which Judge Collins had been elected, which expired December 31, 1860. On the 3d of April, 1860, Judge Orton was elected for a full term of six years, but he resigned January 28, 1865, when Alva Stewart was appointed to hold until the next April election. In April, 1865, Judge Stewart was elected to fill out the full term of Judge Orton, which he did, and in April, 1866, he was again elected, but this time for a full term of six years, which began January 1, 1867, and ended at the close of the year 1872. In April of this year, he was re-elected for a second term. However, on the 2d of April, 1877, upon the increase of the Ninth Circuit by the addition of Juneau, Adams and Marquette Counties, Judge Stewart resigned, but was appointed on the 5th of the same month as his own successor to fill out his full term. In April, 1878, he was reelected for another full term, which will close December 31, 1884.

COUNTY JUDGES.

On the 11th of March, 1844, the qualified electors of Sauk Prairie Precinct, which then embraced, together with other territory, all that now contained in Sauk County (then belonging to Dane County, for judicial purposes), came together and cast their ballots for a complete set of county officers, including Probate Judge. This office Prescott Brigham* was chosen to fill. In the fall (September 23) of the same year, the county having been organized and another election precinct (Baraboo) created, a second election took place in pursuance of the provisions of the organic act. Lorrin Cowles,* father of Dr. Charles Cowles, of Baraboo, was elected to the office of Probate Judge. It is the belief of an old settler that Judge Cowles' successor was George Cargel. Maj. W. H. Clark* was then elected to the office, and, at the expiration of his term, he was succeeded in 1849 by James M. Clark, who was re-elected. Judge Clark resigned before his second term of office expired, and R. G. Camp* was appointed to fill the vacancy. E. G. Wheeler was chosen to the position in 1853, and served till 1857, when S. S. Barlow was elected as his successor. John B. Quimby succeeded to the office in 1861, and, being re-elected in 1865, retired in favor of C. C. Remington in 1869. Judge Remington resigned the position in 1872, and John Barker was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy. James W. Lusk was elected in 1873, and Giles Stevens, the present incumbent, in 1877.

In the early history of "Old Sauk," County Judges (by which title these dignitaries are now most generally known) had jurisdiction, as now, over probate matters only. Early in the fifties, an act was passed by the Legislature giving them jurisdiction also over civil cases. law was subsequently repealed.

This

The "oldest inhabitant" recalls some pleasant memories of the individuals who have served the people of Sauk County in this capacity. He recalls their characteristics, their manner and their dignified bearing. Judge Cowles (who is entitled to the distinction of having been the first County Judge in Sauk County, after its organization), he remembers as a sturdy, honest old farmer, and likewise Judge Cargel; both fully competent to handle the affairs of the office at that date. Maj. Clark was a native of Madison County, N. Y. A graduate of Hamilton College, he was a fine scholar and an able lawyer. On account of his skill in his profession and his ability in the Legislature (he having been a member of one of the Territorial Legislatures), he came to be known as the "Lion of Sauk." An amusing incident is related concerning the Judge, who, being engaged in the prosecution of a case of theft, in which the prisoner was charged with having stolen a light wagon, replied to the Latin phrase, falsus in uno, falsus in omnibust, used by counsel for defense, by saying, sotto voce, "Yes, a man that will lie about a one-horse wagon will lie about an omnibus.'

Judge James M. Clark was a graduate of an eastern law school. He was a sociable gentleman, thoroughly competent. He went from here to Tennessee, and later removed to Greeley, Colo., where he now lives. Judge Wheeler, now of Sioux Falls, Dak., bore his honors easy and had the confidence of the people. His successor, Judge Barlow, made a good Judge.

* Dead.

False in one, false in all.

He has also distinguished himself as District Attorney, member of the Assembly several terms, and Attorney General of the State. Judge Remington was a man of strong convictions, and, like most men of mark, had some enemies. Judge Lusk holds a high position among the leading barristers of the State as a gentleman endowed with superior legal attainments. He filled the office of County Judge with credit both to himself and to the people. Judge Stevens, the present amiable incumbent of the office, is well read in his profession, has a clear legal mind, and is regarded as a correct and conscientious official.

POLITICAL PARTIES IN SAUK COUNTY.

For the past twenty-four years, Sauk County has been largely Republican. Prior to 1856 and subsequent to the organization of the county in 1844, it was under Democratic rule. The change of front came in November, 1856, at the Presidential baptism of the Republican party. As an index to the political complexion of the county for the past thirty-two years, the following figures will be interesting:

158.

1848-Zachary Taylor, W., 149; Martin Van Buren, F. S., 139; Lewis Cass, D., 1852-Franklin Pierce, D., 681; Winfield Scott, W., 622; John P. Hale, F. S., 156. 1856-John C. Fremont, R., 2,014; James Buchanan, D., 993; Millard Fillmore, A., 4 1860-Abraham Lincoln, R., 2,309; Stephen A. Douglas, D., 985; John Bell, U., 2. 1864-Abraham Lincoln, R., 2,076; George B. McClellan, D., 985. 1868-Ulysses S. Grant, R., 3,262; Horatio Seymour, D., 1,366. 1872-Ulysses S. Grant, R., 2,702; Horace Greeley, L., 1,354.

1876-Rutherford B. Hayes, R., 3,395; Samuel J. Tilden, D., 2,201; Cooper, G., 16.

CHAPTER III.

LOCATING THE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSES-RAILROADS-AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES, SOIL, ETC.-SAUK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-BLOOD CATTLE-STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION--DAIRYING-STATISTICAL-HOPS, AND THE PANIC OF 1868-NATURE'S PROVISIONS.

LOCATING THE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSES.

up

In 1843-44, the people of Prairie du Sac petitioned the Legislature to fully organize Sauk County. The residents of the Baraboo Valley remonstrated, on the ground that there were not voters enough in the county from which to draw a jury-list, and fill the county offices; and, further, that it was not politic, at that time, to burden themselves with the expense of a fully organized county. But this remonstrance availed nothing, for the Saukites had made their minds to lose no time in which to allow Baraboo to gain strength, and a bill was pushed through the Legislature and approved May 10, 1844, under the provisions of which Noah Phelps, of Green County, John Morrison,* of Jefferson, and Charles Hart, of Milwaukee, were appointed Commissioners to locate the seat of justice. They were instructed to make a thorough examination of the whole county, and make the location "with regard to the future as well as the present population." They finally decided to locate it at one of the Sauk villages-the one which would make the largest donation. Sauk City, or Lower Town, offered the BryantHaraszthy House, estimated to be worth $3,000. Prairie du Sac, or Upper Town, offered a certain number of village lots, supposed to be worth more than the Lower Town offer. Commissioners accepted the Prairie du Sac offer, and the seat of justice was located accordingly.

The

Some months later the people of Prairie du Sac offered the deeds of the donated lots to the County Board. It was then discovered that they contained a clause making the lots revertible to the original donors in case of the removal of the county seat. This excited great indignation among the residents of Sauk City, Baraboo and the region known as the Bluffs, and several public meetings were held at which the matter was discussed.

The

In the summer of 1845, at one of these meetings, a committee was appointed, consisting of Count Haraszthy and Edmund Rendtorff, of Sauk City, and Levi Moore, Abram Wood, Thomas Remington and William H. Canfield, of Baraboo, to make an exploration of the interior of the county, and ascertain whether the land was fit for settlement and cultivation. committee started on this exploration on the 10th of November, 1845. Count Haraszthy's mare and a week's provisions, a shot-gun, two rifles and a bird-dog constituted the outfit. They took the pinery road to Seeley's Creek, and camped that night in a pinery shanty. In the morning, the Count took the halter off the mare and told her to go home to her colt, and, taking one day's provisions, the explorers started for the primeval forests. The next day, Wood shot a deer, but did not get it, and a partridge, which the Count bagged, had to suffice for dinner, supper and breakfast, for six stalwart men. Another day was passed with nothing but water to drink, and the next breakfast and dinner, also, were a blank. It was proposed to shoot the dog that night for supper, but Capt. Moore's trusty rifle brought down a fine yearling buck, and the fast

was soon terminated.

The committee crossed over the head-waters of Honey Creek, passed on to Bear Creek, thence down Narrows Creek to the Baraboo River, and thence to Baraboo. They subsequently reported to a mass meeting that the interior of the county was not only fit for cultivation, but would make a fine agricultural district.

In the winter of 1845-46, the Legislature was petitioned to re-establish the seat of justice by a vote of the people. The petition was granted, and on the 7th day of April, 1846, an election was held, resulting in the removal of the county seat to Baraboo. The county board

* Died of apoplexy while exploring the county.

appointed twelve Commissioners to designate the point for county-seat purposes. They made an arrangement with the school district for the southeast quarter of Section 35, which quarter the school district had previously claimed. On the day of the Government land sale, which occurred soon afterward, Prescott Brigham, then a County Commissioner, purchased the said quarter-section in his own name, and with his own money, there being no funds in the county treasury, and subsequently deeded it to the county. The County Commissioners platted it into a village, and called it Adams, in consideration of Mr. Brigham's high regard for the renowned Massachusetts family of that name. The survey was made by Charles O. Baxter, and the record of it bears date of April, 1847. The name was changed to Baraboo in 1852. The block upon which the old Western Hotel was afterward built was purchased by Sumner & Maxwell before a public sale of lots was held. Harvey Canfield and C. C. Remington were appointed Commissioner and Clerk, respectively, to conduct the sale of lots, and about $4,000 was realized therefrom. With this money a wooden court house and jail were subsequently put up on the north side of Fourth street, facing the public square. The court-house was two stories high, and was completed in April, 1848, by Col. Edward Sumner, the contractor. The jail, it is said, resembled a huge dry-goods box, and was surrounded by a high wooden fence. Abe Wood was among the early inhabitants of this "jail." He had been incarcerated for attempting to shoot Henry A. Chapman, and, soon after being locked up, raised a portion of the loose floor and dug his way out.

But Baraboo did not long enjoy her county seat laurels in peace and quiet. About 1850, Reedsburg became an aspirant for county seat honors. The contest waxed warm for some time, and finally reached a climax in the spring of 1851, when the citizens of the "burg" took the position that no rafts or logs should pass over their dam en route for Baraboo. The services of a United States Deputy Marshal were called into requisition by the Baraboo people, and the Reedsburg dam was partially cut away. This event has since been referred to as the "Reedsburg

war.

In 1852, the leading residents of Reedsburg petitioned the Legislature to have a nine-mile strip stricken from the southern portion of Juneau County and attached to the northern part of Sauk County. The petition was granted, and the strip added in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners. This brought Reedsburg nearer the geographical center of the county. In 1853, through the efforts of Charles Armstrong, member of the Legislature, the strip was set back. But Reedsburg was not yet prepared to relinquish its claim, and, in 1855, they again came before the Legislature with a petition, praying that the county seat question be submitted to a vote of the people. The petition was granted, and in April, at the spring election, the question being submitted, Baraboo came off victorious.

The necessity for a new and better court house becoming apparent, the County Board at once took steps toward building. Sixty of the prominent citizens of Baraboo came forward with a $3,000 subscription to defray a portion of the expenses. In the fall of 1855, a contract was let to P. A. Bassett for the erection of a two-story brick building, 40x60 feet, in the center of the public square. The structure completed, was formally accepted by the board on the 1st of January, 1857.

On the night of the 4th of July, 1857, the old court house (then the property of Peter Van Wendall) was destroyed by fire. A local writer thus sums up the history of this ancient land

mark.

"The remorseless fire on the night of the 4th inst., destroyed the last vestige of this venerable edifice. As we stood and saw the fire-fiend wrapping it in his lurid glare, and as one by one the old timbers dropped to ashes beneath his fiery embrace, we could not help letting our thoughts wander back to the past, when the old court house was the pride of our village, the best building in all Sauk County. Erected in 1847, when Baraboo was scarcely a hamlet, and this county numbered its inhabitants by scores instead of by thousands, its construction was a work of no small magnitude. When completed, no wonder that the pioneers, long used to the hut and wigwam, should gaze upon it with honest pride. A year or two after the building

was put up, we well remember how a new acquaintance volunteered to show us the sights, and took us the first thing to see the new court house, then the elephant' of the place. The second story was not only the court-room, but the schoolroom, the church, the lecture-room, and, in fact, the only place for the accommodation of public assemblages. At last the wants of the people, growing with the increased population, demanded a new court house, and ere a larger and more showy building could be completed, the old court house was left deserted, for a time, when its upper story was let for a printing office to D. K. Noyes, then the proprietor of the Republic. At last, neglected by man and abused by the elements, it was not fit for a printing office, even, and the Republic changed its quarters. After that it stood empty and forlorn until about two years ago, when it was bought by P. Van Wendall, and moved a short distance to the east, when a new front was built for it; and, being otherwise rejuvenated, it presented an entirely different appearance. It was then turned into a saloon, and no doubt felt the degradation deeply. But it was not long to endure this humiliation. The fire came, and as the flames seethed, hissed and roared in, around and about it, it was cleansed of all impurities, and its ashes sank to earth as pure as nature herself."

In 1857, a hexagonal stone jail was built near the corner of Second and Broadway, overlooking the river and the picturesque hills and vales beyond. Col. Sumner was the contractor. · In 1864, an addition, or rather a new wooden jail, was built in the rear of the stone structure, which had come to be considered unsafe. The construction of this latter building was superintended by Jonas Tower, of Ironton fame.

In 1867, the interior of the new court house was remodeled. New floors were laid, partitions altered, two fire-proof vaults put in to accommodate the records of the County Court and Register of Deeds, and a Sheriff's office added.

When the question of a permanent location for the county seat was finally settled, and Reedsburg ceased to be an aspirant, the citizens of Baraboo turned their attention toward the improvement of the public square. A large number of the principal kinds of shade and ornamental trees were planted throughout the park. Many of them have grown to be full size, and now spread their cool branches above the heads of a new generation.

RAILROADS.

About 1850, leading citizens of Sauk County obtained a charter for a railroad through the Baraboo Valley. The corporate title was the Fort Winnebago, Baraboo Valley & St. Paul Railway Company. At that time, A. Hyatt Smith, Robert J. Walker and others were engaged in building (chiefly on paper) a line of road from Chicago to Janesville, and from there, it was understood, the main line was to pass through Madison and the Baraboo Valley to St. Paul, while a branch was to lead via Fond du Lac to the Lake Superior region. Messrs. Smith & Walker had organized a company for this purpose, under the statutes of Illinois and Wisconsin, known as the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, and later as the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Company. They had a charter from Janesville to Madison, and had laid considerable track between Chicago and Janesville. The scheme had every element of apparent success in its composition, and the citizens of Sauk County, fearing the road from Madison to St. Paul might be located at a point too far south to be of any benefit to them, procured the charter referred to, and subsequently obtained amendments to it securing the right of way from Madison to Baraboo, and thence northwestward to La Crosse or any other point on the Mississippi River. They stood ready to deliver this charter to Messrs. Smith & Walker, and also to furnish financial aid, just so soon as those gentlemen manifested their ability to put the road through.

In 1852, a bill was introduced in Congress granting to the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac people the alternate sections of land for six miles on either side of the proposed routes to aid in the construction of the roads. A clause in this bill provided that, in case the lands which would so fall to the company had been settled by private entry, an equivalent should be given them from the then unoccupied lands in other parts of the State. The bill passed to a third reading, and was defeated by one vote, when its friends were confident of its success. Opposition to it came