HISTORY OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY - PREFACE


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Transcribed and contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Timm
Severud Ondamitag@aol.com

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

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Faithful Record of all Important Events, Incidents, and
Circumstances that have Transpired in the Valley of the
Chippewa from its Earliest Settlement by White People,
Indian Treaties, Organization of the Territory and State;
Also of the Counties Embracing the Valley, Senatorial,
Assembly and Congressional Districts, and a Brief
Biographical Sketch of the Most Prominent Persons in the
Settlement of the Valley. BY Thomas E. Randall 1875.  Free
Press Print.  Eau Claire, Wisconsin

PREFACE

When this work was commenced as a contribution to the
columns of the Free Press, it was not with the expectation
of making a book, nor were the difficulties, and labor, of
gathering the materials and connecting the facts -
determining what should be included in, and what excluded
from such a work - fully realized.

The first settlers in a new country find little time of
inclination to record even the most stirring events in
journals or diaries, and hence many are very reluctant when
called upon to make statements in regard to circumstances
with which they are known to have been perfectly familiar.
Others took when applied to for information can remember
nothing, except what pertained exclusively to themselves,
and seem to consider all else as unworthy of record; and
others still so modest that it has been difficult to prevail
upon them to relate such things in their experiences as have
been deemed essential to this work.

Of the many parties appealed to, to furnish the data on
which many of the facts herein set forth, are founded, I
cannot withhold the names of Hiram S. Allen, of Chippewa
Falls, and Reverend Dr. Alfred Brunson, of Prairie du Chien,
as gentlemen, whose interest in, and efforts to promote the
objects I had in view, have afforded me much satisfaction
and encouragement, and whose kindness and assistance will
ever be remembered with heart felt gratitude.

The favorable notices in the Newspaper Press in this part of
the State, and the flattering reception which the work found
at the hands of the State Historical Society, and several of
its learned members, together with numerous and repeated
demands of the public, having responded liberally in
subscribing for the work have induced me to republish it in
a form better adapted to its preservation and the wants of
the student of history. Trusting that some little service
has been rendered to the cause of science, and that some
events have been redeemed from oblivion which would
otherwise have been lost to history for which posterity will
feel grateful and conscious that in this my labor is not in
vain. I submit this work to a generous public.

THE AUTHOR