Wisconsim^ State Historical Society

Proceedings

1917

F

5%

9/7

, mtSf

PUBLICATIONS OF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE SOCIETY AT ITS

SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING

HELD OCTOBER 25. 1917

PUBLISHED BY THE SOClLiY MADISON, 1917

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2007 with funding from

IVIicrosoft Corporation

http://www.archive.org/details/1917proceedings00wiscuoft

PUBLICATIONS

OF THE

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

EDITED BY

MILO M. QUAIFE

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SOCIETY

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY

1917

PUBLICATIONS OF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE SOCIETY AT ITS

SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING

HELD OCTOBER 25, 1917

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY MADISON. 1917

1250 COPIBS PRINTBD

DBMOCRAT PRINTINO COMPANY, MADIBON, STATB PRI^rT■H

CONTENTS

OrncEES, 1917-18 . . . . . .	7
Committees .......	8
LiBRAEY Staff .......	9
Prockkdings op the Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting :
Business Session ......	12
Executive Committee Meeting ....	16
Special Meeting of Executive Committee	18
Open Session .......	19
Report of the Executive Committee:
I. Financial Statement:
State appropriations .....	21
Private funds ......	24
II. The Library:
Staff	26
Growth of the Library .....	27
Newspaper division .....	29
Catalogue, reference, order, and document divisions .	32
Map, manuscript, and illustration division	34
III. The Museum:
Office and other work .....	37
School and University instruction	39
Special and art exhibits .....	39
Accessions ......	41
Areheologieal activities .....	42
IV. Research and Publication Division:
Staff .......	42
Publications issued .....	43
Future issues and work in progress	46
Treasurer's Report ......	50
Report of Local Auxiliary Societies:
Lafayette County Historical Society	54
Sauk County Historical Society ....	54
Trempealeau County Historical Society	56
Waukesha County Historical Society	57

[5]

OFFICERS, 1917-1918

Hon. William K. Coffin

President

Eau Claire

Vice Presidents

Hon. John Luchsinger Hon. B. F. McMillan Most Reverend S. G. Messmer Hon. William J. Starr Hon. John B. Winslow .

Monroe McMillan Milwaukee Eau Claire Madison

Superintendent

M. M. QuAiPE

Madison

Treasurer

Hon. Lucien S. Hanks

Madison

Curators, Ex Officio

Hon. Emanuel L. Philipp Hon. Merlin Hull Hon. Henry Johnson

Governor

Secretary of State Treasurer

Thomas E. Erittingham, Esq. Henry C. Campbell, Esq. William K. Coffin, M. S. Richard T. Ely, LL. D. Lucien S. Hanks, Esq. Nils P, Haugen, LL. B.

Curators, Elective

(Term expires at annual meeting ia 1918)

Col. Hiram Hayes Rev. Patrick B. Knox Maj. Frank W. Oakley Arthur L. Sanborn, LL. B. E. Ray Stevens, LL. B. William W. Wight, M. A.

[7]

Officers of the Society, 1917-18

(Term expires at annual meeting 1919)

Victor Coffin^ Ph. D. Benjamin F. McMillan, Esq.

Lucius C. Colman, B. A. William A. P. Morkis, B. A.

Matthew S. Dudgeon, M. A. Samuel M. Pedrick, LL. B.

Carl R. Fish, Ph. D. Eben D. Pierce, M. D.

Louis F. Frank, M. D. Robert G. Siebecker, LL. B.

Hjalmab R. Holand, M. A. William J. Starr, LL. B.

(Term expires at aiinual meeting 1920)

Rasmus B. Anderson, LL. D. Most Rev. S. G. Messmer

Charles N. Brown, LL. B. Barton L. Parker, LL. B.

Harry E. Cole, Ph. B. John B. Parkinson, M. A. ^

Frederic K, Conover, LL. B. Frederic L. Paxson, Ph. D.

J. H. A. Lacher, Esq. William A. Scott, LL. D.

John Luchsinger, Esq. Edward B. Steensland, Esq.

Executive Committee

The thirty-six Curators, the Superintendent, the Governor, the Secretary of State, and the State Treasurer (forty in all) constitute the Executive Com- mittee.

Standing Committees (of Executive Committee)

Library — Knox (chairman). Brown, Dudgeon, Sanborn, and Superintend- ent (ex oflflcio).

Art Gallery and Museum — Scott (ehaiiman), Conover, Cole, Oakley, and Superintendent (ex officio).

Printing and Publications — Fish (chairman), Paxson, Wight, Stevens, and Superintendent (ex officio).

Finance — Morris (chairman), Steensland, W. K. Coffin, and Brittingham.

Advisory (ex officio) — Knox, Scott, Fish, Morris, and the Superintendent.

Special Committees (of the Society)

delations with State University — Quaife (chairman), Haugen, and Siebecker. Archives — Fish (chairman), Brandenburg, Steensland, and Superintendent,

[8]

THE LIBRARY STAFF

Superintendent M. M. QuAiFE, Ph. D.

Assistant Superintendent Annie Amelia Nunns, B. A.

In charge of divisions (In order of seniority of service)

Mart Stuart Foster, B. L. IvA Alice Welsh, B. L. Louise Phelps Kellogg, Ph. D. Charles Edward Brown Lillian Jane Beecroft, B. L. Mabel Clare Weaks, M. A. Anna Wells Evans Marjory Gertrude Park, B. A.

Reference

Catalogue

Research

Museum

Neivspaper

Manuscript

Public Document

Order

Assistants (In order of seniority of service)

Edna Couper Adams, B. L. Eleanore Eunice Lothrop, B. Robert Emmet Berigan . Esther DeBoos, B. A. Pauline Merry Buell, B. A. Ella Viola Ryan . Ferne Lina Congdon, B. A. Caroline Margaret Lewis, B. Theron Adelbert Brown Mart Margaret Farlet, B. A. Mabel Beatrice Swerig, B. A. Ruth Pauline Hatward, B. A. Genevieve Deming, B. A. Ruth Roberts, B. A. Frances S. C. James, M. A. G AiGE Roberts Marguerite Jenison, B. A.

Reference

Superintendent's Secretary

Manuscript Repair

Reference

Reference

Document

Manuscript

Reference

Document

Office

Reference

Catalogue

Order ^

Museum

Catalogue

Newspaper

Editorial

[9]

The Library Staff

Caretakers (Under State civil service law)

Magnus Nelson .... Irving Robson, Martin Lyons, Walter G.

Post .....

Bennie Butts ....

Wallace Fusch ....

TiLLIE GuNKEL ....

Barbara Brisbois, Gertrude Nelson, Alice Jen- EWEiN, Bertha Schwoegler, Emma Zehn-

PFENNIG .....

Charles Miller .... Lillian Jenewein, Ida Steffen, Thomas Good-

.Head Janitor and Mechanic

Assistant Janitors Office Messenger Night Watchman Housekeeper

NIGHT, Armand Quick

Housemaids Elevator Attendant

Cloak Room Attendants

Library Hours

General Library — Daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and University vacations : 7 :45 A. M. to 10 P. M. Saturdays: 7:45 A. M. to 9 P. M.

Holidays and University vacations: as per special announcement. Departmental Libraries:

Manuscript, and Newspaper Divisions— Daily, with above exceptions: 9

A. M. to 5 P. M. Public Document Division — Same hours as the general library except that the closing hour during the summer session of the University is 6 P. M. Museum — Daily, except Sundays and holidays : 9 A. M. to 5 P. M. Sundays, holidays, and evenings: as per special announcement.

[10]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTY-FIFTH ANNUAL

MEETING^

The sixty-fifth annual meeting of the State Historical So- ciety of "Wisconsin was held on the afternoon and evening of Thursday, October 25, 1917. The sessions began with a lunch- eon at the University Club, tendered by the Society to its mem- bers and invited guests, at 12 :15 o 'clock. About eighty per- sons were in attendance. In connection with it, five-minute ad- dresses were given by Father Patrick B. Knox, Madison, who presided in the absence of the president and the several vice presidents, on "Why We Are Here"; by Professor Carl E. Fish, Madison, on the "Functions and Work of the State His- torical Society"; by J. H. A. Lacher, Waukesha, on "Why Be- long to the State Historical Society. ' '

At 1 :45 P. M. in the staff room of the State Historical Li- brary building, the conference of local historical societies of the state was convened. Ten-minute addresses were given as fol- lows: M. M. Quaife, Madison, "A Survey of the Situation"; Charles B. Simonds, Milwaukee, "The Work of the Waukesha County Society"; John W. Oliver, Madison, "The Work of the Local Historical Societies of Indiana"; H. E. Cole of Bara- boo, "Suggestions for Improvement."

At three o'clock the regular business session of the Society convened in the Library staff room. It was followed by the regular annual meeting of the executive committee. Immedi- ately upon adjournment of the latter, the executive commit- tee convened in accordance with a call previously sent out to the curators by the Superintendent. An open session of the

' The report of the proceeding's here published is condensed from the oflScla) Ms. records of the society.

[11]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Society was held in the evening in the museum assembly room at which time the annual address before the Society was de- livered by Professor Carl R. Fish on the subject *'The Fron- tier, a World Problem."

BUSINESS SESSION

In the absence of the president and vice presidents of the Society (Mr. Luchsinger came in during the meeting) Rev. P. B. Knox, chairman of the advisory committee, took the chair, at three o'clock.

Present: Messrs. Rasmus B. Anderson, Oscar D. Brandenburg, Charles E. Buell, Harry E. Cole, Frederic K. Conover, Carl R. Fish, Albert S. Mint, Lucien S. Hanks, Nils P. Haugen, Clarence S. Hean, Harry C. Hengel, Hjal- mar R. Holand, Burr W. Jones, Patrick B. Knox, Edward Kremers, J. H. A. Lacher, Stanley E. Lathrop, Publius V. Lawson, John Luchsinger, William A. P. Morris, Frank W. Oakley, John B. Parkinson, William A. Scott, Charles S. Sheldon, Edward B. Steensland, and William W. Wight.

The minutes of the previous annual meeting having been printed and distributed to the members of the Society, their reading was dispensed with.

Mr. Burr W. Jones stated that he would be unable to be present during the entire session and asked permission, there- fore, to lay before the Society, a statement concerning the be- quest to it made by the late Genevieve Mills of Madison. He stated that the terms of the will of Miss Mills required that there should be an acceptance of its provisions by the Society within a year after the death of her sister, Mrs. Helen E. Mills. By the terms of the former's will, the Society is bequeathed her one-half interest in the family homestead in Madison. Having briefly explained the situation, Mr. Jones recom- mended that the curators, at their executive meeting, take suit- able action concerning it.

Mr. Jones then proceeded to call attention to the fact that since the last business session of the Society, one of its mem- bers and curators, John A. Aylward of Madison, had died. A

[12]

Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting

short statement concerning Mr. Aylward's career was read by Mr. Jones as follows:

John A. Aylward, long a member of this Society and one of its curators, died November 13, 1916. Born of humble parentage at Black Earth, Wiscon- sin, March 16, 1861, he was a fine example of an American self-made man. After graduating from high school at the age of sixteen he became entirely self-dependent, and by working in the summer with his father on the section and teaching district school in the winter, he obtained funds to enable him to attend the University of Wisconsin.

He graduated from the modern classical course in 1884, after having dis- tinguished himself as president of his class and his literary society. During his career as a student he won the sophomore semi-public debate and was a a member of the champion debating team of 1883, at the time, the highest literary honor in the University.

After teaching successfully for five years as principal of high schools, he graduated from the University Law School in 1890, entering at once upon the practice of his profession in the oflice of Bashford, O'Connor & PoUeys, becoming a member of the firm a year later.

For fifteen years of his practice Mr. Aylward was city attorney of Madison. In May, 1913, he was appointed United States attorney for the Western Dis- trict of Wisconsin. He was one of the leaders of the Democratic party of the state and twice its candidate for governor.

A resolution of" regard and SA^llpathy was then nnaniniously adopted, as follows:

Whereas, Mr. John A. Aylward, of Madison, Wisconsin, was for many years a loyal, active member of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin and a member of its official board; and

Whereas, He was stricken by the inexorable hand of Death in the prime of life and in the midst of his usefulness.

Therefore, Be It Resolved. That the State Historical Society of Wisconsin deeply deplores his untimely death, and

Resolved, That the Superintendent of the Society be instructed to com- municate this expression of sympathy to the members of the bereaved family of the departed.

It was moved by Mr. Buell that the report and resolution concerning Mr. Aylward be entered on the minutes of the So- ciety. Unanimously adopted.

Official Beports

The Superintendent, on behalf of the executive committee, submitted its annual report, which was unanimously adopted and ordered placed on file. (See post, 21 for text.)

[13]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Chairman Morris of the committee on finance then presented a report of the committee approving the report of Treasurer L. S. Hanks for the year ending June 30, 1917. The report was adopted. (See post, 50 for text.)

Mr. Morris presented, also, a supplementary statement with reference to the salary paid the treasurer of the Society. On motion of Mr. Morris the matter thus presented to the attention of the Society was referred to the advisory committee with power to take such action thereon as it may deem suitable. The statement submitted by Mr. Morris follows :

To THE State Historical Societt of Wisconsin :

Supplemental to the usual report of the finance committee I submit the fol- lowing :

At the time Mr. L. S. Hanks was made the treasurer of the Society, which was seventeen years since, the total funds of the Society amounted to $35,979.16. Since that time the assets have increased to the present sum of $114,473.88. At the time that Mr. Hanks assumed the duties of treasurer, the only funds were the General and Binding, the Antiquarian, and the Draper funds. Since then there have been added the Mary M. Adams Art, the Anna R. Sheldon Memorial, the Special Book, the HoUister Pharmaceutical, the Emily House, and the Reuben G. Thwaites funds, increasing materially thereby the complication of bookkeeping.

The total net amount of interest received upon all of these funds during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917 is $5,882.30, an excess of five per cent interest upon the whole funds in the hands of the treasurer. The increase in interest during the year added to the capital is in excess of $3,000.

The statement of the condition of the funds of the State Historical Society as of July 1, 1917 shows investments amounting to the principal sum of $105,300, and such sum was invested in notes and mortgages and in corporate bonds. Interest has been paid with great promptness and during the entire period of the administration of the funds by the treasurer there have been no foreclosures and no material delays in the prompt payment of interest.

The work and responsibility connected with the administration of these funds has been very considerable and has acquired and has received great care and judgment on the part of the treasurer and all for the nominal and inadequate compensation of $150 per year, this sum of $150 not having been increased since the date of Mr. Hank's first appointment as treasurer, seventeen years since. Dated October 25, 1917 [Signed] W. A. P. Morris,

Chairman Finance Committee.

[14]

Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting

Mr. P. V. Lawson introduced the question of the geographi- cal distribution of the members of the Society's official board, stating a belief that the Society would profit by a smaller Mad- ison representation upon the official board, together with a proportionately greater representation throughout the state. Much discussion ensued, several motions being proposed which failed for lack of a second or were ruled out of order by the chairman. Father Knox stated on behalf of the advisory com- mittee that this committee had given much thought during the year to the question of a more suitable mode of procedure than that hitherto in effect for the nomination of the officers of the Society, as a result of which the committee had decided to sub- mit to the Society a list of nominees for the offices to be filled, said list to be submitted as bearing the recommendation of the committee for such action as the Society might see fit to take thereon. In place of the twelve curators whose terms expire at the present meeting, the advisory committee recommended the election of the following for the three-year term ending Avith the annual meeting of 1920: Messrs. Rasmus B. Anderson, Charles N. Brown, Harry E. Cole, Frederic K. Conover, J. H. A. Lacher ; John Luchsinger, Sebastian G. Messraer, Barton L. Parker, John B. Parkinson, Frederic L. Paxson, William A. Scott, and Edward B. Steensland.

Mr. Lawson placed in nomination for the curators a list of twelve names which he had prepared. On motion, the following men, being the list reconunended by the advisory committee, were elected curators for the ensuing three-year term : Messrs. Rasmus B. Anderson, Charles N. Brown, Harry E. Cole, Fred- eric K. Conover, J. H. A. Lacher, John Luchsinger, Sebastian G. Messmer, Barton L. Parker, John B. Parkinson, Frederic L. Paxson, "William A. Scott, and Edward B. Steensland.

Mr. Lawson moved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair for the purpose of considering a plan for securing a uniform geographical distribution of the board of curators throughout the state. Unanimously adopted. The chairman announced that appointments to the committee would be made by him at some later time.

[15]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Keport of Auxiliary Societies

Animal reports were received from the Society's several aux- iliary societies and they were ordered printed in the Proceed- ings. (See post, 54 for text.)

No further business appearing, on motion the business ses- sion of the Society stood adjourned.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.

The annual meeting of the executive committee was called to order by Chairman Knox, immediately succeeding the session of the business meeting of the Society.

Present. Messrs. Harry E. Cole, Frederic K. Conover, Lueien S. Hanks, Nils P. Haugen, Hjalmar R. Holand, Patrick B. Knox, J. H. A. Lacher, John Luchsinger, William A. P. Morris, John B. Parkinson, William A. Scott, and William W. Wight.

Advisory Committee

Father Knox, chairman of the advisory committee, reported orally concerning its activities during the year. His report showed that several meetings had been held and that a wide range of questions had been under discussion, including such matters as the budget, repairs to building, procedure at the an- nual meeting, etc. The report as presented was unanimously adopted.

Committee on Archives

In the absence of the chairman of the archives committee (Professor Fish) the Superintendent reported that no meeting had been held during the year, but that important work had been undertaken nevertheless; Mr. Blegen of Milwaukee had spent the summer investigating the archival situation in Wis- consin and had submitted a thoroughgoing report on the sub- ject; the committee had not taken action upon it as yet, but there was little question that it would in due time order the

[163

Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting

report printed. The report thus submitted was accepted by the Society and the committee continued.

The matter of the National Highways Association, reported a year ago to the advisory committee for action, was reported upon by the Superintendent. He stated that the subject under consideration had been duly presented to the Assembly commit- tee on state affairs, of the recent legislature, which had listened with much apparent interest to the presentation, but that no action had resulted therefrom. The report was accepted and the advisory committee discharged from further consideration of the matter.

Election of New Members

The Superintendent presented to the executive committee a list of those who during the year had signified their desire to become members of the State Historical Society. On motion, the names of those thus submitted were unanimously elected to membership. The respective lists of life and annual mem- bers thus elected are as follows :

liife

Louisville, Ky. — R. C. Ballard Thurston.

Madison — Mrs. Lucius Fairchild, Chester LloydJones, D. W. Mead, T. R. Hefty, B. J. Halligan, Stanley C. Hanks, William H. Collins, and Joseph M- Boyd.

Milwaukee — Miss EHizabeth G. Marshall, Clarence R. Palk.

Neenah — John Strange.

Sparta— Agnes R. Hill.

Superior — John S. Roeseler.

Annual

Appleton — J. S. Reeve.

Baraboo — J. T. Durward.

Beloit — C. D. Rosa.

Chicago, 111. — George Manierre, E. P. Farley.

Cornell — H. L. Tinker.

Detroit, Mich. — L. S. Kemnitz.

Green Bay — Earl Murray.

Holcombe — R. C. Rodecker.

Holden, Mo. — O. G. Boisseau.

[17]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Madison— H. H. RatclifE, A, T. Rogers, M. C. Riley, J. S. Main, C. H. Crownhart, C. B. Lester, Mary Oakley, F. A. Ogg, W. H. Faust, F. M. Crow- ley, W. T. Evjue.

Milwaukee — Charles D. Simonds.

Minneapolis, Minn. — Ruth Thompson.

Port Washington — A. D. Bolens.

Rosalia, Wash. — L. A. Quaife.

Stevens Point — M. M. Ames.

Ti'empealeau — A. A. Gibbs.

Washington, D. C. — A. T. Leith.

Waterloo — E. P. Winkelraan.

White Earth, Minn.— P. B. Gordon.

The situation with reference to the Burrows estate was ex- plained to the Society by the Superintendent. He stated that Mr. Burr Jones had been engaged by him with the knowledge and approval of the advisory committee to act as the Society's attorney for the protection of its interests in the premises. In order to obviate all possibility of question arising as to Mr. Jones 's authority thus to represent the Society in the capacity of attorney, the following resolution, offered by the Superin- tendent, was unanimously voted by the executive committee :

Resolved, That the action of the Superintendent and the advisory commit- tee in taking steps for the determination of the rights, duties, and privileges of the State Historical Society under the will of George B. Burrows be and the same is hereby approved.

After the announcement by the chairman that a special meet- ing of the executive committee which had been called for this day would convene immediately after adjournment of the reg- ular business meeting, the session stood adjourned.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Knox.

Present: Messrs. Scott, Cole, Hanks, Lacher, Morris, Knox, Parkinson, Steensland, Holand, Haugen, Conover, Wight and Luchsinger.

The chairman stated the purpose of the meeting to be the consideration of the Genevieve Mills bequest to the Society.

[18]

Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting

Considerable discussion ensued concerning the proper course to take in the premises. Mr. Morris raised the question whether the special meeting had been called in due legal form, in view of the fact that the notices for it, sent out by the Su- perintendent, had been enclosed with the call for the annual meeting without having been separately signed. He advised that no action be taken at this time, but that the committee ad- journ with the understanding that a special meeting would be called later to consider the subject. After considerable discus- sion, participated in by Mr. Luchsinger, Professor Scott, and others, it was moved and unanimously carried, that action with reference to the Mills bequest be postponed to a future meeting of the executive committee, the call for which should be issued in accordance with due legal procedure. No further business appearing, on motion the meeting stood adjourned.

OPEN SESSION

At 8 o'clock in the evening, ydth an attendance which com- fortably filled the Society auditorium on the fourth floor, Carl R. Fish, curator of the Society and professor of American his- tory in 'the University of Wisconsin, delivered the annual ad- dress before the Society on the subject, ''The Frontier, a "World Problem."^

Following the address, punch was served by the ladies of the Library staff, and an opportunity was afforded for social inter- course and for viewing the collections on display in the mu- seum.

In introducing the speaker of the evening Vice President Luchsinger submitted the following remarks :

Membebs of the State Historical Society, Ladies and Gentlemen:

In the absence of your president it devolves upon me to present to you the speaker who will now address you. The title of his subject, Frontier, does not in itself promise a wide range, but I can assure you that much thought

^The address is printed in the Wisconsin Magazine of History for Decem- ber, 1917.

[ 19 ]

Wisconsin Historical Society

and research will be brought to your notice, especially as applied to existing conditions in this and other countries.

These surely are history-making times. At no period of this world's ex- istence since people could make records of events, has the spirit of conquest and defense been aroused so universally, the strife between hereditary ruler- ship and government by the people been so deadly as in the three years just gone by of the war in Europe, which from an apparently imimportant begin- ning in a corner of the Austrian border now has involved all of civilized Europe and North America not of the Latin race.

History does not record another like instance of war where the destruction of human life has been so great and the waste of the fruits of industry and peace have been so wanton and unparalleled. If great wars like great storms purify as well as destroy, this one should leave the world swept clean of op- pression and tyranny for all time. Let us hope that as one good result of this war of waste and destruction peoples and nations will be united in con- demning the murder of thousands by other thousands as it now condemns and punishes the murder of one man by another.

I sincerely hope that when we meet again a year from now our own coun- try will have done its part to achieve peace with honor, and will have done its part to establish and maintain some great authority competent and wise to hear, and with influence powerful to settle disputes between nations as be- tween individuals. To that end every man and woman in this land should give their best thought and influence, for by that we form what is termed public opinion, which, when roused to action, whether it be in the new or old world, carries all before it.

But now let me have the pleasure of introducing the speaker of the even- ing. Professor Fish, who will address you.

[20]

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

I FINANCIAL STATEMENT

State Appropriations

The year under review being the concluding year of the bien- nium for which legislative appropriations are made, the income of the Society from the state was the same as for the preceding year, a total of $58,980. Of this sum $50,000 was granted un- der subsection 1 (of section 172.28 of the statutes) for admin- istrative and operating expenses; $780 was given under sub- section 3 for property repairs and upkeep; and $8,200 under subsection 4 for books, furniture, and permanent accessions.

The following statement summarizes the operations with re- spect to these several funds, for the fiscal year ending June 30,1917:

Subsection 1

Receipts

Unexpended balance in State Treasury, July 1, 1916 . . $7,349.38

State appropriations for year ending June 30, 1917 . . . 50,000.00

From University of Wisconsin, balance due on joint account . 2,887.09

Total • . . . . $60,236.47

Disbursements

Salaries $42,219.62

Services 411.80

Supplies . . . . . . . . 2.339.31

Travel 524.09

Printing and illustrations .... 2.654.78

Binding 440.17

Repairs 21.21

Books 2,258.43

Freight and drayage 125.05

Express 229.69

Insurance 3,196.70

Postage 682.76

$55,103.61 Unexpended balance in State Treasury, July 1, 1917 . . 5,132.86

$60,236.47

[21]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Subsection 3 Receipts

Unexpended balance for year ending July 1, 1917 . . . $529.12

State appropriation for year ending June 30, 1917 . . . 780.00

$1,309.12

Disbursements Property repairs ........ 1,309.12

Subsection 4 Receipts State appropriation for year ending June 30, 1917 . . . $8,200.00

Disbursements

Books, periodicals, furniture, and Museum

exhibits $6,190.90

Binding 2.009.10 8,200.00

It will be noted that, as usual heretofore, the two smaller appropriations (under subsections 3 and 4) were entirely used by the Society, while at the end of the fiscal year there re- mained to the credit of the large appropriation for operation a balance of $5,132.86. This balance, however, was partly a matter of bookkeeping methods in the state treasurer's office, since properly chargeable against it were a number of bills for books and for printing and binding, incurred for work ordered during the year which had not been completed by July 1, 1917.

The outstanding fact in the Society's financial situation for the year was the biennial session of the legislature with the consequent passing of a new appropriation bill for the support of the Society during the biennium beginning July 1, 1917. It is gratifying to record in this connection that the amount granted annually for operation was set at $52,000, an increase of $2,000 over the sum accorded the Society for this purpose during the preceding biennium. The two smaller appropria-

[22],

Executive Committee's Report

tions (under subsections 3 and 4) were continued at $780 and $8,200 respectively; thus the total annual income granted for the Society by the legislature for the biennium now current is $60,980. In fixing this amount, however, the legislature took account of the $5,132.86 balance with which the Society began the new biennium. Dividing this sum between the two years of the biennium, it is seen that the total annual support avail- able from the state for the period is $63,546.43.

From one point of view the Society may well congratulate itself that the legislators of Wisconsin regard its work highly enough to devote to its annual upkeep such a sum of money raised by the taxpayers. The needs of the Society, however, are relative, not absolute. It would be vain to suppose that the economic upheaval of recent years ha§ exempted it from the financial pains and troubles which have been visited thereby upon individuals and institutions generally. The salaries paid to the Society's workers have always been notably mod- est; the recent economic revolution has had the effect of ren- dering them, for the present at least, painfully so. For the cur- rent year the governing board of the Society has provided some relief by granting modest salary increases in a consider- able number of cases. It is but reasonable to expect that a further adjustment of salaries must be made before long.

The matter of salaries is subject to the control, in the main, of the Society's governing board. In the matter of supplies of various kinds, books and periodicals for the library, and in short practically everything (salaries aside) for which the So- ciety spends its income, no such control exists. If a window pane must be replaced or a supply of soap is needed, there can be no choice but to pay the current market price therefor. The cost of heating the library building has practically doubled within two years' time. Evidently if the current economic re- adjustment is to continue indefinitely, the income of the So- ciety must either be increased or its activities be curtailed.

[23]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Private Funds

For an account of the origin and purpose of the several per- manent private funds of the Society reference is made to re- cent annual reports or to the constitution and by-laws of the Society. The condition of the several funds at the close of the year ending June 30, 1917, together with a comparison with the condition at the close of the preceding fiscal year, may be seen in the tabular statement which follows :

Fund General and Binding Antiquarian Draper Adams Sheldon Hollister Thwaites House

Special Book Thwaites Portrait

Total

With respect to this showing several observations are in or- der. To begin at the end of the list, the Thwaites Portrait Fund represents a mere matter of bookkeeping. The Society should direct its treasurer to dispose of this fund by returning the $100 to the General and Binding Fund, from which the def- icit in the popular subscription for the portrait was originally taken. The Special Book Fund and the House Fund are not to be considered as constituting a part of the permanent funds of the Society. The money was given in each case for the reali- zation of a particular object, the consummation of which (and therewith the spending of the fund) only awaits the occurrence of a suitable opportunity.

Of the $6,773.99 increase in the Society's funds during the year, all but $212.75 (realized from the Hollister estate) came from interest, membership dues, and the sale of duplicates. The year 's addition to the funds from these normal sources of

1915-16	Increase	1916-17
$40,054.21	$1,965.99	$42,020.20
20.834.78	2,076.82	22,911.60
12,945.22	750.48	13.695.70
5,649.28	297.28	5,946.56
1,810.08	99.50	1.909.58
13,993.36	974.04	14,967.40
10,552.31	582.16	11.134.47
544.94	27.72	572.66
1,215.71		1.215.71
100.00		100.00
$107,699.89	$6,773.99	$114,473.88

[24]

Executive Committee's Report

income is the largest in recent years, if not indeed, the largest in the Society's history. Probably it is larger than will again be ^\itnessed for some time to come, since plans are under way which contemplate the spending of the larger portion of the ex- pected income from the Thwaites and General and Binding funds.

By the will of George B. Burrows, who died at Madison in 1909, his residuary estate was left, subject to certain contingen- cies, to the State Historical Society. His only surviving heir, George T: Burrows, died at Louisville, Kentucky, in .October, 1916. The only other person financiall)^ interested in the es- tate, which was left in the hands of trustees, is the widow of George T. Burrows, who is to receive an annuity of $2,000 dur- ing life or until remarriage. The question has now arisen as to M'hether the trusteeship should terminate and the Society come into possession of the property, subject, of course, to the continuance of the widow's annuity, or whether the estate should continue in the hands of the trustees until the death or remarriage of Mrs. Burrows. Proper legal procedure has been instituted looking to the securing of an authoritative con- struction of the will. However the question may be deter- mined, it seems evident that a considerable period of time must elapse before the Society will actually obtain possession of the estate.

Another of the year's developments finds proper record at this place. Near the close of 1916 occurred the death of Miss Genevieve Mills, of Madison, daughter of Simeon and Maria Mills, pioneer residents of Madison and Wisconsin. By the terms of Miss Mills's will, her half interest in the parental homestead at the corner of Wilson Street and Monona Avenue, Madison, is bequeathed to the Society, ' ' as a tribute to the loy- alty of my mother Maria L. Mills and my father Simeon Mills toward the State and the State Historical Society they loved and helped to found. ' ' The sum realized from the property is to constitute a perpetual fund to be known as ''the Maria L. and Simeon Mills Editorial Fund ' ' ; the proceeds of this fund are to be devoted to the editing of materials for middle-west-

[25]

Wisconsin Historical Society

em history, preferably for that of Wisconsin itself. The pres- ent value of the gift is supposed to be upwards of $25,000. How soon it will become available to the Society is still uncer- tain.

II THE LIBRARY

The Staff

A considerable number of changes in the library and care- takers ' . staffs have occurred during the year.- Of our small group of workers eligible for military service two have already volunteered, Theron Brown of the document division and Lyell Deaner of the newspaper division. The place of the former has not yet been filled ; that of the latter has been taken by Gaige Koberts, of Madison. Pauline Buell and Mabel Swerig, both efficient workers in the reference division, resigned at the close of the year, the one to enter upon the vocation of matrimony, the other to pursue a course of professional study at Pratt In- stitute. Lydia M. Brauer of the editorial staff was compelled by illness to resign her position in January, 1917. The leave of absence granted to Anna Jacobsen a year ago was made per- manent by her resignation in June. Ora I. Smith, chief of the order department, Eleanore E. Lothrop, superintendent's sec- retary, Mary Farley, office assistant, and Alice Whitney, of the museum staff, resigned at different times during the year to accept other employment. To fill in part the vacancies noted, the following persons have been brought to the library: Frances James, formerly of the Mayo Medical Library at Eochester, as cataloger ; Eva Dussell, as superintendent 's sec- retary ; Ruth Roberts, as museum assistant ; and John W. Oli- ver, formerly of the Indiana State Library, and Marguerite Jenison, as research and editorial workers. At the time of making this report two or three positions on the staff still re- main vacant ; they wiU not be filled until the session of the Uni- versity has progressed to a point which will afford some indi- cation of the probable attendance, and so of the demands to be made on the library during the coming year.

[26]

Elxecutive Committee's Report

But one resignation from the caretakers* staff has occurred during the year, that of Fred Kowalski, elevator attendant; the place has been filled by the appointment of Charles Miller, of Madison. A regular night watchman has for the first time been added to the Society's staff in the person of Wallace Fusch.

The Growth of the Library

The several departments of the Library have experienced a healthy growth during the year. Data concerning the growth of the museum, the maps and manuscripts, and the newspaper divisions are presented in connection with the accounts of these several departments' activities during the year. The follow- ing statistics conveniently summarize the growth of the Li- brary (exclusive of museum specimens and manuscripts) for the year closing September 20, 1917 :

Books by purchase (including exchanges)

Books by gift

Total books

Pamphlets by purchase (including exchanges) Pamphlets by gift ..... Pamphlets made from newspaper clippings Total pamphlets ....

Bound volumes of newspapers by purchase

(including exchanges) Bound volumes of newspapers by gift Total newspaper volumes

Total accession of titles (excluding en

gravings, photographs, and maps)

Engravings, photographs, and maps by purchase

(including exchanges) Engravings, photographs, and maps by gift

Total engravings, photographs, and maps Present (estimated) strength of the Library: Books and newspapers

Pamphlets

Total number of titles (books, pamph lets, and newspapers)

2.618 2,423

739

4.344

400

603 432

304 3,466

5,041

6.483

1,035

12.559

3,771

200.756 209,092

409,848

[27]

1916 1917

12.561	12,559
76	65
24	35
4,818	3,994
8,952	9,386
14,527	17.591
424	432
32	34
68	66

Wisconsin Historical Society

Comparative Statistics for 1916 and 1917

Total accessions (books, pamphlets, and newa

papers)

Percentage of gifts in accessions

Percentage of purchases (including exchanges)

Books by gift (including duplicates)

Pamphlets (including duplicates)

Engravings, photographs, and maps (including

duplicates) .....

Newspapers by gift ....

Percentage of gifts that were duplicates Percentage of gifts that were accessions

A brief historical resume of the growth of the Library re- veals some interesting facts. In 1854, at the beginning of Dr. Draper's administration, it contained 50 titles. When he re- signed the secretaryship of the Society in 1887, these had in- creased to 118,666. The average annual increase during Dr. Draper's regime was, therefore, slightly less than 3,400 titles. During the twenty-six years of Dr. Thwaites' administration 246,000 titles were added to the Library, an annual average of 9,460 titles. The four years of the present administration have witnessed a total increase of 45,000 titles. For the entire period beginning with 1854 the average annual increase in titles has been 6,500. The 100,000 mark was passed only in 1883, however, almost midway of the period under review. The 200,000 mark was reached in 1899, sixteen years being re- quired to gain the second hundred thousand titles. The third 100,000 were acquired in the nine-year period ending with 1908 ; and the fourth 100,000 in the same period of time, ending with the present year. There has been but slight variation in the annual rate of increase since the removal of the Library from the Capitol to its present quarters in 1901.

Comparison of the figures for the years 1916 and 1917 with respect to accessions of engravings, photographs, and maps discloses a six-fold increase in the latter year over the former (from 614 to 3,771). The facts underlying this striking de- velopment merit a word of explanation. Through the inter- cession of Mr. Richard Lloyd Jones, of Madison, Mr. Court-

[28]

Executive Committee's Report

land Smith, president of the American Press Association, be- gan in February, 1917, to donate the fine pictorial news service of his Association to the Society. In this way hundreds of timely photographs of the more interesting and important con- temporary occurrences of the world are being filed annually for permanent preservation. What this service will mean to the future social historian can best be realized by contempla- ting what it would mean to the present investigator to have access to such a collection of pictures for any period of human history now past. Although the new service was sought and gained without any reference to America 's impending entrance upon the war (which took place a few months later) its insti- tution in time to catch all the service for this event of the greatest pictorial news-gathering association in the world was especially timely and gratifying.

Newspaper Division

In two general directions special effort has been made dur- ing the year to strengthen this department of the library. The work, described in the last annual report, looking to the build- ing up of a subscription list adequately representative of the country as a whole and with special emphasis placed upon the mid-western section which the Society aims to cultivate with particular intensiveness, has been brought to a state of com- pletion during the year, and it is believed that our list of pa- pers currently received is now as broadly representative of the entire field the library cultivates as the present funds and stor- age facilities of the Society mil permit. The Library is now receiving one or more leading dailies from the chief cities throughout the United States, while for the mid-western sec- tion of the country papers are being received from a number of the more important cities in each state. Curiously enough, notwithstanding these considerable additions to the newspaper subscription list of the Society, the figures with respect to the total number of papers received are not materially increased over those of other years. The explanation of this lies in the

[29]

Wisconsin Historical Society

fact that the Ust of papers supplied free to the Society by the publishers has decreased somewhat ; in some cases this is due to a suspension of publication, in others to the fact that the ab- normal economic situation attendant upon war-time conditions leads the publisher to economize by cutting off his free list. Thus is afforded but one of many illustrations of the way in which the world war has interfered with the normal workings of an institution seemingly so remote from its influences as a state historical society. Thus, too, the increase in our paid subscription list suffices merely to keep pace, so far as num- bers are concerned, with the decrease in our complimentary list. ,There is a real and decided increase in the general qual- ity and importance of the list of papers received, however, since the papers newly subscribed for are chosen from the leading dailies of the country ; while those discontinued are more com- monly minor, and especially rural, publications.

A vigorous effort was made, also, during the year to accel- erate the rate of growth of the Society's noncurrent newspa- per files. Visits were made to a number of the leading insti- tutions of the country which possess files of newspapers, and negotiations looking to exchange or purchase of duplicate files were opened in a number of cases. Many obstacles to the suc- cessful prosecution of such work exist, however. In the light of the experience gained it is certain that by maintaining a competent field agent the Society could acquire much material which, in the absence of such a worker, will never come to it. At the same time it seems evident that positive results from such work can be expected to accrue only gradually. The im- mediate results of the initial essay of the past year in the newspaper field are reflected in the statistics and list of acces- sions. But if all the prospects uncovered should ultimately materialize, the showing of eventual gain to the Society will be several times as great as the one now set forth.

Reference only is made at this place to the work upon a sup- plementary checklist of the Society's newspaper collection, de- scribed more fully in the division of this report devoted to the research and publication division.

[30],

Executive Committee's Report

The yearns increase in bound volumes of newspapers was 1,040, as compared with 825 for the preceding year. Of the total number acquired, 598 volumes were purchased, 432 were acquired by gift, and 10 volumes were secured through ex- change. On October 1, 1917 the newspaper collection con- tained 25,590 bound volumes, as compared with 24,550 vol- umes a year earlier. On January 1, 1917, 620 newspapers were beng currently received, an increase of 36 over the pre- ceding year. Of this total, 299 were Wisconsin papers, 211 non- Wisconsin, and 110 were trade journals and miscellaneous. The following list summarizes in convenient form the more important acquisitions of noncurrent newspaper files :

Boston Netos-Letter, 5 vols, (photostat copies), 1719-25.

Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 2 vols., 1792-93.

London (Eng.) Examiner, 4 vols., 1808-29.

Portsmouth (N. H.) Journal, 13 vols., 1824-29.

Lexington (Ky.) Western Luminary, 2 vols., 1826-29.

New York Sentinel, 1 vol., 1830-32.

New York Workingman's Advocate, 1 vol., 1834-35.

New York Man, 2 vols., 1834-35.

New Y^rk American Messenger, 1 vol., 184S-45.

Rising Sun (Ind.) Blade, 3 vols., 1843-48.

Racine AdvocHfte, 3 vols., 1844-84.

Skaneateles (N. Y.) Democrat, 2 vols., 1844-49.

New York Herald, 4 vols., 1849-51.

New York Citizen, 2 vols., 1854-55.

Freeport (111.) Journal, 47 vols., 1856-1913.

Philadelphia Weekly Whig, 1 vol., 1858.

Freeport (111.) Wide Awake, 1 vol., 1860.

Seneca Falls (N. Y.) Millennial Harbinger, 1 vol., 18W-62.

FishklU (N. Y.) Journal, 12 vols., 1865-89.

St. Paul Northwestern Chronicle, 6 vols., 1866-72.

Cincinnati Catholic Telegr\aph, 1 vol., 1868.

FYeeport (111.) Bulletin, 1 vol., 1868-69.

Richmond (Va.) State Journal, 3 vols., 1871.

Freeport (111.) Monitor, 1 vol., 1874-75.

Cherokee (Kans.) Sentinel of Liberty, 1 vol., 1879-80.

Minneapolis Northwestern Miller, 1 vol., 1891.

New York Times, 8 vols., 1898.

La Crosse Tribune. 26 vols., 1904-17.

Washington National Tribune, 6 vols., 1908-17.

Topeka State Journal, 14 vols., 1909-12.

[31]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Catalogue, Reference, Order, and Public Document Division

In general the ordinary routine of work, the nature of which has been adequately explained in preceding reports, has occu- pied the time of these divisions of the library during the year. At the present time it will suffice to call attention briefly to cer- tain special aspects of the year's activities.

In the catalogue division the work of cataloguing the Tank Collection of books, intermitted last year through the depart- ure of Miss Jacobsen, has been resumed with vigor, Miss Frances James, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, having been engaged to devote her entire attention to this work. It is ex- pected that it will be completed some time during the spring of 1918. Then only will this unique collection of books, presented to the Society several decades ago, become really accessible to students.

Another outstanding feature of work in this division has been the replacing of the old guide cards in the catalogue by new ones ; the work of substituting cards for soiled and broken ones in the catalogue is also being prosecuted. '

The routine work of the reference division is largely a mat- ter of housekeeping. With some 400,000 volumes on the shelves, and with 1,000 to 1,500 readers a day in the building, most of whom have free access to the stacks, it may readily be seen that the mere task of keeping the books in proper physi- cal order is by no means slight. The workers in this division assist readers in finding their material, advise them concern- ing the resources of the library with respect to their several lines of inquiry, and answer questions which come in by mail. Once a year an inventory of the entire contents of the library is taken, in order to determine what is missing, and to pass upon the physical condition of the volumes. In this connection it may be noted that a book misplaced is, until restored to its proper position, a book nonexistent for all practical purposes. In this division, too, the labeling, marking, and repairing of books, and the routine of preparing them for sending to the bindery are attended to. During the year upwards of 400

[32]-

Executive Committee's Report

bound scrapbook volumes of newspaper clippings are made up, the contents pertaining to Wisconsin local history, necrology, and similar subjects. All Wisconsin biographical and necro- logical material is listed in a special card catalogue, so that ref- erences can conveniently be had to the entire resources of the library in this field. This catalogue undoubtedly constitutes by far the most comprehensive and valuable reference list of Wisconsin men and women in existence.

The order division sustained during the year the loss of its efficient chief, Or a Smith. Marjorie Park, for several years an assistant in the division, has assumed the responsibility of its work. Prior to this (in February) Genevieve Deming had begun work in the division. Special efforts have been made to learn of and solicit all current material bearing on the war, and to catch a copy of each of the public documents w^hich pour from the printing presses in ever-increasing numbers.

The staff of the public document division remained as here- tofore until the beginning of September, w^hen Theron Brown resigned to enlist in the military service of the nation.

The reports made by investigators to the United States Commission on Industrial Relations, presented to the Library by Professor John R. Commons, a member of the commission, were catalogued and permanently arranged during the year. Comprising more than a hundred volumes of typewritten man- uscripts, these reports, which will never be printed, constitute a veritable mine of information on present-day industrial con- ditions in America.

The War Department documents were recatalogued and re- classified during the year, and numerous gaps in the files were filled. Special efforts are being put forth to obtain copies of all documents of current issue with respect to the war. Refer- ence only is made here to the new monthly checklist of Wis- consin documents undertaken during the year ; a fuller account of the enterprise is given in the section of the annual report devoted to research and publication work.

[33]

Wisconsin Historical Society Map, Manuscript, and Illustration Division \

Administration

In accordance with the arrangement made a year ago with the Filson Club of Louisville, during a large part of the year an additional worker has been engaged upon the calendaring of the Draper manuscripts. The present staff consists of Miss Weaks, chief of the division, Miss Congdon, cataloguer and room attendant, Mr. Berigan, photostater and repairer of manuscripts, and Miss Jenison, who divides her time between calendaring and general editorial work.

A special effort has been made during the year to improve the character of our photostat work. To this end the assist- ance of Mr. Hesse of Louisville, an expert photographer and photostater, was invoked, and he spent ten days in Madison advising concerning the improvement of our photostatic equip- ment and giving instructions in the conduct of the work. New tanks have been installed, the photostat has been repaired, and an electric drier has been added at a cost of $200. It is grat- ifying to record in this connection, as an evidence of the neigh- borly relations which prevail between this Society and its old- est American exemplar, the Massachusetts Historical Society, that the latter institution, which employs a veteran photog- rapher and engages in photostatic work on a much larger scale than does our own, has extended the offer to pay the expense of sending our operator to Boston for a suitable period of in- struction in the use of the photostat. The enlightened and progressive policy which characterizes the administration of the oldest of American historical societies might well afford an object of more zealous emulation on the part of many of its compeers throughout the country.

During the summer Mr. Theodore Blegen was employed by the Society to devote his time, in part, to sorting and classify- ing the Henry D. Lloyd papers. These have now been clas- sified and arranged in boxes in the manuscript room in suitable condition for permanent preservation and administration. On

[34] .

Executive Committee's Report

September 1, Mr. Oliver of the editorial staff began the task of sorting and classifying the large mass of papers acquired a year ago from the adjutant general's office. In the repair of manuscripts chief attention has been devoted during the year to repairing and mounting, preparatory to binding, the Weller papers. In this connection we have devised a modification of the method employed with the older and more fragile manu- scripts, which makes possible a greater rate of progress in the work.

The work of classifying and recataloguing the maps of the Society, begun last year by Miss Congdon, has at length been completed. As a result 5,390 separate maps have been newly catalogued, 2,300 of them during the year just closed. It now remains to analyze and catalogue the numerous maps in the Society's large collection of atlases. During the year 135 maps have been sent to the bindery for appropriate treatment.

Accessions

The year's record of manuscript accessions has been very gratifying. It includes four large and important collections of original papers, an important card index of western papers in the archives at Washington, and many items of lesser bulk and importance.

Through the agency of Professor R. T. Ely, the private pa- pers of Henry Demarest Lloyd have been presented to the So- ciety by Mr. Lloyd 's daughter. Mr. Lloyd was one of the most active social reformers of the later nineteenth century. The acquisition of his papers gives further strength to the re- sources, already notable, of the library in the field of economic and social subjects.

At the beginning of the year Miss Julia A. Lapham, daugh- ter of Dr. Increase A. Lapham, formerly a president of the Society, turned over to it her father's valuable collection of private papers. Concerning the importance of Dr. Lapham 's self-effacing services in the development of pioneer Wisconsin it would be difficult to exaggerate. An attempt to characterize them and to appreciate his career has been made by the super-

[35]

Wisconsin Historical Society

intendent in the initial number of the Wisconsin Magazine of History. Perusal of this article will afford a fuller indication than can be presented here, of the character and value of the Lapham papers. With respect to their bulk it may be noted that the accumulated records of Lapham 's busy scholarly ca- reer practically filled a large trunk. Since their receipt they have been suitably classified and arranged in boxes on the shelves of the manuscript room.

Concerning the largest and perhaps most important group of papers acquired during the year, the contents of which must be sealed for a considerable term of years, it is premature to speak at this time. The fourth collection alluded to above, smaller in bulk than any of the others, differs from them like- wise in consisting of photographic copies rather than original papers. For several years the Carnegie Institution at Wash- ington has been searching the archives of the Indies at Seville for material pertinent to American history. As one result of this search, photographic copies have been made of the dis- patches of the Spanish governors of Louisiana to the captains general of Cuba for the years 1766-91. One of the sets of photographs made has come by purchase to our Society. These papers should supplement usefully the collection of prints concerning Spanish activities in the Mississippi Valley acquired two years ago from the Archival Nacional de Cuba.

Of minor items acquired mention may be made of the fol- lowing : Newton H. Culver, of Soldiers ' Home, California, who contributed an article on Major Isaac N, Earl to the Proceed- ings for 1916, has presented his war-time diary (June, 1861 to November, 1864) together with comrades' letters and copies of official documents relative to Earl's corps of scouts. The com- plete records for a period of sixty years, of Madison Hand Fire Engine Company Number 2, 1856-1917, have been turned over to the Society by the four surviving members of this veteran organization. Howard Greene of Milwaukee, whose gifts to the library have been numerous, has presented a considerable number of official records of the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry during the Spanish War, also a series of articles on * * Thomas

[36]

Executive Committee's Report

Gardner and his Nantucket descendants" published in the Nantucket Inquirer in 1862, together with charts and additions by Mr. Greene. Three interesting manuscript narratives have been received during the year, most of which will be published, probably, in due time by the Society. William S. Bond, of Chi- cago, has presented his grandfather 's account of his coming to Wisconsin in 1836 and the settlement and early years of Beloit. George Manierre of Chicago has presented the narrative of his early recollections of life at Big Foot Lake (now Lake Geneva). To George M. Paine of Oshkosh the Society is indebted for a manuscript history of Company G, First Wisconsin Cavalry.

Ill THE MUSEUM

Office and Other Work

One of the most interesting of the tasks undertaken by the museum during the year was the assembling of a collection of the numerous posters, handbills, and circulars issued and in use by the Federal government, national, state and local organ- izations, and business houses in the United States, England, Canada, and other countries in connection with the conduct of the present war.

In the effort to make this exhibit an adequately representa- tive one, an extensive correspondence w^as carried on with gov- ernment departments, organizations, and individuals, and the assistance of various friends was enlisted. The collection thus made now numbers about 400 specimens. Additions to it are constantly being made.

In November, 1916 an exhibition of a collection of foreign war posters, principally British, was made in the museum au- ditorium by the Madison Art Association. Some of the finest examples shown were purchased by Mrs. Hobart Johnson, Mrs. Reuben G. Thwaites, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Wood, Mrs. W. S. Cargill, and other friends, and were presented to the Society.

During July, 1917 the museum made an extensive special ex- hibit of its own collection of posters in the print room which

[37]

Wisconsin Historical Society

was visited by hundreds of persons. A selected series of over one hundred posters is now being shown in an exhibition room just opened to the public.

During the year a new catalogue of the portraits, paintings, and statuary in the museum, prepared in 1916 by Mrs. Helen Gilman Wing, has been published. The total number of por- traits in the Society's possession is now 241. The care of this large collection of paintings, many of which were painted fifty or more years ago, involves a good deal of labor. During the year fifty picture frames were repaired and regilded.

The museum's collection of American and foreign postage stamps, covers, and postcards, the assembling of which was begun in 1916, has now assumed large proportions. During the year the classification and mounting of the stamp collec- tion in convenient form for consultation by students has been undertaken.

. The costume picture collection has grown until it now con- sists of about 700 sheets of illustrations. The classification and mounting of the hundreds of pictures contained on these sheets has required the expenditure of a large amount of time and labor. The collection is in almost constant use by the Univer-. sity students and other persons engaged in the organizing and costuming of historical pageants, festivals, and plays. Sev- eral special exhibitions of it have been made, and a portion of it was recently loaned for use in the costuming of the Kansas City pageant.

For the state convention of the Wisconsin Medical Society, held at the Capitol on October 4-6, 1916 the museum assembled a collection of books, pamphlets, photographs, medicines, and surgical implements illustrating the medical history of the state. It was shown in the corridor leading to the convention hall where it attracted much attention from the visiting physi- cians and surgeons. It was the direct means of securing valu- able gifts for the Society.

The museum was opened to the public on one Sunday after- noon during each of the months of November, January, and March. It was opened, also, on several evenings for recep-

[ 38 ]

Executive Committee's Report

tions of the Madison Art Association, and, upon special re- quest, for a farmers' convention. On the evening of Decem- ber 30, a reception was tendered the members of the Prairie Club of Chicago and the John Muir Club of Madison. An ex- hibit of materials illustrating the early history of Chicago was an interesting feature of this occasion.

School and University Instruction

The total attendance of pupils of local and other schools at the museum during the year was 1,258, which falls but little short of last year's attendance. The number of visiting classes increased from 17 to 21 in the instance of the Madison schools, and from 25 to 91 in the instance of schools coming from other cities and districts. On several occasions by ar- rangement with the county superintendents the schools of an entire country district or schools from several districts came to the museum at the same time. The twenty-one classes which came from the Madison schools brought a total of 453 pupils. These were of all grades from the kindergarten to the eighth. Classes from both the city and the University high schools made a number of visits. The schools from outside of Madi- son brought a total of 805 children to the museum.

Twenty-four classes from the University with a total of 652 students representing eight different departments came to the museum for lectures or other instruction. Special exhibits were arranged for a number of these classes to whom instruc- tion was given both by the instructor in charge, and by the chief of the museum or his assistant.

Special and Art Exhibits

Twenty-two special exhibits were made, most of which were installed in the print room and the adjoining south hall. In each case the subjects illustrated received the most exhaustive treatment possible. The first of these exhibits was one illus- trating the history of the automobile. To it a number of the best known automobile manufacturers kindly contributed a

[39]

Wisconsin Historical Society

series of photographs both of their earliest and their most modern machines, and other materials. In November, shortly before the national election, a large display of American presi- dential campaign buttons, medals, badges, and ballots was made. Following this came the customary Christmas exhibit, and later others, illustrating valentines, 1840-1910, the history of buttons, German proclamations to the Belgians and French, Soudanese postage stamps and covers, current war literature, the Daily Cardinal silver jubilee, and old-fashioned hats and bonnets.

With the cooperation of Professor Kremers, director of the course, a series of historical exhibits was planned for the stu- dents in the pharmaceutical department of the University. Two of these, illustrating the pharmacist in literature and American and European almanacs have been made. A third special exhibit, illustrating pharmaceutical pots has recently succeeded these. Although installed for the students, these exhibits have proved interesting and instructive to other visi- tors. Other special exhibits now in place include Civil War letters, the history of jewelry, and publicity and special events postal cancellations.

In the museum auditorium the Madison Art Association has made exhibitions throughout the year. These were begun with one illustrating Italian crafts work, a series of fine landscapes by William H. Varnum being shown at the same time. An ex- hibition of recent work in American sculpture included exam- ples of the work of C. S. Pietro, Helen Farnsworth Mears, Henri Crenier, Alfeo Faggi, Grace Mott Johnson, and other well-kno\\Ti sculptors. In connection with this exhibition, which brought hundreds of visitors to the museum, a public lecture on the "Importance of Sculpture" was given by Alvin Polasek.

During the month of February the art display was one illus- trating Russian peasant industries in linens, lace, carved wood, lacquer, and enamel. This was followed in March and April by exhibitions of Japanese prints and stencils, a display of il- lustrations of modern stage settings and costumes, an exhibi-

[40]

Executive Committee's Report

tion of etchings by the famous English artist, A. Hugh Fisher, and a collection of miniatures by Mrs. F. A. Bridge. An ex- hibition of portraits by the Chicago artist. Christian Abraham- sen, received the favorable attention of many visitors. An at- tractive exhibit of forty-five large and small canvasses by Birge and Alexander Harrison, on view throughout the sum- mer and early autumn, was supplemented by a collection of water colors by William J. Phillips during the summer session.

Accessions

The number of additions to the collections is 748, of which 378 are historical and 370 are anthropological in character. Of the total number, 622 are gifts, 97 deposits, and the re- mainder were acquired by purchase.

Among the many gifts which are worthy of special attention are two wooden clocks and a barometer, made by John Muir during his student days in the University in the early sixties, and a series of mehanical drawings made by him at the same time. These are placed in the museum by the University, which received them from Muir's estate. As the clocks, un- fortunately, are dismantled and incomplete, they cannot be permanently installed until the missing parts are recovered. A search for these is being made by the daughter and the friends of the famous writer and geologist at his California home.

The four survivors of the Madison Hand Engine Company No. 2, which was organized in 1856, have presented the records and trophies of this organization. From the late W. W. War- ner of Madison have come a fine Swiss music box, a collection of 300 Indian stone and metal implements, and other speci- mens. The collection of early American and English china- ware has received some notable additions. Among these are a large platter received from the estate of Miss Genevieve M. Mills, Madison ; a willow ware and two luster ware dinner sets, deposited by Mrs. Lydia S. Winterbotham of Dunedin, Flor- ida ; four plates presented by Ella S. Gernon of Madison ; two

[41]

Wisconsin Historical Society

cups and saucers and other specimens deposited by Elizabeth W. Pike of Madison; two Chelsea cups and saucers, a silver luster goblet, and other chinaware obtained through other sources.

Mr. Harry Gr. Dyer has prepared for the museum a fine min- iature model of the logging sleds formerly in use in Wisconsin lumber camps.

A Moro flag taken in the Philippine Islands by Company A, Second U. S. Cavalry and a Spanish flag taken from the customs house at Santiago, Cuba, at the time of its surrender in 1898, are deposited by Miss A. C. Anderson. Company G, First Wisconsin Infantry, has placed in the museum's care the large, silver loving cup (Army and Navy News) trophy won by this regiment in the Twelfth Division Football Championship when encamped on the Mexican border during 1916.

Archeological Activities

The publications issued by the Wisconsin Archeological So- ciety since the last report are The Antiquities of Green Lake, by Charles E. Brown, Grant County Indian Remains, by Al- bert 0. Barton and Charles E. Brown, and Lake Shawano and the Wolf River, by George E. Fox and Harvey 0. Younger. Explorations have been conducted by the Society in Adams, Sheboygan, and Door counties. The notable intaglio Indian effigy mound, the only example of its type in Wisconsin, which is located on the outskirts of Fort Atkinson has been secured for permanent preservation.

IV RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIOlSr DIVISION

I

Staff

The resignation of Mr. Merk at the beginning of the year, and the illness of Miss Brauer at mid-year were the occasion of some disturbance of the plans laid down for the year's work. Nevertheless much has been accomplished in this field, and the record of publications is probably the most notable in the his-

[ 42 ]

Executive Committee's Report

tory of the Society. In July Miss Jenison took up her work as editorial assistant and calendarer of the Draper manu- scripts, and in September, just at the close of the year Mr. Oliver began work as general research and editorial assistant. The staff of the division now consists of Miss Kellogg and Mr. Oliver on practically full time basis, and Miss Jenison, Miss Nunns, and the Superintendent devoting more or less time to this branch of the Society's work. In this connection, Mr. Mereness, who is directing the work in the Washington ar- chives to which the Society contributes, should also be men- tioned.

Publications Issued

Four substantial volumes, three bulletins of information, a monthly checklist of Wisconsin state documents, a monthly press bulletin, and the initial number of a new quarterly mag- azine, constitute the list of the Society's publications for the year. With one possible exception it is believed that no other historical society in America has issued as large a volume of publications as this during the past year. More important than the matter of quantity, however, is that of quality; in this respect, also, it is believed that our publications fairly take rank wtith those of the leading historical agencies of Amer- ica.

The volumes issued were : the Proceedings of the Society for 1916 ; Collections, volumes XXIII and XXIV, both devoted to continuing the Draper Series; and volume I of the Society's newly-instituted series of Studies. The bulletins of informa- tion were : No. 85, List of Paintings in the Historical Museum, October, 1916; No. 86, Periodicals and Newspapers Currently Received at the Wisconsin Historical Library, February, 1917 ; No. 87, The Public Document Division of the Wisconsin His- torical Library, March, 1917.

The volume of Proceedings for 1916 is expected to be the last of the series of books issued in this form. Publication of the annual report, which has served to give title to the volume, will be continued, probably as a handbook or pamphlet, but the his-

[43]

Wisconsin Historical Society

torical articles, which have long comprised the greater portion of the volume, will in future find a more timely if not a better medium of publication in the new quarterly Wisconsin Maga- zine of History.

The two volumes of Collections issued logically continue the work begun a dozen years ago with the publication, under the joint auspices of the Wisconsin Society, Sons of the American Kevolution and the State Historical Society, of the Documen- tary History of Dunmore's War. Under the same joint aus- pices two more volumes (Revolution on the Upper Ohio 1775- 1777, and Frontier Defense on the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778) were later published. With Volumes XXIII and XXIV of the Collections the Society now resumes the publication of docu- mentary material pertaining to the Revolution in the West. Volume XXIII, entitled Frontier Advance on the Upper Ohio, 1778-1779, carries forward the story to the mid-period of the struggle for independence while volume XXIV, Frontier Re- treat on the Upper Ohio, 1779-1781, brings it into the conclud- ing period of the war. Both these volumes have been edited by Louise P. Kellogg of the Society's research staff. With the completion of this series of documentary volumes, which logically should be reached with the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, the Society will have been instrumental in making ac- cessible to students an exceedingly valuable series of source publications on the history of the West.

Volume I of the Studies is Mr. Merk's Economic History of Wisconsin During the Civil War Decade, work upon which was begun by the author under the auspices of the History Com- mission several years ago. Although out but a short period at the time of this writing, the book has already attracted wide- spread attention and, apparently, invariably favorable com- ment. Professor Fish, one of the country's best-known spe- cialists in the Civil War period, characterizes it as **the most comprehensive treatment of the economic history of any state during the constitutional period, taking rank with Bruce 's Vir- ginia and Weeden's New England. The author has produced a book which is of interest not only to the state with which it

[44] ■

Executive Committee's Report

deals, but to every student of American history. ' ' And again, "the technical character of the work is high. Newspapers and statistics not only were used, but are analyzed. The great re- sources of the State Historical Library were supplemented by personal interviews. The volume contains ample portraits, il- lustrations, a map, and index, but no bibliography."

Although a minor publication, it seems proper to call atten- tion to the interesting character of Bulletin of Information No. 87, The Public Document Division of the Wisconsin Historical Library, written by Anna W. Evans, chief of the division. It not only serves the purpose of a guide to our own library, but it constitutes a bibliographical treatise, valuable to any library or worker interested in the subject of public documents. Our library has probably the most comprehensive collection of pub- lic documents to be found west of the Alleghenies, consisting of municipal, state, and national documents, together with those of Great Britain. These several series are accurately and trenchantly described ; furthermore the author has the faculty somewhat rare, it is to be feared, of making the reader feel that the documents she describes are intensely human things, in- tended as friendly aids and companions of the student. Some slight indication of appreciation of the bulletin is afforded by the fact that the Chicago Public Library, to which one copy had been sent in accordance with our regular exchange rela- tions, promptly requested the privilege of receiving five ad- ditional copies for the use of the library.

Another publication enterprise pertaining to the public doc- ument division which has attracted much favorable comment is the monthly checklist of Wisconsin public documents, issu- ance of which was begun in January, 1917. The Library of Congress issues a useful checklist of documents of all the states ; necessarily, however, its data are both incomplete and belated in appearance. So far as known to us, no other agency is publishing a checklist of state documents. The usefulness of such a list has already been amply attested by a country- wide demand to be put on the mailing list for the receipt of our monthly bulletin.

[45]

Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Magazine of History is intended to be issued quarterly beginning with September, 1917. At the time of writing, the first number has just come from the press. Com- ment upon the character and the public reception of the Mag- azine must, therefore, be reserved for a succeeding annual re- port. Here it will suffice to state the ideal which animates the publication — to furnish as scholarly and interesting a mag- azine of history as the resources of the Society make it pos- sible to produce. To what extent the hopes which attend the launching of the publication will be realized must remain for the future to determine and other pens to record.

Future Issues and Work in Progress

One volume, to constitute XXV of the Collections, is now undergoing publication at the hands of the state printer, copy for it having been sent to him on May 18, 1917. Its contents are the correspondence of Edwin Bottomley, a pioneer Wis- consin farmer, written in the years 1842-50. The editing of this volume has been done by the Superintendent of the Society.

The preparation of six other volumes is under way at the present time. Farthest advanced is the work being done by the Superintendent upon the Wisconsin constitutional series, which, when completed, will probably run to several volumes. The task has now reached such a stage that the coming year may be expected to witness the sending to the printer of copy for two of these volumes. The calendaring of the Draper manuscripts is being steadily pushed, although the rate of progress is necessarily slow. At the present time the final re- vision of copy for a second volume of the series is well ad- vanced ; it should go to the printer within a few months. Mean- while the calendaring of the Clark papers, which when com- pleted will constitute volume III of the series, has already been under way for over a year. A comprehensive study of Indian missions, with particular reference to the relation of the United States govenment thereto, by Miss Martha Edwards, is well on its way to completion. When finished it will be published

[46]

Elxecutive Committee's Report

as volume 11 of the Studies of the Society. The character of the study is such that the estimate may safely be advanced that the volume will constitute a worthy companion to Mr. Merk's Economic History of Wisconsin. Since Miss Edwards is en- gaged in teaching during the college year, the completion of her study cannot be expected before the autumn of 1918, and its publication will be correspondingly deferred. Another vol- ume, completion of work upon which had been anticipated by the present time, is the reprint of Pierre Lafitau's treatise on the ginseng plant, the editing of which is being done by Dr. Edward Kremers. Here again the great war interfered to dis- arrange our plans and delay our work. As a busy man of af- fairs in charge of important experimental work for the United States government. Dr. Kremers has been compelled in recent months to lay aside this editorial task. In view of this situa- tion it is now impracticable to forecast when the work will be resumed, and, consequently, when the publication of the vol- ume may be expected. Two other important enterprises are now in the initial stage of development ; Miss Kellogg has begun the execution of a long-cherished plan of editing for publica- tion a volume of source material upon the Indian treaties per- taining to the history of Wisconsin ; while Mr. Oliver is collect- ing material for a volume on Wisconsin 's Civil War activities. The latter project will, it is hoped, constitute the initial step in what will ultimately become an important series of volumes dealing with the several phases of this great and as yet unex- plored subject.

Three other works, of somewhat lesser scope or different character than the foregoing, are far advanced toward comple- tion. In the publication of catalogues of newspaper collections our Society has played a pioneer role. At the- time our first extensive guide was issued in 1898 there existed no model, and for several years the volume was unique in the field of Amer- ican bibliography. Then came the great catalogue of the Li- brary of Congress collection of newspapers, followed in turn by our own new catalogue of 1911. These latter two volumes still stand as the leading examplars among publications of their

[47]

Wisconsin Historical Society

kind, although before many years they will find a worthy com- panion in the checklist of early American newspapers under preparation by the American Antiquarian Society. Six years have now elapsed since the publication of our newspaper cat- alogue. During this time yearly lists of the newspapers cur- rently received have been published, but nothing to set forth the additions to the newspaper collection as a whole. Copy for a supplementary checklist to cover the five-year period to the end of 1916 was prepared during the year. It was deemed best, however, to withhold publication until the close of 1917, when it is expected the checklist, brought down to date of is- sue, will be sent to press. The catalogue of 1911, taken in conjunction with this list, will exhibit, therefore, the entire resources of the newspaper collection down to January 1, 1918. Our collection is supposed to be second in size in America. From the viewpoint of frequency of use it may be doubted whether it yields precedence to any. The enlarged quarters assigned the newspaper department of the library in 1914 have long since proved inadequate to accommodate the demands of students in this division for space to carry on their work. In view of these facts this supplementary catalogue of the collec- tion will, it is believed, fill a wide-spread need.

Work upon the union check list of serials in Madison libra- ries, an enterprise carried on jointly by the University and Historical libraries, which has been under way for several years, has reached a state of practical completion. The pro- jected publication of the volume has been postponed, however, to afford opportunity for the working out of a still more com- prehensive plan. Instead of confining the publication to the resources of Madison libraries, it is proposed to cooperate with those of Chicago and the University of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan in bringing out a union list of serials in all the con- tributing libraries. Such a list would prove of far greater use to the scholarly public than would lists of the individual re- sources of the several communities ; at the same time the cost of publication of one union list for all would be much less to each participating library than would the cost to each of an

[48]

Executive Committee's Report

individual checklist. If the plan outlined can be carried into execution, the enterprise will constitute an example of mid- western cooperative enterprise looking to the promotion of a common scholarly end fairly comparable to that which has now for almost three years been carried on by the several western state historical departments (our omti included) in searching the government archives at Washington.

In previous annual reports the subject of the condition of our state archives together with suggestions for a plan of li- brary and archival development has been touched upon. Two years ago, at the Superintendent's instigation, the Society ap- pointed a special committee of the curators for the further in- vestigation of the subject. During the summer Mr. Theodore Blegen, a competent scholar, prepared a thoroughgoing report upon the archives situation in Wisconsin. Its publication awaits the action of the special committee. When issued, the report will, it is believed, take rank among the leading publi- cations of recent years on the subject of American archival conditions and administration.

On behalf of the executive committee :

M. M. QuAiFE, Superintendent.

[49]

TREASURER'S REPORT

statement of Coadition of State Historical Society July 1. 1917

Assets Cash

Mortgages Real estate

$8,593.34

105,300.00

580.54

$114,473.88

Distributed as follows:

General and Binding Fund

Antiquarian Fund

Draper Fund

Mary M. Adams Art Fund

Anna R. Sheldon Memorial Fund

Special Book Fund

HoUister Pharmaceutical Fund

Emily House Fund

Reuben G. Thwaites Portrait Fund

Reuben G. Thwaites Fund

$42,020.20

22,911.60

13.695.70

5,946.56

1.909.58

1.215.71

14,967.40

572.66

100. 00

11.134.47

$114,473.88

General and Binding Fund Treasurer, Dr.

Vi Annual dues $378.05

% Life membership fees . . . . 110.00

Vi Sale of duplicates 497.70

Share of interest 2.217.76

$3,203.51

Treasurer, Or.

Commercial Camera Company Mississippi Valley Historical Society Safe Deposit Box .... Annie A. Nunns — travel expenses . Rochester Camera Company

$400.92

200.00

10.00

11.08

45.12

[50]

Elxecutive Committee's RepKjrt

Mary S. Foster — travel expenses

Iva A. Welsh — travel expenses

M. M. Qualfe, miscellaneous bills

R. C. Nicodemus — surety bonds

Candy Shop

C J. Radke — services .

J. M. Dieruf — services

J. F. Jamieson — books .

Kennedy €ompany — books

L. S. Hanks — services .

Alexander Kornhauser

American Press Association

C. W. Fisher Furniture Co., supplies

Photo Art House — supplies

Standard Detective Agency

Superintendent of Documents, Wash- ington, D. C.

University Club

Clerk of Probate Court — certified copies

Balance to Binding Fund

11.63 11.63 65.00 37.50

5.00

6.00 20.00 50.00 54.00 150.00 15.39

4.00 15.50

9.05 75.00

20.00 18.20

3.50 1.965.99

$3,203.51

General and Binding Fund

Treasurer, Dr. Old balance Balance from income

New balance .

$40,054.21 1,965.99

$42,020.20

Antiquarian Fund Income Treasurer, Dr.

% Annual dues ......

% Life membership dues ....

% Sale of duplicates .....

Share of interest . . . . . .

New balance .......

$378.05

110.00

497.74

1,153.23

$2,139.02

Treasurer, Cr.

Mrs. M. S. Slaughter — posters Mrs. E. W. Keyes — picture Balance to Antiquarian Fund

$12.20

50.00

2.076.82

$2,139.02

[51]

Wisconsin Historical Society

Treasurer, Dr. Old balance Balance from income

New balance .

Antiquarian Fund

$20,834.78 2,076.82

$22,911.60

Treasurer, Dr. Balance

Sale of duplicates Share of interest

New balance

Draper Fund

$12,945.22

35.25

715.23

$13,695.70

Mary M. Adams Art Fund

Treasurer, Dr. Balance Share of interest .

New balance .

Treasurer, Cr.

Foster Brothers — pictures Balance to Adams Art Fund

New balance .

$5,649.28 310.48
$13.20 5,945.56	$5,959.76
	$5,959.76

Anna R. Sheldon Memorial Fund

Treasurer, Dr. Balance Share of interest

New balance

$1,810.08 99.50

$1,909.58

Hollister Pharmaceutical Library Fund Treasurer, Dr.

Balance $13,993.36

Hollister Estate 212.75

Share of interest . . . , . . 776.22

New balance

TreOrSurer, Cr.

Dr. A. P. Newton, services Balance to Hollister Fund

$49.93 14,967.40

$14,982.33

[52]

$14,982.33

Executive Committee's Report

Treasurer, Dr. Balance Share of interest

New balance

Reuben G. Thwaites Fund

$10,552.31 582.16

111,134.47

Treasurer, Dr. Balance Share of interest

New balance

EJmlly House Fund

$544.94

27.72

$ 572.66

[53]

REPORT OF LOCAL AUXILIARY SOCIETIES

LAFAYETTE COUNTY

We have very little to report except an increase of collec- tions in all branches of the Society. Among things worthy of note are: certificate of the Galena Fair of 1842, then called the "Farmer's Agricultural Society of the Upper Mississippi," awarding a premium of $4 to J. W. Blackstone, for the best yoke of fat oxen ; poll list of the Town of Center, now Town of Darlington, in 1865 ; roster of Company D, Twenty-third Wis- consin Infantry, in the Civil War ; army papers of Capt. Isaac Stockwell, of Company C. Forty-third Wisconsin Infantry; commission of Harrison B. Chamberlain as principal musician of the Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry ; picture of the post office kept by Horace Beebe at Avon, one mile south of Darlington, in 1851, at a time when Darlington and Avon received their mail from Willow Springs once a week; portraits of Capt. L. B. Waddington, 0. M. Dering, Thomas Canar, and J. K. Carey; infantry tactics of 1861; confederate script; views of Camp Douglas ; groups of LaFayette County soldiers in the present war; mounted badger, mounted owl, and numerous other ar- ticles.

While we are making history, we are collecting a few of the relics of the past and keeping a record of the events of the present by receiving and binding for permanent preservation all the newspapers published in the county,

P. H. CoNLEY, President.

SAITK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In addition to the regular annual meeting of the Sauk County Historical Society two other meetings have been held since our

[54]

Report of Local Auxiliary Societies

last report. One was in the nature of a picnic supper at the home of one of the members of the Society, and the other a gathering in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of a former resident of Sauk County. The Society is in an active and flourishing condition and added nine new members during the past year.

The annual meeting was held November 20, 1916, and officers for the year were elected as follows: president, H. E. Cole; vice presidents, Mrs. J. G. Train and E. D. Ochsner ; secretary, H. K. Page; treasurer, Mrs. E. V. Alexander. At this meet- ing the members were favored with an address by Charles L. Harper, chief clerk in the department of public instruction at Madison. He spoke chiefly of the lead mining region, Grant County and the contiguous territory, and told of the events that occurred during the early development of that part of the state. His talk was most interesting.

On the evening of March 16, 1917 the members of the society gathered at the home of Hon. and Mrs. Frank Avery and en- joyed a picnic supper, which was followed by a varied pro- gram. Several papers were read and Judge James O'Neil of Neillsville gave a splendid talk to the members. These picnic suppers have become an annual affair with the Sauk County Historical Society and are much enjoyed. They bring the members into closer association and subjects are discussed more informally than would otherwise be the case.

The last meeting of the Society for the current year was held on March 26 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Griggs. Rev. J. T. Durward told of the life of his father, B. I. Durward, the poet and painter of Durward 's Glen, a picturesque spot near Baraboo, where he settled in 1862. Two of Mr. Durward 's paintings are now in the museum of the State Historical So- ciety at Madison. Many of his paintings are still preserved in excellent condition at the old home. Mr. Durward 's account of his father's life was full of interest and it was fitting that the meeting of the Society should take place on the hundredth anniversary of the artist's birth.

H. K. Page, Secretary.

[55]

Wisconsin Historical Society

TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

It has been said that the secretary of a society like our County Historical Society, constitutes the society. In many c^ses this statement 'approaches very close to the truth, — espe- cially where there is an empty treasury. I make this observa- tion, not as a faultfinder, for I can see good reasons for mem- bers of such societies depending on their secretaries, but this absolute trust in the secretary does not always bring the so- ciety either accomplishments or honors.

During the past year neither the secretary nor the members have made much effort to promote the interests of our Society. Some items of interest, however, have been added to our collec- tion, among which may be mentioned the following : first Bible and hymnal used in the Whitehall M. E. Church, presented by Harriet M. Wade ; charter and certificate issued by the famous '* Brick" Pomeroy for Greenback Club No. 310, located in Hale, Trempealeau County, presented by C. G. Johnson ; photo- graph and biographical sketch of Francis Ashbury Utter, early lawyer of Trempealeau County, presented by his daughter, Dora Willey, of Keedsburg, Wisconsin; picture of "Deacon" Alvah Wood's residence near Whitehall, built in 1856 and ta- ken down 1916, presented by his grandson, Archie E. Wood; portrait and biographical sketch of Mons Anderson, once the ''Merchant Prince" of La Crosse, presented by B. A. Gipple, of Galesville; German reichsthaler dated 1814, presented by Charles Sielaff ; collection of arrowheads and other flint imple- ments, numbering about 150 pieces, presented by Nels Peter- son, postmaster at Galesville; a picture of the ''Old Nott House" once a wayside inn on the road from Whitehall to Humbird ; a frame bearing the date 1740, used in making orna- mental garters when men wore knickerbockers, presented by H. A. Anderson ; a specimen of garters mentioned above, pre- sented by Mrs. Oline Frederickson ; the first mail-rack used in Coral City, Trempealeau County's "Deserted Village," made by Will and Ott Harlow, presented by Edward and Charles Southworth.

[56]

Report of Local Auxiliary Societies

Portraits of the seven Herreid brothers, early settlers on Beaver Creek, Trempealeau County, have also been acquired. Those seven brothers, belonging to the very poor of their na- tive land, became the progenitors of a family already number- ing more than three hundred members, many of whom have risen to distinction and honor in social, business, and political circles, Charles Herreid, a former governor of South Dakota, being one of them. A genealogical chart of this family is be- ing prepared for the Historical Society.

One of the greatest aquisitions of the Society is Judge Heus- ton's history of Trempealeau County from 1851 to 1886. This is in manuscript and is given to the society on the condition that it be published in suitable form, and until published is not open to public or private use. Costlier histories of our country may be written but none mil possess so much intrinsic value.

The practice of filing news publications published in the county, and one of the great daily newspapers of the country has been continued during the year.

The Society *s only meeting during the year was held Novem- ber 14, 1916. No papers of importance were read or presented but the meeting was of great value to the people present be- cause of Dr. M. M. Quaife's address on the relation between the State Historical Society and auxiliary societies.

H. A. Anderson, Secretary.

WAUKESHA COUNTY

The Waukesha County Historical Society held two regular meetings during the past year, the eleventh annual meeting at Waukesha on May 5, and the September meeting at Sussex.

At the annual meeting the Lapham Memorial Committee presented a program for the dedication of Lapham Peak and unveiling of the bronze tablet and boulder to be placed there by this Society. The program was approved and accepted as read and the committee authorized to make all arrangements for the dedication.

[57]

Wisconsin Historical Society

The custodian's report showed an accession of 420 articles during the year.

All the officers were reelected. Charles Larson, of Wau- kesha, was appointed assistant custodian. Ten members were elected. Dr. M. M. Quaif e was made an honorary member and the name of Mrs. W. F. Whitney was transferred to the hon- orary list. Mr. Charles D. Simonds suggested the placing of a story box to be opened at meetings. Each member would be expected to contribute to this box, either in manuscript or newspaper clippings, a story of early days in Waukesha County.

Mr. Simonds also suggested that an historian for the county be appointed and also one for each town in the county, the lat- ter to report to the former, who would report twice a year to the Society.

After a solo by Mr. C. W. Patchen, with Miss Grace Evans as accompanist, Hon. C. E. Armin, of Waukesha, read a paper on * * The Early Bar in Waukesha County. ' ' This was followed by a paper on * ' Increase Allen Lapham, First Scholar of Wis- consin, ' ' by Dr. M. M. Quaif e of Madison.

On June 16, in response to invitations issued, members and guests of the Waukesha County Historical Society assembled on Lapham Peak where the following program was given :

Invocation . . . Rev. A. S. Badger

Address .... Mrs. H. B. Edwards

Unveiling of Tablet . . Miss Julia A. Lapham

Lapham and His Work . . Dr. M. M. Quaif e

Value of Historical Landmarks John Gr. Gregory

America . . . . Sung by audience

The twenty-second meeting of the Society was held at Sus- sex, September 6, 1917, in the Guild Hall of St. Alban's Church, said to be the oldest church in Waukesha County. The present building was erected in 1864. It was decided at this meeting to send two delegates to the annual meeting of the State Historical Society and Mr. Charles D. Simonds, of Mil-

[58]

Report of Local Auxiliary Societies

waukee, and Mrs. Molly Maurer Kartak, of Oconomowoc, were appointed.

A duet was sung by Mrs. Munz and Mrs. Howard, with Misa Campbell as accompanist.

Mrs. H. M. Youmans read a paper on *'An Old-Time Store- keeper's Accounts." Facts and prices were taken from her father's old account books, one of which was on exhibition. The store of Theodore S. Winton, Mrs. Youmans' father, was located at Prospect Hill, five or six miles from Waukesha.

Hon. W. H. Edwards gave an interesting talk on ''Early Days in Sussex," reading extracts from the story written by Mrs. Melinda Weaver, the first teacher in the town of Lisbon.

A short paper on Henry Danforth Barron was read by Mrs. Lacher and a few interesting remarks were made by Mr. Alpha Childs, of Amsterdam, New York, who lived in Delafield in 1847.

One member was elected and four applications were re- ceived.

Julia A. Lapham, Secretary.

[59]

t';-.,:

v/ :^:

F

576 W75 1917

Wisconsin, State Historical Society- Proceedings

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

t \ ~ ^-f > > > • > f > >

*^ '^ "^ ^^ 'f^

^^ :^m:-