Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-07-02

Story of Oshkosh.
.BvP V Lawson in the Oshkosh Northwestern,


When many years ago, oshkosh,
now the second city in Wisconsin, was
a hamelt of a few scattered wooden
houses along the beautiful forest
banks OF the deep, wide Fox river, ii
was known by the classic name of
Athens. An election being held to
settle on sure enough name for the
future city, the river men. not so
much in love with the ancient glory
of the city of Athens as they were
with the more appropriate name of
the old head chief of the Menomonees,
came partly in fun and partly in
earnest and casting the deciding vote
gave the budding city the name that
has made it known around the world.
Old Chief Oshkosh was entitled to
the honor, as he was very worthy
man. His worst enemy was his love
for fire water" He was born in
the old Kings village one half mile
UP the river or south of the old
French fort on the west bank of the
Fox river, opposite the small settle
ment at Green Bay in 1895. Like all
papooses, after he grew out of the
basket cradle strapped to his mothers
back, he learned to fish and hunt with
the bow and arrows. He was the
grand son of Old King and was not
chief until he became a warrior.
When he came into this world the
country about was owned by the
Americans but no government had
been established over these tribes, ex-,
cept such as was accomplished by the
fur trading Englishmen from Canada.
The Americans had small garrison
in the old fort at Macllinaw island at
the outbreak of the war of 1912.
Col. Robert Dickson organized
band of Wisconsin Indians, including
the Menomonees, under their chief,
Tomah, with Oshkosh in the party.
They proceeded by boats and canoes
from Green Bay and easily captured
the stockade without any loss to
either side. During the war the
Americans could not repossess the
fort. Colonel Dickinson, with the
Fox river Indians, including the Me
nomonees under Tomah defended the
fort in a hard battle with the Ameri-
cans to capture the stronghold in
1914. Major Holmes was killed by
the MenomOnees and a chief. Weekah.
of the Menomonees was killed near
the same spot. Oshkosh was with
this garrison defending the fort and it
was not the first real battle he had
ever seen. Oshkosh went on the war
path to join Tecumseh against Fort
Meigs in 1913 and later under Proctor
and Dickson attacked the fort San
dusky, so CALAMITY defended by Gro.
gan and everywhere defeated, the
Menomonees returned home to the Bay
Doubtless he was with the Menom.
once war parties who frequently Went
out against the Chippewas in north.
err and western parts of the state.
First Soldiers.
Oshkosh saw the first American
soldiers land from their steamboats, at
Green Bay in 1916, when Fort Howard
was constructed. Prior to 1927
young halfbreed was hunting up He'll
creek east of Green Bay. AS he
glided by the tall rushes on the mar
gin very early in the morning, he
noticed the rushes move he
thought was caused by a deer ano
raised his gun. and shot. Hurrylng
over to the spot, to his horror. he
found an Indian in a canoe, which
was half drawn on shore. dropping
lifeleSs over its side, with a shot
through his head. AS the killing was
accidental he had no wish to conceal
:, SO placing the body in his own
canoe, he brought it to the camp at
the Bay On landing he went to
Oiscoss the chief, and told him of it,
who being drunk, plunged his knife
into the unfortunate Indian. who was
related to the Jourdians Oiscoss
was arrested but acquitted by the
civil court. The tribal law however,
was not satisfied Mrs. Jourdain
could take a pipe and war club and
lay them at the feet of any of the
chiefs of the Menomonees and insure
punishment of death But wishing to
be made chief at Butte DIES Morris he
went to her and begged forgiveness
and life which she granted, after in.
forming him in strong language Of her
opinion of him.
Made Head Chief.
At the treaty of the Little Butte des
Morris, held at the great mound on the
est bank of the lake of that name,
opposite Menasha between the Me.
nomonees and Governor Lewis Cass,
the governor announced as the tribe
4 bn TO-
as head chief he would appoint one
next day unless they could agree
among themselves He appointed Osh-
kosh. who was known as Claw His
name is spelled Oiseoss and Oshkoshe