History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 13

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Wisconsin > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 13

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

angles and every part with great attention, and have often blamed myself since for not encamp- ing on the spot, and drawing an exact plan of it. To show that this description is not the off- spring of a heated imagination, or the chimeri- cal tale of a mistaken traveler, I find on in- quiry since my return, that Mons St. Pierre, and several traders, have, at different times, taken notice of similar appearances, on which they have formed the same conjectures, but without examining them so minutely as I did. How a work of this kind could exist in a coun- try that has hitherto (according to the general received opinion) been the seat of war to un- tutored Indians alone, whose whole stock of military knowledge has only, till within two centuries, amounted to drawing the bow, and whose only breast work even at present is the thicket, I know not. I have given as exact an account as possible of this singular appearance, and leave to future explorers of these distant regions to discover whether it is a production of nature or art. Perhaps the hints I have here given might lead to a more perfect investiga- tion of it, and give ns very different ideas of the ancient state of realms that we at present believe to have been from the earliest periods only in the habitations of savages.

"The Mississippi below this lake flows with a gentle current, but the breadth of it very uncertain, in some places being upward of a mile, in others not more than a quarter. This river has a range of mountains on each side throughout the whole of the way, which in par- ticular parts approach near to it, in others lie at a greater distance. The land betwixt the moun- tains, and on their sides, is generally covered with grass, with a few groves of trees inter- spersed, near which large droves of deer and elk are frequently seen feeding. In many places pyramids of rocks appeared, resembling old ruinous towers; at others amazing preei- pices, and what is very remarkable, whilst this scene presented itself on one side, the opposite side of the same mountain was covered with the

finest herbage, which gradually ascended to its summit. From thence the most beautiful and extensive prospect that imagination can form opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful meadows, numerous islands, and all these abounding with a variety of trees that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation, such as the nut-tree, the maple which produces sugar, vines loaded with rich grapes, and plum trees bending under their blooming burdens; but above all, the fine river flow- ing gently beneath, and reaching as far as the eye can extend, by turns attract your attention and excite your wonder."

It was nearly forty years subsequent to Car- ver's visit before the Mississippi was ascended by any one who left a record of his journey. In 1805 Major Z. M. Pike made a reconnoi- sance up the river. We give his description of what he saw as he passed from a point just below the mouth of the Wisconsin up to "a prairie called La Cross:"

"September 4th, 1805, Wednesday .- Break- fasted just below the mouth of the Wisconsin. Arrived at the Prairie Les Chiens about 11 o'clock; took quarters at Capt. Fisher's, and were politely received by him and Mr. Frazer. "September 5th, Thursday .- Embarked about half past 10 o'clock in a Schenectady boat, to go to the mouth of the Wisconsin, in order to take the latitude, and look at the situation of the adjacent hills for a post. Was accompanied by Judge Fisher, Mr. Frazer and Mr. Woods. We ascended the hill on the west side of the Mississippi, and made a choice of a spot which I thought most eligible, being level on the top, having a spring in the rear, and commanding a view of the country around. A shower of rain came on which wet us, and we returned to the village without having ascended the Wisconsin as we intended. Marked four trees with A, B, C, D, and squared the sides of one in the center. Wrote to the General.

"September 6th, Friday .- Had a small council with the Puants and Winnebagoes; and a chief

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

of the lower band of the Sioux. Visited and laid out a position for a post, on a hill called Petit Gris, on the Wisconsin, three miles above its month. Mr. Fisher accompanied me; was taken very sick, in consequence of drinking somne water out of the Wisconsin. The Puants never have any white interpreters, nor have the Fols Avoin (Menomonee) Nation. In my coun- cil I spoke to a Frenchman, he to a Sioux, who interpreted to some of the Puants.

"September 7th, Saturday .- My men beat all the villagers hopping and jumping. Began to load my new boats.

"September 8th., Sunday .- Embarked at half past Il o'clock in two batteaux. The wind fair and fresh. I found myself very much embarrassed and cramped, in my new boat-, with provision and baggage. I embarked two in- terpreters, one to perform the whole voyage, whose name was Pierre Rosseau, and the other named Joseph Reinulle, paid by Mr. Frazer to accompany me as high as the Falls of St. Anthony. Mr. Frazer is a young gentleman, clerk to Mr. Blakely, of Montreal; he was born in Vermont, but has latterly resided in Canada. To the attention of this gentleman I am much indebted; he procured for me everything in his power that I stood in need of; dispatched his bark canoes and remained himself to go on with me. His design was to winter with some of the Sioux bands. We sailed well, came eighteen miles and encamped on the west bank. I must not omit here to bear testi- mony to the politeness of all the principal inhabitants of the village. There is, however, a material distinction to be made in the nature of those attentions. The kindness of Messrs. Fisher, Frazer and Woods (all Americans), seemed to be the spontaneous effusions of good will, and partiality to their countrymen; it ex- tended to the accomodation, convenience, exer- cises and pastimes of my men; and whenever they proved superior to the French openly showed their pleasure. But the French Canadians appeared attentive, rather from their

natural good manners, the sincere friendship; however, it produced from them the same effect that natural good-will did in others.

"September 9th, Monday .- Embarked early. Dined at Cape Garlic, or at Garlie river, after which we came on to an island on the east side abont five miles below the river Iowa, and encamped. Rained before sunset. Distance twenty-eight miles.

"September 10th, Tuesday .- Rain still con- tinning, we remained at onr camp. Having shot at some pigeons, the report was heard at the Sioux lodges; when La Yieulle sent down six of his young men to inform me that he had waited three days with meat, etc., but last night they had began to drink, and, that on the next day he would receive me with his people sober. I returned him for answer, that the season was advanced, that time was pressing, and that if the rain ceased, I must go on. Mr. Frazer and the interpreter went home with the Indians. We embarked about I o'clock. Frazer returning, informed me that the chief acquiesed in my reasons for pressing forward, but that he had prepared a pipe (by way of letter) to present me, to show to all the Sioux above, with a message to inform them that I was a chief of their new fathers, and that he wished me to be treated with friendship and respect. * * We embarked about half past 3 o'clock, came three miles and encamped on the west side. Mr. Frazer we left behind, but he came up with his two peroques about dusk. It commenced raining very hard. In the night a peroque arrived from the lodges at his camp. During our stay at their camp, there were soldiers appointed to keep the crowd from my boats. At my departure their soldiers said: As I had shaken hands with their chief, they must shake hands with my soldiers. In which request I willingly indulged them.

"September 11th, Wednesday. Embarked at 7 o'clock, although raining. Mr. Frazer's

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

canoes also came on until 9 o'clock. Stopped for breakfast, and made a fire. Mr. Frazer staid with me, and finding his peroques not quite able to keep up, he dispatched them. We em- barked; came on until near 6 o'clock, and en- camped on the west side. Saw nothing of his peroques, after they left us. Supposed to have come sixteen miles this day. Rain and cold winds, all day ahead. The river has never been clear of islands since I left Prairie Les Chien. I absolutely believe it, here, to be two miles wide. Hills, or rather prairie knobs, on both sides.

"September 12th, Thursday. It raining very hard in the morning, we did not embark until to o'clock. Mr. Frazer's peroques then com- ing up. It was still raining, and was very cold. Passed the Racine river, also a prairie called La Cross, from a game of ball played frequently on it by the Sioux Indians. This prairie is very handsome, it has a small square hill, similar to some mentioned by Carver. It is bounded in the rear, by hills similar to the Prairie Les Chien. On this prairie Mr. Frazer showed me some holes, dug by the Sioux, when in expecta- tion of an attack into which they first put their women and children, and then crawl them- selves. They were generally round, and about ten feet in diameter; but some were half moons and quite a breastwork. This I understood was the chief work, which was the principle redoubt. Their modes of constructing are, the moment they apprehend, or discover, an enemy on a prairie, they commence digging with their knives, tomahawks and a wooden ladle; and in an incredibly short space of time, they have a hole sufficiently deep to cover themselves and their family, from the balls or arrows of the enemy. They have no idea of taking those sub- terraneous redoubts by storm; as they would probably lose a great number of men in the attack; and although they might be successful in the event, it would be considered a very im- prudent action. Mr. Frazer finding his canoes not able to keep up, staid at this prairie to or-

ganize one of them, intending then, to over- take us."

[OBSERVATIONS BY MAJ. PIKE.]

"The village of the Prairie Les Chiens is situ- ated about one league above the mouth of the Wisconsin river. * * * * The prairie on which the village is situated is bounded in the rear by high bald hills. It is from one mile to three-quarters of a mile from the river, and ex- tends about eight miles from the Mississippi, to where it strikes the Wisconsin at the Petit Grey, which bears from the village southeast by east. * * * From the village to Lake Pepin, we have, on the west shore, first Yellow river, of about twenty yards wide, bearing from the Mississippi nearly due west. Second the Iowa river, about 100 yards wide, bearing from the Mississippi about northwest. Third, the Racine river, about twenty yards wide, bearing from the Mississippi nearly west, and navigable for canoes sixty miles. Fourth, the rivers Embarra and L'Eau Claire, which joins their waters just as they form a confluence with the Mississippi, and are about sixty yards wide, and bear nearly southwest.

"On the east shore, in the same distance, is the river de la Prairie la Cross, which empties into the Mississippi, at the head of the prairie of that name. It is about twenty yards wide, and bears north north-west.

"We then meet with the Black river.

* * In this division of the Mississippi the shores are more than three-fourths prairie on both sides, or, more properly speaking, bald hills, which, instead of running parallel with the river, form a continual succession of high perpendicular cliffs and low valleys; they ap- pear to head on the river, and to transverse the country in an angular direction. Those hills and valleys give rise to some of the most sub- lime and romantic views I ever saw. But this irregular scenery is sometimes interrupted by a wide extended plain, which brings to mind the

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

verdant lawn of eivilized life, and would almost induce the traveler to imagine himself in the center of a highly enltivated plantation. The timber of this division is generally birch, elm and cottonwood, all the cliffs being bordered by cedar."

After the expedition of Maj. Pike, voyages up the river soon became common and the pub- lished naratives of them are numerous; but noth- ing is elicited in such as have been examined that is of particular importance not elsewhere given in this history.

CHAPTER V.

THE WINNEBAGO WAR.

During the winter of 1825-6, there were con- fined in the guard house of Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, because of some alleged dis- honest act, two Winnebago Indians. In Octo- ber, 1826, the fort was abandoned and the gar- rison removed to Fort Snelling. The com- mandant took with him the two Winnebagoes. During the spring of 1827, the reports about the two Indians, around Prairie du Chien, was to the effect that they had been killed. It was soon apparent that a spirit of enmity between the tribe and the settlers in southwestern Wis- consin was effectually stirred up. In addition to this, were the daily encroachments of miners in the lead region; for these miners had, by this time, overrun the mining country from Galena to the Wisconsin river. Finally the difficulties led to an open rupture.

MURDER OF GAGNIER AND LIPCAP.

On the 28th of June, 1827, two Winnebago Indians, Red Bird and We-Kaw and three of their companions, entered the house of Rigeste Gagnier, about two miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained several hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird leveled his gun and shot him dead on his hearthstone. A person in the building by the name of Lipeap, who was a hired man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier turned to fly with her infant of eigh-

teen months. As she was abont to leap through the window, the child was torn from her arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped and thrown vio- lently on the floor as dead. The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when she snatched up a gun that was leaning against the wall, and presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape. Her eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers, and they both arrived in the village at the same time. The alarm was soon given; but, when the avengers of blood arrived at Gagnier's house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled infant. It was carried to the village, and, in- credible as it may seem, it recovered.

A WINNEBAGO DEBAUCII.

Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from the scene of their crime to the rendezvous of their band. During their ab- senee, thirty-seven of the warriors who ac- knowledged the authority of Red Bird, had as- sembled with their wives and children, near the mouth of the Bad Ax river in what is now Vernon county. They received the murderers with joy and loud approbations of their exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set abroach, and the Indians began to drink and as their spirits rose, to boast of what they had al- ready done and intended to do. They continued their revel for two days, but on the third the

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

source of their excitement gave out-their liquor was gone. They were, at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in the scalp-dance, when they de- scried one of the keel-boats, which had a few days before passed up the river with provisions for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return, in charge of Mr. Lindsay. Forthwith, a pro- posal to take her and massacre the crew was made and carried by acclamation. They counted on doing this without risk, for they had exan- ined her on her way up and supposed there were no arms on board. But in this they were mistaken as the sequel shows.

FIRST BATTLE OF BAD AX.

There were indications of hostilities on the part of the Sioux on the upper Mississippi, and the boats when they left Fort Snelling had been supplied with arms. In descending the river they expected an attack at Wabashaw, where the Sioux were dancing the war dance, and hailed their approach with insults and menaces, but did not offer to attack the boats, or obstruct their passage. The whites now supposed the danger over, and, a strong wind at that moment beginning to blow up stream, the boats parted company. So strong was the wind that all the force of the sweeps could scarcely stem it; and by the time the foremost boat was near the en- campment, at the mouth of the Bad Ax, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One or two Frenchmen, or half-breeds, who were on board observed hostile appearances on shore, and advised the rest to keep the middle of the stream with the boat, but their counsel was dis- regarded. They urged the boat directly toward the camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men on deck.

The men were rallying their French com- panions on their apprehensions, as the boat approached the shore; but when within thirty yards of the bank, suddenly the trees and rocks rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the war-whoop,and a volley of rifle balls rained upon the deck. Happily, the Winnebagoes had

not yet recovered from the effects of their debauch, and their arms were not steady. One man only fell. He was a little negro named Peter. llis leg was dreadfully shattered, and he afterward died of the wound. A second volley soon came from the shore; but, as the men were lying at the bottom of the boat, they all escaped but one, who was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non-resistance, the Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes with intent to board. The boatmen having recov- ered from their first panic, seized their guns and the savages were received with a severe discharge. In one canoe two savages were killed with the same bullet and several wounded. The attack was continued until night, when one of the party named Mande- ville, who had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four others, who suc- ceeded in setting the boat afloat, and then went down the stream.

Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this attack, which may be called the first "Battle of Bad Ax;" the second being fought just below this point, five years after, between the Ameri- cans and Indians of another tribe, of which an account will be given in the next chapter. Of the Winnebagoes seven were killed and four- teen wounded. They managed to put 693 shots into and through the boat. Two of the crew were killed ontright, and four wounded-two mortally. The presence of mind of Mande- ville undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not reach the mouth of the Bad Ax until midnight. The Indians opened fire upon her, which was promptly returned. Owing to the darkness no injury was done to the boat, and she passed safely on. Considering the few that were engaged in the attack on the first boat and in its defense, the contest was indeed a spirited and sanguinary one.

GREAT ALARM UPON THE BORDER.

Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

their houses and farms and crowded into the dilapidated fort. An express was immediately sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling, for assistance. A company of upwards of a hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted. In a few days four imperfeet companies arrived from Fort Snelling. The consternation of the people of the lead mines was great, and in all the frontier settlements. This portion of the coun- try then contained, as is supposed, about 5,000 inhabitants-that is south of the Wisconsin river and at Prairie du Chien, and extending into Illinois. A great many of these fled from their homes.

ARRIVAL OF GOVERNMENT TROOPS.

On the Ist of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with government troops arrived at the portage ( now Portage, Columbia Co., Wis. ), and while there an express arrived from Gen. Il. Atkinson, announcing his approach, and directing him to halt and fortify himself and wait his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jefferson Barracks below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler from Fort Howard, at Green Bay, was to cap- ture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. And this march of the two into the Winnebago country from opposite directions was well calculated to over-awe the disaffected among the Winnebagoes. These Indians « ere soon advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the murderers of the Gagnier family. Accordingly, Red Bird and We-Kaw were surrendered up to Maj. Whistler, at the portage and the Winnebago war was ended. The two Indians were taken to Prairie du Chien for safe-keeping, to await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.

TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF THE MURDERERS.

The next spring ( 1828), Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie du Chien, before Judge James Duane Doty, who went from Green Bay there for that

purpose. They were found guilty and sen- tenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit from the President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, a pardon for the others. President Adams granted it on the implied con- dition that the tribe would cede the lands then the possession of the miners, in the lead region, to the general government. The Winnebagoes agreed to this. Madame Gagnier was compen- sated for the loss of her husband and the muti- lation of her infant. At the treaty with the Winnebagoes held at Prairie du Chien, in 1829, provision was made for two sections of land to her and her two children. The United States agreed to pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebagoes.

DEKAURAY'S IMPRISONMENT.

In closing this account of the "Winnebago War" we give an anecdote, which places the Winnebago character in an amiable light. The militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after the affair of the boats at the mouth of the Bad Ax river, seized an old Winnebago chief named Dekauray and four other Indians. The chief was informed that if Red Bird was not given up within a certain time he and the others were to die in his place. This Dekanray steadfastly believed. A messenger, a young Indian, was sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs, and several days had elapsed and no informa- tion was received of the murderers. The dread- ful day was near at hand, and Dekauray being in bad health, asked permission of the officer to go to the river and indulge in his long-accus- tomed habit of bathing in order to improve his physical condition, upon which Col. Snelling told him if he would promise on the honor of a chief that he would not leave town, he might have his liberty and enjoy all his priviliges un- til the day appointed for his execution. Ac- cordingly, he first gave his hand to the colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloft, and, in the most solemn adju-

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

ration, promised that he would not leave the bounds prescribed, and said if he had a hundred lives, he would sooner lose them all than for- feit his word. He was then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. "Do you think," said he, "I prize life above honor?" He then complacently re- mained until nine days of the ten which he had

to live had passed, and still nothing was heard of the murderers or of their being apprehended. No alteration could be seen in the countenance of the chief. It so happened that on that day Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson Barracks, and the order for the exe- cution was eountermanded and the Indians permitted to return to their homes.

CHAPTER VI.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

To the people of Vernon county the brief con- test between a portion of the Sae and Fox Indians and the Americans, in 1832,known from the name of the leader of the savages as the Black Hawk War, promises more than usual interest, for the reason that, within the limits of the county, as at present constituted, occurred one of the prin- cipal incidents of the war. In the outline history of Wisconsin, previously given, a brief sketch of the hostile movements of both parties en gaged in the work of death, will be found; but, at this point, it is proposed to enter more into detail, especially to relate somewhat copi- ously, what transpired after the belligerents entered the bounds of this county.

Black Hawk's return from the west side of the Mississippi, and his moving up Roek river, eaused the mustering into the service of the United States, in Illinois, of about 800 volun. teers, who were sent in pursuit. Gen. H. At- kinson, brevet brigadier general in the United States Army, followed the militia with his reg- ulars, but at too great a distance to afford sup- port. On the 12th of May the volunteers reached Dixon's ferry, where they were joined by 275 men from the northern counties of the State. The latter foree, however, were imme- diately sent out on scouting duty. But the two

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History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 13

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Union Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814