HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

There is neither necessity nor excuse for its destruction; and we
cannot but again express the hope that it will be preserved for
the benefit of all who may pass along that celebrated stream.
The summit of the mound is about fifty feet above the lake, af-
fording a very pleasing view, embracing the lake and the en-
trance to the north channel of the river. Among the articles
discovered in the field nearby was some burnt clay in irregular
fragments with impressions of the leaves and stems of grass,
precisely like those found at Aztalan. This has been a place of
burial and, perhaps, of well-contested battles; for the plough
constantly turns up fragments of human bones and teeth, much
broken and decayed. Arrow points of flint and pipes of red pipe-
stone and other materials have also been brought to light."  The
tradition of the origin of the "Hill of the Dead" is well known,
having been included in nearly every important work on Wiscon-
sin history. According to this tradition the tumulus was erected
by the Indians as a repository for the bones of warriors and
others who fell in a terrible battle which took place here at some
period not definitely known, probably during the early part of
the eighteenth century, during the long war of extermination
waged against the Fox Indians by the French. The direct cause
of the attack upon the village is said to have been due to a custom
of the Fox Indians of exacting tribute from all voyagers who
passed this point. This levying of a tax on goods becoming a
nuisance, one Capt. Perriere Marin, or Morand, received the per-
mission of the authorities at Quebec to undertake the chastise-
ment of the offenders. Repairing to Michilimackinac, he pro-
ceeded to organize his expedition, which is said to have consisted
of a number of strongly-built batteux covered with canvas and
manned by soldiers, boatmen and Indian allies. With this force
he proceeded to Green Bay and thence up the Fox river to near
the Indian village. Here he divided his forces, one detachment
making a detour by land to the rear and the remainder continu-
ing to the village in the boats, the soldiers being well secreted
behind the canvas coverings. In response to the customary hail
from the shore the steersmen turned their boats toward the land,
and at the proper moment, at a command from the supposed
peaceable trader, Marin, the canvas coverings were raised by the
soldiers and a deadly volley poured into the assembled horde of
unsuspecting savages. In the meantime the detachment which
had been sent to the rear of the village had set fire to the wig-
wams and cut off the means of retreat. The battle which ensued

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