Mr. Williams moved that the resolution be laid on the table. Mr. McMichael moved to amend by postponing action thereon, until tomorrow morning. Amendment lost. The original motion prevailed, the resolution was tabled. Mr. McMichael introduced an order authorizing county treasurer to pay over funds to the building committee. Referred to the commit

tee on finance.

Mr. Williams moved to reconsider the vote on the order passed in relation to electing two building commissioners. Motion prevailed. The vote was reconsidered and the order laid on the table.

Mr. Anderson offered a resolution authorizing the building committee to purchase ground for new county buildings. Referred to committee on ways and means.

The committee on ways and means reported

the same back to the board for their action. Mr. McLees moved that the resolution do now

pass. Motion prevailed. The ayes and nays were called for. Those voting in the affirmative were: Anderson, Fox, Hoyt, MeLees, Michelet, Rodgers, Schlong, Sherman, Smith, Snyder, Williams and Wise, 12. Those voting in the negative were: Bennett, Ellefson, Hanson, Jordan, McMichael, Joseph Morgan, H. H. Morgan, Oakes and Powel, 9.

Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Vernon county, that the building committee be and are hereby instructed to negotiate with the proper parties, for seventeen rods, thirteen and a half feet, by thirty-five to fifty rods of ground upon which the new court house and jail shall be located in the west portion of the village of Viroqua, on the site recommended by a special committee of this body and upon the

lands of Mr. Minshall.

On motion, the board adjourned until 7 o'clock P. M. Board met. Called to order by the

chairman.

Mr. Hoyt offered a resolution authorizing the building committee to sell lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, in

block 6, Viroqua. Referred to committee on ways and means.

On motion of Mr. Williams, the board adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Friday, Feb. 13, 1880, 9 o'clock A. M. Board met. Called to order by the chairman. Members all present except Mr. McVey. Journal of yesterday read and approved.

The committee on ways and means made the following report:

Your committee on ways and means, to whom was referred the resolution authorizing the building committee to sell grounds, beg leave to report that they have had the same under consideration and offer the order hereto as a substitute, and recommend its passage.

The report was adopted and the substitute was passed by the following vote. Those voting. in the affirmative were: Anderson, Bennett, Ellefson, Hoyt, Hanson, Jordan, McLees, McMichael, H. H. Morgan, Michelet, Oaks, Powell, Rodg ers, Schlong, Smith and Snyder, 16. Those voting in the negative were: Fox, Joseph Morgan, Sherman, Williams and Wise, 5.

It is hereby ordered and determined, by the county board of supervisors of Vernon county, that the building committee of this board, is hereby authorized and empowered to sell lots. 1, 2, 7 and 8, in block 6, of the original plat of the village of Viroqua, on such terms as shall seem to them for the best interests of the county, and apply the proceeds of such sale or sales, to the payment for the grounds purchased from Edward Minshall and wife, for the location of the new county buildings, and in constructing fences, walks, out houses, cisterns and in planting trees, or otherwise improving the grounds. Upon the committee making such sale, it shall

be the duty of the county clerk, when notified, and requested by the chairman of said committee so to do, to execute to the purchaser or purchasers, good and sufficient warrantee deeds. in the name and on behalf of Vernon county, for the lot or lots so sold.

All moneys arising from such sale or sales, shall be paid over to the building committee who shall render an account for the same to the county board of supervisors.

the chairman of the board of supervisors and countersigned by the clerk, upon the recommendation of the building committee.

The annual session for 1880 began on the

Your committee, to whom was referred the order authorizing the building committee to receive the $23,000 of the trust funds, have had the same under consideration, and respectfully recommend that it do not pass. The report of the committee was adopted. The board refused to pass the order.

Mr. Schlong moved to strike out the words "said committee shall grant bonds in the sum of $50,000" in the resolutions passed by this board in relation to building committee, which motion prevailed.

Mr. Williams offered the following resolution which was adopted under a suspension of

the rules:

Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Vernon county, that chairman of the county board shall have power to fill any vacancy on the building committee caused by the death or resignation of any member of said committee. Mr. Schlong offered a resolution in relation to bonds of building committee.

Mr. McMichael moved that the rules be suspended and the resolution adopted. Mr. Williams moved to amend by striking out the words "Ten thousand" and inserting the words "Twenty-five thousand."

The amendment was lost by the following vote: Affirmative, five; negative, fifteen. Mr. McMichael's motion prevailed, and the resolution adopted as follows:

Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Vernon county, that the members of the building committee be required to give a joint bond for the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of their duties, said committee shall have power to draw orders on the treasurer for the funds in his hands, said orders to be signed by

qua, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen represented the various towns and villages in the county:

Henry Schlong, Bergen; M. N. Hanson, Christiana; H. W. Knapp, Clinton; Ole Anderson, Coon; R. S. Sherman, Forest; H. A. Owen, Franklin; John Carpenter, Genoa ; John Shaughnessy, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg.

Wm. Webster, Harmony; Roger Williams, Hillsborough; William Frazier, Jefferson; Irwin Fox, Kickapoo; Stanley Stout, Liberty; Charles G. Stebbins, Stark; J. M. Vance, Ster

ling; Laor King, Union; E. Powell, Viroqua; R. S. McMichael, village of Viroqua; John Snyder, Webster; H. H. Morgan, Wheatland; Samuel Sloggy, Whitestown.

At this session the bounty upon wolves was raised as follows: On a full grown female wolf, $15, bounty; on $10 bounty; all whelps, $5 bounty. a full grown male wolf,

D. A. Barnard was re-elected to the office of

commissioner of the poor.

The board fixed the salaries of the various county officers as follows: County clerk, $800 per year; treasurer, $800; district attorney, $300; commissioner of poor, $2 per day and eight cents per mile; county superintendent, $3 per day not to exceed $800; clerk of circuit court, $300 and fees; county judge, $500.

Taxes were levied as follows: For State purposes, $12,811.29; for county purposes, $15,871.88; for county school purposes, $3,609. The total assessed valuation of the county at that time was $3,967,970.

On the 15th of November, 1881, the board met again in annual session. J. W. Hoyt, of Hamburg, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following members of the board were present: Henry Schlong, Bergen;

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

The first building used as a court house stood upon the site now occupied by the Masonic Hall in Viroqua. It was erected in 1850 by Moses Decker. This building is fully described in the chapter upon the courts of Vernon county, the first term of circuit court being held in it. This building was used for the purpose of a court house until 1856.

In May, 1854, the board of supervisors of the county expressed themselves as in favor of the erection of a new court house. T. J. De Frees drew the plans and specifications of the proposed building and proposals were advertised for. In July, 1854, the proposition of Samuel McMichael to erect a building 30x38 feet in size, and two stories high, for the sum of $2,100, was accepted.

The erection of the building was at once commenced. It was finished in 1858, having cost somewhat more than the original contract. This building still stands just back of the store of Rogers, Williams & Henry. For several years after its erection it was the finest county building in the sixth judicial circuit. When it

was first built the first floor was divided into six office rooms; later the partitions were taken out, making four rooms. The upper story was occupied by the court room. In 1857 the contract for building a jail was let to Thomas Fretwell, of Viroqua. It was finished in November, 1858, at a cost of $2,060. It stands directly west of the old court house building.

The court house and jail were occupied until November, 1880, when the county offices and records were moved into the new court house, the one now in use.

The present buildings were erected in 1880; the contract for building the court house, jail and sheriff's residence being let for $23,000. The actual cost only overrun this amount $168, and this was paid by the county. The reason

was veneered with brick, while the contract called for a frame building. This made the entire cost of the court house, jail and sheriff's residence $23,168.

The court house is built of stone; about 60x70 feet in size, two stories and basement. In the basement are two large Ruttan furnaces which heat the entire building. There are half a dozen large rooms in the basement which are used for storage purposes; partitions are of massive stone, making a secure support and foundation for the building. The first story is divided into cozy rooms which are occupied by the county officers. The upper story is divided into four rooms-court room, consultation room and two jury rooms. The court room is 42x58 feet in size, neatly furnished and well arranged.

Just southwest of the court house stands the jail and sheriff's residence. The former is of stone; the latter frame, with brick veneering.

The buildings occupy a beautiful square containing about four acres of land, just west of the main part of town.

MATRIMONIAL.

The first marriage that appears on the record books of Vernon county was solemnized on the 16th of May, 1851, more than thirty-two years ago. The contracting parties were Nels Nelson and Martha Olson, and the marriage ceremony was performed by Oliver Langdon, justice of the peace.

It would doubtless be of interest to many to give the record of marriages for the first ten years of the county's existence; but they are too numerous, therefore, only the first four years

are given as taken from the records in the office of the register of deeds.

Samuel Nelson and Sophia Flick, by justice of the peace Orrin Wisel, on Aug. 25, 1851. Job Brown and Mary Ann Davison, by Henry Waters, Esq., on Sept. 10, 1851.

Ingebright Homstead and Sophia Clemetson, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Dec. 20, 1851.