The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1874-03-07


friends held to be at Superior.
A route was surveyed from Saint
/ Anthony, intersecting the ST. Croix
and Superior-Bayfeld line, and
thence to Bayfield, The latter sur
vey was made during the winter OF
! 1867, and the claims for the pro-
ject were designed by its advocates
to support the solicited Legislation
at Madison and St. Paul. SO far as
Minnesota was concerned, the idea
of giving to Wisconsin the benefit
Of Minnesota's traffic, could not be
favored by the Legislature of the
latter state,
Hence the struggle was had at
Madison; the history Of which is
of significance, instructive and most
scandalous. A committee of the
1858 session made compilation OF
it, consisting of 1922 closely printed
pages. 1t does not appear that any
effort was made by the corporators
of the St. Croix company to obtain
the use of the grant. Early in the
session of 1867 it became evident
that Chicago would, if possible, Sc
cure the grants and render them
subServient to lines leading to that
place, and that Milwaukee could not
rely upon sufficient State pride in
the Legislature to defeat the de-
signs of Chicago.
The "Oakes Ames" of that peri
Cd comprehended his "duty" and
/ performed it. His refinement was
poorly practiced by his recent imita-
tor; the latter made use of substan-
tial securities, money worth, placing
them where they would do the most
good. But our Cakes" called his
largesses surprises, and they were
surprises too thirteen Senators got
ten or twenty each, ffty-seven AS
semblymen got five or ten, and
twenty five or thirty gentlemen Off
GERS and fellow sold ones, from one
to fifty each. These prizes soon af.
ter the drawing became blanks to
the no small surprise Of the holders.
The object, however. was accom-
pllshed the grants were placed I'M
! der the control of the Milwaukee
and La Crosse Company, who used
+ the st. CroiX section by inaugura-
ting its non usuer and present sue
cessor, the Milwaukee, & st. Pau
las most faithfully carried out the
policy
The Minnesota connection with
Lake Superior under the Northwest
grant shared the same fate as the
/ St. Croiy; the 4" chronicle" Of 322
I pages diScloses the fact that $780,
600 OF the bonds or surprises" were
I appropriated to SO locate the grants
In Minnesota "as to be continual
lions or nearly so of the La Crosse
road" This plan was faithfully
carried out by that States amended
constitution, authorizing an issue OF
100000 State stock, which was
all promised by that Legislature to
the combinations" above.
So far as legislation could effect
this portion of Wisconsin, the work
was done in the negative.
The apparent advantages and
prospects of Superior had done
their work. a United States Land
Office and Indian Agency and Gus
TOMS office had been located here
The population had augmented to
about 1900. The religious demon.
nations had built commodious
houses of worship; the public off
ces were in rooms and buildings
lining mile or more Of Second
street; steamer and vessel trips had
assumed regularity in daily arrivals
and departures the importation fol
l855-6-7 averaged a quarter of g
million dollars annually; exports
passengers, miners, investments II
town lots and interior lands; nearly
all OF nine townships had been en-
tered; included in Superior and the
additions" there were scarcely less
than 5000 acres, laid out in town
lots-the latter averaging about sew
en- lots to the acre = sixty-three
thousand town lots; and the Recor
der's office shows that quite seven
eighths of them passed to second
third or fourth quarters, at rate.
from two thousand dollars each, anc
in few instances less than twenty
five; every dictionary in town haC
the word humbug" erased from it
The bar had added to its roll j
w. Martin, Houser 81 Didlake
Beckwith q Hall, G. S. Freedom
E. G. Becker, James Smith and the
frequent contests before Geo. Hyel
and Z. B. Dean at the Land Office
brought from Hudson and ST. Paul
Judges Cooper, Brisban, Hollins
head, Meeker, Clapp, and at the
Circuit terms Justice Fuller OF
Weatherby.
The extensive real estate transac
tons were managed and conducted
at the offices of e. w. Anderson
Jr., VIM. II. Newton, w. r. & g
/ w. Perry, Bright, Moore & Hayes
John 81 Charles Coburn, VIM. Gran
well, Geo. Il. Stuntz, Mitchell &
Ref and by the lawyers generally
There was no expense avoided IL
procuring the best OF maps anC
autographs of the town and addi
tons, as we'll as Of the region and
projected railroads.