Box 27, Folder 1: Geographical and Topographical Description of Wisconsin, 1844

MANUSCRIPTS LIBRARY STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

INCREASE A. LAPHAM PAPERS

Geographical and Topographical Description of Wisconsin, 1844, Manuscript, copy.

Wis Mss DB

Vol. 2

A GEOGRAPHICAL and TOPOGRAPHICAL description of WISCONSIN; with brief sketches of its history, geology mineralogy, natural history, soil, population productions government, antiquities &c &c

By I.A. Lapham

Milwaukee Wisconsin Published by P.C. Hale.

1844

Preface

This work is now given to the public with the hope not only of furnishing, [in a cheap and convenient form, to] the thousands of new=comers who are annually flocking to our [new] Territory, and to others, in a cheap and convenient form a large amount of useful information, which it would be difficult for them to obtain from any other source; but also to preserve for the use of the future historian many interesting facts which might otherwise soon be forgotten and lost. The author is fully sensible of its defects, and omissions, [may have occurred] but hopes that due allowance will be made, when it is considered that this is the first attempt of the kind relative to a country more than twice the extent of the great state of New York, which has been made public. Many parts of the country are but thinly peopled and but little communication exist between them and other settlements, so that

It is difficult to ascertain what are their extent, population improvements &c. New settlements are commenced almost every day and soon grow into important places without any notice being taken of them by the public. Towns and villages spring up so rapidly that one has to "keep a sharp lookout" to be informed even of their names and location, to say nothing about their population, trade, buildings &c. The building of a town has in a great degree ceased to be a matter of much interest - as much so as an earthquake formerly did in some parts of Missouri, where a traveler having stopped at a log cabin was much concerned to hear the dishes begin to rattle on the shelves and make a very disagreeable kind of music, at which the chain and other furniture set up an unnatural and very alarming kind of dance! The good lady of the house, attempted to allay his fears by saying to him "don't be afraid Sir! - it is only an 'earthquake!!" Hence it it may be expected that [would be [illegible] of] some towns are [were] not as fully notices in this work as their importance

would seen to deserve; and others even entirely omitted. As it is probable however that a new edition may soon be called for it is hoped that such information may be furnished, as will enable the author then to do full and ample justice to all portions of the Territory.

It is proper to add here, that the author has made [illegible] use of such publications as he could find, containing any thing suited to his purpose--whether in books, magazines or newspapers; but has been careful to admit nothing that is not entitled to the fullest credit.

Milwaukee January 1844