, and purchasing the hotel, divided his time between farming and duties incident to the life of Boniface.

Prior to this time, S. A. Craiglaw had bought out " Jack " Debord, and in 1870, Packarii sold his property and appurtenances to William Stephens. Soon after this event the railroad was surveyed, the track laid, and in 1875 Stephens & Craiglaw ex-appropriated seventy acres of land and caused the same to be defined by metes and bounds for village purposes. This tract was accordingly divided into twenty-nine blocks, and subdivided into 422 lots. Space was designated for depot and park purposes, the latter in the square bounded by Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Clay streets, and other improvements were contemplated on paper.

Immediately succeeding these arrangements a sale of lots was had, at which 150 were disposed of, and two weeks later a second sale was the means of disposing of fifty additional lots.

About this time the village in futuro was known as Uba City, so described by M. Y. Johnston, of Galena, but since changed to avoid a conflict of post ofiice names ; but it was not until a year later, when the railroad began its " daily wanderings," that the village began to be built up. To William and Thomas Mitchell belongs the honor of erecting the first building, it being a wagon-maker's shop. The same year Mrs. J. G. Schmole put up a store, the first in the village. These were followed by the building of the depot accommodations, residences, the church, the schoolhouse, and other improvements until to-day Cuba City is graced with two stores, one church, one schoolhouse, one blacksmith's and one wagon-maker's shop, a population of 120, and an active business interest. The annual shipments from this point are quoted at 200 car-loads each of grain and stock, and 25 car-loads of produce. The annual business is estimated at $40,000.

Educational. - Previous to 1878, pupils from Cuba City attended school a4 District No. 9. By that year, however, the increase in numbers required more accessible and convenient quar-

It is of frame, 28x48, two stories high, and though a graded school, but one teacher is employed at present. The average daily attendance is eighty scholars, and the cost of running the school is $700 per annum.

I'ree Methodist Qhurch - Was built in 1877 to accommodate members of that sect who had theretofore been obliged to worship elsewhere. The building is of frame, 24x36, and cost $700. Services are conducted every alternate Sunday by the Rev. Mr. St. Clair, and alternate Sundays by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, led by the Rev. T. J. Lewis.

Three-quarters of a mile south of the village the Methodist Episcopalians support a church, erected seven years ago. The congregation is stated at forty members, and the Rev. Mr. Simms preaches alternate Sundays.

Village Of Pair Play

Fair Play, the remains of a village once promising, not to say prosperous, is located in the Southeastern portion of the town of Jamestown, contiguous to Dubuque, Galena, Platteville and other portions of the county, and easily accessible. As a business point the trade upon which was depended to build up and enrich the village departed materially with the miners when the latter removed to California. Since that hegira it has been diminishing steadily until to-day one store will more than amply supply the citizens and farmers in that vicinity, though in number there are two.

As, in other portions of the county, mining, which at one time existed as the principal feature of the inhabitants and source of wealth for all, is now almost totally abandoned. But few are engaged in its pursuit, and even these few are said to be conquering only a precarious victory. The village, however, is in the center of a rich agricultural region, near to St. Clara Academy, one of the most renowned, substantial and excellent institutions of learning in the West, and with these redeeming features to commend this portion of the county Fair Play must always occupy a position which, if spared from annihilation as a village, it will also be preserved from the cares and annoyances incident to overgrown and thickly inhabited municipalities.

The first settlement made in the village is said to have been that of John Roddam, who came in about 1838 and erected his cabin within the present metes and bounds of Fair Play. Others passed through this vicinity, it is believed, at a period anterior to 1838 ; indeed settlements had been made in that portion of the township by Gen. G. W. Jones at Sinsinawa Mound and others at other points. A fort had been erected during the Black Hawk war at the mound and two unwary and defenseless citizens had been killed and scalped by the wily savages immediately previous to the commencement of hostilities. But no settler had established himself on the present village site, so far as can be ascertained, until the roving Roddam came with his family and described the architectural outlines of a cabin within the then comparatively trackless waste of wilderness.

How he employed his time, or what the extent of his improvements were, or whether during his almost exclusive occupation of the territory, he was the objective point of attack by Indians or the hoipolloi, who were then beginning to make their advent into the country, is not of record. All that seems to be known is the fact that he settled in Fair Play during 1838, and was living in his cabin two years later, when Charles Bainbridge, then living at Vinegar Hill, discovered Mr. Roddam's presence while prospecting in the vicinity in search of a place to enter his claim and begin farming. He succeeded in this object, and procuring a tract of land near the village, erected a cabin a short distance west of his present residence, where he has become a prosperous agriculturist. His house is now within the village limits. That fall, George Este erected a cabin on the present site of AUinson's Hotel, and there were a number of other build- ings put up, but they have disappeared or been succeeded by others until at this date they have departed from the minds and memories of those alone who, it would be supposed, were conversant with the facts.

About this time, miners who had exhausted other leads, or tired of other scenes, wandered into Fair Play and began to sound the depths of mother earth in their search for mineral. From their subsequent labors it is apparent that the initial efiforts put forth in 1840 must have proved remunerative. At all events, with the dawn of 1841 there was a large influx of miners into the vicinity, and a mining town, with all that the term implies, sprang into existence. The hollow along which the village was afterward built represented the encampment of an army, relates one who was there at the time. The array of tents was continuous and the lives led therein peculiar to the checkered experiences everywhere in the lead mines to be observed. Drinking, gambling, quarrelling and bloodshed were scenes to be daily witnessed, and so universal finally became the reputation of Fair Play as a "hard town" that to live in it or its vicinity peaceably was esteemed an accomplisnment of wonderful power.

In 1841, the mine, which subsequently gave the village its title, was discovered. It seems that a party of honest prospectors had at last " struck it big," and were preparing to work the "lead" with the utmost diligence, confident of the returns that would attend their undertaking. This came to the knowledge of a number of characters in the mines, who, by the way, were the attendant concomitants of rich discoveries at any point in the mines, when prospects of unusual richness were discovered, who determined to dispossess the lawful owners, and laid their plans accordingly. When these were about to be put in execution, the discoverers of the mine ascertained how the case presented itself, and evinced a determination to repel invasion and maintain their rights at all hazards. In the meantime, the facts in the case had been generally promulgated, and, at the appointed hour, a large number of knights of the " pick and gad " were on board to witness the eviction, or take part in the trouble which impended. Before the commencement of hostilities, and almost as the assault was about to be made, some conservative members of the crowd present called for a parley, and one of the speakers in his remarks dwelt eloquently on the spirit of equity which existed in the breast of every American. " Let us have fair play," he concluded, " and render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." The result was an arbitrament of the question, which was decided in favor of the original holders of the mine, to which the name of " Fair Play " was given, and when, later on, a village was improvised in the hollow, the same appellation was addressed to the settlement. This year, the " Ten Strike," so called because of the number of men e$ngaged in its first discovery, and the " Journey " ranges, brought to light by Sample Journey and Henry Gilbert, also became prominent. As a consequence, the immigration into Fair Play, as has already been stated, was very large ; but, as a rule, composed of miners, men without stability, and who were valueless as an element in the perfecting of improvements, establishment of schools, or as the auxiliaries in any particular,, in the advancement and development of a section. From 1841 to 1845, the buildings were mostly made up of hotels, groceries, etc., with one or two stores engaged in legitimate trafiSc to interrupt the monotony of the street. A school was started about 1843, and has been continued under successive administrations up to the present day. A church had been built by subscription, and some other agencies of civilization had been employed, and not without effect, though the inhabitants were of the type, indigenous, it might be said, to a mining town, where law and order were subservient to the inclinations and impulses of the people. In 1845, the population was estimated at 500. Allinson's tavern had been built by that year, and occupied its present site, with Henry Gilbert as landlord. An ohi tavern stood where the American House now stands, then owned by Edward Sloan. Chisholm's grocery stood directly opposite, and was the scene of many a bloody encounter and hair-breadth escape, even during the heat of battle. John Barton occupied a building on the north side of the street, and the old frame schoolhouse filled the gap between the tavern and Bainbridge's residence. J. B. Johnson, the successor of a Mr. Lewis, with Alfred Woods, kept the only stores in the place. Dr. Sampson was the only available physician, and, though there were a number of barristers on the ground, Amasa Cobb, who subsequently became a member of Congress, and prominently identified with politics, was the most fortunate of all in procuring and disposing of cases. His first case is said to have been the defense of a preacher, who was charged with swindling in a horse-trade. The parson was acquitted, and the - following winter his daughter married a resident of the vicinity, upon which occasion Amasa Cobb led a. band of, 350 charivari serenaders. He is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska.

About this time a disturbance aroSe regarding title to the possession of a prospect at South Diggings, two miles southeast of Fair Play, between a number of Irish and others of different nationalities. It was finally agreed that the difficulty should be settled by an Irishman named Claffey, and a miner named Rountree, entering the lists from the opposing forces. Rountree was gaifed with spurs, and not only used them so vigorously, but "gouged " so viciously as to enrage the friends of Claffey, who broke into the ring and administered a severe punishment before any interference could prevent it. A riot then appeared imminent, but was prevented through the influence of the more influential present, and bloodshed was thereby avoided.

In 1846, Fair Play was the scene of an immense gathering attracted by the prospect of a duel between two well-known citizens, Henry Ray and Conrad Burns, growing out of a dispute between them relative to a division of the proceeds of a mine near Lewisburg, a mile north of Hazel Green. After some altercation, Ray challenged Burns, who accepted, naming rifles at forty paces. He was known to be a dead shot, and, to make assurance doubly sure, passed the time intervening between the acceptance and the meeting in testing his skill at every distance and under all circumstances. On the day fixed, the principals appeared upon the ground on the ridge a thort distance northeast of Fair Play, accompanied by John Rountree and James McCoy, their seconds. Ray had made his will and parted from his family under distressing circumstances, and was naturally affected by the surroundings. Burns was as cool as the proverbial cucumber on a day in December. By this time, mutual friends realizing the desperate strait to which the contestants were reduced, sought to accomplish a reconciliation. Ray, who was large and of a highly nervous temperament, was willing to accept any reasonable settlement, but Burns had come to fight, and refused to be placated on any other terms than an apology. Under the circumstances, Mr. Ray feeling that he had unintentionally wronged his adversary, so stated, and peace was declared.

Such were some of the incidents connected with the early settlement of Fair Play. This number could be multiplied without exhausting the supply, for in those days all men went prepared, and, if affronted in good name or estate, the law was rarely referred to as a remedy. In 1849, the California fever carried ofi" large numbers of miners, none of whom, with rare exceptions, re-visited the scenes of their earlier days, and recalled the critical times during which they lived on the very spot of their origin.

From this time forth the period in the progress and improvement of the village remained fixed and immovable. Nothing out of the ordinary run of events (save the war) has occurred to disturb the current of its daily life, and it remains as it was begun forty years ago, a village under the hills, quiet, healthy, its inhabitants prospering in their daily avocations, regarding their homes with pride and the outside world beautiful in proportion as it remains at a distance.

When the war broke out. Fair Play did her part in the furnishing of men and supplies, and during that period, B. Cornelisen erected the first and only brick edifice in the place. It is a commodious structure, and was used as a hotel ; this use is still maintained, it being known as the " Wisconsin House," with M. Calvert as landlord.

Schools. - The first school in the village was started about 1843, in an old and comfortless frame house which stood near the site of that at present appropriated to similar uses. James Johnson, a store-keeper, was the first teacher, and his roster of pupils included the children of Robert Hannum ; John, James and William Nelson ; John Huston ; John and William Clise ; John and Viola Smead and some others. Mr. Johnson continued in the service for some time, and the old building was used as a schoolhouse until 1851, when the present structure was erected. It is of frame, 26x36, with a capacity for fifty scholars, and cost $600.

Churches. - There is but one church edifice in the village, that erected early in the forties through the liberality of Benjamin Kilbourn and others. Although the product of subscriptions made by men of all denominations, the premises were donated to the Presbyterians, whence they passed into the hands of the Methodist Episcopal sect, then to the Primitives, under whose control the church now is. Services are conducted semi-monthly, the Rev. Mr. Jarvis, of Hazel Green, ofiiciating.

Jamestown Lodge, No. 4^, I- 0. 0. F. - Was first organized in February, 1850, Dr. Mills, Samuel Verden, Henry Van Vleck, James Saddler and H. H..Horn being the charter members and officers. At first the lodge met in Howe's Hall at Jamestown, but during the war the number diminished, and meetings were suspended. In October, 1869, a new charter was issued, and the lodge has prospered with each succeeding year.

In 1878, it erected a handsome two-story frame lodge-room, 28x40, at a cost of $650, and its local habitation is now established in the village of Fair Play.

The membership is quoted at 20; the value of lodge property, $1,000; meetings are convened every Saturday night, and the officers at present are George E. Black, N. G.; John Lenster, V. G.; R. M. Henderson. Treasurer, and William Pallett, Secretary.

Sweet Mope Lodge, No. Jfi, I. 0. Gr. T. - Was organized during the winter of 1865, with a membership of twenty, and has since been in the enjoyment of a prosperous and useful career. In 1866, the society erected a lodge room opposite the village school premises, at a cost of $350, and since that date have met regularly in their own official residence.

The present membership is said to be nearly fifty, and the present officers are S. Sampson, W. C, T.; Miss Lydia Doyle, W. V. T.; Miss A. Hunsacker, W. T.; Charles Sampson, W. S., and George Bashbridge, W. C.

The Post Office - Was established during the year 1843, with Alfred Wood as Postmaster, and has been continuously operated up to the present day. Mr. Wood, it is believed, was followed by Matthew Van Vleck and others, including B. Cornelison, S. Sampson, etc., the latter being the present incumbent. Communication is had daily with Chicago, Dubuque and other distant points, as also with neighboring towns and villages.

St. Qlara Academy. - One of the most celebrated schools in the United States is located in Jamestown Township, two miles east of Fair Play, and enjoys a reputation as universal and substantial as that of the State itself It was founded by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, an eminent prelate identified with the cause of Christianity in the West from its birth in that section, and esteemed by his cotemporaries and succeeding generations not less for his piety and goodness of heart than for his enterprise and liberality.

Thirty and seven years ago, in an almost trackless wilderness, with little to inspire and less to encourage, Father Mazzuchelli laid the foundation of an institution already famous as the alma mater of scholars of both sexes, who, since their graduation, have contributed to the enlightenment of the world, the domestic fireside, and the building-up of a higher order of civilization than that which previously existed.

In 1844, Father Mazzuchelli began the negotiations for the property on which the Academy is now situated. It occupies one of the most beautiful and picturesque sites in the State, and its extensive grounds, with their beautiful adornments and surroundings, seem to breathe the air of peaceful seclusion, which ever exerts so powerful an influence over the moral, physical and intellectual life.

At the time of which mention is made, the grounds belonged to Gen. G. W. Jones, now of Dubuque, Iowa, and consisted of about 300 acres. Father Mazzuchelli desired to obtain tliem for the establishment of a home for the missionaries of the Order of St. Dominic, a relig- ious order now of six hundred years standing, which has given so many saints to the church, and which has been approved and confirmed by the most eminent Popes who have directed the aflfairs of the Roman Church.

Ths following year, a church, which had occupied a site in the vicinity, was taken down and removed to the mound, where it was rebuilt, christened St. Dominic Church, and dedicated to the service of God by Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni, the Rev. Father Mazzuchelli saying mass upon the occasion.

In 1846, a college was established by the order, the east end of the present stone structure and the former residence of Gen. Jones being utilized to collegiate purposes In 1849, Father Mazzuchelli transferred the property to the Dominican Fathers of St. Rose Convent in Kentucky, and going to Benton, La Fayette County, began the building-up of the present academy, which was duly chartered three years later.

The college was continued until 1867, when the Dominican Fathers disposed of their property to W. and J. Ryan, of Galena, for $30,000, and returned to Kentucky. Thereupon the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic came from Benton, and, purchasing the improvements with 250 acres of ground from the Messrs. Ryan, formally established the academy. Since they have had charge, the old buildings have been entirely remodeled and improved and new buildings added, including the exhibition hall, at a cost of not less than $30,000. During the current year, so contracted had the old quarters become that it was found necessary to again enlarge, and the Sisters completed the building of a structure which, for the purposes mentioned, is unsurpassed by any similar undertaking in the country. It is of brick, 60x112, three stories high, like the remainder of the buildings owned by the order, heated by steam and furnished with every available improvement that will, even remotely, contribute to the comfort and health of the pupils or their faculty in the acquisition of knowledge. It cost a total of not less than $50,000, and with the improvements and grounds, the latter, aggregating 340 acres, will make a total representing $500,000 in value.

The school occupies a position for health and other excellences unrivaled by those of any similar undertaking. Almost at the base of that celebrated landmark, Sinsinawa Mound, yet sufficiently elevated to command a view of the country for miles around, its location is no less desirable from a sanitary point of view, than for other reasons, which will readily suggest themselves. The course of study requires an attendance of four years, of three terms each, and the curriculum embraces the substantial and elegant branches of English and foreign literature. In addition to these, facilities for securing a musical education are complete and unsurpassed, and, with the numberless accessories commanded by the academy its value as an institution of learning cannot be too highly estimated.

During the scholastic year of 1880 and 1881, seventy young lady pupils were enrolled upon the roster of daily attendants. The business of the academy is managed by Mother Emily (assisted by a corps of teachers), a lady possessing innumerable accomplishments and remarkable executive ability, and the institution is not only an honor to the county but to the cause of education and the constituency which extends its support.

Source changes here: from History of Grant County Wisconsin, by Castello N. Holford, published 1900; 5,165 words in this source stream.

Boscobel City

Origin and Growth - Wisconsin River Bridge - Post-Office - Fire Department - Boscobel Agricultural and Driving Associa¬ tion-Trout Pond - Town Organization and Offi¬ cers - Village Officers - City Officers - News¬ papers - Schools - Churches - Secret Societies.

Origin And Growth

Tbe first white residents of this place, as far as can be learned, were Thomas Sanders and Asa Wood, who came from Galena in 1846, and built a cabin on what is now Block 6 of the city, and engaged in cutting logs for rafting to Warner's and other saw-mills. The name of Sanders is prepetuated in the creek which flows through the city. The earliest actual settlers were John Newberry and the Widow Pow¬ ell, but the date of their coming cannot be ascertained. Mrs. Powell lived on Section 35. Louis Wayne came in 1847, and Walker McCord in 1848. In the spring of 1849 Joshua Brindley with his family moved in and settled near McCord. Wayne was a noted hunter and did not remain after a few other settlers came in. He wanted solitude.

Among those who came soon after 1850 were Mark Bailey, Charles K. Dean, Alvin Hall, George Crandall, John Partlow, Horace Watkins, Jacob Ostrander, and Madison Ward. -These settlers turned their backs on the rich prairies of Fennimore and opened farms on the sandy , flea-breeding and burr-producing bottom of the Wisconsin, near mosquito-infested swamps, for the sake of the timber; As late as 1854 the land where the business part of the city now is was farmed by Joshua Brindley. A small saw-mill bad been built on Crooked Creek, about a mile below McCord's. A ferry had been established by M. Woodward and D. Thompson to Georgetown in Crawfotd County (a town which long ago disappeared), from a point in Section 14.

The land on which the city was located was bought in 1854 by C. K. Dean, Adam E. Ray, and John Mortimer. The first-named, after¬ ward a prominent citizen of the place, was then a civil engineer em- ployed by the Milwaukee & Mississippi (now the St. Paul) Railroad. The village was surveyed in 1856 by John Mortimer, and named Bos cobel. A good deal of misinformation has been written about the origin of this name. Of course, it is from the French bosque belle, beau¬ tiful woods, but as there has been a Boscobel somewhat prominent in the annals of England for centuries, the name cannot correctly be said to have originated in the inspiration of either the engineer or officials of the railroad which was then being built there. The original plat was afterward enlarged by Parker's, Brown's, Brindley's, and Wat¬ kins's additions.

Late in the fall of 1856 the railroad was completed to the village, and the building of the town began in earnest. Previous to this, how¬ ever, in 1855, Dr. Panchard, Horace Watkins, and Moors Rice set¬ tled in the place; John Ruka put up a blacksmith shop just west of the site of Dr. Carlev's residence; James Dickerson put up a frame building and opened a store. Dr. J. O. Beals, the first permanent phy¬ sician, came in 1856. In 1857 Dr. D. W. Carley came in and engaged in practice. In 1857 Dwight T. Parker came in and established the extensive store of Parker, Hildebrand & Co. The next year the large store of Fleete, Meyer & Co. was established. Under the changed styles of Meyer, Hildebrand & Co., and Meyer Bros., this continued to be one of the largest business houses of the city.

"We camped in the Hall Tavern, erected last fall and roofed with a sort of cement which has checked and lets the water through in a thousand places. The table supplies only salt venison, corn bread baked in grease, and rye coffee without milk or sugar. Lib Brown keeps a grocery store* and whisky shop and is doing a thriving busi¬ ness. James Dickerson has moved in from Platteville and is post¬ master. Among other citizens are Dr. Beals, J. Brindley, Mat. Ward, H. Watkins, D. McCord, and Bailey. The railroad was completed to Prairie du Chien last fall, but is blockaded. In November an icy mail of sleet several inches thick fell and upon this a deep snow, followed by drifting winds, rain and freezing The country is blockaded. The cars had to stop where luck would have it. The cars were used as camps for several dajfs. At last the road between Muscoda and Bos¬ cobel was cleared and held open by a single engine and freight car, by which means several made their escape to Muscoda where tolerable plenty could be bad. The sixth day we found means to escape to Fennimore and home, as well cured of a slight attack of Boscobel fever as could be."

In 1857 John Pepper came in and opened the Barnett House, which he conducted for about six months when the proprietor, "Andy-" Barnett, took it. It was a good house. April 17, 1858, it was destroyed by fire. It burned so quickly that some of the guests had to get out of the second story windows. The Philbrick House, kept by a widow of that name from Fennimore, was the principal hotel remaining after the destruction of the Barnett House, until that hotel was rebuilt, and run successively by Andrew Barnett and James Barnett. It then passed into the hands of Terrence Carrier, who had come to Boscobel in 1858 and set up a wagon-shop. The Carrier House, as it was then called, gained a high reputation throughout the State. It is now the Grant House. The Central House, a three-story stone structure, is the new first-class hotel.

Among the early lawyers of the place were Messrs. Hartshorn, Stevens, Crawford, and Ben Shearer. Only the last-named remained to become an "old settler." In 1863 George C. Hazelton came to Bos¬ cobel. His career has been described in Chapter III, Part II.

For several years the growth of Boscobel was phenomenal. It received its first severe check when the railroad was built from Wood¬ man to Fennimore and Montfort, cutting off the trade of the wealthy region of Fennimore Prairie. Since then the town has held its own by hard work. The fluctuations of growth are shown by the census re¬ ports. In 1865 the city had a population of 1,127; in 1870, 1,509; in 1880, 1,428; in 1885, 1,398; in 1890, 1,570; in 1895, 1,479. The remainder of the township outside the corporation is poor land and thinly settled. Its population in 1865 was 162; in 1870, 141 ; and in 1880, 178; in 1885, 156; in 1890, 122; in 1895, 129.

Wisconsin River Bridge

Among the improvements to . draw trade to Boscobel this bridge is a work of which the people of Boscobel are justly proud. A large region in Crawford County was without any convenient market on that side of the river, and a ferry was a very unsatisfactory means of crossing the river. In 1868 a road had been carried over the slough, by means of an embankment and piling, to the bank of the main river.

But money could not be raised to build the great bridge. No way of raising money was open except to issue bonds, and Boscobel could not do this without becoming a city. So it was incorporated in 1873 and legislative authority obtained to issue bonds, which were issued to the amount of $30,000. A contract was let to Mr. Pestell of Mil¬ waukee, to build the bridge for $22,000, but unforeseen items made the cost nearly $4,000 more than this. The cost of the " dump " had been $2,000, making the total cost nearly $38,000. Part of the bonds were for five years and the revenues from the bridge when completed enabled these, together with the current interest, to be paid without difficulty.

The bridge was completed early in 1874, ahead of contract time. It is 665 feet, including a draw of 150 feet, 405 feet of covered bridge and 100 feet of approaches. It is supported by close piling covered with plank and filled with stone. It has protecting ice-breakers. Its capacity is 78,000 pounds to the linear foot. In 1879 and 1880 much of the piling across the slough was filled in with earth and a substan¬ tial bridge made over the rest of this water. The "dump" is 2,025 feet long, making a total of 4,157 feet of bridge and approaches. The total cost was nearly $45,000, exclusive of interest on the bonds. It required a good deal of grit in a place the size of Boscobel to under¬ take such a work and carry it out, but the result was financially sat¬ isfactory.

The Post-Office

The first postmaster was James Dickerson, who was commissioned in 1855 and held the office until 1857, keeping it in his store on Block 34. 0. P. Knowlton succeeded in the office and retained it until May, 1861, when Mr. Dickerson was reappointed and held the office until bis death in November, 1875. His administration was very satisfac¬ tory and his widow was appointed in his place,, retaining the office until about January, 1880, when William E. DeLap was appointed. He was succeeded by John Pepper, F. A. Meyer, Levi Muffley, V. J. Kratochwill, and Fred A. Meyer, the present incumbent.

Fires And Fire Department

The first fire, the burning of the Barnett House, has been noted# The next fire of any importance was the burning of the house of Frank Lewis in 1863. In 1868 there were two separate fires: the burning of the Catlin House and its barn, and a few months later the destruc- tion of Ziegelmaier & Biederman's brewery. Another fire January 24, 1869, burned up the Gault House, kept by Fred Fritz, the saloon of John Comstock, and the Norris agricultural depot, with a loss of $12,000. On August 30, 1870, the railroad depot and Alfred Palmer's warehouse with a large amount of grain was burned. Only the heroic exertions of the firemen in these two large fires saved many other buildings. McSpaden's elevator was burned July 7, 1877, and September 22 of the same year the Heim stave factory was destroyed by fire. In 1878 two buildings and their contents on the corner of Oak Street and Wisconsin Avenue were burned. In 1880 a large barn be¬ longing to Parker, Hildebrand & Co. was burned.

January 7, 1881, the Central House, a stone building, was burned out but not entirely destroyed. Extreme cold had frozen thecouplings of the fire engines, so that they could not be worked for a time.

On the 4th of July, 1886, fire destroyed the store of Churchill & Son and Walker's brick block containing the post-office, music hall, and G. A. R. rooms. It was supposed to be incendiary.

In 1867 a small second-hand engine was bought for $300. In 1868 the city authorities put in hydrants in the mill-race running through the city for the attachment of the fire-hose. Immediately after the fire of 1869 steps were taken to organize fire companies. January 27, " Protection Engine Company No. 1 " was organized with the follow¬ ing officers: Foreman, W. H. Rose; first assistant foreman, H. D. Farquharson; second assistant foreman, W. W. Watkins; secretary, O. E. Comstock; treasurer, J. H. Sarles. At a meeting held January 28 the "Hook and Ladder Company" was organized with the follow¬ ing officers : A. Bobel, foreman ; George Scripture, first assistant fore¬ man; John Kelty, second assistant foreman; secretary, L. G. Arm¬ strong; treasurer, Robert Anderson. The company had twenty-eight members.

In the summer of 1869 another second-hand engine with a hook and ladder cart, hose and appurtenances was bought. The same summer Engine House No. 1 was built. The upper story was fur¬ nished for a city hall and the basement for a calaboose.

On September 8, 1870, a second engine company, "Rough and Ready, No. 2" was organized with the following officers: G. W. Cowan, foreman; J. W. Watson, first assistant foreman; A. M. Mc¬ Kinney, second assistant foreman; treasurer, Austin Decker; secre¬ tary, John Classon. The old engine was given to this company. Oc- tober 30, 1876, a hose company was organized from the members of this second engine company, with M. M. McKinney- captain, and John Ricks assistant.

The fire department was organized under an ordinance passed in January, 1874. G. W. Cowan was elected the first chief engineer. The present officers are: C. A. Armstrong, chief; Joseph B. Nauert, assistant chief ; C. W. Menkhausen, secretary ; J. T. Ruka, treasurer.

Engine Company No. 2 now has the following officers: G. T. Cooper, foreman; John McCord and Will Nice, assistants; Sherman Shipley, secretary ; C. A. Armstrong, treasurer; T:M. Crinklaw, L. Evert, S. Bartholowew, trustees.

Boscobel Agricultural And Driving Association

This ssociation was organized at a meeting held June 17, 1874, with the following officers: B. M. Coates, President; George C. Hazelton, Vice President; T. J. Brooks, Secretary; John Pepper, Treasurer. An executive committee consisting of Ed. Mever, G. F. Hildebrand, and Charles McWilliams, with the officers of the association as ex-officio members of the committee, was appointed. The society was incorporated August 26, 1874, with the above named persons, and M. B. Pittman, J. H. Sarles, H. Dankleff, J. N. Comstock, John Ruka, A. Bobel, N. P. Miller, and Henry Bugbee, as incorporators. The association bought thirty-six acres of the Powell estate just south of the city and made an excellent track. The first fair was held October 7-9, 1874. The present officers are: L. B. Ruka, President ; George Kruel, Vice President; F. C. Mufflev, Secretary; F. B. Sarles, Treasurer; Timothy Murley, Marshal.

Trout Pond

Early in 1864 Alfred Palmer started a trout pond on Sanders Creek. It was soon afterward abandoned on account of scarcity of water. In-1866 Mr. Palmer constructed a pond on Crooked Crook, one mile south of the city. About five thousand young trout were raised the first year. After that Mr. Palmer turned in from ten to twenty thousand fry every spring, while his annual sales of food-fish were about two thousand pounds. His annual hatch was about 200,000 trout in a season. Eggs from his pond were sold in every state and territory in the Northwest and even in the Hawaiian

The flouring-mill built in 1866 by D. R. Sylvester, near the rail¬ road depot, is now operated by Joseph B. Nauert and Anton Dilger. Its race runs along the principal business street and forms BoscobePs only waterworks.

Town Organization And Officers

This town was cut off from Marion in 1859. It is that part of Town 8, Range 3, lying southeast of the Wisconsin River. It contains less than ten square miles, being the smallest town in the county. It has had the following town officers :

1869 - Supervisors, C. K. Dean, John Kelty, Austin Ransom ; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1868; justices, Peter Rae, James Seaton; constables, C. Parce, 0. E. Comstock, L. J. Woolley.

1877 - Supervisors, L. J. Woolley, N. Brainard, Austin Ransom; clerk and assessor same as in 1876; treasurer, Theodore Kronshage; justices, G. W. Limbocker, O. E. Comstock; constables, C. Parce, John Kelty, Isaac Woodward.

1879 - Supervisors, Edwin Meyer, A. Ransom, N. Brainard; clerk, and constables same as in 1878; treasurer, Theodore Kronshage; assessor, Jacob McLaughlin ; justices, L. J. Woolley, Peter Rae.

1880 - Supervisors, clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1879; justices, none qualified; constables, James Bailey, C. Parce, Amos Devoe.

1882 - Supervisors, James B. Ricks, Charles Menkhausen, John F. BeLap; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1881 ; justices, C. H. Sylvester, J. B. Ricks; constables, C. Parce, D. R. Lawrence, Thomas H. Bailey.

1883 - Supervisors, Fred Mertz, Austin Ransom, Wm. S. Coates; clerk, T. N. Hubbell ; treasurer, assessor, and constables same as in 1881 ; justices, Peter Rae, Harvey Clark.

1884 - Supervisors, J. B. Ricks, Fred Mertz, W. S. Coates; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1883 ; justices, L. J. Woolley, C. Coates; constables, James Bailey, Frank A. Rowe.

1885 - Supervisors, Jas. B. Ricks, Fred Mertz, D. R. Walker; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1883; justice, Peter Rae; consta¬ bles, James Bailey, Amos Devoe, C. Parce.

1891 - Supervisors, William T. Scott, Delos Ricks, John W. DeLap; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1890; justices, A. F. Hender¬ son, Orlin Pratt, George P. Shipley, C. P. Brainard; constables, Amos Devoe, C. Parce, Samuel Bartholomew.

1892 - Supervisors, Wm. T. Scott, John W. DeLap, Fred Mertz; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1890; justices, Peter Rae, C. P. Brainard, F. E. Bock; constables, S. Bartholomew, Jas. Bailey, J. T. Ruka.

1894 - Supervisors, Theo. Kronshage, J. W. DeLap, J. A. Perkins; clerk, treasurer, and assessor, same as in 1890; justices, Peter Rae, A. F. Henderson, W. T. Scott; constables, S. Bartholomew, A.L. Dennis, Amos Devoe.

1895 - Supervisors, James Barnett, Judson H. Perkins, John W. DeLap; clerk, treasurer, and assessor, same as in 1890; justices, A. F. Henderson; constables, Samuel Bartholomew, John Foner, John Walker.

-1897 - Supervisors, J. W. DeLap, Norman Gibbs, Hugh Matthews; clerk, treasurer, and assessor, same as in 1896 ; justices, A. E. Cudney, J. A. Perkins; constables, Wm. Seaman, Sam Bartholomew, Amos Devoe.

1899 - Supervisors, clerk, and assessor same as in 1897 ; treasurer, Charles E Muffley; justices, J. A. Perkins, Bruce Meyer; constables, William Seeman, John Foner, Sam Bartholomew, Ed. Woodward.

1900 - Supervisors, Hugh Matthews, Wm. Nelson, Jr., Delos Ricks; clerk, treasurer, and constables same as in 1899; assessor, David Walker; justices, D. B. Richardson, A.F. Henderson, Eugene Brookins.

Village Officers City Officers

The city was incorporated March 15, 1873. Since 1880 the aidermen elected each year hold over for the next year. Following is the roster of city office^ :

The Democrat. - This was started in December, 1859, with G. W. Limbocker and A. J. Partridge as editors and publishers. It was Dem¬ ocratic, but the prospectus said : " We do not believe in little country papers dabbling in politics. The citizens of Grant County want a good local paper, and such it will be our aim to make the Democrat" The paper struggled along until May, 1860, when it was suspended with the announcement that it would resume publication in Lancas¬ ter - which it did not do..

The Express. - This was started in October, 1860, printed on the material of the defunct Democrat. J. P. Hubbard and S. P. Dempsey were the editors and publishers. The paper was a six-column folio, Republican in politics. Thirteen months after the first issue Mr. Hub¬ bard retired and his place was taken by S. F. Norton. December 26,

1862, by L. RrTrain. It was a half sheet of four columns. In the next issue the name was changed to the Broadaxe and the size to a seven-column folio. It was Re¬ publican in politics and red-hot Union in sentiment, it being war times. In April of the first year L. M. Andrews was associated in its publication, continuing in it until March 10, 1864, when N.

B. Moody took his place. August 10, 1864, Mr. Train retired and on the 24th of the same month Mr. Moody enlisted, leaving the paper in charge of S. S. Train until December 21, 1865, when Mr. Train became the proprietor.

The Appeal. - The first number was issued January 1, 1867, by W. H. Bennett, who came from Mineral Point. It was a six-column folio. Mr. Bennett made a better paper paper than Boscobel had ever before had, but he was not at all enthusiastic in his support of Hazelton, and he retired October 24, 1868, after which the paper was published by the Appeal Company and edited by W. H. Beadle, Hazelton's law partner. The name of the paper was changed to the Journal and the size made seven-column. Mr. Beadle withdrew April 24, 1869, and was succeeded by Thomas W. Bishop, who continued the publication until August, 1870, when the publication was suspended and the ma¬ terial moved to Lancaster.

The Dial. - The first number was issued December 25, 1872, by Walworth & Son. It was a seven-column folio, Republican in politics. January 2, 1874, C. Burton became the publisher, and Iden Stewart editor. September 10, 1875, H. D. Farquharson purchased the paper and soon enlarged it to an eight-column folio. In January, 1883, Lou P. Lesler purchased the paper and published it until his death the next May, when his wife carried on the publication, after a time marrying Charles DeWitt and associating him in its publication. In January, 1888, L. C. McKenney and George W. Goldsmith purchased the paper and published it until September, 1890, when Mr. McKenney sold out and Goldsmith published the paper until June, 1895, when he sold to W. G. Palmer. October 9, 1895, the Dial was merged into the En¬ terprise .

The Grant County Leader. - This paper was started May 15,1892, by L. G. Blair. It was a six-column quarto, " patent inside", very neatly printed outside as well as inside. It was conducted a year by Mr. Blair, who then sold it to Meyer & Johnson, who changed the name to

The Enterprise . - On October 9, 1795, having purchased the Dial , this firm issued the first number of the Dial-Enterprise , and they con¬ tinued to publish it until April, 1900, when Mr. Johnson withdrew, leaving Fred A. Meyer as publisher. It is a seven-column quarto, well printed and edited.

The first school-house of the new settlement was a small building of rough logs, lighted by one small window and with rough boards for desks. It was near Bull's saw-mill. A second one of the same pattern was built in 1852 very near the cemetery ; but it is not credible that the graveyard was started with the small boys killed by the teachers or the teachers killed by the big boys, although some of the affairs in the winter schools must have approached homicide. The summer schools were taught by young women and were more serene. In fact, they were so quiet that one young lady teacher is said to have improved the quietness to make up the sleep lost by the too great demand for her company of nights by young men who came courting. Among the early teachers were Mrs. Ed. Rogers, Mrs. Rich¬ ards, Mis9 Ann Partlow, John Dougherty , and Miss Lucinda Baudine. In 1859 a commodious building was rented and Henry S. Keene, of Hurricane, as teacher, set a different pace, and the schools of Boscobef rapidly improved. Soon afterward the old "Belfry School-house" was erected and a Mrs. Glazier employed as teacher, followed by George R. Prank, from Muscoda. Some time during the war the front part of the High School building was erected and in 1866 T. J. Brooks was employed as principal and W. H. Holford as assistant, and the school was graded. The rapidly growing demand for school accommodations was partly met in 1867 by the purchase of the Meth¬ odist church and fitting it up as a school-house. Other additions to the school buildings have been made at various times. In 1875 a High School was established. The High School building is of stone and cost $14,000. The present principal is G. W. Gehrand.

The Congregational Church. - This church was organized August 2, 1857,by Rev. A. A. Overton, with the following members: William Beals, John Tyler, A. D. Allen, Marcia Carley, Betsey Kellogg, Moors

Rice, Clarissa T. Rice. Myra A. Rice, and Lucy M. Rice. The meetings were for some years held at the railroad depot. The first trustees were Hezekiah Kellogg, Job Leffley, and James Lucas. In 1863 a church building was erected, by means of subscriptions obtained, on lots do¬ nated by John Mortimer. It was first opened July 12, 1863, but was not dedicated until January, 1864, the sermon being preached by Rev. Taylor, of Madison. In 1864 Mr. Overton was succeeded by Mr. Melvin, and he, the next year, by Rev. B. King, who remained until 1867, when Rev. William Stoddart began preaching here. Soon after he came the church was enlarged by an addition to the rear, making the size 60X30. In May, 1879, the church was struck by lightning and considerably damaged. The ministers since Mr. Stoddart have been Revs. E. C. Steckel, Morse, T. W. Cole, A. A. Young, E. W. Jenney, Depew, and J. W. C. Bond, the present incumbent.

Church of the Immaculate Conception. - The first mass was cele¬ brated at Boscobel in 1861 in a log cabin belonging to a man named Smith, near the railroad station. The present church was built in 1872. Boscobel is a mission attached to Fennimore. The congrega¬ tion is small and the building and maintenance of the church have been a heavy burden. The names of the rectors will be found in the history of the church at Fennimore.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - A class was organized in 1855, with J. M. Dickerson as leader. Meetings were held in the depot, with preaching by Revs. Buck and McMullen. Revs. Irish and C. Cook fol¬ lowed, preaching in the old log school-house near the cemetery. In 1861 a small church building was erected, which served until 1867, when a brick building was erected at a cost of $3,000, and the old building wras sold for use as a school-house. Rev. Z. S. Hurd was min¬ ister at the time. He had been preceded by Rev. S. Dodge. Some of the records are lacking and a complete list of the ministers cannot be given. After Mr. Hurd there were Revs. Buck, Cooley, C. P. Hackney, W. W. Wheaton, A. W. Cummings, J. C. Aspinwall, W. H. Chevnoweth, George W. Nuzum, George Haigh, John Allison, T. M. Evans, E. T. Briggs, J. E. Webstei, D. M. Sinclair, Richard Pengilly, and Josiah V. Bennett, the present incumbent.

The Baptist Church. - This church was organized in 1869, with the following members : J. Flint, Althea Flint, Mark Bailey and his wife, Louis Cobb, Mrs. Carpenter, and Clara Jones. Elder Phillips, of Lancaster, preached and held revival meetings in 1870. Rev. E. Prouty became the resident minister in 1871. Soon after the church on Mary St. was built at a cost of $1,500, $500 remaining many years as debt. Mr. Prouty left in 1878> and Rev. Mr. Kermott was

Lutheran Church . - This church was organized in 1862 with the following members: Leo Anschutz, John Ruka, Louis Ruka, Philip Hirschmaun, John C. Kreul, George A. Kreul, Adam Kreul, John San¬ ger, Fritz Scheinpflug, John Martin, John Boldt, and William Seeman. The first officers were, J. C. Kreul, president ; Leo Anschutz, secretary; G. Guentzel, treasurer. A church building 28X50 was erected in 1866 on the corner of Mary and Church Streets, at a cost of $2,500. A lot was donated by Dwight T. Parker. A parsonage was erected at a cost of $1,500, and in 1880, a small school building at a cost of $250. Rev. E. Wachtel was the minister for a few months and was succeeded by Rev. John List for four years, Rev Hirchmann for one year, Rev. Hclbig for six years, and Rev. F.Mutscbmann from 1879 to the present time.

Beautiful Grove Lodge , No 101% A. F. & A. M. - This lodge was in¬ stituted late in the fifties - the exact year is not known, as the records are lost. Among the early members were Messrs. Hartshorn, Ste¬ phenson, Mortimer, Palmer, Gray, Wayne, Limbocker, and Hilde¬ brand. The meeting was held over the store of Fleete, Meyer & Co. John Mortimer was the first Master of the lodge. The charter was surrendered March 23, 1863.

Grant Lodge , No. 169 , A. F. & A. M. - The charter for this lodge was received June 11, 1867, and the following were the charter mem¬ bers: C. F. Kimball, G. W. Cowan, L. G. Armstrong, M. A. Sawyer, Charles McWilliams, M. B. Pittman, Joel Cramer, J. M. Calloway' P. S. Dusenbury, Louis Kimbolt, Jr., and Theodore Kirkpatrick. The first meeting was held over the Knowlton & McLaughlin's store. In the fall of 1867 the lodge obtained the third story of the McSpaden Block as a temple. A few years later they remoyed to a hall over Scbeinpflug's store, which they occupied jointly with the Odd Fellows five years, when they returned to the hall in McSpaden 's Block. The first officers were: C. F. Kimball, W. M.; G. W. Cowan, S. W.r L. G. Armstrong, J. W. The present officers are: C. S. Hayman, W. M.; B. C. Rosencrans, S. W.; J. N. Miller, J. W.; F. G. Eisfelder, Treas.; T. N. Hubbell, Sec.; G. W. Gehrand, S. D.; A. B. Alden, J. D.; Joel Craemer, Tiler.

Knights Templar , Demolai Commandery , No. 15. - The dispensa¬ tion for this commandery was granted February 7, 1880, to T. J. Brooks, L. S. F. Viele, Thomas McWilliams, L. G. Armstrong, M. A. Sawyer, S. R. Willoughby, J. C. Richardson, William McWilliams, M.

Beautiful Grove Lodgey No. 122 , 1. O. O. F. - This lodge was insti¬ tuted February 27, 1867, with the following charter members: Wifliam Northey, Philip Kelts, James Kelts, John Pepper, and George P. Smith. The first officers were Philip Kelts, N. G.; G. P. Smith, V. G.; Jacob McLaughlin, R. S.; John Peoper, Treasurer; H. W. Favor, W.; George C. Hazelton, Conductor; R. E. Kimball, I. G. The present of¬ ficers are: Judson Perkins, N. G.; Adam Heller, V. G.; Joseph Oswald, Secretary.

11,3 877, with the following officers : Hiram W. Favor, P. M. W.; John D. Wilson, M. W.; S. D. Curry, G. F'; Thomas M. Crinklaw, 0.; A. G. Meyer, G.; H. Walters, Recorder; B. Kronshage, Financier; M. A. Saw¬ yer, Receiver; William Wagner, I. W.; H. R. Flory, 0. W.; J. P. Miller L. G. Armstrong, Lou P. Lesler, Trustees. The present officers are:

John McDermott Post, No. 101, G. A. R. - Was organized August 15, 1883, with the following officers : L. G. Armstrong, Commander; Jacob McLaughlin, S. V.; J. B. Ricks, J. V.; M. A. Sawyer, Surgeon; Charles E. Cook, Chaplain; M. Ableiter, Quartermaster; N. E. Birch¬ ard, Adjutant; Robert B. Rice, 0. D.; J. W. Nice, 0. G.; D. B. Richardardson, Quartermaster Sergeant; G. Wurster, Sergeant-Major. The present officers are as follows: J. T. Ferrell, Commander; W. H. Payne, S. V.; Samuel Bartholomew, J. V.; D. B. Richardson, Quarter¬ master; I. Lewis, Officer of the Day; W. Frankenfield, Officer of the Guard ; T. W. Lippincott, Adjutant. There is a Women's Relief Corps with the following officers : Frances Nice, President; Martha Ricks, Senior Vice; Martha Lewis, Junior Vice; Susan Newcomb, Secretary; Jennie Birchard, Treasurer; Rose Armstrong, Conductor; Mary Cliff Young, Guard.

Among the early comers and prominent business or professional men not before mentioned (except in the roster of officers) were Louis Ruka, Benjamin M. Coates, William S. Coates, and Dr. C. M Hewitt.