History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 120

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

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MUSCODA .

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officers first chosen were, W. C. T., Henry Reynolds; V. T., Mrs. J. P. Willis ; Rec. Sec., J. L. Stuart; Asst. Sec., Mamie Rice ; Fin. Sec., Frank Fish ; Treas., Debbie Sarles ; M., Arthur Hixon ; Asst. M., Mattie Barnett; I. G., Kate Sarles; O. G., Abner Clark ; Lodge Deputy, Andrew McFall.

. The lodge has received over two hundred members since its organization, but the present list of active members is much below this number, owing to withdrawals and the violation of the pledge by some of the members. The lodge at the present time is out of debt and in a presperons condition. The officiary is as follows : W. C. T., R. C. Stephens; W. V. T., Debbie Sarles ; Chaplain, Mrs. Wadsworth ; Sec., Rev. T. M. Evans; Fin. Sec., G. A. Christ ; Treasurer, Mrs. R. C. Stephens ; Marshal, T. D. Wadsworth ; Asst. Marshal, Jennie Chand- ler; I. G., Mamie Davy ; O. G., Pearl Devoe; Lodge Deputy, Kate M. Curry.

December 31, 1875, the Boscobel Juvenile Temple was instituted under the auspices of the Good Templar Lodge, Lillie Robinson, G. W. J. S., officiating at the initiatory services. This band of young templars has continued up to the present time. Its condition is as flourishing as its most earnest supporters could wish, and is doing a good work in inculcating, at an early age, the principles of soberness and temperance upon the little folks of the city.

Other societies were organized for the benefit of the javenile portion of the population, some even bearing date previous to those already mentioned. The first of these, called the Band of Hope, was organized, April 24, 1866, with Rev. M. Morehouse as Superintendent ; Mrs. M. M. Jones, Assistant Superintendent, and Miss Emma Smith, Secretary ; and had a membership of over one hundred. Another society, called the "Gem Temperance Army," was organized December, 1872, with twenty-two charter members, but was afterward merged into a second Band of Hope, and as such continued for a time. Ribbon Lodges have also seen a fleeting life, but the principal and effective organizations are as above.

CEMETERY.

To the southeast of the city, occupying a sightly position on a spur of the bluffs surround- ing it, and the white shafts standing forth in harmonious contrast to the green slopes above and beyond lies the final resting-place of those who have passed over in hope.

The northern portion of this burial plot was purchased in the fall of 1856, from Mr. Joshua Brindley, who is now numbered among its quiet residents. This original tract com- prised five acres, the price paid being $50. It was platted the following spring into lots 20x22 feet. An additional tract of four acres just adjoining it on the south was secured, the compensation being $00. This, too, was platted, and made ready for sale.

The original purchase had been made by the Town Board of Marion, and upon the separa- tion of the two towns, in 1859, the cemetery was transferred to the Town Board of Boscobel, with whom all control is at present, and has been from the first, vested. The amounts received for the sale of lots is employed in the improvement and beautifying of the cemetery, although the small amount received prohibits any extensive work in this direction. Beautifully situated, it needs but little of man's art to add to its natural gifts. Calm and quiet it stands with kindly arms silently guarding the precious clay intrusted to the cool and sheltering beds within its gates.

BOSCOBEL AGRICULTURAL AND DRIVING ASSOCIATION.

This association, whose fine annual exhibitions reflect upon the stockholders primarily, and incidentally upon the city, was organized in 1874. In May of that year, a meeting was held to take into consideration the advisability of forming an association of this nature, ending in Messrs. John Pepper, G. F. Hilderbrand and Ed Meyer being appointed as a committee to solicit subscriptions to stock.

June 17, a second meeting was held, when the committee made a report, the result being so satisfactory that it was decided to go on with the movement, and, as a first step, those present formally organized as a society and elected the following officers : President, B. M. Coates ;

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Vice President, George C. Hazleton ; Secretary, T. J. Brooks ; Treasurer, John Pepper. An Executive Committee was appointed, consisting of Ed Meyer, G. F. Hilderbrand and Charles Mc Williams, with the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer as ex officio members. The articles of incorporation were not adopted until August 26, the incorporators being B. M. Coates, George C. Hazelton, F. J. Brooks, John Pepper, Ed Meyer, C. Mc Williams, M. B. Pitman, J. H. Sarles, H. Dunkleff, G. F. Hilderbrand, J. N. Comstock, John Buka, A. Bobel, N. P. Miller, Henry Bugbee.

In the meantime, the association had purchased a tract of land just south of the city, con- taining thirty six acres, and known as the Powell estate. Around this they erect a high board fence, and commenced the work of preparing a track, erection of suitable buildings, etc. The track, when finished, was pronounced the best half-mile track in the State by competent judges, and horsemen generally have indorsed this opinion. The first fair under the auspices of the association was held October 7-9 of the same year, and was an immense success, giving the society a good "send-off " from the first. This tidal wave of prosperity has continued, with slight drawbacks, up to the present, placing the society upon a foundation most enviable as far as regards stability and sound financial footing. No organization of this kind in the State has been so liberal in premiums and inducements for exhibitors, the consequence being that each class is always well filled, while the races attract some of the best trotting stock in the country. The present officers of the association are-President, George F. Hilderbrand; Vice President, Thomas Tormey ; Secretary, T .J. Brooks; Treasurer, Theodore Kronshage; Executive Com- mittee, George F. Hilderbrand, Thomas Tormey, Theodore Kronshage, T. J. Brooks, Ed Meyer, Jacob Scott, Myron Whitcomb. During 1880, the society disposed of eight acres of land lying on the south side of their original purchase, the buyer being Mr. A. Bobel, and the consideration $400. This leaves them with twenty-eight acres lying contiguous to the city, easy of access by pedestrians as well as others, and in such shape as to be best adapted for the needs and designs of the association.

BOSCOBEL LIGHT GUARD BAND.

This organization came into existence May 7, 1879. Previous to this time, other bands had been organized, breathed their brief existence, and then succumbed to disintegrating influ- ences. The present organization numbers twelve members, and has a musical reputation which many older societies might envy. In September, 1880, a tasty and beautiful uniform was pro- cured by the band, which adds much to their appearance when on the street. This expense was met without trouble, as have been all other expenses. The society is now, as it has been from the first, in an extremely prosperous condition.

MANUFACTORIES.

Boscobel Hoop Pole Company .- This company was organized in 1872, and included the firms of Hilderbrand & Co , Meyer Brothers and M. B. Pittman. The principal articles manu- factured by the firm are tight-barrel staves and hoops, although the dealings of the firm extends to hoop poles, railroad ties and cordwood. The business of the firm is quite extensive, furnish- ing employment for twenty-five men. The number of hoop-poles received averages 2,500,000 annually, while the railroad ties number 75,000. Tight-barrel staves are manufactured at the rate of 200,000 per year, the most improved machinery being used in the works of the company. The business of the company is under the charge of William Rose, who has occupied the position of Superintendent since the commencement of business in 1872.

Carriage and Wagon Manufactory .- These extensive works, operated by Ruka Brothers, were opened in the year 1879. In connection with the business is a fonndry and machine shop. The firm manufactures everything in the shape of wheeled vihicles, from a hand-barrow to a fine carriage. The establishment occupies the services of from thirteen to seventeen hands, and the works are under the immediate superintendence of Mr. John Ruka. The manufactory proper occupies a building 130x60 feet in extent, two stories high, and work has already com-

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

menced on a large warehouse for finished work that will be completed during the summer, and will cover a ground area 60x60 feet, and be 24 feet in height. New and improved machinery has been lately introduced for bending woodwork, which is profitably employed not only in material designed for the firm, but outside parties as well. The different rooms are as follows : Foundry, 40x28; blacksmith shop, 40x50 ; wagon shop, 22x50; paint room, 22x50 ; machine room, 40x50. In addition are two dry-houses, one 28x40, and the other 40x50. A ready market is found for the manufactures of the firm, the annual production averaging about two hundred wheeled vehicles, beside other smaller productions. The business is on the increase, and bids fair to soon become one of the largest establishments of the kind in Western Wisconsin.

Stave Factory .- This factory, established by Mr. William McWilliams in 1877, is situated just across the river from the city. The factory proper was a two-story building, 46x24 in size, with an engine room adjoining 12x40 feet.

In January, 1879, the factory was destroyed by fire, supposed to be the work of an incen- diary. The loss was estimated at $5,100, on which was an insurance of $3,270. With charac- teristic energy, the proprietor commenced clearing away the debris, preparatory to rebuilding, ere the ruins had ceased smoking. In six weeks the buildings were again up, and work again resumed. The Dial, speaking of this establishment at this time, says, speaking of the new and improved machinery in use : " The heading saw is a Trevor machine, Law's patent, capable of sawing twenty-one cords of bolts per day of ten hours. The stave machine is the improved Champion, manufactured by Gerlach & Co., Cleveland, and has a forty-six inch cut, with a capacity of eleven cords of bolts per day. The superiority of these saws consists in that the bolts do not have to be put through the steaming process. The boiler used is of forty-horse power, and the engine of twenty-horse power."

Night and day gangs keep the mill in constant operation, thirty-two men and two teams being necessary for the operating of the factory. About 1,000,000 staves and headings were manufactured last year. A car is loaded daily from this factory. All kinds of tight-barrel cooperage are manufactured by Mr. McWilliams.

BRICK YARDS.

Comstock's .- The first brick yard to be opened in Boscobel was started by Hiram Com- stock, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Patrick Enright, on Sander's Creek, as early as 1854. This yard was in operation until 1867. From eight to ten workmen found employment here during the season. The last year of Mr. Comstock's proprietorship, about two hundred thous- sand brick were made in the yard. J. L. Taylor run the yard for the two years succeeding Mr. Comstock's withdrawal, employing eight men, but was finally obliged to suspend operations, owing to a fall in the market and consequent lack of sales. The first brick house erected in Bascobel was built by Alvan Wood, from brick furnished by this yard. The house is still stand- ing, as the residence of Mr. George Smith, Sr.

Bell's .- During the year 1867, Mr. Bell operated a yard south of J. L. Taylor's residence. During the year in which it was in operation, some three hundred thousand brick were manu- factured, but becoming involved in financial difficulties, the proprietor was obliged to discon- tinue work.

Taylor's .- Orton Taylor started a brick yard in 1874, on land now owned by J. B. Ricks, which closed its work after a two years' trial, during which some five hundred thousand brick were manufactured.

Ruka Bros .- The only yard now in operation is that of Messrs. Louis and John Ruka, situated just south of the city. This yard was opened in 1879, with a capacity of two hundred thousand brick annually. From year to year the yard has been enlarged and the force increased until now the product could be easily forced up to more than nominal amount, should the occasion require. The bed of clay in which they are working is found from eighteen to thirty inches under the surface, but rather shallow, there being according to best estimates a fear that a few years longer will cause it to disappear altogether in this particular locality. Yet there is no

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

danger of a scarcity of raw material as a clayey range is said to extend around the bench of land south of the city.

ELEVATORS.

Thompson Bros .- The elevator now used by this firm was originally built by Asa Rae, about the year 1858, for a mill and chair factory. It was purchased by the present proprietors in 1869, and has since been operated by them. The building is 30x50 feet, thirty in height with a capacity of 10,000 bushels.

Parker, Hilderbrand & Co .- This elevator was built in 1863, by D. T. Parker, Sr., and two years later passed into the hands of the above firm, by whom it has been run since that time. The elevator proper is a building 34x46, and has a capacity of 10,000 bushels, the power for elevating purposes being furnished by a six-horse power engine.

Meyer Bros .- The building now used by this firm was built by Fette, Meyer & Co, about 1856, is 20x30 feet and twenty feet high, and has a copacity of about six thousand bushels. The power for operating this warehouse is furnishod as is the case with the establishment of Thompson Bros., by horses.

TROUT POND.

Among the numerous industries to which Boscobel has fallen heir, one remains, the men- tion of which has a peculiar fascination to a vast majority of readers. The short monosyllabic word, "trout," has a magic effect upon the representative of the male sex, be he young or old. Artificial breeding of trout has been among the most prominent of the latter industries now coming to the front, and the trout ponds of Mr. A. Palmer at this point are possessed of a rep- utation hardly bounded by State or sectional lines. Mr. Palmer is an ardent pisciculturist, having been engaged in the breeding of trout so early as 1864, when he started a trout pond on Sander's Creek. This venture did not realize expectations, owing to a scarcity of water, and was soon after given up. In 1866, Mr. Palmer built his present pond on Crooked Creek, one mile south of the city. Here, with a constant supply of living water and the experience which each year adds to, he has brought to a successful and satisfactory issue what was at one time an interesting experiment, namely, the question as to the feasibility of raising these speckled beau- ties with profit. The pond was stocked at starting with three hundred breeding trout, from which the proprietor succeeded in raising about five thousand young trout the first year. This successful beginning has been followed by other moves equally successful. Mr. Palmer has turned in every spring from 10,000 to 20,000 fry, while his annual sales for food has averaged 2,000 pounds.

The usual hatch is about two hundred thousand trout in a season ; of these, some are sold, and those remaining, which are not wanted to stock the pond, are put in different brooks. Eggs have been sold from this pond to almost every State and Territory in the Northwest, and in addi- tion a large quantity have been sent to the Sandwich Islands. The largest shipment of eggs amounted to 50,000. Of this large number thus shipped, about ninety per cent are found to hatch out in good shape.

During the years in which Mr. Palmer has been engaged in pisciculture he has experi- mented with various other kinds of fish, including land-locked, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, but found that the result was not commensurate to the time and trouble expended. About $5,000 has been expended upon the present pond, chiefly in experimental tests as to the best methods of raising this much-called-for representative of the finny tribe.

On the subject of trout-raising, Mr. Palmer gives his testimony that "the farmer can raise trout in proportion to the spring water he has, and can raise them cheaper than any other meat food, as a limited number of trout will live in pure water on the insects breeding in it." In the meantime, the brooks and water-ways of Grant County have been stocked and re-stocked. much to the pleasure of the ardent disciples of Isaac Walton.

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CHAPTER XIII.

MUSCODA.

EARLY SETTLEMENT-TOWN ORGANIZATION -- MUSCODA BRIDGE-POST OFFICE-SCHOOLS- CHURCHES-SOCIETIES-THE PRESS-ELEVATORS-HOTELS.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The town of Muscoda, occupying the extreme northeast corner of the county, claims a pri- ority in history which is ante-dated by but few of the corporate divisions of the county. Tra- dition hath it that the feet of the first explorers, who, with dauntless hearts, penetrated the mysterious wilderness, and with unswerving faith pushed the sharp prow of their birch canoe through the lapping waters of the beautiful " Quisconsin," that the feet of these explorers pressed the soil of the present town at a date cotemporaneous with their first appearance in search of the great river of which such wonderful tales had been told them by the dusky aborigines. Yet all this is mere tradition. The probabilities are that the excellent landing-place afforded at this point might have attracted the attention of Marquette, Joliet, or, later on, Hennepin ; but there is nothing in the writings of these explorers or their biographers that places the fact even within the widest boundary of certainty.

A second tradition, of a more recent period, gives to the plain stretching away on either side the name of " English prairie," so named, says the legend, from the fact that a number of English families settled here at as early a date as 1812 or thereabouts, but were subsequently massacred by the Indians. This too, must, however, be relegated to the region of myths for want of corroboratory testimony.

The first authentic knowledge possessed of any actual residents at this point gives this honor to parties by the name of Armstrong, who had a trading-post here, probably at a date immedi- ately succeeding the Black Hawk war. But it is not until 1835 that the present town of Mus- coda begins to take form and substance. During this year, Col. William S. Hamilton came in and erected a diamond blast furnace near what is now the intersection of Main and Seventh streets. The excellent landing-place and favorable facilities afforded for shipment appear to have induced this movement on the part of the Colonel. It did not, however, prove to be a paying investment, and was subsequently abandoned. The chimneys of the old furnace were standing so late as 1847, and the antiquarian of to-day may even still discover traces of the foundation near the river bank. The new settlement, as it appeared a few years later, is thus described by Mr. Charles Rodolf, at present living at Muscoda, enjoying the blessings of a green old age near the scene of his early hardships and trials :

" In 1838, I went to English Prairie, now Muscoda, at the solicitation of Col. W. S. Ham- ilton. I hauled and purchased lead ore for him that summer at Peddler's Creek, Centerville, and Upper Diggings. The lead, when smelted, was then shipped from Muscoda to Galena, via the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, a steamboat coming up regularly every week. At that time, the Wisconsin contained at least a third more water than now.

" The men employed by the Colonel about the furnace were mostly Frenchmen.

"Prominent among the interests that gathered around the furnace at this time or a little later was the land office, which was removed here from Mineral Point. Albert Paris was Regis- ter, and Levi Sterling Receiver. William, Garland kept a small lumber-yard and also ran a boarding-house. Thomas J. Parrish had a store which was in charge of Edward Beouchard. A blacksmith-shop was run by Hardin Moore, while a second hotel and boarding-house was kept by W. S. Booth. There were at that time a great many Indians-Winnebagoes-near and at

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Muscoda, and I remember many evenings noticing some of the younger squaws sitting on the river bank singing Indian and French melodies. I remember one time, one Indian sold to F. J. Parrish one musk-rat skin for corn fifteen times. Parrish bought the skin of the Indian and threw it into a loft, and went for a few ears of corn. In the meantime, the Indian stole the skin and put it under his coat, so when Parrish returned he sold it to him again. This was repeated several times, Parrish each time going for corn, which was carried away each time by a squaw. Parrish all the time thought he was making a good trade.

" The Indians were very peaceable. At one time, Humphrey A. Springer and myself had taken an old deserted Indian farm, as a claim. near the month of the Baraboo River. We occupied the house and made some improvements, and I had traded here with the Indians. One day a person, part Indian and part French, came with about thirty Indians to drive us away. He told me that we had to leave, and that he had come by order of Capt. Low, of Portage, to lock up the house-peaccably, if possible, with force if we did not submit to his order. My friend, not understanding French, was perfectly astonished to see me take my double-barrel gun, cock it, hold it before the leader's head, and make him leave the house walking before me about one hundred and fify yards across the creek, myself holding a bead on him till out of reach. Springer, during this time, had seized a rifle and covered me in the rear, afraid that some of the Indians would step up behind and tomahawk me; but I knew the Indian character too well, and feared no trouble. The Indians stood perfectly quiet, looking on, till I returned ; then they fairly danced a war dance around me, and I had to mount my pony and ride to their camp near the river, where they extended their hospitality to me.

"There was no further endeavor made to drive us off, and the Indians were afterward quite friendly. Springer always took pride in narrating the 'daring exploit,' as he called it.

" We had that summer (1838) some very eminent visitors at the Prairie, being Mrs. Alex- ander Hamilton and Mrs. Halle, wife and daughter of the great Gen. Alexander Hamilton, of Revolutionary fame. and also mother and sister to William S. Hamilton. They were delighted and pleased with our western prairies, as also with the Wisconsin River."

The same gentleman speaks as follows of the appearance of Southwestern Wisconsin, as it appeared to view in the early days of settlement.

" I came to the Territory of Wisconsin, then Michigan Territory, in the summer of the year 1834, and located near Fort Hamilton, now Wiota. This was one of the largest settle- ments at that time, containing stores and smelting furnaces for lead ore, belonging to Col. Will- iam S. Hamilton.

"The county at that period was full of fine game-plenty of deer, some elk, wild turkeys, grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, quails, pigeons, wild geese and ducks. The prairies were full of prairie wolves, the timber of raccoons, wild-cats and lynxes, also once in a while a bear. The wolves were not dangerous, though in the winter of 1836-37, I was followed by a drove of them for about twelve miles, from near Gratiot's Grove till I reached the Pecatonica. The night was dark and they rushed several times near the wagon, but by swinging my whip at them I caused them to retreat. Their howling music could be heard every evening, and some- times in the daytime. In winter on the prairie, from Fennimore to Peddler's Creek, they could be seen in groups of from three to six almost every day, but as the county became settled they disappeared, as has nearly all the other game of which we have spoken.

"In the summer of 1836, I visited, for the first time, Wingville. Thomas J. Parrish, Esq., was the principal owner and business man of that part of the county. He had, considering the times, good buildings-dwellings and store, also a water blast furnace, to smelt lead ore- and was smelting and sending a great quantity of lead to Galena. Mineral at that time was worth from $8 to $10 per thousand at Wingville, while pork was $27, and flour $15 per barrel ; so it took about 3,000 pounds of mineral to buy one barrel of pork, or about 2,000 pounds to buy one barrel of flour. But the miners seemed to do well, and always had a little leisure and money for a quiet game.

" In the summer of 1838, I was frequently at Centerville. This village was one half in

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 120

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044