The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-10-15
KENOSHA "REMINISCENCES FIFTY
YEARS AGO.
Visit of Gen. Dodge, First Governor of
Wisconsin, to Southport, (Kenosha)
July II, I84I.

and the other the west and Mississippi
river side. The people on the western
side did their trading in the towns on the
Mississippi river; those on the eastern side
in the towns on Lake Michigan. The in
habitants on the east side were mostly
from New York and the eastern states;
on the west side many of the most prom
inent men were from the southern states.
The interests of the people on the two
sides of the territory were entirely differ
ent. The business on the west side was
chiefly mining lead ore. 1t is stated on
authority that more lead was produced in
western Wisconsin than in all other parts
of the Union. The business on the Lake
Michigan side was, during early years,
farming. For reasons already mentioned
the people on the two sides of the territory
were largely strangers to each other. Gov
Dodge belonged to the western side Of the
territory: he was appointed territorial
governor by President Harrison in 1886,
in consideration Of his military services in
chastising the hostile tribes of Indians.
With the foregoing brief historical
sketch of the condition Of the territory in
early times, Renaissance will be given.
1t had been announced that Governor
Dodge would visit Southport July II,
1S41. Southport was not known as Ke-
nosha until 1850. He was to come by
way of Racine, at which place he was ex-
pected to make shorG stay. 1t was his
first appearance in this part of the terri
tory and great curiosity was manifest to
see the famous Indian warrior. AT Ra-
cine his friends had arranged to have him
brought to Southport by land carriage,
but changed their purpose on account of
the extreme rough road between the two
towns. The greater part of the way was
thickly timbered woods no road had
been cut, except the smaller trees on the
line of the track the large trees were left
standing, around which wagons and other
conveyances made their way In view of
this condition of the road the Racine
friends decided to bring the Governor in
yawl boat drawn by horses on the beach
Of the lake This proved a successful
method Of travel with one exception. At
that season of the year sand bar was
usually formed over Pike river and Pike
creek at the points where these two
streams flowed into the lake The bar over
Pike river was only imperfectly formed,
and in crossing over the horses sank into
the miry sand and were with difficulty
extricated. The party after some delay
were enabled to reach its destination. 1t
had been intended to receive Gov. Dodge
and the Racine friends on the north side,
where Aliens large tannery now stands,
and there the people had gathered but a
man on horseback arrived from Racine
with the information that the Governor
was coming in yawl boat. Whereupon
the people in waiting at once repaired to
the lake shore, near where the south har-
Dor pier now leaves the shore. The Gov
ernOr and friends were soon on hand; the
best possible resources had been secured
to give the Governor and visitors re-
spectacle reception, and form process
sion to escort them into the prospective
town. The following exhausted all the
resources to be had: Deacon Whitney's
light two horse wagon mounted on wood
en- springs, seats for four persons; three
lumber wagons These were all the con-
on horseback This limited procession
started out followed by good number Of
men and boys on foot. The route of
march was up Pearl street, passing the
site of Bains wagon Office on Main street;
crossing log bridge west over a miry
place Qong since filed up) to the high
ground further west; then turning south,
passing little west Of the present Court
house Here the Racine men began to
complain; they were heard to say: what
is the use driving us out here through the
brush when there are no roads or any I'M
provements to be seen 2. The Southport
leaders were intent to show the Governor
and Racine friends the lay of the land
where the future city was to rise. The
The procession after reaching the north
side of the park, turned into Main street,
on which there were a few small build
ings. Going north the procession passed
up the street to Whitney's temperance
house, where the First National Bank now
stands. This was building built Of logs
ton of being the best kept public house
in this part of the territory. Here a re-
spectacle number of people from the
country as far west as Fox River had
collected by the fame of Gen. Dodge as a
military hero more than civilian had
attracted the people. A citizen who often
officiated on public occasions, announced
Gov. Dodge to the people in few words,
to which he responded in short speech.
At the close of his speech Judge William
Bullen gave all present, as far as desired,
an introduction to the Governor, who left
the next morning for Salem. The respect
paid to Governor Dodge, now little over
fifty years ago, was not misplaced. He
probably filled more positions of public
trust than any other man has in Wiscon-
sin. He was not an educated man; his
early life was spent on the frontiers of the
country, but what he lacked in book
learning was more than compensated by