Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-02
RELICS OF THE RED MAN.
An Eighteenth Century Fort Adjacent
TO Joliet.
Built for Shelter and Protection
Against Sayages by the Earliest
TrapperS and Traders.

few miles east of the City of Joliet
there are still to be seen the ruins of an
old fort, built long before the country was
| settled by white men. 1t is situated on
the northern edge of the timber skirting
the historic Hickory Greek, made famous
by the genial hospitality and bravery of
the citizens along its banks during the
early settlement of the country. The fort
lies IN romantic and lonely but decidedly
picturesque spot near the side of a deeply
shaded ravine. Forest trees, which have
grown up since its abandonment. surround
1t on all sides The entertainments are
overgrown with grasses, weeds, and brush,
which on Y serve to make the place more
desolate and time-honored. Its existence
has been nearly forgotten and few of the
residents, even IN the immediate vicinity,
are aware OF Its historic Importance, while
many are altogether ignorant of the mem
cries which envelop the spot.
Inc entertainments are of earth and at
one time were Probably several feet in
height, although the action of the elements
has reduced them to such an extent that
IN places they are scarcely perceptibIe.
while In others hey are less than eighteen
Inches IN height. Their thickness varies
from two to three feet. The enclosure is
about twenty feet square, each of four sides
projecting about two feet beyond their in
tersectlon. Everything in connection with
the ancient fort clearly shows that it was
built at least one and perhaps two centur-
les ago.
How it came to be built there and what
purpose 1t served have been questions of
long standing to those aware of its exist
ence. few facts may throw some light
on the subject.
The pioneer traders, trappers, and ex-
plorers formed portages from the head of
Lake Joliet to Lake Michigan as early as the
seventeenth century. 1t was several years
before 100 when a party consisting of
Jacques, Marquette, Joliet, La Sale, and
several other missionaries, explorers. and
traders passed through the vicinity, stop
ping for several days at Mount Joliet,
few miles below the fort. Since that time
until the beginning of the present century
large numbers of voyageurs and traders
have continually passed back and forth,
barterlng blankets, bad whisky, knick-
knacks, and patry glittering ornaments
tor the valuable furs with which the ignor-
ant natives onl y too eagerly parted
The country at that time abounded in
good game. Buffalo were caught in herds,
being valued highly on account of their
hides. There were also wolves, foxes, OF
ter, mink, ETC., while deer and smaller
game were to be found at every turn.
Having left the head of Lake Joliet,
which at most seasons of the year was the
head of canoe navigation on the Des-
plains river, the homeward bound voy-
| ayers transported their cargoes to Lake
Michigan, sometimes going up Hickory
creek, and reacking the lake in the vicini-
ty OF the Calumet Or further north at the
mouth Of the Chicago river. Others fol-
lowed the Desplains still further, leaving
| 1t near the summit for the lake.
ORIGIN AND oRJECT OF THE FORT
Although the French had fewer difficult
ties in their dealings with the natives
than tie people Of any other country, yet
it was only natural that occasional dis
pues should arise. Some often treated
the Indians unfairly, and all whitemen
were held to account. In time the In
dians retaliated, and put into operation
their principle that the only good white
man is the dead white man.
1t was not long before it became neces-
and Notifications were erected at short
distances along the trading route from the
river 10 the lake. The fort in question was
situated between the hunting grounds and
the lake and on the trail which was u.s.
uaIly followed in travelling between the
two. A more convenient location could
hardly have been made. 1t probably all o
served another purpose than that of a
lo,1ralv Iofopc1yvn cofp~a S;t,o4aI
was it became an exceIlect bIace for the
distribution of supplies. Those who spent
their lives in trapping and hunting found
it convenient place in which to pass the
winter. Others passing to and from the
hunting grounds were accustomed to
reaoh the fort by nightfall, and often en-
joyed the hospitality of its occupants for
several days.
Rude dwellings and store-houses were
erected near it and at certain times of the
year busy scenes were enacted Could one
have looked in at that time he might have
seen trappers arranging their 'catches,"
while In the background social Indians
looked on with eyes full of wonder and
curiosity, occasionally coming cautiously
forward, offering furs and game in ex-
change for the ornaments which they so
much coveted and loved to adorn them
selves with to most absurd degree Such
was no doubt the origin and use of the
ancient Joliet fort, of which nothing but
the bare outline now remains.
The traders continued their dealings
with the Indians until the beginning of
the present century, when the permanent
settlement of the country by the white
men began and it then became no longer
nrOtitahIp Tho r,roloncraI tla,-
warfare on game for many years after, and
even now a few old settlers are to be found
in this locality who live by hunting and
trapping.
TRACES OF AN INDIAN VILLAGE.
The early settlers relate that many years
ago there was an Indian village of consid-
cradle size short distance from the site
of the fort. An occasional tomahawk or
flint arrowhead has been picked up in the
vicinity. but that is the only evidence now
obtainable beyond the statement of the
settlers to prove the existence Of this In
dian village. 1t may have been nothing
more than their winter headquarters or a
place for holding councils in times of In
dian warfare as we'll as of peace. It was
situated somewhere in the timber north of
Hickory Creek and about four miles east
of Joliet.
Near the site of this extinct village in a |
piece of timber owned by n. H. Higin- .
botham. Of Chicago, is mineral spring
of excellent quality.
1t has been said that the Indians seldom |
bury their dead, yet not far from here, on
the farm of William Cougar, there is said |
to be seen what appear. have been an
Mr.. Cougar found H. graves of two In
diepS Of 4bic cpot b,rr ,r-ac hoipo,