Year: 1873

ROAD Nv 1867.


A letter appears in the Milwaukee Ne,os
of June "a, over the signature of Vindex,
which rehearses the way in which 6 the for
ty thieves" and especially the head centre
of the gang, accomplished the first steal
from the St. Croix grant. There have been
so many since, that it is hard to keep up
with them, but it will be interesting to re-
fresh the memory with the first. Gov. Bar
stow was good man, but ii is just as well
perhaps, that so confding gentleman is
not Governor in these days. We quote
from the letter:


The then president of the Lacrosse Railroad Com
pany earnestly assured ex-Gov Barsow the president
of the St. Crox Company that it would be far better
for both corporations, and much facilitate the passage
of the grant through the Legislature for each if
all donated matter of form, to the La Crosse com
pany, and could make difference in fact, as, imme
dlatey after the passage of the act the La Crosse
would transfer by deed to the St CroiX company the
share of the grant belonging that 1t seems
unaccountabe at this time in looking back upon the
occurrence, that should walk into plain pit
full but so 1t Against earnest remOnstrance
Gov Barstow rested his belief upon the plghted faith
of one who fully determined upon his ruin, and
representing the ST. Croix company consented to the
arrangement and the concocted by his enemies
was allowed to pass The day following was the
previously agreed upon for the transfer the ST. DIX
| of its share and that the beginning of the end
" 1t would be better to go to Milwaukee where the
secretary of the company and its seal were," it
urged and bv one excuse and another the matter
delayed until the legislature adjourned and Mlwau


kee new difficulties rose. The president OF the La
Crosse company then demanded a condition of his
keeping his word, that the st. Croix Company give
him for his private half million of the bonds
of the latter company There no help for it the n
and this hard and rascaly condition was agreed to-
and it become necessary 90 to New York city in
order get the bonds engraved To shorten the sto
rv this was done, and the bonds rendered and de
mand of the deed duly made. But it was no part of
the plot that the rghtu should have the
grant and fat refusal the final result. This had
been anc pated and the president Of the La Crosse
road arrested once, and placed under million
of dollars bail bond and suit of ne Great also issued
and served upon him. All this resulted in his Obtlga
ting himself TO give the Crox Company its grant
or 81 900, 900 of La Crosse bonds within a limited
period.


In its helpless condition, the Saint Croix company
obliged accept the proposition, and the latter
alternative finally adopted by the president of the
La Crosse company, and the usual consequences fol-
lowing bad faith speedily ensued The additional load
the top of those already assumed broke the LaCose
road to flinders and the noble crew of conspirators
separated poorer purse and minus what reputation
apparent financial success had given them before.
The men composing the st. Croix company did not
want the million of bonds-they desired what
rightfuy their own-the land grant--to enable them
fulfill their contract and build the railroad The
majority were " Milwaukee men," and were anxious
do what they could for her interests In wears
from 1853, she would have had "a direct communica
tion with the head of Lake SUPERIOR and city larger
and more permanent than Duluth, would long this
have been reared her beautiful bav. 1t is
much to claim that the Northern Pacific Railroad
would have been the first constructed in that
event. and it certain that this city and would


nax-a hn,, &


ulation will not reach / years yet come and still
as monument of the folly of bad faith the ST Crox


land grant vet remains unappropriated and useless
Many of those who prominent actors in this brief
history have, years since rendered their account
Judge who cannot be deceived and who, it is to be
hoped rewards men according to their deeds.