River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-02-10
Historical laciients Of Spring Lake.

Nine years ago q colony from In.
jeanny" settled in the northeastern
portion of the town. Separated as
they are by distance and the character
of the country, from the rest Of the
county, they hardly seem 10 be Of us,
They have developed quite commU-
nifty Of their own, doing most of their
business at Durand, Pepin county.
Mi. W. Reed. one Of their number,
served as Chairman of the Board, one
year, but we believe did not seek a
reelection, finding lis journeys 10 the
county-seat too bardensome, and him.
self a man Of rsther Puritanic taste.
not very congenial companion with
our somewhat conviyial officials. the
County Board.
In the Spring OF lSjS the town was
organized. Thirty-seyen votes were
polled. VIM. d. Akers. James Webb
and Mr.. Hess were elected Supervisors;
David Stratton, Assessor; and I. P.
Kelley, Town Clerk. Mr.. Kelley has
been reelected every spring, since ex-
cept one, merited compliment.
The following persons served as Chair
men. Following Mr.. Akers, those elect
ell We're: W. Reed, VIM. Greer. J. X.
Webb, Samuel Stratton two years.
and James Webb.
The rapidity of the development Of
the town may be seen from these facts:
At the time of its organization the
property within the territory of which
it was composed stood assessed at
valuation Of seventeen hundred dollars,
while by the assessment Of last spling
i. is valued at seventy-three thousand,
nine hundred and thirty-four dollars;
and by tie census Of 1870, the popula-
ton appears to have been 3S3, while by
that of 1875. it is $50. There are now
three post-ofiicesin the town-"Oliyet,
in the southwest corner: spin. Val
ley, in the northwest corner; and
"0ak Ridge, in the northeast corner.
Thel a saw-mill owned and conduct
"a by Preston 6 King. ana a store own.
ed by ". D. Akeis, at Spring Valley;
and a store owned hy Mr.. Taylor, at
0livet. There is prospect Of saw
mill being soon built on Cady Creek.
Seven years ago there was but one
sehool-house within tile limits of the
town, how there are eight. The
Methodists. as well as the Free viii
Baptists, have quite a representation
here. Some FIVE years ago quite a
band OF Latter Day Saints, or Nor
mans. was organized in the vicinity
of Cady Creek. They are not now in
fourishing condition however.
There have been for two or three years
past, some of the most striking mani
festations of preter-nstural force.
called spiritual yisitations. known in
this part of the county. The Lynch
girl that created 50 much interest over
in Cady two years ago, is now living
with Mr.. Cairns in this town, and we
are told, is again attended with those
remarkable manifestations.
With patient toll and persevering
enterprise, Spring Lake is destined to
become rich and beautiful township
the fertility of the soil ensuring the
former, the unusually grand and pleas
ing face Of the country ensuring the
latter.
Society is quite as good as the aver.
age in new communities. 1t is about
equally divided between American
and Norwegian. Much that might he
spared with good degree Of resigna-
tion on the part of the remaining por.
tion of the community, will be thrown
off in the effervescence incident to
frontier society. There may be found
here as heightened families as can be
found anywhere in the county, fam.
lilies that have brought and sustain
here all the delicate rehnements Of
older countries, which, added to the
generous HOSPITALITY and charming
abandon of frontier life, impress the
stranger and guest IN most favorable
manner.
BELDEyyILLE, Feb
The seho0l-house in the Fenton district has