Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-08-29
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1854.

| W1scoNsIN.-The following lively and in
toresting sketch of the character and progress
of this young member of our contederacy, is
from the pen of missionary:
The present population of Wisconsin is
estimated, by those best informed, to be 340,
600. 1t is composed of two classes-Ameri-
cans and foreigners. What is the exact pro-
portion of the latter, cannot say. BY far tie
greater portion, however, are Americans. Of
these, will first speak.
In some respects the new settlements of
Wisconsin differ from those Of any other
State That " 5ack,o0Od," "sguatter" popu-
laton, which has led the van of civilization
in the early settlement of most of the States.
is scarcely to be found i'll Wisconsin. Modern
Improvements, the power of steam, and the
spirit Of enterprise have entirely changed the
character OF modern immigration. Those no
tons of our new settlements which are de-
rived from the early history of Western New
York and Ohio those pathetic tales of from
tier life, with its uncouth manners, its moral
and intellectual darkness, and its Tendencies
to barbarism," which have formed the staple
of so many anniversary speeches, are no more
true of Wisconsin than of Connecticut. I'm
migration is not now q gradual encroachment
upon the wilderness-the woodman and the
hunter building every new cabin within sight
passes up some solitary river, startling the In
dian and the wild deer in its course and in a
day, without any intermediate process, a large
population, fresh from the Atlantic coast with
all the habits, associations, and tastes of New
England life is transplanted to the virgin soil
of Wisconsin. A year or two passes, aud the
wilderness is dotted with school houses steam
mills, and all the Improvements of modern
civilization.
Wisconsin has, probably, more activity of
mind, and more energy OF character in pro-
portion to her population, than any other
State in the Union. The mass of the people,
are young, intelligent and enterprising-
of life, and hope, and promise
And it is astonishing how much is often
achieved in a very short space of time. Not
long ago. was acosted by genuine Yankee,
with his subscription book and proposals."
for telegraph from Green Bay to Milwaukee.
heard his story, and then turned away with
an incredulous smile, and with the thought
that such an enterprise might be practicable in
two or three years, when the country became
little older A week or two passed, and the
posts were up. A few days later, and the
agents of another line were actually putting
up an opposition telegraph past my door!
In the month of January, lS49, in passing
through dense forest, where the only road was
a single sleigh track through the snow,
stopped at a rough shanty, the only habitation
visible for several miles, and was pointed to
the spot where q celebrated literary institu-
ton had been located, and handsomely en-
dowed by wealthy Bostonian. The huge
native oaks were as yet undisturbed. :" A
beautiful, a romantic spot said l, shut what
folly to locate college in this wilderness y
just one yea, passed, and found myself, one
hrUht winter morning on the same sDot. s.