History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 5

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 5

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

charged - the taking possession of the country in the name of the French king, with the full consent of all the assembled chiefs deputed to give acquiescence for the surrounding nations.

The ceremony was to be an imposing one. To this end a large cross of wood had heen prepared. It was now reared, and planted in the ground. Then a post of cedar was raised beside it, with a metal plate at- tached, engraven with the royal arms. " In the name," said St. Lusson, "of the most high, mighty and re- doubtable monarch, Louis, fourteenth of that name, most Christian King of France and of Navarre, I take possession of this place, Sainte Marie du Sault, as also of Lakes Huron and Superior, the island of Manitou- lin, and all countries, rivers, lakes and streams con- tiguous and adjacent thereunto ; both those which have been discovered, and those which may be discoy- ered 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 fol- low his customs : promising them on his part all succor and protection against the incursions and invasions of their enemies ; declaring to all other potentates, princes, sovereigns, states and republics-to them and their subjects-that they can not and are not to seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid countries, save only under the good pleasure of his most Chris- tian majesty, and of him who will govern in his be- half; and this on pain of incurring his resentment and the efforts of his arms." This was followed by a great shout of assent on part of the assembled savages, and of " Vive le Roi" by the Frenchmen. Thus it was that the great Northwest was not only placed under the protection of France, but became a part of her American possessions. And why not? She had dis- covered it-had, to a certain extent, explored it-had, to a limited extent, established commerce with it-and her missionaries had proclaimed the faith to the red men of its forests.

The act of St. Lusson in establishing French suprem- acy in the country beyond Lake Michigan not being regarded as sufficiently definite, Perrot, in 1689, at the head of Green Bay, again took possession of this region, extending the dominion of New France not only over the territory of the Upper Mississippi, but " to other places more remote." This completed the work so auspiciously carried forward in 1671, by this intrepid voyageur.

DISCOVERY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.

The gathering of the nations at the Sault Ste. Marie by St. Lusson, was followed by an event of the utmost importance to French interest in the West. This was the discovery, if such it can be called, of the Upper Mississippi. Now, for the first time, the upper half of that river was, to a certain extent, explored. For the first time, white men beheld its vast tribute, in this upper country, rolling onward toward the Mexi- can gulf. The discoverer was Louis Joliet. He had visited the upper lakes in previous years ; knew well of the existence of the great river through Indian re- ports ; was a man of close and intelligent observation,

possessing considerable mathematical acquirements. He was born at Quebec in 1645 ; was educated by the Jesuits-resolving at first to be a priest but afterward turned fur trader. In 1673, he was a merchant. cour- ageous, hardy, enterprising. He was just the man for the French authorities to entrust with the proposed discovery and exploration of the Upper Mississippi. This was in 1672. Said the Governor of Canada, on the 2d of November of that year : "It has been judged expedient to send Sieur Joliet to the Mascoutins (then located in what is now Green Lake County, Wiscon- sin), to discover the South Sea, and the great river they call the Mississippi, which is supposed to dis- charge itself into the Sea of California." " He is a man," continued Frontenac, "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 reached the mission of St. Ignatius, a point north of the island of Mackinaw, in the Spring of 1673. finding there Father James Marquette, missionary. whom he invited to join the expedition. The invita- tion was gladly accepted. On the 17th of May, Joliet, having with him Marquette and five other Frenchmen, left the mission on his voyage of exploration. Ile had two bark canoes. Every possible precaution was taken that, should the undertaking prove hazardous, it should not be foolhardy ; so, whatever of information could be gathered from the Indians who had frequented those parts, was laid under contribution, as he paddled mer- rily up the waters of Green Bay. The first Indian nation met hy him was the Menomonee. He was dis- suaded by these savages from venturing so far to the westward, assured that he would meet tribes which never spared strangers, but tomahawked them without provocation ; that a war which had broken out amon_ various nations on his route, exposed him and his men to another evident danger - that of being killed by war parties constantly in his path. He was told that the great river was very dangerous unless the diffi parts were known ; that it was full of frightful my - sters who swallowed men and canoes together; thu there was even a demon there, who could be heard from afar, who stopped the passage and engulfed a 1 who dared approach ; and lastly that the heat was so excessive in those countries, that it would infalluly cause their death. Nevertheless Joliet determined to go forward.

JOLIET'S AND MARQUETTE'S MAIS.

The Relations of Joliet and Marquette contain the statement that maps were prepared by them. for thati guidance, from the reports of friendly Indians. Te of Joliet's charts have never been published. lo third (and probably the earliest ) has given to the world by M. Gabriel Gravi . Preudeni the Norman Geographical Society, who is an anthenty on the subject of early explorations in Amer & T map, reproduced in this volume. is full of com. must have been known to Johet as such at Me un. Its value consists chiefly in the fået that i is the vols specimen of Joliet's cartography thus far falje Unlike Marquette's map, this ond portons i rrus representation of the stopping-place at Chicago, which

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

is vaguely designated as Mont Joliet. (See Revue de Geographie. Fevier, 1880. Hist. Society. Madison.) A fac simile is also herewith given of Marquette's chart, prepared at the same time. (See Shea's " Dis- eovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Valley.")

Joliet found the Fox River very beautiful at its mouth, having a gentle eurent. It was full of bustards, duck, teal and other birds. attracted by wild oats, which were plentiful and of which they were very fond. As the party advanced up the river a little dis- tance, it was found to be difficult of ascent. both on aceonnt of the currents and of the sharp rocks which cut their canoes. But the rapids in the stream were passed in safety. The Mascoutins were reached at length, and in their village was gathered also the Mi- amis and Kickapoos. Bark for cabins was found to be rare in the Maseoutin village, the Indians using rushes, which served them for walls and roof, but which were no great shelter against the wind and still less against the rain when it fell in torrents. The view from the Indian village was beautiful and very picturesque ; for, from the eminence on which it was perched, the eye discovered on every side, delightful prairies, spreading out beyond its reach, interspersed with thickets or groves of lofty trees. The soil was found to be very good, producing much corn. Plums also and grapes were gathered in the Autumn in quantities by the In- dians.

Joliet and his party arrived at the Mascoutins on the 7th of June : their departure was on the 10th. "We knew," afterward wrote Marquette, " that there was, three [thirty ] leagues from Maskoutens [Mascoutins], a river [the Wisconsin] entering into the Missippi ; we knew, too, that the point of the compass we were to hold to reach it was west. southwest, but the way is so cut up by marshes and little lakes that it is easy to go estray, especially as the river leading to it is so covered with wild oats that you can hardly discover the channel. Hence we had good need of our two [Miami] guides, who led us safely to a portage of twenty-seven hundred paces [the site of the present city of Portage, Columbia County, Wisconsin ], and helped us to transport our canoes to enter this river [the Wisconsin], after which they returned, leaving ns alone in an unknown country in the hands of Prov- idence."

" We now leave," continues Marquette, "the waters which flow to Quebec, a distance of four or five hun- dred leagues, to follow those which will henceforth lead us into strange lands. * *

* The river on which we embarked is called Meskousing [ Wisconsin ] ; it is very broad, with a sandy bottom, forming many shallows, which render navigation very difficult. It is full of vine-elad islets. On the banks appear fertile lands diversified with wood, prairie and hill. Here you find oaks, walnut, whitewood and another kind of tree armed with thorns. We saw no small game or fish, but deer and moose in considerable numbers."

On the 17th of June, with a joy inexpressible, Joliet and his party reached and entered the Mississippi. After dropping down the river many miles they re- turned by the Illinois River and Lake Michigan to Green Bay. Here Marquette remained to recruit his wasted energies, while Joliet proceeded on to Quebec,

where he reported his discoveries and explorations to the Governor of New France.

EXPLORATIONS SUBSEQUENT TO JOLIET.

Explorations begun by Joliet were continued. La Salle, in 1679, with Father Louis Hennepin, coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, landing frequently. The return of Henri de Tonty, one of La Salle's party, down the same coast to Green Bay from the Illinois, followed in 1680. The same year, Father Hennepin, from the Upper Mississippi, whither he had gone from the Illinois, made his way across what is now Wisconsin. by the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, to Green Bay. He was accompanied by Daniel Graysolon Du Lhut (synonomous with Duluth), who on his way down the " great river " from Lake Supe- rior had met Hennepin. "As we went up the river Wisconsin," says the latter, " we found it was as large as that of the Illinois, which is navigable for large vessels above an hundred leagues. We could not sufficiently admire the extent of those vast countries, and the charming lands through which we passed, which lie all untilled. The cruel wars which these nations have one with another are the cause that they have not people enough to cultivate them. And the more bloody wars which have raged so long in all parts of Europe, have hindered the sending Christian colo- nies to settle them. However, I must needs say that the poorer sort of our countrymen would do well to think of it, and go and plant themselves in this fine country, where, for a little pains in cultivating the earth, they would live happier and subsist much better than they do here."

Following the voyage of Hennepin, was the one of Le Sueur, in 1683, from Lake Michigan to the Missis- sippi, ascending that river to the Sioux country in the region about St. Anthony, and his subsequent estab- lishment, said to have been in 1693, at La Pointe, in the present Ashland County, Wisconsin. He was, at least, " a voyageur stationed at Chegoimegon " during that year. He continued to trade with the Sioux at intervals to the year 1702.

Nicholas Perrot, who, as the agent of St. Lusson, had collected the Green Bay tribes in 1671, to assem- ble at the congress holden at the Sault Ste. Marie. again made his appearance in the Winnebago country, this time in the year 1684. He was commissioned by the Government of New France to manage the fur trade from Green Bay westward. "I was sent to this bay," he writes, " charged with the commission to have chief command there, and to the most distant coun- tries on the side of the west." He passed the Winter of 1685 and 1686 at a post erected by him on the east side of the Mississippi, at the foot of Lake Pepin, this being the first post on the Upper Mississippi. Thence he proceeded overland to Green Bay. Meanwhile, he had been ordered by Denouville, the new Governor, who did not approve of such distant enterprises, to re- turn with all the Frenchmen in this region; which order he now obeyed. In 1687, he was again at Green Bay, being engaged to bring the Indians inhabiting its shores to the assistance of Denouville against the Iro- quois. In 1690, Perrot set out from Montreal with presents and messages to the Indians of the upper

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

country, for the purpose of thwarting the English, who had opened negotiations with several nations. Two years subsequent, he was sent to Green Bay, chiefly to guard against and frustrate the English overtures to the Miamis and their allies, and in August, 1693, he conducted ten or twelve chiefs of the different tribes to Montreal. He visited the Miamis again, 1697, by whom he was captured. He was, however, set at lib- erty through the intercession of the Foxes. The voy- age of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and his companions frequently landed on the west coast of Lake Michigan, was followed by that of Le Sueur up the Mississippi, in 1700. But far more important was that of Father Charlevoix, in 1721, to the waters of Green Bay from Mackinaw, because of his valuable record of what he saw in that part of the country. Other explorations followed, notably that of Father Guignas, in 1727, and of the Sieur de Laperrier, in the same year, so that, by the end of the first hundred years after the discovery of Wisconsin by Nicolet, considerable knowledge of its territory was brought home to the civilized world.

Fur traders, or at least their employés, were the first explorers, after Nicolet, of Wisconsin. They pre- ceded the Jesuit missionaries. These traders sent from the St. Lawrence hatchets, knives, blankets and other articles coveted by the savage, to exchange with him for furs. Their employés, the voyageurs, made their journeys into the far-off regions in birch-bark canoes, of the lightest possible construction ; for they had fre- quently to be carried by hand around rapids, and from one stream to another along carrying places, called portages. They usually made up their outfit at Que- bec or Montreal, and ascending the Ottawa during the Summer and subsequently that river and the lower lakes, proceeded to the various tribes inhabiting the region of the upper lakes, either wintering at Indian villages, or at stations which had been established by them in their neighborhood. With their peltries gathered during the Winter and early Spring they re- turned usually the next Summer; but sometimes they were required to make longer voyages. The fur traders were, as a class, men of some wealth, of respectable families and of considerable intelligence, and were possessed of enterprising and adventurous habits. They found the fur trade more profitable, or more con- genial to their dispositions than agricultural pursuits. Their menials, the voyageurs, penetrated the fastnesses of the western wilderness with a perseverance and courage almost without a parallel in the history of ex- plorations of savage countries. Indeed, they out- savaged the savage in that respect.

The French Government early manifested a disposi- tion to extend her dominions in America. At the very commencement of the seventeenth century, she had colonized Acadia. In 1608, Quebec was founded. In 1663, New France (Canada) was made a royal col- ony. The reports circulated in France of the advan- tages of the fur trade were such as to induce many of the nobility and gentry to invest their fortunes in the New World. With this patronage and the constantly increasing number of colonists, New France grew rap- idly in commerce, the most lucrative branch of which was dealing in furs. The voyageurs were the usual agents employed by the French Government to extend

and uphold its dominion in the Northwest. The traf- fic in furs maintained with the Indians constituted the only value of this region in the eyes of Frenchmen, so long as France continued her dominion over it. The regular fur trader was licensed by the Government, this license generally stipulating the territory in which they were permitted to operate. It was drawn in the nature of a colonial commission, conferring upon the licensed trader the authority of a military officer over the voyageurs in his employ. It also made him a com- mercial agent of the Government among the Indians. He was frequently employed as special agent of the colony to make treaties. Sometimes he was required to lead his voyageurs upon war expeditions in return for his fur-trading privileges. His employés, therefore, were always around, equiped and familiarized with military duties, partly from necessity of defending themselves from attacks of hostile Indians, and partly to be enabled to carry out any requisition made by the Government. The dominion of France over the west- ern country was thus made self-sustaining. But the Government found some trouble in controlling the traffic in furs. There grew up an illicit trade, main- tained by couriers de bois, in contradistinction to the reg- ular traders, or voyageurs. They followed the Indians in their wanderings, and sometimes became as barbarous as the red men. A few years of forest life seemed to wean them from all thought or desire for civilization. They spread over the Northwest, the outlaws of the forest. Although rendering essential aid at times to the Government, the King of France, in 1699, launched a royal declaration against them. When French dom- ination ceased in the Northwest there was an essential change in the fur trade.

The military occupation of the country of the upper lakes by the French -including, of course, what is now Wisconsin - was, after all, only a nominal posses- sion, intended as a protection to the fur trade. Posts, which were mere stockades without cannon, built by fur traders and held by them in the name of the king, though at their own expense, were erected on the waters of the Mississippi, at least at two points within what are now the boundaries of the State : one upon the north side of Lake Pepin, another on an eastern tributary of the Mississippi, some distance inland. No post was established at, or in the vicinity of, the mouth of the Wisconsin River, prior to English domination, as has been supposed. There was a stockade at La Pointe, in 1726, but how long it was occupied, is not now known. On the west side of Fox River, not far above the mouth of that stream, there was erected somewhere between 1718 and 1721, a post having a commandant. It was afterward destroyed, then re- built, but deserted by the French before the occupation of the vicinity by the British. It was the only fort regularly occupied by French soldiers within what is now Wisconsin. It was called " Fort St. Francis," and was in 1721 under the authority of Captain de Montigny. In 1726, it was commanded by Sieur Ameritan, and in 1754 by Sieur Marin, soon after which it was abandoned.

During the continuance of French supremacy in the Northwest, there were no permanent civilized set- tlements in Wisconsin. There was no immigration

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

hither for the purpose of tilling the soil, or engaging in the other useful vocations of life. The posts of fur traders, and the few log huts erected in their vicin- ity were only temporary residences. The white popu- lation was "like drift-wood from the current of a stream, only to be swept away again upon the next eddy."

The Fox Indians are supposed to have migrated from the banks of the river St. Lawrence, at a remote period, being driven West, and settling upon the waters of Saginaw, Michigan. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green Bay, but were com- pelled to move subsequently to Fox River. The perse- cutions of the Five Nations continuing, they retreated to Wolf River, where, in 1670, they were visited by Father Allouez. The next year they stood aloof from the congress held by Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault. French fur traders had, thus early, aroused their animosity by their ill treatment; and when, snb- sequently, the nation returned to the Fox River, they held this thoroughfare securely against the voyageurs from Green Bay to the Mississippi ; not, however, un- til, at the summons of De la Barre, in 1684, they had sent warriors against the Iroquois ; and not until they had taken part, on the side of the French in Denou- ville's more serious campaign. As early as 1693, several for traders had been plundered by them, while on their way to the Sioux, the Foxes alleging that they were carrying arms to their ancient enemies. Their hostility continuing, the Fox River was completely blockaded.

Early in the Spring of 1712, a number of Foxes and Mascontins encamped close to the fort at Detroit. This post was commanded by M. Dubuisson. His garrison numbered only thirty French soldiers. The Foxes and their allies, the Mascoutins, soon became insolent, calling themselves the owners of all the country. It seems to have been a plan laid by them to burn the fort, but their purpose was communicated to the commandant by a friendly Fox. An express was immediately sent to the hunting grounds of the Ottawas and Hurons by Dubuisson for aid. The Chippewas and another tribe, upon the other side of the lake, were invited to join with him in defending his post. The commandant took such measures of defense as his limited force would permit. On the 13th of May, he was re-enforced by seven or eight Frenchmen. Happily other aid arrived -quite a number of Indians from various nations around, who, joining the Hurons, entered the fort to assist in de- fending it. This brought matters to a crisis, and firing commenced between the besiegers and the besieged. With undaunted courage, Dubuisson for nineteen days continued to defend his post. The assailants were finally obliged to retreat, their provisions becoming exhausted. Some of the Frenchman, with the Indians, soon started in pursuit, overtaking the enemy near Lake St. Clair, where they had erected entrenchments. They held their position for four days, fighting with much conrage, when they were forced to surrender, receiving no quarter from the victors. All were killed except the women and children, whose lives were spared, and one hundred men who had been tied, but who escaped. There were a few Sacs engaged in this

attack on the fort, but more, perhaps, were fighting upon the other side. The Foxes were incensed rather than weakened by the severe loss they sustained near Detroit; and, their hostility continuing, not only against the French but the Indian tribes in alliance with them, caused a proposition to be brought forward by the Marquis de Vaudreuil to commence a war of extermination against the Foxes. To this most of the friendly nations readily assented. A party of French troops was raised and put under the command of De Louvigny, a lieutenant, who left Quebec in March, 1716, returning to that place in October of the same year. He ascended to Detroit in canoes, with all possible despatch ; there he received re-enforce- ments, and thence urged his way to Mackinaw, where " his presence inspired in all the Frenchmen and Indians a confidence which was a presage of victory." With a respectable force - said to have been eight hundred strong - De Louvigny entered Green Bay and ascended Fox River, to what point is now uncer- tain, when he encountered the enemy in a palisaded fort. William R. Smith, in his History of Wisconsin says: " The Foxes had selected a stronghold on the Fox River, now known as the 'Butte des Morts,' or . Hill of the Dead,'" but he does not designate the exact locality. "After three days of open trenches," says the commander, " sustained by a continuous fire of fusileers, with two pieces of cannon and a grenade mortar, they were reduced to ask for peace, notwith- standing they had five hundred warriors in the fort, who fired briskly, and more than three thousand women ; they also expected shortly a re-enforcement of three hundred men. But the promptitude with which the officers who were in this action pushed for- ward the trenches that I had opened only seventy yards from their fort, made the enemy fear, the third night, that they would be taken. As I was only twenty-four yards from their fort, my design was to reach their triple oak stakes by a ditch of a foot and a half in the rear. Perceiving very well that my balls had not the effect I anticipated, I decided to take the place at the first onset, and to explode two mines under their cur- tains. The boxes being properly placed for the pur- pose, I did not listen to the enemy's first proposition ; but they, having made a second one, I submitted it to my allies, who consented to it on the following condi- tions : That the Foxes and their allies would make peace with all the Indians who are submissive to the king, and with whom the French are engaged in trade and commerce ; and that they would return to me all the French prisoners that they have, and those captured during the war from all our allies (this was complied with immediately) ; that they would take slaves from distant nations and deliver them to our allies to re- place their dead ; that they would hunt to pay the ex- penses of the war; and, as a surety of their keeping their word, that they should deliver me six chiefs, or the children of chiefs, to take with me to M. La Marquis de Vandreuil as hostages, until the entire execution of our treaty, which they did, and I took them with me to Quebec. Besides I have re-united the other nations at variance among themselves, and have left that country enjoying universal peace."

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052