USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 13
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On the 20th of May the party reached the mouth of the Muscleshell, a river of considerable size from the south. They were then 2270 miles above the mouth of the Mississippi, in latitude 47 deg., 24 min. Mention is made of what the French traders called Cote Noire, or Black Ilills. On the 26th of May they had the first view of the Rocky Mountains, "the object." as the journalist remarks, "of all our hopes, and the reward of all our ambition." The view was obtained from what they called one of the last ridges of the Black Mountains. On the 30th they had reached that part of the river which passes through between walls of rocks, presenting every form of
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ptured ruins, and having the appearance of being the productions of art. hese objects of natural scenery they give a most glowing description. 'n the 3d of June the expedition reached a junction of two branches of river, when they were at a loss to determine which was the true Mis- ri river. Parties, one under Captain Lewis and the other under Captain rke, proceeded to explore both branches by land. The party under Cap- Lewis, on the 13th, reached the Great Falls of the Missouri on the thern branch, which determined the question. One of the men was t to inform Captain Clarke of the discovery. The explorers give a vivid cription of the wonderful and beautiful scenery which is here presented. the vicinity of the falls they saw a herd of at least a thousand buffalo, , of which they shot. Here Captain Lewis himself had an encounter h a large brown bear, from which he escaped by plunging into the river. ntion is made of grasshoppers at the mouth of Medicine river, about elve miles above the Great Falls, in such multitudes that the herbage on : plains was in part destroyed by them. At that point the Missouri is cribed as being three hundred yards wide, and Medicine river one hun- ndred and thirty-seven yards wide. The party remained here until the th of July, examining the surrounding country, constructing canoes, and king general preparations for continuing the journey. On that day they un embarked with eight heavily loaded canoes, encountering many diffi- t places for navigating, owing to the rapids. Toward the latter part of ly they reached a point where the Missouri is formed of three branches, e of which they called Jefferson, one Madison, and one Gallatin. Here party divide and explore the several branches, partly for the purpose of ding the Shoshones, the Indians that were known to inhabit that region. the 11th of August they encountered a single Indian on horseback, who ›ved to be one of that tribe or nation. Captain Lewis, who had continued course up the Jefferson, or principal branch forming the sources of the souri, reached a point where it had so diminished in width that one of men in a fit of enthusiasm, with one foot on each side of the rivulet, inked God that he had lived to bestride the Missouri. A few miles
ther on they reached the point where issues the remotest water-the herto hidden sources of that river, which had never before been seen by ilized man. They sat down by the brink of the little rivulet, and enched their thrist at the chaste and icy fountain, which sends its modest bute down to the great ocean thousands of miles away. Crossing over the dividing line between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, at a stance of three-quarters of a mile, they stopped to taste for the first time e waters of the Columbia, here a stream of clear, cold water flowing west- urd. On the same day Captain Lewis succeeded in gaining a friendly in- view with the Shoshones. "Captain Clarke, with a part of the expedition, is at this time at the junction of the three branches of the Missouri, and ptain Lewis engaged a number of the Indians, with about thirty of their rses, to transport their merchandise and outfit to the Shoshone camp.
The Shoshones are described as being a small tribe of the nation called e Snake Indians, an appellation which embraces the inhabitants of the uthern parts of the Rocky Mountains and of the plains on either side. aring the summer the Shoshones resided about the headwaters of the lumbia, where they lived chiefly on salmon. In their journal the explorers re a long and interesting account of the habits, traditions, and manner of
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ife of this people. They found them honest, friendly, and ready to render them all assistance in their power.
After purchasing twenty-nine horses from the Shoshones, the party on the 30th of August resumed their journey toward the Pacific. On the 4th of September, after many difficulties in finding a practicable route, they came ! o a large encampment of Indians who received them with great cordiality. 1 The pipe of peace was introduced and a council held. They represented themselves as a band of a nation called Tushepaws, a numerous people then esiding on the headwaters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers. The In- lians shared their berries and roots with the strangers and received some . presents. Several horses were purchased from them. On the 6th they reached a stream to which they gave the name of Clarke river, Captain Clarke being the first white man who ever visited its waters. The route was a rugged one, and in many places almost impracticable, and to add to he difficulties of the situation, snow had been falling, so that on the 16th it was six or eight inches deep. The difficulty of procuring game or other subsistence made it necessary for them to kill several of their horses on this .. part of their journey, for food. They had a little of what was called portable soup which they used by melting some snow. This, and about twenty sounds of bear's oil, was their only remaining subsistence. They were now n a region where their guns were of little service, for there was scarcely iving creature to be seen in those mountains. Captain Clarke and ui munters searched the mountains all day for game but found none, and at. night encamped on a small stream to which they gave the name of Hungry Creek. Their only refreshment during the day was a little of the portabl; wup. On the 26th, Captain Clarke and his hunting party encountered threr Indian boys, and sent them forward to the village with some presents. Az Indian came out to meet them, and conducted them to a large tent in the village, which was the residence of the great chief. After some introductory ceremonies by signs, the Indians set before the strangers some buffalo meut dried salmon, berries and several kinds of roots. This, after their long abstinence, was a sumptuous treat. One of the chiefs conducted them inother village, two miles away, where they were received with great kind ness and passed the night. These Indians called themselves Chopunish, of Pierced-Nose (Nez Perces). With a few articles Captain Clarke chanced tr have in his pockets he purchased some dried salmon, roots and berries and sent them by one of his men and a hired Indian back to Captain Lewis -. The main body with Captain Lewis had been so fortunate as to kill a few pheasants and a prairie wolf. As soon as it was known in the villages the'ke the wonderful strangers had arrived the people crowded in to see the Twisted Hair, the chief, drew a chart or map of the country and streams of white elk-skin, which was of great service in guiding them on their course' From these Indians as many provisions were purchased as could be carried on their horses. After proceeding down the river some distance, thet determined to continue their journey in canoes, which they set about coo structing. By the 7th of October the canoes were launched and loaded The horses were branded and left with the Indians to be kept until thei return. Accompanied by some of the Indians down Lewis river, the pedition finally reached the Columbia on the 16th, having stopped number of villages on the way. The Columbia at the mouth of Lewis riv they found to be 960 yards wide, and Lewis river 575 yards wide. Ile hey found themselves among a nation who called themselves Sokulks
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eople of a mild and peaceable disposition. Fish was their principal article f food. On the 18th they resumed their journey down the Columbia in the resence of many of the Sokulks who came to witness their departure. 'hey passed many different tribes who inhabited the borders of the Colum- ia, all of whom they visited in their villages and encampments, learning heir condition, habits, history and mode of living. Wherever they halted urge numbers of Indians gathered to see them, and generally manifested the reatest kindness and hospitality. All of them had pierced noses.
On the 22d of October the party reached the Great Falls of the Colum- ia. Many Indians inhabited this portion of the country, and some of them ssisted the party in unloading the canoes, transporting the goods around le falls, and in bringing down the canoes. At one place it was necessary to bul the canoes over a point of land to avoid a perpendicular fall of seventy et. Some distance below the falls they came to a village of another tribe, " nation, called the Echeloots. Here they found the first wooden houses ley had seen after leaving the settlements near the Mississippi. They were ade of logs and poles, with poles for rafters and covered with white cedar, apt on by strands of cedar fibres. The inhabitants received the strangers ith great kindness, invited them to their houses, and came in great num- ers to see them. They were surprised to find that these Indians spoke & nguage quite different from that of the tribes above the Great Falls. ›me of their customs, however, were the same. Like the tribes they had cently visited, they flattened the heads of their children, and in nearly the me manner. Among the mountain tribes, however, this custom was con- Jed to the females almost exclusively, whereas the Echeloots subjected ›th sexes to the operation. On the 18th they came to another tribe where ley saw a British musket and several brass tea-kettles which the Indians prized try highly. In the interview with the chief he directed his wife to hand in his medicine-bag, from which he drew out fourteen forefingers, which , said had belonged to the same number of his enemies whom he had lied in battle. These fingers were shown with great exultation, after which ey were carefully replaced among the other valuable contents of the edicine-bag. This was the first instance in which the explorers had served that any other trophy than the scalp was ever carried from the eld in Indian warfare.
On the 2d of November the party passed the rapids which forin the last scent of the Columbia, and tide-water commences. On this part of the olumbia they began to meet with tribes who had some knowledge of the hites, and from articles in their possession, it was observed that they had aintained some sort of trade or barter with the whites. The Indians here so began to be troublesome and were disposed to pilfer whenever an oppor- inity offered, showing that in their intercourse with the whites they had con- acted some vices that they are free from in the absence of such intercourse. On the 16th of November, 1805, the expedition encamped in full view of le Pacific Ocean, at Haley's Bay, as laid down by Vancouver. Their long, dious and eventful journey to the Pacific having ended, they made prepa- tions for going into winter quarters. Some distance below the mouth of le Columbia, three miles above the mouth of a little river that empties into e bay, in a thick grove of lofty pines, they formed their winter encamp- ent. Game was exceedingly plenty, and during the winter they were vis- ed by a large number of the Indians inhabiting the coast region. They lled the place Fort Clatsop, from the tribe of Indians inhabiting the imme-
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diate vicinity. IIere they remained until the 23d of March, 1806, when they commenced their return, by the same route.
Before leaving, Captains Lewis and Clarke posted up in the fort a note to the following effect:
"The object of this is, that through the medium of some civilized person, who may see the saine, it may be made known to the world that the party con- sisting of the persons whose names are hereto annexed, and who were sent out by the government of the United States to explore the interior of the continent of North America, did cross the same by the way of the Missouri and Columbia rivers, to the discharge of the latter into the Pacific ocean, where they arrived on the 14th day of November, 1805, and departed the 23d day of March, 1806, on their return to the United States, by the same route by which they came out."
It is somewhat singular that this note a short time after fell into the hands of a Captain Hill, while on the coast near the mouth of the Columbia river. It was delivered to him by some Indians, and taken to Canton, China, from whence it was brought to the United States in January, 1807. On the 23d of September, 1806, the party reached the mouth of the Missouri, and decended the Mississippi to St. Louis, arriving at 12 o'clock. Having fired a salute, they went on shore, where they "received a most hearty and hos- pitable welcome from the whole village."
This is but a very partial and hasty review of that romantic and extraor- dinary expedition-the first exploration by authority of the government of the United States, of that wonderful region which of late years has attracted 80 much attention. It gave to the world the first authentic account of the npper Missouri and its tributaries, and of the rivers that flow from the west- ern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and seek the Pacific Ocean through the great Columbia. It imparted to civilized man some definite knowledge of the strange tribes whose homes were on the borders of those rivers; of their habits, traditions and modes of life; of the fauna and flora of a region hith- erto unknown, and of natural scenery not surpassed in grandeur and sub- limity by that of any other part of the world. Other explorers have since revealed a portion of the hidden treasures of that part of our national do- main, but the pioneer expeditien of Lewis and Clarke, so successfully accom- plished, will always possess a peculiar and thrilling interest.
SKETCH OF CHICAGO.
First White Visitors-The Name-Jean Baptiste-John Kinzie-Ft. Dearborn-Evacuation- The Massacre-Heroic Women- Capt. Heald-Capt. Wells Scalping the Wounded-Ft. Dearborn Re-built-Illinois and Michigan Canal-Chicago Laid Out-Removal of In- dians City Organization-Pioneer Religious Societies-Public Improvements-Location of City-Growth-The Great Fire-Rise of the New Chicago.
TITE history of so great a city as Chicago, like that of London, or Paris, or New York, by reason of its commercial, financial and other relations to the world at large, is a history of world-wide interest. Not that Chicago inay yet be compared in size, population or wealth with the great cities named, would we mention it in connection with them, and set, considering its age, it is greater than either of them. In its ratio of increase in popu- lation, commerce, and general progress, it is to-day outstripping them. "In what civilized part of the globe is Chicago not heard of, read of, and known?
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CHICAGO IN 1820. FROM AN OLD VIEW
CHICACO IN 16
PRESENT SITE OF LAKE STREET BRIDGE.
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If, so many centuries after the founding of Rome, mankind still feel inter- ested in the mythical story of Romulus and Remus, may not the present and future generations read with equal interest the more authentic story of the founding of a great modern city?
The Jesuit missionary and explorer, Marquette, first visited the place where Chicago is located, in 1673. Again, in the winter of 1674-5, he camped near the site of the present city, from December until near the close of March. Upon his arrival, in December, the Chicago river was frozen over, and the ground covered with snow. The name is of Indian origin, and was applied to the river. By the French voyageurs it is variously spelled, the majority rendering it Chicagou. The place is mentioned by Berrot in 1770.
In 1796, Jean Baptiste, a trader from the West Indies, found his way to the mouth of the little stream known as Chicago river, and engaged in trad- ing with the Indians. Here for eight years, almost alone, he maintained trade and intercourse with the savages, until, in 1804, Fort Dearborn was erected, and a trading post was established by John Kinzie, who became the successor of Jean Baptiste. Fort Dearborn, as first constructed, was a very rude and primitive stockade, which cost the government only about fifty dollars. It stood on the south bank of Chicago river, half a mile from the lake. The few soldiers sent to erect and garrison it were in charge of Major Whistler. For a time, being unable to procure grain for bread, the soldiers were obliged to subsist in part upon acorns. The original settler, Jean Baptiste, or as his full name was written, Jean Baptiste Point au Sable, sold his cabin to Mr. Kinzie, and the latter erected on the site the building known to the early settlers as the "Kinzie House." This became a resort for the officers and others connected with the garrison. In 1812 the garrison had a force of 54 men, under the command of Capt. Nathan Heald, with Lieutenant Lenai L. Helm and Ensign Ronan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon. The only white residents, except the officers and soldiers, at that time, were Mr: Kinzie and his family, the wives of Capt. Heald and Lieut. Helm, and a few Canadians, with their families. Nearly up to this time the most friendly relations had been maintained with the Indians-the principal tribes by whom they were surrounded being the Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes. The battle of Tippecanoe had been fought the year before, and the influence of Tecumseh began to be observable in the conduct of the Indians. They were also aware of the difficulties between the United States and Great Britian, and had yielded to the influences brought to bear by the latter. In April of this year, suspicious parties of Winnebagoes began to hover about the fort, remaining in the vicinity for several days. The inhabitants became alarmed, and the families took refuge in the fort. On the 7th of August a Pottawattamie chief appeared at the fort with an order or dispatch from Gen. Hull, at Detroit, directing Capt. Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and distribute all the government property to the neighboring Indians. The chief who brought the dispatch advised Capt. Heald to make no distribution to the Indians. He told him it would be better to leave the fort and stores as they were, and that while the Indians were distributing the stores among themselves, the whites might escape to Fort Wayne. On the 12th of August Capt. Heald held a council with the Indians, but the other officers refused to join him. They feared treachery on the part of the Indians, and indeed had been informed that their intention was to murder the white people. In the council Capt. IIeald had taken the precaution to open a port-hole displaying
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non directed upon the council, and probably by that means kept the ins from molesting him at that time." Acting under the advice of Mr. ie, he withheld the ammunition and arms from the Indians, throwing 1, together with the liquors, into the Chicago river. On that day Black ridge, a friendly chief, said to Capt. Heald: "Linden birds have been ing in my ears to-day; be careful on the march you are going to take." the 13th the Indians discovered the powder floating on the surface of the ter, a discovery which had the effect to exasperate them the more, and ey began to indulge in threats. Meantime preparations were made to ave the fort.
Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, had been adopted by the famous Miami warrior, Little Turtle, and had become chief of a band of Miainis. On the 14th he was seen approaching with a band of his Miami warriors, coming to assist Capt. Heald in defending the fort, having at Fort Wayne heard of the danger which threatened the garrison and the settlers. But all means for defending the fort had been destroyed the night before. All, therefore, took up their line of march, with Capt, Wells and his Miamis in the lead, followed by Capt. Heald, with his wife riding by his side. Mr, Kinzie had always been on the most friendly terms with the Indians, and still hoped that his personal efforts might influence them to allow the whites to leave unmolested. He determined to accompany the expedition, leaving his family in a boat in the care of a friendly Indian. In case any misfor- tune should happen to him, his family was to be sent to the place where Niles, Michigan, is now located, where he had another trading post. Along the shore of Lake Michigan slowly marched the little band of whites, with a friendly escort of Pottawattamies, and Capt. Wells and his Miamis, the lat- ter in advance. When they had reached what were known as the "Sand Hills," the Miami advance guard came rushing back, Capt. Wells exclaim- ing, "They are about to attack; form instantly." At that moment a shower of bullets came whistling over the sand hills, behind which the Indians had concealed themselves for the murderons attack. The cowardly Miamis were panic-stricken, and took to flight, leaving their heroic leader to his fate. He was at the side of his niece, Mrs. Heald, when the attack was made, and, after expressing to her the utter hopelessness of their situation, dashed into the fight. There were 54 soldiers, 12 civilians and three women, all poorly armed, against 500 Indian warriors. The little band had no alternative but to sell their lives as dearly as possible. They charged upon their murder- ous assailants, and drove them from their position back to the prairie. There the conflict continued until two-thirds of the whites were killed and wounded. Mrs. Heald, Mrs Helm and Mrs. Holt, all took part in the combat. In a wagon were twelve children, and a painted demon tomahawked them all, seeing which, Capt. Wells exclaimed, " If butchering women and chil- dren is your game, I will kill too," and then spurred his horse toward the Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and papooses. He was pur- sued by several young warriors, who sent bullets whistling about him, killing his horse and wounding Capt Wells. They attempted to take him a prisoner, but he resolved not to be taken alive. Calling a young chief a squaw, an epithet which excites the fiercest resentment in an Indian warrior, the young chief instantly tomahawked him.
The three women fought as bravely as the soldiers. Mrs. Heald was an expert in the use of the rifle, but received several severe wounds. During the conflict the hand of a savage was raised to tomahawk her, when she ex-
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claimed in his own language, " Surely you will not kill a squaw." Her words had the effect to change his purpose, and her life was spared. Another warrior attempted to tomahawk Mrs. Helm. He struck her a glancing blow on the shoulder, when she sized him and attempted to wrest from him his scalping knife, which was in the sheath attached to his belt. At that moment the friendly Black Partridge dragged her from her antagonist, and in spite of her struggles carried her to the lake and plunged her in, at the same time holding her so she would not drown. By this means he saved her life, as he intended. The third woman, Mrs. Holt, the wife of Sergeant Holt, was a large woman, and as strong and brave as an amazon. She rode a fine, spirited horse, which more than once the Indians tried to take from her. Her husband had been disabled in the fight, and with his sword, which she had taken, she kept the savages at bay for some time. She was finally, however, taken prisoner, and remained a long time a captive among the In- dians, but was subsequently ransomed.
After two-thirds of the whites had been slain or disabled, twenty-eight men succeeded in gaining an eminence on the prairie, and the Indians de- sisted from further pursuit. The chiefs held a consultation, and gave the sign that they were ready to parley. Capt. Heald went forward and met the chief, Blackbird, on the prairie, when terms of surrender were agreed upon. The whites were to deliver up their arms and become prisoners, to be exchanged or ransomed in the future. All were taken to the Indian camp near the abandoned fort, where the wounded Mrs. Helm had previ- ously been taken by Black Partridge. By the terms of surrender no pro- vision had been made as to the disposition of the wounded. It was the understanding of the Indians that the British general, Proctor, had offered a bounty for American scalps delivered at Malden. Here there was another scene of horror. Most of the wounded men were killed and scalped.
Such is a hasty glance at scenes that were witnessed on this then wikdl shore of Lake Michigan. Such were the experiences and the struggles of the heroic men and women who ventured forth into the wilderness to plant the germs of civilization, and to lay the foundations of future cities and States. The site on which now stands a city which ranks among the great- est on the continent, is consecrated by the blood shed by heroes on that bright 15th day of August, 1812.
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