<<

A Mission to the : Alfred Cope's Green Bay Diary (Part III) Author(s): Alfred Cope Source: The Magazine of History, Vol. 50, No. 2 (Winter, 1967), pp. 120-144 Published by: Wisconsin Historical Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4634223 Accessed: 24/03/2009 12:15

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use.

Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=whs.

Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to build trusted digital archives for scholarship. We work with the scholarly community to preserve their work and the materials they rely upon, and to build a common research platform that promotes the discovery and use of these resources. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected].

Wisconsin Historical Society is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Wisconsin Magazine of History.

http://www.jstor.org A MISSIONTO THE MENOMINEE:

Alfred Cope's Green Bay Diary (Part III)

Synopsis In the last issue of the Magazine (Autumn, 1966), Cope described his and Wistar's in- tense relief at discovering, in their dealings ON October 18, 1848, at a council held at with the twenty-six chiefs summoned to Fort their Lake Poygan headquarters, the Howard to a list of those who were to Menominee reduced in im- compile Indians, numbers, share in the $40,000, that the white stereo- and in the face of increas- poverished, helpless types of the Indian character, with which they ing white encroachment, were intimidated in- had been bombarded since their arrival in to to the federal the last ceding government Green Bay, did not hold true. Instead of find- tribal lands owned them or other In- by any ing the Indians childlike, indolent, unreliable, dians in the formed state of Wisconsin. newly and to chronic drunkenness, the two In subject return they were allotted a tract of 600,000 were struck the chiefs' and less desirable acres in -to which Quakers by dignity intelligence, and above all, their to themselves- by sobriety. they reluctantly agreed deport Even , whose alcoholic exploits and $350,000. Of this sum, and at their own were legendary, behaved in an exemplary man- $40,000 was to be distributed request, among ner throughout the negotiations. persons of mixed Menominee blood as a token This portion of Cope's diary opens as of the tribe's gratitude for favors. past Thomas Wistar is preparing to leave via stage- President , himself a veteran coach and steamer for , there to of the War and well aware of the pick up the $40,000 in gold and to bring it trickeries practiced on the Indians, appoint- back to . Left alone, unencum- ed Thomas Wistar, a wealthy, philanthropic bered by his official duties, Cope was free to Quaker to oversee the payment. Fortunately record at leisure his perceptive, and frequent- for history, Wistar chose Alfred Cope, like- ly witty, observations concerning the Wiscon- wise wealthy, humanitarian, and a devout sin countryside, Green Bay's raucous bull- Quaker of considerable literary ability, to frogs and formidable mosquitoes, the dress accompany him as his assistant. It is from and daily habits of the Menominee, and his Cope's diary, kept while the two men were at vivid, firsthand impressions of an Oneida Fort Howard in the late spring and early sum- Fourth of July celebration culminating in a mer of 1849 supervising the payment, that spirited game of lacrosse. this and the two previous installments are drawn. W.C.H.

120 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

THE Sub-Indian Agent William H. Bruce, presented to him, and he appeared to think it who was to hold council on the 21st of necessary to ask them whether any such claims Sixth month with the c h i e f s relative to should be recognized. Claims for cattle, hogs, traders' claims, in the afternoon of that day &c., alleged to have been killed by their young made his appearanceat the Fort, accompanied men had likewise been set up, upon which he by his secretary', two interpreters,and a num- wanted them to sit in judgment. ber of the people of the town. He invited Oshkosh bluntly replied that they knew of Thomas Wistar to attend, but he declined on no cattle killed by their young men, but they being informed that they were not yet going had lost nearly all their own and had sent in into an examination of claims or an apportion- no claim for them. This money, they thought ment of the $30,0002-the only points to which was for traders. he had been to attention. requested give Then the agent wanted them to tell him, The then with his agent proceeded company as Government had not appropriated enough to the council and the Friends chamber, hoped to cover all their debts, how they meant to they would hear no more of the matter. But settle. The chiefs answered that there were before a came to their long messenger lodgings some traders entitled to particular favour, on from the council with an from urgent request account of their liberality and benevolence the Indians that he would come in. This was to them on certain occasions. irresistible. It was afterwards stated that the To this the he did not think chiefs had refused to enter agent objected: preemptorily upon that was the which claims the business without the of the Com- principle upon presence to be he the debts missioner. As the Friends were ought adjusted: thought inseparable should be rata: he wanted them to on these one was sent paid pro occasions, though only consider this. He then entered into a both went. regular for, the of his On the of the council the disquisition upon meaning Latin, opening agent which the Indians were as much edified made a discourse. The by long chiefs, deviating as one After a defi- from the had heretofore ob- might expect. labyrinthine courtesy they nition, to thread the mazes of which, must served, several times interrupted him with ob- have sorely perplexed the simple-minded bar- jections which he endeavoured to remove as barians, if indeed the interpreter had skill he went along. The traders' claims, as it ap- enough to lead them into it at all, the abstruse peared from his remarks, had been satisfied point was left about where it was found. They some years ago under the provisions of a however could understandwhat was meant by treaty made in 1836, up to that date. This giving each man a share in proportion to his council was held under the treaty of October, claim and agreed to it after a little explanation 1848. Yet some claims prior to the former by the interpreter. and subsequent to the latter date had been The agent then went on to tell the Menomi- nees a piece of news: the President had di- rected that this should be at the 1 money paid Bruce's secretary was Edward Outhwaite, de- council held for the of the scribed as "a young Englishman . . . educated in apportionment Paris, and p o s s e s s e d of a most extraordinary $40,000 and had given the Commissioner mind. . . . His French was notably elegant." See $2,000, to bear the of it. Elizabeth Therese Baird, "Reminiscences of Life in expense Territorial Wisconsin," in State Historical Society This was about as new to the Commissioner of Wisconsin Collections (Madison, 1900), XV:225. as to the Indians. He added that the in the Account Book $30,000 Outhwaite is also mentioned had he kept by Alfred Cope, the original of which is in the not arrived, yet understood this Com- Quaker Collection, Haverford College. missioner was going away the next day. An- 2 In addition to $40,000 to be distributed among other council would, have to be the mixed-blood Menominee, the treaty of 1848 set therefore, aside another $30,000 to enable the tribe to settle its called, and he had no means of meeting the financial affairs before removal to Minnesota. This expense unless he should advance money of was understood to include claims against the tribe his which he would do if would made by traders, which Wistar describes as amount- own, they ing to $140,000. Wistar to Abram Taylor, June 19, repay him hereafter. Collec- 1849, in the Thomas Wistar Papers, Quaker This was a nice proposition. The Govern- tion, Haverford College. The letter was written from Green Bay. ment had frightened the Indians into selling

121 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

ALTHOUGH THE AGENT had left no 1N problem for the chiefs to solve they had one of their own, of deep interest to them- in their , selves, which they had been pondering ill(II% hearts ever since the Friends had been with them, but had as yet found no opportunity to unravel. They believed the presentation of Green Bay Historical Bulletin, 1928 their remonstances to the Government had been obstructed.4 Fort Howard in 1818. Drawing made by Frederika Crane from the original in the War Department. It was a question whether the presence of an official person among them, in communi- their lands for a certain price. Part of that cation with the Government and friendly to price was to go to the payment of the traders, them, did not offer the means of getting round and now they were asked to appropriate an- the difficulty: an importantquestion for them, other part to the expenses of a council for which they now resolved to test in the pres- the benefit of those traders. ence of the agent-the very person whom they The assertion that the Government had suspected, whether justly or not, of obstruct- given Thomas Wistar $2,000 for this very ing their intercourse with the Power in whose purpose was sufficiently cool. As silence hands, under Providence, their destinies were would, very justly, have implied assent, that placed. Unless the agent should forbid their Friend took the liberty of appropriating the speaking, or the interpreterrefuse to act, they services of the interpreter for a few moments thought they now saw a way of sending their while he stated the simple fact that at the time cry to the ear of their Father without the of his agreement to the terms of the Menomi- employment of any secret method which might nees, he had not heard and was entirely involve them or their friends in difficulty ignorant of the matter of the $30,000, nor was hereafter. there a word upon the subject in his instruc- It was an experiment full of anxiety for tions. The request that he should give any them, yet they maintained their usual quiet- attention to it was an after-thought, and he ness of manner and composure of counte- was under no obligation whatever in relation nance. This power of self-command strikes to it. one forcibly and seems to proceed from a na- The agent said no more about it. tive nobility of character which occasionally The chiefs objected, firmly, but in moderate raises these people from degradation to dig- terms, to bearing the expense of coming to nity. At any rate, it is calculated to inspire Green Bay on this business. The agent, they the beholder with respect and sympathy. said, had promised the delegation recently sent [Chief] Carron had been selected to to him from Powawhaykonnay [Lake Poy- speak, and he did so in terms of Christian gan], to remonstrate against being brought forbearance. No reflection or censure was down to meet the Commissioner, that the cast upon any one-no complaint made of the $30,000 should be paid at the lake.3 There manner in which the treaty of last fall had the treaty was made and there they thought been imposed upon them. He restricted him- was the proper place to transact the whole self to an earnest statement in few and simple business. Heretofore, it had not been cus- words of the anguish they felt on being torn tomary to bring them to the Bay for such from the land of their fathers and the dread purposes. with which they looked toward the dark and Bruce plumply denied these assertions, and disconsolate future. according to the notes kept by the Friends of the conference with the lake delegation, the Indians were mistaken in that respect. ....

4Indians could address complaints or petitions to the government in Washington only through an In- 3Lake Poygan was the Menominee headquarters, dian agent. Often the agents, for reasons of their and it was here that payments were customarily made. own, failed to transmit such documents.

122 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

On the re-opening of the council he came sides, these high plateaux are from superior forward, and shaking hands with the agent elevation alone considerably colder than the and the Friends, began by expressing the great lower lands near the lakes, the climate of satisfaction they had enjoyed in their inter- which, moreover, is tempered by the vicinity course with the Commissioner and his treat- of those great bodies of water. If in addition ment of them. But, he added, when their at- to these influences, we take into view the tention was called from the contemplation of effect of an advance of four degrees towards this agreeable subject to that of their removal, the pole, we can better appreciate the force of their satisfaction was turned into sorrow; the Sachem's comment. when they thought of it, their hearts rose in The Friends were curious to know how the their throats and choked them so that they should have had the opportunity could not did not want to speak. They go. of personal acquaintance with a country so The distance was and the land was long distant from their usual haunts. On inquiry strange to them, and they would be near un- it was stated that on more than one occasion friendly people, by whom, they expected, in former days they had rambled into that would lose their lives. Besides, the land many region during their winter hunts. was almost without game or fish, and bad for The of their removal intro- corn. They did not think that they could live subject being the the chiefs now to on it. They had once seen it. Nevertheless, as duced, agent requested name the men who were to their new they had promised to do so, they were willing explore to their He to look at it again. residence, preparatory departure. he to have suitable made The agent offered no interruption to the wanted, said, clothing for and there must be nine one speaker, but when he had done said a few them, chosen, for each band. words in commendation of the country. He told them they would find things different The Indians answered that they would give from what they were when they had visited him that information at Powawhaykonnay it before: roads would be open, garrisons when the payment was made. Before that busi- established, and, shortly, a steamboat would ness was completed, the expedition could not ply on the Crow-wing river. He had under- start. As this procrastination did not comport stood the land was good for corn. with the wishes of the agent, he told them he Oshkosh here broke in with some impa- wanted to know now, that he might fit them. there was no use in tience, saying praising no idea of hurried into the had seen it. It was 125 They, having being country: they a thing to which they were altogether averse miles above the Falls of St. Anthony, and for the sake of a few new coats, told him he high prairie.5 that an assort- These were than might manage by bringing up stronger objections they ment with him. He that in that case at first to be. The rejoined might appear high prairies it would rest with them to find men to fit are destitute of streams and timber, nearly the coats, to which they assented with a laugh. and consequently of game and fish. They are They seemed for a moment to forget their sor- hot in summer-so great a surface scorching row in this small victory. being exposed to the direct action of the sun, and insufferably bleak in winter-there being Sho-ne-nieu remarked, that he had thought so little obstruction to the full sweep of the of going, but he had come to the conclusion northern blasts which drive with the fury of that he was too old for such a journey, and ocean gales across those extended plains. Be- would send a young man in his stead. The agent replied that the journey would be made easy to them; that three teams were provided to carry them over land and steamboatswould be used by water, where they plied upon the 5The Indians were justified in their complaints. route. He had $4,000 for the which The Crow Wing drains a high, sandy plain which purpose, was created by a huge glacial lake called Lake though less than it ought to have been, would Wadena. George M. Schwartz and George A. Thiel, do a good deal towards helping them along Minnesota's Rocks and Waters: A Geological Story (Minneapolis, 1954), 260. pleasantly.

123 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

The council being about to close, Thomas knowledge of Chippewabeing common among Wistar informed the chiefs that they should all the north-westerntribes, books have been have three barrels of flour and two of pork published in it which have been made use of to take home with them, and the agent would by missionaries among several nations in that attend to their delivery, whenever wanted. portion of our country. The council then adjourned. The Indians spent more than an hour in this exercise, and some one expressing a fear that they would themselves, Lamotte HE TIME of the Indians' departure, after weary answered, that they could spend the whole the close of the council, was an- agent's night in that manner without other of on their account. Not- fatigue. period anxiety The Friends prepared early next morning withstanding their good conduct thus far, and to start from Green for Fond-du-lac in the failure in of those Bay signal every particular company. One of them had business there, who had prophesied evil concerning them con- and the other would onward via Mil- the false ventured once proceed tinually, prophets waukie, Chicago, Detroit, &c., to New York, more to raise their voices. Yet, in all boding for the specie.6 They thought they had taken this the Menominee sinned not, nor did aught a final leave of the poor Menominees and to forfeit the character for self-denial which should have no more intercourse with them. he had won so well. But this, it appeared, was not yet to be the It was said: "These Indians will not go off, case. The grief which preyed upon the hearts without a frolic, at the last; such a thing was of these oppressed ones had not yet found never heard of; they will treat resolution, sufficient vent .... now, to a certainty." But this was error or At 5 o'clock on the morning of the 22d, as calumny. Oshkosh, perhaps, the most liable the Friends were about to pass out of the of his nation to be overcome by the seductions Fort, they found Lamotte, Oshkehenannew, of the firewater, as if fearful of his weakness Tahko, Carron,' and some others assembled and still desirous not to wound the feelings in the porch in front of their quarters with and disappoint the hopes of his new friends, an interpreter, named George Johnson, of avoided exposure to temptation by immedi- Green Bay. They requestedan audience. They ately embarking in his canoes with all his wanted, they said, to send a message and to own company, though the day was far ad- claim the intercession of the Commissioner vanced and evening at hand. He proceeded with their Great Father at Washington. They homeward, the Friends were told, without were afraid their messages, heretofore, had stopping at the town. He thus escaped snares, not reached him, or he would have taken some which no doubt were prepared for him, and notice of them. proved himself to be possessed of a greater Carron spoke first and began by saying share of virtue than had been ascribed to him. that he "was a member of the Roman Catholic Most of the other chiefs with their respec- church, and lived in the fear of God, and tive attendants also went away that evening, would not tell a lie." (This he said probably and all, without a single exception known to in consequence of a charge made against him the Friends, departed with the sobriety they by the Indian agent in council the day before had observed throughout. Only the Roman of misrepresentingthe sentiments of the other Catholic company remained in the Fort that chiefs in relation to the place of payment of night, and they closed the occupations of the the $30,000.) day in a manner which under the circum- stances was gratifying to the feelings of the Friends and consistent with the profession of 6 the Indians by assembling together, men and The reference is to the $40,000 to be paid to the women, in one of their apartments and sing- mixed-blood Menominee. in tones the which had 7Lamotte, Oshkehenannew, and Carron are dis- ing plaintive hymns cussed in footnotes to the two preceding articles in been taught them in the Chippewa language. the series (Summer and Autumn, 1966, issues). It may be mentioned that Menominee, not Tahko may have been Chief Tan-kau-mha-ki-chin, or Little Chief. State Historical Society of Wisconsin having been reduced to writing, and some Collections (Madison, 1892), XII:193.

124 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

He said that all of them looked upon their not imposing in appearance or deportment, removal to the Crow-wing River as an act of neither were the women. Of the latter there destruction and that if it must be that they were about twelve in the company, rather tidy were to come to nothing, they would rather in appearance, of medium stature-several, of it should happen in their old homes than in comely countenances but none remarkablefor a strange land. In going there they would be beauty. They wore their long, black, and going among enemies, who were more power- glossy tresses neatly parted, after the fashion ful than they. (Johnson explained that it was of white women, but confined by a fillet [head the they so much dreaded; a ferocious band] only. Their heads, as appeared to be race, perpetually at war with all others.) Car- the general custom of the Indian women of ron further said that they felt like men going that region, were always bare except when to meet death; they expected that most of the blanket or outer robe was drawn over them would perish by violence. They spoke them in the form of a hood. They did not thus to the Commissioner because he was a sustain the reputation of their sex for volu- good and true man and the only one the bility, their voices being very seldom heard. Government had ever sent among them, who They were dressed in garments of blue cloth: seemed to feel for them; and they hoped he leggings, a narrow and short frock, and an would repeat their words to their Great Father. anomalous sort of upper covering which might They did not refuse to go, if it was his will- be called a very long short-gown. The only they were now preparing to send their young decoration was a little embroidery and lace, men to explore the country; but, at the thought on extra occasions, about the ankles. The nar- of going, their hearts rose into their throats. rowness of the frock gave them all an awk- The Commissioner most willingly promised ward, hobbling gait preventing the free mo- to communicate to the President all that Car- tion of the limbs, and the custom of carrying ron had confided to him but kindly cautioned their little papooses and other burdens on the chief not to build upon that, for however their backs, with a band to aid in supporting friendly the feelings of the Quakers, they had them across their forehead, gave them an un- no influence in the Government. .... graceful stoop and the habit of projecting with face downward. The Commissioner told these the head forward the poor people This was most observable in the older that he could not express the extent of his posture women. The of bearing burdens in sympathy for them; that his feelings would practice that manner is begun the girls early in not permit him to speak many words; that by he looked them as and so bade life. They occasionally relieve their mothers upon brothers, the over their own them farewell. Men, women and children by slinging youngsters shoulders, back to back. It was quite an odd pressed forward, to give a parting salutation to behold the demure little creatures, to the Friends, who separated from them with sight much with tawny skins and coal black eyes, hang- feeling. with an air of entire satisfaction at the The week at the old Fort in com- ing passed backs of their elder sisters, who to with the Menominees had been one of appeared pany be quite insensible of their presence. One deep interest and much satisfaction. If, under of the custom is that it leaves the Indians should derive advantage Providence, the any hands for work or The in- benefit from whether moral or disengaged play. permanent it, to the old is bound to that satisfaction would be fant, according usage, temporal, greatly a board and into a birch bark case increased . . slipped with only the head and arms at liberty. No needle work was observed to be going on among the women, though that art, as THE MENOMINEES collected on this oc- well as porcupine-quilland bead-work,is prac- casion were-men, women and children- tised by them at home. Their hands appeared fifty in number. They were probably not the to be pretty fully occupied in the care of worst specimens of their people, perhaps the their children and the preparation of food for best. As has been stated before, the men were their liege lords. The young men gave them

125 WISCONSINMAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

:r A :r.: : _ i k: :.,)': l _ w~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~... j _

......

...... ??..- . . ..?i ps

'. _ ",.S~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~??_ i. . l' , j _ .-- _

I::~~:

_ l _ ., . labs~~~~~~~~~~: . :^.,-?i4

Menominee types, as depicted by two different artists. (Above) two chiefs ?* sketched by James Otto Lewis at the Treaty of Greenx Bay in 1827: (left) iI*.. _ Ma-che-ka-kator the Bad Hawk; (right) Ma-ko-me-taor Bear's Oil. Both are taken from Lewis' The Aboriginal Portfolio, published in Philadelphia in 1835.

..iI . .. .

???r ;'ii;00a ! '

.....:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-azbr.....-

Of :f ?f : I:?:

*,!} ||-~museum in Linz, Austria... . i _12s;,6 -.

Meoie cide let n Mnmne ot ih lyppesuki oanBpitWngea utinats h iie his?? har kthdb th Obrstrecihs ad- Wicni n15-81.Teoiiasaei museum:inDiiLiz Autr ?: ?-.i?;iiia~12

Wisconsinin 1850-1851. The originals are in the OberosterreichischesLandes- COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY some aid in the culinary departmentby bring- made. Could one have lived in a white com- ing water and wood and preparing the latter munity of the same number for the same for the fire. Whether such courtesy was prac- time, selected at random from the destitute, tised in the woods was not explained, but it and have been able to render as good an ac- seemed to sit easily upon them, like an estab- count of them? The Menominees are said lished habit. It is probable that when war or never to steal: it is a crime they hold in con- the chase or any other pursuit engages the tempt. They did not mind begging a little or attention of the men, the women perform all borrowing. But whatever they borrowed, they the household drudgery. It appeared, how- faithfully returned. They showed even a dis- ever, that this was no longer considered de- position to be generous, according to their grading to assist the weaker vessel in menial small ability. One evening, a deer, as is the offices-another token of a little advance in habit of the animal at that time of day, ap- civilization. What the habits of these people proached the water's side to get a drink. A were at home could not always be inferred young hunter spied and shot him. Next day from proceedings at this time. The regularity a smoking haunch made its appearance on of their meals was spoken of as an instance. the table of the Friends. The of the council at stated hours holding Probably, there has seldom been a quieter obliged them to arrange their times of eating and more harmonious than these in When no such exists community conformity. necessity fifty Indians and two Quakers constituted. they are said to be altogether irregular, being Even the lads and little ones of the the calls of and the partook only governed by appetite general quietude, with some small exception. supply of food. Nature had favoured several of the youths One thing was remarkable among them, with considerable vocal powers, which they for the which could hardly have been assumed were now and then ambitious of displaying occasion-the universal decorum which pre- in strains more remarkablefor shrillness than vailed. It gave evidence of good discipline melody. The foppish son of the Sachem, al- order and har- or an intuitive attachment to ready noticed, possessed a particularly pierc- mony. No squabbling children, contentious ing voice to which he gave vent in cries that youths, or scolding wives were to be found once would have blanched the cheek of the in the company. If differences existed they frontier settler. It made a nearer approach were hushed up. Only in one instance did to the scream of the steam-whistle than one a little lad, who had been handled rather would have supposed human organs capable roughly by his playmate in sport, appear for of. It was generally, when engaged in their a moment to lose his temper. He rushed to- evening sports, that the young barbarians wards the offender quite furiously, but before amused themselves with such performances. reaching him turned suddenly on his heel and The son of the Sachem with some of his com- walked quietly in another direction with a rades occasionally spent their nights on the countenance as composed as if nothing had town side of the river, and sometimes in the happened. The children never meddled, at dead of night his shrill whoop was heard least with any thing belonging to the premises, awakening the echoes. It forcibly called to though many little matters were lying about mind the bloody, border tales of old when and no care taken to watch or secure them. the same cry, bursting at midnight from the Strict honesty prevailed with all ages. Poultry, thick forest, was immediately followed by various implements and household utensils, the sharp and fatal crack of the rifle, the very desirable to these needy people, were whiz of the tomahawk, and the flaming fire- exposed night and day, yet not one of them brand. ... was was taken or even displaced, so far as Although the noonday heat during the observed. The lodgings of the Friends were period of holding the council was so great as not locked, the front door being kept shut at to give sensible evidence of the presence of night by a stick, the lower end of which rested mid-summer, the coolness and silence of the against a small projection from the entry nights seemed rather to betoken early spring. partition. No attempt at intrusion was ever The insects, which during our summer eve-

127 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

nings fill the air with various sounds, did succeeding day being ended, the several as- not appear to have awakened as yet to life semblies again convened. and activity. To be sure, quite early in the Later in the night, the deep silence which evening before the heat of day had altogether mostly prevailed, the peculiar brilliancy of subsided, the unwelcome music of innumer- the stars, and the effect of the auroral light able mosquitoes was perceptible enough, but which was frequently observed, were very im- not a cricket or insect of any other kind raised pressive. The northern light as seen at this a chirp. The young Indians and the frogs time was much like that of early dawn without had it pretty much to themselves. its blush, and added to the effulgence of the Now if any man wants to know what frogs heavenly bodies, kept up a gentle twilight, can accomplish in the matter of making a often through the whole night. noise, let him take a summer trip to Green Oshkosh had two sons with him at the Bay. Had the Word-maker who invented the council-one of them nearly of age, and the epithet which was to denote the cry of this other quite a little boy. No one, from any- sonorous reptile first listened to these North- thing that passed publicly, could have inferred western Stentors, he would have been more the relationship that existed between the boys apt to style it a bellowing than a croaking or the father. Whatever might have been felt, creature. The Green Bay gentry are assuredly there was no manifestation before folks of no croakers. On hearing them one might im- paternal, filial, or fraternal affection or in- agine they had been more successful than terest. Whether they were sons of the same Aesop's unfortunate experimenter and had mother was not stated. The Sachem is a biga- actually made some considerable approxima- mist-as distinguished men who can afford tion to ox-like proportions; but when it is it are allowed to be among the pagan Indians. seen that they are scarcely larger than the One could not discover that he took at any dwellers in our own marshes, one is the more time the least notice of his sons, or they of surprised at the capabilities of their lungs. him. If the chief exercised authority over In point of voice, they are well entitled to them it was by a kind of influence impercepti- the appellation of bull-frogs. Every evening ble to the Friends. Whether the custom of they seem to assemble in mass meetings at curtain-lecturing8obtains among the Indians several localities along the river shores, as if was not ascertained. When the lads were en- some weighty matter relative to Frogdom was gaged in their evening amusementswithin the to be discussed. Two or three-perhaps of area of the Fort-the Sachem's sons among the older and more experienced ones-were the rest-a perfect equality appeared to reign usually heard for some minutes haranguing, among themselves and a perfect indifference as it were, the green-headed multitude which among the chiefs as to which of them might listened in profound silence till some lucky bear the palm. The heads of the Nation were hit or uncommon burst of eloquence, or usually seated, with their pipes, looking grave- one can't tell what, suddenly inflamed the ly at the merry group before them, Oshkosh, enthusiasm of the living mass, when such an distinguished from the others only by his uproarious expression of fellow feeling would odd, and to our notions, most uncomfortable break forth as might amply satisfy any stump- as well as undignified posture. Seated on a orator-biped or quadruped-that he had bench, he would throw his body forward so fairly won the hearts and suffrages of his dear as to bring his head as nearly as he could to auditors. The vociferations would soon sub- a level with the knees, on which his elbows side and the solitary voice again be heard rested, his back approaching a horizontal line. In this for a short time, again to be drowned in a strange attitude he would remain for a himself with the universal bellowing. T h e s e performances long time, silently regaling fumes of tobacco and kinni-kinnic. were mostly continued about the length of time commonly allotted to town meetings, when, an adjournmenttaking place, the multi- tude would peaceably retire to their slumbers, 8 A censorious lecture given behind the confines of no more to be heard till the pursuits of the a bed curtain.

128 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

The article called kinni-kinnic in Wiscon- treated before it, and by the time the chamber sin is the inner bark of a species of dog-wood was well filled with the vapour it was emptied (Cornus Sericea). The same name is applied, of them, and so pleasant was the exchange, elsewhere, to quite another plant (Arbutus that from greatly disliking the odour of the Uva-ursi or Bearberry), said to be used by pipe one of the Friends, at least, found him- Indians for the same purpose. self in danger of coming to like it purely by force of association. And who knows but the THE LOVE of tobacco smoke is believed poor Indian, instead of being impelled to the by some to be akin to the love of ardent pipe by love of luxury, may have taken to it spirits. Both are said to fascinate men in dif- in this mosquito land simply in self-defence. ferent degrees by their intoxicating properties, But so abstruse a speculation may be left to for the dreamy, listless state of the thorough- the investigation of those western antiquar- going smoker is thought to be the first stage ians, now so assiduously engaged in searching of inebriation. These Indians, however, in- out hidden things. It is a truth, however, that termingle so large a share of the bark with these Menominees do spend a very large share their tobacco, as much to weaken its effect, of their lives in puffing smoke. One would and it seems as if it might be a pure liking like to see them making more profitable use to smoke, without reference to narcotic in- of that time which is committed to them, as fluence, which attaches them so strongly to well as to us, for useful occupation, and not the pipe. This liking manifests itself in vari- for listless reverie. Yet some allowance must ous ways in this northwestern region and is be made for them; these Wisconsin mosqui- by no means confined to the Indian popula- toes might drive a tobacco-hater to the pipe. tion. In travelling through the country it is Schoolcraft10says he has seen valiant men, very common to see a smoking apparatus who would face without blinking the rifle of [smudge] placed to windward of a house that the Indian and the roar of artillery, quail at the inmates may get the benefit, without the the onset of this countless host. trouble of whiffing. This, it may be imagined, In the long twilight after the evening meal, is quite another sort of habit from that of the lads a t t e n d a n t at the Fort frequently smoking and is intended rather to free one amused themselves with some active sport. from a great annoyance by substituting a A favourite one was much like that which is smaller than for the purpose of gratifying the known among our boys as prison-base, or as nose. But is it not a gratification to be rid they corruptly pronounce it, prisoner's-baste. of one's persecutors, and are we not all apt This, being an old English game, could not to become attached to that which rids us of have been taken from our aborigines. Whether trouble, so that, from liking the effect we soon it was borrowed by the Indian boys from the come to like the cause? children of their conquerors, or whether like However this may be, it was an agreeable propensities in nations so differently circum- fact, observed repeatedly, that as the curling stanced have produced like results, must be cloud gradually rolled onward from the ranks left for the antiquaries aforesaid to unravel. of the chieftains towards the seat of the Com- What was chiefly interesting to the Friends missioner, certain venomous little pests re- in this matter was the agility displayed by these untrammelled children of nature. The free movement of the limbs, the bounding step, the ringing laugh and perfect good hu- mour of the lads, were pleasant to observe. 9Kinnikinnick generally was made of tobacco, su- Gentleness was not a feature of the sport, but mac leaves, and the inner bark of a species of dog- wood, but its composition varied from tribe to tribe a cuff or kick was never taken amiss, although and location to location. Other materials included in it now and then the party thus roughly assailed sometimes were the bark of leaves of red osier, bear- berry, silky cornel, and ground dogwood. The name was derived from the Cree or Chippewa dialect of Algonquian, and it means "what is mixed." Frederick Webb Hodge (ed.), Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico (Bureau of American Ethnology 10Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, explorer, ethnologist, Bulletin 30, Washington, 1907), pt. 1:692. and nineteenth-centuryIndian expert.

129 WISCONSIN MAGAZINEOF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

. ..._......

1 f..kof; ,i ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.( ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~-

Ma,. F ew1 i;1 tis pantin in 86,dsrie t nhs oe asGeoge "Twoatlnwhomad Menominee youths at full-length,in beautiful dresses, whose names onI~~~~~~~~~~~?hi 'courtingdidnot get-one flute' ...." with Catlin'shiswar notesclub inappear hishand, in Thomasan theDonaldson,other blowing The George~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i Catin Inia Galer inteUS aina1887J.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~s uem(mtsoinIsiuin

`??:1 ~13

Aw.

7. 130

'courtinglute...... Catlin's notes appear in ThomasDonaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gallery in the U.S. National Museum (Smithsonian Institution, COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY might be prostrated with violence. It is part bore an amiable countenance with an almost of the Indian's training to despise and laugh childish expression of innocence and good at pain. nature. To his head-when he wished to be finer than common-he rib- One runt of a boy had brought his bow appended sundry and would fain win the admiration of the bons of divers colours, yellow, blue, red and which floated in the air like so white strangers by his feats. The red-headed green, many in the fort's had streamers. He refrained from painting, think- woodpecker [living flagpole] the fair of nature-a smooth reason to regret this ambition. The quiet and ing perhaps gifts of his home were at an end. The skin of a clear bronze, a little warmed by an security obscure bloom the cheek-would not be head of the old flagstaff often resounded with upon the hard inflicted it the swift improved by the addition of lamp-black or thumps upon by ochre. and well-aimed arrows of the boy. But if he yellow was a good shooter, woodpecker was a good Another youth likewise but lately out of dodger and withal a bird of observation and his minority, with not quite an equal share of seemingly, capable of drawing conclusions. personal graces yet good looking, invoked the The top of the staff was flat and some eight- aid of the brush and painter's palette to eke een inches across. After several hair-breadth out that which was lacking, and having one escapes-in consequence of perching too near day bestowed more than ordinary care on his the circumference of his little circle that he toilette, paraded himself, with a most serious might scan the movements of his tormentor- air before the Friends that his labour might he made the notable discovery that by keeping not be lost upon them. He had divided his in the middle he would be preserved intact visage into two compartmentsby a horizontal and might scold to his heart's content at the line passing immediately under the nose. The murderous efforts of the boy below. The boy, lower division he had painted jet black, the finding he got nothing but scolding for his upper, glowing vermilion. The great contrast pains, at length abandoned the siege and ex- produced a very strange effect. On the centre ercised his artillery upon more tangible sub- of each cheek he had pencilled, with the deli- jects. But the bird did not again recover cate touch of an artist, a black star. Having confidence and composure, and after scolding faced the Friends long enough to insure an in a sharp, querulous note for a few days impression, he gravely walked away. at the beneath longer strange doings him, Saving the specimens mentioned, it is not his and spread wings decamped. remembered there were any other handsome It has been several times remarked that the fellows in the company. One element of beau- Menominees are not a fine-looking race. ty, however, seemed to be common to all, old Among the young attendants upon the chiefs and young-small feet and delicate, soft there were a few exceptions to the general hands. The latter was not a favourable indi- ugliness. One or two of them were not un- cation. Habits of industry, if they had some- conscious of this and were quite willing that what injured the looks of the hands, would others should not be so. There was a fine, have conferred substantial benefits in return. straight youth, familiarly called the aide-de- The Menominees, unlike some other nations camp of the Sachem-"A form more active, of Indians, have no to a talent light and strong, ne'er shot the ranks of war pretensions for nor is it known that of their along"-and a more neatly turned and muscu- oratory, any ancestors have been for elo- lar pair of legs have seldom sped hunter after distinguished Their of is and the red deer. They were duly decked with quence. style speaking simple buckskin leggings-no doubt, the spoil of the unadorned by that bold and beautiful im- chase and the trophy of his own success- agery, drawn from nature, which frequently fitted by the hand of a cunning workman and characterizes the speeches of savage nations. garnished with long fringes of the same ma- Yet one thing was remarked of them: they terial, which extended the length of the leg. all, at least all who spoke in this council, He moved with the air and gait of a man seemed quite at their ease when thus engaged. sensible of the superiority of his parts, yet Not one exhibited any of that awkwardness

131 WISCONSIN MAGAZINEOF HISTORY WINTER, 1967 and embarrassment common to white men refrained from intoxication, did not always unaccustomed to address the public. return to sleep in the Fort. Their language is far from being musical Generally, by 9 o'clock, the sally-port was in its tones. It abounds in guttural, nasal, locked, and all intercourse between those with- and half-articulated sounds, and its flow is out and those within ceased till break of day. perpetually interrupted by obstructions, as though the speaker stammered slightly or as ON THE MORNING of the 21st of Sixth if his vocal organs were too contracted for month, the Friends took what they be- the passage of the huge, uncouth words that lieved to be a final leave of the interesting of struggled for utterance. The gesticulation people to whom they had been sent. They several speakers was animated; sometimes immediately proceeded to the town of Green in more so than consisted with the subject Bay where the Indian agent furnished them hand. But this is common with all people with a stage-wagon and a pair of spirited whose vernacular does not furnish a sufficient horses to convey them to Fond-du-lac, distant of words to their ideas variety convey fully 60 miles at the upper end of ; and of countenance and distinctly. Variation the Commissioner, on his way to New York, posture comes in to aid poverty of expression. for the specie; the other Friend, after attend- Before closing these observations upon the ing to some business near the head of the it in fairness to all Menominees, ought par- lake, to return again to Green Bay and there ties to be that in the acknowledged although occupy himself in making the needful prep- restraint which the chiefs their put upon ap- aration for the payment, which it was agreed on this the petite for ardent spirits occasion, should take place on the 9th of Seventh month. Friends believed were in- truly they mainly The ride to Fond-du-lacoccupied a day and fluenced a desire to those who had by oblige a half pretty diligently. Forty-four miles were treated them with a kindness to respectful performed the first day, which was fast travel- which they were unaccustomed; yet no little ling when the nature of the roads is con- was also due to the vigilance of the Indian sidered. To one who had never before visited the of Green and agent, magistracy Bay, last, a western wilderness, portions of the way pre- not of Shaler." it least, Captain Nevertheless, sented the charm of novelty and the oppor- was obvious all enough that, notwithstanding tunity of some little insight into the character Indians have found this vigilance, the might of a primitive forest. The first ten miles was for and of this ample opportunity indulgence; through a settled country; the half of that several of them sorrowful on a gave proof distance next to Green Bay might be said to occasion. subsequent be thickly settled: in the other half the popu- The Friends, on coming into the Fort with lation grew gradually thinner as the travellers them as an inducement to them to do likewise, advanced. had promised not to leave the premises till The forest became dense and the trees tall, the council was over, and they kept their word but none so stout as to justify what has been strictly. But it soon became evident that the said of the magnitude of western trees. Beech, free-born ranger of the woods could not brook birch, white linden, several limits so narrow, and the Friends were poplar, maple, kept kinds of and here and there in constant the habit in which oak, pine, a shag- trepidation by bark a number of them of (a rough-looking hickory) chiefly com- daily indulged spending the woods: chestnut and black the of their in the town. pose walnut early part evenings are said to be is No so far as came unknown; yellow poplar rare, harm, however, appeared, if found at all. of it. They always returned, seasonably and soberly to their lodgings, with the exception No wild creatures made themselves visible of some of the young men, who, though they except such as were on the wing, though deer and small game are not scarce; yet for aught that a stage-travellercould discover the woods were as devoid of animal life as our own. With to insect life, the case was somewhat 1 Captain Ephraim Shaler, officer in charge of Fort regard Howard while it was not garrisoned. different: winged flies of various hues and

132 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY dimensions, from a brown creature about the use, to range at will. It was curious to ob- size of a humble-bee [sic] to tiny gnats, serve the herds under a scorching sun avoid swarmed in the air and buzzed and bit inces- the shade of trees where insects most abound, santly. Yet the travellers at this time were and place themselves where they could feel said to be much favoured by the smallness of the full effect of the powerful rays, thus ex- their number. These creatures are short-lived, changing a greater for a smaller evil. Crea- and generation follows generation in rapid tures, who with us manifest a shyness of each succession. But there is a brief period be- other, press closely together in promiscuous tween the exit of the defunct and the entrance assemblage, as if by close approximationthey of the newborn upon the stage of action. This hoped to crowd out their enemies. The horse interval is not intermittent, but only remit- and cow are on a very social footing, natural tent. It was during the remittent stage of the fears and antipathies being m e r g e d in a plague that this trip was undertaken. Woe stronger instinct. A fellow feeling makes us betide the unlucky wight who crosses these wondrous kind. The places where such con- tracts when the plague rages high! On this gregations are frequent may be known by the occasion the horses were the principal suf- bare surface of the earth, quite denuded of ferers. Flies, big and little, mosquitoes and grass by the multitude of hoofs. But some- gnats, swarmed around them as thickly as times even these sunny spots become unten- bees about a hive. Some passers had their able; then, if a village is at hand, the dis- nags adorned from head to tail with green tressed animals pour in, pell mell, to seek boughs for defence. That the poor beasts en- shelter among the houses, whither the larger dure the assaults of their tormentors so pa- flies-the galli nippers of the woods-will tiently is a wonder. not follow. It is an ill wind that blows no J. P. Bardwell, a missionary among the good. A convenience arises from this evil. Chippewas on the upper waters of the Missis- This light-armed troop forms an efficient sippi, gives an account of a recent journey guard to check the wanderings of the cattle, through that region which furnishes a picture which might if not thus hindered stray deep of life among the mosquitoes: "I carried little into the woods and give their owners much Emma in my arms, with an umbrella in my trouble in hunting them up. hand to off the of the keep scorching rays Although no large wild animals were to be sun. hands were so confined that it was My seen, there were sundry tokens, by the way, difficult to off the and flies. keep mosquitoes of their vicinity. One may, not unfrequently, suffered much. The flies would crawl She up observe the ambuscadesof the hunters, if it be under her and bite her neck and bonnet, head, not a misnomer to call him a hunter, who, in- so that her hair all around her neck, and back stead of pursuing the game like another Nim- of her head, was matted down part completely rod, lazily waits for it to come to him. There with blood: one of her ears was filled with is none of the excitement and adventure of clotted blood."'1 the chase in this. A pretty dull business, one It is in these western to customary parts would it must be, to lie by night, turn loose the domestic animals when not in suppose remote from human habitation, in a nest like an eagle's, made of branches, high perched in the forks of a tree near the highway, there 12J. P. Bardwell, a Congregational missionary for sleeplessly to crouch hour after hour, stung the American Missionary Association, was born in by innumerable mosquitoes without daring to 1803 and died at Leech Lake, Minnesota, July 30, 1871. He first came to Minnesota in 1843 as a black- enjoy the satisfaction of a slap at them lest smith for the government and as a missionary for some sharp-wittedbuck, who might perchance the association, serving at Sandy Lake among the be should be startled at Ojibway. He eventually became government Indian warily drawing nigh, agent for the area, and the association also made the report and trot another way. Yet this is him superintendent of its Indian missions. In 1856 considered fine and he worked among Indians at Winnepeg, and he later sport by many people, served for a time in the association's missions to they will cheerfully spend night after night freedmen. American Missionary, XV:235 (October, in the hunter's scaffold, well pleased if but 1871); Collections of the Minnesota Historical So- ciety, VI:156-159; XIV:32. now and then they may get a buck-tail in 133 WISCONSIN MAGAZINEOF HISTORY WINTER, 1967 their cap. The deer are attracted to these a lumber wagon without springs, cushions, stations by salt incorporated with the moist topcover, rail, or any thing to hold by-the soil. They call them licks. The prints of many sides being about on a level with the seats- sharp-pointed hoofs were noticed in one at and it is just wide enough to carry two pas- the roadside. A place to which deer are in sengers abreast. As there are three seats, six the habit of resorting is selected for this pur- is its complement. Such being the fashion of pose, and after being salted, is for a time left the vehicle, unless care is used in a windy unmolested that the animals may acquire con- time, skirts are apt to wipe wheels. In diving fidence and, notifying each other, come in into a hole, the attention of a novice not hard- numbers to the spot. ened to the feat is liable to be a little dis- and in out for the cor- The road-maker'scraft has made no great tracted, looking body he the should progress in Wisconsin. In passing through the porate, may forget appendages; woods it seems to be esteemed sufficient to then, a reversal of any of the upper integu- ments take the contents will be cut down the trees and take out the principal place, likely to into the if a man had stumps. That being done, one would judge dip mud, whence, an he fish them out from the looks of the thing, the road is left to oyster-rake, might again. It is not in these coaches are nature and the wagoners, and between them meant, saying not to assert that the traveller they soon put it in such condition that one upon springs, is not. There are inside connected not fond of adventures might well hesitate to springs with the the and trust his bones upon it. The finishing touch seats, surging, plunging, movements of these is generally given in the spring. The snow rolling carriages being too violent for leather or steel outside. The collects through the winter to a pretty good introduction of the and their depth, and wasting slowly under the influence springs bulky within shuts out other of vernal showers thoroughly soaks the vege- accompaniments many table matter of which the surface of the road things, and the traveller in such conveyances must make a little for as to boots is chiefly composed. It is then of a consistence luggage do, or kind of outside accommodation for to be moulded into any shape or device to any are not to be of. which the wagoner's wheels may be compe- trunks, they thought Through the uninhabited or where the tent. The depths to which they plunge and parts, dwellings of man were few and far the road the manner in which they get out again is between, marvellous to behold. The season at which did not appear ever to be repaired. If any becomes there is land this trip was taken being somewhat advanced, portion impassable, and a little use of the axe and there having been no rain for a good enough easily opens a new track. So when a tree falls across while, the excavations made by the wagoners it, find it to round than remove were nearly dry, but some contended that they cheaper go travellers fared none the better for that. A it. miry bottom softens the descending shock, But the whole of the road and country to while a dry and hard one checks the down- Fond-du-lac is by no means so rough as has ward movement rather abruptly for the ease been described. After leaving the settlements of the flesh. In one of these descents no doubt next to Green Bay there is a wilderness track it was that one of the Friends had a coat- of some extent, but at about 30 miles from pocket reversed and completely emptied, to the Bay, the road entering the improvements the loss of all his private notes up to that time, of the Stockbridge Indians becomes good and which may form an apology for a certain in- the country open for a space of perhaps a definiteness in some parts of these remarks- quarter of a mile on each side. Fine cattle, numbers and other not al- particulars being cultivated fields, and comfortable houses, give remembered with sufficient to ways certainty evidence of thrift and form a pleasing con- in put print. trast to the wild woodland scenery. Passing To comprehendhow such an accident might through this settlement the road arrives at happen one must understand the construction that of the Brothertowns, 44 miles from the of a Wisconsin coach, as well as the construc- Bay-a place in which there is much to solace tion of a Wisconsin road. It looks much like the Friend of the Indian, as well as to demon-

134 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY strate to everyone that he is capable as the expedient to divulge, and must have been white man of making a good farmer and use- dullards, indeed, had they not, long ago, com- ful citizen.. .13 prehended what the white man's inquiry into the value of their possessions portends. THE FRIENDleft at the Fort [Cope] oc- How many acres these Oneidas cultivate cupied part of his time in pedestrian the Friend could not ascertain. The reader excursions to the settlement of Oneidas on can, perhaps, form some estimate from what Duck Creek. It lay in a southwest direction, follows. and the tract them is said to ex- occupied by There is a road from the tend 12 miles in 6 or 8 in breadth. tolerably good length by to and the settlement. Several There is some in exact in- Bay through difficulty getting miles of the Reservation next the are still formation from unless Bay Indians, by lengthened in their well covered with intercourse their confidence has been primitive state, gained. timber. At about the travel- from a are to heavy 7/2 miles, Many questions stranger apt from a little excite and what is to be learned ler, ascending valley through mistrust, which a stream of water from them their situation and lively flows, suddenly concerning from the thick woods into the cleared must be emerges possessions gathered incidentally. land. The road a short distance before him Some at direct was but attempt inquiries made, inclines somewhat to the of the left, extending partly symptoms shyness appearing, querist the side and across the undula- somewhat for he had along partly desisted, disappointed, tions of a low of rounded hills over much desired to have the Indians' own account range which he sees the but of themselves. sprinkled unpretending substantial habitations of the Oneidas as far Similar with the same have attempts, result, as the can reach. The is been made Government but eye prospect very by officers; they of asso- have attributed their in to an- pleasing, independent any agreeable failure, part, but the reflection that the fields other cause. The Commissioner of Indian Af- ciations, green and so situated are in his annual for snug buildings prettily fairs, report 1848-1849, the of Indians and the result of their excuses his in information which property deficiency own labour and adds a he had been instructed to "In con- good management, procure, interest and charm to the view. The of the of the In- peculiar sequence difficulty making emotions excited in the mind such a scene dians the of the by comprehend object inquiries, are at the same moment with and their disinclination to fur- fraught pleasure superstitious and sorrow. for the f u t u r e nish information themselves or Hope arises, respecting clouded doubts and fears. their affairs." by It is not likely this Indian superstition will In walking up to the settlement, many of die, under the shadow of Anglo-Saxon avarice. these Indians were met on their way to market As to the comprehension of Indians, it is as with produce from their farms and lumber. true now, as in Penn's day, that it takes a They were mostly in such vehicles as that shrewd man to deal with them. They some- which carried the Friends to Fond-du-lac- times comprehend, more than they think it a description of carriage which answers the double purpose of coach and wagon. The squaws, who occasionally accompanied the men, screened their complexion with umbrel- 13 a discussion of the Stock- Eliminated here is long las: bonnets and other head-gear have not yet bridges' intertribal dispute over citizenship which di- vided the tribe during much of the nineteenth cen- been adopted by them. They were no doubt tury. In 1856, members of the tribe who chose citizen- going a-shopping. Their costume was very ship received their lands from the government, and similar to that of their Menominee sisters. members of the tribe who did not, received two town- ships of land at the southwestern edge of the Menom- The men were clothed much as farmers are inee reservation. Cope compares the Stockbridge ourselves, and one could not but be situation to that of the Brothertowns who had be- among come citizens in 1839. See John Nelson Davidson, struck with the respectability of their appear- Muh-he-ka-ne-ok: A History of the Stockbridge Na- ance and equipages. The condition and char- tion (, 1893); State Historical Society of acter of their horses, and harness Wisconsin Proceedings (Madison, 1899), XLVII:153- wagons 185. would have been creditable to the agricultural

135 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967 population of Pennsylvania: many of the trees about them. Many were well-propor- horses were superior in appearance and spirit tioned and neatly constructed and with the to those we commonly find among our own addition of a little paint or white-wash would farmers. This being spoken of in Green Bay, have had a cheerful appearance. it was observed in that the Oneidas had reply The most conspicuous buildings were the teams than other better any country people house of the Head Chief and the Episcopal about the Bay. place of worship. The latter was a very pret- That which may be properly called their ty structure of m o d e r a t e dimension and settlement extends about six miles in length, no great architectural pretensions, but well and occupies a space of half a mile to one placed, nicely painted, and wearing the pleas- mile in width. There are three parallel roads ant face of a New England village meeting- at convenient distances passing lengthwise house. The former was rather more ambitious, through it, and at intervals, transverse lanes, being a spacious, double house painted white affording ready access to the different farms. and set back a considerable distance from the The houses were of wood and most of them, main road. Like the residences of most of so far as the settlement was traversed-that the Oneidas, it had not a tree to screen it from is, for 31/2 miles-were built along the main the noonday sun, nor a bush or vine to relieve or central avenue, but a number were noticed the dazzling glare of its white sides. It had on the back roads, and some of these presented another deficiency which struck a stranger in the distance an attractive and rural appear- more unpleasantly-a want of steps to a fine ance. Most of their buildings, however, looked front-door well elevated above ground but to sombre for want of paint, and rather uninvit- which one could only obtain access by walk- ing from deficiency of shade. There were no ing a plank. It called to mind the case of the porches, and with very little exception, no man in scripture, who began to build but was

......

;??:?1: ?:::::i::~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~s

iP ?":;?:? Socetys Icnogaphc Clletio ie ~ ~ ~ Agou fOniawoe os o ti icueinte180s 136~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~?1;:::::: COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY not able to finish. A dilapidated fence before the house and some other indications seemed to prove that the length of the purse was not equal to the magnitude of the design. One thing was rather odd-a brass plate on the door, with the Sachem's name engraved there- J "1 upon. There are two missionary stations on this Reservation; one, Episcopal, exercising a care over the north-east portion of the Settlement; the other, Methodist, more to the south-west.14 The latter station, being the more distant, was not visited. Both have schools where instruc- tion is given exclusively in English. But it was understood that sufficient provision was not made for all the children. It was apprehended from appearances-without excepting even Society's Iconographic Collection least the household of the Sachem-that at The Hobart Church at Oneida, Wisconsin, built in in time past as much pains had not been be- 1839. stowed upon the girls as the boys. This un- to whatever cause it equal advancement, may to the male of the is a serious evil and must couragement portion family, be attributable, a distaste for domestic and retard It is but semi- promote habits, effectually improvement. be of evil to the a to instruct but one sex. example rising generation. civilizing community The of the Oneidas were no air of entire discomfort and lack of in- buildings by The means to those of the nor observed in some cases that equal Brothertowns, door tidiness were their fields in as nice condition nor their came under notice could be ascribed to no horned cattle as carefully bred as those of the other cause, and must operate as a great dis- Stockbridges. Yet, in all these respects they would bear pretty well to be put in compari- son with most communities of whites of as 14The Episcopal mission to the Wisconsin Oneida recent date. In one height, is considered to have begun with the arrival of particular-the Eleazer Williams in 1823. The original log church material, and firmness of their fences-they was constructed in 1825 and was replaced by a frame excelled. No such fencing was seen elsewhere. structure in 1839. In 1870, church members began The seemed needless, unless for the construction of an imposing limestone edifice, which height was dedicated in 1886 and first opened for services exclusion of deer. It was asserted that these on Christmas day of that year. The building was people formed the most important part of the struck by lightning on July 17, 1920, and was de- of this were molished except for the walls. On June 11, 1923, agricultural population vicinity, the building was rededicated as the Church of the quite superior as farmers in industry and pro- Holy Apostles, or Hobart Church. See [Frank W. ductiveness to the farmers of French descent, Merrill] The Church's Mission to the Oneidas (Green in to market more corn and Bay, 1899 [?]), 3-26; Wisconsin Magazine of His- and, fact, brought tory, VI; 240-241 (Winter, 1923). The Methodist beef than any body else. Potatoes seem to be mission to the Oneidas originally developed among them; at least none were seen New York Oneidas who resisted moving to Wisconsin neglected by with Eleazer Williams' band. The Methodist faction under cultivation; and, indeed, the planting of or the so-called Second Christian Party became them may be said to be pretty much aban- known as the Orchard Party, and its members eventu- doned at all cultivators in this ally began emigrating to Wisconsin. In 1832, the present by Reverend John Clark visited them in Wisconsin and neighbourhood, owing to the destruction of re-established the Methodist mission. Daniel Adams, three successive crops by the rot. The Friends a Mohawk Indian from Canada, became the first did not notice a field near Green missionary, and his wife, Electa Quinney Adams, potato Bay, one of the Quinney family members of the Stock- and the root was difficult to get. What were bridge tribe, became the first teacher in the mission seen on the table came from a distance. school. Methodists continue to serve the Oneidas today. See State Historical Society of Wisconsin These Oneidas are from 700 to 800 in and Proceedings (M a d i s o n, 1911), Collections, number. are said to have added XV:47, 87-88. They by 137 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967 natural increase 100 to their population since the establishment of the Duck Creek settle- ment. They nearly all belong to the Episcopal and Methodist societies: about 500 (including the Sachem) are acknowledged members of the former and 100 of the latter. The nearly :~ ....~~i~~~i school for their children under the Episcopal "!:,:.~::~'f:;?.,~'~t!~;'k; mission has until quite recently been taught...... "-"'",.. -.'. ~.. ,.~~~' . .i,-.'~'"' ~ ~,~-,~~r~ii~ in the Oneida tongue, which has been a great disadvantage to the pupil: that under the '~-~;i~,, ~~~~~~~:'.:lf!~tRP Methodist mission has for a considerable time ....~ . . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i~S ~.~.~' been taught in English. It appears from the i~i??ii official reports to the Indian Department that for the year 1848 about 50 scholars attended the two schools. The number of each sex is D~~~~~~~~ni~~~~~~e!Bedo e-?tvn,~o: ~ ~!~ not separately stated in the reports for that and the year before, but according to those of 1846, more than half are females. Favour- able accounts are given of their progress, with some complaint of irregular attendance. It is mentioned in the same reports that the Oneidas have entered into TemperanceAs- sociations and prohibit any of their people Daniel Bread or Tega-wia-tiron, from the Samuel M. from dealing in ardent spirits. They allow no Brookes portrait owned by the Society grog shops in the Nation. Intemperance has as much decreased among them, notwithstanding person may claim to be injured by such traffic. the seductive influence of groceries [grog The bill the shops] in the town of Green Bay by which passed Senate by a vote of ten some of the weaker brethren are sometimes to three, and the Assembly by twenty-nine to ensnared. There is encouragement to hope twenty-one. Under this law a this evil will not long survive in Wisconsin, wife, deprived or injured in the means of for the temperance cause has taken strong supporting herself and pro- for the sustenance hold upon the people of that state, and the viding and education of her children the legislature has passed a more stringent law by intemperance of her hus- recover for its suppression than is to be found any- band, may damages of the party him where else. It requires all persons who would selling him intoxicating liquors.'~liquors.16 vend or retail spirituous liquors to give bond to the town authorities, with three sureties in $1000, conditioned to pay all damages the community or individuals may sustain by rea- 16The temperance movement was fairly recent in Wisconsin in 1849, having spread to the Midwest son of such traffic; to support all paupers, with immigrating Easterners. Local chapters of the widows or orphans; pay the expenses of all Sons of Temperance were first recorded in March, civil or criminal made 1847, but their influence grew swiftly. In the first prosecutions by, grow- session of the State Assembly in July, 1848, a bill ing out of, or justly attributable to, such traf- was introduced to repeal the old territorial statute, fic; and it is made the duty of the officer which authorized county boards, town boards, and the bond to deliver it to such city and village boards to issue liquor licenses at holding any their discretion. An 1848 bill to regulate the liquor traffic passed the senate but not the assembly. How- ever, in 1849 a similar bill was passed, requiring a liquor vendor to obtain a $1,000 bond under which he could be sued for damages either to the com- 15 Eliminated is a lengthy explanation of how the munity or to an individual resulting from the sale New York Indians came to Wisconsin. The back- of spirits. Town boards could sue to recover dam- ground of the Oneida emigration is given in footnote ages in case paupers were created because they 19, Part I of this series, in the Summer, 1965, issue. squandered their money on drink. The act was be- 138 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

The Friend left at the Fort, being one day into the Indian's camp at that critical juncture about to cross the river to the town, found when, having ended their feasting, they might at the Ferry a number of the Oneida chiefs be taken, as some one has expressed it, in with Tega-wia-tiron or Daniel Bread, their the torpidity of digestion. The success of Sachem.17 They were very cordial and in- Napoleon has been attributed to peculiar skill formed him that on the 4th of the Seventh in timing his military movements. This ex- month they were in the habit of celebrating pedition is entitled to no celebrity on that the independence of the by score, for instead of reaching the post oc- gathering all their people, male or female, big cupied by the Indians at the important period and little, at the house of the Head Chief and contemplated,the first mouthful of dinner had eating a dinner, and they hoped he would join not disappeared when the party arrived at its them on the occasion, now close at hand. destination; and this arose from pure igno- Making due acknowledgment for the kind rance of the progress these copper-coloured intent, he excused himself from the entertain- folks have made in the ways of their wise ment, but having a desire to see the assembled neighbours. The idea had not been conceived nation told them he would probably walk up that the Indians had learned the gentility of in the course of the afternoon and see them staying the stomach some hours longer than together, unless there should be a likelihood vulgar rustics do. of finding their people in a state of excite- It was about half-past three when the con- ment from immoderate drinking. The chiefs gregated Nation was descried in the distance declared there was no danger of that as all by the adventurers,stationed in detached com- spirituous liquors were prohibited. panies here and there over the grounds which surrounded the mansion of the Sachem. It is W' HEN the day came the Friend and a son not often one can see a whole nation at once. of his kind hostess,18luncheon in pocket, A general quietness prevailing, no room was sallied forth from the stronghold well booted left to doubt that dinner was done and the and equipped for the encounter with the In- Nation subjected to the soothing influences dians, Sol having performed about half his consequent upon that event. The success of upward journey. They designed to march the plan was deemed certain, but the calcula- leisurely onward under cover of the woods tions of men are often fallacious: the Indians until noonday, when if perchance they might did not dine till four! This was untoward. alight upon a sheltered spot with a running The truth was not discerned in time to make brook, secure from the attacks of the maraud- good a retreat. The Sachem and his men had ing mosquitoes, they could allay their hunger noticed the approaching party, and there was and fortify the outward man by supplies of no alternative but to march boldly up and dried venison and draughts from the flowing make the best of it. stream; and so, renewed in vigour, effect Tega-wia-tironand his councillors were sta- about the middle of the afternoon an entrance tioned near a long tent or booth formed of stakes and green boughs beneath which was spread a table capable of accommodating about 100 persons. China plates, knives, and lieved to be unique for its time. Also in 1849, the forks were laid upon a white cloth. Hard by legislature prohibited the sale of liquor to Indians and forbade taverns in the vicinity of Lake Poygan in Winnebago County. Persons selling liquor to In- dians were liable to a $100 fine and/or three months imprisonment. For the most part, the general law 17 Daniel Bread (1800-1873) was not an hereditary was ignored, but was strengthened by amendment chief but achieved office because of his influence. in 1850, making the bond renewable if it was de- He was well educated, fought against the British pleted. In 1851, the German element in the state in an Oneida skirmish in 1814, and supported the succeeded in repealing the law and in reinstating tribe's move to Wisconsin. After arriving in Wiscon- the licensing law. Throughout the struggle, a strong sin he was named Sachem. Green Bay Advocate, prohibition lobby failed to achieve its goals. See , 1873. Joseph Schafer, "Prohibition in Early Wisconsin," 18Cope and Wistar were quartered in the home in the Wisconsin Magazine of History, VII:281-229 of Martha Stoddard, a soldier's widow who, together (March, 1925); Wisconsin Statutes, 1849, chapters with her two children, was permitted to occupy a 29, 30; Wisconsin Assembly Journal, 1849, 576. house inside Fort Howard.

139 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967 was the kitchen where the women were indus- the Fort were not at table, a messenger was triously engaged in dishing meats and making despatchedwith an earnest invitation to bring other needful preparation for the feast. There them in. They excused themselves. The chiefs was venison-roast, boiled, and stewed-fresh finished their meal but seemed dissatisfied, pork, and beef. The only vegetable was beans; and the visitors, fearing the Indians might potatoes, as was before mentioned, being at fancy their fare was despised and knowing present a rarity in these parts. For dessert, how much people of primitive habits think of there were dried-peach pie and rice pudding. breaking bread with a friend and how deeply The beverages were hot coffee and cold water. this feeling was rooted in the Indians' breast, Good wheaten bread was abundantly supplied. concluded to ease their minds by partaking The provision throughout appearedto be plain moderately, at a second table, of some of their and plentiful, excellent in quality and well good things. No were visible. This prepared. liquors being The Oneida dinner was conducted with per- remarkedto the he observed that Sachem, they fect sobriety and decorum: there was no had for four been forbidden on years strictly drinking of healths or singing of songs, and occasions. public the loud laugh that speaks the vacant mind After exchanging a few words of civility, was not heard at all. It was a national festival, opportunity offered for the intruders to slip managed with as much gravity as if it con- aside before dinner was served. They ram- cerned the welfare of the nation. Possibly bled round looking at the people. The gen- some present seldom enjoyed a repast so eral quietness was surprising; no loud talk- plentiful, for poverty is not unknown amongst ing, no boisterous mirth. The women and them. Cheerfulness prevailed, but of mirth children were gathered in groups on the grass there was none and even of conversation but and, one might guess, discussing domestic little while eating was in progress. The whole matters-the merits of embroidered leggings Nation was not gathered-sickness and other or the comparative excellence of a red or causes preventing some, but the deficiency yellow shawl, very like folks nearer home. was not great. Not more than 100 could sit The men of mature years, done sowing wild by the table at once. Each one when satisfied oats, were either silently chewing the cud of left his seat, which was soon occupied by a their private excogitations, or attracted by hungry successor, so that there was a constant some of the goodly teams and appurtenances introduction of new faces. There was no rush thereunto belonging, soberly engaged in dis- for seats or contention for favourite dishes. coursing upon their several qualities and such Each seemed willing to abide his time and like rural topics-as one might judge by their to prefer his neighbour to himself. What les- gestures and significant glances; while the sons of courtesy might our civilized Ameri- younger ones were more actively occupied in cans learn of these Indians! They had posses- making arrangementsfor an evening game of sion of the substance of politeness, with none ball. of the hollow profession. Male waiters sup- One little squad had possessed itself of a plied, with promptness and sufficient dexteri- blacksmith's anvil, and for want of more im- ty, the wants of the guests. They did not need posing artillery was ramming the mousehole urging to their duties, and the disagreeable with gunpowder and exploding it at intervals call of waiter, waiter, which often resounds with full as useful and potent effect in stirring through the halls of our fashionable hotels, up the patriotism of the auditory as if it were was not once heard. Each one quietly awaited in reality one of the great guns that Jonathon his turn and was sure to be seasonably served. shot off at the British in the Revolution. This They ate heartily and with good relish, but was the nearest semblance of a deadly weapon deliberately; the bolting and hot haste, so exhibited on the occasion. annoying to well-bred strangers at many of our was not in the Meantime the heads of the Nation had public tables, vogue among taken seats under the booth and busied them- Oneidas. selves very agreeably in testing the culinary There was another agreeable feature of the skill of the squaws. Seeing the guests from entertainment: w o m e n and children were

140 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY seated at the common table. Yet a relic of the ancient barbarism still survived; they were placed at the lower end and not intermingled with the men. National customs die slow by ...... degrees. The Oneidas have made great ad- vances. How far ahead they now are of our British ancestors when Caesar found them ,*?...... ~i~~? ? ? ? ~i ...... clothed in skin, or even at a much later period when Christianity first began to exercise its - ...... meliorating influence upon them! How shame- ful should our country drive this promising people again to the wilderness and savage life, or to destruction! Under the fostering care of a wise and righteous government their complete civilization at no r e m o t e period seems certain. The first and most difficult of all has been taken that from step by them, selected from the western and% the hunter's to the farmer's life. The chase palm, severally as a means of livelihood is abandoned, and as a recreation not encouraged. Deer abound in their woods as well as other game, but Goodspeed, History of Outagamie County they are convinced that the plough is more Elijah Skenandore, an Oneida chirently.Since Indians productive than the gun and act accordingly. usuallyregarded beards as both unmanly and ob- William Medill, Commissioner of Indian scene, Skenandore'sluxurious growth is curious. Affairs at Washington, in his report to the Government dated Nov. 30th, 1848, says of There weretwo companies to contend for the and these people: "The small band of Oneidas, palm, selectedseverally from the western who were originally from New York, though easternsides of Duck Creek. never formally made citizens, may, from their His address completed, another orator stept position and circumstances, the civilization forth with a loud cry apparently intended to and intelligence, be substantially so regarded." secure attention. He pronounced a few words Yet for aught that appears, they are not a in a low tone, and then paused. The women whit more civilized than the Stockbridges, nor seemed specially interested in this proceeding are they more secure from disturbance should and by the many smiles and significant glances the people of Wisconsin wish to possess their interchanged by them considerably excited farms. the curiosity of the stranger to know what Towards the close of the meal Sh6neses, this might mean. A series of mysterious alias Elijah Skenad6,19a chief of a lively, movements followed which rather sharpened s m i i n g countenance harangued the com- than satisfied the desire for a solution of the pany-chiefly, as was explained, the young enigma. But as at Rome people do like the men-on the subject of the game of ball, Romans, so it behoves people to do who find and to stimulate them to perform well men- themselves among Indians. Inquisitiveness is is one tioned the presence of a stranger who would not a trait in their character, neither it witness their skill. He addressed several young to commend a man to them. They have a par- to It is there- men separately, who uttered responses when ticular objection being pumped. their names were repeated, and appeared to be fore prudent, when the Yankee appetite is to close and look giving them instructions concerning the game. keenly whetted, keep quietly out for chance developments. Presently one of the women sidled up to the orator, who still maintained his position 19 Chief Skenandore died at the age of eighty-nine in silence, addressed him in a low tone for in Seymour, Outagamie County, in the late 1890's a few moments, and then in a modest and be- and was accorded a lavish funeral. Wisconsin Ne- crology Series, 6:128. coming manner withdrew a short distance.

141 WISCONSIN MAGAZINEOF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

The orator then r e s u m e d his discourse spent at it-a much shorter time, it was said, which was received with many smiles by the than it frequently takes. The field in which women, the men listening with great gravity. it was played was some forty rods in length His remarks were brief, and as soon as he by five in breadth. Near each extremity two stopped another squaw slipped up to him with stakes about ten feet in height and twenty feet like effect. This was repeated some fifteen apart were planted. The game consisted in times, every time a different woman speaking endeavoursto throw the ball six times between to him. The men grew more animated by the the stakes, so as to pass beyond the field. The repetition of the process, and occasionally party who first accomplished this won the both sexes would receive the communications day. The place of beginning was half way of the speaker with peals of laughter. This between the goals. was rather to the of aggravating infirmity The players arranged themselves in two the curious in whose ears Oneida stranger, lines facing each other with an interval of was heathen Greek. But abiding in patience, about four feet. Each lad was furnished with at the who could length orator, speak English a bat or stick the of an cane, the amusement or length ordinary well, having got through bent into the form of a large hook. From the business which ever it might be considerately of the hook to the middle of the delivered him from his point straight perplexity. part of the stick a small, tightly drawn, cord, He explained it to be an important cere- was extended. The space between the stick monial of ancient origin and designed to an- and cord was filled with network. The thing swer the purpose of a written record legally was a shinney and battledore combined. The authenticated. He had been engaged in an- two leaders of the contending parties, at the nouncing to the public the names by which commencement, extending their bats towards all the children born since the last general each other with the flat surface in a vertical convocation were to be known during their position and in contact, kept the ball quietly minority. As they keep no written record of suspended for a few moments between them. such circumstances, this method is employed At a given signal a violent struggle ensued, to connect names and individuals that they each exerting all his might to overcome the may be known and identified on all future pressure of his opponent's bat and throw the occasions. On coming of age a new name is ball towards the goal which lay on his left given and similarly announced, and this, with hand. Muscular strength or superior adroit- some exception, is permanent. Circumstances ness soon prevailed on one side, and the ball sometimes render another change desirable, was quickly seen flying through the air with and this is allowed if done with due solemnity the swiftness of an arrow. The whole troop and before the public. Not long ago one of were instantly in pursuit, whooping and hul- their men had his name changed because an- looing at the top of their speed. The manner in other bearing the same, had disgraced himself. which the object of their chase darted to and Some of the names announced on this occasion fro, back and forth, and from side to side, were understood to be those of young men and the young Indians sprang and bounded just of age. Any general gathering of the peo- after it, was a sight to behold; and not less ple affords opportunity for such a publication. admirable was the good temper maintained a severe contest in which The tones of the Oneida were agreeable to throughout very each the ear, so flowing and sonorous in compari- opposing parties frequently prostrated other with force and acci- son with the cramped and guttural Menomi- great hard, though blows were nee: they were in great measure free from dental, given and received in the the nasal twang of the latter and possessed melee. It was surprising however, to see, even of a larger proportion of open vowel sounds. when they were crowded together, each every The speakers delivered themselves with a pe- instant shifting his position, what a storm of culiar cadence which was rather musical. blows would be poured upon the ball with- out a player being hit. Only once was any AT FIVE O'CLOCKthe game of ball [la- bad temper exhibited. One of the players, crosse] commenced and an hour was while running with great rapidity on descend-

142 COPE: MENOMINEE DIARY

......

...:......

? . .. :.. .. .:

M.'N.

?;en::???.; : ?~ : ?'?!i?. j

Bureau of AmericanEthnology A game of lacrosse. ing ground, being likely to get the ball, was way of bravado, might be made to feel in the overtaken by an opponent, who by a dexterous presence of all their people that a white man jerk threw him headlong at full length upon could trample upon their laws with impunity. the earth from which he instantly sprang, and It was believed that he had induced the two leaving his bat, pursued and struck the other Indians before mentioned, to drink from his a blow upon the side of the head. It was bottle. a momentary ebullition; the other took no The chiefs took no notice whatever of him, notice of it and the game went on. perhaps apprehendingtheir interference might As the exercise was extremely v i o l e n t, only make the matter worse. They had rea- breathing spells were occasionally permitted. son enough to know that in a contest between The young men, bare-legged, scantily clothed, an Indian and a white man, on which ever dripping with perspiration and considerably side justice may lie, popular opinion and the soiled and bespattered in their scuffles on a legal tribunals are sure to be with the latter. miry part of the ground into which the ball A dignified forbearance seemed their only was often mischievously tost, did not present alternative. a very picturesque appearance. But when in This base fellow had the meanness to sit action, their great agility and the surprising at the Indians' table, where he was as well of their elasticity movements delighted the served as others. His barefaced effrontery of the beholder. eye was only equalled by their Christian mag- But two deviations from strict temperance nanimity. were observed this day, and these were both There was present at the Duck Creek Reser- believed to be owing to the ill conduct of vation at this time a deputation of Oneidas a white man who ostentatiously paraded the from Canada, settled on the Thames River. ground with a bottle of liquor in the pocket They had been invited by their Duck Creek of his overcoat, the neck of which impudently brethren to confer upon the feasibility of protruded that the chiefs, before whose faces bringing about a permanent re-union of their he several times passed, very deliberately by people on this tract. Several councils had been

143 WISCONSIN MAGAZINE OF HISTORY WINTER, 1967

held upon the subject, with what result had eighty-five acres of good land under cultiva- not been made known. There was something tion and had raised a great deal of corn last pleasant in the thought of such a movement- year, but how many bushels he could not tell. the reunion of the broken fragments of a once He complained grievously of the quantity of powerful people. There were four Canadian grain devoured by rats in his barn and ex- deputies, grave, sensible-looking men.2 pressed a great desire to have some of the The Oneida Sachem and his associates in new preparations for poisoning such vermin. authority expressed a wish to have an inter- In short, though a swarthy, full-blooded In- view with the Friends before their departure, dian, he chatted with as much freedom and and after some talk it was agreed that a talk animation and had as abundant a stock of should take place in the Fort at 10 o'clock small talk as loquacious people among white on the morning of the seventh of Seventh folks. month, in the hope by that time the Commis- It appears that when an Oneida wishes to sioner would be back. It would not do to farm he marks the bounds of any unappro- postpone it longer, as that date occurred on priated piece of land which he may think de- the seventh day of the week, and on the suc- sirable and notifies the chiefs, whose assent ceeding Second day the payment to the Mixed is usually given to the procedure. He man- Menominees was to take place immediately ages it thenceforth as his own, and his heirs after which, if opportunity offered, it would after him are entitled to occupy it, but he be the duty and inclination of the Friends to can never acquire a more secure tenure than leave Green Bay for home. the consent and continued sufferance of the As the day was now well spent it became chiefs and the long-established usage of the needful to seek a conveyance for the Bay. A nation give him. If at any time the chiefs bright sky and a full moon promised a pleas- should decide that he is not taking proper ant ride. It was not long before a young care of his allotment, or that from any other Oneida named Aaron House was found who cause he is no longer worthy of the enjoyment agreed, for a compensation, to make the trip. of it, they may dispossess him. It is obvious He was a lively, chatty fellow and drove a that such power is not only susceptible of pair of handsome and spirited black horses great abuse, but that while human nature, with flowing manes and tails, of which he was whether under a fair or a dusky skin, is so very proud. They would have figured well on encompassed with infirmity, it is almost cer- Broad Street. He valued them the more, as tain of being abused. A man can have no they were a present from his father who, he assurance that passion or prejudice may not believed, had paid three hundred and fifty deprive him and his children of the labour dollars for them and the wagon. The latter of a life, and what a discouragementthis must he estimated at seventy-five dollars, leaving be to the erection of substantial buildings or two hundred and seventy-five for the horses. any permanent improvement may readily be He was a thriving farmer and said he had imagined.

(This is the third of a series of four articles.)

0 The Thames River Oneida emigrated there from River in 1906. Frederick Webb Hodge (ed.), Hand- New York during the post-Revolutionary period. Al- book of American Indians (Bureau of American though some were known to have come to Wisconsin Ethnology Bulletin No. 30, 1910), part 2, pp. 125, 127. subsequently, 783 Oneida still lived on the Thames

144