History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 27

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Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan > Part 27

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197

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

THE SMALL-POX.

From time to time during the half-century ending in 1837, the small-pox and kindred epidemics created sad havoc among the Indians. The story of those dreadful times of famine and fever is taken from W. H. McCormick's descriptions :

" A broad, green belt of fertile bottom land, Converges gently from the golden strand ; Its borders fringed with stately elm and willow, While far as the eye can reach around is seen, Waving luxuriantly the prairie green. A scene more sylvan I never viewed before, So eloquent with savage legendary lore. It was the month-fairest of all-lovely June, When the sweet air was laden with perfume Of budding floweret, gorgeous prairie rose, Which round the scene in wild profusion flows, And many a feathered songster perched on tree, Warbled in sweetest strain its minstrelsy. The timid deer emerging from the wood,

Gazed on his shadow in the crystal flood ;

Or his lithe limbs in playful sport did lave,

Or drink refreshment from its livid wave. On wing of gossamer the busy bee, From forest home, in distant hollow tree, Gathered the sweets from many an open flower,

. To deck with wealth his home in sylvan bower. Amid a grove of elms in the cool shade, An Indian band its rude encampment made ;

And in the shadows of its branches green,

Were warrior, chieftain, children and maidens seen.

Here were old braves in social circle met, Smoking in silence grave the calumet; Or here on withes distended dressed the skin For hunting shirt or graceful moccasin, The infant savage rocking to and fro, Its cradle pendant from o'erhanging bough,

Fann'd by each gentle zephyr that passed by,

While murmuring breezes sung its lulluby.

The patient wife toiling over mortar rude, Crushing the grain to form their simple food ;

While other forms the lurid fires revealed, Preparing for the tribe their evening meal.

Suspended from the bough, o'er rustic couch,

Hang the dreaded rifle, tomahawk and pouch,

And implements for fishing lying near-

The glittering, the net, the barbed spear.

The warrior circle seated on the ground ;

The frugal meal was served, the pipe passed round.

The shades of evening gathered o'er the West,

And chieftain, maid and warrior sank to rest.

II.

It was a soft and solemn hour, When silence reigned o'er lake and bower,

The silver moon in grandeur led The starry host, and mildly shed Its refluent and unclouded light- Resplendent on the tranquil night. And myriads of stars that move, Obedient to the power above, Holding their silent intercourse Onward in their aerial course, Forever sparkling pure and bright, 'Mid regions of crystal light. The hour when lovers love to meet, In sweet embrace, in converse sweet ; Whispering love's tale to listening ears Their fondest hopes, their wildest fears ;

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY,

When lips meet lips in raptured bliss, In passion's deep and fervid kiss ; When hearts in rapture fondly blend, And dream not that such moments end ; The swelling breast, the bursting sigh, Love wildly beaming from each eye ; Hand clasped in hand and heart to heart,

In smiles to meet, in tears to part. Alas! They cannot last forever ; Time, chance, or fate may soon dissever ; Then in those eyes we love are starting The pearly tear-drops shed at parting. Gemm'd like the morning flower with dew, One last embrace, one kiss-adieu !

III.

" It was the hour when, on his cot, No more repining o'er his lot, The toil-worn lab'rer in repose, Forgetful of his many woes, And every sense is buried deep In sweet forgetfulness of sleep ; No saddening tuought obtruding there, To foster with corroding care ; No dreams of dark ambition wake His senses from their tranquil state. Sleep on! Let no fear beguile, For vice would quail beneath that smile, Which on his lips rest playfully- Proof of the heart's tranquillity. Not so with those who nursed in power, Who boast a kingdom for a dower, The wealthy poor, the poorly great, The beggar kings of many a state, Boasting a long ancestral line, And ruling by a right divine; The slaves of fortune or of power, But seldom realize an hour Of gentle peace, of tranquil rest, Like that which fills the poor man's breast. Sleep on! sleep on! The eye of heaven will keep Its guardian watch upon thy sleep.

IV.

" The moon shone soft from his meridian height, Bathing the Indian camp with humid light, When on the night air wildly there arose A shriek that startled each from his repose. Some danger threatened their beloved chief, And each in haste drew near to his relief. Stricken and low by some strange malady, To them unknown, and knowing not the remedy. In vain their prophet chanted incantations, Or in their mystic rites performed oblations ; In vain their medicine man his knowledge tried, The strange disease his remedies defied, And 'ere the morning dawn the chieftain died. In consternation dread they formed his bier, And o'er his grave in silence shed a tear. But 'ere another sun had pass'd away, The chieftain's wife and children stricken lay. Each day increased the horror and the dread, As through their camp the dire contagion spread ; It seemed that fate, with unrelenting hand, Had doomed the remnant of their fated band. In vain, when racked with pain, the sufferer cried For help from those untouched - it was denied. Fear held them spell-bound, palsied every sense ; To aid was to incur the pestilence.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

" When writhed the warrior, hadst thou seen The conquering anguish on his mien! In the last struggle of his stalwart frame, His dauntless courage not e'en death could tame ; His longing eyes fixed on his fragile wife, So loved, alas ! the dismal wreck of life ; How as his glazing eyes met hers in death, He heaved a bitter sigh with his last breath ; The last fond look bestowed on things below, He winged his spirit flight to MANITOU. And near him his attenuated wife, In the last struggle of departing life, With deep despair, tore from her anguished breast The lovely babe that knew no other rest ; Lest the foul breath of dire pestilence- As yet unstricken-soon might bear it hence ; While others prayed for death in shrieking prayer, And others raved-the madness of despair ; And many a wandering brain by fever wrought, The burning tongue the crystal waters sought ; Exhausted fell 'ere they could reach the wave No hand to help them and no friend to save. In vain the mother cried, the child, the daughter, For one sweet drop -a simple cup of water ; While those who reached it with remaining breath, Took their last drop and quivering sank in death. To us in health, it seemed a little thing,

To have some friend a cup of water bring ;

Yet when 'tis proffered unto feverish lips Worn by disease, and these its coolness sips, Of sweet refreshment, it will give

Strength to the weak, and make the eye revive ; Will give a shock of pleasure to the frame, Robbing disease of many a throbbing pain. It is a trifling thing to speak a phrase Of common comfort, or of little praise ;

By almost daily use its sense nigh lost ; Sweet drops of comfort at but little cost. Yet on the ear of him who thought to die Without one gentle word, one pitying sigh, To perish by himself, and mourn, alone- On such an ear will sympathy's sweet tone Fall like sweet music from the distant spheres,

And the glazed eyes o'erflow with crystal tears- Release the knotted hand, and palsied frame, To feel the bonds of fellowship again. And e'en when death its sad pilgrimage seals, "Tis joy to know that there is one who feels- That one of the great family is near To shed a tear of pity o'er his bier. Not thus the dying savage that lay Upon the river shore on that day. Those left untouched by raging pestilence, Dreading the awful malady fled hence ; Shed on the sufferers one pitying sigh, One frenzied look, and left them there to die. And when the day was ended, and the night, Refulgent with the moon's unclouded light, And twinkling stars that gemmed the heavens above, Looked down upon the scene with eyes of love, The solitude was broken by the howling Of the fierce wolf, around the stricken prowling. These, and the noisome buzzard of the wood, Feasted on those unburied by the flood.

VI. " And thus they died ! the beautiful, the brave ! Some on the river-bank, some in its wave ;

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

No kindred arm outstretched to aid or save ; No hand, alas! to furnish even a grave ! And now an Indian maid or children glide In light canoe upon the river tide ; In solemn silence and with recumbent head, They pass the spot with undissembled dread. And to the Great Spirit, ascends a prayer

For those who suffered, they who perished there."

LETTER FROM GEN. ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO THE INDIANS, 1799.

This letter was read in every Indian village from the Ohio to the Sault de Ste. Marie in 1800. It was written at Cincinnati, October, 3, 1799, and dispatched per courier to the homes of the Indians:

TO THE CHIEFS OF THE POTTAWATOMIES, AND CHIPPEWAS, AND OTTAWAS:

My Sons :- I send you this by Nangg, who has been here to pay me a visit. It gave me great pleasure to see him; but it was little we could say to each other, because there was not anybody here that could well speak your language.

I was able to learn from him, my sons, that you have been, and still are, anxious to see me. It was my design to have met you when your goods were delivered, but they were so late in coming that it is now out of my power, as our annual council is now sitting, and I cannot leave it, but I will send some persons in my place on whom you may depend.

Believe me, my sons, I wish well, as they do themselves. to all my red children; and the President of the United States will continue to love them and do them good; but there are people that make you uneasy; they love nobody but themselves, and because some of them have prevailed on individuals amongst you to make grants of lands to them, contrary to our laws and to all your former practice, that are not approved of, they give you no rest, but are always saying some disagreeable things or other to you. I tell you, and I tell the truth, that it is for your interest the United States do not approve those grants of land. Only consider a little; if every one of you, of yourselves, without the consent of the nation, may give away the lands that belong to you all, and at times when, perhaps, you have been made drunk on purpose, what will become of your wives and children ?

Do you not see that it is to prevent your being cheated by bad men, who, if they can get your lands, do not care if you were all to perish with hunger, that the United States will not allow of their people to buy them but at a public treaty with the nation, when you are all sober, and know that you are not wronged nor wronging yourselves ? If those private sales were countenanced, must not war be the certain consequence when you found your lands gone, and that you have got nothing of value for them ? You would kill some of the people who lived upon them, who had, perhaps, no hand in cheating you; some of you would be killed in return, and all the mischiefs of war would follow.

As to the Canadians, my sons, who are living on lands which you have given to them, you need not be uneasy about them, neither need they be uneasy about the land. The United States will not take their farms from them; but they will not allow any of their people to be buying from you, in a private manner, the lands which are to support you and your families, and your children after you, by thousands of acres, and cheating you in the price at the same time.

I find it to be your wish that some person may be appointed at Detroit, to whom you may speak occa- sionally. Such agents can be appointed by the President only, and when he knows how much you wish for one, I do not doubt that one on whom you may depend will be appointed.

It is a great satisfaction to me, my children, that there is a peace between you and us; I am sure that it is best for both that it should continue forever. On our parts, nothing will be done to weaken it. But I know there have been people amongst you stirring you to take up the hatchet on account of the French. I do not believe that you will listen to them, because you will see the consequence; and if they should succeed in misleading you, the whole burthen must fall upon yourselves, for they cannot help you. The English will not, and the Spaniards are too far off to help you, and too weak to do it if they were willing. Drive, then, those persons away; they are your worst enemies, whatever they may say. On the friendship of your American brothers, who sprung out of the same soil with yourselves, you may safely depend. This is from your friend and father, ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

TREATIES WITH THE OTCHIPWES.

The first treaty between the United States and this tribe was signed at Hopewell, November 28, 1785, assigning boundaries. They were represented at Greenville in 1795; in 1805, they made a large cession of land, and again in 1808 extended this cession. In the inter-tribal council of pacifi- cation, held at Detroit in 1815, they took an important part. By the treaty of 1816, they ceded all their reserves in Ohio. The most important treaties, however, were those of Saginaw in 1819, of Sault de Ste. Marie in 1820, of Chicago in 1822, and of Detroit in 1854-55. By the latter treaty, all their lands in the Upper Peninsula, in Wisconsin, and Minnesota, were ceded to the United States. This gave to Michigan the great mineral region of the Northwest, and opened up to enterprising men a world of iron and copper.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

TREATY OF DETROIT.

This treaty was negotiated at Detroit November, 17, 1807, by Gen. William Hull, United States Commissioner. Under it the lands from the Miami to the Great Auglaize River, and north to a line drawn west from the head of the St. Clair River; thence northeast to the White Rock in Lake Huron; thence east to the national boundary line; thence south by that line to a point east of the Miami, and west to the mouth of that river, were ceded to the United States. In consideration of this cession, the sum of $3,333.33 was paid the Otchipwes; $3,333.33 to the Ottawas; $1,666.66 to the Wyandots; and $1,666.66 to the Pottawatomies. The annuities granted, together with the above sums, were $800 to the Otchipwes; $800 to the Ottawas; $400 to the Wyandots, and $400 to Potta- watomies residing on the Huron and Raisin of Lake Erie. Under this treaty tracts of three miles square on Lake St. Clair, including Machonce's village, together with six square miles at other points to be selected by the Indians, were reserved. The Otchipwes who attached their totems to this treaty, were: Ma-mau-she-gau-ta, or Bad-legs; Poo-qui-gau-boa-wie, Kiosk, Peewanshemenogh, Poquaquet, or the Ball, See-gau-ge-wau, Quit-chon-e-quit, or Big Cloud, Qui-con-quish, Puck-e- nesse, or Spark of Fire; Negig, or the Otter; Me-a-si-ta, Tonquish, Macquettequet, or Little Bear; Miott, Nemekas, or Little Thunder; Meu-e-tu-ge-sheck, or the Little Cedar; Sawanabenase, or Grand Blanc. The Wyandots were: Ska-ho mat, Miere, or Walk in the Water; I-yo-na-yo-ta-ha. The witnesses were George McDougall, C. Rush, Jacob Visger, Joseph Watson, Abijah Hull, Harris H. Hickman, A. B. Hull, Whitmore Knaggs, and William Walker.

TREATY OF WASHINGTON.

This treaty was negotiated at Washington, D. C., May, 9, 1836, by Henry R. Schoolcraft, United States Commissioner, and the chiefs of the Swan Creek and Black River Indians of the Chippewa nation. The object of the treaty was to relocate the Indians, or rather to exchange their reservation in the vicinity of St. Clair lake and river, as granted to them by the treaty of Detroit, November 17, 1807, for other lands. The articles of this compact set forth, firstly: That the Swan Creek and Black River bands of Indians cede to the United States one tract of three miles square, or 5,760 acres, on Swan Creek of Lake St. Clair; one section and three-quarters near Salt Creek; one-fourth of a section at mouth of Riviere au Vasseau; and one tract of two sections near the mouth of Black River, containing in the aggregate about 8,320 acres. In consideration of these cessions of land, the Indians were promised the net proceeds of the sale of these, except the cost of survey and expenses of the treaty. On the ratification of the treaty, the Government advanced to the Indians $2,500 in cash, and $4,000 in merchandise, which sums, together with treaty expenses, were deducted from the moneys realized from the sale of the reserves.

Together with this money consideration 8,320 acres of land west of the Mississippi, or north- west of St. Anthony's Falls, were distributed to the bands.

The chiefs whose signatures or totems were Eshtonoquot, or Clear Sky ; Nay-gee-zhig, or Driv- ing Clouds ; Mayzin, or Checkered, and Kee-way-gee-zhig, or Returning Sky. The officials and witnesses present were Sam. Humes Porter, Secretary ; Stephen T. Mason, Governor of Michigan ; Lucius Lyon, John Holliday, Joseph F. Maisac, and George Moran.

CESSION OF LANDS BY CHIPPEWAS, OTTAWAS AND POTTAWATOMIES.

In 1816, 1,418,880 acres were ceded for $12,000. In 1830, 4,160,000, except 16,640 acres reserved, were purchased by the United States for $54,000. In 1835, 5,104,960 acres were ceded, 5,000,000 acres of which were reserved, valued at $6,250,000, and $1,374,289 granted in money and goods.

OTTAWAS AND CHIPPEWAS.

In 1820, St. Martin's Island was ceded in consideration of merchandise. In 1821, 5,500,000 acres, save 14,000 acres reserved, valued at $17,500, were purchased for merchandise, valued at $150,000. Chippewas, in 1807, ceded 7,862,400 acres in consideration of $100,400. In 1819, they ceded 4,321,280 acres, except 10,240 acres reserved, valued at $12,800, in consideration of $41,200, or a total of $54,000. In 1820, they ceded 10,240 acres in consideration of merchandise. In 1836, they ceded 8,320 acres, for which they were to receive the net proceeds of the sale of lands. In 1838, they ceded 7,000,000 acres in consideration of $870,000 in money and goods and a reserve valued at $12,800.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

At the outbreak of the war of 1812, there were 1,000 warriors inhabiting the shores from Lake St. Clair to Michilimackinac. The Indian population of this district was about 5,000 souls. In 1847, there were only 208 Indians of the Chippewas at Swan Creek and Black River, of all ages and sexes, subsisting by agriculture and fishing.

OTCHIPWE NAGAMON.

The following is the national hymn of the Otchipwes :

I. O, ye Indians, Come, draw near; Sing a song ! As many as there are of you, Standing around, Who can sing well, Draw near !

II.

The land of the Otchipwe- Come, let us praise, As we are singing. Indeed, beautiful is This, our country, Our good Father Has given us.

III.

For the eminently

Large Big Water Here is found.

There is fish in abundance;

The lake trout is here;

Ah, how well tastes

The whitefish !

IV.

When the weather is fine, We sail about; It is pleasant. When it blows, aha!

There are big waves, There is a great sound of waters; It is dreadful!

But back in the woods there are Divers animals

That are useful. The beaver is dwelling there,

The otter, the marten, . The bear. the deer-

The beautiful.

VI.

In the field also, There is no scarcity Of things to eat; The potato, the Indian corn, Whortleberries, raspberries, And sundry other Fruits of the earth.

VII.

But under the ground The German, the Irishman, Are working. They are gathering metal; They are hired laborers; The Big Knives (Americans) Are carrying off the spoils.

Anishmabedog, Ambe bi-jaiog, Nagamoiog! Minik endashiieg, Bemigabawiieg, Netanagamoieg, Bi-ijaiog!

II. Otchipwe waki sa, Ambe wawindanda, Negamoiang. Geget guawatchiwan Ow kidakiminan, Ki-mino-kossinan Gamininang.

III.

Mi sa maiamawi Mitchag Kitchigami Oma eteg. Gigo bataini, Namegoss sa abi, Waw, minopogosi Atikameg.

IV. Menogipigakin, Ki-babamashimin,

Minwendagwad.

Nevadingin, ataia!

Kitchimamangashka, Kitchimadweiashka; Gotamiguad.

V. Nopiming dash abi Bebakan awessi

Uenijishid. Amik ima abi, Nigig, wabijeshi, Makua, uawashkeshi,

Gwenatchiwid.

VI. Kitiganing gaie Maneiwad wamge Gewissining. Opin, mandaminag, Minan, miskwimiwag, Anotch go bekawak Netawiging.

VII. Awamakamig dash Maiagwed Jagawash, Anokiwag. Biwabikokewag, Anonigosiwag; Kitchimokomawag Mamigewag.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

VIII.

Thou, who art white,

Well, thou shalt have What thou wouldst have. For the Indian Is, nevertheless, well off; A little reserved patch only Shall be his own.

IX. Our Father, Thee We implore

At the top of our voices; We who serve Thee, That Thou be merciful to us, Who are living in poverty Here on earth.

VIII. Uaiabishkisiian,

Mano ki gadaian, Uaaiaman. Anishinabe ia

Minotch minoaia;

Ishkonigans eta

O gadaian.

IX. Nossiman, kin igo

Ki wandotamago

Epitoweng;

Enokitagoiang,

Ychi Jawenimiiang

Ketimagisiiang Oma aking.

INDIAN ORATORY.

The following brief speech was made by Sastarexy, chief of the Hurons, to La Motte, the French Commandant at Detroit. It had reference to the giving up, on the part of the Outawas, of Le Pesant, called The Bear, to atone for his murderous acts among the Miamis. Sastarexy did not believe that this great bear, so dreaded by the Indians, would be given into their hands. He was for wreaking his vengeance on some of the enemy that were at hand. Le Pesant was at Mackinac. He adddressed La Motte as follows : " My Father-Let us say to you that we cannot believe that the Outawas will do what they have promised ; for who is he that can overturn so great a tree (Le Pesant), whose roots, they themselves say, are so deep in the earth, and whose branches extend over all the lakes? There is meat here ; why go farther to seek it ? One is certain, the other is uncertain."

The following is the closing of a speech made by Logan, a chief of the Cayugas, after all his relatives had been murdered in cold blood, without provocation, by Col. Cresap, a white man :

" There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace ; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan ? Not one !"

The following is Black Hawk's speech, after he had failed to effect the deliverance of his people: " Farewell, my nation ! Black Hawk tried to save you, and revenge your wrongs. He drank the blood of some of the whites. He has been taken prisoner, and his flames are stopped. He can do no more. He is near his end. His sun is setting, and he will rise no more. Farewell to Black Hawk."

REIGN OF THE CHOLERA.

The cholera entered the Indian settlements in 1823-24, 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 num- ber 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 in 1832. The poor fellows, flying from the pestilence, found a resting place near the houses of the settlers, while many died in the forest.

204

HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

PIONEER MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

T "HE first and most important business of the pioneer upon his arrival was to build a house. Until this was done, some had to camp on the ground or live in their wagons-perhaps the only shelter they had known for weeks. So the prospect for a house, which was also to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to the heavy labors. The style of the home entered very little into their thoughts. It was shelter they wanted, and protection from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was content, in most instances, to have a mere cabin or hut-some of the most primitive constructions of this kind were half-faced, or as they were sometimes called "cat-faced sheds or wike-ups," the Indian term for tent or hut. It is true, a "claim" cabin was a little more in the shape of a human habitation, made, as it was, of round logs, light enough for two or three men to lay up, about fourteen feet square-perhaps a little larger or smaller-roofed with bark or clapboards, and sometimes with the sods of the prairie, and floored with puncheons (log split once in two, and the flat side laid up), or with earth. For a fire-place, a wall of stones and earth -- fre-

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History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 27

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818