USA > Illinois > Ogle County > Sketches of the history of Ogle County, Ill., and the early settlement of the Northwest > Part 5
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ding post of even less importance than Rock Island.
CHAPTER VIII.
The first Governor of the State was Shadrach Bond, who commenced his four years' term in October, 1818. Ile died about the year 1834, and the county of Bond was named for him. Ex-Governor Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas were the first United States Senators from Illinois. Elias K. Kane was appointed Secretary of State, Daniel P. Cook was elected the first Attorney-General, Elijah C. Berry Auditor of Publie Accounts, and John Thomas State Treasurer. Mr. Cook was elected to Congress in 1818, and contin- ued to serve in that body until 1827. To his services we are indebted for the do- nation by the General Government of 300,000 aeres of land, for the construe- tion of the Illineis and Michigan Canal. As a fitting tribute to his memory, the county in which Chicago is situated bears his name.
The first State Legislature convened at Kaskaskia in October, 1818. By the journals of this Legislature, we find that the committee appointed for the purpose purchased a sufficient stock of stationery at a cost of $13.50. One of the most remarkable laws passed by this Legisla- ture was that relating to negroes and mu- lattoes, which contained all the most strin- gent provisions of similar aets in the slave States .*
The population of Illinois, in 1818, was about 45,000, many of whom were de- scendants of the old Freneh settlers. In 1830, the population had increased to 157,447.
In 1827, au exciting election for State Treasurer occurred in the Illinois Legis- lature, in which the former incumbent was defeated. Immediately after the ad- joarnment of the General Assembly, and before the members had time to leave the house, the defeated candidate walked in and inflicted corporeal 'punishment' upon four of the members who had voted against him. No steps were taken to bring the offender to justice; but at the same session he was appointed clerk of the circuit court and reeorder for Jo Daviess county, of which Ogle county then formed a part.
In August, 1830, John Reynolds was elected Governor. A new Legislature was elected at the same time. Ex-Gov- Reynolds was the candidate of the Bu- chanan wing of the Democratic party for Superintendent of Public Instruction, in the canvass of 1858.
CHAPTER IX.
In the spring of the year 1825, a Mr. Kellogg started from Peoria for the Upper Mississippi Lead Mines. Crossing Rock River a few miles above the present lo- eality of Dixon, he passed up through the prairie lying between Polo and Mount Morris, touched the western part of West Grove, and continued northward to Ga- lena. The way thus being opened, seve-
*For a full summary of the provisions of this Act, see Ford, p. 32, et seq.
32
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Crossing Rock River-Boles' Trail-Travel from Peoria to Galena-First White Inhabitant of Ogle County-Dixon.
ral others, during the summer and fall of the same year, some with teams, more on foot, all "camping out," passed over the route traveled by Kellogg, and thus was made what in those early days was called "Kellogg's Trail."
The method of crossing Rock River without bridge or ferry was very simple. The Winnebagoes and other Indians who were very numerous in this vicinity at the time, were thickly settled along the banks of the river, and were easily induced to assist the whites. Two of their canoes, placed side by side, formed a ferry-boat, the two wheels of one side of the wagon being placed in the one, and the two wheels of the opposite side in the other ; they were thus safely and easily trans- ported. The horses were made to swim over the river, and then all being safe on the opposite side, they were hitched up and proceeded on their way as before.
As "Kellogg's Trail" was somewhat cir- cuitous, bearing too far east to be the nearest route, a Mr. John Boles, traveling across the country in the spring of 1826, left the beaten track some distance south of Rock River, crossed the river at Dixon, just above where the bridge of the I. C. R. R. is now placed, passed up through the country about a mile east of Polo, north, to White Oak Grove, a half a mile west of Foreston, thence through Crane's Grove, and so on to Galena. This being much preferable to the old way, it imme- diately became the traveled route and was called " Boles' Trail " This trail was used exclusively for the three years fol- lowing, and may still be plainly seen a few miles east of Polo ou the prairie.
In the season of 1826, the travel over the country was about double that of the summer and fall preceding.
Trav I commenced again early in 1827. In the month of March of this year, Elisha Doty, now a citizen of Polo, came up from Dixon, attempted to cross the river on the ice, but before he had pro- ceeded far the ice began to give way, and he was obliged to give up the attempt. He says that while waiting on the bank, just before starting on his return, about two hundred teams had collected there, all on the way to Galena. We mention tion this that a correct idea may be formed of the amount of travel to and fro through the country at this early pe- riod. Nor was this the only line of travel from Peoria and other southern settle- ments to Galena. The "Lewiston Trail," opened about the time of the "Kellogg Trail," passed some distance west of our county, and crossed Rock River a little above Prophetstown, in Whiteside county.
Isaac Chambers, the first white inhabi- tant of Ogle courty, passing through the country to Galena early in the summer, was struck with the b auty of this par- ticular vicinity, and determined to make it his future home.
The place where Dixon now stands had become a fixed place for travelers to cross the river, and much inconvenience was experienced in getting across, as the In- dians were not always at hand, and it was unpleasant to be obliged to ford the river, which was often done, for at certain times the water ran se low that it could be done with safety. Mr. J. L. Begor- dis, of Peoria, resolved to build a ferry
33
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
F'erry across Rock River-John Ankeney makes a Claim at Buffalo Grove-Isaac Chambers takes possession of It.
there. For this purpose he sent up a man, who built a shanty 8 by 10 on the bank, and lived there until Begordis sent up a carpenter to make the boat, who came a short time after. The carpenter, Mr. Doty, father of Mr. Elisha Doty of Polo, and his assistant, set vigorously at work, and it was not long until the boat was nearly half completed, when the In- dians set fire to the boat, and informed them that they should not build a boat there, and told them to go to Peoria. This peremptory advice they concluded to accept with the best grace possible. Joe Ogie, a Frenchman, made the next at- tempt in the spring of 1828. He was an Indian interpreter, had married an in- dian woman, and was himself almost an Indian from his long association with them, having adopted many of their so- cial and domestic habits. The red men were somewhat better pleased with him, and concluded to let him remain.
miles farther south to Nanusha, one of the largest groves in the whole country. He proceeded to make arrangements for building a house about thirty rods above the old bridge, where was a good place to cross the creek, and he had in contempla- tion a plan to change the line of travel from the prairie and have it pass through the grove, where he would build a "hotel" for the reception of travelers. While engaged in these preliminaries, he was surprised by the appearance of John Au- keny and family, who had come to take possession of his elaim. Mr. Ankeney was no less surprised to find his claim had been taken by Mr. Chambers. The surprise was not exactly an agreea- ble oue to either, although had either been so fortunate to have had cutire pos- session it would have been a long way to his nearest neighbor. This consideration, however, was a matter of no consequence to them, and Mr. Ankeney, in no agreeable mood, went about a hundred rods farther down the stream, where he proceeded to erect a "Public House," although there was but one road in the whole country. and that one was two miles distant.
John Ankeney came from the southern part of Illinois in the spring of 1829, and made a claim at " Nunusha," or Buffalo Grove, by marking some trees on Buffalo Creek, Dear where the bridge on the .: Gale- na Road" was afterwards built. He then The hotels of the West in those days were not exactly of the same description as many we can boast of now-a-days. If they had any "up stairs," it was only ac- cessible by means of the stones that pro- jected from the rudely constructed chim- ney-which ran from the fire-place to the returned for his family, and while he was gone Isaac Chambers came down from dlale- na with his family, and stopped at WhiteOak Grove-asmall patch of timber lying about a half a mile west of the village of Fores- ton-where he remained only a short time. He was not exactly satisfied with this lo- : top of the house-or by pegs driv- vation, for he saw that in this country en into the logs, and sometimes by timber land must be more valuable than a rough ladder made with an axe and [pod anger. "Prairie bedsteads," too, were prairie, because of its scarcity. Ile therefore left that region and came ten a prominent feature of the age. A sin- 5
34
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Household Conveniences-Dividing Line between Ankeney and Chambers-Their Quarrels-Joe Ogie and his Squaw.
gle post was fastened to the floor, which was sometimes nothing more than the bare earth, without a carpet, about four feet from the wall ; holes were bored into the logs of the side of the house, and sticks driven into the holes and fastened to the post, and then there were side rails running from the post each way, one to one side of the house and the other to the other side, slats placed crosswise for cords and the bedsteads were completed. These beds were often so made that by placing one above another, one "bed post" would support twelve sleepers. If the family consisted of both sexes, curtains of deer-skin or like material were bung between the beds, or else the light was put out just before retiring; this was done by covering up, or throwing water on the fire in the fire-place, which was the only light that could be afforded, for those were days of ceonomy. Lights were found by striking flints and catching the sparks on tinder.
Having erected their houses, the next business before Mr. Ankeney and Mr. Chambers, was to survey the dividing line between them. The other bounda- ries need not be formally fixed, for, if they chose, the one could have Rock River on the one side and the other the Mississippi on the opposite side. One i and broil his broth alone.
elear starlight night, when the moon did not shine, and when there were no clouds Aonting across the sky, they went out to- gether to the south side of the grove, and from a red-oak stump they started towards the North Star, hacking the trees which stood in their way, the marked trees be- ing the line between them.
All things being ready, they went to Ogie's Ferry, and staked out each his road, the two lines of stakes running par- allel, being at no place more than half a mile apart. Chambers' stakes of course ran by his house, and Mr. Ankeney's by his house. The lines intersected north of the grove, and the main line, after con- tinuing a considerable distance, again in- tersected with the old "Boles' Trail." No difficulty was found in inducing trav- elers to take one of the two proposed roads, but the question was, which road should they take? Each at once set at work to make his own house the most at- tractive. Jealousy and rivalry arose be- tween them, and were harbored as long as they lived so near together with such con- fiering interests. Each used every means in his power to injure the custom of the other, by such aets as feiling trees across the other's road, in many other equally irritating ways, which rendered it quite an unpleasant neighborhood.
Meanwhile Ogie and his wife were not without their share of domestic difficul- ties. As they had no neighbors near enough to quarrel with, they managed to stir up a quarrel between themselves which resulted in the separation of the family, and Joe was left to run his boat
Mrs. Ogie owned nearly one half of Paw Paw Grove, which was an Indian reservation, consequently, after their sep- aration, she was regarded as a "rich wid- our," and as rich widows are personally attractive, it was not long before she found an admirer in the person of JJob Alcott, whom she married, and this couple sub-
35
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
First Settlement at Dixon-Rates of Ferriage-Kellogg buys out Chambers-Settlements between Peoria and Galena.
sequently went to Kansas with her peo- ple, the Pottawatomies.
Early in 1828, a Mr. Clempson pro- cur d of the State Commissioners the contract for carrying the mail from Peoria to Galena, and he in turn gave the con- tract to Mr. John Dixon, from whom the town of Dixon took its name. Mr. Dix- on's son commenced driving the stage early in the spring, before Ogie's ferry was in operation. He often experienced much difficulty in getting the Indians to ferry him over the river, and was some- times exposed to much danger in attempt- ing to swim his team. Ogie had been running the ferry nearly two years; his wife had forsaken him, and withal he was much disposed to change his course of life, when, on the 11th of April, 1830, Mr. Dixon came with his family from Peoria and bought out his ferry, &e., and took charge of it himself. The rates of ferriage were such as to make it a profita- ble business, for instance: For a yoke of oxen and wagon, 75 cents; for a span of horses and wagon, 75 cents; for a two- horse pleasure wagon, $1; for a horse and gig, 50 cents. The annual income of a ferry at these rates, when we consider the immense amount of travel, must have been very large.
At Burr Oak Grove, in the township of Erin, Stephenson county, Oliver W. Kellogg made a settlement in 1829. Here he remained until the spring following, when he removed to Buffalo Grove, where it seems Chambers was getting worsted in his competition with Ankeney, so that Kellogg and he were not long is making a trade. Chambers removed to a grove | lived at Cherry Grove. Mr. J ...
about six miles farther North, which be- came known as "Chambers' Grove." Kel- logg moved into the house Chambers lad occupied, and took up the old plan of hostilities with Ankeney.
One hour before the arrival of Mr. Kellogg at Buffalo Grove, Mr. Samuel Reed and family came. Mr. Reed pro- ceeded to make a claim on the south side of the grove, where he lived until his death, which was in August of 1852. It was in May that Kellogg and Reed settled here. In June of the same year, Messrs. Bush and Brooky, from Kent cky, settled on the farm which is now owned by D. B. Moffat on the north side of the grove.
In those early days a road or track through the country was quite as impor- tant as the railroad is now-indeed they were far more scarce; so, the road from Peoria to Galena became well-known, and settlers took up their abode at For- venient places along its line. In 1: 31, there was a settler at LaSalle prorie, about fifteen miles north of Peorin. Johnt Bovd lived about twenty miles ab : La Salle Prairie, at what is now kn. . : as Boyd's Grove. A Frenchman, . ose name was Bullbony, lived about ght ed miles farther north. Henry Thon. at the head of Bureau Timber, twoh les
from Boyd's Grove. The next ler
was Joseph Smith, who lived .t which was called "Dad Joe's (:) : honor of this carly settler; this is my miles south of Dixon. Dixon i the
in
een
next, then Buffalo Grove. Mr. ne.
who afterwards moved to ('ran: ve.
ack
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Settlements among the Indians-The Black Hawk War -- Indian Treaties-Black Hawk's Pretences.
lived on Rash Creek, and the next set- tler north of Buck Creek was John Win- ters, on Apple River, where Elizabeth now stands. Mr. Winters afterwards mnoved to Buffalo Grove. North of Ap- ple River, towards Galena, there were valy two or three miners' huts. One of these belonged to William Durley, who was afterwards shot by the Indians in Buffalo Grove.
During this time, every settlement in the country had been made in the midst of Indians. The Winnebagoes had not yet left the country, and the Pottawato- mies, who, however, were a smaller tribe, still lived on their old hunting-grounds. They were very peaceable, never even manifesting a disposition to pilfer or per- form any of these little irritating acts which used to be so common with some Indians when they were in a state of pro- fessed peace.
CHAPTER N.
We come now to the Black Hawk War. Black Hawk him.elf was by birth one of the Bac tribe, being born on Rock River in 1717. The territory occupied by the Saus at that time had originally boon the property of the Santeux (a branch of the Chippewa nation) and Towas, and was wrested from them by the Sacs and Foxes, who came from Cana la. By the treaty of 1804, (the provisions of which we have heretofore given, ) these tribos ceded their lands to the United States. This treaty was confirmed at Partage des Sioux, September 13th, 1815,
by that portion of the tribes that had re- mained at peace with the United States during the war of 1812 The hostile part of the tribe (except Black Hawk and a few disaffected braves whom he called around him, all of whom professed to be British subjects, and went to Canada, where they received presents, ) confirmed the latter treaty in the following year. Still further confirmation was given by another treaty made "with the chiefs, warriors and head men of the Sae and Fox tribes," at Fort Armstrong, (Rock Island, ) on the 3d of September, 1822, in which the treaty of 1804 is referred to and ratified. On the 4th of August, 7824, a treaty was made at Washington, by which the Indians sold all their title to the northern portion of Missouri, from the Mississippi to the western boundary of the State, and the United States grant- ed the strip of country between the Mis- sissippi and Des Moines Rivers to certain half breeds of the nation, and on all the lands they had claimed south and east of the line, they were not to be permitted to settle or hunt after January Ist. 1826.
Black Hawk claimed that the chiefs who made the treaty of 1804 were made drunk while in St. Louis, ( whither they had gone to procure the release of some of their nation who were in prison for murder, ) and while intoxicated, they were induced to sell the lands of the tribe. Under this pretence that the treaty was void, he resisted the order for the remov- al of his tribe beyond the Mississippi. In the spring of 1831, Black Hawk and his party returned to their former principal village, to establish themselves ou their
1
37
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
The Indians return to the Rock River Country-Driven Out-Treaty with Black Hawk-Ils Obligations violated.
ancient hunting grounds, and found that the government had surveyed and sold the land to settlers. He was accom- panied in this expedition by some of the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos, and some three hundred warriors of the British band. The squaws procceded to plant their corn as usual, which so annoyed the whites that they plowed up the land that had been planted. The Indians retalia- ted with annoyances which led the set- tlers to appeal to Gov. Reynolds for pro- tection. The Governor construed Black Hawk's expedition into an invasion of the country, and forthwith wrote to Gen. Gaines of the United States Army, and to Gen. Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, requesting them to do all they could to procure the peaceful removal of the Indians, but at all events to protect the settlers who had purchased lands. Gen. Gaines im mediately repaired to Rock Island with a few companies of soldiers. Finding that the Indians were determined upon war, he called upon Governor Rey- nolds for seven hundred mounted volun- teers. The Governor made a call upon some of the northern and central coun- ties, and fifteen hundred volunteers ral- lied at Beardstown, and about the 10th of June were ready to march. On the 25th of the same month, the entire force reached Rock River, and the next day, when Gen. Gaines and his force entered the village, they found it deserted, the Indians having crossed the Mississippi the same morning. By the threats of Gen. Gaines to pursue them across the river, Black Hawk and the chiefs and braves of the band were led to sue for
peace; and a treaty was here formed by which the band agreed to remain forever after on the west side of the river. unless permitted by the President or Governor to cross it. Thus Black Ilawk and his party ratified the treaty of 1894, by which this region of country was sold to the whites.
Notwithstanding his treaty obligations, Black Hawk made his appearance in the Rock River country, in April, 1832, and prepared for war. He hoped to make the Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies his al- les in this expedition against the whites ; but in this he was disappointed. He reached the mouth of Rock River, and pro- ceeded to ascend towards Prophetstown. the home of their prophet, Wabokieshiek, or "The White Cloud." The Indians were soon overtaken by an express from Gen. Atkinson, then at Fort Armstrong, ordering them to return to their homes on the west side of the Mississippi; but they paid no attention to these orders, and the party pressed on. Governor Reynolds, on learning of this new inva- sion, made another call for volunteers, which was responded to at Beardstown by about eighteen hundred men. The whole brigade was put under the com- mand of Major General Sammel White- side, of the State militia. The first regi- ment was commanded by Col. Dewitt, the second by Col. Fry, the third by Col. Thomas, the fourth by Col. Thompson, and the spy battalion by Col. James D. Henry.
On the 21st of April, the army com !- menced its march, accompanied by Gov. Reynolds. On their arrival at the mouth
38
HISTORY OF OGLE COUNTY.
Movements of the Troop-Ballle of Stillman's Run -Council of War-Removal of the Settlers.
of Rock River, Generals Whiteside and Atkinson agreed that the volunteers should march up the river to Prophets- town, and there await the arrival of the regular troops. Instead of waiting at that place. the men set fire to the village and marched to Dixon, where they came to a halt, and found two battalions of 275 mounted volunteers from the coun- ties of McLean, Tazewell, Peoria and Ful- ton, under Majors Stillman and Bailey. As these officers begged to be put forward upon some dangerous service, they were sent up the river to spy out the Indians. Major Stillman left the main body of the army on the 12th of May, and on the 14th came to "Old Man's Run," now "Stillman's Ran," a small stream which rises in White Rock Grove, in this county, and empties into Rock River near Byron. He encamped here just before night, and in a short time a party of Indians on horseback were discovered. Some of the party, without orders, mounted their horses and started in pursuit. They were joined by others. The Indians fled, but were overtaken, and three of them .lain. Black Hawk and his main force chanced to be near by, and they soon ral- lied to the number of seven hundred men, and turned the pursuing volun- teers back upon their own camp. The latter broke through the camp at full speel, throwing the entire force into con- fusion, spreading terror and dismay among the rest of the men, so that Major Still- man was unable to rally them. A re- treat was commenced, and the whites scattered, straggling along in parties of f.ur and five, until they reached Dixon.
Eleven of Stillman's men were killed, and under the circumstances we may well be astonished that the number was not greater.
The greatest consternation prevailed among the white settlements when the accounts of this action reached them. The reports, of course, greatly magnified the extent of the disaster, and made matters appear much worse than they really were. The settlers began to build forts and make preparations to defend themselves. Some families in the vicini- ty of the Indian camping ground were massaered before they could reach the forts.
In the night, after the arrival of Still- man's party at Dixon, General Whiteside called a council of war at his tent, at which it was agreed to march in the morning to the scene of the disaster. It was found that there were no provisions in the camp, except in the messes of some few of the men. Cattle and hogs, however, were obtained of Mr. John Dix- on, who was the only white inhabitant on Rock River, so that in the morning the army were supplied with fresh beef, which they ate without bread. On their arrival at Stillman's Run, the volunteers found that the Indians were gone.
Intelligence of this engagement was immediately brought to Buffalo Grove, and the three families living there left for other places on the 15th-Mr. Samuel Reed's family going to Dixon, and An- keney's and Chambers' (the latter living at Chambers' Grove,) going to Apple River Fort, now Elizabeth, while Mr. Kellogg's family went south.
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