be settled shortly after, the name was changed by the inhabitants to Rochester, because, like the Rochester of New York, it had a water power-no further point of resemblance being traceable. In 1835-6, I was engaged in sub-dividing the townships now comprising Racine county, and from some Indian boys lodged near my encampments, I made additions to my Indian vocabulary; and with the medium of a fox-skin collar, I obtained this name, understanding it to be Pottawattamie for "Fox," which is a favorite name with the natives for all crooked rivers, whose course, in this respect, resembles the eccentric trail of that animal. By giving the middle syllable a thin, prolonged, decided accent, and leaving the last syllable but half aspirated, you have the original as given to me-Wau-kee-shah. Me-quon-i-go, from Me-quan-i-go ick, likewise the name of the town. Mic-wan signifies a ladle-a bend in each stream known by that name resembling a ladle, seems to have given the name. That the resemblance may be detected, it may be well to remark, that the Indian ladle is a very crooked utensil, with the handle turned quite over the bowl. Kosh-ko-nong, or more properly, Kosh-kaw-a-nong, (third syllable unnaccented,) signifying "the lake we live on," was for many weeks, the lurking-place of the families of BLACK HAWK's warriors, in the troubles of 1832. Wau-pee-ty-seepe, or Tooth River, a tributary of the Wisconsin above Grand Rapids. Wau-pee-ty (full accent on first, and half accent on second syllable.) signifies tooth-Chippewa probably. Des Plaines River, in Racine county, or more properly, River aux Plaines, named by the French, signifies, soft maple. Oconomowoc, Scupernong, Pewaukie, Oshkosh, Taycheedah, Wauwatoosah, Techora, Kaukulan, and a host of other musical names remain, to invite the elucidation of contributors, among whom I hope to see the names of Governor Dory and Mr. ELLIS. MILWAUKEE, July 10, 1849. APPENDIX NO. 12. INDIAN NOMENCLATURE OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN, WITH A SKETCH OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE CHIPPEWAS. BY HIRAM CALKINS, ESQ., OF WAUSau. Being personally unacquainted with the language of the Chippewas, and consequently their customs, I have taken some pains to procure the information desired by the Historical Society. I first applied by letter, and then in person, to Mr. WILLIAM CROSS, who resides in the northern part of this county, and from him have derived the necessary data to enable me to make up the narrative I now communicate. For want of time, he could not give all the information desired by the Society, but he assured me that he will pursue the subject still further, if requested to do so. I think Mr. CROSS has the ability to give as correct information as can be obtained relative to the traditions and customs of the Chippewa tribe, having been many years among them, and enjoying in a high degree their respect and confidence; and being a good scholar beside, is able to communicate correctly. Indian curiosities, such as wampum, drums, medals, pipes of peace, war-dresses, medicine bags, &c., Mr. CROSS informs me cannot be procured, except by purchase, as they consider them sacred things, and place a high estimate upon them. Should any of these articles be desired by the Society, I will endeavor to procure them when instructed to do so. I will now proceed to give a list of the Chippewa names, with their significations, of the tributary streams of the Wisconsin river, from the Forks down to Point Bas, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles by land, and about two hundred by the river. Of the Chippewa terminations Se-be or Se-pee and Woshance, theformer signifies river, and the latter creek. Ma-na-to-kik-e-we-Se be-Stooping Spirit River. Skan-a-wong-Se-be-we-shance-The creek that runs through bluffs. Shin-gwack-Se-be-we-shance-Little Pine Creek. Mush-ko-da-wun-Se-be we shance-Little Prairie Creek. Pe-qua-bik au Se-be-Rocky River, better known as Copper River. Pan-gaw do-waj-Se-be-we-shance-Ball Play Creek, now known as Devil Creek. Mush-ko day yaw-Se-be-Prairie River. Shin gwack-Se-be-Pine River. Tah so-so win-ing Se-be-Dead Fall River, now known as Trap River. O-pic-wun-a Se-be-Rib River. Wah-yaw con-ut-ta-gua-yaw-Se be-Clear Water River, now known as Eau Claire. She-sheg-e-ma-we-she can-Se-be-Soft Maple River, now known as Eau Pleine, or Full Water. Ma no-min a-kung-a-kauy-Se-be-Rice Stalks River, now known as Little Eau Pleine. Au puh-ki-ra-kan-e-we-Se-be-River of Flags, now known as Plover River. Wau-pee-tee-Se-be-Tooth River, now known as Mill Creek. There are several rapids and falls on the Wisconsin river, with most of which the Indians have some superstitions notions associated. The first is a small rapid just below the Forks of the Wisconsin, called by the Chippewas Wa-boje-wun, or Narrow Falls, indicative of their character. The next are the "Brear beaux," or Grand Father Bull Falls, which are the largest on the Wisconsin, and are called by the Indians Ko-na-je-wun, which signifies the Long Falls. These falls are two miles in length, having three perpendicular falls of several feet each in that distance. There is said to be one hundred feet fall in these three successive rapids. They were never run by the whites, and but one instance is known among the Indians of any of their people having passed them in safety. The Indians have a tradition, that there is a great spirit that presides over these falls, to which they make an appropriate offering. A portage passes around the falls on the west side of the river, where the Indians carry their canoes on their heads for a mile and a half. About midway on the portage is a solitary rock, about ten feet in circumference at the base, and about four feet high, in the shape of a cone or sugar-loaf, on which the Indians make an offering of tobacco. This offering, it is said, is preserved by the spirit until an Indian passes along destitute of tobacco, when it is given to him. In 1849, these falls were navigated, in a bark canoe, for the first and last time by two Indians-the BLACK NAIL and the CROW. At the head of the falls before starting, Crow held the canoe by a rock projecting from the shore, while BLACK NAIL made a prayer and an offering to the spirit of the falls. The offering consisted of two yards of scarlet broad cloth, and a brass kettle. The prayer was in these words: "O Great Spirit of the Falls! I implore thee to extend thy protecting arm over us as we run these mighty waters. Mayest thou strengthen my arm and my paddle to guide my canoe safely down these dangerous waters. I do not implore thy protection for nothing; I give thee two yards of scarlet, and a brass kettle!" Having finished his prayer, he threw the offering overboard, and grappled his paddle, and the canoe went bounding over the billows, and ran the falls in safety. Chippewa names of falls or rapids on the Wisconsin: Sa-se-je-wun-Falls or rapids. O-ska-kwa-yaw-New Wood rapids. Mush-ko da yaw-Prairie rapids, now known as Jenny Bull. Nah-ba-na-sa-se-je-wun-One-sided rapids, now called Trap Rapids. Pah-je-tak-a-ke-ning-a-ning-The water that falls over rocks, now known as Big Bull Falls. Oh-ka-kan-dah-go-kag-Spruce falls, now known as Liltle Bull Falls. Mis-qua-wauk-sa se-je-wun-Red cedar rapids, now known as Conant's Rapids. Ah-da-wa-gam-Two sided rapids, now known as Grant's Rap ids. Bun-gah je-wim-End of the rapids, now called Whitney Rapids, which are the last on the Wisconsin. Chippewa names of towns or villages on the Wisconsin : Mush ko-da-yaw-Tosh-ko-bo-je-gun-Jenny Bull Falls. Pah-je-tak-a-ke ning a ning-Big Bull Falls, now called Wau sau. Wah yaw-con-ut ta-gua yaw-Eau Claire Mills." Oh-ka-kan-go kag-Little Bull Mills. Nay-osh-ing-The Point, now known as Du Bay's Trading Post. Kah-kag-e-winch-e-min-it-e-gong-Hemlock Island. This name is applied to Steven's Point, on account of an island in the Wisconsin opposite to the village, covered with hemlock, which is a a rare growth in that region. Mush-ko-da-ny-Plover, the county seat of Portage county. The The meaning of this Chippewa name is "Prairie," given on account of the prairie-like country around it. The trail dividing the Chippewa and Menomonee lands runs through this town. Here the two tribes of Indians have been accustomed to make the portage from the Wisconsin to Wolf river, by carrying their canoes on their heads; the distance across being about eight miles. This portage is called by the Chippewas Wah-bau-ga O ning-ah ming, meaning the Eastern Portage. The termination O-ning-ah-ming, means a portage. Ah-dah-wa gam-Grand Rapids' Mills. |