Yale University Library 39002013461059 Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin.. .before the Old Settlers Society... Racine, 1872 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1943 w 4' J. '¦ -AT- RACINE, WISCONSIN INTENDED AS A Response of^as Emendations TO A PART OF Hon. CHAS. E. DYER'S ADDRESS, BEFORE THE Old Settlers Society. i 1 1 Wisconsin. L BY AN OUTSIDER. PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR ;' v A. C. Sandford, Steam Printer and Bookbinder, Racin- 1872. ¦*;','<¦ 1 -AT- RACINE, WISCONSIN INTENDED AS A Response or^as Emendations TO A PART OF Hon. CHAS. E. DYER'S ADDRESS, BEFORE THE Old Settlers Society. BY AN O UTSIDER. . \ PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR : A. C. Sandford, Steam Printer and Bookbinder, Racine, Wisconsin. 1872. "NE TENTES, JUT PERFICE." c HE following few pages first appeared, under the head ing of ' ' Notes and Queries, ' ' in the Racine Advocate, of July and August, 1871. The articles were suggested by some statements in the pamphlet then just pub'.:shed by the Old Settlers' Society ; but though running thr >r.Hi ten suc cessive weeks • of the Advocate, they yet failed to receive any notice from the Old Settlers' Publication Committee or their Historian. We may reasonably assert this, for their Pamphlet was reproduced from week to week in the columns of the Racine County Argus without any correction of its errors. H. Racine, Wis., 1872. Early Days at Racine. Number i. Racine, June 6th, 1871. Editor Advocate: — Please allow an outsider to tender his tribute of thanks to the old Settlers' Executive Committee, for their valuable pamphlet containing the " Official Record " and Mr. Dyer's interesting Address, just issued. Perhaps this Committee is to be a permanent one, as long as the Society shall exist, and may have it in charge to collect the gleanings of a harvest which they have so seasonably gathered, rescuing from fading memories and dusty garrets, still further items of the past. Upon this surmise I have presumed that they will not reject the contribution of a few rusty facts, which the writer of this proposes to toss to them, without reference in every case to the nooks and crannies wherein I may have picked them up. These scraps may serve as addenda to the Record and Address, and will include incidentally the correction of several errors contained in the pamphlet, inasmuch as Mr. Dyer says (Page 17) that "doubtless inaccuracies and omissions will be observed." Permit me then to very briefly state that the account (on Page 38 of the pamphlet,) scarcely details a full statement of the pro ceedings of the settlers in order to protectt themselves in their land claims. The meeting referred to, namely, "sixth day of June, 1837, at the house of Benjamin Felch," was certainly not the first convention, if, indeed, the recollection of it was not a little mixed with the meeting of which I am going to speak, which took place more tha'n a year before the date above quoted. There is now lying before me a letter addressed to an individual in the East, dated " Racine, mouth of Root River, W. T., June Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. i, 1836," from which I copy a line or two verbatim et literatim : "the settlers have formed a law within themselves, binding a man to make improvements and living in the country whare the clames are made — the settlers will suport each other in obtain ing thare clames at government prices and not allow the specula tor to bid on the actual settler." In confirmation of this settler's " law," and that it was enact ed by delegates from the settlers assembled in Convention at Root River, (Racine had not as yet received its name,) in the month of February or March, 1836, we have the assurance of a representative in said convention. Milwaukee County, at that time, included what are now the counties of Racine and Kenosha, and delegates had been chosen for this convention by the settlers at Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Root River, Skunk Grove and Pike River ; the meeting at the last named place having been on Feb. 13th, 1836. At my right hand, there lays a genuine and valuable relic of " squatter days " in these parts. It is a printed pamphlet, being "The Constitution of the Milwakee Union," which was the "settlers law," formed by the convention at Root River, afore said. The names of the delegates were as follows : Alanson Sweet, B. W. Finch, Albert Fowler, Horace Chase, Henry C. West, Milwaukee delegates ; Gilbert Knapp, Levi Mason, Walter Cooley, William Luce, Root River delegates ; Jason Lothrop, Waters Towsley, G. P. Post, Geo. W. Griffin, Pike River dele gates ; John P. Haight, John Fowle, Oak Creek delegates ; Sym- mes Buttler, Skunk Grove delegate ; Gilbert Knapp, Chairman ; B B. Cary, J. C. Knapp, Secretaries; I may say that this little " Constitution " pamphlet, compris ing nine pages in type, is an early specimen from the first print ing press in Milwaukee County, (which county then included all southeastern Wisconsin), and the third press in the Territory albeit it was a rude affair, resting on a stump. This printing office was at Pike River, (old " Kenosha" of the Indians,) one mile north of the present Kenosha, and subsequently a part of Racine County ; the printer was the late Rev. Jason Lothrop. We may say here that Pike River, "with its dwellings, stores Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. 7 mechanic shops and warehouses, ' ' was for several years a trouble some rival of Southport. Number 2. Referring to the "Racine Argus," the first newspaper printed here, (not the " Racine County Argus," which did not appear until September 3d, 1868,) it is stated on page 36 of the Old Settlers' Record and Address, that "the first number was issued on the 14th day of Feb., 1838." I think the date will be found to be 24th Feb., 1838. When did this first Racine newspaper cease to exist ; [will not some "old" or new settler, tell us the date of the last issue?] I copy from an early number of the Argus a somewhat humor ous advertisement, which I presume was furnished merely as an item of patronage for the new paper. The names mentioned doubtless represent realities, yet the schoolboys here of 1838 were probably better acquainted with the topography of those " intermediate ports " than those of to-day. THE NEW AND STAUNCH BUILT SLOOP, Pommodore -Baron. A. LIECE, Master, TT71LL commence running regularly between Racine and Wind V? Point, touching at the intermediate ports, on the first day of June, wind and weather permitting. For freight or passage apply to C. C. HEATH & CO., Racine, FELLOWS & POOL, Jonesport, J. M. SPRAGUE, North Port, A. D. EVELAND, Wind Point. George D. Fellows, and Consider Heath, of the above notice died many years since. Mr. Heath was a member of the Terri torial Legislature for one term. He came with Seth F. Parsons from Rensselaer Co., N. Y., bringing a stock of merchandise, arriving at Racine Sept. 26, 1836. Mr. Parsons died Oct. 26, 1839. Mr. Eveland, the settler at Wind Point, (sometimes called Eveland's Point,) removed from this vicinity some time Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. since, yet I think was seen upon our streets not many days ago. The above named craft, "Commodore Baron," though no larger perhaps than a schooner's yawl, was, as far as I am informed, the first of the fleet of sail vessels owned at Racine. The vessel in terest here increased slowly, and in 1847 numbered but five en rolled craft, with a total tonnage of 541, while our neighbor Southport owned six vessels with a tonnage of 1,100 ; a compar ison to-day would probably result in favor of Racine. The most memorably historic perhaps, of all the Racine shipping, may be said to have been the schooner Boston which arrived at Racine from Oswego, on the 27th of Sept., 1843. Her owner lived in Racine. With your leave I will defer until next week what I have to say of the old Boston. ' ' Number 3. I will in this number as I hinted in my last, tell something of the history of the schooner "Boston," owned at one time at this port. She was built on the lower lake (Ontario) and was a U. S. gunboat in the war of 181 2; she was cotemporary with those old lake warriors, the brig "Oneida," "Gov. Tompkins," and "Growler" on our side, and the " Royal George, " "Earl of Moira," and "Prince Regent" on the part of the British. She made herself useful in various ways, such as doing duty as a transport, conveying naval supplies from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor, (the naval station on that lake,) and helping to coop up Sir James Lucas Yeo, and his fleet in Kingston harbor, during a six weeks blockade, in Aug. and Sept., 1814. She was present at the short but effectual engagement at Sandy Creek and several other rencounters ; she had narrow escapes, and retired at the peace with honorable scars, but was never captured. After the war she was sold and subsequently lengthened and schooner- rigged ; she did all sorts of work along shore which a "hooker" may lawfully or not lawfully do ; she freighted much and smug gled a good deal. On one occasion it was thought prudent that she should hide away at the Galotts islands for a few weeks, her crew subsisting for the time on gulls' eggs which were once found Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. there in great numbers during the nesting season of these birds. The "Boston" toted salt, potash and merchandise ; she con veyed limestone blocks from Chaumont Bay, and nearly forty years ago, in the early days of eastern railroads, she freighted red cedar for ties, from the islands near the head of the St. Law rence, where it was literally quarried up from extensive beds or layers. The "Boston" was not a large craft, yet she was a lucky one. I do not know whether underwriters provide a special column in their class books under the heading of "Lucky Ves sels," yet we know that every sailor is superstitious enough to appreciate when he meets it, the pervading and amiable trait of downright luckiness, and hugs the mysterious prestige like a life preserver close under his jacket. The Welland canal, which was finished sufficient for the passage of small vessels in 1830, ena bled the "Boston" thirteen years later to ascend the Falls of Niagara, turning her prow to the westward, even towards sunset ; the date of her arrival here we have already chronicled. After a lumber cruise or two to Michigan, the Master of the "Boston" having heard of a pretentious little settlement called Milwaukee, not many leagues distant, left Racine with his vessel on a voyage of discovery, late in October 1843. Milwaukee had done some thing at attempts to make a harbor, and had a steam dredge puffing away industriously, throwing out the mud ; yet no vessel of size, we are assured, had ever entered the stream, the pro spective haven. Milwaukee, it may be said, was merely an open roadstead, the same as any other spot on the lake shore. It is true she had what was called a bridge pier, built on piles running out from the beach, yet such might have claimed Southport, or Little Fort as well. Columbus died without knowing that he had discovered a continent, yet he gave undying fame to that now decayed little village on the banks of the Tinto in Andalusia, whence he sailed nearly four centuries ago. Little also dreamed the skipper of the " Boston " that he should achieve further im mortality for his bark. I may briefly say that the " Boston," after a struggle, with the aid of the dredge, which pulled away her head-gear, (manilla curls, combing, chignon and all,) passed over the bar. We have heard that there was joy in Milwaukee that day, for this act of the "Boston" had wedded her to the Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. American Mediterranean, even like Venice of old, which, with great formality, was married to the Adriatic ; sufficiently demon strative to Milwaukee that she should henceforth and forever be the commercial emporium of all the woodchucks. [If it should be contended by some that a ' ' badger ' ' is not a woodchuck, I must leave my defence with Prof. Hoy.] The early crews of the " Boston " have mostly long since gone down beneath the wave or the sod ; the old vessel too, I think, went ashore in a gale and found a final resting place sometime in 1844, but where, the writer of this is not informed. Number 4. Looking again at the old "Racine Argus," I notice in the issue of June 16, 1838, that the settler and occupant of the "lighthouse " at the " corners " (see p. 47 of the Old Settler's Record and Address,) was also the liege lord of an onion bed. N look out for sore shins ! ! otice is hereby given, that I have set a large Bear Trap near my Onion Bed. WALLACE MYGATT. June 16, 1838. From the suggestion, however, of " sharp, unrelenting iron," we may conclude that the fidelity of that onion patch was strongly suspected. Mr. M. was subsequently a denizen of Southport, (now Kenosha,) was one of the first editors of "the Southport American, which made its appearance in Sept., 1841, and I have evidence now under my eye, that thirty years ago he wooed the muses to the extent of some eleven pages octavo, at least. As a matter which comes under the particular domain and cogni zance of our Old Settlers' Executive Committee, I will say this production (as well also as one other which I have before spoken of) may be properly described and classed under the head of the " bibliography of early border literature of Racine County." As such, these relics are part of the history of those early days. This publication may be said to be a rare one, perhaps it would Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. I be difficult to meet another copy in this city. Here is a tran script of the title-page : A TRUE AND FAITHFUL HISTORY OF THE Celebrated Western Emigration Company, who made their location at Pike River and Southport, Wisconsin Territory. Description of some of the principal persons engaged therein, together with other interesting particu lars never before published. BY A STOCKHOLDER. Sometimes fair truth by fiction we disguise, Sometimes present her naked to men's eyes. Southport, Wis. Printed for Wallace Mygatt. 1841. I think the author must have had the great work of Milton in his mind when he constructed his epic. The title particularly, "Paradise Lost," must have been an ever present burthen, like the perpetual turning of the grindstone of old Ixion, which we read of. If the author lost anything beyond paradise hoped for, by the manipulations of those who ran the institution called the "Western Emigration Company," he is probably not alone. (The writer of this communication was an original non-emigrat- Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. ing stockholder of that association thirty-six years ago, and if he was fortumate enough to get old horses in exchange for his scrip, he has heard that the next man fared worse.) But to return to our poem ; real names are not given, but are thinly hidden under fictitious ones. Messrs, Towsley, Turner, Bullen and our own respected citizen, the late Dr. Bushnell B. Cary, (first phy sician and first postmaster here,) were plainly intended to be portrayed. The most marked characteristics of the work, per haps, are the altitude and bitterness of of its invective or rather venom, almost bordering on the sublime. Between this work and the masterpiece of Milton, candor obliges us to say, that as a work of genius, Milton's must take precedence. It should be recollected, however, that the pupilage of centuries had passed before England produced a Paradise Lost, while it is but a short time since wild savages held sway over all this region. James Kenzie (late of Racine,) told the writer of this that he had seen together, just where they were talking, (on Court House Square,) as many as a thousand red Indians. It has been a long day since a thousand painted, plumed, and half naked aborigi nals were collected together at Cheapside, the birthplace of John Milton. Number 5. I will allude once more to the "Western Emigration Compa ny," just to say that there is a brief and hitherto unwritten chapter which few now here wot of perhaps. It is a half page in the early history of Racine, even in the days of her girlhood ; when she stood in her green, unsullied garments, looking out upon the waters, clinging to the strong arms of the forest, which all around reached out to protect her as it were from the rushing waves which dashed at her feet. But there was a coming wave — a wave of population, — from which she could not be shielded. The Western Emigration Company, which had already flirted with Milwaukee for a few hours along the marshes near the cabin of Solomon Juneau, now aspired as a suitor to this damsel, and paid court to her in all the ardor of a first love. There was a rival in the way, however, and a gallant son of Neptune, it was undersood, had the pre-emption right of sitting down upon the Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. 13 skirts of this maiden, and beyond all others to receive the favor of her smiles. It is true there was a piece of scandal at one time current, that for a mercenary, a money consideration, (report placed the sum at #2,700) this accepted lover offered to with draw and surrender all claims upon this unappropriated little lady. But if there was upon his part, at any time, a disposition to act the jilt with this daughter of the prairie, such a base scheme was never consummated. 1 will close this love-passage by adding that we know not how seriously the blight of this attachment af fected the stock of the Western Emigration Company; >et it is well known that that association retired somewhat in disgust to the sands of Pike, and in a fit of desperation hastily wedded a dusky maiden of an uncertain age, who had long worn not only moccasins and beaded leggings, but the musical name "Ke nosha. ' ' I quote from page 40 of the late pamphlet Record and Ad dress before the Old Settlers' Society the following referring to the early numbers of the Racine Advocate: "The name of the editor was not given, but on the 21st of October, 1842, Marshall M. Strong took the editor's chair, and raised the stirring motto at the head of his colums : ' Westward the Star of Empire takes its way.' No better newspaper has ever been published in the county than was the Advocate. while under the editorial charge of Mr. Strong." I notice only four or five errors in the preceding extract. The Advocate did not claim an existence as early as Oct. 21. 1842, but the first number bears date Nov. 23, of that year. The name of the editor was given, for on the first page of volume 1 appeared the names of Thomas J. Wisner, editor and proprietor, and F. B. Ward, printer. These names were so continued for a good many months, succeeded by those of the firm of Wisner and Fuller, editors and proprietors. Mr. Wisner, in his inaugural, ignored party trammels, claiming independence in the discussion of political questions, was in favor of a "strict regard for the Constitution," opposed to banks and "unlimited credit," and opposed to Wisconsin's becoming a State. Mr. Wisner, the senior editor, died in Racine, Aug. 12. 1843, m tne 27th year of his age. Marshall M. Strong's name first appeared as editor in the 49th No. of vol. 1, Oct. 31, 1843- Mr- Strong Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. in those days, was a good democrat as well as a good editor, but I must express the regret that' in his democratic tendencies he fell in with the popular error of misquoting the fine line of { i Bishop Berkeley, "Westward the course of empire takes its way." I Number 6. It is stated in the recent Old Settlers' Society pamphlet, page | 42, that "the first celebration of the national anniversary oc curred on the 4th day of July, 1844." Perhaps this statement may be considered technically correct, yet we are advised that on the first anniversary of our national holiday, following the erec tion here of a white man's cabin, namely, the 4th day of July, 1835, there was at least some attention paid to it. The late Judge Peter D. Hugunin, a settler at Pike, (and at one time owner of an undivided eighth of the Sagetown tract, ) under standing that the day was to be observed here by the preparation of a dinner of more than usual attractions, made arrangements to be on hand. We have supposed that every individual in the city sat down to this dinner, but whether it was so or not, we are assured that beside the Judge, just six in number took seats. An accurate list, taken at the time, of the contents of the pitch ers, platters, pans, porringers and pie-plates containing the com estibles provided for the occasion, indeed a full bill of fare was as follows: bread, molasses, pork, rice, pepper and salt, all told, no more, no less. It will be well enough to notice a little more particularly than what is given in the above named pamphlet, the celebration of 1844. Dr. B. B. Cary, I think was President of the Day, H. N. Chapman, Reader, E. G. Ryan, Orator, Dr. Wilson, Marshal. The proceedings were held in the old (then new) Presbyterian church on Wisconsin street, and the Sabbath School children made quite a display. One aged revolutionary veteran, Mr. Kellogg, from a neighboring town graced the occasion. I think he was the last, as well as the first representative of that band of heroes who ever attended a 4th of July celebration in Racine. Mr. H. D. Holt, (at one time deputy sheriff here,) was, on that Fourth, captain of an improvised troop of cavalry, numbering some Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. 15 twenty saddles. This corps after various exercises on the square and about town, had the grateful, honorable, though never re curring office of escorting the old soldier, (who came in on horseback,) a mile or so on his way to his country home. The skirts of the village had been passed : at the word "halt" the cavalcade stood ; another order faced the two lines of escort inward; then they saluted the aged soldier, and as he slowly rode between the lines, bowing an acknowledgement and a fare well, every head was uncovered, and hearty cheers fell upon him as he journied toward the setting sun. At a subsequent 4th of July celebration here, I remember how feelingly the orator, Judge Doolittle, referred to the fact tha* no fevolutionery soldiers were present. Forty years ago at the East, the soldiers of that army were an important feature in the Independence Day celebrations. Car riages were specially furnished, seats upon the stand provided, and a part of the oration was particularly addressed to the old soldiers; nor were their dinners on those occasions forgotten. But we meet no more in the land of the living the participants of -the battles of Bunker Hill, Saratoga or Yorktown. The last 4th of July in Racine was creditable to the city; it was indeed a decided success. Yet I failed to see in the pro gramme a place assigned for the soldiers of the war of 181 2. There are probably but few of them here, yet I saw at least one poor pensioner from the ranks of that army who fought the battles of our country near sixty years ago, a trembling, almost palsied old man, who stood in the crowd near the speakers' stand. Whether he fared better for a ride or a dinner I am 'unable to say. Number 7. Since my last communication, the pulsations of a young heart, for whose earthly future hope had braided strong cords, helping, too, to bind our own gray locks to this nether world, have been stilled in death. It is revelation, not philosophy, which bids us submit, assuring us that He doeth all things well. According to a statement, it is said, of the French Catholic missionary, St. Cosme, the present Root River was called in 16 Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. 1699, by the name " Kipikawi ;" and there was a portage trail from this stream, leading to the Fox River, of which travelers who wished to go to the Mississippi, availed themselves, passing over the dividing ridge into the valley of the Father of Waters. A traveler in 181 7 calls our Root River the "Schipicoten, " and that name or "Chipecotton," said to be an Indian term for the muscalonge, seems to have been known to our early settlers, and a street in the 5th Ward bears that designation. It has been asked what root was so common and prominent as to give name to the stream here ; no response I think, has ever satisfied the inquiry. I"n the days of the early settlement along this lake shore, say 30 to 35 years ago, it was a common habit of Solomon Juneau, the old trader and first settler at Milwaukee, when he met a Pike River or Root River man, to remind him during the conversa tion, not only of diminutive "Pike Slough," or "Root Creek," but of the magnificent "Milwaukee Riviere." I perceive by Mr. Dyer's Address, Page 20, that this settle ment in its early days was sometimes called "Port Gilbert," (apparently from the Christian name of our earliest settler,) yet judging from a number of letters now before me, written early in 1836 and before that time, the name Root River generally prevailed. The name Racine it would appear, was bestowed upon the village some time between March 1st, 1836 and the ensuing 8th of May, when Racine Post Office was established. We have all heard of the eminent dramatic poet of the seven teenth century, Jean Racine of France ; and the family name in America is not a strange one, for persons bearing it could a few years since be met in the lower province of Canada ; and in the French village of Peoria on the Illinois also, might have been seen, almost any time from 1796 to 1812, Francis Racine, Sr., a bourgeois of the hamlet. But Racine, Wis. , it is reported was named for the river by the first settler, Captain Knapp, that being the French name for root. Whether this is fact or surmise, the Captain ought to give the particulars of the christening. "The Belle City," is another and a pet name applied to this Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. 17 capital of our county1; to whom we are indebted for the pretty conceit, which has been worn so gracefully for nearly a quarter of a century, does not appear. Number 8. The lost picture! Where is it? It was, I think, in 1844, that that there was drawn or painted on canvas or a wooden panel of about 2^ feet by 3, a view of the west side, (Sagetown) in its spring dress of that time. The picture, as remembered, showed an exceedingly new part of the village, the only buildings in sight being the remains of an old log cabin near the brow of the bluff, (on or but a few feet south of the present State street,) and the frame dwelling of the Sage's a few rods further south, (the end fronting east) together with their barn standing beyond, near the present southwest corner of block 18, Sage's Addition. The flat, or most of it, was encumbered with fallen timber, with an occasional standing tree, a towering elm, perhaps, dead from girdling. There was no bridge yet built connecting that part of the town with the rest of mankind. The slope of the bluff was nearly free from trees or brush, and looked beautifully green with the grass of spring. There was a clearing at the top of the bluff, running back some twenty rods or so, but beyond was the thick forest, and that was the background of the painting. The view, as shown in the picture, was truthful, just as Sagetown then appeared from the bluff on the east side of the river, and alto gether the painting was not an uncomely one. The name of the limner is not remembered, nor have we learned the fate of that early specimen of Racine fine arts, that view of a part of the Belle City, when the belle was a little miss, and wore short dresses. To the lasting regret of the future antiquarians of this locality, that picture, I fear, is irrecoverably lost. Yet in their necessity they can fall back upon this description which I have given, though should it be esteemed of no value, all right, I charge nothing. On page 45 of the lately issued pamphlet Record and Address of the Old Settlers' Society, it is said : "Mound Cemetery was an Indian burying ground, and filled with large mounds. ' ' While Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. conceding one-half the above extract to be fact, we must add that the other half comes short of properly telling what Mound Cemetery was. It is true that the Indians have occasionally buried or cribbed their dead in the mound fields of the north west ; yet they have been unable to teil us anything of the history of these structures, excepting that their oldest traditions found these tumuli in ruins just as they are now. The theory is far from being established that they were originally places of sepul ture. These earthworks date far back into the past centuries, and the dignity of great age claims for them to be called some thing besides "an Indian burying ground." On page 18 of the above named pamphlet, Captain Knapp is referred to as a member of the first Council of the newly organ ized Territory of Wisconsin, being elected in October 1836. But was not the Captain also a member of a previous council which met at Green Bay, Jan. 1, 1836, agreeable to a proclama tion of acting governor Mason ? We think so. Wisconsin was still a part of Michigan Territory, and this meeting of the coun cil referred to, composed of members from that part of the Ter ritory west of Lake Michigan, had been called in the expectation that the peninsula of Michigan would presently be admitted into the Union ; but Congress refused to receive Michigan on her own terms. The strife between Michigan and Ohio for contested soil claimed by both, the removal of Gov. Mason, etc., resulted in a failure of the Executive to meet our Council at Green Bay ; and from this absence of the Governor, and other contingencies, the acts or resolves passed at the session were of no legal effect. Yet the meeting of that body left a spicy little record, rather entertaining to a student of the political history of Wisconsin. Michigan territorial government is referred to in the report of a committee, as having "ruled them rather as a distant colony than as an integral portion of the same government. " John S. Horn er, the acting governor of Michigan, seems to have been selected for the flaying process. Gen. Jackson, who was then president, it was suggested by a member (in an extended debate), had, by "the misrepresentations of professed friends," committed a blun der in the appointment of Gov. Horner. Virginia, (whence I suppose came Gov. H.,) though referred to as "the birthplace of Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. '9 heroes, patriots and statesmen," " one of the strongest pillars of the Constitution," etc., was invoked to recall "such men" to their native obscurity. That council adjourned after fifteen days session, but whether Gov. Horner deserved the strictures passed on him, is perhaps doubtful; there were at least two opinions on the subject. Number 9. I notice on page 32 of the pamphlet lately issued by the Old Settlers' Society, a denial that the clergyman who has hitherto (for a generation at least,) had the credit, (//(/really preach the first sermon in Racine. Every one must admit that justice, though its footsteps are often tardy, should in the end, if not earlier prevail. So after nearly 35 years utterance by tongues of old settlers, by the printed pages of various publications, there comes now a contradiction, though with the very brief statement "Mr. Stephen Campbell tells me that the first sermon was preached by a Rev. Mr. Robinson, who came as a missionary. ' ' Far away in the future, say a hundred years or so, some Racine school-boy will come across the above named pamphlet while looking among some old papers which formerly belonged to one of the "Old Settlers," who was perhaps his father's great grand father, and will be not a little vexed at the indefinite and unsatis factory information about the missionary Robinson's "first sermon in Racine." We might if inclined to be captious, grumble at sundry and divers short-comings, which the Executive Committee of the Old Settlers' Society have perpetrated in their pamphlet. But, rather than complain, the public should feel much obliged for the trouble which that Committee and the gentleman who delivered the Address, have so gratuitously taken in the matter. Yet, not only for the benefit of that far off, coming urchin, to whom in the faith of a reasonable prophecy we have referred, to whom minute particulars about old Racine in its babyhood will be of surpassing interest, wo'uld I like to elicit additional facts but also to assist to give immortality to some half forgotten pio neer who may quite meritoriously deserve it. So may I ask, what was this missionary's Christian name? Whither was he jour- Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. neying ? Where was his audience gathered; in tent or cabin, yonder by the lakeside or here beneath the shade of a cluster of oaks? When was it ? Where was the text ? Who heard him ? The occasion in the then small nucleus of the village must have been a marked event, though Dea. C , an early settler, who may be supposed to have known of every public matter ot a reli gious nature, recollects nothing of the missionary Robinson's sermon. Was he "reverend" de jure or by courtesy merely? Was he "orthodox" or "liberal;" was he "friend," "dunker," "pres-doctor" or "hardshell baptist?" Was he "friar," "rabbi," "mormon elder," "spiritualist" or a landhunting "thug?" From the barrenness of the history of the event, may we not suggest that this missionary was a shadow, a dream of some "medium," or a myth ? But let the facts be searched for ; come forth every member of our Old Settlers' Executive Committee, each armed with hoe, spade or mattock, bound to remove the rubbish of ac cumulated years of error, and bring up the truth to the daylight. Then we shall learn whether our missionary was a real flesh and blood institution, with bones, sinews and appetites like other men . Then shall we learn whether he was here in that early day in the spring-time, when "red-horse" were abundant, and whether he sat at the hospitable tables of our early settlers, who had then nothing to satisfy their hunger excepting those same suckers with out salt ! Or, whether he came during a subsequent month, when, as tradition saith, the settlers were holding high carnival over the advetit of a hock-joint of beef, which had arrived from abroad, and which now served for several days in the capacity of a soup-bone, going from family to family till it made the tour of the settlement. Can Rev. Mr. Robinson tell us any thing of that savory and toothsome viand ? I will add as a hint or guide to exploration and award, that amateurs or "lay exhort- ers" of course cannot compete for professional honors, and so Mr. See and Jonathan M. Snow must not come in for the laurel wreath, even if they did "speak in meeting." Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. Number io. Racine, Aug. 31, 1871. I will, in closing this article, finish the series. In the spring of 1844 there were in Racine (though the population in Septem ber preceding numbered 1,103, and nl Sept. following, 1,920,) neither drum, cannon, fire-engine or church bell. On Sunday, March 2, 1845, there was rung tor religious service a bell which had been placed in the Court House cupola, during the previous week. This, it is believed, was the first peal of "the church going bell ' ' ever heard here, for this was the first bell hung upon any public building in Racine. It had been cast at the foundry of Mr. Skinner in this place. Its tone was not very musical, yet we perceive that in the following month it received the compli ments of the press as being "quite an acquisition to our thriving village," "awakening the drowsily disposed," and "giving meth od to the movements of erratic people." The bell was consid erably rung, namely, at 6 and 9 a. m., at 12 m., and at 6 and 9 p. M. I may add that it was subsequently cracked and replaced by another. The present Court House bell, I think, is a very near relative of the first one, judging from its tone, which reminds us of that huge old dinner-pot which used to hang upon the crane in the great fireplace of our grandfather in the good old days of "bean porridge" and "pewter dishes" in New England. I have nowhere seen any printed account of a Methodist camp meeting which took place in this vicinity in the early settlement of the region, probably the first one in southeastern [Wisconsin, or possibly in all the Territory. It was held in the month of June, 1837, at the Rapids, on the higher ground and a little way north from the river. It was the greatest gathering of the set tlers which had hitherto occurred in these parts. Quite a num ber of ministers were present, and the presiding officer, it is believed, was Elder Stebbins ; the meeting, it has been said, was the source of enduring good to many who were present. It may be inferred from my article of last week, that I enter tain no very exalted opinion of lay preaching. Let me correct that idea for I will say that I have known some glorious sermons Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. of that class. At this moment I remember having heard spoken of many years ago, an extempore discourse delivered here in the early days of the hamlet, alike creditable to the humanity of the audience as well as the speaker. The subject was charity. I will allude to the occasion as follows : Tradition, that "careless story-teller," has not imparted to me the emigrant's name, but I may say that a settler had arrived and was one of a dozen, more or less, who had here erected domicils for the shelter of their families. The new tenement had just been completed, when by some mishap, it caught fire and was entirely destroyed. The alarm had brought out the whole population, men, women and children but a supply of water was not at hand, and after some futile effort, the house, as I have already said, was consumed. Around that nearly burned up dwelling stood all the inhabitants of the settlement. There seemed some potent charm, one might think, as they stood silently peering with earnest gaze into the flicker ing jets and flashes of the fast consuming timbers ; it was an in tensely wierd look, those few dozen pairs of eyes, seeking images in the red embers of the ruined edifice. We may not know what they expected to discern in the shapes of fire, yet, fancy suggests that those pioneers saw and heard in the miniature sea of fire, a type of the alarms, the bells, the hurried rush of fire men, the unfeeling, devouring element, with here and there a sigh or a tear, away along down the lengthened file of burnings in the future and populous town. And this small fire the first in the embryo city, and which had done its work so hurriedly, waving aloft its little shining bright banner of flame, was indeed the top of the column of all the conflagrations to happen here in the years and generations to come. But that charmed circle of gazers was soon roused from its reverie by the voice of an early comer, now a venerable citizen still living here. The citizen whom to name will do no harm, was Doctor Elias Smith, who arrived here near the close of the year 1835, and who, subse quently, thirty years ago, namely, in the spring of 1841, was our second postmaster, as well also as the first president of Racine village. Dr. S. , (who had mounted a barrel or a dry goods box, ) in a short, forcible, telling speech, so wrought upon the sympa- Early Days at Racine, Wisconsin. thy and benevolence of his listeners, that when the hat was pas sed around, enough was contributed (or where the coppers were wanting, labor or materials were given,) to repair the desolation which had fallen upon the poor man's hearth, and a new abode like the fabled phoenix soon arose from the ashes. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 01346 1059 /