The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-01-27

Correspondence of the Voice of Freedom.
JAMESTOWN, Wisconsin, Dec 81, 1917.
FRIEND HoLCoMB:- send you hurried sketc
of the country through which have passed, iron
Milwaukee to this place, regretting however, that
have not time to do justice to the subject. l mus
start in few hours for the Wcst"[D and of cours
have to write with Geographic speed have mad
" short tarry in many beautiful and hourishnl
towns, among which are Racine, Troy, Waterford
Elkhorn, Beloit GAINESVILLE, Madison, Dodgeye
Mineral Point and Prattvie. These towns contain
from 1000 to 5000 inhabitants each. Madisonj thC
City of Four Lakes" is the capital of the Terrific
rv, The capitol is beautiful stone edilice, whicl
stands on ground having gentle descent on al
sides and is seen at distance Of several miles from
the city. The ground is well laid OFT, containing
handsome shade trees of a natural growth
The country adjoining Madison is not all occupied
by permanent settlers, being owned by spectators
who manifest a desire to hold on upon it, But the
tide of emigration is turning in this direction, and
many who choose the beautiful scenery of the -Four
Lakes" are adding to the number of inhabitants.
From Lake Michigan to the blue mounds" the coun-
try is little unduating, appearing like the waves Of
the ocean in n gentle breeze From the "bue
mounds" through the "lead diggings" to the Mis-
sissippi, the land is more uneven, presenting many
bluffs and extensive ravines. The lightest soil in
cludes the heavy timber lands near Lake Michigan.
The black mari is the general quality Of the lowest
timber and prairie lands, and often extends as deep
as six feet, The dark loan is the most common in
the "oak openings" The country appears to con-
tain about equal portions of prairie and oak open
ings;" tracts of each coverngan area of from TWEEN
ty to forty square miles.
In these openings the oak trees stand from one to
two rods apart, and the roots of these trees
low that the farmer plows and harrows as close to
them as lie would to a cedar post. In these heaven
" openings large fields of corn and wheat are often
raised.
Wisconsin is mostly settled with Americans, Nor
mated by the following names: yankees" of the
east, Corn Crackers of Kentucky, Buck Eyes"
of Ohio Suckers" of Illinois, Hoosiers of Indi-
ana, and Badgers" Of Wisconsin. have con-
who are in thriving circumstances, that say, three
years ago they were obliged to work two days at
the cast for four pounds Of pork and a peck of
beans And the minds of these people seem to be
hy-t ba oofo
joying free atmosphere, us originally designed by
Deity.
The appearance of the country seems to improve
as l go west, and some people here complain that
they arc little "too far do,On eastr The climate
of this country is believed by the Oldest to
be few degrees warmer than in western New York.
The atmosphere is of uncommon cearness, which
is yet unaccounted for. Ask Wisconsin Badger
how he Is, and the answer invariably is, "healthy
and happy" And well they may DO happy in this
western paradise, for there is painful distinction
between the rich and poor. Snow has fallen four
or five inches, in the Territory, within few weeks
past, which makes it tolcrable good sleighng.
To give you all idea of the rapid increase of pop
ulation in Wisconsin, copy the following from the
table Of census.
In 1880, 3215
In 1910, 3O,945
III 1917, 100000
Increase in seven years, 100000.
Tie lead country extends into Iowa, and after
spending few weeks in that State, intend writ
ing you again, and will give you sketch of the
mining district. am informed here that the coun-
try west of the Mississippi is as much ahead Of this,
this is of the green mountains of Vermont 1t is
evident that if fore fathers" had settled in this
country, the Ne~ England states would have re-
manned to this day wilderness.
T. DAVENPORT