Fort Madison

Saturday the 8th of September - after our morning shift, we went with the Douglas' and the Robbs to see old Fort Madison.  They were having re-enactments because it was rodeo week in Ft. Madison.  The Fort was built in 1808 to protect the upper Mississippi River.  It was a safe trading post for indians to exchange furs and lead for manufactured goods, like fish hooks, knives, animal traps and blankets.

These are our friends:  Bruce and Sue Douglas, us and Maria and Ron Robb.

 

The fife and drum corp were all boys.  We supposed that in 1810, that was the norm.

This was the whiskey ration line.  Every man held out his cup and the officer filled it half full of whiskey.  The men were required to drink it all up while still standing in line (so that they would not hoard it).  One fellow didn't want whiskey, but they made him take it and stood over him while he drank it.  He made a terrible face.  The indian did not get any although he begged.