Darlington City (part 3 of 7)

His peace of mind remained undisturbed by the miners for a brief period only, when they began to twit him with interrogatories as pointed, though less biting, as the Grecian javelin of Thermopylae. To all of these, he answered cheerfully, and before the day was done he had not only traced his origin, experiences and ambitions in life for the edification of his tormentors, but fully identified them with his object in forcing a passage into their midst. He had been raised in Illinois, he said, upon the Grampian hills of which State he had fed his father's flocks, and was an humble swain, in the strictest acceptation of the term. As days grew into months, and months were succeeded by years, he began to tire of the monotony of life at home, as also of the impoverishment inseparable from the surroundings, and started forth to battle with Fortune, wherever the fickle goddess would be moved. He came to the mines on foot, to strike a lead, and would be darned if he didn't realize expectations before the day's sun had run its course. Would some one guide him to a point where his hopes could be gratified ? Of course they would, and did. The day was terribly hot, but a delegation of miners took him in charge, and, piloting him into the shade of a solitary tree, placed tools in his hands and directed him to dig. He followed this injunction faithfully, and with such good results that before sundown he had struck a lead and taken out a large quantity of mineral.

When the "boys" realized that the "fool's errand" upon which they had sent him was the reverse of what was designed, they revoked their determination as to the quality of his wit, and decided to purchase the "discovery" made by the unsophisticated traveler from Illinois. This they succeeded in doing, after some "higgling," for $150, and, at the expiration of two months thereafter, the find had turned out upward of two million of mineral. The vender, upon receipt of the consideration quoted, expended $25 in the purchase of a music box, upon which he discoursed constantly, if not eloquently, for a day or so, after which he retraced his steps to the home of his ancesters and was forgotten in the whirl and excitement of life in the lead mines.

During this year the first event of great interest in those days was celebrated in the present town of White Oak Springs, being the celebration of the national anniversary, and was attended with very great success. The inhabitants of the country were much more inclined to a proper observance of the country's holiday at that period than in these later years, and its coming was hailed by all with a spirit of congratulation nowhere visible now. Settlers gathered in convenient groves, and, after an exordium of singing, oratory and appropriate ceremonials, wound up the day with dancing and athletic sports, which were continued far into the night, concluding with an exhibition of improvised fire-works, the bray of the trumpet and note of the drum keeping time to their explosion.

Upon the occasion referred to, the programme was commenced with a toothsome dinner, which lasted until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon and was succeeded by an oration, of which J. M. Strode, of Galena, was the speaker, supplemented by dancing to the cheerful notes of the violin, lasting until daylight the next morning, when the crowd separated to their homes. The celebration was duplicated at Mineral Point this year, and attracted crowds of visitors from all parts of that section. At one of these gatherings subsequently held in the former place, a stage of dry-goods boxes was set up, on which the prominent figure-heads of the occasion were collected. The platform proved unequal to the weight it was called upon to sustain, however, and, at the conclusion of one of the orator's most eloquent periods, yielded to the pressure and incontinently gave way. While the cheers which succeeded the happy flight of D. W. Kyle, the orator were still ringing, that individual, with those who surrounded him, were suddenly precipitated to the ground, the President in one direction, the orator in another direction, and the crowd in all directions.

During this year, the improvements were comparatively numerous and of a very substantial character. These included the completion of the first mill built in the county, to which reference has already been made. It was that of the Murphys in town of Benton, located in what is known as Mill Seat Bend, on the Fever River, a short distance from the present village of Benton, and its site has been occupied constantly for mill purposes from that day to this. The building was of frame, three stories high, supplied with two run of stone, and aff"orded accommodations to settlers not only in La Fayette County, but from a distance - residents of Rockford, Dubuque, Wisconsin River and of other places, coming hither to obtain supplies of meal and flour for their families. Soon after it began operations, the Curtis mill at or near the present village of Gratiot, on the Mineral Point Railroad, ofi'ered inducements to patrons, and disputed for precedence with the Murphy mill until along about 1833, when Rufus and Benjamin Scott settled on Otter Creek, in Willow Springs Township, and erected what have since been known as the McGuire Mills, which were operated under various ownerships until 1872, when they were abandoned. The mill buildings still stand in sight of the road from Darlington to the residence of Peter Parkinson, Jr., monuments to the enterprise of that early day, but decayed and falling to pieces.

The influx of population at this period necessarily required the erection of taverns at various points in the county, on the routes usually traveled, which were always liberally patronized, and furnished a more comfortable cheer to the incoming hosts than can to-day be obtained at houses of entertainment advertising more pretentious claims. Taverns then flourished at Gratiot's Grove, in Elk Grove, Benton, White Oak Springs, Willow Springs and Belmont Towns, maintained by pioneers who evidenced their capacities to contribute to the comfort of guests, and make for them a home in the wilderness, both inviting and liberal. Houses of the plainest architectural ambitions, but elaborate for the times, were distributed at intervals, but with more frequency than during the previous year ; and, had the same prosperity which dawned upon the county with 1829 maintained its ascendancy, the material interests of the county would have largely appreciated ; but, for causes which have been but superficially referred to, such a consummation was temporarily postponed. Taken as a whole, the year had been one in which much good was accomplished among the people, and the resources of the county developed before the coming of evil days, worked inestimable benefits to its future.

While the hidden wealth of the rocks and soil was materializing with a gratifying rapidity, the agencies of civilization were comparatively backward in asserting their supremacy. Merchandising was not universally engaged in as at a day later, and educational and religious facilities were extremely limited. A school had been organized at Gratiot's Grove, as will be remembered, a year previous ; but it was abandoned, as will also be recalled, by Miss Lamb, who united her destinies with those of George W. Skellinger, and is now a resident of Wiota Township.

There was no house of worship at any points where colonies had been established, and, beyond the occasional visits of the pious Father Mazzuchelli, and a Methodist class-meet-

Society was in an unsettled state. The population was composed of all grades and conditions of men, and there were few of the opposite sex to exert a womanly influence. There were soldiers of the Winnebago war, who, upon the expiration of their terms of enlistment, remained at the field of action, to grow up with and participate in the prosperity of the country. To these were added emigrants, who sailed from their homes across the sea, at the dawn of the day, who care little for life anywhere, and are not always important factors in the sum of human advancement. In addition, miners, middle men, gamblers, outcasts and outlaws came hither to improve or increase their fortunes, and who, by taking the tide at its flood, hoped to attain glory and financial responsibility.

While there was an occasional Justice located in the woods, and dispensing law to those who sought the benefits of remedies provided, there were no courts, in the strict meaning of the term, to redress grievances or enforce contracts. Every individual stood upon his personal merits, and, if dispossessed of a claim, or insulted in good name or reputation, became the expounder of the law in his own behalf. Yet, in spite of the absence of these essentials, the moral atmosphere of the county - notwithstanding the non-existence of schools, churches and courts - was far from malodorous with crime or misdemeanors.

While the country was rapidly undergoing a transformation from a lonely wilderness into a comparatively civilized and flourishing community, the present features of such change were happily insensible to a great extent. The number of men in the various settlements who neither drank nor gambled was exceedingly limited. Faro, poker and brag were more regular than worship, and drinking was the attendant concomitant of daily life. Yet, amid all this, there were occasional gleams of moral sunshine breaking through the clouds of immorality and dissipation and promising a brighter future; but it was not until the establishment of courts of competent jurisdiction, some time after, that matters assumed an appearance of peace and perfect order. Even then, there were quarrels and troubles growing out of disputed lands and claims. The absence of these adjuncts of civilization entailed proceedings on the part of farmers, and which were settled summarily, but, in many instances, without equity. If an interloper or rapacious claimant made himself obnoxious, he was suppressed with very little regard to his defense. These lasted until after the land sale, which took place at Mineral Point after the Blackhawk war, when John P. Sheldon was Register, and Thomas Enox, Receiver.

At one of these, Dr. Philles, of Galena, bid upon a tract in which Moses Eastman, of Belmont, had claims. When his action was brought to the knowledge of the settlers, in the language of an informant, "h - 1 was to pay." A meeting was held, and arrangement? made to estop the possession of the bidder. But the latter, realizing the outlook with feelings of apprehension, yielded to the logic of events and retired from his advance.

Upon another occasion, a speculator named Russell enforced his claim to a tract of land now known as the Widow Tourgee farm, near the village of Fayetteville, and, notwithstanding the opposition made to his possession, retained the same - held the fort, as it were, against the advance of his accusers.

The land sales did not put a period to these internal dissensions either. They were continued, even after the conclusion of the sale, until a date by no means remote.

Some time early in the thirties, a settler from New York made his advent into Willow Springs Township, and made claims to tracts of land of liberal dimensions. The knowledge of these proceedings was promulgated, and the usual meeting succeeded the announcement. This was made up of about thirty settlers, and, after deliberating the issue from daylight until sun-up, a committee was sent to warn the intruder of the fate which awaited his acts, if he insisted upon persevering in their accomplishment. The family visited was made up of two brothers and a sister, the latter a veritable athlete, it is said, who was no mean foe in a dispute vi et armis. One of the committee was a very pious man, and had been a class-leader on his native heath. Finding that eloquence was wasted, these ingredients of an argument were employed to persuade the intruder to vacate, in which the pugnacious sister essayed a leading role, to the discomfiture of the committee. But the intruders, notwithstanding, were compelled to give up the lands they had entered, as, in nearly every instance, the trespassers were made to appreciate the unwritten law.

But the wavering hours of these busy days have crept away into the past, the clatter and clash of discord have long since ceased. The angel of peace, years ago, entered unseen into the midst of this contentious experience, and, spreading her white wings over the blasts, quenched dark thoughts with her visions of light, and brought hope to hearts that were sad and oppressed.

The year drew to a close, and the happy realm of to-day, to whom indulgent heaven has given its richest bounties, and in whose earth nature's wealthiest mines are stored, was on the eve of sorrows more poignant, if less prolonged, than those precipitating the death of the Trojan Patroclus. These have already been imperfectly detailed, and can scarcely be enlarged upon. The actors in the drama of life as presented in that day, long since made their farewell bow, and disappeared from the stage of activity behind the curtain which separates dreams and realities. The winter was one constant dissension between the elements, all crowding for precedence, and pregnant with fearful forebodings of evil. The Indian summer refused to smile upon the landscape, the fields, the valleys, and the hillsides that, but a brief period before, had resounded with tanned reapers' songs, or upon the gray barrens looking from their hazy hills, from which but a month previous a greeting had been sent down to the settlers and miners, or the "dull thunder of alternate flail."

The autumn, fairly typical of the decline of prosperity in the county, proved a cheerless prelude to the season which followed. Throughout its blasts and storms, which succeeded each other, it is said, constantly and fiercely, there was little to encourage the miner or the agriculturist in preparations for the advent of more hospitable seasons. The winds came rushing through the forests and valleys without interruption or embargo, and the snow, mounted upon the frigid blasts, left the marks of its fleecy passage upon the hives that once resounded with the sound of labor, the hut of the miner and the home of the husbandman combined - both hunted the abodes of misery and affliction, and, shrouding the inmates with its spotless mantle, shrieked in notes of discordant melody the joy of its passing triumph.

The old year floated away into the past, and the new year dawned inhospitably on cheerless, hopeless homes that were scattered like sentinels upon the frontier posts of this army of civilization. The generous past has written ineffaceably upon the tablets of memory, when kind thoughts and high hopes were engraven; the future was without prospects - invisible as the light hidden behind the dark clouds, which, banked up on the horizon, indicate the coming of the storm.

The transient visitor to La Fayette County of to-day regards his sojourn there as incomplete if he fails to view the cultivated farms teeming with prosperous evidences, or descends into the mines rich with undeveloped treasures. As he sees the comfortable abode of the agriculturist, embowered in foliage of trees, old as the county itself, the grounds laid out in harmony with an exquisite taste and cultivated to the height of perfection, he will scarcely realize that less than half a century ago the courageous inhabitants were subjected to vicissitudes beyond the power of pen to describe or limner's touch to illustrate. What a world of changes has been brought to all, to the heroic pioneer not more than to youth and innocence. What a revolution in things material not less than in affairs temporal and spiritual.

As the season of 1830 advanced, mining wr.s re-commenced, and the sons of toil sought to create an Eden from the unbroken wilderness. But varying success only attested the diligence of their efforts. Fortune refused to keep pace with their labors or to keep pace with the sanguine hopes that had been indulged. As a consequence, disappointment attended all, and usurped the place of confiding hope. The prosperity which ca^ie in with 1829 was "snuffed out" during the following year. The profits of the mines were scarcely sufficient to pay for their working ; farms were practically abandoned, such at least as had been com- menced, and the wolves and the catamounts ran wild when the first advances of the army of progress had left its marks. To aggravate this condition of affairs, provisions appreciated in value and commanded enormous prices. Such was the outlook as it appeared to settlers, and conclusions adverse to remaining found frequent expression, not only among men who reasoned from correct premises, but also from those ordinarily of enthusiastic temperament and given to enthusiastic vaporings. The prospects which erstwhile were pictured in bright colors were disfigured or dissipated, no more tc find an abiding-place in La Fayette County. The canvas which had been exposed to the gaze of admirers but one short year before, and upon which had been traced with the hand of a master the limnings of speculative resource, yielded place to the dark and gloomy realities experienced by the inhabitants. The dreams of wealth in many instances gave way to actual want. Those who felicitated them^elres in a belief that they were secure retired abashed at their insignificance.

During this entire year, no material change for the betcer appears to have taken place ; many left the country and sought for a more satisfactory solution of life's problem in other parts. Overtrading, excessive bank issues and the rage for speculation in Western lands, the true causes for this terrible train of evils, did their work effectually, if not permanently. And, while they worked their own cure, during their continuance, ;;ride, with its importations of grandeur and opulence, was reduced to indigence. Yet a lesson was impressed upon the country and prevented a recurrence of such times by a return of the people throughout the country to industry, frugality and perseverance in the pursuit of professional and laborious callings.

The settlements at this time, notably Gratiot's Grove, Benton, Shullsburg, White Oak Springs, Belmont, Hamilton's Fort, etc., were in a condition of semi-improvement. Many houses had been erected within their confines, and some effort was made toward the establishment of depots of commercial importance. There were smelting furnaces in Monticello, Willow Springs, Benton, White Oak Springs, and generally wherever the product of the mines justified their building. But the operations carried on were limited. No one worked save to earn but a bare subsistence, and they were often without the raw material to smelt. The only store, proper, it may here be interpolated, maintained as such, was that conducted by J. P. B. Gratiot, at Gratiot's Grove. The Prairie Springs Hotel, the first in the county, by the way, that of S. M. Fretwell, at Willow Springs, those at Gratiot's Grove, by Capt. Fortunatus Berry and A. C. Ransom, with rude attempts in Wiota and Fayette, were the leading houses of entertainment. Of schools there were few. The children of settlers ambitious to obtain the primary principles of education were mostly taught at home, and, when they had outrun the limited curriculum there afforded, were sent to Springfield, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Edwardsville or St. Louis. But these were exceptional cases. As a rule, the procuration of life's necessities required all the labor and means available, and there was nothing to spare to enable the sons and daughters of the pioneer to cultivate their aesthetic tastes. Religious services, too, were never held - there were none of any creed or denomination. At long intervals, a colporteur in the cause of Christ canvassed the country for subscribers to the tenets of Wesley or Calvin, but, beyond a limited conversion, failed of obtaining any response. It was not until the Black Hawk war had strutted its brief hour upon the stage that any advance, even of a minor character, was accomplished in this direction.

The Indians, too, were still a very prominent factor in the sum of daily life. They were harmless, however, and preferred the safer excitements of the chase to decorating their belts with the scalps of the inhabitants. Very frequently they lighted their camp-fires within sight of a settler's cabin, and passed days in the vicinity curing the hides of game taken in their annual hunts. But beyond occasional poaching upon his store of poultry, vegetables collected for winter's use, and other pilferings, they ceased to be a source of annoyance, until a year or so later, or a short time prior to the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war, when they became more active and less disposed to maintain their position as dependent, so to speak, or rather subordinates in the history of the times.

But little happened during the succeeding year to change the current of events from the channel in which they had flowed. The hard times rua the ra,3e of oppression and began to dis- appear, but so imperceptibly that the change from penury to comparative independence, and from hardships to comfort, was almost indistinguishable. Some farms were put under fence, the price of lead increased and mines were worked more satisfactorily. Settlers, too, began again to tend in the direction of La Fayette County, and forms and combinations for the promotion of temporal blessedness were improvised and completed. In short, the outlook cheered those who were on the ground and encouraged others to prospect or establish themselves in this portion of the territory.

During the winter of 1831-32, the Indians became more aggressive, and reports of their contemplated action, when marching became possible, were frequent and authentic. These reports imported but one conclusion, an invasion by the Sacs and Foxes in the near future. As spring advanced, these rumors took shape and promises crystallized into acts. In May, 1832, information was received that the Indians had crossed the Mississippi and were pointing in the direction of Michigan Territory with the object of forming a coalition with the Pottowatomies and letting loose the dogs of war to the extermination of the entire white race.

Fully aroused by the news which reached them, miners and farmers assembled at various points in La Fayette County, and began active preparations for the impending conflict. In May, 1832, a meeting was convened at Willow Springs, made up of the settlers in that and adjoining townships, and discussed the outlook for hostilities. Robert C. Hoard presided, and there were present, among the rest. Col. D. M. Parkinson, S. M. Fretwell, Gen. Charles Bracken, Peter Parkinson, Jr., Jameson Hamilton, Jefferson Higgenbottom, John Henry, Col. John Moore, A. P. Van Matre, John Clark, the Gratiots, Gabriel, Joseph and James Bailey, James Guiard, Benjamin Funk and many others.

A meeting was also held at Gratiot's, to which came Fortunatus Berry, Capt. South wick, Samuel Scales, Jesse Shull, Capt. Clark, R. H. Magoon and others ; and at Wiota, Col. W. S. Hamilton presided over a similar gathering. Every other business was abandoned, forts were erected in Monticello, Shullsburg, White Oak Springs, Wiota, Elk Grove and Diamond Grove, and every arrangement was made to warmly greet the savages when the issue should be joined.

Upon reception of the news that Black Hawk was advancing, a large meeting was held at Mineral Point, at which it was decided to send a messenger with dispatches to Dixon, on Rock River, to ascertain correctly the strength and intentions of the Indians. Col. D. M. Parkinson was re-elected as the ambassador, and proceeded immediately upon his mission with dispatches from Gen. Dodge, in behalf of the inhabitants of the mining region ; to John Dixon, of Dixon ; and Henry Gratiot, agent of the Winnebagoes, who, it was reported, had proffered assistance to the foe. Upon the reception of Gen. Dodge's dispatches, the latter proceeded to Black Hawk's camp, then at the prophet's village, on Rock River, to ascertain the facts in the case. Upon his arrival he was held as a prisoner and retained a prisoner for forty-eight hours.

Col. Parkinson faithfully executed the trust committed to his care, and upon his return fully confirmed the reports previously received in the mines. Black Hawk's force was supposed to have been about five hundred warriors, which number was subsequently augmented to eight hundred by accessions from the Winnebago and other tribes. Immediately upon the reception of this confirmatory news. Gen. Dodge collected and organized a mounted company, consisting of about fifty men, of which James H. Gentry was chosen Captain, with Henry L. Dodge and Paschal Bequette, Lieutenants, which was kept constantly in the field, and made an expedition to Dixon for the purpose of securing additional force from Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, who had arrived at that point, as also to ascertain, if possible, the designs of Black Hawk, and whether marauding parties of Indians had been operating upon the frontier. He failed to obtain any additional force, and found none of the enemy upon the southern border of Michigan Territory.

Returning to the mining district, he brought the first intelligence of Stillman's defeat being at the mouth of the Kishwaukee, and this was the means of inspiring the meetings held in the count}/ as above detailed. Considerable alarm and confusion was manifested, as may naturally be supposed; but the presence of such men as Col. D. M. Parkinson, Col. W. S. Hamilton, Maj.

Richard H. Kirkpatrick, Capts. R. H. Magoon, John H. Rountree, James H. Gentry, Jesse W. Shull, Joseph Dickson, John Clark, John Moore, Charles Bracken, Dr. Loughborough, Samuel H. Scales and many others, served to dissipate the feelings of terror inspired by the prospects of war, and, by their wise counsels and untiring exertions, to place the country in a state of defense.

The safety of families of settlers being completed, three additional mounted companies were raised in the mining district, and commanded by John H. Rountree, of Platteville, Capt. Clark, of White Oak Springs, and J. P. B. Gratiot, of Gratiot's Grove, and these, with the troops of Col, Dodge, upon the latter's return from his expedition to Rock River, were put in motion for Blue Mound fort, upon which it was apprehended the Indians contemplated an attack.

" While on the way to that point," writes Col. Parkinson, " the force ascertained that the two Misses Hall, who had been captured at the massacre on Indian Creek, near Ottawa, had been released, but this act on the part of the savages was subsequently neutralized by the intelligence White Crow, a Winnebago chief, communicated to Capt. J. P. B. Gratiot. This was to the effect that the murder of the whites that night was contemplated by the Sacs and Foxes, who opined that their foe was a soft-shelled breed and could not fight." This however was only the conjecture of Capt. Gratiot.

Upon the information being conveyed to Gen. Dodge, who had retired for the night, he instantly jumped up, and said with great emphasis, "Be not alarmed, sir; let them come, and we will show them, sir, that we are not of the soft-shelled breed." White Crow and some others were taken into custody, and retained as hostages for the good behavior of the nation, assured at a council held on the farm of Col. John Morrison.

A return was then made to Fort Defiance, when information was received that a man named William Aubrey had been killed at the Blue Mound Fort. A force was sent to that point, but the deceased was buried.

About this time, the people of La Fayette County became very much alarmed in consequence of Capt. James B. Estis coming, under whip and spur, and announcing that he had seen a large body of Indians about seven miles below Fort Defiance, making their way in that direction. Immediately upon this announcement being made, Capt. Howd, who commanded at Fort Defiance, ordered Col. D. M. Parkinson, with M. G. Fitch, John Ray and Rensen Hall, to make a reconnaissance and ascertain the facts. They did so, and found no sign of Indians, and the inhabitants resumed their wonted quiet and confidence. Soon after an expedition was fitted out and commanded by Gen. Dodge to reclaim and inter the bodies of St. Vrain, Hale and Fowler, who had fallen in an encounter on Plum River. Parts of four companies composed the force, with a few independent volunteers, who started forth to war on their own account. The first halt was made at Felter's, a point nine miles from Gratiot. Before dismounting, Gen. Dodge strongly impressed upon the rugged yeomen the necessity that existed for united action, and urged them to steady discipline. The troop was formed into a hollow square, and, on receiving orders to dismount, each man removed his saddle and laid it on the ground, when he dismounted and turned his horse out to graze. The orders were, that, if any alarm was sounded during the night, each man should spring up in his place and thus be formed in hollow square to repel an attack. There was no attack, however, and the line of march was resumed on the following morning. Later in the day, the bodies of St. Vrain, and those of Hale and Fowler, were found and properly buried ; but that of Hawley, who was supposed to have been killed near the same place, was never found, and nothing satisfactory was ever heard of him. The march was continued to Dixon's Ferry, on Rock River. Upon their return, and before arriving at Gratiot's Grove, a halt was made to graze the horses, but no provisions were visible for the support of the men, and they were placed in a quandary, not knowing how to remedy the omission. In the vicinity was Felter's deserted cabin, and, while wandering around the premises, one of the men discovered a huge, rusty iron kettle. Summoning assistance, the kettle was cleaned and filled with mustard greens, from which they expected to sup sumptuously. Alas for the hopes of the men ; when the mess was boiled and dished out, it proved to be unpalatable and nauseating. Arriving at Gratiot's Grove, Gen. Dodge informed the volunteers that they had covered two hundred miles in five days, and complimented them upon their bravery and fidelity.

The month of May, 1832, was devoted to general skirmishing and guerrilla warfare, which permitted the utilization of Gen. Dodge's two hundred mounted men. The united strength of the Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes and Pottawatomie Indians, aggregated six hundred warriors - a force that could have annihilated the gallant miners had they met in a pitched battle. When the mounted men were dispatched to bring the bodies of St. Vrain and his unfortunate companions thence to Ottawa, Black Hawk, who had been reconnoitering the position of the white men, realized the serious error committed, and instructed Little Priest to make a descent on Fort Hamilton.

Acting upon these directions. Little Priest raided the Spafford farm, six miles southeast of Fort Hamilton, on the Pecatonica. In this sortie, Spafford, a man named Mcllwaine, one named Searls, one known as " John Bull " and another were killed, while a man hamed Spencer and a companion (Bennett Million) escaped, the latter reaching the fort, running from dinner time to sundown, and conveying the awful tidings to the fort, whence it was communicated by couriers around the immediate country. The massacre occurred on the 15th of June, 1832, and the exigencies of the occasion demanded immediate and energetic action. A dispatch was accordingly sent to Gen. Dodge, and the men at the fort that could be mounted were soon in readiness to proceed to the scene of action. This detachment consisted of R. H. Kirkpatrick, Charles Bracken (who was a Lieutenant at Fort Defiance), Samuel Black, Peter Parkinson, Jr., Levin Leach, Dominick McGraw, Mathew G. Fitch, Thomas H. Price, Samuel Brints, Benjamin Lawhead, Higliton, Van Waggoner and Col. D. M. Parkinson. Previous to departure, some dissatisfaction was expressed by the men relative to being placed under the command of Lieut. Charles Bracken, who was entitled to the command of those who belonged to the fort company. Capt. Hoard, after consultation, decided to place R. H. Kirkpatrick in command and this was accordingly done. In consequence of this momentary disquiet, Lieut. Bracken, and Benjamin Lawhead, started in advance of the detachment, but were overtaken previous to reaching Fort Hamilton, and, with the volunteers, arrived at that point about midnight, where they remained until morning. " The fort was in the greatest confusion," relates Col. Parkinson, from whose memoirs the history ol the occurrences of this time are quoted, " with no quarters or refreshments for the volunteers, who Avere obliged to shift for themselves as best they could. Others joined the party there, and, some further altercation occurring regarding the command, an election was regularly held, at which R. H. Kirpatrick was chosen. The detachment then proceeded to the scone of the murder, under the guidance of Bennett Million.

Upon arriving there, the first object that presented itself was the headless body of the unfortunate Spafford, wlio, having been killed at the first fire of the Indians, was found near the point of attack. Except where shot and the decapitation, there were no mutilations of the body. The missing head was found on the bank of the river, some hundred yards from the body, shorn of its locks, which were of a fine and glossy appearance. The bodies of Searls, Mcllwaine and John Bull, were found upon the opposite bank of the river, most shockingly mangled and mutilated. The body of Spencer, who was supposed to be killed, could nowhere be found. The bodies were gathered together and buried in one common grave

While these solemn obsequies were being performed, a force was constantly reconnoitering the surrounding country in search of the yet unfound body of Spencer, and to see that there were no Indians lurking in the vicinity to take them by surprise. At night, a return was made to Fort Hamilton, where Capt. Gentry was found with a portion of his company, and he assumed command of the entire force.

After some refreshments, a council was held, at which it was determined to pursue the Indians on the following morning in the event that Gen. Dodge failed to arrive by 8 o'clock. The night passed without any unusual occurrence, and the following morning, just as the company was about to start, in pursuance of arrangements agreed upon, Gen. Dodge arrived, accompanied by John Messcrsmith, Jr., and Thomas Jenkins.

It seems that, upon receiving the express at Dodgeville, Gen. Dodge, with his companions, had started for Fort Hamilton, by way of the Blue Mounds, where fresh horses and men, a por- tion of Gentry's command, were stationed, and, leaving orders for them to proceed at once to Fort Hamilton, continued his trip thither by way of Fretwell's Diggings, arriving at the Fort as stated. A short time previous to his arrival he had left the main road and taken a by-way for the purpose of shortening the distance. On coming into the main road again, he met a German named Apple (who, as will be seen further on, became fruit for the Indians), who had a good horse, which Capt. Gentry that morning designed impressing into the service, but was dissuaded therefrom by Apple, who promised to accompany the expedition if he was allowed to return to his cabin for some blankets. This was supposed by many to be an excuse to enable the supposedly timid Teuton to escape going himself or letting his horse. However, he had proceeded but a short distance after leaving Gen. Dodge, when he fell into an ambuscade and was literally shot to pieces. It appeared, subsequently, that the Indians had first waylaid the path by which Gen. Dodge approached the fort, passing through quite a thick point of woods, but, in the morning, seeing some men from the fort pass up to the field for grain by way of the main road, which kept round more on the open ground, they changed their position to that point. Thus, had Gen. Dodge arrived an hour earlier, or had he kept around the main road, he would undoubtedly have fallen a victim instead of the unfortunate German.

Almost at the same moment that Col. Dodge dismounted at the fort, the horse of Apple came running up near Capt. Gentry's command, who were some distance from the fort. Capt. Gentry directed Peter Parkinson, Jr., then a mere boy, to run and bring Apple's horse to him, which he did. Upon seeing the horse with a bullet-hole through his ear, another through the top of his neck, and the saddle bloody, and recollecting the report of guns a few moments before, there could be no mistake as to what had taken place - all men present called out at once that Apple was killed. Instantly wild excitement and disorder ensued, and but for the stern, determined will of Capt. Gentry, aided by Maj. Kirkpatrick, Lieut. Bracken and Col. D. M. Parkinson, instead of the successful pursuit and repulse of the Indians which followed, defeat and failure to the settlers would have been the consequences.

When it was ascertained that Apple was unquestionably killed, quite a number of men, of excitable and enthusiastic temperament, mounted their horses without orders, and were upon the act of rushing indiscriminately after the Indians. Capt. Gentry sprang to their front and ordered them, in the most peremptory manner, as their Captain, to halt, reminding them of Stillman's defeat having been brought about, perhaps, by similar movements and insubordinations, and concluding with a declaration that he would shoot the first man who attempted to advance until ordered to do so by Col. Dodge, who would be there in a few moments.

Upon his arrival. Col. Dodge ordered the men to mount and form in line, when he addressed them substantially to the following effect : " Fellow-soldiers ! We shall immediately follow the Indians, whose hands are now reeking with the blood of one of our neighbors, whom they have just slain. We must overtake them if possible. Their numbers are unknown, but, numerous as they may be, I shall charge them, sword in hand, and, if there are any among you who think you cannot do this, you will fall back now, as I want none with me except those upon whom I can rely with the utmost confidence in any and every emergency."

The order was then given to advance at full speed, but nine fell back, and the volunteers were soon upon the trail, passing the mangled corpse of Apple, which was left in the hands of the men guarding the fort, for interment.

The trail led through an almost impassable thicket of underbrush, tree-tops, prickly ash, grapevines, briers, etc. The Indians were finally dislodged from a thicket near the East Pecatonica, about four miles northeast of the present village of Wiota, on June 16, 1832, at an early hour in the day. Upon the troops making their way to the succeeding prairie, the Indians were to be seen far in advance of the line, which was extended for perhaps half a mile in length, owing to the difficulty experienced in getting through the undergrowth. The pursuit was somewhat promiscuous, every one going it alone, as it were, the advance being formed of Col. Dodge, Col. Parkinson, Capt. Gentry, Lieut. Requette, John Messersmith, Jr., and John Hood.

The pursuers had come up pretty well on to the Indians, and were about making an attack upon them, when they crossed a deep creek and reached the main waters of the Pecatonica, which, though much swollen, was passed without difficulty by them. At this point the trail was lost, but soon found and followed, and, after proceeding a distance of about two hundred yards, amid deathlike stillness, their exact whereabouts was announced by a volley of arms, succeeded by the most unearthly yells. Not in the least daunted, the order to " Charge 'em, boys, charge 'era," was promptly obeyed, and, in a remarkably brief period, the Indians were all slain.

the young men of the day, he had come to the lead mines in pursuit of fortune, and located a± Mineral Point. When the war broke out he was among the first to take up arms. After receiving his death wound, and, while lying on the battle-ground, with his head on the lap of a comrade, the surgeon examined him and told him he must die. On hearing this, he expressed a wish to see the General, and, upon Gen. Dodge responding, asked him " if he had behaved like a soldier." To which the response was made, "Yes, Wells, like a brave one." Looking up, he said: " Send that word to my old father," and shortly after expired, as has been stated, at the Fort, as also did Morris.

Samuel Black was removed to Fort Defiance and tenderly nursed by Peter Parkinson, Jr., surviving nine days, in spite of the fact that he was shot through the head back of the ear. On the ninth day, about midnight, and apparently while in the pangs of dissolution, a smile spread over his face, which gradually increased into a hearty laugh. When it subsided, Peter Parkinson, Jr., who was watching by his bedside, asked the cause, to which he replied that " it made him laugh to hear Gen. Dodge talking about the troops charging the Indians, sword in hand, when there were but two swords in the crowd." With which explanation he sank back and was "gathered in " by the pale master.

He went into the fight certain of death, predicating his belief upon the fact of the horse which he rode having stumbled and fallen upon the prairie, while making the march in pursuit. At that time he spoke of the circumstance, and insisted that he would surely be killed. His comrades told him to go back, but refusing, the omen proved a premonition, indeed. He was from Willow Springs, and a nephew of William Tate.

Thus ended this short but sanguinary conflict, replete with deeds of prowess that have sent their names down to the present clothed with a luster that will increase with years. Among the personal encounters was one Lieut. Bequette had with an Indian, in which the former prevailed only with the irreparable fracture of his sword. A young man named Leach fired at an Indian, and, failing to hit the objective point, was rushed upon by the latter, spear in hand. Leach grasped the aboriginal weapon, and in the struggle for its possession the Indian was thrown to the ground and pinned there with the white man's bayonet.

The names of those engaged in the contest were : Col. Dodge, Lieut. D. M. Parkinson, Lieut. Charles Bracken, Lieut. Bequette, Lieut. Porter, Lieut. Kirkpatrick, Surgeon Allen Hill, with Thomas Jenkins, W. W. Woodbridge, John Messersmith, Jr., Asa Duncan, Benjamin Lawhead, Samuel Patrick, William Carnes, John Hood, Levin Leach, Alexander Higginbotham,

M. G. Fitch, with another man, were posted as sentinels to watch the retreat of the Indians, should any be attempted. The entire war party was exterminated by this Lacedaemonic band, leaving not one to bear the tidings to their chief and people, that Col. Dodge and his warriors were not in fact of the "soft-shell breed."

There has been some discussion in re the battle of the Pecatonica, but the above, as also what follows of the Black Hawk war, is taken from the account published by Col. D. M. Parkinson, which is conceded to be correct.

On the 18th of June, 1832, the fifth volunteer company was formed in the county, of which D. M. Parkinson was chosen Captain, with Samuel Patriqk and Mathew G. Fitch as Lieutenants, and accompanied Gen. Dodge to Blue Mounds, guarding the fort there for several days, returning thence to Fort Defiance to make preparations for an expedition against Black Hawk, who was said to be encamped with his entire force on Lake Koshkonong.

On the 28th of June, 1832, Col. Dodge's command rendezvoused at Fort Hamilton (now Wiota), where they were met by Gen. Posey's brigade, preparatory to commencing an expedition to meet Gen. Atkinson, with the two other divisions of the army. The force encamped the first night at the East Pecatonica. The second night the tents were pitched at Devee's old smelting establishment on Sugar River, where it was joined by Capt. Stephenson's company from Galena. On Rock River, the command was joined by the Winnebago Chief, White Crow, and Col. W. S. Hamilton, with a force which had joined them the day previous, and was designated as the scouting party of the command.

White Crow offered to conduct the entire party to Black Hawk's encampment, which he said was on Rock River, near Lake Koshkonong. Under his guidance, the force advanced for several days, over almost impassable swamps, until within a short distance of the locality as described by White Crow, when they were met by an express from Gen. Atkinson, ordering them to proceed immediately to his encampment on Bark River. Col. Dodge felt somewhat vexed to be thus thwarted in his purpose, and remarked that he was crippled in every movement he wished to make, by untimely expresses. In obedience to orders, the forces proceeded to the point indicated. The night previous a volunteer had been killed, and Gen. Atkinson, thinking the enemy near at hand, was desirous of concentrating all his forces, preparatory to a general engagement which he contemplated bringing on the next day.

When Col. Hamilton and his scouts reconnoitered Black Hawk's camp the next morning, it was ascertained that he had decamped with his whole force. It was discovered that he had occupied a most advantageous position for defense, and, from the apparent anxiety of White Crow and his party to lead the forces there, it was with much reason supposed he was acting in concert with Black Hawk, to bring on an engagement at that point with the left wing of the array.

Gen. Henry, Gen. Alexander and Col. Dodge, with their respective commands, were ordered to Fort Winnebago for provisions, and, upon arriving there, it was ascertained through the Winnebagoes that the Sacs and Foxes were then at Rock River Rapids. A council of war was held, at which it was decided to return to camp by way of the Rapids, and preparations, therefore, were accordingly concluded. Taking a Mr. Paquette as an interpreter and some Winnebagoes as guides, the command set ofi", and on the third day arrived at the Rapids, but, to their surprise, found no Indians there, save some emaciated Winnebagoes, by whom they were informed that the enemy had moved further up the river to the Cranberry Lakes. The force encamped for the night, dispatching, meanwhile, an express to Gen. Atkinson, borne by Adjt. Woodbridge and others, with a Winnebago for a guide. When they had proceeded about eight or nine miles, they came across one of the main trails of the enemy, plainly indicating their route as pointing toward the west. The troops at once returned and communicated the information, which entirely changed the plan of operations agreed upon. Instead of marching up the river, as was intended, the force marched down it early the next morning, and at a rapid pace. The trails were approached quickly, and found to consist of three - one main center and two flank- ing trails. The first night the force camped thereon, and were literally drenched with rain, experiencing the greatest difficulty in making a fire with which to cook supper. The second night they camped on the east end of Third Lake; and, previously to their arriving there, the scouts discovered a large force of Indians, who made a feint to attack, but were deterred by the volunteers putting on a bold front, and forming in line of battle, seeing which, the Indians made a precipitous flight into the woods surrounding the lake. That night the scouts discovered many Indians, and it appeared the next morning, from information received from Winnebago Indians, that about one-half the main body of the Sacs and Foxes took post near the crossing of the Catfish, on the eastern confines of the present city of Madison, with the intention of there making the attack, should the volunteers attempt a night pursuit, but, as they did not, the Indians left their ambush about midnight. The next morning, the memorable 21st of July, the forces were upon the trail before sunrise, with every expectation of overtaking them soon. The march in pursuit was consequently rapid. On the banks of the Third Lake, near where the Lake House in Madison now stands, the advance guard killed an Indian, who, the Winnebago Indian above alluded to informed them, was sitting upon the grave of his wife, who had, perhaps, died from fatigue, hunger and exhaustion, and her disconsolate companion had resolved to await the advancing foe and die there also, and he boldly bared his naked breast as a willing target for the balls of the scouts. He but too soon met the death he coveted. This may be thought to have been cruel, but the motto of the pursuers was "no quarter."

In the pursuit the forces passed an encampment on what has since been called Pheasant Branch, at the head of Fourth Lake, where was a freshly made Indian grave, a squaw supposed to have died the night before, and this the place of her sepulture. About five miles from this spot, the scouts killed an Indian who said he was a Winnebago. When in the act of falling, he fired his rifle, wounding one of the volunteers in Capt. Clark's company. From this point the scouts were continually chasing the Indians and being in turn chased by them. Consequently, the march became almost a fight in pursuit of the enemy. Upon one occasion, the forces were thrown into line of battle, but the enemy immediately receded and a running fire was kept up by the scouts and the rear guard of the Indians until the main battle was fought. It was brought about by the chasing of the scouts, who were commanded by Capt. Joseph Dickson, by a large body of the enemy, who had been secreted in the low bottoms of the Wisconsin River. While they were pursuing the scouts up a long slope, the advance portion of the volunteers were rapidly ascending from the opposite side, and, as a consequence, the contending armies met at the top. Here they barely had time to range themselves in line of battle - Cols. Dodge's and William L. D. Ewing's commands forming the front - and had scarcely faced about when the enemy began firing. Orderly Sergt. John McNair, of La Fayette County, was wounded in this onset by a shot in the thigh, but was not conscious of it until the conflict ceased and the enemy had fled. By this time the remainder of Gen. Henry's command except the command of Col. Fry, a part of whom were dragoons, was brought into line of battle in less than ten minutes from the -commencement of the engagement. After the line of battle had been fully formed, upon a high eminence and in open ground, considerable firing was kept up by the Indians, who had taken shelter in some underbrush upon the bank of the opposite declivity, by which seven of the volunteers were wounded and one killed, the latter being named Short, and belonging to the command of Col. Jones. That ofiicer had his horse shot from under him. Seeing that the volunteers were sufi'ering more in this firing, perhaps, than the Indians, Gen. Henry ordered a charge, by which the enemy was at once dislodged from its hiding-place, and fled, during the flight twenty being shot and scalped, making in all sixty- eight of the enemy killed in the battle. They were pursued to the bottoms of the Wisconsin, when the volunteers reached the tall grass, which was -wet, it having rained nearly the entire afternoon of that day ; and, it being then nearly dark, further pursuit was abandoned.

The volunteers returned to camp, and, immediately succeeding supper, Adjts. Woodbridge and Merriman, who had been sent as an express to Gen. Atkinson's camp, on Bark River, prior to the battle, returned. With them also came Capt. James B. Estes, afterward of Shullsburg,

On the same night the silence of camp was disturbed by the loud, shrill voice of an Indian from the summit of one of the highest peaks in that vicinity, haranguing, as was supposed, for an attack upon the volunteers. Although well posted and surrounded with a double guard, the strange phenomenon naturally produced some excitement and was well calculated to test the coolness and material of officers and men. It was thought that Black Hawk's entire force was being brought to bear upon the volunteers, in a night attack, the most to be dreaded of all attacks, especially when made by an Indian enemy. The material composing the army proved good, however, no man showed the white feather, and the commanders, in concert with the Indian orator, harangued their men in the most stirring manner. Gen. Henry, in particular, addressed his men in a patriotic strain, reminding them of the discredit already brought upon the " Sucker " arms by the defeat of Stillman, and other similar disasters ; appealing to them in the name of their mothers to vindicate their valor and that of the " Sucker State." In fact, it was often remarked afterward, that he made a great " Sucker " speech, under the impluse of which his men no doubt would have well vindicated, as they had the preceding day, the powers of volunteer arms.

It was afterward ascertained, however, that the Indian chief was making propositions of peace, instead of urging or cheering on his warriors to battle ; which, no doubt, would have been acceptable, had the Winnebagoes been in camp. The proposals were said to have been made, that the Sacs and Foxes would surrender themselves at discretion, and only asked protection for the lives of their women and children. But, hearing no response, and supposing the Winnebagoes were with the volunteers, they concluded their proposals were not to be entertained, and no mercy would be shown them - consequently, every effort was then made to remove as fast as possible out of the country.

The next day, the slain soldier was buried, and litters were improvised for the conveyance of the wounded. Expresses were sent to Gen. Atkinson and Prairie du Chien, after having marched in the morning to the Wisconsin and ascertained that the Indians, during the night, had effected a crossing. The following morning, the whole command moved forward toward the Blue Mounds, where it arrived at night, after one of the most fatiguing days experienced during the war. The difficulty of conveying wounded men on litters, for thirty miles, over almost impassable creeks, through swamps, across hills and through thick woods, by a winding path, was attended with weariness and diflBculty of which no one can well conceive.

Here must be related an amusing and withal, at the time, an alarming incident of the day - one which has never been forgotten. Although John McNair's wound was a flesh wound, yet it was so excruciatingly painful that it was only with the greatest difficulty he could be conveyed in any way. Being the Orderly Sergeant of Col. D. M. Parkinson, and much attached to that gentleman, he particularly requested the Colonel to remain with him, saying the boys would kill him, almost, if he were not along. Desirous to gratify the sufferer. Col. Parkinson placed his company under the command of Lieut. Mathew G. Fitch, and remained constantly with McNair. After having carried him in his arms through several creeks, the Colonel and his charge arrived on top of the East Blue Mound. The litter by this time had become so broken by the horses, between two of which it was swung, having to wind and twist along the narrow and devious path by which the ascent to the mound is made, that it would no longer answer to carry him. Here was a dilemma, the litter was broken up, it was dark, and McNair declaring that he could not ride on horseback, with the company far in advance, with all the provisions and necessary materials for camping. How to extricate themselves from the difficulties which beset them, was a question difficult of solution ; yet it must be done. At length. Col. Parkinson directed the "boys " to bring the horses and fragments of litter to the foot of the mound, while he bore McNair as Anchises did the old Patroclus, on his back, to the encampment.

He accordingly took him up, and, after descending the mound, which was quite steep, was compelled to lay him down. It seems that he either laid him on, or so near, a large yellow rattlesnake as very much to disturb the latter, which set up such a terrible rattling or whizzing as to frighten all hands, who fled precipitately. Thus deserted, the poor devil who had been the cause of all this commotion cried out in the most supplicating manner, " Oh, Captain, for God's sake, don't leave me here to be devoured by these snakes," for there were by this time evidently two of them, and from the noise in the stillness of the night, and in the midst of a dense forest, there seemed to be legions of them giving their fearful notes of warning. The Colonel, recovering from his momentary fright, and feeling the necessity of instant action, " pitched in," caught the prospective victim by the heels and dragged him unceremoneously out of so dangerous a proximity to a ten times more frightful enemy than Black Hawk, and, wonderful to relate, the sufferer never uttered a groan. After the panic was over, McNair expressed his willingness to ride horseback or anything else, and, in due time, the company's camp was reached.

The next morning after arriving at the Mounds, Gen. Dodge's command was dismissed to their respective forts for a new supply of provisions. Gen. Atkinson, who had broken up his encampment on Bark River, soon arrived with his troops, so that on the 26th of the month, the entire army rendezvoused at Helena, on the Wisconsin, and, crossing the river, took the Indian trail which was down the valley, and by the 2d of August, the Indians were overtaken and most disastrously beaten. Here, as at the battle of Wisconsin, Dodge's command occupied the front rank, the engagement having been brought on by Capt. Dickson, who still commanded the spies and was wounded in the conflict. It was more a massacre than a battle, as the Indians only fought as they were compelled to, many of them being killed as they were crossing the river, men, women and children. This was the closing conflict of the war. Black Hawk was soon after taken prisoner, and conducted through the principal cities of the Union.

Among these who settled in the county was M. G. Fitch, Thomas H. Price, who made claim in the north end of the county ; John J. Van Matre and Morgan L. Van Matre, Ohioans, in the township of Fayette ; also Elias Crane, John, George Adam and Jonathan Helm, in the upper end of Wiota ; Rufus and Benjamin Scott, in Willow Springs ; John and William Armstrong, Isaac Bailey, Aaron and Samuel Colly, in Fayette ; James Woods, in Wiota ; Christopher Blackgraves, William and James Tolley, John Parkinson, Elias Pilling, Jacob and George Monahan, in Willow Springs, and all farmers ; Amos Eastman and brother, James, Joseph and Alfred McKnight, and the Gurley family, in Wayne ; D. S. Hawley, John G. Saxton, William Biggs, William, George and Robert Brazle, Joshua Chilton, Amos Cunningham, Jonas Shook, the Gabriel family, and others, in Argyle ; the Rudolph family, Elias Slowther, and others, in Gratiot, and in Benton, Belmont and other townships, the exhibit was equally gratifying.

On the 6th of May, 1835, Gen. Jackson, then President of the United States, in pursuance of the fourth section of the act of June 26, 1834, issued his proclamation for a public sale of lands in the Wisconsin District at Mineral Point, commencing on the 7th day of September, and appointed John P. Sheldon, Register, with Joseph Enox, Receiver. This attracted purchasers from all parts of the country, and appreciated the number of population. The land troubles, growing out of these sales, have already been referred to, but produced no other than a beneficial eff'ect. From this date on to 1837, when the county was set apart, the history of events has been detailed in the pages devoted to incidents and facts falling within the limit of previous years. From 1827, up to the year when La Fayette County was organized, its life was as that of an individual.

Thus far has the historian sought to drag up lost honors in the history of La Fayette County. He may have succeeded imperfectly, but he has labored earnestly, enthusiastically. There are those who still live that remember some of the incidents herein recorded, in whose breasts the old fire has not died out altogether ; who remember the spring, the summer and the autumn days of life as it was lived half a century gone. There are those who aided the beginning of this undertaking who will ne'er again see the spring sunshine flood the heavens with transient glory ; summer breezes will no more rustle the foliage for some whom the writer met in happy moments less than a year agone ; since, their funeral trains have wound up the hillsides, and the green earth has opened its arms to another weary life. The church-yard gate has closed since then, and will close again before the birds resume their nest-building in the trees that will wave about the grassy mounds. For here, as everywhere, " He giveth His beloved sleep."

That tract of land now known on the map of Wisconsin State as La Fayette County came under the progressive influences of civilization in 1824, when, as recounted elsewhere in this volume, white men settled in the vicinity of New Diggings. At that period. La Fayette County was unknown to fame, and few of the sturdy miners suspected the herculean scion, born under the protecting aegis of their presence, should arise to the eminence of cutting adrift from the parent province and appealing to the world for individual recognition.

Iowa County embraced in her expansive clasp the territory extending to the banks of the Mississippi, subsequently subdivided and denominated, respectively. Grant and La Fayette Counties. Tidings of this country, rich in mineral and blessed with a fecund soil, became bruited abroad, with the natural result of attracting thither a heterogeneous population, in which the miner and agriculturist struggled for ascendancy. Nature, liberal in her bounty, had provided prolific fields for all, and, in recognition of this fact, the diverse elements settled down to harmonious industry.

Constant accessions to the population rendered the administration of justice a problem of some difficulty, owing to the vast range of territory. A division of the county was advocated, and a re adjustment of county boundaries was demanded. The agitation resulted successfully in 1847, when, in February of that year, an act of the Legislature decided in favor of a division. At that time, Jameson Hamilton, an enterprising settler, was surveying a portion of ground situated about one and a quarter miles southwest of the present site of Darlington. He was engaged laying out a town site and had erected one or two houses. Appreciating the advantage conferred on surrounding property by the presence of the county seat, he improved the occasion by tendering to the infant county of La Fayette a selection of sites for county purposes. Shullsburg and New Diggings were fully alive to the exigency of the occasion, and their representatives strenuously exerted themselves to procure the selection of their own villages. Hamilton claimed to be the hub or geographical center of the county, and, therefore, entitled by law to the honors and profits of a county seat. New Diggings and Shullsburg did not advance any natural pretensions, but asserted their claims for recognition as centers of population. The discussion was terminated by submitting the merits of the rival claimants to the popular vote, a majority deciding in favor of Shullsburg. The primitive Methodist Church of that place was rented, and there the county offices were located for some time.

The following official document, filed before William Henry, Notary Public, and with Samuel G. Bugh, Register of Deeds, clearly aligns the position of the two counties at the time of secession :

Article of agreement entered into this twenty-third day of December, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-seven, between the Board of County Commissioners of the County of La Fayette, in the Territory of Wisconsin, of the first part, and the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Iowa, in the said Territory of Wisconsin, of the second part, Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars, paid unto the party of the second part, by the said party of the first part, and of the covenants and stipulations hereinafter mentioned, the said party of the second part, to wit: The said Board of County Commissioners of the County of Iowa, for and in behalf of the said County of Iowa, and their successors in office, hereby covenant and agree, and bind the said County of Iowa, to pay all the debts and liabilities of whatever kind and nature of the old County of Iowa, upon the following conditions, to be performed and fulfilled by the said Board of County Commissioners of La Fayette, or their successors in office, acting for and in behalf of said County of La Fayette. That is to say, the said Board of County Commissioners of La Fayette County, for and in behalf of the said County of La Fayette, and their successors in office, hereby release, relinquish, give up, surrender, transfer, make over, and assign unto the present County of Iowa, the said party of the second part, all right, interest, title, and estate of every kind and nature, both in law and in equity, of the said County of La Fayette, the said party of the first part, in and to all the public buildings, and the lot or grounds on which they are situated, known and designated as part of Lot Number Fifty-Three (53), being the same lot conveyed by Patent of the United States to Robert C. Hoard, William I. Dening and John Lindsey, County Commissioners of Iowa County, Wisconsin Territory, bearing date the nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and

Forty-four, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, of the County of Iowa, on the twenty-ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Right Hundred and Forty-five, in Patent Book A, page 21, heretofore owned by the old county of Iowa, and situated in the town of Mineral Point, in the said county of Iowa, and Territory of Wisconsin; and hereby give and surrender up to the present county of Iowa full, exclusive and entire control and possession of all the public buildings and grounds situated as aforesaid, and the said Board of County Commissioners of La Fayette County, and their successors in office, hereby release, relinquish, give up, surrender, traasfer and assign, and make over unto the present county of Iowa all the right, title and interest, claim, or demand of every kind and nature, both in law and equity, of the said County of La Fayette, in and to the assets of every kind and nature, legal and equitable, heretofore owned by and belonging to the old county of Iowa, and heretofore owned by and belonging to the present counties of Iowa and La Fayette, according to the proportions to which they were respectively entitled, under the act of the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin, providing for the division of the old county of Iowa and the organization of the present counties of La Fayette and Iowa and the said present county. The said party of the second part is hereby, and by virtue hereof, authorized and empowered to tike full and e.Kclusive possession and control and ownership of the right, title and interest, legal and equitable, of the said county of La Fayette, in the said assets ; and it is hereby understood and agreed by and between the said parties hereto, and the said Board of County Commissioners of the said county of Iowa, for and in behalf of said -county of Iowa, and their successors in office, for the considerations aforesaid, and herein mentioned, hereby release the said county of La Fayette from all and every liability on account of and for the debts of the old county of Iowa, saving and excepting any costs or expenses which may accrue from the suit now pending against the said county of La Fayette, which said costs and expenses, and which defense of said suit, shall be paid and borne by the said of La Fayette, which said suit being that wherein Henry Connith, Matthew Newkirk and others are complainants in chancery, and Edward D. Rocke, Collector of said county, is defendant. It is hereby understood, however, that the said county shall only be liable for the said costs and expenses of said suit and the defense of the same, and not for the claim or demands of the complainants in said suit. And the said Board of County Commissioners, and of the said county of La Fayette, the said party of the first part, for and in behalf of said county of La Fayette, and for and on behalf of their successors in office, in consideration of the covenants and stipulations herein contained, hereby agree to pay for and on behalf of the said county of La Fayette, unto the present county of Iowa, or their assigns, the just face and lawful sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars, on or before twelve months from the date of this Article of Agreement. And the said Board of County Commissioners of La Fayette County, the said party of the first part, for and on behalf of the said county of La Fayette, in the premises, grounds and public buildings herein conveyed unto the Board of County Commissioners of Iowa County, and their successors in office. In witness whereof, we have hereunto interchangeably set our hands and affixed our seals of office as County Commissioners of the said counties of Iowa and La Fayette respectively, this twenty-third day of December, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of] John J. Van Matre,

The first meeting of the Commissioners for La Fayette County was held May 3, 1847, Allan Warden was sworn in and took his seat to fill the vacancy occasioned by the division of Iowa County. The other Commissioners were John J. Van Matre and John Grifiin, held over according to the provisions of the law dividing the county of Iowa. John J. Van Matre was -elected Chairman. The business transacted was the appointment of William Burnett as Treasurer. James H. Knowlton was declared Prosecuting Attorney to January 1, 1848. H. A. Brannan presented his certificate of an appointment from Gov. Dodge to the oflSce of Auction- and Certificate Recorder. The other offices were filled by Samuel G. Bugh, County Register, and Washington M. Hinman, County Surveyor. The county seat was declared to be temporarily located at Shullsburg. In lieu of an official seal, a substitute was improvised by the use of the American dollar of 1842 coinage, until a suitable die and press were obtained from Saint Louis, Mo. Among the first orders engrossed on the Minute Book, was an order constituting Town 1, Range 5 east, a separate precinct under the title of Wayne. The first election was held there at the house of Amos Eastman. Once alienated from Iowa County, a distrustful feeling took possession of La Fayette, which questioned the financial standing of its parent, and caused an order to be registered fixing the receipt of Iowa County bonds only at their cash value in payment of claims.

The Assessors' districts were delineated as follows : District No. 1, commencing at the southwest corner of county, running east to Sections 34 and 35 in Town 2, running due north to north line of La Fayette County. No. 2 embraced the area between Sections 34 and 35^ Town 2, thence east to Town 4, between Sections 30 and 32, thence to north county line. No. 3 commenced between Sections 31 and 32, in Town 4, thence running in line to Green County, and north to line of La Fayette County. The foregoing dimensions were subject to alteration at the discretion of Assessors.

The first official map of the county was completed and sold as a reference book to the Commissioners for $142. The Assessors' returns for 1847 in Districts 1 and 2 show an aggregate valuation of lands and property at |267,536.85.

The first tavern license under the new organization was issued to David Hudson, of New Diggings, who was granted a certificate in consideration of providing for the wants of James Frances and Daniel O'Brine, who divide the uncovered distinction of being the first paupers supported from the public funds.

First Grand Jury

The first grand jury roll was drawn in this year, 1847, when the following gentlemen were called upon to make a presentment of crime in the district :

First Petit Jury

The deliberations of the grand jury were conducted in the lodge-room of Justitia Lodge, No. 14, I. 0. 0. F. The members of that fraternity having tendered the use of the chamber, in absence of more suitable quarters.

At that time, as now, the county enjoyed rare immunity from crime, and the few persons incurring the displeasure of the law were incarcerated in Iowa County Jail, as La Fayette had not then experienced the want of an institution to protect the liberties of her law-abiding citizens.

The first school fund appropriation was passed at the annual meeting in October, 1848. The total was $461.88, a modest sum that was apportioned to the various districts as follows :

Re-Organization Of Toavnships

On January 12, 1849, at a meeting of the County Commissioners, the county was re-organized, when the towns of Benton, New Diggings, Argyle, Wayne, Belmont, Kendall, Elk Grove, White Oak Springs, Gratiot, Shullsburg, Hamilton, Fayette and Wiota were duly defined and orders issued for the first election of Town Trustees. The Board of County Supervisors was organized June 4, 1849, when a meeting of the Chairmen of the Town Boards was held in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Shullsburg. John Z. Saxton was chosen temporary Chairman, and the Committee on Credentials presented the following as qualified to represent these localities :

Charles Dunn was appointed Chairman of the permanent board ; James H. Knowlton, Nathan Olmsted, and John W. Blackstone were appointed a special committee to procure suitable accomodation for the county officers. As a result of their labors, a contract was drawn up between the county and Richard Vaughan, who, for the consideration of $10 per month, agreed to furnish the requisite facilities.

The Court House

The qtiestion of providing a court house was agitated about this time. A committee was appointed to inquire for the best terms on which they could negotiate a loan of $1,000, and report at the annual meeting. That in case such loan should be perfected, the amount so raised was to be appropriated to the erection of a court house, measuring 60x40 feet ground measure. What success attended the efforts to effect this loan is not known, as the records show no report from the committee. The next report that appears is one from a building committee composed of Albert Pinney, B. Funk, James Noble, H. F. Striker and George Schellenger. On their recommendation, Block 12, in the village of Avon, formerly Hamilton, town of Centre, was selected as the site of the future county seat; $2,000 were appropriated, and proposals invited for the work. The specifications of E. Weisen, the architect, called for a building 44x60 feet, with stone walls ; the foundation to be eight feet below the principal floor, the walls to be three feet thick in the clear, with two and one-half feet thickness above. The second story was to be twelve feet clear, with walls two feet thick, with arched ceiling. The work on the interior to be plain and of substantial build. The cornice pillars and outside wood-work were to be of the Doric style, with caps and bases. The work was to be completed November, 1,1851. G. W. Gates and W. L. Glidden's proposal to execute the work for $4,550, was accepted. The rumored change of the county seat provoked a tumult of angry passions in the breasts of those who had been instrumental in securing the prize for Shullsburg. Litigation was resorted to and a mandamus obtained to prevent further prosecution of the work. This act was the initiative in an internecine conflict that was waged long and energetically by the adherents who supported the respective claims of the rival town. In the height of the trouble. Rev. Mazzuchelli and Mr. Ryan donated Lot 10 in Shullsburg to the county for the erection thereon of a county court house and jail. The sum of $2,000 was appropriated in favor of this project. A building committee, composed of J. H. Earnest and J. W. Blackstone, reported back to the Board of Supervisors, declining to act in the premises, as the sum of $2,000 was insufficient, and only hampered their freedom of action. An additional sum of $2,000 was thereupon granted, conditioned on Shullsburg subscribing $1,500 for the establishment of the court house in their midst. The contractors were McKidney & Townshend, who turned over the first county edifice to the Board of Supervisors, on June 2, 1853. Insurance policies covering the building were accepted by the ^tna and Protection Insurance Companies, for a premium of one per cent.

The deep dissatisfaction of Avon, which had been brewing in ominous quiet, found expression in 1855, when a resolution, passed at the Town Board, was presented to the Board of Supervisors at their November session. The resolution recommended that a bill be presented to the Legislature at its next session, to secure the passage of an act submitting the location of the county seat to the people. It was urged that the jail was worthless, and the court house needed constant repairs. It was also claimed that by removing to Avon, the geographical center of the county, the traveling expenses attendant on court terms would be diminished, thereby effecting a saving of the county funds. These resolutions may be assigned as a reason for the non-adoption of a report providing $200 for jail repairs.

The vexed question was submitted to the people to decide on the 1st day of April, 1856. The total vote polled was 3,389, of which number 1,774 were in favor of removing to Avon ; 1,615 were opposed to the movement. The Board of Canvassers were Henry H. Ensign. M. Hollister, J. P., William W. Forbes, J. P. Conformable to this ruling, the county oSicers were transferred to Avon, or Center, where they were located in the old schoolhouse. The act of Legislature under which the voting was conducted, specified, as an express qualification, that each voter must have resided in the county for forty days. Strongly impressed with the illegality of this clause, in direct conflict with the liberal doctrines of the Constitution, James H. Knowlton appealed to the Supreme Court to settle the validity of the election. In an exhaustive treatise on the question, the Chief Justice delivered his judgment, declaring the election null and void. In rendering this decision. His Honor assumed, that, as the Legislative act prohibited persons from voting who were fully qualified by the Constitution, the act was unconstitutional. On January 6, 1857, it was moved, at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, that the District Attorney of La Fayette County be authorized to draw a petition to the Legislature for the vacation of the village plat of Avon, and that said village be annexed to Darlington, and that the county seat be removed to Darlington, from Shullsburg, providing that the county buildings be built from the proceeds of said property.

From 1856 to 1861, every session of the Legislature was importuned to obtain the passage of an act re-opening the county seat troubles, for an expression of popular sentiment. It must have taxed an indomitable spirit, gifted with unflagging determination, to persist in the effort which had before resulted disastrous to their hopes. Perseverance was ultimately rewarded, for, on March 28, 1861, the long-sought-for legislation was enacted. On this occasion, Darlington was fully prepared to meet the issue with a powerful front, having off"ered to erect a court house at an outlay of $10,000, should that village be selected. At the close of the poll, the ballot showed a majority of four in favor of removal. A motion was instantly filed in the Circuit Court, asking to have the election annulled on the grounds of bribery in the form of the prospective court house, and to the extent of $10,000. The arguments on both sides were made before the Circuit Judge, at Dodgeville, Iowa County; and, even in the earliest stage of the proceedings, the decision was foreshadowed for Shullsburg. The non delivery and filing of a single letter thwarted the judgment, which went for Darlington, on a legal technicality. Exhausted with constant bickering, the tomahawk was buried, and events allowed to pursue their natural course. The removal of the oflSces occurred November 19, 1861. The court house, which played such a prominent part in pacifying the ancient feud, and harmonizing the embittering elements of the populace, occupies a commanding position on an eminence on Main street, overlooking the village. The material and labor necessary to the construction of the building were voluntarily subscribed by the citizens of Darlington, some of whom contributed their quota in money, while the less affluent added their mite in labor.

A jail, constructed at a cost of $1,000 is attached. The offices of County Clerk, Register of Deeds and County Treasurer, are now situated in a compactly built stone building, rendered impervious to fire by the use of iron fire-proof flooring. Iron shutters likewise protect the doors and window apertures. The officers took possession of this building on July 5, 1867.

A bell was added to the court house in 1871, at a cost of $200. In compliance with a memorial presented November 15, 1872, requesting the use of the court house for political and religious meetings, the Episcopalians were permitted to conduct services therein on the Sabbath, the county being exempt from all expense on such account.

The First Regular Court

The first judicial term recognized in this county, was opened in the old county seat at Shullsburg, on September 6, 1847, Hon. Charles Dunn, first Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin Territory, and Presiding Judge in La Fayette County District Court, presided. The term was officially opened on the 6th, but the Justice did not arrive until the next day. The Court was then formally opened by Robert M. Lang, County Sheriff", who returned into the court the following grand jury roll: Thomas B. Gibson, foreman; William S. Derring, Robert G. Waud, James Parkinson, John O'Conner, F. E. Halstead, Abraham Lorney, Samuel H. Scales, Anthony Miller, Samuel Davis, John Armstrong, Marshall Cottle, Absalom A. Townsend, Samuel Warren, Charles Bracken, Oliver Holtzhouser, Henry B. Phillips and Andrew Harrison. James H. Knowlton, District Attorney, charged the grand jury, who retired to make presentment. .John M. Douglass and Joseph D. Wells, of Illinois, were, upon motion of the Clerk, permitted to practice at the bar. The first cases filed were a petition in chancery for divorce from Matthias Chelton vs. Sarah Chelton. The petition was responded to by the defendant filing a demurrer, praying that the complainant should lodge a reasonable sum for expenses of defendant, before she is compelled to answer said bill of complaint. John A.rmstrong vs. Fred Waughtell, on appeal. The case was stricken from the docket as having been improperly returned to La Fayette instead of Iowa County.

The population of La Fayette County for 1880, compared with the returns for 1870, exhibits a startling decrease. The citizens, unlike the carping inhabitants of St. Louis, acknowledge the diminished volume of humanity which has occurred among the mining element and such transitory residents who, afflicted with the El Dorado fever, flocked to Deadwood and Leadville on the discovery of valuable mineral in those regions. The vacuum thus occasioned is rapidly filling up with sturdy yeomen, who at the next census, by their presence, will refute the charge that La Fayette's population is on the wane.

Presidential Vote

In order that a sufficient record of officers may be here shown, the foregoing narrativeaccount of organization is recapitulated as follows :

La Fayette County was organized in the spring of 1847, out of a part of Iowa County. The first meeting of the Commissioners was held at Shullsburg May 3, 1847. The board consisted of John J. Van Matre, Chairman, John Griffin and Allen Warden ; R. E. Campbell was Clerk of the board; Robert M. Long, Sheriff; William Bennett, Treasurer ; James H. Knowlton, Prosecuting Attorney ; Samuel G. Bugh, Register of Deeds ; Washington M. Hinman, County Surveyor.

The following were the different precincts: Wiota, Gratiot, Prairie, Belmont, White Oak Springs, Benton, Shullsburg, Fever River, Elk Grove and Willow Springs.

The next meeting of the County Commissioners was held January 3, 1848. The board consisted of John J. Van Matre, James M. Day and Joseph White. John J. Van Matre was elected Chairman. No change in precincts. Jonathan J. Marvin, Clerk.

For 1849, the board consisted of John Ray, Chairman, John Armstrong, Samuel Cole ; J. J. Marvin, Clerk. At this session of the board the county was divided and organized into towns as follows : Benton, New Diggings, Argyle, Wayne, Belmont, Kendall, Elk Grove, White Oak Springs, Gratiot, Shullsburg, Willow Springs, Center, Fayette and Wiota.

On June 4, 1849, the Chairman of the several Town Boards of Supervisors met and organized, under the then existing law, as a County Board, as follows : Charles Dunn, Chairman, Belmont ; George Skellinger, Wiota ; John Armstrong, Fayette ; Samuel Cole, Gratiot ; John Z. Saxton, Argyle; Joseph White, Elk Grove; James Murphy, Benton; Russell Baldwin, Wayne; Nathan Olmstead, Kendall; Ami Dodge, New Diggings; John W. Blackstone, White Oak Springs ; John Ray, Willow Springs ; James H. Knowlton, Shullsburg ; Henry W. Barnes, Center; J. J. Marvin, Clerk. The town of Monticello was organized by an act of the Legislature during the year 1850.

The County Board for 1850 was as follows : James Murphy, Chairman, Benton ; George Skellinger, Wiota ; John Armstrong, Fayette ; Samuel Cole., Gratiot ; T. B. Andrews, Argyle ; Edward Leslie, Elk Grove; Henry F. Striker, Belmont; A. G. Pineny, Wayne; Nathan Olmstead, Kendall ; John Raine, New Diggings ; John W. Blackstone, White Oak Springs ; James Noble, Willow Springs ; James H. Knowlton, Shullsburg; Richard H. Magoon, Monticello; James Woods, Center ; P. B. Simpson, Clerk. The board met at Avon.

1862 - S. H. Gurley, Chairman ; Matthew Murphy, H. E. VanOsdell ; John Collins,. Clerk. Met at Darlington, where all meetings have been held since.

The session of 1870 was held in accordance with the existing law, by which the board is composed of one member from each town and village. The board was as follows :

Matthew Murphy, Chairman, Benton ; Thomas G. Wright, Argyle ; John Martin, Belmont ; H. H. Gray, Darlington (Darlington was changed from Center) ; J. B. Doty, village of Darlington ; Patrick Gallagan, Elk Grove; John Armstrong, Fayette ; N. B. Richardson, Gratiot; Patrick McDermott, Kendall ; John Anderson, Monticello ; James Sullivan, New Diggings ; Rufus Crippen, Seymour (Seymour is a new town made from toAvns of Darlington, Elk Grove and Kendall, in 1868); John Riley. Willow Springs; William Walton, White Oak Springs; Nelson La Due, Wayne ; William J. Miller, Wiota ; Thomas McNulty, Shullsburg; P. B. Simpson, village of Shullsburg; Alvin Blanchard, Blanchard (Blanchard is a new town made from the town of Argyle in 1868) ; L. E. Johnson, Clerk.

1875 - P. A. Orton, Cliiirraan, village of Darlington; A. Anderson, Argyle; W. W. Murphy, Benton; Julius Kruger, Darlington; John Blewett, Elk Grove; John Armstrong, Fayette; Nelson Bower, Gratiot ; Erastus Farnham, Monticello ; John Curwen, New Diggings \

1847 - Iowa and Richland. Council - William Singer. Representatives - Timothy Burnes, James D. Jenkins, Thomas Charlton. Session of October, 1847, Iowa, Richland and La Fayette. Council - Ninnian E. Whitesides. Representatives - Timothy Burnes, M. M. Cothren, Charles Pole.

Members of the Assembly. - 1848, Elias Slothower, Ninnian E. Whiteside; 1849, Daniel M. Parkinson, William Hill; 1850, Cornelius DeLong, John K. Williams; 1851, Nathan Olmstead, Samuel Cole; 1852, James H. Earnest, Matthew Murphy. Mr. Murphy's seat was contested. He resigned and was replaced by George W. Hammett. 1853, P. B. Simpson, Eli Robinson, Nathan Olmstead ; 1854, James K. Knowlton, James H. Earnest, Peter Parkinson, Jr.; 1855, James H. Earnest, Joseph White, A. A. Townsend; 1856, James H. Knowl.

Press

The Belmont Gazette - The fourth newspaper started in Wisconsin was established at Belmont, Iowa County, Wisconsin Territory, by James Clarke and John B. Russell. The first issue appeared on Tuesday, October 25, 1836. It was a medium-sized paper, 36x24 inches, and six columned ; of Democratic politics, having as its motto, " We go where Democratic principles go - when they disappear we mean to halt." - Woodbury.

The first copy contained an " Act of Congress, establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin," signed by James K. Polk, Speaker of the House of Representatives; M. Van Buren, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate ; and approved 20th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson. Also, Governor Dodge's message ; an article on " The Internal Improvements of Wisconsin," and the following list of members of both branches of the Legislature. Des Moines - Council: Jeremiah Smith, J. B. Teas, Arthur B. Ingram; House of Representatives : Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, John Box, George W. Teas, David R. Chance, Warren L. Jenkins, Eli Reynolds. Iowa - Council : John B. Terry, Ebenezer Brigham, James R. Vineyard, Daniel M. Parkinson, George F. Smith, William Boyles, James P. Cox, Thomas Shanley. Dubuque - Council : Thomas McKnight, Thomas McRanney, John Foley; House of Representatives : P. H. Engle, H. P. Camp, Patrick Quigley, Hardin Nowlin, Loring Wheeler. Milwaukee - Council : Gilbert Knap, Alanson Sweet ; House of Representatives : William B. Sheldon, Charles Durkee, Madison W. Cornwall. Brown - Council : Henry S. Baird, John P. Arndt ; House of Representatives : A. G. Ellis, E. Childs, A. J. Irwin. Crawford - House of Representatives : James H. Lockwood, J. B. Dallam. And the advertisements of P. F. Dillon, winter's clothing and liquors; Litle, Wann & Co., mess pork, bacon, lard and prairie plows ; Hooper, Peck & Scales, boots, shoes, groceries and liquors ; Alexis Bailey, dry goods, hardware, groceries, etc.; J. Morrison & Son, stoves, nails and glass, boots and shoes, liquors, pork, flour and corn ; Edgar & Wilson, new wholesale and retail store, dry goods, hardware, crockery and groceries ; L. H. Bowen, ready-made clothing ; William Smith, C. S. Hempstead, John Turney, attorneys at law, in Galena, 111.; Richard G. Ridgely, M. D. Notices of the arrival and departure of the White Oak Springs & Galena Stage, and the mail stage from Galena to Chicago.

In December, 1836, the editorial partnership between Messrs. Clarke & Russell was dissolved, and James Clarke became sole proprietor and editor, the Gazette at that time being reduced to half its previous size. The Gazette was published until April 12, 1837. The last number in the file, preserved at Madison by the State Historical Society, makes no mention of suspension or removal, but Mr. Durrie, Librarian, considers the file complete.

Territorial Gazette^ at Burlington, Iowa. Harrison Reed, in " An Early History of the Press of Wisconsin," given before the Editorial Association in 1860, says of the Belmont Gazette: " It ceased its existence when the session of the Legislature closed. The press was removed to Mineral Point, where the paper was continued but a short time by Holbrook and Col. W. S. Hamilton, and afterward removed to Galena." Samuel Ryan, before the same society, in 1865, said he thought the G-azette, after being removed to Galena, became the foundation of the Galena Courier^ but Mr. Durrie says that is not true.

The Pick and Gad - A family newspaper, devoted to news, mining, agriculture and literature, Democratic in politics, etc., was first issued in Shullsburg on Tuesday, June 28, 1853, under the editorial direction of Walter Nimocks. To announce a new journal as a candidate for public inspection and patronage, wrote the editor, was a delicate and difficult task under any circumstances. To promise little, was to press an indifferent claim for public favor. To promise much, might leave the editor in the condition of the showman, who advertised more than he was able to perform, and received credit for less than he merited. In heralding the publication of a newspaper in La Fayette County, the undertaking was accompanied by additional cause for embarrassment in the repeated failures of others making the same attempt. Nevertheless, it was begun with good heart, and the world was assured that it was established on a permanent basis, to be published regularly and continuously.

No apology was offered for the name adopted. The pick and gad were the peculiar working tools of the miner - from the rich breast of the opening and the glittering slope of the crevice, they brought forth nature's hidden treasures to his eye. In a like manner the paper would be made an appropriate organ of the mining community, and the vigilant representative and guardian of its interests. It would be independent in its operations, fettered by no monopolist, governed by no clique, biased by no partiality save a sincere desire to benefit the county, as also the mining interest, with which is connected that of the farmer, and of every other class of the community.

As a pick, it was intended to combine the characteristics of both pole and drifting pick, to strike for the right, and to prospect and explore for matters of general interest to the community. As to politics, while every party would, upon all occasions, be treated with respect and deference and every individual as his merits should require, the endeavor would be made to pursue a firm and consistent course as a Democratic journal.