Waupaca 1869

From Elsie Yohr

The Northwestern

December 30, 1869

J.W. at Waupaca.

Correspondence of the Daily Northwestern.

FREMONT, December 20

Being at Waupaca the past week, we had an opportunity of taking a few notes of what we saw, heard and thought while stopping in that smart, thriving town. Had it not been for a severe attack of the inflammatory rheumatism, which compelled us to adjourn in advance of Judge Cate, and which is still twisting us beautifully, our observations would have been more extended as also, would have been our “report”.

One of the best business institutions which we visited there was the office of the Waupaca County Republican, ably conducted by D.D. Burnham and J.A. Ogden, a son of Judge Ogden. The Judge and Mr. B. have bought out the Criterion, and intend to run the “mosheen” themselves as far as a Republican paper is concerned in this county. The editors are a couple of enterprising young men, of no mean abilities, and we predict for them success in their undertaking. They get up a good paper and it will meet with a liberal support.

We would respectfully suggest, however, that they procure a better pair “scissors” than we saw and tried to use while there. We can get along very well with a pair when only one blade is missing, but when both are gone, or nearly so, we cave!

We would like to speak of the mills, shops, stores, &c., but as we were prevented by that confounded rheumatism from taking extensive observations, we will defer that part to another visit.

There were several important cases on the calendar for trial at this term of the court. As we were obliged to leave before the close, we are unable to report the disposition of but few. We have learned of three criminal cases, one a young man by the name of Pyre, for burglary, convicted. A woman by the name of White, from town of Mukwa, for arson, acquitted; a man for forgery plead guilty – have not learned the sentence of either of the men. A woman from Weyauwega is to be or has been tried for arson.

We understand that Judge Cate was obliged to hold over another week to finish e the business before the court. It seems to us that a county with our population ought to have more than two terms in a year. Judge Cate is a prompt business man, but he cannot do everything in a week.

Waupaca needs a railroad to develop its great natural advantages, and make it an important point. It has had one or more for several years past – on paper – It wants one now in earnest, and we hope it will get one, provided it takes Fremont on the route.