River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-03-16
HISTORICAL INCIDENTS OF MARTEL.


his arrival there were quite number
of his neighbors who we're without any
flour. So, with the only two wagons
the town then afforded, drawn by as
many yoke of oxen, he, accompanied
by his companions from over the ocean,
Goel VAIL, and Peter Anderson, start.
ed for Hudson for breadstuff. Pass
ing the only four houses then upon the
road, they at last arrived at the mill,
to be told that there was only half
barrel of flour to be had, and, also, that
it was was worth $3.50 in gold. Elk
postulation was of no avail, and as
there appeared very soon four other
men with their money in their hands
our party were soon off with flour.
We might record many incidents of
hardships of the days of our early set
tiers, but time and space viii not per.
NIT, but to those men who think them
selves unkindly dealt with by Provi-
dence, we would say, look back and
behold the hardships and privations
with which those new settlers had to
contend, and then ask yourselves if
aught of the necessaries are denied
you, and. if you do not enjoy many
privileges for which you forget to feel
grateful. In 1854 Halver Halvorsen,
Jens Isaacson, and Christopher Heyer-
dahl walked from Waukesha county to
this place, some three hundred miles,
and selected homesteads. Mr.. Halver-
sen then returned to his former home
for time. Mr.. lsaacson remained on
his claim in Sec. 3, while Mr.. Heyer-
dahl, after working for some time at
st. Paul, again went to his old home,
was married and in So came to Pierce
Co. to make his home. Mr. Green set
tied on section 80 the same year. Sec.
80 was taken tie following year, Ole
Moon and Thone Swensen being of the
number. Since that time the tide of
immigration has been steadily gaining,
and Martel has had fair share of the
stream. In 1875 the town contained
nearly 100 inhabitants. According to
the first assessment of the town made
by the county supervisors in the Fall
of 1854, we had valuation on real es-
tate of some $34, 900, and as nothing is
said of personal property, we presume
there was but little, and it belonged
to the ''wimen." OF this $34, 900,
hardly less than one half must have
been assessed upon that portion of the
territory known as Gilman and Spring
Lake, thus leaving the valuation of
Martel property at $4,000 in 1854.
Time has now swelled the sum to Sl27,-
900.
We believe what is now known as
joint district No. 5 of Martel, River
Falls and Pleasant Valley, was organ
lied during the year IS and the first
school ever taught within this town
was put in operation under the man
agement Of Miss Mary White. In the
following year, 81, district No. two
was organized and the school was put
in operation, under the supervision of
Mrs w. o. Plngrey, but tor reasons
better known to her than to us, she
allowed B. n. Lawrence to finish the
term. The first school in No. was
organized in the year 1858 at the house
of Iver Iverson; Miss Thone teacher.
No was organized in SO, and FIRST
school at the house Of Syenung Hal.
vorsen the following year by Miss
Moore; and No. sometime in 81 or 2
by one VIM. Newell.
II was about the year 1858 when the
first Y. s. mail route was established
through this place. Durand and Sc.
Croix Falls were the termination and
Mr.. Rasmussen distributed TIE contents
Of the old sack, TO the always eager
crowd, who looked upon the carrier,
Mr.. Boright, as one " the most useful
OF men.
| The first effort at organization was
made in the Spring Of ls54,about three
months after the town was set of. A
| spaciai town meeting was called at the