Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, May 22, 1881, Page 17

' -THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, MAY 22, 188I—TWENTY. PAGES. r FORT DEARBORN, Block-House. ‘ nated by Mr. Hoyt Un- : veiled. — *: Address by John Wentworth— A Mass of Historical In- © , formation. ‘ Documents and Statements "Never Before Made Public. : Maj. Heald’s Own Story of the Cir- 3 cumstances Connected with i the Massacre, The Letter Ordering the Estab- lis'‘ment of the Fort—Its Early Commanders. Been Stationed Within - Its Walls.” .. : t Gen. Scott and the _ Cholera—Noted Names in Our Early History. =” Remarks by Thomas. Hoyne, I. ¥. Arnold, and Mr. Bennett. An Original Poem by Eagene J. Hall—A Son of Haj. ’ Meald in Attendance. ... ; PRELIMINARY SERVICES. * + HE TABLET WHICH MARKS THE. SITE OF ~ OLD FORT DEAM) ‘ ‘was unveiled yesterday with appropriate’ cerc- monies in the presence of. the’ First Regiment LN. G. G50 stroug) and about 1,500 ‘citizens. As has been previously stated in Tie TRIBUNE, the memento is on the north front of the building at tho corner of Front street and Michiganarenue, ‘ just opposit Rush street bridge. The idea ori; 5 nated in the Historical Society, and some of its officers having mentioned the subject to Br. W." XM. Host, of the firm which occupies the struct- ure,.he fell in with it-at once, and had the tablet put in at his own expense, and yesterday it was formally “ presented" to the Historical Séciety. The fact that it would bo ‘Waa pretty well known, and by {-past 3 clock, when tho’ militia were on tHe ground and massed on Front-street, there was a large crowd of spectators in ‘the vicinity who had assembled to take’ part in the proceedings. A stand had been erected on the corner for tho gecommodation of the speakers and others. On the front part of it was a model of the old block- house, with an American flag on the staff. The building was set off with two small colored sketches of the fort and flags, every window on both fronts containing one of the latter, and a Jarge Hag was pendunt from:a rope strung ‘ncross the street. Other structures in the nelgh- borhood were similarly adorned. . - AMONG THE WELI-KNOWN CITIZENS gnd old settlers.on the-stand and in: the audi- ence were tho following: Gurdon S. Hubbard, Dr. Wheeler, ‘who' came to Chicago in 1831, and |... -slept-the“first—ntghtion the” tidor of the block- house; ‘Judge Jamesun, Thomas Hoyne, ‘Isaac N. Arnold,-John Bates. 152; Thomas Rapp, S. D. Ward, A. D. Hogar, J. J. Richards, James Lane, E. F.C. Klokke, Prof. Swing, James B. Galloway, Walter Kimball, Willlam Bross, Mayor Harrison, James Couch, E. M. Haines, ‘Adam Baer, John B. Beaubien, A. D. Taytor, M. De Lanty, R.J. Bennett. N. Landon; Law- * yence Buuer,whose wedding reception took place in the fort; the Hon§&. B. Washburne, Joel C. Walter, 4. G. Burle}, Mark Kimball, Mfr. Mo- Chesney, 1. B. Carter, the Rov-Jeremlah Porte r, B.F. Ayer. Charles Crosby, Capt. Darius Heald, Frank Hoyne, Col. W. H. Thompson, Gen. Sheri- | dan, William, M. Hoyt, Isaac Milliken, Moses Wentworth, Gen. A. L. Chetlain, W.-D. H. Gray, D. K. Pearsons, W.-H. King, and W. K. Acker- man. : ‘The gathering was called to order by the “TIONS ISAAC N. ARNOLD, President of the Historical Society, who said: zB FELLOW-C1TIZES 4 suppose there are many f here to-day, possibly, who du not know that on ‘The spot where we stand, and extending south, imelosed with pickets, was old’Fort Dearborn, tur off in the then wilderness. We have met to- day to place in position and. to inaugurate a ‘tablet that shall tell toall who shail come after ‘us where that fort was located. There is preseat with us a gentleman who, forty-eight years ago, ¥ organized the ey care in Chicago, and who preached his first kermon in the fort.- It is alto-~ gether proper that these services be opened ‘with prayer, and that that gentlemen should ad- dregs the Throne of Grace on this occasion. ‘The Rev. Jeremiah Porter came forward and Offered prayer. “Mr. Robert J. Bennett was then introduced ‘and said:+_ ‘. Mr. CHATRMAN:' In’ behalf ot. my respected Kinsman and friend, Mr. Willlam M. Hoyt, of this city, itis my pleasant privitege to present tosou as the honorable President and Repre- gentative of the Chicago Historical Society, and Ibrongh you to the world, this tablet which is s00n.to be uncovered.vo the view of this uudi- ence, At the suggestion’ of members. of your Society, this memorial stone is placed to tell the Dassers-by through the Years to come that here ‘stood old Fort Dearborn; that here, within the Jemory of men now living, stood the outmost ~ defense of our common country; that here, on this sput, thrice consecrated by blood and fire, ~ was planted the germ which in so short atime | has budded, blossomed, and grown into this - Magnificent city. While we are looking over \ ‘the. past let it not’ be forgotten tliat £ We are making. bistory for - the fut- if ure. We will “fondly hope- that the record of this gencration will be as satisfactory to the next as ure the eveuts we now commem~ ‘Oratetous. May the Chicago of the future us farexceed the present in all that is great and Elorious us does tha present excecd the days of ld Fort Dearborn. a. Mr. Chairmun, hoping this memorial stone Will be as gladiy received as it 13 cheerfully givea, Iusk Chicago's oldest citizen, our much "Semed Guerdon S. Hubbard, to unveil this tablet for inspection and acceptance. military presgnted arms, and, as Mr. Hub- tard pulied the strilg and drew from in frontof the tablet: the tlag -which had covered it, the frowd cheered and the band played a medley of National airs. Order bemng restored, Mr. Arnold requested ‘THOMAS HOYNE _ torespond on behalf of the Historical Society 4nd be aid go as follows: : MR. Besserr: I bave. been selected by the Hutorieal Suciety to return to: you their’ pro- found and grateful thanks for. the very appro- + Prixte and beautiful memento which, at your wa cost, you huve- placed on this historical : Sommer,’ Tt isa memento which,.as every one Will see at a glance, recalls centuries of time, 2nd embodies almost’ the whole bistory _of events, We stand pon historical ground. We Sland upon the ground where, as you huve very eloquently. said, was planted the original germ ©f the popuiacion who to-day constitute the t commercial metropolis of not only the st, where’ the fort ‘was established in ad- of civilization, but the comn:nercial centre Of the country. We stand in the presence, also, of things which bring to remembrance some of ‘the most remarkable events of National history- On yonder shore of this same river two centue ‘Nes ago—in the winter of 1074—stood the first : Cairstian missionury that ever, visited this s4d-the pious ‘and’ humble Marquette, We” discoverer of — the Mlesissippl, was the first. white :aan_ tat €ver, spent a winter. on: this river, or at this grok. And, sir, we stand upon the ground where giite begioniig of this century ‘a whole erie -[ggmarched out, and upon. the, shore slow here, were sluughtered mercilesl. jhe aboriginal inuabitants of this same land. ‘ebay to you, Mr. Bennett, and your.friend, ir. Hoyt, and’ others whose -patriotism , an $24: enterprise have secured; this pyutument, that you have Tarp ncetlent exumple; for, as the events are, now bessmg from the memory ‘of the generation Row coming up, itis essential that such mony ;at8 as this be erected by men ‘like. yourself. ‘Wederpetuate. what. is associated : with .the Siedation of this reat commercial metropolis, i fulin its rise. wonderful in its advance, = Ly Marking the Site of the Old “Hore, The Memorial Tablet) Do= | waer hy Soives howied’ and (Prominent Officers Who Have The and wonderful i \- pana me in its consummadon, [Ap ie EUGENE J. HALL next read the f wi Was Ww next reai ellowing. poets, whieh was’ viell FORT DEARBORN... : Chicago, 1581. et a isisast, where the savage. war-wh ae Where couucilefre was b Sade Serdtes ere couucil-fires. burned: brightly years ago, ; Where the red Indian from his covert bou: ~ To soup bis pale-taced foe. a Here, where gray badgers had their haunts and prowied in mid-. wo might bands, +a br ro. ‘ Where frontier farmers turned the virgin fur- rows, Our splendid city stands. = Bete ae brave men and lovely women per- Here, where in unknown graves their forms de- me eaye Gee This marble, that thelr memory may be cher- ished. . E » We consecrate to-day. No more the farm-boy’s call or lowing cattl F¥rizhten the timed wild-fowl from the slough; The noisy trucks and wxgons roll und rattle O'er miles of pavements now. : Now are our senses startled and confounded, ay Screaming whistle and by clanging bell, ‘here Beaubien's merry fiddle once resounded, When Summer twilight fell. Here stood tne Fort, with palisades about it, With low. log block-house, in those enrly hours, The prairie fair extending tur about it, . Blooming with fragrant tlowers. ¥ About this spot the buildings quickly clustered; qoelog decid E Go pallsudes went down; z tless Western spirits e and built this Wwoudrous toWne * Here from tho trackless slough -its structures Started, pe a a And, ono dy ‘one, in splendor rose to vlow:: ‘Tho white ships’ went and came, the years de- parted, : ‘ And stil she grandly grew. Till one. wild night, a night each man remem- TS, When round her homes the red flames leaped and curled, 4s sky was filled with flame and flying embers ‘Thbut swept them from the world. - Men said,“ Caicago’s bright career Js ended!" As by ‘ber smoldering: stones * they.’ chunced While the iride world le the wide world its love and lend {fo help us In our wo. Ey panes © where was ever human goodness greater? Man's love for maa was never more sublime. On the eternal scroll of ‘our Creator Tis written tor all time. Chicago lives, and many a lofty steeple Looks down to-day upon this Western plain, * ‘The tireless hands of ber uncouquered people Have reared hor walls again. Long may she live, and grow in wealth and ats; 2 ‘Att cuay Hee ehiidron basa commg years ‘True to their trust, and faithful to their duty _ As her brave pioneers. JOHN WENTWORTH... A WISTORY OF THE FORT. . Mrs Arnold thea asked the Hon. John Went- ‘worth to step forward, saying that Chicago was more indebted to him thao any other mun for the appropriations obtained from Congress for the mugnificent harbor they suw before them.. “The Chicago Historical Society,” began Mr. Wentworth, whose appearance was greeted with cheers, “requested me to prepare a history of Fort Dearborn. “When I found that I must con- antof the fort, baving been. mare so June 1%, and so was here during the Bluck-Hawk wat and during the cholera seasun.< In tue absence of allicial documents; - the’ stutenients of the Kinzie tuinily and of “the * Whistler family ure our best authority; five generations of the latter and four’of thi former’ havicg lived here, T quote from the“ Chlearg Antiquities,” by Hf. H. ariburt: ,: : + “It was a coveted pilerimage which we sought,” ' as any one might ‘beliove, for it was during the: tremendous rain-storm of: the evening: ot the Yarh of October, 1875, that we sullied OUE to call ait Mrs. Col. R.A. Kinzie’s, for an introduction to: that lady's ‘mother, Mrs. Whistler. “.. 3: . Mer tenacivus-. memory _ ministers to a véluble tongue, and,’ we ..may say .brietly, she’ ts un, agreeable, intelligent, aiid sprightly Indy, num-; bering only a lite over 88 years, *To-duy,’ said” she, *{ received my first pension o1- account of, niy busband’s services... . Born. in Salem,? dass july 3, 178%, bee: maiden nume wus Julia (La Dake)’ Ferson.” In childhood she removed with her parencs to Detruit, where'she received’ most of - ber educnton.: In the month of May," 1802, she - was’ married to’ William Whistler, born in Hagerstown, Md. about 1784, a Secund-Leutennnt in. the -company ‘of his father, Cupt. John Whistler, U. S.A., then sta- tioned at Detroit. Inthe summer of the en- suing year, Capt. Woistier’s company. was or-: dered to Chicago, to occupy the post-and build the fort.’ Liour, Jumes S. Sweariugen (late Col.: Sweuringen, of Cuillicothe, 0.) conducted the company from: ‘Detroit overland. ‘The Tnited States schooner Tracy, Dorr, master, was dis- patened at the same time, for same destination, by thelukes, with supplies, und buving, also on board Capt. John Waistler, Mrs. Whistier, their son George W., then 3 years old (atterivards. the, distinguished eugineer In the employ of tie Itus- sian Governmeny), Lieut. William Whistler, and the young. wife of the inst-named gentleman. ‘The schooner stopped brielly on ber route at St. Joseph's River,, where the Waistlers left the Vessel and .tuok -a row-boat to Chicago. The - schooner on arriving - at . Cnicayc anchored half u mile from the shore, dischargine her freight by boats. Some 2,00) Indians visited the locality while the vessel. was here, being at- tracted by so-unusuul no occurrence as. the up-. peuranée In these.wuters of a ‘a big eanuc with wings.’ Licut. Swearingen returned with the Tracy to Detroit.” i. ‘There were thon here, says Mrs. W., but four rude buts, or traders’ cabins, occupied by. white men, Canidian French, with Indutawives. . Capt. Whistler, upon bis arrival, at. once set about erecting « stockude und shelter for their protection, followed by getting out the sticks for the heavier work.. It is worth inendoning here. that there was not. at that time, within hundreds of miles, 2 team of borses, or oxen, and, as a consequence, the soldiers nad to don the harness, una with tho aid of ropes drag home the needed timbers. . . . Lieut. Whistler, about five years ufter sojourn here, was triusferred to Fort Wayne¢, baying previously been made a |. First-Lieutenant. .. .') * “Col. William Whistler's hight at maturity was six fect two inches, und his weight atone time was 26) pounds, -He died in Newport, Ky., Dec. 4, 1803.""" Mrs. Whistler lived to be 93 years of ize, dying un Feh. 13,1878, at Newport, Ky leaving four daugbters, one son (Gen. J.N. Whistler, now stanoned at Fort Keogh, Dakotw), and thirty-seven grandchildren, nccording to the obituary notice published ut the time. Mra. Geu. Puiltp i. Sheridau is her grand-nicce. This Cupt. John Whistler, furber of William, according toGurdner’s Military Dictionary, was oriinaliy a British soldier. “und was "made prisouer. with Gen, Burgoyne at Sara- Toga, October, Wiz, where ‘our | Gen.” Nenty, Dearoorn was erving as Mujor. He afterwards joined the American army, be- came Sergeant, und by. bard fighting won his way toa Captaincy fu‘ the First Infantry, in April, 162, He wad made Brevet Major in i812, ‘and continued fn that capacity until hfs compa- ny was disbanded after the close of the war, June, 1815. He died at’ Bellefonttine, Mo., in 1827, where he had been a military storekeeper several years. ‘Tho United States official regis- ter says he wasa native of Ireland. There is nothing to contradict the goneral impression that about the year 1810 he was succeeded by CAPT. NATHAN WEALD, who commanoed at the destrucdion of the fort, fine myself to history, I immediately removed from my table all my poetical works [laughter]; Itook therefrom my sometimes important dic- tionary of quotations; and [also laid aside my compendiuni of interesting anecdotes. - The first official recognition of an intention to construct a fort at Chicago may be found ina letter upon the records of the War Department, dated June 28, 1504, directed to Gen. James Wilkinson, but which letter bears no signature. As the letter was duted at the War Depurtweat, and us the Secretary of War alone could give such directions, there cun be no doubt but that it emannted from Gea. Henry Dexrvorn, Secre- tary of War during President Jefferson's Ad- ministration, from 1801 to 15uv_ 3 THIS .LETTER SAYS? “ Being of opinion that, for tho general de- fense of our country, we ought not to rely on fortitication buton men and steel; and that works ~ caleulated for resisting batteries of cannon are necessary only forour principsl sea- ports, I canuot conceive it to ve. useful. or ex- pedient to cunstruct expensive works for our in- terior military posts, especially such ug aro in- tended merely to nold the Ludians-in check.:. I have, therefore, directed ‘stuckade-works, xided ‘by block-houses, tobe erected at Vincennes, at Chikago, at near the mouth uf the Miami of the Lukes, and at Kaskaskius, in conformity to the |.8ketch. herewith. inclosed, exch-caleutated-for-a~ Tull compuny; the biock-buuses to be coustruct- ed of timber, slightly newed, and of the most durable kind to be obtained at the “respective places; the maguzines of powder to be of brick: of a conic, figure, “each capable of, recelving . from tifty to lw bnrrels of powder, _ Establisnments of the kind here proposed will,I presume, be necessary: for’ each of the iniitary. posts in. Upper and Lower Louisiuna, New Orlexns and its immedi- ate dependencies excepted. 1 will thank you to examine the inclosed sketch, and to give me your opinion on the dimensions and other pro- posed urangemenis. You will observe the bluck- nouses xre 1utended to beso placed us to scour from the upper and lower storics: the whole of the lines. ‘The back part of the barracks are to have port-hules which can be opened when nec- y fur the use of musketry for annoying an edemy. It will, [ presume, be prover, uitimute- ly, to extend the pallisades round the block- houses.” . This fetter spells Chicago with a k. “This Rketch referred to cannet be found in the archives at Washington, and, as tho opinion ot Gen. Wilkinson was: solicited. 23 to the dimen- | sions and otner_ proposed arranvements, and us be was more of x frontiersman than the Sec- retary of War, itis not improbuble that a new plan altogether was adopted. GEN. HENRY DEARBORN: was a native of New Hampshire, und was 4 dls- tinuisned soldier in the -Wur of the Revolution and in that of 181%. in times of peuce be wus almost always in civil service, dying ut Roxbury, Mass., June 8, 12, where a pordon of his man- sion still stands. : His grandson, Henry G. {. Dearborn, a resi- dent of Chicago in the summer of 1833 una after- wards of Winnebago County, and who ‘murried there, July.6, 181, Surah 3f., daughter of Henry” ‘Yourston, of Harlaem, of that county, one of our wost’ respected curly settlers, yet ‘lives at Roxbury. He isthe son of Gen. Henry A: S. Dearvorn, who lived and died there, and was a soldier of the war of 181? und 2 member of Con- gress, and worthily filled the shoes of his father. Gen. Wilkinson was a Murylunder, und was 2 General in the War of the Revolution, and thero- after passed most of his time upon the frontier, being associated with Gen. Anthony Wayne in most of his campuigus ayamst tho Indians. But, whatever the plan was, 2M is ‘a legitimate inference from ths — letter of- the Secretary ‘that the: plan. was the same for alithe points mentioned. It has occurred to me that, as the other forts were of longer continuance than ours, und, in all proba- bility, much longer, we may yet Und xmonz some of the old settlers, or the Historical Socic- ties of those localities, some kind of a picture that will give us au approximate idea of what our original fort was, Lam making efforts in tnis direction. . 3 ‘John H. Kinzie, fo his narrative, says: “Al-, <though it stood upon the same ground us that of tho- inst fort, it was dilferenutly constructed, huving two block-houses on the southern side; and on the northern side, 2. sally-port, or sub- terranean pussage, from the parade ground to the river.” x . ‘This we officially know, that ou “June 2, 1804, there was no fort bere, but wat one was being rejected. -° iu Pt the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, the Potta- ‘watomies, Minmis, and their allies, relinquished theirright to ‘one piece of Jand, six miles: square, at the mouth of the Cnicazo diver, emptying Into the southwest end of Luke Sicn- jean, where a fort formerly stoud.’ Many per- sous, besides myself, buve endeavored to tind something to give character to this fort, thus Tecognized by Gen. Wayne, put there has been only one conclusion reached in the matter anda that is, that it was only # French trading post with mere temporary outside protection aguinst Todian robberies. i Olficiul records show. that the fort was called | “Fort Dearborn,” in 1812, und there is nothing ‘to indicate that it was not so called from 1904. | The Adjutant-General’s oficial records say « Post established, by United States. forces, in 4sut. Situated within .a few yurds of. Luke Michigan, ia latitude 41 dexrecs 51 minutes jorth: tungtitude 87 degrees 15 minutes west The Adjatant-General writes me that from 1804 to 1812 there ttre -no records on Hie. -So I jnust ill up this space of time from unofficial variol er my arrival here, on tho making but two commandunts in the life of the first, fort, the one being x witness of its com- mencement, and the other of {ts destruction. Heald was’ made Major Aug. 26,182, cleven days. after .the . massacre, and went - into private life’ with . the ~aisbandment. of. his regiment at_tho close of .the war, June, 1815. “He died nt St. Charies, Mo., in 3882, where his widow resided about 180," being the daughter of Col. Saunuel Wells, of that place, and niece of the murdered Cupt. William Wayne Wells, for whom our Wells, street was numed. Mrs. Juli- ette A. Kinzie, in ber Wau-bun, says: The In- dinns stole Capt. Wells, when 4 buy, from_the family of the Hon. Nathaniel Pope, of Ken- tuck, with whom ho was living. He was after- wards recovered by them; but preferred to ro- turn and live amoug his new friends. He mar- ried a Miami woman, and becume Chief of the natiou, He was the futher of the Inte Mrs. Judge Wolcott, of Maumee, 0.” Some writers contend that, had Capt. Whistier been in charge ot the fort instead ot Cupt. Heald, the massacre would not ave taken place. Capt. Heald has bad noone ‘to speak tor. him bere. But-he was appointed from Massachusetts a Lieutenant in 17¥9, and could-not be supposed to bave bud that_acquuintance with the churacter- istics of the Indiaus which Whistler had, who bad been in bis Country's service ever ‘since Burgoyno’s surrender in -1iv7,’ and-prineipuily.. -against the Indians;mdTrequedtly purticipating in -the campaigns’ of Gen.. Arthur St. Clair, and in one of which he was wounded. In. the Diographical sketches of the members of tho Corinthian Lodge of Masons, at Concord, Mass.. T found the following: ** Nuthan Heald, initiated in 1797, died ut Stockland (now O'Fullon), in St. Charles County, Missouri, where . he had resided for some yeura, in 18%, aged 37 sears. He was born in New Ipswich, N. H., in 17+, and ia early Nfe joined the United States army.” Mrs. Maria (Heald) Edwards, of this city, born at New Ipswich, N. H.. fn 1803, mother of Mrs, Gen. A. LL. Chetlain, -vas the oldest enild of bis brother, the Hon. Thomas Heald, one of the Associnte Judges of the Supreme Court of Alabama, who ied at Mobile, Ala., in 181. oged 53... There was a younger brother, Jonas Heuld, who'died at St. Louis, Sfo., single. - Mrs. Edwards bas a sister, Mrs. Eliza’ Heald Stone, residing at Concord, Mass., but no brothers. Fault-tinders. suy no should have done one of ‘two thines, neither of which be did, He should have abandoned the fort at_once upon receiving: bis orders from Gen. Wilkam Hull, commanding at Detroit, which were recolved here on. the 7th, or elsé have put the fort in a condition for permunent defense. Gen. Hull's orders were. to evacuute the post if practicable, and, in that event, to distribute the. property belongiag to tho United States in the fort andin the fuctory or agency to the Indians in the neighborhood. "It was only yuntil eight days thereafter that Cupt. Heald ‘evacunted the post. Yet there-may baye been consideruuons held out to bim by fricndiy Chiefs and their friends, which they could not muke good after the news’ of che war with En- gland became generally spread. Even Gen, lull thought the Iodiuns. friendly. or be would ot havo ordered the property distributed.as he did. 4 Lnow quote from THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S LETTER of April 2, 1881, giving all that appears upon the records of the War Department res] ing the destruction of the fort: di “Aug. 15, 18L4, the garrison, under the com- mand of Capt. Nathan Heald, First United States Infantry, composed of fifty-four recular infan- try, twelve militiargen, and one interpreter, was attacked by the Indinus, and evacuated the post the same day;.tho Indians numbered between 400 and 500, of whom Nfteen were reported killed. Those of the garrison killed were Ensign George itonan, First Infantry, Dr. EV. Van Voorhis, Cs Wells, interpreter, «twenty-four en- sligted men United States “Infantry, and twelve militiamen; two women and twelve children were. aiso killed, © ‘The wounded were Cupt. Nathan Heald and Mrs. Heald. None othors ro- ported. ‘the next day, Aug, 16,. 1812, the post was destroyed by the Indians.” Eusizo George Ronan was from the State of New York, and u_graduate of the. Military ‘Academy, in 1811. Dr. Isaac V. Van Voorhis was nlso from the State of New York, and appointed surgeon's-mate in 1811. Both ure supposed to have been uomurried. Capt. Willini Wayne Wells was a brother of Col. Sauce! Wells, a prominent man in’ Kentucky. Lieut. Linal i. Helin, also in the fort,.who 1s not mentioned in the Adjutunt-General’s Ictter, but who is men- tioned in the various histories of the massuere as among the wounded and prisouers (as also is his wite), was appointed Ensign in 1807 (State not given). and promoted to be Captain in April, 3814, and resigued’ in September of the same year. fe married “Margaret, x daughter of Capt. McKillup, a British ollicer, who was killed near Fort Detlance, Ohio, in 17H, whose widow tuneried the original Jolin Kinzie, So ste was half-sister to John H. and Robert A. Kinzie. _ Capt. ‘Helm lett en only ebild, William Edwin ifelm, who lived witn Gen. Hunter unul the War of thé Rebellion: he then went into the army, and, never belug heard from,.is supposed to have been killed im the War. i ‘Capt. and Mrs. Margaret Helm were married in Detroit, 1808, and after hig death she msrried De,—— Abbott, of Detroit, Mich., and died in 3645 at Grand Rapids, Mich. ‘Capt, Hehn had a brother, Francis T. Heim, who was appointed Litutenant from New York jn 1814, and left the urmy-at the close of the war, 1815; he had a.son, Charles J. Helm, who yas appointed First-Licutenant from Kentucky, and served in the army uatll the close of tha Mexican’ war; wbo murried Louisa, daughter of Col, William Whistler, now living at Newport, Ky. and sister of Mrs. Kobert A. Kinzie. Tthe details: of the massacre would require more time than I have to spare on this occasion. various times aft r 2s poe or Isso, Lwas in the habit of mect- : MAT. WILLIASL APT EE be regular army here, where be bad a. daugh- Sir wno is ‘stiit living, the widow of -Robert . Kinzie. Maj. Whistler died in Newport, Ky., Dec. 4, 186d, in bis Stn year, or thereabouts, but veldgm died nore, repeat mia fnculiles session of he! io a te ras i Second: bicutene 1.” ‘Thus his. military life woul ver over aluiy years of. tho history of Chicngo; and Oheiug the most of this time he, or somo. de- seendunts: of nis ‘family, has been heres ne ‘Claiming to huve come here in 1803, 23 a Secont f Jrevtenant in the company of his facher, a0 yo have passed that winter: here with his wife, godine te, cot rai i, od here. Two of bis childrea W td ably the only children ever fore esi duy of Our old settiers remember Jonn, Whistler, who was born there ( Oct. 7, Anothes Sa), William ‘Whistler was commund- Fy T bave given all that the records ‘at Washington show. Next to them in importance are the con- souporancous accounts copied into the Niles Heghter of 181%, 1813, ana 1814. Next is the *\ Nur- fave of the Massucre: of: Chicago,” by John H. Kinzie, who was @ boy here at the time, having, been born in Sandwich, Upper. Cunada, July 7, 1s03, published in 184- Next." Brown's History of Nismois,” and next, Annuls of the. West, published at St. Louis ‘in 185... Upon this matter, ind muny others appertaining to tho early nis- tory: of- Chicago,” Mrs. ‘Juliette, A. Kinzie’s “\Wau-bun,” published in 1855, is very instruct- iver: but it is not properly: appreciated, because jt is. written © tn! ‘the'-sbape or -leisure ‘sketches’ instead :. of < consecutive -- ehistory. Phose who think ’ lightly of) ber, work should = call: at’ my office © and copy. ai Thorough index of’ ft, which f have made, and they will find that “ Wau-bun "isa bistoric troas- ure. .-Robert Fergus, of this city, 1s ‘pu! lishing a very Valuable series of pamphlets upon Early Chicago, in which: ¢ sacre. is: given: _“Blanchare’s Hist i this address may acquire ... —.. been. unable to ‘do. und her parents were Johu und Mary: |: west.” After ndiligent Search at the departments 1 eqanot find that uny-of the sole diers here at the time of the mussacre, nor that uoy of their descendants. have applied for a Jand-warrant ora pension. So Thuve been un- ‘able to procure for you .the names: 6f any de-: scenduuts‘of those whose lives’ were’ preserved’ nor can,I give you':he; names of: those . whose lives were lost, except those published in the pa- pers xbout the time.. The. company roll cannot be found. Yet { will: give to. Whatever history / OF ‘THE SOLDIERS AND OF E f+ OTHERS '< Soe re I ‘have..found out,-und perbaps' some family” ‘geneulogist inay yet be able todo what T have K ‘The «following soldiers renehed Plattsburg, N. ¥., in “1814, atrer betag redeemed us British-prisoners at Quebec, Can- uda: Jumes Van Horn, Joseph Knowles, Paul Grummon, Elias “Mills, James" Bowen, Nathan Edson, Dyson ‘Dyer, and -Phelim Corbin, whose wife (Mrs. Corbin).was inhumanly massacred." Mrs, Holt, wife of Serat. ‘Holt, is mentioned as having afterward lived fn Oblo. Serge. Hays was ied.” oe eta i Among the soldiers who Were -kitled, or who died from exposure. ufter.’ the ‘massacre, were Jono Nends, Hugh Logau,. August’ Motte, and — Nelson,” from ” Maryland." “All aceountS Agree thatthe mussacre took place about one mile and a half south from fort: It was pointed. ‘out to ine in 1836; und the historic bluits: existed for many Sears thereafter." +” Medore “8. Benublen, son of Gen, John 3. Beaubien, sends me, by his brother Alexander, who has just ‘returned from. 2 visit to bim-at. Silver Lake, Shawnee County, Kas., the follow- ing tw read to you: : 2 “Tins born at Grand ‘River,’ Mich., in 1809, andecame to Chicago with my‘ father, in 1813, and walked over the ralus. of the. old fort that was burnt by the Indians. After me, alt father’s children were born in Chicigo,, : : CAPT. HEALD’S STORY, ‘During my residencé In Chicago I have maj repeited eiforts to trave out some descendanwar, relative of Capt. Nathan Heuld without successe After I began to write this address, I felt more nxlous than ever to learn: something more of him, and-uddressed letters to various pluces secKing Information. Luckily, ong of my letters reuehed 2 gentleman who knew # son of bis, and heJost no time in seving bim.and some neigh- bofs who also knew the: familly; ‘and In basten- ing to me the following suutements, gathered in ashort Interview, bem remembrances ot what they hud beard from his parehts, -they having reid nothwg upon the subject and not thinking that there was any one at this thwe fecling any Interest in itz - c “Cupt. Nathan Heald was married in Loutsyille, Ky, May 23, ISU -to Rebecca Wells, of that place. ‘hey started ut once tor Fort Dearboru, and went 11 the way on horsebuck. Gen, Hull THE NAMES: gent Capt. William <" Wayne _ Wells with | about_ thirty-two friendly Indians tg: escort Capt. Heald -to Fort Wayne. There were in Fort Dearborn only twenty-five or thirty fighting men. ‘Tho others were-tipon the sick list. It was In the very hot weathor of August. ‘The order to vacate created no dissatisfaction at Fort Dearborn or vicinity, exeept with the gutler or. storekeeper, iuterpre- ters, traders, and that whole class who felt that their occupation would be: gone if the Fort should be abandoned. ‘They are the per- sons who bave ~ banded “down alt the reflections. upon Capt. Henld’s — condnet in leaving the fort. When the soldiers bad pro- ceeded about one and one-balf miles from the fort, they were surprised ana ‘surround- ed 'by. ubout. 600 Indians . who’ ~ bad formed in a horsesnoe. or semi-circular sbupe upon the bluif. ‘The trvops were upon thé luke shore. Cupt, and Mrs. Heald were riding to- gether. Capt. Wells was somewbat in advance, dressed in Indinu custume, with his Indian forces. Cupt. Wells trst noticed tho design of the Indians and rode buck xod intormed Capt. Henld; who at once started for the tnost elevated point upon the snnd bills, and. eudeavored to Inugs bis wagons, buygaye, Women and children, and sick soldiers, so us to muke a better defense whilst the tight was: golug on. At - the first attack, Cupt. . Wells’ Indiuns . made their escupe. Early in ‘the tight Cupt. Heald and his. wife ~became~ separuted. Cupt. Wells rode up to Mrs. Heald, with tho blood streaming from bis mouth and nostrils, and told her that he thought, be bad been fatally wounded, and requestea ber. to inform his wife that be had fuught bravely, and kuew ho bud killed soven {ndinns before he was shot. - Soon his horse was shot, and, aS the horse fell, his foot wus caught in the stirrup, and he wus held under the dead horse some time. Wailst Jn this position he Killed his exghth indian, He was re- leased from this position Just: in time to mect his death from a oullet in the back of bis neck. The Indians immedintely scatped him, cut out his heart and flourished it ‘xbout upon a gun- stick, then divided it into small. pleces and ate it whilst waru, Mrs. Heald, being a witness, She was'led buck to the furt as'a prisoner. = Capt. Heald received & ‘wound in the hip which always troubled biw, aud, it is believed, caused his death in 182. Huving but about & half-dozen men left in tighung. condition, Cupt. Heald surrendered. The Indians returned to the fort, plundered and burned it. They ‘then camped along the luke shore, near the fort. The next morning, an Iod.nn ebief, named Chandon- nai, who bud possession ‘of. Capt. Henld a3 his prisoner, sought out the captor of Mrs. Heald find purchased ber. She bad, supposed that her husband was killed. Chandonnai took Mrs. Heald to her husband. ‘Sbe had. received. six wounds, When tho Lndiuns were leading ber away as.pris- } oner, one-ofethoxsqua: empted to uke .2 F blanket from “her, wher .she, with her riding- whip, struck ‘her several times, which net of bravery, under tho circumstances, greatly excited the udmiration of the Indians. ‘The next day, the Coiof Chandynnai took all the warriors: with him for the purpose, it was suid, of burning a prisoner, leaving Cupt. Heuld and wife in cbaree of the squaws and u young Indian boy. ‘That evening, through the assistance of the boy who accumpunied thea, und probably witn the assent of Chundonnui, they made thelr escape in a bireb-bark. canoe and reached Detroit, where Capt. Heuld surrendered himself as uo prisoner of war. ‘Che Lritish officer in charge wns a Magon as well as Cupt. Heald. This officer greatly assisted them, and, when exchanged, be gave them money to tuke them home. “The Indians took from Capt. Heald a jewel marked R.A.M., and from Mrs. Heald a tor- tofse-shell comb mounted with gold, und they were finally sold at St. Louis, where Lieut. Joba O'Fallon, a United States oiticer from Kentucky, recognized them, purchased them, and sent them to Louisville, Ky., where they arrived be- fore Capt. Heald and Mrs. Heald. “Cupt..Heuld and wife cumo to St. Charles - County, Mo.,.in the spring of 1817, and settled ut Stony Point, near the town of O'Fallon in that Couuty, where they. resided until his deato, April 27, 182, aged 37 years. Mrs. Heald re- imuined there also until her death, April 22, 1857, aged 8Lyenrs. She was a Jeadiue member.of the Baptist’ Churct:, and was greatly respected for her great firmness and Kinduess, They were buried upon the home place. “They bud two daughters, both now dead, Mar- paret dying single in 1836, uzed 20, and Mary (tho oldest) dying in, 1835, the wife of Capt. David McCaustand, who still survives ber. They had a son Darius, born Jan. 27, 1822, and still lives upon the home place, near O'Fallon. He represented St. Charles County in the Missouri Legisiature in 1856-9. Col. Samuc! Wells, futher of Mrs. Heald, was a noted Indlan-lighter and brother of Capt. William Wayne Wells. Darius Heald claims to be’ the oldest living relative of Capt. William Wayne Wells, “Chundounal and his son visited Maj. Heald in the fall before his denth, and passed some days with him, recounting and scenes of, the cruasicre and culling to mind the incident of the janket. E ‘The Aijutant-General writes to me that his records only show that the” post was reaccupied about.June, 1516, Capt. Hezekiah Bradley com- manding. ‘The troops continued in oecupadon until October, 1823, when the post was evacuated and lett in charge of the Indian Agent. It was reoccupied : Oct. 3, 185. Nothing is on file re- specting the rebuilding of the fort. When J-was‘in Congress, undor the second term of President ‘tyler, in 1813 and 184, the Hon. John C. Calhoun was Secretary of State, and { remember, ina conversution with mo about Chicago, that he claimed that the fort was completed under the etely: part of bis term ug Secretary of War, and be asserted that there wns a disposition among the officers here to call it Fort Cufcago: but he thought it would-be dis- respectful to Gen. fenry Dearborn, then living and standing high in the aifegtions of the peo- ple, and having a claim upon their gratitude as a soldier and statesman. ifis term commenced with the foauguration of President’ Monroe, March 4, 1817. - THE BUILDING OF THE Font IN 1816 may bave been the cause or. the result. of tho treaty of that year, In which the Pottuwatomies ceeded to the United States ull the country in this region, described as the country upon ‘the headwaters of Lake Michigan. “They were to be paid $5.700 yearly.and their number was esti- inated at 9400. ‘They remained the peuceful occupants of all they wanted until xfter my ar- rival in 1836. Our old settlers received a very welcome visit not long since from Col. John T. ‘Sprague, who made bimself very popular bere whilst, as a Second Lieutenant, collecting the seattered bands: and making urrangemeots to take them to their new home, . where thoy have ever remained contented, and from whom we often hear through’ their ageut, a. member of the rst Board of ‘Trustees of the Original ‘Town of Chicago in 1533, Medore B. Beuudien, now Mayor ef their commercial centre, Silver Luke, Shawnee County, Kansas. Col. Sprague was 2 Son-tn-luw of Gen. William J. Worth, und won houors im the Florida and Biexican wars. He bus recently. decensed. = quote from a paper rend before the Chicaco Historical Society by the tlon. Isaac N. Arnold, {ts President, upon the authority of Mr. John H. Kinzie’s daughter, Mrs. Nellie Gordon, and pub- lished in ‘Tne Cirtcaco Teipone July 18, 13772 “fn 1816, the Kinzie family returned to tneir desolate home in Chicago. The bones of the murdered soldiers who had fallen four sears be- fore were still lying unburied: where they bad fallen. The troops, who rebullt the fort, col- lected and {aterred the remnins. The coffins which contained them were-deposited near the bank of the river, which then hed its outlet about at the fout of Madison street. The cutting through tho sand-bar for the burbor caused tho Luxe to encroach and wash away the carth, ex posing the long range: o1 and their con- Tents, which were afterward cared for and reia- terred by, the elvil uurhorities. A ‘Among’ tay earliest recullections of Chicaro was‘secing projections: of collins from the steep banks of the lak¢'shore-... : coe | THE COMMANDANTS. eae Capt. Bradley commanded until 1817; Brt.-3faj. Daviel Baker until June, 189; then Capt. Brad- ley ngain’to Jun. 1, 1821; Maj. Alexander Cum- ‘mings to October, 1891; Lieut.-Col. John McNeal +|) born in the new. fort. to July, 183; Capt. Joha Green to October, 1823. J ‘These men are all dead; “Hradley dying in’ le: Buker in 18%; Cummings in ity MeNeal in 1850, und Green in 18. None of them have de- scendants In this rezion of whom I eyer beard. I never: hid an ucanaintunce with any. of :them, excépt Col. MeNeul, attecward . .bre-, vetted’ Brigudier General. “He was 2 native -of Now Humpshire, und pussed his last years there. From him I received my earliest impres- sions of Chfcazo. He claimed that his datghter. now living, the widow. of the Hon: Chundier E. Potter, of Manchester, N-H., wits the tirac child F ther, 2 few yeurs sine, walking from the site of tha. fort: aad she told tae she bid been trying to tind her birth- place.’ Another daughter, still living, is the wife of the present Gen. Henry W. Benham, : He lost his only.son, Lleut. J. Winfleid Scott SicNeal. in an enguement under Gen, Hernandez with the: Indians’ in “Florida, ix 187. -He was the , brother-in-law, of the inte President. Frank- fin -Plerce, “and the . late Lieut. “John , Sullivan Pierce, who inurried iuto one of our first families, bis wife be.ug a Miss Lufromboise, of the Ottawa tribe, in the Grand River resion | of Michigan, who bud numerous and influential relatives here, four of whom voting here, when’ we belonged to Peoria County, in 1833, and. the wife of Gen: John B. Beaubien’ being Josette, dauzhter of Jean Buptiste Lafroiubouse, Gen, McNeal .was the competitor. of: Gen. Scott “for” being the tallest und heaviest man who was ever In“ the Americun ariny. .Both were brevetted for their cullantry-at the battieof Niugara, Canuda, in 1814, where McNeal. was so severely’ wounded that Ho was incapacitatea for, tarthor duty, und weat into civil service, beng ar one thine Suryoyor-General-of tho port ot From October, 1623, the fort'was in charge of Dr. Alexander Wolcott, the unele of our proseut and long time-honored County Surveyor, named ‘or him. “ THE FIRST INDIAN AGENT, of whom -I can obtain any trace ‘het was” Charles Jewett (orsdonett), of ‘Kentucky. who was bere 38 early as 1816. He wags succeeded in 3184 by Dr, Wolcott, who occupied the position until his death, in 183). He was succeeded by Col. Thonms J. V. Owen, of this State, who was born in Kentucky, April 4, 180], und was one of our first Board of Town Trustees in 183, who died here ‘Oct: 15, ‘1835, _ whoza wife ‘(now hiving “at -'East ~ St. © Louis, in this State) -was a daughter of the Hon. Miles. Hotchkiss, and niece of our United States Senator, Elias K. Kane. If you will go down to ‘Lewiston, in Fulton County, you will tind, upon. the st of marriages there, the following, xt Chicago precinct of that county: “ By Jobn Hamlin, J. P., July 20th, 1623, Alexander Wolcott and Ellen M. Kinzi Q Mr, Hamiin resided at Peoria, and was on his way home from Green Bay, when he ,performed the ceremuny. Chico bad nelther“clergyman nor Justice of the Peace then. But this trouble was soon avoided by the appointment, of her.father “ns one’ of the. Justices | of the Peace for Fulton County, upon the 2d of December following. We hud to wait until we became a part of Peoria County vefore we had a second one, who was Billy Caldweil (Saugunash), who “was appuinted ‘April 18, Sai, Mrs. Wolcott, now deceused, re- married George C. Butes, of Detroit, moro recently of-this city, but now of Salt Lule City, Utah. Ic is eluimed that she was the first white child born in Chicago, the place of her birth be- ing on the North Side, at the historic bome of Joho and Eleanor Kiuzie, and £ know not why she cannot be safd to bave been the first white person married bere. Tne Uulted States Otticial Rewister of 16, ‘shows that Wolcotr’s gulary was $1,000, und _ that’ he had 2 Sub-Agent, Alexander Doyle, born_ in Virginia, at a salary at Sow, and that Mr. Kin- zie drew'a salary of $5u0 a3 Indian interpreter; ‘and Alexander Kobinson, better known as Cou- chepingta, whose descendants still reside in this city, ata salury of $05; and also Pierre LeClerc, a Frenchman, well known ufter I came here. but having no descendants that I am uware of, at a sitlary of $62. In the year 1823 there up- pears to have been an Indian Agent bere from Connecticut, named A. 1. Lindsley, ut a salary of 31,4), of whom nothing is now known. There was 1 Jacob B. Varnum here a3 Facter, as curly RS 182 usetts, ut a salary, of $1,900, and_who. was continued here tor some tlure after Dr. Woleott came, of whum also noth- ing is known. ‘Mr. Alexander Beaubien informs me that, in 1868, in uzed gentleman called to see him, and inquired about bis father. - He said he lived here in £2, and boarded in the old Dean House with his father, the’ site of which hus been washed away and would now be out in the Inke, if it nd not been filled up. He said bis name was Var- num, and he lived then in Fetersburg. He hud forgotten whethor in Kentuey of Virginia. ‘The Adjutant-General's olficial records show the following: Upon May 27, 18%3, Muj.-Gen- Jncob Brown, General-in-Chief of’ the “Ariny, issued thia order: 2 “The Major-Gencral commanding the army DIRECTS THAT FORT DEARBORN, CIUCAGO, BE EVACUATED, and that the gurrison thereof be withdrawn to the headquarters of the Third Regiment of Infantry. . +. . The Communding-tieneral of the enstern department will zive the necessary orders for carrying these movements intueifect, a weil as for the security of the public property at Fort Dearborn.” ‘Yhus mutters stood .at the Tort until, Major- wr Brown being dead, bis successor as General-in-Culef of the Army, Major-General |. Alexander’ Mucomb, gaye -the. tollowing ‘order ‘ander date of Washington, Aug. 19, 193-"""" ” “In conformity with the directions of the Sec- retary of War, the following movements of the troops will be made withouc delay: ‘Two com- panies of the Fifth Regiment of Infantey-to re- occupy Fort Dearborn, at the head of Lake Michigan. the remaining eight companies to pro- ceed by tho way of the Ouisconsin and -Fex Rivers, to Fort Howard, Green Buy, where the peadaunrters of the regiment will be estab- ished.” Mrs.. John H. Kinzie, in her “ Wau-bun,” thus alludes to this change of tho soldiers: “the troops were remyyed froin the garrison In 1825, but restored in 1838, after the Winnebago war. ‘There was a disturbance between the Winneba- goes and white settlers on and uear the Sssis- slppl. After some ‘nurgers had been committed, the young chief, Red “Bird. was taken and “imprisoned ‘at Prairie du. Chien to await. nis trial, where - he died of chugrin and tho irksomeness of continement. It was feared that the Pottawaromles (our In- dians) would make cominon cause with the Win- nebuoes, and commence a general system of havoc and bloodshed upon the frontier: They were deterred from stich n step. probably, by the exertions of Billy Caldwell (Gauzanush), Robiu- gon (Chechepingua), and Chamblee (Shabvonce), who made an expedition among the lock River vands to argue und persuade them into remain- Ing tranquil.” Tecan never think of either of these three per- sons without being reminded of che many pleas- ant ‘and instructive hours that 1 have passed with them individually and. coltectively, tisten- ing to their own exeerience, describing battle after batde—tne massacre of Chicugo und tho battle'of the Thumes included,—and ‘narrating personal interviews with and characteristics of ‘Tecumseh, Gen. Hurrison, and Geu. Wuyne, whom they always called “Old Tempest.” Caldwell or Snagauush died with bis tribe ap Council Bluifs, 1a, Sept. 23, 181, in bis onb year. Chambtee or Shubonee dicd neur Morris, in Grundy. County, in this Stute, July 17, 1959, aged S$ venrs, whilst Robinson or Che- chepinqun lived to yote for me several times for Congress, and to call on me as Mayor, and emoke the pipe of peace, He died. upon his reserva- tion, near Hiver Park, in this: county, April 2, 3$72'need M0 years. ‘The Winnebago Indians occupied all that por- tion of Wisconsin Territory bordering on W: consin River, numbering about 1,559, of whom fou were warriors. Hence tho importance of mnking headquarters at Fort Howard—Green Bi and atterward of the construction of Fort Winnebuso, under the superintendence of Licut. Jetferson Davis. GEN: DAVID HUNTER. i writes me from Washington. under date of May 18, 1831: “In October, 1&9, Lsaw on the north side of the river, opposit the fort, a white inn, and, wondering where he could have comefrom, fpot Into usmall wooden canoe, intended for ‘only one person, und paddled aver to interview bint. He fntroduced himself to_tme as Second- Lieut. Jetfer3ou Davis, of the. First Infantry, trom Fort Winnebago, In pursuit of deserters. 1 of course, was very glad to sen Licut. Duvis. invited bim to-lie down in my canve, and [ puddied himn safely to the fort. He was my wacst ‘until refreshed and ready to retura to Fort Win- nebago. This, no doubt, was the first visit of Jelferson Duvis to Chicuxo.”" The companies at the fort, from Oct. 3, 1878, to thelr witndrawal, Muy 20, 1831, were Com- panies.A and 1 of the Fifth Tofantry. Capt. John Fowle, who communded the fort, was from Massachusetts, and wits killed. April 25, SM, By nu steamboat explosion: on the Ohio River. His First-Licutenant wu3 the present Gen, Huuter, of Washington City, whose wife’ Maris H. Kinzie, daughter of John, born in 1307. isthe oldest white person now living who was born in Chicago. A Second-Lieutenunt was John G. Furman, from South Caroling, who died~ at the fort in 18%. Another Sevond-Lieu- tenant was. Abram. son of Martin Vun ‘Buren and his private Secretary when President, There was “an Assistant-Surgeon, Clement A. Finley, from Ohio, weose lust record [ find as Medical Director under Gen. Taylor in -Mesxiee in 1846. The second company, was commanded by Capt. Martin Scott, from ‘Vermont, who was killed whilst, a3 Colonel, he was leading-bis reg- iment ut’ the battle of El Moline.det Rey, in Mexico, Sept. & isti, Jumes Engle, from New Jersey, was his Second-Licutensat, who re- ‘signed’ in: 18H, and died —suon after A Ttrevet Second-Lieutenant’ from New Hampshire, Amos Foster, was under ‘him algo, a brothor of tho late Dr. John H. Foster, of- this city. Hic was shot byn soldier at Fort How~ ard,Green Bay, Feb. 7, 1&2. Engle, Foster. und Hunter voted ac.an elecdon In the Chicago Pre- cinct of Peorin County. on July 24, 1830, for Just- fee of the Pence and Constable. ‘These were the first votes ever cust bere by military officers. ‘On March 31, 181, Gen. Macomb issued the following order: ~ ‘The post of Chicago will be evaeunted a3 ently 23 ppracticuble, andthe arrigon, consisting of two.compunies of the Fittn' Regiment of Infantry, will_procecd to Green Bay und occups Fort Howard.” . On Feb. 3. 18, he issued thls order: “The headquarters ‘of the Second Regiment of In- fuatry ure trafisférced.to Fort Niagara. Lieut.- Go. Gummings, with all tho officers and me composing thy "Madison. Barracks at Sackett's Hurbor, will accordmgly relieve the garrison at A Fort Nincara, and Sujor Whistler, of the Second, Tafantry, on belng relieved by Col. Cummings, with al! the troops under his command, will re-. pair to Fort Dearborn (Cnfcago) :and garrison st. wnt sistant Surgeou De Camp, now on duty at Madison Barracks, is assiqued to Fort Dearborn, | army April 50, 189, and was afterward: made. and will accompuny the troops ordered to that post. : EB * ~These movements will take place 43 sogn as the navigation will permit : THIS BRINGS US TO’ THE SECOND CRISIS -- ; In the history of Chitaro, twenty years after the massacre, when the Settlers, ‘aifrighted by the depredations of Black-Huwk’s wurciors, with their wives nnd. children, sought refu;re in the fort. Then the Aslutic cholera-caine, und they, fled’ the fort, but dared-not return to their homes, and thus. chey vibrated between the Ln- dians und: cholera, sutfermg for: the necessaries of life. The War Department's records say: ’Fort’ Dearborn” ‘having become a gett eral “hospital: on’ July: 11, ny returns were received untilits reocenpation; Companies G and: {Second Infantry returned to the fort on Uct. 1 from campaign." This refers tothe march of Gen. Scott to Kock Island in pursuit of Black Hawk. Our Esquire Sauganash with bis two friends, Suabonee ana Chechepinqus, ‘success- fully used their intluence to keep the’ Indians in this: vieinity.in amity., Some. recent, writers have asserted : that ‘the coifias, whien I have heretofore noticed, contained tho bodies of sol- dters who died -uf cholent at that ume. But I served in Congress with Gen. Humphrey Mur- eball, of Kentucky, who came ‘here with Gen, Scott, ag 2 Sucond-Licutenant, and belped bury the dead, amonr them x classmate, Second-Liew- Tenant Franklin MeDuile, of Rocbester, HL, who: died July 15, and be. sald " the dead were thrown unceremoniously into u pit, und: oftentimes tao3e belpmy :to’ carry a- body: there in u very fewhours bad to be thrown ia themselves, und thé soldiers and citizens afterc- wards were afraid to remove thom. Luther Nichols, wuo dled May 2, 1881, in this city, was, ut the tine, a rezulurly-enlisted soldier, the lust tolive here, and helped bury the dead. He de- seribed the pitasat the northwest corner of. Lake street und Wabush avenue, Mr. Nichols was born at Gilbertsvillc, Otsego County, N. in 1986, und enlisted as a United States soldier | 188; cume to Chiengu under Muj. Whistler, ana was honogubly disenurged in 185k x MAJ. -WHISTLER arrived here on June 1%, 182, aud kept command until May H, 180. Surgeon Smnuel G. I. Do Cump, from New serseyof whom I can learo mug, was guccecded in 18% by Surgeon ip Maxwell, who, xfter residing here for several ied ‘upon his-farm at Geneva November, 1859. ‘He was x member * ot our Legistuture in isi8, und father-in-law of |-Joel C. Walter, of this city. - His bust is one of those upon the block frontiug the Court- House,..un the . enst side of ~ Clark Street... Ile was: a very social and. pop- ulur man,“ and whenever you sce a Chi- cazo boy write his name Philip M. you can tell for whom he was named, The Captuin was Seth Jobason, who resigned fn. .1836, and ended his days in this city, leaving descendants, bis daugh- ter Hurriet having married Josiab. F.: McClure, of this.city, Jun. 5, 187. Io 1810, be was Alder- mau of the’old Fourth’ Ward, when there were Dut six wards inthe city, and oaly two upon the Paymaster. I koow nothing further of nim. TUE LAST COMMANDANT OF TILE POST was Brevet-Muj, Joseph: Plympton, from Massa ' chusetts, arriving on Aug, 1,138. Ho'remuined at the fort until June or. Juiy. 18st, although the soldiers were withdrawn on Dec. 2% 18, In ac- vordunce with the ‘following order of Maj.-Gen. Alexander Macomb, dated Nov. 30.1836: aa "Phe troops stationed ut Fort Dearborn, Chi- cago, will immediately proceed to Fort: Howard and join the gurrison at -that post. Such public property as ‘may be left ar Fort Dearborn will remain tn charge of Rrev.=Maj. Plympton, of the Fifth {nfuntry, who will contiaue ia command of the post until otherwise instructed.”.:9°2.55° Isaw tho last sentinel withdrawn from the en- trance, and the last soldier march out, and.I Bente! the lise salute fred from Fort’ Dearborn. ‘or 1 while we missed the cannon’s discharge at sunrise and sunset. # hae * Maj. Plympton made many: friends here, and frequently visited us,--He wus brevoted: 4 Colonel for his meritorious services in tho Mexi- cau war, after buying distinguished himself in the Florida war. Lbuve been unabic to obtain any furclGr “pis Sellars 2 him, except feted ad & son, Willian ympton, ‘wht \u- ated at West Point wists ee ‘The fort wxs afterward taken charge of by the Superintendent of cae Hurbor-Works, Lieut. A. A. Humphreys (now General), from. Penn- Sylvania, succeeded . Capt. Allen, «and -he was succeeded by ‘SecundeLieut, “Jesse « H. Leavenworth, ‘from. Vermont, who ~resizned Oct. 31, 1856, to become Civil-Engineer, but was retained in Government ‘employ; and,-at last dates, was [ndiun Agent at some of our Western posts... He and Mra. Lenveaworth are favorably ~ remembered for the munner in which thoy made the fort lively with their frequent elegant entertainments. They wero liberal in their In~ vitations, and if their guests:did not degre ta mingle generally, there were npartments effough In the fort. to zratify all distinctive nationtil- tes, conditions, or tastes; all amusements hein in order, frum psulm-singing to dancing tothe music of Mark Beaubien’s violin. <> Next came Capt. Jubn MeClellin, from Peno- sylvania, brother of Gov, Robert McCiclinn, of Michigun, who ‘remained until the harbor ap- propriation was expended,-and then he went to . the Mexican war, where be was breveted Lieu- tenunt-Colonel for meritorious ‘services, and dled soon after, unmarred. ~, ‘Then exme the late Gen. Joseph D. Webster, from New Hampshire, as First-Licutenant, whe, constructed the first murive hospital, and re=" initined in charge until the Illinois Centrat Reil= road took possession of all there was left of the Fort Deurborn eservadion. . Lhave taken no account of tho officers who came here with Gen. Scott. July 8, 1832” He left Butlulo witn four stexmersa,—tho Henry Clay, Superior, Sheldon Thompson, and William Ponn. But, owing to 3 THE BREAKING OUT OF THE CHOLERA, the steamers Heriry Ch and Superior were sont buck from FortGratiot. I bave » letter: from ‘pt. Walker, who commanded the Sheldon ‘Thumpson at that time, snyine: West Side, bis ward comprising ull territory north of Lake street, bis residence being in old’ Waubansia. He wasulso Deputy-Collector of the. Port of Chicazo, when it belonged -to the De- trolt District. Tha Pirst- Lieutenant was JULIUS J. B., KINGSBURY, who distinguished himself+in the Mexican war, and was Major when’ he resigned. He passed much of bis time In this city whea nut on duty, yy. judicious investment, accumulated a ‘oriune, which, with the nid of lawyers, is Itkely to share the fate of most large fortunes befure it passes tarough the, third zeneracon. His son, inheriting bis. futher's.love of the good old flag, was Killed in the War of tha Rebellion, leaving an infant son. His daughter married. Captosimon Bolivar’ Buckuer, from Kentucky, who, after-winuiug yceat bouur in the Mexicun war, beeame.2 General In the Rebel. arm He bas been reconstructed now, and hus the de- Vout sympathies of the numerous friends of Muj. Kingsbury in bis efforts to save for the Eranachildren a good share of the Kingsbury estute, [wus quite intimate with Maj. Kings- bury, and lwill give bim the ereditof baving the’ Inost_ exalted uppreciition of a soldier's duty to bis wife and cluldrea, His Investments ‘here were not 2 mutter of specularion, but a sense of duty. However diminutive hls sulary, and wherever stationed, bis anxiety for the fut- ure of his family would bave induced savings and investwents. ‘There were three Second-Licutenants here who left with MuJ. Whistler in 1833, and never returned to buve noy.. status with our Chicago people. Hannibal Day, af Vermont, who was 0 Cuptiin in 1838; James W. Penrose, of Missouri, who distincurshed himself in the Mexican war, and was breveted Major, and died at Plattsburz, N.Y.,‘in 1818; und Edwin i. Long, of North Carolina, whodfed a First-Liéutenant at Detroit, Mich., fn 18:6. ir 1833, Cupt. John Fowle was again placed in command of the postus the successor of 3nj. Whistler, und with him came Brevet-SMuj. De Lafayette Wilcox, who was afterwards, at two periods, in command of tne post, ending with Aug. 1, 1833. He distinguished himself, und was wounded in the war ot 1812, and died at Pilatka, Fia., in 1842. His name will be perpetuated through our legal reports as representing the United States in the eclebrated suit of Gen. John B. Beaublen to gain possession of the tund upon whieh the furt wus situated under the Pre- etption laws. - : .. Maj. Wilcox and’a Second-Licutonant, James. | 1.:4fhompson, were elected members of the Ex-, secutive Committee of ne TUE CHICAGO TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, Jan. 30, 1834.. And Che-che-pin-qua (Alexander Robinson) joined it. He created 1 sensation by pullmg wu whisky-bottle from bis pocket and Smushing it with his toinuhawk. Phito Carpen- ter, sult living bere, was Seeretary,and can probably tell how long. before they bad tu erase the Indian Chiet’s nome. Yet there was*such 2 society before this, of which John Watkins, now liv: near Joliet, our tirst sehoolmaster, was Secretary, In ISK und he may knuw whether Snuganash and Shabonee bud not preceded Che- che-pin-qua in the xvod cause. With Maj. Wilcox -also came First-Licut. Louis I. Jamison, from Virginia, who, 13 Cap- tain, resigned in 1838, He remuined here some time, and will be remembered by ull our old settlers, marrying for his Second wife (having lost his first one here) a daughter of. Gen. George W. McClure, from New York, who dis- tinguished himself in: the: war of 1812, was uo curly setticr near Dundee, in this State, and died there Aug. 16, 1851, aged 0. Capt. Jumison be- came asutlerat Cump iinggold, in Texas, near the close _uf the Mexican. war. and died in that region. There was a Sevond-Lieutcnant, “Jonn T. Collinsworth, from-Teanessce, who resigned in 13%, went to ‘Texus, where he was made Iuspector-General, nad died there Jan. 28, 187. There was also a Second-Lieutenant, Jumes Allen, from Ohio, uncle of the Hon. B. F. Allen, of Des Moines, In., and be was the second man in.charge of our harhor works. Among tne young ollicers ever stutioned xt our fort be {s the most favorubly re- -membered, nnd was the most of a society mun. Ife tovkc naturally to the company of which our promiscuous population wes composed. There could be no social gathering without xo invitu- tion to. him. He was one of the people all the time. When be went away to join bis company the citizens unavimousty ve hii -sent buck. tobe pl avorks, The present Chief of Engineers, Gi "A. A. Humphreys, at Wasbington, writes me. went to Cntexgy in the latter part of September, 1835, und relieved Cupt. James Alten.” Mr. A. V. Kmickerbucker, of tuis eity. hus, presented me, for the Historicat Soelety, some Very interesting letters of his, showing tho zenial character of the man, written to his father, of the same naine, who wus for many yeurs Clerk of the Harbor Departinent. He wis made Captain of dragoons in 185, raised a brigade of Mormon volunteers, in the region of his cummand, for the - Mexican war, and died, unmarried. at Fort Lenvenworth, ‘Auig. 23, 1546. on bis route to New Mexico, wen a. part of the enemy's territory. % THE FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT IN OUR CITY was nuined for bim. Jt was oullt near the forks of che river, on the North Side, und run from here to St. Joseph, Capt. Picker.ug. There | were lively tines on its deck Inthe evening after our young folks began to sing, “Come, Uncle Mark, tune your old violin, ‘Aud sive us a dance ou the Jira Al-Lin.” On the 19th-of June, 1853, our fort had a new commandunt, Maj. George. Bender, from Mas- sachusetta,who resigned his position In the army on the Bist of Octuber thereafter, and died in Wushington City, without addimonal military service, Aug. 21, | He commenced the work upon our hurbor. the tirst appropriation there- tor, of 325,00, baying been made in 1853, the year after the Blick-Hawk war, its -importunce not having been appreciated until Gen. Scott was compelled to send his soldiers on shore ‘from steamboats, one-half of u mile out in the Inke. Chicngo bas ‘celebrated many occnsions. all considered.reat at the time. But the com- meneement of the barbor wus the first onc. ‘Phere ure several now living who remember it. Capt Morgun L. Shapley, of Serldian, Lex. one of the rst employés, writes ine: “here were two or three. stores on South Water street. Mark Beaubien, the noted fiddler, hud a hotel atthe bead of Luke street. ‘There were less than a duzen dwelling shanties in the entire town. The first stone wus pro- cured about three miles up the South Braoch of the river. ‘The work wus commenced on the south side of. the-river. The tes and timber were procured upon the Culumet Kiver, and were rafted foto tie lake. The next year, ISH, the work was commenced upon the north side of the river, Lieut. James “Alien superintending.” With Maj. Bender cume Cupt.. Joseph Buxiey, from Maryland, who continued at the fort until he resigned from the army ou April L, 1836." He lived with us some. yeurs thereafter, but bis subsequent history: {s-unknown to me. «There was a First-Lieutenant, Epbriam Kirby: Smith, from Connecticut, who wus here untii Decem- ber," 1836. He became, -Mujor, — dis- tinguished himseif in the Mexican war, and = was-— mortall; ‘wounded at “the buttle of El Motinodei Rey, dying Sept. 11, 18:7, near Mexicu City. And: there was. 2 Second-° Afeutenunt, from Tenressee, James -L. Thowp- son, until December, 1838, who resigned from tho'army May 18, and nothing more fs known. ‘Dec, 13, 1853, Maj. Jobo Green, -heretofore al- luded to, ‘wis sent: back -as succesgor-of Maj. George Bender, in© command of: the post, who continued here until Sept. Jd, 1835. “There came here Oct. 15, 1835. t Second-Lieutenant, Alexan- der H. Tuppan, from Obie. who continued until September, 1838, and resimed from the urmy July-3l. 1833."Lthiuk be must buve been the, ‘Lieut. ‘Tappan who was Constable fn tho city ‘some tite, und died here unmarried. .*~ Capt. St: Clair Denny, ‘from’ ‘Pennsylvania, came in “August, 1%, and: remained ‘until the tort was abandoned. . He resigned from the — The disease became so.alarming on the Henry Clay that nothing like diselpling could ‘be preserved. Everything in the way of subordina- Hon ceased. As svon us the steamer came to the doek, euch mun sprang.on shore, hoping to escupe from a scene so terrible and apputling. Some fled to the fields, others to the woods, - whilst otnors Iny down in-the streets and under: the cover of the river bunk, where most of them died unwept and alone. .". . Fort Dearborn wus evacuated for the accommodation of sick troops. Maj. William Whistler and Cap @3eth Jobnson, und muuy others, with their tauulies, who bad previously occupied the . burcacks, took .shelter. wherever they” could, some under. boards, placed obliquely across. fences,. and others intents... . The Chicago River, at that time, wus but a mere ereek, ensily forded. at its mouth, wallse it wended its way along tho beach, lowing into the lake n “short distance south of. the present locality of Like street. 7 z ‘The only means of obtining anything” Zor fuel wus to purchase the useless low-build- ing used usastable, That, togecher with tho rail-feuce Inclusing 2 field of some three acres, near by, wus suiticient to enxble our boats to- rench Mackinaw-on our return trip.” é Gen. Winfield Svott, some time after the Mex-. icun war, told me that he had often been ia * great danger, und tht he hud: witnessed a zreat deal of sutfering, but be bad never felc bis en- ure helplesness and need of Divine Providence us he did upon tho lakes In -the midst of the asintic cholera. Sentinels were of no use in Warning of the enemy's approuch, -,He could not storin his works, fortify ugainst hin, nor out hiy own way out, nor take terms of capitula- tion, There wag no respect for a tlag of truce, and bis men” were falling upon al: ‘side3) from un cnemy. "in ‘his very midst. And bis respons:bitlties were never greater. Indian mussueres were demunding bis ‘utmost baste, and there were with bim the cat of the cluss of West Point cruduates, to obtain their trst lesson in Indian warfare.” Theve wee forty-tive in the class of 1&2. "Twenty-nine of them left Buifalo for the Bluck- Hawk war, ‘but were nearly nlisent back from Fort Gratiot. L huve their names und official: record. : Six only, now belonz te the army, und of they six, tive: are upon the retired tist. leaving only¢col, Joba NN. Macomb, of the Engincers, in uctive service. Gen. Ward B. Burnett, a inember of that class, frotn Pennsylvania, one of the few now remuin-* ing. and the ouly one known to ine, visited - tis ely lust August, and with fresh: memdry gave mea full description of the -sewnes of those times. He was onv of those sent back. in ‘the - steamer Henry. Clay froin Fort Gratolt. -He afterward returned here, and under the: direc~ tion of Capt. Jumes Allen he superintended the first hurbor-works' at. Michigan City and St. Joseph. ite resiened, ~ July 31, « 1836, and. became an enjincer_- upon the Illinois. &' - Michigan Canal, "and; socontinucd until the suspension of the waurk” thereon: in 18iv. Ie then went into the Mexican wur, and so distinguished nimself tbat the gold. snuif-box wus presented to bim which bad orig- inully been presented by the. corporation of che City of New York toGen. Jucksun, ‘and was be- queuthed In Gen. Juckson’s will to the corpora- * uion of New York agum, in trust,” for the best soldier among its residents in- tho next: war. Gen. Burnett atso distinguished himself {n the War of the Rebellion. On the 8th of Siny, 1835, CHICAGO ILAD A. SENSATION, and Tam sorry that “I wag not here to enjoy it. But muuy now living were bere. I bare enjoyed ulniost every one since. Chicuzo bus over been noted forits sensations, and that is one of the reasons why [ nave never liked to leave It.. You canot tind any other place that has so many of them. Why trevel about when chore la so much of interest. transpiring at home? On that'day, Gen. Jobn B. Beaublen went to the Public Land-'} Ollice and purcunged fur $44.61 the entire Military TIteservadon. He derived bis military title frou” ‘tn election by the people,—not trom aoy°con- spicuous military talents, but because ‘be bud the most friends of apy ‘one in town, and -he kept them fo the day of- his death, The Stato at that time was divided Into military distric and the people elected the Generals. He bad _ lived upon the reservation muny: sears, und he had found some how which -saiisticd our tand ollivers that be was entitled to make the pure: chase, the same as many others have found: uws under whieh they could purchase our Lake-! Front ever since. Butupon Dee. 18, 1310, he was’ glad to call at the Lund-Otice and receive bis y back, withuut interest. The nows spreud. Everybody’ was_.u _ duily. newspaper” io those “diys.. We bad ~ but. two - news- pupers. thea, and both — were. weeklies.’ ‘The people ussembled in squads und discussed. the situstion. The question was raised: Did. Gen., Bexuvien buy the fort with the land ?. What were the oficers to do? There was no tel-- egraph io those duys. Gen. Beatibien was con. grutulated. He had un entire fortof his own. ‘A conilict between the United -States troops and: the State allitin inight ensue. Gen. Beaubien. himself, was in commun of the militit. Would be use'them to disvossess the United States forees?, Faney yourselves beré at that time, and remember that the menof that day were the. substratum of our present society, and you cun appreciate how greit u day that of Muy 23, 1855, was. The Receiver of Public Moneys at that time was the fien. Edinund D, Taylor, now re-° siding at Mendotu, in this State, und for muny, ‘years a resident of this cits mt Nothingserious buppencid, however, ag a ‘cnse. was treed upon and submitted sia 186, to Judge ‘Thomus Ford, of the Cook County Circult.Coure, ut the October term, in the shupe of un action of cjectment, und entitled Junn” Jackson ex den Murny McConnell vs. De Lafayette. Wilcox. ‘Phe first time Lever saw Thomss Ford, woo uft-, erward gained such a splendid reputation ag, our Canai Governor, and as- historian ot our’ State, was when, in November, 18%, he called at tng office and lef? his written opinion ’ to be pub- lished in my Chicago’ Demucrut. His opinion wus very very eluborate, and Just as favorable to the plaintiff as it could possibly be, whilst ho decided against him.* He thought” Gen. Beau-+ bien’s purchase wus entirely ~ icgal, . but, that bis title could “not “be enforced | until he ‘had procured his patent from Washington; which one thing needful be" was never to procure. . Tse suit wus uppeuled to the “- State Supreme Court, where Justice Theophi-: lug W. Smitn, in bebalf of a majority. of. the. Court, guve:n long and” exhaustive opinion, very taluuble to tbls days a historical docu-* ment, reversing the decisicn uf the Court below. See Scammon’s Reports, Vol. 1. “Justice Smith ‘was a resident of this city, father-in-luw of ex-~ Mayor Levi D. Boone. He was 2 warm personal ; triend of Gen. Beaublon, und bis learned opin-» Jon was the work of both hesrt and head.-[ buve. ‘often met him’ at the Generat’s eptertainments. ‘The sult was then taken to the United States Supreme Court, where another very eluborate opinion, and one very valuable us 2 historieat: dectment to-this duy, was given which effectu- ally wiped out every pretense to 2. clalm that Gen. Beuublen bud. Seo. Peters’ United States Reports, Vol. 3. . pon April 23, 1939, the. Hon. Joel R. Poinscte, Sceretary of War, nppolated the Hon. Mutthew. ¢ Burchard, thea Solicitor of the General Land-,;. ° Oitice, the ugeut of the Department to comet tho -reservauon..; Jadge: z Culcaxo. und sell Burchard cauged the lund to be. surveyed and platted as Fort Dearborn Addition: to Chicago. ' fis anevey made the reservution contain tfty- three and one-fourth -ncrés:. beim. three and one-fourth acres less thin the quintity marked upon the original ollicial plut, the. quantity hav. tng been ditninished, it was supposed, by abra-, sions cuused by the action of the water.of tho, lake. -All_was gold except what was needed fot... the occuoints of the public buildings, and thera. ;wus realized from the sale what wns considered: ‘at that time the great sum of $105,012. i -AT THIS ‘TIME CHICAGO: IAD ‘ANOTHER SEX-. Past tie, ORY GATIONS etait ork . Gen. Beaublen had gub-divided ‘the land and ~ sold, or given away, bis interest in a great many’ Jots.:'The owners of such rights undertook to manufacture’a public: sentiment: which would