USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 4
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This is called a flake and is the raw material from which arrows are made. It usually has two or more fractures on one side and one on the other. They are seldom found and while thou- sands of arrow points are picked up there will be but a few flakes and some of them discards.
The next element of arrow manufacture is the chips. They are of the same form as the flakes. but are smaller. Ordinarily they are the pieces broken from a flake in making an arrow. A typical chip is a thin piece of stone with from three to six fractures on one side and but one on the other.
The chips are the evidenees that locate camps and furnish much knowledge of Indian customs.
But little of the material used is from native stone. As there are chips found about everywhere
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
from hundreds of different textures of stone and comparatively no evidence of the production of the flakes in the prairie country, and while at the various chert quarries there is abundant evi- dence of flake making and little evidence of ar- row making it is reasonable to conclude that ex- pert flake makers frequented the quarries and undoubtedly exchanged arrow flakes with the tribes from De Kalb county for mcat, game, skins and other products of the prairies.
It is certain that the chert spades, some of them from 6 to 11 inches long, came from the quarries of Union county, Ill., below St. Louis. Tons of refuse and discard material is found at this place, demonstrating that flakes for many larger as well as smaller implements were got out. Chips of chert by the thousands are found all over the state identical to that of the quarries of Union county.
In the same way chips of colored flint, jasper chalecdony, obsidian, agate, smoky topaz and quartzite. less frequently found here, come from flakes from the Rocky mountains and other dis- tant places. Not one in one hundred of the ar- rows found here appear to be made of native stone. At about any camp from fifteen or a hun- dred chips can be found no iwo seem to come from the same rock. demonstrating that consid- erable time has elapsed since the chips were made. or that they were very diligent.
HOW TO FIND THEM.
First learn to know a chip when you see it. Where you find them in sufficient number, it in- dieates the location of a camp: study the sur- roundings and judge where would be the natural hunting grounds or burial places. Observe the water shed conditions and look closely where water has washed the soil away, leaving the stones on the surface. Too abrupt a washing is not the best condition. Visit after rains such camps when they have been plowed.
By this method of observation Indian camps have been located in De Kalb township as fol- lows: At Coltonville, the high clay bank on Ell- wood farm. J. S. Cusson's garden, the street along the Kishwaukee west of the shor factory, the Leon- ard vineyard. the Foster farm and the Normal campus. It is rarely that one could make a tonr
of these places when the conditions were right without picking up from ten to fifty relics of the stone age. The same conditions appear in the other townships, especially Sycamore and King- ston.
Some implements that are found in abundance elsewhere are seldom found in De Kalb county. Stone axes, pipes and brads are very scarce, pottery is seldom found and copper points are almost un- known. .Although located in the natural corn belt there seems to be an absence of mortars and corn grinding molds. Ovens are scarce. Very lit- tle evidence of molds has been reported.
NOTED DE KALB COUNTY INDIANS.
The most noted Indian of this locality of later days was Shabbona, the great friend of the white man. He had his wigwam at Shabbona Grove. His couneil had great weight in preventing war- fare between the two races.
Wau-ban-se. almost as noted as Shabbona, had a camp at Paw Paw grove. This celebrated Indian figured quite prominently in the Indian history of Illinois.
Next to Shabbona and Waubaunse the most famous Indian who has lived in De Kalb county in later days was Kapas. He was chief of a band of Pottawattomies who had a camp on the high bank of the Kiswanker creek. in the southwest quarter of section one of De Kalb township. The field where Kapas had his forty tents was after- wards made famous by the conference of Lincoln, Taylor and Davis at the time of the Black Hawk war and was the site of the first court house of De Kalb county.
Kapa- followers were sturdy types of the race, cultivating fields of corn. maintained a maple sugar bush and had quite a trade in furs. They carried on an extensive exchange of commodities with the trading posts of Chicago and in conse- quence were well clothed, had abundance of am- munition and seemed prosperous and happy people.
There was the best of feeling between the tribes of Kapas and Shabbona and they were constantly associated together in hunting expeditions. Shah- bona. who had a great reputation for wisdom and fairness, was constantly called upon as an arbi- trator of contentions that arose in the Kapas fol- lowers, and his decisions were considered final.
SCENE OF THE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS AT THE TIME OF BLACK HAWK WAR.
THE NEW YORK LIBRARY
N, LENOX I'LLS FOUNDATIONS.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Although an Indian of great force of charac- ter and influence, Chief Kapas had his weakness. Although he had three squaws and grown-up chil- dren, he was sometimes found lavishing his at- tentions upon the favorite squaws of his brave fol- lowers. One night a young hunter after passing the day in chase returned to camp and found his chief occupying his wigwam and that his bride was unfaithful to the marriage vows. Without waiting for an explanation, he drew his gun and sent a bullet into Kapas' brain. The assassin made no attempt to escape and on the following day presented himself to meet his fate. In the presence of the entire board he was shot through the heart by the son of the chief. Kapas was buried with great pomp and ceremony. His body was placed in a sitting position, and around him were placed his rifle, bow and flint tipped arrows, stone axe, pipe and tobacco, blankets, and other articles of use and decoration. Around him was built a stockade consisting of logs built after the fashion of a log house of the primitive fathers. It was about 3x5 feet and abont 5 feet high In this burial place the body remained after the Indian tribe moved west of the Mississippi river. It was on the Colton farm, north of the Sycamore road and east of the road that leads north to the Five Corners, and was seen by many of the citi- zens of De Kalb county of the present time.
In 1846 the skeleton was removed by Dr. George Richards of St. Charles and placed in the museum of his medical school. For many of the facts in regard to Kapas we are indebted to Matson, au- thor of life of Shabbona.
There were other Indian tribes located in the groves in other towns of the county, but their chiefs seem to have escaped the distinction of hav- ing their names perpetuated.
NEIGHBORING INDIAN INCIDENTS.
These incidents of Indian history happened just outside of De Kalb county.
Through the research of John F. Steward the lost battleground, where three hundred Fox In- dian warriors, with women and children. were be- sieged by 1,300 French and Indian allies, 1730. and killed, was located on Fox river near Plano. Mr. Steward made trips to Europe, examined the
maps on record, and believes that he has positively located the scene of this eventful affair. The grounds answer the description as to surroundings by streams, elevation and traces of a stockade and earthen works are still visible. The French rec- ords tell of the besieged party going down to the stream for water under cover of a row of ever- green trees, and a few of these trees still form a line from the hill to the river. In 1900 Mr. Stew- ard erected a boulder, upon which is carved the leading facts of the event.
Just south, Paw Paw township, on Indian creek, on March 20, 1832, the Indians killed fifteen per- sons, and made captive Rachael and Sylvia Hall. aged 17 and 15 years, respectively. They were taken to Wisconsin, but were released after several days of anxiety. Rachael afterwards married William Munson, and two of her sons and grand- children now reside at De Kalb. Sylvia married W. S. Horn, and for many years lived in Nebras- ka. A monument has been erected in Freedom township to mark the burial place of the fifteen persons killed.
About the same distance from the Kingston line occurred the Stillman valley battle with Black Hawk's warriors, in which eleven men were killed. five wounded, with a loss of thirty-four to the In- "dians. In 1892 the state erected a monument upon this battlefield.
THREE PRESIDENTS MEET.
At the time of the Black Hawk war, in which Abraham Lincoln participated, there was a notable conference at Coltonville. At the meeting there was present General Zachariah Taylor, afterwards president ; Abraham Lincoln, afterwards presi- dent, and Jefferson Davis. later secretary of war and president of the confederacy. According to Ida Tarbell's history Lincoln at this time made two trij s across De Kalb county.
AN HISTORIC PLACE.
In my wanderings up and down I found a spot of sacred ground. Where shrubs and trees do yet abound.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
It tills my soul with thoughts of yore, With thoughts of men who've gone before. It lies just west of Sycamore. T'was here in eighteen thirty-two, A band of warriors brave and true, A council held to plan anew. To save the settlers from a fate That otherwise might overtake The pioneers of western state. "Iwas at the time of Black Hawk's war. A time of trouble and of gore 'That shall return, no, never more.
The leader of this warrior band
Was "Rough and Ready," with his hand He made the natives understand.
Zachary Taylor was his name. In Mexico he won a fame That through the ages shall remain. The Governor was also here.
His name was Reynolds, full of cheer. For settlers that were prone to fear : And here was Davis, young and strong, Before he took the cause of wrong Instilled by Calhoun and his throng. HIero, too, was John, surnamed Dement, And Lincoln in his blue jeans went From here on stronger purpose bent. These were the leaders of the men Who left their homes and left their ken With hopes of coming back again. "Fwas in the month (we call it May). The men were called in haste away. For many days they had to stay. Their planting then had not begun, They left their fields to take the gun And go where duty bade them run. Standing there, both tall and thin. Abra'am Lincoln was sworn in. Jeff Davis read the oath to him. They march'd through woods, and swamps, and fields.
And oft went hungry from their meals.
When I am worn, fatigued and sore, I think of men who've gone before. Whose lives were true from limb to core. Our lives are greater far than gold. Or idle health, or pleasure bold. They reach io futures vet untold. G. W. JACOBSON.
It is generally stated in the public histories of Wisconsin and Illinois that the defeat of Black Hawk opened to settlement northern Illinois and the southern portion of what is now Wisconsin. Unqualified. this statement is misleading; indi- reetly, it is true that the war proved a powerful agent in the development of this region. The In- dians in themselves were no obstacle to legitimate settlement. frontiers of which were far removed from Black Hawk's village, and need not to have crowded it for several years to come. Of course, it was necessary in time to clear the path for civ- ilization. What this war had accomplished in the way of territorial development was to call national attention in a marked manner to the attractions and resources of this part of the great northwest. The troops acted as explorers of this tract, con- verning which nothing has been known definitely among the white men. It is also stated that the Sauk Indians had not inhabited the part of Illi- nois north of the mouth of the Kishwaukee, and when the war was fought and they were followed into Wisconsin, it is also stated that they were unfamiliar with that. country and employed Win- nebago guides. Immediately after the war the newspapers of the eastern and older settled middle states were filled with descriptions more or less full of the scenes and possibilities and prospective industries in the Rock River valley, of the groves and prairies on every hand and of the dense for- ests of Wisconsin. From the press were issued books and pamphlets and accounts of the newly discovered paradise. For the most part erude pub- lications abounding in error and today unknown save to the historian. but it is true that they did advertise the country and set flowing thither the tide of emigration. There necessarily followed in due time the opening to sale of the public lands hitherto reserved and the properties of what terri- tory remained among the Indian tribes of the distriet. The Winnebagoes. hitherto unfriendly, were humbled and the spirit of mischiefmaking ceased. This will be noticed was the last Indian uprising in the northern states cast of the Mis- sissippi river. This incidental subduing of the Winnebagoes and the broad liberal advertisement given to the theater of disturbance were therefore the two practical and immediate results of the Black Hawk war. the consequences of which was
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
at once to give enormous impetus to the develop- ment of the state of Illinois and the territory of Wisconsin.
THE FIRST WHITE MEN IN THE COUNTY.
This part of Illinois now known as De Kalb county was unknown to civilization previous to 1832. unless it was an occasional hunter or trap- per. The home of Shabbona after the defeat of the British and Indians at the battle of the Thames in October, 1813, was in the grove that still retains his name, and to a few hunters and trappers only, who songht his protection, this por- tion of our country was known.
The army under General Whiteside marched from Dixon after Stillman's defeat on May 14 1832, to the scene of battle, buried Captain Ad- ams and his brave men, who alone stood their ground while the army fled utterly routed to Dixon. From Stillman's field the army, hearing of the massacre at Big Indian creek in what is now La Salle county, marched to the mouth of Sycamore creek-now Kishwaukee-followed the course of that stream to what is now Coltonville on seetion 1, De Kalb township, having passed through what is now Franklin. Kingston. May- field, Sycamore and De Kalb townships. Here a council of war was held at which General White- side presided. The slight clevation just east of the Coltonville crossing of the Kishwaukee is given as the particular spot where this famous council was held. General Zachary Taylor, then colonel of a regiment of regular troops, had a seat in the council. On his staff were Jefferson Davis and Al- bert Sidney Johnston, the lientenants. Here, too, was Abraham Lincoln. then captain of Illi- mois volunteers ; General Robert Anderson, later of Ft. Sumpter fame; General Harney; Governor Carlin. William Hamilton, son of Alexander Ham- ilton : and Governor Reynolds.
Zachary Taylor with his characteristic energy, courage and a desire to strike the enemy until victory or defeat resulted urged relentless pursuit of the Indians, and he was thoroughly disgusted when the deliberations resulted in a tie vote to pursue the Indians under Black Hawk. The army marched to Shabbona Grove, committed some depredations on friendly Indians, for which they were compelled to make restitution, then marched
to Ottawa and were disbanded. The conduct of the volunteers during this war reflects no credit on American arıns, and in many cases, notably at the Battle of Bad Axe, fired upon helpless women and children, killing and wounding many. The soldiers from southern Illinois saw this country north of the Illinois river for the first time and resolved to make their homes here on the cou- clusion of hostilities.
Near the village of Stillman Valley the state has erected a monument costing $5,000 to the memory of Captain Adams and his ten comrades who alone of the well equipped force of Stillman stood their ground and in the twilight of that eventful evening of May 14, 1832, added new Inster to American arms and sealed their devotion to home and country with their lives.
At the dedication of this monument Lieutenant Governor L. Y. Sherman was orator of the day and F. E. Stevens, the historian of the Black Hawk war, gave an account of the battle. The monument was unveiled by a grand niece of Cap- tain Adams and a survivor of that battle honored the occasion with his presence.
It is held by many that an army under General Scott passed through the north part of our coun- ty. and as proof mention the fact of a corduroy bridge that was in 1836 still in existence across a little stream that enters the Kishwaukee just west of the business portion of Kingston. That is explained to our satisfaction in this way: The army of General Whiteside in their inarch from Stillman's field kept on the south side of the Kish- waukee and of course would be compelled to bridge streams entering the Kishwaukee if they were too deep to ford, and that spring was wet and the streams were high.
General Scott in his autobiography outlines his march as follows: From Fort Dearborn to Naper- ville, from Naperville across the Fox river at a point near the site of Aurora, from Aurora to Somonauk creek at a point near the present United Presbyterian church in Somonauk township. thence to the present Ross Grove, Paw Paw Grove to Dixon's Ferry. now Dixon. There may have been many a detachment of his army in this vi- cinity, for a cannon ball was found on the bank of the Fox river just north of St. Charles at a point given by settlers of 1834 and 1835 as the Scott crossing.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Another evidence worthy of consideration is the well defined marks of an encampment seen by our early settlers near the mouth of Deer creek in Ge- noa township. And finally the grave of a soldier under a lonely burr oak south of Shattuck's Grove in Boone county and only a few rods south of the present Davis church.
It has been told us by early settlers that the army fearing surprise in the woods marched north to the point mentioned and encamped, and here the soldier died and was buried, but this could only have been a small portion of Scott's army in any event, and it is certain that the Scott trail became known later as the Galena road, over which the Dixon mail route was established be- fore there were any permanent settlers in our county.
The year following the Black llawk war was one of quiet so far as settlers were concerned and none came to remain, although hunters entered from settlements along the Illinois river and no doubt adventurous prospectors came to look over the land. but finding the Indians not friendly and still sore over their defeat and loss of land by the treaty of Prairie du Chien, which compelled their removal to the west of the Father of Wa- ters, they concluded not to remain among them and sought safety in the settlement in the vicinity of Ottawa.
During the year 1833 Lee, Ogle. Kendall, Du Page. La Salle and Carroll counties had permanent settlements and it was only a question of a few months later that plans were made by the roving frontiersman for the occupancy of the land we now know as De Kalb county.
In 1834 a number of prospectors began to ex- plore this section. then a part of La Salle county since 1831 and previous to 1831 part of Peoria county. Those who came to look over the land with a view to location were Hon. Frederick Love, an honored citizen. prominent in the early days of our county. Ile took up a temporary abode on the banks of the Fox river and returned the next year and located permanently on the farm nov owned by his grandson, Frederick Love. "Hollen- beak, who had been driven from his home near Newark during the Black Hawk war. came to this section. passed through Somonaus and Lost Grove, as far as the Big Woods in Sycamore, and on his return made a c'aim in
settler's fashion to a portion of the fine grove since known as Squaw Grove, and to which he gave the name of Squaw Grove because of the large number of squaws that were encamped there. the male Indians being off on a hunting expedi- tion."
Marshall Stark was here in 1834, but returned and settled the next year. Hiram Buell passed through this section to the present site of Rock- ford. Renben Root also looked over the possible sites for future home in the vicinity of Freeland Corners. The Dixon mail route was established and followed the trail of Scott's army from Ft. Dearborn to Dixon. Along this route on section 4. Somonank township. was built the first house in De Kalb county. This was used as a station along the mail route and during the fall of 1831 was occupied by a man named Robinson, who was the first white temporary occupant of a cabin in De Kalb county. IFis subsequent history is un- known. but from men who passed along the Dixon state route we learn that he lived alone and led an existence much as the Indians around him. In 1835 Reuben Root kept tavern in this cabin and a few years later the Beveridge family. afterward prominent in county and state affairs, purchased the land on which it stood from a man named Captain William Davis.
John Sebree was the first permanent settler of the county. IFe was by birth a Virginian. He brought his family and considerable stock and in September. 1834, took up his claim on section 15. Squaw Grove township. Here for a time he lived in a deserted Indian wigwam and later built a log house which sheltered not only his own. but the families of many settlers who came later until homes could be provided. It served as a hostelry. and even at this distant day some remain who shared the hospitality of "Jack" Sebree.
Ilere he left his wife and children during the winter and returned to his former home for sun- plies, with neighbors no nearer than Millington. seventeen miles away, unless we mention the red men who apparently were not hostile to this hardy pioneer woman and her small children.
In 1835 the stream of emigration turned toward that part of Illinois north of the Illinois river. The white covered wagons drawn by three or four ox teams might be seen crossing the Fox river at the fords, or if water was high they were ferried
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
over and again took up their course to the west- ward. In these wagons were the families and all their earthly possessions. In them they cooked their meals, ate and slept during the inelement weather, but in pleasant weather they often slept under the trees and cooked the meals outside. In every wagon you would find a fliteh of bacon, some smoked ham and corn meal flour for the "Johnny Cake." In many instances the settlers drove their cattle and an occasional porker. not too fat for travel like the modern improved swine, but a "razor back" that could travel as fast as any ani- mal in the procession. Those who came and re- mained during the winter of 1835 were Lysander Darling. Dr. Norbo, a Norwegian, after whom the grove northeast of Sycamore was named, Mr. Charters. Dr. Lee, Peter Lamois, the Walrods. Woods and Marshall Stark : while in Squaw Grove following John Sebree came his brother William and his family, Samuel Miller. Jacob Lee, John Easterbrook and Daniel Legget.
At Somonauk were Reuben Root, David and William Sly and Dr. Arnold. In what is now Kingston were William Miller, Harmon Miller, Judge George 11. Ilill, Robert Robb, Isaiah Fair- clo, Captain Collier, who was in 1835, with Ste- phen Mowry, elected justice of the Kishwaukee district of La Salle county, John Aurner. Hon, Lovi Lee, Jonas Haight and James Dibble. In Ge- noa were Emery Moore, Samuel Cory and Thomas Munnalan. At Shabbona were Edwin and David Town, who occupied a deserted Indian wigwam until January 1. 1836, when they raised the first house in what is now Shabbona. Jesse C. Kellogg raised a cabin north of Sycamore and at once be- came a prominent factor in the county. In De Kalb. Frederick Love. Captain Eli Barnes, John B. Collins and Norman Moore. also James Paisley settled.
Ira Douglass, John Nichols, John Thom took up claims in Mayfield. South Grove was settled by William Driscoll, and at best. perhaps three hundred souls wintered al different groves, but many retired upon approach of winter to eastern homes or more thickly settled parts of the coun- try.
Many took up claims and a great deal of trou- ble followed. As the elaims of European coun- tries overlapped each other, so the indefinite lines drawn by many squatters took in the other fel-
low's property. Some took a claim for them- selves, for a brother, a sister and different mem- bers of his family, until a few different individuals in some cases controlled several thousand acres. Considerable trouble followed. Fights were of too frequent occurrence. Some "swinish claim jump- ers" were whipped and driven away.
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