Dodge County, Wisconsin - Chapter 1, 1880

Chapter 1

Introductokt - Topography - Geological Foumations - Glacial - Springs and Wells - Watkr Po"(ver - Irox Deposits - Physical Geography-- Earth Mounds - Indian Occr- PANCY' - The Black Hawk War - United States Surveys and Land Sales.

Introductory

Each year is thinning the ranks of the adventurous pioneers who broke the pathway of emigration i^to " Old Dodge," and the unpropitious hand of Death still pursues its silent vocation, relentlessly smiting, one by one, the brave men and women who first established the landmarks of progress and civilization in the fastnesses of a vast wilderness, whose only inhabitants were a race of cruel savages. No tongue can tell, no pen can portray, the hardships and vicissitudes endured by the little band of Argonauts who, forty years ago, quit the friendly shelter of parental roof-trees, many of them forever, and wandered away in quest of titles to broad acres of virgin soil in the Far West. The bent forms, the furrowed brows, the tremulous voices of the few who have weathered the storms of frontier experience, and are spared to sanctify with their presence the little home dominions that have grown up about them, is sad, yet eloquent evidence of the trials confronted by the early settlers of Dodge County. Their deeds deserve a place in history that will long survive even the monuments of marble that may mark their graves.

It is the duty of the historian to treat of facts as they have existed " down through the dim vista of time." Therefore it becomes necessary for us to ascertain something of the primitive history of the earth beneath, as well as of men and things above. As there is no fact without a foundation (else it could not be a fact), it is proper that this chapter should begin with certain events scientifically ascertained to have occurred at some remote period between the date of Noah's flood and the discovery of America. (As a class, scientists are usually very accurate in their chronological records).

Dodge County, in common with other parts of Wisconsin, presents many remarkable and interesting topographical features, and, according to Prof. T. C. Chamberlin, the State Geologist, was once far beneath the waves of a broad ocean. The inequalities, he says, which it now presents, are due to subsequent changes, the results of three classes of agents, acting at different times and under diS'erent conditions, namely :

1. During the long ages between the emergence of the land and the drift period, the streams were cutting their beds deeper and deeper into the rock, and rendering the former level surface more and more irregular. The softer rocks were more readily eroded than the harder ones, and this helped to increase the unevenness. There was a tendency of the streams, so far as the slope favored, to follow the less resisting belts of soft rock, and, as these run in a northerly and southerly course in this region, the main streams had that direction. The little streams gathered into the larger ones in a manner not unlike that by which the branches cf a tree are united unto the trunk. The unevenness of surface produced by erosion of this nature produces a certain kind of system and symmetry readily recognizable. As this erosion occupied the time preceding the glacial period, we may conveniently designate the features produced by it, preglacial. We have the best example of this kind of surface conformation in the lead region, over which the drift forces did not act, and which has not been resubmerged, so that we have the results of this class of action pure and simple. As we proceed eastward into the region of drift action in the central part of the State, these features are modified more and more by the results of glacial action, until in Eastern Wisconsin they become wholly obscured, except in their grander outlines. Dodge County lies midway between the extremes.

2. The modifications of the surface constituting this first class of topographical features were produced by running water ; those of the second class, which were formed next in order of time, were caused by ice, in the form of glaciers, it is confidently believed, and by the agencies brought into action through their melting. The work of the ice was twofold : first, in the leveling of the surface, by planing down the hills and filling up the valleys ; and second, in the creation of a new, uneven surface, by heaping up in an irregular and promiscuous manner the clay, sand, gravel and bowlders it had formed, thus giving the surface a new aspect. Among the features produced by the action of the ice, are parallel ridges, sometimes miles in length, having the same direction as the ice movement ; hills of rounded flowing contour, sometimes having a linear arrangement in the direction of glacial progress ; mounds and hummocks of drift promiscuously arranged on an otherwise plain surface ; oval domes of rock {roehes moutonees) ; sharp gravel ridges, often having a tortuous serpentine course, transverse to the drift movement ; peculiar depressions known as "kettles," and half-submerged rock gorges, known as "fiords," - all of which combine to form a peculiar and distinctive surface contour. The melting of the ice mass gave rise to swollen lakes and flooded rivers, which eroded at some points and filled up at others, and so still further modified the face of the country. All these peculiarities, being the result, directly or indirectly, of the ice action, may be denominated glacial features.

3. Subsequent to the glacial period, the wearing action of the streams was resumed, but under somewhat new conditions, and carved out a new surface contour, the features of which may be termed post-glacial.

To the agencies, ice and water, assisted slightly by winds, the topographical peculiarities of the county are chiefly due. There is no evidence of violent eruptions, upheavals or outbursts. There was, indeed, the gradual elevation and depression of the surface, and probably some little flexure of the crust ; but the region has been free from violent agitation, and owes none of its salient topographical features to such causes.

Ele,Vations

Having disposed of the salient features of the topography of the county, attention is naturally directed to the minor characteristics of the formations. The following list of elevations constitutes a more specific class of topographical data, which will be of great value in making estimates for artesian wells and in locating preliminary lines of railroad. The figures indicate the altitude in feet above Lake Michigan. By adding 589 feet to those of any given point, the result will be the elevation above the ocean: Beaver Dam Railway station, 340 feet above the water line of Lake Michigan ; Beaver Dam Lake, 282 feet ; Burnett Junction, 299 feet ; Lake Horicon (that was), 277 feet; Loss Lake, town of Calamus, 291 feet; Clyman Station, 330 feet; Rock River, in the Sixth Ward of Watertown, 211 feet; Lake Emily, 312 feet; northeast corner of Section 11, town of Herman, 235 feet; south line of Section 26, same town, 105 feet; Lowell Station, 247 feet; Minnesota Junction, 348 feet; Rolling Prairie Station, 863

A hirge number of well-defined moraines of stones and rubbish exist in diflerent parts of the county. The most noteworthy of these occur in Sections 4, 5 and 6, in the town of Herman, and in Sections 33 and 34 in the town of Theresa. The former consists of a narrowridge, rising not usually more than twenty feet in height, and extending in a general easterly and westerly direction for a distance of about three miles, with occasional interruptions, where it is crossed by streams and "dry runs." Througliout Sections 5 and 6, the ridge lies upon an elevated table-land or plateau, formed of drift material.

Seological Formations

The northern part of the State is occupied by the oldest formations that are definitely known to geologists by observation, though theoretically there are older ones. These dip down beneath the sandstones and limestones that constitute the upper formations in the southern part of the State. They pass beneath Dodge County at a depth of more than a thousand feet, and may be looked upon as forming the great rock floor upon which the latter formations repose. There lies upon this floor first a great bed of sandstone, to which the name of Potsdam has been given. The thickness of this is somewhat irregular, but is sometimes nearly or quite one thousand feet. Upon this sandstone, there lies the lower magnesian limestone. This is likewise irregular in thickness, varying from about sixty feet to one hundred and fifty feet. The most southerly point in Eastern Wisconsin at whicli the luwer magnesian limestone appears is at Waterloo, a short distance below the southern line of Dodge County. The outcrop represents the upper portion of the formation.

Upon the lower magnesian limestone rests the St. Peters sandstone, which is also uneven in thicliness, the average being perhaps seventy-five to one hundred feet. In some portions of this formation occur organic remains. It tliere has suflicient compactness to serve as buildingstone, but usually it is too soft. The latter fact, however, permits its extensive use as sand for mortar and similar purposes. At most localities, it can be dug with pick and shovel - the mere handling being suflScient to reduce it to sand. On account of its clearness, it is much superior to most drift sand.

Upon the St. Peters sandstone lies the Trenton limestone, which appears near the surface of the earth in the towns of Shields, Portland, Elba, Lowell, Calamus, Beaver Dam, Westford, Fox Lake and Trenton, affording several valuable fjuarries.

Overlying the Trenton, and, indeed, forming the nucleus of the few prominent hills in the county, is found the galena limestone, so named from the double fact that, in the southwestern part of the State and in Northern Illinois, where it has its most characteristic development, it is the chief formation that bears the lead ore (galena or galenite). This rock is very impervious to water and atmospheric agencies. About two miles nor'Ji of AVatertown, in the southeast corner of Section 20, town of Emmet, is an extensive quarry of galena limestone. Similar formations, the material being somewhat coarser, appear and are extensively utilized near Juneau, and also at Waupun and near Fox Lake. At the two latter points, it undergoes a marked change in color, and is believed to be more durable than that found further south.

Another species of limestone, known to geologists as " Niagara," is found in the eastern part of the county. The lower strata of the Niagara series are named " Mayvillebeds," because they have their maximum development and finest exposure south of the village of that name. The white limestone that lies on the Mayville beds in the northern portion, .is largely used in lime-making and for building stone and flagging. The Mayville rock is a rough, coarse, gray magnesian limestone, the average thickness of which is about sixty feet The formation disappears southward beneath the drift, and is next seen in the town of Asliippun, where it forms a few ragged outlying ledges, the most noteworthy of which lies in the west halves of Sections 6 and 7.

The Glacial Formations Or Drift

Long after the above formations had been deposited by the Silurian ocean, and had been lifted from the water and eroded into hills and valleys by the elements, the region was subjected to the action of ice and glacial waters, by which a covering of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders was deposited over the face of the region, well-nigh concealing all the strata beneath. This constitutes the drift, or glacial, or quaternary deposits that prevail at the surface. They are composed of rounded fragments and the ground-up material of various kinds of rocks. When carefully studied, it is found that all these fragments were derived from formations lying to the northward and northeastward, and that a great many of them came from the Lake Superior region and beyond, as, for instance, the copper that is occasionally found, sometimes in quite large lumps. Taken altogether, this is one of the most puzzling formations known to geologists ; and, although the explanations worked out by the recent geological survey are probably the most satisfactory that have ever been given, it would far transcend our limits to attempt to reproduce them here. The soil, the latest geological formation, was produced by the disintegration of the drift and of the rock where it approaches the surface.

Springs And Artesian Wells

There are few localities in Dodge County at which an abundant supply of good water cannot be reached at moderate depths. The natural source of supply of the many excellent springs will first receive consideration. According to the report of the State Geologist, there are two general systems of springs : those that originate in the drift deposits, and those that flow from the rock. There are several reasons why spring water is more likely to be pure than that of wells. It comes from greater depths and passes through a greater extent of the deeper strata (which are comparatively free from organic impurities), than does the water of wells, which is usually drawn from the surface of the water-level beneath the location of the wells. The water of wells is usually stagnant, while that of springs is active, "living water." Artesian fountains are not here taken into account. In view of these facts, the study and utilization of springs become of much importance. The lowest noteworthy horizon from which springs arise is the vicinity of the junction of the Potsdam sandstone and the lower magnesian limestone. These formations lie far beneath the strata composing the Trenton and galena limestones. The water from this source usually has a temparature of 48° or 50°, and is clear and comparatively free from organic impurities, but contains a small percentage of the carbonates of lime and magnesia, and, in some cases, a very small percentage of iron, with usually some silica, alumina and chloride of sodium. But the combined amount of these is generally small, and the water is soft and very pleasant to the taste. Asmall amount of free carbonic acid is usually present, which enhances the grateful eftect of the water upon the palate and stomach. Above this horizon, springs occur but rarely till we reach the junction of the St. Peters sandstone with the Trenton limestone. These springs are similar in general character to the last, but usually contain a more considerable percentage of the several mineral ingredients, at least that portion of them derived from limestone, which still retains traces of many of the salts that we have reason to suppose were incorporated with it when it was formed beneath the ancient ocean. To this class belongs most of the springs that issue from the rock in the western half of the county. A number of springs in the vicinity of Beaver Dam issue from near the junction of the Trenton with the galena limestone. The '' Vita Spring," however, as is shown by the analy.sis of the water, derives it source from the ''lower levels."

The artesian wells in Dodge County vary in depth from 150 to 400 feet, usually terminating in the lower levels of Trenton limestone, but occasionally penetrating that formation and tapping the upper crusts of the St. Peters sandstone. The following measurements will show the distance below the surface of the earth at which Prof Chamberlin calculates the junction of these two formations occurs, and the same figures are fair average estimates of the depth of the artesian wells in the county: Section 25, town of Elba, 254 feet; Sections 17 and 31, town

The western half of Dodge County is particularly rich in water-sites; especially is this true of the region about Beaver Dam and Fox Lake. The same could once have been said of that part of the county through which the Rock River flows ; but the varied interests of the inhabitants came into conflict, and the result was the tearing-away of Horicon dam, wliich confined a body of water spreading over an area of 25,000 acres.

Beginning at the northwestern portion of the county. Fox Lake, with vast water-sheds all about it, pours its volume through a narrow channel leading to Beaver Dam Lake, turning the wheels of numerous mills and factories on its course. Reaching the foot of Beaver Dam Lake, it is again utilized as it passes into and through Beaver Creek, having a fall of about forty-two feet to the village of Lowell. The Crawfish River, flowing through the towns of Elba and Portland, furnishes a good power for the people of Danville and Portland.

As already stated, the utility of Rock River has been seriously impaired by the demolition of the dam at Horicon, whether to the general advantage or disadvantage of all those int;prested, remains a question to be answered by themselves. But the stream still afibrds many valuable and durable mill sites, both above and below Horicon.

Kekoskee and May ville, in the town of Williamstown, and Theresa, in the town of Theresa, have their dams and water-wheels and mills and factories. Hustisford, however, may be considered the most favored point on Rock River within the limits of Dodge County at the present time. In the town of Rubicon, saw and gfist mills are supplied with power from the Rubicon River at several points, while Ashippun River, as it passes through the southeastern corner of the town of Ashippun, is utilized in the same manner. Rock River passes out of Dodge County in Section 36, town of Lebanon, but returns, as if loath to leave so beautiful a spot, and makes its force felt again (in the town of Emmet) before winding its weary way to the mother stream. Tlie entire area drained by Rock River and its tributaries in Wisconsin is 3,635 square miles. The collection area above Horicon is 436 square miles, upon which the annual rainfall is estimated at 30,387,456,000 cubic feet. Allowing one-half for evaporation, filtration and other sources of loss, the theoretical discharge at the outlet of Horicon marsh wouM be 15,193,728,000 cubic feet. Reckoned at the lowest rainfall in the last thirty years, this amount would be diminished about one-third. The fall from Horicon to the Illinois State line is 127 feet, less than 60 feet of which are utilized. Of the unused portion, there is more than thirty feet fall between Horicon and Watertown, corresponding to about 1,600 horsepower. But there is a very noticeable diminution in the volume of water passing down Rock River, and some of the "oldest inhabitants" predict that it is gradually "going dry," and that such a result is inevitable. They base their opinion upon the very natural theory of absorption, occasioned mainly by the cutting-away of forests from about its banks. Science not having, as yet, controverted this theory, it must be. and probably is, generally accepted.

The Iron Deposits

There is one other feature of the geology of Dodge County, which forms an important part in its history, and that is the iron deposits found underlying the Niagara limestone (previously described) in the town of Hubbard. The main body is included in Sections 12 and 13 of that town. The locality is characterized by a north and south ledge facing the west and overlooking the lower land in that direction from a height of about sixty feet. The upper twenty feet or more of this ledge is composed of heavy, rough beds of Niagara limestone. Beneath this lies the ore bed, having a varying thickness averaging, perhaps, fifteen or twenty feet. The mine is situated a short distance west of the center of Section 13. Near it is the furnace, and a little further west is the village of Iron Ridge. Three-quarters of a mile north of this point is the Mayville mine, or what is known as the Mayville ore bed, though the village of Mayville is four miles and a half distant. The ore in these deposits occurs in regular horizontal beds, varying from three to fourteen inches in thickness. Near the furnace it is northward ; at the May ville ore bed it is southeastward, and north of this it is again northward. The water collecting in or issuing from the mines is colored to a bright scarlet, although a spring issuing from beneath is almost free from indications of iron, as, indeed, are all the springs in the vicinity. The ore consists of small lenticular concretions, whose average diameter is about one twenty-fifth of an inch. The peculiarity of the various formations renders mining very easy. The prevailing color of the ore is a dark reddish brown. At certain points, it becomes purplish and even bluish, as at the Mayville ore bed, where the term " blue ore " is applied. What may have been the original extent of the ore deposit to the westward cannot now be ascertained, as that portion has been swept away by the denuding agencies which formed the valley lying in that direction. The deposit may be traced a mile and a quarter to the northward from tlie furnace, where it is lost under the hills that rise in that direction. It has been found in a thin deposit two miles further on to the west of north in the town of Williamstown, and also a mile to the east of the furnace. The position of the ore, outcropping along the face of a terrace at a convenient elevation, rendering drainage, stripping, loading into cars or the furnace convenient : the soft character of the ore, its horizontal bedding of medium thickness, the ease with which it may be bored or blasted, its situation in a rich agricultural and heavily timbered region, and its railway connections, combine to render this locality unsurpassed in the advantages it presents for mining, reducing and shipping the ore.

Superintendent Sterling furnishes the following relating to the iron interests at this point: The whole amount of ore shipped from July 1, 18()9, to January 1, 1872, was 173,842 tons ; the amount in 1872. was 82,371 tons; in 1873, 48,706. Shipments were made to Chicago, Juliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich., Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis., and Zanesville and Newburg, Ohio, as well as to various other points in small quantities. The cost of mining the ore in 1873, was from 50 to 75 cents per ton, but this has been decreased as the company brought their machinery to a more perfect state. The average furnace yield of metal from the ore is 45 per cent. The furnace at this point is forty feet high, nine and a half feet across the boshes, uses four or five tuyeres or forge bellows, as occasion may require, makes use of the hot blast, blown by steam-power, burns charcoal, and has a capacity of about three thousand five hundred gross tons yearly. No flux is used. The ' composition of the pig-iron product is shown by the following analysis, by Prof E. T. Sweet : Iron, 95.784 per cent : phosphorus. 1.675; graphite, 1.379; combined carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.491 ; sulphur, 0.108: magnesia, small traces; total, 100.286.

In 1849, a blast furnace was established at the village of Mayville, for the reduction of this ore. In 1873, the capacity of this furnace was: Height, 40 feet (9 feet in the boshes), 4 tuyeres, the hot air blast, with steam and water combined as power. The charge was 700 pounds of ore and 16 bushels of charcoal. The ore used was from the north opening of the Mayville bed. Limestone and lean ore were sometimes used as flux. The yield was thirteen or fourteen tons per day, being about 42 per cent of the ore.

At the date of the compilation of this history and in a season when ore is not in the greatest demand, the company has, in its employ, one hundred and fifteen men, and is taking out about 4,500 tons of metal per month.

Dodge County is composed of twenty-four townships, all, save Trenton, Beaver Dam, Lowell and Shields, being six miles square. The county is intersected in almost every direction with living streams, and is dotted here and there with springs and lakes. In the original survey, the area of the meandered streams is not included in the acreage ; nor are the townships exactly six miles square, as a matter of fact, though the theory of surveying, adopted by the Government, proceeds upon the hypothesis that they are. The town of Trenton contains an area of about 551 square miles of land ; town of Baaver Dim, 40 square miles ; town of Lowell,

5i square miles; town of Shields, 25 J square miles. All the rest contain 36 square miles. The county comprises an area 30 miles square, equivalent to 570,000 acres.

Admirable locations were chosen for the village sites in the county ; but the hand of nature, in designing the rivers and lakes, must share more of the credit than the hand of man. The famous Rock River passes from north to south through the second tier of towns in the eastern portions of the county, winding its tortuous way among the meadows and groves, watering the natural vegetation peculiar to that section, and furnishing power for numerous mills. In the western half of the county, Fox Lake, Beaver Dam Lake, the Crawfish and Beaver Rivers, occupy parallel importance with Rock River and its tributaries in the eastern half -

In general, the surface is rolling, there being but a very small proportion of the entire section, if we except the marshes, which is not cultivatable. Perhaps one half of the county was originally timbered ; the other half openings or prairie - very little of it, however, so free from brush as to be considered clean prairie.

The soil is strong, rich and durable, and vast quantities of wheat and other small grains are produced each year. Fruits of the stronger varieties thrive and are abundant. Stockraising and dairying are extensive branches of industry, and have increased greatly in late years. In agricultural wealth, Dodge is perhaps surpassed by no other county in the State, and, in population, by only three or four. The German element is numerous, and about equals that of all other nationalities, predominating chiefly in the eastern portion. They are an industrious and saving people ; law-abiding iind lovers of good and honest government. The town of Ashippun is chiefly settled by Scandinavians, while the Irish may be said to predominate in the towns of Elba, Portland and Shields. A large proportion of the town of Calamus is Welsh. The Americans are most numerous in the central portion of the county.

Dodge is a county of convenient distances, and is exceptionally favored in the matter of good roads. Taking Juneau, the county seat, as the starting-point, the distances to the principal places of interest are as follows : Juneau to Beaver Dam, eight miles ; to Burnett Junction, seven miles ; to Columbus, sixteen miles ; to Chester, fourteen miles ; to Danville, fourteen miles ; to Fox Lake, fifteen miles ; to Horicon, five miles ; to Hustisford, six miles ; to Iron Ridge, eight miles ; to Kekoskee, ten miles ; to Lowell, seven miles ; to May ville, ten miles ; to Minnesota Junction, three miles ; to Neosho, eleven miles ; to Oak Grove, three miles ; to Randolph, seventeen miles ; to Reeseville, ten miles ; to Richwood, twelve miles ; to Rolling Prairie, four miles ; to Rubicon, twelve miles ; to Portland, twenty-one miles ; to Theresa, fourteen miles ; to Watertown, fourteen miles ; to Waupun, fifteen miles.

Timber

From the statistics of forestry, in the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture, for 1875, we quote the following concerning the wooded features of Dodge County : " The deciduous trees in Wisconsin correspond to those in Indiana and Illinois, except that there is much less of black walnut and more of basswood, * * * j^jjj hemlock, cedar and tamarack are found in considei'able quantities. A noticeable feature is the extent to which land originally occupied with scrubby oaks, known as ' oak openings,' is being covered with a dense and thrifty spontaneous growth of hardwood timber of different kinds. The forests left in Dodge County are confined to small lots on the farms for home use. Wood on the stump is worth §2 to $3..50 per cord. Great quantities of forest products have been converted into coal for smelting iron in the county. Much of the land from which this timber was early cut off is now covered with a thick growth of young hardwoods, yielding twenty cords per acre."

Earth Mounds

There seems to exist a diversity of opinion upon this subject. The theories of scientists, while generally pointing to the belief that the earth mounds found in Dodge County, which are not dissimilar to those in existence throughout the Rock River Valley, are the peculiar work of an extinct or pre-historic race, are frequently contradictory. The explanation of the history of these mounds, as accepted by those prominently connected with the State Historical Society, is that, " so far as the valley of this stream (Rock River) is concerned, throughout its whole e.xtent, in Wisconsin, are to be found interesting relics of pre-historic man. There is nothing to distinguish these works," they say, "from others more within the proper region, as it were, of the jNIound-Builders. In one of the mounds, bones are said to have been obtained. * * * * Some of the mounds examined were of animal shape. There is a group of earthworks about two and a half miles east of Beloit representing animals of different kinds.'

The same species of mounds is found in Dodge County. Near the village of IToricon, until within a few years back, there was to be seen a large earth protuberance, taking the form of an elephant lying upon its side. Others in the same locality were found representing horses and cattle. Not far from the eastern limits of Beaver Dam existed similar formations ; while upon the apex of a knoll near the the present site of the Polish Catholic Church, M. Shafer, of Beaver Dam, tells of having seen a mound one hundred feet in length, and about two feet high, representing a lizard, with perfectly formed head, feet and tail. In the center, or about midway between the hind and fore legs, was a thrifty oak-tree, measuring eighteen inches in diameter, and supposed to be at least one hundred years old. Quite a group of mounds of various shapes dotted the ridge running north and south thi'ough the city of Beaver Dam, when Judge Hosmer came to the place in 1846. But tliese have long since disappeared, and the elegant residences of J. J. Williams, Ira Rowell, S. P. K. Lewis, Dr. Swan, and others, have taken their place. Another of these " mysterious formations '' is still to be seen on the farm of Mr. Stevens, near the Beaver Dam railway station. It is about forty feet in diameter, and almost perfectly round ; rises abruptly to a height of four or five feet, and then sinks slightly toward the center.

Arrow-heads, stone axes, rude patterns of pottery, etc., have been found in those of the mounds which have been opened. Instances of the discovery of human bones within them are very rare.

In the early history of Beaver Dam, Indians of the different tribes were very plenty, and they frequently camped in greater or lesser numbers along the banks of the lake and river. Among them was an old, gray-haired man, said to be a centenarian. He was very intelligent for an Indian, and, under the influence of the promise of a piece of tobacco, or a drink of whisky, he would converse with the whites in very acceptable English. Mr. Shafer frequently indulged the old man's cravings for " the weed," and in that way drew from him much valuable information, with which his mind seemed to be well stored. During an interview with him in 1848, Mr. Shafer asked him to explain the primary existence of the many mounds then to be seen in almost every field or forest. After some hesitation, the old man said he knew nothing concerning them except what his father had told him when he was a boy. He then gave the version of his paternal ancestor in a straightforward manner about as follows : Many years ago, the various tribes of Indians inhabiting these parts professed to be very religious, and exhibited ..he sincerity of those professions by holding periodical tribal meetings, and worshiping, in their o<.va manner, a deity fashioned by their own hands. Each one of those of the faithful who attended these gatherings brought with him or her a bag, made of the skins of animals, filled with some portion of the earth composing their camping-grounds. Sometimes they came from long distances, carrying heavy loads of dirt upon their backs, and frequently they gathered by thousands to participate in the peculiar exercises.

The sands of their hearthstones, as it were, were emptied together in one huge pile, at the appointed place of meeting, and, it seems, a part of the ceremony consisted in shaping this pile in the form of an animal, which at once became the object of their idolatrous worship. Before dispersing it was understood where and when the next meeting would take place ; and so they continued to " wash their sins away, " until perhaps - though tiicre is no foundation for the statement - an Indian IngersoU came along and demolished their spiritual theory of how to be saved from the damned.

But there are two things - and either will bear investigation - which give an air of plausibility to the version of the old gray-haired Indian's father, namely : First, the fact that the earth of which most of these mounds is composed presents a variety of soil. The black loam of the river bottoms or lowlands, is found segregated from the less vegetable clays of the hills, while the mellow earth, such as is found in the fields, has positively refused in all these years to mix with the occasional strata of ashes or sand. Second, the foce of the earth in the vicinity of these mounds - especially those in Dodge County - shows no depressions indicating that they have been thrown up or that they are composed of the contiguous soil.

Scientists may overthrow this theory; or perhaps they may consider it not worthy their attention. But we ask one or all of them to go to Horicon, and dig into one of the numerous cornhills there to be found, make an analysis of the earth therein contained, and then report if it diflers materially from a shovelful of the same soil taken from the well-defined depression from which that cornhill was made, perhaps an hundred or may be two hundred years ago. If sucli an investigation should happen to disclose the skull of a flat-headed Indian, or one with welldeveloped "bumps," either may, with impunity, be labeled the pate of a " pre-historic man '' or Mound-Builder.

Indian Occupancy

As early as the year 1632, the civilized world had knowledge, through vague reports of savages, of a tribe of Indians to the westward and southwestward of Lake Huron, who lived in a country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes." This nation, it is believed, was the one afterward known as the Illinois. They occupied what is now Northern Illinois, extending their occupation, probably, so far to the northward as to include Southern Wisconsin, and, no doubt, the territory now included in Dodge County. Afterward, they were driven beyond the Mississippi, but subsequently returned to the region of the river which bears their name.

Meanwhile, there commenced an emigration of tribes from Fox River of Green Bay, to the southward. The Mascoutins and their kindred, the Kickapoos and Miamis, moved to the vicinity of the south end of Lake Michigan. It is probable that one or more of these tribes had their homes for a time in the Rock River A'alley, after the migration of the Illinois across the Mississippi. Following them in, at least, a nominal occupation of Southern Wisconsin, were the Foxes ; but these Indians and their kindred, the Sacs, insteid of migrating toward the south, moved westward and southwestward from the river which commemorates the first-mentioned tribe. j

Though there is abundant evidence that many portions of the territory now known as Dodge County were occupied by the Winnebagoes previous to the advent of the whites, it is believed they had but one village - that of White Breast (Maunk-shak-kah) - within the present bounds of the county. The character of the country, so admirably suited to all the requirements of a primitive and nomadic people - well watered throughr>ut its whole extent, and containing a broad expanse of prairie, upon which grazed the herds of game, or which were readily converted into fertile cornfields - aftords presumptive evidence that it must have been a favorite abode of a portion of that tribe.

While the Winnebagoes occupied this western Eden - the Rock River Valley - undisputed masters of all its beauty and all its wealth of game and fish, they were occasionally visited by adventurous white men, who took up temporary residences among them for purposes of trade. Others married among them and became what may be called Indian residents.

There were many tribes of Indians who claimed to be sole owners of all the land embraced in the present State of Wisconsin, when it finally came under the jurisdiction of the LInited States. This question of aboriginal ownership of the soil was then found to be inextricably complicated by conflicting claims of different tribes to the same land. As will be found fully explained in the general history of the State, the Menomonees, Chippewas, Ottawas, Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes and Pottawatomies were all located within the present boundaries of Wisconsin, and the claims of several different tribes were frequently found to embrace the same territory. Thus, for example, the Winnebagoes, the Sacs and Foxes, and the Pottawatomies each claimed an ownership in the Rock River country.

The first treaty affecting the lands of the Rock River Valley made with the Indians was that between " William Clark, Ninian Edwards and August Choteau, Commissioners Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, on the part and behalf of the said States, of the one part, and the chiefs and warriors of that portion of the Winnebago tribe or nation residing on the Wisconsin River, of the other part," which treaty was proclaimed January 30, 1816. Article II of this treaty stipulated that "the undersigned chiefs and warriors, for themselves those they represent, do, by these presents, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their nation to the British, French or Spanish Governments within the limits of the United States or Territories, and, also, all and every treaty, contract and acrreement, heretofore concluded between the United States and the said tribe or nation, as far as their interest in the same extends."

Subsequently, a treaty proclaimed February 6, 1826, was entered into with the Sioux and Cliippewa, Sac and Fox, Menomonee, Iowa, Sioux, Winnebago, and a portion of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie tribes, for the purpose of " promoting peace among these tribes, and to establish boundaries among them and the other tribes who live in their vicinity." Article VI of this treaty is to this effect : " It is agreed between the Chippewas and Winnebagoes, so far as they are mutually interested therein, that the southern boundary line of the Chippewa country shall commence on the Chippewa River, half a day's march below the falls of that river, and run thence to the source of Clear Water River, a branch of the Chippewa; thence south to Black River ; thence to a point where the woods project into the meadows, and thence to the Plover Portage of the Wisconsin."

Article VII stipulates : " It is agreed between the Winnebagoes and the Sioux, Sacs and Foxes, Chippewas and Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies of the Illinois, that the Winnebago country shall be bounded as follows : Southeasterly by Rock River, from its source near the Winnebago Lake to the AVinnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth; westerly by the east line of the tract lying upon the Mississippi, herein secured to the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie Indians of the Illinois ; and also by the high bluff described in the Sioux boundary, and running north to Black River; from this point, the Winnebagoes claim up Black River to a point due west from the source of the left fork of the Wisconsin ; thence to the source of the said fork, and down the same to the Wisconsin ; thence down the Wisconsin to the portage and across the portage to Fox River ; thence down Fox River to the Winnebago Lake, and to grand Kau Kaulin, including in their claim the whole of Winnebago Lake."

By a treaty concluded at Rock Island between the United States, by their Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, and Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, and the Winnebagoes, proclaimed February 13, 1833, the Winnebagoes, for certain considerations of land, money and supplies, ceded " to the United States, forever, all the lands to which said nation have title or claim, lying to the south and east of the Wisconsin River, and the Fox River of Green Bay."

As, however, the country claimed by the Winnebagoes under the treaty of February 6, 1826, was bounded on the southeast " by Rock River from its source, near the Winnebago Lake to the Winnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth," it is evident that the land ceded by this last treaty (that of February 13, 1833), could not include the whole of Dodge County as it now exists. The other moiety of this county was acknowledged to be the property of the United Nation of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians ; and, to extinguish their title, a treaty was entered into with them at Chicago September 26, 1833, whereby, for good and valuable considei'ations, this confederated nation of Indians ceded " to the United States all their land along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between this lake and the land ceded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty of Fort Armstrong (Rock Islaml), made on the 15th of September, 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the south by the country ceded at the treaty of Prairie du Chien, made on the 29th of July, 1829, supposed to contain about five millions of acres."

Finally, and to remove the possibility of any doubt whatever as to the validity of the title held by the United States to the lands lying on both sides of Rock River, a treaty was concluded at Washington City (proclaimed June 16, 1838) with the Winnebagoes, whereby, in brief but comprehensive terms, " the Winnebago Nation of Indians cede to the United States all their land east of the Mississippi River."

With this treaty, the United States obtained an unassailable title to all the lands lying within the present bounds of Dodge County ; but, so fond of their former homes in this locality were tlie Rock River Winnebagoes, that even after they had been removed to the reservation provided for them, they continually revisited them, in small parties, to the great annoyance of the citizens; and the Government was finally compelled, in 181-1, to send a military detachment to secure obedience to the order confining them to territory set off to them beyond the Mississipi. But, though forced to leave, they would frequently return in small parties ; and, when these straggling bands would pass their old-time burial places, they would manifest the deepe-t reverence.

The Black Hawk War

The summer of 1832 was a somewhat notable one in the history of the territory included in the Rock River Valley. Dodge County, however, did not figure very extensively in the Black Hawk war. While the United States forces in pursuit of the redoubtable warrior and his cohorts wei'e encamped at Fort Atkinson in July, 1882, a detachment of the command under Cols. Dodge, Henry and Alexander, was dispatched to Fort Winnebago for supplies. Here, being informed that Black Hawk was encamped upon Rock River at or near Hustis' Rapids {now Hustisford), Cols. Dodge and Henry set out to return by that route on the 15th of the month, and reached the river on the 18th ; but no certain indications of the Indians Were discovered until the troops reached the vicinity of Watertown, whence the enemy were pursued toward the region of the Four Lakes, in Dane Countv.

United States Surveys And Land Sales

Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, and the acquisition by the United States of the Indian title to all the land west of Lake Micliisian, not reserved to the Indians or secured to specified individuals by the terms of the several treaties, a survey was commenced by the Genei'al Government. The northern boundary of Illinois, which was fixed April 11, 1818, on the parallel of 42° 30' north latitude, became necessarily the base line of the surveys. A principal north and south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was also. run, extending from the b.ise line to Lake Superior. This line was west of the territory now included in Dodge County, running between what are now the counties of Grant and La Fayette. Parallel lines to this were run every six miles both 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 east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the first twelve miles east ; and so on to Lake Michigan - Dodge County lying in Ranges 1 3, 14, 15, 16 and 17 east. Parallel lines north of the base lines 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, as Townships 1 north. Townships 2 north, and so on. As the south line of the present territory of Dodge County lies forty-eight miles and the north line seventy-eight miles north of the base line, it includes, of course, five tiers of townships, numbered 9, 10, 11 and 12 north. Hence, in speaking of the territory o,f Dodge County, as surveyed by the General Government, it is said to be in Towns 9. 10, 11 and 12 north, of Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 east.

By the end of 1833, a large amount of the public land had been surveyed, and the fact being duly reported by the Surveyor General, Congress, by an act approved June 26, 1834, created two land districts. They embraced all that tract 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. It was divided by a north and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois, between ranges 8 and 9, to the Wisconsin River. All east of that line was called the Green Bay Land District ; all west, the Wisconsin Land District. Within the first-mentioned district was included the whole of the present county of Dodge. A Land Office for this Eastern District was established at Green Bay, which was duly opened by the Government, and a notice given of a public sale of all the then surveyed public lands lying south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, which notice placed in the market all that portion of what was afterward Dodge County, lying west of Rock River. In accordance with this announcement, a sale took place at Green Bay in 1835.

By act of Congress of June 15, 1836, the Milwaukee Land District was created out of the southern portion of the Green Bay District, including all the land between Range 8 east and Lake Michigan, bounded on the south by the Illinois State line, and extending north so as to extend to and include the tier of townships numbered 10 north ; also Townships 11 and 12 north, of Ranges 21 and 22 east. Of course, in this district fell all the territory now included within the limits of the towns of Elba, Lowell, Clyman, Hustisford, Rubicon, Portland, Shields, Emmet, Lebanon and Ashippun, in Dodge County. The Land Office was located in Milwaukee, where the first public sale of Government lands within the new district was held in tiie spring of 1839. This brought into market all the above described portion of Dodge County that had not previously been disposed of, and, for the first time, that part lying east of Rock River.