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REMINISCENCES
OF
BUREAU COUNTY.
-
IN TWO PARTS,
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
BY N. MATSON.
PRINCETON, ILLINOIS: REPUBLICAN BOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 1872.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 459805 4 ACTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1929
Entered according to an act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
N. MATSON,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, in and for Northern District of Illinois.
INTRODUCTION TO PART FIRST.
The writer of the following story came to Bureau soon after the settlement had been commenced, and experienced some of the inconveniences common to the settlement of a new country. At that time, the prairies of this county were in a state of nature, without roads, fields, or dwellings, a part of which had not yet been surveyed. The only marks of civilization to be seen were a few log cabins, built here and there in the edge of the timber, and throughout the county there was scarcely a school, or meeting house: not one surveyed road, nor one stream bridged. Indian trails were still to be seen, and traveled both by whites and Indians.
The writer was well acquainted with the first settlers. and from them much of this story was obtained. He also had frequent interviews with Indians, who had spent their youthful days on Bureau, and from them many important facts were gathered.
There are some incidents narrated in this story, which were unknown to the early settlers, but the most of
them were well known, and will be confirmed by persons still living. Efforts were made to harmonize the early traditions of this county, as well as the state- ments of Indians, with well established facts, and with a few exceptions it has been successful.
In historical sketches, discrepancies in narratives will occasionally appear, which must necessarily be supplied by inference of the writer, and this story is not an exception to the rule.
Neither money nor emulation induced the writer to offer these pages to the public; the necessarily limited circulation would prevent the former, and the criticisms common to local publications the latter. But another motive more laudable in its nature, and more useful in its effects, caused this work to appear, that is the great desire to preserve the early history of the county. The testimony of many of the early settlers, who are now in their graves, as well as of Indians that have long since passed away, was alone in possession of the writer, and justice required that it should be given to the public.
The labors of the writer may not at present be appreciated, but the time will come when these facts, although crudely expressed, will be regarded of great importance, forming as they do the connecting link of history between the past, present and future.
N. M.
PRINCETON, March, 1872.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
The Missionary and the Outlaw-The Indian Feast-Black Hawk's Appeal to the Pottawatamie Warriors-Speech of Senachwine-Senachwine's Death and Burial-Visit to his Grave, 15
CHAPTER II.
American Fur Company-Mike Girty, the Outlaw-The In- dian Village-Gen. Cass in Council, . 25
CHAPTER III.
Bureau County in a State of Nature-Pioneers-Religion
Among the Pioneers,
CHAPTER IV.
Rev. James Sample Preaching to Sinners-The Parson Turns Horse Jockey-Job May, the Hunter, and his Beautiful Daughter-Misfortune of Old Blind Bob, . 37
CHAPTER V.
Thomas Hartzell, the Indian Trader-Conspiracy to Murder the Settlers-The Murderers Detected, and the Lives of the Settlers Saved, 44
CHAPTER VI.
An Old Land Mark-Murder of Simmons-The Disputed Claim,
49
CHAPTER VII.
A Search for a Lead Mine-Patrick O'Lear and his Wonderful Revelation-False Alarm and Flight of the Settlers-Pat O'Lear Killed, Scalped, but comes to Life Again-Escape of Dave Jones and Family, . 58
CHAPTER VIII.
The Great Indian Council-Indians Leave Bureau-Indians at the Graves of their Fathers, . .
66
CHAPTER IX.
Dad Joe-Frightened by the Indians-Indians Approach the Grove-The Lone Traveler-Approach of Stillman's Army -Camp Attacked-A Joke of Capt. Hackleton, . · 74
CHAPTER X.
Commencement of Hostilities-Flight of the Settlers-Lieut.
Jones' Wonderful Account of Stillman's Defeat, . 82
CHAPTER XI.
Rev. James Sample and Wife-Flight and Capture-The Ex- ecution, . 93
CHAPTER XII.
Bulbona-The Fair Maiden and her Two Lovers-The Wed- ding-The Wedding Dinner-Four Travelers Arrive-The Dance and Tragedy, . 104 ,
CHAPTER XIII.
Military Forces Organized-Fort Thomas-Scare at Hennepin and Search for Indians-Fort Wilburn and Ayres' Black- smith Shop, . 116
CHAPTER XIV.
Explanation -- Shaubena-Adventure of Shaubena at Chicago, 124
CHAPTER XV.
Indian Creek Settlement-Indians Leave Bureau-The Massa- cre-Fifteen Persons Killed and Two Girls Captured- Sheriff Walker's Two Indian Prisoners, . 133
CHAPTER XVI.
Captivity of Sylvia and Rachel Hall, .
. 146
CHAPTER XVII.
Girty's Band Visit Fox River Settlement-Adam Paine, the Missionary-Murder of Rev. Adam Paine, . 154
CHAPTER XVIII.
Bearer of the Governor's Dispatch-Girty and His Band Re- turn to Bureau-Indians on a Scout-Flight of General Atkinson's Party, . 169
CHAPTER XIX.
Boyd's Grove-Organizing the Militia-Arrival of the Potato Birgade-Peculiarities of Old Ben-The Attack and Re- pulse-Failure of an Indian Raid, . 172
CHAPTER XX.
Settlers Return to Look After Their Cattle-Phillips Killed, and Ament's Cabin Attacked-Flight of the Indians and Pursuit by the Rangers, . 184
CHAPTER XXI.
Gen. Scott's Army Passes Through Bureau County - The Captive's Return-Retribution, . 195
CHAPTER XXII.
Girty's Arrival at Princeton-Two Great Paper Cities-The Last of Girty, . 200
Contents of Part Second. See Page, . 217
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL KITTERMAN,
- 57
FLIGHT OF SETTLERS, - - -
87
EXECUTION OF SAMPLE AND WIFE, - 101
PORTRAIT OF SHAUBENA, 127
FLIGHT OF GEN. ATKINSON,
- 167
KILLING OF PHILLIPS, 187 -
GIRTY'S ARRIVAL AT PRINCETON, - 201
PORTRAIT OF JOHN H. BRYANT, - 213 -
" ABRAM STRATTON, -
- 255
" WILLIAM HOSKINS, -
285
" SYLVESTER BRIGHAM, - 305
" CYRUS LANGWORTHY,
337
" ELI SMITH, - -
- 359
" " JOEL DOOLITTLE, 377
" JAMES G. FORRISTALL, - - 389
CHAPTER I.
THE MISSIONARY AND THE OUTLAW.
On the morning of the 25th of June, 1830, two men were seen riding across the prairie between East and Main Bureau, one of whom was a large, portly man. with a high forehead, black, piercing eyes, and whose black beard hung in waving clusters over his breast. This man was Adam Paine, a missionary among the Indians, who was well known by many of the early settlers of the northwest. The appearance of his trav- eling companion was the opposite in almost every particular, being a large, broad-shouldered, heavy-set man, with high cheek bones, a flat pug nose, black eagle like eyes, and whose general appearance indicated a low savage character. The reader will recognize in this description Mike Girty, a half-breed Indian, and an ontlaw. The travelers, at the time we introduce them, were returning from a tour among the Indians on the Kankakee river-Paine as a preacher, and Girty as an interpreter- and they were now on their way to
16
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
Bureau creek to attend an Indian feast. After having swam their horses across the Illinois river, they were slowly pursuing their way across the prairie, and over the very spot the city of Princeton now stands. Instead of a populous town, surrounded by well cultivated farms, with fine buildings and thriving orchards, as we now see it, forty years ago it was in a state of nature. where the deer and the wolf roamed undisturbed by human habitation. No whistling of steam engines, clattering of machinery, nor musical notes of school or church bells were then heard in this wild region. The beautiful rolling prairie at that time, covered with flowers of every hue, extending to the northeast as far as the eye could reach; while to the southwest, the view was obstructed by a large grove of timber, not yet dis- figured by the woodman's axe.
THE INDIAN FEAST.
On Main Bureau creek, near the mouth of Epperson's run, were collected a large body of Indians for the purpose of holding their annual feast, and to attend this feast our travelers were bound. A number of chiefs from a distance were here; among them were Black Hawk, Senachwine, Shaubena, Waha, and many other distinguished chiefs and warriors from the sur- rounding tribes. The principal object this large dele- gation of chiefs and warriors had in attending this
17
THE INDIAN FEAST.
feast, was to unite the different tribes of the west in a war against the whites. This union was intended by them to be inaugurated under religious influences, and thereby cause the warriors to believe that they were acting in accordance with the will of the Great Spirit. The Indians had killed a number of their favorite dogs. and roasted them whole, on which they were feasting. In the midst of their encampment, an altar was erected. on which were burning sacrifices, that had been offered up to the Great Spirit to appease his wrath, and thereby insure their success in war, hunting, fishing, etc. Skins. war implements, and various kinds of trinkets were burned on the altar while the Indians danced around it. yelling at the top of their voices. A number of priests. dressed in long robes, faces powdered, and their head ornamented with turkey feathers, were directing the
exercises. With uplifted hands, and their eyes turned heavenwards, they invoked the blessing of the Great Spirit on the assembled multitude. Many of the Indians were dressed so as to represent different kinds of animals-some in the skin of a deer with large horns on their heads, standing out in bold relief; others in a skin of a dog, or wolf, running about on all fours, with their nose to the ground, tail dragging behind, and howling in imitation of the animal they represented : many of the Indians had painted their faces in repre sentation of the sun, moon and stars, and the place they occupied in the performance was in accordance with their ideas of the solar system. Their religious ever
18
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
cises consisted principally in loud demonstrations of joy and grief; sometimes running around a circle on their hands and knees, jumping up and down, clapping their hands together, while their whoops and yells could be heard for miles away .*
When the Indians had completed their feast, and the ceremonies connected with their religious exercises, Paine mounted a log and preached to them the words of life, while Girty stood by him interpreting his sermon to the Indians. Paine, with that energy and zeal pe- culiar to him, explained to his hearers the many errors of their heathen religion, and the great importance of embracing Christianity. Those who have heard Paine preach will recollect his peculiar manner of address, with his body erect, hands uplifted, voice toned to its highest key ; his features gleaming with enthusiasm, while his thick, coal black beard extended down to his waist, giving to him a very impressive, as well as rever- ential appearance. He explained to his hearers the principles of the Christian religion, which enjoined on all its votaries peace and good will to all mankind; admonishing them never again to make war on their white brethren; that war was wicked, the work of the devil, and would result in their ruin. Many of the Indians were converted under his preaching, and de- clared their intention of giving up the religion of their
* For an account of this Indian feast the writer is indebted to Peter Demott, an old pioneer hunter, who was an eye-witness to these strange performances.
19
BLACK HAWK'S APPEAL.
fathers for that of Christianity. A number of warriors in the audience said that they would forever bury the tomahawk, and no longer be under the control of wicked chiefs who were trying to lead them astray.
BLACK HAWK'S APPEAL TO THE POTTAWATAMIE WAR- RIORS.
The main object of Black Hawk in attending this feast, was to induce the Pottawatamies to join him in a war of extermination against the frontier settlers of the northwest. Many of the chief's had already pledged themselves to his support, and the scheme was fast gaining favor with the warriors. While Paine was preaching, Black Hawk sat on the ground in front of him, watching the effect of his words upon the warriors. But when he found that the eloquence of the speaker was about to ruin his cause, he sprang to his feet in a terrible rage, and waving his tomahawk over his head. he denounced Paine as an enemy of the red man, his religion as coming from the evil one, and only fit for white men and squaws. He appealed to the warrior- for the sake of their fathers to stand by him in his grand scheme for exterminating the whites, and thereby sustain the honor of their race. In this appeal he said : " The whites have already ordered me and my people away from our beautiful home at Rock Island, com- pelling us to give up our wigwams, cornfields, and
20
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
hunting grounds, and leave the graves of our fathers to be plowed over by our enemies. The land which the Great Spirit gave unto our fathers as a pos- session for themselves and their children forever, is now about to be taken from us. We are compelled to leave our country, the haunts of our youth, with its big rivers, beautiful green prairies, its shady groves, and go away into a strange land, leaving all that is dear unto us in the possession of the conquerors. And before many moons you too will have to leave your homes and seek a refuge beyond the 'Father of Waters.' Already the whites are building wigwams among you, and the sound of their axe is heard cutting down the forest to scare away the deer. Soon the game will leave-your trails will be fenced up, and you will be driven from the land of your fathers. Therefore rise in your might, tomahawk the intruders-cut the throats of their squaws and little ones, so that in future no pale face will settle among you."
SPEECH OF SENACHWINE.
Seated on the ground in front of Black Hawk, and listening to his speech, was an Indian stricken in years, but whose countenance, at the remarks of the last speaker, became flushed with excitement, and for the time being showed some of the vigor of youth. For more than fifty years the voice of this Indian had been heard in council, and by his wisdom and goodness he
21
SPEECH OF SENATCHWINE.
had long since been styled the father of his people. He had acquired great celebrity throughout the west, and his fine oratory had eulogies from writers, both in prose and poetry. This Indian was Senachwine, the principal chief of the Pottawatamies. At the conclusion of Black Hawk's speech, he rose to his feet, his face glowing with enthusiasm, while around his massive brow, and blowing to and fro by the wind, were long locks of hair whitened by the snows of eighty-six winters. Throwing his blanket from his shoulders, and straightening himself up to his full height, he said ; "For more than seventy years I have hunted in this grove and fished in this stream, and for as many years I have worshipped on this ground. Through these groves, and over these prairies in pursuit of game, our fathers have roamed, and by them this land was left unto us an heritage forever. No one is more attached to their home than myself, and no one among you is so grieved to leave it. But the time is near at hand, when the red men of the forest will have to leave the land of their nativity. and find a home towards the setting sun. The white man of the east. whose numbers are like the sand of the sea, will over- run and take possession of this country. They will build wigwams and villages all over the land, and their domain will extend from sea to sea. In my boyhood days I have chased the buffalo across the prairies, and hunted elk in the grove; but where are they now ? Long since they have left us: the near approach of the white man has scared them away. The deer and the
22
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
turkey will go next, and with them, the sons of the forest. Resistance to the aggression of the whites is useless ; war is wicked and must result in our ruin. Therefore let us submit to our fate, return not evil for evil, as this would offend the Great Spirit and bring ruin upon us. The time is near at hand when our race will be extinct, and nothing left to show to the world that we ever did exist. As for myself I have no re- flections for the past, nor have I any misgivings for the future ; my race is nigh run, and soon I will be gathered to my fathers. My bones will be laid away in that beautiful green knoll, which overlooks the valley of Senachwine, and my spirit will go to that happy hunting ground, where my fathers before me have gone. Our white friend (Paine) has been telling us of a Savior who died to save the world. Of this Savior I know nothing ; but this I do know, the monitor within my breast has taught me the will of the Great Spirit, and now tells me that good Indians will be rewarded, and bad ones punished. My friends do not listen to the words of Black Hawk, for he is trying to lead you astray. Do not imbrue your hands in human blood ; for such is the work of the evil one, and will only bring retribution upon your own heads." At the conclusion of Senach- wine's speech, the warriors with loud acclamations, declared their intention of following his advice, and remain at peace with their white neighbors. By this speech Black Hawk's cause was ruined, and when he found the Pottawatamies would not join his
23
SENACHWINES'S DEATH AND BURIAL.
standard he left for his home, when the feast broke up.
SENACHWINE'S DEATH AND BURIAL.
About one year after the events above narrated, as Senachwine was returning from a neighboring village where he had been spending a few days, as he came cantering his pony into his own village, old and young ran out to meet him, and welcome his return. But as he raised his hand to address then, he fell to the ground. and expired almost instantly. To his people it was like the falling of a mighty oak in the stillness of the forest. All mourned his death as that of a father, for long since he had been regarded as the benefactor of their tribe. His three wives, with his numerous children and grand children, painted their faces black, and accompanied by the whole village, with loud wailing, followed his remains to its long resting place. According to Senach- wine's request, he was buried on the bluff overlooking the village and valley of Senachwine, and for many years afterwards Indians from a distance made an annual pilgrimage to the grave of the sainted dead. The fol- lowing lines are supposed to represent Senachwine's last farewell to his beloved people, as he departed for the spirit land :
Senachwine village as well as the stream, Has echoed my name as sounded in my dream ; In search of deer across the prairies I have strayed, And rested my limbs beneath the cotton wood shade ! Farewell ye loved haunts, and you, too, ench foc, My blessing I leave you while sadly I go; My body they will bury on yonder green hill, My spirit as a guardian shall watch o'er thee still. A
24
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
VISIT TO SENACHWINE'S GRAVE.
In passing down the valley of Senachwine a short distance below the county line, a curve in the bluff may be seen, and below which is spread out to the view a small fertile plain, or bottom prairie, now under a high state of cultivation. On this little plain, by the side of a small creek, whose rippling waters are heard as they glide onward to Senachwine lake, once stood the village of Senachwine. High above the plain, overlooking the valley and surrounding country, is a beautiful green knoll, shaded by a few outspreading oaks, beneath whose boughs is still to be seen the grave of Senach- wine.
" He sleeps beneath the spreading shade Where woods and wild savannas meet. Where sloping hills around have made A quiet valley, green and sweet."-BRYANT.
* * *
A few years ago, as I stood by the side of Senaclı- wine's grave, while taking a view of the valley and surrounding country, I thought how well the old chief's prophecy had been fulfilled. The puffing of steam- boats on the river, and the rattling of cars on the railroad, as well as the fine farms and farm buildings in the surroundings, all go to show a different age from that in which Senachwine lived. The same bluffs and valleys over which he roamed, while in pursuit of game.
25
AMERICAN FUR COMPANY.
still remain, and the same stream where he used to fish continues to run as in former days. But not a vestige of Senachwine's village remains, nor is there one thing left to mark the spot where he lived, or show to the world that he or his people ever did exist. While these old land marks have all passed away, and are almost forgotten, the memory of Senachwine remains, and by many held sacred. For it is now quite evident that it was through his friendship for the whites. and in counseling his people to remain at peace, that many of the early settlers of this county owe the pre- servation of their lives.
CHAPTER II.
AMERICAN FUR COMPANY.
On the east side of the river, a short distance below the mouth of Bureau creek, was standing in the fall of 1821, a double log cabin, which belonged to the Amer- ican Fur company, and occupied by its agent, Gerdon S. Hubbard .* Close by stood two other cabins, which were built by the Fur company. In one of these lived Rix Robinson, a Connecticut Yankee, and in the other the well known Bulbona. Both of these men had married squaws, and raised a large family of half-breed children. Some years afterwards, Bulbona established a trading house at Bulbona Grove, where he conducted business on his own footing. A further account of him will be given in a subsequent chapter. Robinson and Bulbona were not settlers, but employees of the Fur
* In 1818 Mr. Hubbard, then a boy of sixteen years of age, came to this country, and was employed as a clerk at this trading post. He hunted on Bureau, and traded with the Indians on Green river, ten years before a white person had settled here. Mr. Hubbard was one of the Commissioners to locate the canal, and he is now living in Chicago. To him the writer is indebted for many of the incidents related in this story.
27
MIKE GIRTY, THE OUTLAW.
company, whose trading posts were found along the principal rivers of the northwest. A few years previ- ous to the time of which we write, Antoine Deschamps. a Frenchman, of Fort Clark (now Peoria), while acting as general agent of this company, established trading posts, at short intervals, along the river between St. Louis and Chicago. The goods to supply these posts were brought up the river in bateaux : and furs, pelts. &c., returned in a like manner. At that time there was no permanent settlement north of Springfield, and the whole northern part of the State was without white people, except the trading post above alluded to. Gerden S. Hubbard, in conversation with the writer. said in passing down the river from the trading post. near the mouth of Bureau creek, he did not see a white person, except those engaged in the fur trade, until he came within eighteen miles of St. Louis.
MIKE GIRTY, THE OUTLAW.
As Mike Girty figures somewhat extensively in our story, it may be of interest to the reader to know some- thing of his history. Mike is said to have been the son of Simon Girty, a well known and notorious outlaw. who, in the year 1780, escaped from justice in Western Pennsylvania, and found refuge among the Indians in Ohio. Among the Indians Girty exercised great influ- ence, and by him they were induced to make war on
: 28
REMINISCENCES OF BUREAU COUNTY.
the frontier settlements. At different times he led a party of warriors against defenceless settlers on the Ohio river. Even his former place of residence was visited in one of these raids, and some of his former neighbors carried off prisoners to be burned at the stake. Col. Crawford, when a prisoner among the In- lians, and bound to a tree, beseeched Girty to shoot him, and thus save him from the torture of the flames. But Girty only laughed at his sufferings, and with the Indians, danced around their victim, while he was being consumed by the flames. Not only Col. Crawford, but many others of the early settlers, on the Ohio river, fell victims through this ontlaw. For many years the name of Girty was a terror to border settlers; and persons are still living, whose parents were sacrificed by this white savage.
Mike Girty, the subject of our sketch, was born of a squaw, and his early life was spent among the Indians, in the wilds of Ohio. On arriving at manhood, he left his Indian friends, for a home among the whites on the Muskingum river, near Zanesville. But the influence of civilization did not change his savage nature, for soon afterwards he committed a cold-blooded murder, and fled his country to escape punishment. In the fall of 1821, Girty came to this country, and for some time afterwards was employed as an interpreter by the agent of the Fur company. Soon after coming here he married a squaw, and raised a number of sons, one of whom the writer met a few years ago in the city of
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