“KOSHKONONG” AND “MAN EATER”
Lake Koshkonong is one of the most beautiful sheets of water in
Wisconsin. In primitive times the region adjacent to it must have
constituted a perfect paradise for the red man. Even yet,
notwithstanding its settlement by whites for nearly three generations,
this is one of the favorite resorts of Wisconsin sportsmen. The Indian
name “Koshkonong” has usually been explained as meaning “the lake we
live on.”[132] The letter which follows, recently presented to the
State Historical Society by H. L. Skavlem, of Janesville, offers both
a new rendering of the Indian name and a new interpretation of it. No
less interesting to those who care for Wisconsin’s primitive history
is the new rendition offered of the name of Man Eater, the Rock River
chief who dwelt on the shore of Lake Koshkonong a century ago. Mrs.
Kinzie, the author of _Wau Bun_, saw Man Eater or “Mee-chee-tai” on at
least two occasions. Over against the sad picture which Peter Vieau
paints should be set her description of him as “a most noble Indian in
appearance and character.”
Portage, Sept. 2, 1900.
Mr. Buckley, Attorney,
Beloit, Wis.
Dear Sir:
Having forgotten your initials I am compelled to address you as above.
Some months ago you wrote me concerning “Man Eater’s” village and why
he was called “Man Eater.” I had no knowledge of the origin of his
name, but the location of his village was easily ascertainable. Your
inquiry aroused a desire to know more of the famous old Indian and I
have made many inquiries myself, but without results, until the
thought occurred to me to address a note to the venerable Peter J.
Vieau, of Muskego, which I did through Mr. D. M. Fowler, of Milwaukee.
I copy from Mr. V.’s reply, through an amanuensis:
“I never knew a lake of that name ‘Kosh-ko-nong’ but I know
‘Kosh-kau-no-nong,’ meaning termination of a lake or river,
a dam or any obstruction making an ending, a stop, an
absolute end.
“Well, then, I never knew a chief of that _name_, but I knew
one of the name of ‘Mee-chee-tai.’ He was not a full-blooded
chief, but was considered as one among the Indian tribe. He
was half Winnebago and Pottowatomie. He was a powerful man
and a terror among the tribe. He was looked upon as a
sorcerer, and lived at that time as I recollect in the
neighborhood of Kosh-kau-no-nong. He used to do his trading
with Jacques Vieau, my father, when my father opened his
trading post in Milwaukee as early as 1795. It must be the
same man Mr. Turner refers to ‘Mee-chee-tai’; it means
‘Heart-Eater.’ Now then the above statement can be
substantiated by my sister, Mrs. May Vieau Lavigne, visiting
with me at present. She knew him well, too.
“‘Mee-chee-tai’ was killed by his son in a drunken frolic
about the time of the speculation in Milwaukee in ’35 or
’36. He killed his wife and his son ‘Shaw-gun-osh’ tried to
save his mother, and killed the old man his father, and that
ended his fearful career. He was considered a good Indian
when sober. Father used to think much of him. He was honest
in his dealings. He was a great juggler, performed great
tricks, &c.
Yours P. J. V.”
Did you ever see any reference to this Indian in any place other than
“Wau-Bun”?
Very respectfully,
A. J. TURNER.