University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

Page 5 text:

 I The treaty establishing a boundary between the territories of the Sioux and the Chippewas may be found in United States Statutes at Large, Vol. 7, Indian Treaties, Article 5, page 273. The treaty, in part, follows: The eastern boundary of the Sioux commences opposite the mouth of the Iowa River, runs back two or three miles to the bluffs, following the bluffs to and crossing the Bad Axe to Black River; from which point, the line described is the boundary between the Sioux and Winnebagoes; and extends in a direction nearly north to a point on the Chippewa River, half-a-day’s march from Chippewa Falls. From this point on the Chippewa .... the line becomes the boundary between the Sioux and the Chippewas, and runs to the Red Cedar River just below the Falls; from thence to the St. Croix River at a place called the Standing Cedar, about a day’s paddle in a canoe above the lake on that river, thence passing between two lakes called by the Chippewas ’green lakes,’ and by the Sioux the 'lake they bury the eagles in’; from thence to the standing cedar that the Sioux split; and thence to the mouth of Rum River, on the Mississippi . . .” Historic Campus r ■ —— —■ -

Page 4 text:

The Theme of the 1938 Periscope is the historical backgrounds of Little Niagara Creek. When the white man first came to this region, the Chippewa Indians inhabited the valley of the Chippewa River and its upper tributaries as far south as the Eau Claire River. The .Sioux Indians lived along the Mississippi, and at times ventured up the Chippewa as far as the mouth of the Eau Claire. Because there was no recognized boundary between these two tribes, constant warfare was waged between them. To terminate this incessant struggle, the United States Government in 1825 decided that a treat)- should be negotigated to establish a definite boundary. The point determined upon was half-a-day’s march below the falls of the Chippewa River, which is, without a doubt, the rocky bluff that is known to day as Little Niagara Bluff. Thus, because the little creek played an important part in this treaty, the Eau Claire Stare Teachers College campus is intimately associated with the early history of the Valley. To help establish this fact as one of the traditions of the college is an important purpose of this volume. Ilisliirir I'nhi|ins

Page 6 text:

The chief cause of the Indian warfare that terminated in the boundary treaty of 1825 was the Indian claims to their respective territories. The Sioux occupied the territory south of Lake Superior, west of Lakes Huron and Michigan, south as far as the site of Milwaukee, and southwest to the Missouri. Claiming what is now known as the lower peninsula of Michigan were the Chippewas, considered by the French missionaries as the bravest, most warlike, and most manly of the tribes. About 1670, the Chippewas began their inroads upon Sioux territory in the north and east, and fought their way south and west. To the Winnebagoes the Sioux gave lands near Green Bay, probably to shield themselves from the Chippewas, but the Sacs and Fox tribe took forcible possession of this territory, compelling Winnebagoes to go west, where they, in turn, were crowded out by the Men-omonies. Such was the situation that necessitated the treaty of 1825, drawn up at Prairie du Chien and signed by Generals Williams, Clark, and Lewis Cass representing the United States, and by Wabashaw and Red Wing for the Sioux and Holc-in-the-Day for the Chippewas. Historic lampm