Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/89

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 59 there I>y invitation of Shakea a ceremonious council was held in his cabin, over which he hoisted the United States nag. Being shown the map of the upper Mississippi region used for the expe- dition, the Indians readily understood it, traced and named its rivers, and one of them laid his finger upon the Falls of St. Anthony, which he called Ilahawotepa." The first men to locate 'on what is now the site of Red Wing were Revs. Daniel Gavin and Samuel Denton, sent out by a mis- sionary society of Basle, Switzerland. After arriving in this region. Mr. Denton married Persis Skinner and later Mr. Gavin married Lucy C. Stevens, of Lake Harriet. Their first mission was located at Trempeleau, on the Mississippi, near the present site of Winona, and its field of work was near Wabasha's Prairie. However, the Sioux of that region had become degenerated through intermarriage, and the missionaries in 1837 decided to come to Red AVing's village, where the Indians were of a higher degree of intelligence and morality. Mr. and Mrs. Denton came first and were soon joined by Mr. and Mrs. Gavin. They built two mission houses of logs on a spot which is now about a third of the way along the east side of Bush street, between Third and Main streets. One of the houses extended into what is now the street. It is unfortunate that we have not a more complete ac- count of the work done by these devoted souls. To them belongs more credit than has ever been accorded them. The Indians were taught to read and write and many of them learned farming and gardening. In July. 1838, Airs. Denton, writing to Governor Sibly. said : "The Indians have planted something more than thirty acres of corn, also some vegetables, all of which are growing finely. They are now in excellent humor, and have about given up the practice of begging from us. Many thanks for your prompt at- tention to our call for seeds. Could you see how finely they are growing in our beautiful garden I am sure that you would be glad with us. Indeed you can hardly imagine what won- derful improvements have been made at our village since you were here. You must know also that among many other mercies which I enjoy I have at length a friend with me, a Miss Blakesly, from the vicinity of Cooperstown, N. Y. I know that you will rejoice at this, as you know T how r much I needed assistance." This letter would indicate that the Dentons and Gavin fam- ilies were in the habit of entertaining the people at Fort Snelling as well as other guests from time to time. The Gavins left Red Wing in 1845 on account of the ill health of Mrs. Gavin, and a year later the Dentons also left on account of the ill health of Mr. Denton. The respect in which these missionaries were held by the Indians is shown by the fact that the mission houses re-