I forgot to tell you in yesterday's post that today's topic is Old Indian Trails. This comes from the book "Sawdust City" and is written by Wm. W. Bartlett. I will look for a map to put up for you to be able to follow this. See the note below the story... Several years ago in looking over some Chippewa Valley township plats belonging to that veteran land man, the late L. V. Ripley, the writer was interested to note thereon a considerable number of Indian trails, some of them near this city. The plat of Township 28, Range 9 West was especially worthy of note. This township lies between Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire and is intersected by the Chippewa River. It is the portion lying on the west side of the river that is of special interest to us. (Nance's note: This township is actually in Chippewa Co. and is the Town of Hallie.) The Ripley plats are copies of the government surveys made not very long after these lands were ceded to the government by their Indian owners, and the original government plats are to be found at the United States Land Office in the Capitol at Madison. The plat of Township 28, Range 9, shows the old Chippewa Falls-Menomonie Indian trail, beginning at Chippewa Falls at the northeast corner and running diagonally across the township to the southwest corner, crossing the west line about three quarters of a mil north of the south line of the township. From this point the trails cut across the southeast corner of Township 28, Range 10, thence westerly into Dunn County, crossing Elk Creek in about the middle of Section 1, Township 27, Range 11. (Nance's note: this should say Range 10) (See map) Probably few persons who have driven to Chippewa Falls over the west side, or Wheaton road, are aware of the fact that for a considerable part of the way this highway follows exactly or very close to the old Chippewa Falls-Menomonie Indian trail. This old trail ran rather close to the river, but keeping on high ground and maintaining a fairly direct course. Where the trail now follows the present highway it ran east of it, nearer to the river, crossing what is known as Rock Run about a third of a mile from the river. Incidentally, it may be mentioned here that those who have not visited Rock Run have missed one of the most picturesque places near Eau Claire. It is also of historical interest, as having been the scene of the last encounter in these parts between members of the ever warring Sioux and Chippewa tribes. This one was in 1856 when two Sioux were killed and scalped, only a few rods from the old trail. Elish Ermatinger, now residing at Jim Falls, and who is a son of the old fur trader, James Ermatinger, states that he was a boy at some nine years of age when this event took place and clearly remembers the large number of Chippewa Indians that gathered on the small island at Jim Falls, with the scalps of the two Sioux braves hoisted on poles in their midst. After a noisy carousal of some hours, beginning to realize the seriousness of the situation, with possible retaliation by the Sioux, they quietly dispersed. Rock Run begins about two miles from the river, not far from the large silo and church (no torn down) on the highway to Chippewa Falls. Throughout most of its course it is ordinarily a dry ravine, but it drains considerable territory and at certain seasons holds a rushing stream, which has washed out a channel-like creek bed. At about the place where the old Indian trail crossed the Run numerous springs pour forth their waters in such abundance as to form a fair size creek. Nearer to the river the ravine widens, with numerous large trees, which with the abundance of pure spring water makes the place an ideal picnic spot. It it were more easily accessible it would be one of the most popular outing places within many miles. Those having boats on the river frequently visit it. The place can be reached fairly closely by auto, but only by crossing certain farms the lands which border on the Run. Doubtless there are no other individuals living who have the personal knowledge of the entire region in the vicinity of Rock Run, and of the location of the old trails as have the two brothers, F. A. Towne of this city and H. A. Towne of Wheaton. In the spring of 1857 their father opened up a farm in what is now the town of Wheaton (Chippewa Co.), and on which farm the younger brother, H. A. Towne still resides. As boys and young men they were both familiar with that entire country and with all t he early trails. An interesting but rather gruesome relic in the possession of Mr. H. A. Towne is no less than the jawbones of one of the Sioux killed in that last encounter already referred to. This, with a pipe and other specimens of Indian ornaments and utensils, were picked up on the bank of the Run close to the old trail. ++++++++++++++++++ I was able to find a map that shows the trails along with the layout of the land (townships and ranges). It has been posted at http://www.rootsweb.com/~wieaucla/indiantrails.htm Please use it as a reference to show where this and the other trails that we will be reading about are located. When we are finished with this story, I will put it on the website so all who visit will be able to see it. Enjoy! Have a great weekend, and we'll pick this story up again on Monday! -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net