The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-09-21

ately built cabins for the accommodation
Of the families. These were the first
houses on the site of Ottawa.
Mr.. Walker soon found that he had not
selected the best location. He was not on
Indian lands, and he found that the body
of the Indians were further up Fox river.
He had made a mistake and being In great
perplexity as to the course he should fol-
low, he retired respondent, alone into the
woods to pray, While at prayer he was
disturbed by the sound of footsteps and
looking up he saw nobly formed Indian
standing near with a smile of welcome
DER his face. The Indian introduced him
self with the expression, Me Shabbona,"
at the same time giving Brother Walker a
warm shake of the hand. Jesse Walker
could speak no Indian, and Shabbona but
little English, but Walker understood
enough to know that he had found friend.
Shabbona soon disappeared. He went to
his own camp about a mile distant from
which he soon returned bearing on his
shoulder quarter of venison and wild
turkey. He was accompanied by half.
breed who bscame an interpreter. The
next day under the guidance of Shabbona
and Furkee MIR. Walker explored the
country up the east side of Fox river until
twenty miles from Its mouth he came to a
beautiful spot where was spring and a
charming grove. Here Jesse Walker drove
stakes and established Salem Mission, the
first Methodist appointment in the bounds
Of the Rock River Conference. This loca-
ton was on Sec. Is, TIP. 35, Range 5, now
In the town of Mission, La Sale county.
For five years that mission continued.
Its interesting history may be read In
"Field's history of Methodism In r. r.
Conference.
To the above hasty sketch append a
note from Mrs. Hawley, the wife Of Pierce
Hawley, who with her husband constitut-
ed one of the five families who came up
with Jesse Walker.
DEFIANCE, Iowa, April, 1888,
A. d. Field-In 1925, June 10, Pierce
Hawley and wife, A. Hawley and wife,
Robert Berestord and wife, and Harvey
Allen, school teacher, went with Jesse
| Walker to the mouth of Fox river to es-
tablish mission among the Indians. 1t
being government land Mr.. Walker would
not establish the mission and had to 60
fourteen miles further up the river on In.
dian land. James Walker and wife came
on the next summer The mission never
amounted TO much. The Indians sold
their lands and that broke mp the mis-.
lion. Pierce Hawley, my hus-
band, built the first house that was built by
a white man In Ottawa. DR.. David Walk
er lived at Ottawa In 1928, and Pierce
Hawleys family lived at Holderman's
Grove, twelve miles above the mouth of
Fox river, In 1880 James Walker settled
at Plainiield, or Walkers Grove.
Mrs. PIERCE HAwLEY.
James Walker was at Plainfield as early
as 1926, for he was one of the justices of
the peace at Plaintield that year. The
country was in Pedlid county.
In May, 1928, Jesse Walker married
Vetal Vermette to Cornelia Walker, Gaugh-
ter of DR.. David Walker. This Is recorded
at Pedlid. Very likely this was the first
Ottawa marriage. Vermette was the fer
ryman at Ottawa.
David Walker was brother of Jesse
Walker. He came TO Ottawa In 1926 and
when the land came into market he en-
tered the section of land on which Ottawa
now stands. His daughter, Mrs. Vermette
was living in 1888. His son, Geo. W
Walker, was the first sheriff of La Sale
County.