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The Green Bag.


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acterized as "a sin to cause heaven to shud der." One memorable trial in which Judge Frazer presided was that of Mau-ze-mon-eka (Iron-walker), a son of one of the chiefs WILLIAM C. FRAZER, of Pennsylvania, (VhirlingThunder), of the Rock River band of Winnebagoes, for the murder of Pierre was the other associate judge of the territo rial supreme court appointed in 1836. He Pouquette, a prominent Indian trader and served but two years, and died in Milwaukee, interpreter, a French and Vinnebago halfOctober 18, 1838, when he was sixty-two breed. In October, 1837, Governor Dodge years of age. He left but little mark on the held a council with the Indians, at Portage, jurisprudence of the State. His advanced to induce them to sell their lands east of the age and intemperate habits unfitted him for Mississippi. Pouquette was interpreter and a judicial position. A few anecdotes, more very desirous that the sale be consummated or less apocryphal, indicate that he was of for twenty-one boxes of money ($21,000), average learning and fair ability, but that which he claimed was due him from the In dians for goods and provisions he had ad his usefulness was impaired by his con vanced to them. Mau-ze-mon-e-ka stoutly firmed convivial habits. He sat but once with the court in bane. opposed the terms of the sale, insisting upon In the " Transactions" of the Historical So- a division among the bands, some of whom ciety of the State are some reminiscences of were not indebted to Pouquette. After the his demeanor on the bench when sitting in his council, Pouquette, being in liquor, set upon district, which indicate that his appointment Mau-ze-mon-e-ka and soundly whipped was not a judicious one, but, like many ap him. The Indian, smarting under the in pointments to territorial judgeships, the sub dignity, retired to his lodge. Pouquette went ject of severe criticism. His was the only there the next day, still infuriated with drink, case in the territorial life of Wisconsin in and told the young brave that he had come which the appointments to judgeships were to whip him again. The Indian came out, gun in hand, and told Pouquette to come not excellent selections. An old story is current that once an no further; that he had beaten him the day affidavit was made for change of venue from before without cause, and if he advanced Judge Frazer, on account of the prejudice another step he was a dead man. Pouquette of the Judge. The Judge heard the affidavit, then put his hand to his breast and said, remarked that he did not know the party, "Fire, if you are brave." He fired, shooting had never seen him, and desired him to the trader through the heart. Mau-ze-monstand up. Thereupon a very tough and e-ka then was taken into custody. Sup unkempt specimen of mortality rose. The posing that he was to be killed, he sang his Judge took one look, and said, " All right. death song. He was taken to Green Ray The order is granted. After seeing the man and there tried. Pouquette was a very giant in strength, but when sober was a man of I am convinced of a bias." The contribu easy temper and very popular with the set tions in the Historical Society's collections tlers and military, and was the interpreter in tell that Judge Frazer would spend the night all councils with the Indians. His death was in high play at cards, enter the court room much regretted by all. His slayer was tried in the morning, and charge the grand jury to diligently inquire and true presentment before Judge Frazer and sentenced to be make as to any gambling that might be hanged. The case was taken to the supreme going on in the Territory, which he char court on writ of error, and there reversed for Such are among the stories told by the gossips of his generation — probably in re venge for the Judge's ill-concealed dislike for Yankees.