USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 2
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Up to 1840 the Winnebago Indians inhabited Wisconsin. In 1829 they made a treaty, whereby they ceded to the Government the entire country east of the Mississippi, to which they laid claim. They were, however, permitted to live on their old hunting grounds until it became absolutely necessary to remove them. They had become an impediment to the further settlement of Wisconsin. At this time the Government felt compelled to require them to fulfil the terms of their treaty, and go upon the new reservation west of the river. They were loth to relinquish their native hunting ground, which to them had more than a natural at- traction; but the annuity offered was a large inducement, and finally prevailed. This new reservation comprised a territory, the eastern bor- der of which was twenty miles west of the Mississippi. Fort Atkinson
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
was erected in order to have in their midst a garrison with which to con- trol them. That they needed control is evident from their habits and characteristics, as described to the writer by all who were familiar with them.
The Winnebagoes were not brave and chivalrous, but vindictive and treacherous. Instead of facing a foe and braving danger, they would stealthily steal upon him and in an unguarded moment, wreak their ven- gence. But these were not the worst features in this tribe. They pos- sessed vices of a meaner and more degrading nature. They united the art of stealing to that of lying. Anything belonging to another on which they could lay their pilfering fingers, they appropriated to their own use. Their lying propensities were proverbial. They regarded the white man with envy, but stood in such fear of their Indian neigh- bors-the Sacs and Foxes-that they dare not oppose him, but made him their champion and protector against these warlike and powerful tribes.
They were more opulent in their annuities than any other tribe of Indians. Besides about $100,000 in cash and goods paid them annually, large sums were expended in the vain attempt to educate and christian- ize them. A few among them could read and write; but in proportion as they improved in book lore, in the same, and even in a greater ratio, they deteriorated morally; and those who enjoyed the greatest advantages were the most worthless and degraded of their tribe. Every attempt that has been made to civilize them, has sunk them lower in the scale of humanity. At least this is the evidence of those who are familiar with their history. It has been reduced to an axiom, by observation and ex- perience, that the Indian is incapable of civilization, except in rare cases. They are gradually and surely fading away. The very approach of civilization is a poison to them, from the effects of which there is no escape. Its operation is slow but sure, and but a few years will have made their annual rounds before the race will be numbered with the things of the past, and only known in history.
The Winnebagoes, after their war with the whites in 1827, were very peaceably disposed toward them. The Winnebagoes were genuine Mormons; they practiced polygamy; their marriage contracts were very simple, and to some white folks would be unsatisfactory. The Indian lover first approached the parents of his dusky sweetheart, and gave a present according to his means. If the old man was willing he signified it, and this ended the transaction. The squaw had no other alternative but to accept, and the lover would conduct his new made
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
bride in triumph to his own lodge. Their funeral services were equally as interesting. When one of their number died they usually wrapped the deceased in his blankets, and then prepared his grave. The Winne- bagoes were born tired, consequently the grave was usually very shallow, but most always deep enough to receive the body in a reclining position, and yet be below the surface. They mourned for their departed accord- ing to the amount of whisky they imbibed. If their supply happened to be short, their wailing and crying was feeble, but if large, their man- ifestations of sorrow were considerably augmented, and their howling and wailing would seem sufficient to raise the dead.
Soon after the Winnebagoes were removed to the neutral ground which included, among others, what is now called Winneshiek County, Winneshiek became the ruling chief of the remnant of the once power- ful Winnebagoes. The nation was divided into several bands, each band possessing a chief, and over all one "head chief," whose village extend- ed several miles along the banks of the Iowa, about where Decorah now stands. He was the most respected of all the chiefs of his nation, and was recognized by the whites as a man of extraordinary talent and ability. He revered and loved the whites, and could speak the English language sufficiently well to trade with them. At this period Winne- shiek was in the prime of life. He was a noble looking man, and a perfect specimen of physical development. His life was made burden- some by no less than six wives, the finest looking women of the nation. Judge Murdock, who was well acquainted with this celebrated chief, says that he has heard him deliver several speeches, and that he was impressed with his oratorical genius. When he fired up, and the light- nings of passion were playing across his dark face, and every nerve quivered with suppressed excitement, the effect on his listeners was thrill- ing to the last degree. No royal blood coursed through his veins, nor did he win his elevation by war, but by some order of the war depart- ment of the United States. Other chiefs were deposed, and Winneshiek was selected for his ability, his honor and sobriety, to reign over his people.
Wachon-Decorah, after whom two of our thriving inland cities were named, was another principal chief of the Winnebagoes. By the whites he was more familiarly called " one-eyed Decorah," having lost an eye. He, too, was a natural orator, and in his speeches would frequently boast that he had white blood in his veins. There were three brothers of the Decorahs, all men of distinction in their nation. Wachon-Decorah made a speech to the white commissioners after having served in the war
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
against Black Hawk, which was powerful and to the point. He ex- plained that his tribe had been the staunch friend of the whites, and had assisted them in the war, for which they had never received any remune- ration. Not only this, but by helping their white brethren they had made enemies of their Indian neighbors; and they in return, had been wreaking vengence upon them. He said : "The Sacs hate the Winne- bagoes for helping their Great Father, and when peace was made with the whites, they struck at the Winnebagoes-first at the family of the speaker. When he was away from home they stole upon his lodge and killed his wife and children ; and now he thought his Great Father must have something for him."
It is believed that Wachon-Decorah and Winneshiek are still living, although researches for this information has produced nothing authentic. It was supposed by the old settlers, and many of a more recent date, at a time when the traces of Indian graves had not been totally obliterated, that Wachon-Decorah's remains lay interred at the intersection of Winnebago and Main streets, Decorah. Rev. Adams, in speaking of it in his sermon, " First Thigns of Decorah," says about the exhumation of the remains supposed to be the old chief: "Some may recollect how our bosoms swelled with respect for the old chief; with what reverence we exhumed his remains; how, in imagination, we beheld his noble form, as his skull, with its straight, black hair, was turned out by the spade; with what pomp and ceremony it was planned to remove his remains to some suit- able place, possibly a monument erected-till, in gathering necessary facts for the occasion, word came back to us that Decorah was a chief greatly respected by his tribe, an old man, considerably bent over, with one eye put out, and his hair very gray. His hair very gray! All but this could have been got along with, but somehow the poetry was gone ! Enthusiasm subsided !
However, if in future years, by the lapse of time, this difficulty should be obliterated, and any desire should remain to erect a monument to the old chief, they can find his bones, or those of some other poor Indian, safely deposited in a rough box a few inches below the surface of the ground, close to the northeast corner of the Court House Yard."
If there was one class of men more than another responsible for inciting the Indian to hostilities against the whites, it was the low, grov- elling Indian trader. His stock of goods usually consisted of a few worthless trinkets and a barrel of whisky ; and his modus operandi was to secrete his stock in some dense thicket near the Indians, and close enough to the whites for protection. He would exchange his fire-water
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
at an exorbitant price for their furs. In early days our frontier was not slighted by this class. Soon after the Indians were removed to the reser- vation, two men of this stripe established their retreats on or as near the line as they dared, for they were prohibited by the Government from going upon the reservation.
Taft Jones was an individual of this character. He hailed from Fort Crawford, and located a trading post in the vicinity of Monona, giving it the name of "Sodom." Another genius, named Graham Thorn, started a trading post in close proximity to Sodom, and called it " Gomorrah."
The Indians used to frequent these places, and, of course, usually got badly cheated. It is a matter of recollection that once in a trial before Hon. T. S. Wilson, the first judge of this part of the country, a witness testified to things that happened at Sodom and Gomorrah. The Judge was disposed to become indignant, and asked, somewhat pointedly, if the witness was not imposing on the Court. The reply was given by Judge Murdock, then a young attorney, "Oh no, your Honor; these places do actually exist."
The old Mayor of Sodom crossed long since to the other side of Jordan.
During the sojourn of the Indians on their reservation three murders were committed, to-wit : that of the Gardner family, in Fayette county ; of Riley, near Monona ; and of Herchy, near the mouth of the Volga. In all of these cases whisky was the inciting cause, and some of the parties undoubtedly deserved their fate.
In the Riley case, a small party of Indians were encamped on a trib- utary of the Yellowstone river, four or five miles from Monona. An old Indian visited Taft Jones' den, at Sodom, and (as many a “ pale- face " has since done in similar cases) traded all his wordly effects for whisky. He even sold the blanket from his shoulders. Becoming intoxicated, he was turned out of doors, and on his way to his lodge died from exposure and cold. The next morning his son, a youth of about twenty summers, found the body of his father lying in the snow, naked and frozen. His revengeful feelings were aroused, and going to the whisky-den at Gomorrah, he shot at the first man he saw through the window. Unfortunately it happened to be an inoffensive man named Riley. A detachment of troops under command of Lieut. David S. Wilson, now Judge of Dubuque Circuit Court, was sent out to capture the Indian who committed the murder. He was apprehended, taken to Fort Atkinson, and confined in the guard-house, but by the conniv-
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
ance of a sympathizing white man he escaped and was never recaptured.
Jones lived but a short time after this occurrence. Dr. Andros, of this city, witnessed his death, and describes it as follows : "I was traveling from Fort Atkinson to Prairie du Chien, and as I was passing by Sodom I was called in to see 'T'affy Jones. I found him on his bed in a miserable condition, and dying from chronic alcoholism. His countenance was horrible to look upon. He seemed to have but one thought, one wish. His only cry was whisky ! whisky ! whisky ! I told Thorn, who was his ' right-bower," that Taffy was dying, and to gratify his last wish. A tumbler of whisky was held to his lips, and he swal- lowed it with all the gusto that marks the smallest babe while drawing nourishment from the breast of its mother. In a few hours he died, a striking illustration of the old adage, 'The ruling passion strong in death.'"
The murder of the Gardner family was caused by whisky. Gardner kept a whisky-shop, and it seems a number of Indians called at his place for their favorite beverage. He dealt out the whisky to them until they were intoxicated, and he, becoming alarmed, refused to let them have any more. They then determined to take the whisky by force, whereupon Gardner offered resistance. He was seized by the demons and dispatched. His defenseless wife and innocent babe were next assassinated, and his daughter, a beautiful girl about twelve years old, was reserved for a more terrible fate.
At the time the Winnebagoes were removed they numbered about four thousand, and were scattered over their reservation, or what was then called " the neutral ground." Four bands were located near the Fort and Agency. The other bands were located more remote. Where the city of Decorah now stands was a large band under the govern- ment of the hereditary chief Decorah ; hence the name. This country was at that time an Indian paradise, abounding in fish and game. The sale of their lands to the Government by their chiefs, and their acceptance of a new home in Minnesota, was very unsatisfactory to the Indians themselves. For a long time they refused to comply with the agreement entered into by their chiefs, and only consented when com- pelled by force of United States troops. Owing to their reluctance to remove, the whole summer was spent in their ejection. One band, governed by a chief called "The Dandy," would not go upon the land assigned them, but returned with their chief to Black River, Wisconsin, where they remained till the summer of 1874, when they were finally removed (at a great expense to the Government) to the home of the
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
tribe west of the Missouri. They remained on their new hunting- grounds selected by the Government only a few months, when they returned to their old homes without aid. This example verifies their attachment to the homes of their childhood and the graves of their fathers.
CHAPTER III.
FIRST THINGS.
The Oldest Settler -The Pioneers-First Farmer-First Blacksmith- First Birth-Where was Lewiston ?- Grab All and Rattle Trap- Whisky Grove-The First Bohemians-Is there Coal in Winneshiek County ?- First Postoffice-A Souvenir - First Marriage-First Death and Grave Yard-The First Public School-The First School Teacher.
It is difficult to discriminate, exactly, as to whom belongs the honor of being the first permanent settler. It lies between Mr. A. R. Young, of Fort Atkinson, and Hamilton Campbell and wife, of Bloomfield town- ship. Mr. A. R. Young, residing on his farm, celebrated as the defunct Lewiston, was a member of the garrison stationed at the fort, and the only soldier who remained and became a permanent resident. He mar- ried a daughter of one of the first comers. If to him is accorded the right of a settler from the time of his coming to the fort as a soldier, then he is the oldest resident beyond all dispute. But if, on the contrary, the honor of being a settler is not accorded to him until after he was mustered out of the service and began to till the soil, then to Hamilton Campbell and wife belongs the credit.
Hamilton Campbell and wife made a claim, June 7th, 1848, on sec- tions 23 and 26, in what is now Bloomfield township, and there to-day they are honored residents.
Dr. F. Andros, formerly of Decorah, but now residing in McGregor, was surgeon at the fort, but on its abandonment he removed to Clayton county, where for twenty-five years, or more, he was a useful and honored citizen.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
From 1842 to 1848, the only resident families on the Winnebago reservation, except such as were in Government employ, were those of Joel Post and Mr. Wilcox. The latter resided about forty rods south of the fort, on the road leading to the Indian Agency, or Mission. Both these men were special favorites of office holders, and were permitted by the Indian Agency to keep houses of entertainment for the accommoda- tion of persons visiting the fort and agency. The information to be ob- tained in relation to Wilcox is very meagre. Beyond the above fact we have been unable to ascertain anything in relation to his history, and it is not believed that he was long a resident.
Mr. Joel Post was the first farmer, and first actual settler on the res- ervation. Soon after the Government had decided to establish Old mission and Fort Atkinson, he conceived the idea that a half-way house for the accommodation of parties engaged in transporting building ma- terial and supplies from Fort Crawford to Fort Atkinson would prove profitable. He therefore made application to the General Government to establish such a house on the reservation, which he was allowed to do. He erected a log house in 1841, on the site where Postville now stands. The same spring, he broke up some ground and raised crops. This pre- ceded the Mission farm by a year.
Harmon Snyder was the first blacksmith who worked at his trade in Winneshiek County. He came from Prairie du Chien with the force detailed to build the fort, and was employed, chiefly, in work for the garrison. At the same time, he did a great deal of work for the Indians. They would stand around and watch him while at his work, with won- der and admiration. How long he remained, and whither he went, must remain an untold story, for lack of information.
The credit of being the first white child born in the county belongs to Miss Mary Jane Tapper, this being her maiden name. She was born at the fort, on the 16th of January, 1841. She is the daughter of Mr. James and Mrs. Ellen Tapper, who were married in New York city in 1838, and emigrated from there to St. Louis, arriving at their destination on the 10th of May, 1840. Mr. Tapper met Government officials at this place, and with about fifty other mechanics contracted to come out into the then wild and comparatively unknown region of Iowa, and construct a fort, said fort being Fort Atkinson. Mr. Tapper is an Eng- lishman, and came to this country in 1828. He now resides two miles southeast of Monona.
Mary Jane Tapper, the first white child born in the county, married a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Mr. Robert M. Boyce, and resides with her husband two miles north of Monona.
The honor of being the second white child born in the county, so far as can be ascertained, belongs to Miss E. Thomas, of Prairie du Chien, a lady of marked talent and pleasing social attainments. She was born in 1844, at the Old Mission, where her parents resided, her father, Col. Thomas, being in charge of the Mission at the time.
The settlement of the county was so rapid that in 1850 the pioneers felt themselves old enough to organize. Prior to that time the land had been surveyed and brought into market. In 1850, J. L. Carson was ap- pointed organizing officer, and an election for a temporary organization ordered. At that time there were fewer polling places than now, there being only three. Their names serve to show where the settlers were located. They were Decorah, Moneek and Lewiston. Many have asked without receiving an answer, "Where is Lewiston?" My re- searches enable me to answer this query : In 1850 it promised to be a town of note. It was the speculator's " Napoleon ;" but Lewis Harkins, then in charge of the Government property, and Mr. Francis Rogers, joint owners of the land, became involved in a quarrel regarding their individual interests in the town plat, which finally resulted in the wreck of all the bright hopes before entertained as to the future prosperity of Lewiston. To-day there is not a vestige of its remains. Even the rec- ords give no account of its whereabouts, and this one vote is the only recorded evidence of its existence. In another. generation this fact would have been buried from the researches of the historian, as only a few of the old settlers remain who are able to verify the early existence of such a place. Francis Rogers and Lewis Harkins were the proprietors of the land where Lewiston was laid out, and the place derived its name from Harkins' given name. The old settlers say that Lewiston was a regularly laid out town, situated one mile north of Old Mission, on what is now known as the Rogers farm, owned by Aaron Young, who at that time was Second Sergeant of Company C.
Among the defunct places of notoriety that existed in the early history of Winneshiek County, was a spot bearing the euphoneous name of Grab-all. The place noted by this title was a high bench of timber land, half way between the Iowa trail and Postville. It was given this name because the Government stationed a sergeant's guard there, to " grab all " the Indians passing that way, for removal.
The next place worthy of special mention is Rattletrap. Rattletrap of early times is known to-day as Castalia. At the time the town bore
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
this name it consisted of one solitary log house, owned and superintend- ed over by one of the most natural and original of Erin's daughters, Mrs. John Powell. I have it from reliable authority that she was capable of talking a common regiment of Decorah lawyers blind in less than no time. It would be comforting to believe this statement, but when one stops to consider the capability of the Decorah lawyers, it is accepted only as a rough joke perpetrated on the old woman.
Whisky Grove was a popular resort for the soldiers stationed at Fort Atkinson. The grove that became thus noted is located just east of Calmar. An incident showing why it was given this name, is related in substance as follows: It was near the time when the Indians would receive their annuity, and the soldiers at the fort their pay, that a half- breed procured a barrel of whisky at Fort Crawford, loaded it on his wagon and transported it to this particular grove. The soldiers were se- cretly informed of the fact, and the most of them got gloriously drunk. The first intimation the commander of the garrison had of its existence was the beastly intoxication of his men, and even then he was unable to ascertain its location. The half-breed remained here for some time, and carried on a thriving business. The soldiers who patronized him would not betray his whereabouts to their commander.
· The winter of 1853-4 the first immigration of Bohemians came to the county, settling in the vicinity of Fort Atkinson. There were eight families of them. The winter was severe in the extreme, and the follow- ing incident is told of it :
One day in mid-winter two boys, members of a Bohemian family who had settled near Spillville, were dispatched to Waucoma to mill. At the time they left their homes nothing betokened a storm. But on their return, when they were near the Van Dyke place, one of our much- dreaded Iowa " blizzards" overtook them. The elements were con- vulsed, and emitted forth the blinding snow in voluminous quantities. The wind swept across the bare prairies a perfect tornado. Becoming enveloped in such a storm, they soon became confused, and lost their way. No one can describe what their feelings were when the certainty of their being lost on the wild prairie in such a storm dawned upon them. Conjectures only can be made. That they thought of their anxious parents and little brothers and sisters waiting patiently for their return, which, alas! would never be ; that they at times gave way to grief as they speculated on their dreadful fate ; or again at other times would become courageous when a ray of hope would break on their clouded way, or when despair would fill their hearts, that they sought the Giver
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
of Life in fervent supplication to spare their lives and guide them safely to their homes. That they did all this would be but natural. The prayers of anxious parents availed nothing. God in His wisdom denied their petitions. The boys were frozen to death. A drift of driven snow was their last resting place, and the snow their winding sheet. It was twelve days thereafter before the bodies of the unfortunate boys were found. Both oxen were found to be alive. One had forced himself from the yoke, and was browsing near by, while the other was held an unwilling prisoner.
Mr. Aaron Young tells the following story of the early discovery of coal deposits in the south part of Winneshiek County. Mr. Young was a soldier at the Fort at the time of the reputed discovery. He says : 1
The discovery was made by one of the regular soldiers, who used to go on horseback from the Fort and return in less than an hour's time, bringing with him a sack of coal. These trips were always made in the night, and alone. He allowed no one to accompany him, nor would he divulge his secret. Although the officers tried bribing him, punishing him, and finally got him drunk, in hopes he would be more confiding ; but all to no purpose. His time was nearly out, and he said he calcu- lated to open the coal mine as soon as it expired. But before the time came his company was ordered to Florida, where he was shot, dying almost instantly, leaving no one in possession of his valuable secret.
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