of men gathered on the banks of the Father of Waters; but time was not altogether harsh, for much that molded the happiness of life in La Crosse in after-years was dropped with no unsparing hand, and was anchored in the memory of days now gone.

The new year was greeted as he made his bow to the millions whose destiny he bore "behind the curtain of futurity," and as he grew in strength and days the history of the Gateway City was celebrated.

The history of La Crosse for 1859, was the duplicate of its history during 1858. The previous experience of her citizens in periods of distress and uncertainties had taught them, and they came forth from their homes and their work-rooms, from their offices and shops, fully armed for contests with the future, like Pallas from the brow of Jove. Many of the old guard have retired to that low green tent whose curtain never outward swings, and, departing, left vacancies that have never since been entirely filled. Many still remain, and they yet remember the principal events of the period here referred to.

Early in the year, the location of the county buildings was determined, and, in February, the county authorities contracted for the erection of a jail to cost $18,000. The decision regarding the location of these buildings was a source of relief to citizens, but of sorrow to editors. For nearly a year the latter had been engaged in a warfare of words as to the exact spot upon which these indispensables should be built. One alleged that the other was a member of a band of conspirators, whose designs were as deeply mysterious as the deliberations of a traverse jury, and wrapped up therein were plots to rob citizens of everything save their good name and reputation, etc., etc. Respondent retorted with sarcasm and reproofs against the withering effects of which postponement seemed infallible, and both agreed that the other should be treated to the fate of Guy Fawkes. When the decision was rendered, their ardor was temporarily chilled. The flank movement of the county officers proved a Waterloo to the fund of arguments each reserved for his opponent. While they were silenced, the people rejoiced, and preparations for the building were consummated. Work was commenced thereon during the spring, under the direction of A. W. Shepard, the contractor, and so assiduously were the labors prosecuted that its completion and occupation were reached on the 12th of the following November, the lower portion being used for jail purposes and the second story for county

offices.

Navigation opened this year on St. Patrick's Day, the 17th of March, and interest in this event was divided with that experienced in regard to the election of city officers. The campaign, though brief, was sharp and decided. The candidates of neither party equaled the requirements of the occasion, it is said, and, in this crisis of affairs, a third or independent candidate in the person of the Hon. James I. Lyndes, a prominent lawyer, and serving as County Judge at the time of his nomination to the Mayoralty. He resigned the latter and entered into the contest with such ardor that his election was conceded, and following, his induction into office was accomplished as provided by law.

The Hon. S. S. Burton was appointed to the vacancy created on the bench by the retirement of Judge Lyndes, and discharged the trust to which he was accredited with fidelity, judgment and economy.

In May, the German Lutheran Church at the northeast corner of Cass and Fifth streets was consecrated, and its construction was in keeping with the times. This year, the improvements were general and of a superior order. Business being good, added an impetus to all degrees of enterprise in which the erection of blocks, residences and buildings for public uses was generally indulged. The season was unprecedentedly cold and unpleasant-so much so as to cause some sickness and delay agriculture. As an incident of the eccentric weather, it may be stated that on the Fourth of July picnickers were obliged to build fires in the woods where they gathered to keep themselves warm.

In June of this year, occurred the death of Mr. Henry Whitney, and one who is to-day remembered as the finest representative and type of the "old school of gentlemen" who had ever resided in the city was removed from the social forces of La Crosse. He was a native of West

field, Mass., and after residing in Southeastern Wisconsin for several years, came with his family to La Crosse.

Mr. Whitney regarded it a privilege for which he was grateful that he had lived at a time when such a man as the immortal Daniel Webster was on earth. On one occasion, some young friend respectfully addressed him as a venerable gentleman, and inquired at what stage of life he had experienced the most happiness. His answer was, "The present." His well-ordered life enabled him to so reply. Mrs. Whitney, a native of Derby, Conn., who was a lady of much refinement, survived her husband until March 9, 1870. Of the family, four sons and two daughters are living. Of the latter, the Rev. Mrs. Hayes (formerly Mrs. F. M. Rublee) resides at West Salem and Mrs. Walter Brown in La Crosse.

On the 9th of August occurred the tragic death of Mr. William Denison, a prominent member of the La Crosse bar, who was killed on the Kneifel farm in Mormon Cooley under the following circumstances: It appears that Mr. Denison, who was extremely fond of the sports of field and turf, was also an ardent admirer of Izaak Walton and the pastime of that historic celebrity. Accompanied by J. R. West, who was visiting in La Crosse, Mr. Denison visited the Cooley and cast his line into a stream which passed through the farm of Jacob Kneifel. The latter was a recent importation, and was informed by his acquaintances-especially a German Justice of the Peace, residing in the neighborhood-that he was legally authorized to resent the intrusion of any stranger upon his lands, if need be, with force and arms.

When Mr. Denison was discovered fishing upon the Kneifel territory, the old man, followed by his wife, three sons, Martin, Franz and Thomas, and two daughters, Agnes and Mary, armed themselves with guns and clubs, and approaching the alleged trespasser ordered him off. This Mr. Denison declined to consider, but crossing to where the family was gathered offered to pay them for the privilege he sought. During the colloquy, one of the girls raised a hop-pole to strike the victim, who witnessed her movements and caught the blow in its descent. At that moment, Martin Kneifel struck Mr. Denison across the side of the head, crushing in the skull, and severing the meingial artery. The unfortunate man was stricken to the earth, and his assassins witnessing the effect of their wicked assault, sought safety in flight. A crowd soon collected, and the dying man was removed to the house of a farmer named Capstack, where he was attended by Dr. McArthur; but, notwithstanding the application of every device known to the science of surgery, he survived the blow but thirty hours.

His remains were brought to the city where the excitement upon his tragic death was extended and violent, and buried, while the Kneifel family were arrested and lodged in jail.

They were jointly indicted and arraigned before Judge Gale at the November term, 1859, of the Circuit Court, at which Messrs. Lyndes & Losey and A. Cameron appeared for the State, the defense being conducted by E. F. Cook and C. K. Lord.

The defense moved for a separate trial and change of venue for Martin Kneifel to Juneau County, which was refused, but decided to send the prisoner to Juneau County for trial.

Accordingly, when the case was reached on the docket of the Circuit Court of that county, the accused, except Martin Kneifel appeared and objected to the order of Judge Gale directing a change of venue. Counsel protested that they had sought no such order for any of the defendants save Martin Kneifel, and were not bound by its issue. Judge Gale decided that he possessed no jurisdiction in the premises, except to the trial of Martin Kneifel, and ordering that to proceed, directed the return to La Crosse of his accomplices.

The trial of the principal resulted in his conviction for manslaughter, and sentence to Waupun for seven years. He served four years when he was pardoned out and returned to La Crosse. Some years after, meeting Mr. W. S. Burroughs, a lawyer of La Crosse, and a relative of the murdered man, Martin stated to him that he had no intention of committing murder, but that he acted from a misapprehension of the facts and his rights. He added that he was about to erect a stone on the spot where the crime was committed, and then leave the country. This he did, having placed a monument, so to speak, on the ground in sight of which the unfortunate gentleman received his death blow, he left the vicinity, and has never since been heard from.

When the family were remitted to La Crosse County for trial, Judge Gale decided that he was without jurisdiction to adjudicate the facts, which he reported to the Supreme Court with an inquiry as to whether the Circuit Court had jurisdiction to try them. That tribunal held that it could take no cognizance of questions brought before it in that manner, and the prisoners were released from custody.

Mr. Denison was, in many respects, a remarkable man. He was a native of Massachusetts, but settled in Neenah, where he engaged in the practice of law, remaining until the California fever of 1849, when he joined a party to journey thither. The adventurers encountered the most terrible experience, and all turned back at various stages of the route, but Denison, who sacrificed everything he had taken with him on the start, and landed in San Francisco shoeless and penniless. Here he remained until a fortune was acquired, when he returned to La Crosse, where he resided to the day of his death. He was a prominent lawyer, an able member of the firm of Denison & Lyndes, and extensively known throughout the State.

It

His manner of conducting any business in hand was not of a conciliatory nature, it is said. In court, as elsewhere, he was aggressive and unyielding. He was slain without reason. was a lamentable event from which time has scarcely succeeded in dispelling asperities.

This year, though still exhibiting signs of depression in nearly all the departments of commercial and financial progress, prosperity opened auspiciously, when the great strain experienced by the people in the preceding two years is considered. Business revived; the Hon. Daniel Wells, Jr., published a notice that he was principal owner of the La Crosse and La Crescent Banks, and would redeem its circulation, and, on November 10, occurred the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Schiller's birthday. Enterprises did not venture into existence with unlimited confidence in the results, and, to borrow from the syllabus of an orator of the times, it was "hard sledging." But in time, migration began to resume a shadow of its former importance, and the railroads, with extended facilities, to attract the trade of a greater extent of territory, roused business men, and infused new energies into corporations that had become almost lifeless from inactivity and embarrassments. The city, within a few short years, began to assume the appearance of a metropolis in the business blocks, halls, churches and other edifices that were slowly completed with the beginning of the succceeding decade. All things considered, the fate of La Crosse, previously held in the balance, possibly inclined in favor of a prosperity that has long since been realized.

In the decade commencing with 1860, the whole country was convulsed by war betweeen the States. And, while this portion of the Union, being remote from the scene of active hostilities, was not so sensibly effected as States in immediate proximity, or at a short distance therefrom, the withdrawal of a generous portion of the bone and sinew of the city and county was a sacrifice at the expense of the material prosperity. The population of the city was then upward of seven thousand, and but little reflection is necessary to an appreciation of the effect on trade, commerce, agriculture and manufactures entailed by requisitions made on its quota of troops made by the Government.

As elsewhere, citizens of Southern politics and sympathies, resided in La Crosse, and while all urged the enforcement of the laws and maintenance of the Union, there were many who differed honestly as to the means to be employed in that behalf. While repudiating the practical application of the resolutions of 1798, they insisted that violations of the Constitution defeated the objects sought to be gained. One class labored for the Constitution and Union, another for the Union with or without the Constitution. This division of sentiment caused interminable disputations, which were characterized by intense feeling on both sides, not altogether obliterated by the lapse of years.

For nearly a year after the war, business is said to have been the reverse of brisk. It was the calm that succeeds the storm. At the expiration of that period, the city again grew rapidly. Trade was extended to remote settlements in Minnesota and the Territories; manufactures increased; public and private improvements began to become prominent in various portions of the city; additional schools were provided for the education of youth; new religious and secular

societies were organized; agricultural interests prospered and increased, and mercantile ventures were vastly benefited; new railroads were incorporated, projected and built during this decade; the bridge and internal improvements of immense value were mooted and provided for. years succeeded one another times became better and better, and, before the dawn of the centennial decade steady progress, with every appearance of ultimate success, was made in the departments essential to municipal, public and private growth, notwithstanding the temporary paralysis of business caused by Black Friday. The year 1870 gave bright promise for the future, and the career to which this was the introductory annual has not entirely failed of a complete fruition of such promise. Hard times have affected La Crosse as they did other points. The failure of Jay Cooke, followed by the panic of 1873, left its mark throughout the Northwest.

During the past ten years, La Crosse has had little to discourage, less to prevent, a full and complete conviction as to her future. In that time, temporal, educational and religious influences, have increased in number, and are established beyond the possibility of failure. Railroad transit has been facilitated, the river trade has kept pace with manufactures, street extensions have been improved, the lumber interests increased, costly buildings have been erected, the fire department has been increased and perfected, and the press-the lever of public morals, public opinion and public prosperity-maintains its high position in promoting the public welfare. To appropriate from the address of the Board of Trade:

Perhaps there are no more important elements conducing to the success of the manufacturer than cheap and easy access to the raw material, with a ready market for the manufactured article; and for both of these advantages La Crosse is favorably located.

In close proximity to the pineries and hardwood forests of the North, the products of which are, by the Mississippi and projected railroads, brought to its door; having continuous and easy access to the mineral regions of Superior; being the center of an extensive and closely-settled agricultural district, intersected by railroads in every direction, and adding to these the fact that, during the season of navigation, the river to La Crosse is at all times navigable by the largest steamboats plying on the Upper Mississippi, thus increasing the facilities for transportation, and exercising an influence on all rail rates, the business men of the city can always rely on having favorable terms.

As regards a market for its products, La Crosse is still more favorably circumstanced. By railroads and fast freight lines it is brought close to the East for such things as tend in that direction, while for others, such as building materials, plows, wagons, farm material. etc., there is a ready market on every side, and to the West has arisen a demand for such goods, which is growing daily. The opening up of Dakota, the completion of the proposed extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern Railways to the Black Hills, and the recent and prospective immense emigration to that region, will create a necessity for all kinds of mining and farming implements and machinery, exceeding the present capacity for supply, and La Crosse, standing as she does in the highway to the West, must naturally obtain a large share of that business.

Another feature which should not be overlooked, is the fact that La Crosse possesses a stable and industrious laboring population, mostly all of whom are small freeholders, having a stake in the city, and a steady supply of labor can thus always be relied on.

An enterprise which cannot fail to pay well in La Crosse is the manufacture of linseed oil and other products of flax; already farmers are turning their attention to raising that crop, and the great success which has attended similar establishments, both in this State and Minnesota, demonstrate that it would be a paying investment.

With the hard wheat raised in Minnesota close at hand, the millers of La Crosse can compete favorably with even the famed mills of that State, and La Crosse brands of flour stand as high in the markets of the world as those of any mill in the Northwest; in this branch of the business there is room for indefinite extension.

The direct access to the cotton-growing districts, afforded by the Mississippi, and the certainty of immediate disposal of the finished article, offer advantages for the manufacture of cotton goods which cannot be overestimated.

Other branches of industry might be mentioned, such as boots and shoes, starch, paper, woolen goods, etc., the materials for which are all available. Added to these there is, within thirty miles of the city, a large tract abounding in iron, which only waits the touch of capital and skill to quicken into useful activity.

The cost of fuel for motive power is another important item for consideration, and no better fuel can be desired than the pine slabs which the numerous saw-mills of the city produce. A series of tests made by a scientific engineer at the instance of one of our large flour millers, showed that in the production of effective power from a given weight of fuel, slabs occupied a position between coal and hard wood, and in the cost necessary to produce that amount of power the slabs were cheaper than either.

That conditions favorable to the successful prosecution of manufactures exist in La Crosse, is proved by the numerous enterprises already existing and prospering. Among these are three flour-mills, aggregating a capacity of 1,200 barrels per day; ten saw-mills, with a combined annual production of 135,000,000 feet, the logs for which the confluence of Black River with the Mississippi at La Crosse float to their booms. Manufactures of plows, separators and other farm machinery, boilers and heavy machinery, wagons, barrels, furniture, cigars, etc., are carried on extensively and with profit. There are also a large tannery, five breweries, three pork-packing establishments, and several of the largest wholesale and jobbing establishments in the Northwest.

The means of locomotion to and from La Crosse are numerous and convenient. It is the terminus of five divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, viz.: The La Crosse Division to Milwaukee and Chicago; the Wisconsin Valley Division, affording an inexhaustible supply of hardwood and tan-bark; the Dubuque Division, running parallel to the river in Minnesota and Iowa, and tapped at various points by branches running westward into Iowa and Dakota; the River Division, running north to St. Paul and Minneapolis, tapped by the Wabasha and Hastings and Dakota branches; the Southern Minnesota Division, stretching through the entire length of Minnesota, and at present about fifty miles into Dakota, and intersected at various points by roads running north beyond the boundary line, and southwest to the Pacific roads at Omaha. La Crosse is also the terminus of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway to Milwaukee and Chicago, and of its St. Paul and Minneapolis Division. The Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad also commences in La Crosse, running 230 miles North and West to Green Bay. The facilities for river traffic are also first-class. A new levee has recently been built at a cost of $60,000 and no city, from the source of the Mississippi to its mouth, has better provision for its river business than La Crosse, the tonnage registered at its custom house being greater than at any point between St. Louis and St. Paul.

La Crosse also possesses an excellent system of water-works and an efficient fire department, thus both lessening the risk of loss by fire and keeping down the rates of insurance.

The social advantages offered by a residence in La Crosse, will compare favorably with those of any other city: the schools have been quoted by educational authorities as models of discipline and thoroughness; there is a public library, containing over 3,000 volumes, in which the citizens take just pride; there are twenty churches, embracing all classes of religious belief, acting together in harmony. The natural drainage afforded by the nature of the soil, supplemented by artificial means, and the summer breezes from the river, make the city a pleasant place of residence: its general health is at all times good, and the rate of mortality extremely low. Having a comparatively small indebtedness, the rate of taxation is proportionately light, and the board would respectfully but earnestly urge upon any one who contemplates embarking in some manufacturing or mercantile enterprise, to pay the city a visit before deciding, with the assurance that they will be cordially welcomed, and every facility afforded for investigating the advantages or disadvantages which it possesses.

The assessed valuation of property in La Crosse, both real and personal, for the year just closed was $3,188,133, and the tax levy 32 mills on the $100, with a city debt on January 1, 1881, of $131,000.

BUSINESS IN 1861.

We present below a carefully taken and prepared list of the business houses of the city of La Crosse, in the year 1861, arranged under the heading of the branch they represented. The list presents a long array of names; and we can safely say that nowhere could a more substantial list of merchants more worthy of public confidence be found.

It is certainly a matter of pride to those who have had the welfare of the city at heart to refer this list, as an example of the rapid growth of the city, which, according to the best recollections of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer citizens, Col. Ebenezer Childs, contained in 1852, only about one hundred and sixteen souls; so that ten years previous to this time, the city was just struggling into infancy, and at this time, 1861, there were in La Crosse nearly three hundred houses representing every branch of industry, and all doing a good business.

Groceries, wholesale and retail.-N. Hintzen, R. B. Sewell, Cone & Fay, Hogan & Bauman, W. H. Leman, G. E. Peterson, Ewe & Hundt, W. H. Lathrop, Gillette & Son, A. Rohl, T. Morris, Bentley & Robinson, A. A. Stevens, M. McHughs, Joseph Fay, John B. Jungen, Hanscome & Farnam, J. Franckle, Dunlop Bros., George Carlton, S. B. Sheldon, James Morrison, J. Q. May, Mons Anderson, Charles B. Solberg, William Blackley, Kevin & Tyne, S. H. Adams, J. Dougherty, J. Spier, Dennis Kelley.

Dry Goods, wholesale and retail.-Dunlop Bros., Mons Anderson, R. B. Sewell, J. T. Van Valkenburg, Gillette & Son, R. I. Johnson, Newman & Cantrovitz, T. Morris, Henderson & Co. Commission.-James K. Lush, Eames & Goodrich, N. Hintzen, H. T. Rumsey, W. H. Lathrop, F. Burgenthall, V. A. Marsh, L. E. Webb, Bradbury, Vincent & Co., Kadish & Barron, Thomas Spence, J. T. Foster, W. H. Leman.

Boots and Shoes.-J. & J. Andrews, J. C. Coomes, H. Heil, William Strauss, J. Clifford, Rodolf Gripp, G. Gorgensen, H, Gesel, Henry Grieve, Garrets, Warlock & Co., H. Erisckson, W. S. Hanscome.

Clothing-Mons Anderson, John Servis, J. Cantrovitz, Henry Schelly, Gutman & Lennon, John Goephert, George Scharpf, John Shilling.

Jewelry.-George E. Stanley, G. W. Morgan, A. Patz, D. C. Osborne, Rose & Brother, F. L. Imer, H. Esperson.