USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
" All the streams within the limits of our county abounded with trout, with the exception of Prairie Creek, the Pine Island branch of the Zumbro, and the Little Cannon. The latter stream has since been stocked, and now affords very fair sport, the run of trout being large.
"I only fished in four of these streams the first two years of my resi- dence here, to-wit, Trout brook. the little stream emptying into Hay Creek near Hawley's Mill, Spring Creek and Bullard's Creek. The first of these, however, being adjacent to town, was where I got my supply for home use. An hour or two in the evening would net me eight or ten pounds of the fish.
" In my various tramps through the country, when I struck a stream
224
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
at a ford or ripple, it was no uncommon thing to see dozens of trout rushing and tumbling over each other in their haste to reach their hiding places in deep water. On Hay Creek I have thus frightened off a shallow ripple more than fifty pounds of the fish at one time, and though I always carry an ample supply of fishing tackle with me, I never wet a line in that stream until 1854. This I consider the greatest instance of self-denial and resistance of temptation on record. I could cite many cases where better men, probably, have signally failed, and where the restraining influence should have been much stronger. The reason why I did not gratify my natural instincts was the opposing one, and true sportsman maxim, never to kill what you cannot make use of ; and, also, I am too great a lover of the gentle art to hasten the extinc- tion, through a mere wantonness, of a creature that has so largely contributed to my pleasure and happiness.
A SPORT-LOVING MINISTER-POWER OF TEMPTATION-FISHING AND PREACHING.
" With your permission I will relate one of these instances, although properly not occurring in the early settling of the county, premising my recital with the explanation that the cause of temptation was a large, beautifully colored specimen of our gamest of all game fish- the trout.
". A party from below, accredited to our fishing club as being 'all right,' arrived here and requested information as to where they could enjoy a couple of weeks' good sporting during the hot month of July. The very paradise of fishing grounds was selected for them, and the next day their camp was pitched on a beautiful spot in Rush River, in the State of Wisconsin. A few rods of open prairie stretched down to the river from the camp, and the small, orchard-like trees surrounding, afforded an inviting shade. In front loomed up steep bluffs, covered with tall timber; back of the camp the ground rose in a succession of plateaus until the general level of the country was attained. Taking it all in all, it was one of the loveliest situations for the purposes of a sportsman's camp, that I ever beheld. An invitation to call and ' break bread' with them was accepted, and in a few days John Webster, Billy B., Sam Stevens, and myself, were on the ' old battle ground,' with rod, reel, line, and various other appliances deemed necessary on such occa- sions. We found our friends enjoying themselves admirably. They had established friendly relations with the neighboring settlers, and could not be better situated. One of the party was a minister of the gospel of the Methodist denomination, a Pennsylvanian by birth, brought up among the mountains of Sinnemahoning, as pure and unsophisticated,
225
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
as regards evil, as the clear mountain brooks of his old native home. From his surroundings in childhood he could not have been less than a keen sportsman and be a man !
" The country in the locality of this camp had been sparsely inhab- ited for a number of years. Young men with young families had settled there, and for a time had not felt the necessity of education or religious instruction. As their families grew up, however, several had expressed a determination to leave on account of their families growing up ignorant in these particulars, and devoid of a knowledge of the amenities and conventionalities of social life. A slight impetus of immigration had raised their drooping spirits, and, by an effort, they had just completed a school house, which, on the Sabbath, they used as a church when a wandering minister traveled that way. This being the situation, word was given out that our reverend sportsman, brother Shaffer, would, with divine permission, give them a discourse on the ensuing Sabbath at such hour as might suit their convenience. Nature had been lavish of gifts to our friend of herculean proportions. He was deep chested, strong limbed, and with a voice as clear as the clarion's notes, combined with the resonance of distant artillery, yet he could modulate it to the murmur of a mountain rill under the controllings of genial influences. His invariable practice, after the evening meal, as the shades of night drew on, was to retire a short distance from the camp, and, I presume, offer up his devotions ; and then broke forth an evening hymn which caused all camp avocations to be suspended. The very birds ceased their songs; the gambolings of the little denizens of the forest and the busy hum of insect life seemed hushed. Naught of earth was heard but the voice of praise and the gentle murmur of the passing stream, in fitting unison. We were not the only auditors. The powerful voice of the singer had penetrated far into the surrounding woods. Hearers had learned when to enjoy the pleasure, and would silently approach the camp without their presence being known, that they might more clearly appreciate the beauty of the song. A religious feeling was aroused, and the hearts of the community were in sympathy with brother Shaffer. On Sunday morning all the inmates of the camp were on the way to the place of meeting, and it appeared that the entire population was in motion. By the roads, footpaths, and through the woods they came, until the house was full, and groups standing on the outside. The speaker gave them a discourse suited to their wants. The grand old woods and the crystal waters came in as blessings which should be thankfully acknowledged in their devotions to God, together with the sustenance and pleasure derived therefrom. The remarks
16
226
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
were appreciated, and I will venture that seed was sown there that time will not smother, nor the germinal principal decay, without bring- ing forth much fruit.
" After the sermon all the fishing party returned to camp, with the exception of our clerical friend, who was requested to stay and conduct the exercises of class and Sunday school. In course of the afternoon Webster and myself took a stroll on the hillside back of our camp. The river running a few yards from the path, at the base of the hill, was plainly visible in the interval between the trees. The pools of water were as calm as the sleep of the infant. The quieting influence of the day appeared to have affected the inmates of the waters, and their usually lively demonstrations were sobered down to a gentle motion of their fins to keep them in suspension in their liquid element. A cosy shelf on the hillside invited a rest, and we sat down to enjoy the scene. Anon a ripple in the stream attracted attention. 'Twas not larger than that caused by the fall of a drop of rain. Nothing was said, but my eyes were riveted to the spot. 'Twas repeated, and in the same place. I saw that I should fall into temptation, to avoid which I rose and ingloriously fled. What Webster saw, I know not, but when he returned to camp his eyes had a prominence and convexity that indicated hav- ing . seen sights,' and his manner, that of a high state of nervous excitement. I said he returned. He did, but he disappeared again, in a state of mind that caused serious apprehensions in his friends. In a short time Shaffer arrived, and selecting a turfy, shady spot, threw himself prone on the ground, discoursing pleasantly of the happiness he felt in having been allowed to minister to the wants of a people so much in need of gospel teaching and so willing to receive it. I heard him, and cordially was with him in spirit, but my eyes were on the path, over the shingle, and up the river, where our absent friend evi- dently had gone. After a time my apprehensions were almost quieted in regard to Webster, and I was watching the countenance of the speaker as it swayed under the varied emotions called up by the incidents of the day, when a noise startled me. Turning round, I saw Webster approach- ing a few yards away, evidently in a more easy state of mind. On he came, and I was hopeful that none of the proprieties of the day or occa- sion had been violated, but when within ten feet of me he suddenly extended his right arm, softly exclaiming, "Look there" I sprang to my feet and beheld the very incarnation of earthly beauty, his colors unfaded, and the light of life still in his eye. My exclamation brought brother Shaffer to a sitting posture. His eyes had an imperfect vision, and he sternly exclaimed, 'Oh, you wicked, wicked man.' Webster
227
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
skillfully displayed the full-length broadside to view. Brother Shaffer was on his feet in a twinkling, fondling the fish, and the words, "Oh! isn't he a beauty!". burst involuntarily from his lips, his admiration obliterating all thought of the crime. A rebuke was now powerless, as he himself, by his involuntary exclamation and action, was not above temptation, but in fact had participated in the fault.
" The human countenance, as the reflex mirror of impressions on the mental organization, is a pleasing and instructive study, from the very inception of stimuli on the infant brain up to its maximum in mature manhood, thence following on the waning scale of life to those changes which shadow forth the coming of second childhood. Friend S.'s phys- iognomy for a brief season, well repaid study and analyzation. First were traces of sorrow and rebuke, then surprise and wonder, followed quickly by signs of extravagant admiration, thence down the grade to shame and humiliation. The thought waves were electrical in velocity -each ripple expressing a sentiment or emotion, which the most rapid symbolism could not trace on paper. A single character would have to represent the emotional name; to elucidate it would require pages, yet it was plainly written, and in as legible characters as though carved in ' monumental marble.' With a sigh he subsided into his former position, realizing, doubtless, the weakness and imperfection of human nature, and that even the best of men are as ' prone to do evil as the sparks are to fly upward.'
" I think all those who saw that little episode will never forget it. It was one of those incidents that language cannot communicate or the artist's pencil portray-the finer features of the picture would be inev- itably lost. My thoughts called up Uncle Toby's violation of the third commandment, in his anxiety to relieve the poor lieutenant, and I would adopt the author's views as to criminality in the case, with a very slight alteration : 'The accusing spirit which flew up to Heaven's chan- cery with the fault, blushed as he gave it in ; and the recording angel, as he wrote it down, dropped a tear upon the word, and blotted it out forever.'
" In the fall of 1852, having a fishing-seine in our possession, we organized a fishing party, and built the necessary craft for running a fishery. We began this enterprise for the purpose of supplying our own wants. Meeting with great success, and having nothing else to do, salt and barrels were procured, and in a short time we supplied St. Paul with forty barrels of good fish, at the remarkably low price of $6 per barrel. Our fishing ground was the ' Bay,' in front of Cogel's mill, and a lake on the Wisconsin shore, about a mile above Bay City. Large
228
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
quantities were caught, of all the kinds inhabiting the river, but we only preserved the best fish, rejecting pike, pickerel, bass, sturgeon, dog-fish, sheep-head and gars, while the rich, fat and luscious cat, buffalo, and carp, were carefully cleaned and salted, well repaying us for our labor. At one haul of our seine, in the lake above referred to, we took out over eight barrels of fish, when cleaned and packed, besides an innumerable quantity of the ' baser sort,' as before indicated.
"These remarks may provoke satirical comments from the members of a certain 'fishing ring,' who think that the mantle of old Izaak Walton has fallen on them individually, and that their palates and peculiar notions should form the standard of true sport and gustatory excellence. But to these I would say, we only wanted such fish as would repay us in nutriment and feed for the animal economy, when the mercury ranged from zero to forty below. This was supplied by our selection, some of the fish yielding over a pint of good oil. Pike, pickerel, bass and trout, as salt-fish, are about as nutrient as floating island, puffs, pastry and gimcracks, and all are measurably worthless as food to strong, hearty, working men.
LOCAL INDIAN CELEBRITIES.
" A short description of three or four of the Indian celebrities of the village may not be out of place. I will commence with ' Wacoota '- literally the " Shooter "-chief of the band. This man stood about six feet in his moccasins, was well proportioned, and I judge about sixty- five years of age, when I knew him. He was the most intelligent man in the band, with the exception of Wa-kon-toppy. He was friendly to the whites, and much disposed to adopt the habits and customs of civilized life, and consequently without much authority among the restless young men of the village. His schemes for promoting the well-being of his people were thwarted by Mahpiya-maza, or Iron Cloud, second in rank, but first in real power. This latter personage was a crafty, intriguing politician, favoring all the raiding propensities of the young men, stimulating opposition to any advancement in civilization ; begging when it would accomplish his object; threatening when he thought he had the power to do injury-a base, bad man, and a thorough savage, whom no kindness could bind in the bonds of friendship, nor reason influence to adopt views salutary to the welfare of his band. His only redeeming trait of character was his advocacy of the cause of temperance. His death, in the latter part of the summer of 1852, freed the whites of the annoyance of his presence and counsels.
" Being indisposed with symptoms indicating cholera, which was then
229
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
prevalent along the river, he called at Mr. Potter's trading house, and espying a demijohn, he asked if it contained Minnie-wakon, whisky. Mr. P. told him it did not, that it was cha-han-pi-tik-ti-cha, molasses or tree sap. The old fellow immediately asked for a donation, but was informed that it belonged to Paska, as Mr. E. C. Stevens was called by the Sioux. Iron Cloud then left on the hunt of Mr. Stevens, first stop- ping at his own tepee and getting a good-sized coffee pot, as though sure of his object. After finding Mr. Stevens he succeeded in getting the molasses. In a day or two this medicine was disposed of, but the patient was not much benefitted by its use, and importunate for more. Mr. Stevens came to me and inquired what would be the result in my opinion if old Mahpiya repeated the dose. My reply was that it would ' kill him as dead as Julius Caesar.' But importunity finally obtained the coveted sweets, and in a few hours a messenger arrived from a lodge in the Indian cornfield, about where Mr. Towne's house now is, who told me that Iron Cloud was very sick and wanted to see me. I accompanied him, and on entering the tent found it occupied by the sick man, stretched on a robe. His wife, had, ranged in a semi-circle, six of the most popular medicine men, dressed in very unprofessional costume, or rather in undress, for the united apparel of the whole conclave would not have afforded material enough for a pair of leggins. The doctors looked very sullen at my intrusion, but the patient told me they had done him no good, and wanted me to do what I could for him. Upon examination I found him past all remedies, and left. In an hour a wail told of the departure of Maphiya-Maza to the happy hunting ground in the Indian spirit world.
" T'maza-washta, or Good Iron, was the next man of importance in the village. Taller than Wacoota, always smiling, a rebuff never ruffled his equanimity. A friend to both the Wacoota and Iron Cloud factions, he successfully performed the difficult feat of carrying water on both shoulders. On the death of the second chief, Good Iron was excessively . amiable, making feasts, and otherwise doing those things which we in civilized life see so frequently performed by aspiring men thirsting for political distinction. 'The old fellow being so good-natured, I frequently gave more heed to his requests than was proper or necessary, and he reached the conclusion that he had only to ask and he would receive the favor. He wanted to be second chief. A delegation of Indians from Wabasha stopped at our village, and Good Iron concluded a big feast would bring him the desired elevation. I had a fat cow and a good one, and an equally fat dog, but in no other particular did the dog resemble the cow. Now these two animals, in old T'maza's estimation
230
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
would just about furnish the necessary amount of influence to place him in possession of the object of his aspirations. Accordingly, all smiles, he prefered his request, and, of course, was refused. He was a little crestfallen at first, but he soon laughed, and said: 'My friend, you always gave me what I asked for. Now, when I have friends come to see me, and I want to feast them, you refuse me your cow and your dog. It is not good.' I couldn't see the logic. The old beggar got to be second chief, however.
" Maca-tiniza, (Standing Earth,) more generally known among the whites as the ' Old Scolder,' was a regular old masculine termagant. Nothing suited him. His only luxury was grumbling, and he enjoyed that to an unlimited extent. He was, however, a strict Good Templar, and not a bad Indian ; but his unfortunate peculiarity rendered him anything but a favorite among his own people. He attended church frequently and behaved very well, except on one occasion. I had made Wacoota a one-horse train or sled the first winter of my residence here. The 'Scolder' knew this, and one Sabbath, when we were all at church and Mr. Hancock in the midst of his discourse, the old man and his wife entered. Giving a succession of grunts, he said: 'I have come to church to learn to be good, and may be the Good Spirit will smile on me, so that Pezuta-wichasta (my Indian name) will make me a sled.' The old fellow grinned at his interruption of the service, and I concluded that his religion was not of a serious nature nor likely to become chronic. I never saw him sleigh-riding, but I am informed that he was one of those unfortunates who perished on the scaffold at Mankato at the close of the Indian war in our State.
" My friend Wakon-toppy (Esteemed Sacred) will conclude the list. Honest, honorable, and intelligent; a true man, whether judged by the savage or civilized standard. This man was the only Indian I ever knew whose word and character were above reproach. The traders gave him . credit whenever he desired, sure that they would receive prompt pay- ment. Whatever he stated to be a fact, could be relied on. He frequently camped with me, and it was my especial delight to fill our camp-kettle with eatables enough for a dozen of men, and in addition thereto make a corresponding amount of pezuta-sapa (black medicine or coffee,) and then drawl over the meal, eating slowly, constantly replenishing Wakon-toppy's plate and cup, which he made a point of honor to empty as soon as possible, until the old fellow would heave a deep sigh and cry out, 'Ozhuta !' (full.) Whenever this was accom- plished, look out for yarns. I have lain in the tent and listened for five long hours at a stretch to the tales, traditions, history of the feats in
231
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
war, and hunting. He had never gone on a raid against the Chippe. was, but he had followed the war-path south and west against the Saukies and Omahas. His (Wakon-toppy's) father was adopted into a Dakota family, having been taken prisoner when he was very young in one of the Dakota forays against the Sauks and Foxes, and finally married a sister of Ti-tan-ka Monia, or Walking Buffalo, a very influen- tial chief, and father of Wacoota.
" Wakon-toppy was very anxious to adopt civilized habits, and I wrote several letters, at his dictation, to the Indian Agent, in which he desired the government to give him eighty acres of land, and he would release all claim to annuities. He even went so far as to stake out his claim, which was where the village of Mazeppa now is, and was where he made his winter hunting ground for a long period of years, and where he wished his bones. to rest when the Master of Life should summon him hence to a residence in the spirit world. His letters were unan- swered, and he was not allowed to hold his claim when the whites came, but was driven off with threats of violence. He stayed around here until after the Spirit Lake Massacre. Finally, concluding to go up to Red Wood, the then place of residence of our old band, he gave me a history of Ink-pa-duta and his followers, and told me if he could get permission he would lead a party against them. In the fall an Indian messenger on his way to Wabasha, stopped at my house, at the old man's request, and gave me an account of the expedition. Wakon-toppy had kept his word. Nearly all the inmates of three lodges perished by the hands of their own kindred. This man, so prompt to avenge the wrongs of the whites, perished miserably in confinement at Davenport, for no other crime than that of not being able to control the young men of his family in the Indian difficulties on the frontier. From his imprison- ment at Mankato, he sent me word, by Lieutenant Comstock, that his fault was in letting his son have a horse, not knowing the purpose for which it was to be used. If previous good character, in any man, is to be relied on, then was Wakon-toppy an innocent victim.
PIONEER FARMING, AND WRESTLING WITH INDIAN MAIDENS.
" In the spring of 1853 I farmed the old Indian cornfield, which occu- pied that portion of the city now lying between Third and Bush streets and College Bluff, and as far west as Mr. Densmore's residence, besides breaking up that portion lying west of the latter point and extending to John Day's farm. The crop was oats, corn, seven acres of potatoes, six of rutabagas, turnips, pumpkins, cabbages, beans, etc., all of which yielded largely. In the fall I needed help to secure the corn and
232
THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
potatoes, and there was no other resource than to hire native laborers, the white population of the county not exceeding one hundred souls. The Indian camp was situated on the Mississippi bottom, near the mouth of Cannon River. I had dug a few rows across the potato patch in order to ascertain what a day's work might be, and found that six rows were a moderate day's labor, but knowing the Indians pretty well, I concluded to make four the standard. This done, I sent word to the camp that twenty women were wanted to help me, who should receive a barrel of potatoes for every four times they dug across the field. The next morning found me at the patch, but nine o'clock arrived before they came. At last thirteen women hove in sight, accompanied by about two dozen dogs, a like number of children, several camp kettles, sack straps and hoes. In a short time the business preliminaries were adjusted by the high contracting parties. Among the operatives, was the Princess Royal, Lucy, and her niece, Weenona.
" About eleven o'clock the laborers stopped work and held a short council, and I was soon informed of the result of their deliberations, which was nothing less than that I should get dinner for them. I refused to cook for such a crowd, but we finally compromised by my furnishing pork and bread. Vegetables were close at hand. A note was written to my wife, on a white basswood chip, desiring her to let the bearer have eight pounds of pork and all the bread she could spare. The messenger sped off on the errand like a deer, while an old squaw rigged three tripods for camp kettles, washed potatoes and turnips, and cut up cabbages and pumpkins by the time the pork arrived, when it was all dumped into the kettles together. When cooked, it was suffi- cient for a company of infantry, who had been on a short allowance of hard tack, but it all disappeared under the united efforts of women, children and dogs. At the close of the day all received their wages- two women having accomplished eight rows each, each of them received two barrels, which they all took home with them, promising to return the next day.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.