The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 49

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

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Subsequently, a treaty proclaimed February 6, 1826, was entered into with the Sioux and Chippewa, Sac and Fox, Menomonee, Iowa, Sioux, Winnebago, and a portion of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie tribes, for the purpose of "promoting peace among these tribes, and to establish boundaries among them and the other tribes who live in their vicinity." Article VI of this treaty is to this effect: "It is agreed between the Chippewas and Winneba- goes, so far as they are mutually interested therein, that the southern boundary line of the Chippewa country shall commence on the Chippewa River, half a day's march below the falls of that river, and run thence to the source of Clear Water River, a branch of the Chippewa; thence south to Black River; thence to a point where the woods project into the meadows, and thence to the Plover Portage of the Wisconsin."

Article VII stipulates: " It is agreed between the Winnebagoes and the Sioux, Sacs and Foxes, Chippewas and Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies of the Illinois, that the Winne- bago country shall be bounded as follows : Southeasterly by Rock River, from its source near the Winnebago Lake, to the Winnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth ; westerly by the east line of the tract lying upon the Mississippi, herein secured to the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie Indians of the Illinois; and also by the high bluff described in the Sioux boundary, and running north to Black River; from this point, the Winnebagoes claim up Black River to a point due west from the source of the left fork of the Wisconsin ; thence to the source of the said fork, and down the same to the Wisconsin; thence down the Wisconsin to the portage and across the portage to Fox River; thence down Fox River to the Winnebago Lake, and to grand Kau Kaulin, including in their claim the whole of Winnebago Lake."

By a treaty concluded at Rock Island between the United States, by their Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, and Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, and the Winnebagoes, proclaimed February 13, 1833, the Winnebagoes, for certain considerations of land, money and supplies, ceded " to the United States, forever, all the lands to which said nation have title or claim, lying to the south and east of the Wisconsin River, and the Fox River of Green Bay."

As, however, the country claimed by the Winnebagoes under the treaty of February 6, 1826, was bounded on the southeast " by Rock River from its source, near the Winnebago Lake, to the Winnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth," it is evident that the land ceded by this last treaty (that of February 13, 1833), could not include the whole of Rock County as it now exists. The other moiety of this county was acknowledged to be the property

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

of the United Nation of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians; and, to extinguish their title, a treaty was entered into with them at Chicago September 26, 1833, whereby, for good and valuable considerations, this confederated nation of Indians ceded "to the United States all their land along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between this lake and the land ceded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty of Fort Armstrong (Rock Island), made on the 15th of September, 1832, bounded on the no th by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the south by the country ceded at the treaty of Prairie du Chien. made on the 29th of July, 1829, supposed to contain about five millions of acres."

Finally, and to remove the possibility of any doubt whatever as to the validity of the title held by the United States to the lands lying on both sides of Rock River, a treaty was concluded at Washington City-proclaimed June 16, 1838-with the Winnebagoes, whereby, in brief but comprehensive terms, " the Winnebago Nation of Indians cede to the United States all their land east of the Mississippi River.'

With this treaty the United States obtained an unassailable title to all the lands lying within the present bounds of Rock County ; but, so fond of their former homes in this locality were the Rock River Winnebagoes, that even after they had been removed to the reservation provided for them, they continually revisited them, in small parties, to the great annoyance of the citizens ; and the Government was finally compelled, in 1841, to send a military detachment to secure obedience to the order confining them to territory set off to them beyond the Missis- sippi. But, though forced to leave, they would frequently return in small parties ; and, when these straggling bands would pass their old-time burial places, they would manifest the deepest reverence.

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

The summer of 1832 was a somewhat notable one in the history of the territory afterward included in Rock County. June and July of that year saw the gathering of Indian hordes within its limits. painted and plumed-at war with the whites. Black Hawk, the leader of the Sacs, had retreated up Rock River until a point was reached-Black Hawk Grove-just outside of what is now the city of Janesville, where the savages remained some time in camp. It must not be understood that they were now at their former homes. This was not the case. It was not then the country of the Sacs, but, as previously stated, of the Rock River Winnebagoes. The last mentioned had not yet ceded their territory east of Sugar River.

While Black Hawk was in camp at the grove which has received his name, there were brought in two prisoners, Sylvia and Rachel Hall. As it was at this point they were detained until ransomed by Winnebagoes, the particulars of their captivity are properly related in this connection. They are given in the words of one of the captives :

" On the 21st of May, 1832, at about four o'clock in the afternoon, as Mr. Petti- grew's and our (Mr. Hall's) family were assembled at the house of William Davis, in Indian Creek settlement, in La Salle County, Ill., a party of Indians, about seventy in number, were seen crossing Mr. Davis' fence, about eight or ten paces from the house. As they approached, Mr. Pettigrew attempted to shut the door, but was shot down in doing so. The savages then rushed in and massacred every one present, except my sister and myself. The persons massacred were Mr. Pettigrew, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Pettigrew, Mrs. Hall (my mother) and Miss Davis, a young lady of about fifteen-and six children, four of them boys and two of them girls. These were in the house. Mr. Davis, Mr. Hall (my father), William Norris and Henry George were massacred without ; fifteen in all. The time occupied in the massacre was less, probably, than ten minutes. When the Indians entered. my sister and myself were sitting near the door sewing. I got immediately upon the bed and. stood there during the massacre. The confusion was such-the terror inspired by the firing of guns in the house, and the shrieks of the wounded and dying so great-that I have no recollections in what manner they were killed.

"As soon as the massacre was over, three Indians seized and dragged me from the bed, without much violence, and led me into the yard. I was then taken, by two of them, about

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

half-way across the creek-fifty paces, or more, perhaps, distant. Thence I was led back into the yard in front of the house, where I saw my sister for the first time since our separation.

" We were then taken by four Indians -- two having hold of each-and hurried off on foot, in a northern direction, as fast as we could run for about two miles, through timber bordering upon the creek, when we came to a place where the Indians had left their horses previous to the attack. We were then placed, without constraint, upon two of their poorest animals, each of which was led by an Indian, and proceeded as fast as our horses could travel in a direction, as I supposed, toward the camp, accompanied by about thirty warriors. We continued traveling in. this manner until about midnight, when we halted to rest our horses -- the Indians exhibiting all the while symptoms of great uneasiness, arising apparently from their apprehension of being pursued. After resting for about two hours, we started again on the same horses, as before, and traveled at a brisk gait the residue of the night and all next day until about noon, when we halted, and, the Indians, having scalded some beans and roasted some acorns, desired us to eat. We ate some of the beans and tasted of the acorns, not from any disposition we had to eat, but to avoid giving offense to our captors. We remained in this place for one or two hours: The Indians, after having finished their scanty meal, busied themselves in dressing the scalps they had taken, stretching them upon small hoops. Among them I recognized, by the color of the hair, my own mother's ! It produced a kind of faintness or blindness, and I fell into a swoon, from which I was awakened, shortly thereafter, by a summons to set out upon our journey. We traveled on in the same way, but more leisurely than before, until almost night, when the horse I rode gave out, and I was seated behind an Indian who rode a fine horse, belonging to Mr. Henderson, taken from the settlement in which we were captured. In this manner we continued on until about 9 o'clock at night, when we reached a camp, having traveled, as I suppose, about ninety miles in twenty-eight hours.

"The Sac camp was on the bank of a small creek, surrounded by low, marshy ground, scattered over with small burr-oak trees. On our arrival, several squaws came to our assistance, took us from our horses and conducted us into the camp, prepared a place for us to sit down, and presented us some parched corn, some meal and maple sugar mixed, and desired us to eat. We did so, more through fear than hunger, and, at their request, threw a small parcel (about a tablespoonful) into the fire, as did also the squaws, and the Indians that accompanied us. There was much apparent rejoicing on our arrival. About 10 o'clock, we were invited by the squaws to lie down, which we did, and enjoyed a kind of confused or disordered slumber, which lasted until after sunrise. The next morning, soon after we arose, our fears of massacre and torture began to abate. We were presented with some boiled beans and sugar for breakfast, and ate a little, having, though almost exhausted, as yet no appetite for food. About 10 o'clock, the camp broke up, and we all moved about five miles across the creek, and encamped again on an elevated spot, covered with timber, near a small creek. We traveled each upon a separate horse, heavily laden with provisions, blankets, kettles and other furniture required in an Indian camp. We arrived at our new encampment a little before sundown. Here a white pole was stuck in the ground, and the scalps taken when we were captured hung up as trophies. About fifty warriors assembled in the center and commenced a dance, in which a few of the squaws participated. They danced around this pole to the music of a drum and gourds, so prepared as to make a rattling noise. I was invited frequently by the squaws to join in the dance, but refused.

"The first dance was had in the morning after our arrival in camp. The same was repeated daily while we continued among them. Soon after we arose, on the first morning after our arrival, some warriors came to our lodge, and took us out, and gave me a red flag, and placed something in the hands of my sister, which I do not recollect, and made us march around through the encampment, passing each wigwam. Then they led us to the center of the spot they had cleared off to prepare for the dance, near where the white pole was stuck up; then, placing a blanket upon the earth, and after painting our faces red and black, ordered us to lie down with our faces toward the ground. They then danced around us with war- clubs, tomahawks

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

and spears. Before its conclusion, we were taken away by two squaws, who, we under- stood, were the wives of Black Hawk. In the evening, as soon as the dance was over, we were presented with a supper, consisting of coffee, fried cakes, boiled corn and fried venison, with fried leeks, of which we ate more freely than before. We continued with them for four days longer, during which we fared in a similar manner, until the two last days, when we got out of flour. When our flour was exhausted, we had coffee, meat and pounded corn made into soup. On being delivered over to the squaws above mentioned, we were separated from each other, but permitted to visit every day, and remain for about two hours without interruption. These squaws encamped near each other, and we were considered as their children, and treated as such. Our encampments were removed five or six miles each day, and my sister and myself were always permitted to ride at such removals. Our fare was usually better than that of others in our wigwam. Our fears of massacre had now subsided, being received and adopted into the family of a chief. We were not required to perform any labor, but were closely watched to prevent our escape.

"On the fifth day after our arrival at the Sac camp, we were told that we must go with some Winnebago chiefs who had come for us. At that time, the Sac encampment was on a con- siderable stream [Rock River], the outlet, as I supposed, of a lake [Koshkonong]. There were a number of lakes in its vicinity. The squaws with whom we lived were apparently distressed at the idea of our leaving them. The Winnebagoes endeavored to make us under- stand that they were about to take us to the white people. This, however, we did not believe; but, on the contrary, supposed they intended to take us entirely away from our country, friends and homes.

" We left the Sac encampment with four Winnebagoes the same evening, and traveled about fifteen miles, each of us riding on horseback behind a Winnebago chief; the latter expressing frequently their fears of pursuit by the Sacs, who exhibited great uneasiness at our departure-the prophet having cut two locks of hair from my head and one from my sister's just before we left them.

" We reached the Winnebago encampment a little after dark. and were kindly received. It was more comfortable than any we had seen, and we slept sounder and better than before. We rose early next morning ; the Indians, however, had been up some time. We ate breakfast before sunrise, and started in canoes up the river. There were, I believe, eight in company. We continued on our course until nearly sundown, when we landed and encamped on the bank of the river. There were present about a hundred Winnebago warriors. During the next day, four Sac Indians arrived in camp, dressed in white men's clothes, and desired to talk with us. We were told, however, by the Winnebago chiefs that we must shut our ears and turn away from them, which we did.

" The 'Blind' [White Crow] and his son left our encampment during the night, and returned early in the morning. Immediately afterward they came to us, and the ' Blind ' asked if we thought the whites would hang them if they took us to the fort. We gave them to under- stand that they would not. They next inquired if we thought the white people would give them anything for taking us to them. We gave them to understand that they would. The ' Blind' then collected his horses, and with the Whirling Thunder and about twenty of the Winneba- goes we crossed the river and pursued our journey, my sister and myself each on a separate horse. We encamped about dark ; rose early next morning, and, after a hasty meal of pork and potatoes (the first we had seen since our captivity), of which we ate heartily, we traveled on until we reached the fort-the Blue Mounds, Wisconsin Territory. Before our arrival thither, we had become satisfied that our protectors were taking us to our friends, and that we had formerly done them injustice. About three miles from the fort we stopped, and the Indians cooked some venison ; after which they took a white handkerchief which I had, and. tying it to a long pole, three Indians proceeded with it to the fort. About a quarter of a mile thence we were met by a Frenchman [Edward Beouchard]. The Indians formed a ring, and the Frenchman rode into it and held a talk with our protectors. The latter expressed an

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

unwillingness to give us up until they could see Mr. Gratiot, the Indian agent. Being informed by the Frenchman we should be well treated, and that they should see us daily until Mr. Gratiot's arrival, they delivered us into the Frenchman's care.

"We repaired immediately to the fort, where the ladies of the garrison (who in the mean time had assembled) received us with the utmost tenderness. We were thereupon attired once more in the costume of our own country, and next day started for Galena. On reaching a little fort at White Oak Springs, we were met by our eldest brother, who, together with a younger one, was at work in a field near the house when we were captured, and when the massacre began fled, and arrived in safety at Dixon's Ferry. On leaving Galena, we went on board the steamboat Winnebago for St. Louis, which place we reached in five days, and were kindly received by its citizens and hospitably entertained by Gov. Clark. Previous to our leaving Galena, we had received an affectionate letter from Rev. Mr. Horn, of Morgan County, Ill., inviting us to make his house our future home. We accepted the invitation, and left St. Louis in the steamboat Caroline for Beardstown, on the Illinois River, where we arrived on the third day thereafter. On landing, we were kindly received by the citizens, and, in a few hours, reached the residence of Mr. Horn, five miles distant, in the latter part of July, 1832, when our troubles ended."

The tent-poles, ashes and brands of the Indian camp-fires, where the two captives were given over to the Winnebagoes by the Sac Indians, were plainly discernible when the first set- tlers located in the vicinity.

Gen. Atkinson having arrived at the mouth of the Pecatonica, in pursuit of the savages, and hearing that Black Hawk was further up Rock River, determined to follow him, with the intention of deciding the war by a general battle, if possible. Black Hawk, judging of his intentions from the report of his spies, broke up his camp, near what is now Janesville, and retreated still farther up the river to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where, on the west side of the river, in what is now the town of Milton, he again formed a camp. Here he remained some time, when he again removed, this time to an island in the lake, and afterward, to the region of the four lakes, in what is now Dane County.

The march of Gen. Atkinson through Rock County is best related by one who was present : "The 30th of June, 1832, we passed through the Turtle village [now the city of Beloit], which is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was deserted. We marched on about a mile, and encamped on the open prairie near enough to Rock River to get water from it. We here saw very fresh signs of the Sac Indians, where they had been apparently fishing on that day. Gen. Atkinson believed we were close to them and apprehended an attack that night. The sentinels fired several times and we were as often paraded and prepared to receive the enemy but they never came, though from the accounts given by the sentinels to the officers of the day, there was no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the camp.

"July 1 .- We had not marched but two or three miles before an Indian was . seen across Rock River at some distance off, on a very high prairie, which, no doubt was a spy, and likely was one that had been prowling about our encampment the night before. We proceeded a few miles further and came to the place where the Indians, who had taken the two Misses Hall prisoners, had stayed for several days [near the present city of Janesville]. It was a strong position, where they could have withstood a very powerful force. We afterward discovered they always encamped in such places. We had not marched but a few miles from this place before one of our front scouts came back meeting the army in great haste, and stated that they had dis- covered a fresh trail of Indians, where they had just gone along in front of us. Maj. Ewing, who was in front of the main army some distance, immediately formed his men in line of battle and marched in that order in advance of the main army, about three-quarters of a mile. We had a very thick wood to march through, where the undergrowth stood very high and thick ; the signs looked very fresh and we expected every step to be fired upon from the thickets. We marched in this order about two miles, not stopping for the unevenness of the ground or anything else, but keeping in a line of battle all the time, until we found the Indians had scattered, then

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

we resumed our common line of march, which was in three divisions. Soon after we had formed into three divisions, the friendly Indians that were with us raised an alarm, by seven eight of them shooting at a deer, some little in advance of the army. The whole army her- formed for action, but it was soon ascertained that these children of the forest had been at what their whole race seems to have been born for, shooting at the beasts of the forest.

" We here camped by a small lake [Storr's] this night. and had to drink the water, which wa = very bad, but it was all that could be found. Here a very bad accident happened. One of the = sentinels, mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket wrapped around him, for an India shot him just below the groin, in the thick of the thigh. At first, the wound was though -

mortal. I understood, before I left the army, that the man was nearly well. Here Ger Atkinson had, on this night, breast-works thrown up, which was easily done, as we wer encamped in thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution which went to show that he set great deal by the lives of his men, and by no means was any mark of cowardice, for genera ship consists more in good management than anything else.

"July 2 .- We started this morning at the usual time, but went only a few miles before Ma zaj. Ewing. who was still in front with his battalion, espied a very fresh trail, making off at about = & left angle. He dispatched ten men from the battalion, in company with Capt. Geor Walker and a few Indians, to pursue it and see, if possible, where it went to. He moved on in front of his battalion a short distance further, when we came on the main Sac trail of Bla Hawk's whole army, which appeared to be about two days old. Capt. Early, who command E ed a volunteer independent company, and had got in advance this morning, called a halt ; so d Jid Maj. Ewing with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent back one of his staff officers for t he main army to call a halt for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Anderson, of the infantry, Cap Early and Jonathan H. Pugh went a little in advance, when Maj. Anderson, with a telescop ed took a view across the lake, as we had now got to Lake Koshkonong. They then discover

three Indians apparently in their canoes. Maj. Ewing went himself and informed Gen. Atki - _n- son what discovery was made, and requested Gen. Atkinson to let him take his battalion rous end through a narrow defile that was between two of those lakes, where we supposed the India .n8

were. By this time, our scouts, who had taken the trail that led off on our left, returne bringing with them five white men's scalps. They followed the Indian trail until it took th em to a large Indian encampment that they had left a few days before. They reached it; the sca ps ot

were sticking up against some of their wigwams ; some of them were identified, but I do . recollect the names of any, except one, which was said to be an old gentleman of the name of Hall. Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion about a mile, where the pass on the side of he lake appeared so narrow, that he dismounted his men and had the horses all tied, and a f men left to guard them. The rest of us marched on foot about.one mile through a narrow deff

new File on the [east ] bank of Koshkonong Lake.

UNITED STATES SURVEYS AND LAND SALES.

Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, and the acquisition by the Uni C zed States of the Indian title to all the land west of Lake Michigan, not reserved to the Indians or secured to specified individuals by the terms of the several treaties, a survey was commenced 8, by the General Government. The northern boundary of Illinois, which was fixed April 11, 18 3 on the parallel of 42º 30' north latitude, became necessarily the base line of the surveys. A principal north and south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was also run, extending from base line to Lake Superior. This line was west of the territory now included in Rock Coun! running between what are now the counties of Grant and La Fayette. Parallel lines to t Is were run every six miles both on the east and west sides of it. The intervening six mil between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the first six miles east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six miles east ; and so on to Lake Michigan-Rock Count lying in Ranges 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 east. Parallel lines north of the base lines were run

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 49

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899