Madison City (part 8 of 20)

Messrs. Young & Bro., built this year on the vacant lot ad¬ joining the one they owned, a block of two stores, 80 feet long and 40 feet wide, of cream colored brick, three stories high, the third story used as a Masonic Hall.

The Lake Side Water Cure, on the opposite side of Lake Monona, was, in June, remodeled and prepared for a public house. It was advertised as capable of accommodating 120 guests. The building is four stories, and has all the conveni¬ ences of a first class hotel. B. Frodsham, Esq., was the lessee. It soon became known for the beauty of its location, and was and is a favorite resort for summer visitors from St. Louis and other localities.

On the 4th of November, St. Raphael's Church was conse¬ crated with the imposing ceremonies of. the Roman Catholic Church. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni performed the service, and a sermon was delivered by Father Riordan. The large building was filled to its capacity, over 1,000 persons being present. The Bishop administered the rite of confirmation to 250 persons.

One of the prominent city improvements, this year, was the erection of the Rasdall House on King street. It is a large and handsome building, 85 by 75 feet, four stories high, and basement, with 72 rooms, and a dining room 58 by 25 feet, large rooms for parlor, reading room, saloon, etc.

Andrew Kentzler completed his large brick stable, one of the finest in the State, built of Edgerton brick, and is 74 feet $>y 66 feet, two stories, which, with the old building connected

L. D. Stoke erected a large and elegant dwelling house In the Fourth ward, below the depot of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. N. W. Deak, stone barn, 33 by 80 feet, in rear of the American Hotel; German Catholic Church, on Johnson street, near State street; B. W. Suckow's brick dwelling house; Sokeksok & Fredricksoh, stone planing mill and sash and blind manufactory; and framed dwelling houses erected by S. Hegak, C. Heikrichs, J. Y. Smith (double), W. J. Sulliyak, W. Davidsoh, W. Deards, Mr. McGoyerk, and others.

In December, the first steam fire engine was received, and tried on the shore of Lake Monona, with one thousand feet of hose. Steam power was used five minutes after the fire was made. The engine was a success every way.

An act of the Legislature, approved April 11, 1867, author¬ izing the Building Commissioners to provide, by contract, for the building of the rotunda of the State Capitol, and roofing the same, to be completed by Dec. 1 of that year, and $85,000 appropriated for that purpose. On the 18th of May, the bids that were offered were opened, and the contract awarded to Wm. Goodehow, for the sum of $83,636.

The Governor, in his message to the Legislature, January 9, 1868, recommends an appropriation for the construction of the Dome. In the message, he states, u that the artesian well in the park has been sunk to the depth of 980 feet, but, up to that date, had not proved a success - that the completion of the present contract will leave the well 1,000 feet deep. There had been expended upon it $8,622.70.

In February, of 1867, Rev. Chas. H. Richards was called from Kokomo, Ind., to become pastor of the Congregational Church, and, on the 10th of March, entered upon his work, in which he still continues. From the Church Manual, published in 1869, it appears that the church has a membership of 226; an admirably manned Sunday School of about 400 members, with an average attendance of 260 since the year opened; a Ladies1 Benevolent Society, worked actively for the poor ; and

On the 23d January. Hon, A. Van Wyck delivered an ad¬ dress before the State Historical Society, at the Assembly Hall - the first annual address since the society occupied their rooms in the Capitol.

At the spring election for city officers, held in April, Alden S. Sanborn* and Jas. K. Proudfit were the opposing candi¬ dates for Mayor. The former received 856 votes, and the latter 608; Mr. Sanborn being elected by 248 majority. For City Treasurer, Wm. Helms received 579 votes, and Geo. Memhard, 895, and was elected by 316 majority. The Aldermen elected were: 1st ward, Robert Nichols and Sam. Engel; 2d ward, A. R. Jones and M. T. Bailey; 3d ward, M. Christophers and P. B. Kissam; 4th ward, H. N. Moulton and Simon Foren.

The Grace Church (Episcopal) received, in April, their new pipe organ, which was the first of the kind introduced in the city churches. It has 680 pipes and 20 registers.

The new steamer, u The City of Madison," was completed and placed on Lake Mendota May 15. It has two engines, 64- horse power each, and boiler capable of running a 20-horse power engine; is 56 feet long, 13 feet beam, 18 feet across the paddle boxes, with a cabin 16 feet by 12. It was built by E. & W. Hendricks, and very strongly constructed, and is de¬ signed to run to the Hospital for the Insane, Picnic Point, and other places on the lake. This was the first steamer built for this lake.

* Hon. Alden S. Sanborn was born in the town of Corinth, Orange county, Vt., Oct. 21, 1820; was educated at academies in New England and New York; is by profession an attorney. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled at Milwaukee; was Treasurer of Milwaukee county in 1849; District Attorney of Brown county in 1851 and 1852, and of Outa¬ gamie county in 1853 and 1854; was member of Assembly for the Third District of Dane county in 1862, 1863 and 1864, and for the Fifth District in 1870; was Mayor of Madison in 1867, and City Attorney in 1869.

with a large gathering of people from the country. J. C. Gregory, President; Rev. J. C. C. Clarke, Chaplain; Prof. B. M. Reynolds, Reader; J. M. Bull, Poet; Capt. A. R. McDon¬ ald, Marshal; Hon. H. S. Orton, Orator. The address of the latter was highly spoken of.

"The whole number of school children, 3,559; an increase of 193 since 1866; number enrolled during the year, 1,626. The following is a description of the Second Ward School House, which occupies, with its grounds, lots 2, 3 and south¬ west half of 4, in block 138:

" The grounds have a front of 165 feet on Gorham street, and a depth of about 265 feet to Lake Mendota, upon which it has a border of about 165 feet. This site, which contains one acre, is well supplied with native forest trees, and cost $1,650.

" The building is 61 feet front by 42 feet deep, with vestibule projection of five by twenty feet in front, and eleven by twen¬ ty-six feet in rear.

" The basement walls are of stone, laid upon a concrete foun¬ dation, composed of broken stone and cement - are eight feet high. The rooms are well lighted, and floored with brick laid in cement, upon concrete of gravel and cement, and afford am¬ ple room for furnaces and fuel, as well as play room for pupils, in stormy weather.

"The building above the basement is constructed of Edgerton brick, with limestone trimmings. It is two stories high, with four gables, and a bell tower rising from the centre to the height of about 60 feet from the ground, in which is hung a 600 pound bell.

" There are four school rooms, each 26 by 34 feet, and 13 feet high, capable of furnishing seats for 64 to 72 pupils, with am-, pie wardroom closets.

" The exterior woodwork is painted and sanded. The inte¬ rior is grained to represent oak. The rooms are warmed by Littlefield's hot air furnaces, and are each furnished with two ventilating flues, with iron fan registers, which, with the con¬ veniences for opening windows from top and bottom, it is be¬ lieved will insure complete ventilation.

" The water from the roof of the whole building is conducted to a cistern under the basement of the rear vestibule, which has a capacity of about 250 barrels.

11 The water closets, 18 by 26 feet, are in the rear of the rear vestibule, and so constructed as to form part of the building, and by means of the cistern the vaults can be frequently washed and the contents sluiced into a cesspool some 150 feet distant. A ventilating shaft, extending from the vaults to the top of the smoke-stack, affords an escape for gasses and foul air.

u The building was erected by contract with W. T. Fish, Esq., by whom the mason work was done; the carpenter work by Messrs. Sorenson & Frederickson; the plastering by Messrs. E. Sharp & Co.; the tin work and heating apparatus by Messrs. Lewis & Allen, and the painting by Messrs. Pollard & Nel¬ son. The whole work was under the general superintendence of L. P. Drake, Esq., and cost $16,000. The architect was G. P. Randall, of Chicago."

House and Post Office, the building known as the Catlih dwelling house, was removed in July, having been sold to Judge E. Wakeley, who had it taken apart and removed to Omaha, Nebraska. The first improvements on this corner were a log house put up by Johh Catlih, Esq., the first Postmaster, in 1838, and a two story framed building subsequently added to the front, facing the Capitol square. It was a fine building in its day, and, after Mr. Catlin's removal, had many occupants, among others, N. B. Van Slyke, Esq,, Wm. A. Mears and E. W. Keyes. To the elegant and costly structure erected on its site, we shall hereafter refer.

There was a number of important improvements made during the year. Among them a fine stone block on Wash¬ ington avenue by Dr. J. B. Boweh, on the ground occupied by the Dane county store, the building on which was destroyed by fire the year previous. The buildings are sixty-six feet by sev¬ enty feet deep, and extend to the corner of Webster, and pre¬ pared for three stores. The new Lutheran church, corner of Washington avenue and West Canal street, a stone building thirty by fifty feet; Sharp & Oakley's brick front building adjoining the Methodist church on Pinckney street, twentythree by thirty-four feet, two stories ; Draper's meat market, corner of Miffln and Hamilton streets, brick, twenty-two by forty feet; W. J. Sullivah's extension to his block on Pinck¬ ney street; T. O'Neill's Hotel near depot of Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, two story brick; Geo. Fess, stone barn in rear of his boarding house, thirty-five by thirty feet, two sto¬ ries brick, and a large number of framed dwelling houses; S. Mills, two story brick store on Main street, near the old postoffice.

A meeting was held on the 16th of August to organize an association, to be known as the " Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences." Nothing however was done until the year 1870, when it was organized under a charter by act of legislature, ap¬ proved March 16 of that year.

something of the amount of business transacted. Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad: Total tonnage east, 16,495,610 lbs; west, 5,415,070 lbs; of this amount were 232,904 bushels wheat, and 386,500 lbs. dressed hogs sent east. Merchandise sent west, 2,143,200 lbs, and agricultural implements, 866,810. Chicago and Northwestern Railroad - sent east, 279,167 bush, wheat and 638,800 lbs dressed hogs.

On the 12th September, 1867, the Rev. Henby W. Spald¬ ing, of Evansville, Ind., was invited by the Vestry to the charge of Grace church, and he entered upon the duties on the 10th of November following.

In the year 1868 the basement of the church building was floored, plastered, and put in complete order for Sunday school and evening services, at an expense of $1,874.49, and in the following year the old brick building erected in 1850, and lat¬ terly used as a chapel and Sunday school room, was taken down.

In 1868, the Governor of the State, in his message to the Legislature, January 14, 1869, states that the rotunda of the State Capitol is now completed, and that a contract was en¬ tered into in May, 1868, with C. S. Rankin & Co., of Cincin¬ nati, Ohio, for the erection of the dome for the sum of $90,000, the work to be completed on or before December 1, 1869. He also states, that when the dome is finished, the capitol will have cost $528,315.60.

u The present capitol exhibits an attractive outside appear¬ ance, and is generally admired. The stone for its construction was supplied from quarries near Prairie du Chien and Madison. The inside is handsomely finished, and contains complete con¬ veniences; although more are yet necessary. In the basement are the water closets; boiler room, from which the building re¬ ceives heat; carpenter shops; book room; the roost of the war eagles, u Old Abe " and " Andy " and some committee rooms. On the upper floor, the four passages of which are neatly laid with squares of blue and white flag, are the departments of the several state officers. In the north passage are the offices of the State Treasurer and School Land Commissioners; in the south passage the offices of the Superintendents of Public Property and' of Public Instruction and the office of Attorney 'General; in the east passage the offices of the Governor and Secretary of State, and in the west passage those of the Adju¬ tant General, legislative clerks and State Agricultural Society, the last of which contains some fine specimens of minerals and other scientific curiosities. From the centre of these passages the rotunda and dome are seen to a great advantage. The sec¬ ond floor is reached by wide iron stairways, ascending from the south and north passages. This floor is diversely laid with red, yellow and black tiles, and in the centre a heavy iron ballustrade marks the rotunda. In the east is the Senate Cham¬ ber; in the west, the Assembly Chamber; in thp north, the Su¬ preme Court Rooms and State Library, and in the south, the -choicely filled rooms of the State Historical Society. The first purchase of books for the State Library was made in 1837, and it has received additions since, which make it very complete and valuable. The Historical Society rooms, always attractive to visitors, present an array of books, pictures, sculpture and lit¬ erary and other curiosities which are not only interesting and suggestive to Badgers, but to residents of other states. In one of these rooms, the torn and pierced flags carried by Wisconsin regiments during the late war, are carefully preserved in a glass enclosure, and in another room is a rare collection of ani¬ mal, mineral and vegetable curiosities belonging to Mr. Isaac Lyon, father of Judge Lyon, of the supreme court, and the greatest delight of this courteous gentleman is to give all visi¬ tors information concerning them.

" The collection in these rooms have for years past been re¬ garded as very creditable to the State, and to Hon. Lyman C. Draper, the patient and persevering originator of them. Mr. D. S. Durrie, the Librarian, has held that office since January 1, 1856, and has taken an active part in the management to the present time. Since the Chicago fire destroyed the histori-

" More iron stairways lead to the galleries and committee rooms of the chambers, and yet more, but narrower ones, lead to the store room where the arms and munitions of the state are kept and to the tholus; from which topmost elevation impressive downward view of the whole rotunda is obtained. The outside of the tholus affords convenience for enjoying an an exceedingly fine view of the city, lakes and surrounding country.

"The height of the Capitol from the basement to the gold gilt eagle on the top of the flag-staff is 225 feet and six inches, and exclusive of steps and porticos, the total length of the north and south wings is 228 feet, and of the east and west wings, 226 feet.

" Some impressive scenes have been witnessed in this Capitol during the war, when the legislature were acting on war meas¬ ures, and also when the veteran soldiers, on their return, were welcomed with song and feasting in the chambers.

" As characteristic of the vim and energy of the residents of Wisconsin, it must be stated that the Capitol building pro¬ gressed and heavy expenditures were made on it, while they were sharply pressed to raise their share of men and means for the war.

" The Capitol is surrounded with walks, greenswards, shrub¬ bery and trees, which are carefully kept in good condition, and these, with the pearly white building rising in their midst, elicit the general expression that Wisconsin has a choicely lo¬ cated and elegant Capitol."

*Gen. David Atwood was born at Bedford, New Hampshire, December 15, 1815. At the age of sixteen years, he removed to Hamilton, Madison county, New York, and commenced work' at a printer's case. After he became a master of his craft, he traveled extensively through the southern and western states for nearly three years, most of which time he was engaged in the printing business. In 1839 he returned to Hamilton, New

Mayor, and Wm. T. Leitch 853 votes, the former was elected^ For Treasurer, Jas. Conklin received 1,016 votes, and Chas> Hammer 684; Mr. Conklin's majority 332. For Police Justice^ J. R. Baltzell received 897 votes, and J. C. McKenney 807; Mr. Baltzell's majority 90. The following were elected' Aldermen: First ward, S. Engel and A. McGovern; Second ward, R. Wootton and H. Steensland; Third ward, Ole Thompson and P. B. Kissam; and Fourth ward, L. D. Stone and A. S. Frank.

On the 27th. of May, the corner stone of the new United-1 States Court House was laid with appropriate Masonic cere¬ monies, by the officers of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. Addresses were made by Gov. Fairchild, President P. A. Chadbourne and others.

On the 31st of May, the German Lutheran church, on Washington avenue and West Canal street, was dedicated. This church was organized in 1856, and in 1858 the congregation^ built a small meeting house on Main street, near the depot of the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad. This build-' ing was occupied by them until the last year, when the present edifice was erected. It is 32 by 60 feet, 20 feet high, with a belfry. The building is wood and cost about $3,000. At the dedication service, Prof. S. Fritschell of St. Sebald, Iowa,; Rev. J. Hauser of Cottage Grove, and Rev. H. Vogel, the" Pastor, delivered addresses.

York, and commenced the publication of a weekly newspaper called the Palladium , in conjunction with his brother. In 1859 came to the wesb and located a farm near the city of Freeport, Illinois, which he soon after disposed of, and removed to Madison, Wisconsin. He became connected with the Madison Express and remained with it until the fall of 1852, when he commenced the publication of the Daily State Journal , which he has ever since published ; in its early management he was associated" with Hon. Horace Rublee, now United States Minister to Switzerland.

Gen. Atwood was a member of the legislature in i860, and was appointed^ United States Assessor when that office was first created. In 1868 he held the office of Mayor of the City of Madison. On the decease of Hon. B. FHopkins, Member of Congress, Gen. Atwood was elected to fill his unex¬ pired term of office.

There* was no celebration of the national anniversary by the civil authorities this year. There was a large gathering of people from the country to attend a circus performance. The patriotism of the day seemed confined to the younger portion of the community, who indulged largely in fire crackers and small artillery.

The City Assessor published in August, a statement of the valuation of taxable property as follows: Real estate, $2,733,179; personal property, $1,356,745.67, being an increase of one mil¬ lion of dollars since the last year.

The report of the Board of Education, for 1868, shows the whole number of persons of school age, 3,485; whole number enrolled since September 2, 1867, 2,087. The expenses of the city schools for the year were, $34,815.58, which amount was for school furniture, repairs, supplies and teachers' salaries.

The amount of taxes levied for city, state, county and school purposes this year, was $88,412.81; in addition to which is $6,000 indebtedness to Madison Driving Park Association, and a bonus to the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad of $25,000, for the completion of the road from Madison to Sun Prairie, making the whole amount $119,412.81 - a tax of two and eight tenths per cent, on the valuation.

Jas. M. Sumner, this year, raised a three story building on Main street, between Pinckney and Henry streets, 22 by 132 feet, and Simeon Mills erected a fine block of stores on Main .street, 66 feet by 80, on the site of his former residence.

The following exhibit shows the gross amount of sales of the leading business firms in the city of Madison, as returned to Assessor Main, for the year ending April 30, 1868. None are included whose sales have not exceeded $25,000. Consider¬ ing the great depression in the value of merchandise the past year, and especially in dry goods and clothing, this list is a very creditable one, and in the aggregate quite largely exceeds the sales of 1866-7, and especially so in agricultural imple¬ ments, the sales in this department reaching $900,000, none .of which were manufactured here except those sold by E. W.

The city election of 1869, came off April 9. There was no regularly nominated candidate for Mayor made by the Bepublicans. The vote for that office was 1,350 for Andrew Proudfit, * and 145 for Elisha Burdick. For Treasurer Frank

* Hon. Andrew Proudflt, was born in Argyle, Washington county, New York, in August, 1820. He came to the Territory of Wisconsin in June, 1842, and took possession of some lands in Brookfield, then in Milwaukee county on the Rock river canal reservation, which was not then in the market. He cleared 60 acres for cultivation, part of which was heavy tim¬ ber, set out an orchard and built a barn. This property he sold in 1847. Mr. Proudfit removed to Milwaukee, and was bookkeeper for Shepard & Bonnell from 1844 1° J846. He then went to Delafield, where he improved a large tract of land and built a mill. He carried on a large business at

Peter Young and Simon Foren, 4tl ward. Hon. L. S. Dixon received 1011 votes for Judge of Supreme Court, and Geo. E. Bryant 1018 votes for County Judge.

The expenses of the city for the past year were $26,919.26, and the bonded indebtedness $254,000 - The assessed value of personal property, $3,839,502.

In the month of May, the section of railroad between Madi¬ son and Sun Prairie was finished, thereby shortening the dist¬ ance to Milwaukee twenty miles, and bringing Madison in con¬ nection with Watertown and points east. The first passenger train arrived here from Milwaukee May 22.

that place for six years. In 1852 he was elected Commissioner of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, and was re-elected in 1853. During that year the works were transferred by the State to a stock company, and he closed the business and was engaged the remainder of that season in building three miles of the Milwaukee and Watertown railroad, under a sub-contract. In the year 1854, he built the south wing of the State Prison at Waupun, and completed the same in October of that year. In Novem¬ ber, 1854, he took the contract for building the State Lunatic Asylum at Madison, and had expended over $19,000 on the same, when the Legisla¬ ture repudiated the contract. By act of the legislature the matter was settled by a board of arbitrators. In 1855 he disposed of his unsold prop¬ erty at Delafield by exchange with Beriah Brown of Madison. In the year 1858 and 1859 he represented the Madison district in the State Sen¬ ate. In 1864, he built the north wing of the State Capitol, and laid the foundation to the rotunda and south wing. In the year 1867 he built and completed the last two wings of the State Lunatic Asylum at Madison. In the spring of 1869, he was elected Maj'or of the city, and was re-elected in 1870 by large majorities. During the war he had a number of contracts for subsistence and other supplies for Wisconsin soldiers. He has also been connected with one of the largest agricultural implement houses in the State since 1862.

Mr. Proudfit is Vice President of the First National Bank in Madi¬ son, and is regarded as one of the most successful business men in the city.

The Roman Catholic Church, known as the " Church of the Holy Redeemer," was formally dedicated on the 22d of May by Rt. Rev. Bishop Heuni. The exercises were very impressive, twelve priests assisted in the service. This church was organ¬ ized in 1855 with some forty families, and has at this date about two hundred and fifty members. The building is of Madison stone, 125 feet long, 52 feet wide and 40 feet high. The main audience room is 30 feet at the sides, and 36 feet at the top of the arched ceiling in height, tower 160 feet high. The cost of the building is about $25,000. In the afternoon the Bishop ad¬ ministered the right of confirmation to 102 persons. During a severe storm in the year 1874, the steeple was so much in¬ jured as to require its removal; a new and more architectural one is to be erected.

The anniversary of National Independence was not formally observed by the citizens or authorities. Celebrations were held at Mazomaine and Middleton station in this county. The an¬ niversary this year came on Sunday, and as a consequence Satturday, Sunday and Monday were more or less observed by the different nationalities as a holiday on Saturday, the Dane County Stock Association had a fair, which, with races adver¬ tized in connection with it, drew a large crowd. The sermons by the city clergymen on the 4th, were of a highly patriotic character.

We do not find notices of as many improvements in the city this year as some others. Billings & Firmin' built their Mad¬ ison Plow Factory on Webster street, of stone, two stories in height, 50 by 66 feet. This establishment has been very successful and the excellence of their plows has achieved for them a wide reputation.

The small brick chapel on Washington avenue, which had been occupied by the P. Episcopal Church as a house of wor¬ ship, was demolished in the summer.

From the report of the Board of Education for 1869, it ap¬ pears that the city schools afforded facilities for 1125 pupils - the whole number of students enrolled since September 2, 1868,* 2,080. Students in attendance at the making of the re- port, 969. Number of children of school age, 3,640. The Su¬ perintendent of Schools refers to the necessity of the immediate erection of the University Avenue school house, which had been prominently brought before the public.

Simeon Mills erected this year one of the finest residences in the city, on Wisconsin Avenue, near Lake Monona, 66 feet on the avenue and 75 deep, of cream colored brick, with Mansard roof, etc.

Efforts to Remote the State Capital - Notice of Col. Bird - History of Grace Church, continued - Park Hotel Com¬ pany - University Ward School House - " State Journal ,r Reminiscences - Public Improvements, 1870-4 - Female College - Schools - National Anniversary - Railroad Enter¬ prises - The Messersmith House - Yacht and Boat Clubs - Notice of John Stoner - Presbyterian Church Improve¬ ments - Methodist Episcopal Church - Artesian Well - High School Building - Elections, 1870^4 - Grace Church Chimes - Congregational Church Building - Dane Countv Cave - Conclusion.

At the session of the State Legislature, held in 1870, a vig¬ orous effort was made by the citizens of Milwaukee to remove the seat of government from Madison to Milwaukee. Similar efforts had been made from the very first session of the Terri¬ torial Legislature, in 1836. On the 19th of February (1870), a hill was introduced for this purpose, and referred to the com¬ mittee on State Affairs, which was reported back unfavorably. In the report, the committee referred to the want of hotel ac¬ commodations for the large number of persons visiting the capital during the sessions of the Legislature, but saw no good reasons, after the State had expended so large an amount in the erection of the present building, to make a change. On the 28th of February, a memorial was received from the citizens of Milwaukee, making a formal tender to the State, and free occu¬ pancy of the extensive and costly buildings now in process of erection for the County Court House, to be constructed in their interior arrangements under the supervision of the State; the property occupying the whole of block 71 in the city of Mil¬ waukee. To this memorial the Board of Supervisors assented- The bill in the Assembly came up for action on the evening of March 9, in committee of the whole, when a long and ex¬ citing debate took place on the merits of the proposed removal. The bill was reported back to the Assembly, with an amend-* ment striking out all after the enacting clause, when a motion was made that the bill be indefinitely postponed, which mo¬ tion prevailed, the vote being 55 in the affirmative and 31 in the negative.

Soon after the adjournment of the Legislature, a meeting was called of the prominent citizens of the city to organize the " Park Hotel * Company," which was chartered by an act of the Legislature, approved March 18. Several meetings were held, and propositions made for a site for the proposed building. The lots on the southeast corner of the public square, corner of Carroll and Main streets, were purchased of LL W. Dean", Esq., the company organized, and stock sub¬ scribed to an amount sufficient to erect the building. The work was commenced and continued during the winter, and the house ready for occupancy in 1871. A description of this elegant building will hereafter be given.

On the 25th of February, 1870, one of the first and most noted settlers of Madison paid the debt of nature. On that .day, Col. Augustus A. Bird died very suddenly at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Johh Starkweather, in Green Bay, in the 68th year of his age. He was apparently in good health and had, less than an hour before, walked home from town, and was sitting at the table, when his head suddenly dropped forward, and he was dead. He is supposed to have died from the effects of cancers, of which he had several near the heart.

Col. Bird was born on the 1st day of April, 1802, in the State of Vermont. His mother was a daughter of Dr. Bur- ,<iOyne, who was a nephew of Gen. Burgoyne, of the British army. When three years of age, Mr. Bird's father, with his family, moved from Vermont, and settled in Madison county, N. Y. In April, 1821, he was married, in the town of West¬ moreland, N. Y., to Miss Charity Le Clar, who was a daughter of Louis Le Clar, a Frenchman. In 1826, Mr. Bird moved with his family to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained over two years, and moved back to Madison county, 3L Y.

getically in the business of building. He was appointed one of the three commissioners for the erection of the Territorial Capitol at Madison, and was the active and efficient man of the Board. Oh the first day of June, 1837, Col. Bird, at the head of about forty workmen, and a train of four wagons, loaded with provisions, tools, and other articles essential in commencing a new settlement, started for The Four Lakes," the present site of Madison. There was then no road, and the party were obliged to make one for themselves. By the aid of an old map and compass, by perseverance and energy, Col. Bird and his party were enabled to pursue their route, chopping their way through the forests, building long cordu¬ roy roads over swamps, and fording or bridging streams.

As a more particular account has been given in the former part of this volume of this journey to Madison, and the inci¬ dents connected with the history of the building of the u old capitol," it is not necessary to be repeated.

In 1851 and 1856, he was chosen to represent the Madison district in the legislature, and served the city as one of its ear¬ liest Mayors, and became well known to all early prominent men of the Territory and State. In the prime of life, he was a man of much energy, and was w^ell fitted by his har¬ dihood of character for a pioneer. He passed through many hardships and privations. Long will his tall, commanding form be remembered. We trust that his old pioneer associates gallery of the Historical Society. Colonel Bird leaves a wife, also several children, who have reached mature years and in dif¬ ferent walks of life - three sons in connection with newspapers in this State and elsewhere, have attained positions of useful¬ ness and prominence.

At a meeting of Grace church, held on the 28th of February, 1870, it was resolved to proceed as soon as practicable to the completion of the tower and steeple of the church; and at a subsequent meeting, a building committee was appointed, con¬ sisting of Messrs.!). Worthington, A. Proudfit and W. T. Leitch.

The funds for this purpose were soon after raised, and the work was finished during the year, and the building made com¬ plete by a graceful spire 165 feet in height. The subsequent history of this church to the year 1874 is as follows:

In the summer of 1872, the church was thoroughly reno¬ vated, the walls replastered and painted; the pulpit removed,, and a new one put in its place, the pews varnished and the aisles newly carpeted.

On the 10th of February, 1873, the rector Rev. Dr. Spald¬ ing* having been invited to another field of labor, tendered his resignation, which was accepted with deep regret.

In his farewell discourse he gave some statistics of the church, and of his labors in the vicinity, which are here given for pres¬ ervation :

" He entered, he said, upon his duties as their Rector on the 10th of November, 1867, and found, as the results of previous labor and faith, the church with its organ and furniture, though without a tower or spire, or its present commodious Sunday school rooms.

"Baptisms - Infants, 272, adults, 41; total, 313, or an average of more than 20 a year. Of these, some were administered at Blooming Grove, some at Vienna, a number at Middleton, and a large number are recorded as private.

He was graduated at Hobart College, Seneca, in 1855, and removed to Milwaukee, and was nearly six years in charge of the 6th Ward School as Principal, prosecuting his studies for the ministry under J. P. T. In¬ graham. In 1858, he was made a Deacon, and took charge of the Mis¬ sion church in Milwaukee He removed to Janesville; was ordained President and took charge of Christ church at that place. After a resi¬ dence of five years, he traveled one year, and was subsequently at Whitewater and at Evansville, Ind., where he labored three years. He accepted the call to Grace church, and entered on his duties November 10, 1867. He resigned February 10, 1873, and is now settled at Pittsburgh, Pa. In July, 1870, he received from his college at Seneca, the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

"The Confirmations are: Men, 21; women, 103; total, 124 - an average of a little more than eight a year; some from Mid¬ dleton and some from Windsor. Marriages during that time, 124; burials, 142.

" He regretted the imperfect record and loss of papers concern¬ ing the work of his predecessors, and said that much in the past, of self denial and earnest hard work for Christ would be lost till the great day shall make manifest the deeds of God's servants.

"Baptisms - of infants, 202; adults, 106; total, 308; an aver¬ age of a little less than 60 a year. Confirmations, 270; 13 of which were at Vienna; 7 at Middleton; and 23 at Evansville ; 55 were males. Marriages, 49. Burials, 64. Communicants, 260 or 270. Families about 120. Offertory, $12,680.68; expenses, about $15,000; the other moneys received, making a total of $30,000. Five missions have been built up. Five clergymen have taken orders, and six are now candidates for orders. There, are three working organizations under the Diocesan Board of Missions."

June 19, 1873, the Vestry unanimously resolved to call Rev- John Wilkinson, of Chicago, who accepted the invitation, and entered upon his duties July 13.

The city election took place April 5, 1870. There was no Candidate put in nomination against Hon. Andrew Proudfit for Mayor, who received 1164 votes. 104 votes scattering. For Police Justice D. C. Bush received 487 votes, and John R. Baltzell 1067, who was elected by 580 majority. For Treasurer Andrew Pickarts received 796 votes, and P. D. Barry, 761. Mr. Pickarts' majority 35. The following were the aldermen elected: 1st ward, F. Daubner and F. O'Brien; 2d ward,. W. Deards and A. Daubner; 3d ward J. M. Bowman and W. H. Karnes; 4th ward, James Ross and T. O'Neil.

The United States census was taken this year, and we find the population of the city reported as 9,173, and the town of Madison, 857. The county of Dane 53,109. The value of city property as equalized by the county board of supervisors in June, was, real estate, $2,500,000; personal, $1,260,018, and the town of Madison, $70,000.

In connection with the above statistics as illustrating the healthfulness of Madison, the interments in the u Forest Hill Cemetery 11 for the year ending March 31, 1870, were seventyone. Very few localities can make so good a report.

There was no formal celebration on Independence Day. Meetings were had before that date to make arrangements ,for a proper celebration, but subscriptions were not received to warrant the carrying out the plan. There was, however, a good number of persons from the country towns. The Zouave Com¬ pany, recently organized, had a public parade and drill. Races were held at the Driving Park. Fireworks at the Soldiers1 Or¬ phans1 Home. In the afternoon there was a burlesque proces¬ sion with reversed arms to satirize the omission of a regular celebration.

Orations were delivered at the following places by citizens of Madison: Oconomowoc, by Hon. Geo. B. Smith; Watertown, by Hon. H. S. Orton; Portage City, by S. U. Pinney, Esq.; Richland Centre, by Hon. Jas. Ross.

From the annual report of the Board of Education for the year 1870, the following statistics have been obtained: The number of persons of school age, 3,958. Number of pupils en¬ rolled from August 31, 1869, to July 18, 1870, 1,992; present number of members 956. The Board has in its possession eight school house sites, valued at $14,900; eight school buildings with furnaces, and seating, valued at not less than $70,000, with a library, melodeon, apparatus, maps, globes, charts and books of reference, valued at $700. During the year the Board pur- chased a site for a school house in the University Addition, known as lots 7, 8 and 9, in block 2, situated on the northwest corner of Park and Johnson streets, 165 feet on the former and about 240 feet on the latter street, at a cost of one thousand dollars.

Plans and specifications for the building were prepared by G. P. Randall, architect, Chicago; the precise character of which was settled upon in February last. Immediately thereafter, proposals for the construction of the building complete were invited by the committee, and a contract was made with Messrs. Fish & Stevens for the construction of the building in accord¬ ance with the plan and specifications, under the supervision of H. N. Moulton, Esq., to be completed on or before Decem¬ ber 25, 1870, for the sum of $14,829.

The building is 60 feet fronting on Johnson street, by 40 feet deep, with front vestibule projecting three feet from the line of the building, and about twenty feet in length, and rear vestibule for entrance and stairway 16x18 feet.

The building has four school rooms, each about 25x34 feet and 14 feet high - front stairway to the second story 5 feet 4 inches wide, and rear stairway of about equal width. A base¬ ment the full size of the building, floored with hard brick, laid in concrete, furnishes room for storage of fuel, sufficient to sup¬ ply the three furnaces designed to warm the entire building, and which can be used as play rooms in stormy weather.

Special reference to the suitable warming and complete ven¬ tilation of the school rooms was had in view, and it is believed we have in this building one of the most conveniently arranged and best ventilated school houses in the state, with capacity to seat about 270 pupils. This building was erected the ensuing year.

In the " State Journal" of September 13, 1870, Gen. David Atwood gives an interesting account of the history of the pub¬ lication of that paper, it being at that time eighteen years since the publication of the first number. Owing to the length of the article, we can only give some extracts: " In 1847, the of¬ fice was in the basement of a brick house that stood upon the site now occupied (1870), by Moseley & Bros., F. D. Fuller and Geo. W. Gilman. The house was unfinished at that time. Between that and the old American Hotel there was nothing; and on the site of the present " State Journal Block," which is now in the heart of the business portion of the city, there was a thick growth of native trees. Our next move was into a small house that stood upon the site where Bemis' meat market is now standiug. During the year 1850, Wm. C. Wells, whom many of our older citizens well remember, erected the store recently occupied as the postoffice. It was known as the " Mammoth Block" and was considered in the outskirts of civiilization, in the city. It was in the woods. On the 1st of January, 1851, we took possession of the third story of that u Mammoth Building," and were ridiculed for having our print¬ ing office out of town. After occupying this position for a year and a half, we had to look for new quarters. Messrs. Weed & Eberhard had just removed a small one story build¬ ing from King street to the site of Jas. W. Sumner's new store on Main street, and were fitting it up for a book store. They proposed to raise the roof and add a second story to this building, provided we would occupy it for a printing office. We accepted the offer, and from that little room, about 15 feet by 30, and seven feet high, which was used as a composing room, press room, business room, and editorial room, the first number of the Daily Journal was issued, eighteen years ago.

In 1853, " Bruen's Block " was erected, and on the 1st day of January, 1854, the State Journal took quarters in the fourth story, with an editorial and business room on the second floor. In 1857, a power press was added to the establishment, and oc¬ cupied a basement room on Washington avenue for its use. On the 1st day of May, 1860, the office was located in the block on the corner of Pinckney and Mifflin streets.

In September, 1870, the office was removed, as we trust permenently, to a stone block erected the present season on Wash¬ ington avenue, which will hereafter be as known the " State

Journal Block." Our present rooms have been fitted up ex¬ pressly for our use, and every thing has been adjusted with a view to make a pleasant and agreeable printing office in all of its appointments.

The following is a brief account of the rooms : A basement room for the power presses, 66 by 22 feet, the boiler room is outside, with coal vault, etc.; on the first floor, are our business rooms, occupying 20 feet front, and conveniently fitted up. On the second floor are the editorial rooms, large, light and pleas¬ ant. On the third floor is the composing room occupying the entire story, 66 by 60 feet in size.

The public improvements of Madison in 1870, were numer¬ ous and valuable. Fisher & Reynolds, furniture dealers, erected a fine building of Edgerton brick, on the corner of Pinckney and Clymer streets, 44 by 66 feet and 35 feet high, which cost about $7,000. Dr. J. B. Bowen enlarged his stone block on Wisconsin avenue, by an addition 66 feet by 60, three stories high, to be used in part by Atwood & Culver as a printing office, and is known as the State Journal Block. Cost about $12,000. Adjoining this block, J. N. Jones erected a building 22 by 60 feet, uniform with those connected with it, making the whole block 154 feet front on Washington avenue, and 60 feet deep, three stories high.

Prof. J. W. Sterling built a fine dwelling of Watertown brick on State street, near the State University, at a cost of about $6,000. Prof. S. H. Carpenter, on block 80, Wisconsin avenue, built a brick dwelling. T. E. Bird put up a brick building, 22 by 66, three stories, on Main street, costing $5,000. W. J. Sullivan's block, on Carroll street, which was destroyed by fire the year previous, was rebuilt and enlarged.

The legislature of 1870, appropriated $50,000 for the erection of a Female College building - the first instance of an appro¬ priation by the state for University buildings. With this amount, the Regents have built, during the year 1871, a fine stone structure 50 by 75 feet, with a wing 40 by 87 feet, all three stories high, and basement. It is provided with porticos, piazza, and ample halls and recitation rooms ; the conveniences of water distribution, closets, furnaces, laundry, cooking rangeT etc. The basement arranged for domestic uses. The building was entirely completed, everything included, plans, specifica¬ tions, wells, cisterns, and building, at a cost of $46,570.36, leaving in the hands of the treasurer $3,429.64, which has been used in partially providing suitable furniture. The building for military drill and gymnastic purposes, was completed this year, as also the laboratory for analytical chemistry and metal¬ lurgy. The University grounds have been very much improved by cleaning up, opening roadways and putting out trees, and the older buildings have been generally repaired, painted, etc.

The spring election for city officers was a spirited one. For the office of Mayor, Dr. James B. Bowen* and W. T. Leitck were opposing candidates. The latter received 752 votes, and the former 805, who was elected by 53 majority. For Treasur¬ er, Myron T. Bailey received 713 votes, and JohnLeivis, 862;. the latter had a majority of 149. The Aldermen elected were: Henry Yilas and Jas. Conklin, 1st ward; A. Daubner and C. P. Chapman, 2d ward; J. G. Ott and W. H. Karns, 3d ward; Thos. Dean and Estes Wilson, 4th ward.

From the report of the Board of Education, for 1871, it ap¬ pears that the whole number of students enrolled from Sep¬ tember 5, 1870, to July 1, 1871, was 2,437; number in attend¬ ance at time of making report, 1,134. Total amount of ex¬ penditures for the year, $29,149.56. During the year, a building was erected in the northeast district, of wood enclosed with

* Dr. James B. Bowen is a son of Jabez Bowen, a native of Rhode Isl¬ and. He was born at Killingly, Conn., Aug. 19, 1816. Before removing west he was engaged in the cotton manufacture, and carried on mills at Stafford and Woodstock, Conn. ; Warren, Mass., and at Rochester, N. Y. He subsequently studied medicine, and graduated in 1848, at Central Col¬ lege, and commenced practicing his profession at Providence, R. I., where he remained four years, when he removed to Madison, Wis.,. and has made it his residence to the present time. He was elected Mayor in the spring of 1871.

brick walls, one story high, 26 by 42 feet, with school room of size to seat comfortably 65 scholars, and cost about $2,300.- Extensive repairs were made on first and third ward schoolhouses.

The celebration of the 4th of July, 1871, was the most sat¬ isfactory one which had taken place for a number of years, with the exception of the sad accident which cost the life of one of our citizens, the cause of which was the premature dis¬ charge of the gun. One of the men in charge was terribly mangled, losing both of his arms. The name of the unfortu¬ nate man was John Bjetz, one of the employes of the State. He died the day following. The following persons were the officers of the day: President, Hon. David Atwood; Orator y Hon. Chas. E. Dyer, of Racine; Reader, Col. W. F. Vilas; Chaplain, Rev. Dr. H. W. Spalding. The procession, under direction of Hon. E. B. Dean, with his assistants, passed through the principal streets to the park, where the exerciseswere held. In the afternoon, a yacht race came off on Lake Monona, in which fifteen boats participated ; and, subsequently,, a race between the shell boats "Lady Fairchild" and "Kegonsa." Among other amusements, was a tub-race of three sixgeese teams; each tub was enclosed in a snow-shoe-shaped float, and the geese attached thereto by red ribbons tied to their wings. In the evening a display of fireworks completed the celebration.

The railroad enterprises of this year opened up to Madison two new outlets, and to a section of country that had long needed railroad facilities. Through the indefatigable efforts of Hon. Jas. Campbell, the road to Portage City was completed the first week in January, 1871, and the first train arrived here* on the 9th. This road is proposed to be extended to Grand Rapids and other points north as soon as possible, and, in con¬ nection therewith, a road to be built south to the Illinois State line, to connect with roads in that State. The other line of road runs northwest through Lodi, near Devil's Lake, and to Baraboo, and is to be extended to the Mississippi river and other points. The road was completed to Baraboo and a cele- bration was held at that place September 12. Both of these roads have been well patronized, and, in the summer season, the attractions of Devil's Lake and the Bluffs bring a large number of visitors from St. Louis, Cincinnati and other locali¬ ties, to spend a part of the season there.

The Park Hotel, which was commenced in 1870, was com¬ pleted, furnished and opened to the public in August, 1871. The following is a description of this elegant building, one of the handsomest of the kind in Wisconsin, if not the most costly:

" The location of the Hotel is on the corner of Main and Carroll streets, or directly opposite the south corner of the Capitol Park. The ground upon which it stands is several feet higher ihan that upon which the State Capitol stands, and higher than any other point between Lakes Mendota and Monona. Its size is 116 feet upon Carroll street, fronting the Capitol Park, and 99 feet upon Main street. It is built of Milwaukee pressed, cream colored brick, with trimmings of the best of Madison stone, which makes a wall the most pleasing to the eye of anything used for this purpose; is four stories high, with Mansard roof of elaborate finish. On nearly the entire front on Carroll street, or towards Capitol Park, is a broad two-story piazza. This front is to the northeast, where the sun only strikes it for a few hours in the morning, just when it is needed to dry it, thus rendering it one of the pleasantest places for recreation in warm weather that can be found. Upon Main street, also, a balcony runs along a portion of the building. The piazza is covered with a roof, and supported with light columns or pillars. The exterior of the building presents a most pleasing appearance, and is greatly admired by all who see it. In it there is no attempt at show, but there has been a neatness of design and execution that is very marked; and the result is a building of exquisite beauty and taste in its external appearance.

"Elegant and tasteful, however, as is the external appear¬ ance of this charming hotel, it is only an indication of its in¬ ternal arrangement and finish. Much attention has been be- stowed upon the plan of the house, with a view to its conveni¬ ence in every respect. Differing from most hotels in cities, this building is wholly used for the convenience of guests. The lower, and of course the best, story is not devoted to stores or other business uses, but the entrance to the office of the hotel is upon the corner of the first story. This room, or office, is large, and presents a very inviting appearance to the weary traveler as he enters it; and, to add to the attractions of the first entrance, there are two large and airy parlors adjoining the office, to be used for writing, or for conversational pur¬ poses. This is a remarkably pleasant feature of the house, and one that must give special satisfaction to guests. There is still another large room designed for a reading apartment. The dining rooms, large and elegant, and ball room, are also upon the first floor. But we need not particularize. It is enough to say, that this floor is devoted to the convenience of the ho¬ tel, and they are many and elegant.

" In the second story are the parlors, and numerous suites of rooms designed for families, fitted up with all the modern im¬ provements. This arrangement prevails throughout the house. All the rooms are pleasant and conveniently arranged. The views from them are those of surpassing beauty. On the one side we have a glimpse of the lake, with the finest landscape in the distance; on the other, the Capitol Park, the best business streets in the city, and so on, taking in a great variety of the most beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in this country. We venture the opinion, that no house in the west, or in the east either, can produce so many rooms from which are so many magnificent landscape views, as are to be found in the Park Hotel. It makes no difference whether the room be in the front or rear of the house - whether in the first, second, third or fourth story, the same beauty of scenery presents itself; and glimpses of some one of the lakes are seen from every room in the house. It is very difficult to decide upon a location in this house, with a view to its greatest pleasantness. Where all the rooms are so satisfactory, all guests must be pleased so far as room is concerned.

" In the furnishing of this hotel, no pains or expense has been spared to make this part correspond fully in style with the magnificence of the building itself; and, at the same time, afford substantial comfort to the guests. The entire furniture is of walnut, oiled, and of the most substantial character, and of modern style. The parlor carpet is Crosseley's velvet. All the other carpets are English body Brussells, except those upon the fourth floor, and they are of the best Lowell manufacture. All the beds are furnished with hair mattrasses and steel r i ngs of the best quality that could be procured. The table furniture, as silver, china, glassware, etc., is superior to any¬ thing of the kind we have ever seen. Exquisite taste has been exhibited in the selection of these articles. In fine, everything about the furnishing of the house is entirely new and of the very best quality. It is heated by the most approved steam apparatus, and water, both hard and soft, is distributed through every part of the house, and for protection against fire, hose attachments are provided on every floor.11

The Hotel has been leased to Mark H. Irish, Esq., late of the Queen's Hotel, Toronto, and the Queen's Royal, at Niaga¬ ra. In these positions, Mr. Irish has acquired a high reputa¬ tion as a superior hotel keeper.

The most elegant edifice completed this season, was the United States Court House and Post Office. It is located on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Mifflin street, opposite the City Hall. It was built by the government without regard to expense, and by mechanics who were paid by the day under the direction of Col. S. V. Shipmah, Superintending Architect. It is a four story building above the basement,, the corners and facings constructed of Joliet marble, and Madison stone for inside walls. It is 113 feet in length, and about 70 feet in width; is built in the most modern style of architecture, and surmounted with a Mansard roof. The interior arrangements are complete in all respects. The first, floor, occupied as the Post Office, is fitted up with all the modern improvements, has some 400 lock boxes, and nearly 2,000 other boxes. Many of the other boxes are trimmed with brass, and have oval glass lights arranged in the most tasty manner Back of the Post Office proper, are apartments for postmaster, chief clerk, the paymaster, cashier, etc.

In the second story are the offices of clerks of the courts, U. S. marshal, assessor and collector of internal revenue, judges, pension agent, etc.

The third story is occupied as United States District Court Room, and is in all respects the most elegant court room in the state and in the west.

The building is placed upon the most permanent and endur¬ ing foundations, extending some thirty feet into the earth, and it is literally fire proof, being built of stone and iron, except a few interior casings, which are of black walnut of the finest finish. The building is an ornament to the state and a credit to the government. To the energy of the late Hon. B. F. Hopkins is due the credit of securing the building of this magnificent structure.

In a review of the improvements made in the city during the year, the Madison Democrat says: u Though this year now closing has been remarkable for hard times throughout the State, owing to the short crops of 1870, and other causes, it has, nevertheless, been characterized by great advancement in all that tends to make a people great and prosperous. In increased railroad facilities and public improvements, the state has never made more rapid growth than in the past year, and Madison has made the same progress in all that tends to its substantial prosperity."

W e give an abstract of some of the more important improve¬ ments: In February, the building on the corner of Pinckney and Clymer streets, known as the Yak Bergen block, built in 1855 by P. H. Van Bergen, Esq., having come into possession of R. M. Hooley, Esq., the building was thoroughly re-modeled and arranged for an Opera House at a cost of about $6,000. It has all the modern improvements of a building designed for such purposes, with balcony circles, stage 60 by 30 feet, drop curtain, full set of scenery, etc., with a seating capacity of 800 to 1,000 persons. This is a building much needed for public occasions.

Dr. J . E. Baker completed his new block, corner of Pinckney street and Washington avenue, one of the most handsome as. well as most substantial in the city, and was built at a cost of about $30,000. The walls are of colored Madison sandstone. It is one of the most imposing buildings we have, and is greatly admired for its fine architectural appearance. It is occupied by the Park's Saving's Bank and two stores on the first floor on Pinckney street, the upper stories for insurance and other offices.

The Democrat Block, on Mifflin street, uear Carroll street, was built by Fish & Stevehs, of Madison stone; is 66 feet front * and 60 feet deep. The cost of the building is about $11,000;. is two full stories with basement. The upper portion is used for the printing office of the Democrat , and the first floor for three stores.

The Ellsworth Block is on Pinkney street, facing the Capitol,, and is 45 feet front, 80 feet deep, and three stories high; has two stores on first floor, the second floor for offices, and the third arranged with special reference to Prof. Worthihgtoh's Business College. The building cost about $12,500

In the earlier part of this history, reference was made to the old Messersmith House, on Pinckney street. Some additional information in reference to this building and events connected with its history, may be interesting.

In the month of April, of this year (1871), Mr. Fritz M^eder having purchased the lot on which the building was standing, adjoining the Ellsworth Block, took it down to make room for the fine brick building which now occupies its site.

In referring to the taking down of this house, Gen. Atwood, in an article in the State Journal of April 26, gives an interest¬ ing account of its history, from which liberal extracts have been taken.

. " In the autumn of 1837, Simeoh Mills, with Johh Mes¬ sersmith, began the building now demolished, and its timbers were enclosed that fall. Mr. Mills subsequently disposed of of his interest to Messersmith, who completed the building in the summer of 1838. Of saw mills, there were none in all this region in those days, and so the beams were hewn, the clap¬ boards, shingles and lath rived from oaks on the ground, as well as the facilities admitted, the building was finished in the fall of 1838. Messersmith opened " a wet grocery v in the lower part of the building, and in the upper story, Mr. Burroughs* of Iowa county, unchained the " Tiger " for the first time in Madison. It was the regular Bengal animal, whose superior has never been seen here since, and where it was kept was the great place of resort for those who loved excitement, or sought amusement, indeed for every bod}^ for there was almost no¬ where else to go, neither churches, libraries, theatres or lec¬ tures. Societjr was unformed, the few houses were crowded* and gambling was accounted equally respectable with any other occupation of that time. Money was abundant, and cir¬ culated freely, was easily got and carelessly spent. Burroughs and others in the ring " made cords of money " out of their dupes, and we have heard that the riches of the man who ran the saloon down stairs, mainly took wings and flew to the up¬ per story out of his reach. Many a scene of despair has doubt¬ less been witnessed in the old building, which would be a war¬ ning to all in danger from the vice of gambling."

Mr. MtEDEr's building is two stories, of stone, and is oceu^ pied by himself with his large stock of fancy goods and confer tionery. The building cost about $6,000.

Another valuable public improvement made this year, wasthe "Reaper Works," erected by J. H. Garhhardt, Esq., on the east end of Washington avenue, on block 223. It is built of white brick, and is as near fire-proof as is possible to make it. It is 175 feet long, with a wing on each end, 58 feet, ex¬ clusive of stone house, a switch of the Chicago and Northwest¬ ern Railroad runs to the coal house for receiving coal and lum¬ ber. The manufacture of reapers is to be the principal business.

Hiram Browh & C Lave put up an establishment at the foot of Main street, 22 feet front and 114 feet deep, exclusive of engine room. It is built of brick, and cost, with the ma-' chinery in it, about $20,000, and is designed for the manufac-

Sm History Of Madison And The

F. A. Ogden". Esq., has enlarged and greatly improved his block on Carroll street, west of the " Grace church." The block is 46 feet front and 40 feet deep, two stories high, and built of white brick, at an expense of $3,000.

Gen. Simeon MiLiAhas erected a two-story building on the .corner of Main and Wisconsin avenue (on the site of his former residence), and is occupied by Pardee & Bro's, druggists, and offices on the second floor.

Mr. Kleuter, near the East Madison depot, built a two story brick store for his own business at a cost of $3,500. Mr. P. Cass a similar building, 22 by 44 feet on King street.

There has been quite a number of elegant residences erected during ihe year, besides many cottages. The following is a memorandum of those built exceeding a cost of $2,500: Maj. Jas. R. Mears, brick, on Carroll street, $5,000; Prof. J. W. Sterling, State street, brick, $5,300; L. W. Hoyt, Esq., Wis¬ consin avenue, brick, $4,500; Maj. J. O. Culyer, Carroll street, on Lake Mendota, [frame, $4,000; Hon. B. E. Hutchinson, near Wisconsin avenue, brick, $4,000; E. S. McBride, Carroll street, brick, $3,700; Hon. E. W. Keyes, Pinckney, brick house enlarged, $3,500. The cost of private residences may safely be estimatd at $50,000.

The whole amount expended in permanent improvements may be put down as follows: Business blocks and stores. $217,500; private residences, $50,000; manufacturing establish¬ ments, $60,000; gas works, in buildings and new pipes, $30,000; street improvements, 850,000. To this may be added the new Female College and University grounds, $50,000; the new St. Regina Academy, on Washington avenue (three story brick with basement and Mansard roof, the building 33 by 70 feet), $8,500; and the pastor's residence, corner of Main street, a brick building, $3,500. The Madison Democrat puts down the whole improvements at over $500,000.

On the 9th of October occurred the " Great Fire of Chicago," the account of which produced as great excitement here as at any other point. Meetings of the citizens were held, and pro¬ visions and clothing were brought forward, and sent on imme¬ diately to relieve the sufferers. Madison responded to the call for relief promptly, and money and merchandise to amount to $10,000 were sent; assistance was also sent to the sufferers at Peshtigo in the northern part of the state, where the loss of life and property by the raging fires called aloud for aid and sympathy.

The Madison Yacht Club is the largest organization of the kind in Wisconsin. It was organized in the fall of 1870, by the consolidation of the Mendota and the Lake City Yacht Clubs, and was granted a charter by the legislature of 1871. The fleet of the club numbers sixteen boats, including schooner, sloop and cat rigged yachts. Numerous regattas are held du¬ ring the sailing season, attracting large numbers of people from all parts of the State, and have heretofore always proved great successes. The club has handsomely furnished rooms in Fairchild's block, where the late papers are always to be found.

The Madison Boat Club has been in existence only one year, but has a vigorous start, and is recognized as. one of the sub¬ stantial attractions of the city. It has a fine equipment of cedar and paper shells, and a fine barge for excursions and pic¬ nics. The club has invested in boats, $825; boat houses, $300, and equipments, $175, and contemplates making extensive ad¬ ditions during the season of 1872. It numbers among its ac¬ tive members many of the prominent, professional and busi¬ ness men of the city, and with fine equipments and unrivalled boating facilities, bids fair to take a prominent place among the many amateur boat clubs of the west. The rowing course on Lake Monona is unsurpassed east or west.

At the annual meeting of the Club, held October 28, it was reported that the total receipts since the organization were $1,010.20, of which amount, $891.75 was received from mem¬ bers, and $118.45 from other sources - that there had been paid for boats, $800.28, and $236.46 for houses and pier.

In the account above given, we have omitted to state that George Fess has enlarged his hotel accommodations by the construction of a two story brick building, 30 by 60 feet, at a cost of about $4,000. On this lot there has been for years a neat little building which has been occupied by Mr. Fess as a dwelling, in connection with his hotel accommodations. This little building possesses a historical interest which it will he interesting to notice. It was built in 1838, and was first used by the commissioners who came here to superintend the erec¬ tion of the old capitol as their office. It has been in constant use ever since. Its frame work never saw such an institution as a saw mill, or its lath a circular saw or any other kind. The large timbers for its frame were hewn with an axe, and its lath are of large proportions, having no regular size ; yet everything stands as firm as a rock, and the building could be safely re¬ moved to Milwaukee or almost any other place without fear of even cracking the plastering.

On the 11th of January, 1872, Mr. John Stoner died at his residence, in this place, in his 80th year. The following notice of him has been prepared by Wm. Welch, Esq. He was born in Washington county, Md., on the 25th day of December, 1791. When a child, he was taken to Adams county, Penn. ; from this place he went to New York city, and soon after to Buffalo, when that place was comparatively new. The family leaving Buf¬ falo, settled at F airport, 5 miles east of Willoughby, on the lake shore. Here his father died, when, with his mother, he returned to Pennsylvania, and learned the cabinet making trade. Soon after, the war of 1812 broke out, when he enlisted as a private, and at the close of the term of his enlistment, was discharged.

Mr. S. now went to Ohio, was married, and settled in Euclid, eight miles east of Cleveland, where he resided 25 years. W ith a small piece of land upon which he grew his bread, and work¬ ing industriously at his trade, he managed to obtain quite a competency for those days, but his family increasing faster than his dollars and his acres, he was obliged to seek for a wider range for his field of labors, and conceived the idea of seeking a new home in the then "Far off West."

Husbanding bis means, a portion of which he invested in a span of horses and a wagon, he started with his wife and a family of seven children, for Madison, the capital of the then Territory of Wisconsin, and after a tedious journey of just four weeks, through a new and almost wilderness country, reached his destination on the 6th of September, 1837. His wagon was about the first that came from Janesville here. Janesville then contained but one solitary double log cabin, and was occupied by Jakes himself. The course of this place was marked by blazed trees, a party of government surveyors having just before run a line between the two points.

Mr. Stoker found but three or four log cabins in this gay capital. The old Peck house, a log building, with a small frame attached, stood near the site of the present residence of Wm. Pykcheok, Esq., and was the principal point of attraction. The wood frame afterwards constituted a portion of the kitchen of the old Madison Hotel.

Aside from women and children (few indeed), the population of the place consisted of but twenty-five or thirty persons, most of whom were emploj^ed as laborers on the capitol. Milwaukee and Galena were the points from which provisions must be ob¬ tained, and as the wife and babies had not learned to live with¬ out food, Mr. S. was obliged to procure it. He concluded to go to Galena, and on foot he started. At the head of Fourth Lake, where Pheasant Branch now is, he struck an Indian trail which led off into the lead mines, and from there he found a wagon track to Galena. Arrived there, he purchased a yoke of oxen and a wagon, and his provisions. Pork was $36 per barrel; flour, $30 to $35 per barrel; butter, $1 per pound; sugar 75 cents, and everything else in proportion. Returning to Mad¬ ison he was caught in a heavy fall of snow. When the storm abated the snow was so heavy that he was unable to travel, and he camped several days and nights, subsisting himself and team as best he could. On reaching home, he found a new born son, which was the first male child born here, and which he at once christened " Madisok " in honor of the place.

" Stoner's Prairie," a few miles west of Madison - the prairie taking his name. Leaving his family in town, in order that his children might have the benefit of a school, he kept u bach" on this farm more or less for seventeen years, the first few years without fences, being annoyed only by deer and wild geese. Finally, he sold his farm for $15 per acre; within a year thereafter the same land was worth $50.

In the spring of 1863, his faithful wife, who had shared his pioneer life, died. His family having grown up, he felt alone in the world. Restless and uneasy, the pioneer spirit revived, and taking his old sorrel mare, which he had owned when a colt twenty-two years before, and his only grandson, a lad of fourteen summers, he set out for Colorado Territory, where his son Madison had made a home four or five years before. The next year he returned to the States, going back the same sea¬ son - coming and returning with the old mare. In 1865, he came again to Madison, returning the same year, after visiting Ohio.

Mr. Stoner had two daughters, who were married, hut they died a few years after, of consumption, as well as two unmar¬ ried daughters. His son George W. Stoner is still a resident of Madison.

At the spring election, April 2, 1872, for the office of Maj^or, Jas. L. Hill* received 976, and Alden S. Sanborn, 772 votes; Mr. Hill's majority, 204. For Treasurer, Maj. Chas. Gr. Mayers received 1,017 votes, and A. Herfuth, 722; majority for Maj.

* James L. Hill, Esq., is a son of Priam B. and Amanda E. Hill, and was born at Brockport, N. Y., July 4, 1834. He removed with his parents to Fulton county, Ill., in 1836, and, in 1842, to Milwaukee, where he made his residence until 1854, the last two years of which he was engaged in the banking house of Marshall & Xlsley. In February, 1854, he removed to Madison, and was Teller of the State Bank, which place he retained until the organization of the Bank of Madison, in i860, when he took the posi¬ tion of Cashier, and subsequently President of that institution, which he retained until the business of the bank was suspended in 1873. Mr. Hill was elected Mayor at the spring election of 1872.

Mayers, 295. For Police Justice, A. B. Braley received 1,224 votes; there was no opposing candidate. The Aldermen elected were: E. Cook and Geo. W. Buhker, 1st ward; R. Woottok and C. P. Chapmah, 2d ward; F. M. Dork and Johh Lewis, 3d ward; and Adriak Webster and Estes Wilsoh, 4th ward.

The number of scholars in the city schools, from September 11, 1871, to June 28, 1872, as reported by the City Superin¬ tendent of Schools, was 1,927 ; the number present at the date of the report, 1,043. The total receipts for the support of the city schools, for the year past, were $25,690.36; and the expendi¬ tures, $25,366.21.

On the 13th of June, the corner-stone of the new Congrega¬ tional Church building, on the corner of Washington avenue and Fairchild street, was laid with appropriate exercises, includ¬ ing addresses by Rev. Dr. Samuel Fallows, Rev. C. H. Rich¬ ards and Gen. David Atwood. In the former part of this work we gave an account of the early history of this church, which was established in 1840. For a number of years past, the building occupied by the society had been inadequate to supply the growing wants of the congregation, and the erec¬ tion of a new building was called for as a matter of imperative necessity,

The following is a brief account of the building pro¬ posed to be erected: It is to be a little irregular in shape, but about 75 feet square, the audience room being 10 feet less in width than in depth, and will seat 650 on the main floor, and 350 in the galleries. There will be rooms for conference and social gatherings, Bible classes, etc., in the basement, with the present chapel made available for Sunday School purposes. It is to have a tower 16 feet square, with a spire 176 feet high. The total cost will be nearly $35,000, of which $23,000 has been subscribed at this date. A more detailed account of this building will be given hereafter.

than usual interest. The Society of the Army of the Tennes¬ see held their annual re-union at this place at that time, which brought hither a large number of the most prominent officers in the army to participate in the meeting. The Journal says: " Seldom, if ever before, has Madison been so thronged by peo¬ ple from the surrounding country as on this occasion. Some 4,000 persons arrived by railroad, at the East Madison depot, between the hours of 9 and 10 A. M., and, during the day, about 7,000 arrived in all, and not less than 1,500 from the adjacent towns. Among those present, were Gen. Philip H. Sheridah, Gen. Belkmap (Secretary of War), Gen. Pope, Gen. Noyes (Governor of Ohio), and a large number of military officers of high rank, as well as private soldiers, etc. The pro¬ cession was large and attractive, under the charge of Col. W. F. Vilas and nine assistants. At the stand, the following per¬ sons took part: Hon. Geo. B. Smith, President; Rev. H. W. Spaldimg, Chaplain; Wm. Welch, Reader; and S. A. Hurlbut, of Belvidere, Ill., Orator. There was a yacht race at 3 P. M., and a rowing race at 4 o'clock, which were well attended, and were very satisfactory. The exercises were concluded by a fine display of fireworks.

The corner-stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Dayton street, was laid on the 30th September, with appropriate ceremonies. An address was delivered by Rev. J. H. Twombly, D. D., President of the Wisconsin University. The new church promises to be a very fine and most substantial structure, and a great ornament to the city. It is to be of stone throughout, 115 feet by 60 feet, and to cost not less than $50,000. One of the features of the re¬ port adopted at the last West Wisconsin Conference, in rela¬ tion to this church, was, that the whole sum was divided in three equal parts ; one third to be raised by the church at Mad¬ ison ($16, 666.66f); one third by the West Wisconsin Confer¬ ence, and the other third by the Wisconsin Conference. Madison has already raised about the whole of the sum appor¬ tioned to her, or has in hand property to that amount. The

Rev. Dr. Alfeed Beunsoit , of Prairie du Chien, has furnished for present use, a history of this church, from the earliest time, and other statistics derived from the church records are here¬ with given. We are fortunate in being able to give so full an account of the organization.

The building of the territorial capitol, commenced in 1837. This brought a large number of workmen to that place, with others who intended to reside there. In the course of that summer the Rev. Salmon Stebbiks, now of Bristol, Kenosha county, then Presiding Elder of Milwaukee District in the Il¬ linois Conference, in primitive Methodist style, following the new settlers as fast as they kindle their camp-fires, visited the place and preached to them; the first sermon of any kind preached on the present site of the capital of the state.

I am not aware that he found any of his own church among the workmen or settlers, but he met with a hearty welcome; and attached the place to the Aztalan Mission, to which Sam¬ uel Pilsbuey and Jesse Halstead had been appointed, and they also, probably, visited and preached to the people more or less.

The next year, Madison and Fort Winnebago were made a Mission Circuit, with John- Hodge as Pastor. The country being new, the settlements sparse, circuits in those days em¬ braced a large tract of country.

Madison, being the capital of the territory, was kept at the head of the circuit, though there was not a member of the church in it; and thus it continued, once connected with Muscoda, but mostly by itself, as the nucleus to the surrounding country.

My first visit to Madison was in the month of December, 1840, as a member of the Territorial Legislature. Down to that time there had been no class formed, and preaching was done in the Capitol, the Assembly Hall, which was the only place for public gatherings, and it was open for all denomina¬ tions. Finding a few Methodists in the Legislature, and among its officers, I gathered them together on Sundays for class meet¬ ings; the first class meetings held in the place. On Sunday morning and evening, preaching was kept up in the Assembly Hall. The Chaplain, Jas, Mitchell, being a Methodist, he and I took it turn about, there being no other preacher there, except an occasional visitor, for the winter.

The first organization of a Methodist class, as well as I can ascertain, was in 1841, by Rev. T. M. Fullertoh, consisting of six members, which increased but slowly, with now and then a decrease, chiefly by removals, leaving the present number (1873) about one hundred and thirty.

The year 1851 was a year of peculiar affliction to the Metho¬ dists of Madison, by what has since been called " the Snow Storm." The pastor, Rev. J. Show, by some means became partially demented, and so administered discipline as to exclude, or cause to withdraw, about half the members of the church, for which he was deposed by the conference from his minis¬ terial functions, and those who had been expelled, or had with¬ drawn to avoid expulsion, were restored to theirbriginal mem¬ bership, yet the effects of that terrible storm are still felt and seen, and probably will be more or less, till that generation passes away.

The old church, " on the corner," now such an eye-sore to the membership and the people of Madison, was begun in 1849 or 1850. While yet connected with the circuit, " Father Wm. Fox" of Oregon, then a part of the circuit, was the principal agent in its erection. But the society being small, and having but little of this world's goods, the building went on slowly. Business men and property holders did not seem to appreciate the value of a church in enhancing the business

The old church, however, at the time it was built, was quite respectable, being nearly the first house of worship in the city, and quite as good as others of its time. But the growth of the city, and the erection of larger and more splendid buildings and churches, the old home of Methodism in Madison fell into the shade, and our wealthy members and friends, both residents and visitors, became ashamed of it, and business men coveted the site for a building house. The house also became too small for the congregation. Under these circumstances, the society, for years, have been devising ways and means for building a house of worship that would be more acceptable to the eyes of the public and accommodate the attendants. But not being able of themselves, and others outside of the church, not seeming to appreciate the value of such a building to the name and property of the city, nothing was done in this direction until our conference of 1871, when it was resolved to make it a State affair, and the other conferences agreeing to it, the Rev. D. W. Couch was appointed an agent to solicit aid from the members and friends of the church, and put up a building that would be an ornament to the Capital of the State, and be a fit representative of the most numerous church in it. This is now under way, and it is hoped will be ready for occupancy within a year.

Our system ot itinerancy, requiring annual or bi-annual charges in the pastorate, necessarily gives variety to the pulpit - some of the best, and some not so good - but as u variety is the spice of life," on the whole, the best results have followed, though some localities may not see it in that light.

The history of Methodism in Madison has been one of humiliating tendencies. Methodism has not grown or pros¬ pered here, as it has in other places, but as the humble have the promise of the Savior's help, we hope that better days are dawning upon us.

the other part of the State, and the first session of it was held in Madison in that year, in the old church. In 1861, soon after the rebellion broke out, we held another session in the city. The old church being too small, we were honored with the use of the Capitol, and while the Stars and Stripes were waving over our heads, we adopted a set of resolutions, the first, I believe, from any ecclesiastical body, proffering aid and comfort to President Lincoln- in that mighty struggle for life and liberty, to which Mr. Lincoln made a respectful and thankful reply, which was entered upon the journals of the conference.

In addition to this valuable paper, the following historical sketch has been prepared by Rev. Geo. Fellows, a former pas¬ tor of the church, on the same subject, and is copied from the church records:

The first conference that sent her members to labor in Madson, was the Illinois conference. The first appointment made in this State was by that conference, October 1, 1835, at Mil¬ waukee. In 1836, Root River Mission was formed, and Samuel Pilsbury appointed pastor. At the Illinois conference, 1837, Salmon Stebbins was made presiding Elder of Milwaukee dis¬ trict, and Madison mission left to be supplied, which is the first mention made of Madison. Col. A. A. Bird says, a Methodist clergyman, Rev. Salmon Stebbins, preached the first sermon delivered in Madison, in the month of September, 1837, at which time there were but four families in the place; Eben Peck and family, John Pierce and family, John Stoner and family and the widow Bird's family. Mrs. Marion Stark¬ weather, a daughter of Col. Bird, says that in March, 1838, Rev. Samuel Pilsbury (who was preacher at the Aztalan Mis¬ sion), came and preached in Madison, and during the season came regularly once a month. Her father (Col. Bird), received word from a friend in Buffalo, N. Y., that Pilsbury would be here and preach if a place could be provided, and thereupon a log barn was enclosed on the spot where Mr. A. Kentzler's stables are now located, and it was made ready in March to .shelter the people. Mr. Pilsbury came and preached his first sermon there. The following persons were present: A. A. Bird and family of four children; Dr. Almon Lull, Charles and William Bird, and the barn was surrounded by three or four hundred Indians, who were curious listeners. A few inci¬ dents of Mr. Pilsbury's labors have been preserved. While tarrying at Col. Bird's for about a week the young girls, including Marion, having heard some of the settlers say that they had not had a prayer at their house for years, kept an ac¬ count of the number of morning and evening prayers made b}r Mr. P. while with them, with chalk on the door. Mrs. Stark¬ weather also says, that Mr. P. was present and opened by prayer the first session of the Territorial council held in the then unfinished State House. It is also quite probable that Mr. Stebbins was here occasionally through the year as pre¬ siding elder.

There were no members reported to conference at the session September 12, 1838, but Madison and Fort Winnebago were associated, and the Rev. John Hodges was the missionary. At the end of the year five members were reported in his field. In the year 1839, Madison was left to be supplied. Rev. Mr. Stebbins was employed at Racine and Southport, but preached at Madison occasionally during the year. Miss Ruth Starks came here October 11, 1839. At the meeting of the Rock River Conference, held at Pine Creek, Ogle county, Ill., there were three members reported at Madison, August 26, 1840, viz., Ruth Starks, Benjamin Holt and wife. Mr. Holt was leader. It is probable that Rev. S. P. Keyes who Avas at Fort Winnebago, preached occasionally during the year, there being no missionary here. At the meeting of the conference at Platteville, August 21, 1841, there were eleven members reported at Madison. At the conference at Chicago, August 24, 1842, six members reported, and S. P. Keyes at Madison mission. The services were now held in the capitol. At the conference held at Dubuque, Iowa, August 23, 1843, seventy-eight members re¬ ported at Madison, and Jesse I.. Bennet, missionary. At one held July 24, 1844, fifty-eight members. Salmon Stebbins, preacher. One at Peoria, August 20, 1845, forty-six members, and William Allen, appointed, but did not come, and Benja¬ min Close came as a substitute. Mrs. Hannah Pyncheon Wright became a member this year. At the conference at Galena, Ill., August 12, 1846, Madison reported (including ad¬ jacent towns), 260 members. F. Smith and R. R. Farnsworth, preachers; the latter did not come, but Wm. Tasker was asso¬ ciated with the former. August 11, 1847 - members, 234. John Penman and C. B. Foster, preachers. The Wisconsin conference was formed J uly 12, 1848, and met at Southport (Kenosha), two hundred and twenty members reported, John Penman, preacher. Conference held at Platteville, July 27,

1850, conference held at Beloit, and sixty-eight members and eighty-seven probationers, Wesley Lattin returned. The building of the church was commenced this year. June 25,

1851, conference held at Waukesha; one 104 members, 36 probationers and five local preachers. Madison district, Wash¬ ington Wilcox, presiding elder and Jonathan M. Snow, and Enoch Tasker, preachers. Sept. 1, 1852, conference held at Fond du Lac; there were 106 members, nine probationers, two colored and one local preacher. J. Searles and W. H. Thom - son, preachers. The church was completed this year and dedicated, Rev. S. C. Thomas preaching the dedicatory sermon. Of the subsequent ministers of this church, we find, in 1853, 0. F. Comfort, pastor; 1854, J. Nolan; 1855 and 1856, M. Himebaugh; 1857, C. E. Wyrick, 1858, J. West Miller, for eight months, and Rev. Samuel Fallows, a student of the Univer¬ sity, appointed junior preacher, 1859, J. C. Aspinwall and Mr. Fallows, assistant*

Rev. A. McWright, appointed October, 1859, and re-ap¬ pointed in 1860, but did not return. Rev. Elmore Yocum was employed for eleven months. September, 1861, Rev. J. A. Swetland appointed, and was re-appointed, but retired after a short service, owing to ill health, and W. H. Wilde appointed, and preached the balance of the year, and was re-appointed and labored until January, 1864, when his health failed. Rev. J.

M. Springer, chaplain of 3d Wisconsin regiment, supplied the pulpit until May 1, when H. H. Parker was engaged to fill the balance of the year. He remained until September 1. Rev. Geo. Fellows supplied the pulpit in the month of September. He was re-appointed August, 1865, and served until August, 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jos. E. Irish, Rev. H. K. Cobb, Rev. P. S. Mather and Rev. H. Stone Richardson to 1874.

Rev. Salmon Stebbins, now of Bristol, Kenosha county, Wisv who, it is believed, is the first clergyman who preached at Madison, has furnished the following account of himself, and of his first visit here: He was born at Plainfield, N. H., July 13, 1795, and came to Wisconsin, October 26, 1837. He first stopped at Southport (now Kenosha), passed on to Mil¬ waukee, through the counties of Washington, Manitowoc and Sheboygan, to Green Bay and Fond du Lac, and reached Madi¬ son November 28, 1837. Here he found Col. A. A. Bird and his posse of workmen employed in building the Territorial Capitol. He was invited by the Colonel to preach in his bar¬ room, who sent messengers, as he thinks, to the entire popula¬ tion of the town, to whom he preached, as he believes, the first sermon at the capital. He further says, " the character of his congregation may be estimated by the fact that, without solici¬ tation, the next morning he was presented with a purse of $11, to aid in his missionary work." In his diary at that time, he writes: "I preached to a very interested and interesting con¬ gregation." At that time there were no inhabitants between Madison and Jefferson, and but very few at that place.

The 4th of July, 1873, was generally observed as a patriotic holiday, although there was no regular celebration. There was no procession. The morning and a part of the afternoon was rainy. The Good Templars had an excursion to Devil's Lake, in which many participated, and many were drenched by a shower coming up on their return. There was a yacht race on Lake Monona in the afternoon. The old settlers of the city were entertained by Wm. M. Rasdall, at his residence on Fairchild street.