Wisconsin History Day By Day

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"Pioneer Vigilante: The Legend of John Dietz" by Gunnard Landers

"The Battle of Cameron Dam" by Malcolm L. Rosholt

"The Suppression of John F. Dietz: An Episode of the Progressive Era in Wisconsin" by Paul H. Hass

Vocabulary:

defender

pardoned

Interesting Fact:

A play about Dietz and his battle was written by Harlowe R. Hoyte.

Study Questions:

Why was Dietz so upset with the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company?

What convinced Gov. Blaine to pardon Dietz?

What was unusual about Dietz's defense during his trial?

Search these newspaper databases for additional stories about John Dietz:

Wisconsin State Journal/The Capital Times

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

BadgerLink Wisconsin Newsstand

Wisconsin Historical Society

U.S. historical events that occurred on May 21:

1542: Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorer, dies while searching for gold along the Mississippi River.

1881: The American Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton.

May 21

May 21, 1921: John F. Dietz, "the defender of the Cameron Dam," against the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. was pardoned by Governor John Blaine after ten years in prison. Dietz had surrendered to police on October 8, 1910 after a day-long gun battle at the Cameron Dam in Sawyer County.

Wisconsin History Day By Day homepage January - December calendar page

May 21, 1921: John F. Dietz, "the defender of the Cameron Dam," against the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. was pardoned by Governor John Blaine after ten years in prison. Dietz had surrendered to police on October 8, 1910 after a day-long gun battle at the Cameron Dam in Sawyer County.