Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-05-26

to discussion. They are to be continued
| as parlor entertainments.
Five gentlemen from Chicago arrived
here Monday night, the Oath, on fishing
excursion.
There has been real improvement, al
| though piecemeal was spelled "peacemeal"
| by one who ought to know better, but as
he had just been to Aztalan it supposed his
mind was running upon the prospect of a
cessation of hostilites.
| THE AzTALAN WAR.
The war spirit at Aztalan continues,
| Though no blood has been shed yet the ex-
element runs very high. About 80
years ago, Mr.. Thomas Brayton gave to the
town of Aztalan. by deed of trust, tract
of land containing about an acre for pub
| lie purposes, but when it ceased to be used
| for public purposes it should revert to his
| heirs. Since then the people have used
it on public occasions. About a year ago
the town board granted a petition with
certain reservations to vacate the village
plat, and the land now in question, was
specially mentioned in the petition as one
| part not to be surrendered though the
street between this park and Mr. Allerton's
| land was vacated by order of the board
For over 30 years the people have used
this land for celebrations and picnics and
on every occasion Of public rejoicing W hen
they met out OF doors they met here, no
one seemed to doubt or question their right
to the land. 1t is not surprising therefore
| that there was great commotion in town
when the citizens discovered Mr. Alerton
! building fence through the middle of it.
| Word was Immediately sent to the Super
visors, who forbade Mr.. A. building the
fence. through the park, but he paid no
attention to them and kept on with his
work. To checkmate the game it was very
soon resolved that picnic was necessary
for the general welfare, and place for
a stage and seats chosen which lay in the
direct line Of the coming fence. Mr.. A.
| seemed to avoid his townsmen and left that
| portion of the fence and commenced at an
other corner, thinking, it has since been
revealed, lfhe could quietly enclose the land
he could hold it by right of possession.
Some of the citizens filled up the post
holes and after trying to reason with him.
sent word through town about the condi-
ton eff affairs requesting a meeting that
evening. About 100 of the citizens as
semb led full ofindgnity for their townsman
and after some not over conciliatory speeches
es, and an organization by chosing Mr. E..
r. Earl, chairman, they arranged them
selves along the fence and lifted it out
The next day Mr.. A. rebuilt it and the
next afternoon the citizens removed it pill
ing it livery p carefully on Mr. AS premises
and the third day likewise.
Mr.. Allerton then took counsel and had
several prominent citizens, such as Mr.. Earl
R. w. Esseltine, Jack Jone Mr.. Schuyler
Jason Tyler arrested, styling them mob etc
He was advised to rebuild the fence in
spite of the people, and was told to shoot the
man that disturbed him. Mr.. A. built the
fence, the citizens piled it way the fourth
time, and I am glad to say Mr. A., dsdn It
shoot and l have learned he was such a
quiet and peaceable man, that he uniform
ly shuns places where they do that cruel
business, indeed, rather than sacrifice his
principles in this respect he chose during
the rebellion to sacrifice home, friends, a
good name and his citizenship, by leaving
the country. rather than be compelled by {
cruel draft, to violate his principles and dc
injury in battle to his finer feelings.
The value of the land is mere item and a
man is much mistaken when he lets his good
name among his townsmen 60 for trfe. NJ
one iu these parts would take ten times the
value of the land and be obliged to taxi
with it the odium which has been created
1t seems one of those cases where persona
greed gets the better of judgment, and in
this as all others like it, the only one ia
jured is he who, blinded by his own cupid
ity, forgets the rights of Others. Exper-
fence is a hard master, but it IS wisdom
sometimes even to acknowledge him as
teacher. He has taught one good lesson
if we profit by it.
L