as the growing population demanded, and which being cherished and supported by the inhabit ants, has culminated in the adoption of a school system surpassed by no other town in the county. There are now in the town eight schoolhouses, with accommodations for 567 children. The school property, including the High School of Salem, is valued at $6,360. The number of school children in the town, of school age, aggregates 569-301 male, 268 female—requiring the services of 12 teachers, whose average wages is, for male, $32.23; female, $23.72. During the year ending August 31, 1880, there was received for school purposes, $3,927.04 ; paid out same period, $3,440.57.

FIRST POST OFFICE.

Previous to 1852, the mails for the few settlers in the town of Hamilton were received from La Crosse by private messenger. In the fall of 1852, a post office was established for Hamilton, and E. F. Edwards appointed Postmaster under Millard Fillmore. This was the only office between La Crosse and Sparta, and was kept at the residence of Mr. Edwards on Section 26. In the summer of 1852, mails were carried by the different settlers, each in his turn in alphabetical order. Subsequently a messenger was hired and paid $1 a trip. In 1853, a mail-route was established between Baraboo and La Crosse; and mails were then received at this post office, called Neshonoc, tri-weekly. Mr. Edwards was succeeded by Monroe Palmer in 1854; he was followed by Ethan Allen, who held the office until it was discontinued in 1867. In 1879, an office was established at McMillan's Mill, familiarly known as Neshonoc, and Hugh McMillan appointed Postmaster. In 1880, Alexander McMillan was appointed and still retains the office.

MILLS.

During the winter of 1851, Monroe Palmer commenced the erection of a saw and grist mill on the La Crosse River, Section 27. In 1852, it was so far completed as to enable him to do some sawing, though the grist-mill was not in running order until 1853. It was not until 1855 that both departments were in full operation. The grist-mill was fitted with the necessary machinery and three run of stone. Mr. Palmer manufactured three hundred barrels per week. His flour ranked No. 1, and trade was received from many miles around, including Sparta, Trempealeau and surrounding towns. The saw-mill was discontinued in 1860. The grist-mill was run sixteen years by Mr. Palmer, when he sold out to Orrin Van Ness, who ran it but one year alone, then formed a partnership with Charles Adams, and they ran the mill another year. Mr. Adams then sold his share to Leonard Lottridge, who, in company with Van Ness, continued the mill two years. McMillan then bought out Van Ness, and, with Lottirdge, ran the mill two years, when he purchased the interest of Mr. Lottridge and has since conducted the mill alone. This mill has five run of stone, and a capacity of one hundred barrels a day.

VILLAGE OF NESHONOC.

The

During 1855, Monroe Palmer, inspired with a feeling of public spirit, and desiring a metropolis for the fast-growing town, secured the services of Isaac Thompson, of La Crosse, then Deputy County Surveyor, and, on October 16, 1855, laid out the village of Neshonoc. name is of Indian origin, and in that language indicates this particular spot on the La Crosse River. With the assistance of Gilbert Cram and James Sieverson as chainmen, Mr. Thompson surveyed fifteen acres into blocks of twelve lots each, and each lot 50x100 feet. The streets received the appellations of Oak, Main, Center and Cypress, intersected by Mill, Second, Third and Fourth streets and Mentoria avenue.

The first building erected in the village was a story-and-a-half frame structure, built in the fall of 1855, by William Kentner, and used by him for hotel purposes. Soon after Edward Walker started a small store here, with a general stock of merchandise, and was placed on record as the first person to offer proposals for public patronage in the village of Neshonoc. Other stores were established in the prosperous village by William Kenyon, Lyman Randall, James McKinely and William Taylor. O. Lindsey started the first blacksmith-shop in the fall of 1855,

and during the winter and spring of 1856, he was followed by five or six others. A carriageshop was established by William Collins, and continued with flattering success until the decedence of the village.

The post office, removed to this point in 1854, was continued here until 1863. The different persons made recipients of Executive favor in this regard were Monroe Palmer, Ethan Allen and A. S. Isham. The large business of the saw and grist mill of Mr. Palmer, and the various attractions of the infant village, rendered its inhabitants sanguine of a brilliant and successful future, and during the year 1856, large accessions were made to its population, which in the spring of 1858 numbered 100. In the summer of this year, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built through the town, and located the station of Salem (afterward changed to West Salem, there being another Salem in Kenosha County). Here a village was laid out, and inducements offered for merchants to locate. The superior advantages of a railroad market had the effect of sweeping the population of the village of Neshonoc like an avalanche to the embryo village of Salem. The merchants of Neshonoc removed their buildings from Neshonoc to Salem and transferred their merchandise. Other branches of trade followed, and the future of Neshonoc seemed gloomy indeed. It must not be inferred, however, that Neshonoc was entirely abandoned, but for some time it proved itself a formidable rival to its successful competitor, Salem. But it could not long withstand the loss of its business men and the departure of its inhabitants, consequently soon fell to decay, and the pretentious streets and avenues of the once prosperous Neshonoc have long since been converted into more peaceful corn and potato fields

VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM.

Beautifully located in the center of the town of Hamilton, and also of La Crosse County, on a level strip of land on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and Chicago & Northwestern Railroads, is the pleasant village of West Salem. It is regularly and handsomely laid out into alleys, streets and avenues, and its citizens, who have always the beauty of their village uppermost in their minds, have made this location "to blossom as the rose. They have displayed taste in adorning and beautifying their streets and highways with rich foliaged shade trees, which are not only a pride and benefit to her own citizens, but admired and enjoyed by visitors and others who have the pleasure of gazing upon them and resting in their luxuriant shade during the sultry summer weather. From a business point of view, West Salem stands at the head of shipping points in this portion of the territory. During the six months from October 1, 1880, to April 1, 1881, the number of cars of stock alone shipped from this station aggregated 125.

In 1858, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built through the town of Hamilton, and it was at this time that that public-spirited citizen, Thomas Leonard, gave to the railroad company the required bonus of ten acres of land lying east and northeast of the present depot, on condition that they locate a depot or station at this point. The donation was accepted and the depot built. Forthwith, Mr. Leonard, in company with M. L. Tourtellotte and Oscar F. Elwell, laid out the "original plat" of the village of West Salem. This plat consisted of twenty acres, and was surveyed by H. I. Bliss, of La Crosse, into alleys, streets, avenues and squares. Soon after, "Leonard's Addition" was made, and the village assumed regular and handsome proportions. The streets were termed Main, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, intersected by Melville, Church, Leonard and Mills streets. The first frame building erected in the village was built by Frank Burgett in 1857, and occupied by him for a store, in which he conducted a general mercantile business. He remained but one year, however, when he sold out and left for Chicago. The first hotel in the village was established by Thomas Dutcher, who, in the fall of 1857, built the frame building still standing on the corner of Main and Leonard streets. Here he catered to the taste of the public for one year, when he sold out to Mr. Johnson, who in turn disposed of the property to a Mr. Hickcox, and subsequently Ethan Allen became proprietor, and finally the present owner, A. Eldred, took possession of the hotel and now occupies it for a residence. The first saloon in the village was started by John Hommell, on the corner of Main and Leonard streets. This was a favorite place of resort in early days.

The first drug store was started in 1863, by A. K. Viets, and continued by him to the present time. Dr. William Stanley was the first physician to locate in the village, the date of his arrival being June, 1858. In 1856, a Dr. Palmer located in the village of Neshonoc, and some years after, moved to West Salem. The first and only disciple of Blackstone to locate in the village, was a Mr. Harwood, who came to this vicinity in 1860. He remained a few years when he took his departure for a less peaceable locality. Prior to 1860, the growth of the village was slow and uncertain, but during this year large accessions, to the population were made and before winter and his aged locks appeared, West Salem contained upward of three hundred inhabitants. The advent of the Chicago & North-Western Railway brought others to this locality, and the business and improvements continued until now West Salem ranks among the leading villages in this portion of the State.

POST OFFICE.

The first post office in the village was established in 1860, and Edward Walker appointed Postmaster. Prior to this, the mails were received from the Neshonoc office. Mr. Walker was succeeded by Byron A. Viets in 1861. In 1863, William Van Zandt was appointed Postmaster, and continued until A. J. Phillips took the office. He held the position until 1878, when the present officer, Even Johnson, was appointed. In 1871, this office was made a money order office. The first order was issued August 8, 1871, Simeon Mahlum being the remitter, and Thompson & Co., of Beloit, the payee. The total number of orders issued since 1871, aggregate 10,444.

SCHOOLS.

From the settlement of the village to 1864, but little had been done in the way of schools. In the fall of 1864, a select school was taught by Miss Beech; and in the fall of 1865, a select school was opened in Agricultural Hall under the patronage of the Presbyterian society, and conducted by Rev. I. Collins as Principal, and Miss Beech as Assistant. This continued until the summer of 1866, when a stock company was organized for the establishment of La Crosse Valley Seminary. The first board of officers consisted of William L. Dudley, President; P. S. Elwell, Secretary, and six Trustees. The seminary building, a fine structure of white brick, was erected in the fall of 1866, at a cost of $5,000, and although not completed, it was occupied the following winter, the fall term having been held in Agricultural Hall. At this time, the board engaged as Principal, W. S. Lasher, of Chicago; he remained two years, during which time the school made substantial progress.

In 1870, the seminary building, together with the apparatus and grounds, was purchased by the school district, of which the village formed a part, and converted into a graded school of three departments, having been maintained by the district from 1867 to 1870, in a two-story frame building, since purchased for a grange hall. On the night of the 13th of January, 1875, the school building was entirely destroyed by fire. The old schoolhouse was immediately fitted up, and school continued to the end of the year. In the following summer, a substantial and much larger brick building was erected on the site of the one burned. It consists of four main rooms, one of which is occupied by the high school, organized the same year; Mr. S. M. Leete, to whom much credit is due for its establishment, was its first Principal. He continued in charge till the close of the fall term, 1877, when, by reason of failing health, he was obliged to resign the position. Mr. A. A. Spencer was then engaged as Principal, and remained until the close of the year. He was succeeded by the present efficient Principal, Mr. E. D. Wood, who has since held the position agreeably to himself and most acceptably to his constituents. In June, 1880, this school graduated its first class, consisting of two ladies-Carrie Walker and Belle Spaulding. The class of 1881 numbered six. The commencement exercises were held in the Baptist Church, with the following programme: Music, Select Choir; Essay, “Wasted Lives," Jessie Viets; Essay, "Light, More Light," Julia Smead; Essay, "Power in Music,” Mamie Clark; Music, Select Choir; Oration, "Voices of the Dead," John McConnell; Essay, "For Pearls We Must Dive," Ella Edwards; Essay, "Sunshine and Shadows" (with valedictory), Bay Ladd.

CHURCHES.

Presbyterian Church of Neshonoc.-This church was organized as an Associate or Secular Church, and its origin was as follows: James McKinley was the first member of the Associate Presbyterian Church that visited this section of the country with a view to settlement. He came in 1851. The same spring, Andrew McEldowney and family, consisting of wife and nine children, came and settled in the neighborhood. Three of his four sons still remain.

In the spring of 1856, Mrs. Nancy McKinley and family, consisting of six members, settled on the farm now owned by her son, S. R. McKinley.

The first religious service held by any minister of the Associate Church, was by Rev. Samuel Collins, in the fall of 1856. A hall owned by James McKinley was the place of meeting. Mr. Collins preached three Sabbaths and left. The next preaching was by Rev. H. McHatton, who remained about a month. Some time during the same year, Rev. T. W. Winter came and took charge of the congregation; in the same year also, the congregation was increased by the immigration of Messrs. James Wilson, John and Stewart Brown, from Scotland, and Mr. G. W. Collins, from Pennsylvania.

On the 7th of January, 1858, an organization was affected, which was named the Associate Presbyterian Church of Neshonoc. The following persons constituted the organizatiou, viz.: Andrew McEldowney and wife, Mrs. Nancy McKinley, Mrs. Elizabeth McEldowney, Mrs. Agnes Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Mrs. Eliza McEldowney, James McEldowney, William H. Taylor, Matilda Morrill, Mrs. Jane Winter, W. G. Collins, Mrs. Lydia Collins. Mr. William H. Taylor and W. G. Collins were elected and ordained as Elders of the church. Rev. T. W. Winter was settled as Pastor of the church, and remained in this capacity for about two years, when he resigned his charge and returned East.

In 1859, David Brown and family, from Sparta, Ill., moved in the bounds and became members of the congregation. The Browns were soon followed by David McDill, his brotherin-law with his family. Mr. Brown was at once chosen Ruling Elder, and served in this capacity with great wisdom and zeal whilst he remained in the congregation. Mr. McDill was also made a Ruling Elder, and served faithfully in the office till laid aside by the infirmities of age.

In 1856, the congregation resolved to build a house of worship; so, getting the material together, by spring they put up and inclosed the building which they now occupy. But in consequence of the hard times, which set in in 1857, they were unable to complete the building till the year 1860; and then there still remained a small debt, the amount being loaned them by a benevolent society in the East, they were freed from embarrassment. The country was new then, and the people just opening their farms; it was a struggle to build even a plain and not very costly house.

In 1860, Rev. Isaac W. Collins supplied the pulpit of the church for about three months, and was followed for a short time by Rev. J. Coleman.

In 1862, the church gave to Rev. Isaac W. Collins a call to become its Pastor. He accepted the call, and was installed Pastor the following summer, by the Rev. J. C. Jackson. Mr. Collins labored in the congregation and region round about to the great satisfaction of the people. He also taught in the West Salem Academy, the beautiful building of which afterward became the property of the Third District, of West Salem, and was eventually burnt by fire, but is replaced by the present building of the district. Mr. Collins was a successful teacher, as well as minister, but in 1865, he was compelled to yield up his work on earth, by that insidious disease, consumption; and in the beautiful month of May, he passed away to the more beautiful eternity of rest. From May, 1865, until July, the church was supplied successively by Revs. Rhett S. Collins, D. Morrow and J. W. McShurely.

In the meantime, the congregation had been greatly strengthened by the accession of the following persons with their families: A. P. Gray, Robert Williamson, Quinto Brooks, Samuel McEldowney, James Weir and Mrs. Harbison and others. During the summer of 1866, Rev. J. W. Glenn received and accepted a call to become Pastor of the church. He labored accept