windows guarded by inside shutters of iron, and are as light, dry and airy as it is possible to make them. On the first floor there are nine rooms for the various county offices, which are fitted up with every convenience requisite for the dispatch of business. It would be hard to find officials more attentive to their respective duties or courteous to those seeking information. The court room on the second floor is about 60x60, with seats rising from the front to the rear, so that a perfect view is had of all the proceedings, and the accoustic properties of the room are such that no difficulty is experienced in hearing all that may be said. Rooms for the grand and petit juries are provided on the same floor. The superstructure was built of magnesian limestone, while Joliet stone was used for facings, caps and cornice; 325 cords of stone were used, all dressed on the face. A fine spire crowns the edifice, on which the blind goddess of justice stands, holding the impartial balance. The approach from Third street is by a terraced walk of twelve feet in width, and about seventy in length, surmounted at the edges with a beveled stone coping. The steps are twelve inches in width and eight inches in thickness, and are each composed of a single stone. The landing is about 12x16. Upward of 40,000 brick were used in constructing the partitions and vaults. The wood work is as substantial, in its way, as the other materials employed. Everything from top to bottom is solid and enduring, and almost severe in its plainness. The cost of erection was $36,000; the additional expense of furniture, carpets, desks, etc., brought the grand total to a less amount than $40,000. The court house is very central in location, and has a most commanding position.

POOR HOUSE.

The only institution for the paupers of the county is the infirmary belonging to the city. It is situated three miles from the post office. It is in the township of Shelby, and is a frame building with a capacity of from fifteen to twenty inmates, and is seldom more than half-filled. A farm of 120 acres was bought a few years ago at an expense of $6,000. For a time it was rented at $100 per annum to the tenants of the infirmary, who were allowed $2.50 per week for boarding the adults, and one-half that sum for children. The present tenant, Frank Mitz, receives the farm rent free, and has the above-named sum for boarding the inmates. The management of this institution is most admirable, and would seem to justify the boast of the leading director of the disbursement of the county funds, that it was the best regulated of any of like purpose in the State. The number of inmates has been reduced, and the expenses reduced over fifty per cent. Formerly, from $5,000 to $6,000 had been paid annually for the care of the poor. During the past year, ending April 1, 1881, the total expenditure at the infirmary, and for outside help, was but $2,335.21. The total number of inmates, at present, is but seven; of these, one is sick in the hospital, one partially insane, one idiotic, and the others are aged, respectively, 71, 74, 83 and 87.

COUNTY SCHOOLS.

The system of County Superintendents was inaugurated in 1861 for the whole State. Although in a general way it is designed that each county shall have a Superintendent, the rule is departed from when a county becomes too populous to have its educational interests managed by a single one, when it is divided into two or more districts, over each of which a Superintendent is placed. This has been done in the counties of Dane and Milwaukee, which have two districts in each and two Superintendents. The duty of these officials is to exercise a watchful supervision over all the schools of the county; to visit every one at least once a year, and as much oftener as occasion may require; to examine and grant certificates to all applicants for positions in schools; to take charge of Teachers' Institutes, which are required to hold at least one, and, in many cases, two sessions each season. The salary is based on population. Where this is from 5,000 to 10,000, the salary is placed at $800. All counties having less than 5,000 have no fixed sum, the salary being made discretionary with the County Board of Supervisors. This is placed as low as $100 in the county of Chippewa, and in some of the most sparsely settled counties has been as low as $50. The highest salary paid is $1,200, in the county of Jefferson.

C. S. Stockwell, of Onalaska, the Superintendent of La Crosse County, is a professional teacher, having been engaged in that occupation in Lapeer County, Mich., where he held the same position he now occupies. He engaged in teaching at Onalaska in 1876, and was so employed for two years, when he received the appointment of County Superintendent, to fill a vacancy that had occurred. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to serve the rest of the term, and re-elected in 1879 for a full term, which will expire January 1, 1882. No records were turned over to Mr. Stockwell, nor is it known that any are in existence previous to his official connection with the schools. The county has seventy-six school districts, of which four are graded, viz. One at Onalaska, which has three departments and three teachers; one at West Salem, including a high school, and having four departments and four teachers; and two at Bangor, having two graded schools and four teachers. In two districts there are two schools in each. Aside from the public schools are a number of denominational schools, divided as follows: Five Lutheran schools; one at Barre, one at Shelby-both German; three at Farmington, Norwegian and German, and two Catholic schools, one at Greenfield and one at Washington. An effort is now being made to establish a system of graded country schools. As it would be impossible to have a uniform course like an academy or high school, it is to be based on the attainments of the pupil, who will thus have an incentive to attain to the highest standard his opportunities will admit, for which he will receive due credit. The whole number of children of school age in the county is 4,601; whole number enrolled, 3,042; amount expended for teachers' salaries, $15,232.90, or $3.31 per capita; total expenditures for school purposes, including building, repairing, furniture, fuel, and incidentals, $20,636.72, being $4.48 per capita. During the year 1880, 171 school visits were made, a full half day being allotted to each visit. All districts have been visited each term. Monthly reports were required from all teachers. At the school examinations there were 201 applicants. Of these, 134 received certificates, viz. : 4 first grade, 17 second grade, and 113 third grade. About half the schools employ a female teacher during the summer, and a male in the winter. Two institutes were held-one at Bangor in March, having an attendance of fifty-nine teachers, and one at West Salem in September, when there was an attendance of fifty-two. A teachers' association exists, which has a library of about fifty volumes of professional works. Ninety per cent of the teachers are readers of educational journals. The schools are kept abreast of the legal requirements, and will challenge favorable comparison with any county in the State. The above facts and figures are exclusive of the city of La Crosse, whose schools are wholly outside the supervision of the County Superintendent.

NORTHWESTERN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society was organized December 26, 1879, with twelve charter members. The first officers of the society elected were: J. W. Losey, President; J. S. Harris, First Vice President; John Van Loon, Second Vice President; John Ulrich, Third Vice President; L. W. Brigham, Secretary; L. H. Pammel, Treasurer.

The object of this society is: "To improve the condition of pomology, horticulture and gardening; to discuss and disseminate information upon all questions pertaining to horticulture."

The society holds its annual meetings on the first Tuesday in December, and otherwise provides for quarterly meetings occurring in March, June and September.

At their meetings thus far, since organizing, various topics have been discussed, and papers have been prepared, read and discussed also. The society now numbers fifty-two members, with the present officers: John S. Harris, La Crescent, President; A. J. Phillips, West Salem, First Vice President; S. S. Luce, Galesville, Second Vice President; Mrs. W. P. Powers, La Crosse, Third Vice President; L. W. Brigham, La Crosse, Secretary; L. H. Pammel, La Crosse, Treasurer. Their first fair was held in June, 1881, in connection with the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. One dollar procures a year's membership for gentlemen, ladies being honorary.

The following fruits, trees and shrubbery are recommended by this society for this locality and the Northwest in general:

Fruits-Apples: Dutchess, Wealthy and Tetofski. For favorable localities, Fameuse, Utter, Price's Sweet, Walbridge, Plum Cider, Willow Twig and Tollman Sweet. For trial, Pewaukee, Ben Davis, Alexander, Red Queen and Haas.

Crab apples, for general planting, Transcendent, Whitney No. 20, Atkin's Winter, Early Strawberry and Maiden's Blush. For trial, Conical and Quaker Beauty.

Grapes, for general cultivation, Concord and Delaware. For trial, Beauty of Minnesota, Worden, Rogers No. 15, and Brighton.

Strawberries, for market, Wilson; for family use, Green Prolific and Downer's Prolific. For trial, Charles Downing.

Raspberries, red; for general cultivation, Turner and Philadelphia; black, Seneca and

Doolittle.

Plums, De Sota.

Blackberries, for trial, Snyder and Ancient Briton.

Trees For general planting, White Elm, Sugar Maple, Soft Maple, Blue Ash, European Larch, Box Elder, Basswood, Hickory, Mountain Ash and Butternut.

Evergreens, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Hemlock, Red Cedar, Austrian Pine, Balsam Fir, American Juniper, White Pine and American Pine.

Hardy shrubbery-Snowball, Purple Lilac, White Lilac, Bush Honey-suckle, Tree Peony, Flouring Almond, Syringa grandiflora, Barberry, Wahoo, Waxberry and Hydrangea.

Bedding plants-Verbena, Heliotrope, Lantana, Pansies, Caladinus, Petunias, Colons and Geraniums.

LA CROSSE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

On Sunday morning, July 4, 1852, at the usual hour for divine service at the court house, an address was delivered by Mr. A. Lord, agent of the American Bible Society, in advocacy of the claims of that society.

At the close of the address, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Bible society in the county of La Crosse. Rev. John C. Sherwin was called to the chair, and W.

W. Ustick appointed Secretary of the meeting.

It having been resolved in due form to organize a county society, a constitution was adopted, and the following officers were elected: George Gale, President; Rev. W. H. Card, Vice President; Rev. J. C. Sherwin, Secretary; Walter Brown, Treasurer; Samuel T. Smith, F. M. Rublee, and B. S. Reppy, Directors.

The local agents were appointed as follows: Dr. H. Johnson and Mrs. J. C. Sherwin, La Crosse Village; Rev. F. Walrath, Sparta and Little La Crosse settlement; Dr. A. M. Hill, Fleming Creek Valley; George Bachelder, Trempealeau; Mr. Viets, Viets and Segar Settlement; Mr. Valentine, Black River settlement; Mr. S. Smith, La Crosse Prairie and Mormon Cooley.

The society being thus organized, an opportunity was given for persons to contribute funds, and $70.20 was raised.

The society, since its organization, has continued to do the good work begun at that time. It keeps in its depository a great variety of the publications of the American Bible Society, not only in English, but in German, Welsh, Dutch, Swedish and Norwegian languages. These Bibles and Testaments are sold at cost of production to all who wish, and are freely given to those who cannot afford to purchase. The county has been carefully canvassed several times, for the purpose of supplying all who were willing to receive copies of the sacred Scriptures. The Bible Depository is at the store of Mr. George Howard, No. 36 Main street, city of La Crosse. The officers of the society for the year 1881 are as follows: J. P. Toms, President; George McMillan, Vice President; William W. Jones, Secretary; George Howard, Treasurer. Directors, W. W. Ustick, John James, J. Spier Colman, and D. D. McMillan.

WAR RECORD.

At this period in the history of La Crosse, in the history of the aggregation of commonwealths which composed the American Republic, formulated her laws, guided her destiny and contributed to her renown, the war for the preservation of the Union came upon the nation unexpectedly, overwhelmingly.

The citizens of La Crosse County had, previous thereto, been identified with the several political organizations which had successively maintained a predominant prominence, but all were friends of freedom, and realized that the political supremacy of the seceding States meant centralization, anarchy, ruin. If mere precedent failed of establishing this conclusion, the indications were strongly in their favor. They knew that the history of the world was a history of despotism in lands when the government has been held in the hands of the few. They realized its necessity if nations were to remain stationary, rude and ignorant, and advancing time made no new demands upon the people who composed the nation. Again, a powerful minority had, in years past, been identified with the Whig party, and inheriting a strong antislavery sentiment from its teachings, had become the corner-stone of the Republican party, with the crystallization of that organization less than a decade before at the capitol of the State. Such were the influences that responded to the cry to arms during that epoch in American history when the life of the nation was trembling in the balance. The triumph of despotism would be celebrated, argued all, if the people from Maine to California failed of their duty; liberty would perish with the disintegration of the States, and the golden age of the nation would give place to an age when the self-evident truths, for the perpetuation of which that nation was created, would be rejected. The history of civilization was the history of government, they knew; progress or improvement lessened or increased as the scroll of Time's great drama is unfolded, in proportion as freedom from despotism is enjoyed. They knew that each State in the constellation was woven therein to add beauty and strength to the whole, and that the somber threads of experience, with blasted prospects and without hopes, were interlaced with the gleaming threads of success and gratified desires, each the complement of each, needed to perfect the other. The question which then presented was as to whether the Union, with its associations, its prestige, its protecting care and hallowed memories, should be preserved or permitted to expire and become as a tale that is told. The mass of the people, as the world knows, rendered their verdict in favor of an enforcement of the laws; their response, like a ray of sunshine, drove away the mists of gloom and made a poem of their lives, whereof duty, patriotism and victory were the heroic stanzas. Sometimes old memories come to the survivors of the struggles that followed; crowd thick upon them and cause their hearts to ache; sad memories, bitter, bitter memories slip in, but after all the past has the bright side to look back upon and dream over-the preservation for the benefit of future generations, liberty founded upon duties as well as rights, and the irrevocable judgment of man as to the perpetuity of a Republican form of government. The influence of this preserved government is on the wing to-day, tomorrow, forever. Like a veiled evangelist it has gone abroad throughout the nations of the earth, never showing its face, but making its mighty presence felt, and that influence will continue until vice becomes dumb and virtue waits in silence for the tramp of the archangel and the voice of God.

As memory takes an inventory of the years of war and bloodshed, the scenes of which pass before mankind as a panorama, the results appear in all their magnitude, and Hope submits proposals for the future which cannot be rejected. Since its close, the victories of peace have been grander than any the historic epoch gave birth to. The arts, sciences and every appliance of civilization, have made rapid advances. During its existence, unnumbered heroes were laid to rest in mother earth, and American history was made luminous with the records of military valor and patriot devotion. But the years which followed the truce at Appomattox Court

House, have been pregnant with great ideas and beneficent results, that will increase in value as the days that are gone, like evening shadows, grow long and dim.

Until the firing upon Sumter announcing the ultimatum of the Southern people to be war or secession, Hope sprang eternal in the breast of patriots that the impending difficulties might be avoided through the agency of compromise. Hope begat a feeling that the Union would be preserved without recourse to arms, and that the angel of death would not be permitted to rustle his wings of darkness through the ranks of American soldiers who enrolled for the war. Through the delicious days of that spring of 1861, when, as if inspired with affection, the soft south wind bathed the temples and brows of men, and the golden sheen of the sun darted through it like an arrow shot from some invisible bow, no man dreamed of the days of death and danger the future reserved for his acceptance. But when the faint, low sighing, like distant choirs of melody, out of tune and harsh, came over the wires bringing the condition of affairs home to the convictions of Americans, the alternative presented by the foe, there was no hesitation made to accept it, and the citizens of La Crosse County armed themselves for the strife. Meetings were held, addresses made, money subscribed, and soldiers enlisted. Within a brief period from the time when earnest words of inspiring appeal had dropped from the lips of the eloquent orator; from the time when liberality and humanity was made manifest in the highways; from the time when soldiers parted from those they loved, from mother's arms and wife's embrace, many of them became palsied in death. Soldiers of the Republic-brave men they were-who died with their armor on, falling with their faces to the foe against whom they so unfalteringly fought. Whoever, throughout all the after history of the nation they so grandly honored and so industriously served, has respect for patriotic valor and patriotic death, will drop a tear upon the grave and have a tribute of praise to offer to the memory of that immortal band. Heroic men! Their homes were left desolate, poverty stalked through the doorway, perhaps, and with sorrow and affliction as handmaids, prevented the entrance of consolation or of sunshine.

No pen can describe those old days, those near yet far-off days, paged with dear legends, when some went to the battle's front and some went gypsying to the camp. No limner's art can trace those days, so sad, so dear, so filled with tender thoughts of those who went and returned no more; of those days when right was on the scaffold and wrong upon the throne; when the sun of American liberty seemed near to the horizon. The struggle for natural life is still fresh to the memory of even those who, during its existence, were babes, when brief moments of bright hopes were succeeded by bitter disappointments, when clear skies and generous sunshine were followed by gloom and sorrows, and when generous ambitions gave place to humiliating defeats, filling the heart with sorrow and sorrowful memories.

On the 15th of April, 1861, Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 troops to suppress combinations in the seceded States, to cause the laws to be duly executed, and, on the following day, Alexander W. Randall, Governor of Wisconsin, supplemented the President's requisition by a call for one regiment of militia for immediate service.

In the city, the news concerning the existence of actual hostilities was met with sorrow and a determination on the part of citizens to remove these effects by the destruction of their Recruiting offices were opened, and overflowed with the excess in number of those who aspired to unite with the ranks and march to victory to the music of the Union, now and for

cause.

ever.

Wilson Colwell, Captain of the La Crosse Light Guard, and J. T. Foster, commanding the La Crosse Artillery Company, were among the first to call for volunteers under the proclamation. Both of them went to the front, and one of them fell before the attacks of the enemyfell in the morning of life, at the morning hour, before the sun's rays gave promise of the advent of the god of day, when the world was still, when the birds were singing, before the dewdrops had passed to heaven, before the stars had gone to rest with the the going of the dawn. The feelings of patriotism and love of country evinced in the city were duplicated throughout the county. Everywhere age forgot its crutch, labor its task, to engage in that preparation for unity and immortality, the clarion notes of which were then beginning to be heard in the noise