Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-01-04
q. c 0 NJ NJ l Nj c A I { D.
No / \
GENEVA, WALwoRTH COUNTY, w. T.,
December, lS4l.


December, lS41.
Since the din of politics has ceased, and naviga-
ton has closed for the season, there can be no i'm
proprety in amusing each other, while pent up IN
seclusion from the great world, with accounts of
the progress of improvement IN the interior. Per-
haps much as this mi ght reasonably be required
at our hands by the eager thousands In the east
who DESTROYS of making this region their future
home. The various towns on the Lake border
lack nothing in the way of putting. They afford
commercial facilities to business men, and exhibit
evidence Of the taste and enterprise OF their inhabl
tants. They, therefore, deserve cOmmendatlon.-
But as their growth must be commensurate with
that OF the interior, they ought not soon to
sumo too much pre-emnence over the fourlshing
towns In their neighborhood which cannot boast
the advantages of location on navgabe waters
The early history of Geneva shows that 1t was,
long ago, deemed desirable location, and that it
had gained considerable celebrity before the land
reclaimed from the Indians, Old Mr.. Payne
who resides near here, and who is a specimen OF
very intelligent and very interchangeable pioneer,
informs me that many years ago while he resided
in southern Illinois, a party of Indian Traders set
down their packs before his door, and requested
lodgings for the night; that OF their number,
half French and hBf Indian, who could speak toll
cradle English, casually intimated TO him in the
course of the evening that they had passed very
beautiful sheet of water surrounded by fertile land,
some several days journey TO the Northwest
The old man, with eyes sparkling with interest,
eagerly pursued the theme until he had elected all
the information on the subject which his informant
could communicate. From this time he sought
every opportunity of consulting Traders and lndi-
ans, In reference to this subject, and his extensive
acquaintance with them, enabled him to do so with
effect. Finding that all their statements agreed IN
pointing out from among the numerous lakes with
which the country abounded, one IN particular in
every respect superior to the rest, and ascertanng
with tolerable accuracy, the point OF compass to be
travelled, he determined in the winter of 1886, In
company with his son-ln-law and another man, to
90 in quest of it. They accordingly shouldered
their packs and travelled northward until they
struck the State line. Being satisfied that the OBJ
iect of their search within the Indian possess
sions, they abandoned their pursuit and returned
home. When, however, during the succeeding
summer, the Indian title was extinguished Payne
and his co-adventurers resumed their search and
effected discovery. After securing the ''claim"
of the privilege the outlet, by blazing trees
and establishing other known ins gnia OF possession
they returned for their families and elects, and In
few months afterward established themselves
permanently at % The Outlet On the first night
after their arrival, the Indians whose settlement
was at the head of the Lake, levied a contribution
upon the old gentleman of span of beautiful
matched mares. This had tendency to rutlie, as
well 1t mi ght the native equanlmlty OF Mr. Payne
temper: so much so, indeed, tnat ne never speaks
of the occurrence, even at this day, without mvo-
king hearty curse upon the ''d-n-d red skins"
This language in polished life, would be deemed
rude; but lnaSmuch no other satisfaction was
obtained for his mares, the better opinion Is,
that he ought to be INDUCED, and speaking of in
diligence, might add, that it ceases to be virtue
when carried beyond certain limits.-lt would,
therefore, be improper for me to ask you to indulge
with the publication at one time, OF more mat
ter than can be compressed within one column,-
for the present deslst. But with your permits
sion | will, in future, resume the thread OF this
faithful history. TACITUS.