History of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens.

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HISTORY OP VERNON COUNTY.
4,823). Now, the former has 13,500 and the latter 11,500. Considering the absence of large towns, railroads, etc., coupled with its bad name, I think Bad Ax, or Minnesheik, has done well. Large portions of the inhabitants are from Ohio and the New England States, though in some parts there is a good sprinkling of Nor¬ wegians.
The great crop now is wheat, though the raising of stock is being taken hold of. There is not a finer region in the world for mixed hubbandry; grain, cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, cannot do otherwise than well here ; and I will venture the opinion that the hill sides and northern slopes of this county will yet become noted for their fruit, as well as for their sheep and cattle. The fine corri raised, of course, will tell you that before long pork will form a leading article of export.
For the year 1860 the surplus wheat of this county must amount to not less than 1,000,000 bushels. By^some, it is estimated at a much higher figure. How to get rid of this is the main question now^ Go in what direction you will, it takes from thirty-five to fifty miles of teaming to get to markets. The people, in thinking of this, are led to inquire if their condition cannot be bettered. They ask "why cannot we have railroad facilities ?" Their homes are between what is to be the terminus of Minnesota's railroad system at La Crosse, and the roads at the southeast. The people begin to see that it will be of some advantage to them to have a railroad from La Crosse to a favorable point of junction on the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad. They see that such a road would not only give them an outlet south- eastwardiy for their produce, but that it would carry through their county a large stream of travel, and that thus their many advantages would become known to the woild about them; their property would become enhanced in value and their position be one of importance in the State,
If Minnesheik county will be but true to herself, she can soon rank second to no county in point of wealth and population (I except, of course, Milwaukee), for she has elements within her limits to make her such, if she will but develope them ; and I believe if she will take the initiatory steps, capital will be induced to take hold and help her. She must, however, show others that she has confidence in herself.
There is, in Minnesheik county, an abun¬ dance of water power, which, taken in connec¬ tion with its fine timber, will give it a front rank as a locality favorable to manufactures of whatever nature, as well as for the purpose of flouring her vast crop of wheat.
Being' on the highway between important systems of railway, a liberal charter for a rail¬ road was procured nearly two years ago. A company has been organized under this charter, which now proposes to survey the road and prosecute the work of its construction. Tt was proposed at first to build the southern half of the road from Viroqua to some point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad at or near Muscoda. This road constructed will prove a very important feeder to the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, giving it the business which now goes down the Mississippi or over the La Crosse road.
Will not the Milwaukee & Mississippi Rail¬ road interests see their interests in this matter and help in this work ? If some outside help were to be furnished it is believed the counties of Richland and Minnesheik (Bad Ax) will take hold manfully and help to push the road along. That this road will ultimately be constructed there is but little doubt. The country through which it is to pass, needs it. Can Milwaukee help secure this trade to herself ? Will she do it ? Or, shall it be left to Chicago to furnish the necessary capital to develope this country, and thus, by affinity, secure this business to her¬ self ? These are matters worthy of the earnest consideration of the business men of Milwaukee.