The History of Minnesota: from the earliest French explorations to the present time

Front matter

ALEXAfSiEB m A RO S E V. FIRST GOVEBUOE OF MINNES OTA ' : :: . ■■ THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA: FROM THE EARLIEST FRENCH EXPLORATIONS TO THE PRESENT TIME. BY EDWARD DUFFIELD NEILL, SECRETARY OE THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. "NEC FALSA DICERE, NEC VERA RETICERE." PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1858. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by EDWARD DUFFIELD NEILL, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. WEARS & DOSENUBR& ~S*ER£OTYPERS. Ill ANNA EARL RAMSEY, MY WIFE'S FULEND, THE NAME OF WHOSt HUSBAND, AS THE Jirst «5sll)smor, MUST ALWAYS li E IDENTIFIED WTTH THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA, Sins JJlorh IS I N S C It I B E D. t

Preface

. Nine years ago, the writer wished to obtain some information in relation to Minnesota, but could find no reliable history. Even the devout astronomer and geologist, Nicollet, was misled by the fable of Baron La Hontan, more wonderful than any Munchausen story, and inclined to the belief that the Long river, -on which that writer said he travelled in a canoe in winter, was really a stream of Minnesota. The most costly Atlas ever published in America, which adorns libraries and is a work of reference used by our public men, in the description of this portion of the Union, is full of errors. As the historian of a government exploring expedition, informed the world, that " with the most active vigilance, it was impossible to subsist upon the grain" raised in the vicinity of Chicago, so the editor of the geographical descrip tions accompanying the work to which we have alluded, with the same incorrectness, states that the summers of Minnesota are too brief for agricultural success. The design of this History, is first, to show where Minnesota is, its characteristics and adaptations for a dense and robust

PREFACE.

. VI population, and then consider the past and present dwellers on the soil. In addition to the knowledge obtained from a residence of many years, during the hours not occupied by professional duties, the works of Charlevoix, La Harpe, Hennepin, the Jesuit Relations, French Official Documents, and the atlases of De l'lsle, Robert, Buache, Vaugondy, Moll, and others, besides separate charts, have been examined. The result is presented in the following pages. Much assistance has been derived from the Documents per taining to the Colonial History of New York, the Documentary History of Wisconsin, and kindred works. For information concerning the aborigines of Minnesota, I am indebted to frequent conversations with the Reverend Messrs. Pond, Riggs, and Williamson, whose years of toil for the welfare of the Dahkotah Nation, need no comment.

It has been necessary in many places to sift the statements of mere tourists and letter-writers, but the endeavour has been always to bear in mind the essential of the historian, neither to state false things nor suppress the truth ; " Nee falsa dicere, nee vera reticere." CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY. Physical characteristics, Page xxvii Boundaries of the state, . xxvii Climate of Minnesota, . xxviii Eulogy on climate by Maury, xxviii Report of Minnesota and Pacific Railroad, . . xxix Temperature of Minnesota, xxix Table illustrative of temperature, .... xxx Annual temperature equal to Central New York, . xxxi Table showing mean fall o rain and melted snow at various places, . . xxxii Less snow than on the Atlantic border, . . xxxiii Table showing mean force of wind in winter for several years, . . . xxxiv Minnesota well watered, . xxxv Cascades of Pigeon river, . xxxvi Falls of Kettle river, . . xxxvi Vermilliun Falls, . . xxxvi Minne-ha-ha, . . . xxxvii Falls of St. Anthony, . xxxviii Early French maps, . . xli De l'lsle's maps, . . xlii Jeffcry's map, 1702, . . xliii Pronunciation of certain Indian names, . . xliv Census of Minnesota, 1857, xlv Rev. Albert Barnes' description of Minnesota scenery, .... xlvi Meaning of the word Minnesota, .... xh-ii Bahkotah used in place of Sioux, .... xlvii

Chapter I

Dahkotahs, a distinct group, . 49 Language difficult, ... 49 Mille Lac region, ... 50 Dahkotah, its signification, . 50 Origin of term Sioux, . . 51 Divisions of the Dahkutahs, . 51 M'dewakantonwans, . . 52 Yanktons, .... 52 Teetwawns, .... 52 Assineboines, ... 52 Revolt of the Assineboines, . 53 Religious characteristics, . 54 No idea of a Supreme Being, . 54 Oanktayhee, .... CONTENTS. Hayokah 56 Poem on Thunder Bird, . . 59 Takushkankan, ... 57 Sun worship 60 Wahkeenyan, ... 58 Offerings to stones, . . 60 Thunder Nest, ... 58

Chapter II

Dahkotahs priestridden, . . 61 Maternal affection, ... 70 Saered men, .... 61 Lament over an infant, . . 71 Sacred or medicine dance, . 62 Mode of detaining wives, . 72 Initiation as a sacred man, . 62 Custom of son-in-law, . . 72 Ceremonies, .... 63 Penalty for adultery, . . 73 Sacred song, .... 64 The woodpecker charm, . . 73 Medicine sack, ... 64 Love of dress, ... 73 Dalikotah doctors, ... 65 Games, plum stones, . . 74 Vapour bath, .... 65 Ball play 74 Hennepin steamed, . . 65 Ball play at Oak Grove, . 75 Medicine man, signification, . 66 Dog dance, . . . .76 Cause of disease, ... 66 Fish dance, .... 76 Manner of calling a doctor, . 67 Cormorant dance, ... 77 Mode of medical practice, . 67 Secret clubs 77 Fondness for war, ... 68 Crow Feather in Cap Club, . 78 Vows of a young warrior, . 68 Strong Heart Club, . . 78 The return of a war party, . 69 Uncleanness, .... 79 Scalp, its preparation, . . 69 Dog meat, a delicacy, . . 80 Scalp dance, .... 69 Irregular mode of life, . . 81 Feathers, signs of prowess, . 69

Chapter III

Dahkotah women, ... 82 Schiller's poem, ... 89 Hardships of women, . . 82 Translations of Bulwer and Herschell, .... 89 Husbands cruel, ... 83 Disposition to be suicides, . 84 Legends, . . . .90 Disguised girl, ... 84 Eagle-Eye and Scarlet Dove, . 90 Chiefs, no authority, . . 85 Anpetusapa 91 Absence of law, ... 85 Weenonah, .... 93 Names of months, ... 86 Hogan-wanke-kin, St. Croix River, .... 94 Moon eaten by mice, . . 87 Looking-glass, ... 87 Language of Dahkotahs, . 95 Peculiar views, ... 87 Hennepin collecting a vocaljulary, 95 Belief in relation to future, . 87 Burial ceremonies, ... 88 Riggs's Lexicon, ... 96 Death song, .... 89 Dahkotah Alphabet, . . CONTENTS. IX

Chapter IV

Source of St. Lawrence in Minnesota, .... 99 Hurons at La Pointe, . 106 Guerin, Menard's companion, 106 Cartier discovers the mouth, . 99 Menard lost 107 Champlain in Huron country, 99 Allouez succeeds Menard, . 107 Nicolet, in Wisconsin, . . 100 Arrives at La Pointe, . . 108 Le Jeune's mention of Dahkotahs, 101 Grand Council, . . .108 Allouez meets Dahkotahs, . 109 First mention of the " Messipi," .... 110 Jogues and Raymbault at Sault St. Marie 101 Traders west of Lake Superior, 102 Description of Dahkotahs, 110 Garreau and Dreuilletes, . 102 Marquette succeeds Allouez, . Ill Puritan Eliot, . . .102 His opinion of the Dahkotahs, 111 Two traders visit Dahkotahs, . 103 Number of Dahkotali villages, 112 Their description, . . . 103 La Pointe Mission abandoned, 113 Grosellier 103 Dahkotahs killed at Sault St. Marie 113 Murder of Garreau, . . 104 Rene Menard, . . .104 Ojibways intermarry with Dahkotahs 113 His farewell letter, . . 104 Arrival in Lake Superior, . 105

Chapter V

Fur trade, . . . .115 Perrot a Canadian, . .119 Fascination of the business 115 Visits tribes of Lake Michigan, 120 Licenses granted to old officers, 115 Council at Sault St. Marie, . 120 Clerks, 115 French take possession of North-west, . . .121 Voyageurs, . . . .116 Careless and hardy class, . 116 Trading post at head of Lake Superior, .... 121 Fondness for the frontier, . 117 Complaints against coureurs des bois, . . . .117 Du Luth visits Minnesota, . 122 Intendant of Canada displeaaed 122 Meaning of the expression, . 117 Number of annual licenses, . 118 Profits of the trade, . .119 Mille Lac called. Lake Buade, 122 Perrot's account attracts La Salle .123 Nicholas Perrot, . . .119 CONTENTS. X

Chapter VI

La Salle at Kingston, . . 124 Ridicule of the Indians, . . 133 Louis Hennepin, . . . 124 First infant baptism in Minnenesota, .... 134 His early life, . . .124 Not a Jesuit 125 Arrival of distant Indians, . 134 Hope of a Northern Pacific route, 135 Embarks for Canada, . . 125 At the Falls of Niagara, . 126 Hennepin's falsehoods, . . 135 Visits Albany, . . .126 List of editions of his travels, 136 La Salle launches the Griffin, . 127 He builds Fort Crevecœur, . 127 Calliere's opinion of Hennepin, 137 Louis XIV. orders his arrest, . 137 Sends Hennepin to Upper Mississippi, .... 127 Hennepin in Italy, . . 137 DuLuth,discoverer of Mille Lao, 138 Hennepin seized by the Dahkotahs 128 Du Luth in France, . . 138 Du Luth at Mackinaw, . . 138 Indians astonished at prayerbook, 129 Perrot near the mouth of Wisconsin, .... 138 First mention of a Dahkotah word 129 Droll strategy of Dahkotahs, . 139 Miamies bring lead, . . 139 Hennepin at Lake Pepin, . 130 Du Luth and Perrot obtain allies for Iroquois war, . 139 Old mode of kindling fire, . 130 Indians land near St. Paul, . 131 Louis XIV. censures Du Luth 140 Journey to Mille Lac, . .131 Du Luth at a post above Detroit 140 Hennepin's robe, . . . 131 Sweating cabin, . . . 132 Du Luth and Tonty at Detroit, 141 Astonishment at mariner's compass, .... 132 Du Luth captures Englishmen, 141 Du Luth in New York, . . 141 The mystery of an iron pot, . 132 Afflicted with gout, . . 142 Amazement at writing, . . 133 Notice of his death, . . 142

Chapter VII

Frontenac sings the war song, 147 Formal occupation of Minnesota, 143 Long-expected furs, . . 147 First official document, . . 143 Le Sueur at La Pointe, . . 148 Boisguillot at the Wisconsin, 144 Second post in Minnesota, . 148 Mantantons, .... 144 First Dahkotah in Montreal, . 148 First French post in Minnesota, 145 Ojibway chief from La Pointe, 148 Frontenac's opposition to Jesuits, ..... 145 His speech 149 Dahkotah's speech, . . 149 Perrot visits Montreal, . . 146 Dahkotah woman in Montreal, 150 Grand feast of Frontenac, . 146 Dahkotah chief dies, . .151 CONTENTS. XI Le Sueur goes to France, . 151 Perrot about to be burned, . 151 Le Sueur's mining project, . 152 Louis XIV. revokes his license, 153 Le Sueur's second visit to France, .... 153

Chapter VIII

DTberville Governor of Louisiana, ..... 154 Dahkotahs sue for favour, . 164 Canoes filled with blue earth, 165 Relative of Le Sueur, . . 154 Mantantons visit the post, . 165 Le Sueur arrives with miners, 154 M'dewakantons at Mille Lac, 1GS Ascends the Mississippi, . 154 Assineboines, . . . 166 Marest's letter to Le Sueur, . 154 Ioways and Ottoes moving west, ..... 166 Le Sueur meets Dahkotah warriors, ..... 155 Dahkotahs mourn the death of Tioscate 167 At the mines near Galena, 155 Canadians attacked by Wisconsin Indians, . . . 156 Le Sueur makes presents, . 168 Cultivation of the earth proposed, .... 168 Le Sueur at mouth of Wisconsin, ..... 156 Mantantons give a feast, . 168 War party returning from Minnesota, .... 157 M'dewakantons at the post, 169 Catalogue of Dahkotah villa.— 170 Le Sueur at Chippeway river, 158 Lake Pepin 159 Le Sueur returns to Gulf of Mexico 171 Cannon river, . . . 159 La Place, a deserter, killed by Dahkotahs, . . .160 Accconipanies DTberville to France, .... 171 Denis, Canadian voyageur, . 160 D'lberville's manuscript, . 171 St. Croix river named after a Frenchman, . . .161 State of the tribes, . . 172 Census of Indians, Mississippi valley, . . .173 River St. Pierre entered, 161 Blue Earth river, . . . 162 Frenchmen should not follow Indians, .... 173 Post established, . . . 162 Dahkotahs desire a post near Mendota 162 Canada and Louisiana governments, .... 174 Dahkotahs described, . 163 Workmen leave Mahkahto, . 175 Fort L'Huillier finished, . 164 Le Sueur's death, . . . 175

Chapter IX

Westward tendency of Dahko- Sauks and Foxes defeated by tahs, ..... 176 Dahkotahs and Ioways, . 176 Sauk and Fox hostility to Language of the Foxes, not Fiencl 176 Algonquin, . .176 CONTENTS. Foxes attack Detroit, . .177 Father Guignas captured, . 186 Returns to Lake Pepin, . . 186 Their repulse, . . . 177 Defeat near Lake St. Clair, . 178 Establishment at Lake Ouinipigon, .... 186 Louvigny invades the Fox country, .... 178 Veranderie discovers Lake Winnipeg, .... 187 Foxes break their treaty, . 179 Licenses to traders renewed, . 179 Alleged pillars of stone, . 187 Prediction of English mastery, 179 Aiton's letter on stone heaps, 187 Captain St. Pierre sent to La Pointe, . . . .180 Stone heaps near Red Wing, . 188 Dahkotahs attack Veranderie, 189 De Lignery concludes peace with Foxes, . . .180 Extermination of Foxes determined, .... 189 Peace between Ojibways and Dahkotahs, . . . .181 Moran, captain of the expedition, 189 La Pointe Ojibways at Montreal, 181 Moran's strategy, . . . 190 Final defeat of the Foxes, . 190 Foxes again faithless, . . 182 De Lusignan visits Dahkotahs, 191 Lake Pepin re-occupied by French, . . . .183 Coureurs des bois refuse to return, 191 Importance of the post urged, 184 Trading-post burned, . .191 De Lignery's expedition against Foxes, . . . .185 St. Pierre at Mackinaw, . 191 His character, . . .191 Foxes leave their country, . 186 Escape of Indian prisoners, . 192

Chapter X

Canada and English colonies at war, .... 193 Langlade of Wisconsin, at Ticonderoga, .... 196 French enlist savages, . . 193 Ioways and Ojibways at Ticonderoga 197 Le Due robbed at Lake Superior, 194 List of Upper Indians, . . 197 La Ronde, officer at La Pointe, 194 Rogers and Jonathan Carver at Fort George, . . .198 Veranderie at Fond du Lac, . 194 Marin at Green Bay, . . 194 Rogers's amusing note, . . 198 List of Upper Indian allies, . 194 Ojibways returning, die of small-pox, .... 199 St. Pierre in the state of Pennsylvania, .... 195 French deliver up their posts, 199 Beaujeu and De Lignery at Fort Duquesne, . . . 195 English troops at Green Bay, . 199 Dahkotahs visit, and make peace 199 Beaujeu killed while attacking Braddock, . . . 195 Penneshaw a French trader, . 199 St. Pierre killed at Lake Champlain, 195 His influence with Dahkotahs, 200 Friendly to the English, . CONTENTS. XIII

Chapter XI

Indians partial to French traders 201 Prediction of speedy route to New York, . . . .213 Jonathan Carver's early life, . 202 Carver's Pacific route, . . 214 At Furt William Henry, . . 202 Supposed origin of Dahkotahs, 214 Visits Mackinaw, . . . 202 Analogies of language, . . 215 Arrives at Green Bay, . . 202 Carver's death, . . . 215 Carver's description of Prairie du Chien, . . . .203 Claim of his heirs, . . . 215 Marriage of Carver's daughter, 216 Artificial earth works, . . 203 Alleged deed given at Cave near St. Paul, . . .216 Lake Pepin 206 Nehogatawonahs, Mawtawbauntowahs, Shashweentcwahs, 206 Agent of Carver's heirs murdered, ... .216 Rev. Samuel Peters purchases Carver claim, . . . 217 Carver's Cave in suburb of St. Paul 207 Testimony before Senate committee, . . . .217 Indian burial place, . . 207 Minnesota river, . . . 208 General Leavenworth's letter, 218 Falls of St. Anthony in 1706, 208 Indians do not recognise the grant, . . . .218 Mound near St. Paul opened, . 208 Exploration of Carver's Cave, 208 Frenchmen cut timber on Chippeway, .... 219 Dahkotahs at Carver's Cave, . 210 Speech over dead chief, . . 211 Report of Senate committee in 1823 219 Versification, by Schiller, . 212 Sir Wm. Johnson in relation to Ojibways, . . .212 British government prohibited grants, .... 220 Rogers makes a treaty with Dahkotahs and Ojibways, . 213 Lord Palmerston finds no papers about the grant, . . 221

Chapter XII

Dahkotahs formerly at Leech Lake 222 Wapashaw 226 Determines to visit Quebec, . 227 Driven from Sandy Lake, . 222 Delivers himself, . . . 227 Winters in Canada, . . 227 Fight at mouth of Crow Wing, 222 Pillagers, origin of name, . 223 Wapashaw dies an exile, . 228 Battle of Falls of St. Croix, . 223 Depeyster commands Mackinaw, 22S Foxes and Dahkotahs defeated, 224 English trader killed by Dahkotahs, . . . .225 Wapashaw visits him, . . 228 Song for Wapashaw, . . 228 Murder near Mendota, . . 225 Troop leaves Mackinaw, . 229 British witlidraw their trade, 226 Langlade at Prairie du Chien, CONTENTS. XIV Wapashaw at Prairie du Chien, 1780, 230 Winters at Pine river, . . 234 Kay stabbed by an Indian, . 235 Speech to the Foxes, . . 230 Perrault and Harris at Leech Lake, 236 Peltries taken by British to Mackinaw, . . .230 Dubuque at Prairie du Chien, 236 The lead mines of Dubuque, . 236 M'dewakantonwans in one band, 231 Renville, Grignon, and Dickson, 236 Penneshaw's village, . . 231 History of North-west Company, ..... 231 Perlier falls in love on the St. Croix 237 Clerks 232 North-west Company build at Sandy Lake, . . . 238 Pork Eaters, . . . .232 Winterers, . . . .232 British do not surrender posts, 238 Jay's treaty, .... 239 Kay in Minnesota, . . 233 Kay intoxicated, . . . 233

Chapter XIII

Indiana organized, . . 240 Pike's indignation at British flag, 255 Louisiana transferred, . . 240 Territory of Upper Louisiana, 241 Tent on fire, . . . .256 Territory of Michigan, . . 241 Sandy Lake, .... 256 First United States officer in Minnesota, .... 241 North-west Company's post at Sandy Lake described, . 257 Pike's expedition, . . . 241 Arrival from Fond du Lac, . 258 Pike at Kaposia, . . . 242 Leech Lake 259 J. B. Faribault, sketch of . 242 North-west Company's post, . 259 Sketch of Fisher, the trader, 242 American flag hoisted, . . 259 Pike's council on island, . 243 English flag lowered, . . 260 Articles of treaty, . . . 243 Council with Ojibways, . . 260 Pike's speech to Dahkotahs, . 244 Pike at Red Cedar Lake, . 261 Flag lost 248 Shabby actions of Pike's sergeant, . . . .262 Portage at Falls of St. Anthony, . . . .248 Peculiar hospitality, . . 265 Sergeant breaks a blood-vessel, 249 Arrival at mouth of Minnesota, 266 Pike's block house, . . 249 Carver's Cave not found, . 207 Complaints against Dickson, . 250 Conference with Little Crow, 20S Dickson visits Pike, . . 251 Pike at Red Wing, . . 269 Ascent of the Mississippi, . 252 The murderer, Roman Nose, . 270 Sled falls into the river, . 253 Pike ascends the Barn bluff, . 271 Baggage wet, . . . 253 Pike visits Wapasliaw, . . 272 Ignorance and inattention of voyageurs, .... 254 Pike at Prairie du Chien, . 273 Ball play 274 Ojibway encampment . . 254 Red Thunder, Yankton chief, CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XIV

Traders disregards Pike's instructions 276 Zachary Taylor retreats from Rock Island, . . . 286 Cameron, principal trader, . 276 Daring of Paul Harpole, . 286 His grave, .... 276 One-eyed Sioux, . . . 286 Milor, old voyageur, . • 276 Dickson imprisons him, . . 287 His perilous journey, . . 277 British evacuate Prairie du Chien 287 Indians combine against United States, . . . .278 Sketch of one-eyed Sioux, . 288 Nicholas Jarrot, . . . 278 Dickson at Lake Traverse, . 287 Messengers from Tecumseh, . 279 Prejudice against Selkirk, . 290 Dickson, his character and influence, . . . .279 O'Fallon's letter, . . . 290 Dickson's character misrepresented, . . - . .291 Dickson a British partisan, . 280 Mackinaw surprised, . . 280 Ramsay Crooks on Dickson, . 291 Rolette and Langlade present, 280 Wapashaw and Little Crow visit British, . . .292 Kaposia and Wapashaw bands at Fort Meigs, . . .281 Treaty of Portage des Sioux, 293 Refuse to eat an American, . 282 Astor organizes a fur company, 293 Americans fortify Prairie du Chien, . . . .283 History of Aster's company, . 293 Site of Fort Shelby, . . 283 Lockwood trader in Minnesota. 2'.>4 British attack the fort, . . 284 Indian trade in 1816, . . 294 Joseph Rolette, British guide, 284 First grist-mill aljove Prairie du Chien 298 Americans capitulate, . . 285 Americans attacked near Rock Island 285 Saw-mill on Black river, . 298 Spartan conflict of Ojibways, 298 Fort Shelby called McKay, . 285

Chapter XV

Red River difficulties, . . 300 Duncan Cameron, . . . 305 Selkirk storehouse broken open, ..... 300 Early posts on the northern border 300 Formation of North-west Company, 301 First Selkirk emigrants Presbyterians, .... 300 Colonists driven away, . . 307 Earl of Selkirk's project, . 301 Selkirk's grant described, . 302 Return to Red river, . . 308 Pioneers of Selkirk colony, . 303 Earl of Selkirk comes to America, .... 308 Winter at Pembina, . . 303 Colony augmented, . . 304 Messenger to Red river robbed, 309 The North-west Company oppose, 305 Governor Semple attacked, . 310 Massacre of his party, . .311 CONTENTS. Selkirk settlers again exiled, . 312 Sufferings at Pembina, 1817, 1818 315 Owen Keveny seized, . . 312 Grasshopper invasion, . .316 Complete devastation, . . 316 His murder, .... 313 His trunks opened and papers read, 313 Mackinaw boats from Prairie du Chien to Pembina, . 317 Earl of Selkirk seizes Fort William, . . . .314 Selkirk's agent visits Switzerland, 318 John Tanner discovered, . 314 Sketch of Tanner, . . .314 Compromise of Hudson Bay and North-west Company, . 318 Selkirk's interest in Tanner, . 315

Chapter XVI

United States fortify the North-west, ..... 319 Chief offers himself as a substitute for son, . . . 328 Orders to proceed to Mendota. 319 Solemnity of surrender, . 329 Saw-mill in Chippeway valley, 330 Crawford county, Wisconsin, organized, .... 320 Columbia Fur Company formed 330 Colonel Leavenworth ascends Mississippi, . . . 320 Names of partners, . . 330 Primitive mode of living, . 320 Mill at Minneapolis, . . 331 Troops move to Camp Coldwater, .... 321 J. R. Brown visits Minne Tonka, . . . .331 Lumber cut on Rum river, . 322 Family of Hess murdered, . 332 Cass expedition, . . . 322 Rescue of a daughter, . . 332 Negro and Indian offspring, . 322 Swiss come to United States, from Red river, . . . 333 Arrival of Cass at Sandy Lake, 323 At Upper Red Cedar Lake, . 323 First steamboat above Rook Island, .... 334 This lake the supposed source of Mississippi, . . . 323 Passengers on board, . . 334 Emaciated and suffering voyageur, .... 324 Grand illumination, . . 335 Arrival of steamboat at Mendota, 336 Buffalo hunt above Elk river, 324 Cass at Fort Snelling, . . 325 Astonishment of natives, . 336 Description of Little Crow, . 326 Reminiscences of Taliaferro, . 337 Red Wing and Wapashaw in 1820, 327 Origin of name Lake Calhoun and Harriet, . . . 338 Colonel Snelling met by Cass, 327 Flat Mouth at Fort Snelling, . 339 First infant of European parents, .... 327 Penneshaw's mother kills Ojibway girl 340 Wanata hostile, . . . CONTENTS XVII

Chapter XVII

Major Long's expedition to Red river, .... 341 Arrival at Fort Snelling, . 341 Renville, interpreter, . . 342 J. Snelling, assistant, . . 342 Beltrami, Italian refugee, . 342 Arrival at Big Stone Lake, . 342 Wanata's appearance and character, .... 343 Wanata's vow to the Sun, . 344 Cuttings of the flesh, . . 344 Wanata feasts Long and party, 346 Dog meat presented, . . 347 Origin of word Pembina, . 348 Boundary line at that point fixed 348 Tanner wounded by an Indian, 349 Beltrami separates from Major Long, ..... 349 Returns by way of Red Lake, 350 Beltrami's characteristics, . 350 Beltrami deserted by his guides, 353 Awkward attempt at paddling, 354 The difficulties of travel, . 355 Indians' astonishment at umbrella, . . . .357 Ludicrous appearance of Beltrami, .... 357 Fear of the Dahkotahs, . . 358 Beltrami at Red Lake, . . 359 Dogs tear his clothing, . . 300 Ojibways mourn the loss of a brave, .... 361 Half-breed hut described, . 362 Notice of Red river, . . 363 Topography of Red Lake, . 364 Theory of old geographers in relation to what constitutes the sources of a stream, . 366 Beltrami leaves Red Lake, . 367 Table land of North America, 368 Beltrami discoverer of northern source of Mississippi, . 369 Beautiful description, . . 370 Indian stories unreliable, . 37 1 Beltrami suggests western source of Mississippi, . 371 Leech Lake described, . 372 Interview of the Italian with Pillagers, . . . .373 Pike makes Leech Lake source of Mississippi, . . . 374 Beltrami's tribute to Pike, . 375 William Morrison's letter, . 375 Morrison at Leech Lake, 1802, 375 Morrison at Lake Itasca, 1804, 376 Wintered there in 1811-12, . 376 Beltrami at Sandy Lake, . 377 Government mill, . . . 378 Beltrami returns to Fort Snelling 379 Cordial reception, . . . 380 Accuracy of Beltrami's map, . 380 Underrated by Long and Keating 380 Findlay and party killed at Lake Pepin, . . . 381 Degraded state of traders and Indians 382 Traders among Dahkotahs, 1825-26, . . . .382

Chapter XVIII

Prairie du Chien treaty of Boundary fixed between Dah- 1825 383 kotahs and Ojibways, . . 383 CONTENTS. XVIII Dahkotah coward, . . . 393 Troops removed from Prairie du Chien, . . . .394 Methode and family killed, , 394 Red Bird at Prairie du Chien, 395 Attempts to kill Mrs. Lockwood, ..... 395 Murders the Gagnier family, . 395 Dahkotahs unruly, . . 396 Winnebagoesattack keel-boats, 396 The father's wail, . . . 397 Fort Crawford put in a state of defence 397 Cass at Buttes des Morts, . 397 Soldiers march from Green Bay 398 General Atkinson starts for the scene, .... 398 Red Bird described, . . 398 His dress, . . . .399 The surrender, . . . 399 Death in prison, . . . 399 Fond du Lac treaty, 1826, . 384 Commissioners Cass and Mc- Kenney, .... 384 Aged woman scalped when a girl, 385 Woman in council, . . 385 Agreement to deliver up murderers, .... 386 Cass orders a canoe, . . 386 Building of birch bark canoe, 387 Murderers surrender themselves, .... 387 Severe snow storm, 1825, . 388 Famine 388 Freshet in Red River valley, . 389 Swiss emigrants home-sick, . 389 Swiss move to vicinity of St. Paul, 390 Swiss, the first farmers in Minnesota, .... 390 OjibwaysatFortSnelling,1826, 391 Slaughtered by the Dahkotahs, 391 Ojibway revenge, . . . 392

Chapter XIX

Prairie du Chien treaty, 1830, 400 Grand scalp dance, . . 406 Half-breed tract of Lake Pepin, 400 Indian burial place, . . 406 Elk or Itasca Lake, . . 407 Attempt to erect a mill, . . 400 Lieut. Allen surveys and makes a map, .... 407 Holmes builds a mill on Chippewa river, . . . 401 Allen's canoe upsets, . . 408 Schoolcraft visits Ojibways in 1831 401 Flat Mouth's lodge at Leech Lake, 408 Snake river chief, . . . 402 Vaccination of Indians, . 409 Schoolcraft's expedition of 1832, 403 Beautiful country, . . . 409 Good soil 41() Associates of Schoolcraft, . 403 Falls of St. Anthony, . . 410 Child of Rev. S. Hall, first child of pure European stock on Lake Superior, . . 404 Schoolcraft talks with Dahkotahs, 411 Haste of Schoolcraft, . .411 Portage of St. Louis river, . 404 Hostile intentions of Black Hawk, .... 412 Strength of Indian women, . 404 Dahkotah scalp at Cass Lake 405 Dahkotahs, allies of United States, . . . .412 CONTENTS.

XIX Black Hawk routed by Dodge, 412 Nicollet's early life, . . 417 Battle of Bad Axe, . . 413 Arrival in Minnesota, . . 417 General Z. Taylor present, . 413 Pillagers molest Nicollet, . 418 Preservation of Indian babe, . 414 Rev. Mr. Boutwell assists him, 418 Black Hawk surrenders, . 414 Nicollet visits Itasca Lake, . 418 Alleged speech of that chief, . 414 Surveys the sources of Itasca, 418 First land mail to Fort Snelling 415 Explorations beyond Schoolcraft 419 Traders in Minnesota, 1833-34, 415 Devotion to science, . 419 Missouri Territory attached to Michigan 416 Nicollet's second tour, . . 419 J. C. Fremont, his assistant, . 419 AVisconsin Territory organized, 416 Valuable map, . . . 420 Iowa organized, . . . 416 Leech Lake Ojibways kill a trader 421 George Catlin, the artist, . 416 Featherstonhaugh, geologist, . 416 Sibley's tribute to Nicollet, . 421 Nicollet, the astronomer, . 417

Chapter XX

History of missions, . . 422 Mode of carrying goods at a portage, .... 429 Frontispiece of La Hontan's travels, . . . .422 Mr. Ayer arrives at Yellow Lake 431 Savages no regard for law, . 422 Youth trained to war, . 423 Rev. W. T. Boutwell at Leech Lake 432 Error in the teachings of Marquette 423 First mission in Minnesota west of Mississippi, . . . 432 Rev. Dr. Morse visits Mackinaw 424 E. F. Ely, teacher at Sandy Lake 432 Rev. Mr. Ferry opens mission school, .... 424 Indian children in missionary's lap 433 On manual labour principle, . 424 Warren trader at La Pointe, . 425 Indians laugh at missionary, . 434 Introduction of missionaries by him 425 Number and locality of Leech Lake Indians, . . 435 Rev. Sherman Hall, . . 425 Fish of the Lake, . . .436 Mr. Frederic Ayer, . . 425 Wild rice, . . . .436 Soil around the lake, 430 Mode of travel through Lake Superior 420 Danger of gifts to the Indians, 437 Rev. S. Hall's arrival at La Pointe, . . . .427 Polygamy common, . 438 Mr. Boutwell married, . 4«!.l Aitkin requests a school at Sandy Lake, . . .428 Primitive mode of life, . .440 Jesuits did not stay with Dahkotahs, .... 441 Hall's tour to Oakes' trading post 428 S. W. Pond, . . . .441 CONTENTS.