USA > Wisconsin > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 102
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
modest man. "Free from deceit his head, and full as free his heart."
After the battle of Jonesboro he followed Hood back into Alabama, then returned to At- lanta, and in Sherman's "march to the sea," had command of the advance of the 17th corps, having the skirmishers, pioneers, engineers and the pontoon train under his charge. In the Carolina campaign, from Beaufort Island north, he was brevetted brigadier-general for gallan- try at the battle of Saukahatchie, in February. Here, to use Gen. Mower's expression, "he rode farther into hell than I would go, and he was the only man I have ever seen who would take snch risks." This campaign lasted about two months. He was mustered out in June, 1865. From the May previous he had been constantly on duty in Gen. Sherman's army every day.
When his regiment was mustered out, officers and men united in expressions of regard and esteem, and he was highly commended by his superior officers for gallantry.
The following is a copy of a card that ap- peared in the Wisconsin State Journal on the separation of the officers of the 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers:
A CARD. AMERICAN HOUSE, MADISON, WIS., JUNE 25, 1865. S
We, the undersigned officers of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, hereby take this opportu- nity, upon the occasion of the disbanding of our military organization, to express our esteem and profound regard for Col. J. M. Rusk. We part from him feeling in our hearts that we have bid good by to onr leader, than whom there is not one more daring or gallant.
Remembering that he led us through Georgia, down to the sea, and through the swamps of the Carolinas, ever mindful of our welfare, he stood by us to the last ; our prayer is that he may be rewarded by the people of the State, and that his noble deeds be not forgotten by the authorities. Never despairing but always hopeful, we remember how he performed his
arduous duties during the dark days around and in front of Atlanta; and when his regi- ment was called into action, we always knew who was at its head. Asking nothing and receiving little, he stood by the regiment at all times, ever mindful of the interests of its officers and men.
In parting with him our acknowledgement is, he is a gentleman, a hero and soldier. His deeds do show either of these.
Thomas Harwood, Chaplain.
John Fitzgerald, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
Z. S. Swain, Captain. H. D. Farquasson, Captain.
Charles A. Hunt, Captain.
Rob Roy McGregor, Captain.
Warren C. S. Barron, Captain.
Edward E. Houstain, 1 st Lieutenant.
John R. Cannon, Ist Lieutenant.
D. C. Hope, Quartermaster. John R. Casson, Captain. William A. Gott, Surgeon.
E. B. Waggoner, 2d Lieutenant.
Pleasant S. Pritchett, 2d Lieutenant.
Warren G. Davis, Ist Lieutenant.
Mortimer E. Leonard, Captain.
John M. Shaw, Captain. Benjamin B. Gurley, Captain.
Daniel M. Smalley, Captain.
John T. Richards, Ist Lieutenant.
Julius A. Parr, Ist Lieutenant.
Oliver M. York, 2d Lieutenant. To Col. J. M. RUSK.
When Gen. Sprague was transferred to a different field, he wrote the following letter to Gen., then Col. Rusk.
HEAD QUARTERS 2D BRIGADE, IST DIV., ) 17TH ARMY CORPS, NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C., MAY 29, 1865. S
DEAR COLONEL :- As I am ordered by the war department to a distant field, in a few hours I shall be compelled to take leave of my old command. In doing so I feel that I shall separate from very many that are very dear to me, made so by being associated with them in
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
common toils and danger. I cannot leave you, colonel, without expressing my thanks for that hearty support and co-operation which has ever characterized your actions and bearing in the field. You have been very much in command of your regiment, it has won a proud name, second to none that I kuow in our armies. You, by your faithful and untiring efforts, have con- tributed largely to this. You are entitled to, and I hope will receive the generons thanks of the executive and the people of your State, for your faithfulness to the troops entrusted to your care. The able manner in which you have discharged every duty in the field entitles you to the gratitude of all who love the cause in which you have served so well.
Please accept, colonel, my sincere wishes for your prosperity and happiness.
Your friend,
J. W. SPRAGUE, Brigadier- General.
To Col. J. M. RUSK, 25th Wisconsin Volun- teers.
Such was Gen. Rusk as a soldier, as is found recorded, and gathered from those who know his history.
In September, 1865, the republican . State convention of Wisconsin nominated the gen- eral for bank comptroller by acelamation. He was elected in the November following by upwards of 10,000 majority. In 1867 he was again nominated and elected by the repub licans of his State, and served the two terms in a most acceptable manner. During his second term the business of State banking having become nearly obsolete, by reason of the discrimina- tions against it in the national banking law, the people passed an amendment to the State ('on- stitution abolishing the office of bank comptrol- ler. So that he was the last bank comptroller of Wisconsin. The following editorial ap- peared in the Wisconsin State Journal on the occasion of Gen. Rusk's final retirement from the office of bank comptroller:
"As a State officer he was thoroughly conver- sant with the law and rules pertaining to his -
department. In closing out old banks he has saved the State much money. His suggestions concerning the final settlement of all bank ac- counts have been valuable.
"The general is distinguished for his thoroughness in business matters, the absence of narrow prejudices in all things, a determina- tion to do what is fair, for his excellent judg- ment and unswerving devotion to republican principles.
"In August, 1870, he was nominated by the republicans of the sixth congressional district in Wisconsin as their candidate for represent- ative in Congress and in November of the same year was elected by the largest majority given by any district of the State to its representa- ive. He is now serving his term in Congress. '
Gov. Rusk's congressional career commenced on the 4th day of March, 1871. He was then brought face to face with the most eminent statesmen of both political parties, and placed on a higher plane of action than he had before occupied. Would he be found equal to the emergency? His district was "the old sixth" that had been represented so many years by the late C. C. Washburn. It was very large, em- bracing twenty-four counties, and covering nearly, if not quite, one-half the area of the State. It embraced all that portion of the State which was rapidly filling up with new set- tlers and in which new industries were being developed. It extended from the Wisconsin river on the south and east, to the Mississippi river on the west and to Lake Superior on the north. To become acquainted with and to protect all the mixed interests of his district re- quired great labor and ceaseless care.
When he appeared in the field as a candidate for the nomination, he found the Hon. William T. Price, of Black River Falls, to be his princi- pal competitor; the Hon. John T. Kingston, of Needah, was also in the field with quite a strong and influential following, but he was not so prominent an opponent as was Mr. Price.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
The merits of the three candidates were freely and thoroughly discussed before the nominating convention was held. The voters felt as though the distriet that had been so well repre- sented by Washburn, should be represented by a worthy successor. The nominating conven- tion was held in Sparta, and after a spirited contest, during which Price, despairing of r. - ceiving the nomination himself, sought to de- feat Gen. Rusk by turning as much of his strength as he could over to Kingston. Gen. Rusk bore off the honors.
The Hon. Alexander Meggett, of Eau Claire, was the democratic nominee, and both candi- dates canvassed the whole district, but Gen. Rusk was elected over Meggett by a majority of 5,528 votes, his own county, Vernon, giving him a majority of 1,132 votes in a total vote of 1,562. In this Congress, the XLIId, Gen. Rusk was placed on the committee on public lands and on that of the militia.
Before the next congressional election cam( around, the State had been re-districted unde; the census of 1870, and the "old sixth district disappeared, and Vernon county was throw! into the new seventh district. But so well had ho met the expectations of his constituents, and so clean was his record, that no candidate appeared in the field against him, and he was elected to the XLIIId Congress without opposition in the republican ranks. The democratic can- didate was the Hon. Stephen Manton, of Eau Claire. Gen. Rusk was elected in the new seventh district, by a majority of 7,637 votes, his own county giving him a majority of 2,124. in a total vote of 3,010. This vote will illustrate the great popularity of the general at home. In the XLIIId Congress, he was chairman of the committee on Invalid Pensions, also a member of the committee on Mines and Mining. Under his chairmanship, the pension laws received careful consideration, and it can undoubtedly be said that the interests of the old soldiers of the republic were not neglected.
In 1874 he was placed in nomination for re- election, with little or no opposition. Maj. D. C. Fulton, of Hudson, was the democratic nom- inee. In this election, the general received a. majority of 3,441 votes over Maj. Fulton, his own county giving him a majority of 1,262, in a total vote of 2,570. The XLIVth Congress was democratic, but he was placed on two com- mittees-on Invalid Pensions and on Agricul- ture.
Gen. Rusk was not a public speaker in the general acceptation of the term, and conse- quently but few of his utterances on the floor of the house of representatives were printed. . But he was a worker, and with sleepless vigi- lance he watched the legislation of Congress, that he might protect and enhance, in all things, the interests of his more immediate constitu- ents, at the same time not forgetting that as a member of Congress he was called on to legis- late for the whole country. His membership on the committee on Agriculture led him to turn his attention to the agricultural interests of the country, and he delivered in the house of repre- sentatives, a speech on "The tariff and its rela- tion to agriculture," which was printed and cir- enlated all over the country as a campaign doc- ument, in the summer of 1876.
While a member of Congress and in a great measure held responsible for all Presidential and and other federal appointments in his district, amid all the scrambles for office and emoluments, he so conducted himself as to retain the respect, not only of his constituents, but of all the peo- ple of the State. Refusing to profit by the salary- grab, which he voted against in all its stages, he covered his baek pay into the treasury. He left Congress without a stain on his record.
From the day of his retirement from Congress to the day he was called on to assume the ex- ecutive authority of the State, he remained quietly at home, attending to his own private business. Only once during these years did he appear in public, and that was as a delegate to the republican National convention in Chicago,
44
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
in 1880. But during this period of retirement, be was not lost sight of. Six years service in Congress, under the eye and notice of Gen. Gar- field, had given the latter a clear knowledge of the real worth and abilities of Gen. Rusk, and when Garfield became President, without con- sulting Gen. Rusk, he nominated him to the Senate as minister to Paraguay and Uraguay, in South America, and the nomination was at once unanimously confirmed by the Senate. But Gen. Rusk declined the mission. President Garfield then tendered him the appointment of minister to Denmark, and the position of chief of the bureau of printing and engraving, both of which Gen. Rusk declined.
In the fall of 1881 he was placed in nomina- tion for the office of governor by the republi- can State convention. Before the meeting of the convention, several good republieans were named as candidates for the office. It was known that the question of prohibition would enter into the contest, and the democrats hoped that the prohibitionists would draw enough republican votes to enable the democrats to eleet their whole State ticket. With this end in view, the democrats encouraged the prohibi- tionists in every way they could. Hon. N. D. Fratt, of Racine, was placed in nomination by the democrats, T. D. Kanoure, by the prohibi- tionists and E. P. Allis, by the greenback party. Herculean efforts were put forth by the demo- erats and prohibitionists to defeat the general, but withont success. He was elected by a plu- rality of 11,957, over Fratt. Kanoure received 13,225 votes, and Allis received 7,002 votes.
The following account of the inauguration of Gov. Rusk is from the Madison Democrat, Jan. 4, 1882:
Monday, the legal day for celebrating the new year, and inaugural day, too, according to law, brought grand events to the capital city. At an early hour in the morning streets and corners were crowded with people, especially boys and girls, all anxiously awaiting the arrival of troops from various sections of the State,
coming to make a display on the inaugural oc- casion. Trains from the north were late, and as time went on the crowds continued to gather and become more eager. One was reminded of the approach of Barnum's or Forepaugh's show -the st cet parade. The day was bright, and on the sunny street corners the throng ex- perienced no great inconvenience. By and by a man in military garb made his appearance down by Shelden's headquarters and hundreds rushed to meet him. He gave ont word that three companies had arrived -two from La Crosse and one from Beaver Dam. Then did excitement run high. In due time the military column moved from East Madison towards the centre of the city. The march was up Wilson, King and Main streets. The escort was con- ducted by the Governor's Guard and the Lake City Guard, of Madison. When the line reached a point on Main street, between the Vilas House and the Park Hotel, slight maneuvering was indulged in, and the companies from abroad were assigned regular quarters.
Soon after 11 o'clock there was another arrival and another rally of sight-seers. The train from Milwaukee, by way of Watertown, brought to the East Madison depot a company from Milwaukee, one from Oshkosh and one from Fond du Lac, and a band from Oshkosh. Here followed another grand escort to the heart of the city, the Oshkosh band discoursing soul- inspiring music. The leader in front with a cap as big as a bushel basket, swinging his baton, engrossed the full attention of the youngsters. This was the elephant of the show. The march continued along the streets above mentioned, and the line halted where the first one did, and broke ranks after a few moments had been indulged in to the edification of a vast throng of spectators.
There was but little time to waste, as the new State officers must be at the capitol to take the oath of office at noon. Therefore it was not long before drums were heard to beat and rattle, and from all quarters gathered soldiers in tine
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
new uniforms. The Lake City Guard was easily distinguished by their overcoats which they kept on all through the day, with eapes fastened back, showing the blood-red lining.
Eight companies formed into two battalions on Main street, along the southeast side of the capitol square-one battalion made up of the two La Crosse companies and the two capital city companies, was commanded by Lieut. Col. M. T. Moore, and the other battalion, composed of the Milwaukee company, the Beaver Dam company, the Fond du Lac and the Oshkosh companies, was under command of Col. Chand- ler P. Chapman, of Madison. After some maneu- vering the two battalions were marched up Main street, and took position on Carroll street in front of the Park Hotel. Here the new and the o'd State officers were received; and then they went around the capitol park, starting down C'arroll, and entering the park opposite the Vila: House. The line was made up as follows:
Arion Band. La Crosse Light Guards. LaCrosse Governor's Guard. Lake City Guard. Madison Governor's Guards. Drum Corps. Burchard Gnards of Beaver Dam South Side Turner Rifles. Oshkosh Rifles. Fond du Lac Guards.
First Carriage - Containing Gov. Smith, Gov. - elect Rusk, Lieut-Gov. Fifield, and Hon. J. C Gregory, president of the day. Second Carriage-Containing Secretary Warner, Sec- retary-elect Timme, Treasurer Guenther, and Treasur-erelect MeFetridge.
Third Carriage-Containing Attorney General Wilson, Attorney General-elect Frisby. State Superin - tendent Whitford, and State Super- intendent-eleet Graham. Fourth Carriage-Containing Insurance Commissioner Spooner, Railroad Commissioner Turner, Railroad Commissioner-elect Ilaugen and Surgeon-General Palmer.
Fifth Carriage-Containing Hon. Philetus Sawyer. of Oshkosh, Gen. Ed. Bryant, Col. N. Smith, and Hon. F L. Gibson,
The capitol was entered at the east door, and all proceeded at once to the assembly chamber. On the main stand were soon seen the out-going and in-going State offieers, the president of the day, Hon. J. C. Gregory, the chief justice and his associates of the supreme court, and other dignitaries.
While seats were filled, the Oshkosh band gave out rare music. The exereises were opened with prayer, delivered by Rev. C. H. Riebards, of Madison.
President Gregory stated the occasion and made a few appropriate and happy remarks.
Gov. William E. Smith then made what may be termed his valedictory address. He ex- pressed himself happy in having an oppor- tunity to acknowledge that though the two terms of his office had found his duties a pleasure, the 'most friendly and cordial feel- ings had existed between him and all with whom he had dealings. The State was in a most prosperous condition ; there were plenty of moneys in the treasury, and all was serenity, so to speak. He introduced his successor with happy remarks.
Gen. Rusk arose, amid applause, and after acknowledging the responsibilities of the high office he was about to enter, returned thanks to the citizens of Madison, and others who had assembled, for the most kind, and generous re- ception of the newly elected officers about to assume their duties; he also thanked the Na- tional Guard, who had so generously rendered service upon the occasion, and the retiring State officers, who are entitled to the thanks of all for the faithful and efficient manner in which they have discharged their several duties. The gov- ernor commenced his address as follows :
"Selected by the people of Wisconsin as their chief executive, I have the honor, in obedience to the requirements of the constitution, of sub- mitting to you my first annual message. I am deeply impressed with the responsibilities of the position to which I have been chosen, occu- pied as it has been by so many distinguished
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
gentleman, including my immediate predecessor, who has administered the affairs of State with marked ability and to the satisfaction of the people.
"The past year has been one of unparalleled prosperity to the Nation. United once more in the bonds of peace and harmony, with all sec- tional strife abated, the country has made gi- gantic strides ahead. Our Nation has been blessed with health, with abundant harvests, and a greater degree of prosperity than in any former year; and had it not been for the shock of the assassination of our lamented President, the year would have been one of the most suc- cessful and happy of our National life.
"I cannot refrain from speaking in this con- nection a few words in relation to our late be- loved President, James A. Garfield; a man of broad intellect, a noble heart, a kind and gener- ous spirit; he was pre-eminently a leader among leaders. Succeeding by his own efforts in rais- ing himself from poverty to the highest posi- tion in the gift of the people, he had com- menced a career which promised to bear full fruition of the hopes of his countrymen, when he was prostrated by the bullet of an assassin. Beloved by the people and mourned by the whole civilized world, his memory will live for- ever.
"The present chief magistrate, President Chester A Arthur, called to the position under these most sorrowful circumstances, has, by his wise administration of governmental affairs, merited the confidence of the country.
"Wisconsin has shared in the general pros- perity of the year. Our harvests have yielded good returns and our products have found ready markets at good prices.
"Agriculture, our greatest industry, has been well rewarded, and the financial condition of this class, who contribute so much to the growth and wealth of our State, has been materially improved. Capital seeks investment at a much reduced rate of interest; our manufacturing in- dustries have steadily and permanently in-
creased, and many other enterprises and re- sources have been developed during the year.
"The laws have been faithfully and efficiently executed, and peace and tranquility have pre- vailed throughout the State during the year with as few exceptions as is usual."
The oath of office was administered to all the newly elected except the insurance commis- sioner and the railroad commissioner, whose terms have not yet begun.
The next entertainment was dress parade on Main street, which called out a good crowd.
In the evening a reception and dance took place in the assembly chamber. It was a happy time. The new governor seemed to enjoy him- self hugely on the floor. He did not have the fancy modern step and shuffle, but he indulged in the regular old-fashioned "hoe-down" style, to the edification of the spectators.
Music furnished by the Oshkosh band was good.
The toilets of some of the ladies on the floor are described as follows:
Mrs. Gov. Rusk, black velvet dress, elabo- rately trimmed with point applique lace, blush roses.
Mrs. L. J. Rusk, plain black silk costume.
Mrs. Elmer Craig, daughter of Gov. Rusk, black velvet skirt with black silk overdress, beautifully embroidered in colors.
Miss Ida Rusk, white satin dress, silk mull, white roses, high coiffure.
Miss Mary Rusk, pink silk grenadine satin and applique lace trimmings.
Mrs. Gov. Smith, black velvet dress en traine, point lace, flowers, reception hat.
Mrs H. B. Warner, black satin de Lyon, trim- mings of passementerie and guipure lace, point lace, cameo jewelry, crushed roses.
Mrs. Lient. Gov. Fifield, black satin merveil- leux dress; corals and lace.
Mrs.E. C. McFetridge, merveilleux satin dress; shirred flounces; velvet basque; duchesse lace; coral jewelry.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Mrs. II. W. Chynoweth, black surah satin dress, with jet trimmings and heliotrope flowers.
Miss Alice Frisby, wine-colored satin dress, point lace trimmings.
Mrs. Congressman Guenther, peacock blue satin dress, white Spanish lace overdress; dia- monds.
Miss Ella Wheeler, beautiful white satin cos- tume, Spanish lace trimmings.
Mrs. F. W. Oakley, light blue surah silk and silk tissue; diamond ornaments.
Mrs David Atwood, black satin dress, with point duchesse lace; cameos.
Mrs. Gen. Wilson, black satin de Lyon, with court train; black velvet basque, trimmings of jet and steel passementerie and thread lace; duchesse lace and coral jewelry.
Mrs. Senator Burrows, dress, dregs of wine, satin; cameo and point laee.
Mrs. Senator Van Schaick, black velvet en traine dress; duchesse lace and diamonds.
Miss Cary, of Beloit, white muslin and rose silk; flowers.
Miss Atwood, bronze satin merveilleux and moire brocade; turquoise and pearl jewelry.
Mrs. Dr. A. J. Ward, black silk; cameos.
Mrs. Col. W. F. Vilas, wine-colored satin dress, court train, petticoat of cream-colored satin, brocaded in flowers; cameos and pearls.
Mrs. Dr. William H. Fox, black moire dress; diamonds.
Mrs. E. P. Vilas, cream silk, corals.
Mrs. Robert MeCurdv, surah skirt, with bro- caded satin overdress, trimmed with passemen- terie and Spanish lace; duchesse lace; eameo jewelry.
Hardly had Gov. Rusk been seated in the ex- ecutive chair, before he was confronted with a problem, the solution of which shows the far- reaching sagacity of the man, and the executive ability of the magistrate. On the 26th of Jan- uary, 1882, he received by telegraph, the follow- ing message:
SUPERIOR JUNCTION, Jan. 26, 1882. Gov. RUSK, Madison:
The men on this end of the Portage and Superior road are taking every thing within their reach. We are powerless to protect our property against 700 men, who have neither money nor means of subsistence. They threaten to burn houses and destroy everything here. We appeal to you for protection. Can you send relief?
WALKER, JUDD & VEASEY.
To understand the full force of this dispatch, it will be necessary to state that the Legisla- ture, in 1874, granted to the Chicago & North- ern Pacific Air Line Railway Company a large traet of land, part of the original lands granted to this State by acts of Congress, of June 3, 1856, and May 5, 1864, for the purpose of aid- ing the building of certain lines of railroad in this State. The lands granted to the Air Line Railroad Company were the lands that were set apart in the original grant to aid in build- ing a road from "St. Croix river or lake" to the west end of Lake Superior and to Bayfield. The road from St. Croix river to Bayfield was being built by the North Wisconsin Railway Company, that company having received the lands applicable to the building of that road. The Air Line company was trying to build the road from the west end of Lake Superior-Sn- perior City-southward to a point of intersec- tion with the North Wisconsin road in Burnett county, the point of intersection being known as Superior Junction. This company had re- ceived from the Legislature, as before stated, a grant of all the lands applicable to the build- ing of a road from Lake Superior southward to the junction with the North Wisconsin road. In January, 1882, the Air Line company had about 1,400 men working along its line, when suddenly it collapsed, being deeply in debt to sub-contraeters and laborers. This collapse left 1,400 men turned loose on the community in the winter time, and many of them were far away from their homes and families. About 600
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