The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-08-21
EARLY HISTORY OF KEN0sHA

EARLY HISTORY OF KENOgHA.
Continuation of the early history of
the city and county of Kenosha,
written by Rev. H. M. Simmons, in
consecutive numbers, for the press
in the summer of 1876.
THE CITY AND CELEBRATION.
The approach to Pike River that
Independence morning just forty years
ago gave little promise of a city.
Timber covered the shore half mile
inland. just to the west of this tim
Der are ninety acres of prairie land
plowed last fall, in narrow strip one
and half miles long, and owned by
Alfred Foster, j. Lothrop and N. E
Allen. Mr.. Allen has claim cabin
northwest of the future railway depot;
Mr.. Foster lives toward what after
ward became bonds Wood" and J.
Lothrop resides between. East of this
the land is owned by the company.
IT'S still a forest in which everybody
seems to have been lost (for a certain
claim house therein has been located
for me by the settlers all the way
from the Grant House to Harvey
Durkee's). A bottomless elder swamp
stretches along not far from the future
Main street, avoiding which the road
winds down to the anticipated harbor.
Here, on the south side of the creek,
business is centering. Here, near the
bank of the creek, we see Mr.. Crosit's
blacksmith shop (shut for the day, we
hope) and boarding house. with its
hole in the roof, out of which the
heads came happily this morning while
the best pants went on. Near by is
Amos Grattan's new house. Down on
the lake shore still stands the original
log house, and north of it the store
where Nathan Allen still dispenses
-four, sugar and tea, though Samuel
Hale is just buying him out. NORTH
of the store, and close to the mouth o.
the creek (when there is mouth), il
the new warehouse of VIM. Bullen &
Co., and near by it the lighter, also new
but a frail craft doomed to go to piece.
this fall. The harbor has no mouth
yet, except in freshets, and the roat
crosses to the Island along the dry
beach. The Island is wide and NOR
beautiful than we in its degenerat,
Isdays know it, and, on the high groun'
(since washed into the lake, stands til
| famous Resigue House. Miles G. lob
is keeping it, and counts among hi
boarders Mr.. and Mrs. Charles burke
and Samuel Hale. Near by is small
house, where Mr.. Toby's overf1owin
boarders lodge. Just beyond, in tn
shade of the fair oak opening, the grea
celebration is held.
| will not attempt to portray tn
scene. A wagon "drawn by twenty
six yoke of oxen" brought the patriot
settlers from Pleasant Prairie. TIL
Eother settlements, dare say, did thei
duty. [ find it recorded that som
hundreds were there. Edgar Hugh
min was marshal of the day. Orland
Foster led the music. Jason Lothro
pronounced the address. M G. Tob
furnished the dinner. No reporte
was there to catch the eloquent words
But find in manuscript two toast
given by Mr.. Lothrop, which, embOdy
ing as they do the spirit of the day
ought not to be left to oblivion, TIL
} first declared the unity needed then a
now:
Sq,latters.
In their good cause, wherever they may Squa
They stand as one, pre- -emptlon law OF not:'
| The other welcomed the Territor
which the day inaugurated:
" Wisconsin.
Last risen star, not long the least
Already greeted from the East"
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
| Here at Mr.. Towslee's we find relis
: ious meetings regularly held this fa
of 1885. Such meetings had begu
, quite early. The first is said to hav