USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 18
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IRA STONE."
"May I remark parenthetically that the landing from which passengers were to be conveyed was just over the way.
"The old house lost none of its popularity during these later years and was very prosperous and successful financially-perhaps too prosperous for its own good, certainly it made for itself an enemy. Several attempts to destroy it were followed by one that proved successful and in Angust, 1857, the house was burned to the ground. As after setting forth the public life and services of a great man and his claims to the grateful remembrance of his fellow men the biographer before closing gives us a more intimate and familiar account of his hero his private life, his virtues and his faults, his home and his surroundings and thus places his subject more clearly before us, may one speak of the interior life of the Astor House in urging its claims to a niche in memory's gallery.
"No churlish landlord ever presided over the old hostelry, no niggard hand *
ever spread its board. * * Was it the pleasure of the community to honor a fellow citizen for his public services a banquet or a ball was given at the Astor House. Twice was the Hon. Morgan L. Martin, thus assured of the appreciative regard of the people of Green Bay-once, when as our delegate in Congress, he secured the passage of the Fox River improvement bill- and once when as presi- dent of the second territorial convention he was largely instrumental in framing our constitution and securing Wisconsin's admission to statehood. Here were held the important political meetings-the formation of the Whig and Demo- cratic parties were first accomplished within the walls of the old hotel. Here, too, were given the Masonic balls and parties for many years. The Mexican war put a stop to the merrymakings and carried to the front the men, who through months of familiar intercourse, had endeared themselves to the citizens of Green
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Bay. The Advocates during 1848 and 1849 are full of news from the seat of war ; there was a shadow over the whole community for a time but with a declara- tion of peace the clouds lifted again, bonfires blazed and bells rang out and there was music and dancing again in the Astor ball room. The following notice appeared in 1856. 'Fashionable Dancing Academy. Mr. De Bennee respectfully begs leave to inform the ladies and gentlemen of Green Bay that he shall recommence giving tuition in that polite art on Friday, April 18th. at the Bank hall until the Astor ball room is finished, which is now undergoing import- ant improvements.' As we read the gay throng seems to once again fill with music and laughter and jest the walls of the old hotel, then fade away and only ashes remain. Other inns took its place but the Astor House, the first real hotel west of Lake Michigan, and the most historic, stands out for all time and its epitaph remains in the hearts of the people."
( References Chapter XIII : Ms. Letters ; Thwaites, Wisconsin ; Frances Last Astor House ; Life of Father Vanden Broek ; Wisconsin Hist. Colls. Vol. II.)
CHAPTER XIV
FORT HOWARD-MEXICAN WAR
From 1816 to 1824. a period of eight years, the rule that bore sway through- out Brown county was essentially military. The civil code was limited and but sparingly administered, but military law and its uncompromising enforce- ment more than supplied any deficiencies in civil government. Instances are recorded of high handed oppression and injustice committed not only by the commanders at the French fort, but also in later years and under United States protection by the commandants at Fort Howard.
The military law held that no citizen should dare to land on the fort side of Fox river without permission from the commanding officer and it was a stand- ing order of the post that no boat or vessel should be permitted to pass the mili- tary cantonment without reporting. The sentinel was during the day often placed on guard on the wharf rather than on the elevated platform of the sallyport and ordered to fire on any craft that dared to disobey this arbitrary command.
Up to 1825 there had been no public means provided for crossing Fox river. In June of that year John P. Arndt took out a license to maintain a ferry some distance south of the fort. Military law had, however, for so long governed the community that a license given by civil authority was not recognized by Major Whistler, who issued an order forbidding any passenger to land on the west shore without first obtaining a permit from the commanding officer. A guard was stationed to enforce compliance, and several persons attempting to cross were arrested and put to much inconvenience. At last Arndt himself to end the difficulty, crossed, was seized as he had anticipated and carried to the fort. When released he brought suit against Major Whistler for false imprisonment and obtained judgment of fifty dollars and costs ; the court ruling that Fox river was a public highway, on which a ferry could be run at any point without military interference.
Fort Howard, although curtailed in its governmental power by decision of the courts continued a potent factor in the life of Brown county for the suc- ceeding forty years, giving color and picturesqueness to life in the valley of the Fox. Green Bay acquired the title of a "garrison town," a marked distinction at that time, although hardly appreciated today : it gave dignity to the little set- tlement, and brought to this vicinity men and women of exceptional worth and reputation. The garrison, with its crowd of young officers, set the pace in social affairs, and through government orders inaugurated various important improve- ments. The people were proud of their trim white fort, and the flag which floated over it during the daylight hours stood for this whole section of country as the guarantee of civilization and protection.
Tlie first commander, Colonel Talbot Chambers had his hands full with
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building the fort, and bringing it into a habitable state. Lewis Morgan, United States agent of fortifications resided for a number of years at Fort Howard and the erection of the buildings was under his supervision.
Not much could be expected from the early commanders in a social way, and indeed, the inhabitants scattered along the shores of the river were just recover- ing from the cruel devastation of the War of 1812; so although there was some informal entertaining at the houses of the well-to-do traders, the garrison held aloof, and exercised merely a decided influence on the law and customs of the people. "This country is known simply as the seat of Indian wars," wrote Judge Doty, a few years later, and the reputation of the Fox river valley was that of a place given over to fierce warfare-a battleground dangerous to the new comers and surrounded by savage tribes. "Everything at present bears a peaceful aspect, but how long this state of things will continue is very uncertain. With- out a great deal of circumspection on the part of the Indian department, and a chain of posts always properly garrisoned I have little hesitation in saying that our frontier again will witness the horrors of savage warfare-The Winnebagoes it is manifest, are decidedly opposed to our making any establishment in this country, as are also a part of the Folle-Avoinos. Nothing, I believe, but the strong force they have to combat with keeps them quiet -the storm is murmur- ing at a distance, which I am fearful will, sooner or later, burst on us with all the accumulated horrors of savage vengeance." thus wrote Dr. William Henry Henning from the "Camp on Fox river, Green Bay, August 29, 1816."
A strong hand was required at Fort Howard to hold in subjection Indians and British sympathizers among the Green Bay settlers, and Colonel Chambers proved equal to the occasion. He was as described "violent and exacting." a lover of strong drink and severe in discipline, but he was also "just and sociable" and the majority of the traders reported that they received only good treatment from the government. The commanding officer must have possessed a fair average of tact, for upon him devolved the delicate task of issuing licenses to fur traders throughout this entire section of country. The "tribunal of a mercantile inquisition" was the description given by one of these applicants for permission to carry on commercial operations, and even the dignified Jacques Porlier indulges in a burst of raillery over the absurdity of the situation. "Mr. Bouteiller, that Sheep of the Good God, after so many hardships, having been taxed with being at the head of the Savages during the war, on a Great white horse, with a great white plume, and a long Saber, and on the point of having his scalp lifted and his neck cut, has succeeded in dissipating the prejudices against him with the aid of his purse. He has obtained at great expense a license." This in the spring of 1817.
The officers do not appear to have brought their wives into this frontier post until quarters sufficient for a comfortable establishment were erected. The furnishing was a serious question, the buildings were unfinished and crude, but Zachary Taylor and his wife brought with them, in 1817, to this unsettled life refinements in household goods hitherto unknown : beautiful mahogany furni- ture, and fine old china, a large part of which, however, they were obliged to dispose of to Green Bay residents before embarking for Major Taylor's next command at Prairie du Chien. The only mode of travel being by bateau or canoe, it was manifestly impossible to carry a mammoth sideboard and heavy
RUINS OF FORT HOWARD
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LEMAX AND TILDER FOUNDATIONA.
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tables through the rapids of Fox river and the shallows of the Wisconsin, so this fine personal property was left to furnish and delight a Green Bay home.
With Colonel Joseph Lee Smith and his wife in 1819, came their cousin, after- wards Mrs. Alexander J. Irwin, and their pleasant home is mentioned by Dr. Jedidiah Morse who was their guest during his stay at the bay in 1820. Dr. Morse warmly approved of the plan instigated by Colonel Smith of removing the troops to the height above Menomineeville. The doctor invariably speaks of Fort Howard as Fort Brown, and, there was undoubtedly talk of changing the name to follow that of the county, for Schoolcraft also dubs it Brown.
In the summer of 1820, Governor Cass, in order to acquaint himself with conditions throughout his governmental territory passed down the rivers of Wis- consin to Green Bay. Henry R. Schoolcraft, who accompanied the expedition as geologist and ethnologist describes in his journal minutely the appearance of the Brown county settlement at this time, "August 20, 1820. A heavy fog in the morning prevented us from quitting our encampment until seven o'clock. Six miles below we passed the rapids of Little Kakalin, which however oppose no serious obstacle to the navigation of the river on the descent. Here we found a small party of United States soldiers, who were engaged in preparing the foun- dation for a saw mill, which is to be erected at that spot for the accommoda- tion of the garrison and settlement at Green Bay. The settlement of Green Bay commences at the Little Kakalin (Little Rapids), twelve miles above the fort, and is very compact from the Rock rapid. Here we are first presented with a view of the fort; and nothing can exceed the beauty of the intermediate country -- checkered as it is, with farm houses, fences, cultivated fields, the broad expanse of the river-the bannered masts of the vessels in the distant bay, and the warlike array of military barracks, camps and parades. This scene burst suddenly into view *
* the circumstances of our return would have pro- duced a high degree of exhilaration without the additional excitement of mil- itary music, which now saluted our ears, and the peals of artillery which bid us welcome to the fort."
Fort Howard is described as consisting of a range of barracks facing three sides of a square parade, and surrounded by a stockade of timber thirty feet high with block houses at the angles. Glistening with whitewash it presented a smart military appearance and situated in the midst of a grassy plain and backed by a (lense forest of pine with stars and stripes ever floating by day from its flag- staff it was a gay and conspicuous point of color in the landscape. From the block houses frowned ordnance sufficient to intimidate the Indians in the vicinity-one twelve pound cannon, said to have been an excellent gun, one six-pounder, and one nine pound brass howitzer pronounced unserviceable. Major Zachary Tay- lor succeeded Colonel Chambers as commandant, and the officers under him num- bered six captains, three first lieutenants, and three second lieutenants, in all 506 men, with a regimental band of sixteen musicians. Life was pleasant at old Fort Howard: there was much intercourse between the garrison and the resi- dents of the little town, which boasted now a population of five hundred souls. More and more as time went on the social side predominated, for peace was abroad in the land ; the Indians were docile and after 1825 it was decided that the civil law should be in force without military interference.
Colonel William Whistler, who is mentioned as being in command during the
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absence of Colonel Smith on the occasion of Governor Cass' visit in 1820, was stationed at Fort Howard for a number of years; a dictator in law and pro- cedure, testy in temper but warm hearted and of genial bent. Ile was insistant that the dignity of his position should be recognized and due honor paid him. The Whistlers as a family were a talented, fine looking set, and William Whistler came from a line of military ancestors. His father, John Whistler, was stationed at Detroit in 1803 and later at Fort Dearborn which he helped to build. James Abbott McNeil Whistler, the eminent but most eccentric artist once said to a visitor from Chicago; "Chicago, dear me, what a wonderful place ; I really ought to visit it some day-for you know my grandfather founded the city and my uncle was the last commander."
This uncle, William Whistler was for many years identified with Fort How- ard, first with the rank of major in 1820, and again as colonel from 1824 to 1827. He had a family of handsome daughters, and this period was one of the gayest in the Fort's social history. There was a host of young lieutenants at Fort Howard in those early days, Smith, Wheeler, Bainbridge, Wright, Hunter, Cross- man, Clark, Loring, Bloodgood and many others who from 1820 to 1828 made life gay in the isolated garrison. Constant intercourse was kept up between Fort Howard and the townspeople. In Colonel Whistler's time Navarino and Astor were unknown, but Shantytown with its pleasant homes was the goal of daily trips by the government barge. There was just the white fort guarding the river's entrance and across the water a sandy tongue of land where the year around brown smooth faced Menominee Indians camped in their mat-covered wigwams.
On the lowlands where is located the city of Green Bay grew a dark tangle of tamarack and cedar, the tints changing as the ground grew higher to the paler green of oak and maple, and there was still another note of color in the land- scape where undulating billows of wild rice met the river's channel. Through this close mesh of water growth only a birch canoe could slip easily, while the squaw propelling it could beat out the nutty grain with her paddle. The name of "Baye Verte," Green Bay, was bestowed on the place naturally, with this thick vivid verdure fringing the shores of river and bay.
Then came the home of Judge Arndt on the site of the Langlade house, the first residence on the east side of the river, and conspicuous in the landscape on Lawe's Point stood the trading house, group of buildings and beautiful garden constituting the establishment of John Lawe, Judge of Probate and one of the most prominent among the fur traders. Caroline Whistler, spoken of by Mrs. Baird in her reminiscences as a beautiful girl and one of her intimate friends, in these early days was a frequent visitor at the Lawe homestead, staying for days at a time with the interesting' eldest daughter of the house, Rachel Lawe, after- ward Mrs. Peter Bernard Grignon.
In every gay doing at the Fort from 1820 to 1826 we find the name of Henry Loring. He it was who when the play "She Stoops to Conquer," was given by the youngsters of the garrison played the part of Miss Hardcastle, the remain- der of the cast including the names of Lieutenants Smith. Bainbridge, Wright, Russell and others. In 1821, Colonel Joseph L. Smith was succeeded in com- mand by Colonel Ninian Pinckney, and he in turn was relieved in 1823 by Colonel John McNeil, of whom a pleasant sketch is given by Surveyor General
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Albert G. Ellis. The fort had become well established by this time, 1822, Shantytown was at the zenith of its popularity as a place of residence and Colonel MeNeil did all in his power to add to the joy of life in this far off town. In the long mess room, which he built with this purpose in view, he in- stituted during the winter months weekly assembly parties, the guests coming from Shantytown on the ice by cariole or French train-a gay crowd. Dinner would be served as early as four o'clock and then began the dancing which lasted not later than midnight. One long remembered merrymaking took place on a March evening and before the dancing ceased the ice in the river had begun to move down stream, and the party were prisoners in the garrison for days to come. A ball at Fort Howard was a joy long to be remembered and its happy moments are still charmed back to life in gossipy letter and reminiscence. In the long mess room spermaceti candles shed a soft glow ; wreaths of ground pine festooned the whitewashed walls, and formed an effective background for the merry dancers. A government band sixteen strong discoursed dance compelling strains, and those who joined in the round say that there was a dash, a verve to Fort Iloward cotil- lions not found in social attempts at other western points ; the Creole girls had a beauty and distinction foreign to less favored localities, unless it might be Mack- inac, "isle of the blessed."
In summer the government barge manned by soldiers and the "pill box," the Fort surgeon's special property, with just room for two in addition to the row- ers, called at the settlement or at landing places all down the river to gather the ladies for the evening rout, the hour for assembling being as late during the warm weather as seven o'clock. What quaint airs were wafted from the open windows beyond the cantonment pickets far out on the softly whispering river ; "Two Shillings in my pocket," "Cheat the Lady," and the plaintive strains of "Old Rosin the bow." The bizarre, somewhat barbaric dress of the ladies, bright with ribbons from the trading house formed a wavering mass of color in the candlelight, and shifted in slanting lines with the changing movement of the dancers.
Everyone danced. Youth's tripping foot, and the clumsy tread of age alike beat time to the rhythm when a deep swept courtesy and low return bow marked the commencement of the revel. To and fro, in and out, wove the fascinating measure, with light laughter, whispered speech and sweet glances from bright eyes.
The French creole who added immensely to the interest and gayety of these assemblies, ardent in love, gallant in war, with manners that would not have shamed a courtier of Versailles was a picturesque product of the place and time. The dignified handsome creole women showed, too, a refinement and charm that captivated to the point of marriage more than one American officer in the various army posts :
"Where are the Marys, and Anns and Elizas, Lovely and loving of yore? Look in the columns of old advertisers, Dead and gone by the score."
General Hugh Brady who was stationed at Fort Howard in 1823-25 was a Pennsylvanian who had distinguished himself as an Indian fighter on the upper Ohio. In the War of 1812 he did gallant service at the battles of Chippewa and
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Niagara, and was wounded in the latter fight. He, with General Brooke were the only officers who commanded at Fort Howard with the rank of General. and his name and service are commemorated in Fort Brady at Sault Ste. Marie.
A post school was inaugurated at this period at Fort Howard under the tute- lage of A. G. Ellis, in a commodious building furnished with books, stationary and furniture and a "council of administration," with the commanding officer to keep discipline. Some thirty of the citizens' children were admitted. The officer of the day visited the school regularly at three o'clock, and on Friday afternoon General Brady and his staff inspected and heard recitations.
Following General Brady came Major William Whistler, and a bit of romance connecting young Lieutenant Loring with Caroline Whistler has only within the past few years come to light. It is in the form of a letter yellowed by time, cracked in the folds, the superscription, "Miss Caroline Whistler," "The River." and in the corner, "John Lawe," faded and stained as though by tears.
Personality springs into life as we read the written lines :
Fort Howard. Sunday Morning.
"My dear Caroline :- A short time before I left Green Bay I mentioned to you that Mr. Bloodgood had told me that he was desirous of speaking to me on a particular subject, and that I thought that it was concerning you and myself. This turned out to be the fact, for on the day previous to our regiment's start- ing he, in conversation with me stated his feelings toward you, and wished to hear from me positively our situation in regard to each other ; at the same time disavowing any wish to supplant me in your esteem or affection,-He was so frank in his avowal and remarks that I was led to declare to him what I did then, and must still believe to be a fact,-that I considered myself bound and engaged to you by every tie that could bind a man of honor to the woman he loved. and that nothing but your father's consent was in the way of our being united before I left the bay.
I must see you if possible and immediately, therefore I wish you to make some arrangements to pass the evening from home, and inform me where I can meet you,-say at the Doctor's, or you might walk in the garden with Lydia and your cousin Abbott.
Nothing that may ever happen will ever change my feelings toward you, and believe me, my dear girl, yours as truly as ever.
HENRY H. LORING.
If possible write this afternoon, and let me know if I can see you,-I should not be so anxious if I were not obliged to leave here in the next vessel."
Did Caroline 'in the soft dusk of the summer evening walk in the Doctor's garden with Harry Loring, or did he, wild with impatience to meet her. cross the river and receive her decision in the hush of the palisaded garden at the Lawes? Was there treachery somewhere, and was the letter never delivered? None can tell. Ninety years have drifted over the scrap of paper containing Loring's tender appeal and none are left to tell its history. Loring resigned a few years later from the army, did not live to be old, and long before the great civil war shook our country was at rest.
The organization of Menominee Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, in 1824, formed a welcome diversion in the monotony of garrison life. All but four
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of the charter members were officers from Fort Howard, and the transitory stay of troops in any post was responsible for the disbanding of the lodge in 1830, almost all of the original nine having been ordered elsewhere, and new brothers failing to take their place. The meetings of the lodge were not at any time held in the fort but in a building in Shantytown whither the enthusiastic Masons were carried by government barge.
During Major Whistler's command at Fort Howard occurred the massacre of the Gaguier family by Red Bird, a well known Winnebago warrior and a companion Indian. Major Whistler led the expedition of volunteers, regulars. Stockbridge and Oneida Indians against Red Bird and his band, who surren- dered without battle near the Fox-Wisconsin portage. A fine looking Indian and rather dramatic in action, his surrender to the Fort Howard commandant is a striking incident in Wisconsin history. "I have thrown away my life: I would not call it back again ; let it go ;" thus did Red Bird chant, as he supposed, his death song, at the same time taking up a pinch of dust and throwing it away.
Major (later General) David Twiggs succeeded Whistler in command, a man who exercised his authority over the enlisted men to the point of extreme cruelty. and who was thoroughly disliked by his subordinates, both officers and privates while at Fort Howard. One of the soldiers, Prescott, stole into the commandant's quarters one afternoon, while he was asleep, intending to brain him with the butt end of his musket, but Twiggs heard the soft tread, sprang up and wrench- ing the gun from Prescott's hand felled him to the ground.
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