Proceedings of the ... Annual Meeting of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin

Report of Sauk County Historical Society

A meeting for the preliminary organization of this society was held at Baraboo, June 2, 1905. Questions relative to constitution, methods of work, and kindred topics were discussed informally, but definite organization was postponed until the following autumn. At this meeting the following officers were chosen to act until the first annual meeting of the permanent organization:

President — H. E. Cole, Baraboo.

Vice-Presidents-G. J. Seamans, Reedsburg; Mrs. L. A. Brown, Spring Green; Ed. Ochsner, Prairie du Sac. Secretary- A. B. Stout, Baraboo.

Treasurer-J. W. Carow, Baraboo.

Advisory Committee - Mrs. H. E. Cole, G. F. Snyder, V. S. Pease, all of Baraboo.

These officers were instructed to act as nearly as possible in accordance with the constitution recommended by the State Historical Society.

At meetings held in September and October, a permanent organization was effected, and the articles of incorporation filed in the office of the secretary of state at Madison.

Definite reports of work done by members and officers are not now at hand, but as a result of this work many persons have become interested, and the nucleus of a collection gathered. At present this contains some fine specimens of arrow points, axes, celts, pottery, and other Indian relics, together

with books, manuscripts, and articles connected with early pioneer life. The public library board has kindly donated the use of a room in the basement of the city library building for the storage of collections.

Considerable field work has been done by individual members. Mr. V. S. Pease and Mr. H. E. Cole have collected much data relative to the life of the early whites; Mr. Snyder and Mr. Seamans have also contributed valuable data, while the present secretary has during the past year surveyed and fully described some four hundred Indian mounds. The field that opens up as a result of this work, justifies the formation of the society.

During the coming winter a series of four meetings will be held. The first will occur on November 23, when the society will be addressed by Dr. Reuben G. Thwaites on the subject. "The Functions of a Local Historical Society."

A. B. STOUT,

Secretary.

BARABOO, Nov. 8, 1905.

The annual business meeting of the society, postponed from November 23, convened at the home of Mr. H. E. Cole - 12 members voting. The secretary read the minutes of the previous meetings, and made a report of the meetings of board of directors. The treasurer reported the sum of $10.50 on hand.

Propositions for membership were received from A. B. Stout, Roy Langdon, Thurmer Hoggard, J. Van Orden, L. S. Van Orden, Joseph Johnson, F. B. Clark, Willis True, John M. True, and Wm. Toole Jr. of Baraboo; and James Stone and E. C. Gottry of Reedsburg. All were elected.

Mr. J. W. Carow reported that the work of completing and filing the articles of incorporation was finished; the work was accepted and the committee dissolved.

The following resolutions were adopted:

Be it resolved: That the Sauk County Historical Society, having duly filed articles of incorporation in the offices of the secretary of state and

the register of deeds in Sauk County, now proceed to take advantage of the provision in chapter 24 of the laws of Wisconsin for 1898, and become an auxiliary to the State Historical Society; and that the secretary be instructed to file a copy of this resolution in the office of the secretary of the State Historical Society, and take such other steps as may be necessary to perfect such affiliation.

Be it resolved: That this society express its thanks and appreciation to Mr. Harry Thornton, register of deeds of Sauk County, for his kind favor of recording free of any charge the articles of incorporation of the Sauk County Historical Society.

A. B. Stout presented the following amendments: To strike out section 1 of article 2 of the by-laws, as presented by the committee, and substitute the following:

SECTION 1. The fiscal year of this Society shall end October 1, and the annual meeting shall be held at Baraboo within such reasonable time thereafter as the board of directors shall previously determine, but not later than December 1. Due notice shall be given to all the members of the society at least ten days before such meeting is held.

Also to renumber present section 2 of article 2 to section 3, and present section 3 to section 4, and insert the following, to be numbered section 2, article 2 of by-laws :

Section 2. Other meetings known as regular meetings, may be held at such times and at such places as a majority of the board of directors may direct; provided that at least three such meetings shall be held each year, and that due notice shall be given to all members.

The following resolution was also adopted:

Resolved: That the Sauk County Historical Society extend a vote of thanks to Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites for his interest, his valuable suggestions, and especially for his address before the society. That a copy of this resolution be placed in the minutes and forwarded to Dr. Thwaites.

The present officers were unanimously reelected for the coming year.

The meeting stood adjourned.

BARABOO, Nov. 29, 1905.

A. B. STOUT,

Secretary.

Manitowoc and Superior
Societies

The Manitowoc County Historical Association was organized at Manitowoc at meetings held January 13 and February 3, 1906.

The officers are as follows:

President- Hon. Emil Baensch of Manitowoc.

Vice Presidents-H. P. Hamilton of Two Rivers, Dr. L. Falge of Reedsville, and Dr. W. G. Kemper of Manitowoc.

Secretary R. G. Plumb, of Manitowoc.

Treasurer - John Schuette of Manitowoc.

Advisory Committee-J. S. Anderson and Supt. Fred Christianson of Manitowoc, and W. F. Nash of Two Rivers.

The Superior Historical Society was organized in 1902; but interest had lagged until a meeting held January 10, 1906. On January 29, the society was addressed by Hon. Henry E. Legler, one of the curators of the State society, on "Early Exploration in Wisconsin," followed by a talk on the aims and methods of a local historical society and the benefits to be obtained from becoming an auxiliary of the State body. Hon. James Bardon also spoke on "Early Fortifications in Superior." It was unanimously voted to reorganize as an auxiliary to the State society, and the following officers were elected: President-James Bardon.

Vice-President - Philip G. Stratton.
Secretary - Miss Grace O. Edwards.

Treasurer Robert L. Hunter.

Advisory Committee - Albert C. Shong, Edwin F. McCausland, and Mrs. Aad J. Vinje.