Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-02-25
EARLY HISTORY OF KENosHA.
From the Third Volume of the Wis
consin State Historical Society Collec-
lions. recently published.l


tons, recently published.
/ The history of the western countr,
during the memorable period of 1880
also few years Immediately precedin.
that time, is proverbial for adventure
and enterprises, many of them partak
ing Of extravaganza and wild specula
ton. The Great West, its boundles
natural resources, and its many advan
tages for the speedy requirement o
wealth, at that period, more than eve
before, became a subject of Absorb
attention, throughout the Middle -
Eastern States. 4av.
In the month of December, in the
year 1884, a gentleman in the town o.
Hannibal, Oswego county, New York
invited a number of guests to an enter
tainment at has. residence. AT the sup
portable, the West, its beautiful prai
ries, productive soil and bright skies, be
came the engrossing theme Of converse
ton. The enthusiasm of the party rap,
idly increased, as each of the leading
spirits present rehearsed the CLOWN
descriptions of travellers, who had ex-
plored the country west of the Great
Lakes. During the evening, the party
mutually resolved upon plan, to organ
i've an association to settle colony in
the West, in which those becoming
members, should be aids TO each other,
and mutually share profits and losses in
the enterprise. To strengthen the I'M
dertaking, and carry the purposes of the
into effectuali operation, 1t
was determined TO call general meet
ing, with the view of submitting the
proposed plan of organization, and invi-
ting the cooperation of all who desired
to embark in the enterprise. A public
meeting was accordingly held, at which
a constitution, prepared by the Rev. J.
Lothrop, was presented and discussed.
The meeting was largely attended, and
the object under consideration met with
more general favor than was anticipa-
ted. AT subsequent meeting, held on
the, goth Of February, 1885, an organ
ization was finally perfected, under the
name of thee Western Emigration Com
pany," Rev. Peter Woodin, respee,
table Baptist clergyman of the town of
Hannibal, was elected President of the
Company, and John ,Bullen, jr., of the
same town, Secretary.
BY the Constitution of the Company,
it was contemplated to raise cash cap
ital of $4,000, by subscriptions of stock
in shares of $40 each; the funds SO rails
ed, to be invested III real estate suitable
for town site, and the share holders to
be entitled to the proceeds arising from
the rise of the property. About four
hundred shares We're subscribed and
paid for. the stock Of the Company
promised to be lucrative, and many per-
sons ofsmall means, who desired to find
a new home in the West, became share
Old men, young men, and even
females, who were employed
appropriated from their earnings suffi-
cient to purchase a share, in the hope
of realizing large profits.
Among the most active individuals in
the interests of the Company, in its ear
ly formation, may be mentioned John
Bullen, jr., Charles w. Turner, Waters
Towslee, James Scott, DIR. b. b. Cary,
Jason Lothrop, Hudson Bacon, Peter
Woodin, Alfred Foster, Orlando Eos
ter, William Bullen, George Bennett,
and Sidney Roberts. In the spring Of
1885, the Company appointed a commit
tee to explore the distant and then com
paratively but little known regions Of
the West: the exploring committee were
Waters Towslee, Of Hannibal, Sidney
Roberts, of Cazenovia, and Charles w
Turner, of Sterling. The explorers left
Hannibal on the 10th of March, 1885
the day of departure was one of con
siderable interest; the leave taking wa:
such as is usually witessed between pa
rents and children, husbands and wives
when long and perilous journey il
about to be undertaken. The instruc
tons to the committee of exploration
were explicit, and reduced TO writing
The explorers were required to examine
the country along the western shore o
Lake Michigan, with the view of find
ing an eligible situation for CONNER
cial town, with lands in its vicinity a
dapted to agricultural pursuits. Milwau
kee was fixed upon as the first point O
the committees destinations that be
ing the only place then definitely known
between Chicago and Green Bay, al
settled by white inhabitants. From
Milwaukee, they were directed to ex
plore, either north or south, along the
shore, as they might Judge best. The
committee took $4,000 of Company
money with them, with which to make
investments, and were allowed one dol
lar day, while on actual duty, and trav
cling expenses.
On leaving Hannibal; the committee
took the route by way of Lake Erie t.
Detroit, and from thence across the coun
try to Chicago. At Chicago they as
certained that there was no road to Nil
waukee; the journey to that place being
at that period, usually performed by fol
lowing Indian trails, sometimes on horse
back, and occasionally by water, on {
small schooner. The explorers set ou
on their journey by land, following
mostly along the beach. of the Lake; at
ter having accomplished part of the
distance in this way, they deserted ;
small sail craft coasting along the shore
towards the north; they embarked OF
this, and made a successful voyage tt
Milwaukee. At Milwaukee they found
a small collection of buildings, mostly
of temporary character, and mixed
population of whites and Indians. Ma
ture, however, had marked the location
as one of great prospective Importance
and town lots were already run up t
comparatively high prices. The com
raittee soon ascertained that the objec
of their mission could not be obtained
at Milwaukee; the means within thei
control were too limited to make pur
chase of real estate sufficient for col