Twenty-one new members were added to the State Historical Society
during the quarter ending March 31, 1918, eight to the life and
thirteen to the annual membership class. In addition, two annual
members of the Society, Col. Marshall Cousins, of Eau Claire, and
Oscar G. Boisseau, of Holden, Mo., transferred to the life membership
group. The new life members are: John S. Allen, John N. Cadby,
Williard O. Hotchkiss, Edward J. B. Schubring, Halsten J. Thorkelson,
Madison; Adam A. Beck, Rev. James M. McManus, William A. Roblier, of
Coloma; John H. Tweedy, Jr., of Milwaukee. The new annual members are:
Prof. John G. Callan, Peter J. Connor, Prof. Charles A. Smith, Miss K.
Bernice Stewart, Mrs. Magnus Swensen, of Madison; W. I. Goodland, E.
W. Leach, of Racine; Azel C. Hough, of Janesville; Andrew J. Hutton,
of Waukesha; John B. MacHarg, of Appleton; Charles D. Stewart, of
Hartford; R. E. Van Matre, of Darlington; John P. DeMeritt, of White
Plains, New York.
* * * * *
Many interesting additions to the Library’s collection of non-current
newspaper files were made during the first quarter of 1918. By far the
most important is the _Illinois Intelligencer_, published at Kaskaskia
and (later) Vandalia, for the years 1817-31. This paper was the first
to be published in Illinois, its name in the beginning being the
_Illinois Herald_. Through the courtesy of the University of Illinois
Library our Society has been afforded the opportunity to make a
photostatic reproduction of the file for the fourteen years included
in the period noted. From the widow of the founder and publisher, Rev.
I. L. Hauser, has been received the file for the first five years,
1869-74, of the Milwaukee _Index_, later and better known as the
_Christian Statesman_. Other Wisconsin files acquired include the
Algoma _Record_, 1910-18, and six issues (out of a total of ten
published) of the _Bugle Blast_, Lake Mills’ first newspaper. From
Minnesota has come a complete file of the short-lived Winona _Daily
News_, published from September 14 to October 7, 1916. Other files
from without the state include: Lawrenceburg _Indiana Palladium_,
April-December, 1825; Indianapolis _Locomotive_, 1850-52; Logansport
_Journal_, April-December, 1864; Cincinnati _Brauerei Arbeiter
Zeitung_, 1910-17; Baltimore _Manufacturers Record_, 1916-18; New York
_Army and Navy Journal_, 1902-10; New York _Fatherland_, 1914-17;
Tokyo _Japan Mail_, 1915-17.
* * * * *
Through the agency of the historical committee of the Congregational
Church in Wisconsin an important collection of yearbooks, church
periodicals, pamphlets, books, and other material on Congregationalism,
which had been gathered at the business headquarters of the church in
Madison, has been turned over to the State Historical Society. Much of
the collection thus received duplicates material already owned by the
Library; it will go in due time to swell the resources of some sister
institution which lacks and needs it. The remainder constitutes a
welcome addition to our own important collection of material in the
field of Congregational church history. Thus another step is taken in
the process of making the State Historical Library the repository of
all available material pertaining to the history of the several
religious denominations of Wisconsin. For the latest acquisition
particular obligation is acknowledged to Rev. John N. Davidson, Rev.
S. T. Kidder, and Rev. Henry A. Miner, Congregational ministers, all
of Madison. Their active and intelligent interest in making the
sources of their denominational history accessible to scholars is
worthy of emulation. Who will be next to “come across” on behalf of
his own denomination?
* * * * *
Mrs. Anna Roberts Beagle, of Menomonie, has presented the Society with
three interesting family heirlooms. One is a Welsh Bible brought to
America in 1817 by her father, Richard Roberts, who in later life was
for many years a resident and justice of the peace at Menomonie.
Another is a sword carried by her father’s brother, Daniel Roberts, in
the War of 1812. The third is an English hunting knife brought from
England in 1817, which according to the tradition of the family has
been in its possession for many generations.
* * * * *
From Fred M. Griswold of Lake Mills have been received six issues of
the Lake Mills _Bugle Blast_, publication of which as a monthly was
begun in December, 1863. Mr. Griswold states that the _Bugle Blast_
was Lake Mills’ first paper, and that only ten issues were published
in all. It was a modest sheet, put out, apparently, in spare time by
the proprietor, who also played the rôles of editor and devil as well.
The annual subscription price was twenty-five cents at first, but
before long the cost of materials compelled an increase to thirty
cents. The file which Mr. Griswold has presented constitutes an
interesting addition to the Society’s collection of Wisconsin
newspapers.
* * * * *
During the month of March, a special exhibit of Dutch war cartoons,
lent for the purpose by Prof. Arnold Dresden, was made in the State
Historical Museum. They accompanied the issues of the newspaper _De
Nieuwe Amsterdamer_, and are the work of the famous Dutch cartoonists,
P. Vanderham, Willy Sluiter, and Jan Sluyters. The cartoons measure
12½ by 19 inches in size and nearly all of them are printed in colors.
They deal with such subjects as the German war horrors, war conditions
in Holland, the neutrals, and peace. The most striking of the latter
class is one in which the Angel of Peace is seen stooping over the
world, which, porcupine-like, is completely covered with protruding
bayonets. The translated inscription reads: “I do not find a spot
where I can take hold of him.”
* * * * *
The State Historical Museum, in order to complete certain of its
collections, is especially anxious to secure samples of the following
implements and utensils formerly in use in Wisconsin and other states:
A pomace knife, mead stick, hearth brush, wooden-toothed rake, corn
sheller, cheese tester, farrier’s shave, sheep yoke, goose yoke,
milking stool, wool comb, tape loom or heddle frame, rundlets, wooden
tankard, wooden dishes, stirring stick, butter molds, milk skimmer,
earthenware foot-warmer, magnifier of the kind formerly placed in
front of candles or sconces, fleam, wooden pitch pipe, and a wooden
prism.
Samples of early American china are also desired, pewter ware, a hand
lamp, miner’s lamp, tea canister, wooden sugar-box, butter bowl, mush
paddle, hickory hay fork, old hand-made keys, and old-style door
knocker. Gifts of such specimens will be greatly appreciated and will
assist the museum in its work with university students and the public
schools of the state.
* * * * *
In March, 1918, Magnus Swenson, chairman of the State Council of
Defense, appointed a War History Commission for Wisconsin, and
delegated to it the work of collecting for permanent preservation all
the material that can be obtained relating to our state’s share in the
Great War. The plan is the outgrowth of steps taken early in the war
by the National Board for Historical Service in Washington to make a
complete and monumental collection of the material pertaining to
America’s part in this great struggle.
The commission consists of M. M. Quaife, Madison, chairman; W. W.
Bartlett, Eau Claire, C. R. Fish, Madison, J. H. A. Lacher, Waukesha,
W. N. Parker, Madison, A. H. Sanford, La Crosse, and Captain H. A.
Whipple, Waterloo. John W. Oliver, Madison, was named director of the
commission. At a meeting held in the office of the Superintendent of
the State Historical Society on March 8, the commission decided to
begin at once the work that had been assigned. The State Historical
Library in Madison was selected as the headquarters for the
commission, and from there the work is being directed. Local war
history committees have been appointed in every county of the state,
charged with the specific function of collecting and preserving all
the records relating to that particular county’s activity in the war.
By coöperating with the county councils of defense, the public
libraries, the local historical societies, and the schools, it is
hoped that every record and news item possessing historical value will
be saved for the use of future workers in compiling a final history of
Wisconsin’s part in the war.
* * * * *
In line with the foregoing activity, a movement has been undertaken by
the University of Wisconsin and the State Historical Society, working
in conjunction, to develop at Madison a comprehensive war collection,
which shall adequately serve the needs of future investigators. A
special fund has been provided, deemed adequate to the purpose in
view, and Dr. Asa C. Tilton, a trained bibliographer and historian,
has been secured to serve as curator of the War Collection and direct
the work of collecting. The special drive for historical materials
thus put under way will be conducted in close coördination with the
ordinary work of the Historical Library and the library and other
departments of the University. As a result of it, there should be
developed at Madison such a comprehensive war collection for the use
of students and research workers as the New York Public Library and
one or two others are developing in the East. As far as known, nowhere
in the West, outside of Madison, is such a collection being developed.
* * * * *
The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Outagamie County Pioneers’
Association was held at Appleton the latter part of February. A
business program was held in the forenoon, a dinner at noon, and a
literary and musical program in the afternoon. Addresses were given by
Mayor Faville, Postmaster Keller, Judge Spencer, and others.
Throughout the addresses the patriotic note was dominant.
* * * * *
The forty-third annual meeting of the Reedsburg Old Settlers’
Association was held February 15, 1918, under unfavorable weather
conditions. A picnic dinner was eaten, and a miscellaneous program of
songs, addresses, and instrumental music was given. The treasurer’s
report showed a balance on hand of $191. Officers elected for the
ensuing year were John P. Stone, president; C. M. Kester, vice
president; Elsie Root, secretary; F. M. Baker, treasurer.
* * * * *
On March 26, in the Kellogg Public Library, the Green Bay Historical
Society held a scheduled meeting. On the program were papers by W. M.
Conway of the State Highway Commission on “Roads of Wisconsin and How
They Can Be Made More Interesting”; by Mrs. W. D. Cooke on “Shantytown
in 1820”; and by J. P. Schumacher on “The Site of the First Church
Built in Shantytown by Father Mazzuchelli.”
* * * * *
An attractively printed program of the Sauk County Historical Society
records a noteworthy list of activities for 1917-18, the
organization’s thirteenth year. The annual meeting occurred October 5,
1917, the principal address being given by M. M. Quaife on “The Angel
of Wisconsin.” On March 1, 1918 a second meeting was held, at which
papers or addresses were given on the following subjects: “The Coming
of the Circuit Rider in Wisconsin,” by Rev. W. R. Irish; “The First
Murder Trial in Baraboo,” by R. T. Warner, of Everett, Washington;
“The First Permanent Settler at Baraboo,” by Louise P. Kellogg;
“Pioneer Occupations,” by N. G. Abbott, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The program for the meeting appointed for April 5 consisted of the
following papers: “When I ‘Broke Into’ Sauk County Politics,” by John
M. True; “Wisconsin Map by I. A. Lapham,” by H. E. French; “Additional
Reminiscences of Ableman--A Sequel,” by Eva Alexander; and “Indians at
Baraboo in Pioneer Times,” by M. H. Mould.
* * * * *
A pamphlet describing Wisconsin’s participation in the exposition held
in Chicago in the summer of 1915 to commemorate the semicentennial of
the emancipation of the Negro has recently been issued. Hon. S. A.
Cook, Neenah, president, Hon. George P. Hambrecht, Madison, treasurer,
and Samuel R. Banks, Madison, secretary, formed the personnel of the
commission appointed by the Governor to represent Wisconsin. The
creditable progress made by the black man along lines of industry and
art was illustrated in convincing fashion by the exhibits. The report
of the progress made along educational lines is no less worthy of
note. A message from Governor Phillip on Wisconsin Day said:
“Certainly they have done enough to merit our heartiest praise and
coöperation and to inspire the hope that the problem which confronted
the white man when this vast population was given freedom will be
solved by the help of the leaders of the race itself.”
* * * * *
At the time of going to press tentative arrangements have been made
for a joint meeting of the State Historical Society and the Sauk
County Historical Society to be held at the site of old Fort Winnebago
near Portage on Labor Day, 1918. There will be a picnic dinner, but as
the place is in the outskirts of Portage any who prefer to eat at the
hotel may easily arrange to do so. A short historical address will be
given, followed by visits to the site of the fort and the “Agency
house,” the latter made famous by Mrs. Kinzie in her book, _Wau Bun_.
Near by, also, may be seen the place of the famous Fox-Wisconsin
portage, first crossed by white men, so far as our knowledge goes, by
Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673, and the old United States
military cemetery. Such a gathering should attract a large number of
visitors from all the surrounding communities.
* * * * *
Dr. A. Gerend, of Cato, addressed the Manitowoc County Historical
Society on the evening of March 8, on the subject, “The Indians of
Manitowoc County.” Dr. Gerend is an industrious investigator in the
local field of Indian history and archeology, and has supplied some
interesting material to the State Historical Library.
* * * * *
On February 10, 1918, the First Baptist Church of Sheboygan Falls
celebrated its eightieth anniversary. Organized February 11, 1838,
this church is ten years older than the Commonwealth itself. The
present church building was dedicated December 18, 1850, and like the
organization which it houses, is one of the oldest in Wisconsin. In
the eighty years of its existence the church has had twenty pastors,
ten clerks, and six treasurers.
* * * * *
The Catholic diocese of Green Bay was created by a breve of Pope Pius
IX, March 3, 1868. The semicentennial of its birth was celebrated
throughout the parishes of the diocese during the first week of March,
1918. Upon organization fifty years ago the diocese had 26 priests, 27
parishes and 41 missions, 12 schools, and a population of 40,000.
Today it contains 164 parishes and 75 missions with churches; 106
parish schools with over 24,000 pupils enrolled; besides 3 colleges
for men, an academy for women, 2 Indian schools, 9 hospitals, and a
population of 149,000.
* * * * *
The Mexican War ended seventy years ago, and but few active
participants in it now remain alive. One Mexican War veteran was James
Law, of Madison, who died January 30, 1918. Had he lived until
February 21, he would have been ninety years of age. Mr. Law was one
of Madison’s early stonemasons, and is said to have worked on the old
Capitol building.
* * * * *
George B. Ferry, of Milwaukee, probably Wisconsin’s most eminent
architect, died January 29, 1917. Among the notable buildings designed
by Mr. Ferry are the Milwaukee Public Library, and the splendid home
of the State Historical Society at Madison.
* * * * *
A joint meeting of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
with the Wisconsin Archeological Society was held in the assembly room
of the State Historical Society, April 11 and 12, 1918. Of the two
dozen or more papers read, the following were devoted particularly to
Wisconsin history: “Additional Wisconsin Peace Medals,” by Charles E.
Brown; “The State Collection of War Posters,” by Ruth O. Roberts; “The
Work of the Wisconsin War History Commission,” by John W. Oliver. The
other papers were devoted chiefly to archeological and scientific
subjects.
* * * * *
The Wisconsin Archeological Society held its annual meeting in the
lecture room of the Milwaukee Public Museum on Monday evening, March
18, 1918. The meeting was well attended by members from Milwaukee and
various other points in the state. At the business meeting the
following officers were elected: Dr. Samuel A. Barrett, Milwaukee,
president; Dr. E. J. W. Notz, Milwaukee, John P. Schumacher, Green
Bay, A. T. Newman, Bloomer, Dr. F. E. Dayton, New London, and Charles
G. Schoewe, Milwaukee, vice presidents. W. H. Vogel and William A.
Phillips were elected members of the executive board, and Lee R.
Whitney, treasurer. The secretary’s annual report, read by Charles E.
Brown, shows that the society has been active in the field of
exploration and publication.
* * * * *
De Have Norton of the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry (later the Fourth
Wisconsin Cavalry) died at his home in Hingham, Wisconsin, February
20, 1918. From Mrs. Norton the Society has received about twenty-five
Civil War letters written by her late husband to his parents from 1861
to 1865. Mr. Norton served from June, 1861, until the close of the
war. He was an intelligent and entertaining correspondent and it is a
matter for regret that so few of his letters have been preserved. The
following citations from two of his letters written, the one at Camp
Utley, Racine, on the eve of departure for the front in July, 1861,
the other from Montgomery, Alabama, in May, 1865, afford a pleasing
picture of the spirit which animated our Civil War soldiers. “I shall
not see you again so good by Father & Mother. God be with you till I
see you again. I think the cause which I go to defend is worth the
sacrifice which I make, for I do make a great sacrifice. I leave home
and all I love to stake my life for my Country. I go willingly, as for
you, don’t fear for me I shall do well enough. If I never return you
will know that I died in the cause of Liberty & truth”
* * * * *
And four years later: “I am safe and sound as ever. We have had a long
and tedious march. * * * There was not a shot exchanged with the
enemy. The rebels are all at home. the towns are full of them. we mix
all together the best of friends. it looks nice to see the gray
uniform and blue uniform together. Well father after four long years
of blood and terror the war is over. You can imagine the feelings of
the soldiers on the subject.”