History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 67

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 67

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).

"13. Southeast quarter of Section 21, Town 5, Range 6 west. Continuing down the valley, we come to a group in which the three kinds of mounds are well represented. They lie upon the alluvial bottom, quite near a bayou of the Mississippi, and none of them are more than eight feet above high water-mark, while those in the southern part of the group are not more than three feet. In this group, where all kinds are represented, there seems to be a separation of the long and round mounds from each other. There is nothing of peculiar interest in the occurrence of the long and circular mounds, but we have here two quite singular effigies. The central one of the group is evidently intended to represent a bird with the wings spread, in the act of flying, the head is directed to the south. The wings measure ninety-four feet each way from the center of the body to their extremities, and the length of the tail is sixty-five feet. It is quite a large and well-formed effigy, and is different from the other bird mounds in having an angle in the wings.

"Situated at the northern end of the group is the most interesting effigy-mound anywhere observed, a description of it by Mr. Warner, of Patch Grove, was published in the Smithsonian Report of 1872, page 416. It is known as the 'Elephant Mound,' and as it lies upon the ground it resembles an elephant or mastodon much more closely than any other animal, and the resemblance is much more perfect in this instance than in any other effigies.

" Of this mound Mr. Warner says : 'The mound has been known here for twenty-five years as the "Elephant Mound." There are, on each side of the mound, some fifteen to twenty rods distant, sandy, grassy ridges, some fifteen feet higher than the land about the mound. The mound is, therefore, in a shallow valley, sloping gently to the Mississippi River, and only about eight feet above high water. Its total length is 135 feet ; from fore-feet to back, sixty-six feet ; width across fore-legs, twenty-one feet; across hind-legs, twenty-four feet ; from end of proboscis or snout to neck or throat, thirty-one feet ; space between fore and hind legs, fifty-one feet ; from end of proboscis to fore-legs, thirty-nine feet ; across the body, thirty-six feet ; gen- eral height of body above the surrounding ground, five feet. The head is large, and the pro- portions so symmetrical that the mound well deserves the name of the Big Elephant Mound. There are many mounds in the form of animals in this section of country, which I have seen within the past thirty-five years, namely, in the shape of birds, bears, dcer, foxes and men, the latter with legs only to their knees.'

" This mound, in common with all the rest in the group, has been under cultivation, and on account of its size, special efforts have been made, with plows and scrapers, to bring it to the level of the adjacent field. Its size alone has protected it. These efforts have resulted in

448

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

diminishing its height, increasing its width and general circumference, and rendering its outline somewhat indistinct, so that it was difficult to make exact measurements.

" 14. Northeast quarter of Section 17, Town 3, Range 5 west. A short distance below Cassville, near the bank of the Mississippi, are three animal mounds. Several long mounds were seen in the vicinity, but no circular ones. One of them is probably intended to represent some kind of a lizard or saurian ; another is a bird, with extended wings, and the third is un- certain, but, in common with the first, is remarkable for having a round head. a peculiarity not observed in any other effigies. The first mentioned is a large and symmetrical mound, and is the only one of the kind observed. The mounds are very well defined, and are some of the best preserved effigies seen.

" 15. South half of Section 30, northeast quarter of Section 31, northwest quarter of Section 32, Town 3, Range 4 west. This is a long, high ridge, having its general direction a little south of east. Upon it is the most extensive representation and fullest development of the mound sys- tem anywhere observed. Circular, straight and effigy mounds extend along the crest of this ridge for a distance of nearly two miles in uninterrupted succession. The mounds are so exten- sive and numerous that my time did not admit of making even the most general survey of any but the effigies. One of them is a perfectly symmetrical cross, the opposite parts correspond- ing exactly in length. It is difficult to conceive what its object could have been, or of what it is symbolical. Another, from its long tail, slender body and small head, may have been de- signed to represent some one of the feline species. A third and fourth exhibit quite a remark- able formation in the extremities of the limbs.

" Civilization has not as yet encroached on this locality, except to a slight extent at the eastern end, which is beginning to be cultivated.

" Most of the earthworks are doubtless in the condition in which they were left at the time of their desertion by their builders. It is probable that, in a few years, all the land will be un- der cultivation, and the mounds obliterated. Perhaps a few dollars would be judiciously appro- priated in making these grounds burial grounds, perhaps, the property of some scientific society, and thus preserve them from further destruction.

" From observations of the mounds at all the foregoing localities, we arrive at the following conclusions in regard to their distribution :

"1. The circular mounds are frequently found in one locality, and the long mounds in another ; or, if both kinds are found in the same group, they are usually separated.

"2. When the number of mounds does not exceed five or six, they are usually of the same kind.

"3. The effigy mounds are never found unaccompanied by either long or circular mounds, and are usually attended by both.

"4. All the mounds appear to have been made by scraping up the surface soil, either from the ground immediately adjacent, or from a neighboring hill. In no place was any appear- ance of excavation seen.

"5. During the Champlain period, the valley of the Mississippi underwent a depression of at least fifty feet, during which period it was filled with a stratified drift, of which occasional patches still remain along the sides of the bluffs. To this there succeeded a period of elevation in which most of the valley drift was removed. The situation of some of the mounds so near the present high-water marks shows that they were not built until after the completion of the last elevatory movement, which probably took place within the recent period.

" The mounds themselves reveal that order and government must have prevailed to some extent among the race which built them, but afford no clew to the time in which they lived."

In January, 1870, as some workmen were engaged in digging the foundation for a saw- mill at Potosi, near the bank of the river, they had descended about seven feet, having dug into one of the circular mounds which abound in that vicinity, when they came upon two human skeletons, the bones of which were almost entire and in a good state of preservation. They were taken out and an accurate measurement made, when one of the skeletons was found

449

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

seven and one half feet, and the other eight feet in length. Under the bodies were found arrow-heads in great abundance, and a collection of strange toys. Unfortunately, these relics of an unknown race were suffered to become scattered and destroyed.

In 1877, Mr. E. B. Crane, of Hazel Green, made an investigation of a mound situated on a bluff overlooking the Sinsinawa River, about four miles southwest of Hazel Green, and thus describes the result of his explorations :

" We had every appurtenance required with which to make the exploration carefully. The mound was fifty feet long, five feet high and fifteen in width. Its length represented an east and west line, and after looking it over carefully, we decided to break earth at the west end. Two feet below the surface we found many pieces of burned sandstone, which is a characteristic of all the mounds that I have explored in this part of the country, in which were found human remains. At a depth of three feet we discovered a few small pieces of broken pottery. Next we found many flat stones, neatly arranged, with edges close together, and evidently intended to aid the heavy coating of clay, which was also placed over the remains to protect the dead from being disturbed by burrowing animals. However, having removed some of the stones, we discovered that time and decay had allowed one of the larger rocks to settle, and that a wood- chuck or some other animal had succeeded in making the tomb of these pre-historic people his home, and while making or digging his burrows had destroyed some of the bones and broken the pottery in a fearful manner. We found the remains -- or rather, part of the remains-of four persons, one in a kneeling and the others in a reclining position, with their heads to the east. The skeleton in the best state of preservation was that of a female, whose bones as well as whose teeth indicate great age. The crowns of the teeth were worn down to the gums without any indication of decay or cavities in them., The head was badly broken, and some parts of it entirely gone. However, I succeeded in restoring it to its original form by use of plaster of Paris, and careful manipulating. The head is almost precisely like that of a negro, except that the nose and mouth is more projected, like that of an orang. The lower maxillary is wanting, It must have been thrown out while the animal referred to above was making its burrows. By the side of this female was placed an earthern pot or vase, made of clay and pulverized granite. This was also badly broken, but I have succeeded in restoring it to its original form, supplying the missing parts artificially. This vase will hold nearly three quarts, and is the shape of an egg, with small end down and the top slightly narrowed to form a sort of neck, the upper edges flaring out a little. One of the other remains unearthed was that of a male, the bones of which were in a bad state of preservation, moisture having reached them through the burrows of the little animals to which previous reference has been made. This man, I should judge, was six feet in height. The female was not more than five. We also found the femoral and tibeal bones of a child not more than a year old. These were in a fair state of preservation. Aside from the remains already mentioned, nothing of interest was found, if we except the temporal bone of a pre-natal skull. This some scientists seem to doubt, maintaining that bones so fragile (if indeed they are more than cartilages) could not be preserved in the earth for a great length of time. However, the fact is established beyond question, and I have several pre-natal bones in my possession, which I found embedded in a fine quality of clay, which is equivalent to her- metically sealing such bones in a metallic case. We investigated three other mounds in this vicinity, but they were made of black soil, and the remains which had once been there had long since returned to mother dust. No pottery, implements of any kind, or other relics were found in these last examined mounds, so that we concluded our search unrewarded, which is the case eight times out of ten."

Many mounds in different parts of the county have been opened by parties living near by, but being prompted in inost cases simply by a mere curiosity, the results of their investigations tended in no way to throw any additional light upon the question of the antiquity of their builders. In the years to come it is to be hoped that the efforts of the many earnest anti -. quarians who give this subject their special thought, will result in the unearthing of new evi- dence which shall at once dispose of this mystery.

450

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

CHAPTER II.

INDIAN OCCUPANCY-THE FIRST WHITE MAN IN GRANT COUNTY -- OTHER EARLY VISITORS- WATER WAYS -- THE WINNEBAGO WAR-THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

INDIAN OCCUPANCY.

Back as far as Champlain's time, in 1615, rumors of the existence of a tribe of Indians known as the Five Nations, and living many leagues beyond Lake Huron, were prevalent among the tribes on the St. Lawrence. This tribe was better known at a later date as the Mascoutins. It is believed that their home at that time was upon the Fox River, and here they were visited by civilized man less than a score of years afterward. The supposed site of their villages is included in the present limits of Green Lake County, somewhere on Fox River between Berlin and Lake Puckaway. When visited by Joliet and his party in 1673, the Kickapoos and Miamis were included in their village. The nearest tribe to the Mascoutins, down the Fox River, was that of the Winnebagoes, whose homes were at the mouth of the stream. To the south, extend-

ing, perhaps, well up the Rock River, was the territory of the Illinois. This tribe, who lived in a country " where there was a quantity of buffaloes," were afterward driven across the Missis- sippi, but subsequently returned to the river which still bears their name. The country west of the Mascoutins, and in fact all of the present State of Wisconsin, except, perhaps, the extreme southeastern portion, was originally claimed by the Sioux, and, that their claim was a substantial one, is evidenced by the fact that, as late as 1681, Hennepin was taken prisoner by them on the Mississippi, below the mouth of the Wisconsin, as an intruder upon their country. But now commenced a migration of the Mascoutins and their kindred the Kickapoos and Miamis, to the southward, at least so far as the south end of Lake Michigan, they being pressed back and their place taken by the warlike Foxes and their relatives the Sacs. These tribes also emigrated in time, pushed back in their turn by the advent of the white man, and laid claim to the country to the west and southwest, including the present limits of Grant County. The Winnebagos also began moving, by slow degrees, from the head of Green Bay up the Fox River, having outlying villages on the shores of Winnebago Lake and Rock River. This brings us up to the time the United States began making treaties with these tribes. During the Revolutionary war, the Sacs and Foxes had fought on the side of the English, having transferred their allegiance from their former allies, the French.

By a treaty negotiated at Fort Harmar, in Ohio, on the 9th of January, 1789, the Potta- watomie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were united in a " league of peace and amity" with the United States. November 3, 1804, a treaty was made and executed at St. Louis, between William Henry Harrison on the part of the United States, and the following chiefs and head men of the Sacs and Foxes : La-you-vois, Pashe-paho, Quashquame, Outchequa and Hash- equarhequa. This treaty was afterward repudiated by Black Hawk, and was the foundation cause of much of the future trouble between the whites and these tribes, until their defeat in the famed " Black Hawk war " put an end, once and for all, to their claims. This treaty Black Hawk claimed, was signed by the chiefs without authority from the united tribe, they having been sent to St. Louis to endeavor to effect the release of one of the tribe who was then confined at that place for killing an American.

By this treaty the united Sac and Fox tribes were received into the friendship and protec- tion of the United States, while the tribes on their part were to consider themselves under the pro- tection of the United States, and of no other power whatsoever. They also ceded the lands in- cluded within the following boundaries to the United States: " Beginning at a point on the Missouri River opposite the mouth of the Gasconade River, thence in a direct course so as

[DECEASED) BOSCOBEL. -

453

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

to strike the River Jefreon at a distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down the said Jefreon to the Mississippi ; thence up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Wisconsin River, and up the same to a point which shall be thirty-six miles in a direct line from the mouth of said river ; thence by a direct line to a point where the Fox River (a branch of the Illinois) leaves the small lake called Sakaegan ; thence down the Fox River to the Illinois River, and down the same to the Mississippi."

The consideration for this cession of lands by the Indians was an immediate delivery of goods to the value of $2,234.50, and a yearly annuity of $1,000, $600 of which was intended for the Sacs and $400 for the Foxes, to be paid in goods valued at the first cost.

This treaty, although discredited by Black Hawk, was signed by Pashepaho, who was gen- erally considered the head chief of the Sac Nation, and its provisions must have been considered binding by the tribes generally as the annuities therein mentioned were regularly paid and received. Afterward, in the year 1815, separate confirmatory treaties were made with the Sacs and Foxes, as is shown by the following : "By the treaty of Portage des Sonix, made by William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Aguste Choteau, Commissioners, etc., and the kings, chiefs and warriors of the Fox tribe or nation, dated September 14, 1813, the said Fox tribe-

"Do hereby assent to, recognize, re-establish and confirm the treaty of St. Louis, which was concluded on the 3d day of November, 1804, to the full extent of their interest in the same, as well as all other contracts and agreements between the parties ; and the United States promise to fulfill all the stipulations contained in the said treaty in favor of the said Fox tribe or nation.

" By the treaty of Portage des Souix made by the above-named commissioners, and the chiefs and warriors of that portion of the Sac Nation of Indians, now residing on the Missouri River, dated September 13, 1815, the chiefs and warriors-

" For themselves and that portion of the Sacs which they represent, do hereby assent to the treaty between the United States of America and the united tribes of Sacs. and Foxes, which was concluded at St. Louis on the 3d day of November, 1804 ; and they, moreover, promise to do all in their power to re-establish and enforce the same."

The signers of this treaty also promised to give no aid whatever to the "Sacs of Rock River " until peace should be established between that band and the United States.

But by a later treaty, executed at St. Louis May 13, 1816, the "Sacs of Rock River and adjacent country," agreed to, " hereby unconditionally assent to, recognize, re-establish and con- firm the treaty between the United States of America and the united tribes of Sacs and Foxes, which was concluded at St. Louis on the 3d of November, 1804, as well as all other contracts and agreements heretofore made between the Sac tribe or nation and the United States." This treaty was signed by twenty-two chiefs and head men, among others, Black Hawk. This treaty he afterward claimed he never understood, and so did not know what he was signing. The In- dians, comprising the following of this chief, continued to claim proprietary rights in the lands on the east of the Mississippi until the disastrous result of the war, in 1832, effectually put this question beyond dispute. The Government had previously made treaties with other tribes who laid claim to the same territory, and the " Indian troubles " were thenceforth a story of the past.

FIRST WHITE MAN IN GRANT COUNTY.

Among those representatives of the paternal government founded and fostered by Louis XIV, in his possessions in the New World, none were more assiduous in their endeavors to develop the resources of the New France than Jean Baptiste Talon, Intendant of Canada from 1665 to 1672. In 1670, under his orders, an expedition was fitted out to search for copper mines on Lake Superior, and to formally take possession of the whole of this interior country for the King of France. This expedition was under the command of Daumont de St. Lussen, and among those who accompanied him was Louis Joliet, a name imperishable so long as the great western land, of which he was afterward the discoverer, shall continue to bear its teeming millions. St. Lusson set out on his voyage of exploration accompanied by a small party besides

454

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Joliet, with Nicholas Perrot, a voyageur, who spoke Algonquin fluently, as interpreter. By arrangement, St. Lusson remained at Manitoulin Islands through the winter, while Perrot made a tour of the different tribes to invite them to a general conference at the Sault Ste. Marie in the following spring. Perrot, having first sent messages to the northern tribes, went to Green Bay for the purpose of obtaining the presence of the nations residing upon its borders to the proposed meeting.

St. Lusson, accompanied by his men (fifteen in number), appeared at the Sault over a month in advance of the time appointed. When all the tribes had assembled, the Frenchman prepared to execute the mission with which he was charged. A large cross of wood was prepared, and, in the presence of the assembled savages, it was planted in the ground. A post of cedar was then planted beside it attached to which was a metal-plate engraved with the royal arms. Then St. Lussen made proclamation : "In the name of the most high, mighty, and redoubtable mon- arch, Louis XIV, of that name, most Christian King of France and Navarre, I take possession of this place Sainte Marie du Sault, as also of Lakes Huron and Superior, the Island of Mani- toulin and all countries, rivers, lakes and streams, contiguous and adjacent thereto ; both those which have been discovered, and those which may be discovered hereafter, in all their length and breadth, bounded on the one side by the seas of the North and of the West, and on the other by the South Sea, declaring to the nations thereof, that from this time forth they are vassals of His Majesty, bound to obey his laws and follow his customs ; promising them on his part all succor and protection against the incursions and invasions of their enemies; declaring to all other po- tentates, princes, sovereigns, states and republics-to them and their subjects-that they cannot and are not to seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid countries, save only under the good . pleasure of His Most Christian Majesty, and of him who will govern in his behalf; and this on pain of incurring his resentment and the efforts of his arms." So far as words alone could effect it, thus passed the whole Northwest, including the territory of the present State of Wiscon- sin, under the dominion of France. She had discovered and, to a certain extent, explored it, established a rude commerce with its barbarous inhabitants, and, through her missionaries, pro- claimed the Christian doctrine to their heathen ears. But none of her agents, traders or mis- sionaries, had so far reached that great river of which so many marvels were being constantly related.

Upon the return of the expedition to Quebec, it was determined to explore this mysterious stream. The choice fell upon Joliet. Said the Governor on the 2d of November, 1672 : " It has been judged expedient to send Sieur Joliet to the Maskoutiens (Mascoutins), to discover the south sea and the great river they call the Mississippi, which is supposed to discharge itself into the Sea of California." Continuing, the official adds : "He is a man of great experience in these sorts of discoveries, and has already been almost at the great river, the mouth of which he promises to see."

Joliet passed up the lakes, and, on the 17th of May, 1673, accompanied by Father James Marquette and five others, started from the Mission of St. Ignatius, north of Machinaw Island, in the present county of Mackinaw, Mich. with two bark canoes, on a trip which was destined to open the beauties of the Father of Waters to the gaze of civilized man. All information possible was obtained from the Indian tribes regarding this great unknown stream before starting, and then with light hearts the explorers paddled away to the west and up Green Bay to the mouth of the Fox River. The first Indian nation met by Joliet was the Menomonees. He was warned by them not to venture so far into the interior on account of the bands of savage war- riors inhabiting that country and who spared no strangers, accompanied by marvelous tales of the numerous monsters and demons who made the " great river " their haunt, and adding as a final argument that the heat was so excessive in those countries as to infallibly cause death to all who ventured into that section. Nothing daunted by the hideous prospect presented, Joliet determined to persevere, and proceeded on up the Fox River to the portage.

This river was found quite pleasant at its mouth, having a gentle current. The wild oats along the bank had gathered along the shores numerous flocks of bustards, ducks, teal and other

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 67

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?] Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050