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THE REPUBLICAN January 25, 1883 The Waupaca
Spirit
LUKE C. REDFIELD, Editor WAUPACA JANUARY 22, 1857 THEN AND NOW. The Republican Reviews “The
Spirit” that gave it Birth over a Quarter Century ago. Meditating on the probability of
events on the inception of the plant that gave rise to the REPUBLICAN, we can
imagine Luke and Charley Redfield carting in the hand press and a meager outfit
of printing material for the purpose of establishing a local journal to herald
forth to the world the fact that here, on the banks of the beautiful Waupaca
river, was destined to be a live town.
They were earnest, hard working young men and many an old resident
recounts with pride their pluck and energy in trying to build up a paper in an
early day in Waupaca. But it was
up-hill work and the first three years of its existence, it was probably only
issued “semi-occasionally” and perhaps “try-oftenly”. But on Jan. 22, 1857, the “WAUPACA SPIRIT” appears, and Vol. I,
No. I is in the heading, but it must be so volumed and numbered because its
publishers decided to take a fresh start, and bring it out regularly, for in
the same issue are advertisements dated 1854.
A resume of this paper of twenty-five years ago, will be of much interest
to many of our subscribers, recalling to them incidences of the time which may
be familiar to them. We must give the
printers of the SPIRIT credit for lots of hard work. The paper is seven column folio, all printed at home. It contained sixteen columns of reading
matter and twelve columns of advertisements.
An evidence that the business people of the little village appreciated
the merits of printers ink. The general make-up of the paper
commences with political and miscellaneous selections on first page; we reprint
some of them; The Waupaca
Spirit Still Lives To satisfy the incredulous, and to
quiet the fears of its friends, who are doubtful of its position in the
spirit-land, the Spirit knocks for admission again to the world of
ponderable substances, and asks the opportunity to commune with the world in
its natural form. Do you grant the
request, you of the flesh? The point is conceded that Waupaca,
and surrounding towns are much in need of a newspaper which shall be permitted
to both by location and inclination to furnish them news of interest to
themselves, as well as to chronicle the improvements, political condition, and
advantages, of the county in which it is printed. To satisfy this want, the Spirit will labor unceasingly. The concern is now established upon
a basis more substantial, and one better calculated to insure regularity in
issue, than heretofore; and we hope our friends will not be dilatory in coming
forward to subscribe, advertise, and get jobs done; as it seems rather
necessary that such patronage should be afforded, in order to produce a
grateful feeling with the proprietor: - who, by the by, is a young man of
enterprise, and having just recurred a wife, feels anxious to get a position in
the world, which shall be permanent: and
you know there is a wide difference between jingling a few extra dimes in your
trousers, and on the other hand, being followed by dunning letters, sheriffs,
and so forth. You will perceive that the paper
which is offered is large, and well filled with choice reading matter, news,
commercial and telegraphic. In fact,
you will rarely find so respectable a sheet out of the large cities; but the
proprietor being a practical printer, has concluded to furnish a newspaper
which shall merit a liberal support, and if he fails to get it, it will be none
of his fault. The course of the paper, with
reference to politics, is to be Independent. – Independent in politics – you
understand! That means, the Editor can
ride every hobby, advocate every political doctrine, and be on the side that
wins every time. We will just say that,
having had experience in all parties we are tolerably well posted about their
relative force, and therefore we are admirably adapted to the post – as our
experience is sure to enable us to be on the strong side. It is customary, however, for Editors, when
they settle into their sanctum, to tell their preferences, so here our go: We don’t like Border Ruffians,
notwithstanding they are so much attached to ourself. We will not say that all Know Nothings are Border Ruffians, but
we must assert that all Border Ruffians are Know Nothings. One day, after the recent Presidential
contest, we happened to be in one of the border counties of Missouri, known as
Jackson, in the city of Independence, and accosting the most intelligent
looking man, asked if he had heard the result.
“Yes,” said he, “either Fremont or Buchanan is elected; I reckoned it’ud
be Fillmore – bad news – won’t yer drink – I don’t reckon yer b’long ter the
Order.” That satisfied us with that man
and the Order. The Democratic party, as
illustrated by Frank Pierce’s administration, and other leaders of the party,
is a complete superstructure of corrupted party drill, the result of which has
been abundantly seen in Kansas. – The Republican party is more to our liking. We shall treat this question more at length
in the future. We hope never to be blinded by local
bigotry so much, as to be unable to treat every question and place with
fairness, for when that occurs in a public journal, it ceases to be a mirror to
reflect surrounding objects correctly, as it should do. In conclusion, we only hope that the Spirit
will become a weekly visitor to every house in the county, and to many homes in
the east. C.
E. REDFIELD, Editor Local politics also had a hearing as
the following items show: Organization of
the Legislature Both Houses of the Legislature were
permanently organized the forenoon of 15th inst. Judge SPOONER, of Walworth, was elected
Speaker of the Assembly. This is said,
by all parties, to be an excellent choice. WM. C. WEBB, of Wautoma, crawled
into the position of Chief Clerk of the Assembly. His election must have been accomplished by awful good
management. He attempted to thrust himself
upon the Republicans of this Senatorial District but was too well known for
that. WM. C. ROGERS, editor of the
LaCrosse Republican, was elected Sergeant at Arms of the Assembly. Excellent. The Senate was organized by the
election of WM. H. BRISBANK, of Iowa County, Chief Clerk; and A. FILER.,
Sergeant at Arms. The two candidates for the Assembly
from this county, B. F. PHILIPS and E. P. PERRY, took the oath of office, and
were sworn in. The documents in the
Secretary’s Office were in favor of Mr. PHILLIPS, so he holds the seat, pending
investigation. The Governor’s Message was delivered
– but we have not received it. The only exciting topic is the
election of U.S. Senator. The
excitement is immense among the aspirants, and the “powers that be” are
settling the candidates who are the most troublesome into legislative offices. The New County
Officers. E. I. PUTNAM was elected last fall
to the office of Register of Deeds; and BARNEY BROWN to the office of Sheriff. The officers now are: Sheriff – BARNEY BROWN Register of Deeds – E. I. PUTNAM Treasurer – C. O. BROWN Clerk of the Board of Supervisors –
MELLEN CHAMBERLAIN Clerk of the Court – J. H. JONES Judge of Probate – O. E. DREUTZER Surveyor – A. V. BALCH The only office which is not all
right is the Register of Deeds. – one GUMAER of Weyauwega, holds on to that
branch of the office, by virtue of a defeat he experienced upwards of a year
since. He displays the tenacity of a
monkey, grasping a lump of sugar in a gourd, and puts us in mind of the
opossum, whose virtues were so eloquently described by the Mississippi
flat-boat preacher: “and there’s ‘posum; he goes up, up, up; and you shake off
one foot and he holds on with the other three; and you shake again and he winds
his tail round a limb and let’s go; and he don’t drop – For he played on a harp
uv a thousand strings –“ All the officers hold forth in this
village, except those who are not required by law to hold their offices at the
county seat. [NOTE: SECTIONS OF THIS EDITION REGARDING
INFORMATION ON THE WEATHER AND VARIOUS ADVERTISEMENTS AND SUCH HAVE BEEN
EXCLUDED FROM THIS TYPING] Among the locals are the following: Mr. Chamberlain says the snow was
very deep and the weather very cold, making it extremely difficult to get to
the place of burial. Mr. and Mrs.
Chamberlain live in the same house now that they occupied at the time. The office of the Weyauwegian was
nearly destroyed by fire on the 3d inst.
It was partially insured It does not tell who owned that
paper, but it was no doubt James C. Tompkins, as he started it in 1855, just
two years after the Redfield’s planted a paper in Waupaca. New London Times A six-column paper is now printed at
New London, in this county, and has already done good service in exposing the
iniquities of the Weyauwega clan. It is
ably edited by MR. LAWSON. Horace Greeley, of the N.Y. Tribune,
has brought a suit against Gray of the Cleveland Plaindealer, for libel. Damages claimed to the amount of
$10,000. The libelous article was one
charging Greeley with taking hush money. The County Court
House The Court House is enclosed, and
workmen are engaged in laying down the floors and otherwise finishing it on the
inside. It is a good looking building
and will be, when finished, an ornament to Waupaca. The expense of this building is
entirely borne by subscription, principally by the people of this village, and
has not cost the county a single dime; thus proving the Waupacians equal to
their promises, even though they were made in election times. The lower story is partitioned into
rooms for County Offices, while the second floor is being finished for a Court
Room. The above local will show that
Waupaca Village was first and foremost in the matter of building the first
court house in the county, and well earned the location of the present
magnificent structure that graces the site of the old building, the latter of
which is still doing good service, for the Danes’ Home society. “Swell the circulation” shows that
truck of all kinds was legal tender for subscription. Money being scarce and bad, and times hard. Swell the
Circulation Subscribe for the Spirit
immediately. It is a large and
interesting paper, well worth your dollar and a half; and besides you can have
till the first of April to pay if you happen to be short. Shingles, lumber, wood, pork, beef, venison,
mutton, turkeys, geese, potatoes, beans, flour, wheat, corn, meal, buckwheat,
parsnips, cabbages, beets, turnips, butter, eggs and store pay; all
taken for paper advertising and job work.
Now rush in your names, and jobs; and you’ll get satisfaction. One thousand subscribers must be secured. We hear many discouraging remarks
from many individuals who have never contributed one dollar to support a
newspaper in this place, to the effect that the paper will not be
published. Such men always clog the wheels
of any enterprise; and we say now, that the paper shall be published for one
year, if no other inducement is offered but to chuck the falsehood down the
throats of these croakers. (Illegible) The paper still lives if
it (illegible) and tax fat, on account of official “you tickle me and I’ll
tickle you” policy. 1857 Has opened upon us with a fine body
of snow upon the ground, and a favorable prospect of business. All classes of our citizens are stirring
about with much bustle and activity, doing their best to carry forward the
great enterprises of life, in a manner that shall be satisfactory to others, as
well as themselves. Now is the glorious
season for our lumbermen, and they are improving it. It is true, some of them complain of too much snow and seem to
think not as much will be done in that line, as was contemplated in the earlier
part of the season; still, we are of the opinion that the closing up of the
“logging” term, in March, will show that at least, an average quantity of logs
has been delivered. We hope so, for the
lumber trade of Northern Wisconsin, is the trade of this region, and
every man is more or less interested in its prosperity. There is at present, but one impediment to
general prosperity; and that is scarcity of money. “No money to be got”, is the general
complaint – and every business man finds it but too true. Farmers might be in easier circumstances,
many of them, but they will not sell their wheat at the present price; [wheat
was quoted at seventy cents.] yet no one can afford to pay more, and most of
them must and should sell, and pay their indebtedness. In business transactions, nothing is so
valuable as promptness. It is
the life, the soul of all commercial and mercantile transactions. That man is not worthy of confidence, who,
for the vague and uncertain prospect of a little gain, will falsify his word,
and put off his creditors beyond the time of payment when he has the means in
his hands. No man can long do business
upon such a principle of procrastination.
He will lose caste, and be numbered among the “loose customers”. Whether money is soon to be more
easy is uncertain, very. We do not
think it will for the next sixty or ninety days. Many of our Western Banks – particularly those of Illinois – are
regarded by many with strong suspicion; and there is a large amount of Illinois
bank paper in circulation in this State. Western banks generally are not
discounting with any freedom, and the course that some of the Illinois banks
take in the redemption of their notes, is contemptible! – requesting
each note to be presented separately, and doling out the amount, in three, five
and ten cent pieces! All independent
banks should frown down such puppyism at once.
Let us have sound, honorable, prompt, banks or none at all. Speaking of “money” and “hard times”
many who were doing business in 1857, will remember the vast amount of wild cat
or railroad currency floating around over the country. It was dangerous to have any bills on hand,
they were so liable to be at a discount or broken entirely. The results of the war brought us a good
currency as well as freedom to human beings, and prosperity to the south; as an
illustration, we print an article on the price of Negroes: PRICE OF NEGROES – An article in the
Augusta, Georgia, paper, says: “About $109,000 worth of property
was sold here today – land and Negroes.
Some of the sales were ahead of anything we have ever heard. A Negro girl 16 years old, sold for $1,280;
another girl, 14 years old, sold for $1,280; another girl, 18 years old,
(Enceinte) for $1,500; a boy, 18 years old, for $1,850; a fellow 22 years old,
for $1,500. Three Negroes belonged to
the estate of John Wynn, dec., and were sold on a credit of twelve … [NOTE: SECTIONS OF THIS EDITION REGARDING INFORMATION
ON THE WEATHER AND VARIOUS ADVERTISEMENTS AND SUCH HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS
TYPING] Honors to friend Chamberlain. Wm. J. Chamberlain has been
appointed Deputy Clerk, for the County of Waupaca, and the Clerk’s Office will
e kept in the front room over the “People’s Store”, Lord’s building. The advertisements are a history in
themselves. N. N. Holt and C. L.
Bartlett seem to be rivals in the General Merchandise business and their ads
are models of comical expressions and taking bits. For instance Bartlett says “The thunders roared and the lightning
flashed and high prices have been smashed by C. L. Bartless.” George Warren advertises “Brick for
Sale” at Saxeville. D. Parish advertises Boots &
Shoes, takes produce in exchange for goods and pays cash for butter and eggs. J. H. Jones advertises, and puffs up
lots of business at Rural. Jacob Currier of Parfreyvile,
advertises “lands for sale”. Tinkham & Thompson and S.
Silverthorn & Bro are rival blacksmiths. Allerion & Brother advertise dry
goods, clothing, sugar, boots, shoes, etc. at Parfreyville. Mitchell & Redfield advertise
“Waupaca City Mills.” These mills were
located one mile east of public square.
The building is now used for the Waupaca woolen mills. J. E. Thayer advertises a column for
the “Apothecaries Hall.” P. A. Chesley was the principal
Tinner. H. C. Mumbrue has a furniture
establishment at Gill’s Landing. H. Bosworth & Son have a quarter
col. For their Drug and Medicine business. Lyman Dayton, Sheriff, by S. L.
Moon, deputy “by virtue of an execution” sells tracts of lands belonging to
Philander Byam and Ze?otus W. Broad. John Green and John Harris Sr., have
had domestic trouble and advertised their wives Mary and Martha, respectively. Winfield Scott’s father was postmaster. There is considerable display of arrival and
departure of mails, as “Great Eastern from Chicago, via Berlin, semi-weekly,
Mondays and Thursdays, at 6 o’clock p.m.”
The Southern, Lake Shore, Northern and Western mails were weekly. Crystal Lake and Rural semi-weekly. C. Marsh and President, and W. Scott
Secretary, advertise the “Waupaca Female Seminary”. Miss L. M. Hebbard, was the preceptress. O. E. Dreutzer, County Judge, has a
probate notice for appointing administrator for estate of Michael Blake
deceased. Also notice of hearing to
adjust claims against the estate of Julius Hibbard deceased; and Peter Johnson,
deceased the same. The Judge also gives notice that the
first Monday in each month is designated for holding court for probate business. W. B. Hibbard is general land agent. Wm. Beedle kept the “Waupaca
Exchange” and he announces that he “will spare no pains to bring upon his table
the best the market affords, and have it prepared in a neat and orderly
style.” This Hotel is located, it
states, “near the falls.” W. C. Lord & Co., advertise the
Waupaca Flouring Mills. A closing
sentence in the notice is worthy of mention.
“We don’t ask the public to take our word in the matter, but if they
will give us a call we will load them with such unmistakable proof of our
veracity as to cause them to stagger under the burden.” The ad is dated Oct. 1854. There were 149 letters advertised
for the week ending Dec. 30, 1857. Among the names we notice D. L. Manchester,
John Poll, Myron Boughton, Olson Olson, A. Vaughn, C. Lamb and perhaps others
well known to some of the old residents. Had we time and space we would
reproduce some of the advertisements in this issue. We will promise our readers a sample of them at some other time. |