Odd Wisconsin: Amusing, Perplexing, and Unlikely Stories from Wisconsin's Past
by Erika Janik
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2007 eISBN: 978-0-87020-541-5 | Paper: 978-0-87020-383-1 Library of Congress Classification F581.6.J36 2007 Dewey Decimal Classification 977.5
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK
While Bob La Follette's exploits as leader of progressive politics are legendary, his early morning exertions to save valuable government documents and executive department paintings during the disastrous 1904 capitol fire are largely unknown - until now. Odd Wisconsin captures the Wisconsin people, places, and events that didn't make it into conventional state histories, lowering a bucket into the depths of Wisconsin history and bringing to light curious fragments of forgotten lives.
This unique book unearths the stories that got lost to history even though they may have made local headlines at the time. No mythical hodags or eight-legged horses here! Odd Wisconsin features strange but true stories from Wisconsin's past, every one of which was documented (albeit by the standards of the day). These brief glimpses into Wisconsin's past will surprise, perplex, astonish, and otherwise connect readers with the state's fascinating history. From "the voyageur with a hole in his side" to "pigs beneath the legislature," Odd Wisconsin gathers 300 years of curiosities, all under the radar of traditional stories.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Erika Janik grew up in Redmond, Washington, but now knows more about Wisconsin history than she ever thought possible. Currently a Madison resident, she has master's degrees in American history and journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author of A Short History of Wisconsin, also published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Her work has appeared in Midwest Living, MyMidwest, Wisconsin Trails, the Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Magazine of History, and The Onion.
REVIEWS
"With its progressive tradition and proud history, we like to imagine Wisconsin as a place of character. But we are a place of characters, too—as any statewide ballot will attest. Odd Wisconsin celebrates that nicely twisted side of our state's face mask, from oddities to eccentricities, from heroic eagles to Confederate spies, from pigs in the legislature's basement to the sea monster that rattled Pere Marquette, all squares in the crazy quilt that is our past." (Dennis McCann,Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
"[A]n amazing collection of stories about people and things that have made this state a great place in which to live. . . . A fun book from start to finish." (Larry Meiller, Wisconsin Public Radio)
"Dipping into the pages of Odd Wisconsin is like opening a box of your favorite chocolates-every one is a delicious treat! Gorge yourself on the whole thing, or savor them slowly, one by one. From the Scotch Giant (his shoes were 13.5 inches long and nearly 4 inches wide) to the smallest railroad in the world, from the rattlesnake-harvesting Sarah Hardwick to the Tarzan of Rhinelander, these odd morsels of Wisconsin's history are pure pleasure." (Harriet Brown, Editor, Wisconsin Trails Magazine)
"Wowsers, this book is a hoot and a half. . . . I've always thought we don't pay enough attention to the characters in our midst. Odd Wisconsin takes care of that deficiency and gives some attention to the funny, ironic, goofy, and sad tales of our history. It might settle a few bets, too." (George Hesselberg,Wisconsin State Journal)
"If you delight in irony, novelty, and surprise, buy Odd Wisconsin. . . . It's the kind of book that makes you eager for the next cocktail party so you can share this cool stuff." (David Mollenhoff, author of Madison: A History of the Formative Years)
"[A] great compendium of the crazy stories and items stored in Wisconsin's attic." (Susan Lampert Smith, Wisconsin State Journal columnist and author of Greetings from Wisconsin)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. Odd Lives and Strange Deaths
II. Curiosities
III. Animal Antics
IV. Political [Im]Ponderables
V. Palatable Peculiarities
VI. Spiritual Encounters
Index
Odd Wisconsin: Amusing, Perplexing, and Unlikely Stories from Wisconsin's Past
by Erika Janik
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2007 eISBN: 978-0-87020-541-5 Paper: 978-0-87020-383-1
While Bob La Follette's exploits as leader of progressive politics are legendary, his early morning exertions to save valuable government documents and executive department paintings during the disastrous 1904 capitol fire are largely unknown - until now. Odd Wisconsin captures the Wisconsin people, places, and events that didn't make it into conventional state histories, lowering a bucket into the depths of Wisconsin history and bringing to light curious fragments of forgotten lives.
This unique book unearths the stories that got lost to history even though they may have made local headlines at the time. No mythical hodags or eight-legged horses here! Odd Wisconsin features strange but true stories from Wisconsin's past, every one of which was documented (albeit by the standards of the day). These brief glimpses into Wisconsin's past will surprise, perplex, astonish, and otherwise connect readers with the state's fascinating history. From "the voyageur with a hole in his side" to "pigs beneath the legislature," Odd Wisconsin gathers 300 years of curiosities, all under the radar of traditional stories.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Erika Janik grew up in Redmond, Washington, but now knows more about Wisconsin history than she ever thought possible. Currently a Madison resident, she has master's degrees in American history and journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author of A Short History of Wisconsin, also published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Her work has appeared in Midwest Living, MyMidwest, Wisconsin Trails, the Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Magazine of History, and The Onion.
REVIEWS
"With its progressive tradition and proud history, we like to imagine Wisconsin as a place of character. But we are a place of characters, too—as any statewide ballot will attest. Odd Wisconsin celebrates that nicely twisted side of our state's face mask, from oddities to eccentricities, from heroic eagles to Confederate spies, from pigs in the legislature's basement to the sea monster that rattled Pere Marquette, all squares in the crazy quilt that is our past." (Dennis McCann,Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
"[A]n amazing collection of stories about people and things that have made this state a great place in which to live. . . . A fun book from start to finish." (Larry Meiller, Wisconsin Public Radio)
"Dipping into the pages of Odd Wisconsin is like opening a box of your favorite chocolates-every one is a delicious treat! Gorge yourself on the whole thing, or savor them slowly, one by one. From the Scotch Giant (his shoes were 13.5 inches long and nearly 4 inches wide) to the smallest railroad in the world, from the rattlesnake-harvesting Sarah Hardwick to the Tarzan of Rhinelander, these odd morsels of Wisconsin's history are pure pleasure." (Harriet Brown, Editor, Wisconsin Trails Magazine)
"Wowsers, this book is a hoot and a half. . . . I've always thought we don't pay enough attention to the characters in our midst. Odd Wisconsin takes care of that deficiency and gives some attention to the funny, ironic, goofy, and sad tales of our history. It might settle a few bets, too." (George Hesselberg,Wisconsin State Journal)
"If you delight in irony, novelty, and surprise, buy Odd Wisconsin. . . . It's the kind of book that makes you eager for the next cocktail party so you can share this cool stuff." (David Mollenhoff, author of Madison: A History of the Formative Years)
"[A] great compendium of the crazy stories and items stored in Wisconsin's attic." (Susan Lampert Smith, Wisconsin State Journal columnist and author of Greetings from Wisconsin)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. Odd Lives and Strange Deaths
II. Curiosities
III. Animal Antics
IV. Political [Im]Ponderables
V. Palatable Peculiarities
VI. Spiritual Encounters
Index
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC