Green County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3: Aborigines of Green County, 1884 (part 2 of 3)

Mr. Brisbois said to me several times during the winter, that he feared some outrages from the Winnebagoes in the spring, as from all he could gather they were bent on war, which I ought to have believed, as Mr. Brisbois had been among them engaged in trade over forty years. But I thought it impossible that the Winnebagoes, surrounded, as they were by Americans, and troops in the country, should for a moment seriously entertain such an idea. I supposed it a false alarm, and gave myself very little uneasiness about it; but in the spring, when they returned from their hunts, I found that they paid much worse than usual, although they were not celebrated for much punctuality or honesty in paying their debts. It was a general custom witii the traders, when an Indian paid his debts in the spring pretty well, on his leaving, to let him have a little ammunition, either as a present or on credit. A Winnebago by the name of Wah-wah-peckah, had taken a credit from me, and paid me but a small part of it in the spring; and when I reproached him, he was disposed to be impudent about it; and when his party were about going, he applied to me as usual for ammunition for the summer, and insisted upon having some, but I told him if he had behaved well, and paid me his credit better, that I would have given him some, but that he had behaved so bad that I would not give him any, and he went away in a surly mood.

A man by the name of Methode, I think, a half-breed of some of the tribes of the north, had arrived here, sometime in the summer of 1826, with his wife, and, I think, five children; and, sometime in March of 1827, he went Avith his family, up the Yellow or Painted Rock creek, about twelve miles above the Prairie, on the Iowa side of the Mississippi river, to make sugar. The sugar season being over, and he not returning, and hearing nothing from him, a party of his friends went to look for him, and found his camp consumed, and himself, wife and children burned nearly to cinders, and she at the time enciente. They were so crisped and cindered that it was impossible to determine whether they had been murdered and then burned, or whether their ca.np had accidently caught on fire and consumed them. It was generally believed that the Winnebagoes had murdered and burnt them, and Red Bird was suspected to have been concerned in it; but I am more inclined to think, that if murdered by Indians, it was done by some Fox war party searching for Sioux.

In the spring of this year, 1827, while a Chippewa chief called Ilole-in-the-day, with a part of his band, visited Fort Snelling on business with the government, and while under the guns of the fort, a Sioux warrior shot one of the Chippewas. The Sioux was arrested by the troops, and confined in the guard-house. The Chippewas requested Col. Snelling to deliver the Sioux to tbem, to be dealt with after their manner; to which he agreed, provided they wouhl give him a chance to run for his life. To this they acceded. The Sioux was sent outside of the fort, while the Chippewas were armed with tomahawks and war clubs. He was to be allowed a fair start, and at a signal started, and one of the swiftest of the Chippewas armed with a club and tomahawk after him, to overtake and kill him if he could, which he soon effected, as the Sioux did not run fast, and when overtaken made no resistance. The Winnebagoes hearing a rumor of this, got the news among them that the two Winnebagoes confined there [for the murder of Methode and family] had been executed.

During the spring of 1827, the reports about the Winnebagoes bore ratlier a threatening aspect; but, as I said before, situated as they were I did not believe they would commit and depredations. Under this belief, and having urgent business in New York to purchase my goods, I started for that city on the 25th of June; it then took about six months to go any return. Mine was the only purely American family at the Prairie, after the garrison left. There was Thomas McNair, who had married a French girl of the Prairie, and John Marsh, the sub-Indian agent, who had no family, and there were besides three or four Americans who had been discharged from the army. Without apprehension of danger from the Indians, I left my family, which consisted of Mrs. Lockwood, and her brother, a young man of between sixteen and seventeen years of age, who was clerk in charge of the store, and a servant girl belonging to one of the tribes of New York civilized Indians settled near Green Bay.

I started to go by way of Green bay and the lakes for New York, in a boat up the Wisconsin, and down the Fox river to Green Bay; thence in a vessel to Buffalo, and down the canal to Albany, and thence by steamboat to New York city. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the first day's journey up the Wisconsin, I cama to an island where were sitting three Winnebagoes smoking, the oldest called Wah-wah-peck-ah, who had a credit of me the fall previous and had paid but little of it in the spring; the other two were young men not known to me by name. They had some venison hanging on a pole, and we stopped to purchase it As I stepped on shore I discovered an appearance of cold reserve unusual in Indians in such meetings, and as I went n\) to them I said, ^l)on jour'' the usual French salutation, which they generally understood; but Wah-wali-peckah said that lie v^onld not say hon jotir to me. Upon which I took hold of his hand and shook it, asking him why he would not say, hon jour to me? He inquired wliat the news was. I told him I had no news. He told me that the Winnebagoes corifined at Fort Snelling had been killed. I assured him that it was not true, that I had seen a person lately from that fort, who told me of the death of the Sioux, but that the Winnebagoes were alive. He then gave me to understand that if such was the case, it was well; but if the Winnebagoes were killed, they would avenge it. Isucceeded in purchasingthe venison, giving them some powder in exchange, and as 1 was about to step on board of my boat, Wahwah-peck-ah wanted some whisky, knowing that we always carried some for our men.

I directed one of the men to give them each a drink, which Wah-wah-peck-ah refused, and taking up the cup that he had by him, he showed by signs that he wanted it filled; and believing that the Indians were seeking some pretense for a quarrel as an excuse for doing mischief, I thought it most prudent under the circumstances to com})ly.

There were among the boats' crew some old voyageurs, well acquainted with Indian manners and customs, who, from the conduct of these Indians, became alarmed. We, however, embarked, watching the Indians, each of whom stood on the bank with his gun in his hand. As it was late in the day, we proceeded a few miles up the river and encamped for the night.

As soon as the boat left the island, the three Indians each got into his hunting canoe, and the two young Indians came up on either side opposite the bow of the boat, and continued thus up the river until we encamped while Wah-wah-peck-ah kept four or five rods behind the boat. They encamped with us, and commenced running and playing with the men on the sand beach; and after a little the young Indians proposed to go hunting deer by candlelight, and asked me to give them some candies to hunt with, which I did, with some ammunition, and they promised to return with venison in the morning. After they had gone, Wah-wahpeck-ah proposed also to go hunting, and begged some candles and am^munition, but remained in camp over night. Morning came, but the young Indians did not return, and I saw no more of them. In the morning, after Wah-wah-peck-ah had begged something more, he started, pre tending to go down the river, and went as we supposed; but about an hour afterward, as we were passing on the right of the upjjer end of the island on which we had encamped, I saw Wah-wah-peck-ah coming up on the left. IJe looked verp surly, and we exchanged no words, but we were all satisfied that he was seeking some good opportunity to shoot me, and from the siiiguhir conduct of the Indians, I and my men were considerably alarmed. But about 9 o'clock in the morning, meeting a band of Indians from the portage of Wisconsin, who appeared to be glad to see me, and said they were going to Prairie du Chien, my fears with those of the men were somewhat allayed. I wrote with my pencil a hasty line to my wife, which the Indians promised to deliver, but they never did, as they did not go there.

This day, the 26th of June, we proceeded up the Wisconsin without seeing any Indians until we came near Praii'ie du Baie, when an Indian alone in a hunting canoe, came out of some nook and approached us. He was sullen, and we could get no talk uut of him. We landed on Prairie du J-Jaie, and he stopped also; and a few moments thereafter, a canoe of Menomonees arrived from Prairie du Chien, bringing a brief note from John Marsh, saying the Winnebagoes had murdered a man of mixed French and Negro blood, named Rijeste Gagnier, and Solomon Lipcap, and for me, for God's sake, to return. I immediately got into the canoe with the Menomonees, and directed my men to proceed to the portage, and if I did not overtake them to go on to Green Bay. I proceeded down the river with the Menomonees, and when we had decended to the neighborhood where we had fallen in with the Indians the day before, we met Wah-wah-peck-ah coming up in his hunting canoe alone, having with him his two guns. He inquired if I was going to the Prairie. I told him I was. He then told me that the whisky at the Prairie was shut up, but did not tell me of the murders, and asked me that should he come to the Prairie whether I would let him have some whisky? I told him I certainly would if he brought some furs, not wishing then to make any explanation, or to enter into any argument with him.

About this time, we heard back of an Island, and on the southern shore of the Wisconsin, the Winnebagoes singing their war songs and dancing, with which I was x'amiliar; and so well satisfied was I that Wah-wah-peck-ah was only seeking a favorable opportunity to shoot me, that if I had had a gun where he met us, I believe that I should have shot him. After talking with him the Menomonees moved down the river, and arrived at the mouth of the Wisconsin about dark without seeing any more Winnebagoes. It was so dark that the Menomonees thought that we had better stop until morning, and we accordingly crawled into the bu.^lu's without a fire and fougiit mosquitoes all night, and the next morning, the 27th, proceeded to the Prairie. I went to my house and found it vacant, and went to the old village where I found my family and most of the inhabitants of the Prairie, assembled at the house of Jean 15runet, who kept a tavern. Mr. Brunet had a quantity

I learned on my arrival at the Prairie that on the preceding day, the 26th; Red Bird, who when dressed, always wore a red coat and called hiinself English, went to my house with two other Indians, and entering the cellar kitchen, loaded their guns in the presence of the servant girl, and went up through the hall into Mrs. Lockwood's bed-room where she was sitting alone. The moment the Indians entered her room she believed they came to kill her, and immediately passed into and through the parlor, and crossed the hall into the store to her brother, where she found Duncan Graliam, who had been in the country about forty years as a trader,' and was known by all the Indians as an Englishman. He had been a captain in the British Indian department during the War of 1812, and a part of the time was commandant at Prairie du Chien. The Indians followed Mrs. Lockwood into the store, and Mr. Graham by some means induced them to leave the house.

They then proceeded to McNair's Coulee, about two miles from the village, at the lower end of Prairie du Chien, where lived Rijeste Gagnier; his wife was a mixed blood of French and Sioux extraction, Avith two children; and living with him was an old discharged American soldier by the name of Solomon .Lipcap. The Winnebagoes commenced a quarrel with Gagnier and finally shot him, I believe, in the house. Lipcap, at work hoeing in the garden nea)- the house, they also shot. During the confusion, Mrs. Gagnier seized a gun, got out at the back window with her boy about three years old on her back, and proceeded to the village with the startling news. The cowardly Indians followed her a part of the way, but dared not attack her. On her arrival at the village a party went to the scene of murder, and found and brought away the dead, and the daughter of Mr. Gagnier, about one year old, whom the mother in her friglit had forgotten. Tlie Indians had scalped her and inflicted a severe wound iu her neck.

and left her for dead, and had thrown her under the bed, but she was found to be still alive. She got well, and arriving at womanhood got married, and has raised a family of children; she is yet alive and her eldest daughter was but lecently married.

The people had decided not to occupy the old fort, as a report had been circulated that the Indians had said that they intended to burn it if the inhabitants should take refuge there. During the day of the 27th, the people occupied themselves in making some breast-works of the timber about Mr. Brunei's tavern getting the swivel and wall pieces from the fort, and the condemned muskets and repairing them, and concluded they would defend themselves, each commanding, none obeying, but every one giving his opinion freely.

About sunset one of the two keel-boats arrived that had a few days previously gone to Fort Snelling with supplies for the garrison, having on board a dead Indian, two dead men of the crew and four wounded. The dead and wounded of the crew were inhabitants of Prairie du Chien who had shij)i)ed on the up-bound trip. They reported that they had been attacked the evening before, about sunset, by the Winnebago Indians,* near the mouth of Bad Ax river, and the boat received about 500 shots, judging from the marks on its bow and sides. The Indians were mostly on an island on the west of the channel, near to which the boat had to pass, and the wind blowing strong from the east, drifted the boat towards the shore, ! where the Indians were, as the steering oar had been abandoned by the steersman. During this time, two of the Indians succeeded in getting

*Ex-Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, in his volume of his Life ond rimes, thus states the immediate cause of this attack. That somewhere above Prairie du Chien on their upward trip, thev stopped at a large camp of Winnebajiro Indians, gave them some liiiuor freely and got them drunk, when they forced six or seven squaws, stupefied with liquor, on board the boats for corrupt and brutal purtjoses, and kept them durins- theivvoyage to Fort Snelling- and on their return. When the Winnebago Indians became sober, and fully conscious of the injurv done them, they mustered all their forces amountingto several hundred and attacked the foremost of the descending boats in which their squaw's were confined. But this story has since been proven to be without foundation.

on board of the boat. One of them mounted the roof, and fired in from the fore part; but he was soon shot and fell off into the river. The other Indian took the steering oar and endeavored to steer the boat to the island. He was also shot and brought down in the boat whei-e he fell. During all this time the Indians kept up a hot fire. The boat was fast drifting towards a sand bar near the shore, and they would all have been murdered had it not been for the brave, resolute conduct of an old soldier on board, called Saucy Jack (his surname I do not remember), who during the hottest of the fire, jumped over at the bow and pushed the boat off, and where he must have stood the boat was literally covered with ball marks, so that his escape seemed a miracle. They also reported that early the day before the attack, they were lashed to the other boat drifting, and that they had grounded on a sand bar and separated, since which time they had not seen or heard anything of the other boat, and thought probably that it had fallen into the hands of the_ Indians.

This created an additional alarm among the inhabitants.- The same evening my boat returned, the men becoming too much alarmed to proceed. That night sentinels were posted by the inhabitants within the breast-works, who saw, in imagination, a great many Indians prowling about in the darkness; and in the morning there was a great variety of opinion as to what was best to be none for the safety of the place, and appearances betokened a great deal of uneasiness in the minds of all classes.

On the morning of the 28th I slept rather late, owing to the fatigue of the preceding day. My brother-in-law awakened me and told me the people had got into some difficulty, and that they wished me to come out and see if I could not settle it. I went out on the gallery, and inquired what the difficulty was; and heard the various plans and projects of defense proposed by different persons. Some objected to staying in the village and protecting the property of the villagers while theirs, outside the village, was equally exposed to the pillage of the Indians. Others were for remaining and fortifying where they were, and others still urged the repairing of the old fort. As the eminence on which my house stood overlooked the most of the prairie, some were for concentrating our people there and fortifying it. After hearing these different projects, I addressed them something as follows: "As to your fortifying my house, you can do so, if it is thought best, but I do not wish you to go there to protect it; I have abandoned it, and if the Indians burn it, so be it; but there is one thing, if we intend to protect ourselves from the Indians, we must keep together, and some one must command."

Some one then nominated me as commander, but I said: "No, I would not attempt to command you, but here is Thomas McNair, wlio holds from the governor a commission of captain over the militia of this place and has a right to command; if you will agree to obey him implicitly, I will set the exan)ple of olt^dience to his orders, and will, in that case, furnish you with powder and lead as long as you want to shoot (I being the only person having those articles in the '>lace), but unless you agree to obey McNair, I will put my family and goods into my beats and go down the river, as I will not risk myself with a mob under no control." Upon this they agreed to acknowledge Mr. Mc- Nair as commander, and I was satisfied that he would take advice upon all measures undertaken. Joseph Hrisbois was lieutenant, and Jean Brunet was ensign, both duly comtnissioned by the governor. Capt. McNair ordered a move of all the families, goods, with the old guns, to the fort, and it was near sunset before we had all got moved there.

About that time we discovered the skiff of the other keel-boat coming around a point of an island near Yellow river, about three miles distant; but we could not discover whether they were white men or Indians in the canoe, and of course it created an alarm, but in a few moments thereafter, the keel-boat hove in sijj^ht and the alarm ceased. It soon arrived, reporting that they had received a few shots in passing the places where the other boat had been attacked, but had received no injury. On this boat Joseph Snelling, son of Col. Snelling, returned to Prairie du Chien. Joseph Snelling and myself acted as supernumeraries under Capt. McNair. The government of Fort Crawford was conducted by a council of the captain and those who acted under him. It was immediately resolved to repair the old fort as well as possible for defense, and the fort and block-house were put in as good order as circumstances and materials would admit. Dirt was thrown up two or three feet high around the bottom logs of the fort, which were rotten and dry, and would easily ignite. Joseph Snelling was put in command of one of the block-houses, and Jean Brunet of the other, with a few picked men in each, who were trained to the use of the swivel and wall pieces that were found and mounted therein; and a number of barrels were placed around the quarters filled with water, with orders, in case of an attack, to cover the roof of the building with blankets, etc., and to keep them wet. All the blacksmiths were put in requisition to repair the condemned muskets found in the fort, and, mustering our force, we found of men and women about ninety that could handle a musket in case of an attack.

The next day after taking possession of the fort, J. B. Loyer, an old voyageur, was engaged to cross the Mississippi and go back through the country, now the State of Iowa, to inform Col. Snelling, commanding Fort Snelling, of our situation. For this sei'vice Loyer was promised $50 and furnished with a horse to ride and provisions, and Duncan Graham was engaged to accompany him, for which he wast o receive $20, provisions and a horse to ride; and for these payments, I became personally responsible.

Gov. Cass, who had come to Butte des Morts, oa the Fox river, to hold a treaty with the Winnebagoes, learned from rumor that there was dissatisfaction among them, and starting in his canoe, arrived -Bt Prairie du Chien on the morning of the 4th of July. He ordered the company of militia into the service of the United States, and appointed me quarter-master and commissary, with the request that I would use my own funds for the supply of the department, and that he would see it refunded; and, furthermore, assumed the debt for ammunition and provisions already advanced, and also the expense of the express to Fort Snelling, and directed me to issue to the troops a keel-boat load of flour, that I previously receipted for to one of the agents of the contractors for Fort Snelling, who feared to go farther with it.

After these arrangements had been made, Gov. Cass proceeded in his canoe to Galena, and raised a volunteer company under the late Col. Abner Fields as captain, and assigned him to the command of Fort Crawford. Lieut. Martin Thomas, of the United States ordinance department, and then stationed at the arsenal near St. Louis, who happened to be at Galena, came up and mustered the two companies of the militia into the service of the United States; and contracted with Pliiiieas Black, of the village of Louisiana, in Missouri, whom he found at Galena, for a quantity of pork which was sent up by the boat that brought the volunteer company. Gov. Cass proceeded from Galena to St. Louis to confer with Gen. Atkinson, then in command of Jefferson barracks and of the western military department. This resulted in Gen. Atkinson's moving up the Mississippi with the disposable force under command at Jefferson barracks. During this time Col. Snelling came down the Mississippi with two companies of the 5th regiment of United States Infantry, and assumed the command of Fort Crawford, and soon after discharged the Galena volunteer company, as they could not well be brought under military discipline. But the Prairie du Chien company was retained in service until some time in the month of August,

Daring this time Gen. Atkinson arrived with the troops from Jefferson barracks, having on his way up dispatched a volunteer force under Gen. Dodge from Galena, to proceed by land to the portage of Wisconsin. When Gen. Atkinson, with great difficulty, owing to the low state of the water in the Wisconsin, arrived at the portage, he met old grey-headed Day-Kau- Ray, with his band, who, finding himself surrounded by the volunteers in the rear, and Gen. Atkinson's force of regulars in front, and a company of volunteers from Green Bay, concluded to disclaim any unfriendly feelings towards the United States, and disavowed any connection with the murders on the Mississippi. Gen. Atkinson, on these assurances of Day- Kau-Ray, returned, but ordered the occupation of Fort Crawford by two companies of troops. Notwithstanding these murders of our citizens and movements of troops, the wise men at Washington, witli about as much judgment as they generally decide upon Indian affairs, decided that this was not an Indian war.

After the people had taken possession of the fort, and before the arrival of Gen. Cass, Indians were see in the village, and a guard was sent out to take them and bring them to the fort. They made no resistance, but surrendered themselves and were brought to the guard house. One proved to be the famous Red Bird, who headed the party tliat murdered Gagnier and Lipcap; another was Wah-wah-peck-ah, the Indian I had met up the Wisconsin river, and whose conduct had so much alarmed me and my men; the other was a young Indian whose name I do not recollect. Tliere being no charge of crime against Wah-wah-peck-ah and the young Indian, after the United States troops were stationed at Fort Crawford, they were discharged; and Red Bird was retained in the guard-house, where he died before he was tried for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap.

Ati Interesting Event of ^^the Winnebago War.'''' On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while there, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his approach, and directing him to halt and fortify himself, and await his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jefferson barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler, from Fort Howard, at Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed tlie murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. The Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in tlie surrender of the murderers of the Gagnier family. While Major Whistler w\as at the portage, he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, "who will come in?" he said, "Red Bird and We- Kau." After making this answer he retired by the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came and took position in nearly the same place and in the same way, when to like questions he gave like answers; and at sundown a third came, confirming what the tw^o had said, adding, that he had, to secure that object, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his property.

There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote tliemselves for the good of their people, but only to reconcile those who "were about to be bereaved to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders committed at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on tliis people by the wh.itcs. Tlie parties murdered at the prairie \yqyq doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the Indians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall suffer foi' it. One scalp is held due for another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity.

About noon of the day following there were seen descending the mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass the Americans could discern the direction to be towards their position. They bore no arms, and no one was at a loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half ah hour they had appr(>ached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox river, when on a sudden singing was hoard. Those who were familiar with the air said, "It is a death song." When still nearer some present who knew him said, '"It is Red Bird singing his death song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp yells were heard. The Menonionee.'^ and other Indians who had accompanied thi troops were lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on; but when th( "scalp yells" were uttered, they sprang to theii feet as one man, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no lo«stoknow what these yells were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless inferred the first.

Bargps were sent across to receive and an escort of military to accompany them within the lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird.

And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was the encampment. In the lead was Car-i-minie, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, order being called, Car-i-mi-nie spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves they have come in; treat them as braves; do not put them in irons," This address \yas made to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he was not the big captain. His talk must be made to Major Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, Ijeing there, an advance was made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him.

The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menomonee and Wabauckie (Oneida) Indians were in groups upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant, were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable looking We-Kau,a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on Red Bird. In height he was about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet.

He and We-Kau were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion, then rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with his flint and steel, lighted and smoked it. All sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows:

They were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power over any except two; the third had gone away; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. As their friends they had come with them. They hoped their white brother would agree to accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty; the meaning of which was, to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought that they might

They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so they had turned away our guns and saved their people. They were admonished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent who would inform the Great Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances ; tiiat their friends sliould be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws, by which their Great Father's white children were tried ; that for the present Red Bird and We-Kau- should not be put in irons ; that, they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke.

Having heard this, Red Bird stood up ; the commanding officer. Major Whistler, a few paces in front of the center of the line facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick survey of the troops, he spoke, saying : "I am ready." Then advancing a step or two, he paused, saying, "I do not wish to be put in irons ; let me be free. I have given away my life; it is gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his thumb and finger and blowing it away), "like that," eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, "I would not take it back, it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Major Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when, the major stepping aside. Red Bird and We-Kau marched througli the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over them. The comrades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them our advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco.

two persons so totally unlike. Tiie one seemed a prince, and as if born to command and worthy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been born to be hanged ; meagre, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf; gaunt, hungry and blood-tliirsly ; his entire appearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were committed into safe keeping at I'ra,irie du Chien to wait their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.

Whereas, at a court of Oyer and Terminer, held at the village of Prairie du Chien, in the month of September, A. D. 1828. Wa-ni-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, were convicted of the offense of murder in the second degree, and the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Iseufi^e, was also convicted of another offense of murder in the second degree ; And, whereas, also it appears satisfactorily tome that the clemency of the exexutive may be extended to the said convicts without injury to the public; Now, therefore, I, Jolni Quincy Adams, President of the United States of America, in considei'ation of the promises, divers other good and sufficient causes me hereunto moving, have granted and do hereby grant to tlie said Wani-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and to tiie said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe, my full and free pardon for the offenses aforesaid.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these jjresents. Given at the city of Washington this third day of November, A. D. 1828, and of the Independence, of the United States the fiftythird.

31rs. Coasm Cherrier {7iee Gagmer.)\ My father was born in St. Louis ; he came to Prairie du Chien about the time of the last war with England.

My mother Theresa Chalefau, was born in Prairie du Chien ; her father came to Prairie du Chien from Canada, before the last war with England.

I was born in this place (now called Frencli Town) Aug. 15, 1826. The following spring my father moved his family to a house on what is now known as the Ackerly place, a short distance below the limits of "Lower Town. The house had only one room. It was there that the murder of father and Lipcap, and the terrible mutilation of myself occurred.

I will tell the story as learned from my mother. June 10, 1827, my father visited the village of Prairie du Chien ; the afternoon of that day mother noticed there were skulking Indians on the bluff east of the house, partially concealed, and being accustomed to seeing Indians almost daily, was not alarmed. Father did not return home until about noon of the next day, (June 1 1). He was accompanied by his half brother. Paschal Menoir, after dinner the family consisting of father, mother, Lipcap (an old man living with us) my brother Frank, three years old, myself, nearly ten months old, and Pasclial Menoir (visitor), were having an after dinner chat. Young Menoir was sitting in the open window on the west side of the house, facing the door. ]\[y father was sitting on a trunk against the wall, to the right of the window, and also facing the door. My mother had returned to the work of the day, family washing. My brother Frank was amusing himself. Lipcap had gone to his work in the

+ The autobiographical account which follows was taken from the lips of Louisa Cherrier (nee Gag'nier) wife of Coasm (usually known as Comb) Cherrier. Mr. Cherrier, wife and children, reside in what is usually known as "French Town, " in the town of Prairie.du Chien. What Mrs. Cherrier relates is the story often told her by her mother, Theresa Gag-nier, wife of Kijeste Gag-nier. it will be noticed that the narrative differs in sonii' important inirticulars from that given previously in this chapter ; but there are so many adilit'ioiuil and exceedingly interesting- statements that, in the main, are doubtless correct, as to justify the insertion of this relation as a sequel to the so-called ' 'Winnebago War."

corn patch not very far from the house. I had creeped to my father's feet and lifted myself by his clothing, and was standing with my hands on his knees. At this moment four Indians, who had reached the door unnoticed, entered the room. Mother placed four chairs and bade them be seated; they complied, the table being as left. Mother asked them to have dinner ; they replied : "We are not hungry, but thirsty." She satisfied their wants, and watching them closely, she said to father in P'rench : "These Indians mean to do us some harm." Father made no reply. My father's gun- was hanging in fastenings to a joist directly overhead ; three of the Indians had guns in their hands, the fourth, a chief, whose Indian name signified -'Little Sun," was seated the nearest to my father, with his side toward him. This Indian had, unknown to the family, a shorter gun concealed under his blanket, and it was held in such a position as to bring my father in range. One of the other Indians left his chair, and took down my father's gun. Father instantly rose, seized and wrenched the gun from him, and stood it by the trunk, then both were seated again. My father spoke to mother, saying : "Come take this little girl." At this moment, at a signal from one of the other Indians, "Little Sun" fired his concealed gun, the bullet entering the right breast of my father, who had not changed his position. At almost the same instant another Indian shot his gun at Paschal Menoir, who was still sitting in the window, but missed him. Young Menoir, with great presence of mind, fell backward, through the window. Pie was undoubtedly supposed b}^ the Indians to have been killed, atid was not immediately looked after. He made his escape into the timber, which stood close up to that side of the house.

The house was filled with powder smoke ; my little brother was crying and calling for mother. Mother picked him up and ran out of the house. The Indians had preceded her, and leaped over the fence near the house. Mother, with Frank, made her way over the fence, and dropped directly in front of one of the Indians, who was crouching, unnoticed by her on that side. Dropping the child, she seized his gun, and with unnatural strength, wrenched it away from him, and instantly cocked it with the intention of killing him ; some irresistible impulse compelled her at the moment of firing, to give an upward inclination, sufficient to carry the bullet over the Indian's head. She threw the gun after the Indians, who had started to kill Lipcap. My mother then retuined to the house. I had creeped under the bed. The house was partially cleared from smoke. Father was not dead but could not speak or move, but made motions with his eyes, which she clearly understood assaying: "Make your escape." She then ran out, and through a picket fence, which divided their grounds from those of a man named Jose])h Lambeire, who was eating his dinner in his cabin which he occupied alone. He had heard the shots fired, but did not know their meaning.

My mother who had not been to Prairie du Chicn since they moved to the place, did not even know the way. She hurriedl}^ told him what had occurred, and asked him to help her escape. Lambeire, whose horse was tied to a fence near by, told her to bring the horse. She did so, when he mounted and rode cowardly and rapidly away, without a word to her, who then returned to the house. Father, who still lived, again with expressive look, plainly signalled "get away." Mother then with my little brother, made her way into the timber close to the house, into which Menoir had escaped. (All this occurred in a little time). NVhile doing this, she discovered that Lipcap was being chased by the Indians, and making his way toward her, shouting, "wait for me." In her flight, she noticed a large soft maple tree which had been blown down, and that the place where it had stood was surrounded by a" dense new growth of brush. She crept into this, and into the cavity made by uprooting the tree, placed

Frank, and crouching low over him, remained almost breathless, until within twelve feet of her hiding place, the Indians overtook Lipcap and killed him with their knives, mutilating him and taking his scalp. My mother was not discovered.

The Indians then returned to the house, Paschal Menoir, who from his place of concealment, had kept a close watch, noticing this, took the oppoitunity to make his way to the village. He reached exhausted, the house of Julian Lariviere ; he there found Frank Dechuquette, who mounted his horse and alarmed the people, who turned out to the rescue en tnasse.

My mother in the meantime, alive to the necessity of making her escape, had left her hiding place, and unnoticed l)y the Indians, found father's horse, and with Frank had mounted, and was searching for the road to the village, when she saw the people coming to the relief. The Indians after killing Lipcap, made their last return to the house. I had creeped from under the l>ed, to the door. Of the brutal treatment of myself, "Little Sun," in his testimony given at the trial of himself and the chief, "Red Bird," for these murders said, "that he first gave the child a kick on the left hip, and then with his gun barrel in his hands, struck her with the breech of the gun on the right shoulder, and with his knife struck her across the back of the neck, intending to behead her, and carry the head away with him," at this moment the other Indians outside of the house shouted, that "people are coming." He said, "I then took her scalp and with it part of the skull," he then scalped my father, down whose dying face, he said the tears were flowing, at witnessing the horrid butchery of myself.

When the people from the village reached the house, my father was dead. The Indians were gone. I was lying in a pool of my own blood, and supposed to be dead. Julian, son of Julian Lariviere, wrapped me in his handkerchief, and carried me to his father's house, where some hours later, when being washed prepara-

The motives which actuated Ihe Indians to commit these terrible murders, are not fully understood. The family believed that an indignity received by "Little Sun," at the hands of Registe Gagnier, was the immediate cause. The facts on Avhich this belief is based, are told by Mrs. Cherrier, as follows : "In those years whenever a Catholic priest would visit Prairie du Chien, to celebrate mass, a procession would be formed by all of our Catholic people, and would march in line to the house devoted to the services of the day. Upon one of these occasions, among the lot)kers-on was the Winnebago chief, "Little Sun" intentionally or otherwise. He was in the line of march, and as the head of the j^rocession reached him, refused to move. Some confusion ensued. My father leaving his place in the line, advanced to the front, and seizing the chief, threw him one side with such force as caused him to fall to the ground. Arising with a murderous look and tone, "Little Sun" said, "you have thrown me down, but when I throw you down, you will never get up again."

My first husband's name was Moreaux. He died in 1855. By that marriage we had ten children, seven of whom are now [1884] living. I was married to Mr. Cherrier, March ], 1862. We have had three children - Magdalene, born Dec. 6, 1863; Felix, born Oct. 7, 1865; and Louisa, born Feb. 29, 1868. The last named died in infancy.

]My mother married again in 1831. Her second husband's name was St. Germain. They had two children - David and Hattie. My mother died in 1836 with the small-pox. My step-father died in January, 1882, Pascal Menoir died in Prairie du Cliien, in 1882. The Winnehugo Exodus.

In 1829 a large part of the territory of the Winnebegoes, southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wisconsin (including, of course, a great part of what is now Green county), was sold to the general government. In 1832 all the residue of the Winnebago territory south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers of Green bay, was disposed of to the United States, by which sale they relinquished their right to the present county of Green east of Sugar river. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty between this tribe (which has become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the 1st of November, 1837, "the Winnebago Nation of Indians ceded to the general government "all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of 'the great river " This arrangement, however, was not carried out full)'; although all, save a few stragglers, left what is now Green county within the time stipulated. It ended forever the occupation of this immediate region by the Indians. In 1842 there were only 756 at Turkey River, Iowa, -their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands elsewhere. All had become lawless and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over 800 left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over 100,000 acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times changed their place of abode. The period of Winnebngo occupancy of Green county and the region of country contiguous thereto, properly began about the commencement of the present century, and ended, virtually, in 1838. There were two Winnebago villages within the present limits of Green county, when the first white men began to "mine" at the Sugar river diggings. These were Spotted Arm's village and VV'hite Breast's village. The first named was about eight miles north of the diggings just named, and the other between twelve and fifteen miles south. This exact loca-

Within the last two years steps have been taken toward paying such of the Winnebagoes, in Wisconsin, as miglit come forward to be enrolled, at least a portion of the money due to them under the act of Jan. 18, 1881. It has been found by this enrollment that the whole number of Winnebagoes in Wisconsin at this time (1884) is about 1,200; while those in Nebraska number about 1,400; so that the entire Nation now consists of about 2,600 souls.

During the year 1848, just previous to the adoption of the State Constitution, the Winnebago Indians were scattered through the country along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, through the Kickapoo timbers, and the Lemonweir valley. Orders came from the sub-Indian agent, J. E. Fletcher, to collect and remove them to their reservation, near Fort Atkinson, Iowa.

In 1848, when orders were received at Fort Crawford to remove the Winnebagoes, several attempts were made to do so, but with poor success. Early in the same year I received the following official letter:

Upon receipt of the above I made all necessary preparation, and started With fifty men to collect the Indians. This attempt was quite successful, and several hundred were arrested and sent to Fort Atkinson, Iowa. It may appear strange to some persons that such a handful of men could take many hundred Indians prisoners, and guard them day and night as we travelled through a wild, unsettled country; but it was done, an-1 I have a list of names of those men who accompanied me on that expedition. My journal, kept during the time we were hunting the Indians, presents numerous interesting items, only one or two of which I will relate.

In taking the Indians, great caution was necessary to enable us to approach them. When the scouts reported that Indians had been discovered, four or live of the men would start on ahead, enter the Winnebago camp, collect all the guns and take off the locks before the Indians were aware of their intention. Frequently a hunting party would come in while the men were un-locking the guns, and make a demonstration of resistance, by which time our entire party would arrive, and prevail on them to submit to the same treatment, telling them if they came along with us quietly no harm would be offered them. On the 10th of May we encamped in a valley near the Baraboo, and three days after were on Dell creek. Here the scouting party captured a Winnebago Indian, who told me his part of the tribe were encamped at Seven Mile creek. I sent eleven men to the camp, which was very large and comprised many lodges. When the main body had come up to the Indian camp, we found the men had succeeded in getting all the guns but one, which belonged to a young brave who refused to give it up. Fearing he might do mischief, the gun was taken from him. It was a fine rifle, of which he was proud; but in spite of his remonstrance, the lock was taken off and put in a bag with others. When the piece was rendered unserviceable, they handed it back to the young

Indian. He looked at it a moment, and then grasping the barrel he raised it above his head, and brought the stock down with such force against the trunk of a young sapling as to break it to splinters, and threw the barrel many rods from him. His sister, an Indian girl abont seventeen years old, picked up the barrel and handed it to him. The brother bent it against the tree and then hurled it over the bank into the creek.

The addition of the Indians put us on short allowance, and I was obliged to send one of the wagons back to Baraboo for provisions and grain. Just before making camp on main ridge the loth of May, my horse was bitten on the nose by a rattlesnake. The horse's head was soon swollen to twice its natural size, and I thought him as good as dead, when an old Frenchman offered to make the horse well by the next morning. I turned the horse over to his care, and sure enough, the morning following the swelling had all disajDpeared, and the horse was as well as ever. I asked what he had put on to effect the sudden cure, he said he did not apply anything, but one of the men told me that he cured the horse by looking at and talking to it. This w^as the same man who cured one, Theo. Warner, now [1858] living in Prairie du Chien, when he was bitten by a rattlesnake. His name was Lim'mery, and a strange man he was; his eyes w^ere the smallest I have ever seen in the head of any human being, with a piercing expression that once seen could never be forgotten. He would never allow a snake to be killed if he could help it, and could take up the most venomous snake with impunity. I saw him take up a large moccasin snake Avhile we were in the Kickapoo bottoms, and it never offered to bite him, while it would strike fiercely at any other person who approached it. I could only attribute the strange power of this man to some mesmeric influence.

We were fortunate enough to bring all the Indians to Prairie du Chien without accident, where they were delivered to a body of regulars from Fort Atkinson, who moved them to their reservation. That was the last of the Winnebagoes in Wisconsin as a tribe. There are now a few stragglers loitering near the old huntinggrounds, in the Kickapoo and Wisconsin bottom lands, but altogether they no not exceed a hundred souls.

In 1816 the Menomonees inhabited the country about Green bay, and their women occasionally married Winnebagoes, but not often. The Menomonees were a quiet and peaceful race, well disposed and friendly to the whites. Tomah, the acting chief of the Nation, was well spoken of by all the traders who knew him.

The principal vilkges of the Winnebagoes were at the u})per and lower end of the lake of that name, with an occasional lodge along the Fox river. At the season that traders generally passed the Portage of Wisconsin, they would find old grey headed Day-Kau-Ray at the Portage with his band. Their village was a short distance from theirs up the AVisconsin, and the Wiunebagoes had villages up the Baraboo river, and several small ones along down the Wisconsin to near its mouth and up the Mississippi. They w'ere estimated at that time by the traders best acquainted with them to be about 900 warriors strong. Of the Day-Kau-Rays, there were four or five brothers, who w'ere all influential men in the Nation. One sister had a family of children by a trader named Lecuyer, who had married her after the Indian manner. Tradition says that their fatiier was a French trader, who, during the time the French had possession of the country, married a Winnebago woman, the daughter of the principal chief of the Nation, by whom he had these sons and daughters; that at the time the country was taken possession of by the English, he abandoned them, and they were j'aised among the Indians, and being the descendants of a chief on the mother's side, when arrived at manhood they assumed the dignity of their rank by inheritance. They were generally good Indians, and frequently urged their claims to the friendship of the

The locations of the different tribes of Indians in the vicinity of Crawford county in 1818, including also the homes of the Winnebagoes, is clearly pointed out in the narrative of Edward Tanner, published in the Detroit Gazette, of January 8 and 15, 1819.

"The first tribe of Indians after leaving St. Louis is the Oyiwayes [lovvas]. This tribe live about 100 miles from the west side of the Mississippi, on the Menomonee, and have about 400 warriors. The next tribe are tiie Sauks, who live on the Mississippi, and about 400 miles above St. Louis. They emigrated from the Oisconsiri [Wisconsin] about thirty-five years ago. Their military strengtli is about 800 warriors, exclusive of old men and boys, and are divided into two divisions of 40<) men. Eacii division is commanded by a war chief. The first are those who have been most distinguished for deeds of valor, and the second the ordinary warriors. Tliey have also two village chiefs who appear to preside over the civil concerns of the Nation. The next tribe is the t'ox Indians. This tribe have a few lodges on the east side of the Mississippi near Fort Armstrong and about four miles from the Sauk village. Thirty miles above this, at the mine De Bake [Dubuque], on the west side, they have another village, and another on Turkey river, thirty miles below Prairie du Chien. Their whole military strength is about 400 warriors. They are at this time in a state of war with the Sioux; and as the Sauks are in strict amity with the Fox Indians, and have the influence and control of them, they are also drawn into the war. This war was in consequence of depredations committed by the Fox Indians on the Sioux.

"Prairie du Chien, on which the village of that name stands, is a handsome plain, about half a mile wide from the bank of the river to the bluff or commencement of the rising ground, and out of danger from inundations. In consequence of the serpentine course of the river, the plain widens above and below the village. The soil is a black sand about fifteen inches deep, appearing to be very productive. The foundation is gravelly, containing amber stones susceptible of a handsome polish. Timber is scarce. Tiie upland in the vicinity is very broken, poor and nearly barren. In the settlement are about 1,500 inhabitants, exclusive of the military, who are principally Creoles. As a place of business, it now appears on the decline.

"The river Ouisconsin [Wisconsin] is about half a mile wide - common depth, one to four feet - no falls, but generally a brink current. The channel is subject to change, from the numerous bars of sand which lie in it, and frequently alter their position. In the river are numerous islands, on which grow the principal timber of the country. The banks are generally low and sandy - some plains lined with the common granite stone. The bordering counU'y is very broken, sandy and barren. In the interior the same description will answer. Barren, broken and destitute of vegetation, few places can be found that will admit of settlements. The Winnebago Indians inhabit the country bordei'ing on the tributary streams of both sides of the river. They appear to go abroad for their game, and have no conveniences for dwelling, except a kind of lodge which they carry with them wherever they go. Their territory extends from the Mississippi to to the vicinity of Green bay, and the number of their warriors is 700."

In 1846 the citizens living contiguous to the Wisconsin river were treated to a genuine Indian scare, and as the VVinnebagoes were liiu supposed enemies, an account in this connection is properly given of the event.

In the winter of 1844-5, and while the Legislature of the Territory was in session at Madison, the capital, a rumor that an Indian war had broken out, came to the ears of the legislators with a thousand fearful forebodings, and pro- ducing intense excitement. At this time the militia laws had all been repealed, probably with a view to counteract the supposed influence of Gov. Doty, and the capital he might have made by the organization of the militia and the appointment of the officers from among his friends, the majorit}'- of the Legislature being opposed to Doty. At this juncture, however, a change in the administration of the general government had clianged governors, and Gen. Dodge was again at the helra of the Territory. But the law which abolished the militia service with a view to hamper and trammel Doty, was now, in a time of need, found to trammel and to hamper Dodge, for though great fear was excited, that plunder and murder would be, or were actually being committed by the Indians, the governor's hands were tied by the law, which he had himself approved. The representations of the Indian disturbances made to the governor he communicated to the Assembly.

The emergency of the case was such as to call the two Houses together at an evening session, to receive the governor's message' on the subject, and to devise ways and means for the public defense. And while one Avas looking at another, at a loss to know what to do, a member penned and offered a bill to repeal the act by which the militia organization had been abolished, and to restore the former laws upon the subject. In offering the bill which contained only a few lines, he moved a suspension of the rules, so that the bill passed at once, and was sent to the council; and by the same process, it was passed there, and in about half an hour from the time it was first offered, the governor had approved of it, and the whole militia of the Territory was organized, officers and all, and measures were taken to call out a portion of it, to chastise the supposed marauders, Avhen a second communication to the governor showed that there was no occasion for it. The first report had grown out of exaggerated statements of some white hunters, who had come in contact with some Indians in the same pursuit, and who probably took some game which the whites would have been glad to have taken; and possibly some pigs had been taken on the credit of the Indians, but this was never proven against them.

By reference to the legislative journals, it appears that this matter happened on the last evening, Feb. 3, 1846. The governor communicated the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Muscoda, on the Wisconsin river, in Grant county, dated Sunday night, Feb. 1, 1846, stating as follows: "The citizens of this prairie and surrounding country, having been for the last several months annoyed and harassed by the depredations of the Winnebago Indians, and submitted to their bullying and insults, have at length been forced to the dernier resort; to take up arms for our protection. This evening a skirmish took place between the Indians and the citizens, in which four of the former were severely, if not mortally, wounded; and from the known character of the Indians, we may naturally expect more serious conse- (piences to ensue. A true and correct statement of the occurrences of the day is substantially as follows: A number of the Indians came down the north side of the Wisconsin river to t'apt. Smith's, and stole his canoe. He discovered them and called to them to bring it back, which they refused to do. The captain, with several other men, came over to tliis shore, found the Indians who took his boat, and chastised one or two of them with a stick, and in the melee one of his men was severely hurt with a club in the hands of one of the Indians. The Indians then ran, and the citizens, a number of whom had by this time collected, followed them a little way and returned. In a short time the Indians came back also. All the citizens having by this time assembled, Capt. James B. Estes and Booth advanced towards them, unarmed, and in a peaceable manner, making friendly manifestations, all of which time the Indians threatened, by drawing their knives, throwing off their blank- ets, waving their guns in the air, and pointing them towards the wliites. Finding it impossible to pacify or appease them thej' separated and in a moment tliey fired upon the citizens; the next moment tlieir fire was returned, and four of them fell. 'I'hey then add, that tlie Indians have sent their runners to collect their scattered bands, and tiie whites have sent for aid; that they want the governor's assistance, and are determined to kill or drive every Indian on the Wisconsin over the Mississippi; have upwards of forty men under arms, and have chosen James B. Estes for captain."

Gov. Dodge recommended the adoption of a meinorial to the secretary of war, asking for a corps of dragoons to protect the frontier settlements. "In the course of half an hour," says the Madison Argus of that period, "resolutions were adopted to that effect, and the militia law of the Territory revived;" and on the adjournment of theLegislature,they setout immediately for the scene of disturbance, but the excitement liad died away and no more trouble was apprehended.

Treaties With The Sac And Fox Indians And The Winnebagoes

Twelve treaties were held at different times between the United States and the Sac and Fox Indians and the Winnebagoes, affecting, immediately or remotely, the territory now included within the limits of Crawford county as follows:

1. A treaty was lield at St. Louis Nov. 3, 180+, between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the government. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to tlie United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin, and including on the '.vest considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade northward. In what is now the State of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present counties of Grant and Lafayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The Lead Region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government agieed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper side of the Wisconsin river near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square adjoining the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of $1,000 per annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of Sac Indians, and this cession of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk War.

2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles Co., Mo., on the MississipiJi river, Sept. 13, lbl5, with certain chiefs of that portion of the Sac Nation then .esiding in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their Nation. They gave their assent to the treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United States and the Foxes of Rock river.

3. On the 14th of September a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe, at the same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the government. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804 to the full extent of their interest in the same.

4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who afhrmed the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty Black Hawk's name appears with others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had "touched the quill" to this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, and at Poi'tage des Sioux in 1815, he said he did not consider the same valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as in the tei-ms of those treaties, territory was described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was made by parties who had neither authority in the Nation nor power to dispose of its lands. Whether this was a true statement of the case or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of lands referred to was often confirmed by his Nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the disposition of the lands.

5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June .3, 1816, l)etween the chiefs and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their Nation; that they, for themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by their Nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest extended.

6. On the 19th of August, 182.5, at Prairie du Cliien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary between the two first Nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and other tribes.

1. Another treaty was held Aug. 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itasca Co., Minn., with the same tribes, by which the previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas was defined, as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty.

8. A treaty was made and concluded Aug. 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United States and the Chippewa, Monomonee and Winnebago tribes, in vvhich the boundaries of their tribes were defined; no cession of lands w^s made.

9. A treaty was made at Green Bay, Aug. 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawattamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the diffculties which had arisen in consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the southwestern part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation.

10. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien on the 29th of July, 1829, and Aug. 1, 1829. At the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these Nations ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois; and at the latter date with the Winnebagoes, by which that Nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase -of the lead-mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or sold by the grantees.

By this important treaty, about 8,000,000 acres of land were added to the public domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41 degrees 30 minutes to latitude 43 degrees 15 minutes on the Mississippi. Following the meanderings of the river, it was about 240 miles from west to east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the coun try from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The

11. At tlie conclusion of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, for the purpose«of clearing up the Indian title of the Winnebago Nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort Armstrong, Sept. 15, 18.32. All the territory claimed by thisNation lying south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June 1, 1833, or on any part of the country therein ceded.

12. The Winnebago Nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government at vVashington, Nov. 1, 1837. That Nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to certain lands west of the Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sept. 21, 1832.

The Indian Treaties Of 1 829

THE INDIAN TREATIES OF 1 829. [By Caleb Atwattr.] Galena stands on the land we afterwards purchased of the Indians, and is the largest town in Illinois. When we arrived there it had been settled about three years. It contained several taverns, a considerable number of stores, about a dozen lawyers, and four or five physicians, with little to do, as the country is healthy. There were three religious congregations in the place - Methodists, Roman Catholics and Presbyterians. The town is built on the side hill, in the form of a crescent, on the north side of Fever river, and contains, perhaps, 1,000 inhabitants. It is a seat of justice of Jo Daviess Co., 111., and is situated in latitude about 42 degrees 30 minutes north. It contained at all times very large quantities of lead, brought here either ;is rent to the government or for sale to the merchants. The superisitcndent of the mines and his assistant. Major Camj>bel], live here. The latter gentleman and his amiable and interesting lady had been with us on our passage from St. Louis, and they were happy to find themselves at the end of as disagreeable a journey as was ever made on these waters.

Mr. James Barnes, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio, kept an excellent boarding house, and I found many old acquaintances in the town, enjoying the best of health, and thej' appeared cheerful and happy.

Here we learned that a large body of Indians had already been assembled at Prairie du Chien for some time, and were in readiness to meet us. Knowing the necessity of supplying them with food, that ours would not reach us for some time yet, and knowing this to be the last opportunity we should find to purchase any food, we purchased 500 bushels of corn, and loading all we could convey, we left this beautiful town on the next day, and departed for our final destination, where we arrived about the middle of July, 1829.

As soon as we were discovered by our red friends, a few miles below the fort, opposite to their encampment, they fired into the air about 1,500 rifles, to honor us. Our povvder had become wet, and, to our extreme mortification and regret, we could not answer them by our cannon. Having fired their arms, some ran on foot, some rode on their small hort^es furiousl}'^ along over the prairie to meet us where we landed. Amidst the motley group of thousands, of all ages, sexes, classes of society, colors and conditions of men, women and children, who met us on the wharf - Nawkaw and Iloochopekah, with their families, eagerly seized my hand, and I was happy, indeed, to meet them here. During twenty years I had seen them several times, and they recognized me in a moment among the crowd, and assured me of their friendship and good wishes. These chiefs of the Winnebagoes and their families pressed around me, and continued close by me until we reached the tavern where we went. There we entered into a long conversation, and they introduced me to their red friends. I assured them of my ardent friendship, and that they and their people should be dealt with not only justly but liberally; that the President, their great father, was their friend, a warrior like them, and never would do them any injury; that I wished them all to remember what 1 now told them, and when we finally parted, if ray solemn promises thus voluntarily made to them had not been kept to the very letter, I wFshed them to publicly tell me so. Shaking me heartily by the hand, and assuring me of their friendshii), they then appealed to Col. Menard, who heartily agreed with me in assuring them of our good intentions towards them.

Dr. Wolcott, the agent for the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattomies, here met us, and he had been at incredible pains to get his Indians here, where they had been for nearly a month, perhaps. Mr. Kinzey, the sub-agent of the Winnebagoes, whose sub-agency is located at Fort Winnebago, had also come and with him all the principal persons of that Nation residing in that direction.

All the Indians with whom we were sent to treat were represented on the ground, and all that was wanting to begin our councils we urged forward with all the energy that the officers of the government and their numerous friends could muster. The next day, in company with Gen. Street, the agent of the Winnebagoes, resident here, several sub-agents and interpreters, I met the principal men of the Winnebagoes, and we impressed upon them the necessity of keeping their young men under subjection, and arrajiged with them the outlines of the manner in which our business should be conductccl. The talk was a long one and occupied the afternoon. Gen. Street was very zealous in the service of the government.

Gen. McNeil and his officers at the fort erected a council shade near the fort, and in about three days we were ready to hold a public council, when Dr. Wolcott's Indians informed me that they could not meet in public council until an Indian was buried, and inquired of me if I objected to the burial, to which 1 replied that I could not object to the burial, certainly. On the next day, to my regret, I learned they would not assemble in council until the Indian was buried, and again inquired whether I was willing to have the person buried, to which question I replied in the affirmative, when I was informed that the relatives of the deceased would not consent to the burial of the murdered person until they had received a horse, as the compensation for his death. Understanding the difficulty at last, the commissioners gave the horse, the deceased was buried and the Indians agreed to meet in council next day.

I took some pains to get the murderer and the relatives of the deceased together in order to have a perfect reconciliation between them. They shook hands very cordially in appearance, but the relatives of the deceased person informed me privately afterwards that, as soon as the murderer got home with his horse and goods, they would kill him and take his property, which he could better keep than they could until then. If I am correctly informed they did as they assured me they would after their arrival in their own country. So that compounding for the murder only procrastinated for a time the punishment of tlie crime.

When everything was in readiness for the opening of the council, the Indians of all the tribes and Nations on the treaty ground attended, and requested to have translated to them, severally, what we said to each tribe, which being assented to on our part, the Winnebagoes, the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, Sioux, Snuks, Foxes and Monomonees, half-breeds, the officers from the fort, the Indian agents, subagents, interpreters and a great concourse of strangers from every city in tlie Union; and even from Liverpool, London and Paris, were in attendance. The commissioners sat on a raised bench facing the Indian chiefs; on each side of them stood the officers of the army in full dress, while the soldiers, in their best attire, appeared in bright array on the sides of the council shade. The ladies belonging to the officers' families, and the best families in the Prairie, were seated directly behind the commissioners, where they could see all that passed and hear all that was said. Behind the principal Indian chiefs sat the common people - first the men, then the women and children, to the number of thousands, who listened in breathless and death-like silence to every word that was uttered. 1 he spectacle was grand and morally sublime in the highest degree to the Nations of red men who were present, and when our proposition to sell all their country to their Father hai been delivered to them, they requested an i xact copy of it in writi g; the request was instantly complied with and the council broke up. The next day we addressed the Winnebagoes, as we hid the Chippewas, etc., the day before, and at their request gave them a copy of our speech.

After counseling among themselves, the Chippewas, etc., answore i favorably as to a sale, though tbey would do nothing yet until they had fixed on their terms.

The Winnebagoes appeared iti council and delivered many speeches to us. They demanded the $20,000 worth of goods. "Wipe out your debt," was their reply, "before you run iji debt again to us."

Our goods, owing to the low stage of the water, had not arrived yet, and the Indians feared we did not intend to fulfill Gov. Cass' agreement of he year before. When our goods did arrive and they saw them they then changed their tone a little; but in the meantime, great uneasiness existed, and I was often seriously advised by Nawkaw and other friends to go into the fort, as Gen. McNeil had done. Col. Menard's ill healtli had compelled him to leave the ground and go to Gen. Street's, five miles (the general calls it three) from the council house. Unless wcleft the ground, we were told by the Winnebagoes, that they "would use a little switch upon us." In plain English, tliey would assassinate the whole of us out of the fort. Two hundred warriors under Keokuk and Morgan, of Sauks and Foxes, arrived and began their war dance for the United States, and they brought word that thirty steamboats with cannon and United States troops, and 400 warriors of their own, were near at hand. The Winnebagoes were silenced by this intelligence, and by demonstrations, not misunderstood by them.

When Keokuk arrived, he brought two deserters from the garrison here, whom he had made prisoners on his way up the river. Quasquawma and his son-in-law, Tia-na, came with Keokuk. It was a season of great joy with me, who placed more reliance on these friendly warriors than on all our forces. Good as our officers were, our soldiers of the army were too dissipated and worthless to be relied on one moment. Taking Keokuk aside and alone, I told him in plain English all I wanted of him, what I would do for him and what I expected from him and his good officers. Ue replied in good English: "I understand you sir, perfectly, and it shall all be done." It was all done faithfully, and he turned the tide in our favor.

The goods arrived and also our provisions; Col. Menard's and Gen. McNeil's health were restored aiid they appeared again at the council house and everythin^j wore a new aspect. They approved of all I had done in their temporary absence.

So the treaties were executed at last, and about 8,000,000 acres of land added to our domain, purchased from the Indians. Taking the three tracts, ceded, and forming one whole, it extends from the upper end of Rock Island to the mouth of the Wisconsin; from latitude 41 degrees, 30 minutes, to latitude 48 degrees, 15 minutes, on the Mississippi. Following the meanderings of the river, it is called 240 miles from south to north. It extends along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, from west to east, so as to give us a passage across the country from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extends from Rock Island to Lake Michigan south of the Wisconsin, the Indians now own only reservations where they live, which, as soon as the white people settle on aU the ceded lands, will be sold to us, and the Indians will retire above the Wisconsin, or cross the Mississippi, where the bear, the beaver, the deer and the bison invite them. The United States now owns all the country on the east side of the Mississippi, from the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Wisconsin.

It remains for me to make a few remarks upon the country along the Mississippi from Fort Edwards upward, and briefly describe Prairie du Chien.

Ascending the Mississippi, the country appeared to rise uj) out of the river at Fort Edwards, and the hills assume a greater elevation still, at Du Buque's mine and tomb not far from Galena. From thence upwards, the bottom lands are narrow, the river turns towards the northwest and becomes very crooked, bounded by high hills. Cassville, thirty miles below Prairie du Chien, stands on a narrow bottom, where an opening into the mineral country, in the direction of Mineral Point, presents itself. This easy passage down to the river has located a town here of a few houses, consisting of a tavern, a storehouse for the lead, belonging to the United States; and here a government sub-agent to collect and receive the government's share of lead resides, Major Beal.

Opposite the mouth of the Wisconsin stands Pike's hill, lofty and abrupt, and just above this place, on the eastern bank of the river, begins the low prairie ground on which Fort Crawford and the village ot Prairie du Chien stand. The town begins to show itself three miles above the Wisconsin, and extend* upwards about nine miles, where it ends. The river is full of islands, and w^hen at its highest altitude in a freshet is three miles in width, from hill to hill. Originally settled by the French, it was once a place of some importance, as the remains of old cellars and chimneys show. That importance is no more, and probably never will be again. Overflowed by high waters, and but little good land near it, without water-power, I see little inducement to build up a town here. On the north side of the Wisconsin there is no land on which a town can be located near the Wisconsin, and the south side is preferable for it, where one wall, one day, rise up. The town, though, is a seat of justice for a county of Michigan, and perhaps thirty families, besides those belonging to the garrison, reside here. No Indians reside near here, and there is no sort of need of nor propriety in having an agency, etc., here for the Winnebagoes, because Fort Winnebago is the proper place for the agency.

Gen. Street, the agent and near relative of Mr. Barry, the postmaster general, is the present agent, and his residence, I consider to be about five miles above the fort, though I am aware that Gen. Street's estimated distance is only three miles.

The water found by digging in this prairie is not always good, and that in our well was the worst I ever tasted, operating upon the bowels like glauber salts, and I suffered excessively from using it. Even the food cooked in it affected me seriously. The well in the fort is better, and some persons obtain water from springs in the river when it is low. The river covers all the town and where the fort is in high water. The Mississippi rising late in the season, and subsiding in the summer solstice, this, place must be sickly in summer every year, when a freshet takes such a time to appear. In 1829 there was no such rise in the river, of any amount, and the place was healthy.

The only Indians living on this river below this place and near it, are the Sauks and Foxes. The principal town of the former, on the east side of the Mississippi, is situated on the north side of Rock river, near its raouih, and in sight of the Mississippi. Not many years ago this town contained, it is said, 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants. Tliey have sold all the country east of the river JMississippi, and are withdrawing from it to a new town some ten miles west of the old town, and about the same distance from Rock Island.

The principal town of the Foxes is on the brink of the river near Du Buque's mine, and in sight of his tomb, which is erected on a high hill, where the cross on his grave can be seen from the river to a considerable distance from it. Du Buque was an Indian trader and lived and died here.

The Fox town contains twenty wigwams or upwards, and I presume some 200 Indians. I saw but a few acres of poorly cultivated corn near the town, and the wigwams looked shabby enough. Morgan is the principal warrior of this village, as Keokuk is of the Rock river town.

The Sauks and Foxes were so useful to us as auxiliaries, that I feel grateful to them and make a few remarks on their principal men who were with us.

Keokuk, the principal warrior of the Sauks, is a shrewd politic man, as well as a brave one, and he possesses great weight of character in their national councils. He is a high-minded, honorable man, and never begs of the whites. While ascending the Mississippi to join us, at the head of his brave troops, he met, arrested and brought along with him to Fort Crawford, two United States soldiers, who were deserting from the garrison when he met them. I informed him that for this act he was entitled to a bounty in money; to which he proudly replied, that he acted from motives of friendship towards the United States, and would accept no money for it.

Morgan is the principal warrior of the Foxes, and resides at Du Buque's mine on the western bank of the Mississippi. Though less versatility of talent belongs to him than Keokuk possesses, yet he is a brave man and fond of war. More than a year before we were in this country, this Indian general had gone to the Sioux country and killed a woman and three children of that Nation, which act produced the war, then raging between the two Nations. This act has since been dreadfully avenged by a large party, on some twenty individuals of the Foxes.

Tiama, a principal civil chief of the sama tribe, is an excellent man, and son-in-law of Quasquawma. Their village is already noticed as being located on the west side of the river, opposite where we lay on an island, at the head of the lower rapids.

Quasquawma was the chief of this tribe once, but being cheated out of the mineral country, as the Indians allege, he was degraded from his rank and his son-in-law, Tiama, elected in his stead. The iraprovisatori, whose name has escaped my recollection, is a shrewd wit and a very good man, certainly a very amiable and agreeable one. He is highly esteemed by all his people.

Tom, a half-blood, is a great pet among the whites. He speaks prairie-wolf French and a little English, in addition to his knowledge of Indian languages.