Lafayette County WI Archives History - Books .....The First Winter 1881
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 April 18, 2013, 6:04 pm

Book Title: History Of La Fayette County

THE FIRST WINTER.

Through the long and inhospitable winter, as has already been observed, there
was nothing to encourage the hearts of those who remained, or give token of the
prosperity which was reserved for La Fayette County in the future. The
inclemency of the weather, coupled with an undefined apprehension of the
Indians' return, had the effect of checking improvements and suspending
operations in the mines and fields. Those who had fled upon the approach of
danger, hesitated to return, and those who remained to accept the gauge of
battle offered by the savage hosts, were weakened by the prospect and refused to
be comforted. The old year floated away into the past, carrying with it the
remembrance of sorrows, and the new year dawned upon the scene, bringing little
of hope or encouragement. The past was written ineffaceably, never to be
forgotten; the future was hidden behind clouds that bore no silvery lining,
obscuring days unborn. Indeed, the parting knell of days long gone had been
rung, and the advent of what in the future proved happier hours, had been chimed
by the hand of old Father Time. The visitor to the country comprehended within
the geographical limits of La Fayette County as he bowls over the avenues that
intersect each other in all directions, or gazes upon the fields of ripening
grain, ready for the sickle, or views the evidences of skill, industry and taste
which greet his gaze, must not be unmindful of the labors, the trials and the
education which has been employed to accomplish these excellences.

Churches and schools have brought the fullest fruition of their objects to the
county, and the founders of these agencies for the amelioration and improvement
of the race of which they were prominent exponents. To the leading spirits who
revived the discouraged hearts and checked the fading hopes born of
disappointments and apprehensions that were the most prominent figures in the
days that passed away half a century ago, are the present conditions of affairs
wholly due. Long may they survive the foundations of their works laid when the
heart of man was almost stilled by the then almost hopeless prospect.

The winter dragged its weary days tardily as if to mock at the calamities which
seemed impending with the rising of each day's sun. Immigrants occasionally came
into the territory only to retrace their steps to neighboring towns and
settlements, there to wait until the unsettled condition of affairs should be
reversed and the promise of trouble yield precedence to the realizations of
peace and good will. The one encouraging feature of this dismal outlook was to
be found in the character of those who composed the inhabitants. Nearly all were
young, but few had passed on life's highway the stone that marks the highest
point, and all were fitted by the rough experience to which they had been
subjected, to work for the "golden dawning of a grander day," long delayed, 'tis
true, but coming even before the older men had fallen by the wayside and sunk
into that dreamless sleep, the warp and woof of which is woven into the mystery
of death.

The condition of affairs as regarded by those immediately affected thereby was
indeed discouraging, when the first streaks of light announcing the dawn of 1828
broke over the eastern horizon. As the year advanced, and the spring, which was
early, unfolded the wealth and attractions of La Fayette County, it had the
effect of attracting settlers, who no longer were regarded as transient, but
came to stay, bringing with them their families, in some cases, in addition to
the means of gaining a livelihood either by tilling the soil or mining. At the
date of which mention is made, the apprehensions arising from impending
difficulties with the Indians had been generally dissipated. The power of the
savage tribes had been materially diminished, and the treaty which was concluded
at the Portage, held them in check through fear of the consequences should its
provisions be violated. Many of the Winnebagoes removed to the vicinity of the
present city of Fond du Lac, also settling along the west shore of Lake
Winnebago, in the neighborhood of what is now the city of Menasha. Those who
remained in La Fayette County were rendered incapable of offensive utterance by
the respected presence of the military, as also that of the inhabitants, and,
when the season of 1828 had well advanced, the influx of population was
numerically large.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY, WISCONSIN,

CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES; AN EXTENSIVE
AND MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES—THEIR IMPROVEMENTS,
INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES; ITS WAR RECORD,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS; THE WHOLE
PRECEDED BY A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, STATISTICS OF THE STATE, AND AN ABSTRACT OF
ITS LAWS AND CONSTITUTION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY.
MDCCCLXXXI. [1881]


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