USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 39
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"Speaking of my experience in roads reminds me of a little incident. I was a good deal of an explorer in those days and had frequent occasion to go through up the pinery, and think that was the object of my journey at the time the boy gave me the advice about the roads. The next time I thought I would beat the boy and map out a road for myself. I started out and came down to Helena, got across the river and struck the dividing ridge that divides Bear Creek from Honey Creek. It was a misty, moist, drizzly day, no one to be seen, and when I got to the summit I was completely at a loss where to go. I was anxious to strike Babb's Creek and go across there to the pinery. I explored to find a section line, or section corner, and I traveled on and on, and finally strnek some running water and coneluded I had struck Babb's Creek. I followed it through marsh and quagmire until nearly night. Finally I heard some cow bells and following their sound came out by Mr. HIarris's down by the Wisconsin river, about six or eight miles from where I started. Then I concluded I had better take the boy's advice and take the bad road rather than attempt to make one for myself.
"It was not long after this county was settled that efforts were made to improve the roads. On the 13th of January, 1840, an act was passed appointing John Mann and D. B. Crocker and others to lay out a road from Sauk Prairie to Whitney's Mills, and the next year these men not having all acted, Cyrus Leland and Ebenezer Buek were added. Soon after commissioners were appointed to lay out a road from Madison to Baraboo known as Rowen's Rapids, that being at the time the only point on the Baraboo river known to the Wisconsin Salon. I have detained you for the purpose of showing you the efforts the early
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settlers made to create and establish roads in your county. But I can not detain you by relating many other events, but in a general way I may say that the results of their labor have been exceedingly gratifying. We see the wilderness which has not become a cultivated field, but a thousand cultivated fields all over this county. Where we first crossed here with the trail barely cut out is now found the home of industry. Cultivated fields with abundance of crops take the place of the sturdy forest trees.
A ROAD THROUGH THE WOODS
"It should be the glory of the early pioneers that they have done something for the good of this country. What glory is it to the Sauk Indians that they were the first settlers of Sauk County? They left no memory of their work but a few broken sticks and a few crumbling rocks. But is it not a glory to the white pioneers that they have made the wilderness to blossom as the rose, that they have converted forests into cultivated fields, and have contributed largely to the building of this great thoroughfare through their county ?"
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OLD-TIME AMUSEMENTS By Mrs. L. H. Palmer
It seems to be the generally accepted belief that those who resided in the country and small towns previous to the past quarter of a century, lived a rather dun-colored existence; no pleasures, or no hopes of any kind. In fact they are described as being dull, overworked and underfed, without hope of any thing better unless they went to the city.
Undoubtedly these conditions prevailed in many homes, but a little investigation into the history of the social life of those times, brings to light that in many ways it did not differ materially from the present time.
True there have been many changes for the better in our rural homes which have added much to our comfort and consequently to our pleasures. The sports, games and amusements of those far-off days were mainly along the lines of today, though differing somewhat in their methods.
Fishing, boating and hunting were popular amusements and as there was no closed season, and no laws but those of supply and demand, the hunting season lasted the whole year, and in those days the keen-eyed hunters did not mistake a man for a deer at eighty rods.
Fishing on the rivers by the light of a pine knot placed in a wire basket was greatly enjoyed. The boat was usually manned by two or three fishermen, one managing the boat, the others handling the spears, and as they frequently succeeded in landing a boatload of the finny tribe in two or three hours. There seems to be a pretty substantial foundation under the fish stories that have come down through historical channels.
Skating on the inland rivers, lakes and mill-ponds was a never-ending delight in winter, and as the rivers were fed by numerous springs along their banks, many a luckless skater got a ducking.
Nearly every neighborhood boasted of someone with a little musical education, and winter would not have been winter without the singing school. The young, with a judicious sprinkling of those who sometimes forgot that they were no longer young, gathered at the schoolhouse once every two weeks to learn to climb the musical scale, and if some learned a lesson they remembered longer than they did their musie, their descendants have no cause for complaint. Musical instruments were expensive and few families possessed one, unless it was a violin, or fiddle, as it was then called, but singing was very popular and entered largely into all social life. A good solo singer was in great demand and frequently there would be a full quartet in one family.
Cards were not very popular, but checkers and chess were played by nearly everyone, and it was something of a distinction to be an expert at either of those games.
One of the old-time customs could be advantageously revived, and Vol. 1-24
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our leading educators are making great efforts to bring it about, and that is the spelling school. People could spell in those days, and when Jolin and Anna stood up and bravely faced Joe and Jessie, each pair supported by a long line of valiant assistants, the spectators sat up and took notice. The contest usually took place in the schoolhouse and lasted from one to two hours, the words being pronounced by the school teacher. By the time the spelling book was exhausted the ranks would be somewhat thinned. Geography, history, and the names of eminent people would be used to pull down the colors, and when the last tired speller went down to a glorious defeat, the audience sent up such a howl of applause as to cause the windows to rattle, and sometimes the old stove would topple over in the excitement. Then would ensue a lively contest to see which could do the greater amount of damage, fire or water. The decision was usually left to the judgment of the teacher when he ar- rived next morning to open school.
"When the frost was on the pumpkin and the corn was in the shock," was the time for the husking bee and an apple-paring frolic. There would not be enough corn husked to fill the corn bin very full, but the amount of fun gotten ont of the work filled the hours to com- pletion. Refreshments and dancing or games followed, making this form of amusement very popular.
Apple-parings were another very pleasant pastime. Apples were pared, quartered and threaded on strong twine and festooned around the room to dry, and occasionally the girls found some festooned about their necks, and were obliged to purchase their freedom. A candy-pull, with nuts and popcorn finished the fun for the evening.
Pleasant Saturday afternoons in summer were given over to playing ball. The diamond was usually laid out in some pasture, where the players and their friends gathered with all the enthusiasmn of a matched game. There were no gloves or face protectors, but the players with hands and muscles toughened by exposure to wind and hard labor, lined up and played a hotly contested game. At the close of the game the whole party would saunter to the shady coolness of the near-by forest, where would be found a swing made by suspending two long poles from the arm of some giant of the woods, with a seat conveniently arranged for two at the lower end. Here the young ball players would take turns in swinging each other with their fair friends until the lengthening shadows warned them that the setting sun was spreading its good-night banners across the western sky. With a ripple of good nights they would saunter homeward by twos, dreaming youth's sweet dream in the cool, beautiful twilight.
Pienies were quite as much in order as at present. There would be the usual feast where each housekeeper would modestly apologize for the inferior quality of her delicious cooking. Dinner would be followed with visiting among the older people, and the ever-present swing would
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be kept in motion. Feats of strength and agility would ereate muel interest among the spectators as the husky young men displayed their activity in running, leaping, turning somersaults, handsprings, or making cartwheels. Wrestling was much indulged in, and great was the exeite- ment when two seemingly equally matched contestants struggled for the victory. The terms side hold, back hold, square hold and rough- and-tumble indicated the manner in which wrestlers grappled each other.
Afternoon teas and quilting bees were social functions in which the women were greatly interested. Such gatherings gave opportunity for social intercourse; also a chance to display their culinary skill and, as in those days an especially good cook was held up as an authority on cookery in the neighborhood, all were anxious to make as delicious a spread as possible. Frequently the husbands would be invited to supper and the young people would come in the evening, when the quilt would be rolled up to make room for dancing and games. The designs and work on the quilts that have come down from those far-off days are silent witnesses of the skill and industry of our grandmothers.
Dancing has always been popular in all times, and among all classes, and our dignified grandparents were once young and enjoyed tripping the light fantastie toe as well as the most feather-headed of their descendants. The dances were conducted somewhat differently from the present time, round danees not being as popular, and there were not as many forms. Quadrilles and reels were greatly in favor, and the caller could ring on as many variations as his quiek brain could conjure up.
"Operreel," Virginia reel, moneymusk, with an occasional Irish trot, a rollicking jig, were all popular, but the real favorite was a firemen's dance. There was a throb and rhythm about that tune that set one's pulse throbbing and caused a general rush for places on the floor.
Round dances differed very much from present forins. The hop, skip and half turns on the modern waltz would hardly be recognized as waltzing by those familiar with the graceful gliding step of the old-time waltz. The dignified five-step and schottische would stare aghast at the gyrations of the modern tango.
This is but a partial list of the social activities and amusements of our grandparents' time. They were strong morally, mentally and physi- cally, and they lived, loved, married and reared their families and died, leaving to their descendants as a rich legaey the foundation upon which all the conveniences and luxuries of our modern life have been erected.
REMINISCENCES OF C. O. BAXTER
"Early in the spring of 1838, Berry Haney received private infor- mation from George W. Jones, who was then delegate in Congress from Wisconsin Territory, that the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, for
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their lands north of the Wisconsin river, was ratified. Haney at that time was engaged with Colonel Abner Nichols, of Mineral Point, in staging between Mineral Point and Fort Winnebago. They had two men in their employ by the names of Jonathan Taylor and Solomon . Shore. Haney at that time was living on Black Earth Creek, at the place now called Cross Plains. On the receipt of the intelligence of the ratification of the treaty, as above mentioned, he sent Taylor to the Wisconsin River, opposite Sauk Prairie, there to await the coming of Shore, who went with Haney to Fort Winnebago to purchase a skiff to take down the river to Sauk Prairie, in order to get across. They met at that point according to previous arrangement, crossed over and proceeded to mark out their claims. The first one marked out by them was for Berry Haney, on what is now Sauk City. Taylor claimed the next above Haney, and Shore the next, which claim I afterwards pur- chased and own at this time. Haney, I believe, had the first land broke in Sauk County. In June, 1838, he employed James Ensminger and Thomas Sanser to break ten acres, for which he paid them one hundred dollars. The first place in the shape of a dwelling on Sauk Prairie was built by Ensminger and Sanser. They dug a pit in the ground about four feet deep, 12 by 16 or 18 feet square, logged it up and covered the hole with hay and earth, making a sort of root-house. This they did for the purpose of preventing the Indians from burning them out, as they had threatened.
PALM TO THE ALBAN FAMILY
"James S. Alban (who is now Judge Alban of Portage County) and family moved on to Sauk Prairie in January, 1839, being the first family I believe in Sauk county, or what is now Sauk County. I believe it is claimed by John Wilson, of Wilson's Creek, that he and family were the first. How this is I cannot say; I have always understood, until a few years since, that Alban and family were the first.
ARRIVES AT SAUK PRAIRIE
"I left Rock Island for Wisconsin about the 1st of April, 1839, on board the old steamer Fayette. I arrived at Galena in due time, and there took stage-or rather wagon-for Mineral Point. The proprietor was John Messersmith, Esq. We arrived at his place at Elk Grove, at noon, where we were very politely entertained by the Esq. and his family, and after an excellent dinner we proceeded on our way. We arrived at Mineral Point in the evening of the same day. I there lay over one day for the stage-or rather wagon again-to Madison. At Mineral Point I met Berry Haney, who introduced me to A. A. Bird, of Madison, who was also waiting for the stage, and to many prominent
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citizens of the Point. We were one day in going from the Point to Haney's place in Black Earth Valley, where I arrived, I believe, on the 6th of April. A few days after I arrived at Haney's place, Haney, Joseph Denson, from Iowa Territory, and myself started for Sauk Prairie. We followed a dim trail to the river, left our horses on the South side and crossed over in an Indian canoe.
"We visited several of the cabins and claim shanties, and among others we visited D. B. Crocker's, which was situated where the village of Prairie du Sae is now situated. While there a little incident occurred that may be worth relating.
DENSON SHOOTS A LYNX
"The day was pleasant and we were all seated out in front of his cabin, admiring and conversing upon the beauties of the country when some one of the company discovered an animal of some kind approach- ing the grove below us, from the prairie. Some supposed it to be a deer, others that it was a wolf. Denson being an old hunter and good marksman, proposed to go down and try to get a shot. He took Crock- er's gun and went down to the grove, where he soon disappeared. Pres- ently we heard the report of the gun, and very soon Denson with his hat off, running with all speed towards us, making signs to us to come to him. We all ran as fast as we could. When we came up to him he told us he had shot an animal, the like of which he had never before seen. He said when he fired it leaped into the air about ten feet, and then he thought it was making after him, which was the cause of his running and giving us signals to come to him. After re-loading his gun, we cautiously advaneed to the spot, and there found a monster lynx pierced through the heart.
FIRST SETTLERS IN THE COUNTY
"The only families that were then settled in what is now Sauk County, were James S. Alban and Albert Skinner, unless John Wilson. Wilson was living at Wilson's Creek at that time. There were several young men making and improving claims when I eame, the names of all of whom I believe I recollect.
"H. F. Crossman, Burk Fairchild, D. B. Crocker, William Billings, William May, Nelson Lathrop, E. B. Harner and an old bachelor, by the name of Hunter.
"The third family that moved in was named Parks, and the fourth Jonathan Hatch's.
"We celebrated the 4th of July, 1839, where the village of Prairie du Sae now stands. There were 25 persons present, of whom four were females-Mrs. Alban, Mrs. Skinner, Mrs. Parks and Mrs. Haney. The
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other population of the County, or what is now Sauk County, were present. At that time we were in Crawford county. In the winter of 1839 and 1840 we petitioned the legislature to strike out a new county, call it Sauk, and attach it to Dane for all purposes, which was done. "The first election was held on Sauk Prairie in the fall of 1839, and returns made to Prairie du Chien. The return was made by James S. Alban. He went down in a canoe, and returned, I believe, on foot. We polled 14 votes, all told.
VISIT TO INDIAN VILLAGES
"Some time in October, 1839, five of us, Berry Haney, Burk Fair- child, Solomon Shore, Samuel Taylor and myself crossed the bluffs over to the Baraboo Valley. The trail led us over the bluffs immedi- ately back of what is now known as the Teals' place, the highest peak, I think, in the center range between the prairie and Baraboo. The trail led us directly to the Baraboo river, at the place where Maxwell's mill dam now stands. Here we forded the river and entered the Indian Chief's Caliminee's village, where we were very warmly and hospitably received. We rested and refreshed ourselves and horses, and were mueh amused in seeing the Indians playing cards and horse racing. Some of them would stake their last string of wampum on a single chance at eards. The game we could not understand. After spending about two hours at this village we started to traverse the river above, which we did, wherever it was approachable, as far up as Dandy's village, which was five or six miles above. At this village we were received with marked displeasure by the Indians, many of them gath- ering around us, and making much noise and confusion. They made signs and gesticulations for us to leave. After some parley with them, however, we succeeded in restoring quiet, and afterwards purchased some eorn to feed our horses for the night, and then left them in peace.
"We encamped about two miles above the village, where I spent the most disagreeable night of my life. It was very chilly, pitchy dark, and rained the entire night. We had no shelter except that afforded by our blankets, which was but little, as we were drenched to the skin in a short time, through blankets and all. After much trouble we sue- ceeded in making a fire, which somewhat relieved us from the eold.
"The next morning the rain eeased. After drying our clothes and taking breakfast in the Indian style, we proceeded up the river to the narrows, from which point we returned on the direct trail to the lower village, where we had the honor of dining with the Chief. We spent several hours at this village and then went down the prairie to the Narrows below, from which place we returned home. After a very tedious and tiresome journey across the bluffs, we arrived at Sauk some hours after night and lodged in the primitive house (or dug out,
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as we used to call it), which was a very agreeable change from the night before.
"We saw no visible signs of white men in the Baraboo valley. I think in all probability we were the first white men that ever crossed the bluffs between the Prairie and Baraboo valley.
FIRST WHITE CHILDREN BORN IN COUNTY
"Some time in the after part of the summer of 1839, Cyrus Leland and George Cargel moved their families to the prairie, being the 5th and 6th, and a little later in the season of the same year Berry Haney moved his family to the Prairie, being the 7th. On the 30th of Novem- ber, 1839, Charles B., son of Berry and Anna Haney was born, being the first white child born in Sauk County.
"There was nothing further of importance transpired during the winter of that year. The winter was very cold, with much snow, which covered the ground until spring. This ends my first year's stay in Wisconsin."-In a letter to W. H. Canfield, written in 1861.
In a footnote Mr. Canfield says: Sarah Leland, now wife of Judge J. B. Quimby, of Sauk City, I think was the second white child born in Sauk County .- W. H. C.
EDMOND RENDTORFF'S RECOLLECTIONS
Mr. Rendtorff writes to W. H. Canfield from Sank City, under date of June 19, 1861, as follows:
"On board the Hamburgh Packet, 'Barque Washington,' I left Hamburgh and landed safe, December 8, 1838, in the city of New York where I lived about one ycar as clerk in a mercantile house, being im- porters of dry goods, especially silks. I left there for the Southern part of Illinois, near Albion, Edwards county, where I lived with some Ger- man friends, and commeneed to learn something about farming. By extreme hard labor and the influence of that, for me unhealthy climate, my mind and body was nearly broken down-when, unexpectedly, and to my great joy, my brother Adolph arrived direct from home to visit me. It was in the spring of 1840. He had made the acquaintance of two passengers on ship-board-Auguston Haraszthy and his cousin, Charles Hallasz, Hungarians-and said if I had no objections it was their mutual wish and plan that we four settle together, and keeping up a correspondence with them, we prepared to join them. In the meantime my brother was taken sick and came near dying with a fever. I remained by him and did the best I eould under the circumstances. To rest a little at night I rolled myself up in a blanket at the foot of his roughly made bedstead on a few planks, called the floor of the log house. After a long sickness and as soon as my brother was able to travel, we left the place where we had endured so much hardship.
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ARRIVES AT PRAIRIE DU SAC (1840)
"In the fall of 1840 we arrived at Prairie du Sac. The day of our arrival I shall never forget. The weather was splendid. We stepped ashore and looked around, but stood still for a good while. The scenery -the beauty of nature made a great impression on me-on us, I dare say. 'Oh yes, if possible,' said we-'if possible, yes! yes! let us settle here !'-and immediately we were halloed and greeted by Haraszthy, Hallasz and the Germans who worked for them, and the few Americans present, as if we had been friends, 'long time ago.' The very next day we went to work.
"Over twenty years have passed by since my arrival here-a time faster spoken of than lived through-a time that has brought to our German settlement many hardships which the inhabitants can testify to; most of them are now forgotten, and with the joys and blessing which have been showered upon us, the griefs and hardships of the past are thought of no more. .
CHANGES ON SAUK PRAIRIE
"During the first days, especially, that I lived in Sauk, my eyes were much of the time on the fine scenery. It was no unbroken wilderness that met my gaze. The idea struck me that Indians had lived here and that still an ancient people before them occupied this lovely prairie. Many signs of them were here upon the surface of the soil, showing themselves in the silence of beautiful nature, where only a few white men could be seen. What a change time has made here! Those formerly untouched bluffs now show numerous quarries of lime and building rock. That valuable, high and mighty timber on the islands of the Wisconisn river and border is gone. Its barbarous enemy, the 'American ax,' in German hands has been here and brought destruction all around- but now in its place, kind nature has planted new trees which are at this time half grown again. The wild grass of the marshes has changed as countless tons of hay have been made there by the settlers.
"Look at the prairie from the end to the commencement again of winter, full of flowers, changing almost every week, one closing to make room for another-more blossoms than leaves or spears of grass. But now you see, only now and then-a vacant, unoccupied green spot ; the blossoms have disappeared by the feeding of cattle. Their seed could not fall to the ground to spring up again to bring blossoms for future years. But how is it with the spot of land and surrounding country where we landed in the fall of 1840? All then was covered with Indian hills; thousands of deer bones, glass neck-pearls, arrow points of flint, and Indian graves were everywhere to be found. Yes, here they hunted, fished, raised corn and died. Time has decayed the bones; the new gen- cration, children of Germans, have picked up their glass pearls, etc., to
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