Page 37

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SAUKVILLE
Jzaukee derives its name from the Indian word meaning "yellow earth
clay," the soil being mostly that color. Originally Washington and Ozau
counties were one until 1853, when the territory was divided.
The pioneers of Oqaukee county were men and women capable of heroic
sacrifice; they possessed the same free spirit as the early pilgrim Lath
They came here when the land had no railroads; there was not even a wago:
thoroughfare--nothing but an Indian trail to guide them through dense fo;
There was no market for their produce, travel was difficult, sickness pr
and money scarce.
With all these obstacles to overcome, these people embarked on this
enterprise of possessing and working the dormant land. They greW &buid&,
harvests after a great deal of toil. Land that was not cultivated was bi
Lied, this, too, by much physical labor and effort.
In 1838, there were 64 white people in the county; in 1840 there we
343 and in 1842 the total rose to 965.
The early settlers found the Indians at various points along the st:
and lake shore. The pioneers experienced very little trouble with their
neighbors. Actually, the Indians added to their comfort and were not hoi
One report states that they often traded their catch of fish for hommadi
bread with the settlers.
In a great measure this friendliness was due to the excel-ent manag4
of Solomon Juneau, who then had charge of the various tribes as Indian *4
of the goverment. Mr. Juneau was beloved by the early settlers of O-au]
county and the Western Historical book states "never since the treaty of