Local business, individuals,
& community
A closer look at William Irvine
and his role in the community
The Battle of Cameron Dam:
The John Dietz Controversy
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Like any businessman, Irvine had to handle conflicts in order to
successfully manage his company. One such conflict was between the
Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. and a farmer named John F Dietz.
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From 1904-1910, a stubborn farmer, John F Dietz, waged a feud against
the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. that became a nation-wide sensation.
Some saw Dietz as a symbol of the little man, bravely defending his own
against the forces of greed and immense wealth. Others saw him as a wildeyed anarchist, fanatically attacking law and order.
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Dietz had bought 160 acres along the Thornapple River, adjoining the
dam, and moved his wife and six children there in 1904. The dam had been
owned by the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. since 1901, but the Dietz’s
farm deed erroneously failed to mention the dam and flowage rights which
former owners of the land had sold to the lumber company. This led Dietz to
feel that the company had wronged him in partially flooding his farm land to
float down logs in the spring drive.
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He claimed a toll of 10% per 1,000 feet of logs passed through the
dam. The company rejected his claim. When the log driving crew reached
the dam in the spring, Dietz was there threatening them with his gun.
The Battle Continues
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A six year siege began in which Dietz and his two
oldest boys kept guard over the dam and the little
log house, while court injunctions were repeatedly
issued, a succession of sheriffs tried vainly to serve
summonses and bigger and bigger posses of
sheriff’s deputies, U. S. marshals, militia men and
hired thugs went to the farm attempting to capture
the “outlaw of Thornapple River.”
There were several clashes, and people on both
sides were shot.
William Irvine Gets Involved
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On July 20, 1904, William Irvine, manager of the Chippewa Lumber &: Boom Company and first
citizen of Chippewa Falls, came to the Thornapple clearing and appealed to Deitz to permit the
dispute to be arbitrated. Irvine was ten years older than Deitz, alert, genial, and strikingly
handsome. He was utterly dedicated to his work, but he was known as a fair, approachable
lumberman.
Irvine now approached Deitz, not simply man-to-man, but as a fellow Freemason. Irvine said: "Most
of the important men in my company are Masons. We should not be quarreling and fighting."
Deitz agreed, but he asked Irvine why he had not considered this earlier, and whether Thomas J.
Connor, the company's attorney, had not given money and arms to the sheriff. Irvine replied that he
had known nothing about the trouble until he read about it in the papers; nor, he said, was Connor
the company attorney: "He is attorney for the Mississippi River Logging Company. Our attorney is
John J. Jenkins, who is now in Washington."
Strictly speaking, this was true, but Deitz was skeptical.
Irvine proposed that the matter of logs, dam rights, tolls, and back wages be laid before the grand
master of Wisconsin Masonry, who would be asked to appoint several past grand masters to sit as
a board of arbitration. The company would promise, in writing, to abide by the decision of the
arbitrators, and to pay Deitz any expenses he incurred in presenting his case.
This was a generous offer, and true to Irvine's reputation; but Deitz refused. He knew that all the
wealth and power resided with Frederick Weyerhaeuser, and he was hoping to get more. If Deitz
bound himself to arbitration, or, worse yet, allowed himself to be drawn into court, he stood little
chance of collecting much money, so Deitz decided to wait.
Later, Deitz referred to William Irvine as "Slick William," and the Chippewa Falls Weekly Herald as
"Slick William's toilet paper." Let it be noted that Deitz created names for many adversaries far
worse than this. In fact, this is the only negative mention of William Irvine found.
Discussion Questions
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What is Irvine’s role here?
Why did he go out there?
How does Irvine see himself?
What does this event say about Irvine?
Labor vs. industry
The end of the story
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In 1910 Dietz allegedly shot and wounded Bert Horel after a quarrel
broke out. A warrant was issued for his arrest. A decisive battle took
place on Oct. 6. A posse of 73 men surrounded the cabin. The
attorney general and the secretary of the Governor stepped forward
to give Dietz the terms of surrender. Dietz refused and went back to
his cabin.
The next morning the two sides faced off and over 1,000 shots were
fired. The Deputy Sheriff Oscar Harp was killed by Dietz. People on
both sides were shot. Eventually, Mrs. Dietz convinced her husband
to surrender.
He was arrested, tried, and convicted for the murder of Oscar Harp.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Many people sympathized with Dietz and raised money for his trial.
His term was later reduced to 20 years, and after serving 11 years, he
was pardoned by Governor John J. Blaine.
Irvine’s Reminiscences
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“Lumber was the dominant industry at Eau
Claire and Chippewa Falls and the many
mills were busy sawing the product of the
boundless forests above them. The clear
rapid river, the busy sawmills, the genial
people, and the delicious odor of pine
sawdust everywhere in evidence completely
captivated me. I immediately fell in love with
the country and have never experienced a
change of sentiment to this day.”
~William Irvine
Testimony on Irvine
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…The people of Chippewa Falls “have
always found him a progressive and
philanthropic citizen, who is deeply
interested in the growth, development,
and happiness of the community. He
shows that his heart and soul are in
the park enterprise.”
~Park Commission President, M. S. Bailey