History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 18

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 18

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After the people had taken possession of the fort, and before the arrival of Gen. Cass, Indi- ans were see in the village, and a guard was sent out to take them and bring them to the fort. They made no resistance, but surrendered themselves and were brought to the guard house. One proved to be the famous Red Bird, who headed the party that murdered Gagnier and Lipcap; another was Wah-wah-peck-ah, the Indian I had met up the Wisconsin river, and whose conduct had so much alarmed me and my men; the other was a young Indian whose name I do not recollect. There being no charge of crime against Wah-wah-peck-ah and the young Indian, after the United States troops were stationed at Fort Crawford, they were dis- charged; and Red Bird was retained in the guard-house, where he died before he was tried for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap.

An Interesting Event of "the Winnebago War."

On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. Wil- liam Whistler, with government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while there, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his ap- proach, and directing him to halt and fortify himself, and await his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jef- ferson barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler, from Fort Howard, at Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. The Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the murderers of the Gagnier family. While Major Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, "who will come in?" he said, "Red Bird and We- Kau." After making this answer he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came and took position in nearly the same place and in the same way, when to like questions he gave like answers; and at sun- down a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding, that he had, to secure that ob- ject, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his property.

There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote themselves for the good of their people, but only to recon- cile those who were about to be bereaved to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the pur- pose is seen in the fact that the murders com- mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the Indians com- plained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong

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shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for an- other, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or peo- ple who may have made a resort to this law a necessity.

About noon of the day following there were seen descending the mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass the Americans could discern the direction to be to- wards their position. They bore no arms, and no one was at a loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox river, when on a sudden singing was heard. Those who were familiar with the air said, "It is a death song." When still nearer some present who knew him said, "It is Red Bird singing his death song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over. two scalp yells were heard. The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied the troops were lying carelessly about the ground. regardless of what was going on; but when the "scalp yells" were uttered, they sprang to their feet as one man, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no lo's to know what these yells were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubt- less inferred the first.

Barges were sent across to receive and an escort of military to accompany them within the lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird.

And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was the encampment. In the lead was Car-i-mi- nie, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, order being called, Car-i-mi-nie spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves they have come in; treat them as braves; do not put them in irons." This address was made

to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he was not the big captain. His talk must be made to Major Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him.

The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menomonee and Wabauckie (Oneida) Indians were in groups upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant, were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable looking We-Kau, a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on Red Bird. In height he was about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet.

He and We-Kau were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and taking from it kinnikin- nic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion, then rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with his flint and steel, lighted and smoked it. All sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows:

They were required to bring in the mur- derers. They had no power over any except two; the third had gone away; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give them- selves up. As their friends they had come with them. They hoped their white brother would agree to accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty; the meaning of which was, to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought that they might

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not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little tobacco and something to eat.

They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so they had turned away our guns and saved their people. They were admonished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were ag- grieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent who would inform the Great Father of their complaints, and he would re- dress their grievances ; that their friends should be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws, by which their Great Father's white children were tried ; that for the present Red Bird and We-Kau should not be put in irons ; that they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke.

Having heard this, Red Bird stood up; the commanding officer, Major Whistler, a few paces in front of the center of the line facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick survey of the troops, he spoke, saying : "I am ready." Then advancing a step or two, he paused, say- ing, "I do not wish to be put in irons ; let me be free. I have given away my life; it is gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his thumb and finger and blowing it away), "like that," eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, "I would not take it back, it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Major Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when, the major stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kau marched through the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over them. The comrades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them our advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco.

We-Kan, the miserable looking being, the ac- complice of Red Bird, was in all things the op- posite of that unfortunate brave. Never were

two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command and worthy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been born to be hanged ; meagre, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf; gaunt, hungry and blood-thirsty ; his entire ap- pearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were committed into safe keeping at Prairie du Chien to wait their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.

Last Act in "The Winnebago War." JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:

WHEREAS, at a court of Oyer and Terminer, held at the village of Prairie du Chien, in the month of September, A. D. 1828. Wa-ni-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, were convicted of the offense of murder in the second degree, and the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, was also convicted of another offense of murder in the second degree ; And, whereas,also it appears satisfactorily to me that the clemency of the exexutive may be extended to the said convicts withoutinjury to the public;

Now, therefore, I, John Quincy Adams, Presi- dent of the United States of America, in con- sideration of the promises, divers other good and sufficient causes me hereunto moving, have granted and do hereby grant to the said Wa- ni-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and to the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, my full and free pardon for the offenses afore- said.

In testimony whereof I have herennto sub- scribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. Given at the city of Washington this third day of November, A. D. 1828, and of the In- dependence, of the United States the fifty- third. By the President, J. Q. ADAMS. H. CLAY, Secretary of State.%

* Copied from the original pardon.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Mrs. Coasm Cherrier (nee Gagnier.)}

My father was born in St. Louis ; he came to Prairie du Chien about the time of the last war with England.

My mother Theresa Chalefau, was born in Prairie du Chien ; her father came to Prairie du Chien from Canada, before the last war with England.

I was born in this place (now called French Town) Aug. 15, 1826. The following spring my father moved his family to a house on what is now known as the Ackerly place, a short dis- tance below the limits of "Lower Town. The house had only one room. It was there that the murder of father and Lipcap, and the terrible mutilation of myself occurred.

I will tell the story as learned from my mother. June 10, 1827, my father visited the village of Prairie du Chien; the afternoon of · that day mother noticed there were skulking Indians on the bluff east of the house, partially concealed, and being accustomed to seeing In- dians almost daily, was not alarmed. Father did not return home until about noon of the next day, (June 11). He was accompanied by his half brother, Paschal Menoir, after dinner the family consisting of father, mother, Lipcap (an old man living with us) my brother Frank, three years old, myself, nearly ten months old, and Paschal Menoir (visitor), were having an after dinner chat. Young Menoir was sitting in the open window on the west side of the house, facing the door. My father was sitting on a trunk against the wall, to the right of the window, and also facing the door. My mother had returned to the work of the day, family washing. My brother Frank was amusing himself. Lipcap had gone to his work in the

+ The autobiographieal account which follows was taken from the lips of Louisa Cherrier (nee Gagnier) wife of Coasm (usually known as Comb) Cherrier. Mr. Cherrier, wife and children, reside in what is usually known as "French Town, " in the town of Prairie.du Chien. What Mrs. Cherrier relates is the story often told her by her mother, Theresa Gagnier, wife of Rijeste Gagnier. It will be noticed that the narra- tive differs in some important particulars from that given previously in this chapter ; but there are so many additional and exceedingly interesting statements that, in the main, are doubtless correct, as to justify the insertion of this re- lation as a sequel to the so-called "Winnebago War."

corn patch not very far from the house. I had creeped to my father's feet and lifted myself by his clothing, and was standing with my hands on his knees. At this moment four Indians, who had reached the door nnnoticed, entered the room. Mother placed four chairs and bade them be seated; they complied, the table being as left. Mother asked them to have dinner; they replied : "We are not hungry, but thirsty." She satisfied their wants, and watching them closely, she said to father in French : "These Indians mean to do us some harm." Father made no reply. My father's gun. was hanging in fastenings to a joist directly overhead ; three of the Indians had guns in their hands, the fourth, a chief, whose Indian name signified "Little Sun," was seated the nearest to my father, with his side toward him. This Indian had, unknown to the family, a shorter gun con- cealed under his blanket, and it was held in such a position as to bring my father in range. One of the other Indians left his chair, and took down my father's gun. Father instantly rose, seized and wrenched the gun from him, and stood it by the trunk, then both were seated again. My father spoke to mother, saying : "Come take this little girl." At this moment, at a signal from one of the other Indians, "Lit- tle Sun" fired his concealed gun, the bullet en- tering the right breast of my father, who had not changed his position. At almost the same instant another Indian shot his gun at Paschal Menoir, who was still sitting in the window, but missed him. Young Menoir, with great presence of mind, fell backward, through the window. He was undoubtedly supposed by the Indians to have been killed, and was not imme- diately looked after. He made his escape into the timber, which stood close up to that side of the house.

The house was filled with powder smoke ; my little brother was crying and calling for mother. Mother picked him up and ran out of the house. The Indians had preceded her, and leaped over the fence near the house. Mother,

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with Frank, made her way over the fence, and dropped directly in front of one of the Indians, who was crouching, unnoticed by her on that side. Dropping the child, she seized his gun, and with unnatural strength, wrenched it away from him, and instantly cocked it with the in- tention of killing him; some irresistible im- pulse compelled her at the moment of firing, to give an upward inelination, sufficient to carry the bullet over the Indian's head. She threw the gun after the Indians, who had started to kill Lipcap. My mother then returned to the house. I had creeped under the bed. The house was partially cleared from smoke. Father was not dead. but could not speak or move, but made motions with his eyes, which she clearly understood as saying: "Make your escape." She then ran out, and through a picket fence, which divided their grounds from those of a man named Joseph Lambeire, who was eating his dinner in his cabin which he occupied alone. He had heard the shots fired, but did not know their meaning.

My mother who had not been to Prairie du Chien since they moved to the place, did not even know the way. She hurriedly told him what had occurred, and asked him to help her escape. Lambeire, whose horse was tied to a fenee near by, told her to bring the horse. She did so, when he mounted and rode cowardly and rapidly away, without a word to her, who then returned to the house. Father, who still lived, again with expressive look, plainly sig- malled "get away." Mother then with my little brother, made her way into the timber close to the house, into which Menoir had escaped. (All this occurred in a little time). While doing this, she discovered that Lipcap was being chased by the Indians, and making his way to- ward her, shouting, "wait for me." In her flight, she noticed a large soft maple tree which had been blown down, and that the place where it had stood was surrounded by a dense new growth of brush. She crept into this, and into the cavity made by uprooting the tree, placed

Frank, and crouching low over him, remained almost breathless, until within twelve feet of her hiding place, the Indians overtook Lipcap and killed him with their knives, mutilating him and taking his scalp. My mother was not discovered.

The Indians then returned to the house, Pas- chal Menoir, who from his place of concealment, had kept a close watch, noticing this, took the opportunity to make his way to the village. He reached exhausted, the house of Julian Lari- viere ; he there found Frank Dechuquette, who mounted his horse and alarmed the people, who turned out to the rescue en masse.

My mother in the meantime, alive to the ne- cessity of making her escape, had left her hiding place, and unnoticed by the Indians, found father's horse, and with Frank had mounted, and was searching for the road to the village, when she saw the people coming to the relief. The Indians after killing Lipcap, made their last return to the house. I had creeped from under the bed, to the door. Of the brutal treat- ment of myself, "Little Sun," in his testimony given at the trial of himself and the chief, "Red Bird," for these murders said, "that he first gave the child a kiek on the left hip, and then with his gun barrel in his hands, struck her with the breech of the gun on the right shoulder, and with his knife struck her across the back of the neck, intending to behead her, and carry the head away with him," at this moment the other Indians outside of the house shouted, that "peo- ple are coming." He said, "I then took her scalp and with it part of the skull," he then scalped my father, down whose dying face, he said the tears were flowing, at witnessing the horrid butchery of myself.

When the people from the village reached the house, my father was dead. The Indians were gone. I was lying in a pool of my own blood, and supposed to be dead. Julian, son of Julian Lariviere, wrapped me in his handkerchief, anl carried me to his father's house, where some hours later, when being washed prepara-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

tory to burial, I was first discovered to be alive, and by careful nursing and tender care, under kind Providence, was restored to health.

The motives which actuated the Indians to commit these terrible murders, are not fully understood. The family believed that an in- dignity received by "Little Sun," at the hands of Registe Gagnier, was the immediate cause. The facts on which this belief is based, are told by Mrs. Cherrier, as follows : "In those years whenever a Catholic priest would visit Prairie du Chien, to celebrate mass, a procession would be formed by all of our Catholic people, and would march in line to the house devoted to the services of the day. Upon one of these occa- sions, among the lookers-on was the Winnebago chief, "Little Sun" intentionally or otherwise. He was in the line of march, and as the head of the procession reached him, refused to move. Some confusion ensued. My father leaving his place in the line, advanced to the front, and seizing the chief, threw him one side with such force as caused him to fall to the ground. Aris- ing with a murderous look and tone, "Little Sun" said, "you have thrown me down, but when I throw you down, you will never get up again."

My first husband's name was Moreaux. He died in 1855. By that marriage we had ten children, seven of whom are now [1884] living. I was married to Mr. Cherrier, March 1, 1862. We have had three children-Magdalene, born Dec. 6, 1863; Felix, born Oet. 7, 1865; and Lou- isa, born Feb. 29, 1868. The last named died in infancy.

My mother married again in 1831. Her sec- ond husband's name was St. Germain. They had two children-David and Hattie. My mother died in 1836 with the small-pox. My step-father died in January, 1882. Pascal Menoir died in Prairie du Chien, in 1882.

The Winnebago Exodus.

In 1829 a large part of the territory of the Winnebegoes, southwest Wisconsin, lying be- tween Sugar river and the Mississippi, and ex -!

tending to the Wisconsin (including, of course, a great part of what is now Green county), was sold to the general government. In 1832 all the residue of the Winnebago territory south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers of Green bay, was disposed of to the United States, by which sale they relinquished their right to the present county of Green east of Sugar river.

Finally, in the brief language of the treaty between this tribe (which has become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the 1st of November, 1837, "the Winnebago Nation of Indians ceded to the general government "all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of 'the great river." This arrangement, however, was not carried out fully; although all, save a few stragglers, left what is now Green county within the time stip- ulated. It ended forever the occupation of this immediate region by the Indians. In 1842 there were only 756 at Turkey River, Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands elsewhere. All had become lawless and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over 800 left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Oma- has, containing over 100,000 acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times changed their place of abode. The period of Winnebago occupancy of Green county and the region of country con- tignous thereto, properly began about the com- mencement of the present century, and ended, virtually, in 1838. There were two Winnebago villages within the present limits of Green coun- ty, when the first white men began to "mine" at the Sugar river diggings. These were Spotted Arm's village and White Breast's village. The first named was about eight miles north of the diggings just named, and the other between twelve and fifteen miles south. This exact loca-

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tion was afterwards determined by the United States surveyors .* The number of houses in each did not exceed ten.t

Within the last two years steps have been taken toward paying such of the Winnebagoes, in Wisconsin, as might come forward to be en- rolled, at least a portion of the money due to them under the act of Jan. 18, 1881. It has been found by this enrollment that the whole number of Winnebagoes in Wisconsin at this time (1884) is about 1,200; while those in Ne- braska number about 1,400; so that the entire Nation now consists of about 2,600 souls.

Concerning the removal of the Winnebagoes, John H. Fonda says:

During the year 1848, just previous to the adoption of the State Constitution, the Win- nebago Indians were scattered through the country along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, through the Kickapoo timbers, and the Lemon- weir valley. Orders came from the sub-Indian agent, J. E. Fletcher, to collect and remove them to their reservation, near Fort Atkinson, Iowa.

In 1848, when orders were received at Fort Crawford to remove the Winnebagoes, several attempts were made to do so, but with poor success. Early in the same year I received the following official letter:

OFFICE SUB-INDIAN AGENT, TURKEY RIVER, JAN. 4, 1848. S

SIR :- In answer to your inquiry respecting the disposition to be made of the Winnebago Indians who may be found wandering about through the country, I have to say that I wish you to arrest them, cause them to be securely guarded, and report them to me as early as may be practicable.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

J. E. FLETCHER.

To Lieut. Indian Agent. Commanding Ft. Crawford, W. T.

*See Surveyors' Notes, in Chap. VI.

tConsult Beouchard's Reminiscence, in Chap. VIII.

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History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 18

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168