more than they would otherwise have got for their products. A circular was put forth in April, making the following points in favor of La Crosse: First, Location and lumbering interest, by means of which cheap slab fuel advantages were given for manufacturing; Second, Wheat territory tributary to La Crosse; Third, Advantage of location for grinding Minnesota wheat in transit; Fourth, Supply and prices of slabs, coal and hard wood; Fifth, An itemized comparison between the cost of making flour by water-power in Minneapolis and steam in La Crosse; Sixth, Facilities for shipping eastward; Seventh, Extent and variety of building material. The river channel was affected by the building of the railway bridge, so that it was apprehended it would leave the city front and pass entirely to the west of Barron's Island. Soundings made by G. P. Bradish showed that it had gradually increased from a few inches to five feet in depth. In the last meeting of the year, thanks were returned Senator Angus Cameron for his bill "for the preservation of the channel of the Mississippi River between the railroad bridge and the mouth of Root River."

At the meeting of the Board in February, 1878, the yearly election was held, with the following result: President, James McCord; Vice President, Joseph Clark; Recording Secretary, Albert Hoppin; Corresponding Secretary, W. W. Jones; Treasurer, G. Van Steenwyck. The report of the Secretary for the year makes mention of but two improvements of general interest— the extension of the water works and the government work to protect and maintain the navigable channel of the Mississippi on the east side of the river.

The election of officers for 1879 resulted as follows: President, Joseph Clark; Vice President, S. S. Burton; Recording Secretary, A. Hoppin; Corresponding Secretary, W. W. Jones: Treasurer, G. Van Steenwyck. But little marks the history of the board this year. A tilt was had with the Winona & Št. Peter Railroad for alleged discrimination in freights against La Crosse.

For the year 1880, the following board of officers was chosen; President, Joseph Clark; Vice President, S. S. Burton; Recording Secretary, Ellis B. Usher; Corresponding Secretary. Fred Tillman; Treasurer, G. Van Steenwyck. During this season, the ferry and bridge question was agitated, as also the improvement of various roads leading from the city. A proposition to extend aid to the Baraboo Threshing Machine Company, to induce it to locate in La Crosse, was rejected, the machine not being regarded as a success. Much interest was manifested in various schemes having in view the improvement of navigation. On the 18th of October, the Board went on an excursion over the Southern Minnesota Railroad to Dell Rapids, the remainder of the trip to Sioux Falls having to be abandoned on account of deep snows. The trip occupied three days, and was accompanied with receptions and public entertainments.

The annual election of 1881 resulted as follows: President, J. S. Medary; Vice President, A. Hirshheimer; Recording Secretary, Ellis B. Usher; Corresponding Secretary, Fred Tillman; Treasurer, John M. Holley. In March, Mr. Usher resigned, and Robert Calvert was employed on salary to give his whole time to the duties of the office.

OAK GROVE CEMETERY.

For ten years after the first settlement, the early residents made use of what was doubtless an ancient Indian burying place, situated on the northeast corner of Third and Badger streets, now occupied by Powers' Pump Works. The first interment was that of a child of N. Myrick's in 1845. The next was probably that of a Canadian raftsman, who contracted a fever by exposure in his work, and, being utterly destitute, was taken care of by J. M. Levy, who had the misfortune to lose his own son, a bright, promising boy of nine years, by accident, not long afterward, this being the first death by violence. As the population of the village did not reach a hundred souls, all told, during the ten years in which these old grounds were used, the interments were very few, and of these several were strangers to the vicinity, who died on passing steamers, which left their remains at this point for burial.

In 1851, S. T. Smith purchased fifteen acres of land from W. W. Bassett, which remained in his possession for eighteen years. In 1857, it received the name of Wautonga Cemetery, which

was retained till it passed into the hands of the present association. The purchase of grounds for burial purposes by Mr. Smith, was a private venture, and a public convenience, but not yielding much profit on the investment, in the year 1869, he disposed of his interest to G. S. Strasberger, who made various additions, buying adjoining lots of J. and A. McMillan, and J. Eagan, till it was increased to its present area of thirty-two acres, more than double the original allotment, which was an irregular oblong, lying directly north of the present circle and fountain.

A company was incorporated in 1872, consisting of Messrs. J. I. Smith, President; H. I. Bliss, Secretary; A. H. Hankerson, M. P. Wing, W. A. Sutor, R. Weston, H. I. Bliss and Charles Michel, Trustees. This was organized under the statute, providing that all moneys received from the sale of lots should be applied to the improvement and ornamentation of the grounds. The company took the name "Oak Grove Cemetery Association of La Crosse," since which the title has attached to the grounds also. These were surveyed and laid out by H. I. Bliss, and, what was reported to have been a most unpromising location, for the purpose designed, has the appearance of having been the most desirable spot that could have been chosen. The natural beauty of the place has been greatly heightened by the refinement of art, and no one now could do otherwise than approve of the selection of the spot and the great good taste that has been displayed in beautifying the silent city of the dead. A large lot has been reserved from the southwest corner for a residence for the sexton, E. W. Mead. It is almost needless to add that the building and lot attached, with its flower beds and conservatory, make a charming picture and are marked by the same taste and skill displayed in the burial grounds, to which it is an adjunct. The entrance to the cemetery is at the southwest corner, where a beautiful fountain has been placed in the midst of a circle, which receives the water from a score of jets, whose musical plashing into the pool beneath them gives a most refreshing sense of coolness. The center is ornamented with a number of spires ofck work, the light, irregular, airy pinnacles of which seem modeled after some of the battlemented towers of the storied Rhine. designed by Prosper Steves.

It was

From the circle winding drives and walks radiate to every part of the cemetery. These are bordered with native trees of various kinds, as the elm, basswood, ash, hard maple, etc., while evergreens are profusely scattered on both public and private grounds. In process of time, almost every drive will be a continuous archway of shade, forming vistas of rare beauty, at once most pleasing to the sight and most grateful to all having occasion to ride or walk beneath the protecting canopy of foliage. Circular seats about the trees, with rustic chairs, arbors, etc., give ample opportunity for rest after the walk from the city and enjoy the quiet beauty of the scene. A marble pedestal bearing a sun dial marks the flight of time, and is a constant reminder of mortality, still further heightened by the inscription, "ut umbra hora fugit."

The first interment in the cemetery was that of Mr. Toint, a carpenter from Racine, who was in the employ of F. M. Rublee. Though but a comparatively short distance from home, his friends were not able to bear the expense of removal, and he was in consequence interred here. It is wonderful to reflect that no matter how isolated one may be in life, it is impossible to be without companionship in death. From the highest attainable point on the mountain summit to the deepest recesses of the sea, the most lonely place in the wilderness or the desert to which the adventurous foot of man may tend, he can find no place so utterly desolate in which to take his final rest, that his brother man will not seek it out and lie down for his last sleep beside him. Nay, it may well be doubted if long before his own advent upon the earth itself, some fellowtraveler, "wearied with the march of life," has not reposed in the same spot, and his remains have furnished the very soil in which the last comer in turn molders to his original dust. The whole earth is but a vast mausoleum of departed generations. Long before the coming of man, unnumbered and innumerable species of living organisms arose, flourished and passed away, aiding by their very dust in giving birth to new forms and higher orders of being, which for centuries fulfilled their mission ere they, too, shared the common lot, each in turn illustrating the Divine decree, "dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return."

The present officers are J. W. Losey, President; S. S. Burton, Treasurer; H. I. Bliss, Secretary.

SCHOOLS.

The subject of education is one of prime importance to every community, and the manner in which it is fostered and promoted is always a sure index to the intelligence and liberality of the people. The refinements of education constitute the most elegant and ennobling pleasures of life. The moral sentiments are elevated and the face of humanity made to shine with celestial luster. It has truly been said that "an education is that which no misfortune can depress, no clime destroy, no enemy alienate, no despotism enslave; at home a friend, abroad an introduction, in solitude a solace, in society an ornament."

The first school in the city of La Crosse was taught by Mr. Abner S. Goddard in the winters of 1851 and 1852, in the old court house which stood in the public square, just in front of where the present one stands. In the year 1851, Timothy Burns began the erection of a building on land owned by himself, to be used as a schoolhouse, but, from various circumstances, this was not used as a school building but occupied by Burns as a dwelling house. A short time previous to the completion of this building the erection of a court house was begun, and this, when finished, was used as a place in which to teach the school. The second school was taught during the next year by Miss Clementine M. Bowe, also in the court house, for $25 per month.

The first village election was held in April, 1851, at which time Lorenzo L. Lewis was elected as Town Superintendent of Schools. The following is the first notice of Town Superintendent:

To Jerome Bean, a taxable inhabitant of the town of La Crosse: The Town Superintendent of Schools of the town of La Crosse, having formed a new district to be numbered 1, consisting of the following territory, viz., The territory lying north and west of the centers of Sections 4, 9 and 16, in Township No. 15 north, of Range 7 west, of the Fourth Principal Meridian, including Sections 31 and 32 and the west half of Section 33, in Township 16 north. of Range 7 west, of the Fourth Principal Meridian. You are hereby required to notify every qualified voter of said district to attend the first district meeting of said district, which is hereby appointed to be held at the house of Simeon Kellogg, in said town on the 2d day of August, A. D. 1851, at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, by reading this notice in hearing of each voter, or in case of his absence from home, by leaving thereat a copy of this notice at least five days before the said time so appointed in said notice. Dated at La Crosse, July 24, 1851. LORENZO L. LEWIS, Superintendent of Schools for the Town of La Crosse.

I, Jerome Bean, certify that I have duly notified the following named persons according to the directions of the within notice:

LA CROSSE, July 28, 1851. John G. Fetherline, Fetline Diniger, H. B Kimball, Milton Barlow, N. B. Grover, J. M. Levy, J. Ledora. Coridon Loony, Jonathan Jackson, W. Burnett, N. Case, D. Caswell, E. W. Jencks, H. Cramer, H. J. B. Miller, T. Kuling, Timothy Burns, John Hoards.

Agreeable to the above notice, the qualified voters of School District No. 1 met at the house of Simeon Kellogg for the purpose or organizing said district. Robert Looney was elected Chairman, and Edwin Flint, Secretary. The meeting then proceeded to ballot for officers with the following result: Edwin Flint, Clerk; H. J. B. Miller, Treasurer; Timothy Burns, Director. A tax of $75 was voted to be raised, to be applied to the payment of teachers' wages, and $5 was voted to be raised for the purpose of procuring necessary books for the records of the schools and district.

The first annual report of the District Clerk, dated September 1, 1852, showed that the whole number of children attending the school during the year to be 109. Whole number of days lost by tardiness to be 60. Whole number of days lost by occasional absences, 2,196. At a meeting held at the post office building on August 28, 1852, it was voted that a tax of $300 be levied on all taxable property for the purpose of building a schoolhouse, and Rev. J. C. Sherwin, Rev. W. H. Card and Anson Ferris, were appointed as a committee to wait upon the proprietors of the village to procure a lot or site upon which to build the schoolhouse. The following officers were also elected: Simeon Kellogg, Director; S. T. Smith, Treasurer, and John M. Levy, Clerk.

The house of John M. Levy was engaged for six months, at the rate of $75 per year, in which to keep the school, Mr. Levy to furnish a stove. P. Whelpley was engaged to teach the

school; and the scholars having increased to so large a number, Mary E. Bayley was engaged as assistant teacher, who commenced teaching January 24, 1853. The report of the committee appointed to locate a schoolhouse site stated that one acre of land was tendered by Messrs. Rublee & Stevens, upon which to build a schoolhouse. And they further proposed, if the offer was accepted, to fence the same with boards and plant trees around the lot, and to keep planting them until they should all live. Robert Looney also volunteered to dig a good well in the same lot for the use of the school. These offers were of course accepted. At the next annual meeting, B. S. Reppy was chosen Director; Spencer Carr, Treasurer, and Anson Ferris, Clerk. Spencer Carr, J. S. Simonton and Mr. Whelpley were appointed as a committee, and drafted a plan for a schoolhouse. The Methodist Church was engaged for the term of five months, at $8 per month, in which to hold the school. The resolution, adopted December 20, 1853, provided that the District Board contract for the building of a suitable schoolhouse for the accommodation of the district; said schoolhouse to be finished at as early a period as practicable, the house not to cost less than $1,000 nor more than $1,500.

At the next annual meeting, held September 25, 1854, Robert Looney was chosen as Director; Theodore Rodolf, Treasurer, and J. B. Loomis, Clerk.

A tax of $2,000 was voted to be raised on all the taxable property of the district for the erection and completion of a schoolhouse, said house to be erected on the land donated by Stevens and Rublee. The contracts for the erection of the schoolhouse were let; the carpenter work to Powell & Chambers, and the mason work to Donahugh & Markham.

The next annual meeting was held at the new brick schoolhouse September 24, 1855, at which time W. W. Ustick was elected Director; A. T. Clinton, Treasurer, and J. M. Rogers, Clerk. At this meeting a tax of $570 was voted to be raised for the support of the school, to purchase outline maps, to build a woodshed, etc., and to paint the woodwork of the new school. house. The contract for painting was let to Moore & Cunningham, and for the erection of a woodshed to Robert Looney.

At the next annual meeting, held at the schoolhouse September 29, 1856, Elisha Whitlesey was chosen as Director, A. T. Clinton, Treasurer, and J. M. Rogers, Clerk. At this meeting, they also voted to raise by tax, by and with the consent of the School Superintendent, the sum of $5,000, on the taxable property of the district, to build a main building in the rear and adjoining the present brick schoolhouse. The contract for the erection of this was awarded to Edgar & Polleys, for the sum of $4,800. William H. J. Nichols was the architect, who was also engaged to superintend and oversee the work, and make reports concerning the progress of the same to the board. At the next annual meeting, W. W. Crosby was elected as Director; A. T. Clinton, Treasurer, and J. N. Rogers, Clerk. At a meeting held October 6, 1857, it was resolved to raise $5,000 for the erection of a schoolhouse in the First Ward, 40x50 feet, three stories high, and to be built of bricks; and also the sum of $1,000 for the purchase of lots on which to build the same, and $500 for finishing and seating the house. At another meeting it was resolved to hire the new building of Green & McDowell, in First Ward, for one year at a rent of $350, as a place in which to hold the school. At the next annual meeting, James I. Lyndes was elected Director for the term of three years. B. E. Brower was elected Treasurer for the term of two years, and James L. Batchelder was elected Clerk for one year. At a meeting held October 9, 1858, it was voted to vacate Green & McDowell's building in the First Ward, as a schoolhouse, and to rent for the same purpose the lower story of Mulford's building on Third street. This was only occupied for a short time, when the south half of Mons Anderson's building, on Third street, opposite the court house, was rented. From W. B. Hanscome was purchased Lots 5 and 6 in Block 10, in Burns, Farnam & Burns' Addition to La Crosse, for $1,000, on which to locate the First Ward School Building. Robert Looney was awarded the job of excavating the basement and furnishing stone and erecting the basement story, for $925. James Rawlinson was awarded the job of furnishing brick, lime and lath, and erecting the walls and plastering for the sum of $1,200. R. W. Hartley was awarded the job of furnishing materials and doing carpenter and joiner work for $1,600. George T. Bell was

awarded the job of furnishing, painting and glazing, for $350. W. H. J. Nichols was the architect.

For the year ending August 31, 1859, the Clerk's report showed the whole number of children over four and under twenty years, residing in the district, to be 1,125; also two school buildings, with a combined value of $15,000.

At the next annual meeting, held September 26, 1859, C. K. Lord was elected Clerk of the District for the ensuing three years.

The Clerk's report of August 4, 1862, showed the number of scholars under four and over twenty, residing in the district, to be: Males, 602; females, 568; total, 1,170. At the meeting of September 29, 1862, S. S. Burton was elected Clerk of the School District, but subsequently upon his resignation, C. K. Lord was elected to succeed him.

The Clerk's report in August, 1863, showed the total number of children residing in the district over four and under twenty years of age, to be 1,237, and that of August, 1865, 1,467. M. T. Burke was elected Clerk of the School District. In 1866, the whole number of school children was 1,584.

Mr. Burke was followed, as District Clerk, by Howard Cramer; and he in turn by James I. Lyndes.

In accordance with Section 10 of the school law, incorporating the schools of the city of La Crosse, approved March 8, 1867, a Board of Education was elected, consisting of James I. Lyndes, President; W. W. Jones, John Ulrich, George Scharpf, and Mons Anderson.

They held their first meeting on Monday, April 1, 1867, at which time J. E. Atwater was elected City Superintendent of Schools at a salary of $250 per year. W. A. Mason was Principal of the First Ward School, and M. F. Varney, Principal of the Third Ward School.

At a regular meeting of the board August 6, a proposition was received from the managers of the Independent German School Society to unite with the public schools of the city. This being accepted, it was thereafter known as the Second Ward School, and Mr. Wilhelm and Miss Pfund were employed as teachers. C. W. Demmon was employed as Principal of the First Ward, for the school year beginning September, 1867, the other teachers being substantially the same-thirteen in number. At this time, the city was divided into two districts, all north of Main street being the First, and all south of Main street, the Third, with the Second Ward (German) common to the whole city. In August, the State Teachers' Association was held in La Crosse. In January, 1868, Rev. N. C. Chapin became Superintendent of Schools at a salary of $500 per year, and W. R. Sill was qualified as a member of the Board of Education in place of W. W. Jones, the others remaining the same. August 3, a resolution was adopted by the board, requiring the teachers to hold semi-inonthly meetings.

August 27, Jacob Frederick was elected to succeed Mr. Wilhelm as teacher of German in the Second Ward School.

In September, 1868, a committee was appointed to prepare an estimate for a site, and the building of a new public schoolhouse. In January, 1869, George Howard became a member of the board in place of John Ulrich. In April, 1869, a new committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of a site for a new school building, the committee appointed before for the same purpose, having made no report. Lots 13 and 14 in Block 10, in Dunn, Douseman and Cameron's Addition, were purchased as a site for a new school building, and, in August, 1869, a committee was appointed to procure specifications and plans for a new school building, but prior to any action, P. S. Elwell was employed by the board to visit some of the leading cities of the State to examine their plans adopted in locating and distributing their public schools, and the styles of their school buildings. The school population increasing so fast in the Second Ward, the old fire-engine house, corner of Pearl and Fourth streets, was used for school purposes.

Mr. Elwell made a report in October, as a result of his observations relative to school buildings elsewhere, and in accordance therewith plans were drawn for a new school building in the Second Ward, and proposals for the erection of the same were opened December 18, but with a view as to the practicability of reducing the cost of the building, no decision was