Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-01-31


would be exposed to the fury of their relent-
less enemies, the Sioux.
In 1852 the dismal struggle continued
Under date of July 18th, 1853, Mrs. Wheeler
thus wrote 20 her parents from La Pointe:
The last winter was one of the most dreary
lonely and trying ones we have ever spent
IN the country. The breaking up of the mis-
sion here "a prospective result of the remov-
al of the lndians) and the unsettled confus-
ed state of Indian affairs threw a gloom over
the future. Often did | flee into my bed
room TO hide the tears / could not control.
The heat and the burden of the day press
heavily upon dear husband He is obliged to
attend TO all the secular affairs of our sta
ton, and has charge of the property of the
CMission) board here; oversees all our own
and the Indians farming, giving out their
seed, blowing their ground, etc He is doctor
for both places tOdanah and La Pointe),
chairman of the board of county commits
sioners, besides numberless other things too
small TO mention perhaps but which never
theless break in upon his time and divert his
mind from his more appropriate work. To
human appearance our people were never i'm
a better condition to profit by the preaching
of the gospel. They are fully determined not
to 90. They have lived years without their
payments, and find they do not starve or
freeze. Indeed doubt very much whether
there is band of Chippewas beyond the Mis-
sissippi. with all their annuities, that are as
well fed and clothed as ours are"
To no other period of Mr.. Wheeler's life
did the following words from DIR. Ellis bet
ter apply. than TO this time: When UNI
scrupulous and grasping men were ready 10
rob and wrong the Redmen, his watchful eye
and sound judgment saw the danger, and
L. Il, Il 81.
out reproach he raised his voice and used
his pen for their defense His intercession
in their behalf was usually productive of es-
sentual good, for those that knew him knew
that truth and justice were at his back, and
that il was not safe TO take up the gauntlet
against so unselfsh a champion. 1t was not
for himself that he pleaded, but for those
who could not defend themselves"
His pleadingS were not in vain. There
came a change for the better. The payments
to the Indians were resumed at La Pointe
and Mr. Wheeer's ideas of justice toward the
Oiibway Indians were substantially embodied
in a treaty made with them the Both of Sep
TENDER, 1854, by which 3 reservations were
provided for-at Odanah, at Lac Court Oreil-
les. and at Lac du Fambeau. To have the
Government give the head of each Indian
family so acres of land, and to induce the
them. were favorite projects with Mr.. Wheel
er. In short, he anticipated what enlightened
public sentiment now demands as the only
Just and sensible method of dealing with the
Indians
From the first establishment of the MIS-
sion much was made of school work. But
Mr.. Wheeler had a more comprehensive plan.
In 1859 he succeeded i'm opening a school into
which children could be gathered from wig
wan life. For many years the Odanah board
ing school afforded the best educational ia
cilities that the Wisconsin Ojbways have
yet enjoyed. Ii was judged worthy of gov
ernmental recognition and aid. The years OF
the War of Secession were years OF anxiety
and danger. The little Mission church OF
Odanah made its offering of precious life.
The rascality of certain officials in dealing
with the Indians, threatened disturbance, and
Mr.. Wheeler went TO warn the government
of impending danger While he was gone
the frightful Sioux outbreak occurred IN
Minnesota august 1862 and an embassy
came to stir up his own people to revolt. But
these remained loyal 70 the influence and
teaching of the missionaries.
After serving these humble people for
quarter of a century, Mr.. Wheelers special
labors in their behalf came to an end in Dc
tober. 1866. The wasting of consumption
compelled removal, and left him but years
more of life, going TO his reward the 22nd' OF
February, 1872 God buries His workmen'
but carries on His work.
The great results of all Missionary and
church work are written only in the Book of
Life. But upon the pages of history, even
as men write it, there is honorable place for
the record of 25 years labor among once
barbarous people the establishment OF civil
government among them, the development
of improved plans of missionary and eduea-
tional work. the training OF laborers ior
other fields.
The Founding of Town.
Upon the reunion of the new school ana
the old school branches of the Presbyterian
church. the Odanah Mission with Others was
transferred from the care of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign MIS-
sions to that of the Presbyterian Board. Inc
Odanah church was re-organized according