USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 75
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Clerks of Circuit Court .- Samuel G. Bugh, 1849-50; D. W. Kyle, 1851-52; David W. Kyle, 1853-54; John K. Williams, 1855-56; David W. Kyle, 1857-58; Henry W. Barnes, 1859-60 ; James S. Murphy, 1861-66 ; David W. Kyle, 1867-68; William H. Arm- strong, 1869-72 ; R. H. Williams, 1873-74; George F. West, 1875-80.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
District Attorneys .- James H. Knowlton, 1847-50 ; J. J. Marvin, 1851-52; H. H. Gray, 1853-54 ; George H. Lillie, 1855-56 ; James R. Rose, 1857-58; Henry S. Magoon, 1859- 60; P. B. Simpson, 1861-62; P. A. Orton, 1863-64; A. B. P. Wood, 1865-66; M. Hollis- ter, 1867-68; G. A. Marshall, 1869-70; Joseph H. Clary, 1871-72; J. W. Blackstone, 1873- 74; James R. Rose, 1875-76; George H. Francis, 1877-78; John J. Roche, 1879; J. G. Monahan, 1880.
County Surveyors .- W. Hinman, 1847 ; William Hood, 1848-50; John Burrell, 1851-52; Thomas Brown, 1853-54; William Foss, 1855-56; Thomas Brown, 1857-58 ; Charles Bracken, 1859-60; Thomas Brown, 1861-64; Warren Gray, 1865-66; Thomas Brown, 1867-68; J. Burrell, 1869-70; H. H. Ensign, 1871-74; Simon G. Beebe, 1875-76 ; Albert Pool, 1877-80.
Coroners .- Richard Vaughan, 1850 ; William Ball, 1851-52; Nicholas Dunphy, 1853- 54 : Jacob Nabos, 1855-56; S. Hall, 1857-58; A. Gunderson, 1859-60; William Ball, 1861 -62; I. P. Hamilton, 1863-64 ; A. P. Chamberlain, 1865-66; William M. Thomas, 1867-68 ; J. E. Kleven, 1869-70; John C. Rood, 1871-72; John Coltman, 1873-74; B. H. Paddock, 1875-76 ; William Blades, 1877-78; Olof Berglund, 1879-80.
County Superintendents of Schools .- John B. Parkinson, 1862-63; George W. Lee, 1864-65; Charles B. Jennings, 1866-69; William Ahern, 1870-71; George A. Marshall, 1872-73 ; J. G. Knight, 1874-75; Henry Jane, 1876; John J. Roche, 1877 ; C. G. Thomas, 1878-80.
Territorial Legislature .- 1836-La Fayette was then part of Iowa County, including Grant. Council-Ebenezer Brigham, John B. Terry, James R. Vineyard. Representatives- William Bogles, D. M. Parkinson, Thomas Stanley, George F. Smith, Thomas. McKnight, James P. Cox.
1837-Council same as 1836.
1838-Council same as 1836, except James Collins took place of George F. Smith.
1839-Grant County cut off from Iowa County. Council-James Collins, Levi Sterling. Representatives-Russell Baldwin, Henry M. Billings, J. W. Blackstone, Thomas Jenkins, Charles Bracken.
1840-Council same as 1839.
1841-Council-James Collins, Levi Sterling. Representatives-Francis I. Dunn, D. M. Parkinson, Ephraim F. Ogden, David Newland.
1842-Council-James Collins, Moses M. Strong. Representatives-Thomas Jenkins, Ephraim F. Ogden, David Newland, D. M. Parkinson.
1843-Council-Moses M. Strong. Representatives-Robert M. Long, Moses Meeker, William Hamilton.
1844-Council-Moses M. Strong. Representatives-Moses Meeker, George Messer- smith, Robert M. Long.
1845-Council-Moses M. Strong. Representatives-James Collins, Robert C. Hoard, Solomon Oliver. 1846-Council-Moses M. Strong. Representatives-Henry M. Billings, Robert C. Hoard, Charles Pole.
1847-Iowa and Richland. Council -William Singer. Representatives -Timothy Burnes, James D. Jenkins, Thomas Charlton. Session of October, 1847, Iowa, Richland and La Fayette. Council-Ninnian E. Whitesides. Representatives-Timothy Burnes, M. M. Cothren, Charles Pole.
Members of the Assembly .- 1848, Elias Slothower, Ninnian E. Whiteside; 1849, Daniel M. Parkinson, William Hill; 1850, Cornelius DeLong, John K. Williams; 1851, Nathan Olmstead, Samuel Cole; 1852, James H. Earnest, Matthew Murphy. Mr. Murphy's seat was contested. He resigned and was replaced by George W. Hammett. 1853, P. B. Simpson, Eli Robinson, Nathan Olmstead ; 1854, James K. Knowlton, James H. Earnest, Peter Park- inson, Jr .; 1855, James H. Earnest, Joseph White, A. A. Townsend; 1856, James H. Knowl.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
ton, Mathew Murphy, H. H. Gray; 1857, Joseph White, Henry W. Barnes, James H. Earnest ; 1858, H. H. Gray, Charles Bracken, James H. Earnest; 1859, James S. Murphy, William McGranahan, David W. Kyle; 1860, Samuel Cole, Thomas C. L. Mackay, Elijah C. Townsend; 1861, T. C. L. Mackay, Loyd T. Pullen, E. C. Townsend; 1862, Charles B. Jen- nings, James Wadsworth ; 1863, Joseph White, L. T. Pullen; 1864, Tarleton Dunn, Samuel Cole; 1865, James Harker, S. W. Osborn; 1866, David J. Seeley, John Armstrong; 1867, David J. Seeley, William Monroe; 1868, Samuel Cole, Charles Pole; 1869, N. B. Richardson, Charles Pole; 1870, Thomas T. Duffy, Henry W. Barnes; 1871, Patrick Galagan, Henry W. Barnes; 1872, Thomas Bainbridge; 1873, William H. Armstrong; 1874, J. F. Beard; 1875, John Anderson; 1876, D. Neff; 1877, Lars E. Johnson, B. McGinty; 1878, Nelson La Due, J. W. Blackstone; 1879, Thomas H. Shelden, B. McGinty.
State Senators .- Thomas K. Gibson, 1848; Dennis Murphy, 1849-50; Samuel G. Bugh, 1851-52; Charles Dunn, 1853-54; Charles Dunn, 1855-56; P. B. Simpson, 1857-58 ; P. B. Simpson, 1859-60; Samuel Cole, 1861-62; James H. Earnest, 1863-64; Samuel Cole, 1865-66; James H. Earnest, 1867-68; H. H. Gray, 1869-70; Henry S. Magoon, 1871-72; Frank Campbell, 1873-74; Frank Campbell, 1875-76; J. B. Treat, 1877-78; John W. Blackstone, 1879-80.
PRESS.
The Belmont Gazette-The fourth newspaper started in Wisconsin was established at Belmont, Iowa County, Wisconsin Territory, by James Clarke and John B. Russell. The first issue appeared on Tuesday, October 25, 1836. It was a medium-sized paper, 36x24 inches, and six columned ; of Democratic politics, having as its motto, "We go where Democratic principles go-when they disappear we mean to halt."-WOODBURY.
The first copy contained an " Act of Congress, establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin," signed by James K. Polk, Speaker of the House of Representatives ; M. Van Buren, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate ; and approved 20th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson. Also, Governor Dodge's message ; an article on " The Internal Improvements of Wisconsin," and the following list of members of both branches of the Legislature. Des Moines-Council: Jeremiah Smith, J. B. Teas, Arthur B. Ingram ; House of Representatives : Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, John Box, George W. Teas, David R. Chance, Warren L. Jenkins, Eli Reynolds. Iowa-Council : John B. Terry, Ebenezer Brigham, James R. Vineyard, Daniel M. Parkinson, George F. Smith, William Boyles, James P. Cox, Thomas Shanley. Dubuque-Council : Thomas McKnight, Thomas McRanney, John Foley; House of Representatives : P. H. Engle, H. P. Camp, Patrick Quigley, Hardin Nowlin, Loring Wheeler. Milwaukee-Council : Gilbert Knap, Alanson Sweet ; House of Representatives : William B. Sheldon, Charles Durkee, Madison W. Cornwall. Brown-Council : Henry S. Baird, John P. Arndt ; House of Representatives : A. G. Ellis, E. Childs, A. J. Irwin. Craw- ford-House of Representatives : James H. Lockwood, J. B. Dallam. And the advertisements of P. F. Dillon, winter's clothing and liquors ; Litle, Wann & Co., mess pork, bacon, lard and prairie plows ; Hooper, Peck & Scales, boots, shoes, groceries and liquors ; Alexis Bailey, dry goods, hardware, groceries, etc .; J. Morrison & Son, stoves, nails and glass, boots and shoes, liquors, pork, flour and corn ; Edgar & Wilson, new wholesale and retail store, dry goods, hard- ware, crockery and groceries ; L. H. Bowen, ready-made clothing ; William Smith, C. S. Hemp- stead, John Turney, attorneys at law, in Galena, Ill .; Richard G. Ridgely, M. D. Notices of the arrival and departure of the White Oak Springs & Galena Stage, and the mail stage from Galena to Chicago.
In December, 1836, the editorial partnership between Messrs. Clarke & Russell was dis- solved, and James Clarke became sole proprietor and editor, the Gazette at that time being reduced to half its previous size. The Gazette was published until April 12, 1837. The last number in the file, preserved at Madison by the State Historical Society, makes no mention of suspension or removal, but Mr. Durrie, Librarian, considers the file complete.
In July, 1837. James Clarke, the editor of the Belmont Gazette, started the Wisconsin
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
Territorial Gazette, at Burlington, Iowa. Harrison Reed, in " An Early History of the Press of Wisconsin," given before the Editorial Association in 1860, says of the Belmont Gazette: " It ceased its existence when the session of the Legislature closed. The press was removed to Mineral Point, where the paper was continued but a short time by Holbrook and Col. W. S. Hamilton, and afterward removed to Galena." Samuel Ryan, before the same society, in 1865, said he thought the Gazette, after being removed to Galena, became the foundation of the Galena Courier, but Mr. Durrie says that is not true.
The Pick and Gad-A family newspaper, devoted to news, mining, agriculture and liter- ature, Democratic in politics, etc., was first issued in Shullsburg on Tuesday, June 28, 1853, under the editorial direction of Walter Nimocks. To announce a new journal as a candidate for public inspection and patronage, wrote the editor, was a delicate and difficult task under any circumstances. To promise little, was to press an indifferent claim for public favor. To promise much, might leave the editor in the condition of the showman, who advertised more than he was able to perform, and received credit for less than he merited. In heralding the publica- tion of a newspaper in La Fayette County, the undertaking was accompanied by additional cause for embarrassment in the repeated failures of others making the same attempt. Neverthe- less, it was begun with good heart, and the world was assured that it was established on a per- manent basis, to be published regularly and continuously.
No apology was offered for the name adopted. The pick and gad were the peculiar work- ing tools of the miner-from the rich breast of the opening and the glittering slope of the crevice, they brought forth nature's hidden treasures to his eye. In a like manner the paper would be made an appropriate organ of the mining community, and the vigilant representative and guardian of its interests. It would be independent in its operations, fettered by no monop- olist, governed by no clique, biased by no partiality save a sincere desire to benefit the county, as also the mining interest, with which is connected that of the farmer, and of every other class of the community.
As a pick, it was intended to combine the characteristics of both pole and drifting pick, to strike for the right, and to prospect and explore for matters of general interest to the community. As to politics. while every party would, upon all occasions, be treated with respect and defer- ence and every individual as his merits should require, the endeavor would be made to pursue a firm and consistent course as a Democratic journal.
With this exordium, the paper was launched upon the tide of popularity, and floated with the current. It was received with applause, so say those who welcomed its advent, and pre- sented an appearance of news, make-up and typographical finish which commended it to encour- agement. The paper was a folio, with six columns to the page, printed in brevier and non- pariel, and contained much to instruct, edify and amuse. The first page was occupied with a poem by Willis, an original sketch by Faustus, and some brief miscellanies; the second page with editorials and locals, and the third and fourth pages with selections, and the remunerative "ad." Among the latter was a notification to the public that Martial Cottle had just received a well- selected stock of groceries, Samuel Rickert a choice variety of dry goods, that George W. Lee, M. D., would minister to frames diseased, that Cobb & Messmore would defend the cause of justice, of the La Fayette House, Mansion House, the livery of Herren & Bro., the drug store of D. W. Carley, the notion depot of C. H. Lamar, with a number of "illuminations from foreign parts, including " write-ups," expatiating upon the literary and social superiority of the New York Tribune, the Saturday Evening Post, Democratic Review, Household Words, The Globe, Hunt's, Arthur's and Graham's Monthlies, etc., etc.
In the number issued July 12 following, the paper presented an improved appearance, and felicitated itself that it had become an established fact, rather than a transient visitor. The occasion was availed of by the editor to define his position, personally, politically and profes- sionally more at length and in detail. The Pick and Gad should be conducted for the advan- tage of the public, fearlessly and with candor. Unrelenting war would be prosecuted against men bankrupt in morals, who are blotches upon the body politic, and should not be permitted to engender and foster corruption.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
The political feature of the paper would be purely and emphatically Democratic, aiming to promote the greatest good of the greatest number. Professionally, the editor would aim to dis- seminate sound morality, correct principles of life, and sentiments of profound respect for pure religion. The price of the paper was established at $1.50 per annum. It was printed on an old-style Washington hand press, now owned by the Darlington Democrat, and edited and set up in a building on Water street, still standing opposite the bank of G. W. Douglas.
But three numbers of the Pick and Gad were issued before Mr. Nimocks appreciated the responsibility incumbent upon him to execute the trust he had set out to discharge with fidelity, and felt himself unequal, single handed, to do so satisfactorily. Acting upon this conclusion, he associated Samuel G. Bugh with him, and apportioned the duties between them, which he had, up to that time, disposed of unaided. The firm was known as Bugh & Nimocks, which was the only change effected, its political and other features continuing unaffected thereby.
While the paper was active in ventilating affairs, or men that in any way tended to deceive, distract or defraud its readers, the editor was equally prompt to recognize merit, and advertise the advantages accruing to those who patronized its presence. About this time, the mines were worked with a diligence and success that has never since been experienced, and the Pick and Gad began the publication of a series of articles illustrating the richness of the lodes in La Fayette County-their accessibility to laborers, and the immense profits to be derived from them. They were well written, and attracted no inconsiderable attention from capitalists. In fact, the paper employed all legitimate means to attract settlers-increase the volume of business, and aid the people in accomplishing an independence. Railroads and other enterprises designed to develop the internal resources of the village, township, county, State or nation, were warmly supported, and their encouragement earnestly advocated, and the absence of railroad communi- cation from Shullsburg is owing to agencies other than the press. The editors opposed taxation, yet favored this means as those alone by which improvements could be perfected. It was opposed to town organization, because the system would derive its support from the limited number of residents who were liable for taxes. The county at that time (January, 1854) contained 11,000 inhabitants, one-half of whom resided in three towns, leaving twelve towns with an average of 458 inhabitants to each, about one-fifth of which, at most, were tax-payers. It was not considered equitable or just, to compel ninety tax-payers to support a system with the machinery and expense required by a town of 5,000 inhabitants. In spite of this opposition, however, the system obtained, and has answered the objects of its creation, without demurring, up to the present.
The office of the paper was continued in the home of its birth, metaphorically speaking, until the 1st of May, when it was removed to a building on Court street, east of the court house. This change of base was accomplished without more than a passing mention, nor was publication made of the procurement of new material, the inseparable concomitant of similar changes. The " new dress " was not needed, for mechanically, the Pick and Gad appeared as fresh as when first issued. With the close of the first volume was solved the question as to whether the venture would succeed. It had lived and enjoyed a vigorous existence, with a promise for the future by no means discouraging. The telegraph had been employed to furnish its quota of news from all parts of the world-the local field was fully covered-the editorials trenchant and forcible, and the market reports the best that were in those days available.
With the issue of October 4, 1854, the retirement of S. G. Bugh from the editorial tripod was announced. The two-fold individuality of editor and man Mr. B. decided to exchange for that single blessedness of being in which man enjoys a more unlimited peace of mind than is experienced when his ordinary duties are coupled with those of an editor. He was succeeded by Hamilton H. Gray, in whose able hands the paper flourished, and became one of the most widely circulated papers published in the country districts of the State. The sheet was thereafter con- trolled under the firm name of Gray & Nimocks until the date of its permanent suspension. This untoward, it might be added unexpected, event, coming as it did at a time when indications seemed to assure an unending prosperity, caused feelings of disappointment and regret to per-
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
vade the county. These feelings found frequent expression in interrogatories and surmises, which, in default of satisfactory explanations, were indulged in frequently. Why this state of affairs existed, or why the collapse could not have been avoided, were conundrums equally as impossible of solution as the locum in tenens of the " land that is fairer than day." The Pick and Gad had gone the way of journalistic enterprises while it was yet young, and was beyond the hope of resurrection while yet the lines of its life were cast in pleasant places. It was missed by its readers, who mourned the untimely demise of their favorite and refused to be con- soled. The Providence whose eye and hand are the spy and executioner of life amid all its changes, refused to bring back the defunct sheet and renew it with life, but the managers, read- ers, creditors and exchanges, though the shock was severe and the burden grievous, were con- soled by the reflection that a new dispensation would be substituted, in which past promises would be fulfilled and the deficiencies of a former day would be fully atoned for.
The La Fayette County Herald-A folio of seven columns to the page, printed in brevier, and generally one of the most perfect evidences of the art preservative to be found in La Fayette or any county in the West, made its debut as a candidate for popular favor on February 1, 1855, under the mentorship of James R. Rose and H. N. Gray.
When the Pick and Gad suspended, as has already been intimated, influential citizens residing in different parts of the county expressed a hope that a permanent aud respectable paper should be established and conducted in a manner that would properly present and protect the common weal. Business, professional and mining interests felt the humiliating position and rank La Fayette would occupy among sister counties in being deprived of a newspaper. Such being the case, the demand for a paper became imperative, and Messrs. Rose & Gray were induced to make the venture. Accordingly, they purchased the press and materials with which the Pick and Gad had been published, together with such other type and mechanical appurte- nances as were necessary, and essayed the establishment of a journal which should be permanent and creditable to the county of La Fayette.
They proposed to promote the various interests of the county and to render the sheet valu- able to all classes. It would embrace in its columns the earliest intelligence of the day, miscel- lany, statistics, politics, and, in the season, a synopsis of the proceedings of the Legislature. In politics, the paper would be moderate, but firmly Democratic, as the editors understood those principles, without following the lead of cliques or demagogues. Its columns would be open to a fair discussion of political principles and measures, but closed to all personal controversies. It would support the national, State and county administrations in all matters deemed to be right, just, and for the interests of the people, and condemn those believed to be of a contrary charac- ter. In religion, it would be entirely neutral. The selected articles would be the best that could be obtained-sufficient to make the Herald an interesting family paper. With these inducements, the generous public was asked to extend such support as might be deserved.
In all these respects, the pledges made were performed. Politically, it was Democratic of the most pronounced type, and no peculator or demagogue was sustained because of his unmixed "locofocism." All questions of public interest were fairly and ably discussed, the editors holding themselves as the agents of the citizen to warn him of intended fraud, and advocate the cause of justice. Religiously, it was neutral, the claims of sects being held as obligations to which those immediately interested were alone empowered to discharge. Its mis- cellanies comprehended poetry and fiction, agricultural, mining and mechanical statistics and news of value to readers, and tending to educate and refine. At the time the Herald began to assume prominence among the publications in this portion of the State, railroads were a luxury enjoyed at a distance. The Illinois Central was in process of building west of Galena, and the question of directing a route through La Fayette County being generally agitated. Though nothing came immediately, it was to the efforts then made that the road to Mineral Point was subsequently surveyed and completed, and the ultimate success of this enterprise is attributable in a marked degree to the advocacy of improvements made in the columns of that paper. Its voice was always for improvement, for the erection of institutions of learning, the incorporation
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
of associations for the development of the mines, the laying-out of roads, and all other acces- sories of civilization in which the whole West was, in those days, comparatively deficient.
During the first year of its experience, the Herald awoke to a realization of the fact that another Richmond, in the Patriot and Flag, had taken the field and proposed to dispute the claims for patronage put forth by its established rival. The Patriot was ushered into exist- ence on the 27th of March, 1855.
Among the articles published about this time were a number descriptive of life in the coal mines, which were designed to illustrate the trials and triumphs of miners, and are said to have emanated from one who has since established somewhat of a literary reputation. They were re-published in a number of exchanges, and, graphically portraying the accidents and inci- dents of life in the mines, were universally read. In those days, there were no Bullock presses, with capacity of "running off" an edition of 50,000 copies an hour, no telegraphic dispatches compared with to-day, no telephones, elevators, stereotypes or other aids so common to modern journalism. An editor must needs be an artist professionally, and also a man of brawn to labor and direct. The success of every early publication required these essentials, and the Herald was no exception.
With the issue of January 24, 1856, the first volume of the paper was concluded, and the second year commenced under favorable auspices. No change was made in the personnel or policy of the Herald, which continued to advocate Democracy.
Almost with the dawn of the second year's history of the Herald, a change was made in its management. Messrs. Rose and Gray retired, and were succeeded by J. J. Marvin. The absence of the gentlemen who, as responsible editors, introduced the paper to the public, and sustained its growth and gradual development, from the place of publication, necessitated this change. It was thought necessary for some one to reside at the place of weekly issue, to more directly nurture its improvement and become responsible for its utterances. That these ends might be better subserved, Mr. Marvin undertook the charge of which Rose and Gray were relieved with the issue of February 21, 1856. Politically, the paper would remain the cham- pion of National Democracy. Local matters would be treated of freely and impartially, with- out indulging offensive personalities. In the conducting of the paper, Mr. Marvin would have the frequent assistance of the able and energetic gentleman who had preceded him, and the effort would be made to render it a journal of general interest to the inhabitants of the county.
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