History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 53

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 53
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 53

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).

"About 1840, a man by the name of Manhan, who was a tanner and currier, came to this place, and proposed to set up his business here, but not having the necessary means, Mr. Ro- lette advanced them to him; but it turned out a poor adventure. I must here relate an ancedote of Rolette. His ambition was always to be ahead of me in everything. I think that some time in 1823, I mentioned to some person that I thought a distillery would do well at the Prairie, and that I would introduce some rye; and if I could induce the French to raise it on the front of their farms that were sandy, I would build a distillery, but wished to get the rye growing first. Mr. Rolette, hearing of my suggestion, coneluded at onee that he would build a distillery; and in going to Mackinaw, he fell in with a man by the name of Curtis, who had been a captain in the army, and had been east - iered by court-martial, and being without means of support, was ready for almost anything. He persuaded Mr. Rolette that he was a scientific man and could do almost anything, and, es- pecially, was well acquainted with distilling. Mr. Rolette engaged him, and brought him to the prairie, in 1824; but as the distillery was not yet built, Mr. Rolette employed him as a teacher in his family, for which he was very

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

well qualified. During this time Mr. Rolette ordered and received the coppers and other ap- paratus for his distillery. For some reason, the building of the distillery was delayed until the spring of 1828, when a man by the name of Giapon, a Canadian by birth, clerk of our cir- cuit court, and fond of a joke, told Mr. Rolette one day, that I would make him build a distill- ery; that I had only to say that I was going to build one, and he would be certain to immedi- ately do so. It was not true that I had ever said so to Giapon; but Mr. Rolette soon after sent his coppers to St. Louis, and nothing more was heard of the distillery.

"It was so well understood that Mr. Rolette would oppose any measure that he did not in- troduce, that when I wished to carry out any object without opposition, that I considered for the public good, I would get some person to go to Mr. Rolette and tell him that I was going to introduce such a measure, and I would soon after hear that Mr. Rolette was going to do the same thing. I would, of course, second him and we would get along without any difficulty. Mr. Rolette was evidently the first man of this little village when he came to the country, and some may say that in representing his foibles, I have maliciously taken advantage of him, as he can- not now answer for himself. As we were for several years opposing candidates for the rank and consideration of the first man of our little village, and were rival Indian traders, I have introduced our respective names only when necessary to elucidate the events in the history of the region of Prairie du Chien.

"I have lived among this people of Prairie du Chien upwards of thirty years, and have taken considerable interest in elections, and frequently asked the people to vote for the candidate that I supported, and recollect but a solitary instance, in all that time, where a man had the independ- ence to refuse my request. It was amusing, after the county of Crawford was organized, and an election was to take place for a delegate to Congress from Michigan, to see these people

about election time. It so happened that Joseph Rolette and myself influenced about an equal number of voters, and as we generally supported different candidates, these people would meet, and talk among themselves about the election, asking each other who they were going to vote for? The answer invariably was, 'Je vu rote pour Mons. Rolette;' or 'Je va vote pour Mons. Lockwood;' the names of the opposing candi- dates never being mentioned, and very seldom known; a rather amusing circumstance."

Mrs. Kinzie relates in her Wau-Bun the fol- lowing capital story of M. Rolette. The scene was on Lake Winnebago, where M. Rolette was engaged with a trading boat, when he met another boat on which were his employes, di- rectly from Prairie du Chien. "Of course, after an absence of some weeks from home, the meet- ing on those lonely waters, and the exchanging of news, was an occasion of great excitement. The boats were stopped; earnest greetings in- terchanged; question followed question.

'Eh! bien'-inquired M. Rolette, 'have they finished the new house? '

'Oui, Monsieur.'

'Et la cheminee, fume-t-elle ?' (Does the chimney smoke?)

'Non, Monsieur.'

'And the harvest; how is that? '

'Very fine, indeed.'

'Is the mill at work?'

'Yes, plenty of water.'

'Ilow is Whip?' (Ilis favorite horse.)

'Oh! Whip is first rate.'

"Everything, in short, about the store, the farm, the business of various descriptions being satis- factorily gone over, there was no occasion for further delay. It was time to proceed.

'Eh! bien-adieu! bon voyage!'

'Arrachez-mes gens!' (Go ahead, men.) Then suddenly-' Arretez-arretez!' (Stop! Stop! )

'Comment se portent Madame Rolette et les enfants?' (How are Mrs. Rolette and the children?)'"

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Mrs. Kinzie also gives us another glimpse of M. Rolette's character. The Indians, she says, ealled him Ah-kay-zaup-ee-tah, or Five More; because, as they said, let them offer what num- ber of skins they might, in bartering for an arti- cle, his terms were invariably "five more."

"Upon one occasion," continues Mrs. Kinzie, "a lady remarked to him, 'Oh, M. Rolette, I would not be engaged in the Indian trade; It seems to me a system of cheating the poor In- dians.'

'Let me tell you, madame,' replied he with great nairete, 'it is not so easy a thing to cheat the Indians as you imagine. I have tried it these twenty years, and have never succeeded!' "

A general memoir of Joseph Rolette was commenced July 27, 1876, L'Opinion Publicque, a paper published in Montreal. It was written by Joseph Tasse, is in French, and is continued in a number of issues of that paper. This memoir, along with many others, has since been published in book form by Mr. Tasse.

James II Lockwood died in Prairie du Chien, Aug. 24, 1857, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He was born in Clinton, Co., N. Y., in 1793. IIe continued until his sixteenth year, employed on his father's farm, getting such an education as the circumstances of the country then afforded; when to be able to read, write and eipher was considered sufficient qualifications to teach a common school. Hle engaged in the study of law for a time, but abandoned that to become a clerk for a sutler attached to a portion of Gen. Izard's army in 1841. In 1815 he was in- vited by Lewis Rouse, of Green Bay, to assist him, as he had secured the sutling of the rifle regiment, which was then in Buffalo. Hle ae- cepted the invitation, and had the pleasure of riding to Buffalo on the stage, which, with colors flying, bore to that city the welcome tidings of peace. The troops were then ordered west -- at that day a word of very different sig- nification from what it is now; and on the 15th of August, 1815, Mr. Lockwood arrived at

Mackinaw. In 1816 Mr. Lockwood engaged as clerk for a party of traders. Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were the only settlements in this State at that time. Ile continued in this situation, until in the fall of 1819, he made his home in Prairie du Chien, where he resided ever since.

The subject of this sketch had been justice of peace, associate justice of Crawford counnty, postmaster and member of the territorial legis- lature. In 1842, he united with the Episcopal church. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends. Service was read by Rev. John II. Egar; an address was delivered by the Rev. A. Bronson. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Radcliffe. Many incidents of Mr. Lockwood's life are to be found in other chapters of this history.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE II. L. DOUSMAN .* [By an "Old Settler."]

The Wisconsin press has noticed without dis- tinction of party, the demise of Hercules Louis Dousman, of Prairie du Chien; and the press has done itself honor, by the respect it has paid to so eminent a man.

A great portion of the newspapers now print- ed in this State cannot, however, be aware of the most varied and striking incidents in the career of the subject of their obituaries. But an acquaintance with the affairs of the territory and of the State for more than thirty years, enables the writer of this article to state several particulars which bring the extraordinary eapa- city and excellence of Col. Dousman into strong relief. In 1834 he was known at Washington as a man whose influence in the vast regions of the upper Mississippi was only equalled by his intimate knowledge of its interests. By this is meant his familiarity with the geography of the country -the disposition of the savage tribes- his just and comprehensive views of the future progress of the great northern northwest; of its resources, agricultural, geological and commet-

*So important an historical character is Mr. Dousman that we give this tribute a place not withstanding the sketch of him by Gen. Sibley, in a previous chapter. - En.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

cial; and his personal influence in quelling frontier disturbances as well as giving counsel to the officers of the government. He was always the adviser of those who commanded troops at Fort Crawford, Fort Winnebago, Fort Snelling and the line of forts which watched the frontier. He was the friend of Col. Brooke, and the confidant of Gen. Dodge. When a civil commission was sent to the Colean de Prairie, in 1835, to examine the resources of this extra- ordinary tract, which as then was not even mapped, the United States geologist was in- strneted by Mr. Poinset, then secretary of war, to consult with Hercules L. Dousman, and with him alone.

Gen. Alexander Macomb, then commander- in-chief, directed thus: You will, on reaching Prairie du Chien and presenting the letters with which you are furnished, to Mr. Dousman, ask him to furnish such geographical, miner- alogical and general statistics as will promote the efficiency of your command. Incidentally you will be able to secure the clue to a mass of information which the government requires, and which can be furnished so accurately and reliably by no other individual in that important tract of the northwest. At this period Mr. Nicolet and Gen. J. C. Fremont had not exe- euted the government map of the space between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers; and in fact the traders and voyageurs estimated them as being 300 miles nearer to each other than they are now established to be. On the arrival of the State geologist, Col. Dousman produced a map which he had constructed for the use of the American Fur Company, which he present- ed. This map was constructed from years of close observation, extended business and keen judgment. It was made without instruments, and actually came within twenty-five miles of the true distance as afterwards established by the United States engineers. Those who were present can never forget his remark in reference to this minuscript chart. "Il-ya pent-etre quelque erreur, mais Jai examine le supet; vous' nalley pas

rous egarer beaucoup." "There is perhaps some error, but I have examined the subject; you wont be much out of the way."

After the return of the geological expedition (via New Orleans) to Washington, the secreta- ry of war addressed an autograph letter of thanks to Mr. Dousman for the aid, information, and hospitality he had tendered to the com- mand; in truth, next to his knowledge of the country, his hospitality was unbounded in it.

It so happened that the writer, present upon this occasion, was sent in a different ca- pacity to Prairie du Chien in 1838. A quarter of million dollars, (a lage sum in those days, thirty years ago), was to he paid by Indian com- missioners to the Winnebagoes. Here was a labyrinth to unspread, a complication to sim- plify. The gentlemen comprising the commis- sion candidly wrote to the President of the United States, that their instructions were am- ple, but that the Winnebagoes were discontent- ed, and that the commission wanted more light as to their discretion in a matter which might not only embroil the government, but might lead to the past scenes of the Black Hawk War. The dispatch of the secretary of war, in answer, was this: "A gentleman upon your commission, can inform you that some years ago, when with his father, instructions were sent to the United States geologist to consult Hercules L. Dous- man, Esq., at Prairie du Chien. Mr. Dousman has undoubtedly the letter addressed to him from the war department. In the meantime I renew the general statement. He is the most valuable man on the upper Mississippi. He has great influence over many tribes, and is es- teemed by John Jacob Astor, Ramsey Crooks, and all connected with the western outfit, as the most competent civilian within that interesting portion of the valley of the Mississippi. It ap- pears that a candid consultation with him is de- sirable, before returning to Washington, as you contemplate, without carrying out the objects of the commission which the Gevernment is desirous to have accomplished. It is understood

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that his influenee over the Winnebago Indians is unbounded, and it is very desirable to have them permanently removed west of the Missis- sippi."

So the commissioners opened their sessions. False claims were adjusted. Just claims were allowed, interminable difficulties solved, and general justice done. Nor were the fiscal duties those which involved the most peril. Five thousand Winnebago Indians were encamped between the plains of Prairie du Chien, and the Pointed Rocks, seven miles up the river. Occa- sionally the whole body assembled all around the stockade of Fort Crawford, which was gar- risoned by only 100 men. At one time it was contemplated to call in volunteers from across the river, and pay them out of the specie held by the commission. In fine, if not a scene of terror and confusion, men held their breath, and thought of something else than dancing with ladies at military balls. The red heathen were upon us. To add to the dialemma, some so .. diers broke into the magazine and pillagec. kegs of specie, amounting to several thousand dollars. In fine, it was proposed to abandon : portion of the quadrangle of the fort, and de. fend the rest to the last. Besides this, the troops were not far from mutinous. In this extremity Hercules Dousman called a council of the In- dians, upbraided, alarmed and deterred them. The Winnebagoes appointed a commissioner of their own, connected with their blood and interests. lle sat on the board-all animosities were appeased, all was unison and harmony. Henee the influence of a powerful character like that of Hercules Dousman, a man whose life was at the mercy of any desperate, discon- tented member of the most ferocions race known from Lake Superior to the Rocky Mountains, is unparalleled in the history of "steh men who have only led the life of Kit Carson." Ex-United States senator, Hon. Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, in relat- ing the treaty, payment and its results, re- marked in the United States senate a few years

ago: "I have lived in almost every State of the Union; I now represent in part the Keystone State but in all my experience,a more truthful, energetic, fearless, noble-hearted man I never met than Hercules Donsman. Ilis talent, if possible, exceeded his great virtues."

A public print remarked sometime since that Mr. Solomon Juneau, Gov. James Duane Doty and Col. Hereules L. Donsman, were the men who possessed the greatest influence over the Indian tribes. Certainly Mr. Juneau was well acquainted with the Fol Avoines, or Menom- onees; he had had dealings with many of their bands. He also had much influence with a cer- tain portion of the Chippewas. His fairness and amiability entitled him to more than this. Gov. Doty, exeept as an old settler and promi- nent public man, had no influence at all with any tribe or band from Detroit to the Missis- sippi river; whereas, the absolute influence of Dousman extended everywhere over the Potta- wattamies, the Chippewas living around the bounds of Lake Superior itself-over the dis- contented chiefs of all of them, and over the ambitious half-breeds. The Menomonees called hiin father in four different treaties, for the sub- stantial reason that for nearly forty years he supplied them with provisions during the Indian pestilence, "Lapicotte," or the confluent small- pox.

In the hereditary wars between the Ojibewas and Sioux, when the Indian bureau was para- lyzed in its functions, Hercules L. Dousman was the only man in the length and breadth of the land who could or would, or dared to act as a pacificatoor between these powerful Indian Nations, and it is not less singular that he lived so long without any casuality in a region so wild and tempestuous. Nor were his rela- tions with the capitalists of New York and St. Louis less remarkable. In ease of the non-ad- vent of specie to comply with treaty stipulations, to pay off soldiers, or of any general public neces- sity, a courier to either of these commercial con- ters, from Hercules L. Dousman, brought the

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

money to any point within a circumference that is now measured by empires. No living man, ever in the United States, possessed the same direct visible and operative power over the aborigines. Personally, he was a remarkable man, quite unassuming, eminently gentleman- like, and of commanding presence. Cautious in his undertakings, but the soul of honor in fulfilling them; above all envy, detraction, or malice. But it may also be observed that his personal courage was so well known, and shown on remarkable occasions, that very few braves, either white or red, in the valley of the Missis- sippi, tried conclusions with him a second time. He knew the Indian languages and spoke French with the purity and precision of the Choul- leans and Pratts. In fact, the writer of these pages, a Frenchman by language but an Ameri- can by birth, supposed that Col. Dousman had been educated in France. He had never crossed the ocean.

Death had already taken away but a short time before his brother, Dr. Dousman, of Mil- waukee, and this new fiat of heaven has dimin- minished the number of eminent and excellent men who came to the west even anterior to a very

OLD SETTLER.

TERRITORIAL CIRCUIT COURT.

No sooner had the three counties of Brown, Crawford and Michillimackinac been organized and their county courts established, than it was felt to be a great draw-back to the promptadmin- istration of justice that, in all civil cases of over $1,000, and in criminal cases that were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, in the allowance of writs of error, and mandamus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit; the latter place being the seat of government of Michigan territory. Therefore, in January, 1823, an act of Congress provided for a circuit court, and for the appointment of a judge for these conn- ties. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the supreme court of the territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the latter tribunal

by a writ of error. The law provided for hold- ing one term of court in each year, in each of the counties named in the act; so, at last, there was to be a speedy administration of justice at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organi- zation. Appeals were taken from the county court to the "circuit court of the United States for the county of Crawford," as Judge Doty's court was called. A May term was held in Prairie du Chien; a June term in Green Bay; a July term in "the borough of Michillimackinac," in each year. In 1824 Henry S. Baird, of Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1832, when he was succeeded by David Irvin. The new circuit included all of Michigan not in the pen- insula, the now State of Wisconsin, and the country north of St. Croix river and east of the Mississippi to latitude 49-now under the gov- ernment of Minnesota. In the winter or spring of 1823, Doty was appointed by President Monroe the additional judge. At the session of 1823-4, Congress changed the tenure of office of the judges of Michigan from "good be- havior" to the term of four years, and Judge Doty's re-appointment was announced in Nile's Register of Feb. 28, 1824. The first term of Judge Doty's court was held at Mackinaw, in July, 1823.

James Duane Doty was born at Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., in the year of 1799. He received a common school education, and then devoted himself to the study of law. In 1818, he removed to Detroit, in the territory of Michigan, where, in the following year, he was admitted to the bar. le early at- tracted attention, and, in 1820, accompanied Gov. Cass on one of his extensive tours, and was present when the governor hauled down the British flag displayed by the Chippewas on the American side of the straits of Mackinaw, des- pite their menaces. In the winter of 1821,

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

while visiting Washington, Doty was admitted to the bar of the United States supreme court. A year later, upon the passage of the act form- ing northern Michigan into a judicial district, he was selected by President Monroe to occupy the beneh. In the fall of 1823 Judge Doty, with his wife-he had recently married a daugh- ter of Gen. Collins, of Oneida Co., N. Y.,-re- moved to Prairie du Chien for the purpose of entering upon his duties; but, the following spring, because the traders did not manifest a very friendly spirit, and believing that Green Bay was a healthier place, established his home there. During this year the organization of the courts was completed, and thereafter he held his terms with striet regularity until 1832, when he was succeeded by Judge David Irvin. Thus relieved of official duties, he made re- peated tours over the then unsettled territory, became thoroughly acquainted with its natural resources, and contributed not a little towards obtaining the good-will of the Indian tribes to- ward the government. In 1831-2, he was one of the commissioners who surveyed the United States mil. tary roads from Green Bay to ( hi- cago and Prairie du Chien, In 1834 he was elected to the territorial council of Michigan, in which he served two years with distinction. In that body he introduced the proposition for the formation of a State government, and the separa'e territorial organization of Wisconsin, which prevailed in 1836. Meanwhile, at the Green Bay land sales of 1835-6, he was in- trusted with large sums of money for invest- ment in eligible locations, and many flourishing villages now stand on sites of his selection. He was chiefly instrumental, at the Belmont ses- sion of the Wisconsin legislature, although not a member, in securing the location of the seat of government at the Four Lakes, now Madison. In 1838, he was elected delegate in Congress from Wisconsin territory, serving until 1841. He became governor, by appointment from Pres- ident Tyler, in September, 184', which office he held until June, 1844, being the second terri-

torial governor of Wisconsin. He was a mem- ber of the first convention chosen to draft a State constitution in 1846, Ile was elected to Congress from the third or Green Bay district, in 1848, and re-elected in 1850. At the close of his term in 1853, he retired to private life. His last residenee in Wisconsin was at Mena- sha, on Doty's island, of Lake Winnebago. In 1861 he was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs by President Lincoln, and subsequently governor of Utah, holding this position until his death, which occurred June 13, 1865. He was emphatically one of the most eminent pio- neers of Wisconsin, and his important public services entitle him to lasting honor.

HOLDING COURT UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

To reach Prairie du Chien from Green Bay, Judge Doty had to travel the distance in a bark canoe, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. Annual journeys were undertaken between the two points, from 1825 to 1828, by the judge and district attorney, Henry S. Baird, in one canoe. It was usually manned by seven Indians, and the trip each way occupied about seven days. Baird took his family along. Mrs. Baird, who is now (1 ,84) still living, relates the journey was ren- ilered very enjoyable by its sociability and novelty. It was through a wilderness, on wild waters, and no white inhabitant found along its entire course.

In 1829 Morgan L. Martin came to Green Bay, and was subsegently admitted to the bar by the court. In May, of the same year, he and Judge Doty, and the district attorney (Baird), with a Menomonee Indian for a guide, traveled on horseback from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien and back. It took them seven days each way. During the journey, they saw no white man. Their course led through what is now Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Madison, Blue Monuds and Dodgeville; crossing the Wiscon- sin river six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 53

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