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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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March 22, 2003 - Issue 83 |
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Interesting Sidelights on the History of the Early Fur Trade Industry (part 1) |
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From: The Eau Claire Leader - June
10, 1925
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credits: submitted
by Timm Severud (Ondamitag)
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The talk given by W.W. Bartlett at the gathering of Chippewa Valley Historical Society at the Ermatinger place at Jim Falls on Saturday on early fur trading in this section of the state was a great revelation to those present and provided his listeners with much that was new and interesting in connection with the early history of this section. The text of the address he presented is herewith given: "We are certainly grateful to you kind people of Jim Falls for making this gathering possible. I am sure it will result in awakened interest in Chippewa Valley history, and that is the principle reason for our being here today." "A few years ago, there was organized in Eau Claire what was originally designated as the Eau Claire Historical Society. As it was found neither practicable nor advisable to confine its researches to the boundaries of our county, the suggestion was made that we change the name to the Chippewa Valley Historical Society and open up membership to all residents of the valley. Action to this effect was taken at the last meeting. At that meeting we had with us your own Miss Anna Ermatinger, and it is largely due to her enthusiasm and effort that this picnic gathering was brought about." "No more fitting place for a meeting of the Chippewa Valley Historical Society could be found than right here at Jim Falls, a locality associated with the early life and activities of the Valley to an unusual degree." "As we all know, the one great early day industry of the upper Chippewa was that of lumbering. Large quantities of the finest of pine timber was to be found at and near Jim Falls, and all the early wood and river men were acquainted with the region here about as with their own back yards." The
Fur Trader Cadotte,
Warren and Ermatinger "The connection of the Cadotte family with the Chippewa or Ojibway fur trade began a hundred years or more before the Revolutionary War. The name originally was Cadeau, but in the second generation as fur traders the name became corrupted to Cadotte, and has so remained. The original Monsignor Cadeau had a son Jean Baptiste Cadotte, an energetic forceful character, who married and Ojibway woman of a very similar nature. They had two sons, Jean Baptiste, Jr. and Michel. The former of these two operated largely in what is now northern Minnesota, but it is Michel in who we are particularly interested. Born in 1764, he received a good education, and then took up his residence at La Pointe. Michel had trading posts in various other places. It is a well-established fact that one of these is at or near Chippewa Falls, where a son Michel was born." Came
From New York State "Lyman Warren's wife died at Chippewa Falls in 1843 and he died about 4 years later. Both are buried in La Pointe." The
Warren Children Gathered
Indian Lore Daughter
Writes Letter Now
92 Years Old 'Deserving of more than a passing notice is Mrs. Charlotte Ermatinger nee Miss Charlotte Cadotte who died at her own home near the Nine Mile House (Eagleton) last Monday morning. Of the Indian race skilled in all bead and ornamental work known to her people, she was remarkably neat in her appearance, as well as everything pertaining to household affairs. Never adopting the English tongue, although understanding French and English, she wore a modified Indian costume of black broadcloth with blanket of the same material trimmed with black silk, and her moccasin feet moved sprightly, her bearing was erect and free, despite her more than four score years, as in the days of her girlhood at Michilimackinac, her birthplace.' 'The dear old lady died aged nearly ninety years. Another landmark as well as a pioneer and civilizer of our western home is gone, who in her humble way did more for it than a score of famous names of our time.' "Mrs. Spears said that she did not live here while her father was located at Chippewa, but was at school in the east. She did however, in 1845, with her cousin Nancy visit the Ermatinger home here." "One of the many letter, which Miss Anna Ermatinger has preserved is written by Nancy Warren to her stepfather, James Ermatinger. Her mother did not write or speak English. The letter was written in 1852, at the time that Nancy was making her home with her cousin Julia, now Mrs. Spears. Recently, I forwarded a copy of this letter to Mrs. Spears, who was delighted to read it after nearly seventy-five years. She said Nancy was a favorite cousin of hers. On the back of the last letter received from Mrs. Spears, her married daughter made the notation that this was probably the last letter her mother would write, as she was confined to her bed and very feeble." "Since there are a number of others on the program. I do not wish to make this talk too lengthy. In closing. I trust that what we have heard today may lead to a better understanding of the fur trading days and a more intimate acquaintance with its interesting characters." From
an Army Officer's Journal Their present trader is Mr. (Lyman) Warren, a gentleman of the American Fur Company, who makes this his residence, and the headquarters of an extensive department and district, embracing the extent of country southwest of La Pointe, between the Snake River and St. Croix River and Lac Courte Oreilles and the Chippewa River. The value of his trade annually is as follows: At the post of La Pointe $2,000, or 250 beaver skins, 400 martens, 50 bears, 1000 to 1500 rat and 20 to 50 others. At the posts on the St. Croix post, $4,000, principle rats, bear, otter, with a few marten, raccoon, deer, fox, fishers and beaver. At the Snake River post $1000, same fur as at St. Croix. At Lac Courte Oreilles and Lac Chetac $1500, principally bear, otter, marten, rats, fisher and mink. At Chippewa River and Lake Vassale posts $2500, same furs as last but more beaver. Mr. Warren has lived a number of years at his present residence on the island of La Pointe, and has given to the spot an appearance of civilization. He has built a large and comfortable dwelling, a storehouse and eight or ten other buildings, which with the houses of Cadotte and family and those of the subagents, formerly at La Pointe makes almost a village. All the buildings are handsomely situated on a rise about 200 yards from the lake and immediately in back of them are cultivated and enclosed fields, in which oats, peas, beans, potatoes, etc. are growing finely. |
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