History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 7

Author: Barrows, Frederic Irving, 1873-1949
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1326

USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 7

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The crusade against supposed witchcraft wore itself out shortly and whilst the council was still sitting, a leader of a Christian band of mission- aries appeared before them to learn authoritatively, the mind of the Indians, as to the future stay of Christians among them. The council gave little encouragement, and finally referred the leader of the Christian band to Hack- ing-poms-kon: This chief coincided with the council in the view that their services were not particularly desirable to the Indians, especially in view of the surplus of religion furnished by the Prophet.

KIK-THA-WE-NUND, OR ANDERSON.

. During the three years that followed-leading up to the treaty of 1809- the same sad tale of disappointment and discomfiture in his contests with the whites continued, and that the old chief-typical redskin that he was-took on sullenness, where bravery failed, is at least a plausible theory for his absence during the closing hours of September 30, 1809, with permission to Anderson to sign for him, at that treaty.

But who is Anderson? Certainly not an Indian name. Yet Anderson himself is an Indian, notwithstanding this fact. As a Delaware he had been in contact for long years with border-land white folks, and for this reason, perhaps, should be held blameless for his English name-others gave it to him. In the treaty of 1795 his name appears as "Kik-tha-we-nund, or Ander- son." In other records it is found as Kith-til-kand; and as the spelling is merely the white man's attempt to reproduce on paper, by means of the alpha- bet, a sound which an untutored savage utters, the variation is not surprising. Our best present-day authority on Indiana Indians, J. P. Dunn, says, "Kok- to-wha." in Delaware language means, "making a cracking noise," i. e., as of a house or a tree about to fall ; and the suffix, "nund" indicates that the noise is caused by some person. Consequently, he recommends "Kok-to-wha-mund" with accent on the second syllable, as a phonetic rendering in English of an Indian sound used by them as the name of this chief. The same authority says Hack-ink-pom-ska, pronounced with accent on the second last syllable, means "He Walks on the Ground."

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A query could be made here, which does not belong to the subject proper, It suggests itself, however, and may be asked withont proffering a definite answer.

If, in the Delaware dialect, Hack-ing-poms-kon means "He Walks on the Ground," why look further for a source whence comes our Americanism "hiking." Cavalrymen do not "hike"; but a common description with us for the infantrymen's, or any other footman's, mode of travel, he who walks on the ground, is "hiking." Is it an Indian word?

Sometimes valuable aid is derived from geographical terms and descrip- tions, for tracing Indian history. We will always have Anderson to the north and Andersonville to the south ; the former place is situate just beyond the new boundary established in 1800: and it was an Indian rendezvous of importance for some time after that date. Chief Anderson continued prom- inent in their councils and still maintained his eminence at the time of the treaty of 1818, which finally extinguished Indian possessions throughout central and southern Indiana. Thus taking the two periods, the treaty of 1795 and the one of 1818, there is a chieftainship of twenty-three years between them to Kok-to-wha-nund, known better to the whites as William Anderson.

PETCH-E-KE-KA-PON, LITTLE TURTLE AND THE BEAVER.

Of the Delawares who signed the treaty of 1809, the next in order is Petch-e-ke-ka-pon. No other trace of his career has come under notice. The same is true of the next one to sign, namely Captain Killbuck, except that the family name of Killbuck is connected with the affairs of the Delawares before coming to us, while they still held sites in central Ohio.

The only other signature remaining, under the title of Delawares is "The Beaver."

What his subsequent career was cannot be said. but two years previous (1807) an event came into his life, which, though a reflected glory, still lent some splendors to his reputation at this time, no doubt. In describing it, it is necessary first to say that I pass over the names of all the Pottawatomie Indians, for the reason that they were at home principally further north than our locality. And. also, for a similar reason I cannot take time to examine all the Miami names, which come next in order. But there is one name among the latter that cannot be omitted. It is that of Meshekenoghqua (pronounced Mi-ski-kin-noq-kwa) or The Little Turtle. This chief is the one who stood at the head of the great Miami confederacy of two decades

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

before; and who successfully combated a superior white force on several occa- sions in the war which "Mad Anthony Wayne" eventually closed.

Little Turtle will remain a permanent figure in American history. His talents were recognized by all who met him at the time under a great variety of circumstances, and he easily adjusted himself to whatever exigencies arose. It is natural, consequently, that with the close of hostilities ( 1795) he should wish to learn more of the white man's ways, and his travels to the "Big Council" (the City of Washington) brought him into contact with many capable men, some of whom left records of their impressions of this leading representative of the Indian race.

One who met him east in 1807, which is two years before the Twelve Mile Purchase, speaks of "The Beaver" as one of the chiefs in the party of which Little Turtle was the leading spirit. The description which he gives cannot fail to enhance our story.

(They) were dressed in a costume usually worn by our own citizens of the time -coats of blue cloth, gilt buttons, pantaloons of the same color, and buff waist-coats: but they all wore leggings, moccasins and large gold rings in their ears. The Little Turtle exceeded all his brother chiefs in dignity of appearance-a dignity which re- sulted from the character of his mind. He was of medium stature, with a complexion of the palest copper shade, and did not wear paint. His hair was a full suit. and without any admixture of gray, although from what he said of his age, at Ft. Wayne in 1804, being then fifty-three, he must at this time have heen fifty-seven years old. His dress was completed by a long red military sash around the waist. and his hat (a chapeau braze) was ornamented by a red feather. Immediately on entering the house. he took off his hat and carried it under his arm during the rest of the visit. His ap- pearance and manners, which were graceful and agreeable in an uncommon degree, were admired by all who made his acquaintance.

In such company it is to be expected that "The Beaver" learned things, and took on accomplishments that leave nothing to be desired. And, that if a full biography of him could be written, his life would be found creditable by the best standards of Indianhood.

OUR ORIGINAL PIONEER.

As this completes the list of names attached to the treaty under the title, "Delaware Indians," the ones who predominated in the Fayette county neigh- borhood, the story curtails itself and finds a finish. As to the whites who joined as witnesses to the treaty of 1809, it is not necessary to study them in this connection. Yet, there is one man whose name is attached to it- our original pioneer. John Conner, woodsman, scout and interpreter-who

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

deserves special consideration, but another chapter in this volume treats of his life in detail and it is unnecessary to expand upon it in this connection.

It is perhaps appropriate to repeat a moral reflection which arises with- out effort, and is contained in a statement made by Governor Harrison upon a notable occasion when he said, that this land "seems destined by the Creator to give support to a large population, and be the seat of civilization, of science and the true religion." The century which has passed since this fair tract of land became a part of the state of Indiana has seen the fulfillment of the prophecy made by our first governor ; and we of Fayette county are not only full sharers of the burdens, but also of the honors and emoluments which have come to those who have made their homes in the Twelve Mile Purchase.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE TREATY.

Following the appearance of this monographic study of Mr. Heinemann the newspapers of the state began making favorable comments on the char- acter of the publication. It was to be expected that the people of Fayette county and of the White Water valley should be interested, but it was some- what of a surprise to note that many papers over the state took the oppor- tunity to speak of it in very complimentary terms.

The second brochure of Mr. Heinemann was also concerned with the Twelve Mile Purchase, the subject of his first monograph. It had not been known even to Indiana historians that Gen. William Henry Harrison had a journal kept of the proceedings of the deliberations at Ft. Wayne, Septem- ber 30, 1809. which finally resulted in the actual signing of the treaty, but the original of the journal had been hidden away in the archives at Wash- ington, D. C., for more than a hundred years. It was due to the indefatig- able efforts of Mr. Heinemann that this document was found and-but let him tell the story in his own words. It appeared for the first time in print in the brochure of Mr. Heinemann.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS.

By J. L. Heinemann.

This pamphlet contains a reproduction without typographical alteration of the diary kept by Peter Jones, secretary to Governor Harrison, one of the commissioners appointed by President Jefferson to deal with the Indians on this occasion.

It seems truly deserving of preservation in the popular form here given

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

to it, and of an honored place in any collection of original data of those early days.

Besides the local appreciation attached to its every detail, in a wider sense, the treaty is likewise not without some value to every student of Indi- ana history in general, because of the subsequent events that arose from it. The Indians under the influence of the Prophet and Tecumseh were some- what advanced in the formation of their plans at this time, but it was only in the progression of events that their real designs were uncovered. With the new treaty in existence, evasion ceased to be possible, and their hostile sentiments and their determination to fight were made manifest in the conduct that followed.

What transpired after the treaty of Fort Wayne, can be indicated by a few brief extracts from Dillon's History. This book was written at a time when the local atmosphere of the pioneer days still surrounded our ancestors, and, consequently, the emphasis of events as found there, is quite likely a very true picture of one view of the pioneer period of our commonwealth.

We quote from the edition of 1859:

Tecumseh clearly intimated that he would resist any attempt that might be made to survey lands which had been ceded to the United States by the treaty of Fort Wayne. (p. 431.)

Throughout the course of the year 1810, various rumors of the growing power and the hostile intentions of the Shawnee Prophet, produced a state of some alarm among the people, and retarded the progress of settlements and improvements in several counties of the Indiana territory. (p. 439.)

In an interview with one of the messengers (of Governor Harrison), who visited the Prophet's Town in the month of June, 1810, the prophet declared that it was not his intention to make war on the white people; and he said that some of the Delawares. and some other Indians, "had been bribed with whiskey, to make false charges against him." When pressed by the messenger, Mr. Dubois, to state the grounds of his com- plaints against the United States, the prophet said that "the Indians had been cheated out of their lands; that no sale was good unless made by all the tribes; that he had settled near the month of the Tippecanoe, by order of the Great. Spirit; and that he was, likewise, ordered to assemble as many Indians as he could collect at that place." (p. 440.)

"Brother: this land that was sold, and the goods that were given for it, was only done by a few. . . The treaty at Fort Wayne was made through the threats of Winamac: but in the future, we are prepared to punish those chiefs who may come forward to propose to sell land. . Those that did 'sell, did not own it. It was me. These tribes set up a claim; but the tribes with me will not agree to their claim. If the land is not restored to us, you will see, when we return to our homes, how it will be settled. We shall have a great council, at which all of the tribes shall be present, when we shall show to those that sold, that they had no right to the claim they set up; and we shall see what will be done with those chiefs that did sell the land to you. (p. 443.)

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA,

"Brother: I wish you would take pity on the red people, and do what I have re- quested. If you do not give up the land, and do cross the boundary of our present settlement, it will be very hard. and produce great troubles among us. . . As we intend to hold our council at the Huron village, that is near the British, we may prob- ably make them a visit. Should they offer us any presents of goods, we will not take them ; but should they offer us powder and the tomahawk, we will take the powder and refuse the tomahawk." (p. 444.)

The governor then requested Tecumseh to state, plainly, whether the surveyors who might be sent to survey the lands-purchased by the treaty of Fort Wayne, in 1809-would be interrupted by the Indians; and whether the Kikapoos would, or would not, receive their. annuities. Tecumseh, in reply, said: "Brother: when you speak of annuities to me,' I look at the land, and pity the women and children. I am author- ized to say that they will not receive them. Brother, we want to save that piece of land. We do not wish you to take it. It is small enough for our purpose. If you take it, you must blame yourself as the cause of trouble between us and the tribes who soll it to you. I want the present boundary line to continue. Should you cross it, I assure you it will be productive of bad consequences." The council, which was held in a smalt grove that stood near the dwelling house of the governor, was then brought to a close.

On the next day Governor Harrison, attended only by his interpreter, visited the camp of Tecumseh, where he was received politely. in the course of a long interview Tecumseh repeated the principal declaration and sentintents which he had previously uttered and avowed in open council; and when Governor Harrison told him that his claims and pretensions would not be acknowledged by the President of the United States-"Well," said Tecumseh. "as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce him to direct you t give up this land. It is true. he is so far off he will not be injured by the war. He may sit still in his town. and drink his wine, while you and I will have to fight it out." (p. 446).

To enumerate further the happenings that followed, would be entering into the history of the military campaigns that culminated at Tippecanoe, in 1812, and even to the battles of Malden and the river Thames, in 1813. where Tecumseh in a forlorn hope laid down his life, wearing a British uniform.

For some unknown reason, "The Journal of the Proceedings," printed herewith, was omitted from the government publications in the last century. when these matters were first collected in American State Papers, and it remained hidden away for a hundred years, as a manuscript in the files of the Department of War at Washington.

How it was brought to light is shown by a letter and its several answers. which follow; and their publication. also will render credit for the part per- formed by the eminent Indianian, Senator Beveridge. through whose influence the search, by the War Department. officials, for the missing diary was under- taken.

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

A LETTER ' AND ITS SEVERAL ANSWERS.

Connersville, Indiana, June 18th, 1909.

HON. ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE,

Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR :- In the authorization from the war department to William Henry Harrison, July 15th, 1809, to proceed with a further treaty with the Indians, occurs this instruction :

"A diary of the proceedings, should be kept by the commissioner or the secretary, and a carefully certified copy thereof forwarded with the treaty to this department." (American State Papers, Vol. I, p. 761.)

The treaty was concluded September 30. 1809, and is printed in full in the volume quoted above, and also in Vol. II. Indian Affairs, Treaties, Senate Documents. But 1 can find no account of the diary required by the official instructions.

Are the minutes of the proceedings preserved in the archives of the department of war, and are they accessible to the general public? To the best of my knowledge, the state library, at Indianapolis, contains no reference to them except that to be found in the volume referred to, and if the minutes still exist, but have never beeu put into print, I should be exceedingly favored by whatever interest you manifest in this belated exploration into Indiana history.

The copy of the same by a suitable stenographer is an expense which I shall gladly defray, if you see fit to use your superior opportunities in locating the original manuscript.

With the assurance that whatever aid you give will be very greatly appreciated, and thanking you in advance for overlooking whatever trouble or inconvenience this letter gives you, I beg to remain very respectfully.

Yours truly,

J. L. HEINEMANN.

Department of the Interior. Office of Indian Affairs.

Washington, June 30. 1909.

lloN. ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE,

United States Senate.

SIR :- The office is in receipt, by your reference of June 23rd, of a letter addressed to you by the war department returning a communication from Mr. J. L. Heinemann, Connersville, Indiana, relative to his desire to obtain a copy of the Journal of Pro- reedings of the commission that concluded a treaty with the Delaware, Pottawatomie, Miami and Eel River Indians at Ft. Wayne on September 30, 1809 (7 Stat. L., 113-115).

The Journal referred to, which was found recently in the files of the war depart- ment, was referred to this office by that department on June 23, 1909, and a certified copy thereof is being prepared and will be forwarded to you for Mr. Heinemann's use as soon as it is completed. Very respectfully,

R. I. WALENTEIN, Commissioner.

Indianapolis, Indiana; August 10, 1909.

DEAR MR. HEINEMANN :

I have your letter of August 5th, enclosing draft for the bureau of Indian affairs

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

in payment of certified copy of Journal of the Proceedings of the Indian Treaty of 1809. I am returning the draft to you, and beg to suggest that you have same made payable to Mr. Abbott, acting commissioner, and forward it to him at Washington direct.

Assuring you that I was very pleased to do what i could in this matter, I am, Very truly yours,

ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE.

MR. J. L. HEINEMANN, Connersville. Ind.

The following is a verbatim copy of the letter from Gen. William Henry Harrison to the Secretary of War, accompanying the Journal above referred to :

Vincennes 15th Nov. 1809. SIR

I have now the honor to enclose the sketch of the lands lately ceded by the Indians to the United States and the Journal kept by Captain Joues, the secretary. There appears to be much more land in these tracts than I expected being upwards of 2,900,000 acres. I believe there are two or three excellent salt springs on the tract near this. General William Clarke who is now at Washington can give you some information on this subject. The one marked in the sketch has been visited since the treaty by some of our citizens who say that it promises well.

The sketch is principally intended to show the advantages which would arise from opening a road to Dayton in the state of Ohio it would bring us 120 miles nearer the seat of government. I believe that the Indians would consent to have the road opened through that part of their country which it minst necessarily pass through.

I have Honor to be with great Respect Sir your Humble Servant.

WILLM HENRY HARRISON.

The Honorable

WILLIAM EUSTIS, EsQ .. Secretary of War.

VERBATIM COPY OF THE JOURNAL.

On Friday the Ist of September Governor Harrison, as commissioner for Treating with the Indian Tribes set out from Vincennes for Fort Wayne accompanied by his Secretary Peter Jones one Interpreter a French Man as a guide a Servant of the Governor & two Indians. After leaving the Settlement of Knox County our route was along the road newly cut out by the orders of the Government in the direction of the North Bend to its termination, & then along the frontier of the County of Dearborn to Fort Wayne, at which place we arrived on the fifteenth. Directions had been given to Mr. John Johnston the Indian Agent to assemble the Indians, against that time. The Deliware Tribe with their Interpreter) Mr. John Conner

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

reached Fort Wayne at the very moment of our arrival. Two principal Chiefs Hockingpomscon and the Beaver were however absent on a visit to Detroit.

16th. l'art of the Putawatimies arrived under their Chief Winemack.

The Governor learned with regret that the head Chief Tipinipe of the Putawatimies & Five Medals were not returned from Detroit but authorized their son & nephew to act for them. In the evening the Eel River Tribe arrived & more of the Putawatimies.

17th. The Miami Chief Peccan Oul Osage and some inferior ones arrived. A messenger was sent for the little Turtle who returned for answer that he would come in on the 19th Inst. A mischievous report was circulated amongst the Indians that a Detachment of American Troops were marching against them. Some of the young men were much frightened but the Chiefs treated it with the ridicule it deserved. The Putawatimies waited on the Governor & requested a little liquor which was refused. The Governor observed that he was determined to shut up the liquor casks until all the busi- ness was finished.

18th. An express was dispatched to Detroit to hasten the arrival of the Deliware & Putawatimie Chiefs who had gone to that place & whose presence was very much desired by the Governor. Mr. Barron the Inter- preter was also sent to the Miami Towns sixty miles distant to bring Richard- ville the Principal Chief of that Tribe who had excused himself under pre- tence of real or pretended sickness from comeing in withe the other Chiefs.

The Governor had a conference with a Deputation from the Deliwares who reside west of the Mississippi who came for the purpose of prevailing on those of that Tribe who reside in this Territory to join their brethren in Louisiana. A reciprocal promise was made by the Governor to promote the above object as much as possible and by the Chiefs to aid his views in respect to the proposed Treaty. Measures were taken also to explain the wishes of the Government to the Putawatimies & to engage their cooperation. More of the Putawatimies & Miamies arived the whole number on the ground this day was eight hundred and ninety-two.

19th. The Turtle arrived this day with a number of Miamies & Puta- watimies. The Governor visited the Putawatimies in their Camp as had previously done the Deliwares. Measures were also taken to sound several of the most influential Chiefs on the subject of the proposed Treaty. Captain Hendricks the Mohecan Chief informed the Governor that the British Agent of Indian affairs had advised all the Indian Tribes never to listen to any

FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.

proposition to sell their lands to the United States. Pinnewa.a Putawatimie Chief arived with one hundred Indians of his Tribe.

20th. The Governor had a conference with all the .Miami & Eel River Chiefs & explained to them at great length the object of his visit to this place and the great advantage which they would derive from causeing the Weas to move from the neighborhood of our Settlements and join their brethren the Miamies & Eel River Tribes ) these three tribes are all properly speaking Miamies see the Treaty of Grouseland ) Their Nation would then become much more respectable and they would be enabled greatly to increase their annuity by selling a Tract of land which was exausted of game and which was no longer useful to them. They were desired to take the Governor's proposal into consideration & Coolly & deliberately to weigh all the argu- ments he had used to adopt his advice. Mr. Wells remained with them at their conference and in the evening reported to the Governor that they had determined on no account ever to part from another foot of their lands. There is some reason to believe however that this was a mere finesse to enhance the price of their land. This evening Mr. Barron returned from the Mississinway & reported that the Chief Richardville was confined to his Bed & observed that it was impossible for him to attend at present but he requested the Governor to be informed that he would come up in a few days if he should find himself able & that he had advised the other Chiefs by all means to comply with Governor's wishes.

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History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 7

Author: Barrows, Frederic Irving, 1873-1949 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1326

Author: Barrows, Frederic Irving, 1873-1949
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1326