1712–1730: Starved Rock and the Fox Wars

This chapter addresses the conflict between the Peoria and the Mesquakie Indians, hostilities that historians today call the Fox Wars. To counter potential British inroads into French trade turf, and to nullify the effects of illegal traders in Wisconsin, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac invited the Mesquakie to settle near his new post at Detroit, in the Lower Peninsula, where other regional tribes had previously settled. Unfortunately for the tribe, by the time the first Mesquakie group—led by a chief named Pemoussa—arrived at Detroit in 1712, Cadillac was no longer commandant of the post. Soon after the Mesquakie had settled near the fort, they created unrest by stealing livestock and taunting other tribes. Later, an Illinois chief named Makouandeby threatened the Mesquakie; this would inspire the Mesquakie to attack the Illinois for years to come. Mortal enmity was now sealed between the Mesquakie and their allies and the French and their Indian allies. Makouandeby's insults were added to a long list of grievances that the tribe held against the French and now, against the Illinois. This affront to Mesquakie honor was yet another reason why the Fox Wars grew to become so violent. It ensured that the Starved Rock Peoria would become targets of Mesquakie wrath and reprisals.