The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-04-21

Capt. Wilson. one of the firm OF Knapp q
fainter lead about thirty of the men to
work for that firm, and going down to Gill
bert's mill, knocked in the heads and
empticd the contents of large number
of whisky barrels. The precious bever-
age ran down the road and through q
barn-yard to a creek. After leaving the
barn-yard it found fall OF two feet. So
besotted and lost to every sense of de-
cency will men become, by the use of the
foul stuff. that they will snatch at it
though they know that it is full of poison
ID filth. At this fall some Of Gilbert's
nen and some half-breed Indians caught
pals full of the filthy stuff and that night
drunken row and street fight took
place, the last, however, that was ever en-
joyed (O from that batch Of whisky. In
the mean time party Of whites captured
the Indian who had killed Wycome,
brought him down to Knapp & Tainters
and at the blacksmith shop had pair Of
iron shackles made and riveted around
his legs with few links Of chain be-
tween. The historical Indian stoicism de-
serted him, for he turned as pale as his
swarthy skin would allow, and trembled
like an aspen leaf He begged for mercy,
and made some of the best Of promises
for future good conduct. The double rea-
son of Wycome being held in such low
esteem. many being glad to be rid Of his
evil influence, and the wish not to enrage
and make dangerous enemies Of the Indi-
ans by executing vengeance on one OF
their number prevailed, and the red-skin
was finally released. He kept his prom
ises rs fur as the whites were concerned.
He was killed by the Sioux some six or
eight years afterward.
AS al example that virtue does some-
times have its reward, even in this world,
we will state that the firm of Knapp &
fainter, now known as Knapp, Stout &
Co., are to-day the most prosperous lum-
bering company anywhere in the North
west. A fine town, almost a city. known
"a Menomonic, stands where their mill
and its accompanying business buildings,
or rather shanties, stood only a few years
ago, and this company are owners Of I'M
counted wealth.
Gilbert, the whisky seller, who for the
paltry love of gain, dispensed the fire.
water freely among Indians and whites
alike. thereby stirring up discord, drunk
enness and murder, has sunk into OBJ
livion, and his whereabouts, if living. is
not now known to his former associates
and acquaintance.
THE "NBUTRAL GROUND"
AS has been stated in the foregoing ar
ticle, the Chippewa and Sioux tribes of In
dams were deadly enemies. Besides the
wars that were waged, and they met
many times in fierce conflict, there were
many conflicts of a lesser nature. which il
rccounted, would furnish a bloody page in
savage history. So bitter was the hatred
of these warlike bands that two, belong
ing to the hostile tribes, seldom met with
ont conflict, and the scalp of one or the
other often decorated the belt of the VIC
tor.
There was strip of land, number of
miles in extent, lying between the lands
owned and used as hunting grounds by
these tribes, which was known as "Neu-
trail Ground" On this neutral ground
neither Chippewa or Sioux often ventured.
The forest abounded in game which roam
ed. almost tame, because unmolested.-
Wild ducks and geese glided over the
streams. Partridges tuned their cease
less drum. Prairie fowls crowed without
disturbance. The soft eyes of the deer
and fawn looked out from the shrubbery,
with a scarcely startled look. 1t would
have been a very paradise for an Indian
hunter. but Death lay within its borders.
Sometimes, not often. an Indian from ci-
ther side, in bot pursuit of game would he
lurcd beyond the border, bat too many Will
tening skeletons were already bleaching be-
meath the summers sun on winters snow.
and silently warned a retreat. For many
years after the whites settled this region,
and even to this day, Indians observe this
neutral ground, and seldom venture be-
yond its outer limit.
The city of Eau Claire is situated with
in this limit, and while other new towns,
all through this upper region. swarmed
with Indians, while their blankets, red,
and blue, and white, and green, were to
he seen on every street corner, and q
brisk Indian trade was carried ON in game,
furs, berries, rice, etc, in Eau Claire an
Indian was seldom seen. Sometimes one,
solitary and alone, would venture in,
would glance around in half frightened
way, and would silently and suddenly dis
appear and months would elapse ere an
other would be so bold as to visit the
place. This peculiar state Of affairs is now
almost forgotten. Eau Claire, to-day, is
a city of some 10000 inhabitants, and is
rapidly increasing in wealth and popula-
ton. Here may he seen people from
nearly all nations on the face of the globe,
and score of Indians would hardly be
noticed, but they are as shy as ever, and
their neutral ground is sacredly regarded.
Sometime since the author of these
sketches contributed the following lines
to an Eau Claire paper. They will bear
reprint here:-
EAU CLAIRE.
Where the noble Chippewa
Coursing downward u the sea,
Bearing onward on its waters.
II ~. Al. -.