History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 89

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

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The Iowa County Democrat (then National Democrat) was established in August, 1866, with John IIerron and William H. Peck editors and proprietors. The paper was afterward owned and published by T. Scott Ansley for one year, and by W. H. Peck for a number of years. In November, 1874, the office was purchased from Mr. Peck by Albert Watkins and George Crawford. In May, 1877, Mr. Watkins sold his half-interest in the office to Robert M. Crawford, and George and Robert M. Crawford became proprietors, since which time the office has been owned and the paper published by them. The Democrat has a large and increasing circulation in Iowa County. It is independent in politics, neutral in religion, and its primary object is to furnish its readers with all the local news possible. The enterprise is valued at $4,000.

The Dodgeville Chronicle-Now and heretofore the only newspaper in the village is an outgrowth of the county-seat war. The people of Dodgeville, realizing that Mineral Point had the advantage of them in possessing organs to advocate their claims, commenced to agitate the matter. It came to pass that about this time, one Hoxie, a speculative genius, left Baraboo, Wis., with a printing press, type, etc., for Iowa. An unusual amount of rain had fallen that season, and the clayey roads of Iowa County were perfect quagmires. Proceeding as far as the farm of W. P. Ruggles, in Ridgeway, Hoxie became "stalled." Leaving his press in the lat-

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

ter gentleman's barn, he procceded to Dodgeville to negotiate. Among others, Messrs. Samuel Hoskins, S. W. Reese, N. Arthur, Jacob Miller, Henry Madden and B. F. Thomas interested themselves. John T. Jones, the present County Judge, then a practical printer in Mineral Point, happened to visit Dodgeville, and was commissioned by them to call at the Ruggles farm, examine the press, and give an estimate of its value. This he did, and the result was the form- ation of a stock company, and the purchase of the press for the sum of $1,200; $50 shares were first issued, the shares afterward being divided into $25 each. Thirty or more of the wealthy men of the village subscribed ; the press was set up in the second story of the Farmers' and Miners' store building, and Francis J. Rowe, then on the Mineral Point Tribune, was employed as editor and business manager. Half the capital stock was donated to him, and the Iowa County Advocate, thus founded, made its appearance on August 19, 1858.

In March, 1861, it was found necessary to establish 'another friendly paper here, in order to comply with the law requiring the publication of the local law-the notice to voters-in two papers of the county. The Iowa County Herald was then founded, and enough editions pub- lished to fulfill the requirements of the law. A number of copies are still in preservation on which a map of the county is rudely drafted. The map gives Dodgeville a location in closer proximity to the center of the county, while Mineral Point occupies a position on the extreme county confines. The paper was edited by Henry Madden and P. D. Wigginton. In September, 1862, Dr. - Cowan took charge of the Advocate, and changed the name to the Dodgeville Chroniele. Dr. Cowan was a local preacher and the publisher of a monthly pamphlet in the interest of Primitive Methodism. Cowan owned at least half the stock, and, thinking himself master of the situation, decided to remove the paper to Mineral Point, and actually loaded part of the press on a wagon for that purpose, when a number of the stockholders, headed by Dr. Bishop and Nicholas Arthur, convinced him that it was wiser to return the press to the room where it was first set up. E. W. Corns, of Mazomanie, Wis., was the next editor, and he published the paper in the Casserly building, now a part of the Northey building, on Iowa street. In 1860, W. J. Wrigglesworth bought the paper, and published it until 1870, in the town hall. He then set up the press in what is now the telegraph office, over Reese's bank. At one time, W. L. Abbott was associated with Wrigglesworth. His interest was purchased by E. T. Wriggles- worth, the brothers continuing the publication for some time. In 1870, they compiled and pub- lished the first sectional map of Iowa County, and, later, dissolved partnership. On the 2d of Jan- uary, 1874, A. S. Ilearn, of Cadiz, Ohio, reached Dodgeville, and, after carefully scrutinizing the business, purchased the establishment and took possession of the office as editor and proprietor, March 1, 1874. On the 1st of December following, he removed the office to the B. F. Thomas hall, where it was published until June 1, 1877, when the forms and material were removed to the present Chronicle office in the Jones & Owens block. On the 15th of June, Mr. Hearn published the first edition ever printed in Iowa County with a cylinder press. This is now in use in his office, while the press, rescued from the mud by Judge Jones twenty-two years ago, is now in an office in Niobrara, Neb. The Chronicle is a four-page eight-column weekly, Repub- lican in politics, and is devoted to the interests of the entire county.

The Arena Star .- Unheralded by any flourish of trumpets, the Arena Star burst forth on the horizon of county politics on June 26, 1874. It came as a feeler of the popular mind, and at once met with a happy reception. W. H. Goodlad and Dr. Flower stood at the helm, both men of energy and business ability. A good advertising patronage was secured, and it became a quickly recognized fact that the Star was not destined for an ephemeral existence. The business cares of the two managers dictated the advisability of a change which occurred five months later. Then the stock and good will were surrendered to others, who after a month's experience, invoked the aid of greater capital by organizing the Star Company under the stock name of Meffert & Peavy. This step demonstrated beyond a doubt its expediency, as during the following six months, the advertising and subscription patronage expanded greatly. With the initial number of Volume II, Burnett & Son associated with the company as publishers with Messrs. Meffert & Peavy, editors. This organization remained unchanged until the con -

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

clusion of the third volume, when a vacancy was created by the withdrawal of W. C. Meffert. W. H. Jones replaced him on the editorial staff. At the close of Volume IV, Jones & Peavy bade adieu to their patrons and friends, and confided the interests of the Star and a constantly increasing patronage to J. T. Shumwav, at that time traveling agent of the Dodgeville Chroni- cle. The Star, which had hitherto maintained an aggressively independent stand in politics. was thenceforward to be a partisan organ of the National Greenback party, and was at once indorsed by the party as its county organ. After eighteen months of prosperous work, Mr. Shumway was borne to his final resting-place, and by the intervention of death the Star was deprived of its operative ability. At this critical juncture, D. H. Williams and E. J. Edwards constituted themselves foster guides, consequently no issue was lost. Eventually, the charge was intrusted to D. H. Williams, who made his bow to the people and assumed the duties of editor. Under his supervision, the Star has attained its largest circulation, and is now paying a regular dividend over and above all expenses. The paper has been returned to its former stand of political independence, and is the only free and untrammeled organ in the county.

CHAPTER X.

PIONEER REMINISCENCES.

MEMOIR, BY WILLIAM R. SMITH-THE PECATONICA, BY WILLIAM PENN SMITH-FIRST IMPRES- SION OF THE MINES-BY W. P. RUGGLES-BY T. M. FULLERTON-A BRIDAL TRIP.

MEMOIR-BY WILLIAM R. SMITHI.

The country, after passing over a natural meadow through which the head waters of Pipe Creek Run, is hilly, with some remarkable rocky eminences, woody dells and deep ravines, altogether a romantic country, with abundance of rich land, natural meadow and fine timber. Four or five miles from Helena, the road descends abruptly from the high wooded hills, and one of the most splendid views in the country opens on the traveler. An amphitheater of meadow or low prairie, encircled at a point where he enters it with high and bold hills and jutting rocks, surmounted with oak openings, lies in broad expanse before him. This meadow is about half a mile wide, and about four miles long to the base of the amphitheater, along which flows the Wis- consin River. On each side, as the road winds through the level plain of verdure, there are deep indentures in the surrounding hills, forming numerous small meadows, or little green coves. interspersed with groups of forest trees, and exhibiting the dwarf willow, the well-known com- panion of the limpid spring. Several small streams unite in the center of the meadow and form a considerable water-course, emptying into the Wisconsin at the base of the plain. In looking around on the face of the encircling rocky hills, the fact that this great body of low- land was once the bottom of the lake, or an expansion of the Wisconsin River, appears evident. The action of the water has woven a distinct line on the face of the perpendicular rocks and the exposed stony face of the hills, and the semblance of a corded line can be traced all around this expanded low prairie ; also around the various extentions and indentations of the little coves amongst the protruding hills and eminences. The meadow land is of the richest alluvial quality. The traveler, after leaving behind him for many miles immense tracts of wood and uncultivated prairie, feels as if he was transported at once into some happy valley, and sur- rounded by the residences of a rich population.

Some small inclosed fields near the Wisconsin River give good promise of plentiful crops of corn and potatoes. Not far from the bank of the river is erected a house, for a store, near which I observed some Indian graves lately made. Immediately on the bank, a large building was put up by the United States Agent superintending the lead mines, and was intended as an office and storehouse for the deposit of Government lead received from the miners and smelters. From this place it could readily be shipped down the Wisconsin to St. Louis or up the river to Fort Winnebago. This building is going to decay, and I am informed that all the land in this beautiful valley is entered, or located, including the Government buildings. From this point, the road bends abruptly to the east along the bank of the river, and a ride of two miles or there- abouts through the site of the town of Helena brings you to the shot-tower and buildings belong- ing to the Wisconsin Shot Company. Here is a large lumber-yard, the lumber being chiefly of pine and brought down the Wisconsin River. Several machanics' shops are erected and workmen employed. The Shot Company have a very large assortment of goods and merchandise in their store which is here kept. On the river bank there is now being built a storehouse of about 50x70 feet, the basement story is of stone from the river beach to the top of the bank, and the upper story of frame.

The shot-tower is worthy of a description. It is built on the summit of a rocky hill on the bank of Pipe Creek, near its entrance into the Wisconsin. The hill has a perpendicular

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

face next the creek, and a gentle descent southward and westward by which wagons may reach the summit. One hundred feet from the base of the rock there is a ledge or landing-place ; on this ledge rises the shot-tower, of frame, eighty feet to the roof, giving to the base of the cliff a fall of one hundred and eighty feet. A well or shaft has been sunk through the sandstone rock for one hundred and twenty-nine feet, and a lateral drift or entrance, ninety feet in length, seven feet high and six feet wide, has been cut from the bank of the creek to the perpendicular shaft. A basin, seven feet in depth, is sunk below the surface of the entrance shaft, and, being supplied with water, forms a well for the reception of the hot shot as it drops from the furnace.

A small railway is erected within the lateral drift communicating with the well, and extend- ing to the finishing house, which is built on the bank of the creek, immediately opposite the entrance to the shaft. On this railway, the shot is carried in small boxes or cars, from the well, by a horse-power, into the finishing house. The shot was then carried into a rotary cylindrical oven, where it was dried and transmitted into the polishing barrel, whence it was passed to the separating sieves, after which the several sizes were weighed, bagged, and packed in kegs for shipment. The steamboats embarked the commodity direct from the door of the finishing house. This establishment would do honor to any old settlement in the East, and the public spirit of the proprietors deserves remuneration in the profits of their business. I am informed that five thou- sand weight of shot is the usual quantity made per diem by one set, that is, six hands. This company is the owner of a large body of mineral and timber land. One of the partners, Ben- jamin L. Webb, resides here, and superintends the concern. From the shot-tower hill, the view down the Wisconsin River, for thirty or forty miles, cannot be surpassed in beauty ; the wind- ing of the broad stream through and amongst the numerous wooded islands which cover its sur- face, until the bright sparklings of the waters, seen at intervals in the almost interminable chain of islands, is totally lost in the distant horizon. The high and bold outline of the hills in the Indian country, north of the river and extending westward to the Mississippi, all present a de- lightful subject for a painter.

THE PECATONICA-BY WILLIAM PENN SMITH.

From "Observations on the Wisconsin Territory, chiefly on that part called the ' Wiscon- sin Land District,'" in the summer of 1837: " A small branch of the Peketonica runs through a ravine or narrow meadow at Mineral Point, in a southern course, receiving in its way many fine springs, until it unites, about five miles below the town, with the main branch of the same river, about two miles above the furnace and establishment of Richard McKim, Esq., to which he has given the name of New Baltimore. His smelting furnace, saw-mill, workmen's house and his mansion, are situated on the western banks of the Peketonica, which is here a considerable stream ; a mile west of the New Baltimore flows another large branch, on which is built Kindle's grist-mill. The natural meadow at New Baltimore, and for several miles above, is unrivaled for fertility of soil and beauty of scenery, not only in its own features, but in the general character of the hills and bluffs bounding the lowland. The broad, deep and clear Peketonica winds its way through the wide expanse of low and level prairie and meadow, covered with high grass, and composed of a soil which is complained of as being too rich for any small grain, but which is unrivaled for the production of corn, potatoes, pumpkins, and all esculencs. This meadow extends from the borders of Diamond Grove, near Col. Bequette's, widening in its course southward, and bearing the several branches of the Peketonica on its bosom as low down as the junction of the Eastern Branch, near the old Indian town of Wiota, in the neighborhood of the diggings of William S. Hamilton, formerly of New York, but for some years a Wisconsin pioneer. From Wiota, I am informed, the river is navigable, and, indeed, boats have been laden with lead and sent from New Baltimore and the Cedar Bluffs, about a mile below, by Charles Bracken. This is the most extensive range of fine meadow which I have vis- ited; it is about thirty-five miles from Diamond Grove to the forks at Wiota, and a inore delightfully beautiful and rich body of land is not to be desired than the country through which the Peketonica flows.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

" In the immediate neighborhood of Cedar Bluffs, about three miles from New Baltimore, is a small village called Willow Springs. Here are three or four dwellings, and the store of Mr. Dillon ; an old smelting furnace is also here, now disused, as it was built on the first plan, called the 'log and ash ' furnace. This crude manner of smelting lead by the earliest settlers has given away to the improved cupola and oven furnace, and the blast furnace.

" A great public road from Mineral Point to Gratiot's Grove passes by the Willow Springs, and this will always be a main road through this part of the Territory, in its principal direction, with perhaps a few changes in parts, where experience will correct early adoptions of convenience.

" Leaving Willow Springs and passing in a northern direction over a high prairie with oak openings, about three miles, the country becomes highly interesting. Here are to be found many farms in the best and most profitable state of cultivation. Farmhouses and barns and stables with other outhouses announce a good settlement, and that the farmer not only knows how to live, but does live well. The kindness and hospitality which I experienced during several days' residence and excursions in this delightful section of country, will be held by me in heart-felt recollection. Not only in their domestic circles, intelligent conversation, good collection of books, and weekly receipt of news from the far East did we find (Dr. Smith and myself), intellectual luxuries which were the more grateful because unexpected, but the readiness with which we were accompanied in our excursious through the country by these gentlemen gave us not only the means and the comforts of traveling, but the information without which, as strangers, we should have been greatly deficient.

" On the subject of attentions and hospitalities received by my son and myself during our stay in the country, and in very many excursions through it, I should be wanting not only in correct feelings of recognition of, but also in respect to, the many friends and acquaintances which we formed. Delicacy alone forbids me to speak publicly of the kindnesses we have at all times and in all places experienced. Messer Grove, Parish's, Helena, Dodge's Grove, Mineral Point and New Baltimore live as bright spots on memory. The inhabitants and the inmates of those places named, will duly appreciate the motives by which I am actuated, when I forbear to say more.

" It is worthy of remark that in all places where I have been in Wisconsin-in the com- fortable dwelling-house, in the town, in the snug and neat farm house or in the log cabin-I have always found books and newspapers ; of books, many standard and historical works, together with the new novels ; of newspapers, those of New York, Baltimore, Washington and Philadel- phia were common, and generally the State papers of the former home of the Wisconsin emi- grant. Amongst the literary papers, I often found the excellent publications of our friends Godey and Alexander, of Philadelphia ; the Saturday News is much liked.

" From the farm of Charles Bracken, the road passes over a part of the extensive prairie which reaches to the Blue Mounds, and, on this road and near it, there are numerous valuable dig- gings, particularly those of Messrs. Bracken. South of Bracken's, the main road to Dixon's Ferry, in Illinois, passes several excellent and well-improved farms, particularly that of Maj. Sheldon. A mile or two south of Sheldon's, we enter a fine body of woodland, called the In- dian Reservation, surveyed for the half-breeds, but not, as is said, in conformity with the treaty, and, consequently, the surveys will be lifted and re-located .* These tracts are in number, in this neighborhood, forty, of a mile square each. Of course here is, in one body, 25,600 acres of the finest timber-land and arable soil in the Wisconsin Land District. This land will, no doubt, be in market shortly, and the farmer's attention deserves to be turned to this part of the country. Claimants, by improvements, are already making their locations in these reservations, but the land having been reserved and never offered for sale by the Government, I think the ex- isting pre-emption laws will not reach the cases of settlements on them made at this day, and such locations may be of no avail.

" Passing through this well-timbered country for about seven miles, the union of two branches of the Pecatonica, at a point of land high and covered with wood, overlooking the

* This was done by order of the Indian Department in 1839.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

beautiful natural meadow before described, is located the village of Otterbourne. This location is excellent ; the advantages of wood, water, public roads, inost excellent land and delightful scenery, give promise that, in time, Otterbourne will prosper ; at any rate, it deserves to become a town. Independent of the localities named, there is an excellent saw-mill and all convenient buildings within a few hundred yards of the newly laid-out town. This saw-mill has fine water- power, with abundance of timber in the neighborhood. Water-power for a grist-mill can easily be obtained here, and, as far as my judgment goes, Nature has done as much for this mill seat as for any I have seen in this district. With such advantages, if a few good mechanics, black- smiths, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, stone-masons and laborers would seek their good, they may obtain town lots here at a very low rate, and the village of Otterbourne might thus imme- diately spring into life .* About seven miles below Otterbourne, on the Pecatonica River, a beautiful and advantageous site has been selected for a town ; it has been laid off in lots and is called . Gratiot.' At this point, a saw-mill and small grist-mill, designated as Sheldon's Mills. although the grist-mill was built by the late Col. Henry Gratiot. This location possesses many advantages. there being a large body of good prairie land near it yet unsold, and a considerable tract of timber land is also adjacent. This spot, by a great bend in the Pecatonica River, is rendered the nearest point on the river to Galena, to which place there is already an excellent road ; the whole distance, to within three or four miles of Galena, being on a prairie ridge. The proprietors of the mills contemplate erecting, during the next year, a stone grist-mill in addi- tion to the one now in operation. The water-power for the works is furnished by the Wolf Creek, which enters into the Pecatonica at this place.

" The Pecatoniea country is one of the best-watered sections I have ever seen ; the various branches traverse delightful prairies and rich bottom lands over a wide extent of country. Fine water-powers are numerous on these branches, and on the union of the East and West Branches, a few miles below ' Hamilton,' at Wiota, the old Indian town of Win-n-shek, a chief of the Winnebagoes, a noble river is formed. This stream, after receiving Sugar River. empties into Rock River, a few miles below the Territorial line, in Winnebago County, III. The improve- ments of the rapids of the Rock River will go far to render this river perfectly safe for steam- bont navigation. The General Government owes this section of country efficient aid as a matter of general importance more than of local appropriation.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE MINES.

In an old publication, of which there are now but few in existence, written by the English traveler and geologist, G. W. Featherstonhaugh. F. R. S., F. G. S., called " A Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotar," he gives a very vivid description of his visit to the lead mines of Wiscon- sin in 1837, and, without reserve, gives bis impressions and observations regarding the country and inhabitants as they appeared at that time. Some of the remarks are doubtless as much the result of prejudice as they are of the actual condition of things; yet there is but little doubt that the mining country and the miners then presented a picture which those of to-day ean scarcely comprehend. In speaking of the country which he passed through while en route for Mineral Point, he says : " Regions of this character, whilst possessed by the Indians, have much interest attached to them, the traveler's movements are not without a touch of interest, and at niglit when his camp is properly fixed, there is cleanliness and comfort to be obtained. But the advancing tide of white population, amongst which we had now got. had destroyed every chance of these : the miserable low taverns were kept by greedy, vulgar adventurers who had come into the country to torment it with what they call diggings, a name they give to the rude shallow shafts, a few feet deep, which they sink in search of metal. Nothing could exceed the ignorance and filthy habits of the working miners, the greater number of whom being without skill, and becoming finally disappointed in their expectations, had fallen into the lowest state of poverty." Of the driver and the stage at that time he says : " The driver of our vehicle was a droll Cockney Englishman, about five feet high and near sixty years old, born in London, who.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 89

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