Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-12-18
Muscoda years ago To-day and Ever
John Smalley's Hotel-Personal Notes.

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side Of the railroad, is Muscoda-at
present the subject Of q business re-
vival that may very soon l1akc the
place village Of first class magni-
tude
Muscoda had orce a record of fame
Under Jacksons administration the
Land Office was established there
Mai. Eneix was Receiver and Isaac
M. Ocheltreo the Register. The Land
Office building, sixteen feet square, Of
logs, still stood in the year 1851
The settlers at Muscoda were attack
ed by the Indians so late as in 1874.
The Parishes were among the first
proprietors, James Moore bought the
property mostly in the year 1880,
and year or two after the Dimocks
laid out additions thereto. The
place promised rapid advance in
population and improvements till
1856, when the railroad came and
built up several rivals, chiefly Avoca
and Boscobel. Nobody could forsee
very clearly the effect which the
railroad was to have, but as o gcner-
al thing all said it must make a great
town Of Muscoda, on the dial Of the
ninteenth century.
Chief ditizens at this time, James
Moore, A. J. Thompson, G. Miller,
10. Burlingame, Rein Barnes, James
NJ. Otis, |. J. Dale, f. Dorsey, A.
Dickinson, G. w. Spencer, L. J. ID.
Parish, J. McPettygrove, III. Heath,
VIM. and John Bloyer, e. Dulton, j.
McDuff. A. Palmer, A. NJ. Pyle, S. A.
Quincy, John Tyler, VIM. Solomon,
Col. Dimock, b. NJ Coates, G. w.
Wright, j. p. Richards, A: Morgan.
A. Palmer was the chief merchant.
Potter kept the Hotel, Thos. Math-
cWs the ferry.
The newest settlers who went in
Just in time for the long wake, were
J. L. Marsh, G. r. Frank, w. G. Spen-
Ger J..Moore b Moore the latter since
Sheriff and Of army note and record,
+. T. Hicks, Mr. Bull the lumberman,
John Smalley and some others
Those who resolved to stay for
better or worse were the McIntyres,
G. Miller, II. Fossil, ]. Rogy, J. H..
Marsh, John Smally, S. B. Elston,
w. Wicl1cn, Fayant & sons, and some
that have since died.
The new inhabitants arc S. G..
Mcdonald, TT. Graham, DR.. Tyler
DR.. jameson, and some others.
Many who had left have since re
turned. Gen. J. B. Moore and wife
have settled there for life, having q
heavy real estate interest which he
is charging in view Of the expected
rise.
Lots were dear. One or two steam
mills went up, and a brewery. Bet
ter and larger stocks Of liquor were
bought and 10 Parish enlarged his
gambling den by introducing roulette
and faro with old sledge. Six months
later the lands were all laid out in
town lots and hardly any reserved
for farming. The railroad men offer
&c q fabulous sum for the unsold lots.
Their offer was declined and they
went away resolving to make stand
at Boscobel
The next known town lots had
fattcncd, property and business had
cheapened, and many Of the business
men bad left. 4 religious revival
followed. In view Of holding their
own the people erected a good build
ing for schools. But the deal was
made and Muscoda had to stand her
hand. The pictures were held by
others and the glory Of Muscoda was
set at . later date.
9nlasley House, At the Hotel near
the depot, owned and kept by John
Smalley Esq, there is that freshness,
order and elegance for which the
first class Houses are distinguished
his table and lodging rooms are un-
surpassed for neatness, though for
these attributes Mrs. Smalloy should
be credited for being a number one
manager and worker. 1t was in the
Summer when we last stopt at
Muscoda and we then set down
Smallcy's House as the best we had
come across in our travels for year.
What delightful house, we thought,
for any one who prefers hotel li1e!
1t was here we saw many Of the
familiar faces resident years ago be-
for the town passed under a cloud.
And with not little gladncss we
learned that those men expect to stay.
We thought of James Moore, the pro
prietor in 1850 and for ten years
thereafter, but he had long since de-
parted for California. At one time
it was thought his wealth might be
counted hundred thousand, but he
miscalculated in saying no when he
should have said yes when offered
$40, 900 for n few Of the lots since for
tcited for the taxes. This fatal no
carried the Round House, Turn Ia
bic, Machine works, &c, to Prairie
du Chien, and sent him away pre-
pertyless IN tho year 1861.
The railroad depot is owned and
kept by Mr.. ?. Sopel, said to be one
Of the best OF men, DR.. Tyler is
Post master, having received his
appointment the other day. Mr..
Bull still carries on the numbering.
We suppose the arrangement to
bridge the river at Muscoda begat a
new confidence in property and re
yived the languishing trade. With
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