History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 97

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

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In 1829. John D. Ansley, one of the noted first-comers, located at the Point and opened a supply store, the second in the place, and, during the same year. the Dragoon Captain, John F. O'Neil, began business here, He afterward became famous upon all occasions where local mili- tary demonstrations were indulged in. J. B. Terry, one of the exceptionally noted men of early days, was another of the very first persons at the Point.

During that year, several events occurred, always notable in the annals of any community. On November 29, 1829, John Ti eophilus Lawson Hood, son of John Hood and wife, was born in the sod cabin already mentioned, he being the first white child born at Mineral Point.

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Some time during this year, Elder Roberts, who was a religious enthusiast, resolved to pro- mote the moral interests of the place by erecting a building for the purpose of holding religious services, and in which a school might be kept. It stoed at the head of Jerusalem Valley, probably near the present residence of M. M. Strong, and is described as having been quite commodious for those times. The seats were puncheon benches after the usual fashion of stools, holes being bored in each end of the stick, and pegs driven in for legs. As for the upper sur- face of these seats, freedom from splinters would very likely have met with a frown, and a cushion or other covering would have been deemed a frightful innovation. From that time en. for several years, this rude structure was the general meeting-house and schoolhouse of the little settlement, and doubtless served as useful a purpose at that time as would a more pretentious edifice. The first religious service was probably held before this time, by Elder Roberts, in his cabin or in the open air, where full liberty could be enjoyed. During this year, as elsewhere stated, the first school was taught by Mrs. Harker.

In 1829, the first important social event was consummated at the "Point," in the marriage of Miss Lovey Roberts, a daughter of Elder Roberts, to a stalwart young pioneer by the name of Joshua Brown. Whether they received and delighted their guests by passing around nutritious corn-bread and such other delicacies as the time, country and season afforded, er whether they were interrupted in the enjoyment of hymencal bliss by the music of the festive pan and horn, remains a mystery ; suffice it to say, they were the first joined in wedlock.

While speaking of the general and marked events, the advent of the first lawyer must not be forgotten. When a country gets to such a stage of development that a full-fledged and pro- fessional son of law and order is required to officiate between the good and the bad in business life, then there is prosperity abounding in the land beyond peradventure. The first of the legal fraternity to open an office here was Mr. Burnett, who came in 1829. During the above year the first Justice of the Peace was appointed, Robert Dougherty receiving the honor. Thus we find the means for justice established in conjunction with the coming of the first expounder of the law.

The first mechanies here were two blacksmiths named Duncan & Parker, who had a black- smith-shop, certainly as early as 1830, and very likely as early as 1829. Previous to the com- ing of these blacksmiths, the miners were either obliged to trudge off or send away to get their tools sharpened, or they had to manage for themselves as best they could. James James, who still lives here, bought out the above firm in 1832, and was for many years the leading mechanic. The first good carpenter or house-builder, was a man by the name of Anderson, who came here in 1834.

Says D. N. Parkinson, in a memoir of 1829: "Mineral Point was then the great center of attraction to all miners. Some of the largest leads were then struck and extensively worked, and quite a number of mining and smelting establishments were erected there and in that viein- ity. *

* Business was of the most animated character; the town grew up with great rapidity, and every thing were the most pleasing and encouraging aspeet."

However, this prosperity, it appears from general accounts, was of but short duration, for, in the fall and winter of that year the inhabitants experienced, in common with the entire lead- mining region, very rigorous times. So hard were they that at one time the prospeet was fair for a general migration to lands where more and better food could be obtained. Provisions were so high, and lead so low (see general history) that all, without distinction, were compelled to sub- sist upon the most meager fare. The growth of the place during the two ensuing years, owing to the depression in the lead market, was very slow, there being no real stimulant to immigration.

Of those who certainly came in previous to 1832, whe have not been named, and who sub- sequently remained, we are enabled to mention J. H. Gentry, R. H. Kirkpatrick, Abner Nichols, the noted boniface; William Sublitt, R. S. Black, Levi Sterling, A. W. Comfort, John McNair, Dr. Ed MeSherry, Ben Salter, John Milton, M. G. Fitch, HI. R. Hunter, Edward James, Lord Blaney (the poet), William S. Hamilton, Thomas MeKnight, R. W. Gray, S. B. Thrasher, Mark and Stephen Terrill.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

As is generally known, the seat of justice of Iowa County was established first at Mineral Point, by a convention held here in 1829. In 1830, the first steps were taken by the public author- ities to subserve the ends of justice, by providing what was eventually known as the magisterial "coop," a small building, which was purchased from a man by the name of J. B. Cole, for $50. The name was probably given on account of a humorous episode in connection with the official duties of Robert Daugherty, which at that time were extremely onerous, and were doubtless some- what irregularly performed. Papers were issued for the arrest of some one for stealing, or a similar misdemeanor. These were deposited in a barrel in the coop or jail, and left to be used the next day ; but lo! in the morning, when the jail was unlocked, the needed deposit was gone, some one having run an arm through a crack between the logs and taken it out of its receptacle. As a matter of course, there was a stay in the proceedings, enabling the criminal to escape, as the prosecuting party was not promptly on hand. Such incidents in early times were not rare, as nearly all legal business was conducted sans souci.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

In 1832, the little settlement was startled from its equanimity, and forced to turn attention to providing means for defense, by the Indian war of 1832, familiarly known as the Black Hawk war. During the three months of hostilities, nothing occurred here especially worthy of note, aside from what is mentioned in the general history of the events of that period, in which Iowa County figured extensively, this section of the State being the seat of the difficulty. The ground occupied by the old fort and stockade, on the corner of Fountain and Commerce streets, near where the principal part of the cabins then stood, has since been leveled down to a considerable extent, and utilized for various building purposes. The old block-house, or one of the block-houses, stood for many years, a reminder of the perils of a frontier life, but at this time scarcely a stick or stone remains to suggest a thought of the past and its rough and bitter experiences. So rapidly does the current of passing events carry us on and away from the old to the new and ever-present occurrences, that yesterday soon becomes obsolete.

Immediately after the close of the war, the miners again resumed the pick and gad, and went on with their work as though nothing of great moment had occurred to disturb their serenity or abate their cheerfulness ; and scarcely had the sound of the rifle and war-whoop ceased before fresh arrivals of miners came pouring in from England and the South and East in unprecedented numbers ; and, before the season was over, in almost every direction on the hills might be seen heaps of earth, marking the spots where sturdy adventurers were despoiling mother earth of her mineral resources or sinking their own. At this time, High street was cov- ered with brush and miner's pits, there being scarcely a cabin in sight.

The principal business houses at this time were those already mentioned, besides two addi- tional establishments operated by Ben Salter and John Milton. There was also one good tavern kept by Abner Nichols and one or two other small affairs of similar pretensions, together with groceries and " tiger dens," those very necessary adjuncts to the perfection and good fellowship of a mining camp.

From 1832 to 1839 or 1840, the progress of the locality toward the ne plus ultra of excel- lence in the social and moral attributes inseparable from a community made up of miners, was as marked as was the constant influx of inhabitants. During the day, it was hard work, and during the night and Sundays, revelry marked the hours-revelry of such a character as can only be understood by those who have witnessed what is familiarly known in mining regions as " bueking the tiger." All was activity and excitement ; money was plenty, and of care, apparently, there was none. All sorts and kinds of demonstrations were indulged in, and such wild and harum-scarum amusements as would make " each individual hair " of an ordinary civilian stand on end. To illustrate the style of celebrating on some occasions, a brief description is presented of one given in 1834 in honor of the battle of Bad-ax.

Probably there had not been any demonstration of a public character previous to this time of much magnitude, so it was determined by the entire community that they would indulge in a

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

grand barbecue, with roast ox and everything on a magnificent scale. Uncle Ab Nichols was the presiding genius at the feast, than whom none better could have been found in the State, and Capt. John O'Neill was Marshal of the Day, and general master of ceremonies. At the proper hour, he, in company with a noble band of "dragoons " arrayed in fan-tailed jackets of blue. with peaked hats on their heads, from which fluttered red feathers, and armed and accoutered with a nondescript collection of muskets, shot-guns, horse-pistols, old army sabers and the like ; mounted on "slim, slick and slender," long-eared and short-tailed nags, rode forth to meet Gen. Dodge, the principal figure of the occasion, and escorted him to the scene of opera- tions. But who can adequately portray the scenes of the day ; there was speech-making by Gen. Dodge, D. M. Parkinson and many others ; then, feasting in the open air under a protec- tion of boughs, erected on the banks of Mineral Point Branch, just opposite the end of High street, which concluded with a dance that was begun as soon as dinner was over and continued until the following day, when the fiddler was exhausted and they had to stop. During the day, the cannon which was being fired ceaselessly in honor and commemoration of almost everything to be thought of, was finally loaded nearly to the muzzle, and the grand explode of the occasion took place, the engine of destruction being blown into pieces.

The crowd was immense for that time; yet that was nothing strange, for nearly everybody was present from within twenty-five to forty miles around. Those who were there, will never forget the occurrences of that day, for they probably never experienced the like before or sinee.

The first copper ore was discovered here as early as 1833, by William Kendall and James Nicarow, about a mile northeast of the city. During that or the following year, J. D. Ansley erected a copper or smelting furnace about three miles south of the city, near the line of the railroad, relics of which are yet to be seen. Within a few years after this time, the copper min- ing and smelting industry reached a considerable magnitude, but by 1855 it had almost ceased, and has never since been resurrected : yet, in all probability, within a few years, the work will be resumed to a large extent, for, beyond a peradventure, there is plenty of copper here still.

In 1834, the people were afflicted with the cholera which raged here for a considerable time, but not to such a fearful extent as on subsequent occasions.

The first stone house was erected this year for Mr. Wasley. The next one was built in 1836, and was the beginning of the old Washington Hotel.

In 1835, the first manufacturing enterprise was begun in the place by John Phillips, who started a small brewery near Mineral Point mill, east of the end of High street. This estab- lishment was continued for a good many years without a rival. As to the merit of the beer manufactured or the method employed, tradition is silent, but probably it was brewed in com- mon kettles, and was an indescribable tonic. There are now two brewing establishments in the city doing an extensive business.

The people of Mineral Point during the winter of 1835 determined to have a sleigh ride, or rather, as it turned out it should be denominated, a snow ride. A thoroughly ripe and well- dried bullock's hide was procured, and one of the few available nags of the place brought round and geared to it with ropes, the hair side being laid next to the ground. When everything was ready, a half-dozen or more of men and women embarked on the novel conveyance, and, accord- ing to all accounts, enjoyed a most delightful as well as novel time.

Says Stephen Taylor, who came here in 1835, the nucleus of the town was formed by the erection of a few small log cabins and huts built with square-cut sod, covered with poles, prairie grass and earth. These comfortable though temporary shelters were located in the vicinity of the intersections of what are now called Commerce and High streets, at the margin of the westerly ravine, and in view from the diggings on the "Point."

Females, in consequence of the dangers and privations of those primitive times, were as rare as snakes upon the Emerald Isle ; therefore the bachelor miner, from necessity, often per- formed the domestic duties of cook and washerwoman. The preparation of meals was indicated by appending a rag to an upright pole, which, fluttering in the breeze, telegraphically conveyed

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the glad tidings to the men at work on the hill. Hence, this circumstance, at a very early date, gave the provincial sobriquet of " shake-rag," or " shake-rag under the hill."

It is stated that this appellation was conjured up in the fertile brain of " Uncle Ab Nichols," who was ever alive to any occurrence that furnished food for diversion. At that time, the best society of the place amused itself by inventing choice nicknames and perpetrating practical jokes, many of which the old settlers recount with the utmost gusto, thus living over and enjoying the experiences of the pioneer days.

The same writer goes on : " The continued prosperity of the mines, in a comparatively brief period increased the population of the village to several hundred, comprised, as usual in mineral regions, of representatives from every clime and country, and in such conglomeration, it is fair to suppose, of every stripe of character. This inerease of population, including many of those expert in the ' profession,' warranted the establishment of numerous gambling saloons, or groceries, a refined name for groggeries and other similar place of dissipation and amusement, where the unwary and those flushed with success in digging could be 'taken in and done for, or avail themselves of opportunities to voluntarily dispose of their accumulated means, either in drowning their sorrows in the bowl or 'fighting the tiger.'"

These congenial customs, peculiarly Western, were as firmly based as the laws of the Medes and Persians, and woe to those, from lands of steadier habits, who would endeavor to introduce innovations adverse to the established policy of those days.

A CELEBRATED TAVERN.

The place in early times around which centered the greatest interest was Uncle Ab Nich- ols' tavern, called the "Mansion House." This hostelry was known far and wide as the best place in the lead-mining district to pass the night or to obtain a meal, and, as for the landlord, he was the embodiment of a perfect host ; one who always served his guests with the best he could get ; who never overcharged, and who never refused lodging or food to any one, whether they had money or not. No man ever lived in Mineral Point who was more universally liked.

The following selections from an article by S. M. Palmer, who visited the Point in 1836, will convey additional information regarding the place about that time :

" Mineral Point, or, as it was more generally called, 'Shake-Rag,' at the time of which I write, was indeed a most humble and unpretending village in appearance, and was rendered peculiarly so by the fact that its few scattered log huts or shanties were principally ranged along a deep gorge or ravine, at the foot of an elevated and most desirable town site, through which the principal street wound its sinuous way. At the evening hour, when the miners and workmen returned from their daily labor, there was in the street a throng of hale, hearty men, their faces, it is true, begrimed with dirt, but with cheerful, laughing countenances, imparting an air of general prosperity and happiness, which a further acquaintance with the place and its inhabitants fully confirmed." Speaking of Uncle Ab Nichols' tavern, which was then about the only good one in the place, he says :

" The principal features of the house were a spacious dining-room, where all met on an çquality at meal time around a bountifully filled table ; and, on the same floor. an equally capacious saloon, filled with beds, and alike free to all. Here the gentleman who first retired for the night could do so under the grateful delusion that he was to enjoy the comforts of a good bed alone. Yet, before morning, he would most likely find himself sharing his com- forts with as many bed-fellows as could possibly crowd themselves alongside of him, some of them, probably, in a condition to render them entirely oblivious to the fact that they had · turned in' without the usual formality of divesting themselves of hat, coat, pants or boots."

The liquor taken in by the patrons of this hotel was usually kept in " groceries " conven- iently near, and presumably at times there was some to be had without going to the groceries. One of those institutions is described as having been connected with the hotel, where all sorts of amusements were indulged in. The following spicy sketch of a night spent here in 1837 is

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from the pen of A. F. Pratt, of Waukesha, in this State, which was published some years ago in the Waukesha Plaindealer. It is doubtless overdrawn, but not without truth :

We arrived at the Point a little after dark on Sunday evening, and were conducted into a room at the principal hotel, kept by Mr. Nichols, where were all kinds of fun, sports and music going on. Such a sight as presented itself to our view we never saw before or since. It seemed that the miners were in the habit of assembling there on Saturday nights to drink, gamble and frolic until Monday morning. The house was composed of three or four log cabins put together. with passage-ways cut from one to the other. The bar-room in which we were sitting contained a large bar well supplied with liquors. In one corner of the room was a faro-bank, discounting to a crowd around it; in another corner a roulette, and in still another sat a party engaged in playing cards. One man sat back in a corner playing a fiddle, to whose musie two others were dancing in the middle of the room. Hundreds of dollars were lying on the tables, and among the crowd were the principal men of the Territory-men who held high and responsible offices (then and afterward). Being pretty much worn out by our journey, we expressed a wish to retire ; the landlord then showed us through a dark room and opened a door of another, in which two men were also playing at cards. while a third lay drunk on the floor. The landlord sat down his light, seized the drunken man by his collar and dragged him into the next room, then returned and informed us we could choose between the beds, there being two in the room, and bid us good night. We sat down upon the side of the bed and began to figure in our mind upon the chances. We had several hundred dollars in our pockets which we had brought with us for the purpose of entering land, and we imagined that in case they should get " short " they might " call" for our pile.

After studying awhile we threw down the outside blankets and quietly crawled into bed with our clothes on, except cap and boots. We had a good bowie-knife in our belt, and a pistol in each pocket, so we clasped a pistol in each hand, and in this way we lay until daylight, and a longer night we never wish to see. When daylight made its appearance, we got up and found our room-mates were still playing cards. On going out to the bar-room, we found that the crowd had mostly disappeared ; there were here and there one or two asleep around the room, and all was still. The next day * we entered our lands and returned to the Blue Mounds, where we laid in a store of provisions and left for home, which we reached in four days, having learned the way, the fare, the manners and customs of the miners, and having seen enough in a new country to last us from that time to the present."

THE OLD JAIL AND OTHER NOTES.

Says Mr. Palmer, in his interesting reminiscence :

"Among the other evidences of the rude and primitive condition of the town was the almost unceasing howling and barking of wolves during the night, around and within its very borders, sounding, at times, as though the town was invested by scores of the brutes, mueli to the alarm and annoyance of timid strangers. The municipal arrangements of the town and county were by no means so systematic and perfect as in some older and more experienced com- munities, nor were the court house and jail particularly adapted to the uses for which they were intended. The jail (or, rather, pen) was constructed of rough, unhewn logs, some ten or twelve feet square, with a roof, as I now remember it, of flattened logs, the interior of a height barely sufficient to admit of a man standing upright in it, and a door made of boards about an inch thick, which was hung with wooden hinges, and fastened on the outside with a chain and ordi- nary padlock.

" On one occasion, during my residence in that region, the strength of the bastile was ludi- crously tested. and from that time declared an unsafe depository for experienced and daring criminals. It was after this wise : A long, lank ' Yankee,' as he was called, being arrested on a charge of horse-stealing, was committed to prison to await a hearing on the following morning. but, miraculous as it would seem, when morning came, one corner of the prison was found raised up and secured by a stake or stone, some twelve or fifteen inches above the surface of the earth,

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

and lo! the bird had flown. The fugitive was pursued by Sheriff Gentry, I think, and his offi- cers, in different directions, but, so far as I was informed, made good his escape."

One of the amusing, yet sad, occurrences of the early days here, and which exhibits both the improvidence of the miners as well as the scarcity of lumber, is illustrated by the following : In the fall of 1836, a man died in the place, who had no interested friends to attend to his burial. As a consequence, the matter was referred to the public, and a man by the name of Ben Martin employed to make the coffin ; but alas ! when it came to that, there was no lumber. As certain ends justify almost any means, it was decided by the parties in authority that the lumber must be filched from the county court house ; but, when it came to getting it, lo ! there were only two or three small planks. These were taken, and, with such pieces as could be obtained from broken boxes, were pieced together, and thus the burial-casket was made. How- ever, it is fair to presume the one who rested therein slept as serenely as though he had laid on velvet and lace.

Of the sturdy men who came here before 1836, who are remembered for their ster- ling qualities of heart and head, there were a noble host, the most of whom have long since paid the debt of nature. To give the names of all of those known and endeared to the men and women of to-day, would be a pleasant task could it be performed, but to attempt such a feat would be folly ; therefore, such as have enjoyed exceptional prominence, and were best known, are mentioned : Peter Hartmann, James Hitchins, Nicholas Uren, John Philips, Will- iam Henry, John Caserly, J. S. Bawden, E. B. Corson, Richard Martin, Josiah Tyack, J. F. Dunn, Milton Bevans, Samuel Thomas, Henry Fake, M. V. Burris, George Cubbage, James Hugo, Stephen Taylor, Henry Plowman, H. B. Welch, Curtis Beech, Ed Coade, P. W. Thomas, D. W. Jones, Stephen Prideaux, Joseph Tregaskis, John Phillips and Maj. Legate.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 97

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