During the month of September, 1862, the people of the county were thrown into a state of utter confusion by what is known as the "Great Indian Scare." Without any foundation, a report was circulated throughout this section of the state declaring that Indians in great numbers were coming, killing everyone, and destroying all property.

The story coming as it did when the people were in a great state of excitement due to the war, could not have spread faster and created a greater panic. When not a single hostile Indian was found by searching parties and the militia from Milwaukee, everyone returned to their homes realizing they had been caught by a false story.