Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-12-14
THE ANCIENT FEUD BETWEEN
SHAKE RAG AND DIRTY
HOLLOW.

In ancient times In Iowa county
before the Sunday School farms were
fenced In or thoroughly cultivated
and when the jalls were constructed
only Of pine boards and old horse
shoe nails, the inhabitants were
much more careless In their dress and
morals then they are at present; yet
they were prouder OF their classical
requirements, and were ready To
vehemently resent any aspersions
cast on this peculiar virtue, and
would invariably do SO with united
front and " large rear reserve.
They we're 80 imbued with this spirit
OF classical cult, that they applied II
to almost everything originating with
them, and especially In the naming OF
smaller settlements of the immi-
grants rs we'll M to the streets OF the
larger ones.
Among their classic lore could be
found such euphonious designations
M Barreltown, Black jack, Podler's
Creek, Furnace Ridge, Cox Hollow,
Toad's Pond, and many other names
which readily suggest tho root of their
derivation. Then rs to streets
and particular points OF interest In
the villages, such classic derivatives
were observed as, Shake Rag, Dirty
Hollow, Lambs Lead, Treborville,
Jerusalem Pump, Jail Alley and
others which will endure In the tonnes
of history with tho Elysocs, OF Paris,
and the Court of Westminster, OF
London,
But, this much Is only Indicative
of the pecullnrities OF the ancient
people of Iowa county, before the re-
lining influences of christian aud
scientific education had became pro
valent among them. The inhabitants
of each settlement were firmly bound
together by domestic and patriotic
tics, each To the other, that could
not be severed, Mt least never were
during the continuance of their prim
eval existence; and SO they lived and
enjoyed each others society In peac,
and Natures harmony for many
years.
The several settlements, too were
united by u general aud fraterna
bond OF friendship and amity, and
each individual settlement contributed
its efforts and good will for the gen
eral benefit of all. In pursuance 81
this congenial confederacy, by com
mon necessity and general consent, n
central and convenient base OF busi
ness and supplies had grown up N
Shake Rag, which had become tn,
most populous rs we'll rs popular on,
of the many newly formed settlements
Here all the public and the create,
portion Of the private business for al
the people were conducted. Hero the,
met and mingled their patriotism OF
national holidays: mingled their hal
lelujahs and amens on campmeetinA
and other religious occasions: ming
led their hats caps, hurrahs and bon
fires at political publications.; ming IL,
their disputes, differences and pocket
books with the lawyers, bailiifs, wit
nesses and court officers when the rs
sizes met; mingled their corn, wheat
oats, hogs and cattle with tho traders
on the streets and In the SHAMELESS
mingled their wives, boys, girls, hire,
girls, aud dogs among the elephants
rhinoceroses, trick ponies, clowns, ia
women and skeleton men on circus
days. Here they bought their land
paid their taxes, had their names en-
blazoned on the public records whel
they were born, married and died.
This glorious and peaceful con
dition Of n happy and united peopl,
might ever have continued had II no
been for few little circumstance