A historical record of patients detained at the Canton Indian Insane Asylum in South Dakota in 1910, this page lists 61 inmates and reflects the troubled legacy of an institution where many Native Americans were confined without clear evidence of mental illness. The cemetery, now on a golf course, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In the spring of 1821, a member of the Red Jackets tribe died under mysterious circumstances, leading his community to suspect witchcraft. The medicine woman who attended him was sentenced to death by Chief Tom Jemmy, which ignited outrage among nearby white settlers, resulting in Jemmy’s arrest. During his trial, witnesses, including Red Jacket, testified to the tribe’s customs regarding witchcraft. Although the court acknowledged the tribes’ sovereignty, Jemmy was released without a decision being made. This incident highlights the cultural tensions and differing judicial systems between Native Americans and European settlers.
Fort Erie, located opposite Buffalo at the head of the Niagara River, was a key military site during the War of 1812, garrisoned by around 170 British troops. Following the surprise capture of Fort Niagara by American forces in December 1813, the British were compelled to fortify their positions. The American plan for the 1814 campaign involved a coordinated attack on Fort Erie and Chippewa. General Brown initiated an assault on Fort Erie on July 3, leading to its swift surrender. Following this, American forces engaged the British at Chippewa, marking a significant moment in the campaign.
McCauley Porter, born on November 28, 1829, in Kentucky, became a prominent farmer in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. After moving through Illinois and Missouri, he journeyed to Oregon in 1848 with his brothers, facing hardships but ultimately settling in Benton County. He briefly pursued gold in California before returning to develop a successful farm over the next thirty-five years, expanding his land significantly. Married to Martha Winkle in 1853, they raised five children together, exemplifying the hardworking spirit of early Oregon settlers.
Benjamin F. Porter was born on August 28, 1852, in Plainfield, the son of physician and cancer specialist Jabez Porter. He pursued education in local schools, eventually managing the family farm before buying the Spencer farm. Politically active as a Republican, he served on the Board of Selectmen. A physician in his own right, he inherited his father’s medical practices. Benjamin married Eliza L. Whittaker, who passed away without children, and later wed Jennie F. Spaulding. He was also involved with the Congregational church and Patrons of Husbandry.