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 19

Author: Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs. The story of the townships of Allen County
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago : R.O. Law Co.
Number of Pages: 760


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 19


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89


-


167


THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS


1794 1805


Indians, he is, nevertheless, able, from his influence over a few chiefs of great ability, to effect more than any other person."


Harrison's reference to Colonel Guiger as the father-in-law of Captain Wells appears to clear up a point with reference to Wells's marriage affiliations. One purported authority states that the cap- tain was married three times. His first wife was the daughter of Little Turtle, the second a woman of the Wea tribe of Indians, and the third the daughter of Colonel Guiger, who had served as a captain in the battle of Tippecanoe. The late John W. Dawson, a schoolmate of Jack Hackley, grandson of Captain Wells, states in his "Charcoal Sketches," that "Captain Wells, on his exodus and return from Kentucky, married a white lady, the issue of which marriage, as far as I can learn, was Yelberton P. Wells." He states, further, that the widow of Wells, who sought refuge in the fort at the time of the siege in 1812, was a white woman.


COLONEL JOHN JOHNSTON.


Meanwhile, and previous to Wells's appointment as agent at Fort Wayne, that important office was filled by Colonel John John- ston, who received his commission from President John Adams.


Colonel Johnston's interesting experiences had fitted him well for the post of Indian agent. Born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1775, he came alone to America at the age of eleven. The family settled at Philadelphia, and, shortly afterward, the boy secured em- ployment in the war department. Later, he was employed in the mercantile establishment of Judge John Creigh, at Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, where Wayne's army was largely recruited. Employed by Samuel Creigh as the driver of a supply wagon, Johnston fol- lowed Wayne's army to Fort Washington (Cincinnati), when he was seventeen years of age, and later made several trips between Fort Washington and Greenville during the encampment of Wayne at the latter point. He then returned to the east and entered the employ of an uncle at Bourbon Court House. Here he became a warm friend of Daniel Boone. He served as the secretary of a Masonic Lodge in Washington, D. C., and participated in the funeral services over the remains of George Washington. Johnston was appointed to the post of Fort Wayne in the spring of 1802, but he did not purpose to come to the wilderness alone. He had fallen in love with a Quaker girl, Miss Rachel Robinson, with whom he eloped in July, and the bride accompanied him on horseback to the wilder- ness. For fifty-eight years, this pioneer bride continued as the help- meet of Col. Johnston; she was the mother of fifteen children. In 1811, Col. Johnston removed to Piqua, Ohio, where, during the war of 1812, he was of great service to his country in protecting the neutral tribes and guarding the interests of the American troops. Col. Johnston became an early trustee of the township in which he lived, and was identified with the first school at Upper Piqua, as well as with its first churches and other enterprises. As a canal commissioner and road builder he served well his community. He died in Washington City in 1861, having gone to the seat of govern- ment on business connected with some old Indian claims. (From the manuscript biography prepared by J. A. Raynor, Piqua, Ohio.) "In his "American Notes," Charles Dickens, the English nov-


1


168


THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE


elist, relating his experiences during a brief stop at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1842, says that "among the company at breakfast was a mild old gentleman who had been for many years employed by the United States government in conducting negotiations with the In- dians." The "mild old gentleman" was Colonel John Johnston, the former agent at Fort Wayne.


During the early portion of Colonel Johnston's service, outward quiet and apparent friendliness on the part of the savages shielded a growing unrest and hatred of the whites. One man among them had, however, "buried the hatchet" forever. This was Chief Little Turtle. At this time and, indeed, to the close of his life, he dedicated his energies to the betterment of the conditions which surrounded his people.


LITTLE TURTLE VISITS THE CITIES OF THE EAST.


The chief believed his work could be accomplished more fully if he made a close study of the whites in their cities of the east; and so, accompanied by Captain Wells, he mounted a horse and rode to Philadelphia, arriving there in the spring of 1797. Here, Little Turtle learned of the benefits of vaccination to render his people immune from the ravages of smallpox, and here, too, he met the noted French traveler and philosopher, Count de Constantin Francois Chassebœuf Volney, who became so deeply interested in the Miami chief that he made him the subject of extended treatment in a volume devoted to his American travels. Volney inquired of Little Turtle his reasons for declining to accept the invitation of the Friends to make his home permanently in Philadelphia. Says Volney :


"He made a considerable pause, agreeable to the Indian habit of deliberation and reserve. After some mediation, walking about the while and plucking out his beard, he replied : 'Yes, I am pretty well accustomed to what I find here. I think this dress [he had donned the white man's clothing] warm and comfortable. These houses are good to keep out wind and rain, and they have every- thing convenient. This market-we overlooked Market street- gives us everything we want, without the trouble of hunting in the woods. All things considered, you are better off than we; but here I am deaf and dumb. I do not speak your language. When I walk the streets, I see everybody busy at something; one makes shoes, another hats, a third sells cloth, and all live by their work. I say to myself, Which of these things can I do? Not one. I can make a bow, catch fish, kill a deer, and go to war, but none of these things are done here. To learn what you do would ask much time, be very difficult and uncertain of success; and, meanwhile, old age hurries on. Were I to stay with the whites, I should be an idle piece of furniture, useless to myself, useless to you and to my nation. What must be done with useless lumber ? I must go back.'"


Volney quotes William Wells as saying :


"Little Turtle has good reasons for what he says. If he delayed returning, he would lose all credit with his countrymen. Already, it requires some address to retain their esteem. At home, he must resume their dress and habits and be careful of praising those he has left, for fear of wounding their pride, which is extreme. Among


169


THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS


1794 1805


them, the jealousy of every member of the clan makes the station of chief as perilous and tottering as that of a leader in a democratic state, for theirs in fact is a wild and lawless democracy. This man has at home good clothes, tea and coffee. He has a cow, and his wife makes butter. But he must not indulge himself in these things, but reserve them for the whites. His first cow was killed by night, and he was obliged to feign ignorance of the man who did it and to report that she died of herself."


From Philadelphia, Little Turtle and Captain Wells went to Baltimore, where they were received with kindliness at the yearly conference of the Society of Friends. Called upon to address the assembly, Little Turtle, through Captain Wells as interpreter, made an appeal to the church to use its influence to stop the shipment of liquors into the Indian country and to encourage the red men to the cultivation of the soil. That the request bore fruit will be seen in the address of a memorial to congress and the sending of the delegates to Fort Wayne in 1804.


LAKE


FORT DEFIANCE


LANDS


FORT


AYNA


W BOUNDARY LINE


. FORT GREENVILLE


FOOT JEFFERSON


FOR ST. CLAIR


STATES


UNITED


LA


THE GREENVILLE TREATY BOUND- ARY LINE.


SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS.


Captain Wells, son-in-law of Little Turtle, was doubtless one of the keen- est politicians of the frontier. In his efforts to guard the interests of the sav- age tribes he excited the antagonism of General Harrison, but he gained the good opinion of the powers at the seat of gov- ernment. (Burton Historical Collection, Detroit).


In. JOHNSON


SIGNATURE OF COLONEL JOHN JOHNSTON.


Colonel Johnston was the Indian agent at Fort Wayne from 1800 to 1811. The signature is from a document in the Bur- ton Historical Collection, Detroit.


COLONEL JOHN JOHNSTON.


Colonel Johnston, appointed in 1800 by President John Adams as the first gov- ernment agent of Indian affairs at Fort Wayne, was one of the most important figures of his time in the west. He had served with Wayne and had been a clerk in the war department before entering upon his thirty-one years of service in the department of Indian affairs. He was a paymaster and a quartermaster during the war of 1812. Eleven years of his life were spent as canal commis- sioner of Ohio. During the siege of Fort Wayne the women of the fort were taken to Piqua, Ohio, and placed in charge of Colonel Johnston. His broth- er Stephen was killed during the siege. He died in Washington, D. C., during a business visit. The portrait is from Lossing's "Fieldbook of the War of 1812," reproduced by permission of Har- per and Brothers, New York. The book has been out of print for many years. The Fort Wayne Public Library recently purchased a copy.


ND PORTO RECOVERY


--


170


THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE


Later, in Washington, the chief visited President Thomas Jefferson and made an appeal to the executive which brought from him an address to the legislatures of Ohio and Kentucky embodying the plea of the Miami chief in the suppression of the liquor traffic. The president also addressed a special message to congress, asking that body to authorize the president "to take such measures from time to time as may appear to him expedient."


On one occasion, George Washington presented to Little Turtle a handsome sword-the same which is believed to have been found when the supposed grave of the chief recently was opened in Fort Wayne. Earlier than this, in December, 1796, Washington had sent to Little Turtle, by the hand of Captain Wells, other ex- pressions of his friendliness following the Indian wars. Through the kindness of Jacob M. Stouder, of Fort Wayne, who secured a copy of the letter accompanying the gifts, the following message is quoted :


"Message to Mi-Che-Ki-Nah-Quah, or Little Turtle, sent by William Wells, Indian Interpreter :


"Brother: The President, your father, has desired me to write to you and tell you that he takes you by the hand in friendship, as a proof of which he sends you a Dress Coat, a Rifle, a Saddle and Bridle, such as he gave to the Chiefs and Warriors, your Brothers, who have been here to visit him. He has also instructed me to enclose you a further and more lasting testimonial of his affection, which he flatters himself will convince you how he loves you. It is a paper which will insure you a faithful return of the friendship of his distant Warriors. What he asks from you is fidelity to your promises given in the Treaty, your endeavor to prevent your young men from doing injury to the frontier Settlers or their property, and your friendship to him and his Warriors and the United States.


"Given at the War-Office of the United States on the 10th day of December, 1796.


" (Signed) JAMES M. HENRY. "Copy (for GEN'L WILKINSON) "John Stagg, Jun'r, Chief Clk., W. O."


While he was in Washington, Little Turtle was induced by the celebrated artist, Stuart, to sit for a portrait. The picture was placed in the capitol building where, in 1814, it was destroyed by fire. Here, too, Little Turtle met the Polish patriot, Kosciusko.


Upon his return to the west, the Miami chief appeared before the legislatures of Ohio and Kentucky and made a renewed appeal for the co-operation of those bodies in the suppression of the sale of whiskey to the Indians and for the promotion of a deeper interest in agriculture. He declared :


"We had better be at war with the white people. This liquor that they introduce into our country is more to be feared than the tomahawk. There are more of us dead since the treaty of Greenville than we lost by the wars before, and it is owing to the introduction of this liquor among us."


Likewise, Major B. F. Stickney, later serving as Indian agent at Fort Wayne, said :


"The insatiable thirst for intoxicating liquors appears to be born with all the yellow-skinned inhabitants of America; and the


171


THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS


1794 1805


thirst for gain of the citizens of the United States appears to be capable of eluding all the vigilance of the government to stop the distribution of liquor among them. * * The Indians will travel * any distance to obtain it. It appears to be valued higher than life itself."


The stand taken by Little Turtle won the admiration of the better element of the whites, but it lost him forever the old-time prestige with his people. General Harrison, writing two years after the death of the chief, asserts that his loss of standing with the tribes was due to the efforts to induce the red men to lay aside the tomahawk and scalping knife and take up the peaceful tools of the agriculturist. "It was the rock upon which the popularity of Tecumseh was founded," said he, "and that upon which the influence of Little Turtle was wrecked."


"This Turtle," wrote Colonel John Johnston, in 1810, "is con- temptible beyond description in the eyes of the Indians."


The truth of these assertions is made plain in the report of the visit of the devout Quakers who, in response to the appeal of Little Turtle, came to Fort Wayne in 1804 to attempt to introduce the best methods of agriculture among the Indians. From the official report of Gerard T. Hopkins to his church, the story as here reviewed is obtained. Mr. Hopkins was accompanied by George Ellicott, also of the Society of Friends, and Philip Dennis, a practical farmer who was engaged to serve as instructor. Dennis's efforts provided what was probably the first school of agriculture in the west.


Mr. Hopkins states that when the three horsemen drew up to the outer gates of the palisades of Fort Wayne, they were com- manded by the sentinel to halt. Satisfactory credentials were pro- duced, and they were conducted to Captain (later Major) Whipple, commandant of the fort, who "behaved with a freedom and gentility of a well-bred man." The fort, as described by the visitors, "was large and substantial, * *


* commanding a beautiful view of the rivers, as also of an extent of about four square miles of cleared land, much of which was cleared by the army of the United States."


It is worthy of note that these clear-minded Quakers, after traversing the region between the Maumee and the Wabash rivers, recorded their belief that a canal connecting the waters could be constructed with but little effort.


The visitors from the east were surprised, according to the record of their adventures, to observe that no attention was given, either in the fort or the Indian village, to the proper observance of the Sabbath day. The account records that Little Turtle, "with a countenance placid beyond description, took us by the hand with cordiality, and expressed himself in terms of great gladness at meet- ing with us. About 2 o'clock we dined. At the head of the table sat the interpreter's [Captain William Wells] wife, who is a modest, well-looking Indian woman, the daughter of a distinguished chief. She had prepared for us a large, well-roasted wild turkey and also a wild turkey boiled, and for these she provided a large supply of cran- berry sauce. The Little Turtle sat at the table with us, and with much sociability we all partook of an excellent dinner." In response to the request of the visitors that a large number of members of the tribe be gathered to receive instructions in agriculture, the chiefs


172


THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE


asked for eight days' time to gather "a considerable number of their indolent people, who were too lazy to hunt or make sugar, but such they did not wish us to see."


The attempt to educate the Indians to till the soil was under- taken at a point on the Wabash river about thirty-two miles south- west of Fort Wayne, and Dennis was left to conduct the work of instruction. After the departure of the Friends, he continued his efforts but "only one, or at the most two, of the Indians could be induced to aid him. As long as the novelty of the work lasted and they could share in his food, a few Miamis lingered around in the shade or branches of trees, but would not work." In discouragement Dennis returned to Maryland. The Friends departed from Fort Wayne by way of the Maumee. Their pirogue was propelled by Corporal King and a private from Fort Wayne.


THE IMPENDING OUTBREAK.


The savages were in no mood to give their attention to the tilling of the soil. Trouble of a subdued character, breaking out here and there in threatening form, portended serious conflicts for the future. The government, viewing the situation in its true aspect, had decided, in 1803, to establish a fort on the shore of Lake Michi- gan-the spot referred to in the Greenville treaty as "Chicajo"- and now the site of one of the world's foremost cities. In order to pave the way, Captain William Wells was dispatched from Fort Wayne to discuss with the Indians the government's intentions.


"The complaints or uneasiness of the Indians relative to the post at Chicago will, I hope, be removed by Mr. Wells, who was ordered there for the purpose early last spring," wrote Secretary of War Dearborn to the commandant at Detroit, "but, unfortunately, the let- ter did not reach him until about two months after he should have received it, but he set out immediately after receiving the letter, and will undoubtedly be able to convince the Indians not only of our right to make the establishment, but of its being useful to them."


To Major John Whistler was entrusted the arduous task of establishing this fort, which was named Dearborn in honor of the secretary of war. Whistler formerly was stationed at Fort Wayne on special duty, and he was later to return as its commandant. In a small schooner, conveying part of the building material, Major Whistler made the trip from Detroit to the site of Chicago, by way of the Straits of Mackinaw, accompanied by his wife, his son, Lieu- tenant William Whistler, and bride, and a younger son, George Washington Whistler. Troops marching overland from Detroit to the site of Chicago arrived at their destination at almost the same time that Whistler's schooner reached the end of its journey. After the erection of the stockade and blockhouses, Whistler became the commandant. "In building Fort Dearborn," writes B. J. Lossing in his "Pictorial Fieldbook of the War of 1812," "Major Whistler worked so economically that the fort did not cost the government over fifty dollars. For a while the garrison could get no corn and Whistler and his men subsisted on acorns."


At Fort Wayne the government proceeded with its every obli- gation to the Indians. In 1804, meeting a request of the near-by


173


THE FORT IN THE WILDERNESS


1794 1805


tribes, a commodious council house was built near the fort, to be used in the holding of conferences with the chiefs.


This first council house was erected by the troops of the garrison on the lots on the present East Main street, adjoining Engine House No. 1 on the east. Afterward, upon this site, Michael Hedekin built a residence, later occupied by Congressman James M. Robinson. In addition to the council house, a storehouse of two stories was erected adjoining it. Both buildings were burned during the siege of the fort eight years later. At this time, also, Major Whipple caused extensive improvements in the fort structure to be made.


NOTES ON CHAPTER XV.


(1) James Freeman, an engineer sent in 1803 by the war department, sur- veyed this six-mile tract and also the two-mile-square tract which includes the landing place on the Little River end of the portage. A copy of this map, unearthed in the war department in 1916, is in the possession of the writer. It shows in accurate detail the entire route of the famous Maumee- Wabash portage.


(2) The following notes concerning the members of the family of Colonel Thomas Hunt are of interest: Ruth married Dr. Abraham Edwards at Fort Wayne in 1805. Henry Jackson Hunt was born at Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1788, and accompanied his father to Fort Wayne and Detroit. Thomas Hunt, Jr., died in infancy. George Hunt was born at Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1789; he was with the family when the father proceeded from Mackinac to Bellefontaine, Missouri. Abigail Hunt, born at Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1797, was an infant when Colonel Hunt was ordered to Fort Wayne; she be- came the wife of Josiah Snelling. John Elliott Hunt was born at Fort Wayne in 1798. Samuel Wellington Hunt was born at Fort Wayne in 1799. Wil- liam Brown Hunt was born at Detroit in 1800. The birth of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Hunt occur- red at Detroit March 29, 1802, while


the father was commandant of the post there. Mary LeBaron Hunt was born at Mackinac Island in 1803, while the father had charge of the post there, and Eliza Mitchell Hunt was born at Detroit December 18, 1804, while the father was still at Mackinac. (From a Scrap Book, in the Burton Historical Collection at Detroit). On August 18, 1808, at the age of fifty-four years, Colonel Hunt died at Bellefontaine. The following December, his widow, Eunice Hunt, filed a petition for relief from the United States government, she hav- ing been left a widow "with a numer- ous family of infant children." This petition was accompanied by another signed by Meriwether Lewis (who was with Wayne in his campaign and who became famous as one of the leaders in the Lewis and Clark expedition to the northwest) and other "inhabitants of the town of St. Louis, Territory of Louisiana," urging its favorable recep- tion. As Colonel Hunt had not been invalided or killed in battle, and as Congress did not wish to establish a precedent, Mrs. Hunt was given leave to withdraw her petition. She died six months after her husband's demise. The cause of death is given as "literally of a broken heart." The children of Colonel and Mrs. Hunt were reared by relatives in various


parts of the country.


CHAPTER XVI-1806-1812.


The Quiet Before the Savage Storm.


Tecumseh and "The Prophet" unite the savages in a conspiracy to destroy the settlers-Captain Wells reports conditions at Fort Wayne-Baptiste Maloch and Angeline Chapeteau-Captain Nathan Heald commands Fort Wayne-His romantic courtship of Rebekah Wells-Lieutenant Ostrander's letter-Congress gives Wells the present Spy Run and Bloomingdale districts-Harrison's 1809 treaty at Fort Wayne-Lieutenant William Whistler-Colonel Johnston's troubles-Captain James Rhea in command of Fort Wayne-His weakness of character-Celebration of the 4th of July, 1811-The "big elm"-The battle of Tippecanoe-Savages deceive Colonel Johnston-He is succeeded by Major Stickney-War against Eng- land is declared-Rhea foresees Indian war-The death of Little Turtle- The Fort Dearborn massacre-Stories of the survivors.


A DOZEN YEARS had passed since the battle of Fallen Timber, and the children of the savages of that day were now grown to stalwart youth who had not learned the lesson of the power of the white man, except through the lips of their elders.


Gradually, the older members of the tribes witnessed the passing of their lands'into the hands of the whites. Lawless traders among them whispered tales of encouragement to the savage to rise in his might and destroy the white man, who was fast turning his hunting grounds into farms and settlements.


The occasion awaited only a second Pontiac. That leader came in the person of Tecumseh, the Shawnee. But he came not alone. Another, named Elskwatawa-reputed to be his brother-appeared on the scene almost at the same time. As Pontiac had conspired against the English, so Tecumseh and "The Prophet"' (for by that name was Elskwatawa called) came to destroy the Americans. Un- happily, their great scheme of murder and destruction approached its finish simultaneously with Great Britain's harassment of the United States until the republic was compelled to declare war against the mother country. So, hand in hand, these two enemies, fighting together, but in widely different interests, turned the Maumee- Wabash valleys into fields of bloodshed.


The appearance of Tecumseh was like the coming of one whom the savages had long awaited. Blue Jacket, disappointed with the outcome of the contest with Wayne, had induced the great Shawnee to assume the command of the savages in their vast new confederacy. Tecumseh had been a leader in the attack on Fort Recovery in 1793, and he had participated in the battle of Fallen Timber, where he was brought into conflict with a leader who was one day to crush his hopes of success-William Henry Harrison.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.