WISCONSIN zztti^ of history

I Cenf togra She VOTE FOR Delores Lein Republican Candidate -for- SHERIFF Of Sawyer County Du* to tho antlquatMl law which forbids a sheriff to hold office for more than two consocutlvo tonna, the name Delores Lein appears on the ballot instead of Ernest Lein.

Authorized and Paid for by the Candidate See Other Side of Card

Courtesy of Delores Lein

t one time Wisconsin led the nation in the number of women elected to the office of sheriff. It would be easy to ascribe this seeming enlightenment to the state's progres­ A sivism, but that's not the case. In the early and mid-twenti­ eth century, women like Delores Lein, shown here with her husband, Ernie, in a Sawyer County campaign ad from 1966, sought the office solely to keep their husbands employed as sheriff. This strategy met with great success at the polls, where voters did not seem to mind bla- tantiy bypassing the spirit, if not the letter, of a highly controversial state law that limited consecutive terms for sheriffs. The back of this campaign card provided details about the law's history. Dorothy Schulz and Steven M. Houghton explore Wisconsin's unique story of gender and law enforcement in their article beginning on page 22.

m Editor J. Kent Calder Managing Editor Diane T. Drexler Associate Editor Margaret T. Dwyer Production Manager Deborah T. Johnson Reviews Editor Masarah Van Eyck Research and Editorial Assistants Joel Heiman John Nondorf Naomi Patton John Zimm Designer Kenneth A. Miller THE WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY, published New Cases and Changing Faces 2 quarterly, is one of the inany benefits of membership in the Wisconsin Historical Society. Individual memberships are P The Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2003 $37.50 per year; senior citizen individual, $27.50; family, $47.50; senior citizen family, $37.50; institutional, $55; sup­ By Ann Walsh Bradley porting, $100; sustaining, $250; patron, $500; life (one per­ and Joseph A. Ranney son), $1,000. To receive the Wisconsin l\/lagazine of History, join the Society! To join or to give a gift membership, send a check to Membership, Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State PoUtics in Play 10 Street, Madison, Wl 53706-1482, or call the Membership Sociahsm, Free Speech, and Social Office at 888-748-7479. You can also join via e-mail, [email protected], or at the Society's Web site, Centers in Milwaukee www.wisconsinhistory.org (click on "Become a Member"). The WMH has been published quarterly since 1917 by By Elizabeth Jozwiak the Wisconsin Historical Society (Phone 608-264-6400). Copyright © 2003 by the State Historical Society of Wiscon­ Married to the Job 2Z sin. Permission to quote or otherwise reproduce portions of this copyrighted work may be sought in writing from the pub­ Wisconsin's Women Sheriffs lisher at the address above. Communication, inquiries, and manuscript submissions may also be addressed to By Dorothy Moses Schulz [email protected]. Information about the magazine, and Steven M. Houghton including contributor's guidelines, sample articles, and an index of volume 84 can also be found at the Society's Web site by following the "Publications" link from the home page. Photographs identified with PH, WHi, or WHS are from The Writing on the Walls 38 the Society's collections; address inquiries about such pho­ Badger Grafitti in tos to the Visual Materials Archivist, 816 State Street, Madi­ son, Wl 53706-1482. Many WHS photos are available Civil War Virginia through the Wisconsin Historical Images digital service available on the Web site. (From the home page, click By James S. Pula "Archives.") The Wisconsin Historical Society does not assume responsibility for statements made by contributors. ISSN Cream City Beat 50 0043-6543. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, Wl 53706- Photographs of Milwaukee 1482. Back issues, if available, are $10 plus postage (888- 748-7479). Microfilmed copies are available through I By J. Robert Taylor University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106. On the front cover: For more than three decades, Mil­ waukee's social centers, many of them housed in the city's Editors' Choice 59 public schools, were a melting pot of practicality, politics, and play. Photos: Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Letters from Our Readers 62 Recreation and Community Services. Back Matters 64

VOLUME 86, NUMBER 3 / SPRING 2003 A SUPR s^^ ^v.

150 YEARS New Cases and Changing Faces The Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2003

By Ann Walsh Bradley and Joseph A. Ranney

No longer solely the realm of black-robed gentlemen,'' the Wisconsin Supreme Court has changed a good deal since Justice Timothy Brown explained its workings in this magazine in 1952 for the court's centennial This sesquicentennial update describes the changes that have taken place in the last fifty years and the challenges it faces in the future.

n an article that appeared in the autumn 1952 issue of episodes in legal history. At half past one o'clock in the afternoon of this magazine marking the centennial ofthe Wisconsin the Grst Monday of each month (except for Labor Day and during I Supreme Court's existence as a separate judicial body, the summer recess) seven gentiemen in black silk gowns Gle into this Justice Timothy Brown chronicled the evolution ofthe court room and take their seats behind a long desk or table while a crier and described its workings in the early 1950s. His colorful proclaims, "The Supreme Court ofthe State of Wisconsin is nowin opening paragraph offers a good place to start in measuring session. Silence is commanded!" Thereupon, two or more lawyers some ofthe changes that have taken place in the court in the advance to the bar of the court, begin their arguments, and the last fifty years: recentiy summoned Silence retires, not to return until, some Gve days and twenty to thirty arguments later, the tumult and the shout- In the State Capitol at Madison there is a handsome chamber pan­ ingdies, and the captains andldngs of litigation depart leaving their eled in marble and adorned by mural paintings illustrating salient causes for the consideration ofthe black-robed gentlemen.

Left: A program called Court with Class brings an estimated three thousand Wisconsin high school students to the capitol each year to watch a Supreme Court proceeding and meet with justices.

All photos by Mark Hertzberg, © The Journal Times, Racine, unless otherwise credited. WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Justice Ann Wakh Bradley questions an attorney during oral argument.

While the murals are still there, and the court sessions still appointed Shirley S. Abrahamson as the first woman to serve begin with a command for silence, the Wisconsin Supreme on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In 1996 she also became Court is no longer made up of "black-robed gentlemen" only. the first and as yet only woman to serve as chief justice. Abra­ Fifty years later, the face and the workings of the Supreme hamson was the sole woman on the court until 1993, when Court have been modified to reflect the changing times, a Janine Geske was appointed. Justice Geske resigned five years changed caseload, and the court's enhanced administrative later and has since served as interim Milwaukee County responsibilities. Executive and dean ofthe Marquette Law School. When the Wisconsin Supreme Court celebrated its one In 1995 Ann Walsh Bradley defeated four opponents in a hundredth anniversary, forty-seven men had served as mem­ primary election and was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme bers of the court. They varied in age at the commencement Court. Four years later Diane Sykes joined the court by way of their service from Charles Larrabee at twenty-eight of appointment. Thus, ofthe seventy-seven justices who have (1848-1853) to Burr Jones at seventy-four (1920-1926). They served on the Supreme Court, only four have been women. varied in length of service on the court from the thirty-seven Currently, as the court celebrates its 150th anniversary, three years of Orsamus Cole (1855-1892) to the twenty days of ofthe seven justices, including the chief justice, are women. service by Theodore Lewis (1934), who died from pneumonia The court's caseload has also changed dramatically during without participating in any decisions of the court. Their the last fifty years as a result of the court reform of 1977, birthplaces were from as far away as Norway and Ireland to which created the court of appeals as an intermediate appel­ as close as just down the road from the state capitol. Yet they late court.' The new appellate court hears direct appeals from had one thing in common; the face ofthe court was all male. the judgments ofthe circuit courts throughout the state. Now, That changed in 1976 when Governor PatrickJ. Lucey relieved of that role, the Supreme Court is able to select for

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pros and cons of accepting the case. After reviewing the commissioner's memorandum and the memoranda of law submitted by the parties, the court decides whether to accept the case. When accepting a petition for review, at least three of the seven justices must vote to take the case before it is deemed accepted by the court. ^ Because the Supreme Court is not a fact­ finding body but was created primarily to hear appeals from unsatisfied litigants, it does not conduct trials or hear witnesses. Instead, when it "hears" the case, it does so by listening to the parties' oral arguments. Much the same proce­ dure for oral argument exists today as it did when the court celebrated its centennial. Every month of its term the court sets aside several days to hear oral arguments. Prior to the oral arguments the parties submit written briefs, which set forth the facts and the law upon which the parties rely. Before the sched­ uled oral arguments, each justice studies the briefs and researches the law. On oral argument days the court meets first in conference, where a justice who has been assigned to give a summary report on the facts and law of a particular case shares the report with the other members of the court. The report is not meant to favor either side, but rather is to be a neutral recitation of the facts and the law that the justice thinks will be of greatest import during oral argument. After the conference the justices take their places at the bench in the hearing room, according to seniority, and the chief justice calls the first case ofthe day. The justices convene in the court's private conference room to deliber­ ate, vote, and assign opinion authors. Chief Justice Shirley S. Abra­ The lawyer representing the litigant who hamson is seated at the head ofthe table (far end), and clockwise lost in the court below is the first to argue. The around the table from her are Justices Jon P. Wilcox, N. Patrick responding lawyer, who seeks to preserve the Crooks, David Prosser, Jr., Diane S. Sykes, Ann Walsh Bradley, and William A. Bablitch. lower court's judgment, is then given an opportunity to argue the case, followed by an review only those cases that will develop or clarify the law and opportunity for brief rebuttal by the first lawyer. Each lawyer is be of statewide importance. given one-half hour to present the arguments. Their time is monitored, and green, yellow, and red lights indicate the start, How the Court Works a five-minute warning, and the end ofthe argument period. The court meets once a month to discuss and select cases for During that period of time the members of the court ask review. A court commissioner who is an experienced lawyer on questions ofthe presenting lawyers. There is an unwritten rule the court's staff prepares a memorandum of law discussing the that the justices will refrain from asking questions for the first

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WHS Archives, WHi(X3)19099 This photograph shows the justices ofthe Wisconsin Supreme Court around 1910, along with the portraits of the justices who preceded them. The face ofthe court began to change when Shirley S. Abraham- son became the first woman to serve as justice in 1976. few minutes of the argument in order to give the lawyers an iority. That number is placed on one side of a poker chip that opportunity to present the case as they see fit. That rule, how­ also bears an outline of a happy face. The chief justice places ever, is honored more in the breach, or lack of adherence to it, the chips numbered-side down on the conference table and than in its observance. In many cases, almost from the outset of mixes them up. The justice next in seniority draws one chip and the arguments the justices pepper the lawyers with questions. continues to draw until the number drawn determines a justice After hearing three oral arguments, the justices return to in the majority to whom the writing ofthe opinion is assigned. their conference room and in that confidential setting discuss After the cases are assigned, each justice's law clerk assists the issues and cast tentative votes on each case. A majority of with further research and generally prepares an in-depth mem­ the court must agree on the rule of law before the court can orandum or initial draft opinion setting forth the law and facts reach a tentative decision. Wisconsin employs a unique proce­ ofthe case. Depending on the case's complexity, it may take the dure in assigning a justice to write the court's opinion in an indi­ justice several weeks or months of additional research, analysis, vidual case. As in the United States Supreme Court and all and writing before he or she is ready to circulate the opinion to other jurisdictions, the assignment can be made only to a justice the other justices for their written comments and suggestions. who voted with the majority ofthe court. In the U.S. Supreme At a later conference, the court considers carefully the lan­ Court, the chief justice or the most senior justice in the majori­ guage and substance of each draft opinion. If there are changes ty assigns the writing of the opinion to the justice of choice. to be made, the opinion is recirculated for review at another Many courts throughout the country follow that procedure. conference. When the majority opinion is in final form, any jus­ In Wisconsin, however, the assignment is made by lot. Each tice who is not in full agreement with the majority opinion may justice is assigned a number from one to seven according to sen­ announce the writing of a dissenting or concurring opinion.

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During oral argument, attorneys present their cases while the justices actively question and challenge them. The podium is equipped with a red, yellow, and green light system to track the half hour allotted to each side.

After all writing and discussions are completed, the opinion is tion of professional misconduct. given to the clerk of the Supreme Court for filing and release to The court spends countless hours conducting public rule­ the public. making hearings to establish and amend rules for the court sys­ tem and the practice of law. In addition to the public The Court System and the Practice of Law rule-making hearings, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is the first Although the court is best known for its legal decisions, it has state court in the country to conduct its administrative business another function: the Wisconsin Constitution gives it adminis­ in conferences open to the public. trative authority over the entire state court system. Administra­ tive demands have greatiy increased since the celebration ofthe Challenges Facing the Court court's one-hundredth anniversary. Fifty years ago there were Describing the current work of the court and retracing its 117 circuit court, county court, and statutory court judges and history leads to the question of what challenges the court will about four thousand lawyers in Wisconsin. Today there are face in the future. The cases the court hears and the adminis­ approximately twenty thousand lawyers, and there are 241 cir­ trative issues it faces represent to a very great extent the life of cuit court judges divided into ten judicial districts together with the state. The social issues ofthe day become the judicial issues a total of sixteen Court of Appeals judges in four separate appel­ of tomorrow. Economic prosperity yields certain legal and late districts. administrative issues, while economic crisis presents others. The Supreme Court oversees not just the court system, but Wisconsin has produced much innovative legislation also the practice of law. The Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) and throughout its history. When the legislature ventures into new the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) are under the authori­ areas, the court inevitably is called upon to pass on the validity ty of the court and are responsible for admitting lawyers to or application of such legislation under the provisions of the practice law in this state and for the investigation and prosecu­ state and federal constitutions. Just as the invention ofthe auto-

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^•«

Above: Before the Court with Class program began in 1996, the courtroom gallery was often empty during oral argument. Now, extra seats must be set up to accommodate all the school groups that attend the proceedings. Right: Justice Jon P. Wilcox questions an attorney during oral argument. To the right are Justices N. Patrick Crooks and Diane S. Sykes. mobile affected the types of cases seen in the courts, so the new inventions of today will affect the types of cases that will occupy the court's calendar in the future. Difficult legal and bio-ethical issues emanating from cutting-edge technology, privacy con­ cerns, and advances in science and medicine wiU be the sources of future contested cases. The Supreme Court will also have to grapple with difficult administrative issues involving access to courts and the practice of law. The Supreme Court must prepare the court system to serve an increasingly diverse and varied population. Access to courts is limited when, because of cultural and language differ­ ences, the litigants do not understand what is said or done in court proceedings. Likewise, access to the courts is limited for those who cannot afford legal services. The courts must be pre­ pared to address the increasing number of self-represented liti­ gants.^ In the future the court will be addressing nettlesome admin-

SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

istrative issues as they relate to the practice of law. National and Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, Justice William A. Bablitch, international business developments have challenged the norms and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley await a signal from the Supreme Court marshal to enter the courtroom. of what it means to practice law, who can practice law, and where lawyers can practice law. The future presents challenges to the court's tradition of The Authors independent-mindedness and indeed to the concept of judicial Joseph A. Ranney is a trial lawyer with independence. It is often noted that the judicial branch does not the law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens S.C. have the power ofthe purse, as the legislative branch does, and in Madison. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in does not have the power of armed forces, as the executive 1972 and a J.D. degree from Yale Law branch does. Rather, the judicial branch's power and future lie School in 1978. He is the author of in the public trust and confidence ofthe people. jMd Trusting Nothing to Providence: A History

1 Chapter 187, Laws of 1977; see also Joseph A. Ranney, Practicing Law in 20th Century Wis­ of Wisconsin's Legal System and has consin: The Courts and the Bar Grapple with Growth, 70 Wis. Lawyer 14, 65 (March 1997). taught as an adjunct professor at Mar­ 2 A small number of cases are presented to the court over which it has original (that is, initial) quette Law School. jurisdiction under the state constitution, or which come directly from a trial court without going through the Court of Appeals. At least four justices must vote to take such cases before the court Ann Walsh Bradley received her bach­ will consider them. 3 Pro Se: Meeting the Challenge of Self-Represented Litigants, Report to Chief Justice Shirley elor's degree in 1972 from Webster Col­ S. Abrahamson, Wisconsin Supreme Court, Submitted by the Pro Se Working Group. (In 1999, lege in St. Louis. She was a high school 53 percent of family law cases in the Tenth Judicial Administrative District and 72 percent of teacher before entering the University of family law cases in the First Judicial Administrative District involved a self-represented liti­ gant). The report is available at http://www.courts.state.wi.us/media/reports/Pro_Se_Report_12- Wisconsin Law School, where she earned 00 .htm. her degree in 1976. Bradley was in private law practice until becoming a circuit court judge in Marathon County in 1985. She was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1995.

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Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services Pool, checkers, and dominoes were among the games available to visitors to the quiet game room at the 4th Street Social Center. •Rjsr SociALisivi, FREE SPEECH, AND SOCIAL CENTERS iM IVIIEWAUKEE

By Elizabeth Jozwiah mil Seidel, the workingman and Socialist elected mayor of Milwaukee in April 1910, was generally known as a modest individual, largely due to his soft-spoken voice and small physical stature. Although E his demeanor did not diminish the power of Seidel's intelligence or earnestness when running the city, his style of public speaking was not prone to the incendiary, like many of his fellow Socialist politicians, notably Victor Berger. It was with some surprise then that members of the Milwaukee Ministerial Association found themselves on the receiving end of a fiery address by Seidel the same year he was elected. The topic was the chil­ dren of the city and the future that they faced. Seidel believed that the problems facing the city's youth were so serious that he confronted the group and challenged them to put aside their differences and recognize the level ofthe threat. "While you are fighting for some theological dogma, our boys and girls are going to hell!"i These were strong words for a group of clerics to hear, especially from the usually unassuming Seidel. But the mayor had cause for concern. From 1889 to 1904 Milwaukee had invested over $2 million in public schooling in response to the population increases that came with late nine­ teenth-century immigration. Milwaukee's leaders placed significant resources in the building of new schools and additions to existing schools, yet in 1904 half of the city's children did not attend any kind of school. By 1910 a special study of the Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics indicated that despite the city's financial investment, 27 per­ cent of children ages seven to fourteen stiU did not attend school. The schools were there but many of these children were working in the vast number of industries that called Milwaukee home during the late nineteenth century.^ Seidel understood the plight of working chil­ dren, having had to leave school to go to work at age thirteen to help support his family. The mayor's passion for the well-being of his city's youth went beyond personal interest, though, as the public schools were to play an important polit­ ical role in the plans of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Socialist party of Milwaukee. As the first Socialist mayor elected to lead the city of Milwaukee, Seidel was able to develop the recre­ ation plank of the Socialist platform. SDP mem­ bers, who had been dubbed "sewer socialists" for advocating municipal ownership of utilities and other large-scale civic reforms, had other goals as well, including city-supported recreational facili­ ties throughout Milwaukee neighborhoods. Recre­ ation had been part of the SDP platform since 1904, and party members, including mayors Sei­ del and (after him) Daniel Hoan, as well as those serving on the Common Council and the School Board, worked to promote city parks, playgrounds, and social centers. They did this at a time when a national movement of social reform championed a JUey^ return to the traditional values of community. Such values naturally accommodated the idea of city-supported social centers and the ideal loca- i/..><-

WHi(X3)28630 Students of Milwaukee's International Socialist Sunday School in a production of Cinderella. tions for many ofthe centers were the neighborhood schools.^ many ofthe city's middle- and upper-class inhabitants were also Unlike most other cities in the nation, however, Milwaukee seeking a break from the machine politics and graft that had was home to a large political kinship of Socialists who were a plagued Milwaukee throughout the 1890s and into the twentieth potent political force. Formed in 1898, the SDP, a national century, especially during the administration of mayor David political movement centered in Milwaukee and led by Victor Rose, from 1898 through 1906. By the first years ofthe Berger, took an evolutionary, rather than revolution new century, Milwaukeeans had adopted an attitude ary approach to socialism. While the rev­ of "throw the bums out," and they began to replace olutionary branch of socialism various Democrats and Republicans with reputable adhered to the overthrow of the Socialists. The Common Council and School Board capitalist system by organized work­ each gained a Socialist contingent, and the SDP ers, "evolutionaries" like Milwaukee's won the mayor's office with the election of Emil SDP members supported practical, Seidel in 1910. In 1912, Democrats and Repub­ incremental gains for workers now. licans defeated the Socialist mayor with a fusion Their timing could now not have candidate. But the Socialists retrieved the may­ been better. By the turn of the twentieth oralty in 1916 with the election of Daniel century, many working-class Milwau­ Hoan, who held the office until 1940. The keeans found themselves attracted to the mayor's office was undoubtedly a milestone SDP because of its respect for industrial Socialist mayor Emil Seidel was largely respon­ workers, its demands for fair treatment o sible for the inception of Milwaukee's munici­ working people, and its emphasis on bol pal social centers in 1912. bread-and-butter and quality-of-life issues. I WHi(X3)49594 m SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

for the party, but the Socialists in the Common Council and on charity, rather than recreation. This perception could alienate the School Board were perhaps even more important to the all classes from participation. ^ story of the city's social centers because their positions focused No matter their practical short-term goals, party members on the schools and the recreation programs directly. remained committed to their mission to educate the public The social centers owed their existence, in part, to the great about Socialism, and the centers were at the heart of that edu­ social reform movements that were spreading quickly across the cation. The primary goal was to establish the social centers as a country. Reformers like Jane Addams in strong, familiar presence throughout the nearby Chicago and throughout the city, where people would learn about country promoted the civic aspects of Socialist beliefs and activities at a basic community social centers as modern ver­ level, in their own neighborhood, what­ sions of the New England town meeting ever their address. SDP leaders believed or as adult education centers. They that people needed only to become believed that such discussion could occur informed about Socialist goals and phi­ without advocating particular political losophy to become supporters. The con­ philosophies. Like these other urban sequent election of a majority of Socialist reformers of the period, the Milwaukee candidates throughout city government Socialists considered social centers to be would then make possible the first con­ places for play, entertainment, and civic crete changes for everyone's benefit. To activity. The SDP, however, considered the Socialists, the social centers would be unfettered political discussion—including both ends and means in that endeavor. In the discussion of socialism—an essential time, however, this question of "political civic activity. This connection between education" was the issue on which the the social centers and political free socialists and their allies parted ways, but speech would prove to be the battle­ this potential rift was not apparent at the ground where SDP members would have beginning. ^ to decide if they valued recreation more A school in a needy area, the lower as a means to a political end to extending WHi(X3)22047 North Side's Sixth District School, was the reach of the party, or as an end in Milwaukee's second Socialist mayor, chosen for Milwaukee's first social center itself, bettering the lives of all Milwau­ Daniel Hoan, was also friendly to the experiment in 1908. Among the residents recreation programs. keeans.^ of this largely poor section were many As was the case with many oftheir political ideas, Milwaukee immigrants, including Russian Jews and Greeks. The center Socialists applied their recreation strategy in two important was a success, bringing together the various ethnic groups and ways. First, Socialists in different areas of government believed achieving significant participation of both parents and children. that in addition to participation in civic activity, all residents With that success the SDP was ready to fulfill its plan for a city- deserved access to wholesome cultural and recreational facilities. wide program. They recognized that middle-class residents Although these politicians did not wish to exclude political dis­ might be more likely to approve of taxes that provided them cussion from the scope of the recreational activity that took with services, rather than those that served only the less fortu­ place in the centers, they did not want to derail the centers from nate.^ taking hold by emphasizing politics too soon. Second, despite Their efforts paid off in 1912 when the School Board insti­ being primarily concerned with ensuring recreational opportu­ tuted a Division of Municipal and Adult Recreation. The board nities for the working class, party leaders were wise enough not hired as the new division's head, Harold Berg, an energetic ele­ to promote social centers as the exclusive realm ofthe working- mentary school principal who had supported a social center at man or woman. The SDP won an increasing number of offices his elementary school. He threw himself into this job, often in the early 1900s, but the party would need to continue to gain working sixteen-hour days. SociaHsts did not worry much that political allies to accomplish its goals. Those allies would be eas­ Berg was not a member of the party. For them, having a com­ ier to make if the SDP minimized its rhetoric of class conflict. mitted director was more important than poHtical affiliation. Also, if the centers were perceived as being for only working- Harold Berg was a tireless promoter of the centers, speaking to class individuals, the activities the centers offered might smack of local community groups and sharing Milwaukee's growing suc-

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cess story in articles. Berg chose too expensive to be practical in one of his most innovative teach­ Milwaukee. Despite being at ers, Dorothy Enderis, as his first the "bluest folks" when they assistant for girls' recreation. compared their little school- While a fourth grade teacher, house efforts to the grander Enderis had promoted the Chicago programs. Berg and importance of play, not just Enderis soon decided that exercise, for children. Viewing the Milwaukee's existing the district rule of required class­ school center approach was room calisthenics as silly, more neighborhood-friendly. Enderis allowed the children to A neighborhood system certain­ play games on the playground ly fit the Socialists' vision for the during their exercise period if s 1^^ v^W!^ centers, which they borrowed they quickly completed the calis­ Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services from Rochester, New York s for­ thenics. Far from disapproving Former principal Harold Berg teamed up with his most mer social center director. of this modification. Berg sup­ favored teacher, Dorothy Enderis, to lead Milwaukee's Socialist Edward J. Ward. Ward ported her efforts. Center work­ recreation programs. became an advisor to the Mil­ ers praised Enderis for "bringing good cheer and kindly advice" waukee program in 1910 at the instigation ofthe SDP.^ when she visited them. She would eventually succeed Berg in By the mid-191 Os eleven social centers distributed through­ 1920 and lead the division, and the social centers in particular, out the city provided a variety of wholesome recreational oppor­ to greater heights during her tenure, which lasted through 1948. tunities for young people and adults, without politics casting a In later years, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee would shadow over their benefits. Some classrooms became "quiet honor her contributions to education by naming its education game rooms" where children could play checkers and other building after her.^ board games or work on puzzles. Neighborhood directors some­ When determining the plan for Milwaukee's social centers. times arranged tournaments to maintain interest in such quiet Berg and Enderis examined various cities' full-scale recreation games. ^"^ systems. They deemed Chicago's fieldhouses—large facilities The centers also provided pool tables for teenage boys. These that had room for all manner of recreation and civic activity— were quite controversial at first, but Harold Berg and other

The Wisconsin Historical Society John Kerrigan, Dubuque, lA Vice-President: Edwin P. Wiley, Milwaukee Ellen D. Langill, Waukesha Treasurer. Rhona E. Vogel, Brookfield Director: Robert B. Thomasgard, Jr. Genevieve G. McBride, Milwaukee Secretary: John D. Singer, Madison Officers Judy Nagel, DePere Asst. Treasurer & Asst. Secretary: \N. Pharis Horton, Janice M. Rice, Stoughton Madison President: Patricia A. Boge Fred A. Risser, Madison Hartley B. Barker, Scottsdale, AZ. President Elect: Mark L. Gajewski John M. Russell, Menomonie Thomas H. Barland, Eau Claire (emeritus) Treasurer: Anne M. West Dale Schultz, Richland Center Secretary: Robert B. Thomasgard Patricia A. Boge, La Crosse John Schroeder, Milwaukee Robert M. Bolz, Madison Board of Curators Gerald D. Viste, Wausau Daniel W. Erdman, Madison Anne M. West, Milwaukee Ruth Barker, Ephraim James D. Ericson, Milwaukee Carlyle H. "Hank" Whipple, Madison Thomas H. Barland, Eau Claire Rockne G. Flowers, Madison Ex-officio Board of Curators Murray D. "Chip" Beckford, Cascade John J. Frautschi, Madison Patricia A. Boge, La Crosse Delores C. Ducklow, President, FRIENDS ofthe Mark L. Gajewski, Madison Mary F. Buestrin, Mequon Society Gary P. Grunau, Milwaukee Thomas E. Caestecker, Green Lake John Grek, President, Wisconsin Council for Richard H. Holscher, Lake Tomahawk John M. Cooper, Jr., Madison Local History Ralph C. Inbusch, Jr., Fox Point William J. Cronon, Madison Roy C. LaBudde, President, Wisconsin Historical W. Robert Koch, Madison Craig Culver, Prairie du Sac Foundation Paul Meissner, Milwaukee Laurie Davidson, Marinette David W. Olien, Senior Vice President, University of George H. Miller, Ripon (emeritus) Ness Flores, Waukesha Wisconsin System Jodi Peck, Fox Point Stephen J. Freese, Dodgeville Peggy A. Rosenzweig, Wauwatosa Mark L. Gajewski, Madison Walter S. Rugland, Appleton Charles E. Haas, La Crosse The Wisconsin Historical Foundation Richard L. Schmidt, West Bend Beverly A. Harrington, Oshkosh President: Roy C. LaBudde, Milwaukee Robert B. Thomasgard, Madison Fannie E. Hicklin, Madison Vice-President: Bruce T. Block, Milwaukee Carol T. Toussaint, Madison (emerita) Gregory Huber, Wausau Vice-President: Margaret B. Humleker, Fond du Lac Robert S. Zigman, Milwaukee Margaret Humleker, Fond du Lac Vice-President: Sheldon B. Lubar, Milwaukee m SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services One woman is held afloat by a rope while more advanced swimmers go it alone in the Forest Home School swimming pool. social center supporters managed to persuade skeptics that social Common Council and general public as providing something center poolrooms were indeed wholesome. There was nothing for everyone. To avoid the perception of charity work that inherently wrong with playing pool; it was the smoking and would require private, not civic, support, Milwaukee's social drinking in the saloons that housed the majority of poolrooms center administrators emphasized that their centers were run that were the problems, he argued. Many boys would continue "by the people, for the people," not by the wealthy for the poor. to favor the saloon, but for those who patronized the centers, the Some Milwaukeeans began with a "sentimental attitude" about pool tables could be the "connecting link between the neighbor­ the centers, and, according to Dorothy Enderis, they thought hood gangs and the center." Center staff drew them with pool they were for immigrants and "bad boys." After seeing them in tables and kept them with other activities. ^^ action, however, residents of wealthy districts wanted them for Basketball was the most popular sport in the centers with themselves as much as poorer residents did. Without looking teams and sportsmanlike intercenter rivalries encouraged. Out­ very hard, anyone could find "something doing" at the neigh­ side groups, such as the East Side Young People's Socialist borhood social center. League (YPSL) basketball team, made use ofthe center facilities Harold Berg told his staff to gear their offerings to the as well. Social clubs, amateur entertainment, movies, and interests of neighborhood patrons. Administrators found, for "industrial classes," such as craft classes, rounded out the social example, that teenage boys who had left school to work had center activities. ^^ little interest in the formal gymnastics some recreation direc­ Even though many of the activities—such as the industrial tors had assumed they would enjoy. But young men—and classes—resembled those offered at settlement houses, the sup­ girls, too—could hardly get enough basketball and filled porters of the social centers continued to present them to the multiple teams. In the largely Italian immigrant neighborhood

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Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services Above: The social centers promoted cleanliness too. A group of boys peek from behind their shower curtains at the 14th Street Center. Right: In 1912 girls basketball teams at the Dover Street Center included the Crescents, Lions, and Owls. of the Detroit Street social center, directors found that the poor attendance at evening dances could be blamed on cultural pro­ hibitions against girls going out at night. The directors in those neighborhoods adapted, and they reported reaching the "girl element," after they instituted socials that were much more fam­ ily affairs than were the evening dances. Depending on the cen­ ter, neighborhood socials might regularly draw as many as two Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services hundred people. ^^ Dover Street Center. Whether seventeen or seventy-seven, "they Women in the industrial classes, too, set their own agendas. were all of one age when in the classroom," remembered one They might learn Amerikanisch schnittmuster (American teacher. ^^ sewing patterns) or "get new ideas in fancy work" from each At every level, women played a role in the support of the other. The women also periodically exhibited their work at cen­ centers, from the women in the various classes, to the "girl ele­ ter craft shows, which one patron called "better than the state ment" at dances, to Dorothy Enderis's direction. Perhaps fair" because they could better examine the work displayed. where gender had its most distinct role, however, was on the Women of all ages built camaraderie over their sewing at the School Board. Promotion of the social center idea and responsi-

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bility for carrying it out resided leagues respected her enough to largely with the board. Once Mil­ Public elect her president of the School waukee began electing its School Free Evening Scliools Free Board in 1915, and she remained Board members in 1907, the SDP 1916 -- 1917 a member for thirty years.^^ was eager to win seats on it, in Classes in English for Foreigners Prominent nonsocialist club­ Also: part to help lead the way on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Studies for Working Boys and Girls. women and School Board mem­ Classes in Citizenship for those desiring to become American Citizens. social center idea. Having won Instructions in Sewing, Millinery, and Handwork for Girls and Women. bers such as Fanny Norris, Belle the right to vote in school elec­ MONDAYS TUESDAYS THURSDAYS Gantrovitz, and Lizzie Black FRO.M T:13 — 9:30 tions in 1885, women expressed BEQINIVING MONDAY, SKPTKMBER a^TH Kander, well known for founding CLARKE STREET SCHOOL . Clarke and Twenty-Eighth Streets DETROIT STREET SCHOOL Detroit and Jackson Streets concerns that were critical in DOVER STREET SCHOOL Dover, near Kinnickinnic Avenue and running a local Jewish settle­ EIGHTH STREET SCHOOL Eighth and Sycamore Streets FIFTH AVENUE SCHOOL , . . Fifth and Hayes Avenues these elections. Given their FOREST HOME AVENUE SCHOOL Forest Home and Tenth Avenues ment house, frequently joined the FOURTEENTH STREET SCHOOL . Fourteenth and Qalena Streets FOURTH STREET SCHOOL Fourth and Galena Streets Socialists in a pro-social center responsibilities for raising chil­ NORTH PIERCE STREET SCHOOL North Pierce and Center Streets PARK STREET SCHOOL . Park and Hanover Streets dren, women were deemed well alliance. As "distasteful" as Kan­ suited for deciding school issues. 3frei ®tCentlicbe Hben6[cbulen Jfrei der found Socialist rhetoric, she Seiien S)lonta$, Sicnftitg unft Sunnci-fiai) ^henb Von 7:15 biS 9:30 Female candidates made good ®«rtlf rdr fittr Jlweltitthcr. UntuiTidit in tim StuSlcn ^c« men, men, 7tcn, utt* Hitu and Meta Berger, for instance, nitftt lict'udicn Kdnncn. ®ort>ereituttrt«>tIaffc« fur («i«()cw«n!>crtc, sic ffltitflcr tiet »ernni(|tcn SiaaUa wcrtxn WaUcn. ttntcrrirtit im meiictmaOtcn, >tJtt^maiiten un» in .^an»itct>eit fitr !»!«»= sense as well to the SDP. Though (J»ctt un» 5?r«nen. Scginnens am 25tcn Sc^itcmlisr 1916. often saw eye to eye on children's not always feminist in practice, in WIECZORNE SZKOLY issues. Milwaukeeans of all back­ DARMO! 1916—1917. DARMO! Klasy w angielskim j^zyku dla przybyszow. Takze; — theory these women stood for W 5tym, 6tyin, 7mym i Smym Stopniu klasy dla pracuj^cych mlodziericow i panien. grounds knew of Kander from Kurs na obywatelskie papiery dla tych, ktorzy zycz^ w przyszlosci gtosowac. women's rights. One of the first Nauka kroju, modniarstwa i r^cznych robotek dla panien i m^zatek. the Setdement Cookbook, which W Poniedzialki, Wtorki i Czwartki, od 7.15 do 9.30, Socialists on the board was Annie Dzieii zapisu i rozpocz^cia nauki: Poniedzialek, dnia 25go Sierpnia 1916. for years supplied many Milwau­ Whitnall, school activist and 25 .tasyD :«t2JSQ ::x£j« :^h)po ID'^^2 y^ns kee kitchens with tasty recipes. ]Mi 7 ,5 ,5 ]i?nJ!? IS mx l^^l^O IIN DS;'N3 1X2 ^''^ilV Vii lJ?DN':ip daughter of local lumber magnate Although various newspaper George Gordon. She was also .jKaa^npjs-i jNtDDnjNtaixa 9-3o ra 7:i5 iie ' .ly^ne IIN-iNt) publishers attempted to dismiss well known in Socialist circles as Scuola serale gratuita 1916=1917 their importance by caricaturing Classi in Inglese per gli stranieri e per gli alunni e le alunne delle classi 5th, 6lh, 7th ed 8ih che durante II giorno lavorano. Si insegnano i Diritti e i Doveri del Cittadino per colore che desiderano the wife of prominent Socialist ottenere la carta di cittadinanza Americana. Vi sara* anche scuola di cuciio, di moda e ricamo per them in ridiculously elaborate ragazze e donne tutti i LUNEDl i MARTEDI e i QIOVEDI landscape architect Charles Whit­ dalle 7:15 alle 9:30 a principiare da Lunedi, 25th Settembre. hats (the daily Milwaukee Free nall, who would become city Press dubbed them the "Easter treasurer in the Seidel administra­ Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services Bonnet Club") this thinly veiled tion of 1910-1912. Originally An advertising pamphlet reaches out to German, Polish, caricature of their gender could part of the local Fabian "Ethical Hebrew, and Italian speakers. not dismiss the power they had Society," the Whitnalls were involved in the founding ofthe SDP when they stood together, which was often.^^ in 1898. They were among the few early non-German Milwau­ As a result ofthe efforts of all the advocates ofthe centers, kee Socialists. Although Annie Whitnall did not officially join the Milwaukee voters embraced the social center idea, approv­ party until 1909, and was elected without party fanfare in 1907, ing a 1912 referendum endorsement of $20,000 in taxes for she backed the party program. She was a popular, hardworking, social center work. Some critics who had initially been and well-respected member ofthe board. ^^ "worked up about taxes," recalled Dorothy Enderis, had The leader of the Socialist contingent on the board, howev­ become converts to the social center cause, and few Mil­ er, was undoubtedly Meta Berger, who was elected in 1909. waukeeans still referred to them as a "blankety-blank notion Another woman initially known primarily as the wife of a local of those sociahsts in City Hall." When Gerhard Bading, the Socialist leader—in this case, Victor Berger—Meta Berger fusion candidate elected to the mayoral office in between became a Socialist force in her own right. Victor Berger was the Socialist mayors Seidel and Hoan, floated the idea of cutting editor of the local Socialist newspapers, the weekly Social social center spending, he faced an outcry from around the Democratic Herald and then the daily Milwaukee Leader. He city; the centers had become something everyone wanted.^^ also served as a city alderman and in 1910 became the first Although sports, games, and entertainment events drew Socialist elected to the United States Congress. Meta Berger good attendance and the Sociahsts wholeheartedly support­ was not politically inclined as a young woman, but the Socialist ed these, these events were not the primary reason Sociahst cause was her husband's life, and gradually she came to under­ support for the centers had been so intense. For the SDP, the stand and agree with Victor's political beliefs. Meta Berger's col- discussion and promotion of Socialism was as critical an element

SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY to the existence of the centers, and the THE SCHOOL BOARD CAMPAIGN party would fight to develop the centers into the political tools they wanted them to be. Not every center had a civic club or civic meetings, but those that did might draw attendance of anywhere from 17 to 350. Many issues might be discussed, but for Socialists, "civic" discussion generally meant "politicaf discussion. Because the School Board and its recreation director set policy for the use of the school build­ ings after hours. Socialists needed support from the educational community for a policy that supported free discussion. Most nonsocialist School Board members worried about the disruptive influence of full-fledged political debate at the centers, and the board banned "partisan" activi­ ties in the schools. While they may have been concerned about mainstream politi­ cal debate turning ugly, what really wor­ ried most members was that these centers might serve as forums for "isms"—namely Socialism.'^ The two mutually exclusive attitudes were on a collision course, but would the centers be the casualty? The School Board approved of a "civic" program category, and SDP alder­ Milwaukee Free Press, March 21, 1907 men held public meetings at the social An editorial cartoon reacts to the political power wielded by a contin­ centers to discuss city and ward issues. gent of women on the Milwaukee School Board. During the Socialist administration of 1910-1912, SDP officials also used the centers to discuss poli­ Meta Berger often led the fight for open discussion in the cen­ tics. Sometimes Socialist members seemed to dominate civic ters. When the Milwaukee County Woman's Suffrage Associa­ clubs that were not officially Socialist, inviting Socialist officials tion petitioned the School Board in 1913 for permission to hold to give speeches and even musical performances. This practice its meetings in the schools, Berger supported the request on the led antisocialists to believe that certain civic clubs were really grounds that the group was not political. One nonsocialist fronts for the SDP. One letter to the editor of the Daily News School Board member, Emmet Richardson, on the other hand, said the "so-called neighborhood clubs, organized ostensibly for argued that suffrage was a "burning political question," and he the purpose of explaining city budgets, higher taxes, etc." were and other Board members contended that permission in this in fact "paving the way for further explanations of why the tax­ case would open the door to other political meetings. A few payers' money should be squandered." To prevent these civic nonsocialist social center supporters, such as women's club meetings from serving as campaign forums, the School Board activists Belle Gantrovitz and Lizzie Black Kander, voted with suspended them close to election time.2° Meta Berger, but they were outvoted. Berger also lost her cam­ The SDP disagreed with what it considered an artificial dis­ paign to remove altogether the ban on "partisan" meetings by tinction between civic and political concerns. Victor Berger once civic groups. That effort failed by an even larger margin than declared that the idea of public social centers without free dis­ had the suffrage meeting question. 2' cussion "was like telling children they could go swimming as Meta Berger tried again in 1914. For her, it was only right long as they stayed away from the water." On the School Board, that the school buildings "that cost the people so much money

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Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services During the Depression, social centers eased the suffering ofthe unem­ ployed. LLere, a group of men repair their own shoes at the Municipal Unemployment Social Center. ought to be open to them to discuss any subject they please." chants and Manufacturers Association."22 The local newspapers took strong positions on the question. The School Board occasionally approved political debates, The Milwaukee Sentinel, for example, editorialized in favor of but usually only during a municipal campaign, as it did in 1916. the School Board's refusal to permit "the schoolhouses to be Board members did not want a steady diet of political contro­ used as conventicles for political gabfests and soapbox oratory." versy in the centers. The board and recreation director Berg Eliminating the restriction against partisan meetings would remained chary of discussions "thrown open to the audience." open the door to "socialist 'rag chewing' contests" and "politi­ Berg, despite approving of free discussion in principle, argued cal agitators." Victor Berger and his Socialist paper, the Mil­ that "it is wiser to be careful and avoid occurrences which may waukee Leader, not surprisingly did not waste any time not only put a stop to such use of the schools but interfere with replying to these charges. He maintained that discussion of the social center work." "Personal disagreements and disorder" Socialism did not preclude representation of other points of in a private hall might be expected, he maintained, but such view. The "political agitators" that the Sentinel spoke of, heated exchanges in the public schools might bring about declared the Leader, were people who did not "endorse things demands to close the buildings for such use. The School Board's as they are." A "political gabfest," he defined as a "meeting of G. W. Augustyn, a social center supporter, agreed: "General dis­ voters whose minds are not directed by wires from the Mer­ cussions free for all comers are likely to degenerate into person-

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The Socialists did their best for free speech in the social centers, but had to be satisfied with highly regu­ lated forums. This defeat, however, most likely saved the centers for broader recreational uses. The per­ ception that the centers had become politicized would have sounded their death knell. This kind of polit­ ical controversy had effectively killed the civic uses for social centers in Rochester, New York. Antisocial­ ists had closed ranks after an out­ spoken Socialist associated with their social centers had made some controversial statements, and the subsequent budget cuts gradually shut down the centers altogether. For the Milwaukee Socialists, as dis- Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation and Community Services appointing as the loss on the politi- A man identified as Mr. Cacateau teaches a group of young men how cal question was, saving the to turn a cigar box into a guitar in 1941 at the 4th Street Social Center. recreation aspects ofthe centers was alities and disputes." These would be bad for the civic clubs and no small achievement. And unlike most cities that tried the the social centers, he said. Berg decided, consequently, to allow social center experiment, Milwaukee's did not die out after only invited guests to discuss publicly the questions that were World War IP raised at such meetings. This restriction would presumably pre­ Once the United States entered the war in 1917, social cen­ vent incidents like one in 1911 at the West Side Neighborhood ter growth, like that of other recreation programs, tapered off Club.23 Milwaukeeans still used their social centers, but activities were In June 1911 the West Side Neighborhood Club sponsored a often geared to the war effort. The women's industrial classes debate on the Socialist administration record between antiso- did Red Cross work or combated the higher cost of living by cialist alderman August Braun and SDP speaker Carl Thomp­ sharing ideas about how to remake hats or sew new outfits to son. Perhaps because it was a meeting of a regular club, this save money. For some women, the center was an important politically charged meeting went forward without School Board psychological boost, a time to have some fun and companion­ oversight. But after the debate, Braun and fellow alderman ship and divert one's mind from the husband or son at the Joseph Carney charged the Socialists with unfairly dominating front.^^ the meeting. The Social Democratic Herald countered that a After the First World War, under the leadership of Dorothy "little bunch of clickers at the back," not the Socialists, were the Enderis, who took over the recreation program in 1920, the real problem because they were the ones interrupting the speak­ centers thrived by taking on the problems of the community, ers. Someone who had attended the debate wrote the Herald to and adapting to its changing needs. In those years, the centers say that alderman Carney had not been invited to speak, but helped break down animosities among ethnic groups brought rather than listening to the others, repeatedly demanded the with the immigrants from Europe. One old man told Enderis floor, "stalking out" when the chair refused to give it to him. of his amazement at the change in attitude. "In Europe we hate Braun, Carney, and the vice-president ofthe club evidently felt one another. Here, after three months you have us playing waylaid by Socialist club members at this meeting. Though the together." During the depression ofthe 1930s, she enlarged the School Board did not find any violation of rules, several nonso­ social center mission to embrace the unemployed. In 1932 a cialist members apparently worried that this meeting signaled a new center was established near City Hall, where unemployed potentially volatile trend and began monitoring "civic" use men could listen to lectures, music, or play sheepshead or other requests more closely.^^ card games. There were also practical provisions such as a "tai-

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419; Milwaukee Leader, November 3, 1913; "Atten­ loring corner" and a "cobbling cor­ dance Reports of the Milwaukee Social Centers, 1913-1917, First Dover Annual, 1917, 28-29. ner," where the men could repair ^^ First Dover Annual, 1917, 13, 14. their worn clothes and shoes. At the 15 Velie, 9-10; MBSD, Proceedings, 1908, 1909; Social Democratic Herald, March 23, 1907, July 10, time of Enderis's retirement in 1948, 1909, September 4, 1909; Daily News, February 27, 1911. the city was operating thirty-five '6 Velie, 7-10, 17, 66; Lizzie Black Kander Papers (Box 1, F 7) Wisconsin Historical Society; Milwaukee social centers, almost all of them in Herold und Seebote, May 10, 1909, in: "Clippings— schools. Eventually the Park and Social Centers," Milwaukee County Historical Society. '^ Velie, 7-10, 17, 66, 136; Milwaukee Journal, clip­ Recreation Department absorbed ping dated 1937; Social Democratic Herald, July 2, 1910; Meta Berger, original draft of autobiography, 48, many of the functions of the social 2 Meta Berger Papers, (WHS); Milwaukee Free Press, centers. The forms may have March 21, 1907. ^'^ Milwaukee Leader, November 3,1913; Amusements changed, but the ideal of broad- & Recreation in Milwaukee, (Bulletin of the City Club, Milwaukee, 1914). 24; MBSD, Proceedings, 1915; based recreational opportunities Dorothy Enderis, "Human Problems Faced in Recre­ ation Centers," Recreation (December 1949), 419; Lela that the socialists and others cham­ B. Stephens, Ijidy ofthe Lighted Schoolhouses (Mil­ pioned, remained. And could Emil waukee: Marquette University Press, 1955), 11; Social Democratic Herald, July 2, 1910; Milwaukee Sentinel, Seidel see today's cities' after-school April 27, 1910; Milwaukee Journal, June 23, 1910; Photocopies of sections of University of Wisconsin or midnight basketball programs for Board of Regents Records, re: Edward J. Ward, young people, he would surely smile Kendrick Shedd Papers, Box 2, F6 (Rush Rhees Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Col­ with satisfaction.27 )^iq lections, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York); Newspaper clipping (unnamed) February 12, 1911, in Kendrick Shedd Papers; Letter from E.J. Ward to Kendrick Shedd, February 27, 1911, Kendrick 1 Emil Seidel, "Unpublished Autobiography." Emil Shedd Papers, Box 2, f 6; City of Milwaukee, Wiscon­ Seidel Papers, Milwaukee Area Research Center, 116- sin, Budget (Bureau of Municipal Research for Comp­ 117. troller) 1914, 11, 6; Velie, 255. 2 John D. Buenker, History of Wisconsin, Volume 4: 19 Attendance Reports of Social Centers, MBSD Pro­ The Progressive Era, 1893-1914 (Madison: State His­ ceedings, 1913-1911; Milwaukee Leader, December 6, torical Society of Wisconsin), 156, 269. In the Paint at One Two 1913; C.G. Pearse, "Next Steps in Milwaukee," Play­ 3 William J. Reese, "Progressivism and the Grass Today, Milwaukee's midnight basketball teams like the ground, 6, no. 2 (1912), 68-70. Roots: Social Change and Urban Schooling, 1840- Pistons and the Lakers continue the legacy ofthe city's [In 1912, the Board's Division of Municipal Recre­ 1920." (doctoral dissertation. University of Wisconsin- ation and Adult Education was officially formed.] Madison, 1974)169-170. social centers. 20 "To the Voters of the 10th Ward, pamphlet, Frederic Heath Scrapbook, Milwaukee County 4 Dwight F. Davis, "The Neighborhood Center — A Moral and Educational Factor," Charities and Historical Society; MBSD, Proceedings, 1904 and 1905; Milwaukee Free Press, September 27, the Commons, 19 (1908), 1504, 1506; Raymond V. Phelan, Community Centers, (Minneapohs: 1904, Milwaukee Journal, September 7, 1904; Daily News, February 16, 1910, July 22, 1911, July University of Minnesota General Extension Division (Bulletin of the University of Minnesota, 31, 1911; Emil Seidel, speech at the First National Conference on Social Center Development, General Series no. 25), 1915, 5, frontispiece; "Larger Use of the Public Schools," Westminster Papers of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Social Civic League (Milwaukee), May 15, 1908. Democratic Herald, January 7, 1911, January 21, 1911 5 Social Democratic Herald, August 3, 1907. 6 Milwaukee Sentinel, April 7, 1910; Milwaukee Journal, November 7, 1910; Duane Mowry, 21 MBSD, Proceedings, 1913; Milwaukee leader, December 2, 1913, February 6, 1913, October "The Use of School Buildings for Other than School Purposes," Education, 29 (October 1908), 92, 18, 1913, January 15, 1916. 96. 22 Milwaukee Leader, June 3, 1914; Reese, AlO-All; Velie, 96-97; Milwaukee Leader, June 8, 7 Milwaukee Board of School Directors (MBSD), Proceedings, 1907; Duane Mowry, "The Use 1914. of School Buildings for other than School Purposes," Education, 29 (October 1908), 96; MBSD, 23 Milwaukee Leader, January 21, 1916, February 2, 1916, February 24, 1916. Proceedings, 1908, 1909; MBSD, "Superintendent's Report," Proceedings, 1909; Milwaukee 24 Social Democratic Herald, June 2, 1921, June 10, 1911; Daily News, July 1, 1911. Journal November 7, 1910, in Social Democratic Scrapbook; Social Democratic Herald, July 2, 25 Blake McKelvey, Rochester, the Quest for Quality, 1890-1925, (Cambridge, Massachusetts: 1910; Milwaukee Journal, May 2, 1910. Harvard University Press, 1956), 102-103, 106; Edward J. Ward, Rochester Social Centers and ^Meredith Ann Velie, "Hierarchy and Web: A Study of Urban School Reform, Gender and Cog­ Civic Clubs: Story ofthe First Two Years, (Rochester, New York: League of Civic Clubs, 1909), nitive Style in Milwaukee, 1890-1920" (doctoral dissertation. University of Wisconsin, 1992), 52-53, 72-74; John Dutko, "Socialism in Rochester, 1900-1917" (master's thesis. University of 241, 211, 224-226; C. G. Pearse, "Next Steps in Milwaukee," 68-70; MBSD, Proceedings, 1913 Rochester, 1953), 149-151. and 1915; Harold Berg, "Staying after School," Survey, December 16, 1916, First Dover Annual, 26 MBSD, Proceedings, December 4, 1917, January 2, 1918; First Dover Annual, 1917, 14; 1917,6. Advance, October 4, 1918. 9 MBSD, Proceedings, February 2, 1909; Velie, 255; Daily News, February 22, 1911; Rowland 27 Edward S. Kerstein, Milwaukee's All American Mayor: Portrait of Daniel Webster Hoan Haynes, "Recreation Survey, Milwaukee, Wisconsin," Playground, 6. 2 (May 1912), 58. Mil­ (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1966). Daniel W. Hoan, City Government: The waukee Journal, June 23, 1910; Milwaukee Sentinel, April 26-27, 1910; Photocopies of sections Record ofthe Milwaukee Experiment, (New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1936), 322. of University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Records, re: Edward J. Ward, Kendrick Shedd Papers, Box 2, f6 (Rush Rhees Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Uni­ versity of Rochester, Rochester, New York): "Recreation Centers," Playground (April 1912), 11-28. The Author 10 Harold Berg, "Staying after School," Survey, 37 (December 16, 1916): 300; Dorothy Enderis, "Human Problems Faced in Recreation Centers," Recreation (December 1949), 419- 420; Harold A native of Wisconsin, Elizabeth Berg, "Practical Aids in Conducting a Neighborhood Recreation Center," part 2, Playground (12), 443. Jozwiak is an Assistant Professor of 11 Milwaukee Leader, September 13 and 17, 1913; Milwaukee Free Press, September 27, 1913; History at University of Wisconsin-Rocl< Harold Berg, "Staying after School," Survey, 37 (December 16, 1916), 300. 12 Milwaukee leader, November 23, 1913; Bay View Advance, February 25, 1916, March 23, County in Janesville, where she has 1917, October 20, 1916; "Milwaukee's Recreation Movement," Survey, 25 (18 February, 1911), taught for several years. She received her 833; Advance, January 12, 1917; Milwaukee leader, April 27, 1914; Advance, December 3, bachelor's degree from UW-Milwaukee 1915. 13 Duane Mowry, "Social and Recreational Activity in Milwaukee," American City, 6. 4 (1912), and her doctorate at UW-Madison. 748-750; Harold Berg, "Staying After School," Survey, 37 (16 December 1916), 298-299; Dorothy Enderis, "Human Problems Faced in Recreation Centers," Recreation (December 1949),

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W Women Sheriffs in Wisconsin

By Dorothy Moses Schulz and Steven M, Houghton

elores Lein easily recalled its on successive terms. Her run Tuesday, November 8, was based on a division of labor D 1966; Gloria Briden­ common in sheriffs' offices, where hagen said she hadn't thought wives assisted their husbands with about it until reminded. It was the the nonpohcing aspects of the posi­ date the two stay-at-home moms tion. The plan may also have been were among five women elected influenced by Miriam Amanda county sherifis in Wisconsin. "Ma" Ferguson's high-profile 1924 Wisconsin began electing campaign for governor of Texas; women sherifis in 1924, when Bur­ Ferguson ran to replace her hus­ nett County's Hannah C. Saunders band, Jim, who was impeached replaced the outgoing sherifi', her during his second term as governor husband, Charles. Since then Wis­ in 1917. Running on the slogan consin has sworn in almost fifty "Two Governors for the Price of women sheriffs, and more than One," Ferguson won, making one-third of the state's seventy-two national news. Like Hannah Saun­ counties have elected women, ders, "Ma" made it clear she was some more than once. The state running in her husband's place and had its highest number of women that he would make most, if not all, sheriffs in 1951-1952, after voters ofthe decisions the role required.^ elected six women in 1950. Texas Though no wrongdoing was is the only other state to have had a Burnett County Historical Society involved, the situation was similar Above: Hannah C. Saunders, selected by Burnett County sizeable number of women sheriffs voters in 1924, was Wisconsin's first woman sheriff. in Burnett County, Wisconsin. (at least seventy since 1916), but She and her husband, Charles, are pictured here at Hannah held the sheriffs badge, there most were widows appointed right. The other couple is unidentified. Left: Bill and but Charles served as her undersh­ Sylvia Boma were once husband and wife as well as eriff, an appointed position. After to fill a husband's term. This state co-workers in the La Crosse County sheriffs office, of affairs differs from that in Wis­ but only Sylvia served as the county's sheriff after her her term he ran for sheriff again. 1981 election. consin, where the women were was reelected for the 1927-1928 elected and served not because their husbands were dead, but term, and was followed by Hannah in 1929-1930. In April because they were very much alive. 1929, during Hannah's second term, the law changed so that Hannah Saunders's election assured that someone from sheriffs could serve two consecutive two-year terms; Charles her family would continue in the sheriffs position despite hm- ran a^ain at the end of 1930 and served two consecutive terms WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY from January 1931 through 1934, For more than a decade a until 1968, there was only one two-year period (1931-1932) Saunders wore the sherifFs badge in Burnett County. when there was not at least one woman sheriff in the state. Although Hannah was the only woman running for sheriff Notwithstanding Wisconsin's reputation for progressive in Wisconsin in 1924, she was not the state's only female can­ reform, voters were not electing women in response to didate. Upon her election she became one of the first four demands for women's rights; rather, they were circumventing women elected to countywide office that year,^ Two years if not the letter, then the spirit of state law. later voters elected three more female sheriffs.^ One, Mary When it ratified its first constitution in March 1848, Wis­ Jacobson (Barron County), out-polled the closest of her two consin was part of America's frontier, and sheriffs were opponents by more than 1,300 votes. Following the election among its most important officials. Sheriffs were the chief law but while still serving as her husband's paid deputy, she officers oftheir counties, and the common practice of direct­ became suspicious of a prisoner's visitor, who, upon investi­ ly collecting fees from citizens enhanced their power. Fearful gation, was charged with possession of moonshine, found of this centralization of legal and economic clout, the framers guilty, and sentenced to three months and fined two hundred of Wisconsin's Constitution limited sheriffs' power by specify­ dollars and court costs.* The local newspaper congratulated ing that sheriffs, coroners, registers of deeds, and district attor­ her on a job well done and congratulated the voters on their neys could not succeed themselves. Sheriffs were barred from choice of incoming sheriff. holding the sheriffs office or other offices within two years after expiration oftheir terms. This rule remained until 1929, Frontier Sheriffs—Powerful and Visible when the constitution's Article VI, which covers the election, This pattern—wives running to replace their husbands, fol­ terms, removal, and vacancies of county officers, was amend­ lowed two years later by the men running again—soon ed to delete the prohibition against sheriffs succeeding them­ became entrenched. Beginning with Saunders and continuing selves. Still wary, legislators put forth and voters ratified a

Mary Jacobson, running to replace her husband E. J., defeated two opponents in Barron County, one Prohibitionist and one Independent. X or other B ticular . „,,, legisla"'".„.::;«s';r"S«"5.s-s' "if"YOU desire W •— ^ desire to s

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SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Lfruuou Mt'S change that was not drastic: sheriffs could NEW SHERIFF IS collecting fees—clerical tasks that men often serve two consecutive terms, or a total of turned over to their wives. Today other four years. ON THE ALERT government agencies provide many of these

Once before the amendment of Article LANDS M.iN BEHIND THE BARS administrative functions, and the media VI, in 1922, and three times after that, Wis­ WHEN HE VISITS THE and a national focus on crime have rein­ COUNTY J.\IL consin voters defeated amendments to allow forced the office's policing role and over­ sheriffs an unlimited number of consecutive That Mrs. E. S. Jacobson, now dep­ shadowed its administrative functions. uty sheriff and recently elected to terms, even though—or possibly because— be our next sheriff, is on tlie alert 0( Despite this, many sheriffs, particularly in ag was proven conclusively Triday, rural counties, expend more time and staff many sheriffs had evaded restrictions by when Robt. Goodenough (poorly su an pairing with their male undersheriffs and named) visited Wm. Donatelle at the m£ on courtroom security and county jail county jail. Mrs. Jacobson suspicion- bel administration than on traditional police taking turns serving two-year terms. ed that all was not right in his visit H€ Although Charles Saunders was the first to and on inspection found a bottle of patrol activities. moonshine on his person. She quick­ find a more creative way to skirt the law ly had him landed behind the bars. Until the 1970s, sheriffs fulfilled this Goodenough had been working for when Hannah ran, won, and named him Douxtelle and had been convicted responsibility directly, often by living in a and fined previously on a charge of undersheriff, it didn't take long for others to transportation and possession of in­ facility that was office, jail, and home, mak­ adopt the method. toxicating liquor. He was taken be­ W fore Judge Kinsley on a new charge ing the sheriffs job a family business. Most of the same nature and was sentenc­ women married to sheriffs, in Wisconsin A legacy of English policing practices, ed to three months in the hooso of the sheriff is descended from the "shire correction and fined ?200 :»nd test^. and throughout the nation, communicated At the e.\-pirat!on of the three reeve," the crown's chief law enforcement months, it the fine has not been paid, with the public, relayed messages to and he will spend six more months there. officer in a shire—a territorial area similar from law enforcement officers, and fulfilled

to a county. The office has existed on Amer­ Barron County News-Shield, semi-official roles as unpaid jailers. Their November 11, 1926, ican soil since colonial times; the National Micro-P42271 work included cooking and semng meals to Sheriffs' Association proclaims that sheriffs Sheriff-elect Mary Jacobson, who prisoners, cleaning cells, and escorting visi­ have enforced the law in North America served as her husband's deputy prior tors to and from the lock-ups, particularly to her election in 1926, made sure since 1651. But a sheriffs work was often no moonshine found its way into the women. Some sheriffs deputized their wives weighted more toward civil enforcement Barron County jail. so they could accompany women prisoners and fee collection than toward criminal apprehension. The to court—or because the sheriffs salary was low and employ- sheriff was as much a chief clerk as a crimefighter, serving ing one's wife as a deputy added to the family wage, summonses and warrants for local courts, issuing licenses, and As an elected official, an incumbent sheriff during most of

Mrs. Ruth Atkinson Mrs. Delores Lein Mrs. Dorothy Spencer . Mrs. Ella Reinel Mrs. Gloria Bridenhagen Marquette county Sawyer county Sauk county Jefferson county Door, county

The five Republican women elected in 1966 to take over sheriffs' Courtesy of the author positions for their husbands received statewide coverage in the Milwaukee Journal.

-^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY the twentieth century was often more powerhil than an The election of wives was a variation of a strategy that appointed police chief and had a freer hand in running the sheriffs had begun with their undersheriffs, with the men agency than most police chiefs did. This freedom extended to alternating titles when either hit a time limit. Defying rules the selection of personnel. (Even today, many of the more against promising a job to another to infiuence an election, than three thousand sherifPs departments in the United States undersheriffs frequently based their cam­ are not covered by civil service, allowing the sheriff to select paigns on "retaining the team," condi­ his or her deputies, including a spouse, relatives, or tioning voters to elect a team or political friends.) In Wisconsin a sheriff with an party as much as an individual. Voters established political base knew "retaining the team" meant few offered voters the means to changes in policy or personnel. To circumvent restrictions, such those seeking continuity of leader­ as limits on successive terms, ship, the woman sheriff was an and voters, if they were satisfied extension of her husband, just as the with the sherifPs job perform­ male undersheriff was an extension ance, could choose to use of the more experienced elected sheriff. those means. If voters in Wis­ Of course, when the male sheriff and consin had resented the undersheriff exchanged positions for a wives running in their hus­ term, voters were getting two experienced bands' places or felt the law enforcers rather than one experienced arrangement demeaned the man and a relatively inexperienced ofiice or left them unpro­ woman. In cases of two men, there was «-^ Ejection, ^,,,J° ^ tected, they could have ^-^^"'ated With the Shei-ift-^^f^; ^ little need for voters to be concerned elected the wives' oppo­ «^J^F FOR TWO YEARS about how the men divided up the "•"•'"d. Circulated & nents. Yet while not all paid for by K.;h;~; work, the salary, or the wives who ran were elected, most responsibility, as long as the >/oO^ were, even when they ran against -^^%1^ two were able to work it out men who were veterans of the state amicably between them­ patrol or who had served in city K^^"^ selves. A prime example was i°Vi \% police departments. Dane County, where the The position of sheriff in the VoM' practice was so well estab­

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OE HISTORY

Recalling Their Days in also plays a part. Delores Lein Office Meet had also been a stay-at-home Two of Wisconsin's former the Moores mom prior to election, but she women sheriffs—Delores Lein, was highly visible as sheriff a Republican from Sawyer when she was featured on the County, and Gloria Briden­ cover of the Wisconsin Sheriff hagen, also a RepubHcan, from & Deputy magazine in 1968 in Door County—voiced surprise her role as sheriff. that anyone other than their Neither woman voiced con­ children and grandchildren cern about the office's other vis­ knew about their years as sher­ ible symbols. While each iffs. They were interviewed sep­ carried a badge, neither carried arately, but their stories were a gun. Bridenhagen recafled similar. Both were elected in that the badge was "beautiful" 1966. Each was the first woman but less a sign of power than sheriff in her county, and each "the most important piece of recalled the help she received Katharine Moore James .Moore jewelry I've ever had." Ques­ from women during the cam­ With 33 years of law enforcement Add to this the fact tlial tlie Moores, tioned as to whether the badge behind him, 52-year-old Jim Moore, like their counterparts throughout the paign. Neither saw this at the sheriff of Polk county, is one of the state, are expected to be active in was really beautiful or primari­ oldest young law enforcement officers community life and a wide range of time as anything more than in Wisconsin. With his wife, Katha­ civic projects—and in the case of the ly a symbol of authority, she rine, to serve currently as under-sheriff Moores, manage to do a far better women helping women, as they (and ahernate with her husband in than average job, and it's quite possible said it was both. With the the office of sheriff) he's also one of to see why this "ideal life" lacks only would in any family or civic the more fortunate. one thing: time to be anything but badge came the credentials of To those totally imfamiliar with the busy. endeavor. Despite some initial demands of law enforcement work this Jim Moore insists, howe\er, that he authority, and Bridenhagen pair has managed to find the ideal wouldn't trade for any other field of reluctance, Lein conceded that Hfe—doing needed, beneficial work in a work, and his dedication to duty shows remembered feeling "pretty picturesque part of the state, raising a through in the fact that he started in local women's enthusiasm for family of four children (two of whom law enforcement at the age of 19, and important" on the two or three are also in law enforcement), and has stayed with it. Beginning as a her campaign may have reflect­ achieving a degree of security in a field member of the special police force at times a month she went to the where long continuity in office is the Interstate Park, St. Croix, he later be­ ed changes in their attitudes exception rather than the rule. came St. Croix's chief of police, and To those who know more about the in 1941 was elected Polk County's sher- office to sign papers and legal based on the women's libera- Courtesy of Gordon Moore documents. One traditional tion movement that was fames and Katharine Moore alternated as Polk County sheriff for symbol of police authority that twenty-two years, the longest joint tenure in state history. expanding at that time. did not come with her role was After their elections, both women did the administrative a firearm, an idea that she quickly dismissed. "Oh heavens, work of the office but none of the poflcing, a situation they, no," she said laughingly, noting that her husband, contrary to their husbands, and the voters had anticipated. Both scoffed images on TV, hadn't carried one either, preferring to leave at the notion that they were forerunners of today's women it in the glove box of his car. sheriffs. Neither befleved that any of the women elected in Lein had more to say about the accouterments of police 1966, or the women elected before them, had run for any rea­ authority, since her opponent, Donald Primley, a seventeen- son but to maintain their husbands in office. Bridenhagen, the year veteran of the Wisconsin state patrol, had run negative quieter of the two, seemed truly shocked that anyone would ads during the campaign directed at her and the fact that she compare her with today's women police officers. "Today was someone's wife. Primley said that he wouldn't want his women are becoming police officers for themselves," she said, wife toting a gun. "It was ridiculous; we didn't even respond to explaining that she considered herself a stay-at-home mom him," she said, explaining that everyone, including her oppo­ who was running "just to keep my husband in office." She nent, knew she was running in her husband's place. Voters did recalled that after her election, many people in the county not respond favorably to the negative campaign. Although a referred to as the "First Lady ofthe County," rather than as local paper had called her race a toss-up, Lein out-polled the sheriff, reinforcing the view that she was acting in her Primley in all but three of twenty-three pofling places, receiv­ husband's behalf rather than creating an identity of her own. ing 1,433 votes to his 1,018 in the Republican primary. Prim­ While some of her reluctance to see herself fully in the role of ley ran against her as an Independent in the general election, sheriff may be based on her reasons for running, personaflty but her margin of victory was even greater there than in the

SPRING 2003 m WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

primary. That Lein, who made no claims that she would be dent about all aspects of "sheriflfing, except for tussling with anything but her husband's stand-in, defeated an experienced the bad guys." But her concerns were not great, because the police officer who would eventually be elected sheriff supports sheriflF, she pointed out, was as much an administrator as a the idea that voters placed greater importance on continuity poUce officer, and she felt comfortable signing legal papers than they did on the sex ofthe candidate. and handling administrative chores. "There wasn't all that Lein was thirty-four years old and a mother when she ran much tussling anyway," she said, and that part of the job in place of her husband, Ernie. Both are Sawyer County belonged to Ernie. Curiously, the number of criminal cases natives, and, she said, their reputations individually and as a that Sawyer County disposed of in 1964-1965, the years couple aided in her decision to run. She mounted "a serious before Delores' Lein's first election, was the second highest campaign" in the general election that included stops at local among types of crimes, running second to traffic cases, and grocery stores, where she found that the women were excited then only by two. When factoring in the population surge about her run for office. "When I'd visit local stores, I'd bring during resort season, however, the percentage that those a pot of coffee, buy cookies, and stay around most of the day numbers represent decreases dramatically.^ Voters would and chat with people. The women would always show up, have been aware of the generally low crime rate in Sawyer stay and talk, and hold parties for me. Maybe we didn't know County, and they would have made their decisions at the bal­ much about women's lib, but they sure wanted to help me get lot box accordingly. elected," she said laughingly. Lein recalled that she was very ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS Sunday, February 17, open about the fact that she was running solely to keep her hus­ ^n£SL CL band in office, but she said this onL— did not prevent her from cam­ paigning differently than her MME. SHE IFF SHUDDERS AT husband had. "I had a sense my campaign was important to the MEMORY DILLINGER AID women. I'm not sure I realized it at the time, but looking back I remember that some ofthe most active women in the community helped me, so they probably did want to see a woman elected in our county since it had already happened in other counties," she said.

Running on a platform of "two for the price of one," Lein's campaign promised that Ernie would "continue his pres­ ent duties." They made good on the pledge; he served as her unpaid deputy. Lein was confi-

Sheriff Katharine Moore and her husband, Undersheriff fames Moore, were responsible for the custody of Tommy Gannon, afohn Dillinger Undersheriif James Moore digs mto the files iox Mme, Sheriff gang member, for five months until his bank robbery conviction in 3y Pioneer Press Staff Writer April 1944. BALSAM LAKE, WIS.—If you met the sheriff of Polk county at her desk for the| first time and didn't know what the office w as, you'd probably guess her to be a school- Courtesy of Gordon Moore ma'am — and a good-looking one at that. And you wouldn't ho sr, far wrnng pv-ponf in the matter of the time element.

SPRING 2003 Wisconsin Sheriff and Deputy When national wire services picked up this photo of Delores Lein, which originally ran on the cover ofthe state sheriffs' magazine, she received letters and marriage proposals from around the nation. WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

• v':..i^e^^^msi^i^mi^''^siiis^^msimm^^^smm&'>!iM Lein's confidence came from having lived the job. Although Sawyer County is large, the department was small, consisting of a sheriff, an undersheriff, one full-time deputy, and a few special deputies in 1966. "We BRIDENHAGEN lived at the jail," she explained, "and wives were expected to cook for the prisoners and generally take care of things." These expec­ tations led her to urge Ernie to stop running after he succeeded her for four years. By FOR SHERIFF then it was 1972, their son was a University of Wisconsin freshman, and she "no longer Retaining a sheriff who has dentonsltroted his ability and won the confidence of the citizens of a county by electing his wife as sheriff is becoming quite wanted to continue as an unpaid jail assis­ common in the State of Wisconsin. In the last four (4) years alone, the fol­ tant when I could work for wages." lowing Wisconsin counties have elected women sheriffs for this purpose: Upon reflection, she agreed that being ADAMS COUNTY IOWA COUNTY the sheriff might have altered her willingness BUFFALO COUNTY MARQUETTE COUNTY BURNETT COUNTY ONEIDA COUNTY to return to role of unpaid aide. Whether or FLORENCE COUNTY PIERCE COUNTY not it involved consciousness raising, when GREEN LAKE COUNTY WASHBURN COUNTY Ernie chose to run again in 1978, she no KEWAUNEE COUNTY longer wished to serve as the "unpaid There are but seventy-two (72) counties in the entire stote of Wisconsin. matron." Lein's race pitted him against Our constitutional Article 6, Section 3, states that "Sheriffs . . . sholl not Primley, his wife's opponent in 1966, who serve more than two terms or ports thereof in succession." This was adopted had been elected in 1972 when neither Lein in 1848 by a handful of men. It is a low which makes little sense in Wiscon­ sin in 1966. "The Wisconsin Coinstitution differs from the Constitution of ran. Ernie won in 1978 and, with no term the United States in thot it embroces many matters that might well hove been limits interfering with their careers, he left to loter legislation." remained in the office until he retired in Prior to 1848, federol oppointees were responsible for law enforcement in the 1982. Delores went to work for the Sawyer territory. These persons were not responsive to public opinion or ony locol control and built islands of political power where they held complete controL County Chamber of Commerce, a position Today, when frequent elections moke the candidate the servant of the people, from which she retired a few years ago. Nei­ o sheriff must prove his copobility in order to remain in office. ther ofthe Lein children are in law enforce­ The problems of law enforcement ore increosing;- we need a mon like ment, although one of her three Bridenhagen of proven experience and effectiveness to carry out the many responsibilities of the office of Sheriff of our County. We need "Baldy" grandchildren, a teenage boy, reported on Bridenhagen in the Sheriff's office of Door County. her career for his civics class. We ask you to think seriously obout who should be the sheriff of Door County | As in the Leins' story, Gloria Briden­ for the next term of office. We believe you will agree with us and the many persons who have worked with our committee ond thot next Tuesday, hagen ran to replace her husband, Hollis September 13th, 1966, you will vote for Bridenhogen for the office of Sheriff (called "Baldy" by everyone, including her). of Door County^ . • " " I The suggestion that Gloria run came from Courtesy of Gloria Bridenhagen members of the Fish Creek Women's Club, The Citizens for Bridenhagen Committee made sure Door County vot­ ers knew that other counties had elected women sheriffs and urged possibly, she said, because they knew that them to do the same. wives had been elected elsewhere in the state. With four small children, the youngest age four, she Open line to Sturgeon Bay to relay calls to headquarters. She relied on local women to host teas and coffees to introduce admitted that although the Door County Advocate said she her to voters in numerous small towns within the county. couldn't lose, she felt vulnerable running as a woman, and she Bridenhagen didn't live at the jail, but she was familiar believes her opponents underestimated her for the same rea­ with the job, acting as receptionist and dispatcher. The fami­ son. She also recalled with quiet pride that she had received ly lived in Ephraim, and Baldy drove the thirty miles to head­ more votes than anyone to date in the history of Door Coun­ quarters in Sturgeon Bay each day. Those who needed the ty (including Baldy). Her repeated comments that she was pri­ sheriff called the Bridenhagen home, and Gloria used an marily a stay-at-home mom thrust into the limelight may

SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

whom Baldy had hired and who had met the Briden- SOUND OFF hagens' daughter shortly there­ after, A widow since 1982, Bridenhagen recalled that Our next election coils for the voters to

SPRING 2003 la WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY Mrs. Bridenhagen Chosen

STURGEON BAY (PG) —The Mrs. Bridenhagen, seeking to Courtesy of Gloria Bridenhagen first woman ever to run for succeed her husband who is sheriff in Door County got completing his second succes­ heavy endorsement for the Re­ sive term, the constitutional publican nomination in the pri­ limit, will be opposed in Nov­ mary election Tuesday, polling ember by Democrat Gerald De over twice as many votes as Marb, Sturgeon Bay, who was unopposed Tuesday. Mrs, Bridenhagen has pledged to appoint her husband as un-| paid, fuUtime undersheriff if she! is elected. !

The Door County Advocate covered the sheriff's race of 1966, reporting thoroughly on Gloria Bridenhagen's decisive victory as she succeeded her husband, Hollis 'Baldy'' Bridenhagen. Deemed a "landslide" by the newspaper, Gloria won more votes in the 1966 election than any other candidate for sheriff in Door County, past or present, including her husband.

Mrs. Bridenhagen Bridenhagen Gordie recounted how one of his mother's opponents, Edwin Lauck, tried to draw attention to Katharine's size, the other three candidates com­ describing himself as "'Shorty' Lauck, Six Feet, Four Out to bined. Beat Katharine Moore." But it was Lauck's campaign that fell Mrs. Hollis (Gloria) Briden­ short; neither Katharine nor James Moore was ever defeated. hagen, Ephraim, polled 3,482 The Moores relinquished the office from 1959 to 1966, after votes, foUowd by Hallie Rowe, which James ran and won again. By the time James retired at Sturgeon Bay, a former sheriff, the end of 1970, the Moores had alternated in the sheriffs with 632; Herb Reynolds, Stur­ position for twenty-two years, the longest joint tenure in Wis­ geon Bay photographer, with consin history. 442, and Wililam Carrick, for-, 1967—A Year for Change mer conservation warden, with Sheriffs had turned to their wives as candidates to avoid 399 legal restrictions placed on successive terms. Yet the practice received little notice until 1962, when \ht Milwaukee Journal tions such as "Meet the Moores of Polk County" or "Moores stated in an editorial that since the voters knew a wife would Retire After 40 Years" (when James retired at the end of be just a "stand-in," the "ban . . . wasn't much of a handicap 1970). Also in the scrapbook is an undated clipping from to any married sheriff who wants to make a career of his Katharine's last term, with the headline "'First Lady of the job."^ The Journal failed to explain to its readers that many Law,' Is Grandmother, Sheriff' and a collection of letters sheriffs relied on a similar rotation with their male under- from 1957 addressed to "Mrs. Katharine Moore, Sheriff, Polk sheriffs as another way to bypass the law. County" from Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire, Senator But change was in the air. Responding to claims by the Joe McCarthy, Governor Vernon W. Thomson, and Federal sheriffs' association that the limits on succession were an Bureau of Investigation Director J. Edgar Hoover. "accident," in 1965 the Green Bay Press Gazette attributed

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

MAILED FROM

The State Preservation Board, Austin, Texas WALLACE COUNTRY

Aiabama Department of Arclnives and History, Montgomery, Aiabama Right: Wisconsin voters had been electing wives to succeed their hus­ bands in offices at the county level since 1924, but the idea had occurred to others outside the Badger State. Amanda "Ma" Ferguson succeeded her husband as governor of Texas in 1924, after he was impeached, and she served a total of two terms as governor. Above: In 1966 another governor's wife, Lurleen Wallace, successfully ran for gov­ ernor of Alabama, but she died of cancer after serving only sixteen months of a four-year term. Her husband George did not serve as her lieutenant governor, so he did not assume the office upon her death. the renewed efforts to change the law solely to the political restrictions that the system had "produced some peculiar phe­ power of sheriffs, suggesting they be replaced with county nomena; the interchangeable sheriff and undersheriff^who police forces under civil service regulations.'° The issue was switch jobs every four years by prior agreement, and the hus­ again linked to women when Press Gazette columnist John band-wife or 'Wallace' sheriff team."'^ Wyngaard compared their election to Alabama Governor The push to remove term restrictions gained steam in Jan­ George Wallace's decision to have his wife, Lurleen, run uary 1967, when the sheriffs' association appropriated fifteen when he faced term limits. Wyngaard believed the sheriffs thousand dollars to convince legislators to pass the bill for a office was more "pecuHarly masculine" than the governor's second time so that it could be placed on the ballot. The asso­ but noted that electing wives was no different than the ciation avoided any mention of women but did point out that arrangements between sheriffs and undersheriffs, except that the restrictions on succession forced "a man" to leave office it held greater "human interest elements."" As early as 1938 just when he was getting experienced.'^ Wisconsin Attorney the Milwaukee Sentinel explained in a news story that term General Bronson La Follette was less reticent, telling two restrictions "made for regular alternations of a few perennial hundred attendees at the year's sheriffs' convention that term candidates in certain counties, the retiring sheriff taking over limits were "another example of an out-moded horse and the undersheriffs job for the years he is out of office." Twen­ buggy Constitution hampering effective administration of ty-nine years later the Racine Journal made a similar obser­ government." Galling the limits and low salaries "limits on vation, noting in an editorial lobbying to remove term professionaHsm," he said changing the law would eliminate

SPRING 2003 "g WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

the "subterfuge" of women sheriffs, since "the only reason some . . . are in office is because their husbands were sheriffs before them."^^ Actually, it was the only reason any of the women were in office. On February 21, 1967, members ofthe legislature voted to Re-Elect send the issue to the voters; the senate vote was 31 to 1, the assembly's 83 to 13. When Assemblyman Edward Nager (D, Madison) voiced concern that the change could "in effect, create a dynasty,"^^ he seemed to have overlooked that this had already happened. This time—the fifth time it was pre­ sented—voters overturned the restriction on successive terms. Ofthe more than 832,000 votes cast, about 508,000 approved the change, which seems to have benefited from a larger voter BOMA turnout than usual because it appeared during a gubernatori­ al election. It is impossible to attribute the elimination of these restric­ tions to a backlash against women sheriffs, although newspa­ per coverage of five wives replacing their husbands in 1966, combined with growing demands by women for equal rights and greater professional recognition, may have caused voters to view a past practice in a new light. Regardless of intention, no additional women were sheriffs until Sylvia Boma was elected in 1981 to serve La Crosse County as a Republican sheriff. Although Boma was the first Wisconsin woman sher­ iff who did not follow her husband into office, she, too, had a family connection. Her father-in-law, William Boma, had been La Crosse County sheriff in the 1950s and 1960s, and Sylvia Boma joined the department after marrying Sheriff Boma's son. Bill, also a member of the department at the time. Prior to her run for sheriff, Boma worked in the sheriffs department for two decades, first as a jail matron and then as a deputy. Boma ran for sheriff not because her husband could not, but because he would not. She recalled that although he had left the sheriffs department to become a state trooper, he had run previously for sheriff and lost. She tried to talk him into running again, telling him that if he didn't run, she would. Was this her intention? Years later, she still wouldn't say whether she was trying to get him to run or hoping he wouldn't so that she could, but after a family conference involving her son and three daughters, she decided to enter the campaign, won, and was reelected to serve a second term. Boma was defeated in the 1986 primary by Karl Halverson by FIITIIHE riiMimrwFWT about .07 percent, a race she still believes she won. ^ LA CROSSE, Wl 54601 Boma is both similar to and very different from the women who were sheriffs before her. Like them, she was connected to Courtesy of Sylvia Boma the job through a spouse (although he was not the sheriff) and Sylvia Boma was the first woman elected sheriff in Wisconsin who had already worked in the sheriffs department. Also like the was not the wife of the previous sheriff.

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earlier women sheriffs, she determine whether this reflects described her job as "really an her own personality or a more administrative position," saying pioneering spirit among rural she "tussled more with the women in the 1920s than in the County Board than with any 1960s. Indeed, Burnett County bad guys." But here the similar­ elected not just Jacobsen but ities end. two other women to county By the time Boma lost the offices in 1924, one as treasurer primary to Halverson, she had and one as register of deeds. also lost her family connection The sparsely populated com­ to the department. She was in munity appeared to be more the process of getting a divorce concerned with the abilities, from Bill Boma, and she ralher than the sex, ofthe peo- believes he was the one who ])1(^ who offered themselves for encouraged Halverson to run public service. The fact that against her. The biggest differ­ Jacobsen had actually served as ence, though, is that Boma ran her husband's deputy, rather for herself. She wanted the than as an unpaid assistant to position and believed she was him, may also have provided the best candidate. Whatever her with a stronger identity as a her connections to the depart­ police officer than most of the ment, she did not run to main­ women who would come after tain the family business, she ran her. to fulfill her personal ambition But history rarely provides to be sheriff. Thus she is differ­ such clear distinctions. Would ent from her foremothers, with Boma, who calls herself a one potential exception. "feminist and a feminist pio­ Remember Mary Jacobson, Courtesy of Sylvia Boma neer," have thought to run had whose keen policing while still Sheriff Boma attracted attention outside the state and was there never been women sher­ frequently photographed in uniform. deputy led to an arrest for pos­ iffs in the state? Would voters session of moonshine? She seems to have been the most active in La Crosse County have elected a woman without some law enforcer ofthe wives who became sheriffs. It is difficult to knowledge that women had served as sheriffs elsewhere in

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^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Whether they were expressing concerns about crime (from presidential candidate Richard Nixon), proclaiming official congratulations (from senators William Proxmire and Joseph "-^^:rr:^^. McCarthy), or offering cooperation (from FBI ^'Kte director J. Edgar Hoover), national leaders "^^^:r^^ acknowledged Wisconsin's women sheriffs. "'ow""''"='°»>, , ^^*--.;-"- /

QICnMcb .S>laiea Senate SELECT COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS

Jan. llj, 1?S7 "•""•'.s-ii.Z'-. s^

Dear Sheriff Moorer

I have just learned about yoiir election and "^ I want to offer my congratulations and very best wishes for success. I am sure you will justify the trust that your fellow members have shoim they have in you.

I ¥111 very much appreciate any suggestiQiis and advice you might wish to give me on the "basis of your special e:)^erience and understanding of our QiCTTtteb ^iatcjs /^cnafc state's problems. If I can be of any service to you and your organization, please call on me.

September 22, 19!: With warm regards, Sincerely, m/i^ Mrs. Katharine Moore WP/rt Balsam Lake Wisconsin Dear Sh"..« Dear Katharine: „f t!ia ^^^ I am glad to see that you are the Republiea area. VO"^ count choice for Sheriff of your County. increasxn? _ ^^j^y %• present plans are to arrive in Wisconsin l»';*-°r risults in 2Uth of September, and thereafter I plan to do what 1 «^r„loierable 3r help the Republican ticket.

If you think I can be of any help in your cam please feel free to contact raei n Appleton. If you wr, dress the letter to me at Appleton. If you phone, the in Appleton will know how to get in touch with me. *^ ^tw oi the ="'? Jate and r"!

"^rwho enl=«« ••""' pXeM^'l.'-^, 'Ue^c^^^ri^taHr^

'=°°'?li« Jo-^ "n. But it.',^ *o%s M *^*

3 an" — sincerely.

Bliaen SWrl« <=wria

«isOonSJ.n

Courtesy of Gloria Bridenhagen and Gordon IVIoore

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

the state? No one knows. But just as term restrictions created a long line of wives who were married to the job, they also The Authors provided a reason for Wisconsin voters to accept women in Dorothy Moses Schulz is an associ­ this traditionally male role. With the reason removed, it is up ate professor at tine Joiin Jay Coiiege of to today's women and today's voters to determine whether Criminai Justice (CUNY) in New Yorl< City. A retired police captain, sine is tlie autlior Wisconsin's history of women sheriffs will also be part ofthe of From Social Worker to Crimefighter: state's future. iK^ Women in United States Policing (Praeger, 1995), wliicli traces more tlian Acknowledgments one liundred years of women in policing. History is uncovered in unexpected places. This account of Dr. Schulz earned a bachelor's degree in the husband and wife sheriff teams began when Dane Coun­ journalism from New York University, a master's degree in crim­ inal justice from John Jay College, and a doctorate in American ty Sheriff Gary Hamblin told delegates at a National Associa­ Studies from New York University. She has published numer­ tion of Female Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) ous articles on police topics in a variety of journals and is com­ meeting in Madison that his first job as a deputy was for a pleting research for a book on current women police chiefs and female sheriff (Lein). He was unaware that she was part of an sheriffs. It was through this research that she learned about established Wisconsin tradition. The authors thank Delores Wisconsin's early women sheriffs. Lein, Gloria Bridenhagen, Robert and Gordie Moore (sons of Steven M. Houghton has been a law enforcement officer for the past thirty-two James and Katherine Moore), and Sylvia Boma for the inter­ years. He has worked in various positions, views and clippings they shared with us. from patrol office, to background investi­ This research was supported in part by grants from the gations, to transports. A native of Madi- City University of New York PSC-CUNY Research Award X m son, he is a member of the Dane County Program, the National Association of Women Law Enforce­ Sheriff's Office. Houghton has written ment Executives (NAWLEE), and the International Associa­ other articles for publication, including a history of the Dane County Sheriff's Office. tion of Chiefs of Police (lACP).

1 When women first entered elective politics, it was common for them to succeed on the coat- and Ruth Atkinson (Marquette County). Fern C. Thompson (Lafayette County) was not elected, tails of husbands or other male relatives. Throughout the 1920s ten of the eleven women in the but she had been sheriff in 1961-1962. Her husband served four years before and after her first U.S. House of Representatives were relatives of male politicians. Recently Jean Camahan (D, term; her defeat by Kenneth Pratt ended a Thompson reign that had begun in 1957. The men Missouri) took a U.S. Senate seat in place of her husband, Mel, who was killed in a plane crash were Frank B. Series (D, Adams County) and Roy H. Simenson (R, Pierce County). on October 16, 2000. His name remained on the ballot, and when voters elected him. Governor ^ Wisconsin Judicial Council, 1963 Report Appendix B, p. B-2. Roger W. Wilson appointed Camahan's widow. She lost her bid for reelection in November 8 Katharine Moore (Polk County), for a second time; Carol Gilbertson (Pierce County), for a 2002. second time; Venora Rhyner (Buffalo County); Donna Marshall (Richland County); Ruth Walk­ 2 The others, Mildred Barber (Marathon County), Hellen Brooks (Green Lake and er (Green Lake County), and Evelyn Einum (Dunn County). Waushara County), and Helen Thompson (Price County), were elected to the state 9 "On, Wisconsin: Term Ban Is Big Joke When Wife Follows Mate as Sheriff," Milwaukee assembly (see "Wisconsin Women's Council Distinguished Women," Journal, December 18, 1962. http://wwc.state.wi.us/static/distinguished.htm (accessed Febmary 2, 2002). 10 "Sheriffs Want Longer Terms," Green Bay Press Gazette, April 25, 1965. 3 Nelly Gruel (Jefferson County), Minne Isabel Waggoner (Washbum County), and Mary 11 John Wyngaard, "Two-Term Sheriff Limit Headed for April Vote," Green Bay Press Jacobson (Barron County), whose husband, Engel Sigebert (known as E. S.) served as her Gazette, November 22, 1966. undersheriff until his death on November 8, 1927, during her term. 12 "Sheriffs Urge Nonpartisan Election Law," Milwaukee Sentinel, Dec. 8, 1938; "Remove 4 "Primary Nominees Carry the Election," Barron County News, November 4, 1926; "New Limit on Sheriffs' Terms," Racine Journal, Febmary 2, 1967. Sheriff Is on the Alert," Barron County News, November 11, 1926. 13 "Sheriffs Plan Fight to Lift Two-Term Limit," Wisconsin State Journal, January 18, 1967. 5 Raymond Moucha, "Rotation Works in Dane," Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 8, 1967. 14 "La Follette Urges Elimination of Two-Term Limit for Sheriffs," Green Bay Press Gazette, 6 The women elected in 1966, all Republicans, were Delores Lein (Sawyer County), Gloria January 26, 1967. Bridenhagen (Door County), Ella Reinel (Jefferson County), Dorothy Spencer (Sauk County), 15 "State Will Vote Again on Sheriffs' Term Ban," Milwaukee Journal, Febmary 22, 1967.

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Christopher Martin, City of Fairfax

Germania und Abend Post Badger Graffiti in Civil War Virginia

By James S. Pula

n October 1997 a small Blenheim's attic were some group of neighbors met with a common attribute. In at the Blenheim Estate one form or another, they were 7in the city of Fairfax, a identified with the "26 R Wise northern Virginia community V"—the 26th Regiment Wis­ that borders the District of consin Volunteer Infantry. Columbia. The owner of the Nicknamed "the Sigel Regi­ aging brick building had invited ment" in honor of Franz Sigel, this group to view some curious the German revolutionary old writing on the home's attic leader of 1848 who was then a walls. "I was awestruck by this popular leader of the national visit," Andrea Loewenwarter German American communi­ Courtesy of the author recalled, "never realizing what The Blenheim Estate (pictured today) served as a hospital for ty, the men who served in the an amazing historical docu­ wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Located in northern Vir­ 26th Regiment in its earliest ment existed just up the street ginia, Blenheim sat in the heart of the war raging between the days were primarily native northern and southern capitals. The "Willcoxon Place, " as it was from my house." The sight that commonly known, was requisitioned by the Eleventh Corp ofthe Germans or first-generation inspired her? Scores of signa­ Army ofthe Potomac and served as a Reserve Hospital for the German Americans. By the sick and wounded. tures, drawings, and other graf­ time the conservators had care­ fiti in both English and German, all of which were clearly fully peeled away layers of wallpaper from the attic walls of quite old. They were not simply curiosities. Inscriptions such the stately Virginia home, a total of nine names had emerged as "29th NY" and "75th Pa Vols" link the markings to Amer­ that can be traced to the Sigel Regiment: Schlosser, Scholz, ica's most trying hour, as countrymen battled each other in Van Eweyk, Reifenstuhl, Froelich, Rook, Fernekes, Hoene, civil war to determine whether the nation would survive. and Koege. Like so many stories ofthe Civil War, the tale of Propelled by the discovery to form a preservation coalition how these names came to be inscribed there has roots in both for the Blenheim Estate, the neighbors' efforts resulted in the the bustling streets of a nineteenth-century Wisconsin city and city's purchase ofthe home and an additional 11.8 acres of the once-bucolic lanes of northern Virginia. land in January 1999.^ It was during this time that the Citizen Passed down within the same family for five generations, Coalition for the Preservation of Blenheim began to play the Blenheim was once part of more than one thousand acres role of caretaker to an important piece of Wisconsin Civil owned by Rezin Willcoxon, identified as one of the earliest War history. Among the many names on the walls of and most prominent settlers of what would later become Fair­ Left: All of the men pictured here served in the Sigel regiment and fax Court House, Virginia. In 1854 he either sold or leased a all were living in Milwaukee when they volunteered. From left, portion of his land to his son Albert, who farmed a total of they arefacob Stauff George P. Trdumer, fohn Koege, fohn Orth, 367 acres. Albert's house burned in March 1855, but he com­ and Philip Walldorf. Koege, a Milwaukee merchant, was one of the men to sign the wall at Blenheim. His signature appears as the pleted construction of a new brick federal and Greek revival third line from the top. structure by the end of 1859. By 1860 the Willcoxon proper- WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

Christopher Martin, City of Fairfax Above: Signatures came in all sizes on the walls of Blenheim, and the men did not stop at writing their names but added drawings of stars, cannons, and ships to the attic's walls. Right: fulius Froehlich and eight other members ofthe 26th Wisconsin left sig­ natures on the walls of Blenheim. A clerk in Milwaukee before the war, Froehlich served in Company B ofthe 26th Wisconsin until discharged due to disability on December 20, 1862. ty, located about one mile northeast of the courthouse build­ ing, included a number of outbuildings suitable to a farm; a family cemetery; two slave quarters; livestock; and fields of wheat, oats, hay, and Indian corn. But the Willcoxons' quiet, pastoral life was about to be interrupted as events of national significance unfolded.^ By the summer of 1862 the ravages of war had already Courtesy of the author cast their shadow over northern Virginia. Federal troops occupied the countryside around the Willcoxon home, while In 1860 Milwaukee was a city of 45,000 people, and more others were preparing to march to Virginia's as yet unknown than half its inhabitants were immigrants. Of those immi­ battlefields. Among these was a group of Wisconsin soldiers grants, two-thirds were German. By 1862 the city and its sur­ whose military service on American soil began that autumn. rounding communities had embraced much of German As casualties mounted beyond what anyone had imagined the culture. There was not one but three German-language news­ year before, President Lincoln called in August 1862 for an papers. Dotted throughout the city were the Musikverein additional 300,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. (Music Society), the Turnverein (Gymnastic Society), Die Responding to the president's call for more men to save the Freie Gemeinde (the Free Commune), and dozens of other Union, Milwaukee's German community determined to raise intellectual, political, and social clubs. These societies reflect­ a regiment to meet the crisis. ed Milwaukee's embrace of fellowship and sociality. Lincoln's

SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY call fell upon the ears of those who, having socialized togeth­ those early immigrants, who were new to the demands of war er, would also serve together. These political, intellectual, and but added youthful zeal and energy to the steadied discipline business leaders came forward to act as recruiting agents, and of their seniors. Affectionately known locally as "unser their rallies attracted enthusiastic crowds. The editor of the deutsclies regiment" (our German regiment), the 26th Wis­ Milwaukee German newspaper Atlas closed shop and enlist­ consin embodied the spirit, patriotism, and hopes of ed with all of his employees, • Wisconsin's large German and the Milwaukee Turnverein population.* announced that any members fHefnUcn SSerlnngt Of the nearly one thousand of military age who did not vol­ men who came forward to unteer for service would forfeit make up the Sigel Regiment, their membership in the organ­ nine names from the 26th Wis­ ization. consin appear on the attic walls In surrounding towns the of Virginia's Blenheim Estate. reaction was the same. The The group makes an interest­ editor of the West Bend Post ing cross-section of the soldiers enlisted, leaving his wife to who would travel so many manage the newspaper in his miles to serve their new land. absence. In Manitowoc, the 26. Regiment All of them were foreign born, local Sangerbund (Singing and, with one exception, all Society) sent its members off to were from the various regions war. Rallies and recruiting that constitute modern Ger­ offices spread throughout many. Phillip J. Schlosser, a Kenosha, Racine, Greenfield, fStt. ^tMtm ^ountii: $402 fur eprcitfjaft Milwaukee merchant, was Fond du Lac, and other areas ttu§ bcni ^icttjl ciittttffcncSSctcranett ! born in Hesse in 1835. He of German settlement.^ The $309 f*"^ ^^«^ llckrutctt ! came to America in 1854 and 26th Wisconsin Volunteer to Milwaukee three years later. Infantry gathered in Milwau­ 27 Sollora unl) elne 9Honot8=Sfi|)nnnfl im SBorauS nicrUcn There he obtained a position in kee to receive its initial training bcjalilt, ttienn bie SHannfiftoft in Sen Stenft flemuftert teiib. the Second Ward Savings Bank Soljnung unB Setfiftiqnng bcoinnt aom Sofle ber Slnraerbung. in the art of war. The Sigel but listed his occupation at the 3c&cr ®eutf(icr foUtc ftc^ bkUm 9icgt' time of his enlistment in Sep­ Regiment was led by thirty- tnente anf($Ite#en. year-old William Jacobs, a tember 1862 as "merchant." 3ietruttrnn98=Dfflee: SSier Sl)uren oberljalb ber Stoit-- native of Braunschweig, Ger­ ^alle, on Dftnmfferftrale, z SBorb, aSilmaufee. W. Josef Scholz was a butcher many, a successful Milwaukee in civilian life when he enlisted banker and fine tenor in the WHi 2157 as a private. Henry Van city's Sangerbund. Recruits Many Wisconsin Germans responded to Lincoln's call for Eweyk, who was born in the came from rival singing soci­ 300,000 additional troops in 1862, some of whom were inspired Netherlands in 1840, came in eties and gymnastics organiza­ by Union General Franz Sigel, a revolutionary leader in his 1854 to the United States, native Germany. This recruitment poster, printed in German, tions, from theatre companies aimed to recruit men for the 26th Wisconsin, which was often where he earned a living as a and competing saloons. They called unser deutsches regiment, "our Gerfnan regiment." painter in the hamlet of Farm­ were Catholics, Lutherans, freethinkers and a myriad of ers, Wisconsin. Friedrich Reifenstuhl was a Milwaukee tailor other faiths and ideologies. Nearly 40 percent of the recruits at the time of his enlistment. Julius Froehlich, a clerk in Mil­ were farmers; 11 percent were laborers; and the balance waukee, enlisted as a private in Company B, the "German reflected a cross-section of society. Although the 26th was a Americans." Peter Rook, a Kenosha painter, was a widower new regiment, thirteen of the officers had seen prior military when he enlisted in Company C, the "Milwaukee Guards." service, along with approximately half of the noncommis­ Also in Company C was Sergeant Peter Fernekes, a Milwau­ sioned officers and 20 percent ofthe privates. The result was kee tinsmith. Private Julius William Franz Hoene, a Milwau­ a unique mixture of mature men who had learned their disci­ kee turner, enlisted in Company I.John Koege, a Milwaukee pline in the Old Country with younger men, often the sons of merchant originally from Sandhof Germany, rounds out the

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list of men whose names appear on Blenheim's walls. Not one encampment of Federal soldiers all the way to Fairfax Court man was older then thirty at the time they marked their House, which is seventeen miles. At intervals, the progress ofthe names on Blenheim's walls. All would serve. One would die. traveler is arrested by guards. Such is the state of things which old Two would desert. The others would return to celebrate, Virginia has brought upon this section of her domain.^ year after year, the call that brought them together and the sense of identity that came with being one of unser deutsches Exposed for the first time to the dampness, cold, over­ regiment. crowding, and unsanitary conditions of military camps in The Sigel Regiment mustered into service on September the field, the Badger soldiers contracted the predictable 17, 1862, leaving Milwaukee for Washington, D.C., on Octo­ spate of illnesses. Some of those in need of medical treat­ ber 6 with 988 officers and men. Initially assigned to the ment were sent to the "Willcoxon Place," which had been Eleventh Corps in the Army of the Potomac, the regiment requisitioned to serve as an Eleventh Corps Reserve Hospi­ went by train to Washington, D.C., where it crossed the Long tal. Research in the existing military service records, pen­ Bridge into Virginia. The group then marched across the sion files, and hospital registers by Charles K. Gailey III, rolling countryside to its assigned camp in the vicinity of Fair­ Patricia A. Gallagher, and Andrea Loewenwarter, mem­ fax Court House, Virginia. There it spent its first weeks in the bers of the Blenheim Research Group, uncovered the field. A correspondent from Madison's Daily Wisconsin who names of seventy-seven Sigel Regiment soldiers who were visited the camp reported: patients in the Eleventh Corps Reserve Hospital system. As a part of that system, Blenheim housed soldiers recuperat­ The whole country between that point and Washington is a scene ing from the effects of typhoid fever, rheumatism, dysen­ of devastation. . . . Two years ago all was peace and established tery, asthma, chronic bronchitis, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and prosperity. Comfortable farmhouses sheltered happy inmates. other debilitating illnesses.^ Whiling away the hours oftheir Along the roads were smiling fields [under] the husbandman's care, recuperation, the men who were able found activities to and gardens and orchards dotted the wayside. The little hamlets pass the time. Playing chess or cards, reading, and carving nestled about the cross-roads, in the valleys, were the scenes of quiet pipes, chess figures, or rings from the abundant local sweet- industry or rural gossip. [Now] the houses are tenantless in most briar wood were only a few ofthe amusements they found. ^ instances. There is scarcely a vestige to be seen anywhere. Many of Some invested time inscribing their names and regiments the orchard trees have been cut down, their bark gnawed by fam­ ished horses. The fields know no tillage but the pressure ofthe sol­ Sergeant W. Joseph Scholz was a butcher in Milwaukee before dier's foot or the hoof of the cavalry horse. Batteries frown from the war. Scholz enlisted as a every commanding eminence.. .. Dead horses and mules that have private in the 'Flying Rangers" succumbed to overwork and starvation putrefy by the wayside and of Company A. After the war Scholz helped found the load the air with stench. The whole country swarms with the blue- Twenty-Sixth Regimental coated soldiers ofthe Union. One is hardly ever out of sight of an Association.

Milwaukee County Historical Society

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on the estate's walls, leaving evidence of their presence for later generations. The weeks rolled by, and in November the 26th Wisconsin left the area. The Badgers saw their first action at Chancel­ lorsville in May 1863, where they were on the receiving end of Stonewall Jackson's massive flank attack. Outnumbered and attacked simultaneously from front and flank, the rookie regi­ ment stuck doggedly to the posi­ tion it was assigned on the far northern flank of the Union position. Had it failed. Confed­ erates would have been able to rush in behind the surprised Eleventh Corps, cutting off its only avenue of retreat. The Sigel Regiment was outnum­ bered by more than four to one, and the unequal battle could not last long, but the Badgers stuck to the deadly work, firing as fast as they could load. Losses were staggering, but still they stayed Courtesy of the author The 26th Wisconsin's tattered flag, imprinted with the name of battles in position, repelling every Con­ in which the regiment took part. The 26th carried this flag for the first federate effort to dislodge them time in the Battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. until twice ordered to retreat by their brigade commander. fered a total loss of 252 men, 55 percent of the strength it Their heroic stand helped save the federal artillery and pro­ took into the battle.^ vided time for others to escape the trap. Commended by their From Gettysburg the regiment moved west as part of brigade and division commanders for their gallantry, the Ger­ an emergency reinforcement sent to Tennessee to relieve mans earned their praise the hard way, suffering 204 casual­ the Confederate siege of Chattanooga. There the regi­ ties, the fifth highest percentage of any regiment involved in ment suffered great hardships and privation while partici­ the battle.^ pating in the Battles of Wauhatchie and Missionary From Chancellorsville the Union Army marched north Ridge, which saved the city and sent the rebel forces in pursuit of Robert E. Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania. retreating southward. In the spring of 1864 the 26th Wis­ There, at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, the regiment was consin was assigned to General William Tecumseh Sher­ again thrown into battle against heavy odds in an attempt to man's army for the drive on Atlanta. During these save the Union position in open fields north of town. Fight­ campaigns it gained repeated praise for its good conduct ing for their lives in a crossfire of Confederate artillery and and steadfast service, serving with honor on bloody fields musketry, the men of the Sigel Regiment once again held whose very names would be enshrined in the nation's col­ their ground on the exposed federal right fiank until ordered lective memory. At lesser-known battles like Resaca, the to retreat, but they did so at a terrible cost. Every member regiment moved into a threatened portion ofthe line, sta­ of the color guard was either killed or wounded, thirteen of bilized it, and then participated in a successful assault on seventeen officers became casualties, and the regiment suf- the Confederate lines.^^ Twice it captured valued enemy

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colors, including the regimental flag ofthe 33rd Mississip­ pi Infantry at Peach Tree Greek, Georgia, in what CONCERT Golonel James Wood, its brigade commander, labeled "a brilliant feat of arms." In his official report the colonel VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL concluded that the regiment's conduct "could not be Oes excelled by the troops in this or any other army, and is worthy ofthe highest commendation and praise."" Following the capture of Atlanta, the Sigel Regiment par­ MAENNERCHOfi! ticipated in Sherman's famous March to the Sea, then turned Sonnabend, den 24d. April, 1875, north under his command to march through the Garolinas. In this final campaign, the regiment served with distinction dur­ TTTRM' HALIJE] ! ing the two major engagements at Averasboro and Bentonville, North Garolina. From beginning to end, the regiment's wartime service spanned thirty-three months during which the men participated in some of the war's bloodiest engagements. 1. Mailied, tfon Kuhlau Maenuerthor. 2. Faiitasie aus Mignon fuer Klavicr, von Ketterer Its batde honors read like a history of the war itself Ghancel- Frl. Mayer. 3. Ob sie wohl konitntn mag, (Bass Arie), ' ^ von Breyer lorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Herr\^ agrier. 4. Tragoedie, (Q,uartc(t), • voiisjflendttsohn New Hope Ghurch, Kennesaw Mountain, Kolb's Farm, Gol­ Frl's I'^ischer und Zehriter, urid Hcrren Baus und Schcib^. 5. Harfner Lied, von Zimmermann gotha Ghurch, Peach Tree Greek, Averasboro, Bentonville, Maennerdior. and a score of other fields of conflict. In the end, the regiment IITIIEIL. 1. Der Sterbende Grenadier, |Bass Aric], von AeAttfe- We\^e Hen Wagner. Left: Soldiers ofthe 26th often belonged to fraternal organizations 2. Concerto fuer Floete und Klavicr, von Tersckack Herr und Frl. ]>Lmassing . like the Mannerchor, or fnale choir. They brought the same 3. Dcr Kaefer und die Blume, von Veil Maenherchor. cafnaraderie to their service in the Union Army as they did to 4. Belisario, Pantasie, fuer Klavier, von. A Goria their Milwaukee clubs. Below: The Saengerfest Hall, located at the Frl. Mayer. ' 5. Champagner Lied, von Schroder corner of Milwaukee's Fourth and Cedar Streets, hosted events like Maenoerchor. this gathering ofthe Northwest Saengerbund, or singing society. NACH DEM CONCERT BALJ^. These societies were centers of Germ,an culture before and TICKETS 25 CENTS A PERSON. -^ after the Civil War. WHS Archives, 3-3642

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Milwaukee County Historical Society The 26th Wisconsin got its first taste of military life at Camp Sigel in Milwaukee. Many hours of drills were necessary to transform civilians into soldiers. had 55.7 percent casualties, including 17.2 modern interruption. After writing his percent killed in action^^ Few regiments name on the ceiling, Schlosser marched fought harder, sacrificed more, or con­ south to a rendezvous at Chancel­ tributed as much to the North's vic­ lorsville. There, amid the turmoil of tory as the 26th Wisconsin battie, his horse was shot from Volunteer Infantry. under him. Credited with saving But what of those innocents the life of one of his soldiers dur­ who affixed their names to ing the retreat that followed, Blenheim's walls during those Schlosser proved his bravery but first weeks of their military serv­ was forced to resign his commis­ ice? What became of the people sion four months later due to who left their "calling card" in recurring illness and disability. charcoal and plaster? The names Following his return home he of the Sigel Regiment soldiers became a banker, an oflicer in thus far uncovered at Blenheim the Knights of Pythias, an active illustrate the human nature, the ^.'•' Harper's Weekly, member of Robert Chivas Post frailties, and the sacrifices of -'-' April 9, 1864 No. 2 of the Grand Army of the those who went off to war as vol­ A trip to the hospital was often fatal for Civil War soldiers. Republic, and a founding mem­ unteers in support of their princi­ Primitive medical technology and poor sanitation created ber of the Twenty-Sixth Regi­ opportunities for infection and disease. Seventy-seven members ples. Lieutenant Phillip J. ofthe 26th Wisconsin would spend time in the Eleventh Corps mental Association. Active in Schlosser, the regimental adju­ Reserve Hospital System. veterans and civic affairs, he was tant who had been a merchant in Milwaukee, scrawled his an oflicer in the regimental association, served on various name in large, fluid script across the ceiling in the attic. A later reunion committees, and accompanied twenty-five of his sur­ generation would locate an electric light socket in the middle viving comrades-in-arms on a sentimental journey to Gettys­ of his name, but his signature remains boldly legible despite the burg to participate in the dedication of their monument on

SPRING 2003 ^ ^W T S C O INT S T INT IM A Ci A Z T INT K OF H T S X O R V

Christopher Martin, City of Fairfax Left: IrieiaT^ VdTi Eijjeyck IJJCIS the orzly lao-n-Gen-rzciTa irz the 2(5th ^SK^iscorzsirz. This did rzot keep) him from joiiairzg the Liedertafel si^agiiag society after the ijjar. He also TAJas actiue i-rz ueterarzs' a^airs aia.d zuitTiessed the r^^a^zjeili-rig ofthe moia^i^me-nt to the 2(5th 'W^isconsin a.t GettyskftA.rg in 1888, jtA-st three yea.rs before his dea.th. .Above: Henry VaTi JSzueyck's signati^re. July 1, 1888. He passed away in 1906.13 Sergeant W. Josef Scholz, Corporal iHeinricli "Van Eweyk, and Private Friedrich Reifenstuhl represented Company A, the "Flying Rangers" from Tvlilw^au^kee, on Blenheim's "walls. Scholz w^as a butcher v\^hen he enlisted as a private; he quickly rose to corporal and then sergeant. Hie fou^ght at Chancellorsville before being captu.red by the Confederates at Gettysbu^rg on Ju^ly 1, 1863. Exchanged, he rejoined the regiment and participated in all of its campaigns throu^gh Georgia and the Carolinas before mu^stering ou^t with the regiment on Ju^ne 13, 1865. Following the w^ar he was a fou^nding member of the Tvs/enty-Sixth Regi­ mental Association and a member of its execu^tive committee. Hie, too, nniade the trip to Gettysbu^rg to see the monu^ment erect­ ed on the scene ofthe regiment's greatest loss.^^

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The regimental muster rolls indicate that Henry Van in action at Peach Tree Creek on July 20, 1864. Following his Eweyk, the regiment's lone non-German, was left sick at Fair­ recuperation he resigned to accept a commission as captain in fax Court House when the regiment left the area in November the 45th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After the war's end he 1862, but his name does not appear on the existing hospital became a founding member of the Twenty-Sixth Regimental ledgers. On November 4 he was apparently transferred to a Association. Active in veterans' affairs, the Liedertafel singing hospital in Washington, D.C., but through some unknown cir­ society, and other civic and social organizations, he too attend­ cumstance was not admitted when he arrived to report. Later ed the unveiling of the regiment's monument at Gettysburg. that fall, when he did not arrive back with the regiment, he was He died in 1891.^5 listed as having deserted from the hospital on November 4. All Friedrich Reifenstuhl, the Milwaukee tailor, was apparent­ was apparently made right, however, because he rejoined the ly plagued by recurrent illness throughout his enhstment until regiment at Stafford Court House, Virginia, in April 1863. he was finally discharged for dis­ Van Eweyk saw action at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, suf­ ability at Stafford Court House, fered through the privation of the campaign to relieve the Virginia, on March 27, 1863. siege of Chattanooga, and fought through Following his discharge he Sherman's Atlanta campaign returned to Milwaukee, until wounded where he resumed working

The 26th Wisconsin twice captured the flag of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry during the Battle of Peach Tree Creek, Geor­ gia, on fuly 20, 1864. The Union victory occurred during Gen­ eral William T. Sher­ man's campaign for Atlanta, but Sher­ man would not cap­ ture that city until early October 1864. Below: Although most ofthe members of the Milwau­ kee-based "Sigel Regiment, " the 26th Wis­ consin, were \ born in Germany, their sense of connection to Milwaukee was so strong that many of them included the name ofthe city along with their signatures on the walls of the Blenheim Estate, a makeshift Virginia hospital. Collection of Old Capitol Museum, Mississippi Department of Archives and History

SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

SURVIVORS OF 26fh WISCONSIN VOLS. AT THE DEDICATION OF THEIR MONUMENT. GETTYSBURG JULY 1ST, 1888.

RII.R A CO.. 40fl NORTH TKNTH STREKT. PHri.ADET.PHlA. AND ORTTYSmiRO. PA Milwaukee County Historical Society Veterans ofthe 26th Wisconsin gathered at Gettysburg in 1888 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary ofthe deadliest battle ofthe Civil War. A monument to the 26th Wisconsin was dedicated there on July 1, 1888, celebrating the regiment's service and sacrifice. as a tailor. He married twice, fathering eight children by his killing fields north of town. That fall he moved west with the first wife. He died in Milwaukee in 1895.^^ regiment to Tennessee, where he fought at Wauhatchie and Not much is known about Julius Froehlich. The clerk from Missionary Ridge during the relief of Chattanooga before Milwaukee had enlisted as a private and had been promoted to resigning for reasons of ill health on April 19, 1864.^^ corporal. He was discharged due to disability while in a hospi­ Once mustered in. Private Julius William Franz Hoene, the tal in Washington, D.C, on December 205 1862.^^ turner from Milwaukee, served Company I as a teamster, hos­ Sergeant Peter Rook, the painter from Kenosha, was pro­ pital cook, and nurse. It was probably during his service as a moted to first sergeant and in June 1863 transferred to Com­ hospital cook and nurse that he inscribed his name on the wall pany F to accept a commission as second lieutenant. Before he at Blenheim. After surviving the maelstrom of Chancellorsville, could be ofiicially mustered in his new rank, he led his men as he is listed on the muster rolls as having deserted at Brooks Sta­ an acting lieutenant into the bloody fields of Gettysburg on July tion, Virginia, on June 5, 1863, shortly before the regiment 1, 1863. There, during the hailstorm of fire north of town. Act­ marched northward to its rendezvous at Gettysburg. He was ing Lieutenant Rook was killed in action. Back home in Wis­ eventually dropped from the rolls as a deserter in the spring of consin, his orphaned daughter was placed in the care of her 1864; there is no record of his whereabouts thereafter.^^ maternal grandparents.^^ A ninth name identified with the notation "26 R Wise V" Sergeant Peter Fernekes, the Milwaukee tinsmith, was ele­ was shrouded in mystery until recently. The signature vated to regimental sergeant major in October 1862 and was appeared to read John "Megl" or "Mege," but no one by promoted again the following month to the rank of second lieu­ that name exists on the muster roll of the 26th Wisconsin tenant in Company I, the "Wenze Guard." As illness and dis­ Volunteer Infantry. Since the name appears directly under ability forced some officers to resign, he gained another Hoene's name on the wall, and in somewhat similar hand­ promotion to first lieutenant of Company E, the "Fond du Lac writing, one hand may have inscribed both signatures, indi­ Turners," on March 15, 1863. He fought at Chancellorsville cating that the two men may have been friends. A review of and Gettysburg where, as captain of Company E, he was one of the muster roll of Hoene's Company I reveals a John Koege, only four officers in the regiment to escape uninjured from the who is also listed as having been in the hospital at Fairfax

g SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MA&AZINE OF HISTORY

Court Houser^' Given the some­ behavior they displayed at times lax spelling ofthe day and The Author Blenheim reminds us that it is the combine it with the mixture of individual triumphs and tragedies James 5. Pula is dean of grad­ German and English stylization uate and continuing education at of everyday people that shape our many of the soldiers used^ the Utica College of Syracuse Universi­ history, fcVi result is a difficult piece of writing ty. Dr. Pula received a baccalaure­ to readr Staffmembers at the Wis­ ate degree from SUNY-Albany, a Acknoi^l e dgment s master's of education in highier consin Historical Society familiar The author wishes to express his education administration from thie with this style of German writing University of Maryland, and mas­ sincere appreciation to Andrea reviewed an image ofthe signa- ter's and doctoral degrees in history from Purdue Uni­ Loewenwarter^ Christopher Mar- ture^ and confirmed^ with confi­ versity. Thie author and editor of more than a dozen tin^ Patricia A, Gallagher^ and de nce^ that the mysterious books on immigrants and their ethnic communities, he Charles IL Gailey, III, for their signature does indeed belong to was twice awarded the prestigious Oskar Halecki Prize invaluable assistance in preparing for outstanding books on Polish immigration. His book John Koege^ one ofthe merchants this article and their dedicated The Sigel Regiment- A Histoiy of tiie 2Bti} Wisconsin from Milwaukee who was later Volunteer Infantiy. 1362-1365 was awarded the Gam- devotion to the preservation of wounded in action at Chancel- brinus Prize from the Milwaukee Count]/ Historical Soci­ Blenheim and the historical arti­ lorsville. ety for the best book on Milwaukee area history. facts it contains. Without them this Yet the final signature holds a article would not have been possi­ mystery that is a very fitting piece in ble, and more importantly apiece this historical mosaic, Koege^s and Hoene^s signatures look so of history would have been lost,

similar that it is possible that one man signed for both. But the ' AndicaJ Lctv^cnv^aiCr, "A Encf Hisloiy of EIOIIKIEII A Civil War Hislonc Silc iii IIK Cily of FantaK, Vii£iiii^" iinpiiblEhol ma dalolMay 1^9, coiirlEy of Ms Lccvaiv^aiTa, Siuan- two men had one other important similarity; they both disap­ nah Foslcr and Andrea J Lccvcnv^aiTa, "An Hisloncal Ovcmcv^ of EICIIIKIIII, Ci^ of Fan- peared from the ranks ofthe Sigel Regiment^ Hoene in June faK, Vii£iiii^" iinpiiblisl&i ms dalcd May Dtf), coiiilcsy of Ms Lccvcnv^aiTa " Lccv^cnv^aiCr, "A Encf Hisloiy of Elcnlciiii", losla and Lccvcnv^arla, "An Hisloncal 1863j and Koege after along absence in a Washington hospital Ovovicv^ " ^Ridiard W Cimcnl, TTz? HJJISIJ if H'^a^jj'; Fsim? 2 TTz? Cmi W^ Eia 1848-1873 that began in May 1863, They were certainly not the only two {Madison Slalc HisKoical Sccicly of Wismnsm, 1^7^ 7^-79, JaniES Pula, TTJ? JI£?JR?£J- deserters among the Union Army ranks. But that these two 1^1^ A HuloyyafAz! 26lh W}ja/i/jm Vnhoilssi Iijioilrf. !862-!865 {CainptcU, CA SavE PublislBii£, Company, 1^9^.), claplcr I men^ who likely knew each other in Milwaukee and who ^ Pula, claplci I, Ec£imcnlal Papas, Musia Rolls and D^cnpnvc Ecoks, 26lh WisBiism appeared to be friends during the war^ might have chosen to Voknlcci In fanny, iJaHonal Aichivcs, WEhin£lon, D C [iKicaflci E^imcnlal PapcisJ, Kail lltiatlin£ci, "I^miliai HeCiy of IIK TvcnIy-SiKlh E^imail WisBiism Volunlcci Infanliy, walk away together from the chaos that is war is understand­ Maich ly, lyi I," unpubhshol Ills m IIK WisBiism HisCncal Sccicly {vmncn by an officer m llKIC£lIliail) able. In deserting their regiment^ they also deserted their com­ ^?:uj^>VjjiS'iij'^, Cciolcil5,1^62 munity of Milwaukee^ and—lacking the ability to ever go ^ Ec£iiiicnlal Papas, FIcvcnIh Coips Ecsovc Hospilal iccoids, iJaHonal Aichivcs, WEhin£- lon, DC home—perhaps chose to have at least one friend with whom to ^ Fiani Ijiina diaiy, Odoba 17, 1^62, Milv^aukcc Counly HEloncal Sccicly, F}/I;/II mid C^/njsdsiiUs Aun^ss (Washin£lon, DC US liivcmmcnl Pnnlin£ Office, layi), saiE I, volume KKKVm, pan U, 443 following the war the Willcoxon family consciously preserved 1^ Pul^ 334-335, E^nnenlal Papas, WUiamF FOK, R!£}>i!>/rtil La

SPRING: 2003 WHi 4697 One of Taylor's earliest images for the Milwaukee Journal was this busy scene of wagons hauling coal on what is now Wisconsin Avenue, from the Milwaukee Western Fuel Company. It was a tum-of-the-cen- tury traffic jam,, as the horse-drawn wagons delayed the city's modem streetcars.

Photographs of Milwaukee by J. Robert Taylor WHi 4688 Standing atop a special vehicle fitted with a body built to resemble a camera, Taylor (pictured here) found the ideal vantage point from which to cover a news event. The car was equipped with a complete photographic darkroom that enabled him to develop images on site.

Several photographs in the collection reveal that Taylor was an avid motorcyclist. It is likely that he is the rider missing from this photograph, taken about 1915.

WHi 4689

ohn Robert Taylor began his photo­ Schrank, the would-be assassin of Theodore graphic career at the Milwaukee Journal Roosevelt, who shot the former president in Mil­ in 1909 and continued his employment at waukee in 1912. This relationship with the news­ the paper until 1946. For the first nine paper may have been one of Taylor's reasons for J years he comprised the newspaper's staying with th^ Journal throughout his career. entire photographic staff. Although he received To cover Milwaukee's daily events, Taylor ini­ only fifteen dollars per week when first hired, he tially lugged his heavy eight-by-ten-inch camera, retained the rights to his images and was free to glass plates, and tripod aboard the city's street­ market them on his own. It was this arrangement cars. Years later he strapped a camera to his back that allowed Taylor to sell and distribute nation­ and traveled the city streets by motorcycle. Final­ wide his photograph of John Flammang ly he graduated to an automobile, first a Model With special thanks to Society staff archivist Andy Kraushaar T Ford and ultimately a spacious sedan. Using these various forms of transport, he captured the city's moments of devastation and diversion, bringing as much clarity to an image of a routine downtown lunch crowd as he did to a horrific fire, fought in the dead of winter. Taylor's considerable skill as a photographer has made many of his images emblematic of his time rather than the simple documentation of an event. What at first glance appears to be only a snapshot, upon reflection offers vivid evidence of Milwaukee's past and a clearer sense ofthe city's personality. Taylor enables the viewer to feel the bustle of the downtown, to hear the clatter of hooves on the cobblestones, and to smell the acrid smoke hanging in the air. His mastery of photography allows viewers to perceive the images before them as either strict factual record, artful interpretation, or something between the two. Taylor photographed the full range of activi­ ties covered by a large daily newspaper for thirty- seven years until retiring at the age of seventy. The Wisconsin Historical Society received a sample of his larger body of work when his daughter. Donna Taylor Adams, donated several hundred photographs and glass plate negatives, which include general street scenes, fires, motor­ cycle and automobile racing, and a few personal­ ities. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel currently maintains the copyright to these images but allows public access to the images through the Wisconsin Historical Society. Readers interested in ordering a reproduction of an image in the article may do so by searching for the image number on the Society's Web site (www.wiscon- sinhistory.org/whi). Some of Taylor's work is also held in the collections of the Milwaukee Public

Library and the Milwaukee County Historical Constructed in 1893, the Christopher Columbus was the only pas­ Society. Much of his work is retained in the senger-carrying whaleback steamer ever built. Eighteen passengers died when the ship hit a water tower on the bank ofthe Milwau­ Milwaukee Journal-SentineTs photo library. kee River on June 30, 1917.

m SPRING 2003 WHi 4685

SPRING 2003 D WHi 4687 Above: Fire destroyed the Atlas Flour Mill on December 11, 1926, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage. Thirteen engine companies, six truck companies, and twofireboats fought the blaze. Right: Taylor created a dramatic tableau when he caught silhouetted firefighters and icy devastation against a curtain of hazy smoke.

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ST SPRING 2003 WHi 4703 Above: Onlookers observe an accident in downtown Milwaukee; one ofHamman's Express Line wagons lost a wheel.

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Above: A pugilistic patriot surveys the ring, c. 1905. Taylor captured the grime ofthe working-class world. Left: The Lucia B. Simpson, shown here leaving Milwaukee harbor, makes its final voyage. Constructed in 1928, the Simpson was the last ofthe lake lumber schooners. WHi 4684

^ SPRING 2003 Above: In capturing this Milwaukee pedestrian during a snowstorm, circa 1917, Taylor also captured the chill of a Milwaukee winter. Right: Popular bathing beaches like this one on Lake Michigan offered relief from the heat plus the opportunity to be seen in the latest fashions ofthe 1910s.

^ SPRING 2003 WHi 4705 Taylor's thrill over the speed of modern machines drew him to photograph them often. In this image he captured motorcyclists at the start ofthe race. 5

#*'

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WHi 4704 Milwaukeeans have come out for car racing since its early days. Here drivers make last-minute adjustments to their engines before the race begins.

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SPRING 2003 ^ Above: Streetcars and busy pedestrian traffic mingle in this 1912 view of Water Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Milwaukee. Right: Unloading one of many barrels of goods from the Ogdenebur in Milwaukee's port.

WHi 4700

^ SPRING 2003 EDITORS' -^CHOICE Books Events Multimedia Exhibits Resources Locations

Facing East from Indian at that history from Indians' perspectives, or to read documents Country: A Native History critically. This approach has been at the heart of ethnohistorical of Early America scholarship for the past three or four decades and has funda­ BY DANIEL K. RICHTER mentally reoriented the way Native groups, their histories, and the story of Native-Euro-American interactions are now under­ '^ Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 2001. Pp. X, 317. Illustrations, maps, notes, stood. Nonspecialists have ready access to this vast literature, index. $26.00, hardcover. which now already includes important synthesises and even col­ aniel Richter suggests that lege-level textbooks. I if scholars "face east" from Moreover, Richter does not reread many old documents in DIndia n country, that is, Facing East] the book is mostly based upon secondary sources, view history from the Native peo­ and he generally uses primary sources as do other ethnohistori- ples' perspectives, they will gain a ans (i.e. critically reading between the lines to find Indian voic­ new understanding of early American history and of Indians' es). However, in places (especially chapter one), Richter not only roles in it. Facing East seeks to offer that new view and to serve rereads old documents, but he also rewrites standard sources by as a model of "how old documents might be read in fresh ways, summarizing them and then inserting in his own voice and to reorient our perspective on the continent's past" (p. 9). It is a interpretations. He also "imagines" and actually creates "sto­ thoughtful and well-written work, but it falls short of its aims. ries" to represent some aspect of Native history (pp. 36-39). Yet The book focuses on Native and European interactions, par­ he does not explain how the imagined stories, however plausible ticularly Native responses to the invaders and the cultural and their content, might serve as a model to practice ethnohistory. biological baggage they introduced. Throughout, Richter stress­ As a synthesis of Early American history Facing East is also es Native peoples' willingness to accept and adapt to the new­ wanting. The story focuses almost exclusively on the Northeast. comers, their ability to both acculturate and resist European It also touches upon a range of specific issues and topics by using efforts to change and control them, and the costs of change to the lives and actions of specific individuals as case studies for dis­ Native societies (such as their growing dependence on Euro­ cussions of larger themes, such as acculturation. As Richter peans and their trade goods). Eventually, Native Americans admits, he makes no sustained effort to provide a comprehensive became marginalized in the country that they had once con­ overview of Native history, and this lack of coherency is reflect­ trolled, particularly as their populations declined and they ed in a fairly disjointed narrative. became less vital to the plans of the Euro-Americans after the Despite its admonishments to face east, and the promises of 1760s, and as racism increasingly influenced American attitudes new and rewarding vistas that await readers who do so, and policies towards them. Richter's Facing East does not offer a particularly compelling or The stories Richter tells, and the conclusions he draws, are novel view. quite familiar, and one wonders at the book's intended audi­ JOSE ANTONIO BRANDAO ence. Specialists in Native history need little reminding to look Western Michigan University

Crandall American Indian Doll Collection on Exhibit at H. H. Bennett Studio In 1920, Nellie Crandall, the daughter and her husband Oliver, have generous­ of photographer H. H. Bennett, began ly loaned more than 200 dolls from the collecting American Indian dolls with the Crandall Collection for exhibit at the goal of gathering examples of dolls cre­ Bennett museum and historic site. ated by artisans from every tribe in North For more information, contact: H. H. America. When Nellie died in 1951, her Bennett Studio & History Center, 215 daughter, Lois Musson, continued to Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wl build the collection to nearly 500 dolls. 53965, (608) 253-3523, or e-mail: Bennett's granddaughter, Jean Reese, [email protected].

SPRING 2003 "g BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ojibwe Singers: Hymns, Siege and Survival:

Ojibwe Singers Grief, and a Native Culture History of the Menominee ^^ I \ DI AN S, I f>, 4-1H56 03- in Motion Indians, 1634-1856

HYMNS, GRIEF, BY MICHAEL D. MGNALLY BY DAVID R. M. BECK A NATIVE CULTUK Siege MOTION Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2000. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 2002. Pp. Pp. xiv, 248. Index, notes, bibliography, illustra­ xxi, 294. Index, notes, bibliography, illustrations, Survival tions, maps. ISBN 0-19-313464-8, $47.30, maps. ISBN 0-8032-1330-1, $49.93, hardcover. hardcover. ^^ he Menominee Indians, or "wild Jchael McNally explores how the rice people," have lived for thou­ Ojibwe people of northern Min­ sands of years in the region that is now nesota and the Great Lakes region took called Wisconsin and are the oldest Native American community missionary Christianity and remade it in their own religious idiom that still lives there. David R. M. Beck draws on interviews with through the ritualized singing of missionary hymns. Chanted by tribal members, stories recorded by earlier researchers, and groups of elders according to distinctive rules of ritualized perform­ exhaustive archival research to give us a full account of the ance, the songs provide a rich resource of language and cultural Menominee's early history. memory that helps make possible the survival of Ojibwe people in the modern world. Indian Women and French Sifters: Native American Men: Rethinking Cultural Sifters Women's Lives Encounter in the Western Native American Womens Lives BY THEDA PERUE Great Lakes Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 2001. BY SUSAN SLEEPER-SMITH Pp. xii, 260. Index, bibliography, notes. ISBN, 0- 19-313080-4, $19.93, softcover. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, MA, 2001. Pp. XV, 234. Index, notes, illustrations, maps. ISBN 1-33849-310-7, $18.93, softcover. his compilation of essays offers biographical sketches of fourteen T usan Sleeper-Smith argues that Native American women, including the the role played by Indian women Edited by historic figures Pocahontas and Saca- THEDA PERDUE who married French traders is an often overlooked aspect of Euro­ gawea, and contemporary figures such pean and native interactions in the Great Lakes region. This his­ as Ada Deer. In her introductory essay, Theda Perdue discusses tory illustrates how, by serving as brokers between Old and New the factors—particularly economic contributions, kinship and Worlds, these women helped connect the Great Lakes to a transat­ belief—that have shaped the lives of Native women, and the ways lantic community while securing the survival of their own native cul­ in which historical developments, especially in the United States ture. Indian policy, have engendered change.

Birchbark Canoes of the Indian Orphanages Fur Trade, vol. 1 and 2 BY MARILYN IRVIN HOLT

BY TIMOTHY J. KENT University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KA, 2001. Pp. X, 326. Index, notes, bibliography, illustra­ Silver Fox Enterprises, Ossineke, ML, 1997. tions. ISBN0-7006-1119-3, $34.93, hardcover. Notes, bibliography, appendix, illustrations, maps. ISBN 0-9637230-0-3, $49.93 for each set of two volumes, softcover. his work examines a number of TAmerican Indian orphanages from n these volumes, Timothy J. Kent the 1850s to 1940s, including those I addresses the physical and social among the Ojibwe and Sioux in South Orphanages aspects of the voyaging birchbark Dakota. It illustrates how orphanages .J canoe. The author provides abundant descriptions and illustrations, were made necessary by disease, federal policies during the Civil and includes chapters on the origins, manufacture, decoration, War, and economic depression and tells how white social workers usage, sailing, portaging, repair, storage, equipment, and cargoes and educational reformers undermined native culture by supporting of voyaging canoes. such institutions.

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY

White Robe's Dilemma: significant in the Northeast, it also offers an overview ofthe region's Tribal History in American history, an annotated timeline, and a resource guide for further Literature research and theory. BY NEIL SCHMITZ "Neither White Men Nor Indi­ University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst, ans": Affidavits from the Win­ 2001. Pp. X, 181, Index, notes. ISBN 1-55849- 290-9, $40.00, hardcover. nebago Mixed-Blood Claim Commissions, Prairie de y reconstructing and carefully ana­ Chien, Wisconsin, 1838-1839 B lyzing the multiple legacies of the EDITED BY LINDA M. WAGGONER Mesquakie (Fox) people, from their ori­ Park Genealogical Books, Roseville, MM, 2002. gins in the Great Lakes region to their Pp. vi, 127. Lndex, notes, bibliography, appen­ home in present-day Iowa, English professor Schmitz crafts an dix, illustrations, maps. LSBN 0-915709-95-3, $25.00, softcover. intriguing study of a complex story of survival. The Mesquakies' refusal of alliances with the French, rejection of Christianity, and his book is a list of affidavits by "relations and friends...having ongoing rejection of anthropological scrutiny of themselves and not less than one quarter of Winnebago blood" who sought their traditions leads to critical questions about the representation payment during the 1837 Treaty with the Winnebago Nation for of Indians in both American literature and history. cessation oftheir land and removal ofthe tribe. It also illustrates the nation in transition, as the fur trade declined and the Winnebago A Little History of My riY roRDT Lir[ nation [now called Ho-Chunk] permanently left the east side of the Forest Life: An Indian- Mississippi. White Autobiography by Eliza Morrison Chief Daniel Bread and the BY ELIZA MORRISON Oneida Nation of Indians

Lady slipper Press, Tustin, MI, 2002. Pp. xv, of Wisconsin I 207. Index, notes, bibliography, illustrations, ^^^^^^^^^ BY LAURENCE M. HAUPTMAN AND maps. LSBN 0-9702606-2-8, $19.95, softcover. L. GORDON MCLESTER III

University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK, ditor Victoria Brehm has recovered and revised this 1894 2002. Pp. xviii, 213. Lndex, notes, bibliography, Eautobiography of Eliza Morrison, a Bayfield resident of illustrations, maps. LSBN 0-8061-3412-7, $29.95, hardcover. Chippewa-Scots-French descent. In the late nineteenth century Morrison worked as hired help at the summer place of the grand­ hief Daniel Bread played a key parents of Prairie School architect William Gray Purcell. While Mor­ role in establishing the Oneida rison's story sheds light on a lifestyle and worldview of Indians' presence in Wisconsin after their removal from New York. nineteenth-century Great Lakes Metis, Brehm's scholarship pro­ This biography is an attempt to establish Bread's previously over­ vides valuable linguistic guides and historical context to her story. looked legacy, particularly with his involvement in defending tribal interests. The Columbia Guide to

American Indians of the American Indians of the TO OUR READERS Northeast v Northeast Are there books^ events^ or resources about BY KATHLEEN J. BRAGDON Wisconsin that you think we should know about? Columbia University Press, New York, NY, 2001. We'd like to hear from you. Pp. XV, 292. Index, bibliography, illustrations, maps. ISBN 0-231-11452-4, $45.00, hardcover. Write to Reviews Editor^ Wisconsin Magazine of History his guide is more than a catalogue Wisconsin Historical Society of indigenous peoples of the East­ 816 State Street, Madison, Wl 53706-1482 ern Woodlands region. In addition to its or e-mail [email protected] comprehensive encyclopedic listing of people, places, and events

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY Letters from Our Readers

Charles Mortimer, retained his interest in literature after moving from the Leeds area in Yorkshire, in about 1844. We have been under the impression that he grew up with the Bronte sisters. In addition, he was written up in the Milwaukee Sentinel as having one ofthe four most extensive private libraries in the city.... ^WlLLAM HUEGEL, by e-mail

hile reading William Hachten's article, "A Superior Sea­ W son," in the Autumn 2002 issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History^ I believe I detected an error in photo iden­ tification on page 36. The subject ofthe photo is not the dormi­ very much wish to thank you and your staff for the handsome tory where the author stayed, but is Main Hall, an academic and I setting that you provided for Frederick Jackson Turner's let­ administration building. In support for my argument, I have ter to Charles H. Haskins. [Allan Bogue is the author ofthe arti­ enclosed the cover ofthe Annual Report 2001-02 ofthe Univer­ cle, "Not by Bread Alone: The Emergence of the Wisconsin sity of Wisconsin-Superior Foundation which shows the front of Idea and the Departure of Frederick Jackson Turner," which the same building but from a different angle. appeared in the Autumn 2002 issue.] In one respect, however, I As a graduate of Wisconsin State College-Superior years ago, would like to amend the good work of your photographic assis­ I remember well the many times I climbed the front steps of tant. Long time Dean ofthe Graduate School, Charles Sumner Main Hall. Slichter, was a distinguished mathematician rather than a — CHARLES HAAS, BOARD OF CURATORS, "notable labor economist" as noted in the caption of the photo­ Wisconsin Historical Society graph depicting Turner and two other men in a boat. — ATTAN G. BOGUE, Madison [Editors' note: We received numerous letters from readers about the misidentification ofthe building on the campus in [Editors' note: the writer ofthe following letter is the grand­ Superior in our Autumn issue. Pictured here is the building daughter of historian Frederick Jackson Turner^ whom she that we believe was the New York Giants' residence in August refers to here by the family nickname.] of 1947.]

am especially glad to have a copy ofthe [Autumn 2002] Mag­ I azine because "Puff Puffs" life means a lot to our children- and Haskins, of course, is an old family on Hancock Point where we gathered, all of us, last summer to help my husband. Ken, turn 79. Both Ken and I read Al's article with great appreciation- as will our children whose treasure is his old Main cottage. Many thanks. — LOIS MAIN TEMPTETON, Indianapolis, IN

read the article by M. E. Stevens ["After Slavery: The Mil­ I waukee Years of Louis Hughes" which appeared in the Autumn 2002 issue] with interest. It suddenly dawned on me that my great-grandfather, who was a carpenter by trade... [and] ongratulations—every aspect of the redesign of the Wis­ had a strong literary interest, might have known of Hughes. I C consin Magazine of History is outstanding! I have been a then checked my library of his books, and was amazed to find member of the Society for several years and have always looked that I have a copy of his treatise. Thirty Years a Slave. What's forward to receiving the next issue so that I can reminisce over more, I believe it is autographed by the author! Great-granddad, my childhood years in Wisconsin. However, recently I have been

^ SPRING 2003 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY concerned over your inclusion of articles that do not relate to Wisconsin history. Most recently the article "110 Stories—Pho­ William Best tographs of the World Trade Center Construction" [Autumn, 2002] although informative, appeared to be included to simply Hesseltine Award exploit the recent disaster in New York, and has no place in a magazine devoted to Wisconsin history. I hope that in the future The thirty-fifth annual William articles will reflect directly on Wisconsin history. Best Hesseltine Award for the —MICHAEL E, KOHEL, Long Beach, California best article to be published in the Wisconsin Magazine of History during the 2001-2002 n September 12th, 2001, after phone service into New volume (85) is a tie. The award O York was restored, I called my 87 year-old father who still is shared by Jim Draeger for his lives in Brooklyn. His shocked words to me were "I built those article, "Postal-Perfect: My Pur­ towers." He was a sheet metal worker, local 28, who put in the suit of Mail-Order Homes in Wis­ air-conditioning ductwork before the walls went up. I remember consin" and Gerry Strey for her him coming home cold and wind-burned from working high up article, "The 'Oleo Wars:' Wis­ consin's Fight over the Demon with the freezing cold whipping in off the water. He usually ate Spread." Both articles ran in the lunch in what he called "a gin mill," a working man's bar in Jim Draeger Autumn 2002 issue. whatever area he worked. But on the Twin Towers, he brought Established in memory of a his own lunch, there not being enough time to get down and back past president of the Wisconsin up and still have time to eat. Often times he had to carry his tools Historical Society and a distin­ up many flights of stairs. Many people lost their lives working on guished University of Wisconsin professor, the William Best Hes­ the site and Dad often came home with a key chain or something seltine Award honors an individ­ that recognized "safety first." ual article that appears in a Though we mourn the tragic loss of life, and the loss of our four-issue volume of the collective feeling of safety, those who built the towers lost know­ Wisconsin Magazine of History. ing their work would survive for generations to come. Thank you, For the first time in the history of Richard Quinney for giving back a little of that history. the award. Society members were asked to vote for the best — CAROL SANDBERG, Orono, Minnesota article. The editors heartily praise this year's recipients, was honored to receive... a copy ofthe Wisconsin Magazine of Gerry Strey both of whom are also our col­ I History, featuring Richard Quinney's photo essay on the leagues. Jim serves in the Divi­ World Trade Center. The outpouring of support all New York­ sion of Historic Preservation and Gerry serves in the ers have received from around the world since September 11, Library/Archives Division. Congratulations! 2002 has been a tremendous source of comfort for us all. Thank In the Next Issue you for this insightful and interesting article. If you are a Wisconsin Historical Society member, you are — MICHAEL R, BLOOMBERG, MAYOR, New York City one of the many readers who chooses the winner of the William Best Hesseltine Award. Just a reminder that next issue. Summer 2003 is the end of the volume year. We will once again ask WMH readers to review all of the eligible fea­ tures ofthe four issues of Volume 86 and casta vote by mail, e-mail, or Web, for the magazine's best. Remember, every issue in its completion can also be found on our Web site, www.wisconsinhistory.org/wmh Watch the Web site for more news about the Hesseltine Award!

Thank you. The Editors

^ SPRING 2003 Back Matters New Eyes and Old

he beginning of a new year is as much a time for what we do, and illustrating what role our collections play in looking back as it is a time for looking forward. explaining why things happened or didn't happen." It's January as I write these lines for this spring Of course, one person's relevance can be another's super­ issue. The students aren't back on campus yet; a ficiality. Sometimes it may not be as clear to our newest read­ Tnew governor has just been inaugurated; and the pace of ers why the Wisconsin Magazine of History would do a story work at the Society is at full steam after the brief respite ofthe on famed Hollywood costume designer Edith Head or on holidays. For some, time off in December offered an oppor­ photographs ofthe construction ofthe World Trade Center tunity to catch up on their reading, and for the Society's or on a Michigan man who served during the Russian inter­ director. Bob Thomasgard, the Wisconsin Magazine of His­ vention following World War I. We publish these stories tory W3.s the catch-up reading of choice. because they are a direct reflection of, and thus relevant to, Bob sent us his comments, and in this he was not alone. the Society's collections. If the Society's collections have Many readers comment on each national relevance, so then issue ofthe magazine. Despite its New eyes each year should this magazine. age of eighty-six, the magazine is On the other hand, we know in the midst of growing pains. Find old books here, that Wisconsin history will always The transition to a more accessi­ be our primary pursuit. We know ble format that began two years because that is what you have ago with a new design continues And new books, too. told us, not only with your letters to be realized in terms of content but also in your choice of your as the editors search for the right Old eyes renew.... favorite articles. Last year we balance of scholarship and gener­ instituted a new means for deter­ al interest. We know we are on —Philip Larkin, mining the articles that our read­ the right track because member­ ers liked best by asking them to ship in the Society has grown dra­ vote on the recipient ofthe Hes­ matically during that time, but ''New Eyes Each Year seltine Award for best article in a we also know that we must always volume by sending us letters or e- seek to fmd ways to satisfy the interests of new readers with­ mails or by accessing the Society's Web site. The vote ended out ignoring the interests of our old friends. in a tie, and the articles that you chose for volume 85 were "The 'Oleo Wars': Wisconsin's Fight over the Demon Bob Thomasgard's reading of last year's articles offered a Spread" by Gerry Strey and "Postal Perfect: My Pursuit of useful gauge for measuring the magazine's purpose and Mail-Order Homes in Wisconsin" by Jim Draeger. These are progress. From his standpoint as the institutional leader ofthe good examples ofthe direction we want to take the magazine, Society, Bob was interested in the extent to which the articles and the editors were glad to know that you agree. dealt not only with the state's but also with the nation's histo­ ry, offering opportunities to showcase the depth and range of We value the eyes of all our readers, old and new, and we the Society's vast collections, many of which are national in will use your comments to navigate the magazine's course in scope. Our most successful articles are those that make histo­ the future. We want to thank all who helped the magazine to ry "come alive," he wrote. "The constant challenge we have, be successful in 2002, and we look forward to receiving your is to make what we do relevant to decision makers—donors, support and advice in the coming year as well. legislators, etc.—as well to the general public. The magazine is an important means of putting a face on who we are and — J. Kent Calder

Q SPRING 2003 Recent Releases New Books From the Wisconsin Historical Society

Young Bob A City at War A Biography of Robert M. Milwaukee Labor during World La. Follette, Jr. War II BY PATRICKJ. MANEY BY RICHARD L. PIFER A new edition ofthe only full-scale Even during wartime Milwaukee biography of La Follette, one of felt labor conflicts, fueled by the the best but most tragic senators in sacrifices and tensions of the war. history. Hardcover, $34.95, Hardcover, $39.95, ISBN 0-87020-338-X ISBN 0-87020-340-1 Softcover, $22.95, ISBN 0-87020-341-X

They Came to Wisconsin tmritseinsf ^ Exploring Civil War Wisconsin BY JULIA PFERDEHIRT A Survival Guide for Researchers The latest in the successful CIVIL Wmi?.;} BY BRETT BARKER New Badger History WISCONSIN ^^. FOREWORD BY ALAN T. NOLAN Series for fourth-graders, This innovative research guide Fhey Came to Wisconsin makes it easy for Civil War buffs, presents the state's immi­ genealogists, and students any­ gration history in a where in Wisconsin to fmd and use dynamic and educational the array of historical materials format. about the Civil War. Softcover, $13.95, ISBN 0-87020-328-2 Softcover, $24.95, ISBN0-87020-339-8 Feacher's Guide and Student Materials by Harriet Brown, $24.95, ISBN 0-87020-336-3

Swedes in Wisconsin Publications of the Wisconsin Historical Society Press are Swedes Revised and Expanded Edition available to Society members at a 10 percent discount. For IN Vv^ISCONSIN BY FREDERICK HALE membership in the Wisconsin Historical Society, call A concise introduction to Wiscon­ m%imm:m the Membership Ofiice at 608-264-6587 (Mon.-Fri., 8-5) sin's Swedish immigrants; updated or visit the Society's Web site, www.wisconsinhistory.org i^»g with additional photos and historic (click on "Become a Member"). documents. To order books, call the University of Wisconsin Press Softcover, $9.95, Distribution Center toll-free at 800-621-2736 or fax ISBN 0-87020-337-1 800-621-8476. For a list of books about Wisconsin and REVISED AMSI^^^^^^^^^^H the Upper Midwest, check out the UW Press Frederick Hale | Online Regional Catalog at www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress/books/regsindex.html. IkBCVEl^i^ fJBU^GEINr V VERSCHIEDENE HEBHALTEM^ A. WECMSELNDEN SCHRITT-ARTEN

WHS Archives (5) 2784

hese images of the Fahneniibungen, or color flag drills, were depicted in an 1877 illustrated guide. The drills required Turn­ ers, members of a popular gymnastics club, to work together physically in close quarters. For Milwaukee's German com­ Tmunity at the time of the Civil War, membership in the Turners and other clubs and societies often led to membership in the 26th Wisconsin Regiment nicknamed "the Siegel Regiment" in honor of Franz Siegel, the German rev­ olutionary leader of 1848. Some stayed in a northern Virginia hospital and left their signatures on its walls for posterity. In this issue, James S. Pula tells the story of this Badger grafiiti in Virginia and the Milwaukee men who left it there. WISCONSIN magazine ^yhistory adison, Wl • 53706-1482