The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Volume 1, 1917-1918Various
History
The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Volume 1, 1917-1918
Various
Wisconsin -- History -- Periodicals
As George W. Jones was Webster’s agent in southwestern Wisconsin,
Morgan L. Martin seems to have been his agent in the eastern part of
the state. In the early part of 1837 Martin went east to be married
and incidentally arranged what business he could. In New York he met
Webster and interested him in the lands along Fox River and upon Lake
Winnebago, describing the projected railroad from La Fontaine, a
“paper” city on Fox River, to Winnebago City, another of like
importance on the northeastern shore of Lake Winnebago. This railroad,
if built, would have been thirteen miles in length, and was planned to
transport freight around the Winnebago Rapids at what is now Neenah.
This La Fontaine Railroad Company was the first in the Territory to
secure a charter, which was granted by the legislature at Belmont,
December 3, 1836. Martin succeeded in firing the imagination of
Webster by his description of the importance of the Fox-Wisconsin
waterway, and March 24, 1837, Webster wrote him from New York to
invest $5,000 in the stock of the railroad (Wisconsin Mss. 5C83). June
28, 1837 Martin replied (_Ibid_, 110) saying that the capital stock
was $50,000 “of which we do not think it necessary to call in over
one-half. Doty took 20. I put you down for 10 & took the balance
myself. I conceived you would prefer that amount since it would only
require to be paid the sum for which you authorize me to draw on you.”
Martin goes on to discuss the liberal terms of the charter, which they
were planning to have amended by still more liberal provisions at the
next legislature. He discusses land grants along the right of way. The
engineer they expect has not yet arrived. He closes with a cordial
invitation to Webster to visit Green Bay and be his guest.
The negotiation seems to have ended at this point. The panic of 1837
came on and Martin was badly hampered by his connections with the bank
of Green Bay and by his large speculative enterprises. No action was
ever taken on the railway charter, and in all probability Webster was
never called upon for his subscription to the company’s stock.
[95] This contained a short article on “Daniel Webster a
Wisconsin Investor.”
NAMES PROPOSED FOR A NEW TOWN
We would appreciate it if you would let us know where we can
get some information relative to the early history of
Wisconsin, especially that part of the state through which
the Chippewa River flows. We would like to get the names of
some early explorers and Indian chiefs that make a part of
the history of Sawyer County. Or, could you give us a number
of names that you think would be typical of the region
referred to that would make a good name for a small village?
WISCONSIN COLONIZATION COMPANY,
_Eau Claire, Wisconsin_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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