VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4

PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMER, 1956 i How upcoming generations will enjoy the exhibits of giant locomotives! The sleek steam-propelled S-2 was presented by the Milwaukee Road to the Railroad Mu­ seum at Green Bay, where it soon will be permanently displayed. It may attract future spectators as curious as those surrounding the unwieldy Conestoga wagons, ON THE COVER pieces which unfailingly find their niche in the transpor­ tation exhibits of state and national fairs. It is good to ponder over the varied transportation methods which chart the progress of travel, not forgetting that faraway day when uncomplicated foot travel took Grandpa from "here to there"—when '^'parking" was foreign to his vocabulary.

The WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY is published by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison 6, Wisconsin. Distributed to members as part of their dues (Annual Membership, 14.00; Contributing, |10; Business and Professional, $25; Life, $100; Sustaining, $100 or more annually; Patron, $1,000 or more annually.) Yearly subscription, $4.00; single numbers, $1.00. As of July 1, 1955, introductory offer for NEW members. Annual dues $1.00, Magazine subscription $3.00. Communications should be addressed to the editor. The Society does not assume responsibility for statements made by contributors. Entered as second-class matter at the post office at Madison, Wisconsin, under the act of August 24, 1912. Copyright 1956 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Paid for in part by the Maria L. and Simeon Mills Editorial Fund and by the George B. Burrows Fund. PERMISSION—Wisconsin newspapers may reprint any article appearing in the Wisconsin Magazine of History provided the story carries the following credit line: Reprinted from the State Historical Society's Wisconsin Magazine of History for [insert the season and year which appear on the Magazine'i. PHOTO CREDITS—Bailey's Dam marker supplied by Elaine H. Brister, Pineville, La.; John Till photos by his son John W. Till, South St. Paul and by Mrs. Dan Shirley, Mrs. Cloutier's daughter of St. Paul; David Rose in the Society's Stein Collection; Chippewa ap­ parel specimens in the Society's Rahr Collection; sites picture-story: Lake Pepin Marker by Fryklund Studio, Stockholm; Gays Mills apple orchard, the Wisconsin Conservation Depart­ ment; Siskiwit marker, H. J. Ehlers, Cornucopia; Lake Ripley marker, Evinrude Motors, Milwaukee; Coon Valley, Wisconsin Conservation Department; Fort St. Antoine, Fryklund Studio, Stockholm, and the full-page Wisconsin map by the Wisconsin Highway Commission. VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4

PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN SUMMER. 1956

Editor: CLIFFORD L. LORD Managing Editor: LILLIAN KRUECER

CONTENTS

The Wisconsin National Guard RALPH J. OLSON 231

Lillian Krueger C.L.L. 234

A Wisconsin Newsman with Grant BENJAMIN P. THOMAS 238

The "Plaster Doctor" of Somerset JAMES TAYLOR DUNN 245

Street Cars and Politics in Milwaukee, 1896-1901 (Part II) FORREST MCDONALD 253

FEATURES Sites, Picture-Story 259 Meet the Authors 230 The Collector 263 Smoke Rings 235 Sincerely Yours 266 Circuit Rider 251 Readers' Choice 274 Pandora's Box 258 Accessions 288 meet the authors

A native of Marinette, MAJOR GENERAL the Eleventh Armored Division of General RALPH J. OLSON was graduated from Ripon Patton's Third Army, he took part in the College in 1926. That year, also, he was Battle of the Bulge and several subsequent commissioned a second lieutenant, Infan­ campaigns. In 1950 former Governor Ren- try, and participated in Reserve Officers nebohm appointed him adjutant general activities until 1942, when he became cap­ and in addition assumed the directorship tain on active duty. As regimental adju­ of Civil Defense. He has been active in nu­ tant and tank battalion commander, and merous civic affairs, such as Community later as a member of the General Staff of Fund and Red Cross Drives.

"A Wisconsin Newsman with Grant" was Three Years with Grant, is based on the the title of an address delivered by BEN­ recollections of war correspondent Sylva- JAMIN P. THOMAS, Springfield, Illinois, at nus Cadwallader. During 1940-53 Mr. the Society's Founders' Day dinner last Thomas was associate editor for the Abra­ January. An eminent Lincoln and Civil ham Lincoln Quarterly, is now on the edi­ War scholar, Thomas is the author of four torial board for the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln volumes, the last, Abra­ Abraham Lincoln, and since the mid-1930's ham Lincoln, A Biography (1952), becom­ has been the director of the Abraham Lin­ ing a best-seller. It was a Book-of-the coln Association. He has also earned a Month Club selection. Another best-seller, place as a popular lecturer.

After taking his B.S. degree at Syracuse ciety, St. Paul. During World War II, for University in 1939, JAMES TAYLOR DUNN a period of four years, he was in anti-air­ worked in the public library field in Up­ craft. Mr. Dunn edited the diary of James state New York until 1948, where he be­ W. Taylor, United States consul to Winni­ came the librarian of the New York peg, which was published in 1950. He has Historical Association, Cooperstown. In contributed to such periodicals as American May, 1955, he returned to his native state, Heritage, Neiv York History, Alaska Life, as librarian of the Minnesota Historical So­ Vermont History and Minnesota History.

Texas-born FORREST MCDONALD was edu­ tary of the American History Research cated at the University of Texas, where he Center. The author of forthcoming books received his Ph.D. degree in 1955. A Re­ on the economic interpretation of the Con­ search Training Fellow of the Social stitution and the history of the electric Science Research Council, 1950-53, he utilities of Wisconsin, he has recently be­ joined the staff of the State Historical So­ gun research on a biography of Chicago ciety in June, 1953, and is executive secre­ utility magnate Samuel Insull.

RAYMOND SIVESIND attended Luther Col­ State Historical Society of Wisconsin in lege in his native city, Decorah, Iowa. 1948. He serves as a liaison between the After receiving his M.A. degree from the Society and other State agencies engaged University of Wisconsin he continued work in historic site and marker activity, and at the University of Illinois and American local historical societies. Mr. Sivesind is University. He taught in Iowa, Minnesota, in charge of Villa Louis, Wade House, and and Illinois, then joined the staff of the Stonefield Farm and Craft Museum.

230 Major General Olson discusses here the State Militia and continues with a full account of the organization, growth, financing, and activities of the Wiscon­ sin National Guard. In such a discourse several of the adjutant generals and the participation of the guard in the various wars naturally find a place. Those who know state military history are offered a "refresher" narrative; those who do not will find this factual recital relating to another one of the state department series of real worth.

The Wisconsin National Guard by Ma/or General Ralph J. Olson The Adjutant General

From the time the earliest settlers landed on person probably would say 1882, the first year the shores of the New World, they banded the State had permanent regimental formations themselves together in military organizations and encampments, authorized camp pay, and known as Trainbands and later as Militia, in adopted a uniform after the regular army. defense of their homes. There may have been cases where individual The passage of three centuries has seen these companies held encampments prior to that small militia forces evolve as the nation itself time but there is no official record of such. has evolved, little by little and step by step. Some might say 1873, the first year the They graduated from strictly home town State paid toward the upkeep of various units, each company getting $100 a year. The nov­ defense rolls into major organizations with elist probably would say 1866, the year arms broader missions; missions of protecting the were issued to the Ahnapee Militia Company frontiers in the French and Indian Wars; of and the Green County National Guard Com­ holding together the fledgeling nation in the pany of Monroe. These are the first two compa­ War of the Revolution and the War of 1812. nies of which there is any record of having North and south, they battled in the War be­ been formed after the Civil War. tween the States; a few years after Appomat­ The first adjutant general of Wisconsin was tox, they banded together in a great National William R. Smith, whose residence was in Guard Association of the United States, with Mineral Point. He served from July 20, 1839, the primary objective of lifting themselves into to April 1, 1851. Since 1839, 26 adjutants a higher state of organization, equipment, and general have been appointed (one of whom training, in order that they might better fulfill was acting) to administer the Wisconsin Na­ their national defense mission in time of need. tional Guard. The first time the adjutant gen­ When did the militia of Wisconsin form into eral reported on the National Guard instead of the Wisconsin National Guard? The tactical the militia was in 1879.

231 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

the following officers; viz., one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant [third lieutenant by subsequent law], four sergeants, and four corporals; and they may choose so many musicians as they may deem proper." Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the company was organized in good faith the governor was required to issue commissions to the officers elected and to issue arms after the company was uniformed. These militia organizations did not volun­ teer as a unit for Civil War service, although many of the officers took a prominent part in organizing and commanding units in that war. The militia companies went out of existence during the Civil War. In 1866 Adjutant Gen­ eral James K. Proudfit said in his Annual Report: As has been reported by my predecessors several times, the militia system and the laws of the state are a failure, so far as the effi­ ciency is concerned. I am of the opinion that William R. Smith. First Adjutant the only proper and fair manner of support­ General of Wisconsin. 1839-1851 ing any number of efficient militia troops would be by providing by general taxation for fu^ds in supporting first class independ­ Wisconsin had militia companies prior to ent companies, with power in the hands of the Civil War, militia that was top-heavy with the governor to withhold the aid and dis- generals. Fifty-two companies had a total strength of 1,933 men in the ranks, with 11 Augustus Gaylord, Wisconsin's major generals and 22 brigadiers. The State Civil War Adjutant General Who was divided into 11 districts each commanded Served from 1862 to 1866 by a major general. Each division had 2 bri­ gades commanded by a brigadier general. Each brigade had 2 regiments, making 44 companies in the above organizations in addi­ tion to 8 separate companies. The division staff consisted of 7 colonels and a chaplain; the brigade staff, 6 majors, and a chaplain. The regiments and brigades did not assem­ ble, with the possible exception of a Milwaukee regiment of 7 companies that undoubtedly pa­ raded as a unit. In 1859 a law was passed authorizing "Schools of Practice" (encamp­ ments) for a period of four days by company, regiment, or brigade, but as there were no funds appropriated for the purpose none was ever held. The state law of 1858 provided that when­ ever 40 or more men desired to "organize themselves into a uniform company, either of artiller>% light infantry, riflemen or cavalry, and shall enter their names in a book for that purpose, they may proceed to choose by ballot

232 OLSON : WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD

band the companies for neglect to duty. The sum of $10 per year given by the state to each man serving in an independent company, under safe restrictions, to aid him in uniform and other expenses, together with what could be raised by enterprising com­ panies from other sources, would probably be sufficient to keep on foot an efficient body of troops. He suggested the State have about 20 compa­ nies, or about 2,000 troops, the maximum expense of which would be $20,000 annually. It was seven years later, however, before the State gave financial support to the various companies and then it was placed at $100 a year per unit. Many organizations in the early days were more or less social societies, while some seem­ ingly existed for parade purposes. Probably some were proficient in close order drill and the manual, but all seemed to have had hard going without state aid. Of the 18 companies in existence in 1868 only the Sheridan Guard and Manitowoc Volunteers survived when regi­ ments were formed in 1882, neither of them A More Recent Adjutant General, Ralph M. in the service today. Immell, Greets Former Adjutant General Charles King, 1895-1897 STATE AID—^Prior to 1873 no aid was given to companies by either state or federal gov­ ernment, except the issue of arms. The men Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Militia" had had to buy their own uniforms, and the or­ been organized under general orders dated ganization had to finance the rent and upkeep August 5, 1870, consisting of the Cream City of its members. In 1873 there was a ray of Guard, Milwaukee Light Guard, Sheridan light. The Legislature passed an act authoriz­ Guard, Milwaukee Zouaves, Merchant Zouaves, ing the payment of $100 a year to each unit Milwaukee Cadets, Mechanic Zouaves, and Mil­ for rent, armorer, and repairs. In 1874, Ad­ waukee Light Artillery. No reports are avail­ jutant General Parkinson recommended each able as to what this regiment did, but it prob­ company be allowed $300 and each troop and ably paraded the streets of Milwaukee on state battery, $1,000 annually. The increase of $300 occasions. The regiment later went out of ex­ to each unit was made. istence, its last roster being published in 1874. General Parkinson said in his report that In 1882 the guard commenced to hit its year: stride with the advent of Brigadier General At present, companies will organize and, Chandler P. Chapman as adjutant general. In stimulated by the novelty of parade and glit­ his first year in office he commenced to make ter of uniforms, the organizations survive military history and accomplish legislation just long enough to involve the members in that revolutionized the guard. Three months an expense which they cannot bear, then disband, entailing upon the state the cost of after his taking office a law was passed includ­ transporting and re-transporting of arms and ing several items of vital importance. One accoutrements, etc. clause prescribed a uniform to be patterned In 1875 the adjutant general recommended after the United States Army. Prior to that for the first time since the Civil War that state there were nearly as many kinds of uniforms camps be held and the militia increased to as there were companies, although as a rule, two regiments. It was seven years before these they were uniform within each company. They recommendations were carried out. The "First {Continued on page 267)

233 Lillian Krueger

This is the last issue of the Magazine to reflect journals and for the newspapers. Her first the skifled blue pencil of our managing editor. book. Motherhood on the Wisconsin Frontier, After twenty-seven and a half years of service is in its second printing. She recently pub­ to the Society and the Magazine of History, lished the centennial history of the First Evan­ Lillian Krueger is retiring. gelical United Brethren Church of Madison. A native of Milwaukee, Miss Krueger com­ For some years, too, she has spoken on a va­ pleted work at the Princeton high school and riety of subjects to Wisconsin women's groups, was graduated from the University of Wis­ among which she has become increasingly well- consin with a degree in Journalism in 1928. known. She has held office in the Theta Sigma The foflowing April she was employed by Dr. Phi Alumnae group (journalism) and in the Joseph Schafer as his research assistant and Madison Branch of the National League of assistant editor of the Society's publications. American Pen Women. She was named assistant editor of the Maga­ "Retirement" these days is a misleading term. zine in January, 1942, associate editor in 1945, Most persons in "retirement" seem busier than and managing editor in 1949. In addition she they ever were before. Miss Krueger promises edited the books published between 1929 and to be no exception. The Editorial Committee of 1948 for the three superintendents (later direc­ the Society has assigned her a writing task: tors) of the Society. Hundreds of manuscripts already her plans for a book-length biography passed over her desk for criticism. Compiling of Mdme. Mathilda Anneke, Milwaukee's noted the Society Proceedings, 1928-51, was another Freethinker, editor, suffragist, and educator, one of her duties. From her careful pen came are in the making. She's also going to be busy the annual index to the Magazine and the at her hobby of writing. In fact, superseding three volumes of cumulative indexes so ap­ all else, she vows to write a fairy tale! She's preciated by the researcher. A stickler for ac­ going to be around the building doing her re­ curacy, as all good editors should be, she has search among her old friends. And as she brought a uniform level of competence to these moves into this next stage of her career she tasks. takes with her the appreciation, thanks, and In addition over the years she has found best wishes of her many friends among the time to contribute a substantial number of arti­ membership and the staff of our Society, cles and book reviews to the Magazine, and to That's a good way to "retire"! write occasionally both for other historical C.L.L.

234 A major railroad museum is now seem­ ingly assured for Wisconsin. Within a week of the time last fall when General Gray's negotia­ tions with the Northwestern Railroad for a museum site at North Hudson fell through, a Green Bay enthusiast, Harold Fuller, was on hands are cooperating to build the collections the phone initiating the negotiations which are and get the show on the road. now rapidly maturing. The Park Board and Thus another major specialty museum nears the Common Council of Green Bay have realization—another shrine where the tangible granted the Society the use of a large tract and visible symbols of a major era, now pass­ in William D. Cooke Park in the town of ing, will be available to the public; another Ashwaubenon. This site could not be better. major historic attraction for the visitor to Wis­ On the west bank of the Fox River, and pro­ consin. With the State Farm and Craft Mu­ tected from unfavorable developments on all seum making major progress at Stonefield near sides, this park is located one block from US Cassvifle, the Circus World Museum under de­ Highway 41 and less than one block from the velopment at Baraboo, a medical museum pro­ main line of the Northwestern into Green Bay. jected for Prairie du Chien, and the Railroad The former assures ready access for the visitor; Museum (which may well become a transporta­ the latter makes practicable a permanent spur tion museum before long) under way at Green into the park. Bay, Wisconsin is developing a network of The Green Bay enthusiasts, headed by Mr. such museums which will become major educa­ Fuller, have incorporated the National Rail­ tional facilities and major tourist attractions road Museum, Inc., laid plans for a major in the years just ahead. fund raising drive which may well be under way by the time this reaches your hands. The Too little notice has been given one of the Milwaukee Road has donated one of its latest deeply significant developments on our staff: model steam locomotives, an S-2, to the mu­ the growing pace of its scholarly achievement seum. It arrived under diesel tow in Green and productivity. May and June really brought Bay, July 17, and is temporarily stored in one this into focus. Don McNeil won his doctorate, of the yards of the Green Bay and Western. the eighth on our permanent staff. Frank El­ The Northwestern has promised its locomotive liott successfully defended his doctoral thesis 2719. A generous lady has offered another. the day he left us for Michigan State Uni­ The Green Bay and Western is installing the versity. Roy Lokken had his thesis considered permanent exhibit tracks. Red Owl has gen­ for publication. And among the six very active erously permitted construction of the spur candidates for the doctorate, Ed Tomlinson and across its property. A National Advisory Com­ Warren Wittry passed their preliminary ex­ mittee of prominent railroad men is being set aminations. That was quite a record for one up. Foth and Porath have donated their engi­ six-week period. neering services. Railroad Brotherhood locals Let's look just a little farther back—less than have pledged their interest and cooperation. three years—to October 1953 when Alice The Green Bay Association of Commerce has Smith published the biography of James Duane unanimously endorsed the project, offered all Doty. She now has the first volume of the Jour­ possible help. When the plant is ready, the So­ nals of Welcome Arnold Greene at the printers, ciety will operate the museum. Meanwhile all and the second volume under way. Forrest Mc

235 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

New faces are the order of the day at 816 State Street. Five key positions have changed hands recently, and we present the new incum­ bents. Clem Silvestro is the new chief of the field service, succeeding Frank Elliott who resigned to accept a position at Michigan State Uni­ versity. Clem has been with the Society on and S off since 1949 when he came to the University of Wisconsin to do graduate work in history. ^^^^m^gma^^ He served as a graduate assistant, then as a re­ Clement Silvestro Thurman Fox search associate in the Manuscripts Division and the Research office, handling among other things much of the work on the Business Rec­ Donald won his doctorate and had his thesis ords Survey of 1950 and the Dictionary of accepted for publication. He has completed a Wisconsin Biography. Since 1949 he has been second book and while its publication is under away two years, one of which he spent in busi­ consideration has started a third. Don McNeil ness in New York. The past year he has been edited The American Collector, which appeared doing research in the East on his thesis. At in print last December, has had his book on thirty-two, he is a personable, amiable, hard­ The Fight for Fluoridation accepted by Oxford working member of the team, fully equipped University Press, has a memorial volume to to take up the effective field work where Frank Herbert Kellar under way with Professor Hes­ Efliott left off. seltine. Alan Kent defends his thesis and hopes Thurman Fox is the new chief of school serv­ to receive his doctorate before the semester is ices, taking over the job which Mary Tuohy over. Josephine Harper has completed the first Ryan was forced to leave last fafl to take care supplement (1940-55) to the Guide to our of her stricken brother. Thurman is a gradu­ manuscript collections which will be in print ate of Oshkosh State College, took his master's in about six months. Don Oehlerts is working in education at the University of Wisconsin, on a guide to the newspaper collections. Ken and has held a year's Ford Fellowship. He re­ Duckett's life of Moses M. Strong was pub­ signs at thirty-four as history teacher at West lished last year. Bill Schereck's 1954-55 radio Junior High, Madison, to take over the promo­ scripts on some of the major nationality groups tion of both elementary and secondary school of Wisconsin is now in its second printing (in programs, a task for which he is highly recom­ mimeographed form) as The Peoples of Wis­ mended and to which he brings a pleasant per­ consin. Jim Clark has produced the sixteen sonality, a considerable experience in Wiscon­ pamphlets of the Wisconsin Chronicles, and is sin public schools, and a determination to do at work on a second series. the remarkable job we expect of him. Ten members of the staff have now pub­ Charley Knox takes over at forty-two the lished—or soon will—one or more books. A curatorship of exhibits from Bob Ellefson, now with DuPont. A native of number of the staff have also authored schol­ Leslie Decker arly articles which have recently appeared in Pennslyvania and a grad- various professional journals, most notably of Carnegie Institute, Warren Wittry's articles based on his recent Charley has had long ex­ archaeological digs at Oconto. perience with display So much scholarly activity among one's col­ work, both in depart­ leagues, most of it (the exceptions are Jim ment stores in the San Clark's secondary school pamphlets, Bill Scher­ Jacinto museum in Tex­ eck's radio scripts) done outside working as, and as a free-lancer hours, is one more reason why the Society is in this field. such a stimulating place to work these days. Dan Porter joins Clem And this whole trend, after all, is really just Silvestro and Bifl Scher- beginning.

236 SMOKE RINGS

cultural and Mechanical College, where he also held a graduate assistantship. He has pursued his graduate work at Cornell University where he has been a teaching assistant. He comes to us with a well-rounded grasp of the role and potential of the historical quarterly and an in­ terest in the significance of localized history which promises well for his editorship of our Magazine. There have been other changes on the staff, and there are more in the offing. As the exist­ Charles Knox Daniel Porter ing state salary scale, the propagation of fami­ lies, and other factors force resignations and bring about retirements, this changing of the erck on our vital field staff. Dan, twenty-six, guard inevitably takes time from the forward a recent graduate of the Army, and before that movement of our work while new appointees of the University of Massachusetts, recently learn their jobs and try out their new ap­ completed his master's work and the course in proaches. Yet in the cases cited above we have the work of historical agencies given at the been able to find replacements—after long and University of Michigan. He brings a likable painstaking searches—of comparable talent, personality, a taste for and training in history, good personalities, and real enthusiasm for the and a contagious enthusiasm to the job. You job ahead. To the face-lifting of the building wifl be seeing much of him. is now being added an unsought-for face-lifting of the staff. Come and see both—soon. Now comes news that the deeds of a prom­ inent Wisconsinite have been commemorated by a historic marker in Louisiana. Those at­ tending our 1952 Founders' Day address will liiiifift-^mtle clownstreaiit;^; recall something of the remarkable "arch of spirituality" which bridges the geographic iill^^s noted dam - '^ ellawed escape on YI^I^^ . gap between Wisconsin and Louisiana. That laaC of the Federal Meetf arch was largely Gallic and somewhat antique of some 35 vessels under; the coitimand of Admiral in nature. As I recall that speech and like David A. Porter. all who attended, I recafl it with remarkable clarity—nothing was said about the exploits in Louisiana of Wisconsin's "Boys in Blue." The Central Louisiana Historical Society, how­ ever, has arched that gap, erecting a hand­ some marker near the site of Bailey's Dam on the Red River. Ethel Holloman, Alexandria (La.,) publisher, sends me the news and photos. So the most noted feat of the officer from Newport with the woodman's know-how, is fittingly commemorated in faraway Louis­ Mrs. Elaine H. Brister of Pineville and T. W. Holloman of Alexandria, Louisiana iana. That "arch of spirituality" takes on a tangibility scarcely conceived by our orator Leslie Decker (left) is the new managing of 1952. editor of the Magazine. He comes to us from a year's research subsidized by the Social Sci­ ence Research Center. At twenty-six, he is a graduate of the University of Maine, took his master's degree in history at Oklahoma Agri­

237 Newspaperman Sylvanus Cadwallader and U. S. Grant are here vividly por­ trayed. Mr. Thomas, the editor of Three Years with Grants discovered the Cad­ wallader manuscript in which the war correspondent recalls some exciting epi­ sodes as attendant to General Grant.

Ulysses S. Grant

A Wisconsin Newsman with Grant by Bcnjattiin P. Thomas

The subject of my address tonight is a Wis­ to his editor, Angus Cameron. These breezy, consin man who almost lost his place in history. buoyant letters, written with the easy artistry He bore the strange name, Sylvanus Cadwal­ that was Lloyd Lewis' rare gift, recounted his lader, and he was probably the foremost news­ experiences in the course of his research for paper correspondent of the Civil War. He has what was to have been a multi-volume biog­ been reborn through the recent publication of raphy of Grant. Lewis died after finishing only his reminiscences. Though he finished writing the first volume. Captain Sam Grant, and his them in 1896, they remained virtually un­ publishers printed the letters in a limited edi­ noticed for almost fifty years. At last, three tion in tribute to his memory. months ago, they appeared in print under the This little book revealed the existence of title Three Years with Grant.^ Cadwallader's manuscript. Here is how Lewis The late Lloyd Lewis, newspaperman and described it: historian, was the first person to call attention Have found a highly valuable mss. by to Cadwallader's manuscript, and to reveal its Cadwallader, correspondent of the Chicago unique importance. Perhaps you recall that Times then the N.Y. Herald with Grant for after Mr. Lewis' death, Little, Brown and Com­ four years.—has much new stuff—very vivid pany, his publishers, brought out a slim little and anecdotal—with very full statement in volume of letters, which Lewis had written detail of Grant's drinking—one wonderful toot Grant went on while besieging Vicks- burg—a boat trip with Cadwallader, who ^Benjamin P. Thomas, ed., Three Years with Grant, idolized him, along as aide. as Recalled by War Correspondent Sylvanus Cad­ Grant roaring drunk—Cadwallader got wallader (New York, 1955). The publication of this volume and the delivery of him in cabin, got his pants and boots off, the speech at the Society's Founders' Day dinner on finally fanned him to sleep—got him sobered January 28, 1956, have since led to the discovery of up—went out to get some air, found Grant a large number of Cadwallader letters in the Society's up, dressed, back at bar, drunk again. Back Collections. Discovered by Gordon Parks, a graduate student in history at the University of Wisconsin, at landing he got Grant off, but lost him to these add a great deal of information about Cad­ a sutler's boat, where he was at it again. wallader, especially his earlier years. Got him on a horse, wild plunging horse.

238 THOMAS : WISCONSIN NEWSMAN WITH GRANT

which Grant socked spurs into and ripped Early the next morning I went to the library. through the camp like mad, leaving escort And sure enough. There it was. Filed away behind—scattering campfires of men, mak­ in a cabinet. I took it to a desk and began to ing the privates howl in protest and rolled read. I soon became absorbed. It was indeed away—off into the night—Cadwallader fran­ a find! I went back to the library day after tic after him—cavalry escort trailing way day until I finished it. behind. Eventually caught up, took the reins —Grant still objecting loudly as he had all The original manuscript is almost a thou­ the time. Cadwallader enticed him off horse sand pages long. It is handwritten, of course, and got him to lay down while he whistled but very legible. Long passages had been for the escort which was scattered over the marked out, as though someone had begun woods, calling for their lost leader, fearing to edit it for publication. But he had not been him brained by a branch. Getting a troop­ stern enough. Even with the deletions, Cad­ er's ear, he sent for an ambulance and wallader wandered off too often into historical waited by the sleeping general, his knife byways. He had too often been beguiled into out ready to rip off Grant's stars if strange retelling the story of the whole war. He di­ troopers came along—determined to save the General from exposure. gressed frequently to recount some person's post-war career. Instead of stopping at the end Finally the ambulance came, but Grant of the war, he ambled on into Andrew John­ wouldn't get in. Oh, no. He'd ride his horse. Cadwallader compromised by getting in am­ son's administration, when he served as the bulance, too, claiming he was tired, and Washington correspondent of the New York there they sat, Cadwallader holding reins of Herald. Though he related some interesting following horse. incidents of that era, the manuscript, after the When they got to headquarters, Rawlins, war years, lost its continuity. What it needed the Conscience and the Scold, was waiting, was the sort of relentless pruning that would white-lipped and black-browed. (He had make it essentially an eye-witness account, and sent the ambulance.) keep the author's focus on Grant. That was my Damned if Grant didn't rip out cool and first task as editor; for as you have probably composed, chirp a pleasant "Good Evening" assumed by now, I had decided, after consult­ and walk to his tent, steady as a church. ing certain Civil War specialists, to prepare He caught hell that night, though, from the manuscript for publication. Rawlins and promised never to do it again. This also involved learning the details of He never mentioned it, but Cadwallader Cadwallader's life. His own statements in the was thereafter given a special tent, bed, or manuscript showed that he attended school in whatever was necessary on the staff—the only newspaper man to be so honored. Ross County, Ohio, and that he began his news­ paper career as editor of a small paper in It's the first known description of a Grant- Kenosha, Wisconsin. When the Civil War spree. broke out, he and his brother-in-law, George Cadwallader's mss. I have and can use. H. Paul, owned and were publishing the Mil­ Quantities of wonderful stuff in it.^ waukee Daily News. Cadwallader also revealed Lewis' description takes your breath away. that he worked for the Chicago Times, and What a dainty dish to set before the voracious then for the New York Herald during the war, historians! Where was this precious manu­ and that he was Washington correspondent for script? Lewis, of course, was dead, had been the Herald for some time afterward. He told dead more than a year, and could not reveal of living with General Rawlins at the head of the secret. But the preceding letters, published Montgomery Street, in Georgetown, until he by Little, Brown, disclosed the fact that he had brought his family to Washington, after the been to West Point, to look up Grant's record war, and then of returning to Milwaukee, there, and before that he had visited Washing­ where he again engaged in newspaper work. ton, New York, the Newberry Library in Chi­ He claimed to have served as an assistant sec­ cago, and the Illinois State Historical Library retary of state at Madison from 1874 to 1878, in Springfield, Iflinois. Springfield, Iflinois! supervising the working force which had My own home town. You don't suppose ? charge of insurance, the land office, and the ^Letters from Lloyd Lewis (Boston, 1950), 15-6. auditor's accounts. Then he moved to Spring-

239 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 field, Missouri, and on to San Diego, Cali­ It appeared that Cadwallader might be boast­ fornia. A short preface to his manuscript stated ing when he told of his privileged position that he wrote it at Fall River Mills, California, at Grant's headquarters. He claimed that a a village in Shasta County, far up in the north­ pass from Grant enabled him to go anywhere eastern part of the state. How old was Cadwal­ he cared to, and this at a time when the ac­ lader when he finished the manuscript, I won­ tivities of other correspondents were severely dered. Did he die in Fafl River Mills? circumscribed. He said that quartermasters Copies of the 1860 and 1870 census returns, were ordered to provide him with transporta­ kindly provided by your Wisconsin Historical tion, that he could draw subsistence from the Society, furnished useful information. Cadwal­ commissaries, and that he was even allowed lader had been born in Ohio, in 1826, so he to send off news dispatches in Grant's private was seventy years old when he finished the mail pouch. He claimed that his tent was al­ manuscript in 1896. His wife's maiden name ways pitched near Grant's, that he messed with was Mary I. Paul, and she was a native of the officers of Grant's staff, and could com­ Vermont. They had three children, Carrie, mandeer staff horses whenever he needed them. born in 1855, who evidently died; Rawlins, But Cadwallader was not boasting. His claims born in 1866; and Ethel, born in 1868. Each are amply substantiated by Wilkie and other census return showed them employing a dif­ observers.^ ferent German servant girl. Cadwaflader always felt a special concern An inquiry to the County Clerk of Shasta for the welfare of Wisconsin troops. After the County, California, brought a courteous re­ Battle of Champion's Hill, during the Vicks- sponse, but no additional information except burg campaign, he wrote to his wife that he a transcript from the register of voters, which had seen Colonel Gabriel Bouck and Lieutenant revealed that Cadwallader was 5 feet 7 inches Colonel Samuel W. Beall of the Eighteenth tall, and had gray hair and hazel eyes. There Wisconsin Infantry, and was glad to report was no record of his death in Shasta County, that no officer of that regiment had been kiUed and no wifl on file there. I had reached the or wounded. Colonel Charles R. Gill's regi­ end of the trail. ment, the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, bad also No photograph of Cadwaflader could be been in the battle, but he did not know how it found, but Franc B. Wilkie, a war correspond­ had fared. "Publish these items in the Milwau­ ent for the New York Times, described him as kee Daily News," he wrote, "because of the "a slender man with dark mysterious eyes, a families interested." He was instrumental in swarthy complexion, and a face somewhat having the Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry re­ wrinkled, who moved incessantly about in a lieved of an incompetent commander, and of nervous, uneasy manner. He wore a round- a trouble-making chaplain. topped cap of some kind of skin with the hair During the campaign around Chattanooga, on, and was altogether, in dress and style, cal­ Cadwallader visited all the Wisconsin regi­ culated to attract attention." Wilkie went on to ments, and brought cheer to the Wisconsin comment on Cadwaflader's outstanding ability boys in the hospitals. He was appalled to see as a newsman, and also about the special privi­ how badly the Eighth Wisconsin Battery had leges he seemed to enjoy at Grant's headquar­ been chewed up. On a visit home he told of its ters. Rumors said he had gained these special heroism and brought back to the battery the favors by helping a "high officer" out of a bad thanks of officials and citizens of Wisconsin. scrape. Wilkie said: "I will not give the name He tried to forward money and clothing to of the high officer, but will only say that he Lieutenant Charles L. Sholes of the Thirty- was one in whom General Grant had a wonder­ sixth Wisconsin Infantry, who had been taken ful personal interest." Wflkie also gave a clue prisoner and sent to Andersonville. Unsuccess­ as to why Cadwallader had removed to a re­ ful in this effort, he finally managed to have mote place like Fall River Mifls. He had heard, him exchanged, an accomplishment, which, in he said, that Cadwallader had become a sheep- itself, attests his influence. raiser.^ ^See for example, George Agassiz, ed., Meade*s 'Franc B. Wilkie, Pen and Powder (Boston, 1888), Headquarters, 1863-65: Letters of Colonel Theodore 203-8. Lyman (Boston, 1922), 359.

240 THOMAS : WISCONSIN NEWSMAN WITH GRANT

It was a source of gratification to Cadawal- broken down in health, bankrupt in purse, lader in after years that he had brought a and found his law practice scattered so that measure of comfort to Colonel John A. Savage he could never regain it. He had nothing to of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin shortly before fall back upon for the support of a large and the Colonel met his death. The Thirty-sixth, a helpless family, but the hope of some gov­ ernmental appointment. green regiment at the time, had been in flam­ In this extremity he had come to Wash­ ing action at the North Anna and Cold Harbor, ington. I had formerly known him as a with hard marching before and after. Cadwal­ stout, heavily built, florid, dark complex- lader found the boys at Charles City Court ioned man, animated in expression, and full House, dirty, smelly, bloody—unkempt and un­ of vitality. The man before me was color­ fed. Colonel Savage was lying on the ground, less and emaciated, bundled up carefully, emaciated and exhausted. The correspondent accompanied by his wife, and evidently in took him to his tent, gave him a stiff bracer the last stage of consumption- He apologized and a solid dinner, then sent him back to the for calling me to the carriage by saying that regiment with a basket spifling provisions, a he could not get in and out of it without considerable assistance—said that his busi­ canteen full of whisky, and a pocketful of ness with me was one of life or death—and cigars. Four days later. Savage took a bullet that presuming on our former friendly rela­ while leading a charge. tions he had driven to the door to implore Cadwallader tells of Judge Levi Hubbell and my assistance. His voice was husky and James Ludington of Milwaukee visiting the weak, and nothing but the fire of his eyes Wisconsin regiments in front of Petersburg, seemed unchanged. and of Hubbefl's narrow escape from death His Story was soon told. His law practice when they insisted on inspecting intrenchments was wholly lost by his absence in the war. that were under enemy fire. Bodily infirmities prevented his building it Cadwallader registered his disgust at the up again. He had no property on which to rush of office seekers during President John­ subsist—was in absolute want and penury, and had come to the Capital to see if the son's administration. Though almost all post­ government would give him some appoint­ war happenings have been excluded from his ment—no matter what. He must have it, book, here is one from the original manuscript he said. ... concerning a Wisconsin man, which also pro­ In further conversation I learned that he vides new glimpses of some of the better known had thought of asking to be appointed Col­ men of that day. Cadwallader wrote: lector of Internal Revenue for the Racine district; but if this could not be had without A noticeable instance of office seeking, delay, he would gladly accept any other that which exemplifies many others, came to my would give his family bread. I promised to notice during the first year of my residence do all in my power, and he drove away to in Washington. Being in charge of the a cheap boarding house on East Capitol Hill. Herald bureau, I was cafled to my office On applying to Hugh McCullough [McCul- down on Fourteenth street one day by the loch]. Secretary of the Treasury, on Gen. announcement that a gentleman in a car­ Sanders' behalf, I found him very much dis­ riage wished to speak to me. On nearing inclined to make any change in the Racine the curbstone I recognized him to be Gen. collectorship. He said that the present in­ Horace T. Sanders, of Racine, Wisconsin, cumbent, Mr. Thomas J. Emerson,^ was a who for a decade before the war had been faithful competent officer; no complaint ex­ a prominent lawyer in all the courts of the isted against him; no sufficient reasons could state, and an active and influential Demo­ be given for making a change; that the fact cratic politician. He enlisted early, and went of Gen. Sanders being so broken down in to the Army of the Potomac as Colonel of health was strong argument against his ap­ the Nineteenth regiment of Wisconsin Vol­ pointment; rather than in his favor, as he unteer Infantry. He served with distinction would probably not live out his term if it under [Benjamin F.] Butler and others, and was given to him, when the closing up of his was made Provost Marshal of the district of Norfolk, Virginia, where he remained be­ cause physically unable to accompany his ^Mr. Emerson was collector for the first district in Wisconsin with headquarters at Milwaukee. In 1875 regiment. He took his regiment home and the Treasury Reports list a deputy collector for the was mustered out with it in 1865, utterly first time at Racine. v

241 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

-- affairs would devolve upon the Department city, to make up a purse from their volun­ and troublesome complications might arise. tary contributions, to send the widow, and To this I could only reply that Mr. Emer­ the body, to Racine. On the way I changed son was a rich man; had held the office sev­ my plan, rode directly to the War depart­ eral years already; had never been in the ment and was soon in conference with Sec. military service of the country himself, nor [Edwin M.] Stanton. He listened patiently represented by any member of his family; to afl I had to say of Gen. Sanders' death, was English by birth and education; and I and the circumstances of his family, but re­ believed him an alien in sentiment. . . . plied that it was beyond his power, as a ; These arguments were varied and amplified, public officer, to afford them any relief. day by day on my visits to the Secretary, I asked him to at least send the body home without much apparent chance of success. for burial, and plied him with all the argu­ i As I was leaving the office at the end of my ments at my command. He admitted that third or fourth interview, I met Gen. Butler Gen. Sanders had been a faithful and meri­ coming in. ... I explained the situation torious officer—so had thousands of others. to him; soon made him my ally; and we His life had probably been sacrificed in the returned to the Secretary's room for another service of his country—so had the lives of onslaught. other uncounted thousands. There was ab­ T understand Gen. Sanders would like to solutely nothing which he could do officially. be appointed Collector for his district,' said He reminded me that Gen. Sanders had been Gen. Butler. 'Must have it, sir; must have it. mustered out of the service, paid off in full, Was a good officer, sir, good officer. Was my and stood at his death in the same relation Provost Marshal at Norfolk, sir, at Norfolk. to the government that any good citizen had. Fine officer, sir, fine officer. Lost a valuable As he said afl this, he stood at a high desk law practice by going into the service, sir. nearly in the center of his office, facing the Cadwallader says he is penniless and sick. entrance door, with his elbows on the desk, His life has been as much given to his coun­ body leaned forward, his golden bowed spec­ try, sir, as if he had fallen in battle. The tacles thrown up on his forehead, and with country owes these offices and places to just a tender sorrowful faraway look of counte­ such noble defenders as General Sanders. nance which I had never seen him exhibit .: Must have it, sir; must have it.' till then, and one rarely seen on the stern The brusque impetuosity of Gen. Butler official. was indescribable. Under the rather rough Feeling that afl for which I had sought and authoritative demand which his bare this interview was so nearly lost that pru­ words would have implied, was plainly dis­ dence and regard for official position might cernible a hot vein of beseeching entreaty. as well be set aside, I began to walk and n Before he had finished his harangue, McCul- talk—reminded him of the promise that he loch began to smile, and finally said that I had made at every enlistment—how the gov­ had nearly carried him by storm—that there ernment had pledged itself to protect its was no withstanding such a reinforcement living defenders, and care for their widows as Gen. Butler—and that he would probably and orphans—that here was an instance in make the appointment. The next day he as­ point—it would have been better for the sured me that Gen. Sanders should have the family had Gen. Sanders been killed by the place as soon as proper bonds could be exe­ first shot in the rebellion—that technically cuted. there might be no way for the government But the silver cord was suddenly loosed— to even give him the burial of a pauper— the pitcher broken at the fountain—the but that if I was Secretary of War of this i> wheel broken at the cistern. Gen. Sanders great nation, when a case of this kind was died at his boarding house on Capitol Hill, presented for my consideration I would look and his broken hearted wife found herself through the department a long time before there one dreary morning with the dead refusing it, for it did seem to me that I could ' body of her husband, nearly a thousand somewhere find under cover of some ap­ miles from home, with a board bifl unpaid, propriation for contingent expenses, money and but fifty cents in money.^ enough to keep such a hero from the Potter's In this extremity I started in search of field. such Wisconsin men as could be found in the A blank silence ensued for a minute or two, when Mr. Stanton reached slowly for­ ^Sanders died on October 6, 1865. ward and rang a silver bell standing on the

242 THOMAS : WISCONSIN NEWSMAN WITH GRANT

desk. A messenger responded and saluted. early copy of the findings of the jury for Without moving, or apparently seeing the publication. Mr. Wifliam H. Stiner, Herald messenger, Mr. Stanton said: 'Give my correspondent at Fortress Monroe, was in­ compliments to Lieutenant Willett, and ask structed to subordinate everything else to him to step in here.' The Lieutenant came getting a copy of it. Two special correspond­ promptly, when Mr. Stanton, who had not ents were sent from Washington to Norfolk, changed his position at the desk, said in the by me, for that purpose; and each of these same low deliberate tone: 'General Sanders three men was impressed with its impor­ has just died at No. Capitol Hill. tance. Their first attempts were to obtain a Please see Mrs. Sanders and learn what dis­ copy of the indictment before it was read in position she would like to make of the body. open Court. Afl persuasions and negotiations She will probably want to take it to Racine, with Judge [John Curtis] Underwood, and Wisconsin, for burial. If so, make all nec­ Prosecutor [L.A.] Chandler failed. Relying essary arrangements for its transportation upon the usual publicity given to court in a good metallic case, escort the body and records they apprehended no difficulty in Mrs. Sanders to Racine, pay all charges obtaining a copy whenever it should be pre­ here, for transportation, and for funeral ex­ sented in open Court; and omitted the pre­ penses there, and set Mrs. Sanders down at caution of having it taken by a short-hand her own door when all is over, take vouchers reporter, verbatim, as read. for all money so expended, and I will sec When the reading of the indictment was that they are paid.' finished, Judge Underwood immediately put He then turned to me with the most gentle the document in his pocket; said he would expression I ever saw on his face, and in­ direct the Clerk to record it at the proper quired if there was anything else necessary time; and adjourned Court—all of which which had been overlooked or forgotten. was promptly telegraphed to me, with the 'No, Mr. Secretary,' was all I could say additional information that the Judge had through my tears. departed for his home in Alexandria, Vir­ I left Mr. Stanton's office in a softened ginia, taking the indictment with him. I mood, suspecting there was, contrary to my dispatched a trusted man, an old acquaint­ former opinion, an unexplored region con­ ance of Underwood's, to Alexandria, to meet taining some drops of the milk of human him on the boat, go with him to his home, kindness, under the iron exterior of the un­ and get a copy of the indictment at all haz­ loved Secretary of War. ards, and without regard to its cost. This He was a determined man, this Wisconsin man telegraphed me that every appliance correspondent, and few obstacles could stop had failed—that Underwood was immovable him. —that nothing could be done further. On returning to my office on Fourteenth That was a long quotation from his manu­ Street (opposite Wiflard's Hotel) in the script, and perhaps it is ungracious of me to afternoon, the janitor informed me that a make him give so much of this speech. But he gentleman had just been in inquiring for can tell you things at first hand which would me, who refused to give his name, or state be less effective coming from me in para­ his business. He described him as a small, phrase. Moreover, the unpublished portion of quiet, subdued looking man, indifferently his manuscript contains history known to no dressed, who had promised to call again more than a half-dozen living persons; and within an hour. that being so, I am going to take the liberty Within the time named the visitor re­ of reading another excerpt from it. It does not turned; inquired if I was Chief of the New York Herald bureau; and said he wished pertain to Wisconsin; but it reveals a behind- to have some private conversation with me. the-stage incident of those days. As this was a matter of daily occurrence, it Cadwallader recorded: gave me no surprise. Taking him into my Thursday May 10th [1866], the grand back office and carefully closing the door, I jury of the United States Court, in session was ready for business. He said: 'I am at Norfolk, Virginia, indicted [Jefferson] Judge Underwood; I know you are anxious Davis for treason, and adjourned till the to secure a copy of the Jeff. Davis indict­ fifth of June, to meet in Richmond. In an­ ment'; and slowly drawing it from his ticipation of this indictment, I had used all pocket, 'here is the original paper, and there the means at my command to secure an is no copy of it in existence.' I naturally ex-

243 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

pressed my surprise and gratification; and on the other side of the slowly dying embers. explained the whole trouble and expense I His hat was drawn down over his face, the had incurred to get a copy. I also informed high coflar of an old blue army overcoat him of the Herald's anxiety in the matter, turned up above his ears, one leg crossed and that I was willing to pay handsomely over the other knee, eyes on the ashes in for the privilege of transcribing a copy. He front, causing me to think him half asleep. said he would accept no money considera­ My gloomy thoughts of but a few minutes tion for that privilege, but that I could have were instantly chased away by my study of it on a single condition. He had been mixed the figure before me. His nervous changing up in the confiscation and sale of 'aban­ of one leg over the other showed he was not doned' lands and public property around asleep. His whole attitude showed him to Norfolk and Portsmouth, and there seemed be in a brown study. to be a newspaper determination, and some In a short time, however, he straightened in official quarters, to attack and traduce up in the chair and finding that I was not him officially. The price of the indictment asleep, commenced a pleasant chatty con­ was the silence of the Herald. I assured him versation upon indifferent subjects. Neither of my authority to act for the paper to the of us afluded to what was uppermost in our extent of not inaugurating a 'hue and cry' mind for more than a half hour. I then re­ against him, and immediately wrote off and marked that if we were to get any sleep that telegraphed the following copy of it. night, it was time we were in our tents; Cadwallader then quotes the indictment of Davis. and that it was a duty in his case to get all the sleep he could. He smilingly assented, It is regretful, perhaps, that the demands spoke of the sharp work Gen. Lee had been of unity necessitated the exclusion of these giving us for a couple of days, and entered historical tidbits, and others like them, from his tent. It was the grandest mental sun­ Cadwallader's manuscript as it was published. burst of my life. I had suddenly emerged But Cadwallader's primary concern was Grant, from the slough of despond, to the solid bed­ and he portrays him magnificently. Utterly rock of unwavering faith. candid, especiafly concerning Grant's drink­ Cadwallader's book has won recognition as ing, he is by no means a debunker. He ad­ a fresh and authentic portrayal of Grant and mired Grant enormously, and Grant towers in a basic addition to Civil War literature. With his sight. Cadwallader also gives striking de­ its publication, Cadwallader gains his rightful scriptions of life at army headquarters. He place as a topmost Civil War newsman. draws intimate pen pictures and makes frank Though he was born in Ohio, he regarded appraisals of other Union generals. He gives Wisconsin as his home state. A man almost forgotten, he now emerges from the misty past new and exciting insights into the daily living, to claim a place on her honor rofl. END the working methods, and the dog-eat-dog ri­ valries of the eager war correspondents. From the first, Cadwallader liked Grant per­ sonally. After Vicksburg and Chattanooga, he became convinced that Grant had no superior Another Magazine Index as a general. Then came the Battle of the Wil­ derness. The slaughter was awful. The Army Please mail the Society a postcard if you wish a copy of the Annual of the Potomac took a terrific battering. And Index, Volume 37, of the Wisconsin Cadwallader began to doubt. Night fell. Every­ Magazine of History—(Autumn, one else at headquarters had apparently gone 1953, through Summer, 1954) — to bed. Cadwallader could not sleep. If things now available. The names of Cura­ ran true to form, the offensive was over. The tors and Exchanges appear on a army would be ordered to retreat next day, as permanent mailing list. No charge it had done so often before. Cadwallader rose for copies. from his cot, went outside, and sat down before State Historical Society a smoldering campfire. He was sunk in gloom. 816 State Street After sitting there for some time, he wrote: Madison I happened to look obliquely to the right, and there sat Gen. Grant in an army chair

244 *S^^^W!j.*ari'^>«r-«J< ' m•omerset' s centennial has come gone. Unique in its history was the suc­ cess of John Till whose applications of inagic plaster and salve brought thou­ 4 sands to his door for relief. In one season ^^Doctor" Till was enriched by $80,000. An incredible narrative, it is recommended to those who enjoy "get- rich-quick" adventures.

The ''Piaster Doctor' of Somerset by James Taylor Dunn

Throughout the fafl of 1905, people around the side could save the suffering woman. Her Somerset talked of little else but the "miracle husband. Octave Cloutier, was told that this cure" of Meline Cloutier, the wife of a man used a healing oil which had performed farmer living near this Wisconsin village. miracles. In the hope that the "Quick Healer" Mrs. Cloutier had suffered from an infected might relieve his wife, Cloutier traveled to cheek which many villagers considered ser­ the northern Wisconsin village of Turtle Lake ious enough to threaten her life. It was sug­ and returned home accompanied by a man gested that a woodsman who lived not far whose name was soon destined to become a from Turtle Lake and practiced medicine on household word throughout the St. Croix Val­ ley. The amazing career of John Till, the "Plaster Doctor of Somerset," was launched when he successfully treated Mrs. Cloutier with Since this is the first complete account to be written about John Till, the author has had to gather his ma­ his secret plaster salve. terial solely from contemporary newspaper accounts Tifl was born on August 11, 1870, in the and personal reminiscences. Thanks go to the follow­ poor mountain village of Einsiedel, Austria ing for their assistance: the plaster doctor's son, John W. Till; Mrs. Octave Cloutier and her daughter, Mrs. (now Mnisek nod Hnilcom in Russian-held Dan Shirley; Aurel Cloutier, Mrs. William H. Shay, Czechoslovakia). His shoemaker father had a A. G. Vanasse de Verte Feuille, Alfred J. LaGran- large family, and could not afford doctor's fees deur, Mrs. Hope Garlick Mineau, Mrs. Grace Thomas, John Van Meter, and Willis H. Miller. An article lo­ when young John broke both legs and crushed cated since the above was written, but containing no seven ribs in a hay wagon accident. Instead, new information, can be found in the St. Paul-pub­ lished Monitor Magazine, 1:62-68 (November, 1911). he was taken to a healing blacksmith {Kur- The title is "John Till, Healer," by S. A. Phillips. schmied) who treated him as best he could

245 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 but left the boy with a twisted, deformed leg. Such was the demand for these cure-alls that When he grew older, Tifl became a blacksmith within a few months Till left Turtle Lake and and interested himself in the folk cures em­ moved in with the Cloutiers. To accommodate ployed by the Kurschmied who had learned the increasing stream of patients, a wing was herb doctoring from a hermit monk. Till was added to the old farmhouse and the "Plaster told, for example, that the best cure for a Industry" had begun in earnest. rattlesnake bite was to eat the snake's skin; From Hudson and New Richmond, and from that sour red wine boiled with nettles and such Minnesota towns as Marine, Taylors Falls, honey would stop a lung hemorrhage. and Stillwater, strings of teams were con­ At the age of twenty-eight, determined to stantly Somerset-bound bringing customers by "get ahead," the shoemaker's son left his native the thousands to what one reporter cafled "that Austria for a better life in America. In Eldorado of supposed health."^ From other 1898 he entered the United States through points in Wisconsin and Minnesota, railroads Canada and a number of years later located carried patients who hoped that perhaps the at the Turtle Lake lumber camp where he was "Plaster Doctor of Somerset" could cure them. "discovered" by Octave Cloutier in 1905. On and on came the believers, suffering from After Mrs. Cloutier's quick recovery, the palsy, paralysis, rheumatism, locomotor ataxia, services of John Tifl, the "Wonder Healer," cancer, appendicitis, dyspepsia, blindness, veri- became very much in demand. With Cloutier cose veins, in fact "all the diseases not con­ acting as his manager, Tifl at first traveled tagious that man is heir to."^ from Turtle Lake to Somerset once every three Beginning at six in the morning and work­ weeks for a short visit. At the Cloutier farm­ ing through until ten o'clock at night, "Plaster house about a mile south of Somerset, he John," as he was nicknamed, treated all who treated all comers with his secret plaster salve sought him. After the patients were seated on and a burning plaster. The salve, which was the dozen backless kitchen chairs he would go said to contain a mysterious ingredient known as "4X," was applied to open wounds; and ^Stillwater Messenger, Aug. 3, 1907. the plaster, composed largely of Croton oil "Hudson Star-Times, Dec. 6, 1907; reprinted in Messenger, Dec. 14, 1907. (This is the best single and kerosene, was used for all other afflictions. article about Till and his work.)

In 1905 When John Till Visited the Cloutiers, This Family Picture Was Taken in the Farm Home. Till Is at the Far Left, Cloutier Second from Left, Far Right is Mrs. Clou­ tier. She Now Resides in St. Paul Where She Prepares the Plaster Salve.

246 DUNN : PLASTER DOCTOR OF SOMERSET down the row carefully feeling their jugular And so they came, "squad" after "squad," veins with his unwashed fingers. Till claimed sometimes as many as 150 a day, dropping that this method enabled him to diagnose the their silver dollars into the bucket. It was esti­ diseases of his patients. He would then lay mated that Till's income frequently amounted bare the sufferer's back and apply his one to $20 an hour, and that in one season he made remedy, the plaster concoction, smearing it as much as $80,000. Every two weeks he from the shoulder blades to the base of the would load his well-fifled money boxes on a spine and using the same sponge for every­ wagon and truck them into New Richmond one. The plaster was put on in three different where the banker's daughter helped count the strengths: mild, strong, and, if a matter of life coins. Mrs. Grace Thomas recalls that Till or death, "horse treatment." Farmer Cloutier deposited on the average around $3,000 every (or "Clootsie" as he was called) followed im­ two weeks. Cloutier's share of Till's earnings mediately behind the "doctor," sewing cotton was a straight 50 cents per visitor. batting on the patients' inner garments to keep Over in Knapp, Wisconsin, Samuel Tufts the clothes from chafing the tender flesh. After published a song in 1907 cafled John Till of a warning from Till not to expose themselves Somerset. Its ten stanzas tell the story of a trip to cold and rain and to wash their hands only to Somerset, what the "doctor" did, and how in warm water, thus avoiding extreme suffer­ the plaster treatment turned out. The first verse ing or even death, the "squad" of twelve pa­ begins: tients was then dismissed and another took its We took a trip to Somerset not very long ago, place. A reporter from the Hudson Star-Times On the borders of Wisconsin where the Apple observed that "each contributed as much as river flows. Our health it was so poorly we thought that he deemed fit, none less than a dollar, which we would try sums were carelessly thrown into the treasury That Doctor there at Somerset, for he was all box to the rear of the thrifty and indus­ the cry. trious operator who appeared not to give it a The "barefoot physician" was not the only thought."^ one to make money from his enterprise. Hank One of many St. Croix Valley newspaper Farmer, Stillwater's liveryman, had to double reporters sent to cover the Till enterprise, asked the number of hacks crossing the St. Croix the "wizard of fly-blister" if he could watch. River bound for "Plasterville." To accommo­ "For vot purpose? You have nottings de date the hundreds arriving daily by railway matter mit you." sixteen carriages, each capable of holding six "Nothing but a severe attack of curiosity," persons, plied constantly the four miles be­ was the answer. tween the Wisconsin Central depot at Somer­ "I'm too busy to help you satisfy dat!" re­ set and Dr. Till's office; and just as many car­ plied Tifl.^ riages were making two round trips a day from Till usually dressed in a plain woolen shirt, New Richmond. Hotels in Stillwater and Hud­ collarless and open at the neck. His trousers, son were booked solid, and bars at Somerset held up by oil-stained gafluses, were so greasy grossed as much as $100 a day at a time when and dirty that one observer thought "a coal beer cost a nickel and whisky was 15 cents a heaver would have blushed in them." His bare shot. One farmer, making the best of the hous­ feet (for he infrequently wore shoes) appeared ing shortage, spread clean hay on the floors not to have been washed in years. Two small of his two-story barn and did a "thriving busi­ gold rings adorned his pierced ears; he seldom ness" charging 35 cents a head for sleeping shaved, and never cleaned his yellow, snuff- accommodations, bedclothing not furnished. stained teeth. "John is neat—not gaudy," was Hotels, restaurants, saloons, and livery stables a differing opinion. raked in large profits, thanks to the plaster Tifl's only answer to such statements on his doctor, and the little town of Somerset was appearance was: "Remember, Christ who owns in a constant "whirl of excitement."^ Some the whole world was dressed poorly."^ people, like the cigar maker in Dassel, Wis­ consin, "scented easier money" and set them- ^Star-Times, Dec. 6, 1907. nbid., Dec. 6, 1907. 'Stillwater Gazette, Sept. 5, 1906. "^Messenger, March 14, 1908.

247 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 selves up in competition to Till. A Dr. Johnson Amiable Cloutier tied up $3,500 in a new hotel. even entered this specialized business in Som­ A big reception for the returning travelers was erset, but no one seemed able to rival the Till- planned at storekeeper Henry A. LaGrandeur's Cloutier combination. home. The renowned "doctor" was to be con­ During Tifl's almost four years "doctoring" veyed from the railway station in one of Hank at the Cloutier farm the Stillwater Gazette Farmer's best coaches pulled by eight white charged that several deaths were "due directly horses and preceded by a band. There would or indirectly to Till's diabolical and fiendish be feasting and dancing in the streets.^" treatment."^ These claims, however, were But all these plans were upset by a sudden never substantiated and the Hudson Star-Times and unexplained rift between Till and the countered: "It is more likely that such un­ Cloutiers. Exactly what happened is not clear. fortunate people were beyond human aid when On arriving at Eflis Island, Till was tempo­ they went to him for treatment."^ rarily detained because of his crippled leg. Tall stories magnifying the effectiveness of Many felt the Cloutier family to have been re­ the plaster circulated in the Somerset area. It sponsible and said that they had deserted their was said that the plaster was used to cement benefactor in his hour of need. Thus it was back on a dog's severed tail and that in ten that instead of returning to the scene of his days the tail was healed and its wag restored. former triumphs. Till went to the home of a Another hound's tail was chopped off, so the sister in Almena near Turtle Lake. He ada­ story went, but when the animal ran off yelp­ mantly refused to listen to the beggings and ing, the owner took the remaining piece to Till pleadings of the citizens of Somerset and never who used double-strength plaster (the "horse- went back there. treatment"?) and grew on a brand new dog. Without such a careful manager as Octave As was to be expected. Till was a number of Cloutier, Till was too easy going, too vain and times arrested and brought to trial for prac­ credulous a mark for swindlers, to succeed ticing without a license, but the State Medical alone. He joined forces with his sister. Bertha Board could not persuade any jury to convict Stoeberl, at Almena, but they soon fell into the man. After one of the trials in Hudson, disagreement over the division of the "take," the county seat, "Doctor" Tifl on his return to and quickly parted company. To make matters Somerset was met at some distance from the worse. Bertha persuaded two of Till's assistants viflage by a great throng of celebrants headed to desert him and join her, since she had by a brass band. They escorted him trium­ tasted success as an independent healer and phantly to his office and that night there was established her own plaster clinic. Till moved a joyful demonstration of welcome with 1,300 on to New Richmond in 1909 and operated in new patients clamoring for consultation. "In various locations there until 1916. In spite of the long run," as the Hudson newspaper continued success, life was no calmer in his summed it up, "Tifl is liable to have many new spot. If it wasn't a fight with his asso­ more friends than the . . . [medical] board ciates the Kindervaters or the McDonalds over which is frantically determined to ding away profits from another of the "doctor's" money- at the legislature until they have made it a making projects, the Till Bus Line Company, it felony to take a dose of catnip tea or onion was with someone else. syrup without their prescription."^ During this time, on one of his frequent Twice during those years at Somerset, Till trips back to the old country, he married visited his native Austria. On the second trip, Hedwig Steiner of Freudenthal, Austria. By in 1908, he took members of the Cloutier 1917 the family, with their small four-year-old family with him. While they were gone, Som­ son, was living at Turtle Lake. In 1919, doubt­ erset made great plans for their September less anticipating his "retirement," he had homecoming. Some tradesmen even went into bought a sizeable estate at Dittersdorf, Austria. debt on home and village improvements, ex­ The Tills' last plaster shop in this country was pecting to recover their investments when Till at North Hudson where early in 1920 they got back and money again flowed freely. paid $5,000 for Mrs. Jean Jefferson Penfield's "'Gazette, Oct. 30, 1907. private Galahad School for Boys on the shores ^Star-Times. Dec. 6, 1907. 'Ibid., Fel). 28, 1908. '''Messenger, Sept. 19, 1908.

248 Octave Cloutier's Farm Place, Somerset. The Right Wing Was Added to Provide Space for Till. Most of the Persons Pictured Were Patients of the ''Wonder Healer."' Though Shrewd in Money Matters, There Was Little Remuneration Given the Cloutiers for Their Work When the ''Doctor'' Began His Practice.

of Lake St. Croix. There they opened the Till Stifl at Turtle Lake, Till had been found guilt} Institute with a bona fide but alcoholic M.D. of practicing medicine without a permit. The as "Medical Director." case was appealed several times, but when the Throughout the post-Somerset years, the court upheld the conviction, Tifl in November, plaster king was constantly plagued by law­ 1920, was taken from Hudson and placed be­ suits and damage claims, varying in amount hind bars at the Barron County jail. A condi­ from $100 to $120,600. The state authorities tion for his release ten months later was that continued after him. There were numerous he, his family, and what money he had left private suits by people like Pat Suflivan of should go back to Europe. One area newspaper Milwaukee who claimed to have lost the sight predicted that Tifl would soon be sponging the of one eye because of the plaster treatment. spine of the Khedive of Egypt, or "sewing cot­ Most of the time, however, the newspapers ton batting on the undergarments of the Sultan would merely state: "There have been so of Turkey. . . . Perhaps he goes to cleanse his many cases of horrible suffering occasioned one and ever ready sponge in the waters of by visits to Till that we are ashamed to chron­ the river Jordan.''^^ jhe Tills sailed on March icle them."^^ So far as is known, no death was 12, 1922, apparently unwept and completely ever legally found to have come about as a unnoticed by all the St. Croix Valley news­ result of Till's treatments. He lost money papers that had given him so much free adver­ which he invested in the Honduras Develop­ tising during the years of his plaster doctoring. ment Company, and he came to feel that every­ "Till has promised to leave the country," re­ one was out for a share of his coin. Being ported the Hudson Star-Observer, "which is hauled into court became a common occurrence something to be grateful for. . . ."^^ and he soon regarded it as a part of the day's What were the reasons for John Tifl's popu­ work. Perhaps he sometimes longed for those larity? Why did so many thousands storm his almost carefree days at Somerset, and the hon­ door demanding the magic plaster and salve? est business head of Octave Cloutier. Why do stories of miraculous cures effected The State Medical Board, long hindered by by this wonder healer stifl circulate in the St. the fact that Till never posed as a doctor nor Croix Vafley? Perhaps the explanation lies in charged for prescriptions, finafly made an old the relative isolation of the farming com- conviction stick. Several years earlier, while ^-Star-Times, Dec. 20, 1907. "Stillwater Daily Gazette, Sept. 20, 1907. ^•'Hudson Star-Observer, Nov. 25, 1921.

249 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 munity and its lack of competent medical word could be relied upon. "He benefited the assistance. In their overwhelming desire for health of thousands . . . whether there was freedom from pain, these people were easy anything supernatural in this or not, we do prey for afl the quacks and charlatans who not presume to say. Whether people simply made their fortunes from patent medicine pan­ imagine Till has cured them, it is still a fact aceas and cure-afl nostrums. that a great many people claim Till cured Dr. Justus Ohage, as former St. Paul health them. . . . The independent American invalid commissioner, testified at one of Tifl's 1912 will have his way in spite of all arbitrary and trials. He gave perhaps the best explanation: futile prosecution."^^ "If a man suffering from stomach trouble ap­ plied to Till for treatment, he became absorbed in the condition of his blistered back and so Twenty-four years later, having lost most forgot, by simple psychological process, all of his possessions first to the Germans and then about his stomach disturbance. There is just the Communists during and after World War where the success of this man Tifl lies. When II, Till quietly returned to the United States people go over there, as so many thousands which had granted him American citizenship do, they can't all be fools! Some of the people at Hudson back in March, 1910.^^ Less than are suffering from stomach trouble and when a year after that while visiting friends at Kiel, Till afflicts them and gives them sore backs, Wisconsin, he died of a heart attack July 14, they can't think of anything else for two 1947. months. They are so happy when their backs Over the years, the salve and plaster which are healed that they do not think of the stom­ Meline Cloutier once brewed have not been ach troubles."^* forgotten. Many in the country bordering the F. M. Welsh, editor of the Stillwater Mes­ St. Croix River continue to have complete faith senger, spoke for many of Till's satisfied pa­ in this wonder medicine and in the miraculous tients when he said that the plaster doctor's ""^Messenger, March 9, 1912. cures of the "Plaster Doctor of Somerset." ^'Star-Observer, Nov. 25, 1921; Star-Times, Dec. 6, END 1907. ^'Star-Observer, March 31, 1910.

^A fine country' June 18th 1842 Wisconsin want you to bring me little wheel [spin­ Territory Iowa County ning wheel?] you can take it to peces Dear Brother we are all well I hope and pack it up with your bed cloths I that you enjoy the same blessing. ... if want one verry much I will give you a you calculate to move here the sooner good price for one I have got a big you come the better it wifl be for you wheel so you had better bring a coupple there are seven farms here now in two of wheel heads with with you you can miles of us some more talk of com- get the rest made here verry well we ming they are making large farms but had a warm winter and a cold spring. have not entered there land yet they . . . Duncan is here now is hunting for are yankees all of them we have hard mineral he think it is a fine Country times here but not so bad as with you for farming huting fishing and mineral. there here you can keep as much stock ... I guess it will take you some time as you pleas and cost you nothing but to to read this so good by cut hay for them hogs keept fat in the ADALINE STEWART woods last winter. ... it is a fine coun­ try for flax and sheep we do not kneed Note: Mrs. John Stewart wrote the above much money. ... If you wate tifl you letter to her brother, George Robinson, are exaxly ready you will not be here for residing at Woodstock, Champaign Coun­ along time to come. ... if it is possible ty, Ohio. The letter, in condensed form, for you to rais money to have your ex- is reproduced here exactly as she wrote pences that will not be much. ... I it—EDITORS.

250 by Don McNeil

The elderly gentleman knocked on the win­ one, eventuafly, wifl have at least a passing dow of the red station wagon. knowledge of our purpose and work. The sta­ "Say, I saw your trailer a couple days ago," tion wagons (we have two now) provide an ex­ he said, "that's very interesting." cellent opportunity to demonstrate visually our The place was Gotham, Wisconsin, and, the state-wide services. man had seen the Society's station wagon with its large grey letters emblazoned on the side. Inspired leadership —the essence of an en­ A few days before he had visited the History- ergetic local historical society—is becoming mobile with its sprightly exhibit on the circus, increasingly evident in Vernon County. I spent and had remembered the name of the sponsor, a day recently with the people in Hillsboro who the State Historical Society. He just wanted are trying to restore the 100-year-old Kolash to tell the fieldman in the station wagon what log cabin, now situated about five miles out of a good display he had seen in the "trailer." town. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Cook invited me up Such incidents are increasingly frequent to look over the cabin, then meet with repre­ these days as our fieldmen pilot the red wagon sentatives of the city regarding the possibilities, to the four corners of the State. Some times it restoration costs and placement of the ancient leads to manuscript or museum materials. See­ habitat—lived in up until two years ago. We ing the station wagon in Marshfield, a couple discussed plans for gaining support of both the stopped Clem Silvestro and offered some cos­ city of Hillsboro and the county board, with tumes and other artifacts to the museum. A the president of the Vernon County Historical man in Avoca noticed the station wagon and Society, Mrs. H. C. Aflness, who was present. stopped to chat with Clem, busy loading the The interest of the twenty people present was wagon with some rare equipment from a doc­ tied to the centennial fair celebration in Sep­ tor's office. He wanted the Society to have the tember, and I was struck by the widespread trumpet his father had used as a member of enthusiasm they had engendered throughout the Ringling Brothers Band, and some photo­ the county. After a visit to see the collection graphs pertaining to the circus. Another time of silver, glass, photographs, dolls, and other at Lac de Flambeau a lady stopped Clem to artifacts at the home of Harry Lemke, Mrs. ask flatly what she could do to support the Allness preceded me the thirty-one miles over cause of history. the tortuous and winding roads to Viroqua. We all notice the glances of passers-by as There I saw the new quarters of the Vernon they silently spell out with pursed lips the County Historical Society, three rooms and a wording on the side of the wagon. Some smile. large hallway in the basement of the court­ Some look bewildered, still others nod know­ house. New light fixtures, a bright new coat of ingly. As the Society becomes better known to paint, modern tiling on the floor have trans­ Wisconsin's 3,600,000 citizens, we hope every­ formed the area into excellent exhibit space.

251 WISCONSIN ^IAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

The Vernon County Society, with support from ety's recently formed Charitable, Educational the county board, is taking an active interest and Scientific Foundation has as one of its in the restoration of the Kolash cabin and objectives the raising of money for the mu­ should have things in place by fafl. It was nice seum project. In the five years since the Medi­ to see the progress. It was also good to see so cal Society provided funds for the establish­ many people taking an interest in the local ment of the Medical Records Project with the society and local history. Historical Society, hundreds of museum items and thousands of manuscripts have been col­ The New Yorker magazine is responsible lected. When the two-year project ended, the for bringing to our attention a sign in the many leads to materials were incorporated into Oklahoma Historical Building in Oklahoma the regular lead file system of the field staff City which reads: "Please speak in a quiet, and collecting in this important field continued. cultured voice." The State Medical Society's early efforts have established a history consciousness among doc­ One of the finest arrangements to stem tors in the State and have brought handsome from the Society's long-time interest in pre­ returns of irreplaceable medical history. serving medical and scientific history came to a climax recently when the Wisconsin State Nurses Association turned over all the organi­ Once again the circuit has been expanded. zation records from 1909, the date of estab­ This summer I had the pleasure of teaching lishment, to 1948. The Nurses Association two days at the Institute on Historical and board of directors has made the Society its Archival Management, sponsored by Radcliffe permanent and official depository for its rec­ College and Harvard University. Fearing ords. In 1961 the Society wifl receive the planes (yes, I'm as old-fashioned as some of records for the five-year period, 1948 to 1953. the antiques housed in the museum), I took Every five years the nurses will turn over the the train to New York and Boston and a cab set of files for the subsequent five-year period. to Cambridge, arriving a few strokes after mid­ The system insures a continuing and orderly night. Early next morning I met with the thir­ coUction of valuable records over the years. teen students. There were persons of all ages, a Mrs. Edith M. Partridge, executive secre­ variety of backgrounds and very different in­ tary of the Association, deserves full credit for terests. A director of a small museum in Cali­ the far-sighted position of her organization. fornia, some Harvard University Ph.D. candi­ For several years we have discussed the possi­ dates, a woman from Norway and another bilities of a nursing history project which from Spain, a librarian from Utah and a law­ would result in a history of nursing in Wis­ yer from Massachusetts are examples of the consin. Mrs. Partridge, with many years of various types of individuals present at the In­ nursing education service behind her, has a stitute. My four sessions during the two days sharp perspective of the changing role of mem­ dealt with state and local historical societies, bers of her profession. Her work toward guar­ with emphasis on the broad free-wheeling pro­ anteeing the safe disposal of the valuable rec­ gram, problems of legislative relations, money ords of her profession was one of the last of raising and securing the support of other or­ her many significant contributions made dur­ ganizations for the numerous projects to be ing her long tenure as a leader in her pro­ undertaken. Conducted as a seminar, the Insti­ fession. We are happy that the arrangements tute offered great opportunities for frank dis­ were crystallized before her retirement. cussions, sometimes rather vehement disputes. Though argumentative, the group was con­ Our interest in the records of professional genial. Many were looking for jobs, and I organizations is longstanding. The State Medi­ spent considerable time personafly interview­ cal Society, too, is considering a similar archi­ ing many of them. The Institute, of course, is val disposal plan along the lines worked out one of the answers to the problems of recruit­ with the Nurses Association. The Medical So­ ment of good talent for historical agency work. ciety, too, is vitally interested in establishing The Institute, with the thought-provoking a medical museum at the Fort Crawford Hos­ ideas of the students, made this trip one of the pital in Prairie du Chien. The Medical Soci­ season's most stimulating circuit rides. END

252 Read about David Rose's maneuvers, when it was "give and take" between him and the desperate TMER&L at Milwau­ kee. Bitterness and fierce wrangling con­ tinued until at the height of the struggle "there were eleven injunctions in force relative to the affairs of TMER&L." This is the concluding installment of Milwau­ kee's 1896-1901 street car and political warfare. J Mayor David Rose

Street Cars and Politics in Milwaukee, 1896-1901 by Forrest McDonald

Part II

The Democratic anti-company campaign was enacted in June, 1898, and the litigation cycle almost stopped in its tracks at the outset when, was started all over again.^^ at the end of May, 1898, the decision of the Whether this new step would prove to be United States Circuit Court on the 4-cent fare constitutional was doubtful, but it was an im­ ordinance was finally rendered. Avoiding the portant part of Rose's long-range plans against issues of whether the city could regulate fares, the company. However his ethics may be ques­ or whether the original franchises could be al­ tioned. Rose was not only an astute politician, tered at afl, the court simply ruled that the he also had that rarest of rare gifts among company was not making enough money to politicians, a keen fundamental understand­ warrant the decrease in fares, that to deprive ing of the economics of business operations. it of the opportunity to earn a reasonable re­ His plan was to negotiate with the company, turn on its investment was to deprive it of its if possible to negotiate it to death, and the new property without just compensation or due 4-cent fare ordinance was only one of a series process of law, and that therefore the ordi­ of steps taken in advance to insure the favor­ nance clearly violated the Fifth and Fourteenth able outcome of the negotiations. His reason­ Amendments and was unconstitutional. Un­ ing was this: the electric central station and daunted, David Rose reasoned that the lan­ traction industry was no static business like its guage of the decision left the city open to re­ pass the ordinance now, on the grounds that "'"The case is reported in full in both the Sentinel the conditions of 1896 no longer prevailed and and the Journal for June 1, 1898; Milwaukee Electric that now the company could afford the de­ Railway and Light Company v. City of Milwaukee; Central Trust Company of New York v. City of Mil­ crease. Accordingly, the 4-cent fare was re- waukee, 87 Federal Reporter 577.

253 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 predecessors, gas light and horse-car compa­ company had as soon as possible to establish nies. It was a dynamic, expanding business a sinking fund for its bonds already outstand­ which annually, constantly, needed more new ing. In addition to prohibiting the company capital. In order to get the necessary large from ever having sufficient surplus earnings amounts of capital—difficult always, for the to pay any dividends on its stock, this meant industry had existed twenty years without yet in practical effect that its future expansion clearly demonstrating that it was reafly even a would have to be financed out of earnings, potentially profitable field for investment—a which was absolutely impossible.^^ healthy business climate was an absolute pre­ The company opened the negotiations with requisite. If Milwaukee consistently demon­ a written plea from President C. W. Wetmore strated that outside money invested in the city in New York, begging for mercy and "future was subject to a hostile populace and a capri­ harmonious relations and a cessation of hos­ cious legislative body, such money would cease tilities." In doing so, the company put itself at to be invested.^^ The credit of TMER&L and a disadvantage, but it had a motive: the discus­ North American, marred by the receivership sions were to be carried on at the top level of 1895 and the violence of 1896, was pitifully between the mayor and the New York office weak—North American's $100 par common of the company, which meant they had to be stock had fallen by 1897 to $3.75 a share on by letter, necessarily a slow process. It figured the New York Stock Exchange—and a few that it could count on a cessation of hostilities strategic blows could conceivably destroy it while the truce talks proceeded, and that entirely. Understanding these things. Rose had though the company's position was weak, time the company over a barrel, and both he and was on its side. Prosperity was returning to the company knew it. The only question was Milwaukee, and each month that passed saw how far he could or would go, whether the the company coming closer to being on its company would be destroyed completely and feet. It did not underestimate its antagonist, its property acquired by the city, or whether however, and it was prepared to go far in its Rose would merely wring concessions from suit for peace.^^ the company. The company's offer, made in June of 1898, Accordingly, Rose fired two more shots to proposed that the company would make vari­ demonstrate to the investing world that ous extensions and improvements; reduce rates TMER&L was an unhealthy concern in which for street lighting; "Grant to the city a partici­ to sink money, and then he began his negotia­ pation in the net profits of the entire business"; tions. The first shot was to set underway a pay a reasonable sum for all future franchises movement for the city to obtain sufficient capi­ granted; and give the city an option to buy tal to construct a municipal electric light and the company's property—railway or lighting power plant; thus, as the company complained, or both—at the expiration of the railway fran­ "to wipe out a $700,000 investment with a chise. In return, the company asked that the single stroke." The other step had the ad­ city (1) grant to the company all such fran­ vantage of working immediately against the chises as might be required; (2) continue the company as wxll as arming Rose with another street lighting contract to the expiration of the negotiating weapon. At Rose's suggestion, the railway franchise (subject to periodic rate ad- council solemnly resolved that when the exist­ ing franchises of the company expired, in ''TMER&L Minutes, Aug.-September, 1898; see 1924, they would not be renewed. Whether the also Journal and Sentinel for the same period. Gen­ city could bind future councils to this policy erally speaking, however, the newspapers were quiet during the negotiations. was beside the point; the point was that in ^^The following account of the private negotiations order to have a future market for its bonds, the between Wetmore and Rose is from the MS letters bound with Minute Book #1 of TMER&L, particu­ larly the original proposals to Rose in June, 1898; Rose to Wetmore, August 17, 1898; and Wetmore to ^^It is interesting and ironic that on June 3, 1898, Rose, September 15, 1898. On November 19, 1898, afl the Journal piously editoralized against demagogues of the correspondence on the negotiations was made like Populist Henry Smith on the grounds that "We public and printed in both the Sentinel and the Jour­ cannot expect capital to come to this city for invest­ nal. I have not checked the printed reports against ment when w^e advertise it as controlled by such im­ the original letters for verbatim accuracy, but the dif­ becile prejudice and unreason." ferences, if any exist, are insignificant.

254 MCDONALD STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE justments by arbitration) ; (3) promise, in after. In addition, it would give the city one- case the city did not exercise its purchasing third of all of its income after and provided option, to renew all franchises for a defined that dividends of 6 percent had been paid on period, at the end of which it should again the company's capital stock (this, of course, have the purchasing option; and (4) embody was over and above all taxes the company all settlements in contracts and ordinances, so might pay). In effect, the city would become there could be no future dispute or confusions. for dividend purposes the holder of one-third The company closed its letter with a statement of all the present and future stock of the com­ that if the city government were sincere in its pany ! The proposition was fabulous, and Rose effort to benefit the public, it would realize accepted it. On November 17, 1898, Rose that the constant agitation was scaring away triumphantly laid the proposals before the city capital; that the less secure the investment the council. more return was necessary in order to attract But the Democrats' glory was short-lived. it; and that the higher the necessary return, Democrats generally hailed the company pro­ the higher was the cost of service to the public. posals as a great victory for Rose, and the Rose replied in August, saying that the com­ Milwaukee Journal editorialized that "Except pany's proposals were interesting, but much for immunity from persecution, we cannot see too general. His position was, in effect: You what the company makes out of the agreement. draw up a specific list of all the concessions On the contrary, all the evidence is that Mayor you will give in exchange for peace, particu­ Rose has made a bargain for the city." But larly the cash you are willing to pay, and I'fl the Journal predicted that some Republicans let you know whether they are enough.^^ in the city might oppose the plan for political After over two more months of negotiations reasons, i.e., they did not want the Democrats by letter, the company did just as Rose de­ to have the glory of having settled this difficult manded, though its board of directors was split problem so favorably. The prognostication was on the question of how far it should go. The a masterpiece of understatement.^^^ proposal showed how desperate the company Old Guard Republican leadership suddenly was, that it had been forced to its knees. After emerged as the champions of the working class agreeing to yield on all minor points, it asked and the enemies of the company. Denouncing from the city (1) that all franchises be made Rose as having "sold out" to the company, to expire at the same time (1924) with a city they claimed that the proposals would bind option to purchase the property at that time the city to a 5-cent fare for at least twenty- and, if the city did not exercise the option five years and would give the company an then, that the franchises be continued per­ exclusive franchise guaranteed against compe­ petually through 10-year extensions, with the tition. The Sentinel charged Rose with sur­ city having an option to buy at the end of rendering the people's inalienable right of reg­ each period; (2) that questions of extensions ulation to an absolute monopoly for petty cash. of lines requested by citizens should, if the Republicans all over the city took up the cry, company considered them economically un­ adding a charge that the scheme was designed warranted, be submitted to a board of arbitra­ to relieve only the rich taxpayers at the ex­ tion; and most important, (3) that the street pense of the poor workers who rode in the car issue be removed from municipal politics. street cars. Rose promised a 4-cent fare and/or In return, the company would pay to the city, municipal ownership, they wailed, and he gives on January 1, 1899, the cash sum of $50,000, us this instead. We can see through his machi­ and would increase this sum annually by nations, they cried: he has been bought by the $10,000 until $100,000 was reached, and it company.^^ would pay the city $100,000 per year there- Vournal, Nov. 17, 1898. ^^Minute Book #1, TMER&L, executive and finance ^'Sentinel, Nov. 18-19, 1898. The Sentinel was the committee meeting of August 18, 1898. The profits La Follette organ in Milwaukee at this time. Raney, Rose was so anxious to share were non-existent. The Wisconsin, 288-89, says the paper was "not entirely company's funded debt required $244,000 interest committed to La Follette . . . [but was] friendly to payments annually; on the day after Rose mailed his him." On all but a few minor issues, however, its sen­ reply, the company borrowed $180,000 to meet its timents were exactly coincident with La Follette's past-due interest payments. until its sale in 1901 to Charles Pfister. Its "progres-

255 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

Rose moved quickly to head off the "counter­ without ever being committed to a formal vote revolution" by publishing the entire written of the council.^^ negotiations in the daily papers.^- But now it Thus because of the greed of its citizens, was Rose's turn to learn the impotence of facts who wanted everything or nothing, because of against an emotional tide. Many of Rose's elec­ the ambitions and the dogmatic ideology of tion time allies opposed the "compromise"; the the left wing, and because of the wiflingness Socialists, Populists, and afl other unbending of ruthless Republican politicians to make po­ advocates of municipal ownership wanted to litical capital at the expense of the people, continue the fight for the 4-cent fare and to Milwaukee threw down the drain proposals continue the cold war until the company could which would have brought it the surrender of be broken. Many labor leaders opposed the the company, many miflions of dollars, and proposed settlement on the grounds that it peace. Rose now turned dutifully to reopen brought benefits to the rich at the expense of the negotiations for a 4-cent fare. the workers and, with the Republicans leading But the tide had turned, and it soon de­ the way, soon the city was once again aroused veloped that the city had lost its best chance. to a high emotional pitch against the company. The company refused to negotiate for the first Anti-Rose and anti-company speakers, care­ few months of 1899, and then it took a long fully identifying Rose with the company, look at itself. Times were good, the company's addressed labor groups, social organizations, plan to connect the heavily populated urban political clubs, and the Merchants and Manu­ centers of eastern Wisconsin together with facturers Association with brifliant dema­ interurban lines seemed to be proving success­ goguery, appealing to every prejudice. The ful, and traffic inside Milwaukee was at an all- Republican Sentinel led the cause by daily time high. In April, 1899, the company audited editorials and exaggerated front-page stories. its accounts; its current interest payments had A series of public meetings was called, each been made and the books showed a surplus of building toward a grand climax in a mass $405,000 in cash and other liquid assets over meeting on December 6. Arch-conservative Re­ current liabilities. The day was fast approach­ publicans and ultraradical Populists and So­ ing when the company could easily afford to cialists appeared together at the meeting, and reduce fares to 4 cents. And as revenues in­ Robert Schilling, a radical Populist leader who creased, the notion of making flat payments had formerly been attacked unmercifully by and sharing profits grew considerably less ap­ the Sentinel, and conservative ex-mayor Raus­ pealing to the company.^^ chenberger were the star speakers. After a Accordingly, on July 26, 1899, the compa­ long series of extravagant charges against Rose ny's executive committee wrote to the council and the company, the meeting resolved that proposing new lines of settlement. For the first nothing but a 4-cent fare would be acceptable, time, the company talked tough. We wifl give and it set up a watchdog committee to "watch you, said the company, "a gradual and in­ the interests of the city in the controversy." creasing reduction in the rates of fare until Caught in this squeeze between extreme right a 4-cent fare is secured by the sale of commu­ and extreme left. Rose was crushed. By the tation tickets." In exchange, you give us all middle of December the proposals had died the franchises we require in the future, and extend all our franchises for ten years (until sivism" was transparently insincere. It had been pro-company, procapitalism, even promonopoly until ''Ibid., Nov. 20-30, Dec. 2-20, 1898. See also Mani­ political opportunism turned it at this time into a towoc Pilot, December 8, 1898, for an interesting in­ demagogic "friend of the masses." Previously it had terpretive summary. The Journal at first belittled, bitterly assailed Victor Berger, Robert Schilling, then attempted to play down the movement against Henry Smith, and other radical leaders in the city, the ordinance, but by the second week in December and now it joined them, only proving once again that it had to admit the opposition was great. politics makes strange bedfellows. "Minute Book #1 of TMER&L, directors and ex­ Still's account of politics during the period, in Mil­ ecutive committee meetings of Jan.-April, 1899, par­ waukee, 306-16, particularly on Rose's relations with ticularly meeting of April 30, 1899. One exception to the company, is unfortunately based almost exclu­ the bright prospects was a franchise snarl which de­ sively on the Sentinel and is factually erroneous and veloped in Waukesha; see Sentinel, Waukesha Free­ one-sided. man, July 2, 1899, and the following, and Minute ''Sentinel, Nov. 20, 1898. Book #1 of MLH&T, July, 1899.

256 MCDONALD STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE

1934). They added, in effect, "Take it or later, in public hearings on the ordinance, leave it''^^ E. P. Bacon, a rabid company opponent, jug­ With this new offer, the strangest, wildest gled some figures in a fascinating way to chapter in the entire affair was launched. Act "prove" that the company had paid $6,000,000 II had ended, and Act III, the climax and for $4,000,000 worth of property and had capi­ final phase, was about to begin. talized it at $14,000,000, and was now trying The Sentinel, as the Republican spokesman, to burden the city with supporting that invest­ was obviously taken aback by the ease with ment. (Bacon neglected to explain how the which the 4-cent fare had been dumped in company would burden the city by reducing their laps. But after a few days, the Sentinel its fares.) These two lines of argument, each solemnly announced that the proposal was suggesting some kind of conspiracy too com­ inadequate, that everyone knows that fares plex for most people to understand, provided should come down to 3 cents! Certainly the the theme of the opposition.^^ city "cannot bind itself not to ask for any Again the Republican leadership, rising in further reduction before 1934," as it would do demagogic oratory as the champions of the by this proposal. For the most part, however, masses, carried the battle everywhere in an the immediate popular reaction was mixed; effort to prevent the Democrats from reaching except for the Sentinel and an unknown band a favorable settlement with the company. One of radicals who began a campaign of cutting by one, by denouncing Rose and the council down trolley wires in mid-August, few people as having been bought by the evil, powerful definitely committed themselves. At the end Eastern plutocracy, they swayed the various of August, a special committee of the council political and semipolitical organizations in the was appointed to study the proposals, and on city. On November 9, the Turner societies of September 8 an ordinance accepting the plan Milwaukee issued formal resolutions against was drawn up. A series of disagreements over the ordinance; on November 14 the Jefferson the specific terms of the ordinance arose, and Club, styled "the leading Democratic organiza­ nearly two months were consumed in further tion of the county," followed suit; and on No­ negotiations, until finally, on November 4 and vember 15, the first "mass meeting," attended 7, with a divided vote in the board of directors, by 600 citizens, was held. It was difficult even the revised ordinance was formally approved for the fickle and confused Milwaukee populace by the company. All that remained was the to come around to this complete re-channeling voting in the council, and only four aldermen of its animosity, but before the end of Novem­ —two extreme left Democrats and two extreme ber the opposition had grown strong enough right Republicans—were reported opposed to so that aldermen of both parties were growing it.^^ reluctant to act until popular sentiment could On November 8 the anti-4-cent fare ordi­ be fully determined. nance campaign began. The Sentinel showed On December 5, Republican Cassius M. the way, by discovering that the whole thing Paine assumed the leadership of the movement was a diabolical plot to subvert the liberties by organizing a high-pressure propaganda of the citizens. The company, it claimed, was campaign against the ordinance. The Sentinel playing a clever game; the 4-cent fare was gave Paine a large front-page block every day, precisely what it had been seeking for years. the Chamber of Commerce turned over its ex- This, admitted the Sentinel, may be hard to believe (!) but it is exactly what the company *^Every day throughout November, 1899, the Sen­ did in 1897; then it had pretended to oppose tinel carried at least one front-page story and an the changed basis for railroad taxes by the editorial on the affair, and sometimes it ran as many Legislature, which change is "pretty nearly as half a dozen stories and editorials. The Journal reported all the meetings but relegated the news to relieving them from all taxation." A few days the inside pages, and it generally took the position that the resistance was only the frothings of reaction­ ary demagogues with no real popular backing. Com­ ^^Executive committee of TMER&L to Milwaukee pany records throw no light on the intensity of feel­ common council, July 26, 1899, in Minute Book #1 ing at all, and the company seemed unconcerned as of TMER&L. to whether the proposal was accepted. ^Sentinel, Journal, Aug. 15-31, Sept. 8, Oct. 28, Nov. 1-7, 1899. {Continued on page 271)

257 Almost half of Parker's book is devoted to a model outline for a community history, and Pandora's^ his suggested use of public records would be especially helpful to afl local historians. You Box ^ would do well, however, not to pay too close attention to his instructions on how to write history; his rules are unimaginative and pe­ dantic. Fortunately only a few pages of the book are concerned with this phase of his topic. Homer C. Hockett, professor of history at Ohio State University, wrote his Introduction to Research in American History (New York, 1931) as a manual for graduate students in history. With the possible exception of the How-to-Do-lt Books of History pages devoted to the criticism of data, much of his advice is applicable to any project in local "The suggestions in this paper are intended to history. Involved and complicated problems of guide . . . inexperienced, potential, part-time his­ torians—the farmer, merchant, professional man, determining the authenticity of sources, such housewife, grandparent, student, and all others—who as the author cites, wifl be encountered by few do not want the achievements of their forebears to be lost for all time, and who love this land and the peo­ local historians. A second edition of Hockett's ple who have left it to us." book appeared in 1948, and a third, much re­ Thus D. J. Whitener, dean and head of the de­ vised and expanded, was published in 1955 partment of social studies at Appalachian State under the title, The Critical Method in Histo­ Teachers College, Boone, North Carolina, be­ rical Research and Writing. gins his short pamphlet. Local History, How to In his book, Understanding History: A Find and Write It (Asheville, 1955). This Primer of Historical Method (New York, pamphlet is a recent addition to a growing field 1950), Louis Gottschalk, professor of history of publications designed to aid historians in at the University of Chicago, covers much of practicing their craft. the same ground as Hockett, but his treatment Perhaps you have long contemplated begin­ is less abstract and less technical, and there­ ning a topic in local history but felt the need fore simpler reading for the beginner. Even of advice on how to approach your project. the last third of the book, in which Gottschalk On this page are the titles of several publica­ discusses the theory of history, is written with tions, written as guides to the historian—ama­ a felicity which makes for easy understanding. teur and professional alike—which you may Allan Nevins says that his volume. Gateway find useful. If you cannot locate these publica­ to History (Boston, 1938), was written "by an tions at your local library ask your librarian amateur of history in hope that it may aid to borrow them on interlibrary loan from the other amateurs." Nevins' claim to amateur State Historical Society. standing is based on the fact that he has had Whitener's pamphlet, because of its "simple no graduate training in history. He is, how­ and practical approach" to local history, might ever, one of the most prolific American histo­ be a good introduction for the neophyte his­ rians, and his attempt "to show how engross­ torian. Included in the pamphlet is a list of ing [history's] pursuit may be" is rewarding, nineteen general topics relating to local his­ although not necessarily light, reading. tory, and suggestions on how to find and use sources of information pertaining to each. Just as the study of history itself may serve as a guide, so a careful reading of any or all If you aspire to write the history of your community, you will want to study Donald of these publications wifl aid you by providing Dean Parker's Local History, How to Gather time-tested techniques for writing history. It, Write It, and Publish It (New York, 1944). K.W.D.

258 "// America forgets where she came from, if the people lose track of what has brought them along to where they are, if they begin to listen to deniers and mockers, then will rot and dissolution begin." So spoke Carl Sandburg quoting from his Remem­ brance Rock when he dedicated Old Wade House. The marking of historic sites provides an effec­ tive way to keep "track" of where we came from. In 1953 the Wisconsin Legislature established the machinery and procedure for an Official Marker program. More than fifty sites of historical, geolog­ ical, archeological, and legendary interest have been marked under its provisions. Every community in Wisconsin has sites relating Is Your to its early days, and along the way has had peo­ ple and events whose contributions and impact have been felt far beyond the immediate locality. SITE When the site has such significance, it is eligible for the Official Marker. The map at the end of this article shows where Official Markers have been erected. About one-half Showing? of the counties have none of these attractive, en­ during, and official emblems, identifying for their own people of this and future generations and for by Raymond Sivesind their visitors the places where history happened. How about an Official Marker in YOUR commu­ nity? Is YOUR site showing?

BATTLE OF BAD AXi

After holding off his purtu^rs at the Battle of Wliconsin Helfhts (about I'^z miles south of pmsent SauR City) Black Hawk led his peofde over unfamiliar country toward the Mississippi. In tlK5 meantime, the Army alerted Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien. When the Indians reached the Mississippi, they found an armed steamboat blocking escape. The Battle of Bad Axe fought near here August 1-2, 1632 ended the Black Hawk War. Driven Into the water by their pursuers, the Indians - warriors, old people, women and children— were shot down or drowned as they tried to escape. Black Hawk succeeded In getting away but was soon taken prisoner.

he said simply: "Rock River was a beautiful !!!;"!Z',.^ Joved my towns, my cornfteM.. ana tue home of my people. I fought for It," aniK MUIR VIEW |||j|H|ji|^|^^§^il>:

jllljlljipjiplll ~^S»^i^.*.^ ||jj||||i|^p| Allfr many years of patient and persistent effort the communities along beautiful Lake Pepin are receiving recognition for their rich history and spectacular scenery. To explain the geological origin of Lake Pepin the Wisconsin Highway Commission has placed this marker in Pierce County, on State Highway 35 and on the route of iiili:Hii:::iiiiiiii the Great River Road (Mississippi Parkway). iliiiMiiiiiliii

[ll^^^^fl

The Highway Commission, most active agency in the installation of markers, erected this marker at "John Muir View" on US 51 near Poynette. The people of Marquette County *m£ are hopeful that further memorials can be established nearer Fountain Lake (now Muir's . %^ ll^^^pl;:..,^^:::--..^^^^ Lake) and Hickory Hill sites. f^ ;iip'^r4

>%.;* I Every spring thousands of people flock to Gays Mills to admire the apple blossoms on the more than a thousand acres of apple trees. In a high­ iiip'legead fM mM hmth m^ east way '"overlook"' providing a spectacular view of iiipi 6# ihh ]M^' mm 8 Ik^^rlt^' mmpim^ Gays Mills and the Kickapoo Valley below, a '•••''—184 Qm ^m^ « few h>d^€» M €Mppm» marker tells how these great orchards came to be, iiaF«^i?t€> cmsm^Mm. Wl^t? tter diieC after a few farmers in 1905 produced apples that m t!ifi< humi, he. fmM won national honors. * vill^ and l^«Jid :ti^:: i||i^^^^

••*^**^-^^,^

" 4^

-^^-:

In 1915 pioneer a\ iator Jack \ ilas operated his Flying Boat from Trout Lake in the first use rheif arc many stories ot ])ersonal bravery anywhere of an aircraft to detect and locate forest and heroism on the part of Wisconsin In­ fires. When Vilas County Historical Society and dians, before the white men came and as the Wisconsin Aeronautics Commission dedicated recently as the war in Korea. One of them is a marker in a Wisconsin Conservation Department commemorated by this Official Marker near roadside park on Trout Lake in October, 1955, Cornucopia, Wisconsin's northernmost village Jack Vilas was the honored guest. in Bayfield County. Preceding the Declaration of Independence by more than 100 years, French explorers, fur traders, and missionaries were laying claim to northern Wisconsin and the Upper Mississippi Valley for their country. One of their most important forts was built by Nicolas Perrot on the shore of Lake Pepin about two miles south of Stockholm. This aarker was dedicated August 18, 1956.

The large Official Marker is 6 feet high and 4^/2 fee wide. A smaller marker is available for city location-, where space is limited or where the story can be told in few^er words. On the shore of Lake Ripley near Cam bridge this marker pays tribute to Ole Evinrude. In Ma>. 1956, Milwaukee County Historical Society remembere another inventor by placing a marker near the site where Christopher Sholes and others developed the typewriter.

A marker on State Highvsay 11 near Shullsburg recog­ 'a\v>er, Vilas, Winnebago. Milwaukee, and Rock nizes the significance of the Old Lead Region and takes counties have been particularly active in marking one back to the days when mining was done with the their historic sites. Photographed with the marker, pick, gad, and windlass, and the shaft w^as lighted by erected by Winnebago County Historical Society, candles set in gobs of clay. Not far away is the site of is Charles E. Broughton, Chairman of the Historic Gratiot's Grove, important mining town a century ago, Sites Committee of the State Historical Society now just a memory. and long-time leader in the marker program. fsfond A

ff^UQLAS Rodtsson

Brule-St.CroiM

|Court Oreiiles

CHIPPtWA 0/d Abe • Oe Longlode*

TRfMP- fort St. Antoine, tALEAU

Perrot's Posi

mMiuich Setflement

G«n Billy Mitchell Old Plonk R^ad

LA FAYETTE 5toneffe/d Toll ir^ on First Capifol Homgstiod — Fc/rm t Cro/^^ Mu5 eu/rT I First Stota Foir , G0¥. Horvty Homc% ia*fm,,^m •Badger Hill I ' ^Jfff for soft %Lo^g Here is a gold mine of information. So diverse is the field of ethnic collecting, that thousands of hidden treasures still await the diligent collector. No doubt, every reader already possesses the nu­ cleus of an ethnic collection. Why not plan to enlarge it?

Collecting Wisconsin Ethnic Material bi| William J. Schereck

The Wisconsin collector can be a globe-trotter. other countries too numerous to list. Eighty- Staying within the boundaries of our State, he five percent of the nations of the globe are rep­ can gather materials brought here from almost resented among the population of our State. every corner of the globe by the people who Furthermore the number of ethnic groups have become Wisconsin citizens. within each nationality group increases the The true value of any given item in a col­ collector's choice immeasurably. The time of lection is not in the item itself. The value is in settlement in Wisconsin itself complicates a the knowledge the collector can acquire about choice of ethnic and nationality groups. its use, about the people who used it, about Bearing the facts of history in mind, we the part it played in the lives and in the culture realize that a considerable number of the of the people who used it. countries of present-day Europe were created Folklore and folk customs, unique crafts and after Wisconsin became a state. Wisconsin was arts, and industrial and commercial skills from twenty-three years old when the German nation Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and from became a political entity in 1871. That same the British Isles to the Russian steppes provide year Italy became a nation. Immigrants to the basic elements of the culture of Wisconsin. Wisconsin before that time did not come here Wherever one travels in the State in any sea­ as Germans or Italians. They came as Bavari­ son of the year, local and community observ­ ans, Schleswig-Holsteiners, Pomeranians; as ances of Old World festivals, holidays, and Genoese or Sicilians. Until World War I, social events may be seen. Foods, dances, Czechoslovakia, as a political entity, did not and religious practices from every corner of exist. The immigrants from that region were the globe—Europe, the Orient, Africa, South Bohemians, Moravians, or Slovaks. This is true America—add to the unlimited horizons of also of the whole vast area of Europe from the Wisconsin history which the collector may Baltic to the Balkans. explore. If we count nationality as of the time in his­ The Indians, of course, were the first of the tory of migration to the United States, our peoples of Wisconsin. Indians from the East­ categories on the basis of nationality are ern United States were the first immigrants. greatly increased. Furthermore, the ethnic dif­ The French and the English were next. Ger­ ferences within nationality groups are pro­ mans, Norwegians, Welsh, Irish, and Swiss nounced. The culture of the French-Canadians followed. Dutch, Belgian, Danish, Swedish, and of Wisconsin differs in many respects from hundreds from Eastern and colonial United that of arrivals directly from France. Parisian States came in advance of the Polish, Bo­ culture is not quite the same as that of Nor­ hemian, Russian, Italian, Austrian, and Greek mandy. In Switzerland, for instance, to add to peoples. Hungarian, Roumanian, Finnish, and the number of examples and consequently to Yugoslav immigrants preceded people from increase the number of categories from which

263 SOCIETY'S OLD WOKID CKAFTS AND COSTUME COLLECTION (Top left)—HUNGARY: Apron, Cream-Colored Coarse Linen with Wool Cross-Stitch Decoration; Skirt, Red Sateen, Cross-Stitch Bands; RUSSIA: Whittled Wood Toy Sleigh; GERMANY: Woman's Bun Hat; GERMANY: Pipe, Wood, Silver, Horn, and Braided Horsehair Stem; Bavarian Purse, Red Wool, Glass Beading; FINLAND: Lacquered Lathed Wood Bowl, Red, Black, Gold Lacquer; FINLAND: Seven Lacquered Spoons; HUNGARY: Easter Egg; CZECH: Easter Egg; HUNGARY (probably) : Easter Egg; POLAND: Easter Egg; HUNGARY: Easter Egg; RUSSIA: Whittled Toy Wood Loom; FINLAND: Basket-Woven Birchbark Shoes the collector may choose, each of the twenty- of the married woman, and of the widow, the two cantons of that country has costume and costumes for work and the ones for mournful dialect that are distinct from the others. The or festive occasions, the costumes of the citi­ same holds true for the provinces of Norway, zen, the government official, the poet, the peas­ of China, and of other countries throughout ant, the rich, and the poor. the world. Like other types of collections, ethnic materi­ One need not, however, be confined to the als should not be visualized as being the collec­ collection of materials within any one given tion of items suitable only for museum display. ethnic or nationality group. The lateral ap­ The collector may search for documentary or proach will provide as much stimulation and photographic materials relating to any phase of challenge. Think of the wardrobe which a col­ the settlement of Wisconsin. The museum item lector would acquire if he decided to collect is the physical evidence of a way of life. It is a only one costume from each of the political thing that may have been used for pleasure or subdivisions of each of the nationalities which for profit. It may be a thing a man used in make up the cultural background of our State! his effort to control or change his environment. The collector could not limit himself to this It may be the instrument of his approach to selection alone. He would be compelled to the supernatural. The document is the recorded search the State for all of the many different evidence of his efforts and of his intentions in costumes from each area. The costumes of the the use of the articles, the things, the instru­ male as well as the female, the costumes of the ments he devised and produced. The document unmarried woman, of the woman betrothed. is also the record of the attitudes of man, of

264 SCHERECK : COLLECTING ETHNIC MATERIAL the results of the associations of men with each The sportsman may seek to gather all sorts of other. The photograph is the graphic docu­ sporting equipment from skiing to curling. The ment. romantically inclined can produce a more As these documents relate to Wisconsin his­ tender exhibit—love spoons, highly decorated tory, the collector has many interesting fields Swedish hope chests, intricately carved spin­ to pursue. Until recent years English was the ning wheels, and all the many other gifts and secondary language in many communities in artifacts symbolic of courtship and love. the State. In the popular concept Polish, Ger­ The religions of each nation offer a fascinat­ man, Latvian, and Syrian are foreign tongues. ing hobby to the collector of theological bent, In actual fact English is the foreign tongue to not only in assembling the instruments of wor­ some first and second generation Wisconsin- ship from ikon to chalice, but also in the repro­ born residents. Currently there are a dozen or duction of religious feasts wherein each item of more so-called "foreign-language" newspapers food on the holiday board bears a special re­ published in Wisconsin. In the past 100 years ligious significance. Holiday festivals offer many other long forgotten Wisconsin news­ perhaps the broadest field of all. Spring and papers brought the local as well as the world harvest festivals dating back to pagan times, news in German, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Bo­ gay or mournful days commemorating a great hemian, Norwegian, and other languages. victory or an heart breaking defeat in the dis­ Official documents, too, reflect the bilingual tant past present a host of custom and folklore. characteristic of the state. Minutes of town The maypole and the crossbow, the symbolic meetings in Finnish, publication of county dance and the eternal song, recipes of delight­ board proceedings in German are interesting ful and exotic foods, legend, superstition, and proof. Records of all kinds in all languages— folktale, tamboritza, bagpipe, and Swiss alpine church records, club records, insurance rec­ horn, literature and the arts, household imple­ ords, sports records, manuscripts, diaries, jour­ ments and craft tools are all categories offered nals—correspondence in all languages—letters by the nationahty groups of Wisconsin to the written in the state to others within the state, collector of Wisconsin ethnic data. letters to Europe, letters from Europe—books But the collector need not be overwhelmed in Norwegian, books in German, speeches, and or frustrated by the difficulty of making a articles were all written by or to Wisconsin choice. If he has or finds but a single item or people in the language they understood best. several unrelated ones, he can add such to the Returning to the field of museum ethnicana, collections already started at the library and the Wisconsin collector can search out the at the museum of the State Historical Society things the people of Wisconsin brought with where the citizens of Wisconsin have already them from their native countries. He can also begun to reconstruct the story of the Peoples collect the things created in Wisconsin with of Wisconsin. END the skill and knowledge acquired in the home­ land. A number of Wisconsin businesses and in­ Apologies Unnecessary dustries, past and present, can be directly at­ No one needs to apologize for local his­ tributed to an old world craft. The early tory. When it is doing its full task, it implements of these trades are generally dis­ ceases to be personal matter of a few tinctive and offer interesting contrast to mod­ loyal and dedicated individuals. It be­ ern adaptations. This applies to heavy industry comes a community asset which merits and agriculture as well as to the home and wide community support. hand crafts. The early brewing and milling A historical society or museum "must industries; early farming implements; the have something to do, somewhere to go, somebody to help, and something to say," metal, leather, and wood crafts; home and was the keen observation of the late Dr. shop manufacturing of clothing, shoes, house­ Arthur C. Parker, Director of the Roches­ hold ware, and textiles. ter Museum. The collector with artistic temperament may —Henry D. Brown, History choose to collect decorative art from Norwe­ News, June, 1956. gian rosemaling to Polish wycinanki (cutouts).

265 those which accompany my paper. I have dis­ tributed the reprints and have already received some encouraging comments. . . . Cornell University CURTIS P. NETTELS

Junior Historians Exclaim I certainly had a wonderful time at Green Bay, even though I was a bit water-logged. I never knew there could be so many interesting sights in one city. I am sure thankful to you for doing so much for it to be a success, even with a little rain. I do hope you will start another one soon. GEORGIA KEETNAR Peckham Junior High Efficiency at Wade House Milwaukee We feel as if we should thank someone for I am very grateful for having had a part in the wonderful guide your office has provided Wisconsin's First Junior Historians' conven­ at the Wade House. . . . She was most efficient tion. I had a wonderful day and enjoyed the and it is evident that she knows her business. "Personal Tour" very much. Even though I I have visited many places of interest through­ live in Green Bay, I never knew we had so out the country, and have never met a more many Wisconsin's "Firsts." capable guide. . . . Cathedral School MICHAEL GAUTHIER Appleton GEORGE E. PRINSEN Green Bay

He's Eight Years Old Historymobile Visited Thank you for your letter about my pencil We were the first school to visit your His­ sharpener that you saw at the Tomah centen­ torymobile on May fourth at Port Washington. nial. We enjoyed it very much. Many of the chil­ I am 8 years old and I got this sharpener dren liked the picture of the fat lady and the about 2 years ago from my neighbor when he many carvings of the circus wagons and ani­ moved away. mals the best. I dont think I want to give it away now. Our teacher Miss Eidenberger had to make My grandfather McCaskey has many old guns six or seven trips to Port Washington in order and swords and other thing[s] that you might to get all the children there. We even drew pic­ like to see. tures of it when we got back. Camp Douglas A. J. MCCASKEY I am writing this letter to thank you for all the pupils of Grant School. Particularly Pleased The people in the mobile were very helpful too. Having received the copies of the reprints Grafton PUPILS OF GRANT SCHOOL of my article and also the winter issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History, I wish to ex­ press my appreciation of this record of the Circus Enthusiast Rededication proceedings and to say that I Enjoyed the visit of your unit [Historymo­ am happy to appear therein as one of the par­ bile] in our city—it revived many memories. ticipants. The issue of the Magazine is most I think it is wonderful to present this exhibit interesting and readable and the care with to the Public, and do hope it will help to re­ which it has been edited is evident in every vive some of the former enthusiasm and lure line. The illustrations add a great deal, and of the Circus. May it live always! I am particularly pleased with the selection of Whitewater MRS. ZELLA HALL

266 OLSON : WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD

NATIONAL GUARD The guard continued to grow and new units {Continued from page 233) were organized. Just before the Spanish- American War broke out in 1898, the Wis­ consisted of West Point gray, cadet gray, army consin National Guard consisted of 4 regiments blue, zouave; some had dark blue trousers, of infantry, one troop of cavalry, and one light others sky blue. Many of the coats were battery. These were the First, Second, Third, swallow-tailed, some with three rows of brass and Fourth regiments; Troops A, First Cav­ buttons, others with one row; some had epau­ alry ; and Battery A, First Light Artiflery. The lets and others were without; some wore the State supplied the following troops, composed white cross belts. Various colors were used in of 3 regiments of 12 companies each, to par­ the piping. Some had the tall bearskin shako, ticipate in the Spanish-American War, who while others wore helmets. It was some years before all had the same uniform. were mobilized at the State Fair grounds in Another clause provided for the payment to Milwaukee on April 28, 1898. The regiments each company fund of $5.00 annually for each selected were the Third, Second, and First; man attending inspection. This was known as the Fourth, the battery, and the cavalry were the clothing fund and could be used only for not included. the purchase or repair of uniforms. This clause First called was the fairly well-equipped remained in use for many years. Third Regiment. The group was ordered on The law provided for the formation of regi­ May 11 to proceed to Chickamauga Park. The ments and separate battalions, for regimental Second reported at Chickamauga on May 17, encampments of six-day periods, for the pur­ while the First was ordered into volunteer chase of tents and camp equipage, subsistence, service, and arrived at Jacksonville, Florida, transportation, and pay of $1.00 a day during on May 23. The First and Third, put in the the encampment. It appears that the cost of the same division, left for Charleston, South Caro­ ration was deducted from the dollar. It pro­ lina, and on July 20 embarked for Ponce, vided for a board to report to the governor Porto Rico. The city having surrendered, the on the number of tents and the amount of camp landing was made without opposition. The equipage necessary for 400 men. The act also troops were ordered several miles beyond to contained a provision for an appropriation cut off the Spaniards who might return to from the state treasury of a sum sufficient to Ponce and proceeded to Coamo, twenty-five defray the expenses and pay provided for in miles from Ponce. As they closed in on Coamo, the law. This law really started the training of the artillery set fire to the blockhouse; the the Wisconsin National Guard. Spaniards opened fire on the Second and In 1882 National Guard regiments were Third, then fled to the city and joined other created for the first time. The law of that year Spanish troops. This was the first battle Wis­ provided that a battalion could consist of from consin soldiers participated in during the 3 to 7 companies and a regiment from 8 to 12 Spanish War. companies. The First Battalion, organized in Several days later two batteries were sent 1880 with 5 companies, was increased to an 8 from Coamo to a place the Spanish held, called company regiment and the Second Battalion, Aibonita Pass. There they hoped to dislodge organized in 1881 with 5 companies, was in­ the enemy, but the Americans were at a great creased to a regiment of 9 companies. There disadvantage, having to fire high into the hills. was also the Third Battalion, organized in After the American battery exhausted all its 1881, with 4 companies, and the Fourth Battal- ammunition without doing much damage to lion, organized in the same year, with 5 compa­ the Spanish earthworks, the troops had to re­ nies. In addition there were 6 separate com­ tire. The enemy held its position and proceeded panies and a troop, a total strength of 2,414. to repair the damage to its entrenchments. As In 1888 General Chapman started action the regiments were beginning their march to which eventually made Camp Williams possi­ storm the hills, on August 13, the day follow­ ble. With the aid of some local donations 400 ing their defeat, a courier arrived with the acres were purchased for a rifle camp. Camp information that hostilities had ceased and Williams gradually grew to be a state reserva­ that the protocol had been signed by Spain. tion of 1,410 acres.

267 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

The units were mustered out between Novem­ elements of the Ninth and Tenth French Divi­ ber 11, 1898, and January 17, 1899. sions in Alsace. From that date until Novem­ The Wisconsin National Guard was reor­ ber 11, 1918, the division saw more than its ganized in 1899 following the muster out of share of savage fighting at Chateau-Thierry, the Spanish War volunteer regiments. At that Juvigny, and the Argonne. After the Armistice time the law limited the state to 40 companies the division became occupational troops in of infantry, a troop and battery of light artil­ Germany. During World War I the Thirty- lery. second became known as the "Red Arrow Di­ The Wisconsin National Guard continued to vision." The division suffered a loss of 13,036 grow and on June 19, 1916, the First, Second, of which 2,660 were killed or died of wounds and Third Regiments of Infantry, Troop A, and 2,992 severely wounded, but it never failed Battery A, and Field Hospital No. 1 were mo­ to take its objective during that war. bilized at their home stations for Mexican Following the division's return from over­ Border service. All of these troops were mus­ seas the job of reorganization was no small tered into the federal service on June 30 of task. Every town or locality which furnished that year and were mustered out of service a military unit in the Wisconsin National early in 1917. Most of the time that these Guard before the war was given an oppor­ units were in the federal service they were tunity to reorganize that unit. Service men stationed in Texas, where they received inten­ could enlist for one year, others for three. sive training which later stood them in good In 1923 the guard consisted of the State stead when they were again ordered into fed­ Staff; Sixty-fourth Infantry Brigade, One- eral service for World War I. On July 12, 1917, hundred and twentieth Field Artillery, One- the Wisconsin National Guard was alerted that hundred and seventh Ammunition Train, Di­ they would be called into federal service on vision Train (three motor truck companies and July 15. Every effort was made to uniform two wagon companies), tank company, mili­ and equip the units as rapidly as possible. tary police company and one company of en­ During August and September the troops were gineers, all part of the Thirty-second Divi­ sent to Camp Mac Arthur, Waco, Texas, where sion; First Infantry (separate) ; Headquarters the Thirty-second Division was organized. In Twenty-second Cavalry Division, Headquarters forming that division, Wisconsin furnished ap­ Fifty-third Cavalry Brigade, Service Battery, proximately 15,000 and Michigan 8.000 from One-hundred and twentieth Field Artillery; the National Guard, while later 4,000 National One-hundred and fifth Cavalry; First Separate Army troops from two states were transferred Squadron of Cavalry; two batteries of One- to the division. hundred and twenty-first Field Artillery, corps The division was ordered to intensive train­ troops; part of the One-hundred and thirty- ing. It was a matter of drill and schools, bay­ fifth Medical Regiment (army troops). onet exercise, rifle and artillery firing, and In 1923, due to a cut in state appropria­ more schools. Reveille in winter was held while tions, it was necessary to reduce the Wisconsin it was stifl dark. Trench systems were laid out, National Guard materially. However, over a and instruction given in trench warfare. Of­ period of years it gradually expanded again ficers' schools were held nightlv. It was at until in the fall of 1940, when it was ordered Waco that the men learned to talk in terms of into training for one year, it had the follow­ "division" instead of "regiment." ing units: On January 2, 1918, the advance party left State Headquarters and Headquarters De­ Waco for France, followed on the fourteenth tachment; Headquarters and Headquarters by division headquarters. The infantry and Company, Thirty-second Infantry Division artiflery foflowed in January and February. (Wisconsin contingent) ; Headquarters and The official date of the division's sailing is Headquarters Company, Sixty-fourth Infantry pven by the War Department as February 18, Brigade; One-hundred and twenty-seventh In­ 1918, it being the sixth of 40 divisions to be fantry; One-hundred and twenty-eighth Infan­ sent overseas. The division continued in its in­ try; Headquarters and Headquarters Bat­ tensive training in France. On May 18, 1918. tery, Fifty-seventh Field Artiflery Brigade; four battalions of the Thirty-second relieved One-hundred and twentieth Field Artillery;

268 OLSON : WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD

Garfield Guard, Known as Company G of the First Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard, Organized at Racine in the Summer of 1881, Disbanded in 1892. The Picture Was Taken at Camp Douglas, c. 1890.

One-hundred and twenty-first Field Artil­ and Headquarters Company of the Sixty-fourth lery; One-hunderd and twenty-sixth Field Ar­ Infantry Brigade. The new triangularized tiflery; One-hundred and seventh Quarter­ Thirty-second Division sailed for Australia on master Regiment; Thirty-second Military Po­ April 22, 1942, and landed at Adelaide on lice Company; Company A, One-hundred and May 14. After training in Adelaide and Camp ninety-second Tank BattaHon; One-hundred Cable just outside of Brisbane, Australia, ele­ and thirty-fifth Medical Regiment; and the ments of the division were flown to Port One-hundred and twenty-sixth Observation Morsby in September of that year and entered Squadron. combat against the Japanese in the vicinity The State Headquarters and Headquarters of Buna. In February, 1943, they were re­ Detachment was inducted into federal service lieved from combat duty and returned to Aus­ on September 16, 1940, and afl the division tralia for reorganization and training. They units on October 15, 1940; Company A, One- participated in numerous battles from Port hundred and ninety-second Tank Battalion on Morsby to the Vifla Verde Trail in Luzon, November 25, 1940; the One-hundred and and were then sent to Japan as occupation thirty-fifth Medical Regiment on January 13, troops. They were mustered out of the service 1941; and the One-hundred and twenty-sixth in Japan in February, 1946. The Thirty-second Observation Squadron on June 2, 1941. division had 654 days of combat during World In the fafl of 1941 the Thirty-second In­ War II, the greatest number of days of any fantry Division was changed from a square division whether National Guard, regular division to a triangular division. When this army, or reserve. . was done, a number of units became surplus The One-hundred and thirty-fifth Medical to the division and were sent elsewhere for Regiment, later known as the One-hundred further training and eventually for overseas and thirty-fifth Medical Group, served in the duty with units other than the Thirty-second Southwest Pacific area from Australia to Division. This was especiafly true of artiflery Luzon. Company A of the One-hundred and units as well as the One-hundred and seventh ninety-second Tank Battalion was in the Philip­ Quartermaster Regiment and Headquarters pines at the beginning of the war on December

269 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

8, 1941, and their casualties in the defense of doubled in most instances. On November 8, Corregidor were extremely heavy. The artiflery 1946, the State Headquarters and Headquar­ units, made surplus upon the reorganization of ters Detachment were federally recognized as the division in 1941, were sent to the European wefl as the Headquarters and Headquarters De­ Theatre as was the larger part of the One- tachment and Headquarters Company of the di­ hundred and seventh Quartermaster Regiment. vision. From that date on, activation of units Hardly had the smoke of battle of World was quite rapid, the organizations being from War II cleared away before the War Depart­ division to regiments, to battalions, to compa­ ment started making plans for the National nies or batteries. By early 1948 most of the Guard reorganization. Because of the out­ units were reorganized or new units organized standing records of all National Guard units as the case might be, and the units went to their in World War II the War Department was summer training camps for the fufl fifteen days. insistent upon a postwar National Guard of The federal government constructed at federal more than twice the number of units of the expense the necessary facilities for the Air Na­ prewar II Guard. In their "War Department tional Guard located in Madison and added to Policies" October 13, 1945, this policy of the facilities which the State had at General increasing the size of the National Guard Mitchell Field, Milwaukee, in order to accom­ throughout the United States was stressed and, modate the One-hundred and twenty-eighth among other things in the policies announced, Fighter-Interceptor Wing. A building to house it was agreed that the states would furnish the the One-hundred and twenty-eighth Aircraft personnel, adequate armories, and storage fa­ Control and Warning Squadron was also cilities. The federal government would super­ erected at federal expense. Plans were finally vise the instruction, and furnish outdoor train­ developed for the building of greatly needed ing facilities, the pay, all uniforms, equipment, armories throughout the State. The federal and ammunition. It was further stated that government contributed 75 percent of the cost where states accepted troop allotments over and of the armory and the state 25 percent of the above state needs, and where housing of the cost, together with engineering and architec­ troops and storage of equipment of these troops tural service, grading, landscaping, sidewalks, imposed an inequitable burden upon the state and so on. The State Building Commission and or territory, such allocation of troops would the Legislature had made the state's share of be made with the understanding that the fed­ the funds available as requested by the office eral government would contribute its equitable of the adjutant general, and as of August 15, share of the expense of constructing and main­ 1955, there had been completed or were in the taining the required facilities. process of completion eleven armories, and funds are available for fifteen more one-unit Early in 1946 Wisconsin was ofl'ered, and armories for which contracts should be let the governor accepted, the foflowing Army before July 1, 1956. National Guard troop aflotments: Headquar­ ters and Headquarters Detachment, Wisconsin During the Korean emergency the One- National Guard; the entire Thirty-second In­ hundred and twenty-eighth Fighter Wing was fantry Division; and the following allotments inducted into federal service during the months for Air National Guard: the One-hundred and of January and February, 1951, and did not twenty-eighth Fighter-Interceptor Wing and fully return to state control until December, One-hundred and twenty-eighth Aircraft Con­ 1952. The One-hundred and twenty-eighth Air­ trol and Warning Squadron. Brigadier Gen­ craft Control and Warning Squadron was in­ eral John F. Muflen, who was appointed Wis­ ducted into federal service on September 1, consin Adjutant General, in August, 1946, to 1951, and reverted to state control in June, succeed Major General Immell, who resigned, 1953. had the burden of the reorganization of the The governor, by statute, is commander-in- postwar National Guard. It meant a consider­ chief of the Wisconsin National Guard. How­ able amount of work because not only was the ever, responsibility of the guard is delegated number of units which the State had prior to to the adjutant general. The adjutant general World War II more than doubled, but the au­ is the chief of staff to the governor, inspector thorized strength of the various units was also general, and quartermaster general. His office

270 OLSON : WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD is in the State Capitol and is open during the The adjutant general has the power, on be­ usual business hours. He has the custody of half of the State, to grant to the federal gov­ all military records, correspondence, and other ernment the right to use any area of Camp documents relating to the volunteers of this Williams he may deem advisable. State, at any time in the service of the United The adjutant general, on behalf of the State, States and of the National Guard heretofore upon approval by the state chief engineer, sub­ or hereafter organized, except such as are re­ mitted to the governor in writing, may sell and quired to be filed with the governor. He is the convey upon such terms as the adjutant gen­ medium of military correspondence with the eral may determine, with the approval of the governor and performs all other duties pertain­ governor in writing, any state-owned property, ing to his office or prescribed by law. On or both real and personal, acquired or erected for before June 30, in every even numbered year, state military purposes, which property is no he makes a report to the governor, to be laid longer useful to the National Guard. before the Legislature, of all the transactions The adjutant general is the auditor of mili­ of his department since the last biennial report, tary accounts, and all accounts or claims pay­ setting forth the number, strength, and condi­ able from the treasury of the State for military tion of the National Guard, and such other purposes shall be regularly audited by him matters as he may deem important. As quarter­ before payment. He has prepared and issued master general he has charge of all the military all necessary books, blank books, blanks and property of the State including the preserva­ forms required by his office for the National tion, repair, and the accounting of the same. Guard. All such books, blank books, blanks He accounts for all moneys received and ex­ and forms are made to conform as nearly as pended by him. He performs the customary practicable to those in use in the armed forces. duties of the office of quartermaster general The present adjutant general. Major General and that of the chief of all logistical services. Ralph J. Olson, was appointed by Governor The transportation of all troops, arms, accou- Oscar Rennebohm on October 26, 1950, and terments, stores, and other property and the under the statutes holds office until he reaches preparation for encampments are contracted the age of sixty-five years, unless his term ends for by him under the direction of the governor. earlier by reason of resignation or disability. END

STREET CARS get anything from the company and, on De­ (Continued from page 257) cember 19, the ordinance passed the third reading, which normally insured final passage. change room for Paine's use night and day, The Journal triumphantly announced that the and demagoguery rose—or descended—to new passage "emphasizes anew that the villainous levels. Within a week Paine announced that kind of campaigning employed in certain public opinion was so aroused that "no alder­ quarters on all occasions is still unpopular in man who votes for the street car ordinance a conservative city like ours." But the Journal will be reelected." The Journal, at first be­ was whistling in the dark; the opposition was littling the anti-ordinance movement as a still increasing. The Populist Party announced tempest in a teapot, had to admit by mid- on the day after the passage of the third read­ December that a large number of Milwaukee- ing of the ordinance that it was withdrawing ans were strongly opposed to it.^^ its support from the Democrats. Hooray, said Rose and the Democrats on the council were the Journal, we are sick of the "Populistic either unimpressed by the agitation or con­ Practice of attacking the character of oppo­ vinced that this was the last opportunity to nents . . . the outrage of trying to ruin the business and reputation of men" with whom ^^Sentinel, Journal, Dec. 5-18. The Journal began to appear concerned about the outcome of the agita­ Populists differed politically.^^ tion, and began to admit that the opposition had gained considerable popular support around Decem­ ber 14. ^'Journal, Dec. 19-20, 1899.

271 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER. 1956

A day later, it appeared that the entire back­ enforcing the injunction. Then the ordinance bone of the Democratic Party was disintegrat­ foes began to make a real pyramid by getting ing over the issue, as the Federated Trades two more injunctions. One, also secured in the Council, in its annual meeting, came to the superior court, from Judge Wifliams, was in following resolutions:^" the name of the state, ex rel. Cassius M. Paine, Whereas, Said company, through its man­ prohibiting action on the ordinance or on ager, Henry C. Payne, is an enemy to or­ either of the first two injunctions on the ganized labor and all workers, believing that grounds that the city council had no authority laboring men should be slaves, and under the statutes to grant any franchises at Whereas, An argument in defense of said all; this suit, if successful, would have brought ordinance is that a 4-cent fare is given labor­ everything tumbling down. The other new in­ ing men and women; and junction, the fourth in the series, granted by Whereas, We are aware of the tricks, cor­ Court Commissioner R. N. Austin, restrained ruption and bribery of the Milwaukee Elec­ the company from accepting the ordinance if tric Railway & Light Company; therefore it should be passed. be it The injunction fiasco then turned into an Resolved, By the Federated Trades Coun­ orgy. In Wauwatosa a long dispute over cil, the central body of organized labor in whether citizens of that suburb should be re­ Milwaukee, that we condemn said ordinance, quired to pay two separate fares for riding and class it with other grabbing monopoly continuously across Wauwatosa and Milwau­ schemes as a wish to rob the poor and fat­ kee came to a head on January 1. The Wau­ ten the Eastern and local bondholders of the watosa town clerk got an injunction from a company, and we ask our city officials to kill justice of the peace court restraining the com­ said ordinance forthwith. And be it further pany from collecting two fares, and passengers Resolved, That we are opposed to any new began forcibly resisting the payment of fares extension of existing franchises or the grant­ on entering Milwaukee. The company fought ing of any new ones, even if silver-lined back with two counter-injunctions, one re­ with a 4-cent fare as a bait, and still affirm straining the town from proceeding with any our position as favoring nothing but the municipal ownership of afl public utilities, suits against the company, the other prevent­ and especiafly the street railway. ing the passengers "from refusing to be ejected When it appeared that Rose and the Demo­ from the cars on their refusal to pay two crats on the council, despite the vocal opposi­ fares." With four injunctions and counter- tion, were determined that the ordinance would injunctions which had been issued for a com­ ultimately benefit both the city and the party, plex side issue in Waukesha, there were eleven the opponents of the ordinance shifted their injunctions in force relative to the affairs of grounds of attack to the courts. With that shift TMER&L. Finally, with a comic opera climax, came an almost fantastic injunction war and the entire city of Milwaukee was enjoined the grand climax of the long dispute. against seeking any further injunctions on the The anti-ordinance forces struck the first subject of the 4-cent fare ordinance !^^ blow on December 21, 1899, with a spectacular On January 2, 1900, the council met in move: they secured from Court Commissioner regular session, considered all the injunctions, John F. Harper a temporary (twenty-day) in­ and calmly passed the controversial ordinance. junction prohibiting the mayor and council A noisy rhubarb developed immediately over from taking further action on the ordinance. the validity of the council's action, but the The grounds alleged was that Mayor Rose, the company put the 4-cent tickets on sale on the council, and the company were engaged in a following day, and the faith of Rose and the conspiracy to defraud the city by giving away Democratic councilmen in the popularity of valuable rights of the people to the company without compensation! Two days later the com­ pany and the council countered by securing ^^Sentinel, Journal, Dec. 22, 1899, to Jan. 2, 1900, from Judge John C. Ludwig of the superior both give full accounts of the injunction war. The ac­ court an order restraining Judge Harper from counts differ in editorial treatment but not in factual detail. Company records again shed no light on the subject. All court proceedings were printed in full in '^Sentinel, Dec. 21, 1H99. both newspapers, however.

272 MCDONALD : STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE the ordinance was confirmed by the tremen­ the seventeen who had voted against the ordi­ dous rush to buy the tickets. They justified nance, fifteen ran again, fourteen of whom their action by saying that they would have were re-elected and only one of whom was honored the first action had it been issued defeated. The long battle was finally over, and alone, but when the barrage of injunctions no one had won.^* began, it was obviously a political move by Rose and the Democrats went on to domi­ Republicans to prevent the passage of the ordi­ nate city politics for a decade, but not on the nance until after the spring elections, and such strength of their record against TMER&L. The a barrage could be kept up all winter. General company went on to become a great and pro­ Manager John I. Beggs put it more bluntly in gressive public utility, bringing scores of mil­ answer to a reporter: "To befl with the in­ lions of outside capital into Milwaukee and junctions," he said. "They can get out an blanketing southeast Wisconsin with a network injunction every hour if they get the money of interurban railways and with low-cost elec­ to do so."'2 tric light and power service, but every advan­ The rest was anticlimax. On January 18, tage it brought to Milwaukee came not because 1900, Judge Ludwig found the mayor, the city of the citizens of Milwaukee, hut despite them. clerk, and twenty-four aldermen in contempt From the company's point of view, the war had of court, but on the next day Chief Justice left a deep scar in its public and employee Cassody of the state supreme court enjoined relations, one which was very slow to heal. Ludwig from enforcing his ruling. The snarl From the city's point of view, the war had of court proceedings—made more colorful created an unhealthy investment climate which when Charles Pfister and Henry Payne sued delayed its electric and perhaps its overafl the Sentinel for libeP^—was not finally un­ economic development from half a dozen years tangled until February 28, when the action of to a decade. Yet some good was accomplished. the mayor and council was confirmed, the in­ The company had blundered and the poli­ junctions were dissolved, and the ordinance ticians had both blundered and been dishonest, upheld. The entire affair since 1896 was thor­ but both learned from their mistakes. Grow­ oughly rehashed in March in the city election ing directly out of the issues raised in Milwau­ campaigns. Rose was re-elected by a narrow kee, however confused they were, came a state plurality of 1,847 votes, as against his plurality utility regulatory commission in 1907 which of 7,767 votes in 1898. But of the twenty-five took the problems of rates and regulation of aldermen who had voted for the ordinance, public utflities out of the hands of politicians. only twelve were candidates for re-election; The skifl and integrity, the tough- but fair- seven were re-elected, five were defeated. Of mindedness of this pioneer commission had much to do with the rapid progress and the ^^Ibid., January 2-4, 1900. Although company minimum of abuse which characterized the lawyers were kept busy for the following two months, development of public utilities in Wisconsin. the company's directors clearly considered the long END war over as of January 2. North American's Annual Report of May 31, 1900, simply reported that as of January 2, the company had peace in Milwaukee, at ^*The above summary of the court proceedings is last. taken from the printed court reports in both the ^^The libel suit was not really settled until Pfister Journal and the Sentinel. The election returns are bought the paper a year later. It is interesting that from Sentinel, April 4, 1900. During the campaign, the Sentinel's defense in the suit was that it w^as the Journal identified Henry Baumgaertner, the Re­ quoting from an Indianapolis newspaper, but that publican candidate, and his faction, along with the the Indianapolis paper, when questioned by the Jour­ Sentinel, with the reactionary and machine elements nal, said that its only source of information had been of the party, and it identified them likewise with the Milwaukee newspapers, particularly the Sentinel. La Follette.

^^Two of the cars for the Horse Railway arrived here on Sunday on the brig D. Ferguson. They are from the manufactory of Kimball & Gordon, Phila­ delphia, and present a very beautiful appearance, being painted in buff with light blue panels handsomely scrolled. They are commodious and in every respect equal to those at Chicago. They ivill be running in a very few days.^^ —Milwaukee Sentinel, May 29, 1860.

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GENERAL HISTORY Truman's Committee on Civil Rights for spe­ cial condemnation. Without giving any sup­ My Hero. By DONALD R. RICHBERG. (Put­ porting evidence, he asserts that the report nam's Sons, New York, 1955. Pp. 367. was controlled "by representatives of the ex­ $5.00.) treme Left," and has been used to advance For a short period, 1933-35, Mr. Donald the Communist program. He especially de­ R. Richberg held several prominent positions nounces the fair employment practices idea in the New Deal administration of President as a clever device to ruin private business by Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the first gen­ subjecting it to bureaucratic interference. eral counsel of NRA, the last chairman of its He also says, speaking of Dean Acheson and board, and for a time the head of the National General George Marshall, that "the very in­ Emergency Council. For a while he was re­ tellectual power of these men contained the ferred to in the newspapers as the "Assistant seeds of weakness." It seems that their judg­ President." It is apparent that he has never ments were sometimes "so refined" that sim­ quite gotten over it, in spite of the fact that pler minds would have done better. What this all sorts of men have from time to time been means I haven't the faintest idea. It should nominated by the newspaper fraternity for be added that Richberg has a good opinion of the position. Henry Wallace. As for FDR, he played largely Richberg began his career as a Teddy Roose­ "by ear" and was "a master politician." The velt progressive and as a labor lawyer in Chi­ book teems with comparable flashes of original cago. By the time he wrote his memoirs he insight. had made the fufl circle, finally reaching the Richberg was married three times and was position taken by Herbert Hoover, who of all divorced twice. Of his first marriage he writes the political personalities discussed in this with charming delicacy: "I was not a great book, gets the highest praise. He says that playboy, a great spender or a great lover. Hoover "had more inteflectual power and a Had I been any one of the three, I might have more intefligent understanding of what was held the affection of my wife." (Honestly, he good for the American people than any Presi­ says this, page 211.) In addition, Richberg dent of my life-time." He goes on to make seems to enjoy writing poetry and quotes many the sage observation that if Hoover had met cherished lines. It is clear that he will not be the depression problems with "a really huge remembered for his poetic skills. program of public works, and adequate meas­ Though Richberg served only a short time ures for emergency relief of distressed farm­ in the government, he reminds us many times ers and unemployed industrial workers," he of what a big financial sacrifice he made to do might have hastened the end of the depres­ so. According to his account, this was a matter sion and been reelected. But, of course, if of frequent discussion with the President. Hoover had done these things, he would not Richberg says that he has devoted the past have been Hoover. Another man who gets a few years of quasi-retirement to a crusade in full measure of praise is the late Senator Taft. behalf of the individual liberties of the Ameri­ On the other hand. President Franklin D. can citizen. But it is clear that afl he has in Roosevelt, who gave him his moment of glory, mind is economic liberty, and that by eco­ is criticised for bringing in creeping socialism, nomic liberty he means freedom from govern­ in the latter part of his tenure, presumably mental regulation and lower taxes. There is after Richberg left the government. Under not a line about the abuse of power by legisla­ President Truman, according to Richberg, the tive investigating committees, the loyalty oath creeping socialism began to gallop. Further­ movement, the censorship of textbooks, fair more, he singles out the Report of President procedures in the civil service purge, or any

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Other civil liberties problems kicked up by the imagination. In his essay on Turner Curti's Cold War tensions. Nor is there a line in this frank admission that a cherished doctrine has book that suggests that Richberg has the fog­ imperfections is a token of his scholarly integ­ giest notion of what the problems of the rity and courage. Yet these essays, as a whole, twentieth century really are. do not emphasize the negative, their tone is Richberg calls his autobiography "My sanguine, their purpose is affirmation. For quite Hero." This is very cute, but it is not alto­ clearly Curti thinks the historian has a mission. gether tongue-in-cheek. The title page carries In his essays on Turner and on Colonel the subtitle, "Indiscreet Memoirs," but I saw Weaver, a teacher of Charles A. Beard, Curti almost nothing in the book that could be de­ demonstrates he is more a Beardian than a scribed as indiscreet, except perhaps the con­ Turnerian, if we must concern ourselves with fession that he was not a great lover. Towards the silly matter of "influences." He follows both the end he describes the book as consisting these masters, however, in subscribing to "the of "rambling reminiscences." Well, the book unity of the social sciences" and in believing does ramble, in a steadily backward direction. in "their functional role in understanding and He has now attained the full and ineffable in acting intelligently in current controversial image of a Chicago version of Colonel Blimp. social, political, and economic questions." This DAVID FELLMAN outlook is bound to appeal to young men and University of Wisconsin women and is one of the explanations for the inspiration that Curti has given to a multitude of graduate students. It also explains the ap­ Probing Our Past. By MERLE CURTI. (Harper propriateness of his occupying the Frederick and Brothers, New York, 1955. Pp. xxi, Jackson Turner Professorship of History at the 294. $4.00.) University of Wisconsin. As an unusual Festschrift, Mr. Curti's pub­ lishers celebrated his election to the presidency As an historian, Curti would prefer to be of the American Historical Association by col­ remembered for his ideas rather than for his lecting in a volume some of Curti's essays and personal qualities. Be that as it may, these es­ learned articles. Though one or two of these says will bring vividly before their readers a items go back to his early years of scholarly picture of a great scholar, teacher, and friend. activity, the great bulk fafl in the period EDWARD C. KIRKLAND between 1949 and 1953. In terms of topical Bowdoin College interest they are grouped roughly in three cate­ gories: "historiography," "the transmission Early American Science. Needs and Opportu­ and context of ideas," and "America reaching nities for Study. By WHITFIELD J. BELL, outward." Since Curti himself made the selec­ JR. (Institute of Early American History tion, the book constitutes a sort of authorita­ and Culture, Williamsburg, Virginia, tive canon of his interests and of his contri­ 1955. Pp. vii, 85. Notes, bibliography, butions. The capstone is missing, for in the and index. $1.25.) circumstances his presidential address before The old adage that good things come in little the American Historical Association could not packages can be truthfully applied to Mr. Bell's be included. smafl volume on source materials for a study Election to that position has so usually of history of science in early America. His proved a terminus for scholarly creativity that purpose in preparing the book was to provide a word of warning is necessary: If this present neither a systematic account nor an exhaustive review now takes the form of an appraisal of bibliography of the subject, but a stimulating the qualities revealed in these articles, which introduction to the challenging field of the his­ account for Curti's eminence in the historical tory of science, the newest and most neglected profession, it is not intended as an epitaph. facet of that complicated subject known as cul­ The first impression the reader gets is one of tural history. He points out that there is a wide and genuine learning. The essay on Locke great need for more research in the history of as America's philosopher, for instance, reveals American science, including biography and the possibility of successful reappraisal through specialized studies of the scientific disciplines reading more widely and more deeply than themselves, especially astronomy, physics, earlier scholars. Here and elsewhere erudition chemistry, and related fields. Even with respect is also combined with originality. The variety to botany, zoology, geology, and medicine, of interests and the fertility of suggestions for where so much good work has been done, there new research, so apparent in all these essays, are still many opportunities for specialized in­ reveal that learning does not necessarily stifle vestigations and the time is approaching when

275 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 historians should begin to consider the possi­ Americas Rise to World Power, 1898-1954. bility of synthesis lor the whole subject of By FOSTER RHEA DULLES. The New natural history. He might have added with American Nation Series. (Harper and equal truth that the time is near when his Brothers, Now York, 1955. Pp. 314. torians should attempt a synthesis of the whole $5.00.) area of American cuflural history. Professor Dufles is one of the historical pro­ Mr. Bell suggests that the most important fession's more—if not the most—talented and services that can be rendered to the history of facile reviewers of secondary material. His science at the present time are bibliographical. latest volume, a key book in the New Ameri­ In this connection he mentions the exceflent can Nation series, is further evidence of his work being done by some of our younger re­ skifl in constructing smooth reading narratives. searchers such as A. Hunter Dupree of the His prose carries the reader through the last Gray Herbarium and Edward Lurie of the half century of American foreign relations School of Industrial Management, Massachu­ with scarcely a jostle to mar the voyage. setts Institute of Technology, but the field is This volume does not do much to refute the stifl wide open and there is plenty of oppor­ charge that history is fafling behind sociology tunity for many other historians to make origi­ and other disciplines because it has lost sight nal contributions to the intellectual history of of its traditional role as a guide to contempo­ the United States. Urgently needed are bibli­ rary thought and action. Professor Dulles ographies of science, bibliographies as well as casts his study in terms of a struggle between lists of references to important historical studies isolationism and internationalism. His most in scientific journals. "How otherwise," asks concrete effort to define this opposition of Mr. Befl, (p. 10) "is the general historian forces comes in the preface, where he writes likely to know of Ernest Caulfield's article on that his theme is the conflict "between those the Salem witchcraft episode in the American forces in our national life making for an as­ Journal of Diseases of Children, or Frederick sumption of the responsibilities of world power Kilgour's on the rise of scientific activity in and those which have always sought the avoid­ colonial New England in the Yale Journal of ance of such obligations." Elsewhere through­ Biology and Medicine?'' It is a pertinent ques­ out the volume, however, he finds it difficult tion and relates to a basic problem confronting to warp the story into this framework. For, afl students of the history of science. as he says on the very next page of his preface, More than half the book is devoted to bibli­ this isolationism has never gone any further "than an assertion of complete independence ographical material, although even the intro­ and a refusal to accept any foreign political ductory essay is concerned primarily with commitments which might infringe upon the sources. The bibliography proper includes a nation's fufl freedom of action." short section on bibliographical aids and gen­ Now it is hard to find any relevant leader­ eral works and is foflowed by a list of special ship in this country which, since 1890, has works including bibliographies such as Max "always sought the avoidance" of the obliga­ Meisel, A Bibliography of American Natural tions of America's expanding power. Not only History: The Pioneer Century, 1769-1865 and is "always" a very long time, even in the Ralph R. Shaw, Engineering Books Available career of a single man; but disagreeing over in America Prior to 1830. However, one won­ the nature or the limits of responsibility is ders why, for example, Henry Carrington Bol­ not accurately defined as avoiding it. And ton, A Select Bibliography of Chemistry, 1492- since this is the framework Professor Dulles 1892, was omitted, especially since the history chooses for his work, it is an issue that can­ of chemistry has been so neglected. The book not be passed over as a quibble about word concludes with a list of selected bibliographies meanings. related to fifty American scientists ranging This reviewer would suggest, therefore, that from the colorful, eccentric Rafinesque to the isolationist-internationalist, or responsible- Thomas Say, "father of American zoology." irresponsible approach to American foreign Within the limitations set by the author him­ relations is not very helpful, however well it self, this little book will become indispensable may be organized and written. It would seem to all those interested in the history of science time for historians to acknowledge that for in early America. the last sixty years the great majority of citi­ F. GARVIN DAVENPORT zens has either encouraged or accepted the Monmouth College expansion of America's power throughout the

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world. It is historians who divide into isola­ Western Hemisphere. But it is also willing to tionists and internationalists as Professor fight abroad to forestall an imminent danger Dulles defines them, not the public—let alone to the United States. The remaining group the policy makers. would make the Western Hemisphere into a The great debate has not been over whether Fortress Americus and sit tight until assaulted to accept responsibility or evade it. Rather in force. has it been over the nature of the responsi­ As in the case with reference to political bility and the most effective means for dis­ labels, these views of America's role in the charging it. Approached in this manner, the world also cut across the lines of economic division within American society is at least "isms." Both the Republican and Democratic fourfold. These groups have little correspond­ organizations serve as homes for liberals and ence with the two main political parties in the conservatives, just as they house crusaders nation. There is one basic division over foreign and those who would practice the severest self- affairs: those who see America's responsibility containment. Professor Dulles' distinction be­ as the extension of U.S.-style freedom, democ­ tween isolationists and internationalists simply racy, and civilization throughout the world; fails to bring American foreign relations into and others who define the obligation as one focus. of developing and extending freedom, democ­ Professor Dulles sees America's responsi­ racy, and social maturity in the United States bility as one of sophisticated but persistent itself. Each of these main groups is further expansion formalized in treaty obligations. split into two minor blocs. This intra-group This program may indeed be the most philo­ conflict centers on the most effective means sophically sound, psychologically satisfying, to execute the agreed upon responsibility. and economically profitable of all conceivable Those who define the mission as one of ex­ policies. But there is no excuse for it to lead tending freedom and democracy to the be­ Professor Dulles to describe other leaders from nighted masses of the world differ among that point of view. Even the published mate­ themselves in the vigor of their evangelism. rial concerning Senator William E. Borah Most vehement are those who would go abroad makes it quite clear that he was not—as Pro­ in search of monsters to destroy. They would fessor Dulles writes—"utterly and completely build an empire to serve as a castle from which convinced" that the ideal policy was "complete to guide their vassal's progress toward yeo­ independence in all foreign relations." Pro­ manry, and from which to sally forth against fessor Dulles describes the writings of George the infidel. This group opened the century Frost Kennan, on the other hand, as "inspired." with a crusade to save the Cubans and are We are not told, however, by what or by presently agitating to liberate the Russians, whom, or in what manner. the Chinese, and sundry other folk. Less mili­ Let it be granted that Lord Acton was cor­ tant and more sophisticated, but still far from rect in holding that historians must ultimately quiescent, are those who would vigorously ex­ tend American power through economic and render some judgment on past actions, but ideological expansion and its subsequent politi­ accurate description and rigorous analysis are cal influence. They also believe it necessary, the cornerstones for judgment. Professor Dulles in order to maintain America's security, to slights both prerequisites. His list of determi­ build military bases around the remainder of nates for American policy includes "first and the globe. This school would formalize, in de foremost a basic concern with safeguarding jure alliances and associated treaties, such national security; second, a constant preoccu­ ties when they become a de facto part of the pation with the promotion of foreign trade; American political economy. and finally, a sense of mission in encouraging the cause of freedom throughout the world." Those who oppose the idea that the world is something of an American ward also dis­ Yet he provides meager analysis of such moti­ agree among themselves over the proper policy vation in action, and little evidence of specific for insuring the United States an opportunity influences. Perhaps this weakness stems from to work out its own salvation. All these men Professor Dulles' ambivalence toward influence acquiesce, however reluctantly, in the general itself, for while his pages are filled with the extension of American power. But they are not record of men who did make decisions he to be found in the vanguard of the expansion­ places the phrase policy makers in quotation ists. One wing of this bloc stresses the im­ marks. This technique of handling the problem portance of maintaining extensive authority of power as though it were a hot potato does over, and guiding the development of, the not make for good history. Neither does it

277 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 help the reader see that history has more to the American stock. He served as United offer than a good story well told. States Minister to Denmark, 1885-89. Professor Dufles writes much of responsi­ Kenneth Bjork takes the Rocky Mountain bility. He closes his volume with a plea for area and shows, in convincing detail, how the the American people to accept their responsi­ Norwegian infiltration into this broad zone of bility. He tells them that this obligation is to settlement occurred. It is surprising to learn deploy "all their resources—physical and spir­ that a standard approach to this zone, on the part of Norwegians originating in the Middle itual—in a great joint effort to safeguard the West, was by way of California and Oregon peace and liberty of all freedom-loving peo­ cities, and thence eastward into the interior ple." But this definition not only makes irre­ mountains. sponsible men of those who disagree with him Richard Canuteson sums up the results of about the extent of America's mission, it also an investigation into the Norwegian colony's leaves the reader with an incomplete under­ beginnings in Orleans County, New York. The standing of past struggles over the determina­ research shows how valuable supplementary tion and implementation of American foreign conclusions can be attained through the ex­ policy. Men who try to live up to Shakespeare's haustive working-over of business, especially dictum, "to thine own self be true," as wefl as land, records. This area was the original nu­ to the injunction to be our brother's keeper cleus of Norwegian occupation in the United can hardly be labeled irresponsible shirkers. States. These considerations prompt two closing ob­ Peter A. Munch writes on "Segregation and servations. It may be suggested, first, that Assimilation of Norwegian Settlements in Wis­ disagreement over the mission of America is consin." This is a long and very important not sufficient grounds for describing some peo­ contribution, treating its data from a combina­ ple as irresponsible isolationists. And it may tion of the sociological and the historical points be ventured, secondly, that while historians of view. The author concentrates his attention most emphatically need a point of view they upon the Vernon settlements and the Blue should not use it as a substitute for primary Mounds settlements. He observes that the Nor­ research in unpublished materials or for vigor­ wegian groups, historically and actually, are ous analysis of the evidence they uncover. distinctly heterogeneous, and that their cultural WILLIAM APPLEMAN WILLIAMS assimilation is not necessarily followed by the University of Oregon expected social assimilation. The study, based on field work, is supplied with highly illumi­ Norwegian-American Studies and Records, nating maps and is refined in its underlying Vol. 18. Edited by THEODORE C. BLEGEN. theory. Those who interest themselves in the (Norwegian-American Historical Associa­ reasons for local differentiations as between tion, Northfield, Minnesota, 1954. Pp. groups in a complex of similar geographic en­ viii, 252. $2.50.) vironments will find this study of an ethnic This volume of well-written research studies group a rewarding experience. is a product of the energies of seven historians, Gerald Thorson, specialist in the history of active workers in the field of Norwegian- the Norwegian-American novel, considers the American history. novels of Peer Stromme, who was a native Einar Haugen discusses the Norwegian mi­ of Wisconsin (1865-1921). Valuable insights gration to America, touching on incitements into the life of a foreign culture group may to removal, the century of migrations (1825- be derived from the study of these novels: so 1925), the Norwegian community in America, concludes Thorson. and immigrant institutions. In brief compass "Norwegian-American Bygdelags and Their he contributes a balanced, authoritative sur­ Publications," by Jacob Hodnefield, provides vey, lucidly presented. a detailed, comprehensive historical survey of Paul Knaplund writes most entertainingly these societies whose members originate in one on Rasmus B. Anderson, a native of Dane or another particular Norwegian locality. The County, Wisconsin. His account, richly in­ study, thorough in execution, is rounded out formative, recreates the figure of an old-time by appropriate bibliographical contributions. Viking in a modern setting. Anderson strove FuLMER MOOD to ofraft elements of Scandinavian culture onto The University of Texas

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Railroad Leaders 1845-1890: The Business one do not, for instance, include the bad rail­ Mind in Action. By THOMAS C. COCHRAN. road operators who ran down their roads and (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, then decamped. The multitude of amateur 1953. Pp. 564. $7.50.) promoters who first platted and sometimes even This well-written and thoroughly scholarly built railroads also received little attention. book is of more than academic interest. It These are unfortunate, if inescapable, omis­ represents an attempt, on the whole successful, sions since the public and government reacted to discover the basic concepts motivating some to the total picture of railroad promotion and of America's most important businessmen dur­ operation rather than to just the type of men ing a period when their industry was expand­ considered in this book. Frequently the ama­ ing and changing rapidly. Railroading was teur promoters were not with the organizations stifl in its infancy in 1845; it had not much long and their record collections are not ex­ more than just passed through its adolescent tensive. Dishonest railroad managers' papers stage by 1890. Professor Cochran chose to are not much in evidence because unfortu­ study railroad leaders because railroading was nately railroads, like people, with skeletons in the most important single American business their closets have not tended to preserve their throughout the period from 1845 to 1890. records or to make them available to the Furthermore, geographical considerations researcher. forced railroad leaders to correspond exten­ Professor Cochran synthesized the attitudes sively. Providentially, many of these records and ideas of his sixty-one railroad leaders into have been preserved. Equally fortunate is the four main questions and their numerous sub­ fact that railroad managers have become in­ categories: general business concepts, mana­ creasingly aware of the importance of careful gerial problems of the railroad corporation, historical research and have been very co­ external relations of the railroad corporations, operative about opening their files to competent and attitudes of the railroad executives toward investigators. the general problems of society. Generally, he This book represents an important step to­ found that his group adopted a social attitude wards a better understanding of how and why in conformity with the accepted norm of the our nation has developed as it has. American social group from which most of these men railroads were experiencing and precipitating came. Not surprisingly many railroad man­ a lusty, headlong growth during the period agers deviated from this loosely defined norm between 1845 and 1890. The rapid develop­ of acceptable attitude and behavior. Generally, ment precipitated certain social, economic, and however, this group of men shared common political problems. Some of these problems thoughts about problems affecting them pro­ arose from the fact that neither the railroad fessionally while harboring quite divergent managers nor the public yet knew quite how thoughts about other problems such as slavery, the railroads could best be operated or had and so on. completely formulated a code to which rail­ Professor Cochran's differentiation of rail­ road leaders might be expected to conform. road leaders in terms of their financial and The story of how the public and government personal stake in a given road is one of the reacted to the spectacular growth of the rail­ very significant intepretations to come out of roads and to their mode of operation is fairly this book. The general entrepreneur he defines well known. The story of what the railroad as the influential capitalist with many invest­ leaders were trying to do and the dictates upon ments, scant personal contact with the road, which they based their actions has not been and a resulting high degree of objectivity in nearly so carefufly studied. judging a company's long-term prospects. The Professor Cochran has done a remarkable professional entrepreneur was chiefly con­ job of explaining the goals and underlying as­ cerned with operating a particular railroad. sumptions of the railroad leaders during this He frequently developed a strong loyalty to time. Unfortunately for Wisconsin readers, the road and linked his personal future and the men who moulded Wisconsin's rail net­ professional standing with the perpetuation of work are not represented in the study. How­ that concern. The owner-manager was a man ever, the Wisconsin railroad leaders fit quite whose substantial financial investment in a comfortably into the general patterns that Pro­ concern forced him to develop a certain objec­ fessor Cochran has discovered. tivity about the company but who also had A weakness of the book, to which the author strong loyalty to the concern resulting from his draws attention, is that the sixty-one directors , direct relationship to the company. examined were not exactly typical. The sixty- Anyone interested in economic, social, or

279 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

cultural history will find this book of genuine It would be useless to criticize such a work interest and value. The 270 page appendix or to subject it to the normal canons of his­ containing extracts from the thousands of torical scholarship. It is not, technicafly speak­ letters investigated for this study will be useful ing, a work of history. By the same token, it to many readers. Additional, and equally good is not a work in social psychology, for the studies of other major segments of our indus­ author uses the concepts of the sociologists trial populatdom are badly needed. Professor only as jargon and not as a disciplined guide Cochran's work might wefl serve as a model to investigation. It is, instead, an asphalt- for future studies of this type. oriented piece of professorial punditry which FRANK N. ELLIOTT falls into the category (for want of a better) Michigan State University of political theory. Its newsworthiness springs from its effort to find a fresh orientation for The Age of Reform from Bryan to F. D. R. the liberal-intellectuals who currently imagine By RICHARD HOFSTADTER. (Alfred A. themselves threatened by an imaginary "new Knopf, Inc., New York, 1955. Pp. xx, conservatism." As such, it probably is a plea 328. $4.50.) in bankruptcy. The attempt to apply the concepts and jargon of social psychology to a period of history can WILLIAM B. HESSELTINE lead to curious results. In the case of The Age University of Wisconsin of Reform, it led to a Pulitzer Prize in History! Such a result, since the prize, given by a school The American Story. By CARET GARRETT. of journalism, normally goes to a work which (Henry Regnery Company, Chicago, 1955. has news value, invites an inquiry into its news Pp. 401. $5.00.) worthiness. This book by a well-known journalist is a To old-line, reactionary students of history very spritely and highly interpretive review of who think facts and documents and research American history from its beginning to the are important, the newsworthiness of this essay present. The major emphasis is on what has may not be immediately apparent. Probably, happened to the United States since the out­ of course, the concepts and techniques of social break of World War I—a period with which psychiatry might aid a historian's researches the author was actively identified. It is a popu­ and assist him in evaluating documents. But lar work dweUing only on those aspects of The Age of Reform does not attempt to apply American history that are of special interest new techniques of an anciUary discipline to to the author. A large number of his explana­ historical criticism. It is, instead, an effort to tions and interpretations are personal judg­ apply concepts borrowed from social psychol­ ments—a historical prerogative to which he is ogy (or, psychiatry) to the interpretation of entitled, but undoubtedly many will question an historical period. The author has done no his evaluations and disagree with his conclu­ research in the sources. He has read books, sions. and selected from secondary writings those The story down to the Civil War is com­ items which can be treated within his frame­ pressed into the first 100 pages and is too work. sketchy to constitute a well-rounded historical The volume begins with a discussion of the account. It is flush with accomplishments, Populist movement and portrays the plight of and the author believes that the generation the yeomen who clung to the "myth" of agri­ living from 1820 to 1860 "had more sense of cultural independence in a day of commercial achievement, more excitement, more wonder dominance. It proceeds to Bryanism, Teddy and more luck than any other generation of Rooseveltism, and Wilsonian new-freedomism, mankind before or since." and winds up with a discussion of the New Mr. Garrett believes that the Civil War need Deal. For most of these items, except the latter, not have occurred and places a lot of the blame the author has caustic criticism. Apparently, on Northern Abolitionists. He is a staunch the moving force in these developments was advocate of laissez-faire and thinks that this a "status revolution" in which the top rails of freedom of enterprise is responsible for the older societies were being denigrated, and in­ creation of the greatest industrial nation in terwoven in it is the anti-Semitism of the the world. Populists, the narrow isolationism of the un­ The author has many misgivings about enlightened hinterland, and the confusion of American history in the twentieth century. the liberal intellectuals. Throughout, the author According to his views, the two Roosevelts and discusses tlie emotional drives which led men Woodrow Wilson have parted the nation from into reformist activities. its strong ties of limited constitutional govern-

280 READERS CHOICE ment, rugged individualism, and traditional supplementary study the necessarily limited isolationism. The Americans fought two World materials of the text. Wars, in which they need not have become How slow and painful was the "regenera­ involved, that led to a futile world leadership. tion of orderly society" from a reign of brute Global policies, he concludes, have resulted in force is indicated with rare skill, as is the con­ "buying allies," assuming "an unlimited ob­ structive leadership of generations of church­ ligation to go to war," and creating a "jerry- men in the development of a concept of local built" United Nations. At home, he deplores and regional peace between warring factions. the New Deal and contends that the people It is shocking to learn that medicine as a have sacrificed much of their liberty by ac­ discipline and science was dead in Western cepting a welfare state. Europe by 600 A.D. It is at least as shocking Mr. Garrett has written a provocative book. to learn that it took a thousand years "to re­ His free-wheeling commentary is breezy, skill­ vive medicine as a learned profession." It is fully told, highly readable, and gives many probably good for the pretentions of our tech­ penetrating insights into controversial issues. nically slanted generation to be compelled to WYATT W. BELCHER realize that medical science never languished Wisconsin State College, Superior so fully in the Greek or Arabic as in the Celtic and Germanic portions of the Western world. Two essays are concerned with the crusades, two others with the revival of learning and History and the Social Web. By AUGUST C. with "seeing the Renaissance whole." The art­ KREY. (University of Minnesota Press, istry of the word pictures in the essay on Flor­ Minneapolis, 1955. Pp. viii, 269. $4.00.) ence entitled "A City That Art Built," points This charmingly written series of twelve his­ up a magnificent appreciation of that great torical essays comes from the pen of August C. city, which for eight or ten generations was Krey, for many years a professor of medieval the artistic capital of the Western world, and history of the University of Minnesota, whose one of the foremost cultural centers of all time. graduate training was received at the Uni­ The second part of the book, comprised of versity of Wisconsin. The book is dedicated four essays, bears the challenging title "The to the dean of our Society curators, George Social Web: World-Wide and Time-Deep." Qarke Sellery, himself a distinguished medi­ The first three are concerned with the relation­ eval scholar, who was among the teachers of ship of history to life, and our indebtedness Professor Krey. to the past. The fourth is concerned with his­ The first eight essays paint on a broad can­ tory in an age of technology. It should be vas segments of Western history from the fall required reading for all thoughtful citizens, of Rome to the Renaissance. The introductory whether technologists or not. It contains bril­ essay is concerned with the centuries which liant analyses of the genuine necessity for his­ followed the fall of Rome. For some hundreds torical perspective in our time. Its summations of years formal, professional, systematic teach­ of the functions of the social and natural sci­ ing and learning virtually ceased in the West, ences are in themselves sufficiently rewarding. with a few notable exceptions. The political, One observation on the contribution of history social, and other declines which accompanied demands quotation: this all but universal intellectual stagnation are brilliantly indicated in the following words, Perhaps the chief offering that history, the which may, in at least some fields of learning, mother of all the humanities, can make to this gen­ be tragically applicable to our own generation: eration lies in its capacity to enlarge the compre­ The books were still there. . . . They merely hension and sympathies of the human mind and were not used. The people among whom they ex­ spirit. The ripe and gracious quality of learning, isted did not know how to use them. Worse still, the mature wisdom derived from an understanding these people were probably unaware that the books of the implications of many diverse facts, must be contained anything that could possibly be of value more highly esteemed among us. A poised and dis­ to them. The books, therefore, were regarded as ciplined judgment, centered not in the present outmoded furniture, and, like other old furniture, moment alone, exigent though this be, is certainly they were exposed to the customary forces of at­ one of the qualities our times demand. trition, dust, vermin, and ignorance, passive or active. Of adverse criticism I have none. For surely Then follow two essays on the decline and re­ it is valid to judge this sort of historical writ­ vival of law and medicine. These subjects are ing by its qualities of unquestionable compe­ so well handled that they should inspire a tence, relevancy, and sheer stimulation. resolution in many readers to expand through Madison ROBERT B. MURPHY

281 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

WISCONSIN LOCAL HISTORY capital from New York bankers, the post World War II modernization which offset the huge The First Seventy Years. By KARL E. STANS- increase in labor costs to the point where some BURY. (Thilmany Pulp and Paper Com­ departments actually showed a decrease up to pany, Kaukauna, Wis., 1956. Pp. 55.) 10 percent of payroll in the early post-war In what he frankly labels a chronology of years. the company, 1883-1953, the former president There are useful tables of capital additions, and now board chairman of Thilmany has 1939-53; comparative figures on production, outlined something of the history of one of payroll, capitalization, employment, and so on, Wisconsin's important companies. Some of the 1940-53. The booklet is a useful addition to material, particularly for the early years, is the very limited materials in print on the his­ decidedly and probably necessarily skimpy. tory of the Wisconsin paper industry. Some of it is naturally subject to the handi­ C.L.L. caps of the chronological approach. But the handsome format is matched by some hand­ The Brule River of Wisconsin. By LEIGH P. some history, proving again the value of such JERRARD. (Hafl and Son, 5645 West Divi­ works. sion Street, Chicago, 1956. Pp. 44. $1.85.) Tradition has long had it that the Reci­ Wisconsin's Northland is proud of its little procity Treaty of 1911, by admitting Canadian stream emptying into Lake Superior; it is newspulp duty-free, forced the Wisconsin paper known as the Brule from the French Bois industry into the specialties which have been Brule, meaning a "burnt woodland." In its re­ its modern characteristic and which saved it mote history it coursed a southern route, but from bankruptcy. So it is indeed surprising to the glacial era brought about a reversal in its find Thilmany moving from newsprint for direction. Chicago and Milwaukee newspapers into fruit An area of rich history, of commercial ven­ wrappers at the turn of the century, then into tures, vacationland, and fishermen's rendez­ marked papers made with locally designed vous results in a narrative of great variety, the machines, and cookie box wrappers, both in­ most pleasant parts told with warm reminis­ side and out, well before 1911. Indeed, though cence by Mr. Jerrard. Among the phases pre­ the effect of other outside events such as the sented are the glacial age, the explorers, the competition of Southern and European kraft Indians, travel route, copper mining country, papers, the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 the English colony, and so on. and the subsequent cutting off of Norwegian Of the personages that add zest to the read­ pulp and timber are carefully noted, the tariff ing are the wealthy Cedar Island investors of of 1911 was so unimportant to company op­ whom Clay Pierce finally possessed 4,000 acres, erations that it is not even mentioned! upon which he expended $1,250,000, some The history of any enterprise is obviously typed as fantastic improvements. Wifliam F. the work of individuals, and so the contribu­ Vilas and his associates acquired vast valley tions of many people are noted, while short lands and conducted lumbering operations. biographical sketches of many key figures in A lake captain and shipbuilder. Captain Alex­ the company's history are boxed in columns ander McDougafl, owned extensive Brule River parallel to the main text. Noted too are some lands; in the 1920's he selfishly fenced-in a of the little things that change the course of portion of the stream for private fishing history, such as the unexpected enthusiasm of grounds. After bitter encounters with sur­ the daughter of the president of the National rounding fishermen, litigation resulted; Mc­ Biscuit Company for the waxed amber carton Dougafl was ordered to remove the obstruc­ box linings perfected in 1914. tion. Rumor has it that angry sportsmen The booklet is at its best in its more detailed destroyed it. passages where the integrated stories of the The Brule provides seclusion and pleasure development of these carton linings, or of bulk to summer residents. To nature lovers there containers, are given. Here too are many items, is eternal appeal: rapids and placid stretches, some barely listed, which give great insight dense towering trees, wild flowers, ferns and into the history of initiative and endeavor mosses. Wildlife in abundance, not forgetting, which made the company what it is today— of course, the little scampering creatures of the adaptation of Montana lodge pole pine, the the forests, has its habitat in this spot of Wis­ purchase of Canadian timber lands, the sale consin's Northland. of obsolete equipment to Latin American na­ Brule River country has much to offer. Mr. tions and to pre-Red China, the heavy use of Jerrard's book is recommended as background

282 READERS CHOICE

reading; then northward, and a leisurely in­ trols which would support his view that farm­ spection, aided by the author's narrative and ers aren't as tough as they once were. That he accompanying maps, to appraise this wonder­ doesn't approve political influences and proce­ land. dures is plain from his failure to mention the LILLIAN KRUEGER Rural Electrification Administration in con­ State Historical Society of Wisconsin nection with the bringing of electricity to the farm. There are many parallels between the Penn­ OTHER HISTORY sylvania story and Wisconsin's. Farm problems were much the same everywhere, and good Pennsylvania Agriculture and Country Life, ideas were snapped up by all the states at 1840-1940. By STEVENSON WHITCOMB nearly the same time. Pennsylvania had Farm­ FLETCHER. (Pennsylvania Historical and ers Institutes first (1877, 1885) ; Wisconsin, Museum Commission. Harrisburg, 1955. however, was four years ahead in establishing Pp. XX, 619. $3.50.) an agricultural experiment station (1883, This is a bargain collection of facts, figures, 1887) and, contrary to the author's statement, opinions, and drawings on its subject: a very never mixed agricultural extension work with big book assembled by an author in love with the Farm Bureau. Dean Fletcher claims this his subject. Its organization, however, is by as a unique distinction of Pennsylvania. topic so that the connected story does not ap­ It is impossible, however, to treat this book pear and the fundamental issues of this history in detail. It has everything in it, including the are not squarely faced. The reader must "roll merging of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and his own" if he is trying to puzzle out such Bailey, and it is for its complete presentation matters as the reasons why the farmers of of rural things that it wifl find appreciation. Pennsylvania deserted the old ways of self- sufficiency to take up production for the W. H. GLOVER Buffalo Historical Society market, or the interrelations of industrial and agricultural technology, or almost any other such problem. However, with the detailed table The Arts and Crafts in New York, 1777-1799. of contents and a fair index he can do so, and By RITA SUSSWEIN GOTTESMAN. (The will enjoy himself in the doing. New-York Historical Society, New York, Dean Fletcher has naturally come to his own 1955. Pp. 504. $4.00.) conclusions about the great issues. On page I have long found one of the quiet pleasures 1 he declares: "The 'rugged individualism' of life to be the reading of old newspapers and of nineteenth-century farmers has largely given particularly the advertisements from such. way to group action and to steadily increasing This volume, like its predecessor, The Arts reliance on government. Changes in Penn­ and Crafts in New York^ 1726-1776, provides sylvania agriculture and rural life during the a heyday for one with my tastes. past century are so momentous as to consti­ Basically a reference book, it is, however, tute an agricultural revolution." Although he one of those reference books in which one can has challenged himself to offer proof of these browse and prowl, digging out all kinds of propositions, he does not follow with argu­ fascinating information, each piece of which ment; it is actually quite possible to cite his is unimportant in itself but all of which put own facts to demonstrate the contrary. One together afford us a better understanding of may reasonably maintain the view that farm the fabric of our history. individualism is essentiafly untouched by gov­ This volume and its predecessor now pro­ ernment interference that, at bottom, has arisen vide a cross-index of social, economic, and because our wars upset the normal expansion cultural history in New York City for the last of food production and that "group action" to three-quarters of the eighteenth century. The solve technical problems has its origins, sup­ volume starts with a sensible, enlightened port, and direction in the impulses and de­ preface; then follows the first notice of every cisions of farm owner-managers who are still craftsman advertising in the New York papers. bearing the real burden of directing our agri­ As a craftsman changed his advertisement, the cultural operations. later versions are added. No doubt the author, having dealt as Dean The organization of the advertisements is with the demands of farmers upon the Penn­ according to crafts: Painting and Engrav­ sylvania State University, could speak feel­ ing; Silver and Jewelry; China, Earthenware, ingly about the pressure farmers can generate. and Glass; Pewter; Furniture; Clocks and But he gives no hint in his book of who con­ Watches; Builders and Buildings; Ships and

283 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

Boats; Metal Workers and Iron Works; Paper of the entries deal with some aspect of Min­ Manufacturers, Printers, and Bookbinders; nesota history, many contain references of Fabrics and Needlework; Miscellaneous Trades broader regional or national significance re­ and Occupations; Costume; Painting and lating to such topics as Indians, lumbering, Glazing; Coach Makers and Coaches; Music mining, banking, agriculture, railroading, im­ and Musical Instruments; Exhibits, Waxworks, migration, religion, education, and national and Other Novelties. and international politics. The volume is en­ Of unusual value to this book is Mr. David hanced by a detailed 37-page index to names Wallace's exceptionally fine index, a spot check and subjects in the entries. In the absence of of which impressed me with its remarkable any central catalog or index to manuscripts completeness. in American libraries, the publication of such It is works of this type that must be done an up-to-date and well-prepared guide to the and done wefl if we expect to understand valuable manuscript acquisitions of the Min­ American social history. This is a kind of nesota Historical Society should be hailed with basic tool that few of us have the patience to enthusiasm by researchers and scholars in contrive but which no one who seeks to draw many fields of interest, and by reference li­ conclusions about our past can be without. brarians and curators of other manuscript col­ Ruth Susswein Gottesman is to be congratu­ lections. lated, as is the New-York Historical Society JOSEPHINE L. HARPER which is publishing it. State Historical Society of Wisconsin LOUIS C. JONES New York State Historical Association History of Nebraska. By JAMES C. OLSON. (University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Manuscripts Collections of the Minnesota His­ 1955. Pp. 372. $5.00.) torical Society. Guide Number 2. Com­ For a reviewer who is more accustomed to piled by LUCILE M. KANE and KATHRYN histories of the Old South and the Old North­ A. JOHNSON. (Minnesota Historical So­ west, this history of Nebraska was a real treat ciety, Saint Paul, 1955. Pp. xvi, 212. because it left such a vivid impression of the $3.60.) newness of the history of the great Plains This publication is a welcome supplement states. Yet along with the shortness of the time to the Guide to the Personal Papers in the span, the tremendous rapidity of change is al­ Manuscript Collections of the Minnesota His­ most breathtaking. From this book one gets a torical Society, compiled by Grace Lee Nute feeling of sturdy pioneers in a new country, de­ and Gertrude Ackermann, and published in termined to be independent; yet assailed on all 1935. The new volume compiled by Miss Kane sides by the political and economic forces of and Miss Johnson contains 1,190 entries com­ the day. Far from being independent they pared to 455 in the first Guide, an indication were perhaps the most dependent group in the of the rapid expansion of the Minnesota col­ nation, and Mr. Olson does an excellent job lections in the past two decades. For each of delineating the forces arrayed against them. collection of personal or organizational papers, Throughout the book one is aware of Ne­ the compilers have furnished concise entries braska—the land with its wealth and unpre­ giving the title of the collection, dates of its dictable weather, the peopk with their eco­ creator whenever possible or useful, the size nomic, political, and cultural progress; yet the and inclusive dates of the group of papers. story is always told in the context of the life Additional description indicates the types of of the nation. This is a difficult job which Mr. records, principal subject matter, and names Olson accomplishes with ease. of important correspondents in each collection. The book is arrang:ed chronologically giving In scope the entries cover a wide variety of unity to the story but sometimes making it historical materials: papers of single individu­ difficult for the author to include all the facets als or families—letters, diaries, autobiogra­ of life which he wishes to trace. Therefore the phies, reminiscences, autographs; records of author evidently felt impelled to upset his ar­ business, labor, social, and cultural organiza­ rangement by adding a last chapter entitled, tions. Nearly 100 manuscript genealogies are "Cultural Factors in Nebraska Life." Since included with very brief notations. In size this chapter appeared to be "tacked on," it the items described range from one leaf to made the cultural life seem that way too. After coflections numbering thousands of pieces and the author had done such an excellent job of hundreds of volumes. Although the majority integrating the economic and political factors,

284 READERS CHOICE it seemed a pity that he did not also integrate and lawgiver. When the British occupied the the cultural factors. place in 1812-13, Woodward did not desert Agriculture predominates in the economic his post but remained to help his people, even story, as it should, being the main industry though some persons misinterpreted his action. of the state. The book impressed one with the Woodward's was a career of fused utility and stamina of the farmers who decade after eccentricity, as the author makes clear. decade survived the ever-recurring cycles of By a multiplication of instances Mr. Wood­ drought and depression. No wonder there was ford gives life to his subject but at the cost of such deep discontent and a farmer revolt! It some loss of sharp definition. Nevertheless, we is with a sigh of relief that one reaches the can see the odd judge somewhat as his con­ last fifteen years of prosperity—the longest temporaries saw him, and with the benefits of period of continuous prosperity since the settle­ hindsight. This quaint character has always ment of Nebraska! been entitled to a niche in plain view and now In the political story the figures of Morton, he has one. Bryan, and Norris stand out from the many More attention to the several locales that discussed, but Mr. Olson makes clear the issues constituted Michigan territory during Wood­ as well as the personalities and, as stated be­ ward's era, an incisive consideration of the fore, relates Nebraska politics to the national inherent difficulties of operating territorial gov­ scene. ernments anywhere in this early time (against The format of the book is excellent; the which the special difficulties that Woodward index seems adequate; and the line drawings had to face could be fairly understood), and by Franz Altschuler add much to the attrac­ perhaps some careful cutting of the purely tiveness of the book—the reviewer thought biographical parts of the study could perhaps especially appropriate the frontpiece of the em­ have made this a more effective book. How­ battled farmer with his hoe and gun, and sod ever, as it stands, it amounts to a contribution house and vast plains in the background. The to territorial and to Michigan history. pictures are grouped into three large sections— FuLMER MOOD I would have preferred them scattered through­ The University of Texas out the text—but that is an individual choice. Proudly We Record. By MRS. JOSEPH DE- The suggested readings at the end of the chap­ WiNDT. (Rotary Club of Wyandotte, Mich­ ters should greatly aid anyone interested in igan, 1955. Pp. 458. $2.50. Order from further exploration of this fascinating field; Gail's Office Supply Center, 99 Oak St., and Mr. Olson with his clear concise style and Wyandotte, Mich.) vast knowledge of Nebraska history certainly This is the story of Wyandotte, Michigan, creates that desire. a typical small American city, founded not so MARTHA M. BIGELOW long ago—in 1854—along the banks of the Michigan Historical Collections Detroit River. Many peoples came to build University of Michigan the town: people from England, Germany, Ire­ Mr. Jefferson's Disciple. A Life of Justice land, France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, and Woodward. By FRANK B. WOODFORD. other Slavic countries. With them came char­ (Michigan State College Press, East Lans­ acteristics which have all contributed toward ing, 1953. Pp. viii, 192. $3.75.) a better and greater America. The idea for This is the study of a territorial official, one Proudly We Record developed in 1952 from who served a long period in Michigan and several officers of the local Rotary Club who a brief span in Florida. Augustus Brevoort felt the time had come for the story of their Woodward was a native of New York, a resi­ city to be told. The idea was discussed with dent and lawyer in the District of Columbia, the Rotary membership, who quickly agreed and a friend there of President Jefferson, who that the enterprise was a worthy and ambi­ sent him out to Detroit to be a territorial judge tious interpretation of the Rotary principle, in Michigan. Woodward's was an active, specu­ "Service above Self." The organization agreed lating kind of mind. He thought about the to sponsor the community history. expansionist movement of the American peo­ The outstanding characteristic of this pub­ ple, pondered on the problem of the hierarchy lished community story is the very project of the sciences, drew up a plan for a university itself, the manner in which it was conceived, of Michigan, and wrote on the polity of the financed, planned, and written. Quite logi­ executive branch of the United States govern­ cally a book committee was formed for the ment. In many ways he touched the life of purpose of drafting the story pattern and for­ early Detroit and early Michigan, as lawmaker mat. In order to guarantee an accurate com-

285 WJ'^.CONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 manity portrait in proper perspective, the From Captain David Mapes, founder of the several master planners appointed to the gen­ viflage of Ripon, from Dr. E. H. Merrefl, presi­ eral planning committee were newcomers to dent emeritus of Ripon Coflege, and from the city, natives, businessmen, descendants of Pedrick himself (pp. 17-18) one can arrive immigrants, men and women of position, and at an exceflent characterization of Major Bo­ just average Wyandotte citizens. vay, a dynamic man who had wide interests Many hands, hearts, minds, local writers, beyond those related to the creation of a new and others assisted Mrs. DeWindt, local history political party. librarian, in the "woes and joys" of compiling the book. Funds for publishing came from the The growing Wisconsin Farmers Union many local business and industrial executives marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of its who were happy to share in the enterprise. founding by issuing a forty-nine page bro­ In the eyes of the reviewer Proudly We Re­ chure in 1955. In its pages are gathered the cord is really an appropriate title, for while contributions of notable personages who are the author has succeeded in part to produce known for furthering agricultural interests, a readable book, in general she evolved a rec­ either directly or indirectly. Among these may ord burdened in spots with dull historical be found James G. Patton, president of the Na­ detail. In an attempt to record minutely a com­ tional Farmers Union, who writes on the sub­ munity's past there unfortunately have ap­ ject, "Farm Prosperity Is Our Fight"; D. N. peared uninspired portions. This does not, McDowell, director, State Department of Agri­ however, detract from its value as a source culture, "Cooperation and Teamwork Produce book, nor from the importance of the project Results"; Dr. E. B. Fred, president. University to the community of Wyandotte. of Wisconsin, "Wisconsin's Agriculture Moves Mrs. DeWindt has painstakingly gleaned ma­ Ahead"; George A. Haberman, president, Wis­ terial from manuscripts, archival records, maps, consin State Federation of Labor, "Why We personal interviews, photographs, engravings, Are Against the Sales Tax," and many others. newspaper files, and secondary sources. Nu­ From these essays there is born an aware­ merous illustrations aid the reader to visualize ness of the vitality of the Farmers Union. It the events and participants which were a part is dedicated "to the security of the farm family of the Wyandotte scene during the city's 100 on the family-type farm through legislation, years. cooperation, and better understanding of our Finafly, it is important that the book be economic processes." weighed and judged, not as the product of professional historians, but as that of persons It was John Tifl, the "Wonder Healer," who who have put together, through united effort decades ago brought fame to Somerset. Now, and community spirit, with limited resources, a its most glamorous development, a large frog creditable history. These people, Mrs. DeWindt farm, entitles the community to be called the and others, deserve praise. Indeed, the book "Frog Leg Capital" of the world. can justifiably take its place among the local The village of Somerset, St. Anne's Church, histories of America. and Somerset Township in St. Croix County ROBERT C. WHEELER on June 22-24 observed a triple centennial in Ohio Historical Society a celebration that included worship services, a French-Canadian dinner, log rolling, and the Afl publications noted hereafter may be used opening of its historical museum. John T. at the Society's Library: Rivard in his attractive publication Triple The Life of Alvan E. Bovay, 1818-1903 is a Centennial Jubilee Souvenir Book (132 pp.) recent pamphlet compiled by Samuel M. Ped­ tefls of the coming of the first settlers, French- rick, an honorary curator of the Society and Canadians, in 1850; of the founding of the attorney of Ripon, a community to which village by Samuel Harriman from Maine in Bovay migrated when he was a young man. 1856; and of the economic and religious de­ The writer has used numerous newspapers and velopment of the community. A profusion of history volumes as his major sources in con­ pictures and several family sketches add to the sidering Bovay's part in bringing about the value of the account. early meetings of anti-slavery adherents at Ripon, where the idea of a new political party Madison: at Your Service (94 pp.) is a pub­ was promoted. The name of the Republican lication prepared by the League of Women Party was suggested by Horace Greeley in a Voters of Madison. Its object is to acquaint conversation with Bovay, recalled by him in a citizens with the operation of their hometown letter to the New York editor. government and other agencies, to visualize

286 READERS CHOICE community needs, to plan a program for bet­ Evansvifle, A Short History of the Evansville terment, and then to participate in carrying Baptist Church, 1856-1956 (7 pp.). it forward. McMiflan Township (Wood County), Seventy- The Madison booklet contains probably the Fifth Anniversary, St. Peter's Lutheran most complete discussion of any municipality Church, 1880-1955 (16 pp.). issued by a local league. It familiarizes read­ Marshfield, Diamond Jubilee of Immanuel ers with such subjects as education, transporta­ Lutheran Church, 1880-1955 (19 pp.). tion, parks, welfare, public safety, public health Marshfield, Seventieth Anniversary Services, protection, the city's management, planning Zion Evangelical United Brethren, 1885- and finance, and voting. Amazingly succinct 1955 (9 pp.). discussions are complemented by statistical ta­ Milwaukee, One Hundredth Anniversary, St. bles, graphs, maps, and pictorial representation. Francis Seminary, Minor Department To be a worthy citizen one must first under­ [Catholic]. 1856-1956 (33 pp.). stand how a city is governed. Only then can Pewaukee, 100 Years of Christian Witnessing, one participate more intelligently in the solu­ First Baptist Church, 1855-1955 (16 pp.). tion of its problems. Plainfield, lOOth Anniversary, Methodist Church, 1855-1955 (23 pp.). The following church publications, marking St. Wendefl (Manitowoc County), Centennial, the anniversary dates of the founding of the St. Wendell's Parish [Catholic], 1855- churches, have come to the attention of the 1955 (31 pp.). Society: Sheboygan, First Baptist Church, 110th Anni­ Barre Mifls, 85th Anniversary, St. John's Luth­ versary, 1845-1955 (11 pp.). eran Church, 1870-1955 (27 pp.). Sheboygan Fafls, 100 Years of Grace and Growth, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1855-1955 (19 pp.). Stockholm, 100th Anniversary, Sabylund Luth­ Edison National Shrines eran Church, 1856-1956 (35 pp.). Thomas Alva Edison's laboratory at West Orange, New Jersey, where the late, great inventor achieved some of his most nota­ ble work, has been given to the United GRIMM BOOKBINDERY States Government as the first step to­ 454 West Gilman St., Madison wards establishing it as the Edison Labo­ Tel. AL 6-2357 ratory Monument within the National Park System. Grimm's will bind 4 issues (one volume) Simultaneously the inventor's home, of the Wisconsin Magazine of History Glenmont, also in West Orange, was of­ containing title page and index, in buck­ ficially designated as a National Historic ram covers, as follows; Site. ... (1) Members who send their own copies Director Conrad L. Wirth of the Na­ tional Park Service pointed out that the to Grimm, $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). laboratory property is unique in that it (2) Members who wish 4 copies sup­ houses the very buildings where organ­ plied by the Society to Grimm, $1.50 ized scientific research was born. In these plus $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). historical structures dating back to 1887 there are, he said, many "firsts" and (3) Non-members who wish 4 copies other early models of the beginning of supplied by the Society to Grimm, $3.00 electrification, sound recording, motion plus $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). pictures, electronics, and even automa­ tion. . . . Mail checks to cover magazines The Edison Laboratory property em­ and binding costs to the State braces the three-storied laboratory build­ Historical Society, 816 State ing which includes the inventor's ma­ Street, Madison 6, Wisconsin. chine shop and stockroom and a library with 10,000 volumes. . . . EASILY SHELVED —History News, March, 1956 NEATLY PRESERVED

287 ACCESSIONS

Manuscripts years of his state directorship of the United A number of small, but extremely interesting States Employment Service the problems con­ manuscript collections have been opened to re­ cerned therewith, dominate the 1931-33 cor­ searchers this past quarter. respondence. Mrs. Roy Empey, now of Mil­ The papers of Timothy Otis Howe, Wiscon­ waukee, presented the collection. sin political figure, cover a period from 1846 Briefly, other accessions include a small until 1883. Howe, an attorney by profession, group of papers, 1943-46, of Marc Andrew came to Green Bay in 1845, practiced law un­ Mitscher, United States Naval Admiral, con­ til he was elected judge in the circuit and sisting of speeches and miscellaneous corre­ supreme courts of Wisconsin, serving from spondence; papers, 1940, 1945, of Wifliam E. 1850 until 1855, when he resigned to resume Sanderson, private secretary to Merlin Hull, his legal practice. In 1860, he again entered consisting of correspondence sent and received a public office when he was elected as a Union by Sanderson, in his attempt to obtain the ap­ Republican to the United States Senate, serv­ pointment of Administrator of Rural Electri­ ing until 1879. Although defeated in the 1878 fication Administration, presented by Mrs. election, he did not retire from public life, for Jeanne Sanderson Palmer, Washington; pa­ he was appointed to serve as a commissioner pers, 1907-14, 1942-47, of Frederick 0. for the purchase of the Black Hifl territory. Leiser, Madison, a representative of the Inter­ Then, in 1881, President Garfield appointed national Committee of the Young Men's Chris­ him a delegate to the International Monetary tian Association for forty years, including Conference held in Paris. Also, in that year reminiscences of his experiences in Hongkong he was appointed Postmaster General in the and Canton, China, correspondence and dia­ cabinet of President Arthur, remaining in that ries, presented by Mr. Leiser; papers, 1946-^7, position until his death on March 25, 1883. of Rev. H. E. Wagner, pastor of St. Peter's The coflection consists mainly of corre­ Episcopal Church, West Allis, consisting of spondence of Howe with his niece Grace T. historical data and correspondence of various Howe of Kenosha. These letters are filled with clergymen of the Diocese of Milwaukee, used his impressions of the political and economic by Father Wagner in preparation of a history scenes of Washington and Wisconsin; they are of the Diocese of Milwaukee, presented by him an intimate, almost daily account of his activi­ through Gilbert H. Doane, Madison; papers, ties. The remainder of the coflection consists 1837-96, of Rev. William Walker, missionary of scattered correspondence Howe exchanged in West Africa, from 1842 to 1883, and pastor with such notables as David Atwood, Charles of a Milton, Wisconsin, church, from 1883 un­ A. Sumner, Edwin M. Stanton, Hamilton Fish, til 1896, consisting of personal correspondence Matthew H. Carpenter, Ulysses S. Grant, and and diaries describing his activities and life in Horace Rublee. Africa and later in Milton, presented by Bertha The Society received the collection from two E. Walker and Annette Walker, Oak Park, sources: Gerald H. Totten of Carmel, Cali­ Illinois; papers, 1919, of the Wisconsin Branch fornia, presented a part of the papers, while of the American Legion, consisting of a history Mrs. John P. Rutherfurd and Frank Ray Howe, of the founding of the Wisconsin Branch of the both of New York City, presented an addi­ Legion, correspondence relating to founding tional portion. and newsclipping, presented by George Sipple for the state organization; correspondence, Papers of another Green Bay resident were 1871, 1922, of Nathaniel C. Foster, merchant also added to the Society's collections. Roy and lumberman of Fairchild, Wisconsin, pre­ Empey was a railroad engineer, Brown County sented by Grace F. Thomas, Minneapolis; pa­ political leader, lobbyist for the Brotherhood pers, 1880, 1933, 1935, 1945-55, pertaining of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and to the Norwegian Stave Kirk building, located one time state director of the United States at Little Norway, Wisconsin, sometimes called Employment Service in Wisconsin. The papers, Nissedahle, including correspondence and pic­ 1919-54, consist of correspondence concern­ tures of the building, presented by Andrew M. ing Empey's work with union grievances and Howe, Chicago; and papers, 1890-1940, of his political activity. The political correspond­ Howard Murray Jones, Congregational minis­ ence reveals a strong tie between the trade ter, teacher, and farmer, consisting of corre­ unions and the Progressive Party. In the two spondence with his family mainly describing

288 ACCESSIONS

his life on a Marathon County farm and in reel of negative microfilm of the record book Madison, also, correspondence, 1896-1935, of and diary, 1865-c. 1875, of Jared H. Terry Ada Alice Tuttle, pianist and social worker of Spring Green, original in the possession of from Portland, Oregon, both presented by Ada Eleanor Terry Lincoln, Northampton, Massa­ Alice Jones, New York City. chusetts; and a study of the outboard motor Two army field message books, August 10- industry [1951], by Edwin R. Hodge, Jr., pre­ November 15, 1918, used by C. Frederic [sic] sented by W. James Webb, Milwaukee. Sammond, Milwaukee, captain in the One- hundred and twentieth Field Artillery of the Museum Thirty-second Division of the United States Accessions for the past quarter are highlighted Army during World War I, presented by Mr. by additions to our circus collection on the part Sammond; letter, April 25, 1874, written by of a number of donors. J. M. Gillet, Fond du Lac attorney to his son Paul Luckey, Baraboo, donated a circus Morrison, pertaining to the son's future edu­ wagon model. From A. W. Sigsbee, Milwau­ cation, presented by James Gillet, Evanston, kee, we received props and other material used Illinois; letter, February 16, 1955, written by by him in a trained dog act. Martin Arndt, Drew Pearson, newspaper man and radio com­ Baraboo, donated a bakery account book and mentator; papers of Ed Field, Rice Lake, con­ canceled checks from the Ringling Brothers sisting of correspondence, articles, newsclip- Circus, as well as books and rolls of gold leaf pings, and notes about the early days in the used in decorating circus wagons. Mrs. Gladys Rice Lake area, presented by Mr. Field; letters, Schacht, Baraboo, donated a plume from a c. 1842-53 and 1886, of Adeline Stewart of parade trapping, as well as other circus memo­ Green County, Wisconsin Territory, describing rabilia. the territory, presented by John W. Stewart, From Earl Chapin May, Rochelle, Illinois, Monroe; a brief history of Sayner and Star we received circus band music used by Josiah Lake, Wisconsin [1955], presented by the May, father of the donor, and music used by author, Mrs. Mable Sayner DeWitt, Sayner; donor in the first University of Wisconsin two letters, March 28, 1854, written by Lyman band. Henry Moeller, Baraboo, has added to C. Draper to Benson John Lossing, presented his previous gifts of circus material, a camel by Thomas W. Brahany of Washington through robe, photos of circus personnel, parade wag­ William T. Evjue, Madison; positive photostat ons and views of the Moeller wagon works, all copy of a reminiscence of Horace Rublee, 1894, in frames made by Corwin Moeller, brother of presented by D. J. Angus, Indianapolis; letter, the donor. In addition Mr. Moeller has given November 23, 1836, of Joseph Frearon to four flutes formerly used by Henry Moeller, Sr. Thomas A. Smith, presented by Mrs. Ella Other circus material has been donated by Worman, La Crosse; a history of Methodism Dr. and Mrs. C. V. Hicks, Oconto; George E. in southwest Wisconsin and of the South Hall, Oconto; George L. McFarland, Baraboo. Wayne Church [1954] compiled by the donor, From Mrs. Russell Wilcox, Milwaukee, we Mrs. Edna C. Johnson, South Wayne, Wiscon­ have received memorabilia of Mr. and Mrs. sin; letters, 1848-50, of Henry Judkins, en­ Willard A. Van Brunt of Horicon, including gaged in the lumbering operations of Daniel Masonic material, photographs and scrapbooks Wells, Jr., also a letter, December 22, 1863, relating to Horico«n and Dousman, hats, acces­ and a poem (n.d.) written by Daniel Wells, Jr., sories and luggage. Also donated were articles presented by Adeline C. Judkins, Hastings, used by the Wilcox family, comprising a group Minnesota; a brief autobiographical sketch of of shawls and scarfs, dress and toilet acces­ Frederich Brockhausen, Milwaukee Socialist sories, dolls and doll clothes, a very fine Tif­ (n.d.), also biographical notes prepared by fany glass lamp and vase, as well as other Emil Seidel, presented by Mrs. Hornefl Hart, materials of domestic use. Durham, North Carolina; papers and diaries, 1857-97, of Benjamin Piper, Madison area Mrs. E. Theophilus MacDermott, New York farmer, presented by Mrs. Edward J. Law, City, has donated a group of articles associated Madison; letter, August 29, 1930, of Susan N. with the Goodrich and Pabst families of Wis­ Eakins of Philadelphia, presented by Josephine consin including several complete riding and Caldwell, Madison; a teacher's certificate, is­ hunting costumes of William 0. Goodrich, sued April 28, 1865, presented by Mrs. Frank dresses, underwear, dress accessories, toilet Bullis; a history of Kolsvifle, Wisconsin (n.d.), articles, household linens, embrmdery, and em­ written by Joyce Bauer and edited by the broidery equipment. donor, Mrs. Carroll Metzner, Madison; one Florence M. Buckman, Washington, D.C, has donated articles formerly belonging to

289 IV^^^^^^^^^SKSJ

A toy cast-iron freight train, purchased in 1899 and in almost new condition, has been donated by Mrs. Leslie Browell, Madison. Delia Sanford, Pasadena, California, has do­ nated a Swiss music box; Mrs. Effie Orth, Madison, a wreath of human hair; Mrs. Robert Boardman, Oshkosh, Civil War insignia and drafting tools; Robert J. Meyer, Thiensville, a Korean War correspondent's card; P. C. Corbin, Argyle, an ox shoe, animal trap, candle snuffer, and a food chopper. A small but choice coflection of ethnographic material has been purchased from the Logan Museum of Beloit College. The specimens were formerly in the Albert G. Heath Collection and their acquisition was made possible by funds donated by Guido Rahr of Manitowoc. The These Specimens Were Assembled from the Muse­ Sac and Fox, Ottawa, Chippewa, and Winne­ um's Chippewa Collection Purchased with Funds Do­ bago tribes are represented in the forty-six nated by Guido Rahr, Manitowoc. Represented Are specimens which fill gaps in the Museum's a Blouse, Leggings, and a Breechcloth. holdings of artifacts from these tribes. The late Howard Greene, Christiana, Dela­ ware, long-time patron and friend of the So­ Jane Jennings, who was a nurse during the ciety donated an iron halberd or axe-head Civil War and Spanish-American War. In this which had been unearthed in the town of group are brass candlesticks, a brass tea serv­ Strum, Trempealeau County. This specimen ice, lamps, a desk set, and chinaware. has a great deal of interest because there has Robert A. Bryan, Menasha, has given a com­ been some speculation that it may be related plete uniform which was worn by John A. to other finds in the area which are said to be Bryan, Sr., as a member of the United States remains of pre-Columbian visitations on the Diplomatic Corps in the 1840's. Also received part of fourteenth century Norwegian ex­ was the fitted traveling case used by John A. plorers. Bryan, Sr. Samuel Insufl, Jr., Chicago, has presented a From Professor Oskar Hagen, Madison, we handsome portrait of his father, Samuel Insull, have received a remarkable model opera stage Sr. This comes to us through the efforts of complete with lithographed scenery and actors Forrest McDonald of the Society's staff. for many operas. Included are sets painted by Mrs. Otto C. Davidson, Jr., Rochester, New Professor Hagen when he was a child. York, has donated several pharmaceutical The George H. Irwin Post S25, G.A.R., Lodi, items, a lady's tailoring kit and patterns, play has donated a collection of Civil War relics as bills, and a large collection of pamphlets on well as badges, flags, and other souvenirs of fancy work. G.A.R. encampments. Other gifts include two World War I trench Mrs. Otto Holzmann, Madison, has donated clubs from the late G. V. Sinclair, Milwau­ clothing formerly used by Nellie Kedzie Jones kee; Mrs. W. F. Leistikow, Wausau, a sau­ and the Rev. Howard Murray Jones. sage stuffer; John Kuckuk, Shawano, an From Esther Steig, Clintonville, we received 1899 model opthalmeter; Emma Glenz, Madi­ silver tableware, aprons, a parasol, advertising son, a child's leather purse; 0. J. Libert, cards and books, and a drugstore prescriptions Washington, D.C, two Royal Air Force caps; book. Mrs. Carmen Dougherty, Topeka, has Wisconsin State Nurses Association, Milwau­ given to the museum, memorabilia of Major kee, a medal awarded to Adda Eldridge; Eme- Duncan McKercher, who enlisted in the Civil line Mears, Pasadena, California, a collection War from New Lisbon; included are uniform of badges; Mrs. Louise Troxell, Madison, a insignia, notary plates, a fife, wooden chain desk stand and call bell; K. L. Hatch, Madison, and gavel, a Loyal Legion medal and a recruit­ shaving brushes and a shaving mug; Mrs. Cy ing poster. U.S. army uniforms have been Moffett, Middleton, two pieces of Norwegian donated by John W. Jenkins, Clarence Knut- lace; Gretchen Schmitt, Milwaukee, women's son, and Harry E. Lichter of Madison and Mrs. shoes; Emma Stanley, Omro, valentines and Robert Friend, Hartland. a pamphlet on crocheting.

290 ACCESSIONS

Additional gifts have been received from Jean Nash, a frequent donor, added further Mrs. John S. Main, Madison, a niddy-noddy, excellent photographs of lumbering activities cup and spoon from Lapland, and an Indian near Shanagolden. Mrs. Alden V. Keene of basket; George L. McFarland, Baraboo, a Middletown, Delaware, sent interesting snap­ wooden molding plane; Galen Schmick, Mid­ shots taken on the camping trips along the dleton, cast-iron toy tractor, bus, and automo­ Escambia River where Senator Isaac Stephen­ bile; F. C Middleton, Madison, a fluting iron son entertained his friends. Mrs. Charles and cartridge; Mrs. Carl R. Kleppe, Milwau­ Brigham, a descendant of the first white resi­ kee, game of Authors; Mrs. J. R. McCarthy, dent of the vicinity of Madison, Ebenezer Portage, lady's shirtwaist; Olson Transporta­ Brigham, who was trading with the Indians tion Company, Green Bay, model of a tractor- in 1827, gave four interesting albums of family trailer. H. D. Pease, Richland Center, link portraits. Bertha Henry contributed to our and pin coupler and rail gauge from the Pine interest in medical history the diplomas of Dr. River and Stevens Point Railroad, and two Bertha V. Thompson of Oshkosh, a distin­ shoe boxes; W. E. Brown, Evansville, two pot­ guished woman physician of the turn of the tery inkwells; Col. J. W. Jackson, Madison, century, along with numerous portraits of Dr. ceramic replica of "Miss Forward," the statue Thompson's associates. on the State Capitol dome; Emily Groom, Mil­ waukee, a china platter; Mrs. 0. W. Engel, Further valuable additions to the collections Madison, wicker baby carriage and a sled; were received from the following friends of the Ruth Druetzer, Wauwatosa, linen tablecloth; Society, and it is because of such continuing Ida Altemus, Stoughton, a 1790 doubleweave thoughtfulness that our outstanding collection coverlet; Julius C Olson Estate, Madison, an has such personal value and variety: Miriam 1897 brass clock. Bennett, the Bloomer Advance, Louis Bridg­ man, Florence M. Buckman, Mrs. Walter B. Photographic Collections Calvert, Floyd Christoph, Mrs. Otto C David­ son, Jr., Mrs. J. Lee Deen, Carmen M. Dough­ Most extensive and valuable additions during erty, Mrs. Walter Ela, Mrs. Roy Empey, Mrs. recent months have been continuations of gifts Carl Erickson, Anthony B. Fox, the late Col. already announced. The International Har­ Howard Greene, Albert Hess, Burton Leavens, vester Company of Chicago sent a very exten­ Mrs. Charles MacPherran, Mrs. John S. Main, sive collection of their own glass plate record Mrs. Gregory Mason, Emeline Mears, Louise negatives, estimated as about 20,000 in num­ W. Mears, Eugene R. Murray, Durlin Pawlish, ber. Roy L. Martin of Rock Island, Iflinois, Grace E. Pratt, the Sheboygan Press, Mrs. Wil­ presented the negatives of his own extensive lard M. Smith, George Easterly Sorlie, Mrs. collection of railroad photographs, correspond­ Willet M. Spooner, Emma Stanley, and Mrs. ing to and extending the gift of prints last Mark G. Troxefl. We also acquired by ex­ year. change with Frederic B. Platz, Jr., of Madison, a very interesting collection of nineteenth cen­ In connection with the gathering of exhibits tury American business advertising cards. for the Historymobile, numerous collections of circus photographs were acquired, through the Newspapers generosity of Charles P. Fox, Viola Goflmar, Charles Gustin, Mr. and Mrs. C V. Hicks The Society has added the following files of (Mrs. Hicks is the former "Dixie" Armstrong, newspapers to its collection through the cour­ a famous performer), Wifliam Kasiska, John tesy of the publishers in loaning their files for M. Kelley, John Baptist LeClercq (profession­ microfilming: ally known as Jack LeClair), Paul Luckey, Brfllion News, 1894-1925; Chilton Inde­ G. I. McFarland, Leonard Roser, Mrs. Gladys pendent-Journal, 1916-33; Chilton Times, Schacht, and Fred Terbilox, all connected with 1857-63; De Pere Volksstem, 1890-99 and circus affairs by former profession, family con­ 1911; Fort Howard Journal, 1878-80; Ke­ nection, or personal interest. Earl Chapin May, waunee Enterprise, 1859-64; Lodi Enterprise, also of a well-known circus family, contributed 1894-1925; Luxemburg News, 1919-39; Ma- numerous personalia. zomanie Sickle, 1889-1940; Mukwonago Chief, 1889-1943; Stoughton Hub, 1881-84; Esther Steig of Clintonville presented an un­ Superior Leader, 1901-03; Viola Intelligencer, usually good collection on small-town life and 1891-97; Wausau News, 1901-04; Wittenberg views in Clintonville in the eighteen nineties. Enterprise, 1893-1913.

291 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956

Wisconsin's Shelter Belt History Thirty years ago last spring the first the Trout Lake forest nursery. demonstration pine shelter belt in Wis­ "We had never seen seedlings, but consin was planted. It is a three-row afl Wilson told us how to plant them. The white pine belt, a mile long, in which survival percentage was very high." there are 3,000 trees. Today it is part of Eight years later, when the devastat­ the Greenwood goose refuge in Wau­ ing dust and sand storms of 1934 rav­ shara County, near Hancock. aged many a grain seeding in Waushara George M. O'Connor. Hancock, proud and other central Wisconsin counties, of the work he and his father, the late the young pine trees were tall enough to Ed O'Connor, did in setting out the trees provide conclusive evidence of their ef­ on open sand, relates his experience: fectiveness. When Wisconsin's own shel­ "In the spring of 1926 I was in the ter belt planting project was getting office of Professor Andrew Hopkins in under way that year, the O'Connor belt the College of Agriculture. We were dis­ was observed by groups of visiting cussing sand storms and possible wind farmers who wanted to learn what might erosion controls including tree plantings. be expected of pine shelter belts...... The result of the talk was that we de­ The three-row shelter belt has been a cided to plant three rows of white pine standard recommendation ever since. seedlings on the west line of Section 24 Though some tree losses occurred, in the town of Hancock. For this plant­ those that survived are now producing ing of one mile, Fred Wilson [an exten­ crops of pine cones. sion forester] ordered 3,000 trees from —Wisconsin Conservation Bulletin, July, 1956

BOOK REVIEWS: Richberg, My Hero 274 Curti, Probing Our Past 275 Bell, Early American Science; Needs and Opportunities for Study 275 Dufles, America's Rise to World Power, 1898-1954 276 Blegen, ed., Norwegian-American Studies and Records (vol. 18) 278 Cochran, Railroad Leaders 1845-1890: The Business Mind in Action 279 Hofstadter, The Age of Reform from Bryan to F.D.R 280 Garrett, The American Story 280 Krey, History and the Social Web 281 Stansbury, The First Seventy Years 282 Jerrard, The Brule River of Wisconsin 282 Fletcher, Pennsylvania Agriculture and Country Life, 1840-1940 283 Gottesman, The Arts and Crafts in New York, 1777-1799 283 Kane and Johnson, Manuscripts Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Guide Number 2 284 Olson, History of Nebraska 284 Woodford, Mr. Jefferson s Disciple. A Life of Justice Woodward 285 De Windt, Proudly We Record 285

292 new Society publications

LA FOLLETTE AND THE RISE OF THE PROGRESSIVES IN WISCONSIN • by Robert S. Maxwe/I Maxwell's book brings to life the vital chapter of Wisconsin Progressivism that estab­ lished a permanent niche in history for its vigorous leader, "Fighting Bob" La Follette. It is the first concise and objective portrayal of the forces which defeated the old guard of the Republican Party and molded a labor and agrarian reform that altered the state's social, economic, and political framework. The Progressives' advances fol­ lowed the rising star of Robert M. La Follette from private citizen and reform boss through successful campaigns for governor and United States senator, to his final emer­ gence as a candidate for presidential nomination. Published in a year when politics and parties are in the forefront of the national and state scene, this biography is a "must" item for students of Wisconsin history and should also find a place on the book shelf of the general reader, lay historian, or the La Follette collector. Illustrated Price, $4.50

THE FOUNDING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN • by Lloyd P. Jorgenson This is a highly readable account of the struggle to establish a public school system on the Wisconsin frontier during the mid-nineteenth century. It traces the develop­ ment of public education from its earliest beginnings—subscription and missionary schools at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien—to a permanent system at the opening years of the Civil War. Of special interest to the lay reader and historian are chapters dealing with the influences shaping early school legislation, the philosophic concepts underlying the rise of public education on the frontier, and the fight to obtain ade­ quate teacher training facilities. The author has appended some useful notes on sources and an extensive bibliography. Price, $4.00

Order from STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN 816 State Street • Madison 6, Wisconsin THE PURPOSE OF THIS SOCIETY SHALL BE To promote a wider appreciation of the Amer­ ican heritage with particular emphasis on the collection, advancement, and dissemination of knowledge of the history of Wisconsin and of the Middle West.