Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-11-17
DOORS UNLOCKED ~
TILL AFTER 1874
THIEVERIES UNKNOWN IN
EARLY HISTORY OF
WAUSAU

In the wake OF the railroads, the
crimes of modern civilization arrived
in Wausau The early records OF
Wausau, in The Pilot files, show that
until 1874 not door was locked in
the city. or county, for that matter, and
II was in that year that the railroad be-
gan its operation in the "pineFy An
old settler once threw little light
on the subject when he quantity re-
marked: There was no stealing and
few crimes until the lawyers and min
listers arrived"
Looking backward, one would natur-
ally believe that in 1910, ana for many
years following, Big Bull Falls, now
Wausau, was. riotous, wild place in
which to reside. Perhaps it was in a
way. The inhabitants were largely
Young men. Some swung the axe day
after day; others drove oxen hauling
logs to the various mills or to the
banks of the river; others worked in
the saw mills. There were few schools,
churches or other community institu-
tions. There were saloons, however,
and while some sowed their wild oats,
from that hardy set or young men
emerged some of the best men of
our state.
Little Law
There was at that time little SEM
blance of law and apparently little
need of it. Thievfng was actually I'M
known. The community was peace
able one. There occasionally occurred
a saloon row, or street encounter, but
quarrels were rarely lasting. Usual
ly one man in the pinery had the hon.
or, if 1t can be so termed, of being
vicinity. He held that distinction
until the time when some one turn
ed up who could handle him, but this
was possible, usually, only after re-
peated effort. Sometimes the best
man" would come from the quiet and
class, possessing strength
and left arm in which as the saying
goes, was six months sickness" and
a right arm, to those less hardened
than the lumberjaeks, death. The
winner would have to defend his title.
These were the usual rows" which
ended in shaking hands and burying
the Ratchet
Few cases arose in the early days
which made use of the courts necessa-
ry and Madison, with its circuit court,
was too far away for convenience. The
light fingered gent and the hobo made
their debut about 1874, and it was not
long before every home was under lock
and key, and revolvers were kept
close at hand.
The Mystic 1901
The boys in the woods in those days
had to have their fun by Matching up
something for diversion. Without
doubt they did things which would
seem appalling to the product of the
twentieth century. For twenty years,
until 1860, large group maintained
an organization called the 1901, and
no man was in the swim unless he
could give the signs and password or
that order. The ceremonies of initia-
ton were of sufficient moment to in
terest every man in the village and
the boys came from far and near
Little Bull. Jenny Bull, also Grand
mother and Grandfather Bull Knowl-
ton. and even from Stevens Point. The
more prominent the candidate the larg-
ger was the attendance. Many an old
settled worked time from those gather
ings. saying that such and such an
event that took place about the time
Dick was initiated in the 1907.
From stories handed down. the GER
emonies took in about every test of
deviltry known to the human race and
every candidate. no matter what his
station, got about all that he could
physically stand. All of Wausaus
most prominent men were members
of the 1901.
Born, son to Mr., and Mrs. Dom
aid II. Gooding, at ST. Mary's hospi-
tai on Monday morning.