Lafayette County WI Archives History - Books .....Claim Troubles And The Blackhawk War 1881
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Book Title: History Of La Fayette County

CLAIM TROUBLES.

This culmination, however, was far from being the rule in disputes arising out
of the troubles that were engendered by claim litigations. No one possessed an
irrefutable title to the lands, and he who came first and staked out his
ownership was regarded as the lord of that portion of the Territory. It often
happened, however, that the title thus acquired was trespassed upon through
ignorance or otherwise during the absence of the legitimate owner, and, upon the
latter's return, trouble was born. Occasionally, such trouble was decided by
arbitrators, there being then no legal tribunal in the Territory, and, if this
means failed, recourse was had to force. Sometimes partners became involved in
discussions as to the integrity of each in the management of the mine, which
were also arbitrated, fought out, or concluded by the submission of one of them.

Upon one occasion, a miner in the Shullsburg district had opened a lead in
conjunction with his partner, which promised abundant results. Suddenly,
according to the report of him who had charge of the operations, it was declared
the lead was superficial, and not worth working. This was not the case, but,
being in need of money, he had gone to a saloon-keeper in the village, and,
confidentially imparting its richness, disposed of the joint claim for an
insignificant consideration, and left the country. His fraudulent proceeding was
evidenced soon after the departure of the unjust steward, and, upon its being
made known to the miners, a terrible fuss arose, which was not subsided until
the vendee of the claim disappeared.

Indeed, troubles peculiar to the times, the people and the opportunities
presented by the unsettled condition of affairs were of frequent occurrence, and
multiplied as the inhabitants increased in number, until legal remedies were
afforded by constituted tribunals. Added to these varieties of an unsettled
condition of affairs, were the disputes consequent upon dissipation and its
attendant concomitant—horse-racing. Drinking was universal, and testing the
mettle of high-spirited racers the most frequent amusement save "playing against
the bank." An old resident related to the writer that as late as early in the
forties he was wont to sit on his doorstep in the village of Shullsburg and
watch patrons of the turf engaged in sport across the ravine, while the notes of
sacred melody and the voice of the minister ascended up to heaven in praise and
thanksgiving to Him for His goodness and mercy to the children of men.

These incidents of pioneer life were gradually lessened with each yearv and
finally became obsolete when the golden fields of California beckoned to the
miners, gamblers and outlaws, who, for a season, at least, seemed indigenous to
the county of La Fayette.

The year 1829 began with prosperity and good fellowship throughout the mines.
Settlements were distributed at frequent intervals, and at most of the available
points. Rude, it is true, but still existing and holding out inducements for
new-comers. This was notably the case at White Oak Springs, Shullsburg, Benton,
New Diggings and Hamilton's Fort, now known as Wiota. Mineral Point was,
however, the great center of attraction to a majority of the miners; some of the
largest leads were there struck and extensively worked, and quite a number of
mining and smelting establishments were erected, both at the Point and in that
vicinity. Merchandising, too, was largely engaged in, and business became of the
most animated character.

This year Col. D. M. Parkinson opened a hotel in La Fayette County, near Mineral
Point, the first in that section. He was one of the most prominent and
enterprising of the early settlers, and has left a good name and a reputation
for energy and integrity to his descendants. He was born in Custer County, East
Tennessee, August 1, 1790, where he resided until 1818, when he moved to Madison
County, Ill., settling near St. Louis. Remaining there about two years, at the
expiration of that period he removed to Sangamon County, and established a home
near Springfield. In 1833, he entered a quarter-section of land five miles
southeast of Mineral Point, where he subsequently erected the home wherein he
eventually died. The place was known as Prairie Springs Hotel prior to its
occupation by Mr. Parkinson, being then kept by Col. John Moore, and where were
often congregated such congenial spirits as Gen. Henry Dodge, Col. Ebenezer
Brigham, Col. William S. Hamilton, Gen. Charles Bracken, Judge J. W. Blackstone,
Col. A. Nichols, Maj. J. P. Cox, Col. J. Morrison, Col. L. Sterling, Maj. J. B.
Terry and others, scarcely any of them surviving the army of men who laid the
foundation of empire and progress in Southwestern Wisconsin. Differing in
politics, they nevertheless contracted the warmest personal friendships.

Col. Parkinson was a member of the first Territorial Legislature, which convened
at Belmont, in La Fayette County, in 1836-37. His district was a kingdom in
extent, embracing what is now Iowa, La Fayette, Richland and Grant Counties, now
represented by ten members. Serving in several Territorial Legislatures
succeeding, always as a man of mark and power, when the time arrived to elect
delegates to a Constitutional Convention, Col. Parkinson was elected to
represent La Fayette County. Among the anti-bankites he was prominent, and, when
it was ascertained that the people had withheld their indorsement of that
instrument, he shared, in a large degree, the regrets of its friends. In the
first State Legislature he held a seat, and took an active part in the
deliberations of that body. He was married three times, his first wife being
Miss Elizabeth Hyder, a native of Tennessee, and first-cousin of Gen. Wade
Hampton, of South Carolina. He died October 1, 1868, at his residence in La
Fayette County, universally esteemed.

During this period, the country grew in strength and influence. In those earlier
days, even when the lines of life were wrinkled and distorted by adversities and
disappointments, hope lingered like a fruit in reach, sweet before the eyes.

The mines were often bare of results, and starving cattle lowed over fields and
prairies that were brown with the rust of drought and aridness. Yet, day after
day, the citadels of success were stormed, and the advancing columns of the army
of civilization and progress never faltered, dazed with fear. But faces were
lighted up with smiles, when reflecting upon the prospect of victory, and
sustained by the hope of a time in the near future when their troubles would be
past.

The prosperity that came in with the advent of 1829, as will be inferred, was
not long lived, and, before old Father Time had run the race set before him in
that year, declined most sensibly. This was carried into the winter, and much
suffering was experienced, even by those who had become familiar with sufferings
and afflictions. In short, the inhabitants encountered the severest times they
were ever subjected to. Lead and mineral, states one familiar with the fact,
depreciated in value from a fair price to comparatively nothing, the former
bringing but $3 a thousand. While the exclusive product of the county was thus
depressed in price and hardly marketable, provisions increased in a
corresponding ratio. Flour commanded from $15 to $18 per barrel; pork was $30 a
barrel; coffee 50, and sugar 30, cents per pound. At these ruinous rates for
lead and mineral, and high prices for provisions, it required a desperate effort
on the part of the miner to secure even a scanty living. From four to five
thousand pounds of mineral was necessary to pay for one barrel of flour, and
other commodities were held proportionately. In consequence of this depression,
many persons became discouraged and left the country. Many more gave up business
but remained, and the present county of La Fayette, during the period
intervening between 1829 and 1831, presented a gloomy and unpromising appearance.

Their afflictions were largely aggravated, in addition to those they were
compelled to endure, by the necessity incumbent upon them of pursuing the
uncertain and precarious fortune of mining as a means of livelihood. A limited
number of farms had been opened, as already cited, but the cultivation of the
soil, as a rule, was expressly prohibited by the laws and regulations governing
the mines. This was prolonged until the spring of 1832, at which date the
Superintendent of the mining country, seeing the absolute necessity for a
change, signified to the inhabitants that he would take no measures to prevent
them from cultivating the soil, though he was unable, under his instructions
from the Government, to permit them to do so. Up to that date it was necessary
to procure a permit to mine, and the regulations of the mines were rigidly
enforced.

This state of affairs lasted, as stated, for a continued period, and was but
partially dissipated by the permits issued in 1832 to cultivate the soil. When
this was promulgated and operations thereunder began, there was an evident
appearance of increasing improvement and prosperity throughout the country, and
settlers everywhere anticipated a season of comfort and plenty. Then the country
once more began to hold out inducements to immigration, and the population
commenced to add to its numbers, to again drop off when the sudden outbreak of
the Indians, under Black Hawk, appalled even the most hardy and adventurous
pioneer from seeking the fields and mines of La Fayette County.

During 1829 and the years preceding this event, the Indians had become
reconciled to the presence of the whites, and no outward appearance of hostility
had been manifested since the close of the Winnebago war. In fact, the savages,
in a measure, disappeared from Southwestern Wisconsin and rambled about the
country contiguous, as, for instance, Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties, Ill.,
also about portions of Wisconsin less generally settled than Iowa County then
was. Those who remained in the neighborhood of the mines, were lazy, thriftless,
trifling, hard-drinking, characterless epitomes of the noble red man, with no
idea of the difference between meum and tuum, or appreciation of the rights of
individuals, when the latter were the weaker party or in the vocative and
helpless. The Indians who had waged a war of conquest or defense against the
advance of the white man into their territory years before, had gone to other
points less accessible to intrusion; those who remained were, as a rule,
unworthy the character their nationality bore; the sparkle had long since
disappeared and these were the lees that remained. They were not of the band
that accompanied Black Hawk in his march through Michigan Territory, or accepted
defeat with that brave campaigner at the battle of the Bad Ax, but, like the
army of Falstaff, "a scurvy crew." Close the coffin lid over the hideous dust,
and recall not deficiencies that were born of the troublous times in which they
lived.

During 1829, some of the first improvements of a public character undertaken in
the county were completed and others begun. The hard times, of which mention has
been made, came not until the sear and yellow leaf of fall had tinted the
forests with prismatic colors, and not particularly oppressive did they become
until Winter, with his aged locks, had clothed the landscape in robes of fleecy
white.

The spring was one of charming temperature, and the hospitality of the climate
was prolonged far into the months of summer The toiler in the lines of life cast
in La Fayette County saw in his mind's eye the pastures folded in beauty and the
vales burdened with a teeming abundance. Walking under dream-curtained skies, he
contemplated the picture of a father content with his plenty, and generous to
the world; of a mother, whose patient watch and vigil long had been rewarded
with a fruition of bloom and crowning happinesses. There are to-day old brown
farmhouses resting snugly in the hollows among the La Fayette County hills, that
were planned in those days of almost primeval bliss—quaint old affairs, with
great chimneys, sloping roofs and dormer windows, over which for decades
sweeping trees have swayed, sweet vines have clambered, and clustering berries,
under the touches of the winter's frost, have opened up their scarlet hearts.
Long walks lead off from these ancient homes, within whose sacred walls so much
of sorrow and rejoicing have been sheltered, pass down through the shade of
trees to end in the garden landscaped by these hardy pioneers when the future
glistened with promise, and the hand of affliction was not yet reached forth.
Pass out from the old home, sacred spot, standing amid the clustering trees to
the wide-open meadows, afar from the drowsy stir of the country road, with the
heights of blue, mountainous hills in the distance, and a glimpse of the narrow
valleys severing these huge antiques in twain, through which the gurgling brook
may be heard pursuing its way impatiently to the ocean, in the stillness of a
summer's night. Beyond this can be seen the corn-field, surveyed before the
country was overrun with settlers, and planted by the hand that was long since
palsied in death. Beyond this the orchard, with interlacing arches of gnarled
old trees, from among whose juice-gathering roots bubbles a clear spring that
trickles down across the lane into a moss-covered trough, where the horses are
led to water and the kine love to linger on their way to the milking yard. It is
an old-fashioned home; its surroundings belong to an age and generation that
came in when the country was young, but it still carries the impress of times it
has survived and of hardships it has endured. Modern citizens, boys and girls of
days more enlightened, it is claimed, may not see its beauties; but their
fathers hold it sacred as the scene of the happiest years of their lives, before
the cares of the world and the world's inhospitality had been alloted them. They
recall its generous protection before they wandered away from its threshold to
encounter opposition as a wintry day, when the atmosphere is cold and grayly
clear, with a thin, pale sunshine lighting up the way and grimly smiling upon
the soft, brown fields and russet woods, where the leaves of the oak and the
beech cling with dying gasps to the parent stem.

Yes, they remember it, and the old brown house is entwined with the most sacred
associations and treasures of years. They remember the home of their childhood,
where only silence now and vacant places have succeeded stir and glad bustle,
and where, perhaps, the pale-faced widow sighs, as she goes about her simple
morning duties, for a "clasp of the vanished hand and the sound of a voice that
is dead"—yes, they remember it, when, as children no longer, they went forth
from that home sanctified by a mother's care, some to the tumults of life, some
to the hush of the grave. Yea, they remember life there, when the great square
room was lighted up with fires of cheerful holidays, and gay voices and laughter
filled up the space that now is vacant, and, looking from the window of this
great square room across the hills, they can see the white stones gleaming in
the little burying-place, where the autumn leaves are drifting over the grave of
him or her who, in the shadowy past, began the voyage of life with high hopes
and pleasurable anticipations. Indeed, they remember it, and the mother, too,
who was its light—she who wafted them to rest with the lullabys of infancy or
folded the hands of baby sister or brother who has gone before. Think you,
reader, they can forget these sacred associations? that they neglect to visit
the old home after buffeting with the world ? No; they come in the strength that
is born of trial and the contentedness of a heart that here has found its rest.
God bless that old home, and may his choicest gifts come to that white-faced,
white-haired parent, who, having lived to see these perfect days, has nothing
more to ask, and waits the winding-up of life in the old home and among old
friends.

    *    *    *

Among those who came into the present county, in 1829, were Joshua, Joseph and
Isaac Bailey, William Field, Ami Dodge, James McKnight, R. H. Champion, William
S. Dering, James Neagle, an Irish lawyer, very eccentric and audacious, and
later, but prior to 1835, Henry Potwin, James H. Earnest, Phillip R. Earnest,
Jesse Williams, Jefferson Crawford, Thomas K. Gibson, John Gray, Daniel S.
Harris, Scribe Harris, Orrin Smith, Solon Langworthy, Jamos Langworthy, Lucius
H. Langworthy, T. L. Shaw, Cuthbert Burrell, Peter Carr, Lot Dimmick, "Pony"
Fletcher, Capt. De Selhorst, the Dodge family, a man named Collet, Oliver
Holtzhouser, Isaac Hodges, William I. Madden, John Dunn, Alexander Willard, D.
J. Seeley, H. C. Barretto, Horace Curtis, Henry Curtis, E. C. Tow'nsend, "Devil"
John Armstrong. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli came upon the stage first about this
period, and began his labors in the cause of religion, supplementing the efforts
made by pious priests from St. Louis who had preceded him into the lead mines.
Joseph Currey, Robert Allison, William Hogle, Thomas Swinbank, William
Hempstead, ____ Stevens, the pioneer McNultys, Alexander Mack, a family by the
name of Vansickle, a man named Lisle, John Ankeney and family, Henry Smith
(brother-in-law of Col. Scales), the Scofield families, the Woods family, the
Mason and Hawkins brothers, Samuel Warner, Sylvanus Bush, James S. Woodcock,
George Cubbage, who, during the Indian troubles of a subsequent date, was taken
prisoner with Henry Gratiot. When the savages learned, however, from personal
examination, that the capillary integuments of neither afforded scope for the
scalping-knife, both were sold to a trader for one plug of tobacco per capita.
The fact that they were bald seems to have been a dispensation of Providence in
behalf of each, as it was the means of reserving them to a better fate in the
future. Warren Johnson is said to have come in between the years above
mentioned, also ____ Busbee, William Field, Calvin Curry, Benjamin Carr,
Benjamin Salle, James and Samuel Munday, James Faherty, Jacob, John and Abraham
Jenkins, Thomas Bray, William Berryman, Edward Treganza, James Treganza, James
Wright, Nathan Goddell, Henry Rablin (who, in 1836, erected the first Brewery in
the county, in the present town of Elk Grove), James Wiswell and many others,
whose names, grade in life and the roles essayed by them on the stage of the
times have been forgotten. Of course, the list above mentioned is not submitted
as complete—far from it—nor as specifically correct as to dates. The only effort
made has been to furnish the names of those who came into the county in its
infancy and aided in its settlement and improvement—the colporteurs, as it were,
in the army of civilization, who made their advent into the unknown land and
sowed the seeds that would be harvested "after many days," in the golden time
when clouds and tears should be passed; and it was after many days, indeed,
before the sunlight of prosperity came stealing through the cloudy rifts. Day
after day, these heroic men marked the fitful gleaming of its rays; day after
day, they watched and prayed for the falling of better times, for some small
green sign of a crop, as the farmer watches for the sprouts of wheat crowding
through the soft, brown earth.

Yes, it was after many days, indeed, before hope crowned with its gentle
influence the promises held out for many, many years. During these gloomy days,
the hearts of the settlers were chilled and saddened by disappointments and
failures; the landscape of the future was sicklied o'er with clouds, and the
fields of expectation were chilled by the snows of discouragements. Full many
days came and went before the sparkling showers of success began to fall,
cheering the doubting souls of those who regarded them as the forerunner of a
more perfect period than that to which they had been committed. Finally, the sky
was cleared of clouds, the sun began to shine, the soil to teem with springing
green. The repiners gained courage at the outlook which greeted their vision,
and those who had waited in peace for things unseen, rejoiced their souls with
praise and thanksgiving, that the doubts repressed and abandoned had been
wrecked, as was promised after many days.

During the early mining days about White Oak Springs, as also at other points
where mining was the chief end of man, while many who came were men of brain and
toil, it must not be inferred that visitations from men of education and
professional excellence, as also men whose object in life was a superior
personal appearance, were unfrequent. This was not the fact. Representatives of
both factors in the sum of life and happiness were frequently to be seen
consorting with miners, or accepting their hospitalities. Both classes were
treated with consideration due their presence.

Upon one occasion, two pompous young men, severally named William Singer and
Henry E. Van Osdel, made their appearance, rich in purple and fine linen. They
wore rings on their fingers, relates the author of the incident, gloves on their
hands, and, so appareled from top to toe, in addition to bell-crowned beaver
hats so universal in those days among the select, became more than objective
points of attraction to the general public, especially to the miners. This
latter class determined to cultivate their acquaintance and initiate them into
the mysteries, not less than the miseries, of the locum in tenens underneath the
ground. Acting upon this conclusion, one day they were invited to inspect the
labors of operating a "lead," the hardships and subsequent triumphs of which
were elaborated in language convincing, if not select. Thus persuaded, they
consented, and, upon a day specially appointed for the purpose, preparations
were made for lowering them into one of the "Black Leg" tunnels. The ceremony
was published, and miners in the vicinity gathered to witness the descent into
this modern Avernus, many of them assisting in the carrying out of the
preliminary and subsequent arrangements. All things being in readiness, with
safety lamps firmly attached to their bell-crowned "tablets," they were lowered
into the regions of lead, the ropes withdrawn and the victims left to dream the
happy hours away in vainly endeavoring to devise ways and means of escape.
Meanwhile the miners hoisted pieces of mineral through convenient apertures into
their abiding-place, which fell into the water, which, mixed with clay and
refuse lime, was of the consistency of thin mortar, plastered them from head to
foot and left them so entirely "broke up" that one could scarcely tell them, as
the narrator expressed it, from a "last year's corpse." After some hours of
torment, during which their clothes, jewelry, bell-crowned hats and the
attendant concomitants were rendered forever useless, they were withdrawn from
their perilous position, and sent on their way, presumably rejoicing, with
admonitions and warnings that doubtless proved of future value.

Among the prospectors who came into the mines, a limited number worked
diligently and husbanded their profits rather than expending them in riotous
living, or at the tables of the gamester. Some were attended with the extreme of
luck, but the majority "jogged" along without the happening of anything
remarkable to change the current of their respective lives, at best, in
numberless instances, "over shallows and full of bitterness."

Upon a hot, dusty day in July, about this year, when the earth was parched with
thirst, and the very atmosphere, laden with sirocco blasts, oppressed the
inhabitants as also the beasts of the field with its sultry gusts, a stranger
made his appearance at one of the places of resort with which the old village of
White Oak Springs then abounded, and at once became the cynosure of public
observation. He was lank and lean, and hungry-looking, rawboned and angular,
thrown together, as it were, to define the most intricate of geometrical devices
that was ever originated to puzzle the wit and provoke the ire of an ametuer
mathematician. He was attired in jeans, built after the most primitive fashion,
and his entirety surmounted by a broad brown felt hat, duplicated in modern
times by the peripatetic editions of "Col. Sellers," who roam the country at
large, presented an appearance not more peculiar than persuasive.

His peace of mind remained undisturbed by the miners for a brief period only,
when they began to twit him with interrogatories as pointed, though less biting,
as the Grecian javelin of Thermopylae. To all of these, he answered cheerfully,
and before the day was done he had not only traced his origin, experiences and
ambitions in life for the edification of his tormentors, but fully identified
them with his object in forcing a passage into their midst. He had been raised
in Illinois, he said, upon the Grampian hills of which State he had fed his
father's flocks, and was an humble swain, in the strictest acceptation of the
term. As days grew into months, and months were succeeded by years, he began to
tire of the monotony of life at home, as also of the impoverishment inseparable
from the surroundings, and started forth to battle with Fortune, wherever the
fickle goddess would be moved. He came to the mines on foot, to strike a lead,
and would be darned if he didn't realize expectations before the day's sun had
run its course. Would some one guide him to a point where his hopes could be
gratified? Of course they would, and did. The day was terribly hot, but a
delegation of miners took him in charge, and, piloting him into the shade of a
solitary tree, placed tools in his handa and directed him to dig. He followed
this injunction faithfully, and with such good results that before sundown he
had struck a lead and taken out a large quantity of mineral.

When the "boys" realized that the "fool's errand" upon which they had sent him
was the reverse of what was designed, they revoked their determination as to the
quality of his wit, and decided to purchase the "discovery" made by the
unsophisticated traveler from Illinois. This they succeeded in doing, after some
"higgling," for $150, and, at the expiration of two months thereafter, the find
had turned out upward of two million of mineral. The vender, upon receipt of the
consideration quoted, expended $25 in the purchase of a music box, upon which he
discoursed constantly, if not eloquently, for a day or so, after which he
retraced his steps to the home of his ancesters and was forgotten in the whirl
and excitement of life in the lead mines.

During this year the first event of great interest in those days was celebrated
in the present town of White Oak Springs, being the celebration of the national
anniversary, and was attended with very great success. The inhabitants of the
country were much more inclined to a proper observance of the country's holiday
at that period than in these later years, and its coming was hailed by all with
a spirit of congratulation nowhere visible now. Settlers gathered in convenient
groves, and, after an exordium of singing, oratory and appropriate ceremonials,
wound up the day with dancing and athletic sports, which were continued far into
the night, concluding with an exhibition of improvised fire-works, the bray of
the trumpet and note of the drum keeping time to their explosion.

Upon the occasion referred to, the programme was commenced with a toothsome
dinner, which lasted until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon and was succeeded by
an oration, of which J. M. Strode, of Galena, was the speaker, supplemented by
dancing to the cheerful notes of the violin, lasting until daylight the next
morning, when the crowd separated to their homes. The celebration was duplicated
at Mineral Point this year, and attracted crowds of visitors from all parts of
that section. At one of these gatherings subsequently held in the former place,
a stage of dry-goods boxes was set up, on which the prominent figure-heads of
the occasion were collected. The platform proved unequal to the weight it was
called upon to sustain, however, and, at the conclusion of one of the orator's
most eloquent periods, yielded to the pressure and incontinently gave way. While
the cheers which succeeded the happy flight of D. W. Kyle, the orator were still
ringing, that individual, with those who surrounded him, were suddenly
precipitated to the ground, the President in one direction, the orator in
another direction, and the crowd in all directions.

During this year, the improvements were comparatively numerous and of a very
substantial character. These included the completion of the first mill built in
the county, to which reference has already been made. It was that of the Murphys
in town of Benton, located in what is known as Mill Seat Bend, on the Fever
River, a short distance from the present village of Benton, and its site has
been occupied constantly for mill purposes from that day to this. The building
was of frame, three stories high, supplied with two run of stone, and afforded
accommodations to settlers not only in La Fayette County, but from a
distance—residents of Rockford, Dubuque, Wisconsin River and of other places,
coming hither to obtain supplies of meal and flour for their families. Soon
after it began operations, the Curtis mill at or near the present village of
Gratiot, on the Mineral Point Railroad, offered inducements to patrons, and
disputed for precedence with the Murphy mill until along about 1833, when Rufus
and Benjamin Scott settled on Otter Creek, in Willow Springs Township, and
erected what have since been known as the McGuire Mills, which were operated
under various ownerships until 1872, when they were abandoned. The mill
buildings still stand in sight of the road from Darlington to the residence of
Peter Parkinson, Jr., monuments to the enterprise of that early day, but decayed
and falling to pieces.

The influx of population at this period necessarily required the erection of
taverns at various points in the county, on the routes usually traveled, which
were always liberally patronized, and furnished a more comfortable cheer to the
incoming hosts than can to-day be obtained at houses of entertainment
advertising more pretentious claims. Taverns then flourished at Gratiot's Grove,
in Elk Grove, Benton, White Oak Springs, Willow Springs and Belmont Towns,
maintained by pioneers who evidenced their capacities to contribute to the
comfort of guests, and make for them a home in the wilderness, both inviting and
liberal. Houses of the plainest architectural ambitions, but elaborate for the
times, were distributed at intervals, but with more frequency than during the
previous year; and, had the same prosperity which dawned upon the county with
1829 maintained its ascendancy, the material interests of the county would have
largely appreciated; but, for causes which have been but superficially referred
to, such a consummation was temporarily postponed. Taken as a whole, the year
had been one in which much good was accomplished among the people, and the
resources of the county developed before the coming of evil days, worked
inestimable benefits to its future.

While the hidden wealth of the rocks and soil was materializing with a
gratifying rapidity, the agencies of civilization were comparatively backward in
asserting their supremacy. Merchandising was not universally engaged in as at a
day later, and educational and religious facilities were extremely limited. A
school had been organized at Gratiot's Grove, as will be remembered, a year
previous; but it was abandoned, as will also be recalled, by Miss Lamb, who
united her destinies with those of George W. Skellinger, and is now a resident
of Wiota Township.

There was no house of worship at any points where colonies had been established,
and, beyond the occasional visits of the pious Father Mazzuchelli, and a
Methodist class-meeting, led by James Wood, who died in the fall of 1880,
services of a sacred character were ignored.

Society was in an unsettled state. The population was composed of all grades and
conditions of men, and there were few of the opposite sex to exert a womanly
influence. There were soldiers of the Winnebago war, who, upon the expiration of
their terms of enlistment, remained at the field of action, to grow up with and
participate in the prosperity of the country. To these were added emigrants, who
sailed from their homes across the sea, at the dawn of the day, who care little
for life anywhere, and are not always important factors in the sum of human
advancement. In addition, miners, middle men, gamblers, outcasts and outlaws
came hither to improve or increase their fortunes, and who, by taking the tide
at its flood, hoped to attain glory and financial responsibility.

While there was an occasional Justice located in the woods, and dispensing law
to those who sought the benefits of remedies provided, there were no courts, in
the strict meaning of the term, to redress grievances or enforce contracts.
Every individual stood upon his personal merits, and, if dispossessed of a
claim, or insulted in good name or reputation, became the expounder of the law
in his own behalf. Yet, in spite of the absence of these essentials, the moral
atmosphere of the county—notwithstanding the non-existence of schools, churches
and courts—was far from malodorous with crime or misdemeanors.

While the country was rapidly undergoing a transformation from a lonely
wilderness into a comparatively civilized and flourishing community, the present
features of such change were happily insensible to a great extent. The number of
men in the various settlements who neither drank nor gambled was exceedingly
limited. Faro, poker and brag were more regular than worship, and drinking was
the attendant concomitant of daily life. Yet, amid all this, there were
occasional gleams of moral sunshine breaking through the clouds of immorality
and dissipation and promising a brighter future; but it was not until the
establishment of courts of competent jurisdiction, some time after, that matters
assumed an appearance of peace and perfect order. Even then, there were quarrels
and troubles growing out of disputed lands and claims. The absence of these
adjuncts of civilization entailed proceedings on the part of farmers, and which
were settled summarily, but, in many instances, without equity. If an interloper
or rapacious claimant made himself obnoxious, he was suppressed with very little
regard to his defense. These lasted until after the land sale, which took place
at Mineral Point after the Blackhawk war, when John P. Sheldon was Register, and
Thomas Enox, Receiver.

At one of these, Dr. Philles, of Galena, bid upon a tract in which Moses
Eastman, of Belmont, had claims. When his action was brought to the knowledge of
the settlers, in the language of an informant, "h—1 was to pay." A meeting was
held, and arrangements made to estop the possession of the bidder. But the
latter, realizing the outlook with feelings of apprehension, yielded to the
logic of events and retired from his advance.

Upon another occasion, a speculator named Russell enforced his claim to a tract
of land now known as the Widow Tourgee farm, near the village of Fayetteville,
and, notwithstanding the opposition made to his possession, retained the
same—held the fort, as it were, against the advance of his accusers.

The land sales did not put a period to these internal dissensions either. They
were continued, even after the conclusion of the sale, until a date by no means
remote.

Some time early in the thirties, a settler from New York made his advent into
Willow Springs Township, and made claims to tracts of land of liberal
dimensions. The knowledge of these proceedings was promulgated, and the usual
meeting succeeded the announcement. This was made up of about thirty settlers,
and, after deliberating the issue from daylight until sun-up, a committee was
sent to warn the intruder of the fate which awaited his acts, if he insisted
upon persevering in their accomplishment. The family visited was made up of two
brothers and a sister, the latter a veritable athlete, it is said, who was no
mean foe in a dispute vi et armis. One of the committee was a very pious man,
and had been a class-leader on his native heath. Finding that eloquence was
wasted, these ingredients of an argument were employed to persuade the intruder
to vacate, in which the pugnacious sister essayed a leading role, to the
discomfiture of the committee. But the intruders, notwithstanding, were
compelled to give up the lands they had entered, as, in nearly every instance,
the trespassers were made to appreciate the unwritten law.

But the wavering hours of these busy days have crept away into the past, the
clatter and clash of discord have long since ceased. The angel of peace, years
ago, entered unseen into the midst of this contentious experience, and,
spreading her white wings over the blasts, quenched dark thoughts with her
visions of light, and brought hope to hearts that were sad and oppressed.

The year drew to a close, and the happy realm of to-day, to whom indulgent
heaven has given its richest bounties, and in whose earth nature's wealthiest
mines are stored, was on the eve of sorrows more poignant, if less prolonged,
than those precipitating the death of the Trojan Patroclus. These have already
been imperfectly detailed, and can scarcely be enlarged upon. The actors in the
drama of life as presented in that day, long since made their farewell bow, and
disappeared from the stage of activity behind the curtain which separates dreams
and realities. The winter was one constant dissension between the elements, all
crowding for precedence, and pregnant with fearful forebodings of evil. The
Indian summer refused to smile upon the landscape, the fields, the valleys, and
the hillsides that, but a brief period before, had resounded with tanned
reapers' songs, or upon the gray barrens looking from their hazy hills, from
which but a month previous a greeting had been sent down to the settlers and
miners, or the "dull thunder of alternate flail."

The autumn, fairly typical of the decline of prosperity in the county, proved a
cheerless prelude to the season which followed. Throughout its blasts and
storms, which succeeded each other, it is said, constantly and fiercely, there
was little to encourage the miner or the agriculturist in preparations for the
advent of more hospitable seasons. The winds came rushing through the forests
and valleys without interruption or embargo, and the snow, mounted upon the
frigid blasts, left the marks of its fleecy passage upon the hives that once
resounded with the sound of labor, the hut of the miner and the home of the
husbandman combined—both hunted the abodes of misery and affliction, and,
shrouding the inmates with its spotless mantle, shrieked in notes of discordant
melody the joy of its passing triumph.

The old year floated away into the past, and the new year dawned inhospitably on
cheerless, hopeless homes that were scattered like sentinels upon the frontier
posts of this army of civilization. The generous past has written ineffaceably
upon the tablets of memory, when kind thoughts and high hopes were engraven; the
future was without prospects—invisible as the light hidden behind the dark
clouds, which, banked up on the horizon, indicate the coming of the storm.

The transient visitor to La Fayette County of to-day regards his sojourn there
as incomplete if he fails to view the cultivated farms teeming with prosperous
evidences, or descends into the mines rich with undeveloped treasures. As he
sees the comfortable abode of the agriculturist, embowered in foliage of trees,
old as the county itself, the grounds laid out in harmony with an exquisite
taste and cultivated to the height of perfection, he will scarcely realize that
less than half a century ago the courageous inhabitants were subjected to
vicissitudes beyond the power of pen to describe or limner's touch to
illustrate. What a world of changes has been brought to all, to the heroic
pioneer not more than to youth and innocence. What a revolution in things
material not less than in affairs temporal and spiritual.

As the season of 1830 advanced, mining was re-commenced, and the sons of toil
sought to create an Eden from the unbroken wilderness. But varying success only
attested the diligence of their efforts. Fortune refused to keep pace with their
labors or to keep pace with the sanguine hopes that had been indulged. As a
consequence, disappointment attended all, and usurped the place of confiding
hope. The prosperity which came in with 1829 was "snuffed out" during the
following year. The profits of the mines were scarcely sufficient to pay for
their working; farms were practically abandoned, such at least as had been
commenced, and the wolves and the catamounts ran wild when the first advances of
the army of progress had left its marks. To aggravate this condition of affairs,
provisions appreciated in value and commanded enormous prices. Such was the
outlook as it appeared to settlers, and conclusions adverse to remaining found
frequent expression, not only among men who reasoned from correct premises, but
also from those ordinarily of enthusiastic temperament and given to enthusiastic
vaporings. The prospects which erstwhile were pictured in bright colors were
disfigured or dissipated, no more to find an abiding-place in La Fayette County.
The canvas which had been exposed to the gaze of admirers but one short year
before, and upon which had been traced with the hand of a master the limnings of
speculative resource, yielded place to the dark and gloomy realities experienced
by the inhabitants. The dreams of wealth in many instances gave way to actual
want. Those who felicitated themselves in a belief that they were secure retired
abashed at their insignificance.

During this entire year, no material change for the better appears to have taken
place; many left the country and sought for a more satisfactory solution of
life's problem in other parts. Overtrading, excessive bank issues and the rage
for speculation in Western lands, the true causes for this terrible train of
evils, did their work effectually, if not permanently. And, while they worked
their own cure, during their continuance, pride, with its importations of
grandeur and opulence, was reduced to indigence. Yet a lesson was impressed upon
the country and prevented a recurrence of such times by a return of the people
throughout the country to industry, frugality and perseverance in the pursuit of
professional and laborious callings.

The settlements at this time, notably Gratiot's Grove, Benton, Shullsburg, White
Oak Springs, Belmont, Hamilton's Fort, etc., were in a condition of
semi-improvement. Many houses had been erected within their confines, and some
effort was made toward the establishment of depots of commercial importance.
There were smelting furnaces in Monticello, Willow Springs, Benton, White Oak
Springs, and generally wherever the product of the mines justified their
building. But the operations carried on were limited. No one worked save to earn
but a bare subsistence, and they were often without the raw material to smelt.
The only store, proper, it may here be interpolated, maintained as such, was
that conducted by J. P. B. Gratiot, at Gratiot's Grove. The Prairie Springs
Hotel, the first in the county, by the way, that of S. M. Fretwell, at Willow
Springs, those at Gratiot's Grove, by Capt. Fortunatus Berry and A. C. Ransom,
with rude attempts in Wiota and Fayette, were the leading houses of
entertainment. Of schools there were few. The children of settlers ambitious to
obtain the primary principles of education were mostly taught at home, and, when
they had outrun the limited curriculum there afforded, were sent to Springfield,
Peoria, Kaskaskia, Edwardsville or St. Louis. But these were exceptional cases.
As a rule, the procuration of life's necessities required all the labor and
means available, and there was nothing to spare to enable the sons and daughters
of the pioneer to cultivate their aesthetic tastes. Religious services, too,
were never held—there were none of any creed or denomination. At long intervals,
a colporteur in the cause of Christ canvassed the country for subscribers to the
tenets of Wesley or Calvin, but, beyond a limited conversion, failed of
obtaining any response. It was not until the Black Hawk war had strutted its
brief hour upon the stage that any advance, even of a minor character, was
accomplished in this direction.

The Indians, too, were still a very prominent factor in the sum of daily life.
They were harmless, however, and preferred the safer excitements of the chase to
decorating their belts with the scalps of the inhabitants. Very frequently they
lighted their camp-fires within sight of a settler's cabin, and passed days in
the vicinity curing the hides of game taken in their annual hunts. But beyond
occasional poaching upon his store of poultry, vegetables collected for winter's
use, and other pilferings, they ceased to be a source of annoyance, until a year
or so later, or a short time prior to the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war,
when they became more active and less disposed to maintain their position as
dependent, so to speak, or rather subordinates in the history of the times.

But little happened during the succeeding year to change the current of events
from the channel in which they had flowed. The hard times run the race of
oppression and began to disappear, but so imperceptibly that the change from
penury to comparative independence, and from hardships to comfort, was almost
indistinguishable. Some farms were put under fence, the price of lead increased
and mines were worked more satisfactorily. Settlers, too, began again to tend in
the direction of La Fayette County, and forms and combinations for the promotion
of temporal blessedness were improvised and completed. In short, the outlook
cheered those who were on the ground and encouraged others to prospect or
establish themselves in this portion of the territory.

During the winter of 1831-32, the Indians became more aggressive, and reports of
their contemplated action, when marching became possible, were frequent and
authentic. These reports imported but one conclusion, an invasion by the Sacs
and Foxes in the near future. As spring advanced, these rumors took shape and
promises crystallized into acts. In May, 1832, information was received that the
Indians had crossed the Mississippi and were pointing in the direction of
Michigan Territory with the object of forming a coalition with the Pottowatomies
and letting loose the dogs of war to the extermination of the entire white race.

Fully aroused by the news which reached them, miners and farmers assembled at
various points in La Fayette County, and began active preparations for the
impending conflict. In May, 1832, a meeting was convened at Willow Springs, made
up of the settlers in that and adjoining townships, and discussed the outlook
for hostilities. Robert C. Hoard presided, and there were present, among the
rest, Col. D. M. Parkinson, S. M. Fretwell, Gen. Charles Bracken, Peter
Parkinson, Jr., Jameson Hamilton, Jefferson Higgenbottom, John Henry, Col. John
Moore, A. P. Van Matre, John Clark, the Gratiots, Gabriel, Joseph and James
Bailey, James Guiard, Benjamin Funk and many others.

A meeting was also held at Gratiot's, to which came Fortunatus Berry, Capt.
Southwick, Samuel Scales, Jesse Shull, Capt. Clark, R. H. Magoon and others; and
at Wiota, Col. W. S. Hamilton presided over a similar gathering. Every other
business was abandoned, forts were erected in Monticello, Shullsburg, White Oak
Springs, Wiota, Elk Grove and Diamond Grove, and every arrangement was made to
warmly greet the savages when the issue should be joined.

Upon reception of the news that Black Hawk was advancing, a large meeting was
held at Mineral Point, at which it was decided to send a messenger with
dispatches to Dixon, on Rock River, to ascertain correctly the strength and
intentions of the Indians. Col. D. M. Parkinson was re-elected as the
ambassador, and proceeded immediately upon his mission with dispatches from Gen.
Dodge, in behalf of the inhabitants of the mining region; to John Dixon, of
Dixon; and Henry Gratiot, agent of the Winnebagoes, who, it was reported, had
proffered assistance to the foe. Upon the reception of Gen. Dodge's dispatches,
the latter proceeded to Black Hawk's camp, then at the prophet's village, on
Rock River, to ascertain the facts in the case. Upon his arrival he was held as
a prisoner and retained a prisoner for forty-eight hours.

Col. Parkinson faithfully executed the trust committed to his care, and upon his
return fully confirmed the reports previously received in the mines. Black
Hawk's force was supposed to have been about five hundred warriors, which number
was subsequently augmented to eight hundred by accessions from the Winnebago and
other tribes. Immediately upon the reception of this confirmatory news, Gen.
Dodge collected and organized a mounted company, consisting of about fifty men,
of which James H. Gentry was chosen Captain, with Henry L. Dodge and Paschal
Bequette, Lieutenants, which was kept constantly in the field, and made an
expedition to Dixon for the purpose of securing additional force from Gov.
Reynolds, of Illinois, who had arrived at that point, as also to ascertain, if
possible, the designs of Black Hawk, and whether marauding parties of Indians
had been operating upon the frontier. He failed to obtain any additional force,
and found none of the enemy upon the southern border of Michigan Territory.

Returning to the mining district, he brought the first intelligence of
Stillman's defeat being at the mouth of the Kishwaukee, and this was the means
of inspiring the meetings held in the county as above detailed. Considerable
alarm and confusion was manifested, as may naturally be supposed; but the
presence of such men as Col. D. M. Parkinson, Col. W. S. Hamilton, Maj. Richard
H. Kirkpatrick, Capts. R. H. Magoon, John H. Rountree, James H. Gentry, Jesse W.
Shull, Joseph Dickson, John Clark, John Moore, Charles Bracken, Dr.
Loughborough, Samuel H. Scales and many others, served to dissipate the feelings
of terror inspired by the prospects of war, and, by their wise counsels and
untiring exertions, to place the country in a state of defense.

The safety of families of settlers being completed, three additional mounted
companies were raised in the mining district, and commanded by John H. Rountree,
of Platteville, Capt. Clark, of White Oak Springs, and J. P. B. Gratiot, of
Gratiot's Grove, and these, with the troops of Col. Dodge, upon the latter's
return from his expedition to Rock River, were put in motion for Blue Mound
fort, upon which it was apprehended the Indians contemplated an attack.

"While on the way to that point," writes Col. Parkinson, "the force ascertained
that the two Misses Hall, who had been captured at the massacre on Indian Creek,
near Ottawa, had been released, but this act on the part of the savages was
subsequently neutralized by the intelligence White Crow, a Winnebago chief,
communicated to Capt. J. P. B. Gratiot. This was to the effect that the murder
of the whites that night was contemplated by the Sacs and Foxes, who opined that
their foe was a soft-shelled breed and could not fight." This however was only
the conjecture of Capt. Gratiot.

Upon the information being conveyed to Gen. Dodge, who had retired for the
night, he instantly jumped up, and said with great emphasis, "Be not alarmed,
sir; let them come, and we will show them, sir, that we are not of the
soft-shelled breed." White Crow and some others were taken into custody, and
retained as hostages for the good behavior of the nation, assured at a council
held on the farm of Col. John Morrison.

A return was then made to Fort Defiance, when information was received that a
man named William Aubrey had been killed at the Blue Mound Fort. A force was
sent to that point, but the deceased was buried.

About this time, the people of La Fayette County became very much alarmed in
consequence of Capt. James B. Estis coming, under whip and spur, and announcing
that he had seen a large body of Indians about seven miles below Fort Defiance,
making their way in that direction. Immediately upon this announcement being
made, Capt. Howd, who commanded at Fort Defiance, ordered Col. D. M. Parkinson,
with M. G. Fitch, John Ray and Rensen Hall, to make a reconnaissance and
ascertain the facts. They did so, and found no sign of Indians, and the
inhabitants resumed their wonted quiet and confidence. Soon after an expedition
was fitted out and commanded by Gen. Dodge to reclaim and inter the bodies of
St. Yrain, Hale and Fowler, who had fallen in an encounter on Plum River. Parts
of four companies composed the force, with a few independent volunteers, who
started forth to war on their own account. The first halt was made at Felter's,
a point nine miles from Gratiot. Before dismounting, Gen. Dodge strongly
impressed upon the rugged yeomen the necessity that existed for united action,
and urged them to steady discipline. The troop was formed into a hollow square,
and, on receiving orders to dismount, each man removed his saddle and laid it on
the ground, when he dismounted and turned his horse out to graze. The orders
were, that, if any alarm was sounded during the night, each man should spring up
in his place and thus be formed in hollow square to repel an attack. There was
no attack, however, and the line of march was resumed on the following morning.
Later in the day, the bodies of St. Vrain, and those of Hale and Fowler, were
found and properly buried; but that of Hawley, who was supposed to have been
killed near the same place, was never found, and nothing satisfactory was ever
heard of him. The march was continued to Dixon's Ferry, on Rock River. Upon
their return, and before arriving at Gratiot's Grove, a halt was made to graze
the horses, but no provisions were visible for the support of the men, and they
were placed in a quandary, not knowing how to remedy the omission. In the
vicinity was Felter's deserted cabin, and, while wandering around the premises,
one of the men discovered a huge, rusty iron kettle. Summoning assistance, the
kettle was cleaned and filled with mustard greens, from which they expected to
sup sumptuously. Alas for the hopes of the men; when the mess was boiled and
dished out, it proved to be unpalatable and nauseating. Arriving at Gratiot's
Grove, Gen. Dodge informed the volunteers that they had covered two hundred
miles in five days, and complimented them upon their bravery and fidelity.

The month of May, 1832, was devoted to general skirmishing and guerrilla
warfare, which permitted the utilization of Gen. Dodge's two hundred mounted
men. The united strength of the Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes and Pottawatomie
Indians, aggregated six hundred warriors—a force that could have annihilated the
gallant miners had they met in a pitched battle. When the mounted men were
dispatched to bring the bodies of St. Yrain and his unfortunate companions
thence to Ottawa, Black Ilawk, who had been reconnoitering the position of the
white men, realized the serious error committed, and instructed Little Priest to
make a descent on Fort Hamilton.

Acting upon these directions, Little Priest raided the Spafford farm, six miles
southeast of Fort Hamilton, on the Pecatonica. In this sortie, Spafford, a man
named McIlwaine, one named Searls, one known as "John Bull" and another were
killed, while a man hamed Spencer and a companion (Bennett Million) escaped, the
latter reaching the fort, running from dinner time to sundown, and conveying the
awful tidings to the fort, whence it was communicated by couriers around the
immediate country. The massacre occurred on the 15th of June, 1882, and the
exigencies of the occasion demanded immediate and energetic action. A dispatch
was accordingly sent to Gen. Dodge, and the men at the fort that could be
mounted were soon in readiness to proceed to the scene of action. This
detachment consisted of R. H. Kirkpatrick, Charles Bracken (who was a Lieutenant
at Fort Defiance), Samuel Black, Peter Parkinson, Jr., Levin Leach, Dominick
McGraw, Mathew G. Fitch, Thomas H. Price, Samuel Brints, Benjamin Lawhead, ___
Highton, ____ Van Waggoner and Col. D. M. Parkinson. Previous to departure, some
dissatisfaction was expressed by the men relative to being placed under the
command of Lieut. Charles Bracken, who was entitled to the command of those who
belonged to the fort company. Capt. Hoard, after consultation, decided to place
R. H. Kirkpatrick in command and this was accordingly done. In consequence of
this momentary disquiet, Lieut. Bracken, and Benjamin Lawhead, started in
advance of the detachment, but were overtaken previous to reaching Fort
Hamilton, and, with the volunteers, arrived at that point about midnight, where
they remained until morning. "The fort was in the greatest confusion," relates
Col. Parkinson, from whose memoirs the history of the occurrences of this time
are quoted, "with no quarters or refreshments for the volunteers, who were
obliged to shift for themselves as best they could. Others joined the party
there, and, some further altercation occurring regarding the command, an
election was regularly held, at which R. H. Kirpatrick was chosen. The
detachment then proceeded to the scene of the murder, under the guidance of
Bennett Million.

Upon arriving there, the first object that presented itself was the headless
body of the unfortunate Spafford, who, having been killed at the first fire of
the Indians, was found near the point of attack. Except where shot and the
decapitation, there were no mutilations of the body. The missing head was found
on the bank of the river, some hundred yards from the body, shorn of its locks,
which were of a fine and glossy appearance. The bodies of Searls, McIlwaine and
John Bull, were found upon the opposite bank of the river, most shockingly
mangled and mutilated. The body of Spencer, who was supposed to be killed, could
nowhere be found. The bodies were gathered together and buried in one common grave.

While these solemn obsequies were being performed, a force was constantly
reconnoitering the surrounding country in search of the yet unfound body of
Spencer, and to see that there were no Indians lurking in the vicinity to take
them by surprise. At night, a return was made to Fort Hamilton, where Capt.
Gentry was found with a portion of his company, and he assumed command of the
entire force.

After some refreshments, a council was held, at which it was determined to
pursue the Indians on the following morning in the event that Gen. Dodge failed
to arrive by 8 o'clock. The night passed without any unusual occurrence, and the
following morning, just as the company was about to start, in pursuance of
arrangements agreed upon, Gen. Dodge arrived, accompanied by John Messersmith,
Jr., and Thomas Jenkins.

It seems that, upon receiving the express at Dodgeville, Gen. Dodge, with his
companions, had started for Fort Hamilton, by way of the Blue Mounds, where
fresh horses and men, a portion of Gentry's command, were stationed, and,
leaving orders for them to proceed at once to Fort Hamilton, continued his trip
thither by way of Fretwell's Diggings, arriving at the Fort as stated. A short
time previous to his arrival he had left the main road and taken a by-way for
the purpose of shortening the distance. On coming into the main road again, he
met a German named Apple (who, as will be seen further on, became fruit for the
Indians), who had a good horse, which Capt. Gentry that morning designed
impressing into the service, but was dissuaded therefrom by Apple, who promised
to accompany the expedition if he was allowed to return to his cabin for some
blankets. This was supposed by many to be an excuse to enable the supposedly
timid Teuton to escape going himself or letting his horse. However, he had
proceeded but a short distance after leaving Gen. Dodge, when he fell into an
ambuscade and was literally shot to pieces. It appeared, subsequently, that the
Indians had first waylaid the path by which Gen. Dodge approached the fort,
passing through quite a thick point of woods, but, in the morning, seeing some
men from the fort pass up to the field for grain by way of the main road, which
kept round more on the open ground, they changed their position to that point.
Thus, had Gen. Dodge arrived an hour earlier, or had he kept around the main
road, he would undoubtedly have fallen a victim instead of the unfortunate German.

Almost at the same moment that Col. Dodge dismounted at the fort, the horse of
Apple came running up near Capt. Gentry's command, who were some distance from
the fort. Capt. Gentry directed Peter Parkinson, Jr., then a mere boy, to run
and bring Apple's horse to him, which he did. Upon seeing the horse with a
bullet-hole through his ear, another through the top of his neck, and the saddle
bloody, and recollecting the report of guns a few moments before, there could be
no mistake as to what had taken place—all men present called out at once that
Apple was killed. Instantly wild excitement and disorder ensued, and but for the
stern, determined will of Capt. Gentry, aided by Maj. Kirkpatrick, Lieut.
Bracken and Col. D. M. Parkinson, instead of the successful pursuit and repulse
of the Indians which followed, defeat and failure to the settlers would have
been the consequences.

When it was ascertained that Apple was unquestionably killed, quite a number of
men, of excitable and enthusiastic temperament, mounted their horses without
orders, and were upon the act of rushing indiscriminately after the Indians.
Capt. Gentry sprang to their front and ordered them, in the most peremptory
manner, as their Captain, to halt, reminding them of Stillman's defeat having
been brought about, perhaps, by similar movements and insubordinations, and
concluding with a declaration that he would shoot the first man who attempted to
advance until ordered to do so by Col. Dodge, who would be there in a few moments.

Upon his arrival, Col. Dodge ordered the men to mount and form in line, when he
addressed them substantially to the following effect: "Fellow-soldiers! We shall
immediately follow the Indians, whose hands are now reeking with the blood of
one of our neighbors, whom they have just slain. We must overtake them if
possible. Their numbers are unknown, but, numerous as they may be, I shall
charge them, sword in hand, and, if there are any among you who think you cannot
do this, you will fall back now, as I want none with me except those upon whom I
can rely with the utmost confidence in any and every emergency."

The order was then given to advance at full speed, but nine fell back, and the
volunteers were soon upon the trail, passing the mangled corpse of Apple, which
was left in the hands of the men guarding the fort, for interment.

The trail led through an almost impassable thicket of underbrush, tree-tops,
prickly ash, grapevines, briers, etc. The Indians were finally dislodged from a
thicket near the East Pecatonica, about four miles northeast of the present
village of Wiota, on June 16, 1832, at an early hour in the day. Upon the troops
making their way to the succeeding prairie, the Indians were to be seen far in
advance of the line, which was extended for perhaps half a mile in length, owing
to the difficulty experienced in getting through the undergrowth. The pursuit
was somewhat promiscuous, every one going it alone, as it were, the advance
being formed of Col. Dodge, Col. Parkinson, Capt. Gentry, Lieut. Requette, John
Messersmith, Jr., and John Hood.

The pursuers had come up pretty well on to the Indians, and were about making an
attack upon them, when they crossed a deep creek and reached the main waters of
the Pecatonica, which, though much swollen, was passed without difficulty by
them. At this point the trail was lost, but soon found and followed, and, after
proceeding a distance of about two hundred yards, amid deathlike stillness,
their exact whereabouts was announced by a volley of arms, succeeded by the most
unearthly yells. Not in the least daunted, the order to "Charge 'em, boys,
charge 'em," was promptly obeyed, and, in a remarkably brief period, the Indians
were all slain.

In the first fire made by the Indians, three of the troops were wounded, two of
them, Samuel Black and ____ Morris, mortally, and Thomas Jenkins, slightly. In
the charge up the bank, _____ Wells was mortally wounded, subsequently dying at
Fort Hamilton. Like hundreds of the young men of the day, he had come to the
lead mines in pursuit of fortune, and located at Mineral Point. When the war
broke out he was among the first to take up arms. After receiving his death
wound, and, while lying on the battle-ground, with his head on the lap of a
comrade, the surgeon examined him and told him he must die. On hearing this, he
expressed a wish to see the General, and, upon Gen. Dodge responding, asked him
"if he had behaved like a soldier." To which the response was made, "Yes, Wells,
like a brave one." Looking up, he said: "Send that word to my old father," and
shortly after expired, as has been stated, at the Fort, as also did Morris.

Samuel Black was removed to Fort Defiance and tenderly nursed by Peter
Parkinson, Jr., surviving nine days, in spite of the fact that he was shot
through the head back of the ear. On the ninth day, about midnight, and
apparently while in the pangs of dissolution, a smile spread over his face,
which gradually increased into a hearty laugh. When it subsided, Peter
Parkinson, Jr., who was watching by his bedside, asked the cause, to which he
replied that "it made him laugh to hear Gen. Dodge talking about the troops
charging the Indians, sword in hand, when there were but two swords in the
crowd." With which explanation he sank back and was "gathered in" by the pale
master.

He went into the fight certain of death, predicating his belief upon the fact of
the horse which he rode having stumbled and fallen upon the prairie, while
making the march in pursuit. At that time he spoke of the circumstance, and
insisted that he would surely be killed. His comrades told him to go back, but
refusing, the omen proved a premonition, indeed. He was from Willow Springs, and
a nephew of William Tate.

Thus ended this short but sanguinary conflict, replete with deeds of prowess
that have sent their names down to the present clothed with a luster that will
increase with years. Among the personal encounters was one Lieut. Bequette had
with an Indian, in which the former prevailed only with the irreparable fracture
of his sword. A young man named Leach fired at an Indian, and, failing to hit
the objective point, was rushed upon by the latter, spear in hand. Leach grasped
the aboriginal weapon, and in the struggle for its possession the Indian was
thrown to the ground and pinned there with the white man's bayonet.

The names of those engaged in the contest were: Col. Dodge, Lieut. D. M.
Parkinson, Lieut. Charles Bracken, Lieut. Bequette, Lieut. Porter, Lieut.
Kirkpatrick, Surgeon Allen Hill, with Thomas Jenkins, W. W. Woodbridge, John
Messersmith, Jr., Asa Duncan, Benjamin Lawhead, Samuel Patrick, William Carnes,
John Hood, Levin Leach, Alexander Higginbotham, Samuel Black, Domarick McGraw,
Samuel Brents, Peter Parkinson, Jr., Van Waggoner, _____ Wells, ____ Morris and
Rankin. Capt. Gentry came into the field as the firing ceased, and M. G. Fitch,
with another man, were posted as sentinels to watch the retreat of the Indians,
should any be attempted. The entire war party was exterminated by this
Lacedaemonic band, leaving not one to bear the tidings to their chief and
people, that Col. Dodge and his warriors were not in fact of the "soft-shell
breed."

The scene is changed to-day, indeed, from what it was, and the arts of peace
have been nurtured where once the war-whoop was heard.

    *    *    *

There has been some discussion in re the battle of the Pecatonica, but the
above, as also what follows of the Black Hawk war, is taken from the account
published by Col. D. M. Parkinson, which is conceded to be correct.

On the 18th of June, 1832, the fifth volunteer company was formed in the county,
of which D. M. Parkinson was chosen Captain, with Samuel Patrick and Mathew G.
Fitch as Lieutenants, and accompanied Gen. Dodge to Blue Mounds, guarding the
fort there for several days, returning thence to Fort Defiance to make
preparations for an expedition against Black Hawk, who was said to be encamped
with his entire force on Lake Koshkonong.

On the 28th of June, 1832, Col. Dodge's command rendezvoused at Fort Hamilton
(now Wiota), where they were met by Gen. Posey's brigade, preparatory to
commencing an expedition to meet Gen. Atkinson, with the two other divisions of
the army. The force encamped the first night at the East Pecatonica. The second
night the tents were pitched at Devee's old smelting establishment on Sugar
River, where it was joined by Capt. Stephenson's company from Galena. On Rock
River, the command was joined by the Winnebago Chief, White Crow, and Col. W. S.
Hamilton, with a force which had joined them the day previous, and was
designated as the scouting party of the command.

White Crow offered to conduct the entire party to Black Hawk's encampment, which
he said was on Rock River, near Lake Koshkonong. Under his guidance, the force
advanced for several days, over almost impassable swamps, until within a short
distance of the locality as described by White Crow, when they were met by an
express from Gen. Atkinson, ordering them to proceed immediately to his
encampment on Bark River. Col. Dodge felt somewhat vexed to be thus thwarted in
his purpose, and remarked that he was crippled in every movement he wished to
make, by untimely expresses. In obedience to orders, the forces proceeded to the
point indicated. The night previous a volunteer had been killed, and Gen.
Atkinson, thinking the enemy near at hand, was desirous of concentrating all his
forces, preparatory to a general engagement which he contemplated bringing on
the next day.

When Col. Hamilton and his scouts reconnoitered Black Hawk's camp the next
morning, it was ascertained that he had decamped with his whole force. It was
discovered that he had occupied a most advantageous position for defense, and,
from the apparent anxiety of White Crow and his party to lead the forces there,
it was with much reason supposed he was acting in concert with Black Hawk, to
bring on an engagement at that point with the left wing of the army.

Gen. Henry, Gen. Alexander and Col. Dodge, with their respective commands, were
ordered to Fort Winnebago for provisions, and, upon arriving there, it was
ascertained through the Winnebagoes that the Sacs and Foxes were then at Rock
River Rapids. A council of war was held, at which it was decided to return to
camp by way of the Rapids, and preparations, therefore, were accordingly
concluded. Taking a Mr. Paquette as an interpreter and some Winnebagoes as
guides, the command set off, and on the third day arrived at the Rapids, but, to
their surprise, found no Indians there, save some emaciated Winnebagoes, by whom
they were informed that the enemy had moved further up the river to the
Cranberry Lakes. The force encamped for the night, dispatching, meanwhile, an
express to Gen. Atkinson, borne by Adjt. Woodbridge and others, with a Winnebago
for a guide. When they had proceeded about eight or nine miles, they came across
one of the main trails of the enemy, plainly indicating their route as pointing
toward the west. The troops at once returned and communicated the information,
which entirely changed the plan of operations agreed upon; Instead of marching
up the river, as was intended, the force marched down it early the next morning,
and at a rapid pace. The trails were approached quickly, and found to consist of
three—one main center and two flanking trails. The first night the force camped
thereon, and were literally drenched with rain, experiencing the greatest
difficulty in making a fire with which to cook supper. The second night they
camped on the east end of Third Lake; and, previously to their arriving there,
the scouts discovered a large force of Indians, who made a feint to attack, but
were deterred by the volunteers putting on a bold front, and forming in line of
battle, seeing which, the Indians made a precipitous flight into the woods
surrounding the lake. That night the scouts discovered many Indians, and it
appeared the next morning, from information received from Winnebago Indians,
that about one-half the main body of the Sacs and Foxes took post near the
crossing of the Catfish, on the eastern confines of the present city of Madison,
with the intention of there making the attack, should the volunteers attempt a
night pursuit, but, as they did not, the Indians left their ambush about
midnight. The next morning, the memorable 21st of July, the forces were upon the
trail before sunrise, with every expectation of overtaking them soon. The march
in pursuit was consequently rapid. On the banks of the Third Lake, near where
the Lake House in Madison now stands, the advance guard killed an Indian, who,
the Winnebago Indian above alluded to informed them, was sitting upon the grave
of his wife, who had, perhaps, died from fatigue, hunger and exhaustion, and her
disconsolate companion had resolved to await the advancing foe and die there
also, and he boldly bared his naked breast as a willing target for the balls of
the scouts. He but too soon met the death he coveted. This may be thought to
have been cruel, but the motto of the pursuers was "no quarter."

In the pursuit the forces passed an encampment on what has since been called
Pheasant Branch, at the head of Fourth Lake, where was a freshly made Indian
grave, a squaw supposed to have died the night before, and this the place of her
sepulture. About five miles from this spot, the scouts killed an Indian who said
fie was a Winnebago. When in the act of falling, he fired his rifle, wounding
one of the volunteers in Capt. Clark's company. From this point the scouts were
continually chasing the Indians and being in turn chased by them. Consequently,
the march became almost a fight in pursuit of the enemy. Upon one occasion, the
forces were thrown into line of battle, but the enemy immediately receded and a
running fire was kept up by the scouts and the rear guard of the Indians until
the main battle was fought. It was brought about by the chasing of the scouts,
who were commanded by Capt. Joseph Dickson, by a large body of the enemy, who
had been secreted in the low bottoms of the Wisconsin River. While they were
pursuing the scouts up a long slope, the advance portion of the volunteers were
rapidly ascending from the opposite side, and, as a consequence, the contending
armies met at the top. Here they barely had time to range themselves in line of
battle—Cols. Dodge s and William L. D. Ewing's commands forming the front—and
had scarcely faced about when the enemy began firing. Orderly Sergt. John
McNair, of La Fayette County, was wounded in this onset by a shot in the thigh,
but was not conscious of it until the conflict ceased and the enemy had fled. By
this time the remainder of Gen. Henry's command except the command of Col. Fry,
a part of whom were dragoons, was brought into line of battle in less than ten
minutes from the ?commencement of the engagement. After the line of battle had
been fully formed, upon a high eminence and in open ground, considerable firing
was kept up by the Indians, who had taken shelter in some underbrush upon the
bank of the opposite declivity, by which seven of the volunteers were wounded
and one killed, the latter being named Short, and belonging to the command of
Col. Jones. That officer had his horse shot from under him. Seeing that the
volunteers were suffering more in this firing, perhaps, than the Indians, Gen.
Henry ordered a charge, by which the enemy was at once dislodged from its
hiding-place, and fled, during the flight twenty being shot and scalped, making
in all sixty-eight of the enemy killed in the battle. They were pursued to the
bottoms of the Wisconsin, when the volunteers reached the tall grass, which was
wet, it having rained nearly the entire afternoon of that day; and, it being
then nearly dark, further pursuit was abandoned.

The volunteers returned to camp, and, immediately succeeding supper, Adjts.
Woodbridge and Merriman, who had been sent as an express to Gen. Atkinson's
camp, on Bark River, prior to the battle, returned. With them also came Capt.
James B. Estes, afterward of Shullsburg, and now of Galena, but the Indian guide
and Mr. Poquette, the interpreter, left camp immediately after the battle.

On the same night the silence of camp was disturbed by the loud, shrill voice of
an Indian from the summit of one of the highest peaks in that vicinity,
haranguing, as was supposed, for an attack upon the volunteers. Although well
posted and surrounded with a double guard, the strange phenomenon naturally
produced some excitement and was well calculated to test the coolness and
material of officers and men. It was thought that Black Hawk's entire force was
being brought to bear upon the volunteers, in a night attack, the most to be
dreaded of all attacks, especially when made by an Indian enemy. The material
composing the army proved good, however, no man showed the white feather, and
the commanders, in concert with the Indian orator, harangued their men in the
most stirring manner. Gen. Henry, in particular, addressed his men in a
patriotic strain, reminding them of the discredit already brought upon the
"Sucker" arms by the defeat of Stillman, and other similar disasters; appealing
to them in the name of their mothers to vindicate their valor and that of the
"Sucker State." In fact, it was often remarked afterward, that he made a great
"Sucker" speech, under the impluse of which his men no doubt would have well
vindicated, as they had the preceding day, the powers of volunteer arms.

It was afterward ascertained, however, that the Indian chief was making
propositions of peace, instead of urging or cheering on his warriors to battle;
which, no doubt, would have been acceptable, had the Winnebagoes been in camp.
The proposals were said to have been made, that the Sacs and Foxes would
surrender themselves at discretion, and only asked protection for the lives of
their women and children. But, hearing no response, and supposing the
Winnebagoes were with the volunteers, they concluded their proposals were not to
be entertained, and no mercy would be shown them—consequently, every effort was
then made to remove as fast as possible out of the country.

The next day, the slain soldier was buried, and litters were improvised for the
conveyance of the wounded. Expresses were sent to Gen. Atkinson and Prairie du
Chien, after having marched in the morning to the Wisconsin and ascertained that
the Indians, during the night, had effected a crossing. The following morning,
the whole command moved forward toward the Blue Mounds, where it arrived at
night, after one of the most fatiguing days experienced during the war. The
difficulty of conveying wounded men on litters, for thirty miles, over almost
impassable creeks, through swamps, across hills and through thick woods, by a
winding path, was attended with weariness and difficulty of which no one can
well conceive.

Here must be related an amusing and withal, at the time, an alarming incident of
the day —one which has never been forgotten. Although John McNair's wound was a
flesh wound, yet it was so excruciatingly painful that it was only with the
greatest difficulty he could be conveyed in any way. Being the Orderly Sergeant
of Col. D. M. Parkinson, and much attached to that gentleman, he particularly
requested the Colonel to remain with him, saying the boys would kill him,
almost, if he were not along. Desirous to gratify the sufferer, Col. Parkinson
placed his company under the command of Lieut. Mathew G. Fitch, and remained
constantly with McNair. After having carried him in his arms through several
creeks, the Colonel and his charge arrived on top of the East Blue Mound. The
litter by this time had become so broken by the horses, between two of which it
was swung, having to wind and twist along the narrow and devious path by which
the ascent to the mound is made, that it would no longer answer to carry him.
Here was a dilemma, the litter was broken up, it was dark, and McNair declaring
that he could not ride on horseback, with the company far in advance, with all
the provisions and necessary materials for camping. How to extricate themselves
from the difficulties which beset them, was a question difficult of solution;
yet it must be done. At length, Col. Parkinson directed the "boys" to bring the
horses and fragments of litter to the foot of the mound, while he bore McNair as
Anchises did the old Patroclus, on his back, to the encampment.

He accordingly took him up, and, after descending the mound, which was quite
steep, was compelled to lay him down. It seems that he either laid him on, or so
near, a large yellow rattlesnake as very much to disturb the latter, which set
up such a terrible rattling or whizzing as to frighten all hands, who fled
precipitately. Thus deserted, the poor devil who had been the cause of all this
commotion cried out in the most supplicating manner, "Oh, Captain, for God's
sake, don't leave me here to be devoured by these snakes," for there were by
this time evidently two of them, and from the noise in the stillness of the
night, and in the midst of a dense forest, there seemed to be legions of them
giving their fearful notes of warning. The Colonel, recovering from his
momentary fright, and feeling the necessity of instant action, "pitched in,"
caught the prospective victim by the heels and dragged him unceremoneously out
of so dangerous a proximity to a ten times more frightful enemy than Black Hawk,
and, wonderful to relate, the sufferer never uttered a groan. After the panic
was over, McNair expressed his willingness to ride horseback or anything else,
and, in due time, the company's camp was reached.

The next morning after arriving at the Mounds, Gen. Dodge's command was
dismissed to their respective forts for a new supply of provisions. Gen.
Atkinson, who had broken up his encampment on Bark River, soon arrived with his
troops, so that on the 26th of the month, the entire army rendezvoused at
Helena, on the Wisconsin, and, crossing the river, took the Indian trail which
was down the valley, and by the 2d of August, the Indians were overtaken and
most disastrously beaten. Here, as at the battle of Wisconsin, Dodge's command
occupied the front rank, the engagement having been brought on by Capt. Dickson,
who still commanded the spies and was wounded in the conflict. It was more a
massacre than a battle, as the Indians only fought as they were compelled to,
many of them being killed as they were crossing the river, men, women and
children. This was the closing conflict of the war. Black Hawk was soon after
taken prisoner, and conducted through the principal cities of the Union.

Thus ended all Indian difficulties, and from that period the progress of
Wisconsin has been rapid and astonishing.

Among these who settled in the county was M. G. Fitch, Thomas H. Price, who made
claim in the north end of the county; John J. Van Matre and Morgan L. Van Matre,
Ohioans, in the township of Fayette; also Elias Crane, John, George Adam and
Jonathan Helm, in the upper end of Wiota; Rufus and Benjamin Scott, in Willow
Springs; John and William Armstrong, Isaac Bailey, Aaron and Samuel Colly, in
Fayette; James Woods, in Wiota; Christopher Blackgraves, William and James
Tolley, John Parkinson, Elias Pilling, Jacob and George Monahan, in Willow
Springs, and all farmers; Amos Eastman and brother, James, Joseph and Alfred
McKnight, and the Gurley family, in Wayne; D. S. Hawley, John G. Saxton, William
Biggs, William, George and Robert Brazle, Joshua Chilton, Amos Cunningham, Jonas
Shook, the Gabriel family, and others, in Argyle; the Rudolph family, Elias
Slowther, and others, in Gratiot, and in Benton, Belmont and other townships,
the exhibit was equally gratifying.

On the 6th of May, 1835, Gen. Jackson, then President of the United States, in
pursuance of the fourth section of the act of June 26, 1834, issued his
proclamation for a public sale of lands in the Wisconsin District at Mineral
Point, commencing on the 7th day of September, and appointed John P. Sheldon,
Register, with Joseph Enox, Receiver. This attracted purchasers from all parts
of the country, and appreciated the number of population. The land troubles,
growing out of these sales, have already been referred to, but produced no other
than a beneficial effect. From this date on to 1837, when the county, was set
apart, the history of events has been detailed in the pages devoted to incidents
and facts falling within the limit of previous years. From 1827, up to the year
when La Fayette County was organized, its life was as that of an individual.

Thus far has the historian sought to drag up lost honors in the history of La
Fayette County. He may have succeeded imperfectly, but he has labored earnestly,
enthusiastically. There are those who still live that remember some of the
incidents herein recorded, in whose breasts the old fire has not died out
altogether; who remember the spring, the summer and the autumn days of life as
it was lived half a century gone. There are those who aided the beginning of
this undertaking who will ne'er again see the spring sunshine flood the heavens
with transient glory; summer breezes will no more rustle the foliage for some
whom the writer met in happy moments less than a year agone; since, their
funeral trains have wound up the hillsides, and the green earth has opened its
arms to another weary life. The church-yard gate has closed since then, and will
close again before the birds resume their nest-building in the trees that will
wave about the grassy mounds. For here, as everywhere, "He giveth His beloved
sleep."


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY, WISCONSIN,

CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES; AN EXTENSIVE
AND MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES—THEIR IMPROVEMENTS,
INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES; ITS WAR RECORD,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS; THE WHOLE
PRECEDED BY A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, STATISTICS OF THE STATE, AND AN ABSTRACT OF
ITS LAWS AND CONSTITUTION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY.
MDCCCLXXXI. [1881]


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