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Waa-Kaun-See-Kaa |
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Peace Pipe |
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No-Gin-Kah |
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Fort Atkinson |
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Old Cannon House |
Preface
In gathering the data here assembled the writer has had
the kind assistance of the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Iowa Library
Commission, and the United States Ethnological Bureau. Thanks are also due
to Oliver Lamere (a first cousin of Angel De Cora), who has made diligent
search for desired information among members of his tribe on their
reservation in Nebraska; Geo. W. Kingsley, Angel De Cora, Little
Winneshiek, and Antoine Grignon (all of whom are Winnebago Indians, except
the last, who is part Winnebago and part Sioux); Dr. Eben D. Pierce; Roger
C. Mackenstadt; Chas. H. Saunders, and H. J. Goddard.
All of the above have responded in a most gratifying
manner to requests for information, some of them taking the trouble to
prepare long communications,. which have been indispensable in the
preparation of the following article and which the writer cherishes as
among his most valued possessions. All quotations credited to them in this
article have been taken from letters received by the writer since
December, 1912.
In regard to Angel De Cora, a summary of her career is
Oven in the body of the article, where the main facts abort Antoine
Grignon's life will also be found. That the reader may form a proper
conception of the value of the information imparted by other individuals
mentioned above (and all this has a bearing on the trustworthiness of the
article), the following statements are appended
"During the month of August, 1911, there came to
Madison from the Nebraska reservation two Winnebago Indians, Mr. Oliver
Lamere and Mr. John Rave. Both men were in the employ of Dr. Paul Radin of
the American Bureau of Ethnology, who for several years past has been
conducting researches among their tribe for the government. They remained
in Wisconsin until the first weeks in September. Both were Indians of
exceptional intelligence. Mr. Lamere is a grandson of Alexander Lamere,
one of the group of early Lake Koshkonong furtraders, and a grandson of
Oliver Armel, an early Madison furtrader. Mr. Lamere [Oliver] acted as Dr.
Radin's assistant and interpreter." From an article in "The Wisconsin
Archeologist," 1911, by Charles E. Brown, secretary and curator of The
Wisconsin Archeological Society, and chief of The State (Wis.) Historical
Museum, Madison, Wis.
"George Kingsley a member of the Wisconsin Branch of the
Winnebago Tribe of Indians, I consider to be the best authority on these
matters."-L. M. Compton, Superintendent of Tomah School (United States
Indian Service), Wisconsin.
Dr. Eben D. Pierce is a member of the state (Wis.) and county
(Trempealeau) Historical Societies. He has written a biography of Antoine
Grignon, a short history of the Winnebago Indians, and has contributed
several articles on the history of that section.
Roger C. Mackenstadt, now at the Uintah and Ouray
Indian Agency, Utah, was formerly chief clerk at the Winnebago reservation
in Nebraska.
Chas. H. Saunders is a white man who has lived with the
Indians most of the time (since he was thirteen years old). He married into
the Waukon family of Winnebago Indians, whose language he speaks fluently.
He was raised at Lansing, Ia., and was for a number of years a resident of
Wisconsin. He now resides in Nebraska.
H. J. Goddard of Fort Atkinson has been a resident of
Winneshiek county since 1849. Mr. Goddard has willingly placed at the
disposal of the writer his well-stored memory of early recollections. He
is a Civil War veteran and is thus especially competent to speak with
authority in regard to military matters connected with the fort.
Other old settlers have also responded cheerfully to
requests for information. In most instances their names appear in the
article. The writer acknowledges a debt of gratitude to them all.
The following authorities have been consulted
"History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties." W. h.
Alexander, 1882.
"Atlas of Winneshiek County." Anderson & Goodwin,
905.
"The Making of Iowa." Henry Sabin, LL. D., 1900.
"History of Iowa," v. 1. G. F. Gue, 1903.
"The Red Men of Iowa." A. R. Fulton, 1882.
"The Indian, The Northwest." C. & N. W. Ry., 1901.
"North Americans of Yesterday." F. S. Dellenbaugh.
"Handbook of American Indians." B. of A. E., 1911.
"Smithsonian Report," 1885.
"Annals of Iowa."a
"The Wisconsin Archeologist."b
CHARLES PHILIP HEXOM. June 18, 1913.
a
Articles by Eliphalet Price, C. A. Clark, and
War Dept. Records of Fort Atkinson.
b "The Winnebago Tribe," by P. V. Lawson, LL. E.
