THE FRONTISPIECE IS A FACSIMILE OF THE NICOLET MARKER AT RED BANKS Jean Nicolet, the French explorer, was the first white man to visit Wisconsin. He came to Green Bay in 1634, just fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth. The place where this intrepid pioneer beached his canoe was Red Banks, now the site of a picturesque summer resort located immediately north of Green Bay. The Boulder monument to mark the spot of the Nicolet landing was erected in 1909 at Red Banks. Nicolet believed he was on his way to China and expected to meet Asiatics in this far off corner of the continent. In preparation for this, when he left Quebec he had placed in his pack "a grand robe of China damask, all strewn with flowers and birds of many colors." As he approached the Winnebago village he donned his gaudy mandarin attire. The Winnebagos met him, but it is told that "the women and children fled, at the sight of a man who carried thunder in both hands; for thus they called the pistols that he had." 35057 FOREWORD VERY effort has been made in the 1925 Blue Book to E give a composite picture of Wisconsin-its unsur passed natural beauties, its thriving industries, its farm and dairy life-together with a review of work performed by the various governmental agencies. JOHN J. BLAINE In the presentation of the story of Wisconsin, the Blue Book editor, Fred L. Holmes, has called to his aid men at the head of different state activities. His aim has been to have the story told plainly, interestingly and authentically in every detail. That the volume may be more useful to the public schools for citizenship classes a new departure has been made. Various articles are offered which show the close relation between government and the home. Among them Justice C. H. Crownhart tells the scheme of government, state, county, town and city-in Wisconsin. Justice M. B. Rosenberry presents the organization and work of the state courts and Dean Bardeen, head of the University medical school writes on Hospitalization in Wisconsin. The whole volume is worthy of careful perusal and it is hoped that it will serve as a compendium of useful authoritative information about Wisconsin. The Blue Book is prepared under the direction of the State Printing Board, and copies are distributed free of charge within the limitations and under the provisions of the statutes. A sufficient number have been printed so that those failing to receive free copies within the limitations fixed by the statutes may purchase books through the Superintendent of Public Property, State Capitol, Madison, Wisconsin. JOHN J. BLAINE, |