USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 7
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During the battle of Libisso, a grenade shot away his right hand and it is told of him that while awaiting the delayed services of the surgeon, he with admirable nerve, amputated the ragged stump with a knife. The lost hand of flesh was replaced by one of iron, on which he usually wore a glove. There is some dispute among historians as to whether the hand that replaced that of flesh was of iron, copper, or silver, but whatever it was it served his purpose well, and in some instances was better than the one he lost. In his dealings
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with the Indians, it is said if they became disorderly or unruly he used that hand upon the heads of the contumaceous ones, sometimes breaking or knocking out their teeth. They, not knowing the secret of the efficacy of the blow, re- garded it as a "medicine of the first order."
He was taken a prisoner at Libisso by the Spaniards and was confined for six months, and his release was effected by exchanging for him the son of the governor of that place. Upon returning to France the king bestowed three hundred livres upon him in recognition of his services.
In 1677 La Salle reached France from Montreal to seek the aid of the court in the prosecution of the vast designs he had formed for exploring the unknown interior of the continent south of the Great Lakes. Upon the recommendation of Prince Conti, whose favor Tonty seems to have won by his valorous conduct in the French wars, La Salle engaged the young man as his lieutenant.
They sailed from Rochelle, July 14, 1678, to Quebec, where after a voyage of two months, they arrived and there La Salle learned to appreciate the many good qualities of heart of which his lieutenant was to give him later on such signal proof. It was there that La Salle formed the only intimate friendship of his life and was rewarded by attaching to himself a man whose loyalty and dis- interested devotion ceased only with death.
La Salle had formed a plan to follow up the discoveries of Joliet and Father Marquette in their voyage down the Mississippi, and to ascertain by descending that river to its mouth, whether it emptied into the Gulf of California, the Gulf of Mexico, or was indeed the long sought medium of communication with Japan and China, the Cipangang Cathay of Marco Polo. They had brought over with them all necessary ropes, anchors and other material for building a vessel to navigate the lakes, expert artisans also being brought along, who were skilled in the construction of vessels.
' They at once set about the work of preparing for their long and tedious jour- ยท ney. The marvelous energy and fertility of resources displayed by Tonty aston- ished as well as delighted La Salle. In writing to Prince Conti after landing in Canada, he said: "His honorable character, his amiable disposition, were well known to you but perhaps you would not have thought him capable of doing things for which a strange constitution, an acquaintance with the coun- try, and the full use of both hands seemed absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, his energy and address made him equal to anything and now at a season when everybody is in fear of the ice, he is setting out to begin a new fort two hun- dred leagues from this place."
In going from Fort Frontenac to Niagara, on Lake Ontario, Tonty ex- perienced the first evidence of the secret hostility directed against La Salle. The boat in which they came was wrecked through obstinacy of the pilot, who had doubtless been tampered with by the enemies of La Salle. Niagara, a place above the falls, had been selected as the site for the shipyard. It was the dead of win- ter but the work of building the vessel was begun with great energy. They had brought up the St. Lawrence and along the twelve mile portage trail of the Niagara gorge the anchors and other material necessary for the equipment of the vessel they were to build. La Salle remained long enough to drive the
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first bolt and then returned to Fort Frontenac. He left Tonty in command, with full instructions to complete the vessel.
It was a heavy task that was thus imposed upon Tonty. If he had an iron hand, he had a will of steel. The Senecas, an Indian tribe that was in the vicinity, were not only enemies of La Salle but they were also suspicious that the ribbed structure growing before their eyes meant menace to their fur trade in the west, which they had heretofore monopolized, and threatened to make a bonfire of the vessel. Provisions were scarce, the wrecked boat having con- tained the needed supply. But two New England Indians that La Salle had attached to the expedition became his devoted followers and by their prowess saved the thirty men with Tonty and Father Hennepin. It was a long and tedious winter that tried the patience as well as the courage of the ever faithful Tonty to keep the enemies at bay, and at the same time supply his men with food while they pursued their labors on the vessel.
It was under these trying circumstances that the first vessel that ever plied the waters of Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan was constructed. The Indians were wily as well as treacherous and as the vessel neared completion they con- stantly menaced the workmen. They, however, completed it, and in May it was ready to be launched. Amid the roar of cannon and the chorus of the "Te Deum" from the bearded workmen, the vessel slid from her docks into the waters of the Niagara river and it was then safe from all harm or molestation from the hostile natives. It was towed out in mid-stream and there anchored as a precaution from any further interference. The five cannon on board peeped through the port holes upon the Indians on the bank, giving them warning of danger should they attempt to make any hostile visits to the vessel.
It was not until summer was well advanced that La Salle joined the party on board the Griffin, as the vessel was christened. It was so named in honor of Count Frontenac, the governor of New France, as Canada was then called, that monster being his. heraldic emblem.
Tonty went in a bark canoe ahead of the Griffin up Lake Erie, in order to look up some men and supplies that La Salle had ordered at the straits of Detroit. He reached there all right and found his men and the vessel. They were taken on board and the vessel sailed up the straits toward Lake Huron. Their voyage up that lake was a stormy one. The fall gales that prevailed sent the small craft forward, trembling in every part. But they weathered the gale and on the 27th of August they reached Michilimackinac, the Jesuit stronghold for the whole western country.
Early in September the Griffin sailed into Green Bay, mooring at one of the islands, which is thought to have been Washington Isle, whose astonished inhabitants gazed in wonder at the "house that walked on the water." La Salle loaded the vessel with beaver skins which had cost 60,000 livres ($12,000). The vessel was never seen again. Whether she foundered in a gale or was destroyed by the crew was never known.
La Salle and Tonty then went up Lake Michigan, as before described, and also their going to Peoria lake, erecting the fort, Creve Coeur, fortifying the
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Rock, and their return to Green Bay have all been fully given in our history of the northwest.
DEATH OF TONTY.
Tonty toiled for nearly twenty years to maintain Fort St. Louis on the Rock but was at last compelled to abandon it. It had been the pet scheme of his friend and companion, La Salle, that a fort should be maintained there, as it was known to be impregnable to any assault that then could be made, and so reluc- tantly he obeyed a royal decree and left it forever. As he floated down the beautiful Illinois river with his few followers, he waved back a sad farewell to the bold, high rock upon whose topmost level he had made his home for so many years. That was in the spring of 1699. He was then on his way south to join the Louisiana colonies at old Biloxi, at the mouth of the Mississippi. The colon- ists received him with open arms and for four years he shared their varied fortunes, aiding them in every way with his knowledge of woodcraft and savage lore. Through his efforts the neighboring Indians were pacified and many of them became the allies of the colonists in their troubles with other tribes that were hostile to them.
In 1704 a vessel arrived with supplies from Havana, but ere the colonists could rejoice at the acquisition of the stores it was learned that the vessel con- tained the germs of that terrible scourge, yellow fever. The vessel's crew had been nearly exterminated by it. It spread among the colonists and more than one-half of them lay dead. Tonty nursed the living and helped to bury the dead. But soon he, too, was stricken with the dread disease and in the month of September, 1704, a grave was dug in the soil of old Biloxi and therein was laid one of the most unselfish and loyal, as he was one of the most intrepid of the knightly men who first blazed a path whence civilization entered into what has since become the great empire of the northwest.
WHERE WAS PONTIAC ASSASSINATED?
In our history of Illinois in this work we have stated that the Indian war chieftain, Pontiac, was assassinated at Cahokia, and we have done so upon what we consider the very best of authorities upon the subject.
Nearly every writer or historian who has alluded to or written of the death of that celebrated chieftain in the several histories of the state, so far as we can learn, with but one exception, all assert that he was assassinated at Cahokia. In fact, there is no mention in any of them that there was any question but that was the place, and they give in detail all the circumstances attending his death. Moses, in his history of Illinois ; Perrin, in his otitlines of Illinois history ; Dres- bach, in his "Young People's History of Illinois;" and Parish, in his "Historic Illinois," all name Cahokia as the place of his assassination. One of the best authorities on the subject, as we view it, is Osmon's "History of Starved Rock." He not only gives a very clear and comprehensive description of the tragedy, but enters into all the details of the Indian feuds and troubles prior to that time with great exactness.
It is generally conceded by all writers of Illinois history that the Illinois Indians had all left the northern part of the state at the time of Pontiac's last
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visit to the territory and had gone to Cahokia or near there ; that they had built villages there and were under the protection of the French who had settled there and that Pontiac, learning of the fact that the Illinois Indians had col- lected at Cahokia, went there, as he said, "to have a big spree," but as it was well thought by the people, to make trouble by inducing the Indians to make war upon the white inhabitants. A barrel of whisky was a big inducement to an Indian and he would doubtless have killed almost any one, even his own squaw or mother, in order to possess it.
On the other hand, Matson, in his "History of Illinois," which is a very good authority on most subjects pertaining to the early history of our state, says Pontiac was assassinated at Joliet Mound, by an Indian named Kineboo, for revenge, Pontiac at some time having done Kineboo a great wrong. Now it is for the reader to judge which of the authorities is the most probably correct. To us, the Cahokia story is altogether the most reasonable and plausible. We are aware that Indian revenge will go a long ways in a red man's makeup but not so far as a barrel of whisky. It was a terrible inducement to an Indian and one that no Indian would refuse.
BLACK HAWK WAR.
When the United States assumed control of the country by reason of its purchase from France, nearly the whole state was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to submit without a struggle to what they regarded the encroachment on their rights of the pale faces. Among the most noted chiefs and one whose restlessness and hatred of the whites occasioned more trouble to the government than any other of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac village, on the Rock river, in 1767. He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors; but by his energy and ambition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of the Sacs and Foxes, and one of the prominent figures in the history of the country from 1804 until his death. In early manhood he attained distinction as a fight- ing chief, having led campaigns against the Osages and other neighboring tribes. About the beginning of the nineteenth century he began to appear prominent in affairs on the Mississippi. His life was a marvel. He is said by some to have been the victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill will against the Amer- 1cans.
November 3, 1804, a treaty was concluded between William Henry Harri- son, then governor of the Indian Territory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs of the Sac and Fox nations by which the latter, in consideration of $2,234 in goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost, ceded to the United States all that land on the east side of the Missouri extending from` a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embracing an area of fifty-one million acres. To this treaty Black Hawk always objected and always refused to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs and braves who made it had no authority to relinquish the title of the nation to any of the lands they held or occupied and, moreover, to get one of their people released, who had been imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man.
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In 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the river for the purpose of holding friendly council with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the territory recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieutenant Pike seems to have been the first American whom Black Hawk had met or had a personal inter- view with and was very much impressed in his favor. Pike gave a very interest- ing account of his visit to the noted chief.
Fort Edwards was erected soon after Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of the present town of that name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occa- sioned great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation. from the nation, headed by their chiefs, went down to see what the Americans were doing and had an interview with the com- mander, after which they returned home and were apparently satisfied. In like manner, when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation from a council of the nation held at Rock river. According to Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them he was building a house for a trader, who was coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the soldiers were coming to keep him company-a statement which Black Hawk says they dis- trusted at the time, believing that the fort was an encroachment upon their rights, and designed to aid in getting their lands away from them. It is claimed by good authority that the building of Fort Madison was a violation of the treaty of 1804. By the eleventh article of that treaty the United States had the right to build a fort near the mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by article six they bound themselves "that if any citizen of the United States or any other white person should form a settlement upon their lands such intruder should forthwith be removed." Probably the authorities of the United States did not regard the establishment of military posts as coming properly within the mean- ing of the term "settlement" as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within the territory reserved to the Indians, who became very indignant. Very soon after the fort was built, a party led by Black Hawk at- tempted its destruction. They sent spies to watch the movements of the garri- son, who ascertained that the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every morning and evening for parade and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near the fort and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On the morning of the proposed day of the attack five soldiers came out and were fired upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The Indians were too hasty in their movements, for the parade had not commenced. How- ever, they kept up the siege several days, attempting the old strategy of setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows, but finding their efforts unavailing, they de- sisted and returned to their wigwams on Rock river. In 1812, when war was declared between this country and Great Britain, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious promises but more probably because they were deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk himself declared they were forced into the war by having been deceived. He narrates the circumstances as follows: "Several of the head men and chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see their, great father. On their return they related what had been said and done.
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They said the great father wished them, in the event of war taking place with England, not to interfere on either side but to remain neutral. He did not want our help but wished us to hunt and support our families and live in peace. He said that British traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us with goods but that we should be supplied by an American trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British traders always gave them credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our fam- ilies. He repeated that the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods ; that we should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done." Black Hawk seems to have accepted the proposition and he and his people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, they fitted out for their winter's hunt and went to Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the trader their outfit of supplies; but after waiting some time they were told by the trader that he would not trust them. In vain they pleaded the promise of their great father at Washington; the trader was inexorable. Disappointed and crestfallen, the Indians turned sadly to their own village. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept that night. All was gloom and discontent. In the morning a canoe was seen ascending the river; it soon arrived bearing an express, who brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats filled with goods, and requested us to come up immediately, because he had good news for us and a variety of presents. The express presented us with pipes, tobacco and wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on the prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down and all started for Rock Island. Here ended all our hopes of remaining at peace, having been forced into the war by being deceived." He joined the Brit- ish, who flattered him and styled him "General Black Hawk," decked him with medals, excited his jealousy against the Americans and armed his band but he met with defeat and disappointment and soon abandoned the service and returned home.
There was a portion of the Sacs and Foxes whom Black Hawk, with all his skill and cunning, could not lead into hostilities against the United States. With Keokuk, the "Watchful Fox," at their head, they were disposed to abide by the treaty of 1804 and to cultivate friendly relations with the American people. So when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral and for protection organized with Keokuk for their chief. Thus the nation was divided into the "war party" and "peace party." Keokuk became one of the nation's great chiefs. In person he was tall and of portly bearing. He has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with the most gifted of his race, and through the eloquence of his tongue he pre- vailed upon a large body of his people to remain friendly to the Americans. As has been said, the treaty of 1804, between the United States and the Sac and Fox nations was never acknowledged by Black Hawk and in 1831 he established him- self with a chosen band of warriors upon the disputed territory, ordering the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers complaining. Governor Rey- nolds of Illinois despatched General Gaines, with a company of regulars and one thousand, five hundred volunteers to the scene of action. Taking the Indians by surprise, the troops burned their village 'and forced them to conclude a
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treaty, by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi and agreed to remain on the west side of the river.
Necessity forced the proud spirit of Black Hawk into submission, which made him more than ever determined to be avenged upon his enemies. Having rallied around him the warlike braves of the Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mississippi in the spring of 1832.
This armed array of savages soon alarmed the settlers and a general panic spread through the whole frontier, from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. Many settlers in terror abandoned their homes and farms and the Governor decided. on the 16th of April, to call out a large number of volunteers to operate in conjunction with General Atkinson, who was in command of the regular forces at Rock Island. The Governor ordered the troops to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d of April. Governor Reynolds' circular which he ad- dressed to the citizen soldiers in the crisis then pending, follows :
"To the Militia of the Northwestern Section of the State:
"FELLOW CITIZENS: Your country requires your services. The Indians have assumed hostile attitude, and have invaded the state in violation of the treaty of last summer. The British band of Sacs and other hostile Indians, headed by Black Hawk, are in possession of the Rock river country, to the great terror of the frontier inhabitants. I consider the settlers on the frontiers to be in im- minent danger. I am in possession of the above information from gentlemen of respectable standing, and also from General Atkinson, whose character stands high with all classes. In possession of the above facts I have hesitated not as to the course I should pursue. No citizen ought to remain inactive when his country is invaded and the helpless part of the community are in danger. I have called out a large detachment of militia to rendezvous at Beardstown on the 22d. Provisions for the men and food for the horses will be furnished in abun- dance. I hope my countrymen will realize my expectations and offer their serv- ices, as heretofore, with promptitude and cheerfulness in defense of their country.
"JOHN REYNOLDS."
To the stirring appeal of the Governor the patriotic citizens of the state and Macoupin county nobly responded. Many of the best and prominent men of the county enlisted to protect the frontier and preserve the honor of the state and did signal service in the memorable events of the Black Hawk war. Among the citizens of Macoupin county who went out were as follows:
Officers : Captain Harris, afterward better known to the citizens of this county as General Harris, who organized the first company. Captain Bennett Nolan also organized a company. Lieutenant Colonel Powell H. Sharp, then a resident of what is now Scottville township, ranked as lieutenant colonel in this war and is spoken of as a brave man. William Coop, Jefferson Weather- ford and the late Judge John Yowell were commissioned lieutenants. The two former were lieutenants in Captain Harris' company and the latter a lieutenant in Captain Nolan's company. Aquilla P. Pepperdine was the orderly sergeant in Captain Harris' company. Thomas McVey and John Lewis were also ser- geants in the same company. Captain Harris' company rendezvoused at Beards- town and was mustered at Rock Island under command of Colonel A. B. Du- witt of Jacksonville. William J. Weatherford was lieutenant colonel of the regi-
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ment. A portion of the Macoupin county men were in the regiment commanded by Colonel James Collins. Lieutenant Colonel Sharp was attached to this regi- ment. Of the private soldiers from this county may be mentioned the follow- ing: George Mathews, Oliver W. Hall, Lewis Solomon, Jr., Theodorus Davis, James Hall, John Bayless, John Coop, Hardin Weatherford, Ransom Coop, a Mr. Powell, Hiram English, Thomas Thurman, Reverdy English, David Rusk, Joshua Martin, Travis Moore, Samuel Cummings, Samuel D. Ray, Wilford Palmer, Larkin Richardson, Samuel McVey, John Chapman, Charles McVey, Mathew Withrow, Aaron Sample, John Ross, Spencer Norville, Charles Lair, William Talkington, James White, Achilles Deatheridge, E. H. Richards, John England, George Sprouse, Harvey McPeters and Zachariah Stewart.
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