The diamond drill., 1921-05-07
LAUGHS AT BOUNDARY PROPOSAL
Wisconsin Legislators Don't Fear the
Loss of Territory 10 Michigan

trict set forth in legislative action at
Lansing. has not made much OF an
impression in the Badger state capi-
tol. officials are interested and
should serious attempt be made to
enforce II, Wisconsin will be ready
with historical and survey records on
which TO base its case. Watchfui
waiting is the word thus far.
II do not see that Michigan has a
ghost OF a show TO make good this
claim" said Il. +. Bean. assistant
state geologist, whose work as a sur
veyor has made him familiar with the
records. "The boundary is part OF
the enabling act under which Wiscon-
sin was admitted to the union. That
act was passed by Congress, and II d
Is changed, II must be changed by
Congress"
Michigan has already annexed the
disputed territory by constitutional
amendment. According to its con-
stitutional OF 1918, Michigan includes
about 260 square miles OF territory
over which Wisconsin now exercises
Jurisdiction. This area, which dn-
cludes the city OF Hurley and the Iron
mines lying to the west on the Goge-
bic range. is valued at about 100000
900. II is juicy plum for the tax
gatherer.
The constitutional claim was affect
ed through the agency Of the late Pet
er White. OF Marquette, whose histor-
ical researches led him 10 the conclus-
ion that Michigan was entitled TO this
territory. He interested Clarence
Burton OF Detroit, chairman OF the
committee on boundaries in the con
stitution convention. Mr.. Burton
brought in a report asserting that the
Michigan boundary is marked by the
westerly branch OF the Montral river
to Island Lake.
The description in the old Michi-
gan constitution fixed the boundary
as the middle Of the Montreal river 10
the headwaters thereof. The river
here referred to Is now known as the
eastern branch OF the Montreal river.
To adopt the western branch OF the
river would slice nice triangle from
Wisconsin.
Badger officials and historians claim
a law proof case with respect to the
Montreal river boundary. They say
that until recently there was no west
ern branch of the Montreal river
When the surveys and maps were
made, and when congress created this
state, there was but one Montreal
river, which is the one now dividing
the state.
The stream now known as the wes-
tern branch OF the Montreal was then
known az the Gogogashugen. II was
so known as late as 1885. as is
shown by the field notes OF the late
DR.. G. r. VanHise, who traversed that
country as a member OF the geologi-
cal survey in June OF that year The
VanIiise field notes, as well as those
OF other surveyors and map makers
show that this stream was not re-
garded as the Montreal river, but as
branch. with a definite name OF its
own. The difficult name. which
means Rocking Bridge" probably
caused settlers in recent years to cab
II the western Montreal No one al
Madison thinks Wisconsin will lose
it's title through this accidental
change in a rivers name. long after
the states and other boundaries were
created. The stream Is designated
as the Gogogashugun in the United
States reports and dn the geological
surveys.
In 1907 Peter White came 10 Madi.
son and saw Governor j. o. Davidson
in an effort TO give the Michigan claim
status with Wisconsin officials. His
trip resulted in nothing. From time
20 time someone revives the question
In the Michigan legislature. The on
ly record in the office OF w. j. Morgan
Encouragement OF Wisconsin. Is O
memorandum three years ago by Mr.
Bean who desired that officials be ap.
praised where the facts could be oh.
tained. Madison dispatch in Hurley
Miner. Thursday. April 81
Raod fho Ado