History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 3

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 3
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 3

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

BLACK HAWK WAR.

Though this was not the battle-field of the Indian troubles, yet its proximity to the scenes of the struggle makes the Black Hawk war a peculiarly interesting topic for consideration ; indeed this portion of the valley of the Mississippi was the home of the Indian. On its banks and those of the Edwards, Pope and Henderson rivers, and the smaller streams of the two counties, he built his wigwam, hunted game and fished in their waters. This country was dear to him and for it, though not in it, he made his last desperate struggle.

The rich mines of lead at and in the vicinity of Galena had for some time been worked. That section, about fifteen miles square, had been bought by the government in 1804, and its occupation by the whites had been the source of some ill-feeling on the part of the Indians, which was resented by the whites. In 1825 or thereabouts real trouble began to show itself and conflicts between the two races

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

were common. At this time the number of miners had increased to more than 1,500 and they were not always careful to avoid crossing the Indian claims, nor were they always particular about holding sacred the rights of Indians to their property, or of shooting their game or stealing their ponies, and it finally came about that an Indian's scalp was considered as much of a trophy as was a white man's to an Indian.

These growing animosities finally culminated in an attack by the Winnebago Indians on the 30th of July, 1827, on two keel-boats which were passing up the Mississippi river with supplies for Fort Snelling. Several of the crew were killed and others wounded. The state gov- ernment being apprised of the outbreak ordered forward, to the threat- ened portion of the state, military to quell the hostiles. The whole country roundabout was in confusion and alarm, and settlers throughout the northern part of the state fled to distant points where had been erected fortifications for safety. At Galena 3,000 people, men women and children from the surrounding country were gathered for protection. Several hundred men at Galena were armed and equipped, and in Sangamon and Morgan. counties a regiment was formed and sent forward, but before they arrived the Indians had been driven far north and some of the leaders captured.

Hardly had the excitement occasioned by this outbreak died out, however, until trouble began with the Sac and Fox tribes. The leaders: and chiefs of these were Keokuk and Black Hawk, whose names have been perpetuated in different localities in this vicinity by places which bear their names. These men were not friends; had they been, the war which was soon to follow might have been a much more serious. affair than it proved. Keokuk was loyal to the government and con- trolled much the larger portion of the people, though they were anx- ious for war, and in accordance with the stipulations of a preceding treaty he with a majority of the two tribes remained on the west side of the Mississippi river. Black Hawk, however, claiming that the treaty alluded to was void, crossed the river with 300 warriors in the spring of 1831 with a view of occupying his former home near where the city of Rock Island now stands. Here had these people lived for more than a hundred years and this was the principal town of the Sac nation. According to one provision of the treaty the Indians had a. right to occupy the lands until wanted by the government for actual settlement, and though the Indians had been ordered to vacate them no actual settlers were very near-in all of Mercer and Henderson counties perhaps not more than five or six families, and in the whole county of Rock Island not one. However, in those times people liv-

BLACK HAWK WAR.

ing within forty miles of each other were neighbors, and the two races could not well exist within twice the distance without encroaching on each other. Doubtless both parties were much to blame in bringing about this final conflict, and doubtless both were anxious that the final test should be made. It is not our province to discuss causes or details, but simply relate facts that seem to have a close connection with the territory whose history we set out to write.

On the 30th of April, 1831, a petition signed by forty persons was sent to the executive of Illinois representing that the Indians had done much damage to their property, and that their lives and homes were in constant danger. John Reynolds was then Governor of Illinois and believing from this petition and other information received, that Black Hawk was determined to retain possession of the dis- puted territory to the detriment of the state, resolved to expel him. He accordingly made a call for volunteers. In a very short time 700 militia were assembled at Beardstown on the Illinois river ready to take up the line of march toward the camp of Black Hawk. Before moving, however, Gen. Gaines, who was then stationed at St. Louis, passed up the river to Rock Island in command of a regiment of United States troops, with the hope of returning the Indians to the west side of the river without the necessity of calling upon the militia. The Indians were obstinate and refused to move, and according to previous arrangement the volunteers from Beards- town were advised to go forward, which they did with much enthu- siasm, their numbers having in the meantime been swelled to twice the original call.

The brigade was accompanied by Governor Reynolds ; and Joseph Duncan, whose name appears on the records of Mercer and Henderson as a large land-holder in the early times of this section, was appointed brigadier-general. On the 15th of June, this, the largest body of military that had ever been seen in the state, left their encampment at Rushville, just west of the Illinois river, and marched to within a few miles of the Sac village. This line of march took them directly through the central part of Mercer county, and the exact route is still known and pointed out, it being on the old Indian trail (which was nearly on the Henderson and Warren county line) and extending through Mercer county northward between Aledo and Joy. When the Indians found that the government and state were in earnest, and that. they were nearly surrounded with bristling bayonets and cannon, and were about to be cut off, they took the alarm, and the night before the intended attack escaped to the west side of the river. Doubtless their retreat was known and could have been cut off, but Gen. Gaines was

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

anxious that the affair should end without bloodshed. The soldiery were somewhat disappointed, and in a spirit of revenge burned their town, though the wigwams and cabins were needed to protect them- selves from the rain which was falling incessantly.

Thus bloodlessly terminated the campaign, but the war was not yet at an end. Black Hawk had promised to submit to the government of the country and to the counsel of the friendly chiefs, but he still had the defiant will which ere long must needs break out in the act which did not terminate so favorably to him and his braves. During the fol- lowing winter he was busy inciting the Indians to hostility, and by spring had succeeded in raising a force of 500. His headquarters were at the site of old Fort Madison, just on the west side of the Mis- sissippi. From thence they proceeded up the river on horses, the women and children in canoes, to a point just opposite the present town of Oquawka. Here they were met by White Cloud, the prophet, who, at a council held at the place named, advised them to go forward and cross the river, and that numerous other tribes would surely join them in a war against the whites. Accordingly the Indians crossed the Mississippi at Rock Island and ascended the Rock river to the country still occupied by the Winnebagos, near its source. Couriers were sent to warn them to return, but with no effect. The attitude of Black Hawk looked so alarming that the settlers of the whole of the north half of the state fled precipitately to the southern part and to the more thiekly settled portions of Indiana.

Governor Reynolds at once called for volunteers to meet at Beards- town. About 2,000 men assembled upon this eall, and on the 27th of April the army started on their march to Oquawka, where they were joined by two companies from Shelby county. Here the army encamped for several days awaiting supplies and provisions, which were furnished them from Rock Island and St. Louis. As soon as they could be supplied, baggage wagons were loaded and all was got in readiness for a march to Dixon, where they had been informed the enemy was encamped. When the army was ready to start a letter was brought from Gen. Atkinson, who commanded several companies of the regular army at Fort Armstrong, that Black Hawk had descended the Rock river, and requesting the governor to march immediately with troops to Fort Armstrong. The army was then put in motion and moved to the mouth of Rock river, where they were received into the service of the United States, and Gen. Atkinson assumed command.

The volunteers now took up their course along Rock river toward Dixon, where they were joined a few days later by Gen. Atkinson and

BLACK HAWK WAR.

the regulars. From this point Majors Stillman and Bailey had been detailed to protect the pioneer border, and having as yet seen but little service they were anxious to go farther up the river to reconnoitre. Accordingly orders were given to proceed up the river for this purpose, and with nearly 300 men they advanced about thirty miles, where they captured a few Indians and pursued some others, who had fled, into the very ambush of Black Hawk, who with only about forty warriors put them to flight and killed several of them. The retreat was as inglorious as it was confusing ; ammunition, food, horses and wagons were left in the precipitate flight, and the fugitives did not stop running until they arrived at Dixon, in squads of from two or three to a dozen.

The war was now fully inaugurated, and the next day the army started for the field of action. They found the ground strewn with their comrades in a horribly mutilated condition, with heads and limbs sundered from the bodies and hearts plucked out. The fragments were gathered together and buried in one common grave on the spot. The Indians had fled, well knowing that the fury of the whites would be fully aroused upon the discovery of the atrocious deeds.

The Government now sent Gen. Scott with 1,000 United States troops to superintend operations in the future campaigns. New levies of troops were made and sent forward by the State. On the 6th of June Black Hawk made an attack with about 150 warriors on the fort at Apple river, near Galena. There were only twenty-five men in the fort, but they defended it with desperation for fifteen hours, and the Indians were finally compelled to retire, the only damage sustained being the loss of one man, the burning of the houses of the village, and the destruction of other property.

Other conflicts followed rapidly in succession between bands of Indians and detachments of American troops, but as the engagements did not occur in the vicinity of the counties of which we write, we shall but mention them. The battle at Kellogg's Grove, and other conflicts in the northern portion of Illinois and the southern part of Wisconsin occurred during the months of June and July.

At last, about the first of August, the Indians were completely hemmed in at a point on the Mississippi called Bad Axe, where they were driven into the river, many being killed and many others being drowned in the attempt to gain the opposite shore. The loss of the Indians was not far short of 300, and near 100 more were wounded and taken prisoners. The war virtually ended with the battle of Bad Axe, and the further pursuit of the hostiles was not deemed necessary.

Many of the names of those engaged in the war, such as Anderson, Turney, Ewing, Breese, Dement, Ford, Duncan, Dodge and Lincoln,

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

afterward became noted in the history of the state and of the nation. Among the many who distinguished themselves, none made a more brilliant record than did Gen. James D. Henry, of Springfield, after whom has been named an adjoining county.

A few weeks subsequent to the battle of Bad Axe, Black Hawk and the Prophet were captured by some friendly Indians and turned over to the United States authorities. They were held in custody for about. one year, when they were set at liberty; subsequently Black Hawk settled down in Lee county, Iowa, for a short period, and then moved to the vicinity of the Des Moines, twenty miles above its mouth. In 1838 he contracted a disease which ended his life when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. Abraham Miller, formerly a resident of Mercer county, says, in a letter to the Historical Society of Mercer county, that he frequently saw Black Hawk after his expulsion from this section, in the neighborhood of New Boston, where, Mr. Miller says, Black Hawk's daughter lies buried. Quite a number of citizens of Mercer and Henderson counties yet survive who were per- sonally acquainted with this great chief, notably amongst whom is Colonel Patterson of Oquawka, whose intimacy with him and his his- tory we shall notice at length on a subsequent page.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS.

The Indians inhabiting this portion of the state at the time of the advent of the white settler, and for many years previous, were the Sac and Fox nations, and consisted of the Ottawa, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Shawnee, Mascoutin, Piankeshaw aud Pottawattamie tribes. They had obtained possession of this part of the State by conquest from other tribes who had lived here before the occupation by these nations. The Sacs and Foxes were at the beginning of the present century indeed but one nation in reality, intermarrying, living, hunting and fighting together as an individual nation. As their history is so closely connected with this section, doubtless many of our younger readers, whose fathers and mothers and elderly friends have recollec- tions reaching back to the closing scenes of the Indian's last years on the east side of the Mississippi and their final departure, will be inter- ested to read something relating to their modes of life.

Before the arrival of the Europeans and their intercourse with them, their manners, implements of agriculture, hunting and war, were much more rude than after contact with the more enlightened whites. They were at first found in possession of the most simple utensils ; the flint. dart, of which many have been found along the timber lands of the streams, were the points for the arrows, which, shot from the bow, brought down the game which was their principal subsistence. The

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS.

boys as soon as they were strong enough were given this instrument, and their education consisted in its use and the knowledge of the habits of the animals it was designed to destroy.

This, too, was their instrument of warfare. For the different pur- poses different shaped points were used. Some were fashioned with barbs at the base, so that the arrows having entered the object would not be easily withdrawn, which, possibly were used for shooting fish ; some were made broad at the base, and were no doubt designed to

make a large wound, and were perhaps used for the slaying of the larger animals and in war; and yet others were evidently intended for small game, and where it was not desirable to injure the flesh more than

absolutely necessary. Of these three principal varieties cuts are here given, but there were numerous modifications of these, as can be seen by reference to the collections in the possession of a number of persons

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

in this section. For knives and axes they also used flint and granite stones fashioned into proper shapes.

Mr. Tyler Mc Whorter has in his valuable and extensive cabinet a. very large number of these and other implements used by these people.

These rude implements were, after the fur trade was established, gradually superseded by knives and guns procured from the traders in exchange for furs, and many of the, Indians soon became as skillful in the use of the rifle as the white men, and afterward made effectual and savage nse of it against the race by whom it had been supplied. However, when our fathers and grandfathers found these people here they were still anything but cultured in their ways.

Their houses consisted of a few poles ten or fifteen feet in length, planted in the ground in circular form and approaching each other at the top, and covered with the skins of animals. In the winter the fire was kindled in the middle of the area inside and the smoke found its way out at the top, where an opening had been left. At this fire they cooked their food by roasting animal's flesh held on the ends of sharp- ened sticks, and by baking cakes of meal that had been made by breaking the grains with stones on flat, heated stones. A common food was made by boiling the carcass of an animal with kernels of corn and such vegetables as they could find. Abraham Miller, an early settler at the town of Millersburg, relates that he saw Black Hawk and a few of his friends regale themselves on a stew prepared from a polecat. thrown into the kettle without any dressing whatever. Skins of ani- mals taken in the chase constituted their beds, and around the smoul- dering embers of the camp-fire they smoked their pipes and recounted there the incidents of the chase or war, and slept the long winter nights upon these primitive couches.

The business of the Indian was to kill game and spear fish, while that of the wife was to till the soil in summer, gather and chop the wood for the fires and do the drudgery for the simple household.

Cleanliness was by no means essential to respectability, neither did the clothing nor the person of the Indian receive so many ablutions but that all these events in his life could be easily remembered.

Marriage with them was not even a matter of form, unless it be- considered in the light of a bargain and sale, for such it really was, ponies, and bear and deer skins being almost always given in exchange for wives. In general they had but few children. The women were treated as slaves and were subject in consequence of exposure to many and severe attacks of sickness.

The stories found in novels of the wooing of the dusky maiden by the noble warrior or daring hunter, and of their tender attachment for

DESCRIPTION.

their wives and children, are in the main very much overdrawn. A few rare exceptions are known. It is said that Black Hawk was a. most devoted husband, and was, throughout his long life, true to his marital relations.

The amusements of the Indians were the war dance, athletic sports, and the narration of their hunting and war experiences, but in none of these did the females take any part.

Though filthy in their habits to the extreme they were nevertheless proud, and were fond of decorating their dirty bodies with paint, feathers, and such bits of ribbons and beads as they could obtain.

After its introduction by the whites the Indians grew very fond of whisky, and drunkenness became much more common with them than with their pale brethren. Sometimes when a fresh supply of liquor was obtained, a whole band, with the exception of two or three, who were required to remain sober for the purpose of keeping the rest from murdering each other, would get on a grand big drunk, which would not end until the whisky was all gone or they got beyond the power of locomotion.

DESCRIPTION.

Mercer county lies on the northwestern border of the state and em- braces a little more than fifteen townships, or about 550 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Rock Island county, on the east by Henry . and Knox, on the south by Warren and Henderson, and on the west. by the middle of the Mississippi river. The fourth principal meridian passes along the eastern border, and it embraces townships 13, 14 and 15 north, and ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, and a part of 5 and 6 west. It is inter- sected from the east to the west, through the northern portion, by Edwards river, which, near the western border, changes its course, and running in a southwesterly direction, empties into the Mississippi about. a mile and a half below New Boston. A few miles south of the Edwards is Pope creek, which passes through the county in the same direction, and enters the Mississippi at Keithsburg. In addition to these there are in the northwest, Eliza creek, which empties into Swan lake, and Camp creek, a tributary of the Edwards. Sonth of these is North Pope, a tributary of Pope creek, and in the southeast are North Henderson and Duck creeks. These, together with some smaller streams, furnish an abundant supply of water.

A large portion of the county is prairie, while along the borders of the streams are the so-called barrens. The soil of the prairie is a deep black or chocolate colored loam, with a yellow or dark brown clay subsoil. The soil of the barrens is similar to that of the prairie, only lighter colored and of

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

less depth, while along the upper part of the slope it is of a light brown or yellowish color, owing to the character of the subsoil, which comes near the surface. In some portions of the barrens there is but a thin covering of the soil, and in these places it is quite light colored. The most extensive alluvial deposit is along the Mississippi bottom. This extends along the whole western border of the county, with a varied width of from two to five miles. Of this, that portion which is situated on the northwest and extends as far south as New Boston, is much cut up by swamps, lakes and bays. Through a large portion of these bottom lands there are one or more low ridges of sand. The soil of this sandy portion is of but little value, there being but few seasons when it is wet enough to produce. In other portions the soil is a deep black loam and very productive. Narrow alluvial belts are also found along nearly all the water-courses, the soil of which is very dark colored, but more or less intermingled with sand and peb- bles. Coal of a good quality is found in various parts ; the veins are from three to five feet thick. The mines furnish a large amount of good coal. The seam furnishing the largest portion of the coal of this county extends over most of the northeastern half of the county, but is most extensively mined in the townships of Greene, Rivoli, Rich- land Grove and Preemption. In the township sketches, devoted to these townships, will be found more extended notices of these mines.

The soil of this county is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and is in nearly every part of the county productive of large crops of corn, oats and hay. Wheat is not much raised. Formerly, spring wheat was grown to a considerable extent, but of late years its cultivation has greatly decreased. Recently, considerable attention has been given to producing winter wheat. The land along or near the water-courses, though of a lighter character, is valuable for the production of fruit. Nearly all the lands along the streams were formerly heavily timbered, but here the first settlers built their cabins, and in consequence of habits acquired in their eastern and southern homes, much of the orig- inal forest has disappeared. In the early times coal was not used for fuel ; indeed it was scarcely known to exist, and its value as a fuel was overlooked for a number of years. Fencing and house-building also required much timber, and so the once heavily timbered portions of the county now resemble much more than formerly the open prairies which lie beside them. The kinds of timber most abundant are white, burr, black, red and laurel oak, red and white elm, blue and white ash, hickory, maple, wild cherry, and occasionally a black walnut. In the bottoms are also locust, sycamore, cottonwood, box alder, wild plum

A SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY.

and crab-apple, and occasionally pecans and buckeyes. Grape vines and other climbers are abundant. In later years the hand of man has added many varieties of fruit and ornamental trees, which thrive apparently as though in their native soil. The osage orange grows well here, and many of the most tasty farms are now fenced with this shrub. The climate is rather cold for it, however, and its fruit scarcely ever comes to perfection.

In the larger rivers, especially near their mouths, are abundant supplies of fish, and formerly in the timber along their banks were found many wild animals, such as deer, squirrels, raccoons, turkeys and chickens. The game has almost all vanished from before the face of the white man. The description of the county will be given more in detail in the several township sketches.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 3

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424