USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 20
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
"He was not in the least affected by his visit to Washington, which was made about the year 1828. Such was not the case, however, with his wife, who was greatly set up by her traveled experience. Apparently with him it was a natural event, of which he talked freely; with her it was greatness achieved; with him, a part of the expected; with her, one more feather in her head band, and ever after she demanded the greatest deferenee from her people, as well as the title 'Madam Washington.'
"Whenever any of the tribe partook too freely of firewater the old chief ordered them tied and a guard set, but when this disgrace came to his own dwelling, in the person of his wife, he took himself off, no one knew whence or whither, until quiet and order were again restored to his household.
"I never saw him in paint or feathers. A small braid of hair near the erown, into which a small black ribbon was woven, was all his head ornament. Otherwise he wore his hair as did the white man, parted on the left side and brushed to the right. His garments were very similar to the white man's in fashion though not in texture, except that his
Digiled by Google
173
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
blanket was always a part of his apparel. He was a firm believer in noble lineage, and repudiated any and all of the so-called 'chiefs' who found their way to back doors, or, in fact, to any doors, to beg, and in an apologetie manner told my father that his wife was a tribes-woman, meall- ing not his equal, though always appearing kind and courteous to her. Incidentally she was the hewer of wood, and the drawer of water, as well as the doer of all other menial tasks. His affair was to furnish the game, hers to see that it was prepared, either for cooking or, if peltries, stretched and dried.
"Few there are living today who can tell of good deeds and courtesies extended to them by this son of the wilderness, but many there were who could during our long acquaintance with him. Many times he cheered and sheltered lost and belated settlers, and when wishing to return the value of some favor it was sent by the hand of his wife, who I grieve to say, often tried to bargain his generosity by the gain of something for herself. Once he engaged a settler to carry himself, wife, and belongings to their home near Delton. The conveyance was a wagon into which their outfit was piled, and among these she, of Washington fame, calinly seated herself. Not so the Chief. He sat beside the driver erect and dignified, and appeared not to see how unprincesslike was the position she had assumed.
"Always on approaching my father's house he gave some signal, perhaps a few light taps on the porch or door, and never did he enter without permission and a word of welcome, something he was sure of from all its inmates.
"His instincts were gentle and had fortune placed him among the 'fittest' he would readily have been recorded as one of nature's noblemen, a title, knowing him as I did, I cheerfully accord him.
"As years came on apace, his visits to the old camping ground became more rare and finally ceased altogether, followed in February, 1874, by the tidings of his death, sincerely mourned by many of the early settlers as well as by his own people. I am glad to chroniele the fact that a por- trait of Yellow Thunder, done in oil, by the distinguished artist, S. D. Coates, hangs in the gallery of the Wisconsin Historical Society, with many others, whose names are prominently connected with the history of Wisconsin."
MEETS THE DAUGHTER OF WHITE CROW
This was the second visit of Yellow Thunder to the National Capital. With the daughter of White Crow, at the time a beautiful Indian girl of eighteen, he had formed one of the delegation of Winnebago chiefs which visited Washington in the fall of 1828, to look over the seat of Government and some of the chief cities of the East, inspect the navy yards and other evidences of the white man's civilization, following the
Dlg zed by Google
174
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
signing of a treaty with the United States at Green Bay in the preceding August, as an aftermath of the Winnebago war. Yellow Thunder and the beautiful princess received many marks of attention. The venerable chief is said to have been unaffected by them and retained his old sim- plicity of manner and friendly bearing when he returned to his own people and the small unspoiled communities of his white neighbors.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF "MADAME WASHINGTON"
It is said that Yellow Thunder made the acquaintance of the princess during the Washington trip and married her soon afterward. Mrs. Kinzie, in her book, "Wau-bun," draws the following character sketch of the wife of Wau-kann-zee-kah (Yellow Thunder) :
"Among the women with whom I early made acquaintance was the wife of Thunder. She had accompanied her husband who was one of the deputation to visit the President and from that time forth she had been known as the 'Washington Woman.'
"She had a pleasant, old-acquaintance, sort of air in greeting me, as much as to say, 'You and I have seen something of the world.'
"No expression of admiration or surprise escaped her lips as her companions, with childlike laughing simplicity exclaimed and clapped their hands at the different wonderful objects I showed them. Her deportment said plainly, 'Yes, yes, my children, I have seen all these things before.'
"It was not until I put to her ear some tropical shells, of which I had a little cabinet, and she heard it roaring in her ear, that she laid aside her apathy of manner. She poked her fingers into the opening to get at the animal within, shook it violently, then put it to her ear again, and finally burst into a hearty laugh and laid it down, acknowledging by her looks that this was beyond her comprehension.
"I had one shell of peculiar beauty-my favorite in the whole collec- tion-a small conch shell covered with rich, dark veins. Each of the visitors snecessively took up this shell and by words and gestures expressed her admiration, evidently showing that she had an eye for beauty. This was on the occasion of the parting visit of my red daughters.
"Shortly after the payment had been made and the Indians had left, I discovered that my valued shell was missing from the collection. Could it be that one of the squaws had stolen it? It was possible -- they would occasionally, though rarely, do such things under the influence of strong temptation.
"I tried to recollect which among the party looked most likely to have been the culprit. It could not have been the 'Washington Woman' -she was partly civilized and knew better.
"A few weeks afterwards Mrs. Yellow Thunder again made her appearance and carefully nufolding a gay colored ehintz shawl, which
Diq cod by Google
175
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
she carried rolled up in her hand, she produced the shell and laid it on the table before me.
"I did not know whether to show by my countenance displeasure at the trick she had played me, or joy at recovering my treasure; but at length decided that it was the best policy to manifest no emotion what- ever. She prolonged her visit until my husband returned, and he then questioned her about the matter.
"She had taken the shell to her village to show to some of her people who did not come to make the payment.
"Why had she not asked her 'mother's' leave before taking it away ?
"Because she saw that her 'mother' liked the shell and she was afraid she would say 'No.'
"This was not the first time that 'Madame Washington' had dis- played the shrewdness which was a predominant trait in her character.
"During the visit of the Indians to the eastern cities they were taken to various exhibitions, museums, menageries, the theater, ete. It did not escape their observation that some silver was always paid before the entrance and they inquired the reason. It was explained to them. The woman brightened up as if struck with an idea.
" 'How much do you pay for each one?'
" "How do you say that in English ?'
" 'Two shillings.'
" 'Two shinnin-humph' (good).
"The next day, when, as usual, visitors began to flock into the rooms where the Indians were quartered the woman and a young Indian, her confederate, took their station by the door, which they kept elosed. When anyone knocked, the door was cautiously opened and the woman extending her hand exclaimed, 'Two shinnin.' This was readily paid in each instance and the game went on until she had accumulated a eou- siderable sum.
"But this did not satisfy her. At the first attempt of a visitor to leave the room the door was held close and the hand extended and 'Two shinnin' again met his car. IIe tried to explain that having paid for his entrance he must now go out free. With an inexorable shake of the head, 'Two shinnin' was all the English she could understand. The agent who heard the dialogue and sat laughing behind his newspaper, now came forward and interfered, and the guests were permitted to go forth without a further contribution.
"The good woman was moreover admonished that it was far from the custom of white people to tax their friends and visitors in this manner and that the practice must be laid aside in the future."
THE EXODUS OF 1840
When the Winnebagoes disposed of their lands in 1837, they stipu- lated that within eight months they would move west of the Mississippi
Dlareedby Google
176
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
River; it is said that they understood they were to leave in eight years. About 900 of them were forced from the Fort Winnebago Region soon after the signing of the treaty, while about 300 remained in the swamps, inaccessible to the two regiments of United States troops looking for them. Some of them, more versatile in staving off the evil day, delayed their departure under various pretenses. After a few years of unavailing efforts to effect a removal of the Winnebagoes en masse the Government decided to adopt stringent military measures.
Living at the Portage at this time was John T. De La Ronde, an educated Frenchman, at different periods of his life connected with the Northwest, Hudson Bay and American Fur companies. Afterward he became an independent trader and a farmer and an Indian interpreter for the Government. "In 1840," says De La Ronde, "the troops came to Portage to remove the Winnebago Indians-a part of the Eighth Regiment of Infantry under command of Colonel Worth and a part of the Fifth Regiment under General Brooke, with General Atkinson as commander-in-chief. There were three interpreters employed by the Government-Antoine Grignon, Pierre Meneg and myself. Meneg was sent after Yellow Thunder and Black Wolf's son, inviting them to Port- age to get provisions; but instead of that as soon as they arrived they were put into the guardhouse with ball and chain, which hurt the feelings of the Indians very much, as they had done no harm to the Government. The general had understood that they were going to revolt, refusing to emigrate according to treaty stipulations but as soon as Governor Dodge came here they were released. They all promised faithfully to be at Portage, ready for removal in three days, and they were all there the second day.
"There were two large boats in which to take down such of the Indians as had no canoes. Antoine Grignon and Pierre Meneg went down with the boats. I was kept here by the order of General Atkinson at the suggestion of General Brady, to assist the dragoons commanded by Captain (Edwin V.) Sumner and Lieutenants McCrate and Steele. We went down to Rock River to look for Mas-i-ma-ni-ka-ka; from there we went to Madison and thenec to Fox River. We picked up 250 Indians, men, women and children, and took them down to Prairie du Chien. Before we got there, at the head of Kickapoo River, we came to three Indian wigwams. The captain directed me to order the Indians to break up their camp and come along with him. Two old women, sisters of Black Wolf, and another one came up, throwing themselves on their knees, erying and beseeching Captain Sumner to kill them : that they were old, and would rather die and be buried with their fathers, mothers and chil- dren, than be taken away, and that they were ready to receive their death- blows. The captain directed me to go with them and watch them, and we found them on their knees; kissing the ground and crying very loud, where their relatives were buried. This touched the captain's feelings
Powzooby Google
177
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
and he exclaimed 'Good God! What harm could those poor Indians do among the rocks ?' "
It might interest the reader to know that the Captain Sumner, whose good heart did him such credit, not only served with credit as a com- mander of dragoons in the Black Hawk war and elsewhere, but distin- guished himself for his bravery and ability as a cavalry officer in the Mexican war and in many Indian campaigns in the Southwest. At one time he was military governor of New Mexico, and during the Civil war, after being three or four times wounded and reaching the rank of major general, through personal bravery and military genius, became so shat- tered in body that he went to his Syracuse home to die.
YELLOW THUNDER ENTERS HIS "FORTY"
The attempt of the Government to include Yellow Thunder and the royal daughter of White Crow in the enforced hegira of the Winnebagoes to their homes beyond the Mississippi was a rank failure; for they eluded their captors, walked back several hundred miles and the head of the tribe and family entered the Forty in Sauk County which remained his and the refuge of the few Winnebagoes who haunted their old hunting grounds and homes for more than thirty years.
JAMES H. HILL'S MEMORIAL ADDRESS
When the memorial tablet was unveiled which marked the final rest- ing place of Yellow Thunder's remains, as well as the grave of his honored consort, the following connected account of his life was presented in the address made at the time (August 27, 1909) by James H. Hill, then clerk of the Circuit Court: "During the closing years of the eighteenth cen- tury, a Winnebago lad roamed with his tribe, through the beautiful country lying between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, and extending southward to the Rock River.
"A Winnebago, called by the Sioux O-ton-kah the large, strong people, tall and lithe and active was he; skilful with bow and spear. A thought- ful youth, too, and observant.
"Occasionally white explorers and traders visited the tribe, and their stories of the encroachments of the pale faces filled the hearts of the Indians with fear and dread. So, when one day in 1812, an emissary from the British invited them to help destroy a common enemy, many of the braves went with those of other tribes to Detroit. But the cam- paign was a failure, and after losing many by disease and hunger, the remnant made their way back home.
THE YOUNG BRAVE, YELLOW THUNDER
"A pcaccable tribe were they, but little is recorded of them until fifteen years later, when we find our young brave with a name, Yellow Vol. 1-12
Dionzoo by Google
178
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Thunder, wedded to a daughter of the neighboring tribe of Algonquins; the head of a village not very far from Portage, and promoted to the rank of war chief.
"This title was not hereditary, and was never bestowed on account of birth, but any brave who had done valorous service in war, was recog- uized as a war chief. His followers were volunteers who, while not exactly obeying him, looked to him for directions and couneil.
CHEATED OUT OF THEIR LANDS
"The white people were covetous of the land occupied by the Winne- bagoes, and conspired to take it from them. Yellow Thunder and two young hereditary chieftains, War Eagle and the Elder Dandy, were entieed into going to Washington, ostensibly to see the President, but really to wrest from them, by treaty, their domain. When the subject of a treaty was brought up, Yellow Thunder and the young chieftains declared they had no legal authority to act ; that a treaty signed by them would not be legal, but their arguments were of no avail, and they were finally prevailed upon to sign a treaty, giving away hundreds of thousands of acres of land, and agreeing to a removal of the tribe to Iowa. They were assured that they would be allowed eight years in which to move, when, in fact, the treaty, which the chiefs were unable to read, stipulated that they should go within that many months.
OUTRAGE UPON OUTRAGE
"Three years later in 1840, troops arrived in Portage, forcibly to remove the Indians. Interpreters were sent to the different villages, inviting their head men to go to Portage to receive provisions When they arrived, they were locked in a guard house, and fastened by ball and chain. Yellow Thunder was one of the numbers so shamefully treated. It is said he felt the disgrace so keenly he wept. They were released after a few days, upon promising faithfully that they would return within three days, bringing their bands with them. Yellow Thunder returned the second day.
"Then followed a scene that, for pathos, equaled that other 'removal,' so graphieally described by Longfellow in Evangeline. Like the Area- dians, they were put into boats, to be taken far from their homes, into strange lands and among strangers away from everything dear to them, and never to return.
BECOMES A LAND OWNER IN SAUK COUNTY
"But Yellow Thunder was determined not to leave the land he loved so well. With his wife, and a few of his band, he at onee returned to
Powzooby Google
179
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Portage, walking nearly 500 miles, and arrived before the troops who had taken them away.
"Yellow Thunder foresaw that the whites would soon occupy this country, and that he might have the right to remain here, he resolved to become a land owner. With an interpreter, he went to the land office at Mineral Point, and entered a 40-acre homestead 'on the west side of the Wisconsin River about sixteen miles above Portage.' There he lived for over thirty years, with his faithful wife, his death occurring in February, 1874.
"Yellow Thunder lived to see his land pass from barbarism to eivi- lization ; his own race disappear, and another take its place; 'the dugout give way to floating palaces; Indian trails become railways burdened with commerce,' and proud eities where once he saw his own villages.
STATELY IN MIEN, NOBLE OF CHARACTER
"Personally, Yellow Thunder is described as having been a tall, stately man of much dignity, respected by all, a zealous Catholic, and a generous friend. We know he was brave, because he had earned the title of war-chief; he was honest and conscientious, because he so long refused to sign that infamous treaty in 1837; faithful to his promises, even to his own injury. Brave, honest, faithful, though unlettered, he was one of Nature's noblemen."
ยท
BURIAL OF YELLOW THUNDER'S SQUAW
Edmund Calvert, who knew the Yellow Thunder family spoke con- cerning the burial of Yellow Thunder, said: "Members of the Sauk County Historical Society and Twentieth Century Club: Concerning the burial of Yellow Thunder and his squaw, recalls the winter of 1868, in which occurred the death of Yellow Thunder's squaw, in a wigwam at their home. Isaac Flinn, former sheriff Seneca Corbin and William Calvert assisted in her burial. The grave was dug according to custom, 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, the west half 4 feet deep and the east half, 2 feet deep. She was removed from the tent on a sled and laid beside the grave in her blanket. She was then placed in the grave in a sitting posture, with her blanket wrapped around her and her face to the west. Then the Indians danced around the grave chanting their death song according to custom.
DEATH AND BURIAL OF YELLOW THUNDER
"After the death of his squaw Yellow Thunder lived but little in his log house, which was about three-fourths of a mile northeast of this pillar erected in memory of them. A short time before his sickness and death,
Diga.ced by Google
180
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
late in the fall of 1874, he located his tent one-half mile north of his home close to the Wisconsin River, where his white neighbors brought him something good to eat, for which he was very grateful. His death was caused from an injury to his knee, followed by blood poison. He realized he had but a short time to live, and requested to be buried in a wooden box. Ile asked to be first taken back to his home and allowed to remain there three days; the first day to visit another tribe; the second, I cannot recall for what; and the third, to go to the Happy Hunting Grounds. The same formality was used as in the burial of his squaw. The cere- mony was performed by the Indians and the career of the redman and squaw, who often ate with their white friends, was ended.
INDIANS OF LOCAL FAME
Photograph taken near Linen Mill, Baraboo (1905)-From right to left: Smoky Smoke, a Menomonie; Yellow Thunder, son of the old chief; Bill De Korra (with club) , child and wife. Camp near south bank of Baraboo river.
"I wish to extend congratulations to the societies who have so suc- cessfully located and erected this pillar to the memory of Chief Yellow Thunder and his squaw."
THE MEMORIAL PILLAR
The pillar is erected where two roads cross at the northeast corner of the C. C. Allen Farm in Fairfield. It stands under some old oak trees on the main road from Baraboo to Kilbourn, passing the Asa Shults Farm. The pillar is five miles from Baraboo. It was first decided to build the pillar where Yellow Thunder was buried in 1874. After con- sidering the matter, it was thought best to remove the remains of the departed chief and his wife from the forty acres owned by George Har-
Dig sized by Google
181
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
rison to the public road. The Indians were buried almost a half mile from the main road just east of the home of Q. A. Loveland, and it was necessary to eross private property in order to reach the place. The present owners of the land were very kind about people going upon the property, but fearing that there might be difficulty in future years it was thought best to make the change.
REMAINS REMOVED FROM FORMER GRAVES
"During the year of the great fair at Chicago, 1893, William Calvert came from the west and found the bones of the Indian chief and.his wife on the ground. They had been thrown to the surface by some curious persons hunting for relies and were not replaced. Mr. Calvert put them back as best he could, and there they remained until removed. There was some question about the correct location of the graves, but both William and Edmund Calvert were present with the members of the society when an investigation was made and it was established beyond a doubt that the graves were correctly located. On Tuesday, August 17, 1909, Joseph Johnson, chairman of the curator committee of the his- torical society, and H. E. Cole, the president, exhumed the remains of the chief and his wife. Some of the smaller bones had either disappeared, or were lost, when first thrown out by the relie hunters. Most of the bones were there, however, and they were taken out to be placed in the pillar. There was abundant evidence that Yellow Thunder had been buried in a box.
REMAINS INCLOSED IN MEMORIAL PILLAR
"On Thursday, August 19th, the pillar was erected by City Engineer H. E. French, Edmund Calvert, Charles Goette and H. E. Cole. Field stones were used and they were supplied by Mr. Calvert. A hole two feet deep was dug for the base and the whole laid up with eement. The remains of Yellow Thunder and his squaw were placed in an earthen receptacle and closed. This was placed in the structure and became a portion of the pillar. It stands about 41/2 feet high and is 3 feet square. A framework was made and the pillar laid up inside of that ; afterwards the boards were removed. Cement and lumber were kindly furnished by Frank M. Stewart of the Stewart Lumber Company.
Digitized by Google
182
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
THE NAME PLATES
Two name plates appear on the monument. On the east side is:
YELLOW THUNDER Chief of THE WINNEBAGO Born 1774-Died 1874
And His Squaw Died 1868
On the north side is :
Erected by The Sauk County Historical Society and the Twentieth Century Club of Baraboo 1909
FINAL EXPULSION OF THE WINNEBAGOES
The last days of Yellow Thunder were doubtless saddened by the final forcible expulsion of his people from Wisconsin. Gradually, while he lingered on the Forty in Delton Township, the soil of the state had been swept of Winnebagoes and the Indians, in detachments, collected on their western reservations. In 1846 a treaty had been effected by which they were to be moved about 500 miles north of their allotted lands in Iowa. Some 1,300 did so in the summer of 1848, 400 lingering in Wisconsin and Iowa. In February, 1850, quite a band of them located between the Bad Axe and Black rivers and became threatening and insolent; but they yielded to cautious councils. Other removals followed.
The last of these enforced departures ocenrred two days before the Christmas of 1873, about two months before the death of Yellow Thunder. Early in the morning of that day Capt. S. A. Hunt and ex-Sheriff Pool crossed the old Wisconsin River bridge at Portage, heading a detachment of United States troops. The little expedition was bonnd for the Baraboo River, where, near the Crawford Bridge, a considerable number of Win- nebagoes had gathered for a feast and an annual meeting.
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.