A Standard History of Waupaca County, Wisconsin. An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development.

              362 HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY
left Powell's employ he settled where Omro now is; he pre-empted the land but sold out in 1847 and located a trading post at Mukwa, on the Wolf river, w^hich was the first post located in what is now Waupaca county. Later, about 1850, he entered a homestead upon the banks of the Wisconsin river, and here he became a land hunter of some celebrity.
"Among the crowd of adventurers, traders, and rivermen that make the records of early AVolf river history picturesque, Charley Carron has perhaps the longest list of wild deeds to his credit, and there were few adventurous escapades carried out in his time in that region with which he was not in some way connected.
"Although he was a half breed Indian, he was well educated and was better read than the majority of the white settlers who claimed to be his superiors. He was a man of fine physique and iron constitution. He acquired the reputation of being the wildest dare-devil of the Fox river valley. Most of the time he was in a state of savage intoxication and then had the most cruel and harsh disposition.
"The following is an incident which illustrates very well his disposi¬ tion : The trading post of Dodge and Osborn was a sort of wayside inn for canoe traders and pedestrians as well as headquarters for resident settlers.
"One day a large crowd of traders, river men, settlers, and adven¬ turers thronged the barroom of the post. The peculiar strain of the voyageurs was heard. A rush for the doors showed a Durham boat round the headland at Merton's Point. Two rows of oars flashing in the sun with the quick and nervous stroke bespoke at once the French and half breed character of the crew so much in contrast was it to the long method¬ ical swing of the English craftsman. A tall weird son of the forest stood upright oh the rudder deck, his long black hair, almost naked form, and theatrical attitude making him stand out in bold relief above his fellow- men and against the far stretching waters of the dancing Winnebago.
"With a swoop and a yell the boat bore in towards the shore, and was soon alongside the little pier. It was Charley Carron and his crew. Leaving his oarsmen and dusky steersman to build a campfire by the river side, Carron proceeded to the post and falling in wdth Charley Westcott and a score of acquaintances who happened to be lounging around, a drinking bout was started.
'' Soon a row was started, though how it happened no one knew. Char¬ ley was the seeming head of it. Amos Dodge hastened to the scene and inserted his head in the door just in time to meet a crashing blow on the head. Recovering from this mishap, he summoned Charley Westcott, and between them they took hold of Carron and led him out into the road towards the boat.