Monroe County Wisconsin
Native American Stories

WINNEBAGO SQUAW WINS MUCH RENOWN AS A BASKET MAKER

Elsie Johnson, Who Learned Art from Grandmother, Model for Whites
Perfected her craft and Established Mart For Ware
Her Daughters However Prefer Housework to Basket-making

Tomah, Wis., - As a model in business efficiency, the accomplishments of Elsie Johnson, basket-maker of the Winnebago tribe, may well stand as a model to her white sisters as it does to her tribal brothers and sisters: all of whom are in awe of this strong personality.

Born and brought up in a rude tepee home, the dusky skinned squaw has built up a business which has no known peer in these parts - the making and selling of an almost indestructible basket of many sizes and shapes. The story of the development and perfection of her craft is an open book, but the history of the establishing of a market for her wares in Milwaukee and other cities is known only to the clear-headed dusky Winnebago who speaks but little English and cannot write, except to sign her own name.

Grandmother Taught Her

When but a tiny girl, Elsie Johnson's grandmother, whose name she has forgotten, and who was the almost a century old, taught her basket-making as she knew it. This art the aged squaw claimed had been revealed to her in a dream. Somehow tremely proud, and which probably the veins of the old grandmother, there was a bit of a blue blood of France, of which the woman was extremely proud, and which probably accounted for her exquisite taste and for that of her granddaughter Elsie.

Seated at the feet of the old squaw the little Indian maid listened to tales of her tribe, while her awkward fingers plaited the strips of white ash into rude baskets, far different from the finished product which Elsie Johnson today puts on the market for sale. These Winnebagoes claim to be of the famous Decorah family, decendents of the Glory-of-the-Morning, Queen of the Decorahs. Many stories of that redoubtable loyal Indian who would not follow her French husband back to Canada but remained in Wisconsin, fell upon the ears of the little Elsie, and stirred in her an ambition to be "somebody and something" better than the other squaws of her acquaintance.

Making Handle is Secret

In time those awkward brown fingers became nimble and efficient. Driven and guided as they were by an exceptionally clear brain, they began to accomplish unheard of feats, such as insertion in each basket in a way known only to the maker, a strong handle carved of white ash with a jack-knife. This particular method of putting in a handle distinguishes all of Elsie Johnson's basketry from that of every other maker, and is her invention and secret.

But rude tools included a washboiler for dying strips of wood, are used by Elsie. The ax cuts down the white ash tree in early fall and after it seasons one winter, the jackknife is used to peel off the bark, which comes off in inch-thick layers, each one representing a year's growth. These strips are cut into five-foot lengths, and with a pair of strong shears, cut into widths varying according to the sort of basket to be made. The more expensive baskets are made from narrow strips. with a notched stick for a measure and the family boiler for dying, Elsie sets about basket-making. She has taught her husband, George, all of the preparatory work, and herself does only the weaving and shaping and dying of baskets. Her work room in summer and on cool early fall and late spring days is their tepee. It contains only a small stove for heating purposes and a rather untidy blanket spread upon the grass floor. Only the coldest weather, is the basket-making carried on in the kitchen of teh modern house which the hard earned money of Elsie Johnson has purchased. As she works, the squaw glances at the good farm lands, modern barns, silo, chicken houses and completely furnished home which her earnings have purchased.

Daughters Scorn Craft

Sad to tell, her daughters scorn their mother's craft, and prefer house work in Milwaukee and other cities. Elsie has, however, been fore-handed and has taught them her craft against the time when they may return to their tribe in eastern Monroe county, to carry on her art. And art it indeed is, for the baskets made by Elsie's deft fingers after her clear head planned them, are very beautiful, besides possessing unusual strength and endurance. Her grunt of satisfaction at the exclamations of a pleased customer's order may come quite as likely from the top price paid, as from the pleasure of the customer in the perfect basket made especially for her.

THE RHINELANDER NEWS
18 August 1925

INDIAN PRINCESS IS 108 YEARS OLD

Chah-stah-wee-gah, Winnebago, Has Spent Entire Life in Wisconsin Lake Region

A modern flapper, with bobbed hair and rolled silk stockings, is Princess Chah-stah-wee-gah. "Wild Waves," in the tongue of the Winnebagoes. The Princess, who is 108 years old, has spent her entire life in Wisconsin, the Land o'Lakes. She is a great-great-great grandmother, having a great-great-great grandson, Daniel White Eagle, who is 10 years old. 

Princess Chah-stah-wee-gah was the wife of Chief Morning Star, of the Winnebagos, who died 12 years ago at the age of 97, and is now the oldest living member of that tribe. Two daughters and ten sons were born to this union.

The princess has been blind for 18 years but still works, making baskets and Indian trinkets at the Indian Village near Rhinelander. She needs very little assistance in dressing but has to have someone at her side while walking.

She was born in 1817 and was an eye witness to several Indian wars. One can only imagine the hardships and trials she has gone through, as she has no desire to be engaged in a lengthy conversation.

LA CROSSE TRIBUNE
1 April 1916

WHERE TOMAH GOT ITS NAME, A MOST INTERESTING STORY

It Was Indian Way of Saying "Thomas" and Thomas Was Great Menominee Chief
A Handsome Man and Wise
Thomas Carron Gathered Tribes for conference at " Council Creek" and Hence the Name

Tomah, Wis., April 1 - It has been established beyond a question that the city of Tomah received its name from Thomas Carron, or "Tomah" which is the French pronunciation of Thomas. There seems to have been a great deal of uncertainty in the past among the people of Tomah, who have been interested in investigating its early days and the reason for its name, and it has frequently been written that it derived its name from a Winnebago chief, but it did not.

Tomah or Thomas was the most noted of the sons of old Carron, a celebrated Menomonee Chief, and was born in 1752 in the old King's village, opposite Green Bay. He was a man of magnificent appearance, being six feet tall, with dark eyes and handsome features, and was very prepossessing, with a lordly bearing. He looked every inch a kind and one writer says that he was the finest looking chief that he had ever seen. He was firm, prudent, peaceable and conciliatory, and was sincerely loved by the white and red men of his time. In his early manhood he became the acting chief of the Menomonee tribe, although he had no hereditary title to the chieftainship. This was held at the time by a man about as old as himself, who was an idiot. Tomah merely ruled as the acknowledged strongest man of his nation, and this he continued to do for a great many years. The Indian tribes around him are represented as being afraid of him, which is mentioned as a singular fact, that he never engaged in war with any of them while in control of the nation, but seemed to inspire awe by his great ability.

The home of this tribe was in the vicinity of Green Bay, but the Indians at different times roamed this entire country, and no doubt at some time the chief Tomah occupied for a brief space some portion of the site of the present city of Tomah as his camping grounds and made the acquaintance of some settler or settlers in that region.

Tomah died and was buried at Mackinaw, July 8, 1818, at the age of sixty-six years. On his grave, Mr. John Law, of Green Bay, erected a monument with the following inscription:

"Here rests the body of Thomas Carron, grand chief of the Folle Avoine (Menomonee) nation, who departed this life July 18, 1818, aged sixty-six years, regretted by all who knew him."

Thus lived and died this great man, for great he was in his day, a heroic figure of commanding ability, gifted with that nobility of character and breadth of mind which makes men great, whether civilized or savage: and his great influence among his people and the surrounding tribes did much in keeping the friendly relations with the early settlers, whom he invariably protected. He was fully as great as Phillip, of Pokanoket, or Pontiac, or Tecumseh, now as well known perhaps, but exhibiting traits of character which called forth great admiration and the city which bears his name may well be proud of it.

In 1857, when the first settlers, Jesse Boorman and Robert E. Gillett, had selected the plot of ground for the proposed village, it was necessary to find a name. A son, Robert A. Gillett, after a perusal of an old history of the state in which a record was found telling that an old an highly esteemed Indian Chief had at one time gathered his tribe for conference in the council house at the headwaters of what is known as Council Creek, he chose the name "Tomah," which was accordingly adopted.

TOMAH JOURNAL
11 July 1924

HISTORY OF CHIEF TOMAH

(excerpts)

Tomah, son of old Carron, a celebrated Menomonee Chief, was born in 1852 in old King's village, opposite Green Bay. In his early manhood, he became the chief of his tribe, which roamed the entire country, and for some time occupied a portion of the present site of the city of Tomah. as its camping grounds. He made the acquaintance of some settlers in the region of Tomah, who were much impressed with his bearing and peaceful friendliness.

James W. Biddle, Pittsburg, Pa., leaves an account of a visit that he made to the Indian tribes in this vicinity back in 1816 and 1817. Tecumseh, greatest of the Indian organizers and warriors, had visited Chief Tomah in 1810 in the attempt to form his great Indian alliance against the Whites.

"I have heard of the battles you have fought, the victories you have won, and the scalps you have taken," Chief Tomah replied to Tecumseh before the council fire when Tecumseh had finished speaking. He then paused, slowly raised his hands, and amid a deep and impressive silence, his eyes fixed on the assembled warriors, in a lower, but not less prouder tone he said, "but it is my boast that these hands are unstained by human blood."

His prudent and peaceful council prevailed, and Tecumseh left without succeeding in allying Chief Tomah's tribe against the Whites.

Chief Tomah died and was buried at Mackinaw, July 8, 1818, at the age of sixty-six years. He was buried on the island. His daughter, a young girl of nineteen, sang his death song at the head of his rude coffin, just before it was lowered in the grave. His people were much distressed and broken-hearted. Tomah could alone command and keep them together.

The Mauston Star
10 March 1932

A FEW FACTS ABOUT INDIAN CHIEFS DECORAH OF LONG AGO

Considerable interest was displayed by several people in this city regarding the Chief Decorah article from the Tomah Monitor-Herald we printed last week. Several thought it was wrong in starting the Chief died at Tunnel City. They thought he died here. He did live here at one time and so did several of the Decorah family. One of the largest towns of the Winnebago Indians was located where this city now stands when the whites first came here and for many years after their tepees stretched along the river bank. The following articles taken from the Mauston Star of 1869 settles the matter at issue:

(From the Mauston Star of Wednesday, July 1, 1869)

THE LAST DE KAU-RAY

About sixty rods in front of our office, on the north bank of the Lemonweir, lies Waukon De Kauray, or Snake Skin; not "on his last legs", for his legs will no longer bear up the body of the Head Chief of all that is left of the Winnebagos. Time's pruning-knife has cut him down, and not a moon shall come and go ere the scythe will sever the slim thread which lets him cling to earth's surface.

Where or when the tawny but honest old savage was born, there's none may know exactly. The Reports of the Historical Society, which make repeated mention of his name and his deeds, are somewhat conflicting in regard to both. He told us in reply to the question, "How old is Waukon?" by holding up his skin-and-bony fingers and thumbs eight times, and eight of them once again,k that he was 88.

Certain government records of date of April 17, 1859, make Waukon Decorah, principal speaker or orator of the Winnebago Nation, 84 years of age -- (which would make him 894 now). [See Vol. V, page 307, Reports State Historical Society.] He is the brother of the On-Eyed De Kau-ray who compelled Black Hawk to surrender, and delivered him to Gen. Street at Prairie du Chien. Many people now suppose our dying old Waukon to be the capturer of Black Hawk. This is not so; for, although Waukon has but one eye, he is Snake Skin; and the One-Eyed who captured Black Hawk died near Tunnel City in 1864. [Historical Reports, Vol. V, page 297].

Among the Reports, we find notices of five De Kau-rays, distinguished Chiefs, coming of French Descarie. Some of them had a good deal of white blood in them. Old Waukon's father was a half-breed, and was killed at La Crosse soon after his settlement there in 1787. Another De Kau-ray, (the Gray-Haired) died in Portage.

Thus passeth away the last leaf of the tree which has historic renown in the De Kau-ray branch of the Winnebagoes. True, there are sons, and grandsons, and great grandsons of De Kau-ray. One of the latter aged about eight, was running around entirely naked, vexing a big snapping turtle, while we talked with the dying old Orator, through his half-breed or breed-and-a-half son Jim, who acted as interpreter. And the old squaw Kenoweneke fed him hen-soup; and his skeletonic arms hung naked to his naked shoulders more bony; and the Wigwam stank of smoke; and the young squaw dressing a skin nigh the door sang in a Winnebago wail meanwhile; and we departed, as old Waukon said in English, shaking our hand: "one moon more, De Kau-ray nepo". Which meant, that he'll die, or expects to within another moon. and he will, for he coughs like a graveyard; and all who behold him declare he's a grave subject.

He's going to the happy hunting ground where his long since massacred squaw and papooses are chasing spirit game over spirit prairies and up spirit trees. And let not christian men nock or make light of his demise; for he has ever been, with all his once might power, the friend of white ment.

(From the Mauston Star of Wednesday, July 22, 1869)

DEATH OF THE INDIAN DE KAU-RAY

This old Indian, whose sickness we mentioned a couple of weeks since, died in his wigwam beside the river here Friday last. Curiosity led our citizens to turn out in force to the funeral, and the old fellow was escorted to the entrance of the happy hunting ground by a larger number of persons than, probably, has attended a Winnebago funeral for years.
(transcribed and submitted by Diana Heser Morse)

The Milwaukee Sentinel
23 May 1920

LOVE UPSETS INDIAN CUSTOM
(Picture of Mary Rain-In-the-Face)

Tomah, Wis. --- The love which John Sherman, Indian civil war veteran held for his daughter, Mary Rain-in-the-Face, has shattered a time honored custom of the Winnebago tribe.

Mary Rain-in-the-Face, famous basket weaver, and descendant of "Glory of the Morning", queen on the Decorah branch of the tribe, died recently. Tribal traditions dictated that the Indian girl must be laid to rest with her kith and kin in the quaint Winnebago burying ground at Watermill six miles north of here.

John Sherman, so-called because he followed William T. Sherman with the northern army on his famous match to the sea, steadfastly refused to permit his daughter to be buried in the Indian cemetery.

"We put our papoose in the ground right in our own door yard - right where we can see her grave all the time, on sunny days and in the long moonlight nights." the aged red man explained with tears streaming down his wrinkled cheeks. "We want to tend to her grave in white man fashion. That alone make us happy."

It is believed here that John Sherman's departure from Indian precedent will mark the beginning of a general practice among Wisconsin tribesmen of burying their dead near their teepees.
(submitted by Diana Heser Morse)

The La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press
23 September 1933

Indian Once Roamed At Will Through Scenic Monroe County Valley Where Historic Castle Rock Stands Guard

Sparta, Wis. - (special) - Castle Rock, which has stood like a sentinel for centuries guarding the beautiful valley in which Sparta is located, is now fast crumbling into decay from the wearing away of the stone for these many years by the winds and storms that frequent this region.

Years ago, it was quite a pleasure resort for picnic parties, and ladders were placed up the rock sides to enable visitors to climb to the top where a magnificent view was obtained of the La Crosse river valley.

Nothing makes a locality more attractive to an American than romantic traditions of a remote age. People often think that to see relics of an ancient people, they must go to other lands, but Wisconsin, and even the locality surrounding Sparta, abounds with points of historical interest.

If one was to take a stand on the rock tower of observation, he could imagine a dusky warrior making love to a dark brunette; or looking off to the wets along a line of timber, where the Father of Waters rolls along, and on its surface an Indian canoe, perhaps bearing a savage, an Indian lover and his mate, or a little band of explorers, for the La Crosse River valley was then a great roving ground for the Indians. The Indian trail is still seen near the Catholic cemetery in Sparta, extending as it did from Portage to the Mississippi river.

Many Indian Tribes

At various times, Menominee tribes, Senecas, Dakotas and Winnebagoes roamed the woodlands in this locality at will.

Although the Menominee tribes were not closely connected with the early history of Monroe county as the Winnebagoes, they played their part. The Winnebagoes and Fox tribes were the first Indian inhabitants in this part of the country, and as they gradually pushed ahead of civilization, the Menominee tribe came in and followed in their wake. They were not as warlike as the Winnebagoes, but were rather friendly and good natured, although selfish and grasping.

History tells that more than two hundred years ago, Jesuit priests passed through this vicinity, establishing missions for the enlightenment of the Indians. The first missionary among them was a Frenchman by the name of Allouez, who was here in 1669. In spite of the white men's teachings, some of the Indian's weird customs and songs remained; offerings of tobacco and presents were made to the Manitou of the Redman; and provisions were left for their dead to help them on their journey to the Happy Hunting Ground.

In 1848, by a treaty signed, the Menominee tribe had to cede all their land in Wisconsin, and they were then removed to Minnesota. The tract of land assigned them was not pleasing, and by an act of the Wisconsin legislature they were allowed to remain in the state.

The history of the Winnebagos is closely connected with the history of the earliest days of the settlers in western Wisconsin; the Winnebago and Menominee tribes roaming over this section as early as 1632.

Nicolet Made Visit

Nicolet, the first white man to come to Wisconsin, visited among the war-loving tribe of savages and in 1634 he was sent a distance of some hundreds of miles to make peace between the Hurons and to form a treaty of peace between the Hurons and the Winnebago tribes. Seven Huron savages accompanied him, and, the story is told, that as he approached the Indian village word was sent out in advance to announce his mission, and the Winnebagoes senet out envoys to meet him. Word was sent to the surrounding savages and a great council was held, several thousand braves being present. A barbaric banquet was served, consisting of many score of beaver tails. This is said to be the first council held with the Indians in Wisconsin, although the exact location of the event is not known.

In a history of Monroe county, the following is said of Blue Wing --- "Blue Wing was the head of this branch of the tribe, and was its chief spokesman in the council of the tribe, held at the original settlement in the vicinity of Lake Winnebago. He was a quiet, peaceful man, who ruled his tribe with justice, whose good qualities made him many friends among his white neighbors and the business and professional men of Tomah, with whom he had dealings. He lived to be 103 years of age, and at his death, he was held in such high esteem, that a public funeral was held in the Methodist church in Tomah, largely attended by the town people and his neighbors; a striking illustration, indeed, of the transition from savagery to civilization, a modern funeral service held over the remains of a savage, attended by his own people."

Permanent Settlement

A band of about two hundred Indians settled permanently at Watermill; among their number being two who served during the war of the rebellion; one an old fellow known as Sherman, because he served in the Third Wisconsin under General Sherman; the other, a son of Chief Blue Wing, known as Thunder Chief. The squaws in this tribe were noted for their beautiful bead work, hair bands, moccasins, buck skin clothes, all beautifully embroidered in beads.

A few descendants of this early tribe are attending the government Indian school at Tomah, but the larger number, it is said, prefer the easy going tribal life.

The early settler in Sparta and vicinity refused to have any dealings with the Indians, and usually drove them away from the village when they came in. There is a record of but few instances where any of the Winnebagoes ever raised a weapon against any of the white settlers. There was some trouble during the summer of 1853 when an Indian demanded food of R. H. McMann, residing on Big Creek, about four miles from the village. Upon being refused it, he obtained what he wanted at the point of a gun. This so angered the farmer, that he got all the settlers together in a company numbering about twenty-five. They marched to the camp of the Winnebagoes, some forty in number, and demanded the Indian be turned over to them for punishment. They took all the fire arms from the Indians, then stripped the Indian of his clothing, turned him over to McMann, who whipped him with a black snake whip.