USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 81
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584
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
spent that year in directing the work, but the climate proving injurious to his health, he re -. solved to move farther northward, and in the spring of 1853 settled in Milwaukee, Wis., and during the five years following was engaged in engineering on Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, having control of the work, first from Stough- ton to Madison, and afterwards from Janesville to Monroe. During this period he invested largely in real estate in the county of Green and in the city of Monroe, and thereby laid the foundation of the large estate that has so amply rewarded his industry and wisdom.
The money panic which prevailed in 1857 and following years laid a temporary embargo on railroad construction, and Mr. Dodge retired to the then village of Monroe, and was em- ployed by the corporation to take the oversight of the improvements provided for in the new charter, which he carried to successful comple- tion. In 1860-61 he published a very complete map of Green county and the State of Wiscon- sin, which has since been the standard authority on matters of geography within its scope. During the last named year he also served sev- eral months as clerk of the mustering and dis- bursing officer of the United States army at Madison. From January, 1862, to July, 1863, he was principal of the high schools of Monroe, a position for which his thorough education and large experience eminently fitted him. In the autumn of 1863 he was employed on the Min- nesota Central Railroad and placed in charge of the work between Minneapolis and St. Paul. He also engineered the Winona & St. Peter Railroad from Rochester to Kasson, and made its location through Dodge and Steele counties. In 1866 he made the location of the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad, but owing to a difference of opinion which arose between himself and the officers of the company, he re- signed his position and for a time retired with his family to his carly home in Vermont. Returning to Monroe in April, 1867, he bought a three-fourths interest in the Monroe Planing
Mill Company, of which he intended to take the management, but receiving an overture from the general government, he spent the following year in making a survey of the battlefields in the Atlanta campaign. For the next three years, ending March, 1871, he was resident engineer of the Winona division of the St. Paul & Chicago Railroad, and during the two succeed- ing years held the position of chief engineer of the line, completing the work at La Crescent.
It is worthy of note here, as illustrating the accuracy of Mr. Dodge, as an accountant, that although during the last named period, over $1,000,000 had been disbursed by him, yet, a rigid audit of the accounts, failed to reveal an error of even one cent. Subsequently he was chief engineer of the Hastings & Dakota Rail- road, and directed its construction from Carver to Glencoe. He also engineered the McGregor & Missouri River Railroad, from Algona to Spencer, Iowa. At this point we will make a slight digression, in order to place on record a matter of history, which cannot be otherwise than gratifying to our subject. In the fall of 1871, he had made the location of the St. Paul & Chicago Railroad, from Winona to La Cres- cent, and after a careful survey of the river-its banks, channels, islands and bottom lands-for two miles, he made a location of the bridge that was to span its channel at La Crosse, and con- nect that line with the La Crosse division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which was immediately staked out, and has since become celebrated, as the location of the La Crosse bridge. The citizens of La Crosse, however, interposed objections to the proposed site, be- cause it did not terminate in the heart of their city, and much local feeling was engendered by the circumstance. The late secretary of war, Gen. Belknap, lent himself to the citizens of La Crosse, and appointed a commission of three government engineers, who twice reported against the location in question. An injunc- tion was obtained from the United States circuit court, to restrain the company from proceeding
585
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
with 'the construction of the bridge, but the conrt in rendering the opinion commented so severely upon the injustice of the proceeding, that the opinion itself became one of the strong- est grounds for contesting the decision. In the trial of the case, six of the most eminent civil engineers of the northwest had given their tes- timony, in the most emphatic manner, in favor of Mr. Dodge's location, and their report ulti- mately proved the turning point in the case. After a flight of years all obstacles were finally removed, and now a magnificent triumph of engineering skill spans the "Father of Waters" at La Crosse, having been completed and put in operation during the centennial year of the re- public, and the wisdom and skill of our subject have received the most flattering indorsements and commendation from the most eminent en- gineers of the county. The name of Mr. Dodge is indissolubly connected with that magnificent enterprise.
The panic of 1873 being followed by a per- sistent "granger crusade" against railroads, nearly all public works were, in that year, sus- pended, and the year following, our subject made an extensive tour in Enurpe, visiting many of the cities and monuments of art and science in that distinguished quarter of the globe. In November, 1875, he removed his family to Mon- roe, from Madison, where he had resided for some years, and took charge of his interest in the planing mill, which he had owned since 1867. Mr. Dodge was raised in the communion of the Methodist Church, to which his ancestors for several generations belonged, but his theo- logical views have undergone a change; he now attends the Universalist Church. He is in poli- tics a republican, although reared a democrat. He having, in early life, become indoctrinated with anti-slavery principles, he joined the re- publican party soon after its organization, and is still identified withit. On the 24th of Octo- ber, 1850, Mr. Dodge married Melissa J. Mar- ble, of North Hartland, Vt. This union has
been blessed with a family of one son and three daughters :- Joseph, Marion, Florence and Mattie. In 1862, his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of M. A., and in 1875, the still more complimentary distinction of Ph. D., an honor worthily bestowed.
ART.
As the kindred art of poetry and music, that painting is gradually gaining a prominence in Green county, as, indeed, all over our country. That which illustrates knowledge is certainly worthy the consideration of the greatest and best of minds; and, in all ages of the world, it has received it, but not more generally than at the present time. The growing desire of the matrons of Green county to adorn their dwell- ings with beautiful pictures is one of the "signs of the times" of the progress of enlightened culture right here at home. The labor of the artist is more and more appreciated. This is as it should be. To the people of Green county we would say, cultivate the fine arts.
Wilber C. Woodworth
war born in Monroe, May 7, 1861. He is the son of W. P. Woodworth and Almira Prescott Woodworth, both of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Monroe. He early developed a talent for drawing and received his first instruc- tion of H. G. Austin of Monroe in colors, at about the age of eighteen years. Mr. Woodworth's first paintings were landscapes. Two paintings -Mt. Washington and Hoosatonic-have at- tracted much attention. Portrait painting, how- ever, with Mr. Woodworth is more of a specialty than landscape. One deserving of particular attention is an antique portrait of the mother of Mrs. A. Ludlow. Mr. Woodworth has re- ceived advantages in his artistic career in so- journing in the east, studying master-pieces and typical scenery, and in Chicago, where he has spent much time with profit. He has taught large classes in painting and drawing in Monroe, with flattering and deserved success. Mr. Wood- worth is unmarried.
586
HISTORY OF GREEN, COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS OF GREEN COUNTY.
Green county had "a local habitation and a name," thirteen years and a half before any newspaper was printed within its limits. It was in April, 1850, that J. W. Snow started the first Green county paper. It was called
THE GREEN COUNTY UNION.
Subscriptions to this paper which was neutral in politics, might be paid "in cash, grain, pota- toes, butter, eggs, wood, lumber, saw-logs or labor." It was published in Monroe, in Francis Emerson's stone building on the south side of the square. The first number contained this promise: "In reference to the subject . of politics we shall studiously avoid injuring the feelings of any one." It started out with about 150 subscribers. It was in size 22×32 inches-a six column folio. It was first issued on Tues- days; then changed to Wednesdays. The Union lived just a year. Its materials then fell into the hands of John W. Stewart, who, early in May, 1851, changed its name to
THE MONROE SENTINEL.
The Sentinel, the size of which was the same as the Union, was a whig paper. In five months, it was disposed of to John Walworth and O. D. Moulton, who made it an organ of the demo- cratic party. Mr. Moulton sold his interest to Walworth, who conducted the paper as sole editor and proprietor, gradually changing its politics to republican. On Sept. 13, 1854, the paper, which had been enlarged one column at the beginning of Vol. III, was leased for one year, as appears by the following announce- ment:
-
"TO THE PUBLIC.
"The undersigned having leased the office, rooms and fixtures of the Monroe Sentinel, for the term of one year from the 13th of Septem- ber inst., would respectfully solicit an extended patronage. The paper will sustain the princi- ples of freedom with what ability and earnest- ness we may possess. All questions involving the interests of society (political or otherwise) will be freely discussed and commented upon without fear or favor. We shall excuse no act of a public nature, that shall seem to require comment or condemnation. While we shall studiously avoid all personalities, principles and measures will be handled without gloves, or any faint-hearted fear of consequences to our- selves. We belong, in all matters interesting the public, to that public, and shall not permit our position to be prostituted to private ends.
"N. L. STOUT, "G. W. TENNEY."
On the 16th of May, 1855, the lessees, Messrs. N. L. Stout and G. W. Tenney, pur- chased the Sentinel outright as indicated by the following:
"TO THE PUBLIC.
"Having recently disposed of my interest in the Monroe Sentinel and the printing office, af- ter a connection with it as editor and proprietor for the last three years, a due regard to a long established custom, as well as a sentiment of gratitude to the friends and patrons of the paper require at least a respectful retiring bow.
"Upon due reflection the only regret that we now feel in relation to the course pursued, and the principles advocated by the Sentinel, is that we have not accomplished more for the public good-but we have done what we could, and it has not been in vain, our political opponents being judges.
587
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
Within the last three years a man has been elected as President of the United States, who probably more than any other man, has disap- pointed the hopes of his best and truest friends, has with impunity trampled upon the constitu- tional rights of one portion of the people to promote the unconstitutional and oppressive claims of another and minor portion. And no administration that has proceeded it will stain the page of our national and political history with so many deep and dark spots of ignorance or wickedness and depravity, as that of Franklin Pierce. But these usurpations and departure from the long established democratic principles, has called forth a just deserved constitutional resistance and repudiation of the present admin- istration, from nearly all of the free States of the Union. The rebuke has been loud and un- mistakable, and from no State has it been uttered with more firmness and effect than from our own beloved Wisconsin.
Since the organizations of the republican party at the State capitol, on the 13th of July last, the political change has been unprecedented; and the triumph of liberty more complete than its most sanguine friends would dare to antici- pate under circumstances so unfavorable. Every important election has resulted in the triumph of the republican party, or rather its principles. Our State legislature, a judge of the Supreme Court, our representatives in the next Congress, and a United States senator for the next six years, has already crowned the united efforts of the party, and next fall the governor and the entire State administration will be elected upon the same issue as the others, and grace the tri- umph of the friends of freedom over the advo- cates of slavery.
In this struggle the Sentinel, though a regular democratic paper, took an early and a firm stand against the Nebraska swindle, and the usurpations of the slave power, the interests and prospects of the paper were at once laid upon the altar of freedom, and in this position the paper has been sustained in this county. Of its efficiency, the
public will, of course, decide. Retiring for a time only from the perplexities, and pleasures of the editorial sanctum-though we carry away not much of the treasures of wealth, and cer- tainły no official endowments, as the reward for our hard toil, yet we do feel a proud satisfac- tion, in the reflection that we have stood in truth and right-that God, and conscience and good men approve the course which we have pursued, while we have contended for the same principles (embraced in the declaration of rights), for which the fathers of the revolution fought so nobly, and bled so freely-the doc- trine of the immortal Jefferson, the letter and the spirit of the constitution. As our successors, Messrs. Stout & Tenney, are already so favora- bly known to the readers of the Sentinel from their connection with the paper, it is unneces- sary to say more than that we hope they will continue to meet and receive the public confi- dence, and a liberal patronage. Let Green county give its paper a good support, it is abundantly able-the paper will, in time, pro- mote the best interests of the county.
Wishing success and prosperity to the Senti- nel, its readers, and the rest of mankind-we ask leave of absence until they shall hear from us again.
"J. WALWORTHI." TO THIE FRIENDS OF THE SENTINEL.
The undersigned, having purchased the office, good will and fixtures of the Monroe Sentinel beg leave to make a statement to the public of what they intend to do, and also, what they desire their friends may do. We have now been connected with this office since the 12th of last September. The public are the judges of our course, and we leave what has been done, with that public. The course we shall pursue has been partially indicated in the past; and if we meet with proper encourage- ment, we shall accomplish more than has been done, and hope to meet with the support which the interests of Green county, the village of Monroe, and the principles we advocate seem,
588
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
at this particular crisis to demand. There is now due the office, on the last volume some- thing over $500. We are desirous that this debt should be promptly paid. If so, we shall be enabled to improve the Sentinel with a new dress throughout, and give a larger amount of reading matter every week. We also desire that a prompt advance payment will be made on the incoming volume. Our friends will see the necessity for prompt action and cordial sup- port by material aid. If every one will render unto the printer the money that is due the printer, we shall be enabled to furnish our office complete with new material. Spare us from duns. At the present time the expenses attending the publication of a newspaper are enormous. All the stock for the business has recently advanced, and invariably requires cash, and the expenses of living, too, are vastly increased over what they have heretofore been, still we shall make no change in the terms of the paper. It will be furnished to subscribers as in times past-$1.50 in advance or $1.75 if paid within the year; we always preferring the advance payment. Within the next few weeks one of the undersigned will visit the different townships in this county with a view to extend- ing the circulation of the Sentinel and we hope thereby its usefulness.
We acknowledge the courtesies of editorial brethren, and shall reciprocate them as well as we can.
In conclusion, we may properly reiterate that we are pledged, in principle, to the cause of universal liberty, and shall carefully and con- scientiously live up to such a standard, and we shall endeavor to make our paper of local im- portance to the citizens of Green county, as well as a medium of news proportioned to our journal.
N. L. STOUT, G. W. TENNEY.
On the 12th day of September, 1855 the Sen- tinel contained the following announcement:
TO OUR PATRONS.
"The present number of this paper closes the year in which the present publishers have had entire charge of the matter and manner of the Monroe Sentinel. It has been a year fruitful with events in the political annals of this State and Nation. The redress of great political out- rages have reverted to the popular will, and the crime against free institutions has been sig- nally rebuked by the popular judgment. We have confidence in the integrity of the popular heart. The consciences of the people have been thoroughly aroused. They will take care of the future. In regard to the business of this office, it has not been remunerating to a degree that will warrant the continuance of the business connection of the present publishing firm. The senior editor withdraws from the publication of the Sentinel, but will continue editor in connec- tion with George W. Tenney, who will be hereafter sole publisher of the Sentinel. This step is taken because the present publishers have come to the conclusion that it will be bet- ter for both; and the senior feels that he can do better pecuniarily, than to have his earnings and interests longer in the Sentinel.
"Thus far there has been a mutual harmony in the business of this office, and we trust that our friends have been well satisfied with the character of the Sentinel. We have never re- printed any of the many encouraging notices of our course by the press of this State; for the reason that we chose to devote our room to matters of greater publie concernment than the favorable opinions expressed of us by our cotemporaries. They have our thanks.
"The senior hopes that those who are in- debted to the office will pay promptly whatever may be due the same, immediately; and in future to keep the cash receipts of the business on something like an equality with its expendi- tures. The business looks well enough-is well enough -- on paper, but newspaper eredit is a bad business at best. If a paper is worth having at all, it is best to pay for it in advance."
589
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
Mr. Tenney continued to edit and publish the Sentinel until August, 1860, when the paper passed into the hands of James Bintliff and E. E. Bryant. Mr. Bryant retired from the Senti- nel in May, 1861, to enter the army in the War for the Union. Mr. Bintliff continued the paper until the 6th of November following, when he sold a half interest to E. E. Carr, as appears by the following announcement of Mr. Bintliff on that day, in the Sentinel:
"We have sold a one-half interest in the Sen- tinel office to Egbert E. Carr, of Shullsburg, who becomes jointly interested with us in the publication of the Sentinel with the presentissue, and who we expect will, about the Ist of Decem- ber next, introduce himself to its readers as one of its editors. Mr. Carr is a thorough practical printer of more than twenty years' experience, and come to us with the best recommendations of his integrity as a man, and his qualifications to conduct a printing office.
"Our only object in making this change is to relieve us of the responsibility of managing a business we do not understand, and to give us more time to devote to our editorial duties. We hope by this arrangement to improve the Sen- tinel, and make it still more worthy of the sup- port of this county. It is now fifteen months since we became connected with the Sentinel, and during that time it has received the hearty support of a very large class of the best citizens of the county.
"Our subscription list is as a whole as prompt pay as any in the State, but there are a few who have not paid one cent since we took possession of the office. To such we take this opportunity to say that we cannot afford to send you a paper longer than one year unless we get pay for it. All the expenses of a printing office are cash, and no man can publish a newspaper and do justice to himself and those who pay him, and give credit to any man longer than one year. Come friends, pay up."
Mr. Bintliff entered the Union army, but continued still as co-editor of the Sentinel, and
retained his interest therein. On the 28th of July, 1865, the paper was sold to A. J. High and Charles A. Booth. Their announcement upon assuming control was as follows:
TO THE PATRONS OF THE SENTINEL.
"In accordance with the announcement of Messrs. Bintliff & Carr last week, the under- signed to-day assume the editorial management of the Sentinel. In entering upon the arduous duties before us, we do so with a degree of dif- fidence proportionate to the great responsibili- ties devolving upon us; and, while we do not lay down any extended programme of future ac- tion, a due regard for the customs of the times and the opinions of our readers seems to de- mand a declaration of the political faith that will govern us in our new relation.
"Politically, the Sentinel will remain un- changed. As in the past it has been the bold and earnest defender of moral and constitutional right, so in the future, while under our control, it will support those principles and measures best calculated to secure the liberties of the people and maintain the integrity of the govern- ment. We march with the great Union army. Whether in the field or in the sanctum, we are fighting in the same good cause. In the field we stood opposed to treason in high places, boldly proclaimed and defended, while now, in the sanctum, it is only necessary to 'change front' in order to meet that more contemptible, sneaking, cowardly treason which skulks in darkness and stabs in the rear.
"In these eventful days of progress and re- form, party creeds are very brief. The great questions which once agitated the public mind now stand recorded in the political catechisms only as a part of our past history. Slavery, once the all-absorbing topic, the cause of bitter party strife, the moral and political curse of the Nation, has been wiped out of existence.
"Banks, tariffs, sub-treasuries, public lands, internal improvements, compromises and pro- visos 'no more divide our choice' or gender strife. These questions, if not obsolete, have
590
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.
been so nearly arbitrated that the political lambs and lions, on common ground, lie down together. We believe that at the present time a single question involves the whole character and responsibility of the American citizen: 'Are you loyal to the government of the United States in the maintenance of its National honor and the perpetnity of the Union and the Con- stitution undivided and unimpaired?' It seems to us there can be no nentral position taken upon the great question now at issue between the government and traitors. 'Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.' 'He that is not for us is against us.' Every man within the wide limits of our country is either a friend of the govern- ment or an enemy. Holding 'these truths to be self-evident,' our path of duty is plain, and all our energies shall be given to sustain the State and National anthorities in every lawful act to enforce justice and to promote the peace and welfare of our country.
"We will endeavor at all times to keep the readers of the Sentinel well informed in regard to the news and general topics of the day, both at home and abroad. It is our desire to publish a paper entertaining and instructive to all classes of society; something for the family, the pro- fessional and literary man, the farmer, mechanic, merchant, student, yonng and old, grave and gay.
The Sentinel will be especially devoted to the advancement of the growth and prosperity of Green county. We desire to establish our home among this people, and therefore our in- terests are identical. Whatever will promote your welfare will benefit us, and when we labor for the highest good of the citizens of this county, we but discharge the plain duty of every local publisher, who should always seek to build up the community which supports him. In a word, we shall pay particular attention to the local affairs of the town and county.
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