ion of locating “the people of the sea” who were located some 700 miles west of the Huron. Most scholars believe that “the people of the sea” were the Winnebago tribes located near the mouth of the Fox River. His exact route is unknown, since Nicolet’s personal records are lost. However, whatever the route may have been, it is apparent that Nicolet journeyed extensively in what is now Wisconsin. Upon arrival, all agree that there was an additional journey of two days from the foot of Green Bay that was conducted via canoe. As to which direction or river route he took, once again there are questions. What is known is that he did succeed in reaching the “people of the sea”, and returned safely to Quebec in the summer of 1635. Nicolet was to reside with white civilization for the duration of his life. He was married to Marguerite Couillard on October 7, 1637. Unfortunately for all those concerned, Nicolet’s return to the white society of Quebec would prove to be short. For in 1642, “while in route to attempt rescuing an Indian prisoner from torture, Nicolet, who could not swim, drowned in the St. Lawrence.” Nicolet had accomplished a great amount in the service of Champlain and French aspirations, not to mention the future of the entire area. There would be other explorers, but none would ever again gain the same amount of prestige and acclaim in relation to Wisconsin. Nicolet’s death was mourned by the natives and white society alike. With both making efforts to preserve his accomplishments to this day.The Fur Trade One of the most important facets of the early history of Wisconsin, indeed much of the New World, involved the fur trade. Initially, however, it was not the fur trade that provided the primary drive towards colonization. In fact, it was fishing which lured many early Europeans to this new land. And, it was these very fishing industries...
