Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-03-04

or the citizens OF the toWn.f O3pt. Al
len estimated the cost of building har-
Dor at $4,000. In the year 1889, Capt.
Cram, of the United States Topo-
graphical Engineers, under the direction
of the War Department, made harbor
survey at Southport, also at Pike River,
and Racine. The report of the sur
verys and estimates of Capt. Cram,
was officially published in january
1910. On the publication of this Re
port, great Indignation was feltby the cit
liens of Southport;l asitestimatedthe con-
struetion ola harbor at the south mouth
of Pike Creek (Southport) at nearly
5000, 900, and at Pike River about the
same amount; while at Racine, the cost
OF building harbor was estimated at
less than $4,000. Capt Cram was,
at this time, said to be real estate
owner at Racine, and was charged with
a deliberate intent of prejudicing the
Department st Washington unfayorably
to harbor appropriation at Southport
A public meeting was held by the peo-
pie of Southport, on the 10th of Feb
ruary, 1910, to devise means for coun-
teracting the influence of Capt. Grams
Report. Hitherto much jealousy had
existed between the property holders of
Southport and Pike River, and but lit
tie friendly intercourse existed between
those two places; but the Pike River
people looked upon the Report of Capt.
Cram as particularly intended to dis-
parage their harbor location, --hence,
on this occasion, they, for the first time
joined with the people of Southport, to
make common cause against Govern
ment official, who, it was believed, had
conspired against the interests of both
Pike River and Southport. The meet
ing was organized early in the morning
at Seymour's tavern, continued is 1e-
liberations through the day, and did not
finally close its labors until late in the
evening. The result of tho meeting
was the passage of resolutions, strongly
condemning Capt. Cram, and express
ing determination to represent the un-
fairness and mischievous intent of his
Report to the War Department, and
demand his removal from office. a COM
mittee was also appointed to proceed to
Milwaukee, to obtain the cooperation
of the citizens of that place in the eff
fort to remove Capt. Cream; it being
understood that the Milwaukeeans were
on no friendly terms with the Captain.
These resolutions, which breathed much
spirit and determination, finally ended,
as such matters do--in smoke.
In March, 1910, the mechanics of
Southport held several spirited meet
ings, and entered into an organization
to build harbor by subscriptions, to
be paid in installments of work and
money. The enterprise was zealously
discussed for several weeks, but the
pecuniary ability of the mechanics for
an undertaking of such magnitude was
found to be quite insufficient, and the
project was abandoned.
The inhabitants of Southport did not
fail to petition Congress every year for
an appropriation TO build harbor, be-
sides employing other means to bring
the attention OF Congress to this subject.
In January, lS42, Gen. ID. Hugunin
was deputed to proceed to Washington;
his acquaintance with some of the men,
bers of the Cabinet, it was believed,
would gain for him favorable hear
ing. Other individuals, in after years,
were dispatched to Washington on the
same mission. The people, however,
were doomed to disappointment from
year to year; Congress seemed deaf to
their reasonable demand and very many
of the settlers, who had relied on the
IN Of hat. Of civ
ing permanent value to real estate, be-
came discouraged. Finally,o the 25th
of June, 1914 intelligence came that
an appropriation bill had passed, grant
ing $4,000 for the construction Of a
harbor. This news was received with
demonstration of joy; public dinner
was gotten up, speeches made, toasts
drank, accompanied with music and the
firing Of guns. Real estate, which had
for some time been depressed, sudden
ly went up; many new buildings were
Immediately commenced, and the bust
ness activities of the town were greatly
revived.
The good news of harbor appropri-
alton had its invigorating effect only
to affairs. 1t was ascertained that Col.
Albert, of Washington, who was designat-
ed by the War Department to locate the
harbor, and direct the expenditure Of
the appropriation, regarded the terms
of the act of Congress such, as to make
it discretionary with him to locate the
harbor at the South mouth of Pike
Creek (Southport) or at Pike River,
one mile North; moreover, it was af-
frmed that Col. Albert had been heard
to express the determination to make
the location at Pike River. This new
aspect of the case, very naturally created
a great panic; the work on every new
building,with one exception, (store of
Ii. Nichols, corner of Main and Park
streets,) was discontinued. Many i'm
proyements which had been commenced,
were relinquished; real estate suddenly
fell; many were anxious to sell out, but
there were no buyers. The destiny of the
town now seemed suspended on the de-
cision of Col. Albert. On the 26th. of
August, Col. Albert arrived, and fixed
his quarters at Boardman's tavern, cor
ner of Market and exchange streets
1t was understood his decision in the
matter would be given without delay;
this was day of intense anxiety to
every lot holder. Soon after the arri-
val of Col. Albert, he was waited upon
by the Hon. c. Durkee and two other
gentlemen; when Mr.. Durkee presented
him with paper which he desired him
to reads Col Albert took the paper and
looked it over, seemingly with much at
tention. In the mean time, the party
waiting upon the Colonel, watched his
countenance with anxious interest; de-
cision was pending which would settle
l. ..an4;o,, ,rl,1 or Sorfhnorf uaa t1,