Becker County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 1 of those read), 1907 (part 6 of 16)

In the summer of 1836 their grandfather, Lyman Warren, Sr., of New York, visited La Pointe, and on his return took home the two boys with him to Clarkson, New York, where they attended school for two years. Afterwards, from 1838 to 1841, they attended the Oneida Institute at Whitesborough. near Utica, New York. where they acquired a good scholastic training.

Truman remained at Clarkson until 1843, ^vhen he returned to La Pointe, Madeline Island. He was of a fine personal appearance, gentlemanly, somewhat reserved in manner, studious and practical. Having acquired an excellent penmanship, he very readily found employment in the office of James P. Hays, U. S. Indian Agent, and from that period he was connected with the Indian service nearly all his life. He became identified with the Mississippi Chippewas in 1 85 1, at the time when an effort was made to remove the Lake Superior Chippewas to Crow Wing and Gull Lake. He made his home at the Chippewa Agency near Crow Wing and resided there for years, engaged in trade and also in the government service at times, always on good terms and in friendship with the head chief, Hole-in-the-day.

Mr. Warren took a lively interest and an active part in the removal of the Indians to the White Earth Reservation, and it can be truly said that it was greatly through his advice and wise counsel that they were at last prevailed upon to leave their old home and country where they had roamed and lived for generations back. He was one of the party who accompanied the chief, Hole-in-theday, on his trip to make a selection of the lands and to locate the \\'hite Earth Reservation. On his return from his trip he carried in his own conveyance a goodly specimen of the rich black soil as a proof of the richness of the "promised land" ; and the Indians who came to see were greatly pleased. They laughed heartily and said it was only "Makoukes" (or Little Bear, Mr. AVarren's Indian name) who would take the trouble of doing this.

After twenty years of constant employment in the Indian service, during which time he opened up a thriving farm, Mr. Warren left his home at White Earth, and commenced a new home on the Red Lake Reservation. Though never intended for a permanent residence, it was here that he met his death after a few days of severe illness. He died October 31st, 1888, aged sixty-one years, leaving a wife, two sons and two daughters. His remains were brought to White Earth for interment at St. Benedict Cemetery.

The following is copied from a letter written by J. B. Bassett, Feb. 25th, 1905, who was United States Indian agent at the time of the first removal :

Your favor of the 15th inst., received. I gladly answer your inquiries as well as I can, but the lapse of twenty-seven years has blotted much of that history from my memory. There are some of the persons with whom

I was associated that I shall never forget, and among them is your brother, Truman A. Warren. A truer and nobler man I have never met. It was through his influence and help that I persuaded the Indians to remove to their present reservation. Your brother T. A. Warren had charge of collecting the Indians that first went to White Earth.

He brought them together at the old agency, organized the outfit, had charge of it and accompanied them on their journey. As you truly say ihey had perfect confidence in him, and well they might, for he never deceived them. Your memory of the removal is quite correct. Your brother was my interpreter from the time that I assumed the agency until I left. I always found him a truthful and remarkably bright and intelligent gentleman although his life spent on the frontier, where he was surrounded by all the temptations that lead astray and have ruined so many. He always maintained his manhood and purity of character while associated with the Indians.

The Beaulieus were a remarkably bright family. Paul Beaulieu was an exceptional man, of a vivid imagination and good heart, and gifted with plenty of brain power. He was an orator and had mastered the English, French and Ojibway languages perfectly.

Three sisters of T. A. Warren survive him, all residents of White Earth. The oldest is Mrs. Julia A. Spears, born September 3d, 1832, at La Pointe, Madeline Island, Wis. She was educated at Clarkson, ]\Ionroe County, New York and was employed as government day teacher for several years in the early settlement of White Earth. Her family consists of two daughters and a son, Mrs. Alice J. Mee, ]\Irs Mary Lambert, who with their families reside at White Earth ; and William R. Spears who with his family lives at Red Lake, where he has been engaged in trade for several years. The next sister, Mrs. Mary English was born in 1835 at La Pointe, Wis., and educated at Hudson, Ohio. When eighteen years old she returned home and taught government school at Odahnah, Wis., for a number of 3'ears, and also at Red Clifif, Wis. She removed to White Earth in 1874, and was principal of the government boarding school there for two years. She was transferred to Red Lake as principal of the first government school at that place for five years. She was married to John English at Red Lake and taught school for ten years longer, when her health failed and she resigned, returning to White Earth. Mrs. Sophia W^arren, third sister, was born in 1837, at La Pointe, Madeline Island. She was married when quite young to Mr. James Warren, a white man of the same family name and one of the earliest settlers who came to White Earth as a government employe two years before his family joined him. He died in 1882 leaving a widow, seven sons and four daughters, most of whom are married and have famihes. Edward L \\ arren, one of the sons, resides at Cass Lake, Minnesota ; Henry Warren, another son, resides at Bena, Minn., being superintendent of the government boarding school there. The rest have homes in White Earth. Mr. Paul Beauheu was one of the first settlers, and was government farmer during the first two years of the settlement of White Earth Reservation. He ploughed and made the first garden in White Earth. During his life he was always a very prominent man. He died in 1897, leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters, all married and with families: ^Mrs. A. A. Ledeboer, Mrs. Elizabeth Mackintosh and Truman Beaulieu having their homes at White Earth, and Clement Beaulieu, the younger, wdio resides at Red Lake.

William Whipple Warren, the historian of the Chippewa Nation, was born on Madeline Island in Lake Superior the 27th of May, 1825. He was the father of the late Tyler Warren and Mrs. George L'ran, of White Earth. He was a member of the second Minnesota Territorial Legislature in 1857, and was then residing at Gull Lake. He died of consumption in May, 1853, at the age of twenty-eight years.

Cadottk Family

Jean Baptiste Cadotte, Sr., (the great grandfather of W. W. and Truman Warren and also of Mrs. Spears, Mrs. English and Mrs. James Warren,) came to Michilimackinac in Oct., 1756, with his wife, a Nipissing woman. This wife died in 1767. That same year he married Marie Monet by whom Marie Cadotte was born and baptism registered as of July 28th, 1768. J. B. Cadotte founded a trading post on the American side of Sault Ste. Marie in 1760 and was found there May 19th, 1762. by Alexander Henry, Sr., with whom he went in partnership. He went with him in 1775 to the Saskatchewan River and separated from him at the Cumberland House to go to Fort des Prairies in October.

J. B. Cadotte crossed the Rocky Mountains near the National Boundary, more than one hundred years ago, and the famous Cadotte's Pass, the oldest pass in those mountains south of the Boundary Line, was so named for him.

He is said to have prevented the Lake Superior Indians from joining Pontiac. He remained in trade and agriculture until 1796, v^^hen, on the J4th of Alay of that year, he gave his property to his two legitimate sons J. B. Cadotte, Jr., and Michel Cadotte at Sault Ste. Marie. The date of his death is somewhat conjectural, but was somewhere between 1803 and 1810, at a very advanced age.

Michel Cadotte, Sr., son of J. B. Cadotte, Sr., and grandfather of Truman Warren was on the south side of Lake Superior in May, 1798. His house was on the bay between Sand River and Bad River. His wife was an Indian woman, and one of his daughters married Leon St. Germain.

Michel Cadotte, Jr., is listed as a voyageur in the Northwest Fur Company on the Chippewa River in 1804, and took part in the capture of Michilimackinac in the War of 1812. He was a brother to Mrs. Lyman Warren and an uncle to Truman Warren.

Louis Cadotte. thought to be a brother of the last (?) was taken to London, by George Catlin as chief of a band of Indians he exhibited there. Louis Cadotte married an English girl and brought her to Sault Ste. Marie where she died. He was living there in Sept. 1853. See Wm. Kingston's "Western Wanderings."

Oct. 2d, 1805. We set off for Pembina River with Le Sueur, Huneau and wife. Fire on the plains in every direction; burned our horses' feet passing through smouldering turf. We slept at night in Beaulieu's tent on Sale River.

Beaulieft is a very old name in these annals. A half-breed family of that name was found on Slave River when the Northwest Fur Company first reached it in or about 1778, showing prior presence of the French so far as this. Francois Beaulieu, one of the family born in the region, was one of the six voyageurs who accompanied Sir Alexander McKenzie on his exploring expedition across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, in 1793, from the place where they had wintered on Peace River. He was baptized by Bishop Tache in 1848. He died in 1872 almost a centenarian. The Beaulieu of whom Henry speaks is Joseph Beaulieu, listed as a voyageur in the Northwest Fur Company on Red River in 1804.

Bazil Beaulieu from Montreal, was a voyageur of the Northwest Fur Company in 1804 and 1805, at Flambeau, Minn. He was the father of Clement H. and Paul Beaulieu of White Earth.

Paul H. Beaulieu

PAUL H. BEAULIEU. Paul H. Beaulieu was born at Mackinac in 1820. He was of Frencli and Indian descent and took an active part in the early development of the territory and state of Minnesota, especially in all matters relating to the Chippewa Indians, and in their several treaties with the government. He possessed the attributes of a splendid education, was a master of the English and French languages, a born diplomat, a brilliant orator, and a Chesterfield in manner and address, and was reputed to be the most fluent interpreter of the Chippewa dialect that the nation ever produced. He was largely instrumental in bringing about the measure which secured to the Chippewas their present home, the White Earth Reservation, and he, too, led the van when they removed hither, and turned the first furrow and planted the first crop, and took the initiatory steps in the paths of a new civilization. Mr. Beaulieu never sought the uncertain allurements of the political world, although grandly qualified to honor and administer the duties of its most intricate branches; he chose, rather, to humiliate himself to his humble surroundings and to the elevation of his kindred, the Chippewas of Minnesota. He belonged to that lofty school of individualism that is fast passing away, and who, "along the cool, sequestered vale of life, they keep the 'morseless tenor of their way" and whose noble deeds of self-sacrifice are buried with them. ]\lr. Beaulieu had been in failing health for some time, and the sudden and tragic death of his beloved son, John H. Beaulieu, a few weeks ago, undoubtedly hastened his demise which occurred on the gth of February, 1897. He leaves a wife and two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Jennie Ledeboer, Mrs. A. J. Mcintosh, and Truman and C. A. H. Beaulieu. He was a brother of the late lamented Col. C. H. Beaulieu. and at the time of his death he was employed as interpreter on the Chippewa Commission. In respect to his memory Maj. R. M. Allen, U. S. Indian agent, ordered the agency flags at half mast during Wednesday and Thursday, and that general business about the agency be suspended during the funeral services. He was laid to rest on Thursday, in St. Benedict's mission cemetery; Rev. Father Aloysius, O. S. B., officiated at the funeral services. - D^iro/i Record. Mus. West.

Clement H. Beaulieu

CLEMENT H. BEAULIEU. Col. Clement H. Beaulieu, Sr., or, as his friends delighted to call him, "Uncle Clem," was born at Lac du Flambeaux, in the then territory of Michigan, which included Wisconsin, Minnesota and a large portion of territory west of the Mississippi, on Sept. 10, 1811. A pioneer, a statesman and an individual of marked characteristics, being born in a period when the West and Northwest was, comparatively speaking, a howling wilderness and barbaric Eden of the untutored red man, his father, Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu, having emigrated from Canada in the year 1804. and who was actively engaged in the fur trade of the Northwest for many years, and in which business ^Ir. C. H. P.caulicu. Sr.. became early engaged in the Lake Superior region and other points east and west of the head- quarters of the Mississippi, especially in the vicinity of La Pointe, Wis., and at Crow Wing, Minn. At the latter place at one time he owned and conducted the most thriving trade and enjoyed the pleasantest home in Minnesota, under the warm hospitality of its roof and from the bounty of its board no friend or stranger ever turned away hungry, nor felt touched by the chill of discourtesy.

Mr. Beaulieu was of mixed French and Algic Indian blood, being descended on his father's side from the chivalrous de Beaulieus of France, and the most distinguished totem or clan of the Ojibwa nation, members of whose family have been chiefs and princesses from time immemorial, and the principles and persuasive influences of both races were happily continued in the life and nature of Mr. Beaulieu, and it was owing to the implicit faith that the Indians cherished in his word and wisdom that he was a power amongst them, and true it is, that many serious collisions have been averted between the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota and their white neighbors, owing to his timely councils, and today, these people not only can thank his aggressive forethought and wisdom for their heritage to homes on the White Earth Reservation, but the further significant t'act that no stain of the white man's blood rests on the hands of the Chippewas of Minnesota.

He was married to Miss Elizabeth Farling, a daughter of one of the early Scotch missionaries, in 1840, celebrating midst the surroundings of a large family of children and grandchildren their golden wedding, some three years ago.

Clement Hudon de Beaulieu, more familiarly known as Col. C. H. Beaulieu, of White Earth, this county, died on the morning of Monday, 2d of Jan., 1893, after a short illness of some eight days. Mr. Beaulieu, who was a very active man for one so advanced in years, met with a very serious accident a few days ago, having broken his leg, and which culminated in his death. His wife survives him, and also five sons, Capt. Chas. H.. Rev. C. H., Jr., Gus. H., Theo. B., Robt. G. and one daughter, Mrs. Theo. H. Beaulieu. - Detroit Record.

Clement A. Beaulieu came to White Earth in the fall of 1873, and took charge of George A. Morison's trading post, but two years afterwards moved to the new agency and established a store of his own where he was in trade for several years. He took his land on Fish Lake in Norman County, but always had a renter there working his farm, while he and his family resided at the agency in Becker County until the time of his death in 1893. Mr. Beaulieu was a prominent man here, and had great influence with the Indians and chiefs. He took an active part in the treaty made in 1889. He was a close friend of Hon. H. M. Rice.

Mr. Bazil H. Beaulieu, an old and respected pioneer of Wisconsin and Minnesota, has been commissioned by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a judge of the court of Indian offenses at this agency. Mr. Beaulieu was tendered his commission and officially notified of his appointment by Agent C. A. Rufifee on Monday. He is the proud possessor of a document sear and yellow with age, it being one of the three justice of peace commissions issued by the first territorial governor of Wisconsin, Mr. Beaulieu being one of the three persons appointed to execute the duties of that then honorable position, his field being Brown County, in 1836.

As the name. Bazil H. Beaulieu, was identical with that of the Bazil H. Beaulieu who came from Montreal in 1804, and believing that in 1836 he would be too young a man for the Bazil H. Beaulieu of 1804, I wrote to Theodore H. Beaulieu of White Earth for information, and received the following reply :

Replying to yours of the i6th inst., concerning the identity of Bazil H Beaulieu, who came from Montreal, Canada, and settled at Lac du Flambeau, Wis., the then territory of Michigan, in 1804, etc., you are respectfully informed that this person was my father's uncle and a granduncle of mine. There were two brothers, Paul and Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu Paul was my father's father and my grandfather; Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu was the father of the late Col. Clement H., Paul H., Henry H. Beaulieu and was also the father of Mrs. Catherine Beaulieu Fairbanks (Mrs Robert Fairbanks), Mrs. Margaret Beaulieu Bisson (Mrs. Martin Bisson), Mrs Oustave Borup, deceased, and Mrs. Julia Beaulieu Oakes; the latter being the only surviving child of the said Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu. She i. at present at this agency and is now 94 years of age, and still hale and hearty My fatlier, the late Bazil H. Beaulieu, the second, was the onlv son of Paul Hudon de Beaulieu, and is the person referred to' in the Record clipping. My grand uncle Bazil was stationed at Lac du Flambeau as an Indian trader, and my grandfather Paul was at Vermillion Lake and also Red Cedar (now Cass Lake), some time between 1830 or 1840 (I am not clear as to date.) My grandfather removed to Navareno (now Green Bay Wis.), and settled there. Later on he purchased large tracts of land, as also the old Stockbridge agency sawmill and grist-mill from the Government on the south side of the Fox River and where is now built the flourishing city of Kaukauna, Wis. Sometime about 1848 my father also removed to Green Bay, and on the death of my grandfather he fell heir to all of the property, he being the only child. Our family removed from

Kaukauna, Wis., about 26 years ago and settled at White Earth, Minn. Both my grandfather and grandmother are buried at the old French or mission cemetery at Green Bay, Wis. My mother and father sleep in St. Benedict's mission cemetery. White Earth, Minn.

Appreciating the interest you manifest in the history of the sturdy pioneers, who braved the wild and woolly days of yore, and helped to carve the crude paths of this grand commonwealth, I have the honor, dear sir, to remain,

Sept. 20th, 1802. I sent Michel Langlois with a clerk and five Indians to build at Red Lake. This is an overland post, and required horses to transport the property. W^e have enough for all purposes, and a new sort of cart which facilitates transportation. They are about four feet high and perfectly straight; the spokes are perpendicular, without the least bending outward, and only four to each wheel.

Oct. 15th, 1802. Duford followed Langlois to Red Lake River, high water over the plains prevented their reaching Red Lake and they built at White Earth.

In 185 1, the Rev. Dr. Breck, a great missionary, whose name must be known to every reader of the Soldier, began a mission at Leech Lake, among the Ojibwa Indians of Minnesota. This mission, from various circumstances, had only a partial success, and in the winter of 1855-56 troubles with the government agents roused the Indians to such madness that Dr. Breck was forced to leave, and the mission buildings were burned.

Two years later the Rev. Mr. Peake went to Crow Wing to establish another mission, and a young Indian deacon. John Johnson, his Indian name Enmegahbowh, came to assist him. This man had been a catechumen under Dr. Breck, and had been baptized by him. He must have been born to some position in his tribe, as he had been set apart for a "Medicine Man" in youth, and his Indian name, EiiiiicgahbozvJi, meant "The man who stands by his people," a significant name, which in time proved to be a true one.

frontier. Tn 1.S62. the year of the Sioux outljreak. Hole-in-the-day. a leading Ojibwa chief, a bad man, full of craft and cunning, collected five hundred warriors, and prepared for a general massacre of the white people. Enmegahbowh, having prevented, by his influence, some other bands from joining these, was made a prisoner, but succeeded in escaping, and, through the midst of great perils, made his way to Fort Ripley, and by his timely information, such measures were taken that bloodshed and a more fearful massacre than that of the Sioux were prevented.

For a few years the mission work seemed at a stand still. From Canada Enmegahbowh received earnest invitations to go where comfort and hopeful work awaited him, but Bishop Whipple encouraged him, standing in the forefront for an unpopular cause and a hated people, and Enmegahbowh would prove the fitness of his name - he would not desert his people.

At last the government made new arrangements, and seven hundred Ojibwas were moved to what is called the White Earth Reservation, a tract thirty-six miles square in northern Minnesota. Of these seven hundred about one hundred and fifty were French half-breeds, or Roman Catholics. Amongst the remainder Enmegahbowh labored earnestly, the government now aiding in the work by encouraging the Indians in civilized ways. A steam sawmill was built at White Earth Lake, where Indians were taught to run the machinery, and from which lumber was furnished for building purposes. Eastern churchmen assisted the mission, and a church and parsonage were built.

At the time of the consecration of the church in August, 1872. quite a party of the clergy and laity, through the kindness of Bishop Whipple, were enabled to visit White Earth.

The consecration was on Thursday. Friday morning, the chiefs signified to the bishop their wish to meet him in a council, which was therefore held, that afternoon, on the hillside in front of the church. It was a picturesque scene - the lovely landscape, the sunlight glancing through the tall oak trees on the bishop and Enmegahbowh, who sat in the centre, the chiefs and five or six clergymen grouped around. Behind the bishop three chairs were placed for the ladies of the party - the first time, I think, that ladies were ever admitted to an Indian council.

I drove one of the ox teams that hauled the baggage belonging to the Indians who comprised the party that arrived at White Earth on the 14th of June, 1868, under the leadership of Truman Warren.

Paul Beaulieu had gone on ahead in charge of another party; government employes who went to open a farm for the Indians and do some plowing.

Fred Peake was the first storekeeper at White Earth (he and Joe Wakefield were partners), Robert Fairbanks worked or run the store for him. Peake was a white man. George Fairbanks started a store a little later on and John Beaulieu worked for him. Robert Fairbanks started his own store a little later.

Father Genin, the Catholic priest who brought in Sitting Bull from Canada, was the first priest that made regular trips t(^ this reservation, but Father Tomazine was the first priest who located here, and I might say, started the first mission.

Robert Fairbanks was born at Sandy Lake, Minn., on the 21st day of September 1825. When he was quite young he was sent to Fredonia, New York, to be educated, and at the age of twenty he was employed at the headquarters of the American Fur Company at La

Pointe, Wisconsin, as clerk. In 1846 he married Catherine Beaulieu the youngest sister of C. H. and Paul Beaulieu. He remained at La Pointe until 185 1, when he removed to Crow Wing with his family where he remained in trade for a number of years, where he had a comfortable home and family of seven children, four sons and three daughters.

In 1868 he removed to White Earth with his family, where he had taken charge of the store belonging to Joseph Wakefield, which he ran for a year, when he opened up a store of his own which he ran until he died. Benjamin Fairbanks and George A. Fairbanks were sons of George Fairbanks, Sr., a brother of Robert Fairbanks, who was born at Sandy Lake, ^Nlinn., on the 26th day of August, 1827. He was for many years a prominent trader at Leech Lake, Crow Wing, and White Earth, where he moved his family in 1878, being one of the first traders at that place.

George A. Fairbanks, Jr., was born at Crow Wing on the loth day of August, 1851, and went with his parents to White Earth in 1868, and succeeded his father in trade, in which he remained until his death on the 19th of November, 1891.

Frank M. Campbell, of White Earth, was born in Green County, 111., on the 27th day of January, 1832, and came to Crow W^ing, i\Iinn., in 1855. He came to White Earth in Sept., 1868, and has lived there ever since. He says he thinks he is about the only white man who has lived in Northern Minnesota 50 years without drinking any intoxicating liquor.

Nearly all the public buidings constructed on the reservation from 1 87 1 till 1878, were built under the supervision of Charles P. Wilcox, whose home was then at Detroit, but who now lives in Pasadena, California. He says :

My first work on the reservation was to superintend the construction of a church and parsonage for the Episcopal Church as ordered by Bishop Whipple, and the same year I also built a schoolhouse for the government. Then followed the rebuilding and enlarging of the sawmill at White Earth Lake in 1872, and the building of a large barn, and boarding-house for the schools. An industrial hall for the government, and a hospital for Bishop W^hipple followed, and a flour mill at White Earth Lake. Next was a dam and sawmill at the Wild Rice River about 18 miles north of the agency, then a large school building near the agency, and a church building at Wild Rice. The latter by order of Bishop Whipple. My last work was the construction of a water power grist-mill on White Earth River, about five or six miles north of the agency. This was about the year 1877.

Allan Morrison George A. Morisox

Allan Morrison, a younger brother of William Morrison, was born at Teerebonne, near Montreal, Canada, June 3d, 1803, and received a common school education in his native village, which prepared him for a clerkship in a country store.

Being a lad of uncommon physical development and activity, he did not take kindly to indoor life, and his brother William having made his first return visit to Canada in 1820, he was easily induced to accompany him to what the French Canadians called "Lcs pays d'cn Hant" or The Upper Countries.

The delays incidental to the settlement of their father's estate prevented them from starting with the returning boats and canoes, and they were compelled to start much later ; so late in fact, that winter overtook them before the journey to the far north was half over.

After staying some days at one of the trading posts, to give time for the ice to thicken, they started on afoot and it was not long before they had to use snow shoes, traveling being made so much easier with them after the snow got to be six or eight inches deep.

Their route from Montreal, was up the Ottawa River to a portage into Lake Nipissing, and thence via Georgian Bay to Saulte Ste. Marie, via Manitou Island, and thence on the ice of Lake Superior to old Superior, Wisconsin, which they reached in February, 1821. There he signed articles of engagement with the American Fur Compau}', for a five years' apprenticeship and in due course of time was given a small outpost to manage, and later on was placed in charge of the trading post at Red Lake, Minnesota.

About 1825 he married Charlotte Louisa Chabrille, a mixed blood Chippewa born at (lid Fort William, on Lake Superior ; by her he had several children, the only ones now surviving being Mrs. Mary A. Sloan of St. Cloud. Mrs. Caroline Grandelmyer and Miss Rachel Morrison of Brainerd, and John George and Allan Morrison of White Earth. All have allotments of land on the White Earth Indian Reservation, where John, George and Allan built substantial homes on their farms.

During the many years he was engaged in the fur trade, Allan Morrison was successively in charge of nearly all the American Fur Company's trading posts in Northern Minnesota, and finally he settled down at Crow Wing, on the Mississippi, an important post, where he represented the interests of the late Henry M. Rice, during the period that gentleman engaged in the fur trade in the upper Mississippi country.

He was a member of the Territorial Legislature of Minnesota, and Morrison County was named for him ; was also postmaster at Crow Wing, Minnesota, for several years.

Leaving Crow Wing in the fall of 1874, he removed to White Earth, Becker County, where he resided to the time of his death, November 21, 1876, and where he was buried in the Catholic cemetery.

John George Morrison, son of Allan and nephew of William, was born at Lake Winnebegoshish, Minnesota. April 29th, 1843, where his father was managing a trading post for the American Fur Company.

count of his father's ill health ; he soon became the mainstay of the family and so continued until his brother Allan became old enough to take his place.

While yet a mere boy, he carried on some trading with the Indians around Gull Lake and towards Leech Lake, and became quite popular with them ; during the Indian outbreak he was chosen by

Mk. Axd Mrs. John George Morrison

Governor Ramsey and the Indians themselves to carry messages between the two camps and in that capacity rendered valuable services. After the Civil War, in 1865, the United States government, desiring to ascertain the true conditions and feelings of the Indian tribes, organized, at all Indian agencies, bodies of scouts, whose mission was to enquire into and report the causes of troubles and dis- satisfaction among the Indians. These scouts were chosen from among the intehigent and loyal mixed bloods, and were placed under the supervision of the military authorities.

Upon the recommendation of the officer then in command at Fort Ripley, John George Morrison was placed in charge of the scouts at the Crow Wing Agency, and so remained until the corps was disbanded. July 3rd, 1863, he married Margaret Elizabeth Fairbanks, daughter of Robert Fairbanks and Catherine Beaulieu. Ten children were born to them ; six in Crow Wing and four near White Earth Agency. Two lived only a few years, the others are, with the exception of his daughter ]Mrs. Julia A. Spears, (the second ) , who lives at Red Lake, all members of the Wliite Earth Reservation, and- possess valuable landed interests there. He removed to the White Earth Reservation, from old Crow Wing, on the Mississippi, in the fall of 1874, and some years afterwards entered the government service and occupied several positions, being successivelv captain of Indian police and judge of the court of Indian offenses, and later government farmer, which position he held until the winter of 1892-3. In the fall of 1893, he removed to Red Lake, and has since successfully carried on hotel keeping and trading.

George A. Morison, nephew of William and Allan Morrison, was born in St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, October 4th, 1839; his father being Donald Geo. Morison and his mother M. A. Rosalie Papineau, daughter of D. B. Papineau, and niece of the Hon. Louis Papineau, the talented leader of the French element in Canada, and the principal instigator of the Canadian rebellion of 1837.

Morison attended common schools until nearly ten years of age, then went to college for five years in his native village, rounding up his education with a four year term in a large village store.

He visited the west in 1858 and 1859, spending several months in Old Superior, Wisconsin, in Crow Wing on the ^lississippi, and also at Long Prairie, the old agency for the Winnebago Indians.

That was in the early days, when travel was by canoes or over Indian trails, and the trip from Superior to Crow Wing was made in a birch canoe, up the St. Louis River to Floodwood River, wdiich was followed nearly to its source, thence over a portage into Prairie

He returned to Canada in November, 1859, where he remained a few years. In May 1865, he landed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and lived in Little Falls and Crow Wing during the next three or four years.

He started in business at Leech Lake in January, 1869, and in the fall of the same year came to White Earth annuity pa\ment with a stock of goods which he eventually closed out to Wm. W. McArthur, then a licensed Indian trader there. In August. 1870, Morison and McArthur combined their business and carried on trading in the Indian country, under government license, at Leech Lake, Red Lake. White Earth and Otter Tail, under the above firm name, dissolving co-partnership in August, 1871 ; Morison retaining all trading posts in the Chippewa countr\-, except that of Otter Tail, where McArthur continued in business. Morison remained in the Indian trade until July, 1880, and made his heaquarters at White Earth Agency during the last five years of his career as an Indian trader. He. however, continued to live on the reservation, wdiere he carried on farming and stock raising, on a small scale, with his cousin Allan Morrison, Jr.

In the fall of 1882, he in company with Arnold A. Ledeboer, also of White Earth, opened a general store at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, (at that time a very much boomed town), but owing to a series of bad crop years, low prices, and general dull times, the venture was not successful and they closed their business in 1887; Morison returning to White Earth.

In 1894, he entered government service at White Earth Agency, and later, in January 1896, was stationed at Red Lake Sub-Agency, as reservation overseer, a position he held until July ist, 1901. when he returned to White Earth. Since January, 1905, he has formed part of the office stafif at the agency, having charge of the allotting of land under the provisions of the "Steenerson Act."

Ry an Indian wife he has one son, Allan F. Morison, born February 6th, 1882. He has been in the government Indian service for a number of years and is now attached to the agency ofiice force.

It will be noticed that William and Allan ^lorrison wrote their names with two r's, while Geo. A. Morison wTites the name with only one r, as did a long line of ancestors before him. This difference in writing the name, was brought about in a curious manner.

When William Morrison joined the Northwest Fur Company, he had to sign articles of engagement, as they called it at the time, to serve for five years, and the notary who did the writing, wrote the name Morrison, as did other branches of the family; when W'illiam came to sign, he called the notary's attention to the error in spelling, but was told that it mattered little, to sign it as written and it would be just as good. Several years later when Allan IMorrison, his brother, came to Lake Superior, he also had to write his name as his elder brother did, and hence the change in their manner of writing the name. In the Island of Lewis, Scotland, which is the cradle of the family, the name has been spelt for a thousand years or more, with only one r, thus, Morison.

My father. Donald IMcDonald. was born in Canada about the year 1790. He came to Otter Tail Lake about the year 1850 or 1851 as near as I can remember, and died at White Earth in iSgo, and was about 100 years old as near as I can tell. I was born at Sandy Lake in 1831.

My father had a store at Detroit Lake and traded with the Indians for about one year. I was not there with him, but as near as I can remember and find out, it was near where Detroit connects with some other lake. I was not married at the time so it must, I think, be more than fifty years ago.

The U. S. land oi^ce was opened at Otter Tail Lake in 1859 and was moved to St. Cloud in 1861, at the beginning of the Sioux outbreak. Wm. Sawyer, of Ohio, was the receiver. Major J. B. Clitheral. of Alabama, was the first register, T. Mills the second, and Oscar Taylor the third register.

McDonald built his store at Detroit Lake on the little prairie, a little west of the Pelican River inlet when he was ten years old. He thinks he traded there about two years.

WOODS. In the history of such a man as the Rev. J. A. Gilfillan, of White Earth, for instance, there is a mass of material which would afTord inspiration for the mission writer at long range such as no published statistical reports could faintly suggest. Mr. Gilfillan's life has been one of the most heroic and self-sacrificing in all the history of missions - home or foreign.

Many a time while the newspaper man was in the woods did he hear of "Father" Gilfillan. You could hardly find a man in all the vast unsettled reservations of Minnesota who does not know this man. You can hear many and many a story about him, but you will not hear one that is not settled in a foundation of good will. He came to America from England when quite young. A quarter of a century ago he was rector in a small church in Duluth. Thirty-two years ago, he went into the pine woods, and there he has been ever since, a mission worker among the Indians.

Some years ago, Mr. Gilfillan fell heir to a large fortune, left him by relatives in England. There were many thousands of dollars which came to his hand. A large amount of this has been expended already, but, so it is said, enough yet remains to net an income of about $12,000 a year, and this amount is annually being spent. And how? In doing good among the Indians. A large block of his fortune was spent for them, and now, save for the needs of himself and family, the major portion of his income goes to aid the Indians.

A quite interesting and, in one sense, amusing experience was told of his generosity. Mr. Gilfillan had bought a car load of seed potatoes, which he w^as going to give to the Indians to plant. He had the potatoes sent up to the reservation by team, but was himself delayed in getting there. When he reached home, a week or so later, he found that the tribe had made rather more immediate use of the potatoes than he had anticipated - they had eaten up the whole car load.

Mr. Gilfillan is one of the most modest of men, speaks in the most unassuming manner of his work, and has never a word of complaint over his isolation from the world, or the privations to which he is put. - Minneapolis Journal.

The Progress Salutatory

With lliis ninnljcr we make our bow to the public. The novelty of a newspaper published upon this reservation may cause many to be wary in their support, and this from a fear that it may be revolutionary in character. Our motto will undeceive such. We propose to remain true to this motto, true to the standard of social and individual morality it would express. W'e shall aim to advocate constantly and without reserve, what in our view, and in the view of the leading minds upon this reservation, is the best for the interests of its residents. And not only for their interests, but those of the tribe wherever they are now residing.

The main consideration in this advocacy, will be the political interests, that is, in matters relating us to the general goverment of the United States. We shall not antagonize the government, nor act in the presentation of our views in any way outside of written or moral law.

We intend that this journal shall be the mouth-piece of the community in making known abroad and at home, what is for the best interests of the tribe. It is not always possible to reach the fountain head through subordinates, it is not always possible to appeal to the moral entiment of the country through these sources, or by communications through the general press.

A Menial And Servile Action

Oct. 8th, 1887. In the month of March last year, we began setting the type for the first number of The Progress and were almost ready to go to press, when our sanctum was invaded by T. J. Sheehan, the U. S. Indian Agent, accompanied by a posse of the Indian police. The composing stick was removed from our hands, our property seized, and ourselves forbidden to proceed with the publication of the journal. We had, prior to this time, been personally served with a written notice from Mr. Sheehan detailing at length, surmises beyond number as to the character of The Progress, togther with gratuitions assumptions as to our moral unfitness to be upon the reservation, charging the publisher with the voicing of incendiary and revolutionary sentiments at various times. We did not believe that any earthly power had the right to interfere with us as members of the Chippewa tribe, and at the White Earth Reservation, while peacefully pursuing the occupation we had chosen. We did not believe thre existed a law which should prescribe for us the occupation we should follow. We knew of no law which could compel us to become agricuuturists, professionals, "hewers of wood and drawers of water," or per contra, could restrain us from engaging in these occupations. Therefore we respectfully declined obeying the mandate, at the same time reaching the conclusion that should we be restrained we should appeal to the courts for protection. We were restrained and a guard set over our property. We sought the protection of the courts, notwithstanding the assertion of the agent, that there could be no jurisdiction in the matter.

paper upon his reservation just as he might engage in any other lawt'ul occupation, and without surveillance and restrictions. The jury before whom the amount of damage came, while not adjudging the amount asked for, did assess and decree a damage with a verdict restoring to us our plant.

By referring to the date on the first page of this issue, our readers will observe that we made our bow, or rather, more strictly, we began to bow, but a heavy hand was laid upon us, and we have not been able to resume the perpendicular until now. In another column, we give a detailed account of the proceedings which arrested our work, together with the subsequent events which issued in our being able to finish the bow began so long ago. Our editorial back is straight once more, and we return to the work we laid out for ourselves so many months ago, with vigor and courage in no wise abated, and with renewed determination to advance the interests of the reservation, and the welfare of the Indian in general.

Kind readers, many of you have looked for our coming long and patiently, and now that we are with you and you have looked us over, you may feel that your yearning was unfitting the occasion; to such we would say, that the long time which has elapsed since we first attempted to launch our little craft, which was attended with difficulties, the rough blustering breezes, the general unfavor of the weather, the unnecessary quarantine we were subject to, and the time employed in dry dock, etc., somewhat disorganized our material and we have had to alter our once set course to suit circumstances.

Now that we are once more at sea, fumigated and out of quarantine, and we issue from dry dock with prow and hull steel-clad tempered with truth and justice, and with our clearance registered, we once more box our compass, invite you all aboard, and we will clear port, set sails to favorable breezes, with the assurance that we will spare no pains in guiding you to a 'higher civilization."

A Noted Visitor

On Aug. i8, 1896, Senator Knute Nelson, accompanied by the famous French traveler and explorer, Paul du Chaillu, arrived on a visit to the Chippewa Indians of the White Earth Reservation. During the day tlie gentlemen drove around and visited the different places of interest al)out the agency.

The next day a large delegation of the Chippewas, head men and members of the reservation assembled at the agency office for a "l)ig smoke and to make good inedicine" and to smoke the pipe of peace and welcome the great father's councilor and his distinguished friend, the great hunter. The late lamented chieftain. White Cloud, acted as master of ceremony, and his choicest native oratory, through an interpreter, made the address of welcome, and which was responded to in feeling words of appreciation by the senator. Paul du Chaillu, a small, sparsely built and grizzled Frenchman, was then introduced as the "big hunter, from the land of the

Win-de-go-cannibals," and he entertained the assemblage with some very interesting recitals, illustrating, by motion and gestures, some of his exciting and perilous experiences in hunting the gorilla, lion and tiger, and hair-breadth escapes from cannibals, etc., greatly to the amusement of his audience. "Yes, my friends," said he, "you shall have a good school building if it lies in my power to provide one." - Minneapolis Tribune. - Feb. 4th, 1897. Mrs. West.

The county was organized by a special law approved March ist, 1 87 1. This law authorized the governor, Horace Austin, to appoint a board of county commissioners, three in number, for Becker County. The commissioners appointed were John Cromb, John F. Beaver, and Chris. Gardner, and their terms of office were to continue until the beginning of the year 1872. The Tyler Hotel at Detroit was the place appointed for their first meeting, which occurred on the 23rd day of June, 1871. They were sworn in by David Pyle, a notary public.

At this meeting David Pyle was appointed county auditor to serve until the first Monday in March 1872. Previous to 1882, the terms of all county auditors and treasurers commenced on that day. At this same meeting Charles E. Churchill of Burlington Township was appointed sheriff and Archibald McArthur, of Detroit, register of deeds, to serve until the beginning of the year 1872.

The next meeting of the board was held at the store of S. B. Pinnev. on the Sherman farm, at Oak Lake, on the 5th day of July. The next meeting was held the 15th day of August. There was then a vacancy on the board caused by the death of Mr. Gardner, and William G. Woodworth of Detroit was appointed to fill his place. The county board on the 24th day of September, 1871, for the first time, divided the county into commissioners" districts. The first district was made up of the southern tier of townships running the entire length of the county, from east to west with Lake Park added to it. The next tier of townships north, excepting Lake Park, comprised the second district. The three northern tiers of townships, twelve of which were on the White Earth Reservation, made

On Jan. 2nd, 1872, the new board of county commissioners held their first meeting. There were present commissioners L. G. Stevenson, first district, and W. H. H. Howe, second district. A. J. Haney, who had been elected from the third district, had left the county. The various meetings of the county board up to this time had been held sometimes at Detroit and more frequently at Finney's store on the Sherman farm, on the shore of Oak Lake, but on the 13th day of March, 1872, they met at Oak Lake City, by the big cut on the Northern Pacific Railroad. At this meeting there was a full board ; J. E. Vangorden having been appointed to fill the vacant place in the 3rd district. The next meeting was held at Detroit on the 8th of June, 1872. On Tuesday, Sept. loth, 1872, the board again met at Detroit. When the legislature passed the bill organizing Becker County and designating Detroit as the place at which the county commissioners should hold their first meeting, it was generally understood that that act of legislature fixed the county seat at Detroit. It was currently reported in those days that many years before, a townsite had been surveyed out at Detroit Lake and named Detroit, and that circumstance was supposed to have had its influence with the authorities in appointing that place for the county seat. The law, however, did not require the county officers to remain at the county seat until three years after the county was organized. Court was always to be held there, but to transact business with any one of the county officers, you must hunt him up by going to his residence in whatever part of the county his home might be.

The county treasurer and the sherifif and sometimes the coroner however, frequently reversed this rule and took pains to hunt some of the other fellows up, whether they wanted to see them or not.

In presenting the histories of the different townships of Becker County I have undertaken to arrange them in the order in which they were first settled, but in a few instances I have deviated from this rule to avoid too much skipping around over the county.

On the 27th of May, 1857, the survey of a townsite was made at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, where the village of Frazee now stands, and the plat was recorded at St. Cloud, as Becker County was at that time attached to Stearns County for recording purposes.

It was claimed that the land covered by this townsite was held by half-breed script, but the title was never perfected. The script was undoubtedly "lifted" some time afterward and other land taken with it, and this land reverted back to the U. S. government. The certificate of the plat is signed by N. P. Aspinwall, surveyor. He was an uncle to Wm. Aspinwill, who now operates a store at Pine Point.

I have a certified plat of the townsite in my possession at the present time. The townsite is bounded and described as follows : "Commencing at an oak tree at the southwest corner of said townsite, and running thence north, crossing the Otter Tail River and Detroit Lake, five thousand two hundred and eighty feet, thence running east, crossing the Otter Tail River, two thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight feet, thence running south five thousand two hundred and eighty feet, thence west two thousand nine hundred and fift}-eight feet to the place of beginning."

Frank AT. Campbell, of White Earth, now a man over seventy years of age, informs me that he is the F. Campbell mentioned as one of the proprietors, and Donald McDonald the old Otter Tail Lake fur trader was another. The townsite was one mile long north and south and three hundred and ten feet more than half a mile

Judging from the topography as shown on the plat, the townsite would very nearly fit the west half of Section 35 in the present township of Burlington, except that it was somewhat wider. The west line must have been near where the bridge across Town Lake now stands, and the east line very near the railroad bridge crossing the Otter Tail River, the north end near the Commonwealth Company sawmill, and the south end some distance south of the residence of Edward Briggs.

The plat shows one hundred and thirty-one blocks, with streets to correspond. Even the big marsh along the river south of Frazee between the railroad bridge and the outlet to Town Lake is mapped into blocks and lots with great precision.

In the written description Detroit is said to be located at "the southern end of a beautiful lake called Detroit Lake at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, twenty-two miles northwest of Otter Tail City. This place is on the direct route between Lake Superior and Pembina. The face of the country to the west consists chiefly of beautiful prairies and lakes, while on the east there are large bodies of hard and pine wood timber. There are two water powers at this place capable of running a grist and sawmill." The narrow place on the Otter Tail River where the Commonwealth Lumber Company has built its bridge near its sawmill is marked on this plat as "Mill Property." The other mill site is marked below^ the outlet of Town Lake.

I will here insert a short article, written by Patrick Quinlan, the first white settler in Burlington Township, giving an account of himself and the first settlement of the tow^nship.

RiciiwooD, December 26, 1903. I was born in Canada close to the village of Norwood, on the 15th day of February. 1836. My father and mother were Irish. I lived and worked on my father's farm until I started west. The railroad was built only to the lead mines beyond Galena. III. I arrived in St. Paul in May. 1854. St. Paul was a very small village at that time. I stayed one night, took the steamboat at St. Anthony the next day and came to Sauk Rapids. No Minneapolis or St. Cloud at that time existed. I started for Long Prairie, and it was Winnebago Agency at that time. The first man I worked for lived down below Big Lake and he was a new settler, by the name of Foiles. I worked two months and a half at twenty dollars per month and I never got my pay. He accidentally shot himself, and his wife promised to pay me, but I never troubled her about the money. It was a bad start, however, as I lost a good deal of my wages afterwards. For three or four years before the war when a man got his money, very often it was no good, no one would accept it. Every man that was doing any business had what was called a bank detector. I worked for a man named Bonfield, who lived at Rice Lake near St. Anthony. He was in the lumber business and paid me a hundred and twenty dollars and the money was no good. In the year 1859 a man on his way to Red River offered me twelve dollars a month if I would go and help him through and work for him through the winter which I did, commencing the spring of i860. I got a chance to work as watchman on the first steamboat on the Red River owned by Mr. Burbank, of St. Cloud. The boat was built by Mr. Anson Northrup at Georgetown and after working on the boat a while I got tired of the business and a man came and offered me twenty dollars a month to go with a party out to the Blackfoot country. They were going to trade for horses, so I started with them in a party of eight. After traveling some days we found ourselves among the buffalo. After traveling through that country and seeing so many bufifalo, I thought they would alway^s remain. We struck the Blackfoot trail close to Bear Paw Mountain, and followed the trail northwest four days before we overtook the Indians. During the time we were following the Indian trail we saw many buffalo that the Indians had killed and left without taking any part of them for their own use. There were also a great many wolves. When we got within about two miles of an Indian camp we met some Indians who were going out on a hunt. Our boss treated them to some whisky which they liked very much and one of them asked for some whisky to carry to his friend who was out hunting. Our interpreter asked him how he could carry it. He said he could carry it, and he doubled up the tail of his leather shirt, poured in the whiskey, tied a string around it and so started off. We soon arrived at the camp, and I was surprised to see so many horses and we got quite a number and started for Fort Gary. While on our return trip three of us concluded to run bufifalo one evening, and so we started out after a large herd and we managed to kill one large bull which we shot over twenty times before he fell. We found it very inconvenient to load our guns while on horseback. While coming through the Assiniboine country the Assiniboines took some of our horses from us. We were out on that trip something over two months, more than half of the time we lived on buflfalo meat alone.

In the fall of 1862 I came back to St. Cloud with a wagon train belonging to Mr. Burbank of that place. We expected to have trouble with the Sioux Indians, but we did not. From 1862 to 1868 I remained at Crow Wing a good part of the time and worked for the government. I came to Becker County, ]\Iay 28th, 1868, and built a cabin near where Frazee now stands. The land was not surveyed at that time and the railroad company beat me out of three forties of my claim, that part which was on Section 35. The land now belongs to Edward Briggs. I

In June, 1868, Mr. Henry Way and Mr. Sherman came but went on to Oak Lake, west of Detroit where they put up hay to use the next winter. The next person after myself to settle in Burlington township was Charles E. Churchill. He came about the first of June, 1870, the same year the railroad was surveyed. I helped him build his house, hauling the logs with my team. His house was built on the west side of the river, nearly opposite where it intersects the lake (in what is now Schebaher's field). The next newcomers were William Chilton, T. W. Chilton and William Redpath, who came some time in June 1870. Jim and Redpath soon went back but about the 20th of August returned and James Chilton and James Winram came with them. When I came the nearest settlers were at Rush Lake; Otter Tail City was the nearest store. When I came onto the place I paid two dollars and twenty-five cents a bushel for ten bushels of potatoes at Otter Tail City. Flour was seven dollars per sack, pork thirtyfive cents per pound. During the first winter I had to carry my flour, pork and other supplies on my back from Otter Tail City. It was impossible to go with oxen the snow was so deep and no road. The first summer I was there I put up about thirty tons of hay and thought I could sell it to parties who were hauling supplies to White Earth for the Indians who had been removed there that summer by the government: but as soon as cold weather set in they hauled all their supplies around by Leech Lake, and I was unable to sell any hay. I started from Otter Tail City one day about the middle of February on Indian snowshoes. I had about eighty pounds of flour and other stuff on my back. Night overtook me not far from where Perham now stands. It was cloudy and dark and I got lost. After wandering about for a long time I came to the Oter Tail River about a mile below the crossing and walked up until I came to the crossing, then I knew where I was. But there was an open space in the ice so I had to step into the water. The space was not very wide and the water only a little above my knees. The night was not cold and I traveled about a mile, and finding myself pretty tired, stopped and rested. When I started I discovered that I was unable to carry my pack, so I had to leave it until next day. I arrived home sometime after midnight a very tired man.

There were lots of ducks, chickens and other game at that time and I shot a large bear. When I first saw her she had a large cub with her. I did not have my gun with me then. It was at the north end of the grove, near where Edward Briggs now lives, and they were going to that rocky hill west by the river. So I went home and got the gun, which was loaded with shot and I added a bullet into each barrel and started after her. Hunting around for some time in the brush, I heard her run, but I could not see her owing to the density of the brush. After running a little way I saw her as she went west toward the river. I took a short cut, but when I arrived was not sure whether she was ahead of me or not. So I walked about watching very carefully for some time and was sur- prised all at once to see her standing on her hind feet about six feet away from me. I aimed at her breast and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go of¥. It seemed to scare her and she got down and walked away sideways a few feet with her head turned toward me. I pulled the other trigger, the gun went off and she fell, and I loaded that barrel again before I went to where she was lying. She was dead. I found that I had shot her between the eyes. I could not find the cub. I shot some other game; two wild cats, some mink and one red fox.

After living there four years and losing my claim. I concluded to move to White Earth. So I found a claim that suited me north of the Bufifalo River. I took the land in my wife's name and we are still living on the same land. My health has been very poor for some time and I do not expect to get rich, but I am content. I do not think it best to trouble you any more.

Patrick Ouinlan died at his home near Rich wood the loth of March, 1905. \\'iniam G. Chilton built on the land now occupied by his heirs. His cabin stood on the west bank of the Otter Tail River close to his old bridge forty or fifty rods above where the planing mill now stands.

James G. Chilton built on Section 15 on the same land where he now resides. James was for several years a sailor on Lake Ontario in his younger days, and served a term in a military company in Canada and was on the Northern Pacific R. R. survey.

William Redpath built a house a little west of where the Ittmber platform of the big sawmill is now. He afterwards sold his claim to Charles M. Campbell, who proved up on the sotith tier of forties of vSection 26 where the steam mill and lumber piles now stand. C. M. Campbell came to Becker County in May, 1872.

The next settler after those mentioned by Ouinlan who came into the township was John Graham, who came in October, 1870, and selected the land where he now resides, and went back for his family and returned with them August 25th, 1871. Then came Patrick O'Neil wdio was then a beardless youth but seventeen years old ; he came on the 4th day of December, 1870.

Early in the spring of 1871 Weymouth and Gardner built and opened up a hotel on the south side of the river, near where the present Perham road starts to come down the hill towards the river.

Johnson Wilson, late in the year of 1870, selected a place on the northwest quarter of Section 20, wdiere David Graham now resides. Pie built his house the next summer in a fine spruce grove, but the trees have since all been destro3'ed by the winds and storms. There was a fine little prairie covering several acres of land, a little east of his house at that time.

In 1 87 1 there was c|uite an influx of settlers into the township. August Trieglaff and Anthonv Komansparger came about the first of June and located on Section 24. The Trieglafi:' bo\'s now own both farms.

In the spring of this same year Robert McPhee and family located on the northwest quarter of Section 10, and, about the same time, James ^Maxwell settled on Section 28 with his family, where the Richmonds now reside.

William Hoffman came into Burlington Township in June, 1871, from Fort Madison, Iowa, and the following spring took a homestead on the northeast quarter of Section 22. He is a veteran of the Civil War, and still resides in the vicinity.

1. J. Collins came to this county in 1871, but went back to New York and returned with his family on the i8th of May, 1872, and located on the southeast quarter of Section 34.

Wm. Hehrhold and family came to Burlington about the 15th of October, 1873, from iMissouri and settled on Section 28, where they still reside.

In May, 1871, William Austin located on Section 32, on what is now known as the John Brigg's farm. He usually went by the name of "Billy Chicken."

Mr. John Chilton moved into this township from Canada in the year 1873 and located on Section 14. He was accompanied by his wife, his son John R. Chilton, and three single daughters, one of whom afterwards married William Redpath. The other two daughters married Patrick O'Xeil and James Scott, two prosperous farmers who still live in the neighborhood.

Another daughter, Mrs. C. W. Campbell and husband came into the township in 1872, and still another, Mrs. John Cummer, came with her husband from Canada in 1884.

Mrs. James Chilton was the first white woman to settle in Burlington, arriving on the 4th dav of December, 1870, and her son, Guy Chilton, was the first white child born in the township. He first saw the light in James G. Chilton's log cabin, which stood on Section 15, on the i6th day of April, 1872.

The first death in the township was that of Chris. Gardner, which occurred about the loth of August, 1871. Mr. Gardner was a member of the board of county commissioners at the time of his death.

The person who taught the first school in Burlington Township was Miss Nellie F. Brigham, of Richwood, now Mrs. C. H. Potter, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She says: "I think I may safely claim the honor of having taught the first school in Frazee. I began my school there about the 20th of May, 1874. The school numbered seventeen pupils and I can recall them all by name now if necessary. The schoolhouse was a new structure. I boarded at the Thompkin's Hotel. It is a source of great pleasure that I am numbered with my two sisters among the earliest instructors of Becker County."

The following article written by William W. Howard will imdoubtedly be read with much interest, especially by some of the first settlers in the western part of the county. He was the compassman for George B. Wright, the U. S. government surveyor, who had the contract for surveying the township lines lying between the 9th and loth standard parallels and the 5th and 6th guide meridian, which includes Silver Leaf, Height of Land, Grand Park, Plolmesville, Erie, Burlington, Lake View, Detroit,

Ricluvood. Ilamden, AudutxMi. Lake Eunice, Cormorant, Lake Park, Cuba and six townships in Clay County and seven in Otter Tail. Air. Howard ran all these town lines for George B. Wright and then ran the section lines in Lake Park. Audubon, Lake \"ie\v and lUirlington. He began in the eastern part of this work in April, 1870, and finished about the middle of the next winter, among his assistants were John A. 1'.. McDonell and William McDoncll, of Lake Eunice. In 1871, he was sent out by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company as one of its laud examiners, and in August I joined his party and remained with him until winter.

In 1883, Vvdiile I was county auditor, I was authorized to procure a set of certified plats of the townships of Becker County, and I employed Mr. Howard to do the \vork. The bound volume of government phts in the office of the register of deeds at Detroit is the work of Mr. Howard.

Dear Old Friend: - You have asked me to give some account of my knowledge of our experience with Bachinaiui. It was early in the season of 1870 that I left Minneapolis for the then une.xplored region of Becker County, George B. Wright having a government contract to run the township lines of twenty-four townships, extending north and west from Gormantown in Otter Tail County. Our outfit consisted of an oxteam, covered wagon, two tents, and the genera! outfit of a government survey where the country was mostly prairie and could consequently he reached by wagon.

The old Red River trail ran through the timber from the Otter Tail to Oak Lake, and from Thompson's at the first mentioned point, to the three log houses at Oak Lake, comprising nearly all there was of civilization in the whole region.

Our first line north landed us in a tamarack swamp, about one and a half miles east of where Frazee now stands, and our experienced camp-man and cook declared after some exploration that the way ahead was impassable for team, if not for man. For want of knowing anything better to do, I sent a man back to civilization to consult George B. Wright, and not to be idle we started to subdivide Town 138, Range 39, Gormantown, trusting to get a contract for it when the township was finished.

After about ten days of work, we were in the northwestern part of the town one afternoon, when, through the stillness of the forest, came floating on the air, a peculiar sound, indeed, for that country, but familiar to any one who had ever been on a survey with George B. Wright. "Whoo-pe," faint, and long drawn out. but most unmistakably George B's voice. 'V on may be sure we were all alert, and shout after shout was answered back, though where he was or how he got there was a mystery. Soon the call came nearer, and it was not long before we saw a birch canoe coming up the river. We had by the merest chance happened to be just in the vicinity of the Otter Tail. In the canoe were "George B.," a halfbreed - Charlie, the Indian, Bachinana or Neeche. The canoes were to take the place of our wagons, and the half-breed and Indian the place of the oxen, propelling the canoes, where available, and carrying our burdens on their heads where canoeing was impracticable.

Packing a load of 100 lbs. by a strap over the forehead was a novelty to me then, and I well remember what I thought of the advice of one wiser than I, viz: "if the packs are not heavy enough to start with put in a few rocks."

We reorganized our "survey" on that line, and managed to "swamp" a road for the team up the east side of the river to within about a mile of Height of Land Lake, and using that as our base of supplies, we run lines east and north by aid of the canoes and packers. With varying success we worked north until we reached Height of Land Lake, and after running our line east across the lake, we found ourselves about a mile and a half east of the lake, at night fall, so we had to make camp for the night as best we could. We constructed a rough bough shelter and pitched our mosquito tents under it. These latter being a small square tent of mosquito netting, six feet long, two feet wide and three feet high, suspended by the four corners on boughs stuck in the ground. By carefully getting under these tents we were safe for a while from the millions of mosquitoes, that make life almost intolerable in a new country.

Of course we had to be very guarded in our movements for a very slight strain on the mosquito netting would tear it and thus defeat its purpose. And "thereby hangs a tale." I was lying next to Joe Deloria, a French boy, who having been brought up among the half-breed Indians, could talk Chippewa, to which tribe Neeche belonged. About the time we were beginning to thing of sleep, it began to rain, and though our boughs were poor shelter it was enough to tempt the Indian and he crawled in between Joe and myself. Being pitch dark, I did not see him and supposed it was Joe rolling over and thereby causing a big strain on my tent, placing it in imminent danger of tearing; my only hope of saving myself from being devoured by the insects on the rest of the trip lay in having Joe get oflf my tent, so I called out sharply to him to do so, but Neeche understood not, so I reinforced my remarks with a threat of a "punch" if he did not lie over. Any one who has had to lie out in the woods all night at the mercy of mosquitos in a wet season knows what my provocation was. So I gave him a powerful dig in the ribs with my elbow, my back being to him. I never was noted for obesity and I suspect my elbow was sharp.

Great was my surprise to hear only a deep grunt in place of the torrent of profanity I expected. Then I discovered that I had unknowingly and perhaps unjustly struck the revengeful Indian; as he had probably not been aware of his encroaching on my bed, nor had he understood my call and

But when we turned out in the morning, the half-breed informed us that Neeche was going home. "White man had struck him." He said if I had used a hatchet (it might have saved some lives later if I had) it would not have been so bad, but to be struck with the fist "like a squaw" was too much for Chippewa pride. But by dint of coaxing and explanations and promises of a pair of buckskin leggings I had in camp, we pursuaded him to stay, notwithstanding he had donned his war paint, and was got up in great shape in his wTath. But he did not get over it as long as he was with us. When later we got out near the Red River trail, and met frequent bands of Chippewas, he would rehearse the whole afTair with no good will towards me. Indeed had I then known what kind of an Indian he really was, I doubt very much if I would have given him so much chance to do me harm. He told later that there were three white men he meant to shoot before he died; two he did shoot, I believe, perhaps I was the third. I remember I was a little suspicious of him and when running the line between Ranges 39 and 40, Town 140, now Grand Park and Holmesville, I wanted to get my canoe into Tamarack Lake. It was in Height of Land Lake at the time. and I had understood the Indians to say that there was a good sized stream running from Tamarack Lake and emptying into the Otter Tail River near the reservation line, I started with my two Indians for Tamarack Lake by that route, and after paddling hard a whole day, we found ourselves in Flat Lake, one half of which lies on the reservation, instead of in Tamarack Lake. The mistake had arisen through a confusion of names on the part of the Indian and half-breed.

I was anxious to reach Tamarack Lake that night, so in order to make sure of its location and identity, I left the half-breed to get supper and about sundown with Bachinana for a guide, started down tlie canoe trail due south to see if the next lake was really Tamarack Lake. I guess that was the l)est chance he ever had ii lie meant me any harm, but with a vivid remembrance of the ignominious "dig in the ribs" in mind, I compelled him to go in advance all the way, and carried my hatchet in my h;nd, knowing that a hatchet inspired more wholesome fear in an Indian, than would a revolver.

When in the mood for it he was for an Indian a good worker, but his reputation was to work only a short time until he got money enough to indulge in what seemed to be a ruling passion - gambling. He had very little regard for hutnan life. It was only by the superior strength of his antagonist that we escaped a tragedy in our camp a few weeks later and just before he left us. Our party, comprising at that time two more halfbreeds, one, Peter, being a very powerful fellow. One night the gambling in their tent seemed to be more boisterous than usual, and Neeche pitted against two brothers, lialf-brcer's, lost everything even to the shirt on his back, when in anger, out to the wagon he rushed, and seized a gun. Nothing but Peter's superior strength saved him, but he managed to discharge tlie gun in the air, during the struggle. We concluded it best to take all the firearms into our tents after that for our own safety. He left us soon after this, some time in July, I think, mainly because he had earned some $30 and wanted to have a good time with it. I learned that he soon lost it all at gambling.

Sometime in the fall the old man Carlson, living in the northwest part of Audubon Township, was called out of his home by the burning of his hay stacks one night, and shot by this same Indian.

Of his subsequent career I think you are better informed than I am. Except for this passion for gambling, and his readiness with his gun when incensed, he was very tractable and mild for an Indian.

Fr.azEE, ^Iinx., October 16, 1905. In the summer of 1870 when at work on the Northern Pacific Railroad survey helping to run the preliminary lines east of the IMississippi, I learned that the country near Otter Tail River and Detroit Lakes was a good location to make settlement. In the month of August, 1870, I left Sauk Rapids, which at that time was the end of railway communication, and in company with William Redpath and James G. and Timothy Chilton started across the country on foot, and after about six days' travel we reached what is now the township of Burlington, Becker County. Thinking we had gone far enough, we each of us selected claims and helped each other to get out logs and raise log houses besides putting up a few tons of hay. In the latter ])art of September I walked to Crow ^^'ing and went to work on a government survey near Willow River and Sandy Lake. After we got through I walked back and found that during my absence of about three months the railroad company had located their line within two miles of my claim and the township had been sub-divided into sections. I now went to work on the house I had commenced a few months before and moved into it. New settlers began to come in and amongst them a family named Robert McFee, who had located about a mile from me. Mr. McFee's family consisted of himself, his wife and one infant child. I, being unmarried at the time, Mr. McFee proposed and I consented that he should move his family into my house as it would be more convenient for him while he was getting his own ready. By this time, I had got about two acres broken and fenced and in the spring of 1871 planted it to potatoes and other vegetables. About this time it began to be rumored that the Indians were growing restless and liable to make trouble, although at that time I did not feel much alarmed as I did not think they would molest us, but one day in the early part of June, 1 87 1, a man named Wilson, who was hunting a pair of stray oxen, came by my house and told me that the body of a man had been found in the brush near Rush Lake, with every indication that he had been killed by Indians. Mrs. McFee said she was not afraid of Indians ; she had lived in Wisconsin and they never troubled them there.

One afternoon in the middle of June, I had occasion to go about a mile east of the house where I was making some shingles. McFee himself was at work about a mile northwest at his own house. There was a drizzling rain, and after I thought I had been in it long enough, I left for home. Before I reached the house I saw an Indian standing at the door with his gun in his hand, but as that was not an unusual occurrence, I did not think much about it until I got close by. I then noticed Mrs. McFee was unusually excited, she said she was glad I had come because she was afraid of this Indian and wished me to send him away. I told her she was perhaps alarmed without much cause, but at all events when I had got through washing my hands I would do as she requested. I had picked up the wash basin while she was telling me, and was not suspecting any trouble. I then turned to the Indian, whose name I afterwards learned was Bachinana, and told him to get off of the premises, but he did not seem to want to go, so I took him by the collar and gave him a push. He was now about six feet from the door of the house on the outside, and again he stood still without moving any further. I now noticed he had a knife in a sheath in front of him, and I was entirely unarmed, and things began to take on a serious aspect. The thought suggested itself to me of attempting to disarm the Indian, but at that time I did not know that he had been guilty of any misbehavior, and if I could succeed in getting him away, it would probably make less future trouble. So I gave him another push, and he now started briskly down the hill until he got about fifty feet away from me.

He then wheeled about and brought his gun to his shoulder. When he made the motion to turn around, I knew what to expect, and I knew also that it would not be of any use to try and get into the house or even to dodge around the corner, so I made a dash down hill towards him, intending that if his gun should miss fire or he should miss me, to take chances in a hand scuffle in which I thought the chances would be in my favor. This sudden, and to him unexpected movement on my part, seemed to confuse him some and I was about four feet from the muzzle of his gun. He turned half round to get away, when he fired, the charge of shot shattering my arm from nearly the wrist to the elbow, and a few scattering shots going into my side. The Indian ran away, and as far as I could see did not look back. I then returned to the house, Mrs. McFee was terribly frightened, and now told me for the first time how insolent and threatening the Indian had been. He had drawn his knife across her baby's throat while it was asleep, and terrified her in other ways. I was growing weaker from the loss of blood, and proposed going to Weymouth's house about three miles down the river to see if I could get something done for my arm ; but Mrs. McFee said if I left the place, the Indian might come back and kill her ; so I suggested that she herself should go for her husband, who was in the opposite direction to which the Indian had gone, and get him to stay with her. This she did. I now found I was getting faint from loss of blood, and it was with some difficulty that I was able to stand. I tried to stop the blood by tying cloth bandages around my arm, but did not appear to have any success. I then took a towel and bound it twice around my arm above the elbow, put in a stout stick and twisted it as much as I could bear. This appeared to have the desired eft'ect. I then locked the house door, and sat down on the floor, after getting my revolver in which I found there were two charges, and waited for McFee to come. If the Indian should come first, it was my intention to shoot him, if I could, when he entered the house. McFee came as soon as he could, finding the door locked, he called to me and I told him to break in the door. I could not get up. He lost no time in going down to Weymouth's who sent up a team and some men. They lifted me into a wagon and took me to his place. It was months before I recovered, and when I did I was crippled for life ; although the arm was saved, it was with the loss of six inches of the radius bone, and otherwise so badly shattered that it has since been of Httle use to me. In closing this narrative, I will say that I was surprised at the kindness shown to nic at that time by those who had only known me for a few months at the most, and some not that long. It was done with so little display that it appeared to me that they did not want each other to know they were making any sacrifices for my sake.

After shooting Winram, he took to the deep woods and was not seen about the settlements for several months, although efforts were being constantly put forth to secure his arrest. This, however, was not accomplished until March of the following year, when he was disposed of in a summary manner, as related further on by Patrick Quinlan, one of the parties to the tragedy.

Early in the summer of 1871 the Northern Pacific Railroad Companywas building its road through the township of Burlington. Paul C. Sletten was then foreman of a crew of men who were grading near the crossing of the Otter Tail River, and was boarding at the Weymouth hotel on the hill, a little south of the river. His family was then living on their homestead at Oak Lake, so Paul bought a pony of Bachinana to ride back and forth Saturday nights and Sundays to and from his home. When on one of his home trips, and while in the thick of the woods east of Detroit Lake, who should he meet in the road but Bachinana himself. He stood square in the middle of the road with a double barreled shotgun in his hands, both barrels of which were cocked, and ordered Paul to get off his horse. Paul was unarmed at the time and was not long in obeying orders. He dismounted, whereupon the Indian took off the saddle, threw it at Paul, mounted the pony and rode away. This was about the time he shot James Winram. and he was never seen again in the vicinity.

Mrs. Sletten says that she remembers well that Paul was held up by Indians and his horse taken, but she does not know so much about the details.

Paul had bought a saddle pony from some Indians at the railroad camp somewhere east of Detroit. He w-anted to use the pony on his trip back and forth between the camp and home.

On his way home through the Detroit woods after dark a band of Indians surrounded him, pulled him ofif his horse and took possession of the animal. They started to take the saddle ofT, but he protested that if they took the horse, they might as well keep the saddle too.

Some time abotit the middle of March, 1872, an Indian called at my house and said that Bachinana would pass by that evening on his way to Pine Lake, but expected that he would stay all night at the Indian camp down in the woods, west of Rice Lake. Later in the evening I saw an Indian pass over the railroad bridge at Frazee and concluded it was Bachinana. As soon as I could I went to Hobart station to notify John Lisk, who had alreadv spent some time hunting for Bachinana but Lisk said, "It is dark and I am not sure that I would know him, I wish you would go with me." So I went with him and we called at Rogan's to get information as to where the Indian crossed Rice Lake. He said he knew, and taking his gun started with us. After going a short distance Rogan stopped and said he wanted to know if there was any fighting to be done, and Lisk said he thought there would be. After crossing Rice Lake and traveling about two miles west in the woods, we met two Indians. Rogan and Lisk being in advance of me they met the Indians first and laid hands on the first one, while the other one left the trail and seemed anxious to avoid us. I saw that his calcuiation was to circle and come into the trail behind me, therefore I stopped, because I concluded by his actions that he was the one we were after. The snow was very deep and he could not travel very fast. So when he was coming near the trail, I went back and laid hold of him. He had a gun, he said he had no whisky. I told him I wanted to know who he was. It was pretty dark and he had on a blanket cap which with the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at his face and he kept turning his face away from me. After a short struggle he became very angry, and said I must let him go. I told him, no, I must see who you are." After we had scuffled some time, Lisk came up behind me and grabbed the Indian on the shoulder and threw him backward full length on the snow. Rogan was behind me, and he shot the Indian as quick as he fell ; therefore I did not see it. I was sorry that he was killed the way he was though I was satisfied that he was a dangerous character.

After his death he was buried on the narrow ridge between the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Otter Tail River, a little east of Frazee down towards the railroad bridge. He was buried by Thomas Murphy, in charge of the Northern Pacific gravel train. His grave is now nearly obliterated. Bill Rogan was arrested and given a hearing and held for trial, but was afterwards released under bonds. About the 25th of August, 1873, he was re-arrested and lodged in jail at St. Paul. He afterward stood his trial at Fergus Falls and was acquitted.

Irving John Collins came to Becker County May i8th, 1872, from Monroe County, New York. He was accompanied by his wife and son Henry, then only one and a half years old ; also David Wellman and his wife. After visiting for some time with Captain D. ly. Wellman, he took a soldier's homstead in the town of Burlington, Section 34, 138, 40. where he has lived continuously up to the present time.

There were no bridges over the Otter Tail River and Collins used to ford the river. All business to and from the farm was done by ox team or on foot across the river, or by boat. The nearest depot was in Hobart Township, Otter Tail County.