History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 16

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 16
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 16

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).

"Prairie du Chien, on which the village of that name stands, is a handsome plain, about half a mile wide from the bank of the river to the bluff or commencement of the rising ground, and out of danger from inundations. In conse- quence of the serpentine course of the river, the plain widens above and below the village. The soil is a black sand about fifteen inches deep, appearing to be very productive. The foundation is gravelly, containing amber stones susceptible of a handsome polish. Timber is scarce. The upland in the vicinity is very broken, poor and nearly barren. In the settle- ment are about 1,500 inhabitants, exclusive of the military, who are principally creoles. As a

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

place of business, it now appears on the de- eline.

"The river Ouiseonsin (Wisconsin) is about half a mile wide-common depth one to four feet-no falls, but generally a brisk current. The channel is subject to change, from the numerous bars of sand which lie in it, and fre- quently alter their position. In the river are numerous islands, on which grow the principal timber of the country. The banks are generally low and sandy-some plains lined with the com- mon granite stone. The bordering country is very broken, sandy and barren. In the interior the same description will answer. Barren, broken and destitute of vegetation, few places can be found that will admit of settlements. The Winnebago Indians inhabit the country bordering on the tributary streams of both sides of the river. They appear to go abroad for their game, and have no conveniences for dwelling, except a kind of lodge which they carry with them wherever they go. Their ter- ritory extends from the Mississippi to the vi- einity of Green bay, and the number of their warriors is 700."

INDIAN AFFAIRS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY.

From the commencement of the settlement upon the "Prairie des Chiens" until the final disappearance of the Winnebago Indians, as elsewhere described, Indian affairs in some way engrossed a large share of the attention of the pioneers. Important treaties were held here, notably in 1825 and 1829. For a number of years the Winnebagoes assembled here annual- ly, to receive their payments. One of the most tragical events of the Winnebago war occurred near here, as explained in another chapter ; and the elosing ineidents of that brief season of hostile aets were upon the "prairie." During the Black Hawk War, in 1832, Prairie du Chien was an important point of operations for the Americans, as is fully shown in another portion of this history.

TREATIES WITHI THIE SAC AND FOX INDIANS AND THE WINNEBAGOES.

Twelve treaties were held at different times between the United States and the Sac and Fox Indians and the Winnebagoes, affecting, im- mediately or remotely, the territory now in- cluded within the limits of Crawford county, as follows :

1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, Nov. 3, 1804, between the Saes and Foxes and the United States. William Henry Harrison was aeting commissioner on the part of the govern- ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to the United States a large traet on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin, and inelu- ding on the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade northward. In what is now the State of Wis- consin, this grant embraced the whole of the present counties of Grant and Lafayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this eession, the general gov- ernment agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own eiti- zens and all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper side of the Wisconsin river near its mouth, and granted a traet of land two miles square adjoining the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of $1,000 per annum. Thevalidity of this treaty was denied by one band of Sac Indians, and this cession of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk War.

2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles Co., Mo., on the Mississippi river, Sept. 13, 1815, with cer- tain chiefs of that portion of the Sae Nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of

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their Nation. They gave their assent to the treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and prom- ised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United States and the Foxes of Rock river.

3. On the 14th of September a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe, at the same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the gov- ernment. They assented to, recognized, re-es- tablished and confirmed the treaty of 1804 to the full extent of their interest in the same.

4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty Black Hawk's name appears with others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had "touched the quill" to this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said he did not consider the same valid or binding on him or his tribe, inas- much as the terms of those treaties, territory was described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was made by parties who had neither anthority in the Nation nor power to dispose of its lands. Whether this was a true statement of the case or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of lands referred to was often confirmed by his Nation, and was deemed conclusive and bind- ing by the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the disposition of the lands.

5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, 1816, between the chiefs and warriors of that part of the Winne- bagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the tribe state that they have sepa-

rated themselves from the rest of their Nation; that they, for themselves and those they repre- sent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their Nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest extended.

6. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ot- tawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary between the two first Nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and other tribes.

7. Another treaty was held Aug. 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small settle- ment on the St. Louis river, in Itasca Co., Minn., with the same tribes, by which the previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas was defined, as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty.

8. A treaty was made and concluded Aug. 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United States and the Chippewa, Menomonce and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their tribes were defined; no cession of lands was made.

9. A treaty was made at Green Bay, Aug. 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawattamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to re- move the difficulties which had arisen in con- sequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the south- western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation.

10. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien on the 29th of July, 1829, and Aug. 1, 1829. At the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these

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Nations ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois; and at the latter date with the Winnebagoes, by which that Nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the pur- chase of the lead-mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or sold by the grantees.

By this important treaty, about 8,000,000 aeres of land were added to the pubhe domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41 degrees 30 minutes to latitude 43 degrees 15 minutes on the Mississippi Following the meanderings of the river, it was about 240 miles from west to east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase ex- tended from Rock Island to Lake Michigan.

11. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the Indian title of the Winnebago Nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1832. All the terri- tory claimed by this Nation lying south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June 1, 1833, or on any part of the country therein ceded.

12. The Winnebago Nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the govern- ment at Washington, Nov. 1, 1837. That Nation ceded all their lands east of the Missis- sippi, and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to certain lands west of the Mississippi

which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sept. 21, 1832.

A SEQUAL TO THE GREAT INDIAN TREATY OF 1829. [By Caleb Atwater.]

On the day we delivered the goods to the Winnebagoes, after the Indians were all seated on the ground in rows, the chiefs on the highest spot in the center, on benches, clothed in the most sumptuous manner; where they could see and be seen to the best advantage; every tribe by itself; the half-breeds in one place, the full whites in another. As I passed through the open spaces between the ranks, my attention was forcibly drawn to a particular spot by a constant snarling, hissing noise of some miser- able human being, whom, on approaching I ascertained to be an Indian woman, shriveled, haggard and old, though remarkably neat in her person and dress. She appeared to be about sixty years of age, and scolded inces- santly. Some of the goods placed before her, as her share of them, she complained of as being too fine; others as being too coarse; some cost too much, while others were quite too cheap, and none of them seemed to please her. Wish- ing, if possible, to please all of them, and especially the ladies; actuated by the best of motives, I endeavored by every argument in my power to satisfy her, that so far as I could do anything towards it, great care had been taken in the distribution to do justice to every indi- vidual. I told her that her great father, the President, had specially ordered me, so far as in me lay, to please all, and to see that none went home dissatisfied. At that moment she returned upon me a volley of epithets too de- grading to be repeated, even though applied to myself, as I felt conscious of not deserving them. Turning around to some females who were politely sitting on the ground behind me, I learned the fault finder was an old muid, (un- married men at sixty years of age I will call bachelors, but ladies never), and that the only distinguishing mark of attention she had ever

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received from any man was a smart blow with a flat hand on her right ear.

As there is no law regulating taste, and some- times no rational way of accounting for some of its freaks; and as some sights are the aver- sion of some persons, while the appearance of other objects is equally disagreeable to others; and as I never could endure the ideas conveyed to my mind by a rattlesnake, a heartless politi- cion, an iceberg and a cold-hearted woman, I turned away from her in disgust, and never saw her more nor inquired her name, for fear I should remember it. She was the only person who left the treaty ground dissatisfied with the commissioners. To please her it was utterly impossible.

Seated, as I said, upon rising ground on benches, elad in blankets, either red or green; covered with handsome fur hats, with three beautiful ostrich plumes in each hat; dressed in ruffled calico shirts, leggins and moccasins, all new, and faces painted to suit the faney of each individual, who held in his hand a new rifle, adorned too, with silver brooches, silver clasps on every arm, and a large medal sus- pended on each breast; the chiefs, principal warriors and head men, to the number of forty- two, sat during the two hours after all the goods had been delivered to the Nation.

Every individual of both sexes in the Nation had lying directly before the person on the ground the share of the goods belonging to the individual. Great pains had been taken to give each, such, and just so many clothes as would be suitable for the owner to wear during the year to come. The clothes were ent so as to correspond exactly with the size of the owner. The pile of clothes for each person was nearly two feet in thickness, the sight of which entirely overcame with joy our red friends, and they sat, during two hours, in the most profound silence, not taking off their eyes one moment from the goods, now their own. For the first time during my constant inter- course of several weeks with these interesting

sons and daughters of the forest, as I passed re- peatedly through their ranks, not an eye ap- peared to see me, not an ear to hear my heavy tread, not a tongue, as always heretofore, re- peated the endearing name of "Oconce Kairake," (the good chief), which their kind partiality had given me on my first landing at Prairie du Chien. Their minds were entirely over- come with joy.

The day being far spent, and, as the landing of the canoes, in which they were about to de- part, would necessarily occupy some little time, I informed the chiefs and principal men that the time had arrived when we should part to meet no more; that the great gun at the fort would soon be fired to do them honor. With one ac- cord they all arose, and shaking me heartily by the hand, many of them shedding tears on the occasion, they one and all invited me to visit them at their respective places of abode. In a shrill tone of voice Nankaw issued his orders for every individnal to arise, take up his or her goods, and repair to the beach of the river near at hand, and there await the signal from the fort for their embark ition.

In fifteen minutes they were all seated on the sands by the river's edge, where they all sat in breathless silence awaiting the signal, which was soon given. As soon as that was given each chief eame forward, shook me again eor- dially by the hand, accompanied by the warm- est protestations of friendship. In a few mo- ments more they were off, covering a consider- able surface with their canoes, each one of which carried its flag of some sort floating in the gentle breeze, which ruffled the surface of the Mississippi.

The Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatta- mies had received their goods in the same man- ner as the Winnebagoes; had been treated pre- eisely in the same way, and three guns, one for each Nation, had given them signal to depart, and they had parted with me in the same kind and affectionate manner.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

After the departure of the above named In- dians, we had the Sauks and Foxes still with us, with whom we had orders to hold a council to ascertain from them "if they would sell their mineral lands, situated west of the Mississippi?" -- and if they would sell them, upon what terms?"

Gen. M'Neil, who was in command as a mili- tary officer in this section of country, addressed these tribes and was answered by Keokuk on the part of the Sauks, and by Morgan for the Foxes. I regret that the injunction of secrecy rests on these speeches in the United States Senate; otherwise I should take great pleasure in laying them before the reader. Keokuk, in particular, made one of the best speeches I ever heard, and it was admired as such by several members of the Senate. Keokuk, on the part of these Indians, complained to us of certain white men who had settled on the Indian lands along the Mississippi in order to supply per- sons navigating the river with necessaries, such as poultry, milk, butter, eggs, and above all, cordwood for the steamboats. He complained that the United States had cultivated lands as a garden for the garrison at Prairie du Chien- had erected a mill without leave, on Indian land -- and had not fulfilled former treaties with them.

Making them liberal presents, we naturally deferred the whole subject in discussion for the consideration of the government of the United States to act on it ; and I take pleasure in say- ing the government has, since that time, done its duty to these sons of the forest.

After arranging all matters with them as well as we could, which occupied several days, they were dismissed in a very friendly manner, as all other Indians had been already, and they immediately descended the river for their homes.

Before leaving this place I wish to make a few remarks of a general nature.

Though I neither am, nor ever pretended to be a military man, yet I venture a few remarks

on some of the military establishments in the northwest.

The fort on Rock Island is commanded by hills on both sides of it, and could not stand an hour against an enemy with cannon posted on the heights.

Why this fort was placed here where it is, no man of sense ean tell, if the British were to be the attacking enemy. If this work was intended to protect this frontier against Indians it is in so dilapidated a state that by erossing on the island above the fort, or gliding along in their canoes under the western side of the island, which forms the outside of the fort, the Indians could in any dark night make themselves mas- ters of the garrison in fifteen minutes. When- ever they please they can collect at this point in ten days 4,000 warriors, to contend with 400 soldiers. There is no regular mail connecting this post with the United States, and war might be declared for three months, in some seasons of the year, without the garrison's knowing it.

There is a postoffice established here, and in summer the officers sometimes go to Galena for their papers and letters, 100 miles above them -and sometimes they go to Springfield, in the Sangamo country, a distance of seventy miles perhaps, for their letters. The officers must go themselves, as the soldiers, if permitted to go, would desert the service. Cut off from all the world, that is, the civilized world, during six months of the year, the officers and soldiers lead a life as dull as need be. The officers who have families have established a school for their children, which is doing very well.

Ascending the Mississippi, 200 miles or more above Rock. Island, we arrive at Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien. This post like that at Rock Island, stands near the Mississippi on its eastern shore, and is entirely and completely commanded by the hills on each side of the river. It enjoys, too, a situation so low that nearly every summer, during the dog days, its site is under water from six to ten feet in depth, from the overflowing of the river.

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This work is in so dilapidated a state that I presume it is now abandoned for another site somewhat more elevated but nearer the high hill that will forever command it, just east of it. Maj. Garland pointed out to me the spot where he supposed a new fort would be erected.

There is a propriety in placing a military post somewhere, at or near the monti of the Wis- consin, in order to form a line of posts situated on Green bay, where there is a fort - and in the interior, at the spot where Fort Winnebago is; but what consideration could have indneed the government to place a garrison at St. Peters, 300 miles and more beyond a single white set- tlement-unconnected, too, with any other post in the very heart of the Indian country, I am unable to determine. If this post was intended to strengthen this frontier, it certainly weakens it to the amount of the force stationed there added to an amount of force enough to suceor and defend it. If the object was to station a garrison where an intercourse with the Indians, for the purposes of trade, was sought, Lake Pepin, far below it, is the place where it should have been located. As it is, it so happens often that the officers and others who pass and repass between Prairie du Chien and St. Peters are taken prisoners on the route by the Indians. Unless some one wished to get a good govern- mental job by getting this post established, then I cannot account for this strange location, and I am equally at a loss to account for the continuance of this worse than useless establish- ment where it is.

All the officers in the Indian country, who have been there ten years, onght instantly to be relieved by others. Lieut. Col. Z. Taylor, has been in the Indian country constantly with his family, about twenty years. Here he and his lady, who were bred in the most polished and refined society, have been compelled to rear, as well as they could, a worthy and most interest- ing family of children. Col. Taylor commands Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, Dr. Beau- mont and his amiable and accomplished lady ;

Maj. Garland and his, belonging to this garri- son, are doing the same. It is an interesting sight, to see such persons, located as they are, in a fort, on the very verge of civilized life, educating a family of young children. The sit- uation of delicate females, belonging to some of the best families in the Nation, reared in tenderness, amidst all the luxuries and refine- ments of polished society, now living in a fort, calls for our sympathy and admiration of their fortitude, which enables them to bear with all the ills, and overcome all the difficulties attend- ant on their mode of living. When I was very unwell, from exposure, miserable water, and the worst of cookery, and worn down too by fatigue of body and mental suffering, I always found sympathy, food that I could eat, and smiles and kindness which touched my heart, in the families I have named, nor ean I ever forget the females belonging to the families of Mr. Rolette and of Judge Lockwood, at Prairie du Chien. Withont their kindness towards me, I must have perished. I do not deny my fondness for woman, because I know that in cases of distress and suffering, her sympathy and cheering voice, infuses into man new life, new vigor, and new fortitude, and he marches onward with redonb- led energy, to climb over every alps that is placed in his way. Living, as these ladies do, amidst dangers, in an Indian country, they are familiarized with them and their animating voice is worth an army of men. I never can forget them, nor their families while I live. Would the government hear my feeble voice, such officers would not be compelled, with their families, to spend all their days, in an Indian country, while others who have known no snf- fering in the service, are attending levees and gallanting about the ladies at Washington City.

There is something wrong in all this, that I hope will be rectified yet.

At each of the military posts, the officers have established a library and a reading room, at their own expense. Their books consist of useful works, connected with their pursuits.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

History, geography, mathematics, chemistry and scientific books, are in the library, and the officers and their families are well read in them all. Though they may be uninformed as to the passing events, at the very moment they occur, yet, at unequal periods, their regular files of all the best newspapers published in the United States, are received and read with care. The National Intelligencer, National Gazette, all the literary periodicals, worth reading, are carefully perused

The younger officers were all educated at West Point Academy, and whenever I met one of them, I always found a gentleman, and man of science, brave, active, vigorous, energetic, high minded, honorable, strictly honest and correct in all his deportment. He claimed all that belonged to him, and not one tittle more, of any one. These officers, belonging to the first families in the Nation, educated in the very best manner, are induced by their self re- spect, to condnet themselves in the very best manner on all occasions. They fear nothing but disgrace, originating in their own bad con- duet, and they serupulously avoid it everywhere, and at all times. As officers, as gentlemen and as men, I feel proud of them as my countrymen.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 16

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298