Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"Trempealeau County" by Clarence J. Gamroth: Volume 1A: Miscellaneous: Settlement of the Joe Sluga Homestead Settlement of the Joe Sluga Homestead, 1947 About 65 years ago, the land known as the Joe Sluga
property, was a
homestead where large numbers of Indians lived. There were large
trees now called Indian trees, and small brush that served for shade
and hiding places for game.
(Comment on the above by Clarence Gamroth: reference to the number of years is apparently in error. It is more likely that the events recorded here took place in the 1860s or 1870s. The Frank Sluga referred to below was the brother of Susan Maciosek who was my mother's mother. Frank Sluga's far and my grandmother's farm were across the highway [now 93] from each other near Elk Creek.) The Indians did not have to worry about food for there were deer, elk, and prairie chicken to hunt. They also planted corn, pumpkins, squash and plants of the kind to keep themselves well provided. There still stand some trees on the Sluga farm which are being allowed to stand to commemorate the once so call reservation of the Indians. When the whites settled around the Joe Sluga property, the Indians became quite friendly. They would exchange things with one another. The Indians were fond of pork and give a great deal of their precious belongings for a pork chop. Before the white man could plant anything, he first (story ends here - not complete). |
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