Page 173 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

In 1827, I got permission, in connection with Judge ARNDT,
from the Secretary of War, to build a saw-mill on the Indian
lands, provided the principal Menomonee chiefs would give
their consent. This mas granted, and we agreed to give them
three barrels of flour per annum for the privilege. We
commenced the erection of a mill twenty-six miles below Port
Howard, on the west side of the Bay. I made a contract with
a man to put up the mill and erect a dam.
Judge ARNDT took the contract to supply the troops ;~t Port
Howard with fresh becf. He employed me to go to Illinois or
Missouri to purchase a drove of cattle for him. I left the Bay
the fore part of March, in company with ARNDT'S son and a
Menomonee Indian, and two horses. We travelled through
be wilderness to Milwaukee, where we found SOLOMON
JUNEAU. Prom him we got a small supply of provisions, and
started for Chicago. We took the wrong trail, and went too
far west, and soon found oursclves on the west side of the Xau
Plaine River, which we could not cross. We got out of
provisions the fourth day. I heard the discharge of a gun in
the distance, and started in the direction of the report. I
found an Indian, who had a large quantity of muskrats; I
bought a number, and had a fine feast. We got the Indian to
take us and our baggage across the Eau Plaine in his canoe,
making our horses swim alongside. We learned that we had
passed Chicago, having gone some fifteen miles to the west.
The Indian put us on the right track, and we arrived at
Chicago the next morning pretty well used up. We remained
there a few days. The place had not improved any since 1321;
only two families yet resided there, those of KINZIE and Col.
BEAUBIEN. left our horses there, bought a canoe, and
I
started for St. Louis. After a passage of six days we arrived
there, and remaining a few days, concluded the cattle required
could be best purchased in Illinois; and therefore proceeded up
the river as far as where Alton is now situated. Leaving my
canoe at the mouth of Wood Creek, I selected Carrollton as my
bead-quarters tr~ purchase and collect my drove. I may here
21m