The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-01-06
wINNESHIEK COUNTY. 4

10 the oldest Inhabitants and Pioneers
of Winneshiek County perhaps we can
say but little that is not already known.
But while the events connected with the
early settlements and growth of this re-
gion may not be new to the pioneers, it
may be at least interesting to those who
have lately settled within our borders.
+ But ten short years ago, the whole
country extending from short distance
Northwest from Prairie du CHEN,
Westward to the "Jumping-oif-
place." was in the undisputed possess
ion of the untu.ored savage. The only
land marks known to the white man
were 1.-The Mission" Fort Atkinson"
"Sodom," "Whiskcy Grove" and the
Trading House" Aside from these
the country was unexplored and un-
known. The Winnebago Tribe of In
dians held a tract about forty miles wide
extending from the Mississippi river,
Southwest about one hundred miles,
in the centre of which tract lay the now
populous district which is the subject
of the present sketch. To the North
ward and adjoining the tract occupied
by the Winnebagees, was the country
of the Sioux. The two tribes could not
live atpeacc with each other, but at every
opportunity that presented itself they
were sure to get into a fight. The two
tribes differed from each other very ma
terally in their tastes and pursuits
The Winnebagoes subsisted upon the
fruits of their own hunting excursions,
and upon whatever they could steal eth
from the white man or Indian. The
Sioux, much more populous and pow
eriul tribe were a war-like race, and
subsisted principally upon the plunder
taken from their vanquished foes
Winneshiek was the Chiei-in chief of
the Winnebago, and it is from him that
our county gets its name. The chief
next in command, was called Decorah,
and upon the spot where he held his
head quarters and where his body found
its last resting place, now stands Deco
rah, the county seat Of Winneshiek
county.
The establishment of Fort Atkinson,
about the year i845, interfered matcri-
ally with the savage wars and daring
thefts of the Indians, and they were
easily niuced to sell their lands and re-
move to greater distance from the
whites. Accordingly a bargain was
made between them and Government,
and they were removed in the summer
of l848. Immediately upon their re-
moval white settlers began to explore
this new and rich field for immigra-
ton.
The first settlement was made along
the military road and on the Turkey riv-
er, near the Fort. Francis Rogers and
David Reed, were among those who set
tied in 1913, the former selected farm
on Turkey river, below the Fort, the
latter on the Military Road, near the east
line of Winneshiek county. In the
same year. VIM. Day settled with his
family on Washington prairie, within
short distance of the present residence
of the Hon. James D. Mckay. About
the same time George Ream settled in
the timber about 4 miles north of Deco
rah. 49,
These were among the first settlers,
and it is entirely out of the question for
us at this day to Judge of the privations
they must have endured. There were
no roads. no mails, no stores, no schools,
no churches and no ueighbors. They
saw no human beings except an occa-
sional Red man, who Jagged behind to
kill any stray deer. beaver or otter that
might chance to fall in his way, or plum
der some defenseless white.
So much for the early history of Win
neshiek county.-Decorah Jour.