The Broad Ax

Tiny Republic Admitted to United States in '34

Indian Stream republic existed within the present boundaries of the United States. Charles Parker of River Falls, Wis., a former lieutenant governor of the state, was a boy in the tiny domain ruled by his father. The republic endured more than a decade, successfully defying both the United States and Great Britain—an independent nation, with politicians, militia, civil rights and taxes.

In 1783, when Great Britain and the thirteen colonies signed the treaty that created a new nation, they forgot a little valley tucked away in the New Hampshire hills. In 1820 a handful of settlers in the valley woke up to the fact that they were in no man's land. They were not Americans. They were not Canadians. Then Canada interpreted the treaty of 1783 to include the territory in British domain. America promptly said it belonged to her. Then along came Luther Parker, adventurer and trader, who organized the settlers and set up a government of which he naturally was elected head. The little valley government at once drew the fire of both Canada and the United States.

Matters came to a head in 1834 when a group of Canadian sympathizers ambushed Parker one night and carried him across the border. The trumped up charge against him was soon dismissed and Parker returned to Indian Stream. He circulated petitions asking admission into the state of New Hampshire on behalf of the republic. Parker went westward, and was the first white settler where Milwaukee now stands.—Detroit News.