Darlington City (part 6 of 7)

In March, 1827, Andrew Murphy with his family, consisting of a wife and five sons - Dennis, James, Matthew, Patrick and Daniel - accompanied by Peter O'Leary, Catharine, his wife, and a French adventurer named Francois, also an old family servant by the name of " Peggy," settled in the town east of what was afterward known as Murphy's Mill, and Furnace, about one mile and a half from the present village. Of these, Andrew and his wife, with Dennis, James and Patrick, his children, also Peggy, and it is believed Francois, died in Benton Town. Daniel removed to St. Louis after a brief residence here, thence to New Orleans, where he became Mayor, and finally to Oregon, where he died. The family descendants who still survive are Hon. Matthew Murphy, Mrs. Margaret Gibson, Mrs. Rebecca Malone and Mrs. EUenor Horr, residing in Benton ; Augustus Murphy, residing in Elk Grove, and William Murphy, in New Diggings.

The country was then inhabited by vagrant bands of Winnebago and Pottawatomie Indians^ who passed through the town on hunting expeditions, and frequently camped near Darlington, while they visited Mrs. Dougherty, who was the daughter of a Winnebago chief The latter, at the treaty between the whites and Indians at Portage City, refused to sign the same, but finally did so upon the donation to him of a section of land for hunting-grounds. The greatest concern of the old chief seems to have been on account of his daughter ; his anxiety, however, was relieved by her marriage to Dougherty, with whom she resided for many years, above the mouth of Ames^ Branch, and raised a large family of boys and girls, who were highly educated and became accomplished members of society.

Mr. Murphy's party were the only persons who ventured into the present town during that year. It might be said at this point that these settlers were in no way affected by the Winnebago war, the trouble occurring during that year between the whites and Indians having its base of operations further east. The first labors of the Murphys were to build a cabin for their personal protection ; this was located a short distance east of Mill Seat Bend, and was among the first houses erected in the town. This being completed, the settlers began the digging of a mill race across the neck of land at Mill Seat Bend. While this was in progress, Matthew Murphy, son of Dennis Murphy, was then an infant, and, escaping the notice of his mother for a moment, mysteriously disappeared from view. Search was instituted upon the discovery of his absence, which resulted in finding the " absent one " near the race engaged in the perilous attempt to fondle a huge snake. The reptile was put to flight, happily before it had done any injury to the confiding infant, who was, however, treated to medicaments calculated to estop any serious results.

The race and mill were completed in the fall of 1829, and for the times were very complete^ It was three stories high, of frame, supplied with two runs of stone ; was the first mill in the county and divided until 1834 or 1835, the patronage of the settlers, as also residents of Rockford, Dubuque, Wisconsin River and elsewhere, with the Curtis Mill, a small affair, also erected in 1829 at the present village of Gratiot.

The immigration into future Benton for many years after Mr. Murphy's coming was neither numerous nor permanent. Those who came into Wisconsin Territory to mine settled at other points ; none came to farm. In 1828, Charles Gear made his appearance, and put up a cabin on the line between New Diggings and Benton, on Fever River ; Benoni R. Gillett made a claim at Buncombe, and Ahab Bean farmed and mined at a point on Coon Branch, near the present Benton Station of the narrow-gauge road. In 1829, Daniel Sand, Scribe Harris, Orwin Smith, James Lucius and Solon Langworthy had a cabin, and began mining on Sections 20 and 21, one mile south of the present village. These leads have been since known as the "' Langworthy Ridge," and were among the first mines opened in the town. T. L. Shaw, with John and Cuthbert Burrell, worked in the Langworthy Ridge about that time, while Benjamin and Peter Carr settled in the north end of the town, at what was then called " Buzzard Roost," but now known as " Meeker's Grove," and mined and farmed.

From this date up to the close of the Black Hawk war, there were no settlers who came into Benton and remained. A few transient characters adventured into the region, but the fear of Indians, or indisposition to labor, influenced them to go elsewhere, and refuse to be enrolled in the list of pioneers who settled up the country. The war with the chief of the Sac and Fox Indians prompted enlistments from Benton, among whom were Dennis and James Murphy, Peter O'Leary and Peter Carr. They formed a portion of the company commanded by Capt. Hall, furnished their own guns, horses and camp equipage, and went into camp at Blue Mounds. While here encamped, two men plowing near by were shot by the Indians. Intelligence of the murder was brought into camp by some fugitive Winnebago Indians, who were accused of the crime by the soldiers, the latter insisting that Black Hawk's warriors were innocent. This led to a personal difficulty between Dennis Murphy, Peter Carr and George Ferguson - the latter of New Diggings - on the one side, and Capt. Hall and Gen. Wilkinson, during which the former were threatened with the guard-house and court-martial for fighting with friendly Indians. This was settled, for the time being, to be resumed under the following circumstances : Ferguson, with Murphy, Carr, and a man named Dixon, of Platteville, went out scouting, and, upon their return, reported as having seen Black Hawk with his tribe encamped between Blue Mounds and the Wisconsin River. Gen. Wilkinson, refusing to order out the troops, Ferguson called for volunteers "- to thrash hell out of the Indians; " but, Wilkinson and Hall objecting to this course of procedure, Ferguson, Dennis and James Murphy, Peter Carr and Peter O'Leary returned home, with the announcement that they went not out for fun, but to fight the Indians.

Five or six years elapsed before the settlers began to come in in large numbers. Many who had fled to places of safety at the breaking-out of the war, returned and resumed work at the mines or on farms. The furnaces used were of the "Log" pattern, there being no blast furnaces, those in use being of the style mentioned, and were employed until the " blast " furnace was substituted, the first in Benton being that of Murphy Brothers, adjoining the mill, which was finished in 1835. In the latter year, George and Benjamin Sallie opened diggings below the present site of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. James and Samuel Munday kept a store and saloon half a mile east of Benton. James Faherty maintained a store on Coon Branch, near Langworthy Ridge, and so continued until he was killed by a runaway team. The Jenkins family came in between 1835 and 1840. Jacob built a mill at Jenkinsville. John and Abraham farmed in the northwest corner of the town. Thomas Bray farmed on the prairie near them ; Michael Morley, on the west side of the town. William Berryman, James and Edward Treganza also farmed in the same locality. The Gray family mined thereabouts, too.

Between 1835 and 1849 were flush times in the mining portion of the town of Benton. Mineral was plenty and prices generally ruled high. The more prominent mines then operated in those times were those worked on Langworthy Ridge, Buncombe Diggings, near Gillets, Buzzard Roost, owned by the Carr's, and Bull and Scrabble Branches ; all of these were immeasurably fruitful and enriched their owners and workers. While times were good with miners from 1839 to 1842, the general public were subjected to the severest experiences ever known in the territory. Mineral, flour, pork, etc., were at the lowest ebb. There was no sale for oats or corn, and the settlers depended upon the invoices of commodities brought up the river from St. Louis for supplies. The farmers living in Illinois and States east of Benton brought their produce here for sale, because it was the only place where money could be obtained elsewhere than in the mines. Flour, beef and pork could be had for from 90 cents to a $1 per hundred, and other articles in proportion. There were two furnaces then in Benton, Murphy Brothers' near the village, and Jacob Benninger's, near Hazel Green, and both were running constantly.

From 1840 to 1845, many settled in Benton, among them were Timothy Burns, William King, who kept a grocery under the hill, C. and T. Pole, C. D. Boaz, 0. C. Lockhart, A. A. Chauncey, Jerry Cummings, Henry Mudd, Capt. G. W. Girdon and others, all of whom were miners. The cabins about Bull and Coon Branch were numerous. Those farming included Dennis Murphy, Thomas Bray, Jacob and John Jenkins, Michael Morley, Edward andJames Treganza, Capt. Gear, the Gilletts and others.

The population increased in a remarkable degree from 1844 to 1848. The village had been laid out between those years, and was building up rapidly. Two schools were being taught by Messrs. Kingsbury and Merrick respectively. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli had erected a Catholic Church, and other denominations promulgated the Gospel from schoolhouses and other accessible quarters. There was some gambling and drinking, but both vices were not as general in Benton as in White Oak Springs, New Diggings, Shullsburg, Hazel Green and at other points. They, in short, were not indigenous to the town, but imported therein. While mining monopolized the attention of a majority of the residents, farming was assuming a prominence that has since justified the labor and pains bestowed on the occupation by the pioneers of the times. Politics, though not so thoroughly the object of man's daily life as now, Avas attended to and elections held regularly. At that for President in 1848. 526 votes were polled in Benton. This condition of affairs was continued until the California excitement, which reached its height in 1849, came upon the settlement and carried off many of its most valuable citizens.

Between 1845 and 1850, the influx of settlers was large, and included some who had previously or subsequently attained national reputations. Among these were Gen. W. D. Knox, who was present at Carthage when Joe Smith was shot, and was accused of participating in that tragedy ; J. M. Day, W. R. Marshall, afterward Governor of Minnesota ; W. H. Calvert, James Hurd, Joseph Marshall, John Winder, James Metcalf and family, G. H. Flanders. Dr. Moses Meeker, J. T. Dameron, James Cousins, Thomas M. Selkirk, James Read, Peter Pedelty, T. K. Gibson, George Bass, Eli Robinson and many other distinguished citizens who are not remembered.

The Mexican war influenced the enlistment of a number of recruits from Benton, some of whom ate their rations in the halls of the Montezumas. But the exodus of Mexican war ministers was small in comparison with the number who went to California two years later. Of those who enlisted, the number did not exceed thirty, who became attached to a company raised in Galena and commanded by Calmes Wright, and probably a portion of the regiment of Col. James Collins, of White Oak Springs. The " gold-diggers " numbered fully one-half of the male population grown to man's estate. Among the more prominent were James Miller, Gen. Knox, 0. C. Lockhart, Jackson Calvert, etc. They departed with ox teams, and crossed the plains via St. Joseph and Leavenworth. A few went to Council Bluffs, but the majority pursued the first named route. The effect produced upon the township by this removal was disastrous. Those who went were mostly miners, and that branch of active life, upon which the success of Benton was largely dependent, received a shock from which it has never recovered. The prominent leads, except the Mills lead, struck in 1852 - and the largest, it is said, ever worked east of the Mississippi River - were abandoned. The furnaces, with one exception, ceased operations. This exception was the furnace conducted by Matt Murphy, on Coon Branch, west of the village, continued until 1856, when it, too, suspended.

Of those who went across the plains, many of them succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. They made money rapidly, and, while some of them saved their pi-ofits, the majority, being men of improvident habits, expended the same, and, in a few years, were worse for having been successful. Very few returned. Those who remained west of the mountains were distributed about the Pacific slope, Mexico, the Sandwich Islands and Australia, whence they never returned, but have been lost sight of in the march of events.

From the time of the departure of this element, farming was resorted to for the purpose of supplying those who remained not only with labor, but with bread. About 1850, the prairies were broken up and planted, and, within five years thereafter, were under fence, and rich with the harvest of cereal wealth. Within fifteen years from that time, mining became almost one of the lost arts. Farms and farming covered the township from end to end, and the song of the husbandman was heard where once the pick and gad disturbed the silence of the hills and vales. Schools were being established and homes of education reared where once the forest prevented their presence. Churches and religious corporations became numerous, and songs of praise filled the air with their sacred melody.

The panic of 1857 produced a stringency in the money market at the time, which lasted for about two years. During that period, money was scarce, and there was little sale for produce, mineral or stock. In 1859, times began to improve, and, when the war broke out, as also the few years it prevailed, recalled the flush times of 1847. During the war, Benton Town furnished 117 soldiers to the cause, and $17,000 in money, exclusive of amounts paid for bounties and substitutes.

In 1873, the work of surveying the line of the narrow gauge road, since completed from Galena to Wisconsin River via Benton and Wingville, was commenced under Edward Harding. This was completed in the spring of 1874, and work on the road-bed begun the same summer. The object of this road Avas to tap the rich prairie and mineral lands between the terminal points and Benton, with towns along the line aided in its building by subscriptions of stock. Labor was prosecuted thereon with diligence, and, in 1875, the road was completed to Benton, the first train of cars reaching that point in October. The completion of this enterprise to Benton made a material difference in the town's business and prosperity. Previous to that event, farmers, miners and merchants had communication with the outside world by means of teams alone. But now. the mode of communication being changed, times changed with it.

The road was finished to Platteville also in 1875, and an extension ten miles north of that point begun. This was worked until June, 1878, when litigation and financial embarrassment compelled the company to suspend operations, and for one year operations were entirely suspended. At the expiration of that period, the litigation took a turn favorable to the company, the embarrassments were removed, and cars were once more sent over the entire route.

No improvements were made from this time forward, and, on April 26, 1880, the franchise was sold to the Northwestern corporation for a total of $175,000, which sum included the payment of existing liens and encumbrances. Vast sums have been expended in making repairs, the work from the Wisconsin River at Woodman ; also a narrow gauge known as the Chicago & Tomah Branch was purchased about the same time by the vendees of the Benton road, and has since been operated in that connection. Benton by this means has direct communication with outside points, and is greatly benefited.

The first birth in the town is said to have been INIary Ann O'Leary, a daughter to Peter O'Leary, who was born about half a mile east of the village in 1828, and except Alphonso W. Moore, who was born in that year also, but prior to the birth of Miss O'Leary, was the first in the county. She is now Mrs. Conway, and resides at Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The town at present contains a population of 1,605, having diminished since 1870. It is the territory of many large and profitable mines, possesses superior educational and religious acilities, and is the residence of much wealth.

Village Of Benton

The village of Benton is centrally located in the town of that name, being the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 9, and is contained on the original area of about 80 acres. It was laid out March 18, 1844, on land owned by Dennis Murphy, the survey being made by John Burrell, assisted by Matt Murphy, and portioned into eight blocks of four lots each, divided by Main, Bean, Catharine and Jackson streets. The only house on the village site was a saloon and grocery store on Bean street, carried on by Henry Myers and E. B. Parish. In 1845, Joseph Arnold erected a residence on Main street, which has since been re-constructed and repaired, and is now occupied by M. Murphy. The same year Charles Ilewett put up a saloon and bowling-alley on the corner now occupied by the residence of Owen McDonald. Indeed, Mr. McDonald changed the same for living purposes, and lias lived there since 1847. In

1846, a man named Logstone built a hotel in the south end of the village, and Augustus Chaperon, a hotel, also, where the Benton House now stands. The same year, Dr. Phillip McBrien built a drug store adjoining Chaperone's hotel, on the north. Through that year buildings were quite general ; residences Avent up in all parts of the village. G. H. Flanders, William Hannan, Myers & Parish and Henry Paturn conducted stores ; J. T. Dameron, a grocery ; Malone & Griffith had a butcher-shop near the Catholic Church. Moses. Pickett, George Mathiot and C. E. Rand carried on blacksmith and wagon-making shops ; several tailors came in, but remained a short time, while saloons were usually prolific and wide awake. In the fall of 1846, the old Catholic Church was built of frame on the site of the present stone edifice, and for some time was the only house of worship in the village.

In March, 1847, about the middle of the afternoon, a disastrous fire began in Logston's house, consequent upon a defective flue. A meeting of miners to make arrangements for bidding on the mineral lands to be sold that season at Mineral Point was in progress in the second story of a building put up the year previous, and now used as the United States Hotel, and the cry of fire created an excitement which suspended deliberations without delay. The village was then as now without means for extinguishing flames, and the fire spread with alarming rapidity, enveloping all within reach of its devouring maw. The crowd assembled and employed every available auxiliary for the checking of what proved to be the most damaging blow from fire Benton ever received. But all efforts were vain, and it was only when the citizens had razed Dr. Brien's drug store and a portion of the hotel that any successful advance was made against the progress of the flames. Along toward evening, the smoldering embers were all that remained of a once prominent landmark.

In the summer of the same year, the Bentonians, appreciating the absence of a hall for lectures and other entertainments, held a meeting for the purpose of securing the building of suitable premises for such purposes. Subscriptions were made liberally, and the frame building now used as the Methodist Episcopal Church was erected.

It was used for the objects for which it was erected, various religious sects alternating in its occupation on the Sabbath meanwhile until 1852, when it was donated to its present owners. About the same time, the Primitive Methodists built a church on the present site of the brick church of that organization, which was occupied until the winter of 1862-63, when it was burned down, and the brick church referred to raised upon its ruins.

The first stone building of any kind built in the village was the Catholic Church, commenced in 1852. The next was put up in 1864, by Matt Murphy, on Main street. About 1867, the store and dwelling-house of James Kearns was erected, and still survives. Thomas Beck put up his stone store and residence at the northwest end of Main street in 1876, and his example was followed by others, who substituted frame, however, for stone in the construction of homes in that vicinity. These stone houses are the only buildings of that material in the village.

No recorded additions have ever been made to the village, though outlots have been added to the number of seventeen since the original survey, increasing the area of village territory to about twelve acres.

By far the most important enterprises in the way of building in Benton were those undertaken by the Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. It is the stone building erected under the administration of that worthy gentleman in the southeast corner of the village. When the Catholic Church was completed, the old frame edifice was removed to its present site, and constituted a part of the old Benton Academy. The institution was exclusively for females, and at one time a roster of pupils numbering fully 125 from all parts of the country, and representing the most aristocratic circles, were taught in the old frame by a corps of teachers belonging to the order of the Dominican Sisters. The school flourished to an extraordinary degree, and the accommodations soon became too limited for those in attendance. At this juncture. Father Mazzuchelli conceived the idea of increasing the capacity of his building by the construction of what now is known as the " Academy." Subscriptions and other sources of revenue were utilized until a sum thought to be sufficient was obtained, Avhen the building was commenced. Labor was employed on the same for three years, and a handsome structure, four and one half stories high, of stone, finished in an elaborate manner, was completed, when Father Mazzuchelli, the author and moving spirit of the enterprise, died suddenly, leaving his work - the work of his riper years - but half finished, after expending not less than |25,000 on the building. From this day, the work languished, and was finally suspended, the school was abandoned, and its teachers and appurtenances removed to Sinsinawa Mound, where they have since prospered. At present it is designed to tear down the building, and remove the material to Sinsinawa for use in the building now in progress there.

Since 1860, the village has held its own. In 1874, when the railroad came, the village took a "jump " and increased rapidly. Improvements were made to a greater extent than ever before, and the hope is now indulged that the impetus given at that time will not have expended its force until great expectations are fully realized.

The village contains a population of about 250 ; four general stores, one grocery store, one drug, one tin shop, three wagon and blacksmith shops, an agricultural warehouse, a furniture store, three churches, one hotel, and is generally prosperous, more so, it is claimed, than any other village in the county save Darlington.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church. - Was erected in 1847, on land donated by Dennis Murphy, who was in fact the donor of land upon which all the churches in the village are built. St. Patrick's Church was of frame, built under the direction of the Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, and was presided over for many years by that venerable and eminent Pastor.

The natural increase in the number of the congregation, however, necessitated the procuration of new quarters, and led to the erection of the present stone church. This was commenced in 1852 and completed about 1854, when it was consecrated, it is believed, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee, and has since been occupied.

The following Pastors have ofiiciated since the foundation of the church : The Revs. Samuel Mazzuchelli, Fathers Drummond, Nuits, Powers, Fortune, Prendergast, Burnett, Albright and Ward.

First Methodist Episcopal Church. - Belonged originally to Council Hill Circuit, from where it was transferred to Hazel Green Circuit and Providence Circuit, of which it was a part until 1859, when the Benton Circuit was created. Previous to 1852, the sect worshiped in the town hall ; but during tlmt year the premises were donated to the congregation, by which they have since been owned and occupied. The present membership is about two hundred : the church property, which includes the church, a parsonage and cemetery, is valued at ^2,500 ; the following Pastors have served since the organization of the Benton Circuit : The Revs. Enoch Tasker, William Summersides, William Harvey, John Hooper, R. R. Wood, William Birge, James Evans, E. B. Russell, E. S. Mather, W. H. Palmer, E. McGenley, P. Knox, William Cook, James Lawson and James Sims.

The Primitive Methodist Episcopal Church. - Was organized in 1847 under the charge of the Rev. Thomas Robinson, with a limited membership, chief among whom were John Winder, Mrs. Alderson end Mrs. Dakin. Services were held in the schoolhouse until 1850, when a church of frame was erected at the north end of Main street, which Avas occupied until 1863, when it was destroyed by fire. The following year the present brick edifice was completed at a cost of $5,000, and has since been in service. The present membership is twenty-five ; the value of church property, |3,000 ; and the following Pastors served the congregation : The Revs. Thomas Robinson, B. F. Hilton, John Sharpe, James Alderson, T. Doughty, William Wood, William Tompkins, C. Hendra, Charles Dawson, Henry Lees, John Trenary, John Shortridge, T. A. Cliff, Thomas Jarvis, James Arnold and Joseph Hewett.

Each church congregation owns cemetery inclosures adjoining their several church edifices. They are all objects of beauty to the eye, indicating that care is bestowed upon them, and many elaborate and handsomely finished monuments testify of the virtues of those who sleep beneath the turf,

The first school was that taught by Ira Kingsbury, west of the village, in 1846. The next school was that presided over by Samuel Merrick. James Roach and John McHugh followed.

When the Constitution was adopted, the Rock Schoolhouse was built by subscription, and is still occupied. At present, the town contains eight schoolhouses, one of which is in the village. The village school is divided into two departments - primary and grammar - requiring the services of two teachers. The average attendance is stated at 100 daily, and the cost of the same is said to be $500 per annum.

In early days, the settlers in Benton were obliged to visit Galena for their mail. This continued until 1845 or 1846, when an office was established in the village, and Dennis Murphy was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Murphy kept the office in the store of Myers & Parish, and served in his official capacity until about 1854, when William Haunan succeeded to the trust, and held court in a frame house adjoining the United States Hotel. When James Buchanan was inaugurated, and began to dispose of the more important affiiirs of State, he appointed T. K. Gibson to care for executive confidence. Since the expiration of his term of office, the position has been filled by Mrs. Richards, whose husband was killed in New Diggings while in pursuit of recruits who had been drafted, and Thomas Bainbridge.

Gem Of The Mines Lodge, No. 21, I. 0. 0. F.

was organized in 1874, with the following charter members and officers: Ami Dodge, Henry T. Godfrey, M. Pickett, Alexander Stephens, Joseph Buchan, J. Nicholas, James Hoskins and M. J. Williams; H. T. Godfrey, N. G.; Joseph Buchan, V. G.; Alexander Stephens, Treasurer ; and M. Pickett, Secretary. Meetings were at first held in Pickett's building, and the occupation of quarters there continued for several years. But in time the increase in membership induced the fraternity to secure lodge accommodations in Beck's stone building, where they have since remained. The present membership is stated at thirty-five, with the following officers : Joseph Gelling, N. G.; Thomas Short, V. G.; J. Hoskins and E. Kelly, Secretaries; and Thomas J. Froggot, Treasurer. The lodge property is valued at $300.

Meeker'S Grove

more generally known as Jenkinsville, located in the northern portion of the town, was first settled about 1837, by Jacob Jenkins, George Stephenson, a Mormon named Parker, together with a small number of miners, who remained long enough not to realize their hopes, when they departed. The vicinity was never surveyed or laid off" in lots, but Mr. Jenkins farmed, and erected a stone mill - which has long since outgrown its usefulness - hoping by these means to attract a settlement.

About 1856, Dr. Moses Meeker settled there and procured the location of a post office, of which he became Postmaster. Soon after his arrival, the Congregationalists residing in that vicinity subscribed a fund, which was expended in the building of the stone church, which has since been used as a place of worship by that sect at stated intervals.

The place contains, in addition to the interests mentioned, a country store and blaeksmith- , with little, however, to attract the capitalist or epicurean to a residence witliin its limits.

Town Of New Diggings

In 1824, Duke L. Smith, George Ferguson, James Morrison and three or four others, started out from Galena, found indications of ancient mining by Indians or French, and there beginninowork, discovered valuable mines which they named New Diggings. The cluster of cabins which these early prospectors built, situated one mile and a half down the valley west of the present village of New Diggings, they named Nachez, which village, in 18"28, contained 100 persons, but now no vestage remains. Nachez was the abode of excellent families and enterprising people. Here lived Hon. Lewis Kinney, Israel Cowen, Ferguson, Judge Orne, McAfFee, Morrison, and many others, all of whom long since were laid in honorable graves.

In 1826, John Armstrong, a prospector from Missouri, reached a point on the south side of the ridge running east and west south of the village. While engaged in his search for mineral, he struck a promising lead, which, after working for a brief period, he sold to purchasers who are to-day unknown. Subsequently, the discovery of Armstrong became the property of George Ferguson and John Bolles.

Prior to this, isolated mineral discoveries had been made at different points in the county, but none offered sufficient inducements to build a village. The first mineral found in the town is said to have been turned up either by James Morrison, who came from Kaskaskia, 111., or Jesse Morrison, an emigrant from St. Charles, Mo., who began work on what is noAv called the Old Wiley Range. In consequence of these discoveries, the little village of Natchez under the hill, the first in the town, came into existence.

The town comprises the east half of Township 1, north of Range 1 east, and the southeast quarter of Township 2, north of Range 1 east, except a circuitous bend in Fever River which belongs to the town of Benton. It was named from the village, and prior to town organization in 1849, was known as the Fever River Election Precinct. The surface is broken and hilly, affording considerable first-class farming land, however, and is well watered by Fever River, Shullsburg Branch and their tributaries, while the sub-surface of the town is not only beyond value, but more than compensates for the rugged exterior.

The number who came into New Diggings, either to prospect or settle permanently previous to the Winnebago war, was remarkably few, considering the quality of the attraction then existent. In the spring of 1827, Daniel M. Parkinson visited the territory subsequently set apart as the present town, but after a short stay removed to future Fayette, and was long identified with the vicinity of Mineral Point. Among others who came here was Solomon Oliver, who settled on Fever River, near the Benton line. Abraham Looney, who was also located on Fever River, Durrett Oliver on the same place, as did Mr. Leland, Caleb Dustene, Mr. Williard, a brother-in-law of Gov. Henry Dodge, P. A. Lorimier, Warren Johnson and many others. A. D. Wakefield lived Avhere Thomas Oliver now lives, a family named Jones resided near by, Peter and Benjamin Carr lived west of the village site, George Wiley had a cabin in the present village of New Diggings, also James Hutchinson, Harvey Caverner, John W. Blackstone, Calvin Curry, Mr. Vosburg, Mr. Harper, etc. A cabin stood near the quarry at .Etna Mills, inhabited by some one whose name is forgotten, and there Avere others scattered about promiscuously engaged in mining. There were no farms in the town, but some garden spots for temporary cultivation. The Indians, however, were numerous, and traveled about without interference or apprehension from the whites.

When the Winnebago war broke out, a portion of the settlers removed to Galena, while the balance sought safety in the stockade erected on the present Looney farm. This was about forty yards square, with two block-houses. It was built under the superintendence of Durrett Oliver, and sheltered a total of one hundred men, women and children. No company of soldiers was regularly organized, but the men were all armed and eager for the fray, which, happily however, never came. After peace was declared at the Portage, the stockade was taken down and used in Lorimier's furnace which had been erected during that year, and stood about fifty yards from Abraham Looney's present residence. When the danger from savage domination was dissipated, many of the settlers who had fled into Illinois returned, while others remained away. Those who had established mines or farm beginnings, resumed their labors, though with dismal prospects. Pork was |40 per barrel ; flour from $15 to $20, and mineral but |5 per thousand. There Avere no mills in the town. Benjamin Funk operated a " band mill " at his place of settlement in present INIonticello, which was the only mill in the vicinity. Most of the necessaries of life were procured in Galena, whither the lead after it had been smelted was carried, the weight taken at this peculiar period scarcely paying the expenses of transportation. During 1828-29, the depreciated value of mineral caused very many engaged in mining to abandon it and go to farming, or leave the country. The emigration to New Diggings was checked, and the whilom cabins of miners and others who had come in when the prospect looked more encouraging were devoted to vacancy and the wear and tear of the elements. From 1828 to 1831, these depressed times had the effect not only of retarding emigration, but remitting the territory almost to its original condition of a wilderness. Some came in, however, and went to farming. Among these were William Field, Ami Dodge, and later, William Baldwin, R. H. Champion, William S. Dering, James Neagle, Henry Potwin, James H. Earnest, Philip R. Earnest, Jesse Williams, Jefferson Crawford, Thomas K. Gibson, John Gray, etc., etc., most of whom came into the town prior to 1835, though there may have been some whose names are mentioned who came after.

By 1832, the price of mineral had appreciated and was the means of adding more to the population than during the three years immediately preceding.

During the Black Hawk war, the settlers who had, up to that time, set their stakes in New Diggings, as a rule united with the company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Clark, who garrisoned the fort at White Oak Springs. Though the Indians of Black Hawk rarely visited New Diggings and no depredations had ever been committed there by them, the timid felt more secure behind the protection of Fort Clark, and the men very largely responded to the call for volunteers. Notwithstanding these embargoes to progress, the mines were worked quite generally, particularly in the Bolles and Ferguson leads and the Oliver mines, on New Diggings ridge. Farming was in most cases suspended ; indeed, farming in those days, as already hinted, was confined to a limited space, on which vegetables and food for immediate consumption alone were cultivated. No grain of any account was planted, and fruits, as also the luxuries indispensable to home comforts to-day, were blessings, the birth of which was reserved for the future.

After the close of the war, mining and farming were revived, and even merchandising and smelting were receiving their first impetus. The farming lands Avere brought into market ; these of course included the lands only which had not been pre-empted. The sales took place at Mineral Point under the direction of John P. Sheldon, the Register, and lands brought $1.25 an acre. Some trouble succeeded these sales by reason of the purchase of lands Avhich had been pre-empted, as also from the pre-emption of lands which were known to contain mineral. Some entries were revoked in the county, though none in New Diggings, and, while much land talk was indulged in, that was the extent of the difficulty groAving out of the " exposures for sale."

Morally speaking, the condition of the town was by no means inferior to that of its neighbors. Gambling, drinking and horse-racing were a trinity. Many, without regard to age or purse, bowed down and Avorshiped Avith regularity and fidelity! Schools and churches, previous to 1840, were almost unknown, so far as this district was concerned. The mineral that was raised was disposed of with the least delay, and the money not appropriated to absolute expenses went to SAvell the contributions donated to the causes of "sport" and excitement. One or two heavy deposits had been found, but as a rule the returns which gratified the miner were of a nominal rather than an extraordinary value. Bering & Champion, it is thought, conducted a furnace in the present village. Lorimier's furnace, an old-fjishioned contrivance, had been abandoned, Magoon's furnaces, Gear's furnace, Drummond's furnace, with one or two more, and all except Dering & Champion's, without the town, were places of resort for minors and smelters.

About 1840, a school was established on the Oliver fiirra, with Miss Ada Gray, sister of H. H. Gray, who now resides in Darlington as teacher. The Fields children, Williams cliildren and Oliver progeny, together with some pupils from White Oak Springs, constituted the scholars who attended. She taught about six months, when a vacation of an indefinite period was taken.

About this time, Henry Potwin, with some others, erected a Presbyterian Church near the present schoolhouse. It has since been moved across the street, where it is occupied as a temperance hall. The Rev. Mr. Lewis officiated as Pastor, and the congregation was made up of believers in that school of theology, together with such others of miners and strangero who indulged religious inclinations one day in the week.

The " boom " began to incline toward New Diggings about 1840, and continued without interruption until the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope caused an exodus of miners, adventurers, etc., to the land in which bonanzas, gold and almost endless summers still remain attractions as irresistible as they are said to be substantial. With the commencement of the deeds indexed by 1840 it seemed as if the bud of promise which had refused to bloom into realizations for expectant admirers, threw off" all restraint and blossomed most encouragingly. The mines began to yield more abundantly, farms were opened up and improvements carried to completion, indicating the existence of a spirit of enterprise that only awaited opportunity. The village had been laid out previous to 1840, under the direction of Washington Hinman, and was the center of a large business, numbering many merchants in its list of residents, while hotels, gambling-houses, and saloons were numerous, and the stir peculiar to an exciting phase of life was everywhere apparent. Here, about 1843, Samuel Crawford, afterwerd one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and Montgomery M. Cothren, afterward for many years. Circuit Judge of the circuit embracing La Fayette County, began the practice of law ; but both soon removed thence to Mineral Point.

Among those who came into the town of New Diggings about this time was John Redfern, Martin, Michael, Henry and Isaiah Calvert, Amos and Simon Harker, Joseph Sedgwick, David Fawcett, Christopher Wiseman, Joseph Richardson, William Edge, Thomas Robinson, Joseph Ayers, John Rudd and many more too numerous to be remembered with individual exactness. Drs. John Gray and J. B. Crossman attended the sick ; Squire Manlove, D. P. Knowlton,

Meloy and some others represented the commercial interests at issue. Wm. Baldwin and Louis Vogeler kept hotels, and the number of " groceries " was proportioned to the wants of the inhabitants. The Wiley, Champion, Black Hawk, Dowd and McGinnis, James Nagle, Leckleys, " Boarding House" and other diggings of prominence and "great expectations" were being worked, and the busy hum of industry was heard at every point. Early in this decade, an engine was put up on the ridge about 300 feet south of the Champion Diggings, for the purpose of draining the Simpson, Hetherton, Scott & Co. and Calvert mines, and was regarded as a decided innovation upon the practice previously obtaining in that particular. It was operated a twelvemonth or more, and, having accomplished its object, was taken down and sold. About this time. Masonic influence exerted a sway in the vicinity, and a lodge, as remarkable for the number as the wealth of its members, Avas chartered and incorporated. The craft flourished during the flush times in the diggings, meeting with wonderful success, and becoming powerful. A hall was erected in the village while the order was at the zenith of its prosperity, fashioned architecturally after the Athenian Parthenon, and furnished, it is said, in a most luxurious manner. Meetings were held here weekly by the order, until a combination of causes, principal among which was the California fever, tended to diminish the membership, wealth and influence of the fraternity, until finally, the charter Avas surrendered, and the lodge became as a tale that is told. The hall that once served as a meeting-place of this ancient organization, where mystic rites and degrees were conferred, and other mysterious departures from man's daily line of life indulged, survives its chief patrons, and is now used as an office by the Town Clerk.

Up to 1849, the condition of affairs in New Diggings was considered, to express it comprehensively, " all that the most sanguine could desire." Business had rushed during the interval subsequent to 1840. Morally, the town and village, to which in the meantime additions had been made, were not inferior to other mining towns in the county. Some trouble had occasionally cropped out regarding the title to mineral lands, but nothing serious resulted, and, in 1847, the same were sold at public vendue, after which Abraham Looney, -JeflFerson Crawford, Holland H. Day, Thomas S. Shaw and Thomas K. Gibson, met as a Board of Arbitrators and reconciled conflicting claims, Oliver C. Stockhart bidding in lands for claimants. Thus was prospective trouble bridged over, and apprehensions were found to be without foundation. Yet gambling and drinking were carried on furiously, it might be said, and considerable trouble resulted therefrom. It was during 1849 that Hiram May was shot by James Simpson as the former emerged from John Morgan's saloon early in the morning. Some feeling had existed between these men for a considerable period, during the existence of which deceased had made certain threats as to what he would do if a contingence arose, which, coming to the ears of Simpson, resulted as stated. The murderer was arraigned before a Justice at Benton, whither he had gone and delivered himself up, but discharged, a plea of self-defense having been successfully urged. Before 1849 had been recorded in the perfect tense, chronologically speaking, the voyage in search of the golden fleece in California was begun by nearly all who had resisted the temptation to join the army and seek glory and active experience on the fields of Mexico. The war had been the means of attracting some volunteers from New Diggings, and when Sutter's discoveries were made known, most of those who remained dropped the pursuit of lead and went forth to verify the existence of an El Dorado alleged to exist in the extreme West. Of those who Avent thither some secured the object of their visit, others failed and lived to return to Wisconsin with their experience as capital, while the majority never returned, but remained to plague the inventors of what to them proved a myth, or died before they had been able to test its worth. From this day, however, it is said, New Diggings was by no means the objective point for emigrants or capital to tend toward. The residents who denied themselves the pursuit of wealth under difficulties measurably aggravated in comparison with those at home, remained and in time succeeded in its acquisition without encountering the difficulties or experiencing the vicissitudes that attended their wandering neighbors. Farming lands came in greater demand, and lands were more generally utilized to farming purposes. Mining was in a measure suspended, and the evils heretofore mentioned as the outgrowth of the metropolitan character of the inhabitants, were greatly dissipated if not entirely abolished. Churches grew into general favor, and a system of education which has since become universal all over the county was established. These were some of the compensations which supplied the absence of a rushing business, the '-'-croupier s'' call, and the hurly-burly of life where the lines thereof are cast amid experiences both promiscuous and exciting. Some mining was done between 1850 and 1860, and business was not by any means lessened to the permanent detriment of the future. The tight times of 1857 produced some eff"ect this time, but that effect was not of that consuming character noticeable at other points, and, by 1860, the merchants, miners, farmers and public had fully convalesced from the attack. In 1861, the war added an impetus to the business, and created a visible commotion among the inhabitants. The succeeding calls of the execution of the nation and State, were responded to, it is said, by those who were then on the ground until, the town was absolutely drained of able-bodied men. Those who volunteered were large in number, and those who refused to enlist for a. time, finally did so to avoid the draft or were caught in that national maelstrom and carried to Virginia, or the Southwest. Some fell in the slaughter at the Wilderness, some at Lookout Mountain, some fell by the wayside on the march to the sea - all left desolate homes and sad memories that time has never comforted or effaced. It was early in 1861 that Robert H. Champion struck his big lead. The mineral taken from the mine amounted to 7,000,000 pounds, which commanded from |dO to

$80 per thousand, enriching the owners and creating a renewed interest in the Diggings. Lead mining was prosecuted diligently from that time until the close of the war caused a fall in the price of mineral, and operations were gradually suspended. To-day it is carried on in various points throughout the township with various results, measured by the machinery employed, rather than the diligence of the laborers. In 1870, the Craig Mining Company, having diggings near the residence of Frank Craig and at other points contiguous thereto, commenced the building of a level for the purpose of draining the mines worked by the company. This was started at a point a short distance below the residence of William March, and worked full three-quarters of a mile northerly by east to Craig's old pump-shaft, to which it was completed during the summer of 1880, at a cost of $98,000. It answers the purposes for which it was designed, and will enable the company to procure deposits of mineral known to exist in large quantities, but inaccessible by reason of the water.

Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances brought to bear upon the town as tjuoted, and the decrease in population and business of her once thriving village, all will admit that during the recent years of her municipal life, the town and village have prospered, and will continue to prosper abundantly. The mines are productive, the soil fertile, the people industrious, and schools and churches abound, qualities without which success is impossible, and prosperity assured by their possession.

Village Of New Diggings

The village of New Diggings was laid out on land owned by Washington M. Hinman, the County Surveyor platting the same. At that time there were a number of miner's cabins on the village site, scattered about in delightful profusion without reference to metes or bounds or architectural elegance. R. H. Champion resided at his present location ; Peter Carr lived opposite him ; the place now occupied by John Kerwin was owned by Mr. Bushee, Avhich, with some others less prominent, were the chief residents in the vicinity. Henry Potwin, who came from Illinois about that time with some remnants of calicoes, notions and other minor articles, sold out his stock in trade at an enormous profit, and, procuring fresh supplies, opened the first store in the village. This was followed by others, and at one time, it is said, so large was the business transacted in New Diggings, that it required eight commercial establishments to supply the public demand. These have been quoted above, and, as will be seen, were composed of men who have in many instances survived the dull times which have prevailed, and are generally known and honored throughout the county and section.

In 1845, the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 1, Range 1 east, was surveyed by Leander Judson, by which ninety lots were added to the original toAvn, and, in July, 1847, and May, 1848, further additions were made to the same, out of lands appropriated for that purpose by R. H. Champion and William S. Dering, Charles Bracken being the surveyor. Additions were also made by M. M. Cothren and W. R. Smith, and, if this was all that is required to build a town or increase trade, the village of New Diggings would long since have been resolved into a city, with that the term implies.

From 1840 to 1850, the village grew with the town, and made rapid progress in growth and improvements. In early days, the miners "burrowed" for protection from the blasts of winter, or lived in huts of primitive comforts or conveniences. When the village became an established fact, frame houses were substituted for the caves and huts, and woman's taste was evidenced in the neatness of surroundings that had theretofore been "shiftless."

When business began to dwindle, as consumers were attracted elsewhere, the village degenerated and became of less importance than previously. Many of the houses were moved out into the country to answer as residences for farmers, who had begun to cultivate the soil on a, more generous scale than had been theretofore noticeable. Many were also removed to places in the neighborhood of more prominence and promise - notably, to Shullsburg and Darlington.

Like all young villages, its ways were not ways of pleasantness. The evils incident to existence in a new place were equally as pronounced in New Diggings as in Benton, White Oak

Springs and elsewhere, where the residents, as a rule, are measured rather by their excesses than the absence of them. Gambling and drinking were usual, and the saloons, where these accomplishments were held in high regard were numerous as the lice in Egypt, and equally as voracious. This condition of affairs lasted until well into the fifties, and were not entirely eradicated for many years. The same may be said of evils which are the natural outgrowth of those cited. The war produced an effect upon the village - which, however, was but transitory - as did the panics of 1857, Black Friday and 1873, which were not permanent, though, and did not materially interfere w^th the prosperity of the place.

At present, the village of New Diggings contains a population estimated at 300, with three stores, one hotel, two church edifices and three religious associations, a good school, and an intelligent, industrious class of people. Should the railroad from Monroe to Dubuque be completed, it will run within a short distance of the village, which village, it is thought, will be greatly benefited thereby. The lead mines about New Diggings are great sources of wealth, and, so long as they continue to remain such, the prosperity of the locality will scarcely be materially disturbed.

The Schools

The early schools taught in the town and village were mostly private, at which schools were received for a consideration which, in those days, was necessarily valuable. These schools were taught by Miss Gray, M. M. Cothren, Mr. Rose and some few others, who secured accommodations in private houses or houses abandoned for residence purposes, and gave instruction in the elementary branches to pupils, numbering from five to twenty, residing within a radius of several miles.

About 1850, it is thought, a district school was opened in the building erected ten years previous for a church, and so heartily was the demand for money for its support responded to that the same was continued, until to-day it is one of the largest and most thoroughly conducted of any in the county.

The church was used until 1875, when it was abandoned for a new edifice, and now does duty as a temperance hall. The school building substituted therefor is of frame, 30x60, two stories high, and cost $2,300. It is divided into two departments, primary and grammar, requiring the services of two teachers, at a cost of |800 per annum, and furnishes the means of education to an average daily attendance of one hundred and fifty pupils. The school property is valued at |3,000, and the present board consists of Christopher Vickers, Francis Jackson and George Watson.

Primitive Methodist Churchy Rockford Circuit, was organized February 25, 1843 - the first Primitive Methodist organization in the West - with the following members : John Leekley, Margaret Leekley, Robert Hodgson, Jane Hodgson, Frederick Dobson, James Thompson, Mary Leekley, Jane Goodbarn and Sarah Roesbeck. About 1846, a stone church was built in New Diggings, and John Leekley was the first local preacher.

This house of worship answered the purposes of the congregation for some years, but in time began to exhibit the appearance of age, as also the wear and tear incident thereto, and was succeeded by a handsome frame edifice, which occupies a prominent height in the village and can be seen for miles around. At present, the circuit embraces four churches, twelve ministers, a total of one hundred and seventy members, and church property valued at $6,500.

The following ministers have served since the church was established at New Diggings : The Revs. F. Dobson, R. Hodgson, J. Alderson, G. White, R. Atkinson, R. Hassel, J. Newsom, J. Sharpe, B. T. Hilton, W. Lee, T. Jarvis, T. Doughty, T. Unsworth, G. Parker, W. Tompkins, C. Dawson, C. Hendree, H. Lees, J. V. Trenery, J. Shortridge, T. A. Cliff, J. Arnold, and J. Hewitt, the present incumbent.

St. Augustine 8 Roman Catholic Ohurch, at New Diggings, was originally built in 1844, by Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, who at that time resided at Sinsinawa Mound, Grant County. At that time the congregation consisted of one hundred and twenty families, nearly all of whom were miners. Father Mazzuchelli continued to exercise spiritual supervision over St. Augustine's until the time of his death, which occurred in 1864. Some years anterior to his demise, he built, or caused to be built, St. Patrick's Church, at Benton, where he likewise erected a parsonage, which he occupied as a residence until removed from this world. Since the completion of St. Patrick's Church, the faithful of New Diggings have always been attended by the Priest at Benton. Since the cessation of active mining, the congregation has been reduced, until now it only numbers twenty families, all of whom are Irish or of Irish descent.

Eureka Lodge, No. 503, I. 0. G. T.

Thirteen years ago the sin of intemperance was much more general in New Diggings than it is to-day, and required greater efforts to restrain its extension. Appreciating this fact, Squire C. C. Kidder exerted his influence to combat the evil, and, as a means to that end, urged the organization of a society for that purpose. He succeeded in his object, and Eureka Lodge is the result. This was organized, in 1867, with thirty-two members and the following officers : C. C. Kidder, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Esther Vickers, W. V. T. ; W. H. Vickers, Lodge Deputy, and H. R. Campbell, Secretary.

At first, meetings were convened in the old Masonic Hall, and so continued until the Presbyterian Church was vacated by the school authorities, when that was removed to its present site, and has since been occupied b}'^ the lodge under consideration.

The present officers are : John tiandley, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Sarah Ferris, W. V. T. ; R. H. Weyman and C. B. Champion, Secretaries, and Robert Wharton, Treasurer. The membership numbers seventy-nine. Meetings are held weekly, on Wednesday evenings, and the lodge property is valued at $650.

In the days before postal facilities were afforded the residents of New Diggings, these, in these respect, unfortunate members of society were obliged to visit White Oak Springs for letters or papers addressed them by thoughtful friends and acquaintances. This finally became a tax upon the settlers too grievous to be borne, and through their efforts an office was established in the village. Henry Potwin was Postmaster, having his office in a hut, on the site of which S. & C. Vickers' store Is now located, and receiving the mails as often as once a week. He was succeeded by W. L. Robinson, who moved the office into his cabin, which then stood between the present site of Vickers' store and the hotel of Mrs. Santry, and he was followed by Thomas B. Campbell. Mr. C. retained the office until 1863, having the office above Wright's Bowling-alley, when he assigned the custody of the mails to Samuel Vickers, who removed the office to his store, where it has since remained, himself and his partner, Isaac Robinson, dividing the occupation of the official honor between them to the present day.

.ETNA MILLS AND POST OFFICE are located two and a half miles north of New Diggings, where they were erected by Selden Quimby and Caleb and Henry Potwin. The mills are of stone, 54x32, four stories high, and supplied with four run of stones. Quimby and the Potwins operated them until 1851, when the latter sold out their interest to Quimby, by whom the business was carried on until 1854. In that year, John Moody purchased the property, and held it until the date of his death, in 1872. The following year, R. H. Emerson obtained control, and still manages the business.

The capacity of the mills is three hundred bushels a day ; the business transacted yearly is stated at $20,000, and the value of the property, which includes a store and dwelling-house, also one hundred acres of land, is represented at |25,000.

The post office was established in 1857, to supply mail to the miners, and John Hoffman was appointed Postmaster. He remained in charge until 1860, when R. H. Emerson was appointed his successor, and is still in the service.

iBtna Hall, which stands opposite the post office, was put up several years ago by R. H. Emerson to accommodate the wants of a literary society. It is 30x60, one story high, with a seating capacity of three hundred, and cost $1,200.

There is also a mill on Fever River, two and a half miles south of New Diggings, which was built a number of years since by Simon Alderson, but is now owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Richardson, widow of Joseph Richardson. The mill is supplied with two runs of stone, and does a large custom business.

Village Of Shullsburg

One of the more populous and flourishing villages of La Fayette County, formerly the county seat, is located on parts of Sections 10 and 11 of the town of Shullsburg, twelve miles from Darlington, eighteen miles from Galena, and seventy-five miles from Madison. The town is handsomely built, particularly the residence portion, and is the business point for farmers for many miles around. Shullsburg Branch, a comparatively sluggish stream, courses the village from east to west, but the water-power thereof, if any exists, has never been utilized.

It was not until about 1840 that the present village began to make itself known, though cabins had been in existence upon its site for several years. The village of Gratiot's Grove, lying south of Shullsburg, where it had been laid out by the Gratiots several years previous, commanded public patronage, and with Old Shullsburg, west of the present village, disputed the continuance of such patronage. Subsequent to the establishment of Gratiot's Grove, extensive mineral discoveries in the immediate vicinity of Shullsburg, including the Badger, Irish, Giant, Clay and other diggings, attracted the presence of miners, and laid the foundation for the present village.

In 1840, Beon Gratiot, who had previously laid claim to the greater portion of the west half of Section 10, whereon the village is in part built, and where most of the mining had been carried on, sunk a shaft at the north end of the ravine running north and south, for the purpose of erecting a pump to drain the mines of water which greatly impeded their operation. The mines to be thus benefited were known as the " Elevator Diggings," which had been discovered during the year 1838 or 1839, by a man named Glover, and are represented to have been of surpassing richness. The difficulty of "working" the same was the origin of Beon Gratiot's venture in erecting what has since been known as the " Bull Pump," so called because of the motive power employed to move what in the light of subsequent improvements was a bulky, unwieldy affair, requiring the exercise of care and diligence, not only to keep it in motion, but also to preserve its utility. It was built and placed in position by Charles Rodolph, standing about two hundred yards south of the present residence of Edward Weatherby, and for many years did service in aiding the miners who delved in those diggings for ore. Gratiot's house stood on the site now occupied by the home of Edward Weatherby, on the west side of the ravine, in the vicinity of which he erected a number of cabins for the occupation of his men, thus paving the way for other settlers who came with their families and located thereabouts. There were no streets in those days, and improvements then projected or completed were of the most primitive character. Nevertheless, the " settlement," if such it might be called, was known as " Quality Hill," though what influences may have been exerted to secure this aristocratic appellation for the vicinage are not of record. This small, unpretentious beginning has resulted in a city of character and influence, while its whilom rivals have disappeared and left scarcely any relics to indicate that they ever existed. Gratiot's Grove is stated to have been a most flourishing municipality, with two hotels, a number of stores, private residences, etc., and a population as numerous as it was cosmopolitan. Merchants, miners, speculators, visitors and politicians jostled one another on the comparatively unimproved streets and avenues. Ministers of the Gospel, with lawyers and physicians, disputed for prominence in ministering to the moral, litigious and physical exigencies. The old fort which had been erected during the Indian troubles, had long since outgrown its uses and protection, and was rapidly becoming a relic of beneficence the charity of which was no longer needed. The importance of the Grove as a depot for the arrival of stages was then at its zenith, and scarcely a day passed but that these vehicular conveniences were made the mediums of a large influx of settlers, prospectors, visitors and adventurers. Numbers of these remained and became residents of " Quality Hill," or sought riches and prominence in other portions of the county ; others proceeded to Galena, Dubuque and elsewhere, while some returned Avhence they came, and have been lost in the rush of matter, the wreck of worlds or the crowds of humanity which have since fretted a brief hour on the stage of life.

Old Shullsburg, located about half a mile west of ShuUsburg of to-day, on the ridge opposite Estey's furnace, was then coming into prominence. The improvements completed then consisted of the cabin of Jesse W. ShuU, after whom the town was named, which was partially built on the south side of the hill as a protection against the biting winds of December ; a grocery or two ; one or more stores with a number of miners' huts and other stray buildings scattered here and there as the leaves of autumn. Dublin, so called from the number of Irish who therein resided, lay north of the old town and contiguous to the Irish Diggings, which were then being vigorously worked with results the opposite of discouraging. Though promising, the rivals that Dublin was obliged to contend with, which, in addition to Gratiot's Grove and Old and New Town, included " Devil John Armstrong," whose pugnacity is historical in these parts, were too strong, and prevented the "town's " realizing even a portion of the hopes and anticipations indulged respecting its growth and building up. In spite of these contending, opposing elements to the success and growth of Shullsburg, the future village increased in population, influence and importance more rapidly than either of its rivals, and, within the decade in which it was projected, outstripped them all. Among the early settlers who established themselves in the neighborhood were John Moore, Robert Allenson, William Howdle, Ralph Atkinson, Joseph Curry. Cuthbert Nattrass, Thomas Swansbank, Jonathan Dawson, William Hetherington, Benjamin Collinson, Edward Weatherby and Richard Brown, all especial miners who had emigrated with their families from the North of England ; Thomas James, who resided in a log house erected by Andrew Sterrett, and is still standing, the first house west of the late Dr. Milliken's residence ; Caleb Potwin, who put up a store on his present residence lot ; J. M. Brewster, also a storekeeper, having his residence and warehouse on the site now occupied by Peter Meloy's store ; Mr. Gray, who lived in a building where Abraham's saloon is now located, etc., etc.; Marshall Cottle, during that period, opened a saloon in the building on Water street erected by " Squire " Devine ; Townsend & Bennett erected a building on the lot whereon William Miller now lives; Samuel Rickert and Gilbert Simmons, a building adjoining Townsend & Bennett's improvement; Darwin E. Moulton, a store; E. C. Townsend, a blacksmithshop, opposite Potwin's store, the first in the city except that established by William Bottomley. These precedents having been established, other improvements followed in the wake of each other, and settlers came in quite rapidly. Among the latter were John K. Williams, Zebediah Gates, the McNulty family, Solomon, William and Edwin Osborne, Alexander Mock, Thomas Hoskins, J. H. Knowlton, John Ryan, Jeffrey T. Halsey, Samuel Huddleston, Samuel McAtee, Jackson Drake, the Meloy families, James McFerren, VV. H. Howard, who opened a livery stable, James Stewart, A. A. Overton, W. P. Boyce, Charles and Harry Brockway, John Cottle, John Hill, Joseph Pulis, Dennis Tynan, who resided on the Clay Diggings, where he committed suicide, Charles Pole, Andrew, John and David Roberts, and many others who have left no footprints on the sands of time to guide the historian in his researches.

The population of the place between 1840 and 1845 had increased, it was believed, to an aggregate of not less than five hundred. Three stores offered proposals for public patronage ; a log schoolhouse, wherein school was taught by Mr. Overton, occupied the lot whereon Thompson's furniture store now stands, and was also used for religious, judicial and other purposes. The frame Catholic edifice was in part completed, and mass was said within its finished interior ; but churches and schools were not in general demand, if one may judge from the experience of a citizen, who stated to the writer, that, sitting on his doorstep Sundays, he could hear the minister announcing his text when his voice was not drowned by disputes in the crowd gathered on the hill south of the "Bull Pump," when they engaged in horse-racing, gambling and kindred amusements. The Catholic Church, frame, and Henry Potwin's store, were built in 1841.

In 1842, or thereabouts, Edward Vaughn built a store, where Risken has since operated. That summer, Meloy & O'Connor erected a building for similar purposes on the present site of Miss Roberts' millinery store ; John Higgins succeeded Morris Mead as a grocer, and B. L. Heath, with Oilman Seavey, Azael P. Ladd, M. D.. and others, became more immediately identified with the material interests of Shullsburg.

About 1844, Beon Gratiot returned to St. Louis to pass the remainder of his life free from business cares and annoyances. Before doing so, however, he assigned his mineral claims, which had not at that time come into market, to William Hempstead, who entered them at the land sale held in Mineral Point during 1847, and which have yielded more mineral than any other piece of land in the State, it is claimed. Soon after this time, the California fever attacked the miners about Shullsburg, and soon assumed the form of an epidemic. The mineral here, it was argued, was difficult to obtain, in consequence of its being under water, and requiring an enormous expense to drain. Among those who fled to the land of promise from Shullsburg in search of gold was George Hicks, who " tramped " the roads thither, wheeling a barrow all the way, and arriving at the City of the Golden Gate in safety. While the epidemic was at its height, Edward Weatherby leased land of Hempstead about one-quarter of a mile south of the " Bull Pump " upon which to mine, and discovered some of the largest leads ever known in this vicinity, the first discovery being made on New Year's Day, 1850. These enterprises added a new impetus to the growth of the town. Fresh relays of miners came in and began prospecting, and with them came traders, smelters, merchants and the /^o^ poZ/o^, who always gather at points where success of a pronounced character has been experienced in any department of life. Mr. Weatherby's pumps were used with effect in draining the mines of water until May 30, 1857. At that date their employment was abandoned, and the building of the " Bull Pump " level commenced. This was completed after two years' labor, at a cost of $5,000, and was continued south into lands owned by John McNulty's estate, making rich discoveries of mineral and accomplishing the object for which it was designed. Another level was built by Mr. Weatherby, proceeding east from the " Bull Pump " shaft to the line of Henry Stephens' estate, draining the water and enabling miners to make discoveries of ore both in Stephens' and Rickert's estates. In 1860, still another level was carried from Estey's furnace through Estey's, Griffin's and Brockway's lands into the west level of the " Bull Pump," which was completed in 1868, making a continuous level from Estey's furnace to the McNulty and Stephens properties, about threequarters of a mile. The Elevator Diggings, to drain which the original level was built, have been worked continuously up to the present day, and are now regarded as a promising investment for capitalists.

In 1847, Capt. Augustus Estey settled in the village, and erected a furnace on the Shullsburg Branch, west of the town site, which proved a source of infinite convenience to miners, who had previously been obliged to dispose of their mineral to William Hempstead, and haul their sales to that geatleman's furnace in Galena.

During the year last above mentioned, Iowa County was divided, and the southern portion thereof organized as La Fayette County, with the county seat at Avon or Center, a village in future, near the present site of Darlington, where the county owned lands. By act of the Territorial Legislature of 1848, it was provided in express terms that Shullsburg should be the county seat until another place was selected, and suitable buildings provided ; accordingly, when the constitution took effect, that village became, de facto et de jure., the county seat, the contingency contemplated by the act of 1848 not having occurred. This adoption of Shullsburg created considerable excitement throughout the county, and much trouble resulted between the residents of Avon and Shullsburg for the dignity and emoluments appertaining to the location of that centripetal attraction. The Legislature of 1849 recognized Center as the county seat, by the provisions of an act passed in that year; but the Supreme Court decided that the Legislature was powerless to pass a declaratory law on the premises, and that votes cast thereunder for the pemoval of the county seat from Shullsburg were void. In 1852, an act of the Legislature providing for the removal of the county seat to Avon was adopted, subject to confirmation by a vote of the people. This was refused, and the court house and jail were contracted for, the same to be erected in Shullsburg. The contract was let to a builder in Mineral Point, from whom it was obtained by E. C. Townsend, who built and furnished the structures at a cost of $5,000. The jail was of stone, and has since been razed. The court house, which is of brick, was sold to School District No. 6 in 1867, together with the grounds, and reconstructed for school purposes, to which it has since been devoted.

The eifort was again made, in 1856, to procure the removal of the county seat to Center, which was accomplished, but returned to Shullsburg under a decision of the Supreme Court. The question remained quiescent until 1861, when, owing to the excitements growing out of the war and other causes, the removal was again agitated, this time the village of Darlington being substituted for Avon or Center. A bill was passed by the Legislature, which, upon taking the sense of the people thereon, was adopted by four votes, and the " glory of Ichabod " had departed.

From the earliest days, Shullsburg was what is modernly termed a " very busy place." Miners and merchants made money and lived rapidly. The accumulation of wealth was reserved to the more thrifty, as also to those whose inclinations did not tend in the direction of certain phases of life that were to be seen in the village in a condition of perfection, always duplicated where money comes easy. Gambling and horse-racing were amusements and customs indulged and honored. The El Dorado, on Water street, and the Montezuma, adjoining the La Fayette House, were houses with which the residents of those days are familiar as the resorts of gamblers, wherein games of chance were represented and soldiers of fortune most did congregate. Thousands of dollars are said to have been lost and won in these resorts, and disputes and disturbances were of frequent occurrence. But these factors in the civilization of frontier towns have long since been eliminated from Shullsburg's progress, and places in that village which knew them once know them no more.

In 1846, the present village was laid out and platted, the survey being made by Washington Hinman, assisted by Zebadiah Gates. The original town consisted of thirteen irregularly shaped blocks, intersected by Mineral, Gratiot, Iowa, Judgment, Church, Water and Main streets, and was ex-appropriated out of lands owned by William Hempstead. Since that date, a number of additions have been made to the original town, including Northeast and Northwest Shullsburg, Bottomless Addition, Sterrett's Addition, Roberts' Addition, Hunt's Addition, Marvin's Survey, Stephens & Mitchell's Addition, Griffin, Ryan & Mead's and Smith's Additions, aggregating one hundred and thirty-two blocks of various dimensions, intersected by streets and avenues the nomenclature of which possess to a certainty the merit of genius if devoid of originality, as will be admitted when reference is had to the list, which is made up in part of Friendship, Goodness, Justice, Peace, Pious, Truth, Mercy, Wisdom, Charity, Happy and Virtue streets. Soon after, there was a large rush of people from Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky and elsewhere, who thronged the La Fayette and Reynolds Hotels in Shullsburg, the Lamar House, at Gratiot's Grove, and such other havens of rest as were found accessible to the traveler. Improvements kept pace with the increase in population, and the old log and puncheon huts and tenements yielded place to comfortable frame stores, churches and residences. It was not until 1849 that brick was employed for building material, the first brick house in the town having been erected during that year. It stood, and still stands, at the eastern end of Water street, where it was located, planned and completed as a residence by John Roberts nearly a third of a century ago. This innovation was favorably received by the citizens, and the example thus furnished inspired those who were contemplating homes and warehouses to construct them of brick or stone. In this and the few years immediately succeeding, the population of Shullsburg diminished by drafts drawn thereon for emigration to California. This had the effect, however, of relieving the town of the thousand and one adventurous characters previously enumerated on the town's bills of residence, and their absence was in part supplied by substantial citizens, who, by their labors and enterprise, contributed materially to building up and beautifying the home of their adoption.

In 1854, the cholera ran wild through some portions of the county, and many in the flush of youth and health took on the pale seal of the master of mortality, and were laid to rest in the village churchyard. The first victim to the disease in Shullsburg was Dr. A. P. Ladd, who died July 26 of that year, and, while the death rate of this town was not so heavy as at other points, those who were here and witnessed its visitation bear testimony that it was bad enough. In Gratiot's Grove, the fatality was not confined to any portion or class, but was distributed about with lavish hand, twenty-one victims paying the tribute of their lives to its call in the Lamar House. Its effects were visible for years, and those who survive the calamity recur to it to-day with feelings of terror.

About this time, railroad enterprises which were then extending their feelers over the Northwest, were directed toward Shullsburg with a view to ascertaining what encouragement would be extended the location of a line thitherward. Meetings were held, at which speeches were made and resolutions adopted calculated to inspire the projectors with confidence. But, owing to some unexplained reason, the line was abandoned without even a survey having been made. Again, in 1867, it was thought that the village would be visited by a road from Monroe to Dubuque, and, notwithstanding the proffer of a generous aid, the management of the enterprise felt constrained to retire from the undertaking without accomplishing anything that would electrify the world or promote the welfare of Shullsburg. At present, the same corporation are negotiating for the building of the road, and it is anticipated that by October 1 the route will be open for business.

The panic of 1857 may have retarded the growth of the village, and possibly was attended with that result. Though not so sensibly affected as other portions of the country, Shullsburg participated in the dire consequences of that disastrous year, from which its recovery was slow and unsatisfactory. Not until the business boom growing out of the war reached the town, increasing business, appreciating the value of mineral, and creating a demand for commodities, did Shullsburg renew its vitality, so to speak, to any appreciable extent, and inspire the citizens with hopes for an improvement in the condition of affairs resulting from the panic.

During the war, the village, as the metropolis of the town, equaled expectations in the quotas, both of men and money, contributed for the " maintenance of the Constitution," and left no demand in that behalf without responding. Two companies of troops were raised in the vicinity, and money, supplies and other auxiliaries to the support of the Government and comfort of the soldiers were furnished most liberally.

By act of the Legislature, published March 30, 1861, the west half of Section 11 and the east half of Section 10, in Township No. 1 north, of Range 2, in which were comprehended the limits of Shullsburg, was incorporated as a village, with general powers and perpetual succession, since when the body politic has been governed as a municipal corporation. The following officers have served since the incorporation of the village in accordance with this act :

During the past twenty years, the village has grown, not rapidly but steadily ; and, when the railroad shall have been completed to its location, as is expected, the opinion is ventured by the inhabitants that a new impetus will be given to its prosperity and advancement. At present it contains a population estimated at twelve hundred, composed of an intelligent, enterprising class of citizens, who represent a large proportion of the wealth and character for the possession of which the county occupies a prominent position in public estimation. Educationally and morally, the village occupies an enviable degree of repute, and, in all the departments of life, Shulls'burg is most creditably represented.

The Shullsburg Bank

In July, 1867, John K. Williams & Co. commenced the business of banking in the building on Water street now occupied by the post office. At that time, it was thought that the railroad from Monroe, Wis., to Dubuque, Iowa, would soon be completed, the towns along its entire line having voted large sums of money to aid the enterprise. The railway company failing to build as expected, and the business of the bank not proving as profitable as was desired by the

In May, 1871, at the request of the citizens of Shullsburg, G. W. Douglas, who was then carrying on a drug store in Stephens' brick block, opened an exchange and collection office. The business increased in a gratifying degree, and the institution again assumed the name of " The Shullsburg Bank," with C. T. Douglas as Cashier. In 1876, the bank was removed to its present location, in the Stanley Block, on Water street, and, notwithstanding the fact that Shullsburg is not a market-town, in the strictest sense, the bank does a business annually estimated at 1800,000. George W. Douglas is President, and C. T. Douglas, Cashier.

The cause of education has always been uppermost in the minds of residents of Shullsburg and vicinity, who seem to have been determined, from an early day, that their children should be permitted to enjoy privileges and advantages denied unto themselves. The first school tauo-ht hereabouts - indeed, in the county - was organized through the instrumentality and influence of Henry Gratiot, as early as 1828. In June of that year, Beulah Lamb opened a school in a log house, on the prairie near Gratiot's Grove, which was attended by all the children for miles around, and highly appreciated by the people. Thenceforward, private schools were taught at intervals in various portions of the county, principally at Gratiot's Grove and Shullsburg, by George Cubbage, Rev. J. Wood, Miss Stobey, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Littlefair, Mr. Cook, A. A. Overton and others, until the county was divided into districts, three of which, 2, 4 and 6, were located in Shullsburg, where they were maintained until April 1, 1867.

On the 28th of the previous November, it was ordered by Richard McKey, Alfred Quinch and John Higgins, composing the Board of Supervisors, that Districts 2 and 4 be made part of District 6, same to take effect as indicated, April 1, 1867. The district thus consolidated has an area of nine and one-quarter square miles, and comprises the southwest quarter of Section 1, with all of Sections 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 18, 14 and 15, of Range 2 east, Township 1 north, together with Section 34, Township 2 north of the same range, being four miles from north to south on the west side, and three miles from east to west on the south side. The east and north boundaries are somewhat irregular.

On the 7th of May, 1867, the legal voters of the newly organized district met in the courtroom of the old court house, for the purpose of making arrangements for the establishment of a graded school. Samuel Rickert occupied the chair, with Joseph Pulis officiating as Secretary, and resolutions were adopted authorizing the School Board to purchase a suitable site for the schoolhouse, and to raise a sum of money not to exceed $10,000, to aid in the erection of a school edifice, etc. This latter was voted upon May 10, 1867, and adopted by the people, the vote standing 133 to 3.

The court house was then purchased by the School Board, necessary additions made, the same properly furnished for school purposes, and opened on the 12th of October, 1868, with the following corps of teachers ; F. S. Stein, Principal ; William Ahern, Henrietta H. Trumbley", Caroline McKinley and Isabella Harrison, Assistants. Within the school year, Miss Trumbley resigned, and her place was filled by Laura F. Dison ; and, because of the large attendance, it was found necessary to increase the force of teachers by the employment of Mary McHugh, Frances McHugh and Emma Virden. The Board of Directors that year was composed of Samuel Rickert, Edward Meloy and George 0. Brown, by which a course of study and set of rules and regulations were adopted, which are still in force.

The public schools of Shullsburg now consist of four departments, primary, intermediate, grammar and high, and the course of instruction requires thirteen years. AH departments below the high grade, which, in September, 1876, was voted a free high school, embrace three grades, the course of instruction in each grade requiring one year. The high grade consists of four grades, the course comprehending arithmetic, grammar, history, geography, geology, gov- ernmental science, botany, rhetoric, elocution and Latin, and three classes have been graduated therefrom, one each in the years 1878, 1879, 1880.

The entire cost of the present school property in the district is estimated at $17,000, and the present valuation at $22,000. In 1869, the taxes voted for school purposes were $5,640.09 ; in 1870, $5,925 ; in 1871, $5,750 ; in 1873, $5,960 ; in 1874, $4,682.40, including the amounts annually raised to pay the district debt. At present about $3,000 are annually required for school purposes, which is derived from a district tax, county tax. State school fund, State high school fund, and tuition from non-resident pupils. For the year ending August 31, 1880, the district tax was $2,200 ; county tax, $213.55 ; State apportionment, $233.20 ; State high school fund and other sources, $378.38; or a total of $3,060.23.

The school population of the district is 538 ; the average daily attendance is 200, requiring the employment of five teachers. Previous to 1872, the attendance was much larger, but, owing to the diminution in the city's population, the roster of pupils has necessarily decreased since then.

The first post office established in the town of Shullsburg, as at present bounded, was at Gratiot's Grove, about 1834, with Fortunatus Berry, Postmaster. This was continued until 1845, or thereabouts, when it was removed to Shullsburg and Marshall Cottle placed in charge, with his office in the building M. Tiernay now occupies. Since that day, postal facilities have increased until daily communication is enjoyed with all parts of the world. The office is located on Water, between Iowa and Gratiot streets, and the following officials have received executive confidence : Martial Cottle, Edward Vaughn, J. M. Brewster, N. H. Leland, J. B. Roy, Wm. Baldwin, A. R. Stanley, John Warner, George Bennett, H. H. Ensign, Robert Trestrail and Mrs. Elizabeth Trestrail, present incumbent,

Shullsburg Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. - The first overtures tending to the establishment of a church society in Shullsburg Village, are said to have been made along about 1845. During that year, a class was formed, consisting of Henry Jenkins and wife, William Vivers and wife and two others. Meetings were held in the log schoolhouse then standing on the present site of the post office, under the Pastorship of the Rev. Isaac Searles, and the society was included in the Council Hill Circuit which then embraced Hazel Green, Benton, New Diggings, Council Hill, etc. Here and elsewhere the congregation worshiped for a number of years, or until about 1852, when a modest frame church was erected on the present corner of Church and Gratiot streets. In that year, the Shullsburg Circuit was created, including six appointments, two of which were located in Shullsburg, and an aggregate membership of one hundred and thirty communicants. In early days, services were necessarily irregular, meetings being held at various places in the future village accessible to members, where services were conducted by circuit riders and classleaders. But, by the time the church was built, more regularity in this respect was the rule, and the number of worshipers increased. The meetings were largely attended, and the cause began to flourish in a gratifying degree. For nearly twenty years, the little frame church was the scene of revivals and other means of grace in which a success proportioned to the object was fully realized, and all things combined to burld up and sustain the eff"orts made in that behalf. The church edifice was enlarged repeatedly as it became necessary, until it was decided to erect a new house of worship to accommodate the congregation. The old church was removed, and is now occupied by the Primitive Methodists, and the present stone church commenced on its site in 1866. It was completed in 1867 at a cost of $12,000, dedicated the same year, and has since been occupied. The building is 40x70 feet, handsomely finished and furnished, and will seat an audience of 400. The congregation numbers 200. Services are conducted twice each Sabbath. The property, which includes a parsonage, is valued at $14,000. The following ministers have occupied the pulpit: The Revs. A. H. Walter, Henry Wood, James T. Pryor, Nelson Butler, George Dodge, James Sims, Enoch Tasker, Peter S. Mather, M.

The Primitive Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. - This sect differs from the Wesleyan Methodists in perpetuating the primitive methods of worship, which the latter, in later days, have abandoned. It was organized in England many years ago, and first appeared in the West in 1842. During that year, John Leekley, Margaret Leekley, Robert, Richard, Jane and Mary Ann Hodgson, F. Dobson, James Thompson and Mary Leekley settled in Illinois and the Territory of Wisconsin. After making the subject a matter of prayer, these pioneers agreed to make an eifort to establish the cause of Christianity under the name of Primitive Methodism^ a cause having for its object the benefit of fallen man. On the 25th of February, 1843, a quarterly conference was held at Grant Hill, near Galena, and again, on the 24th of the following August, at Shullsburg. September 7, 1844, an annual conference was called at Platteville, when a discipline was adopted and the society established.

In 1845, a class was organized at Shullsburg composed of Cuthbert and Jane Xattrass, William and Isabella Heatherington, John and Mary Moore, Catharine Bright, John and Mary Walton, Nancy Bowman, Martha Allison, John M. and Mary Park, J. and Eliza Collins, Elizabeth Curry and Margaret Collison. The Rev. Richard Hodgson officiated as Pastor, and services were held in the log schoolhouse until the society erected a church 'on Main street, now occupied by Thompson's furniture store, which was completed and dedicated in the month of August, 1846, the Revs. J. Leekley and J. Rain officiating. This was occupied until 1873, with varying success, when the congregation procured an exchange of its property for the frame church edifice of the First Methodist Society which had been moved to a convenient site on Church street, in which, at present, services are held afternoon and evening on the Sabbath, and upon other occasions. The congregation now numbers forty members. The church property is valued at $2,600, and the following Pastors have been assigned to this charge : The Revs. James Alderson, William Tompkins, T. A. Jarvis, J. Sharpe, Charles Dawson, Henry Buss, C. Hendra, J. Hewitt, H. Lees, T. Butterwick, A. Warwick, T. Cliff, Hugh Cork, J. Hewitt, J. W. Fox and Charles Dawson, now serving.

The First Congregational Church. - Was organized on the 26th of March, 1848, at a meeting of the sect convened in the auditorium of the Primitive Methodist Church. The Rev. G. L, Magoon presided, and the following persons signed the Articles of Faith as members : George D. Hicks and wife, Adam Brown and wife, Richard Morell and wife, Susan Gratiot, Martha M. Guthrie, Julia E. Cottle, Henrietta Long, Edward Vaughn and wife, Ursula B. Culver, Jane Parker, Margaret Jane Johnson, Elizabeth F. Lenon, Lilly Esmond, Enoch Covert and William P. Ballard. The Rev. Mr. Magoon remained in charge of the society until May 7, 1848, when he resigned, and, after some delay, the Rev. H. Freeman was called as his successor. There is no record of acceptance by the latter, and the congregation, it is believed, were from that date without a Pastor until April 1, 1851, when the Rev. John Reynard was ordained.

During the previous year, arrangements were consummated for building a church, which was commenced without delay, though the corner-stone was not laid until July 26, 1851. Work was prosecuted on the edifice with due diligence, and its dedication celebrated February 3, 1853, with exercises appropriate to the occasion, the Rev. Mr. Westerman preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building is of stone, costing $1,200, and will seat an audience of 250.

In the earlier years of the society, the membership increased rapidly until it numbered a large following ; but deaths and removals have diminished these to a material extent, and since April 1, 1879, the church has been without a regular Pastor, services being conducted at intervals by transients. The following ministers have officiated, and the church property is valued at $3,000, free from debt : The Revs. G. L. Magoon, John Reynard, G. M. Jenks, A, M. Dixon, R. J. Williams, G. W. Nelson and G. S. Biscoe.