Chadwick & McDonald: An Ahnapee Swindle

For the transient woodsmen and sailors who made Ahnapee their winter home, drinking, card playing and horseplay were, by far, the most popular activities. Every once in awhile, somebody who did not fit the mold spent the winter.

Bill Chadwick was one of the men who showed up in the fall of 1866, but he was different. Chadwick read. He went to church and Sunday school. Since Chadwick did not drink or play cards, Ahnapee residents thought he might be a useful member of society. Chadwick became quite popular when he inadvertently let it be known he had inherited a large sum of money and was philanthropic. Townspeople were excited when Chadwick announced he desired to enter business with Captain Bill McDonald, who then owned the Ahnapee House (today the Stebbins Hotel) at which Chadwick lodged.

The partnership of Chadwick and McDonald was formed after Chadwick looked into Mr. McDonald's character. Chadwick said he planned to open a mercantile and gristmill where "oppressed farmers" could get a better deal. He also felt the Ahnapee House needed refurbishing and engaged builders.

Giving them a $10,000 draft, Chadwick had McDonald and young Tom Osborn go to Chicago where they were to meet Chadwick's father at the Sherman House. The elder Mr. Chadwick was to give the men funds with which to purchase supplies.

While they were gone, Chadwick started a free-wheeling life. He began tending bar at the Ahnapee House where woodsmen were spending their pay. Passing out McDonald's finest alcohol, he took in more money. It seemed to be a good time for all. Then he swindled Charles Boalt out of a coat, and took McDonald's pride and joy, an exceptionally fine trotter, worth about $1,000. After inviting Neil Mclean to ride to Kewaunee for more lumber, he gave Mclean the slip, pawned the horse for $100 and started south on foot.

By then Captain McDonald was on his way home, knowing he had been swindled. Chadwick didn't have friends in Chicago. Upon reaching Racine, McDonald hired a fast team to take him home to Ahnapee. On the second day of the trip, McDonald and Osborn came upon Chadwick north of Two Rivers. Thinking fast, Chadwick told McDonald his father had come north rather than staying in Chicago and was in the big white house along the road. McDonald believed him and Chadwick climbed into the buggy. When they saw a man,.Chadwick said "that's father now," and, jumping from the buggy, ran up to him. After shaking hands, he ran into the house and disappeared. All Captain Bill was heard to say was "Hell."

It was believed Chadwick left the county. Captain Bill McDonald was often overheard to say in the barroom of the Ahnapee House that he would beat the stuffing out of anybody who ever referred disrespectfully to his late partner. Captain Bill paid all of Chadwick's bills.

Note: The photograph of the  lumbering oil painting is used with the permission of the artist whose paintings chronicle the history of both Door and Kewaunee County from ships, tugs, fishing and lighthouses to skunk trapping, farming that includes manure spreading, the post office and everything in between.