La Crosse City (part 1 of 3)

La Crosse City

vexiuions Messrs. Levy and Snow came through in eight days, having made the first trip by this route ever attempted, and blazed tlie road between La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, which was used in after years. Tliese merchants set up in the Spaulding siianty as Indian traders, in addition to prepaiing to farm a claim that had been invoiced witli the assets of the firm at the date of its organization, near the mouth of the State Road Cooley.

In the spring of 1S4G, the tide of emigration may be saiil to have turned in the direction of Noi'thcrn .Wisconsin, the chief point of attraeiion still being the lumber region of Black River, with La Crosse a desirable field for agricultural uses. JUit those who canie with a view to engage in the fornier as compared with the number who sought to engage in farming, was numerically greater. Large fortunes beckoned them to pursue the hazardous occupation of logging and lumbering in preference to the slow and laborious accumulation growin'^ out of a tilling of the soil. Cut while lumbering was remunerative, the labors to accomplish success were of the most arduous character, involving health and even life itself. Yet no one seemed disinclined to follow the devious and critical ways it led in search for -wealth, and the acquisition of means sufficient to render the toiler measurably independent was but a poor return for the dangers encountered.

This spring Mr. Levy returned to Prairie du Chien for his family, and having concluded arrangements in that behalf, sailed from that city May "27, 1846, on board the steamer Berlin, accompanied by his wile and son, a young man named Isaac Marks, and his household, supplemented by an invoice of pigs, a coop ot chickens, two cats and a coon. He set up his Lares and I'enates in the log house at the northeast corner of I'earl and Front streets, and bc'-'an life with his i'amily amid comparatively new scenes, and surrounded by iiew associations. It was here, shortly after his arrival, that he nearly sickened unto death.

It seems that his partner prided himself on his culintiry skill, and affected sujjcriority over all others in his preparation and seasoning of a very toothsome edible which he submitted as " fish soup." A mess of fish had been caught and cooked to a turn, were ladled out to Mr. Levy as his appetite or desire to testify a proper appreciation demanded. A short time elapsed after the feast had been discussed, before -^Ir. Levy began to manifest the most alarming symptoms accompanying an attack of cholera. Remedies were applied and administered without obtaining the slightest relief for the sufferer. IJis pains became intense, and the anguish of mind of fhoso who were present superlative beyond descrifition. In a consideration of the causes which might have produced so serious eff'ect, the fish soup suggested itself, and the condiments wiiich had been emiiloyeil to render it so irresistible to tlie palate of those who had Consumed the combiiiation. '- I only put salt in it." asserted the cook, and as a last rcMU-t soiu^ht to ascertain the quality of Syracuse or Turk Island that had been used. This was done, and resulted in the di^^nwry that the snup had indeed been seasoned, hut with salts of a medicinal cliaiacter known to pharmaceutists as (ilauber." This put a new phase upon the complaint of .Mr. Levy who soon began to mend, and b(dore the sun sunk behind the Minnesota bluffs he was cnmplptely restored to health. To this day he remembers the fish soup and the seasonin"' of Glauber salts which at one time tiii-eatened his lease of life.

-Among tho~e who visited La Crosse this year for ])uri)oses of observation, s]ieciihition and settlement, was 1). F. Lo\elaiid. lie was tVom the East, and acconqianied .Mr. .Mvriek on the return of that gentleman iVmn oiif ijf his touis thither. His idea was to establi-li himself in La Crosse, and it was with a view to that end that he came. But after a brief Sojourn under the patronage of Mr. Myrick, 'luring which he doubth'--; c,inva-<ed the situation sifii-liictoniv to liims'df at least, he retraced his steps and settled at (ialeiia. But others v.ho came in did so to slay and remained. .'Vmong these were James Connelly wdio opened a farm in the Mormon ' o iley. Lloyd L. Lewis returned fr.im the IvHt with his funilv, which consisted of f uir sons and several daughters, and took pos.;es>iou of tin- tariii eigiite'en miles north of La I'los^e. He had selected the previous fall, and laid the foundation of what has since been known as the Settlement." William liettinger arrived atel settled in the village, the first carpenter to offer liis services to the public in La Crosse. George Fetherlein came in also and became a

These were the prominent arrivals in La Crosse and the immediate vicinity, James Day, Henry Atcliison, N. Garrett, II. Wedge, Broekway and Smith went to Black River. John Elder divided his time between La Crosse and Jilack River. J. and X. Cliarabers confined tlicir residence to Black River and vicinity, while John SoniuierviUe removeil to Minnesota.

The coming of those mentioned very naturally created some activity in trading and agricultural circles. The village grew in proportion, and boasted of five houses, Myiick's, Levy's, Cameron's, White's and Fetlieriein's. The farmers were James Connelly, Phillip Young, the Nagle Brothers anil a Frenchwoman who subsequently married Charles Nagle. Everything was new, of course, aiil with all it was a struggle for existence, but with each addition to the number of the inhabitants, the struggle ceased in a measure, and the charms of life appreciated - not such as are now deemed indispensable to existence, but that fraternity of feeling which makes the whole world kin, which smoothes over roagli places, which finds expansion in sympathies and rejoices at the success of a fellow-mau. Such were the charms that were experienced during the more youthful days of La Crosse, intensified by the trials each settler was obliged to encounter ami cementing a bond of brotherhood which the lapse of years has failed to dissipate.

As typical of the kindly feelings that existed, and the generous charity that was exercised in those days, the fdlowing is relateil : The first week in June, a raft arrived from Black River, having on board a young man named Rankin, sufl'ering from disease ami the fracture of two ribs. He was brought oti sliore, and as the result of an effort to procure liim accommodations, he was taken to the residence of Mr. Levy, and the attempt to nurse him back to health and strength commenced, ^Ir. Levy officiating in capacity of physician and hospital steward. He sank, however, .and during the night succeeding the third day of his treatment, the invalid was heard to call out fur a sup of water. Mr. Levy responded to his call, and raised him up to take the draught, when the unforturiate young man gasped spasmodically, threw back his head and yielded up the ghost. His body was rolled up in a sheet, placed in a cofiin and buried. The [loor wayfarer on life's highway was without money or friends, save those the occasion gave birth to, and wearied, doubtless, and worn with the endless strife, he turned as he placed his hand on death's gace and smiled upon t'uese new-found friends before he wandered through.

In the fall, a man claiming to be the uiicle of the dcceaseil came ^^'est. and, after rambling over the State, visiteil La Crosse in search of his effects. After identifying himself to Levy and the citizens generally, he began to innuire as to the estate of his nephew, and demanded an inventory on the supposition that his inheritance would be large. But as already hinted, the youiig man was buried by those to whom he was indebteil for care and attention, and, much to the chagrin of the covetous relative, he returned to the East as ho had arrived in La Crosse, empty-handed. He remained among those who had ministered to the wants of deceased (and, if opinion could be based on the limited re]iorts of his stav which are let fail occasionally, without securing their good will), during the winter, and went whence he came, vy-ithont Idcssings or protest.

The Fikst Fourth Of July

With the advent of 184G. it was believed prosperity had begun to dawn upon the infant settlement, which would grow in strength, influence and importance as the year progressed on its course. And this was in part realized before Old Father Time had run the race set before him. The spring was one of charming balminess, lending an air of beauty to the village and surroundings, and makitig the settlers' hearts to rejoii^e at the prospects held out witti each succeeding day. There was one embargo, however, to the perfect felicity their absence might have created, and that was the existence of mos(|uitoes in such numbers as to defy all attempts directed nt their siqipression or partial extinction. When citizens left the village to transact business cl>e\Nhere, they were met on their return with such welcomes as mosf[uitoe3 only can extend. Often the vicious little pests would go out into the woods to meet the absent one, and before tlie latter was able to escape they had so entirely invested his person with attack that retreat was impossible, and he was forced to submit to their a^'gressive deni;irids.

Occasionally tliey were soiirrbt to be smoked out, and this was found to be efficacious. V>ut when tiie -'smudge" became exhausted they returned in force, and tlie last stage of the allliction was not unfreijuently worse tlian the first. Upon a trial made by Dr. Snow to relieve the log house occupied by Mr. Levy and family, himself and myriads of the pestiferous tykes, the family made a narrow escape from smothering to death, and avoided a repetition of the dan^'cr by avoiding its cause and endeavoring to avoid mosiiuitoes.

Notwithstanding these incidents the people were iiajipy, and when, on the od of July, 1S46, Cajit. Nichols, from Pdack River, moored his raft of lumber at the foot of Pearl street,"^and announced that he did so with a view to celebrate and recreate on tiie ensuing anniversarv of American independence, every ellort that would contribute to making the celebration a success was piomised. Accordingly, the next day Mr. Nichols, accompanied by his help, came a.^iore, and rendezvousing at the trading-posts, expressed their appreciation of 'the self sacrifice of Revolutionary patriots, the courage they evinced, and the honor that was due tbcm, in a manner appropriate to the occasion, concluding their morning festivities with a dinner to \\hich all were invited to become guests. After the edibles and still more potent drinkables hud been ailjusted to the crowd, and while all were in that post-prandial condition of good humor peculiar to the day and the assciubhige. it was ilecid.d that the ceremonies would be decidedly incomplete unless the observances were fmpha.-iztd by a speech from some earnest, if the reverse of silvervton^ued, orator.

This duty was asMgned Nicholas by common consent, and in default of a rostrum f,'r st\ an inverted diog-head was inipro->ised to thas service. Mounted upon this he expatiated at Icngtli upon the glories, the sciences, the institutions, and the laws of a republic that dated its bi7th seventy years before. lie was proceeding quite happily, it is said, evoking encomiums without liuiit. and applau-e without stint, and promised an indefinite continuance. Unhappily for tlie subject and the day, he became thirsty at one of his most clo.juently rounded jicriods, a'nd being unable to resist the craving, halted in his address and calbii fjr water, or such other liquid remedial agent as was accessible. This was obtained, of course, and the uses to which it was adapted successfully employed in the in-tanco undi'r consideration, when the speaker resumed the thread of his discourse. He had not proceeded far, though, before the weight on the impromptu stage was unexpectedly augmented, and, yielding to the pressure, incontinently gave way. While the cheers which greeted the rhetorical thunderbolts Mr. Nichols was launching into the crovd were still ringing, that gentleman disappeared into the inner consciousness of the hogshead. Those who surrounded him on the rostrum were precipitated to the ground while the cro\\d fled in all directions, and the festivities were suspended. The orator recovered his equilibrium with as.-isiaiice. and upon taking an mventnrv of his injuries found that none of them vere serii.us. but crncluding the day i.;id bo;ii keptin a manner' both genial and generous, inclined to abstain frcm luiiher atteu'ijits. Q'he next morninir, before Eun-up. himself and crew loosed their cables and Wiut sailing dovn the river.

'i his was tlie first celebration uf the national anniversary of which any news can be obtained, and was doubtless the one which anticipated all others which have been undertaken in I>a. Crosse. There was a notable absence of ceremonials peculiar to later observances of the d:!y, but it IS lemcud.ered by those who were then jiresent and stiU survive as an ejiisoile in t!ie history of the place that can never be forgotten or belittled.

During thi- year the Indians were numerous, and not unfrequently annoying:. Thev constantly haunted tlic trading posts, and, unless kejit under caiel'ul espionage, did not hesit'ate !-> appropriate to their ov.ii u-es j.roperty to w hich purchasers ahine were considered privileged. It di.-eovered in an act of dishiuusty, the iliscuvery was a source of chagrin which at long intervals culminated in attack, in which the white always came out best, simply because he was always on the alert and prepared to resent and resist." As an example, the experience of Mr. Levy may he cited : In September of this year he had sold an Indian some article which the mental " aftenuartli " of the savage constrained him ti^ refuse to take. Whereupon he demanded the return of tiie purchase price, which was refuscil. Levy and Snow were at that time busily occupied in cmnpleting tlieir dwelling, and little attcTition was paid to the maneuvers of tlie brrjoding and, as the sequel proved, resentful Winnebago. At an unexpected moment, and when he thought himself to be unobserved, the Indian whipped a knife out of his belt and sprang for Mr. Levy, who was standing some distance from liis assailant. The latter fell short of his -.vork, and Levy, seizing an adze helve, met him as he approached with a powerful blow, inflicting a severe wound involving the fi\icture of an arm, and thereby saving his life. The wounded brave retii-ed from active service without delay, and until his arm was restored to its pristine strength and healtli remained secluded.

Upon another occasion, he acted in the capacity of a surgei.in to a wouiided squaw, under the following circumstances : The Lidians were prone to quarrel among themselves, but as is not the case among AtigloSaxons, squaws were rarely the occasion, though extremely jealous. Wlien one of tlic gentler sex was '- led astray," she was made to satisfy tlie vengeance of her husband or kindred. At the time referred to, a buck was noticed to leave one of tlie village stores hurriedly, and departing into the high grass became invisible. Soon after a squaw rushed into Levy's store holding up her hands to her face, which was bleeding profusely, the blood trickling down through hei- iingers. U|)on iiiquiry being nia le, she refused to answer as to the Cause, whereufion examination was made, and it was found tliat her husband, or some one in authority, had amputated the squaw's nose, and that she was cmluring the pain with Spartan firmness, rather than expose the disgrace. But Levy refused to stand by without oft'erine to relieve her aflliction, and there being nothing else available, lie clapped a quid of tobacco on the wound, which caused the flow of blood to cease, and acted in the nature of a soothing remedy, finally effecting a cure, wliich, however, was far from perfi.'ct, the unfortunate fenjale being marked for life.

This same buck, who had decapitated the proboscis of his wife, while in tlie villarje one day. became enraged at one of his companions and rushed upon hiin in a frenzy of madness with a drawn knife in his hand. The assault was irresistible, and. as he grasped his antagonist by the hair, he drove the deadly wca[ion down through his face and mouth, and, before the force of the blow was broken, the knife had become fast in the victim's lower jaw, from which its removal 'was api«rent]y impossible. lie was interrupted before being able to repeat the vicious attack, and, after some trouble, Le\y succeeded in extricating the cau-e of the wound. Its withdrawal was followed by a current of bright-red arKTJal blood, and for a lirief period it seemed as if his chances to chase the antel'ipe over the plain or engage in pursuits si.i congenial to the savage soul, were of an extremely limited character. In this emergency, the tobacco quid was again made use of with results equally as gratifying and beneficial as upon the former occasion.

These were some of the domestic dramas and embryo tragedies to which tlie early settlers were treated, neither class of which, it will be universally admitted, were calculated to inspire the intellectual or excite the mirthful.

The improvements during IS-l*! were neither more general nor expensive than had been those of the {irevious annual. Lut they were scarcely needed, it may be said, and those who were on the ground, being comf n-table, felt no special desire to consult the comfort entirely of those who had not at that time united their fortunes to the ri-^ing villaL'c. When they came, it would be time to consummate arrangements looking to the coinplctii'ii of improvements that, until the hajipening of this event, could only be projected. When, in after years, the predictions made in behalf of La Crosse were verified, the .city contained n large number of improvements projected at this time by tlu' men who were tlun in the front ranks of enterprise, and erectcil as the demand for them materialized.

Among those that were raisctl into prominence in ISlij, was the bowling alley erected by Myrick & Miller, near the corner of Vine and Front streets. Gambling, as a rule, was never to any extent cultivatoil in La Crosse, an'] this applies to its earlier as well as its later days. That indulged in was niostly among boatmen or Indians, both of the nomadic classes whose permanence of abode is never decided upon. The games of the former were those usual to the river and ten pins, of the latter La Crosse," or ball. and. when an opportunity was presented, those in which the pale-face excelled. The frequeut arrivals of flat-boats and rafts at La Crosse, where they stopped for supplies an^i other purposes, as also the serai-monthly arrivals of steamers, had made the village f[uite a landing-place, at which travelers, raftsmen, loggers, and the hoi polloi, were wont to resort for brief periods. This f;ict, and the further fact that there was no species of amusement to be ha<l, governed in procuring the building of the bowling alley during the summer. To supply this demand, then, it was put up and opened previous to cold weather. Some difficulty was experienced in procuring the tools " and equipments, which came from various points, and were bv no means of the mathematical e.xactness in dimensions or of as elegant finish as those which were substituted in their place years afterward. The pins were made of soft wood and architectui al extravagances, it is said, while the balls were constructed of almost any substance, the chief property of wliicli was solidity and capacity to resist damage, pine knots entering largelv into their composition. In thisold ball-alley, doubtless, many an e.xciting game was played, in which reputation for skill and large sums of money were the stakes. Whites and Indians, while the latter remained in the vicinity, were the patrons, the victors and the defeated. The old building has long since been torn away, but could its walls recount the scenes which have been witnessed within their embrace, how much could be related that would amuse and instruct.

Ill the summer. Levy & Sn(3w determined to enlarge tiieir storage and residence capacity, to do which it \^as deci<led to erect a new house, of which the log cabin then occupied should become an ad.dition. This question being disposed of, a carpenter named jManahan, from Prairie du Chien, was secured, and Mr. Lew proceeded to P.lack River, where hesecured the iiecessary lumber. With the preliminaries thus arranged, the erection of the house was begun and prosecuted so rapidly that its cum]]letion was reached in September, its occupation attained before fro^t. This was the first frame buiMing erected up to that date between Prairie du Chien and Red ^Ving.

1'he venture of Levy i Snow had been attended \\ith success. The firm had prospered, and, with increasing resources, sought to iuiprove the vicinity as a point of attraction for ^trangers. In addition to other u-^es, the new iiouse was utilized for hotel purposes, and there are residents of Wisconsin now who first accepted hospitality in that frame tavern standing at the corner of Pearl and Front streets, where to-day the International proflers shelter and entertainment to the weary and hu^iirry - for a consideration.

The house answered the purposes for which it was designed, and survived the rush of matter and the wreck of things tenqioral until 186"2, when it went up in ilime and smoke during the extensive confhiL'ratiou which swept over the city in that year.

At this time flS4f,). the population of the present county did not exceed twenty. Besides those residing in tlie vilhige. tin-re were a verv few white men between Fort Snelling and La (^rosse, and scarcely any at the fjrmev plaue nut^ide the gnri-on. Between La Crosse and Fort Winnebago or Portage, there were few, if any. P.etween La Crosse and Prairie du Chien there was a Mr. Mctzger on the ridge twenty miles east; a Mr. Ilazen between Yiroqua and Prairie du Chien. and Mr. Sterling, Mr. Graham and two farmers whose names cannot be recalled, near Liberty Pole. From these statements the isolation of La Crosse can be regarded as other than an unsupported assertion.

In the fall of l>!4ii. Levy oc Snow secured a contract for carrying the mail between Prairie du Ciiieii and Fort Snelling. Levy manairing tlie transfer from ihe furiuer point to La Crosse. and Snow the remaindiT of the n'Ute. Tiie pjuch, which was by im means bulky, was borne on horseback behind the rider, and the tri]i was made.

Upon one of these excursions, Mr. Levy, while mounted frll through the ice of Mormon Creek, n.-irrowly escaping with his life. He wore a iieavy marine liat with a protruding visor.

and, as lie plunged into tlie water liead-lir^t, the hat was projecteil in such a manner as to prevent the tluid cnterin- his mouth and nostrils, and after a short delay, he " righted " and regained solid ground. The horse, however, was lost, and the mail received a gratuitous and thorough wetting.

From 1815 to 1S4S. the ]Mijiulati'i!i of the county remained about the same; but as soon as Vr.scon>in passed from Territoiia! e>)ndi;ioii to State government, immigration began to flow in from all quarters, and La Crosse received considerable accessions. Those who came were of the enterprising, thrifty character, which has aided so materially in the development of the great undertaking that met them at the threshold on their arrival". They were spared many of the vicissitudes and privations to which the pioneers; who had ventured into the wilderness, where no wdiite man was known to ha\e lived, had been subjected, but they did the work tiiat was set before them with fidelity, and upon the foundations laid by Myrick, Levy. ^Lller, Snow and others, erected the super-structure of a municipality that reflects honor upon its founders, ;uid they experienced hapjiicr times too. Far happier than had been the portion of men who had settled in other pari-^ of Wisconsin at an earlier day. True, the Lidians yet remained a prominent factor in the sum of cvery-day life, but they were harmless, contented to enjoy the safer excitements of the chase, than decorating their belts with the scalps of .settlers. As already observed, their covetous disposition occasionally manifested its vitality in poaching upon the settlers' stores. Still, their position as dependents was maintained, and their subordinate condition, at all events, until removed beyond the limits of La Crosse bailiwick, preserved one of the incidents of the history of those times.

There was another aliliclion the later comers, as also the first settkr.s, were spared; that was the panic of ISvT. Tiic ellects of over-trading, e.vcessive bank issues, etc., were not visited upon them, but they were aiiled iu the solution of life's problem by the fact that these evils had expended their force.

Under auspices created Ijy the absence of these hinlrances, the yen- 18-tT began its race with Time. The prospects bright with promise, seemed to have found an abiding-place in La Crosse County of the future. Tl:e picture of that future exposed to the gaze of admirers and the world, was traced in brilliant colors, and in after years, this speculative elaboration of the country's resources was fully realiz.'d ; the dreams of wealth they begot took shape, and were resolved into substantial fruitions. 'J'he current of events which may be said to have begun its liov,- in the direction of permanent success about this time, was not diverted from the channel by the eventc which happened in succeeding years. The scenes of today, natural results of a wise fiolicy prompting action among these beginners, are changed indeed, from those of thirty years back. The arts of peace have been so indulgently nurtured, and so stea'lily sustained, as that they have borne fruits, some tenfold and some an huudrcd-fohl to magnify the age and agencies in which they were born, and by w hich they were perfected. IMessed be the day ivhen the human mind awoke to freedom, and wlien the human race were released from an enchantment that, during a less h.ippier age, enslaved them.

One of the most pmniinent events of 1*^47 was the tir.-t birth. This is always an important circumstance in every i\ewly-settlcd community, ami adds -a cubit, us it were, to the reputation of the vh'initv, a- al-o to the stature of those more immediately interested. The case in jHjint doubtless failed to j.n.ve the rule, by proving to be an exception. It was a daughter to the fimily of II. .1. 1!. Miller, nauird Martha. George Fetherlein, an industrious German, wh.i came in this year with a cnipany ijf five of the same nationality, consisting of Fetherlein and wife, X'alentiiie I'lni.iii.'cr and wit'r, ami a young man named i'iiilliji.

The stranger who first ;iiiii"unri'd hei- pre-ence in La t,_ r^ssc. in notes of infant melody, was warmly welcomed it is said, and made to feel as much at home as the oldest inhabitant. She was an object of intere-t to re-ideiits and strangers, and grew to womanhood under the name of .Martha; she lived at la^t accounts in Illinois.

Dinninger was cmployeii by Mr. Levy, and liveil in the log cabin put up by Asa White, iifar Uund's oM Front street brewery. He died in after years, and liis widow became Mrs. Hogge, who resided after lier second marriage on a farm near State lload Cooley. Phillip lived with Fetterlein an(l wife, passing his time during the winter in renovating and mending saddles, harness, etc., for sett!i:r<. In the summer, he was accustomed to supply customers and passin" boats with fi-^li, by v.-jiich means he was enabled to make a csmfurtable livirig. In 1854, while he, in company with Tctherlein. were crossing the river in a skiff, the craft was swamped bv the swell of a passing steamer and sank, carrying the occupants of the frail boat to the bottom before aid could be jirovidcd t':i save them fi'oni a watery grave.

Cakekr Of Hon. Ti.Mothv Uukxs

Some time during this year (1S47). it is believed Hon. Timothy Burns, afterward Lieutenant Gov.crnur of the State, and a gentleman who contributed, both individually and through others, to making La Crosse v/hat it now is, was passing the present site of tlie city. It was then a collection of log houses, with Levy's hotel and Myrick tt .Miller'.s trading-post, the most elaborately constructed establisliments to attract attention. There were no trees or shrubberj' of auT kind from the river to the blafis, anil the appearance of tilings" then bore little resemblance to that which grew up in after years. Yet i\h-. Burns was captivated by the location of the town for business purposes, and halted and examined into the commercial prospects thereof. This occupied some time, and, after a careful investigation of the facts, ho became thoroughly convinced that there were few sites on the river possessing the advantages of La Crosse, and decided to rt;move heie so soon as he should be able to effect arrangements for that purpose.

lie was one of the remarkable men great ontcrjiri-:es produce, and to liim, more than any one iiidividu:il. it is s;iid La Crosse is imlebtcd for her present prosperity. He was born in Dublin, lulanil. May 01. 1820, and. while yet an infant, was brought by his parents to America, landing in New York. Here he remained uiitil 1837. In the fall of that year, he immigrated to Wisconsin, and. settling in Iowa County, where he engaged in mining, so continuing until 1844, when he was elected SheritV; a member of the General Assembly in 184G, re-elected in 1848, and chosen Speaker at that session. Upon the expiration of hi- term as member of the Legislature, Mr. Burns became one of the Commiss;oii*:'rs of the Board of Public Works, and. in 18.")1, Lieutenant Governor of the State.

Ill ls.',(l. he removed to La Crosse, which he t'orctaw was destined to become one of the leading cities of the State, investing largely in land. At one time, he owned one-quart^'r of the original town site. His interest and efforts in advancing the prosperity of the city he had selected as a home, and his prominence in State affairs, made him a favored object by his fellowcitizens for the bestowal of such official and honorary confidences as was within their [lOwer. These iiicludcd the chairmanship of the first Town Bo.ird. that of the first County Board, the first County Judge, and, as stated. Lieutenant Governor of the State.

His career, iiowever. after his elevation to the office of Deputy E.xecutive of the State, was of brief duration. I>iiring the incumlieucy, he visited a brother-in-law, Warren Johnson, of La Fayette County, aiid while here was prostrated by an attack of bilious ftver. Every attention Was paid to the invili 1 me lical skill could suggest, and his convalesence hastened by the loving devotion of friends and rchitives, enabled him in the fill of IS 53 to undertake the trip homeward. He reached Li (_!r>is-e in an e.xliau-ted condition, and was burne from the boat to his residence, whence lie never more departed until carried to the tomb, universally mouriiei] bv citizens and friends, nliose admiration and confidence he had done so much to attract.

The death of a man so enterprising, so public-sjiiriied and of so commendable ambition as that e.xpre.--cd in the chaiacter of Gov. Burns, C'Hild bf no less than a deplorable misfjrtime to tlie State, the coii-itituency he represented, and the city whoso prosperity and permanent g..od he so sincerely an(l earne-tly sought to promote. He g.ivc his sup]iort most cheerfully to any meritorious undertaking, and. his advncary of a movement f.r the public benefit, invariably added an impetus, and cau-ed its advance toward tlie wished-for consummation. In private

^ Hon Timothy Burns, UeutciamT^ovornor of Wisconsin, died lU hi. residouce this mon.inK. at a little rmst 1-' 0 clock, of hilliou. lever. His f.tmily hnd heeti viMtin.^ their rehuive, in the somhern part of the .State for Several months pi.t where some two weeks since the Uovernor joined them, on lii<= w:iv to the democratic State Ponveuuon, as a de e?nle from this Asseti.hly district. While visiting with his family at the re^idence of Warren Johnson t.s,i of La l-ayetto County, a brother-iridaw. he whs tikcn .lo«n with a violent attack of the di.sease with which he died hut 111 a tew days so far recovered as to be able to start for h.une, where he arrived bv the steamer Ur Fr.mW lin Sunday eveuinj: last, very mucli fatigued, and cvhibitinj evident symptoms of a relapse. Medical 'aid'^-s" immediately called, but the disease yielded not to medical treatment. It is doubtful whether he was fully sensible h the , f""'i°-- ,"'"' of/r-esd.^y he expressed a frood deal of anxiety, and a desire to recover: but un i^ h? le.';;' " ''-''.^'""^ -nJ l^"er i" the evening entirely insensible, in which state he rem. ue eo.^H b,"'r """'^ '",""" citizens, its counsels one of the most sound, ene.-etic minds of which it rr ^ '^^^'"'\''>'',""V"' '^"'^'' ''^'^1'=^ I'^^-e I'^ulamore brilliant political career. His influence has e^;S M''''';r;''r'''-'''^'''°^^'''''' '^''^' """^^'^ generally, and the all-absorbing railroad interest' especa y, than that of any, If not all of the present State .administration, although occupying a secondary posinon Me was a man of superior native mind, and notwithstanding he was empha'tically wluif is termed a "selfmade man, Ins political career had not thus ended if his life ha,l been spared him. And yet, there is one more

A Stikrixg Evknt

In the month of September of this year, 1847, a circumstance happened v.hich created immense excitement among the residents of La Crosse, involving the character and reputation of one citizen temporarily by the fear that he was guilty of the crime of murder, and had his suspected victim been found dead, as he was at one time likely to have been, the fate of a niui'derer would doulitless have been decreed him.

At the time mentioned, J. M. Levy and H. J. B. Miller, " Scoots," were elected to represent this portion of the county to attend'a convention to be held at Liberty Pole for the selection of delegates to the Constitutional Convention about to be reconvened at Madison, the labors of their convention held the previous year having been rejected by the people. Accordingly Levy and Miller proceeded thither, and'having executed the trust confided to them, retired to woo -- tired natures sweet restorer" with' the nmlerstanding that whoever awoke first the following morning should call the one vrho remained asleep. It happened on the ensuing morning that Miller was the first to L'reet the dawn of day, but neglected to summon his companion, and departed w-ithout him. "When Mr. Levy resumed consciousness, it was to a realizing sense that he was alone, and hurrying jireparations finally started off in pursuit of the departing colleague. En route Mr. Levy followed an entirely new trail by which he overtouk Miller distant five miles from the point of departure. They jnurneyed together for a considerable distance, when Levy alighted from his horse to j.ick up something that he had accidentally dropped. At this juncture. Miller's horse becoming frightened and unmanageable, rushed wildly ofi", and before its rider could regain control had put quite a distance between himself and Levy. The latter jogged on for several hours without coming U)) with Miller, and at last awoke to the cheerful conviction thai lost in the woods he might wander at will for an indefinite period without satisfactory results. He took courage with the thought however that his absence would cause the neighbors to institute a search, also he was pr'K)f against despair, and able to contend with misfortune for several days. Notwithstanding these encouraging incidents, the victim was far from enjoying that peace of mind which he enjoyed at home and among friends.

That day he subsisted on wild plums and acorns, and wheu darkness fell from the wings of night, he tethered his horse, built a fire to protect him from the attacks of prowling wolves, and lay down to dreams that no one would presume to call pleasant.

In the meantime, Miller reached home in safety, after dark, and little an.\iety was felt for the safety of Levy. But when, on the following morning, it was ascertained that Miller had arrived solus, the qaestiou was naturally suggested as to what had become of his comp;uiion. This interiogatory became more emphatic when it was further known that Miller's condition and appearance were such as to create grave suspicions in the minds of the most equitable that he was personally res])onsible for the deep damnatifui of Levy's taking oft". He had returned without blanket or saddle, scratched and wounded, with hi^ arm in a sling, and altogether appearing as one who had sustained severe injuries in an encounter. That morning he was visited by Dr. Snow and inrerrogated as to the whereabouts of Levy, to whom he stated '"he didn't know ; he didn't start with me." To another ho answered. " Levy had probably gone to Prairie du Chien ; " to still anolhei'. that he was en route to Black River, probably; and to Mrs. Levy reports equally as improbable and unsatisfiictory. These contradictory stories, the jieculiar conduct of Miller, his suspicious actions and rambling rcmai-ks, eombineil to confirin the belief of those who augured him a murderer and iriduce a conclusion amonL: those who refused to be governed by appearances abjn--, that he would experience considerable difiiculty in proving his innocence. While these opinions and beliefs were being mooted. Miller remained glum, eccentric, inaccessible. lie seemed to take no thought of the consequences or to hurry out to meet trouble.

"While this was the condition of afi'iirs in"La Crosse, Levy was battling with hunger, desolation and renewed difficulties in the woods. His position was critical, and his emotions must have been the reverse of pleasing. On the second day of his solitude, he woke I'rom a trouble-l slumber, and having breakfasted on the only edible accessible to research, the same that fur- nishe<l him his foo'l the -lay preceding, he resuiiied his wanderings, ho])ing before night to rest from his hibors. 'J'he d.iy passed, anil no sign of encouragement lightened its ghjom. Plums and acorns, a fire, a bed of loaves, darkness, desolation, despair - such were his surroundings, such his companions the second night in the forest. On the following morning, while listlessly dozing, his ears were gratified by tiie sound of a steamer near by. With shouts of thanksgiving he caught his horse, and mounting the faithful animal, starteil in the direction of the river, to wiiicli he was guided b_v the steady puff from the escape pipe and regular working of the machinery.

Tiiesame night, utTairs at La Crfj-se had nearly culminated. If Mr. Levy failed to return hy the ne.xt morning, it \sas decided t'> [U-.jceed at once to Prairie dii Ciiien and procure Miller's apprehension. The condition of afTairs at the hoinc of the mi-siiig man v,-as scarcely less deplorable than with himself. As Mrs. Levy would go out into tlic night in the vain hope that she might hear of or from her husband, the howl of the wolf drove hei back with the conscious conviction that he v.ould return no more. L pon her return to the house, she was obliged to pick her way through a niol) of drunken raftsmen who occupied the rooms and hallway of her home, and, returning to the family room, pass the weary hours with memory and in tears.

Wlien the morning dawned, Mr. Levy failing to appear, preparations were made to execute the decision of the previous evening to cause the arrest of .Miller. The raftsmen, who had been drinking the night before, were somewhat tardy in their departure, amJ it was not until nearly 10 o'clock that they \\cre ready to loosen the hawsers and continue their trip to the Gulf At this juncture, and before the raft up'iu wiiich Smw had embarked, parte 1 fi'om the shore. Lew was noticed in the distance and drew rapidly into view of the surprised and delighted neighbors, for all had given him up for dead.

^Vhen the river was reached on the morning of the third d:iy, related Mr. Levy, he cast adrift into the water, to ascertain the direction it was flowing, and this decided, he resumed his hunt for the abode of some one who v.-ould enlighten him as hi where he was. After a brief hunt for this haven of deliverance, lie readied Philip Young's cabin, half starved, naked and more nearly resembling the Sancho Paiiza of Spanish romance than the sfiirit of enter])rise which he was, in fact, of more modern times.

The result of his coming su^pcnd'.'d ojierations looking to a judicial investigation, the fatted calf, meta])horically speaking, was killed, for he that was lost had returned. Both made narrow escapes from violent deaths, and one of them still survives to recount his experience on those eventi'ul days.

This year was characterized by an immense freshet in Black River, and its tributaries. The rains had been fre(|neiit and heavy, and the currents of these streams swollen to their utmost tension poured f uiii their surplus waters into the .Mississipjji and about the surroutiding country, carrying ruin ami de-tihiti.jii \shciever it tided, and leaving its marks for months following the decline.

As one of the cm-e'iuences of this un])recedcntLd flood, sieknes-; broke out in the lumber camps, h'ever of a very malarious type spread among the loggers, raftsmen and mechanics, and, through some unexplained circumstance or combination of circumstances, before the disease could he checked it became c])ideinic. The care and attention which couhl be aflorded at best in the luiiibir camps, was scarcely C'jual to that rcjuired fur comjilete reeo\erv, and wlicn the epidemic set in. the ageni.-ies nece>-=ary tii providing f'r the sick, not less than burving the dead, were nnt to be had. The result wai that n.any of tlex-e v!io had been ])reserved fr^un attack, fled to points on tlic ri\er aiMi e!>e"h!?ie, as security against the disease - those atllicted to be nursed hack to health, and llio.-e eoiivahscJng, f >r a change of scene to revive their almost jiaralyzed vitalities.

A hy no mean-; limited per cent from all the classes cited came to La Crosse, and the present city fu- a spell iichites .Mr. Myrii-k) bore more the apiioarance of a hospital than an ambitious Village. A large proportion of those who reached this point recovered, but some died

;in(l were buried in tlio churchyard improvised on tlie knoll at ari earlier day. With the close of the warm period the di;;case lapsed, but whether from lack of material t(i operate uj)on or because it had run its course, scientific research has failed to promulgate.

The village, at the close of this year, was more a village in fact than in name. Houses had become rather more in esse than in futiiro, and the prognostications began to be more confidently c.xiiressed as to what the ensuing year would develop. The country tributary was being settled by farmers, including, in addition to those mentioned, the firms of Miller on Upper Cooley, My rick's farm in the same locality, Cameron's farm, that of White and the liunnell property. -Vs yet, there was no stage, probably because there were no roads. Excursions were made on liorseback, and, when necessity reijuired, on foot. The mail catiie once in two weeks in summer by canoe, steamer or horse as the case happened to be, and in the winter by a French or dog train. There were no amusement of any kind, save cards and ten pins, no schools; and, until the year ls4',', whenever a sermon was heard or the \\ord of God spoken, it was from the deck of a passing steamer, whereon a traveliiig missionary was entertained as a passenger. In the fall of ])^-l9, however, this was changed.

On the Sunday preceding St. John's Day (Juno 24). occurred the first preaching within the surveyed limits of La Crosse. The services were of the Episcopal faith, and conducted by the Revs. Dr. l>reck. Wilco.x Merrick and Deacon llolconib. In the morning, an excursion was made, and a cross erected at the end of Main street, in the shadow of the bluffs, and in the afternoon at Mr. Levy's house, where a daughter of " Scoot's " Miller was baptized. They were attended by residents for miles around, and a fervent feeling was doubtless manifested upon so grave and suggestive an occasion - an occasi.jn when a public acknowledgment of the goodness -of God to the children of men was first made in His temples, on the shores of the Father of Waters, by the residents of La Crosse County.

In addition to the names of those alreaily quoted as having come in during 1847, the following are to be adiled, as the claim is made of their arrival here in the fall of the same season : Peter F.bner and wife, Feli.x Kai<er and wife. Mr. Doerflinger and family and Joseph Ebner and sister. Joseph subseipiently married his brother Peter's widir.v, while the sister became a iMrs. Laker.

Beyond the unc-Xpeeted mortality occasioned among the settlers from Black River and the wanderings of Mi-. Levy, no events occurred during l>s47 that have been heard of worthy of more than passing comment. During the prevalence of the epiilemic, business and improvements, as also the sources of labor and independence, came to a stan'I-still. The sick were aided so fir as it could be done, and the dead buried by the Samaritan citizens, who, in times of danger and tribulation, rise up as unexpectedly as dispensations of Providence. So, too, when the continued absence of Mr. Levy caused fears as to liis fate, the utmost sympathy was expressed. a willingne-s to probe the matter thoroughly manifested, and his return warmly greeted.

By 1848, the population of the county had not measurably increased. The mnjor portion of those who were credited on the cen^us roll resided, of course, at the village and its imniediate vicinity. The impi-ovements were still of a nominal ch.aracter. Main street, as now described, was ari unimproved dirt road, rendered impa-^sable nearly all the time, either by mud or sand. The jircsent city site was a vast prairie, with the hills in the distance rich in their garniture of grasses and llouer^, while oiT to the north and on the islands that divided the Mississii)pi opposite the city, were the resting-places i.if the Winnebago and other tribes of Indians. Today's visitoi' to La (.Tos<e would hardly receive a description of the country as it was forty years ago. The lanilscnpf, now dotted witli handsome residences, beautiful gardens, expensive improvements, and all that can conrribiiti' in the rt-motest degree to render life comfortable, was an :dtuo-ir I'ndb'v-; waste of sand, with verv little to attract even rasual observation. Its location, liowfver, had ])ersuaded the pioneer settlor who still resided liere to break ground six years beb>rc, and his example had obtained, though slowly, until a {jopul.ation of nearly twenty souls had congregated here to grow up with the town and partici]iate in such benefits as should thereafter accrue to them as a reward fir their enterprise and patience. The embarrassments inci- for the night - the one to plan to prey, and the other to plan an escape ; for while the sales were in progress, the companion of Levy heard them conspiring to steal back the skins while their purchasers slept, and secure them at any sacrifice. So as soon as the purchases could be securely packed on the sleigh, the traders hitched up their team, and by very careful manai'enient were enabled to elude the vigilance and cunning of the savages, and get out of their reach. They traveled all night, and reached home at daylight the ne.xt moruing, happy in their good fortune, while the Indians, on discovering their escape, as was afterward ascertained, pranced about with fury and disappointment.

When the decision to remove the savages to Crow River Ileservation was promulgated, as may be reailily inferred, it wiis not accepted with a spirit of resignation or willingness to aecei>t the situ.'ition. The Imlian character is notoriously deficient of those characteristics which breed these excellent virtues. On the contrary, they swore they would not go, and employed every means available or to be availed of to give emphasis to this determination. l)<indv and his band were particularly severe in their denunciation of the move, and specially determined not to go. In ^lay, the excitement ran high, and fears of trouble were expressed. During tliat month, a number of the head men among the Indians sought Mr. Levy and asked permission to hold a council in his house, which was granted on condition th.it the participants remained sober and refrained from manifesting too much war spirit. They accepted those stipulations and returned to their camp, a short distance up the river. The next morning, the river was crowded with canoes, fdlcd with Indians painted to represent them in the most unamiablc mood, with feathers in their liair and other evidences of warlike intentions. The spectacle while aboriginal, and in some respects attractive, was not calculated to inspire the settlers with a jieace of mind indescribable, but the boats were rowed to the village, where they unloaded, and the march to Levy's house began.

Upon reaching that domicile, they were surprised to find it locked, as Mr. Levy had omitted to mention the ni.itter to his wife, and she, fearful of an attack, had closed up the premises and retired to an inner room for safety. After some delay, admission was obtained and the powwow carried on in the dining room, each Indian with a pipe betwixt his teeth smoking, reflecting and expectorating with a solemnity that would have defied the profundity of a philosopher to imitate or emulate, and secured for eacli the lasting disgust of Mrs. Levy. Here they remained for two hours perhaps, when, having concluded their business, they vacated the premises and returned vrhence they came, their canoes plowing the waves of the river, the surface of which appearing in the sunlight bright and sjiurkling as the burnished shield of Achilles.

I'here was no trouble resulting from the council, neither was the decision to move them uflected thereby. Communications were aiidre-sed the authorities at ^Vashington by those kindly disposed toward tliem to which no attention was paid, and in June, they were sent further AVest to grow up with the country, accompanied by Wiiite, Marks and Ilorton, settlers in La Crosse. In LS49, those who escaped the first emigration followed in the footsteps of their brctliren, and a dissolution of the partnership of Levy & Snow was decided and accomplished upon the following basis: Snow reeeivei] the farm at tlio mouth of State Koad Cooley, and Ijevy the Spaulding claim, while the goods in stock were divided between them. Subsequently Levy purchased the claim of Ann \Vhite, and came into possession of about one-fourth of the river front.

The year ]S4',i, was rather more eventful tiian 184S had been. The country was then a )Kirudise lost about the sources and tributaries "f the Missi^-ippi. It has since become a paradise regained, with enchanting, unlimited jios-iliilities. Previous to tlie departure of the Indians, a gigantic struggle had been in pri.igress betueen them and the whites, between races, between the picturesi.pie and civilization for the possession of the rich uplands and fertile ]]rairies of the Nortliwest. To-day di-ifting down the great water-way on a radiant morning, the voyager will I'ccall nothing in his travels more varied and interesting than the city of La Crosse and its history. The home of the savages less than a half century agii, it is riow the home of wealth, enterprise, education, refinement.

New Year's Day, 1S40, was celcbruteil with considerable ceremony, and included amonp;its attendant concomitants those usual tn the season and occasion. Drinkinf];. dancint^and shootintr were indulc^ed until participants were incapacitatetl by reason of exhaustion or otlier and more persuasive influences. The winter comtueuced early, and the roads in every direction became permanently impelled at a comparatively early period. Communication was thenceforward durin'T the remainder of the season by ice. The stores and empty rooms in and abmit La Crosse were packed goods and wares, awaiting transportation, and unable, by reason of the absence of facilities to secure it. In this emergency, a party of French wns obtained, and their service.s employed in conveying frtiizht and passengers to points between Galena and St. Paul, by means of horses and sleighs. The result was that activity was apparent at La Crosse and the travel near the present city f|uite large. Indeed, during the snow blockade e.xperienced this year, tiic visitors to the new settlemctit were unu~ually numerous, but scarcely any of thosu who came remained, and norie of them were i'ientified with the subsequent growth of the settlement. villa"e or city.

The embargo continued until late in the spring, when its causes departed as une.xpcctedlv and e-xpeditiously as they had come in. When the sno\\ atid ice were i^'Uie. which was in Atirjl, the river was opened and traffic resumed, with the arrival of the -' Highland Marv," C.ipt. Atchinson, a jirofitable and elegant steamer for the days in v.diich it was operated. Thereafter during tb.e spring, the accidents and incidents of life on the prairie were similar to those previously encountered, save tliat they may have been rather more numerous, a.s the number of the inhabitants increased.

On the 5th of April the first death Iiy accident is recorded, being that of William, son of J. I\L Levy, who met his di.atli uniier the fulhi\ving circumstances: Along on the evenin ' of the day in question, he guided hi- horse to the river to w.-iter him, prcjiaratory to concluding the evening's chores. The spot selected was at a ])Mint opp',>ite tiie f)ot of Pearl street, approached from an incline, and to tlic water's edge by a steep b:nik. The lad had reached the latter place, which lie was carefully descending, followed by the horse, when he slipped, and fallin'T was thrown directly under the animal's feet. Befire ho could regain his equilibrium, the horse had stepped on the head of his victim, fracturing the skull, and inflicting wounds from the ef-Tects of whicli he died on the following morning, and was buried the same afternoon.

The settlement at this time counted on its roster of irdiabitants a shiftless fellow named Napoleon Frank, the height of whose ambition seemeil to be to covet his neighbors' floods, become pugnaciously intoxicated, and after beating his wife into submission and hel]")less fear, lie down to sleeji. undisturbul by any nther agencies than those indigenous to bacchanalian revels. During this spring. Scoots " .Miller was robbed of flour which had been laiuled from a passing boat ami left ti> await a puiclia^er, and the owner wa.-, in a quandary as to whom the guilty party would prove to be. Soon after, Napoleon i)rocured sufficient money to purchase whisky enough to get him in that condition of muscular inebriety, when he hungered to thrash the madarae, and thus accoutered be wasted no time in hunting up the object of his malevolence. She was found at home a.s usual, ami having administered a thoroughly subduing course of discipline to the defenseless victim, laid him down to contemplate other conquests in the dim land of alcoholic romance.

While he slept, Mrs. .\ap:deon, out uf all patience ;it his brutalitv, ami declining lonircr to act as a co-partner in his crim.-s, vi-ited '- Scoots." and after detailing the abuse to which she was subjected at brief intervals, concludrd with the story nf his peculative acts, including that by which he acquired tiilc to the flour, the disappearance of which had proved to be a most inexplicable conundrum to its legitimate owner. When these dark ways and not altogether vai-i tricks of the sly Najiohon were brought to the knowledge of .Tustice Miller, there was not. as might be supposed, mr.uiitiii;_' in hot ha-te. On the contrary, " Scunrs " and his confreres conferred for some time bef'U- ilecidinL' upon a course of action. Put when a policy was adopted, there were neither lacks leu- vant of mcaiis employed to procure its exercise. In the case under consideration,' diplomacy and skill combined to relea=e the wife, and relieve the settlement. To make a long stuiy sliort, she was sent to St. Paul, ainl he given a certain length of time to make his e.xit in an opposite direction, \^hic!^, candor conipels the admission, he was not slow to avail himself of. Hut, embarking in a canoe kept conveniently in ordei- for emergencies, he turned its prow in the direetii>n of the (iiilf :iiid sailed. This was the first citizen of La Crosse exiled from his adopted home, yet he was [irrniitted to return after a brief absence, but the mysterious disappearance of poitalde pri:>pei-ty never afterwanl bccnme fie([uent.

The foregoing sug^ets anothei- ca^e illustrating the presenci- of strong-mimled women in La Crosse, as well as tv[)i_s..r L'tTeiiiinacy requiring the arm of something stronger than law to urge their ilefensn. Wlicii Levy i: Snow dissolved, George Fetterlein was left a debtor to the former, with only an as>urance to liiiuidafe when able, to commend him to an unlimited indulgence. This was rather a discouraging outlook, but tiie creditor accepteil the situation and agreed to wait Fetterlein's convenience. One day in the sumujer. the latter une.\pectedly oft'ered a cow in settlement, and, to close up the account, the offer was acceiited. When the chattel was delivered, the delivery was ai:companied by a proposal to transfer a caif thereto belonging for a consideration. This was accepted, aiid the pui'cha-er (Mr. Levy) gathering up a mpo on the following morning, walked over to tlie vendiu's cabin to take possession of and guide the youthful bovine to his herd. lie reached the Fetterlein homestead while yet tliesun was in the East, and, announcing the object of his visitation. pre[iareil to bind his property, to the end that its escape would be prc'vented. lie had no sooner completed the preliminaries in that behalf before ho was apprised of the presence of an opposing force, ia the presence of Fetterlein, who tirst protested, and, without waiting to ascei'taiii the effect her eloquence would have, began an assault with such force and arms that retreat was th,' only defense wliich remained fir the victim. Acting upon this conclusion, he hesitated nut !-) leinl tiie enchantment ul' distance to his oppressor, and fled precipitately acri-'ss the prairie, followed by Mrs Fetterlein. Buth ran furiously tlimugh the damp grass, and, fjr a time, the successful C'Miipctitor was extr.'iiicly liillieult to iiaine. Mr. Levy gained some little advantage at tlie outset, but was handica])ped by the loss of his slipper, and once it looked as though the swift-winged " madame would overhaul and vanquish her nimble-footed antagonist. J-iut, at the critical moment for him, she abandoned the chase, and he reached home breathless and in his stacking feet. When the coast became clear. ]\L-s Levy ventured out and secured possession of the slippers, ami both acknowledged that a cow without a Calf was l.iy no nu-aiis the worst pha-e of existence in a new country. 'I'hey had become resigned to the situation, wiien. o!i the f dhnving nuirning. the cause of the disturbance was carted over to Levy's mansinn by Fetterlein and iblivered to its legitim;iie owner. '- That was many years ago," observes Mr. Levy, when referring to it< occurrence. " but I never will forget it, nor Mrs. Cameron's attempt to cau^e the arrest and prnserutiun of certain parties fir an alleged assaidt," while Mr. Levy was Justice of the Peace, fur whieii that gentleman could not be charmed into issuing the papers.

At this time, Cameron oecupii'd a position of prominence, assured, if not select or enviable. Scarcely any event occurred with wiiicli she was not identific 1, from a social gathering to a pulilic meeting, from a picnic to a funeral. The Fourth of July vas celebrated uitii jiomp and cireimistance this ye;Lr, in a grove near the present cemetery, and largely attended. Citizens, ]>lack Iviver lunilitrinrn and Mrs ('ameron, were present, and tlie latter contributed materially to the eiitertainment and its conclu--ion. Tlie speeches arc reprcsenteil to have been pointed and eloquent, the toasts appropriate, the edibles appetizing and the fluids ins])iriting. Late in the afternoon, at a moment wdien satiety and .surfeit were the prevailing ieatures, Cameron hurried to a safe distance and revived expiring energies by publicly challenging the males in attendance to catch her and exchange what, it was thought at the time, would be osculatory comjiliments. The crowd accepted the guage thus proffered, and ran, pell-mell, in pursuit of the pri/,e. There w:is racing and chasing over the prairie, into the fire- 1, airo^^s gullies and cooleys, liut, when the capiiire was ellecteil, Mrs. Cameron rev.aidcil her a'hnirers with ki--es iiianufactured by candy-makers, whereupon the recijjients became exercised, and, in the llush of disappointment, refused to be comforted. The crowd dispersed soon after thi' orators and celobraut.s of tlie male persunsion, a<i a rule ri-turnin^ to the village, -where they became iiitoxicated while the ladies recovered iVom the fatigues of the day.

The Camkkox-Ellis Tragedy

Scarcely had the excitements attending the celebration above referred to subsiiled, and the people resumed their daily avocations, when a shooting allVay occurred, during whicli a man named Ellis met his death at the hands of Peter Cameron, the particulars of which, as near as can he ascertained, are substantially as follows:

As is the case on every frontier, human life was protecteil by the individual, if necessary; and any feud of consenueiiee was occasionally settled by a resort to arms. Might in sijine instances made right, and consei|uei;tly personal quarrels were nut of (infrequent occurrence. Up to this time, hovsevor, no trouble hail iiccurred resulting in death. At this date, and for some time previous, an organized gang of h)g stealers were accustomed to visit La Crosse and vicinity fir the purfio-e of de;)redating upon the crops of legitimate loggers, both here and on the Black Jiiver. They would run away one's logs out of the river, capture any loose logs they could possess themselves of, and spirit them away to the markets on the lower river, and this, too, notwithstanding the striiigent measures emjiloyed to lessen the opportunities for crime.

On the morning of July 0, 184'J, two men were observed on a raft descending the river opposite the city, which had become '"broken" and separated. When the raft was secured, the men attempted to gallier the loose logs which were tloatiiig on the river, and marked as is claimed, with the name of their o^Yner " Ellis." who was one of the twain attempting to secure them. While thus occupied, Peter Camerou. in a skitV, overhauled them, and was passing the corner of Barron's Island, when he was recalled by his wife, who doubtless referred to the work of the loggers, \vho it seems had recovered a portion of their property from among a lot owned by Can)eron. Soon after, as Ellis was jtrocceding in the direction of Mr. Levy's store, Cameron hailed him, and upon halting, a controversy ensueil as to the ownership of the reclaimed logs. The controversy widened into an excited altercation, in which Cameron challenged both Ellis and his hired man to fight, which, however, they declined. Thereupon Cameron loosed a fierce bull-dog which he owned, by which Ellis was attacked, and very scriuusly injured, lie succeeded in making his escape frouj the fangs of the beast, and hurried in search of his jiartner to ascertain to what extent he had suffered. At this juncture, Mrs. Cameron emergeil tri.im her husband's caliin armed )vith two guns, and directed Peter to shoot the fleeing Ellis. The latter, appreciating the crisis of the moment, hastened his retreating footsteps in the direction of the raft, as rajiid'y as his wounded condition would permit. He had nearly gained a place of safety when Cameron " turned loose" upon him. and he fell mortally wounded. While prone on the ground in a cundition rapidly approaching the final stage of dissolution, and before any one could huiiy to jirrvent it, Cameron supplemented his shooting with Idows from a club or the gun-stiicl;. and hastened the result whirh previmisly could iiot have been bnig delayed.

^Vhill- the assault was in )irogre-s:. Mr. Levy, who ^^as Justice "f the Peace at the time, reached the scene of the impending murder, and sought to rescue Ellis fnno instant death. But Ills attenijit was greeted by Cameron ami wife witri threats against his o\vii life, and he retreated.

Fortunately a raft rounded the point above La Crosse at this moment, and lauding in response to Levy's hail, l)r. Sip.w and John Elder, SherilT of the County, were found on board. With the assisttmee of thc-e gi'iitlemen, Cameron was arrested anil placed in custody, and committed to jail on a charge nf murder. He was takrii to Piairie du Chien, in the charge of l-^ld.'r and Snow, as also was his woiin l.d victim, in the hope tint the latter might receive treatment that wnuld prolong his life. But this was not to In' ; he died while the raft was at some distance from Prairie da (,'hiea, and was buried at P-rvwiisviUe.

r.\MA\ i.Mi'i:iii \n:. The Indians again made tr'uible tins year, or rather annoyed the settlers, as was their wont in fjrmcr days. Some of them who had refused to submit to removal the year previous hec;ime

Among the former, or those who repelled all overtures looking toward removal, was Dandy and his bund of followers, which numbered less than a hundred They had been a disturbing element in the removal of 1848, and excited a stampede of the Wiunebagoes collected that year in Mvrick i Millers warehouse, who fled in all directions, while arrangements for their transportation were in progress, and could only be re-collected together by the threat that their rations should be cut off.

The moving spirit of this trouble was Dandy ; and repeatedly iluring the year 1S4'.\ he swore that he never wi.iuM be removed alive. As a consequence, the settlers, more particularly the traders Mvrick ;in/i Levy, were subjected to all degrees and qualities of annoyances and an.xieties, requiring the exercise of patience and forbeararice to avoid a collision. Early in the fall the condition of aflairs was reiidered the more critical by the return of some of those who had gone to their reservation, and the savages became more aggressive and obno.xious.

U{ion one occasion, William Bonnell heard a swaggering, whisky-drinking and liquor-maddened savage mattering vengeance to himself as he wandered about the village, and kept careful of liis movements lest he should execute his threats. After some delay, he proceeded in the direction of Levy's store, but halting on the way, Bonnell anticipated his arrival, and reaching the store hid himself behind the door and awaited the progress of events. Some time clipscd before the Indian came up, but upon reaching the threshold, he announced his jiresence and objects without cereiriony, and in language both unadorned and devoid of the least possible ambiguity. He wanted whisky or blood ; he was apparently indifl'erent which, but prejudiced in favor of the latter if the former was not dealt out to him liberally and immediately. By this time Mrs. Levy, who w-as in the rear of the house, heard the savage protestations, and hastened into the house to ascertain what was wanted. When she reached the door communicating with the room in possession of the aboriginal visitor, she was greeted with grunts, exclamations and the odor of whisky, accompanied by demands for more ot the spirit which is said to steal away one's brains through the victim's mouth.

But unappalled by the threatening gestures and language of her unavoidable guest, Mrs. L. declined to accede to his dernanils, suggesting at the same time tliat his individual comfort, the comfort of herself and that of the day, would be materially enhanced if he wouM retire to his tepee and convalesce from the effects of too liberal potations. !Not\Nithstanding thr peaceful means emjiloyed and the persuasive ingenuity of Mrs. Levy, he refused to retire - he seek his tepee and become a man again. . Whisky was what he came after, and unless it was produced without further ceremony, he'd scalp some one and cause mourning anions the pale faces. Levy still declined liis commands, and liefied his threats in a manner equally as earnest as that evinced by himself. At last, when parley would no longer bring forth the flowing bowl, and as the madame was about leaving him to rant to vacant walls, he suddenly drew a knife from his belt and prepared to spring upon his victim.

\Vhile crouching for the leap, Mr, Bunnell, who as stated, was hiiMen behind the door, emerged from his place of concealment, and seizing a pitchfork standinir by, ortiered the impetuous and bloodthirsty savage to flee if he valued his life. The Indian halted and contemplated the spectacle of an angered settler rushing upon him armed with a drawn pitchf ilk. lor a second, and turned to retreat as tlic tine of the fjrk prodde>l him in the r<.ar. The sting of the wound accelerated his speed, and plunging from the (In.'iuay, he ran lab iringly but rapidly to the river landing, where he sprang into a canoe and reached tlie rapid current m taiiL- to avoid his pursuer.

At another time. Mr. Levy was absent in attendance upon the trial of Peter Cameron, which took place at Prairie du Cliien in September, lb4Li, when Ids store was again visited by a party of Dandy's band, including among its numbers a vicious buck who had been released from the penitentiary but a short time previous. The conduct of the braves was scarcely such us would characterize gentlemen of the old school received as guests upon some festal occ.ision ; on the contrary, its counterpart can luirdly be imngincil, certainly n^t Jcscribeii, outside the lowest walks iif'life. As the day advanced/the visitors grew more and more belligerent, particularly the brave who luul bc^n aii occupant of a felon's cell. They had summoned Mrs. Levy, who was alone in the house, to wait upon thera repeatedly, and at the la.st call, as she opened the door, the ex-convict sprung into the center of the room, and presenting a rifle, was in the act of drawing a bead upon the defenceless woman. There was an instant of solemn silence, when another Indian, more sober than the rest, grasped the gun-stock before the weapon could be discharged, and preventcil the calamity that must have followed in a second. They finally left the house, and, during their temporary absence, Mr. Brishois, of Prairie du Chien, came in, and upon comprehending the alTairs as they e.xisted, remained until the return of Mr. Levy.

Late in the falF, these dangers and trials to which the settlers were committed, were suspended bv a peaceful solution of tiie troubles. Xumbers of them were persua<led by quiet but potent influences to emigrate, and were curried to Fort Snelling. The next year, however, they returned once more to tiie scenes of their childhood, but were taken in charge and again removed, since when they have remained absent, though to-ilay vagrant bands of Winnebagoe.s wander at will over the county, but are harmless and never interfered with.

Tiiis year, William r.onnell and family returned to La Cro.sse, to remain permanently; Peter Burns came in about December 4 ; Timothy Burns (who afterward became Lieutenant Governor, and who had visited the site of La Crosse in 1847), settled here.

Some assert that this gentleman delayed his settlement in La Crosse until 1850. but Mrs. Levy (to whom the writer is largely indebted for foots rcganling La Crosse) kept a journal of her ex'perience during those times, and records his arrival here on the date above mentioned.

One cold, wintry day, Mr. Levy wa- aroused from his reverie before the fire by a feeble rap at the door of his house, to wbicli he responded, "Come in," and no one raising the latch, he went to the entrance to ascertain the cause. Upon throwing open the door, his sense of vision was startled by the appearanee of three men and a pair of horses, evidently suft'ering the pangs of hunger, anil reduced to a condition of emaciation that was absolutely horrible. They' told him thev'had no money and were nearly famished. Could they remain two or three days to recuperate, wdien they would hunt work'.' Certainly, as long as they wanted. They were housed and fed, the horses cured for, and when sufiieiently rested, they crossed over to the inland, and duiing the winter occupied the time in felling timber and cutting steimbout wood.

They had left White Pigeon early in November, they stated, with a view of locating in the West' hoping to reach some available point before winter set in. where they would remain until spring and determine upon some selection. After journeying beyond recall, and without the hope of assistance, it began to storm, ami for a season it was a question of possibility as to whether the unfortunate triumvirate would be able to effect its escape or not. They wandered along aimlessly for davs, hoping for relief which never came, until their horses became too weak to drag the wagon further, when they were unhiteliLd, and the hapless quintette floundered througli snow and brush, until, happily f .r themselves, they reached La Crosse, and renewed their lease of life at the home of J, M. Levy.

In the spring. J.^b Brown, his brother and a hired man (for tlm-^e constituted the trinity described), closed up their work and went on u prospecting tour down the river, where they entered claims, perfected the same by occupation, and laid the fjundation of what has since grown to be the prosperous village of Brownsville.

Tiiis year, also, was solemnized the first marri.Tge to occur in I-a Crosse after ^^ i-^con^in became a State, the parties beincr .loseph Ebner and the wiilow of Peter P.bner, his brotiier. who had Come into the country in 1>47, but had died shortly afterward.

There were doubtle-s other circumstances connected with the settlement, the people, the times, etc., worthy of special mention, but those who alone are capalile of explaining them and elaborating the effect they produced, have gone hence or forgotten their existence, and their ilotail is consequently resorveil for Ihc historian of die future. Within tlie short space of seven years, the corner-strnio of a new empire had been laid, ami the superstructure was in progress of building, and so advanced as to be beyond the power of recall, fturing that period the few settlers who had Come in from time to time took up the burden of life as they fonnil it here, and amid discouragements, disasters and oppositions, maintained tl»eir burden to the end. In spite of the crosses they were called U[ioii to endure ; in spite of the unsettled condition of affairs that existed here, as such conditions will always exi?t wherever the stakes of another dispensation arc planted; in spite of these and numberless other occurrences, trivial in themselves, but oppressive as they iiuToased in number, these pioneers in the cause of progress and improvement bore their crosses unflinchingly to the end, and saw in thai end a fruition of what they anticipated.

Thus came ISoO in the order of events. The winter was moire than usually severe, and the seasoTi of spring proportionatelv bite. When t!ie lirown boys left for other parts it was far into April, and at that time very little hail been accomplished in the future city or country tributary thereto. I'-ut as soon as the trees leaved out and tlio grass began to cover the hillsides, the arrivals began to be anviounced at briefer intervals, and indications of a "future" to become established facts, chroniclers of the times assert this to have been the year when the laggard advance of its younger days was substituted by more rapid progress in La Crosse. About this time it is said men of enterprise called the public attention to the favorable position "of La Crosse in a commercial point of view, and suggested it as a rare jihice for tlie investment of capital. 1'hese included the reconimemlations of Lieut. Gov. I'urns, T. I>. StoiMard, F. M. Kublec, S. D. Hastings, C. A. Stevens, Robert Looney and some others, though vei-y few of tliem came in for purposes of permanent si'ttlenienl until afterward. Some land sales were negotiated and perfected by a transfer of title, the most important among which was that of N. Myrick to Timothy J^nrns.

'J'he land conveyed comprised a large portion of tlie village site, arid was nc'(uircd by the vender through a patent issued by the United States to N. Myrick and wife, bearing date Novenibcr 7, ISd'.b He subsequently deeded an undivided half of this grant to H. .J. B. Miller, - and, on May 10. 1830. t!ie remainder to Timothy Burns, whcrcujion Miller and wife and P>urn3 deeded Myrick one undivided fourth.

Throughout the county settlenionts were also made, and have grown into pojiulous and pros)ierons communities. Jn Mav. Martin Bostwick and family emigrated from ^'ermont, and made a settlement (I'ostwick \allev)in what has since been incorpoiatnl as Barre Tou nship. They were soon joined by Hugh Ilogan, an enterprising Irishman, between wlion; the building up of this portion of the countv was begun and carried ti.) completion. L;iter in the season, emigrants from Maine, headed by a man named Gordon, who was accompanied by his family, and droiiping down into La Crosse County, located on the banks of the Black Biver and began the settlement of Holland. He fanned some, logged some, andin tlu- exuberance of an ambition that should have been cultivated and encouraged, laid out tlu' village oi' '-Oinn." which. however, has never been improved. In the fall Emfin Emiinson, a Norwegia'n, came into the country, and hicafing a claim of 1(J0 acres of land, erected a ca!>in in which he installed his family, and made preparations to liegin farming eaiiy iri the following S)ning. 'I'li:; same winter Thomas Leonard and Julius Scgur were added to the pojiulation of the county by erecting and occupying a big cabin in sight of Emiinson's Iionie, 'whose neighbors he thus became. This was the beginning of the building up of Hamilton Town, wdiich is now one of the most important in the county.

A somewhat noted character known as ''Wild Cat Jack," the |i-eiidonym of .lohn .Nlorri- 8011, materialized about this time, or rather came more proininentlv before the jniblic than ever before. 1 le was the son of iniliiential and wealthy |)arerits at the East, but rati away fn m home w'.ien but sixteen years ol'l, ami. mnking liis home in the West, consorted with desiiaradoes and beeanic one of the ^lo^t dangerous of that elass.

He carried tlie mail hetween Prairie du Chien and j.ijints on the river above La Crosse, and his first exploit was made at ftichniond, Miiin.. where he made love to a daughter of the Postmaster, after whom tiie town was named. ni.s fascinations proved so persuasive, and his lovemaking so convincing, that the young la<ly .'^lipped out of the house orie dark, stormy night and eloped. She is represented to have been the very antipodes of Jack. Of rare beauty of person, harmonizing with superior mental faculties, and an unusual mild disposition, the surprise v.'iis expressed that she couM reconcile herself to recognise one of such reckless habits and inclinations as her choice was kiiow ii to be. They reached La Crosse together, early one morning in the spring of 1850, and, proceeding to Justice Levy, demanded of him to raarrv them instantcr. But Mr. Levy, knowing tlie prospective bridegroom; and apprehending that fear rather than inclination extorted an unwilling consent from the fair girl, at first peremptorily refused. After repeated solicitations, he privately interrogated_Miss Piichmond as to whetlier she was under duress in thus consenting, to which slie retui'ned a negative, and added that if they were not married it would not afieet theii future course :is to remaining together. This determirjed ilie Justice, and they were married. They lived as man and wife but a short time, as ins course was summarily checked duiing the summer by a ball from his own revolver.

A short time previous to the tragedy, in which he was the \'ictim. Jack came to lia Crosse, and, deporting himself in an exceedingly obstreperous and insulting manner, very soon encountered obstacles which proved immovable to his efforts and fearless of his tlireats of vindictiveiiess. Being refused supper at Miller's, he went down to Levy's tavern and demanded to be served there. This couhi not be done, and Mr. Levy so told him, but the refusal excited Jack all the more, and, drawing a pistol, declared he would commit murder. Before he was able to accompli-h anything in that connection, though, Mr. Levy, in defending his wife, administered so soun'l a thrashing that Jack cried peccavi, and, when released from the grasp of his antagonist, retired precipitately.

It might here be said that Mrs. Le\y was by no means obliged to rely upon the skill, strength ami prowess of her muscular husband to defend her from the assaults or batteries of inebriated and ungallant frontiersmen. She was amply able to protect herself, and never hesitated to accept the issue when joined, as some who resided in the vicinity of La Crosscut that tirae can testify.

Jack left after the discipline ^h. Levy inflicted, and went down the river. One day, while in Brownsville, he was etigaged in a dispute with Job Brown, and, as usual, produceil his revolver to enforce any deinaml lie had submitted. Brown failed to intimidate as was expected of him, and Jack, with an emphatic assurance that he would shoot him, anyhow, swung the pistol around his own head, as if to make ready. Before he was able to bring his gun to position. however, tlie weapon was discharged and the bullet lr..lg,-d in the brain of the would-be assassin. He fell in his tracks, and died within a short time. His body was buried at Brownsville, but reclaimed, it is believed, by his family, and removed to Xew York, where it was laid with h.is brothers. The young woman who had in a brief pei'iod passed from maidenhood to widowdiood, rcturiied home, and. subscipicntly marrying a hornv-handed son of toil, a tiller of broail acres, passed the remainder of her days ainld a peace that ever exists where j.iicnty and contentinerit are the es-ential features.

In April of this year, the ecli])-;e "f the sun was visible in La Crosse, and occasioned feelings of alarm and solicitude that are now referred, to as among the most ludicruus e.vjieriences of the times. One of the lady re-idents sat in her room, confident that the ilay of Judgment impendcii, and occupied hrr time in prayer. Her petitiiMis were so earnest that"she iell asleep in the midst of theti;, and rrali;;cd consciousness to discover the sun shining and the chickens crowing. Most every one in the settlemeirt was badly frightened, and the ridiculous scenes thai, were presented are said td have been Ijoth numeious and overwhelming.

As the year ailvauocd, the arrivals were more than occasional, and s.jme attempts at improving the'i'hict' rrtu.U-. These were more prospective tlian conipleteil, however, and it was not until the year fallowing that they took definite shape. The new comers were, of course, promiscuous in character ami unsetilcd as lo their movement?, while not a few of them were by no moans desirable ac.[ui3itions to the place. They were consumers excUnively. and levied for contributions upon the resources of producer,--. As soon as thsir object was discovered, they removed elsewhere.

Among these objectionable cl:;s-e-. hurse-thieves were by no means few, though they never to any extent trespassed upon the stock of settlers ab.iut La Crosse, confining their operations, as a rule, ro the horses of the Indians, vho, it will be remembered, returned hither from their reservations for the third time this year. These depredators were unblushingly bold in their conduct, an'l frcipientlv made overtures to eitizens to join with them in their riefarious operations. We'll accuse' you if we're caught." they wmild say; '-there's money in it. and you might just as well havethe game a=; the name." But they enlisted no crusaders under their bla'ck flag uf theft and murder; and as the settlement began to assume the proportions of a village tho^-'were weeded out by public opinion and the enforcement of the law. While in existence, they fulfilled their threats and saddled the tlieft of missing horses upon parties who were cruiltless. In one instaiice reprisals were ma(?e by those who suH'ered at the hands of the band, but upon ascertaining the facts, as was soon after done, those who had been imposed upon admitted the innocence of those accused, and, so far as they were able, returned the property seized by way of compensation.

The fiuf-stion which will naturally suggest itself. Wiiy was thi* state of things ]iermitted '.' is answered by reference to the time, jilace and circumstances under which the people lived. Society was not even in a transition state. There was no law, council or judiciary. Man was a law unto him=elf, and carried his life in his hand for any one to peck at who could get the drop. If a man was injured by his ni'ighbor, traverse juries Averc not accessible, and no one ever thought of appealiiig to them. The disputed point was adjudicated by the parties immediately to be afi'ected, and the arbitrator was a weapon or test of strength between the contestants. Only those injured sought redre.-;s ; and as lotig as the thieves refrained from attaching the jiroperty of residents, they were not apprehended.

As a result of this condi'tion of things, fights and i.rawls, while not an every-day amusement, were of frequent occurrence. Ua days whc.i the village was more generally visited, on election days and days apportioned on t'le calendar for feasts or celebrations, the si|uabbles which in liianv cases are bred of li;|aur, were neither few nor bloodless; on the contrary, fierce and constant.

An instance will illustrate tlie c.i-e as it existed. On election day. in the fall of this year, a day so cheerless and chill that tireS w ere indispensable, an.l warm drinks very acceptable, a party. 'including " Scoots " Miller, old man Heed, of lieed's Landing, Dill Bunnell. Xapoleon Frank, the exile for a theft of Hour some years previous, and one or two others, congregated at IjCVv's Tavern, and over a roaring fire and bowl of methiglin, recounted each his ideas and belief:, of the times. It seems that Scoots" Miller had made himself obnoxious tooneor more of the party, on a former occasion, and availed himself of this opportunity to not only intensify it with tho=e previously ofl'ended, but antagonize the remainder of the company. This could not be endured, and afier the exercise of a commeiidible patience, they told him if he didn t cease thcv wouhl throw him in the fire. '"Scoots" declined either to simmer" or -- siz/.le, and defied their etTorts. But the compmy were in earnest, and evinced the character of their intentions bv picking liim up bodiiv and t'lrusting hiiu upon the coals. lie struggled manfully, and releasing himself from the grasp of tho<e who held him. attempted to escape. In this, also, he failed ; and, yielding to the force of :^uperior numbers, was again launched upon the burning log. By this time it began to look serious, au'l " Scoots" fully comprehending that there was no trilling in the business, once more sought to escape, and failing, was once more subjected to the influences of flames that were penetratingly p.iinful in their efi'ccts.

The noise madobj tlie crowd attracted the attotitioii of otliors in the house, who hastened to know the cau^e and \Yitne<3 the spectafle recited. Mr. Levy, with the assistance of one known as "Old Mack." interposed hcfore the siilamatiiier qualiiies of "Scoots" had been more than thoroa;:;lily tested, and interposing in his Lelialf. with entreaties and promises, secured the i-elease of the victim and escorted liira home.

This incident is a fair type of tlio;e which occurred in Li Crosse thirty years ago when disorder \s'oiild have b'.en jireferrcd to tiic quitt and peace whieli lias become more supremely regnant with each succeeding year since the settlement was begun, since the memorable phrase ''go West, young man," has been changed almost from a malediction to a beneficent recommendation.

The arrivals of 1 S.')0. as already stated, thoaj;h not numerous, were of the character and inlluence to tcacli the world outside tlie limits of J^a Crosse of the fair land here to be found. Of tlie land which fjr years was known only to the Indian tribes, adventurous Frenchmen, friars and priests, who wandered in at occasional intervals to locate trading posts and church sites, or to trade with and proselyte savages. Tiiose who had come before l-'^oO, accomplished much to recommend the country, and that theit labors had not been without results was evident when Wisconsin was wediled to the Federal Government as a State, with La Crosse County as one of her choicest marriage gifts. Lut tho.-e who came alter, were not sli)w in advertising the advantages to be fijund in a commonwcalih which lias since shown its ability to nourish an almost unlimited population, whose climate is regular and seasonable, whose soil is fertile beyond estimate, and the monotony of whose landscape is broken by streams and rivers that have wandered for miles in and out among the bluH's and coolies, until they are lost in the broad bosom of the Father of Waters which bears them to the sea. In earlier times, it may have been a byword ami reproach ; in later days, it has become a glory and a boast. Among those not to be forgotten, who came ni this year, wa.s Joshua Ridglc}', who settled in the town of Campbell on the north road between La Crosse ami West Salem.

In April of this year, B. F. Colburn identified himself with tlie county, coming from Massachusetts fur that purpose, and locating in the present township of Burns, where he entered IGO acres of land, atid planted five acres to corn and potatoes.

In the summer following, a party of Swiss, who had previously settled in Sauk County, changed their base by removing to La Crosse, and established themselves in the section of the county now comprehended within the limits of ]-i:iiigor Township. Among those who came in first were Jose]ih Wolf, John Bosshard, Florian Ready, Christian Reudy, Michael Darms and Joseph Summerson, a portion of whom settled on Dutch Creek, tlie remainder in nearer proximity to the village

Beside the above, there were several persons out buying lands or engaged iti business in tlie immediate vicinity of the jiresent city, including John Clark and his sons, Thaddeus and P. L. Clark, H. J. Peck, Phillip Young, and John and Charles Nagley, already referred to; Orange Smith. R. C. Van Rensselaer, Eustace L- Brockway. Abrani Pruett and Mrs. Markle, Byron L. ^'iets and others, who visited La Crosse freijuently, as also did Jacob Spaulding, Hugh Douglass, Thomas Douglass, Mark Douglass, 'W'illiam T. Price. W. J, Gibson, James O'Nedl, Col. Chase and Mr. Decker, the latter coming from Black River, in the interests of the lumber business, in which they were engaged. Now indeed did it seem that the county was to be built up in earnest, and travel the higliway to success it has since attained. During the month of April. Mr. Levy states the people came in verv fast. The hotel and houses appropriated to hotel uses by the exigencies of the occasion, were crowded to repletion. People came in wagons, canoes, by river, prairie schooners and stages. The cargoes of settlers borne hither were "multitudinous" and miscellaneous, and often contained metal decidedly not adapted to the times or the country.

In the stage which bore John Clark hither was a passenger of quadity." who despised the primitive ways of locomotion in use. and the arduous e.xerci-;e the travelers were often subjected to, that distance might be put between the place of departure in the morning and terminal point at night. Several times daily the passengers were compelled to alight and pry the coach out of the mire, in which the h./rses. after vainly struggling to extricate the vehicle, cried quits and awaited the logic of events. The gilt-edged speculator, upon each succeeding -' stalling" of the team, and. wheu his fellows combined to aid in makini^ a fresh start, remained in the stage solemn as an undertaker and mulish as his quadruj'cdal prototvjio. This was borne during one day, and when Mr. Clark retired that night, he sank to rest with a well-defined determination that if the coach came to a halt and required his a-;sistance to proceed, the fastidious fishionable would have to descend from his high estate and lend a hand.

The following morning the conveyance had hardly begun its weary routine when one of the wheels lodged in a "chuck hole" and evidenced an inclination to remain. All were called upon to lighten the weight of the stage, to which all but the Jonah of tlie trip responded with alacrity. He J'cmained at hi.-- post, and. uvion its being hinted that the passengers were hccoining somewhat shorn of their patience at the selfishness displayed by him, he ii-plied in a vernacular peculiar to the times, -- that he'd be if he would."

This was the final -^truke which settled di^pnte. and dropping adjectives for force, Mr. Collins reached into the stage and drawing forth tin' olinoxious prospector, drop[icd him into the mire with the c.ise and oniplacciicy of a Sams m bearing the Gates of Gaza. When he emerged from his bath, ho wa< not only a sight to hehohl, hut as pl.-i-tic to manijiuhuion as clay in the hands of a potter.

The character of nuMi ua« made manifest in these troublou-i times, and if it ci'Utained the clement of selfishness or covetousness, these features were but oncc expressed and never repeated.

In the lintels observers are funiiliar v,itli the situation: there iiniy iiave been preaching in one room, swearing and drinking in anotlier. and excitement in all. Tlie new-comers seemed to take no thought for the morrow, and lived only for the present. And here is as good an opportunity as will occur to speak of two of the prominent arrivals of this year, one of whom did much to nmld public sentiment, conserve public morality and leave a reputation that will ever be associated with La Cro.s.se County.