Native American Newspaper Gleanings
for Crawford County, Wisconsin

We are indebted to Capt. Swager of the S.B. Plough Boy, for the Missouri Advocate of the 15th ultimo from which we have made the following interesting extracts:
Indian Murders. – We are informed by a gentleman who arrived here on board the Steam boat Mexico on the 8th inst., from Prairie du Chien, that on the 22d March, about nine miles above Fort Crawford, Mr. Mitod, his wife and three children were murdered by a party of Indians, supposed the Winnebagoes. Not satisfied with the lives of the unfortunate victims, they burnt the camp with part of the dead and committed on the body of the murdered female, who was in a state of pregnancy, deeds of savage barbarity, too shocking to be related. Mr. Mitod it is believed made a manly defense as two of the savages were buried the next morning after the occurrence, supposed to have died of their wounds.
The civil authorities, we hear with much credit to themselves and that promptitude which the occasion required, immediately apprehended 24 of the offenders and upon examination discharged twelve and retained twelve for further trial.
[Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, PA) May 17, 1826 - From the Louisville Public Adviser - Submitted by Nancy Piper]

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Extract of a Letter from an Officer of the United States Army stationed at Fort Snelling, Prairie du Chien, Upper Mississippi, to his friend in this place – dated February 8, 1828
Dear Sir
Our winter has been unusually severe so far: the Thermometer has been twenty-seven degrees below zero! We have had very good sleighing since the 20th of November last and expect to have it until April. The snow is a this time between four and five feet deep.
I think, from all appearances, there is not the least doubt, but we will have some trouble with the Indians in the Spring. Several of the Winnebago’s are now in confinement at Prairie du Chien for murders committed during the last summer. Should they be executed in the spring (and I have no doubt they will,) the others will unquestionably commence hostilities. Last summer, four Sioux were given up by their own nation to the Chippewa and were taken a few hundred yards from the Fort and there shot down in the presence of myself and a number of officers. The Chippewa then drank their blood, washed themselves with it and walked off quite cool and deliberately to their lodges. – Carlisle Gazette. [Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA, April 16, 1828 - Sub. by Nancy Piper]

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Trial of Indians
Source: Republican Compiler, Gettysburg, PA (November 19, 1828) Submitted by Nancy Piper

Detroit, October 23, At the last special session for the Circuit Court of Crawford County, held at Prairie du Chien, Judge Doty presiding, the Winnebago Indians, Wan-i-ga (the Sun) and Chick-hong-sic, (The Petit Boeuf) were tried for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap at that place on the 24th of June, 1827.  They were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged on the 26th of December next.  In the case of the Indians imprisoned  for the murder of Methode and his family near Lake Pepin in 1824, a nolle prosequi was entered and the prisoners discharged. The two Indians imprisoned for firing upon the keel boats on the 30th June 1827 were also discharged, no bills having been found against them. – Herald.

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