POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN BAD AX COUNTY IN 1856 and 1859.

Viroqua, S. C. Lincoln; Springville Edmund Strang; Bad Ax, Jacob Higgins; Coon Prairie, Cyrus F. Gillett; Harmony, John Raywalt; Warner's Landing, John Warner; Newville, B. S. Moore; Victory, J. C. Berry; De Soto, S. D. Powers; Retreat, Wm. P. Clark; Kickapoo, Robert Wilson; New Brookville, Abram Styles; Avalanche, R. P. Gillett; Weister, Justus Smith. In 1859 the postoffices had increased to twenty-seven with postmasters as follows:

Bad Ax, N. Cady; Bergen, P. A. Bouley; Bloomingdale, C. A. Hunt; Breckenridge, John T. Binkerman; Carvosso, Michael Kellar; Coon Prairie, John Benson; Debello, James Strait; De Soto, S. D. Powers; Goole, J. C. Cooper; Harmony, J. M. McLees; Hillsborough, Daniel Busbee; Hockly, H. Landram; Kickapoo, H. Cameron; Mt. Tabor, J. C. Tabor; New Brookville, A. Stiles; Newville, J. Harris; New Salem, W. R. Reese; Ontario, O. H. Millard; Readstown, Hugh McClaran; Retreat, Wm. P. Clark; Romance, P. N. Shumway; Star, Thomas De Jean; Springville, J. R. Savage; Victory, J. C. Berry; Viroqua (c. h.), S. C. Lincoln; Warner's Landing, John Warner; Weister, Justus Smith.

POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN VERNON COUNTY IN 1883.

Avalanche, August Sweger; Bergen, Nathaniel Cummings; Bloomingdale, E. E. Rustad; Burr, L. E. Eastman; Chaseburg, J. W. Hoyt; Coon Valley, H. Hanson; Debello, Elias Kigley; Dell, D. W. Adams; De Soto, J. H. Rogers;

Esofea, Christian Schriver; Genoa, Mathew Monti; Goole, Giles M. Kile; Hillsborough, I. J. Shear; Kickapoo, L. Kellogg; La Farge, S. W. Green; Liberty, Allen Rusk; Liberty Pole, K. Peterson; Lovass, Christ. Olson; Mt. Tabor, J. J. Malort; Newry, C. Christopherson; Newton, Levi Noble; Ontario, T. L. De Lap; Otter Vale, E. Marshall; Purdy, Ole Gauper; Readstown, E. Bliss; Red Mound, J. Miller; Rest, Hulda B. Stetson; Retreat, J. L. Davis: Rockton, Van S. Bennett; Romance, William Fox; Springville, H. Amundson; Star, C. W. Lawton; Stoddard, Peter Wodvynsky; Sugar Grove, L. C. Drake; Trippville, D. N. Tripp; Valley, D. Lawton; Victory, A. Mueller; Viroqua, R. S. McMichael; Westby, N. H. Nelson; West Prairie, H. Bellows.

CHANGES IN VIROQUA.

[From the Vernon County Censor, July 13, 1870.] When the writer of this article settled in Viroqua, on the 10th of September, 1853, there were but five of the present buildings erected, viz.: The house now occupied by Father Nichols, the one occupied by H. A. Vess, the one occupied by R. S. McMichael, and the one occupied by Mr. Isham. All the others have been built since that time.

The only inhabitants of the village at that time (1853) now (1870) living here are Judge Terhune and wife and their son Leonard, who was then a small baby; Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Lincoln and their daughter Edith, who was then just beginning to run alone; Mrs. Skippens, then the wife of of the late Rufus Dunlap; Warren W. Dunlap, L. R. Decker, Thomas I.

Decker, Mrs. Pennell, then the wifeof the late Daniel Parkinson, and two adopted daughters, who are now the wives of John Norris and C. P. Richardson; Father Nichols, L. W. and M. C. Nichols, and O. C. Weeden. All the other present inhabitants of the village have moved in or been born here since that day.

There were several huge oak trees standing in Main street that were gradually cut down and removed. The hickory trees now (1870) standing in the court house square were crooked saplings, and I went out one day and trimmed them with my knife, and straightened those that were growing crooked. The Lombardy poplar now growing in the court house yard was planted there by Charles Waters, at my request. Mr. Waters is now (1870) one of the oldest settlers in the county, and that tree will be a monument to his memory.

NUMBER OF DWELLINGS IN VERNON COUNTY IN 1870.

Bergen, 147; Christiana, 206; Clinton, 159; Coon, 129; Forest, 118; Franklin, 243; Genoa, 130; Greenwood, 130; Hamburg, 210; Harmony, 142; Hillsborough, 178; Jefferson, 208; Kickapoo, 171; Liberty, 76; Stark, 156; Sterling, 208; Union, 101; Viroqua, 390; Webster, 156; Wheatland, 148; Whitestown, 134.

PERSONAL.

[From the Vernon County Censor, March 23, 1870]

Gen. J. M. Rusk, familiarly known in this county as "Jerry Rusk," is at home again, after an absence of four years. On his arrival in the village, a number of his friends paid their respects to him and bade him welcome home, to show him that he had not been forgotten. He will live in this place (Viroqua) for the future. Since his retirement from the office of bank comptroller he has been the recipient of many words of cheer from his friends, and a large number of the journals of the State have given him flattering endorsements. Among these, we name The State Journal, The Sparta Eagle, The La Crosse Republican, The La Crosse Leader and the Sparta Herald. Such

friendly words are remembered and heartily appreciated by him. And, in the meantime, his star still seems to be in the ascendant.

MARRIED.

[From the Vernon County Censor, Nov. 30, 1870.] In the town of Hamburg, Nov. 21, 1870, by Rev. A. C. Preus, Anders H. Bakken to Petra H. Korstad. In the town of Portland, Monroe county, Nov. 5, 1870, by the same, Martin Evenson to Marie Ericksen. In the town of Viroqua, Nov. 19, 1870, by the same, Lars Christianson Ergenas to Guro I. Burlockken. In the same town, by the same, Nov. 16, 1870, Tosten Evenson to Bertha Marie Amundsdatter. In the same town, by the same, Oct. 20, 1870, Neri Halvorsen to Anne Amundsdatter.

MRS. R. C. BIERCE.

The many friends of Mrs. R. C. Bierce will learn with sorrow that her death from paralysis occurred in Menomonie, on the 25th of July.

On Sunday evening, the 19th, she was sitting in Church by her husband's side, when, without any warning, she was stricken down, lingering until the next Saturday, when, at twenty minutes past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, she passed away without a struggle.

A faithful wife, a devoted mother, an unswerving friend and a steadfast Christian, she has gone to her rest. However peaceful the death of the righteous may be, it leaves an aching void in the hearts of the survivors; but the hopes of a glorious immortality beyond the grave, assuages all sorrow; and that sorrow may be even turned to joy when we reflect that "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Vernon County Censor, Aug. 5, 1874.

HENRY NICHOLS.

[From the Vernon County Censor, July 7, 1875.] Our venerable and esteemed citizen, Mr. Henry Nichols, was a member of a company of trappers operating in the Yellowstone country nearly sixty years ago. The company endured many hardships aud faced perils at every step.

[From the Vernon County Censor, March 29, 1871.]

880

We learn with pain of the death of Hon. Henry Chase, a prominent citizen of this county. He settled on the spot where Chaseburg (named after him) is now situated, eight years ago, and began at once his labors to improve the place. He was indefatigable in his labors; and joined to his energy a spirit of and honest dealing, which won for him the respect and friendship of all. He represented his district in the Assembly in the winter of 1868, discharging his duties well.

open

Last year he was taken dangerously sick of dropsy, but obtained relief, which, however, proved but temporary. Being again attacked the past winter, he went to Sparta to try the effects of the Turkish bath. This, also, failed to afford relief, and he died there last week in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was born in Vermont and was one of ten children, all of whom, except one, visited him at Chaseburg last fall. His is the second death in the family of ten.

MONUMENT ROCK.*

[From the Western Times, Oct. 25, [1856.]

A monument indeed! A monument of nature! How long, old rock, hast thou stood there in all thy stern grandeur? How long hast thou looked down on the inhabitants of this earth, who have passed thee in all their pomp and pride? Had it been possible, would not thy stern, old features have relaxed into a smile of contempt at their self-conceit? How long, old rock, hast thou withstood the scorching suns of

A noted natural curiosity on section 36, in the town of Franklin.

Who

summer and the keen blasts of winter? can tell thy age? Art thou not as old as the "everlasting hills?" When the Creator first divided the sea from the dry land, thou heardst the command to come forth, and thou obeyedto show the wonderful wisdom and power of thy Maker. And long years before the feet of white men pressed the prairie sod, thou wast witness to the midnight revelries of the forest. History has recorded scenes of savage barbarity almost incredible, but hadst thou the power of speech, couldst thou not tell to the awe-struck traveler, who has, perhaps, lingered to gaze upon thy moss-covered sides, a tale, compared with which the mightiest efforts of the pen would be fables? Stand thou there still, old rock, till the end of the creation in which thy Let no impious existence first commenced. hand dare touch thee to profane thy majestic form! Let vain man look up to thee and learn their own nothingness and inferiority!

JAMES R. SAVAGE,

]From the Vernon County Censor, Aug. 30, 1871.]

Died in Springville, Aug. 27, 1871, Mr. James R. Savage, age forty-five years.

Mr. Savage was an old resident of this county, having moved here upwards of twenty years ago. He was widely known and respected, and many of his friends and neighbors attended his funeral on Tuesday of this week. Thus another of the old and respected residents of the county is no more. His loss will be felt in many places, where he has been wont to be a prominent actor.

"THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST."

REPUBLICAN STATE TICKET.

Election, November 3, 1857.

For Governor:

Alexander W. Randall, of Milwaukee.

For Lieutenant Governor:
Carl Shurz, of Jefferson.

For Secretary of State:

John L. V. Thomas, of Rock.

For Treasurer:

Samuel D. Hastings, of Trempealeau.

For Attorney General:
Mortimer M. Jackson, of Iowa.

For Bank Comptroller:

John P. McGregor, of Columbia.

For Superintendent of Public Instruction :
John G. McMynn, of Racine.
For State Prison Commissioner:
E. M. McGraw, of Sheboygan.
For Assemblyman:
William C. McMichael.

REPUBLICAN COUNTY TICKET.

For Sheriff:

Anson K. Burrell.

For Treasurer:

John Gardner.

For Clerk of Circuit Court:

William C. McMichael.

For Clerk of the County Board:
William F. White.

For Register of Deeds:
Daniel P. Allison.
For District Attorney:
Royal C. Bierce.
For County Surveyor:
Greene Spurrier.

For Coroner:

Jeremiah M. Rusk.

In displaying the above ticket at the head of its columns, on the 14th of October, 1857, the editor of the Western Times has a word to say why each candidate on the county ticket should be elected. "Jeremiah M. Rusk," says he, "the candidate for coroner, is now sheriff of the county. He is landlord at the North Star, and everybody knows that they'll get good fare when they call on him. " Jeremiah M. Rusk was elected coroner.

REPUBLICAN STATE TICKET.1881.
For Governor:

Jeremiah M. Rusk, of Vernon.

For Lieutenant-Governor:
Samuel S. Fifield, of Ashland.

For Secretary of State:
E. G. Timme, of Kenosha.
For Treasurer:

E. C. McFetridge, of Dodge.

For Attorney General:

L. F. Frisby, of Washington.
For Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Robert Graham, of Winnebago.

For Railroad Commissioner:

N. P. Haugen, of Pierce.

For Commissioner of Insurance:

Phil L. Spooner, of Dane.

In placing the above ticket at the head of the columns of the Vernon County Censor, the editor says:

"The nominee of the convention for governor, Gen. J. M. Rusk,has been a resident of Vernon county for thirty years and therefore needs no introduction to our people nor to the people of the State, for his record of public life is a part of the record of the State. He served the State two terms as bank comptroller, his district three terms in Congress and his country three years in the army. In every one of these positions he made an honorable record and won the confidence of his people. In Congress he was the trusted friend of Garfield, Blaine and other great leaders, and no man possessed their friendship and confidence in a greater degree.

"Working his way to position from the humblest walks of life, through his own exertions and energy, Gen. Rusk knows the wants of the people. He had not the advantages of a college education, but he had a fund of common sense, which, with his common school education, enabled him to accomplish for his constit. uents while in Congress much that men with more learning could not; and not one measure for the benefit of his constituents failed at his hands.