USA > Indiana > A popular history of Indiana : with an introduction > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
Gc 977.2 H38 1068038
M. L!
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
-
GEN
.7
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02408 3625
11 04-29 13 - 14 . 1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/popularhistoryof00hend
-
1
Mrs Thomas A Hendricks
A POPULAR INDIANA COLLECTION
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
MRS. THOMAS A. HENDRICKS
ILLUSTRATED
BLACK GOLD
INDIANAPOLIS THE INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEL CO.
1891
COPYRIGHT. F. C. SMEDLEY & CO. 1891.
W. B. CONKEY CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. CHICAGO.
-
1068038
DEDICATED TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF INDIANA
Mrs Thomas A Hendricks
-
INTRODUCTION.
This book is intended to be, in the fullest degree, what its title indicates-a "Popular History of Indiana"-not only in the sense of being a work for popular reading, but also in the sense of being a history of the people of Indiana, rather than a mere record of military and political events. That a real necessity exists for such a work will, I think, be conceded by all. This book is not claimed to be the result of original research, or an effort of profound scholar- ship. But the aim has been to present an accurate and im- partial account of the origin and development of the great commonwealth which occupies so proud a position before the world. Several pens have co-operated in the preparation of this book, which has been a labor of love, and I take pleasure in being the medium through which it is offered to the public.
MRS. THOS. A. HENDRICKS.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I .- EARLY HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Indiana, the Home of Savage Tribes-Early Efforts of Missionary Explorers - Breboeuf and Daniel-Allouez and Dablon - Martyrdom of Breboeuf- Marquette and Joliet Explore the Mississippi-Varied and Devoted Services to the Indians-Ultimate Death of the Brave and Saintly Marquette 9
CHAPTER II .- EXPLORATIONS OF LA SALLE.
La Salle Explores the Ohio River-Builds the First Fort on the Illinois River- Calls it "Broken-Heart"-Proceeds to the Mouth of the Mississippi-Rears the Standard of Louis and Claims the Land for France-Marquette's Map of the Mississippi-La Salle Ambitious to Found a Colony-The Great Ex- plorer Foully Murdered 18
CHAPTER III .- LIFE AND MANNERS OF THE INDIANS.
The Miamis-Oubachi and Piankeshaws-Characteristics of the Sons of the Forest- Firmly Wedded to Their Wild, Free Life-Summer in the Wig- wam and by the Stream-Crude Domestic Habits-The Women Toil-The Braves Hunt, or Fish, or Fight-Winter in the Woods. 23
CHAPTER IV .- SUPERSTITIONS OF THE INDIANS.
Gods and Goddesses Abound-Vague Dreams of a Future Life-Wild, Barbaric Dances-The Terrible War Dance-Methods with the Children-Indian Lullabies-Cannibalism-The Site of Fort Wayne the Scene of Many Dia- bolical Orgies Among the Man-Eaters 30
CHAPTER V .- FIRST MILITARY POSTS OF INDIANA.
The White Man Makes a Home in the West-The Peace of Ryswick-Ouia- tenon, Vincennes, Miami-Ouiatenon, a Fur-Trading Center-The Home of the First Soldiers and Merchants in Indiana-In 1635 the Village of Vincen- nes Established-Miami, "Beautiful for Situation," Overlooking the Three Rivers-The Old Apple Tree Still Bearing Fruit. 38
i
ii
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
PAGE.
CHAPTER VI .- THE EARLY FRENCH SETTLERS.
New France Grows Slowly-Crude Methods of Agriculture-Love of Flowers- Hardy Life and Homely Fare-Limited Amusements-Dancing in Great Favor-"Barefooted Wagons"-Indians Held as Slaves-The Romantic Voyageurs"-Their Wild, Free Life- French and Indians on Friendly Terms
45
CHAPTER VII .- THE ENGLISH AND THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC. An Indian Plot to Destroy the French-The Plot Revealed-Fort Miami Burned The English Appear upon the Scene-Washington Has a Message for the French-They are Ordered to Evacuate all Posts South of Lake Erie-Bat- tle of Quebec-Treaty of Peace, 1763-Indians Angered at the Departure of the French
CHAPTER VIII .- PONTIAC AND THE GREAT CONSPIRACY.
Pontiac the "King of the Forest"-A Bitter Foe of the English-Unwise Policy of the British-The Native Tribes Conspire to Destroy the Military Posts and Exterminate the English-Pontiac and the Bloody Belts-Posts Cap- tured-Ensign Holmes and the Treacherous Squaw-Treaty of Peace at Detroit-Pontiac Assassinated. 57
52
CHAPTER IX .- GEO. ROGERS CLARK, THE "HANNIBAL OF THE WEST." Eastern Pioneers Settle in Indiana-Indians Become Jealous, Blood-thirsty, Cruel-Pathetic Stories-George Rogers Clark-Patrick Henry's Order- The British Fort at Kaskaskia-Forced Marches in Bitter, Cruel Weather- Clark's Letter to Governor Hamilton-Sad End of a Brave Career. ..
.. 66
CHAPTER X .- GENERAL WAYNE AND THE INDIANS.
The Terrible Year 1782-Colonel Crawford Burned at the Stake-Increase of Settlers Arouses the Anger of the Indians-Troops Sent Out-"Chief-Who- Never-Sleeps" Sends a Message to the Indians-Battle of August 20, 1794 - Great Council of 1795-Little Turtle's Eloquence-Fort Wayne Named in Honor of the Great General 76
CHAPTER XI .- TECUMSEH AND THE GREAT COUNCIL.
Peshkewah, Chief of the Miami's-Fifteen Years of Peace-Tecumseh, Chief of the "Arabs of the Wilderness"-A Second Pontiac-William Henry Har- rison-Plots to Capture the Forts-The Great Council of 1810-Tecumseh's Speech-"The One-Eyed Prophet"-The Battle of Tippecanoe. 87
CHAPTER XII .- TECUMSEH AND THE BRITISH FORCES. War Declared Against Great Britain-Tecumseh and His Braves Join the Eng- lish-Battle of the Thames-Tecumseh Killed-Quaint Story of Tecumseh
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
iii
PAGE.
-The Young Man and the Oxen-End of the Indian Dangers -- The Indian Must "Move On.". 95
CHAPTER XIII .- THE BEGINNINGS OF GOVERNMENT.
Organization of the Northwest Territory-A Vast Region Dedicated to Freedom -The First Tide of Immigration-Division of the Territory-William Henry Harrison Governor of Indiana-Bitter Contest over Slavery-Land Specula- tion and Jobbery-The First Criminal Code-Indian Troubles -Aaron Burr in Indiana. 100
CHAPTER XIV .- LATER TERRITORIAL HISTORY.
The People of Indiana Insist Upon Governing Themselves-Rapid Growth of Population-The Early Governors-Jennings, the Anti-Slavery Leader-Gib- son's Romantic Career-Removal of the Capital to Corydon-The Constitu- tional Convention of 1816-Indiana Admitted as a State . 109
CHAPTER XV .- PAST AND PRESENT COMPARED AND CONTRASTED. Immigration of New Englanders After 1814-Poetic Picture of a Great Common- wealth-Transportation Before the Days of Railroads-No Roads-Mrs. Morss Tells Her Experiences-Cabins of the Pioneers-Few Amusements - Dances-Quilting Bees-Dress of the Old Days-The Beau of the Period. .. 119
CHAPTER XVI .- COMMUNISM IN INDIANA.
The Famous Experiment at New Harmonie-What George Rapp and His Party of German Emigrants Accomplished in Twenty-One Years-Advent of the Owens-Robert Owen Puts his Philanthropic Theories in Practice-A Queer Little Community and its Brief but Instructive History 128
CHAPTER XVII .- FROM JENNINGS TO WRIGHT.
Political History of the State Under the First Constitution-A Succession of Strong Governors-Periods of Rapid Growth and Sharp Reaction-Begin- nings of the Free School System-The Era of Internal Improvements-How Indiana Lost Her Credit and How She Regained it. I33
CHAPTER XVIII .- PROGRESS IN MATERIAL GREATNESS.
The Wabash and Erie Canal-An Important Factor in the Development of the State -Its Beginnings and Its Ending-The Advent of the First Packet Celebrated with Great Rejoicings-The Indiana State Bank-Sketch of a Notable Institu- tion 143
CHAPTER XIX .- "A GRAND NATIONAL FROLIC."
The Ever-Memorable "Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign" of 1840-Indiana
-
iv
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
PAGE.
Ablaze with Enthusiasm-The Great Whig "Rallies"-Singing Harrison into the White House-The Mexican War and Indiana's Part Therein. . . . . . . 155
CHAPTER XX .- A NURSERY OF GREAT MEN.
Abraham Lincoln's Youthful Experiences in Indiana-Hardships of his Early Life-Beginnings of Hugh McCulloch's Great Career-How Henry Ward Beecher Electrified the State with his Eloquence-Ten Years of Noble Achievement-Bishop Simpson's Work in Indiana. 164
CHAPTER XXI .- AN IMPORTANT EPOCH.
The Constitution of 1851-A Notable Convention-Colfax, Hendricks and Eng- lish Among Its Members-A Galaxy of Famous Indianians-Ashbel P. Wil- lard-Joseph G. Marshall, "The Sleeping Lion"-Edward A. Hannegan, Caleb B. Smith and Henry S. Lane-Jessie D. Bright, one of the Greatest of Party Leaders-The Career of Oliver P. Morton 172
CHAPTER XXII .- THE GREAT CIVIL WAR.
Indiana Plays a Conspicuous and Noble Part-A Grand Uprising of the People Without Regard to Party-The Stain of Buena Vista Forever Effaced-In- diana Troops at the Front Everywhere-Their Splendid Valor Shown on Many Battle Fields-John Morgan's Memorable Raid 181
CHAPTER XXIII .- INDIANA IN THE UNION ARMY.
Gen. A. E. Burnside-Manœuvers of General Wallace-Career of Jefferson C. -
Davis-Robert Huston Milroy-Adventures of A. D. Streight-Gresham as a General-Other Historical Individuals 189
CHAPTER XXIV .- RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY.
The March of Events Since the Close of the Civil War-The Memorable Cam- paigns of '76, '80, '84 and '88-Indiana's Part in National Politics-Schuyler Colfax, William H. English and Thomas A. Hendricks-Benjamin Har- rison's Nomination and Election as President-Administrations of Baker, Hendricks, Williams, Porter, Gray and Hovey-Latter-Day Giants 199
CHAPTER XXV .- RECORD OF MATERIAL PROGRESS.
The Great Railroad System of Indiana-Its Origin and Development-The First Railroad in the State-How the Advent of the Iron Horse was Celebrated- Introduction of the Telegraph-Indiana's Wonderful Resources-Natural Gas-Great Manufacturing Industries 216
CHAPTER XXVI .- EDUCATION IN INDIANA.
Origin and Development of the Public School System-The Log Schoolhouses
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
PAGE.
of Pioneer Days-Growth of the School Fund, Now the Largest in the Coun- try-The Academies, Seminaries and Colleges of the State-The Wonders Wrought in Half a Century. 224
CHAPTER XXVII .- INDIANA'S LITERARY HISTORY.
A Record of Notable Achievements in Fiction, Poetry, History and Belle Letters- Lew Wallace and his Masterpiece, "Ben Hur"-James Whitcomb Riley, the "Hoosier Poet"-Maurice Thompson, a Many-Sided Genius-The Eggles- tons, Joaquin Miller and Other Celebrated Indiana Writers 235
CHAPTER XXVIII .- INDIANA'S WORK IN SCIENCE.
A Record of Notable Achievement-The Fruitful Labors of the Three Distin- guished Brothers, Robert Dale Owen, David Dale Owen and Richard Owen -Kirkwood, the Eminent Astronomer; Jordan, an Authority on Natural History, and Coulter, the Botanist-An Array of Great Names 247
CHAPTER XXIX .- THE PULPIT AND PRESS.
The Beginnings of Religious Effort in Indiana-Splendid Labors and Heroic Sacrifices of the Jesuit Priests-Worship in the Forests-The First Church Building in Indiana-Life of the Pioneer Preachers-Peter Cartwright- Earliest Protestant Sermon Preached in the State-Origin and Develop- ment of the Newspaper Press of Indiana. 254
CHAPTER XXX .- INDIANA AS IT IS.
A Brief Survey of a Great Commonwealth-Indianapolis, the Seat of Govern- ment-A Beautiful, Prosperous and Progressive City-Its Public Buildings and Institutions-The Three French Forts Supplanted by the Cities of La- fayette, Vincennes and Fort Wayne-Material and Social Conditions Now and in the Early Days-A Contrast 267
INDIANA OFFICIAL REGISTER.
Territorial Governors 281
Governors of the State, 1816-1857 28 1
Governors of the State, 1857-1891 282
Lieutenant-Governors, 1816-1852. 282 Lieutenant-Governors, 1852-1891. 283
Judges of the Supreme Court, 1816-1853. 283
Judges of the Supreme Court, 1853-1891 284
United States Senators, 1816-1891 285
Appendix 286
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Hendricks, Mrs. Thomas A Frontispiece.
A Lady of Pioneer Days
126
Baker, Conrad, Gov
201
Battle Scarred Oak of Tippecanoe
94
Battle of the Thames
96
Beecher, Henry Ward.
169
Bigger, Samuel, Gov
140
Bolton, Sarah T
241
Boone, Ratcliffe. I37
Burning of Fort Miami.
53
Burnside, Gen. A. E
189
Cartwright, Peter
261
Circle Hall, Beecher's First Church
168
Clark, George Rogers Gen
70
Colfax, Schuyler
199
Colfax's Monument.
272 77
Costumes of Early French Settlers
47
Des Bois, Coureur
50
Death of Pontiac
64
Death of Vincennes
41
Dunning, Paris C.
141
Early Explorers and Traders
II
Eggleston, Edward
236
Emigrating West
121
English, Wm. H.
207
Father Anastase Reared A Cross Above the Remains
21
First Capitol at Corydon
113
Fitch, Graham N. 176 76
Fort Wayne in 1794
25
General Clark's Expedition.
71
General Harrison's Council with Tecumseh 90
Girty, Simon
78
vii
Free Life of the Forest
Colonel Crawford Burned at the Stake
viii
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
PAGE.
Gray, Isaac P., Gov
208
Gresham, W. Q
196
Hammond, Abram A.
175
Hanover College, 1837
228
Harrison, Benjamin.
210
Harrison, William Henry
105
Hendricks, Thomas A.
202
Hendricks' Birthplace
202
Hendricks' Monument
205
Holman, William S
213
Hovey, Alvin P., Gov
21I
Indian Canoe
26
Indian Dance
31
Indian Encampment .. 15
Jennings, Jonathan, Gov
III
Julian, George W.
213
Kerr, Michael C.
206
Lane, Henry S., Gov
175
Little Turtle.
83
Lincoln, Abraham, as a Student
165
Lincoln, Abraham
166
Manson, W. D.
195
Map of Northwest Territory
88
Marshall, Jos. G.
176
Miller, Joaquin
237
Morton, O. P., Gov
179
M'Culloch, Hugh.
214
M'Donald, Joseph E
212
Niblack, Wm. E
215
Noble, Noah, Gov
138
Old State House.
270
Owen, Robert Dale
129
Pappoose
33
Pennsylvania Wagons
I24
Pontiac
58
Porter, Albert G., Gov
208
Posey, Thomas, Gov.
115
Present State House at Indianapolis
27I
Ray, James B., Gov 138
Riley, James Whitcomb 243
St. Clair 104
Scalp Dance.
36
Scene at St. Clair's Defeat
81
Simpson, Bishop
170
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
ix
PAGE.
So Down the Beautiful Stream they Floated.
13
Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument at Indianapolis.
273
The Calumet.
The First Temperance Society in America
84
The First Railroad in Indiana.
217
The Indian Mother and Her Dying Child
34
The Obibua Girl and Major Gladwyn
61
The Old Apple Tree.
43
The Old Song
68
The Old-Timer at the Campaign Rally
159
The One-Eyed Prophet
92
The Pioneer Preacher 259
The School-House-Old and New 225
152
Tecumseh.
88
Tecumseh Buys the Farmer's Oxen
97
Thompson, Maurice
244
Thompson, R. W
211
Tippecanoe Battle Ground as it Looks To-day
93
Turpie, David.
212
View of the Canal.
146
Voorhees, Daniel W
212
Wallace, David, Gov
139
Wallace, Lew.
238
Wampum
20)
Washington Visits the French Commandant
54
Wayne, Anthony, Gen.
80
Whitcomb, James, Gov
141
Willard, Ashbel P., Gov
174
Williams, Jas. D., Gov 207
Wright, Jos. A., Gov
142
2
32
The Temptation
CHAPTER I.
EARLY HISTORY OF INDIANA.
INDIANA THE HOME OF SAVAGE TRIBES-EARLY EFFORTS OF MISSIONARY EXPLORERS-BREBOEUF AND DANIEL-ALLOUEZ AND DABLON-MARTYRDOM OF BREBOEUF-MARQUETTE AND JOLIET EXPLORE THE MISSISSIPPI-VARIED AND DEVOTED SERVICES TO THE INDIANS-ULTIMATE DEATH OF THE BRAVE AND SAINTLY MARQUETTE.
We have all read with a great deal of interest of Stanley's adventures in the Dark Continent. He has told us of the pathless forests he explored, of the great rivers he discovered, of the savage peoples he found, and we wonder at the story, and admire the heroic bravery and tireless perseverance of . the explorer.
But doubtless the accounts of the New World, which the early explorers carried back to the old nations of Europe, produced even greater astonishment in the minds of the people, and aroused a more general spirit of adventure.
It is difficult for us to realize that this very region, now occupied by the prosperous cities and towns and cultivated fields and farms of Indiana, was peopled only a little over two hundred years ago by a race of savages, who were not only wild rovers of the forest, unskilled in aught save warfare, but many of whom were actually cannibals, as we shall see later on.
₾
10
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
At that time the country west of the Alleghanies and north of the Ohio river was not of course divided into States as it is now, but was a vast unbroken wilderness. The im- mense forests, the boundless prairies, the grand rivers were still to the white man a locked treasure land, from which, however, in future years the wealth of soil and commerce was destined to pour forth; but not into the laps of those who first braved the privations and hardships of life among savages in a trackless forest. All honor to the brave and heroic men who were first to find the path through the wilderness, and to follow the mighty rivers in their courses to the sea. And who were they ? None other than the carnest, zealous missionaries of the cross of Jesus Christ, who have ever been the vanguard of advancing civilization.
As. early as 1634 the Jesuit missionaries, Breboeuf and Daniel, founded a mission station near a bay of Lake Huron, where they are said "to have daily rung a bell calling the natives of the region to prayer, and performed all those. kindly offices which were calculated to secure the confidence and affection of the tribes on the lake shores." In 1665 Father Allouez visited the tribes on the southern border of Lake Superior. Three years later he was joined by Dablon and Marquette, the latter, one of the most illustrious of the Jesuit missionaries. During the five succeeding years they dwelt among the tribes found between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, exploring the country, learning the language of the natives, and fulfilling with unselfish devotion and untir- ing zeal the duties of their noble calling. They convinced
11
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the savages, by their many acts of kindness, of their unselfish motives in coming among them. It is related that some of the tribes were so friendly with Father Allouez that at times they sought him so often that he scarcely found time to sleep. In after years, when explorers and traders came among the
820
EARLY EXPLORERS AND TRADERS.
Indians, these missionaries were often able to soothe and subdue the ferocious temper of the natives, and prevent very serious trouble with the whites. They were not, however, always successful in these efforts, and many, even of the
12
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
missionaries themselves, suffered the cruellest tortures at the hands of those for whose welfare they had labored. The missionary Breboeuf, who was slowly and horribly tortured to death, met his fate with such sublime fortitude that after he was dead and cut to pieces the savages tore out his heart, and drank of his blood, hoping thereby to imbibe some of his brave spirit. Marquette and Dablon established the posts of Mackinaw, St. Mary and Green Bay, and during the years 1670, 1671 and 1672 Fathers Allouez and Dablon explored portions of Wisconsin and northern Illinois, and probably visited that part of Indiana lying north of the Kankakee river. "Soldiers and fur traders followed where these pioneers of the church led the way. Forts were built here and there, and the cabins of settlers clustered around the mission houses."
Fabulous stories of a great river far to the west, whose course was north and south, having been told the French by the Indians, Count de Frontenac, who was then governor of Canada, was very anxious to have this river found. Mar- quette was also desirous of visiting the tribes which dwelt to the farther west, and, being in every way well qualified, was the one chosen for the undertaking. So on the thirteenth day of May, 1673, James Marquette and M. Joliet, a French trader. accompanied by five other Frenchmen and a few Indian guides, left Mackinaw, and in two frail Indian canoes reached the Mississippi river, entering it through the Wisconsin river, hav- ing walked across the portage lying between that river and the Fox, a distance of three miles, carrying their canoes with them. The Indians whom they met on the shores of the Wis-
13
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
consin river near its mouth tried to persuade them not to go on, telling them they would encounter many dangers and fierce hostile tribes. The guides also refused to go farther, but Marquette and his French companions had no thought of turn- ing back. So down the beautiful stream they floated, surprised and enchanted by the lovely scenery along its banks; saluted
SO DOWN THE BEAUTIFUL STREAM THEY FLOATED.
at times by high, bold rocky bluffs on either shore, and again greeted by smiling prairies arrayed in their beautiful spring garb of green. On, on these intrepid men floated, the first white men ever to drift down the mighty stream. They met no sign of humankind until they reached what is now the
11
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
lower boundary of Iowa, where fourteen miles inland they found the tribe of the Illinois. The name in the native language signifies " men." This tribe received them kindly and gave them the " pipe of peace," which assisted them in securing kind treatment from the fierce tribes they met farther down the river.
And still on, on they floated with the current of the stream, past the great rivers now known as the Missouri and the Ohio, down to the mouth of the Arkansas, where they turned back, and after pursuing their journey as far north as the mouth of the Illinois river, entered it, and by way of Lake Michigan reached Green Bay in September of the same year.
Father Marquette was not a strong man, and the fatigue and exposure of the long and hazardous trip seriously injured his health. He lingered, however, for two years teaching, preaching and laboring for the good of the Indians, and peace- fully died about Easter, 1675, surrounded by devoted and faithful followers.
The reader may ask, what all this story has to do with the history of Indiana. It is, in reality, the beginning of that history. The discovery and exploration of the Mississippi river was the first step toward establishing communications between the great northern lakes and the Gulf of Mexico or, as it was supposed to be then, the south sea, where it was hoped a way would be found to India and Japan. For these countries were the goals which beckoned the early explorers ever onward and westward. And not many years later the most direct route between the lakes and the Mississippi river
INDIAN ENCAMPMENT.
15
1
17
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
was found to be through what is now Indiana, by way of the Maumee river from Lake Erie, then by portage to the head of Little river, then down the Wabash into the Ohio, and thence to the Mississippi.
CHAPTER II.
EXPLORATIONS OF LA SALLE.
LA SALLE EXPLORES THE OHIO RIVER-BUILDS THE FIRST FORT ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER-CALLS IT " BROKEN-HEART"- PROCEEDS TO THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI-REARS THE STANDARD OF LOUIS AND CLAIMS THE LAND FOR FRANCE-MARQUETTE'S MAP OF THE MISSISSIPPI-LA SALLE AMBITIOUS TO FOUND A COLONY-THE GREAT EXPLORER ] FOULLY MURDERED.
At this time, the latter part of the seventeenth century there lived in Canada a fearless and enterprising young, Frenchman, Robert Cavelier de La Salle. Ile was the com- mandant at Fort Frontenac, and a large tract of land around the fort had been given him by the French government as a reward for the useful services he had rendered in dealing with the Indians. Ilis trade with the Iroquois, with whom he was on friendly terms for several years, but who were afterward for a time his enemies, was highly successful. But La Salle was of a restless, daring nature, and longed for adventure. Accounts of the mighty river to the west had often been given him by the Indians, and he longed to go and seek it. But after he had read Marquette's glowing description of his voyage down the stream, La Salle's desire for an extended and thorough exploration of the river was fully aroused, and he resolved to devote his life to the accomplishment of this object. He had. in the year 1669, with a party of fourteen
14
19
HISTORY OF INDIANA.
men, visited the lower boundary of Indiana in an attempt to explore the Ohio river. It is also very probable that during the years 1671 and 1672 La Salle had passed through the northwestern portion of the state. In 1679 and 16So he made an effort to explore Illinois and the Mississippi river, but after many disasters he returned to Canada, walking most of the way, suffering no doubt many times from hunger and exposure. During this expedition La Salle built on the Illinois river a fort near where Peoria is now located, and named it Creve Cœur (broken heart), expressing probably his bitter disappointment at not being able to continue his journey.
La Salle's courage and perseverance, however, were by no means exhausted, and again with a small exploring party he made his way back to the Illinois river, and reached the great Mississippi he had so many years longed to visit, in the year 1682. And now once more the white man floated down the mighty stream, and, like those who had preceded him, was enchanted with the beautiful valley through which it flows. Here and there were found Indian villages on the banks. Some of the tribes were friendly, offering the "pipe of peace," while others were hostile, but all alike yielded to the indomi- table courage and resolute will of the brave, young explorer. It has been said of La Salle that "he exercised over the savage mind remarkable power." Certain it is, as he himself wrote in April, 1683, that "with twenty-two Frenchmen he had obliged more than forty villages (Indian) to apply to him for peace."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.