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 86

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

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 86

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

force of the Times cansed the suspension of that paper. After three years of service in the army Mr. Bartlett returned to Albany, broken down in health, consequent upon exposure and hardship incident to the life of a soldier during those dark days of the great American conflict. He was a good soldier, and thus sacrificed upon the altar of his country his young strength. Upon his return, in company with C. W. Os- good, a former associate in the printing busi- ness, he revived the patriotic old press and type which had so long been silent, and under the name of the Albany Journal, embarked in a newspaper enterprise, which, on account of his failing health, had only a brief six months' duration. In 1878, upon the earnest solicitation of time honored friends, he resumed the publi- cation of the Albany Journal, and has since continued, with varied success. He was not ex- empt from the disastrous fire which laid waste so great a part of this thriving village, and everything he had went up in smoke; but with characteristic energy the Journal was again put on a footing, and is now among the better class of papers of the county. Mr. Bartlett was married Dec: 25, 1866, to Emma Payne, a native of New York State. They have had two chil- dren-Flora Stella, who died in infancy, and Spencer E., who was born Nov. 20, 1869.

THE ALBANY VINDICATOR.

The Vindicator is published every Thursday at Albany and is now in its first volume. It is published by the Vindicator Publishing Com- pany. It is edited largely in the interests of prohibition and is ably conducted.

RANDOM EXTRACTS CONCERNING GREEN COUNTY

NEWSPAPERS. Brodhead Reporter.

"We have received the first number of the Brodhead Reporter, L. Winthrop Powell, editor and publisher. The paper is republican in politics, devoted to the general interests of the town and county in which it is published; is a seven column sheet, very neatly gotten up; and

bears evidence of earnest management. We wish friend Powell a good list of subscribers and a thrifty business."-Monroe Sentinel, May 4, 1859.

A Brief History of Two Pupers.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, May 11, 1859 ]

About the first week in May, 1850, Mr. Snow commenced the publication in this vil- lage [Monroe,] of a six column paper, nentral in politics, entitled the Green County Union. After continuing its publication one year, he sold the office to our fellow-townsman, J. W. Stewart, who put the paper partly in a new dress and made a regular whig organ. After con- tinuing as editor and publisher for little more than three months, he sold the office to Rev. J. Walworth and O. D. Moulton, who changed the politics of the paper from whig to demo- cratic, and published it through the volume, when Mr. Walworth beccame sole editor and proprietor. He afterwards enlarged to a seven column size and continued its publication until Sept. 15, 1854. It is proper to remark that, about the time of the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, Mr. Walworth took grounds against the step and took part in the organization of the republican party. On the 15th of September, 1854, N. L. Stout and G. W. Tenney leased the office and fixtures for the term of one year, and came out wholly and unequivocally in favor of the republican party -a position the paper has maintained ever since. On the 16th of May, 1855, Messrs Stout and Tenney purchased the office and continued joint editors and publishers until September 15, of the same year, when N. L. Stout retired and left the present publisher in sole possession. On the commencement of the next succeeding volume, in May, 1856, we put the Sentinel in an entire new dress, and on August 11, following, enlarged it to eight columns to the page.

Gone Out -- Disappeared -- Busted- Vanished.

"INDEPENDENT PRESS. - The paper which has I been published in this village [Monroe] for the

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

past seven months, bearing the above title, has gone out, disappeared, busted, vanished

'Without

Word of premonition, or signal of alarm,' something after the manner in which an ideal vision of dimes is ofttimes dissolved by the introduction of a dun. It undertook to carry Lecompton, to which absurd idea it probably is in a measure indebted for its dissolution. We understand the materials have been taken to the village of Albany, in this county, at which place a new and distinct paper will be issued." -Monroe Sentinel, May 12, 1858.

Retired.

"By the last number of the Albany Times, we learn that I. S. Dexter has surrendered the honors, emoluments and tripod to his associate, Yates T. Lacy. Dexter is one of the tallest kind of editors and looked at matters about him from a high stand-point. May his shadow never be less."-Monroe Sentinel, May 18, 1859.

Editorial Change.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, April 25, 1860.]

We hear it stated that friend Lacy of the Albany Times has disposed of that paper to Col. Baker, formerly of the Janesville Free Press. Mr Baker drives the pen with vigor and talent and we cordially extend our hand in welcome. Our relations with Mr. Lacy, who, we suppose, retires from the paper, have led us to regard him as a true and honorable gentle- man.

To the Friends and Patrons of the Green County Democrat.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, June 13, 1860.]

It is due the patrons and friends of the Dem- ocrat that I should make a statement of facts in regard to its discontinuance. The office was purchased upon the following terms: Nine democrats of Brodhead and vicinity endorsed a note or bond for me, for $300, payable three months from date, and I gave my own notes for the sum of $412; this added to the $300 note, made the amount $712 in all. The $300 note became due on the 16th of April last, but as my

endorsers nor myself could not raise the amount, I had it extended thirty days more. It also expired, and we could not pay. The 16th of May one of my own notes, of $140 be- came due also, and I could not meet it, and thus the office was left in a bad situation. It was understood that donations from prominent dem- ocrats in Brodhead and other places, were to be made to pay off the $300 note, but no donations were ever made, nor were any of the glowing promises, which were made to me fulfilled. I received but five very small sums as donations, three of fifty cents and two of two dollars. There was a great hue and cry made by one very prominent democrat that we were ex- travagant in our funds and received plenty of money. I had no means of my own, and all I had to depend on to support myself, and pay the expenses of the office, was the subscription money, which was "few and far between." The advertising did not amount to anything; and here let me say that the democratic busi- ness men of Brodhead did lend their influence and patronage to the Reporter, a republican sheet, in preference to one of their own party -- but four democrats advertised their business, and that upon a very small scale. Mr. J. Brant, saddler, being the last advertiser I bad. Yet in the face of all this, I was accused of extrava- gance! Kept too much help, etc. Had the democrats canvassed the county, and performed the work they promised to do, our expenses would not have been half of what they were, but the democrats failed to canvass, and it was left for me to do the work in the office as well as to canvass. Any person, of sense, will see that it was utterly impossible for me to do the work and canvass too. I was compelled to hire an employe, and to keep my matters in running order. I was kept from home the most of my time in collecting money and canvassing, and I could not get far enough ahead without hired help.

Reports of all kinds were circulated to my in- jury, by several disappointed democrats, because

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

I would not be controlled by them, and do and write as they dictated. It was well understood before I started the Democrat, that I would not be controlled by any one man, clique or sect, but was willing to be ruled and governed by a majority of the democrats in the county. Those democrats who made those glowing promises, had all a remunerative office in view, and as soon as it was discovered that they would not get the "loaves and fishes," their purses as well as their devotion to the principles of democracy collapsed. They are no democrats from prin- ciple, but from office. I have always been op- posed to such democracy and always will be. I want a man to be one thing or the other, out and out. There are several sound and live democrats in Green county, and the most prom- inent are S. P. Condee, of Monroe, Samuel North-" croft and Samuel Rowe, of Decatur, and John Taylor, of Brodhead. To John Taylor I am indebted for many favors extended towards me, and he is a true and tried democrat. For the past four weeks I did not receive $2, and we could not buy our, paper on credit and run in debt for board. Last Monday the office was closed by Messrs. Rounds & Langdon. I never toiled and devised ways and means to keep the office running, as I did in Brodhead, but all to no purpose. The office closed and I am $50 in debt, and borrowed $3 with which to leave town. I think it will be a long time be- fore they get a printer in their clutches. I am a democrat and always have been, and always expect to be, but I shall never stoop to low trickery to gain laurels and fame. The above statements I can corroborate, and I do not pub- lish them for the purpose of injuring the party in Little Green, but for the purpose of placing the blame where it belongs. More could be told, but I think this sufficient.

ELIJAII H. EYER, Editor Democrat. SIDNEY, Ohio, June 6, 1860.

New Paper. [Oct. 18, 1865.]

We have received the first number of the Albany Weekly Journal, published at Albany, in this county, by Osgood & Bartlett. C. W. Osgood is the editor, with Joseph Baker assist- ant editor. The paper professes to be "free and independent, and will not intermeddle with party quarrels or controversies." What do you mean, Mr. Osgood, by "free and independent?" You say that you will publish other men's opinions ; but have you no political opinions of your own? You say you have served in the army; what did you fight for? Were there no political principles involved in that great strug- gle with Rebellion? Is there nothing for patriots to do now? Have you no opinion to express on the great and vital issues which now convulse the Nation? We cannot understand how any man can be neutral, with all these momentous National questions before him.

[June 29, 1870.]

Gen. James Bintliff, for a long time a promi- nent citizen of Green county, takes up his pen to edit the Gazette, in Janesville, Wis., to-mor- row, Thursday, June 30. By those who know him best, Mr. Bintliff is regarded one of the ablest writers and speakers of this State. He has a rich store of practical knowledge of hu- man nature, and the history of the important events of modern times. He has always taken a front rank in the republican party, since its organization; served his party and the great principles of freedom faithfully, on the stump, in the field of war and in the sanctum. He will take to the Gazette a degree of energy, good will, ability and experience in the things which make men valuable, excelled by none, equaled by few. His going will take from us a valuable citizen, and will add to the editorial fraternity of Wisconsin, one more bright particular star, who will, we predict, rise rapidly to that high position for which he is so fitly qualified. Yet we are satisfied that his zeal and labors for the welfare of Rock county will not prevent his taking some interest in the affairs of his old "stamping ground."

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

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CHAPTER XXVI.

THE SWISS COLONY OF NEW GLARUS. BY JOHN LUCHSINGER.

In the northern part of Green Co., Wis., about sixteen miles north of Monroe, is situated the little village of New Glarus. This village, as well as the township in which it lies, was so named after the canton and town of Glarus in eastern Switzerland, of which place the inhabi- tants are natives or their descendants. Pleas- antly located on the west bank of Little Sugar river, on sloping ground, and in the midst of varied, rather rough, yet pleasing scenery, it presents a romantic and somewhat un-American appearance, owing to the diversified style of its buildings; and its plain yet queer church-tower, unlike any other outside of the old country. The houses are mostly built on the border of the streets, there being no sidewalks for foot pas- sengers, nor space in front for shade trees. The village contains about fifty dwellings, with barns and other out-buildings. There are two churches, two school houses, a grist and saw mill run by water-power, a large cheese factory, a brewery, three stores and four hotels and saloons.

The population is about 200. A physician, a minister of the Swiss Reformed Church, and two schoolmasters reside in the place, and at- tend to the medical, religious and educational wants of the people. There are, besides, arti- sans, mechanics and laborers of all trades and occupations needed by a community of this size, thus rendering this settlement quite independ- ent of the surrounding villages-in fact, it is a community within itself.

The people of the village, as well as of the surrounding country, speak among themselves

almost exclusively the German-Swiss dialect. All school and town meetings and elections, and even proceedings in justice's courts, are of necessity conducted in this language. A stranger stopping here for the first time could easily imagine that he had dropped down upon a portion of Switzerland. They occupy, with the exception of a small portion on the northern and eastern boundaries, the whole of the town- ship; the only persons of other Nationalities in the town being three or four families of Nor- wegians and Irish. In fully one-half of the town of Washington, and large portions of half a dozen other towns in Green county, and also in the southern part of Dane, a number of Swiss have gained a foothold. The number of Swiss and their descendants in Green county alone ex- ceeds 3,000, comprising about one-seventh of the entire population of the county. The vil- lage of New Glarus is the central point of gathering on all holidays and festivals; and is also the place where religious services are held for most of the Swiss in the county.

The people of this settlement are noted for their industry, frugality and economy, qualities which with them are inherited, their ancestors having from necessity been obliged to prac- tice them for many centuries, owing to the sterile and mountainous character of their fatherland, where nature yields her bounties grudgingly, and with seanty measure. One can- not help observing, on entering the settlement, the effects of these good qualities; good, com- fortable houses, spacious and substantial barns, and other out-buildings are seen everywhere;

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

and nowhere in Green county is so much money expended in permanent improvements as here, and that, too, in the face of the fact that the country is very broken and rough, the soil on the uplands thin, liable to wash away at every heavy rain, and in many places stony.

But the people at an early period betook themselves to dairy farming and the raising of cattle. To this branch of industry they were well adapted, and thoroughly understood it, that being of necessity the only branch of agricul- ture possible among the mountains of their old home. This vicinity is also well suited for the purpose; for the hill pastures produce sweet, nutritious, if scant, grasses, while the natural meadows in the bottoms yield an abundance of good hay, and springs and streams of pure, cool water abound, almost every farm being supplied with running water. All these are requisites in order to produce excellence in the produet, and health in the stock.

The people, as a rule, are hard-working, be- lieving that honest, old fashioned, sturdy strokes and blows are required to secure a livelihood and competence. They are economical also, to the verge of penuriousness; spending less than they earn, the mystery is easily explained why they get on in the world better than many of their neighbors of American or other National- ities, who are so often heard to express wonder how people with so many obstacles, natural and artificial to contend with, should have done so well. Industry and economy will bring about the same good result in any Nation or country, The people are generally less involved in debt, and less complaint of hard times is heard here than in other sections of the country.

Prior to the year 1845, for about fifteen years, the times in Europe were prosperous. A long reign of peace had given an impetus to trade, and manufactures had greatly increased, so that the large surplus population of Switzerland, that had formerly found vent by enlisting in foreign armies now found employment in the factories; and as long as trade was good, every one pros-

pered. About this period, a general stagnation in business occurred, which threw large numbers of the poor out of employment; and added to this, a partial failure in crops cansed a rise in the price of the necessaries of life, so that distress was great among the working classes, and it be- came a serious question to the governments of the Swiss cantons as to what would be the fate of many of those who had hitherto obtained bread, and were contented, during prosperous times.

The portions of arable land which were owned by the different parishes, and allotted to each citizen for cultivation annually, were becoming smaller and smaller as the population increased, being at that time from forty to 160 klafters of six feet square each, for the head of every fam- ily, according as the parish he happened to be- long to, was rich or the reverse. The parishes and communes in many instances not only owned these portions of arable land, but also the sum- mer pastures on the Alps, which were leased from time to time to private parties. The in- come from this source, and also from the for- ests, which are mainly owned in the same way, is applied to the payment of salaries to preach- ers and the civil officials; taxation, in con- e- quence of this large income, is very light in many localities.

Every citizen in Glarus is entitled to the use of one of these portions, which he may cultivate himself or by others; or he may give or lease it to others, if not in condition to use it himself. When any left the country, the value of sneh a share, together with other privileges, was esti- mated, and paid in money to those who migrated, being, in fact, a premium on emigration These small parcels were mainly planted with potatoes, beans and other vegetables, the raising of grain being almost unknown in Glarus, the people de- pending for breadstuffs partly on Italy, but mostly on Hungary. In times of depression, the food of the poorer working classes is mainly potatoes, with salt or green cheese, called schab- zieger, for spice or seasoning. The cheese is

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

made from skim-milk coagulated with acid whey, then packed in casks and left to ripen, which occurs in about four weeks. It is then ground in a mill, and mixed with a certain proportion of leaves of a species of blue pansy, which are previously dried and pulverized for the purpose. After being thoroughly mixed, the cheese is pressed into conical moulds, which hold abont two pounds; and, after drying, is ready for use. When ripe, it is of a dark green color, and so hard that it can be grated like a nutmeg. The so-called sap-sago cheese is its counterpart. Coffee is made from the roots of chickory, and is drank without sugar, and in many families, without milk. The supply of bread, even in prosperous times, is limited, the house-wife al- lotting to each a certain portion, and no more.

The leading men of the canton of Glarus cast about for means by which this over-popu- lation and consequent distress could be relieved. Meetings were held, and it was thought that an emigration under the care and control of the government would be the best method of relief. Another meeting to devise ways and means was called, and was largely attended at Schwanden, and a committee was appointed to wait on the authorities and ask their co-operation. This was extended, and the sum of 1,500 gulden or florins was appropriated for the pur- pose of sending two pioneers to the United States of America, to seek and locate a tract of land for a colony. An Emigration Society was also formed, and took charge of the funds, which were increased by private subscription ; and appointed two intelligent men to select a suitable location, and purchase lands on which to plant the colony-one was Nicholas Duerst, then forty-eight years old, who came out only to see the settlement well under way, and then returned to Switzerland, where he died in 1874, at the good old age of seventy-seven years ; his associate was Fridolin Streiff, then twenty-nine years of age. Mr. Streiff agreed to remain three years with the colony, and extend to them every assistance and advice. Before that time

expired, he sent for his family, and now resides at Monroe, Wis.

On the 8th of March, 1845, the pioneers started on their voyage and search for a new home, accompanied by the warmest wishes for their success of those who remained behind, but were soon to follow. In due time they ar- rived in this country, and sought W. H. Blumer, in Allentown, Penn., a fellow Swiss, who as- sisted them with his advice ; and from his many years' residence in America, was well capable of rendering them very essential aid by his knowledge and experience.

They had received from the Emigration So- ciety, instructions to buy 1,200 acres of land in one body, with sufficient timber. After wandering through several States in search of a location, which, according to their instructions, must have a healthy climate, good water, and plenty of timber, they came into the vicinity of Mineral Point, and proceeded to the land office, then located there, for advice and directions. They first examined a tract in Rock county, close to the line of the Mineral Point and Milwaukee land district; but on return- ing to the Point, found that it had just been bought. After further fruitless search in the Wisconsin river valley, in Dane and Sauk counties, they were finally directed to Little Sugar river, where, on both sides of the Mineral Point and Milwaukee road, they found and located a traet according to instructions. Twelve hundred acres were purchased in one body, and eighty acres of heavy timber two miles south of the main location.

It was considered an excellent selection. Springs abounded, the soil appeared good ; and as it was on one of the most frequently traveled roads at that time in the State, a railroad seemed to be a possibility ; but this expeeta- tion has not yet been realized. Owing to loca- tion, and the difficult character of the country, railroads have passed us by ; the nearest station is Brooklyn, fifteen miles east, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. If the pioneers had

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

not literally followed the instructions to buy in one body, it would have been better, as the 1,200 acres included much rough and worthless land which could have been avoided, and val- uable land bought instead ; but it is of little consequence now, as it all, good and bad, be- longs to the colonists, their children or their countrymen.

As soon as possible after taking possession of the land, the two pioneers commenced building a little cabin on the western bank of Little Sugar river, near the east wall of the old grave- yard, covering it with boards; it was a small affair, and is only recollected, and referred to, as the primitive hut of the settlement.

And here we will leave them awhile, and re- hearse the story of the migration, and final ar- rival, of the little colony of which they were the precursors. On the 10th of April, 1845, 193 persons, of all ages and both sexes, were col- lected on the banks of the Linth canal, which runs alongside of the Linth river, a tributary of the Rhine, in the canton of Glarus. They were the colonists who had declared their readiness to venture into the strange, far-off land, called America, of which they had read and heard so much, as being the home and haven of the poor; and where those who came with stout hands and willing hearts were sure eventually to reap a rich reward. But among all who were ready to go, but few could look back upon the frown- ing, yet beloved mountains, on whose sides they had left their poor homes, humble friends and kindred, without feeling their courage tried al- most to failure. But in the land they were leaving poverty stared them in the face, and want and oppression were always the lot of the poor, with no hope of improvement. Before them lay the land of golden promise, where they believed that honest labor would meet its just reward, and where they could lift them- selves and their children to competence, inde- pendence, and equality with other men, by their own exertions-which was well nigh impossible in their old home. Therefore, with hearts full

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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 86

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168