A History of Van Buren County, Michigan: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its., Part 7

Author: Rowland, O. W. (Oran W.), 1839-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 671


USA > Michigan > Van Buren County > A History of Van Buren County, Michigan: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its. > Part 7


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).


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I went and brought my horse out from the underbrush so as to start home, but when he caught sight of the monstrosity, he broke into a run and beat the record for all past time. I finally got him stopped and turned him round to be sure the pony, passenger and baggage were coming behind. As I glimpsed the oncoming train, my horse snorted like an engine, wheeled and ran again as if to escape death. After much coaxing I got him quieted down so as to get within speaking distance of Weso. Kaw-kee was coming along with him carrying a long strip of bass-wood bark. He yelled to me to hold on and after much careful maneuvering he got within fifty feet, telling me that Weso had given up a riding buck back and wanted to know if my pony would carry double ? I re- plied "I thought so." He then ran back to Weso, helped him dis- mount, tied a long strip of bark to the pony's halter, came forward with Weso, and after carefully petting my horse, assisted Weso to mount behind me on the blanket. Then handing him the end of the long bark halter, he said "Now start, and go bery slow, and vous will be home wid deer meby by sunset."


We obeyed instructions, reaching Bangor a little after noon where we found a sort of wagon road. About a mile south of this place we met an old man and woman, driving a rack-a-bone horse. The horse no sooner saw us than he gave a snort, ran into the woods and tipped over the wagon, spilling out the passengers with a load of pumpkins. Leaving my horse in care of Weso, I ran to assist the unfortunate couple. No one was seriously hurt, but my, how mad! The old man said "You will pay dear for this. I will put you in state prison !" I said "Uncle, you should not drive such a skittish young horse." "Young horse" said he, "I have driven him twenty-five years. I brought him with me from York State. I never saw him scart before. That rig, or whatever it is, is enough to scare any animal or man!" His wife who had re- mained quiet until now, piped out in a sharp nasal tone, "Pa says that thing would scare any animal or man. I say it is enough to scare the Divil himself!" I finally, with their help, got things to- gether in good shape, reloaded the pumpkins and they started off quite good naturedly.


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We reached home about sunset, as predicted, with our big buck. For forty years after, I never met Weso without a broad grin, say- ing "Well, Inglam, how you like um now, buck pony ride ?"


"NEVER CARRY A REVOLVER, BOYS"


Often when our fears are greatest There are no dangers near us And sometimes when we feel the safest A sword may hang above us Suspended by a single hair!


In the fall of 1856, while buying fur among the Indians in Ban- gor township, I was obliged to stay all night with an Indian family. It was in a log house with one room below and an upper room above that might be called a garret. In this room I lodged. The only access to it was by a ladder through a small opening in the ceiling large enough to let a medium-sized man pass through. Climbing into this room I found there was a sort of bed and an open place in one end of the chamber.


The old Indian said to me before retiring, "Yous vil have to lay down widout candle, for poor Ingun haint got im."


I have always made it a rule in life to conform to circumstances as cheerfully as possible; and so I did in this case. I found in the place of a bed-stead a few poles laid across some small logs. On these were piled a quantity of hemlock brush, over which was spread several wolf robes, with a large bear skin in place of sheets and quilts. Into this strange nest I crawled, wondering what red- skin had last rested there. Soon I was fast asleep, enjoying my slumbers just as well as though I were in the best kind of a white man's bed.


At midnight I awoke, feeling fully convinced that some one was climbing the ladder into my room. I watched and listened. My heart beat like a snare drum. Instead of one person, I was con- vinced there were two. Then, to still add a new feature, I could see something was being hauled up the ladder into the chamber and, as I listened more intently, I heard a sort of whining noise, and dimly saw by the light of the moon two big Indians pull up a great dog into the room. That almost paralyzed me. The dog snuffed and whined as though he expected to be pounced upon by a catamount.


The two men walked very slowly towards me and the slab floor squeaked out at every step the cry of murder! Oh how I did wish I had my revolver with me, which I had left at home. I placed my back firmly against the wall and drew the old bear skin close about me, preparing for my last struggle on earth. The intruders


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reached the bed and there stood still, as if to pause before taking my life. Their eyes glared like cats' eyes in the night time.


Suddenly it occurred to me that it might be barely possible that I was in their nest. Trembling I said "Nin ni-baw o-maw? (Do you sleep here ?)" Slowly a voice replied "E-n-c-h, E-n-c-h (Y-e-s, Y-e-s)." I now asked "Can you talk white man's talk?" An an- swer came: "Me am a white boy." A great burden was lifted. I unrolled the bear skin from my body and spread it out to its full bigness, saying "get into bed." Both laid down with their clothes all on, as I had done the night before.


And we, brave foemen, with the dog, lay side by side, Peacefully like four brothers tried, But slept not until the morning beams, Purpled the woodlands and the streams.


I learned during the night that they were boys about fourteen years old; that the white boy had been brought up among the In- dians; that the day previous the Indian boy went to stay with him all night so they might go out on a coon hunt in the evening, that the dog had treed a coon a short distance from where I was staying, so they concluded to come and stay there; and the reason why the parents did not let me or the boys know the situation was because the boys avoided waking up the old folks.


They said when they pulled the old coon dog into the room he gave a sort of whining sniff, which convinced them something was wrong in the room and that they dimly saw the bear skin moving about and feared the old old bear himself had come back and was crawling into his hide again! They further said "We be scared most to def !" I was mighty glad they did not know how I felt at that time, as I rolled the bear's hide about me.


Since then I have often wondered what the result would have been if I had had my revolver with me. It is possible I might have been tried for murdering the whole household and have to show I did it in self-defence, in order to save myself from a life sentence, or on the other hand I might have been scalped or killed.


On my return home I disposed of my revolver, and have never owned or carried one since, and am fully convinced that in a coun- try like ours one is much safer without a revolver than with one; hence my advice to boys ever since then has been "Never carry a revolver."


SAW-KAW's LOVE STORY


From Saw-kaw's own story : "The course of true love never does run smooth" even in the natives heart; under the most favorable circumstances, its joys are marred with many doubts and fears.


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Se-gitan Saw-kaw I-kwe (Listen to the child of the forest).


My grandfather, during my early girlhood, took great pride in teaching me and a boy chum of mine how to bend the bow and di- rect the arrow in its course. Almost daily this little boy and I would contest in archery for a prize to be awarded by grandfather. It was generally conceded I was the best shot. White boys of the neighborhood often joined in our sports, contesting with powder and ball for the prize at a distance of one hundred feet or less. An old white man was sure to be present on such occasions to act as umpire.


Our arrows seldom failed to win the prize. I can now see the old man limping along to see who had centered the mark and hear him say "Wall, wall,-I do declare! The little redskins have won." Or "Wall, wall, I do declare! The little redskins have lost this time." In order that we might know our arrows apart, Kaw-kee's were painted red and mine white. The old man gave each prize as it was won-a turkey, goose or pheasant was generally provided by some white man.


All these endearing sports were suddenly cut short as, at four- teen years of age, it had been decided that I should be sent to the Indian school at Lawrence, Kansas. I felt almost mortally of- fended, I feared to meet strangers in a strange land.


I continued to sob and cry until my parents feared my heart would break. Grandfather was consulted. He said "Nin Saw- kaw (my dear child) weep no more. It is best that you should go. I have visited the school many times. You will like the children there and find the teachers good and kind." In vain I plead not to be sent away. Finally I opened to him the full burden of my soul. I told him how much I loved my people and our woodland home; how ardently I loved my bow and arrows which he gave and all my sports. "Is that all?" he asked. I replied : "Oh ! Do for- give my childish heart, and do tell me how I can leave my dear Kaw-kee and see him no more. I love him far beyond my power to tell; you have the secret of my heart. Do be good and let me stay here."


Nodding his head, he finally said "Is it possible that one so young can love so great ?" With astonishment he looked me square in the face and asked "Does he love you?" "He has never told me so" said I. "Have you ever told Kaw-kee that you loved him ?" he asked. "I never have." "Why not ?" he asked. I made reply : "Because deep down in my heart I felt his feelings were akin to mine." Thoughtfully he bowed his head. Then looking up, the dear old man seemed filled with pity and finally said, as he kissed me, "My dear child, I well remember the days of my youth. I know full well how wicked it is to trifle with the cords of heaven-


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born love. The best I can promise is that after you have spent two years at school I will send for you to come home, and we will all go into the north woods for several months and there dress and hunt as our fathers did before the white men came. "Can Kaw-kee go too ?" I asked. ""Yes," he replied, "he can go too. Think of it, Saw-kaw; that will give you both a chance to hunt and test your skill in shooting game with bows and arrows!"


A soothing feeling of reconciliation came over me as the rain- bow over the departing storm. I had full faith in grandfather's promise. Cheerfully I went forth to a strange land, and there pored over the white man's books, cheered on day by day with the bright promise from the lips of one who failed not to do as he agreed.


Two long years had nearly passed. I began to wonder if it could be possible for grandfather to forget his promise. One morning my teacher handed me a letter. I looked it over; it was post-marked Hartford, Michigan. I felt sure it must be from grand- father. As soon as school was out for noon I ran to my room. Quickly I opened the letter. Saw-kaw was indeed proud that she could read it for herself. In it I heard dear grandfather sav : "My dear Saw-kaw :- Find enclosed twenty dollars to bring you home. I have found good hunting grounds and, as I promised, on your return we will go there, hunt and fish, dress and live as our fathers did before the white man came." Again and again I read the letter, but, alas! Kaw-kee, no Kaw-kee, was there.


Saw-kaw slept not that night. The night following I dreamed of going home. All seemed overjoyed to meet me, but no one lisped the name of Kaw-kee. I felt him in my heart. Just then I heard him say "Bo-sho nic-con Saw-kaw." I answered back "Bo-sho nic-con Kaw-kee," and tried to grasp his hand, when lo! his form was changed into an angry wolf. Upright he stood, so close that I could smell his sickening breath. I awoke while yet his growls and snarls rang in my ears. So real it seemed, I could not believe it all a dream.


Three days later I reached our wigwam. None of our people at first knew me, but when I greeted them "Bo-sho nic-con ?" (how do you do, my friends?)" an old time pow-wow ensued, all trying to embrace and greet me first in broken English.


During the evening, old Wapsee, a noted bear hunter who had the reputation of driving bears to his wigwam to kill them, called to see me. This old man thought he could speak better English than the young Indians who had been to the white man's school. Grasping my hand he said: "Saw-kaw, me am eber so glad to see you. Me tink you tink meby, you can speak all de white man's words. Me no like um white talk much; dem say ebry ting wrong.


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Ingun call ebry ting right. You know um all him talk about. De young Inguns come from school and can't tell nofin. If dem be sick or well and try to tell um, de old folks can't guess um what dey mean." Owing to his deafness he could not understand a word I said: When leaving he said, "You know um Kaw-kee. Him talk much bout you him do; me tink him lub you bery much." However embarassing his parting words, I drank them in; for I was starving ! starving in my soul ! .


Grandfather came at last. We kissed each other with joy and gladness. Frankly he assured me I had greatly improved both in appearance and conversation. With a tremulous voice he said "Saw-kaw, how I have missed you!" Then he added "I still hold the promise made you sacred. All things are now ready. To- morrow we start for the hunting grounds. I am anxious to have you try your skill among the deer with the bow and arrows which I gave. I said: "Say grandfather, what has become of Kaw-kee?" IIe simply made reply: "After you left he went away to live with the Ottawas over two hundred miles north of here."


Early the next morning our family with their ponies well loaded took their line of march along an ancient trail through dense forests of hemlock and pine, where the day, through lofty archways of overhanging boughs, could scarcely find its way. Now and then our arrows brought down me-me-og and as-sana-go (pigeons and squirrels) from the trees, and frequently the dogs brought to us maw-boos (the rabbit). At nightfall we reached Mat-a-won, a point where two streams meet, pouring their waters into one and forming the Great Se-be. As we surveyed the ro- mantic scene before us and listened to the voice of a mighty cata- ract just below. my grandfather said with great feeling in his soul "It was on the shores of this stream I first met my dear Lonida, the wife of my youth that long since passed to the happy hunting grounds beyond." I said not a word but thought in my heart "I wish I knew if Kaw-kee has gone there too." Here we unloaded our ponies and prepared lodgings for the night. Fire was built and soup made out of the game we had secured on our way, mixed with man-do-win (dried corn) and salt, which we ate with a relish that can only be enjoyed after a long march through evergreen forests.


At break of day our little camp was all astir. Grandfather superintended laying out the grounds and building the wigwam, which was made of bark and poles with a smoke hole at the top, according to our ancient custom. No prince or king could have felt prouder of his castle than we did of our wigwam. The day following grandfather called the family together telling them


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that before commencing a general hunt, according to ancient cus- tom, we must enjoy a regular corn dance which he said eight could do in fine style. "Further," he said, "I have a little sur- prise for you." Judge if you can of our surprise as he opened a large mo-cot (birch bark box) and handed each of us a clean new Indian buckskin suit of clothes that fitted each perfectly.


When all were dressed, grandfather started off with a swaying motion to lead the dance. I. laughed saying, "Hold on grand- father, you said it required eight to give the corn dance. There are but seven of us." "Well," said he, "Saw-kaw, as you have no partner, go stand in the door of the wigwam and enjoy see- ing the rest of us dance."


I did as he requested and ran into the wigwam. As I entered, to my great surprise, before me stood a tall Indian dressed like a chief in a new buckskin suit, with fur cap trimmed with eagle feathers. Trembling, I gazed at him in fear and astonishment; still as a statue and as dumb. Finally he broke the silence and in soothing tones said, "Saw-kaw, don't you know me?" I finally replied. "Oh! Kaw-kee, is that you?" and rushed weeping into his arms.


After recovering from my great excitement, he explained to me how grandfather originated the whole scheme, so as to give me a joyful surprise, and that the whole family were on the joke except- ing myself; and I was "innocence abroad." As we walked out to join the dance, the little party gave cheer on cheer until the echoes made the welkin ring. Within my heart I felt "One hour like this is worth more than I have learned in two years at school."


The following day grandfather arranged the distribution of his forces. At that time of the year a still hunt was necessary and only father was allowed to use the white man's gun. The rest of us-that is, Kaw-kee. grandfather and I,-our hows and arrows. Mother, two sisters and my little brother, not loving the chase, were to fish and keep things about the wigwam in order. Grandfather took his point farthest down the stream, while Kaw-kee and I watched the trail above him, a few rods apart. All reported seeing deer the first day, but no shots were made. A week passed ; many dear had been seen, but none killed and I was deeply dis- appointed and called to mind grandfather's saying of years be- fore-that since the advent of the white man, "all game is wild and keeps beyond the arrow's reach, and the fish hide themselves in deep water."


That night grandfather gave orders: That all must be on their runways at peep of day the next morning. He then told the fol- lowing story which he said was of white man's origin: "A re- nowned statesman passed over a bridge at sunrise. On it sat a man


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fishing. At sunset he recrossed the same bridge, finding the man still fishing. He said he had fished there all day. 'Well,' in- quired the statesman 'have you caught any fish ?' 'Oh no,' he replied, 'but I have had one glorious nibble.' Now that man had the pluck. Go and do likewise."


Morning dawn found us all at our stations. Just as the sun had tinged with red the highland trees, I was startled by the report of a rifle, which, in the morning stillness, was repeated back from shore to shore until it died away the merest whisper. My heart fluttered like a caged bird struggling to get free. I well knew it was my father's gun, and if he had missed a deer it might pass me any moment. Listening and peering through the underbrush that fringed the stream, I faintly heard a crackling sound. On towards me came a monstrous buck with antlers broad and white as snow. He stopped so close, that I could see him wink and hear him breathe. Summing up all the powers within me, in two heart beats of time I sent two successive arrows deep into his right side. He made one monstrous leap, falling in mid stream. "Kaw-kee! Father, Father!" I cried. "Come quick !" Soon both came on the run, with grandfather in the rear, fearing some great disaster had befallen me. But when I pointed out the monarch of the woods struggling in the water, their fears were turned to joy. Kaw-kee jumped headlong into the stream and hauled the noble deer upon the shore.


It was found that a ball had pierced one ear. "My rifle ball did that," my father said. From his neck an arrow dangled. "I shot that arrow," Kaw-kee explained. See it is painted red." Transfixed in his right side were two arrows painted white. "Now who killed the deer?" grandfather asked. "Saw-kaw killed the deer!" Kaw-kee and father both exclaimed. "Her white ar- rows cannot lie." It is unnecessary for me to say that the great- est ambition of my life was now a reality.


We remained in camp several weeks longer and each killed sev- eral deer. Besides Kaw-kee killed a wolf, and grandfather (bless the dear old man!) killed a bear and caught two cubs.


During our stay a French trader came down the stream and landed at our shore. He appeared pleased to meet grandfather, addressing him as "chief." "Who is that?" I asked. Father made reply "Ish-cot-a-wa-bo (whiskey)." His real name is Lapaz. He smiled on me in such a bold manner that I avoided having any conversation with him. He remained with us sev- eral days. One morning he started to go with me to my runway. I slighted him, and Kaw-kee went with me. He was mad and called Kaw-kee "the smallest end of the red trash." The next day he grew much more bolder in his attention to me, which I


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avoided at every point. Stung by "a-mo (the wasp of jealousy )" he opened his heart to father, telling him how much he admired my skill, how dearly he loved me; then boldly asked, "Can I marry Saw-kaw?" Father said, "Saw-kaw is under her grand- father's control. Lay your case before him."


Now grandfather well knew Lapaz. The year before he told some of his people that the needle maker was dead and thereby induced them to pay him one dollar per needle. On his next trip among them he sold them for five cents each. An old squaw told Lapaz, "Me gib you when here before one dollar for one needle 'cause you say 'needle maker am dead.'" "He did die," said the trader, "but another man learned how to make them." From this and other tricks grandfather hated him as "Satan hates holy water." So he concluded to get rid of the nuisance forever. He told Lapaz that Saw-kaw was engaged to young Kaw-kee; that the two had been bosom companions since childhood, but that in-as-much as he had keen sympathy for an ardent lover, he found it in his heart to give him a chance to secure the darling of his heart. Encouraged by this promise, Lapaz was very happy. He told Lapaz: "Tomorrow we will arrange for a contest between Kaw-kee and you for the hand of Saw-kaw. I will suspend a live duck by one leg to a limb, by a string at the distance of one hun- dred feet and you may have the first chance with your rifle; then Kaw-kee with his bow and arrow. The one that cuts the string and lets fall the duck, shall claim the girl." "That's fair," said Lapaz "Saw-kaw is mine!" "Hold on," grandfather said, "you are too hasty. Now listen! In case the loser wishes another chance he can have it by taking a square-hold wrestle with his opponent. If he wins in the second contest, Saw-kaw shall be his wife." "All right," said Lapaz.


Morning came and the family met on the river's bank to wit- ness the contest. All understood the come-out but Lapaz. A duck hung dangling in the air from the branch of a tree. Lapaz took aim and fired. No duck fell. Kaw-kee then drew his bow and let the arrow fly. Down came the duck! Lapaz seemed con- founded, but without a word, rushed at Kaw-kee clinching him for a square-hold wrestle, big with hope to win the prize. Now came the tug-of-war. Kaw-kee stepped backward near the river bank and there on his shoulders he backward fell, followed by La- paz, muttering between his teeth "I've got you now." Quick as thought Kaw-kee planted both his feet between the hips of his rival, then with a mighty spring with both legs hurled his adversary headlong into the stream at least ten feet below. Poor Lapaz, like a drowning rat, crawled into his boat, looking as though he hated everybody and himself as he floated down the stream and disap- peared. Where he went and how he fared nobody knew and no- body cared.


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A few days after this, while we were making preparations to break camp, grandfather called the family together. He spoke of the glorious time we had enjoyed, living as our fathers lived. He referred to the true love which had existed so long between Kaw-kee and myself without being interfered with. He further said, "It is a fact that among our people in their native state, they regarded true love so sacred that they never tried to plague their children about it. Hence, in after years, they were consulted by them in all such affairs." "But," said he, "with the white man it is not so. Their little children are so much laughed at about the oppo- site sex, that in after years they hide their true feelings as if it were a great sin to fall in love. I am indeed glad that none of you have tried to plague Saw-kaw and Kaw-kee, thereby living up to the customs of our fathers." He then said, pointing at Kaw- kee and myself, "I propose that now, and here, we close our out- ing with a marriage between Kaw-kee and Saw-kaw, according to native custom." After consulting each other we both stood up at the same time and there, under the evergreen archways above us, we promised grandfather, in the presence of the family, that as we had loved each other in the past, so we would in the fu- ture. He then said, "Face each other ; clasp your hands together." And we did so. As there we stood, face to face, he said : "As your hands are joined together, so may your hearts be, in true love, that faileth not. Now in the presence of Ki-tchi Man-i-to (the Great Spirit) I declare you 'In-aw-kaw ne-naw (husband and wife).'" The family then, in subdued tones, repeated, "Maw- ge-ong, Maw-ge-ong! (Amen! Amen!)" The streams below and trees above murmured "Maw-ge-ong! Maw-ge-ong!" Then we two were known as one, and so have lived.




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