https://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/

Kankakee Valley Historical Society, 1099 Baum's Bridge Road, Kouts, IN (2026)

08/28/2026

A few years ago, while browsing the internet, I ran across some Kankakee River pictures I had never seen before. The webpage owner told me they were in a box of glass negatives he bought at a flea market and were for sale! I purchased the negatives; a small notebook was included in the shipment. The notebook contained names, dates, costs, job estimates, sketches and even what appeared to be a Christmas list. In one of the negatives, I could make out a sign that said “Ahlgrim Park.” I began my search and hit on the family tree for Max Ahlgrim of Shelby, Ind. The Christmas list names were of Max’s children! I continued my search for more information about Ahlgrim. While most pioneers to the Kankakee Valley were trappers, hunters and farmers, Max chose a different livelihood — recreation.

Max John Ahlgrim was born in 1858 in Chicago to Christian and Maria Fleck Ahlgrim. Chris immigrated to America from Germany in 1853, Maria arrived in 1856. They married in 1857 and had six children. Max was the oldest son.

In 1875 the Ahlgrim family packed their belongings and moved from Chicago to near Shelby. Max was 17 at the time and given the responsibility of moving the Ahlgrim possessions from Momence to their new home. Included was a load of lumber for their home’s construction. Max learned of a steamboat for hire and decided to ship everything by the Kankakee River instead of wagon.

The morning of Aug, 21, 1875 found Max onboard the steamboat “Morning Star” heading east toward his new home. In later years Max told of the sights up the Kankakee: "While the scenery from Momence up to the state line was grand, all day Sunday up the river a grand and marvelous work of God and nature opened up to man. At nearly every bend some wildlife scampered out. Young mallard ducks hardly able to fly, coots, sandhill cranes, and "thunder-pumpers" by the hundreds scampered out from the underbrush to get out of the way of our disturbance, while many squirrels in the trees barked at us defiantly. We shot several ducks that got in front of our outfit to be used for Sunday dinner."

In 1878 Max married Ida Bell Parks. They had 11 children. Max and Ida made their home at Water Valley on the Kankakee River where he later built the Ahlgrim Park campgrounds. Ahlgrim was an enterprising entrepreneur of the type that made this country great. Over the years Max stated his occupation as carpenter, machinist and resort keeper. Even in his late 70s he kept active doing odd jobs around the resort. Ahlgrim Park was located near the Monon tracks making his campground an easy railroad trip for Chicago area residents. Max built power boats and used them for excursions on the Kankakee. In 1907 he acquired the Clyde King photography business, making possible the glass negatives I later purchased.

Max Ahlgrim’s vison and hard work made his park one of the first and most successful recreation destination spots on the Kankakee River. Max passed away in 1936, Ida followed in 1945. They are buried in the Lowell Memorial Cemetery.

Go here to read the Max Ahlgrim notebook:http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org.previewc38.carrierzone.com/Kankakee%20River%20History/Books%20and%20papers/Ahlgrim%20notebook-complete.pdf

08/21/2026

The Hall family story is one of the more interesting Kankakee River tales. Edward Hall was born in Ireland in 1812. He immigrated to Canada with his wife, Ann Maxwell, where they lived for two years and then on to Indiana in 1836. They owned property in section 6 in Pleasant Township, Porter County. Major McFadin was a close friend of Edward Hall's and wrote this: "I was acquainted with him for over 20 years, and he was a good, kind man, and had a large family of boys, all hunters and trappers, and they lived like Robinson Crusoe in the wilderness, without any neighbors within 5 or 6 miles of them, and I begrudged them their happy and wild life, and would like to have joined them in their romantic home near the banks of the Kankakee." Edward died in 1881 and Ann in 1914.

James was born to Edward and Ann in 1853. James married Nancy Cannon of Kouts in 1875, they had 8 children. A majority of the following comes from the writings of historian Richard "Dick" C. Schmal as was told to him by Kris Hall, the grandson of James.

James and Nancy Hall lived in San Pierre, Indiana. James was working stacking hay on the Brown Ranch near Shelby, Indiana. He heard that a dredge barge was for sale and purchased it. In 1900 he decided to move his family to Shelby on the barge that he converted to a houseboat. The houseboat was 34 by 14 feet in size. Schmal writes: "There were nine family members who made the trip: James and Nancy, along with daughters Ella, Daisy, Dora and Hazel, and sons Elmer, Millard and John (who was just a baby). Also, several old hound dogs, a flock of chickens and barrels filled with staples such as flour and apples added to the clutter."

The Hall family moved slowly down the Kankakee. "In late November they finally reached the 3-I railroad bridge above Shelby. Here they had to stop for the winter because they were driving pilings for a new bridge... In the late spring of 1901 the new bridge was completed and the old pilings were cut away, leaving room for the barge to pass through." writes Schmal.

The Hall family found a place near Shelby. "The family lived on the floating houseboat for a period of time until it began to leak so badly that it had to be pulled onto the bank, where they lived for several years (at least through 1917), paying five dollars rent annually for the site."

Around 1910 James leaves his family in Shelby and moves to Florida. His obituary dated July 23, 1920 reads: James Hall, known as "Dad", was found dead on Shell Island in his bachelor's quarters Sunday afternoon by Tom Williams. As near as could be ascertained the old fisherman came to his death from natural causes. The only articles found in his pockets were receipts for dues paid the Odd Fellows Lodge. He had been living on Shell Island, acting as fisherman and guide for a number of years, and living the life of a hermit." Nancy died in Shelby in 1945.

The Halls were a large family and many descendants remain in Northwest Indiana to this day. Pictured is the Hall family in front of the barge that brought them to new home in Shelby.

08/14/2026

In the last quarter of the 19th century came—what I refer to as—the Sportsman Era of the Kankakee Marsh. Clubhouses were built throughout the marsh. Most were established by wealthy businessmen. At that time hunting for the elite was a social event as much as sportsman’s affair. It was a place that the influential of America could gather, hobnob and even do a bit of waterfowl hunting. One of the most famous and renowned was the Pittsburgh Gun Club located at Baum's Bridge in south Porter County. Much of the material for this column came from William Wallace's Stroller column.

The Pittsburgh Club was built in 1878 and was made up of Pittsburgh businessmen. The captain of the Pittsburgh was Ira Brainard. Pittsburgh brewers Joseph and Harry Wainwright were two other key members of the club. In 1885 President Grover Cleveland stayed at the Pittsburgh after which, the clubhouse was painted white and renamed the White House. George Wilcox was the caretaker and guide for the Pittsburgh. The Wilcox home was a few hundred yards north of the clubhouse. Our KVHS Vice-President Sarah Miller now owns the Wilcox house. Many local people worked for the members as guides, housekeepers and cooks.

Although the Pittsburgh's members and guests drew from America’s privileged class, they came to the Pittsburgh to rough it out––but yet be within a few miles of a railroad and telegraph line. The main sleeping room was made up with bunk beds. After the building was completed the members decided they wanted more than a row of bunks. A club room was added, where they could gather, sit around, enjoy a few drinks and talk about hunting. There was one rule—no one was to talk shop. Business was to be absolutely forgotten during these hunting trips. At that time there was no set hunting seasons. Members and guests were arriving throughout the year to hunt, fish and socialize.

Soon after the clubhouse was built the members had a steamboat constructed so they could ply the waters of the marsh. Wallace wrote: "The boat was a sea-worthy little affair, done up in all the fancy trimmings money could provide. The boat was named "Little Rhody" by William H. Hunt, one of the club members. He was a native of Rhode Island and familiar with boats of all kinds and it was from his plans the little steamer was built." A short rail line was built from the clubhouse, so the boat could be launched from the bay —which was incorporated as part of the building.

In 1911 the old Pittsburgh clubhouse was sold as a private residence. Although the clubhouse was sold, the new owner continued to cater to the few remaining members. The last recorded visit I've found was in 1926 by Ira Brainard. Mr. Brainard passed away in 1927. The former clubhouse continued as a private residence until 1966 when it burned down.

And, so passed into history the Pittsburgh Gun Club and its landmark clubhouse. A few of the old clubhouses are still in existence— sprinkled along the Kankakee—but few had the stature of the Pittsburgh.

08/07/2026

I love technology! I’m sure that without spell check to correct my horrible spelling and Mary’s brilliant editing abilities, my postings would be incoherent dribble. With that in mind, I remembered that Mary and my 30th wedding anniversary is next week! I also got a gentle nudge from my calendar reminder of our anniversary.

Anniversaries are special celebrations of that shared history with your partner. While looking over my Kankakee River material for this posting I rediscovered the golden anniversary story of Rowley and Bertha (Lange) Morehouse.

Rowley was born in 1860 in Michigan. Bertha Lange was born in 1865 in Germany. They married in 1887 and lived on the Jasper County, Indiana side of the Kankakee River near Baum's Bridge. The Morehouses had three children: Mary, Alley and Lee.
Rowley was a riverman! While a lad in Michigan "two men told me of having been down on the Kankakee, rafting logs along the banks of a place called The Oxbow. I was a boy then, and afterwards, in 1884, I bought Oxbow." The Oxbow was located just west of Baum's Bridge.

Rowley had mixed feelings about the straightening of the Kankakee River in 1918. There were advantages for farmers, but as a riverman he thought "it was the biggest mistake ever made by the government when they reclaimed the Kankakee." After Bertha and his family—life for Rowley was hunting, trapping, timbering and farming.

The Morehouse anniversary celebration began at 8 am on Sunday, August 29, 1937. Over 400 relatives and friends attended. After dinner all were assembled and a group picture was taken. Today open houses usually are catered or take place in a hall or restaurant. The Morehouses' anniversary was outside on their one-thousand-acre farm!

This celebration was a whole day affair, and the schedule of events is impressive! I think what amazes me most is that all of the entertainment was performed by friends and family. Of course, back then most of the area's population was either friends or family.

There were the Wiseman family mountain musicians, the Geese family musicians, Richard Lindy with his eccentric barefoot dancing, 85 year old Mrs. Jorden told an amusing story about a visit from a gentleman widower, Miss Gladys Gilbreath executed a clever tap dance. Those were just a few of the entertainments. Rowley concluded the day's events at their farm with a song and amusing account of his method of getting Bertha's consent to marry. He also gave a demonstration of his labors fifty years earlier, using the original tools.

In the evening the celebrants moved to the George Coyer pavilion at Baum's Bridge. The pavilion was located on the north side of Baum's Bridge and across from the Kankakee Valley Historical Society's historic Collier Lodge site. The rest of the evening was spent dancing and visiting.

Bertha passed away on March 23, 1948 and Rowley joined her on October 17, 1953.

I repeat that I love technology, but sometimes I wonder if with texting, Facebook, internet shopping, e-mail, etc have we lost the personal physical contact that human beings crave and need as a society? Our Kankakee Valley Historical Society Vice-President, Sarah Miller, remembers the celebration as a young girl on that warm summer day 89 years ago. That's a lasting impression!

07/31/2026

After the Native American defeat at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 the Indian Western Confederacy that fought American expansion in the Midwest collapsed. A year later the remaining individual tribal Chiefs were forced to sign the Greenville Treaty. The British were forced to accept abandon their forts in the Northwest Territory. Tecumseh, along with 250 warriors, did not accept defeat and withdrew to regroup and build a new alliance.

Meanwhile the victorious General "Mad" Anthony Wayne built a string of forts along the Maumee River. The Greenville Treaty established the boundary line dividing Native American territory and American settlers. Native Americans would receive payments in goods as incentive to honor the treaty line. Unfortunately, the white settlers did not honor restrictions placed on them. Conflict continued between the two peoples.

Tecumseh settled with his band in Greenville, Ohio, where Tecumseh joined his brother Tenskwatawa . Tenskwatawa (commonly known as The Prophet) could be described as a radical spiritual leader. His predictions gained him notice and increased following.

Struggling with transition and upheaval the Native Americans searched to push back the scourge of American settlement. They felt the need to purify and purge themselves of the addiction of the white culture. Indians were drawn to The Prophet's revelations and visions. His successful prediction of a solar eclipse in 1806 greatly enhanced his popularity. There is little evidence that Tecumseh was involved with the advancement of The Prophet's religious awaking, but found it useful in furthering his mission to remove the white presence from his homeland. In time The Prophet moved his people to Indiana and founded Prophetstown on the Wabash River.

Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa consolidated their power, building their base to push back the American expansion. This was a two front battle: Tecumseh traveled extensively, recruiting other tribes to join their confederation and Tenskwatawa continued to expand Prophetstown and control the hearts and minds of their followers. Tecumseh cautioned not to attack the Americans until their own force was strong enough to secure victory. Alarmed by the growing force, General William Henry Harrison marched a force of 600 men to disperse the confederacy’s headquarters at Prophetstown. Tecumseh was away recruiting allies in the south.
Tenskwatawa, encamped on the Tippecanoe River, could not resist attacking
Harrison’s force and ordered his 500 warriors into battle. The Battle of Tippecanoe was a total defeat for the Native American forces. Tecumseh's dream of a strong Indian nation that would stop white expansion was lost. Tecumseh later joined the British in Canada. He was killed at the Battle of Thames in 1813. This defeat eventually led to removal of Native Americans east of the Mississippi.

Image is of Tenskwatawa

07/24/2026

In a 1935 published report Valparaiso University professor, Alfred H. Meyer wrote that preset day Baum's Bridge is "the most historic spot along the Kankakee River in the marsh proper." The oldest remaining standing structure at Baum's Bridge is the historic Collier Lodge. In 2006 Dr. Mark Schurr wrote: "the Collier Lodge site provides an11,000 yearlong archaeological record that at this time appears to be unique in northwestern Indiana."

The first documented exploration of the Kankakee River was by LaSalle in 1679. On December 3, 1679 LaSalle in command of 30 men set out from Fort Miami on the St. Joseph River, crossing to the Kankakee near South Bend to continue on down to the Illinois River. Who knows, perhaps he camped at present day Baum's Bridge.
In 1834 John Sherwood became the first American settler in the Baum’s Bridge area— two years before Porter County was organized. The first area birth was to William and Gillie Ann Trinkle. Their son Henry was born on Dec. 2, 1835. When Mrs. Trinkle arrived Mrs. Sherwood told her "she was the first white woman she had seen in two years." In 1836 Porter County built a road to Sherwood's Ferry located at present day Baum's Bridge on the Kankakee River. Sherwood did not have a license to operate a ferry and a license was then offered to the highest bidder–George Eaton. In 1836 Eaton operated the ferry at Baum's Bridge. In 1849 he built the first bridge at the crossing, rumor has it that the following year settlers from Jasper County burned the bridge down in retaliation to the toll Eaton charged. In 1863 Enos Baum built a new bridge at the site that survived the elements AND Jasper County settlers.

At this time railroads were beginning to bring people from across the country to the Kankakee Marsh. In1878 sportsmen began building clubhouses at Baum's Bridge. Now anyone could experience the wonders of this ‘Everglades of the North’. All it took was an adventurous spirit and a train ticket in the pocket.
In 1918 the river was channelized and the marsh drained; ending an era of renowned activity at Baum’s Bridge. The Kankakee River is now a mere shadow of its former majesty.

The trail that passes at Baum's Bridge is also known as The Allen Trace
Go here to read "The Allen Trace" by Fay Folsom Nichols: http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=2365

Do you like the postings at our KVHS page? Do you enjoy reading the amazing stories of the Kankakee River? If you would like to support KVHS and be part of our mission to promote Kankakee River, we would love for you to join with us. The best way to help us is to become a KVHS member. Please, go to our KVHS membership page and fill out our online application, or mail in a hard copy of our application. Our online application now takes credit card payments! Go here to our membership and donation page: http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org/?page_id=146

07/17/2026

This past week I attended the funeral of our first Vice President of the Kankakee Valley Historical Society, Sarah “Sarabeth” Miller. Sarah was not only our first Vice President but was also the first official member of KVHS! After boarding up the broken windows of the dilapidated Coller Lodge, my wife, Mary, and I worked up an intro to the newly founded Kankakee Valley Historical Society, including a membership application, and placed them in a box on the front of the lodge. Lo and behold a short time later we received the completed application, including membership dues from Sarah Miller. After meeting Sarah, I was flabbergasted by her love and knowledge of the old Kankakee River she possessed. It turns out that Sarah’s family became rooted to the river through the first local physician, Dr. “Doc” Philip Damas Noland. It’s through Sarah’s telling me the stories of “Doc” Noland that the following story sprung from. Thank you, Sarah!

As more pioneer families moved into the Kankakee Marsh the need for more physicians was felt. In the area of northwest Indiana Dr. Phillip Noland was one of the best known and respected of these professionals.

Philip Damas Noland was born in April of 1860 in Star City, Pulaski County, Indiana to Wesley and Sarah Korner Noland. I traced Philip’s family in America back to Pierce Noland II. Pierce was born in Mayo County, Ireland in 1654 and immigrated to America in 1686.

Philip had three brothers: William, John and James who also became physicians. Philips bucolic life took a dramatic turn when his mother passed away in 1865. He was separated from his brothers and sent to live with his aunt and uncle, Adam and Mary Young in Dinsmore, Ohio. Philip attended the common school and later attended the Ada Normal School in Ohio. From the age of 14 to 20 Philip taught in the local school in Ohio. After saving up enough money he attended the Kentucky School of Medicine, graduating in 1886. He later received an advanced degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at the University of Illinois.
In 1883 Philip was best man for his brother James' marriage to Anna Dunn of Pulaski County, Indiana. Philip met the love of his life, Anna’s sister, Sarah Dunn at the wedding. Philip and Sarah wed in 1888 also in Pulaski County.

Soon after graduation, Philip set up his practice in Boone Grove in Porter County, he then moved his office to Kouts. In1888 Philip was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as their local company physician. He was responsible for the health and welfare of the numerous Pennsy railroad workers in northern Indiana. Philips brother James was also a Pennsy physician. James and Philip performed a delicate surgery for resection of the knee joint at the St. Joseph Hospital in Logansport. The local newspaper wrote: “An operation for this affliction requires one of the master strokes of surgery, and in most cases is fatal. Dr. Noland performed the operation successfully and the patient is doing nicely.”

Perhaps the most trying time of his medical career was the flu epidemic of October and November 1918. For three weeks he traveled constantly from home to home administering to the sick only stopping at home for food, a bath, clean clothes and a quick nap. He lost no patients except those with other complications.

Later in life Philip became involved with local government. In 1922 Philip was elected trustee of Pleasant Township. It was under Philip’s administration that Pleasant Township schools moved into the 20th century. Philip was instrumental for having electric lights installed in the high school. He also had buses purchased and routes established to bring students from the surrounding area to the central schools.

It was Philips love of the Kankakee Marsh that connects him to Baum’s Bridge. He was an avid hunter and his affiliation with clubs at Baum’s Bridge was well known. Philip was well-loved and respected in south Porter County. He remained active to near the end of his life. Doc Noland passed away in May of 1930 and buried along with his wife, Sarah, at the Kouts Graceland Cemetery.

07/10/2026

A very important figure in Kankakee River history was the fur trapper. From earliest times up until today fur trapping of the Kankakee Marsh has been an active pursuit. Demand and price has fluctuated, but the industry has always existed. This has been a business that both the Native American and white men engaged in. Today trapping is not as popular as in the past because of low demand. In 1883, Major McFadin wrote this about the fur trapper. "The Kankakee still retains its place as one of the best trapping grounds in the State. Every six miles of this river is taken up by trappers who make a fair living catching muskrats, mink and a few otter. A fair average catch per day is 30 rat. Fall rat skins sell at from ten to fourteen cents. Spring rats are much higher in price, usually bringing twenty cents." J. Lorenzo Werich wrote: "during the Civil War a mink hide would sell from $4.00 to $9.00 and a good c**n skin would bring $4.50." With their wealth of knowledge of the marsh the Kankakee trapper often supplemented their income by acting as guides for the sportsmen.

Werich in his "Pioneer Hunter of the Kankakee" wrote at length about the trapper's life on the Kankakee and what brought them to the marsh. "As gold and gems was the magnet that attracted our Hoosier folks to the Far West, so it was the fur trade that brought the early explorers to the Kankakee region." With no established hunting ground many disputes sprung up. Werich writes: "So some of the old pioneer trappers got together and established what is known as a trappers' claim...and were divided by a line running north and south as the river is supposed to flow...and was from 2 to 10 miles in width." McFadin wrote that although prices for rats are low in the fall "trappers are compelled to catch rats in the fall in order to keep others off their ground."

McFadin sums up the character of the Kankakee trapper. "A majority of these trappers are hard working, intelligent, honest men, with homes and families. Occasionally, however, a man is found devoid of all instincts of decency and fair play, a veritable Pariah amongst the flock. Their lives, however, as trappers, usually cease after one season."

Early traps were crude devices constructed out of logs, sticks, twine and rope. They were effective, but inefficient. The introduction of the steel trap was the solution. Werich wrote: "In the fall of 1845 Harrison Hartz Folsom and Rens Brainard" went to Hebron and engaged blacksmith John Alyea "to make them three dozen steel rat-traps at one dollar each, and four two-spring otter traps, or wolf traps as they are sometimes called, at three dollars each. These were the first steel traps made and set in the Kankakee country."

Early trappers of the Kankakee Marsh have a checkered reputation. On the one hand they are often referred to as "River Rats" of low morale character and other times acknowledged for their work ethics, resourcefulness and grit. Probably both descriptions are accurate.

07/03/2026

J. Lorenzo Werich wrote at length about Indian Island in his “Pioneer Hunter of the Kankakee.” Werich’s father bought a 2/5 ownership of the Bissell Sawmill that was located on Indian Island. Werich’s grandfather owned five $100 shares of Bissell stock which he gave to Lorenzo’s mother. Shortly, the Werich family moved to the island where Lorenzo was to spend the next ten years of his life.

In earlier days Indian Island was known as Mike’s Island after Mike Haskins. Haskins was at the Battle of Tippecanoe and reportedly fired the shot that awakened the camp to the Indian attack. The Pottawatomie had long used the island for hunting and Haskins joined them many times in their hunts. The island was located a short distance downriver from Baum’s Bridge and around 40 acres in size. Although completely surrounded by water, during dry spells it could be reached by wading.

In 1854 Aaron Broady and son John bought the island. They cleared 10 acres and promptly built their log cabin homes there. At that time the lower shoreline of the island was heavily wooded with oak, hickory and other valuable species.

In 1866 a group of local landowners bought the island and formed the Indian Sawmill Co. They immediately built a bunkhouse for the workmen to live in. That winter the mill was hauled over the frozen marsh. The mill was quite successful and in 1868 large stockholders of the mill, John Bissel and Ira Cornell built the steamboat “White Star” to haul the lumber to Momence. In order to dock the steamboat and scows to the island a canal 18 feet wide was dug to the pier. It was known as the Bissell – Cornell Steamboat Canal. The White Star timber shipping business didn’t work out as expected and the steamboat was sold to a Momence company that converted it to a pleasure boat.

In 1871 Lorenzo’s father bought the 40% Bissell share of the Indian Sawmill Company and moved his family to the island. 1871 proved to be an historically dry year. The entire swamp was covered by dense clouds of smoke from marsh fires. The fires burnt acres of marsh leaving large deep water filled holes in its wake. On October 9, 1871 the Werich family moved to their island home. This was also the day of the Great Chicago Fire. Lorenzo wrote: “These were the days you could hardly see the sun on account of the dense clouds of smoke that would settle over the lowlands and thousands of acres of Kankakee marshes and swamps were on fire not only here but thousands of acres elsewhere were burning and not only the prairie, marshes and forests, but cities and towns were passing away in smoke.”

For Lorenzo the next ten years were years of sheer joy. During this time he became acquainted with many of the sportsmen who were now traveling to the Kankakee. Lorenzo wrote: “During the early seventies and eighties this island was a great camping ground for hunters coming from far and near. I have met with hunters from all parts of the country who came here to shoot wild geese and ducks.”

In the mid1880s the lumber demand softened and Lorenzo’s father sold the sawmill. It was time that Lorenzo moved on with his life, but never away from his beloved Kankakee Marsh for any length of time.

06/26/2026

"Pioneer Hunters of the Kankakee" by J. Lorenzo Werich is considered by many as a must-read book about the Kankakee Marsh. Werich was born in 1860 near Hebron a scant few miles from the marsh. Mostly he writes about his life along the Kankakee, hunting and trapping, people he met, river legends and many entertaining anecdotes. He and his brother Harry were legendary in their own rights.

Werich began trapping at the age of 8. The family cabin was near a runway between 2 muskrat ponds. Werich wrote: "Father gave me two or three old steel traps which had weak springs and which I could set without breaking my fingers...I set the traps along the creek where the rats would stop to feed on roots and such vegetation as muskrats usually feed upon. 1 caught fifteen rats that fall."

A central story in Werich's book is about Indian Island. Indian Island was located approximately 2 miles west of Baum's Bridge as the crow flies and was 40 acres in size. By early accounts Mike Haskins is the first white man to make his home on the island. Haskins was with Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe and reportedly fired the first warning shot of the battle. In the 1850s the Brody brothers owned the island and built cabins on it. At that time it was heavily timbered, Werich wrote: "In 1866 a company was organized and known as the Indian Island Sawmill Company...they bought the island from the Broadys' paying them five thousand dollars in cash for it...and in the winter of 1866 when the marsh was frozen up they put the sawmill on the island."

Werich's father, John, was a two-fifths owner of the sawmill. In 1868 John Bissell and Ira Cornell were the largest stockholders of the sawmill. They built a steamboat named the White Star. The steamboat was used to transport lumber from the sawmill to points along the Kankakee. The Kankakee River was always a shallow tributary. A canal was needed to be dug from the river proper to a loading dock on the island in order to load the lumber onto the White Star. In his book, Werich wrote that the canal was known as the Bissell-Cornell Steamboat Canal. In 1871 Werich's father bought the Bissell stock. It was at this time that Lorenzo began his life on the Kankakee River.

Lorenzo had fond memories of his father and his early years. John Werich farmed, worked on the dredges, trapped and hunted the marsh. Werich wrote of his father: "He would dress the skins at night. I helped getting the bow-stretchers ready and in stringing the dry hides."

Werich dedicates one chapter to his thoughts of the draining of the Kankakee Marsh. He notes that in his youth many considered a swamp "uninhabited and desolate, a country always associated with tales of suffering and death, of unfriendly savages and wild animals." It is easily understood why many thought that draining the marsh was a positive effort. But for Werich and other pioneer hunters it was the end of their whole way of life.

Pictured in back of boat is Lorenzo’s brother, Harry.

A digital copy of Werich's book can be found at our KVHS website: http://kankakeevalleyhistoricalsociety.org.previewc38.carrierzone.com/Kankakee%20River%20History/Books%20and%20papers/Pioneer%20Hunter%20of%20the%20Kankakee-Werich.pdf

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