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Gc 977.601 W11h 1142762
MIL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01080 7680
WAH-PA-SHA CHIEF OF SIOUX
HISTORY
OF
WABASHA COUNTY,
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL MATTER, STATISTICS, ETC.
GATHERED FROM MATTER FURNISHED BY INTERVIEWS WITH OLD SETTLERS, COUNTY, TOWNSHIP AND OTHER RECORDS, AND EXTRACTS FROM FILES OF PAPERS, PAMPHLETS, AND SUCH OTHER SOURCES AS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.
ALSO A
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
CHICAGO: H. H. HILL & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. 1884.
SHEPARD & JOHNSTON
: : PRINTERS
140.6 Monroe St., Chicago
1142762
PREFACE.
IN presenting the history of the County of Wabasha to the public, the editors and publishers have had in view the preserva- tion of certain valuable historieal faets and a vast fund of infor- mation which without concentrated effort could never have been obtained, but, with the passing away of the old pioneers, the failure of memory, and the loss of publie records and private diaries, would soon have been lost. This locality. being com- paratively new, we flatter ourselves that, with the zeal and industry displayed by our general and local historians, we have succeeded in rescuing from the fading years almost every scrap of history worthy of preservation. Doubtless the work is, in some respects, imperfeet ; we do not present it as a model liter- ary effort, but in that which goes to make up a valuable book of reference for the present reader and future historian, we assure our patrons that neither money nor pains have been spared in the accomplishment of the work. Perhaps some errors will be found. With treacherous memories, personal, political and seetarian prejudices and preferences to contend against, it would be almost a miracle if no mistakes were made. We hope that even these defeets, which may be found to exist, may be made available in so far as they may provoke discussion and eall attention to eor- rections and additions necessary to perfect history. The main part of the work has been done by Messrs. Dr. L. H. Bunnell, Dr. J. M. Cole, Hon. O. M. Lord, Prof. C. A. Morey. Gen. C. H. Berry, Hon. W. H. Hill, P. G. Hubbell, W. S. Messmer, Mrs. H. K.
.
4
PREFACE.
Arnold, Hon. S. L. Campbell, Dr. Wmn. Lincoln, J. N. Murdoch, M. C. Russell, J. A. Ellis, E. Mathews, Wm. F. Bigelow, A. J. A. Pollock and Francis Talbot, and we believe that no corps of writers could have been found who could have done the subject more ample justice. We wish in an especial manner to acknow- ledge our obligations to Mr. Francis Talbot, who has been untiring and ever-vigilant in his efforts to make this work a credit to Wabasha county. For many years he has been gathering the facts which constitute a very large part of this work, and when they were needed for the enterprise he generously donated them to the publishers and their agents for this use.
The biographical department contains the names and private sketches of nearly every person of importance in the county. A few persons, whose sketches we would be pleased to have pre- sented, for various reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired information, and in this matter only we feel that our work is incomplete. However, in most of such cases we have obtained, in regard to the most important persons, somc items, and have woven them into the county or township sketches, so that, as we believe, we cannot be accused of negligence, partiality or prejudice.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
WAH-PA-SHA Frontispiece JOSEPH BUISSON. 560
WM. L. LINCOLN 705
LAKE PEPIN 825
OLIVER CRATTE
881
RESIDENCE OF L. GINTHNER.
948
LUCAS KUEHN
958
S. L. CAMPBELL
1023
J. G. CHAPMAN (Steamer)
1028
HIRSCHY HALL 1059
FRANCIS TALBOT 1103
GRAIN ELEVATOR, WABASHA 1107 ST. FELIX CHURCH 1143
D. L. PHILLEY 1153
M. C. RUSSELL 1202
LAKE CITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 1229
GEORGE PATTON 1247
INDEX.
PAGE
PAGE
Aboriginal .
561
Boutelle, Charles M. 1049
Adams, J. C .. 1155
Adams, W. T
1300
Bowen, Theodore. 1308 Brandt, Philemon 1185
Affeld, L. & J.
1110
Brant, Henry C 1060
Akers, George
1050
A Loyal Indian.
1270
Bright, A. H. 1122
Alexander, Ewin
999
Brown, Parley 1111
Amerland, G. H.
942
Brooks, D. W 1289
Amerland, Herman
980
Bryant, J. W 1299
Amsbry, William H.
1006
Buckman, John. 1169
Anderson, A. J.
1145
Buisson, Cyprian 937
Anderson, W. H. 1144
Buisson, Henry
937
Anding, Fred. 1056
Buisson, Joseph .
936
Angell, William D. 1132
Bullock, Richard 1105
Appel, L. W. 1150
Army . 670
Burdett, Frank A 1100
Burdick, F. H. 1213
Arnold, James.
1034
Arnold, Charles A 1137
Arnold, W. J
980
Asher, John. 1227
A Survivor of Bad Axe
1271
Bailey, Andrew
1050
Bailey, George.
950
Baldwin, M. A
1153
Baldwin, Jeremiah
1116
Banking . .668,
723
Bartholome, Nicholas
1111
Bartron, G. R. 1208
Carlson, Oliver. 1165
Carpenter, George W. 967
Carpenter, Russell W. 993
Carruth, O. P 1062
Carroll, R. C 1164
Carson, Marcus 1077
1237
Casper, Anthony
1214
Befort, William 1158
Belden, Ira W.
1138
Bell, S. H .
1237
Benson, G. F. 1175
Bench aud Bar 692
Black, Elam.
1135
Black, William W 1135
Black, Ralph W 1136
Boatman, William 963
Bolton, T. J .. 1304
Boughton, Benjamin. 1047
Boughton, Orrin E. 1046
Boutelle, Charles H. 1049
Chinberg, Ole 1197
Churches 621,
736, 749, 757, 767, 783, 844, 794
Clark, William . 1280
Clear, J. H . 1207
Cleaveland, William Lord.
967
Clemens, Peter
1084
1295
Butts, James J.
1024
Cain, David
1039
Calhoun, Lawrence
1296
Campbell, S. L.
977
Campbell, W. H
1074
Card, E. M.
1174
Barnes, Amos. 1105
Bartlett, J. C. 1101
Basey, Augustus . 1121
Baumgarten, Henry 1153
Baustert, Matthias 1032
Baxter, William S 1103
Beaty, J. J. 969
Caswell, Cyrus L.
957
Caswell, Joseph .
956
Chalmers, Gabriel 1220
Chapman, R. W. 1305
Charley, Augustus 1054
Chester Township 744
Anderson, John.
1161
Building and Loan Association .. 721
Burchard, Rodman 991
Arendt, Philip. 1163
Burkhardt, Henry 1087
Burman, N. P. 1241
Burnham, George H. 1017
Burnham, John W 1015
Bush, Jacob
Cassidy, W. W.
Bricher, John. 957
8
INDEX.
Cliff, Addin Johnson 1035
1036
Cliff, Joseph
988
Clifford.
1078
Colby, Charles M
Eichenberger, Rudolph
88
Collier, F. J.
Emery, C. C ..
1127
Collier, O. F.
Emery, James H.
1231
Conrad, Frank
Emery, S. M.
1240
Conrad, Panl
1188
Cook, Elnathan
998
Cook, Garret A
1159
Cornwell, E. R.
1129
Cornwell, Chauncey C.
1172
Cornwell, F. J. .
1166
Corp, Sidney 1094
Favrow, J. E.
1221
Crane, Charles Elwood
1132
Crane, Ira .
1208
Crary, C. W.
937
Cratte, David.
937
1203
Finch, C. E.
1203
Finch, Clarence E.
1182
Cutter, Isaac J.
901
Cyclone
1290
Dady, Jerry
Dady, M. U 1291
1010
Dale, Daniel.
1010
Dale, John
1011
Dale, Levi A.
1010
Dale, Jacob.
1206
Damoude, R. R
1048
Darcy, John
1242
Forrest, Charles
1194
Davis, Robert H
962
Davis, William.
1108
Davison, Daniel
1023
Fowler, Edward P. C. 1020
1049
Fox, Ansel T.
1246
Fox, Aaron.
1022
Franklin, George B
1148
Freiheit, F.
1148
Dickman, P. G. 966
French, J. M.
1086
Fricke, Julius
999
Frye, Henry
1244
Gage, John.
1030
1079
Disney, John
1014
Doane, Robert 1014
990
Doughty, A. B
1231
Doughty, J. C.
958
Doughty, Sammel
996
Drinkwalter, R. W.
1027
Drury, M. E .
1053
Duffus, William
1044
Dugan, F.J.
954
Duncan, George.
943
Dwelle, Abner
944
Dwelle, T. L.
1061
Ginthner, L.
948
Early, Charles
Early Religious Impression 1279
Early Settlers 1021
579
Early Times.
Edholm, A. E. 1189
1029
1080
Colby, Loyal D
964
Elgin 1193
Enright, J. C. 1038
Estes, David Corbin. 973
Evans, J. H ...
1034
Everett, George C.
1298
Farrar, George.
882
Fatalities . 871.
1294
Corwin, Daniel C.
1153
Feller, Ezra
1303
Feller, W. H.
1227
Ferris, F.
1098
Felton, A. J.
997
Cratte, Oliver
1006
Cronin, David
966
Finchi, J. B.
831
Fires. ..
1005
Fletcher, John.
1005
Fletcher, Lorin J
1185
Florer, Bruce.
947
Ford, E. L.
946
Ford, Joseph
9-45
Ford, Orville D.
1090
Foreman, William
1066
Davis, J. P 962
Foss, R. H. 992
Foster, Alonzo P.
1026
Foster, Scott A. .
1083
Dawley, C. G
Day, W. W. 961
1294
De Camp, Ira.
1293
De Camp, Lewis.
609
Description
1104
Dean, W. W
Freiheit, L.
1183
Dickerman, Dorr
1109
Dieterle, Herman
1022
Dietrich, Joseph
Disney, W. J 1024
Gardiner, John
1289
Gardam, William.
Gates, Stephen K. 1165
Gaylord, Albert K 1018
Gaylord, S. H. 1031
1157
Gearey, H. R.
1124
Gengnagle, Jacob
1152
Gibbs, Oliver
Gibson, Peter 1116
Gill, William 976
Gillett, Harrison. 1004
792
Gillford Township
1301
Gilman, H. W.
Doane, S. H. .
1302
Fowler, Andrew J.
Fifield, Ira A
965
1167
1167
9
INDEX.
Glasgow Township. 762
Goodenough, J. R. 1235
Good Running. 1274
Jackson, William S. 979
Gold Mining 742
Jacobs, William J. 1038
Jacoby, M . 1193
Janti, William 1097
Jellison. T. S.
1212
Gray, James.
1111
Gray, Robert R.
1128
Greenfield Township.
877
Greer, A. J. .
1176
Jewell & Schmidt.
1125
Gregoire, J. B.
1173
Gregg, L. M ..
978
Johnson, William A
1099
Grove, M. A.
1168
Johnson, S. J.
1180
Judd, George Washington
960
Kellogg ..
484
Kemp, MI. O 1169
Kennedy, John
1238
Hall, Chester
1192
Hall, George R
1050
Hall, Hugh
1142
Hall, Robert.
996
Hall, Samuel.
1103
Hall, Peter
1215
Hall, G. W
1283
Hallaway, Henry
1189
Kinney, Wesley 1091
Knights of Honor. 719
Hancock. G. F.
1309
Hardy, W. L .
1163
Harrison, James M
997
Hart, Michael
1170
Hassinger, J. C
1153
Hazlett, Silas
1070
Heath, Alpheus W
1045
Heath, Henry C
1046
Hebbeln, George.
1114
Helt, W. A
1064
Henry, James 1030
La Rue, Charles
1112
Herman, C. E. 1211
1058
Herschy, Samnel 1059
Lawrence, Benjamin 949
Lawson, Herman 1043
Lee, Van R.
1113
Lead Mining 1273
Legend. 596
Ley, Joseph 1238
Leininger, B, F
1181
Lenhart, Lewis Y
1037
Lewis, John H.
1058
Lifrige, Nicholas. 1183
Lincoln, W. L. 1029
Link, Jolın. 970
Lont, Elijah 955
Lont, O. S. 986
Loncks, F. C. 1214
Low, Q. A. 1188
Lowe, C. C. 1311
Luger, Manufacturing Co. 1088
Lunge, Fritz 1314
Mack, J. R.
1033
Maiden Rock.
.571, 825, 711
1107
Highland Township. 913
Hinckley, C. E. 1205
Hibner, George 1118
Hobbs, W. H.
1174
Hopkins. W. H
1180
Hopkins, E. F 1281
Hornbogen, Charles 981
Horner, J. W 1229
Hostetter, M. S. 1186
Howe, George. 1099
Howard, L. M. 1160
Howat, James 1055
Howat, John 1056
Hubbard, Clarence A 1128
Humphrey, Ira J. 1095
Humphrey, Marcus A. 1078
Hyde Park Township 952
Hyde, John E. 952
Ingalls, D. H. 1246
Ingalls, Wm. H. 1247
Ingraham, Marcus Morton 1100
Irish war. 1271
Graham, Duncan 935
Grannis, George H. 1129
Gray, Alexander
1110
Jenks, T. T. 1290
Jerry, Francis. 950
Jewell, P. A. 1291
Johns, Martin .
1234
Guptil, E. B .. 1187
Haessig, Jacob 1127
Hahn, W. J 1311
Kennedy, M
973
Kepler, S. S. 1086
Killiam, T. B 1228
Kimble, James L 959
Kinsella, Matthew 968
Kinney, Alvin. 970
Kinney, Lucius 1092
Hammons, Joseph
1019
Knapp, Francis W 1090
Konnig, Clements 1124
Kopp, Jacob. 1118
Kuehn, Lucas.
963
Lake City
816
Lake Pepin 823
Lakey, J. H.
1216
Landon & Burchard. 1083
Landon, Charles O. 1096
Langer, Fred
1181
La Rue, George S Laurence, J. G.
1102
Herschy & Son
Guernsey. Alonzo T. 1071
10
INDEX.
Maire, Theodore. 1033
O'Brien, John 1068
O'Brien, Richard. 1310
Martin, Henry. 1054
Odd-Fellows ... 718, 789, 864, 1259
Martin, John A. 1011
Odink, M. A. . 1181
One of the Earliest 1272
Martin, J. M.
1176
Marshall, Andrew.
1130
Marshall, Joseph W
1025
Paradis, E. A.
1224
Parkinson. William ..
1170
Patton, E. A.
1001
Mathews, Augustus
1139
Mathews, Lewis B.
1140
Patton, G. R. 1002
Pauselim 884
Maxwell, R. F. 1020
Pehl, C. A. 1192
Mazeppa Township
726
Pencille, Orrin
951
McArthur, W. S. 1110
Pepin Brewery 1117
McBride, John. 1093
Pepin Township 647
McCarty, S. L. 995
Perkins, Elisha 1156
McCarthy, Patrick 1282
Perkins, W. E.
1007
McCrackin, William 944
Philley, D. L.
1134
McDonald, John. 1293
McDonough, Patrick 1009
Picket, Benjamin
993
McDonough, Patrick 1281
Pierce, Anson
1073
McDonough, Miles. 1282
Piers, W. S
981
McDonough, Thomas 1051
Pioneers
935
McGovern, J. T I224
Pioneer Materials.
1278
McInnery, P. M. 958
Plainview
920
McKinney, Wm
1247
Plainview Township 1251
Mckenzie, D. M. 1087
Pnetz, Peter. 1239
McMillin, James 1145
McMillin. 1146
McNallan, Walter 1040
1031
Megers, John.
1137
Medical Fraternity
700
Megroth, T. H.
1067
Messer, H. F.
1184
Metzgar, Daniel.
1065
Milligan, F. H.
940
Minneiska
931
Moon, Nelson
1122
Morey, C. A
1240
Morey, Royal . 1249
Mount Pleasant
752
Mullen, J. H.
1148
Ray, J. W. 1177
Munger, O. B. 1223
1115
Murdoch, J. N.
975
Murray, W. R
1206
Murray, E. B.
945
Reiland, John
1169
Murray, P. B.
1227
Musty, Peter
1215-
Myer, Joseph 1056
Myers, A. J . 1221
Nash, Edward 1052
Robinson, John
1041
Nelson, Oliver. 942
Robinson, Samuel.
1060
Newspapers. 741,
925
Roff, Henry
1063
Norton, A. B. W. 984
Rogers, C. F 1278
Norton, A. B. W 1279
Rogers, James F
1112
Oakwood Township
767
Rollins, E. T. 1297
1075
Powers, Lawrence 1151
Preble, T. J. 1013
Press of Wabasha County 925
Price, George W 970
Pryor, Leonard 1046
Quigley, C. F
1244
Quigley, M. H.
1943
Quigley, Michael
1243
Quigley, Philip 1211
Radebaugh, Namon 1036
Radebaugh, Samuel 1036
Rahilly, P. H. 1286
Raymond, Enos B. 1061
Read, Charles R. 938
Read's Landing. 657
Reding, Peter 1203
Reusch, W. E 1220
Richards, F. S 939
Richardson, James G. 1131
Robbins, Joseph Parker. 1025
597
Organization of Wabasha County Oswald, H.
1223
Masonic .. 859, 897, 1259
Mateer, Thomas 1022
Patton, George 1000
Maxwell, G. 947
Phillips, G. D. 1167
Polson, Emric 1150
Poorhouse 707
Porter, Elijah 1313
Meachum, F. L
Pope, John F.
Miller, J. B.
1021
Munro, James
Majerus, N. J. 1138
Martin, J. P. 1155
11
INDEX.
Rose, J. F 1241
Sullivan, Florence 1218
Rose, J. G .1212
Sumner, H. S. .: 1247
Rueckert, F. W. 1186
Sylvester, G. W. 1008
Russell, M. C. 1195
Taber, M. E .. 1182
Ryan, P. F. 1293
Taft, Andrew J. 1084
Safford, John L. 1089
Talbot, Francis
940
Sandford, G. D.
994
Tefft, N. S. . 982
Sandford, J. H. 668
Tenney, G. W. 1042
Schad, John. 1055
Tenney, Jacob. 1041
Schilling, Peter 1240
Schmitz, John
1026
Terrell, Henry K. 1037
Schmidt, John.
1119
Thompson, Thomas A. 985
Schmidt, Henry
1126
Thorp, Lymon E. 1008
Schmidt, J. C. 1079
Schermuly, John 1171
Tracy, Lawrence. 1014
Traditional 570
Schram, M. 1217
Treaties . 589
Trobec, James. 1143
Troutman, Ludwig 982
Seeley, Ira O
1274
Tryon, Charles F. 1043
Seeley, F. W.
1275
Umbreit, Christian 1104
Underwood, J. M 1230
1219
Van Vleit, L. S. 1232
Vilas, C. D. . 1288
Sibley, C. H
1157
Wabasha and Vicinity 621
Wabasha Foundry . 1162
Wadleigh, T. J 1191
Wagner, J. P. 1226
1117
Simons, Henry
1185
Skillman, Evander
1151
Walker, David
1228
Slocum, Fitz Gerald. 1106
Walker, J. S.
1277
Smith, A. E.
1217
Walton, W. S.
1189
Smith, M. D.
1218
Warring. William H
1085
Smith, C. W
1093
Waskey, Alexander
955
Smith, H. L.
1180
Waskey, William
955
Smith, H. N.
1043
Waste, J. P.
1225
Smith, N. B.
1063
Watopa Township
1261
Smith, O. N
1179
Weaver
1266
Smith, S. G. 1292
Wear, Joh
1248
Societies. 711, 758, 785,
859
Wedge, Henry D.
1141
Southworth, A. D
1171
Wahrenberg, John H.
999
Springer, John
1149
Stauff, C. C
989
Stauff, C. J.
941
Welcome, W. A.
1144
Stearns, Ernest
974
Wells, Frank A.
1114
Stearns, R. E.
974
West Albany .
777
Stearns, T. P.
1168
Whaley, Uriah
1089
Stevens, H. A
1076
White, C. O.
1307
Stocker, H. D.
1120
White, Robert
1115
Stout, Elijah 1284
White, R. N.
1306
Whitmore, H. J
1044
Stowell, A. D
956
Whitmore, L. H
1142
Stowell, F. A.
956
Wilcox, H. C
972
Stowman, A. W 990
Wilcox, Ozias.
1278
Stratton, George .. 1102
Wildes, A. J.
1236
Strickland, Edward. 1166
Wildes, Ephraim
1236
Strickland, Richard. 1166
Wilson, George 1053
Struble, Stephen. 1159
Willson, H. P. 1276
Stuetzel, Frank. 1191
Winters, F. W 1144
Sibley, J. J. 1012
Sinclair, C. 1081
Sigler, A. V. 1018
Sioux Half-breed Tract. 1255
Wahler, Frederick B
Wahpasha ..
1273
Seymour, S. O
984
Shaw, F. W. 949
Van Buren, A. D
Sheldon, J. B 1048
Shields, Patrick 1095
1069
Selover, Peter.
Tibbitts, Abner 1291
Townsend, L. 1057
Schools .. . 756, 765, 789, 791, 795, 689
Selover, Alexander 1068
Webster, S. W.
1309
Weimar, J. M.
1226
Stout, G. C. 1285
12
INDEX.
Wise, Charles 1233
Yotta, Jacob. 1140
Witte, William
1161
Young, C. F. & Bro. 1072
Wood, Thomas 1296
Young, Louis. 1119
Woodruff, Henry C.
1052
Young, J. E.
1216
Wording, W. E.
1225
Youngs, Jesse 1012
Wright, Rufus C.
1307
Wright, William.
965
York, E. M.
965
Zumbro Township 759
Zumbro Township Societies 1267
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL HISTORY.
A HISTORY of the first settlement of Winona county, and es- pecially that of the city of Winona, requires that some notice be given to the Indian tribes that have occupied the territory in which it lies, and of that adjacent, and also that some notice be given to the early efforts of missionaries and explorers to christianize and render the savages obedient to the wants of commerce and of French or English ascendancy. The fur trade was the most important ele- ment in the early explorations and settlement of the Northwest, as commerce generally has been in the civilization of the world.
The limited space allowed for this subject admits of but slight mention of the authorities drawn upon, but it is imperative that the aid afforded by the researches of the Smithsonian Institute, of Rev. Edward Duffield Neil, and of Judge George Gale, be acknowl- edged.
Absolutely nothing is known of the origin of the Indians ; neither the mound-builders, nor the more modern tribes ; and the naturalist is led to ponder over the suggestion ascribed to Voltaire, " that possibly, in America, while God was creating different spe- cies of flies, he created various species of men."
Be that as it may, their differentiations in languages and cus- toms, forming different tribes from more original stocks, or sources, have been noticed by writers upon ethnology ; but aside from the knowledge afforded by their various languages and traditions all is doubt and mystery. Their traditions, even, are so blended with superstitions and romances that the most critical judgment is re- quired in giving credit to any portion of them ; the more especially to times and distances that extend beyond the Indian's present capacity to realize. The territory between the lakes and the Missis-
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HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
sippi river seems to have been peculiarly fitted by its topography and natural productions for a grand nursery of savage tribes; and there are evidences still remaining in the languages and traditions of the aboriginal inhabitants of this territory, and in the remains of ancient tumuli, stone and copper implements, to warrant this belief. It is probable, as claimed by tradition, that some tribe of Algonquin origin was in possession of this vast territory, and were dispossessed by confederated Sioux, whom tradition says came from the New Mexican frontier. The Chippewa names for different local- ities, now corrupted, but familiar to us, warrants this belief, if it does not establish the fact. The Sauks and Min-o-min-ees, both of Chippewa origin, say they were the original owners of the whole territory, but they shed no light upon the origin of the mound- builders. Those people may have been drawn to this territory from the far south in search of copper, which to them, probably, was as the gold of California to modern adventurers, and been expelled again by wars, or have voluntarily abandoned their industrious mode of life to become engrafted into the new nations that were springing up around them. Such industrious people would natu- rally become the prey of more warlike tribes, and the more especially so because of their cranial development, indicating a lack of aggress- ive character. In support of the claim to have been the oldest of modern tribes to occupy the territory, the Chippewa race mention the names given by their ancestors to prominent localities. For ex- ample, Michigan, a word of Chippewa origin, is derived from Mich- e-galı-ge-gan, meaning the lake country, or "skye bound waters." Wisconsin is from Gy-osh-kon-sing, the name of its principal river, and means the place of little gulls. Chicago is from Gah-che-gah- gong, a place of skunks. Milwaukee is from Mim-wa-ke, meaning hazel-brush land, equivalent to good land, as upon good land only will this shrub grow. The astringent bark was used as a medicinal remedy, and hence the shrub was known as the good shrub by the Indians.
Galena was known as Ush-ke-co-man-o-day, the lead town ; Prairie-du-Chien as Ke-go-shook-ah-note, meaning where the fish rest, as in winter they are still known to do. St. Anthony's Falls was called Ke-che-ka-be-gong, a great waterfall ; the Mississippi as Michie-see bee, or Miche-gah-see bee, meaning the great or endless river, or, more literally, the river that runs everywhere ; and Lake Superior was known as Ke-che-gun-me, or "the great deep." Only
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ABORIGINAL IIISTORY.
a few Chippewa names have been given, and those simply to show the familiarity of the Chippewas with characteristics of the various localities named by them and now so familiar to us. It may be added that St. Paul, or its site, was known as Ish-ke-bug-ge, or new leaf, because of the early budding out of the foliage below St. An- thony's. It has been a custom of Indian tribes, as with other primi- tive peoples, to name persons and tribes from peculiarities, from resemblances and from localities,
This rule has been followed in naming the separate tribes of the great Algonquin, Iroquois and Dah-ko-tah nations, as well as of those of the Pawnee, Shosh-o-me, Kewis, Yu-mah and Apachee or Atha-pas-can nations. For many years the records of the early Spanish and French explorers were hidden from the researches of modern investigators, but those of Marco-de Nica and of Coronado, have come out at last from their mouldy recesses, and documents that had lain in the archives of France for long years have been copied and published to aid the modern historian. In these records of the early explorers, errors in writing and on maps have been made ; but they are of considerable value to modern research, be- cause of the light they shed upon the explorations of their authors, and upon some Indian traditions concerning them.
The Chippewa name for Lake Winnepec is Win-ne-ba-go-shish- ing, the meaning of which is a place of dirty water. The name Win-ne-ba-go was interpreted to mean "stinking water," and the Indians of the tribe were called by the early French explorers the "Stinkards," under the impression that they had come from a place of stinking water. Lake Winnebago, in Wisconsin, was supposed to be that locality, but it may be observed here that the water of that lake is not, or was not, before the advent of the white people, impure.
Another reason given for the name was, that they had come from the Western sea or ocean, imagined by the first French ex- plorers to exist in the region of the Mississippi river ; and as the Algonquin name Winnebagoec, for salt and stinking water, was the same, except in accent, their name was supposed by some to desig- nate a people from the Western ocean. The traditions and legends still existing among the Winnebagoes render it probable that they once inhabited the territory adjacent to lake Win-ne-ba-go-shish-ing (modernly called Winnepec), and probably long anterior to the occupancy by the Sioux of the Mille-Lac country, as while acknowl-
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HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
erlging their relationship to the Dah-ko-tah nation, they claim a more ancient lineage. Lieut. Pike refers to the statement of an old Chip- pewa that the Sioux once occupied Leach Lake; and Winnebago shishing, or the "Dirty Water lake," is but twenty-five miles dis- tant from Leach Lake.
The Winnebagoes call themselves Ho-chunk-o-rah, meaning " the deep voiced people." The Dah-ko-tahs call them Ho-tau-kah, full or large voiced people, because of their sonorous voices being conspicuously prominent in their dance and war songs. Many words in Winnebago and Sioux are very similar. Wah-tah is the Sioux word for canoe; watch-er-ah, the Winnebago. Shoon-kal is the Sioux word for dog: shoon-ker-ah, is the Winnebago name. No-pah is nine in Sioux ; Nope is the same numeral in Winnebago.
Numerous other examples might be given of resemblances in their respective languages, but these will suffice. The Chippewa language is wonderfully artistic in construction and rich in sugges- tions ; hence we find many of their words accepted by other tribes as classic. Manito-ba, God's land, suggests the idea of a God-given country or Indian paradise. Superior in intellectual capacity to most other tribes, their names seem to have been accepted by others as something better than their own. It is believed by the writer that in this way, probably, the Chippewa name, Winnebago, was given and accepted by the Ho-chunck-o-rah.
The Northeastern Sioux claimed to have owned the Mille Lac country from time immemorial. It seems quite probable that before the "long war," and during some long era of peace. the Winnebagoes may have inhabited the shores of Lake Winnepec, perhaps while the Sioux were at Leech lake. The Kneesteneau, or Chippewas, would have been their neighbors, and from them the Winnebago may have acquired some of the tastes and habits that have so marked his character.
As is still customary with bordering tribes, intermarriages were no doubt of frequent occurrence, and in this way, it is conceivable, that the Dah-ko-tah progenitors of the Winnebagoes may have established themselves among some Chippewa tribes, and their off- spring have been led to accept flag-mat wigwams, deer, fish and water-fowl in lieu of skin tents and buffalo meat. The Sioux language even differs in each band. Probably, soon after the Spanish conquest of Mexico, many of the red rovers of the plains, as their traditions tell, left for more northern climes. The inviting
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