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 46
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339
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
They are at this time in a state of war with the Sioux; and as the Sauks are in strict amity with the Fox Indians, and have the influence and control of them, they are also drawn into the war. This war was in consequence of depreda- tions committed by the Fox Indians on the Sioux.
"Prairie du Chien, on which the village of that name stands, is a handsome plain, about half a mile wide from the bank of the river to the bluff or commencement of the rising ground, and out of danger from inundations. In conse- quence of the serpentine course of the river, the plain widens above and below the village. The soil is a black sand about fifteen inches deep, appearing to be very productive. The foundation is gravelly, containing amber stones susceptible of a handsome polish. Timber is scarce. The upland in the vicinity is very broken, poor and nearly barren. In the settle- ment are about 1,500 inhabitants, exclusive of the military, who are principally Creoles. As a place of business, it now appears on the de- cline.
"The river Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) is about half a mile wide-common depth one to four feet-no falls, but generally a brisk current. The channel is subject to change, from the numerous bars of sand which lie in it, and fre- quently alter their position. In the river are numerous islands, on which grow the principal timber of the country. The banks are generally low and sandy-some plains lined with the com- mon granite stone. The bordering country is very broken, sandy and barren. In the interior the same description will answer. Barren, broken and destitute of vegetation, few places can be found that will admit of settlements. The Winnebago Indians inhabit the country bordering on the tributary streams of both sides of the river. They appear to go abroad for their game, and have no conveniences for dwelling, except a kind of lodges which they carry with them wherever they go. Their ter- ritory extends from the Mississippi to the vi-
cinity of Green Bay, and the number of their warriors is 700."
UP THE MISSISSIPPI IN 1819.
[From a " Journal of a voyage from St. Louis to the Falls of St. Anthony in 1819," by Maj. Thomas For- syth, Indian Agent. ]
I set out this morning with a view, if possible, to reach Prairie du Chien, but having no wind in our favor, and current strong, we could get no further than the mouth of the Ouisconsin. Distance to-day, twenty-four miles.
Monday July 5, 1819 .- I arrived to-day at 9 a. m., at Prairie du Chien, and immediately the wind sprang up and blew a fresh breeze. This was vexing, as I had experienced five days of head winds successively. I found here awaiting my arrival, the Red Wing's son, a Sionx Indian, who wished to be considered something, with a band of followers. He invi- ted me to a talk, and after relating the loss of one of his young men who was killed by the Chippewas, he expressed a wish that I would take pity on all present, and give them some goods. All this was a begging speech. I told him that I meant to go up with the troops to the river St. Peters, and on my way up I would stop at their different villages, where I would speak to them, and give them a few goods. Here I had nothing to say, as I could not give any goods at this place, because it required goods to give weight to words, and make them understand me well. Yet he is such a beggar, that he would not take any refusal. I got up in an abrupt manner and left him and band, to study awhile. The Leaf, the principal chief of the Sioux, arrived this evening.
Tuesday, 6th .- The Kettle Chief, with a band of Foxes, arrived here to day, to make arrange- ments with Mr. Partney abont selling him the ashes at the different mines. A boat belonging to the contractor, arrived to-day, loaded with provisions for the troops, in twenty-five days from Wood river.
Wednesday, 7th .- The contractor's boat left this day to return to Wood river.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Thursday, 8th .- A young Folle Avoine (Me- nomonee) stabbed a young Sioux in a fit of jealousy to-day, near the fort. He was in liquor.
Friday, 9th-The Sioux Indians yesterday seized on the Folle Avoine Indian who had stabbed the young Sioux, and kept him in con- tinement, well tied and guarded by a few young Sioux ; but the Sioux chiefs sent for the Folle Avoine, and made him a present of a blanket and some other articles of clothing, and made him and the young Sioux whom he had stabbed, eat out of the same dish together, thus forgiy- ing and forgetting the past.
Sunday, 11th .- Every day since my arrival at this place, the wind has blown up the river ; to-day it came around south and with rain ; wind settled at the northwest.
Monday, 12th .- The Red Wing's son is still here a begging. He invited me to talk with him in council yesterday. This I refused as I did not wish to be troubled with such a fellow.
Tuesday, 13th-Much rain this morning ; wind southwest.
Wednesday. 14th .- Some Winnebagoes ar- rived from headwaters of Rocky river, and Portage of Ouisconsin. These fellows are sci- entific beggars. Wind north.
Thursday, 15th .- Yesterday evening the Red Wing's son's band of Sionx Indians set out for their homes, and I am glad of it, for they are a troublesome set of beggars. The wind blows hard from the north to day, which makes it much cooler than it has been for many days before.
Friday, 16th .- The wind continues to blow hard from the north, and the weather is still cool. Two men arrived this evening from Green Bay in a canoe.
Saturday, 17th .- Mr. Boutillier (Francois Bon- tillier) arrived here to-day from Green Bay. Mr. Shaw also arrived here to-day from St. Louis in a canoe, having left his horses at Rocky Island. He informs me that he left Belle Fon- taine on the 15th ult., that the recruits destined
for the Mississippi set out on the day before and may be expected shortly.
Sunday, 18th. - Took a ride out in the country. Found some of the situations hand- some, but the farmers are poor hands at cultiva- tion. Flour $10 per cwt .; corn, 83 per bushel ; eggs, $1 per dozen; chickens $1 to $1.25 a couple, Butter none made.
Monday, 19th-A little rain, and cool all day. Mr. Shaw left to-day to return home.
Tuesday, 20th-A little rain to-day.
Wednesday, 21st-Winds fair for boats com- ing up the river, and little rain to-day.
Thursday, 22d-A fine wind up the river to- day, with much rain. The old Red Wing, a Sioux chief, with about twenty of his followers, arrived to-day. This is another begging expe- dition.
Friday, 23d-The wind is still up the river, with some rain. The old Red Wing and I had a long talk, and, as I supposed, the whole pur- port was begging.
Saturday, 24th-Having heard much talk about Carreis' claim to land at or near St. Peter's river, and understanding that the Red Wing knew or said something about it last year, curi- osity led me to make inquiries of him, having now an opportunity. Ile told me he remem- bered of hearing his father say that lands lying on the west side of Lake Pepin, known by the name of the old wintering places, were given to an Englishman; that he is now an old man (about sixty years of age), and does not, him- self, remember the transactions. I wished to continue the conversation, but the old man did not like it and therefore I did not press it.
Sunday, 25th-Wind north, and a warm day.
Monday, 26th-Capt. Hickman and family left this place to-day in an open boat for st. Louis. Wind north, and another warm day.
Tuesday, 27th-Another warm day. No news of any kind.
Wednesday, 28th-A boat arrived here from Green Bay. .
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Thursday, 29th-This is the warmest day I have experienced this season, although there blew a hard wind up the river all day.
Friday, 30th-Yesterday evening the war party of Foxes who had been on a hunt of some of the Sioux of the interior, returned without finding any. Much wind and rain this morning. I returned Mr. Moore $3, which Mr. Aird gave me last September to buy him some articles, which could not be proenred.
Saturday, 31st-Wind light up the river; no boats, no recruits, no news, nor anything else from St. Louis.
Sunday, August 1st-Maj. Marston set out to- day early with twenty-seven troops in three boats to garrison Fort Armstrong, at Rocky . Island. The boat which brought the settler's goods from Green Bay a few days since, set out to-day to return home. Some rain to-day; weather warm.
Monday, 2d-Thank God, a boat loaded with ordnance and stores of different kinds arrived to-day, and said a provision boat would arrive to-morrow, but no news of the recruits.
Tuesday 3d-Weather warm, with some rain.
Wednesday, 4th-This morning the provision boat arrived. No news from St. Louis. This boat brings news of having passed a boat with troops on board destined for this place. Some of the men say two boats. Some rain to-day.
Thursday, 5th-Much rain last night. Col. Leavenworth is determined to set out on the 7th, if things can be got ready for the expedition to St. Peters. The colonel has very properly, in my opinion, engaged the two large boats now here, with as many men belonging to the boats as will remain to accompany the expedition, their contents being wanted for the new estab- lishment at St. Peters. Without the assistance of these two boats, it would appear impossible for the expedition to go on.
Friday, 6th-Yesterday evening some French- men who would not agree to go any further up the Mississippi, set out for St. Louis in a bark canoe. This morning eight discharged soldiers set out from this place for St. Louis in a skiff. I
Saturday, 7th-Every exertion was made to get off to-day, but impossible. A fine wind up the river.
Sunday, 8th-This morning the colonel told me that he would be ready in an hour, and about 8 oclock we set out for river St. Peters. The troops consisting of ninety-eight rank and file, in fourteen bateanx and two large boats loaded with provisions and ordnance, and stores of different kinds, as also my boat; and a barge belonging to the colonel, making seventeen boats; and in the whole ninety-eight soldiers and about twenty boatmen. I felt myself quite relieved when we got under way. We made to-day eighteen miles.
WAR BETWEEN THE SACS AND FOXES AND THE
SIOUX.
( I .- By Mrs. H. S. Baird, of Green Bay.)
During the first half of the present century, there existed between different Indian tribes of the north and west, a succession of sanguinary wars. The conflicts between the contending parties were marked by the characteristic traits of cruelty and ferocity of a barbarous race. The tribes engaged in these hostilities were the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs, Foxes and Winneba- goes. Their battles were not always fought in their own country, nor on their own lands. Whenever and wherever a hostile party met, a contest was sure to be the result ; and many incidents connected with this warfare were observed by the early settlers of Wisconsin, one of which I witnessed, and will relate.
In the month of May, 1830, with my family, I visited Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi ; we were guests of the late Joseph Rolette, then a trader, and agent of the American Fur Company. One evening, a few days after our arrival, we were startled by hearing the con- tinual and successive reports of fire-arms, apparently on the Mississippi below. The firing continued for an hour or more, and was succeeded by sounds of Indian drums and savage yells, with an occasional discharge of guns.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
The family having retired at the usual time, were aroused from their slumbers about mid- night, by hearing foot-steps on the piazza, con- versation in the Indian language, and finally by knocking on the door and window shutters. Mr. Rolette immediately arose and went out to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, when he was informed that a bloody battle had been fought, and the visitors were the vietors, and had called up their trader to inform him of their victory, and to obtain the necessary spirit water to celebrate the glorious event in regular savage style. Their wants were supplied, of course, when they took their leave, but not to sleep ; neither could we sleep as the warriors kept up through the night a most horrible pow- wow, enlivened by savage yells, all plainly within our hearing.
In the morning, we heard the particulars of the savage fight, and during the day witnessed one of the most disgusting and revolting exhi- bitions that human beings could display.
On the day before the battle, or rather mas- sacre, a war party of some twenty or twenty- five Sioux encamped on an island opposite Prairie du Chien. They were there joined by a few Menomonees, who volunteered to assist their friends, the Sioux. It appears that the latter had previously received information that on that day a party of Sacs and Foxes, their inveterate enemies, would leave their village, situated on the Mississippi, some distance below Prairie du Chien, intending to visit the latter place ; and that they would encamp for the night at a regular camping ground, near the mouth of the Wisconsin river.
In the afternoon of that day, the Sioux war party embarked in several canoes, and descend- ed the river. Arriving near the spot where they knew their intended vietims would en- camp, they drew their canoes on land, and care- fully hid them in the thick woods, and then selected a spot covered with a dense growth of bushes, and within a short gun-shot of the landing place on the camping ground. Here,
with true Indian cunning, they lay in ambush, awaiting the arrival of the unsuspecting Sacs and Foxes. No fire was made, and the still- ness of death reigned in the forest. Nor had they long to wait for the arrival of their foes.
Between sunset and dark the party, in three or four canoes, arrived at the fatal landing place, and dis-embarked. It consisted of eighteen persons, one old chief, one squaw, one boy about fourteen years old and fifteen warriors. Upon landing, the party commenced unloading the canoes. The concealed war party remained perfectly quiet, scarcely breath- ing, so that their victims might be completely surprised. After all had landed, and while carrying their effects on shore, leaving their guns and war-clubs in the canoes, the party in ambush bounded to their feet, with a horrible yell, and fired a murderous volley at the sur- prised party, by which all fell except one man and the boy. The former reached a canoe, seized a loaded gun, and discharged it, mortally wounding one of the Sioux ; but the poor Sac was soon despatched, and the only one of the eighteen who survived was the boy, who hap- pened to be in a canoe. He seized a paddle, pushed into the stream, and made his escape down the swift current of the river.
After the massacre, all who yet breathed were despatched, and horribly mutilated. Hands, feet, fingers, ears and scalps were cut off, and more horrible still, the heart of the aged chief was cut from his breast, and all taken by the victors as trophies of the bloody confliet.
On the day succeeding the murder, the vieto- rious party assembled, and accompanied by a few squaws, p raded the streets of Prairie du Chien, with the monotonous sounding drum and rattle, and displaying on poles the scalps and dismembered human fragments taken from the bodies of their victims. The whole party was painted with various colors, wore feathers, and carried their tomahawks, war-clubs and I scalping-knives. Stopping in front of the
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
principal houses in the village, they danced the war-dance and scalp-dance, ending with yells characteristic of incarnate devils.
The mangled limbs were still fresh and bleeding ; one old squaw had carried on a pole the entire hand, with a long strip of skin from the arm of one of the murdered men, elevated above her head, the blood trickling down upon her hair and face, while she kept up the death- song, and joined in the scalp-dance. After this exhibition, which lasted two or three hours, the warriors went to a small mound, about 200 yards from Mr. Rolette's residence, and in plain sight made a fire and roasted the heart of the old murdered chief, and then divided it into small pieces among the several warriors, who devoured it, to inspire them with courage, and " make their hearts glad."
The whole scene was shocking and disgust- ing in the extreme, and such a one, we hope, never again will be witnessed in a civilized community.
The incidents just related, occurred in a town containing a civilized ( ?) population of 600 or 800 inhabitants, under the walls of the U. S. garrison, and within musket shot of the fort. Neither civil nor military authorities made any effort to prevent the exhibition of the revolt- ing and savage trophies of the sanguinary battle. In the afternoon, the party of Sioux warriors embarked in their canoes, and ascend- ed the Mississippi, on their return to their own village, leaving on the minds and memo- ries of those who witnessed these horrible and frantic orgies, recollections not soon to be for- gotten.
II .- BY JAMES 11. LOCKWOOD.
In 1830 a party of Sauks and Foxes killed some Sioux, on or about the head-waters of Red Cedar river, in the now State of Iowa; and the same season a band of Fox Indians, who resided about where Dubuque now is, had occasion to visit Prairie du Chien on business with the agent, whom they had previously informed that they would arrive on a certain day. An Indian
called the Kettle was their chief. It was gener- ally believed that John Marsh gave the Sioux information of the coming of the Foxes, and of the time they were expected; and on the morn- ing of the day appointed for the arrival of the Foxes at Prairie du Chien, a small war party of young Sioux made their appearance here, and joined by a few of the Menomonee young men, proceeded down the Mississippi to the lower end of the Prairie du Pierreaux, some twelve or fifteen miles below Prairie du Chien, where a narrow channel of the Mississippi runs close to that end of the prairie, fringed with small trees, bushes and grass. They knew the custom of the Indians in going up stream to avail them- selves of all such side channels, as there was less current in them than in the broad river; and secreting themselves among the bushes, trees and grass, awaited their unsuspecting victims. When the Foxes came within point blank shot, they all fired upon them, killing their chief Kettle and several others. The Foxes finding their chief killed, returned down the river to carry the news of their misfortunes to the tribe, while the Sioux and Menomonees returned home with the tidings of their victory and to dance over it. They passed through Prairie du Chien, and remained a short time here, but for some unaccountable reason, no notice whatever was taken of it.
The signs of several war parties of the Foxes were reported to have been seen on the opposite side of the river during the year; but they effected nothing until sometime, I think, in June, 1831, when a considerable number of Menomonees had collected at Prairie du Chien, and encamped on an island near the eastern shore of the Mississippi, about one-fourth of a mile from the old Fort Crawford. They had obtained whisky enough for all to get socially drunk upon-and it is rare to find a Menomonee who will not get drunk when he has a chance; and they had carried their revels far into the night, until men, women and children were beastly drunk. About two hours before day, a
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Fox war party, that had been watching their movements, fell upon them in that helpless state and killed about thirty of them. By this time some of the more sober of them were aroused, and commenced firing upon the Foxes, who fled down the river, pursued a short distance by the Menomonees.
Thomas P. Burnett, the Sub-Indian Agent, was sleeping with me in my store, and it being very warm weather, we had made a bed of blankets on the counter, when about two hours before daylight, we were awakened by the eries of a Menomonee woman at the store door. We let her in, when she told us of the disaster to the Menomonees. Mr. Burnett took my horse and went to inform Gen. Street, the Indian Agent, who lived about four miles above this, and who arrived about day-light and gave the first information to the fort. Although there had been a great firing of guns and hallooing among the Indians, the sentinels had reported nothing of it to the officers; but on hearing of the affair, the commandant immediately dis- patched a company of men in boats after the Foxes, but they did not overtake them. The
government demanded of the Sauks to deliver up the perpetrators of this deed. The Foxes fled to the Sauks, and their chief, Kettle, being dead, they remained among and amalgamated with them, and have not since continued a separate Nation or tribe. I have always believed this to be the origin of the Black Hawk War. There were, I suppose, other causes of discontent, but I believe that this transaction was the immediate cause of the movements of Black Hawk.
DANIEL M. PARKINSON'S RECOLLECTIONS OF THE WINNEBAGO WAR.
[From " Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin," Vol. II, 1856].
In the year 1822 considerable excitement was created in relation to the lead mines near Galena, and a number of persons went there from Sangamon county, among whom was Col. Ebenezer Brigham, now of Blue Mounds, Dane Co., Wis. In 1826 the excitement and interest
relative to the lead mine country became con- siderably increased, and in 1827, it became intense, equalling almost anything pertaining to the California gold fever. People from almost all portions of the Union inconsiderately rushed to the mining region.
With Col. Wm. S. Hamilton, James D. Brents and two others, I arrived at Galena on the 4th of July, 1827, and on the same day arrived also a a boat from St. Peters, which had been attacked by the Indians a short distance above Prairie du Chien, bringing on board one man killed and two men wounded. In the encounter with the Indians they killed two of them. * *
Upon the reception of the alarming intelli- gence of the attack on this boat, and also upon some of the inhabitants near Prairie du Chien and the reports being spread over the country, a scene of the mostalarming and disorderly con- fusion ensued - alarm and consternation were depieted in every countenance-thousands flock - ing to Galena for safety, when in faet it was the most exposed and unsafe place in the whole country. All were without arms, order or con- trol. The roads were lined in all directions with frantic and fleeing men, women and chil- dren, expecting every moment to be overtaken, tomahawked and scalped by the Indians. It was said, and I presume with truth, that the encampment of fugitives at the head of Apple river on the first night of the alarm was four miles in extent, and numbered 3,000 persons.
In this state of alarm, confusion and disorder, it was extremely difficult to do any thing; almost every man's object was to leave the country, if possible. At length a company of riflemen was raised at Galena, upon the requisition of Gov. Cass of Michigan, who arrived there on the second day after the alarm. This company was commanded by Abner Fields, of Vandalia, III., as captain, and one Smith and Wm. S. Hamil- ton as lieutenants, and was immediately put in motion for Prairie du Chien, by embarking on board the keel-boat Maid of Fevre river. On our way up the river, I acted as sergeant of the
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
company, and we made several reconnoitering expeditions into the woods near the river, where Indian encampments were indicated by the ris- ing of smoke. In these reconnoissances we run the hazard of some danger, but fortunately all the Indians that we met were friendly disposed, and did not in the least sympathize with those who had made hostile demonstrations.
When we arrived at Prairie du Chien we took possession of the barracks, under the prior orders of Gov. Cass, and remained there for several days until we gave way to Col. Snelling's troops who arrived from Fort Snelling. While we remained there, a most serious difficulty oc- curred between Col. Snelling, of the regular army, and Capt. Fields and Lieut. Smith of our volunteers, which eventuated in Lieut. Smith sending Col. Snelling a challenge, and Capt. Fields insisted upon doing so likewise, but Col. Hamilton and I at length dissuaded him from it. Col. Snelling declined accepting Lieut. Smith's challenge, and immediately sent a corporal with a file of men to arrest Mr. Scott, the bearer of Smith's communication. The volunteers refused to surrender Scott into the hands of the guard but Col Hamilton wrote a note to Col. Snelling, stating, in effect, that Scott should immediately appear before him. Accordingly Col. Hamilton and 1 conducted Mr. Scott into the presence of Col. Snelling, who interrogated him as to his knowledge of the contents of Lieut. Smith's communication; and upon Mr. Scott's assuring the colonel that he was entirely ignorant of the subject-matter, he was dismissed.
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