Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 1, 1922

Chapter 1

Aborigines in Wisconsin - Mound Builders - Habitat - Custom - Post Lake - The Wolf River - Wisconsin and Fox River Valleys - Missionaries - The Badger Territory from Nicolet to 1848 - Wisconsin As A State - Wisconsin In The World War.

While it is the purpose of confining this work exclusively to Langlade County, yet the reader may be interested in a brief sketch of our state from the time when the Indian roamed at will to date.

When the first Europeans settled on American soil they found the Indians occupying the country. It was then the prevailing opinion that the Indian was of one common family, possessing similar habits and speaking the conclusive opinion among anthropologists that the various people inhabiting the American continent sprang from one common stock, the Mongolian, in Eastern Asia.

The Indian possessed marked peculiarities of features, high cheek bones, long straight black hair, a red or copper colored skin, black eyes and was erect in stature.

Chippewa Indians And Their Wigwam

CHIPPEWA INDIANS AND THEIR WIGWAM. These Indians of the famous .Algonquin Tribe, are restless and nomadic. This group was encamped near Otter Lake, Elcho township. Note the skins, construction of the wigwam and the birch bark canoes - "We-ka-see-gee-mon." The high powered rifle in the hands of the "Chief" is a striking contrast to the weapons used by those savage warriors shown in the picture of De Langlade's battle with the English under General Braddock.

identically the same tongue. This error was soon dispelled with a more extended observation and intimate relations with these people in different sections of the country. Slowly it was disclosed that there were many tribes and combinations of tribes or nations, so to speak, differing radically in language, habit, custom and degree of civilization. As time passed it became

The villages of the Red Men were composed of very rude huts or wigwams made of poles driven into the ground and then tied at the top with buckskin lacing. Except to exhibit as trophies or to torture to death, few prisoners were taken in battle. The Indian was haughty and taciturn. He disliked a coward and it was fortunate for the Whites, if when Indians visited their

The belief of old that there was not a good Indian but a dead one is erroneous and is one of the wrongs the Red Men have suffered at the hands of the invading Whites. Greed and lust for land and power may account for the remainder. That the Indian was savage and cruel, crafty and often treacherous is doubtless a fact; but the truth is our ancestors wanted the valleys of the Rock, the Fox, the Chippewa and the Mississippi rivers for their exploitation. It was necessary to dethrone the original owners and this was often accomplished, not by honorable purpose of treaties, but by superior forces, skill and the flint-lock. We can learn little of our first inhabitants from the few left within our borders, for the Indians are a people of legend and tradition, handed down from generation to generation, and not of recorded history. We must go to the records of the French Missionaries, who first lived among them to acquaint ourselves with their lives, manners, customs and beliefs. From the journals of these men we learn that Wisconsin was once the home of different nations of three great Indian tribes - Iroquois, Sioux and Algonquins. We have only to cite the fact that Powhatan, King Philip, Tecumseh, Pontiac and the famous Black Hawk, were all leaders of these nations. The Pottawattomies on Green Bay Island were the most restless of the Algonquin tribes. The Sacs, Fox, and Outagamies lived first in the Fox River Valley, but later were pushed west and their trails and villages cover the valley of the Wisconsin.

The Mound Builders of Wisconsin are known by reason of the remains they have left. As the scientists of today study the relics and bones of a vanished people they find the presence of numerous mounds, chiefly in southern Wisconsin. These Mounds were located usually on natural lines of travel and the places where groups of them have been found, indicates an early occupation by considerable number of people. The mounds are of all sizes and shapes and we suppose they were classified according to purpose. Man has faithfully searched and contrived in his desire to answer these questions.

There is no question that before the settlement of Langlade County missionaries and Indian traders utilized the old Indian trails, the Lake Superior Trail and parts of the Wolf River for transportation. Their canoes and bateaux, small and light, were propelled by oars. Only small articles could be carried. Post Lake was once a trading post between French and Indians. Large trees have grown up about the ruins of an old trading post there, thus establishing abundant proof of its existence. Settlers residing at Upper Post Lake can recall olden days when the east bank of the lake was dotted with the wigwams of the Pottawattomies. David Edick, pioneer Wolf river settler, has identified a Jesuit missionary ring bearing the insignia, "I. H. S." and a small cross found on the east shore of the lake.

But a fev.' years ago the main street of Antigo was visited by many Indian braves and their squaws, who went among the merchants and residents selling blueberries, maple sugar, black cherry bark, wild ginseng or shipping bales of evergreen. They still come to Antigo from the Indian reservation, but only to sell baskets.

Langlade County had among its early settlers many adventurers and prospectors, the most of whom were industrious settlers. They moved into the wilderness, erecting cabins or shacks near a creek or river, and in their trading with the passing Indians often met and married young Indian maidens who proved faithful and devoted wives. These men are sometimes called "Squaw Men."

Missionaries And Explorers

A half century before Philadelphia was settled by white men, Jean Nicolet, professional French interpreter and explorer, was dispatched from Quebec by Samuel de Champlain. Nicolet no doubt landed on the shore of Green Bay, negotiated with the Indians, made explorations and returned to Canada. In 1655 Pierre Espirit Raddison and Medard Chourrt des Groselliers, fur traders, went down the Fox River as far as the present site of Portage and crossed over the Wisconsin river. Reinforced by a band of Huron Indians these same roving fur traders explored the south shore of Lake Superior and built a crude waterside fort between the present sites of Ashland and Washburn.

In 1661 Father Pierre Menard, Jesuit Missionary came to Kewaunee Bay and while descending the Wisconsin river was lost and probably perished in the wilderness or met death at the hands of the Indians. Four years later Father Claude Allouex was sent here to re-open a mission at Chequamegon Bay, which place he named "La Pointe Du Saint Espirit," (The point of the Holy Ghost.) In 1669 he was relieved by a younger Jesuit, Father Jacques Marquette. Nicholas Perrot, prominent adventure and fur trader, visited Wisconsin in 1666 and dealt with the Indians at Green Bay. In 1763 by the treaty of Paris, Wisconsin came under the control of England and after the Revolution was attached to the United States.

During the Revolutionary War, the Indians and French in Wisconsin were hostile. In the War of 1812 the Indians actually participated against the United States. After the Black Hawk War and the discovery of lead mines in Southern Wisconsin, there was a great influx of immigrants. The state was in succession a part of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, finally the Wisconsin territory in 1836. Wisconsin was admitted into the Union May 29th, 1848. Among the chief historical events in its earlier history as a state were the wholesale granting of lands to railroad companies, the political gathering at Ripon leading toward the organization of the Republican party and the part Wisconsin took in the Civil War, where it raised more than its quota

After the Civil War the state grew rapidly in population. Its soil by far its greatest natural resource became the field of intense cultivation and today the products of Wisconsin exceed $250,000,000 in value annually.

When the United States entered the World War, Wisconsin National Guards won praise everywhere. The 32nd Division, Wisconsin and Michigan troops, were designated "Les Terribles" by General Mangin, French Commander. The people at home maintained a spirit not seldom exhibited, gave their general and hearty support in all Liberty Loan and other drives. Red blooded Americans left their business, their homes and those dear to them to don the uniform, thus demonstrating as War Governor Emanuel L. Phillip said, "The love of country and flag is strong among the people." In another section we discuss the part Langlade County played in the World War.

The financial expenditure in the World War daily was approximately $117,000,000. At that rate the total cost of the entire war was $183,339,000,000. Taxation, international credits, floating of foreign and domestic loans was the means whereby such vast sums of money were raised. The reader can turn to the chapter on military history of Langlade County to find what amount the citizens raised in the various bond loans during the great conflict. When the first Liberty Loan was offered for subscription May 14, 1917, reports poured into general headquarters at Washington, D. C, from every section of the country. The issue, amounting to $2,000,000,000 was raised successfully. 4,000,000 more than the necessary number of subscribers came forth to assist Uncle Sam.

Six months elapsed and on October 1, 1917, the second Liberty Loan was launched. It met with popular favor. The issue was over-subscribed in one of the greatest national campaigns ever held in the United States. 9,500,000 citizens subscribed to the issue, which called for $3,000,000,000.

April 6, 1918 - the anniversary day of America's entry into the war - was celebrated by the Third Liberty Loan in which $3,000,000,000 was offered. The drive was one of the memorable events connected with the war. May 4, 1918, it was closed with an over subscription of $1,176,516,850.

Twenty-two million American citizens subscribed for Liberty Bonds in the Fourth Loan launched September 28, 1918, and ending October 19, 1918. The appeal was for $6,000,000,000 and was over-subscribed. This was the greatest financial undertaking ever recorded.

The last drive - the Fifth Liberty Loan was launched April, 1919, and ended May 10, 1919. Amid patriotic fervor seldom exhibited America sent the Victory Loan over the top and made the ultimate defeat of the enemy possible sooner.

But Wisconsin accomplished many other notable achievements besides backing up the Liberty Loan drives. The Red Cross, The Y. M. C. A., the Knights of Columbus, the United War Work drives, soldier's aid, soldier's dependents aid, the four minute men, the states man power, enlisted men and drafted men, the state public service reserve, the community labor boards, federal employment offices, food and fuel administration, the non-war construction organizations, the county councils of defense, the Wisconsin draft administration, the legal advisory boards, the district and local Boards of Exemption, the war savings and thrift stamp campaigns, the activities of the public and parochial schools, - these and others were vital factors in the winning of the great war.

The raising of the National Army in Wisconsin was one of the outstanding feats in state history. Provost Marshal Crowder, the head of the Selective Service Department in Washington, D. C, in this connection said: "It remains the ultimate test and proof of the intrinsic political idea upon which American institutions of Democracy and local self-government are based." He was not mistaken in what the outcome would be. Major E. A. Fitzpatrick, state draft administrator, received the following message from General Crowder, when the armistice was signed November 11, 1918: "I take this opportunity to convey my congratulations upon the vigorous and systematic manner in which the whole administration of the Selective Service System has been conducted in the State of Wisconsin." And these words from General Crowder are a testimonial as to the efficiency of all war organizations in each county - for without a sense of courage and responsibility and cooperation by all organizations the success of the Selective Service Law would have been imperiled.

With the signing of the armistice the fate of a mighty empire was doomed and before six months passed the soldiers of Wisconsin began to return home - to be once more absorbed into the economic and industrial life of the state.

September 29, 1919, Wisconsin voters by a vote of 165,762 for and 57,324 against accepted the amendment to Chapter 452 of the Laws of 1919, which provided for the creation of a Service Recognition Board and the payment of what has since been known as the Soldier Bonus Act, which provided for the raising of a sufficient sum to assure each soldier, sailor, marine and nurse, including Red Cross nurses, who served in the armed forces of the United States during the World War against Germany and Austria and who, at the time of their induction into service were residents of Wisconsin, a sum of not exceeding ten dollars for each month of service with a minimum of fifty dollars, as a token of appreciation of the character and spirit of their patriotic service and to perpetuate such appreciation as a part of the history of Wisconsin. Langlade County went on record in favor of the Soldier Bonus Act by the overwhelming vote of 1,294 for and 258 against the proposal.