Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-01-16
sh SHE VOL. %, NO. 80.
Early History Of Prairie du CHEN.


published in the Prairie du CHEN
Union, we copy the following;
Prairie du Chen is one of the old.
est towns on the Mississippi Like
many other cities and towns of the
West, it was first settled by the
French, who claimed the entire Mis-,
sissippi Valley, and established ira.
ding posts at various points on the
river. One of these posts was estab.
lished here about the year 1877, the
Prairie at that time was the residence
Of village Of the Fox Indians. Ira.
dltion has it, that the Chief OF this
village was named CHEN, whence the
French name "La Prairie d. Chen. y
The first regular settler upon the
Prairie was one CardiLell, a Cana
dian, who came here accompanied
by his wife, about the year 1920
Mrs. Carninell was the first white
woman upon the Prairie. 1t is said
Of her, that after the death of her
first husband, she married and buri-
ed dozen others in succession, and
departed herself, at the ripe age Of
1870.
In 1904 JOS Rolette, a Canadian
Frenchman, settled Ut the Prairie,
and engaged in the fur trade with a
Scotch man named Cannon. In 1914
the shock OF an earthquake was ex-
perienced there, During the same
year a battle was fought between
some American forces stationed here,
and British troops from Canada
The Americans were forced to sur
render and the place fell in the hands
of the English. They held IL, until
the close of the war, when il was re-
stored to the American Government.
In 1916 Col. Hamilton came here
and erected fort on the island form
ed by the river and the slough of St.
Feriole, then Ii most thickly set-
tied portion OF the town. One Of
the blocks houses was built on the
spot where Mr. Dousman's residence
now stands.
The Prairie was, even at this time,
place Of considerable Importance !:
it being the resort Of traders, who
drove brisk traffic with the neighbour
ing Indian tribes. Among the most
prominent Of these traders were John
Rolette, Michael Brisbois and Jean
Baptiste Farribault.
In 1919 Gov. Cass set out Crawford
county, including within its limits a
large portion of Wisconsin, together
with the territory comprising the
present States Of Iowa and Mlnneso-
tn. A Judiciary wac appointed con-
sisting Of the following named gen.
tiemen: John w. Johnson, Chief j us
tice NJ. Brisbois and Francis Bout
hitler, Associate Justices Wilfred
Owen, Judge Of Probate Nicholas
Boilvin, j III. Lockwood and j. NJ.
Johnson, Justices Of the Peace and
Thomas McNair, Sheriff.
In 1921, a steamboat first made
its appearance at Prairie du CHEN.
The boat was called the Virginia, and
owned in St. Louis.
In 1923. q post Office was estab-
lished with Judge James ID. Doty as
postmaster. The mails at that time
were very uufroquent, being received
but once during the entire winter
season, and once every two months
during the other seasons Of the year
In 1925, Grand Council was held
between Governors Clarke aud Chase
the Government Commissioners, and
delegates from all the Northwestern
tribes. Over 1000 Indians were
present
The first frame house on the Prai-
RE was built by j. II. Lockwood
The house was occupied by Col. Tay-
lor and family, during the time he
commanded at Fort Crawford. In
1880 Col. Taylor changed the loca-
ton of the post, and erected the new
Fort Crawford on commanding
point on the main prairie A few OF
the buildings Of this fort are yet
standing, but in dilapidated condi-
ton.
In 1880, the population of. the
Prairie numbered about six hundred.
OF this number one family was pure
ly American, the rel. ainder were
French, Indians, and haIf-breeds.
The principal occupations Of the in
habitants were farming, trading and
hunting, The place being situated
nearly in the heart of the Indian
country, was one of the principal
marls for the fur trade, and large
bodies of Indians assembled here an.
nually to dispose Of their furs and to
obtain their dues from the Govern
ment.
From the year 1880 the population
began to increase, though slowly
Mr.. David Lowry came in 1888 as
Superintendent to the schools pro-
vided for the Indians. Rev. Alfred
Brunson visited the place in 1885,
and the following year fixed his resi-
dence here. Michael Brisbois q fur
trader, and an old resident, died here
in the year 1887, and, according to
request made before his death, was
buried on lofty bluff overlooking
the town. Four years later, Jos.
Roette, the most prominent citizen
of the place. died and was buried in
the old Catholic burying ground
From 1910, the town began to grow
more rapidly. The inducements Of
fered TO settlers were better than
they had been at any time previous,
and also the location of the place as
river port attracted many. In
1857 its population numbered two
thousand, and during that year, the
railroad was completed through con-
Meeting it with Milwaukee. As all
are well acquainted with the History
of the Prairie from that year up to
the present, it is quite unnecessary
for me to continue the narration.
s~The secret of the excellence of
French leath er-so famous in every
market of the globe-consists in urg-
=. atrnp1 tan that io tho hark af