VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4 PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMER, 1956 i How upcoming generations will enjoy the exhibits of giant locomotives! The sleek steam-propelled S-2 was presented by the Milwaukee Road to the Railroad Mu­ seum at Green Bay, where it soon will be permanently displayed. It may attract future spectators as curious as those surrounding the unwieldy Conestoga wagons, ON THE COVER pieces which unfailingly find their niche in the transpor­ tation exhibits of state and national fairs. It is good to ponder over the varied transportation methods which chart the progress of travel, not forgetting that faraway day when uncomplicated foot travel took Grandpa from "here to there"—when '^'parking" was foreign to his vocabulary. The WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY is published by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison 6, Wisconsin. Distributed to members as part of their dues (Annual Membership, 14.00; Contributing, |10; Business and Professional, $25; Life, $100; Sustaining, $100 or more annually; Patron, $1,000 or more annually.) Yearly subscription, $4.00; single numbers, $1.00. As of July 1, 1955, introductory offer for NEW members. Annual dues $1.00, Magazine subscription $3.00. Communications should be addressed to the editor. The Society does not assume responsibility for statements made by contributors. Entered as second-class matter at the post office at Madison, Wisconsin, under the act of August 24, 1912. Copyright 1956 by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Paid for in part by the Maria L. and Simeon Mills Editorial Fund and by the George B. Burrows Fund. PERMISSION—Wisconsin newspapers may reprint any article appearing in the Wisconsin Magazine of History provided the story carries the following credit line: Reprinted from the State Historical Society's Wisconsin Magazine of History for [insert the season and year which appear on the Magazine'i. PHOTO CREDITS—Bailey's Dam marker supplied by Elaine H. Brister, Pineville, La.; John Till photos by his son John W. Till, South St. Paul and by Mrs. Dan Shirley, Mrs. Cloutier's daughter of St. Paul; David Rose in the Society's Stein Collection; Chippewa ap­ parel specimens in the Society's Rahr Collection; sites picture-story: Lake Pepin Marker by Fryklund Studio, Stockholm; Gays Mills apple orchard, the Wisconsin Conservation Depart­ ment; Siskiwit marker, H. J. Ehlers, Cornucopia; Lake Ripley marker, Evinrude Motors, Milwaukee; Coon Valley, Wisconsin Conservation Department; Fort St. Antoine, Fryklund Studio, Stockholm, and the full-page Wisconsin map by the Wisconsin Highway Commission. VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4 PUBLISHED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN SUMMER. 1956 Editor: CLIFFORD L. LORD Managing Editor: LILLIAN KRUECER CONTENTS The Wisconsin National Guard RALPH J. OLSON 231 Lillian Krueger C.L.L. 234 A Wisconsin Newsman with Grant BENJAMIN P. THOMAS 238 The "Plaster Doctor" of Somerset JAMES TAYLOR DUNN 245 Street Cars and Politics in Milwaukee, 1896-1901 (Part II) FORREST MCDONALD 253 FEATURES Sites, Picture-Story 259 Meet the Authors 230 The Collector 263 Smoke Rings 235 Sincerely Yours 266 Circuit Rider 251 Readers' Choice 274 Pandora's Box 258 Accessions 288 meet the authors A native of Marinette, MAJOR GENERAL the Eleventh Armored Division of General RALPH J. OLSON was graduated from Ripon Patton's Third Army, he took part in the College in 1926. That year, also, he was Battle of the Bulge and several subsequent commissioned a second lieutenant, Infan­ campaigns. In 1950 former Governor Ren- try, and participated in Reserve Officers nebohm appointed him adjutant general activities until 1942, when he became cap­ and in addition assumed the directorship tain on active duty. As regimental adju­ of Civil Defense. He has been active in nu­ tant and tank battalion commander, and merous civic affairs, such as Community later as a member of the General Staff of Fund and Red Cross Drives. "A Wisconsin Newsman with Grant" was Three Years with Grant, is based on the the title of an address delivered by BEN­ recollections of war correspondent Sylva- JAMIN P. THOMAS, Springfield, Illinois, at nus Cadwallader. During 1940-53 Mr. the Society's Founders' Day dinner last Thomas was associate editor for the Abra­ January. An eminent Lincoln and Civil ham Lincoln Quarterly, is now on the edi­ War scholar, Thomas is the author of four torial board for the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln volumes, the last, Abra­ Abraham Lincoln, and since the mid-1930's ham Lincoln, A Biography (1952), becom­ has been the director of the Abraham Lin­ ing a best-seller. It was a Book-of-the coln Association. He has also earned a Month Club selection. Another best-seller, place as a popular lecturer. After taking his B.S. degree at Syracuse ciety, St. Paul. During World War II, for University in 1939, JAMES TAYLOR DUNN a period of four years, he was in anti-air­ worked in the public library field in Up­ craft. Mr. Dunn edited the diary of James state New York until 1948, where he be­ W. Taylor, United States consul to Winni­ came the librarian of the New York peg, which was published in 1950. He has Historical Association, Cooperstown. In contributed to such periodicals as American May, 1955, he returned to his native state, Heritage, Neiv York History, Alaska Life, as librarian of the Minnesota Historical So­ Vermont History and Minnesota History. Texas-born FORREST MCDONALD was edu­ tary of the American History Research cated at the University of Texas, where he Center. The author of forthcoming books received his Ph.D. degree in 1955. A Re­ on the economic interpretation of the Con­ search Training Fellow of the Social stitution and the history of the electric Science Research Council, 1950-53, he utilities of Wisconsin, he has recently be­ joined the staff of the State Historical So­ gun research on a biography of Chicago ciety in June, 1953, and is executive secre­ utility magnate Samuel Insull. RAYMOND SIVESIND attended Luther Col­ State Historical Society of Wisconsin in lege in his native city, Decorah, Iowa. 1948. He serves as a liaison between the After receiving his M.A. degree from the Society and other State agencies engaged University of Wisconsin he continued work in historic site and marker activity, and at the University of Illinois and American local historical societies. Mr. Sivesind is University. He taught in Iowa, Minnesota, in charge of Villa Louis, Wade House, and and Illinois, then joined the staff of the Stonefield Farm and Craft Museum. 230 Major General Olson discusses here the State Militia and continues with a full account of the organization, growth, financing, and activities of the Wiscon­ sin National Guard. In such a discourse several of the adjutant generals and the participation of the guard in the various wars naturally find a place. Those who know state military history are offered a "refresher" narrative; those who do not will find this factual recital relating to another one of the state department series of real worth. The Wisconsin National Guard by Ma/or General Ralph J. Olson The Adjutant General From the time the earliest settlers landed on person probably would say 1882, the first year the shores of the New World, they banded the State had permanent regimental formations themselves together in military organizations and encampments, authorized camp pay, and known as Trainbands and later as Militia, in adopted a uniform after the regular army. defense of their homes. There may have been cases where individual The passage of three centuries has seen these companies held encampments prior to that small militia forces evolve as the nation itself time but there is no official record of such. has evolved, little by little and step by step. Some might say 1873, the first year the They graduated from strictly home town State paid toward the upkeep of various units, each company getting $100 a year. The nov­ defense rolls into major organizations with elist probably would say 1866, the year arms broader missions; missions of protecting the were issued to the Ahnapee Militia Company frontiers in the French and Indian Wars; of and the Green County National Guard Com­ holding together the fledgeling nation in the pany of Monroe. These are the first two compa­ War of the Revolution and the War of 1812. nies of which there is any record of having North and south, they battled in the War be­ been formed after the Civil War. tween the States; a few years after Appomat­ The first adjutant general of Wisconsin was tox, they banded together in a great National William R. Smith, whose residence was in Guard Association of the United States, with Mineral Point. He served from July 20, 1839, the primary objective of lifting themselves into to April 1, 1851. Since 1839, 26 adjutants a higher state of organization, equipment, and general have been appointed (one of whom training, in order that they might better fulfill was acting) to administer the Wisconsin Na­ their national defense mission in time of need. tional Guard. The first time the adjutant gen­ When did the militia of Wisconsin form into eral reported on the National Guard instead of the Wisconsin National Guard? The tactical the militia was in 1879. 231 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY SUMMER, 1956 the following officers; viz., one captain, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant [third lieutenant by subsequent law], four sergeants, and four corporals; and they may choose so many musicians as they may deem proper." Upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the company was organized in good faith the governor was required to issue commissions to the officers elected and to issue arms after the company was uniformed.