USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo County, Wisconsin > Part 41
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41. Jacob Gangnagel to Theresa Stuber, Feb. 8, '58. John P. Stein.
42. Andreas Hoch to Anna Maria Mueller, Jan. 11, '58. J. F. Haisch.
43. Heinrich Keller to Mrs Anna Benker, April 9, '58. Martin Joos,
486
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
44. Math. Johr to Louise Egbert, May 1, '58. Ferd. Fetter.
45. Friedrich Hepp to Sophia Multhaupt, May 1, '58. .F. Fetter.
46. Edward Berger to Sally Jane Fuller, April 2, '58. J. F. Haisch.
47. Benedict Moy to Mrs. Anna Maria Haug, May 13, '58.
48. Chas Lesly to Anna Lindes, May 21, '58. J. F. Haisch.
J. F. Haisch.
49. Seb. Petz to Amalia Folienauer, July 10, '58. B. Leerburger.
50. Michael Damm to Maria Anna Kargthaler, May 31, '58. J. P. Stein.
51. J. Geo. Vollmer to Margaretha Hosang, July 2d, '58. John Clarke.
52. Jacob Duff to Elizabeth Multhaupt, July 10, '58. John Clarke.
53. Adam Schuster to Elizabeth Grover, Aug. 26, 58. Rev. D. Marogna.
54. Otis Russell to Margareth Enright, Sep. 24, '58. Wilson Crippin.
55. Geo. Schroeder to Albertina Rieck, Sep. 27, '58. J. Linse.
56. Geo. Gottlieb Oppliger to Annie Ebner, Oct. 16, '58. John Clarke.
57. John J. Gasser to Lina Spuehr, Oct. 18, '58. J. Linse.
58. George Haag to Victoria Ey, (Ay?) Nov. 13, '58. B. Lcerburger.
59. Henry W. Dewey to Susan M. Shelley, Nov, 18. '58. B. Leerburger.
60. Joseph Segar to Rebecca Gardner, Nov. 28, '58. Jos. Scafe.
61. Chas. Segar to Sette Myers, Nov. 28, '58. Jos. Scafe.
62. Lorenz Arms to Ursula Jenall, Feb. 6, '59. Martin Joos.
63. Christ. Schweizer to Franiska Ulrich, Dec. 11, '58. . J. F. Haisch.
64. Joachim Guettinger to Fridericka Lautenbach, Dec. 4, '58. John Linse.
487
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
65. Casp. H. Keckeforth to Ellen Katharina Take, March 2, '59. B. Leerburger.
66. Oliver M. Olds to Sarah Lafferty, March 30, '59.
Jos. Scafe.
67. Conrad Christ to Margaretha Florin, May 2, '59. Ferd. Hellmann.
68. Andreas Florin to Susanna Schamann, May 2, '59. F. Hellmann.
69. Vincent Hurlburt to Mary Ann Springer, May 14, '59. Benj. Babcock.
70. Fred Sonnemann to Mrs. Salome Hilbeber, May 28, '59. B. Leerburger. 71. Martin Nick to Theodora Pforti, June 7, '59. Ferd Hellmann.
72. Gottfried Waelty to Elizabeth Ochsner, June 14, 59. Ferd. Hellmann.
73. Julius J. Gobar to Elizabeth Kaiser, June 20, '59. Frederick Mager.
74. L. N. Plemon to Delia Pritchard, June 20, '59. John Legore.
75. John Buchmueller to Anna Ellers, May 16, '59. J. A. Hunner.
76. Frederick Schaub to Amalia Huebsch, June 13, '59. J. A. Hunner.
77. Carl Dinger to Fredericka Kuhbach, June 16, 59. Edw. Gunkel.
78. Johann H. Kendler to Margaretha Thira, April 28, '59. J. F. Haisch.
79. Christian Schoepp to Margaretha Hochgrefe, Aug. 14, '59. Adam Weber.
80. William Fiedler to Carolina Brandhorst, Sept. 4, '59. B. Leerburger.
81. Jacob Hentges to Anna Maria Rith, Sept. 16, '59. Rudolph Ritscher.
82. Christian Buehler to Margareth Truog, Oct. 20, '59. Rudolph Ritscher.
83. John Neukomm to Rosina Scherz, Oct. 31, '59. Leopold Arnold.
488
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
84. William Becker to Augusta Ecke, Jan. 30, '60. John Linse. 85. William Kammuller to Anne Maria Henni, Feb. 4, '60. Fred Kammueller.
86. Fred Hohmann to Clarisse Annette Johnson, Feb. 19, '60. F. Hellmann.
87. John Simerson to Caroline Doughty, March 19, '60. Benj. Babcock.
88. Hartman Kohelhepp to Elizabeth Regli, Feb. 21, '60. Wilson Crippin.
89. Benjamin Green to Mary E. Myers, April 15, '60. Jos. Scafe.
90. William Vodegel to Louise Brandhorst, April 14, '60. Rev. F. W. Pahl.
91. Bernhard Jacobson to Betsy Thompson, June 19, '60. Ernst A. Warner.
92. Joseph Elder to Sarah Mills, June 10, '60. Jos. Scafe. 93. John P. Pearce to Martha Hilbun, July 26, '60. Jos. Scafe.
94. Jacob Herold to Anna Maria Leinhos, July 6, '60. John Ellers.
95. John Halbeis to Antonia Spuehr, July 28, '60. Conrad Walter.
96. Haver Stoffer to Caroline Pfeffer, May 28, '60.
F. Lane, P. J.
97. Wm. Silkworth to Fannie S. Fordham, April 26, '60. J. A. Hunner.
98. John Cruse to Anna Heerman, Dec. 28, '59. J. A. Hunner. 99. John Ellers to Anna Thurer, July 2d, '59. J. A. Hunner. 100. Chas. Meinzer to Anna M. Schlossstein, Aug. 16, '60. J. A. Hunner. 101. Erick Alme to Ellen Erikson, Aug. 15, '60. E. A. Warner.
102. Robert Aitkin to Mary Sharp, Sept. 12, '60. Rev. Sam'l Elliott.
103. Caspar Grob to Wilhelmina Kurtzweg, Oct. 1, '60. J. A. Hunner.
104. Philipp Hartmann to Anna Schwinn, Sept. 16, '60. Rev. John H. Westerfield.
105. Andrew Hemrich to Elizabeth Schneider, Nov. 12, '60. J. K. Benedict.
489
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
106. Marshal Wier to Catharine Lacy, Nov. 14, '60. J. K. Benedict. 107. James J. Bushnell to Martha J. Ford, Oct. 24, '60. Rev. Woodley.
108. Geo. Schmidt to Margareth Karbe, Nov. 13, '60. Rev. J. H. Westerfield.
109. John Burgess to Rachel Evans, Oct. 24, '60. Jos. Scafe.
110 Herman A. F. W. Schroeder to Florentine Fischer, Dec. 2, '60. Wm. Rieck.
111. John Kammenstrahl to Elizabeth Cabucod, Dec. J, '60. m. Burt. 112. Andrew Barth to Mary Sullivan, Dec. 22, '60. Wm. Burt.
113. John A. Tester to Mathilda Binder, Feb. 21, '61. Wm. Rieck.
114 Hy. Wm. Sieker to Mary E. Brandhorst, March 3, '61. Rev. E Strube. 115. John Brenner to Louise Lautenbach, March 3, '61 Wm. Rieck.
116. J. Geo. Ulrich to Mary Bertud, Mar. 24, '61. E. Gunkel.
117. John Schatz to Catharina Weibel, Mar. 24, '61. E. Gunkel.
118. Henry Adams to Achsa C. Hilliard, May 9, '61. Rev. J. L. Anderson. 119. Geo. Kochendorfer to Anna Oertli, April 21, '61. Rev. Len. v. Wald.
120. John J. Senn to Elizabeth Weibel, May 8, '61. J. Linse.
121. Henry Dreyse to Barbara Flitsch, May 8, '61. J. Linse.
122. Caspar Witwen to Mrs. Anna M. Richards, June 1, '61. E. A. Warner.
123. Wm. Liebenberg to Dorothea Schoepp, May 15, '61. Ferd. Hellmann. 124. Wm. Brueggeboos to Ursula Meuli, June 1, '61. Ferd. Hellmann. 125. Wieland Allemann to Catharina Wald, June 29, '60. Joel C. Ford.
126. Herman Hoevel to Elizabeth Mombeck, July 5, '61. Franz Ginzkey. 127. Conrad Ochsner to Elise Hugendobler, July 18, '61. F. Hellmann.
490
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
128. Archy Lee to Miranda Gardner, Aug. 4, '61. Jos. Scafe. 129. Geo. Gray to Sidney Barnard, Aug. 27, '61. R. Kempter, P. J.
130. Jacob Regli to Elizabeth Paul, Aug. 29, '61. R. Kempter. 131. Oliver Milton Olds to Elizabeth Garvin, Sep. 10, 61. Rev. M. Woodley.
132. Nels H. Kins to Anna Maria Dragnil, Oct. 12, '61. E. A. Warner.
133: Geo. Amann to Anna Hepp, Sep. 28, '61. Ld. Wegelin. 134. Balth. Carish to Christina Schamaun, Oct. 22, '61. M. W. Hamann.
135. Math. Fetzer to Catharina Ulrich, Aug, 1, '61. J. A. Hunner. 136. John Heerman to Maria Werli, Oct. 31, '61. J. A. Hunner.
137. Gust. Reinhardt to Augusta Kornemann, Nov. 18, '61, E. A. Warner.
138. Silas Hutchins to Jerusha Gray, Jan. 1862. J. Scafe. 139. Thos. W. Glaspoole, jr., to Susan Ann McGwin, Dec. 20. '61. Geo. M. Tuttle. 140. John Timblin to Isabel Dicken, Feb. 20, '62. E. A. Warner.
141. John Jurison to Mary Christenson, Feb. 20, '62.
E. A. Warner.
142. August Kurzweg to Mary Wilk, March 8, '62. Franz Ginskey.
143. Michael Mallinger to Sophie Richtmann, March 22, '62. John George Senty.
144. David Davidson to Elsc Olson, March 15, '62. Bernhard Jacobson.
145. Geo. Bertzle to Berline Bertzel, March 14, '62. E. A. Warner.
146. L. D. Farrington to Alsine J. Swift, March 9, '62. Geo. M. Tuttle.
147. John Fitzgerald to Mary Moon, May 24, '62. Geo. M. Tuttle.
148. Louis Zeizinger to Rosetta Kuchlein, April 27, '62. Geo. M. Tuttle.
491
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
149. Jacob Rowel to Emily Gordon, May 25, '62. Geo. M. Tuttle.
150. James M. Cathcard to Mary Min. Warren, May 27, '62. Rev. B. F. Morse.
151. Peter Polin to Magdalena Liesch, May 15, '62. Peter Wald.
152. Ole Christenson to Mrs. Eblegan Syverson, June 6, '62. -
Bernhard Jacobson.
153. Chr. J. Sorum to Martha Siverson, June 6, '62. Bernhard Jacobson. 154. Jacob Schanck to Anna Burt, May 16, '63 (2). Thomas Courtney.
155. Theodore Schaaf to Mrs. Regina Wasmer, July 3, '62. Rev. C. J. Frank Schroudenbach. 156. Frederick Linse to Anna Berg, June 15, '62. Rev. H. E. Linse.
157. Ely Heerman to Frances Marion Little, Aug. 21, '62. Rev. Fr. Grochtenmeier. 158. John Hemming to Mary Jane Little, Aug. 21, '62. Rcv. Fr. Grochtenmeier. 159. Jos. Kaufmann to Sophie Michaels, Sept. 17, 62. Jos. Schlumpf. 160. John G. Brethauer to Mary Hohaus, Sept. 18, '62. Gottlieb Kurtz.
161. Mathias Elm to Christina Wasmer, Sept. 4, '62. Rev. C. J. Schrondenbach.
162. Lawrence Kessinger to Mrs. Mary Zingg, Sept. 13, '61. John A. Hunner. 163. Jacob Meyer to Mrs. Mary Hagen, Nov. 10, '62. Joseph Rohrer.
164. Henry Brinkmann to Lisetta Leder, Dec. 31, '62. Gottl. Kurtz.
165. Benjamin Harrison to Henrietta Sims, Dec. 21, '62. Jas. W. Kelley.
J66. Michael Fiedler to Sarah Schmidt, Feb. 10, '63. Jos. Grossell. 167. Henry Stirn to Mary Rosenow, Jan. 25, '63. Fred Laue. I68. Adam Auer to Barbara Bullinger, Nov. 16, '62. J. A. Hunner,
492
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
169. Henry Wilk to Hannah Massen, March 21, '63. John Ellers.
170. Wm. Harvey to Mary Reed, April 27, '63. Elijah Warren. 171. John M. Hemrich to Catharine Hartwig, May 1, '63. J. A. Hunner.
172. Judson J. Joiner to M. Caruthers, Dec. 25, '61. Rev. Sylvester A. Watson.
173. Andrew Beck, jr., to Anna Catherine Knecht, June 8, '63. Jos. Glotzbach.
174. J. F. Schultz to Emilie Schoepp, June 26, 63. Fred. Laue. 175. August Schoepp to Mathilde Schultz, June 25, '63. Fr. Laue.
176. Ole C. Sorum to Mary Johannson, Aug. 8, '63. Bernhard Jacobson.
177. Richard Kempter to Julia Huebsch, Sept. 14, '63. Fred Lave.
178. Jaspar Kingsley to Margareth Murphy, Sept. 1, '63. John Hill.
179. Ferdinand Walter to Mary Ristow, Sept. 27, '63. C. A. Boehme. 180. Fred Hohmann to Christina Schmidt, Nov. 15, '62. Wm. Robertson.
181. G. P. Austin to Alice P. Higgs, July 8, '63. Rev. J. S. Peregrine.
182. Christian Kindschi to Menga v. Wald, Nov. 22, '63. Rev. E. H. Linse.
183. Thomas L. Hill to Jane M. Higgie, Jan. 1, '64. Rev. H. Richter.
184. C. A. Boehme to Leonora Kempter, July 10, '62. John Linse.
185. Henry Guyer to Marie Wegelin, Oct. 8, '63. J. B. Altermatt.
186. Otto Badmer to Anna Ochsner, March 24, '64. Jos. Glatzbach.
187. Carl Theodore Schlevoigt to Mrs. Anna Meinzer, Mar. 15, '64. F. Laue.
188. Conrad Eitel to Fredericka Loetz, April 26, '64. Rev. H. E. Linse.
-
493
EARLIER MARRIAGES.
189. August Uebel to Amalie Ludwig, May 2, '64. Rev. H. E. Linse.
190. Geo. Schlossstein to Anna Rahm, July 1, '64. F. Laue.
191. John Brinkley to Dora Cook, May 22, '64. J. J. Senn.
192. Daniel Gumbert to Sarah Butler, Dec. 1, '63. Jos. Schlumpf, (to be 181.)
193. Herman Redake to Rosa McGionly, Sept. 28, '64. John Burt. 193. John F. Korb to Mina Kurzweg, Nov. 14, '64. Chas. Jahn.
194. Michael Walsh to Minnie Scheiner, Nov. 5, '64. John Burt. 195. Beat Keller to Margareth Waecker, Jan. 11, '63. J. A. Hunner. 196. William Marquart to Henriette Walter, Feb. 3, 63. F. Laue.
197. Henry Becker to Mrs. Mary Mohr, March 4, '65. J. P. Stein.
198. Alfred Streen to Mrs. Jane Curley. May 1, '65. J. P. Stein. 199. Adam Weber to Catharina Raus, May 25, '65. Jos. Grossell.
Abstract made from the transcript of R. R. Kempter, clerk of circuit court, Sept. 16, 1865.
494
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
Public Societies we consider such associations, as have no in- tention or pretension of witholding their constitutions from pub- licity, and have no ritual, nor passwords or other distinguishing marks or signs, by which their members may be assured of the connection of other members to which the parties belong. These public societies are nevertheless of a private character, and there are conditions of membership, and also obligations of members to the society and to each other, usually, however, not of a very rig- orous kind. Meetings of such societies, although often of a pri- vate character, are by no means secret or exclusive, and at other times rather public, having at such times many features of an ex- hibition. All of such societies have a distinct trait of sociability in it; although the particular purpose may not always be the cultivation of this sociability. So, for instance, is the particular purpose of Turner Societies the practice of such gymnastics as may tend to general development of the body for strength and agility. The particular purpose of singing societies is the cultiva- tion of vocal music, especially of the quartette. Shooting Society are intent on perfection of markmanship with the rifle, and so with every other society in a similar way. In the present chapter I shall treat of these societies in chronological order, but may oc- casionally vary the same for cogent reasons. It is noticeable that most of the public societies exist among the German part of our population, an out-growth of the general disposition for social in- tercourse. It must be confessed that the descendants of the early immigrants are not quite so prominent in upholding this partic- ular characteristic of their ancestors. Many of the latter, too, have acquired an inclination to be members of secret societies, formerly almost unknown among them. I am not prejudiced for one or the other kind of societies, having never belonged to a secret,
495
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
and belonging in fact at present to but one public society. What - I intend to state here must be taken as a mere historical relation of facts, not as a criticism.
The oldest of our public societies were
TURNER SOCIETIES.
These societies were founded nearly thirty years ago, when the old settlers were fresh from Germany and Switzerland, in both of which countries such societies then existed. Many of the early settlers had either in the old country or during a previous sojourn in larger cities in this country, become members of Turner so- cieties, and at that time the National Turners' Union of America was a numerous and well organized body, in which, however, not all the scattered societies were united. A Turner's pass admitted every member of a society belonging to the National Union into any society belonging to the same as a member, with all the priv- ileges of other members. Many of these societies cultivated sing- ing, theatrical performances and general mental culture, and those who could afford it had good libraries of instructive books. But in our own county the means for such things were missing, and be- sides gymnastics, singing aud sociability were the only purposes recognized. The oldest of these societies in this county was prob- ably organized at
BUFFALO CITY.
It must have been established in 1858. In 1859 it had, by re- port, some 30 members, but dissolved the same year, the members laving become scattered. It did not belong to the Union, but pe- titioned for admission, when an opposition society was started un- der the name of
Turngemeinde of Buffalo City:
This society at first consisted of seven members, five of whom are still living in this county, three at Alma, one at Belvidere and one at Buffalo City. It organized on the 20th day of May 1859, and placed itself at once under the jurisdiction of the National Turner's Union. The highest number of members at any time was 18, of whom 8 or 9 belonged to the "Singing Section." Five mem- bers enlisted in the army, Chas. Kessinger, Joseph Kessinger in the fifth regiment, R. R. Kempter, Gerhard Damm and Wm. Dreusicke in the ninth regiment, Wisconsin Infantry. Of these only R. R. Kempter and Wm. Dreusicke returned. The society
496
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
continued until 1863, although the proceedings show the last meet- ing to have been held July 6th, 1862, and was never formally dis- solved. The members removed to other places, and since, on ac- count of the war. almost all local interest had begun to flag, this society shared the effect of the general indifference. At
FOUNTAIN CITY
a Turner Society had been founded on the 6th day of March 1858. This is the oldest of these societies of which we have the exact date of organization, and it may have preceded the first society of this sort at Buffalo City by some months. The principal organizer was G. G. Oppliger, who was elected Speaker or President, J. J. Senn was elected Secretary, Michael Pistorius Treasurer, Joseph Halbeis Instructor, and Anton Burch Overseer of Property. Like most of the societies this also became in time inactive, partly on account of removal of members o other places, partly because of other reasons. It was, however, formally kept up, and revived, until it united with the Germania Society on the 26th of May 1872. Some members of the latter society form what is designated as the Turner Section This section has been periodically active, whenever it found a good and enthusiastic instructor, as for in- stance in Mr. William Finkelnburg, but at present is reported as dormant.
No actual Turner Society existed at
ALMA
at any time, at least not under that name. There were certainly some among the younger men who had received the necessary training, and might have acted as instructors, but no energy was expended in the formation of a society. Only once there was an attempt, but it was a little late in the day, so to speak, because the patriotic spirit of which Turner societies had formerly been born had largely evaporated in the older men, and never existed in the younger men and the boys. It should not, however, be left unre- corded that Mr. John Brueger, while he was a clerk in the store of J. A. Tester, and afterwards, did instruct the youngsters of the vil- lage in gymnastics, and that he was very systematic and also very successful. For the purposes of exhibition many things were learned which did not really belong to the gymnastics of the Turners, but served their purpose and animated the participants. Like other exertions this needs some stimulant, and ambition fur-
497
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
nished it in this case. Some of our young men, who were then but big boys, even carried off prizes at gymnastic tournaments.
Roller-skating and base-ball struck our place, as they struck every other, and it will require another equally disinterested and energetic young man like John Brueger to again put life and mettle into the enterprise. Provisions for the purpose have been made in the constitution of the Concordia society. This closes the account of Turner Societics. Gymnastics will always be attractive to young people, and exhibitions of skill in them will always at- tract a full house once or twice every year, but material for an old- fashioned "Turn- Verein" will after a while be wanting entirely, if it is not so already.
Next after the above, partly because of the partial relationship, partly on account of the proximity of the time of starting them, come the
SHOOTING SOCIETIES.
It must be remarked, that these two words do not very closely translate the German words "Schuetzen," "Verein." The word "Rifleman" or "Marksman" is the closest translation of the word "Schuetze," which by consent has come to mean one who shoots and hits, not merely something, but a given target or point. As the special purpose of these societies we may designate the prac- tice of rifle shooting for the purpose of improving and reaching, as near as possible, perfection in it. There is something of a military character about it, as we might infer from the constitutions of the different societies, but all the resemblance their exercises and tournaments have with military camps is that plenty to cat and to drink is required on both occasions, for which fact I do not wish to blame, but to commend them. Unquestionably these so- cieties originated in the fact that there were a goodly number of men living in the county who had come from Switzerland, a country, which not only furnishes sharpshooters of proverbial ex- ellence, but in which shooting matches and preparatory exercises or practice occur every Sunday during the milder seasons, in every village and valley, and where the management of such societies is perfectly understood.
My old friend John Buehler, now the landlord of the Sher- man House in Alma, thinks that the organization of the two prin- cipal societies and their union as Buffalo County Riflemen's As-
498
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
sociation dates from a picnic, connected with a shooting match at Mr. Schaettle's place, called Spring Lake, where he had a brewery at that time. John, who was 25 years younger than he is now, was moved by the spirit, and mounting a stump made a speech to the participants in said shooting match, in which peroration he vividly and with his peculiar force drew a mental picture of the advantages, enjoyments and profits, which would accrue from regular organization and confederation. This picnic happened on the fifth day of May 1862, at least I find in the record of proceed- ing of the Turner Society that a picnic and shooting match was to be held on that day and place, and that afterwards a committee was appointed to settle up the matter. In the year following the societies at Alma and Fountain City were organized, almost on the same day. Arrangements were made for an annual tournament, to be held alternately in one of the two places, and the first one was held at Fountain City on the 16th and probably 17th of Aug- ust, 1863.
We will now proceed to the history of the separate societies: " Alma Shooting Society."
It was originally founded on the 24th day of May 1863, and consisted of 28 members, of whom three, Christian Lehmann, J. A. Tester and John Hemrich still live and remain niembers of the society. Seven of the original members live outside of Buffalo County, seven have died and eleven are still residents of this county, though no longer members of the society. Such affairs do from time to time begin to flag, members remove, become dissatis- fied, the others, though remaining, become discouraged, and some times even the whole fabric dissolves into nothing. There were languishing times in this society also, until in 1874 it was reor- ganized and duly incorporated. At the time of the incorporation or soon afterwards, the number of members was 36, and it increased very fast, so that on the 17th of February 1878, when the West Wisconsin and Minnesota Schuetzenbund was founded, it num- bered 58 members. But before that event, especially before reor- ganization and incorporation, it had no settled place for its prac- tice and tournaments. For some time it held them in the ravine that comes down on Cedar Street near Polin's, then at the Probst property now owned by Louis Mueller, then on vacant lots in Block 13, Lower Addition, the targets being on the hillside near the
499
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
eastern terminus of Swift Street. The incorporation was sug -. gested by the offer of C. A. Boehme to sell the society its present park, which is situated but a very short distance below the actual town, comparatively level, but sloping slightly towards the Alma and Fountain City road and the river generally. An unpretentious shooting hall was at first erected, but after a few years was found to be inadequate for the attending crowd and a new and large one was built near the old, by which the society managed to involve itself into liabilities which are still encumbering it. The present membership is 34, certainly less than nine years ago, yet still suf- ficient to maintain the society as an independent unit, who would not be submerged by joining, as proposed, the Concordia Society. The park is a beautiful spot, and has been more than once selected for picnics and other excursions by the German and Norwegian societies of La Crosse, who always find a cordial welcome, not only by the members of the society, or its corporative representa- tives but by the people of Alma altogether. This is the last so- ciety of which I remain a member. I have never fired a shot in practice or in tournament and have for sufficient reasons refused to hold any office in the society. I do not want to grumble or croak, but would give fair warning to my friends, that if some of their overbearing practices are not abandoned the membership will be reduced to nobody. Or do some of them really aim at that ? Well, the city will then acquire a piece of desirable pro- perty.
The Fountain City Schuetzen Verein
was originally founded in the year 1863, at about the same time as the society at Alma. What was its numerical strengtli at the start I can not say, but I know some of those who always were members of it, as Christ Bohri, Jr., Fred Hepp, Arnold Giessen, R. W. Feigel, J. B. Oenning, J. J. Senn, who are yet members of the same, or at least of the Germania. In 1872 this society lost its separate identity by becoming, May 26th, incorporated with the Germania. In 1870 the tournament of the Wisconsin District of the United States Sharpshooters' Union was held at Fountain City, in which riflemen from all parts of the state participated. In 1878 when the society became a member of the West Wisconsin and Minnesota Association it numbered 62 members. In becom- ing a part of the Germania Society, and forming within it the
500
PUBLIC SOCIETIES.
shooting section, the club had, in fact, lost its claim to the mem- bership of those who were not active participants, but supported the society by paying their annual dues, and by rendering neces- sary services on occasions when such were required. Hence only those are now counted as members of said section as actually take part in the practice and tournaments. Fountain City set the ex- ample of inviting ladies to try their skill with the rifle, and the custom was adopted at Alma in the same direction. The present number of active members is only 20, but as the membership of the Germania is 50, they may be considered quite numerous. The first place of practice was in the lower end of the town, but after- wards in the upper, where in 1879 they built a nice hall and where they still have tlieir station.
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