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Chapter
7 - The Queen of Pocagemah
In
the winter of 1846 I was trading at a place between the Snake River and
Pocagemah Lake in Minnesota, and on the bank of the Snake River near its
entry into Cross Lake, I built my trading house. The name of the lake
was derived from the name the Indians gave it, which was Pem-ma-che-go-ming,
and means to cross or go through. In the Potawatomie language the word
would be Kosh-ko-ming, a name they gave to a lake through which the Rock
River runs in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
After
the treaty of 1837 lumbermen were in the habit of cutting choice pine
timber wherever it was handy to get a market, without owning the land
or getting permission to cut the timber. In other words they were stealing
it from the government.
The
Snake River was the outlet for much of this timber, or so much of it as
was cut as far up as Knife Lake, on the Knife River, Rice and Tamarack
Rivers, and Colonel Sims, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was the man whom
the government sent to look after the trespassing.
He
had been in the Mexican War and had lost one arm. He arrived at my trading
post in the spring of 1847. After informing me of his mission he asked
to make his home with me for a while, as it was central in the country
in which he wished to make his investigations and would also like to have
my assistance in locating points where trespassing had been done.
I
took the colonel in and made him as comfortable as circumstances would
permit. I found him a pleasant companion. He would relate his adventures
in Mexico, in turn, for which I would recite matters about this country
that were interesting to him.
As
he was an army officer I told him of the Indian soldiers, how they had
their war dances, drills and parades, as well as white soldiers. This
interested him very much and he was quite anxious to witness one of them
where he could see a genuine medicine dance and feast and listen to the
speeches of the braves, telling of their miraculous adventures and many
hair-breath escapes.
At
this time there live a missionary near Pocagemah Lake by the name of Boutwell,
which lake was about four miles from my place by trail. Boutwell's wife
was a half-caste Chippewa and a daughter of a member of the American Fur
Co. She had been east and was educated and spoke both languages quite
fluently.
There
also lived on the bank of this lake an Indian chieftain by the name of
Bic-a-jek, who had a band numbering about 150 souls. His own family consisted
of a wife, one son and a daughter. This daughter had lived close to the
mission some time and became a favorite of Mrs. Boutwell on account of
her naturally good manners and her Indian beauty. She had, with the assistance
of Mrs. Boutwell, taken up the white women's mode of dress and was as
neat and tasty as could be. She was the idol of the old chief and her
brother, and for my part I must say she was the prettiest Indian maiden
I ever met. She was pretty in feature, and in manners she was feminine
to a degree not often overmatched by her white sisters.
Mrs.
Boutwell often told her she was pronounced handsome and that she must
set her cap for a white husband.
These
teachings had their effect and caused her to appear at her best on all
occasions, and especially when white people were present, consequently
she became faultless in her attire.
The
Colonel was telling me one day of the beautiful Creole women in New Orleans,
and I told him there was an Indian beauty in the neighborhood, who, in
features and form, could not be beaten in the whole south.
Just
the it happened that the chief and his wife and daughter were in sight
coming to my place to trade.
I
told the Colonel that they were coming and he rushed for his uniform,
which he always did when parties came, to whom he wished to show his rank.
When
the chief and party arrived at the post he was at his best in military
attire and awaited an introduction, which I interpreted between them.
The
chief said he was glad to meet a white officer, as he was an officer among
soldiers himself.
The
Colonel related his experience in war, the hard times he had seen, and
how he had lost an arm in the bargain, to which the old chief replied:
"He who strikes must expect to get struck," which was equivalent
to saying, in the Indian understanding, "That's all right, don't
grumble."
The
Colonel, turning to me said: "Your description of the daughter is
correct. She is as pretty as a pink." He told me to cut her off a
couple of calico dresses and to give the chief some tobacco also on his
account, and urged me to arrange with the chief to have us present at
their next war or medicine dance, and to tell the chief that he should
be much pleased to see it, and perhaps he could give them some pointers
in military matters that they would like to know.
I
interpreted the request to the chief, who said he was not then prepared
for such an entertainment, but would have one as soon as the necessary
arrangements could be made. I
knew what that meant, for they never have one of these dances until a
surplus of meat ahead to last from two to six days, so they can be spared
from the chase, and these councils always last white the stock of meat
holds out.
It
was only a few days after that I heard that the hunters had been very
successful, having killed a couple of bear and several deer, and knew
the council would soon be called.
The
Colonel was in high glee.
The
next morning, and but a little after sunrise, I saw two Indians hurrying
up the river in a canoe, and guessed they were messengers to invite us
to the feast. I
told the colonel of their coming and he was soon inside his uniform, and
with the eagles upon his shoulders, he looked the veteran he really was.
Along
came the braves, and taking positions on either side of the doorway, said
the chief had sent them to invite us to a drill and feast, and pointing
to the sky where the sun would be at about ten o'clock, said that was
the time for us to be there.
One
of them told me that the chief's daughter had told them to bring some
salt and pepper for the meats of the visitors, which I gave them with
a plug of tobacco to be smoked at the dance, and they hurried away.
The
Colonel was delighted, and said he could tell by the warlike looks of
the chief and the beauty of the daughter that we would have a good time.
When
we arrived at the Indian camp we were met at the shore by about twenty
braves in war paint, clubs and knives in hand and scalp locks up, all
ready to commence their drills and exercises. The
war-whoop was given and a circle formed with the chief and drummer-boy
inside, the chief acting the part of drum major and drillmaster. The
dancing began; 'round and 'round went the circle, the chief going through
the manual of the arms and being imitated by all the braves in the circle.
This
opened the Colonel's eyes as he saw the braves were no novices in handling
the club and knife. The changing of club to knife hand and vice versa
was gone through with for quite a time and was most beautifully done,
when one luckless brave made a mistake.
At
a signal from the chief the drum was sounded and everything was stopped,
when the unlucky man was taken aside by the chief and drilled in an awkward
squad of one until he became perfect, when the dance went on by giving
the emergency war whoop.
It
was continued some time longer when speeches by the braves were in order,
telling of their experiences since the last council, with varying effects.
The
feast came next in order, but first I will tell you how a war whoop is
given.
There
are two kinds, the general and the emergency whoop. The first is given
by a yell loud and long enough to allow the maker to slap his hand over
his mouth three times, and then repeat and once again, which agrees with
the white man's three cheers. The emergency one is given in the same way
but only one is given in the same way but only one yell and signifies
that there is no time to lose, but hasten quickly, and corresponds with
the long roll in white military service.
Dinner
was now cooked and ready, the chief's daughter being the leader in that
department.
She
brought and spread upon the ground in the long wigwam, which had been
prepared for the occasion, new rugs and mats made of rushes woven together
with bark. She placed the nicest one where she intended her white visitors
to be seated.
She
appeared more neat than ever; with a nice fitting dress and sailor collar
of white with beads in braids in great profusion about her neck and of
many colors, her collar lapping at the throat in an artistic manner and
fastened with the claw of an eagle; her fine black hair braided and coiled
at the back of her head in the finest style, her beau catcher locks at
the temple in shape, she was a perfect picture of health and beauty combined,
and she was the chief waiter at the table on the ground.
She
first brought to each a piece of roasted meat that had been done at the
fire on a stick. It was served on a plate made in tray shape of birch
bark. This comprised the first course.
The
Colonel having but one arm, I had provided myself with a sharpened stick
to use as a fork in cutting his meat with my pocket knife, which I did
after excusing myself to the chief and his daughter for this lack of etttiquette
at an Indian dinner, where knives and forks, cups and saucers are considered
unnecessary.
The
Colonel spoke in the highest terms of the cut of meat and the good taste
in which it had been served and inquired of me what kind of game it was,
but could not tell him as I only knew of their killing bear and deer.
This
course being over the daughter proceeded to take the orders for the next,
inquiring of each their preference for boiled or roasted meat. The Colonel
ordered both kinds, remarking that the bear meat was a choice meat to
him, but venison rather beat them all.
During
this course the colonel said that it was nice, but could not compare it
favorable with the first dish, and said he must have the hide of that
animal to take home with him to show to his people and tell them that
it was from that animal that he had feasted at an Indian dinner, upon
the choicest morsel he had ever eaten, not excepting that prepared by
the French cooks of New Orleans. Taking
from his pocket a five dollar gold coin wished me to tell the daughter
it was for that particular skin.
The
old chief smiled at the sight of the "shiner," and more so as
it was aimed at the hand of his idolized daughter, though he knew not
for what it was being given, for I had not yet told him.
The
daughter was not at first inclined to take the gold, fearing it might
be a breach of good behavior, but I assured her it was all right, and
the coin was dropped into the hand of the dusky maiden, who, by the way,
the Colonel had named "Queen of Pocagemah."
The
meal having been finished and the braves were preparing to continue their
dancing and festivities, the Colonel requested that I call the maiden
and go with them to see the skin of the animal that he might give orders
to have it properly tanned and ready for him when he should start for
home.
I
called the girl and we proceeded to the place where the hides were kept.
The
Queen of Pocagemah pointed it out, and there, stretched between to poles,
and hung the hide of a very large black dog.
At
the sight of it the Colonel's anger got the best of him, notwithstanding
the presence of his charmer, and he arraigned me before the bar of his
judgment in terms much more forcible than complimentary, and had he been
provided with a gun he would no doubt have slain me, so great was his
anger. But with only one arm he was convinced that he would be obliged
to wait till another time to get even with me.
The
Indians became alarmed, thinking the man was crazy, as they knew not a
word he was saying, and it was some time before I could get in a word
of explanation. I
quieted the Indians' fears by telling them it was a way he had, but that
it was nothing against their treatment of him.
But
nothing would do the Colonel but to take our canoe and go home.
On
the way he became cooler and finally declared he had made an unnecessary
show himself, without a cause, and after my explanation that I knew nothing
of what kind of meat we were eating, and that it was no joke played by
me, he became perfectly cool, and after a week or so sent for the hide,
which had been neatly tanned, and took it home with him, as he said, a
reminder of the war dance and his display of foolish anger.
He
returned to New Orleans after a few weeks and I heard from him several
times in relations to trespassing matters, and in all his communications
would mention the medicine dance, and was particular to enquire after
the health of his "Queen of Pocagemah."
About
this time Mrs. Boutwell left Pocagemah and joined a mission up the Mississippi,
but the chief's daughter continued her pursuit of a white husband, in
which she was successful before the summer had passed.
In
August 1847, a man by the name of John Drake came to Pocagemah. He was
a fine looking man and although his business was a whiskey peddler, he
won the smiles of Colonel Sim's queen and married her.
He
started a whiskey shop near Knife Lake where he traded in steel traps
and trinkets with the Indians.
A
man named Henry Rusk, who could talk some Chippewa, went into partnership
with him so they would be able to trade. Quarrels and fights became frequent
at their place and one or two shooting affairs.
When
Chief Bi-a-jek heard how matters were going at Drake's place, took his
wife and went there to make them a visit.
As
is the Indian custom in such cases they took along their wigwam and pitched
a short distance from Drake's house. They then went and called on the
daughter and invited her to call upon them at their lodge.
At
this he objected and said she should never put foot in their wigwam. He
also said, through Rusk, that if the chief was not away from there before
morning he would shoot him, for he did not propose to have any interference
in his family affairs.
The
girl was offended at this remark and watching an opportunity, she stole
away and went to the lodge of her parents.
Drake
soon discovered her absence and found out where she had gone and became
so angry that he took his rifle and fired a shot through the wigwam.
It
was now dark and Rusk prevailed upon Drake to desist as he had threatened
to kill the whole family. Rusk now had the gun and told Drake if he would
be quiet and stay in the house he would go to the wigwam and fix up matters
with the chief.
When
the shot was fired by Drake the three occupants of the lodge had skulked
away to the brush and the chief had taken a position behind a tree with
his rifle to defend himself from any further attack, and as Rusk came
out of the door gun in hand, so that Drake could not use it during his
absence, the chief espied him by the light of the house and believing
it to be Drake he fired at him, inflicting a mortal wound.
As
Drake now saw trouble ahead he quietly slipped away from the house, leaving
everything behind him and reached my place just at daylight. He told me
what had happened and wanted me to go and see to Rusk. I
did so, taking with me three men.
We
found him just breathing his last.
Drake
took to the woods and I heard from him a month or so afterwards at Wood
Lake here he had a quarrel over some steel traps. He afterwards went to
a wigwam of the party with whom he had the quarrel, and not finding them
drove the family from it and set it on fire.
The
Indian coming from the woods just then, where he had been hunting, saw
what Drake had done, hunted him up and shot him.
A
sort of investigation was had over the affair, which resulted in the sending
to the authorities at St. Croix Falls a report of justifiable homicide,
but nothing more was done about it.
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