Category Archives: Antebellum Wisconsin

1844: John Metcalf to Jonathan Edwards Foster

October 6, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

This letter was written by John Metcalf who was employed as shot-dropper for many years at the Helena Shot Tower on the Wisconsin river near present-day Spring Green, Wisconsin. The shot tower was a pioneer industry in southwest Wisconsin that operated for almost thirty years, contributing largely to the early prosperity of this region.

One of the best early descriptions of the Helena shot tower is given in W. R. Smith’s Observations on the Wisconsin Territory, published in 1838. He says: “From this point the road bends abruptly to the east, along the bank of the river, and a ride of two miles or thereabouts, through the site of the town of Helena, brings you to the shot tower and buildings belonging to the Wisconsin Shot Company. Here is a large lumber yard, the lumber being chiefly pine, and brought down the Wisconsin river. Several mechanics’ shops are erected and workmen employed.

The shot company have a very large assortment of goods and merchandise in their store which is here kept, and on the river bank there is now being built a store house of about fifty by seventy feet, the basement story of stone from the river beach to the top of the bank, and the upper story of frame. “The shot tower is worthy of a description. It is built on the summit of a rocky hill on the bank of Pipe creek, and a gentle descent southward and westward, by which wagons may reach the summit.”

“The 60-foot cliff was a convenient headstart, but Metcalf needed someone to continue a shaft for the remaining 120 feet to ground level. Access to the bottom of the shaft, where the lead shot would be collected, necessitated a 90-foot horizontal tunnel. In 1831 Thomas B. Shaunce, a 22-year-old lead miner in Galena, Illinois, was hired for the task. Shaunce worked mostly alone but received some assistance from a friend named Malcom Smith. They dug with pickaxes and a gad, using gunpowder to loosen the harder rock of the lower layers. Shaunce used a plumb-bob to ensure that he was keeping the shaft perfectly straight, and a windlass to haul out the broken rock. Shaunce calculated where to begin digging the horizontal tunnel by standing across the water and sighting with his rifle directly below the top of the shaft. He dug in from the riverbank, using a line of stakes to maintain his alignment. When he first broke through from the horizontal tunnel to the bottom of the shaft, a blast of air knocked Shaunce unconscious and collapsed one of his lungs.” The project took 187 working days, interrupted in the spring of 1832 when Shaunce and Smith both returned to Galena and enlisted in the Illinois Militia to fight in the Black Hawk War. Shaunce had been contracted to be paid $1000 for his work, but was ultimately offered land instead.

A smelting house was built at the top of the cliff, and the 60-foot drop from there to the opening of Shaunce’s tunnel was enclosed with a wooden shaft. A finishing house was built on the riverbank, where the shot was dried, graded, and sorted. This was joined by a warehouse and docks. In 1836 Whitney sold the property to a group of businessmen from New York for $10,000. Later, in 1845, Cadwallader C. Washburn and a business partner purchased the site. In 1852 they replaced the finishing house and installed steam-operated equipment, nearly doubling the operation’s productivity. The shot tower was operated by a crew of six, producing between 600 and 800 pounds of quality shot per day. Miscast pieces were melted and reused. The finished shot, graded by size, was transported to Milwaukee and then shipped east.

Operations ceased in 1860 during an economic downturn, and the buildings and equipment were sold away. The village of Helena was abandoned soon after. Thomas Shaunce died around 1860 as well. Throughout his life he experienced respiratory trouble from the air blast in the tunnel, and felt he had been cheated of his proper payment.

Metcalf wrote this letter to Jonathan Edwards Foster (1814-1867) of West Boxford, Massachusetts. I could not find any record of Foster’s presence in Wisconsin Territory but he clearly knew many of the inhabitants in the area of the Shot Tower where Metcalf lived.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Helena [Wisconsin]
May 12, 1844

Mr. J. E. Foster,

Dear sir, yours of the 20th March was received about six weeks after writing. I have received most of the Nos. of the Messenger and sent the Express except a few Nos. I have not received. I shall continue them,. I take no St. Louis paper now, the Bulletin having been discontinued. I think to have a St. Louis paper soon & will send it.

Our winter has been mild—little sleighing—very forward spring. Business is brisk here as well as with you. Our staple lead is about $2.45. Flour $4 to 4.50, pork mess $12 at Mineral Point. About $9 at Galena. Corn .35 to .40 cents. Oats through the winter 37.5; now about 30 cents. Population is increasing rapidly in our Territory—much more in the East than the West part of it. A heterogenous mass of Yankees, Buckskins, & Gumbos [Creoles], English, Dutch, Norwegians, &c. I think the mass of foreign immigration here better than that which remains on the seaboard. There has been but little improvement on the ridge by making new farms. Old ones are some improved. The land about the ridge being in the hands of speculators is held too high for present settlement on account of its mineral character. Some new discoveries have ben made in our neighborhood and old ones worked to considerable extent within the last 18 months.

A settlement is commenced on the creek below Helena. ¹ Some four or five families are located about 4 to 5 miles from Helena. An English settlent has commenced about 10 miles above near the Arena Creek ² which is expected will amount to about 60 families within the next year, 20 of which are expected next month. Buildings are preparing for their reception. These together with 6 or 8 Americans already on or near the Hancy Creek will make quite a respectable commencement to settle this side Wisconsin. No new improvements on the other side near this. There is quite a settlement on the other side below this on the Kickapoo & its neighborhood. Our road on the other side is not completed but is some traveled. There is now a road from Prairie Du Sauk on this side the Wisconsin so that the other is not so much used.

You ask whether it would be more convenient to settle our accounts this fall or next. The next would probably suit me better than this. I lost by the [ ] of N. L. Dodge about the amount of your claim, it being for manufacturing shot the last season. I rebuilt the tower last fall which was burnt the fall before and have not received pay yet, all which has occasioned me some inconvenience. I run the tower part of the last season and in the fall, together with Mr. Henry Hamilton of Buffalo & J. B. Terry, Simond Grove, [ ] purchased it for $7000. We are doing business in the name of Wisconsin Shot Tower Co. Our calculation is to do a regular but not very long business in manufacturing, and to connect it with merchandize, lumber, &c. I have some goods now and expect in a few days to have a full department.

I have made some improvements on my place on the ridge by building a comfortable house (log of course), a good frame barn, and enclosed from 15 to 20 acres more land part of which (12 acres) is in cultivation. Mr. Park is living on how own place near Hickcox. Alanson Culver is improving by building house & barn, both frame, both well & living well. Our old acquaintances are generally well. Wm. Turner died last summer of fever. Mrs. Turner is living on the place still. Old Mr. Jenkins is deceased I think since you left. Alvah Culver’s Fanny and Alanson’s oldest child are also dead. These are all that occur to me as having taken place in our immediate neighborhood since you left.

Mr. Wilson’s Jane is married to Alonzo Harrington. Steamboat arrivals are “few and far between.” There has been none this season and I think but two the last season. If an appropriations has been made to improve the Fox & Wisconsin rivers, I think steamboats will in a short time be no uncommon thing on our river, notwithstanding their present absence.

Report says that John & George Messersmith have made a valuable discovery of copper on the North wide the Wisconsin [river] near the Kickapoo. It also says that coal has been discovered on that side the river some miles below Ft. Winnebago—perhaps true, perhaps not true. Also that a valuable discovery of lead has been made at the latter place below Fort Winnebago.

I have not seen Mr. Brigham but think he would like some previous notion of your calling on him. Mr. Culver will write. Could you name one or more good houses in Boston that are doing something in lead and shot business that I could get information from with regard to shot—whether we might make it profitable to send shot there? Any information you can give me will confer an obligation. Could money be obtained for 3, 4 or 5 years at about 8 percent interest, payable annually or semi-annually, secured by productive real property, for a sum of $1,000, or several [ ] of about that amount the property in Wisconsin, I would like to obtain about $1000 on the above terms & I would think that person having money to loan might do better with it here if proper care be taken to have it properly secured, not on wild land, but on productive property. I am aware there is a want of confidence [ ] in Wisconsin & that distance is objectionable.

By writing as soon as convenient, you will much oblige yours, — John Metcalf

*The Helena Shot Tower near Green Spring, Wisconsin, in its heyday.*

¹ This may have been Spring Green which was known locally as Helena Bottoms.

² This English settlement was probably Dover, Wisconsin. It was settled primarily by members of the British Temperance & Emigration Society (travelling from Liverpool). It grew rapidly in the late 1840s but became a ghost town after the railroad line bypassed the village in favor of Mazomanie.

Antebellum Wisconsin

1849: John Magill to John Magill

March 31, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

Even with the address on the stampless cover of this letter, I was unable to confirm the identity of this letter which was signed John Magill and addressed to “Mr. John Magill at Patrick, Care of Messrs. Stevens & Peabody, Merchants, Eastport, Maine.”

Regardless of whoever wrote it, the content of the letter is interesting as it gives us a glimpse of the early settlement of Newburg, Wisconsin—a village located approximately 35 miles north of Milwaukee and 10 miles west of the shore of Lake Michigan. We learn something of the character of the village, the composition of its inhabitants, status of churches, and social affairs during the long, cold winter of 1848-49.

There was a farmer named John Magill identified in 1850 in nearby Cedarburg but his age, occupation, and family profile does not appear to match that of the author.

Transcription

Newburg
February 16, 1849

My dear parents & brother and sister,

I received your welcome letter of the 15th of January on the 14th of February. I am very happy that you were all in good health. I hope that you may still continue to enjoy as god health as I do at present and have for some time past. I am very sorry that I caused you so much anxiety. It was not from any feeling of indifference or forgetfulness but from a desire to have some better news to communicate. I did not wish to write until I could say I was fully recovered and at work.

I thank you, my dear parents and brother and sister, for your kind sympathy and your earnest prayers for me and also all those who have been so kind as to enquire for me. Please to remember me to them all—especially Mr. Millain. I was not aware that he was still among you at the time that I wrote. I wrote to you on the 19th of January which I expect you will ave received since that time. I have been at work at what think you? Why making shingles!! out of cedar for Mr. Reynolds, son-in-law to Mr. Frisby, mine host. I engaged to work for him one half month at 16 dollars, food and board. I have not worked the time out yet on account of his absence.

We are about taking a job doing the joiner work on the Poor House which is to be built by the 1st of May. It is to be a log building 50 x 30 feet. The job was taken by Mr. Wise [Weiss], a German Jew. He will put up the logs and then let out the job of finishing it. It is to be hewn down on the inside, roofed, double floors laid above and below portions put up, batten doors made and ten window frames put in. Mr. Reynolds and I have offered to do it for 60 dollars. I went out to see the man yesterday but we did not finally conclude the bargain on account of Mr. Reynolds being absent. I expect that we will take the job. The building is to be put up on the County Farm which is 4.5 miles from here. There is a man living nearby with whom we expect to board. Our offer is low but as for myself, I think I can do better than at present and Reynolds is about as hard up as I am. What I have done for him will be turned over to his father-in-law against my board. There will be plenty of work here in the Spring but when that will be, I cannot even guess. We have had the coldest weather yesterday and the day before that we have had all winter. We have had uninterrupted cold weather and deep snow since it first came. I have been told that the Spring generally opens about the first of March. This is called an extraordinary cold winter and last winter the reverse.

Dear brother, I am very glad that you have begun to build a boat. I like the dimensions you have given very well. I should like to be at home to assist you. I hope you will go on with it and have her ready for sea by the time I get home. I should think she would be very stiff from her breadth of beam. I hope she may realize your expectations in sailing. If you should get her done in time and could make it convenient, I should like to have you come up the St. Lawrence into Lake Ontario, thence through the Welland Canal and Lake Erie and the other Lakes to Millewaukee [Milwaukee]. But my dear brother, do not be offended with me. I mean no slur upon your undertaking. I sincerely hope you will succeed. I think from your letter that Flynn’s folks have got their boat launched.

There was no truth in the report that Mr. Young was dead. I have seen him since I wrote to you and I saw two of his boys on the 13th. They said the family were all well.

There is not much stir in our village at present. It is too cold to do anything in the gristmill. ¹ By way of amusing ourselves, we have a lyceum or debating society. We have lately passed a resolution to have but one debate the week and to have a short lecture delivered by one of the members every Saturday evening. I had the honor to deliver the first. The subject was that of “Land limitation”—that is, that the Public Lands should be given to actual settlers in limited quantities. The last question for debate was, “Resolved, that capital punishment ought to be abolished.” I was chosen as one of the chief disputants. My opponent chose the affirmative which obliged me to take the negative. We had four on each side. The questions was decided by the Chairman in the negative.

You wish me to tell you something of the country. I do not know that I can give you much information of interest. It is settling fast. There is little or no government land to be had in this county although it was the last settled. A great amount of land has been taken up by Land Warrants granted to the soldiers of the Mexican War, everyone being allowed 160 acres and to locate it where he can find enough vacant. There are a great many Dutch [Germans] in this county and also a great many Americans, the greater part of whom are from New York State, some from Ohio, and last but not least a number of Irishmen. There is nothing peculiar in the manners or customs.

With regard to religion, the principal denomination are Baptists and Methodists. We have preaching here by the Methodists about once a fortnight. They are endeavoring to have a Meeting house built here this Spring. The plan is drawn out and the estimated cost $1000. There are a number of Universalists here. Frisby is among the most prominent. He is perfectly versed in all the arguments by which it is supported. When he first came here, we used to have frequent arguments but as there did not seem to be much gained on either side and as I had none to support me but one man and he was not here long, I avoid the subject. Since the Methodists have talked of building, the Universalists have been looking round to see what they can do but I think they are too few to do anything.

You see I have filled up my sheet. I do not know as it will give you much information. I have no news of interest to you. You, I presume, do not care much where the county seat is located nor take much interest in the plank road to Janesville, nor wish to hear the latest news from California—the principal topics of discussion with us at present. Write to me soon. I sed my love to you all, my dear Father, Mother, brother and sister, and my respects for all who enquire for me.

I remain your affectionate son and brother, — John Magill

Newburg, Feb. 16, 1849

You mentioned in yours Ja. Kerr had received a letter from Mr. Louden. I have forgotten where he lived—in Indiana or Illinois. If he lives in Indiana, I did not take the most direct route home. I have seen persons from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, in fact all the Western country. They describe it as being all very fine farming land but sickly and subject to the fever ague—especially Indiana and Illinois. There are several men here who would have settled there but for this reason but Mr. Kerr made very well there but from what I have been told, I should not go there. The most direct route for to go home will be the way I came, to go the way Louden went. I should have to go either to Chicago or cross the Lake to St. Joseph, a distance of 100 miles in one case and 70 in the other. I can go from Milwaukee to Buffalo in 3 and a half days, from Buffalo to Albany in 24 hours, from thence to Boston in 10 hours. I have been told that the fare reduced on the Buffalo route. 1st Class from 12 to 82 from 5 to 3 but I am no certain it is so.

My dear Mother, I am very glad to hear that you were well. I long for the time to come when I shall see you again. It has been a very long winter to me and I suppose to you. I have not suffered any with the cold having been mostly in the house. I have bought no flannel shirts. You know that I am not very partial to them. As to price, they can be had at Milwaukee as cheap as anywhere. They ask a little bigger here. I bought a pair of boots here for $2.50. I know I could have bought them in the city for $2.25 or less.

My dear sister, if James takes the proposed voyage, I wish you to come along with him if you are certain there will be no danger, but in the mean time I wish you to write me a letter or part of a letter. You need not be very particular in waiting for me to write. It was more than 7 weeks from the time I wrote until I received an answer. You may say that it was my fault. I grant it, but I suffered no little anxiety during that long time. But I can write no more at present. I send my love to you, my dear sister, and to George. Excuse blunders. Goodbye.

*The Webster House in Newburg, Wisconsin* *(Washington County Historical Society)*

¹ The Newburg village history informs us that the village was founded in 1848 by Barton Salisbury who built a dam on the Milwaukee river and used it to power a gristmill and sawmill. Salisbury died in 1849 when he fell from a three story inn he was constructing in Newburg which was called the Webster House.