The weekly intelligencer., 1899-08-19
AMERICAN PIONEERS.
Some states That Retain Only Slight
Traces of Their Original
settlers.


Every schoolboy knows that the little
state of Delaware was settled by
Swedes, who made their first perma-
nent stand In II near the present site
of the city of Wilmington In 1898, Re-
Gently in Wilmington the two hun
dredth anniversary of the conservation
Of Old Swedes' church, as Trinity
church In that city is called, was cele-
brated. The Old Swedes' church is
familiar Landmark, but II is about the
only reminder Of the state of the pio-
neer settlement Of Delaware, in which,
such are the mutations of population in
the United States, there were by the
last federal census only 300 Scandlna-
VANS, all told, in a population of 100000
-248 Swedes, Al Danes and 10 Nor
wegians.
Delaware is not the only American
state in which the early pioneers have
left very little trace in the popula-
tion. Wisconsin was originally settled
by the French In the seventeenth cen
tury, and evidence is found Of II In
many of the French proper names re-
tanned, particularly La Crosse, Racine,
Prairie du Chen, Fond du Lac, Juneau
and Marquette. But although French
trappers were the first settlers in Wis
consin and many French emigrants ar
irving in the United States in the early
years of this century found homes in
Wisconsin, its present French popula-
tion is not only insignificant In num-
Der, 1000 in total Of nearly 2,000, 900.
but also smaller than the French popu-
lation of most of the neighboring states,
Iowa, Illinois and Michigan especially.
Though there are practically no traces
in Wisconsin of the original French set
Elements there is considerable Belgian
colony there, attracted to some extent
by the zinc industry Of the Badger
state, in the development of which in
dustry Belgians in all parts of the
United States where zinc is found have
taken an active part.
Florida was originally settled by the
| Spaniards, and in the same way that
the Old Swedes' church In Delaware re-
calls it's pioneer settlers and French
names in Wisconsin recall the French
settlements of that state, st. Augustine,
Tampa, Fernandina and other Spanish
geographical names recall the fact that
the peninsula state was under Spanish
rule for a great number Of years. But
there are not many Spaniards In Flor
ida. The last census returned the num-
ber Of such as $50 only, very small
total when one considers the proximity
Of Florida to the former Spanish pos
sessions in the West indies. There are,
Of course, great many Cubans In Flor
ida, particularly in and about Key West,
but their presence there was In no wise
due to the Spanish traditions OF Flor
ida; on the contrary, many, II not most,
Of the Key West Cubans went there as
refugees from Spanish misgovernment
In their own country.
South Carolina was settled by French
Huguenots at Port Royal more than
two centuries ago, and though many Of
lHt VI VI NithVh Au-
guenots are still observed in the af-
fairs of South Carolina, and though for
many years the port of Charleston was
q very important one and not only q
landing place for immigrants, but re-
ceiving port for many foreign goods
there were by the last federal census in
total population Of 100000 in South
Carolina only 1888 natives Of France. The
original settlement of American states
has usually a greater historical than
, practical value, and the only conspicu
| GUS exception to be found to this rule
| Is seen in the case Of the New England
, states, settled by English Puritans and
, preserving after many centuries sun
, dry distinctive features of the early
settlers, though In the last few years
there has been an enormous foreign I'm
migration into New England, particu
larly of Irish-Americans and French
| Cono1ians gIn