Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-12
From the Hudson North Star.
A Visit to Pierce County Seat.

Moot cNeT Oou} ucIeaDOutS mas 0carQ
of the little revolution the good people
of the county of Pierce got up among
themselves how the people of the coun-
try took up arms against the city of Pres
colt, and by a majority Of two or three
hundred, voted to move the county seat
to place in the "big woods" Known
only in history as :" T. %, R. H."
Having curious turn of mind, we
were somewhat anxious to visit said To-
callty for the purpose of taking observa-
TORS, and ascer,aining as near as posi-
BILE thu prospective value of "city lots
and as Judge Wetherby had signifed
his intention to hold court at the 'countv
seat of Pierce Co." commencing on Mon
day last, thought it would be favora-
bic opportunity for us to reconnoitre in
that vicinity. Therefore we packed ND
our little articles of necessity, pulled on
our tall boots, and embarked en- the old
steamer Alhambra, for Prescott tat
which point we arrived in due course of
time. At this place we found that all
manner of rumors were ahoat rs to the
dangers to be experienced in reaching
the county seat-that travellers were liza
bic to lose their way in the wilderness,
and to be murdered by "bIoody Iniins,"
or perish from hunger. After listening
to the marvellous ta'es with fear and
trembling we resolved before turning
back to consult our old friend, LATE A.
TAYLOR, as to the probabilities. We
found him in his sanctun, and he at
once informed us that the reports were
not to be relied upon-that guides under
the supervision of JAY WH1PpLE were to
be placed at regular intervals along the
route, and that military company I'M
der the command of Capt Isaac FOSTER
had already received orders to march
with arms securely packed and marked
Derby and Day." to prevent suspicion.
He further stated that if it was our inten-
ton to proceed that he would cheerfuly
consent to be our body guard, and share
with us the dangers of the Journey.
The whole night was spent in consulta-
ton and Preparation for TIL morrow
and at early morn, with arrangements
all compete, and with a spirit of resigna-
ton which patriots always evince when
duty calls-we bid our friends an atfec-
tomato good bye, and-started for the
county seat p!
Nature was dec,,ed in he, finest robes
the sun rose in all its mniestic splendor
| and the dew drops upon the dark green
foliage sparkled like diamonds set in sill
yer. The cattle grazed as leisurelv aud
the birds sang as sweety upon that beau
full May morn, as though the whole
world and all the inhabitants thereof"
were at peace one with another. As
though editors had no troubles, and de
linquents paid the printer. AS though
county seats were not to be considered,
or dangers in finding them to be avoided.
The tranquility of the scene ia great
measure tranquilized our minds, and we
experienced that degree of calm security
which visions Of approaching danger
could not delace. But enough of this
we proceed " It'll the g stern realities
The Trmbe.e, swollen bv the great
rains, presented anything but fayora-
bic appearance to persons in search of the
county seat, which a guide informed us
lay six miles beyond, However, " duty
called aud it was ours to obey" Float
ing bridges aud s deceptive trac k was no
barrier to men in pursuit Of knowledge
under difficulties. The opposite bank
was reached in safety, but only to expo
renee new difficulties in the way of
"woods road Those who have trav-
eled one after heavy rain know what
we mean for tho benefit of those who
have not, we would say that this an is
wide enough for one vehicle-with one
endless variety of stumps, logs aud brush.
At right angles with the root of each
stump and about four feet distant is
mudhole of from two to five feet in depth,
according to the chances for avoiding it.
These holes are generally filed with wa
ter, and the exact'depth of them is found
out after you lose your equilibrium and
the wheel CT the vehicle disappears from
view. We were onl y surprised to find
ANY bottom to some of them.
After few miles we met man with
short frock and round cap, and asked,
i" How far to the Capital 2" Vat you
say-me talk not much English-all
Yarmen about here" "How far to the
new county seat 2" "Ah me under
shtand dat goot-bout tree mile an af."
"How is the road q "Der roat yer
spheek of-he be excellent, yust
like vat yer seen before" Perfectly sat
isfactory-we proceeded, and found the
Dutchman's description Of the road cor
rect.
AS we approached a clearing in the
woods we deserted flag, which looked
like signal of distress. waving from the
top of a log shanty, which was to our
minds evidence conclusive of the where
abouts of the long-looked for "county
seat" A long building erected of green
Eastwood boards, after the style of a
modern sheep -shed, appeared on rise
of ground to the right, which we were
soon informed was the " Court House."
We in 1uired for the Hotel where the
Judge and the rest of the big men
stopped, and were directed to small log
cabin near by, where we found some five
dozen individuals already "booked" for
bed and board. Meals were served in a
new building adjoining the cal in erected
for the occasion. and We must say that