The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 61

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 61

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Gen. Winfield Scott offered a reward of $2,000 for the capture of Black Hawk and the Prophet, which was earned by a Winnebago called Little Thunder .* All were then taken to Rock Island, where Gen. Scott had established his headquarters.

From there the leaders were taken to all the large cities in the country, to show them how impossible it was for them to wage successful war against the whites.

That ended the Black Hawk war.

* *

In 1837, a detachment of recruits arrived at Fort Winnebago, among whom was a man named Carpenter, who was discharged because he was unable to pass the surgeon for muster. He had a wife, and determined to remain in the country. He accordingly located upon the bank of the Wisconsin River, and after that time kept a tavern for the accommodation of lum- bermen.

It may safely be said of him that he was the first white civilian of Portage City, if his house was within what are now the city limits.

Then followed Andrew Dunn, Hugh McFarlane, Richard F. Veeder and others, and I think in the order I have named them.

Capt. Gideon Low left the army in 1839 [1840], and settled on the portage, where he kept a public house a number of years. He died long ago.

The old man Crelie was an important element in the early history of thi's locality, and I cannot well avoid giving him a passing notice.

Mr. Crelic was the father-in-law of Pauquette, and was sixty years of age when I came to Fort Winnebago in 1830, so that when he was on exhibition at the several soldiers' home fairs in 1863, he was ninety-three years old.

This corresponds with the opinion of Mr. Beouchard, a Frenchman, who came to the State much earlier than I did, as given in his letter to the Milwaukee Sentinel, while the old man was being exhibited at one hundred and forty.

In 1832, during the Black Hawk war, he was bearer of dispatches, much too fatiguing a duty for a man more than sixty-two years of age.

John T. De La Ronde, who died recently in the town of Caledonia, came to Wisconsin about the year 1834 instead of 1828, as is stated in an obituary I read recently.+ It was the custom of the American Fur Company to enlist Canadians for a term of years and bring them into the Northwest to be used as voyagers and packers. De La Ronde was so enlisted, and was assigned to work for Peter Pauquette.

Shortly after his arrival, he married the daughter of Whitehead De-kau-ry, who had once been a sort of morganatic wife of an officer of the army,t and had been left a widow when he was ordered off. He lived with her until she died, and since then I have known very little of him.

I must say something of Count Haraszthy and his family. In about 1842 or 1843, I am not certain which, Haraszthy came to Wisconsin, bought some property at Sauk City, on the Wisconsin, and settled there with his family. He was a nobleman in every sense, and he and his wife were among the most refined people I ever knew ; and both were exceedingly good looking.

I saw them frequently, both at home and at Madison. At the latter place, they had a large number of friends and acquaintances, by whom they were much respected. Early in the spring

* This appears to be an error. Traditions are valuable when sustaining and elaborating historical documents, written at the time and upon the spot, by reliable men ; but it will not be safe to set aside such written documents and substitute traditi >18. Gen. Joseph M. Street, then Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, writes from that place, August 27, 1832: "At 11 o'clock to-day, Black Hawk and the Prophet were delivered to Gen. Josephi M. Street, by the One-Eyed Decorri and Chactar, Winnebagoes belonging to this agency" and then gives in full the address of Decorri and Chaetar, the latter claiming the chief merits of the capture, saying: " Near the Dalle, on the Wisconsin, 1 took Black Hawk. No one did it but me-I say this in the cars of all present, and they know it-and I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our grandfather, and the earth, our grandmother, for the truth of what I say." In a subsequent letter of September 3, Gen. Street adds: " The day after Gens. Scott and Atkinson left this place, I sent out tvo parties of Winnebagoes to bring Black Hawk, the Prophet and Neopope to me." This Little Thunder may have been with the unsuccessful party, and would perhaps speak of it subsequently in such a way as to convey the idea that he nided in the capture of Black Hawk-that is, searched for him, but probably did not mean to he understood that he actually captured him. L. C. D.

+ De La Ronde's first visit to the portage was in 1828, remaining but a few days. IIs returned in 1832 .- En.

# Capt. Thomas l'age Gwynne, who had entered the army as a cadet in 1813, serving in the Black Hawk war, had risen through regular grades to Major, iu 1847, and died at Norfolk, Va., February 26, 1861.

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of 1849, he joined a party that left Madison to go overland to California. Among those who went out with him was Thomas W. Sutherland, who had formerly been United States District Attorney of the Territory. Haraszthy was quite successful in raising grapes, and in the man- ufacture of wine and distilled spirits. Within two or three years last past, I read in some paper a thrilling account of his death. It seemed he had procured the exclusive privilege of man- ufacturing distilled spirits in Central America : that he went with a small party in search of a good locality for raising grapes and establishing a distillery ; that the party came to a bayou filled with crocodiles, over which there was a small foot bridge. Haraszthy, being in the advance, attempted to cross the bridge, which gave way, precipitating him into the water, and, before he could be recovered by his friends, a large crocodile canght him by the middle and carried him off, while a large number followed. His fate can well be imagined .*

V .- BY MRS JOHN H. KINZIE.+

This day [they were traveling from Chicago to Fort Winnebago, in 1831], we were jour- neying in hopes to reach, at an early hour, that broad expanse of the Rock River which here forms the Kosh-ko-nong. The appellation of this water, rendered doubly affecting by the sub- sequent fate of its people, imports " the lake we live on."

Our road for the early part of the day led through forests so thick and tangled that Grig- non and Lecuyer were often obliged to go in advance as pioneers with their axes, to cut away the obstructing shrubs and branches. It was slow work and at times quite discouraging, but we were through with it at last, and then we came into a country of altogether different description -low prairies, intersected with deep, narrow streams like canals, the passage of which, either by horses or carriages, was often a matter of delay and even difficulty.

Several times in the course of the forenoon, the horses were to be taken from the carriage and the latter pulled and pushed across the deep narrow channels as best it might.

The wooded banks of the Kosh-ko-nong were never welcomed with greater delight than by us when they at length broke upon our sight. A ride of five or six miles through the beautiful oak openings brought us to Man-Eater's village, a collection of neat bark wigwams, with extensive fields on each side, of corn, beans, and squashes, recently planted, but already giving promise of a fine crop. In front was the broad blue lake, the shores of which, to the south, were open and marshy, but near the village and stretching far away to the north, were bordered by fine lofty trees. The village was built but a short distance below the point where the Rock River opens into the lake, and during a conversation between our party and the Indians at the village, an arrangement was made with them to take us across at a spot about half a mile above.

After a short halt, we again took up our line of march through the woods, along the bank of the river.

A number of Winnebagoes (for we had been among our own people since leaving Gros-pied Lake) set out for the appointed place by water, paddling their canoes, of which they had selected the largest and strongest.

Arrived at the spot indicated, we dismounted, and the men commenced the task of unsaddling and unloading. We were soon placed in the canoes, and paddled across to the oppo- site bank. Next, the horses were swum across-after them was to come the carriage. Two long wooden canoes were securely lashed together side by side, and being of sufficient width to admit of the carriage standing within them, the passage was commenced. Again and again the tottering barks would sway from side to side, and a cry or a shout would arise from our party on shore, as the whole mass seemed about to plunge sideways into the water, but it would pres- ently recover itself, and at length, after varions deviations from the perpendicular, it reached the shore in safety.

We now hoped that our troubles were at an end, and that we had nothing to do but to mount and trot on as fast as possible to Fort Winnebago. But no. Half a mile farther on was

*Count Haraszthy's death is elsewhere described in this book with particularity.

+ From " Wau-Bun, the Early Day in the Northwest," pp. 254-266.

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a formidable swamp, of no great width it is true, but with a depth of from two to three feet of mud and water. It was a question whether, with the carriage, we could get through it at all. Several of the Indians accompanied us to this place, partly to give us their aid and counsel, and partly to enjoy the fun of the spectacle.

On reaching the swamp, we were disposed to laugh at the formidable representations which had been made to us. We saw only a strip of what seemed rather low land covered with tall, dry rushes.

It is true, the ground looked a little wet, but there seemed nothing to justify all the ap- prehensions that had been excited. Great was my surprise, then, to see my husband, who had been a few minutes absent, returned to our circle attired in his duck trowsers, and without shoes or stockings.

" What are you going to do ?" inquired I.

" Carry you through the swamp on my shoulder. Come, Petaille, you are the strongest- you are to carry Madame Kinzie, and To-shun-nuck there (pointing to a tall, stout Winnebago). he will take Madame Helm."

" Wait a moment," said I, and, seating myself on the grass, I deliberately took off my own boots and stockings.

"What is that for ?" they all asked.

" Because I do not wish to ride with wet feet all the rest of the day."

" No danger of that," said they, and no one followed my example. By the time they were in the midst of the swamp, however, they found my precaution had been by no means useless. The water through which our bearers had to pass was of such a depth that no efforts of the ladies were sufficient to keep their feet above the surface, and I had the satisfaction of feeling that my burden upon my husband's shoulders was much less, from my being able to keep my first position, instead of changing constantly to avoid a contact with the water.

The laugh was quite on my side when I resumed my equipment, and mounted, dry-shod, into my saddle.

It will be perceived, that journeying in the woods is, in some degree, a deranger of cere- mony and formality ; that it necessarily restricts us somewhat in our conventionalities. The only remedy is, to make ourselves amends by a double share when we return to the civilized walks of life.

By dint of much pulling, shouting, encouraging and threatening, the horses at length dragged the carriage through the difficult pass, and our red friends were left to return to their village, with, doubtless, a very exaggerated and amusing account of all that they had seen and assisted in.

We had not forgotten our promise to Lieut .. Foster to put up a " guide-board of some sort, for his accommodation in following us. We therefore, upon several occasions, carried with us from the woods a few pieces, of three or four feet in length, which we planted at certain points, with a transverse stick through a cleft in the top, thus marking the direction he and his party were to take.

We therefore felt sure that, although a few days later, he would find our trail, and avail himself of the same assistance as we had, in getting through the difficulties of the way.

Our encamping ground, this night, was to be not far distant from the Four Lakes. We were greatly fatigued by the heat and exercise of the day, and most anxiously did we look ont for the clumps of willows and alders which were to mark the spot where water would be found. We felt hardly equal to pushing on quite to the bank of the nearest lake. Indeed, it would have taken us too much off our direct course.

When we. at a late hour, came upon a spot fit for our purpose, we exchanged mutual con- gratulations that this was to be our last night upon the road. The next day we should be at Winnebago.

Our journey had been most delightful, a continual scene of exhilaration and enjoyment ; for the various mishaps, although, for the moment, they had perplexed, yet, in the end, had but

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added to our amusement. Still, with the inconstancy of human nature, we were pleased to exchange its excitement for the quiet repose of home.

Our next morning's ride was of a more tranquil character than any that had preceded it ; for, at an early hour, we entered upon what was known as the "Twenty Mile Prairie," and I may be permitted to observe that the miles are wonderfully long on the prairies. Our passage over this was, except the absence of the sand, like crossing the desert. Mile after mile of unbroken expanse-not a tree, not a living object except ourselves.

The sun, as if to make himself amends for his two months' seclusion, shone forth with redoubled brilliancy. There is no such thing as carrying an umbrella on horseback, though those in the wagon were able to avail themselves of such a shelter.

Our mother's energies had sustained her in the saddle until this day, but she was now fairly obliged to give in, and yield her place on little Brunet to Sister Margaret.

Thus we went on, one little knoll rising beyond another, from the summit of each of which, in succession, we hoped to descry the distant woods, which were to us as the promised land.

" Take courage !" were the cheering words, often repeated ; "Very soon you will begin to see the timber."

Another hour would pass heavily by.

"Now, when we reach the rising ground just ahead, look sharp !"

We would look sharp-nothing but the same unvarying landscape.

There were not even streams to allay the feverish thirst occasioned by fatigue and impatience.

At length a whoop from Shaw-nee-aw-kee broke the silence in which we were pursuing our way.

"Le voila!" (There it is !)

Our less-practiced eye could not, at first, discern the faint blue strip, edging the horizon, but it grew and grew upon our vision, and fatigue and all discomfort proportionately . dis- appeared.

We were in fine spirits by the time we reached Hasting's Woods, a noble forest, watered by a clear, sparkling stream. Grateful as was the refreshment of the green foliage and the cool- ing waters, we did not allow ourselves to forget that the day was wearing on, and that we must, if possible, complete our journey before sunset ; so we soon braced up our minds to continue our route, although we would gladly have lingered another hour.

The marsh of Duck Creek was, thanks to the heat of the past week, in a very different state from what it had been a few months previous, when I had been so unfortunately sub- merged in its icy waters. We passed it without difficulty, and soon found ourselves upon the banks of the creek.

The stream, at this point, was supposed to be always fordable ; and, even were it not so, that, to the majority of our party, would have been a matter of little moment ; to the ladies, how- ever, the subject seemed to demand consideration.

" This water looks very deep. Are you sure we can cross it on horseback ?"

" Oh, yes ! Petaille, go before, and let us see how the water is."

Petaille obeyed. He was mounted on a horse like a giraffe, and, extending his feet hori- zontally, he certainly managed to pass through the stream without much of a wetting.

It seemed certain that the water would come into the wagon, but that was of the less conse- quence, as, in case of the worst, the passengers could mount upon the seats.

My horse Jerry was above the medium height, so that I soon passed over with no inconve- nience but that of being obliged to disengage my feet from the stirrups, and tuck them up snugly against the mane of the horse.

Sister Margaret was still upon Brunet. She was advised to change him for one of the taller horses, but, while the matter was under debate, it was settled by the perverse little wretch taking to the water most unceremoniously, in obedience to the example of the other animals. He was soon beyond his depth, and we were at once alarmed and diverted at seeing his rider,

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with surprising adroitness, draw her feet from the stirrups and perch herself upon the top of the saddle, where she held her position, and navigated her little refractory steed safely to land.

This was the last of our adventures. A pleasant ride of four miles brought us to the fort, just as the sun was throwing his last beams over the glowing landscape, and, on reaching the ferry, we were at once conducted, by the friends who were awaiting us, to the hospitable roof of Maj. Twiggs.

VI .- BY HIENRY MERRELL .*

Born and brought up to the age of fifteen in Utica, N. Y., I moved with my father's family to Sacket's Harbor, in that State, in 1819, where I lived, with the exception of two years, until the spring of 1834, when it was proposed to me to remove to Fort Winnebago, and carry on the sutler's business, and by the advice of Col. Cummings, Capt. Clitz and Bradley. + I decided upon going. Capt. Bradley had been through from Prairie du Chien, by way of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, to Green Bay, at an early date, stopping and making the portage at Fort Winnebago. Col. Cummings was also in Wisconsin at an early period, visiting Mil- waukee, when Solomon Juneau was the only trader and resident there, and from them I obtained valuable information, they being delighted with the country.

In April of 1834, I made arrangements, going to New York, purchasing goods and ship- ping them to Fort Winnebago, Wis., by way of Buffalo. I then returned to Sacket's Harbor, bidding my friends good-bye, who thought I was going to " the jumping-off place," as come expressed it ; and in company with J. L. Huntington, who was going out with me as clerk. started for Buffalo, meeting my goods there; but I found I could not ship them farther than Detroit by steam, so I shipped them on board the Pennsylvania, and started out on a beautiful day. the lake calm and smooth ; but before we got to Erie, Penn., the wind rose and blew fresh. We stopped a short time and started for Cleveland, the wind increasing, which made many siek

ones, but we stood it without any trouble. The next morning when I went on deck, I found the land on the wrong side of us, and at first concluded the wind had blown us on the Canada shore; but on inquiry was told we were running back to Erie, having broken a shaft. When we arrived there, I concluded to take the stage for Cleveland, as I had got to stop there to pur- chase supplies of provisions, etc. The captain told me he would be there before me, but I hardly thought so ; but when I got to Cleveland I found the steamer had passed. I found many old acquaintances here, and was much pleased with the town site. Getting through my business, I took boat for Detroit, arriving there the 7th of June. I found this a pleasant place. and thought it would become an important point eventually. Here I-also found many old acquaintances, Gen. Brady, Lieut. Backus and others. This place is an old settlement ; I am told it was settled before Philadelphia, and is so well known I need not attempt a description of it. In improving it, many old relics were found. In digging for the foundation of the Presbyterian Church, many bodies were disinterred, no one knowing when they were buried ; all of them had been tomahawked. The landlord called my attention to a tombstone, standing beside the house, which he said was dug up in the alley by his house, with the following inscrip- tion : " Here lyes the body of John Lewis Page, Ensign in the 31st regiment of foot, who died the 8th of May, 1770; " the stone was about two feet long, and evidently executed by some inex- perienced hand.

As there was no certainty of a steamer going to the upper lakes, I shipped my goods on board a small schooner, the Commodore Lawrence, Capt. Nelson, master, and started on the 11th of June for Green Bay, where we arrived on the 18th at evening, or rather at the mouth of

* The foot-notes to this reminiscence of Mr. Merrell, marked " L. C. D.," are from the pen of Dr. Lyman C. Draper, Corresponding Secretary of the State IIistoricnl Society .- Ed.

+ Of these three army officers, early visitors of Wisconsin, Col. Alexander Cummings was a native of Pennsylvania, entering the army in 1808, serving as captain during the war of 1812, a major in 1819, a lieutenant colonel in 1828, and full colonel in 1839. He died in New York City, January 31, 1842.

John Clitz, a native of New York, entered the service in March, 1814, distinguishing himself at the sortie of Fort Erie, in September of that year; rose to the rank of captain, dying November 6, 1836, while in command of Mackinaw.

John Bradley was first a sergeant-major, second lieutenant in 1820, assistant quartermaster from 1826 to 1830, captain in 1834, resigned and retired from the service in 1839. L. C. D.

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the river, and came to anchor as the wind died away. Soon after, a row-boat approached with Capt. Cruger and Dr. Worrel in it, from Fort Howard. They were in hopes we had a mail on board, but we, not knowing their necessities in this far-off world, had not thought of it. They kindly offered me a ride up town, which I gladly accepted. When they had landed me at Navarino, now Green Bay, they told me to go up the street until I came to a store with a cupola on top, and adjoining, Judge Arndt lived, who accommodated strangers, as there was no public house in the place. I called and got into very good quarters. Here I met Judge David Irvin, a judge of the territory, one of the executive lights, sent from the East to decide upon the law and evidence among the benighted inhabitants of this far-off and wild country. He was boarding with Judge Arndt. I was told that, three years before, there was but one house in the place. Now there are eight or ten stores, two large public houses not yet opened, and many com - fortable dwellings. Previously, all the business was done at Shanty Town, two or three miles up the river, and it was not thought possible to build a town on the present site of Green Bay, and when Daniel Whitney laid out a town there he was laughed at and called crazy, for it is a level plain, and was then covered with bushes. The soil was a blackish sand.

Here I got acquainted with many estimable persons-Judge Doty, afterward Governor ; M. L. Martin, Daniel Whitney, David Jones, Ebenezer Childs, Col. C. Tullar, A. G. Ellis, and a host of others ; and at Fort Howard, situated across the river, Gen. Brooks, Maj. Forsyth, Capt. Denning, Lieuts. Sibley, Chapman, Marcy and others. I was much pleased with Green Bay, and have always valued the acquaintances I then made. At Shanty Town, I met Rev. Mr. Cadle, who had charge of the Episcopal Mission, delightfully situated on a hill back from the river in a beautiful grove ; Alexander Irwin and his lady, and Samuel, his bother, who were engaged in merchandise here ; and William Dickinson and others.

Having letters of introduction to Daniel Whitney, I became well acquainted with him, and have considered him one of the most enterprising men of the West. At this time he was doing an extensive business in merchandise, reaching on to the Wisconsin River, where he had built the first saw-mill upon the river at Point Basse, some seventy miles above the portage; two large storehouses at the portage, one on the Wisconsin, and one on the Fox, a shot tower at Helena ; and extending his business to the Mississippi, at Galena and St. Louis. When, three years before, he persisted in building and laying off a town at Green Bay, although he was laughed at and called crazy, he was ahead of the times, and it proved a good investment. although Navarino did not prove one, for Green Bay is now a large and flourishing city. I after- ward met him often, and roamed over the country with him on horseback, as all our traveling was accomplished in that way in those days, sometimes without roads, and sometimes on Indian trails, fording streams, marshes, etc., etc., sometimes in the rain, and sometimes through snow. taking the ground for our beds, with our saddles for pillows, carrying provisions and blankets with us. I always found him a cheerful companion, and an estimable man.

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 61

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