Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-02-13
The First Court Reception in Wis
consin.
From the Oshkosh Times

the Territory a Court reception that
may be given at this time, in con-
trast with the senseless parade which
has been made over the visit of the
young Russian. In 1899 Count
Harasthy, Hungarian exila. came
to Wisconsin with q retinue of fellow
exIies, servants, etc, and settled 10
the fall of that year, on the west
bank Of lake Koshkonong, in Jeffer-
son county During the legislative
session of the winter following, the
Count came TO Madison, accompanied
by his suite, and in full Court dress
called to pay his respects to Gen.
Dodge, then Territorial Governor
We well remem Der the scene that fol-
lowed, AID 20 give a better idea of it,
must desdribe the parties figuring in
the reception. 1t was at an early
day-betore the rough habits and
plain attire of the frontier had been
polished into the present smooth
and fashionable exterior, and Gener-
ell Dodge, coming directly from his
smelling works, in the mining couu
try, had little to Indicate his official
position, 10 his plain, if not rough
dress, and unpolshed yet command
ing manners. 10 person tall, straight
and dignified, he, by the directness
of his language and evident honesty
of purpose, impressed every one who
approached him with the idea, that
though frontier man, aBd uneducat-
ed, be was not to be improperly APP
preached or trifled wth-his very
appearance commanded respect, and
left no one in doubt IA TO the true
character Of the man, Daring the
session alluded to, Gen. Dodge had
quarters at the old madison House"
it was plainly furnished room,
having in it bed, pine table, and
two or three common chairs. Very
little was then required to make a
governor comtortable. Con. Dodge
was dressed ia blanket coat, his
satinet tights were quite faded, rath
err short, and old fashioned-he wore
buckskin when at the mines, and
store clothes were only used during
official Displays. He WAS so dressed
on the occasion Of the Counts visit,
and though he had been Informed Of
the contemplated call. be made no
other preparation for it, than to dis
play on his table pair Of Dragon
pistols, Of which he was quite proud,
a hunting knife and wiIlow,bound
jug, for though the General seldom
if ever INDUCED in the use Of liquor,
he was inclined to keep it within
reach Of his western friends, for use
when they called upon him. This
was the appearance Of the Gen. and
his apartment, at the time the land
lord sent up word that Count
Harastby aud suite wished to pay
their respects TO Gov. Dodge. Send
him up, Sar, send him up" was the
Gea eral' prompt reply.
Very soon procession was form
ed is the hall, the Count dressed in
blue, with grand display of gold
lace and medals, side sword and other
trappings, leading the column, fol~
lowed by his suite according to rank.
The Gov. sat quietly at his table con
veraing with bis friends when a rap
at the door announced the presence
Of the hungarian bloods
Come in, Sar," was the load re-
Spouse of the Governor.
The door opened quietly. display
ing the Count aud his staff, all with
hats in hand, bowling obsequiously.
"Come in, Sar, como in" was the
kind invitation Of the General.
la they came, and when quiet was
restored, the Count, who had not be-
come very much Americanized, essay
ed to speak;
"Meestur Gunner, / have done my
self very much the honor 10 pay nay
leetIe respects to His Excellence, the
Guvnor of Wisconsin"
"Certainly, sar. Come in and take
cheer, sar Glad to see you sar,"
and the General Strengthened him.
self up, looking the noble Roman DO
fore the diminutive exile.
The Count took "cheer," the on
~ one at the command of tho Gener-
al, and the staff remained 10 tho rear
Of him, standing. A few common
place remarks passed between the
distinguished persons, concerning
health, etc, when the Count, notic-
ing The Generals pistols, alluded to
them
"Hoss pistols, sar -used in the
Black Hawk war, sar, remarked the
Governor.
"Aud that leotlo weapon, sir" con-
tinued the Count, pointing to the
knife.
That. sar, is my knife, used 10
Staying deer, sar, made IN Sheffield,
Missouri, sar, not Sheffield in furrin
parts"
After a few moments spent in un-
important conversation, the Governor
and Count rose to their feet, shook
hands, O warm invitation was given
to "call again" the Count backed and
bowed, his retinue followed the door
clcsed, and all was QUOT again in the
Executive chamber.
Mr.. Beatty" says the General,
"where is Hungary?-in Turin parts,
| imagine, Sar."
"Yes," says tho Secretary, sand
these men are exiss-drigen from
their Government.
Sab, q military man, and yet be
seemed to know nothing about the
Black Hawk war, sar. Fine man
no doubt, but be has much to learn,
sar."
Such was the first Court reception
in Wisconsin.
So A contemporary speaks OF the
houseacleaniog season as that when
woman has her own way at the