USA > Michigan > Macomb County > History of Macomb County, Michigan > Part 19
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A soft-shell turtle was caught in Washington in the Summer of 1881. It has been said that a few of these creatures were seen in the county previously, but this of 1881 is the first of which there is any record.
Early on the morning of Jan. 14, 1882, an ermine was caught in the cellar of Edwin Starkweather's house. This is supposed to be the first of that species found in this portion of Michigan.
THE FLORA OF THE COUNTY
Comprise almost all the orders known in the Northern States. Of the 130 orders represented in Michigan, fully 107 are common in the country bordering on the mouth of the Clinton River. The represented genera within Macomb are estimated at 370, comprising no less than 850 species. New and beautiful flowers are added annually to the pioneer garden beds of the valley ; wild flowers appear and fade; many beautiful colors, well remembered by the old settlers, have disappeared within the last decade, and thus one of the most beautful features of Nature is undergoing marked changes.
METEOROLOGICAL.
THE BIG SNOWS.
The traditions of the Chippeways and Wyandots point out the years 1755 and 1775 as the Winters of the great snows. Those severe storms, which swept over the Peninsula within two decades, destroyed great numbers of forest animals, the bones of which in after years literally encumbered the wilderness.
Within the pioneer period the snow of 1822-3 was the heaviest. It fell to a depth of four feet on the level, and was accompanied with such an icy current, that
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large numbers of deer, wolf, and bear perished before its withering advance. In 1830-1 the snow storms set in early in November, and continued throughout the mouth, destroying the wild animals in large numbers, and inflicting many hard- ships on the Indians and pioneers. In the month of August, 1831, a severe frost set in, which occasioned many serious troubles and disappointments.
THE BLACK DAYS.
On the morning of Sunday, November 8, 1819, the sun rose upon a cloudy sky, which assumed, as the light grew upon it, a strange greenish tint, varying in places to an inky blackness. After a short time the whole sky became terribly dark, dense black clouds filled the atmosphere, and those changes were followed by a down-pour of rain, which appeared to be something of the nature of soap-suds, and which was found to have deposited after settling a substance resembling soot. The atmosphere assumed its usual form that afternoon, and the following day was dry and frosty. On the morning of Tuesday 10th, heavy clouds again appeared, changed rapidly from a deep green to a pitchy black, and the sun, when seen occa- sionally through them, was sometimes of a dark brown, or an unearthly yellow color, and again bright orange or blood red. The clouds constantly deepened in color and density, and later on a heavy vapor seemed to descend to the earth, the day became as dark as night, and the gloom increased or diminished most fitfully. The French traders looked on the phenomenon with a peculiar curiosity ; while the Indians were actually alarmed. The more sensible concluded that the Western pine woods were ablaze, others that the recently explored prairies were burning, while others stated that a volcanic eruption must be in progress. The Indians quoted the prophecy that one day the Peninsula would be destroyed by an earth- quake, while others looked upon the signs, as signaling the close of this world.
About the middle of the afternoon a great body of clouds seemed to rush sud- denly across the country, and immediately everything was hidden in appalling darkness. A pause and hush succeeded for a moment, and then a most glaring flash of electricity flamed over the land-next the thunder seemed to shake the very earth to its center. Another pause followed, and then fell a slight shower of rain similar to that which introduced the phenomenon two days previously. After this shower the day grew brighter, but an hour later it was as dark as ever. An- other rush of clouds, and another flash of lightning introduced the climax of the scene. The sky above and around was as black as ink ; but right in one spot, in mid air above the Indian village, the lightning danced for some minutes in a fairy circle, then rushed eastward, and was not seen again. The darkest hour had come and gone. The gloom gradually subsided and gave place to dawn, the people grew less fearful, the real night came on, and when next morning dawned the elements were at peace, and the world seemed as natural as before.
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TORNADO 1835.
Perhaps the best remembered and most extraordinary phenomenon was that which the people of the northeastern counties witnessed in 1835. On Christmas day of that year an exceptionally heavy fall of snow covered the ground, which was followed on the 26th by a mist, and this was succeeded in turn by a drizzling rain. The rain ceased suddenly, the clouds lowered, grew dark, and assumed such appearances as would lead the spectator to conclude that this globe was about to collapse. The storm king at length broke loose, swooped down from the North- west in black night, uprooting trees, sweeping everything in his track, and bringing with him such a current of icy air that man and beast, not then in shelter, were frozen to death. This storm was as sudden asit was phenomenal. It is well remem- bered by the old settlers, and forms for them a mark on the page of time.
THE METEOR.
The meteor seen November 1, 1857, passing southward, proved to be a most remarkable one. Its journey was accompanied by a sharp, rumbling sound like thunder.
THE COMET.
This strange visitor, belonging to that numerous but erratic family whose movements are so carefully noted by astronomers, and the time of whose entrances and exits is a matter of mathematical certainty, appeared to the people of this county, June 30, 1861. Whatever may have been its attributes and peculiarities one thing is certain, that it has had no rivals in the comet line. Its sudden debut at that time was the cause of much speculation among men of letters as well as the people in general. It was first visible in a northwesterly direction, when it appeared like a bright star. It attracted but little attention at first, it being sup- posed to be a lamp attached to a kite ; but directly a train of light shot up, which gradually increased in length until it passed the zenith. The nucleus of the comet when viewed through a glass, presented a very clear and sharply-defined outline, shining with the brilliancy of a star of the first magnitude. Its motion was in an easterly direction, and exceedingly rapid. The train of light extended beyond the constellation, Lyra, and the center of its extremity was directly over the star Vega. Its length extended over the immense distance of 100", being 30' longer than the comet of 1843, which extended over a space of only 70°.
The comet of 1881 remained with us for weeks, and disappeared from the view of citizens of this county, a short time after a portion of its tail separated from the nucleus and main train. It will be remembered as affording much subject for gossip during the latter part of the summer of 1881.
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ECLIPSE OF THE MOON, 1881.
One of the most sublime astronomical events of 1881-a total eclipse of the moon-occurred Sunday morning June 12. The moon appeared above the horizon at about 8:20 P. M., on the 11th, in its usual brilliancy. When about two and one- half hours high, it received the first contact with the penumbra of light shadow of the earth upon its eastern limb, which became slightly dim, and a loss of lunar light followed as the moon entered tlie penumbra. Fifty-six minutes then elapsed without further change in its appearance, while traversing the partial shadow of the earth ; but when the umbra or dark shadow of our planet was reached, the east- ern limb of the moon again darkened, suddenly, almost to invisibility. The circu- lar shape of the earth's shadow was distinctly seen when passing over the face of the moon. At 12:38 A. M., June 12, the moon was wholly within the umbra, and the total eclipse commenced. It continued in darkness for an hour or so, when all was light again.
CHAPTER XI.
THE INDIANS.
Before entering upon the history of men and events connected with the county during the last century, we will inquire into its aboriginal or prehistoric period. From years coeval with the Columbian era, the Indian, as we know him, made his presence known to the decaying remnants of the Mound Building Race, who sought a refuge on this peninsula from the periodical assaults of their barbaric brethren. The origin of the American Indians, which must always interest and instruct, is a favorite with the ethnologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader. The era of their establishment as a distinct and insulated people must be set down and credited to a period-immediately after the separation of the Asiatic, after the confusion of language, and the formation of languages. No doubt can exist, when the American Indian is regarded as of Asiatic origin. The fact is that the full-blood Indian of pioneer days is descended directly from the original inhabi- tants of this continent, or in other words from the survivors of that people, who, on being driven from their fair possessions, retired to the wilderness in sorrow, and reared up their children under the saddening influences of their unquenchable griefs, bequeathing them only the habits, manners, and customs of the wild, cloud- roofed homes of their exile-a sullen silence and a rude moral code-leaving them ignorant of the arts and sciences which, undoubtedly, marked the period of their prosperity.
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In after years those wild sons of the forest and the prairie grew in numbers and in strength, yet minus even a tradition to point out the rise and fall of their fathers. However, some legend told them of their present sufferings, of the high station which their progenitors once had held, and of the riotous race that now reveled in a wealth, which should be theirs. The fierce passions of the savages were aroused, and uniting their scattered bands, all marched in silence upon the villages of the Tartars, driving them onwards to the capital of their Incas, and consigning their homes to flames. Once in view of the great city, the hurrying bands halted in surprise. Tartar cunning took the advantage of the situation, and offered to the sons of their former victims pledges of amity and justice-pledges which were sacredly observed. Henceforth Mexico was open to the children of the Mound Builders, bearing precisely the same social and commercial relation to them, that the Hudsons Bay company's posts do the northwestern Indians of the present day-obtaining all-offering little in return.
The subjection of the Mongolian race, represented in North America by that branch, to which those Tartars belonged, seems to have taken place about five centuries prior to the arrival of the Spaniards ; while it may be concluded that the war of the races, which resulted in the reduction of those villages crected by the Tartar hordes, took place between one and two hundred years later. These state- ments, though actually referring to events which in point of time, are compara- tively modern, can be substantiated only by the fact that, about the periods mentioned, the dead bodies of an unknown race of men were washed upon the European coasts ; while previous to that time there is no account in European annals of even a vestige of trans-Atlantic humanity being transferred by ocean cur- rents to the shores of the eastern world. Toward the latter part of the first half of the Fifteenth Century, two dead bodies, entirely free from decomposition, and corresponding with the physical characteristics of the red man as afterwards seen by Columbus, were cast ashore on the Azores-a circumstance which confirmed the great, the illustrious discoverer of this continent in his belief that a Western world and a Western people existed and waited recognition.
Storm, flood, disease, whisky, have created sad havoc in the ranks of the aborigines since the occupation of the country by the white man. Inherent causes have led in a greater degree to the dissemination of the race even more than the advance of civilization, which seems not to affect it materially. In the mainte- nance of the same number of representatives during three centuries, and its exist- ence in the very face of a most unceremonious, and whenever necessary, cruel conquest, the grand dispensations of the Unseen Ruler are demonstrated ; for, with- out the aborigines, savage and treacherous as they were, it is possible that the Spanish and French explorers, would have so many natural difficulties to contend
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against, that they would surrender their work in despair, and fly from a continent, which their knowledge, zeal, and perseverance gave to the world. It can not be questioned that the ultimate resolve of Columbus was strengthened by the appear- ance of Indian corpses on the Eastern shores of the Atlantic, even as it is conceded that the existence of savages in the interior led the Spanish and French missionary priests from savage village to village, until the entire continent from the Arctic regions to Patagonia was known to the civilized world. From such a stand-point the position of the Indian in the economy of the Divinity must be acknowledged, and the services which he has rendered to civilization held in high esteem. It would not be a matter for surprise to learn, that the same spirit which crushed the power of tyranny at Yorktown 100 years ago, and sent a thrill of liberty through- out the world, would offer to the remnant of a great and ancient race-a lasting peace.
THE OTCHIPWE INVASION.
During the second decade of the Sixteenth Century, about the year 1519-20, the Otchipwes or Chippewas gained possession of the district from the mouth of the Kawkawlin to the river, now known as the Clinton, called by the French Reviere aux Hurons. At this time the great struggle for tribal supremacy took place, and the last Sauk warrior fell before the advancing Chippewas in the valley of the Saginaw. Throughout all this district, particularly along its rivers and streams, may be found mounds filled with human bones, scattered round in all directions, showing, unmistakably, that they were cast together without regularity, and telling of fierce and sanguinary battles. So early as 1834, a few aged Indians resided on the shores of Lake Huron ; each of them was questioned regarding the ancient history of his nation, and each of them was not slow to relate the tradition of his tribe, so far as it related to the Chippewa conquest of Northern and Western Michigan. At length the old chief-Puttasamine-was interviewed in the presence of Peter Gruette, a half-breed, well known from Detroit to Mount Clemens, and westward still to Mackinac. Gruette acted as interpreter, and as a result the following valuable legendary sketch comes down to us. Puttasamine said the Sauks occupied the whole country from Thunder Bay on the north, to the head waters of the Shiawassee, and from the mouth of Grand River to that of the Huron north of Detroit. The rest of the country was occupied by the Pottawatomies, the Lake Superior country by the Otchipwes and Ottawas, the Monomonies round Green Bay, and the Sioux west of the Mississippi. The main village of the Sauk nation stood on the west side of the Saginaw River, near its mouth ; and from that place were accustomed to rush forth to war with the Chippewas on the north and the Pottawatomies on the south, and also with other nations in Canada. At length a council was called consisting of Otchipwes, Pottawatomies, Monomonies, Otta-
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was, and six nations of New York, which council assembled on the island of Mack- inaw, and where it decided on a war of extermination. The chiefs summoned the warriors, a large army was organized, and embarking in bark canoes, started down the west shore of Lake Huron, arriving at Saginaw Bay, the warriors started over the waters by night, lay concealed during the day, and so continued their advance until they arrived at a place called Petobegong, about ten miles above the mouth of the Saginaw River. There they disembarked a portion of the army, while the main division crossed the bay and made a landing on the east bank of the estuary of the Saginaw, in the night. Next morning both divisions started up the river so as to attack the eastern and western towns at the same time. The warriors on the west bank attacked the main village, surprised the inhabitants, and massacred almost every man, woman and child to be found there-the few survivors escaping across the river to another village. which occupied the site of the Portsmouth.
The eastern division of the allies came up to the village, which then occupied the site of Bay City, where a desperate battle was fought. Notwithstanding the favorable position held by the Sauks, they were defeated and great numbers slain- the survivors retreating, some into the eastern wilderness, others seeking refuge on Skull Island. Here the refugees considered themselves safe, as the enemy did not appear to possess any canoes ; but the season offered the invader, that which art denied; for on the next night, the ice was found sufficiently thick to warrant a crossing, which circumstance enabled the allies to advance on the island. Here nothing was left of the Sauks, save twelve women, and those who fled eastward to the river country. The victory was as decisive as it was bloody. The victors reviewed their forces, and then divided, some proceeding up the Cass (formerly the Huron) and the Flint ; others up the Shiawassee, Tittabawasink, and spread over the land.
The most important battles were fought against other tribes in the neighbor- hood of the Flint bluffs, and eastward to Detroit ; but of such Puttasamine could recount very little.
After the extermination of the Sauk warriors, the twelve women referred to, remained for disposal, and so important did they appear, that a council of the allies was held to decide their fate. Some were for torturing them to death ; others recommended mercy ; while others still argued that they should be sent west of the Mississippi. The last proposition was carried, and an arrangement made with the Sioux, that no tribe should molest them, that they should be responsible for their protection. The Sioux warriors and women kept their promises faithfully.
The conquered country was divided among the allies as a common hunting ground ; but great numbers of them who engaged in the chase, never returned, nor could any tidings of them be found, for which reason it became the settled
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opinion of the Indians, that the spirits of their victims haunted the hunting grounds and were killing off their warriors. In reality the disappearance of many a warrior was due to the fact, that a few Sauks, who had escaped the massacre, still lingered round the old and well-known hunting grounds, watching for the strag- gling conquerors, and slaying them whenever opportunity offered.
Tondogong, an Indian chief, who died in 1840, at a very advanced age, has left the record behind, that in his boyhood, about eighty years ago, he killed a Sauk. Even up to the year 1850, the old Indians of the north-eastern counties of Michi- gan believed there was a solitary Sauk still to be seen in the forests of their lands ; they had seen the place where he had made his fires and slept. For days after such a discovery they would not leave their camp grounds-" there is a Sauk in the woods, and they had seen where he built his fires and slept."
The close of the drama is within the history of our own times. We have seen the Otchipwes in all their villages. The Sixteenth Century had not closed, when this tribe boasted of power in number and intelligence ; finally the Otchipwe lan- guage predominated, until at the present time it is spoken among Indians from the Arctic Circle south to latitude 40°. Puttasamine, or Puttaquasamine, born about the year 1729, stated that the tradition was related to him when a boy, by his grandfather, ninety years previous to 1834, and further that it had been handed down to his grandfather from his ancestors, and was a custom with him to repeat it often to his people, so that their tradition or history should not be lost.
THE MIAMIES AND POTTAWATOMIES.
Western Ohio, Southern Michigan and the country now comprised in the State of Indiana were once in possession of the Miamies, one of the branches of the powerful Algonquin tribe, that interposed between the tribes of the Six Nations, of the northern lake shores, and the Mobilian tribes of the Atlantic slopes. Their claim to this territory was proven in the great conclave at Greenville, Ohio, in 1795, immediately prior to entering into the treaty. On this occasion, Machikinaqua, a chief and orator of the Miamies, addressing Gen. Wayne, said: "My forefather kindled the first fires at Detroit ; thence he extended his lines from the head waters of the Scioto River ; thence to its mouth ; thence down the Ohio to the mouth of the Wabash; thence to Chicago and Lake Michigan ; these are the boundaries wherein the prints of my ancestors' houses are everywhere to be seen." Historians have acknowledged the truth and claim of the Miami chief, confirming many of his statements regarding other people's inhabiting his territory. The Delaware Indians driven before the incoming European colonists ; the Shawonoes from the South forced to move northward by the Aztecs of the Southwest, or the Mobilians of the Southeast, and the Otchipwes and Pottawatomies of the northern regions. Lagio,
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an Indian chief, referring to the immigration of the latter, maintained that a very long time since, the Great Spirit sent upon the Pottawatomies a severe Winter, and they came over the hard water of Lake Michigan and asked the privilege of hunting until Spring ; that the Miamies granted it ; that they returned home in the Spring, and the next Winter came back, and would never return to Lake Superior again.
REIGN OF THE CHOLERA.
The cholera entered the Indian settlements in 1823-4, and tended to increase the prevailing dread of some impending disaster. Providence, however, ruled that the pioneers should suffer alone from financial reverses, while the Indians should be carried away by disease. A large number of the doomed race, then dwelling in the county, perished ; many fled to the wilderness to seek a hiding place, where the Great Spirit could not find them to pursue them with his vengeance. Even the wild woods did not shelter the poor savages from the terrible scourge. Throughout the forest, along the banks of each river and stream, the echoes of their dismal shrieks resounded, for a short while, and then died away in death. Happy Indians ! They survived not to witness the sacred circles of their fathers, the burial grounds of their race, upturned by the. plow, or covered with the homes and factories of civilized man ; they were spared at least, this last and most terrible affliction, The soldiers were attacked by the disease at Fort Gratiot at the same time. The poor fellows flying from the pestilence. found a resting place near John Tucker's house, and a friend in the owner.
INDIAN TREATIES.
The treaty of Fort McIntosh, negotiated Jan. 21, 1785, granted to the United States the military post of Detroit, with a district, beginning at the mouth of the River Rosine, on the west end of Lake Erie, and running west six miles up the southern bank of the Rosine, thence northerly, and always six miles west of the strait, until it strikes the lake, St. Clair. Among the signers of this treaty, were Geo. Clarke, Richard Butler, Arthur Lee, Daunghquat, Abraham Kuhn, Ottawa- verri, Hobocan, Walindightun, Taxapoxi, Wingenum, Packalant, Gingewanno, Waanoos, Konalawassee, Shawnqum, and Quecookkia. This treaty was the first which regarded any portion of Macomb County. The Indians of the Chippewa tribe on the Huron of Lake St. Clair were not represented by any of their chiefs but it is supposed that Waanoos was commissioned by them to acquiesce in the general opinion of the Council, holden at Fort McIntosh.
TREATY OF GREENVILLE.
This treaty was negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne August 3, 1795. It was stipulated that the post at Detroit, and all the land to the north, the west, and the
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south of it, of which the Indian title was extinguished by grants to the French or English Governments ; and so much more land to be annexed to the district of Detroit as is comprehended between the River Rosine on the south, Lake St. Clair on the north, and a line, the general course whereof shall be six miles distant from the west end of Lake Erie, and Detroit River should be ceded to the United States. Among the Pottawatomies of the Huron who signed the treaty were Okia, Chamung, Segagewau, Nanaume, Agin, Marchand and Wenemeac. The Otchipwe signers were Mashipinashiwish, Nahshogashe, Kathanasung, Masass, Nemekass, Peshawkay, Nanguey, Meenedohgeesogh, Peewanshemenogh, Weymegwas, and Gobmoatick. Among the Wyandots who signed were Tarhe, or Crane, J. Williams, Jr., Shatey- yaronyah, or Leather-lips, and Haroenpou.
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