Report and Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, for the Years (Volume 7) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1876. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... In looking through the 6th volume of Wisconsin Historical Collections, I find some little inaccuracies, to which I beg to call your attention. On page 348, in a note, you say: "In February, 1837, immediately after the selection of Madison for the capitol, John Catlin and Moses M. Strong came out from Mineral Point, and staked out the central part of the village plat, etc." This is true, but not the whole truth. In the early part of February, 1837, I made an arrangement with Judge Doty, at Green Bay, to go to Mineral Point, and get a surveying party to go to Madison, and meander the shores of Third and Dead Lakes, with a view of platting the western addition to Madison, and to stake out some lots in the main part of the plat near where the Capitol now stands. At Mineral Point, I employed Moses M. Strong. John Catlin and George Messersmith to go to Madison, and do the required surveying. Mr. Strong was the civil engineer, the rest of us common hands. Mr. Messersmith took a sleigh and a span of horses from his father's barn, at Messers' Grove, four miles west of Heacox's house; and with supplies obtained at Mineral Point, we set oat on our expedition. We followed the military road to Berry Haney's, at Black Earth, and went from there to St. Cyr's, and crossing the Fourth Lake, struck the south shore a little west from where the University farm now is. I was on horseback, the rest of the party were in the sleigh. Before we had selected a camping spot, a severe snow *27 His. storm came upon us, and we put back to St. Cyr's, and took a fresh start in the morning. It was very dark, the snow b.iating upon us fast, and but for Strong's tact and experience as a frontiers-man, I do not believe we could have effected the crossing of the Lake. The next morning we returned, a...