Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-04-09

Thus in few words is told the his
| tory of Wisconsin's first governor. The
Alpha and Omega seventy-five years
of activity and state-making couched
| in few chiseled characters on
small, grey, granite tombstone in a
deserted and neglected churchyard at
Lancaster, Wisconsin, tells the story
of Dewey's years Of active duty for the
great and prosperous commonwealth.
In the cemetery which is part of
| city lot in Lancaster, and which was
presented by Nelson Dewey himself, to
Emmanuel Episcopal church, is the
grave of the first governor. The GENE
terry is no longer used for burial.
"The friends and relatives of every
single person buried here" according
to the Rev. William o. Johnson, rec
tor of Emmanuel parish, "are dead
and gone. Years have passed and the
place has grown to weeds, the lots are
sunken, the markers are broken and
gathered into piles under the trees or
along the remnants of former fence,
and children playing in the church
yard romp and frolic over the quiet
graves, mutilating the fragile marble
and sandstone markers"
The only care taken of this spot
which might and ought to be a shrine
of Wisconsin people is the annual cut
ting of grass and weeds, the funds for
such care being secured by private
contributions from members of the
church.
Hundreds for the Living But Not
Cent for Dewey.
'The record of his life and public
services is interviewer with the his
tory of the state" said Justice S. U.
Pinney, in an eloquent eulogy at the
governors grave in 1889. There is no
need, therefore, of massive monument
of granite, or polished shaft of marble
to keep alive in the memory of our
people his name, character, and pub
lie services.
His monument, like that of his con-
temporaries, the early pioneers, who
sleep here with him, is the result of
his labors. We have but to look around
us and observe them; and see what
was builded and developed so we'll.
Governor Nelson Dewey, full of
years and earthly honors, possessed of
the confidence and respect of his fell
lOw-citiZens throughout the State, has
gone to his rest
The State of Wisconsin voted
$1,000 for an oil painting of ex-Gov-
ernor Emanuel L. Philip, according
to the Rev. William Dawson of Madi-
son, and the tomb of the first COVER
nor of the State, Nelson Dewey, in the
city of Lancaster, is in a condition no
better than if it were in a potter's
field
Perhaps the State of Wisconsin is
ignorant of affairs" Mr.. Dawson con-
tinues in a letter of protest to the
State Historical Society, "but it shall
be ignorant no longer.
go to Lancaster and see for your
self. In front of the Court House there
stands splendid monument of the
man who was the first choice of the
Wisconsin electorate for its first gov
ernor, and who was for two cOnsecu4
tive terms, June 81, 1848, until aJnu-
airy 5, 1852, it's chief executive"
The monument of which the Rev.
Mr.. Dawson speaks was erected at
some expense to the citizens of the
State. Work on it was begun in 1907.
It is now completed in bronze and
granite, worthy memorial to a
worthy citizen.
Across on the next street the prop
erty for almost an entire block be-
longs to the Episcopal church, gift