The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 51

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 51

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Mr. Lindsay's boats had descended the river as far as the village of Wabashaw, where they expected an attack. The Dakotas on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed their approach with insults and menaces, but did not, however, offer to 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 encampment at the mouth of the Bad Axe River, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One or two French- men, or half-breeds, who were on board. observed hostile appearances on shore, and advised the rest to keep the middle of the stream ; but their counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew were Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen, combined a profound ignorance of Indian char- acter with a thorough contempt for Indian prowess. They urged the boat directly toward the camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men on deck. It may be well to observe here, that this, like all keel-boats used in the Mississippi Valley, was built almost exactly on the model of the Erie and Middlesex canal-boats.

The men were rallying their French companions on their apprehensions, and the boat (named Oliver H. Perry) was within thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly the trees and rocks rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the warwhoop, and a volley of rifle-balls

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

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 from their fire. He was a little negro, named Peter. His 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, thdy all escaped but one, who was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non-resistance, the Winnebagocs rushed to their canoes, with intent to board. The whites, having recovered from their first panic, seized their arins, and the boarders were received with a very severe discharge. In one canoe, two savages were killed with the same bullet, and several werc wounded. The attack was continued until night, when one of the party, named Mandeville. who had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four others, who succeeded in setting the boat afloat, and then went down the stream.

Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen wounded. They managed to put 693 bullets into and through the boat. Two of the crew were killed outright, two mortally and two slightly wounded. The presence of mind of Mandeville undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not reach the mouth of the Bad Axe until midnight. The Indians opened fire upon her, which was promptly returned, but. owing to the darkness, no injury was done, and the boat passed on safely.

Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left 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 upward of a hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena. and the minds of the inhabitants werc quieted. In a few days, four imperfect 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 country then contained, as is supposed, about five thousand inhabitants. A great many of them fled from the country.

On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with Government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while here, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his approach, and directing the former to halt and fortify himself at the portage 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 on Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. At the opening of the council at the Butte des Morts, between the Government and the Indians, the Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the mur- derers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent, and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, " Who will come in?" he said, " Red Bird and We. Kaw." After making this answer, he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came, and took position in nearly the same place and in the same way, when, to like questions he gave like answers ; and at sundown a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that object, given to the fami- lies of the murderers nearly all his property.

There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving-away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote them- selves for the good of their people, but only to reconcile those who were about to be bercaved to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders com - mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the Indians complained : but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall suffer for it. One scalp is held dne for another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity.

DIAGRAM OF FORT WINNEBAGO AND OUT BUILDINGS 1835.

O. P. Williams

Indian Blk Smith Shop Log

Indian Ibst

Dubays Trachng IS Ling

Agency

2 Story FRone

Soldiers Garden

Comelery

Theatre 1. Story Log

Road to Indian Agency-

Sec. 33. 37. Acres

Town 13 North Range 2Fast

1/2 Stories 7665

well

FORT

Picket

HINº1

Harry Jones Sutter

Sutlers Story"

Fence

H.Merrell's

House

TOWN LINE

1. Story

Store

I Story

OTTicers Garden

BUS. Shop

BRIDGE

Ice Cellars

Hospital

Stracons Quarters

Stables

Stone

Wine Cellar of H. Merrell

Ware House 1

112 Story Frame Called the Whiling Store House

Sec. 4. 45 Acres

Town 12 North. Range 9. East .

Military Road to Ft Crawford or Buirie du Chien

EXPLANATIONS.

1. Guard House 2. One .Story Stone Magazine 3 & 4. Soldiers Quarters 5 &6. Officers Quarters 7. Frame Chapel

8.Officers Quarters 9. Block House

Military Road to Green Bay or Fort Howard

Bake House

Kommissars

. S

Blacksmith Shop

Il. Merrell 1834 1 Story, Loy.

Old Sutler Store of

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

About noon of the day following, there were seen descending a mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass it could be discerned that the direction was toward Maj. Whistler. They bore no arms, and Whistler was at no loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox River, when on a sudden was heard singing. Those who were familiar with the air said, .. It is a death-song." When still nearer, some present who knew him said, " It is Red Bird singing his death-song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp- yells were heard.

The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us were lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on ; but when the " scalp- yells " were uttered they sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no loss to know what these "yells" were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless inferred the first.

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

And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was Whistler's encampment. In the lead was Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguished chief. Arriv- ing on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called, Kar-ray-mau-nec spoke, saying, " They are here. Like braves they have come in; treat them as braves ; do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he was not the big Captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him.

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

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

They were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any except two : the third had gone away ; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. As their friends, they had come with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty; the meaning of which was, to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them. and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little tobacco and something to eat.

They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so, they had turned away our guns and saved their people. They were admonished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances ; that their friends should be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white children were

346

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

tried ; that for the present Red Bird and We-Kaw should not be put in irons ; that they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke.

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

We-Kaw, the miserable-looking being, the accomplice of the Red Bird, was in all things the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command, and worthy to be obeyed; the other, as if he had been born to be hanged-mcager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf, gaunt, hungry and bloodthirsty ; his entire appearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were committed into safe-keeping at Prairie du Chien, to await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.

The next spring, Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie du Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay, by way of the portage, for that purpose, convicted and sentenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit the pardon of the others. President Adams granted it on the implied condition that the tribe would cede the lands then in the possession of the miners. The Winne- bagoes agreed to this. Mme. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision was made for two sections of land to her and her two children ; and the Government agreed to pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago Indians.

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, seized the old chief, De-kau-ry, and four other Indians; and he was informed that, if Red Bird should not be given up within a certain time, he and the others were to die in his place. This he 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 information was received of the murderers. The dreadful day was near at hand, and De-kau-ry, being in a bad state of health, asked permission of the officer to go to the river to indulge in his long- accustomed habit of bathing in order to improve his health ; 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 privileges until the day appointed for his execution. Accordingly, he first gave his hand to the Colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloft and in the most solemn adjuration promised that he would not leave the bounds prescribed, and said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word. He was then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. " But no !" said he, " do you think I prize life above honor ?" He then complacently remained until nine days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and still nothing was heard promising the apprehension of the murderers. 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 Bar- racks, and the order for the execution was countermanded and the Indians permitted to return to their homes.

347

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

FORT WINNEBAGO.

There seems to hang, in perpetual solemnity, an enchanted halo around the site of Fort Winnebago. We approach this historical spot with feelings profound and reverential. The fragmentary descriptions written of the old place and its early associations have been wafted upon the wave of intelligence far and wide. We know that, immediately preceding its com- mencement, there were at the east end of the portage a log house and barn, which then formed a trading-post of the American Fur Company, and that Peter Pauquette lived there and had charge of the buildings ; that there was another building, where the sub-agent, John Kinzie, was living, and still two others, occupied by half-breeds; and on the east side of Fox River, there was a house belonging to Francis LeRoy, son of Joseph LeRoy, of Green Bay. Where that house was, the fort was afterward built.

At the west end of the portage, there was a log house built, and three houses where Per- rish Grignon and his wife, sister of the chief, De-kau-ry, were living; the second one was occu- pied by his son, Lavoin Grignon ; the other, by J. B. Lecuyer. LeRoy was living near where O. P. Williams' house was afterward located.

Fort Winnebago was established at a period, not remote, when civilization had but a sin- gle line of communication from the great lakes to the " American Amazon." The necessity for some means of protection to the fur trade from Winnebago exactions, and as security against further aggressions-such as the "Winnebago War," just described-becoming evident, the General Government, at the solicitation of John Jacob Astor, who was then at the head of the American Fur Company, and upon whose goods the Indians levied exorbitant tolls, authorized the erection of a post at the portage.

Late in the fall of 1828, the First Infantry, stationed at Fort Howard, and commanded by Maj. Twiggs, was ordered to proceed to the portage and enter upon the work. The small detachment was composed of three companies, under Capt. Buell, Capt. Spence and Captain -- afterward General-Harney, of Mexican war fame. The First Lieutenants were Jefferson Davis, Ganes Miller and - Abercrombie. The latter commanded at the battle of Falling Waters, early in the rebellion, and rose to the rank of a general officer. The Second Lieutenants were Pegram, Lamotte and Burbanks. Surgeon Abbott accompanied the troops to heal the wounds incident to house-building.

The soldiers came amply provided with provisions and otherwise prepared for a winter cam- paign. Maj. Twiggs, in the capacity of " boss carpenter," erected temporary barracks of tam- arack logs, in which to winter his command, and detailed a party to go up the Wisconsin River and procure pine timber, with which to construct the permanent fort. Another party was detailed to quarry stone, at what was called " Stone Quarry Hill." With the first rise of water in the spring of 1829, rafts of logs were floated down to the portage, and were hauled, by teams, to the place of building, where all the lumber was sawed by hand, with whip-saws, with which to build the entire fort. The brick necessary for the chimneys, etc., were burned just opposite the "narrows," on the Wisconsin River, where Armstrong's brickyard is now located.

The manual labor was performed by the private soldiers, while the officers did the "heavy work," such as drawing plans and superintending the job. Some amusing incidents occurred, in which the architectural skill of the epauleted "bosses " was sorely tried. During the con- struction of the commissary-stores building, one of the young Lieutenants being in charge, a question arose among the privates as to the propriety of placing in the building thirty-foot beams as "sleepers," without anything beneath them to prevent the floor from "sag- ging" when the structure should be filled with heavy and indigestible army stores. One of the workmen, a practical builder, was delegated by his companions to interview the " super- intendent," and point out to him the fallacy of observing the plans and specifications in this regard. He did so, but beat a hasty retreat after receiving this reply from his superior : " Who in h-Il pays you for thinking ? "

348

HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

The fort was completed in the spring of 1830. The principal buildings stood on the side of a square. Defense against cannon did not enter the plan. The only structures in the nature of fortifications were two heavy, compact block-houses, perforated for musketry, and situ- ated at the northeast and southwest corners of the quadrangle. At the same angle was the magazine, a low, arched structure of heavy stone. A little south, and across the military road leading to Fort Howard, were the hospital and the quarters of the medical staff: and still fur- ther south, were the carpenters' shops, in which Jeff Davis is said to have exhibited more skill in the manufacture of quaint furniture than he has since shown in a well-remembered attempt to organize a " government."

Westward, on the slope toward the river, was the commissary building, near which was the cynosure of the sutler. The capacious stables were not many rods away, and just removed from them were the slaughter-houses, Forty rods east were located the blacksmith-shops. On the north and south sides of the fort itself were the gardens, which, in time, became highly cultivated. On the east was the drill and parade ground. The fort proper was inclosed by a solid picket or stockade. There were two entrances, each guarded by thick, double gates. The main buildings were neat one-and-a-half-story edifices, painted white, with sharply sloping roofs and uniform dormer windows, the whole being clean and tasty of aspect.

Time does not appear to have hung heavily on the garrison. There was much leisure for amusement, and they improved it. Billiards, cards, dancing and amateur theatricals varied the monotony by night, while horse-racing and athletic sports diminished the hours by day. At one period, the mail arrived every two weeks from Chicago via Mineral Point. The vehicle which brought it hove in sight upon a height three miles distant from the fort. It was a favor- ite pastime to lay wagers on the moment of its first appearance, the precise moment it would reach the post office (which was the sutler's storehouse), or whether the wagerer would have a letter or not. Game was abundant in its season, and many days were devoted to the hunt. Sleigh-riding parties were also popular.

In the spring of 1834, when Henry Merrell came to the fort, he found there Col. Cutler. the commanding officer ; Lieut. Lacy. Quartermaster and Commissary; Captains Low, Clark and Plympton; Lientenants Van Cleve, Johnston, Collinsworth, Ruggles, Hooe and Reed, and Surgeon MeDougall ; also Burley Follett, Daniel Bushnell and Satterlee Clark, Jr., the latter three in charge of the sutler's store as agents for Oliver Newberry, of Detroit; Capt. McCabe was Postmaster and Indian agent. Maj. Twiggs had been relieved by Companies C, D, E and F of the Sixth United States Infantry. Capt. Plympton, who was a brevet Major, assumed command for a short time prior to the arrival of Col. Cutler. Two companies of the First Infantry subsequently relieved this detachment and remained until the evacuation in 1845. Col. Cutler's successors in command at the fort were Maj. Green, Col. McIntosh, Capts. Low and Jewett, and Lieut. Mumford. When the evacuation took place, the fort was left in charge of Ordnance Sergeant Van Camp, who looked after it until 1847, when he died. William Weir, an old soldier of the fort, then had charge of it until 1853. when it was sold at auction under an order affecting such property, made by Jeff Davis, as Secretary of War. In March, 1856, a fire destroyed or seriously damaged most of the buildings, which were then occupied by private families. The reservation, comprising nearly four thousand acres, became the property of J. B. Martin and others, of Milwaukee; they paid for it $20,000. W. H. Wells, of Fond du Lac, and F. II. Marsten, of Buffalo, subsequently owned it. In 1869, Val- entine Helmann, of Portage, bought forty acres of Messrs. Wells and Marsten, and, on the 14th of February, 1873, he added another "forty " by purchase. The latter sale included all the old buildings, spared by time and fire, on the left-hand side of the old military road, in the town of Fort Winnebago. The stone was afterward sold by Mr. Helmann to the Government and used in constructing breakwaters along the Wisconsin River. Thirty-three thousand brick (the first ever made at the portage) were taken from the massive fireplaces and chimneys and used in the construction of Mr. Helmann's residence on his farm. The old commissary build- ing was removed and now does service as a barn on the same farm.

Nearly all of the remaining

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

buildings were torn away, the material being sold to different parties in Portage and the town of Fort Winnebago. All that now remains of old Fort Winnebago are the well and the cellars. In the fall of 1879, the framework about the former plunged into the shaft below. Old age is supposed to have been the cause of the rash act. About thirty rods south stands a portion of the old hospital building, owned by Andrew Weir and occupied by a family named Estabrook. The agency building, on Agency Hill, west of the canal and river, fell not into the hands of the despoiler. It is owned and occupied as a residence by E. S. Baker, who has put upon it improvements calculated to keep it intact for another half a generation. In size, it is 30x36 feet on the ground, and two stories high with a garret. The kitchen is 20x24 feet, and one and a half stories high. The framework is very ponderous, the studding, rafters. joists, sleepers and sills being twice the size of similar material used in buildings of the present day. The house was originally surrounded by a circular row of maples and elms, planted fifty years ago. But four trees have survived, and they are now two feet in diameter. Near by is the icchonse, a hole in the ground twenty feet deep and sixteen across the top, substantially walled with " hard-head" stone.

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 51

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104