USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 116
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While the soldier boys were in the field, the loyal men and women at home were not idle. A large Union League Club was formed in the village of Lodi March 7, 1863, for the purpose of aiding and assisting the Government in its efforts to crush out treason and rebellion. Also at Okee, on the evening of March 17, 1863, a similar club was organized. The call of the Government the latter part of 1863 became very urgent, and to encourage enlistments a large fund was raised, by private subscription, to pay each volunteer from the town the sum of $200. In response to the call then made, J. G. Knappen, Frederick Richard, Charles F. Greenman, John F. Hair, Lucius A. Crosier, Norman Cutler, Cyrus Casper, Joseph Charles, George Phinney, George Donaldson, George Evans, Henry O'Connor, Francis Cole and Henry Dunning were sworn into the service.
At a town meeting, held Tuesday, August 2, 1864, a tax of $4,000 was voted to procure volunteers. On Friday, August 19, another meeting was held, and it was voted to pay each volunteer $200 each, and an additional tax of $3,500 was levied. About this time, G. M. Humphrey began to raise a company, which was soon completed, consisting of 84 men. This was the fourth company raised and was known as Company C, Forty-second Regiment Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, Captain, G. M. Humphrey ; First Lieutenant, Robert Steele; Second Lieutenant, C. M. Bush. Sergeants-Lewis Lyman, Thomas Baltuff, Charles Early, Charles Pigg, H. A. Shaw. Corporals-Frank Church, W. Ryder, J. Chase, G. Keebaugh, A. Chrisler, P. V. M. Pools, M. Cooper, E. Riley. Musicians-E. Richmond, J. B. Quiggle, H. Barnes, H. S. Northrop, D. L. Richmond, G. Davis. Privates-J. Avery, R. H. Brown, A. Bitney, L. J. Burlingame, R. A. Burlingame, J. Burrows, H. D. Crosby, J. W. Chrisler, W. E. Curtis, S. Clements, J. Cole, J. Donalds, M. Donahue, N. C. Densmore, J. Evans, W. Edwards, H. A. Foster, W. D. S. Gardner, H. D. Gamsby, E. Gardner, W. M. Groton, B. Haskins, L. I. Hinds, W. H. Hartson, S. K. Hovey, J. Johnson, H. J. Jenkins. J. Jermore, H. Koch, D. Koch, W. Keebaugh, J. Kuster, J. Lewis, S. M. Lewis, E. Luse, W. Lyman, H. S. Lamb, William Lang, L. McIntyre, G. Mortor, J. McFarland, J. Pagler, P. Proper, C. T. Potter,
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
C. Ring. J. R. Scott, O. P. Stephens, A. E. Stephens, S. L. Scofield. J. Starkson, J. P. Staring, F. Shultz, N. D. Spery, C. L. Stodard, G. T. Thompson, H. L. Turner, H. J. Wall, J. Woodley, S. C. Washburn, O. P. Williams, W. S. West. D. York.
The ladies of the village of Lodi and vicinity formed a Soldiers' Aid Society, November 2, 1864, and Mrs. W. M. Bartholomew was elected President : Mrs. E. B. Wait, Vice- President ; Miss M. A. Lewis, Secretary ; Miss M. A. Palmer, Treasurer ; Mrs. D. Hinds, Mrs. Humphrey, Miss M. Farrell, Mrs. H. Cass, Mrs. J. N. Lewis, Directors. The society rendered much aid to the sick and wounded soldiers.
In 1864, the fifth company was raised ; this was known as Company C, Fiftieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Philander Phinney. In this company, there were from Lodi Frank E. Austin, Joseph M. Bartholomew, John Buchanan, William Cross, Henry Daws, Lewis E. Harris, Anthony Kibbe, John R. Knoles, Charles W. Narracong, Philander Phinney, James W. Rathbun, Henry Schlosser, Edward Beynow and Ira A. Sodders. .
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
Pursuant to call the old settlers of Lodi and vicinity met at Eaton's Hall on Monday evening, March 22, 1880, for the purpose of organizing an " Old Settlers' Society." G. M. Bartholomew was chosen Chairman and John Foote, Secretary. On behalf of a committee appointed at a previous meeting. J. O. Eaton presented a draft of a constitution for such a society, which was read, and, on motion, adopted and signed by most of the early settlers present. The following persons were then chosen permanent officers of the society : President, G. M. Bartholomew; Vice Presidents, James Wilson and J. O. Eaton ; Secretary, John Foote : Treasurer, J. B. Dwinnell.
CONSTITUTION.
WHEREAS, It has become customary in all well-regulated communities, to form associations of the early settlers, therefore, the undersigned, residents of Lodi and vicinity, do hereby unite in such an organization and adopt the following constitution :
ARTICLE I .- This Association shall be known as the Old Settlers' Club of Lodi, Wis- consin.
ART. II .- Its object shall be to encourage friendship, by holding a social meeting at least once in each year, and to place on record incidents that heretofore have, or hereafter may occur. which will be of interest to future generations ..
ART. III .- The officers of this Club shall consist of a President, Two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer, who shall hold their offices for one year and until their successors are chosen.
ART. IV .- The officers of the Club shall be chosen by ballot.
ART. V .- The officers of this Club shall perform the duties usually appertaining to their respective offices, to call all meetings of the Club, and the Secretary, in addition to the usual duties of his office, shall record any incident worthy of record, that may be related by any member of the Club, at a regular meeting thereof.
ART. V.I -- Any person who, at the time of signing, has resided in the vicinity of Lodi. Wisconsin, for the term of twenty years, may become a member of this Club on the payment of twenty-five cents and signing this constitution.
ART. VII .- This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club, by a vote of a majority of the members present.
At the first meeting, the constitution was signed, with the date of their arrival in the vicinity of Lodi, by G. M. Bartholomew. April, 1845: W. G. Simons, July, 1847 ; Freedom Simons, October, 1842 : James Wilson, July 14, 1842; Robert Wilson, July 14, 1842 ; James Crowder, January, 1845; Robert N. Bartholomew, June, 1845; John Foote, June, 1846 ; W. Dunlap. 1846: James H. Strangeway, 1848: John B. Tabor, 1847; Edgar Richmond, 1856: Henry W. Clugston, 1858: W. M. Bartholomew, 1849; J. O. Eaton, 1848; J. B.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Dwinnell, 1850 : William Goldspohn, 1850: George F. Clemans, 1852; George T. Simons, 1846. The following comprises the town officers from the organization of the town to the present time :
1849-Marston C. Bartholomew, Chairman; William H. McIntosh, Ira Polley, Super- visors ; James O. Eaton, Clerk : Timothy S. Wells, Treasurer ; William G. Simons, Assessor : John Foote, School Superintendent.
1850 -- Marston C. Bartholomew, Chairman : William H. McIntosh, William G. Simons, Supervisors : Earl C. Tuller, Clerk : William M. Bartholomew, Treasurer : George M. Bartholomew, Assessor ; William M. Bartholomew, School Superintendent.
1851-George M. Bartholomew, Chairman ; James McCloud, William B. Partridge. Supervisors : John Foote, Clerk : L. D. Barnes, Treasurer : Robert Hopkins, Assessor : Will- iam M. Bartholomew, School Superintendent.
1852-G. M. Bartholomew, Chairman: W. G. Simons, William Rogers, Supervisors ; John Foote, Clerk : T. S. Wells, Treasurer: William H. McIntosh, Assessor; Jeremy Bradley, School Superintendent.
1853-W. G. Simons, Chairman : Jacob Herley, Herman Veeder, Supervisors ; James Barnes, Clerk : John Foote, Treasurer : Nathaniel Goodall, Assessor ; John B. Dwinnell, School Superintendent.
1854-William H. McIntosh, Chairman : Jacob Herley, Robert Hopkins, Supervisors : George Frissell, Clerk ; John Foote, Treasurer: G. T. Long, Nathaniel Goodall, Assessors ; J. B. Dwinnell, School Superintendent.
1855-M. C. Bartholomew, Chairman ; William H. McIntosh, Robert Hopkins, Super- visors : George Frissell, Clerk ; W. G. Simons, Treasurer : N. Goodall, James Barnes, Assess- ors : John Foote, School Superintendent.
1856-John B. Dwinnell, Chairman ; Stephen Lewis, Aratus Bailey, Supervisors; G. C. Cleghorn, Clerk ; William Dunlap, Treasurer; Edward Nichols, Assessor; John A. Young, School Superintendent.
1857-W. G. Simons, Chairman ; Adam Shoneberger, W. H. McIntosh, Supervisors ; G. C. Cleghorn, Clerk ; W. B. Partridge, Treasurer; W. L. Wells, Assessor; Edward Nichols, School Superintendent.
1858-John B. Dwinnell, Chairman ; S. B. Thomas, W. H. McIntosh, Supervisors ; Alpheus W. Baker, Clerk ; W. B. Partridge, Treasurer : John Foote, Assessor : Edward Nichols, School Superintendent.
1859-W. N. Baker, Chairman : Darius Kingsley, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors : Alpheus W. Baker, Clerk : William B. Partridge, Treasurer : John Foote, William L. Wells, Assessors : John A. Young, School Superintendent.
1860-W. N. Baker, Chairman ; Darius Kingsley, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors : Edward Nichols, Clerk ; William B. Partridge, Treasurer : John Foote, William L. Wells, Assessors ; John A. Young, School Superintendent.
1861-W. N. Baker, Chairman ; A. Burlingame, Danford Pratt, Supervisors ; Edward Nichols, Clerk ; William B. Partridge, Treasurer; M. C. Bartholomew, Assessor ; Miles G. Todd, School Superintendent.
1862-William Dunlap, Chairman : D. Pratt, Thomas Albiston, Supervisors ; A. W. Baker, Clerk : William B Partridge. Treasurer ; Joel Pruyn. Assessor.
1863 -- John B. Dwinell, Chairman : Pliny H. Gunnison, Job Collin, Supervisors ; IIenry L. Bancroft, Clerk : Thomas Yule, Treasurer : Sylvester Reynolds, Edward Nichols, Assessors.
1864 -- Jonas Narracong, Chairman ; Joch Pruyn, Danford Pratt, Supervisors : H. L. Ban- roft, Clerk; Thomas Yule, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1865-William Dunlap, Chairman ; J. C. Mosher, Danford Pratt, Supervisors : H. L. Bancroft, Clerk ; Thomas Yule, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew. E. Nichols, Assessors.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1866-J. Narracong, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, W. M. Bartholomew, Supervisors ; Edward Nichols, Clerk ; Thomas Yule, Treasurer ; W. L. Wells, Assessor.
1867-William M. Bartholomew, Chairman : W. G. Simons, William Dunlap, Supervi- sors ; T. D. Bahn, Clerk : Robert Travis, Treasurer : J. B. Dwinell, J. C. Mosher, Assessors.
1868-Joel Pruyn, Chairman : James Wilson, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors ; Theodore D. Bahn, Clerk : R. S. Travis, Treasurer : W. L. Wells, H. N. Cowen, William H. MeIntosh, Assessors.
1869-Joel Pruyn, Chairman : William H. MeIntosh, Daniel Rickelson, Supervisors ; T. D. Bahn, Clerk; H. Burroughs, Treasurer ; W. L. Wells, Assessor.
18.0-Joel Pruyn, Chairman ; James Wilson, M. C. Bartholomew, Supervisors ; H. L. Bancroft, Clerk ; Hiram Burroughs, Treasurer ; W. L. Wells, Assessor.
1871-Joel Pruyn, Chairman ; James Wilson, Samuel Stahl, Supervisors ; E. W. Gardner. Clerk ; Hiram Burroughs, Treasurer; W. L. Wells, Assessor.
1872-Addison Eaton, Chairman ; James Wilson, John B. Dwinnell, Supervisors : Horace M. Ayer, Clerk ; Henry L. Bancroft, Treasurer ; John Foote, Assessor.
1873 -- Addison Eaton, Chairman ; James Wilson, William L. Wells, Supervisors ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk; H. L. Baneroft, Treasurer ; John B. Dwinnell, H. M. Ayer, Assessors.
1874-Addison Eaton, Chairman ; P. S. Kingsley, Charles Goodall, Supervisors; H. M. Ayer, Clerk ; Henry L. Bancroft, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1875-James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors ; H. M. Ayer, Clerk : John Yule, Treasurer; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1876-James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Aaron Burlingame, Supervisors ; HI. M. Ayer. ('lerk ; John Yule, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1877-James Wilson, Jr., Chairman ; Charles Goodall, Danford Pratt, Supervisors ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk ; Orrin Rice, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1878-Charles Goodall, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, Sylvester Reynolds, Supervisors ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk : R. W. Mills, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
1879-Charles Goodall, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, John Brownrigg, Supervisors ; J. M. Bartholomew, Clerk ; John Yule, Treasurer ; John Foote, Assessor.
1880-James Wilson, Chairman ; Danford Pratt, John Brownrigg, Supervisors ; J. M. Bartholomew. Clerk ; E. W. Gardner, Treasurer ; W. M. Bartholomew, Assessor.
VILLAGE OF LODI.
In the summer of 1845, Isaac H. Palmer made a trip through the southwest portion of Columbia County in search of a suitable place on which to locate, and where he could, in time, be surrounded by a thriving village. He found the greater part of the choice Government land had been taken up by speculators, but Section 27, Township 10, Range 8, was yet subject to entry, and there being a fine water-power, he determined here to set his stakes. On the 6th day of February. 1846, at the land office in Mineral Point, he entered the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of this section, and on the 17th day of March, 1846, he entered the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter. On the 2d day of April, 1846, he entered, in the name of G. D. Palmer, the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter. He also entered the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, August 12, 1847, which he transferred to James MeCloud, who had built a house upon the same some time previous. Again, on the 14th day of February, 1848, he entered the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, making a total of five quarters, four of which he retained for his own use, and upon a portion of which he after- ward laid out the village.
About the 1st of April, 1846, Mr. Palmer came and at onee commenced getting out timber for a saw-mill, and preparing to erect a log house for his family. The saw-mill was completed and in running order by fall; the house was ready for occupancy, and his family moved in June of the same year, being the first actual settler within what was afterward made the village limits.
Hugh Jamieson
POYNETTE.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
In the year 1847, Mr. Palmer, ambitiously intent on developing the resources of the place, and informing the outside world of its existence, applied to the Government for an established mail route through here, and also submitted to the Legislature a memorial praying for ferry accommodations on the Wisconsin River. Both petitions were granted. A charter was obtained for Chester Matson for a ferry on Section 1. This was indispensable, on account of a much-needed road from Madison to Baraboo, by way of Lodi.
The post office was established, and I. H. Palmer appointed Postmaster, his commission dating April 17, 1848, the office being opened in July following. Until he obtained a mail- bag, Mr. Palmer carried the mail from Clark's Corners in his hat, delivering the same at the residence of those for whom it was intended. The second quarter, E. C. Tuller was employed to carry the mail, Mr. Palmer agreeing to make up the amount of his wages over postage received during the time he was employed. The total receipts of the office for the first quarter was $1.62; second quarter, $3,24 ; third quarter, $6.59. In April, 1849, Mr. Palmer resigned the office, and James O. Eaton appointed, and held the office until 1853, when H. M. Ayer was appointed, and held the office during the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan. On the election of Abraham Lincoln for the first term, a meeting was called by the Republican Town Committee of Lodi, to be held January 26, 1861, to express their choice for Postmaster. The meeting was accordingly held, and, on the first formal ballot, James O. Eaton received seventy- nine votes and William Merryman forty-eight. Mr. Eaton was accordingly recommended and duly commissioned. He held the office until 1867, and, having received an appointment in another and more lucrative position, he could not attend to the business of the office, and Robert Travis succeeded him, and continued till January, 1875, when H. R. Eaton was appointed. In 1868, the office was made a money-order office. The first order drawn was October 28, 1868, Duke W. Rogers, of Okee, remitter, and Joshua W. Rogers, payee, of Williamsport, for the sum of $50. Mr. Rogers also drew the second order, in favor of the same party, and for the sum of $45. The first order paid was December 21, 1868, to John B. Dwinnell, and drawn by Simeon Wood, Tomah, Wis. From October 28, 1868, to October 28, 1869, were issued 618 orders, amounting to $16,135.28, for which fees were paid amounting to $101.80. Amount of orders paid for the same period. $2,124.40. In 1879, were issued 2,661 orders, amounting to $35,175.74, on which fees were paid of $295.92. Number of order paid during the same time, 308, amounting to $5,016.92.
On the 25th day of June, 1848, the first plat of the village of Lodi was recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, at Portage City, by I. H. Palmer, consisting of a part of the south- east quarter of Section 27. Various additions were afterward made, consisting of two by Mr. Palmer, three by James McCloud and one by John Foote. Inducements were held out by the original owner of the village plat to secure the settlement now of representatives of the various trades. A building was commenced by him in the fall designed for a store, and in November of that year, James O. Eaton came out, looked at the location, and an offer was made to him to open a stock of general merchandise in the building then being erected. Mr. Eaton told the proprietor that he would let him know within two weeks whether he would accept his offer. The time having expired without his receiving any information from Eaton, the building was let to Thomas & Pinney, a couple of young men then doing business at Hanchetville, Dane County. It was the fault of the mails that Palmer did not hear from Eaton, as the latter had sent a letter notifying him that he accepted his offer and would be there in a few days with a stock of goods. In coming to this place, Eaton passed through Hanchetville and there learned that Thomas & Pinney expected to occupy the building he supposed was intended for him. Mr. Pinney, learn- ing Eaton's intention, a race was improvised by the two for Lodi, but the old proverb was here exemplified, " The more haste the less speed," and both got lost on a snow-covered prairie and were compelled to hire a cutter and ride into the village together. On referring the matter to Palmer, he decided the last contract was binding; that Thomas & Pinney were entitled to the house. As an inducement to Eaton to locate he offered him a choice of any unoccupied lot, which offer was accepted, and on Monday morning (it being Saturday night when they arrived),
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
the building was commenced, and by Saturday night following it was completed and occupied by the owner. The formal opening of the store occurred Monday, December 18, 1848, but goods were sold the Saturday previous.
It must not be thought that Lodi could thrive without its village blacksmith-shop, there- fore on Main street, on land given for that purpose, Reuben Ring built his shop in 1848. This Ring was a bachelor, and it would appear from tradition was an object of some solicitude from the fair matrons and maidens in the vicinity. Says an early writer: "The Smith with an end- less name, although he had outgrown the verdancy of youth, failed to profit by the lessons of wisdom years should have taught him. He stole-stole the heart of, alas(s) !- Sophironia Bunker, and we suppose she stole likewise, for the two were fettered in the bonds of matrimony, being the first couple united in the village, thereby establishing a precedent which others were not slow to follow, for you know ' One sheep goes over the pasture wall, and others follow after.' They got married. Yea, and they were serenaded also. But how shall we describe that ' charivari '-that majestic inauguration of holiday occasions-where the combination of musi- cal instruments displayed an uniqueness of design inimitable by ancient or modern Jubal ; where swine, upon a slight pinch, gave protracting squeals, long, deep and dire, evincing a total lack of sympathy in the joyousness of the occasion ; while poultry, cats, cow-bells, and rustic fiddles came on in the double chorus with a stupendous volume of sound, worthy to be a prelude to the Boston jubilee. Here I will say it was not at the wedding just referred to that ' the bridegroom treated the guests to small pieces of stick cinnamon each, though such an exhibi- tion of generosity did actually once occur at a bridal scene. Ah, well, that was the day of small things, which we are recommended not to despise. And, doubtless, the delicate bark from that tree, whose aroma lades the breeze that blows soft o'er Ceylon's isle, was more accept- able to the uneducated tastes of that company than to 'Measure their cups of ale, draining the oaken pail.' "
The first " Knight of the Awl" to open his shop in the place was Mandras Randall, who, in 1848, made known to all the people around, that he would attend to their soles, or, in other words, he would manufacture, of as good leather as could be obtained, boots and shoes for all who would give him their order. He was succeeded by Mr. O'Hara, who was drowned in the mill- pond in the village. Having no friend or relative in the vicinity, he was buried by the authori- ties here.
W. E. Carthart was the first M. D. to advertise his ability "to cure all the ills that flesh is heir to," but it appears, from the records of that early day, the people were too perverse to get sick for the purpose of affording employment to a doctor, however great his skill. With hope deferred, he waited till his heart grew sick, and he left for more unhealthy parts. Says the writer already quoted : "In his wake, at brief intervals, one by one, came a whole faculty of medical men-Ingalls, Warren, Lake, Heath and others, men whose pill boxes, we'll venture, contained no atomized, homœopathic dose, to tickle the epicurean taste, but the concentrated, double-refined extract of marah, under the effects of which, the repentent patient assents unqualified to the theological dogma, 'In the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity,' for you remember the fogyish, foregone conclusion, almost invariably acted upon in those days, 'I think the patient will do well to take a dose of calomel.' However, the grateful survived, with a few exceptions, the visits of these wandering stars; these Israelites in the wilderness, longing for the fleshi-pots of Egypt."
" It is appointed unto man once to die," and death is ever nigh, ready to snatch a victim here and there. On the 17th day of July, 1849, Herbert Edward, son of J. O. and M. M. Eaton, was called away, and he was laid in the cold and silent tomb-the first death in the village.
The first celebration of Independence Day was held Saturday, July 3, 1852; the Fourth occurring upon Sunday. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon. The officers of the day were Isaac H. Palmer, President ; G. M. Bartholemew and John Sloan, Vice Presidents ; John Ingalls, Marshal ; E. D. Steel, Reader of the Declaration of Independence ; Rev. J. N. Lewis, Orator ; Rev. E. S. Bunce, Chaplain. . At 1 o'clock, a dinner was served by J. O. Eaton,
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
near his hotel. Everything passed off in a highly satisfactory manner, without an accident to mar the occasion ; but not so on the 4th of July following. Albert Eells, son of Joseph Eells, had charge of the cannon, which exploding, he was struck by a fragment and instantly killed.
The first lawyer in the village was L. A. Ellis, who, in 1854, came and remained two years. He was succeeded by R. Lindsay, who came to the village in 1858. For twenty-two years, Mr. Lindsay has occupied the same premises for an office, the same first occupied by Mr. Ellis.
Lodi in 1852 .- Rev. J. N. Lewis, a pioneer missionary of the Presbyterian Church, who located here in the spring of 1852, thus speaks of Lodi and vicinity : "Here are groves of all sizes, free of bushes, bearing a striking resemblance to orchards, and, in spite of our knowledge to the contrary, deluding us, for the moment, that they are really such, are scattered everywhere in the valleys, on the hillsides and on the summits. The admirer of nature will here find that she has arrayed herself in superlative attractions, as on some bright, summer day, he looks over this landscape from the hills, or rides through these valleys-not a line or course in all the bounding surface is jagged, while the waving grain and flowery hues of the prairies, and the herds of cattle grazing thereon, remind him of the happy valley of Rasselas. The town of Lodi lies principally in this basin, and embosomed among the hills at the intersection of the main valleys, on a small stream, is the recent and thriving little village of the same name- a retired spot, and but little known, because the thoroughfare from the capital westward at present, pass north and south of it. We could wish, on many accounts, that it might remain so (though we are threatened with a railroad soon), since the beauty of its location, the abun- dance of water power, and the fertility of the surrounding country, will command a growth sufficiently rapid for its moral healthfulness, and let it be forever small, rather than be crowded with such a population as the rapidly growing villages of the West are often composed of. Better it is for a place to start with a good moral influence, and to secure a good moral reputation, than to have a reputation for mere business and money-making. We can afford to spare the loose and low population, which might otherwise be crowded in here, and we hope soon that the sight of church steeples, and the sound of the Sabbath bell, which summon the good to the temple of God, will warn and scare away whatever of moral trash which has found its way to this quiet retreat. A period of four years has, despite of its retired situation, built up a cluster of about thirty dwelling-houses, several stores, a tavern, two good flouring-mills, which are crowded beyond their capacity with custom work from the vicinity, a saw-mill and mechanics of all kinds. Much water-power remains still unemployed. We have three organized churches-Presbyte- rian, Baptist and Methodist, and preaching every Sabbath in a large and convenient place of worship, by clergymen of each of these denominations, an excellent school, a temperance organization, which now, indeed, needs resuscitation, and more energy, though its friends are numerous. We hope that, without any feelings of selfishness, or any bias from any self-interest, we may recommend this place to persons who are intending to remove to this State. The population is mostly free from the foreign element found in almost every town else- where-the country is so much settled by native-born Americans, that doubtless this will always be its character. Society is of the Eastern tone, and we trust we have among us enough of the salt of the earth, to give controlling influence to it, and shape it to permanent morality. As to secular advantages, they are not lacking. Cultivated farms can be purchased at $8 or $6 per acre. A large quantity of land in the hands of speculators, eager to get rid of it, supplied well with wood and water, can be bought for $4 or $5 per acre, farms well adapted for raising grain or stock. Weare well situated in respect to markets, having always, in fact, the choice of four or five. Being near the Wisconsin River, we can send our produce to the pineries on the same stream at the north, or by the Mississippi to Minnesota, or to Galena and St. Louis on the south, or by way of Portage, through the canal to Green Bay ; or by railroad, nearly completed, both from Milwaukee and Chicago to Madison ; we can have intercourse summer and winter with the seaboard. During the past winter, the Rock River Railroad Company have surveyed & route from Janesville, through Madison and this place, to Baraboo, beyond the Wisconsin River, with the intention of extending it to Minnesota."
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