Volume 39 Number 3 Spring, 1956

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 3

SPRING, 1956

I 1. A little community of log cabins in southwestern Dunn County, known as Weston, boasted a traveling library station in 1897. Farm houses, post offices, country stores, and a school room bartered space for tra­ veling book collections that relieved some of the tedi- ON THE COVER ousness of farm making. Here, too, the schoolteacher ^'prettied-up*' her cabined schoolroom with paper-chain drapes at the windows, and one day lined-up her pupils to face a mysterious camera. This picture reveals the newness of the north country, an outpost of Wisconsin's white pine industry.

The WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY is published by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison 6, Wisconsin. Distributed to members as part of their dues (Annual Membership, $4.00; Contributing, $10; Business and Professional, $25; Life, $100: Sustaining, $100 or more annually; Patron, $1,000 or more annually.) Yearly subscription, $4.00; single numbers, $1.00. As of July 1, 1955, introductory offer for NEW members. Annual dues $1.00, Magazine subscription $3.00. Communications should be addressed to the editor. The Society does not assume responsibility for statements made by contributors. Entered as second-class matter at the post office at Madison, Wisconsin, under the act of August 24, 1912. Copyright 1956 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Paid for in part by the Maria L. and Simeon Mills Editorial Fund and by the George B. Burrows Fund. PERMISSION—Wisconsin newspapers may reprint any article appearing in the Wisconsin Magazine of History provided the story carries the following credit line: Reprinted from the State Historical Society's Wisconsin Magazine of History for [insert the season and year which appear on the Magazine]. PHOTO CREDITS—Lorenz Hall supplied by Brust and Brust, architects; Clammer in His Boat by Mrs. F. Bickel, McGregor, Iowa; Hiram Moore on One of His Harvester Combines from F. Hal Higgins' Collection. VOLUME 39 NUMBER 3

PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN SPRING. 1956

Editor: CLIFFORD L. LORD Managing Editor: LILLIAN KRUECER

CONTENTS

Wisconsin State Department of Public Welfare. . . .WILBUR J. SCHMIDT 151

Peter Lawrence Scanlan, M.D., 1862-1956 GEORGE C. SELLERY 158

The Library Career of Lutie Eugenia Stearns EARL TANNENBAUM 159 Street Cars and Politics in Milwaukee, 1896-1901. .FORREST MCDONALD 166 The Renovation of Saint Raphael Cathedral FR. E. J. BAUHS 171

The Origin and Early Development of the

Wisconsin Idea VERNON CARSTENSEN 181

Pearling in Wisconsin M. J. DYRUD 189

The Poles of Upper North Wisconsin FR. LADISLAS J. SIEKANTEC, O.F.M. 195

FEATURES Meet the Authors 150 Pandora's Box 199 Smoke Rings 155 Sincerely Yours 200 Circuit Rider 178 Readers' Choice 213 The Collector 193 Accessions 224 meet the authors

WILBUR J. SCTTMIDT, Wisconsin-born, re­ its Division of Business Management and ceived a B.A. in commerce from the Uni­ in 1955, the Department's Director. Among versity of Wisconsin in 1934. Since 1935, professional groups he is on the member­ except for the period 1942-45 when he was ship roll of the American Public Welfare an officer in the United States Navy, he has Association, National Association of Social been with the State Department of Public Workers, and the Wisconsin Society of Welfare. In 1950 he became Director of Certified Accountants.

EARL TANNENBAUM is assistant librarian versity of Chicago and taught at Louisiana at Wisconsin State College, Whitewater. State and Indiana Universities, He com­ Born in Wisconsin, he grew to adulthood pleted his course work for the Ph.D. at the in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. In 1936 he latter, where he also took his M.A. in li­ was graduated from the University of Wis­ brary science. He is affiliated with the Ameri­ consin. After service in World War II, he can Library Association and the American received his M.A. in English from the Uni- Association of University Professors.

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

FR. E. J. BAUHS is a native of Madison. curate to Saint Joseph Church at Baraboo. After pursuing a course of study at Saint The past two years Fr. Bauhs has been as­ Francis Minor and Major Seminary in Mil­ sistant priest at Saint Raphael; he was waukee, he studied theology at the Catholic given the task of writing the history for the University in Washington, D.C. On May 29, Centennial and the Rededication of the ren­ 1948, he was ordained at Saint Raphael ovated Cathedral. Recently he was named Cathedral, Madison, and was assigned as pastor of St. Joseph parish, Avoca.

VERNON CARSTENSEN, professor in the De­ history of the University of Wisconsin, partments of History and Agricultural Eco­ 1848-1925, which was issued as part of the nomics, University of Wisconsin, teaches University's Centennial observance. He is courses in the History of the West, Ameri­ a Fellow of the State Historical Society and can Agriculture, and Farmer Movements. served for several years as a member of Dr. Carstensen was co-author with Dr. the Editorial Committee. Currently he is Merle Curti of the excellent two-volume the editor of Agricultural History.

M, J. DYRUD, a curator of the Society, is Expedition for Scientific Research. Some of president of the Dr. William Beaumont his published papers are "Dry Cell Bat­ Memorial Foundation, Inc., Prairie du teries," "Portable Communication for Ex­ Chien, and gives weekly "History Chats" peditions," and "Dr. William Beaumont." over WPRE. He was born in Baraboo, was After sixteen years with C. F. Burgess Lab­ graduated from the University of Wiscon­ oratories, Inc. and Burgess Battery Com­ sin in chemical engineering in 1924, and pany, Madison, Mr. Dyrud heads the Dyrud was a fellow in the Andean Anthropological Laboratories at Prairie du Chein.

Co-editor-in-chief of a projected ten-volume John College, Cleveland; national secretary Polish American Encyclopedia, one of of Polish American Historical Association; which appeared in 1954, and author of ar­ and a graduate student at Western Reserve ticles in the Polish American Studies, FR. University. Among his published articles LADISLAS J. SIEKANIEC is an authority on several appeared in the Ashland Daily Press Polish American history. An lowan, he was including "First Polish Folks Came Here pastor in Ashland and taught at Northland in 1883," "The Koscuiszko Society of Ash­ College. Currently he is instructor at St. land," and "Early English Bibles."

150 Here is narrated the performanee of the State Department of Public Welfare in its care of more than 100,000 Wisconsin citizens. If you are concerned about the functions of state agencies, no more needs to be said. This is an amazing recital of faithful guardianship.

Wisconsin State Department of Public Welfare bi^ Wilbur J. Schmidt

Wisconsin's public welfare program today re­ given by the Legislature and the governor. The tains some features that were present even be­ development of co-ordination and integration fore Wisconsin became a state. Counties and under a single board or boards began in the localities, even before 1848, maintained jails seventies and culminated in the early nineties for offenders and provided poor relief for peo­ in the establishment of the old State Board of ple who were in need. All of the range of serv­ Control, which continued in existence until ices performed by the state government itself 1939. During the thirties the State Legislature have developed since Wisconsin became a established two other agencies—one known as state. The State's maintenance of institutions the Wisconsin Emergency Relief Administra­ for adult and juvenile offenders, for the care tion for general relief and related services, the of the mentally ill, for the care and protection other known as the State Pension Department of dependent and neglected children, for the to supervise county administration of old age care of the mentally retarded children, for assistance, aid to dependent children, and aid probation and parole, for programs for public to the blind. assistance, and services to the blind, care for children in foster homes, for provision of serv­ On November 1, 1939, all of these services ices in the fields of adoption and protection of and agencies were merged into a single new unmarried mothers—all of these have been de­ State Department of Public Welfare. That veloped over the more than 100 years since fundamental organizational pattern has been Wisconsin became a state. retained, although in 1949 the Legislature The first functions that the state government passed a Reorganization Act, reducing the itself assumed were in the field of institutions number of divisions to five and increasing such as the establishment of a State Prison the number of members of the State Board, and the establishment of Mendota State Hos­ as well as more clearly expressing legislative pital. Originally each institution was separately intent as to how functions in the Department governed and separately and independently should be allocated and how programs should operated, except for the over-all co-ordination be administered.

151 mately $50,000,000 has been under way since the end of World War II. The governing body for the Department, in accordance with the statutes, is the nine- member State Board of Public Welfare, ap­ pointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. This board is regulatory, advisory, and ^^'mm policy-forming, but not administrative and executive. The board usually meets twice a month. Most of the meetings are held in Madi­ son, but as a general practice at least one meeting each year is held at each of the in­ stitutions under the Department's jurisdiction. The administrative and executive offices of Mentally III Patients Receive Treatment in the Main Build­ ing of the Winnebago State Hospital and. If Possible, Are the Department are the headquarters and are Returned to Their Communities. The Central Building and located in the State Capitol. Within the execu­ Left Wing Were Completed in 1873. tive branch are the Bureau of Collection and Deportation, including the Department's chief counsel, the Bureau of Research and Statistics, and a new function, that of coordinating Emer­ The State Department of Public Welfare by gency Welfare Services for Civil Defense. To statute consists of the State Board of nine the five divisions of the Department have been members, and a Director and his staff, and allocated most of the Department's functions the institutions in the Department. The De­ in the operation of institutions and field serv­ partment in itself consists of five divisions, ices and in supervision of certain welfare namely, Business Management, Public Assist­ activities by counties and local units of gov­ ance, Children and Youth, Corrections, and ernment, in keeping with statutory intent. Mental Hygiene; two Bureaus—Collection and Deportation, and Research and Statistics; and DIVISION OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT also incorporates within these several divisions As the name indicates, this is the Division twelve institutions and a wide net of activities of the Department that is responsible for the such as conduct of forestry camps for male functions of budgeting and accounting, per­ offenders, operation of farms for the produc­ sonnel management, purchasing, operation of tion of food and useful activity for inmates farms, maintenance of food services, mainte­ and patients, and particularly social services nance of fire protection and safety programs, in all the fields of child welfare, mental hy­ provision of engineering services, and mainte­ giene, corrections, and public assistance. nance of district offices for the Department The roster of positions within the Depart­ staff generally. ment for all of the institutions and services Accounting—The central accounting of­ numbers more than 4,100. The professions, fice maintains controls and procedures for trades, and occupations necessary for the per­ the several institutions and divisions. All fi­ formance of the duties and responsibilities nancial transactions are audited except those which the State of Wisconsin has placed in that specifically relate to Public Assistance the State Department of Public Welfare com­ expenditures on which counties or localities prise a very long list. claim State aid or matching, and in addition The Department's annual operating budget some accounting functions such as handling amounts to nearly $70,000,000 annually. In of probation and parolee funds in the Division addition, with funds made available by the of Corrections and administration of foster Legislature and the governor, the Department homes funds in the Division for Children and is carrying on a very extensive program to Youth. The auditing function maintains com­ modernize buildings and institutions, as well pliance with statutory requirements as to ex­ as to build new buildings and new institutions. penditure of funds and compliance with budg­ A building program amounting to approxi­ ets. In the event that unexpected demands

152 arise, for which provision has not been made in the budgets of the divisions and institutions, emergency funds are often granted by the State Emergency Board. An example was the alloca­ tion of additional funds in 1955-56 for pur­ chase of Reserpine and Serpasil (tranquilizing drugs found to be effective in treating mental patients). Budgeting—This Division prepares the De­ partment budget for each biennium. All sorts of needs must be provided for, ranging from 49,415 tons of coal in the heating plants of the institutions to purchase of food costing $24 a month for a growing boy in the School for Boys, or $13.45 for a group of less active pa­ The Wisconsin School for Girls Is about Seven Miles South of Madison, Near Oregon. This Is One of Ten tients in a Colony and Training School. The Cottages in a Parklike Area in Which Delinquent biennial budget comprises funds for salaries Girls Live and Attend School. of necessary employes and also for a carefully compiled list of items of a wide variety. Personnel Management—This unit main­ tains records on over 4,100 Department em­ Purchasing—The Department maintains ployes and maintains liaison with the State close liaison with the State Bureau of Pur­ Bureau of Personnel. Training programs for chases through a purchasing officer who ex­ affiliate graduate nurses, social workers, amines the requisitions from the institutions guards, and apprentice maintenance workers for the purchase of a long list of items, large have been inaugurated. In-service training and small, such as food, clothing, medicine, programs for institutional employes are being office supplies, laboratory equipment, farm ma­ developed and extended. chinery, automobiles, and building material. Farm Operations—The Department operates thirteen farms under the technical supervision DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE of the supervisor of farm operations. A good This Division has its offices in Madison. Its share of the vegetables, fruits, and meats responsibility in the field of direct program served at the institutions to patients and in­ administration is quite limited. Its most sig­ mates comes from these farms. Fresh, whole­ nificant responsibility is the supervision of some milk is served at all meals. The value county and local administration of public assist­ of products from the farms approximates ance expenditures approximating $60,000,000 $1,000,000 a year. Farms are operated by the annually. The Old Age Assistance caseload is Northern Colony and Training School and substantially lower than it was at the beginning the Wisconsin School for Boys. The work on of World War II. This is in spite of extension the other farms is done by male prisoners of eligibility and coverage of Wisconsin's Old under supervision of farm managers, herds­ Age Assistance Law. In December, 1941, over men, and other civil service employes. A can­ 54,000 persons were receiving Old Age Assist­ ning plant for surplus vegetables and fruits ance; now something over 41,000 receive this is maintained at the Prison. aid. Improved economic conditions affording Food Services—Over 9,000,000 meals are employment to most people able and willing to served annually at the twelve institutions. The work, combined with extension and develop­ average cost is 28 cents a meal. The nutrition­ ment of retirement systems, particularly our ist on the staff of this Division advises and Old Age and Survivors' Insurance, have pro­ assists the dietitians and chefs at the institu­ vided old people with an income to help them tions in the planning of adequate nutritious meet their needs and avoid applying for public meals. She also acts as consultant in planning assistance. food preparation facilities for new buildings Aid to Dependent Children—This program and for replacements in older buildings. has also been substantially extended in its coy-

153 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 erage in the past decade. The number of chil­ factured in their own homes or workshops. dren within the eligible age limits in Wisconsin Aid to Disabled—Wisconsin pioneered in has increased greatly, as is true for that matter developing this program as a category through of the number of people over sixty-five who a bill passed by the 1945 Legislature. Later it might be eligible for Old Age assistance. A dec­ became a fourth category under the Federal ade or so ago the largest number of cases need­ Social Security Act, and federal funds became ing Aid to Dependent Children were those available for financing part of the cost. The where the father was deceased. The extension program in Wisconsin is a limited one and of Old Age and Survivors' Insurance has great­ eligibility is restricted to persons severely dis­ ly reduced the number of families left destitute abled physically, requiring constant and con­ because of death of the wage earning husband tinuous care because of that disability. Appli­ and father. Other reasons for need for public cation is made to the county welfare depart­ aid such as illness, divorce, imprisonment or ments administering these programs. Over unmarried parenthood, have increased in rela­ 1,150 people now receive this aid every month. tive significance. Nonetheless, the number of Recreation in County Homes—In 1953 a recipients, both in terms of children and of recommendation of the Legislative Council families, is lower than the number who were Committee on Problems of the Aging was in­ receiving aid at the beginning of World War corporated into the Division budget by estab­ II. One unique feature of Wisconsin's Aid to lishment of a position for consultant who would Dependent Children Program is the provision help develop better recreational programs for for aid to children in foster homes. Over 1,600 people living in county homes. This program children in foster homes are included in this has developed and has had widespread accept­ program which currently provides care for ance. Residents of these institutions and the approximately 30,000 children and parents or staff in charge of the institutions have learned relatives who are needed for their care and how to carry on satisfactory recreational ac­ have to be assisted along with the children. tivities such as birthday parties, giving plays, Programs jor the Blind—Needy blind per­ and organizing social clubs. Community re­ sons may secure public assistance by making sources such as veteran, civic, and church or­ application to the welfare department of the ganizations have been enlisted to help conduct county in which they are residents. The num­ programs and activities in the county homes. ber of recipients of Aid to the Blind has fallen nearly 50 percent in less than twenty years; Student Loans—The Department adminis­ and currently only a few over 1,100 are receiv­ ters a program of loans to needy and qualified ing this form of aid. A person is considered eli­ students of institutions of higher learning in gible for financial aid if, in addition to being the State who would otherwise be unemployed in need, his vision in his better eye, when cor­ or unable to continue their education. The stu­ rected with glasses, is 20/200 or less, or if there dent makes his application to the school that is an equally disabling loss of field vision. he is attending and, if the school authorities The Department also maintains a program recommend it, the Division of Public Assist­ of Services to the Blind including a sheltered ance conducts a further review of the appli­ workshop in Milwaukee known as the Wiscon­ cant's eligibility particularly as to need. The sin Workshop for the Blind. Useful work and fund presently amounts to roughly $200,000. income are made possible for some 72 persons Originally it amounted to $510,000 when es­ through employment either at the Workshop, tablished in 1933, but $400,000 has been in vending stands, or as homeworkers. returned to the State Treasury. The Department cooperates with the Federal Reliej to Needy Indians—The State Depart­ Vocational Rehabilitation Service in carrying ment of Public Welfare has an appropriation on a program of vocational rehabilitation and of $100,000 per year to provide relief to needy training of the visually handicapped. This in­ Indians living on tax-free land. The actual cludes assisting them by way of training, edu­ work of administration is done by county and cation, finding jobs, maintenance of the vend­ local agencies in seventeen counties who have ing stand program, providing equipment, as­ that authority by delegation from the State. sisting in the sale of products which are manu­ {Continued on page 202)

154 ^w^0^ilJTvf

The D. C. Everest Memorial Fund drive is under way. The goal—$50,000 to carry out the last project our late president planned for 1956-57. The program to be carried out under this fund will mark another long forward step Finally, this new staff member would gather in the development of Wisconsin business his­ some of the significant stories of Wisconsin tory. industry for publication in a series of columns First of all it will finance another Business for distribution to the press of the State or in Records Survey. Last taken (and for the first a series of pamphlets. Here, too, would be time) in 1950, the survey must now be brought something close to the heart of our dynamic up to date. The earlier survey produced a use­ former president. ful guide to extant business records in this This was the combination of projects for State which has been utilized in a number of which he himself was going to raise the money research projects. It also produced a huge had he been spared to us just a few more number of replies from businessmen all over months. The Board of Curators adopted the the State offering help, posing problems. Some program with unanimous enthusiasm at its firms asked advice as to what records they first meeting following Mr. Everest's death. A should preserve for historic purposes. Others distinguished committee, of which Governor offered large photographic collections, models Kohler is honorary chairman, has enlisted for of their products, or other significant histori­ the duration: Folke Becker of Rhinelander, cal material. Still others posed records man­ Charles E. Broughton of Sheboygan, Joseph agement problems. The response was so over­ Conway of Green Bay, Joseph Ford of Madi­ whelming that our small field staff has been son, Ben Gettelman of Milwaukee, Hans Hagge able to service no more than a small percentage of Wausau, Bruce Jeffris of Janesville, M. C. of these letters. From a second survey a similar Mclver of Mellen, Harold Moore of Beloit, response must be expected. Cola Parker of Neenah, Joseph Quarles of Mil­ So secondly, the fund will enable the Society waukee, Rufus Schreiber of Oshkosh, John to hire a special field representative for five Stevens of Menasha. This committee will do years who will devote his full time to business the bulk of the fund raising. But every mem­ history. One of his important functions will be ber of the Society who knew President Everest to service such letters as he travels the state. and what his work and interest meant to our He will also press on the companies he visits organization will want to make some contri­ the merits of serious, scholarly, factual his­ bution in his name to carry out this last great tories of companies and industries. Mr. Ever­ project he had planned. est was intensely interested in this field, argued Send your checks, large or small, to the Wis­ that the basic reason business had faced such consin History Foundation, 816 State Street, a hostile public opinion for so many years Madison 6, marked for the D. C. Everest was that it had never permitted the historian Memorial Fund. to tell its story of achievement in accredited terms. There could be no more fitting fulfill­ Spring, after a fitful start, is here. Once ment of his wishes than effective persuasion again the Historymobile is on the road and, in this field which is achieving growing rec­ despite the weather, the first months' figures ognition among historians and increasing ac­ are such that another record attendance is ceptance among businessmen. indicated for the year. Once again our three

155 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 historic sites are open to the public. At Stone­ about the Society's budget. These releases field, three new buildings have been moved usually compare the budgets of 1945-46 with in—another pledged; three of them former the budgets of 1955-56, and the figures are rural schools and one used for various pur­ often wild and misleading. Our members are poses. They will form the nucleus of the entitled to the facts. village of 1850 which will soon spring to life Our state appropriation in 1945-46 was on the grounds of Nelson Dewey's old planta­ $84,531 (excluding the then new cost-of-living tion. An Emergency Board allotment of funds bonus). In 1955-56 it is $388,125, excluding has insured fill to bring all areas on the cam­ the cost-of-living bonus. Our private fund pus of the State Farm and Craft Museum to budget in 1945-46 was $22,010; in 1955-56, a point above flood level. The lean-to which $165,000. Both are very substantial increases. once graced the side of the horse barn has But what lies behind these figures? been restored by the Conservation Department. First of all, the state appropriations. In The vision of what this great site can become 1928-29 the Society received $88,654. With has moved several steps closer to realization. the depression, this was drastically slashed, The Villa Louis, spic and span, boasting new and it was not until 1946-47, nineteen years paint here and there, again welcomes the pub­ after the crash, that the Society recovered from lic to its historic portals, while the Wade that serious setback to the point that it got the House, surrounded by the wild flowering crab- same number oj dollars as in 1928-29. Those apple with which Ruth Kohler artistically who remember the 1920's will hardly argue planted the grounds, is more attractive than that the dollar was of equal purchasing power ever. in 1945-46. Secondly, in the last decade the This year the Board of Curators has pro­ Legislature has added the school program and vided free admission at all three sites to any the archives program to the Society's responsi­ junior or senior member of the Society. Passes bilities, wisely keeping these related activities for our adult members were printed in the together under the one agency in the proud April issue of Then and Now. Passes for new Wisconsin tradition of over a century's stand­ members will be issued on receipt of their dues. ing. The administrative and program econ­ Passes for the junior members were distributed omies involved in such an integration of ac­ before the close of school. These passes, need­ tivities is obvious. The school program this less to say, are good only for the member, not fiscal year wifl cost $29,580 from our public for his guests. We anticipate that they will be appropriations, $18,339 from our private in­ well and frequently used. Sign them and use come. The archives program this year will them. cost $21,875 from our public appropriation. The Auxiliary, by the time this reaches your Now for a little simple arithmetic. Take the hands, will have held its annual pilgrimage in 1928-29 appropriation and multiply it by three observance of Syttende Mai at Stoughton, May to translate the dollars of the 1928-29 appro­ 20. It has announced its annual meeting for priation into 1955-56 dollar values. Then add Stevens Point, at noon, Friday, June 8, as the costs of the school and archival programs. part of the program of our annual convention. Basic appropriation, 1928-29 The fall exhibit will this year feature the con­ ($88,654), times three $265,962 tributions of our ethnic groups. Join the girls School services, 1955-56 $ 29,580 on these festive occasions. Archival program, 1955-56 $ 21,875 The field service, which logged some 25,304 $317,417 miles (8,897 in our station wagon) during Remember that during the past decade the the "slack" winter months, November through University Library has moved from the So­ March, will burst into renewed activity. The ciety's building, with the result that the Society, staff is talking of another caravan this fall. rather than the University, now pays for light, Spring is in the air, and the Grand Old Lady heat, power, and telephone service (about is primping for the season. $16,000 a year), and has to assume the full burden of the janitorial services formerly A number of strange figures have been re­ shared with the University (another $9,500 a leased by various groups in recent months year). Add the costs of the administrative loads

156 SMOKE RINGS created by the new programs, the additional Surely too, the Society's program has at­ service areas opened by the removal of the tracted as never before, the support of indi­ University library which the Society must now viduals, groups, unions and corporations who man, and what is the result? Something pretty also recognize the value of its program. The close to the actual appropriation for the cur­ results have been solid, the progress great. rent year! The facts—and the true figures—speak for What has happened in private funds ? These, themselves. mind you, are income from dues, from sales, from gifts, from interest on the endowment, Periodically the Superintendent of Docu­ and from admissions at historic sites (whose ments, head of the federal government's huge operations are conducted without cost to the publishing establishment, surveys the libraries taxpayer). Here the increase has been far which get without charge government publica­ greater proportionately than in the appropria­ tions in the so-called depository set. The cur­ tions. From $22,010 in 1928-29 this total has rent questionnaire has some interesting as­ risen to an estimated $165,000 for the present pects. It asks, for instance, whether the pres­ year. This is money from private sources. ent governing instructions allow the depository There is no tax money in these figures. In libraries sufficient space relief. It asks further other words the Society has been able to in­ whether the depository libraries would favor crease its independent resources through wider adoption in their respective states of the cen­ and better services by a whopping 750 per­ tral loan collection in effect in "certain states." cent. One might think this huge increase If so, reactions are solicited as to whether de­ would earn the plaudits of the tax-conscious pository items should be maintained for peri­ (and who today is not one?). They prove the ods less than the twenty-five years presently Society's long-standing contention that if its required. public functions (library, museum, archives, In other words, the federal documents loan part of the school program) were adequately collection, conceived by our Jesse Boell and financed by the State, its over all program both effected here with legislative approval and scholarly and popular would burgeon out of the permission of the Superintendent of Docu­ all proportion to the state money expended. ments, seems likely to win wide adoption. It This has been borne out by the experience of should. In Wisconsin it has afforded space re­ the past decade. A substantial part of the lief to several hard-pressed depositories. It has school program, all of the rest of the program made the corpus of the federal documents of taking history to the people—magazine, available for the first time to any citizen any­ books, historic sites, Historymobile, radio and where in the State via inter-library loan. It TV work—are financed out of private funds has, as predicted, improved library service and without cost to the taxpayer. So is the bulk of cut net costs, adding slightly to state expendi­ the research program. And this with the state tures but reducing substantially local obliga­ contribution only about what it was (allowing tions in several cities and lessening the im­ for inflation) before the Great Depression, and mediate need for library building programs with the costs of two new major functions and in those cities. the costs incident to the removal of the Uni­ versity added. Obviously the Society has been caught in Since the days of Richard Ely and John R. the inflationary spiral which has sent the costs Commons, the Society has enjoyed an enviable of government and everything else sky-rocket­ reputation as a center for the study of the his­ ing. tory of organized labor in the United States. Of course, the Legislature has been sympa­ The great documentary collections put together thetic to the Society, because it has grasped by these two pioneer labor historians are na­ through the post-war sessions what the pro­ tionally known. Manuscript materials, a huge gram of the Society can mean to the State in collection of labor journals and labor publica­ a sense of heritage, in tourist doflars, in bet­ tions, have throughout the present century ter education for young and old alike in the made Madison a mecca for the student of values that history and heritage alone can give. organized labor.

157 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Five years ago, the State Federation of La­ together with restricted security copies of cer­ bor and the University Committee on Studies tain current records, will be housed. This in American Civilization sponsored a drive agreement, too, is on a continuing basis. to build up our manuscript records holdings in These major accessions have come our way Wisconsin labor history. Significant additions through the help of good friends of the So­ to our holdings resulted in a field strangely ciety at the University, like Professors Fein- neglected by Ely and Commons. singer, Perlman, Tripp, Witte, and Young; Now come even more striking developments. friends in organized labor like Elmer Walker The papers of the American Labor Education and George Haberman; friends in labor his­ Service and of several of the pioneer workers tory like Vaughn Bornet. We acknowledge colleges have been deposited with the Society. their help in continuing to build our collec­ We have been named the depository of the tions on this vital segment of twentieth century non-current records of the American Federa­ American history. tion of Labor, and the arrangement put on a continuing basis by the new AFL-CIO. Strike and Research files are here, as are the Gomp- ers and Green Papers, with more to come. The International Association of Machinists has also named us as its second depository, where its non-current records of historic importance

Peter Lawrence Scanlan, M.D. 1862^1956

We celebrate the long, rich, and rewarding life French, British, American (1937), with cor­ of Dr. Peter L. Scanlan, the beloved citizen of rections and additions in 1947. His love for Prairie du Chien, who entered into his rest on his country is marked by his service in the the twenty-ninth of February. He was born on first World War as captain M.O. and in the a farm near Mount Hope, graduated from second World War as colonel M.O., subject to Plattevifle Normal, taught district schools, took call in the auxiliary reserve. In obedience to his M.D. at Rush in 1891, practiced at Lan­ his instructions he was buried in his colonel's caster 1891-1905, and then for thirty-eight uniform. years at Prairie du Chien, giving the re­ Dr. Scanlan became a member of our So­ mainder of his days to the historical pursuits ciety in 1929. (One thinks of Louie Hanks's which had previously been his constant avo­ remark that it is in later middle life that most cation. men begin to realize the importance of his­ He wrote much and wefl. His contributions torical organizations.) He became a life mem­ to medical and historical journals and to news­ ber, was a vice president, a curator for the papers are imposing. The Wisconsin Magazine years 1936-46, and an honorary curator from oj History is dotted with his name. His books 1949. all deal with Wisconsin figures and events. His Dr. Scanlan was a good historian: he went devotion to his Church is indicated by his to Quebec to search out the origins of the Centennial History oj St. Gabriel's Parish, French Canadians who had founded Prairie Prairie du Chien (1936) ; his family loyalty du Chien; he went to Washington to make use by the biography of his brother, Cliarles of the riches of its Congressional Library and Martin Scanlan, 1853-1940 (1941) and by his its other libraries. Scanlan Family Tree (1950) ; his affection for We take courage from his career. Requiescat the city of his heart by his Prairie du Chien: in pace. G.C.S.

158 iere is a woman of great achievement in the library field. Her successful crea­ tion of traveling and free libraries, 1895—1914, especially in the undevel­ oped portions of the State, shows Lutie Stearns a person of vision and execu­ tion. Indeed, an inspiration to all work­ ing women in this sharply competitive world!

Librarian Stearns

The Library Career of Lutie Eugenia Stearns b^ Eari Tannenbaum

In library history the legend of Lutie E. To get a better understanding of Lutie Stearns is confirmed by the story of her activi­ Stearns's work, it is necessary to consider ties during the period 1895-1914 when she briefly the time in which she lived. It must worked for the Wisconsin Free Library Com­ be remembered that during the latter part of mission. An apostle of traveling libraries and the nineteenth century the United States was free libraries, she, like other library pioneers seething with social improvement movements of her time, channeled all of her amazing of all kinds. All of these schemes seemed to energy into the promotion of library service. have as their ultimate basis the creation of a When in 1914 she resigned her position with better-informed, healthier citizenry who could the Free Library Commission, she ended her take their true place as citizens in a republic. active library career in order to become a From the lyceum, the chautauqua, women's professional lecturer. From lecture platforms clubs and university extension enterprises throughout the country she championed the came educational leaders who wanted to bring causes of women's rights, the League of Na­ literacy and culture to the foreigner, the work­ tions, peace, and better working conditions ing man, and the farmer. Social reformers for women—to name but a few. Yet she al­ zealously advocating better working conditions, ways retained her interest in library work, penal reforms, and woman suffrage also saw for she knew it was an integral part of a the need for brightening the lives of the poor needed adult education movement. Articles and for combating the big city vices of drink that she wrote for the Library Journal in 1931 and delinquency. and for her weekly column "As a Woman Sees The library movement fed upon and was a It," which appeared in the Sunday Milwaukee part of all these. The library could educate. Journal 1932-35, indicate that she never for­ It could help combat delinquency and vice got the importance of the library. by furnishing a pleasant place for young work-

159 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

ten in 1897 she traced the history of the travel­ ing library, mentioning the railroad traveling libraries begun in 1869 and the children's home libraries. At least three other states had estabhshed traveling libraries earlier than Wis­ consin. She was not the originator but rather the missionary who believes in an idea, de­ velops it, and works unselfishly to make it a reality. In all of her library activities this latter characteristic was predominant. As far as can be ascertained she made no pretense at having original ideas for library service. She had, however, the happy facility for de­ ciding which ideas were important enough to be developed and used. With Frank Avery Hutchins, the first chairman of the Wiscon­ sin Free Library Commission and one of its founders, as her mentor, she mapped out a program of traveling libraries for Wisconsin. At the time that Frank Hutchins in 1891 helped form the Wisconsin State Library As­ James II. Stout, Leader in the Traveling Li­ sociation, Lutie Stearns had been a circula­ brary Movement, Philanthropist, State Senator. tion librarian in the Milwaukee Public Li­ brary for three years. She had graduated from the State Normal School at Milwaukee ing people to spend their leisure hours. And in 1886, had taught for two years, and then as the library was part and parcel of this broad had gone into library work. She was born social movement so was Lutie Stearns a vital in Stoughton, Massachusetts, in 1867, and at part of the library movement—both as a mani­ an early age was taken to Wisconsin with the festation and as a motivator. Many other lead­ family. Her father had been a Civil War sur­ ers rose to meet the challenge of a world geon. She became active in the newly formed changing for the better. Though much of her Wisconsin Library Association and in 1894 work was done in Wisconsin, it had signifi­ was elected its secretary-treasurer. It was here cance in the national library movement whose that she met Frank Hutchins. They were kin­ growth was being promoted by philanthropists. dred spirits, visionaries whose ideas found an With the experience she gained in the field, echo in each other. Together they worked out she could pass on to other librarians valuable a plan to create a state library commission firsthand accounts of how to expand library patterned after those already existing in sev­ sei-vice by means of traveling libraries. Thus eral states—Massachusetts, New Hampshire, she was able to inspire librarians all over the Connecticut, and Vermont. A contemporary country with her ideas that she did not hesi­ recalled that Hutchins once remarked: "Be­ tate to promulgate at state, regional, and na­ cause Miss Stearns wants it and believes in it, tional association meetings. let us work for a library commission." He Perhaps her greatest achievements were enlisted the help of State Senator James H. the successful promotion of traveling libraries Stout who aided in the legislative procedures and free libraries in every part of Wisconsin. and who later gave money for traveling li­ Library service for her was measured in the braries. These three were instrumental in terms of the social reformers of her day. The securing passage of the 1895 law creating the library was a force for education and whole­ Wisconsin Free Library Commission. some recreation. Traveling libraries were not At its formation Lutie Stearns was appointed a new idea when she utilized them as a means secretary of the commission, an honorary posi­ to furnish education and recreation to the tion which she resigned in 1897 to become people wherever they were. In an article writ­ the first paid staff member. She was thirty

160 TANNENBAUM LUTIE EUGENIA STEARNS years old at this time. Of medium height, slim brarians (the commission operated a library and dynamic, plain-looking, her personality school and training institutes), and met with reflected her warm humanity. Through the local town councils. Wherever possible she force of her personality alone she won over tried to convert subscription libraries to free many doubters and unbelievers. She was a true libraries. She spoke at library dedications, missionary who fervently spread the gospel attended cornerstone ceremonies, and recruited of libraries far and wide and converted many librarians. In one period, from January to persons to her cause. Yet she never ranted; June, she gave fifty-six lectures. No work, as she inspired by a quiet fervor that was in the long as it was concerned with libraries, was best tradition of her Quaker beliefs. too much for her. Her activity and vitality From the beginning she was firmly con­ seemed boundless. Consider the conditions of vinced that she should spend most of her time travel during these times. Then consider that in the undeveloped areas of the State—the she covered distances and maintained rigor­ north and the northwest—for here the farmers ous schedules that would be difficult to keep and lumberjacks lived in comparative isola­ today in spite of our modern means of trans­ tion and they were the ones who needed the portation. A sample week's itinerary showed services of the State. As she saw it, the first that she covered approximately 550 miles in duty of the Library Commission was to nur­ northern and central Wisconsin. ture and foster the small library. Only by Besides her work within Wisconsin, she liberally sprinkling collections of books every­ visited library associations over the country where could they hope to reach the people. promoting and arousing interest in the kind So wherever she went there sprang up in her of work she was doing. She appeared before wake traveling libraries, library stations, and associations in Iowa, Iflinois, Canada, Massa­ public libraries. Library stations were placed chusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of in rural post offices, homes, schools, lumber Columbia, explaining how traveling libraries could be started and maintained. She also camps, and in factories. wrote innumerable articles on the subject in Traveling libraries were not an end in them­ the Wisconsin Library Bulletin and the Library selves; they were a good start toward the Journal. For her, this work with people was promotion of a public library in the com­ munity. She always made this point clear: traveling libraries could be discontinued when a more permanent service was established. Her official reports on her community visits are revealing. One series of reports covers the seven-year period 1896-1903. During this time she visited 130 towns and cities at least once, usually several times. These visits in­ cluded a lecture to arouse interest and fol­ low-up visits to capitalize on the aroused interest. A typical laconic report reads: "F. A. Hutchins first interested citizens in establish­ ment of library. L. E. Stearns lectured Sept. 19, 1896. Visited Jan. 4 '99, June, 1903, and November 1903. Miss Gattiker organized the library." Her many services ranged from helping to found libraries to advice on library problems in general. She conducted surveys, recom­ mended procedures for better library service, advised and did the detailed work for obtain­ ing Carnegie grants, assisted local librarians Frank A. Hutchins, First Chairma:. ./ in book selection and in getting trained li­ the Free Library Commission, 1895-97.

161 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

A Corner in the General Store at Downsville, Dunn County, Harbored a Collection of Traveling Library Books and Handled the Community Mail. Here Was a Popular Meeting Place of 1897: Borrow a Book, Buy a Lantern, Exchange News.

a great adventure. She managed to convey ies. Prior to this the department used books her own enthusiasm to young aspiring librari­ from the University of Wisconsin and the State ans whom she recruited in the schools and Historical Society libraries in addition to those colleges of the state. Some of the older librari­ that were donated. Counties began contribut­ ans in Wisconsin explain that they became li­ ing money for "book wagons," the ancestor of brarians because of Lutie Stearns. One of these the modern bookmobile, after the 1901 Li­ recalls some of the "awe and wonder" with brary Law had been amended to enable them which she, a girl of thirteen, listened to her to levy taxes for this purpose. "proclaim the gospel of the Village Library." The Department of Traveling Libraries had The history of the growth of the traveling three different sizes of libraries that circulated —one of 30 volumes for the "isolated hamlet;" library system in Wisconsin is a history of one of 35 for the regular stations; and one of Lutie Stearns's work. The first traveling li­ 100 which was rented to smaller public li­ braries were donated by State Senator Stout braries at the rate of $12 for six months. of Dunn County. His interest in the Wisconsin Selecting books carefully she established well- library movement was a sustained one. Private rounded collections of current popular fiction, donors, including individuals and associations, nonfiction, and children's books. Individual especially women's clubs, provided the money requests for titles were also honored. for traveling libraries in these early days. In Another important activity of the depart­ 1903 the Department of Traveling Libraries ment was the circulation of study libraries to within the commission, with Lutie Stearns as clubs and interested groups. These study li­ its chief, was created. With such funds as were braries consisted of selected books and detailed authorized, the department was able to build up study outlines on some phase of travel, art, its own book colleclion for its traveling librar­ history, literature, or some other subject.

162 TANNENBAUM LUTIE EUGENIA STEARNS

From Farm and Hamlet ihc\ (.(imc h> Borrow Books at the Traveling Library Maintained at the Colfax, Dunn County Post Office, 1897. J. H. Stout Bought and Sent Out the First Traveling Collections in Dunn County in 1896.

Actuafly they were a forerunner of and after­ thinking of getting an assistant "who could wards a part of the vast university extension work in as my eventual successor." Years of program which came into being in the early working for social and educational improve­ 1900's. Other special collections included for­ ment in Wisconsin had made her eager to eign language libraries made up of thirty-five strike out on a wider scale. She was passion­ volumes each written in German, Yiddish, ately devoted to the cause of women's rights Danish, and Norwegian, which were rented and woman suffrage. She believed that her to foreign language groups at the rate of $7.00 work with the commission was too restricting, for six months. the more so since her responsibilities as head All of these services were developed and ad­ of a department involved her in a great deal ministered by Lutie Stearns. Before her de­ of administrative detail. The letter which she partment was organized in 1903, she had wrote to her superior on the day following her been busy for seven years promoting library resignation clearly explained her attitude. She work of all kinds. Now as administrator and wanted to be relieved of responsibilities in actually the only field worker of her depart­ order to express herself more fully. Then, too, ment (an assistant took over the work with at forty-eight she was beginning to get physi­ women's clubs in 1914), her scope became cally tired of keeping crowded schedules and somewhat narrower. As a result she chafed driving over rough roads. She had had a a bit at the reins. serious illness in 1913 and early in 1914 her When she resigned her position with the mother and a sister died—a double blow Wisconsin Free Library Commission on Sep­ which caused her to have a nervous break­ tember 4, 1914, and thus ended twenty-five down. There was also a hint of friction be­ years of library work, she did not do so on a tween herself and the then secretary of the sudden impulse. As early as 1908 she was commission. At any rate, all these reasons com-

163 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 bined to make her a "free lance," as she called the impress of her character. In both she it. Though she severed her official connections, served in various capacities as an officer and she offered her services as a lecturer for the committee worker. She was a member of the Library Commission. ALA Council and was second vice-president As she turned toward her new career, she of ALA in 1905. Active participation was the could look back with no regrets upon her ac­ cornerstone of her philosophy. complishments. It is estimated that she had Having resigned from the commission and effectively aided in establishing 150 free public nearing middle age, Lutie Stearns could have libraries and 1,400 traveling libraries, includ­ stopped for a while and rested on her laurels. ing 14 county systems. Her main contributions However, she launched out upon a new career as a library pioneer were undoubtedly in the for herself. She became a leader in the field of public libraries, traveling libraries, and women's clubs of her State and Nation. And library extension work. But she had many she devoted herself to lecturing and public other ideas about library work which she tried service. It is interesting to note her new-found to promote. When she was a young librarian in sense of freedom after she had left the Library the Milwaukee Public Library she became in­ Commission and had lectured for a month. terested in work with children. She advocated She made delighted reference to her first children's reading rooms, good selection of month's venture, that netted her $325, and to children's books, and teacher responsibility the fact that everyone, wherever she went, for guiding their reading. Always she insisted wanted her to return. For twenty years, as a that the library should keep up with modern lecturer and club worker, she worked with and times, that it should be a community center, for people. She died at the age of seventy- that it must actively compete with the movies, seven on Christmas day, 1943. dance hafls, cars, and card playing for the Though a social reformer, Lutie Stearns leisure time of the people. The librarian must was not a professional "do-gooder" or an ag­ not remain hidden in his office but must go gressive, masculine woman. Surprisingly, in out among the people of his community and her personal life she was shy and retiring. respond to their needs and wishes. Libraries She never wanted publicity for herself. For should use modern methods of advertising. her pet projects she could not get enough. They should have open shelves, cheerful rooms, Once when asked for a publicity photograph and attractive books. In an embittered article she answered: "First as to the photograph—I that she wrote for the Library Journal in 1931. never yet have had my picture in the Milwau­ many years after she had left the library field, kee papers, as I object to that sort of publicity. she sharply criticized librarians for not meet­ I am perfectly willing to have library work ex­ ing their new responsibilities. Education had ploited, but the personal side I have always become "a vital and livins: force" but librari­ tried to keep in the background." According to ans had remained static. She realized the im­ one newspaper, she desired a private funeral. portance of educational films and their use in She was a real fighter and never shunned libraries as early as 1913. Along with a small the battle. She said what she had to say firmly group of other interested librarians who saw and directly. For example, in 1917 she became in the use of educational movies an effective involved in a public dispute concerning work­ way to compete with commercial movies as ing conditions in the Milwaukee Public Li­ brary. At her own expense she had printed well as a means to broaden library service, "An open letter on the public library situa­ she pointed out in an address to a local library tion" which was addressed to the chairman of association that educational films existed, that the library board and which explained her they were available, and that they should be views in no uncertain terms. Characteristically, used by librarians. this notice appeared at the end of the letter in In fact she was interested in the library as bold-face type: "Notice to woman wage-earn­ a vital force for good in the community. She ers: I shall be pleased to be informed of any was an apostle of progress in a world of abuses of woman in industry, store, or else­ change. The Wisconsin Library Association where, as to under-pay, working conditions, and the American Library Association knew or otherwise." As can be seen she was always

164 TANNENBAUM : LUTIE EUGENIA STEARNS ready to take up the cudgels in defense of the profited from her experiences and example. underprivileged. The "fervor with which Lutie proclaimed her Like all idealists she sometimes became bit­ gospel" was experienced by the many librari­ terly disappointed that reality progressed too ans who knew her. END slowly toward the ideal. She was disiflusioned about the importance of the women's vote after she had observed their voting habits for some BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE years. Her disappointment in librarians has Most of the material for this biography of Lutie E. been noted. But, unlike many idealists, she Stearns is primary source material. Her words—in speeches, articles, pamphlets, and letters—supplied had a practical side to her nature. She knew firsthand accounts of her ideas and activities. that wishing was not enough. Her whole life Most valuable source for letters and records of the was devoted to service. What she believed in commission are the Archives of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, State Capitol, Madison, Wis­ she fought for. Perhaps at times she erred. consin. But no one ever denied her sincerity. She The Wisconsin Library Bulletin has a great deal of loved the "good fight." Opposition inspired her material written by Lutie Stearns. Complete files of this Bulletin and of the commission's Bienniel Re­ to make speeches of dynamic charm that may ports, from which valuable information on the activi­ be compared to those of William Jennings ties of the commission can be obtained, are in the Bryan, her contemporary. office of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission. The Library Journal has varied material relating The inspiration and influence of Lutie to her. Included in the early volumes are articles Stearns and her work in the field of public written by her, articles about her activities, reviews of her articles and pamphlets, and summaries of her libraries and traveling libraries was not just speeches. The "Conference Numbers" are important a local one. The library profession as a whole since they actually record her comments and reports.

GRIMM BOOKBINDERY Fellowships in the History of 454 West Gilman St., Madison Education in Michigan Tel. AL 6-2357 Feflowships ranging from $500 to $2500 will be given for satisfactory manuscripts Grimm's will bind 4 issues (one volume) in broad fields in the history of educa­ of the Wisconsin Magazine oj History tion by the Michigan Historical Com­ containing title page and index, in buck­ mission. These are payable through the ram covers, as follows: John M. Munson Michigan History Fund upon acceptance of the manuscript by (1) Members who send their own copies the Commission. Manuscripts accepted to Grimm, $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). will be published as a book in a series (2) Members who wish 4 copies sup­ of volumes by the Historical Commis­ plied by the Society to Grimm, $1.50 sion. Fellowship will take the place of plus $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). royalty and the Commission will own the manuscript. (3) Non-members who wish 4 copies To enable the fellow to complete a supplied by the Society to Grimm, $3.00 manuscript in a reasonable time, grants plus $3.25 binding cost (postpaid). in aid will be given to help bear the writer's expenses. Mail checks to cover magazines Applications received up to March 1, and binding costs to the State 1957, will be considered. For informa­ Historical Society, 816 State tion write Dr. Lewis Beeson, executive Street, Madison 6, Wisconsin. secretary, Michigan Historical Commis­ sion, Lewis Cass Building, Lansing 13, EASILY SHELVED Michigan. NEATLY PRESERVED

165 To the readers in search of "escape lit­ erature" we recommend this gem. It's the story of Milwaukee warring with The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company—almost exclusively—during the years 1896 to 1901. The section concludes with the election of David S. Rose as mayor of Milwaukee.

This Is the First Double Truck Electric Street Car Operated in Milwaukee in the Early 1900's.

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

Part I

The "Gay Nineties" in Milwaukee were any­ struction and headed by demagogues if headed thing but gay. Indeed, the sobriquet was uni­ at afl. A story about the former is better read­ versally a misnomer, for American history has ing. This is a story about the latter. It is a rarely seen a decade in which the people were story about Milwaukee in the 1890's. so agitated and prone to domestic violence. Milwaukee's state of agitation in the 1890's The nineties saw three major stock market took many forms, but for half the period, from panics, a long depression, and an interna­ 1896 to 1901, it was almost exclusively con­ tional war. Further, the nineties were pre­ cerned with a war against the New York- ceded by three decades of much-publicized owned Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light corruption and abuse, and the speculation and Company. During the fight, the only con­ exploitation which had accompanied the de­ sistent feature was that the company was velopment of railroads in the United States. largely innocent and entirely on the defensive. There was plenty wrong, the times were out Its opposition ranged from small factions to of joint, but the causes of the troubles in the political parties—who changed sides several 1890's were not easy to locate and isolate. times—and sometimes to the entire city. AH The source of evil was variously conceived of conceivable weapons were employed against it: as the railroads, monopoly capital, or the en­ legislative, executive, and judicial, the ballot, tire economic order, and always something ab­ attempted confiscation, demagoguery, racial stract and far removed. And invariably, in prejudice and hostility to Eastern domination, each troubled locality, some man or group of strikes, boycotts, mob violence, and even mur­ men or institution was attacked as a scape­ der. The chain of events can be fairly well goat and identified with the intangible evil. understood, however, if we go into the back­ Thus strikes, riots, and (in Kentucky) even an ground of the story. armed insurrection against a state government After refusing for several years to en­ plagued the restless decade. The violence was franchise any would-be electric light com­ sometimes a clear and well-directed protest pany, the city council in Milwaukee suddenly against an obvious evil, but more often it was reversed itself in the late eighties and began aimless discontent bearing fruit only in de­ granting franchises to all applicants. From a

166 MCDONALD STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE city without a single electric light, Milwaukee of electric street car equipment was still in was suddenly transformed into one with six costly experimental stages, and the investment fiercely competing electric companies. All six was likely to be large. The economics of the companies served substantially the same terri­ electric light and traction industry were al­ tory in downtown Milwaukee, and in many most unknown. Perhaps most important, the cases three or four companies had lines and "natural monopoly" principle of public utility served customers in the same block. Price service was new—conceived, some say, by Vil­ wars, great duplication of investment, and poor lard himself—and untried, and public reaction service resulted. It was competition at its to it could not be anticipated. But to Viflard worst, and the city was little closer to ade­ the risk was worth taking, and the plunge was quate central station electric service at the made. end of the 1880's than it had been at their Within three years, from 1890 to 1893, afl beginning. Meantime, an equal number of the competitors had been purchased and the horse-drawn street car companies provided unification was accomplished, but it cost the mass transportation service of a similar quality. investors more dearly than they could have A group of New York capitalists, headed by imagined. The venture was formed through the Henry Villard,^ who controlled the newly newly created North American Company, then formed Edison General Electric Company, be­ a $50,000,000 railroad empire, whose assets came aware of the Milwaukee situation in consisted almost exclusively of corporate se­ 1888. At that time Washington Becker, the curities.^ To obtain the liquid capital required owner of one of the horsecar companies, had for Milwaukee, North American borrowed on decided to sell out, and he went to New York short-term notes with portions of its securities to find a buyer.^ The imaginative Villard pledged at their market value for collateral. saw in Milwaukee a multifaceted opportunity, Unfortunately, the years 1890-93 saw a tre­ for the unification of all kinds of electric serv­ mendous series of panics in the stock and bond ice in an entire city—a true electric "central markets. Each time North American borrowed station"—had never been attempted. The econ­ to invest in Milwaukee, a panic hit, forcing the omies which could be effected by the combi­ company to pledge additional collateral and nation of aU the electric light competitors and ultimately to sell securities at a great loss to the electrification of the street car lines could cover its debts. Each time the panic appeared bring Milwaukee low-cost, high-quality service to have ended, the company borrowed again and reward the investors handsomely in the to invest in Milwaukee, and the cycle was re­ bargain. The risk was great: the manufacture peated, again and again. In three years the Milwaukee project was substantially completed, but North American had been stripped of all ^Born in Germany, Villard came to the United its former holdings. Ironically, of a massive States as a penniless immigrant in 1853. After a long railroad empire, afl that remained was con- career as a newspaper correspondent, he suddenly emerged as a financial giant in the early 1870's by forming the Northern Pacific Railroad on behalf of various German bondholders. A daring, plunging in­ vestor, Villard made and lost several fortunes, usually office boy for one of the street car companies in 18[J2, by premature investment in new fields. In 1880 he in­ and served its corporate successors until 1949. stalled, on his steamship "Columbia," the world's first non-experimental incandescent electric light plant, ^The North American Company was organized in and he was closely associated both personally and 1890 to acquire the assets of its predecessor, the Ore­ financially with Thomas Edison. In 1889 he organized gon and Transcontinental Company. Its principal the Edison General Electric Company, the immediate holdings were the Northern Pacific Railroad and the predecessor of the present mammoth General Electric Wisconsin Central, though it held various small rail­ Company. Milwaukee was his first large venture into roads all over the country. With its venture into Mil­ the operating utility field. There is no good biography waukee, it became the first electric utility holding of Villard, though his Memoirs was published in 1900. company in the United States, and it grew up as such The richest collection on him is the Villard Papers, a company in Wisconsin. It was a model of propriety Houghton Library, Harvard. for later holding companies (all of which, unfortu­ nately, did not emulate North American), so much ^Information about Villard's introduction to the so that Franklin Roosevelt, the archenemy of the electric situation through Becker comes to the writer holding companies and author of their dissolution, from an interview with Frank J. Boehm in Milwaukee once described it as "the Ivory Soap of the holding in October, 1954. Mr. Boehm began working as an companies; 99.44% pure."

167 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 trol of central station and street car service panics up, and despite a movement of oppor­ in Milwaukee.^ tunists in 1891-92 to organize several new Even so, the job in Milwaukee had been wefl companies solely in order to sell them to North done. The city was the particular beneficiary: American. it became the first city in the United States But the company made some costly errors to have a city-wide, completely interconnected of judgment. It was "overcapitalized" in the and unified electric street car system. Service sense that it was a premature investment, for was reliable and fast, and it was cheaper than within five years, much of the equipment in­ the inferior horsecar service had been. The stalled in Milwaukee, thanks to increased pro­ company had, in its active manager, John I. duction, could be purchased at one-third its Beggs, one of the foremost central station 1890-93 prices, and it was technicafly im­ and traction operators in the world.^ Further, proved. This aided the opponents of the com­ the company was solidly financed and the in­ pany, particularly the advocates of municipal vestment was not excessive, despite the fact ownership, when the affairs of the company that the effort to establish the monopoly had later came to a crisis. Further, the company, naturafly forced the cost of old horsecar com- in an effort to establish firm public relations in Milwaukee, took a step which accomplished 'MS Minute Book "A" of the North American Com­ just the reverse. To solidify itself with the pany, 1890-94 (in North American Company offices, 60 Broadway, New York) ; MS Minute Books of Mil­ business community, the company induced waukee Street Railway Co., Milwaukee Arc Light many prominent local businessmen to invest Co., Pabst Electric Co., Wauwatosa Electric Light moderately in the venture, and some became Co., Milwaukee and Wauwatosa Motor Railway Co., Milwaukee Edison Electric Illuminating Co., and directors and officers in both the Milwaukee Badger Electric Co. (all in files of Wisconsin Electric companies and the parent North American Power Co., Milwaukee). "Beggs, a shrewd, tight-fisted Vermonter, had begun lard to become a trouble-shooter for Edison General his career in the electric industry in 1883, before it Electric, in which capacity he was introduced to Wis­ was one year old. His management of the electric cen­ consin as a director of the pioneer hydroelectric cen­ tral station at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, attracted na­ tral station company at Appleton. From his connection tional attention and earned Beggs a great reputation. with Villard and the Milwaukee companies, Beggs After being second president of the Association of rose by around 1905 to dominate the North American Edison Illuminating Companies, an office he held for Company and the entire utility scene in Wisconsin seven consecutive years, Beggs was induced by Vil- until near his death in 1925.

Milwaukee's Well-Ventilated Street Car, a Popular Summer Model, 1889.

168 MCDONALD STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE

Company.^ Unfortunately, the two top execu­ tive positions in the company in Milwaukee were given, not by coincidence, to E. C. Wafl and Henry C. Payne, the Wisconsin political "bosses" of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. Though not at all con­ sidered an unethical practice for procuring insurance against hostile legislation, this was almost certain to backfire in Milwaukee. Fi­ nally, the company greatly underestimated the impact of the post-panic depressions in Mil­ waukee of 1894-97. Henry C. Payne John I. Beggs The effects of these three errors ate away at the business through 1894 and 1895. The city council took continuous pot-shots at it ideals of the Socialists and the discontent of with petty legislation, labor troubles occa­ the unemployed. In its weakened condition sionally flared up, and the depression kept it was an exceflent testing ground for the labor street car passengers and electric consumption unions, and it was the direct target of the at a minimum. Finally, at the end of 1895, advocates of municipal ownership. Thus the properties folded into bankruptcy. At a TMER&L and North American, guiltless of tremendous personal loss—$5,000,000 of the specific evils, gradually came into focus as a total investment of $14,000,000—the North symbol of abstract evils. The TNT-psychology American interests repurchased the properties of the situation was closely akin to the present- day nationalism of various colonial countries at a receiver's sale in December, 1895. They around the world. And by the time of the re­ were reorganized into The Milwaukee Electric organization, only a spark was necessary to Railway and Light Company (popularly known cause Milwaukee to explode with all the sud­ and hereafter cited as TMER&L) in January, denness and violence of a Wisconsin spring 1896. storm. One further word is in order before our The spark was provided on April 30, 1896, narrative begins. The notion of municipal and a four-year war against the company be­ ownership of public utilities in the city, first gan when the Amalgamated Association of seriously considered in 1889, had grown so Street Railway Employees, Milwaukee local, that it had thousands of adherents by 1896."^ presented a list of demands to the company. Further, a rising tide of Populist and Socialist The demands, written by the union's national sentiment in Milwaukee sought expression president, W. D. Mahon, with the aid of Sam­ against afl business, and the organized labor uel Gompers and Eugene V. Debs, were part movement was reaching a climax. Afl these of a nationwide campaign by labor leaders to movements were aggravated by the pro­ strike against the entire mass transportation longed depression, which reached an unem­ industry; between 1895 and 1899 there was a ployment peak in Milwaukee in 1896 and 1897. strike against the street railway companies in TMER&L, not only a business on which every­ every major city in the United States. The de­ one depended, but worse, a great company mands included a wage increase from 19 cents largely owned by New York capitalists, was to 20 cents an hour, a number of concessions the perfect scapegoat to be sacrificed for the regarding working conditions, reduced hours, a one-year contract, recognition of the union ^'This practice became a standard feature of North (though there was no demand for a closed or American's operations later, so that a harmonious federal arrangement prevailed throughout its far- union shop), and submission of all disputes to flung investments, with a great deal of local autonomy. a board of arbitration.^ Tronically, the man who planted the notion of mu­ nicipal ownership in Milwaukee was H. E. Jacobs, the father of the electric industry in Wisconsin and ^There is a running account of the company's side promoter of a dozen of the first fifteen electric com­ in the strike in Minute Book #1 of The Milwaukee panies in the State. See Milwaukee Sentinel, May 16 Electric Railway and Light Company (Wisconsin to July 1, 1888, especially June 16, for his proposals. Electric Power Co., Milwaukee), directors meetings

169 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

The company was wifling to concede all the where it could be had the cheapest. It was a minor points, but it flatly refused to recognize cold-hearted business proposition." How were the union or to submit to a board of arbitra­ laborers to answer? "The answer was in the tion. As to the wage increase, Henry Payne, example of the other side. Pool your issues in the company spokesman, said the idea was organizations, and meet them with a business ridiculous. The company, he said, could not proposition. Sell your labor in the shortest possibly afford it. The investors had not re­ hours of work at the highest possible rate of ceived one cent of interest or dividends in pay."i° three years, and their prospects of receiving With the real issues becoming increasingly any for several years were dim. Then Payne obscured, each side issued ultimatums on Sun­ published documents in the newspapers show­ day, May 3. Neither yielded, and on Monday, ing that TMER&L's employees were the high­ only 12 of the 750 motormen and conductors est paid street railway workers in the country!^ showed up for work. Both sides had been W. D. Mahon countered with a demonstra­ maneuvering as the impasse approached. Im­ tion that facts are useless in an emotionally mediately when the strike began, the 300 charged situation. In a powerful speech to a members of the Electrical Workers Union went mass meeting of workers and sympathizers, out on a sympathy strike, completely para­ Mahon side-stepped the immediate facts and lyzing the operations of the company. The argued basic rights and principles. First trac­ company was prepared, and "in pursuance of ing the history of trade unionism in America, arrangements made several days before," it he stated that "the first meeting in the interests began to import scab workers from Chicago of this republic was held in a guild hall of the and St. Louis, and it issued a statement that trades unions in Philadelphia" in 1775. His­ every worker not back on the job in twenty- tory, he said, showed that the workers never four hours would be fired. struck, and he quoted Gompers: "Find the But the company was totafly unprepared for fellow who struck first. . . . When the coal the next countermove. On Tuesday, May 5, barons advanced the price of fuel in the dead with operations completely suspended. Socialist of winter and caused intense suffering among leader Victor Berger induced six aldermen to men and hundreds of children, no militia was petition Mayor Rauschenberger demanding a cafled out and no movement was made to sup­ special meeting of the common council to press that 'strike'." adopt resolutions requiring the company "to Then Mahon came down to a classic state­ comply without further interruption with the ment of labor's general case. It is strictly a provisions of its franchises in regard to the business proposition, said Mahon, and the regular operation of cars over all lines." This question to every individual "at present was would automatically force the company either how to advance his own interests. The stand­ to capitulate in the strike or surrender its fran­ point of the corporation was not to consider chise.•'^-'^ the humanitarian side of life. Labor was re­ Meantime, the unanticipated popular reac­ garded as a commodity which would be bought tion to the strike threw the situation into chaos. On the first and second days of the strike, five April-June, 1896; a summary is in Minute Book "B" separate mobs, each ranging from 500 to 4,000 of The North American Company, stockholders an­ people, gathered at the different car barns of nual meeting. May 31, 1897. The Milwaukee Sentinel and the Milwaukee Journal contain daily accounts, the company, where the scab workers were including publication of all official resolutions and housed, and stoned the police guards, broke documents on both sides, for every phase of the strike except preliminary negotiations. all the windows, and generafly heckled the Bayrd Still, Milwaukee: The History of a City police and the imported workers. One police­ (Madison, 1948), 369-75, is an account of the affairs man was seriously injured, and two arrests of the city and the company through the 1890's. Still's account suffers from a limited perspective; considera­ were made. tion and study of the Democrats' viewpoint in the (Continued on page 206) Journal and the company's position from records in its archives would have appreciably improved his ac­ count. ''Sentinel, May 2, 1896. ^Sentinel, May 1-2, 1896; TMER&L Minutes, April "TMER&L Minutes, Report of Special Committee, 30, May 1, 1896. May 14, 1896; Sentinel, Journal, May 5, 1896.

170 Saint Raphael Church, initiated into the dignified category designated as "Ca­ thedral," in 1945, is one of the ven­ erable and conspicuous landmarks of Madison. How sturdily and well our fore­ fathers built was disclosed as the intri­ cacies of its recent renovation proceeded. The reconstruction resulted in interiors of great beauty, exquisite craftsmanship evident everywhere. This is a careful step-by-step recital of architectural I progress. What jubilation the renewed edifice would have brought from the founding fathers.

Saint Raphael Cathedral, Madison

The Renovation of Saint Raphael Cathedral [)i| Fr. E, J. Bauhs

On Thursday, March 10, 1955, Samuel Cardi­ sponsible authorities to select the parish church nal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, walked of Saint Raphael as the Cathedral of the new around the outside and the inside of an his­ Diocese of Madison, erected by decree of toric church in downtown Madison, Wiscon­ Pope Pius XII, December 22, 1945. sin, and through his blessing rededicated the The elevation of Saint Raphael Church to renewed Cathedral of Saint Raphael to the the dignity of a Cathedral was the fulfiflment service of God and His people. This was fol­ of a century-long hope. Beginning in 1842, lowed by a Solemn Pontifical Mass, a dinner the needs of Madison's Catholics were first for the clergy and the laity of the parish, and taken care of by visiting priests who offered afternoon and evening conducted tours of the mass and administered the other sacraments new parish facilities. in the Capitol or in the homes of the city's The building which was the object of this parishioners. In 1850, with the appointment attention was one of the oldest in the city. Its of the first resident pastor, the people used an spire and its wafls, standing almost within the old red schoolhouse in the 200 block of East shadow of the Capitol of the State of Wiscon­ Washington Avenue as their first church. sin, have long been a familiar sight in the Within a short time they moved to two lots Madison sky line. Through a century of use it (gift of the former territorial governor, J. D. has reminded the people who walk the Capitol Doty) located on Main Street just west of the Square of the love of God for men and of His Capitol Square in downtown Madison. They willingness to help them meet the chaflenge of built a frame church, 20 by 24 feet, but the this life. It was this association, this long congregation outgrew it within the year so record of service, which finally moved the re­ that a brick addition of identical size was

171 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 added the foflowing year under the new pastor. of the Italian Renaissance and was constructed Father Francis X. Etschmann. of Madison sandstone obtained from the old Even as they added to their church, pastor Paunack Quarry west of the city at the site of and people realized that the city and parish the present Hoyt Park near Sunset Point. The were both growing so quickly that something walls at the base were from 36 to 40 inches more extensive would have to be done. Plans thick and, without any foundation, rested on were made, and Father Etschmann left to tour "hard-pan"—a mixture of sandy gravel and the State with Mr. McGlynn in 1853. They red clay which, when dry, is almost like con­ received encouragement and funds as they crete. The outside walls were backed with sand­ spoke of their plans and appealed for help in stone scraps set in mortar. Two pilasters were their enterprise. The tour completed, the two spaced along each long wall. One of these on "beggars" returned home with their gifts. either side of the church near the middle of the wall served as chimneys for large round But Father Etschmann had brought back furnaces located in the service tunnel exca­ something else—the plan for a much larger, vated beneath the nave floor, paralleling the grander church than originally intended. Since Madison, so he and many others long side walls. argued, was the capital of the State, and Save for the service tunnel, there was no the new church within the shadow of the excavation beneath the church floor. The capitol, this new building should be some­ beams supporting the joists and floors of the thing in the nature of a cathedral; there was nave and narthex rested on wood pilings sunk no limit to the hopes and optimism of the into the ground. As these supports disinte­ Catholics of Madison. If Milwaukee had grated during the years, they were replaced hopes of acquiring the capital, Madison was with masonry piers. fully as confident of acquiring the Episcopal The original design of the church did not See.^ call for a spire. When first completed, the Many pointed to the "folly" of such an ambi­ tower was capped at the level of the ridgepole tious project, but the pastor and forward- with a very smafl bell tower. In 1881, under looking parishioners bent to the task of en­ Father Patrick Pettit, the parishioners gave couraging the reluctant and raising the funds. their church the "Cathedral" look with the ad­ Bishop John Martin Hcnni came from Mil­ dition of a very tall, graceful spire. The com­ waukee to lay the cornerstone on Sunday, mittee appointed for the task met February 17, May 28, 1854, in the presence of a "very large 1881, and took the following action: concourse." The Wisconsin State Journal in­ The following resolutions were offered and dicated that "the situation of the Church is adopted and the secretary directed to for­ fine, overlooking both the Third and Fourth ward a copy of the same to Col. L. V. Ship- lakes and when erected it will be the most man: prominent building in town as seen from the 'Whereas, We have been authorized by Railroad."^ St. Raphael Congregation to complete the church edifice by the erection of a spire Eight years and some $30,000 were con­ thereon; and sumed in the construction of a large church 'Whereas, Col. L. V. Shipman, architect whose nave measured 92 by 52 feet. Father of Chicago, (formerly of this city) has pre­ Etschmann, who had been given another as­ sented to the church, as a donation, a most signment, had the joy of being returned to beautiful design with detail drawings; there­ Saint Raphael congregation as its pastor just fore prior to the dedication of the new church in 'Resolved, That on part of the Congrega­ 1862. Bishop Henni officiated at the ceremony tion we adopt the same as the most perfect and symmetrical spire coming under our ob­ and Father George Riordan, pastor during servation, and tender to Col. Shipman our part of the construction, delivered the address. sincere thanks for this appropriate and lib­ The church was styled in the architecture eral donation.' adjd. A. Sexton, Secy^

^Souvenir Booklet, Diamond Jubilee, Holy Re­ ^Minutes of parish committee meeting, February 17, deemer Church, Madison, Wisconsin. 1881, drawn from original parish records, in the safe ^Issue of the Wisconsin State Journal, May 29, 1854. of the Cathedral Rectory, Madison.

172 BAUHS SAINT RAPHAEL CATHEDRAL

The Shipman spire, completed the same year, downtown street." cost the congregation about $8,000. The renovation of the Cathedral presented In the years that followed the hope that an unusual challenge since the church walls Saint Raphael Church might become a Ca­ had been erected without foundation of any thedral seemed to be without foundation. It kind. And the tremendous work of under­ appeared that God had paid no attention to pinning the walls, excavating beneath the the efforts of His people to provide Him with church for a new hall, and constructing a suitable headquarters in the capital. If He sacristy building all had to be done without seemed to forget, there were many who did disturbing the daily worship of a large congre­ not. For years seminarians from the Madison gation. Craftsmen, priests, and people suc­ area were plagued by the oft-repeated ques­ ceeded in both tasks. Holy mass and other tion: "When are they going to make Madison services were conducted daily to within two a diocese?" But the mirth-provoking question days of the dedication—though often to the proved to be prophetic, for Divine Providence accompaniment of hammer, drill, and saw. did not plan to ignore the "cathedral" that The first step was to underpin the walls. waited so patiently to be enlisted more inti­ The west wall of the church was pierced at mately in God's service. about its center to admit a small caterpillar The hope of a century was realized when tractor and the opening "needled," i.e., wood the Diocese of Madison became a reality in beams were laid perpendicular to the wall and 1945. One of the acts of the decree of erection supported at either end to brace the walls at was the selection of the Cathedral, the Bishop's the opening. Using the "cat," a channel was own church. The people of Saint Raphael con­ driven forward under the nave floor from gregation, gladdened at the honor conferred the outside wafl until contact was made with upon their native city, were delighted to learn the service tunnel midway between and parallel that their own parish church had been chosen with the long side walls. as the Cathedral of the new diocese. "The When there was enough room to maneuver church dedicated to God in honor of Saint the tractor, the process of underpinning be­ Raphael Archangel, in the aforementioned gan. A 12-foot cut was made from the service City, we elevate to the rank and dignity of a tunnel to the walls of the church and, as the Cathedral Church, with afl the rights, honors, dirt was removed, temporary wood columns privileges, and insignia which other Cathedral were erected to support the floor of the nave. Churches, throughout the world, by common Returning to the service tunnel and leaving law, enjoy."^ the next 12-foot section of dirt undisturbed There had been considerable discussion be­ to serve as a support for the walls, workmen fore Saint Raphael Church was selected as the excavated another 12-foot section of dirt. This Cathedral. Many pointed to the smafl sanctu­ process was repeated down the length of both ary, the lack of adequate sacristies and park­ side walls of the church. ing facilities. They pictured the advantages of After all the cuts had been made and the a new, adequate, more accessible Cathedral proper depth for the new foundation had been near the outskirts of the city. reached, the new concrete foundations were The question was weighed. Experts found poured under the sections of the wall which that the wafls of the venerable downtown had been excavated. The top 6 inches of the church would stand for three or four hundred foundation was poured later with a new con­ years. Changes could be made to make the crete which expands as it sets (instead of church more than adequate for the bishop's shrinking as is the usual case) and thus pro­ use. And, as the Bishop remarked later. Saint vides a very firm support for the walls. Raphael's century of association with down­ When the newly poured foundations had town Madison made it the logical site for the cured sufficiently, the undisturbed sections Cathedral, "a little bit of heaven on a busy were excavated and the foundations poured under the other 12-foot sections of the walls ^"Decree of Erection of the Diocese of Madison, to give the side walls a complete and adequate December 22, 1945." A document on parchment, in the Archives of the Catholic Diocese, Madison. cement foundation.

173 ""--^

,;ill

Chancel of Saint Raphael Cathedral—1953, Impressive in Ornate Splendor

Meanwhile the workmen turned their atten­ Carroll Street), next to the Wengel Apartment tion to the sanctuary. The altar was brought Building. Both these structures were taken forward just outside the communion railing down to make room for the city-county build­ and a temporary wall was constructed im­ ing being erected on those sites. Larger stones mediately behind the altar. The old hexagonal were also obtained from the old city hall. sanctuary walls were torn down and as much As the sanctuary walls were completed and of the stone was salvaged as possible. New the roof added, work began on the new sacristy walls were erected with the old stones, squar­ building, opening off the sanctuary. This new ing off the end of the church to give the unit was to house a large sacristy on the main sanctuary the same depth but increasing its floor, a clerical assembly room, a large chapel, width almost two-fold and increasing the baptistry, servers' sacristy, and workroom. cubage considerably. The next step was to replace the old beams Some additional stone was needed to build under the floor of the church. A boom crane the new walls and the new entrances to the and a number of wide flange metal beams, 32 excavated hall. The extra Madison sandstone inches deep, were brought to the playground came from the Dr. Fox residence on West side of the church. Again the church wall was Wilson Street and an old house (facing South "needled." Openings were made in the walls

174 BAUHS : SAINT RAPHAEL CATHEDRAL large enough to accommodate the new beams stalled. And when the task was completed, a and they were inched into the church just be­ temporary altar was set up in the basement low the nave floor joists. Inside the walls the against the kitchen wafl, the pews were brought end of the beam was supported and moved downstairs, and the new hafl became tempo­ across the excavated area until it touched the rarily the site of worship while the craftsmen far wafl. Steel columns were set on concrete moved back upstairs to start the task of re­ pedestals just inside the walls to support the modeling and redecorating the church proper. beam. The beams were then tied together to A concrete floor was laid over steel beams give the church floor a sturdy steel support in the new sanctuary and platforms prepared entirely independent of the wafls of the church. for the new marble altar and the Bishop's Excavation in the new basement had been throne. The floor of the nave was renailed, halted about 6 feet away from the inside wafl the stone pilasters removed, the choir loft re­ of the tower of the church. A steel-reinforced placed with a fireproof one which is lower and concrete retaining wafl was now poured to shallower to conform with the over-afl design protect the tower, which stifl rests on the of the renovation. "hardpan" without foundation. The rough work completed, the task of deco­ Work now was concluded in the basement rating was begun. The nave wafls were finished parish hafl. The cement floor was poured, with a 9-foot wainscot panel of rift-sawed the wafls tiled, the kitchen and toilets in­ oak, finished in a soft beige color. Above this.

Chancel of Saint Raphael Cathedral—1955, Articulate in Magnificent Simplicity

•"IP-'

10^ WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 soft blue-green walls were relieved with sym­ and planed surfaces which frame the central bolic designs for Christ, the Holy Eucharist decorative motif, the mosaic of Tobias and and the Crown of Thorns, casuafly placed to the Archangel Raphael, crafted in Venice. give interest to otherwise large areas of plain High over the altar was placed the great color. The ceiling was done in the manner of gold canopy called the civory. Supported by the Italian Renaissance, employing color to two columns in front, it is engaged to the back give warmth and a cloud effect in three great wafl and forms a protective roof over the altar paneled areas to trick the eye into believing and altar platform. American craftsmen carved that the ceiling is not flat but domed. it from wood and gilded it entirely with gold From the ceiling, a battery of spotlights was leaf, protected and designed to mellow with trained on the focal points of interest in the the advancing years. church. Completing the lighting, twelve great Choir stafls of oak flank the great altar, dec­ chandeliers of bronze and blue-green, six on orated well above eye level with exposed organ each side, were suspended from the ceiling at pipes. These stalls will seat the boys' choir a height that most effectively lights both ceil­ or the Priests' choir during liturgical func­ ing and congregation. tions. Elsewhere in the sanctuary is found the The fourteen Stations of the Cross, of highly Bishop's throne—a rugged structure stained polished walnut carved with a leaf design into a darker color than the wainscoting. Its main which gold has been applied, were hung seven symbolic design is the crossed keys of Apostolic on each side wall of the church. At the crossing authority. The crest of the diocese is carved of the two members of the cross are inlaid and emblazoned with color on the back wall exquisitely carved circles of white holly wood of the throne stall, while the Bishop's own coat done as delicately as cameos. Each carved of arms is embroidered on the emerald green plaque depicts a scene from the sufferings and cushion that makes the back rest. The seat of death of Our Lord. the throne is a solid block of red-gray granite. The sanctuary underwent the greatest The throne is flanked by emerald green seats change. The side walls were wainscoted with for the Bishop's honorary deacons. the same beige-colored oak paneling as the Directly across the sanctuary from the throne nave, but here to a great height, and the altar are the choir stalls for the clergy—two banks, wall to the ceiling. The new altar is a great done in oak, beautifully detailed with carving. slab of white Botticino marble, supported by The sedilia, or seat for priest and altar boys, four columns carved to represent the four stands directly in front of the choir stalls. Evangelists or Gospel writers—Saints Matthew, Two carved wood and bronze ambones or Mark, Luke, and John. The central pier has speaking stands are on either side of the steps emblazoned on its face in gold leaf the Chi entering the sanctuary. These have been de­ Rho design, the first two Greek letters of the signed as a part of a bronze and primavera word for Christ. wood parapet rail that edges the sanctuary Directly behind the altar and attached to it is a great block of red Levanto marble called level, one ambone used by the Bishop when a gradine or step upon which rest the taber­ he addresses the congregation, the other to nacle, the crucifix, and six great silver candle­ be used by the priests of the Cathedral. Four sticks. The tabernacle, a rectangular safe to steps below the sanctuary level and one step safeguard the Holy Eucharist, is wrought- above the nave floor is the square U-shaped silver, gold-lined, the doors of which are orna­ communion rail of rich red Levanto marble mented with four enamel squares, studded with from northern Italy which joins sanctuary four square-cut malachite gems. and nave. A swag drapery of velvet takes the The crucifix is rather unusual. The support­ place of sanctuary gates. ing cross of crystal and silver, mounted upon Nylon carpeting was placed on the sanctuary a sphere of silver studded with malachite gems, floor, the aisles of the church, and the narthex. supports an exquisitely carved ivory corpus, In the sanctuary it is pale silver green—else­ the product of the ivory carvers of Hong Kong. where it is cocoa. Tile was laid on the re­ The reredos or back wall is a most interest­ mainder of the floor and then low, natural- ing combination of marbles done in carved finish oak pews were fixed in place.

176 BAUHS SAINT RAPHAEL CATHEDRAL

Completing the furnishings of the Cathedral wainscot of fir "tongue and groove" about are new oak doors with crystal and bronze 414 to 5 feet in height. About twenty-five years inserts in symbols of the Holy Eucharist; a ago this was covered with wood lath, plastered, new Renter organ in the choir with antiphonal and then painted to resemble marble. console in the sanctuary; and complete mod­ The renovation of the Cathedral was of in­ ern facilities for the press, radio, and televi­ terest to scientists of the government's Forest sion in two loges in the choir loft. Products Laboratory in Madison. They were The ceiling is made up of clear span trusses most happy to take two of the old pine beams across a distance of some 60 feet, placed 12 and test them. feet apart, and tied by joists. Examination Tests of structural beams and small clear showed that very little shrinkage had taken specimens of white pine after 101 years of place. The attic is floored over and a size­ service loading showed the material to be able meeting could be held there. fully equal to the average for its species when tested fresh. There was no evidence When the artist was preparing to paint the of deterioration in strength from aging alone ceiling in the area of the tower, he noticed a or from the long-time loading. This was true, bulge in the plaster, as though the lath had not only in strength and stiffness, but also let loose. When the hanging plaster was torn in shock resistance. Additional assurance is down, it was found that the lath was charred thus given of the the lasting qualities of and two or three of the joists were burned. structural wood."^ Workmen judge that a blaze was started by The work of renewal was carried out with lightning, but soon smothered because the the assistance of John J. Flad & Associates, construction in the area was airtight. architects, Madison, Wisconsin; Kenneth F. Work in the walls of the church indicates Sullivan Company, contractors, Madison; Har­ that this is the fourth major renovation to old Digney, mason contractor, Madison; Ram- take place. Originally, the walls were blocked busch Decorating Company, New York; Bishop out with 2 by 6 inch wood studs, tied to Wifliam P. O'Connor; and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. the masonry joints with old square nails. Edward M. Kinney, rector of the Cathedral. About fifty years ago the old wood lath was END replaced with a patented lath—layers of card­ board punched to appear woven. The third '^Wood, Lyman W., "Tests of Old Floor Beams from St. Raphael's Cathedral, Madison, Wis." (Forest redecoration found this covered with a wood Products Laboratory, Madison, 1954), 7.

THE SOCIETY PUBLISHES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS Adults: Special Membership: (includes Then and Now—monthly) $1.00 yr. Annual Membership: (includes quarterly Wisconsin Magazine oj History) 4.00 yr. High Schools: Chronicles oj Wisconsin (16 pamphlets) $3.00 30th Star (September through May, 9 issues) 50 yr. Elementary Schools: Badger History (September through May, 9 issues) Adult and individual children's subscriptions $2.50 yr. Group rates for members of Junior Chapters 35 yr. STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN 816 State Street • Madison 6, Wisconsin

177 by Don McNeil

It's been three months and thirty-nine grey planning for the 1957 centennial, accepted the hairs since I divorced myself temporarily from Hutchinson house and promptly raised funds the wide-ranging activities of the Society to ac­ to move it to a city park for restoration; the cept a grant to finish my manuscript entitled, Fort Atkinson Society received an offer from afliteratively, "The Fight for Fluoridation." the Hoard family to donate the family home And now I'm back. In some ways it's strange to the city for the society's museum; and to be lifted from the cloistered atmosphere of the La Crosse County Society became joint my monastic cell where I painfully attempted to recipient with the public library of a large put together 300 pages of ifl-fitting words. In bequest. The Vernon County Society is at­ other ways the return seems like old home tempting to get space in the new county court­ week. At any rate my travels to and from the house, the Trempealeau County Society is University library stacks were not circuit rid­ working with the American Legion for quarters ing in its most expansive sense. in the old courthouse at Whitehafl, and the Yet the generous leave accomplished two Oconto Society is laying plans for a new fire­ things. First, it aflowed me the time to finish proof museum building. something which I've been struggling with for During the three-month period, the Ozaukee too many years to mention. Further, it enabled County Historical and Museum Society in­ me to take an overview of the three months of corporated, local citizens organized the Somer­ strenuous activities. The effect of the latter is set Historical Society, and in Green Lake staggering. The cold winter months are laugh­ County the dormant local society was reorgan­ ingly regarded by our staff members as the ized. New Glarus, too, is incorporating to "slack" season. They never had more reason restore the pioneer village to serve as a shrine for mirth than this "mild" winter. They were of Swiss settlement in the United States, and a out in the State a great deal of the time. After newspaper appeal for the organization of a three months of splendid isolation, I received Menasha Historical Society may add another a new appreciation of the energetic circuit rid­ local society to the growing list. ing being done by my hard-working colleagues. The programs of the local societies are The developments among local societies were taking on increasing depth. The La Crosse immense. A surprising number of our local County Historical Society published the eighth societies either acquired homes, or initiated in the series of their Sketchbooks, this one plans for finding quarters. The Walworth dealing with early La Crosse, biographies of County Historical Society obtained a fifteen- important citizens, reminiscences, and "Pio­ year lease on the Elkhorn home of the famous neer Stories Retold." The Oconto County So­ Wisconsin composer, Joseph Philbrick Web­ ciety has a handsome brochure on the Beyer ster; the Waupaca Society, in addition to home; the Rock County Society has added a

178 CIRCUIT RIDER picturesque cover to their Rock County Chron­ Many of us remember the sterling perform­ icle, and the Portage County Society has in­ ance of Miss Sophelia Kurkowski of Waupaca augurated a newsletter. The Pinery. The at the 1954 Madison meeting of the American Whitewater Historical Society developed a Association for State and Local History. To series of interviews among citizens represent­ the assembled professionals she "laid it on the ing various ethnic groups. The Portage County line" as to what local history could mean to Society stimulated the interest of camera maturing children. Miss Kurkowski, who is "bugs" with a photographic history contest one of Wisconsin's warmest supporters of the modeled after the State Society's annual affair. cause of history and whose Badger Historians The Mineral Point Society took out 31 Badger won a national award from the Association in History memberships for school children in the 1953, received a token of appreciation this city. Rock County joined the Milwaukee and winter from her former students at Waupaca Winnebago County Historical Societies in high school. sponsoring an essay contest among school More than 1,200 alumni of the school con­ children. The Washington, Milwaukee, Wau­ tributed $1.00 or more to send Miss Kurkow­ kesha, and Fond du Lac County Societies have ski on an expense-paid trip to Europe this embarked on marker programs. The sweeping summer. Long a leading exponent and influ­ advances of our friends in the local societies ential leader of the Society's Badger History demonstrate once again our feeling that in­ movement in the State, Miss Kurkowski some­ terest in history in Wisconsin is on the up­ how found time from busy days of teaching swing. school to write to all her former pupils while they were in the service. We are happy to add our word of congratulations to an effec­ The bona fide circuit riders of these past tive teacher of localized history. three months have something else to report. In the field of collecting, too, we sometimes A comjiletely unknown file of newspapers are so close to our problem of preservation turned up in Chilton this winter when Bill that we fail to note the significant advance. Schereck started digging around in the base­ But again, a long look over the past three ment of the Chilton Times-Journal office. Bill months is an eye-opener. I know I shouldn't was seeking back issues of the Chilton Inde­ be, but I was impressed with the diversity of pendent and discovered to his delight several the types of materials, and the significance of issues of the 1873 Stockbridge Union which some of the collections. For example, we re­ is not even listed in the Union List oj News­ ceived a large addition to the D. C. Everest papers. Bill also found a complete file of the stamp coflection, a prime collection of artifacts Wiskonsin Demokrat from 1873 to 1920. of the canning industry from Fred Stare of Bifl's tenacious efforts around the circuit Columbus, a great number of circus items, received a nice play in one newspaper. After some important artifacts from an old country Bill had been in the town for a day, the local store from August Kickbush of Wausau, a editor filled a long column with praise of our completely outfitted dental office from Spring saddle-bagged circuit rider. Describing Scher­ Green, and a 1923 McFarland automobile eck as a "wonderman," the editor told of our modified to a gas-electric drive. Frank Elliott, field man's "enthusiasm," his "deftness at in his typically persevering manner, acquired delving," and called him a "whirlwind of some Senator Spooner papers and some Civil ability for getting things done precisely." Even War materials. There were tape recordings of coming in a year when citizens become inured Wifliam Besserdich, prominent in the Four- to the superlatives of political oratory, the col­ Wheel Drive Company, and of John Bordner, umn was a splendid tribute to the energies of pioneer in the county agent system in Wiscon­ our able field staff. sin. These are only samples of the types of irreplaceable materials brought in during the The strongest link with our friends of winter quarter. The only blot on an otherwise history throughout the State are our field men. shining record seems to be that there still is The personal calls and visits, the swapping of no Dane County Historical Society. ideas between leaders in local societies and

179 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

the "Great Man File," a thorough record of our attempt to seek the personal papers of out­ standing men in Wisconsin. From our cor­ respondence files of years ago we find that every twenty years or so, someone stages a search for papers of these leading Wisconsin- ites. Frank has tried to bring the file up to date which our successors 100 years from now may consult without having to undertake a search which had yielded no results a century before. We will remember Frank, too, for his Clement Silv Frank Elliott zealous efforts to pursue manuscript collec­ tions. Though the trail to a manuscript col­ the field man, and the talks before civic and lection was often twisted and full of roadblocks, historical groups are part of the solid founda­ Frank's persistent efforts to locate and collect tion on which Wisconsin's enthusiasm for local manuscripts, the life-blood of a historian, will history is built. Only in the "field," out among stand as a mark of his diligence and interest. the people, can one understand that Wiscon­ Before this begins to sound like an obituary, sin's interest in history ranges through all I hasten to add that Frank is very much alive. strata and occupations of our society. In re­ My "epitaphish" and fateful sounding remarks turn for an inside glimpse into the feelings stem from the news that Frank leaves in June and attitudes of thousands of people whose for an equally challenging job in Michigan. interest in history covers all phases of human His well-deserved promotion in the historical existence, the field man works hard. Sixteen field comes after three solid years of effective hours a day on the road is not an unusual work with us. Frank will be curator of history experience. Consolidating speaking dates with in the Museum and assistant professor in the manuscript collecting and helping local soci­ History Department of Michigan State Uni­ eties, the field man covers much ground versity, East Lansing. Besides teaching Amer­ quickly. On extended trips out of Madison, he ican History, he will be in charge of coflecting, may well cover twenty counties, give speeches, supervising displays, and administering the call on rural and city inhabitants, sit down Museum's history section. Frank's apprentice­ with local society leaders, chat with local ship with us yielded rich returns for the So­ writers, newspapermen and town and county ciety. We are sad to see him go; yet we are historians. At night after his last call, he types happy about the opportunities which lie ahead reports, dictates letters into the "Veep," makes for him. We wish him the best. entries on lead cards, and often tumbles into Partly offsetting the bad news that we are bed exhausted. If he concludes a meeting any­ losing Frank to our sister state to the east are where within 150 miles of Madison, he usually the good tidings that a former staff member of returns that night arriving in the wee hours the Society has accepted our invitation to re­ of the morning. Though the work habits are join us in Wisconsin. Clement M. Silvestro, irregular and subject to last minute changes, formerly in the manuscript section and for great satisfaction comes from having been ex­ several years a research assistant under Miss posed to new people and getting different Alice Smith, chief of research, wifl join the thoughts from a wide variety of individuals. field staff in June. Clem received his masters It's a chaflenging and in many ways an in­ degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1950, spiring job. worked with us for a year, took a one-year One of the people who has met the challenge fling at the business world, returned to work in this capacity is Frank Elliott. Many of our on his doctorate in history, and this past year members know him through personal visits in has been doing research in eastern libraries. their homes. Many will recall his work with He, like Frank and me, wifl be working on local societies and his handling of last year's finishing his dissertation whfle holding the Institute on Local History. We at the Society responsible position in our field staff. You will will remember him for his efforts to initiate be seeing much more of Clem. END

180 One of the agencies intimately asssoci- ated with the development of the Wis­ consin Idea was the Extension EUvision of the University of Wisconsin, now^ ob­ serving the fiftieth year of its founding. Not only does this paper recognize the part played by the Extension Division but it includes the diverse personalities and agencies which aided in the experi­ ments and reforms, summarily denoted by the term, the Wisconsin Idea. These elements are so extensive in their out­ reach that their influence is almost limitless. J Louis E. Reber

The Origin and Early Development of the Wisconsin Idea by Wernon Carstensen

The Wisconsin Idea is a term that has had not find in the book "vivid pictures of perfect and stifl has both national and international legislation or administration or clear-cut phil­ currency. Indeed, in 1952, the Democratic osophy. He wifl find, on the contrary, a seemly nominee for the presidency of the United comprehension of the difficulties of the prob­ States characterized it as one of the truly lem as above outlined and a groping after and creative ideas of the twentieth century. Others testing of one device after another to serve in both before and since have spoken as raptur­ combating the tendencies considered. He will ously about it. With the current celebration of find that patient research and care have been the fiftieth anniversary of the Extension Divi­ the watchwords used everywhere."^ The same sion, an agency intimately associated with the year Frederick C. Howe declared that Wiscon­ early flowering of the Wisconsin Idea, it is sin was "an experiment station in politics, in appropriate to examine briefly some of the social and industrial legislation, in the democ­ elements involved in its origin and early de­ ratization of science and higher education. It velopment. is a state-wide laboratory in which popular In 1912 Charles McCarthy wrote a book government is being tested in its reaction on entitled The Wisconsin Idea, devoted to a de­ people, on the distribution of wealth, on social scription of the background, spirit, aims, and well-being."^ Theodore Roosevelt in his intro- processes of reform legislation in Wisconsin. McCarthy declared that "no one categorical ^Charles McCarthy, The Wisconsin Idea (New explanation of the Wisconsin idea can be York, 1912), 16-17. ^Frederick C. Howe, Wisconsin: Experiment in given." He warned the reader that he would Democracy (New York, 1912), vii.

181 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 duction to McCarthy's book spoke about Wis­ and agricultural improvement." The early Re­ consin's having become "literally a laboratory gents of the University of Wisconsin again for wise experimental legislation aiming to se­ and again stated similar hopes. In 1858, a cure the social and political betterment of the legislative committee declared that the people people as a whole."^ of Wisconsin It would probably be impossible to get com­ have an unquestioned right to demand that plete agreement on a detailed statement of . . . [the University] shafl primarily be what the Wisconsin Idea embraced, even in adapted to popular needs, that its course of 1912, but many persons would agree that ex­ instruction shall be arranged to meet as fully perimental reform based upon detailed re­ as possible, the wants of the greatest num­ search, the extensive use of academic and ber of our citizens. The jarmers, mechanics, other experts in government, agriculture, and miners, merchants, and teachers of Wiscon­ sin .. . have a right to ask that the bequest industry, and an enlightened electorate were of the government shall aid them in secur­ all prominent elements. All would agree that ing to themselves and their posterity, such the University of Wisconsin played an im­ educational advantages as shall fit them for portant part, directly through the work of their pursuits in life, and which by an in­ faculty members on various advisory and ad­ fusion of intelligence and power, shall ele­ ministrative boards and agencies, and indi­ vate those pursuits to a dignity commensu­ rectly through the extension work of the Uni­ rate with their value.^ versity. But it was one thing to propose such a pro­ Some observers might explain the origin gram; it was quite another thing to do some­ of the Wisconsin Idea wholly in terms of the thing about it. Indeed, it was precisely at this work and personalities of three men: Robert point that general failure occurred. Several M. La Foflette, Sr., leader of the progressive decades passed before the devices were created Republicans in Wisconsin for a quarter of a to translate these aspirations into educational century; Charles R. Van Hise, President of programs. At Wisconsin the successful crea­ the University from 1903 to 1918; and Charles tion of such educational agencies rested in McCarthy, legislative reference librarian from part upon the almost complete early failure 1901 to 1921. Others might insist that geog­ of the University to find a way of carrying raphy would explain it. The Capitol and the on effective agricultural education. main University building are located just one In 1866 at the request of the Regents, the mile apart, each standing on its respective sec­ Legislature had attached the College of Agri­ tion corner. State Street, laid out along the culture and Mechanic Arts to the University. section line, connects what William Ellery The Regents then acquired a farm and, after Leonard called the "twin domes of law and some delay, hired a professor of agriculture learning." These are very important factors, and chemistry. The professor was little inter­ but probably more important in the origin ested in agricultural education. He and other and early development of attitude and prac­ members of the faculty thought that any young tices that comprised the Wisconsin Idea was man wanting to study agriculture must first the way in which the University had developed. complete a number of courses in natural and That a state-supported university should con­ physical science, mathematics, law, and litera­ tribute directly to improved farming, more ture, as well as a host of other not very closely efficient industry, and better government was related subjects. Naturally, few students en­ not a new idea in the United States even when rolled. The faculty and the president of the the University of Wisconsin was created in University justified the failure of the College 1848. The founders of many a nineteenth cen­ to attract farmers' sons in various ways, often tury college or university spoke and wrote by implying that farmers did not want to about such objectives. The Iowa Constitution learn.^ of 1846, for example, directed the general '^Wisconsin Assembly Journal, 1858, Vol. 2, p. 1523. assembly to encourage "by all suitable means, ^W. H. Glover, Farm and College: The College of the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin: A History (Madison, 1952), Chaps. 6, 9; Merle Curti and Vernon Carstensen, The University of Wisconsin: A ^McCarthy, Wisconsin Idea, vii. History (Madison, 1949, 2 vols.), Vol. 1, Chap. 16.

182 CARSTENSEN DEVELOPMENT OF THE WISCONSIN IDEA

It is true that the farmers were often op­ be imitated throughout the country. It pro­ posed to the new agricultural colleges and vided merely for two short winter sessions, indifferent to the efforts that were being made to which anyone with a common school edu­ in their behalf by social reformers and profes­ cation would be admitted. The course was sional educators, but they were not as hostile devoted exclusively to agricultural subjects. to change, as contemptuous of learning as some The Short Course was established by the Re­ of the sponsors of the new colleges claimed. gents without the approval of the director of Their wiflingness to change their methods was the agricultural department or the faculty.'^ reflected in the zeal with which they adopted The attempt of the Regents to provide for farm machinery; their desire to learn was utilitarian agricultural education probably re­ registered in their support of such institutions duced some of the farmer support for a sepa­ as the annual fairs, in their support of the rate college. More important was another bill state departments of agriculture and of the providing $5,000 for farmers' institutes, to be agricultural press. The slow rise in the popu­ managed by the Regents of the University. larity of agricultural education was only partly The one to three day institutes, which were to explained by the farmers' reluctance to learn be held throughout the State during the win­ the lessons of science. Through the centuries, ter months, gave the professors a chance to the farmer had learned his lessons from ob­ talk to the farmers and, what was perhaps servation. The accumulated learning of his more important, gave the farmers a chance craft was less in books, as in the professions to talk back. It could also connect the college of law and medicine and theology, than in with the numerous farmers' clubs then in what a father taught his son. To win the existence. These two innovations, one imposed farmer, the college must find other than the by the Regents on an unwilling faculty, the bookish devices used for the instruction of other by the Legislature on a surprised Board lawyers, ministers, and doctors. Yet, during of Regents, gave the University an opportunity the early and ineffective years of agricultural to have a direct influence upon farming. instruction the farmer continued to be wooed The farmers' institutes quickly became popu­ with promises of mental discipline and theo­ lar. During the first winter an estimated retical knowledge. 50,000 farmers attended. In 1887 the Legis­ At the annual meetings of the state agricul­ lature raised the appropriation for this work tural organizations the farmers lambasted the to $12,000 a year. When Charles Dudley University for its failure to provide agricul­ Warner, an editor of Harpers, visited Wis­ tural education. Few had precise recommenda­ consin in 1888, he was deeply impressed by tions on what ought to be done, but they the effectiveness of the institutes. He wrote: agreed, year after year, that they did not like The distinguishing thing about the State what was being done. In the middle 1880's, University is its vital connection with the a movement was launched by farm groups to farmers and agricultural interests. ... I separate the agricultural college from the Uni­ know of no other State where a like system versity. A bill was introduced in the Legisla­ of popular instruction on a vital and uni­ ture in 1883, but failed. By 1885 it looked versal interest of the State, directed by the as if the farmers might succeed. The Uni­ highest educational authority, is so perfectly versity Regents, of course, opposed this move organized and carried on with such unity to chop up their domain. They met with farmer of purpose and detail of administration; no representatives, but the farmers refused to other in which the farmer is brought sys­ abandon their plans for a separate agricultural tematically into such direct relations to the university. college.^ The Regents then appointed a com­ He testified, as something less than an expert mittee to study the matter. The committee to be sure, that the institutes were a powerful brought in a report which inaugurated the influence in changing Wisconsin from a one- famous Short Course in agriculture, a voca­ crop to a diversified agriculture. An agricul­ tional educational device which was to be tural revolution, he said, was taking place tremendously successful at Wisconsin and to ''Ibid., 367-77, for a copy of the Vilas-Hitt report ^Glover, Farm and College, Chap. 6. on which the Short Course was based.

183 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

"greatly assisted, if not inaugurated, by this fluence among the people, and I would rec­ systematic, popular instruction from the Uni­ ommend the adoption of a general policy on versity as the centre."^ Four years later, Fred­ the subject, and would advise that the Uni­ erick Jackson Turner declared that "it is not versity offer all the aid which the faculty too much to say that the rapid progress made can give consistent with their duties in the by the State in the direction of dairying, University to local associations or organiza­ horticulture and improved stock raising is in tions engaged in endeavoring to educate the no smafl degree owing to the work of the in­ people in any industry or calling or in gen­ stitutes. Farmers are becoming more intefli- eral culture or in any useful line, and that gent and more prosperous."^ only the necessary expense attending such aid be charged.^^ A year after the institutes were launched Again the same year he declared: "The view Thomas C. Chamherlin came to the University is rising into recognition that it is also a func­ as president. Chamherlin was quick to see the tion of a university to seek a universal educa­ larger possibilities of this experiment in agri­ tional influence in the community tributary cultural education. A geologist by training, to it." "It is no more impracticable," he as­ Chamherlin was a man of originality and bold­ serted, "to extend the popular range of uni­ ness and his mind was unfettered by commit­ versity education than to extend the sweep ment to any one type of learning or one disci­ of the university courses."^^ pline as the single road to educational salva­ Mechanics' institutes were organized in a tion. It seemed to matter little to him whether number of Wisconsin towns, but they met with an educational program had been tried before little success. In 1891 a program of general or whether it conformed to traditional usage. University extension courses was inaugurated. He was concerned primarily with whether it During the first year it was estimated that promised useful results and how it could be some 8,500 people attended these lectures. In­ carried out.^*^ On one occasion he declared: terest continued during the next few years, "Scholarship for the sake of the scholar is and in the middle 1890's President C. K. simply refined selfishness. Scholarship for the Adams, who had succeeded Chamherlin in sake of the state and the people is refined 1892, reported that various reform movements patriotism."^^ had been launched in some communities as a Chamherlin sought not only to extend the result of the University extension lectures. But institutes and the Short Course, but urged that the general support of extension lectures was what was being done for the farmers could be already beginning to dissolve. By the end of done for the mechanics in the rising industrial the decade this experiment in extension work cities of the State and that what could be done had, like the mechanics' institutes, virtually in the field of practical education could be disappeared. Nevertheless, by the end of the done in the field of liberal education. In this century, the farmers' institutes and other popu­ he had also been influenced by the success of lar educational devices of the Coflege of Ag­ the English university extension work and the riculture were flourishing. A summer school Chautauqua movement in the United States. In for science teachers, begun largely as an ex­ tension project, had become so successful that 1889 he declared to the Board of Regents: it was incorporated into the regular University 1 have given further consideration ... to program.-"^^ the broader subject of rendering University aid to the various local associations who At this juncture several important events are endeavoring to extend educational in- occurred. Robert M. La Foflette was elected to the governorship in 1900. A graduate of the ^Charles Dudley Warner, "Studies of the Great University in 1879 he had been profoundly West," Harpers, 76:771-74 (April, 1888). influenced by President John Bascom, Cham- ^Frederick Jackson Turner, "Extension Teaching in Wisconsin," in Handbook of University Extension, G. J. James, ed. (Philadelphia, 1893), 314. ^"Chamberlin to the Regents, Reports to the Re­ ^"See Curti and Carstensen, University of Wisconsin, gents, Vol. C, 29-30, June 18, 1889, University of Vol. 1, Chap. 19, for a fuller discussion of Chamber- Wisconsin Archives, Memorial Library. lin's educational philosophy. ^'University Catalogue, 1888-1889, pp. 50-51. "TAe Coming of Age of the State Universities (n.p., ^^Curti and Carstensen, University of Wisconsin, 1890), 9. l:721ff.

184 CARSTENSEN : DEVELOPMENT OF THE WISCONSIN IDEA berlin's immediate predecessor. He declared serving in administrative and other posts in that Bascom's teaching was "among the most the state government presented a novelty cer­ important influences in my early life." Of the tain to be commented upon by reporters sent University, he said: "For myself, 1 owe what to spy out La Eollette's state. I am and what I have done largely to the in­ Equally important was the revival of Uni­ spiration I received while there."^^ In 1901 versity extension work. When Van Hise first Charles McCarthy was appointed to a minor became president, he showed very little in­ post in the Wisconsin Free Library Commis­ terest in this activity. The evidence suggests sion. In 1903 Charles R. Van Hise became that the agitation for the revival of general President of the University. Van Hise had University extension was the work of Frank been a classmate of La Eollette's at the Uni­ Hutchins and others connected with the Free versity and was a friend and supporter. He, Library Commission. Hutchins had come to too, had studied under Bascom and had been Madison as a member of the staff of the super­ both student and colleague of Chamherlin. intendent of public instruction in the early In his inaugural address Van Hise proposed 1890's. He had been instrumental in the crea­ that professors be used as technical experts by tion of the Free Library Commission in 1895 the state government. He felt that professors and had become its secretary. The commission had knowledge that might be useful in helping was created to assist small libraries. Its func­ to solve social and political problems. Nor tions were quickly expanded under Hutchins' did he propose in vain. Governor La Foflette leadership. It contrived and popularized the had already begun to use them in state posi­ package library, it gave various assistance to tions. In his Autobiography, he wrote: small libraries, and perhaps most striking of I made it a . . . policy, in order to bring all afl, it created the Legislative Reference Bu­ the reserves of knowledge and inspiration reau. Such a library was made necessary be­ of the university more fully to the service of cause the library of the Historical Society, the people, to appoint experts from the uni­ which for many years had been used by the versity wherever possible upon the important Legislature, had been moved in 1900 from the boards of the state—the civil service com­ Capitol to the new building on the University mission, the railroad commission and so on campus. Thus in 1901 an appropriation was —a relationship which the university has made to the commission for the establishment always encouraged and by which the state and maintenance of a working library at the has greatly profited.^^ Capitol for the use of the Legislature, the In 1912, Charles McCarthy listed forty-six executive departments, and citizens. To the men who were serving both the University post thus created Hutchins brought Charles and the State.^^ It is impossible to measure McCarthy, one of Frederick Jackson Turner's the effect of the University professors upon students, whose doctoral dissertation had won legislation and state government, but it is clear the Justin Winsor prize in history. With that some of these men for a time exercised Hutchins' aid and support McCarthy quickly a strong influence. John R. Commons was the expanded the services of the library to make author of the act establishing the Industrial it uniquely successful as a legislative reference Commission and served for a period as one bureau. At first it sought to provide legislators of the commissioners. T. S. Adams, who with all the information available on the prob­ helped write the Wisconsin income tax law, served on the tax commission, and a number lems on which they wished to legislate. In of other professors held prominent positions.^^ 1907, provision was also made to offer legisla­ The fact that University professors were ad­ tors a hifl drafting service.^^ vising the governor and the Legislature and It was the men of the Free Library Com­ mission, Hutchins, McCarthy, and later Henry ''Robert M. La Foflette, Autobiography, 26-27. Legler, who urged Van Hise to re-establish ''Ibid., 31. general University extension work on a broad '^McCarthy, Wisconsin Idea, 313-17. '^Howard J. McMurray, Some Influences of the University of Wisconsin on the State Government of '^Curti and Carstensen, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, doctoral dissertation, 1940, in the Uni­ 2:552ff.; Edward A. Fitzpatrick, McCarthy of Wis­ versity of Wisconsin Memorial Library, 39-40. consin (New York, 1944), 41ff. •

185 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 basis. In the summer of 1906 McCarthy had outlined an ambitious program. He told an surveyed the activities of the private corre­ audience in 1915: spondence schools in the State. He found that Right or wrong you find here a type of Uni­ some 35,000 people in the State were enrofled versity extension that does not disdain the in such schools and that approximately $800,- simplest form of service. Literally carrying 000 was paid annually for this instruction. At the University to the homes of the people, the same time Legler and McCarthy solicited it attempts to give them what they need— comment from leading Wisconsin businessmen be it the last word in expert advice, course of study carrying University credit, or easy and politicians on the worth of University lessons in cooking and sewing. University extension work. Almost unanimously they ap­ extension in Wisconsin endeavors to inter­ proved it.^^ pret the phraseology of the expert and offers Meanwhile Van Hise had become converted. the benefits of research to the household and Late in 1905 he told a Washington audience the work shop, as well as to municipalities that ''a state university should not be above and state.^^ meeting the needs of the people, however Reber sought to make the Extension Divi­ elementary the instruction necessary to accom­ sion into an agency by means of which all or plish this."-^ The words echoed those of his any knowledge not only could but would be old teacher and colleague, T. C. Chamherlin. transmitted to those who sought it or those who The next year University extension work was ought to have it. Although called University begun again on a small scale. The Legislature Extension, and organized to give University of 1907 was asked for a grant of $20,000 for credit, only a small part of the work was along this work and so well had the groundwork conventional University lines. Indeed, the di­ been laid that the bill passed both houses by vision was, at its best, a people's university, unanimous vote. Later that year Van Hise designed to appeal to the people it was in­ declared to the Regents: "Too much cannot tended to serve. Reber and Van Hise con­ be said as to the importance of University ceived the function of the division to be largely extension under which the University goes outside the area of customary University work out to the people." The farmers' courses, he and, whatever might be said about it to the felt, were fully justified, "if the fundamental contrary, in terms of social or cultural bene­ conception be correct, that the University fits and the rest, its main purpose was to offer is to be managed in such a way as to be of utilitarian courses at virtually any level. the greatest possible service to the state."^- Consciously patterned after the privately Thus provision was made for a large pro­ owned correspondence schools, aimed at being gram of general University extension work. all things to all men, evangelical in outlook, Louis E. Reber, then dean of the college of unreservedly committed to the assumption that engineering of Pennsylvania State College, one sure way to earthly salvation lay through was brought to Wisconsin to direct the new de­ education, the new Extension Division de­ partment. The position. Van Hise told Reber, veloped quickly, energetically, and conspicu­ would be one of "developing a new line of ously. The ideas involved were not themselves education in state universities which I believe unusual. The remarkable thing was that an in the future is likely to become one of very organization was conceived and created, a staff great importance."^^ assembled, trained, and made effective. The division consisted initially of four departments: It was Reber, a trained engineer, who im­ correspondence study, instruction by lectures, plemented and expanded Van Hise's ideas. He debating and public discussion, and general in­ formation and welfare. The State was divided -"Fitzpatrick, McCarthy of Wisconsin, 250, 287. ^'Charles R. Van Hise, Address to the Association into districts and a field organization created. of State Universities, Washington, D.C, November, Textbooks were written to meet the specific 1905. MSS in Presidents' Papers, University of Wis­ consin Archives. ^"Report of the President, Regents Biennial Report, -^Louis E. Reber, "The Scope of University Exten­ 1905-1906, pp. 35, 37-38. sion and its Organization and Subdivision," Proceed­ ^^Van Hise to Reber, Aug. 17, 1905, Presidents' ings of the First National University Extension Con­ Papers, University Archives. ference, March 10-12, 1915, p. 25.

186 CARSTENSEN : DEVELOPMENT OF THE WISCONSIN IDEA need of the division. The success of the ex­ Lincoln Steffens published an article in the periment was reflected in the quickly increased American Magazine entitled, "Sending a State legislative support, in the large enrollments, to College." Steffens observed that most of the and in the wide publicity. In 1915 Van Hise work of the University was utilitarian and, pointed out that in the preceding year Wis­ like Turner twenty years before, he saw the consin devoted almost twice as much money promise of better things to come. "Madison to University Extension as did any other in­ is using the conscious demand for 'utilitarian' stitution in the country. Meanwhile the Col­ instruction to develop the unconscious demand lege of Agriculture had broadened its exten­ that exists in the American people today for sion program. The formal organization of light." He looked forward to the time when various extension services of that coflege was the University would "distribute scientific brought about after 1909. Short courses for knowledge and the clear truth in plain terms farmers' wives were added to those for farmers to all the people for their self-cultivation and and farmers' sons. In 1910 the dean reported daily use." Like many another reporter who that over 1,000 farmers and 400 farm women came to Madison, Steffens assumed that the had attended short courses offered by the col­ Legislative Reference Library was a part of lege at Madison. The college also established the University. This institution, he declared, a weekly press service intended to reach all was the state newspapers as well as the agricultural most remarkable example of state service by press. After 1912 another effective link be­ the university. . . . Creeping into the minds tween the college and the farmers was formed of the children with pure seed, into the de­ in the creation of the office of county agricul­ bates of youth with pure facts, into the tural representatives or county agents.^^ opinions of voters with impersonal, expert The frank dedication of the University to knowledge, the state university is coming service and the lines the service took won en­ to be a part of the citizen's own mind, just thusiastic although not always well-informed as the state is becoming a part of his will. acclaim. The times were propitious. During And that's what this whole story means: these years Wisconsin was experiencing a re­ the University of Wisconsin is a highly con­ form movement while throughout the nation scious lobe of the common community's various groups sought to make government mind of the state of the people of Wiscon­ more responsive to the will of the people, to sin.^'^ bring the growing industrial and financial as­ A year later E. E. Slosson declared that "it sociations under the control of government, is impossible to ascertain the size or location and to correct or at least to ameliorate the of the University of Wisconsin. The most that conditions of the workers in industrial cities. one can say is that the headquarters of the For reformers generally the first step con­ institution is at the city of Madison and that sisted of spreading information among the the campus has an area of about 56,000 square miles." Like Lincoln Steffens, he found the people. For them, as for many others, knowl­ influence of the University both universal and edge and virtue were indivisible. Given good. "Under the influence of university men, knowledge, the people would be virtuous and Wisconsin has become the recognized leader just. The way to correct evils was to expose in progressive and practical legislation, the them. New Zealand of the United States."^^ In 1913, In 1907 William Hard in an article in Out­ F. P. Stockbridge published an article in look described how the University faculty World's Work under the title, "A University served the State. But, he contended, the Uni­ that Runs a State," and the Independent edi­ versity was not in politics; it simply furnished torialized on the state-wide forum in Wis­ facts. "The University of Wisconsin has be­ consin.^^ Many observers thought they saw, come a kind of 'consulting engineer' in the public life of the State. . . ."^^ The next year "-'American Magazine, 67:361-64 (Feb. 1909). "^E. E. Slosson, Great American Universities (New ^'The foregoing paragraphs rest upon Curti and York, 1910), 210-44. Carstensen, University of Wisconsin, 2:562-77. ''World's Work, 25:699-708 (April, 1913); Inde­ ''Outlook, 86:667 (July 21, 1907). pendent, 76:245 (Nov. 6, 1913).

187 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 beyond the courses in sanitary sewerage, into the Bull Moose Party. Two years later highway construction, and shop mathematics a conservative Republican was nominated for offered by the Extension Division, the promise the governorship, and elected. During the war of a new, completely informed, progressive the University faculty condemned La Foflette America. for his stand on the war. The Progressives All of these elements, the large program of returned to power in 1920, but the old magic legislative reform, the expert work of the pro­ was gone. Van Hise died shortly after the fessors, the work of the Legislative Reference Armistice, McCarthy in 1921, and La Foflette Library, the vigorous extension work of the in 1925. No men stepped forth immediately University, and the staunch devotion of the to take their places. University to the principle that the professors Although the agencies these men had created should be untrammeled in their pursuit of continued in existence, the great energy of the truth, were part of the Wisconsin Idea. Politi­ reform movement subsided. Perhaps the in­ cal and social reform legislation probably fluence of the University in the fields of social reached its high point in the work of the Leg­ and political behavior was neither as large islature of 1911. Within the next year La Fob nor as lasting as many had claimed, but for lette, McCarthy, and Howe had all written a decade and a half under the leadership of books intended, at least in part, to explain La Foflette, Van Hise, and McCarthy, Wiscon­ Wisconsin to the nation. Ironically, 1912 also sin had enjoyed what William B. Hesseltine witnessed a serious split within the ranks of has called a successful wedding of soil and the Wisconsin Progressives. McCovcrn, the seminar, a fruitful joining of research and Progressive governor, supported Roosevelt for reform. The mark of the Wisconsin Idea is the presidential nomination and followed him stifl on the State and Nation. END

Our Neighbors Rejoice in New Collections

A Lincoln enthusiast, C. Allen Harlan, Indiana University is another institu­ President of the Harlan Electric Com­ tion glorying in the presentation of a pany, Detroit, donated the funds for the rare coflection. J. K. Lifly, Indianapolis purchase of and future additions to a pharamaceutical manufacturer, is giving fine Lincoln library. Through Mr. Har­ his voluminous library of rare books, lan's generosity the Detroit Public Li­ first editions and manuscripts, some dat­ brary has expanded its special collection ing back to 1470, to the University. of Lincoln material by adding a library Collected over a period of thirty years, collected over a forty-year period by Dr. the Wisconsin press relates that the gift Edgar DeWitt Jones, scholar and nation­ contains the first printed copies of writ­ ally known authority on Lincoln. ings by such early explorers as Colum­ Dr. Jones brought together nearly a bus, Amerigo Vespucci, Cortez, and De thousand books, numerous pamphlets, Soto. pictures, clippings, and periodicals, The great works in English and Amer­ which comprise an important addition ican literature are found in the Lilly to the Public Library's holdings of Lin­ Library; Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, coln material. Writers in the field of printed in 1478, by England's earliest Lincolniana now will find Detroit's Li­ printer, William Caxton, is among its brary one of the significant research centers in the United States for their treasures. purposes. No estimate of the value or number The consolidated collection will be of Lilly books has been ascertained, but known as the Edgar DeWitt Jones-Lin­ book authorities consider it the largest coln Library and will be housed in the and most valuable gift of its kind ever Library's Burton Historical Collection. made to any American university.

188 *'Pearling'' new to you? Help yourself to this colorful bit of history out of Wis­ consin, centered on the "Pearl Capital'' of the State. You'll like it!

Family Busily Opening Clams in "Lowertown,'' Prairie du Chien. Note Boil-Out Tank and Cover in Foreground.

Pearling in Wisconsin by M. J* Dijrud

It is thrifling to find a pearl in a clam shell. tion of the clam beds of the Pecatonica and I had that exhilarating experience as a little Rock rivers, and then extended into the mighty boy, when I discovered a small, blue pearl Mississippi. The seemingly inexhaustible clam with iridescent coloring on the Little Sugar beds of the Upper Mississippi brought an in­ River in southern Wisconsin, near Albany. flux of fortune hunters. With a shout, I announced my good fortune. In the summer clammers' tents lined the Shortly afterwards, Ed Kittelson, a pearl Mississippi River shore. An enterprising Prai­ buyer, told me interesting tales of a trader's rie du Chien grocer operated a store launch, luck and profit. delivering food and supplies to river custom­ Forty years later in Prairie du Chien, I ers. This service was welcomed by the river- learned that my experience touched the fad­ men, who were up at dawn and worked until ing edge of a colorful era in Wisconsin history. dusk, raking clams into their boats after each This city, at the junction of the Wisconsin floating pass across the submerged clam beds. and Mississippi rivers, once was considered Mississippi River procedure was cleverly the "Pearl Capital" of Wisconsin. Each sum­ conceived and productive. Each operator used mer thousands of prospectors gathered in this a clam boat, flat bottomed, with sloping prow area to dig clams in the upper reaches of the and stern. From the sides of the boat, the "Father of Waters." Each sought to wrest from clammer threw out his "crowbars." These nature a hidden treasure in pearls. were smafl rods fitted with short lines to which Dame Fashion ushered in this exciting pe­ were attached many smafl grappling hooks. riod during the last decade of the nineteenth As the hooks dragged the mud bottom of the century when women sought pearls with the clam beds, they caught in the open shefls of same avid desire that later motivated their the feeding clams or mussels. The clams re­ longings for mink coats. acted by closing their shells, actually hooking The humble start appears to have occurred onto the clammer's lines. These crowbars then on the Sugar River, when Bunde and Upmeyer were laid straddle a rack in the boat and the Company in Milwaukee offered fishermen at­ clams removed. Again a floating pass was tractive prices for pearls found in clam bait. made over the clam beds. Visions of fortunes quickly blossomed in many How different from my boyhood experience minds. Tales of easy money prompted explora­ with my uncles along the Little Sugar river

189 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 on grandfather's farm! Then, we would roll However, it was the pearls that provided the up our pants legs and feel for the clams with dominant lure, the speculative urge. our feet. We would reach down, pick up the For people with inquisitive minds, nature shell, and toss it over on the bank. Later we stores her hidden treasures in a very logical would cut the shells open with a knife. This manner. Stifl, the pearl-hiding pattern is elabo­ was hard work and often exasperating, for rate and intriguingly difficult to reconstruct. the muscle hinge of the clam is very strong The mussels or clams vary in size, in shape, and the shells difficult to pry open. and in color. Certain shell types yield the more The Mississippi River clammers had an valuable pearls. The color of fresh-water pearl easier way. They called it the "Boil Out." matches the interior color of the mother-of- Water was heated in a large cauldron, the pearl shefl. Nature is a skiflful decorator. clams tossed in and steamed. This opened the "Washboard" clams generally have pink shell wide so that the meat could be shaken tinted pearls, as do the "wavy-back" clams. out and inspected for pearls. "Three ridged" clams usually yield colored Thanks to the vision of J. F. Boepple of pearls in shades of blue, green, and lavender. Muscatine, Iowa, the pearl button industry The shells we called "niggerheads" have iri­ soon thrived. Smafl cylinders were first cut descent pearls, which are white gems with out of the shefls with tubular saws. These shifting tones of pink and blue. From the were then split into discs, which were shaped "muckets" come fine pink pearls, from "sand- by a steel tool, drilled with holes, and finally shells" often salmon colored or salmon pink polished with rottenstone and soft soap. pearls. Some days near sundown, you will see Clam shells, sold to button factories, afforded these intriguing color tones in the sky, or in bread and butter income for the clammers. the clouds, as the setting sun flings its last During good years about 55,000 tons of shells, shafts of light across the horizon. From the niggerheads and others, largely obtained from "lady-finger" clams, whose mother-of-pearl is the Mississippi between Quincy, Iflinois, and often slate colored, perhaps bluish-black, come La Crosse, Wisconsin, were sold annually. the prized black pearls. These black pearls

Clam Boats an' Cows Having a Leisurely Time of It. Here the Placid Me­ andering Mississippi Is Viewed at ^'Lowertown," Looking South.

190 DYRUD PEARLING IN WISCONSIN have flames dancing iridescently, sometimes ^^e" in diameter, this pearl was too big for blue, frequently violet, but always a delight any gem use. Mr. Peacock pointed out that to the eye. this huge pearl was only good as a collector's Pearls are a malformation within the clam, specimen. As a matter of fact, it now graces originating when a foreign substance enters an English pearl collection. Mr. Peacock sold the pearl-bearing film or mantle covering the this pearl for $1,500, less than he received inner shell. The clam tries to isolate the in­ for many smaller pearls, but it still looms large truder by making a pearl nacre deposit around in his keen memory as the largest fresh-water, it, at the same time a new pearl layer is placed quality pearl he ever came across. on the shefl. Pearl hunters look for damaged Another story from our dean of pearl buy­ or deformed shells, for these are most likely ers deserves repetition. One evening a spotter to yield pearls. friend called Mr. Peacock from Harpers Ferry, John Peacock, now president of the Prairie Iowa, reporting a fine pearl found by a com­ City Bank in Prairie du Chien, has been a mercial fisherman and urging Peacock to come pearl buyer for fifty-four years. He lived and at once. Mr. Peacock arrived late in the night loved this colorful period. Even today he may and made his appraisal by lantern light. Here reach into his inner coat pocket and withdraw was a 421/^ grain iridescent beauty. It seemed a tissue paper fold, so typical of a pearl buyer, that all of the colors in the rainbow danced and show you interesting pearls with their seductively in this gem. "Never before or since delicate opalescent colors. have I seen a finer coloring," recalls Mr. Pea­ I was fascinated to learn about the biggest cock. "I knew it was a fine pearl, but I was fresh-water pearl Mr. Peacock ever handled. not sure how much I should give this man. I It was the "Genoa Pearl," from the famous paid him $1,500, the largest amount I had bed at Genoa, Wisconsin, and was found by Wiflis Hastings. It was nut-sized, found in * Pearls are sold by a special unit of weight called 1903 and weighed 210 grains."^ Measuring the pearl grain. Four pearl grains equal one carat.

A Mississippi Clammer in His Boat with Clamming Equipment, Two Miles South of Prairie du Chien. McGregor, Iowa, Seen in Background.

191 rewarding gamble for John Peacock and a very select group of men. From 1890 to 1920, fresh-water pearls en­ joyed a broad and thriving market. Prairie du Chien in the north and Newport, Arkansas, in the South were the pearl centers. Buyers from all over the world visited these focal points. Prairie du Chien buyers included John Peacock, P. 0. Heide, Frank Honzel, Bifl Moore, and Ed Mertner. W. H. C. Elwell in McGregor, Iowa, also bought here. Other Wis­ consin buyers included Ed Kittelson, Thurman of Albany, and Young of Brodhead. While ocean pearls from Ceylon, the Per­ sian Gulf, and the Polynesian Islands were on the market for centuries, there was a time when the enchanting colors of Wisconsin fresh­ water pearls captured world attention. This era was disrupted by a talented Japa­ /. F. Boepple of Muscatine, Iowa, Is Considered the nese scientist named Kokicha Mikimoto. He ''Father'' of the Pearl Button Manufacturing Industry, died recently at the age of ninety-three, I be­ Begun on the Mississippi about 1891. Pearl Buyer lieve. Just before the turn of the century, Bird Holds the Balance. Photo Taken at Newport, Arkansas. Mikimoto developed cultured pearls. His first pearls lacked quality, but soon the quality im­ proved and Mikimoto's cultured pearls nearly destroyed the market for natural pearls. Wisconsin pearling never recovered from ever paid for a pearl up to that time. I think this rude shock. But the memories of this it was the finest pearl I have ever seen, al­ unique period hold a captivating charm, which though later I paid more money for others." will be long remembered in Badger history. This gem was known as the "Ismal Pearl," END named for the man who found it. Mr. Peacock was now the owner, and as he proudly carried it in his pocket, the gem seemed to induce a tingling sensation in his body, a reflection of his inner excitement. Off to Chicago he went, Did You Miss It? where, with a lump wefling up in his throat, The announcement which appeared he nearly choked getting out his $5,000 asking in the autumn Wisconsin Magazine price before a fine arts dealer. The dealer of History stating that the ten-year bought the pearl and told him later that he Magazine index was off the press? had sold it to a New York buyer for $10,000. Copies are moving, but some of you The Chicago man told Peacock to call on this have delayed to request yours. The New York buyer the next time he was there. price is only $3.50. Those of you Mr. Peacock did. The New York buyer re­ who already have accumulated membered the pearl and said he had sold it in Magazines through 1952 really are England for $20,000. limiting the usefulness of your ref­ erence libraries. There are 159 A few pearl buyers developed a skifl for pages of closely printed entries. peeling, skinning, and shaping pearls. These Binding extra-durable. men were few and far between, for the work was exacting, every attempt a gamble with State Historical Society unknowns, but then the rewards were high. 816 State Street Madison To buy a pearl for $500, peel it, and resell it for $1,500 back to the same dealer proved a

192 This guide to collecting circus should be hailed by many a collector and would-be collector. The field has many possibili­ ties, the suggestions are numerous. Per­ haps you will find designated here just what youVe been looking for.

Collecting the Circus—Past and Present by Don S. Howland *

It seems among us humans, hobbies and col­ Music; (7) Circus Trains; (8) Circus Books; lecting come as a natural safety valve in these (9) Circus Poetry; (10) Circus Animals. days of high pressure and fast tracks. They No collector of circusiana will be happy give us that something that takes our minds with his collection without having something and efforts away from the everyday work of of each of the above items listed, from as many making a living. After thirty-five years of col­ different circuses as he can find. I mean you lecting circus, I feel I can give some advice to should choose and plari your collecting around new collectors of circus and maybe give the one important choice of the many. Have one "old-dyed-in-the-wooF' circus collector a new Circus as your number one project, such as idea which will bring him more enjoyment Ringling Brothers, Gollmar Brothers, Barnum and leave to the future a more complete his­ and Bailey, Hagenbeck and Wallace, or any tory of the American circus. one of the hundreds of famous circus—past First, may I give the collector of circus items and present. Stay with one show. Ride its of the present day, a suggestion or two. I am train over the routes through the years. Know starting with the present, as I've learned from its performers and personnel, get all the pic­ my own experience and from other large and tures and large and small items you can find small collections of circus that I have seen, from this one show. Check and recheck its that we have "missed the boat" on so many growth or decline, the number and kind of important things. wagons, and the many stories and events that My first suggestion to the person who has belong to your show. Most circus collectors been bitten with the circus coflecting bug is have a preference for one circus—stay with it! to specialize or concentrate your collecting. Some collectors may want to plan their col­ No one person can cover all the many and lection around just one of the ten I have listed varied coflectors' items the circus presents. or one of the many subjects not listed. May I Here I will list just a few: (1) Circus Pictures; make a few very important suggestions that (2) Circus History; (3) Circus People; (4) will benefit the coflector and what his collec­ Circus Routes; (5) Circus Wagons; (6) Circus tion will preserve for the history of the circus. Circus Pictures—To the collector of present- day circus pictures. Name and date them. *DoN S. ROWLAND was attracted to the Ringling Brothers winter quarters when a small boy, for the This is a "must." File negatives by circus title, Howland and Johnson Lumber Yard adjoined it. where the picture was taken, and the day and Naturally he developed into an avid circus collector year. over a thirty-five-year period. One of the most valua- able among museum possessions, the collection was Old pictures should be checked and re- given to the Society by Mr. Howland in 1954. A por­ checked for name, year, and date. In the many tion of the collection, organized into a colorful ex­ collections I have seen and in my collection, hibit, has fascinated museum visitors since the day it was opened to the public. there are hundreds of rare old pictures that

193 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 may be of great value if only this information ons, "spec" and "tab," (spectacular and tab­ of name, date, and year were known. leau) and even baggage wagons from shows, Circus History—This subject is fascinating past and present, constitute another collection. and covers a broad field. It is possibly the Circus music for those interested in this sub­ easiest of the subjects listed. There are hun­ ject can keep a collector looking for years. dreds upon hundreds of books available on Old circus music can be found, both for bands circus. Libraries are full of old newspapers and calliope and sheet music or records. Some and manuscripts. Help on the history of the of the great circus bands have recorded many American Circus can be found with little or records. A collection of circus books, and there no effort. If you are going in for history, may are hundreds, is another field. Both foreign I again suggest—pick your show and learn its and those printed in the United States cover history thoroughly. the circus from all angles. It will take a col­ Circus Perjormers and Personnel—If you lector years and much effort to complete a are a sincere circus fan and an individual who real circus library. 1 have in my collection reafly enjoys people, the collecting of data and 500 poems on the circus and I have scratched pictures of the circus performers and person­ only the surface in this field. You can collect nel makes one of the finest circus subjects. A forever on the subject of circus animals, such real life story can be found in everyone associ­ as the training of circus animals, famous cir­ ated with the circus from the front door to cus animal trainers, and so on. the backyard—where the person started in the The circus is fun; collecting circusiana is circus business, the shows he has been with, fun. A circus collection will be more en­ and the number of years devoted to it will all joyable and more satisfying if the coflector be valuable information. will follow the few suggestions I have out­ The other subjects listed need no special lined. Concentrate on your subject, date your suggestions. Circus routes, route cards by sea­ material, and you will have a worth-while col­ son are of great historic interest. Circus wag­ lection on circus history. END

i.fiyinm^:

A Cornel u, mc Mu^t^iuii^ Howland Circus Exhibit. Loved Alike by )t oung sters and Grownups, No Crier Is Needed to Sell This Colorful Display.

194 Wisconsin Poles are a numerous people. Father Siekaniec states that the Poles arrived in America twelve years before the "Mayflower" docked. Much of his story, built around the parish records of Superior and Ashland, emphasizes the development of Catholic parishes as reflected in the construction of churches and parochial schools in these communi­ ties. Father Siekaniec presented this paper at the Society's June, 1955, meet­ ing at Cable.

A Glimpse of Superior on July 4, 1889. Here the Poles Bought the Old Congregational Church Which Was Blessed as the New Polish Church, November 14, 1901. The Parish Was Named St. Stanislaus.

The Poles of Upper North Wisconsin by fr. ladislas J. Siekaniec, OJM.

When the first Pole came to America or the I am presuming, perhaps wrongly, that the United States is difficult to say. There is one first Pole in Milwaukee was the first Pole in opinion that John Scolvus (Scolnus) was prob­ Wisconsin. Michael Skupniewicz arrived there ably a Pole and in the service of Denmark. as a youth in March, 1846.^ Since then Polish He is considered the leader, or at least a key immigrants and Polish Americans have settled figure on the voyage which a probable view in almost every nook and cranny of our State. puts at about 1476, or some sixteen years be­ Since the Poles are almost exclusively Catho­ fore Columbus arrived in American waters. lic, leads to their presence are fairly easily Scolnus, however, reached the northern region found in the vital statistics of Catholic parishes. of the Americas, probably precisely Labrador.^ Of course, you have to recognize Polish names About a subsequent arrival of Poles we have or their Americanized mutations. certainty. A number of them arrived at James­ Clues to Polish historical data in the United town, Virginia, in 1608, aboard the "Second States for the last century are still easier to Supply."^ If my memory serves me, I have obtain. Generally, when a colony increased seen them numbered from six to eleven. At to some seventy-five families, they proceeded any rate they belong to the founders of the to request a Polish language parish from the first permanent English settlement in the church authorities. Most of the time a church United States; they arrived on the second ship. and in the majority of cases a school was con­ For those sophisticates who look down upon structed. Much of the life and ambition of anyone who has not arrived in the colonial these early Poles revolved around their parish prerevolutionary times of our nation, I indi­ not only religiously, but socially and culturally. cate that these POLES arrived even twelve years Thus a major portion of the history of a given before the Mayflower docked at Plymouth Polish settlement will be found in the parish Rock. records, archives, and chronicles. It is natural, too, that a study of their his­ ^For a more detailed study of this question see tory will revolve around their parochial ex­ Jacek K. Furdyna, "Scolvus' Discovery of Labrador," istence and progress. Their progress on the Polish American Studies, July-Dec. 1952, pp. 65-77 (Orchard Lake, Michigan). ^Miecislaus Haiman, "Poles in U.S.," Slavonic En­ 'Fe, the Milwaukee Poles, 1846-1946 (Milwaukee, cyclopedia, 982 (New York, 1949). 1946), 1.

195 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 parish level, their churches and schools, their Here, too, there was opportunity for that societies and celebrations wifl often reflect their hard labor in the lumber camps and mills, on economic, social, and cultural development. the ore and coal docks. Just an example, It wifl also be a testimony to their clerical and Msgr. Walter Kalandyk writes that the Poles partly their lay leadership. came to Cable, Wisconsin, for the construction Thus, too, my information for today's topic work on the Chicago and North Western Rail­ is culled mainly from such sources. road. Thus some came almost literally with The Poles came to our northern region of and on the railroad.^ Perhaps, too, some were Wisconsin some thirty-five years after they stirred by the rumor of a copper vein between came to the southern. Their numerical flow Meflen and Ashland; though the Poles largely to north Wisconsin is noticeable in the middle did not speculate loosely with their hard- 1880's, especiafly for Superior and Ashland. earned money. Others came, no doubt, because Poles are also located in the north to the their relatives and friends had already ven­ number of some thirty families at Butternut tured hither and had found some work. and Washburn. There are fewer families at Perhaps, this joining of those whom they pre­ Cable; just a few at Iron River. Here and viously knew was basically the strongest moti­ there they are also scattered around or in other vation for coming. unmentioned towns. I had planned to include a number of Pol­ Between 1950 and 1952, about thirty Dis­ ish settlements mentioned formerly in today's placed Persons arrived in Ashland and vicin­ sketch. However, since the topic, new to many ity. These were mostly Poles. A few families of you, demanded a number of preliminary stayed. The remainder moved to larger cities observations, I decided to limit myself to the at the instigation of their friends and relatives, two largest Polish communities in the north with the incitement to better wages elsewhere. of Wisconsin: Superior and Ashland. Applications for these were processed through The largest of the two Polish colonies is in my parish office.^ But this latest immigration Superior,^ where the Poles have two Catholic had better be considered as a separate topic. parishes. Already in the 1890's, they were We return to the previous immigration at numerous enough to seek a parish of their the end of the last century to our specified own. In May, 1901, with the approval of region. Why did they come here, to soil ap­ Bishop James Schwebach of La Crosse, they parently quite barren? In general the Pole activated these plans. (At this time, the north­ with his spirit of independence went where ern region Catholics stifl juridically belonged he thought he could also be economically to the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.) The independent, or financially self-sufficient. He Bishop soon instructed the Rev. Jacob Korczyk wanted to work his way into a position where of Phillips, Wisconsin, to visit the Poles of he could own a plot of ground which he could Superior once a month. call his very own and a small home thereon Without sufficient funds to build a new which would also possess the same quality. church, the Poles bought the old Congrega­ The older generation would then hold on to tional Church (of John Avenue and Belknap this for dear life generally, though they were not opposed to bettering their condition. But, Street) and moved it to a site of their choice. since that first group belonged mainly to hard­ The Bishop then appointed Fr. August Babin- working, manual-laboring class, they did not ski, of Fairchild, Wisconsin, as the regular and could not advance too much financially pastor for this new parish of St. Stanislaus. beyond that stage: one plot of ground (or farm) and their home thereon. Usually, they Trom the Monsignor's manuscript, "The History of St. Anne's Church at Cable, Wisconsin," in the did leave for their children, if not a large files of the Chancery Office, Diocese of Superior, financial inheritance, a moral inheritance of Wisconsin. courage to better their status all around. ^St. Stanislaus Golden Jubilee: 1901-1951, Superior, Wisconsin (souvenir booklet printed for this occa­ sion) and Very Rev. Ladislaus S. Nowacki, "St. *At the time the writer gave this talk, he was pastor Stanislaus Congregation, Superior," Catholic Herald of Holy Family Parish, Ashland. At the preparation Citizen (Diocese of Superior Edition, Milwaukee), of this article for the press (October 29, 1955), he Sept. 5, 1953, p. 4, provide the material relating to is located at St. Stanislaus Friary, Cleveland, Ohio. this parish.

196 SIEKANIEC POLES IN WISCONSIN

The pastor's first official act was to bless the year they met in the hall owned by one of former Congregational structure as the new them (Joseph Princ) and organized "The Polish Church, November 14, 1901. Kosciuszko Polish National Mutual Aid So­ Already in 1903 the first floor of this build­ ciety of Ashland, Wisconsin."^ It was soon dis­ ing was converted into classrooms for school banded and reorganized immediately on March use. In 1906 a separate convent was buflt for 4.^° In the fall following they voted to become the Sisters teaching there. And by 1915 the a part of the Polish National Alliance and be­ parish progressed numerically and economi­ came Lodge No. 120.^^ This still exists and cally to plan and have constructed a new plant: is commonly known as "Kosciuszko Society." a church-school combination. The church, Now, this society was organized eleven years which is the upper story, seats 600. This before their parish was established. structure dedicated May 21, 1916, still is in It seems, too, that quite early they began to use today. take an active part in local politics. In Septem­ Some interesting statistics: 187 parishion­ ber, 1888, Edward Eierek was chosen as of­ ers of St. Stanislaus joined the Polish Army ficial delegate from the Fifth Ward of Ashland in World War I (with the approval of our to the County Republican Convention.^^ This government) and more than that were in the is particularly interesting, since generally the United States Armed Forces. More than 200 Poles are Democrats in larger numbers than served in World War II. Since its beginning Republicans. It may be that they had very the parish has had about 2,500 baptisms. active Democratic politicians among the Poles At about the same time, in the eastern part too, but either I did not "spot" them or the of Superior and in the Allouez section, a sepa­ Republican Ashland Daily Press did not choose rate colony of Poles was forming. In 1902 to mention them. I recall reading in this Press there were about 50 families in this neighbor­ some caustic comments on the ignobility of hood. They too began looking for their own the Democrats to such an extent that they Polish parish church. In 1908, St. Francis fraternized with the local Poles.^^ Xavier Hall, the adjacent parsonage, and four Around this time, too, the Poles formed an­ lots were purchased. In 1909 the old St. other society, that of St. Michael, also a lodge- Francis Church, replaced by a new one and branch of another fraternal insurance organi­ not used for divine worship for fourteen zation. The Holy Rosary Society for women years, was again put to God's service for the only was also organized about then. new Polish parish of St. Adalbert."^ This one About 1892, the Poles felt themselves strong now numbered about 60 families. This church enough to petition local church authorities building, I think, is the oldest Catholic church for a parish of their own. And, when the structure in Superior. official meeting to choose the site of their By 1918 St. Adalbert's parish prospered church was called August 20, 1899, seventy- enough to build a two-story brick structure five persons were present, presumably men.^^ which serves as school and the residence for In November, 1899, the same Bishop Schwe­ the teaching Sisters. As of 1954, the parish bach approved the parish for the Poles of Ash­ numbered 150 families. land under the title of "Holy Family Catholic The second largest Polish settlement in the north of our State is in Ashland.^ The Poles ''Cf. writer's "The Kosciuszko Society of Ashland— came here in 1882-84, seemingly a little 1888," Ashland Daily Press, April 9, 1951. 'Hbid. sooner than to Superior. By 1888 they were ^^Ibid., also the writer's "The Polish National Al­ forty in number. On February 18 of that liance" (Branch 120, Polish National Alliance), Ash­ land Daily Press, July 17, 1951. ^^As far as the writer recalls, this is mentioned in Tr. Francis H. Nowak, "St. Adalbert Parish, Su­ the Ashland Daily Press of the time. Note relating perior, Wisconsin," Catholic Herald Citizen, Aug. 7, to it is unavailable. 1954, p. 6. ^^At that time, the paper was owned by S. S. Fifield. ^Early material is in the writer's "Poles in Ash­ The present editor of the same paper is John B. land, Wisconsin, 1884-1888," Polish American Studies, Chappie, who is very sympathetic towards the Poles. Jan.-June, 1949, pp. 14-17. General information is "Cf. writer's radio address, "More History of the contained in the writer's article, "Holy Family Parish, Holy Family Parish," in Ashland Daily Press, Aug. Ashland," Catholic Herald Citizen, Sept. 18,1954, p. 6. 19, 1950.

197 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Congregation." Thus, this parish is the oldest then gradually modified into a residence for Polish parish in the north of Wisconsin. the teaching Sisters. The entire set of build­ In 1898 there was mention of an educational ings is in use today for the same purposes. society (Towarzystwo Oswiaty) among the lo­ The parish now numbers 185 families and cal Poles.^^ There also existed a small Polish has some 730 souls. Roughly speaking, there lending library.^^ When either began I cannot are about 1,500 Poles in Ashland. Because of determine. intermarriages with other ethnic groups, I At Ashland the Poles completed their school venture to say that about one-third of Ash­ before the church. In January, 1901, 115 land's 10,000 population has Polish blood in children trooped into Holy Family Parochial its veins. School.^^ The enrolment increased to about With this I end the two samples of a local 225 in the 1920's; then dropped to below 70 national story which with this starting point can be further developed. in the 1940's. (This I quote from memory, In closing I wish to point to an interesting without statistics now before me.) Now (May, phase of ethnic history among Poles as well 1955) the school has 104 pupils. as among other nationalities which has been The church proper was completed in 1902, left untouched in most cases. Strictly it is only though the foundations were laid at the end of partly history and partly interesting legend. 1900. The Poles, however, were not considered I refer to the stories of the old-timers as by their fellow citizens as financially able to handed down to the latest, mostly third genera­ finish the task. Fr. Damian Koziolek, O.F.M., tion. These stories deal with traditional "hard their first pastor, noticed in an insurance office times" of our predecessors and also with their of Ashland in their business books (about feats in the early days. The latter particularly 1901) the notation on a sketch of the church- interest me, because they are an addition to, basement "abandoned."^^ Reafly, the basement let us call it, ethnic American folklore, some­ had been only covered up for the winter. thing on the order of Paul Bunyan of Min­ In 1908 a part of a public school was pur­ nesota and Magarac of the Pittsburgh Steel chased by Holy Family Congregation and Mills. Afl in all, these ethnic studies are in­ moved to the parish grounds to become the tensely interesting, a comparatively new field new parochial school.^^ The old school was for graduate study and degrees, but they main­ ly provide a better understanding and explana­ ^''Cf. writer's "Ashland's Kosciuszko Society" (Nov. 1897-Oct. 1898), ibid.. Jan. 24, 1952. tion of the reasons for the complexity and unity ''Ibid. of these our glorious United States, i.e., so ^^See note 8 for source in the Catholic Herald Citi­ many nationalities, in so many states, and yet zen. ^^See note 14. "See note 17. so united. END

The Solon J. Buck Award, 1955 For an article on "The Democratic- and cochairman of his department in Farmer-Labor Party Schism of 1948," Macalester Coflege, St. Paul. During the published in the spring, 1955, issue of current academic year he has been serv­ Minnesota History, G. Theodore Mitau ing as visiting professor of political sci­ has received the Solon J. Buck Award ence in the University of Nebraska, Lin­ of the Minnesota Historical Society for coln. He attended the Society's annual 1955. The award, which carries with it meeting in St. Paul on May 11, when the a grant of $50, is given each year to the award was announced. With the excep­ author of the best article appearing in tion of the Society's staff, all authors the Society's quarterly. A committee of whose contributions are accepted for three, with Professor Carlton Qualey of publication in Minnesota History are Carleton College, Northfield, as chair­ eligible for the award, and anyone writ­ man, selected the winner for 1955. Dr. ing in the field of Minnesota and North­ Mitau is professor of political science west history is invited to compete.

198 times draw very human, if unkind, conclu­ sions from the fact that a man or his family Pan4or destroyed the records portraying his role in society. For instance, many unkind reflections relate to the causes for Mrs. Harding burning Box the President's papers shortly after his death. Few people have records so personal or so scandalous that they should hesitate to let impartial researchers examine them. Histori­ ans, like doctors, deal with extremely personal things in a very impersonal manner. Most, probably all, people can cite personal inci­ dents they regret. Sometimes the records of such lapses, either real or falsely attributed to such persons, get into the newspapers or No Records —No History other public records and could not easily be destroyed. History is written from records of past events. Wisconsin history contains one particularly Sometimes history takes the form of reminis­ stimulating instance in which a man disdained cences or their modern counterpart, the tape to destroy a document that he must have con­ recording. Most often, however, histories are sidered unfair. Robert M. La Foflette, Sr., the written by people who rely for the most part stormy petrel of Wisconsin politics, was as on information obtained from letters, diaries, much abused as praised. In 1918, spurred on journals, account books, newspapers, reminis­ by wartime emotions, a large number of Uni­ cences, and official publications. Because his­ versity professors signed a round robin se­ tories are not written without documentation, verely castigating La Foflette for his war stand many significant subjects and people have in 1917 and 1918. The document was de­ never been, and probably never will be stud­ posited in the State Historical Society of Wis­ ied. No records, no history—it is almost that consin. In 1923 some state legislators decided simple. that the round robin should be recovered and Several times within the past few years, de­ publicly burned. La Foflette, when told of this scendants of once prominent Wisconsin fami­ movement, urged that the record be left where lies have complained that their forebears are it was. One of his loyal supporters astutely not properly recognized today. Twice, the men commented that "history can't be changed referred to lived quite recently. Generally, with a bonfire." History is written from all historians do not write of contemporary events records, not just part of them, and the volumi­ because time brings the perspective and ob­ nous collection of La Foflette Papers at the jectivity that the historian tries desperately State Historical Society of Wisconsin and in to attain. the Library of Congress will explain the Pro­ Twice, the very people who were complain­ gressive chieftain's attitudes and actions for all ing that historians were slighting or ignoring time. their forebears had deliberately destroyed the People with an interest in truth and a better records that would have made a historical understanding of the past should unite in dis­ study possible. Thus, it seems inevitable that suading families from destroying potentially those once prominent men wifl be even less valuable historical records. All historically remembered in the future. This is not a reflec­ minded people should aid the State Historical tion on the relative importance of these men, Society and other responsible collecting agen­ but simply a candid illustration of the fact cies by reporting collections that make more that historians must and do operate from that clear the details of our past. Without such aid which they know and can prove. historically valuable records will continue to These two families that deliberately de­ be accidentally or deliberately destroyed. stroyed their records overlooked another im­ And—no records—no history. portant fact. Historians are human and some­ F.N.E.

199 I had called the attention of the Beloit his­ torical group to the "trunkful" of material Hon. Ellery Crane, born in Beloit about 1845 and the son of the secretary of the New Eng­ land Society (founders), had in his possession. My father (the local historian) visited Crane in 1914 at the Worcester Historical Society of which he was secretary. At that time his data included the original records of the New England Society from Vermont and New Hampshire that founded Beloit, a large col­ lection of letters from original settlers, etc. Horace White, the editor, and others had looked over the material. When the Beloit president wrote after I had brot the mat­ ter to [his] attention a couple of times, they Greetings from Finland! investigated in Worcester. Crane died about 1920, his son died later, and his widow held There appears to be real interest here in a the material for years. Thru the Worcester program devoted to American State & Local secretary we learned that she had destroyed Historical Activity, and we shall go ahead in the material some three months earlier. Much arranging such a program in association with or most of it was 116 years old. Crane pub­ the local United States Injormation Service. lished a history of early Beloit in serial form The tentative program would consist of (1) in the Beloit paper, so that no data of first the Wisconsin State Historical Society film;* rate historical importance was lost but the (2) a display of state and local historical background material was a real loss. journals, most of which are already here; and Beloit B. WARREN BROWN least important, (3) a short talk. Our Finnish cofleagues here feel that in order to attract the largest possible audience, The Newhall House Fire Ballad it would be desirable to hold the meeting (or Your Magazine and the "Then and Now" meetings, if more than one is desirable) in letters are a continual pleasure to me. . . . March or April. By May and June Finns ap­ In your January "Then and Now" you wrote parently get very restless and scramble off for of the Newhafl House in Milwaukee and the the woods. fire which destroyed it. My father used to May I therefore inquire: sing a baflad about that fire. The story cen­ (1) Wifl your film be available for March tered around a mother at a window in the or April? burning building holding a child and begging (2) For how long a period may it be held for help. Each stanza ended with the words: here? If possible, I would like to repeat this "While the Newhall House was burning to the program in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. ground." My father told me that the song was In order to insure prompt and safe delivery very popular and he remembered that the of the film, it probably is necessary to send soprano member of a colored quartette who it via Air Parcel Post or Air Freight. . . . Cus­ gave a concert in Galesville sang that song toms difficulties can be avoided by addressing most beautifully. I remember he said of her the film to USIS, but I can give you specific singing: "It would raise you out of your seat." mailing directions after I've heard from you. ANNA KELLMAN WHITCHURCH JOHN I. KOLEHMAINEN Evans ton, Illinois Helsinki, Finland *"The Presence of Our Past." New Combine History Records Were Destroyed Looking at this story ["The First Combine," Regarding the material on the founding of by Charles L. Hill, Wisconsin Magazine oj His­ Beloit in the east, which I had reported and tory, summer 1952, p. 263-66] and iflustra- to which you allude, the story is unfortunate. tions, I feel it my duty to correct some essen­ It so definitely underlines the importance of tial points that I am more or less responsible the work you are doing that you will appreci­ for leaving: ate the foflowing. That "model" at bottom of page 266 is the

200 SINCERELY YOURS one built by a graduate student at Michigan from Cologne, Germany. The enclosed is much State College for that Centennial at Battle to the point as it explains that the tree indi­ Creek, Mich., late in 1931. Prof. Musscflman cates the completion of the rough or skeletal of the Ag. Engineering department had the work. student build it from the best information and Malone REV. B. J. BLIED patent office drawings available at that date. Father Blied rejers to our Sincerely Yours sec­ He could find no picture of the machine at the tion when we printed letters received jrom sev­ time. But if you look at my article in Farm eral readers who commented on a carpenters^ Implement News, 1941, you will find I had custom. Carpenters in Germany jollow the finally found a photo of the machine. Hence, this "model" is misleading and should never custom oj attaching a small tree—some read­ be used as a miniature of the Hiram Moore ers wrote a branch—atop a building to desig­ harvester. The same goes for the line draw­ nate its completion; others said it was done ing on page 265, which I had one of the Cater­ when the jramework was completed. The prog­ pillar Tractor Co. engineers draw to attempt ress called jor ''time ouf^ to participate in beer to show the public what the first successful drinking, at the expense oj the owner oj the combine looked like. Caterpillar Tractor Co. building. was still building the famous Holt Combine We are sorry that the newspaper picture at this date. Holt had built combines from sent by Father Blied will not reproduce clearly. 1886 to the merger with Best to form the It shows a small tree attached to a rather im­ Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1925. Hence, all the development of combines by 20 or more pressive theater under construction, presum­ little factories on the West Coast, as well as ably in Germany. Readers will recall that by hundreds of grain farmers from 1858, had some oj our correspondents had seen such gradually coalesced into the bigger company bushes or branches on buildings in various with sound business methods, just as Case sections oj the United States.—EDITORS. survived in the thresher business over the century of ups and downs that broke the A Keen Trio of Junior Historians smaller and poorer managed firms that were ' By luck we were able to locate the book. building threshers. So, I will send you a pic­ ture of the Hiram Moore combine as photo­ Alluring Wisconsin by Fred L. Holmes, pub­ graphed with Hiram Moore in high hat about lished in 1938. We got it from Montgomery the time he was leaving Michigan, to cross the and Webb in South Bend, Indiana, for just lake to Green Lake for the kind of open land four dollars ($4.00). he wanted to keep using his combine on which We used the two dollars and fifty cents he took with him. This is undoubtedly the ($2.50) from the sale of Side Roads [an extra same machine he took to Wisconsin with him copy] and we took the extra one doflar and and a mate to the one A. Y. Moore sent to fifty cents ($1.50) from our paper collection. California foflowing the 1853 harvest in Michi­ We like the book very much. It seems to gan to start California on its 101 years of un­ broken development of this machine that finally have all the answers. swept around the world of grain and seed farm­ JUDY HARDMAN ing on its ability to cut costs of harvesting Stewart School RICHARD BALCEZAK practically in half—from $3 an acre to $1.75 East Troy MARILYN ANDERSON in California, said Charles Shinn in American Agriculturist in 1890 as he reviewed this Hiram Moore (in top hat) on One of His Harvest­ state's grain farming by this machine. ing Combines Just Before He Left Michigan for Green Lake County, Wisconsin. (Photo from F. Hal F. HAL HIGGINS Higgins' Collection.) Walnut Creek, Calijornia

Tree Atop a Building A few years ago your magazine carried a discussion of the custom of nailing a little tree on the highest point of a new building and then stopping for beer. Since your discussion appeared, I saw such trees a number of times on pictures coming WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

WELFARE DEPARTMENT ents. A foster home must have a permit either {Continued from page 154) from the Department of Public Welfare or DIVISION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH from an agency licensed by it. Over 3,000 This Division, with headquarters in Madi­ foster homes in Wisconsin are supervised by son, provides services to children in such fields the Department or county child welfare agen­ as adoption, care of children born out of wed­ cies. lock, foster care, youth participation, juvenile Receiving Homes—A receiving home is one law enforcement, and interstate placement. to which a child may be brought at any hour Other significant functions of this Division are of the day or night for a stay of a few days to conduct of a staff development program and of several weeks. The use of a receiving home in community self-surveys. Federal Child Wel­ providing temporary care permits the workers fare funds allocated to Wisconsin are admin­ to develop suitable plans for more permanent istered through this Division and are used for living arrangements for the child. the development of children's services particu­ Adoptions—An adoptive home is a home larly in rural areas. The Division also admin­ in which a child is placed with adoption in isters a program of direct services to children. mind. At any one time about 1,000 children These children are committed to the Depart­ have been committed permanently to the De­ ment by the juvenile courts who make a find­ partment. Of these some 350, under five years ing that the child is dependent or neglected of age, are generally considered most desirable and should be temporarily or permanently by adoptive applicants. During the current made a ward of the State. This is primarily a year 831 new families inquired about adopting placement program, since these children have a child. During the same year children were been separated from parents or relatives by placed for adoption in 182 families and the court commitment. The work is done by the adoption of 224 children was completed. As staff of the Division working out of the dis­ stated above a considerable number of children trict offices, and includes case workers, foster eligible for adoption are committed to volun­ home finders, and supervisors. tary child welfare agencies, and those agencies Child Weljare Agencies—Agencies perform­ arrange for placement in adoptive homes and ing child welfare services are licensed through completion of the adoption process. this Division. These include institutions which Day Care Centers—Wisconsin requires any are operated by religious groups. Some of person who cares for four or more children these agencies give casework services to un­ under the age of seven years in his home for wed mothers; others place children in adoptive more than two hours a day but less than a full homes; some are authorized to issue foster day, to be licensed as a day care center. This home permits. work is handled by the Division for Children Foster Homes—A foster home is a substi­ and Youth. Public and parochial schools and tute home for a child separated from his par- day care camps are specifically exempted. As of June 30, 1955, forty-three licensed day care centers were operating in fifteen communities, and serving approximately 1,275 children. Some of the Inmates at Waupun State Prison Are As­ signed Tasks in the Prison Canning Plant. Wisconsin Child Center—Less than 2 per­ cent of the children committed to the Depart­ ment as dependent and neglected enter the Wisconsin Child Center at Sparta which is operated within the Division for Chfldren and Youth. The trend for care at the center has been away from mass custodial care toward specialized study and treatment of an increas­ ingly smafler number of more disturbed and difficult-to-place children. These are chfldren who have had or are likely to have a high rate of placement failure. Currently about ninety children are cared for at the center. SCHMIDT : STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

Community Surveys—The Youth Service ary board. Upon entering the institution every Act directs the Department to assist communi­ person is given a complete physical examina­ ties in efforts to combat juvenile delinquency tion, a dental checkup, and a psychiatric inter­ by determining the adequacy of services and view. All inmates receive the same privileges, programs for children and youth, especially as which can be revoked for misconduct. such services may aid in the prevention of Wisconsin State Prison—Approximately delinquency, dependency, and neglect. The De­ 1,400 men are under commitment to the State partment cooperates closely with school and Prison. Within the walls inmates are kept busy law enforcement authorities in developing pro­ if they are physically able to work. Trade grams aimed at helping children vulnerable to training is provided in the printing plant, the delinquency. Communities are assisted in set­ tailor shop, the bookbindery, the paint-making ting up recreational programs that reach afl plant, the metal-fabricating plant, the metal children. Efforts are made to extend services furniture shop, the woodworking plant, the to homes needing help in solving problems. binder twine plant, or the welding shop. All license plates for Wisconsin automobiles, DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS trucks, motorcycles, and trailers are made at The Division of Corrections has its head­ the prison. Some inmates are able to learn the quarters in Madison. This Division is respon­ bakery trade. Between fifty and sixty thousand sible for the operation of the State's five penal gallon cans of farm produce are processed an­ and correctional institutions. Each of these in­ nually at the prison cannery for use there and stitutions is under either a warden or superin­ at other institutions. Inmates are paid for tendent. The Prison farms and camps operate their work at both the prison and the reforma­ under this Division. A state-wide system of tory at the rate of 35 cents a day for men liv­ probation and parole, supervising nearly 4,000 ing inside the wall, and 40 cents for men work­ people outside the institutions, is part of the ing outside the wall. Of this amount 25 cents agency function. Another responsibility is the is placed in the man's spending account, and inspection of local jails and lockups. The De­ the balance is placed in his savings account to partment has no statutory authority for the be used when he has been released. operation of jails, but does have responsibility Wisconsin State Rejormatory—The reform­ for ordering closed any that are not suitable atory is for the younger male offender, age for occupancy by prisoners. The adult penal eighteen to thirty. Population recently has institutions are the State Prison at Waupun, been in excess of 700. Useful work there in­ the State Reformatory at Green Bay, and the cludes auto body rebuilding, printing, tailor­ Home for Women at Taycheedah. Juvenile de­ ing, auto mechanics, barbering, woodworking, linquents committed to the Department are and related activities involved in the mainte­ cared for at the Wisconsin School for Boys at nance of the institution. An excellent, modern Waukesha and the Wisconsin School for Girls vocational school and auto body shop has re­ at Oregon. A new Wisconsin School for Boys cently been put into operation at the Reforma- has been authorized by an appropriation of $6,000,000 by the 1955 Legislature and wifl be constructed in the Town of Mitchell, She­ Inmates of the State Reformatory at Green Bay Are Learning Auto-Body Rebuilding. boygan County, in the Kettle Moraine Area. Adult prisoners are housed and employed at seven prison camps and three forestry camps. These operations are governed by the philoso­ phy that a correctional program should pro­ vide individual treatment, rehabflitation and rebuflding for both the mind and the body. Discipline has to be maintained as part of this treatment program. Corporal punishment, dis­ tinctive clothing, clipped heads, and sflent sys­ tems have afl been abolished. Misconduct on the part of an inmate is treated by a disciplin­ WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

tory. Afl work for the body shop is brought in Both boys and girls need and can benefit from by auto dealers in Wisconsin and from state such an exposure to community life. and local government agencies. No work is Probation and Parole—This field service accepted from individual car owners. has headquarters in Madison. Wisconsin is Wisconsin Home jor Women—The popula­ divided into five districts. Each district has tion of this institution is running between 135 a supervisor. Normally a case load of 45 plus and 150. The women in the institution learn all the other work is regarded as about the cooking and baking, waitress work, home tail­ proper load to expect an agent to carry. This oring, furniture upholstering and slipcovering, staff supervises nearly 4,000 men and women gardening, nurse's aid work, and photograph who are either on probation or parole. While retouching and tinting. They also receive some the primary function of the staff is super-

>0

On the ^.> ^^.uu hu •>l/ii(iL. KcinpsL er Hall Has Recently Been Added to Relieve Crowded Conditu

training in personal grooming, mental health, vision of offenders on probation by a court or and social living. released on parole from an institution, their Education and Recreation—School subjects services frequently begin with the making of are taught at all the correctional institutions. a pre-sentence investigation for the court. This The School for Boys and the School for Girls is done to assist the court in determining the are specifically educational institutions because best plan for treatment of a convicted offender. the boys and girls committed are between The Department has a fulltime parole board twelve and twenty-one, usually under eighteen. whose members are career employes under the When an inmate completes the high-school State Civil Service Law. The board meets reg­ course, a diploma is issued to him by the ularly at the various institutions, visiting each school in his home community. one several times a year. At these hearings Recreational activities range all the way eligible prisoners who have made application from vigorous outdoor sports, such as footbafl, for parole are presented and heard. to sedentary activities, such as reading and listening. Movies are shown weekly, and each DIVISION OF MENTAL HYGIENE institution has a library. At the School for This Division of the Department has its Boys and the School for Girls viewing televi­ headquarters in the Wisconsin Diagnostic Cen­ sion programs is a popular activity. Smafl ter, Madison. groups are escorted from the school grounds The State of Wisconsin operates three hos­ for picnics, movies, dramatics, and the like. pitals for the mentally ill. The Hospitals at

204 SCHMIDT : STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE

Mendota and Winnebago are for the treatment requiring hospitalization. All patients are given of the acutely ill. Central State Llospital at complete mental and physical examinations Waupun is used for the custody and treatment including laboratory and X-ray studies. A pro­ of male patients who may be dangerous to gram of treatment may consist of psychother­ themselves, to others, or to property, and any apy, medicine, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, male prisoner at the State Prison or State Re­ occupational and recreational therapy, and spe­ formatory who is mentally ifl, infirm, or de­ cial ti'eatment such as insulin and electro ficient, may be transferred to the Central State shock. The new drugs, Serpasfl and Thorozyne Hospital. Women in a similar category are sent (Chlorpromazine) are being used in the treat­ to the Winnebago State Hospital. The State ment hospitals with encouraging results and Hospitals accommodate an average population with very little side-effects. Members of the

i^^. -y^'ci^^-frnMrns^m^^^^^^mf^:^^f^I'^^y^^'^^Ji mm^:- i

' -^i^' s ^- '- -t,'^ »^-*«*«^ k^^f^^j Newly Constructed Lorenz Hall, Mendota State Hospital, Is Named for Dr. W. F. Lorenz, Noted Psychiatrist.

between 2,250 and 2,300. The State presently staff of the Wisconsin General Hospital pro­ has two institutions for mentafly defective chfl­ vide consultation services. dren and adults—the Northern Wisconsin Col­ Northern and Southern Colonies and Train­ ony and Training School at Chippewa Falls, ing Schools—The objectives of these institu­ and the Southern Wisconsin Colony and Train­ tions are to care for and train mentally defi­ ing School at Union Grove. These two insti­ cient or retarded persons. Patients range in tutions, together with an Annex to Northern age from one week to older adulthood. Both of Colony which is operated as part of the Wis­ the Colonies have school facflities for educable consin Chfld Center, wifl accommodate between patients and custodial provisions for patients 3,200 and 3,300 patients. The Legislature has whose capacity for training is severely limited. appropriated funds for and planning is going As patients are trained and become ready, on for the construction of a third institution to efforts at placement in free society as self-suffi­ be known as Central Colony and Training cient participating members are made. During School. The Central Colony is to be a research recent years several hundred have been placed oriented institution and wifl be located in out for work in home arrangements which are Madison on lands adjacent to the Mendota leading to final discharges. State Hospital. Wisconsin Diagnostic Center—The Wiscon­ Mendota and Winnebago State Hospitals— sin Diagnostic Center is a new facflity which At these institutions emphasis is placed on the came into operation in August, 1954. It has a treatment and rehabilitation of mental patients capacity for seventy-six patients. Its services

205 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 are available only for persons committed to the of consultants for county mental hospitals has Department and to the institutions and services been developed. This team is made up of a under its jurisdiction. A law enacted in 1955, supervisor of county hospital services, a tuber­ upon recommendation of the Department, also culosis consultant physician, an occupational makes the services available to juvenile court therapist, and a psychiatric social worker, judges when they request such services in rela­ usually aided by a psychiatrist from the Divi­ tion to juveniles who are in the jurisdiction of sion staff. These consultants assist county hos­ the court for determination as to what should pitals in improving their programs and in be done about them. Patients may be trans­ selecting patients for release to the community. ferred to the Diagnostic Center from any of The Division also serves counties by providing the State institutions and from the county men­ consultative service in the planning of new tal hospitals. At the Wisconsin Diagnostic Cen­ buildings or in the renovation of old build­ ter there are provided for the first time con­ ings for the care of mentally ill patients. centrated professional services that can be ap­ CONCLUSION plied under very favorable controlled condi­ The functions and activities of the State De­ tions through individual evaluation. From the partment of Public Welfare are many and onset sound planning of a total treatment pro­ widely varied. They are carried on through­ gram, especially for children and youth, is out the State of Wisconsin from border to facilitated. A flexible service which can be border. Entailed is the operation of 12 insti­ used in diversified ways is provided. Thus tutions, 7 farms, 3 forestry camps, 10 district some pressure may be taken off the specifically offices, and cooperatively 38 county mental limited program scope for the institutions and hospitals, some 36 county homes and hospitals services of the Department. for the aged, and the operation of 71 county County Mental Hospitals—Wisconsin has a welfare departments. There is continuing at­ long-established program of county institu­ tention to cooperation and coordination with tional care for the mentally ifl (dating back law enforcement officers and with judicial au­ to the seventies and eighties of the nineteenth thorities, particularly the juvenile and criminal century). There are presently thirty-eight and probate authorities. The work of the De­ county mental hospitals. These are under the partment relates to the well-being of more general supervision of the Division of Mental than 100,000 Wisconsin citizens—the needy, Hygiene. The authority is exercised in an the blind, the aged, the mentally ifl, the de­ advisory capacity, including the inspection of pendent and neglected and delinquent children, facilities and the handling of transfers of pa­ mentally retarded, the juvenile and adult of­ tients between institutions. At the request of fenders against the laws of society. The work the Association of County Hospitals, Depart­ of the Department reflects the social concern ment staff have been meeting regularly with for the citizens of the State of Wisconsin as superintendents, matrons, physicians, and trus­ expressed in the statutes enacted by officials tees during recent years to discuss common elected as governor and as members of the problems and to coordinate activities. A team senate and assembly. END

STREET CARS Tuesday's emergency council meeting had {Continued from page 170) been inconclusive, since the council delayed Even in the face of this, the imported work­ action on Berger's proposal regarding the ers began gradually to resume operation of the franchises and postponed action on a petition cars, so that by Saturday, May 9, 80 of the of 127 businessmen asking that the franchise company's 155 cars were running.^^ aged children in the mobs. Throughout, the JournaVs ^^TMER&L Minutes, Report of Special Committee, reporting was more conservative and probably more May 14; Sentinel, May 5-9; Journal, May 6. The accurate. The version presented herein is an attempt Journal claimed that the Sentinel was exaggerating at a balance between the accounts of the Sentinel the accounts of the riots, saying that the mobs were the Journal, and the company. At this phase, the only half as big as the Sentinel reported, and charging Sentinel was strongly pro-company, the Journal that most of the real destruction was done by teen- strongly prounion.

206 MCDONALD : STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE be revoked for non-service in their area. In hanging Henry Payne in effigy. To their credit, a token effort to settle the strike, it set up an it must be said that the striking workers them­ arbitration board, which reported two days selves did not participate in these doings; the later that negotiations with the company were Milwaukee Journal suggested that the strikers impossible and suggested two resolutions: (1) wear their uniforms to distinguish them from that steps be immediately taken for acquiring the rioting mobs. But Socialist and Populist all public utilities in the city by the city, either orators continued to inflame the masses with through purchase or condemnation and con­ passionate speeches denouncing the "street fiscation, and (2) that the company had for­ railway monopoly" and the "New York capi­ feited its franchise by its inability to serve, talists," and each night the mobs increased in and that therefore the property be immediately size and activity. During the days, women condemned for public use and ownership by and teen-aged children kept the agitation mov- the city. Both resolutions were committed for ing.i^ study.^^ The mayor and council did little during the The company was now fighting a war on week except make threats. With a Republican three fronts, and care must be exercised in mayor and a Republican-dominated council— observing each, lest the details become con­ many of whom owed their positions to Henry fused: (1) it faced a strike by its workers: Payne, the Republican political boss—the city (2) it faced the hostility of the populace, government tried to please everyone and suc­ particularly the large bands of unemployed ceeded in pleasing no one. The noisy talk of workers in the city; and (3) it faced the un­ municipal ownership seemed to be designed predictable city council. only to appease the mob leaders, and appar­ On the strike front, the workers were ready ently the city officials intended to continue to surrender and go back to work on Thursday, their violent talk until the strike blew over May 7. The company refused to discuss taking and then to drop the matter entirely. If so, they them back to work as a body and refused to seriously underestimated the force of popular fire the men it had employed as replacements. feeling. The Democratic Journal charged in "Arbitrate?" snorted Henry Payne. "The com­ editorials that the Republicans were only mak­ pany has nothing to arbitrate. We are flooded ing grandstand plays in an effort "to screen with offers from workers around the country their responsibility" for having made the who are making 15 to 16^ an hour, asking for original franchise grants to the company.^^ jobs. We could get 10,000 men if we wanted When the second week began on Monday, them. All we want is police protection." But May 11, everything seemed to be dying down. he offered to receive applications from the ex- But Samuel Gompers had been personally workers as individuals, promising that they called in to help direct strategy, and the tempo­ would be hired according to their merits and rary quiet was only the city holding its breath the company's needs. The union refused to and speculating as to the next move. A rumor deal on this basis. Within a week, when all gained widespread credence that a general the company's cars were back into full opera­ strike of all union workers in the city was tion, the strike appeared to be over, and the in the offing, but Gompers' much more direct union seemed to have lost completely. Instead, plan would simply carry the strike on in an­ the fight was merely entering a new phase.^^ other manner. A continuing general boycott Meanwhile, the mobs w^ere growing bolder. of the company's service was called for, and On Thursday, May 7, a mob led by brewery secret committees were set up to promote and workmen went about barricading tracks, spik­ control it. It was the most effective boycott ing switches, cutting wires, stoning and egging the city ever saw. All union workers and their policemen and scab workers, and repeatedly sympathizers in the city refused to ride the company's cars, and the movement was carried '^Sentinel, Journal, May 9. In reporting council pro­ into highly organized secondary boycott levels. ceedings, the Sentinel ran only summary interpretive stories, with much editorializing in its reporting; the Journal printed the official proceedings. ''Ibid. journal. May 7 and the following; TMER&L '^Journal, May 11; the Journal carried similar edi­ Minutes, Report of Special Committee, May 14, 1896. torials on May 4 and May 11.

207 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Merchants who rode the lines were boycotted, The representatives of the Turner societies and even if an employee of a merchant should and the trade unions in the city called a special ride the fines, that merchant immediately came meeting that night to consider Rauschen- under the boycott. berger's statement. The meeting adopted In order both to make the boycott more strong resolutions, a composite of proposals effective and to provide funds for the striking made by Victor Berger, Frank Immler, and ex-workers, ancient horse-drawn jitneys and C. H. Boppe. They demanded that Governor omnibuses, operated by the ex-workers, began Upham call a special session of the legislature to appear on the streets. Such vehicles had to give the city power to carry out a compli­ long been prohibited from operating, but the cated plan whereby TMER&L's property was city council repealed all such prohibitory ordi­ to be condemned immediately and acquired nances in the emergency. The streets became graduafly by the city. Berger and Boppe, cluttered with every manner of indescribable backed by the Populists and Socialists, who vehicle; the union imported more carettes dominated the meeting, were not completely and buses daily, and by the end of the second satisfied with the plan, but they went along week there were three times as many such with it because of its demand of the gover­ vehicles as there were street cars. At the start nor. Said Berger, "It wifl show whether he is of the third week, on Monday, May 18, Mahon the people's governor, or whether he is Charley announced gleefully that he had never seen Pfister's governor." (Pfister, another influen­ a more effective boycott. "With all cars run­ tial Republican leader, was then second in ning at a heavy expense and no one riding command in the company, after Payne).^^ them," he said, the strike is proceeding hap­ On the next day, Saturday, May 23, the pily. "The inexperienced motormen are rapidly merchants of the city got together to express ruining the machinery of the cars," he con­ themselves in the Milwaukee Merchants and tinued, and he confidently predicted that the Manufacturers Association. Association Presi­ company would soon be forced to its knees.^^ dent J. C. Spencer and Secretary A. F. Greu- With the union, all the advocates of municipal lich, in fiery speeches, denounced the strikers, ownership, every rabble-rouser in the city, the boycott, and the Socialist and Populist and most of the people appearing to be unified agitators. Spencer charged that substantially in this effort, both the company and the city a dictatorship of the proletariat existed, that council were being forced into corners, and retail trade was completely demoralized, and a climax was soon due. that the business of merchants accused of But a move was afoot to split the force of violating the boycott had faflen over 60 per­ the boycott before it could bring matters to cent. Greulich called it "a reign of terror. a head. On May 23, Mayor Rauschenberger ... If we wish to ride we have no choice of reported on the studies regarding municipal vehicles; we are told where to buy and where ownership. The chief obstacle, he said, was to sell; where to eat and where to drink. Our financial. By the dictates of the state con­ business is ruined, and to add to the grim stitution, a city could get into debt only to irony of the situation we are told where to the extent of 5 percent of its average assessed deposit our money, if we have any."^^ valuation for the preceding five years. In Sunday had been proving a particularly Milwaukee's case this would be about $900,000 good day for mass anti-company meetings, more than its existing debt, after the bonds and on Sunday, May 24, the agitators gave maturing in 1896 were retired. In short, "the new weight to the "reign of terror" charge. city cannot at present issue and sell bonds for The Trades Council, the Populists, and the one-tenth the amount that it would cost" to Liberal Club held separate mass meetings, duplicate or buy the TMER&L plant.^^ each attended by from 4,000 to 5,000 people. Speakers attacked the Merchants and Manu­ "The boycott is thoroughly covered in both the facturers Association and denounced Mayor Sentinel and Journal during the week of May 11-18 Rauschenberger as "false to the people he and later. That the company was greatly concerned by the boycott is evident in the second Report of the Special Committee, in Minutes, June 5, 1896. ''Ibid. '""Sentinel, Journal, May 23, 1896. ''Ibid., May 24.

208 MCDONALD : STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE solemnly promised to serve" for having "sub­ to take advantage of the impending split of mitted to monopoly and capitalism" by en­ radical forces. dorsing the merchants' charges. Minister J. The company offered to the ex-workers that N. Magoon charged that the money changers, one-third of them—300 men—could return to in the persons of the company, the associa­ work immediately, and that the remainder tion, and their stooge, the mayor, were "trying would ultimately be worked back into their ing to be revenged by driving Christ from the jobs. The workers, less radical than their temple." The Eastern states, he continued, leaders, tentatively accepted, with the quali­ were "the most damnable states in the Union fication that the entire 900 be reinstated, to for the oppression of the poor . . . and they be rotated at 300 per week. The company an­ are trying to bring the working people here swered that the complications and expense of to the same deplorable condition." At the this would be prohibitive, since the company third meeting, Frank J. Weber broadened the was again on the verge of bankruptcy. No one denunciations to include the entire economic, believed this, for the company was universally social, and political order. assumed to be super-wealthy (the facts were At this high emotional pitch, the three meet­ that the company had to borrow, on that day. ings came together for a powerful address by May 28, $25,000 to meet its interest payments Union President Mahon. He said the struggle coming due June 1) and the dispute once which was being fought in Milwaukee "was again was at an impasse. The only result had the meeting of two great forces that strove been a further loss of face by the company.^^ to control the destinies of modern civilization. A stroke of Mayor Rauschenberger was far On one side was capital, seeking to establish more decisive. At the end of May, through the a despotism throughout the world. On the pressure of the mayor, an ordinance requiring other was organized labor, seeking to elevate a 4-cent fare on all cars operated by the com­ humanity." Violent action, such as was being pany passed the third reading in the council, employed in Milwaukee, must be resorted to. meaning it was sure to become law. To any­ Victor Berger closed the meeting with another one who believed the company's claims of speech, after which the participants proceeded near-insolvency—and the claims were true— downtown, where they cut wires, overturned it was obvious that this would bankrupt the cars, engaged in half a dozen riots, and stabbed company within a year. A second bankruptcy assorted policemen and beat them and the scab would have broken the parent company. North workers with bricks and clubs. Seventeen American, and private capital would not re­ leaders of the riots were jailed before the motely have considered investing in the prop­ riots finally abated.^^ erty after that; the city could then buy the Sunday's speeches were not merely intem­ property at a receiver's sale for a song. The perate language in a labor strike: they were final vote on the ordinance was scheduled for a clear call for revolutionary action against June 8; the interim would give the proposal monopoly and capitalism. As such, they scared time to work toward splitting the ranks of the not only the "monopolists and capitalists"; radicals in the city.^^ Meanwhile, another anti- they frightened the less radical of the Popu­ company faction in the council decided that lists, Socialists, and laborers as well. The the 4-cent fare was not enough, and through Populist Party of Milwaukee immediately split its activities, a new company, the Milwaukee into two factions, right and left wings, one and Waukesha Electric Railway Company, was wanting merely to win the strike and perhaps organized and enfranchised to compete with cheaper fares or other concessions from the TMER&L. The new company immediately be­ company, the other demanding destruction of came a lively issue, for a strong faction con­ the company and possibly the entire economic sidered it a better hope to destroy TMER&L order by force. Any doubts of the seriousness of the revolutionary call were soon dissipated ^^TMER&L Minutes, Report of Special Committee, by the violence which followed. Meantime, June 5; Directors meeting. May 28; Sentinel, May both the council and the company took steps 29. Only the Journal, which had closer contact with the strikers, reported the conditional agreement of the workers in full. ''Ibid., May 25. '""Sentinel, Journal, May 26, 1896.

209 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 than the 4-cent fare ordinance.^^ At the end and anti-violence wings, leaving the pro- of May, the anti-company forces momentarily violence group as an isolated faction which vacillated while the decision on the proper in the future did nothing more serious than strategy was being considered. to burn down an occasional car barn. The Then the extreme radicals struck a blow remaining majority split again in mid-June which began to tear the anti-company ranks over the policy to be followed regarding the into shreds and bitter factions. On June 1, new competing Milwaukee & Waukesha line. a group of unknown conspirators, who had Many of the striking ex-workers felt that the taken the above-mentioned call for violent revo­ new line would be able to afford enough em­ lutionary action seriously, began to carry the ployment for all of them, and they were will­ violence to its greatest extreme. On that eve­ ing to waive the abstract notion of municipal ning the group attempted to kill the operators ownership and quit the war if they could re­ and passengers of the dummy train to White- turn to work. In the face of this attitude of fish Bay by removing an entire section of the strikers, the Trades Council withdrew its track just around a blind curve on a steep support of the boycott, denounced the ex- downgrade; they cut the telephone wires to strikers, and further split the ranks. The city the company superintendent's home and office council was likewise split over the same ques­ so that he could not be warned of the condi­ tion, i.e., whether to support the new company tion. By a freak accident, the car ran into as a competitor or pursue the idea of munici­ some ties the conspirators had left on the pal ownership further. Of the small majority tracks, which jarred the car to a halt just favoring the latter course, about half favored before it reached the deadly trackless section, taking the step immediately through the plan and everyone escaped with minor injuries. proposed by Berger et al, and the other half On June 3, the conspirators ambushed a car favored the more subtle method of breaking on a desolate stretch of line between the city the company through the 4-cent fare and ulti­ and Cudahy and fired twenty rifle shots at the mately acquiring the property directly at a motorman and conductor. The motorman and receiver's sale. the conductor were both seriously wounded, Meantime, in a wild strategic side-battle, the motorman almost fatally. On June 4, an­ TMER&L, through some masterful maneuver­ other ambush was staged at Walnut and 18th ing by John I. Beggs, obtained control of the streets, when bullets were fired into a loaded viaducts entering the city. This brought about car; only one passenger, H. L. Thomas of so much delay in the construction of the new Philadelphia, was wounded.^^ company's lines that the city council of Wau­ This was going too far for almost everyone, kesha annulled the franchise it had granted and a public reaction against the most radical the new company, and the new company company opponents immediately set in. From folded quietly into nonexistence. This move­ this moment on, the anti-company forces began ment and all of the indecision in Milwaukee to disintegrate.^^ They first split into violence played into the hands of TMER&L, giving it time to gain strength. The boycott had ended, •^Technically, the new company was a competitor and the company slowly began to revive.^'' only to the Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction Com­ pany (MLH&T), another subsidiary of North Ameri­ can. MLH&T was organized at this time to perform the same services in surrounding communities that of tough sledding. The figure was actually gross TMER&L did inside Milwaukee. profits, before depreciation, extensions, taxes, and in­ '^Sentinel, June 1-6. The company's Report of the terest, and the company's books show that it was not, Special Committee of June 5 shows an interesting re­ in fact, earning enough even to pay the interest on its action to the new violence; some fear, some anger, existing bonds. Circulation of the prospectus in Mil­ but largely only despair characterized the report. waukee afforded considerable embarrassment to the "^A brief interruption of the disintegration occurred company, however, and this temporarily reunited its during the final debate before passage of the 4-cent enemies. See Sentinel and Journal, June 9, 1896, and fare ordinance, when an anti-company alderman pro­ minutes of TMER&L and North American through­ duced a prospectus recently circulated by the com­ out the period, particularly the reports to the execu­ pany in New York in connection with a large bond tive committee of North American. issue. The prospectus claimed the company had made ^^The activities in Waukesha are reported in the $588,000 in the last year, a statement apparently ir­ Waukesha Freeman, June, 1896, as well as in the reconcilable with the company's claim in Milwaukee Milwaukee papers. The foregoing analysis of the split-

210 MCDONALD STREET CARS AND POLITICS IN MILWAUKEE

But its situation was far from good. In the the spring of 1897 over a proposed new tax first place, the 4-cent fare ordinance was hang­ for railroads in the State Legislature. The new ing over it. Immediately after its passage, tax was to be based on gross receipts instead the company secured a temporary injunction of directly on property, the existing basis. against its enforcement, but this merely set Though its passage would have resulted in off a long, costly court battle, the outcome of great immediate tax savings to TMER&L, which was uncertain. If the 4-cent fare should Henry Payne went to Madison to lobby against be held constitutional, the investors could kiss the bill, for two reasons. First, he thought the company good-bye. Further, Milwaukee's that ultimately, say in ten years or so, the indecision did not alter the fact that probably company might lose money by a gross receipts 75 percent of the city's residents were bitter tax, particularly if the rate of the tax were enemies of the company, and that most of increased. More important, he realized that them favored municipal ownership of its prop­ if the bill were passed, it would be charged erty. Two bits of petty legislation emphasized in Milwaukee that it was passed because of this fact. Early in August the council required his political influence. Such a charge, at this that the company operate a full line of cars critical period when it appeared that the com­ from 1:00 to 4:00 A.M. Since there was no pany was about to have peace, would be more business at afl on these "owl cars," this meant damaging than higher taxes. His efforts were that during one-eighth of every day, operat­ wasted, for the bill was passed anyway, and ing expenses were at a maximum while in­ company opponents made the ridiculous—but come was zero. Then the council indicated believed—charge that his lobbying against the it meant business in the municipalization of bifl was part of a fiendishly clever design to the properties by setting up a "premium insure its passage.^^ So it went in 1897. fund"; i.e., all premiums received on the sale The lull in the battle came to a sudden end of city bonds, for whatever purpose, went into early in 1898, as the campaign for the biennial a fund which was to be used for the erection municipal elections got underway. The Demo­ of a city lighting plant.^^ crats of the city, though normally in a mi­ Throughout the remainder of 1896 the situ­ nority, had gained tremendously as a result of ation remained in about the same condition, the TMER&L dispute.^^ As has happened on with public hostility toward the company many other occasions, most of the discon­ gradually diminishing. By the end of the year relations appeared on the surface to be almost tented, disorganized factions gravitated to­ normal, while everyone awaited the outcome ward the Democratic Party like baby chicks of the 4-cent fare case in the courts. Through to a mother hen. The movement became whole­ 1897 they waited, as the case was being fought sale when the Populists of the city, who usually through the state courts and up the tortuous received about 20 percent of the votes in mu­ legal path toward the United States Supreme nicipal elections, agreed to join with the Demo­ Court. Meantime, politicians wasted no oppor­ crats for a fusion ticket of city candidates. tunities to embarrass the company or each other at the faintest sign of an opportunity; ^'^The lobbying for the gross receipts tax, and the role of Payne in it, is interestingly portrayed in the the company was bitterly attacked by some­ Sentinel, April, 1897, though the fullest accounts one about once every two or three weeks. came when the issue was revived later. The cele­ When nothing in the company's conduct could brated ad valorem tax of 1903, engineered by Robert M. La Follette, merely repealed the 1897 law, in be found to warrant an attack, something was effect, and in this writer's opinion it is much over­ invented. The hottest exchanges occurred in rated. There is no official declaration of policy toward the tax anywhere in the company's archives. ^"In the 1896 municipal elections, Republican candi­ ting and realigning on company issues is pieced to­ date for mayor Rauschenberger got 17,900 votes, gether from resolutions of various organizations and against 15,300 for the Democratic candidate and reports in the Sentinel and the Journal. 9,100 for the Populist. William McKinley received a '^Sentinel, Journal, July-Aug., 1896; monthly meet­ plurality of over 9,300 votes in the presidential race ings of board of directors, July, August, and Septem­ in 1896. In municipal elections, the combined Popu­ ber, 1896, in Minute Book #1 of TMER&L. Prices list-Democrat vote had been greater than the Repub­ paid for city bonds in 1896 ranged from 106 to lican vote for the past half-dozen years, but Republi­ 111.86; by October, the premium fund had grown cans had repeatedly gained pluralities. The above to over $63,000. figures are from the Sentinel, April 8, Nov. 4-5, 1896.

211 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Only the Social Democrats, representing the against only 13 for the Republicans. The post­ most violent anti-company element, stayed out election comments, significant as a barometer of the fold. The Democrats themselves were regarding the movement which was soon to seriously split on the national issue of Bryan sweep the entire State, as well as interesting free-silverism vs. the gold standard, but in in the present narrative, are worth quoting good Democratic tradition, they were able to here. Retiring Mayor Rauschenberger said the ignore their differences when the blue chips election was "a protest of the people against of election were down. Even so, with such a machine rule, and the influence of lobbyists motley coflection of political shades brought and dictators for the benefit of private enter­ together in one camp, their campaign promised prise against that of the public good." Henry to be interesting.^^ J. Baumgaertner, retiring Republican presi­ The Democrats and their candidate for dent of the common council, echoed: "The Re­ mayor, David S. Rose, disappointed no one. publican party has been under a trolley car." As Harry Truman ran against Wall Street The Republican German-language Herold edi­ instead of Thomas Dewey for president in torialized that "the people won a victory un­ 1948, Rose ran against TMER&L instead of paralleled in the history of the city. . . . The his Republican opponent, Wifliam Gender. key to the campaign just closed was the echo The campaign was spirited, even vicious, with of the conflict between the street railroad mo­ mud-slinging and demagoguery employed by nopoly and the mass of the people." Almost both candidates, but Rose, besides being a all Republicans marked the day as the dawn more adroit politician, had by far the more of the age of the Progressive Party, the first popular cause. His sole campaign promise was big step toward the triumph of La Follettism.^^ to "get" the company, and he was appropri­ The Sentinel, in a rare moment of sobriety, ately vague as to what specific action this came closer than any to the heart of the mat­ implied. Each anti-company faction was en­ couraged to assume that he meant to take the ter. "The same spirit of angry resentment," action it thought best. The essence of the Rose it said, "which prompted the population of campaign was contained in his summary state­ the city to walk rather than to patronize an ment to the Journal just before the election. excellent street car system at their service Geuder, he said, was the Republican machine prompted a great number of voters to con­ candidate, and "the machine is made up of the tribute to the defeat of their own party candi­ moving spirits of the street car ring and . . . dates . . . nearly every member of the coun­ his election would be equivalent to the election cil suspected of so much as a desire to treat of the officers of the street car company to the the corporation with common fairness having office of mayor."^^ suffered defeat even where his party ticket Rose was elected by a landslide, with 60 received a large majority."^^ percent of the popular vote, and the Demo­ Most important, with David Rose in the sad­ crats captured 29 seats on the city council dle as mayor and with a whopping majority of the council having a popular mandate to ^^The Democrats encountered some difficulty from strike at the company, the active war against the extreme left-wing Populists, who, though they TMER&L was about to be resumed. The cur­ formally approved the fusion, wanted fusion candi­ dates listed separately as both Populists and Demo­ tain had fallen on the first act of the drama, crats. When an attempted mandamus to secure this and the first phase, the campaign of physical failed, some of the left-wing Populists joined the So­ cial Democrats. Eugene V. Debs was in Milwaukee action through the strike and the riots, was throughout the campaign, speaking and working hard over. Act two, starring David S. Rose, had for the Social Democrats. Journal, April 1, 1898. begun. PT. I END There is an old story that Debs had been converted to socialism by Milwaukee Social Democrat Victor {Concluded in next issue) Berger during the Pullman strike in Chicago in 1894. William Francis Raney, Wisconsin, A Story of Prog­ ress (New York, 1940), 381. ^Vournal, Milwaukee Herold, April 6, 1898. "Journal, April 2, 1898. ''Sentinel, April 6, 1898.

212 readers' choice

GENERAL HISTORY sion of favorite passages, but this must be expected in any such work. The Introduction The Parkman Reader: From the Works oj gives an excellent biographical sketch of Park- Francis Parkman. Selected and Edited man and an appraisal of his writings. A bibli­ with an Introduction, Maps, and Bibliog­ ography and maps are included. raphy by SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON. (Bos­ A week-end guest of the reviewer picked up ton, Little, Brown, and Company, 1955. this Reader and before he laid it down he had Pp. xvii, 533. $6.00.) read a complete chapter, and later a second For its gallery in Mexico City, the Pan one. Parkman combined industrious, pains­ American Institute has assembled portraits of taking research in original documents, schol­ two distinguished historians from each mem­ arship of a high order, together with a literary ber nation. Francis Parkman and Frederick craftsmanship denied to most historians. He Jackson Turner were selected as representa­ made history as fascinating as a good novel. tives of the United States for this honor by As Morison states in his Introduction, Park- the Council of the American Historical Asso­ man had the gift of vitality and his work is ciation. forever young. His men and women are alive; Parkman is one of the greatest historians they feel, think, and act as living beings. In that the English-speaking world has produced. For about forty years he toiled to produce his his prose, the forests ever murmur and the monumental sixteen-volume epic, telling the rapids foam and roar. story of France and England in North Amer­ The Parkman Reader will help the coflege ica, beginning with Cartier's voyages in 1535 students as well as the general public again and ending with Pontiac's Conspiracy in 1765. to turn to Parkman's pages. Had France not been eliminated in this titan­ Ohio University A. T. VOLWILER ic struggle for empire, perhaps this review for a Wisconsin journal would have been writ­ The Passenger Pigeon: Its Natural History and ten in French. Extinction. By A. W. SCHORGER. (Univer­ Before the day of the automobile and tele­ sity of Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1955. vision, the reading public by the thousands Illustrations, references and notes, index. read Parkman's volumes as they appeared one Pp. 424. $7.50.) by one. In the eighty years, 1873-1953, his Professor A. W. Schorger, of the Depart­ publishers. Little, Brown and Company, sold ment of Forestry and Wildlife Management, 350,000 copies; to this number must be added University of Wisconsin, completed a "labor those sold in the preceding quarter century of love" with the publication of this book. It and those sold by other publishers after copy­ is no wonder that the New York Times staff rights had expired. Today, few people have of The Book Review selected it as one of the the time to read a sixteen-volume story. With year's outstanding 100 books selected from Parkman's volumes now out of print, Samuel approximately 5,000 titles published up until E. Morison has expertly met a modern need June 5. It can be said with confidence that by bringing out The Parkman Reader. this work is the final authority on the subject In it he offers the reader not a digest, but of the passenger pigeon, extinct since Sep­ selected, key chapters just as Parkman wrote tember 1, 1914, when "Martha" was found them. About one-seventh of the original epic dead in her cage at the Cincinnati Zoological is included. Some of Parkman's footnotes are Garden. kept and a few footnotes by the editor, cor­ Although this book deals with all aspects of recting an error in the light of modern re­ the passenger pigeon's life history and its search, are added. One who has read and relationship to man throughout its known knows Parkman will probably regret the omis­ range, it has special interest and significance

213 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 for Wisconsin. The largest nesting of record up so thick and so deep on the roosting trees occurred in the central counties in 1871 with that large limbs broke under the weight—this a continuous nesting area of about 125 miles is a fact. six to eight miles wide in the form of an ell. Many other facts were established by Dr. Pigeon trapping, netting, and shooting for Schorger to the satisfaction of the reader. the market and home consumption was im­ Among these were his determination that the portant in the State throughout most of the passenger pigeon laid only one egg and that nineteenth century. Some of the last sizable its disappearance from the earth was "due to nestings were in the State in 1885 and 1887. the thoughtlessness and insatiable greed of Also, the ancestors of "Martha" were captured man." It is clearly established that this beauti­ in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin erected the first ful and valuable bird did not disappear in a monument to the passenger pigeon at Wyalus- single year or two as if by disease or through ing State Park in 1947. destruction by drowning at sea, but that it The historical researcher will appreciate the was destroyed by systematic trapping and tremendous job of "winnowing and sifting" shooting which broke up every attempt at that has been done by Dr. Schorger in his communal nesting which was essential to the search for the facts. His comprehensive study bird's survival. This was done in spite of be­ reviewed thousands of references in the form lated laws aimed at protecting the nesting sites of sporting journals, ornithological treatises, —laws which were seldom, if ever, enforced. diaries of explorers and travelers, government In his preface. Dr. Schorger points out that surveying reports, and contemporary news­ "the wanton slaughter and extinction of this paper accounts for the Great Lakes Area. He bird did more than all the laws put together searched every Wisconsin newspaper published to focus the attention of the American people prior to 1900 and compiled a bibliography of on the necessity of protecting what we have over 2,200 titles which was deposited with the before it is too late. One of the aims of this University of Wisconsin library. One hundred book is to give the record of a great transgres­ pages of the book are reference notes to state­ sion in the hope that future generations will ments in the text keyed in by chapter and page. avoid a similar one." As the year 1900 marks One of the most fascinating aspects of the book the end of the passenger pigeon as a wild bird, to anyone interested in history is the frequent and the years immediately thereafter saw the quotations from these sources used through­ establishment of thousands of "Game Protec­ out the text. tive Leagues" and the creation of a new defini­ Professor Schorger states that he used "the tion for the word "conservation," this appraisal spare time of a score of years ... on inter­ of the significance of the passenger pigeon's views, correspondence, and a search of the passing seems sound. literature." He doggedly ran down every possi­ Although there were reported records of ble lead for information and made every effort passenger pigeons seen or taken in the wild to secure first-hand accounts from people who after 1900, Dr. Schorger believes that the had had personal experience with the pas­ latest record which can be authenticated by an senger pigeon. He found that this fascinating extant specimen is for a bird killed at Sargents, bird and its dramatic disappearance had re­ Pike County, Ohio, on March 24, 1900. The sulted in a large and contradictory literature last one taken in the wild in Wisconsin was of fables, half truths, and facts which needed shot at Babcock, Wood County, by the guide to be interpreted in the light of scientific Varney of E. Hough's hunting party between knowledge of total ecological conditions. September 9 and 15, 1899. David Whittaker People were greatly affected by the presence of Milwaukee had four male birds in captivity of the passenger pigeon, economically through as late as February, 1908, but all of them died crop destruction and a food resource, and also between November, 1908, and February, 1909. in their social and emotional life, even to feel­ This is a well-conceived and carefully ings of reverence and fear. How could it be planned book which is a far cry from a dry otherwise with this bird which could be seen scientific monograph. It does contain several a million at a time, with possibly a billion chapters on description, anatomy and physi­ birds observed in a single flight lasting a day ology and nomenclature, but these contain or more? Who could fail to be impressed when reference data not essential to appreciation it was not uncommon for a good hunter to kill of the majority of chapters which are filled over 100 birds with one shot and a good trap­ with accounts of the experiences of people and per to take over 1,000 birds with the single the "wild pigeons" which darkened the sky throw of a net? When it is said the birds piled with their numbers and were a part of the

214 READERS CHOICE

life of the settlers in early America fully as and universities were cleaning house. One much as the trees in the forest and the prairie could not be a juror, an attorney, a contractor, sod. The passenger pigeon was one species of or a janitor without prostituting himself. Only wildlife which could not be ignored or over the President of the United States was exempt looked while it was at its maximum population from the iron-clad oath because some one dis­ Historians today should not forget its im covered that the constitution fixed his oath. portance to the community in the recent past At least in this respect the constitution still The passenger pigeon was the most numer lived. Hundreds of people were removed from ous bird of any species known to man, accord office and government service, even including ing to Dr. Schorger. Its total population prob messenger boys, without knowing the charges ably exceeded three billion individuals when against them. Union soldiers were forced to America was discovered. The complete ex­ take these oaths in order to remain in the army termination of so numerous a species still or to attend West Point. The same was true seems incredible. Dr. Schorger, who is pres­ of the navy. The government was so suspicious ently a member of the Wisconsin Conservation of its military forces that it refused to count Commission, observes: "The sacrifice, however their votes in national elections. It was really regrettable, was not in vain, for the passing a reign of terror without the relief of the guil­ of a bird known to millions has furnished a lotine. Of course, the iron-clad oath dis­ most poignant example of what will happen franchised most Southerners. After the fight­ when man is heedless of his heritage." ing was over and the executive departments WALTER E. SCOTT of the government attempted to extend their Wisconsin Conservation Department, services to the conquered territory which was Madison, Wisconsin either in or out of the Union, depending on what the radicals of Congress wanted to do, Era oj the Oath. By HAROLD MELVIN HYMAN. they found that they could not secure em­ (University of Pennsylvania Press, Phila­ ployees for the government services in the delphia, 1954. Pp. xi, 229. $5.00.) South. This is why they had to resort to carpet­ Ever so infrequently there is produced a baggers, Southern scalawags, and Negroes piece of research that fills a gap in American whose consciences were not bothered by oaths. history that causes one to wonder what Ameri­ There is no way of adequately reviewing can historians have been doing for the last this study except to give its substance by para­ almost one hundred years. The darkest period phrase. It is one continuous array of irre­ in American history—the Civil War and re­ futable facts. There are no theories or pro­ construction—has been made even darker by grams of reform advanced which might give this record of almost unbelievable tyranny an opportunity for indefinite expatiation. A practiced by the government of the United translation is not permitted by either space States not only over the South during recon­ or good taste. It is a sine qua non for those struction but most especially over the supposed who would like to know what has been done loyal section of the country during hostilities. and what could be done again under the form As one who took all the courses in American of constitutional government. Of course, the history that Chicago, Harvard, and Columbia whole era registers a failure and a disgrace gave, I never heard of the contents of this of American statesmanship, the intimidation of epoch-making study which makes reconstruc­ the Supreme Court, and suspension of constitu­ tion the logical and inevitable consequence of tional government. It was a period of Con­ what preceded it, and by way of comparison, gressional supremacy. makes our present era of oath-taking a very C. PERRY PATTERSON timid affair. University oj Texas It was an era in which no one trusted any one else. The oath to the constitution which The Selj-Made Man in America: the Myth oj all government employees naturally took was Rags to Riches. By IRVIN G. WYLLIE. inadequate. It finally reached the stage that (Rutgers University Press, New Bruns­ to exercise the rights of American citizenship wick, New Jersey, 1954. Pp.210. $4.00.) one had to take an iron-clad oath that he had In this witty and well-written essay Mr. been loyal ever since birth and would be loyal Wyllie describes and appraises the ideas about unto death. Not only was Congress making the self-made man which reached their fullest oaths, but also the executive secretaries, heads expression in the United States during the of bureaus, judges, and military officials. All generation after the Civil War. The doctrine of clubs, organizations, churches, schools, colleges. self-help, which the author illustrates with

215 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 choice quotations, assumed that men got ahead lem of classes and social need. Although it in business because of virtue alone and not be­ would be too much to say that there were en­ cause of any admixture of good luck. Though tirely unique elements in German Protestant­ recognizing that some men gained wealth ism, it did, as a major carrier of social energy through overreaching rather than thrift or and tradition, serve national purposes, rather hard work, the writers of the numerous guide­ than social. Its theoreticians, dreaming of a books to fortune did not regard such men as fulfillment of Christian principles, stressed truly successful and did not commend their charity, fuzzy social formulations {''Nous ne examples to the young. Protestant preachers, voulons pas la contre-revolution, mais le con- while generally sanctifying material success, traire de la revolution^^), and conservative prescribed a Christian code of money-getting sympathies as their specifics for manifest social and taught that the rich were stewards of their unrest. "Yet to many reflective contemporaries, wealth. The preachers' optimistic view—that Prussia embodied a happy combination of there were unlimited opportunities for all the liberal and conservative principles" (p. 122). virtuous—prevailed over the social Darwin­ If a theme can be discerned in Professor ist belief in a dog-eat-dog struggle, or so Mr. Shanahan's objective handling of rich and Wyllie contends in opposition to Richard Hof- profound materials, it probably lies in his view stadter's account of social Darwinism. Before of the relations between German Protestantism the Civil War, he adds, the self-made-man and Conservatism. Essentially, they contra­ myth was liberal in its implications, helping to dicted each other. Lutheranism, with its indi­ open the way for the rise of men on the make. vidualistic base, was a weak reed for the Afterwards it became reactionary, a propa­ authoritarian state religion which the conserva­ ganda weapon for protecting entrenched tives sought. Protestant identification with wealth and repelling the onsets of such re­ Conservatism cost the former its contact with formers as the Populists and the Progressives. the masses. The Marxists, however one might Their attacks, coming at a time of economic evaluate their theory, did hold the under­ change which curtailed rags-to-riches opportu­ privileged and the dispossessed in high regard. nities, dealt a severe blow to the myth, yet it It was nationalism which, under Bismarck, was revived during the 1920's and is far from united those Germans who should have fur­ dead today. Using the results of several re­ thered republican principles; religion served cent studies by sociologists and economists, no more than a subsidiary function. Such was Mr. Wyllie concludes that, in fact, the poor- the result of some fifty years of agitation of born rich were comparatively few even in the the social question: of the writings and actions periods of American history most favorable of Wichern, Sieveking, Hengstenberg, the to individual advancement. He acknowledges Gerlachs, of Bethmann-Hollweg, Stahl, Rado- Professor Merle Curti for inspiring his own witz, to a degree Wagener, Huber, and the study, which had its inception at the Unversity numerous others to whom, in varying degrees, of Wisconsin. organized religion was a bulwark of society, upon which all else had to be built. To be RICHARD N. CURRENT sure, the times were against them, and, as Woman's College, our author has it: "Conservatism can only suc­ University oj North Carolina ceed as a political principle when men have lost confidence in the future" (p. 301). German Protestants Face the Social Question: Professor Shanahan's study is hardly light Volume I: The Conservative Phase, 1815- reading. The language is often specialized and 1871. By WILLIAM 0. SHANAHAN. (Uni­ labored. As a whole, his book impresses one versity of Notre Dame Press, South Bend, as more of a highly organized compendium of 1954. Pp. 434. $6.75.) notes than as a study in the more ordinary and The German spirit and outlook can never be happy sense. Afl this will limit his readership. sufficiently studied and assayed. Professor The latter wifl, however, profit from his long Shanahan's thorough and scholarly examina­ and valuable investigations, and from his nu­ tion of the literature having to do with his merous insights. It will savor the plums of particular subject deepens our appreciation of research which stud his pages. And it will its content. His is, from one point of view, a look forward to his second volume, which will somber tale. In effect, it helps us to understand carry his study to another fateful year, that why the land of Goethe and Beethoven and of 1933. Heine failed to respond creatively to its prob­ Antioch College LOUIS FILLER

216 READERS CHOICE

Federal Population Censuses, 1840-80: a as Judge Rejork (p. 71) ; the dating of many Price List oj Microfilm Copies oj the Original items is not made clear; quotation marks are Schedules, has been issued by the National used with extreme inaccuracy in dozens of Archives, Washington, D.C. (1955). places. Page 74 says of Hurley: "Its popula­ Arranged chronologicafly by census year tion of 3034 is somewhat less than one tenth and then alphabeticafly by the name of the of one percent of the state's population. Based state or territory this list gives the price of on a population basis Hurley's share of arrests positive microfilm copies of the population should have been 4.5 percent of the arrests," schedules for 1840-80 census now available and so on. for purchase from the National Archives. Mr. Reimann's book does offer evidence that These schedules contain a wealth of informa­ there is a rich body of valuable—and spicy— tion not only for the genealogist but for the Americana in the story of Hurley if it were historian and social scientist as well. The in­ dug out with historical, social, economic, geo­ formation contained in each successive sched­ graphic, political, and literary competence. ule is progressively more complete. While the Northland College N. B. DEXTER 1840 schedule lists only the head of the house­ hold by name, listing others as so many males New Glarus, Wisconsin: Grilndung, Entwick and females within precise age groups; the lung und heutiger Zustand einer Schwei 1850 schedule lists all persons by name and zerkolonie im amerikanischen Mittelwes gives in addition age, occupation, and place ten. By DIETER BRUNNSCHWEILER. (Buch of birth. The 1870 schedule notes the foreign druckerei Fluntern, Zurich, 1954. Pp. 106 birth of parents, and the 1880 schedule gives Illustrations, bibliography. $3.00. Order the relationship of each individual to the head from Mr. G. Burnham, Graduate School of the family as well as place of birth of his of Geography, Clark University, Wor­ parents. M.G. cester, Massachusetts.) This study was undertaken by Dieter WISCONSIN LOCAL HISTORY Brunnschweiler of Ziirich, Switzerland, while a student at the University of Wisconsin dur­ Hurley—Still No Angel. By LEWIS C. REIMANN. ing 1949-50. Having spent his youth in (Northwoods Publishers, Ann Arbor, "Glarnerland" (doubtless Canton Glarus), he Michigan, 1954. 20 illustrations. Pp. 124. found New Glarus and its environs of special $3.95.) interest and selected it as the subject for his Mr. Reimann makes his not difficult point dissertation. that Hurley is stifl no angel. He brings to­ The writer spent the first semester in Wis­ gether a somewhat haphazard and poorly cap­ consin University classrooms and the second tioned series of pictures of Hurley places and in "field work" in the New Glarus area where, people, presents a certain amount of data and at firsthand, he gathered information while a body of quotation from various sources, and interviewing and observing the farmers as recounts in some detail several lurid events; they performed their seasonal work. but the book seriously fails to measure up as A brief resume of this four-part study, "the first complete story of the community," printed in the German language, is here set which it purports to be. down: first, the economic and political condi­ Rather, while the book, entirely by inad- tions of Canton Glarus preceding 1845, the vertance takes on something of the rough and sporadic emigration of 1843-45, the organiza­ ready character of the region it reports, none­ tion and activities of the Emigration Society; theless much of its value, either as a record second, the elements of and departure of the or as a source, is destroyed by carelessness Society for America, a discussion of the 1845 and general inadequacy in its compilation and frontier in southern Wisconsin, and the physi­ publication. ography of the New Glarus region; third, the Page 2 states: "The fact is that Hurley, rugged years in the early New Glarus settle­ throughout its brief history, had more con­ ment, the cash crop period of 1850-70, the centrated sin than any other city its size." importance of the ethnic factor as it relates to The wrapper of the book makes Hurley "a the transition to dairy farming, and New bye-word in the middle west." "Fourty" and Glarus as the center of cheese production. In allied forms appear many times, along with the final portion the author considers the pres­ "palaciaF' (p. 59); "erascible" (p. 56); ent occupants of the farms, area of farms, "weedling drinks from a patron" (p. 77), and architecture of the farmstead, and the like, so on. Circuit Court Judge Risjord appears as these reflect the Old World environment.

217 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

He discusses the development of the village way, if it is to be written at all by local his­ and the gradual decrease of Swiss character­ torians, but the lack of an experienced editor istics, the extent of the Swiss population, and is very apparent. Where the writer of one the Americanization process. sketch goes into great detail on a very minor The serious reader will appreciate the many point, he also assumes a vast knowledge in graphs, maps, and statistical tables, the in­ the reader of names and places not ordinarily tricacy of some showing long hours of prepara­ in the possession of the non-local reader. While tion. Special mention must be made of the much must be similar in the development of photography found in a series of pictures— settlement—no matter where its site, it is the selected with discrimination—at the end of dissimilarities in a particular development with the study. Rarely does one encounter such which the local historian might deal. The edi­ superb picturization in this type of publica­ tor might have seen that such differences were tion in the states. interwoven into the stories. One amusing error encountered (p. 92) : a One of the articles is reminiscent of the old map of Wisconsin "standing on its head!" county histories which were said to have been But what might we not do in placing a map written with the local consumers in mind— of Canton Glarus? individual business establishments of a current Here is a scholarly local study which should nature are plugged. Another of the articles appeal especially to immigration enthusiasts; goes into great detail over the name of each it also contains exceflent fare for the popular member of the writer's classes in the local reader. school. These examples appear as faults in the LILLIAN KRUEGER narratives. Yet there is much that is interest­ State Historical Society oj Wisconsin ing and informative in each article, and one wonders why the editor didn't press for more Recollections oj Oconto County. By several of that type. contributors. (Oconto County Historical With faults and good points, the volume rep­ Society, Oconto, 1954. Pp. 85. $2.00. resents a sound effort to foster research and Order from George Hall, Oconto County to publish the results by the local historical Historical Society, Oconto.) society and should be commended for its suc­ Local historical societies are constantly be­ cess in that effort. More research, better writ­ ing urged to foster programs of research and ing, competent editorial guidance should im­ to endeavor to publish the results of such re­ prove the series. search. The Oconto County Historical Society JOHN JACQUES is one of the many such organizations in State Historical Society oj Wisconsin Wisconsin which attempts to do just that. This little, hard-bound, slick-paper edition is OTHER HISTORY one of a series of such efforts. Pioneer Painters oj Indiana. By WILBUR D. "The Oconto Site—Old Copper Manifesta­ PEAT. (Art Association of Indianapolis, tions" by Robert E. Ritzenthaler and Warren Indiana, 1954. Pp. xix, 254. Illustrations. L. Wittry, which occupies about a third of the $7.50.) pages, is a sound archeological report of a dig In a wide and dizzy panorama, the first on the Oconto River near the city of Oconto, century of Indiana's art activity is traced by Wisconsin. Well documented, illustrated by the director of the John Herron Art Museum. pictures, maps, graphs, and a field catalog, the The author chops his state into sections and report of the operation of these two profes­ painstakingly explores each region for its resi­ sional archeologists is pure scholarship. dent and itinerant artists. Over 200 such paint­ The remainder of the book offers a basis ers comprise the surveyed cast of characters. for criticism of the nonprofessional type of With snatches of history introduced as back­ local writing. Four articles, researched and ground when that proves useful, the author written by four local historians, contain in gives us brief and sometimes interesting ac­ general, spritely writing unadorned by ob­ counts of the artists' lives so far as their vious documentation. Each article covers a Indiana connections are concerned. The as­ particular aspect of local history: one short signment is difficult, and the profusion of and one rather long sketch of settlement de­ names makes sections of the book hard going. velopment, and one short and one long narra­ There are, however, many fascinating vignettes tive of the growth of a pair of local schools. and enough colorful information to reward Perhaps local history must be written this the patient reader.

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Mr. Peat's scholarship seems impeccable. Perhaps no painter discussed (except for His powers for exhaustive research are amaz­ the single figure of William M. Chase) is well ing. In an effort to chase down the identity known outside the state of his operations. of the painter of a George Rogers Clark por­ Still, this well-written and well-illustrated sur­ trait, he has recourse all the way to the Draper vey unveils scores of vigorous though minor Papers of the State Historical Society of Wis­ talents. It is from these and from the still un­ consin where he makes speculatively interest­ sung masses of early painters of other states ing though inconclusive findings. that the few American masters like Whistler, Mr. Peat's purpose is to dispel anonymity Ryder, Eakins, and Homer emerge. and in this he is largely successful. He gives The history is ended at 1880 when a change a share of attention to even the most minor per­ takes place, the author notes, from the "smooth, former in the arts. When he delves into the precise and labored work" to more sophisti­ lives of well-documented artists, he succeeds cated Europe inspired methods. It is doubtful, in bringing them to life. And when there are however, that Indiana's present numerous de­ numerous or at least several examples extant votees of a diluted Impressionism or of more of an artist's work, he amplifies biography recent international art movements show more with authoritative critical judgment. Thus as total independence of spirit or even much contrast with scores of shadowy figures, Jacob more genuine skill than these first artists of Cox, a talented painter, teacher, and leader their state. of art activity in Indianapolis, along with a AARON BOHROD few others, emerges as a full-blown personality. University oj Wisconsin Many quaint advertisements of the artists who followed the pioneer merchants and farm­ The Chicago Renaissance in American Letters: ers into Indiana are reprinted. J. R. Richards A Critical History. By BERNARD DUFFEY. in an early issue of the La Porte County Whig (Michigan State College Press, East Lans­ offers to do a variety of decorative painting ing, 1954. Pp. 285. $6.50.) jobs, supply carpeting, create artificial marble, Professor Duffey's minutely detailed and and among other things paint signs. As this widely informational history of Chicago's 1844 version of the money back guarantee has "renaissance," 1890 to 1920, discusses major it: "My charge shall be low for all good jobs, writers, minor figures, and marginally related and nothing for bad ones." Unfortunately no movements and facts, even including a chapter visual evidence could be turned up by the on impresarios, critics, and columnists. There author to allow speculation on the artist's are abundant data about literary periodicals, merits. never influential locally, and professedly cul­ The author comments on the generally ac­ tural organizations, which implemented a cepted theory that the pioneer itinerant painter nouveau-riche flirting with prestige, as sati­ peddled canvasses with pre-painted figures of rized by Eugene Field in describing a parade: men and women. The legend has it that the Two hundred Chicago poets afoot. blank heads were to be filled with the features The Chicago Literary Club in carriages. of any paying client of the proper sex. For Such dichotomy apparently became dilemma a number of good and valid reasons this oft- in Henry Fuller, a Chicago novelist of means cited method is proved by the author to be and culture, who could neither dominate nor apocryphal. The nature of the predominantly accept his environment. portrait work of the period gets full treatment, What was most indigenous in Chicago's though the panoramists and tourist artists are "renaissance," however, was least significant. also dwelled on. Of the more eminent—Garland, Masters, Indiana's first art controversy is amusingly Dreiser, Sherwood Anderson, Lindsay, Sand­ recounted. This involved perhaps the Mid­ burg—not one was Chicago-born and none re­ west's first art critic, a painter-writer named mained in Chicago. Consequently a central Alois Sinks, versus General Lew Wallace of question persists: was this "renaissance" Ben Hur fame, who also painted not too badly. rooted in Chicago or only the manifestation This critic made issue of the fact that a Cupid there of broader tendencies? Professor Duffey had been portrayed with purple wings. On notes pertinently that Chicago's periodicals other matters the critic was more liberal. In­ drew writing from wide sources, and that it deed, he was surprisingly progressive for his was small-town America which primarily stim­ time (1875), declaiming often against a purely ulated the more important writers settled in photographic view of nature. Chicago. Add that these came there not for

219 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956 culture but for jobs, and shared a self-gener­ by John Stifl, and "Wifliam Allen," by Regi­ ated aestheticism and bohemianism rather nald McGrane—to single out two of the many than any local ideology. Furthermore, the po­ good ones—to the partisan, uncritical, and litical liberalism permeating their work was laudatory treatment of the more recent chief of provincial origin. executives. Professor Duffey points out too that in Chi­ Writing short biographies presents many cago's renaissance both the genteel tradition problems. Among other things it demands the and the subsequent mode of realism were im­ use of succinct but careful generalizations. ports from the East. And he states that since Two examples will show the dangers of over­ Chicago's "reason for being was economic, simplification in historical writing. In the not cultural," a metropolitan culture was un­ Wilson Shannon sketch: "The Whigs, repre­ attainable. The instance illustrates the difficulty senting wealth and social position, defended of localizing literary history. Large communi­ the banks. . . ." (p. 43) : this generalization ties breed culture clubs and inglorious literati can not be adequately defended. The terms by hundreds, but such recurrent ephemera "liberal" and "conservative" used to define constitute no renaissance; a renaissance de­ factional differences in the Duncan McArthur pends upon significant artists, and not as of a sketch (p. 33) are misleading also. The ad­ place but as in their times. What there was ministrations of two of Ohio's Civil War gov­ of renaissance in Chicago was the work of ernors, David Tod and John Brough, are most migrants and transients, never at ease in that inadequate. Both authors failed to evaluate Zion, and their mood as such, and consequent correctly opposition to the Civil War in Ohio, influence on each other, should be a large part and used the term "copperheadism" to sum­ of the story. marize afl opposition to the war. Lawrence College WARREN BECK Though intended for the general reading public, the book might have been enhanced The Governors oj Ohio (Ohio Historical So­ in value by the addition of a good, short bib­ ciety, Columbus, 1954. Pp. xi, 196. Por­ liography at the end of each sketch to aid traits. $3.00.) those people interested in more detailed in­ The Ohio Historical Society has compiled formation. The heavy gloss paper, ideal for in an attractive volume, biographical sketches the reproduction of the governor's portraits of the governors of Ohio, 1803 to 1954. The at the head of each sketch, produces consider­ Society brought out this work because of the able glare for the reader. The portraits are frequent requests it receives for information excellent, and the jacket cover, a design of on the lives of Ohio's chief executives, and reproductions of the governor's signatures and because of the popularity of the sketches it the seal of the state of Ohio, is clever and in published in its magazine. Museum Echos. good taste. A publication of this sort needs no justifica­ CLEMENT M. SILVESTRO tion; its usefulness as a ready reference in a Wellesley, Massachusetts convenient one-volume form speaks for itself. Twenty-six individuals wrote the fifty-two Fijty Million Acres: Conflicts over Kansas short biographies (average length 1,000-1,200 Land Policy, 1854-1890. By PAUL WAL­ words). Each attempted to present the basic LACE GATES. (Cornell University Press, facts of the governor's life, and the principal Ithaca, 1954. Pp. xvi, 311. $4.50.) events and contributions of his administration. For nearly two decades the author of Fijty S. Winifred Smith, on the staff of the Ohio Million Acres has been studying the history Historical Society, wrote seventeen sketches, of public land policies in Kansas. Earlier mainly on the earlier governors. The other articles raised the hope that a definitive study authors were chosen either because they had would be forthcoming. The present volume made a special study of the subject, or as in fulfills that hope only in part. The author rec­ the case of the more recent governors (Harry ognizes this and does not claim to have cov­ L. Davis to Frank J. Lausche), because each ered completely the period indicated in the knew the governor intimately or was close to title. The bibliographical note indicates that the events of his administration. While this detailed study was limited to the eastern third method of selecting authors is justifiable, the of the Kansas counties. Quite naturafly the end result is somewhat uneven. The quality of most significant contributions of the book re­ the biographies ranges from concise, inter­ sult from this emphasis upon the land conflicts pretive sketches like that of "George Hoadly," of the territorial and early statehood years.

220 READERS CHOICE

Two of these are of particular importance: Mr. Gray has written the story of General the portrayal of the return of the Pierce- Mills—one of the largest divisions of the Buchanan administrations to earlier public American flour-milling industry. The occa­ land policies; and the delineation of the degree sion was the company's twenty-fifth anniver­ to which the office of Indian Affairs usurped sary. the functions of the General Land Office. Although most attention is given to the com­ Basically the volume under review under­ pany's history since its establishment in 1928, takes to explain much of the history of Kansas there is also included a background survey in terms of "the functioning of governmental of several of the early flour-milling organiza­ policies, particularly Indian and land policies." tions of Minneapolis, San Francisco, Okla­ Almost everyone will agree that for much too homa, Texas, and Michigan that went to form long the slavery conflict has been made the the larger corporation. Most of the book, sole determinant of developments in the early however, deals with developments in the Min­ years of Kansas history. The corrective offered neapolis area, and much of what the author by Professor Gates is a welcome one, but there has to say concerns the careers of the many is the possibility that he is offering a new men such as James S. and James F. Bell who single-factor explanation as a substitute for helped to determine the fortunes of this un­ an old one. Indeed the frequent expression of dertaking. Of special interest are the parts broad generalizations may be the feature of dealing with the consolidation movement of his book that is most vulnerable to criticism. a generation ago, the growing diversification As a minor example the assertion that the of products, and most importantly, the light Lane-Jenkins claim contest (1858) was "the cast upon sales promotion methods and tech­ occasion for the outbreak of the Wakarusa niques. war. . . ." (1855) is obviously incorrect. On Ambitiously enough, the author undertakes a broader scale the very strong implication to tell the story in terms (1) "of its historic that the strength of the Republican Party in growth"; (2) "of the contribution made to Kansas was due to the Pierce-Buchanan land the problem of feeding America well and ap- policies is not completely demonstrated. For petizingly"; (3) "of industry's growing sense one thing, if 30,000 people left Kansas in 1860 of responsibility toward . . . 'the welfare of alone, it is possible that the population turn­ the common man as citizen of the world'." over was such that the victims of the Pierce- It is beyond the competence of this reviewer Buchanan policies were not the voters of 1864. to speak of Mr. Gray's second and third aim. In another connection the author advances the As regards the treatment of his first aim, possibility that the large scale migration to which was to deal with historic growth, cer­ Kansas from the corn belt offers "an explana­ tain objections should be raised. In the first tion of why Populism won so few converts in place, I cannot help thinking that, for the the corn belt. . . ." and ". . . aids in explaining period before the nineteen-twenties, this book the Populist fervor in Kansas. . . ." Remem­ does not add much significant knowledge to bering the author's emphasis upon population what Mr. Kuhlmann, Mr. Edgar, and others turnover, it is not demonstrated that the 215,- had to tell us a generation ago. Thus Mr. 000 who came to Kansas in the 1870's re­ Gray's contribution must largely be measured mained until the 1890's. But granting that by what he tells us of the period since these all "of the defeated, the failures, and the un­ earlier studies were made. The criticism of successful" did stay and that Kansas became this part of the book is twofold. First, while both the safety valve and the human refuse the author's approach has the virtue of direct­ heap for the corn-belt states, the study does ing attention to the human factor in industry, not prove that they furnished the Populist I must confess that I found it a bewildering leadership. Perhaps the broad generalizations and unrewarding experience to be introduced will stimulate further research in the history to so many different personalities within the of the public lands, a cardinal objective of the covers of one book. Much more significantly, author of Fijty Million Acres. I doubt whether Mr. Gray's explanation of GEORGE L. ANDERSON development is satisfactory. In dramatizing University oj Kansas the story of the company's growth, important historical questions concerning the consolida­ Business Without Boundary: The Story oj Gen­ tion movement, innovations, investment policy, eral Mills. By JAMES GRAY. (University the rate of profit and so on, are either not con­ of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1954. sidered systematically enough, or else they Pp. xiii, 343. $4.75.) are not considered at afl. In fact, while Mr.

221 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Gray's work wifl undoubtedly be of great in­ versity of Barksdale," "E" award, recreation, terest to those connected with the flour-milling pensions, and so on. In 1954 the author industry, especially to the General Mills or­ states that Barksdale "has the highest peace­ ganization, it has only limited value to the time employment on record." Company officials professional historian. who have worked in the plant are credited University oj Illinois W. WOODRUFF with the statement: "You've never worked for DuPont unless you've been at Barksdale!" Readers' Note Mondovi Centennial, 1855-1955, Mondovis The pamphlet notes needed to be reduced Turn oj the Century (76 pp.) is a readable drastically in the present issue since the Re­ history, in which the chapters cover a decade dedication number of the Magazine brought of history each and are written by various about a backlog of materials covering six contributors. An entire pictorial page is de­ months rather than the usual three-month voted to the city's schools and another to its period. Except for a few longer notations, churches. Early quaint scenes—ox drawn ve­ these pamphlets are listed geographically, with hicles. Aunt "Toot's" boarding house—are in­ title, to provide readers with the information terspersed with business houses, industrial in the briefest possible form. It is expected plants, participants of baseball and basketball, that the longer pamphlet notes will be resumed professional personages, and so on, portraying in the summer number. the development of this Buffalo County com­ All publications noted hereafter may be used munity. at the Society's Library: Do you know Barksdale history? Ernest H. A neatly executed centennial history, 1855- Holman has written fifty pages of entertaining 1955, is the Blair-Preston publication entitled. reading in The First 50 Years oj Barksdale This, Our Beloved Valley (55 pp.)- Some of Works, 1904-1954. The DuPont Barksdale the sections are named for the early settlers, Works in Barksdale Township, Bayfield Coun­ many of them Norwegians. Turri Coulee, Lakes ty, was named for an officer of the DuPont Coulee, Trump, Reynolds, and so on are en­ Company. This great explosives manufactur­ countered, which contain sketches of the pio­ ing plant was developed by the DuPonts in a neer families, a time-consuming undertaking vast area which was cleared of stumps and for the compiler. Preston Township can be second growth trees. The plant went into op­ proud of its detailed history as well as the eration in the spring of 1905. Mules and city of Blair. Adequately iflustrated, it has by horses moved products on flatcars on an eleven- now become a treasured souvenir. mile narrow gauge track in the early years; gas and electric locomotives replaced the plod­ GENERAL NOTES: ding method. Several deep wells supplied the Beaver Dam, Dedication, St. Peter School, De­ water for operations, but in 1915 a water line cember 12, 1954 (44 pp.). was laid from Chequamegon Bay. Sulphuric Clintonville, A Civic Century, 1855-1955 (120 and nitric acids and dynamite were the initial pp.). products, but in 1912 the manufacture of TNT Edgerton, Centennial Year, Fulton Lodge, No. was begun; production was greatly increased 69, Free and Accepted Masons 1855-1955 by the demands of World War I, and the (14 pp.). Barksdale plant then became the largest pro­ Fifield, Outline History oj Wisconsin, The ducer of TNT in the world. Its production Flambeau Region, Price County, and His­ totaled 130 million pounds of TNT from 1913 tory oj Fifield, 1955, (137 pp., mimeo­ through 1918, the peak being reached in the graphed). Project of Fifield Post, Number latter year. During the period of World War 532, The American Legion Department of I the production of commercial explosives to­ Wisconsin, Fifield. Author-Compiler W. A. taled 90 million pounds. Spearbreaker, United States Army retired, The Barksdale busy-ness in Wisconsin's ex­ active member of the Fifield Post. treme northland has many aspects. Mr. Holman Janesville, 100th Anniversary, Rock County describes production processes, accidents and National Bank oj Janesville, Wisconsin the safety program, the benefit association, {Rock County Savings and Trust Company women employees, transportation, policing. since 1912), 1855-1955 (14 pp.). World War I boom, medical problems and Little Prairie, Sauk County, Little Prairie hospital facilities, post-war recession, "Uni­ School, 1855-1955 (12 pp.).

222 READERS CHOICE

Madison, State Medical Society oj Wisconsin Number 90, Records oj the United States [Building] Dedication, October 15, 1955 Antarctic Service, 1955. (14 pp.). Number 91, Cartographic Records oj the Menasha, Program oj the Exercises Commem­ Panama Canal, 1956. orating the Organization oj the Wisconsin Number 92, Records oj the Office jor Emer­ Central Railroad, February 4, 1871 . . . gency Management, 1956. Menasha . . . October 3, 1955 (16 pp.). Milwaukee, 12th Annual Holiday Folk Fair The following church publications, marking . . . Nov. 19-20,1955 (25 pp.). the anniversary dates of the founding of the Neenah-Menasha, Know Your Town (80 pp.). churches, have come to the attention of the Sault Ste Marie, Mich., and Sault Ste Marie Society: Ontario, Official Souvenir Program, Sault Beaver Dam, 100th Anniversary Jubilee, St. Locks Centennial (74 pp.). Peter Congregation [Catholic], 1855- 1955 (50 pp.). GENEALOGICAL NOTES: Chippewa Fafls, First Presbyterian Church The Descendants oj George Washington Nich­ Centennial Year, 1855-1955 (15 pp.). ols and Deborah Hobart oj Braintree, Ver­ Eldorado Township (Fond du Lac County), mont, and River Falls, Wisconsin, was com­ Centennial, Salem Evangelical United piled by Arthur H. Richardson, Summit, Brethren Church, 1855-1955 (12 pp.). New Jersey, 1955 (39 pp., mimeographed). Green Bay, A History oj Union Congregational Schwejel, Dornjeld, Schoenike Genealogy was Church, 1836-1955 (164 pp.). Author: compiled by Ralph D. Owen, Philadelphia, Ethel S. Cady. 1953. (399 pp.). Madison, A Centennial History oj the First The Descendants oj Richard Smith and Maria Evangelical United Brethren Church, Cynthia Moore oj New Lisbon, Wisconsin, 1855-1955 (28 pp.). was compiled by Arthur H. Richardson, Madison, St. James Congregation [Catholic], Summit, New Jersey, 1955 (5 pp., mimeo­ Golden Jubilee, 1905-1955 (19 pp.). graphed) . Maribel, Centennial oj St. Johns Ev. Lutheran The Tomlinson Book was compiled by R. R. Church, 1855-1955 (46 pp.). Buell, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, R.R. 1, River Falls, Centennial History of the First 1956 (49 pp., mimeographed). Congregational Church, 1855-1955 (19 The Twaddles Come to Wisconsin was compiled pp.). by Bernard and Jeanne Smith (39 pp.). Scandinavia, One Hundredth Anniversary, 1854-1954, Evangelical Lutheran Church These publications are available at the State (27 pp.). Historical Society for examination for those Sheboygan Falls, Saron Evangelical and Re- doing research in Federal records: jormed Church, 1855-1955, One Hun­ Preliminary Inventories. The National Ar­ dredth Anniversary (28 pp.). chives (Washington, D.C. 1955-1956) : South Wayne, The History oj Methodism in Number 83, Records oj the Extension Serv­ Southwest Wisconsin and oj the South ice, 1955. Pp. i, 1-37. Wayne Church (9 pp.). Number 84, Records oj the Select Commit­ tee oj the House oj Representatives to Investi­ Sparta, The First Congregational Church, Cen­ gate Acts oj Executive Agencies Beyond the tennial History, 1855-1955 (15 pp.). Scope oj Their Authority, 1943-46, 1955. Superior, The Church oj the Redeemer [Epis­ Pp. i, 1-64. copal], Centennial, 1855-1955 (18 pp.). Number 85, Cartographic Records oj the Thiensville, Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church oj Office oj the Chiej oj Naval Operations, 1955. Freistadt, 1839-1954, R. 1 (50 pp.). Pp. i, 1-17. Tomahawk, Dedication oj the New St. PauVs Number 86, Records oj the President's Com­ Ev. Lutheran Church, June 5, 1955 (16 mission on Migratory Labor, 1955. Pp. i, 1-7. pp.). Number 87, Records oj the Office oj the Watertown, A Century with Christ, 1854- Pardon Attorney, 1955. Pp. i, 1-13. 1954, Evangelical Lutheran Church (59 Number 88, Records oj the American War pp.). Production Mission in China, 1955. Vernon County, West Prairie Lutheran Number 89, Records oj the American Com­ Church, Dedication June 8, 10, and 12, mission to Negotiate Peace, 1955. 1955 (16 pp.).

223 ACCESSIONS

Manuscripts Schuyler Cothren Ladd, Dodgevifle; papers, 1906-21, of James Thompson, La Crosse at­ A simple but impressive ceremony in the So­ torney and Progressive senatorial candidate, ciety's newly renovated building marked the including correspondence relating to his cam­ presentation of the diaries of Fleet Admiral paigns and political activities, presented by William D. Leahy. The Admiral, reared and Gena S. and George Thompson, Jr. of La educated in northern Wisconsin, was appointed Crosse, through Eunice Stutzman; papers, to the Naval Academy from the Ninth Con­ 1919-53, of Robert P. Robinson, state senator gressional District. The collection consists of from Beloit, consisting of correspondence and seven volumes of bound typescript diary notes, speeches, presented by Mrs. Robert P. Robin­ covering a period from 1897 to 1931, and 1941 son, Beloit; papers, 1906-47, of Malcolm P. to 1945. The 1941-45 diaries are also con­ Hanson, pioneer in the development of radio tained on eleven reels of microfilm. The vol­ station WHA and radio engineering, including umes are positive photostats made from origi­ correspondence and technical papers and ad­ nal typescripts in the Library of Congress. dresses, presented by Mrs. Lida S. Hanson, and They consist primarily of personal notes and Mrs. Malcolm Hanson of Chevy Chase, Wash­ daily entries. Interspersed among these are copies of letters, reports, pictures, sketch maps ington, D.C; papers, 1901-37, of Joseph D. and other documents pertaining to the events Beck, Progressive congressman, consisting of discussed. The years 1897 to 1931 are con­ personal and political correspondence, speeches tained in one volume. This, at the present time, and campaign materials, presented by Mrs. is the only one open for research and consul­ Joseph D. Beck, Viroqua; papers, 1904-43, tation. The remaining six volumes, 1941-45, of Frederick H. Clausen, Horicon farm ma­ (and the eleven reels of microfilm) are re­ chinery manufacturer, consisting of articles stricted and may be used only by persons and speeches pertaining to agricultural meth­ having proper permission. ods and machinery, presented by Mrs. Clarence J. Manning, Horicon; papers, 1924-38, of Stephen Bolles, newspaper editor and Repub­ Papers of another Wisconsin "man in uni­ lican congressman from Janesville, including form" were added to the Society's collections. correspondence relating primarily to his edi­ The letters, 1941-44, of Major Richard Ira Bong, the Poplar, Wisconsin, farm boy who torial work and political campaigns, presented became America's World War II "Ace of by Mrs. Stephen Bolles, Janesville; papers, Aces," were presented by his mother, Mrs. 1845-99, of Charles Billinghurst, presidential Carl Bong of Poplar. elector, Wisconsin legislator and congressman from Juneau, consisting mostly of family cor­ respondence, presented by Mrs. George Moses, The papers of two prominent Milwaukee Minneapolis; correspondence, 1879-97, of Levi area men were recently accessioned. The papers, 1856-83, of Jason Downer, the at­ H. Bancroft, Richland Center attorney and torney and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, judge, presented by Mrs. Gideon Benson, Rich­ after whom the Milwaukee Downer Seminary land Center; papers, 1903-19, of Oliver G. was named, consist of personal and business Munson, state senator, newspaper editor and correspondence, letter books and legal papers. publisher from Viroqua, consisting of personal The papers, 1841-1907, 1913-16, of Samuel and political correspondence, presented by Marshall, pioneer banker and founder of the Mrs. Clinton W. Nuzum, Viroqua; speeches, Marshall and Ilsley Bank in Milwaukee consist 1916-19, of Roy Porter Wilcox, Eau Claire of correspondence, diaries, and genealogical attorney and candidate for the Republican data. They were presented by Wifliam S. and nomination for governor in 1918 and 1920, Richard H. Marshall both of Madison. presented by Francis J. Wilcox, Eau Claire; Other smaller but valuable collections ac­ and papers, 1938-44, of the Madison China cessioned include: the papers, 1846-88, of Aid Council, presented by Mrs. Farrington Montgomery M. Cothren, Mineral Point at­ Daniels, Madison. Additional items presented torney, member of the territorial and state by John Stevens, Jr., Menasha, have been Legislature and circuit court judge, including added to the papers of John Stevens, inventor correspondence and legal papers, presented by of the roller flour mill.

224 ACCESSIONS

Museum form, worn by her son, John A. Smart. From Mrs. H. C. Harding, Osceola, has come water- Accessions to the Museum's Collections dur­ glass decorated with a medaflion of Admiral ing the last period are numerous and varied Dewey. with emphasis on clothing and household John and Philip Brandt, Madison, have do­ equipment. nated a decorated Norwegian chest used by From Mr. and Mrs. George Moses, Min­ Anna Margaret 01s Dtr., the donor's great, neapolis, the Museum has received a dress and great grandmother. Elizabeth Kruse is the jewelry of Mrs. Charles Billinghurst, wife of donor of a reed hand organ of 1880 and a a former Wisconsin congressman. Mary B. collection of music rolls used in it, as well as Wilson, Frontenac, Minnesota, donated dresses a 1906 bisque dofl, dofl dishes, an album, a and shoes worn by her mother and grand­ scrapbook, and a photo of John Weber. mother. Baby clothing worn by members of Philip La Foflette, New York, has donated the McCabe family was donated by Mrs. a coflection of advertising material illustrat­ Robert McCabe, Madison. Mrs. Celia Sullivan, ing his various political campaigns and sou­ Madison, gave an 1870 plush cape. venirs of his World War II service in the Through Mrs. Robert Friend, Hartland, Pacific. From Mrs. Conrad F. Oakland, Mfl- was received a large group of ladies' apparel waukee, we have received a G.A.R. reunion and accessories, including coats, dresses, capes, hat, and manuscript material which has been shawls, and fans, all belonging to Mrs. J. V. referred to our Manuscript Division. G.A.R. Quarles, Milwaukee. Mrs. Hope Beardsley, souvenirs, badges, and medals; Philadelphia Madison, donated a hat, scarf, and carriage Centennial souvenirs; a top hat, small sewing parasol of the 1850's. Lucy P. Johnson, Muk- machine, and small household implements have wonago, has given three handmade aprons. been donated by Walter L. Haight, Racine. From Mrs. Burgess Miles, Madison, were re­ Richard Purcell, St. Paul, has donated a snare ceived an 1890 dress, a lace bertha, and scarf. drum which belonged to his father, William Wauwatosa High School, Wauwatosa, has pre­ Martin Purcell of Beloit, a drummer boy in sented a group of men's clothes of the 1890 the Union Army at the age of ten. period. An evening cape of the same period Mrs. Robert Friend, Hartland, is the donor was given by Mrs. G. A. Carhart, Milwaukee, of a group of dolls, doll clothing and acces­ and Mrs. Grace Spangler, Mukwonago, do­ sories, and a collection of fans and purses. nated a Battenberg lace yoke. Mrs. Cora Vogel, From Rudolph Runden, Union Grove, have Darlington, has donated a brown print dress come memorabilia of the Rev. Filing Eielsen, of the 1840's. Mrs. H. L. Aust, Madison, has founder of the Norwegian Evangelical Luth­ given a minister's black suit worn by Father eran Church of America. Included are copper Roth of Janesvifle, c.1900. seals, spectacles, a cane, half-rate railroad tick­ A number of donations have military inter­ ets, and a copper kettle. ests. Included are souvenirs of World War II An unusual group of items illustrating the donated by Eugene Hole and Mrs. Edwin development of mechanical dentistry has been Hanson of Madison; Civil War relics given donated by Dr. Samuel Barker, Jefferson, by Lucy Rollins, Portland, Oregon; a Civil Iowa. This includes homemade molding and War nurses uniform coat, given by Mrs. casting devices for gold inlay work, samples George W. LaPointe, Menomonie, and a pair of gold foil inlays and foil inlay tools, demon­ of sun goggles, donated by Louis W. Bridg- stration pieces, and diplomas and certificates. man, worn during the Civil War by the donor's Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hinchliff, Jefferson, are grandfather. the donors of a collection of Indian ethno­ Ada Hosford, Menomonie, has given to the graphic material, household implements, and Museum a complete uniform of the U.S. Navy Columbian Exposition souvenirs. Harriet Bry­ Women's Reserve Force, accessories, and asso­ ant, Madison, has given a collection of pewter ciated World War I material. Mrs. Richard P. plates and candlesticks, formerly belonging to Barlow, Milwaukee, has donated a compre­ her brother, the late Frank Bryant; also do­ hensive collection of Spanish-American War nated were a Staffordshire platter, kitchen Navy uniforms and equipment used by Mr. equipment, G.A.R. badges, and genealogical Barlow during that war. Included are a set papers. of dress blues, pea coat, hammock, mattress Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Middleton, Madison, and cover, seabag, blankets, and personal ac­ have continued to add to the Museum's cessories. Mrs. O. D. Smart, Madison, has holdings of Pauline Pottery; their latest con­ presented a complete West Point cadet's uni­ tribution is a group of 21 pieces of this

225 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

Wisconsin-made ware. The Middletons also do­ Other donors to the Museum are: Profes­ nated a sausage stuffer and a lemon squeezer. sor David Mack, Madison, a 45-star American A notable addition to our Circus Collection flag; Ruth P. Kentzler, Honolulu, Hawaii, four is the complete clown's outfit donated by John dolls; Roy L. Martin, three railroad switch B. LeClercq, Mflwaukee, in addition to two keys; John Marshall, Madison, a banjo; Mrs. costumes there are hats, wigs, glasses, false John W. Jenkins, Madison, a punched brass noses, ties, skull caps, clown skates, make-up, dish and a candle shade, c.1900; Mrs. H. J. and photographs. Mr. LeClercq was for many Schubert, Madison, belt buckles, pin, and years associated with the Ringling Brothers- clasps; Mrs. Wilfred Harris, Madison, toy Barnum & Bailey Circus. washboard, suede handbag, shefl box, and Mrs. E. H. Bennett and Mrs. 0. G. Ham­ chafing dish; Josephine Caldwefl, Madison, mond, Wisconsin Rapids, are the donors of a silver tatting shuttle and a pair of stockings, large collection of articles associated with the C.1860; Mrs. W. T. Stephens, Madison, toys early days of cranberry growing in Wisconsin. and lamp heater; Mrs. M. E. Diemer, Madi­ This material has been sent to our Farm and son, tin chest, gavel, stud box, and costume Craft Museum at Stonefield. In addition these accessories; Mrs. Wifliam Steinle, Sauk City, donors gave a child's dress, hoop and shoes, wedding hat, communion candle, and a fan; period of 1860, a smafl drum, a collection of Mrs. Grace Dodge, Waupun, an 1880 wicker late nineteenth century dress patterns, a doll buggy; Karl J. Heinrich drug store, Su­ ukulele, and several Braille books. perior, pottery hot-water bottles, corkpress, and From Haldor Gudmandsen, Washington a number of bottles and packages of patent Island, we received a number of articles and medicines. photographs illustrative of commercial fishing Mary A. Smith, Winter Park, Florida, gar­ on Lake Michigan. Fred A. Stare, Columbus, net jewelry, six silver spoons, and a luster donated a tin-can straightener and various pitcher; Mrs. Henry J. Kubiak, Madison, a specimens showing the development of can- stone axe; Mrs. Frederick Price, Wauwatosa, making. costume dolls representing President and Mrs. Dr. A. G. Rowley, Middleton, through his Eisenhower; Mrs. Howard Greene, Genesee daughter, Jessica Rowley, has donated medi­ Depot, a brooch and bracelet; Mrs. Brand cal and pharmaceutical equipment used by Starnes, New Lisbon, a model of a snow­ himself, his father, and grandfather, all of mobile; Harry R. Simons, Lodi, Wisconsin, whom practiced in Middleton. The specimens an oxshoe; Gerald McHune, Spring Green, an represent over 100 years of medical practice iron mallet; George Banta, Jr., Menasha, a and include shelves, counters, pharmaceutical railroad lantern used on the Wisconsin Cen­ jars and bottles, a diathermy machine, steri­ tral Railroad; Mrs. Henry R. Trumbower, lizer, centrifuge, patent medicines, surgical Madison, hand-painted parasol, cushion, and kits, and related objects. Much of this material picture frame; Victor G. Wallin, Grandview, has been transferred to our Farm and Craft a brass cuspidor, formerly used in the State Museum at Stonefield, where it will be used to Capitol; R. E. Andrews, Marshfield, Mission glass table lamp; Mrs. Sophia Brewer, Madi­ set up an early doctor's office. In addition Dr. son, a comb and purse; Mrs. Grace L. Nelson, Rowley donated a Masonic apron, pamphlets Madison, a United States flag and five phono­ and scrofls, and a lithographed bird's-eye view graph records. of Middleton. Mrs. John B. Wilkinson, Milwaukee, is the Darcia Dittberner, Madison, a seal of Alma donor of a small collection of match boxes, a Haake, great-great-grandmother of donor; R. collection of perfume bottles, card cases, combs P. Lappala, Madison, a cased toothpick; and Dr. R. W. Baldwin, Viroqua, folding fish-pole and other toilet articles, writing materials, used by Governor Rusk. patchwork quilts, toys and ceramics, including four pieces of Pauline Pottery. Photographic Collections Jean Nash, Wisconsin Rapids, has donated various items of cranberry growers' equip­ The outstanding addition to the Photograph ment, camp cooking equipment, and a com­ Collections during recent months is the exten­ plete photography outfit as used by the serious sive and detailed documentation of the history amateur about fifty years ago. This includes of Racine, Wis., formed by E. W. Leach and an Eastman Kodak plate camera and acces­ used by him in his own books and series of sories and full darkroom equipment all owned newspaper feature articles. This valuable col­ by Guy Nash, father of the donor. lection was presented to the Society by Gould

226 W. Van Derzee of Milwaukee. One of the most famous photographers of the State, from a historical standpoint, during the early years of this century was J. Robert Taylor, the origi­ nal photographer of the Milwaukee Journal. His daughter, Mrs. Roland Adams of Milwau­ kee has presented 93 of his negatives, almost all which remain, though photoprints exist of the numerous negatives which have been de­ stroyed. Ed Field of Rice Lake included in his gift of other materials a fascinating scrapbook of that area, mainly concerning lumbering. Isidoor Van Engel of Milwaukee contributed a large and rather curious collection of photo­ copies of early photographs concerning horses in all their uses, from harness racing to haul­ ing. Jessie B. Merrick of Bremerton, Washing­ ton, enlarged the collection of photographs of Mississippi River steamboats and related mat­ ters, formed and presented some years ago by her father George B. Merrick, the noted au­ thority and writer on the river, by a gift of personalia relating to the former captain him­ self. From the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor the Society received a large collection Milwaukee Light Guard of portraits of persons connected with its ac­ Rare print purchased for the Society's Collections tivities. Howard Hutchens of Eau Claire gave certain photographs on the activities of the Mrs. Alice Van Hise Davidson, Mrs. W. R. Gillette Rubber Company in its early days of Devor, Mrs. M. E. Diemer, Gilbert Doane, automobile tire manufacture. Albert Melantine Frederick J. Dockstader, Eau Claire City- of Prairie du Sac, inventor of automotive im­ County Health Department, Dr. R. 0. Ebert, provements, presented two reels of old motion Mrs. Grant Fitch, J. H. Friedrick, Neita 0. picture film on production of the F-50 motor, Friend, G. G. Fufler, Mrs. D. L. Fulton, John made at the Michefl plant at Racine in 1917. Girman, John Glaettli, Marcia Grindell, Jack The Olson Publishing Company of Milwaukee Groenhagen, Walter L. Haight, Mrs. Malcolm turned over to the Society a large quantity Hanson, F. H. Higgins, Mrs. Charles Holscher, of photographs of equipment and other matters Ethel Holt, Helen Hooper, Ada Hosford, Frank concerning the dairy products industry, dis­ R. Howe, L. F. Hyde, W. H. Johnson, Adelaide carded from its files, as we hope various manu­ C. Judkins, Elizabeth Kruse, Helen Larson, facturers or associations will do, from time to William D. Leahy, Harry E. Lichter, Richard time, and so allow us properly to record the H. Marshafl, Roy L. Martin, Louis Mayer, E. history of Wisconsin industry and business. R. Mclntyre, Scott McCormick, Mrs. J. W. McKinely, Jean T. McKinney, Henry C. Moel- ler, Adolph Muefler, Jean Nash, Norman Nic- The above are typical of the numerous ac­ cum. North America Companies, Ray S. Owen, quisitions, too extensive to be described in de­ Herman Palmer, Harry M. Parry, the Parson tail, which have recently made our collections estate, Milton Patrick, S. M. Pedrick, Ann increasingly valuable. Our appreciation is ex­ Pittman, Grace L. Powell, Mrs. C. A. Ray­ tended to the Advertising Council, New York mond, Robert L. Reynolds, Lawrence Rich­ City, to Mrs. E. H. Argetsinger, Badger Ord­ mond, Walter Ringhand, Charles H. Roser, nance Works, Aaron M. Bagg, George Banta, E. D. Ross, Dr. A. G. Rowley, Jessica Rowley, Dr. Samuel G. Barker, Mrs. Richard P. Bar­ Mrs. John P. Rutherfurd, Frederic Sammond, low, Miriam Bennett, John J. Benson, Bess Mrs. V. Shuster, Mrs. John Skelton, Mrs. J. W. Benton, Mrs. Helene Stratman Blotz, Pearl Skinner, Benjamin P. Thomas, T. J. Thomp­ Bossard, Louis Bridgman, Eugene E. Brossard, son, Wifliam Tobin, Gerald H. Totten, Mrs. Harriet Bryant, T. J. Caldwell, Mrs. George Henry Trumbower, G. E. Untermann, W. E. Carnefl, Edward S. Gary, Mrs. Clark, Irene Wagener, Theda L. Waterman, Mrs. Russell Cooper, Georgia Cozzini, William F. Dahmen, Wilcox, Mrs. Kathryn Wilkinson, Mrs. George

227 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SPRING, 1956

E. Williams, Betty Cass Willoughby, Walter her in world affairs. A retiring person, deeply Willoughby, Suzanne Witwen, Mrs. Frank religious, she took a similar interest in the Wochos, Women's Relief Corps. minute details relating to members of her family. The full extent of her philanthropies The Milwaukee Journal sent another large has never been revealed. lot of photographic negatives, in continuation The bulk of the papers consists of 120 filing- of previous gifts, as did John Newhouse of the case drawers of manuscripts, 358 filing boxes Wisconsin State Journal; the Wisconsin State of printed items, and 186 envelops of printed Journal office contributed a quantity of nega­ and manuscript items; 13 filing-case drawers tives by Richard Vesey. of pictures and photographs and 44 packages of miscellaneous materials mostly broadsides McCormick Collection and large pictures. There were likewise sev­ eral large framed portraits, some genealogical The McCormick Collection has been enriched charts, and a few ledgers. by the addition of the papers of Mrs. Nettie Fowler McCormick, wife of Cyrus Hafl Mc­ Newspapers Cormick, inventor of the reaper. Mrs. McCor­ mick shared her husband's interest in the The Society has added the following files of reaper business, so that her papers abound newspapers to its coflection through the cour­ with information on that subject, particularly tesy of the publishers in loaning their files for for the first two decades after the inventor's microfilming: death. She survived her husband by nearly Burhngton Free Press, 1881-1943; Butter­ forty years. Her son, who succeeded his nut Bulletin, 1922-43; Clintonvifle Tribune, father as head of the McCormick Harvesting 1882-1940; Dousman Index, 1907-41; YAh- Machine Company, said he never made a worth Record, 1894-1949; Glidden Enterprise, major decision for the first twenty-five years 1904-42; Green County Herold (Monroe), after he took the helm without first seeking 1877-1940; lola Herald, 1898-1939; Mara­ his mother's counsel. thon Times, 1909-43; Mellen Weekly, 1901- Mrs. McCormick's papers likewise reflect 21; Melrose Chronicle, 1896-1939; Washburn her interest in education, particularly in small News, 1887-1914. denominational schools, which she felt would By purchase the Society has added the fol­ offer learning to many who would otherwise lowing newspaper files: Boston Gazette, 1759- be denied it. 82; Chicago Times, 1861-66; Cincinnati En­ A cosmopolitan person, her papers show her quirer, 1841-76; New York Evening Post, keen interest in all that was going on around 1801-35.

BOOK REVIEWS: Morison, ed., The Parkman Reader: From the Works of Francis Parkman 213 Schorger, The Passenger Pigeon: Its Natural History and Extinction 213 Hyman, Era of the Oath , 215 Wyllie, The Self-Made Man in America: The Myth of Rags to Riches 215 Shanahan, German Protestants Face the Social Question: Volume I: The Conservative Phase, 1815-1871 216 Reimann, Hurley—Still No Angel 217 Brunnschweiler, New Glarus, Wisconsin: Griindung, Entwicklung und Heutiger Zustand einer Schweizerkolonie im amerikanischen Mittelwesten 217 Ritzenthaler, Wittry, and Others, Recollections of Oconto County 218 Peat, Pioneer Painters of Indiana 218 Duffey, The Chicago Renaissance in American Letters: A Critical History 219 Smith and Others, The Governors of Ohio 220 Gates, Fifty Million Acres: Conflicts over Kansas Land Policy, 1854-1890 220 Gray, Business Without Boundary: The Story of General Mills 221

228 new Society publications

CHRONICLES OF WISCONSIN By James I. Clark

This pamphlet series has been prepared as another aid to the teaching of history at the high school level. Each tells, in fast-moving narrative style, of some aspect of the state's history against the background of national history. Sixteen pamphlets are now available, including Wisconsin Defies the Fugitive Slave Law, Robert M. La Follefie and Wisconsin Progressivism, Wisconsin Women Fight for Suffrage, Farming the Cutover, The Wisconsin Pineries, and others on similarly significant topics. Price, 25 cents per copy, $3.00 for set of 16

30th STAR History Bulletin for Wisconsin High Schools

An illustrated publication, in nev^spaper format, devoted to short narratives on signifi­ cant topics that may be used as supplementary material for a course in American history or a course or unit in Wisconsin history. Successive issues follovtf a historical chronology that ties in with the American history course. Subscription price, 50 cents per person for the school year

HOW TO ORGANIZE A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION • By Raymond S. Sivesind

The first of a new series of informational bulletins to be published by the Society, How to Organize a Centennial Celebration is a flexible and useful guide for the overall planning of community anniversary celebrations. It blueprints committee organi­ zation and deals with the practicalities of finance, publicity, centennial publications, costumry, general entertainment and programming. Price, 25 cents per copy

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