History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 64

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 64

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St. Clair County, organized April 28, 1809, included the whole territory of Illinois and Wisconsin, to the line of Upper Canada, north of Randolph County, these two being the only counties in the territory.

Madison County was erected from the St. Clair, September 14, 1812, and comprised all the territory north of the second township line south, to the line of Upper Canada. County seat, Edwardsville.

Bond County was organized out of part of Madison, January 4, 1817, and extended in a strip about thirty miles wide on each side of the Third Principal Meridian to the northern boundary of the territory.

Pike County was erected January 31, 1821, from Madison, Bond and other counties, and embraced all the territory north of the Illinois River and its South Fork, now Kanka- kee River. This was the first county erected by the State of Illinois, which embraced the present territory of the lead region. A Gazetteer of Illinois and Wisconsin, published about 1822, says that the county " included a part of the lands appropriated by Congress for the payment of military bounties. The lands constituting that tract, are included within the peninsula of the Illinois and Mississippi, and extend on the meridian line passing through the mouth of the Illinois, 162 miles north. Pike County will no doubt be divided into several counties; some of which will become very wealthy and important. It is probable that the section about Fort Clark (now Peoria), will be most thickly settled. On the Mississippi River, above Rock River, lead ore is found in abundance. Pike County contains between 700 and 800 inhabitants. It is attached to the first judicial circuit, sends one member to the House of

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HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

Representatives, and, with Greene, one to the Senate. The county seat is Colesgrove, a post town. It was laid out in 1821, and is situated in Township 11 south, in Range 2 west of the Fourth Principal Meridian. Very little improvement has yet been made in this place or the vicinity. The situation is high and healthy, and it bids fair to become a place of some impor- tance." This is all that is known of the town of Colesgrove, the county seat of all this region in 1821.

Fulton County was formed from Pike, January 28, 1823, and included all the territory north of the base line, and west of the Fourth Principal Meridian, which had been in Pike.

Peoria County was created from Fulton, January 13, 1825, and, with some exceptions, included the same territory that comprised Fulton. The county seat was Fort Clark, now Peoria, and the first election of which record exists, within the mining district, was in Fever River precinct of Peoria County, August 7, 1826. The election was held at the house of James Smith. This was the trading-post then recently located by Amos Farrar and occupied by Smith as a tavern ; a double log-cabin that stood on the west bank of the river about half way between the foot of Perry and the foot of Franklin streets, Galena. Water street now passes over its site.

The following is a copy of a document found among the archives of Peoria County, at Peoria.

I hereby certify that Nehemiah Bates, T. W. Shull and Andrew Clamo, judges, and B. Gibson and Joseph Hardy, clerks of the election, were severally sworn before me as the law directs, previous to entering upon the duties of their respective offices.

Dated at Fever River, this 7th of August, 1826.

JOHN L. BOGARDUS, Justice of the Peace of Peoria County.

[POLL BOOK-Continued.]

Samuel C. Mure,

Moses M. Twist,

John Marfield,

Thomas Briggs,

Thomas Nicholdson,

Thomas Thornton,

James H. Kirkpatrick,

John J. Chandler,

Smith Moore,

William Hitt,

Thaddeus Hitt,

Enoch Long,

John Richardson,

John Welmaker,

Felix Scott,

Thomas Alven,

Martin Porter,

Elias Addams,

Johu Ellis,

Josish Fulton,

James M. Hayle,

T. R. Lurton,

Stephen Howard,

Charles Love,

Atlas Moore,

Solomon Perkins,

Charles St. Vrain,

William Mitchell,

James Taylor,

William Nickols,

Thomas Davis,

William Bridger,

Thomas Connor,

Andrew Clarmo,

Jeremiah Smith,

Thomas Bennett,

Joseph Hardy,

A. P. Vanmeter,

Martin Duke,

Patrick Hogan,

J. W. Shull,

Thomas Bado,

Samuel Gouch,

John R. Smith,

Nehemiah Bates,

James Duncan,

John Armstrong,

James Beck,

Hugh Walker,

George Evans,

George E. Jackson,

Barney Handley, John Furlong,

Samuel Scott, Robert D. Duke,

Daniel Fowless,

Warren Town,

Patrick Gorman, John Handley,

Benjamin Bird,

Thomas Drum,

John S. Miller,

William Hansley,

Nathan Smith,

Ely Chaffin,

Thomas Reynolds, Jr.,

Patrick Lawler, Charley Guilegan,

William Riley,

John R. Nickerson,

John L. Bogardus,

James Williams,

Charles Shargout,

James Foley,

Andrew Arnett,

Seth Catlin,

Thomas Fitzpatrick, John Gibbin,

John Finneley., Jacob Glass, George M. Britton,

George A. Reynolds,

John Hosley, John Boyle, John O'Neil,

Isaac Martin,

Levi McCormac,

David Kirker,

Mathew .Fawcett,

Little Walker, John McDonald, Richard Palmer,

William D. Adams, Daniel Snider, Peter Dumont, Ebenezer Owen,

Henry Gratiot, George Scott,

David Sciley, Charles Gear,

Thompson Homes,

Caleb Downey,

Thomas McKnight, Thomas J. Webb,

William D. Johnston,

Jacob M. Hunter, John Philley,

Alexis Phelps, John Knight,

John Wood,

John B. Dophant,

Henery M. Willison,

Thomas Gray, Samuel Atchison,

James Harris,

Francis Webster, Thomas Ray,

Edward Foster, Benson Calvert, William Kelley,

- 1

James Trimble,

John O. Handcock, Samuel S. Lawrence,

Johnathan Browder, Alexander Mitchell, Crawford Fandle, Stephen Sweet, Hillary Paden, Samuel Adams,

William St. John, Daniel Moore,

Richard W. Chandler,

James C. Work,

Cyrus Hibbert, Thomas Lumley, Benjamin Skillimus, Burt Curtis,

Stephen Thracher,

Isaac Hustow,

B. Gibson,

Adams Hymer, James Parmer, Abraham Kinney, John Brown, Thomas Hymers,

Peter White,

Josiah Little,

John M. Curtiss,

William Barton,

James Read,

Andrew Mowery,

Harbet Flewisland,

Robert McGoldrick,

Harrison H. Jordon,

Isaac Hamilton, Levi Gilbert,

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HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

Israel Mitchell,

James Moefett,

Owen Callahan,

Thomas Harris,

Richard Kirkpatrick,

John Moefett,

Francis Martin,

John Conley,

William Kirkpatrick,

William Dalton,

William Timmerahon,

Michael Finley,

William Harvell,

John Williams,

Foeasson M. Donald,

James Browner,

George Middleton,

James Colligan,

Aaron Crandall,

Daniel McCaig,

John Ames,

Thomas McCrany,

Jeremiah Goder, John Barrett,

James Smith, William McCloskey,

George Weddling,

Robert Clayton, Abner Eads,

Chandler Armstrong,

John Coray,

Bensan IIunt,

Joseph Clagg,

Joseph Winett,

Jahn Love,

Mathew Johnston,

Gotham Straiter,

Charles Larock.

John Ray,

Isaac Wiseheart,

Michael Byrnes, David Clark,

John Clewes,

William Troy,

There is a tax-list of 1826 on file at Peoria, containing two hundred and four names of men in the Fever River settlement, but the Deputy Collector who undertook to collect the taxes reported that the settlers openly defied him, and refused to pay a cent. This recalcitrant con- dition grew out of the uncertainty of to whom allegiance was due, as described in the foregoing pages. The people of the region from the first days to the present have been noted for their law-abiding character, with this exceptional exhibition of feeling.

The narrative of the political creation of the counties of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette, is pur- sued in the works devoted to those several counties by the Western Historical Company, and need not be detailed at this point.

R. H. MAGOON'S MEMOIRS.

His first visit to the lead mines was in August, 1828. He settled in Monticello, in the vicinity of the Galena lead mines in the following month. Capt. Benj. Funk, Thos. Wiley and R. H. Magoon band a band-mill at what is now Wiley's Grove, then called Funk's Grove, in Monti- cello. After seeing the mill in successful operation, Mr. Magoon went to the Blue Mounds, and, after a brief sojourn, entered into co-partnership with Esau Johnson and Henry Starr for the purpose of smelting. The enterprise proved a success. About December, 1829, he dis- posed of his interest in the business and returned to the Grove, now part of La Fayette County, but then erroneously accredited to Jo Daviess County, Ill. He re-engaged in the smelting busi- ness, having erected a furnace, which was completed about May 1, 1830. He subsequently made the discovery that he was nearly one mile within the boundaries of Michigan Territory. The United States Surveyors denominated his place of residence " Magoon's Grove," in defer- ence to the proprietor. This likewise proving a successful year of smelting, he broke up twen- ty-five acres of prairie land, which he seeded down with forage supplies. In the early part of 1831, all the mineral in view was smelted, as Mr. Magoon, in anticipation of increased prices, was paying a higher rate per ton than others believed they could afford. This anticipation proved faithful, for, on the arrival of steamboats, lead advanced in figure. With the profit thus realized by his shrewdness, he invested in a stock of general merchandise, such as always finds ready sale in a miner's camp. In 1831, he fenced in a hundred acres of arable land, and ex- tended his operations in ore to the absorption of his whole capital and $8,000 borrowed from Robert Graham, of Galena ..

The winter of 1831-32 was marked by Indian inroads, which, coupled with authenticated reports, presaged a bloody influx of the Sac and Fox tribes in the ensuing spring. These rumors were still further corroborated in May, 1832, by information that the British bands of Sac and Fox Indians had crossed the Upper Mississippi River, ascending Rock River, with the intention of effecting a union with the Pottawatomies, and inaugurating warfare against the whole race of whites. Fully aroused by the threatening aspect of affairs, every settlement of miners and farmers began to erect forts for their mutual protection. Every other business was abandoned, as of secondary consideration, until these improvements were fully achieved. When Funk's Fort was completed, R. H. Magoon was elected Captain, a position which he resigned in a few days, for the express purpose of joining a mounted corps, a branch of the service which he considered more effective in waging war with a fleet-footed foe. Benjamin Funk was elected to fill the vacancy. Moving in such hazardous times, and at no moment confident of

Patrick Doyle,

Elisha Kellogg,

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IIISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

his own safety, he called upon Mr. Robert Graham and deeded to that gentleman his entire estate as collateral for the loan of $8,000. The transfer was reluctantly accepted by the cap- italist, who vainly essayed to dissuade R. H. Magoon from his purpose.

This business satisfactorily accomplished, he removed his wife and three-months-old son to a place of safety in Galena. Then, arming himself, he joined an expedition under command of Col. Dodge that was setting out to reclaim and inter the bodies of St. Vrain and others, who had fallen in an encounter at Plum River. Parts of four companies composed the force, with a few independent volunteers who were starting forth to war on their own account. The first halt was made at Fetter's, a point nine miles from Gratiot. Before alighting, Col. Dodge strongly impressed on the rugged yeomen the necessity that existed for unanimity of action, and urged them to study discipline. The troop was then formed into a hollow square, and, on receiving orders to " Dismount," each man removed his saddle and laid it on the ground where he, dismounted, and turned his horse out to graze. The orders were, that if an alarm was sounded during the night, each man should spring up in his place, and thus be formed in hol- low square, to repel an attack.

The line of march was resumed in the morning, and, later in the day, the bodies of St. Vrain and three companions were found and properly buried. One of St. Vrain's number, a Mr. Hawley, was not found. The march was continued on to Dixon's Ferry, on Rock River. where Mr. Magoon was assigned as Second Lieutenant of Capt. Clark's company of mounted volunteers, and in that capacity assisted, with an escort of twenty-five men, to conduct Gen. Brady to Ottawa. Col. Dodge was in command. The journey and return trip was accom- plished in immunity.

The camping-place selected was the very spot where St. Vrain and his men encamped the night before they met their fate. At Kellogg's Grove they encountered Capt. A. W. Snyder and his company, from St. Clair, Ill. Capt. Snyder reported that they had a brush with the Indians several hours previous, and, despite the assistance afforded by Gen. Samuel White- side, a portion of his command was sadly demoralized at a sight of the Indians. At the close of the conflict, it was found that several of the Illinois men were killed, whereas their foes escaped almost unscathed.

Before arriving at Gratiot's Grove, a halt was made to graze the horses. No provisions were visible for the bodily support of the soldiers. They were placed.in a quandary for a time, not knowing how to remedy the omission. In the vicinity was Fetter's deserted house, and, while wandering around the premises, one of the men descried a huge, rusty iron kettle. Summoning assistance, the kettle was cleaned out and filled with mustard greens, from wbich they expected to sup sumptuously. Alas for the hopes of men ! When the mess was boiled, it proved unpalatable and nauseating. Arriving at Gratiot's Grove, Col. Dodge informed the volun- teers that they had covered two hundred miles in five days, thus averaging forty miles a day. May, 1832, was occupied in general skirmishing and guerrilla warfare, which permitted the- utilization of Col. Dodge's 200 mounted men. The united strength of the Sacs, Foxes, Win- nebagoes and Pottawatomies, was 600 warriors, a force that could have annihilated the gallant miners had they met in a pitched battle. When the mounted men were dispatched to Ottawa, Black Hawk, who had been reconnoitering the white men's position, realized the serious error committed, and instructed Little Priest to make a descent on Fort Hamilton.

Little Priest and his war party invaded Spafford's farm and killed four out of six men en- trenched in an open corn-field. One of the men, named Spencer, effected his escape by concealing himself during the fight. The other fortunate was a Mr. Million, whose fleetness enabled him to outstrip his pursuers, and bring the awful tidings to Fort Hamilton. The information was thence disseminated by couriers among the different forts. On the 15th of June, Apple, a resident of the fort, was found dead within half a mile of the fort, bearing unmistakable signs of a murderous attack by the Indians. The exigency of the occasion demanded immediate and energetic action. A pursuing party was organized. Little Priest attempted evasive tactics, but, being hotly pressed, was compelled to ambush himself where the ground inequalities gave

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HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

him the vantage. The whites charged valiantly in a sweeping fire, that inspired each man to greater action. The position was captured, and every Indian ruthlessly slain, with the. same degree of mercy that they had meted out to their white victims. Not a soul escaped to narrate in the wigwam the desperate struggle. About June 20, word was received by Capt. Clark that the fort at Blue Mounds was besieged. To " boot and saddle" was quickly sounded, and all available mounted men were marched to the threatened locality. A halt was made at Porter's Grove, six miles west of Blue Mounds, and on consultation the march was continued through the night. Nearing the objective point, the mutilated body of Lieut. George Force was found, the remains were carefully collected, and, with a blanket for a shroud, laid in a grave on the open prairie. A parade was held on the ridge, and, in the unanimous opinion of the people of the fort, the Sacs were far the more numerous. The march south was continued to Willow Springs. where they camped were driven for the night. During the night the startling intelligence was received that a large party had appeared from the direction of Pecatonica, and were marching toward Apple River Fort, on the site of the present town of Elizabeth. Capt. Clark instantly ordered the company to saddle, a feat that involved nearly an hour's time, owing to the dense darkness prevailing. They set out upon a forced march, and had proceeded seven miles beyond White Oak Springs, when overtaken by an express messenger, who related the capture of Apple River Fort. He alleged that when approaching the fort that morning, and when within plain sight, he had seen two hundred red demons charging on the fort. The fire was active and incessant for a time, and then ceased altogether. Despairing of the fate of the garrison, he had hastened to convey the information to Capt. Clark, whom he had expected to meet at White Oak Springs. Capt. Clark and Lieut. Magoon, after a hasty consultation, concluded to re-cn- force White Oak Springs, and to notify the commanders of Fort Gratiot and Fort Funk to maintain a vigilant guard, and forward any fresh intelligence of the aborigines' movements. The mounted company clamored loudly to be brought face to face with Black Hawk and his braves, so as to wreak on them a terrible and sanguinary vengeance. Capt. Clark departed to alarm the habitnes of Fort Gratiot of their danger, leaving Lieut. Magoon in charge. That officer caused every man to test his rifle, wipe it out and reload for fresh service. These move- ments were only completed when two men, attached to Funk's Fort, arrived, saying that the Indians were marching on that place, and when last observed were within three miles and still approaching. Supported by eleven volunteers, Lieut. Magoon made all haste toward the Fort, which he reached without adventure. No Indians were in sight, and, on prosecuting inquiry, it was rendered obvious that a foe only existed in the excited imaginations of the Orderly Ser- geant, who, mistaking a scouting party from a neighboring post for Indians; sounded a prema- ture alarm. In the morning, great relief was experienced on learning that Apple River Fort was intact, Capt. Stone having effectually scattered the enemy, who beat a precipitate retreat toward the east. An order was received from Col. Dodge, in the afternoon, directing that a messenger should be dispatched to Kellogg's Grove to inform them there that the trail of a large war party was visible two miles north of his station, and warning them to maintain a strict guard in the absence of volunteers. Capt. Funk and Jacob Duval bore the dispatch to its destination. Maj. Dement, of Kellogg's Grove, sent out scouts in the morning. They quickly returned with a cry of " Indians." General excitement prevailed ; every one in the camp was astir. All semblance of order was lost, and Maj. Dement vainly strove to organize his battalion out of this disturbed rabble. They all sallied forth regardless of order, some on horseback, and others, too eager for the fray to catch their horses, on foot. Unopposed they advanced until Black Hawk and his sterling warriors emerged from cover, uttered their war whoop, and charged on the disorderly mob. The whites retreated in overwhelming disorder, in many instances the infantry being trod under foot by their own cavalry. Maj. Dement exerted him- self to the utmost of his ability to restore a semblance of order, but his praiseworthy efforts were unavailing. The troops fell back on the houses, wherein they sought shelter from the well-directed missiles of Black Hawk's sharpshooters. Maj. Dement, irritated at defeat, remained outside the protecting walls, and angrily strode up and down the path. Not until a well-

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HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

directed bullet from the enemy passed through his hat was Maj. Dement induced to seek shelter at the importunities of his friends. The Indians continued firing on the house until finally, tired of this amusement, they crossed the prairie to the east, and disappeared in the Yellow Creek timber. The damage inflicted by this visitation was the loss of fifty horses, shot dead or crippled.

The following evening, Capt. Clark was handed a dispatch from Col. Dodge, ordering him to proceed to Fort Hamilton, and, after drawing ten days' rations, join the regiment then pre- paring to march on Black Hawk. No rations were visible at Fort Hamilton, and, weary and hungry, the mining regiment had to make the best of its way to headquarters, where no remedy existed for their complaints. A brace of tough plow oxen were killed for their benefit, but this " bull beef" could not be masticated by the strongest man. Capt. James A. Stephenson was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and, the plans of the campaign having been matured, the route of march was taken up. Progress was extremely slow, owing to the numerous marshes which intersected their path having to be bridged to enable the passage of artillery. So tardy was the march that Black Hawk defiantly boasted that " he could go before the white heard (Gen. Atkin- son) and raise corn." Half famished, and driven to the verge of desperation by hunger, the miners petitioned Lieut. Col. Stephenson to permit them to advance to Fort Winnebago to obtain supplies. The request was complied with, under the express stipulation that the mounted com- pany should return by the same route. Alexander and Henry's brigade and Col. Dodge's regi- ment were included in this order. Arriving at the fort, Clark's company enjoyed their first meal for ten days. On proposing to return to the main body, much rebellious discussion was aroused, as the men, one and all, were opposed to the snail-like progress of the regular army, preferring to march to the head-waters of Rock River, in hopes of overtaking and chastising the Indian chief. Col. Dodge, although expressing doubts of their ability to master Black Hawk, freely promised to accompany them. After reflection, Gen. Henry promised to cast his lot with the mining regiment in pursuit of Black Hawk.

An incident of the campaign will serve to illustrate some of the difficulties the miners had to submit to. Prior to marching up the Rock River country, two barrels of flour were served out to each company. By design or oversight the two barrels served to Clark's corps were musty and sour. Col. Dodge refused to replace them with flour of palatable quality. On being acquainted with the refusal, Lieut. Magoon selected a file of his best men, and, marching to the staff quarters, deliberately bore off the precious goods. This peremptory course, becoming known to the officers of the staff, caused some comment, but, beyond a feeble demur, no action was taken. Having thus secured rations, the line of march was taken up. On the second day, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, it began to rain, and maintained a constant downpour until midnight. Tents were unknown luxuries to these hardy pioneers, who camped down in the grass with saddles for pillows and the weeping heavens for covering. As might have been expected, in the morning the men arose, dripping wet, and resumed their ordinary duties. In course of time, the miners arrived at the rapids near Whitewater, below Horicon Lake, and, after crossing to the east side, a halt was called. During that halt, Lieut. Magoon became acquainted with Abraham Lincoln. The place where the troops halted was in an open grove of sugar-trees, with a thick undergrowth of red raspberry bushes. In riding along the border of this patch, the Lieutenant came to an opening, where he could see a dwarfish Indian slowly walking around a very tall, lean white man. As the Lieutenant halted to observe the ludicrous appearance of the pair, the white man noticed the actions of the Indian, and remarked to his visitor, " I wonder what the little Indian wants ?" Lieut. Magoon replied, " I suppose he is taking your altitude ; see how he cocks up his eye as he goes round." Further conversation led to an exchange of names, the future President of the United States giving his cognomen as " Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, Ill." Referring to this informal introduction, Lieut. Magoon says: "They met frequently after the war, and often spoke of our first acquaintance, and of the little Indian cocking up one eye at him."

From this grove they marched up Rock River a few miles, then recrossed and bivouacked for the night. Shortly after, an express arrived in camp from Gen. Atkinson, reporting that

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HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.

Black Hawk's trail had been discovered below where we first crossed Rock River. The track was retraced, and the pursuit became exciting. On all sides in the vicinity of the trail, the Indians had dug spikenard, which vonched for their being famine stricken. Subsequent devel- opments rendered safe the conjecture that no white army could have been kept banded together under a similar train of adverse circumstances. After several days of close pursuit, the scouts reported, at about 6 o'clock in the evening, that the enemy's rear was in view, a short distance in front. The soldiers were in a timber thicket on the north side of Sccond Lake, northeast of Madison, on the margin of a creek, the banks of which were thick set with brush. It was resolved to camp for'the night and devote the whole of the ensuing day to routing and demoral- izing Black Hawk's forces. The camp was early astir, breakfast was gulped hurriedly, and accouterments denned so as to be prepared at a moment's notice. The morning wore away with- out any command being issued, and the impatience of the men manifested itself in murmuring at the protracted delay. At 9 o'clock, orders were issued to mount. The order of march was Ewing's battalion in the lead, the mounted miners, and then Gen. Henry's regiment. They crossed the creek, and were marching over the present site of Madison, when a gunshet was heard on the banks of the lake, to the left. In a few minutes the shot was explained by the appearance of the regimental surgeon bearing in his hand a trophy in the shape of a fresh Indian scalp, reeking with blood. He had surprised the Indian trying to draw a bead on some ducks, and had popped him on the spot. Seeing the Indian fall, he rushed from cover, and, gaining pos- session of his tomahawk and scalping-knife, began to rend the scalp from the head. The pain partially revived the victim, who muttered some words in his native guttural, which elicited from the surgeon the following : "If you don't like being scalped with a dull knife, why didn't you keep a better one ?" He then dispatched the Indian and returned to camp.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 64

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044