History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 16

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962

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Henry Connor, or Wah-be-sken-dip, was perhaps superior to all the traders of that period in disposition and manner. He was said to be a man of great muscular strength, possessing a child's simplicity, and only prominent where justice should be enforced, or some important point carried. He was employed as interpreter between U. S. Commissioner Cass and the Chippewas, from Sept. 10 to 22. For some years afterward he followed the pursuit of trade, continuing to the close to merit the confidence and friend- ship of the Indians. Connor was present at the death of Tecumseh, Oct. 5, 1813, when James Whitty encountered the great Indian and killed himn. Whitty and Gen. Johnson, he stated, attacked the warrior simultaneously; but the former began and ended that part of the battle of the Thames.

Whitmore Knaggs was among the early white inhabitants of the valley. His trade with the Indians was extensive, and so conducted that among the many years of his intercourse with them, he won their esteem. He was present as an interpreter, during the treaty proceedings of 1819, and his rendition of official language had much to do in securing the successful issue of the negotiations. He was a sub-agent to the Indian agent, and is reported to have acted faithfully in that position.

Antoine Campau, known as Wabos, was a brother of Louis Campau, and his successor in the control of the old trading-post of Saginaw. In 1826 Antoine became the factor of the post and held that position until his interest was purchased by the Williams brothers, and they until the traders gave place to the merchants. Jean Baptiste Desnoyers converted the post into a dwelling-house, and continued to live there until 1862, when the old landmark was destroyed by fire.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Jean Provencal, or Arvishtoia, was the "village blacksmith." Possessing good, manly qualities, he endeared himself to liis white associates, and also to the Indians, for whom he was appointed to labor. Indeed, it has been said that this blacksmith claimed a much more respectful attention from the traders and Indians than was accorded to the other official, Rev. Mr. Hudson, a zealous missionary sent into the country by the general Government.

Edward Campau, or Now-o-ke-shick, lost an arm from the acci- dental discharge of his rifle. Notwithstanding the rude surgical operation, which only the medieine men of that period could per- form, he survived and was among the most active and most popu- lar trappers. By the treaty of 1819 he was made proprietor of one section of land in the neighborhood of Grand Blane.

Archibald Lyons was, like many of the white inhabitants of the valley, engaged in trapping. He did not, however, dwell within Saginaw county as now constituted. During the year immediately preceding the treaty of 1819, he passed much of his time around the Campau quarters, and there married the beauty of the Indian towns, Ka-ze-zhe-ah-be-no-qua. This woman was a French half- breed, peculiarly superior to all around her, intelligent and in pos- session of principles which would not sanction a wrong. After the death of her husband, Antoine Peltier married her, and again the post of the Tittabawassee was untenanted. Lyons, while skating down to Saginaw to play for a dancing party, fell through the iee, and was never seen again. He was known among the Indians as Ai-an-i-kan-o-ta-ged, or the interpreter.

Gabriel Godfroy, known as Menissid, was a trader from the Huron. He was one of the Godfroy family to whom was granted the lands where the city of Ypsilanti now stands. His trading visits to the Saginaw Indians were made at long intervals; but his acquaintance, acquired during his official intercourse with them as a sub-agent, was extensive, and consequently when the treaty was proposed, he was asked to be present. His name appears among those of the signatory witnesses, Sept. 24, 1819.

John Hurson and William Tuekey were sworn interpreters dur- ing the pendency of the treaty question. Like Beaufort, they aeted well their part, and had much to do in subduing the stubbornness of the barbarians. Peter Gruette and Francois Corben, both farmers, entered upon the eultivation of garden plats immediately after the eession of their lands to the United States. A reference to the names subscribed to the copy of treaty will lead the reader to a knowledge of the other French and American traders resident at Saginaw previous to or during the year 1819.

Henry Nelson was another Indian interpreter, and a trader among the bands of the Saginaw district. He moved with the Indians to Isabella and died there a few years ago.

Louis Mashoue was a native of Montreal, Canada, and at an early day was connected with the Northwestern Fur Company. While in the employ of that company he was subjected to hardships and

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

privations of every nature. It will be remembered that the North- western Company required its employes to carry each 200 pounds, a task that few men of our day would accomplish. He was en- gaged in nearly every encounter of his company with the Hudson Bay Company, and in their battles he received several severe wounds. After serving 12 years in this company, he received an honorable discharge, and soon after came to this county. He has been, as near as we can learn, a resident of Saginaw county 26 years. For several years past he has had charge of the ferry at the upper end of Saginaw City. He was at liis post as usual on Nov. 15, 1853, and while crossing his scow with a horse and buggy aboard, was precipitated into the river by the horse, whichi became unmanageable from fright, and leaped from the scow into the river with the buggy, taking with him Mr. Mashoue. It was supposed that Mr. Mashoue received a severe blow on the back of his neck from the horse's head, and was so stunned as to be unable to make an effort for liis life, and went to the bottom in about 14 feet of water. His body was recovered after about 30 minutes' searchı, but the skill of physicians in attendance could not restore him. He was 70 years of age.

Capt. Joseph F. Marsac was born near Detroit on Christmas Day, 1793. He was present on the treaty ground of Saginaw in 1819, in company with the U. S. Commissioner, Gov. Cass, and became a permanent settler in the valley in 1838. The title " Captain " was given him during the Black Hawk war, when with a party of men he and Capt. Swarthout went to the front. Marsac was the happiest model of the French-American. Genial as a man can be, he endeared himself to all. He died a few years ago, leaving behind him an honored name. As recently as March 20, 1878, Marsac filed an affidavit before Notary Public Wm. Daglish, of Bay City, explanatory of the treachery which resulted in robbing James McCormick of the magnificent Indian present of 640 acres of land. He was present at that treaty, in 1837, and states under oath that Commissioner Schoolcraft promised that that article of the treaty would be faithfully observed by the U. S. Government, and upon this assurance the red men signed the document.

Leon Suay, a hunter and trapper of great repute, dwelt in a log. house, erected by the American Fur Company, which stood near the spot where the first school-house of East Saginaw was built, now occupied by the Bancroft House. He belonged to the better class of French traders, and held the military title of Captain. For many years previous to 1840 Captain Suay was favorably known to the American pioneers.

Jack Smith, an improvident trader, visited the valley for the first time in 1821. His trading house was established in 1830, north of Campau's on the river front. His trade was limited as the house in which it was conducted,-a small log house, thatched with salt-marsh grass. He left the country at an early day. His property he left unbequeathed.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Other traders established posts here at a later date, but the rapid advance of the cities, under the regime of enterprise banished the old-time trading-post and erected on its ruins magnificent houses devoted to trade.

THE GARRISON OF FORT SAGINAW.

In the treaty paper the names of soldiers and citizens participat- ing in that important transaction are given. Here it will be neces- sary to notice only the next important military movement in con- nection with this county. Early in 1822 it appeared to the Terri- torial Government, that their new acquisitions on the Saginaw would be utterly worthless unless the articles of the treaty could be carried out in full. Owing to the great number of Indians then inhabiting the district a civil government would prove as mischievous as impolitic, particularly as the warriors of the tribe were characteristically wild if not savage, and beyond the range or power of merely civil government. Aware of this, the Legislative Council asked for special powers from the United States, which, being conferred, a detachment of United States troops was ordered to proceed from the military outpost of Green Bay en route for the treaty ground of the Saginaws. During the first days of July, 1822, two companies of the 3d U. S. Infantry embarked at Fort Howard for the mouth of the Saginaw river, under cominand of Major Daniel Baker. The command arrived below the present location of Bay City, where the men and stores were transferred from the transport to canoes and flat-boats for the ascent of the river, and the entire command pushed forward to its destination. The troops arrived at a point on the river near the location of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw R. R. depot, July 25, 1822. Disem- barking, they marched to the platcau, and pitched their tents upon the ground where the Taylor House block now stands. Sub- sequently the men raised a block house, surrounded it with a strong stockade, and literally built a fortress in the heart of the wilderness.

Notwithstanding all the promises made by the Indians, not a few of them looked with jealousy upon the new-comers and their labors. A council was held and the designs of the American soldiers fully discussed; but the peace party prevailed, and the troops were permitted to pursue their operations unmolested, until a building defensive and offensive in all its belongings rose above the river. The officers of this garrison were: Major, Daniel Baker; Captains, John Garland, S. H. Webb; Lieutenants, Otis Wheeler, Edward Brooks, Henry Bainbridge, Charles Baker, Wm. Allen, and Surgeon, Zina Pitcher. The last named officer joined the command in October, while the Surgeon, accompanied by Whit- more Knaggs, arrived overland from Detroit on the evening of July 25, 1822. The families of Maj. Baker, Capt. Garland, and Licut. Brooks accompanied the command, as also John Dean, sutler; Chauncey Bush, Elliot Gray and T. C. Sheldon, army contractors.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Harvey Williams, John Hamilton, E. S. Williams and Schuyler Hodges arrived at the Fort in December, 1822.

It is related by Surgeon Pitcher that the winter of 1822-'3 was very cold, and much snow fell. " When spring came on the rapid solution of it caused a great flood in the Tittabawassee and other tributaries of the Saginaw, so that most of the prairie between the post and Green Point was under water. The succeeding summer was very warm, and the troops, unused to the climate, became sickly as early as July, when, late the following fall, they aban- doned the fort, and moved to Detroit by water, in two schooners, one commanded by Capt. Keith and the other by Capt. Walker."

Before the departure of the troops, in September, 1823, Lieut. Charles Baker, a brother of the officer in command, and Lieut. Wm. Allen, succumbed to disease. A few private soldiers died within the year of occupation, and were buried near the fort. These deaths, and the wane of that esprit du corps so necessary for troops, had such a detrimental effect that nothing less than removal from the district was called for. Maj. Baker, sympathizing with the men of his command, reported that " nothing but Indians, muskrats and bull-frogs could possibly exist here." The War Department being made aware of this state of affairs ordered the evacuation of the post. Ofthe officers and men who lived to reach another station, there are only a few survivors. All have served with the U. S. regiment in the Mexican campaign.

THE AMERICAN FUR COMPANY

established a post at Saginaw in August, 1824, with William Mc- Donald as trader. This post occupied the abandoned fort, a short distance southwest of Campau's trading house, where the Taylor House now stands. For more than two years McDonald transacted the company's affairs, winning for his post an import- ant position. In 1827 Eleazer Jewett was the next factor. Pat- rice Reaume, of the Tittabawassee post, was put in charge of the store at Saginaw; but his irascible qualities opposed the interests of the company, and so led to his withdrawal from the Saginaw district. He was suceeded by Ephraim S. Williams in 1828. This early trader employed Jacob Graveradt, Louis Roy and F. Roy to assist him in taking supplies from Detroit. The journey to Sag- inaw was duly performed and the company's post reopened. £

În the course of a few years the Williams brothers purchased the rights of the American Fur Company, ultimately the interests of the Campau brothers, and became the great fur traders of North- ern Michigan. During those early years Judge Abbott, of Detroit, was tlie chief factor of the company, and wisely made the appoint- ment which resulted so beneficially to his employers and finally to the energetic trader whom he sent into this wild territory.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

PUBLIC ECONOMY REVOLUTIONIZED.

It was deemed politic by the principals of the American Fur Company as well as by the Indian, French and American trapper, to exert every influence which might have a tendency to turn the tide of immigration away from the Saginaw Valley. To accomplish this they failed not on every occasion to give woful accounts of the country. Such accounts were verified by others who merely saw the marsh land bordering on the river. Even the Government surveyors seemed to have been carried away with the same idea. Relying upon the statements of the trappers, many of them never went into the interior, and actually made their plats from the rep- resentations of the interested parties. (See pages 68, 69.) Their reports were, similar to their plats, fictitious, and it was not until 1858 that the Government began to realize the great wrong done the district as well as the trick played upon the United States. A re- survey was made during that year which resulted in spreading a knowledge of the greatness of the forest, valley and the districts adjacent.

In closing this section of the work, it is just and proper that a few of the traits of Saginaw's first white visitors and "habitants " should be reviewed. The first and perhaps the noblest of those traits, was their attachment to that Republic which LaFayette com- mended to them. "To be known as a Frenchman," says Hub- bard, "was to be known as a patriot." In the times which tried men's souls, few parts of the country lad niore bitter or varied experience than the border counties of Michigan. The Frenchiman was always our reliable and active ally,-cool and unflinching in danger, and shrewd and watchful when caution was most needed. If a man was wanted for some dangerous enterprise, it was a Frenchman who was cliosen. Few men survive of the old " habi- tants " who were interested and intelligent witnesses of Gen. Hull's surrender of the fort at Detroit and with it the whole territory of the Northwest to the British arms. As late as 1825 the feeling of indignation was still fresh in the hearts of the French population, and it would have been a vain attempt to convince one of those who witnessed and entered into the scenes of those tines, that the action of Hull was one of mere timidity or weakness, and not of high treason.

Whittemore Knaggs, well known among the Otchipwas as well as by the early settlers, and his brother, James Knaggs, equally well known, were among the truest conservators of the Union in- terests in the northwest from 1812 to the total expulsion of the British forces, and the partial annihilation of their fierce Indian allies. Judge Witherell, speaking of this French trapper family, says: " Capt. Knaggs was a firm and unflinching patriot in times when patriotism was in demand, during the war of 1812. He was one of the Indian interpreters, spoke freely six or seven of their languages, together with French and English, and exercised great influence over many warrior tribes. On the surrender of

David . E. Benjamin

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Detroit to the enemy, he was ordered by the British commandant to leave the country, and did so, of course; but joined the first corps of United States troops that advanced toward the frontier. He acted as guide to the division under General Winchester, and was present at their bloody defeat in the valley of the Raisin. The British Indians discovered him after the surrender and determined to kill him. There happened to be present an Indian whom Knaggs had defended in former years, who resolved to save the pale-face at every hazard; but the savages would not listen to him. Nothing daunted, however, the brave red warrior placed himself between Knaggs and his foes and succeeded in keeping them off for some time, the Indians pressed closer, and as a dernier resort the red friend seized Knaggs around the waist, kept his own body between him and his enemies and so prevented the repeated blows of the tomahawk and war club from taking effect upon the head of Winchester's French guide. This means of defense continued un- til the Indian sought refuge for himself and his white friend among a number of horses which stood harnessed close by. Here Knaggs was enabled to avoid the repeated blows aimed at his head until a British officer, who was not so savage as his Indian friends, in- terposed and saved him from a cruel death." Knaggs survived this terrible trial for many years, and rendered good service in the negotiation of treaties with the Indians subsequently. His services at Saginaw in 1819 cannot be over-estimated. He, with a band of Frenchmen, including the extensive Campau family, was present and failed not to recognize among the banded red-men many of those who sought for his blood a few short years before. James Knaggs was present at the death of Tecumseh, and was con- sidered one of the most unflinching and honorable supporters of the American troops.

THEIR SOCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS.

It is acknowledged that the French character is naturally social and capable of ingratiating itself with civilized or uncivilized man. It differs from that of the Anglo-Saxon and even the reserved dis- position of the Spaniards in so much that it can realize all the better qualities of the people it comes in contact with, sympathize with their failings, and demonstrate a disposition at once kind and genial. Bela Hubbard, who was in the State before innovation in- terfered much with the manners and customs of the French occu- piers, says :- " I am not aware thatintermarriage was very frequent, or that this relationship was often entered into by the peasantry of this part of Canada. It was common enough at the remoter posts down even to times within my personal knowledge. The Indian trader, whether Frenchman, Scotsman or Yankee, prompted partly by interest, usually took to himself an Indian wife. At such places as Mackinaw and Sault Ste. Marie, half-breeds were numerous. The class known as voyageurs the coureurs des bois of the older times, had become, to a very considerable extent, of mixed blood. The

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

licentious lawlessness of those wildwood rangers was not only well known, but was also a subject of much complaint at a very early day. Certain it is that in many points there was greater assimila- tion between the natives and the people from France than was the case with the emigrants from any other country. Between 1836 and 1840 in the wilderness portion of Michigan and along the large streams and channels it was not uncommon to find the solitary lodge of a Frenchman, with his Indian wife, and a troop of half-breed children. They lived more like Indians than white people." The food of this class was corn and grease, with a sinall supply of pem- mican.

THE COUREURS DES BOIS,

made known to the world by Tom Moore in his "Canadian Boat Song," and living prose, were a peculiar set of mortals. Light- hearted yet religious; rough in the extreme, yet capable of enter- taining and observing the finest feelings of man; musical, romantic, natural, they conferred on the great lakes and rivers of North America a name, which more than any other won for them the early notice of the world of the last century.

The "Mackinac barge " or the " great canoe," was their home. Throughout the livelong day they sped along plying massive oar or paddle, or sleeping upon their freight, while their little vessel sailed before some favoring gale. These rude masters of the lakes and rivers were peculiarly French. Whether in the storm or in the calm, their spirits never drooped; ever and anon the beautifully wild chant of the boatmen rose above the rush of the waters, and mingling with the music of the winds, charmed those on shore as well as banished whatever little care may have brooded over the heads of the voyageurs. In early days, before old Fort Saginaw gave place to the Taylor House, or the Campau Trading Post fell into decay, the songs of the courier des bois were heard on the river. To preserve for the future a few of those old songs the fol- lowing verses are given:

Mon pere a fait bati maison, Ha, ha, ha, frit a l' huile, Sont trois charpentiers qui la font, Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, Ha, ha, ha, frit a l'huile, Frit au beurre a l'ognon.

Sont trois charpentiers qui la font, Ha, ha, ha, frit a' l' huile, Qu'apporte tu dans ton giron ? Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, Ha, ha, ha, frit a' l' huile.

Qu'apporte tu dans ton giron ? Ha, ha, ha, frit a' l' huile, C'est un pate' de trois pigeons, Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, Ha, ha ha, frit a' l' huile.

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

C'est un pate' de trois trois pigeons, Ha, ha, ha, frit a' l' huile. Assieds-toi et le mangeons, Fritaine, friton, fritou, poilon, Ha, ha, ha, frit a' l' huile, Frit au beurre a' l'ognon.

This song could be extended ad infinitum. With the voyageurs it was a common thing to go through all its verses on Thursday, devoting the entire day to it to the exclusion of all other pieces. Another song, known as Young Sophia, was very popular with those semi-barbarous inen. The original contained four verses, with a chorus; but prior to the close of the voyageur period, perhaps one hundred more were added, so that the coureurs could have a "love refrain" to equal in extensiveness that which occupied every " wild Thursday" of their career. The following lines will con- vey an idea of their Sophia:

La jeune Sophie Chantait l'autre jour, Son echo lui repete, Que non pas d'amour- N'est pas de bon jour. Je suis jeune et belle Je vieux m' engagé Un amant fidele Je suis jeune Sophie.

Mais ce vous etre belle, Ce n'est pas de jour ; Ce n'est que vos yeaux Que bris a la chandelle ; Mais ce vous etre belle.

Unisons ensemble, Son cour et le mein, Pourquoi tant le defendre, Puis qu'il s'amaient bien ? Unisons ensemble.

Point temps de badinage, Envers mon amant ; Car il est jaloux : Tont lui port embrage. Point temps de badinage.

These with a hundred other songs, were characteristics of the olden days; they are now seldom heard, save when a circle of French Canadians, gathered round the festive board, look back to realize all that their countrymen and the old French pioneer ac- complished in opening up this great continent. In the libraries of Paris a collection of the ballads of the Coureur des Bois period is in existence, another collection in possession of the Seminarians of St. Sulpice in Lower Canada, both of which tell of their vast num- ber and strange composition.

CHAPTER IV.

PIONEER SOCIETY OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY.

Over half a century has passed away since the American pio- neers began to exercise dominion in this region of country. Those years have been full of changes and the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the country, could scarcely be made to realize the fact that within this comparatively short period, a population approximating 60,000 grew up, and now occupy the country. These people are as far advanced in all the accomplishments of life as are those of the old settlements of the old States. Schools, churches, colleges, palatial dwellings, extensive marts, busy facto- ries, and cultivated fields now occupy the hunting grounds and vil- lage sites of the aborigines, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth and progress. There are but few left of the old landmarks; advancing civilization and its demands have tended to raze almost every monument of the red-man, to obliterate almost every trace of his occupancy.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I, Part 16

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 962

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 962