Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-05-26

since been town. Some of the early
locations did not last; some of them
were not intended for permanent
locations. But with Cassville, there
was a real pioneer settler on the
bank of the river with a stock of
mercandise as early as 1881.
This pioneer, while he came from
the city of Philadelphia, was 8" clear
iy a woodsman in spirit; so definitely
one of those who preferred to live on
the rim of civilization and next door
TO an adventure, that his doings have
become one of the most interesting
chapters in the early history of Grant
county. This pioneer was no other
than Major Glendower NJ. Price. He
was a city bred man; his bride, who
accompanied him, was d city bred
girl.
1t is not claimed that Major Price
was the first white man to locate in
Cassville; on the contrary, Thomas
Hymer, the first settler at British
Hollow, had already occupied de-
serted cabin on the banks of the
Mississippi river, or near the banks.
It seems to be pretty well establish
ed that lead ore was brought to the
shore of the river for shipment,
although it is not at all certain that
in the beginnings the primitive boats
made landings there.
1t is also claimed that a furnace
was built near the present site of
Cassville, if not on the exact site,
BY one known to fame and fortune as
Judge Sawyer. One authority puts
it that this furnace was built as
early as 1927. And as matter of
detail, it is stated that this Judge
Sawyer was about to celebrate his en-
trance into the furnace business at
that point by giving big Fourth of
July free dinner. Who were to be
this guests at this dinner does not
appear, but that there was a rumor
of Indian troubles nearby and that
thereupon the dinner date was can
celled by the proposed host, seems to
be well established. And so far as
the record goes, Judge Sawyer stuck
by his hasty vamose, and does not
again enter local history in Grant
county.
Others came and went, no doubt,
during those early years. for there
were all sorts of Indian troubles. 1t
appears as if Alexander Ramsey stuck
it out, although there is a certain
uncertainty about his movements.
He was at the little settlement during
the year 1923. Orris Mccartney
also was there, and he may be the
pioneer for whom was named the
station on the Burlington road below
Cassville. He is mentioned in con-
pection with Ramsey, and they may
have been co-adventurers, # not
actual co-partners.
When Major Glendower M. Price
arrived in Cassville he set up store
He and his bride came up the river
on a boat, and the story says they
found a little settlement there.
Anyway, they set up store, and the
location of the store building is we'll
known. 1t has since been occupied
by a warehouse. And the doughty
Major built, or bought house-any
way, he had house. And between
the store and the dwelling he built,
or ''had" "block house. was
rallying point for the entire settle
ment, especially in case of the rumor-
ed approach of the redskins. And it
is evident that there were rumors
enough. And it is evident that there
we're a plenty of hostile Indians
abroad at the time of the landing of
Major Price. The year 1881, in
which the Prices landed with their
stock of merchandise, was the year
that preceded the outbreak of the
Black Hawk war, and the habitat of
the Sacs and Foxes, the then hostile
Indians, was down the Mississippi
AifCA bdN q 1OAl pal NlNSAy ohOAb hlo-
lance. They were supposed to be
located across the river, but the most
of them were wandering around near
the confluence of the Rock and
Mississippi rivers, from which ter
ritory they had then but recently
been elected by the federal govern
ment.
At that time Prairie du Chen was
a military post and carried quite a
pretentious garrison, because the
Winnebagoes were under a course of
treatment that was intended to re-
suit in their giving up for settlement
their rich lands, comprising about all
of central Wisconsin. The Sacs and
Foxes knew well of the military
strength of Fort Crawford. at Prairie
du Chen, and they we'll knew the