HISTORY OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY - From the Daily Free Press


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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

From the Daily Free Press

We commence today the publication of a series of letters
concerning the Chippewa Valley, which, when finished, will
be a minute and full sketch of all incidents worthy of note,
from the advent of the first white settler unit the present
date. It is true that some of the most important facts
connected therewith have already become a part of the
written history of the country, but still there remains much
that is traditional, only treasured in the minds of the
oldest settlers, to be recalled at their semi-occasional
gatherings. It is this class of matter that the author will
weave into narrative.

We are glad, too, that it is to be done, for the valley is
bound to bear an important part in history of the State;
hence it is fit that all those matters incident to the early
trails and hardships of the settlers, and the development of
the country become matters of record.

We need not say what is so well known hereabouts, that the
gentleman, who has undertaken it, Mr. T.E. Randall, better
known as 'Uncle Tom Randal,' is just the man to accomplish
the work. Coming here as he did in 1845, possessed of large
observation and a retentive memory, it will readily be
perceived that his own knowledge will grasp a large portion
of this time. H.S. Allen, Alfred Brunson, and other, furnish
the matter with which he is not conversant; hence, the
narrative may be relied upon as correct in all essential
details. And, too, in a literary point of view, Mr. Randall
is not altogether unfitted for the task. Although he is a
self-made man, and has been a hard working one all his life,
he is an extensive reader, a clear thinker, possesses
eminent good-sense, and his frequent contributions to the
public press denotes him not devoid of literary excellence.
This, however, we will not discuss, but let the reader judge
for himself. Of this, all may be assured, that his
contributions will possess the rare merit of accuracy and
nice delineation of occurrence, so much desired in
productions of this character.

The one, which appears today, is merely introductory; they
will all be published first in the Daily, and then
reproduced in the Weekly.