USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River, Vol. I > Part 10
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(18) Archer B. Hulburt, "Washing- ton and the West," page 191.
(19) On October 5, congress, by the passage of the "Ordinance of 1787," created the Northwest Territory, which included the present states of Ohio, In- diana, Michigan and Wisconsin, with General Arthur St. Clair as governor. The Ohio river soon became a great highway of travel for the pioneers. One of the largest companies came from New England under the leader- ship of General Rufus Putnam; this body of settlers founded Marletta, O., and here was established the first cap- ital of the Northwest Territory.
CHAPTER X-1789-1790.
Life in Miami Town (Fort Wayne), the Anti-American Center of the West.
Extracts from the journal of Henry Hay, of Detroit, a British partisan, who sojourned in Miami Town during the winter of 1789-1790-The social life of the village-Savages bring in many captive Americans- Others are tortured and scalped-Wild scalp dances of the savages in Lakeside-Little Turtle and LeGris-Religious services among the whites of the village-People summoned to worship by the ringing of cow bells-Richardville as a youth-His mother-Early merchandising described as a "rascally scrambling trade"-John Kinzie, the Girtys, James Abbott, LaFontaine and Lorraine-Hay would not risk his "car- cass" among the "renegades" (Americans)-Prisoners at Chillicothe village-The town flooded-Narrow escape of George Ironside-Negroes brought from the Ohio-Virginia prisoner adopted by Chief Black Bird- News of St. Clair's preparations to wage war against the savages.
T HE NARRATIVE brings us now to the eve of the battle of the site of Fort Wayne, designated in American history as "Harmar's Defeat."
During 1789, the Maumee- Wabash valleys resembled a N TENNEESEL AVE .. hive of angered hornets. Small bands of savages scattered through Ohio and Indiana vied with each other in the performance of deeds of cru- MIAMISTOWN .AL elty. The Miami village at the AFRENCH VILLAGE head of the Maumee was the ST. MARYS center of this fierce hatred of JOE BLVD the Americans. Says a recent 00 authoritative work: "There MAUMEE R. is a tradition that a secret so- ciety or fraternity of Miami warriors of approved courage and cunning met at stated in- tervals on the site of Fort Wayne and included in the program of every such enter- tainment the burning of at least one captive and in the banquet the eating of his flesh."1
RIVER
ST. JOSEPH
- PRINCIPAL MIAMI, VILLAGE
MBIA AY
WHERE MIAMI TOWN STOOD.
The dotted lines show the location of some of the more southerly Spy Run streets of today. The shaded portion suggests the general location of the flourishing anti-American village of Miami Town, which was wiped out of existence by General Harmar's men in October, 1790. A chapter in this work dealing with the journal of Henry Hay, describes the daily routine of the wild life of the settlement just preceding its destruction.
Whether this be true or not, it is certain that this village was
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
the heart of conspiracies of hatred and revenge and that the British partisans acquiesced in these wild carnivals of blood.
In imagination we may take up our abode in this village of 1789,2 and see its every-day activities through the eyes of a man who sojourned here for a period of four months, during which time he made a full written record of the activities of the people and of his personal observations. The writer of this most enlightening journal was one Henry Hay, of Detroit.3 Evidently, he was in the employ of George Leith, a Detroit merchant, but the object of his visit is not revealed in the manuscript. As the reader gathers in the recorded thoughts of Henry Hay, let him look for- ward to the conditions which prevailed here in less than one year after the words were written-namely, the utter destruction of the place upon the arrival of Harmar's army.
Quotations from Hay's journal, as dated, have been taken in their chronological order, with the addition of general quotations at the close. Hay writes as follows :
"December 16th [1789]. * * Arrived at the Miami Town about 10 o'clock, found the roads very bad. I visited Mrs. Adam- hers4 family.
"17th. Wrote to my brother, Meredith & Baby,5 gave them an account of my jants & this place etc-visited a couple more of the French familys at this place found them very decent & polite- particularly at Mr. Adamhers who gave me a very friendly invita- tion to their house sans ceremonie.
"18th. Wrote Mr. Robertson6 with respect to my 1/2 pay cer- tificates not being able to send them in by Mr. Sharpe7 who left this place for Detroit this day-but promised to get them made out the 25th Inst & forward them by the first opportunity. * * * I think upon the whole this is a very pretty place-the River that this town is built upon is called the River St. Joseph which falls into the Miami [Maumee] River very near the town at the S. W. end of it. This day a prisoner [American] was brought in here ; Rather a elderly man was taken better than a month ago at a place called Little Miami-the Americans are making a settlement at that place8-this man was engaged to work for one John Phillips, one of the settlers, was out in a field about two miles from his masters, saving fother [fodder] for the cattle when he was taken. * * The Indians who took him are Delawares.9 * *
* Visited Mrs. Adamher and family this morning. This evening also visited Mr. Rivarr's10-Miss Rivarr11 is a very pretty girl, inclined to be stout, very fair, black eyes, but rather aukward. un peu a la Paysan.
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1789 1790
LIFE IN MIAMI TOWN (FORT WAYNE)
LITTLE TURTLE AND HIS SCALPING PARTY.
"19th. * * This day arrived here the Little Turtle12 a chief of the Miamias with his war party consisting of about fifteen or sixteen-they had made two prisoners a negro and a white man [Americans] the negro was left with a few whites at the Little Miami. The rest went out looking for more, they left their baggage & four Horses-during which time the Americans came on them, retook the negro, plundered the baggage, horses, &c. The Indians made off and joined the others. Went and paid a visit this after- noon to Mrs. Adamher-drank coffee with her. She showed me a further mark of her Politeness & attention, by telling me it was very difficult to get cloathes & Linnen washed at this place, begged that I would send her mine that her Ponnie18 wench should wash them.
RELIGIOUS WORSHIP.
"20th. Saw this day the rifle horn & Pouche Bagg belonging to the American that was murdered. * * * I find that this man was immediately killed after he was taken by one of the party who struck him twice or thrice in the back and side in conse- quence he said of having some of his relations killed lately. This is their way of retaliating. Paid a visit this morning to Mr. Pay- etts14 family, think nothing of Miss -- She's very brown. Passed an agreeable afternoon and evening at Mrs. Adamhers in company with Mrs. and Miss Rivare & Mrs. Ranjard; I played the flute and sang. Mr. Kinzie15 the fiddle, & all the ladies except two sang also. Mrs. Ranjard has a fine voice. * * The French settlers of this place go to prayers of a Sunday morning, and evening at one Mr. Barthelmis16 which is performed by Mr. Payee,17 the people are collected by the Ringing of three cow bells, which three boys runs about with thro' the village, which makes as much noise as twenty cows would. I went this morning to their prayers, it being Sunday. * * I forgot to mention the 19th inst. that on the arrival of the warriors the other side of the river [Lakeside], the Gree18 ordered a Pirogue (which happened to be just arrived from the forks of the river with wood) to be unloaded by some of the french lads who stood on the bank, and sent some of them over with it; on their arrival he Billeted them like Soldiers so many in each house according to the bigness of it, and took care to trouble the families as little as possible-we had six ;- this he ordered in a very polite manner, but quite like a general or a commandant.
21st. * * This morning Mr. Leith told me the Gree [Le- Gris] was going off immediately after breakfast with his people a hunting-& that this hunt was to bring in meat for me, and that
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
consequently I should be under the necessity of giving him a small two gallon keg-which I did; as rum is very dear at this place no less than 40/ a gallon. I borrowed it to be returned at Detroit. The reason I gave them the rum now is that they may not drink it about the village; it being against Major Murray's [the command- ant at Detroit] positive orders to give Indians rum at this place or sell, etc. And as I'm for supporting those orders as much as lay in my little power was my particular reason for giving it to them at present; for they no doubt will not expect any more. If they do I must say they shall not get it from me-not only to prevent quarrels which might happen in the village if they got drunk and also supporting the Major's orders, but its an expense to myself which I shall not be able to support. * ** I was shown this morning the Heart of the white prisoner I mentioned the Indians had killed some time ago in the Indian country-it was quite dry, like a piece of dried venison, with a small stick run from one end of it to the other and fastened behind the fellows bundle that killed him, with also his scalp. Another party of Miamies and one Shaw- anie came in from war this day with one scalp, they danced over the river [in the present Lakeside], one with a stick in his hand scalp flying ; it being their custom. Some of the warriors came over in the evening to our house. * *
"23. * * I never observed 'till this morning that a Man may easily walk over this River it being very shallow. *
* * There are two villages at this place one belongs on this side of the river [Spy Run] and one on the other [Lakeside]-the former belongs to the Gree [LeGris]-the other to Pecann19 who's now in Illinois, but in his absence is Commanded by his nephew one Mr. Jean Baptist Richerville, son of one Mr. Richerville20 of Three Rivers in Canada by an Indian woman21-This young man is a Trader here-his Father has wrote for him to go to him which he means [to do] next Spring. His mother is now gone into the Indian country (dans les Terre as the french term it) to trade; She lives with him when she's here-the young man is so bashful that he never speaks in council, his mother who is very clever is obliged to do it for him.
"This evening the Grees Brother arrived from his hunting Ground-his name is the Deer. He formerly was the great Chief of this Village but chose to give it to his brother-he's very clever -his brother never does anything without consulting him .- Captain Johnny22 left this place this morning for his Village.
"24th. * * * Several Potewatomies arrived here this after- noon with skins, meat &c. Visited Mrs. Adamher was pleased to
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LIFE IN MIAMI TOWN (FORT WAYNE)
1789 1790
desire I should send her any linnen or anything else that I may want to mend. She asked me to go with her to the midnight [Christmas eve] mass-and also asked me if I would play the flute which I did. Mr. Kinzie and myself went to Mrs. Adamhers about 11 o'clock-he brought his fiddle with him-we found a frenchman there who played with us.
"25th. Came home this morning about two o'clock from mass; Mr. Kinzie and myself called first at Mrs. Adamhers on our return home, who gave us some venizon stake and roasted rackoon- Played the flute & Kinzie the fiddle with the french man this Morn- ing at Mass; being a particular desire of the Peoples. . We left our instruments at the house where prayer was said.
TRADING A "RASCALLY SCRAMBLING" BUSINESS.
"I cannot say much indeed for the Trade of this Place their's but few skins comes in, and almost every individual (except the engages)22 is an Indian trader, everyone tries to get what he can either by fowle play or otherwise-that is by traducing one an- others characters or merchandise. For instance by saying such a one has no Blankets another no strowde or is damned bad or he'll cheat you & so on-in short I cannot term it in a better manner than calling it a Rascally Scrambling Trade &c &c.
* Play again this afternoon at Vespars.
"26th. Got infernally drunk last night with Mr. Abbott23 and
Mr. Kinzie. * * * Damnation sick this morning in consequence of last nights debashe *
* * Kinzie and myself went to mass and played as usual-Mrs. Ranjard gave us a cup of coffee before mass to settle our heads. * * *
"Mrs. Grie made us a present of a very large Turkey Cock weighing about 30 pounds, we propose having a Dinner among us Englishmen here. Mr. Abbott fetched some Maderia & Mr. Kinzie a piece of newly-corned pork-upon which we made a most excellent dinner at 1/2 past 3 o'clock after Kinzie & I played at Vespers as usual. After K- - and I went to see Miss Rivarre & found the Miss Adamhers there, the old people were out of the way.
"George Girty24 arrived here this day from his wintering ground which is only four miles from here-its called the Delaware Town-he so desired I should write in to Capt. McKee25 by the first opportunity to acquaint him that in consequence of the Miami Indians upbraiding the Delawares with telling them that the ground they occupy is not theirs and that upon which the Delawares answered, they were great fools to fight for lands that was not theirs and consequently would not go to war against the Americans any more.
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
"27th. Sunday. Kinzie and myself were invited to sup with a Mr. Barthelmie (the man of the house where prayer is said) last night with Mr. and Mrs. Adamher-Mr. de Sanlaren26 [later written by Hay as Saleron] a french gentleman a Trader at this place who formerly was an officer in the french Service before the taking of Canada &c &c. and Mr. Baptist Lassell-we had roasted Turkey and to my great surprise and indeed everyone else we had a roasted Loine of Veal-a kinde of wilde sallad which they have here all winter on the other side of the River which was very good & also some very [good] cocombers pickels cheese &c. Grogg the only drink-everything served up in the french stile .-
"The weather very mild. *
* * if it continues the Fur Trade will be very bad this year and no doubt its impossible for the Indians to hunt in this kind of weather; they may get a few Rackoon, Otter & Beaver with Traps. They only kill a few deer and Bears in this wett weather particularly Bears-but not equal to as when the snow is on the ground. * * Played as usual at mass.
"28th. Made out my Half-Pay certificate this day- was sworn by Mr. Leith-Mr. Ironside27 made out the Bills of Ex- change for me; So that everything is now ready to send to Mr. Robertson at Detroit by the first opportunity. *
"This evening about five the Gree and his Brother in Law, the Little Turtle arrived from their wintering Place; they drank tea, also maderia.
"30th. * The Gree and Turtle visited us this morn- ing. *
"1 January 1790 Friday-It being New Year the Indians who are in great number more so indeed than I could ever have thought, also the Woman-came into the house in great numbers by three o'clock this morning which prevented Ironside & me from Sleeping -one lady came to shake hands with me when in bed-The House was quite full at Breakfast time-The Gree & Turtle came to visit us & breakfasted with us as usual. * Visited most of the Principal families of this place this morning & kissed all the ladies young and old. *
"2nd Jany. * a french man arrived from Maria Lou- isa's Trading Place about 25 Leagues from here-this M. Louisa is mother to yon J. Baptist Richerville * *
* He brought word that M. Antoine Lassell28 is made prisoner by the Ouias In- dians. * * *
"3 January Sunday The Gree and Turtle went off on horse back for their Wintering Camps after breakfasting with and thanking us for the reception they received from us during their
-
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LIFE IN MIAMI TOWN (FORT WAYNE)
1789 1790
stay. I gave them a bottle of Rum. For it must be observed that they have nothing here to live upon-everything they possess and have is in the woods; they all come in in the Spring to the amount of four or five hundred.
"5 Jany. * * Mr. Lassell writes Mr. Adamher by this Tramblai [a trader] that he never traded better nor easier, that the Indians are perfectly quiet in that part of the Country-Such a Damnable lying Report [see January 2] I never experienced be- fore in my life. *
"9th Jany I scated [skated] for the first time yes- terday upon a marrai29 about 1/2 mile back of the village-this marrai falls into a creek which goes by the name of le Rouisso de Roill,30 which falls into the Miami [Maumee]. This creek takes its name from a Frenchman who once had a hut close by it.
"13th. Yesterday about 2 o'clock arrived here Mr. Antoine Lassell accompanied by a french man and one Blue Jackett81 a Shawanie chiefe. * * *
"16th. Played cards last night at Mr. [Antoine] Dufrenes in Company with all the principal people of the Village, did not come home untill this morning about 4 o'clock rather drunkish. * * This day the Grie arrived about 2 o'clock. This evening Mrs. Adamher and Mrs. Ranjard made a Bouquet which we all pre- sented to Mr. Dufresne in Honor of St. Antoine, he bearing that name-It was then carried from that to Mr. Adamher, Mr. Rivarr, Mr. Barthelmies, Mr. Selerons & then back again to Mr. Dufresne we danced in each house, the Ladies being with us.
"17th. * * * This evening we had a dance at Mr. Du- fresnes by Mr. Anto'n Lassells invitation w(h)ere all the descent [decent] Ladies of this place were Present.
A PIONEER SOCIAL AFFAIR.
"19th Sunday. I never enjoyed myself at a Dance better than I did last night. The Gentlemen & Ladies all appeared dressed in their best bibs & Tuckers, and behaved very descently not one of the men in the least in Liquor, & which is mostly the case in this place when they collect together. * I made tangrie for the Ladies and Grogg for the Gentlemen. * We danced some Dance Ronby, one particularly a very curious one-It was sung by Mrs. Rangard, the chorus was rather Bawdie. * As this is three nights now I have danced, I find myself very tired this morning, my feet much swelled-and what with dancing, catching cold & given the word of Command yesterday I am quite hoarse .- I forgot to mention that yesterday was rather a disagreeable day. * Mr. Adamher & Mr. De Seleron made their appearance
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
at the Ball with very fine fur caps on their heads adorned with a quantity of Black Ostrich Feathers-Cockades made with white tinsell Ribbon, amasingly large-As their was a great deal of Mudd Mrs. Payette who is an exceedingly large woman was sent for in a Carte, accompanied by her Husband and Daughter. * *
"22 * * * Several Putewatomies arrived this afternoon with Peltrie & a great quantity of meat-viz. Venison, Rackoons, Porcupine, Bare & Turkeys &c. the most of which Mr. Abbott bought; the blanket is what the Indians want most at present & no one else except Mr. Dufresne has any at this post but Mr. Ab- bott. # *
"23. * The Grie & Son arrived this afternoon from his wintering camps-He immediately sent for Mr. Ironside & me; when we went to him he addressed himself to me-Son says he, here is my Son your Brother who has brought you a little meat to make you some brothe which he beggs you will accept, I should not says he have come myself, but my Son who is very bashful asked me to come with him. * * *
25th * * we went and serenaded the young girls and women of the Village.
27th. * * * Gros Loup, (a Mohicken Indian who has lived amongst the Miamis ever since his Infancy) gave me a love letter which he picked up in some place or other-Its dated New Madrid, May 6th, 1789 signed by J. S. Story and directed to Miss Betsy Gray, Ipswich Massechusech. *
"28th. * * Yesterday Evening arrived here a Mr. La- fontenne,32 a Trader who left this about 36 days ago-He went down the Wabache River then turned into the woods towards White River & their traded with the Indians .- he made 80 Deer Skins and about 500 Rackoons .- which he brought upon the horses he took out his goods upon-however he did not trade all his goods away, for he fetch'd some back-Its very extraordinary that meat was so difficult to be had that he & the Indian that was with him were five days feeding on acorns on their return home. The fifth day in the Evening he sent the Indian on the lookout for Indian hutts to purchase meat, who fell in with a large Rackoon Tree which he cutt down and found five in it, which was a great re- source. *
"31st. Sunday. took a ride on a cariolle this day with Mr. J. B. Richerville, as far as Mr. James Girtys House which is about two miles .- Several Indians arrived this day from dif- ferent places with peltry .- This afternoon arrived here Mr. George Girty from his wintering camp with two loaded horses of peltry.
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LIFE IN MIAMI TOWN (FORT WAYNE)
1789 1790
Brought with him his wife & two sisters in law (Indians)-He con- firms the intention of Delawares going to the Spaniards in the spring, but says not many of them. *
"1st February. * * * Mr. James Girty told me this Even- ing that Capt. Johnny Chief of the Shawnees was collecting all the Indians together to a Grande Council-He also show'd me a red scalp which he got from a Delaware Indian; the meaning of this scalp he does not know as yet, but it seems it must be sent to Detroit by the first opportunity.
"3d. * * * Mr. Abbott [to whom Hay already had referred as a "disaffected subject"] proposed my going with him as a Com- panion in the Spring to Fort Vincennes-I told him I could not think of venturing my Carcass to such as place as that, among a parcel of renegades [Americans]."
Hay relates that a party of savages arrived with a prisoner, one McMullen, of Richmond, Virginia, whom the Indians painted black from head to foot. He was captured by the Indians of Mississinewa village. "The reason for bringing him here," says Hay, "is that he's given to a man of this [Chillicothe] village.35 Black Birde, Chiefe of the Chillicothe village is not at home. Theire will be a ceremony w(h)en he arrives to adopt the Prisoner." Hay adds: "They have washed his face-but not his boddy, which will be done & also cleanly dressed when the Chief arrives."
MIAMI TOWN IS FLOODED.
On the 17th of February, the rivers began to rise, and soon the village was partly submerged, transforming the higher lands into three islands. "We are obliged to make use of the Peerogues or canoes to go to see those people who live on the other two islands," wrote Hay on February 18th. The ice-choked river rose rapidly on the 19th and carried off a plank bridge which had been constructed between the "islands." On the 24th, the flood sur- rounded John Kinzie's house and "he desire he might bring his apprentices here & also stay himself." Soon the homes of most of the residents were under water. "We are obliged to put our trunks and things in the lofte," wrote Hay, who added, "Mr. Leith and Kinzie put up a stove in the loft of the Company's Houses+ -Mr. Ironside and myself joined them this afternoon. Mr. Iron- side and myself got under way in the Canoe to return to our Garrett, but we were unfortunate, just as we came to the rappidest part of the water, a whirl Pool very near overset the Canoe, Mr. Ironside who was steering, slipped backwards and fell into the water, the Canoe had then greate way & lucky anough arrived close to the upper part of the Picketts of Grave Yarde which I immedi-
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THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE
ately took hold of & held fast by them standing on the ribbon, pushing the Canoe off immediately with the lads that were in it, who got down the current in time to save him. He says when the canoe came up to him he was just gone. The lads took him in to one J. Morris-& came immediately back for me. I am not over-fond of canoes." Hay says that the water forced "J. B. Richerville" to abandon his house and go to his mother's, whose house "is very high from the Earthe, which prevents the water coming to it as soon as the others."
On a later day, Hay observes: "There is an old French woman in this place of the name of Barthelmie who says she recollects when the banks of the river [St. Joseph] were so near to one another and consequently the River so narrow, that at low water the children used to jump over it."
"This day," wrote Hay on March 10, "the Chillcothy young men came down from the place where The Town is to be built, they have already finished the Council House which by all accounts is a very large one."
On the 12th of March occurred the death of one Lorraine,55 who "was the oldest inhabitant of this Place & Environs, he has been here &c 40 years."
RAIDS ON THE WHITE SETTLEMENTS.
"A party of Shawnees arrived from war36 at their village on the 19th," wrote Hay on March 21. "They have brought three prisoners and a negro man [Americans]. It seems that there was another party of them attacked a boat wherein there was an officer & about 21 men. They killed every one of them; Sank the Boat & hid every utensil they found in it, in the woods. They also took- nineteen persons near Limestown which they have all Prisoners except 2 or 3. The first party were the Chilicothy People-& the others the Picowees. One of the above prisoners told Mr. Kinzie this morning the General [Arthur] St. Claire came down the Ohio, to the Big Miami [near the site of Cincinnati] about Christmas last. This man's name is John Witherington, comes from a place called Limestown. * Their was at least 40 souls taken & killed. This John Witherington's family is separated from him, he has a wife 7 months gone with child & 7 children, which some of the other Parties have got prisoners."37 That night, continues Hay, "the Miamis of the opposite side [Lakeside] danced from 7 oClock untill this morning at day breake; they were taken in what they call their Natt, which is with them, like the Colours of a Regiment, with us; they take it out to war with them, and when they return,
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