Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-06-26
Wyaiusing Archaeology.

Mr.. EDITOR. The crops in Wyalusing are
looking quite well at present, and, as a gem
eral thing there is nothing to disturb the
minds Of the people. but great deal to ex-
cite their curiosity. One thing uppermost is |
the Wonders Of Mound and the "0rigin |
of the Woodchuck.p Now, being one amongst |
the first to settle in this accidental place, it
may not be amiss for me to tell what know
of the ground-hog. Long ago this place and
Millville were known and recognized as Patch
Grove. At that time there was a perfect
formation of the earth. The Father OF
Waters touched this accidental place called
Wyalusiug, as il meandered on its winding
course to the sea. Not even Zeus, the an-
Gent god, had ever set his feet upon those
beautiful plains. All was peace and quiet.
This was Garden of Eden with the serpent
nowhere to be found; but it would seem that
the serpent has at last erept into our Eden
a serpent i'll the name of Kearney. Well do
remember the first settlement of this place
called Wyalusing by accident settled here
from distant part of Wisconsin in the year
1851. In that year some four or five fami-
lies composed the civilized portion of the
place. Even the woodchuck was unknown at
that time here. 1t was one vast rolling prai-
rie, skirted in places with heavy growths Of
large timber. Emigration poured III very
rapidly and then our trouble began. First
came the Spectator, then came the Yankee,
and next the German who now forms large
per cent. of our population. The next was
the Kentuckian, and a story is current about
one Of them, even unto this day, who did
come here and got very homesck. Like the
majority of Southerners he never was far
from home. He finally bethought himself he
would go to the mighty river and catch him
mess OF fish. So he went, and when he got
to the bank of the river he saw a raft trying
TO make landing He heard the shrill voice
of the pilot cry out "old Kentuck, snub this
raft" Old Kentuck did spub the raft so the
story goes. Our fellow-citizen thought in
that blessed name, 'old Kentuck," he had
found balm of Gead-a man from Ken
tuck So he marched up to him with
broad grin on his countenance, scratching his
head all che while, says he, "are you from
Kentucky The man addressed looked him
straight in the eye and said, eyes, and
id long ways from there, too" Our
Kentuckian went home. But to mys story:
About that time there was curious looking
small animal caught by some of the inhabit-
ants. Il resembled somewhat pudding bag.
None of the inhabitants here knew what It
was, and it came to pass that they were
greatly troubled thereby. So there was
meeting of the towns people called to hold
council of war. All nationalites were rep
resented except the sunny South None
could tell what it was. They were of the
unanimous opinion it was an evil spirit sent
amongs. them for some purpose and for what
purpose they knew not. Says one, "What
will we dor" says another, "Let's kill it,
"Oh, mol" says third. "What will we do?n
they all said. At length man arose in the
congregation, took off his hat, bowed to the
audience and said, "My name is Cox. I
think we had better go into committee of the
whole and send for the Kentuckian and see
what he knows about it." The adoption of
that proposition was moved and also that Mr.
Cox act as chairman and the motion was
carried. By the Chair: II appoint Cranston
Wattes as committee to wait on the
Kentuckian and inform him of the action of
this meeting and this meeting is adjourned
until o'clock this evening" Z O'clock, p.
NJ, meeting called to order with Mr.. Cox in
the chair, the inhabitants all present Some
were weeping, some were praying, all was
confusion. Your Correspondent was very
nervous but was called on to act as Secretary
of the meeting. The Chairman arose and
with faltering voice stated the object of the
meeting. Motion made by Cranston, Sec
onded by Blasdel, that the Kentuckian state
what he knew of this wonder of the world
mot mound). After viewing the animal of
pudding bag shape the Kentuckian burst into
a gush of tears and exclaimed, "Woodchuck!"
and it is called so even unto this day. He
then prayed long and loud unto Zeus, that
ancient god: ooh, god Zeus! what have
done that thou shouldst send this animal
(nieknamed ground hog) to dog my steps
even unto this place called Wyalusing by ac-
cidentl' Seeing the great distress of our
friends mind the women wept and the chill
dren chung to their papas' knees Ut is ru.
mored the woodchuck shed tears but the
fact is not noted in my minutes of the meets
ing). Then they shouted 'Kill iti' But saws
one j. S. or r. g., who had kept very still
throughout the whole proceedings, "Can's we
do something TO relieve the distress of mind
of our frien - 81, for one, believe" SAYS
Wattles, "this pudding bag animal is here for
some good purpose" Upon motion it was
agreed that committee of one should be ap-
pointed to take charge of the animal. 1t
fell to the lot of your humble servant. After
watching the peculiarities of the woodchuck
some time this is the undisputedly correct
knowledge attained: And it came to pass
that on the second day of the second month
of each year it did come out of its hole in the
ground and
If the day bright and clear
We had two winters in that year;
If the day was dark and gray
Be sure your winter is passed away.
And it is even so unto this day, the "Worl-
ders of a Mound" to the contrary notwith-
atanding.
There is a slight improvement in II. BIS
health since he took to fishing. Derby is no
better. Fast and hear Kearney has started
back to the sand knobs to look after the new
Constitution. JAK.