USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 24
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On one occasion in 1859, three lusty men came to the cabin of the writer, at dinner time, and were invited to the table, which invitation they of course accepted. About the first performance of one was to seize a large bowl filled with gravy-which had been placed on the table as a substitute for something better -- and swallowed the entire contents. During the visit they kept their eyes on some dried beef hanging from the joists overhead, and
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when about to leave they asked for "meat;" "big meat." We brought out the heads of two hogs which we had just killed, and presented them to the trio. They chucked back the heads upon the table, and pointing to the beef said, "Beef ! beef ! we want beef. White man rich, heap of beef." But beef was too scarce at that day, and we had worked too hard for it to give it away to Indians; and off they went, without either beef or pork.
Among these roving bands were some powerful men, ready to measure strength with the white man, but, being nearly desti- tute of clothing, they had the advantage. In 1860 there came a band and planted their wigwams near where Rudd now stands. The Shell Rock boys went over to see the Indians dance; and while there a wrestling inatch was agreed upon between a powerful young Indian, who had the reputation of never having been thrown, and F. M. Gregory, since Capt. Gregory, of Rock Falls. The hold taken was a side hold, and both did their best for nearly an hour, without either coming to the ground. Gregory respectfully insisted that the Indian, who was nearly naked, should put on a coat, so that he might have something to hang to; but the red man as often re- fused. At last Gregory lost his patience and seized the Indian in the side with a grip that almost tore the flesh from his ribs, and with a desperate effort succeeded in planting him squarely on his back. This ended the scuffle, but the scar of Gregory's grip is on the lacerated side of that Indian to this day. The Indians all de- clared the fall an unfair one, and nothing but the presence of the settlers in superior force prevented a serious row.
As further illustrative of Indian character, we quote from the St. Charles City Intelligencer, the following editorial in the issue of Feb. 25, 1858:
" A ride of fifteen minutes the other day, brought us to an encamp- ment of the Winnebago Indians. It occupies a retired and pro- tected spot in the timber on the Cedar about one mile north of town. The band, numbering thirty-two, all told, are part of the once powerful tribe of Winnebagoes, and are on a visit to their hunting grounds. As we neared their encampment, and saw the smoke curling from their wigwams, we thought of the time when beautiful Iowa was one vast wilderness, unadorned by art, and un- admired by the eye of white man, and when only the Indian liunt- er's shout awoke the solitude. We saw him return to his lodge, loaded with the spoils of the chase, to lie down to rest. We saw him awake from sleep and gird about his loins the cruel tomahawk
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and scalping knife, while piercing war whoops rang from dell to dell. We heard the red man's cry of death, the white man's shout of victory. Again we looked, and the colossal wheel was set in motion whose accelerated revolutions were to keep time with the pulsations of a new State's ambitious heart, and hurry forward the multitudinous throng that were to people Iowa's vast domains, develop her resources, and build up her cities,-landmarks of her liberation from the darkness of barbarism.
" Applying for admission at the most conspicuous of the tents, we were given to understand that we were welcome. The Indians were variously engaged,-making fishing tackle, dressing game, cleaning guns, arranging their toilet, etc. Wapinicon, or ' Capt. Jim,' as he is familiarly called by the whites, whose acquaintance we made some two years ago, coming in and recognizing us, we were invited to take a seat by his side and smoke with him the ' pipe of peace.' This served to make us sociably inclined; so, with Capt. Jim's English and our knowledge of the Indian vernac- ular, we whiled away an hour in agreeable conversation. From him we learned that the Winnebago tribe were now reduced to about 2,000. The majority of them are on the Indian reservation in Minnesota. Two or three of their most noted braves are now at Washington. There are nineteen chiefs in the tribe, each of whom, with his band, is in the habit of visiting the white settlements on a trading and begging tour, three or four times a year. During these expeditions they seldom, if ever, commit depredations of any kind, which fact secures to them many favors from the whites.
"Their tents are constructed by enclosing with poles set in the ground a room from fifteen to twenty feet in diameter. The tops of the poles are tied together, and then the sides covered with canvas, skins, or mats made of bark. A hole is left at the top for the smoke to escape. Their fires are on the ground in the center of the tent, and are kept burning day and night. Over the fi are hung large wooden hooks on which they boil their samp, roast and smoke their venison, etc. They sleep on blankets spread on the ground, with but little other protection from the cold. In the winter they are rather filthy in their habits; in the summer they pay more regard to cleanliness. Playing cards is a favorite pastime with the Indians, and it frequently affords them much profit. They are generally more skilled in the use of the 'primers' than the whites. The chief of the band was absent, hunt-
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ing, much to our regret. He is called 'Bradford ' by the whites; his Indian name we did not learn. He speaks English quite flu- ently, and can read and write.
" Noticing a very aged squaw, we made inquiries concerning her, and learned that she was the ' medicine woman' attached to the band. In her deportment she differed from the others, as she took no notice of what transpired around her.
"Thanking Capt. Jim for his attention, and shaking his hand, we bade him and his companions good-bye, and left; our mind being filled with reflections upon the mighty change a few years have wrought in the condition of the red man, and in the char- acter and aspect of his country."
The Winnebagoes were formerly owners of the soil upon which Charles City is built. Here were their wigwams, and here repose the bones of their ancestors. One of their chiefs, Wapinicon (Capt. Jim), had charge of the Indian families still lingering in camp at St. Charles for years after its occupation by the whites. He spent his time trapping and hunting, and was a staunch friend of the white man. In 1853 he made a journey to Washington, D. C., and dined with President Pierce. He afterward took great delight in exhibiting a letter presented him by his "great white father," wherein he is given the cognomen of "Capt. James French," and recommended to the friendship of all the President's " pale-faced " children. During the earlier years of the settlement of Floyd County by the whites, Wapinicon's tribe was broken into fragments, and the families were living in different places among the white settlers as a protection against the relentless Sioux, who waged against them perpetual warfare. It was said that whenever a Sioux and a Winnebago met, one of them had to die. White Cloud was the great chief who had charge of all the Indians in this part of Iowa.
In January, 1857, an ambrotype picture was taken of Wapini- con, or Wapsipinicon ("Capt. Jim"), in connection with his " friend," John A. J. Chapman, of St. Charles, by the artist J. C. Potter, of the same place. The old chief refused at first to sit for his picture, on the ground that he was not dressed well enough. " White man dress well enough," said he. But on handing him a rifle, and his " friend " taking another, saying they would be hunters, he instantly took his seat before the camera and gazed at it with most intense interest. Mr. Chapman took a seat by his
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side and the picture was taken at once. This picture is now in the possession of Mr. Hildreth, of Charles City.
In 1857, Wapinicon said that eight years before that time his "great white father" bought all his lands-" big country; go away beyond Turkey River," etc .; "and Winnebago have to go find home in Minnesota." At this time the Indian agent in Min- nesota paid him annually $81, for himself, wife and a son, and $14 each to all the other members of his tribe. The entire number of Winnebagoes in 1857, was 1,961. In answer to the question why he received more pay than the others, he said, "Chief know more." He said he disliked living in Minnesota; there, "white man cheat much; me pay $20 for barrel of flour; give Indian four pounds of sugar for dollar; Minnesota white man cheat Indian." On being asked whether he was cheated in St. Charles, he said, "No; good people here; white man honest; he no cheat Indian."
Wapinicon's squaw was very good-looking, apparently not more than thirty or thirty-five years old, while he seemed to be ten or fifteen years older. She maintained perfect silence, unless spoken to by the chief; but their little "brave," aged perhaps about a dozen . years, went freely about the white man's works, looking inquisi- tively into everything.
About the first of February, 1860, a young Winnebago squaw, encamped with the tribe near Charles City, gave birth to a young brave whose eyes were blue and whose complexion was as fair as that of a Yankee. The old chief went into town a few days after the occurrence, and the boys asked him how he liked the young papoose. The old chief exclaimed, "D-n papoose! He no Win- nebago."
April 22, 1862, several Winnebago families, numbering thirty or forty individuals, encamped near Charles City. Capt. Jim's son, about fifteen years of age, had donned the garb of the white man. These Indians were very poor. On account of the war, the Gov- ernment had paid them no money the previous year, and fire had burnt up all their hay in Minnesota. On the 22d, these Indians dressed up their ponies and themselves in Indian gear and trap- pings, rode into the village and cut up many antics. In the even- ing they gave an exhibition at the Stone Hall to a crowded audience, where they rehearsed their songs and performed their dances, all the papooses that were large enough participating.
In 1866 a band of Musquawkee Indians, of the Sac and Fox tribe, roved about in the eastern part of Floyd County for a time, osten-
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sibly hunting deer but in reality plundering the inhabitants. One night they killed a valuable cow, having a young calf, belonging to John Griffin, and after cutting out one hind-quarter, fled, leav- ing the remainder of the cow on the ground!
From the earliest settlement of Floyd County to the great war for the Union the period is just a decade; and while the Indian wars, massacres and other troubles during and after the great Rebellion are noticed in their chronological place in this work, the "Indian scares " prior to that war we should notice in this connection.
INDIAN SCARES.
Rumors of Indian raids, most of them without sufficient founda- tion, were numerous during the early settlement of the country, and many were the scenes, both amusing and maddening, that ac- companied the flight or the preparations for defense on the part of the pioneers. The first alarm of much magnitude originated in this manner:
Capt. Joseph Hewitt, who had ingratiated himself with the Win- nebagoes in the northeastern part of the State, settled near Clear Lake in 1851, whither several Winnebago families subsequently followed him. In the spring of 1854, the Sioux in southern Min- nesota, learning that some Winnebagoes had come upon the "neu- tral ground," determined to exterminate them. Accordingly; during the following summer about 500 of them came down to that section, and for some time feigned to be very friendly with the whites and Winnebagoes, smoking the pipe of peace and eating with them. A prominent Winnebago brave named To-shan-e-ga (otter) suspected their intentions, and wanted the white settlers to use their influence with the Sioux to protect them. It was not long until two Sioux, skulking around the camp of the Winneba- goes, waylaid and shot a boy about sixteen years of age, belonging to the latter tribe. Not content with killing him, they severed his head from the body and carried it away. Mr. Hewitt and James Dickerson then sent their teams and conveyed the Winne- bagoes out of the country, they making their way back to the tribe in the vicinity of St. Paul.
At this time Mr. Dickerson lived on the prairie a mile east of the lake, and the movements of the Sioux were such as to induce the settlers to take steps for their own protection. Mr. Dickerson's house was resorted to by all the settlers as the place of common
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defense. The Indians came in force within a quarter of a mile of the house, and made demonstrations which indicated hostile inten- tions, repeating their maneuvers at intervals for several days. At last Capt. Hewitt determined to know what their intentions were and went to them. The Sioux informed him that they supposed the Winnebagoes were in the house, and that, if so, they were de- termined to have them. Hewitt told them that if they would leave their arms on the prairie they might proceed with him and search the house. They accepted the proposition on condition that the whites all come out of the house and leave their arms there. The Indians then made the search, twenty-one being detailed for the pur- pose. After satisfying themselves that no Winnebagoes were about, each of the twenty-one warriors took out a revolver which he had concealed under his blanket, and brandished it before the whites to show them what advantages they had, and made some sport over the fact that the whites had allowed them such a chance. Pending these difficulties, the Governor of the State sent a detach- ment of fifty soldiers to Clear Lake to preserve the peace. Before the arrival of the militia, however, the Ind ians left for Minnesota.
In June, 1854, the inhabitants of Floyd County and many of the surrounding counties were suddenly aroused by the appear- ance among them of excited messengers, who represented that a large force of hostile Indians were gathering at Clear Lake and Mason's Grove; that they had surrounded the cabins of the settlers and threatened their destruction and the massacre of the settlers along the Cedars and the Shell Rock Rivers. Strangers were rid- ing up and down these streams at all hours of the day and night, alarming the inhabitants and urging them to rush to the rescue of their imperiled neighbors at Clear Lake and Mason's Grove. A few seized their rifles and shot-guns and moved to the front. Others seized their pitch-forks and axes and gathered with their families in groups at sundry localities considered the safest for de- fense, determined to fight it out as long as there was a man left. Others, who had teams, hurriedly loaded their families and a few of their most valuable effects in wagons, and started for the denser settlements, while some left their beautiful claims and their house- hold goods never to return. Housekeeping articles, which had been hurriedly thrown upon the wagons of the fleeing settlers, were found scattered all over the prairies, either from immoderate driving or for the purpose of lightening their loads. But on the 3d of July the Sioux Indians who were encamped around Clear
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Lake to the number of about 700, struck their tents, crossed the Shell Rock River above Plymouth in the Cerro Gordo County, and moved north to their reservations in Minnesota.
Nearly all the settlers then returned to their homes ; a few whites abandoned the country forever and lost all. When the alarm was over, then it was that those who had hidden under their beds, secreted themselves in cellars and caves, or returned from the neighboring settlements to which their cowardly legs had carried them, came forward and cried, " Bring on your Indians." So sud- denly became they warriors of wonderful valor! They denied hav- ing been alarmed, and swore by the Eternal that they could tear an Indian into shreds quicker than lightning could rive an oak into splinters. But the Indians did not return, and these brave men, who ran away, will live to fight another day. It has been alternately amusing and provoking in after times to hear these valorous chieftains, some of whom fled at the first alarm, leaving sick neighbors and defenseless women and children, and some of whom, having means of escape, barricaded their doors and crept into their cellars for safety, tell how their neighbors were alarmed while they remained courageous and serene. No brave man will boast of his exploits or bravery on that occasion. The settlers were scattering, and few had ever been further west than their cabins, and knew but little of the situation of the country beyond . them. Many of them had never seen an Indian, and knew them only from the history of their horrible atrocities. Few of the set- tlers had ways and means for escape. The nights were dark and misty, and the Indians who had beenher e before were familiar with the topography of the land. If one settler was alarmed more than another, it was either because he had been more acquainted with the enemy or his situation, or he was in that unenviable con- dition that knows no fear, or because he was connected with a gang of land-sharks, who, it was believed by many, originated and con- tinued the excitement and alarm for the purpose of driving the settlers from their valuable claims, so that they might seize and hold them for their own aggrandizement.
INDIAN NOMENCLATURE.
The Winnebago village, near the spot where Charles City now stands, was called Wa-shood Ne-shun-a-ga-tah Che-nug-a-da-tah, that is, Timber River Village.
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Shell Rock River, in Indian was Da-shon-ugh Ne-shun-a-ga-tah, that is, Otter River.
Lime Creek, in Indian was Lo-quin Ne-shun-a-ga-tah, which is Low-Bushes or Brush River.
Cedar River, called in Indian Wa-shood Ne-shun-a-ga-tah, or Big Timber River.
Little Cedar River, in Winnebago, was Wa-shood Ne-hun-hun- a-ga-tah, or Small Timber River.
Wapsipinicon River was in Winnebago Indian, Sem-por-a-ka- tah (Ground Nuts).
Turkey River, in Indian, was called Siz-ze-ka-ta Shun-a-ga-tah, that is, Wild Turkey River.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The name of the first supposed settler within the present bounds of Floyd County is lost. There is a tradition in the family of the late John Blunt, that a log-cabin settler preceded Ambrose W. Story, but he must have been transient, and possibly he could not be counted a real "settler." He may have been only a hunter, temporarily stopping near some stream; for the land within this county was not opened to the market until 1850, and in the spring of this year Mr. Story built a log house near the Cedar, about three miles south of where Charles City now is, and on the southeast corner of the farm now owned by A. W. Cook, namely, section 20, township 95, 15. The cellar is still visible. Here Mr. Story did the first breaking in the county, and it is therefore definitely deter- mined that he was an actual "settler," and therefore the first in Floyd County.
Joseph Hewitt, it is reported, stopped in this county a short time, previous to 1850, at or near Floyd, on his way to Clear Lake.
Mr. Story was killed in 1865, by the Sioux Indians, about fifteen miles from Fort Laramie, while on a buffalo hunt. J. Waller was present.
JOSEPH KELLY.
In 1850, the middle year of the nineteenth century, the first white man to set foot within the present bounds of Charles City, with a view to settling here, was Joseph Kelly, the noted hunter and miller, who is yet living within the limits of his first land claim, a hale and hearty old man seventy six years of age, and still a hunter.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
On the 7th day of November, 1850, he entered the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 1, township 95, 16, situate on the east side of Cedar River, within what was then known as Dubuque County. (See Chapter III.) The site was a beautiful one, and it was direct- ly opposite a Winnebago village of about 150 wigwams, having the long name given under the preceding sub-head. It was located just below the present Elm Springs Creamery. Indian graves still exist about a mile above Charles City, on what has since been known as the Ira Dodge place, on the east side of the river. A fine water power existed within the bounds of Kelly's land, which at once suggested a mill and possibly a town.
At this time the nearest settlement was where Janesville is now located, thirty-five miles below, in what is now Bremer County. That settlement was then known as "Lower Big Woods," and the heavy body of timber in the eastern part of Floyd County was designated as "Upper Big Woods." There was at this time an Indian village near what has since been called Bradford, about a dozen miles below Charles City. Having made his selection of lands, Mr. Kelly repaired to the land office at Dubuque, for the purpose of making his entries. Said the clerk to him, " Why, man alive! Do you know where this land is?" "I believe I do," re- plied Mr. Kelly. "Well," said the officer, "it is worthless to you; it is clean out of the world." "No matter, I will take it," rejoined Mr. Kelly, and walked off with his receipts. He selected for his residence the site where Charles City now is, which then consisted mainly of burr-oak openings. On the west side of the river was a narrow belt of heavy timber, of oak, walnut, hickory, ash, elm, etc. At this time, also, there was a small settlement at Fort Atkinson, about forty miles east of Mr. Kelly's location, now in Winneshiek County. It was then commanded by Col. Sumner, and was also the headquarters of White Cloud, the chief already referred to. The character of the country when Mr. Kelly settled here is described elsewhere in this volume, under appropriate head- ings, as Indians, Topography, Zoology, Botany, etc. Bears were often found in the timber; deer, buffalo, and elk, were to be seen every day, sometimes in considerable numbers. They would often come near one's residence. Prairie chickens were in great abun- dance, and would sometimes alight in the door-yard. In 1855 Mr. Kelly caught four young elk and domesticated them, breaking them to harness, etc., but their use along the road frightened horses
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so much that Mr. Kelly finally sold them. On one occasion he saw a man driving a large elk hitched up with a horse. His stately antlers, towering up as high as a house, made the team appear very grotesque. This horned animal, however, was at times rather unmanageable. On approaching a body or stream of water, he would make for it in spite of all opposition. Mr. Kelly bought this elk, paying $60 for it; but as, in driving him along the road, he frightened horses which were drawing vehicles, he had to be abandoned for road service. His owner was accustomed to let him run around at large, with a bell attached to his neck. In the spring of 1856, however, the dogs commenced chasing him, and one day he took refuge in an occupied house, frightening the in- mates almost out of their wits. Mr. Kelly at this time abandoned him to the wilds and never went after him.
After entering his land, Mr. Kelly returned to his home in Monroe, Wis., and in the spring of 1852 he came out, and em- ployed a man to build a saw-inill; but he went away without doing much, and the completion of the enterprise was delayed for more than a year. In 1854 he commenced sawing, and in 1855 he com- menced building a grist-mill, which he completed the next spring, and put in operation. These mills were patronized by parties from great distances, as Minnesota and elsewhere, some coming a dis- tance of 130 miles for grists.
Not long after Mr. Kelly's settlement, Corydon P. Burroughs, H. M. Brown and others, located where Floyd now is. Further particulars concerning the settlement at Floyd are given in the chapter on Floyd Township. Rufus Clarke was likewise amon g the early settlers, but soon removed to Minnesota. Among other settlers in Floyd and vicinity, we may prominently mention here Wm. Carl, James Tatum, Jefferson C. Mutchler, Humphrey Hogan, M. G. Cook, and L. G. and J. W. Burroughs. Further notices concerning early settlers in various parts of the county are given in the history of the respective townships.
The second entry of land was made Nov. 7, 1851, precisely one year after Kelly's entry. It was made by Asa Brown, and was of sec- tion 1, township 95, 16. John Blunt arrived in this county with his family, May 17, 1852; Wm. Montgomery, August, 1852; John Kel- logg, Oct. 1, 1853; A. L. Collins, Dec. 25, 1853; S. C. Goddard, March 5, 1854; Horace Stearns, April 23, 1854; Miles Waller, May 29, 1854; Jacob Leonard, June 10, 1855.
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