Joseph Bell and the “Lost Tribe” of Saint Croix River
August 24, 2026
Collected & edited by Amorin Mello
United States. Works Progress Administration:
Chippewa Indian Historical Project Records 1936-1942
(Northland Micro 5; Micro 532)
Reel 1, Envelope 12, Item 3
EARLY EXPERIENCES
Statement of Joseph Bell, 80 yrs
Interviewed by Dan Morrison
I am in no position to give you much of a story that anyone would care to read, as I am not educated. During my childhood days we did not have the opportunity of going to school that the children now have, and all that I know is what I picked up myself. I have a few things in mind, however, that may be of interest to the present and succeeding generations, pertaining to some old people who were brought up at La Pointe on Madeline Island.
William Daniel Gordon
(1850-1943)
was a son of Antoine Gordon & Sarah Dingley.
~ Findagrave.com
I will tell you about William Gordon’s father raised on Madeline Island, who belongs to the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. In the very early days when the United States Government caused roads to be built for the purposes of opening up the country, one of the first roads to be constructed ran from Bayfield to Eau Claire Lakes. This road opened up a vast section of the country, and when new roads were built in those times, people, as a rule, followed in quest for new locations and homes. William Gordon’s father did just this. He followed the road from its starting point at Bayfield running south for some distance, then west to what they call Moose Lake. This was known as the first station and stopping place. The second station or stopping place was Moon Lake. The third station was at Spider Lake, known now as Silver Lake. The fourth place was Gordon, where William Gordon’s father settled. The present town of Gordon represents the first settlement of William Gordon’s father. The fifth stopping place was Yellow River; the sixth, Grantsburg and the seventh, was St. Croix Falls. This was the last stopping place as far as I can remember.
As I said before, these roads opened up a beautiful section of the country, full of wild game, plenty of fur-bearing animals, with many lakes and rivers where fishing was at its best. One could easily make a good living by hunting and trapping, and there was always plenty to eat. Many of the Indians who lived at La Pointe or Madeline Island left the island, following the direction of the newly constructed road. Though they were members of the La Pointe Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, many remained in the new settlements, and the Indians remaining along the St. Croix River and other adjacent places finally lost their identity as the La Pointe Band and were later known as the “Lost Tribe.”
My great grandfather told us that the Chippewa lived at the south side of Lake St. Croix and the Sioux Indians lived on the north side, both claiming ownership of the St. Croix River. The question of full right of the St. Croix River kindled a feeling of animosity between the two tribes, and failing to arrive at any suitable agreement, war was declared between them, the aim of which was to settle the ownership of the river once and for all. In these encounters the Chippewa conquered the Sioux, driving them out of the country entirely. In their retreat, the Sioux followed a westerly direction, finally stopping where the city of St. Paul stands today.
Reel 1, Envelope 12, Item 4
RECOLLECTIONS OF JOSEPH BELL,
MEMBER OF LOST TRIBE
By W. P. Bigboy
From the time I was old enough to accompany my grandfather wherever he went, I was his constant companion. As I now recall, about all the older men of those days did, was to get together in somebody’s wigwam to discuss past, present, and future eventualities. The topic that stands out in my mind most clearly today, and which was discussed over and over again by my father and his friends was the Treaty of 1854, and the possibilities of the Indian ever deriving any of its benefits.
When I was nine years old, a messenger from Chief Mush-ko-da Be-she-ki, or Buffalo, arrived from Red Cliff with the tidings that any Interior Chippewa (Indians living away from the shores of Lake Superior were known as Interior Indians), wishing to move and make a home on the Red Cliff Reservation could do so, and that they would be given all the assistance necessary to start, such as lumber for houses, farm implements, some live stock, and enough land when cleared to permit the planting and raising of sufficient foodstuff, so that there would never be hunger for them any more.
This announcement caused the people of our camp to do a lot of thinking, and they finally agreed to accept the offer.
Shegog, Kemewan, Ozawwawmik, Mawbezhashe, & Shawwanomeda received 1861 Annuity Payments as Headmen of the St. Croix Band.
~ Theresa Schenck Papers
All the Chippewa Indians living along the St. Croix and Yellow Rivers, as far south as Yellow Lake, were notified of this opportunity, and four leaders finally got their bands together. They were, Chief Gimiwun, Chief Kitche Majesiway, Chief Checog, and Chief Ozawaccagigig. Chief Naganub from the Fond du Lac reservation, had earlier taken advantage of the offer, and on our arrival there had a home, and one of his daughters, Louisa, also had a home built.
Our band, under Chief Checog, consisted of about thirty-five families. The group was assembled from the areas where Gordon now stands at the junction of the St. Croix and Eau Claire Rivers. The band started on its journey for Red Cliff during the month of May —-. I cannot remember the year, but I was nine years old then, and I was 83 years old last February 17, it must have been around the year 1865. The journey was made on foot and it took several days, as there were many women and children like myself. On this trip I also carried a pack. I packed my grandfather’s medicine bag, which contained only his medicinal herbs, so the pack was not heavy. An incident occurred which brought a laugh from the group whenever it was mentioned in later years.
Shigag and Gimiwan from the St. Croix Band received 1872 Annuity Payments as Red Cliff Chiefs.
~ Theresa Schenck Papers
Cattle Sold at Bayfield and Ashland
The settlers from the St. Croix river and falls sold most of their cattle to markets in the Chequamegon Bay area, and the only means of getting them there was by driving them afoot. To save time, these settlers would pool their stock into one herd and then drive them to Bayfield or Ashland. Well, while on the way to Red Cliff a herd overtook us, and not being accustomed to seeing so many cattle at one time I became so frightened that I climbed a young pine near by, and hung on for dear life, and though the pack was almost choking me, not until the cattle had passed, would I climb down. After a few moments of ridiculing and laughter, we continued on our way. In a few days we arrived at Red Cliff (Misabicong), not where the Red Cliff of today stands, but three miles farther north, the place or bay where the Indian Pageant was held in 1925.
Red Cliff or “Misabicong” was the center of all activities at that time. Indians were scattered on both sides of the little creek known as “Misabicongsing,” and along the shore north and south.
Checog Creek North of Catholic Church
As the groups arrived, the leaders were shown the locations where they were to keep their subjects. Our chief, Checog, selected the site from a creek now known as Checog Creek, a few rods north from where the Catholic church and school stands, thence north towards old Red Cliff.
St. Francis Indian School in Red Cliff.
~ National Archives – College Park
Chief Given Log House
As soon as the location was agreed upon, the chief’s home was erected near the mouth of the creek. The rest of his subjects built temporary wigwams until enough lumber would be available to build houses for all the families who wished to settle there.
No planting was done that year because by the time the families had built their wigwams and cleared a space for the next season’s gardening, it was already winter.
Indian Agent as Early as 1865 or ‘66
Most of the men were given employment by the Indian Agent who was in charge of the reservation, getting timber out for the sawmill. The unexpected acceptance of Chief Buffalo’s offer by such a large number of Interior Indians caused a shortage of food-stuff, especially of flour and potatoes, and most of these Indians subsisted mainly on fish throughout the winter. This fact alone caused many of the Indians to return to their former homes along the St. Croix and Yellow rivers. These Indians were afterwards known as “The Lost Tribe.”
The following spring, my brother, John Wolf, Paul Soulier, and myself were given employment on a government garden by the Government Farmer. The garden was planted that year mainly “in potatoes,” with the view that enough seed would be on hand the following spring to supply all the Indians with seed patches for planting.
Sawmill.
A sawmill had been erected prior to our arrival there, and being too young to ask when the mill was built, I cannot furnish the exact date of its establishment, but I had been told that the mill belonged to the Indians, and all lumber manufactured would be used in building Indian homes.
Frank Chingway, Indian Sawyer
One early spring a white man came to prepare the mill for its spring cutting of the logs that had been cut and hauled during the winter by the Indians. This white man trained one Indian, Frank Chingway, to run the saw. It was not long before this Indian had full charge of the sawing. While Frank was learning, I worked behind the saw, taking away the slabs and piling them. When he began to saw, was promoted to the carriage; and my job then was to spin the wheel that regulated the thickness of the lumber to be cut. I still remember that to make an inch cut, I had to spin the wheel five times. Later the white men substituted a notched affair that made the setting easier.
Rate of Pay and Manner
While working in the mill, I received $2.00 per day. In payment for my labor I was given a grocery order for $7.00, and good in the stores of Bayfield, and the balance of $5.00 has never been paid. I believe that those who worked in the mill with me hold I.O.U.’s to this day.
The mill ran for about two months to complete the sawing of the timber. Many piles of lumber were made, and the Indians were delighted by the thought that soon they would have homes to live in.
Making Stores, Building Dock and Warehouse
Red Cliff Indian Agency Buildings
~ National Archives – College Park
After the mill closed for the season, the men [illegible] hired to make staves for barrels from the choicest white pine that was so handy and plentiful. Regardless of the enormity of the sawmill’s cut-cut, there was always a lack of lumber for the construction of Indian homes.
A number of men were employed in cutting hemlock of a certain size to be used for dock cribbing. This work took considerable time, but by spring a nice dock was finished, and the mill ran again that spring. As the cutting operation continued, the lumber yard accordingly increased in size. A large warehouse was then constructed near the dock about the same time.
Arrival of Steamboat with Provisions
During the summer, after the completion of the dock and warehouse, a steamboat stopped at the bay and began to take soundings towards the dock. When it finally reached the dock, it was made fast and men were hired to help unload its cargo.
The entire cargo was for the Indians, and consisted of barrels of flour, pork, sugar, and condiments. These commodities were not doled out but were sold to the Indians. Nothing that I can remember was ever given to the Indians gratis, but they were obliged to work for whatever they received. This feature did not exactly coincide with the promise made with the Interior Indians. Naturally, many were expecting some form of relief from the government, and the arrival of the steamship with its cargo of foodstuffs led many to believe that at last the government was beginning to fulfill its many promises made under former treaties.
On completion of the unloading, the men who helped were hired to load the boat with cordwood and lumber, which in those days was used to fuel all steamships. I might add here that in those early days anyone who had a place on which to cut cordwood had a ready market for all he could produce. If he were near a deep bay or cove, or if he had a short dock, he was constantly busy supplying the demand, when once it was known that fuel could be secured at such a place. The price for the wood was low, and men hired to cut cordwood were paid one dollar per cord. Some Indians were able to chop (not saw) from four to six cords daily.
Taking More Lumber
It was not long after the first boat sailed that another boat arrived. This boat came light and it was immediately loaded with more of the Indian lumber and cordwood.
Antoine Day, Carpenter and Boat Builder
Antoine Day was able to persuade the U. S. Indian Agent to reserve a few of the remaining piles of lumber. He was a carpenter and boat builder. Out of this lumber he built some nice sail boats, and from the larger pieces he was able to build some homes. After the sawmill machinery was taken away, he used the old mill building for a carpenter shop and boat house.
Work Not Scarce
Work was not scarce around the Red Cliff vicinity for anyone who wished to be occupied steadily. Even at my young age, I was kept busy continuously, urged on by necessity, since I was the sole support of my mother and sister. My wages equalled those of the older men in the settlement, and when not engaged in the mill or woods, I was employed by fishermen who operated in the vicinity.
First Homes Constructed
John Buffalo’s House and Family in Red Cliff.
~ National Archives – College Park
After waiting several years for the promised house for each family that settled in Red Cliff, my mother’s dream of a house began to assume reality. As for [illegible] [illegible], Antoine Day persuaded the Indian Agent to reserve several piles of the remaining lumber, and in connection with his boat-building operations he took charge of the housing program. In spite of the many obstacles confronting it, the project went steadily ahead.
Whenever he had the material, Mr. Day would cut out the lumber and a helper would take it out to the site where a house was to be erected. This helper, with the assistance of the members of the family for whom the house was erected, would nail the parts together and soon another home would be ready for occupancy.
Seeing that my mother had a home at last and that work was scarce since the closing of the Indian-owned sawmill, I decided that I wanted to see some of the world. The world to me then was our former home near the headwaters of the St. Croix, Gordon, Wisconsin.
Antoine Gordon and Sarah (Dingley) Gordon at their house in the Town of Gordon with their son William’s wife Atagekwe Sarah Nekinse and baby Joe.
The Antoine and Sarah Gordon House was established in 1853 and listed in the State Registry of Historic Places in 2021.
After celebrating my nineteenth birthday at our new home in the month of February, I left for Gordon, Wisconsin. The purpose of this trip was to visit our relatives who had remained there, and at the same time to keep an eye open for work. I was successful in this, on my first day in Gordon.
A party of surveyors arrived at Gordon on their way to Bayfield. At that time the village was a stopping point for travelers going to points east or west. This party hired a team of horses and wanted axemen to accompany them to chop and remove blown-down trees across the road to which extended through some heavily timbered sections between Gordon and Bayfield. This trip took two days, and on arriving at Bayfield I was rehired to accompany the party into Michigan. This offer gave me the chance to fulfill my dream of seeing the world. We left Bayfield aboard a steamship and disembarked at Marquette, Michigan, where we remained for a number of days, while the engineers transacted the business which brought them to that city.
From Marquette we started overland with a team of horses hauling the party and our equipment to the headwaters of the Wisconsin river, thence to its mouth on the Mississippi. We traveled upstream untill we reached the St. Croix, finally ending our expedition at Stillwater, where I was paid off and released. I returned home by boat and by team to Bayfield.
The next spring found me again on my way from Red Cliff to the St. Croix country, where I remained until 1914, when I came to Odanah. In 1933 I paid my first visit to Red Cliff after an absence of fifty-five years.
1839 Petitions against Payments at La Pointe
October 10, 2025
Collected & edited by Amorin Mello
Previously we featured 1837 Petitions from La Pointe to the President about $100,000 Payments to Chippewa Mixed-Bloods from the 1837 Treaty of Saint Peters, and 1838 more Petitions from La Pointe to the President about relocating the Payments from St. Croix River to Lake Superior. Those earlier Petitions were from Chief Buffalo and dozens of Mixed-Bloods from the Lake Superior Chippewa Bands, setting precedence for La Pointe to host the 1842 Treaty and 1854 Treaty in later decades.
Today’s post features 1839 Petitions against Payments at La Pointe. These petitioners appear to be looking to get a competitive edge against the American Fur Company monopoly at La Pointe, by moving the payments south across the Great Divide into the Mississippi River Basin.
For more information about the $100,000 Payments at La Pointe in 1839, we strongly recommend Theresa M. Schenck’s excellent book All Our Relations: Chippewa Mixed-Bloods and the Treaty of 1837.
Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs:
La Pointe Agency 1831-1839
National Archives Identifier: 164009310
April 9, 1839
from Joseph Rolette at Prairie du Chien
to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs
Received April 27, 1839
Prairie du Chiene 9th April 1839
T.H. Crawford Esq’r
Commissioner of Ind’n affairs
Washington
You must excuse the liberty I take in addressing you once more – presuming you are not well acquainted yet with this Country, I am requested by the Chippewaw half Breeds that remain in this Country, that it is with regret they have heard that the payment allowed to them in the treaty of the 29th July 1837 is to be made on Lake Superior. They have to State, that it will be impossible for them to reach that place as the American Fur Co. are the only Co. who have vessels on Lake Superior & Notwithstanding they could procure on Passage Gratis on the Lake.
This distance between Sault Ste Mary, and the Mississippi is great and expensive. They also represent that the half Breeds born on Lake Superior are not entitled to any Share of the money allowed.
Whereas if the Payment was made at the Falls of St. Croix, there would be Competition amongst traders, whereas in Lake Superior they can be done none. They humbly beseech that you will have Mercy on them and not allow them to be deprived by intrigue of the Sum due them. So Justly to go in other hands but the real owners.
Respectfully
your most obd’t Serv’t
Joseph Rolette
on behalf of the Chippewaw
Half Breeds of
Prairie du Chiens
June 21, 1839
from the Indian Agent at Saint Peters
via the Governor of Wisconsin Territory
to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs
Received July 16, 1839
Answered July 24, 1839
Superintendency of Indn Affairs
for the Territory of Wisconsin
Mineral Point June 20, 1839
Sir,
Henry Dodge
Governor of Wisconsin Territory
I have the honor to transmit, enclosed herewith, three letters from Major Taliaferro, Indian Agent at St Peters, dated 10th, 16th, & 17th inst, with two Indian talks of 3rd & 14th, for the information of the Department.
Very respectfully
Yours obedt sevt
Henry Dodge
Supt Ind Agy
T Hartley Crawford Esq
Com. of Indian Affairs
North Western Agency St Peters
Upper Mississippi June 10th 1839
Governor,
Lawrence Taliaferro
Indian Agent at Fort Snelling
I deem it to be most adviseable that the enclosed paper, addressed to the Agent, and Commanding Officer on this Station from the Chippewa Chief “Hole in the Day” should be forwarded to you, the Indians addressing us being within your Excellency’s Superintendency. It may be well to add that a similar document proceeding from the Chippewa Chiefs of St Croix was on the 4th inst forwarded for the information of the Office of Indian Affairs at Washington.
The consolidation of the two Chippewa Sub Agencies and located at Lapointe, it is feared may lead to rather unpleasant results. I know the Chippewas well, and may have as much influence with those of the Mississippi particularly as most men, yet were I to say “you are not to have an agent in your Country, and you must go to Lapointe in all time to come for your Annuity, and treaty Stipulations.” I should not expect to hold their confidence for one day.
With high respect Sir
Your mo obt Serv
Law Taliaferro
Indian Agent
at S. Peters
His Excellency
Governor Henry Dodge
Suprt of Indi Affairs
at Mineral Point
For Wisconsin
North Western Agency S. Peters
Upper Mississippi June 16th, 1839
Governor
I have been earnestly selected by a number of the respectable half breed Chippewas resident, and others of the Mississippi, interested in the $100,000 set apart in the treaty of July 29, 1837 of S. Peters, to ask for such information as to their final disposal of this Sum, as may be in your possession.
The claimants referred to have learned through the medium of an unofficial letter from the Hon Lucius Lyon to H. H. Sibley Esqr. of this Post, that the funds in question as well as the Debts of the Chippewas to the traders was to be distributed by him as the Commissioner of the United States at Lapointe on Lake Superior, and for this purpose should reach that place on or about the 10th of July. The individuals Seeking this information are those who were were so greatly instrumental in bungling your labours at the treaty aforesaid to a successful issue in opposition to the combinations formed to defeat the objects of the government.
There remains 56,000$ in specie at this post being the one half of the sum appropriated or applicable to the objects in contemplation, and upon which the authorities here have had as yet no official instructions to transfer some special information would relieve the minds of a miserably poor class of people and who fear the entire loss of their just claims.
With high respect, Sir
your mo obt Sevt
Law Taliaferro
Indn Agent
at S. Peters
His Excellency
Gov Henry Dodge
Suprt of Ind. Affairs
for Wisconsin
North Western Agency S. Peters
Upper Mississippi June 17th 1839
Governor
On the 20th of May past I dispatched Peter Quin Express to the Chippewas of the Upper Mississippi with a letter from Maj D. P. Bushnell agent for this tribe at Lapointe notifying the Indians, and half breeds that they would be paid at Lapointe hereafter, and at an earlier period than the last year. I informed you of the result of his mission on the 10th inst. enclosing at the same time the written sentiments of the principle Chief for his people. I now forward by Express a second communication from the Same Source received late last night. I would make a plain copy, but have not time. So the original is Sent.
In four days there will be a large body of Chippwas here, and they cannot be Stopped. There are now also 880 Sioux from remote Sections of the Country at this Post and of course we may calculate on some difficulty between these old enemies. Your presence is deemed essential, or such instructions as may soothe the Angry feelings of the Chippewas, on account of the direction given to their annuity, & treaty Stipulations.
With high respect Sir
Your mo ob Sevt
Law Taliaferro
Indn Agent
at S Peters
His Excellency
Governor Henry Dodge
Suprt of Indi Affairs
Mineral Point
(NB) The Chippewas are to be understood as to the point of payment indicated to be the St.Croix, and not the S.Peters, as deemed by the written Talks. It never could be admited in the present state of the Tribes to pay the Chippewas at this Post, but they might with safety to all parties be paid at or above the Falls of S.Croix, by an agent who they ought to have or some special person assigned to this duty.
Elk River, June 3rd 1839
Maj Toliver. Maj Plimpton.
My respects to you both, and my hand: I am to let you know that I intend to pay you a visit, with my chiefs as braves, the principle of my warriors are verry anxious to pay you a visit.
The above mentioned men are verry anxious to see Gov. Dodge with whom we made the treaty, that we may have a talk with him. It was with him commissioner of the United-States we made the treaty, and we are verry much disappointed to hear the newes, we hear this day (IE that we must go to Lake Sup. for our pay) which we have this day decided we will not do; that we had rather die first: it is on this account we wish to pay you a visit, and have a talk with Gov. Dodge. You sir, Maj Toliver know verry well our situation, and that the distance is so great for us to go to Lake Sup. for to get our pay &c. or even a gun repaired; that it is inconsistent for such a thing to be required of us; even if we did literally place the matter in the hands of Government. We are all living yet that was present at the treaty when we ceded the land to the Unitedstates, and remember well what was our understanding in the agreement.
We now wish Maj Toliver; to mention to your children that it is a fals report that we had any intention to have more difficulty with the Sioux, as our Missionaries can attest as far as they understand us. We will be at the Fort in seventeen days to pay you a friendly visit as soon as we received the news; we sent expressed to our brethren to meet us at the mouth of Rum Riv. and accompany us to the Fort.
It is my desire that Maj Plimpton would keep fast hold of the money appropriated for my children the half breeds, in this section, and not let it go to Lake Sup. as they are like ourselves and it would cost them a great deal to go there for it.
Pah-ko-ne-ge-zeck or Hole in the Day
Maj Toliver
Maj Plimpton
Elk River June 14 1839
Maj L. Toliphero,
My hand, It is twelve dayes since we have the newes and are all qouiet yet. My father I shall not forget what was promiced us below, I think of what you promiced us when you were buing our lands.
My father this is the thing that you & we me to take care of when you bougt our lands & I remember all that you said to me. My father I am the cheif of all the Indians that sold there land and this is the time when all of your children are coming down to receive their payment where you promiced to pay us.
My father I am the cheif and hold the paper containing the promices that you made us. The Gov. D. promised us that in one year from the date of the treaty that we should receive our first payment and so continue anually.
My father; I have done for manny years what the white men have told me and have done well, and now I must look before we are to know what I have to do.
When I buy anything I pay immediately the Great Spirit knows this Now when we get below we are expecting all that you promiced us Ministers and Black Smiths and cattle.
I say my father that we want our payment at St Peters where you promiced us. I said that I wanted the half breeds to be payed there with us. I told you that when the half breeds were payed that there was some French that should have something ((ie) of the half breed money) because they had lived with us for many years and allways gave us some thing to eat when we went to their houses.
My father all of your children are displeased because you are to pay us in another place and not at St Peters it is to hard and far for us to be payed at Lapointe.
My father I did not know that the payment was to be made at Lapointe until we heard by Mr Quin.
My father it is so far to Lapointe that we should lose all of our children before we could get their and if we should brake our Gun we may throw it in the water for we cannot go there to get it mended, and if we have a [illegible] holding a coppy of the Treaty in his hand
Black Smith we want him here and not at Lapoint.
My father I want that you should tell me who it was told you that we all wanted our payment at Lapoint. All of the Cheifs are alive that hear what you said to us below. You Mr Toliphero hear me ask Gov Do’ for an Agen and to have him located here and he promiced that it should be so. I want that the Agent should be here because our enemies come here sometimes and if he was here perhaps they would not come. My father we are all of us very sorry that we did not ask you to come and be our Agent. I don’t know who made all of the nois about our being payed at Lapoint. I don’t look above where we should all starve for our payment but below where the Treaty was made.
My father give my compliments to all of the officers at the Fort.
Hole in The Day X
Maj L Toliphereo
1842 Treaty Speeches at La Pointe in the News
May 15, 2024
Collected by Amorin Mello & edited by Leo Filipczak
Green Bay Republican:
Saturday, November 5, 1842, Page 2.
Robert Stuart was a top official in Astor’s American Fur Company in the upper Great Lakes region. Apparently, it was not a conflict of interest for him to also be U.S. Commissioner for a treaty in which the Fur Company would be a major beneficiary.
A gentleman who has recently returned from a visit to the Lake Superior Indian country, has furnished us with the particulars of a Treaty lately negotiated at La Pointe, during his sojourn at that place, by ROBERT STUART, Esq., Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the district of Michigan, on the part of the United States, and by the Chiefs and Braves of the Chippeway Indian nation on their own behalf and their people. From 3 to 4000 Indians were present, and the scene presented an imposing appearance. The object of the Government was the purchase of the Chippeway country for its valuable minerals, and to adopt a policy which is practised by Great Britain, i.e. of keeping intercourse with these powerful neighbors from year to year by paying them annuities and cultivating their friendship. It is a peculiar trait in the Indian character of being very punctual in regard to the fulfillment of any contract into which they enter, and much dissatisfaction has arisen among the different tribes toward our Government, in consequence of not complying strictly to the obligations on their part to the Indians, in the time of making the payments, for they are not generally paid until after the time stipulated in the treaty, and which has too often proven to be the means of losing their confidence and friendship.
On the 30th of September last, Mr. Stuart opened the Council, standing himself and some of his friends under an awning prepared for the occasion, and the vast assembly of the warlike Chippeways occupying seats which were arranged for their accommodation. A keg of Tobacco was rolled out and opened as a present to the Indians, and was distributed among them; when Mr. Stuart addressed them as follows:-
The Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was a metaphor for infinite abundance in 1842. In less than 75 years, the species would be extinct. What that means for Stuart’s metaphor is hard to say (Biodiversity Heritage Library).
The chiefs who had been to Washington were the St. Croix chiefs Noodin (pictured below) and Bizhiki. They were brought to the capital as part of a multi-tribal delegation in 1824, which among other things, toured American military facilities.I am very glad to meet and shake hands with so many of my old friends in good health; last winter I visited your Great Father in Washington, and talked with him about you. He knows you are poor and have but little for your women and children, and that your lands are poor. He pities your condition, and has sent me here to see what can be done for you; some of your Bands get money, goods, and provisions by former Treaty, others get none because the Great Council at Washington did not think your lands worth purchasing. By the treaty you made with Gov. Cass, several years ago, you gave to your lands all the minerals; so the minerals belong no longer to you, and the white men are asking him permission to take the minerals from the land. But your Great Father wishes to pay you something for your lands and minerals before he will allow it. He knows you are needy and can be made comfortable with goods, provisions, and tobacco, some Farmers, Carpenters to aid in building your houses, and Blacksmiths to mend your guns, traps, &c., and something for schools to learn your children to read and write, and not grow up in ignorance. I hear you have been unpleased about your Farmers and Blacksmiths. If there is anything wrong I wish you would tell me, and I will write all your complaints to your Great Father, who is ever watchful over your welfare. I fear you do not esteem your teachers who come among you, and the schools which are among you, as you ought. Some of you seem to think you can learn as formerly, but do you not see that the Great Spirit is changing things all around you. Once the whole land was owned by you and other Indian Nations. Now the white men have almost the whole country, and they are as numerous as the Pigeons in the spring. You who have been in Washington know this; but the poor Indians are dying off with the use of whiskey, while others are sent off across the Mississippi to make room for the white men. Not because the Great Spirit loves the white men more than the Indians, but because the white men are wise and send their children to school and attend to instructions, so as to know more than you do. They become wise and rich while you are poor and ignorant, but if you send your children to school they may become wise like the white men; they will also learn to worship the Great Spirit like the whites, and enjoy the prosperity they enjoy. I hope, and he, that you will open your ears and hearts to receive this advice, and you will soon get great light. But said he, I am afraid of you, I see but few of you go to listen to the Missionaries, who are now preaching here every night; they are anxious that you should hear the word of the Great Spirit and learn to be happy and wise, and to have peace among yourselves.
The 1837 Treaty of St. Peters was mostly negotiated by Maajigaabaw or “La Trappe” of Leech Lake and other chiefs from outside the territory ceded by that treaty. The chiefs from the ceded lands were given relatively few opportunities to speak. This created animosity between the Lake Superior and Mississippi Bands.Your Great Father is very sorry to learn that there are divisions among his red children. You cannot be happy in this way. Your Great Father hopes you will live in peace together, and not do wrong to your white neighbors, so that no reports will be made against you, or pay demanded for damages done by you. These things when they occur displease him very much, and I myself am ashamed of such things when I hear them. Your Great Father is determined to put a stop to them, and he looks that the Chiefs and Braves will help him, so that all the wicked may be brought to justice; then you can hold up your heads, and your Great Father will be proud of you. Can I tell him that he can depend upon his Chippeway children acting in this way.
One other thing, your Great Father is grieved that you drink whiskey, for it makes you sick, poor, and miserable, and takes away your senses. He is determined to punish those men who bring whiskey among you, and of this I will talk more at another time.
Stuart would become irritated after the treaty when the Ojibwe argued they did not cede Isle Royale in 1842. This lead to further negotiations and an addendum in 1844. The Grand Portage Band, who lived closest to Isle Royale, was not party to the 1842 negotiations.When I was in New York about three moons ago I found 800 blankets which were due you last year, which by some mismanagement you did not get. Your Great Father was very angry about it, and wished me to bring them to you, and they will be given you at the payment. He is determined to see that you shall have justice done you, and to dismiss all improper agents. He despises all who would do you wrong. Now I propose to buy your lands from Fond du Lac, at the head of Lake Superior, down Lake Superior to Chocolate River near Grand Island, including all the Islands in the limits of the United States, in the Lake, making the boundary on Lake Superior about 250 miles in extent, and extending back into the country on Lake Superior about 100 miles. Mr. Stuart showed the Chiefs the boundary on the map, and said you must not suppose that your Great Father is very anxious to buy your lands, the principal object is the minerals, as the white people will not want to make homes upon them. Until the lands are wanted you will be permitted to live upon them as you now do. They may be wanted hereafter, and in this event your Great Father does not wish to leave you without a home. I propose that the Fond du Lac lands and the Sandy Lake tract (which embrace a tract 150 miles long by 100 miles deep) be left you for a home for all the bands, as only a small part of the Fond du Lac lands are to be included in the present purchase. Think well on the subject and counsel among yourselves, but allow no black birds to disturb you, your Great Father is now willing and can do you great good if you will, but if not you must take the consequences. To-morrow at the fire of the gun you can come to the Council ground and tell me whether the proposal I make in the name of your Great Father is agreeable to you; if so I will do what I can for you, you have known me to be your friend for many years. I would not do you wrong if I could, but desire to assist you if you allow me to do so. If you now refuse it will be long before you have another offer.
October 1st. At the sound of the Cannon the Council met, and when all were ready for business, Shingoop, the head Chief of the Fond du Lac band, with his 2d and 3d Chiefs, came forward and shook hands with the Commissioner and others associated with him, then spoke as follows:
Zhingob (Balsam), also known as Nindibens, signed the 1837, 1842, and 1854 treaties as chief or head chief of Fond du Lac. The Zhingob on earlier treaties is his father. See Ely, ed. Schenck, The Ojibwe Journals of Edmund F. ElyNaagaanab (Foremost Sitter) is likely the 2nd Fond du Lac chief mentioned here.
My friend, we now know the purpose you came for and we don’t want to displease you. I am very glad there are so many Indians here to hear me. I wish to speak of the lands you want to buy of me. I don’t wish to displease the Traders. I don’t wish to displease the half-breeds; so I don’t wish to say at once, right off. I want to know what our Great Father will give us for them, then I will think and tell you what I think. You must not tell a lie, but tell us what our Great Father will give us for our lands. I want to ask you again, my Father. I want to see the writing, and who it is that gave our Great Father permission to take our minerals. I am well satisfied of what you said about Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Schools, Teachers, &c., as to what you said about whiskey, I cannot speak now. I do not know what the other Chiefs will say about it. I want to see the treaty and the name of the Chiefs who signed. The Chief answered that the Indians had been deceived, that they did not so understand it when they signed it.
Mr. Stuart replied that this was all talk for nothing, that the Government had a right to the minerals under former treaty, yet their Great Father wishes now to pay for the minerals and purchase their lands.
The Chief said he was satisfied. All shook hands again and the Chief retired.
The next Chief who came forward was the “Great Buffalo” Chief of the La Pointe band. Had heavy epaulettes on his shoulders and a hat trimmed with tinsel, with a heavy string of bear claws about his neck, and said:-
“Big Buffalo (Chippewa),” 1832-33 by Henry Inman, after J.O. Lewis (Smithsonian).
My father, I don’t speak for myself only, but for my Chiefs. What you said here yesterday when you called us your children, is what I speak about. I shall not say what the other Chief has said, that you have heard already.
He then made some remarks about the Missionaries who were laboring in their country and thought as yet, little had been done. About the Carpenters, he said, that he could not tell how it would work, as he had not tried it yet.
We have not decided yet about the Farmers, but we are pleased at your proposal about Blacksmiths. Can it be supposed that we can complete our deliberations in one night. We will think on the subject and decide as soon as we can.
The great Antonaugen Chief came next, observing the usual ceremony of shaking hands, and surrounded by his inferior Chiefs, said:-
The great Ontonagon Chief is almost certainly Okandikan (Buoy), depicted here in a reproduction of an 1848 pictograph carried to Washington and reproduced by Seth Eastman. Okandikan is depicted as his totem symbol, the eagle (largest, with wing extended in the center of the image).
My father and all the people listen and I call upon my Great Father in Heaven to bear witness to the rectitude of my intentions. It is now five years since we have listened to the Missionaries, yet I feel that we are but children as to our abilities. I will speak about the lands of our band, and wish to say what is just and honorable in relation to the subject. You said we are your children. We feel that we are still, most of us, in darkness, not able fully to comprehend all things on account of our ignorance. What you said about our becoming enlightened I am much pleased; you have thrown light on the subject into my mind, and I have found much delight and pleasure thereby. We now understand your proposition from our Great Father the President, and will now wait to hear what our Great Father will give us for our lands, then we will answer. This is for the Antannogens and Ance bands.
Mr. Stuart now said, that he came to treat with the whole Chippeway Nation and look upon them all as one Nation, and said
I am much pleased with those who have spoken; they are very fine orators; the only difficulty is, they do not seem to know whether they will sell their lands. If they have not made up their minds, we will put off the Council.
Lac du Flambeau Chief, “the Great Crow,” came forward with the strict Indian formalities but had but little to say, as he did not come expecting to have any part in the treaty, but wished to receive his payment and go home.
The 2d Chief of this band wished to speak. He was painted red with black spots on each cheek to set off his beauty, his forehead was painted blue, and when he came to speak, he said:-
What the last Chief has said is all I have to say. We will wait to hear what your proposals are and will answer at a proper time.
Next came forward “Noden,” or the “Great Wind,” Chief of the Mill Lac band, and said:-
Noodin (Wind) is mentioned here as representing the Mille Lacs Band, though his village was usually on Snake River of the St. Croix.
I have talked with my Great Father in Washington. It was a pity that I did not speak at the St. Peters treaty. My father, you said you had come to do justice. We do not wish to do injustice to our relations, the half-breeds, who are also our friends. I have a family and am in a hurry to get home, if my canoes get destroyed I shall have to go on foot. My father, I am hurry, I came for my payment. We have left our wives and children and they are impatient to have us return. We come a great distance and wish to do our business as soon as we can. I hope you will be as upright as our former agent. I am sorry not to see him seated with you. I fear it will not go as well as it would. I am hurry.
Mr Stuart now said that he considered them all one nation, and he wished to know whether they wished to sell their lands; until they gave this answer he could do nothing, and as it regards any thing further he could say nothing, and said they might now go away until Monday, at the firing of the Cannon they might come and tell him whether they would sell their country to their Great Father.
We intend giving the remainder of the proceedings of the treaty in our next.
Green Bay Republican:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1842, Page 2.
(Treaty with the Chippeways Concluded.)
Monday morning three guns were fired as a signal to open the Treaty. When all things were in readiness, Mr. Stuart said:
I am glad you have now had time for reflection, and I hope you are now ready like a band of brothers to answer the question which I have proposed. I want to see the Nation of one heart and of one mind.
Shingoop, Chief of the Fond du Lac band, came forward with full Indian ceremony, supported on each side by the inferior Chiefs. He addressed the Chippeway nation first, which was not fully interpreted; then he turned to the Commissioner and said:
in this Treaty which we are about to make, it is in my heart to say that I want our friends the traders, who have us in charge provided for. We want to provide also for our friends the half-breeds – we wish to state these preliminaries. Now we will talk of what you will give us for our country. There is a kind of justice to be done towards the traders and half-breeds. If you will do justice to us, we are ready to-morrow to sign the treaty and give up our lands. The 2d Chief of the band remarked, that he considered it the understanding that the half-breeds and traders were to be provided for.
The Great Buffalo, of La Pointe band, and his associate Chiefs came next, and the Buffalo said:
My Father, I want you to listen to what I say. You have heard what one Chief has said. I wish to say I am hurry on account of keeping so many men and women here away from their homes in this late season of the year, so I will say my answer is in the affirmative of your request; this is the mind of my Chiefs and braves and young men. I believe you are a correct man and have a heart to do justice, as you are sent here by our Great Father, the President. Father, our traders are so related to us that we cannot pass a winter without them. I want justice to be done them. I want you and our Great Father to assist us in doing them justice, likewise our half-breed children – the children of our daughters we wish provided for. It seems to me I can see your heart, and you are inclined to do so. We now come to the point for ourselves. We wish to know what you will give us for our country. Tell us, then we will advise with our friends. A part of the Antaunogens band are with me, the other part are turned Christians and gone with the Methodist band, (meaning the Ance band at Kewawanon) these are agreed in what I say.
The Bird, Chief of the Ance band, called Penasha, came forward in the usual form and said:
My Father, now listen to what I have to say. I agree with those who have spoken as far as our lands are concerned. What they say about our traders and half-breeds, I say the same. I speak for my band, they make use of my tongue to say what they would say and to express their minds. My Father, we listen to what you will offer for our country, then we will say what we have to say. We are ready to sell our country if your proposals are agreeable. All shook hands – equal dignity was maintained on each side – there was no inclination of the head or removing the hat – the Chiefs took their seats.
The White Crow next appeared to speak to the Great Father, and said:-
White Crow is apparently unaware that in the eyes of the United States, his lands, (Lac du Flambeau) were already sold five years earlier at St. Peters. Clearly, the notion of buying and selling land was not understood by him in the same way it was understood by Stuart.
Listen to what I say. I speak to the Great Father, to the Chiefs, Traders, and Half-breeds. You told us there was no deceit in what you say. You may think I am troublesome, but the way the treaty was made at St. Peters, we think was wrong. We want nothing of the kind again. We think you are a just man. You have listened to those Chiefs who live on Lake Superior. What I say is for another portion of country. It appears you are not anxious to buy the lands where I live, but you prefer the mineral country. I speak for the half-breeds, that they may be provided for: they have eaten out of the same dish with us: they are the children of our sisters and daughters. You may think there is something wrong in what I say. As to the traders, I am not the same mind with some. The old traders many years ago, charged us high and ought to pay us back, instead of bringing us in debt. I do not wish to provide for them; but of late years they have had looses and I wish those late debts to be paid. We do not consider that we sell our lands by saying we will sell them, so we consent to sell if your proposals are agreeable. We will listen and hear what they are.
Several others of the Chiefs spoke well on the subject, but the substance of all is contained in the above.
Hole-in-the-day, who is at once an orator and warrior, came forward; he had an Arkansas tooth pick in his hand which would weigh one or two pounds, and is evidently the greatest and most intelligent man in the nation, as fine a form of body, head and face, as perhaps could be found in any country.
Father, said he, I arise to speak. I have listened with pleasure to your proposal. I have come to tie the knot. I have come to finish this part of the treaty, and consent to sell our country if the offers of the President please us. Then addressing the Chiefs of the several bands he said, the knot is now tied, and so far the treaty is complete, not to be changed.
Zhaagobe (“Little” Six) signed as first chief from Snake River, and he is almost certainly the “Big Six” mentioned here. Several Ojibwe and Dakota chiefs from that region used that name (sometimes rendered in Dakota as Shakopee).
Big Six now addressed the whole Nation in a stream of eloquence which called down thunders of applause; he stands next to Hole-in-the-day in consequence and influence in the nation. His motions were graceful, his enunciation rather rapid for a fine speaker. He evidently possesses a good mind, though in person and form he is quite inferior to Hole-in-the-day. His speech was not interpreted, but was said to be in favor of selling the Chippeway country if the offer of the Government should meet their expectations, and that he took a most enlightened view of the happiness which the nation would enjoy if they would live in peace together and attend to good counsel.
Mr. Stuart now said,
I am very happy that the Chippewa nation are all of one mind. It is my great desire that they should continue to for it is the only way for them to be happy and wise. I was afraid our “White Crow” was going to fly away, but am happy to see him come back to the flock, so that you are all now like one man. Nothing can give me greater pleasure than to do all for you I can, as far as my instructions from your Great Father will allow me. I am sorry you had any cause to complain of the treaty at St. Peters. I don’t believe the Commissioner intended to do you wrong, but perhaps he did not know your wants and circumstances so as to suit. But in making this treaty we will try to reconcile all differences and make all right. I will now proceed to offer you all I can give you for your country at once. You must not expect me to alter it, I think you will be pleased with the offer. If some small things do not suit you, you can pass them over. The proposal I now make is better than the Government has given any other nation of Indians for their lands, when their situations are considered. Almost double the amount paid to the Mackinaw Indians for their good lands. I offer more than I at first intended as I find there are so many of you, and because I see you are so friendly to our Government, and on account of your kind feelings for the traders and half-breeds, and because you wish to comply with the wishes of your Great Father, and because I wish to unite you all together. At first I thought of making your annuities for only twenty years but I will make them twenty-five years. For twenty-five years I will offer you the following and some items for one year only.
$12,500 in specie each year for 25 years, $312,500
10,500 in goods ” ” ” ” ” 262,500
2,000 in provisions and tobacco, do. 50,000$625,000
This amount will be connected with the annuity paid to a part of the bands on the St. Peters treaty, and the whole amount of both treaties will be equally distributed to all the bands so as to make but one payment of the whole, so that you will be but one nation, like one happy family, and I hope there will be no bad heart to wish it otherwise. This is in a manner what you are to get for your lands, but your Great Father and the great Council at Washington are still willing to do more for you as I will now name, which you will consider as a kind of present to you, viz:
2 Blacksmiths, 25 years, $2000, $50,000
2 Farmers, ” ” 1200, 30,000
2 Carpenters, ” ” 1200, 30,000
For Schools, ” ” 2000, 50,000
For Plows, Glass, Nails, &c. for one year only, 5000
For Credits for one year only, 75,000
For Half-breeds ” ” ” 15,000$255,000
Total $880,000
With regards to the claims. I will not allow any claim previous to 1822; none which I deem unjust or improper. I will endeavor to do you justice, and if the $75,000 is not all required to pay your honest debts, the balance shall be paid to you; and if but a part of your debts are paid your Great Father requires a receipt in full, and I hope you will not get any more credits hereafter. I hope you have wisdom enough to see that this is a good offer. The white people do not want to settle on the lands now and perhaps never will, so you will enjoy your lands and annuities at the same time. My proposal is now before you.
The Fond du Lac Chief said, we will come to-morrow and give our answer.
October 4th, Mr. Stuart opened the Council.
Clement Hudon Beaulieu, was about thirty at this time and working his way up through the ranks of the American Fur Company at the beginning of what would be a long and lucrative career as an Ojibwe trader. His influence would have been very useful to Stuart as he was a close relative of Chief Gichi-Waabizheshi. He may have also been related to the Lac du Flambeau chiefs–though probably not a grandson of White Crow as some online sources suggest.
We have now met said he, under a clear sun, and I hope all darkness will be driven away. i hope there is not a half-breed whose heart is bad enough to prevent the treaty, no half-breed would prevent he treaty unless he is either bad at heart or a fool. But some people are so greedy that they are never satisfied. I am happy to see that there is one half-breed (meaning Mr. Clermont Bolio) who has heart enough to advise what is good; it is because he has a good heart, and is willing to work for his living and not sponge it out of the Indians.
We now heard the yells and war whoops of about one hundred warriors, ornamented and painted in a most fantastic manner, jumping and dancing, attended with the wild music usual in war excursions. They came on to the Council ground and arrested for a time the proceedings. These braves were opposed to the treaty, and had now come fully determined to stop the treaty and prevent the Chiefs from signing it. They were armed with spears, knives, bows and arrows, and had a feather flag flying over ten feet long. When they were brought to silence, Mr. Stuart addressed them appropriately and they soon became quiet, so that the business of the treaty proceeded. Several Chiefs spoke by way of protecting themselves from injustice, and then all set down and listened to the treaty, and Mr. Stuart said he hoped they would understand it so as to have no complaints to make afterwards.
The provisions of the treaty are the same as made in the proposals as to the amount and the manner of payment. The Indians are to live on the lands until they are wanted by the Government. They reserve a tract called the Fond du Lac and Sandy Lake country, and the lands purchased are those already named in the proposals. The payment on this treaty and that of the St. Peters treaty are to be united, and equal payments made to all the bands and families included in both treaties. This was done to unite the nation together. All will receive payments alike. The treaty was to be binding when signed by the President and the great Council at Washington. All the Chiefs signed the treaty, the name of Hole-in-the-day standing at the head of the list, and it is said to be the greatest price paid for Indian lands by the United States, their situation considered, though the minerals are said to be very valuable.
The Commissioner is said to have conducted the treaty in a very just, impartial and honorable manner, and the Indians expressed the kindest feelings towards him, and the greatest respect for all associated with him in negotiating the treaty and the best feelings towards their Agent now about leaving the country, and for the Agents of the American Fur Company and for the traders. The most of them expressed the warmest kind of feelings toward the Missionaries, who had come to their country to instruct them out of the word of the Great Spirit. The weather was very pleasant, and the scene presented was very interesting.
Chequamegon History 