Darlington City (part 5 of 7)

Darlington bears the reputation of having some of the ablest and most public-spirited men in the State. As evidence of the fact, witness the character of her charter ; the bill which passed the Legislature in 1870, authorizing a loan of $10,000 to the village for the purpose of erecting a high-school building ; the securing of the county seat against an overwhelming opposition ; and, last but not least, the able and efficient opposition which one of her citizens, H. H. Gray, made, when the bill for the bonding of La Fayette County to the Mineral Point Railroad was before the Legislature. The passage of the bill would, doubtless, have plunged the county into a debt as heavy to be borne and as difficult to be paid ^s that which now oppresses Iowa County. But, happily, it never passed, and those who were once most anxious for its passage are now grateful to the man who defeated it.

Pleasant as to situation, healthful as to climate, fertile as to resources of support, and fortunate as to the character of its leading spirits, is this beautiful city - the county seat of La Fayette.

The social elements of the city are of those harmonious qualities which insure an abiding prosperity. Churches, schools and societies are maintained with liberality, and public edifices adorn the streets with their evidences of wisdom and commendable pride.

Main street, along which a majority of the business houses are built, is 100 feet broad, being the equal, in many respects, of some of the finest streets in the larger cities. The buildings are composed principally of brick and stone, in the outskirts of the town as well as in the business portion, and the manner of construction employed displays taste as well as thrift. They are much better than are usually found in places of equal size and age.

The site of Darlington was first claimed in 1836, by Jameson Hamilton. All the land of Section 3, excepting fractional Lot No. 4, was entered by him eventually. The fractional lot referred to Avas taken by John Gray, in the winter of 1850, and contained about fifty acres. In 1847, Mr. Hamilton laid out the village of Avon or Center, which was subsequently abandoned, as is shown in the following pages :

In the spring of 1850, J, M. Keep and J. B. Lynde, the latter an agent for Joshua Darling, of New York, purchased the land. The survey was made in June, I860, by Josiah Richardson, of Monroe, and H. H. Gray, assisted by an Indian named January.

The Indian was the son of a squaw called Mary, who lived on the site of the village, and honored the passing time by naming her children after the months of the year. She reached

August in her list of dusky contributions, and there stopped. The last heard of the family they were near the Wisconsin River, moving toward the Northwest.

When the .plat was made, a field extended from where the La Fayette County Bank now stands to the site of the court house, and an orchard, planted in 1836, by Mr. Hamilton, was then in a flourishing condition.

The only evidences of occupation at that period were two empty log buildings, situated on the north side of the river, and a log house occupied by Jameson Hamilton, on the spot now spoken of as the Wadsworth House. A bridge stood south by west of Main street, which was the work of the first settler, and a heavily timbered barn was also on the farm. This building was removed to the east side of the river and used for a warehouse until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire.

The original plat was laid out by John M. Keep, and surveyed June 14, 1850, by J. V. Richardson. It was registered July 25, 1850. This survey was enlarged and mapped August 13, 1855, by Charles Temple, surveyor, for J. M. Keep, and registered August 15 following. L. D. Russell's Additions were registered September 26, 1856, and October 15, 1858 ; Adaline Ellison's Addition was platted December 20, 1858 ; A. Anthony's Addition was platted April 18, 1859 ; A. Warden's Addition was made August 18, 1865 ; Hugh Campbell's Addition was platted February 27, 1869.

The village of Darlington wa^ from its infancy until 1865, connected with and ruled by the town government. By this time the place had become a prominent and prosperous village, with a population of about 100, and public interest had become of such a nature that the town could not, or did not, adequately provide for the wants of the aspiring little burg. The streets were in bad condition ; there were bridges, cross-walks and sidewalks particularly needed, and the latter could only be obtained through private contribution.

Liquor licenses were granted, and the money accruing was appropriated by the town, the villagers having no authority to say how many should be granted, or how much charged (as an independent body), while their interest in the matter was confessedly much greater than that of the town, inasmuch as the traffic was conducted among them, bringing all of its ill effects, against which they were comparatively powerless, and imparting no compensatory benefits.

In consideration of those and minor exigencies previous to the time mentioned in the opening of this article, a move was made by the leading men of the place, which resulted in obtaining the first charter. The draft of this was a copy of the one secured for the village of Monroe, with interpellations necessary to the place. This document was submitted to the Legislature, by the petitioners of the village in the winter of 1865, and, by act of April 28, of that year (Chapter 326). it became a charter, erecting the hamlet of Darlington into an incorporate village, as follows :

" All that district of country embraced within the recorded plat of the village of Darlington, together with all of the outlets numbered from one to forty-seven, inclusive, and also all that is embraced in all the several recorded plats of the additions to said village, in the county of La Fayette, in this State, shall hereafter be known and designated as the village of Darlington, and the inhabitants residing, or who may hereafter reside, within the limits of said village, are hereby constituted a body corporate, by the name of the ' President and Trustees of the village of Darlington,' exercising all the powers and privileges, and being subject to all the duties and obligations pertaining to a municipal corporation."

The fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns of the village were vested in a President, ex officio Trustee, and four Trustees who were elected by the people, and one Clerk, one Assessor, one Treasurer, one Constable, who was ex officio Marshal, one Street Commissioner and one Surveyor, who were appointed by the President and Trustees.

The elections were to be conducted by three of the Board of Trustees, ten days' notice having been given to bona-fide residents, under the general law, and no one was eligible to the office of President, Trustee, Treasurer, Assessor or Street Commissioner, unless he was a freeholder.

All of the officers were required to take an oath, and those holding highly responsible positions were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties.

A police court was established for the administration of municipal aifairs, the President of the Village Board being constituted Police Justice. In addition to this arrangement, the officers of the town and county were privileged to act in the village to maintain peace and good order.

The President and Trustees could ordain such officers as they might deem necessary, besides those already provided, and had authority in the village for granting license and creating such ordinances as they might deem beneficial to the welfare of the community aside from those provided in the charter, which, it may be here remarked, were sufficient to meet nearly all emergencies.

All of the funds received by the Treasurer for liquor licenses were employed in toto to maintain, in part, the streets, bridges and cross-walks.

By a special clause of Section 49 of the chapter, " No general law contravening the provisions of this act shall be considered as repealing, amending or modifying the same." Thus it appears that the first charter was wrought-iron, double welded and forged, and very good in most respects.

In this connection may be mentioned the fact that the village voted with the town in all town elections as before, a condition that obtains in the city now, and were assessed by the Town Assessor.

By act of March 26, 1866 (Chapter 184), an amendment to the charter was made, extending the limits of the village so as to embrace a small piece of land and the residence of A. B. P. Wood, who was the first Mayor of the city.

By an act of March 6, 1868 (Chapter 409), an amendment was granted, giving the Board of Trustees the power to establish fire limits, or, in other words, to restrict the erection of wooden buildings to certain boundaries, for the purpose of avoiding danger from fires.

Again, by act of March 15, 1870 (Chapter 357), the charter was so amended as to extend the village limits far enough to the north and east to include 130 acres. This amendment was affected by A. B. P. Wood, partly for the purpose of correcting an error which existed in the first amendment, and for the purpose of adding enough territory to make the boundaries of the village more symmetrical than before.

At the charter election held in March, 1870, the question at issue was, particularly, between the temperance and anti-temperance factions, and involved the question of license or no license. The temperance element won the day, but the candidate whom they elected for President had been nominated against his will, and threatened not to qualify. To avoid the necessity of a special election, as provided by the village charter, in case of vacancy, and a possible defeat, the temperance party, at the instance of G. A. Marshall, sent in a petition for an amendment, and by act of March 16, 1870 (Chapter 394), the charter was so changed as to provide for the filling of vacancies in the office of President, by the Board of Trustees.

By act of March 4, 1875 (Chapter 186), an amendment was granted to the charter which enlarged and particularly defined the powers of the Trustees, with regard to the licensing of

No other special amendments were obtained, although such corrections were made as were needed, especially provided for by the general law in such cases.

In the fall of 1876, the temperance men of the village, being dissatisfied with some of the provisions of the old charter, and the restrictions imposed on the liquor traffic, under the direction of A. B. P. Wood, a remodeled draft of the old charter was made, by which the village limits were so extended as to include a large amount of territory, where a powerful temperance element lived, and also by which the license provisions were made very rigid.

Owing to the amendment to the State Constitution prohibiting the Legislature enacting any special or private law affecting village charters, which had been passed several years before, but overlooked, villages had to incorporate under the general law and by popular vote, otherwise only a city charter could be obtained. Knowing that to submit the matter to the popular vote would be the death of the scheme, through the immense home opposition that would be brought to bear, Mr. Woods immediately decided to obtain a city charter. Accordingly, the necessary changes were made in the phraseology of the bill, and it was then submitted to the Legislature, and, by an act published February 27, 1877 (Chapter 30), it became a law. Subsequently, when it was generally known that Darlington was an incorporated city, the liquor dealers united and joined issue at law to overthrow the charter, but, after being baffled during two years' proceedings, they finally gave the matter up.

Section 1. All the district of country in the county of La Fayette contained within the limits and boundaries hereinafter described shall be a city by the name of Darlington ; and the people now inhabiting, and those who shall hereafter inhabit, the district of counry so described, shall be a municipal corporation by the name of the City of Darlington, and shall have the general powers possessed by municipal corporations at common law, and, in addition to this, shall possess the powers hereinafter specifically granted ; and the authorities thereof shall have perpetual succession, and shall be capable of contracting and being contracted with, of suing and being sued, of pleading and being impleaded, in all courts of law and equity, and shiU have a common seal, and may change and alter the same at pleasure.

Sec. 2. The west half of southwest quarter of section thirty-five (35), in town three (3), range three (8) ; fractions seven (7) and eight (8), in section thirty-four (34), in town three (3), range three (3) ; fractions one (1), two (2), three (3) and four (4), in section three (3), town two (2), range three (3) ; southeast quarter of northwest quarter of section three (8), town two (2), range three (3) ; northeast quarter of southwest quarter of section three (3), town two (2), range three (3) ; north half of southeast quarter of section three (3), town two (2), range three (3) ; and also commence at the northwest corner of fraction six (6), in section two (2), town two (2), range three (3) : thence east on north line of said fraction twenty (20) chains ; thence south to south bank of Pecatonica River ; thence west along the banii of said river to west line of section two (2) ; thence north on the said line to place of beginning; all east of fourth (4th) principal meridian shall be included within and constitute the territory comprising the city of Darlington.

The government of the present corporation and the exercise of its corporate powers, in the manageinent of the fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs, is vested in a Mayor and Common Council, consisting of five members, and a Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal and such other officers as the Common Council may appoint (for special duties see charter. The Common Council and one Justice of the Peace and a County Supervisor are elected by the public vote ; the remainder of the officers are appointed by the Common Council. The general provisions and privileges are similar to those granted in the first charter, and already enumerated. (For changes and particulars, consult Chapter 3 of 1877.)

The officers of the village of Darlington from 1865 to 1876, inclusive, are here given ; the first election held under the charter was on the second Monday of May, 1865 :

1870-71 - David Schreiter, President ; Charles Blakely, A. D. Blakely, I. Stockwell and R. Noyes, Trustees; G. S. Anthony, Clerk; H. N. Carpenter, Treasurer; B. H. Paddock, Marshal; 0. Kellogg, Street Commissioner; C. F. Osborn, Attorney, and W. Gray, Surveyor.

1875-76 - A. W. Hovey, President ; D. Flannigan, Henry Deakin, H. J. Weaver, S. D. Driven, Trustees ; H. L. Brown, Clerk ; Edward Halloran, Treasurer ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal; Alden Pratt, Street Commissioner; C. F. Osborne, Attorney : P. A. Orton, Supervisor; A. B. P. Wood, Justice of the Peace.

1876-77 - A. B. P. Wood, President; F. C. Duncan, P. J. Wogan, H. Follon, J. 0. Ford, Trustees ; John Blackburn, Clerk ; E. C. King, Treasurer ; Edward Stott, Marshal ; C. F. Osborn, Attorney ; P. A. Orton, Supervisor ; G. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace.

1877-78 - A. B. P. Wood, Mayor and Police Justice ; F. C. Duncan, W. W. Hamilton, H. Bates, Alden Pratt, P. J. Wogan, Councilmen ; A. B. P. Wood, Justice of the Peace ; H. H. Fitch, Clerk; M. Doyle, Treasurer; C. F. Osborn, Attorney; H. Bates, Jr., Marshal; P. A. Orton, Supervisor.

1878-79 - F. C. Duncan, Mayor and Police Justice; D. Schreiter, S. S. Allen, W. JN. Williams, Alden Pratt and W. W. Hamilton, Councilmen ; J. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace; C. J. W^adsworth, Clerk ; G. S. Anthony, Treasurer ; C. F. Osborn, Attorney ; H. Bates, Jr., Marshal ; L. B. Waddington, Supervisor.

1879-80 - William Hooper, Mayor and Police Justice; R. H. Williams, J. B. Farrington, S. Mullin, J. B. Ray and G. S. Anthony, Councilmen; H. Bates, Justice of the Peace; 0. J. Wadsworth, Clerk; J. E. Otis, Treasurer; A. J. O'Keefe, Attorney; D. Flannigan, Marshal ; 0. F. Blakely, Supervisor.

1880-81 - C. F. Osborn, Mayor and Police Justice; D. Schreiter, J. Driver, S. S. Allen, H. J. Gallagher and J. B. Roy, Councilmen ; G. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace ;

Religious

Methodist Episcopal Qhurch. - This church recognizes as its origin a "class" organized at La Fayette Center by the Rev. J. B. Dickens, of Hamilton Grove Circuit, during the year 1847, of which J. D. Haughanout was leader. The society held religious services in a log schoolhouse on the Hamilton farm, until 1853, when the new and more commodious Center Schoolhouse became its second temporary sanctuary. Two years later, the members and friends of the society built a frame church at a cost of $900, locating the same at the Center, which has continued to be, with a change of location, their place of worship. In 1864, it was removed to its present site and enlarged.

The class continued a part of the Hamilton Grove or La Fayette Circuit, until 1856, when it was constituted Darlington Mission, and the Rev. John Blockhurst appointed minister in charge, who reported the number of members at the close of his first pastoral year at eightysix. His successors in charge of the circuit have been appointed as follows: The Revs. Nathaniel Wheeler, 1857-58; J. B. Hurd and William Ferrin, supply, 1859; William Barrett, 1860; S. P. Waldron, 1862; John Knibbs, 1863-65; W. H. Palmer, 1866-67; M. Dunsdale, 1868; James Evans, 1869; J. S. Leavitt, 1870; H. S. Richardson, 1871; William Kellogg, 1872; C. P. Hackney, 1873; C. Cook. 1874-75; A. Charles, 1876-77; J. Trusedder, 1878-79, and A. J. Davis, 1880.

Qongregational Church. - This society was first organized on May 2, 1847, at Willow Springs, a few miles north of Darlington, with the following members: Elihu Hall, Jacob M. Pease, Henry L. Leffingwell, J. Dwight Stephens, Sabrina Stephens, Sarah Homan, Adeline E. Hall, Eleanor Please, Esther H. Stephens, Barbara McCoy and Eliza Shelden. The Rev. J. D. Stephens officiated as Pastor, and Elihu Hall was elected to the Diaconate, and, though the church was neither numerically nor financially strong, the administration of its affairs by these gentlemen was such as to promote its success, and establish the congregation upon a permanent basis.

Mr. Stephens remained in charge about three years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel A. McEwen, who, too, remained about three years, preaching alternate Sundays. It was during his pastorate that the society changed its base to Darlington, where accommodations for services were afforded until the church edifice was ready for occupation, in the schoolhouse, and at a blacksmith-shop, but, as no record of the church policy and history at this time can be found, the facts in that connection are involved in obscurity.

Along in 1856, the Rev. Edward Morris became Pastor of the congregation, and, through his labors and efforts, the present church edifice was projected and completed. He remained until 1860, and was followed by the Revs. Miles Doolittle, John Q. Hall, D. L. Leonard, J. T. Clifton, D. M. Breckenridge, M. Rowley, W. Smith, J. C. Crisman and A. W. Safford, the present incumbent. During the incumbency of each of these, labors in the vineyard were prosecuted with vigor and success. The church to-day is in a high condition of prosperity, and the Sabbath school one of the largest in the city. The edifice is of frame, of generous dimensions, with a capacity for 300 worshipers, and which is liberally attended upon the occasion of services, which are conducted morning and evening on first day.

The Baptist Church. - In response to the request of the citizens of Darlington, or more properly speaking of Center, a conference was called to take into consideration the establishment of a Baptist Church in Darlington. The meeting was held at Center, December 19, 1849. Following are the names of the constituent members : Alfred Hovey, Leland A. Hovey, 0. F. Hovey, Calvin Pratt, Ichabod Paddock, Fannie Pratt, Sarah Hovey, Marian J. Hovey, Emma Harris, Leantha Paddock, Mary Ann Paddock, Elsie E. Paddock. At the close of the conference, the following order of exercises on the organization of the Baptist Church, was observed : Preaching, Rev. G. R. Patton. of Sugar River Church ; " Prayer of Recognition," Rev. N. E. Chapin, of Lancaster; " Hand of Fellowship," Rev. William Wallace; " Charge to the Church," Rev. Caleb Blood; " Address to the Audience," Rev. G. W. Ford, of Apple River Baptist Church. December 23, 1849, A. W. Hovey, Rev. Caleb Blood and A. Hovey were appointed a committee to prepare articles of faith, and, on January 19. 1850, this committee reported their choice in the selection of what is termed the " New Hampshire Collection," which was adopted by the congregation. The first Pastor was Rev. Caleb Blood, whose call to this charge was dated February 3, 1850. The first officers were Calvin Pratt, Deacon, and Leland A. Hovey, Clerk. The first meetings of the congregation were held in the upper story of a building owned and occupied by a Mr. Hovey as a wagon-shop and residence. Subsequent meetings were held at the dwellings of the several members until 1855, when Messrs. Keep and Lynd donated to the congregation the plot of ground which they still own, and upon which they built, in 1855, the edifice now standing. The contractors for the building were George McKay, masonry ; Roberts & Spinney, joiners ; Mr. Pierce, painter. The original cost of the church was $4,000. In 1876, a tower was erected at a cost of $1,200, and, various improvements having since been added, it is now one of the principal church edifices of Darlington. Since the removal of Rev. Caleb Blood, the spiritual destinies of the society have been guided by Revs. Salmon Moulton, L. Milton Whitman, N. E. Chapin, Mr. Mendell, Mr. Holman, Mr. Annis, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Lansing and the resident Pastor, who entered upon the work here as a supply December 1, 1879, and became Pastor February 1, 1880. The officers of the church for 1880 are J. B. Merrian, Clerk ; Warren Gray, Deacon ; H. H. Hawley, Treasurer ; Dwight Kinney, Superintendent of the Sabbath school. The congregation has a membership of eighty-eight, seventy of whom are residents.

Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. - The Rev. Father O'Neill, a pious priest, was the first to attend to the spiritual wants of the Catholic people who settled in and around the village, now city, of Darlington. The residence of William McWilliams, an earnest and practical Catholic, was used as a chapel where holy sacrifice of the mass was off'ered for the first time between the years 1855 and 1857. Father O'Neill continued to attend to the spiritual wants of Catholics in Darlington for some years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Fathers Stroker, McGowan and O'Connor, all of whom resided during their several administrations at the old church or mission of Willow Springs, in this county, which is now attended from Darlington. These reverend gentlemen continued to administer the sacrament, say mass, and attend to the general wants of the Catholic people of Darlington until the month of August, 1864.

The Rt. Rev. J. M. Henni, now Archbishop of Milwaukee, the father and founder of the Catholic Church in Wisconsin, and who was consecrated in 1844, at a time when that State was a wilderness, saw with his watchful eye the wonderful strides the church was making in this portion of his new diocese, and appointed the Rev. A. T. David the first resident Pastor of the Catholic Church of Darlington. Father David, with that energy characteristic of the Catholic clergy all over the country, went immediately to work, and, in a brief time, completed the parochial residence and a church edifice, which latter, however, was removed to the northeast corner of Mary and Wells streets some four years ago, and is now used for a parochial school, where upward of one hundred of the children of the parish are taught religious and secular knowledge under the direction of Sisters of Mercy who have come hither for that purpose from their mother ho^se at Fond du Lac.

Father David, in addition to his labors in Darlington, attended to the missions of Willow Springs, Kendalltown, Seymour and elsewhere, also remaining in charge until August 19, 1866, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. M. McGinty, who, assisted by his twin brother, the Rev. D. V. McGinty, took charge of the diocese on the 28th of October of that year. The following year, the present mission stone church edifice on Hai'riet, between Wells and Main streets, was commenced, though it was not until 1868 when the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies in the presence of a large concourse. The Rev. John Casey, now of Cas- cade, Wis., preached the sermon on the occasion, and the stone was placed in position by the Kev. Father McGinty. The pastorate of that gentleman terminated August 1, 1871, when the Rev. James Fitzgibbon took charge and served five years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. M. Hannon, at present in service. His administration has been of the most successful character, and he has, with the aid of the congregation, liquidated a large debt with which the church has been encumbered for upward of thirteen years.

The subject must not be concluded without reference to the services of a good man and devoted Catholic who has contributed in means and influence to obtaining for the church the prominent position it now occupies throughout the county. John Smith and his wife Harriet were among the first settlers of La Fayette County, having located in Willow Springs Township in 1832, within a mile of the present site of the Catholic Church. Their house was the chapel where mass was first said in Willow Springs, as also a caravansary where the poor Irish emigrant met with a hospitable welcome. He contributed largely to building the new church in Darlington, and though dead, still lives in memory as a public benefactor.

In twenty years, the church in and about Darlington, has increased from three families to over two hundred, and there is every prospect that additions will be made with the return of each Easter season.

Kemper Mission - Supported by the Episcopal sect, has been in operation for some time, increasing in numbers and influence with each succeeding year. On the evening of Wednesday, August 7, 1867, a very small congregation assembled in the Congregational Church of Darlington, where the first services in the city, if not in the county, were held, under the auspices of the Rev. Lyman Phelps, Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, at Mineral Point. Ten days later, the Rev. John Wilkinson preached in the Methodist Church, and from these beginnings the cause of Episcopalianism dates its growth hereabouts.

Services were suspended temporarily after the date last named, owing to the absence of a Minister, and were not resumed until December following, during which month the Rev. John McNamara, Rector of St. Luke's Church, Whitewater, and Dean of the Janesville convocation, in which jurisdiction Darlington was included, preached twice.

On the 13th of May, 1868, the Rt. Rev. W. E. Armitage, Assistant Bishop of Wisconsin, visited Darlington, and conducted services in the Methodist Church. Meantime, the sum of $400 had been raised in the county for the purpose of sustaining a mission, both at Darlington and Shuilsburg, and, in July, 1868, Bishop Armitage assigned the Rev. Charles F. Adams to the charge, that gentleman preaching in the court house during his stay here. Soon after this, a meeting was convened for the purpose and a congregation organized by the election of George A. Marshall, Warden; Ella R. Stephens, Treasurer, and H. E. Van Osdel, Secretary of the society. Mr. Adams enjoyed the living until November, 1868, when he retired, and for a brief season the congregation was without a Rector.

In June, however, the Rev. John F. Taylor was called to the pulpit, remaining six months, when he resigned to accept a call to Detroit. Thence until June, 1879, no regular Pastor served, the society being dependent upon the occasional visits of the Revs. A. W. Seabrease and Lyman Phelps, by whom the duties were severally discharged until relieved by the Rev. David A. Sanford. The latter remained one year, when he was followed by the Rev. H. M. Green, the present incumbent.

The present congregation numbers about twenty-five communicants, and services are held Sabbaths, morning and evening, the court house being occupied for that purpole. J. M. Marshall is Warden and Treasurer, and F. P. Derring, Secretary.

The old one-story stone building located where Mr. Nash's joiner and wagon shop now stands, originally built by Messrs. Keep & Lynde for a Mr. Wright, and intended . for a blacksmith-shop, was in the year 1851 fitted up for and occupied by the first school taught in Dar- lington. It was the scene of many vicissitudes, often doing duty as a church, town hall, etc. Political harangues and religious exhortations found voice within its walls. It saw festivity and mourning, and has itself long since come to grief. In this seat of learning a school-meeting was held in 1851, and an election for district officers was had. S. W. Osborn was elected Director ; J. Driver, Treasurer, and H. S. Fassett, Clerk. The first teacher here was Miss Sophia Fallon, and the roll showed an attendance of ten scholars, four of whom were children of Mr. Osborn. The next summer, a male teacher named Daniel Mills was engaged at a salary of $25 per month, a stipend raised by subscription or assessments pro rata. Mr. Mills taught but one terra of twelve weeks. Since that time, school has been continued two terms of twelve weeks each a year. The first private school taught in Darlington dates from 1854. Miss Ellen Bailey was the preceptress, and her school was held in the building now occupied by Benjamin Martin as a residence. She received as remuneration $6 per month, paid by the scholars. In 1855-56, a Mr. Foster taught a private school in a building which stood near Noyes & Fallon's dry-goods store, and now forms a part of the book store of Driver Brothers. About 1857, a Miss Wells taught a select school in a building erected for this purpose by Warden & Allen. In 1853, Mr. Keep offered to donate Lot 2, Block 15, since occupied by W. N. Williams, to the school district if they would build thereon a schoolhouse. The generous offer was not accepted. The School Board in those early days was composed of three citizens chosen annually by the qualified voters of the district. The books used were principally McGuff"ey's series, with such others as each family brought with them from their native place. This school district was composed of the village of Darlington and a small portion of the township. In those days, each town had its own Superintendent, which system prevailed until 1865, when the present office of County Superintendent was established. Since 1865, there have been ten Superintendents ; J. B. Parkinson, one year ; Dr. G. W. Lee, two years ; William Ahern, two years ; Dr. C. B. Jennings, four years ; George A. Marshall, two years ; J. G. Knight, one year ; Thomas Van Meter, one year ; Henry Jane, one year and eight months; John J, Roche, four months, unexpired term of Mr. Jane ; C. G. Thomas, four years.

At a meeting of the school district held in 1855, it was resolved that an appropriation should be made for the purpose of erecting a schoolhouse of sufficient capacity to accommodate all the children of the district who desired to attend. Grounds were procured, and the contract for the building let to H. C. Nash for $1,100, he to furnish all materials. This schoolhouse, the first erected by the district, was of brick, had two rooms with a seating capacity in each for thirty-six scholars. In 1863, more room being required to supply the demand occasioned by the increase in population, the present " old schoolhouse" was built as an addition to the onestory brick structure. The contract was let to John Williams for $2,100. This building is now used by the Temple of Honor as a lodge room. By way of contrast, from the comparatively small expense of the schools in 1851 and that of sixteen years later, at a meeting of the legal voters of the district held August 26, 1867, it was resolved " That the sum of $1,700 for teachers' wages, $200 for fuel, and $35 for insurance be raised by tax on property on the district to defray the expenses of the schools during the ensuing year." At this time, there were in the district, 391 children of school age. The average attendance during the winter months was 280, and during the summer months, 231.

During the summer of this year, it became evident that greater and better school accommodation was necessary. The subject was agitated throughout the district, when, at a meeting held September 9, 1867, a committee of four persons, consisting of A. Warden, L. D. Russell, P. A. Orton, Jr., and I. F. Halstead, was " appointed to act in connection with the District Board, to take into consideration the policy and necessity of further school room, and submit plans for the erection of a schoolhouse ; also to negotiate for the purchase of a site for the same." This committee, in connection with the District Board, offered a majority and a minority report, the latter of which was adopted. The former reported that, " Conceding the necessity of additional school facilities, your committee believe that an addition of 32x40 feet, two stories in height, could be built to the present structure, which would afford, for all the scholars in the district, facilities for four years. That such a structure could be built for the sum of $2,500, and completed for the use of the district by the 1st of December next." Signed H. H. Gray, A. Warden, P. A. Orton, Jr., A. Pratt.

The minority report, signed by E. J. Russell and L. D. Russell, recommended that, " Since the present schoolrooms will accommodate but 276, and the average attendance is 280 ; and that, in anticipation of the wants of the district within five years, a building affording accommodation for an average attendance of 500 will be required ; and that such a structure will cost $10,000, and a suitable site for the same will cost $2,800 ; that, in view of continuing harmony in the district, a central location should be selected ; and that the following proposals have been received for schoolhouse sites : Anthony Bering, Lots 17 and 18, $600 ; B. Paddock, Block 42, $1,500 ; Samuel Salisbury, block and one-half, Rupell Addition, $1,200 ; L. Rogers, two lots and house north of court house, $1,500 ; A. Stella, Block 2, $2,800. The committee deem the block of Mr. Stille the most suitable for the purpose, and that if, in the opinion of the district, the erection of a new schoolhouse is demanded of the capacity set forth in this report, your committee would recommend the construction of one ready for use September, 1868, at a cost of $1 0,000, exclusive of site ; that said building should be of stone and brick or of stone."

At the regular annual meeting of School District No. 12, July 13, 1868, held at the court house in Darlington, H. H. Gray, Director of the district, reported that he had purchased from Anton Stille Block 2, in Darlington, for the sum of $2,800, to be paid in five years from 1867 ; and the said Gray then proposed to assign his contract for the purchase of said block, and all his interest therein, to the district, the district paying the purchase price of the block to Mr. Stella. The meeting accepted Mr. Gray's proposition, and a tax of $189 was levied on all taxable property in the district, to pay one year's interest upon the purchase price of the block which was to be the site of a new schoolhouse. The meeting then voted " That the district do build, as soon as possible, a new schoolhouse on the Stella Block aforesaid, which shall cost $15,000, suitable and of sufficient capacity for 600 scholars."

The contract for the building of the schoolhouse was let to Wiersching & Co., stone-masons, and Bruner & Knowlton, joiners, who commenced the building in 1868, and completed it in 1860. The total cost of grounds and building was $35,000. This is a two-story stone building, with seven rooms - four on the first floor and three on the upper floor - and the services of seven teachers is required for the instruction in the different rooms. Connected with the high school is a one-story frame structure, in which the younger children are prepared for the higher school. One teacher is employed here.

The receipts for school purposes during the year ending August 81, 1880, were $5,362.41, $3,430 of which was paid out for teachers' salaries. For the school year of 1880, the total number of children over four and under twenty years of age in the district aggregated 554 - . 256 males and 298 females. The total number of different pupils who have attended school during the year was 451.

The most important feature of the school history of Darlington is that embracing the free high-school system now in vogue. On the 5th of March, 1875, the Legislature enacted a general law authorizing the establishment of free high schools. The village availed itself of the privileges given by the law, and duly appointed and held an election, in the spring of 1876, by which it was determined, by a majority vote of the electors, to adopt the system ; and, in thefall of the same year, the Free High School of Darlington became fully established. Since theinauguration of this division, the following have graduated : Class of '77 - Charles C. Rodlof, Maria I. Blair, Nellie Gray, Maggie A. Hennessey, Affie Wood, Mary E. Green, Hattie E. Hall ; Class of '78 - Charles L. Dering, Sarah I. Carpenter, Ida M. Bull, Lizzie M. Monahan, Mary E. Halstead, Addie V. Wogan, Kate C. Mann ; Class of '79 - Willie L. Hooper, Will E. Ward, Will D. Flannigan, Nellie O'Connor, Eli C. Tolly, Frances Hocking, Charles D. Ward, Helen Waddington ; Class of '80 - Nellie Bintliff", Fannie Hall, Nellie Dunn, Henry M. Hocking, Walter J. Hooper, Clara S. Crow, Geo. A. Russell, Irene Hocking, Sadie J. Doyle.

The high school, in addition to furnishing a thorough English education, is designed by the law as a preparatory course for the State University. Graduates passing the necessary examination are entitled at once, and at all times, to free tuition in any of the colleges of the State University. It is a noteworthy fact that there are less changes in the staff of teachers in the Darlington Schools than in those of most other cities of the State. The acknowledged wisdom of this condition of things is shown in the marked evenness in the attendance of pupils, and their rapid progress.

The present Board of Instructors are : Dwight Kinney, Principal ; Rebecca Wortley, Assistant ; Nellie Gray, Grammar School ; Mary Green and Kate Gorman, Intermediate ; Ellen Parmerly, Josie Gorman and Kate Mann, Primary Department. The schools of Darlington are under the supervision of the County Superintendent, and under the management of the Board of Education, consisting of three residents of the school district, one elected annually for the term of three years, by the qualified voters thereof. The Board for 1880 is composed of P. A. Orton, Director ; William Hooper, Clerk ; A. 0. Chamberlain, Treasurer.

Darlington Literary Club

Throughout the world, wherever he has made for himself an abiding-place, the Saxon of the present century has made the most marvelous epoch known to history. He has developed modern science, revolutionized religious thought, established popular education, begun an era of benevolence in the establishment of public institutions for the support of the dependent classes, on such a generous scale as the world never before imagined possible, and has carried on vast works of engineering and internal improvement, in the contemplation of which the building of the pyramids appears insignificant. These achievements are the response of the increased intellectual power of the race, brought into activity by popular education.

The working power of the dominant principles has been vastly augmented since the dawn of the present century, and thus newly developed thought manifests itself in various forms. One of these forms is in the organization of voluntary associations all over the land, for the study of literature by classes of persons whose days are given to some form of labor. In every city, town, village and hamlet throughout the Northern States, there are springing into life societies composed of persons entertaining a modest range of opinion on philosophical or speculative questions, who unite to assist each other in obtaining a better knowledge of the Saxon tongue and having an acquaintance Avith the world of thought.

In obedience to this general impulse, in the fall of 1878, the Darlington Literary Club was organized, upon the plan of holding fortnightly meetings, to hear and discuss, in a conversational way, papers prepared by members of the club on topics previously assigned. On behalf of the Executive Committee, Gen. James Bintlifi" prepared a series of twelve studies for the society, commencing with Chaucer and ending with Addison and Steele. The meetings were regularly held and had an average attendance of twenty-four or thirty persons. The Rev. L. L. Lansing was the first President of the club, and the Executive Committee was composed of the followingnamed persons : Gen. James Bintlifi", Hon. H. S. Magoon, Hon. P. A. Orton, George H. Francis, Mrs. A. T. E. Blessing and Mrs. H. H. Gray. For the years 1879-80, George A. Marshall was elected President and Prof. Dwight Kinney, with Miss Josephine Gorman, became members of the Executive Committee.

The chronological order of studies along the line of the history of English literature was continued, commencing with Dr. Watts and the Wesleys, and continuing through another series of twelve studies, as follows : Isaac Watts and John Wesley and Charles Wesley ; Samuel Johnson. Gray and Goldsmith ; William Cowper, Robert Burns, Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, S. T. Coleridge, George Gordon Byron, Percy B. Shelley, Charles Lamb, Hunt and Keats. On each of these subjects it was the custom to hear two or three papers, and, after the reading of each paper, a conversation or criticism - a sort of interchange of opinion - on the subject matter and on the manner in which the same had been presented. Thus, in addition to the information which the members received in the prosecution of the studies, there was developed in all who chose to participate the habit of criticism and of independent judgment, upon a wide range of questions which the conversations brought to the surface at these meetings.

This plan has successfully obtained, and the ensuing years of the club's progress are replete with promises of perfection. The roll of officers, as quoted in 1880, remains unchanged, and the meetings for the winter are anticipated as seasons of profitable pleasure.

Societies, Lodges, Etc

Evening Star Lodge, No. 64-, A., F. ^ A. M. - The pioneer lodge of Darlington came into existence some years before the present city was more than contemplated, and when its founders were located at the village of Avon, now known as Center, one mile south of the limits of Darlington.

The lodge was organized under a dispensation granted to William Tolley, William Monehan, John Shields, John Read, Edward Kirby, Elias Pilling, John Ray and H. P. Caffee, who convened meetings in the upper story of the village schoolhouse. From November 1, 1853, until June 12, 1856, the lodge worked according to the dispensation ; but upon the latter date a charter Avas granted to C. G. Otis, W. M.; Abraham Pilling, S. W., and 0. G. Dart, J. W. The meetings continued to be held in the schoolhouse, a reasonable success attending the workings of the order until 1857. By this time Darlington had been laid out, and permanent improvements completed, attracting the Masonic and other influences to a more familiar communion with its progress and promise. At this date, the lodge was removed to the city, and became established in the second story of Pilling's brick building on Main street, adjoining that at present occupied by the order, where it remained until December, 1875, when the membership had increased largely, and with other influences combined to necessitate the obtaining of more commodious, and at the same time more elegant, apartments. Accordingly, the second story of Swift's building was procured, united with the lodge-room then in use, and fitted up with elaborate and expensive furniture and equipments, making it one of the most attractive and complete rooms of the order in this portion of the State. The lodge still retains possession of these premises, and is in a high state of prosperity, counting sixty-five working Masons on its roll of membership, and holding a title to the property valued at $1,000.

On February 16, 1876, the Chapter was organized under a charter, and has since been conducted according to the provisions therein promulgated.

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. - Darlington Lodge, No. 171, was organized Augus 16, 1869, by D. D. G. M. Oates, of Shullsburg. The charter members numbered five - George A. Marshall, A. C. Martin, A. E. Smith, Robert Walton, John Eden. The first meeting was held August 16, 1869, and the following officers chosen : George A. Marshall, N. G.; A. E. Smith, V. G.; John Eden, S.; Robert Walton, Treas. The officers since that time, for each successive term, have been: George A. Marshall, N. G.; A. E. Smith, V. G.; John Eden, R. S.; James Driver, P. S.; Robert Walton, Treas. George A. Marshall, N. G.; A. E. Smith, V. G.; John Eden, S.; James Driver, P. S.; Robert Walton, Treas. A. E. Smith, N. G.; Robert Walton, V. G.; Nelson Bower, S.; James Driver, P. S.; John Eden, Treas. Robert Walton, N. G.; John

Ancient Order United Workmen. - Darlington Lodge, No. 8, was organized April 26, 1877, by I. M. Chrissinger, D. G. M., of Dubuque, Iowa. This is a mutual life insurance, and teaches its members frugality in the most direct and practical manner that could be well devised. By paying an initiation fee and stated amounts at regular intervals, the members secure all the benefits to be derived from the principles upon which the life insurance system is based. It assures weekly sick benefits, with a positive guarantee of |2,000 to the heirs and assigns of the deceased member. Membership : No person is admitted to membership in this lodge unless he is a white male, of the full age of twenty-one and not over fifty years - not having attained his fifty- first birthday, of good moral character, able and competent to earn a livelihood for himself and family, and a believer in a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe. The charter members of this lodge numbered fourteen - J. G. Knight, A. Richardson, W. H. Andrews, W. L. Stephens, G. S. Anthony, J. H. Van Wagenen, A. A. Townsend, J. B. Roy, S. S. Allen, E. C. Ferrin, David Schreiter, I. P. Schooley, H. H. Pilling, J. P. Morey. The first officers chosen were A. Richardson, P. M. W.; J. G. Knight, M. W.; W. H. Andrews, G. F.; W. L. Stephens. 0.; G. S. Anthony, Receiver; J. G. Van Wagenen, Recorder ; A. A. Townsend, F.; J. B Roy, G.; S. S. Allen, J. W.; E. C. Ferrin, 0. W. The officers for 1878 were J G. Knight, P. M. W.; W. L. Stephens, M. W.; W. H. Andrews, J. F.; S. S. Driver, 0.; J. P. Morey, Recorder; G. S. Anthony, Receiver; H. H. Pilling, F.; E. C. Ferrin, G.; S. S. Allen, I. W.; J. H. Van Wagenen, 0. W. 1879, W. L. Stephens, P. M. W.; G. S. Anthony, M. W.; S. S. Driver, G. F.; D. D. Rogers, 0.; 0. F. Blakely, Recorder; S. S. Allen, F.; D. Schreiter, Receiver; J. H. Van Wagenen, G. W.; H. Andrews, I. W.; H. H. Pilling, 0. W. 1880, G. S. Anthony, P. M. W.; J. H. Van Wagenen, M. W.; D. D. Rogers, G. F.; John Waters, 0.; David Schreiter, Receiver; 0. F. Blakely, F.; G. A. Marshall, Recorder; H. F. Bates, G.; E. Schreiter, 0. W.; T. Page, I. W. December 31, 1877, the society numbered fourteen; December 31, 1878, sixteen; December 31, 1879, thirty-six; December 31, 1880, forty-two. Since its organization this lodge has had but one death among its members - that of E. C. Ferrin, who died January 30, 1879. The society meet the first and third Tuesday of each month in ]Music Hnll.

Darlington Lodge, No. 233, I. 0. G-. T., was the outgrowth of a meeting held at the residence of J. W. Blaisdell, but the organization was perfected at a meeting convened in the Congregational Church, and George S. Anthony initiated, the pioneer member of the first temperance society established in Darlington, James Ross, of Madison, an earnest worker in the cause, officiating. On February 2, 1865, a charter was granted, and meetings were regularly convened in the old schoolhouse adjoining the Congregational Church, at which the following officers presided: F. S. Haughawaut, W. C T.; Miss Jane Miller, W. V. T.; A. J. Yaw, W. C; Frank Brown, W. S.; A. F. Dickinson, W. A. S.; D. T. Abell, W. F. S.; Miss J. M. Osborn, W. T.; J. Q. Hall, W. M.; Mrs. S. A. Blaisdell, W. D. M.; Mrs. E. A. Paris, W. I. S.; W. J. Blaisdell, W. 0. S.; Mrs. Fannie Warren, W. R. H. S.; Miss L. Norton, W. L. H. S.; L. S. Sweezey, P. W. C. T.

The lodge subsequently removed to Nash's Hall, Saulsbury's Hall, and finally returned to the old schoolhouse, where the hall has been handsomely furnished, and is occupied by both Good Templars and the lodge of the Temple of Honor.

St. Marys Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society was organized on the 18th of April, 1875, since when the association has progressed in influence and members. At that meeting, eighty -two members were enlisted in the cause of temperance, and the following officers elected : Patrick Gallagan, President ; Stephen Mullen, Vice President ; Michael Doyle, Secretary ; James Swift, Jr., Treasurer; Thomas Gleason, Marshal.

Meetings are held annually on the first Sunday in January ; also monthly, in the hall of the association adjoining the Catholic Church in Darlington.

The society to-day is in a prosperous condition, enjoying a membership of 150, with property valued at $1,000,' and annually contributes to aiding the fallen. It is an ornament to the Catholic organization, and an honor to the Irish race, of which it is principally composed. The officers for the present year are : James Swift, President ; Thomas Saunders, Vice President ; James A. Dufi"y, Secretary ; Thomas Morrow, Treasurer, and James Riley, Marshal.

The Darlington Temple of Honor, No. lOJp, was organized February 3, 1877, with the followino- charter members : George H. Francis, James P. Morris, Everett VanWagener, W. V. Tully, Everett Miller, Sheldon Hawley, W. R. Blakely, Thomas Gleason, W. E. Nash, W. A. Hopkins, R. Andrews, Frank Bartlett, C. G. Thomas, James Meighan, Frank Hopkins, James Remphrey, C. W. Dunham, R. Turner, H. C. Nash, C. F. Osborn, H. T. Bates, Henry Ferris, J. H. Clary, W. L. Stephens, Miles Tully, Edmond Stott, George Turner, John Blackbourn, F. J. Stockwell, Thomas Eckerson, J. B. Leland. The first officers were, George H. Francis, W. C. T. ; J. H. Clary, W. V. T. ; W. E. Nash, W. R. ; W. L. Stephens, W. A. R. ; James P. Morris, W. F. R. ; C. W. Dunham, W. T. ; Edmond Stott, W. U. ; Thomas Gleason, W. D. U. ; C. G. Thomas, W. S.; H. T. Bates, W. G. ; C. F. Osborn, P. W. C. T. The present officers are, C. B. Helm, W. C. T. ; C. Martin, W. V. T. ; John Blackburn, W. R. ; N. J. Wilson, W. A. R.; J. H. Bruce, W. F. R.; Richard Nichols, W. T. ; J. E. Williams, W. Chap. ; William Green, N. U. ; William Wilson, W. D. U. ; Silas Hill, W. G. ; Thomas Eckerson, N. S. ; Edmond Stott, P. W. C. T. ; C. F. Osborn, G. F. D. The Trustees of the lodge are, Richard Turner, H. C. Nash, Frank Bartlett. The society holds its meetings in the music hall, and have a membership of sixty in good standing.

Business Directory

Bankers and Real Estate Dealers. - P. A. Orton, D. B, Otis and J. E. Otis, in company ; James Judge and B. C. King and H. J. Gallagher, in company ; H. H. Gray, G. S. Anthony Teller.

G-eneral Merchandise. - J. Swift, Jr., William Hooper & Co., J. Driver and R. H. Driver and S. S. Driver, in company ; J. H. Hocking, R. Noyes and Henry Fallon, in company ; E. G. and P. B. Barlow, in company; J. B. Farrington and James O'Connor and H. C. Dunham, in company ; Henry Harvey and Wilbur Kline, in company.

Drugs., Books and Notions. - C. A. Ferrin and John V. Swift, in company; H. VanWagener and E. VanWagener, in company ; Joseph Driver and James Driver, in company.

Groceries and Restaurants. - B. Larkin, E. R. Stephens and E. Stephens, in company ; Phil Swift, D. D. Rogers, A. McAllister, Thomas Hennessy, Robert Ward, Joseph Chicken, Eli Tully and R. Wilson & Co., J. McClure.

Milliners and Dress-Makers. - Mrs. W. R. Law, Mrs. G. W. Lee, Miss Mary Walton, Mrs. Mary Gallagher, Mrs. Mary Post, Mrs. D. B. Dipple, Miss Kate McEwen, Mrs. J. Scott, Miss B. Doyle, Miss M. Healy and Mrs. M. Shaw and Miss Annie Mulharn, in company ; Mrs. Metzmeyer.

Blacksmiths. - Thomas Page, H. Haugh and J. Duffy, in company ; T. O'Neil, Richard and George Turner, Fred Lupee, Peter Duffy, Charles Blakely.

Saloons. - A Mosher and H. Truesdell, in company ; T. T. Hugill and L. Caughey, in company ; Peter Boyle, Thomas Hennessy, D. J). Rodgers, F. Cornelius, John Miller, Joseph Proctor, John Meehan, J. W. Craw, James Riley and J. McClure.

La Fayette County Bank, etc. - The oldest successful monetary institution in the city of Darlington and this portion of the county, was established about September, 1866, by Julius Rogers, James Judge and E. M. Fitch, under the firm name of Rogers, Fitch & Co., with a capital of $15,000. Business was "brisk," to express it commercially, and conducted by the firm in a building on Main street, now occupied by the banking firm of Judge, King & Co., until February 27, 1867. At that date, Mr. Rogers disposed of the interest controlled by himself to his partners, and retired, the new firm being known as Fitch, Judge & Co. On April 2, 1869, the firm was dissolved, and J. B. Doty purchased control, re-organized the business, and increased the amount of capital invested. The commercial name of the firm was again changed to Doty, Fitch & Co., and the office removed to the second story of the building on Main street, at present occupied by J. B. Farrington. Soon after this arrangement was entered into, Mr. Fitch removed to Chicago, and, on January 1, 1873, George S. Anthony became a partner, Mr. Judge selling out. This copartnership continued until July 27, 1874, at which time the firm of J. B. Doty & Co. was succeeded by that of P. A. Orton & Co., being composed of P. A. Orton, G. S. Anthony and C. F. Osborn. During the fall of the same year, the new firm completed its handsome brick banking house on Main street, and, removing therein, have since maintained possession. On the 1st of February, 1878, the firm sold one-half interest in its business to D.

B. and J. E. Otis, when the firm name was once more changed, this time to Orton, Otis & Co., by which it is to-day known to the commercial, financial and agricultural world.

The capital invested is stated at $50,000 ; the business, that of banking and exchange, is estimated at one million annually, and the number of depositors represented at three hundred. Judge, King ^ Co., Bankers. - A private corporation also conducted by James Judge, E.

C. King and H. J. Gallagher, and enjoying not only unlimited confidence but a large business. Mr. Judge has been engaged in the business of banking in New York and Wisconsin for the past twenty-six years, commencing business in Darlington in the month of January, 1867. On the 1st of January, 1873, he dissolved all pending and previous arrangements, and began business for himself, continuing until February, 1879, when E. C. King became associated in the undertaking. In the following October, H. J. Gallagher, an experienced bank officer, was admitted as a partner, and with the gentlemen named, now constitute the firm, controlling an ample capital for conducting a successful business in the county. Judge, King & Co., now occupy the site whereon the first bank in Darlington was established, and are known throughout Northern Wisconsin as responsible business men.

Darlington Mills, among the largest and most extensive undertakings of the kind in La Fayette County, have been in successful operation for thirty years. Ground for the foun- dation of these mills was broken July 1, 1851, under the direction of S. W. Osborn, the present Postmaster of Darlington, acting for and on behalf of J. M. Keep and A. K. Lynde, composing the firm of Keep & Lynde. The work was prosecuted vigorously, and in November of the same year in which the foundations were laid, the walls had been run up and the premises roofed. The building is of stone, three stories high, originally 40x60, run by water power, and cost, complete, a total of $20,000. In 1869, the foundations of the building became weakened through the agency of crawfish, it is supposed, and were taken down to prevent a possible calamity in the uncertain future. A frame building was immediately erected upon the site of the razed premises, and the original dimensions, as also capacity, thus maintained, and still serve their object to-day.

Messrs. Keep k Lynde managed the enterprise for about one year, when they sold out to Orton & Gardner, Avho increased the mills' capacity by an additional run of buhrs, and remained in possession until 1855, or about that tjme, when a sale was perfected of the property to S. & A. Warden. They also improved the purchase, and expended considerable sums in perfecting such improvements. In 1862, S. Warden purchased the interest of his brother in the venture, and conducted the business alone for several years. In about 1870, Mr. Warden made sale of the mill to E. C. Ferrin, by whom one-half of the investment was sold to Alden Pratt in 187^^, and the firm of Ferrin & Pratt continued in possession until 1875, when the death of Mr. Ferrin dissolved the partnership, and the assets of that firm, which included the mill, were sold to H. H. Cook & Co., by whom the business is at present controlled.

The mill is located on the Pecatonica River, at the foot of Ann street, easy of access to customers, and contiguous to the depot of the Mineral Point Railway. Its capacity is represented at twenty-five barrels of flour daily, and its business of an extensive character, being distributed throughout this portion of the State, as also in the adjacent counties of Illinois and loAva. In addition to the mill machinery, the owners furnish immense quantities of chop-feed to consumers and dealers in La Fayette and neighboring counties.

Post Office

Reference to the Darlington Post OflBce takes the pioneer back to the period when the residents of Darlington received their mail at the old Hamilton Post Office, which was situated about a mile from the present site of the village. Letters were dropped at this office by the carrier, who traversed his route on horseback, and, when any of the villagers went to the post office, they brought back letters to such of the neighbors as were fortunate enough to have any addressed to them. This was in 1851, and the Postmaster was Horace Beebe. Late in the fall of 1852, a post office was established in Darlington, with S. S. Fassett as Postmaster. The mails were received twice a week from what was termed the "Rockford and Mineral Point Route." Darlington mails were delivered on this route until the Illinois Central Railroad reacljed Warren, when a daily stage line was established between there and Mineral Point. On the completion of the Mineral Poitit Railroad, in 1856, the stage line was discontinued, and the mails received from the cars. Since 1878, two mails a day have been received at this office. The first post office was located in the store of Fassett, Reed & Co., now occupied by William Harris as a shoe-shop. Since the establishment of the post office here, the following men have been the Postmasters in the order given: S. S. Fassett, Mr. Jonas, Mr. Thomas, P. A. Orton, Jr., Mr. Reed, Mr. Suddeth and S. W. Osborn, who was appointed by President Hayes in January, 1876. The Darlington Post Office was designated as a money-order office over twenty years ago. During 1880, the number of orders issued was 1,039, amounting to $7,669.77. Of this number, 1,022 were domestic ; value, $7,446.16 ; and 17 foreign, with a value of $223.61.

Qatholic Cemetery. - About eighteen years ago, the Catholic congregation of Darlington, desiring a suitable place for the burial of the dead of their denomination, purchased the plat of ground, containing four acres, now used for that purpose. This cemetery is a beautiful upland spot, about a mile north from the business center of the town, overlooking the village. There are few spots devoted to such purposes more lovely than this, and none in the village that could be so readily beautified by the hand of man. The grounds have been appropriately laid out and carefully guarded.

Union G-rove Cemetery. - On Monday, March 7, 1853, the inhabitants of the town of Center held a meeting at the schoolhouse in the village of Avon, to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a cemetery association and procuring a suitable location for a buryingground. At this meeting, the committee, consisting of J. Hamilton, E. W. Denison, James Tobley, S. W. Osborn and C. Z. Cutting, was appointed to select suitable grounds for the purposes of the association. Another meeting was held April 19, 1853, and resulted in instituting the "Union Grove Cemetery Association," with the following Board of Trustees appointed: C. Z. Cutting, James Martin, R. H. Thurbur, term one year ; A. W. Hovey, E. W. Denison, J. L. Pierce, term two years ; James Tolley, S. W. Osborn, George Hirst, three years. The association purchased the present site of ten acres, located about three-quarters of a mile southwest of Darlington. The first interment recorded here was a child of William Forbes, who died in 1854. The grounds and improvements are valued at |6,000. The Board of Trustees for the current term are : S. W. Osborn, D, Schreiter, S. S. Allan, J. Driver, S. A. Ferrin, J. G. Knight, James Martin, P. A. Orton and H. S. Magoon.

Produce And Live Stock Trade

The healthy tone of Darlington trade can in no better way be exemplified than by quoting figures, which " cannot lie," according to the knowledge possessed by pedagogues and other antiquaries of learning. Following is a table of produce received and shipped from Darlington, together with the amount in store, available for market :

Grand Total

Added to the above total the amount paid the farmers for produce of every description, including shipments and home consumption, we find that our dealers have paid them the enormous sum of $750,000 ; a weekly average of $14,423.08, or a daily average of $2,403.84.

The compilation of the above tables is the work of Mr. J. T. Morris, who, in the absence of a Board of Trade, voluntarily collected the foregoing figures. From a commercial standpoint, they are of incalculable value as the representative trade-factors of the surrounding district.

Town Of Darlington

The territory constituting this town, as at first set off in 1849, included the east half of Township 2, Range 2, and fifty-six sections in Townships 2 and 3, of Ranges 3 and 4 ; ten sections on the north being the south part of Township 3, and the remainder being the north part of Township 2, Previous to that time, a large portion of the above territory was connected with the precinct of Willow Springs for the purposes of voting. In 1850, two tiers of sections were set off from the east end of the town, and added to the town of Wiota, and, in 1869, when the town of Seymour was formed, the east half of Township 2, Range 3, was assigned to that territory. This town was then left, as it now appears, nearly square, and including in all nearly fortyeight sections. The town was first called Center, which name it received on account of its occupying the geographical center of the county, and which it retained until it was changed to Darlington. The first town meeting was held at the house of Alvy Bowles, April 3, 1849, when the following officers, among others, were elected : H, W. Barnes, Chairman ; T. J. Hamilton and Samuel George, Supervisors ; G. B. Spencer, Clerk ; Horace Beebe, Treasurer, and Willard Martin, Assessor. There were eighty-two votes polled at this election.

The surface of Darlington is greatly but not unpleasantly diversified. In the southwest part is found a large tract of beautifully rolling prairie, which, in the north and northeast parts, is lost amid hills and hollows ; that portion lying between the East and West Pecatonicas being rougher than any other section.

The soil of the bottom lands and prairies is generally a rich black loam with a clay subsoil, while that on the hills is a whitish or yellow clay. It is regarded as being very fertile throughout ; even on the land that is too rough to be tilled, grass of good quality may be raised, either for grazing purposes or to cut for winter fodder.

Of water for milliner or agricultural purposes, there is no lack, nature having lavishly supplied that want in the West Pecatonica, which runs through the town, and various small streams and springs that irrigate the land in all directions.

The natural timber, with the exception of clumps scattered here and there, is found on the high and rough land in the northwest part. It consists principally of varieties of oak, poplar and basswood, with a slight sprinkling of walnut, ash and maple, and is in some parts very good.

The population of the town now embraces representatives of nearly every nationality known to Western civilization, these being for the most part scattered promiscuously over the town, and all living in apparent harmony, " Like children of one family and one fatherland."

They are thrifty, enterprising, moral and advanced in religious and educational matters. There are four churches and five religious societies located in Darlington, and numerous schools, which receive a liberal and highly creditable support.

The chief product of the town at the present time appears to be stock, this being one of the best stock-raising districts in the State. Several of the farmers are engaged in rearing blooded sheep and cattle, and some of the finest breeding horses in Wisconsin are located at Darlington. An English thoroughbred, and one English and one Scotch draft horse, owned by a stock company, and managed by D. B. Dipple, are especially worthy of mention, as also a Cleveland bay and two Norman draft horses of unusual perfection, owned by D. C. Prichard.

Early Settlement And General History

The very first settler or claimant in what is now Darlington was, in all probability, a man by the name of George Ames. It is impossible to say just when this man pitched his tent here, but certainly before 1826, and it is thought by some of those who yet remain, that were here in 1827, that he arrived as early as 1820. If the latter be the case, he undoubtedly came into the county and took up his residence before any other white person known to history. His dwelling was a dug-out or cave in a side hill, covered with logs and brush, on the section now owned by Mr. Rae. Ames' housekeeper was the wife of another man, whom he had induced to come out to the frontier with him, and was, without doubt, the first white woman who came here After they had been in this section a few years, the woman's husband came after her, but, finding her very much attached to Ames, he gave her up, and Ames married her. During the Black Hawk war, Ames was enumerated with the missing. By some, he is said to have been killed and buried in the town, but this seems to be only hearsay, and not entitled to credence. He made no improvements of value, being a hunter and miner, and is only entitled to consideration as the first comer. The small stream called Ames Branch was named for him. Another man of the same stripe, one Lavett, came here nearly as soon, and squatted in the eastern part of the town. He did not remain here many years, being a bird of passage ; but he, like his predecessor, attached his name to a little stream, to be borne down to posterity on its rippling current. What became of Lavett no one knows.

The first noted person who located here was D. M. Parkinson, who made a claim on what is now called the Magoon farm, on Section 20, about one mile below the present village of Calamine, and, in 1827, he built a cabin sixteen feet square with puncheon-floor, shakeroof, open fire-place and clay chimney, the same year. This was the prevailing style of dwelling then, such as any one could erect with ax, saw and auger for tools, and which was usually furnished with a puncheon, cross-legged table and stools of the same material, and bedsteads made by boring holes in the logs at one side and driving in long pegs, supported at one end by posts, upon which were thrown brush and hay. This being done, the family mansion was ready for occupancy, and, though these houses were rude and inconvenient, yet they sheltered as brave and true men and women as have ever reflected credit upon any country, or have by their efforts paved the way for the present civilization and comfort.

In the summer of 1827, Jameson Hamilton, who is properly recognized as the principal pioneer of this town, came to "Willow Springs," which was then the metropolis of the north part of what is now La Fayette County, and stopped for a few months. Here he met Mr. Park- inson; the circumstances connected with which are briefly narrated, as they illustrate the spirit of the times, and the character of the men, better than anything else can.

The day that Mr. Hamilton first drove into Willow Springs, one Tuttle Baker had been taken for stealing a horse. After Mr. Hamilton had picketed his team, seeing several men talking and acting very excitedly, he went up to them to ascertain what was the trouble. He found a man helplessly tied, while those around, miners and backwoodsmen, were jeering him and treating him rather severely. To this Mr. Hamilton roundly protested, saying, that no matter what the man had done, it was shameful abuse for a helpless person to be so used. Finally, after he had said enough to arouse the anger of the men, Mr. Parkinson, who came up at the time, said : " Stranger, if you don't mind your own affairs I'll give you some of the same sort; this man is a thief and a rascal, and has got to be punished." This was but touching combustible material with fire, for Parkinson was hardly done with talking before Hamilton's coat was off", and the men were lashing at each other furiously. While they were in the heat of the battle, one of the early and well-remembered landlords of Willow Springs, Isaac Chambers, came out, and, learning who the belligerents were, and that Hamilton was an old friend, interfered and succeeded in getting them separated. Explanations were made, the men shook hands on the spot, and from that on were firm friends and lived together for some time.

During the fall of 1827, Mr. Hamilton bought Mr. Parkinson's claim, and moved into the cabin with him, the two families living together through the ensuing winter. The boys of the families, Nathaniel and Badger Peter Parkinson, and John and S. B. Hamilton, two of whom are now old and respected citizens of this county (Peter Parkinson and S. B. Hamilton), spent the winter in hunting and trapping game, and in getting fire-wood. As Mr. Hamilton says, they had " big times catching wolves and letting them fight," together with similar amusements which are unknown to the youth of to-day.

Mr. Hamilton held the Magoon farm about three or four years, then sold it to Esau Johnson, a smelter of Blue Mounds, who was quite a prominent man in his day, in this and Dane Counties. A furnace was erected here in 1833, the only lead furnace in the town. The land and furnace were sold to Richard H. Magoon, in 1835.

Afterward Mr. Hamilton laid a claim where the village of Darlington now stands, and which he subsequently sold to the founders of the village. He was at one time one of the heaviest real-estate owners in the town, having about a thousand acres of the best land in it, which he secured in the following manner : When the Indian Land Commissioners came into the town to locate lands for the redskins, Mr. Hamilton induced them to skip certain lands which he desired. These he afterward entered at his convenience, and long before the Indian reserve came into the market, thus obtaining the pick of the country.

He lived here until 1853, when he went to California, where he remained one year and then returned. In 1855, he went to Oregon, where he lived until his death. He is remembered in this section as an enterprising, high-spirited and honorable man.

One of the first occupants of land in this section was an Irishman by the name of John Dougherty, who came here about the same time that Messrs. Parkinson and Hamilton made their advent into the county. He was an interpreter and lived with the Winnebago Indians, his wife being a squaw, a near relative of the old chieftain Whirling Thunder. Dougherty has been dead for several years, but his wife and a son and grandchildren still live here, perfect embodiments of native excellence. Benjamin Stout, who now resides in Fayette, used to live with Doherty.

In 1830 or 1831, Samuel George, Selby Haney, Henry Crow, well-known residents of the town, located here, and perhaps a few others may have come also, but their names are not known.

Directly subsequent to the Indian war of 1832, there was but little emigration into this town. The first two were James Tolley and Henry Nichols, after whom, before 1840, there were but few comers, Samuel Wood, John Roach and Peter Welch being the only permanent residents, so far as known.

From 1840 to 1846, a large number of additions were made to the settlement, among them were some of the most enterprising and useful citizens of later days. We are enabled to mention Dr. John Gray, and son of H. H. Gray, A. Warden, James Martin, H. S. Magoon, A. Hovey, William M. Blair, T. J. Hamilton, H. C. Nash, J. Langford, J. Matthews, George Capps, Sam Davis, William M. Thomas and Ichabod Paddock.

Of those who came here and became permanent residents before 1845, there are parts of but five families now remaining, as follows : H. H. Gray, Ed Welch, son of P. Welch, L. Dougherty, son of John Dougherty, T. J. Hamilton and S. B. Hamilton ; the latter, who was twelve years of age when he came here with his father in 1827, is the last of the very first comers, and now, living in the enjoyment of a hale old age, can look back over a lapse of fifty-three years, and trace the growth of the country from its infancy to its present ripe perfection. He has truly seen "the wilderness blossom like the rose," and, as the father of a family of twelve sons and daughters, has contributed his share to the increase and development of the land of his adoption.

An Indian, known as John Inneosh, with his squaw, was one of the most useful adjuncts to the early settlement, if he may not be called a settler. Nearly all of the first comers who lived here, or in the vicinity, will remember Indian John, for he dressed skins for the most of them to make moccasins and breeches with, if not other garments. At a time when there was but little cloth to be had in the country, and when there was nothing to buy with, if there was cloth to be had, old John's services were highly appreciated, and frequently sought for, so much so, indeed, that the old fellow did nothing for years but tanning to supply the demands of the settlers.

As nearly as can be ascertained, the following (aside from those mentioned) are the names of those now living who were settlers here before 1856 ; and who, having made this town their permanent homes for twenty-five years, must needs have taken as great an interest in the development of the country as any who preceded them. They are James Blair, Joseph Millen, J. Driver, Benjamin Martin, John Poole, A. C. Curry, Daniel Bowman, Phil Hogan, E. Hovey, Denis and Charles Blakely, Z. B. Green, James Martin, J. R. Rose, S. W. Osborn, H. C. Nash, Squire Francis.

In 1828, the first death occurred in the town, when a man by the name of Davis died with the cholera. The next one who died was the wife of Henry Nichols. They were both buried on a point of land lying south of the Pecatonica, at the mouth of Wood's Branch, this being the burying-ground first selected. There are now three cemeteries in town, two Protestant and one Catholic. The most noted is the Union Grove Cemetery. The oldest is the Evan Cemetery.

Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Jameson Hamilton, was the first white person born in the town. Her infancy dates back to 1828, when the cradles were sometimes logs hollowed out in the form of troughs, or when the babies had no such conveniences.

In 1832, the first nuptials were solemnized by the union of Rutheus Scott and Elizabeth Hamilton. The marriage ceremony was performed by a Justice of the Peace from Mineral Point, by the name of Robert Doherty. He came down on horseback, and, according to the price and customs of the day, he received $1 in promises for his services.

A saw-mill, than which nothing can be more useful in a new country, was built here as early as 1833 at the mouth of Otter Creek, by F. L. Fretwell, a resident of Willow Springs. It was built in a very substantial manner by a millwright from Dubuque, Iowa, and in its day is said to have been one of the best in the country. About 1845, Henry Crow became the owner, and subsequently it was known as " Crow's Mill." It was abandoned many years ago, and there is now little left of the original structure or dam to mark the spot.

The first road laid out run through the town via Mineral Point and Wiota, in 1836. Previous to that time travelers were obliged to pick their way by blazed trees and landmarks, or to follow the Indian trails, which often led in a tortuous and indirect manner through the country.

One of the incidents peculiar to and almost entirely confined to pioneer life, was what has been generally denominated as "wife-swapping." Strange as this may seem, this not unfre- quently occurred, as the men and women who frequented the frontiers were generally restrained by their own sweet wills alone, and, if they could agree upon a change of partners, did not hesitate to make the bargain. Thus we learn that a couple of rough characters by the names of Hughs and Lindsay, who used to live in this country, one day made a wife trade, a jack-knife being given by one as difference in the bargain.

One of the enterprises embarked in just after the war of the rebellion was the building of a brewery on the banks of the West Pecatonica by John Collins and John Chris. The establishment ran until 1877, when it was struck by lightning and destroyed, leaving the town free of this respectable nuisance. It stood about one and a half miles from Darlington. A cheese factory was built several years ago by Thomas Butler, which was operated until 1878, then closed.

In the way of manufacturing in the town, outside of Darlington, there are at present, one grist-mill and two sorghum evaporators. The mill was built by T. Woodard on Ames' Branch, about twenty years ago, and has since been conducted by him. The evaporators are owned by N. Thompson and J. Parsons, and are successors to one brought into the town about twenty years ago by James Rose. Since the introduction of improved varieties of cane, sorghum-making has become quite an extensive and profitable industry among farmers. We conclude this article with a sketch of the village of Avon. (For war record, consult general history.)

That point in the town around which centered the greatest interest thirty years ago, was Avon, familiarly called the center. This situation, as the geographical center of the county, was first selected, in 1848, for the county seat. The land, eighty acres, which was valued at 15 per acre, was sold to the County Commissioners by Jameson Hamilton for $125, on condition that the county seat be located there. The purchase was made, and a plat laid out, but, as appears in the history of the county seat troubles, that was all that was ever done toward the fulfillment of the expectations of the owners and residents of Avon. Yet, immediately after the place was laid out, several persons started into business there, and, at that time, the prospects for a thriving village were very good.

The first store in this town was started here by Horace Beebe, now of Wiota, about 1848, in the first building erected in the village, a one-story frame, which is yet standing. A post office was established here in 1851, Horace Beebe being appointed Postmaster. The arrangements for the founding of the office were made by H. H. Gray, who agreed to provide a Postmaster and mail carrier for the first year for the proceeds of the office. The receipts of the office for the year were $6, while the cost of getting the mail from Willow Springs once a week, Ira Lawrence being the mail carrier, was, during the year, $26. Previous to that time, the mail was obtained from Willow Springs.

The first school in town was taught near Avon, before 1850, in a log schoolhouse known as the Lawrence Schoolhouse ; there were not more than fifteen pupils at first. Religious services were held in the Lawrence Schoolhouse for the first time in 1849, a Methodist minister by the name of Houghawout officiating. A church was built in Avon in 1851, the lot where it stood being sold by the County Board for $1, on condition that the church should be erected within a year from the date of sale. At the time the church was built, a society had been formed numbering twelve families. The building was subsequently moved to Darlington. Of ministers who first preached in the town, we mention Rev. Dickenson, Rev. E. Tasker and Rev. E Barnes.

Besides Mr. Beebe's store, there were two other business houses started at Avon before 1850, owned by Messrs. Shaw & Coffee and Mr. Billings ; these continued but a few years. The first mechanics' shops in this town were started at Avon. David Atwood and Mr. Bowles were the first blacksmiths ; P. Wagon the first wagon-maker, and H. C. Nash the first carpenter known to history.

After the village of Darlington had started up, the glory of Avon began to fade, and, within a few years after, the business element had nearly all left, and the land was taken for agricultural purposes. Dr. John Gray once described the latter-day condition of the place by saying: "I have been entirely disappointed in my expectations ; once prospects were bright, when lots were worth $300 each, but now everything has gone to the d - 1, and the Norwegians are fencing in the land."

Poor House

Pauperism, the invincible incubus of every old country, treads close on the heels of civilization in its westward flow. It is an inseparable evil, which, having to be borne, is susceptible of mitigating influences, when guarded by wise legislation. La Fayette County has not escaped the evil, but the measures in vogue sensibly relieve extreme poverty and destitution of its abhorrence and repulsiveness. As early as May 21, 1851, the question of providing a poor-house or county alms-house for the employment and shelter of indigent persons, claimed the attention of the Board of Supervisors. At a meeting of that date, the majority of the members, although opposed to the expenditure of any money on other public buildings, were in favor of the erection of a county poor-house to accommodate the increasing number of paupers. No action was taken, and the matter dropped. During subsequent years the board resorted to a very ingenious though questionable method of removing human incumbrances from their district. When favorable opportunity presented, paupers were removed clandestinely into the districts where their friends resided, and where poor-houses existed with open doors to receive them with generous hospitality. In this manner is recorded the removal of certain persons to Tennessee, Illinois and other States, easily accessible. Money was appropriated at the annual meeting to defray the expenses of those incursions.

During the season of 1858, a special committee reported to the Board of Supervisors that they elect three persons whose duty it .should be to lease the most suitable plowing land at a suitable distance from town. The said farm-land to be leased to an overseer, who should keep an accurate account of the number of persons sent from each town, and that each town should pay for the expenses of its own paupers. It was ordered that the case should be submitted to trial for two years, and Charles Pole, Joseph White and E. C. Townsend were appointed Commissioners to lease land for above purpose.

On January 2, 1861, a contract was entered into with S. G. Bragg for the maintenance and support of paupers for two years, at the rate of $2.70 per week, and $15 to be allowed in the event of incurring burial expenses by the death of any of the number under his charge. J. Wadsworth was elected First County Agent for the supervision of the poor. At a meeting in April, 1869, a resolution was adopted empowering Samuel Rickett to purchase the farm of John H. Martin, in the town of Centre, at a sum not exceeding $35 an acre. H. B. Gray was instructed to consult with various architects and visit the prominent alms-houses in Illinois and Wisconsin to perfect plans for a model institution. The above farm was purchased by the payment of $2,000 cash, on April 19, 1869, $3,000 March 1, 1870, and the balance by assuming a mortgag for $1,000 to George Tyson. The land so acquired began at a point on the west line of Section 16, in Town 2 north. Range No. 3 east of the Fourth Principal Meridian ; thirty-two rods thence in a southeasterly direction, so as to strike the east line of the northwest quarter of said section at a point sixty rods south of the northeast corner of said forty-acre tract, then west to southwest corner of said tract. The total area is 178 acres. The poor-house is a main building measuring 38x64 feet, with a wing measuring 24x30 feet, well built, of stone, four stories high, capped with a mansard roof. Attached is a frame barn with stone basement, 20x30 feet. The poor-house and its adjuncts rank among the finest of that class of institutions in the country. The cost, exclusive of land, was $36,925.04. The entailment of such an enormous bill for a single building, startled the taxpayers of the county, who loudly proclaimed "-fraud," and clamored for an investigation. A party newspaper took up the cry and magnified it into such proportions, that, in order to allay the popular ferment, a committee was appointed to audit the sundry bills and investigate all transactions associated with the establishment of the poor-house. The result of the investigation is dis- covered in a report exonerating the building committee from all imputations of dishonesty. In concluding their report, it is asserted that the buildings were too costly for the county, but one and all concurred in reporting the expenditure as represented.

At a meeting of the County Board of Supervisors held June 21, 1870, the following rules were adopted for the maintenance of the County Aims-House :

First - County poor persons whose maintenance is a charge against the County Sheriff, shall be received and taken into the County Poor-House by the person in charge of it upon delivery therewith, of a certificate of the Chairman of the town sending him, that he is a county charge and in indigent circumstances, and accompanied by an affidavit of two Supervisors of the town, or other respectable persons, that such poor person has no legal residence in any town in the county, or any other town in the State if any, and the county will pay expenses of delivering such person at the poor-house.

Second - The town poor shall be received at the poor-house on delivery there by the person in charge, with an order from the Chairman of Supervisors of the town sending him, to receive the person as a charge against his town, and the county will charge such town at the rate of |6 per month, and part of a month for board, lodging, medical assistance and washing, for each person so sent by any town so long as he or she remains.

The person in charge of the poor-house may discharge any poor person therein, either a town or a county charge, where, in his opinion, the public interest requires it.

The person in charge of the poor-house will furnish clothing to the poor under his charge suitable to their condition, and will charge each town with such as furnished to poor persons therein from that town at actual cost price, and all charges due by towns to the county for support and clothing of each poor person, will be added to the county tax due from that town to the county, and paid into the treasury with it each year.

The last annual report shows that there were forty-two inmates in the house at that date. They were accredited with the following nationalities : German, one ; Swede, two ; Welsh, one ; Canadian, two ; Americans, thirteen ; English, four ; Irish, nineteen ; insane, nine ; idiotic, one ; simple minded, two. The expenses of maintenance were $3,794.38, of which $1,277.70 was charged to towns, and receipts from sales aggregated $402.85, thus leaving a balance against the county of $1,680.55. James F. C. Radolfand James Campbell succeeded Capt. Osborn as Superintendent of the poor-house. Mr. Campbell still holds the office.

Town Of Benton

The town of Benton, in the southwest corner of the county, comprises the west half of Township 1, Range 1, and the southwest quarter of Township 2, Range 1 ; also that portion of Section 10, in Township 1, Range 1, on the west side of the curve in Fever River, known as Mill Seat Bend.

It is one of the richest mineral regions in the mines, and, though the surface of the land is much of it uneven and broken, the agricultural resources are very large. Mill Seat Bend, in which Fever River, after a circuit of over a mile, returns to within about one hundred and fifty feet of the same place, is one of the best natural water privileges in the State. Prior to town organization the election precinct of Benton was so bounded, changed and modified as to cause considerable excitement both in Benton and New Diggings, but these were all regulated in time, and remain as it was presented when the final change was concluded.

The first permanent settlement effected in the town was in the spring of 1827, though a limited number of straggling miners, the most prominent of whom was Mr. Rawlins and Ashford, his son, who came in during 1824. The parties who composed these miscellaneous bands, however, failed to remain for any length of time, but, after a brief sojourn productive of no results, re-