Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Door County, Wisconsin by Charles I. Martin - 1881 [6] THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER OF THE COUNTY. INDIANS - DARK AND BRIGHT DAYS. The first white settler of any record, inside the boundaries of what is now Door county, was a man by the name of INCREASE CLAFLIN, who lcated on what is now known ast Little Sturgeon point. He came thither March 19th, 1835. At that date this was an unsurveyed country, and was a wilderness in every sense of the word. Like all new and unsettled portions of the West (in fact, like all portions of America), this was a country inhabited by the Indians. A number of the tribes that roamed this section at a very early date, had gone to their "long sleep," or been driven farther west by the Chippewa and Menominee tribes, who held the sway when Mr. CLAFLIN located. The "Chips." and "Menoms.," as the were termed, were certainly true-blood Indians, yet they were peaceable, greasy, and lazy. At the very first the Indians were prefectly satisfied that MR. CLAFLIN should settle but when he got nicely to work they changed their minds, and de- cided to drive him away. He was informed of their intention --------------------------------------------------------------------- [7] but MR. C. was a man of grit, and only proposed to leave the country when death took command of him. The Indians were in- formed of his intention, and probably were somewhat tamed by his determined will, for they then offered to "forever let him have peace," if he would pay them what was estimated to be about $500. This proposition MR. C. also declined, and then the copper-colored men were in for war - the whole tribe against two men, viz: MR. CLAFLIN and his hired man. The chief and his warriors promptly visited MR. C.'s quarters and made their demands, which were squarely refused. The chief said: "Then we make war, and will kill you!" MR. C. said he did not want war, but instead wished that they would smoke with im the "pipe of peace," to which request the Indians rejected. "Then," said MR. CLAFLIN, "we'll have war! but allow me to treat you before we begin," and he walked into his cabin and brought out a keg, with a tin cup over the bung-hole. The keg was placed in the centre of a ring they had formed. He then brought forth a fire brand, ans asked them: "Are you ready for your treat?" "What is in the keg?" asked the chief. "Powder!" answered MR. C. "What are you going to do with the powder?" inquired the chief. "going to blow all of you to h--l!" retorted MR. C. There was a lively scattering of In- dians, such, we suppose, as we have after a politcal conven- tion in these days of civilization! The result, too, was about the same; for the "warriors" feld, and did not show themselves again for more than two weeks; and when they did put in an appearance, they were willing to smoke, and be peaceable. MR. CLAFLIN had many minor skirmishes with the Indians, and often got in close quarters, but always held his ground and ruled his own cabon. In the year 1844, or nine years after he first settled at Little Sturgeon, MR. CLAFLIN moved to Fish Creek - some claiming that he was the first white settler in that section, where he resided up to the time of his death, in the year 1868. At the time of his death he was supposed to be 83 years old. His wife, MRS. MARY A. CLAFLIN, died in September, 1873, and was supposed to be 80 years of age. Reminiscencies from the children of this old couple and pioneer settlers of Door county, will appear elsewhere in the make-up of this --------------------------------------------------------------------- [8] history. Among other observations of early date, handed down from MR. CLAFLIN to his near relatives, he, also, notices the hills or mounds we referred to in the first part of this chapter. He stated that in 1835, when he first settled, that there were acres of the mounds in the vicinity of what is now known as the town of Gardner; that large timber, perhaps a hundred or more years old, grew thrifty all over the entire patch, showing that it was once a cultivated field - that it was generations before the year 1835. In one or two incidents an old Indian chief claimed that in the days of his forefather this section was inhabited by the whites, but that they were all killed - not even one being left to tell the tale. The as- sertion does not seem to be backed up by anything like even a shadow of authority, and hence is not worthy of considera- tion. However, MR. CLAFLIN's relatives now living, state that when he, CLAFLIN, came in '35, that the old walls of a cabin, rotted to the ground, was visible, and other indications of civ- ilized habitations of early date were noticeable. After the first settler made good his stay, one after another planted "their all" in this section, and the whites soon gained a foot-hold that could not be broken by the natives. With cour- age and common sense brought up as breast-works, the white force soon began to get too strong for the then numerous Chippewas and Menominees, and they gradually followed the setting sun - many being claimed by death, and their bones laid to rest where they once hunted deer and bear; oth- ers joined different tribes, and once strong tribes are now almost extinct in this locality. But by no means with the dwindling of the Indian plague, did all other hardships van- ish. Even after clearings had been made, and a crop raised, it was no small job to get it to market. Green Bay, 50 miles distant, was the nearest place for "trading," and the trip had to be made by going through the woods, or coasting on the water in a small open boat. The trip by water was perilous; the overland route dangerous, for at the date the county first began to settle, there were no roads cut out. At times it was a close contest between starvation and human endurance. One old settler informs us that he once go so close run for --------------------------------------------------------------------- [9] food in Door county that he had nothing to eat for two days but basswood buds - a thing only to be endured when human nature is put to the rack of necessity, and chooses between the last resoures of life or "forever be at peace." But the pioneer settlers were not so particular what they had to eat; but what they could digest, and gain strength. With new strength they gained courage, and with courage they were able to en- dure most any sort of hardship. Gradually the light of better days began to dawn, and the county began to shoot forward and grow more vigorously, until now from this geographical focus will radiate the diffusive light of intelligence and advancement until our light will shine and be seen all over the Northwest. =========================================================================== ===========================================================================