Lancaster City (part 1 of 3)

Lancaster City

Geooraphical - First Settlers - The County Seat - Early BuIldings - First Court - The First Postmaster- First Fire - The Villa&e Grows - The War Period - Towk and Tillage Government- Official Roster - Lancaster Press - Schools - Religious - Cemetery - Masonic Orders- I. O. O. F. - Fire Company - Business Interest - Storms.

Within the confines of Lancaster are embraced Townships 4 and 5 north, of Range 3 west of the Fourth Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by the west half of Fennimore town, which, with Lancaster, forms the only double town in the county; on the east by Liberty and Ellenboro; on the south by Potosi, and on the west by Beetown and Little Grant. It includes within its borders some of the best farming land in the county, the wealth of the town being rather on the surface than beneath, as has been the case in many other towns.

The site of the present city of Lancaster was originally, before the advent of the white man, a beautifully-rounded knoll, covered with low brush at intervals, through which forest trees, singly or in groves, spread their sheltering branches. At the foot of this knoll bubbled forth a limpid spring, clear as tlie purest crystal, into whose sandy depths, in all probability, many a dusky face had looked, and upon its glittering surface had reflected back the swarthy countenance, hideous with war paint, or stained with the dust and heat of the chase. Past this spring poured a brawling brook, fed by this and lesser neighboring fountains.

Here, quietly sleeping away the summer day, it witnessed, in the year of our Lord 1828, the commencement of a new era in its life, as the white man settled upon the banks near its golden bed and began the erection of a habitation.

First Settlers

These new-comers were Nahem Dudley, Tom Sogar and Ben Stout, who, in thus locating, became unconsciously the firs^ settlers of Lancaster. There is no evidence to show that Segar and Stout remained longer than to assist their comrade in the erection of his cabin, or perhaps a short time thereafter, and then departed for other sections where "mineral," then the "particular vanity" of early settlers, was to be discovered in better quantity than there were any signs of its being found here. Dudley remained a year or two and sold out to Aaron Boice. He then went to mining in different sections, finally settling near Beetown, where he gave his name to a cave, supposably discovered by him, and thence to the " Dudley Cave Range," a range wellknown to miners. Dudley died in 1815 at Muscalunge. In this same year, namely, 1828, William L. Morrison moved into the township and located on what afterward became the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 36, where he tesided for many years. Henry C. jJUshnell and family also came to the hollow now known by his name and located near the upper spring on the site occupied by Mr. Weaver. Here he erected a modest cabin of rough, unhewn ^gs, chinked and mud plastered, a portion of which remained until a late date. During the ^lack Hawk troubles, these settlers took refuge in the block-houses at Cassville and Prairie du Uien, but upon the settlement of the diflBculty and defeat of Black Hawk, they returned to oeir deserted homes, and again took up their work of reducing the wilderness to subjection, and placing it under the dominion of man.

engaged in working a farm near Cassville. Although classed as a farmer, his domain would hardly be envied by the masters of the soil of the present day. At that time, the richness of Grant County soil still remained an unknown. quantity, and Boice was well contented with a few acres. A portion of his "farm " occupied the spot afterward chosen as a site for a courthouse, and there are those yet living who have seen the diiferent crops, corn, wheat, and even the pungent onion, growing luxuriantly on the very spot where justice is now dispensed and litigants wrangle.

In November, 1834, Boice entered his "claim," which, in surveyor's parlance, was the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 3, Town 4 north, of Range 3 west of the Fourth Principal Meridian. In August, 1836, Maj. G. M. Price entered the west half of the southeast quarter of the same section, which, together, formed the site of the village of Lancaster later en.

In the meantime the country about this central point had been slowly receiving new acquisitions until at the opening of 1836 there were, besides those already mentioned, Henry Hodges and Thomas Shanley, who had come to the country at an early date, finally settling about three miles southwest of what afterward became the village, in 1831. Here Shanley erected a large double cabin, which served for many years as a shelter and place of refuge for many a new emigrant, until he could erect a habitation for the family that accompanied him. No two names are better known in the early history of this section than the two given above. They came originally from Missouri and left their mark upon the early institutions of the county. Mr. Shanley also served as a Representative in the three sessions of the first Territorial Legislature for the western portion of Iowa County, in which the present territory of Grant was then included. In the Hurricane neighborhood were Joseph, Martin, and Harvey Bonham, who came in 1834. Lawson and Ruvel Morrell had also settled in this section early in the thirties. North of Boiee's Henry Wood had located ; while on what is now familiarly known as " Boice Prairie," a number of settlers had already made their appearance, including Edmund and Elijah Harelson, who came in 1832 or 1833 ; Colter Salmon and James Boice, a Mr. Warfield, and Mr. Joseph Mc- Kinney, who came in the spring of 183.5. West of the present city, between Lancaster and Little Grant, James Bonham had located. Dr. A. M. Morrow had also, in 1835, entered a quarter-section of land southwest of town. This is the site now known as the " Rhodes place." In the same year, Abram Miller had located on Pigeon Creek, where he erected the second mill in the county, and Edward Coombs located a homestead in the Hurricane.

At the first session of the Territorial Legislature - as has been noted elsewhere - the present county of Grant was formed, and Commissioners appointed to locate the county seat.

Anticipatory to such action on the part of the Legislature, Maj. Price had purchased from Aaron Boice the land entered by him, and commenced preparations for laying out a town. In opposition to this move on the part of Maj. Price, Edmund Harelson and Maj. J. H. Rountree, who had entered a goodly amount of land in the south of the township, platted and laid out a town just north of the town line, and near the present stone schoolhouse, rather east of that building, and near a large spring, which has since disappeared. The town was named, several lots were sold, so promising did the prospects appear, but they were taken back afterward and the money refunded. Finding this would not do, another attempt was made to have the county seat located on the claim entered by Thomas Elliott, who had settled east of the present city, in 1836 (his name was omitted in the list of settlers). This was claimed as the geographical center of the county. Long and earnest the battle of towns raged, until finally Maj. Price carried the day and the present site was chosen, to the disgust of disappointed aspirants. Surveyors were set at work, the village platted, and the plat recorded in May, 1837. In this plat, recorded in the old volume of deeds, the present public square is laid out, with the following acknowledgment :

1, Orris McCartney, Justice of the Peace, of Grant County, do hereby certify that G. M. Price has acknowledged the ftbove plat, and all the publick ground set forth in the above plat, shall and still remain as such, and I want the same recorded as such. Orbis McCabtnet,

The only building at that time in the newly baptized seat of justice was the cabin of Aaron Boice. He soon after left for Texas, where, it was rumored, he met his death at the hands of the Indians in that section. The name Lancaster was chosen for the new town by a relative of Maj. Price, who had emigrated from Lancaster, Penn., and wishing to retain a remembrance of the Eastern land far away, induced his relative to adopt this name.

Early Buildings

Immediately after the selection of this as the county seat, work was commenced upon the court house, which was finished the succeeding year A log store was erected during the year - 1837 - and occupied by Mr. Ira Brunson, with a stoek of goods such as is usually kept in a frontier establishment. A log building with a frame annex was put up by Maj. Price about eight rods northwest of the "big spring," and into this he moved a stock of goods similar to that included in the store owned by Mr. Brunson, and put the same in charge of George Cox and John S. Fletcher. As mortals must eat to live, Mr. Richards had opened a boarding house yclept in the all-covering language of the day " Tavern ;" and here the hungry gathered for a time until boarders and landlord fell out, and an opposition house was started by the former. A lachrymose Frenchman by the name of James Jetty, was engaged to do the cooking, his kitchen being located under the lee of a log lying where the Phelps House now stands, the dining-room being a frame building lately erected by George Cox, and afterward used as a court house. Under this regime they remained for some time, the greatest objection being that Jetty would occasionally "weep into the soup-kettle." The spell was broken by the arrival of Capt. Robert Reed and his wife, who took the Boice cabin, vacated by Richards, and in the language of a later writer "initiated the emigrants into the mysteries of pudding and blackberry pies." Reed was a character in his way, " Old Human Nature " was the sobriquet bestowed on him by his intimates and accepted by the subject of it. He was social and hospitable, with a true English face, brown and ruddy, with ample room for a large mouth, which made sad ravages over the moon-like countenance. He was afterward made Sheriff, and then moved to Clayton County, Iowa, where he died some years ago.

Among, other new-comers this year, were J. Allen Barber and Richard Ranes and wife, who afterward became Mrs. Berks. The latter couple occupied a log dwelling where Nathan's store now stands.

First Court

In the fall of this year the first term of court ever held in Lanca&ter was held in the frame structure erected by George H. Cox, and which stood nearly on the site now occupied by the bank building. Here Judge Dunn dispensed justice and gave the law to the assembled multitudes.

Early in the spring of 1838, Harvey Pepper and wife moved into the village from the Pigeon, and in the fall put up an addition to the frame structure used the year before for a court house and opened a boarding house. This, for the time being was the Palais Royal of Lancaster. ur. Hill, who had married a daughter of Capt. Reed, moved from Beetown to Lancaster and built a small frame house on the corner, where Jetty had wept and served the delicacies of the season, beside the now historical log. Among other arrivals this year were Nelson Dewey, who arrived from Cassville in the spring, and T. M. Barber.

,j ^^'^^^ buildings erected during 1838 were a two-story frame on the southwest corner of Maple and Monroe streets, the site being now occupied by the store of W. P. Green ; a two-story log house was also built opposite the present Mansion House stables, and in this build- 'Dg was held the examination of the murderers of "Jim Crow" that year. Mention of this murder 19 maila \r. Uo ^.,^v.». u ; i l jj i ii j quite a furor in the little town, which was filled with people from the surrounding country. So dense was the crowd in attendance that Squire Dewey, before whom the examination took place, thought best to move down stairs, as a precautionary measure. Justice Bunham was associated with Justice Dewey, and the building was guarded with armed men under command of Ira Brunson.

The following year, 1839, was marked by no incidents of note ; but few new arrivals were noticed. John P. Tower, or " Dick " Tower, as he was then known, came and erected a building on the northeast corner of Maple and Monroe streets, on the site now occupied by the residence of Gen. J. B. Callis. This building was opened as an inn, Mr. Scott being the first landlord. Ellison McGee also put up a small log house, where the frame dwelling occupied by Mrs. Reed now stands. Upon their retirement from the excitements of hotel life, Capt. Reed and wife had taken up their residence with Dr. Hill. One morning, as the family were breakfasting, a bolt of lightning struck the house at one end, and passing down through the room, where they were sitting, demolished the clock standing on the mantle-piece, throwing the glass in every direction, cutting the inmates, but doing no other damage. Capt. Reed was, at the time of the shock, holding out his cup for more cofiee, when the concussion of the air took both cup and cofiee-pot from the hands of the holders, and swept them out through the open door, landing them in the garden, in a bed of peas. The Captain, not to be discomfited in such a manner, secured the coffee-pot, and had the satisfaction of enjoying a second cup of the brown nectar. This was the first accident that happened to the inhabitants of the little town.

In 1840, Harvey Pepper erected a brick building, in which he kept a hotel. Daniel Banfill was the builder, he having returned to Lancaster early in the year from the Bast. Daniel McAuley also had a log house in which he resided, and which stood on the spot now occupied by Webber's shoe store. Among the new arrivals were Martin Teal and Samuel Tompkins. Price's store had been discontinued, owing to a lack of customers, and the stock owned by Ira Brunson was sold to Harvey Pepper, who thus combined the trades of landlord and storekeeper. To this he added that of Sheriif, having been elected some time previously.

The First Postmaster

of the new town had been George H. Cox, who was appointed in 1838. The oflSce was handed over to John S. Fletcher the following year, who held the office until some time during 1840. He carried the mail in his hat, the post office being the point where John Fletcher happened for the moment to be resting. This moveable office might have proved somewhat of an inconvenience to the citizens, had it not been for Fletcher's well-known indolence, which prevented him from moving oftener than circumstances actually compelled him. As for making any returns to the authorities at Washington, that was not to be thought of for a moment. The manual labor was too great. This dereliction was duly noticed by the postal authorities, and warnings repeatedly sent that a new leaf must be turned over in the way of' running the office. Fletcher stood this indirect attack for some time, and then gathering up all the way bills that had been accumulating for the time he had held the office, sent them to Postmaster General Kendall, with the request that as he had plenty of time he might "make out his bill," and send it to Fletcher, " and he would pay it." The latter was not troubled with any more mail matter.

In 1841, the only thing in the way of improvements was the erection of a two-story frame building on the present site of the Phelps House. This was built by Daniel BanfiU, and opened by him as a hotel as soon as it was finished, his family having arrived during the year. The memory of "Old Ban " was long held in grateful remembrance by the hungry multitudes who were wont to crowd the portals of the old hotel. He moved afterward to Potosi, where he build another hotel, that still retains his name, and in which he died some years later. He was a model landlord and a worthy representative of the advancing civilization.

In 1842, James M. Otis, who had arrived in the young town, opened a store in the Morrell building, on the corner of Maple and Monroe streets. During this year genial Harvey Pepper paid the debt of nature, being cut ofi" in his prime. He was, as we have seen, one of the first settlers in Lancaster, and filled a large place in the earlier vistas of the new town. " He was " in the language of the writer already quoted, " a man obliging, talkative and active, but one who took the world easy," and who, in the hurly-burly of his busy life, " hardly knew when he was called upon to hang a man,- whether he was acting in the capacity of SheriflF or landlord, and when he called a witness to come into Court, to the third repetition of the name, would add, "come into your dinner," instead of " come into Court." He will be long remembered by the older settlers for his kindness and unselfish interest in the welfare of guests and neighbors. He left a wife and several children, Mrs. Pepper afterward marrying Mr. L. 0. Shrader, and has ever since resided in Lancaster. The hotel was continued for some time under other proprietors, but was soon sold to James M. Otis, who converted it into a store.

Upon Mr. Pepper's death, Mr. Scott, who had been keeping the house on the corner of Maple and Monroe streets, took charge of Mr. Pepper's house, and Mr. Benjamin Forbes, who had lately arrived from Cassville, took the house vacated by Mr. Scott.

The Village Grows

The year 1843 saw numerous changes and improvements. James M. Otis opened an extensive stock of merchandise in his new store, the first general and complete stock that had been opened. In these early times the bulk of the goods were brought across the country from Milwaukee by teams. Heavy goods, such as hardware and the like, was generally purchased in St. Louis, and brought up the river as far as Potosi, from which point it was hauled by teams to Lancaster. Grroceries were also sometimes purchased at the same place, but all dry goods and fancy articles came from ISJilwaukee.

The country, in the meantime, had been settling up round about Lancaster, but owing to the superior attractions offered at Potosi and , Platteville, these points for many years had obsorbed all the trade ; but the entering wedge was drove this year, which soon opened the channel, and this trade began gradually to return to its legitimate center. T. M. Barber, together with James Ward, opened a second store during the year, in the building formerly occupied by Mr. Otis.

Quite a wave of excitement was created by the removal of Mr. James Otis from the Postmastership this year. Otis had proved a most efficient Postmaster, but, unlike those at the present day, when such affairs are managed much better, he was not in accord with the Administration. Notice had been sent by the Territorial Delegate to the citizens to recommend some one for the place, and a petition asking for the re-appointment of Otis was returned ; but, in spite of all efforts, Ben Forbes was commissioned and took charge of the oSice late in the year.

Messrs. J. Allen Barber and Nelson Dewey had opened a law office and commenced a partnership at this date, which, in after times, became historical.

As an evidence of the rapidity with which news traveled in those days, an early issue of the Herald states that, " Our express papers from New York, Philadelphia and Boston frequently reach us in nine days."

In the " Hurricane " neighborhood, C. M. Hewitt and Darius Banbridge had assumed charge of the health of that section, and hoisted their shingle as duly qualified physicians. In September of this year, however. Dr. Hewitt removed to Potosi. The Herald also notices this year an excellent crop of wheat raised on the farm of Judge Dunn, at Elk Grove. The variety was "red chaff," and the yield over forty bushels to the acre.

Among other arrivals this year was that of J. T. Mills, the well known Judge, whose fame is as wide-spread as the State. As he himself says, the accommodations were not palatial, his lodgings being in " the south wing of John Fletcher's house, which room was located over a pond of water." This year appears to have been a starting-point for Lancaster in the race for prominence.

The succeeding one of 1844 was marked with but few incidents of note. Dr. M. Wainright came in May and located his office opposite the Lancaster House ; here he also kept a small stock of drugs. Another line of stages, making weekly trips, and plying between Platteville and Cassville, gave Lancaster additional connective facilities, east and west. The card of James M. Goodhue, afterward widely known as editor of the Herald and other papers, appears in the columns of the former paper in May.

The year 1845 shows something of the march of improvement. In August, Barber & Ward moved into their new store, near the corner of Maple and Monroe streets. George H. Cox also erected the building, at present known as the Mansion House, during the season. In November, William Hodge opened a tailor-shop in the rear of Otis' store. Early in the year. Dr. Cowles had located in the new town, having his office at Banfield's Hotel.

First Fire

During the month of December, the first fire known to the young town occurred. Just before the holidays, the hotel run by Mr. Ben Forbes, standing on ^le corner now occupied by Gen. Callis' residence, caught fire and burned to the ground. So swift was its destruction, that many of the boarders were obliged to leap from the second-story windows upon beds previously thrown out upon the ground. The colored woman, who served as cook and general assistant, had been doing " an ironing " during the forepart of the night, and it was supposed that a defect in the flue allowed some sparks to escape in the attic of the building, where were stored a winter's supply of provisions and sundries, lately brought from Galena ; among these supplies were several bundles of brooms, and it is supposed that these furnished the material which started the destructive blaze. Certain it is that the fire caught in the attic, and soon the whole building was in ruins. But very little was saved, aside from clothing. After this fire, Mr. Forbes removed to Iowa, where he had a land claim, and soon after opened another hotel in an adjoining village, in which business he was engaged at the time of his death, that occurred many years later.

The succeeding year, 1846, witnessed a few additions to the population and business houses of Lancaster. John Alcorn came during the summer prepared by his trade, he being a carpenter and joiner, to house all other new-comers comfortably, while A. S. Berryhill opened a muchneeded institution - a saddler-shop - in the building adjoining the storeroom of Mr. James Otis. Dr. Wood also made his appearance this year, locating on the site where Dr. T. M. Barber s residence now stands. J. M. Ward succeeded Ben C. Forbes as Postmaster. John M. Otis opened a store in November, and the following month John Boright opened a blacksmith and wagon shop ; his shop and house were on the lot south of Judge Mills, now owned by Mr. John Wright, and on which his ice-house now stands. The following year, W. W. Kendall and D. T. Parker purchased the stock of merchandise of T. M. Barber, continuing in trade at the same stand. Thomas Scott started a saddler's shop in June, just east of the store of James M. Otis. Drs. Wood and Rickey also formed a partnership which continued until the following year.

Mr. T. M. Barber succeeded James M. Ward in charge of the post office, the latter takmg his departure, and some years later became Superintendent of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad.

Up to the beginning of 1848, but three stores of any moment were to be found in Lancaster. Potosi, on the contrary, was not only well supplied, but did an extensive jobbing business, while Beetown had several stores carrying extensive stocks. The result of this weighting the wheel of traffic so to one side was shown in the fact that the majority of the trading was done at these places ; even those living within a few miles of Lancaster preferred to go where they could have a larger stock to select from. Again, transportation facilities were such that merchants were unable to take the produce brought in by the farmers and handle it successfully, owing to difficulties in transportation. Added to all this, there was the remaining disadvantage of the credit system. Through several years a constant stream of intimations to pay up is poured forth through the columns of the Herald, though Lancaster merchants were by no means the only sufferers from this lack of promptitude on the part of debtors.

In the fall of this year, Andrew Barnett purchased BanfiU's hotel, having previously kept what is now known as the Lancaster House. Extensive additions have been made to the house since that time. The original nucleus of this building was a long, rambling shell built by Ben C. Forbes for a bowling alley.

In the year 1848, the town of Lancaster included within its limits 496 males and 437 females, or 933 in all. From the proportion it will be surmised that bachelors were scarce in those times. The Herald of May 20, 1848, says : " Lancaster contains more capital than almost any village of its size. Every habitable roof covers one or more families. Our chief want is tenements for families who wish to move into town. If buildings could be had, our population would be doubled in a few months. Many buildings are in process of construction, but not half as many as are now required. All our house-builders are employed and more are wanted."

A new Baptist Church had also been commenced this year - the same one that is now standing - while stores and dwellings, says the chronicle, were ready to be built as soon as the brick could be burned.

During the summer, the partnership heretofore existing between Drs. Wood and Rickey had been dissolved, and the latter opened a drug store, north of the court house, soon after. The improvements made throughout the village were of a nature to justify the fondest hopes of those deeply interested in the prosperity of the burg that now seemed advancing with rapid strides on the high road to prosperity.

The year 1848 closed, as has been seen, with clear skies and a promise of renewed prosperity. These auspicious omens continued during the opening of the succeeding year, but, as spring advanced, came rumors from the far-off West of discoveries which rivaled the world-renowned dreams of the "Arabian Nights." The seat of the golden god had been discovered by adventurous prospectors, and the East was moving west to pay homage at his throne, bowing themselves as slaves, trusting to his generosity to unearth the glittering treasure that lay hidden in "the deep places " to the aching, thirsting eyes of these frantic followers. This, however, was but the first wave of the on-coming tide that was later to engulf the many thousands in the mad rush for wealth, to be flung back, bruised, bleeding and poverty-cursed, to drag out a lingering existence in penury and want.

A strong wave of immigration set in this year toward Lancaster and its surrounding country, which more than compensated for the gold worshipers who left for the gleaming sands of Uhfornia. - Mr. T. M. Barber having finished his new brick store (the same now occupied by ivey & Webb), moved in a stock of goods in the early part of the year and opened the " Readypay Store." John M. Otis also moved his stock back to the old brick store on the corner. Kendall & Parker still continued to occupy their old stand, the latter attending besides to the duties connected with the Postmastership ; and in June Dr. Wood moved his stock of drugs into a building one door east of the above firm. The Herald, in the same month, noticing the position and advantages of the village, called attention to the fact they had "no shoemaker," with M added hint that a mechanic of that kind would have a paying monopoly. The hint was taken, ana the following month P. Darcey announced himself as prepared to furnish soles to such as year, William McAuley took the " Grant County House," Charles Blanford started in business as a blacksmith opposite the Telegraph House, and John M. Coombs opened a gunshop on Cherry street, south of the " Grant County House."

In November, the much-wished-for but hardly expected telegraph line was put in running order and an office opened, with Jo Barnett as operator. This office was located in the Telegraph House, and the'line was continued in operation until the following year when it succumbed to a lack of business ; assessments became too heavy and dividends too light, and Lancaster was again without communication with the outside world. A history of this line, however, is given elsewhere.

If the year 1850 was to be given a distinctive appellation, it would be " the year of casualties." The earlier part, however, gave no sign of the events that were to mark the later part of the season. During the spring, the wants of the ladies of Lancaster were recognized, by the opening of a millinery store by Mrs. Rynerson.

A slightly increased outflow toward the Western Slope was noticeable, as the fever of speculation increased in height, giving premonition of the greater outpouring that was to come.

In June that much-dreaded disease, the small-pox, made its appearance in the county, causing a feeling of apprehension at Lancaster ; but the village happily passed by the outskirts of the danger, no cases appearing within its confines. During this same month, the Wisconsin House passed into the hands of Myron Tuttle. A new addition was made to Lancaster's industries by the opening of a carriage and wagon manufactory by Charles Ashley. John M. Otis left for Wyoming during the summer, and later in the year, Kendall & Parker having dissolved partnership, Dwight Parker, in November, removed his stock to the store formerly occupied by Otis, on the corner of Maple and Madison streets.

The yield of grain and farm produce this year had been most abundant, when rumors - at first whispered with bated breath, then repeated in a louder key - told of the approach of tliat ravaging monster, cholera, whose ghostly feet were swiftly covering the distance that intervened between his stronghold at the South and the new country lying further up along the " Father of Waters." Towns in nearly every section were being depopulated, the inhabitants fleeing in every direction to escape the chill fingers of the fierce monster. Lancaster, after taking all the precautions possible, silently, and almost breathlessly, awaited the verdict which at length came, and the village was safe - for this year at least. During the month of August, a heavy thunderstorm passed over the town and seriously damaged one or two buildings. A shaft of lightning struck the spire of the Baptist Church, and, passing down through and on the timbers, reached a ladder which had been left against the building, and then followed this to the ground. The steeple was badly shattered, and many panes of glass broken in the building. The residence of Dr. Roberts, corner of Adams and Cherry streets, was also touched by the erratic and destructive fluid. Mrs. Roberts was alone with her children at the time, but fortunately they escaped unhurt, the building itself being but little injured. In December, the Grant County House passed into the hands of Reuben- Thomas.

Among the early sports of the new country, which at times afforded much amusement, was bear and dog fights. The modus operandi of the aflfair was to chain brain to a stout post with a chain a few rods in length, and then gather in all the dogs possible, when the performance would at once begin. The victory; however, was invariably with bruin, as one cuff from his unwieldly paw was generally enough for the fiercest canine, who thereafter was only too glad to keep out of reach of the muscular boxer. The entertainment continued so long as dogs could be found to continue the show. A performance of this kind was advertised for Christmas Day of this year, and resulted as usual, after which followed the inevitable resort to the hotel bar for liquid refreshment, but, in the language of one of the early settlers, "the whisky was better then than now," and only the best of humor was the result of these bacchanalian revivals.

Notwithstanding the fact that Lancaster, with other towns of the county, was beginning to suffer considerably from the constantly increiising exodus to California, quite a little advancement was made during the year 1851. The Methodist and Congregational denominations com- menced the erection of places of worship, both of which were dedicated before the close of the year although the Congregational Church was not completed until later. In addition to this, the Baptist Church was completed, it having remained in an unfinished state up to this time, Among the business changes was the association of Mr. John Alcorn as a partner of T. M. Barber in the "Ready-Pay Store," while early in the year Mr. R. H. Finkland had opened a cabinet-shop north of the court house. As soon as the weather would admit, the usual spring emigration to California commenced. T. M. Barber, J. B. Callis, Robert Allenworth and Wells Huston, with a number of others from the surrounding country, started on the six months' trip that was to land them in the region of the glittering phantom.

Heavy storms prevailed during the month of June; the house of J. R. Shipley was struck by hghtning, and so heavy were the rains at times, that "every street had a mill privilege on it." During the summer, F. P. Liscum & Co. commenced a general merchandise business in the store formerly occupied by N. W. Kendall. In the month of October, the Wisconsin House passed into the hands of Myron W. Wood, who retained it for many years. Two subjects made their appearance this year that continued to exert a disturbing influence upon Lancaster thought and aspirations, at intervals, for many years after. The first of these was the division of the county, which excited a somewhat bitter debate, but eflded in smoke. The second, which became a chronic disease in this section, was the railroad fever that raged with much severity during the latter part of the year. Nothing, however, came of it, as has been noted in another portion of this work, and the year closed leaving Lancaster in much the same position as at its opening, aside from the few public buildings noticed above.

The year 1802 witnessed the height of the California fever. As early as January, Charles Ashley commenced advertising teams to take passengers through to the Western Slope for $125. The inflated stories of the untold wealth only awaiting the coming of the adventurer to yield itself a willing captive to his pick and shovel, were doing their work; farms were disposed of by the frantic enthusiasts ; in other cases, mortgaged, in order to furnish their owners with means to reach the wonderful El Dorado. Monday*and Tuesday, April 12 and 13, was the day set for the departure of the emigrants, and about fifty persons gathered in the streets of the village to embark in the long voyage. They were accompanied by their friends, and amid the cheers of the crowd, they weighed anchor and set sail, some to remain in the land of promise, a few to secure that wealth so bountifully promised, the majority to wander back by twos and threes, to again take up the old life where they had dropped it for the delusive yellow demon. The wolves had become so troublesome of late years, notwithstanding the settlement of the country, that the settlers found it necessary to organize hunts for the purpose of exterminating these pests; so bold had they become, that it was no uncommon sight to witness two or three of these long-legged denizens of the forest come quietly down the hill to the east of town - now covered with dwellings - and, after refreshing themselves at the "big spring," and performing a duett or trio, as tfie case might be, for the benefit of the citizens of the village, saunter back to their bushy retreat. And still the tide of emigration continued to ebb and flow. The Herald of May 19, took occasion to say, editorially, that "In the last week or two we notice a good many strange faces about Lancaster. A shoemaker, blacksmith and wagon-maker have just set up m business. Boss carpenters are equal to the demand - in their own opinion - but a few more ought to come in for sake of competition." The want, at this time, appeared to be a tailor, barber, chairmaker and saddler. In this month, another fire occurred in the village, the burned building being a barn belonging to Gov. Dewey; the cause of the fire was unknown. Notwithstanding the fact that the attention of Grant County settlers was being turned more and more to the tilling of the soil, it is noted that "more than 2,000 barrels of flour had been brought to Potosi from other States within the year, to feed the people of Grant County." JJnnng the latter part of the year, the returning tide of lucky and disappointed gold-seekers began to show itself in occasional arrivals, and by this time many had come in looking for homes, giving the town quite a motley appearance. In July, Dr. Ladd, Prof. Sweet, C. C.

"Normal school" for instruction in teaching; corresponding to the teachers' institutes held at the present day, during the summer ; Lancaster High School was also started through the efforts of some of the leading citizens. Guyler K. Thomas added another to the list of Lancaster business houses, by opening a hardware store on the south side of Maple street, just east of the Herald oflSce. That journal, later in the year, commenting on the business of the town, informs all whom it may concern: "We want a drug store in the village. A room can now be had, and the opening is excellent for drugs, paints, dyes and notions." Early in the winter, Lancaster was visited with the small-pox, but through energetic measures at once taken to stamp it out, it made but little progress, aftid the alarm felt at the first reports speedily subsided.

An inventory of the business houses of Lancaster, in 1853, would have shown the following : Dwight T. Parker, who occupied a store on the site at present occupied by Howe & Baxter ; Alcorn & Barber, in the brick store now occupied by Ivey & Webb ; Gr. Maiben, in the building now used by John P. Lewis ; T. P. Liscum & Co., who occupied a frame building standing about where the store of William Baxter now stands. The hotels were four in number - Banfill's, located on the present site of the Phelps House ; the Lancaster House, at that time comprising the north portion of the present building; the Mansion House, and the Wisconsin House, kept by Myron W. Wood, which building is now occupied by Mr. McCoy as a residence. These, with the log building on the corner of Madison and Maple streets, used as an office by Barber & Lowry, the small frame building standing on the present site of Johnson's brick, and used by the Herald as an ofiice, together with some twenty or thirty frame and log structures used as residences, comprised the village of Lancaster as it was at this time. During the year T. M. Barber sold out his interest in the Ready-Pay Store to Mr. Benner, and he in turn disposed of it to Mr. Alcorn, leaving the latter as sole proprietor.

During the month of September, the neighborhood to the west of the village was intensely over the reported loss of a little three-year-old daughter of Mr. Bark. When last seen she had been seen playing around an open well, and fears were at first entertained that she had fallen into it, but as search developed the fact that this surmise was untrue, the male inhabitants the neighborhood turned out en masse to search for the lost child. After a two days' search she was found sitting in the shade of a tree on a high bluff, only a half mile from the house. The population of Lancaster Township at this time was, according to the Herald, " about one thousand, one-third of that number being residents of the village." The principal wants at this time were " a drug store and a saddler shop."

The next year, 1854, - shows no incidents especially noticeable. The tide of emigration had been stopped and had already begun to return upon itself. The citizens of the village had begun to awake the necessity of seeing that Lancaster was well supplied with workers in every kind of industry, which induced the Herald to say in its issue of June 26 : " The country demands all branches of trade to be kept well supplied so they can give all their patronage to Lancaster, or else go elsewhere. It is one of the best locations in the State for a ; there are several merchant mills within reasonable bounds ; also plenty of walnut, cherry, maple and pine lumber for building, as well as blue limestone. Brick within one mile of town." For the working of this lumber product there were at that time two saw-mills within the town limits. The year witnessed a second small-pox scare, which for a time stagnated trade and created somewhat of a panic in the village ; but, happily, it yielded to the energetic treatment meted out to it. Several deaths occurred from the loathsome disease, but at no time did it approach an epidemic. During the month of June the dread cholera fiend had again made its appearance, and the two first cases proved fatal ; other cases made their appearance afterward. The excitement was intense ; the streets of the village were deserted, so great was the fear of this fearful scourge felt by the inhabitants of the surrounding country ; eight or ten deaths occurred in rapid succession. The only physician of the town was prostrated under the burden of care and work. When everything seemed so dark, succor and relief arrived through the action of two public-spirited citizens - Judge McGonigal and J. Allen Barber. The former had been through the cholera season of 1850 at Wingville, and became aware of the potent influ- ence of certain remedies in coercing the cholera demon into silence. Starting at the first house tiiey met in which the dread disease was working its fearful work, they rolled up their sleeves and commenced operations. Right manfully did they contest the possession of the young life with the demon, and at length were granted the happiness of knowing that their efibrts were not in vain ; the regime of king cholera was broken, others coming to their assistance as nurses. This Spartan band continued their labors without abatement until the plague was stayed, and the village could once more breathe freely.

Among new-comers in business were George Ryland & Co., who opened a store of general merchandise in the post-ofBce building, north of the court house. The first-named member of this firm had arrived in Lancaster some time before. S. Hyde & Co. also started a blacksmithing establishment in the latter part of the year.

The year 1855 marked many improvements in the village, and showed it had about recovered from the set-back caused by the western exodus some years before. Early in January the contract for building a new schoolhouse was let to Thomas Walker for $2,375, the building to be of brick and two stories high. In the same month, James Black started in business in the old "Telegraph House." Heretofore much trouble had been experienced in securing land in the village and immediately adjoining. T^\\.e Herald, commenting on this early in the year, said: " Soon after Lancaster was made a county seat, speculators entered all the good lands in the vicinity, and held them at prices beyond the reach of the incoming emigrants. In 1854, they became alarmed and sold at from $4 to $10 per acre. In 1855, all lands in the vicinity are owned by actual residents. This spirit of speculation," adds the Herald, "left Lancaster behind in mercantile and business interests, and it must take some time to come up. Last year many wanted to build in Lancaster as well as in the vicinity, but it was impossible to procure material and workmen, hence it was deferred to another season. It is to be regretted that this prospective demand for building was not seen as clearly a year or two ago as at present, as then Lancaster would be in a fair way to add to her population and wealth fourfold by next fall."

In May, F. P. Liscum resigned the Postmastership, and G. W. Ryland was appointed in his place. Many new business firms are announced this year, among them that of Messrs. Howe & Baxter, who purchased Alcorn's store, enlarged the stock and commenced business in July. During the preceding month a movement had been made looking to the organization of a stock company with a capital of $8,000, to build a steam mill in Lancaster.

The population of Lancaster June 1, this year, was 275 families; 846 white males, 768 white females, 6 colored males, 2 colored females, 2 insane (females), 86 bachelors, and 364 persons of foreign birth. Total population 1,614 white and 8 colored - 1,622 in all. "This," it is added, "does not include those who board in families." In August, Colter & Bradshaw opened the much-needed drug store, and the succeeding month J. B. Callis and John Pepper commenced a general merchandise business in the store occupied in early times by T. M. Barber, on the corner of Monroe and Madison streets. Among the improvements mentioned this year was a residence erected by Judge Colter, a store erected by Dwight Parker, and a large warehouse put up by Mr. Ryland. In December, Daniel Banfill sold the Mansion House to 1j- a. Hyde, who had lately arrived from Vermont, and who remained proprietor of this famous hostelry until his death. The high rate at which property was held around the court house caused the town "to move down toward Judge Colter's spring," the business center at this time being in the neighborhood of the newly erected Methodist Church. The emigration had consisted this year principally of men with families, who came looking for homes, although the greater part of this emigration went to the country around rather than remaining in the village ineyear 1856 was in the main a repetition of the preceding year. In February, a destrucive fire occurred, by which the store occupied by Callis & Pepper was entirely destroyed. The ^re was supposed to have originated in a room over the store used as an office and bedroom .

immediately with tlie work of clearing away the ruins and the erection of a new building on the same site, which was ready for occupancy in April. The new schoolhouse was also finished early in the year. Mr. George H. Cox was appointed Postmaster in August. A steam sawmill was among the new additions to Lancaster business enterprises this year, erected by Messrs. Griswold & Meyer in the fall, the intention being to add to it the machinery necessary for the manufacture of flour after awhile. In November, the railroad through the northeastern portion of the county was completed and opened for traffic. A tri-weekly stage line, operated by. Elliot A. Liscum, gave Lancaster a connection with this "iron highway" at Boscobel. Late in the fall, the small-pox again made its appearance, and three deaths from this disease occurred in a very short time. It did not, however, succeed in obtaining a general hold on the community, and the excitement over its appearance soon subsided. There were numerous accessions to the population of the village during the year, and the country in the immediate vicinity was benefited by the overflow. The succeeding year, 1857, witnessed that great upheaval of values known as the "panic of '57," which reduced so many from affluence to beggary, and blotted out forever many a well-known business. As to the causes which led to this convulsion, it is not necessary, neither does it come within the province of this article to speak. Lancaster, in common with nearly all towns in the lead region, suffered but little from the unsettlement of values which was the prevailing character of the fatal year. The causes of Lancaster's exemption from any bad effects of this year are assignable, undoubtedly, to several causes : First, the only money known in the lead district was gold and silver. At quite an early date, when the stability of the numerous "wild-cat" banks, then for the first time showing themselves, began to be questioned, the miners had determined to take nothing in payment for mineral but "hard money," and as it afterward appeared, this measure, more than anything else, was the most effective barrier against the wave of bankruptcy and ruin that swept over the land. Then the Territory now embraced in the present State of Minnesota was receiving its first influx of emigrants, who had to be supplied, as well as their stock, with food, and where would they be so apt to go for these supplies as to the country lying nearest to them, thus keeping up prices and furnishing the farmers of Grant County with an excellent market for their surplus beef, pork and grain during the panic year, and the seasons just succeeding it. By the time this source of revenue began to fall off, owing to the fact that the new settlers were now in position, not only to provide food for themselves but furnish a surplus for export, prosperity was again reaching its golden wings over the country, and the balance of trade was thus sustained to the manifest benefit of Lancaster, which was thus relieved from the serious setbacks that characterized the history of many other towns at this period.

In the years succeeding 1857, and previous to the war, an apathy appears to have settled over Lancaster, but few houses were erected, and emigration was at a stand-still. The only thing that remained in a state of activity were the wolves, which had again become extremely troublesome. During the month of January, Mr. W. T. Patton, a resident of Ellenboro, while returning home from Lancaster one evening, in the latter part of the month, was met on the road by five large wolves, who seemed bent on attack. Mr. Patton happened to have in his hand an ax handle, which he had purchased at Lancaster, and with this, and by putting on a bold front, he was able to beat off the four-footed desperadoes and continued on his way, congratulating himself on his narrow escape. In I860, the log house known in local parlance as the "block-house," and one of the most interesting relics of the first settlement of the village, was demolished to make room for the advance of modern improvements, which in this case was exemplified by a large and commodious frame structure, erected by IMr. Addison Burr. The old building had witnessed many turns of the Lancastrian kaleidoscope. First serving as a store, the earliest to open in the village, it was afterward the center of legal lore and judicial learning as the office of Barber & Dewey, for many years the only law firm in the new town. The senior member of this noted firm continued to occupy it as an office until its demolition. Could th* log walls have spi.ken, many a weird tale would they have told.

The War Period

The beginning of the war opened up a new era for Lancaster. The spirit of speculation which it engendered and the rise in the price of farm products, soon put farmers in an easier position than they had known for many years. As the development and prosperity of any place is dependent in a great measure on the prosperity of the farming community in its immediate vicinity, so Lancaster at once felt the effect of this expansion, and began in its turn to expand in size and mercantile importance. Despite the fact that seemingly every energy was being strained to send troops into the field, many buildings were erected, and many of the finest structures of which the city now boasts, date from the period during or just anterior to the war. When white-winged Peace once more settled over the land, and the bone and sinew which had been drained from all occupations to supply food for the demon-like destructibles in the field had been returned to its legitimate channels, the high tide of prosperity seemed to have come. During this period, Lancaster advanced with rapid strides.

Id March, 1872, a disastrous fire destroyed what was known as " Callis Corner," and at one time threatened to sweep the street. The fire was discovered about 10 P. M., in the roof of a building used partly as a barber-shop by Max Nobis, and was supposed to have started from a defective flue. The loss footed up some $6,000 on stock, besides the buildings. The disaster was but temporary ; new and handsomer buildings took the place of those destroyed, and, the corner once more resumed its old-time business popularity. A serious drawback to Lancaster's advancement with the same rapidity that characterized other sections, was a lack of railroad facilities. Many were the schemes proposed to obviate and remove this stumbling-block, and finally, in 1879, the advent of the narrow-guage road placed the city in easy communication the outside world, and allowed Lancaster merchants to compete with the business men of other towns with some show of success, and without having to pay extensive transportation fees. As the terminus of the road, the city to day enjoys exceptional privileges, more than equal to the drawback under which it labored in earlier times. Lancaster of to-day contains six stores, doing an extensive merchandising business, three hardware stores, two drug stores, two jewelry stores, two furniture stores, three general stores, one tailor shop, four hotels, one news room, two millinery establishments, three confectionery and notion stores, one bakery, two barbershops, four blacksmith-shops, two wagon manufactories one woolen-mill and two livery stables. It is steadily growing, the growth being not of the mushroom order, "which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the fire," but one that has a solid basis of need, and which will undoubtedly mcrease in the same steady ratio as the years roll on. The population of the city, according to the last census, was 1,044, but the actual population already has gone much beyond this limit. As the center of a rich and productive country, Lancaster's future is extremely promising.

Town And Village Government

Lancaster was first organized into a town at the special session of the County Board in 1848, the first election being held at the court house in the spring of 1849. This commencement of township government is thus quaintly narrated in the old record :

Be it remembered that at a general town election, for the election of county oflBcers, had at the court house in the township of Lancaster, in the county of Grant, in the State of Wisconsm (being the first election for such township or town oflBcers in said town), there being no Supervisor of said township to preside as moderator at said town meeting ; and the hour for opening of the polls having arrived, the moderator stated to the said town meeting the business to be transacted, and the order in which business would be entertained as follows :

First - the election of three Supervisors, one of whom to be designated as Chairman ; second - one Town Clerk ; third - one Treasurer ; fourth - one Assessor ; fifih - one Superintendent of Common Schools ; sixth - four Justices of the Peace ; seventh - to elect from one to three Constables, as the meeting may determine ; also to elect one Overseer of Roads for each

To adopt rules and regulations for ascertaining the sufficiency o^ all fence in such town, and for determining the time and manner in which cattle, horses, sheep or swine shall be permitted to run on highways; and for impounding cattle.

To determine the amount of money to be raised for the support of schools, for the contingent expenses of such town, for the support of roads and bridges in said town, and also for the support of the poor in said town for the ensuing year.

It was unanimously voted that all officers of said town, required by law to be chosen by ballot, be named in one ballot; and the offices to which such persons are intended to be chosen designated upon one ballot. On motion.

It was also unanimously voted by said town meeting that there shall be elected for said town three Constables. After which the said town meeting agreed to go into an election for town officers as the law requires.

The township organization answered all purposes until 1836, when a majority of the citizens demanding the incorporation of Lancaster as a village, Hon. J. Allen Barber, then member of the Assembly, drew up a charter, which passed both Houses of the Legislature, and Lancaster took upon itself village honors. The incorporated village embraced one and a half miles square of territory. This charter continued in existence until 1869, when it was repealed, and one more ample in its powers granted by the Legislature of that year in its place. Under this charter the village remained until, by an act of the Legislature of 1878, Lancaster was incorporated as a city.

The charter under which the incorporation was eflfected, provides for one Mayor, four Alderman, who together constitute the Common Council ; one Police Justice " and such other elective officers, except President and Trustees, as it is now lawfully provided such village shall elect." Elections were to be held the first Monday of May in each year.

The powers and duties of Aldermen and Mayor were to be the same as those before performed by the President and Trustees of the village, except that the Police Justice, in addition to his jurisdiction in cases arising under the charter, should have the same jurisdiction as other Justices. The relations between the city and the township of Lancaster were the same as those heretofore existing between the village and the township, namely, that the city should belong to the township as part and parcel thereof, except for municipal purposes. The first election under the new charter was held May 6, 1878. Below is given a roster of the town, village and city officers from the formation of the township up to the present time.

Official Eoster

1849 - Supervisors, J. Allen Barber, Chairman, N. M. Bonham, Abner Dyer ; Town Clerk, Joseph C. Cover ; Treasurer, Arthur W. Worth ; Assessor, Charles Blanford ; Superintendent of Schools, H. H. Lewis; Constables, Dexter Ward,^ James Haire and William Walker; Justices of the Peace, Philo J. Adams, Francis H. Bonham, H. S. Liscum, W. T. Decker. Philo J. Adams and F. H. Bonham were drawn for the long term.

1850 - Supervisors, J. Allen Barber, Chairman, Abner Dyer, Thomas Shanley ; Clerk, Stepl en Mahood ; Treasurer, Charles Blanford ; Assessor, Jesse Miles, Sr. ; Superintendent of Schools, John D. Wood ; Justices of the Peace, John S. Fletcher, Andrew Barnett ; Constables, Dexter Ward, S. A. Quincy, William Walker.

of Schools, Robert Chilcfren ; Justices of the Peace, F. H. Bonham, Hugh R. Colter, Stephen Mahood - to fill vacancy ; Constables, Patrick Dancey, Dexter Ward, Lewis Laughlin.

1851 - Supervisors, Nelson Dewey, Chairman, Joseph Bonham, Abner Dyer ; Clerk, Stephen Mahood ; Treasurer, John B. Callis ; Assessor, H. S. Liscom ; Superintendent of Schools, J. C. Cover ; Justices of the Peace, Stephen Mahood, Dexter Ward ; Constables, W. H. Foster - only one Constable elected this year.

1855 - Supervisors, J. Allen Barber, Chairman, Philip Kelts, Edmund Harelson ; Clerk, Stephen Mahood ; Treasurer, John B. Callis ; Superintendent of Schools, William A. Holmes ; Assessor, Andrew Barnett ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Bonham, George. W. Luse ; Constables, Jared Barnett, Elliot H. Liscum. Two Constables were elected this year.

1856 - Supervisors, J. Allen Barber, Chairman, Edmund Harelson, Philip Kelts ; Clerk, Stephen Mahood; Treasurer, John B. Callis ; Assessor, William N. Reed ; Superintendent of Schools, J. C. Cover ; Justices of the Peace, Wood R. Beach, Stephen Mahood, Francis H. Bonham - elected to fill vacancy ; Constables, Elliot H. Liscum, John Pepper. Stephen Mahood being afterward unable to serve as Town Clerk, by reason of sickness, William E. Carter was appointed by the Board in his place.

I Village Officers

1856 - President, J. Allen Barber; Trustees, John G. Clark, M. M. Ziegler and D. T. Parker ; Treasurer, M. M. Wood ; Marshal, Dexter Ward ; Assessor, George Howe ; Clerk, appointed by the Board of Trustees, William E. Carter.

1858 - President, L. 0. Shrader; Trustees, John B. Callis, Charles Langridge, 0. B. Phelps ; Treasurer, George W. Ryland ; Assessor, Stephen Mahood ; Marshal, John Pepper. 0. B. Phelps refused to qualify as Trustee, and E. G. Beckwith was elected in his place. Clerk, William E. Carter. He was removed for non-attendance in September, and L. J. WooUey appointed in his place.

1869 - President, P. H. Parsons ; Trustees, Lewis Holloway, William Alcorn, V. F. Kinney, H. Reading. [From this date, and under the new charter, the Treasurer, Marshal and !;!! ^®^t Wointed by the board, and the President also performed the duties of Police Jus-

City Officers

1878 - Mayor, A. R. Bushnell ; Aldermen, James Woodhouse, George D. Utt, James Kilfeourn, Joseph Nathan ; Justice of the Peace, James A. Jones ; Supervisor, George Clementson. (Clerk, Treasurer and Marshal appointed). Clerk, Aug. Michaelis; Treasurer, Richard Meyer; Marshal, S. Mitchell.

1881 - Mayor, John B. Clark; Aldermen, William P. Stone, Herman Buchner; W. F. Orton, Lewis Holloway. The two last named declined to qualify; John P. Lewis and John Street were appointed by the remaining members of the Council, in accordance with a provision of the city charter. Treasurer, Richard Meyer ; Clerk, Aug. Michaelis ; Marshal, S. Mitchell.

Lancaster Press

Grant County Herald. - This paper was started early in the spring of 1843, the first number being issued March 18, of that year. The causes which led to its inception and subsequent birth were those usual to enterprises of this nature in newly settled regions, namely, a desire to keep the world informed of the existence of such a place as Grant County, and a growing demand for a ready means for giving notice to the different parties interested in the numerous cases of litigatijn continually arising. Therefore, early in the year above named Messrs. J. Allen Barber, Nelson Dewey and Daniel BanBll joined together and purchased a press and type in Dubuque, brought it to Lancaster, and as given above, the first number of the Grrant County Herald was issued, the first issue being printed in an "annex " to the old Boice cabin. This building had witnessed before this, many changes in Lancaster history and its rough-hewn walls had in turn resounded to the ring of the pioneer's genial laugh, the soft whispers of womanly voices, and, later on, to the merry rattle of knives and forks as under the regimes of Richard's and Capt. Reed, the founders of Lancaster had proved themselves valiant " trencher men." Now its cobwebbed ceilings were to resound to the click of the mysterious types and the soft rumble of the hand press, as the bed traveled back and forth to transfer to the white paper the condensed intelligence that had been gathered in the forms beneath the powerful platen. The first to furnish shelter, the old cabin was now to be the entrepot for the little sheet that was, in another decade or two, to wield an influence equal to that of any journal in the State. The first issue contained the brains of Lenhart 0. Schrader and the muscular power of C. Mallet and Thomas Keeling, the former being the editor and the latter compositors. Mallet and Keeling were both of French descent and much inclined to interviews with the flowing bowl, but by their acquaintance with the " types " were thus unconsciously immortalized as the issuers of the first copy of the Herald.

A stock company had been formed, in fact the three gentlemen above named as the purchasers of the press and material, were merely acting as agents for their associates, Messrs. Price, McCartney & Rountree, all together making the Herald Company. The paper was shortly after its birth transferred to C. Mallet & Co., who were allowed to gradually buy up all the stock paying for the same in advertising. The editorship of the paper passed into the hands of H. A. Wiltse, one of the brightest lights of the galaxy, who through their labors in this position, have enthroned the Herald as one of the household gods of this and adjoining sections. Under his management the paper began to assume something of importance, and its columns became a valuable repository of lore - mineral, agricultural and statistical - which makes the early files of this paper particularly valuable to him who would cultivate an intimate acquaintance with the resources and developments of this early period. October 21, 1843, Mallet retired from the paper, having disposed of his interest to J. D. Spaulding, Mr. Wiltse remaining in the editorial chair. The paper remained as it had been from the commencement, a five-column folio. In April, 1844, Mr. Wiltse severed his connection with the Herald and took up his former duties as surveyor, removing in time, to the State of Iowa, where he entered the Surveyor General's ofiice at Dubuque. He was afterward made Surveyor General, but resigned the position to commence the practice of law, in which profession he rose to a high rank before his death, which occufred a few years ago. During the year and a half following Mr. Wiltse's retirement the rapier-like wit and subtle reasoning of J. T. Mills is mingled with the scathing sarcasm and flashing arguments of James M. Goodhue. Mr. Spaulding, more ambitious than his predecessors, aimed to make the Herald a State paper, and changed the name from the Grant County Herald to the Wisconsin Herald, and at the commencement of 1845 he added one column to its size, making it a six instead of a five column folio. In August of this year, James M. Goodhue, whose genius had shone forth so conspicuously during the past months, was associated with Spaulding in the publication of the paper, and took his seat in the editorial chair. In expressing his purposes on taking the helm, Goodhue said : " To be useful the press must be unshackled. * * * The press is the great fountain through which mind is ever pouring forth freshness, vitality and power. It is with such views of this subject that the editors of the Herald call upon their patrons to sustain them in a full, fair, untrammelled expression of thoughts and opinions. Our opinions will not always coincide with those of all our readers. Men do not all think by the rule of three. * * * * The editor who pens every paragraph in constant fear of ' stop my paper ' is a mere ' toad under a harrow.' We have no fears of this kind for we well know the intelligence of our readers, and that if we write honestly, fearlessly and vigorously, they will pardon us if we do not always write wisely." In a later '88ue, notice is given that at the commencement of a new volume a change will be made in " plan, purpose and character of the paper," looking toward an active partisanship, the Herald having heretofore remained neutral on the principal absorbing questions of the day. The shadows thus with life and thought. Ever given to the Donnybrook Fair maxim of " When you see a head hit it," Goodhue allowed no chance to escape, whereby he could apply his peculiar gifts. No wrong to go unscathed, or chicanary to pursue its course unmasked ; brilliant but erratic, his course was not such as was likely to advance the financial side of the balance, however high might go the admiration for the brilliant talents displayed weekly through the columns of the young journal. At the end of August, Goodhue had become sole proprietor of the Herald and so continued until the spring of 1849. He then sold out to J. L. Marsh and took the old press, which had been replaced by one of a more improved pattern, and removed to St. Paul, where he founded the St. Paul Pioneer. To this old press quite a history is attached. It was originally purchased for the Dubuque Visitor, the first paper published in Iowa ; then brought to Lancaster, it served, as has been seen, to "work off" the Serald; then served to give the first impressions to the first paper in the Territory of Minnesota, and was again sold, in 1858, to start afresh upon its wanderings, after twenty-two years of service. It went to Dakota and was used to print the Dakota Democrat, the first paper printed in that Territory, where it remained in active service until the Sioux outbreak of 1862, when the outfit, including the old Smith press, was captured by the United States troops from the Indians in a running fight, but the old press had done its last work. It was so broken up as to be no further use.

Goodhue's St. Paul venture was first christened the Epistle of St. Paul, but the name being objected to by some of the proprietor's friends, it was changed to the St. Paul Pioneer, and thus remained until consolidated with the Press a few years ago, forming the Pioneer-Presa of to-day.

Mr. Goodhue, afterward christened Colonel, continued as publisher of the Pioneer until August, 1852, when he passed on before to the other world. The Grant County Herald, then published by J. 0. Coyer, at this time gave the following estimate of this remarkable man : " Col. Goodhue was a lawyer by profession, but soon after his arrival in Wisconsin, he purchased an interest in the Herald, after which he gave up the practice of law. Here in Lancaster, he commenced his editorial career, and here, during a three-years' experience, he perfected his extraordinary talents, and laid the plans which ultimately secured for him unbounded noteriety. In a pecuniary sense, he was remarkably successful ; having commenced without a dollar, he amassed a fair fortune within the few years of his editorial career. He united, in person, all the elements necessary to success in life. His intellectual countenance, when roused, betrayed that bitter sarcasm which distinguished him as a writer ; but when»composed, as strongly exhibited the wit that beamed through his humorous articles. The world was the seminary of his learning from which he gleaned the myriads of thoughts and expressions never before entertained or uttered by living mortal. Col. Goodhue will be a loss to the editorial fraternity, for he dared to lead in what the majority have not nerve to do - in exposing the errors of the many, the recklessness of the great, and the crimes of the high. All evil-doers were chastised alike, for he had no mercy to spare for any."

Goodhue was succeeded in the proprietorship of the Herald by J. L. Marsh, who, being of a conservative, quiet temperament, trimmed his sails more carefully to the difi"erent winds, and so managed to keep his craft afloat and with provisions enough to carry the crew so long as they remained aboard. He remained at the helm until June 19, 1851, when he was succeeded by the firm of Cover & Shrader. The retiring editor afterward founded the Independent American, at Platteville, and, after numerous newspaper adventures, settled in Sheboygan, Wis., having first purchased the Sheboygan Herald, which he continued to edit many years. Mr. Marsh is at present Postmaster in Sheboygan. When the new firm came into power, the subscription list numbered 261 names, but, owing to "certain unpopular sentiments held by the editor," the list fell to forty names in a short time ; but others rallied to the support of the paper, and, two years later, the Herald had 600 subscribers. The firm of Cover & Shrader continued as publishers of the Grant County Herald until January 1, 1853. At that date, Mr. Shrader retired from the partnership, his place being filled by Mr. Goldsmith. The Herald now began to make rapid strides toward the golden shores of prosperity. The editors were fully alive to the needs of the county, and, by ably written and timely articles, aimed to attract a goodly share of the western tide of immigration into this southwestern corner of tbe State. Speaking of their aims and purposes in this and other lines of thought, the Herald of July 3, 1854, says : " Our purposes from the first have been just three ; no more, no less. To tell our readers what they ought to be told ; to tell them what they want to be told ; and, thirdly, to make money. We care little for party measures or professions, since the thing professed ever fails of success however warm and numerous its advocates. We are tired of professions - men we have confidence in ; therefore, we shall be the advocate of men, since good men rarely ever profess much, but act out what they believe right, regardless of party or party favors. ' Men, not measures ' is our political rule of faith, and if men generally adhered to it, we'll be bound their will be oftener respected in the legislative halls and councils." As the firm became later on interested in other ventures, the editorship devolved more and more upon Mr. J. C. Cover, and hardly could the mantle of responsibility have fallen on better shoulders. Under his hand, the Herald became the exponent of the most advanced ideas of political thought. In fact, J. C. Cover, J. Allen Barber and Judge Mills are charged with " having made Grant Gounty radical in politics." Certainly the first-named of the triumvirate did his share, and history shows that the other triumvirs were not behind in the good work. In 1859, Mr. Goldsmith withdrew from the partnership, leaving Mr. Cover as sole proprietor. The Herald had already increased in strength until it was "a power in the land and" a welcome visitor to the numerous homes in Grant County, many of which had been established through the means of articles setting forth the beauties and wealth of this southwestern portion of the State. At the beginning of the new volume in the above year, the editor gave forth another article of editorial faith, by giving notice that, " we shall not intentionally, nor for bad motives, advocate a wrong, even though such wrong be popular and sanctioned by party, church or friends." In the stormy days just preceding and during the opening of the war, the position of the Herald could not be mistaken. Its clear, ringing editorials, gave signs of the true metal underneath, as its editor worked night, and day, by pen, tongue and example, to uphold the Nation, in those dark days of uncertainty. It was the Herald that chronicled the names of Grant's representatives as they came pouring forth to do battle for the Union. It was the Herald that, through the forethought and kindness of its ruling spirit, reached them far down in Dixie, bringing tidings of friends and home, and it was the Herald that bore, only too often, the tale of woe to the suffering and stricken parents, sisters and brothers, of the news of the son and brother's martyrdom on the altar of his country. To those that came back, the old familiar journal was more a necessity than ever. What wonder then that its subscription lists assumed plethoric proportions, or that its interest was not bounded by mere county lines, but reached out even into the whole State.

March 5, 1867, John Cover was associated with Mr. Cover. Sr. as assistant editor of the Eerald, and in June of the same year the proprietor gave evidence of his willingness to keep abreast of the march of modern improvements and demands, by increasing the Herald to an eight-column folio, and putting in a power press, which gave increased facilities for expeditious printing and handling of the steadily increasing issue. No further changes were made until December 29, 1868, when notice was given, editorially, that henceforth the business portion of the Herald would be transferred to John Cover, who, on January 1, would lease the paper for an indefinite period ; the editorial columns remaining in charge of Mr. J. C. Cover. Jnly 27, 1869, the former assumed editorial, as well as business control of the paper. Upon assuming control, the new editor says : " No changes will be made in the aims and politics of the Eerald. It will be our aim to publish an useful paper, in which the sentiments are radical and progressive, not only in politics but in all things - a paper devoted to the public interests and general good." In the previous issue the retiring editor, Mr. J. C. Cover, had severed the editorial link which, for the past few months, served to bind him to that journal, which he could with right claim as the child of his own intellectuality, the offspring of his active brain. In his valedictory, Mr. Cover referred to the past as follows: "With the present number of the our connection with the Herald, nearly half our life, as its editor and proprietor, we have aimed less to please the public than to benefit the people. We have not been a neutral editor upon any public issue. * * * * j^ resigning the place, we feel that we have not disgraced it by pandering to any man or faction, nor catered to wealth or power. * * * * * As to our past action in political party affairs, we have from necessity acted in a positive and commanding manner. In these matters we have aimed at the best for the people, very often in such view opposing our own choice, and acting in opposition to our own interest. We have erred at times, but in all such cases have endeavored subsequently to more than undo injuries. We are still indebted to some persons for errors, and shall not rest well till such debts are paid with interest.

" Long years we felt that upon the abolition of slavery, and the establishment of the perfect political freedom and equality of all men, there would follow but little else to excite our anxiety in politics. Our utmost editorial abilities were bent and exhausted in that great object, and now the country is a free country. All parties cannot henceforth fail to be true to democracy and equality, not from choice perhaps, but because they cannot help it. * * * It may be our lot to again, sometime, resume the charge we now surrender, but this is not the intention. In our future life, abroad and at home, and however employed, our old readers will be much of the time present in mind."

Mr. Cover had been appointed during the spring of 1869, Consul to Fayal, in the Azore Islands, and after some delay, sailed for his new post of duty in December of that year. He was suffering from poor health at the time of his departure, but it was hoped that the genial climate of these Islands would recruit the enfeebled frame. Such proved not to be the case. Mr. Cover sailed in June of 1872, by the packet ship plying between these Islands and the United States, for home, but died en route on the 4th of July.

After the death of Mr. J. C. Cover, the Herald passed into the hands of his son John- Cover, who had taken charge of the paper as heretofore stated in 1869. He continued as sole editor and publisher until December, 1876, when a partnership was formed with Edward Pollock, which lasted until December, 1877, when Mr. Cover withdrew, leaving Mr. Pollock as proprietor. He continued in this capacity until January 1, 1881, when the Herald passed into the hands of its present proprietors, Messrs. Cover & Farquharson, under whose careful manipulation the journal is fast assuming its old-time popularity and influence. Mr. Cover is a Lancaster boy, son of the former proprietor of the paper. He received a collegiate education at the State University was employed for a long time as stenographic reporter for the Fifth Judicial District, and later as Private Secretary to Senator Cameron, at Washington. . He brings to his work a mind fresh and active, besides being well versed in the wants and needs of journalism through association as assistant editor of journals in Wisconsin and the Far West. Capt. Farquharson, or " Cap. Ferg," a sobriquet which has almost become a household word in Southwestern Wisconsin, is a printer by trade, having served his time at "the case" at a time when memory runneth not back thereto, and at the breaking-out of the rebellion was employed as foreman on the Herald. Dropping the composing stick, he seized the musket and marched to the defense of his imperiled country. Having been associated with a military organization previous to the war he was elected Captain of his company, which formed Company C of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, serving with honor throughout the war, and only returning when the peace dove flashed her snowy wings over the land. He located at Boscobel, where he soon after purchased the Boscobel Dial, then a staggering sheet of limited circulation. Under his skillful management this journal was brought up to its present stable and influential position. As a job printer, "Cap. Ferg" stands without a peer in the State, and under his eye the Herald}oh rooms are becoming rapidly noted for the excellence of the work turned out therefrom. Ihe Herald, under its present management, is again, as in former times, radical in politics, always to be found in the front rank, fighting for freedom and equality of all classes, whatever their race or color. Among the many characteristics of the Herald, none were more prominent m its younger days than its moving proclivities. Franklin has said that " seven removes are as bag as a fire," yet in its thirty-eight years of existence this paper has almost reached the Fi*anklinian limit, though each time has come up fresher and more smiling than ever.

Soon after its beginning, the Herald establishment was moved into the frame structure first used as a court house, about where the bank building now stands. From there it was moved to tlie upper story of Pepper's building. In May, 1850, the the office was again moved into " a new building first used by P. J. Adams as a carpenter-shop " adjoining the court house square. With the issue of May 8, 1851, the paper suspended publication for a short time owing to the proprietor having to vacate his present premises, and the non-completion of the new office. This was completed in time for issuing the paper May 29, after an interval of three weeks. The new office was in the rear of Dwight T. Parker's store, and within a few feet of its former location. There it remained until September, 1852, when a new removal was made to an office " on the sunny side of the street and opposite to .nowhere." This appeared to be the last upheaval. Finally, however, upon the erection of the Ryland Block, on the corner of Maple and Madison street, large and commodious office rooms were offered in the second story of this building, which -were accepted, and here the Herald seems located "for good and for aye " after its numerous wanderings.

Grant County Democrat. - The lack of any medium through which to promulgate . Democratic principles and party policy, and the large number of that line of faith living within the tonfines of Grant County, led to the establishment of the Grant County Democrat, early in 1870, by Messrs. R. B. Rice and Bishop. The Democrat office was in the third story of the Block, now the Horstmann House. The existence of this journal extended over but a brief period when its life was squelched, and it succumbed to the inevitable and gave up the ghost. The press and material served afterward as the foundation of the Advocate, started a few years later.

Grant County Advocate. - This journal first saw the light in May, 1873, and was then known as the West Grant Advocate, being published at Bloomin^ton. C. N. Holford was the founder. A year later, J. J. Clifton was associated with him in the publication, and, in October of the same year, the place of publication was removed to Lancaster and the name of the paper changed to the Grant County Advocate. Hitherto it had remained neutral on all political questions, but it now came out conservatively Democratic, the first number being published at the new location October 14. The publishers at this time were C.N. Holford and P. Bartley. January 20, 1875, A. Reifstick was associated with the above named, and a company formed under the name of the '' Advocate Publishing Company." The Advocate ^^s, published under this management until the following May, when, with the issue of Mr.y 19, C. N. Holford and his erstwhile partner, Bartley, withdrew, and the publication was continued under the proprietorship of Mr. A. Reifstick. The paper, under this management, continued a brief but brilliant career. It was continued under the Democratic banner until 1876, when a " flop " was made to the Republican side. This move estranged, as a matter of course, those of its former political faith, while its orthodoxy was viewed with suspicion and distrust by those whom it would have secured. Under these disastrous circumstances the Advocate struggled for awhile, when it closed ite checkered career January 1, 1877. A half-sheet was issued from another office for one week afterward, but it was the post mortem throes of the dying spirit, and the conviction was unwillingly forced upon even the mind of its indomitable editor that the Advocate was no more.

Grant County Argus. - Previous to the final throes of dissolution that closed the career of the Advocate, C. N. Holford, who, since the dissolution of the Advocate Printing Company, had served as foreman of that journal, withdrew from that position and started, in 1876, in the second story of the building now occupied by Mr. Jones as a drug store, the Grant County Argus. In politics it inclined to the Greenback theories, which were at that time arousing the attention of the country. In 1878, the Argus was purchased by Messrs. Reifstick & Martin. J ni8 partnership did not last very long, and Mr. Reifstick withdrew. Under the editorship of Mr. wrtin the publication was continued until the first of 1880, when the press and material were transferred tn Pri.;r.;<> vi:.,^: ^i j . i.:_- _.:xi.

The first school in Lancaster was started in 1841, the old cabin first occupied by G. M. Price as a store being used as the schoolhouse. The school was started by some of the early settlers, and was supported mainly by voluntary contributions. The teacher was Miss Jane Ayers, then from Rockville, now Mrs. Trethuie, and for many years a resident of Lancaster. This first educational venture continued through the period of several terms. After its discontinuance, Francis Rigeaud opened a school in the northwest room of the court house, and a second school was taught in a building situated in Bushnell Hollow. Rigeaud was an old French soldier, and continued his embryo academy until the erection of the first schoolhouse in 1843. Under the laws, as then existing, the County Commissioners had power to lay ofF or subdivide their districts into school districts. This had been done 'in the district in which Lancaster was contained. The first attempts to furnish educational facilities for Lancaster youth had only shown the need for some regularly organized school, therefore, J. Allen Barber, Nelson Dewey and Daniel Banfill, as a School Board, proceeded with the erection of a schoolhouse for this district. The movement at first met with considerable opposition, and many were the volleys fired at the heads of the devoted trio. The building once completed, however, and its necessity being more generally recognized, the assailants were turned into admirers, and praise took the place of invective. The name of the first monarch who mounted the rude throne in this institution of learning has faded away into the mystic region of forgetfulness. Soon, however, the rule and rod passed into the hands of J. T. Mills, then a new-comer into the village. Having been educated at an institution of learning in Illinois and graduated under the eye of Dr. Edward Beecher, the new teacher was thought to be well enough versed in " readin', writin' and cipherin','' to undertake the task of bringing up the young Westerners in the educational way in which they should go. He was possessed, moreover, of something better than this, a qualification of which his patrons were unaware, namely, an understanding which could reach out beyond the narrow boundaries limited by set rules and render light the dark places, making easy the way by removing the hideous bugbears and puzzling intricacies which beset education in early times. It was soon found that the young teacher was the right man in the right place. So well had he succeed that he was unanimously chosen for a second term, and J. C. Cover was associated with him in the growing school. As tradition hath it, '' Mills was to do the teaching and Cover the licking." Then for the first time the old system and the new met, and, as might have been forseen (as never yet was one body known to travel in the same orbit simultaneously with another), the two systems gave forth a jarring sound which threatened annihilation of the whole educational plan. Each was a master of his system, and each thought his the best. Harmony was restored by an agreement that each should teach a week about, and, under this arrangement, those interested had a chance to compare both systems, ending at length in a victory of the new fa th over the old. This building continued the seat of learning in Lancaster for many years, alternated with " select schools," which were started under first one teacher and then another. Lancaster became, in fact, divided into two hostile camps, one favoring the ordinary public school system as in vogue among the Eastern States, and the opposing hosts wishing the educational privileges transferred to an " academy " or " high school."

In 1852, the latter class proved their faith by their works, and started a school in the Congregational Church, under the supervision of Mr. Demarist, who came well recommended as an educator. The Trustees of this institution were Daniel R. Burt, Nelson Dewey, J. Allen Barber and J. T. Mills. This school continued with varying success under different teachers until the advent of Mr. Page, now Judge Page, of Austin, Minn., whose attempted assassination some time ago created such a furor throughout that and adjoining States. Under Mr. Page, the school reached the acme of its power and influence. The gentleman, while enforcing a strict discipline that reduced the pupil almost to a mere machine, moving at the command of its master, forced his scholars along the road of learning at a pace hitherto unknown in educational annals. So successful were his efforts that early in 1858 a meeting was held in the office oi

Barber & Lowry for the purpose of considering the proposition of building an academy. The decision was in the aflirmative, stock was placed at $10 per share, and $1,200 were subscribed and one-quarter paid within a week. The building was to be 25x40 feet in size, two stories high, with accommodations for 125 scholars. Is was completed and opened in August, 1858, Mr. Page being the Principal. This gentleman soon after took his departure, owing to disagreements which arose between him and some of his principal patrons, and the " Institute " was continued until the completion of the present school building in 1870, when that, with its graded system, took the place of the former, and the " Institute " was discontinued. The building was transformed into a dwelling-house and remains standing, used for that purpose, on the corner of Oak and Monroe streets.