History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 89

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998

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" In the spring of 1837, Samuel Prince erected a shanty of poplar poles on Section 6, about one mile west of the mill, where his widow now resides; some time during the ensuing summer. William and Leander Birge came, and soon after, Norman and Freeman Pratt, Dean Williams, Charles Hamilton and Edward Brown. In the month of September following, I came, and we all camped and cooked our provisions in Prince's shanty. In the early spring, four or five broth - ers by the name of Finch moved from Milwaukee to Lake Koshkonong, and their route was through Whitewater, but they saw nothing there to tempt them to stop, but one of their employes

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

by the name of Barron cut the initials of his name on a tree on the bank of the creek, which constituted what was then called a ' jack-knife claim.' This elaim he subsequently sold to Will- iam Birge, who gave his note for $200.

" In the fall of 1837, Norman Pratt built the first house (except the Prince shanty), log, of course, on Section 8, near Noyes' stone quarry. William and Leander Birge built a log house .on Section 5. Charles Hamilton and Edward Brewer, on Section 7, where the Clark family now reside, and I put up the body of a log house on Section 10-which, I think, were all that were built in 1837. In the spring of 1838, William Birge sold his claim to a man by the name .of Shaw, and he built the log part of the old Tripp house, the identical old house that now stands in Winchester & Partridge's lumber-yard. He built it to hold his claim to the water- power and 320 aeros on a half-section of land. The claim rules required that a certain amount of improvements should be made within a given time. The land was not in market at that time. and we did not then know how soon it would be. But, as it happened, the land was proclaimed to be sold in November following, and every preparation was made for the sale, but at the last hour, and after we had all assembled in Milwaukee to attend the sale, a proclamation came from the President of the United States adjourning it to February, 1839. A good deal of in- iterest was felt about the sale of the water-power, as we wanted a mill built as soon as possible, as there was none at that time nearer than Geneva or Beloit, and we were well aware that Mr. Shaw, the claimant, had not the requisite capital. A short time before the sale, a meeting of the set- tlers was had to consider what course to pursue, and a committee of three, consisting of Norman Pratt, David J. Powers and Roger B. Clark were chosen. They were intrusted to find some capitalist who would buy out Shaw and give a bond to the inhabitants that a mill should be built and one run of stone in operation within one year from the time of purchase. The com- mittee worked diligently till the morning of the sale, and, while they were taking their break- fast at the old Milwaukee House, the news came that a steamboat from the lower lakes had ar- rived. The committee started to go down to the landing, and on their way they met Dr. Tripp, who had just landed. They made the proposition to him, and it secured his attention. After hearing the story of the committee, he was induced to buy the property and to pay Mr. Shaw $500 for his claim and the old log house. He bought 320 acres, being the south half of Section 4. He had never been there, had never seen the property, and had no time to go where it was, as the sale was to take place the next day. But he bought it and paid Shaw $500 without see- ing it, on the representation of others, and it was two weeks after he made the purchase before he came to see it. He built part of the frame portion of the present mill, and had one run of stone in operation during the ensuing fall. He moved into the old log house, and built the frame addition afterward. He also built the mill house where Mr. Brown now resides. His miller, a Mr. Cawker, occupied it some time before the Doctor died. He also built the Ostrander house, near the paper-mill, and the old saw-mill where the paper-mill now stands.

" Dr. Tripp died in the month of September, 1844, aged forty-nine years-so says the in- scription on his monument. The village had quite a start at the time of his death; there were quite .a number of houses erected for residences, several stores, two public houses, one church, mechanic-shops of various kinds, a post office and schoolhouse. The place was making some little progress toward the town which it now is. When I first came here, in 1837. the Potta- watomie Indians had possession, and had a temporary wigwam over the creek near where the boys play base-ball. (fame was plenty. Deer might be seen in droves of twenty or thirty. Grouse. as they call them, or prairie hens, were very plenty; also quails. The country was charming. The Indians had kept it burnt over every fall, so that when I came not a bush was to be seen. The old burr-oak trees looked like old orchards, the wild flowers were in gorgeous bloom, and the whole country looked like some gentleman's fancy park. I have never seen it look so beautiful since, and never expect to see it appear as well again."

Building and settlement were now so rapid that it becomes certain that " the early days " -those days when men are almost forced into brotherhood for self-protection and existence had passed. The prominent names who, since that time, have built up the society and pros perity of Whitewater, are mentioned hereafter. By 1858, it had grown from a little hamlet to a beautiful and thriving village of 2,000 inhabitants.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

UNTIMELY SUICIDE.

Thomas K. Le Barron, on January 2, 1846, was a young man in his twenty-seventh year, engaged in business in the village of Whitewater. During his five years' residence here, he · had become a universal favorite. He was frank and affable, fair and upright, sensitive to mor- bidness, quite unassuming, conscientious in his smallest actions and most minor beliefs. Com- ing from Boston, where he had been educated in the Unitarian way of thinking, partly from necessity and partly from a desire to better his condition, he had devoted himself steadfastly to business, apparently giving but little thought to the opinions and utterances of different relig- ious teachers around him. Appearances are as apt to be deceptive as real. On that particular forenoon, none of his friends would have noticed that he was more gloomy than he had often been of late. He had built up a good business, and, what was better, a good character, and the outlook for the year 1846 did not seem to be desperate. But who can fathom the reality of a soul's doubts and struggles-that misery which heartless people and soulless people sometimes call " mock misery?" Who? This young man, instead of going to a brother for help, took his own life in his own hands and went to God. Between 11 and 12 o'clock, the sharp report of a pistol was heard in a small building near his store, and soon after, his clerk found him, with a ball through his heart. Several letters were found in his trunk, directed to different persons in the village. In a long letter, dated December 26, 1845, he says, in conclusion: " What shall I say to you for myself-to the citizens generally? I say to them, I am more astonished than they will be. It seems to me it cannot be possible. But it must be so. I have been crazy for the last two months. I have attended to my business by routine-as a matter of course-but the situation I have been in has been horrible!" In a conversation just before his death, he said: " I have heard the clergymen of each denomination, and each classes me, and all belonging to the same church, among infidels and disbelievers of the Bible. Do they believe me the wretch they represent me to be?" Undoubtedly, in a state of religious and mental despair, he threw away one of the fairest lives which had glimmered for a short season in Whitewater.

MURDER OF WILLIAM HAMILTON.

A most sad affair, in the nature of a tragedy, occurred at the house of Richard N. Pease on the night of January 18, 1858. William H. Hamilton, George D. Doubleday, Joel Doubleday, Lewis Castle and Charles Pease were young men who had often formed a charivari party with the above Richard. But when Richard himself married and settled in his little home, two miles south of the village, both he and his father, who lived near by, "dared them" to come on, when they heard of the young men's intentions some time before they determined to carry them out. It was all fun and good nature on their part, but it seems that the Peases took the matter more seriously. The young couple had been living with the "old people" for a few weeks after their marriage, but now had moved into their little home a few rods distant. This had delayed the serenade, the party not wishing to disturb the elders; and the affair might have turned out as disastrously as it did, for old Mr. Pease had himself borrowed a gun and ammunition with the intention of using it. But now everything seemed propitious. So, at about 10 o'clock, the youngsters met at the schoolhouse, three-quarters of a mile distant from their prospective scene of operations, minus Charles Pease, who joined them later. With a light fowling piece, loaded with powder and paper wads, two cow-bells, a tin horn, a fire poker and a stick, they started out for a bit of noisy fun such as "Dick " Pease had often indulged in with them. Arriving within a few rods of the house, William Hamilton took charge of the gun, while two of the boys, carry- ing the other weapons of war, advanced. They climbed the fence back of the house, Hamilton discharged one barrel of the gun, and the music commenced. Fire poker, tin horn and cow-bell went " rattle-te-bang " in the air, against the fence and house. It certainly was not a blissful awakening for a young married couple, but the occupants knew who were making these noisy salutations. The door of the house opened and the boys flew over the fence as only boys on a frolic can fly. They had advanced only a few steps toward where Hamilton and Joel Doubleday stood, when they were startled by the loud report of a gun from behind. But, after consulta- tion, no one was found the wiser, and the party came to the conclusion that it was an innocent " scare." They now noticed that the residence of old Mr. Pease was lighted up, and soon after, Charles Pease, a younger brother of the serenaded, joined the boys in a companionable and

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pleasant manner, but told them they'd better not go to the house any more. But they did go nearer, in order to give their friend Richard the benefit of a few songs, with the tin horn and the cow-bell swung on a string for accompaniment. Joel, aged fourteen, was swinging it with all the ardor of his years, when the string broke, or slipped from his hands, and the bell flew into the air and landed with a terrible racket upon the roof of the house. Joel started to regain the bell. Ham- ilton said, "Considerable noise, that." A man rose from the ground near the house, advanced a few steps toward the latter, said, savagely, " D -n you, I'll give you --! " and discharged his gun full at him. Hamilton fell to the ground pierced with a multitude of large shot in his left side. Joel, who had regained the bell and was standing behind Hamilton, was badly wounded in the arm, and the others barely escaped injury. The man who had accomplished this piece of cruelty returned at once into the house, and, as Charles Pease told the boys that neither Richard nor his father could be prevailed to receive the wounded man, they were obliged to carry him to Mr. Hunt's house, about half a mile east. William Hamilton never spoke a word after being shot, and breathed but once or twice after reaching his shelter.

Mr. Pease was tried for murder at the May term of the Circuit Court, before Judge Keep, convicted of the crime, and sentenced to imprisonment for life.

THE FIRST IN THE STATE.

The Pioneer Festival, which was given in the Montour House December 31, 1858, was truly a pioneer celebration, being the first old settlers' meeting ever held in the State of Wisconsin. Following is the report, which appeared in the Whitewater Register the next morning, and the sentiments are so well put, and so many who participated in the festivities are either living or have been laid to rest in Whitewater, that the report is reproduced entire:

A large crowd assembled at the Montour Honse last evening to participate in the Pioneer Festival. We have no means of judging acenrately of the number present ; but should think 300 would be within the mark. The table was loaded with the choicest delicacies of the season, and in its design was a masterpiece of art. We have never seen a large company who enjoyed themselves more fully. Every department was conducted in the most admirable manner, and the occasion was one of universal hilarity and good feeling. The glee class were in their glory, and never acquitted themselves with greater credit. The tables were set three or four times, and yet some failed to achieve a dinner. The exercises at table were as follows :

Song-" Happy New Year."-Glee Class. REGULAR TOASTS.

1. The Pioneers of Wisconsin, who sought, found and possessed the Promised Land. We are met to-night to do them honor. May their names ever be held in kind remembrance.

" Their hands are hard ; their cheeks are brown ; Their coats are hodden gray ; No courtly phrase hangs on their tongue, No trifle stops their way : Among the stately, stubborn oaks, The ax is ringing clear- The forest falls before the stroke- The Western Pioneer."

Responded to by William Birge in a very happy speech, although he expressed himself as no speech- maker. He said if he was to pioneer a new settlement, he should do so with energy, but he was not prepared to speak. He was glad to see so many of the old veterans present on this interesting occasion, and wished them a happy New Year.

2. The Badger State-The brightest jewel in Old Virginia's early gift. Its setting-the largest of lakes and mightiest of rivers.

Song by the Glee Class-" Our Wild Wisconsin Home."

WISCONSIN. " Why long to visit lands remote, Whose beauties charm the eye ? Where could we find a fairer spot, Beneath a clearer sky ? Aye ! here's a place to live and die, Without a wish to roam ; Our natal spot ; a long good-bye, We've found another home. Then cheerily we'll raise the cry, We never wish to roam, For there's no place like Wisconsin, Our wild Wisconsin home !

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

" And truly, at no distant day, Our home was wild and drear ; The gray wolf hunted for his prey Among the antlered deer. And troops of painted Indians here, With stealthy steps have come, To scalp the hardy pioneer, And spoil his fairest home. But now we fear no danger near, For better days have come, And there's no place like Wisconsin, Our wild Wisconsin home !

" The pathless woods have disappeared ; The prairies wave with green ; And sounds of industry are heard, Throughout our wild domain. Now taste and wealth united reign ; Religion wears her dome ; While busy commerce flows amain, And learning finds a home. Their songs resound, a home we've found Across the ocean's foam ! Oh ! there's no place like Wisconsin, Our wild Wisconsin home !

" Upon our chosen, favorite State, Our warmest blessings rest ; Still rich and prosperous be her fate, The Belle of all the West. Betide what may, we'll love her best, Nor ever seek to roam, And in her broad and fertile breast, We'll find our final home. So here we'll rest ; here end our quest, No more we'll seek to roam, For there's no place like Wisconsin, Our wild Wisconsin home !'

3. Twenty Years Ago-The time when strong hands and willing hearts made for themselves a home in the pathless prairie, and formed the nucleus of fair and flourishing Whitewater.

Prosper Cravath responded, in a most excellent speech, reviewing the scenes and incidents of the early day.

"Home, Sweet Home," on the flute, by Mr. Ainsworth, of New Haven, Conn .- a beautiful thing.

4. Our Working Men-The farmers and mechanics ; the miner and the merchant. Behold the works they have wrought !

Song-" The Song of Labor," by the Glee Class.

5. The Pioneer Women of the West-Leaving comfortable Eastern homes to share with their husbands the toils and dangers of frontier life, they have lived to gather around them the comforts and luxuries of former days.

Judge Baker, of Geneva, was called for ; was not present.

Mr. Sherman M. Booth was called for ; and, after repeated calls, arose and said he had long ago learned one lesson, which was, when a man had nothing to say, he had better say nothing. He thought some of the husbands of the pioneer women ought to respond to that toast.

Mr. D. J. Powers, of Madison, was then called and said, that he had much rather not speak in response, after so many honorable gentlemen had declined to do so ; but rather than see so noble a toast go unresponded, to, he would use his feeble efforts to do justice to the noble band of pioneer women. Ile gave a clear state- ment of the trials and pleasures of that early day, and of the prominent part taken in the settlement of the country by the women. He also gave a history of a ball at Bark Woods, something like twenty years ago, and stated that there were one or two ladies and gentlemen present who were at that ball. The ball opened as balls usually do, some coming on sleds and some on foot. The ball held till morning, and, though he was a strong temperance man, yet he must confess that some of the gentlemen became exceedingly nimble before the ball broke up. This was the first regular ball held in this part of the country.

VOLUNTEER TOASTS.

Our Young Women-Great in any line ; but peculiarly great in crinoline. Flute solo-" What Fairy-like Music," with variations, by Mr. Ainsworth.

By Aug. II. Seoville : Young America-The battery which will yet furnish the successful spark for the Atlantic cable.

Responded to by Edson Kellogg, Esq.

By Aug. HI. Scoville : Agriculture-The first industrial pursuit-the basis of all wealth.

By Rufus Cheney, Jr. : Solomon Juneuu-The founder of our commercial city. Plant the evergreen on his tomb.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Responded to by Rufus Parks, Esq., who paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of his early friend. He had known him in his business connections, in his social connections, and in the family circle, and he could testify to his uniform benevolence, kindness and integrity. He was a friend to the friendless ; was never over- elated with prosperity, and never grew morose under adversity. Mrs. Juneau was a woman bred in the Western wilds : but she possessed a sweetness and affability of temper which was peculiarly refined and pleasant, and she possessed, besides, an unusual degree of intelligence. lle was glad the name of his friend had been mentioned, and he hoped we should bear it in mind.

By C. M. Baker, of Geneva : Whitewater-As I saw her in 1838, and as she is in 1858. Then beautiful, adorned by nature ; now more beautiful, embellished by art.

Song-" My Own Sweet Native Vale," by the Glee Class.

By William Berge : Pioneers of Wisconsin-They fearlessly braved the dangers and hardships to which they were daily exposed, in carving out their homes and paving the way for a dense population, causing the wilderness to bud and blossom as the rose, affording countless blessings to the present and future generations. May they be crowned with long and honorable lives, and the choicest blessings of earth and heaven be theirs.

Responded to by Capt. J. E. Culver, of Milton, who gave a bird's-eye view of the commerce of the lakes in 1835-36, though there was but one house in Racine at that time. He emigrated to this country for perma- nent settlement in 1837.

The First Log House in Whitewater .- Mrs. Tripp was called for, and she, in turn, called upon Hon. Rufus Cheney, Jr., who made a few brief and pertinent remarks.

By D. C. Tripp : 1858-The Memory of the Early Pioneers of Wisconsin, who have departed this life, emigrated to that new country, "not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," already "cleared up" for their occupation.

Responded to in an affecting speech, by Hon. Prosper Cravath, who paid a feeling and becoming tribute to the memory of his departed friends and early companions.

By William Berge : The Glee Singers of Whitewater-The nightingales of the West-for skill and taste in music, none can excell. May their. songs and joys increase in sweetness, as the cycles of time roll on.

Song-" The Shepherd's Pipe," by the Glee Class, with flute accompaniment by Mr. Ainsworth.

By William De Wolf : The Press of Wisconsin.

Responded to in an exceedingly neat speech, by Sherman M. Booth, of Milwaukee.

Song-"Ode to Science," by the house.

Letters were read from Hon. Josiah A. Noonan, of Milwaukee, and Judge David Noggle, of Janesville, who were unable to be present. One was received from Hon. A. D. Smith, of Milwaukee, but too late to be read.

CHARTER ELECTIONS.

During the years 1856-57, the growth of Whitewater was marked. As an example of its prosperity, it is stated by the Register that in May of the latter year as many as one hundred buildings were in course of erection. The outcome of such prosperity was with Whitewater as with other thriving settlements-a cry for a village organization. On March 6, 1858, appeared a call for a public meeting, at Metropolitan Hall, to be held on the evening of that day, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of applying for a village charter. It was signed by Aug. H. Scoville, P. H. Brady, O. Montague, S. C. Hall, William Birge, N. M. Little- john, H. B. Shed, O. Gallt, T. Bassett, Lewis Cook, D. S. Cook, I. C. Day, M. E. Congar, O. Cooley, J. S. Partridge, Joseph McHose, M. P. Mclaughlin, A. Y. Chamberlain, J. Woodhull, J. W. Fuller, J. L. Pratt, Alex. Graham, William W. Card, George Easterly, Edward Barber, W. Cole, H. L. Rann, George G. Williams, R. O'Connor, S. Field, J. M. Crombie, William De Wolf, L. A. Winchester, T. S. Bunner, N. M. Branch, J. L. Pratt, S. M . Billings, Isaac Joslin, L. C. Smith, D. C. Tripp and Daniel Graham. The meeting was held, J. L. Pratt, Chairman. Messrs. A. H. Scoville, N. M. Littlejohn, J. S. Partridge, Warren Cole, Edson Kellogg. R. O'Connor and William De Wolf were appointed a committee to draft a charter. At another gathering, held on the 13th, it was resolved to send the charter to Madison. Al- though a remonstrance was sent in by those who thought Whitewater was going too fast, the bill of incorporation passed the Senate by the latter part of March and was signed by the Gov- ernor. On Tuesday, May 4. the first charter election was held, the Union ticket being success- fnl. N. M. Littlejohn was President of the Board of Trustees, receiving a majority of eighty- eight over R. O'Connor, the Democratic candidate. At the first meeting of the newly-elected board, held May 12, a series of by-laws for the government of the Trustees and the welfare of the village were adopted, the standing committees appointed, books and papers for the proper conducting of a village government ordered and a petition presented by Mr. Scoville from citi- zens owning property on Whitewater street, asking for the construction of a plank sidewalk on the north side of said street, from Second to Janesville street. It may be in the line of historic research and faithfulness to note that this first petition presented to the Board of Trustees of the village of Whitewater, was favorably reported upon at a subsequent session. Hundreds of

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other documents of a like nature from citizens praying for " sidewalk relief " were passed upon with favor. At the next meeting of the board, held on the 18th, the temperance issne was raised-license or no license-and for years it has been at the bottom of many of the local political conflicts which have stirred the village. Mr. Easterly, from the Committee on Licenses, submitted a majority report against granting licenses for the sale of intoxicating liqnors. Mr. Curtice, from the same committee, submitted the minority report. On the heels of these re- ports, J. Van Cott petitioned for a saloon license, and his paper was referred to the proper cus- todian. Of course, Mr. Easterly at the next meeting, reported against his prayer and all others similar to it. Mr. Curtice as promptly favored the granting of the licenses. He and his sup- porters triumphed for the time. Mr. Easterly thereupon resigned at the next meeting of the board, and the would-be saloon-keepers flocked in to the Trustees like hungry birds. Mr. Scoville soon after resigned also. Although "license or no license " was continually agitated, the dan- gers of rebellion, the smoke of battles, the blood of sons and the tears of fathers and mothers, overcast and drenched all other considerations for the next few years. Within a few years past, the issue has been fought over with vigor on both sides. The "no license" party gained the elections of 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1880 and 1881. The vote was very close in 1878, and the license advocates had but forty-seven majority in 1879. The contest in the courts ·commenced over the result of 1878, when Sylvester Hanson was returned as elected President of the Board of Trustees. After a long and skillfully conducted fight on both sides, Mr. Hanson was finally ousted on the ground that the charter amendment extending the time of voting from 4 to 6 o'clock P. M. was unconstitutional, and that enough persons voted after 4 o'clock to change the result of the election.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 89

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 998

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998