Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1921-06-30
Large Number Gather ont Satur-
day afternoon to Participate in
Interesting Exercises
GOVERNOR BLAINE AND
OTHERS MAKE ADDRESSES
Baraboo Marine Band Plays and
Many Officials Attend the Cere-
monies---Ball Game

The free bridge across the Wis,
|consin river at Prairie du Sac was
duly dedicated on Saturday A
large number assembled to partici-
pate in the exercises.
With salute the bascule was low,
cred at 1870, uniting the village OF
Prairie du Sac and town Of West
Point, the counties Of Sauk and Col
umbia, and eastern and western sec
tions Of the state. The officials on
the two sides of the river then came
together, the West Point delegation
being escorted by John E. BOnham,
the father of the free bridge project.
Hon ]. B. Ragatz was president of
the day and J. P Doll the marshal.
After music by the Baraboo Marine
band the invocation was given by
Rev. w. A. Lembke and an address
by Attorney William Ryan of Madi-
son, formerly resident of West Point
A parade consisting OF Mr.. Doll, Mr..
Bonham, Chairman Rerrence O'Con-
nor, trustees and supervisors, state
officials and others then proceeded to
Marian park where an additional pro
gram was given.
In the Park
After music by the Baraboo Marine
band J. L. P. Accola and Rev. George
Edwards with Mrs. Accola at the
piano, sang. Governor John j. Blaine
then completed this region ON ac-
quiring the fine structure. The peo-
pie own the highways and he believ-
ed they should also own the bridges.
He spoke of some of the early events
along the river, the. battle with the
Indians, and of the events with liberal
ideas who came after. He said THE cit
of her early history as the people of
Massachusetts of their traditions
County Judge J. H. Hill spoke of
those of another generation who came
and built and how we were building
for the future by erecting such fine
bridge. 1t was type of making the
world better place in which to live.
w. r. Torkelson, member Of the
state highway commission, told how
he had let the contract for the bridge
without a floor-something quite un-
usual as to bridge building. Later
more money was appropriated and
the floor was built. It required eight
years to- obtain the bridge, two suits
were taken to the supreme court, and
the war had to be encountered.
G.. w. Andrews, chairman of the
Sauk county board of supervisors, and
John Scott, chairman in Columbia
county also spoke. The former stated
this county was always for the bridge
and the later said he was always in
favor of the structure.
G. R. Hawks and his mother, Mrs
Eleanor (Wyman} Hawks, were pres
ent. Mr.. Hawks explained how the
family of Ezra Wyman came from
Michigan to Baraboo in 1847, crossing
the river on ferry at that time Mrs
Hawks moved to-Clifton in 1867, to
West Point in 1871, to LaValle in 1888
and to Lodi later. She attended the
first county fair at Baraboo and saw
the great cyclone of 1866.
A ball game between West Point
and Prairie du Sac followed and in
the evening the Lodi band played, an
address being given by Will Groves.
State Senator George Staudenmay
er, Assemblyman Carl Koenig
County Highway chairman r. B
Griggs, members Of the county board
county officials and others were pres
ent
The bridge is i<eeresting for sew
eral reasons, one of which Is thai