May/June 2012
Founders’ Day
Picnic – June 7
THE SCHS annual Founders’ Day Picnic will be held on
Thursday, June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Sauk County History
Center in Baraboo. Delicious picnic fare will be served
by Geffert’s Catering of Reedsburg. Michael Goc will be
the guest speaker and will give a presentation on “Women
at Badger”, highlighting the roles of several women at
the army ammunition plant during World War II. Goc
is a renowned local history author and owns New Past
Press in Adams, Wisconsin. Goc also writes a history
blog for Portal Wisconsin and has been a consultant on
the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Hometown series on
PBS. Goc also volunteers with the Badger History Group,
the Adams County Historical Society, and the Wisconsin
Aviation Hall of Fame. Guests are encouraged to come
early or stay late to tour the history center and see the
progress that has been made. A flyer on the picnic and a
reservation form can be found inside this newsletter. The
deadline for reservations is May 31.
Below: Catherine Hangar, the first “Dipperette” at the Badger
Army Ammunition Plant, was just one of the thousands of
women that worked at the plant and helped the U.S. win
World War II.
Photo courtesy of Lyle Opperman
(608) 356-1001
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Schuette Receives Canfield Award
The 2012 William H. Canfield History Award was recently
given to William C. Schuette of Loganville by the Sauk
County Historical Society. The award, which is given out
annually, honors a local historian who has worked with
the same passion as Sauk County’s first historian, William
Canfield. Settling on Skillet Creek in 1842 with his wife,
Cordelia, William Canfield was among the first pioneers in
Sauk County and began recording its history almost immediately. Canfield’s work as a surveyor took him to every
corner of the county where he met its inhabitants and
started recording their stories. His work is the cornerstone
of Sauk County history to this day. Local historian, William
Schuette exemplifies the same enthusiasm for history as
Canfield and has contributed to local history in many
ways. Schuette has been on the board of the Sauk County
Historical Society for over 35 years and is indispensable to
its operation. Schuette has scanned over 30,000 historic
photos of Sauk County and made many of them available
online. He has also been an integral part of several local
history publications including “Reedsburg Remembers”,
“Loganville – Our Heritage”, and “Good Old Golden Rule
Days.” Schuette is also the current and long-standing
secretary of the SCHS and manages its website and newsletter. Schuette was given the Canfield Award recently at
the Society’s annual William H. Canfield Day which this
year highlighted Mrs. Canfield in honor of the Society’s
year-long theme of historic Sauk County women. Cordelia
Canfield settled in the wilderness with her husband at the
age of 19 and had her first child just a few weeks after they
arrived.
Historic Preservation Photo Contest
The month of May will again mark the annual celebration of Historic Preservation Month.
This photography contest will provide the vehicle for
county residents to explore the historic heritage of Sauk
County. The photo contest is sponsored by the Sauk
County University of Wisconsin Extension Office - Arts
and Culture Committee, and overseen by the Sauk
County Historical Society.
Photos must be taken in Sauk County, with a
subject of historic, architectural or archeological interest and be printed on photographic paper, 5x7 inches
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in size. Limit three photos per person. Deadline is June
1, 2012.
First Prize $100. Second Prize $75. Third Prize
$50.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the SCHS
website at: www.saukcountyhistory.org or obtained by
calling the Historical Society at 608-356-1001.
Entries may be mailed to P.O. Box 651, Baraboo,
WI 53913, or dropped off at the SCHS, 531 4th Ave.,
Baraboo (Wed-Sat, 12-4 pm).
History Center
Phase 2 Nearing Completion
The history center reached another milestone recently with
the installation of carpeting in the second floor archives
room and the installation of light fixtures. Refurbished
wood trim has also been installed on original second floor
doorways. The end of Phase 2, the renovation of the first
and second floors, is in sight, which means that the Society
could move some operations out of the Van Orden Mansion
this year. The list of items to be finished includes carpeting
for the rest of the building, new doors and trim, cabinetry
and metal railings. An additional $60,000 is needed to finish the first and second floors. Society members and the
public will be able to see the progress at this year’s annual
picnic on June 7 which will be held at the history center.
Those who remember the picnic at the history center in
2008 will see a dramatic difference in the building.
President’s Report
By Paul Wolter
IT was with great pleasure that I presented the 2012
William H. Canfield History Award to Bill Schuette at this
year’s Canfield Day in April. Bill has been one of the pillars
of the Sauk County Historical Society for over 30 years
and certainly has the same passion for local history that
Canfield did. Bill has been the Secretary of the Society for
more years than anyone can remember and takes impeccable minutes. Bill also manages this newsletter, our website
and all incoming picture requests. On top of all of those
duties Bill also volunteers to mow the lawn at both the Van
Orden Mansion and the History Center. He is also the chair
of the Society’s Museum – Education Committee and the
Public Relations – Marketing Committee. In his spare time,
Bill also helps out on the history center renovations, new
exhibits and maintenance. Oh yeah, and did I mention that
Bill has scanned over 30,000 historic photos from around
the county many of which are available online? As you
may have guessed Bill is no stranger to local history. He has
helped create several publications including “Loganville –
Our Heritage”, “Reedsburg Remembers” and “Good Old
Golden Rule Days.” I have been privileged to work with
Bill on many projects and he is always ready to lend a hand
and do things with excellence. Our society would truly not
be the same without him. So, if you see Bill please let him
know how much we appreciate him.
Is This Your Last Newsletter?
Carpeting was recently installed in the archives storage room
on the second floor of the history center. This room is virtually
complete and shelving will be installed soon.
Have you received a membership renewal request
recently? We don’t want to lose you; and we hope you
don’t want to miss any of our upcoming events.
Please remember to renew. We truly appreciate your
support.
Old Sauk Trails • May/June 2012
The Sauk County Historical Society publishes
Old Sauk Trails six times each year.
Editor: Bill Schuette • Production: Bananaboat Ad/Grfx
The first floor reading room of the history center is taking
shape with the installation of light fixtures which are original
to the building and lettering on the focal wall where rotating
displays will be exhibited.
The Sauk County Historical Society and Museum
531 Fourth Ave. • PO Box 651 • Baraboo, WI 53913
Open Wednesday-Saturday 12-4pm year-round
(608) 356.1001 • [email protected]
www.saukcountyhistory.org
(608) 356-1001
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Mary Joyce: Alaskan Frontier Woman
Mary Joyce was a rugged frontier woman, who lived during the last century, and who blazed the path for others of
her gender. She moved to Alaska during its territorial days,
where she owned and operated a lodge in the vast wilderness, became the first radio operator in the territory, flew her
own bush plane, and mushed dogs over vast distances.
Joyce was born on a farm near Baraboo around 1899. She
attended nursing school in Chicago, and ventured out to
Hollywood, CA, in 1928. There she was hired by a wealthy
couple as a private nurse for their adult son, Leigh Hackley
Smith, who suffered from post-WWI health issues. The
couple bought Twin Glacier Camp in Alaska and put their
son in charge. He and Mary operated the camp, training
huskies as freight animals and for their guests’ entertainment. Upon Leigh’s death in 1934, the property was
deeded to Mary.
The camp consisted of 14 buildings, 15 sled dogs
and three head of cattle. Joyce turned the camp into a
tourist destination which could accommodate 30 guests.
In 1936, Joyce was invited to participate in the
Fairbanks Ice Carnival, one event consisting of a dogsled
trek of 1,000 miles from Juneau to Fairbanks. Her guide,
Chocak and his sons, and 5 huskies, began the perilous
journey and soon arrived at the nearly frozen Taku River.
She wrote in her journal: “Chocak Lagoose scolded his
sons and made them put boughs over holes so I could
not see the water underneath while crossing. ‘White Lady
plenty scared.’ Crossed on my hands and knees and dogs
followed like soldiers. Crossed upper Taku and another
place over rapids on huge cakes of ice three feet apart
helped by sweepers and snags. Put chain on Tip (lead dog)
and each dog fell into water, pulled them out on another
cake of ice. In places, just room for sled on ice cakes with
water leaping over and gurgling underneath.”
During the final 300 miles, there were no shelters,
no places to rest or to get supplies. The temperature
dropped to -60F, as they forged through blizzards and
deep snow. Realizing she could not make it to the carnival
in time, she decided to take a plane and return for her
dogs later.
Upon her arrival in Fairbanks, the Fairbanks Daily
News-Miner noted:
“Bronzed by the blazing spring sun reflected from
measureless realms of snow, tanned by winds and weathers of all sorts, yet with light heart and buoyant step,
Mary Joyce, courageous 37-year-old musher, made her
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triumphant entry into Fairbanks completing a journey of
some 1,000 miles by dog team and hanging up a record
seldom if ever before reached in a woman’s world of
achievement.”
Afterwards, Mary continued her adventures by
becoming one of the first female Alaskan pilots, an airline
stewardess, hauled radio equipment by dog team for the
Navy during WWII, returned to nursing and purchased
and ran several bars.
Mary Joyce died, never having married, in her
beloved Alaska in 1976.
Pillars of Progress
Donors
History Center donations
since our last newsletter
(March 1 – April 30, 2012)
Claude & Starck Associate
Helen SaLoutos
Madame Washington
“Princess” was born in 1810, the daughter of Ho Chunk
Chief, White Crow, and later became the wife of Chief
Yellow Thunder. She gathered firewood, brought water
from the creek, prepared wild game for meals, tanned
hides for clothing, and assisted her husband in caring
for the homestead. After the 1928 treaty between the
Ho Chunk and the U.S., She traveled with her husband
to Washington, D.C. She was greatly impressed with the
sights of the capital city, and thereafter insisted that she
hereafter be known as “Madame Washington”. During
the 1837-1840 forced evacuation of the Ho Chunk to
Prairie du Chien, she and Yellow Thunder walked back to
Fairfield Township and reclaimed their 40 acres of land.
She died there in 1868.
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(608) 356-1001
5
SCHS Celebrates
Notable Women of Sauk County
We are celebrating Women of Sauk County throughout
2012, and have prepared an exhibit, titled Enduring
Spirit, dedicated to the accomplishments of some of Sauk
County’s pioneering women. Their contributions to the
betterment of their families and to the communities in
which they lived, is a testament to the tenacity and fortitude they brought with them when they settled here during the past century and a half.
The exhibit highlights intricate handwork made by
women in the late 19th century. Included are a gorgeous
Crazy Quilt, several pictures made entirely from seeds
and nuts, and intricate wreaths made from human hair
that celebrated a woman’s place in life. Wreaths and other
ornamental designs were popular between the Civil War
and the 1900’s, and hair was collected from members of a
group who wished to remain together in a remembrance.
Once collected, the hair was woven, knotted, crocheted,
coiled, tatted, and strung over coiled wire forms. Hair
from a recently deceased friend was often made into a
sprig and placed in the center.
Other representations of women’s daily lives include
a hair receiver and curling iron; a small delicate ivory
“reminder” in which a woman jotted appointments and
other notes with a tiny stylus; three pieces of miniature
clothing on tag board forms that most likely were used by
traveling seamstresses to illustrate their skill in design and
sewing technique, as well as other artifacts. You are welcome to view the exhibit and learn who invented removable collars, a brief history of sewing patterns, and more.
Curator, Rebecca DuBey, displays a delicate hand painted
china bowl in the new exhibit room filled with women’s handiwork from the late 19th and early 20th century
History Detectives
The Sauk County Investigators (SCI) are again on the case. The SCI
program was developed several years ago by Sauk County Historical
Society staff, to teach fourth graders how to use primary sources
while showing that the work of police detectives and historians is not
that much different. Along the way, the student History Detectives
solve “history mysteries” involving notable Sauk County Individuals.
Through the use of vintage photographs, students are taught to
determine the who, what, why, when and where the event depicted
occurred. This year’s teachers are Myrna Weickgenant, center, who lead
students at Pineview Elementary School, Reedsburg, and Jean Brew,
who is in charge of the program at Lake Delton Elementary.
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Would You Like to
Become a Member?
Would You Like to Become a Member?
If you would like to become a member of
the Sauk County Historical Society,
please visit our Web site at: http://www.saukcountyhistory.org/becomeamember.html
and fill out the membership form.
Our Board and Staff
Paul Wolter, Society President – Baraboo
Natalie Bussan, Vice President – Baraboo
Jim Weickgenant, Treasurer – Baraboo
Bill Schuette, Recording Secretary – Reedsburg
Becky Hovde – Baraboo
Pam Krainik – Baraboo
Mona Larsen – Baraboo
Todd Liebman – Baraboo
Ann Miller – Baraboo
David Saloutos – Baraboo
Ken Weitzel – Spring Green
STAFF
Rebecca DuBey, Curator – Stoughton
Linda Levenhagen, Museum Keeper – Baraboo
Deb Hanchek, Bookkeeper – Baraboo
We Care Program
The Sauk County Historical Society receives a
percentage of all of the dollars spent by everyone who
has SCHS designated on their Pierces Supermarket
Reward Card. Pierces is having all their customers
renew their cards so now is a good time to designate
SCHS as the charity receiving your percentage. To do
this, use the number 1092 as your charity when you
fill out the enrollment.
(608) 356-1001
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May/June 2012
The Sauk County Historical Society
P.O. Box 651
531 Fourth Avenue
Baraboo, WI 53913
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 91
Baraboo, WI 53913
Return Service Requested
New & Renewed Members for March and April
THANK YOU TO THESE MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED OR RENEWED SINCE OUR LAST NEWSLETTER.
Individual
Premo, Pete – Baraboo
Schultz, Robert & Marcella – Waukesha
Adami, Jill – Lodi
Rohde, Marilyn E – Baraboo
Selden, Missi – Baraboo
Amend, Peggy – Pardeeville
Sarahan, Charles A – College Park, MD
Steinhorst, Gaylon, Shirley & Emma – Baraboo
Barfknecht, Diane – Baraboo
Schara, Deanna – Reedsburg
Barrett, Elaine – Madison
Schreiber, William Jr – Baraboo
Friend
Belter, Audrey – Florence, AZ
Simons, Neal – Minneapolis, MN
Banaszak, Sue Greene – Milwaukee
Blau, Beatrice – Sun Prairie
Stiemke, Sandra – Sauk City
Brice, Dean & Judy – Baraboo
Bolster, Bonnie – Mt. Pleasant
Sutter, Thomas – Appleton
Edwards, Dan & Sandy – Baraboo
Christensen, Rick – Madison
Thompson, Lucille – Baraboo
Hinz, Alice Cass – Dubuque, IA
Cole, Donald L – DeForest
Vertein, Wava J – North Freedom
Hotzel, Bernard & Roberta – Baraboo
Cook, Betty – Clarksville, TN
Weiss, Karin Schuette – Tigard, OR
Karch, Jim & Marilyn – Baraboo
Dippel, Albert – Baraboo
Williams, Susan Burton – Waukesha
Krainik, Marnie – Baraboo
Fargen, Delores – Redding, CA
Lewison, Eric & Ginny – Baraboo
Goddard, Dick – North Freedom
Family
Liston, Pat & Sara – Baraboo
Hallanger, Kay – Baraboo
Bittermann, Lawrence & Patricia – Batavia, IL Schreiber, William Jr. – Baraboo
Honer, Jim – Madison
Dlugopolski, Steve & Susan Clemens – Senger, Lawrence & Catherine – Baraboo
Jaedike, Dale – North Freedom
Wisconsin Rapids
Terbilcox, Colleen – Baraboo
Klipp, Janet G – Reedsburg
EBSCO Industries, Inc. – Birmingham, AL
Thurow, Dennis & Kathleen – Baraboo
Kluck, Carol – Medford, NJ
Green, Charles & Donna – Baraboo
Vester, Barbara J – San Leandro, CA
Krause, Gary – Viroqua
Griffin, Scott, Kori, Adele – Baraboo
Vodak, Barbara – Baraboo
Larsen, Lindy – Baraboo
Hanskett, Paula – Baraboo
Weitzel, Ken – Spring Green
Linder, Jim – San Jose, CA
Hantzsch, Russell & Anita – Hales Corners
Wendt, Audrey – Baraboo
McArthur, Joan – Holmes Beach, FL
Loomis, Dale – Baraboo
Wolter, Wayne & Geraldine – Wisconsin Dells
McCarthy, Thomas – Sioux Falls, SD
Luther, Doug & Linda – Greenwood Village, CO
Meinen, Irene M – Roseville, MN
Mielke, Richard & Melanie – North Freedom Sponsor
Mordini, Shelley – Baraboo
Mossman, Bob & Dolores – Baraboo
Ashford, Judy – Merrimac
Mueller, Sue – Baraboo
Nolden, Tim & Katherine – Baraboo
Barganz, Ron & Lynda – Baraboo
Murray, Joanne K – Baraboo
Rundio, Steve & Libby – Baraboo
Beard, William & Corinne – Baraboo
Olson, Earl – Dawsonville, GA
Schreiber, William & Marian – Baraboo
Chiquoine, Stephen & Eleanor – Reedsburg
Peck, 8
William Rwww.saukcountyhistory.org
IV – St. Paul, MN
Schroeder, Roy & Judy – Loganville
Dargel, Jerry & Ellen – Baraboo
Dutton, Elizabeth – Boalsburg, PA
Hambach, Arleen – Aurora, IL
Lange, Ken & Esther – Baraboo
Mueller, Verlyn – Prairie du Sac
Rice, Paula – North Shores, MI
SaLoutos, Helen – Baraboo
Schultz, Ronald G – Fletcher, NC
Umhoefer, Paul & Aural – Baraboo
Yeck, Robert & Louise – Silver Spring, MD
Patron
Dewel, Robert C – Baraboo
Graupman, Mark & Barb – Reedsburg
Pointon, Phillip & Alonna – Baraboo
Regan, Jim & Barb – Baraboo
Benefactor
Burgi, Karl & Melanie – Baraboo
Van Orden Circle
Kuczynski, Pedro & Lange, Nancy – Miami, FL
Business Sponsor
Terrytown Plumbing – Baraboo