New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-08-27
Scenes In the North-west-Prairie du Chen
Anecdotes OF Gen. TayI or, &c.
Correspondence Of The Tribune

to the Northwest and so long military post gar
risoned by United States troops; and who that has
ever visited here has not been interested in the
pY0Vinc0 aspect Of the place, its early history and
the associations connected Herewith ? This point
was selected by the early Jesuit Fathers and was
settled about the same time as Philadelphia and
by the same class of people who settled the old
French towns of CahOkia, kasksskia, St Gene
We've &c farther down the Mississippi. IL appears
TO have been in the Spring Of 1913, that Father
Marquette and Mons Joliet took their departure
from the French establishment at Green Bay LA
Baye Verdel on voyage Of discovery up the Fox river
and down the Ouisconsin 10 the Mississippi from
the head waters Of the Fox 10 the head waters OF the
Ouisconsn 10 only threefourths ot mile (now called
the Wisconsin Portage. and Is channel OF cofnnhn
cation between The great lakes and the Mssppi) This
route Immediately attracted great attention u adVan
tsges connection Of the waters Of the st. Lawrence
and thu Mississippi were observed and commented upon
by ali the early fathers who first explored this region
Marquette Joliet Hennepn and the brave, epterprsng
but unfortunate La Sale. all remarked II ss most
wonderful natural connection Of the most extensive IN
land waters In the world waters that running in differ
ent directions disembogued themselves into the ocean
thousands Of miles atsunder.
IL 10 now nearly two hundred years, since hrst at
the Wnnebago Portage France and Christianity stood
in the Valley Of the Mississippi" aud L not many
years after that time that permanent establishment
made here by the French. The town Is not built at
the mouth of the Wisconsin. but three miles above.
There is extensive swamp az the mouth, which pre-
vented any settlement nearer than the Prairie above
vestges Of sn old Freneh Fort At the lower end of the
Prairie are still TO be discerned IL cspscious and
strong fertilization and burned during the second
year of the Revolutionary War The time Of the erec'
lion Of this Fort cannot be determined by any evil
dence here and difference OF opinion has existed
as TO whether built by the French Spanish Gov
eminent Strange b tell scarcely anything remains 10
inform this generation Of that brave end nooeninded
ef men who, at that early day plunged into the
desert wilderness and rst raised the cross among the
Red Men OF the Forest.
The name of Prairie du Chen not given to the
place until long after the 6rst settlement was made
have stated frequently that II was called Prairie
du Chen from the great number OF prairie dogs said n
have been formerly found here Out 10 Tact never iouno
-ohiea being the French word for dog-i o. PrArie oil
Dogs Some have commended. and believe IT. Pike
among them that IL should be Prairie du Chine chine
the French word for oak or Oak Prairie But neither
10 correct II first called frdis des ChteHs from
large family of the earliest settlers here by the name
of Cene and from this family did the place derive its
pame-the Prairie Of the Chiens-thst IT, belonging to
or settled by the Chen family. M. Brisbos, who set
the descendants of the family here at that period and
that he was informed his first arrival that the place
was named from that family. In early times the name
was written Prairie ds Chen' but for long time 1t has
been called and written dn Chen.
The early inhabitants here were singular race OF
men Each took up little spot OF ground Tor bis
individual use, but all the ground that was not thus
taken IN was used and cultivated as a common appur-
tenant 10 the village In which all the inhabitants had
equal interest They were frank. open and hospitabe
10 an eminent degree Careless OF their civil snd pot
Of any that was set over them Their great
desire live peRcesby and by themselves. modest
ing nobody and giving no occasion Tor being nOlesteo
In 1905 Gen Pike computed the population OF the
nre AZ from 800 to 600 and in 1920 Mr. SchOolcret es
mated IL 500 and from that timet gradually improv-
cd w TO 1872 and it has contained population OF some
1900 or 400 Government made II an important point
for many years by the large amount OF troops 1t kept in
garrison here and by Its payments to the various indian
tribes There have been many as eight or ten com
uanes stationed at Fort Crawford at a time In some
q dishu here Indiana
diers &c 100000 That made money plenty here, and
many substantial improvements were made.
But the light of other days has adcd'-the Indians
have receded before the advancing step OF Civilization
the troops been ordered OF and Prairie du Chen
IL no what Ii was Its population has dwindled
down TO 700 or SOO-halt the houses are apparently
vacant and out of twenty five stores In town there
are only three four occupied stranger cannot but
be struck with the desoate appearance OF the pace-s
old implanted houses built alter the French sy win
galleries both sides with their roofs fallen In ana
windows broken out snd the entire absence OF anything
like thrift render unlike almost any other town 10 the
country.
tant station here but II has been for time abandon
ed. Col HERCULES l.. HoUsEMAN, the old agent Of the
Company still lives here (hsving retired upon iortune)
and dspenses hospitality from his beautiful residence IN
q manner that would do credit to any of your Mer
chant Princes Of New-York.
The military station here Fort Crawiord) has
been iavOrite post among the officers OF the army,
and many of the most distinguished Of them have
been stationed here first and last. Gen TAYLOR
was stationed here for seven years from 81 TO y,
and have made many inquiries OF the old settlers
here in relation to him. Every man, woman and
child that ever knew the old hero speaks of him u
terms of absolute reverence They all say he was so
JUST man plain and unassuming in his department
40 industrious 30 attentive 70 all the wants Of his soldiers
and so kind hearted and benevolent Beside Gen. lay
lor Gens Worth Twiggs and Kearney, and Col. Har.
ney have been here at different times Col Jen DAVIS
was serving here az lieutenant when Gen Taylor was In
command and fell desperately In love with one OF the
Generals daughters but his addresses discouraged
by the General and the daughter sent 20 Louisville
Ky Davis then resigned his commission. went 10 Lou
isvile and married the young lady without the know
edge or consent either Pa Ma She Is represented
as having been beautiful and accomplished young lady
but died after her marriage with Davis The zen
eral had three daughters and he seemed determined
that none of them should marry in the Army but the
young ladies' did not heed the notion OF the iaher-the
eldest married Dr. Wood of the Army. the second Lieut.
Davis and the third, dit is 10 marry Major Bliss
Major Hool u :. A. who os his right arm In gallant
" charging battery at the head OF his company at the
battle of Resacs de- Ia Palma, Is now In command OF
(,he Wisconsin Volunteers Capt Knowlton) stationed
here. There Is but little for troops here now.
and the Government will probably abandon the post be-
fore long.
But am growing weary, and think you will ex
claim So am l." / will therefore bid you ADlEU.
INDIAN DIFFICULTIES IN TEXAs.-The recent
difficulties with the Camanches and other Indian tribes
on the Texas frontier have originated from misunder
standing on their part of the of the compact or
treaty concluded between the Chiefs Of the Csmanehes
and their associate tribes and Messrs Lewis and But
ler the L. : Commissioners II appears that these
1Aa1V asaAo In lf Ha