USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of Wisconsin from prehistoric to present periods : the story of the state interspersed with realistic and romantic events > Part 12
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SIRE AND SON.
Is it not, then, an omen of good promise that this department is begun in that number of the Wisconsin Historical Magazine which is to reach its readers on the eve of what we boys of younger growth call " Union Defenders' Day." February 12th is the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a date which, in the words of Commander-in-Chief Hall, " marks the birth of an American whose life and character was to touch as with the hand of magic the civilization of the world. Through him came freedom to bonded millions ; through him our Nation took a mighty step in civilizing progress."
For the Order of Sons of Veterans (S. V., U. S. A. ) stands pledged to labor in behalf of a worthy public commemoration of this day with appropriate patriotic exercises.
Such is the occasion and the opportunity that-the date this year falling upon Sunday-Commander Hall very properly suggests that " where possible Camps interest churches in a programme for that day, illustrating the life and character of the martyr president ; but that where such arrangements be impracticable, a special meeting of the Camp be held on the Saturday evening preceding or the Monday evening following the 12th, open to the general public."
It is the Camp's chaplain who should, of his own initiative, as the conductor of its monthly patriotic exercises prescribed by the C. R. & R., prepare the programme and superintend the exercises, not necessarily in person, but at least as the guiding, directing spirit. This demands such qualities of tact, experience and education as may not be joined in the average son of a veteran. In other words : the chaplain should, where and whenever possible, be a man of mature mind and ripe reading-a teacher, preacher, lawyer, doctor ; or, if a business man, one of suffi- cient leisure for the cultivation of literary tastes.
Has your Camp such a chaplain ? If not, why not ? Is your Camp going to commemorate "Union Defenders' Day" appropriately ? If not, why not? Are your Post, and Corps, and Aid Society going to help their sons and brothers to honor the name and fame of Abraham Lincoln this year? If not, why not?
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MATTHEW KALT,
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COR. MASON & EAST WATER STS.
Room 2. MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Above Preusser's Jewelry Store.
CHAS. A. PRAHL, MANUFACTURER OF
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Elevated Feet for Shortened Limbs, Braces for Weak Ankles and Spinal Curvatures, Elastic Stockings, Trusses and Crutches. Limbs Furnished on Government Orders. Perfect Fit Guaranteed and Every Limb Warranted.
Prices for Limbs are $50.00, $65.00, $75.00, $85.00.
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America Discovered. 1492.
COLUMBIA RIVER 1792.
United States Established 1788.
LEWIS AND CLARKE, 1804-6.
ASTOR AND HUNT, 1811-12
=
WHITMAN'S RIDE, 1842.
OREGON
A STATE,
1859.
WASHINGTON A STATE, 1889.
-
IDAHO A STATE, 1890.
RAIL
1889.
MONTANA A STATE
ROAD
STEVEN'S SURVEY
OF NORTHERN
PACIFIC
THE
RAILROAD,
NORTHERN
1853.
PACIFIC RAILROAD
THE
W
0
C
NDER U
L T AND E
Passes through a region rich in Historic Incident, replete with scenery of the finest sort, and one where the mountains which it has
J. M. HANNAFORD . Gen. Traffic Mgr. St. Paul.
tunnelled, give up
. . . THE ...
PARK.
CHAS. S. FEE, Gen. Pass. and Ticket Agt. St. Paul.
Louisiana Purchase, 1803.
PRECIOUS METALS
IN UNLIMITED QUANTITIES.
Oregon Treaty, 1846.
MINNESOTA A STATE, 1858.
NORT
WYETH, 1832.
FREMONT, 1843.
IFIC
NORTH DAKOTA A STATE, 1889.
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD BEGUN 1870, COMPLETED 1883.
HERN
YELLOWSTONE
IN THE PRIVATE GALLERY OF W. H. METCALF, MILWAUKEE.
COPYRIGHT BY G. H. YENOWINE.
THE LOST PLEIAD.
BINHEX EMb. (odiav.(Ht)
THE FOXES LEAVING THE BEAUTIFUL FOX RIVER VALLEY FOR DETROIT.
CHAPTER XVII.
WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINION .- 1634-1763.
France takes possession of the West .- The French fort at Green Bay plundered by the Foxes and their allies .- The Fox River Indians abandon their homes and remove. to the Detroit river .- French and Indian battle near present site of Neenah .- The Menomonies overcome .- Morand punishes the tribute-exacting Foxes .- Massacre of the Foxes on the Wisconsin .-. The brutal De Villiers killed by Young Black-, bird .- Sacs and Foxes driven from Green Bay .- The downfall of New France.
To France we are indebted for our first pages in actual history. From the time Nicollet stepped upon our soil in 1634, up to 1763, when. New France passed into oblivion, each page is a record of the most horrible tragedies ever written in blood.
EMNER KRILIA MW
PLUNDERING OF THE FRENCH FORT AT GREEN BAY, AND BURNING OF FRENCH CHAPEL.
As early as 1670, France was eager to take possession of the West. Nicholas Perrot was chosen, as the best fitted, to gather the Indians in one grand assembly, and there make known the desires of the French. He went in person to the tribes of Wisconsin, and, because of his favor among them, he was wonderfully successful. The next spring, Perrot returned to Sault Ste. Marie with the guileless barbarians, who were ready to surrender their land to the French crown. St. Lusson acted as master of ceremonies, but the real work had been done by Perrot.
One tribe remained that would not do homage to the French. Nothing could induce the proud Foxes to be present at the great council. They started and went as far as Green Bay, but then turned back.
While Frontenac was governor of New France, Perrot was forced to fall back, and La Salle took his place. In 1685, the friends of Perrot again came into power and Perrot was made governor of the Northwest,
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
with headquarters at Green Bay .* He established posts along the Mississippi, and made explorations in the countries west of the river. He spent the winter not far from Mount Trempealeau on the Black river. The next season, Perrot hastened to Green Bay where his presence was much needed. The long-smoldering discontent of the Foxes and their adherents was now bursting forth into open violence against France. This tribe had endured all manner of abuses heaped upon them by the traders. La Salle also, for actual or imaginary reasons, had greatly incensed the Indians. In 1687, the Foxes, Kickapoos and Mascoutins formed a conspiracy to plunder the French fort at Green Bay. The plan was carried out, the French chapel burned, and everything of value carried off or destroyed. The chief sufferer by this conspiracy was Perrot. It is said that he lost furs amounting to 40,000 livres. Even this did not discourage Perrot. He pushed on to the Mississippi river, and spent the winter again at Mount Trempealeau. The next spring, on the 9th of May, 1689, Perrot formally took possession of the great northwest, at Fort St. Antoine. t
PERROT WAS MANY TIMES CONDEMNED TO DEATH.
In 1690, Perrot was at Quebec, whence he returned to Wisconsin. Year after year he passed in mediating among the different tribes; not only once, but many times, was he condemned to death, but always miraculously escaped. Perrot's old age was spent in poverty. The French king had no compassion, and did not heed the many entreaties made in his behalf. About 1716 he wrote a memoir addressed to the colonial authorities. This is the last we hear of this noble man.
*Wis. Hist. Col., Vol. X., 299.
+Hebberd's "Wisconsin Under French Dominion," 62.
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WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINION.
At this time the French empire in America was at the height of its prosperity. The French, however, did not desire to make settlements in the west. All they wished was to control the continent and to monopolize its trade. This they did, and the lilies of France floated without opposition over the entire land, from Quebec to the mouth of the Mississippi, and from the Alleghanies nearly to the base of the Rocky Mountains. But already could be heard the murmurings of the distant storm. On account of the restrictions throughout France, the prices of French merchandise were exorbitant. The English traders were able to offer the Indians three or four times more for their furs than the French could. This was quickly noticed by the savages, and they became much dissatisfied, and began to chafe under the yoke of France.
THE FOXES OVERTAKEN BY THE FRENCH AND INDIANS NEAR DETROIT.
The Foxes of Wisconsin were the one tribe that the French could not subdue. The fire of Fox resistance did not burn itself out until the French empire in America had fallen in ruins. The other Algonquin nations, Hurons, Ottawas, and Illinois, placed themselves under the protection of the French; the Foxes, on the contrary, proud and unsub- dued, first looked upon them with suspicion and dislike, at last with burning hatred.
The French had been made aware of the Foxes' secret hostility, and took all manner of precaution to avoid an outbreak. In 1712, the Foxes, Mascoutins, Kickapoos, and part of the Sacs, gathered together their belongings, left the beautiful and fertile land along the Fox rive ,
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
and made their way to the Detroit river. This they had been persuaded to do by the French, in order that they might be gotten out of the way, as France readily saw that they were a people untrained, haughty and intractable. It was absolutely necessary for them to be gotten rid of. When, at last, they had well settled at Detroit, the French began hos- tilities. Unaware of and unexpecting any danger, the Foxes were over- whelmed with surprise when the French opened fire upon them. The defiant Indians, however, were a terror to all. The French would not go near them, but fought at a safe distance, trying to subdue them by famine and thirst. In this manner they fought for days. Even when water failed them they would not give in. Hundreds of their people were dying, scores were lying unbur- ied in their camp. Still the cruel fight went on. The French were very nearly discouraged It seemed impos- sible to overcome such people as the Foxes. At last, after nineteen days of fighting, fortune came to the relief of the Foxes. One dark night, during a heavy rainstorm, the Indians stealth- ily departed. The next morning the French set out in hot pursuit. They FOX WOMEN BURNED AT THE STAKE. came upon a party
of the Foxes about twelve miles above Detroit, and, after two days' fighting, the Indians were forced to surrender. Mercy was not shown them, nor was it asked. All the warriors were slaughtered. Even the women and children were not spared. Nothing in the annals of Indian history is as black as this transaction. Hundreds upon hun- dreds of fires were kindled in order to slowly burn at the stake some woman or inoffensive child.
This unparalleled slaughter had only deepened the hatred of the Foxes towards the French. They were not nearly so well exterminated as the French had fondly anticipated. Four hundred good warriors were still at Green Bay, and some others, who had been scattered in the
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WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINION.
flight. So, from time to time, the governor had to complain of the Indians' insolence. The Indians, however, were now more civil to the surrounding tribes, and sought in every way to make friends and allies. This they soon did, and, in 1714, the Fox and the Sioux tribes combined and made war against the Illinois, a tribe in alliance with the French. At this the French authorities were greatly distressed, for the thought of being overcome by a single tribe of Indians was to them bitter as gall. The great but fragile empire of New France was almost wiped out of existence by these desperate and untamable savages of Wisconsin.
The French thought of numerous methods to overcome this danger. At last it was decided to again attempt the extermination of the Foxes. This plan met the opposition of the most experienced people of the colony, but all in vain. On the 14th of March, 1716, De Louvigny* led the expedition from Quebec to destroy the Foxes. There were about eight hundred men in this expedition, and they were the first white men, to any great extent, that had ever reached Wisconsin. First, they came to Green Bay, from there they ascended the rapids of the Fox river until they arrived at the town of the Foxes, which was nearly opposite the present city of Neenah. Here the savages were quietly awaiting the attack, which they so well knew must surely come. They were pre- pared to sell their lives as dearly as possible. The Indians had five hundred warriors, and more than three thousand women. For three days they kept up a continual fire, and withstood the deadly attack of the French, expecting every moment a reinforcement of three hundred men. At the last moment they attempted to surrender, but were not listened to. De Louvigny had come to destroy, not to make terms of peace. A second time the Indians sued for peace. This time, for some unaccountable reason, the governor listened to the proposition. Proba- bly he was aware of the closeness of the long-expected reinforcements. De Louvigny was much censured for his conduct. He tried to hold the Indians responsible, but they indignantly denied his report. The terms of the surrender were mild. The Foxes were to give back their pris- oners; they were to hunt, to pay the expenditures of the war; they were to capture slaves and give them to the French, to replace the dead; and six of their chiefs, or chiefs' children, were to be sent or taken to Quebec as hostages. De Louvigny then set out for home and arrived at Quebec on October 12th. This battle took place about thirty-seven miles above Green Bay, at a place called Little Butte des Morts. t
The next spring De Louvignyt was sent back to carry out the con-
*De Louvigny is said to have lost his life in a shipwreck, August 27, 1725.
+Strong's "History of Wisconsin Territory," 33-34.
#The following is the account of the battle, in De Louvigny's own words:
" After three days of open trenches, sustained by a continuous fire of fusileers, with two pieces of cannon and a grenade mortar, they were reduced to ask for peace, notwithstanding they had five hundred warriors in the fort, who fired briskly, and more than three thousand women ; they also expected shortly a reinforcement of three hun- dred men. But the promptitude with which the officers, who were in this action, pushed
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ditions of the surrender. In the meantime, three of the Fox chiefs had died of small-pox at Quebec, and another, the only remaining one it seems, had lost one eye. This one-eyed savage hostage, with two French interpreters, the governor sent to perfect the treaty. At first he
SURRENDER OF THE FOXES NEAR NEENAH.
induced the Foxes to sign an agreement that they would send ambassa- dors to Montreal to finish the treaty the next spring. With this indis- pensable and precious paper, the hostage, together with the two French interpreters, started for Michilimackinac. After about thirty miles had been traversed, the Indian hostage, who rejoiced in but one eye, began to reconsider. He finally said he felt it his duty to go back to his people and help them keep faith with the French. After making this deliberate
forward the trenches that I had opened at only seventy yards from the fort, made the enemy fear the third night that they would be taken. As I was only twenty-four yards from their fort, my design was to reach the triple oak stakes by a ditch of a foot and a half in the rear. Perceiving very well that my balls had not the effect I anticipated, I decided to take the place at the first onset, and to explode two mines under their cur- tains. The boxes being properly placed for the purpose, I did not listen to the enemies' first proposition ; but they having made a second one, I submitted it to my allies, who consented to it on the following conditions: That the Foxes and their allies would make peace with all the Indians who are submissive to the king, and with whom the French are engaged in trade and commerce, and that they would return to me all the French prisoners that they have, and those captured during the war from our allies. This was complied with immediately. That they would take slaves from distant natives and deliver them to our allies, to replace their dead; that they should hunt to pay the expenses of this war, and as a surety of the keeping of their word, they should deliver me six chiefs, or children of chiefs, to take with me to M. La Marquis De Vaudreuil as hostages, until the entire execution of our treaty, which they did, and I took them with me to Quebec. Besides I have re-united the other nations, at variance among them- selves, and have left that country enjoying universal peace."
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WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINION.
speech, the one-eyed savage turned back, and was soon lost to view in the depths of the surrounding forest. So ended the much-talked-of treaty of the French with the Foxes.
The question now arises, what good had the expedition of De Lou- vigny accomplished ? The natural answer is, none whatsoever; nothing but evil resulted from his work. The Foxes, in place of being exter- minated, had been aroused to greater efforts. Now that many of the old warriors were dead, nothing remained to check the wild impetuosity of the young chiefs. They made friends with all the tribes that was possible, and attacked the Illinois Indians, who were stanch adherents of the French. In this manner the very core of the French nation was being aimed at. This danger was fully realized by the French author- ities. Year after year, the Foxes strengthened their forces, and, year after year, the French became more uneasy. The confederation which the hostile Indians formed in this manner is entirely without equal in the history of American Indians. Their attacks on the Illinois were increasing, and all but one tribe were compelled to flee southward. This one tribe had a formidable stronghold on Rock St. Louis. This the Foxes knew, but, undaunted, decided to capture it. Reinforcements were sent to the French allies, and the Foxes were obliged to raise the siege. The attack was thought foolish at first, but the outcome was good. Immediately after the siege was over, the Indians fled from the barren Rock St. Louis. The French tried hard to prevent this, but of no avail. The colonial authorities made every effort to keep control of the Illinois river.
On the 7th of June, 1725, at Green Bay, the French again tried to make peace. The Indians were penitent, and placed the blame on the young warriors. This was merely by-play. Peace was neither desired nor expected by the French ; their idea was to exterminate the Foxes .*
To this end, the French were eagerly preparing to slaughter the Foxes. For some time the French had endeavored to establish a trad- ing-post on the Mississippi. Until now they had been unable to do so. By their treaty with the Foxes, they had at least carried this point-the building of Fort Beauharnois. As soon as this end was accomplished, they threw off all reserve, and declared war. They said that the Foxes were still sending war parties against the Illinois. The French, with the utmost secrecy, made all preparations for the final move. All the Canadians and friendly Indians were told to hold themselves in readi- ness for the onset in the ensuing spring.
On the 5th of June, 1728, about four hundred Frenchmen, under M. De Lignery, ; together with nearly nine hundred savages, started from Montreal. Many more were expected to join the expedition on the route to Green Bay. On the 15th of August, they came to the vil-
*Hebberd's "Wisconsin Under French Dominion," 114.
+Wis. Hist. Coll. Vol. III., 148-163.
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
lage of the Menomonies, and these savages were entirely overcome. Elated with this success, the French moved on toward the Sac village at Green Bay. When about eight or ten miles from the village, they halted and waited until nightfall. Under cover of its darkness, they boldly advanced, and, about midnight, reached the village. But they were balked of their prey. The Indians had been warned and had fled. The pillagers next went to the village of the Winnebagoes. This tribe also had fled. The French were obliged to content themselves with the destruction of their huts, and harvest of Indian corn, upon which the savages principally subsisted. Now they moved on to the chief settle- ment of the Foxes. Here, also, nothing but emptiness greeted them. One more town of the enemy they went to, but that, also, was forsaken. The savage allies would then go no farther, so the French were forced to go back. Before returning, however, they devastated all the villages, and destroyed all the corn, peas, beans and gourds that they could find.
MASSACRE OF THE MENOMONEES.
This left the Foxes in a very poor condition. Winter was close at hand, and starvation staring them in the face. What they were to do they knew not. The Sioux had refused to receive them. Even the Mascoutins and Kickapoos, their oldest allies, had deserted them. The Foxes were left alone to bear the brunt of the French vandals.
They spent the first winter in the land of the Iowas, but love of home overpowering them, they came back to Wisconsin in the spring. Their spirit at last broken, they were willing to give up all to the
IOI
WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINION.
insatiate French. The French answered their peaceful proposals by fiercer attacks than ever before. Towards the end of 1729, a party of Ottawas, Chippewas, Menominees and Winnebagoes ambuscaded a detachment of Fox Indians. Three hundred women and children were taken prisoners, and, of the eighty warriors in the detachment, all but three were killed or captured. Burned at the stake was their horrible fate. The idea is erroneous that burning originated with the Indians. It is true they burned men, but it was left for the French to burn defenseless women and children. This went far beyond the malignity of the uncivilized savage. "That was the invention of the French, one of those depths of infamy into which it would seem that only the civi- lized could sink, as a stone descends with the greater force when it falls from the greater height."*
The Foxes sent the great chief of their nation to make peace. He was willing, and expected nothing but death for his portion. The only thing he asked for was the lives of the women and children. Even this sad appeal did not stir the hearts of the hard-hearted French. The French attempted to place all the blame on their savage allies, but his- tory shows that such was not the case.
Captain Morand, of France, a prominent trader among the Sacs and various nations on the Mississippi, had a place of deposit on the banks of the Mississippi, called Fort Morand, and another nine miles west of Macki- naw, also known by the same name. The numerous exactions of the Foxes, by way of tribute, vexed Morand to the degree that he resolved to chastise them. He raised a small volunteer force at Mackinaw, which was increased by the friendly Indians at Green Bay. Morand's fleet of canoes started from Green Bay up the Fox river about March, 1730, each canoe being full of well-armed men, having an oil-cloth large enough to cover both men and boat. This was customary to all traders in order to protect their goods from the evil effects of the weather. They proceeded on their way as far as Grand Chute, about three miles below Little Butte des Morts, where Morand divided his party, one going by land to surround the village and attack them from the rear, while the water division would attack them from the front.
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