History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 88

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958

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1877-President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T. MI. Jones ; Secretary, J. T. Pryor, Jr .; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 25, 26 and 27.

1878-President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T. M. Jones ; Secretary, J. J. Hoskins ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 25, 26 and 27 ; receipts, $2,257.06 ; disbursements, $1,567.26.

1879-President, M. J. Briggs ; Vice Presidents, T. M. Jones, I. C. Comfort, Clark Hick- cox ; Secretary, William H. Prideaux ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September, 24, 25 and 26 : receipts, $2,517.08 ; disbursements, $2,210.17.

1880-President, Joel Whitman ; Vice Presidents, F. Theobald, I. C. Comfort, Clark Hickcox ; Secretary, William H. Predeaux ; Treasurer, Samuel lloskins. Fair held Septem- ber 22. 23 and 24; receipts, $2,347.39 ; disbursements, $1,743.16.

EARLY VOTING POINTS.

The following is a synopsis of the voting precinets established in the county of Iowa. pre- vious to the erection of the various towns, according to the act of the Wisconsin Legislature approved :

The first precincts or elective districts were Mineral Point, Dodgeville, Diamond Grove. Blue River, now the town of Highland, Porter's Grove, now the town of Ridgeway, and Old IIelena.

To define just how much territory was included separately in those districts, is not neces- sary, and is scarcely possible. Suffice to say, the people of the north part of the county voted either at Helena or at Porter's Grove; those of the west and southwest parts either at Blue River or Diamond Grove, in what is now the town of Linden : those of the south and southeast parts. at Mineral Point : those of the east part, at Porter's Grove, and those of the center at Dodge- ville. The first recorded election was held at the above points on the 7th day of May, 1838, when 500 votes were cast, all told. Subsequently the Helena precinct was discontinued, Por- ter's Grove, Dodgeville and Blue River then becoming the only polling places available for the voters of the north part of the county. However, from 1838 until 1846, there were but few voters in that section of the county to require a voting point.

In 1844, Diamond Grove, which included what are now the towns of Linden and Mifflin, was changed to Peddler's Creek Precinct. During the same year, the territory now known as Waldwiek and Moscow Towns, was also constituted a precinct called Yellow Stone. In 1845, the precinct of Peddler's Creek was divided, that part which is now Mifflin being erected into a precinct entitled Dallas. In 1846, a precinct called Reevesville was set off in the northeast part of the county, the present town of Arena, and one called Percussion. now the town of Wyoming. That section of the county now known as Pulaski, was constituted a precinct called Wisconsin, in 1848, and at the same time the precinct of Otter Creek was erected, what is now known as the town of Clyde. The precinct of Mineral Point was erected in 1836, and was first called Pecatonica, and then constituted the chief polling place in the county.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Diamond Grove, well known as an early smelting point, still retains the name, probably given on account of the shape of the clump of timber. Peddler's Creek was the original name of the village of Linden, and received the appellation from a peddler having first discovered mineral there. Dallas was the name of a small hamlet in the town of Mifflin, now extinct. Blue River, the name of a stream in the west part of the county. Dodgeville, so called after Gov. Dodge, who was one of the very first to locate in that section. Porter's Grove, so desig- nated from a grove named after the first settler at that point. Helena, the name given in honor of some lady, by one of the early founders, to the first laid-out village in the county. Percus- sion, so styled, owing to the appearance of a rock which stands in the town of Wyoming, and which resembles a percussion furnace. Otter Creek, after the principal stream that traverses the town of Clyde. Yellow Stone, the name of a hamlet in the north part of what is now La Fayette County. Reevesville and Arena, the former after the name of the manager of the British Emigration Society, Charles Reeves. the latter meaning a sandy place.

THE PRESS.

The Miners' Free Press .- Early in the spring of 1838, Henry B. Welsh and Henry Plow- man, having made up their minds to come West and establish a newspaper somewhere, met and consulted friends from Wisconsin, and were induced, from their representation of the then very sparsely settled Territory of Wisconsin, to wend their way to the " lead mines," of which Min- eral Point was the emporium, and leading town in the Territory. On their way West, these pioneer printers stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, and, having purchased type and press, loaded them on a steamboat bound for Galena, Ill., the distributing center for all freight, and the receiving point for all mineral. From Galena, the press and type were hauled to Mineral Point by ox teams. After surmounting many difficulties, an " office" was leased, wherein the printing es- tablishment was erected, with a corner table set off for an editorial sanctum. With frontier en- ergy, the proprietors manfully discarded their coats, and, in shirt sleeves, exerted themselves toward reducing the inchoate group of machinery to working order. This was ultimately ac- complished, and, on July 24, 1838, the first number of the Miners' Free Press startled the mining regions by discussing, in a terse, masterly style, the local topics of paramount impor- tance. In the absence of files to guide us. it is fair to presume that the subject of Government lands was not overlooked. This paper met with mediocre support from the constituents whose canse it championed. Messrs. Welsh and Plowman continued the publication for upward of two years, with wavering success, when they disposed of the business to John Delaney. De- laney, after an ephemeral existence of two months, relinquished the control and recommitted the establishment and the paper to its original owners. On this transfer, the name was changed to the Mineral Point Free Press, and the paper was regularly issued under the auspices of Messrs. Welsh and Plowman. Two years subsequently, C. C. Brett purchased the printing office, and, disliking the lengthy nomenclature of the journal, altered the head-line to read Mineral Point Democrat. He continued the publication during the summer of 1845, and then sold out to Beriah Brown, who removed the outfit to Madison, where it became part of the Mad- ison Democrat establishment. Such is the history of the first newspaper founded in the Wis- consin mineral district. The tribulations and vicissitudes of the editor were multifarious and of a character common to frontier settlements. When grievances were to be redressed, or a fan- cied insult avenged, the editor's finer feelings were appealed to through the significant agency of a horse pistol or a murderous-looking rifle. The editor was not always to be intimidated by this display of persuasive force, and frequently he would dispute the dictate, and, with a celerity acquired by experience, bring his shooting-irons on a range with the head of his adversary. An incident illustrating the bellicose disposition of such persons is recounted in the general history of Mineral Point. The encounter in question occurred between Henry B. Welsh and Charles Bracken, editor of a cotemporary journal.

The Wisconsin (now Mineral Point) Tribune .- A weekly quarto. of Whig antecedents, but Republican at present, of the stalwart type : issned on Thursdays at Mineral Point City, and

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

enjoying a reputable prestige as also a generous support. The Tribune owes its birth and sub- sequent education and experience, so to speak, for many years, to the enterprise and public spirit of George W. Bliss, a pioneer typo at Mineral Point, whose ambition seems to have been to establish an organ and contribute to the development of the Territory. This was undertaken, and the sequel of its inquisition proves that the judgment of Mr. Bliss was predicated upon sub- stantial premises. The first number was issued on Friday, September 4, 1847, and, with a few exceptional suspensions caused by the occurrence of events that could not be avoided, its publi- cation has been continuous and uninterrupted. Quoting from the salutatory : The name chosen for the paper was sufficiently indicative of its editor's purpose to support the cause of the people and of the enlarged and comprehensive views which should obtain in the discussion of the various topics and questions of public concernment which legitimately engross the columns of a free and independent press. The aim would be to advance the best interests of society, to aid the prosperity of all classes by laboring to disseminate sound principles, to uphold wisc measures ; promote the cause of popular education, and encourage the useful arts. The interests of the miner, the farmer, the mechanic and the laborer, would be faithfully protected and encouraged. " The greatest good to the greatest number" would be, in short, the polar star that would guide and govern the editor in his labors. The endeavor would be made to render the Tribune worthy of support, and to make this portion of the State the seat of a dense as well as a thrifty population. In politics, the paper would support the principles of the Whig party, illustrated by Washington, Jefferson and Madison, as they lie at the foundation of public prosperity, believing this, it would faithfully labor to diffuse them, seeking alone the good of those who differ from the editor, and cherishing for them only feelings of respect and good will. Reason and argument alone would be employed to make proselytes, and opponents would be treated with courtesy and candor, and victories sought to be achieved by the dissemination of light and knowledge.

With this brief but forcible exposition of news and principles, the journalistic bark was committed to the sea, with the pleasing hope that its sails would "belly " with propitious breezes, and be speedily wafted to the haven of a liberal constituency. Mr. Bliss surely com- prehended the duty of an editor and the objects of a newspaper-to enunciate and promulgate thoughts as immortal as love, pure as the morning's dew ; thoughts that should cheer human endeavor, console human sorrow, exalt human life, and cause the heart of a people to beat with patriotic exultation. He seems to have been alive to the elevating influence of the press. He realized its power as deep, strong, abiding. The soldier fights for his native land, but the editor touches that land with the charm that makes it worth fighting for, and fires the warrior's heart with the fierce energy that makes his blow invincible. The statesman enlarges and orders liberty in the State, but the editor fosters the love of liberty in the citizen's heart ; the inventor multi- plies the facilities of life, but the editor makes life better worth living for. Conscious of these advantages and obligations. Mr. Bliss began the venture in a field as yet comparatively unculti- vated ; and among the trees and flowers where birds caroled, children played, lovers whispered, and the various streams of human life flowed by, he laid the pedestal to what has proven his monument. lo ! these many years. The paper was, in those days, a folio of twenty-four columns, printed in brevier and nonpareil. The first page was devoted to an article on river and harbor improvements, poetry and story-telling. The second page contained foreign news from various sources, editorials, selections, and the Whig ticket, which is here reproduced, as follows : For Delegate to Congress, John Tweedy : O. C. Lockhart, for the Council ; Charles Polc, C. C. Rynerson and L. C. McKenney, for Representatives ; Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Albert A. Camp and John H. Suddith, for County Commissioners ; Charles L. Stephenson, for County Treas- urer ; S. Forrest Seabury, for Commissioners' Clerk ; Edwin B. Carson, Register of Deeds ; William B. Foster,. Collector; F. A. Hill, Surveyor ; Ezra A. Hall, Thomas Riddle and John Wasley, School Commissioners ; Edward Combe, Nicholas Code and James J. Bayse, Assessors, and William Thomas, Coroner. The third page containod additional selections, a limited num- ber of "ads," and the " hotch-potch " usual to similar enterprises, while the fourth page was

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

utilized to the appropriation of more poetry and story-telling. The paper was issued to sub- scribers at $2.50 per annum, and in appearance commended itself to the encouragement sought. Its office was located on High street. in a two-story frame building, still standing, and now owned by J. F. Miller, at present occupied as a photograph gallery, a shoe-store and other branches of business. The succeeding numbers equaled reasonable expectations, and met the promises of the editor, so that, when the yellow leaves of autumn began to fall thickly, the youthful charge had put off its swaddling clothes, freed itself from the care of a nurse, and was able to walk alone, and thenceforward this treasure, laid up in Mineral Point, has never been corrupted by the moth and rust of failure. In its labors, the paper aimed to conserve public morality, further the causes of education, temperance and religion ; agitate improvements, not alone in the village and county, but also in the State and nation, and, by the efforts made, to urge the adoption of all means necessary to the attainment of such ends, contributed very largely to the success which followed many undertakings. At this time, the Mexican war was in prog- ress, and the Tribune supported its prosecution in emphatic utterances. The hope was expressed that it might be brought to a speedy close, but not by a refusal of the Whig majority in Congress to vote men and money for its continuance. With regard to the education of the people, the paper insisted that adequate means for that purpose must be raised. The Territory of Wisconsin, with a population of 200,000, was about to seek admission into the confederacy ; her inexhanstible mines were yielding abundant returns ; religious and benevolent institutions were supported, without the aid of compulsory laws, and the education of the youth, into whose hands the affairs of this vast republic would shortly be intrusted, must be instructed in such branches as would qualify them to discharge the important duties thereto attaching. The building of railroads, to afford easier access to the ambitious world, only waiting for the means of conveyance to become residents of the county and Territory, were also elaborated in the Tribune. It was a subject that should call forth united action, and the necessity for a com- munication of this kind between the mining region and the lakes was imperative. Adopting this view of the situation, the building of a road from Mineral Point eastwardly was agitated and advocated until the work became an accomplished fact. Upon the subject of temperance, Mr. Bliss defined the status of the Tribune in terms utterly devoid of ambiguity. The trust was indulged that the effort in progress to dethrone King Alcohol might be attended with sue- cess, and that not only those who used ardent spirits to excess, but those who profess to use it in moderation, might be induced to abandon the practice, and further, that those who dealt in the article for the sake of profit, might be constrained to forsake the business and resort to a more honorable means of obtaining a livelihood. The friends of temperance were continually admonished to make united efforts in advancing the cause and urging all classes to shun the dramshop as a viper that stingeth unto death. The first volume was closed with a balance to the credit side of the establishment. Success had been the weekly accompaniment of the Tribune, and this, too, notwithstanding that its editor had opposed the political opinions of many of the citizens of the county. These manifestations of friendship served to encourage the editor in his daily walks, and inspire him to renewed exertions in behalf of the trust committed to his care. New type was purchased with which to print the initial and succeeding numbers of Volume Il, improved machinery procured, and the equipments of the composing room so increased as to make the office one of the most complete in the State.

The following volume, which practically began the renewed lease of life made to the paper on October 12, 1849, gave evidence that its success during the previous year had been even more pronounced than the most enthusiastic friend could have hoped for. The paper was enlarged in dimensions, one column was added to each page, and the remunerative "ad," which has been quoted as " limited." was materially increased by large additions. This was continued during the ensuing years, though Mr. Bliss doubtless experienced more than a pil- grim's trials in his endeavor to edit and publish a weekly chronicle of current events, such as was put forth in that day, without assistance. This labor became onerous in time, and, in spite of his attention to business, observes one familiar with the situation, began to evidence its effect

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

to the public. During the latter half of 1851, the editor, realizing the necessities of the occa- sion, decided to secure the services of an assistant, and succeeded in obtaining Josiah B. Chaney for that position. He became a partner January 1, 1852, and did the mechanical work on the paper while such partnership existed. The effects of this association became apparent in the improved appearance of the paper as a medium for advertising, as also in its columns devoted to the acquisition of news. A new dress was awarded the "sheet," and leaded nonpareil was required and substituted for brevier, so valuable had " space " become. The partnership indi- cated remained in esse until September 30, 1854, when it was dissolved, Mr. Chaney surrender- ing his title to Mr. Bliss and retiring from the assistant management of the concern. As early as 1853, the editor began to exhibit evidences of a change in his political faith in the support of principles which have since crystallized into those of the Republican party. In the canvass of 1854, the issue presented by Mr. Bliss was the extension of slavery into the Territories. To the candidates of the Democracy as men, the paper made no opposition, but "principles before friendship " should be the watchword of every friend of freedom, and, as such, the paper could not approve the Nebraska measures of Pierce and Douglas. When the result was announced, the !Republicans were congratulated upon a triumph of the principles for which they had con- tended. With the close of 1854, the price of the paper was reduced 20 per cent, and on Decem- ber 6, 1854, the office was removed to the third story of Milton's stone building, corner of High and Chestnut streets, in connection with which Mr. Bliss established a reading-room that was supplied with papers, magazines, etc., from all parts of the country, to which the public was afforded access and cordially welcomed to the perusal. During 1855, a temporary suspension of the weekly issue occurred, but, as the number containing the causes which compelled this hiatus is missing, the same are reserved to the opinions of readers. On Tuesday morning, December 18, of that year, however, the publication was resumed in a new dress and appearance, metaphorically speaking, decidedly chic. The editor embraced the occasion to assure the pub- lie that the Tribune was no joint concern, nor the offspring of any political organization. Yet its continuance was dependent upon such support as would be extended by the Republican party. If sustained, the paper would be regularly issued ; if not, some more favorable opening would be sought, and the Republicans of Iowa County would have to look to some other source for an organ. Mr. Bliss assured the subscribers and his political aids that, while he was willing to be economical, he was unable to live and labor on wind, and it remained for them to decide as to whether or not the " Tribune should be sustained." The " subscribers and political aids" heeded this suggestion, and evidenced their disinclination to look elsewhere for "an organ " by yielding a support to that provided by Mr. Bliss, who was thereby spared the calamity of fail- ure. In the campaign of 1856, the Republican platform was accepted by the Tribune because it was broad as the Declaration of Independence, yet sufficiently definite to be understood by all. Though sustaining defeat, the editor was by no means discouraged, but, buckling on the armor of faith, contemplated future successes. In December, 1857, the office was once more removed, this time to the third floor of Thomas' Block, on High street, where the Tribune was conducted until its base of operations was changed, two years later, to premises opposite Whit- tlesey's Bank. In January, 1858, Edward U. Bliss became a partner in the publication of the paper. He was a son of the proprietor. a practical printer, and, by his labors and experience, contributed materially to rendering the sheet an acceptable family paper. In the discharge of their duties, they furnished a paper worthy of patronage; not professing to be perfect, they nevertheless so disposed of their ability in a professional sense as to merit encouragement, and, when weighed in the balance of public opinion, if not in all degrees equaling the standard of human perfection, they were ever regarded as inen who would cheerfully yield when convinced that they were on the wrong road or in the wrong pew. During their administration, which extended into Volume XXII, the Tribune was made the faithful and vigilant exponent of the best interests of the people, morally, educationally and commercially, and also as the dissemina- tor of news. Through its columns. the public was made familiar with the happenings at home and with the affairs of other lands. Politically, the paper was Republican of the most radical

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

and aggressive school, regarding the leading exponents of that party as " supporters of a cause worthy the alliance of angels and the Christian world." In short, to express it euphoniously, they " had it bad." On January 6, 1869, the paper attained its twenty-first birthday and was presented to its patrons in an enlarged form and with satisfactory improvements. The enlarge- ment increased the amount of reading matter seven columns, or one full page of the old size, and, in its general appearance and make-up, all things seemed to combine to render the Tribune a cheerful and acceptable companion. The firm was known as Bliss & Son until June 2, 1869, when it ceased, and was succeeded by that of Bennett & Teasdale. On that day, the senior editor issued his valedictory, and retired from the duties of his office after a service of nearly twenty-two years. The new managers, William H. Bennett and John B. Teasdale, assumed charge at once, fully conscious of the responsibilities they had laden themselves with, but hop- ing, by a consistent course in all things, courtesy to all parties, untiring industry and proper management, to secure the confidence and support of the community. During 1869, the " folio" was abandoned and the "quarto make-up " adopted. Having done thus much toward giving their subscribers a first-class local organ, the publishers sought from the former an indication that their efforts had not been vain. This was accomplished through repeated reminders in that behalf, by a thorough canvass of the county, and by other means the journalist, ambitious of sub- stantial recognition, knows so well how to employ. In October, 1869, the office was again removed to its present location, and in March, 1871, Mr. Bennett became sole owner of the enterprise, remaining as such, until January 1, 1881, when his brother, B. J. Bennett, entered as partner. The Tribune is now in the thirty-fifth year of its experience. It has not grown rapidly, but steadily, and, by faithful endeavor to fill the station allotted it and merit public indorsement, has conquered a success where similar undertakings have failed. William H. Bennett, the leading spirit of the paper, through his editorial career, has rendered the Tribune, politically speaking, one of the most influential periodicals in Southern Wisconsin. Being an enthusiastic Republican politician, he has held various positions in the State, offices not the least of which was that of Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, to which he was appointed in 1873, and held it four years. In 1878, he was appointed to a lucrative position in the State Land Office, where he is still occupied. G. W. Bliss, the founder, subsequent to his abandonment of the editorial tripod, became a member of the Legislature of Wisconsin from Mineral Point, in which capacity he served his constituency satisfactorily. In November, 1870, he removed to Neosho, Mo., where he died a few years since. The old Washington press on which the Tribune was first printed is said to be among the articles of interest in the rooms of the Historical Society at Madison. The paper to-day enjoys a circulation of eight hundred, and represents a valuation estimated at $3,500.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 88

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 958

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958