Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-05-16

| While the Spanish colonist ravaged the
] sourthern portion of North America in
quest of gold. and the English planted
the germs OF governing Oh the eastern
coast, the French were but the agents of
home merchants who enjoyed monopo-
/ ~ OF the various trafics, and were sustain
ed IN the enjoyment of it by the strong
arm OF military power To the trading
association IN particular, v e owe the dis
covery of the Mississippi, By the son of
one of the MEMBERSHIP intrepid La
Sale. In his day lead was first discov
ed within the present limits of the State of
Iowa, but the noted Julien Du Buaue was
the first who taught the Indians to col
lect the ore, and make an article of trade
of 1t. He was not only brave but crafty
MAJ. and after his death the savages. In
compliance with his dying wish, deposited
his remains upon the summit of high
cliff overlooking the Father of Waters.
secured the mouth of the mausoleum with
massive leaden door of ton weight
They then burned his dwellings and eras-
ed every trace of civilized life around his
settlements, except the orchards planted
BY his own hands Vandal White after
wards cut up the door to sell. but the
name of Du Buque will ever be remem-
bered in Iowa
Years passed away. The white flag of
France no longer waved over the Missis-
sippi valley, and the bold frontier man,
advancing on the foremost wave Of civil
liZation, crossed the river in quest of the
lead ore, game and fertile soil. One of
the nrst settlements thus established. was
formed by party from Kentucky, led by
the grand-ire of the younger generation
old Joe Bates noble specimen of
frontier man. Seventy winters had viii
tened his long locks, bat be was still hale
and hearty. able to WELD an axe with any
of his sons. or to draw bead on rifle
with that fatal accuracy of aim which mad
enabled him to render good service at
the battle Of New Orleans. Selecting a
good locality on the very shore of the
Mississippi. old Joe and bis sons built
log cabin, surrounded by a stockade to
keep off the Dacotahs They then sur
rounded a clearing" with worm fence.
deadened the standin. trees By the fatal
axe circle, aud planted corn. When their
corn was well above the ground and freed
from weeds they began TO prospect" for
lead ore
Thus far they had seen no Indians. and
began to fatter themselves that the ''red
skins" had left the country to their peace
ful possession, but the willy sagages had
kept constant watch upon their move
ments Perhaps had they confined them
selves to agricultural labors, they might
have been unmolested, especially as the
Dacotahs wished to conciliate the United
States government into profitable treaty,
but when pick-axes were welded 10 search
of lead ore the destruction of the pale
faces was resolved upon in council
The first object of savage revenge was
the oldest son. Frank Bates, vho had built
him cabin about five hundred ,ards
from '-head quarters" despite the warn
ings of old Joe Frank however had no
fear of Indians aud lived with his wife
and babe IN great happiness, until one
summers night. when he was awakened
by the loud barking of his dogs Spring
ing from his bed. be looked through an
opening in the logs and saw to his horror,
at least fifty Dacotabs, in full war cos-
tune evidently seeking the easiest way
to force an entrance into the cabin =
Arousing his wife. be raised a cellar trap
door. and was about to send her down.
when the chiidleft in bed began to cry
Il cannot leave my babe" said she.
Nav" he exclaimed. Il will take care
of the boy" aud almost forcing her into
the cellar. be closed the unhlnged door.
and drew chest over it Then. seizing
his rife and Ratchet, be took the infant
and asceuded to the loft of the cabin,
pulled up the ladder after him. A mo-
ment more. the door was forced from its
hinges and the Dacotahs entered. eager
for their prey But Bates did not remain
to watch their movements, for lashlng his
boy to his shoulders, he cautiously open
ed shutter in the gable of the loft, and
seeing no Indians were beneath, jumped
to the ground, rifle in hand.
Ere he had traversed his little, garden,
the air resounded with The blood chilling
tones of the war-whoop. and volley of
arrows rained around the fugitive Hap
PLY only one struck him. and that in the
feshy part of the arm, SO that he kept on,
straining every nerve TO reach the stock
ade around his fathers cabin But ere
be had goue many PAGES a gigantic Indian
overlook him Turning Ike a stag at
bay. be faced his antagonist. knocked him
down with the butt end of bis rife. and
then sped OIL his way. But now. to his
horror, he saw large body of the Daeo-
tabs around his fathers dwelling as he
approached firing over On to the roofs
of the cabins, with arrows to which burn
ing tow was attached.
He paused-but the cries of his boy
aroused him to sense of bis own danger
and his wife's perilous situation Direct
/ ing his steps towards the river, where be
found his dug out" safely moored, he soon
Twas padding across the river to a settle
nent where there were large number of
whites.
! Day had scarcely dawned on the sue
ceeding morning, before twenty miners,
good and true men. were ready to accom-
pany him across the river They cared
| no more for Dacotahs than for prairie
dogs, and acted upon the spur Of the mo
naent, regardless of consequences Cros-
ling above his residence young Bates led