History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 126

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 126

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In 1841, the mine, which subsequently gave the village its title, was discovered. It seems that a party of honest prospectors had at last " struck it big," and were preparing to work the " lead " with the utmost diligence, confident of the returns that would attend their undertaking. This came to the knowledge of a number of characters in the mines, who, by the way, were the attendant concomitants of rich discoveries at any point in the mines, when prospects of unusual richiness were discovered, who determined to dispossess the lawful owners, and laid their plans accordingly. When these were about to be put in execution, the discoverers of the mine ascer- tained how the case presented itself, and evinced a determination to repel invasion and maintain their rights at all hazards. In the meantime, the facts in the case had been generally promul- gated, and, at the appointed hour, a large number of knights of the " pick and gad " were on board to witness the eviction, or take part in the trouble which impended. Before the commence- ment of hostilities, and almost as the assault was about to be made, some conservative members of the crowd present called for a parley, and one of the speakers in his remarks dwelt eloquently on the spirit of equity which existed in the breast of every American. "Let us have fair play," he concluded, " and render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's." The result was an arbitra- ment of the question, which was decided in favor of the original holders of the mine, to which the name of " Fair Play " was given, and when, later on, a village was improvised in the hollow, the same appellation was addressed to the settlement. This year, the " Ten Strike," so called because of the number of men engaged in its first discovery, and the "Journey " ranges, brought to light by Sample Journey and Henry Gilbert, also became prominent. As a consequence, the immigration into Fair Play, as has already been stated, was very large; but, as a rule, com- posed of miners, men without stability, and who were valueless as an element in the perfecting of improvements, establishment of schools, or as the auxiliaries in any particular, in the advance- ment and development of a section. From 1841 to 1845, the buildings were mostly made up of hotels, groceries, etc., with one or two stores engaged in legitimate traffic to interrupt the monotony of the street. A school was started about 1843, and has been continued under successive administrations up to the present day. A church had been built by subscription, and some other agencies of civilization had been employed, and not without effect, though the inhabitants were of the type, indigenous, it might be said, to a mining town, where law and order were subser- vient to the inclinations and impulses of the people. In 1845, the population was estimated at 500. Allinson's tavern had been built by that year, and occupied its present site, with Henry Gilbert as landlord. An old tavern stood where the American House now stands, then owned by Edward Sloan. Chisholm's grocery stood directly opposite, and was the scene of many a bloody encounter and hair-breadth escape, even during the heat of battle. John Barton occupied a building on the north side of the street, and the old frame schoolhouse filled the gap between the tavern and Bainbridge's residence. J. B. Johnson, the successor of a Mr. Lewis, with Alfred Woods, kept the only stores in the place. Dr. Sampson was the only available physician, and, though there were a number of barristers on the ground, Amasa Cobb, who subsequently

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

became a member of Congress, and prominently identified with politics, was the most fortunate of all in procuring and disposing of cases. His first case is said to have been the defense of a preacher, who was charged with swindling in a horse-trade. The parson was acquitted, and the following winter his daughter married a resident of the vicinity, upon which occasion Amasa Cobb led a band of 350 charivari serenaders. He is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska.

About this time a disturbance arose regarding title to the possession of a prospect at South Diggings, two miles southeast of Fair Play, between a number of Irish and others of different nationalities. It was finally agreed that the difficulty should be settled by an Irishman named Claffey, and a miner named Rountree, entering the lists from the opposing forces. Rountree was gaffed with spurs, and not only used them so vigorously, but "gouged " so viciously as to enrage the friends of Claffey, who broke into the ring and administered a severe punishment before. any interference could prevent it. A riot then appeared imminent, but was prevented through the influence of the more influential present, and bloodshed was thereby avoided.

In 1846, Fair Play was the scene of an immense gathering attracted by the prospect of a duel between two well-known citizens, Henry Ray and Conrad Burns, growing out of a dispute between them relative to a division of the proceeds of a mine near Lewisburg, a mile north of Hazel Green. After some altercation, Ray challenged Burns, who accepted, naming rifles at forty paces. He was known to be a dead shot, and, to make assurance doubly sure, passed the time intervening between the acceptance and the meeting in testing his skill at every distance and under all circumstances. On the day fixed, the principals appeared upon the ground on the ridge a thort distance northeast of Fair Play, accompanied by John Rountree and James McCoy, their seconds. Ray had made his will and parted from his family under distressing circumstances, and was naturally affected by the surroundings. Burns was as cool as the proverbial cucumber on a day in December. By this time, mutual friends realizing the desperate strait to which the contestants were reduced, sought to accomplish a reconciliation. Ray, who was large and of a highly nervous temperament, was willing to accept any reasonable settlement, but Burns had come to fight, and refused to be placated on any other terms than an apology. Under the cir- cumstances, Mr. Ray feeling that he had unintentionally wronged his adversary, so stated, and peace was declared.

Such were some of the incidents connected with the early settlement of Fair Play. This number could be multiplied without exhausting the supply, for in those days all men went pre- pared, and, if affronted in good name or estate, the law was rarely referred to as a remedy. In 1849, the California fever carried off large numbers of miners, none of whom, with rare excep- tions, re-visited the scenes of their earlier days, and recalled the critical times during which they lived on the very spot of their origin.

From this time forth the period in the progress and improvement of the village remained fixed and immovable. Nothing out of the ordinary run of events (save the war) has occurred to disturb the current of its daily life, and it remains as it was begun forty years ago, a village under the hills, quiet, healthy, its inhabitants prospering in their daily avocations, regarding their homes with pride and the outside world beautiful in proportion as it remains at a distance.

When the war broke out. Fair Play did her part in the furnishing of men and supplies, and during that period, B. Cornelisen erected the first and only brick edifice in the place. It is a commodious structure, and was used as a hotel ; this use is still maintained, it being known as the " Wisconsin House," with M. Calvert as landlord.

Schools .- The first school in the village was started about 1843, in an old and comfortless frame house which stood near the site of that at present appropriated to similar uses. James John- son, a store-keeper, was the first teacher, and his roster of pupils included the children of Rob- ert Hannum ; John, James and William Nelson ; John Huston ; John and William Clise ; John and Viola Smead and some others. Mr. Johnson continued in the service for some time, and the old building was used as a schoolhouse until 1851, when the present structure was erected. It is of frame, 26x36, with a capacity for fifty scholars, and cost $600.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

At present, one teacher only is employed, and the school has an annual average attendance of thirty pupils.

It is conducted at a yearly cost of $350, and is under the control of a board, consisting of S. Sampson, Edward Cary and John Webber.

Churches .- There is but one church edifice in the village, that erected early in the forties through the liberality of Benjamin Kilbourn and others. Although the product of subscriptions made by men of all denominations, the premises were donated to the Presbyterians, whence they passed into the hands of the Methodist Episcopal sect, then to the Primitives, under whose control the church now is. Services are conducted semi-monthly, the Rev. Mr. Jarvis, of Hazel Green, officiating.

Jamestown Lodge, No. 43, I. O. O. F .- Was first organized in February, 1850, Dr. Mills, Samuel Verden, Henry Van Vleck, James Saddler and H. H. Horn being the charter members and officers. At first the lodge met in Howe's Hall at Jamestown, but during the war the number diminished, and meetings were suspended. In October, 1869, a new charter was issued, and the lodge has prospered with each succeeding year.

In 1878, it erected a handsome two-story frame lodge-room, 28x40, at a cost of $650, and its local habitation is now established in the village of Fair Play.

The membership is quoted at 20; the value of lodge property, $1,000; meetings are con- vened every Saturday night, and the officers at present are George E. Black, N. G .; John Lenster, V. G .; R. M. Henderson, Treasurer, and William Pallett, Secretary.

Sweet Hope Lodge, No. 40, I. O. G. T .- Was organized during the winter of 1865, with a membership of twenty, and has since been in the enjoyment of a prosperous and useful career. In 1866, the society erected a lodge room opposite the village school premises, at a cost of $350, and since that date have met regularly in their own official residence.

The present membership is said to be nearly fifty, and the present officers are S. Sampson, W. C. T .; Miss Lydia Doyle, W. V. T .; Miss A. Hunsacker, W. T .; Charles Sampson, W. S., and George Bashbridge, W. C.

Meetings are convened weekly on Wednesday evenings.

The Post Office-Was established during the year 1843, with Alfred Wood as Postmaster, and has been continuously operated up to the present day. Mr. Wood, it is believed, was fol- lowed by Matthew Van Vleck and others, including B. Cornelison, S. Sampson, etc., the latter being the present incumbent. Communication is had daily with Chicago, Dubuque and other distant points, as also with neighboring towns and villages.

St. Clara Academy .- One of the most celebrated schools in the United States is located in Jamestown Township, two miles east of Fair Play, and enjoys a reputation as universal and substantial as that of the State itself. It was founded by Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, an eminent prelate identified with the cause of Christianity in the West from its birth in that section, and esteemed by his cotemporaries and succeeding generations not less for his piety and goodness of heart than for his enterprise and liberality.

Thirty and seven years ago, in an almost trackless wilderness, with little to inspire and less to encourage, Father Mazzuchelli laid the foundation of an institution already famous as the alma mater of scholars of both sexes, who, since their graduation, have contributed to the enlightenment of the world, the domestic fireside, and the building-up of a higher order of civili- zation than that which previously existed.

In 1844, Father Mazzuchelli began the negotiations for the property on which the Academy is now situated. It occupies one of the most beautiful and picturesque sites in the State, and its extensive grounds, with their beautiful adornments and surroundings, seem to breathe the air of peaceful seclusion. which ever exerts so powerful an influence over the moral, physical and intellectual life.

At the time of which mention is made, the grounds belonged to Gen. G. W. Jones, now of Dubuque, Iowa, and consisted of about 300 acres. Father Mazzuchelli desired to obtain them for the establishment of a home for the missionaries of the Order of St. Dominic, a relig-

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

ious order now of six hundred years standing, which has given so many saints to the church, and which has been approved and confirmed by the most eminent Popes who have directed the affairs of the Roman Church.

These negotiations culminated in the purchase of the property, and, on October 3, 1844, the deed of transfer was executed at Galena.

Ths following year, a church, which had occupied a site in the vicinity, was taken down and removed to the mound, where it was rebuilt, christened St. Dominic Church, and dedicated to the service of God by Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni, the Rev. Father Mazzuchelli saying mass upon the occasion.

In 1846, a college was established by the order, the east end of the present stone structure and the former residence of Gen. Jones being utilized to collegiate purposes. In 1849, Father Mazzuchelli transferred the property to the Dominican Fathers of St. Rose Convent in Kentucky, and going to Benton, La Fayette County, began the building-up of the present academy, which was duly chartered three years later.

The college was continued until 1867, when the Dominican Fathers disposed of their prop- erty to W. and J. Ryan, of Galena, for $30,000, and returned to Kentucky. Thereupon the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Dominic came from Benton, and, purchasing the improvements with 250 acres of ground from the Messrs. Ryan, formally established the academy. Since they have had charge, the old buildings have been entirely remodeled and improved and new build- ings added, including the exhibition hall, at a cost of not less than $30,000. During the current year, so contracted had the old quarters become that it was found necessary to again enlarge, and the Sisters completed the building of a structure which, for the purposes mentioned, is unsur- passed by any similar undertaking in the country. It is of brick, 60x112, three stories high, like the remainder of the buildings owned by the order, heated by steam and furnished with every available improvement that will, even remotely, contribute to the comfort and health of the pupils or their faculty in the acquisition of knowledge. It cost a total of not less than $50,000, and with the improvements and grounds, the latter, aggregating 340 acres, will make a total repre- senting $500,000 in value.

The school occupies a position for health and other excellences unrivaled by those of any similar undertaking. Almost at the base of that celebrated landmark, Sinsinawa Mound, yet sufficiently elevated to command a view of the country for miles around, its location is no less desirable from a sanitary point of view, than for other reasons, which will readily suggest them- selves. The course of study requires an attendance of four years, of three terms each, and the curriculum embraces the substantial and elegant branches of English and foreign literature. In addition to these, facilities for securing a musical education are complete and unsurpassed, and, with the numberless accessories commanded by the academy its value as an institution of learn- ing cannot be too highly estimated.

During the scholastic year of 1880 and 1881, seventy young lady pupils were enrolled upon the roster of daily attendants. The business of the academy is managed by Mother Emily (as- sisted by a corps of teachers), a lady possessing innumerable accomplishments and remarkable executive ability, and the institution is not only an honor to the county but to the cause of edu- cation and the constituency which extends its support.

CASSVILLE.

The first mention made of the present site of Cassville is by Mr. Shaw, a boatman on the Mississippi, who stopped at this point to bargain for a freight of lead ore on his trips down the river between 1816 and 1820. It would seem from this that there were habitations here at that time of French and Indians, but, as Shaw was obliged to go to Fever River for his lading, the probabilities are equally strong that no mining that could be dignified by the name was done here at that time. The next few years the place was undoubtedly deserted, as Mr. Thomas Hymer, as related by Mr. James Grushong, stopped at Cassville for some time in 1824, on his return from a trip to the Selkirk Settlement. occupying a deserted cabin, there being no other occupants

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there at that time. The first signs of settlement came in 1827. Mr. Orris McCartney in his recollections, says : The first furnace was built at Cassville by Judge Sawyer ; Tom G. Hawley built the first house at the same time. The next link in the chain of evidence is furnished by Mr. Levi Gilbert, who came to Cassville in 1827, and states that Judge Sawyer erected his furnace that year, and " was to give a free Fourth of July dinner, but hearing of Indian troubles decamped July 3." These statements place the probable date of settlement in that year.

The following year quite a number of new ones came in, among them Orris McCartney and Alexander Ramsay ; Henry Hodges and Thomas Shanley are also reported as coming this year. Those who came, however, did not remain long at this time with the exception of Mr. Ramsey. Between this date and 1831, but very little is known of the young settlement. In the last- named year, Maj. Glendower M. Price arrived at the little settlement with his young bride, and bringing with him an extensive line of goods, with which he opened the first store in Cassville, in a building on the bank of the river standing on the present site of Grimm's warehouse. The log dwelling house of Maj. Price stood on the ground now occupied by Geyer's warehouse, while between them stood afterward the "block-house " that served as a place of refuge for so many early settlers during the troubles of 1832.

The following description of early life in Cassville, by Mrs. A. J. Long, will present to the reader's mind in vivid colors the scene as it appeared to Maj. Price and his newly-wedded bride upon their arrival in 1831 :

" Going West was not then what it is now. The trip that is now made in a few davs, then took months of travel by steam, canal and stage. The boat in which they ascended the Missis- sippi lay six weeks on the rapids. It was the old Science, the first that landed at Cassville. There were in the place a few log dwellings, and one building put up for a store, on the shelves of which was soon arranged the stock of goods which had been brought on from Philadelphia. The country was yet in its primeval wilderness. Lancaster, the county seat of Grant County, was, at that time, not thought of, while between Cassville and Prairie du Chien there was but two or three farms. To the young and beautiful wife, fresh from the city, the wild, free life, with the grand and imposing scenery, had a charm that could not be furnished by city life. The bright, new dream was soon to be dispelled by the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war, which turned the previous enjoyment into a feeling of anxiety as the dangers that surrounded the young settle- ment became apparent. Maj. Price was one of the early pioneers to whom the friendly Indians looked for protection during the troubles of 1832. They stood in mortal fear of the Sacs and Foxes. Maj. Price, having on one occasion been called to Prairie du Chien on business, left his wife in charge of the block-house which had been erected. Into this all the women and children, except Mrs. P., crowded at the least approach of danger. Late in the evening, of the day on which Maj. P. left home, there was heard by the whites and Indians a long, low whistle peculiar to the hostile Indians. There was an instant stampede and the little fort was soon full. The poor, frightened Indians came crowding around 'Capt. Price ' (as they loved to call Mrs. Price), begging her to protect them from their foes, not thinking of her own danger. She let them in, and barred her doors and windows, and there, in her big log kitchen, she counted upward of fifty Indians, men, women and children ; but, before midnight, they were relieved of their fear. The whistling had been done by a mischievous fellow, who wanted to see how the people would act in case of an attack. All was explained to the frightened savages, and they were prevailed upon to vacate Mrs. P.'s kitchen and return to their wigwams. It would have been a hard task, had not the scouts came in and reported the hostile Indians at least twenty-five miles distant.

" At another time during the war, when Maj. P. was from home, the alarm was given that a large body of Indians were preparing to surprise them the next night. Not knowing what would become of them with so few protectors, Mrs. P. wrote an order to the commanding officer at Prairie du Chien for more soldiers, and ordered a man to mount a swift horse and set out immediately. All night long the lady walked the floor, her mind harassed by fear of the Indians, and chagrin lest it was a false alarm. Early the next day the soldiers arrived with one of their superior officers. Mrs. P. had found out by this time that it was a false alarm, and

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made every apology for causing the officer and his soldiers so much trouble. But he would not listen to her, telling her that her courage and forethought alone would have saved the helpless inhabitants from certain death.

" Often, when a little girl, have I heard one of those pioneers (Maj. Anderson) tell the fol- lowing incident : There were a small number of Sac Indians and whites, who accidentally came across each other near the Wisconsin River The order was given to shoot all men, women and children. Among others, he himself shot a boy about ten years old who was eating honey with a spoon out of a hollow tree. He shot off the boy's hand which held the spoon. As soon as the spoon fell, the boy picked it up with the left hand and again commenced eating honey, taking no notice whatever of the mangled arm.

"In the month of June, 1834, Mrs. Price's sister and husband and two children arrived in Cassville, direct from Philadelphia. The husband and wife were very young. The oldest child two years, and the youngest (your humble servant) just three months. It was 10 o'clock in the forenoon when the boat landed. Mrs. Forbes and her husband and children were met on the sandy shore by Maj. Price, who was quite surprised to see them, they not being expected until fall. 'How surprised sister Harriet will be,' said Mrs. Forbes. 'Indeed she will,' said the Major. Mrs. Forbe's attention was arrested by a queer looking figure advancing toward her. It was a woman dressed rather plain, in fact, quite common, barefooted, and with a tin pan held over her head. Mrs. Forbes stood perfectly still thinking she saw a crazy woman. The woman still advancing sideways, with her hand held over her brow the better to see the strangers. Presently she threw down the pan, and starting on a run to her own house, crying out, 'My sister Anna has come ! Anna has come!' Presently her excitement cooled down, and she went to meet her sister and almost smothered her and the little ones with kisses. After the first greetings were over her sister said, 'Do the ladies in the West wear tin pans on their heads in place of bonnets, as I saw you.' 'Oh, no, I was going to gather greens for dinner.' Walking into the parlor, Mrs. Price introduced her sister to the visitors, who were present, they almost forgetting to acknowledge the introduction, so busy were they gazing at the pretty young lady dressed in the latest style.

" Presently dinner was announced. The table was set in the big log kitchen. When they were all seated, the next thing to notice was the bill of fare. This Mrs. Forbes did, and the result was as follows: Bacon and greens, bread and butter. She was highly amused at this company dinner, but soon found it was about all the country afforded. Butter was $1 per · pound, and eggs 50 cents per dozen.

"' Didn't you get homesick before you got acquainted with your neighbors ?' asked Mrs. Forbes, after their guests had gone. 'Not much, old Macwa and I were such good friends." ' Who is that?' said her sister. 'Oh, he is only a tame bear we got of the Indians. He and I go walking up the river bank every day. A few days since we went to walk on the river bank. I was in no hurry to racc as usual with him, so concluded to take my own time. After awhile we started, and he, in his glee, caught hold of my dress, and before I was aware of it, away he flew with the whole skirt of my dress fluttering in the breeze as he ran.'

"Next morning after breakfast Mrs. Price sat her churn, filled with cream, on the porch, intending to churn at once. She stopped to say a few words to her sister, when she heard a queer sound, and running to the door she saw Mackwa with the churn turned over and he lap- ping up the rich cream as fast as he could, while his head and shoulders were covered with it ; he had eaten out of the churn as long as he could reach it, and when he could not reach it any longer he turned it over on the floor.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 126

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?] Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050