The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-02-02
IN DAYS OF YORE.
HOW EARLY KENOSHA RESIDENTS
SOUGHT TO SECURE A HARBOR.
THEY MoRTGAGED THE VILLAGE
Many Public Spirited Men Pledged Their
Entire Fortunes to Assist in Raising
$4,000 for the First Work
On the Harbor.

It's readers very interesting piece Vi
early Kenosha history. In 1889 the
first action for harbor at Southport
was commenced and special commit
tee appointed at meeting of the town
rendered the following report:
To the Mechanics of the Village OF
Southport
Your committee, to whom was sub
mitted the duty of drafting a plan for
raising money for the construction of a
harbor at the south mouth of Pike
creek, would respectfully submit the
following report:
Whereas, the rapid tide of emigra
ton to the western country, as we'll as
the increasing amount ofproduce which
must find its way to some place for
shipment to an eastern market, as we'll
as the best interests of the prOprietors
and citizens OF Southport, demand that
something should be done in the way of
constructing some suitable means for
unloading and shipping of goods and
produce; and, whereas, it is admitted
by all that the construction of such a
work is of the utmost Importance, not
only to the mechanics, but to the citi-
zens generally; and, whereas, it is be-
lieved by many chat no appropriation
will be made for this place this season;
and believing as we do, and having
good reason, as we think, for thus be-
lieving, from the several reports lately
made for this and other places, as well
as from the known reduced state of the
treasury of the United States, that no
appropriation is likely to be made for
this place for the present; and believ-
ing also, that:any moneys spent by the
citizens in the construction of such a
work would be in fact nothing more
than loan to the government for a
few years at most, when the work
would be assumed by the general gov
eminent and the money refunded with
interest on the same, as has been in all
former cases of the kind; and believing
also, that the time has come when a
united and vigorous effort on the part
OF the citizens is asked for, and that
unless something is done, and that soon
to effect the above named object, that
the time and opportunity for accom-
plishing said object will in great
measure, if not altogether pass by.
Therefore, Resolved, That for the
purpose of attaining the above object,
we, the merchants of Southport, will
pledge, and do hereby propose to en-
cumber by bond and mortgage all our
real estate in said village of Southport
to secure the payment of a loan of
money not exceeding $50, 600, which we
propose and recommend shall be made
and secured by bond and mortgage,
to be executed by ourselves and the
propretors at large of the aforesaid
village, upon such terms, propositions
and valuations as shallappear the most
equitable and satisfactory to all con-
cerned.
Resolved, That in furtherance of the
above named object a committee of
three persons be appointed to prepare a
brief agreement or assent to the prop
Ositions set forth in the last resolution
and present the same to all the owners
of interests in Southport for their sig
natures to the end that in case the
proprietors shall signify their assent,
measures may speedily be taken to
obtain the securities; and authority be
invested in some suitable person or
persons to negotiate the loan and spend
the money in the aforesaid improve
ment.
Resolved, That Nathan Dye, Alonzo
D. Northway and Jacob G. Bloom be
said committee, and that they be in
structed in the performance of their
duty to present the following state
ment as being substantially the senti-
ment and propositions of the merchants
of Southport, which they would be will
ing, nay glad to assist in carrying out
practically in detail, viz:
Being of the opinion from present in
dications and recent developments that
little or no expectation can be enter
tanned of an appropriation by govern
ment at the present session of our
National Legislature for the construc
ton of a harbOr at Southport, and
feeling that the Importance of such an
improvement is continually magnifying
and that the wants of commerce, the
safety of navigation, and the interests
of our town render harbor indispen-
sable, and without it our property COM
paratively worthless, we believe the
sum of $4,000 should be raised secured
by bond and mortgage on the town plat
OF Southport and expended: $4,000 at
least. in the year 1910, and $4,000 in
the year 1841, and payable to the
mortgages IN FIVE or six years. We
believe the money should be applied to
the construction of harbor so far as it
would go, in the manner and upon the
plan pursued by the general govern