The Wisconsin magazine of history: Volume 1, number 2, December 1917

              xames proposed for a new town 195 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 1s3t 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 6c took the balance myself i con ceived 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 proba bility webster was never called upon for his subscription to the company's stock 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 coxoxtzatiox company ecu claire wisconsin we have looked somewhat into the matter suggested in your letter of may 17 and have the following suggestions to make in connection with it