Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/171

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 123 in-law. It was not deemed advisable to go far from the river, as many of the Indians were decidedly hostile to ceding their lands, and the Zumbro country was the common hunting ground for sev- eral bands of the M'dewakantonwan Dakotahs, besides being in the route of the traveling Indians from the upper Minnesota, to Wabasha, the residence of the acknowledged head chief of the seven bands. "Having become acquainted with the principal men among the Indians, I thought it safe to bring my family from St. Paul, which I did in July, 1852, as did also Mr. McGinnis. I have a very lively recollection of getting our household stock from the landing to our residence. A winding, rugged path up the bank was the course by which we conveyed it, and 'Mc' and I transformed our- selves into pack-mules, until stoves, bureaus, provisions, and vari- ous etceteras, of the two households were placed .under shelter, and we were at home. Within the next twenty-four hours, ninety- nine hundredths of the Indian population had called in through curiosity, and their various comments would doubtless have been edifying had we been able to understand them. Friendly rela- tions were established, however, and we never could complain of lack of company, so long as they remained in the village. I must also say in justice to the memory of those original settlers and occupants of the soil, that 1 was never more kindly treated by any people, nor did I ever enjoy myself better. To be sure, they were importunate beggars, as a community, and the women, as a rule, were chronic thieves. In fact they were kleptomaniacs, i. e., they could not help their stealing proclivities. But, making all allow- ances for these little peculiarities of their manners and morals, which were a part of their natures, they were not a bad people to live among. By a little liberality, when their begging seemed justifiable, and by firmly refusing when necessary, the beggars were disposed of and kept in good humor. And by watchfulness and the aid of bolts and bars, their thieving propensities were held in cheek and rendered measurably harmless. "The treaty being ratified by the senate of the United States, with some alterations from the original, as framed by the Dako- tahs and the commissioners, it became necessary to convene the different bands interested therein to get their consent. Notice was accordingly given to them to meet at Fort Snelling early in the fall, in consequence of which a perfect exodus of the aborigi- nes took place, and nothing more was seen of them here until late in November, after the close of navigation. When they did return a more squalid, wretched looking set I never saw. Bitter were the complaints against the government officials. Their annuities were spent in waiting at the fort, the best of the hunting season had passed, their canoes were frozen in the ice away from home,