MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J

MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

The Florence Mining News, Florence, because of the discord among his people Marinette County, Wisconsin, Volume I, and determined to inflict a terrible Number 12 [Saturday, March 19, 1881], punishment. Calling up his aiddecamp [sic page 3, columns 4-6 – aide de camp], he ordered him to manufacture a lot of the most approved and No lake in this country has any standing latest style of thunderbolts, filled with in respectable society, unless it has an glukodine: these he dropped on the heads “injun” legend attached to it. Lately we of the rebellious people, as they were have faithfully and carefully examined the assembled in church, theatre or skating records, in the archives of the Indian rink. The consequence was they were Department, on the shores of the romantic nearly all demolished, and for many a long Lake Chicagon, and have finally succeeded year afterwards, ruin and desolation in ascertaining, why our beautiful crystal brooded over the surface of this charming gem of translucent water, on the south side sheet of water. Finally when but a few of Florence is called Fisher Lake. lingering remnants of the once powerful It seems that long years ago, when the tribe remained, a “pale face” wandered in pine trees bore pine apples and cedar trees and took up his temporary abode on its bore cacoa [sic – cacao] nuts, that there banks. Next day he gobbled a canoe dwelt on the banks of this lake, on an belonging to one of the remnants, and outcrop of dioritic schist – which essayed to take a sail in it. After getting out commanded a magnificent view of the a few rods from shore, retributive justice got turbulent water before him – an ancient after him and in the excitement of the chieftain of the name Skit-a-wau-boo. moment, he dropped his gold mounted Around him dwelt a numerous tribe, the meerschaum pipe overboard. As the water names of nearly all of whom, we could give was clear, he saw it distinctly on the from the parish register, but as some of bottom, which was apparently not over them are necessarily very long – being in three feet in depth. “I’ll fish her out,” he the old style of spelling – we shall omit said aloud as he stepped overboard to putting them in print. Many decades of recover the treasure. But terrible to relate, lunar phenomena, they dwelt in peace and the treacherous bottom gave way, and he contentment. The waters abounded in disappeared forever from sight. The owner frongs, ells and plesiosaurians, the forests of the canoe had rushed to the bank just in were filled with megatheriums, mastodons, time to catch a portion of the words so glyptodons, iguanodons, and the Indians’s recklessly spoken, which were the center heart was glad. But at last came trouble. ones “fish her.” After swimming out and The old chief one day got on the war path, recovering his canoe and also the pipe, and while whooping it up, struck a senior acting under the impulse of a superstitious deacon of the tribe on the snoot and felled feeling, he and the balance of the tribe left him to the ground. The friends of the gray the diggings – skunned [sic] out. The haired patriarch, made a split in the party mysterious words which he had heard the and pronounced the act, one of white man utter, lingered in his memory, unparalleled atrocity. A general tribulation and in aftertime when speaking of the ensured, which after lasting many years, strange occurrence, he would locate it by resulted in the complete demoralization of calling this sheet of water “Fish her” Lake, Skit-a-wau-boo. At this the great Indian which words as the years rolled on, became god Hooternoo became very wrathful, 1 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] contracted into “Fisher,” which name it red deer was only startled by the whirring bears at the present time. arrow, a certain chief had a beautiful daughter named “Singing Wind.” This The Florence Mining News, Florence, Indian maiden was wooed by a young Marinette County, Wisconsin, Volume I, brave belonging to a tribe far to the north. Number 37 [Saturday, September 10, His name was “Slay-the-Bear,” and his 1881], page 3, column 3 deeds of prowess were many. While indulging in the grand fall hunt, the two A LEGEND exists in the Indian archives tribes became involved in a dispute and the at Lake Chicagon, that in the dusky braves donned their war paint. All labrynths of time long past, a birchen intercourse between the clans was canoe, loaded to the gunwales with native forbidden by the respective chiefs and this silver, from a forgotten mine, in the far caused much pain to “Singing Wind” and northwest, undertook to cross the stormy “Slay-the-Bear.” The young brave was waters of Fisher Lake, and that the wild determined to continue his visits to his waves engulphed [sic – engulfed] the same, brown-faced betrothed, notwithstanding the and that it reposes quietly, at the present fact that he knew death for his time, covered over by the crystal element. disobedience, and ridicule, which he Experienced divers will be engaged to regarded as worse than death, for his recover the long lost bonanza. The weakness, awaited him if discovered. He treasure trove is said to represent a value would join “Singing Wind” and the two of $175,000,000, making allowance for would go out on the Spread Eagle lakes in typographical errors. The MINING NEWS a birch canoe and make love in real is not connected with the enterprise. civilized style, bidding fear begone and feasting on the joys of each other’s The Florence Mining News, Florence, countenance. One night, just as the silvery Florence County, Wisconsin, Volume IV, new moon was peeping down upon them Number 28 [Saturday, July 12, 1884], through the treetops, they were surprised page 4, column 1 by a war party. Sooner than survive to be separated they leaped into the water, A SPREAD EAGLE SPOOK. clasped in mutual embrace and sank to _____ arise no more. Ever since that night the Indians claim that the loving children of the INDIAN LOVERS IN A BIRCH CANOE forest appear upon the lakes in a birch HAUNT THE BEAUTIFUL CHAIN OF canoe with the advent of the new moon, LAKES. and glide over the shimmering surface of the miniature sea from one extremity to the It is not generally known that the Bad other, in the position of lovers. At the end Water Indians regard the Spread Eagle of the lake the canoe sinks, carrying with it chain o’ lakes as haunted and look upon the wooing spirits, to appear no more until them with mingled reverence and awe. It is inspired and accompanied by the next a fact that they seldom visit the lakes. Their infant crescent. Fred John, the Spread story goes as follows: Some years ago, Eagle guide, says he has never seen the before their primeval homes were invaded apparition, but says if he does he will take by the rude feet of the pale faces and the to his heels and be seen in Florence at midnight. 2 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings]

the Foxes, who had by her presence of Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, mind, strength and bravery, saved the last Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 18, few men of her tribe from imprisonment and Number 40 [Thursday, February 19, slavery. 1914], page 7, columns 1-2 She saved them then, but they were driven backward to the forests, without LEGEND OF LOWER TWIN FALLS shelter, pursued by the unrelenting French traders, until one by one they dropped off There is no more beautiful scene in all and O-che-kaw and her Indian lover, rather the northwest than the swirling waters of than permit themselves to go into slavery, the lower Twin Falls on the Menominee, hurled themselves into the stream, and and there is nothing more awe-inspiring, were carried down into the whirlpool, no more weird, than the mournful cry, almost trace of them to be seen, nothing to tell of wail, that at times seems to come forth from their fate but the mournful plaint of the the whirlpool at the foot of the falls. It is a waters and the tales carried back by their plaintive cry, and according to an old Indian persecutors. legend, was the mourning of the Great There had been a feeling between the Spirit for the soul of a hero, who in Foxes, the Sauks, and others of the desperation was driven to seek refuge in Wisconsin tribes against the the waters of the falls. encroachments of the pale faces. Across Old Chief Go-wan-ge-seh used to tell the lakes from the north, by the rock-spirit, the tale of the heroic rescue of a band of Michapaux, in the straits of Mackinaw, they braves who had been made captive by the had come, wending their way down into the Indians and French, who were being carried forests of the Menominees, the from the winter quarters to the French fort, Winnebagos, mixing with the Ottawas and then at Green Bay, by an Indian maiden, the Pawnees. They became friendly with the daughter of a brave, and who, when the Indians and establishing trading posts, driven to desperation, had with her faithful were lavish in their presents and in return Indian lover, taken refuge in the bosom of only asked that the red men bring to them the river. their surplus skins. They were not stingy, The Twin Falls are on the Menominee those white men, from the red man’s way of between Florence county, Wisconsin, and thinking. And they had firewater in Dickinson county, Michigan, and is [sic – abundance, firewater which the Indians are] one of the most beautiful sights on the wanted. They grew in favor, and grew in entire river. Tumbling down from the upper power and soon almost ruled the Indians falls the water rushes onward and and their chiefs. downward, one quarter mile to the lower But the Foxes disputed the rights of the falls. Sweeping into the midst of the high new comers. They had no right to come in cliffs, the river swings quickly and the water an d take the lands of the Indians. The whirls in a half circle fall, high on both sides, country was theirs. It had been their with a great grove in the center, rushing into fathers’ and their fathers’ before them and a giant whirlpool at the bottom of which it they did not wish to see the strangers come rages in unlashed fury through the narrow in and take possession, growing to power passage into the wide sweep of the river over the neighboring tribes. beyond. It was into this that O-che-kaw of Often the French traders would ply their way down into the central and southern 3 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] country, up the Fox river, only to be turned destroyed the town, burning everything, and back by the hostile inhabitants. Often fights making habitation there impossible. would occur in which the invaders would Contented, he started back for the fort. suffer loss. Along the way they were surprised by a few Over at Green Bay Capt. Morand was in small attacks from small bands of avenging charge. He had been there for some time, Indians, but in all cases the attacking party coming from Canada, and bringing with him disappeared rapidly into the forests. a band of trained Indian fighters and Retiring back to the northward the backwoodsman, men who knew the Indians Foxes reunited and recovered. They as well as they knew themselves, who returned to their town, and rebuilt their knew their ways and the woodcraft. He wigwams. Defeated, but unconquered, resented the action of the Foxes and often they tried to swing the Indians of the threatened them. But threats were met by country from the French, showing them defiance and the Indians continued to what the outcome of the French invasion thwart his plans and drive his men back would be. In a few cases they succeeded, from their country. and Morand, hearing of their activities again They were in an advantageous position, decided to punish them. Hastily gathering those hostiles. They held the key to the his band of French and Indians he started entire northwest route and Morand wanted across the forests for their camp. Moving the fur trade of that section. He wanted to rapidly and by night they again fought the build up a business that would compare Foxes unsuspectingly and drove them to with that of any of the great fur companies the woods. This time the Foxes were of the continent, to bring back to France a completely demoralized. But they returned wealth of furs to prove his efficiency. to the northwest and settled for the winter. Exasperated, Capt. Morand at the head Capt. Morand was unsatisfied. He knew of a large body of French and Indians, that as long as the defiant Foxes were free started out to drive the Indians from their they would make trouble for him. village, or compel them to acede [sic – Therefore, in the dead of winter, with a accede] to his terms. Dividing into two strong band of hardy followers, he started bands, Morand took one section in canoes on his third attack. and the other was to come in from the rear. Few in numbers, the Foxes had The canoes were covered with oilcloth, to gathered in a small camp where they were give the appearance of loads of provisions awaiting the coming of spring before or goods. All unsuspecting the Foxes saw returning to the lower country to their old the canoes pulling up the river. Lightly camp. While playing at their winter games armed, and unprepared, they watched in the middle of the day, with no arms at Capt. Morand direct the canoes toward the hand[,] unsuspecting, unprepared, they shore and along the banks of the river. found themselves between the two fires of They swept into line. the attacking party. But few escaped, and Suddenly, throwing aside the oilcloth, many were killed. About forty braves were rifles were fired into the unprepared and taken prisoners, together with the squaws completely surprised savages. Almost at and children. Morand had the prisoners the same time the detail appeared in the bound and then started back for the fort. rear and swept the Indians with a cross fire. Chief Min-ne-kan-nee, an ally of the Demoralized they fought back, helplessly, whites, was guarding the party. Trailing finally fleeing to the forests. Morand along the wilderness, the warriors leading, 4 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] and the prisoners in charge of the chief scattered, and few who were not killed or bringing up the rear, hope seemed all but taken prisoners fled to the northward. gone. They were to be taken to the fort O-che-kaw and Te-pak-e-ne-nee, [sic] from whence they were to be sent out to the together made their way northward, Morand friendly tribes that would put them in closely behind. They tried all the tricks of slavery. the Indian crafts to throw the pursuers off Min-ne-kan-nee, becoming thirsty, their tracks, but the Indians could not be stopped at a spring to get a drink. While thrown off. They were finally brought to down on all fours, with his head in the bar. Hiding in the rocks on top of the bluff water, O-che-kaw noticed his helplessness overshadowing the lower Twin Falls of the from attack. Springing quickly upon him, Menominee, without ammunition, without she had his head down in the water. He friends, they saw that death or capture tried to grasp [sic – gasp] out only to have faced them. his mouth filled with water. Pushing him Morand and his followers were suddenly further down she held until his struggles surprised to see the Indian lovers, and last ceased. Taking his knife she cut the bonds of their tribe, suddenly appear in plain view of her tribesmen. They hurried into the on the rocks a few yards away. Knowing forest to make their escape. he had them at his mercy Morand did not Morand was furious. He could do fire. They stood still for an instant, then nothing, however, and went on to the fort, walked together to the edge of the cliff. determined to pursue his enemies and Locking arms they jumped from the cliff. completely exterminate them. Morand hastened forward, but all that Finding that they were not pursued the could be seen to mark the escape of O-che- Foxes went back to their destroyed camp, kaw and Te-pak-e-ne-nee were a few rebuilding it and, taking no chances on feathers floating on the waters of the again being surprised. O-che-chaw, whirlpool. These, too, circled and soon daughter of a brave, was made a chieftess, disappeared from view. an honor seldom bestowed upon any of the And while the stood on the cliff above members of her tribe, and their children silently watching the raging waters, there after her were to become chieftans [sic – rose upward a low, mournful plaint, the chieftains]. greeting and the sorrow of the waters for Te-pak-e-ne-nee, one of the young the brave ones who had been engulfed in braves, had long been her lover, and the its bosom. brave, now taking her for wife, became virtually the chief of the tribe. But the [NOTE: The fort at Green Bay referred to in prowess of O-che-kaw was not forgotten this legend was probably Fort La Baye. and hailed as a deliverer she was obeyed in On a mission for Samuel de Champlain, in [sic] her every word. the governor of New France, Jean Nicolet Their happiness was not for long, was charged with finding a route from the however. With the breaking of spring, news Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. In came of the advance of the French and 1634 he arrived at La Baye des Puans, Indian aliens to again attack them. With O- where the Fox River empties into Lake che-kaw at their head, and Te-pak-e-ne- Michigan, and claimed the region for nee as their fighting chief, they went forth to France. But La Baye did not gain meet their enemies. The battle was short, importance until 1669 when Jesuit and outnumbered the Foxes were missionary Father Claude Allouez, who 5 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] established a mission there, traveled the It was not until after the War of 1812 length of the Fox River and discovered a that financier John Jacob Astor's American waterway to the Mississippi River, indirectly Fur Company secured control of the fur linking the St. Lawrence and the Gulf of trade. Fort Howard at Green Bay and Fort Mexico. Crawford at Prairie du Chine were built to La Baye became a fur-trading center protect U.S. commercial interests. The and its future importance was secured opening of the Erie Canal, linking the Great when Nicolas Perrot was made Lakes to New England, further advanced commandant of La Baye. Perrot was an Green Bay as a trading center. Daniel effective diplomat who made alliances and Whitney platted one part of present-day trade agreements with Native Americans. Green Bay in 1829 and named it Navarino The lands of the upper Mississippi became while Astor platted an opposite section and the possession of the French Empire when built the Astor Hotel to attract settlers. a formal agreement was signed at Fort St. Astor priced his land too high and when the Antoine in 1689, turning a lucrative fur hotel burned down in 1857 his company trading region over to the French. But relinquished claims on the land. Farming when Perrot was recalled to France in was soon replaced by lumber as the 1716, his diplomatic policy was replaced by dominant economic activity in Green Bay a military regime. The resulting tensions and in 1853, the year the city was developed into warfare with the Fox Indians incorporated, 80 million feet of pine lumber that continued until 1740, when fur trading were milled. again prospered and permanent housing Fort St. François (also spelled St. was constructed. Francis) was originally known as French In 1745 Augustin de Langlade Fort de la Baye des Puants, a frontier established a trading center on the bank of outpost and trading post built by Nicolas the Fox River; his relations with Native Perrot. A fortified French Jesuit mission Americans were built on trust and respect. (St. François Xavier) was first established Langlade's large family controlled the here in 1669. The fort was rebuilt and region's trade, owned large parcels of land, renamed in 1717. It was destroyed by married Menominee tribe women, and lived Indians in 1728, and was not rebuilt for five independent of French rule. During the years. It was abandoned in 1760. In 1761 French and Indian War, the Langlades left it became British Fort Edward Augustus but La Baye to fight against the British in Ohio was abandoned during the Pontiac and Canada. The British gained control of Uprising. The original site is on the west what was known as the Northwest Territory side of the Fox River at the foot of the and captured Fort La Baye, which they Dousman Street Bridge, marked by a rebuilt and renamed Fort Edward August. flagpole. A reconstruction is on display at The British also renamed the area Green Heritage Hill Park in Green Bay. Bay, after the green-tinted streaks that Fort Howard, a federal stockade with stripe the bay in springtime. Trade four log blockhouses, was built on the site flourished for both French and English of Fort St. Francis/Edward Augustus. The settlers during the period of British rule and original site is on the west side of the Fox continued to prosper after the Northwest River at the foot of the Dousman Street Territory was transferred to the U.S. Bridge, marked by a flagpole. It was rebuilt government after the Revolutionary War. with frame buildings beginning in 1831, and was abandoned between 1841 to 1849 for 6 MENOMINEE IRON RANGE – NATIVE AMERICAN LEGENDS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] the Seminole War in Florida. The post became a local mobilization center during the Civil War, but was then sold off in 1869. Two original buildings (mess and 1834 hospital) and two reconstructions (a fur trader's cabin and Officer's quarters) are on display at Heritage Hill Park, moved there in 1975.]

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