ton, who was designated by the War Department to locate the harbor, and direct the expenditure of the appropriation, regarded the terms of the act of Congress such, as to make it discretionary with him to locate the harbor at the South mouth of Pike Creek (Southport), or at Pike River, one mile North; moreover, it was affirmed that Col. ABERT had been heard to express the determination to make the location at Pike River. This new aspect of the case, very naturally created a great panic; the work on every new building, with only one exception, (store of J. H. NICHOLS, Corner of Main and Park streets,) was discontinued. Many improvements which had been commenced, were relinquished; real estate suddenly fell; many were anxious to sell out, but there were no buyers. The destiny of the town now seemed suspended on the decision of Cal. ABERT. On the 26th of August, Col. ABERT arrived, and fixed his quarters at BOARDMAN's tavern, corner of Market and Exchange streets. It was understood his decision in the matter would be given without delay; this was a day of intense anxiety to every lot holder. Soon after the arrival of Col. ABERT, he was waited upon by the Hon. C. DURKEE and two other gentlemen; when Mr. DURKEE presented him with a paper which he desired him to read.* Col. ABERT took the paper and looked it over, seemingly with much attention. In the mean time, the party waiting upon the Colonel, watched his countenance with anxious interest; a decision was pending which would settle the question, whether Southport was to be, or not to be. At length Col. ABERT said, "Mr. DURKEE, do you know the statements contained in this paper to be correct?" Mr. DURKEE replied in the affirmative. "Then," said Col. ABERT, "there is no alternative, the location for the

*The paper given to Col. ABERT, called his attention to facts, which very naturally might have escaped his attention. People abroad, often labored under a misapprehension as to the destinction between Pike River and Pike Creek. There was a phrase put into the act, especially designed to apply the appropriation to the South mouth of Pike Creek, but which would not be likely to be so construed by any one not personally acquainted with the localities of the two places. M. F.

harbor must be fixed at the South mouth of Pike Creek." The news of Col. ABERT's decision spread rapidly through the town, and was received with expressions of delight. The next day the sound of the saw and the hammer again began to be heard, and every department of business proceeded with more than usual energy.

In March, 1845, another appropriation, of $15,000, was obtained from Congress. Since that period, the work on the harbor has been prosecuted, more or less every year, by money borrowed on the credit of the corporation, and by tax levied on the real estate of the town.

Newspapers.

The establishment of a newspaper began to be agitated in the summer of 1839; in the following winter, there was much excitement on the subject, arising from the rival feeling between the people of the north side of the creek, and those on the south side. The south side claimed the location of the press on the ground of having the greatest population. The north side claimed it, because it had more wealth and business influence to sustain a press. In January, 1840, Judge BULLEN proposed to guarrantee to Hon. C. C. SHOLES, five hundred subscribers, and a sufficient support, provided he would establish a paper on the north side. This raised a storm; the south side people called a meeting, and resolved not to patronize the proposed paper. In the meantime, the interests of the south side continued to strengthen, and in June, 1840, the "Southport Telegraph," edited by C. LaTHAM SHOLES, and M. FRANK, was established. This paper has ever since that time, continued its regular weekly issues, and is now, with perhaps one exception, the oldest newspaper in the State. The north side did not, however, abandon the idea of a newspaper, and in September, 1841, a paper called the "Southport American," was established on that side of the creek, edited by N. P. DowST. It continued to be pub

lished on that side, until the mercantile and other business was mostly transferred to the south side, when the paper was also removed to the south side.

Visit of Gen. DODGE.

Although the town continued to increase steadily in population after its first settlement, yet during the first five or six years, it received but few accessions of men of wealth; the people were mostly possessed of only moderate means. As an illustration of its resources for fashionable display, up to 1841, the occasion of Gen. DODGE visiting the place, may be mentioned. It was announced that he would visit Southport on the 12th of July; the fame of the General was widely known throughout the West as a frontier warrior of many years service, and especially as the hero of the "Sauk War," or "Sauk Fuss," as the waggish ones were wont to call it. All the available vehicles and horses in the place, were brought into requisition on this occasion, to enable the people to go out to meet him. This equipage consisted of three lumber wagons, one open carriage on wooden springs, besides five indifferent horses for single riders. As the General was to come from Racine, and the road being unfit for carriages, the Racine people procured a lighter boat, in which the General and a few citizens of that place, were towed by two horses along the beach of the Lake. The Southport procession, with the wagons and horses before mentioned, proceeded to the north end of Washington Island, and awaited the arrival of the famed warrior. As soon as the boat hove in sight in which were the General and his companions, a speckled bandana handkerchief was raised on a stick by one of the Southport party-this was the signal of patriotic welcome, and was followed by three hearty cheers. The General was assisted into Deacon WHITNEY's wooden spring carriage before mentioned, which was considered the best vehicle in the neighborhood; and the procession took up its line of march,

making a long circuit through the brush, over the surveyed part of the village; not so much for the purpose of showing the General improvements already made in the town, but to impress him, and the Racine visitors, of the magnitude of what was to be. The procession at length reached WHITNEY'S Temperance House, a respectable building constructed of hewn logs, situate on Main street. Here quite a crowd of people had collected from the adjoining country-many having come a distance of twenty miles to see the great Indian flogger. At this point, the General was formally introduced to the people, when he made a short speech, which is said to have been the first set speech the General ever made to any assemblage of people, except to his soldiery on the tented field.

The history of Kenosha, subsequent to the early events here chronicled-its advancement in population, wealth, public improvement and educational enterprise, are too well known, and of too modern a date, to make so soon an appropriate chapter for the State Historical Society's publication.

SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF KENOSHA.

BY WALLACE MYGATT.

In treating of the first settlement of a place that has afterwards grown to be one of some importance, many little incidents acquire interest, if not significance, from their connection with the incipient period of the existence of that place.

Upon the same principle, we sometimes listen with interest to an account of the youthful performances of a man of prominence, not that these performances are anywise remarkable, except as being connected with one whose after life has given interest to all such particulars.

So, also, where two armies have engaged in hostilities, incidents and facts, that would not under ordinary circumstances demand a moment's consideration, become of sufficient importance to be adverted to with manifest interest in connection with the main event.

So, indeed, do all human events that are attended with any considerable results, interest our minds in looking after the minor, as well as the more marked, particulars.

Assuming that Kenosha has obtained sufficient present and prospective importance to give interest to some of the minor details of her infancy, it may not be considered inappropriate to speak of some incidents in the early history of the place, which, under other circumstances, might be thought too trivial to call for even a passing notice.