The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-01-23
Old Settler Remeniscences.


Old Settler Remeniscences.
EDITOR FREE TRADER: i have noticed il
the Mendoza Press some statements relatin!
10 the earlier times in this county, which
are so full Of gross errors that am per ua
ded the old settlers Will be pleased TO sc,
them corrected. Possibly Mr.. Kelsey ha
been playing upon the cruiulity of YOU
Mendoza friend. Why else he should max,
statements so much at variance with tn,
facts, | am unable to imagine
la the first place, Lewis Bailey icas no
the first white family that settled in this
county. The Rev Jesse Walker came here
in 1928, and built log house on the south
side of the Illinois river near the spring
He went TO the southern part Of the State
in 1924, and returned the same wear. bring
/ ing with him Pierce and Aaron Hawley anG
Ropcrt Beresford and was also accompa-
MED by Ramsey, Booth and Long About
the same time came Bailey and Pembroke
In the fall of 1925, ". Z. Walker came
up the river as far as Ottawa, in small
keel boat with some provisions. The mex,
spring James Walker and family arrived
Towards the close OF 1926, Col. James ID
{ Thomas, Col. Kellogg, and David y aikcr
came with their families. Jesse Walker
was Methodist preacher He located him
self in a grove about eighteen miles north
east of Ottawa and opened a school, not ex-
acty to teach the young Indians how to
shoot, but to impaYt to them the rUdiments
of an English education, and by that means
convert them 10 Christian ity. His plan was
to have them work sn the farm while not at
. school, and thereby earn their board. The
theory was excellent, but in practice only
developed the stubborn and unpleasant truth
that the Young heathens laade no proffcien-
cy in anything but eating. While at Mis-
sion Grove, Walker built the first mill that
ever ground grain in this county. 1t was
propelled by horses. The settlers about
Ottawa went there for their milling. until
Coyille built one near the Creek that bears
his pane.
CoviIle was not considered as being any
more of hermit than any other trader who
sold the indians poor wbiskey for their furs,
and he did not, as the Mendoza Press init
mates. follow the Indians whun they left the
country; but married Miss Brown, and
settled on the DeS PLANES, near Chicago,
where he died few years since. HIS widow
has visited the family of the writer of this
since her husbands death Lewis Bailey
first settled about two miles southwest Of
Ottawa, where he remained some time, and
did not remove to the place now known as
Baiey's Point until after Major Campbell
came 20 the country. Mr. Bailey and others
now living will RENE nber that fact. Booth
made cabin near this place, but afterwards
removed to the vicinity of Newark, where
he resided until his death, which occurred
some years since Lorg opened farm not
far from Marselles, and there ended his
days. Robert Beresford settled on Indian
Creek, and there spent the remaining part
of his life. During the Sac War his eldest
son, james, belonged to a company Of spies,
ard was killed while on duty, by the In ,ians
near his fathers farm. John Bercsford, the
remaining son, lived on Indian Creek until
a year or two since, when he removed TO
Mendoza.
Pembroke made a farm about one mile
southwest of Ottawa, now known as the
Kist,er farm; three of his sons are still liv
ing near this city. David Walkers was not
the second family that came to this place, as
have already stated, nor did he ever trade
with the Indians, Mr.. Kelsey to the con-
trary notwithstanding. Although a strict
regard to the truth compels me to state, that
his two eldest sons were often guilty of trad
ing powder, shot, tobacco, calico and blan-
kets to the Indians for their coon, otter,
used to roam over the country collecting
furs, and were always provided with small
pair of scales, in one side of which they
would place the furs, they proposed to buy,
and IN the other side stones, until there was
sufficient to balance the furs. When this
was accomplished, they would then guess at
the weight of tbs stones. That the Walk
ers adopted this mode Of weighing, | am un.
able to say, but knowing them to be law
abiding men and disposed to conform to the
usages of the land which they had made
their home, l entertain no doubt but that
they strictly followed the established Gus
toms Of the country
Col. Thomas resided some time at the
Mission with Jesse Walker. He then re-
moved to the Dillon settlement in Tazewell
county; from there he returned to St. Clair
county, where he died in 1886. His son is
now living in this city.
have conyersed with several old settlers,
and all, without exception, concur in saying
that Mr.. kelsey's atements in regard to
the early days in this county are erroneous,
in almost every particular. Indeed, per-
son coming here as late as 1867 would be
illy qualified to give the details Of occurren-
ces that transpired twelve or thirteen years
previously.
Below 1 give you the date Of the first
steam boat arrivals at this port:
Traveller, Capt. Whiting. Oct. 18th, 1881
Caroline, . A. !. Wednesday, April 4th, 1882
Exchange, Capt. Fields. June oath, 1888
When the first steamer came up, the cat
tie, unused to such an animal, fled, below
ing to the prairies. The indians called it
fire canoe.
Excuse me for using SO much of your pa
per; do SO at the urgent solicitation of nu-
merous genuine old settlers. w. ID.
Ottawa, Jan. 21st, 1853.