USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 48
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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 were 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 families 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 driven 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 due 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.
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
322
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
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, suddenly, singing was heard. 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, says an eye-witness, 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. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called. Kar-ray- mau-nee 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 inight 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 semi-circle ; 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 kinnikinnic 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 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.
323
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
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," eyeing 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-meager, 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 admitted 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 Winnebagoes 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 remained complacently 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.
324
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS AND LAND DISTRICTS.
As soon as a considerable tract of country south of the Wisconsin was secured from the Indians by treaties, the General Government commenced the survey of it.
The following is a tabulated statement of the surveys made in Sauk County, with the date of survey and name of surveyor :
TOWNSHIPS.
Lines Run.
Surveyor's Names.
Date of Survey.
TOWNSHIP 8, RANGE 3 East ..
Subdivisions ......
Alvin Burt ..
2d quarter, 1842.
§ Township Lines.
William A. Burt.
1st quarter, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 8, RANGE 4 East.
Subdivisions ......
Alvin Burt.
2d quarter, 1842.
TOWNSHIP 8, RANGE 5 East.
Township Lines. Subdivisions. ...
Alvin Burt
2d quarter, 1842.
Township Lines.
William A. Burt.
1st quarter, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 9, RANGE 3 East.
Subdivisions ..
Robert D. Lester
2d quarter, 1843. 1st quarter, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 9, RANGE 4 East.
§ Township Lines. Subdivisions ......
Robert D. Lester. 2d quarter, 1843.
William A. Burt.
TOWNSHIP 9, RANGE 5 East
§ Township Lines. Subdivisions ......
Alvin Burt
1st quarter, 1840. 1st quarter, 184C. 1st quarter, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 9, RANGE 6 East
f Township Lines. Subdivisions. ...
Alvin Burt
2d quarter, 1842. 1st quarter, 1840. 3d quarter, 1843.
TOWNSHIP 10, RANGE 4 East
Township Lines. Subdivisions ..... Township Lines. Subdivisions. ... Township Lines. Subdivisions ...
William A. Burt ..
Charles E. Freeman.
William A. Burt ..
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
TOWNSHIP 10, RANGE 7 East
Alvin Burt ..
William A. Burt
1st quarter, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 3 East
James M. Marsh.
William A. Burt.
November, 1844. 1st quarter, 1840. December, 1844. March, 1840.
TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 5 East ...
Township Lines. Subdivisions. ..
James E. Freeman
..
TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 6 East
( Township Lines. Subdivisions ..
James E. Freeman
November, 1844.
TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 7 East.
Alvin Burt ..
J. E. Whitcher
Garret Vliet.
August, 1845. April, 1845.
Theodore Conkey.
August, 1845.
J. E. Whitcher.
April, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 12, RANGE 5 East
Theodore Conkey
July, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 12, RANGE 6 East ..
John Brink
September. 1845.
TOWNSHIP 12, RANGE 7 East
John Brink
september, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 2 East.
Garret Vliet.
April, 1845. Julv , 1845.
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 3 East.
Garret Vliet
June and July, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 4 East.
Garret Vliet ..
J. E. Whitcher.
April, 1845. June, 1845. April, 1845. August, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 5 East.
Theodore Conkey
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 6 East ....
S Township Lines. Subdivisions.
John Brink
TOWNSHIP 13, RANGE 7 East.
S Township Lines Subdivisions ......
J. E. Whitcher.
John Brink
April, 1845. September, 1845. April, 1845. September, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 10, RANGE 3 East .....
Robert D. Lester.
William A. Burt.
James M. Marsh.
1st quarter, 1840. November, 1840. 1st quarter, 1840. Dec., 1844, and Jan., 1845. 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842, 1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842.
TOWNSHIP 10, RANGE 6 East .....
¡ Township Lines. Subdivisions ...... Township Lines. Subdivisions ...... / Township Lines. Subdivisions ...... Township Lines. Subdivisions.
James E. Freeman
William A. Burt.
4th quarter, 1844. March, 1840.
William A. Burt.
1st quarter, 1840. 2d quarter, 1842. April, 1845.
TOWNSHIP 12, RANGE 3 East.
TOWNSHIP 12, RANGE 4 East .....
Township Lines. Subdivisions ...... Township Lines. Subdivisions. Township Lines. Subdivisions. ..... Township Lines. Subdivisions .. Township Lines. Subdivisions .. S Township Lines. Subdivisions. .. f Township Lines. Subdivisions .. Township Lines. Subdivisions .... . S Township Lines. Subdivisions. .. § Township Lines. Subdivisions. ..
J. E. Whitcher.
April, 1845.
J. E. Whitcher
April, 1845.
J. E. Whitcher
J. E. Whitcher
April, 1845.
..
J. E. Whitcher.
J. E. Whitcher.
1st quarter, 1840.
Township Lines.
William A. Burt
William A. Burt.
1st quarter, 1840.
William A. Burt
William A. Burt.
William A. Burt ..
TOWNSHIP 10, RANGE 5 East
TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 4 East
William A. Burt ..
J. E. Whitcher.
( DECEASED)
BARABOO.
327
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, fixed April 11, 1818, on the parallel of 42° 30' north latitude, became, properly enough, the base line of these surveys. A principal north-and-south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was run, extending from the base line to Lake Superior, at right angles with the last-mentioned line. The Fourth Meridian is west of the territory of Sauk County, running on the east boundary of what is now the county of Grant, and on the west boundary of La Fayette and Iowa Counties, and thence onward due north, a distance west of the most westerly point of Sauk County of six miles, striking Lake Superior a short dis- tance west of the mouth of the Montreal River.
Parallel lines to the Fourth Meridian were run every six miles on the east and west sides of it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the first six miles of territory east of the Fourth Meridian; Range 2 east is the second six miles, and so on to Lake Michigan-Sauk County lying in Ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east.
Parallel lines north of the base line (the north boundary line of the State of Illinois) were run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles, cut the whole into blocks six miles square, called townships. These are numbered by tiers going north from the base line, the first tier being known as Township 1 north, the second tier as Township 2 north, and so on. As the most southern boundary of Sauk County is distant from the base line seven town- ships, of course the first or most southern tier of townships in the county is numbered 8 north ; and as there are six tiers, they are numbered consecutively Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 north. But the county does not include the whole of Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 north, of Ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east, as a considerable portion is included in the Counties of Colum- bia, Dane, Iowa and Richland.
By the end of 1833, a large amount of public land in Wisconsin, south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, had been surveyed ; and, the fact being reported by the Surveyor General, two land districts were erected by an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1834. These districts embraced all the land north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. The area was then divided by a north-and-south line, drawn from the base line to the Wisconsin River, between Ranges 8 and 9. All east of that line was called the Green Bay Land District ; all west, the Wisconsin Land District. A land office of the eastern district was established at Green Bay ; of the western district, at Mineral Point.
The public sales of the surveyed lands in the two districts were held in 1835, at Green Bay and Mineral Point.
It was provided in the act of Congress creating the Green Bay and Wisconsin Land Districts, that they should embrace the country north of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, where the Indian title to the same had become extinguished. On the 1st day of November, 1837, the Winnebago Indians ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the Mississippi River. By this treaty, the United States came in possession of lands north of the Wisconsin, of which that portion now constituting Sauk County was a part; so this territory (with much other) was ordered surveyed, which survey, as before stated, was finished in 1845. The two land districts-the Green Bay and Wisconsin-were then extended north, Sauk County falling in the Wisconsin District, the land office being at Mineral Point.
An old settler who witnessed the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District, says : "Each Register and Receiver of a land office had a salary of $500 per annum, together with 2 per cent upon all sales, until the whole amounted to $3,000 a year. During 1835-36, most of the land between Rock River and the Mississippi and Wisconsin were offered for sale. Eight hun- dred and sixty-three thousand acres and more were sold, a large portion of which fell into the hands of speculators, which greatly retarded the settlement of the country. £ Most of those lands remained unoccupied for many years. The Milwaukee Land District embraced the south- east portion of the territory as far north as Manitowoc. The Green Bay District was north of it, and Mineral Point west. The first officers of the Milwaukee District were Col. Morton,
B
328
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Register, and Rufus Parks, Receiver. The first sale was advertised to take place November 18, 1838, and found the settlers generally unprepared to purchase their claims. They therefore petitioned to President Van Buren for a postponement of the sale for one year. It was granted for three months only, and commenced February 19, 1839. The settlers were afraid of having their lands bid upon by speculators at the sale, and formed combinations to protect each other in obtaining their lands at $1.25 per acre. To effect their purpose, one man in each township was previously chosen to bid off each man's land and give his name to the clerk of the register. Thus all confusion was prevented, and each man obtained his claim. The sale in the Mil- waukee District was conducted in this manner. It commenced on the south line of the Terri- tory, near Lake Michigan, and proceeded to the north line of the district, when they offered the next range west, and so continued until the whole was passed over, making about 132 townships in all, and nearly 27,000,000 of acres. In offering a township for sale, the register began at Section 1, and went through each section in regular order until he reached Section 36, except Section 16, which was reserved for school purposes. Each section was offered for sale in 80-acre lots, beginning at the northeast corner and going through in regular order, making 228 offers in each township. Each purchaser had his name taken down by a clerk of the register, with the description of his land, the number of acres purchased, together with the price paid. At the close of each day's sale a copy of these sales was given to the Receiver, who took the money of each purchaser and gave him a receipt therefor, which was called a duplicate. The duplicate was by act of Legislature made evidence of title upon which deeds could be made, until the issue of the patent from the General Land Office. The patent was a deed from the United States to the purchaser, made upon parchment and signed by the President of the United States and the Commissioner of the General Land Office. At the close of each public sale, the office was closed for three months, to give time for the land officers to make their report to the General Land Office, and prepare plats of each township, showing that lands had been sold. When the land office was opened for private entry then land could be purchased in lots of 40 acres, which could not be done at public sale. At the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District a very small amount was bought for speculaton, the experience of 1835-36 not having been forgotton, when immense sums were lost in the purchase of wild lands during the terrible speculative mania of that period ; so that nearly all the lands not taken by actual settlers were left open for private entry of actual settlers. It was the unfortunate policy of the United States Government in the earlier period of its history to discourage the settlement of its lands previous to their sale, and to sell, when they sold, in very large tracts. After a time this policy was changed, permit- ing persons living upon the public lands at a given time to buy 160 acres previous to the sale, at the minimum price of $1.25 an acre. They also changed the law in regard to the sale, so that they were offered in 80-acre lots at the public sale, and could be bought at private sale after- ward in lots of 40 acres.
The early land surveys in Wisconsin were made under the direction of Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, the father of Maj. Charles H. Williams, now of Baraboo. Mr. Williams was appointed Surveyor General of the Northwestern Territory by Andrew Jackson.
The number of acres contained in each of the townships in Sauk County is as follows : Township 8 north, Range 3 east, 10,851.53 acres ; Range 4, 6,485.46 ; Range 5, 2,601.36.
Township 9 north, Range 3 east, 23,059.87 acres ; Range 4, 23,059.32; Range 5, 22,850.29 ; Range 6, 13,106.91.
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