History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 6

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664

USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 6

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" And Samuel took his mail that way, and went home with Poqua and stayed overnight at the house of the old chief, much to the delight of the frightened Indian boy and his aged father also." Chief Godfroy afterward moved to the month of the Mis- sissenewa, and died there not far from 1840. Ilis stately monu- ment is still to be seen on the north side of the river near the mouth.

Godfroy was the home chief, and Richeville was the war chief of the Miamis. Godfroy was an honest, upright, reliable man, esteemed by the whites and beloved by the Indians.

Black "Hoof [Cat-ahe-kasa], a Shawnee chief, was born in Florida, while his tribe sojourned in the South. They returned to Ohio and he with them.

The time of his birth is not known, but he was a leading chief at Braddock's defeat, in 1755, and in all the Indian wars for forty years afterward.

He felt keenly the encroachments of the whites, and fought them with the bitterness of desperation. But, seeing at last the utter hopelessness of the struggle, he yielded, and ever afterward he stood for peace. Tecumseh tried to draw the old chief into his conspiracy, but tried in vain. Black Hoof had fought the whites long enough, and bade the fierce Tecumseh go his way. . He opposed polygamy, living forty years with a single wife and rearing a large family of children. He died at Wapokonetta, aged one hundred and ten years.

Blue Jacket [Wey-a.pier-sen-wali], a Shawnee chief, was the Indian leader at their defeat by Gen. Wayne in 1794. In the council held before the battle, the decision would have been for peace, but his voice changed the day, and they made the attack and were routed.

He was at the treaty of Greenville, spoke for peace, signed the treaty and kept his word.

Cornstalk (the elder) was a Shawnee chief of bravery and distinction, and one of the leaders of his tribe at the battle of the Kanawha (Point Pleasant), Va., in 1776. He had tried before that disastrous engagement to induce his people to bury the hatehet, but in vain. After that, however, his efforts were crowned with success. He submitted in good faith to the whites, joined in the treaty and observed it faithfully, and lived quietly and at peace. Some of the Indians, however, remained hostile, and such was the temper of the times and so ready were the whites to commit atrocities against the helpless "red men," that, in 1777, when Cornstalk and his son, Enilipsco, both of excellent character, of kindly disposition, and entirely and sincerely friendly and peaccable, entered, in amity and good will, the American fort at Point Pleasant. they were murdered-in cold blood. Cornstalk himself fell pierced by seven or eight bullets. ITis grave is said yet to be visible at Point Pleasant near the site of the ancient fortress.

Some of the descendants of the old chief are thought to be still living, residing on the Kansas River. One of his sons lived to a greatly advanced age.

"Johnny Green" was a chief who dwelt in the region of Ran- dolph, and was well known to many of the settlers of that time. Several mention him in their "Reminiscences." He was some- what noted in the Indian wars, being present at " Wayne's vic- tory " in 1794. He is supposed to have been concerned in the killing of Morgan in Wayne County. He had much provoca- tion to the deed, since Morgan was a bitter " Indian hater," and had, not very long before, undertaken treacherously to procure the murder of the old Indian. At Brookville (perhaps), "Johnny " had obtained leave to accompany some whites in a trip they were making. Soon after they started, Morgan, among others, tried to induce the crowd to kill Green, and succeeded in getting a vote to that effect. One of the party took Johnny under . his protection, and got him safely away.

A white man was burned at the stake by the Indians some- where east of Muncie, but the particulars of the fact, whether as to reasons, time or parties engaged, we have never learned.

[NOTE .- Whether this " Johnny Green's tribe " (mentioned below) belonged to the "Johnny Green " already named, we are not able to state. There may have been more than one " Johnny Green," as there were two " Cornstalks" and two " Killbucks."

Johnny Green's Tribe .- They emigrated to the West and settled in Iowa, and they now live in Story County, near Mar- shalltown, on the Iowa River, above Iowa Rapids.

Johnny Green, the old chief, is dead, and his son, "Buck Green," is now chief. The number of the tribe is about 350. They own a reserve of land ; have good houses and dress mostly like whites, though the women go bareheaded and wear blan- kets and moccasins, Indian-fashion.

The men spend most of their time in hunting ; the women make baskets and beadwork and other curious things. The tribe is harmless and peaceable. The squaws may often be seen riding by on ponies, with pannier baskets laden with trinkets for sale, and having, besides, a child in each basket, the whole cavalcade presenting a sight comical to behold. [This account is given by a friend of the author's, who resides in Iowa in the vicinity of the tribe in question].

. Francis La Fontaine, Miami Chief .- His Indian name was To-pe-ah. His father was French and his mother a Miami woman, and he was born near Ft. Wayne, in 1810. In 1832, he married Catharine (Po-con-go-qua), daughter of Chief Richardville, and upon the old chief's death was chosen principal chief. IIe moved to the forks of the Wabash, and lived there till the re- moval of his tribe west of the Mississippi, in 1846.

ITe spent the Winter with his people, but returned in the spring ; was taken ill on the journey, and died at La Fayette, April 13, 1847, aged thirty-seven years. In person, he was tall, corpulent and robust, a man of wonderful size and strength, his usual weight being 350 pounds. He presented, when dressed in Indian cos- tume, a splendid specimen of manly dignity.

He had seven children, only two of whom are now living.

His body was embalmed at La Fayette, brought to Hunting- ton and buried there.

Edward Edger, long time a dealer in furs, etc., with the In- dians, says that one chief La Fontaine, was living there ten or twelve years ago, on the Indian Reserve, that he visited that chief at that time, at his house in that region.

John B. Richardville (Pe-che-wa), was the son of the sister of Little Turtle, Taucumwah, by a French trader, Joseph Drouet de Richeville, born about 1761. Pe-che-wa became the recognized chief by a daring act of humane valor when but a young man. He was present at Harmar's defeat in 1790; signed the treaty of Greenville in 1795, of Ft. Wayne and of Vin- cennes in 1809, and of St. Mary's in 1818.

In 1827, he built a fine dwelling on his reservation, five miles from Ft. Wayne. He was an extensive trader, having an estab-

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

lishment in Ft. Wayne, but moving, in 1836, to the Forks of the Wabash, he died at his house at St. Mary's, August 13 , 1841, aged about eighty-one years. He was of middling height and weight, quiet. modest and retiring, but genteel and manly in his deportment with the whites, and having a large influence over his people and, moreover, highly respected and confided in by the white settlers. His daughters erected a marble monument over his remains.

He was succeeded by Francis La Fontaine, who had married Catharine, daughter of Richardville.

Captain Login (Spemica Lawba-High Horn), a Shawnee chief, was born on Mad River, Ohio, in 1778. He was captured when a lad by Capt. Benjamin Logan, of Kentucky, in 1786; was adopted by him, and afterward returned to his tribe, con- tinuing, however, to be the friend of the whites. This friendship he showed in a most remarkable manner, finally sealing his fidel- ity with his blood.

Ile was one of Gen. Hull's guides to Detroit in 1812. Af- terward he conducted twenty-five women and children from Ft. Wayne to Piqua, through the wilderness, with signal kindness and humanity, making the entire journey without sleep, and treating his helpless charge with the utmost gentleness and the most delicate attention.

During the siege of Ft. Wayne by the Indians, after the surrender of Detroit by Hull in August, 1812, it was determined to send relief from Piqua, and it became necessary to convey the information to the beleaguered fort. Two white men with Capt. Logan and some friendly and faithful Shawnees undertook the perilous task. They passed the besiegers and reached the fort in safety, and Capt. Logan, with Capt. Johnny and Bright Horn, two of his Indian companions, retraced their steps to their com- rades, who were waiting outside the besiegers' lines. The re-en- forcements reached the fort, and the Indians finally withdrew and abandoned the siege. Subsequently he met his death in a most affecting manner, which can be best related by quoting (substan- tially) from " Kingman Bros.' History of Allen County, Ind."

On the morning of November 22, 1812, a subordinate officer charged him with unfaithfulness. Stung by this charge and to prove its falsity, he started with Capt. Johnny and Bright Ilorn down the Manmee to reconnoiter. Suddenly they were surprised and captured by a company under Winamac, a Pottawatomie chief, and Elliot, a half-breed in the British employ. Seizing the op- portunity, they attacked their captors, killing two and wounding three more. Logan, however, received a fatal wound, and Bright Horn was also wounded. Capt. Johnny mounted the two wound- ed men, each upon one of the enemy's horses, and started them toward the camp, which they reached about midnight. Ile stayed long enough to secure Winamac's scalp, and came in on foot, reaching camp by daylight. Capt. Logan lingered two days in intense suffering. and died. Ile was buried with the honors of war, but his death cast a gloom over the entire army, and espe- cially caused great grief to him whose bitter words had impelled Capt. Logan to the act by which he met his untimely death at the early age of thirty-four.

Metea, a Pottawatomie chief, was a brave, skillful and athletic warrior, reaching the acme of his power during the war of 1812. IIe undertook to ambush Gen. Harrison's army as they were marching to the relief of Ft. Wayne.

He might perhaps have succeeded, but his party were dis- covered by Capt. Mann of the American forces. Metea was behind a tree, but his left arm was exposed. Capt. Mann instantly took aim, crippled the arm, and rushed forward in hot pursuit. Metea fled and escaped.

The chief's arm never recovered, and Metea often recounted the incident, giving Capt. Mann great praise for his bravery. IIe was remarkably intelligent, a fine orator, and an acute reasoner. He died in 1827 from poison by some hostile Indians.

Little Turtle (Me-che-cun-ne-quah) was the son of Aque- nac-que, a great Miami war chief, who represented his nation at

the treaty of Laneaster, Penn., in 1748. Little Turtle was born in 1748. His mother was a Mohegan, and a superior woman. They lived at the Turtle village on Eel River, sixteen miles northwest of Fort Wayne. He showed remarkable power and skill even from boyhood, and, on the death of his father, was chosen chief of his tribe. IIe proved the wisdom of the choice by his wonderful prowess. He led the savages at Harmar's and St. Clair's defeats ; he was at the attack on Fort St. Clair, near Eaton, Ohio, in November, 1792, as also at the action at Fort Recovery, Ohio, in June, 1794. He took part in the fight at Wayne's victory in the fall of 1794, though he protested against attacking Gen. Wayne and advocated peace with the whites.

The Government built him a house on his reservation at Ecl River in consideration of his efforts for peace, and he lived like a white man. In 1802 (or 1803), he appealed to the Legislature of Kentucky to stop the sale of liquors to the Indians, and likewise to that of Ohio, but without success. Ile said : "They [the traders] strip the poor Indian of skins, guns, blankets, everything, while the squaws and children lie shivering and starving in his wigwam,"-a picture true to the life, and a burning shame to the white race.

He firmly opposed Tecumseh in his schemes for a general war, and, January 25, 1812, wrote to Gen, Harrison pledging him- self to do all in his power to preserve peace. But shortly after- ward he died. Ile had the gout and went to Fort Wayne to obtain medical aid, but without avail, for he died July 14, 1812, at the " Old Orchard," in his tent. He was buried with the honors of war, and his Indian ornaments and accouterments, including a sword, given him by Gen. Washington, and a medal having upon it Gen. W.'s likeness, were buried with him.

Some years afterward Coesse, his nephew, who was himself a chief, came to Fort Wayne and pronounced a most eloquent and pathetic oration over the grave of his uncle, which was listened to with deep interest by many of the citizens of Fort Wayne.

Waubunsre, Pottowatamie, was a cruel and vindictive savage. Ile often became drunk, and was then more of a devil than a man ; yet he was reckoned a brave and daring chief. Ile was one who added to the awful savagery of the terrible massacre after the surrender at Fort Dearborn by his ferocious brutality.

Francois Godfroy was a Miami chief; he lived on the "God- froy Reserve " till about 1839, when he sold out and moved to the mouth of the Mississinewa, where he died about 1840, and where his monument is still to be seen on the north side of the river, near the mouth. He had three sons-Francis, Poqua and James.

There were several Indian villages in that region-White Woman's Village, Deaf Man's Village, Blind Man's Village, and Cote Sippon's Village. Meshomingia's Village was farther up the Wabash.

Godfroy was a fine specimen of Indian character, as were also several of the other chiefs of the region-Cornstalk, Richardville, La Fontaine, etc.

Tecumseh, Shawnee chief. was born near the Indian town of Piqua, on Mad River, Ohio, in 1768. His parents moved from Florida about 1750. IIis father was killed in the famous battle at Point Pleasant, on the Kanawha in Western Virginia. Tecumseh became leader of the tribe, being declared chief some time before 1795, living then near Deer Creek, Urbana, Ohio. In 1798, he is supposed to have changed his residence to White River, Indiana. Judge Wharry, of Greenville, whose memory extends back to those times, says that Tecumseh and his brother came to Mud Creek, near Greenville, and took up their residence there not far from 1799. Ile says that their tribe had driven them away, and that they were still living near Greenville at the first settlement of Darke County, and that the place where they had their dwelling is still called Tecumseh Point. If this be so, and Judge Wharry would seem to have the means of knowing the facts, the statement explains their whereabouts between 1798 and 1809. His brother, Lau-le-wa-si-kau, announced himself as a

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

" Prophet " by the name of Pems-quat'a-wah (Open Door.) Te- cumseh was five feet ten inches high, stoutly built, and of great endurance, of superior shrewdness and skill, and large intelligence for an Indian. He is stated to have been able to read and write. He is said also to have occupied the first dwelling on the site of Chicago. Tecumseh, in 1809, was at Harrison's treaty at Fort Wayne, and would not sign that treaty, severely denouncing also those who did so. In 1810, he traversed the Southern regions, stirring up the Indians of the whole eastern Mississippi Valley to vengeance and a war of extermination ; and with much success, though many, especially in the Northwest, refused to join him.

He traveled incessantly, haranguing his dusky countrymen with wonderful eloquence, and amazing power and effect. He opposed land grants by the Indian tribes, declaring that they should give no more foothold to the white intruders. The excite- ment among the Indians was very great, though Tecnmseh failed to carry the whole body of his race to his views and plans. If he had been able to do so, the disastrous results would have indeed been terrible beyond conception. Even as it was, they were fearful enough. Tecumseh was greatly enraged at his brother the Prophet, because he had precipitated the conflict between the Indians and the whites before he (Tecumseh) was ready. The result of the battle at Tippecanoe (Prophet's Town), so disastrous to the Indians, disconcerted their plans, and greatly discouraged the haughty leaders and their wild and savage fol- lowers ; but the contest was still kept up for some two years, till the death of Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames, in Canada, in 1813, crushed the hopes of the warriors, and a lasting peace was made.

Gov. Harrison from Vincennes had tried to conciliate the chieftain and his brother before the war opened, but in vain.

He marched at length to Tippecanoe, and November 7, 1811, resisting a terrible night attack of seven hundred Indians, routed them in the morning, burned the Prophet's Town, and marched back to Vincennes triumphant.

Tecumseh was in the south at the time, and on his return, finding the Indian power broken, attached himself to the British, betaking himself and the braves who still clung to him to Canada for the purpose.

Tecumseh, though stern and savage, had yet some noble traits. He was less cruel than some of the British officers. Like the Mohawk chief, Thayandanega [Brant], in the Revolution, who was far less cruel than Col. Walter Butler, the Tory parti- san, and many times saved prisoners when Butler would have slain them, so Tecumseh, though fierce and furious, yet inter- fered in behalf of mercy against the relentless Proctor, the Brit- ish commander.

Tecumseh was active with the English in Canada after he joined them till he was killed at the battle of the Thames, Octo- ber 5, 1813. His death utterly crushed the hopes of the native confederacy. A large portion of the Indians had held out against all the efforts of Tecumseh and his brother, and now the " hos- tiles " submitted, and for this region Indian war was forever at an end.

In soveral battles soon after, in the south, the Indian power in that region also was demolished. At Emnekfau, January 22, 1814, the Creeks were defeated by Gen. Jacksen. March 27, 1814, at Tohopeka [Horseshoe Bend], a bend in the Tallapoosa, the Creeks, a thousand strong, besides their women and children, in a strong fortification awaited the final onset of the whites. Gen. Jackson led his men to the attack, storming the breastworks and killing the whole number. The chiefs who were not at the battle submitted, and the power of the natien was at an end.

Maj. Adams, who was in Harmar's defeat, and who was in later years Judge of Darke County Court, had five balls shot into him in that terrible battle, which he carried to the end of his days, as a continual reminder of Indian prowess.

Gen. St. Clair was utterly unfit for the command of such an

expedition into the wilderness against fierce and unruly savages. He was bed-ridden and helpless with the gout. He could neither mount nor dismount his horse without help, and his second in command, Brig. Gen. Richard Butler, was killed in the fatal bat- tle resulting in St. Clair's defeat.

Harmar's army is said to have been in a wretched condition, lacking supplies and almost in mutiny. St. Clair's men, it is stated. were much in the same condition, the troops worn out with forced marches, and half starved with great lack of rations. Both armies were badly supplied, badly fed, badly led, badly handled ; and bad, shameful, disgraceful defeats were the wretched result. The efforts of the Indian braves at various times since the intrusion of the European invaders to rid the country of their hated pres- ence have indecd been hereic ; and, in any other race of men, would have challenged and commanded the admiration of man- kind. Opecancanongh, Philip of Po-kan-o-ket, Pontiac, Tecum- sch, Osceola, Capt. Jack, and others like them, struggled bravely, as much so, perhaps, considering the fearful odds against them, as any people under the sun, but ever in vain. They saw the wave of invasion rolling fiercely and ceaselessly over the land, and put forth herculean and sometimes frantic attempts to check its progress and destroy its power, but their cunning and their fury were alike for naught.

Tecumseh was an orator of wonderful power, and his speech in reply to Gov. Harrison, at Vincennes, was one of the most remarkable ever delivered. The chief was straight, athletic, manly, dignified ; and in a most im passioned appeal he described the wrongs of his race by the white man, and declared his uncon- querable determination to submit no longer, but to stand to the death, and crush the white man's power or be crushed thereby.

That interview between the two chieftains, Gov. Harrison and Tecumseh, is historic. It was the stern defiance of the red man, and his bitter challenge to a grand, final and exterminating con- flict.

Tecumseh was bold, intrepid, arrogant. As the Governer was speaking, "Tell him he lies," broke from the Indian warrior, which ended the interview. The next day, at the final confer- ence, Tecumseh said, " The whites must not cross the ‘ old bound- ary.'" Replied Gen. Harrison, "The United States will enforce the treaty, by the sword, if need be." " So be it," was the reply of the warrior, and they parted, to meet in person during life no more.

Tecumseh hasted southward, and, by heroic and almost super- human exertions, he muidertook to areuse the native tribes to relentless hostility. While he was absent, the battle of Tippe- canoe had occurred, contrary to his express orders, and frustrat- ing all his plans. Still, however, he kept a bold front, striving constantly to maintain the conflict against the United States. In 1812 or 1813, he joined Gen. Proctor at Malden, and took part in the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, in which the famous chieftain was killed. By whom the act was done has been reck- oned uncertain. Most have supposed that Col. R. M. Johnson, of Kentucky, was the fortunate personage, but a statement is made in a " History of Indiana and of Elkhart County," Charles C. Chapman & Co., Chicago, 1881, as follows, page 108:

" Tecumseh was killed at the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, by a Mr. Wheatly, as we are positively informed by Mr A. J. James, now a resident of La Harpe Township, Hancock Co., 111., whose father-in-law, John Pigman, of Coshocton County, Ohio, was an eye witness." Col. Johnson never positively claimed the honor of having killed Tecumseh, but his simple statement of the circumstances of that battle seemed to render it probable that he had done so, and most people have thought he did.

As has been stated, the death of Tecumseh crushed among the Indians every possible hope of success, and they succumbed to fate.

Lau-le-was-i-kaw, the Prophet, who called himself Pems- quat-a-wah (Open Door), was a Shawnee warrior, and the broth-

HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.

er of the celebrated Tecumseh ; was a good orator, and ingratiat- ed himself with the tribes by denouncing witchcraft, the use of liquor, mingling with white men in marriage, dress, etc. He pretended to cure all diseases and to make his tribes victorious. He leagued with his brother, Tecumseh, establishing himself at a town near La Fayette.

In the battle of Tippecanoe, he stood on a hill singing a favor- ite war song, assuring them of an easy victory. Their defeat broke their faith in the Prophet and crushed the confederacy.

The Prophet took up his abode with a few Wyandots, on Wildcat Creek, his town being destroyed November 8, 1811.

In 1812, the Prophet and some warriors moved to Detroit and were received as friends and allies of Great Britain.

At the close of the war he retired to Canada, returning after- ward to the Shawnee settlement in Ohio, and still again emi- grating westward beyond the Mississippi, where he died in 1834. The British Government allowed him a pension till his death. Judge Wharry (often mentioned in these sketches) says that he, when a lad, saw the "Prophet," in 1813, at Franklinton, near Columbus, Ohio.

He seems to have been far inferior to his brother, the fam- ous chieftain, in the elements of greatness; and to his incompe- tence as a leader, Tecumseh always charged the defeat of his plans and the crushing failure of all his schemes for the con- quest of the whites ; although it is, of course, true, that no possi- ble combination among the Indians could have achieved success against the superior intelligence and power of the redoubtable white race.

Black Hawk, Sac chief, was a famous warrior and chieftain (born at the mouth of Rock River, 1767), who led his nation in the struggle of the savages against the whites about 1832. After a few months of conflict he was taken prisoner and carried to Washington and elsewhere, to let him realize by veritable eye- sight the actual and wondrous superiority of the whites over his own people. He saw, and was convinced, and submitted to terms of peace and amity.

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History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships, Part 6

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman Number of Pages: 664

Author: Tucker, Ebenezer
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : A.L. Klingman
Number of Pages: 664