routes each time, knowing that a change must necessarily be an improvement. It had never been cut out through the timber, and each traveller was compelled to carry an axe to cut the trees, whenever he ran against them. Previous to the summer of 1838, there were but few settlers between here and Milwaukee.

During the summer of 1836, Messrs. CAMP and ANDREWS had settled at Mukwonago, Messrs. HATCH and ROCKWELL at Oconomowoc,and Messrs. FULLER and PORTER in Pewaukee, where they now live; and in 1837, Messrs. EDGERTON and DOUSMAN located their claims in Summit and Ottowa, where they now reside. The same season, Mr. JOHN GALE, who then lived at Milwaukee, bought Mr. CUTLER'S claim to the quarter section containing the water power, for $6,600, and the next season built a flour and saw-mill on it. After which he sold an undivided interest in it to Wa. A. BARSTOW and ROBERT LOCKWOOD, who, in company with him, laid it out into village lots, many of which were sold at a high price, and bonds for deeds given while the title still remained in the General Gov

ernment.

In October, 1839, the lands were brought into market and sold. At that time all the best locations had been taken, and each cccupant was permitted to purchase his land at public auction, at the minimum price of $125 per acre. Many of the settlers being poor, paid from 25 to 50 per cent. for money to purchase their lands, and allowed the speculators to take the titles to them in their own names, as security for the money loaned; whereby in the end, being unable to pay, they lost their all. All those who succeeded in paying for their lands, and have remained on them up to the present time, have become wealthy; while some, who were unable to pay for their lands, sold their improvements for what they could get, and commenced anew on unimproved lands. From that time to this, the settlement of our county has gone forward steadily, and the lands are now mostly owned and occupied by actual settlers. Several large and flourishing villages have been built up in the county, which time and space will not allow us to speak of, on this occasion.

In 1847, the "Milwaukee and Waukesha Railroad Co." was incorporated, and subsequently it was changed to "Milwaukee and Mississippi," and extended to the Mississippi. The road was completed from Milwaukee to this village in March, 1852. There are also charters for three other Railroads running through this village.

The village of Waukesha was incorporated in 1852, and now has a population of about 2,200. It contains one saw mill, one flouring mill, two foundries, one railroad car factory, one machine shop, one threshing machine manufactory, two breweries, nine blacksmith shops, nine boot and shoe shops, two paint shops, one cooper shop, one carriage and wagon manufactory, two tailors' shops, two millinery establishments, two jewelry shops, three saddle and harness establishments, two cabinet ware-rooms, two tin and sheetiron manufactu.ing establishments, two etone-cutting establishments, two butchers' shops, three drug stores, three stationery and book stores, three hardware stores, five dry goods stores, seven groceries, three hotels, two livery stables, nine physicians one dagnerreian room, one portrait painter, one dentist, seven lawyers, twelve ministers of the gospel, besides Rev. Dr. SAVAGE, Presi. dent of Carroll College; eight churches, the court-house and jail, a college, a female seminary, the Waukesha County Bauk, two printing presses, one literary paper, and two newspapers.

No. 4.-OLD SETTLERS.

Some time in the month of February, A. D. 1837, we in com. pany with AUGUSTUS STORY. (a nephew of the late Chief Justice STORY,) s'arted from Milwaukee on a tour to the mining regions. We were both young and green in every thing connected with

western life, if not upon general principles. Our outfit consisted of two Indian ponies, rigged with pack-saddles, saddle-bags, blankets, provisions for man and beast," with a few extra "liquids." The snow was about ten inches deep, and the weather extremely cold -say 10 or 15 degrees below 0. We reached Prairie Village the first night, pretty much "used up," being unaccustomed to riding, especially through heavy timber, where there was no road, except what we made for each other, in travelling in "Indian file." At Prairie Village, (now Waukesha,) we put up at the best house in town, which was a small log cabin, about fifteen feet square, and contained but one room and two beds. Some five or six travellers from other directions, had arrived in advance of us, and a "sight" for lodgings looked rather dubious. Upon inquiry, we were told that we could stay, as it was a standing rule of the country to entertain all travellers, regardless of accommodation, for nece-sity compelled it. After partaking of a very palatable supper, consisting of fried pork and bread, the two beds were properly divided among the crowd upon the floor; but, having a good supply of blankets ourselves, we refused our proportion, and made our bed near the stove; and being so much fatigued, from our journey, we soon fell asleep, and did not even awake until daylight pressed the duty upon us. After having breakfasted, we resumed our journey in the direction of Fort Atkinson. Being aware of the fact, that there was no house on the route between Prairie Village and that point, we prepared ourselves for the worst. The road was but an Indian trail, completely hidden by the snow; so we were compelled to travel by compass instead of "trails." We reached Rock River just as the day-god was sinking in the west; and, as good luck would have it, we discovered a light a short distance from the river, and directed our steps towards it. Upon our arri val at the spot from whence it proceeded, we found some old friends, whom we had previously seen at Prairie Village—the Messrs. FOSTER, of Fort Atkinson. This was the only cabin in the place. It had just been completed, and was located near the old Fort. Reader, if you were ever cold, hungry, weary, "dry" and wet, at

the same time, you can imagine our feelings on that occasion. The accommodations were somewhat limited, it being a log cabin of about the usual size, and contained but one room occupied by two families. Ten travellers, besides ourselves, had bespoken lodgings for the night; still we were comfortably provided for.

The next morning, with much reluctance, we again resumed our journey, weary and sore. We would willingly have retreated; but did not do so, lest we should be laughed at. We were informed that the next nearest stopping place (except among the no. tives) was at HANEY'S, near the Blue Mounds, a distance of 50 miles. It was a cold, cloudy day. Our compass, from some unknown cause, refused to perform its duty; and after travelling five or six miles, we were unable to determine whether we were going west or cast. Our comrade becoming weary and discouraged, seemed determined to take the back track; but this we demurred to, as being contra to our early education. We took the lead, and kept it till about 3 o'clock P. M., when, looking round for our friend STORY, we found that we had distanced him, and that he was not in sight. We halted for a short time, when he came up, and insisted upon "camping" upon the spot. We assured him. that we would reach an Indian settlement, on the First Lake, before dark and prevailed upon him to follow. He finally consented to do so, and we again led the way till night overtook us, when we halted on the banks of the Catfish river, near the present site of the village of Dunkirk. After brushing the snow away from an old log, we struck up a fire, turned our pony loose to browse, and made preparations for lodgings. Our companion had not yet arrived, and we started on the back track in scarch of him. Twilight was fast deepening into night; and it soon became so dark, that we could only proceed in the direction from whence we came by feeling the footprints of our pony in the snow. Placed in this dilemma, we knew not what course to pursue. The wolves commenced howling around us, evidently intending to give us their hand, without a formal introduction; and at times they would approach so near us that we could see their glaring eye-balls through

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the darkness. In this manner we felt our way back for the distance of about a mile, when we met our companion who was completely exhausted. He was proceeding on foot, feeling his way, and leading his pony-cursing both us and the country. We assured him that we had procured the best of lodgings, at the nearest hotel, which was but a short distance ahead; and in this way we kept his spirits up until we reached the lodgings which we had provided by the "old oaken "log; and never were mortals more happy than we were on reaching it. After spancelling our ponies, and turning them loose to browse, we looked after our provisions, and found that they had "stepped out," or, in other words, we had lost them; and nothing had we in the shape of refreshments, excedt a bottle, about half full, of "fourth proof." We took that to the river, for the purpose of diluting it with water, and thus making it more palatable; but we found the river frozen over. We attempted to break the ice with our fist, but it was stronger than we had anticipated; and after dealing it a few blows, our knuck les "backed out." After seeking in vain to find a stone near by we conceived the idea of breaking the ice through with our bottle; but at the first blow the bottle yielded, instead of the ice; and away went the last of our liquid refreshments. We returned to the camp, and found our friend engaged in endeavoring to re-kindle the fire, which had nearly expired. We informed himn of our misfortune, and at the same time reminded him that it was useless to mourn for "spilled milk," or brandy. After a while we succeeded in reviving the fire, which we took turns in replenishing with fuel during the night. It was so cold that we should have been frozen before morning, had we not kept up a fire, which, together with the time occupied in keeping the wolves at bay, occupied one or the other of us until day dawned upon us. The wolves watched every move we made, as though, (if possible,) they were more hungry than ourselves.

We were "up and dressed" in good scason in the morning-not having slept at all during the night-and proceeded up the Catfish river, knowing that that stream would lead us to the "Fourth