Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-08-31
IFG6SGS IJIMp.
From the Old Oaken Bucket.
EARLY History of Wi consin.
NUMBER THREE.
BIZ A. CONSTANTINE BARRY.

Among the wild tribes of the wilderness, there
obtained generally the belief, that he Michisepa,
or Great River could not be explored-that the
very undertaking of such enterprise was frought
with much danger, and 10 proceed i'll it would be
AT the cost OF lie. There fierce blood thirs-
ty sayages, whose ferocity no kindness could tame
aud who could not be turned from their sanguina-
ny and murderous purpose b. the sight of the
o the uphited and wedponless hand OF the Christ
ian Missionary. Beside, there were monsters
who woul1 swallow up them and their canoes
demon who would engulf all who ventured near
his watery and boiling domain, and heats that
would parch them" When, therefore Marquette
and his companions made known their plan, at an
Indian village on the shore OF Lake Michigan they
besought not to go iorw ard in an enterprze
which could result only IN their destruction. The
superstition of course was not credited and what
ever of peril was before them, they were prepared
to encounter il with stout ncaris and III AZ I,,i;.
bic, deyout trust IN the experimenting care OF Lii
vine Pro, ldence. Says Marquette, thanked
them ior their good advice. Speaking OF his IndI
an friends but informed Them that could not fol
low IL, since the salvation of souls at stake,
for which | should be oyerjoyed to give my life
Reaching the rapids OK River, where now
is the thriving and enterprlsIng little village CT
Neenah, and dragging their canoes through them
with great labor, this adventurous band passed on
to the Portage under conduct of two Indian guides
hundreds of mile away from their brethren in the
east, were alone amid thar unknown country, IN
the hand Of God
They had arrived at a point where the waters
of the Gulf of Mexico and those Of the St Law
divide: or, has been incorrectly stated, the
waters OF the Atlantic and Pacific Here were
two great rivers less than mile distant from
each other--the Fox, running north and entering
into Green Bay, the Wisconsin sweeping maiesti-
in firth
Ute 10 the Father of Waters. Carrying their ca
across the narrow strip of intervening land,
the voyagers embarked in them on a river whose
waters had never before mirrored the face OF
white man, down which they ioated amid green
and beautiful Islands. until, on the 18th Of June
they entered the Mississippi.
For one hundred and thirty wears, no white
man had looked upon the G eat River, padded
a canoe upon Its waters. Ii had indeed been pIeyl-
ouslY discovered. In 1543. De Soto, the leader of
Span sh expedition, and the cOnqueTor of FiorI-
da, fighting his way through the savages that
swarmed 10 oppose him. AT length found himstlf
on the banks OF this river which ne called Rio
Grande.' Says Monette, whom we have before
quoted, - De 500 may be said TO have been the
first European who beheld the magniticen river
which rolls its waters through the unbroken for
est and splendid vegetation of vide and deep al
luvial soil. The lapse OF three centuries has not
changed the character of the stream. 1t was then
described as ii is, more than mile IN
width, flowing with strong current, and by the
weight of It's waters forcing channel of great
depth. The water described as being always
muddy, md trees and timber continually float
down the stream"
Marquette ano his companions passed down the
Mississippi, making the acquaintance of several
tribes along It's shores, and collecting much vaua-
bic Information. Having employed four weeks
in this manner. they began to think of returning
to Canada, TO friends and home They had accom-
pished the great object OF their mission and II
was not demanded of them IN discharge of further
duty that they expose themselves TO disaster, and
peril their lives In attempt TO penetrate farther
into the wilderness, or 10 extend beyond their ex
plorations OF the Great River. They had obtained
the Information that was sought, and like prudent,
reasonable men were satisfied.
Thew were now eleven hundred miles below the
mon f the Wisconsin River. They turned back
and commenced the toilsome and weary ascent of
the river, urging their canoes against its strong
current. exposed to many and severe hardships
and privations. Yet their souls shrank not. nor
were appalled,. After several weeks toll
on their return journey. they reached the mouth
of the Illinois River. AscertainIng from the In
dams that this easier of ascent and that it af
forded the most direct route to the Great Lakes
they decided to make trial of 1t. Passing up this
gentle stream. few days suficed for the perfor-
nance Of their journey 10 Laae Michigan, which
they entered through chicago creek here Mar
q,,ette parted from Joliet and other companions
in this great tour and sought his way alone 10 his
missionary post among the Hurons. The others
took up their line of march across Lake Erie, on
their return 10 Quebec.
II Great was the joy and rejoicing in New France
at the discoveries of thetwo distinguished leaders
of this mighty enterprise The Cathedral resound-
ed with TIE De,sp., and the people kept jubilee
So vastly important were IN" results of the nilsson
deemed The long-dreamed OF, and talked OF route
10 China bad without doubt been discovered ard
in the discovery France had covered herself with
/ glory NJ Joliet received as his fitting reward a
grant of the Island Of Antoosti, IN the ST. Law
+ reEce-Father Marquette had secured bis reward
in the performance OF his duty, and the pleasing
consciousness that h l=5 beaa doing good