USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 10
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"Indians name their children as white people, but an Indian does not have a family and given name; but one name; and as there would result great confusion in naming them after friends, no two names are alike. Thus, Anthony Revarre is named after Great White Loon, but he is only White Loon. If it is desired to name a child after Full Moon, it must be changed to Old Moon. or Half Moon. Names are most frequently taken from nature. American names are given to Indians by their associates, and are regarded only as nicknames.
"Coesse, Revarre and a great number of other Indians are buried on what was formerly the Revarre farm but is now in the hands of strangers and covered by a cornfield."
We visited this spot with Tony Revarre. or White Loon, and he is quite sure he knows the exact spot where lay his father and Coesse. There is now some agitation in the neighborhood as to taking up the remains and placing them in some cemetery.
Mrs. Revarre is a devoted Catholic, but Tony is not religiously inclined in any di- rection. Being specially interrogated about some things in this county, she answered (nite readily. The government charts lo- cate Seek's Village on the south side of the river, while all the evidence we have, and which is perfectly conclusive, locates it on the north side. When asked in regard to this. she replied "on the north side" as
readily as though she could not understand why any one should ask such a settled ques- tion. As to the fortifications at More's farm in Union township. she said it was a fort built under the direction of her grand- father, Little Turtle, by the Miamis for protection against hostile tribes as well as against white invaders. That it was posi- tively built by the Indians she knew, because her father had often told her all about it. She knew the place; it was just east of Chapienes' reserve and was the only place in all the country where there was a fort or fortification except at Fort Wayne, and that at this point was her grandfather's last residence. She knew of two fights at the place, both by other tribes besieging the Miamis; one was the Delawares, the other she could not name in English, and the Indian name was unintelligible to us. The Miamis were in each case victorious. Her father became enthusiastic in relating the success of his father. Little Turtle, in these battles.
Asked about the battle where the Aboite river crosses the canal. in Aboite township. Allen county, three quarters of a mile from the line of Jefferson township, Whitley county, she said they fought with white men from Marion. Wabash and all along the way clear up to Fort Wayne, but that the largest battle was the one above mentioned. This is the battle the histories speak of in connection with La Balme's expedition, which is incorrect.
Asked as to the place called Burned Cabins, at Compton church, she readily re- membered and located the place, but did not think there was ever a battle there. A gen- eration lived and died there, and there was
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neither war not pestilence. The chief was Ok-o-los-she-mah, and his mother was half Pottawattamie. She also described the burying ground on the bank of the creek, and said it was about a mile south of Eel river.
She said Seek was a usurper, and never was chief by right. He was half white and had no right to the chieftainship and never gave his people satisfaction ; that he was de- posed from the office and Coesse was chief.
Asked by Mr. Mossman where Coesse got his uniform and trappings, he had seen him wear, she replied that Little Turtle took them from Seek and gave them to Coesse.
Asked as to Frances Slocum, she said she had seen her and talked with her. She is much interested in the story, and they have the book in the house, from which Tony often reads and interprets to her. She said that about the same time another white girl, Becky, was also stolen, whose history is similar to that of Frances Slocum,
The Revarres have many Indian relics, though the greatest store of them was burned when the cabin was burned nearly a half century ago. Among those preserved are several armlets, leggins, moccasins, dag- gers, a silver cross from Quebec, and above all, a pair of buckskin mittens that Little Turtle himself wore.
MORE'S FARM.
Up to this time, no historian has ever attempted to give an account of the affairs at More's farm. After months of research and examination of the records in the war department and congressional library at Washington, the Pennsylvania Historical
Society at Philadelphia, and all available records in Indiana, we present to our readers a correct account. Every statement made herein is fully verified by record evidence of the highest character.
In 1769, there were many French traders at Ke-ki-on-ga, Fort Wayne. The trade in this year amounted to 5,000 pounds sterling. The best of this trade came from the Eel river and about the headwaters of that stream. The trade gradually grew, and each year more traders came. As early as 1761. traders went into the country to secure skins from the Indians rather than wait for them to be brought in to a competitive market. In 1762, there was a sort of trading place established at this point where the traders met the Indians at stated periods. This place on the trails was in fact the head of canoe navigation, and the real point on Eel river where the portage began, or the place of overland travel between Eel river and Kekionga (Fort Wayne). It grew rapidly in importance, and in 1779 and the early part of 1780 the embankment was built by the Miami Indians for their protection against other tribes as well as from white invaders. By this time a large village had grown about the place, all under the chief- tainship of Aque-nac-que, the father of Little Turtle, who still had his place of residence at what is called Turtle Village. This trad- ing post was called by the French and Eng- lish, and is known in their records as "The Post on Eel River." There is no Indian name to be found for it.
In midsummer of 1780 La Balme began his ill-fated campaign against Kekionga and Detroit. Historians who might have ascer- tained all the facts in relation to this expe-
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dition, have followed each other in giving short and inaccurate accounts of it. They say he came with a few followers and took Kekionga; soon after, elated by his success, moved on and was overtaken and annihilated at the Aboite in Allen county where the Wabash & Erie canal crossed that river, about three-quarters of a mile nearly east of the south-east corner of Whitley county. The first historian placed the battle at this place without information further than his own imagination, never having been at the place and guessing that it was on a line with La Balme's march toward Detroit, in- stead of being more than ten miles in the rear. Other historians have blindly fol- lowed this mistake.
La Balme was a Frenchman who came over with LaFayette. He held a commis- sion as colonel from the state of Virginia. and was with Colonel Clarke on his expedi- tion at Vincennes. Restless and impulsive, he could not endure the policy of Clarke, and first went to Kaskaskia and secured a few followers. From that point he went to Vincennes, and his force was augmented to about two hundred men, with whom he started for the conquest of Fort Wayne and Detroit. His motive was no doubt more mercenary and personal than patriotic, and his expedition was without authority, civil or military. He cautiously approached Kekionga, alarmed the garrison and Indians, and scattered them in all directions, and took the place without trouble about the first of October. After occupying it about ten days or two weeks, enjoying with his men the spoils, he started, fully elated, hoping to complete his expectations early in the winter. He left less than twenty men in possession
of the Fort at Kekionga, and proceeded on the 14th of October, out on the portage or trail to More's farm, expecting to take· what valuables he could secure there and be. guided by impulse as to what to do with the place. He had scarcely left Kekionga, when the traders and Indians having rallied. killed the guard left behind and followed up the command, overtaking them near the- county line, and a running fire was kept up until La Balme and his men reached and entered the embankment or fortification. Here he remained for three days, while a large force of Indians gathered about .. Finally, he was induced to abandon the place . with all his spoil, on promise by the traders that he and his men might be allowed to. leave the country divested of everything but the clothing they had on. They marched to point "E" on map. where they were to leave their arms. Arriving at that point. they found themselves surrounded by Indians so hostile they could not have been restrained by the traders had they desired to do so. Instead of delivering their arms, they at once prepared for battle, and the Indians fled to the fort. So matters remained for at least four months, or until some time in February, 1781 ; La Balme with about one hundred and eighty men fully armed, en- camped and awaiting they knew not what Small parties went out each day and secured game in abundance for their subsistence. Fires were kept burning against trees next the river night and day, that Indians might be discovered if they attempted an attack : these were the burned trees elsewhere described. There can be no doubt that the old well or excavation which has been re- ferred to, was a well planned heated place
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by the officers of the expedition. Finally the Indians rallied, and early in February surrounded the camp and killed all but four men. Two finally reached Vincennes to tell the story, and the other two probably perished before reaching a place of safety. And thus ended in inglorious defeat the ex- pedition of La Balme in Whitley county.
There were no doubt other engagements during the next thirty years at the place by the Indians. Mrs. Revarre says the Miamis were besieged by the Delawares and some other tribe, and that the besiegers were in
each case unsuccessful, but there is no au- thentic account of such engagements.
The bones and other articles found at point "E," More's farm, where the remains of La Balme and his men.
The extinction of the Indians was rapid during the last quarter of the eighteenth century and the first two decades of the nineteenth. Turtle Village had almost dis- appeared by the year 1800, and the village at the fort was nearly in the same condi- tion when Turtle changed his residence to that spot in that year.
ARCHAEOLOGY.
BY JOHN H. SHILTS.
Archaeology is a subject that is receiving much attention from devoted scientists at this time. The antiquities of man are receiving the attention which they deserve. Most states have their archaeological so- cieties with members all over their own and other states. Some counties have made it a part of their historical society. I am pleased that an interest is being manifested in this county to preserve the relics and land- marks of antiquity. Nothing would please me more and I believe would be of more interest to our people than to see a collec- tion of our county's prehistoric antiquities and the relics of the pioneer settlers of our present homes at one of our old people's future gatherings. We all know that the hand of vandalism is rapidly destroying the things used by our hardy pioneers, and many of our so-called Indian relics are fast dis- appearing by falling into the hands of per-
sons who care nothing for them except to barter and sell them, and in this way they are getting away from us. They ought to be preserved and kept in our county with much pride and reverence for the people who made and used them.
The existence and antiquity of man during prehistoric times here, as elsewhere, has been classified into the paleolithic or old stone age and the neolithic or new stone age. The old stone age is supposed to have antedated the ice age; all this is shown by the stone implements which have been and are still being found. I know from my own finds and specimens in my museum, that there were periods of advancement and progress during man's existence prior to historic times. The first implements were very rude, were chipped only, and hardly have the semblance of being made for any special purpose. Later on they were shaped into
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form by chipping and pecking : but were not made smooth by rubbing and grinding. Following this advancement he began smoothing and polishing his implements by grinding and rubbing them until they were things of beauty. He then, too, began to make ornaments for his person. His pride for beautiful things increased with his ad- vancement and culture.
That there was a prehistoric race in America is everywhere admitted and good evidence is everywhere at hand. The archaeologist finds these evidences in mounds and walls of earth thrown up for defense, for worship, for burial and for signal pur- poses ; in the many shell heaps of immense size found at various places ; in the numer- ous and curiously fashioned implements of stone, bone, shell and copper made for vari- ous uses and ceremonies. In some regions these archaeological treasures are abundant, while in others they are scarce, the latter fact being true of Whitley county. Nothing as yet has been published in the state publica- tions on the antiquities of our county, yet there is sufficient material to be of much interest to the interested collector of these precious heirlooms of an extinct but grand prehistoric people.
The implements of these people are various, but consist chiefly of mortars and pestles, axes, celts, scrapers, arrow points, spear points, drills, perforators, hair fasten- ers. knives, saws, awls, pipes, hammers, manls, or mallets, and many ornaments and ceremonial badges. Their mortars are not so common, and but very few have been found here. There was no necessity for mortars, as the people here lived chiefly upon the products of the chase. In localities
where they depended on the grains and fruit for sustenance, mortars are very nu- merous, large and finely formed. The pestles are more plentiful here, and this fact makes me conclude that the aborigine used a cavity in some fallen tree, instead of a rock for his mortar. The pestles and mor- tars formed the mills of our ancestors. The general form of the pestle is cylindrical and varies very much in size. Those in my collection vary from four to twelve and a half inches in length and from two to two and a half inches in diameter.
Axes, celts, and flint implements are more numerous in our county and are found everywhere on our farms. These are the most interesting of all the relics we find, because they show great ingenuity in manu- facture. They are of various size and form. Some are rudely finished, while others are beautifully polished and finished without a mark to mar the marvelous beauty of the implement. The Indian must have felt proud of a fine axe as evidenced by the great amount of work it necessitated to make a fine one. The Indian's axe has a groove around the pole or upper part. This groove sometimes encircles the axe completely and again only partially. I have two specimens that have a groove up and over the poll connecting with the groove around the axe. This type is very rare. The grooved axes found in this locality do not differ materially from those found in other places only that they, in general, are not so large. The celt, commonly called a hatchet, or tomahawk, is as numerous as the axe and shows as much workmanship and skill in its manu- facture as does the axe, only that it has no groove. Some of these were highly
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polished. Axes and celts were used for va- rious purposes but chiefly as weapons of warfare; a death blow being struck with either. The flint implements are found everywhere and nearly every person has found some of them. These consist of arrow and spear points, saws, knives, scrapers, hoes, perforators and drills. We find these from the tiniest of a half inch to eight inches long and made from all the varieties of flint and the very finest moss agate, quartz, obsidian. and jasper. In fact, they are made from all varieties of flint or stone that would chip or flake. These implements, like the axes and celts, are made in all grades from the very rude to the most finely wrought. Scientists have classified the arrow and spear points into leaf shaped with three sub classes, stemmed with three sub classes: peculiar forms, with seven sub classes and triangular. Where all these were made and where the material was procured. is a matter of con- jecture. They may possibly have been transported long distances, in fact, we know that some have been brought from places far away. It is different with the axes, celts, hammers, pestles, and mortars, for these were made of stone and boulders like those which are scattered all over the sur- face of our farms.
There is another class of objects, wide- ly different in form but which may be classed together. Different names have been given to them which may have been based upon their appearance or upon a theoretical idea of their purpose. I shall call them ornaments or ceremonial objects. Some have been called banner stones, some drilled ceremonial weapons, some pierced tablets, others gorgets, pendants, bird
shaped objects, boat shaped objects, etc. Thomas Wilson in his work says: "The names thus given may or may not be correct. but are as good as others that have been suggested in their stead. They should be retained until something more correct can be given." All of these objects are found in Whitley county, although not in great numbers. They are well polished and symmetrically formed and made of slate often beautifully banded or striped. They all have holes drilled in them. I have speci- mens which are partly made and apparently were rejected or lost. These show that they have been shaped before drilling com- menced. Whatever the use of these various objects one fact is certain, they were never made for hard usage, but rather their pur- pose was to have been as an ornament of some kind, and their beautiful symmetry and fine finish entitles them to be classed as objects of fine art.
It is admitted by all that prehistoric man appreciated the luxury of a pipe and en- joyed the effect of tobacco smoke. Smok- ing was probably his most pleasing occupa- tion. In the making of his smoking tube, be displayed the greatest care and ingennity. They were made to represent almost every species of animal and bird. Even the hu- man form was outlined in his pipe. In most cases, however, he simply made a neat pipe which he could use and enjoy. The pipes and tubes found in our county are of the plain kind and nearly all are made of the red sandstone and slate. I have one pipe made of green stone. This was found on a farm adjoining mine and is a very rare pipe for this locality.
Very little pottery is found in this
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county. I have some fragments of it found on the farm lately owned by D. N. Hart and know of one whole piece, a bowl. said to have been found near Round lake. This is now owned by a collector in an adjoining county.
Our prehistoric ancestors also used cop- per and iron in making implements and utensils. There is not much to be found here made of these metals. I have a copper spear point which was found on the farm formerly owned by David Miller in Thorn- creek township, also four iron tomahawks picked up on farms in this county and one iron spear point, barbed on one side, which was dug up with a skeleton.
I know of no discoidals, plummets, sink- ers, shell implements or ornaments ever being found in this county: neither do I know of any mounds or earth works exist- ing here. although it is claimed there are some in the county. I have not seen them. so I can neither verify nor disprove the state- ment at this time. Occasionally fire pits
or ovens are found near the lakes and rivers. These are merely holes dug in the earth and walled up with stone.
Remains of the ancient and long extinct animals have been found in this county. Bones of the mastodon have been found in several localities. The giants of the animal kingdom, while gathering grass from or near the swamps, mired their huge forms in the soft earth where their bones have lain for centuries. Remains of the smaller ani- mals are also found in the swamps which are being cleared and cultivated. Horns or antlers of the elk and deer are somewhat plenty on the water covered lowlands of our county.
In conclusion, I will say that I have based my article upon material in my cabinet of antiquities, and would ask all those having any piece or small collection of relics or curios, to let me know ; and now again, I appeal to the citizens of Whitley county not to let these things get out of the county. Keep them here for future generations.
THE FLORA.
BY ALBERT BUSH.
March and April.
Trailing Arbutus, or Mayflower-An early pink flower of rare beauty and fra- grance.
Scilla or Squill-A pretty blue flower, a visitor from Siberia come to stay in this country. It is perfectly hardy. We have one native variety, the wild hyacinth, pale blue and very early.
Skunk Cabbage-The earliest harbinger
of spring is the skunk cabbage. It belongs to a class of carniverous plants and destroys many insects. It is related to the calla and Jack-in-the-pulpit.
March Marigold-A familiar spring flower, sometimes called cowslip. It is re- lated to the huttercup.
Liverwort-One of our earliest spring flowers and perhaps one of the most beautiful.
Dog's Tooth Violet or Adder's Tongue
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-There is no reason why the adder's tongue should be called a violet ; it is really a lily. The blossom is usually russet yel- low, and the upright leaves spotted. It is an early flower; sometimes called deer's tongue.
Tulip-The tulip comes to us from Asia Minor but indirectly from Holland. The varieties are simply endless. They bloom successive through spring. It is a mem- ber of the lily family. .
Blood Root-The blood root is like a butterfly, it comes and goes in a day, like the poppy to which it is related. The blossom is lovely and white as a lily, and has a golden center.
Spring Everlasting-This is an insignifi- cant, white, cottony-stemmed plant, which lacks beauty altogether, yet is common in meadows and pastures.
Ethiopian Calla-The so-called calla lily is a beautiful white relative of Jack-in-the- pulpit. It comes from Africa, and blooms in the spring.
April and May.
Bellwort-A rather insignificant cream colored flower. The stem seems to pass through the base of the leaf. It blooms in April and May.
Wood Anemone or Wind Flower-It really belongs in the half lit woods of spring but it is often found beside the road. The blossom is frail, with five or more white sepals, sometimes suffused with a delicate · crimson pink.
Rue Anemone-Bears flowers in clusters having six or more white sepals; it is very common.
Spring Beauty-The little pink spring beauty is a favorite with everyone who loves wild flowers. Like a great many other deli- cate wild flowers, it has a disappointing way of closing as soon as it is picked, but a tumbler of water and sunlight soon work a change in the shy flower, and we need not throw it away hopelessly withered.
Dutchman's Breeches-This pretty little plant is common in thin woods where shade and sunlight are evenly distributed. In form it shows a relationship with the common bleeding heart of the garden. It blooms in April and May, and is a low-growing, ornamental leaved plant of a rather delicate appearance.
Early Saxifrage-It flowers in April and May, is not a conspicuous plant. We find it nestling among the rocks in pastures and in shady places beside the wood. The leaves have a singular ornamental arrangement spreading around in an even circle like a rosette. The flowers are tiny white and rather insignificant. The name means "rock- breaker."
Large White Trillium-This is consid- ered the finest of all the trilliums ; it is waxy white in color changing to a pinkish tint as it grows older. It is distinctively a wood- land lily, which keeps clear of the moderate sunshine of April.
The Painted Trillium-It is not as large as the white, but is more beautiful. The edges of the petals are wavy, and the sharp V shaped, crimson color at the center of the flower is worth a close study under the magnifying glass. It blooms in April.
Birthroot or Wake Robin-This Birth- root is one of those pretty aesthetic red flowers, whose color reminds one of certain
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chrysanthemums. Of the three trilliums mentioned. this seems least attractive : but is nevertheless a handsome wild flower. The trilliums are poisonous to taste.
.Star Flower-The tiny star flower is found in woods. It delights in moist places, beside the purple violet. It has a shiny, deli- cate looking leaf of a pale yellow-green color. The perfect, little star-like flowers are dainty to a fault. Must be seen under a glass to note its fairy-like beauty.
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