Page 205 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

corn, a few acres of potatoes or other vegetables, scattered
here and there through the settlement, comprised the farming
interest of the country; and it was not until the arrival of
more enterprising and grasping settlers, the keen and specu-
lating Americans, (a class feared and hated by the former
class) that these claims were considered of any value, or worth
the trouble and expense of obtaining titles to them.
As before stated, the L'settlement" at this place extended on
both sides of the river from Port Howard to Depere, a distance
of about six miles, here and there interspersed with patches of
timber, the cultivated land extending back from the river but a
few acres. Beyond Depere, south or west, there was no white
settlement, for many years, except two or three families at the
Grand Kaukauna, until we reached Prairie du Chien, on the
Mississippi River, and distant about 250 miles; where were a
garrison of United States troops, and a few hundred inhabit-
ants. All north, east or west of Green Bay way a dense
forest, an unbroken wilderness, peopled only by the red man,
and roamed by wild beasts. Depere, or rather "Rapide des
Peres," is supposed to be the spot first located by the Jesuits
or early missionaries, in or about the,year 1671.* An old build-
ing formerly occupicd by these Reverend Fathers, was situated
very near the spot on which now stands the new grist mill of
Messrs. WILCOX & WAGER. I frequently visited the spot,
and the old foundation of the venerable edifice was visible for
some time after I came here, and until, in cultivating the
ground, the stones wcre removed or covered over.
The trade and business of the settlement was principally
carried on at what was then called by the unpretending and not
very pleasing name of "Shanty Town." It was originally so
named by the soldiers, who were then stationed at the canton-
ment immediately adjacent, and which was called "Camp
SLnith." It is supposed that the town was so nick-named

* The Mission of St.. Francis Xnvier, at DePere, was estnblished in 1669:
See Jesuit Relations, 1669-70; SHEA'S Hid. Catholzc Nissions; SMITH'# Hiat.
Waconain. L. C. D.
25m .