Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-10-29
FIRST CAPITOL OF WIS
CONSIN NOW ON FORMER
SITE AT OLD BELMONT.
BY NJ. P. Rindlauh.


The building in which the first SEES
sion of the legislature of the terri
tory of Wisconsin convened, at Old
Belmont, in October, 1886, was moved,
about thirty years ago, from it's orig
inal site, across the public highway,
and incorporated in a barn.
A bill was introduced in the Wis
consin legislature of 1917 asking for
an appropriation to purchase two ac-
res of land including the site of the
old capitol, move the building back
to its former site, and restore it as
nearly as possible to its original
shape.
The bill asked for $4,000, which
had it been appropriated, the park
would have been enclosed with an APP
propriate fence, planted with trees,
care-taker's lodge erected, and such
other improvements begun that would
have made it one of the most interest
ing and attractive places in the state
But SO much interest was being cen
! tered in the impending war that for
a while it was doubtful whether any
appropriation would be made. The
bill was finally passed, but only pro-
viding for three thousand dollars.
| This sum was so much less than was
asked for that the question of aban-
donlng the project was seriously con-
sidered. But the commission was as
sured that if the work was begun and
carried out as far as the money would
allow, future legislatures would, no
doubt, appropriate sufficient funds to
carry out the original intention.
There was much delay in procar-
ing a clear title to the two acres. 1t
hot no xrid VIrir O1I
known to the older citizens of this To-
cality, kept a saloon near the old cap
itol building some fifty years ago. The
building in which the saloon was kept
was burned down many years ago. 1t
appeared that he had some claim on
the lot on which his saloon Stood and
when the farm was sold this lot was
excepted. 1t was also found that
number of Wright's heirs were still
living in different parts of the coun-
try, and it took nearly year to pro-
cure quit claim deeds from them; this
being necessary to clear the title be-
fore the attorney general would o. K.
the deed.
The removal of the old building to
its former site has just been COM
pleted, and considering the hard usage
it has had since it was built SO years
ago, is in fairly good condition. With
the exception that the lower floor, and
the battlement, had been entirely re-
moved, the framework was found to
be still as solid as it was the day it
was first put in. It is said that the
lumber used in the building was
brought from Pittsburg, Pa, down the
Ohio and up the Mississippi by steam
boat to Galena, and hauled by team to
the site of the old capitol.
The Old Belmont Capitol Commits
sion consisting of State Chief Engin-
eer John g. D. Mack Insurance Com
missioner Plat Whitman of Madison,
and M. P. Rindlaub of Platteville
held meeting at the old capitol on
Friday last, and took the necessary
steps for restoring the building as
much as the small portion of the ap-
preparation as is left will permit.
The building erected for the SUI
preme court is still standing in the
immediate vicinity, and is in a good
state of preservation. 1t was remod-
eled somewhat and used for many
years after the capitol was changed
to Madison, as residence of the late
Charles Dunn, who was at that time
Chief Justice of Wisconsin. 1t was
in this building that the first COVER
nor of the territory of wisconsin,
Nelson Dewey, was married to Miss
Kate, daughter of Judge Dunn. The
present owner of the building has
just completed a new residence, and
unless steps are taken by the state
to procure the old building and move
it to the lot now occupied by the old
capitol, it soon may be torn down
Had the amount originally asked for
been appropriated. so carefully have
the funds been handled by the com
mission that there would in all prob
ability have been money enough left
to purchase and move the court build
ing also, and the preservation of it
would have been assured; but as it
is, if it is ever done, another approp-
ration will have to be made
Platteville. Wis Oct. 20 1919.