History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri, Part 10

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 10
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 10

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).

Blanchette Chasseur, feeling confident that he was in the vicinity of a party of Indians, with that fearlessness and curiosity which made up, so largely, a portion of his character, determined to see and learn, if possible, their business in the neighborhood and to what tribe they belonged. He landed his little boat where some bushes grew thick upon the banks, and, armed with his rifle, proceeded alone toward

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

the encampment. When he was within a hundred yards of the camp-fire, seeing that he was discovered by the Indians, he stopped in his course, and taking a soiled piece of cloth from his pocket, tied it to the end of his gun, and waved it in token of friendly inten- tions.

At this signal of friendship from Blanchette Chasseur, an old Indian, of low stature but herculean build, came towards him. He was fol- lowed by a band of warriors, who, as well as he, were begrimed with paint ; but the old Indian, from his rich display of beads and the plumage of birds, together with the deference paid to him by the band, was evidently the chief. The whole party had been on the war- path, for several fresh scalps dangled from the belts of some of the warriors ; and the cincture of the old chief, through its whole circum- ference, was frizzled with the hair of the enemies subdued in many conflicts, but was totally unlike the fabled girdle of the Phaphian goddess, which gave to its possessor transcendant loveliness - for the old chief was as hideous in his features as the veiled prophet of Korassan.

Blanchette Chasseur, with his ever-glowing courage, felt some slight chilling sensations glide through his frame, as he looked upon such a number of warlike Indians, besmeared with paint, with their reeking trophies of savage prowess. Nevertheless, he addressed them in an Indian tongue with which he was familiar, tell- ing them he was a white man ascending the Missouri, and that he loved the Indian. The old chief gazed upon him with a full, atten- tive smile, and molifying somewhat his rugged features, told him he was welcome, and to call his followers, whom Blanchette had left with the canoe.

The half-breed Indian, from the departure of Blanchette, had com- menced to show symptoms of alarm, and when he saw the painted warriors, with their bows and arrows, their tomahawks and scalp-locks; some of which were still gory, his philosophy forsook him, and, dart- ing from the canoe, and with almost the fleetness of a deer, endeavored to place as much distance as possible between himself and the sup- posed enemies. The old chief told his warriors to give chase, and capture without injuring him. With a yell that rang loud and echoing through the solitude, the fleet-footed warriors started after the fugi- tive, and, in a short time, the poor half-breed, more dead than alive, was brought to the encampment. His swarthy face looked pale with excessive fright ; he kept one hand upon the crown of his head, as if he expected every moment that an attack would be made upon his scalp, and made such horrible grimaces, that the old chief shook with excess of laughter. Blanchette Chasseur, pitying his follower - who, though a coward, was faithful - calmed his fright by telling him that his scalp was as safe upon his head as the crown upon the imperial monarch of France.

All excitement being allayed, the old chief and warriors, and Blan- chette Chasseur and followers, then sat, side by side, at a large fire, and smoked the pipe of peace- an essential proceeding among the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

Indians, as significant of friendship. Blanchette Chasseur then told one of his men to go to the boat, and bring, from beneath a seat, a jug well filled with the fluid which causes the tongue to rattle, the heart to expand, and the reason to sleep.

At the sight of the jug, the old chief rose quickly to his feet, seized it in his large hands, extracted the cork in a twinkling - and placed his nose to the aperture. He then gave vent to the most extravagant rapture. He cut a caper in the air that would have been creditable to an equestrian clown, embraced Blanchette Chasseur with the ardor of a newly accepted lover ; and, spreading wide his short legs, so as to have a secure base, placed the large jug to his lips, and took a long suck of its contents. He then took a little pewter mug, that Blan- chette Chasseur had in his hands, and dealt a sparing allowance to the warriors, and, after serving all with the diligence, if not the grace of a Ganymede, he threw aside the cup, and, again fortifying himself like a Colossus of Rhodes, he drank long and deeply ; then drawing a long breath, he said, turning to Blanchette, " C'est bon; j'en ai assez," (it is good ; I have enough ).

Both Blanchette Chasseur and the old chief had a good supply of dried provisions, and all were soon in the humor to do justice to a supper. During the repast, the desirable jug was several times called upon to contribute freely, and such was the potency of its power over the usually cold stoicism of the savages, that, in a short time, they commenced to laugh and boast of their recent exploits, and became on the most familiar terms with their new friends.

The old chief, seeing everything on the most friendly footing, with his stomach overflowing with whisky and dried beef, became very garrulous and familiar. Blanchette, manifesting some surprise at his readiness in speaking the French language, was told by Guillet, that if he were not too sleepy, he would relate to him some of the stirring incidents of an eventful life.

Blanchette signifying a wish to hear the narrative, the old warrior thus began : -

THE NARRATIVE OF BERNARD GUILLET, THE CHIEF OF THE DAKOTAS.

" My good friend, the first thing I have to tell you is, that I am a Frenchman, and not an Indian. I was born near Marseilles, in the southern part of France, of poor, but respectable parents, who died within three months of each other, when I had attained 11 years of age. My mother died last, and a few hours before her death, with a feeble effort, she took a rosary which she kept constantly suspended from her neck, and hung it upon mine, murmuring some indistinct words. I have thought of them often since, and I know that they were blessings. After losing my parents my troubles commenced. It is not worth my while to dwell upon trivial incidents ; let it suffice to say that four months after I lost my parents, I was, by the authorities, apprenticed to a tanner. I was worked hard and almost starved ; and, from the wrongs that I had continually heaped upon me, I date the

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

change in my disposition, which was naturally gentle, into fierce and vindictive elements. I was kicked about much more than a sorry cur we had in the establishment, named Carlo. However, I looked upon Carlo as my only friend, and he loved me in return. We were bed- fellows. Things continued in this way until I became 17 years of age, at which time my mind became sufficiently developed to compre- hend, to its fullest extent, the unjust treatment I received from my master, who still continued to beat me as usual for every trivial fault or fancied omission. My blood often boiled during the chastisements, and I felt ready to exterminate the wretch upon the spot. One even- ing, in a paroxysm of rage, I killed him. Working hours were over, and as usual I was looking over some books that I had gradually col- lected together, so as to improve my mind. My rosary was in my hand, and the current of my thoughts had floated from my book to the by-gone days, with which was associated the image of my mother. My master came in, and seeing me with the beads, snatched them from my hands and gave me a buff upon the cheek, saying, I was a good for nothing, lazy fellow. I entreated him to return the rosary, telling him it was the last gift of a deceased mother.

" ' Your mother, you vagabond ?' replied he ; ' who was she but a strumpet ?'

" Blood swam before my eyes - my heart was on fire, and the voices of all the devils whispered vengeance ! I sprang at his throat with a yell of rage, and clenched it like a vice ! When I released the hold he was dead, and I, Bernard Guillet, was a murderer !

"I fled that night to Marseilles, where a vessel was just leaving for the new world. I offered myself as a common sailor, and as the cap- tain was short of hands, I was taken without any inquiries. We were soon out of the harbor, and I was comparatively safe from pursuit.

"After a voyage of three months, we reached the shores of America, and fearing that I might be pursued for the murder of my master, I went far into the interior of Canada, and engaged with a man who traded for furs with the Indians. Somehow or other, I became attached to the vagabond life I led. I soon learned to speak the tongues of several of the Indian tribes ; engaged in business on my own account ; hunted with the hunters ; and, took to wife one of the daughters of a chief of the Senecas. After thus linking myself by a new tie to the Indians, I threw off the few civilized habits which still clung to me, and adopted all the wild independence of my new rela- tions. I still visited, however, yearly, the trading posts of the whites, chiefly for the purpose of gaining powder and lead, and a good pro- portion of whisky. We were engaged in several wars with the neigh- boring tribes, and I became a distinguished warrior. In all probability, I had passed my life with the Senecas, had not my wife died in childbed. I sincerely mourned her loss; not that I can say that I really loved her; but I had lived with her for seven years, and she was obedient to my slightest wish. She had borne me four children, all of whom died.

" After the death of my wife, I became desirous of change, and

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

determined to go far into the West, and lead the life of a trapper and hunter. One evening, unknown to any one, about nightfall, I took my tomahawk, rifle, a good supply of ammunition, and departed upon my long journey. I easily subsisted upon the proceeds of the chase, for then game was everywhere. I traveled through many regions, and followed the course of many rivers, yet always keeping towards the setting sun ; sometimes, tarrying in a place two or three weeks, so as to try effectually what it would yield in the way of furs and peltries.

" On the banks of the Muskingum river, I was nearly losing my life. It was a warm day ; and, being somewhat fatigued and drowsy, about midday, I lay beneath a large maple, which offered a fine shade, that I might take a comfortable nap. I know not how long I lay there ; but I felt a dead, heavy weight upon my breast that nearly mashed me. I thought I had the nightmare, and tried to struggle with the witch that was riding me, when the effort awoke me, and I found a large red skin bestriding my body, and another commencing to bind me with thongs. I was then under thirty, and as strong as a buffalo.

" With a sudden effort, I threw the red devil who was making a pack-horse of me, and gaining my feet, struck the other a blow with my fist that made him whirl as a top. I then had time to draw my knife, as the Indian I had thrown from my breast gained his feet. He was soon finished; but the other had seized Nancy (a name I had given my rifle, in honor of my mother), and had it pointed, with sure aim, at my heart. Sacre Dieu ! how funny I felt when I was think- ing of the ball that was coming through me ; but Nancy snapped - I don't know whether from accident or not ; but I have always thought that the name of my mother had something to do with it. You may smile ; but it does me good to think that her spirit can now and then come near me. I killed the Indian with a blow of my tomahawk, and took the scalps of them both. They were of the Miamis.

"I still kept westward," said the old chief, taking another pull from the bottle ; " and, after some fifteen months, came to the banks of the Mississippi. Then I got so far from civilization that I deter- mined to give up all idea of trading with whites, for a time, and to find some locality to pack furs for a few years ; by which time I calculated that plenty of trading posts would be established in those parts. I coursed along the Mississippi for a few days, and, seeing a large river flowing into it, I crossed over in a canoe I found hidden on the bank of a river, and ascended it by coursing along its banks, until I reached the neighborhood in which we now are. That was, as near as I can guess, about twenty or twenty-five years ago. Here I found plenty of deer and beaver, and determined to stop. So I built a little hut and commenced trapping beaver and muskrats. I was very successful during the first year, when, all of a sudden, I found that my luck had stopped. I soon suspected the cause - my traps had been robbed. I determined to find out the thief. One night I lay near one of my most successful traps, and about daylight, or a little before, I saw the out-

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

lines of an Indian going to the spot where my trap was. He had a beaver in his hand, which he had taken from one of my other traps. I leveled Nancy, and he fell dead. After scalping him, I let him lie. .

" A few days afterward, walking by the spot, I discovered that his body had been removed. I was much alarmed, for I knew the Indians had been there, and had taken away the dead body of their comrade. I fortified my little cabin as well as possible, and went out but seldom. About two months afterward, I was surprised one morning, before sunrise, by the sound of a war whoop in front of my cabin, accompa- nied by efforts to break open the door. I thought that my hour had come, but I determined to die game. I seized Nancy, put my rosary into my bosom in case I fell, that I might call on the Virgin for grace from the Son, and jumped to a loop-hole I had prepared before. There were ten savages, and they used no precaution, thinking that the mere sight of their numbers would make me surrender. One fell dead at the call of Nancy, then another, and, in the space of an hour, a third. They then became cautious, and, surrounding my cabin at all points, succeeded in firing it. , Tonneri de Dieu, how it burned ! I stood it some time, and, when I was almost roasted, I jumped from the blazing roof. I had no chance. Directly I touched the ground I was overpowered and bound.

" I felt as if my doom was sealed, for I was a captive in the hands of the Dakotas, who had come a long distance to take my scalp for killing one of their tribe - him who had robbed my traps. I was destined to a terrible death, and I knew it by their conversation on the journey. My skin peeled from my limbs, leaving a mass of raw flesh, so severely was I burned, but I was compelled to journey in my sufferings. After many days' travel we came to the chief village, and warriors, old men, women, and children, came to meet us. They all commenced abusing me, spitting upon me, and beating me. It was horrible to feel that I was all alone among the savages, sick and weak from the burns I had received. My only consolation was think- ing of my mother.

"A council of old men and chiefs of the nation was held, and, as I had expected, I was doomed to the fire death. For two days there was great preparations for barbecuing me; and, when all was complete, I was delivered to the executioners. I was stripped per- fectly naked, and my feet unbound. I had first to run a gauntlet. A row of boys and women were on each side of the way I had to run, and, when I started for the goal, flaming fire brands were thrust in my skin ; spears and arrows pierced my flesh, and blows from clubs came in showers upon my defenseless body. I gained the goal, and fainted as I gained it.

" When I recovered consciousness, I found myself tied to a tree, and the Indian boys preparing to shoot at me for a target. The arrows stuck in my body in all directions, but did not touch any vital part, the object being not to kill but torture me. I tried by sudden efforts to twist my body so as to disappoint their aim, that I might be killed, but I was too tightly bound and had to suffer. After

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

amusing themselves until I was a mass of bleeding wounds, it was determined to end the scene by placing me at the stake. I was bound to a post around which were piles of resinous wood. The torch was ready to be applied, and my last thoughts were on meeting my mother, when an Indian woman rushed to the stake, and claimed me as her husband, in place of one she had lost. No one disputed her claim, and I was led to her lodge, and my rifle and all other property that the Indians had brought from my hut, were restored to me. She bestowed every attention on me, and I slowly recovered. I was formally adopted by the nation and became a great favorite, doing them great service in their wars against the Pawnees and Chippewas. The chief of the tribe gave me his only daughter for a wife, and he dying I was made chief of the nation, and am so still."

Blanchette Chasseur thanked the chief for his interesting history, and after drinking each other's health from the jug, which effectually exhausted its contents, they lay down, and were soon following the example of their snoring followers.

Next morning, Bernard Guillet, the chief of the Dakotas, invited Blanchette Chasseur to visit him in his remote home, saying that he- would never get as far east again, as he was advancing in years, and was tired of taking scalps.

" Bernard," said Blanchette Chasseur to the old chief, before his departure, " when you lived here did you give any name to your home ? "

" I called the place ' Les Petites Cotes' " replied Bernard, " from the sides of the hills that you see."

" By that name shall it be called," said Blanchette Chasseur, " for it is the echo of nature - beautiful from its simplicity."

The two friends then separated. The chief of the Dakotas with his warriors wended their way back to their tribe, and Blanchette Chasseur again descended the Missouri, determined in a short time to return to Les Petites Cotes, and there form a settlement. He did so. In 1769 (four years after ) he formed a settlement, and called the town that he laid out "Les Petites Cotes." It soon grew to a thriving village, and many years afterward was changed to St. Charles."

The above romance doubtless contains more fiction than truth, yet we have given it, because it may interest some of the readers of this history.

All authorities, however, agree to the main fact, that Blanchette made the first settlement in the county, and that he located on the present town site of the city of St. Charles, coming here about the year 1769, and dying about the year 1793. He was commissioned by the Governor of Upper Louisiana to establish a post here under the Spanish government, and was, until the date of his death, its

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

first civil and military Governor. The country, at the time of his arrival, was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited by wild beasts and savage Indians, who roamed at will through forest and prairie, from the Missouri river on the south, to the British Possessions on the north, and continued to maintain their supremacy in all this region of country, excepting in the immediate vicinity of the military post at St. Charles, until 1795. 'Tis true that a few houses had, in the meantime, been built at St. Charles, numbering, perhaps, about a dozen, between the years 1769 and 1791, but these were the inferior, temporary huts of the commandant, and the attaches of the post.

The first Americans who settled in St. Charles county, and in fact, the first Americans who permanently pitched their tents in what is now known as the State of Missouri, were Col. Daniel Boone, the distinguished pioneer from Kentucky, and his family, excepting his two daughters, Lavinia and Rebecca, who lived and died in Kentucky. A brief sketch of Col. Boone and his family will no doubt be read with interest.

Daniel Boone was born in Bucks county, Pa., July 14, 1732. He married Rebecca Bryan. Nine children resulted from this marriage, viz. : James, Israel, Susanna, Jemima, Lavinia, Daniel M., Rebecca, Jesse and Nathan.

James, the eldest son, was killed by the Indians in his sixteenth year.

Israel was killed at the battle of Blue Lick, in Kentucky, August 19, 1782, in his twenty-fourth year.

Susanna married William Hayes, an Irishman, and a weaver by trade. They lived in St. Charles county, Mo., and she died in the fortieth year of her age.

Jemima married Flanders Callaway, and lived in what is now War- ren county, Mo. She died in 1829, in her sixty-seventh year. While the family were living in the fort at Boonesborough, Ky., she and two young friends, Betty and Frances Callaway, daughters of Col. Richard Callaway, were captured by the Indians while gathering wild flowers on the opposite bank of the Kentucky river, which they had crossed in a canoe. They were pursued by Boone and Callaway and six other men, and recaptured the following day.

Lavinia married Joseph Scholl and lived in Kentucky. She died in her thirty-sixth year.

Daniel M. married a Miss Lewis, of Missouri, and died July 13, 1839, in his seventy-second year. He settled in Darst's Bottom, St. Charles county, Mo., in 1795, but moved to Montgomery county in

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

1816. He held several important positions under the government, and during the Indian war, was appointed colonel of the militia. He made most of the early government surveys in the counties of St. Charles, Warren, Montgomery and Lincoln. At the time of his death he was living in Jackson county. In personal appearance, he resembled his father more than any of the other children.

Rebecca, the youngest of four daughters, married Philip Goe, and lived and died in Kentucky.

Jesse married Cloe Vanbibber, and settled in Missouri in 1819. He had received a good education and became a prominent and influential man before his death, which occurred in St. Louis in 1821, while serv- ing as a member of the first Missouri Legislature.

Nathan Boone, the youngest child of Daniel Boone, came to Mis- souri in 1800. He married Olive Vanbibber, a sister of Jesse Boone's wife. He was a surveyor and made a number of government surveys. At the commencement of the Indian war of 1812, he raised a com- pany of rangers, and received his commission as captain from Presi- dent Monroe in March, 1812. In August, 1832, he was commissioned captain of dragoons by President Jackson, and during President Polk's administration he was promoted to major of dragoons. In 1850 he was again promoted, and received his commission as lieuten- ant-colonel of dragoons from President Filmore. He died October 16, 1856, in his seventy-sixth year.

Col. Daniel Boone (the old pioneer) came to Missouri in 1795, and settled in Darst's Bottom. His son, Daniel M., had preceded him a short time, and from him and some hunters he had heard of the won- drous fertility of the great country west of the Mississippi, and of its great abundance of game, and having lost his lands in Kentucky, by reason of a defective title, he finally concluded to emigrate and settle in this new country. This he did, as above stated, in 1795, locating in St. Charles county, and about twenty-five miles above St. Charles, on the Missouri river. June 11, 1800, Delassus, Lieuten- ant-Governor, appointed him commandant, or sydic, of Femme Osage District, which office he accepted. He retained his command, which included both civil and military duties, and discharged them with satisfaction to all concerned, until the transfer of the govern- ment to the United States in 1804.

Col. Boone received from the Spanish Governor, Delassus, a grant of 1,000 arpents of land in the Femme Osage District. Subsequently a grant of 10,000 arpents was made to him, by reason of an agree- ment with him, which he fulfilled, to bring into Upper Louisiana 100

HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY.

families from Virginia and Kentucky. In order to confirm this grant, it was necessary to obtain the signature of the direct representative of the Spanish crown, at that time residing in New Orleans. Neg- lecting to comply with this requisition, his title was declared invalid. His title to the first grant of 1,000 arpents was also declared invalid, but was afterwards confirmed by special act of Congress.

On the 18th of March, 1813, Col. Boone experienced the saddest affliction of his life, in the death of his aged and beloved wife. She had been the companion of his toils, dangers, sorrows and pleasures for more than half a century, participating in the same generous and heroic nature as himself. He loved her devotedly, and their long and intimate association had so closely knitted their hearts together that he seemed hardly able to exist without her, and her death was to him an irreparable loss.

She was buried on the summit of a beautiful knoll, in the southern part of (now ) Warren county, about one mile south-east of the little town of Marthasville. A small stream, called Teuque creek, flows by the foot of this knoll, and pursues its tortuous course to where it empties into the Missouri river, a few miles to the south-east. Her grave overlooked the Missouri bottoms, which are here about two miles in width, and now, since the timber has been cleared away, a fine view of the river can be obtained from that spot.

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History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri, Part 10

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1166

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166