Post by Larry Koschkee on Jan 2, 2007 14:50:37 GMT -5
"In 1829, also, float was found in what is now Potosi and a cabin, the first in that vicinity, was built by Thomas Hymer. Because of Indian troubles, however, he did not stay; and the development of these rich deposits did not really begin until the end of the Black Hawk war in 1833, with the discovery of the famous Potosi cave by Willis St. John and Isaac Whitaker, the first permanent settlers of the town.
Very shortly thereafter, in the same year, a group of English minders from Galena, about sixty in number, came and formed a camp in the Hollow. To guard against possible Indian troubles, they built a blockhouse in which they all gathered at night, after the day's mining."
Source - THE HISTORY OF POTOSI - Elda O. Baumann, The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. XXIII, September 1939.
Miss Baumann did not cite her source for the blockhouse in Snake Hollow. Further research may reveal same.
If I read the text correctly, Baumann indicates the blockhouse was built in 1833. If the year is correct, why would you build a strongpoint after the Sauk and followers where whipped? Is this a symptom of unrest that remained on the Michigan Territory frontier?
Very shortly thereafter, in the same year, a group of English minders from Galena, about sixty in number, came and formed a camp in the Hollow. To guard against possible Indian troubles, they built a blockhouse in which they all gathered at night, after the day's mining."
Source - THE HISTORY OF POTOSI - Elda O. Baumann, The Wisconsin Magazine of History, Vol. XXIII, September 1939.
Miss Baumann did not cite her source for the blockhouse in Snake Hollow. Further research may reveal same.
If I read the text correctly, Baumann indicates the blockhouse was built in 1833. If the year is correct, why would you build a strongpoint after the Sauk and followers where whipped? Is this a symptom of unrest that remained on the Michigan Territory frontier?