National Park Service Visits Pond Farm Near Fairwater

Alerted by Beaver Dam historian Kevin Dier-Zimmel to abolition activities in the Fairwater area before the Civil War, Diane Miller, director of the National Park Service Underground Railroad Program, and Oloye Adeyemon, NPS historian, visited the former Willard Pond farm in Alto on June 22. They also visited the state prison at Waupun, scene of a confrontation between supporters of Wisconsin abolitionist Sherman Booth and Federal marshals in 1860. Dier-Zimmel and Bob Schuster provided background information for the visit and served as guides.

The Park Service has established the program as a national clearinghouse for information about underground railroad activity, much of which remains undocumented. Adeyemon indicated that Wisconsin is of particular interest to the Park Service because of the state’s efforts in opposition to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act.

Sherman Booth was at the center of Wisconsin’s resistance beginning with his efforts in 1854 to free Joshua Glover, a runaway Missouri slave. Denying his role, Booth nevertheless became the focus of six years of legal maneuvering between the state and the Federal government. Wisconsin’s Supreme Court refused to recognize the constitutionality of the fugitive law and released Booth from federal custody in Milwaukee. The United States Supreme Court rejected Wisconsin’s arguments in the landmark legal decision, Ableman vs. Booth, in 1859. Wisconsin responded by again freeing Booth and denying Federal jurisdiction. Following Booth’s third arrest in 1860, members of the state legislature called for the state to secede from the Union. Supporters, tiring of the debate, forcibly freed Booth from the Milwaukee Custom House on August 1, 1860, and provided sanctuary at the prison for two days before Booth made his way to Ripon. It was there that the armed confrontation known as the "Booth War" between supporters and a posse of marshals occurred on August 4.

According to information uncovered by Dier-Zimmel, the Booth affair was only one in a string of abolition activities in the Fairwater area. He has documented that the Pond family operated a station on Wisconsin’s underground railroad on the farm between 1847 and 1853. Better known for having won a Medal of Honor during the Civil War, James Pond, the family’s oldest son, assisted in the operations of the station and went on at age 18 to ride with John Brown in Kansas before returning to Wisconsin to become editor of the Markesan Journal.

Dier-Zimmel, who believes the area’s churches coordinated the anti-slavery activities, has also found evidence of a large community of freed slaves north of Fox Lake at the beginning of the Civil War. He is researching anti-slavery activities by militia from Markesan, Waupun, and Fox Lake during Lincoln’s presidential campaign in 1860 and the abolition ties of Hans Heg, warden at the prison beginning in 1858. Census information located by Schuster suggests that there was a second freed-slave community near Mackford in 1847. That community vanished at about the time the Fugitive Slave Act became law.

The Park Service plans to add the prison to its official registry of sites associated with the underground railroad and has indicated its interest in further studying related activities in Fond du Lac and Green Lake counties.

Roofing Project Started

J. K. Navis of Brandon completed bell tower re-roofing on June 23, the first step in the restoration of the old Fairwater schoolhouse. Recent gifts to the society’s restoration fund made the work possible.

The society is seeking additional funding for the project. It has targeted the badly damaged west face of the roof for the next repair and is urgently looking for $2000 so that work can continue.

July Meeting Will Celebrate 4^th

At the society’s July 1 meeting, Tom Montag will offer readings from his collection of area letters, journals, and diaries related to celebrations of Independence Day.

Creation of Markesan-Brandon Railroad Detailed in Early Newspaper Accounts

The years following the Civil War witnessed unprecedented economic growth. Fortunes, and communities, were made overnight and seemingly at will, but not every venture was a success.

Illustrating the risks was the project to build a railroad spur line between Brandon in Fond du Lac County and Markesan in Green Lake County. Organizing in 1882, its promoters endured resistance from existing railroad towns, weathered legal injunctions, and struggled to convince an existing railroad to take an interest.

Markesan, an otherwise prosperous community, had nursed a railroad dream since 1856, when the Milwaukee & Horicon railroad reached Waupun and Ripon. Witnessing Brandon's subsequent growth, Markesan businessmen chafed at the disadvantages they suffered in transporting their goods by wagon over unpaved roads.

The sudden interest in granite as a building and paving material in 1881 gave Markesan an opportunity to make up for twenty-five years of perceived neglect. Six miles east of the village, nearly equidistant between Brandon and Markesan, a knob of black granite known in Markesan as Pine Bluff and in Brandon as Pine Hill attracted the attention of local entrepreneurs. Markesan businessman James Densmoor and land owner John Laper recognized in the rock a financial opportunity and the potential to attract a railroad. As S. D. Goodell, editor of Markesan's Green Lake County Democrat, expressed in his local column on December 22, 1881, "Markesan is never behind the times on granite or anything else. There is an extensive ledge of rock a short distance east of this village, which has been examined by experts, and pronounced fully equal to any granite quarry in the country. There is a strong probability that a company will soon be formed to open up the hidden treasure. If enough can be sold to make it an object the St. Paul folks will lay a railroad track right over here, and the chances for the enterprise are favorable if the right course is pursued."

Densmoor brought a sample of the rock to the attention of Chicago interests, and two months after Goodell's editorial paving blocks carved from Pine Bluff granite were being transported by wagon six miles to the railroad at Brandon. The operation had a contract for all the blocks it could deliver, and by June the Brandon Times was reporting that thirty-five men were working the quarry and producing a carload of stone daily.

On the strength of this lucrative quarrying operation, Densmoor began pursuing the goal of laying track to the quarry and beyond. As early as March he was pursuing discussions with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, operators of the former Milwaukee-Horicon line through Brandon. Negotiations proved more difficult than anticipated, however.

On March 16, the Brandon paper reported that, "James Densmoor of Markesan started for Milwaukee and Chicago, Monday morning determined to bring that railroad back in his grip sack or break a trace."

On April 13, the paper announced that Densmoor was talking to another railroad, reporting, "Markesan is now looking for a railroad from Juneau by way of Beaver Dam and Fox Lake. But even that would leave that granite quarry nearer the Brandon depot than Markesan."

On May 11, Times editor Martin Short announced, "The farmers west of the village are not enthusiastic on the railroad question. They don't like a railroad track through their farms, if they do get well paid for it."

On June 15, the Times reported, "The Northwestern folks have frankly told the Markesan people that they can do nothing for them in the railroad line and that village is now pinning all its hopes on the Brandon line, and we fail to see any brilliant prospects in that direction, but probably they can."

Frustration at the delays and the uncertainty of the project remained high throughout the summer, the Times even reporting on July 20 that, "Densmoor has withdrawn from the granite business, turning it over to Laper and the quarrymen." That report proved false, however, and a week later the Times reported another visit by Densmoor to Milwaukee with S. W. Smith, observing that, "They were after that railroad with blood in their eyes."

Throughout this period, Markesan interests believed that Brandon and the other railroad towns were conspiring against them. The resentment went deep, with Markesan's Democrat editorializing on December 14 that, "Neighboring papers and towns, who [would] rather see almost anything else than see Markesan get a railroad, have made a big blow about it, claiming that it would never be built, and so on. The Brandon Times even had it built around us entirely, and had Markesan fixed forever."

As late as the following March, the Markesan Herald, which the Times referred to as "if possible, a worse paper than the Kingston Spy," would editorialize that, "You all know the trials and disappointments; the bright prospects one day, and the gloomy aspects another; of the opposition that met us in our own town, of the squibs in the Brandon Times and the cold water thrown on by the Ripon papers but the ring of the drills and the thundering roar of the blast in Pine Bluff Granite Quarry kept on."

Times editor Short's "squibs" aside, the real difficulty was not the railroad line to the quarry, whose lucrative potential even the Times trumpeted. Rather it was the desire to extend the line beyond the quarry, the financial benefit of which was more doubtful. Even as surveys of the proposed route were completed, this factor apparently led the Densmoor group to ask for assistance in the form of public bonds from the communities who would benefit from the spur line, a fairly common arrangement during the early railroad years.

On July 20, the Times reported, "We understand that the Markesan railroad scheme is shelved for the present at least. The company asked $60,000 bonus, and Markesan wisely concluded that it wasn't worth it."

A week later, however, the Times apparently thought better of it and reported that, "There appears to be a fresh boom on the Markesan railroad business this week. The St. Paul managers have made another offer: if Markesan will secure the right of way and grade the road the company will iron and equip it. We don't pretend to be an expert in railroad building, but if Markesan don't find the first offer of $60,000 bonds the cheapest in the end our guesser is a fraud and a deceit. But Markesan is biting on the last offer, and we understand they are already negotiating for the right of way. It is said that Jas. Densmoor offers to give the right of way and grade a mile of road. His grit is admirable, but impression is unavoidable that when he gets it done, he will know more about what it costs to build a railroad than he does now.--But seriously, the section reached by the proposed road can afford to pay the bonus asked. It will increase the value of every farm between the county line and Kingston, on the average, five dollars an acre."

By August, Densmoor's efforts began to pay off. The C. M. & St. Paul railroad expressed a serious interest in the project late in July, the Green Lake townships apparently expressed an interest in issuing bonds to provide assistance, and on August 3 the Times reported that a new company, the Markesan & Brandon Railway Company, with Densmoor as president, had incorporated. The Times on August 31 wrote, "The point of the game is this: The statutes require that when a town grants aid to build a road, it shall receive an equal amount of the stock of the road. Now St. Paul stock is worth 122 in the market and a town would make money to trade their bonds for it dollar for dollar, and the St. Paul folks are not doing that kind of business. Therefore they have this new company organized, the aid is given to them and their stock returned to the towns. The town bonds are passed over to the St. Paul Co. The road is built, and goes to that Co. The Markesan & Brandon Co. dies an easy death, and the stock is worth half a cent a pound and the St. Paul Co. is thirty thousand dollars ahead--if the road is a paying property. Do you see the point?"

The bonds were apparently the cost of doing business. As convoluted as the arrangements were, they appear to have been satisfactory to everyone, because on August 17 the Brandon paper reported that a grading contractor was in town to look over the proposed route. Two weeks later it reported that the town of Green Lake had approved an issuance of bonds and noted that, "You can tell a Markesan man, now days, by the broad smile on his face."  

The Times reported on September 7, that the contract for grading was given to "Mr. Cash of New Lisbon whose bill aggregates about $21,000 for the whole line."  Densmoor immediately began buying the needed land, indicating that he expected to pay $50 an acre. The Times reported a week later, however, that, "One man asked the railroad company two hundred dollars  for one tenth of an acre from one corner of his pasture lot."

By September 21, grading was under way, and the Times reported that the contractor was required to complete his work by the end of October.

Just as things seemed to be settled and the railroad a certainty, Markesan's Democrat reported in its November 23 issue that, "A very formidable document was on Monday served upon President Densmoor and Secretary Barter of the M. & B. R'y Company, and upon Town Clerk Atkinson, and also the Saturday previous upon W. I. Sherwood, in the shape of an injunction to prevent the delivery of our town bonds to the R. R. Company on completion of the road. The complaint is based upon the ground that there was no notice given to the people that a petition for aid would be circulated for signatures. If we read correctly they allege that the clerk did not even post up notices. The plaintiffs are A. Willard, Ira Davids, E. Lovejoy, Clarence Shayler, H. Graham, George and Henry Gilmore, all residents of this town. Col. Turner of Ripon and Chas. Shepard of Fond du Lac are the attorneys, and the injunction was issued by Judge Gilson, of Fond du Lac. The defendents have twenty days in which to make their answer."

Work was stopped for twelve days. Not until December 14 was the Democrat able to announce that, "The attorney of the road, Mr. John W. Cary, of Milwaukee, put in an answer, and made a motion for the dissolution of the injunction. It was argued last Wednesday and Thursday, and on Monday last, the following dispatch from the Court to Mr. Cary, tells the decision of the question: ‘Injunction dissolved. Three days to appeal. Bail bond at $5000.’ On Tuesday W. W. D. Turner, attorney for Davids & Co., sent the following to Mr. Cary: ‘The plaintiffs will not appeal on the injunction suit.’"

On December 28, the first train reached Markesan, and the Times reported that, "Music, whiskey and beer mixed, and cigars were as free as air. Well they never had a railroad before."

On January 4 under the headline "Markesan Is Now a Railroad Town," and an announcement about a "Grand Celebration" the following day, the Democrat editorialized that, "As a business point and a thriving town, Markesan has a bright future before her. Isolated as she has always been from all markets she has held her own, and has always been one of the best points for trade in the country. Now, with railroad facilities, and a good market for all products of the farm, she is bound to increase her business very materially. Located in the very heart of the finest farming and stock-raising countries that the sun ever shone on, it must be one of the most important shipping points in this part of the State. A large elevator, with the most approved machinery for handling and cleaning grain, will be in operation long before another crop is harvested. Stock yards will be built in a short time, and one lumber yard, (and perhaps two) will be started at once. The coming spring and summer will witness many improvements in what is already here, and a good many new business enterprises will be started. Real estate is changing hands considerably already, and several new buildings have been erected, and more are getting ready to build as soon as spring opens. There is a chance here for good live business men, and such are cordially invited to come and settle with us. To the farming interests of this section, the road is of incalculable benefit. The work of marketing can be done at half the expense formerly required, just as good prices can be realized, and farmers can buy their goods, lumber, &c., nearer home, and just as cheap. Then, aside from the profit, the convenience of living in or near a live railroad town, must be apparent to all."

On January 11, the Democrat wrote, "When the last spike was driven our people became enthusiastic. Bells were rung, guns were fired, and there was music in the air." It also reported that the railroad ran four free passenger coaches to Markesan and that, "The town was crowded all day, with our own people and from neighboring towns. Everything passed off pleasantly, and not a row or disturbance of any kind during the entire day and night. The evening exercises at the hall consisted of speeches and music, and a grand love feast was held."

As a fitting climax to a year of intense frustration and discouragement, the Democrat also reported that, "The railroad track, in is present condition, is unsafe for business, therefore no more regular trains will be run until spring, when the road can be ballasted and buildings can be put up to do business. It seems a little bit tough, but it is the only thing that could be done under the circumstances. But the road is here, just the same, and will be operated as soon as spring opens."

Operations began in the spring, and every issue of the paper for the following year enumerated the carloads of stock, grain, lumber, stone, merchandise, and passengers traveling on the spur line amid reports of the new businesses arriving in the community and the numbers of workers employed at the quarry.

When Densmoor sold his interest in the quarry--by then named Utley after the Superintendent of the railroad line--the following year, it was not, however, another piece of bad news. Rather, the purchasers were a group of Chicago investors who brought substantial new resources to the quarry operation. By the end of 1884, more than eight carloads of stone a day were being shipped to Chicago. Markesan businesses were thriving, and even the Times seemed happy. Martin Short reported with a final squib that, "Markesan hasn't fenced in Brandon yet, perhaps they have concluded to allow us to stay here."

Fairwater Events in 1888

The Brandon Times under the editorship of Martin Short from the early 1870’s to the late 1890’s often put Fairwater under its microscope. Short complained often of Fairwater’s "unregulated saloons" and was outspoken in urging the Baptist church to provide better compensation for its pastors.

During much of 1888, Fairwater merited a front page column in the paper. Names making regular appearances included Diana Newland, Josiah Batson, B. J. Wikkerink, the Tinkham and McCune families, and John Brown.

Among the noteworthy stories Short reported in 1888 were these:

March 22: "J. H. Brown, former postmaster at Fairwater, who so narrowly escaped death from a sandbagger, a few months since, was in town, yesterday. He has measurably recovered from the effects of the assault, but has not yet returned to business, or decided what he will do. He is simply taking needed rest. John’s many friends are glad of his recovery."

• March 29: "John Batise, the colored Fairwater veteran, is very sick, and there are grave doubts about his recovery. The G. A. R. will see that he is properly cared for."

• April 5: "There will be a meeting of the patrons of the Fairwater cheese factory, at the factory, on Saturday, April 7th, at two o’clock in the afternoon, to make arrangements for running the factory the coming season. G. Stelter, Prop"

• April 19: "It looks as if the new firm of Geo. Meyer & Co. meant business at the brick yard, employing 7 or 8 men with two teams, grading and scraping, getting ready to commence operations as soon as their new machine arrives."

• September 27: "We hear of a bloody war in Fairwater, last Saturday night, in which some fifteen to twenty persons were engaged. Sling shots and clubs were freely used and one man had his head badly cut while others were less seriously injured. But for the fact that there are no saloons in Fairwater, as any one knows of, one might suppose that there was whiskey at the bottom of it."

• November 29: "The undersigned has put in steam power at his mill in Fairwater and is prepared to grind feed and flour for customers on short notice at all times. John Laper"

Oral History Project Continues

Tom Montag and Barb Vande Brink have completed interviews with Milton Born and Raymond Theune as part of the society’s ongoing oral history project.

The Theune’s, the only couple married in Fairwater’s new Baptist church, discussed their wedding and the church. Theune also described his experiences working on the area’s farms and at the Rens hemp plant south of Brandon.

Born talked about the impact of WWII on the village and his experiences in the Navy. He also described the dramatic removal of the giant elm tree for which the village’s Elm Street was named. The removal required a double blast of dynamite and blew out the windows at Stellmacher Lumber a block away.

Plans Underway for Celebration

The society is planning to mark the final transfer of the schoolhouse from the Fairwater Lions with an open house celebration. The open house tentatively has been scheduled for the society’s August 5 meeting.

The event will include tours of the school and a program highlighting the society’s plans for the building.

Everyone is invited to attend and join the celebration. The society is hoping the event will be an opportunity for current and former area residents to renew their acquaintance.

Restoration Fund Contributions

The society has received generous contributions to its schoolhouse restoration fund from George and Marian Sanders and Gerald and Debbie Sanders. Additional gifts have been made by Florian and Phyllis Laper, Bob and Kathy Schuster, Hazel Schuster, and Steve and Barb Vande Brink.

Laper Working on Photo CD

Florian Laper is developing a collection of Fairwater area photographs on CD that will let users navigate through the village using historic Fairwater maps.

Laper is encouraging families to share their photographs and histories for the project. The photos will be linked to the homes shown on the maps, and the information will contributre to a permanent record of the village.

Kiwanis Hear Society’s Plans

Bob Schuster spoke to members of the Markesan Kiwanis Club on June 19 about the society’s restoration plans for the old Fairwater schoolhouse. Schuster also described the society’s oral history project, contributions received for the society’s permanent collection, and interest in the old Plocker Inn and the Laper water wheel.

Kiwanis member Cal Riestad extended the Kiwanis invitation.

Daehn Opera House Photo a Recent Acquisition

Recently added to the society’s collection is the photograph below, contributed by Florian Laper. Found among the papers of Laper’s mother, Nellie Laper, it pictures the construction of Daehn’s Opera House on Washington Street, Fairwater, in 1898.

Pictured from left to right are Rudolph Baker, Frank Loechelt, Charles Hinz, "Judge" Daehn, Louie Corts, Len Nutter, and Harry Daehn. Nutter and Daehn are holding an unidentified child.