Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-09-24
Editor and Proprietor
THE CONSTITUTION LOST.

Startling Discovery Made by Officials at
Madison.
MADISON, Wis, Sept. 19.-Wisconsin
has lost constitution. 1t has not been
deprived of its fundamental law, but it
is minus the original document adopted
by the constitutional convention of 184S.
Hunt high or hunt low the engrossed
copy which bore the signatures of the
members Of the convention cannot be
found. It should be among the archives
of the secretary of states office, but is
not, and one of the most valuable his
torioal relics of the state is either lost or
stolem-
Allen Worden father Of the state
printing clerk, was member of the
convention. A few weeks ago he was
in the city, and having curiosity to see
the document to which he affixed his
signature so many years ago, asked for it.
1t then developed that the engrosSed copy
was not in the office and had not been for
years. In fact, it had been gone so long
that doubts were expressed that it was
ever there or that an engrOssed copy was
made. Mr.. W0rdcn set this latter doubt
t rest, hOweyeE by the assertion that he
knew the constitution was engrOSSed and
saw the members sign the document, af-
the convention from La Fayette County
The fact of the enGrossment was i'm
pressed upon his mind by the circum-
stances surrounding its adoption. There
had been bitter, WOrdy opposition to the
constitution and some Of its provisions
had been strenuoUSly fought, so that when
it came down to the engrOSSment and
signing of the document much curiosity
was expressed as to whether the men who
had opposed the provisions would sign it.
Hence as the roll was called and the dele
gates came up to affiX their names a great
deal Of interest centered in the event.
Thus Mr., WGrden knew positively
that the document was prepared for the
archives OF the state whether it ever
reached there or not. Since it is not On
file the question IS under discussion where
it is now, An effort may be made TO find
it. 1t is barely possible that some delegate
may have taken it with him by mistake
when he departed.
A. o. Fog is reported to have SAID that
he has seen amo'fg his fathers papers {
copy OF the document in manuscript, ant
this nSay lead TOT clue to It's whereabouts
DR.. William H. Fox, of Oregon. this coun
ty, was a, GNcmber of the convention anO
took deep interest in the proceedings.
1t is also thought that the constitution
may have been misplaced among Other
records in the capitol, but there has been d
general sitting of the papers in the secIe-
larry of states and governors offices in the
past few years and it is thought if the doc
ument Was there it would have been dis
covered.
Meanwhile the state must content itself
To work upon the copies of the cOnstitul-
lion which have been accepted as copies OF
the original, though whether they are cor.
rect copies cannot be absolutely verified
Unless che original is found.
Morgan j.. Martin, of Brown County,
was president, and Thomas McIlugh Secre-
tary, CT the constitutional convention
They and the other delegates affixed then
GamcS to the document February |, 1S4S
and the pGopC ratified their action in the
biarch succeeding.
Chief Justice Cole. of the supreme court
was a member of the convention from
Grant ,OuntV