Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-05-29

Il Potosi Metamorphosed.
+ There is no small place east of the
Rocky Mountains, perhaps, which
has a history so full OF stirring events,
tragical and romantic, as this little
mining village among the hills of the
south west corner of the State OF
Wisconsin. Probably there is not q
place within the borders OF the State,
so comparatively insignificant. with
which there is associated so many
honorable and notable names. And
certainly there is not village in the
United States to which adheres so
consciously the reputation which q
few reckless characters conferred up
on it in the early days of its prosper
ity, who were drawn hither by the
magnificent prospects, to remain but
q short time, and departed leaving
only the odor of their wretchcd
names behind.
Whatever its early history may
have been, the changes which time
and circumstances have wrought
have not been sufficiently marked by
later historians, and whoever has
an idea of the place formed twelve or
fifteen years ago, or even seven
years ago, would be surprised to see
the Transformation which has taken
place in the village, both from a bus.
mess and moral point of view. The
place has in large measure dropped
the features OF mining town, and is
fast assuming those Of farming cen
tire. The country around il being
improved, tracts of land that were
once given up to the ravages of the
miners spade and pick are being re
claimed and made into very product
i've farms The people are more and
more assuming the quiet attitude and
honest demeanor OF an ordinary
country village. Adventures no
longer find their element here. Rec
reants fleeing from justice no longer
lind it a congenial retreat. The
bloody street brawls have long since
ceased.
The business of the place has Ia
ken solid and reliable form ia
great contrast to the fluctuations and
necessary risks incidental to it as a
mining town.
Of late years the older and wiser
portion of the people have looked
with more careful regard 10 the inter.
ests Of the young generation growing
up around them. The schools have
been very much improved. Teachers
OF higher grade OF culture have
been employed. Lyceums have been
established and maintained at consid-
cradle sacrifice. Churches and Sab.
bath schools having done their work
steadily have produced the changes
which are inevitable where such in
situations are maintained, and the
people begin TO see the reward for
their endeavors The Sabbath has
come to be regarded with more rev.
erenca the crack of the hunters
gun is less frequent on that day.
Open saloons resonant with hilari-
ty on the Sabbath day is no longer a
common feature. In fact Potosi has
arisen from the dust and is shaking
herself. 1t can no longer be said to
be an Objectionable place to live in.
The social qualities Of old and young
average in refinement with those Of
our best small towns. A more hu-
name and benevolent people cannot
be found The christian virtue of
active charity here exhibited in nee
essary cases is not surpassed by any
community far or Bear. The widows
oil here never fails. The cry OF des-
titution meets a quick response from
sympathetic hearts aud bounteous
hands.
There are other pleasant features
about Potosi which lend charm 10
the place and makes it in some in.
stances the favorite resort of care
worn city people or adventurous
pleasure seekers. II has some of the
most delightful naturfl scenery
great bluffs with massive rocks high
up along their sides all weather worn
and scared, but still defying the
warning elements that have for
countless ages battered their sides,
which like tbc walls of some ancien.
fortress overlooks the quiet village
below, and seems 10 promise securi-
tv. From the top OF these great
rocks you may look down into the
very chimneys of the houses, from
which arises In almost all weather a
smoke cloud, at certain hours OF the
day, and spreads itself across the
valley from bluff to bluff, and stretch
es up and down the valley even with
your head. II is culinary haro-
logue wherein you may read the
hour of the day with much certainty.
Back from the village, among the
hills, it is indeed enchanting. A
more delightful place to saunter IN it
would be hard to ind,in dense shade
composed largely of walnut and
stately hickory trees. Or in sun
light, on green turf, beside pebbly
brooks with cascades, or waters
placid and pure as crystal Among
these hills are to be found curioslties
to occupy the antiquarian or the nat
uralist- Not many steps from the
parsonage are mounds differing in
shape from any of the indian mounds
accounts of which have heard. One
in particular, evidently being mon-
ogram, resembling in appearance a
combination of letters of the Coptic
alphabet. Here too are to be fonnd
curious fossil remains, and lime for,
nations inexplicable. There is q
cave out some miles toward Water.
loo into which if you enter ia,
enough the light Of your torch viii
besrefected by iewelled walls aug
costing to the imagination, that YOU
| have entered the crystal palaca q,