Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1921-05-25
Civil War In Mines

At an early date in the history of
Potosi an old German by the name
of Branstetter came to the mines
from Missouri with family. He was
seeking work and a place to live. Joe
Hall owned a tract of land on the
ridge between Potosi and British Hol-
low, upon which there was a log
house. Hall permitted Branstetter to
occupy this house and at intervals
gave him work to do. The old fellow
was charm doctor, he would cure
snake bites, locust stings, remove
warts and perform other miracles, but
he was a man OF ugly temper and dis
agreeable to q fault. He continued to
live in this same house up to the fall
of 1856. The old man did something
that was not very pleasing to Joe Hall
and he was ordered off the premises.
The man used ugly language to Hall
and threatened vengence, Joe little
thought that the man would carry out
his threat and took no precaution.
There were several stacks of Grain on
the premises belonging to Hall, and
few nights after their disagreement
these stacks were destroyed by fire.
Branstetter was accused of burning
the stacks and he neither denied or
affirmed committing the deed. He
was ordered to leave POtosi and a
posse of men took him to the Mississ-
ipDi river. In going across the island
some wanted to hang him to a tree,
but cooler heads prevailed and the
old man was sent across the river
into the state of Iowa. On a Sunday
afternoon following his Punishment a
large crowd of Germans from Dutch
- Al r.
towards the river with the intention
of bringing Branstetter back to Po-
tosi. but their plans were frustrated.
A company of determined men was
soon formed in the village, mostly
well armed, were soon marching
down the valley toward the river to
intercept Branstetter's friends. Ar
irving at the house of James F. Chap
man in Lafayette, they halted to get
Chapman's opinion on their intentions
to not permit Branstetter to be
Branstetter to be brought back to this
side of the river and asked him to
lead them, to this he readily consented
and they then proceeded on their
march to the river, when nearing the
landing the rescue party seeing this
large body of men advancing toward
them, broke and scattered through the
timber, recrossed Grant river and
made their way over the hills to their
homes. Following this narrative, it
was heralded about that the Germans
were coming to burn Joe Halls livery
barn, this report caused great excite
ment in the village, and every man
who had shot gun, rifle or revolver
went armed ready for the approach
Of the enemy. The big brass cannon,
then in Potosi was brought into use,
it was loaded with spike nails and
stood in front of the barn, shot from
this gun at the time would Of been
fatal to many. Pickets were sent out
over the hills and along the highway
between Potosi and Dutch Hollow.
Reports came in that no sign OF an
enemy could be seen, and the excite
ment soon subsidized. 1t was learned
the alarm was false one, that the
Germans had no intention Of burn
ing Joe Halls barn. 1t was then, as
it is now, there is always someone
to start a false report Branstetter
returned to Missouri and died there
MANY years ago. When banished from
Potosi he left one daughter who was
the wife of Jacob Winkler a pioneer
stone mason in Potosi and was high
~ esteemed woman. There were also
four sons, Leonard, Charles, Joseph
and William Leonard went to Mis-
souri,, Charles enlisted in the Civil
war with Co. A End Wis. Infantry,
William was also a soldier in the
Civil war. Joseph drifted westward
and made a fortune in the gold helds
of Idaho. He returned to Potosi In
1870 seeking a wife, and was married
to Miss Laura Mallette in the spring
of 1871. He died at Boise City, Idaho
few years ago.
Early Day Politics
Lafayette Caskey came to Potosi
from Ohio in 1912, and was for many
years foreman of Kinney and Angus
tines saw mill, and later with Kim
ney and Lewis. He was Jovlal ana
very popular man and every one mad
good word for LATE Caskey. In 1891
he was married to Miss Eliza McNabb
a daughter of Robert McNabb a plo-
neer Potosi miner. Mr.. and MRS. cas-
key raised a family of five daughters
and FIVE sons, four of whom are known
to have passed away in manhood ana
wOmanhood. Mr.. Caskey was a car
penter by trade, and after the kinney
and Lewis saw mill ceased operation,
he devoted his time to his trade and
for two seasons he and Robert II
Kendrick worked at Ashland. WIS.
when that city was in its infancy. he
was for couple of years Landlord ol