USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 47
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Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 1787, establishing a government over the territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 1783 from Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the United States of the southern portion, the northern part being held by the British Government until 1796. Arthur St. Clair, in February, 1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government for the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established, in what is now the State of Illi- nois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north "to the mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of the present Wisconsin. although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized county up to that date.
The next and much nearer approach to Jefferson County was by the organization of Wayne County in 1796, which was made to include, beside much other territory, all of the present State watered by streams flowing into Lake Michigan. Still, no part of Rock River Valley had as yet come into any county organization. However, from 1800 to 1809, what are now the limits of Jefferson County were within the Territory of Indiana, and, in the last-mentioned year, passed into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indiana Territory exercised jurisdiction over what is now Wisconsin to the extent of appointing two Justices of the Peace-one for Green Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year 1809, the Illinois Territorial Government com- missioned three Justices of the Peace and two militia officers at Prairie du Chien, St. Clair
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County having previously been extended so as to include that point, and probably Green Bay. In the course of time, other Illinois counties had jurisdiction, until in 1818, what is now Wis- consin became a portion of the Territory of Michigan. Under the government of the latter, the district of country now forming Jefferson County was first included within the limits of the county of Brown, afterward Milwaukee, and so continued until it became itself a county, consti- tuted by name and boundary.
JEFFERSON COUNTY AS REPRESENTED ON EARLY MAPS.
It was not until that portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lake Michigan, and north of the State of Illinois, had become noted because of its lead mines, that the valley of Rock River above the northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, began to appear upon published maps with any degree of distinctness.
On Farmer's " Map of the Territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin," published in 1830, Lake Koshkonong is noted as " the lake we live on,"-said to be the meaning of Kuskanong, Koskonong, or, as now spelled. Koshkonong. On this map, a Winnebago village is noted on an eastern branch of Rock River-evidently the Burnt Village, or White Crow's Village, pre- viously mentioned in this history. It is indicated in this map as being on the north side of what is now Bark River, whereas its site was on the south side of that stream.
The first " Map of Wiskonsin Territory, Compiled from Public Surveys," gives Jefferson County as one of the eighteen of its surveyed counties, noting therein Fort Atkinson and Jef- ferson. But the latter place is located wholly on the east side of Rock River, about a mile above the mouth of Crawfish River. The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal is distinctly marked, striking Rock River on the north side of Jefferson : and, immediately across it, on the road leading to Watertown, is "Ossin." Watertown finds a place more than a mile below the county line, while the " Ancient ruins of Aztalan " are correctly noted.
On a " Map of the Territory of Wisconsin," by David II. Burr, draughtsman to the House of Representatives of the United States, drawn in 1836, to accompany the Hon. Z. Carey's Report, a proposed Railroad is laid down on a straight line from Milwaukee to the " City of the Four Lakes," on the northwest side of the Fourth Lake (Mendota), in Dane County. This road is marked to run across Jefferson County just above the mouth of the Crawfish River, but that stream is without a name.
THE MOUND-BUILDERS.
Ancient works exist in the valley of Rock River, not only below the State line, but also above it. Indeed, those south, in Illinois, are of much less importance than such as are known to exist to the northward. So far as the valley of this stream is concerned, throughout its whole extent, in Wisconsin, are to be found interesting relics of pre-historic man,-some of the mounds being seen at the very sources of a number of its branches. In the lead region, for some cause, there seem to be few evidences of their existence. In one locality, however, on the Pecatonica, a branch of the Rock River, ancient works are noticed. It is probable that the necessities of these builders did not include lead, and there are no indications of ancient mining of that metal in the lead region, as in the copper mines of Lake Superior. The copper ore associated with lead was beyond the reach of their metallurgic arts. The works on the Pecatonica consist of several oblong, or circular mounds; there is also one tapering mound. The last mentioned is destitute of appendages, or other indications of its relation to any animal form. These mounds are situated on sloping ground, and extend from the top of a hill half way to the Pecatonica. The soil at this point is sandy, being in the district of the sandstone, which crops out occasion- ally in the vicinity. There is nothing to distinguish these works from others more within the proper region, as it were, of the Mound-Builders. In one of the mounds, bones are said to have been obtained. Indian graves along the margin of the stream, when exposed, furnished a
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few glass beads and some trinkets. The point where these works exist is eleven miles west of Monroe, in Green County, Wis.
The valley of Sugar River, a considerable stream between the Pecatonica and Rock Rivers, appears also to have been to a great extent avoided by the Mound-Builders. A few unimportant works have been seen, however, on some of the tributaries of that river. In Beloit, on the college grounds, some ancient works were surveyed in 1852, by Prof. S. P. Lathrop. They consisted of circular and oblong mounds. On the east bank of the river, three-quarters of a mile above the city, he also surveyed, in the same year, some interesting vestiges of the pre- historic race. Some of the mounds here examined were of animal shape. There is a group of earthworks about two and a half miles east of Beloit, in Rock County, on a bluff overlooking Turtle Creek. These mounds represent animals of different kinds.
Proceeding up Rock River, the first works worthy of notice are near the junction of the outlet of the four lakes, at Fulton. At a place known as Indian Hill, about a mile above the mouth of the Yahara (Catfish), Dr. I. A. Lapham, in 1850, surveyed a series of oblong mounds on the steep slope of the hill, converging toward a point where there is a dug-way leading to the river. The hill has an elevation of seventy or eighty feet, and from its summit the valley of the river can be overlooked for several miles above and below. It may be that this was a most important post of observation, and that the peculiar arrangement of the mounds was intended to guard the access to the water from the top of the hill. The hill is quite steep, and the graded way has been increased in depth by running water, but it bears evidence of having originally been constructed by art.
At the intersection of Main and State streets, in the village of Fulton, Dr. Lapham found in 1850, an irregular oval carthwork, consisting of a flat ridge, and resembling the roadway of a modern turnpike. The breadth varied from thirty to forty fect, and the elevation from two to three feet in the middle. The diameters of the oval were 500 and 300 fect. Such a structure might have had its usage in some of the public games or ceremonies of uncivilized life; but it would be idle, of course, to undertake to ascertain its particular purpose.
Besides the works already mentioned, in this vicinity, Dr. Lapham found numerous tumuli, of the ordinary circular form, supposed to be sepulchral. They were occasionally arranged in rows, more or less regular, along the margin of a brook or valley. Usually, two or three mounds near the middle of the row were found larger than the others. Three of these mounds were found on the east side of the Yahara, half a mile below Fulton, and a group a mile above the village. Two miles above, on Section 11. was found a group of eight, situated on the edge of a prairie, so as to be seen in profile. About a mile below Fulton. there was found a group of fourteen, and another. on the side of Rock River. All these were circular mounds, not accompanied by others of imitative forins. Some had been opened, and were said in most cases to have contained remains of human skeletons, frequently of several persons in the same mounds. In 1834, the Government Surveyors noted eight mounds on the west shore of Lake Koshko- nong, immediately above where Rock River leaves the lake. Recently, one of these mounds, sixty feet in diameter and eighty feet above the water, was opened by W. C. Whitford and W. P. Clarke, and found to contain some Indian skeletons and relics; also, what are believed to be the skulls of three Mound-Builders.
We now reach Jefferson County in our ascent of Rock River, and are in Township 5 north, of Range 13 east, and, being upon Thiebault's Point on the east side of Lake Koshkonong, are also, of course, in the town of Koshkonong. On this point are traces of mounds : but, a little further up the lake, on Sections 25 and 24, are a series of work sextending about two miles along the highlands which border upon that portion of it. Some represent turtles ; they all have their heads turned toward the lake ; their tails are of diminished lengths. One mound, as seen in 1850, bore some resemblance to a tadpole. In the vicinity of Fort Atkinson are several groups of mounds. A half-mile below the place, on the right bank of Rock River, are some very large burial tumuli; the largest is ten feet high and sixty feet in diameter. Going another half-mile down the river, on the same (north) side, brings us to a remarkable succession of works
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of various forms. A mile west of Jefferson, there are the first lizard mounds to be seen on Rock River. A bird and a snake have here their representatives. In and around Jefferson, there are many other traces of mounds. On the north bank of Ripley Lake, in the town of Oakland, is a group of works of the Mound-Builders exhibiting some peculiar features.
Ascending the Crawfish River from Jefferson, we reach the "ancient city of Aztalan "- one of the wonders of the Western world. The importance of the works here seen arises from the fact that they give evidence of greater labor than those at any other locality in the State, and that they resemble the works of Mound-Builders in other parts of the United States. With- out this resemblance we might be led to suppose that the ancient people who lived in Wiscon- sin were a distinct race from those who lived in Ohio, so different is the general character of their monuments. The ancient remains are located on Sections 16, 17 and 20, in Township 7 north, of Range 14 east, in the town of Aztalan, and immediately south and southeast of the village of the same name; indeed, some of the mounds are included within the surveyed limits of the last-mentioned place. Nearly all the works are upon the west side of the Crawfish River. These works were first discovered in October, 1836, and surveyed for the first time by N. F. Hyer, in January, 1837. He soon afterward published a brief description of them, accompanied by a woodcut, in the Milwaukee Advertiser. The name Aztalan was given to these works by Mr. Hyer, because, according to a tradition of the Aztecs (the ancient inhabitants of Mexico) their ancestors came from a country at the north, which they called Aztalan, and the possibility that these might be the remains of their occupancy, suggested the idea of the name. In 1843, the "ancient city " was again described, this time by Samuel Taylor, in Silliman's Journal. This description was condensed by Squier and Davis in the first volume of the Smithsonian Con- tributions, published in 1848. In 1855, in a work entitled "The Antiquities of Wisconsin," by I. A. Lapham, published under the anspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and on behalf of the American Antiquarian Society, a description, very elaborate and complete, is given of these works.
The main feature of these remains of an extinct race is the inclosure or ridge of earth, extending around three sides of an irregular parallelogram, the Crawfish River forming the fourth side on the east. The space thus inclosed is seventeen acres and two-thirds. The ridge forming the inclosure is 631 feet long at the north end, 1,419 feet long on the west side, and 700 feet on the south side, making a total length of wall of 2,750 feet. The ridge or wall is about twenty-two feet wide, and from one foot to five feet in height. The wall of earth is enlarged on the outside, at nearly regular distances, by mounds of the same material. Nearly the whole interior of the inclosure appears to have been either excavated or thrown up into mounds and ridges. Outside the inclosure, north and south, are a number of mounds, others are seen across the river east. These are of various sizes and forms, most of them circular. But the ruins of the " ancient city " are now so changed by cultivation as to present but slight indi- cations of their appearance when first discovered.
In the valley of Rock River, within the county of Jefferson, few traces of the Mound- Builders are found above Aztalan until the town of [xonia is reached. Here there are, on Sec- tion 19, seven or eight mounds along the right bank of the river, on an elevated position, com- manding a fine view of the stream above and below. There are other traces of the extinct race in the vicinity. It may be said with truth that nowhere else in Wisconsin do there exist such important remains of the Mound-Builders as in what is now Jefferson County.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY.
As early as the year 1632, the civilized world had knowledge, through vague reports of savages, of a tribe of Indians to the westward and southwestward of Lake Huron, who lived in a country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes." This nation, it is believed, was the one afterward known as the Illinois. They occupied what is now Northern Illinois, extending their occupation, probably, so far to the northward as to include Southern Wisconsin, and the terri- tory now included in Jefferson County. Afterward, they were driven beyond the Mississippi, but subsequently returned to the region of the river which bears their name.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Meanwhile, there commenced an emigration of tribes from Fox River of Green Bay, to the southward. The Mascoutins and their kindred, the Kickapoos and Miamis, moved to the vicinity of the south end of Lake Michigan. It is probable that one or more of these tribes had their homes for a time in the Rock River Valley, after the migration of the Illinois across the Mississippi. Following them in. at least, a nominal occupation of Southern Wisconsin, were the Foxes ; but these Indians and their kindred, the Sacs, instead of migrating toward the south, moved westward and southwestward from the river which commemorates the first-men- tioned tribe.
Though there is abundant evidence that the territory now known as Jefferson County was occupied by the Winnebagoes for a considerable time previous to the advent of the whites, it is impossible to fix the exact spots within the present bounds of the county where they located all their villages and the date of their first occupancy. The character of the country, so a lmirably suited to all the requirements of a primitive and nomadic people-well watered throughout its whole extent, and containing a combination of woodland, prairie, openings and natural meadows. upon which grazed herds of game, or which were readily converted into fertile cornfields-affords presumptive evidenec that it must have been a favorite abode of a portion of that tribe known as the Rock River Winnebagoes. It is certain, also, that bands of Pottawato- mies were resident at different points in what is now Jefferson County.
The prevailing opinion that the Winnebagoes had occupied the valley of the Rock for a great number of years previous to the advent of the whites is an erroneous one. And even as late as 1832, the Rock River band had but one village upon territory now included in Jefferson County. It was called the Burnt Village-known, also, as the White Crow's town-was on the south side of what was then called the Whitewater River (now Bark River), at its most southerly point, on the north half of Section 12, in Township 5 north. of Range 14 east-town of Koshkonong-about two and one-half miles southeast of the present Fort Atkinson. This is the village generally, but incorrectly, stated to have been located upon the north side of Lake Koshkonong, some eight miles distant. When, on the 6th day of July, 1832, Gen. Atkinson, in pursuit of Black Hawk, reached the place, it was found deserted.
There were many tribes of Indians who claimed to be sole owners of all the land embraced in the present State of Wisconsin, when it finally came under the jurisdiction of the United States. This question of aboriginal ownership of the soil was then found to be inextricably complicated by conflicting claims of different tribes to the same land. As will be found fully explained in the general history of the State, the Menomonces, Chippewas, Ottawas. Winneba- goes, Sacs and Foxes and Pottawatomies were all located within the present boundaries of Wisconsin, and the claims of several different tribes were frequently found to embrace the samo territory. Thus, for example, the Winnebagoes, the Sacs and Foxes, and the Pottawatomies each claimed an ownership in the Rock River country ; and the particular subdivision of it now known as Jefferson County was claimed by both the Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies.
The first treaty affecting the lands of the Rock River Valley made with the Indians was that between " William Clark, Ninian Edwards and August Choteau, Commissioners Plenipo- tentiary of the United States of America, on the part and behalf of the said States, of the one part, and the chiefs and warriors of that portion of the Winnebago tribe or nation residing on the Wisconsin River, of the other part," which treaty was proclaimed January 30, 1816. Article II of this treaty stipulated that " the undersigned chiefs and warriors, for them- sclyes and those they represent, do, by these presents, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their nation to the British, French or Spanish Govern- ments, within the limits of the United States or Territories, and, also, all and every treaty, contract and agreement heretofore concluded between the United States and the said tribe or nation, as far as their interest in the same extends."
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,
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
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 ncar 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 o 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, o 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 Jefferson County is it now exists. The other moiety of this county was acknowledged to be the property of the United Nation of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians ; and, to extinguish their title, treaty was entered into with them at Chicago September 26, 1833, whereby, for good and val- able considerations, this confederated nation of Indians ceded "to the United States all their and 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 north 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 he 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 con- luded at Washington City-proclaimed June 16, 1838-with the Winnebagoes, whereby, in rief but comprehensive terms, " the Winnebago Nation of Indians cede to the United States all heir 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 Jefferson County ; but, so fond of their former homes were the Rock River Winnebagoes, that even after they had been removed to the reservation provided or them, they continually revisited them, in small parties, to the great annoyance of the citi- ens ; and the Government was finally compelled, in 1841, to send a military detachment to ccure obedience to the order confining them to territory set off to them beyond the Mississippi. But. though forced to leave, they would frequently return in small parties ; and, when these traggling bands would pass their old-time burial places, they would manifest the deepest everence.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
The summer of 1832 was a somewhat notable one in the history of the territory afterward included in Jefferson 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, Rock County. 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 Saes, but 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 HIall. The particulars of their captivity are given in the words of one of the captives :
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