USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 58
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wrote to the editor, informing him, that, inasmuch as he had deemed one of her poems worthy of republication, perhaps he might now be willing to accept of some fresh from her pen. The result was, that the " Weekly " retained several out of the batch that the young poetess sent, and thereafter she became a regular contributor to "Harper's." As a specimen of her earlier poems, we give the following, which was written in her twentieth year, and for which the Harpers sent her a check for fifteen dollars.
THE MESSENGER.
BY ELLA WHEELER.
SHE rose up in the early dawn, And white and silently she moved About the house: four men had gone To battle for the land they loved; And she, the mother and the wife, Waited for tidings from the strife. How still the house seemed! and her tread Sounded like footsteps of the dead.
The long day passed. The dark night came.
She had not seen a human face. Some voice spoke suddenly her name. How loud it sounded, in that place Where day on day no sound was heard But her own footsteps! "Bring you word," She cried, to whom she could not see, - "Word from the battle-plain to me?"
A soldier entered at the door, And stood within the dim firelight.
"I bring you tidings of the four," He said, " who left you for the fight." "God bless you, friend!" she cried, "speak on ;
For I can bear it. One is gone?"
"Ay, one is gone!" he said. "Which one ?"
"Dear lady - he, your eldest son."
A deathly palor shot across Her withered face. She did not weep. She said, " It Is a grievous loss; But God gives his beloved sleep. What of the living ?- of the three ? And when can they come back to me ?" The soldier turned away his head - "Lady, your husband, too, is dead."
She put her hand upon her brow. A wild sharp pain was in her eyes.
"My husband ?"O God ! help me now." The soldier shivered at her sighs :
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The task was harder than he thought. " Your youngest son, dear madam, fought
Close at his father's side : both fell
Dead, by the bursting of a shell."
She moved her lips, and seemed to moan. Her face had paled to ashen gray.
"Then one is left me, - one alone,"
She said, "of four who marched away.
O over-ruling, all-wise God,
How can I pass beneath thy rod !" The soldier walked across the floor,
Paused at the window, at the door,
Wiped the cold dewdrops from his cheek,
And sought the mourner's side again.
"Once more, dear lady, I must speak. Your last remaining son was slain Just at the closing of the fight.
'Twas he who sent me here to-night."
"God knows," the man said afterward,
" The fight itself was not as hard."
Miss Wheeler has already published two books of poems. Her first volume was made up exclusively of temper- ance poems, and was published under the auspices of the National Temper- ance Association; and her second, which is composed of miscellaneous pieces, was published by herself, and has, we believe, reached its second edi- tion. Both her books have received very wide and flattering notices from the press. Her temperance volume found such favor abroad, that an English pub- lishing-house solicited the privilege of republishing it, and offered, at the same time, to secure a share of the proceeds to the young authoress. A request couched in terms so flattering was, of course, granted; and not many months since, Miss Wheeler had the satisfac- tion of receiving from across the ocean a very handsomely bound volume of the British edition of her temperance poems. A London paper has conferred upon her the high distinction of being the "Temperance Poet Laureate of Europe and America,"- a title, coming, as it does, from a high foreign source, of which she has just reason to feel proud. Indeed, Miss Wheeler's literary career has been singularly successful from the very outset. In addition to her poems, she has written for various papers and periodicals several hundred prose sketches and stories. She writes with the utmost ease either prose or poetry. An anecdote will, perhaps, best kling words, without being convinced
illustrate her readiness at composition. In 1872, when the re-union of the Grand Army of the Tennessee was held at Madison, Miss Wheeler had been invited by Col. Thomas Reynolds to write the poem for the occasion. The poem, as originally composed, had omitted to make any reference to Gen. Sheridan, as it was not known that he was going to be present. After his arrival, and after the crowd had assem- bled in the Capitol, and in the midst of the noise and confusion, Miss Wheeler added a very appropriate and highly complimentary stanza to her poem in honor of the gallant general. "You must be a very talented young lady," said the blunt but gallant sol- dier, who acted as president of the day, to Miss Wheeler, when this circum- stance was related to him. The poem, which was read at this re-union of the G. A. T., was received with the most enthusiastic applause by the large audience; and the stout soldiers of the society testified their apprecia- tion of her effort by presenting her with the gold badge of their order, and making her an honorary member. "If the applause she has received goes to her heart, it will be well, but if to her head, it will spoil her," re- marked Gen. Sheridan on the occa- sion. It is enough to say that Miss Wheeler was not spoiled by these flat- tering attentions. That a young country-girl, without influential friends to assist her, without means, and with a limited education, should have been able to accomplish so much in litera- ture in so short a time, is certainly quite remarkable, and shows most con- clusively that she must possess natural talents of a high order. It can hardly be supposed, however, that she has as yet reached the maturity of her powers. When time, reading, study, and reflec- tion have ripened her splendid natural abilities, we hope for still more and better productions from her pen. In personal appearance, Miss Wheeler is quite attractive. A stranger, who for the first time looked upon her hand- some face blooming with the ruddy glow of health, would discover nothing there to indicate the pensive, dreaming poet, but would rather regard her as a bright, sparkling country-girl, full of fun and frolic, and overflowing with happy humor. But there is something wonderfully bright in the glow of her handsome hazel eyes. No one can look into her sunny face, listen to her spar-
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that he is standing in the presence of a : The grief, the shame, and the sorrow, remarkably gifted young lady. Having The crime, the sin, and the woe That is born there in your rum-shop, No hand can paint, you know. given one of her miscellaneous pieces, we shall quote a single poem from her temperance book. We cannot say that it is her best effort, or even one of her But I'll palut you a sign, rumseller; And many shall pause to view This wonderful, swinging signboard, So terribly, fearfully true. best, upon this subject; but it will serve as a specimen of her powers as a tem- perance poet. It is entitled :-
A SIGN-BOARD.
I WILL paint you a sign, rumseller, And hang it above your door, - A truer and better signboard Than ever you had before.
I will paint with the skill of a master; And many shall pause to see This wonderful, swinging signboard, So like the reality.
I will paint yourself, rumseller, As you wait for that fair young boy, Just in the morn of manhood, A mother's pride and joy.
He has no thought of stopping; But you greet him with a smile; And you seem so blithe and friendly, He pauses to chat a while.
I will palnt you again, rumseller: I will paint you as you stand, With a foaming glass of liquor Held high in elther hand.
He wavers; but you urge him: "Drink, pledge me just this one;" And he lifts the glass, and drains it; And the hellish work is done.
And next I will paint a drunkard : Only a year has flown ; But into this loathsome creature The fair young boy has grown.
The work was quick and rapid : I will paint him as he lies In a torpid, drunken slumber, Under the winter skles.
I will paint the form of the mother As she kneels at her darling's side, - Her beautiful boy, that was dearer Than all of the world beside.
I will paint the shape of a coffin Labelled with one more "lost:" I will paint all this, rumseller, And paint it free of cost.
MRS. ABBY TICHENOR. - The maid- en name of Mrs. Abby Tichenor was Paul. She was born near Elizabeth- town, N.J., Oct. 5, 1787. She was of English descent, as her grandmother, when quite a young woman, emi- grated to this country. The father of Mrs. Tichenor, Mr. Paul, was a patriot in the Revolutionary War, and fought courageously during its entire course. In her early infancy, she re- moved with her parents from New Jersey to Galway, Saratoga County, N.Y., that region being then a wil- derness. Here she resided until after the restoration of peace between Mexico and the United States, when she and Moses Tichenor, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812, were mar- ried. Upon their marriage, in 1814, they went to live in Amsterdam, then Montgomery County, New York. In the spring of 1839 they emigrated to Prairieville, now Waukesha, Wis., where they remained till the time of their death. She died in her eighty- fifth year, April 12, 1872. Her husband died Oct. 12, 1872.
They both were of long-lived fami- lles. The grandmother, of whom men- tion has been made, died in her ninety- eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Tichenor had five children, the oldest of whom, Vernon Tichenor, a practical lawyer, is identified with the interests of Wauke- sha. The second child died in infancy ; and from that time no death occurred in the family till Mrs. Tichenor's death, a period of fifty-one years. The other children are still living, and reside in the State.
When Mr. and Mrs. Tichenor came to Wisconsin. they stopped two or three months in Milwaukee, and then came to Prairieville, and made their home by the spring which is now so celebrated, and known as the " Bethesda Springs." Mr. Tichenor purchased the quarter section on which the spring is located, at the land sale in Milwaukee, in Sep- tember, 1839. After living on this farm two or three years, they sold it, and bought another two miles distant, where they lived until their death.
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Mrs. Tichenor was a Christian woman; and from her youth was a person of marked piety. Both she and her husband possessed great mental and physical vigor, and belonged to that very small class of persons who have decided character, and yet retain a circle of warm friends, and no ene- mies. Though exceedingly active and industrious, she was quiet in manner; attentive and devoted to the interests of her family. She made no pretension to publicity. She was good, kind, and charitable to ali, and a woman well fitted to be a pioneer settler of Wau- kesha. Her neighbors regarded her with the greatest esteem; and her children, who knew her so long and so intimately, say of her, "She is one who well and faithfully discharged all her trusts." This is, indeed, a high testimonial, and especially so when its source is taken into consideration, but one which her friends are only too willing to indorse.
MRS. SARAH C. DOTY. - Mrs. Sarah Collins Doty, widow of the late ex- Gov. James Dnane Doty, was born in 1800, in Whitestown, Oneida County, N.Y. Her father's name was Oliver Collins. Enlisting at the age of six- teen, he was for five years a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was hon- orably discharged at its termination. He was a brigadier-general in the war of 1812, and commanded the post of Sackett's Harbor two years. He came to Whitestown in 1795, when the town- line of Whitestown extended south to the Pennsylvania line. He "took up" a farm at this place, and lived there until his death, in 1838.
Mrs. Doty was the eldest of eight children. The maiden-name of the mother was Catherine Kellogg of the Massachusetts Kellogg stock, too nu- merous to be counted. Mrs. Doty was one of five daughters, three of whom have resided in Wisconsin. They are Mrs. Gen. Ruggles, who now resides in Fond du Lac; and Mrs. Gen. Julius White, now of Evanston, . Ill. Mrs. Ruggles came to Fond du Lac County in 1842; and Mrs. White, then Mrs. Barlow Shackelford, was married, and settled in Green Bay in 1838, and after- wards resided for several years in Mad- ison, Wis. One of the three brothers has resided in this State. Judge Alex- ander L. Collins came to Madison in 1842, and lived there several years, but has sinee removed to Appleton, his present home.
her marriage, in 1823, to James Duane Doty, late governor of Wisconsin, but then the United States district judge for the Western District of Michigan; that region comprising the present States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the vast country adjacent to the Rocky Mountains. She made the voy- age by schooner from Buffalo to Green Bay in twenty-one days. During the summer of that year, she, with her husband and some "Indian voyageurs," travelled from Green Bay (Fort Howard) to Prairie du Chien (Fort Crawford) in a bark canoe, through the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and afterwards re- turned to Green Bay by the same route, and in the same manner. It must be remembered that Forts Howard and Crawford were but frontier military and trading posts. About the year 1826, Judge Doty became permanently settled in Green Bay. From that time to the fall of 1841, Mrs. Doty spent her time principally at Green Bay, occa- sionally dividing a winter between her father in Oneida County, and the city of Washington, where her husband, spent many of his winters. Her hus- band had been appointed governor of the Territory of Wisconsin by John Tyler, Sept. 30, 1841. Mrs. Doty went to Madison to reside, and remained there during her husband's official term. From there, Mrs. Doty went with her husband to Doty's Island, a most charming spot at the outlet of Lake Winnebago, or, rather, it extends along the beautifully-gravelled and timbered shore of the lake, between the two outlets known as the Mena- sha and the Neenah Channels. At this beantiful and lovely spot, the family lived until the spring of 1864, when she went with her husband. who had been previously appointed Governor of Utah by President Lincoln, to Great Salt Lake City. Previous to this ap- pointment, he had been elected a dele- gate to Congress four years. In about a year after their arrival at Salt Lake City, the governor died, and was buried at that place. Soon afterward she re- turned to Wisconsin, and spent her time principally with her only daugh- ter, Mrs. Jolin Fitzgerald of Oshkosh, until her death, which oceurred on the twentieth day of February, 1871, at the residence of her danghter.
Mrs. Doty was the mother of four children, one of whom died in infancy. James Doty, her second son, some years ago, went to Washington Terri-
Mrs. Doty lived in Whitestown until I tory as a companion in his travel, and
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as private secretary, to Gov. Stevens, joner, but not till he had thrown over- and died at Astoria soon after their arrival. Her children who survive her are Major Charles Doty of Alton, Ill., and Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald of Oshkosh, who. at the present writing, Is spending ber time with her family in Europe.
Mrs. Doty was possessed of a vigor- ons constitution to withstand the hard- ships incident to early frontier-life, and of high mental and social qualities, as well as of strong practical sense; such as were well calculated to command the friendship and respect of the many with whom she was necessarily brought in contact during the early settlements of the State, and the prominent, large, and eventful public life of her distin- guished husband. Her manners were such, that she was held in the highest regard by those of both high and low degree. Her memory is cherIshed with a lively respect, especially by the early settlers, among whom she took rank with the oldest. By her relatives and her Immediate family circle, she was regarded with deep affection; and her influence will still attend them, though she has gone to the spirit-world.
MRS. PROSPER BIRD. - This lady was born April 11, 1808, In Adams, a place nine miles from Sackett's Har- bor, in Jefferson County, N.Y. Her maiden name was Lurania Hewit. In 1812 her father with his family moved to Vernon, Oneida County. Mr. Hewit was in the commissary department in the war of 1812. Her home then was but three miles from Sackett's Harbor. Though quite young at the time of the battle at that place, she remembers distinctly the low thinndering sounds that Issued from the conflict, and her mother weeping on account of the dan- ger to which her husband was exposed in carrying provisions to the army. Those who are acquainted with the ancestry of Mrs. Bird, and her prede- cessors, know that they have never swerved from vindicating a right prin- ciple, and were ready, if necessary, to fight for its defence. Her children, one of whom was a captain, served in the late Rebellion, and fought on the side of the Federalists. Her father fought with the Americans in the war of 1812. Her grandfather Hewit was on the same side in the Revolutionary War. He had one brother in the same army, and another with the British. He was a sea-captain, and fought desperately. He was shipwrecked once at Hurlgate, and afterwards was chased by a boat of piratical Turks, and was taken pris- situated on the brow of a bluff that
board two kegs of gold and silver, with which the soldiers were to be paid. On account of his superior knowledge of astronomy, he affrighted the Turks, and managed to escape, having been a prisoner but three months. He died at the residence of Mrs. Bird's father, Jan. 12, 1812.
Miss Hewit was married to Prosper Burgoyne Bird, Dec. 23, 1826. It is well to state here that Major Burgoyne, nephew of Gen. Burgoyne of Rev- olutionary fame, was the maternal grandfather of Prosper B. Bird. The major was taken prisoner at the same time his uncle was, and afterwards married a young lady whom he remem- bered to have seen rejoicing over their fate; and to whom he said, "It may be fun for you; but it's death to us."
Mrs. Bird's first home after marriage was in Munnsville, Oneida County. Af- ter living there ten years, she and her husband, with their four children, the youngest of which was a mere Infant of six weeks, left their home In New York In January, 1837, to make a new one In the distant West. They trav- elled with teams, their conveyances being part of the time on wheels, and part of the time on runners: one of these contained the goods packed in the bottom of It; and, being tightly clapboarded, no rain nor dust could find an entrance. They went by the way of Lewiston and Queenstown, fer- ried across Niagara River, and then took a mountain-road through Canada to Detroit, from which place they took the lake-road around Michigan to Ra- cine. The first night they camped on the old battle-field of Lundy's Lane. One night they stopped at a log-cabin, which was being erected on the shores of Lake Michigan for the purpose of accommodating travellers. There were thirty who stopped that night. Since the stars were plainly visible through the roof and through the sides of the cabin, and since there was danger of their freezing to death, and a light was observed in the distance, they de- elded to try to find the place from which it proceeded. They were suc- cessful in this, and were comfortably entertained, but not till they had wit- nessed on their way a party of men at work digging up a sunken schooner. At Racine they put up at the hotel, the one building which the place af- forded. It was built of logs, and was
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overlooked the lake. From this place | river. Here they staid all night, and they travelled by stage to Milwaukee. Mr. William Bird of Madison, Mr. Charles Bird, and Miss Bird, afterward Mrs. Peaslee of Sun Prairie, with their mother, accompanied them on their perilous journey.
Here they made acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Juneau, the real founders of the city of Milwaukee. There were then bnt few houses in the piace. The jail, a log-honse, contained then three prisoners, - one a French- man of Green Bay, who had murdered his wife: the others were two survey- ors, by the name of Bennet and Scott, who were imprisoned for stabbing an Indian on the banks of Milwaukee River, and burying him on the shore of Lake Michigan. The last two prison- ers, breaking from the jaii while Mr. Juneau was absent, caused the In- dians to rush into the piace, threaten- ing to make considerabie disturbanee. Mrs. Juneau immediately sent a French boy for her husband; and, on his com- ing, he quieted them by " buying them off " with articles from his store. These were the first prisoners in the county jail of Milwaukee. At the time of the first election, Mrs. Bird was in the place, and says that on that day there were not many sober men. It was said at the time, that a barrel of whiskey was opened by Mr. Juneau, and a dip- per placed in it, for the convenience of voters. During the summer she wit- nessed the launching of the first boat Lake Michigan. It was called "The Juneau."
most of the next day, camping out on Stoner's Prairie, and arriving in Madi- son the next day, at four o'clock in the afternoon. Glancing through the jnt- ting boughs of the oak-trees, the basement of the Capitol could be seen. The lakes glimmered like sheets of silver through the oak-openings and the thiek foliage of the trees, and an Indian trail passed through the place. Mr. Bird's unenelosed frame-building, containing four rooms below and two above, and built on Lot 8, on the street now known as Webster Street, was not completed till April, 1838. Hence they lived in a log-house that occupied the present site of Mr. Kentzler's elegant livery-stabie. They next moved into the "oid iog boarding-house," near Mr. Pyncheon's present residence. The first well was located opposite it, and was dng in 1837.
The men who worked on the Capitol boarded with Mrs. Bird. There were only four iog-houses when she eame; and their owners were Messrs. Cottin, Palmer, Peek, and Stoner.
During the winter, Mr. Bird had the typhoid-fever; and his wife found her- self suddenly installed as physician, nurse, and servant.
At one time considerable excitement was caused by a servant-giri of George Featherstonehaugh, an English geolo- gist, finding a stocking fuil of French eoin. It was found near the present site of the Episcopal Church, and was supposed to have been dropped by Indian traders.
While Mrs. Bird remained in Mil- Mrs. Bird was present at the first wedding-ceremony in the place. The names of the conple were Jairus Potter and Elizabeth Allen, a young lady who had worked for both her and Mrs. Peck. Mr. Peek married them at his house, after which Mrs. Peck played the violin for them to danee. waukee, Mr. Bird built a home for them in Madison, when he returned for them. After they had started on their journey, Mr. Bird left them to go back to Milwaukee to transact some business in regard to the new Capitol, which was being built, but told her to stop at the first log-house over night, Their provisions were brought from Milwaukee, Fort Winnebago (Portage City), Blue Mounds, and Mineral Point. In 1838 potatoes sold at three dollars per bushel. The fruit procured in those early days was dried, excepting those berries indigenons to the conn- try, which were eagerly sought by the settlers. and wait there for him the next day. She found the piace with no difficulty ; but as Mr. Bird did not come as soon as she anticipated the next morning, and being an energetic woman, she re- sumed her journey. Mr. Bird over- took them about sundown of that day. From Milwaukee to Madison, they were ! gnided by marked trees, and posts The first house nsed for divine ser- vice was located near the present East Madison Hotel. stuck in the ground. There was only one house at Janesville; but, as the man was not at home, they could not Services were conducted in different houses, and then, for a while, in the Senate-chamber of the new State be ferried across, and so went by way of Beioit. There were two log-houses at that place, -one on each side of the House. The Presbyterians and the
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Congregationalists united in building | and are necessary to make pioneer the first church.
At this thne Mr. Bird's mother and her family were keeping the old Madi- son House. It was here the first death occurred. A Mr. Nelson, formerly from New York, died of typhoid-fever, and was buried in the present University grounds, - a portion of which was set apart as a cemetery. The second death occurred in April, 1838, in the house of Mrs. Bird, which, during a heavy thunder-storm, was struck by light- ning, Instantly killing a Mr. Samuel Warren, formerly from England. He was carried to the cemetery on a stretcher, and buried near the grave of Mr. Nelson.
The clapboards and the floor-boards of Mrs. Bird's house, and the palings to the fence around it, were made by hand, near the lake-shore. Twenty births, seven deaths, and four mar- riages, have taken place in this house.
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