By Leo and Amorin

The Ojibwe Journals of Edmund F. Ely, 1833-1849, compiled and edited by Theresa Schenck, and published by University of Nebraska Press in 2012, are a fascinating window into Ojibwe Country at a pivotal time in history.  Chequamegon History frequently cites this work, which consists of eighteen journals kept by a Protestant missionary during his largely unsuccessful labors among the Ojibwe people of western Lake Superior and the upper Mississippi country.  In it, Dr. Schenck alludes to a nineteenth journal, not published in the book, dealing with the liquor trade at La Pointe in the years 1847 and 1848. The original manuscripts are held by the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.  Other historical societies hold transcripts made by Grace Lee Nute and Veronica Houle in the 1930s.  Here we present our own transcription of Journal 19.Unlike numbers 1-18, Journal 19 is less a personal diary and more an official log of incidents related liquor trafficking and drunkenness on Madeline Island and surrounding regions.  During those years, Ely was a teacher at the La Pointe Mission under Rev. Sherman Hall and also provided assistance to Rev. Leonard Wheeler at the Bad River Mission.  These missionaries came from the New England evangelical tradition of the Second Great Awakening, which in addition to trying to convert the peoples of the world, also produced movements for Abolitionism, Women’s Suffrage, and Temperance.  Letters indicate that some form of La Pointe Temperance Society was created in the late 1840s. Journal 19 references papers on file, indicating that the document may actually be the official log of the Temperance Society, probably having the intent to produce evidence against illegal liquor traders.

The use of alcohol in the fur trade goes back four centuries, to the earliest French presence on Lake Superior.  Government and church efforts to suppress that trade go back almost as far.  These measures, however, were never successful in fully eliminating liquor from the trade.  By 1847, the laws related to alcohol at La Pointe were somewhat ambiguous.  The Intercourse Acts of the United  States prohibited the sale of liquor to Indians and on Indian lands.  Enforcement, therefore, was the responsibility of the Government Sub-Agent.  However, there were questions over whether his jurisdiction extended to non-Natives, to mix-blood Ojibwe people with American citizenship, or to transactions completed on the water of Lake Superior.  Suffice it to say, both Federal laws and local ordinances prohibiting alcohol were enforced irregularly.  The missionaries found this maddening.

Edmund F. Ely was perfect for the job of professional tattletale.  For one thing, he was good at being disliked. He had numerous enemies in both the Ojibwe and the non-Native population.  Around the time he was driven out of Fond du Lac by the chiefs of that community, he even went so far as to compile a list of reasons why the Fond du Lac Ojibwe disliked him.  He would later go on to alienate several of the early settlers of Superior and Duluth during the McCracken-Ludden Affair, and he often sent complaints about his fellow missionaries back to headquarters in Boston.

We, today, are also fortunate that Ely had this job.  Most accounts from this era, about the destructive power of alcohol in the Laker Superior trade are very similar in nature.  We get a lot of righteous screeds, emphasizing only sensational violence.  These are long on moralizing and short on interesting detail. Ely is certainly moralistic to the point of sanctimony, and some of his accounts are extremely violent. However, Journal 19 preserves the same types of details and idiosyncratic observations that makes the earlier journals so compelling.  Because of this, we get a true window into the nuances of 1840s La Pointe society.  Despite lax or selective enforcement of liquor laws, we arguably see a community less affected by alcohol than the nearby white settlements at St. Croix and Ontonagon.  Finally, we get to see familiar characters, learn of their triumphs and failures, and hear stories both horrific and humorous, but seemingly very real.

The Ojibwe Journals of Edmund F. Ely:

LaPointe 1847-1848

Journal # 19

1847

May.

Adams of Ontonagon came to Bad River with goods & Whiskey, for trade with the Indians.  He first past into the Bay behind Shagouamik & the whiskey was secreted near the sand cut.  Mr. Hayes (Sub-Agt) Learning of this movement went in search, & destroyed [it at once.  50 to 80 Quarts sold.]

Aug.

The Sail Boat “Flying Indian” [came ashore for sale] with whiskey & secreted it [illeg.]

“

Schooner “Fur Trader” searched by the Sub Agent & [33] qua [btls] of Liquour in bottles destroyed.

“

[omitted or illegible sentence]

“

Steam Boat “Julia Palmer” boarded and searched at the [Sault] [illeg.] of [illeg.]

Martin Beaser,a prominent name in early Ashland history, got his start here as an illegal liquor trader.  These late summer incidents, in both 1847 and 1848, coincide with the La Pointe annuity payments

Augt.

Martin Beser, of Ontonagon arrived in a Yawl–with a few others, reported as passengers.  Journalist has been informed that she brought part of the load (whiskey) of the Flying Indian.  Probably had considerable whiskey of belonging to Beser & the Passengers.

— Besor’s boat with himself, Chas. Rowley & a stranger on board (all intoxicated) was upset in a squall while cruis about Eleven o clk P.M. while cruising about the harbour.  Wind Northerly.  They drifted on to Shagouamik & struck some distance off the point on the shoal in about 4ft water.  Men lay on the side of the boat, benumbed, helpless, & almost speechless & inconscious.

—It being surmised from certain movements, by a member of the Temp. Socy. that a Bbl of Whiskey would be removed from the Island to Shagouamik.  Mr. Hayes was informed, who sent off Mr. Smith & two strikers, before day break, to keep a look-out.  Mr. Smith discovered Besor’s boat–took off the men & brought them to Cadottes–where they were seen by Messrs Wheeler & Johnson & others.

“–Sab.

Besor’s boat left, and were obliged to put in to Bad River where were encamped the Lac du Flambeau Wisconsin Indians Indians returning from payment.  There was liquor enough onboard to commence a trade.  The Indians were supplied & became intoxicated.  The wife of White Bird (mother of Kebebizindų) was present, who states that an Ind rec’d a bottle from one of the men on board, in exchange for a Blanket, but as ascertaining it contained only water went to take his Blanket again, whereupon Besor resisted him & knocked him down with a Rifle.  The Ind’s were roused by the report that the white men were killing the man, & as the boat shoved off the shore, fired upon it, shot & ball, one Ball passed through the post of the ship keel [cent]. & struck lodged in the arm of James Dorman, who had thrown himself there off place of safety.  Boat put back to Warren’s for surgical help–left Dorman & went off same day (Sunday)

[perpendicular to beginning of struck-out statement]
Incorrect

[in margin at beginning of struck-out statement]
Sab previous

[perpendicular to ending of struck-out statement]
This statement is incorrect see Whitebird’s wife’s statement on file.

On the last two days of the payment,

Bottles of liquor were smuggled ashore in the pockets of dealers, & sold for $1, per bottle, or exchanged for blankets.  Some bottles were found to contain only water.  The trade in bottles was carried on, (it is believed) through the windows of the Julia Palmer.  Capt. Wood, of the steamer was detected in the night, landing his yawl, with bottles of whiskey in possession.  Some two or three Bbls, (in different sized casks) were found & destroyed by Govt.

Nov.

Francois Boudrie of Ontonagon arrived here with whiskey.  Evidence was obtained of his having infringed the law in selling to Indians & also of selling without licence.  Mr. Austrian lodged a complaint with Justice Bell & Boudrie was brought to trial, but from his supposed inability to pay the fine, & there being no prison, at the was set at liberty on securing an amount of $5 for costs, without bonds “to keep the peace” being required to enter into Bonds to keep the peace.

— Jejiguaio complained to Justice Bell against Millette for selling whiskey to Indians in exchange for paymt. goods.  Case not examined–

— gave Mr. Oakes a list of goods, traded for whiskey with Millette.  Indian was dissatisfied needed his goods & wished to get them again.

May 13.

Francis Boudrie of Ontonagon brought whiskey to Bad River for trade with the Inds.  B. confessed his crime to Messrs. Wood & Wheeler.  An officer warrant was issued by Justice Bell, but the officer arrived too late to arrest him, he having left the Territory.

May 6.

Propeller Independence arrived from Sault St. Maries.  Not known that any intoxicating liquor was landed save 2 Bbls cider for Mr. Watrous.

19th

Chas. Brissett states that Henry Beaulieu told him he (Henry) bought one bottle of liquor of Watrous for $1. (Whh Henry denies)  Some observed Henry to be, in their estimation, a little excited from drink.

May 23.

Propeller Independence arrived today from Sault St. Maries.  Dr. Borup & fam, & J. P. Hayes Esq. passengers.

Items gathered at Ance Kiueonaui.  In Oct Last, 3 young men (Indian) from the methodist Station, went across the bay to Meniclear’s, got whiskey, & returned drunk.  One of them lay on the shore & died in the night.  A coroner’s Inquest was held on the body.            (P.O. Johnson)

Some time in Nov. or Dec.

A canadian came through from Green Bay in company with J. Paull of Ontonagon, got liquor of Geo. Burkett, & was drunk some days, was then attacked (with pluerisy probably) & died          (P.O. Johnson)

In Jany.

3 miners came from Copper Harbour, on their way to Green Bay, with considerable money.  They stopped at Meniclear’s & gave themselves to drinking one or two days, during which, one did a severe wound in the hand, and another found himself minus about $100.         (Johnson)

There are 5 traders at L’Ance, viz.

P. Crebassa no whiskey
Meniclear Whiskey & drinker
Geo. Burkett. do – do
Sherman do – do
Sheldon do – do

2 of the above drinkers, also abuse their families.

Some time in the fall of 1847,

John Champaigne, in the Employment of Doct. Kane, on their way up the ontonagon was seized with delirium tremens, & died.  Had been drinking at the mouth of Ontonagon.–

March 2nd, 1848.

Jas. Landergrun was found in a dying state on the Ice, Ontonagon River, for particulars see the letter of Mr. Saml O. Knapp (on file)

Feb 7. 1847.

Henry Rust was killed shot by a shot from an Nodin or his son in law, at Dicks Drakes trading house on Snake River St. Croix, Co. Drake & another man were drunk & were fired upon they were too drunk to know much about the circumstances for particulars, see statement of J. P. Hayes Esq (on file)

May 1848.

–Drake shot dead killed by a shot Bapt. Robideau– Liquor the cause.

June 19.

Schooner Swallow arrived from Sault St. Maries.  freight for Messrs Hyde, Leopoled & N. Fur Co.

March.

Mr. Cash of Ontonagon stated to Journalist that Martin Besor, after his return from Lapoint last fall offered to sell him any number of Indian Blankets, whh he (Cash) might be disposed to buy.

List of mid-late 1840s employees at the La Pointe Indian Sub-Agency including James P. Hayes and others.
~ Thirtieth Congress – First Session. Ex. Doc. No. 26. House of Representatives. Persons Employed In The Indian Department. Letter from The Secretary of War, Transmitting a statement of persons employed in the Indian Department. January 26, 1848.

June 22.

Jas. P. Hayes Esq. U. S. Sub Agt. recd his dismission & left in the Schooner Swallow– cause, Intemperance

July.

Fr. Boudrie arrived from Ontonagon with a cask of whiskied Cider– was prosecuted–a search warrant was issued & Peter Vandeventer was deputized to serve it.  Van deventer After allowing abundant time for the service, Mr. Justice Bell & Van Tasell went to the building under search, & detected Van deventer in secreting a part of the cider.  The whole was seized & destroyed by the owner–

Aug 28.

Propeller Independence arrived.  Considerable intoxication among french & Half breeds.

“  29

Schooner Napoleon, Clarke arrived with Govt provisions.  Passengers Hyde, Wolcott & Martell

In discharging some bbls. of corn from the Propeller, on bbl. burst, & revealed a number of bottles of Liquor secreted among the Corn.  The bbls were expressed back to the Sault.  They have since been ascertained to belong have shipped by Martell of Sault St Maries.  It was also reported by a passenger on the propeller, that the Napoleon was supposed to have on board a Bbl of Liquor belonging to Wolcott.

A number of Indians are reported to have had liquor about the time the Propeller left.

— An Indian was instigated by a Wht. man named Mills to murder two Americans living on Apple River–liquor was used in carry out Mills’s plans.  The Ind was arrested & Hung, without judicial trial, at the Falls of St Croix.

— Majise shot killed in a drunken frolic on the St Croix.  died next day–

— An old woman had her arm broken at the mouth of the Brule by a drunken son in law–Liquor furnished by Aug. Cadotte.

Sept 11.

Wood Smith & Vantassell Govt men, found 2 Kegs (about 12 [gal]) whiskey near the camp of Fr. Boudrie belonging to him, concealed in the ground–they immediately destroyed it.

6th

The sailboat Flying Indian arrived in the night of [Sunday] [day] last.

Sept 13.

Schooner Algonquin arrived from Sault St. Maries ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Further information about the challenges of enforcing liquor laws at La Pointe can be found in the following:

“A real bona fide, unmitigated Irishman”

Reisen in Nordamerika: From Ontonagon to the mouth of the Bois-brule (Part 3)

1855 Inquest on the Body of Louis Gurnoe

1856 Inquest on the Body of Jerry Sullivan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ely, Edmund Franklin, and Theresa M. Schenck. The Ojibwe Journals of Edmund F. Ely, 1833-1849. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 2012. Print.

Folsom, William H. C., and E. E. Edwards. Fifty Years in the Northwest. St. Paul: Pioneer, 1888. Print.

Paap, Howard D. Red Cliff, Wisconsin: A History of an Ojibwe Community. St. Cloud, MN: North Star, 2013. Print.

Schenck, Theresa M. William W. Warren: The Life, Letters, and times of an Ojibwe Leader. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 2007. Print.

Special thanks to Dr. Schenck for making this post possible.