Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-02-10

Where they all came from | cannot tell.
Spring fights were the order of the day.
1t was considered poor day when not
more than four or five fights were had.
[ have known of not less than twenty
in one day. 1t was rare occasion that
weapons were used although all had
them. No grudge was laid up by the
one who was vanquished. All hands
were called up to drink and woe be to
him who refused. Thus matters went
on in this style for three or four years.
Rafting lumber, running the same to
the market, was the business of those
days. A little later other business
branched out. The earlier ones wi o
came here at about my time and soon
after were Geo. Neeyes, Jos. Wood, E.
S. Minor, John Compton, /. S. Mosher
W. j. Balderston and many others that
| cannot call to mind.
About this time Ben Buck made his
appearance on the scene Of action and
was terror to the community, his ex-
ploits consisting in whipping almost
everybody, turning over dinner tables,
throwing stoves through windows, ETC.
On one occasion I saw him completely
cowed down by Thomas Law. At an
other time he came in contact with
Fred Case who gave him TO understand
that if he ever interfered with him he
would cut him through, at the same
time exhibited weapon something in
shape of a bowie knife.
Another he went for was I. B. Scott
who also brought forth to view revol-
yer and politely informed him what to
expect if he ever attempted an assault.
AS he never made the attempt in either
case thought those kind of weapons
were convincing arguments.
| now arrive at the year 1S49 which
is memorable one to me. March l,
1S49 l was married to Miss Arvilla Allen
at the residence of Clark Whitney in
what is now known as Portage city by
Mr.. Hugh Mcfarland and for AZ years
we lived together in this our beautiful
city, she having recently been called
to that beautiful shore of which she so
often spoke to me about. 1919 to 1860
has wrought many changes all tending
upward and forward through adversely
and prosperity.
These dear friends | leave you, well
knowing that the younger members of
n hor fol-
this subject for farther consideration
hereafter. Good night
L. KRONER,
Mr.. George L. Williams who had been
chosen postmaster, gave pleasing pre-
Iiminary talk on his experience in try
ing to get some one to respond to the
toasts that he had selected. He sue
ceeded in getting Mrs. O. Dennis to re-
spond to toast entitled, ''The Amuse
ments in Early Days." which she had
IN manuscript, and We append as follows:
Mr.. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentle
men-Old settlers of Wood county, it
would be of little interest to relate In
cidents Of the past, as nearly all who
were upon the scene then are scattered
or gone on the journey whence none
return. The amusements at that time
were wholly of "home manufacture
but New York audience never appre-
ciated the advent Of "star company"
more fully than we all did the play of
the "Serious Family" or "Toodles" in
the old Neeves building with Lem Haw-
ley, Maria Frisbee, Mr.. Philleo, Lem
Kroner, the twin Pierce girls and 9TH
ers as actors. Church socials were
much the same as now and were in
variably crowded, money being free
and plenty, but the crowning glory was
the dance. Half an hour was sufficient
time from first announcement to see the
gallant beaux with their best girl on
hand. The old Magnolia hall was
magic word and when filed was merry
place and nothing Of moderation can
excel the sweet tones of Ruben Lyons
claronet or the stringed instruments
played by Worthington, Llvernash,
SpaEord and Bensley. The ball is
opened now by the Grand March, then
the call was "All Sot" by uncle Ike
Mosher who himself the gayest of the
gay joined in the 'sall hands round"
Now comes in the Lavender girl, Mon
ey Musk. Virginia Reel, Crooked S.,
Perry's Victory and Double Scotch reel,
and nm and down r1und and rOT1nd we
see the forms of Mrs. Pomeroy and Joe,
Mr.. and Mrs. Grace, Mr.. and Mrs. Wag-
.ner, Mr.. and Mrs. Dutruit, Mr.. and
Mrs Albee {she was then bride) now
Huban and Maggie Whitney, Jane
Ward, Annie O'Hare, Jnlia ST Amour,
Mate Doud, Donnie and Julia Wheeler,
and Mary and so on without number.
The waltz was not as it now is, the rul-
ing dance, but as Brainerd and Lizzie,
Emanuel and Emma with a few others
engaged IN it we could but admire its
perfection of grace. No need ofrOses, car
nations or cosmetics 10 set offthe beauty
of the girls, rosy cheeks and complexion
marked with the hue of perfect health,
needed no enhancement. \ very
dangerous pastime engaged in by many
men and a few ladies, riding RATS.
Sleighrides were a great feature of
amusement We call to mind one party
of youngsters, Garrisons, Gillets, Rip
fantastic costume, their sleigh drawn by