Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2016 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Door County Advocate April 26, 1862 Reminiscence of Door County. EDITOR OF DOOR CO. ADVOCATE - Looking over the list of towns in Door county, I observe that one of them is named "Egg Harbor." This name calls to mind an incident which occurred many years since - before Wisconsin had a habitation, or a name - and from which event "Egg Harbor," undoubtedly received its appellation. At all events, the relation of the circumstance alluded to, may be of interest to the inhabitants of that part of the State, as a reminiscence of "early times" in Wisconsin, and exhibits the contrast between the facilities and mode of travel in these "fast days" of the world's progress, and the slow and primitive mode of lo- comotion in the days of yore. At the period I allude to, "Green Bay settlement" was the oldest of two places - then, the only white settlements in the limits of Wisconsin. The only highways, then existing, were the lakes and rivers; and upon those the journeys, or rather voyages of the traveller, were made. The communication between G. Bay and Mackinac, Detroit, and the lower lakes, was principally by sail vessels; for at that time, there was but one (possibly two) steamers on the lakes, and their visits to Green Bay, were "few and far between;" perhaps once or twice a year. The travel on the rivers was by Mackinac boats or bateaux, and bark canoes, and very frequent- ly these bateaux and canoes, made voyages to and from Green Bay to Mackinac and other places, even to Montreal. This was done by coast- ing along the East shore of Green Bay, to its mouth, making - in the language of the voyageour - the "Traverse" of the bay, and thence coasting along the North shore of Lake Michigan, and through the "straits" to the Island of Mackinac. In making the voyages, the traveller was obliged to lay in a sufficient quantity of the "creature comforts" to serve him to the end of his journey; for there were then, neither "hotels or taverns" - and no inhabitants save the original owners and occupants of the country. In the summer, of the year 1825, Mr. R., then a very prominent and extensive Indian trader, arrived at Green Bay, from the Mississippi, with three or four large Mackinac boats, on his annual voyage to Mackinac, with the returns from his year's trade. There being at the time, no vessel at Green Bay, Mr. R. kindly offered a passage on his own boat, to Mr. and Mrs. B., then "young folks," who resided at the Bay, and were anxious of visiting Mackinac. On a fine morning in June, the fleet left the Fox river, and proceeded along the East shore of Green Bay, being well supplied with good tents, large and capacious "mess baskets," well stored with provision of all kinds, especially a large quantity of eggs. On the second day at noon, the order was given by the "Commodore" (Mr. R.,) to go ashore for dinner. The boats were then abreast of "Egg Harbor," until then, without a name. - On board of the "Commodore's" boat, there were, besides him- self, Mr. & Mrs. B., and nine Canadian boatmen, or voyageours as they were styled. On another of the boats, were two young men, clerks, in the employ of Mr. R.. - one of whom was a Mr. K., now of Chicago - and a like number of boatmen. It was the etiquette on those voyages, where there were several boats in company, that the principal person or owner of the "outfit," should take the lead in the line; some- times, however, a good natured strife would arise between the several crews, when etiquette was lost sight of, in the endeavor to outstrip each other, and arrive first at the landing; and this was especialy, more likely to occur, when eating or encamping was near at hand. Mr. R. was an eccentric and excitable Frenchman, and had many eccentri- cities which were often imitated and ridiculed, behind his back, by the young men in his employ, and by none more frequently than Mr. K. At the entrance to the Harbor, the boat in charge of Mr. K., came along side of the Commodore, with the evident intention of taking the lead. Mr. R. ordered it back; but instead of obeying, the crew of the boat - urged on by Mr. K., - redoubled their exertions to pass the Commodore, and as a kind of bravado, the clerks held up an old broom; the commodore and his passengers could not stand this; the "mess basket" was opened, and a brisk discharge, not of balls, but shell was made upon the offenders. This attack was soon returned, in kind. It then became necessary to guard and protect the only lady on board, from injury, which was accomplished by extending herself on the flat surface of the packs of fur, which composed the cargo, and covering her over with a large tarpaulin or oil-cloth. The battle continued for some time, but at length the Commodore triumphed, and the re- fractory boat was obliged to fall back. Whether this was the result of superior skill of the marksmen on board of the Commodore's boat, or the failure of ammunition on the other, is not now remembered. After landing, the battle was renewed. The boats and men presented rather of an "eggish" appearance, and the inconvenience was rather increased by the fact that some of the missiles used by the belli- gerents, were not of a very savory or agreeable order. The fun ended in Mr. K. having to wash his outer garments, and while so employed, some mischievous party threw his hat and coat into the lake. All enjoyed the sport, and none more so than the merry and jovial Canadian boatmen; and the actors in the frolic, long remembered the sham battle at "Egg Harbor." And, it is believed, that, to this cir- cumstance may be attributed the origin of the name of one of the towns of Door County. April, 1862 B. ==========================================================================