La Crosse County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1881 (part 12 of 16)

About the 1st of .June, ISTO, I heard of such a cave with such iiictures and characters. and immediately visited it. I quickly saw that there was something of much value to the cause of arcliKological science; that the rude pictures were evidently quite old; that the now close chamber had been an open cavern in the clift", which had been closed not less than 150 years by a land-slide from the hill above. A poplar tree, two feet in diameter, having 120 growths of circles, stood as a dead tree twenty-five years ago, when Mr. Samuel first came there, and had rotten and fallen ; and a birch tree stood upon the '-dge of the cliff where the land-slide had passed over, of from 1-50 to KJO annual growths. I visited Mr. Samuel andj informed him of the value to science of the nscriptions and possible discoveries to be made by digging. Pie iramediatclv took measures to stop the vandalism that was fast destroying them; to enlarge the opening, and clear out the sand that had washed in from the land-slide and half filled the cave. In the meantime, I took fac similies of the pictures artd characters by pressing tissue paper into the grooves, and with Idack crayons followed each line to its termination, preserving also its original width. In "this way I got perfect outlines, and by placing other sheets over them, in the light of a window jiano, took small copies that showed the pictures in their original form and size!^ I sent one set to Prof. Chamberlin, State Geologist, not intending to make anything public till an examination had been made by an archiirlogical expert, and their value to science ascertained. In the meantime, it having become noised about that I was examining such a cave, I was called upon by the local editor of the Clironick, of La Crosse, to whom I gave copies of some of the most prominent of the pictures, from which hasty and imperfect wood cuts were prepared, which appeared in the Chronicle. The article was seen by Mr. Lyman C. Draper, Secretary of the State Historical Society, who wrote to me for information in regard to it. I sent him copies of the pictures, so far as 1 ha<l taken them, and designated a time, June 27, to dig into the bottom of the cave, requesting him to come, or scud a competent archnsoliigi-'t. lie communicated with Dr. J. A. liice, of Morton, Waukesha County, who came at the time ajipointed with Mr. IJockwell Saver, of Chicago. A company of seventeen men repaired to the [ilace with shovels, wheelbarrows and other necessary things for explorations. Several intelligent ladies also attended, and prepared a dinner.

Commencing at the back end of the cave, the sand was carefully dug up arid wheeled out, every load carefully inspected, and the work continued till the whole had been examined. Wy came u|iun fjur layers of ashes, each fr.jm four to six inches deep, and containing charcoal, and burncil and nearlv vitrifird sand-rock. They were separated from each other throughout the whuh,. l,'[i;jth and breadth of the cave by layers of clean, white sanvl, of fn'ni ten to fourteen iriches in drpth. Bdow the wlinlo was water, of the saujo level as a marsh that lies in front of the clifl". The lower stratum of sand and ashe.i contained nothing. In the second, were fragments uf pottery, made of clay and ground shells. These were smooth, and of the oldest kind found in mounds. In the third more elaborately wrought pottery, the newest foi;nd in mounds, with numerous fragments and wdiole sides of Mississipj)i Uiver bivalve shelves, and a bodkin of bone, seven inclie.-; Ion;;. This, acconling to the opinion of olJ hunters, was of the "hock bone" of an elk. It was in rlry. white sand, and is nuite sharp anil smooth witli use, and in a ])erfect state of preservation, even retaining tl'.e gla-sy polish of wear and handling, as if used but yesterday- All the layers had become compact and well stratified, and all contained bits of charcoal, and charred and rotten wood. In the upper layer, we found two bones of birds, and two of Miiall animals, and a '" clue-clan ' of a deer, and a cirtilaginous maxillary inferior of a reptile. The four completely dill'used strata of ashes, separated by a foot average of clear sand, showed that there had been four distinct periods of occupancy, scparate<l by considerable intervals of time. This was al.sp indicated bv two orders of pottery, one always below the other ; but nothing to measure the time. 'Tlie oidv conclusion we couM arrive at was, that the first occupation was very ancient, and the last before the land-slide, or not less than l-'jO or 160 years ago. The zone of the pictures agreed best, for convenience of engraving, with the third occupancy, the age of the figured pottery.

Before the land-slide, it was an open shelter cavern. 1-") feet wide at the opening, and 7 feet at the back end ; greatest vridth, IG feet; average l^! feet; length, 30 feet; height, 13 feet, and depth of excavation, after clearing out the sand of the land-slide, 5 feet The pictures are mostly of the rudest kind, but differing in degree of skill. Exce[>t several bisons, a lynx, rabbit, otter, badger, elk and heron, it is, perhaps, impossible to determine, with certainty, what were intended, or whether they represented large or small animals, no regard being had to their relative sizes. A bison, lynx and rabbit are pictured in one group, all of the same size. One j)icture perhaps suggests a mastoilon ; another, the largest, a hippopotamus; but whether they were really intended to represent those animals, is quite uncertain. Other seem to refer to animals yet in existence. Many pictures are fragmentary by the erosion of the soft sand-rock on which they are engraved. In one place is a crevice, ^ feet long, 2 feet high, and extending inward "21- feet, with frugments of pictures above and below.

The ajipearance and connection of the pictures and characters indicate that they were histiirical, rather than engraved fir more amusement, and suggest that thorough exploration of caves may shed much light on the history of the pre-historic aborigines of our country.

I vi>ited the I'ictured Cave you >> kindly requested me to do in behalf of the State Ilistor" ical Society, ami a\ail myself of the earliest opportunity to examine my notes, and also the fac" simile sketches of the animal representations there found, courteously- presented to me by ReV Edward Brown, and from tliem have prepared the rejiort, which I now submit for the use of the society. Great credit is due to Mr. I'rown for bringing the discovery of the cave to the notice of archieologists. This cave is situated on the farm of a Mr. Samuel, near West Salem, in the county of La Crosse, and was discovered by a son of Mr. Samuel when trapping coons in a hole some animal liad dug irito the cave.

In ri'gard to tlie antiipiity of these ilrawings there can be no iiuestion, for some of them were ((iNered with sand, and. be^idr-,. I I'ound pieces of the rock buried in the sand, whieli ha'l fallen hum the siilrs with porti'Uis of tlie in-^criptions upon thi-m, which fart rau>t be regarilid as proof poiiii\e of a grrateror Icisur anti'|uity. These are all tlie ficts in regard to the cave that I think woith iiuting.

Now, a> to the Conclusions to bi; ilrawn friun the rcjireseutations here found, and whicii are ilie oidy objocts of int(;re.-t. The fact that we find four distinct and separate layers of ashes, with pottery in twii of tliem of a diilc'roiit otlor and make, would certainly indicate four separate and distinct occupations of the rock-shelter, each occupying a greater or less length of time, and when we recollect that the Imlian always contents himself with the smallest possible amount

It V perhaps, impossible to sav dnnn, which of these occupations of the shel cr the dra^.- in.s ve ;' tnade -.' but. Lkin. into consideration the height of the z.one of pictures above the firs Iml e on loecupations. th:^v could h.ardly be referred to either of these, and, therefore must ?a c been nv'Te dunn. the third or fourti: occupation, and from the proof positive of the cosure of the c:..ve for a period of at least one hundred and lifty years, a considerable antiquity must be

'"'"TLvh an interesting ftc simile of an attempt at history-writing by the Sioux, with it. intei^ pretation. ' It is a rou.h representation of some one event in each year, occurring J"'";g t^e per 0 f-on. 1^0.) to 1870. and verv much resctnbles some of the .sketches m tins cave. Afte. a S S cnmr IVison'of these and similar Indian drawings I hav^, 1 am forced to the conclusion ha tle^Lreseutations in the La Cro.se Valley Pictured Cave are also of Ind:an origin Ev^rvthin.' about them indicates this, especially the drawing of^the human hgure with eight ^^- : nliis head can be regarded in no other liglit than as atr Indi.n of s,.rie -^te-^no^^ v,hv-l his eb'ht feathers as indicating the taking of so many scalps, and woulu be so in.eipieted iU;v S.oux or other Northwestern' Indian. If these conclusions are correct, the gieatest antiqui'v alh.wable w,mM be from, poihaps. three to eight hundred years.

^'""£''JsSr;£ same territorv which i. now embraced m La Cro.se County, with the ..ception o? that part of Township-Xo. V.' uorch. of Range No. 7 west, which lies south ot Llack River, was set off bv the Le-i^lature of the State as La Crosse County. .

In 1856. bv act of Legislature. T .wn^liips Nos. Td north, of Range Nos. o and 0 we.t, in th^ount; of Jackson, ^^re attached to and made part of La Crosse County ^"^^oquendy h\- the Revi:ed Statutes of 1^^S. the.e t.o townsh^,s wore set back into J-^.^" M Tf i ^ that p...rtion of Township No. I'd north, of Range No. i west, which lies south ''f^^ J;! [/ lA^- j was made a part of La Crosse County, leaving the present boutidaric-s of the county a, desci.btd in revised statures and in the Revised Statute, ot 1^18, as toljows: ..... -p-.,,

.' B...^innin.. at a point iu the western boundary line of this State in the Mississippi Kuer, where t^e^towu^io line between Town-hip^ 17 and Is intersects said boundary line, runmtig thJi..^ ea^t on said township line to the n.a.n channel of Black River ; thence "P '- -- n.^1 of Dlt.k River to the ranL'O line between Ranges G and ..west; tncnce south on saidiange line '0 the 'township line between Townships 18 and I'J: theuce cast on said town=lv.p line to the range'iine between Ranges 4 and 5. west of the meridian atoresaid ; thence ;=";>tl^ on said ran.e line to the township line between Townships 1 1 and l.: thence wes , on said o^^nsh lin^ to the western boundary line of this State, In the Mi.Mss.ppi Iliver : thence northerly up

The county contains all of tiie full Townships 15, 16, 17 and 18, of Range 5; Townships 15, 16, 17 and"l8, of Range 6, and Township 17. Range 7 ; all of the fractional Townships 15, and 16, Ranges 7 and 17, Range 8, and 17, Range 9, and all of those portions of Townships 18, Ranges 8, and 19, Range 7, which lie south and east of Black River. The area of these townships or [larts of towiisjiips within the county is a^ follows :

The county is divided topographically into the land in the valleys of streams, the hillsides bottmling these valleys, a large extent of bottom lands along the Mississippi and Black Rivers subject to annual overflow, a few sandy prairies, numerous dry valleys and ravines with the hillsides bounding them, and elevated table-lands upon the top of the ridges.

Black River liows through a portion of the county, and forms the northern and western boundaries of another portion. It has itself no distinct valley in La Crosse County, but flows through the bottom and prairie lands which lie in the valley of the .Mississippi River.

The main mouth of Black River is in the northern part of the city of L.i Crosse, and is about seven miles north of the southern bound.ary of the county, about eleven miles south of the northern boundary of the county on the Mi.-^sissippi River, and eighteen and a quarter miles south of the extreme northern boundary of the county on Black River. Besides this main mouth, it has two other mouths or channels, which run from the main channel to the Mi.ssis- 8i|.pi River. The northerly one of tliesi; two channels is called Hammond Chute, and the southerly Gibbs' Chute. The mouth of Hammond (,'hute is about one and a half miles south from the northern boundary of the county, on the ]\Iississippi River, ami about nine miles south of the extreme northern "boundary of the county. The mouth of Gibbs' Ciiute is about four and a quarter miles south of tlie north line of tlie county, on the Mississippi River, and eleven and three-quarter railed from the extreme northern boundary of the county on Black River. Along the whole course of Black River, in La Crosse County, there are sloughs and bayous which encroach upon or intersect and ramify the adjacent bottom lands. For a distance of several miles, it has, besides its main channel, another separate and distinct channel, known as Black Snake. There is also, in another place, another distinct channel, known as Broken Gun.

The bottom lands in tlie county which are subject to annual overtiow, and which lie in the valley of the Mississij.pi River, through a large portion of which Black River Hows, amount to about 33,000 acres. The principal, and in fact only value of these lands is for timber and hay. The timber is mostlv soft maple, birch and elm, with some ash, hackbt-rry and other varieties. A great part of the" original timber has been cut oft", but the rapid growth of the soft maple and birch fast replaces it. Tlie prairie lands in the county amount to about 20,000 acres. The lands in the vallevs of the streams amount to about 145,000 acres. Tliis is all rich and fertile, and is the most valuable land of the county. The steep hillsides bounding these valleys with the dry ravines and liillsides bounding them amount to about 38,000 acres, and the elevated table-lands with tlie rolling lands and hillsides not too steep for cultivation, amount to about 62,000 acres. This ha* all of it a clay subsuil. and is the best kind of land for the production of wheat.

The rivers in La Crosse County or upon its boundaries, are the Mississippi, Black and La Crosse Rivers; the two last named flow into the Mississippi River within the county.

The following statistics in regard to this river opposite La Crosse, are found in a " Report upon the Physics and Hydraulics of the Mississippi River," prepared by Capt. A. A. Humphrey and Lieut. Abbot, subm'itted in 1861, and publislied in 1807 :

" The distance of La Crosse from the mouth of the river (that is the mouth of the Upper Mississippi being at its junction with the MissouriTis 514 miles; the elevation above the sea is 638 feet. The "fall per mile is 0.22 feet, the width between banks is 5,000 feet, the least lowwater depth upon bars is 2 feet, the range between high and low water is 14 feet, the area at high water is 100.000 square feet." Since this report was made there has beeii a greater range between high and low water, that is between low Avater of 1863 and 1864, and the high water of 1880, this range being 16 feet, and owing to certain improvements made by the Government upon the river opposite and above La Crosse, the least low-water depth upon bars is said by those who run boats upon the river to have been increased.

These improvements consist in the building of low-water dams with fascines and stones across the head of the east cliannel of the river above La Crosse, and above the mouth of the Black and La Crosse Rivers, and across the head of the west channel of the river opposite La Crosse, commonly known as Raft Channel. Black River forms the north boundary of that part of the countv embraced in Townslii):s IT and 18 north, of Range 7 west, and Township 18 north, of Range 8 west, and the western boundary of that portion of the county embraced in Township 18 north, of Range 8 west, and from the south line of said townsliip. Biack River flows, as has been described, in several channels through bottom-lands, and empties through dift'ercnt mouths, as have been described, into the Mississippi River.

Black River is a sluggish stream, and but for the improvements madf by the Black River Lnprovement Company, would be so obstructed by sand-bars as to be uunavigable. This company, un<ler a cliartcr from the State, has improved tlie stream by wing dams and dredging for the purpose of running log-; from the pineries at its source, and on its tributaries. These logs are sawn at the mills at La Crosse, ami at points on the Missi.ssippi River below La Crosse. Black River is kept open and navigable for the largest steamers on the Mississippi as far as the

La Crosse River enters the county near the middle of the eastern boundary, and runs in a southwesterly direction across thu wliole width of tlie county, east and west, emptying into the Mississippi at the city of La Crosse. The La Crosse River, althougli meandered by the United States Surveyors when the public lands were surveyed, is not navigable. There are two tlouring-mills ujion the river within La Crosse County, one .-it the village of Neshonoc, about the center of the county, one mile north of West Salem, a station on the Chicago, Milwaukee k St. Paul and Chicago & Xorth-Wcstern Railroads, and another about two miles below Neshonoc. The former of these two mills is owneil by Alexander McMillan, and has six run of stone; one of those run is e.xclusively for grinding feed, and the other five, with rolls and modern machinery, for making patent tlour.

The capacity of this mill is one hundred barrels of flour and twenty-four tons of feed per day. The dam at this mill is ten feet high, and would furnish power for several more run of stone. The dara could be raised ten feet higher, which would give a power for a mill witli a capacity of from six to eight hundred barrels of flour per day.

Upon the creeks tributary to La Crosse River, there are mills as follows: On Dutch Creek at ]]angor, a flouring-mill owned bv J. Dosshart and IL Legler, in which there are two run of stone. There is also a wooleti-mill on the same stream, owned by Otto Rodman and the estate of J. Rueiiy.

On Big Creek, near the eastern boundery of the count3' upon the north side of the La Crosse River, there is a flouring-mill owned by Manuel Roberts.

On Burns Creek, also on the north side of La Crosse iJiver, there are two mills, one a s-aw-mill owned by D. Vaughn, and the other a flouring-mill owned by L. Bowen.

Upon Fleming Creek, in the northern part of the county, which empties into Black River. there are two flouring-mills, the Union Mill, owned by JamCs Barclay, and another owned by J. A. Young. There are also a feed and saw mill on this creek owned by H. X. Sly.

Upon Ilulway Creek, which empties into Black River about six miles above La Crosse City, there are two flouring-raills, one near Midway, owned by A. Grams, and one about two miles above owned by C. Christianson.

Upon Mormon Creek, in the south part of the county, there are three flouring-mills. This creek rises in the eastern part of the county upon the west side of the town of \Vashington, Township No. 15 north, of Range No. 5 west. It runs througli the central part of the lower tier of townships in the county, about twelve miles, and empties into what is called Mormon Slough. This slough is really a part of the Mississippi River, flowing from it a short distance below tlie city of La Crosse, and running hack into it in Vfrnon County, about fjurteen miles below La Cros.-e.

The lower mill upon Mormon Creek is owned by Valentine Oehler, and has three run of stone. The second mill, counting from the mouth of the stream, is owned I'-y ^Litthias Blumer, and has three run of stone. The third, or upper mill, is owned by S. McKown, and has three run of stone.

L[)on.Coon Creek, there is a flouring-mill owned by .Joseph Xedwielek. This creek rises in the northeastern [lart of the town of Wa^liiiicrmn. and Ihiws tliroi]:_'h tin.- central part of the town southward into \'ernon (Amnty whcrr it empties into Coon River.

Chipmunk Creek la small part of which is witliin the county along its southern boundary, the remainder being in Vernon County), furnishes no water-power in La Crosse County, although there is a mill on this creek in Vernon County. This creek empties into Mormon Slough in Vernon County, a short distance below the southern bounflary of La Crosse County. All of the remaining streams in La Crosse County not liereinbefore mentioned, are tributary to those named. The principal ones are Fish Creek, Thompson's Creek and Smith Creek flowing into the La Crosse River on the south side, and Adams' Creek and Thrasher's Creek flowing into the La Crosse River on the north siile.

The total number of mills run by water-power in La Crosse County as ab'.>ve described, are fifteen for fl.jur aii'I feed, one feed and saw mdl. and one woolen-mill, eighteen in all.

THE WINNEHAGO CONFEDEKACY ANU INDIAN OCCUPATION. By .)i dge Gai.e. For this article we are indebted to Judge George Gale's valuable work, " The Upper Mississippi," to whose compilation he gave years of kibor and research, and which was the crowning efl"ort of a most noble and useful life :

When Sieur Jean Nicolet visited the O-chunk-o-raivs, or Winneb.agoes, at Green Bay, in 1680,* he spoke of them as then " sedentary and very numerous," but this fact has since been doubted, as, the following vear. they were nearly exterminated by the Illinois, and if so easily exterminated, it was thought they could not have been very numerous. Again, it was said by authors, that the Winnebagoes were only an insignificant band of the Sioux, speaking a dialect of the Sioux language. But later investigations into the language of the Ochutikoraics and several other Western tribes, seem to establish the fact that they are the parent nation to a confederacy of an independent language, reaching from Lake Superior south to the Red River, and composed of the Winnebagoes, Menomonces, lowas, Missouris, Osnges, Kansas, Quapaws, Otoes, Omahas, Ponc;is, ^Lardans, and perhaps others.

On this subject Rev. William Hamilton, who had for fifteen years been a missionary among the lowas, and had published a grammar of their language, in answer to questions from H. R. Schoolcraft, wrote as follows : " There is no more difference between the language of the lowas, Otoes and Menomonces than between the language of a New Englander and a Southerner. A few words are common to one tribe and not to another. They say the AVinncbago is the /uU hiwjuaije. This may be true ; if so, the Iowa, Otoe and Missouri languages would be one dialect; the Omaha and Ponca another; the Konza, Osage, Quapaw and Apaches (a band of the Osages), another: or, perhaps, the Omahas, Poncas, Konzas, etc., might all be called one dialect. * * * 'p[,g Osage, Konza, Quapaw, etc., are the same language. The

Omaha and Ponca are the same. Many words of the Winnebagoes are the same in Iowa." - ('-Schoolcraft's History of the Indian Tribes," Part IV, pages 405, 406).

In the same volume, page 1-1. J. E. Fletcher, Esq., Indian Agent to the Winnebagoes, writes: "The Winnebagoes claim that they are an original stock, and that the Missouris, lowas, Otoes and Omahas sprang from them. These Indians call tlie Winnebagoes their elder brothers, and the similarity of their language renders it probable that they belong to the same stock. Even in 1070, the Winnebagoes told Rev. Father Allouez that -there were only certain people of the Southwest who spoke as they did.' "

To this testimony we may add that of Mr. Saterlee Clark, an old Winnebago trader, and one of the few who ever learned the language, that he could converse with and understand the lowas, and that the lowas called themselves O-chunk-o-raws. Also the statement of the Winnebagoes to Gen. Sully, that they spoke the same language as the Omahas; and the further statement of James Reed, Es.|.. of Trempealeau County, Wis., to the writer, that he had not been able to learn the Winiiebapo language on account of its being so deeply gutteral, notwithstan<ling he had many years spuken Sioux, been a farmer and trader amongst them, and had a cousin of the chief Wabaslia as his wife. This we imagine, makes a strong case against the nsscrtion that the AVinnebago is only a dialect of the Sioux.

When Sicur Xicnlet asseiiibleil four or five thousand Winnebagnes, Sioux, Illinois and Pottawatomics at Green Bay, in Itioi' [1634 - see foot note] for a general council, is it not prohable that there came al»o the Menoinonees, lowas, Osages and other kindred bands of the Winnebagoes, and from their numbers he correctly came to the conclusion that the Winnebagoes were "sedentary and very numerous?" They then evidently occupied the territory from near Mackinaw, southwest to the Ited River, extending east as far as the Illinois River, the Mississippi and the Lower Ohio Valley. For over thirty years later, and after the advent of the fugitive Algonquins, the eight Illinois bands were on Illinois Riveras their real homes, although Marquette, January 25, 1(JT3, found the Reorias on the Mississippi when descemling tlie river ; but they had returned to tlie Illinois when he caine back, some two months later. Rev. Father Allone/, also found the Illinois on the Illinois River in 1677. Thus was evidently situated ii; the Winnebago Confederacy in Itiol, '"sedentary and very numerous."

The tradition of the O-chunk-o-raw claims that the tribe was created at the Mok-kau-sliootsraw, on Red Earth Banks, on the south shore of Green Bay. They were known to the Algonquin tribe by the name of '' Winnebagoec," or people of the salt water; and as the Algonquin word for salt water and stinking water was tlie same, the French gave them the name of La Puants, or stinkards. They, however, call themselves O-chunk-o-raw.

The tribe was spoken of by Sieur Champlain, who visited Lake Huron in 1615, and the singularity of their names probably induced the French Governor of Canada to send Sieur Nicollet, his Indian interpreter, to visit them in 1034, in hopes of discovering the Western ocean.* Tliey continued to occupy Green Bay, Fox River ami Lake Winnebago until modern times, and were generally allies of the Sacs and Foxes in the old Indian wars. They were, after 1754, allies of the French while they held Canada, and afterward of the British, until the close of the war in ISl'J.

In 1816, the L'nited States concluded a treaty of peace with the Portage bands, uniier the chief (^Aoo-ke-kaw, or the Ladle, more commonly known by his French name, " De Cora." This band agreed to separate themselves from the balance of the tribe until they made a treaty of peace also, anil delivered up their prisoners. The 0-chunk-o-raws joined the tribes at the great council with the United States, held at Prairie du Chien August 19, lS-25. This gave to the ^Vinnebag(les the country bounded as follows : "Southeasterly by RockRiver, from its source near the Winnebago Lake to the Wiiinebago village, about forty miles above its mouth ; westerly, by the east line of the tract lying upon the Mississippi, heroin secured to the Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomics of the Illinoi-^ ; and al.-o by the high bluff described in the Sioux boundary, and running north to Black River: fmm this point the Winnebagoes claim up Black River to a point due west from the S'lurce of the Left Fork of the Ouisconsin to the Portage, and across the Portage to Fox River ; thence duwn Fux River to the Winnebago Lake, and to the grand Kau-kaulin, including in thin claim the whole of Winnebago Lake."

In a second treaty. August 11. 1827, between the United States and the Chipiiewas, Menominees and Winnebagoes. our Government stijiuhited that " the sum of $1,000 shall be annually apj)ropriated, for the term of three years; and the sum of $1,500 shall.be aunnally thereafter appropriated as long as Congress thinks proper, fir the education of the children of the tribes, parties tliereto, and of the Xfw Yoi-k Indians near Green Bay, to be expendeil under the direction of tlie President of the United States."

Ill 1827, some WinnebaL'iies attacked and killii] eight Chijipewas near Fort Snelling, whereupon the Commandant of that fort took four of the olTending Winnebagoes and delivered them to the Chippewas, who immediately put them to death. Red Bird's band soon after attacked two keel-bouts at the mouth of Coon Slougli, on the Mississippi, killinr; two and wounding si.x whites ; while Red Bird himself killed two whites at Prairie dii Chien. The settlers at once organized for war, electing Gen. Dodge commander. Gen. Atkinson, with a small force of regular troo[is, inarched up the Wi.sconsin, and, joined by the forces of Gen. Dodge, advanced to attack the Winncbagocs in force at the Portage ; but on their arrival received overtures from the Indians, who delivered u[) Red ]5ird and six others as the guilty parties, which ended the dilSculty.

In 1829, by a treaty concluded at Prairie du Chien, concluded August 1 of that year, the tribe ceded their territory south of the Wisconsin River, and west of a line running south from Lake Puckaway, by Duck Creek, Fourth Lake, near Madison, Sugar River and Fcc-kii-tal-a-ka, by which the Winnebago interest in the mines was secured to the United States. The consideration for the territory purchased was §8,00i), jiaid annually for thirty years ; §30,000 in goods paid down, and 30,000 pounds of tobacco, and fifty barrels of salt, delivered annually for thirty years.

By a treaty, on Sejitember lo, 18-12, the Winnebagoes ceded to tlie United States all the balance of their lands south of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, for which the Government gave them an interest in the '- neutral grounds" west of the Mississippi, an annual annuity for twenty-seven successive years of §10,000, and further agreed to establish and maintain a school at Prairie du Chien for twenty-seven years, at an annual expense not exceeding 53,000 ; support six agriculturists for twenty-seven years ; pay not exceeding §2,500 for twelve yoke of oxen and agricultural implements; pay the Rock River band 1,500 pounds of tobacco per annum ; and pay §20<.l per annum each for the services of two physicians, one stationed at Fort Winnebago, and the other at Prairie du Chien. The treaty contained some small grants of land to half-breeds, and required the surrender of eight Indians, charged with the murder of some whites in the Black Hawk war.

By another treaty, November 1, 1837, the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States all the balance of their territory on the east side of the Mississippi River, anil certain interests on the west side, for which the Government paiil §1,500,000. Of this amount, §100,000 was to be expended in goods, horses, provisions, opening farms and ex]ienses of the removal of the Lulians west of the ^Iississippi, where the tribe engaged to go in eight months after the ratification of the treaty. However, they did not perform that agreement until 1840. A new treaty was entered into at Washington, D. C, October 13, lS4t), by which tiie tribe surrendered all their interests in lands in the Inited States, for which the United States engaged to give the tribe 800,000 acres of laml north of the St. Peters, or Minnesota River, for a residence, and pay in addition §100,000. The chiefs selected a tract north of the Watab, but the tribe was generally dissatisfied with the location, and the most of them remained scattered about the country.

In 1853, a new treaty was made, by which they were allowed to change their location to the Crow River ; but the ratification of this treaty was refused on the remonstrance of the people of Minnesota. The matter was compromised by the United States, and in February, 1855. the chiefs were permitted to select their land on the Blue Earth River, south of the Minnesota. Here the tribe settled the same spring, highly satisfied with their land, and immediately commenceil building houses and improving land. So well had they succeeded that the Government Agent at St. Paul, in ISGO, reported as follows:

" There have been raised by individual Indians as high as sixty acres of wheat on a single farm. The reservation presents the appearance of as much improvement as the surrounding country ; and, in fact, when viewing the comfortable log and frame houses that dot the reservation as far as the eye can reach, it presents a far diflerent scene than is usual to be found upon Indian reservations, for wigwams are becoming as rare as houses were but two years since."

The same year the teachers of the reporteil one hundred and eighteen pupils enrolled, of which sixtv-two were naales and fifty-six female-: that they were instructed in the ordinary Ent'lish branches, and had "as much educational capacity as can be found in any school of ecjual size."

In tlie miilst of their pro>peritv, when their civilization had become almost a certainty, the occurrence of the "Sioux massacre," in June, l^il^. dashed their fond hopes to the ground. Notwithstanding the Winnebagoes took no part, hut off^Tod the services of their warriors to our Government to help fmnish that rebi.'Uious nation ; yet the exasperated inhabitants of Minnesota deiiKinded their removal, and Congress, by a special act, directed the President to transport them to the Missouri Kiver with the friendly Sioux.

Accordingly, in May and .Tune, 1S63, without any treaty, they were loaded upon steamers and taken to the Missouri River, where, in the language of a missiMnnry to the writer, "they Mere. like the Sioux, dumped in the desert one hundred miles from Fort Randall."

When the purposes of the Government became known to the tribe, the old chief-, De Cora, 'Winneshiek, Dan'ly and their families, and some others, fled to Wisconsin, where, near the tunnel, in the fall of 1864, the venerable old chief. DeCora, who captured Black rkn\k in 1832, and sent him to the fiovernment Agent at Prairie du Chien, died in poverty.

Soon after the Winnebagoes were landed at Crow Creek. Dakota Territory, they pronounced the country not fit for cultivation, and were generally dissatisfied. Tiiey soon commenced the manufacture of canoes to return down the river. Brig. Gen. Sully visited their reservation, and .July 15. ISO-j, sent a dispatch to Gen. Pojie, in which he remarked: "I find both tribes (Sioux and Winnebagoes) very discontented, and if troops are not constantly kept here, I think there will be trouble.

"The Winnebagoes I find hard at work making canoes, with the intention of quitting the agency and going to' join the Oraahas, or some other tribes down the river. I had a council with them yesterday, in \vhich they said they had been promised, when they left their last reservation, to be settled on the Big Sioux River. How true that is. I cannot say. They also stated that nothing would grow here. They dare not go out to hum, for fear of the other tribes, and they would all starve to death. This I brliove to be true, without the Government intends to ration them all the time. The land is diy. saiuly and parched up."

In a letter to the Secretary of ilie Iriteriur, dated the following day. Gen. Sully remarked: . " I state this fVoni my own kno\vk-<!ge of the country. The latid is poor, a low, sandy soil. I don't think you can depend on a croji of corn even once in five years, as it seldom rains here in the summer. There is no hunting in the immediate vicinity, and the bands of Sioux near here are hostile to them. The Winnebagoes tell me they are friends of the Omahas, and speak nearly the same language. It is their wish to be united with them on the Omaha reservation, and, as lliey say, tW Umahas are in favor of this also. Their last removal from .Minnesota was hard for them. f-ir they were not iinjilicated in the late massacre."

The Indian Agent for the <Jniahas, C>clober IG, ]<'~^(Jo, reported the continued arii\a! of small parties of Winnebagoes at that reservation in a destitute condition, and he was soon after instructed from ^Vashington to provide for all that arrived. In September. lfeG4, over twelve hundred had arrived, and the agent, with the consent of the Omalias, had assigned them a tract of land fir temjiorary cultivation, and they had harvested loO acres of corn.

Soon after this the Winnebagoes contracted with the Omahas for nearly one-third of their reservation at about ^Jl'cCTTts per acre, of which the Indian Agent said, September lo, IMj.o: "If this arrangement be ratified by the Senate the coming winter, th.ey will become j^o^sessed of lands (lMO sections) ample in extent for all the j.urposes of the tribe, abounding in wooil and water, and for agricultural purposes equal to the best t'arniing lands in Nebiaska."

Speaking generally of the Winnebagoes, the Indian Superintendent of the niirthern dejiartinrnt. in September, IbG-'i, said: "1 cantiot too strongly recommend this unfortunate and mueh-al.'used tribe to the fostering care and protection of tiie I>efiartment. Hurried from their comfortable homes in Minnesota, in I860, and located at the Crow Creek Agency, whore it is impossible, one vear in six. to raise a crop, either of corn, wheat or potatoes, they have suffered more than any otlier tril)e in the country. They are now subsisted by the Government on the Omaha Reservation, in Nebraska, whither they have all sought refuge to escape starvation, and, under the most favorable auspices, they must continue a charge upon the Government to a greater or less extent for nearly two years to come."

In the August rep^irt occur these rern:^rk^: "This tribe is characterized by frugality, thrift and industry to an extent uiiequaled by an\- other tribe of Indians in the Northwest. Loyal to the Government and peaceful toward their neighbors, they are entitled to the fostering care of the General Government."

The removal and unsettled condition of the 'Winnebagoes broke up their schools and religious instruction, and in December. 1>^04, thirty-eight chiefs and head men, at tliuir Omaha residence, petitioned their Father," the President, among other things, as follows: "It is our sincere desire to have again established among us buch schi.iols as we see in operation among your Omaha children. Father, as soon as you find a permanent home for us, will you not do this for us ? And, Fatlier, as we would like our children taught the Christian religion, as before, we v.-ould like our school placed under the care of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. And last, Fatlier, to show you our sincerity, wo desire to have set apart for its establishment, erection and support all of our school funds, and wliatever more is necessary."

The population of this tribe has been variously estimated at different periods. Thus we find in a French document that they had 200 warriors in 1730 ; according to Sir William Johnson, in 1763 they had increased to 360; Capt. Carver, in 1766, reduced the number to '2lii>. By a census of .the tribe in 18.51', they were found to number 2,2.S0 souls, of which 1,0.55 were males, and 1.201 females; but by the census of 186-5 tlie whole number had diminished to 1,900. The latter census probably did not include the stragglei-s in Wisconsin, which were still there in 1866. They have been a vigorous, athletic race, and received from the Sioux a name - -O-ton-ta-kah - said to mean "the large and strong people."

In the spring of 1866. the Winnebagoes finally settled on their Omaha reservation and commenced building houses, of wjiich they had been destitute these years; they also put on white men's clothing, and liave cheerfully settled down, hoping to have a permanent home.

The Agent, in his report of August 20, 1866, said: "There have returned to the tribe, within the past few weeks, about one hundred soldiers, who have served with credit to themselves and to their tribe, in the defense of their country. 1 consider the Winnebagoes one of the best tribes of Indians in the country, and with proper treatment they will soon become a self-sustaining, prosperous and hajipy people."

By the treaty with the United States ratified and proclaimed March 28, 1866, the Winnebagoes released their Crow Creek Reservation and accepted their Omaha Reservation, paid for by the United States. Thev also were to receive lOi) cows, 400 horses, 20 yoke of o.xen, and wagons; have a steam saw and grist mill, and necessary buildings for a complete agency erected, and are to be paid the expenses of removal and subsistence for one year.

Tile various names, and the variations of the same iiamc. are thus treated by an article relating thereto in tlie Historical Collection of 18,56, page 137, which is taken in turn from the Jesuit Relation.s of lG5'J-60, 16'i0-70:

They are a Hakota tribe, and this name is that given by the Aluon-inius. and means " fetid." The Krench translaled it by the word I'liaiil", giving it as a name to the tribe and to Ureeu I'.ay (Sagard), The early mission-

On the 2->th of September, ITi;-'. I arrived at the great town of the Winnebagoes, situated on a small island just as you enter the east end of Lake Winnebago. Here the ijueen who presided over this tribe received me with great civility, and entertained nie in a very flistinguished matmer during the four days I coniiuued w ith her. The lime 1 tarrieil here I employed in making the be^i observations possible on the country, and in collecting the most certain intelligence I couM of the lu-igin, languaje and customs of this people. From these inquiries, I have reason to conclude tliat the Winnebagoes originally resided in some of the provinces belonging to New Mexico, ami being driven from their native country, either by intestine divisions, or by the extension of the Spanish ooihiuests, they took refuge in these more northern parts about a century ago.

My reasons for ailopiing tliis supposition are. first from tlicir unalienable iittachment to the Mandawessie Indians (Sioux), who. they say, gave them the earliest succor during their emigration, notwithstanding their present residence is more than six hundred miles distant from that )>eopIe. Secondly, tiiat their dialect diticrs from every other nation yet discovereil, it being very uncouth, guttral jargon, wliicii none of their neighbors will attempt to learn. They converse with oilier nations in the Chippeway tongue, which is the prevailing language throughout ail the tribes, from the Mohawks of (.'.mada to those wii.) inhabit the borders of the Mississij.pi, and from the flurons and Illinois to such as dwell near Hudson's l!ay. Thirdly, from their inveierate hatred to the Spaniards. Some of them informed me that they had male many excursions to the southwest, which took up several moons. An elderly chief, more particularly acqufiinted me that, about forty-six winters ago, he marched at the head of fifty warriors toward the southwest for three moons. Tliat during this expedition, whilst they were crossing a plain, they discoveted a body of men on liorseback, who belonged to the black people, for so they call the Spaniards. As soon as they perceived them, they procfeded with caution, and concealed themselves till night came on, when they drew so near as lo be able to discern the number and situation of their enemies. Finding they were not able to cope with so great a superiority by' daylight, they waited till they had retired to rest, when they rushed upon them, and after having killed the greatest ]>art of the men, took eighty horses loaded with what they termed white stone. This I suppose to have been silver; he told me the horses w-ere shod with ii, and that their bridles were ornamented with the same. Wheu they had sniiited their revenge, they carried o3 their spoil, and being got so far as lo be out of reach of the Spaniards that had escaped their fury, they left the useless and ponderous burthen with which the horses were loaded iu the w-ooils, and mounting themselves in tliis manner returned to their friends. The party they had thus defeated I conclude lo be the caravan than annually conveys to Mexico its silver which the Spaniards find In great quantities on the mnunlains lying near the head of the Colorado Kiver. The Winnebagoes can raise about two hundred warriors. Their town contains about tifiy bouses, which are strongly built with palisa'les. and the island on which it is siiuait- 1 nearly fifty acres. It lies thirty-five miles, reckoning according to the course of the river, from Green Bay.

Wisconsin was very early known, liaving been first visited by a white man in 1G34, less than a score of years from the date of the landing at Plymouth Rock, and the introduction of slavery into the colonies. Most fortunately for the welfare of the State, it has always been the home of freemen. In the year above mentioned, it is established that an adventurous Frenchman, Jean Nicolet, first set foot within the present State, and ascended Fox iJiver to within three days' journey of the Wi-C'disin. It ha? previously been stateil that he approached the Mississippi ; but this is now known to be an error. It is painful to add that tliis venturesome explorer met his death in 1G42, in the St. Lawrence River, while engaged in a benevolent mission to rescue a defenseless Aborigine from a relentless enemy. Nicolet visited Wisconsin but once, spending the winter of Itj^U-o-S at Green Bay, and tlien returning to his home near Quebec.

Ko State in the Union, whose annals commence at a ilate so remote from the jiresent. lias lieen subject to so numernus a change of rulers or a more peaceful career in her history than ^\ isijon-in. From IfiT" to \lCj<.). the territory was tributary to Fiance. In the latter year, rireen Hay was wrested from France by the English giving that nation virtual control of all the French posse.-^sions wo^t of Lake Michigan, confirmed by the treaty of Paris in ITu-j.

I'uring their occupation the laws of Canada were enforced over the Nnrtliwest ; .Jonathan Carver made his exploration ; the Xorihwestern Fur Company was organised, civil government established by the Quebec act, and its possession retained by the aid of Indians until 1783. In that year, the territory came into the possession of the United States, and hy Jay's treaty, concluded in 1795, the donation was further vested, together with its forts, trading-posts and dependencies.

Until 1800, Wisconsin Territory was attached to Virginia and Ohio, afterward transferred to Indiana. Illinois and .Michigan ; its dependence upon these several commonwealths continuing one hundred and sixty-six years.

All the territory now embraced within the State of AVisconsin was attached'to the Territory of Michigan as early as IMS. On the IGth of Octoher of that year, it was divided into twe counties, Brown and Crawford, by an act of the Legislative Council.

Brown embraced all the lands lying north of Illinois, and east of a line running due north from the northern boundary of that State, tlirough the middle of the Portage, between the Fox and Wisconsin Bivers. Crawford, all of the State lying west of that line to the Mississippi Eiver. A reference to the map will show that the latter county was probably one-third gi-eater in extent than Brown. Within its limits was included tlie " Carver Grant," which excited o-reat interest in its day, the confirmation of which would doubtless have invalidated the titles of settlers and dispossessed them of liomes.

This grant, it is claimed, was made to Capt. Carver May 1, 1SG7, fr^r and in consideration of services rendered to the Dakota or Sioux Indians, by IIow-no-j)aw-ja-len (Turtle), and 0-tohton-goom-lish-con iSnake), two chiefs of the t»'ibe. It extended from the Falls of St. Anthonv to the mouth of Lake Pej'in, thence eastward about one hundrcvl miles ; thence north one iiundred and twenty miles, and thence west on a direct line to the jilace of beginning, comprehending about ten thousand square miles and six millions of acres. Every ellort was made bv the heirs of Capt. Carver to secure from tlie United States and Cxreat Britain a confiruiation of tliis grant, but without success.

Thus was the Territijry defined by metes and bounds until October 0, 1S29, when Crawford (_'ounty was divided and Iowa County created out of the land lying east of the Jlississippi liivcr. Four years later, Milwaukee County was established and set olf from Brown County, being bounded by the south and east lines of the State, the north line of Townsiiip Xo. li, and the eastern line of Iowa Coun'.y. The District Court for these counties convened once a vear in each of tiiera, the first term being held in October, 18:24, at Green Bay. Judge Doty presiding. Among the ca?es, there were twenty-eight for illicit cohabitation arising from the custom of traders ami French settlers taking squaws to wife ; upon being arraigned, the accused pleaded guilty, but sentence was sus]iended till the close of the term, when all who were able to present a marriage certificate were released upon the payment of a nominal fine, while those who failed to procure the necessary certificate paid an assessment quoted at ?.')0.

The act of Congress cstablisiiing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, approved April -0, 18-'>i], ]irovid,ed that the territory included in tlio present States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and a pitrt of Dakoti should constitute a separate Territory, and that all power and autlnjrity of the government of Michigan sliould cease from the 4th day of July of that year. Tcrntiu-ial (jfhcei's were apjiointed and qualified, and a census gave a total of 11,(-)S3 residents, divided between Brown County, which contained 2,70.3; Crawford County, 8o0 ; Iowa Countv, and Mdwaukee County. 2.803. Tlie apportionment made on this basis gave Brown and Milwaukee two Council and three Legislative members each; Iowa County, three members ijf the Council, and six members of the Legislature, and Crawford (.'oiinty two members of the Legislature.

At that time, from Chicago to the Pacific, there wer,' but three new-pariers pulilished, viz.. the A'li-,-rti!-:,:r at .Mihsauke.-, Gieeii Bay liitcUij. ii.;r. aii'l Belmont Gii:,tt,\ the localilv of llie two l.-ist incntiuaed being indicated by their names, all of them being bern in lS-]t3, and the Belmont Gi'Z'tti^. in tlie ]:npe of obtaining tlu Territorial printing. There were scarcely anv bindings on the Mississippi north of St. L'.uis, and no I'oads save those established by tlie Gov- eriirnpiit between military post?, communication being either on foot or by horse, over well-worn Indian trail-;. Settlers who were able to come hitlier either by keel boat or canoe were fortunate, but liniitO'l. Tlio?e who raa'le their way by the slow ami wearisome wagon from the last outpost of civilization at Milwaukee ami Cliicago. by no means numerous, left hope behind upon entrance to the gloomy forests or while crossinj; tiie low. lonely prairies. Yet it is to the glorious self-denial of these bamN of pioneers that the present prosperity of the Great West is due.

(Jn the 1-tli of .June, l^o'^. an a'jt providing for the division of Wisconsin and the organization of low'.i Ten-itory was aji]ir>.ivi'd by the President of the United .States. The census of M:iy. 1838, showfd an increase in tlic ])opulation of over tj.OUO. ami a new apportionment was ordered.

In 184i_i, Crawford County embraced the territory included in its present limits in addition to that now contaiiicd in A'ermm. La Salle, Monroe. BulTalo, 'J'rctnpealeau and Jackson Counties, as also the soi'.thern tier of townships in Clark County. In February. 1851, the Legislature of Wisconsin adoptct an act providing tiiat the portion of Crawford County lying north of Townshiji 14. north of Ranges 2. o. 4. .t. 6 and 7. should be organized into a separate conntv to be known as La Ci-o.-se. It extended eastward to within twenty miles of the Wisconsin River, and north ninety miles for the entire width of Clark County. The election for town and county cflicers was decided, to be holden on the first Tresday in the following April. Chippewa County was attached to La Crosse for judicial purposes, ami the county seat was located at the village of La Crosse, upon condition that the people of the township furnished suitable buildings for criunty purposes. On the llth of February. 18.5.3. La Crosse County was divided, and Jackson Conntv create'], and the condition of affairs was continued bef >re that slice w.a? taken otf until 18.54.*

By that time, the iiihabiiaius of the original county had become numerous, not to sav crowded, and it wa^ decided lo cut out a piece or parcel of laml of sutFicient dinion-ions for county purpo-ijs and become independent. ^Vitli a view to that end. a bill was introduced into the Lcgi-lature in .January, 1^-54, providing for the creation of Ti'empealeau Countv. aiii] on the of that month became a liw. Three months Liter. Monroe County was a)i[ioriioiK' 1 from La Crosse, and on the 3(1 of M iroli. 18.">7. the prrsetit boundaries of La Cro-se Countv were defined and legalized by ;in act of the Legislature, approve.! on that day. So much for the incorporation of the county.

The origin of the name is a subject of interest, and there are several theories and statements in that behalf which will be referred to in the order of date as they occurred.

The first is a tradition t^i the effect that Catholic missionaries at an earh- dav erected a cedar cr<'-s iiear the banks of the Mississippi. 0!i which a crucill.K wa- placed at the intersection of the cro-s-bar or below it, protected by a pane of glass held in place by wa.x. The date of locatinil the ci'os-: or its hication, of course is mere conjecture. As is known, the Spaniards intriiduced tin- custom of si'tting up a cro^s upon their first discovery or landing, thus signifying to all Comers tliat the land was claimed by Spain, which derived its title direct from the lloly See. This custom also obtained with the iidventurous, self-den ving missionaries of the Catholic Church, who by this means indicated that the land was dedicated to the service of Christ.

In a statement subuiitt.ti by Henry P.. Covins, of Potosi. published further along in this book, it would appe.ir that the village uhciice the county obtained its name derived its nomenclature from I'Veiiih CaihoH,- mis>ionaries, wjio, en route to Prairie du Chien, which eitv thev al-o settled and nanied. lialtL-d on their way down the Mi^-sissippi, and encamped upon the prairie, wliiue they erected a cross, and called it Prairie la (?r(j~sette. by which it was known araon£ the Indians ami h.alf-brceds.

Mr. William .Staats Tippett^, of Tippetts' Landing, confirms the statement regarding the cedar cro.ss in a letter under date of May 28, 18*^1. He says : In 1840. I went by steamboat to La Crosse, which I found to be covered with knolls and sand burs. The bank of the river vras about 40 feet liip;!!, ;in'1 slnpeil batic about 100 fort from the water. Where Lloyd i Thirk'-; store staiuls were five or six Iiiiliari graves, made in the usual manner. At the head of one was a cvo>s made of red cedar, hewn out about six feet high. At the crossing, a small niche had been cut or carved out. and a ])iece of window gla.ss had been inserted, behind which was a wooden image of our Savior, finely colored, like I liave seen in the residences of the Prairie du Chien people. This was a rough-hewn cr-iss, very old to all appearances. ***:::

If set up as suguest'i'd liv Mr. Coons, about the time Prairie du Chien was named, that would decide its eiTCtion to have been during the year ITliS, when one (,'ardewell settled there.

\Vhen the name was given, as alread.v hinted, is a matter of conjecture, though it is believt-d to have l.'cen named from a chief, and was known as " l>'ig Prairie," the word chien being the Indian signification for dog. It is increilible a cross would have been lett undistuibcil so l^rig, in view of the fict that steamers and hands on other craft betrayed no conscientious scinples in hpl[)ing theni.-^elvcs to fuel of any description that could be found along the batdcs. The tradition may have originated among the friends, a son of Decora, who died in 1S42, having placed a cross over his grave, which remained undisturbed for eight or ten years.

The similarity of the name to the French word fir cross, i. e., croix-, will not bear investigation, especially in view of the fict that the name was used by the French in naming the river St. Croix, the junction of wdiicli. with the .Mississippi, is said to bear a striking resemblance on a near view to that sacrd emblem. Two other theories, on" of the suppi.^ed but very imaginative hkeness of a cro>s made by the Root liiver on the sonth and La (.')-nsse lliver on tlie north, and that this spot was the fivorite cros>ing place of the Indians: hence the [ilace ot the cross or crossing seems. too puerile to be worthy oi mr.ro than passiiig notice.

P)eforc quoting the final and most probable theory, it may not be improper to notice several of the Indian names applied during aboriginal days. None of them, with ];ossibly one or tv,-o exceptions, are espci'ially felicitous: but derived from nature or their likeness thereto, are >;iggcstivc of the srenery. for tlie beauty of which the vicinity of La Crosse is not alt"gether unknown.

Tiie lir>t of the-e was that of i'nnn{--iriijcrit, from I'lt^ol-. woman, and ir'Ofcra, bos'-ni, from the su[)posed resi-mlihiTice of two blufl's near the mouth of the La Crosi-e River to a \\oMan's breast. One of the Si'iux natnes was T'ii'o}:foi//'t\ from Tonn. f jur, and h'f<ii//>t'. kilh'd. d'hc occasion tor this is not known to the gentleman who ci'nir.iunicatcs it, N. Myriek. E-.p, but that it refers to the slaughter of four men or aiduials is evident. Another name giveri by the Sioux, according to Dr. Runnel, was Wazurlecit^ or strawberry firairie. All tlie rd":>ve are expressive, commemorative, and the last musical in its softness, as also most expressive in its meaning.

It is to be deejilv regretted that the great we:ilth and beanty of innunierid.de Indian naiues was not miire Lirirely drawn upon in the titling of towns, villages and hamlet-. It would iiave been a jii.-t ami fitting, albeit a sirrall recl:ullpen^e, to have perpetuated the memory of the oiiL,'inal inhabitants.

Coming now to the ficts in the casr. it may be staf'.'d that La (.'ro~^e was the nann' by wldch it was known as earlv as L"-ii.'i. duiing whieh vear Maj. Z. M. P. Pd:e arriveil. at wh.icli he calls Prairie do la Cr.'^~e. In L^i^o, Lii'ui. .^IartIn S.'ott and cr.mm and,, in a journey to the St. ]'etei-'s River, halted there, and spoke of the praiiie a< " being very level, is admirably well calculated for the game of la crosse, whieh is very much in favor with the Indians."

-Maj. Pike speaks of h.-iving witnessed the game at Prairie d,u <.'hien nearly twenty years before. It was doulitle-< jdayed here at as earlv and. in likeliliooil, at a niuc-h earlier date, a.s this was a noted and favorite res ut for games fnun time iiuniemorial. This is the uniform testimony of all the earlier settlers, who also bear witness that it was also that of the Indians.

Tlie etvmologv ai«i signification of the name is of itself quite sufficient to convince aiiy or.e of the great probability of this derivation of the name. In a note on page 1^0, Volume '1, '' I li-'- toriciil Collections of Wisconsin." it is expressly stated that the name originateil from the French nanio of the game of ball plavcil hy the Luliaiis at this point, viz., h: jeu de crosse. A combinati'in of the first and last syllables gives the modernized name.

>.'. Myrick, who was made the iirst Postmaster in 1S44, tlius speaks of his connection -n-ith the name: -" Tlie name of Prairie de la Crosse was of course French, and was changed by nivself to Tia Crosse, and the post ofiice so called at my suggestion." What is said of the last name sliould be conclusive ; hut. as some strenuously contend fir the other theories, it is thought be.-'t to submit a [iresentation of the subject in full.

The earliest notice of this game as phiyeil by the Indians of ^Viscllnsin. is probably that of Cajit. Carver, who visited the State in 1706, and may be founii on pa;;e 364 of his book entitled ''North America," and is as follows:

Tliev aiim-e tllCm^^'Ive-' f>i 5cvfr:il 'iorij of game.-:. biU the principal :in'i most estepmeil nnjnng them is that nf tlie iiiill. which is not unlike the European Time of tenuis. The balls they use arc ra'her larger ihrui those laaile use of at tennis, and are formed of a piece of deerskin, which being moisteueil to render it supple, i.s stuti'ed hard with the hair of the same creature, and sewed with it.s sinews. The ball-sticks are about three feet long, at the end -jf which there is a kind of racket, resemMin; llie palm of the h.in 1. and fishijned of tliongs cut from a deer skin. Ill these they catch the ball, and throw it to a great distauee, if they are n.A prevented by some of the opposite parly, who fly to iniercepi it. This game is generally played by large companies, that sometimes con.^ist oi more than three hundred, and it is not iincoiiimon for dift'ercnt batils to play against each other.

They begin by ti.\ing two poles in the ground at about sit hundred yards apart, and one of these goals belongs to each party of the comljatants. The ball is thriiwn up high in the center of the ground, and in a directed line between the goals, toward whicli each party endeavors to strike it, and wliichever side causes it to reach their own goal, reckons towaiii the game. They are so exceeding dextrous in this manly exercise, that the ball is usually kept flying in ditl'erent directions by the tbrce of the rackets, without touching the ground during' the whole contention, tor they arc not allowed to catch it with their hands. They run with amazing velocity iu pursuit of each other, and when one is on the point of hurling it a great ilistance. an antagonist overtakes liim, and by a sudden stroke dashes down the ball. Tliey play with so much vehemence that they freifuently wound each other, and sometimes a bone is brrdien ; but notwithstanding these accidents, there never appears to be any spite or wanton exertions of strengtli to elt'jcf them, nor dontiy di-putea ever h.iippen between the parties.

The first settlements, perfected by jjenijanent occupation in La Crosse County were not undertaken, it. is believed, prior to 1>^40, though Mr. 11. B. Coons, of Potosi, Grant County, avers his father was a resident of subsequent La Crosse as early as I806. Tlicre may have been visitors into the present county before 1^4", but if sn. they were made up of transients and adventurers to whom no phice was hotne, aii'l the pressing e.xperiencfs of the hour, tlie uncertMin lilies wherein their lives were cast.

Settlements had grown ui/ m the regions tidjoining La Crosse at a date anterior to that Uientioiied herein, uutably at Prairie tlu Ciiien, and other points which afterward became sources of supplies to pioneer husbandnan and miners, wlio in those earlv davs r;ui the gauntlet of the mining district. Indeed it would seem strange, but is neverihele-s true, that the settlement of La Crosse was procrastinated beyond that of other ]joints jjossessini; no more fruitful sources of wealtli nor advantages for settlers. P'.iving traders and agetits of I'ur companies who operated throughout the Northwest could hardly have overlooked the value of sites since fringed with I'.oiirishing cities and villages that havelieeii built up and have become the residences of intelligence, enterprise and wealth. They may litive come into the wilderness annually, ;ind, retiiaining long enough to exchange their commodities for furs, return to their abiding-place- without leaving any trace of their aboriginal existence to guide the historittn in his pur.--uit of facts. But thus l:ir. no records of such occupation have been discovered, and the oiily positive evidence of settleiiii iits avtiijable after decades have eiajiseil is to be found in tb.e statements of those to whom, with but one exception, the award is made by universal acclamation. In this connection the .surprise is expressed thtit among those wdio came during tlic first years of the building up of La Crosse, some one of them has not put in i)ennanent ami enduring form, a reliable record of events as they tran?iiire<l here in those il;i_vs. Possessing leisur.' \Thich they have justly wdi, literary tastes ami devoteil attachments to the city to whose growth anil prosperity they have =o liberallv contributed, fiimiliar with its early iiistory rapidly passing into tradition, it is truly strange that tliev have not perpetuated the material in historic form, which they can successfully command.

At the date v.-hen the fir~t settlement of La Crosse was ventured, the prr-ent county was almost an uninhabited wilderness, ])0Sseising as would scera from the presumed refusal of traders and strollers to remain within its limits, but few attractions and those few of the most limited character. The nearest towns were Prairie du Chien, Dubuque and Galena, at that time landin'-^s of some importance, but struggling for existence, though compai-atively of the importance as St. Louis subseijuently assumed. The population of Chicago was then les;> than 5,000, while Milwaukee was yet in its infancy, and neitlicr gave very promising indications from location or imniigi-ation tending thitherward of whac was reserved for the future to disclose. There was Utile then as compared with the pre.sent between the flourishing cities of the East and the impromptu municipal weaklings in the great WeJt whicli has since reflected back the star of empire. The confines of civilization were then limited to the towns and settlements contiguous to the lake? on the west, and he who struck our fur a home in the Territories was regarded as au adventurous sohlier of fjrtune whose return was a question chance rather than probability.

This, then, was the conditicni of afl^airs as they existed forty years ago, according to sources of information in that behalf, presumably correct. There was little to attract save the intrinsic merit of the location and surroundings, which combined with the hopes of a future, were sufficient to direct the residents of Southern and Eastern States xo Wisconsin Territory. To those at liorae who' were independent, the country furnished iiiducements that wouhl enable men of means to ai]d to their accumulations. To the impruileut or impoverished, pulling with steady stroke against the current of an adversity, both pitiless and uncompromising, a hope for better days. To the spcculaicir it afforded a field of operations incalculably valuable: to the scientist an o]iportunitv for discovery: to the scholar, the Christian and the hu.sbandman. the occasion for labors that have since returned to bless their inventors.

As a conso.|uent, the class of people who established themselves in La Cro=sc County, and have since been identified with its growth and the development of its wealth, were men of rare excellence. P'arnest. frank and kind, they made all men friends by being the friends of all men. Illustrating by examjde ratlicr than precept, they bridged the brief interval between purity and sin by the power of kindness, and looked with eyes olcliarity upon the mistakes and failings of their fellows. Brave but tender, they were, in short, the most generous of men who have ever left -' the shore tonched by a mysterious sea that has ne'. er yet borne on any man the image of a homeward sail,'" their deficiences maile up by tlie Recor<ling angel, from the love they bore humanity.

Ami so, too, the pioneer women, those braved the absence of home, friends and congenial associations to accompany their fathers, husbanils and sons into the trackless waste of the Northwest, and contemplated tlie present as aUo tlie future, the horizon of which was darkened by disi'our.-igement and gloom. And yet they faltered not. but -listained their husbamls by a trust ill the outlook tlr.it was con-tant. and bore an abundant harvest. As wives, they were the most agreeable of comjianions ; as frieioL, the most faithful and alTectionate ; as mothers, gentle as children ever had the misf u'tune to luse, wlio corrected the most jicruicious of evils by the most tender of management. Prudent from atl'ection, though most liberal of nature, they practiced economy from the love they bore their husbands, and at critical periods, preserved order in aflairs from the care of which those husbands were relieved: she recl.iimed her choice frmn despair, urged lii< ind.deiici' to exertion, and ci:>nstantly adiii )ni>hed him to inda~ti-y. integrity and manhoiid.

In the acc.iunts furnished regarding the first settlement of tiie CMinty. it is fiund tliat the principal events ha\e ever kept paci> with the rapid improvements of the age. The site nf tlie city seems to iiave been a resiirt for the Indian-; t'rum time imniem'.u-ial, and this is said to have itiiiui-e'l French traders to meet thciu tliere at un eurly day fir tlie purpose of trade. Who they were, where thev obtaiinvl supplies, and other factors of importance regarding; their occupation of the present cuunty, either jierinaiiently or as transients, are wantii.g. and the conclusion Seems irresistible to an unpredjiidiced juror of the facts, that the statements sprang from the fertile soil of rumaiice.

In the examination-; mide with a view to definitely determine the ficts regarding the first settlement of La Cro.---e. the seeker after knowledge has beeu made the Trustee of information ill that behalf both cumulative and jiersuasive. Mr. 11. B. Coons claims the distinguished honor fjr his father, whom he alleges settled at La Crosse in ISoG, while Col. N Myrick is equally ]ji.-itivc that Mr. Coons is in error, totwithstanding his statements are in part supported by public documents, and that lie was the first white luaii to establish a permanent occupation of the eonutv- The weight of authorities, it is but proper to observe, indicate Mr. Myrick as the gentleman to wh..ra this dignity projierly belongs: Morrison MciLllan, in his history of the early settlement of La Crosse and Monroe Counties, makes tlie award to Mr. Myrick. lie states that no trading-p.Kt was established in the vicinity of La Crosse prior to IS-tO, at which time a mail named La Batt or La Batiie o[iened a store one mile below tlic present city, but did not remain lung.

yiv. Coons insists that his father and Mr. Cubbage opened a tra'ling-po^t in 18-36, within the limits of ilie present city, which was destroyed by the Indians in IS-JT. It was rebuilt, but agaiu burned, aiui. in 1S-5S, Messrs. Coons & Cubbage made a claim for damages thus sustained, which was allowed and de.lucted from the annuities due the Indians. The Interior De[)irtinent at Washingtnii fuinisiies pi'oof that the claim was made, but casts a doubt upon the allegation that til.- -ame was paid. From this, it would appear that the averment made by Mr. Coons, in behalf of his parent, i> entitled bi considerable weight. A prolonged correspondence resulted fruin this claim which is herewith fiirni-lie'i. that the reader may determine the ([uestion, as the evidence appears conclusive of tl e ficts or fiults. but this is done witii the statement that aiiioiig the pioneers of the county jiill living, the opinion obtains that Mr. Myrick was the first settler 10 hjcate perni.iiiently on the present city site, aiid that Coons possibly located on the i>land ojiposite.

- ro'ir. esiatiiished atra'ding house at what is now known as La Cro-se, upon the ground -iccufieil by a ho el on the <-Mi ner of Frcini and I'earl sireei.-:. I.'ol. Cubba;;edoin<x most of the bii>ines<. In tlie spring of IS-iT, during tlie absence forfeited, ft result that Mrrick & Miller, then located, 1 think, lU B.ul Ax, had been wailing for. I was personally aciinaiuted with Miller i'li 18.jG .'iriil ISoT, as I lived in La Crnsae at that time, and hy Miller was shown the exact spot that had been occiipied by the tradinj-hoii^es of Coons & Cuhbage. In ISo-l, I vi-^ited La Crosse, and at that time the ijround was occupied by ii'small frame house and known as a hotel or tavern, anrl. if 1 am not mistaken, kept by Miller. In 1856, the Augiisia House was built by J. .M. Levy Bnd kept by Bicknell & llice.

In reg.ird to the name ..f La Crosse, my understanding is that it was named about the same time that Praine du Cliien was named, and by the same French Catholic mission.aries, who, in their voyage down the .Mississippi, encamped upon the pr:urie, erected a cross, and called it I'rairie La Crosse, and by that name it was called by the Indian.-i and half-brcrds (B'reiich and Indi.iu).

In making the fore'.'oin'.; statements, I don't wi-sh to deprive any one of the honor of being the " first settler," but mak^ them at your re.^uest, ami upon the ficts an 1 information stamped on the early recollections of one who tikes some interest in ftmily history. Lespectlcilly. Hf.nkv 15. Coons.

of Vou are at liberiy 1T3 -hipe =0 .-is to make rea 1 able. .ludge Lord. W. T. !"ri.x\ William Hull, ijrrin Smith, and others, are r.-fercnce.<. as I am well kniiwn to them. C.

I have read with pleasure the letter from Henry B. Coous to Mr. King, published in your issue of the l?dh inst., in relation to the early settlement of La Cror-se. .^s a gener.il thing, the letter of Mr. Corns contains many truths, and is deserving of credit and respect.

In May, 1888, I, with others, with two .Mackinaw boats, ilescended the Mi>-issippi Kiver. and encamped for a night at a point where tlic Bellcvue House now stands. At that ti'ue, tlieie wa.-, no ^eltleulent or building, or any cvi.lencc of any having been on this prairie, in sight from the river. I went ashore, and if there were any such evidence? I eoiild have seen them. The country near the river was then a continuous range of sand-hills, some of thent timbered, especially that near what is now the location of Zeislor's brewery and Dean, .Smith .?i Co's foundry. Ou the top of the hill vere some Indian graves. Tliere were no other evidences tliat lliis prairie had ever had a habitation upon it.

In 1S41, it «as my plp:i>ure to become acpiaintel. at Potosi, v. ith .M.aj. .John 1',. Coon- and hi- estimable lady. 1 have hear.! from M i.j.'Coms the ficts of his effort to make .a claim at I'rairie La crosse and his failure. In the same year (1S41 1. 1 know that he sent Lear and .Scott to recl.iim their lost chance, m hicli was unsuccessful.

The iiMiue of La Crossc is not taken from any symbol of the cross, but is a name applied to a game of ball played by theln lians, an I this priirie u is the gr. ma I upo"T wUioh they pliyed. hence the name Prairie La Crosse," the prairie w here the game was played. " Croix " is the French for crj-s. La Crosse means nothing of the kind.

\Vesti.:rn HisTouicAi, CuMi'vM-: * * ' I went to La Crosse and settled there in the fall of 1841. I built my house on what is now called IJirrons Island, beciuse of the logs there, and the difhcnlty of getting them on the pr.iirie, which is the site of the city. I remained on the island 'until Fel>ruary. 1:^4-J. when, having got out the requisite timber, I move 1 from the islan.l on to the prairie, where I remained.

Neither at that time, nor at the time ot' my arrival, was there any settlement or building, or any remains of a building, or any evidence of any having been on the prairie in sight of the ri'cr at the point mentioned by ^Ir. Coons, or elsewhere. I.)ii this subjeC, iVefer you to the accompanying letter of Hon. H. H. Sibley, who is, perjiaps, more familiar with the history of the Northwest than anyone now living. Gen Sibley was at La Crosse in 18.;.') and 18.;'"., and he says that "there was no ve-lige of claim or settlement when he conceived the idea of taking posses- Biou." and Gen. Sibley iutormed me, in addition to his letter, ih it he camped on the La Oosse prairie in L'^:''. . on a trip from Mendota to Wasbingt.m, having been fro/en in at that point, and having to pack his baggage to I'rairie du Chien, and that there was no house then- at that time.

H.jn. Henry M. Kice informs us that in IS;;! and 1>*40, he pa-sed the La Cri-se prairie, and that there were no buildings or any evi lence of any bmidmgs on the spot at that time. Hon. William Hull, of your city, in his letter in the Chroitidf of .May l-'j. L'^'-l, <ays that in .May, l.sjs, only one year after the alleged burning of the house o' Cons & Cubbage. he encamped firthe"night on tbe'present site of the city, and that at that time there was no Eeltleinent or building, or any evidence of any having been ou this prairie in sight of the river.

Now Mr. Henry B. t oo'ns -ays that Cnons .V Cubbage built a trailing hou-e there in the spring of IbST, and that it was burned by the In lians, " instigated by some of the me:iibers of the American Fur Company, that C"un3 i: Cubbage rebiidt. and tli;il it was burncl aL'iiu." All this was d.me in 18o7, he says, and yet according to Gen. iSibleyT there wa^ no scillemeiif there in is.',.",. n..r in ISIT, and according ti) Hon. ^\ dii.im Hall, llievc was no building [here on any evidence of one in .May, l.^:;>, and according to llmi. Henry S\. i'.ice, no I'uilding or evidence ol one in Ls.'.H or l.'-ln. The gr.Uuilous tliiig at the .Vuierican Fur ("..mpaiiy and at .Mjii'-k \ Aliller, by Mr. Coons is unworthy of ih.at gimtleman, and is not the maieri.al out of which to make history.

It is well known to all the early setiler-i tlial the Indims i:ppo-ed the settlement by any whites of that section, on the ground that they had not cedi-d the lands t,. the rnit.-.l Slates (iovernment. Tin- opiiositiou extended to myself a- well as others, but I knew that they were in err.ir, and th.at the treily '.f cession had been made and confirioed.

In 1^4'-'. 1 think, in the early part oi' the -ea-on. Mai. i.'oons cime up and ma.le a claim a'ljoining mine, which had, early in 1841, been staked off, and on which I had built and was living.

Coons built a slmnty on it, uml boon after left. In llio full of lbA'2, I'eler Ciinieroii came up, an'l fin'liu;j no one in y.O'^session of llic claim. toi;k it ami kept it. Scott ami Lear came up in 184:?. I think, ami tiuding the Ooons claim taken, went away without nrnkiiij any claim either on the njniii lanl or on the i-^Iau'l or elsewhere,

When I wont to I. a Crosse in 1S41, so far as 1 could see, there li id never been any settlement there. I do not mean to say tha^in the mystic past, prior to that time, there niiglit not liave been temporiry trading iiouses, hut if such ever e.\isted. they ami all traces of them had disappeared.

There were, however, on what is called now IJarron's Island, when 1 built there in 1841, the remains of a stone fire-place or chimney, indicating: former h.abitation, and about one mile and a half below the present city, on the timbered bottom near the river, there was a cabiu half rotted down, and about two miles below this, opposite the mouth of Root River, on an island, was Labalhe's cabiu, where ho traded up to 184^-. With the e.^ception of some puncheons set upon end in the ground, about TJxlU feet square, by the sobliers on the prairie who were camped Ihei e in 1^40, for the purpose of keejiing the Indians on the west side of the river, these were the only signs or eviiienccs, of habitation at La Crosse, or in its vicinity, when I settled there in l.':'4I. Thepresent site of the International Hotel, on the corner of front and I'earl streets, was first built on in 1843. by Col. Mills, wtth my permission. There was then no trace of any building on that corner. Col. Mills built a house with hewed pine logs on the lot, and after occupying it fur a time sold. I think, to .Jacob Spaulding, and left for Dubuque.' Mr. Spaulding afterward sobl the house to .7. M. Levy, Esq., according to my best recollection, and in pursuance of my agreement with .Mills in 1S4'?, I deeded the jiroperty to .Mr. Levy in 1M2, the tiuie w-hen I obtained the title from the United States flovernment. The same house was occupied afterward by Dr. I!. I'.uunell, who came to La Cro-sse with hi.s family in 1844. The .\ugusta Hotel was afterward built on the site which w.is burned down, and the present International erected in its place.

It has been my sole purpose in this proiracteil narrative, to gather the scattered threads of the early settlement of La Crosse to be woven into a web of truthful history to be read by our children and countrymen long after the pioneer settlers who laid the foundations amid the adventures, sufferings and dangers of frontier life have passed away. N.vtu.A-v Mvrioic.

N'm u IN Mvv.icK, Es.j , City : Diyrr Sir - In reply to your verbd inquiry .as to the first claim made upon the land whev the thriving city of La Crosse, in Wisc^uisin, now stands, you are respectfully informed th.it the initial movenieni in that direction was taken by the late 11. L. Doiisman, of Prairie du I'liicn, Francois La Bathe and myself in the \ear IS'lo. We went to the expense of having cut and hauled about liO.OOtl rails for the purpose of inclising a considerable portion of the then unsurveyed prairie. The matter was left in the hand- of La llatlie. who neglected to carry out the measures requisite to secure the claim, ami the rails were subsequently appropriateil by parsing steamers for fuel. There was no ve>tige of claitn or settlement when we conceived the idea of taking possession.

The name of La Cro«se, given at an early day to the )prairie, was universally believed by the old-time French Toyageurs to have originated in the fact that tlie plain was the favorite report f'r the Imlians to play the ball game called by that name, acul 1 have no d uibt that such is the true explan iiion.

Westeps IliSTOilK ai. CoMi'.iNV : In making re]dy to your queries in re.srard to the early history of La Ct osse, I stated that 1 didn't want to dcpiive any one of the hoiuir of being tirst settler. I did not expect to open a controversy, nor am 1 anxious to continue it. Vet 1 have had a residence in what is now within the bounds of the State of Wisconsin that is verging on fifty-three years, and having to some extent that love for the bicality that gave me birth, that finds an eternal ahirlinir-plaee in the hearts of nien of all nationalities, 1 am as much interested as any one in scattered threails" of the history" of our State, whether "woven into a web" or not; yet I am not so desirous of placing my name or that of my family on the pages of that hist'iry," as to make statemeuts that are without foundation of fact--. Nor am 1 one that gives way to a large amount of sentimentali-m oi'er old pioneers or fir^t settlers: yet they arc a nece-^-ity ; without theni " the star of empire" would have moved ^lowly westward. They are meat and clrink for historians, but a long residence among them ha- taught me that it was not philanthropy that made the fir.-t settlers, or the pure and generous motive of --]i.iviiig the way for future generations," but to gratify a desire that nature planted in llieiu, to le.a 1 a nomndio life, or like the emigration that is d.iily pouring in up.in us from the countries of the Old World, to better their condition. "I'is true that among the olil pi.ineers of the great West, there was a lar.je proportion of them God's noblemen, honest, warm-hearted and energetic. 'Tis also true that there were among them -ome who came that their days might be lengthened, and that they might be |iermitteil to breathe llod'.s pure air awhile longer, former loc.ilities having become unhealthy. Vet they are pioneers, and in after years become heroes, and love them for the buttles they have won" over hardships and privation-^. They the way."

l!ut 1 am taking up time and spar., with ide.is, not hi-tory. ao.'l '.vUl now I ry -.viih all 'lefereuce and re-recl doe from a .ccntleman to age and ambition, to brieilv answer the comiounicaMou in the <_'i.,vricle of the 'Sid iii-i., in which Mr, Slyrick states that he -eiiled on Ilirron's Maud in IS41, and ou ih.' mainland in February, l,--!:.'. This 1 am not prepared to deny. He I'urlher stales that at that time there was no luiildiui. or any remaius or evidence of a building at the piint mentioned by me or elsewhere, and by verbal statements and letter-;, endeavors to cover tho time from 1S:;5. Now ne are told that --there are none so blinJ as those that won't see." I shall not trouMe myself in getting lelterj of proof and of verbal statement only such as correct dates, but I do propose to reiterate iiiv first statement, that in IS^ti Coons t"c Cubbage entered into a partnership for the purpose of trading with the Indians; that during that year they ilid build a trading-house on the La (.'rosse Prairie, that the s.anie was burned hy the Indians twice. As in my first, I again say that at tlie tim# it was supposed to have been instigated by members of the American Fur (,'ompany. Mr. .\lyrick takes exceptions to the suppO'<ition. and calls it a fling at the .\nierican Fur Conipary. Now, as to the men who composed the .Vmerican Kur l^ompany [ know nothing, but with permission would suppose that they were average men fo'- honesty, etc., but. this 1 do know, that all of their agents and employes were not angels, and that the sanje trading-houses and gonds were paid for out of the annuities of the Inilians. I also reiterate all my other statements, except so much as I shall hereiiiafter correct. In my first I said Maj. Coons sent Scott aiol Lear up in 1!!^41 or \^-i2. Now some of our old citizens, who lived here at the time, amoDg iheni Mr. (ieorge Kinney, well known as a lumberman, tells me that he remembers the circumstance, and savs that it was in the fall of is^l, and that these men were sent for the purjinse of holding the original claitn, and when it was found that they had neglected their trust and they were charged with it, they otlcred as an excuse the statement that ihey could not get the timber for building over froiii the island on the ice.

.As to .\Ir. Myrick's statement that Maj. Coons c.vrae there in the early part of the season of 1842, I state positively that he did not locale a claim in 1842, on La Crosse I'rairie, or anywhere else; that he was not up the river farther th.-m I'nirie du Chien that year, and also that Scott and Lear were not there in ISlo, but were there at the times lueniioned by me. In regard to the si'e of the Coons ,<; Cubbage trading-house. I have no knowledge except ?uch .IS is based upon information given nie by one whom I have always understood was not only cotemporary with Mr. Myriok but a partner, and as such would be as much entitled to the honor of "first settler" - although in the cotnmunication his name is entirely ignored except wdien quoting from mine. 11. J. 1>. Miller, a .Movvkawk Valley man, it was, who pointed out the locilily, and who liiany times said to me. " Had your father had the grit to hang on and Ciitne ami live as I did, you would be an owner in tjje town site." \nd it w:is he who gave strength to the foundations for my "gratuitous fling at Myriek ,\: Miller." .Nature m.ade '' Scoots" Miller honest, and his word was go'id in his lifetime, and i\o honorable man would mistake his words after he bad passed beyond the ability to refute them.

The Hnii.. William Hull says that lie was there in LS:'.-!. and he did not sec any settlement or any evidence of one. Well, Mr. Ilu! might have been up there in l^HS; he might have enciinipcd on the pr.iirie one night, and mi;.dil not have seen a house or the evidence of one. yet I hope Mr. Hull will be lionorable enough to admit from an acijuaiiitance that cover-; forty years, that 1 have some foundation for my statements if he didn't see any for a house. The La Crosse I'rairie is wide and extends some distance up and down the river. A man might encamp on the plains of Egypt for one night and not see the pyramid--.

Cien. Sibley's letter recalls to my memory tiie fact tliat there were rails laid in piles at the time Coons & Cubbage went there, and that a jmrtion of them were burned by passing steamboats, not all of them. .Uid yet we are told there was do signs of settlements.

In regard to the name, it is still my opinion that it orio-inated from the establishment of a cross by Catholic miL«ioDavies, for the reason that, as I under-rtand. the game of la crosse was inlrndnced among the Indians of Canada hy the French, and is not a game thai belongs to our western tribes. It w:is only introduced among thert by the eastern Indians ;is they moved we-;t, Ihit I have made my letter longer than 1 intended, and have not added anything interesting to the "truthful history; ' yet I have tried to avoid a complication of dates, deni;ils and admissions. ' Respectfully, It. P.. Coons.

1'. S. - Where are those brave .-scots - the Douglasses - William, Thomas and Knhert? If yoii"dinna hear their sh.gau" you might have heard the sound of their axes aw.ay back in IS40. hewing out the way to numberle.-^s fortunes made since that time in the liindicr business. Can't they tell something of the early history of La I'ros-^e?

Sii]i|ilenitritary Id tlie tibove are the f.illowiiii:; coiumiinications fnim the ofilce of the Secrctafv nf the Interior, in reply to a letter aihlres.^-ed that tlepartment by Mr. King in his endettvur to get at the truth of the matter at issue between Messrs. Coons anil Myriek:

(I'riilhmrn : - Kcplying to your letter un ler dale of liie 'Jiith insl., in wliich ymi s;:iie ihut you are employed in c.ailiering material ami writing a hiMMi-y of l.a Crosse C'ointy, \Visconsiii, and :isk for"iiit'orrn:ilion in ordor tocontinn a^tatenitm nride to you th:it one Col. Cubbage 'nuilt a trailing pnst at La Cros-e (thou l'r:iirie du la Cro-se; in L'^^iC, which was twice burned by the Winnebago Indians and that the losses resulting ther'^froin were deducted and paid from the annuities of the Indians, 1 have to state that a careful search has been mtide of the records and files of this office, which show ihat a letter from George t'ubbige. dated P.urlington, Wis.. May 24, 1>^:5S, atMressed to Hon. (IciTge W. Jones, on the subject of his cl.iim for losses for the destruciiun of said post, wa- hy the latter referred to this olhce, and replied to under date i>f .June is ;> i copy herewith -, from which yon will perceive that payment was dehiyed for the reasons therein staled.

Sir - 111 aIl^'we^ tu the letter of (len. I'uhhnge. of the iMili May. rcftire'l by von to thi.s ilepartmeet. 1 hnve the honor 10 stale llmt the aiimis^ion of hi.s claim must be ilelaye^l bec:iuse there hia hocii no evidence aildiiceil to sliow the value of the properly Jirsiroyed by the lodian-!. or proof to ciitiiridiL't the ullr^atioo of the Indians that Gen. rubbiige W!is tniiiinjr iinionLr tiioiii without a lieeiL-e. \Wien evidence <if the above f.ict-i is lurnished, the claim will immediately be aitendeil to. Very respectfully.

Oenllemen: - 1 have read the second letter of Mr. H. B. Coon< to you. touching the sutjeci. of your correspondence. He devotes much the lar'j^r portion of his letter to his own ideas, not history; .and as tiie ide.is of Mr H. I> (_'oon3 are not a part of the history fd' I^a Crosse, and cf no possible interest to me, he can indulge them to his own satisfaction.