an inch of sand and mud on the side track on the levee, and a gang of men was engaged the next morning in removing the obstruction with shovels. Joseph Bosshard's place, next to the Victor Mill, suffered badly. The ground in front was washed away, and his cellar floor was covered with a conglomeration of mud and sand. C. F. Klein's cellar was also somewhat inunThe dated. Other places suffered likewise from the same cause; but sustained little damage.

most damage done by the lightning was to the spire of the Episcopal Church. It was evidently struck on the east side, the lightning going down the main post next the church, and splitting it very badly, making it incline toward the west. The top was almost entirely shattered into small pieces of wood, and the casing on the south side of the cupola was partially knocked off. The whole tower was so badly shattered that it necessitated its entire reconstruction. As the building was not insured against lightning, the loss will have to be borne by the church. The damage amounted to somewhere between $400 and $500.

The storm considerably troubled the trains, which were nearly all delayed in consequence of the numerous washouts which occurred. The most serious were near the Winona Junction, on both the Chicago & North-Western, and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul roads, where there is a 700 foot washout. A freight train on the North-Western road was ditched. A land-slide occurred near Dresbach, which was the cause of considerable delay to trains. It was said by a passenger on the 2:33 train from the north, which arrived here at 9 o'clock the next morning, to be about eighteen inches deep on the track, and was composed of stones, earth and small trees. Some stones were so large as to require the united strength of two men to remove them. Washouts of a smaller nature were so numerous that trains were necessarily compelled to run very slowly. None of the roads entering this city escaped; but all more or less in trouble, and trains were thrown completely out of regular time. All freight trains were suspended, and passenger trains delayed. The train from the north, due here at midnight, did not arrive until 9 o'clock the next morning, and the train from the east due in the morning was blocked at West Salem, and did not reach the city until afternoon. In all branches of business, and with all sources of communication, trouble, delay, damage and expence was experienced.

Mons Anderson, wholesale and retail dry goods.-This house, now generally recognized to be at the head of the wholesale and retail dry goods trade in the Northwest, is located on the corner of Main and Second streets. In connection with its wholesale and retail business, its extensive millinery, manufacturing and other departments, almost give it the right to be classed as a furnishing house. The building is 120x140 feet, four stories, five floors, airy, cheerful and perfect in every detail, affording every convenience to employe and patron. The basement is used for domestics and full packages; the main floor for retail department; the third floor for carpets and offices; the fourth floor for wholesale dry goods; fifth floor for notions. In 1878, the office building, 18x40 feet, two-story, was built and properly connected with the main building. Although giving employment in this establishment to sixty-seven persons, the character of its head is felt in every member, and order and system prevail throughout. He is ably assisted by his two sons, Alfred H., as buyer and manager of the wholesale department, and Samuel W., book-keeper of the retail department, who are peculiarly fitted for their allotted duties; hence it follows that there is never a lack of efficient co-operation with the chief on all sides.

Charles B. Solberg, wholesale dealer in groceries.-In 1861, Mr. Solberg opened his first stock of groceries, and up to 1870 conducted that branch of business in the Levy Block, when he built on his present site, on the corner of Third and Pearl streets. The building was a three

Their

story brick, 40x80. In 1876, a two-story addition was built on in the rear of the main building, 60x70, which is wholly devoted to the wholesale business, while the first story of the original building is given to the retail trade, the two upper stories being rented for offices, a hall, etc. Mr. Solberg early secured a large amount of the Scandinavian trade, and always doing business in a prompt and strictly honorable manner, he has retained his old customers. indorsement of his character brought him new ones, and his business has gradually increased until it has assumed very large proportions. In 1861, the first year of his business, his sales amounted to $65,000. In 1880, they had increased to $385,000, and for the year 1881, will no doubt foot up $400,000.

J. W. Toms & Co., wholesale dealers in crockery, stoneware and glassware, began business on Front street in La Crosse, in September, 1865, occupying one small room and basement. In 1877, their business demanded more room, and they secured the two stories above their first stand. Three years later they moved to more commodious and larger stores on Main street, but five years ago were compelled to secure still larger quarters, and moved into their present location, No. 36 Main street, where they occupy five floors, 22x80, and have a larger storeroom on the river front contiguous to the C., M. & St. P. R. R. track. They began buying goods directly of the English potters in 1866, and have maintained those relations until two years ago, when the perfection to which American pottery had been brought, and the favorable terms their immense handling enabled them to secure, induced them to rely almost altogether upon domestic manufacture. Their trade has steadily grown until they rank among the largest and best known China houses in the Northwest. Their trade lies largely in Southern Minnesota and Eastern Dakota, but they also cover the western part of Wisconsin and Northern Iowa to a considerable degree.

John Rau & Son, wholesale dealers in crockery, glassware and stoneware. The business of which this is a continuation was established in 1867, in the Block Building on Third street, by Rau Brothers under the firm name of John Rau & Bro. They continued to retail groceries and dry goods until 1869, when, in the "Third street fire" of that year, they were burned out. Phoenix-like, Mr. Rau rose from the fire and established himself in the Esperson Block on Main street. In 1868, he began the erection of his present 80x25 feet stone building, which was completed in 1869. About 1872, his dry goods department was abandoned, and he has since given his whole attention to crockery, groceries and feed, at Nos. 14 and 16 North Third street. In 1880, he opened a wholesale department, and has since established an extensive trade through Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. In 1881, John Rau, Jr., was admitted as partner, and the firm became John Rau & Son. Connected with his store is a frame warehouse, 20x40 feet, and another on Main street of brick, 20x45 feet.

Hogan & Cook, wholesale grocers.-J. J. Hogan, one of the earliest and most prominent of the business men of La Crosse, commenced his career in April, 1859, as a retailer of groceries and supplies for steamers and rafts. Commenced jobbing, in a small way, the second and third year. He remained on Main street six years. In 1864, removed to No. 12 Front street, becoming a partner in the Northwestern Union Packet Company, of which he was the purchasing agent. This company furnished all kinds of supplies for steamers, and, in addition, did a general jobbing business. During the two years of his connection with the house the trade averaged $200,000 per year, having the largest custom as well as variety of goods of any existing establishment. He then opened business at No. 16 Front street, jobbing merchandise and groceries exclusively to raftsmen, and dealing in raft supplies of all kinds. The yearly returns footed up from $125,000 to $150,000. This was the era of high prices, as will be readily seen by reference to the buying prices of a few staples-sugar, 40 cents per pound; coffee, 41 to 43; carbon oil, 75 to 90 cents per gallon; rope, 25 cents per pound; tea, $2.08. In October, 1869, moved to his present quarters, No. Front street, a three-story brick, 25x100, erected at a cost of $7,000. From the basement, goods are received or shipped directly by car or steamer, thus saving all the expense and delay of drayage. In 1868, he became interested with Dr. Chamberlain in pine lands in Clark, Marathon, Chippewa and Jackson Counties. In

1875-76, was engaged in logging on Black River and its tributaries, and brought out 10,000,000 feet of pine. On the last day of 1876, his partner, Dr. Chamberlain was killed by Oscar Wissenger, who was afterward adjudged insane. This occurrence terminated the firm, and, in the spring of 1879, Mr. Hogan resumed business in his former stand, which had been leased in the interval. His trade has been a growing one, and in July, 1880, his brother-in-law, F. P. Cook, became a partner. Sales the last year aggregated a quarter of a million with hopeful promise of increase during the future.

Davis & Medary.-The connection of Mr. Medary with this extensive leather and saddlery house extends back to 1860, when he was employed by Jesse R. Grant, father of ex-President U. S. Grant, who was then its head. In 1862, Mr. Burke became a partner, and the firm name was known as Grant & Burke. It so continued till 1866, when they sold out to Davis, Medary & Hill. During this time the establishment was located at No. Main street, on the site now occupied by Alex Forbes. In 1867, the new firm removed to their present location, No. 12 Pearl street, into a building built expressly for their use, 23x100. In December, 1870, Mr. Hill retired from the firm. In 1872, the new firm added the adjoining building, No. 14, being the same size as No. 12, each having two stories above, all of which are occupied, the two

rooms on the first floor being used for an office and sales rooms, and those above for manufacturing and storage purposes. The present year, 1881, on an adjoining lot, has been built an additional storeroom, erected the same size as those now occupied, 22x100. Of this, forty feet in front will be given up for office purposes and sixty for a store, thus giving them a total of 68x 100 on the first floor, and two stories of 46x100 for storage and manufacturing. Their work consists largely of the making of horse-collars and fly-nets, of which there were turned out of the former one thousand dozen, and of the latter from two to three hundred dozen the past year. To this they have now added the making of riding saddles, which promises to grow into a large business. The firm keep a complete stock of saddlery, hardware, leather and shoe findings.

McCulloch, McCord & Co., wholesale druggists. The large drug house of this firm had its beginning in a small way on the 27th of April, 1852, when Messrs. Howard & Hasting were its proprietors, under the firm name of Howard & Co. This was changed in 1855 to that of S. D. Hastings & Co. The next year Bayme & Wells succeeded. This was followed by the firm of Wells & Parry, and, in 1859 or 1860, by Uriah Parry, Jr. In 1864, the present firm came into possession, and are engaged in wholesaling exclusively, selling only to dealers. Their trade extends the whole length of the the Southern Minnesota Railroad, Chicago & North-Western Railroad, Clinton, Dubuque & Minnesota Railroad, Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad, and branches.

They have an extensive river trade with the counties adjoining the river, and with all that section lying eastward within a radius of 100 miles. Two traveling salesmen are kept constantly employed, one on each side of the river. The rooms occupied include three stories and a basement, on Front street, of 25x100, always well filled, so that it is necessary to use a storage lot in addition, of 50x100. In addition to drugs, paints, glass, etc. The firm make a specialty of oils, and are the sole agents of the Standard Oil Company for the sale of carbon oil, of which 6,000 barrels were disposed of in 1880, to which 2,000 barrels should be added of other oils, the tonnage of this single article alone amounting to 3,200,000 pounds. Adding to this such articles as white-lead, 200,000 pounds, an equal weight in glass, 80,000 pounds of axle grease, etc., a total is soon reached of 5,000,000 pounds shipped by this firm yearly. The two members were employed at the same time in the drug house of John Price, in Milwaukee, both coming to La Crosse in 1864, and at once entering into their present business.

Lloyd & Supplee, wholesale hardware dealers. This firm was composed of Mr. William J. Lloyd and Mr. William W. Supplee. (See biographical sketches.)

Gordon & Manville, wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic wines, liquors, etc., No. 9 Front street. The foundation of this firm was laid in 1858, by Milton M. Morse and Alexander Gordon, who entered into partnership under the firm name of Morse & Co., for the purpose of rectifying whisky, and made their first joint venture in business in the Union Block, State street. The time was very unpropitious for the establishment of any business enterprise, but they exHARDWARE LLOYD & SUPPLEC

perienced a fair measure of success from the start, and, two years later, were in a position to take advantage of the business revival which then began to be manifested. They built and operated the first distillery established in the State, a work which would have been largely increased but for the difficulty of procuring a sufficient local supply of corn, which had often to be supplemented by purchasing in Illinois and Iowa. In 1869, the late James D. Lyndes purchased the interest of Mr. Morse, and, in enlarged premises, the business was prosecuted with increasing success, under the firm name of Gordon & Langdon, till Mr. Langdon's death in 1874, when the present title was adopted, Mr. Manville having acquired Mr. Langdon's interest. The firm now occupies a building built specially for this trade, with all the facilities requisite for the prosecution of an extensive business. The progress and prosperity of the firm has never experienced interruption, has been, in fact cotemperaneous with the growth of the city in which its interests are centered. Its business field covers the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, and the Territory of Dakota, and demands the active services of three traveling agents, including the junior member of the firm. Their stock is large and varied, comprising all the established brands of Kentucky whisky, both free and in bond, together with a full line of foreign wines and brandies, indispensable to a well-organized establishment of the kind.

Issac Tuteur & Son, wholesale liquor dealers. In 1856, Isaac Tuteur commenced a wholesale and retail liquor business on Front street, and conducted this for about two years when he disposed of it and went into the lumber business. He soon afterward established a liquor trade again, and subsequently associated himself with J. B. Jungen, dealing in wholesale liquors and groceries. In 1868, Mr. Tuteur established his present business at No. 13 South