When the war ended in 1865, Charles Rieck, who had served nearly three years, received an honorable discharge and returned home. Finding it difficult to settle down to farm life, he went to work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and the lumber mills at Menominee, Michigan. Upon his return, he worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker.

We reached a place where we thought we would stay overnight. There was an American living here, who owned an inn and was the postal agent. There was a sign over the door indicating lodging and postal agent … But we could not stay there, the man said, as he had no lanterns. We told him that was not a problem, to which he responded that he also did not have any tea or coffee …

Before the Revolutionary War liberty poles were very popular in town squares. During the war flags on the poles indicated symbols to early colonists.

In the town of Meeme, the first Liberty pole was erected by Nickolas Dittmar, a farmer, in 1852. Nickolas and his wife Caroline.

The head chief of most of the mixed bands in our area was Waumegesako, or the “Wampum”.   He was most commonly known as Chief Mexico.  According to records, he was born in 1789 and was “a man of fine physique, erect, over 6 feet in height, very dignified and courteous in his demeanor, possessing considerable strength of character, and more than ordinary intelligence.  In his dress he was plain and unassuming, indulging in none of the fineries and tinsel so common among Indians of both sexes.”