History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 24

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 24

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).

The Indians gave names to the whites to correspond with some habit or to commemorate some gift. The elder James Wells they called Mo-gu-ash (bear), because he was a hunter of that animal. Abram Wells was Caw-ke-chee (porcupine); he had given them a porcupine, the flesh of which they relish. Anthony Wells was Mish-a-wak (Elk); William Wells, Wah-wa-cash (deer); Mr. Welch, Mus-co-dance (Indian hole or clearing) from the fact that he bought land on which there was an Indian field on which there were bearing apple trees when the whites arrived. Riley afterward re- tired to the Saginaw country where he died in 1862. His first wife was buried on land since known as the "Fitz Patrick place," and as the roads came to be straightened and worked her body was exhumed and stolen away.

Tonadoganow was the head chief of the Otchipwe nation. This honor belonged to him on account of his debating powers, acute understanding, and great prowess in the hunt. He was ugly in every sense. He wore only a hunting shirt from April until September, and this hung loosely from his hunchback. This Indian was accustomed to make periodical visits to the hands in St. Clair County, was a great factor in the negotiation of two of the treaties referred to in this chapter, and well known to the first French and American settlers from Mackinaw and Detroit.

O-GE-MA-KE.GA-TO.

At the time Gen. Cass was negotiating the treaty of 1819, O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to, although only twenty-five years of age, was head chief of the Chippewa nation, and as such was the central In- dian figure at the council. He was over six feet in height, and in his bearing graceful and hand- some; and although in the later years of his life he was often seen intoxicated, he never fully lost a look of conscious dignity which belonged to his nature as one of the original lords of the soil. In true elegance he was probably hardly surpassed by the Sencea chief, Red Jacket. His band lived at the forks of the Tittabawasse, and like Red Jacket, he wore upon his breast a superb Gov- ernment medal. This medal was of an oblong shape, fully five inches in length and one quarter of an inch thick, and was composed of pure silver. On one side was the figure of an Indian chief in full dress, and on the other what was intended to represent the President of the United States, with the following inscription: "Presented to O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to by Thomas Jefferson." The treaty of 1819 was a very important one, as this portion of the State was then in Indian possession, and the object of the Government was the cession by the natives of the vast tract in which was included the rich and flourishing valleys of the Saginaw and its tributaries. The chief speaker for the Indians was () ge.ma-ke-ga-to, and he opposed the proposition of Gen. Cass with indignation. The treaty was finally made, and the Indians returned to the lodges. The Chippewa nation was then composed

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY

of ten or twelve bands, each governed by a hereditary chieftain. These chiefs formed a council which governed the nation and elected the ruling chief annually. O.ge-ma-ko-ga-to was not a chief by blood. but his remarkable intellectual qualities, as well as his undaunted courage. made him a power among his dusky people, and at the early age of twenty-five he was the leading spirit. Gen. Cass was surprised at the remarkable brain power of the inan, and remarked that he was "the smartest and most eloquent Indian he had ever met." flis administration of the affairs of his peo- ple was so satisfactory that for over thirty consecutive years he was annually re-elected to the posi- tion of head chief. He never ruled a single band until in the later years of his life, when he be- came chief of the Tittabawasse band, to which he belonged. His power of oratory made him a great favorite with his people, and the fame of O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to spread far and wide. Subsequently at the ratifying of the reservation treaty, at Detroit, many learned and able lawyers were present, not one of whom, after hearing his great speech interpreted. dared to accept his challenge to dis- enss the questions affecting the Indian's welfare with him. After the treaty of Saginaw had been ratified and the Indians had become reconciled to the eneroachment of the white man, O-ge-ma-ke-ga-to was quite friendly, and, like an honorable man. endeavored to fulfill his obligations to the new-com- ers under the treaty. Many astounding stories are told by the old settlers regarding his bravery and fortitude, some of which surpass belief. Mr. McCormick says that about the year 1835 two members of the Tittabawasse band had a disagreement while under the influence of liquor, and drew their knives for a settlement of the diffienity according to the aboriginal code. O-ge ma-ke- ga-to, who was standing near them. immediately jumped between the combatants and received a knife thrust in his side. The cut was so large and deep that a portion of his liver protruded, and in this condition he lay for several days. One afternoon he took a knife laying by his side, and in the presence of several Indians, sliced of a portion of his own liver, threw the piece on the coals and roasted it, and then ate it. Turning to those present, he said: "If there is a braver man in the Chippewa nation than I am, I should like to see him." This story, incredible as it is, can be well attested by Joseph Trombley, E. S. Williams, of Flint, and Peter Grewett. now of Gratiot County, all of whom were Indian traders at that time. Judge Albert Miller, now of Bay City, also recollects the circumstance at the time. (-ge-ma-ke ga to ruled the Chippewas until 1839 or 1840, when death stepped in and robbed the dusky nation of its wisest, most eloquent and bravest member.

Negig, an Indian chief, lived on the Baby farm, on the River Gervais, for six years previous to his death in 1807. A saw mill was created on the River Gervais in 1788, on claim 676, in which this Negig was a most industrious workman.

Notaquoto, a short, ugly, powerful savage, was well known to all the early settlers. To give an idea of this Indian, William J. Tucker relates, that a few Indian ponies happened to stray into Sterling Township, where they were stabled by JJim Bruce. This settler was unaware of the danger of such a proceeding, and his murder for the act was only averted by the timely interference of C. G. Cady, then residing at his present home in Sterling. Mr. Cady was returning from church, when he met the Indian. Asking him where he was going. the savage played with the tomahawk, and replied that he was going to see Jim Bruce, " He has my horses," said Notaquoto. "and ] will murder him." Cady prevailed upon the Indian to wait. while he, himself. went to Bruce's. He advised Bruce to set the animals at large, which advice was taken, and Notaquoto returned to his Reserve with his property.

Wemekeuns was one of the Huron chief's on the St. Clair at the time the first French settlers made their locations. The story of this savage, as related by Mrs, Brandemour, is substantially as follows: Wemekeuns was chief and prophet of the tribe, a position given to him on account of his prowess in the chase, his words of wisdom, and his peculiar physiognomy. His face was supplied with a trio of noses, one small one on each side of the large central nose Previous to the war of the Revolution, he was asked to urge his band to operate with the English allies among the Canadian Indians; but this he refused to do, saying the new Americans would drive their enemies across the ocean, and drive their enemies' friends from their hunting grounds.

Old Mother Rodd, an Indian woman well known to the carly settlers of Port Huron, was one hundred and four years old in 1870. She died in the fall of that year, on the Indian Reserve, on the Canadian side of the river. The following poem was written March 1. 1868, two years before her death, and fifty-six years after the murder of her husband by the Canadian Indians.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

OLD MOTHER RODD !

"Old Mother Rodd ! Old mother Rodd ! When elements combine together. To drive poor Christians from the road By this hard snap of wintry weather -- What drives thee from thy wild bush home, And thy camp-fire across the river, Port Iluron's snow-wreathed streets to roam, When white folks round their stoves do shiver?

"Old Mother Rodd ! Old mother Rodd ! Thy ancient Indian face is roughened ; One hundred years, they say, the rod Of time. thy coppery skin has toughened. Let me observe that rounded pile Of bones in British blanket muffled, In hand a long stick all the while To guard them when her temper's ruffled.

"Old Mother Rodd ! Old Mother Rodd ! Thou lik'st to drain a sonsy bicker, Although thy race might pray to God In wrath to curse the white man's liquor. Alas ! just so it is-we see Men stagger thro' the earth and cherish The fitful cup with childish glee- They kiss, although they know they perish.

"Old Mother Rodd ! Old Mother Rodd ! Since first those small black eyes were open'd, Here in thy birthplace and abroad Ilow many wondrous things have happen'd ! Thy sire, when he first saw the light. At council fires gave his opinion ; No white man then usurped his right, No chain surveyed his broad dominion.

"Old Mother Rodd ! dost thou e'er frown, - And thinkest thou. it is a pity Thy solemn woods have been cut down, To make room for our busy city ? In summer, when the peach trees blow. Where thou had'st made some paltry scratches With tree-top when thou wish'd to grow Thy native maize in little patches.

.Old Mother Rodd ! the river true Rolls on as then with rapid current. As when thy family's birch canoe Skimm'd lightly o'er the sky-blue torrent. Thy friends roamed here and wander'd there, With sharpen'd stone, with bow and quiver, Before the wandering brave, St. Clair. Bequeathed his name to this proud river.

"Old Mother Rodd ! Old Mother Rodd ! Does power of steam affect thy senses ? Thou art, old Dame, a living link, Connecting past with present tenses ; For thou wert mother 'mongst the squaws, With dark-skinned lover in attendance, When silly George's ernel laws, Drove our brave sires 10 independence.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

"Old Mother Rodd! Old Mother Rodd ! it is, dear dame, beyond conjecture- Death soon must lay thee 'neath the sod. And spoil thy ancient architecture. Emerged from war ! Thanks be fo God, With no domestic brawl among us, We shall be kind. Oh' Mother Rodd, So long's thou'rt left to crawl among us."

Shabbona, or Charbonneau, a warrior almost equal to Tecumseh or Black Hawk, was born at the Kankakee River about the year 1775. In 1812, he, in command of his band, joined Tecumseh, and thus became known among the Indians of Michigan from Niles to Detroit and Black River. He acted as aid to Tecumseh, and stood by his side when he fell at the battle of the Thames. At the time of the Winnebago war, in 1827, he visited almost every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive arguments prevented them from taking part in the war. By request of the citizens of Chicago, Shabbona, accompanied by Billy Caldwell (Sauganash), visited Big Foot's vil- lage at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, as fears were entertained that they were about to raise the tomahawk against the whites. Here Shabbona was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. From that time the Indians (through reproach ) styled him " the white man's friend," and many times his life was endangered. Before the Black Hawk war, Shabbona met in council at two different times, and by his influence pre- vented his people from taking part with the Saes and Foxes. After the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine, no chief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shabbona. Black Hawk, aware of this influence, visited him at two different times, in order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk was a prisoner at JJefferson Barracks, he said, had it not been for Shabbona, the whole Pottawatomie nation would have joined bis standard, and he could have continued the war for years. To Shabbona, many of the early settlers owe the pres- ervation of their lives, for it is a well-known fact, had he not notified the people of their danger, a large portion of them would have fallen victims to the tomahawk of savages. By saving the lives of whites he endangered his own, for the Saes and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two attempts to execute their threats. They killed Pypeogee, his son, and P'yps, his nephew, and hunted him down as though he was a wild beast.

Shabbona had a reservation of two sections of land at his Grove, but by leaving it and going west for a short time, the Government declared the reservation forfeited. and sold it the same as other vacant land. On Shabbona's return, and finding his possessions gone, he was very sad and broken down in spirit, and left the Grove forever. The citizens of Ottawa raised money and bought him a tract of land on the Illinois River. above Seneca, in Grundy County, on which they built a house, and supplied him with means to live on. He lived here until his death, which occurred on the 17th of July, 1859, in the eighty- fourth year of his age, and was buried with great pomp in the cemetery at Morris. His squaw. Pokanoka, was drowned in Mazen Creek, Grundy County, on the 30th of November, 1864, and was buried by his side.

In 1861, subscriptions were taken up in many of the river towns to ereet a monument over the remains of Shabbona, but the war breaking out the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the resting-place of this friend of the white man.

BLACK DUCK MURDERS A BRITISH INDIAN.

The Sun Dance, held near the mouth of Black River in 1816, proved one of the most refrac- tory gatherings of savages since the downfall of the British power in America. The history of the meeting was obtained from Willis Stewart, and written in the pioneer records by Miss L. S. Carleton. " AAmong the numerous families of Indians," says the relator, " that dwelt on Black River, was that of the old Indian. Black Snake. He had a numerous family, and was related to the half-breed, John Riley, referred to in Indian history. Among the band was a strong-built. savage named Black Duck, who was married to a daughter of the chief Black Snake. The Duck was strongly attached to the Americans, and seldom suffered a word against them to go unchallenged. On this occasion, he was the guest of the Indian circle at Black River, whither. also, many British Indians were invited. Whisky was plenty, and the noble red men failed not to appreciate it. The feast went forward merrily, speeches were made, and the morning promised peace ; but to the surprise of all, one of the British Indians concluded his speech with a boast of

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

his prowess, and of all the American scalps he took during the war. Black Duck was silent until this unfortunate boast was finished. Rising to his feet he dealt very logically with the defeat of the British, and then approaching the Canadian, with raised tomahawk, said: 'You are a great brave ; you have killed many Americans : you have taken their scalps. They whom you have killed were my friends, and you shall kill no more !' This said, the irritated savage buried the weapon in the boastful speaker's brain, and thus ended the feast."

The avenger of the slain Americans, knowing that the friends of the slain savage would seek his blood, hastened to lay his case before Gen. Cass, and to seek his protection. He was placed in the fort for safety, while the Governor acquainted John Riley of the facts. Through Riley, a propo- sition was made to settle the matter by granting a sum of money, equivalent to his worth, to the relatives of the deceased. The proposition was discussed by the council of relatives, in presence of Gen. Cass. The Indians appeared with their faces and bodies painted black, in token of mourn- ing ; but their sorrow was only skin deep, as they made the simple demand for forty quarts of whisky, and canceled all engagements to take the life of Black Duck. The Governor acceded, and directed the Secretary to draw an order on Aura P. Stewart to supply the whisky demanded.

Fisher, a half-breed, who married a sister of Francis Macompte, committed suicide about 1832. It appears he made a cruel husband, so that Macompte took his wife from him, and presented him with an English rifle as better suited to him than a wife. Fisher and the rifle lived quietly together for some years. when he returned to the Salt River Reserve, and there shot himself through the heart. About the same time a dog feast was hekl by the Indians on the Tucker farm.

Neome, the chief of the largest division of the Chippewas, occupied and assumed to control the southern portion of the tribal domain. The Flint River, with its northern affluents, was left a little north of the border in full Indian possession by the treaty of 1807. It was called by the savages Pewonunkening or the River of the Flint, and by the early French traders, La Pierre. The latter, also called the ford, a few rods below the present Flint City bridge, Grand Traverse; while to the village in the neighborhood of the ford, the Indians gave the name-Mus-cu-ta-wa-ingh-which translated means " the open plain burned over."

In point of geographical location. the chief Neome and his powerful band stood on the very threshold of the trail leading to the Northwest. To any one standing at Detroit and looking northerly to the land lying west of the Lake and River St. Clair, it was plain that Neome stood indeed a lion in the path, unless well disposed toward the American settlers. The old chief was honest and simple-minded, evincing but little of the craft and cunning of his race; sincere in his nature; by no means astute; firm in his friendships; easy to be persuaded by any benefactor who should appeal to his Indian sense of gratitude; harmless and kind-hearted. In stature, he was short and heavily molded. With his own people, he was a chief of patriarchal goodness, and his name was never mentioned by his people except ,with a certain veneration, and in more recent years with a traditionary sorrow, more impressive in its mournful simplicity than a labored epitaph.

In the month of April, 1825, the Saginaw savage-Kisb-kaw-ko-killed a Huron warrior at Detroit, on the spot now forming the center of the D. & M. R. R. depot. The dead Indian was taken to a blacksmith's shop, then occupying the site of the Russell House, where the Coroner- Benjamin Woodworth-held an inquest. Kish-kaw-ko and his son were interred in the okl fort, after the jury declared the older savage guilty, and the Coroner sent him to await trial; a squaw brought the chief some hemlock, which he drank eagerly, and died. His son, who was no party to the deed, escaped. He sought a trail homeward by the Clinton River, was recognized by some of the Hurons, and pursued almost to the camping ground of his tribe. This Chippewa desperado and his son Chemick, were among the principal allies of the English in the war of 1812. Both were known to the pioneers of St. Clair, for in that quarter of the peninsula those ruffians, with their followers from the Saginaw, attacked men, women, and children indiscriminately. They did not enter into any battles, their warfare being only against the defenseless or unwary.

OKEMOS.

This well known Indian, a nephew of Pontiac, and once the head chief of the Otchipwe nation, was born near Knagg's Station, on the Shiawassee, about the year 1763. The earliest account of him states that he went forth on the war-path in 1793. In the " Legends of the Northwest," by Judge Littlejohn, the okl chief is introduced in 1803. Okemos took a prominent part in the battle of Sandusky, which won for him the name of the greatest warrior and the chief of his tribe. It appears

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HISTORY OF ST CLAIR COUNTY.

that himself, his cousin. Man-i to-corb-way. with sixteen other warriors, enlisted under the British dag, formed a scouting party in search of American scalps, and ultimately reached the British ron- dezvous at Sandusky. Speaking of this period, the old scalp-taker said : " One morning while lying in ambush near a road lately ent for the passage of the American army and supply wagons, we saw twenty cavalrymen approaching us. Our ambush was located on a slight ridge, with brush directly in our front. We immediately decided to attack the Americans, although they ontnum- bered us. Our plan was first to fire and cripple them, and then make a dash with the tomahawk. We waited until they came so near that we could count the buttons on their coats, when firing commenced. The cavalrymon, with drawn sabers. immediately charged upon the Indians. The plumes of the cavalrymen looked like a flock of a thousand pigeons just hovering for a lighting. Myself and my cousin fought side by side, loading and tiring, while dodging from one cover to another. In less than ten minutes after the firing began the sound of a bugle was heard, and cast- ing our eyes in the direction of the sound, we saw the roads and woods filled with cavalry. The Indians were immediately surrounded, and every man cut down. All were left for dead upon the field. Myself and my cousin had our skulls loven, and our bodies gashed in a fearful manner. The cavalrymen, before leaving the field, in order to be sure life was extinct, would lean forward from their horses and pierce the breasts of the Indans, even into their lungs. The last I romem- ber is, that after emptying one saddle, and springing toward another soklier, with clubbed rifle raised to strike, my head felt as if pierced with a red-hot iron, and I went down from a heavy saber cut. All knowledge ceased from this time until many moons afterward, when I found myself nursed by the squaws of friends, who had found me where I fell, two or three days after the engagement. The squaws thought all were dead; but upon moving the bodies of myself and Manitocorbway, signs of life appeared, and we were taken to a place of safety, where we were nursed until restored to partial health."

Okemos and his cousin never took part in a battle since that time, having satisfied themselves that they were wrong then.

Shortly after his recovery, he asked Col. Gabriel Godfroy, father of Richard Godfroy, of Grand Rapids, to intercede for him with Gen. Cass, which resulted in a treaty between the United States and himself and other chiefs, a treaty faithfully observed. In 1837, the small-pox and other causes tended to scatter the band near Knagg's Station, where they were located. Previous to this time, he was accustomed to wear a blanket-coat with belt. steel pipe. hatchet. tomahawk, and a long English hunting knife. He painted his checks and forehead with vermilion, wore a shawl round his head a la Ture, and leggings. The old scalp-taker for the English died in his wigwam. a few miles from Lansing, and was buried at Shimicon. in fonia County, December 5. 1858.

INDIANS IN 1812.

The peaceful relations of the settlers remained undisturbed until the war of 1812. In the summer of 1813, the hostility of the savages began to manifest itself. One night the whites received warning, through a friendly squaw, that a massacre was meditated; and to escape this im- pending danger, they fled to Detroit. Before reaching Lake St. Clair, they met a pioneer named King, and Rodd, the husband of Old Mother Rodd. These men were cautioned not to proceed ; but heedless of the friendly warning both urged their canoe up the St. Clair, and the day following were massacred by the infuriated savages of the Canadian shore, the principal murderer being Wawanosh, who died near Sarnia a few years ago. Other Indians, such as Wapoose. Okl Salt, and Black Foot, were prominent among the allies of the British.

EARLY TRADERS AND INTERPRETERS.

Henry Connor, or Wah-be-sken-dip, was superior to all the traders of that period in disposition and manner. He was a man possessing great muscular strength, vet gentle as a child. and only physically powerful where justice should be enforced or some important point carried. He was a faithful interpreter between the Indian councilors and United States Commissioners during treaty negotiations, After the treaty of 1519, he entered on a trader's life, and continued to the close to merit the confidence and esteem of the savages. Frenehmen and Americans. Connor was present at the death of Tecumseh October 5. 1813, when James Whitty encountered the great Indian and killed him. Whitty and Gen. Johnson, he stated. attacked the warrior simultaneously. but the former began and ended that aet in the battle of the Thames.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Henry Nelson, another Indian trader known to the old settlers of St. Clair, removed from the Huron to the Saginaw district in 1820, and thence with the Indians to Isabella County, where he died a few years ago.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 24

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814