USA > Michigan > Ionia County > Memorials of the Grand River Valley > Part 26
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INDIAN LANGUAGE.
The Indian languages have their maseuline and feminine-or the language to be addressed to men, and that to women. In some tribes these peculari- ties are very marked.
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An amusing illustration of this occurred at the treaty of Grand Rapids, in 1835. The Rev. Mr. Slater was selected as interpreter between the govern- ment authorities and the Ottawa Indians. He had acquired the language principally from the Indian women who were. inmates of his family. When the Indian agent had given his talk to the assembled council of Indian dig- nitaries, Mr. Slater addressed himself to them by putting into Indian the speech of the government official. No reply was made to it by the Indians. They listened patiently, and that was all. This unaccountable and provok- ing silence was at last broken by one of the lesser chiefs, who said, " If you came here to talk with men, why don't you use the tongue of a man, and not speak to us the words of a woman?" Mr. Slater, to his great mortifica- tion. bad to " step down and out:" and another interpreter had to be select- ed before the business could proceed.
INDIAN TREATIES.
Previons to March 25th, 1822, the lands of Western Michi- gan, with the exception of certain small tracts which by pre- vions treaties had been ceded to the United States, were in full possession of the Indians. August 29th, 1821, a treaty was concluded by the U. S. commissioners-Lewis Cass and Solo- mon Sibley-and the chiefs of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie tribes of Indians, met in general council at Chi- cago. For the particulars and wording of this treaty, reference may be made to Peters' edition of the "Treaties of the Uni- ted States," vol. VII, page 218. An abstract is here given:
"The Indians cede all the territory in Michigan south of the north bank of the Grand River, with five reservations; two of them six miles square; one, four miles square; and two three miles square. Certain grants of land are made to indi- viduals, specifying their location, amounting in all to about one township.
In consideration, the United States engage to pay to the Ottawa nation one thousand dollars ($1,000) in specie annually. forever; and also to appropriate annually $1,500, for ten years. for the support of a blacksmith, a teacher and a farmer, and for the purchase of agricultural tools.
The United States engage to pay to the Pottawatomie na- tion $5,000 in specie, annually, for twenty years; and also to appropriate, annually, for fifteen years, the sum of $1,000, for a blacksmith and teacher, stipulating that one square mile shall be selected on the north side of the Grand River, and one square
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mile on the south side of the St. Joseph's River, and within the Indian lands, where the blacksmith and teacher should reside.
The treaty was signed by eight chiefs of the Ottawas, two of the Chippewas, and fifty-five of the Pottawatomies.
By the treaty at Chicago, September 26th, 1833, the Chip- pewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie nations cede to the United States most of their reservations south of the Grand River, for $100,000; $40,000 of it in annuities running twenty years. For particulars, see the aforementioned book, page 442.
By the treaty at Washington (see page 491 of said book), the land north of the Grand River, with certain reservations, is ceded to the United States.
The consideration was: An annuity of $30,000, for twenty years, $18,000 of it to be paid to the Indians between Grand River and the Cheboygan. Second : $5,000 per annum for twenty years for purposes of education. Third: $3,000 for missions. Fourth: $1,000 for agricultural implements, cattle and me- chanical tools. Fifth: $300 for medieines and a physician. Sixth: Provisions to the amount of $2,000, and 6,500 lbs. of tobacco, 100 barrels of salt and 500 fish barrels, annually for twenty years. Seventh: $150,000 in goods on the ratification of the treaty, and $200,000 additional, if they choose to give up their reservations. Eighth: The sum of $300,000 is set apart to pay the debts of the Indians. Ninth: $150,000 is set apart as a fund for the half-breeds.
Two additional blacksmith shops are given the Indians; a permanent interpreter; two farmers, and two mechanics to teach the Indians for ten years.
It is also agreed to remove the Indians west, at Govern- ment expense, when the Indians desire it; and to pay for the Mission establishment on the Grand River.
The Indians had made gifts of lands to certain persons, which they wished the Government to ratify. But, acting on a policy before decided on, the sanetion of the United States was refused; the lands were appraised, and the sum of the appraisal awarded to the individuals. To Rix Robinson, in lieu of his section of land on the Grand River Rapids, $23,040;
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to Leonard Slater, in trust for Chinninoniquot, $6,400. The whole allowance for these claims, was $48,148.
Thirty thousand dollars was paid the chiefs on the ratifica- tion of the treaty. They were divided into three classes: the first class to receive $500, the second $200, and the third $100.
On the Grand River the chiefs were: Mokkotioska (Black Skin), Namattippy, Namequoggevhih (Noon Day), Nebune- gishih, Wobwindego (White Giant), Cobinoosa (the Big Walker), Moccotti-ocquit (Black Cloud) Mixicininni (Wam- pum Man), and Winnimissaugee, of the first class.
On the Muskegon, Osawga and Owunaisheum were ranked in the first class.
On the Grand River, of the second class, were: Keshah- owash, Keway-tow-a-by, Wob-i-ton-gnay-say, Ka-no-tin-aish- tum, Boy-nash-ing, Na-wa-qua-gee-zhich, We-non-ga, Nugog- i-kay-bee, Wa-poos, Ke-wa-ton-do, Ke-way-coosh-eum, Zha- qui-naw, Ke-na-ti-nunk, Pa-baw-bo-co, Win-de-cow-iss, Shag- wab-e-no, Pam-os-say-ga, Mnc-cu-tay-pe-nay, Tush-e-tow-an.
Of the third class on the Grand River were: Ka-she-way, Kee-na-bie, Kee-niss-o-way, and none on the Muskegon.
This treaty is signed on the part of the United States, by Henry Schoolcraft; and on the part of the Indians by O-win- aish-cum, Was-van-ga-xo, O-sau-ga, of Muskegon; Wab-i- wid-i-go, Mix-i-ci-minny, Na-bun-a-gu-zhig, Grand River, and sixteen other chiefs from other parts of the State.
The Indian names, as here given, are as they appear on the treaties. In what is otherwise said of the Indians, the names are as familiarly spoken by those who were acquainted with them. An Indian name was a thing and not a word; and always liable to be written differently.
KEWIQUASHCUM, OR "LONG NOSE."
This man was chief of the Flat River clans; and at the time of the Cass Treaty at Chicago, went with the Pottawatomies and signed the treaty on the part of the Ottawas. The In- dians never forgave it; and kept him in fear of his life. The earlier settlers of the Valley recollect him very well; for once
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having seen him, he could never be forgotten. He was called "Long Nose," from the enormous size of the "nose on his face "; an absolute deformity. He was finally killed by one of his clan, in the fall of 1839.
The Indians had come to Grand Rapids, to the "Payment." That over, most of them had gone home. IIe and a few others were camped on the bank of the river a little above the mouth of Cold Brook, enjoying a drunk. They got out of liquor. and sent to the village for whisky, leaving Kewiquasheum and Wesagemah with two children-a boy and a girl. The rest is as told by that boy, as a man, to Seth Robinson.
It is proper to premise that Mr. Robinson is son of Lucas Robinson; has all his life been in intimate association with the Indians; is perfectly master of their language; and has been Indian interpreter. Feeling an interest in the case, he songlit ont the boy, who witnessed the murder of Long Nose. and by giving him half a dollar to tell the story, obtained the following particulars, which are, in the language of the wit- ness, translated by Mr. Robinson:
"I sat in the stern of a canoe, tied to the bank of Grand River, near the mouth of Cold Brook. I had a knife in my hand, peeling a turnip. The two old men, Wasogenaw and Kewiqnashcum sat on the bank by the fire. I heard Wasoge- naw say-' You old fool ! did you not know better than to sell this whole territory and impoverish your nation? I am going to take your life!' Kewiquasheum, pulling ont and flourish- ing his knife, said ' You can't do that! Do you see this!' The other man bent down to me and said-' Do yon see that man? Hle is what has impoverished you. Let me take that knife you have got; I am going to kill him! Then I want you to help me put him in this canoe, and we will take him to the middle of the river, and throw him in.' I dropped my knife into the river, and said 'I have no knife.' The old man said. . I thought I saw you peeling a turnip with a knife.' Show- ing him a sliver of wood, I said, ' No, I had only this.' The old man became very furious; and raving about, went to the bank of the river, and pulled out a maple club about two feet long, with a knot at one end. He brandished it around franti-
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cally, capering the while and saying to me-' This is the way when you kill something.' Then, rushing up to Kewiquash- cnm, and saving, with frantic gestures, 'This is the way when you kill something,' struck him on the head. The old man threw up his hands and feet, dropped his knife and begged. The other kept on striking, and repeating the same expression. I jumped out of the canoe, and ran toward the village. Wasogenaw called to me to stop. I ran faster, he following. Jumping across Cold Brook, I got into the mud and fell down. Looking back, the old man was over me with a club. I evaded him; ran, and met the party returning with the whisky. I said to them, 'The old men are killing each other.' A son of Wasogenaw said to me-' I will go and pacify him' (his father). He walked up to his father, and patting his cheek, said ' Yon fool! can't you be satisfied with committing one murder, without taking the life of the boy?' The old man then fell on the ground and cried. All the men then went to the camp, and found Kewiquasheum dead. They put him in a canoe and carried him to Plainfield." He was buried there, under the hill some twenty rods south of the bridge; and but a few rods from the spot was buried Wabe- sis, another victim of the Indian treaties and Indian dissatis- faction with the makers of them.
ANECDOTES OF INDIANS.
At Portland an Indian had been furnished liquor until he got pretty drunk. On the trader's refusing to give him more. he attempted to stab him. The trader complained to the chief, who cansed him to be whipped nearly to death in the trader's presence. In consequence, he was unable to leave his cabin for a week; then he came back, and demanded more whisky, saying that he had been whipped just two quarts too much.
Illustrative of the shrewdness and piety of the preacher Jackson, the following is told by Mr. Smith. As Smith is a common name, no one can consider it personal.
Jackson owed Smith, and Smith had dunned him several times. They happened to meet on Canal street, at Grand
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Rapids; after the salutations, Jackson invited Smith into a saloon, and, stepping up to the bar, called for brandy for both; they drank, and chatted, Smith expecting every moment that Jackson would pay up. After awhile, Jackson called for more brandy, and while they were discussing it, he blandly turned to Smith, and said: "You will have to pay for the drinks; I have no money."
Tableau-" Elongation of Countenance."
LEGISLATIVE ACTS CONCERNING THE INDIANS.
By the Territorial Laws passed in 1812, persons interested in selling liquor to the Indians may be fined $100, and costs.
In 1815, tavern-keepers were forbidden to sell liquor to In- dians without permission from the Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
In 1821, the penalty for selling liquor to them was made $100, and the forfeiture of what was given in exchange.
By law of 1816, Indians and Negroes may be whipped, in- stead of the common penalties.
Same by law of 1820. Same by law of. 1827.
In 1841, Indians were declared to have judicial rights. Penalty for selling liquor to them, $20 on first conviction; subsequent offense, $40; one-half to the informer.
1847. The State favors the idea of the Chippewa Indians purchasing their lands, and asked Congress to give the right. .
THE MISSION.
Before the occupation of the region by white people, it was known as a Mission Station.
In 1821, the efforts of the missionaries, which had been for some time directed to the Indians of Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, began to assume shape, and take the name of action. In February of this year, Isaac McCoy, appointed by the Board of Managers of the Baptist Missionary Conven- tion for the United States, to labor in Illinois and Indiana, vis- ited Detroit, and had an interview with Gov. Cass, who prom- ised him aid: furnished at that time $450 of clothing and food for Ft. Wayne; and subsequently the money promised was placed in the hands of McCoy. Efforts were also made
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to get into the treaty, soon to be made at Chicago, stipulations which should favor educational purposes among the Indians.
Through the influence of Col. Trimble, the U. S. Senator from Ohio, these claims were urged with good success. The Pottawatomies gave a mile square of land, to be held as U. S. public property. It was stipulated that government should place on this section a teacher and a blacksmith, and should expend in their support $1,000, for the term of ten years. To bring about such an arrangement cost much labor, watchful- ness and anxiety. There were many strong prejudices of the Indians to contend with; also the influence of the traders. And then the Jesuits were continually at work to defeat the project of educating the Indians. At the same treaty, the gov- ernment made a similar arrangement with the Ottawas, to fur- nish $1,500 for ten years; and also to supply cattle, farming tools, etc. Subsequently Mr. McCoy was appointed Superin- tendent, to carry out those parts of the treaty. The facilities provided for the Ottawas could not be secured to the Mission as early as those for the Pottawatomies, on account of the failure of a missionary, who endeavored to convert the stipulations of the treaty to his own account, in which, however, he failed.
On the representation of Mr. McCoy, the Pottawatomie mission was located where Niles now stands; and the one for the Ottawas on the right bank of the Grand River, at the foot of the rapids.
At this time, Noon-Day was the chief of the Ottawa tribe. There was no established trading post at Grand Rapids.
On the 28th of June, 1822, Mr. McCoy set ont from Ft. Wayne for Detroit, to receive the privileges provided by the treaty. The matter had been placed under the control of Gen. Cass. John Sears of New York, was appointed teacher for the Ottawas; and Mr. McCoy was authorized to appoint a blacksmith for the Ottawas and the Pottawatomies.
A full set of instructions from Gen. Cass was given. The condensed purport of them is:
1. Give the Indians, young and old, such instructions as are suited to their condition. !
2. Wean them from their allegiance to any other govern- ment, and try to attach them to the United States.
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3. Contend against whisky.
4. Watch the traders.
5. Encourage agriculture.
6. Show the Indians the best way to spend their income.
7. In general, work for the good of the Indians.
Gen. Cass commissioned Charles C. Trowbridge to make definite arrangements with the Indians for the sites of the mission stations. The site for the Pottawatomies was fixed at. St. Joseph River. Mr. McCoy moved part of his family and some of his pupils from Ft. Wayne, October 19th, 1822. The location was 100 miles from Ft. Wayne, where were the nearest white inhabitants; 180 from any white settlement, and 190 from any flouring mill. The Pottawatomies' station was called by the Board "Cary," and the Ottawa station. "Thomas," in honor of those missionaries in Hindostan.
The first winter was intensely cold. On the 26th of May. 1823, McCoy started for Grand River, taking with him a Frenchman named Paget, for pilot, and one of his Indian pupils. In December, 1824, a blacksmith and two laborers were sent to the "Thomas" station. Supplies were sent on during the winter. At the same time evil-disposed people tried to break up the mission. In 1825, the mission fairly commenced.
The material for tracing the early history of the mission is very deficient. No full account of it was kept by Mr. Slater, and we have only his journals, and the recollection of some persons who had but a secondary interest. What has pre- ceded is, in substance, gathered from some articles, written by Geo. Torrey, Esq., of Kalamazoo, several years since, and published in the Grand River Eagle. What follows is gathered from the journals of Mr. Slater, or from his daughter, Mrs. St. John, of Kalamazoo.
At first the Mission was a Government Station, teacher and blacksmith being located there. In Slater's journals mention is made of Mr. and Mrs. Potts, as teachers who assisted Mr. Slater at Thomas Station. Mr. Slater's position was that of teacher. McCoy seems to have had the general superintend- ence. McCoy, with a part of the Ottawas, moved west of the Mississippi, after which Slater appears to have been the head
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of the Mission. Mention is made of the Rev. Jno. Booth, who came from Pontiac; but how long he stayed we are not informed.
A school of about forty was kept up during the time the Indians were at home, and a church was gathered of about thirty members, conspicuous among whom was the noble old chief Noon-Day.
The first blacksmith bore the name of Secord, who did not stay a great while, and who simply left the common record of a drunkard. In 1832 we find the name of a blacksmith, P. F. Chubb. Afterwards there was another-K. Rush.
Mr. Potts and wife remained until 1833, when two teachers from Augusta, Me., came on-Miss Day and Miss Bond. Miss Day left soon, on account of ill health. Miss Bond, a year or two after, married Francis Prescott, afterwards a Baptist preacher, well known in Kent county. She died soon, leaving one daughter, whose monument is in Fulton street cemetery, as the wife of Jerome Gouldsbury.
Mr. Slater made himself familiar with the language of the Indians, at first with an interpreter. In the school, English books were used. Under Mr. S. the New Testament was printed for the Ottawas; by whom translated, we are not informed. The relation of Messrs. Slater and McCoy was not harmonious, and upon the retirement of McCoy, Mr. S. had various things to contend against-whisky, Catholic influence, etc. The result was, he, and his adherents, in 1839, removed to Prairieville, Barry county, where the Mission was main- tained for some twenty years.
It is not within the scope of this work to follow the Mission after it left the Grand Rapids Valley. It was for a few years the nucleus of civilization -- the school and the church at the Rapids; and leaving, its legacy was a disputed title to the property on the west side of Grand River, below Bridge street, commonly called the " Mission Lands."
The devoted and single hearted missionery died without the satisfaction of feeling that his life-work had been a success.
This gentleman, otherwise mentioned as the pioneer of civ- ilization at the Mission Station at Grand Rapids, was born at Worcester, Mass., November 16, 1802. His father was Capt.
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Pela Slater, one of the "Indians" who threw overboard the tea in Boston harbor. Leonard S. received a common school education at Worcester, and was in the business of rope-mak- ing with his father. When about 20 years of age he devoted himself as a missionary to the Indians in the West, and studied, preparatory to that, under Jonathan Going, D. D. In May, 1826, he married Miss Mary F. Ide, and they to- gether started from Worcester, August 17th, and arrived at Cary Station (Niles), September 27th. The date of his arri- val at Grand Rapids is now uncertain. He had charge of the Thomas Station at that place, and there remained until the autumn of 1836, when, disliking the influences brought to bear npon the Indians, he removed, with such as adhered to him, to the township of Prairieville, in Barry county, where, under every discouragement, he labored until he resigned his appointment as missionary in 1850-his band being scattered.
In 1832 he was postmaster at Grand Rapids-mail once a month.
Giving up the life of a missionary, he became an active busi- ness man. In 1863, he became connected with the Christian commission, and went to Nashville, where he contracted the disease-chronic diarrhea-from which he never recovered. He died April 27th, 1866, and at his own request was buried near the place where, 40 years before he encamped, when ou his way from the East to the Cary Mission.
Mrs. Slater, his efficient co-worker in all his missionary labers, died in 1850.
Mr. Slater was a man of ardent temperament and strong affections, strongly devoted to his work as a missionary. With rather a fragile constitution, he labored intensely and un- weariedly, combining in his character the ardent Christian teacher and careful business man; two characters seldom united.
Four children were born to him at Grand Rapids:
1. Sarah Emily (Mrs. St. John, of Kalamazoo), Aug. 12th, 1827. 2. George, Feb. 9th, 1829. 3. Francis, Dec. 31st, 1832. 4. Brainard, Sept. 21st, 1835.
These were the first white children born in the Grand River Valley.
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MILITARY.
The military history of the Grand River Valley is but a fragment of the general history of the loyal part of the nation, When the war cry was rung, men rushed to arms. The pulsa- tions of patriotism were strong. What were ease, property, home, wife, children and friends, in comparison with the wel- fare of the country, " then in jeopardy?" Nothing
No part of the North responded more freely than Michigan. Men were ready to volunteer, to endure the privations and dangers of the camp, the march, the bivouac and the battle. Where money was wanting, it was free. What cared men for gold, when the nation was breaking to pieces? What cared they for life? Those too old for the field, would bid the younger go, telling them, "We will take care of your families." Mothers, with tearful eyes, as they kissed their sons " good bye," would charge them, as Spartan mothers did, to remember they were men, fighting in a holy cause.
A thousand from this Valley never returned. The list that follows shows, as far as we have been able to ascertain, where the martyrs of freedom were laid to rest. The grave may be a humble one, unmarked, or marked " unknown," but it is an honored grave.
Would we could say, that all participated in this patriotic feeling. But the shameful truth must be told; we had amongst us those who sympathized with the spirit of the re- bellion, and joined in the infamous "fire in the rear." God pity them!
And, must it be said, when in the dread extremity, the per- emptory call was for men, there were a few-yes, just a few, that to keep the worthless carcass they occupied and disgraced, out of danger-sneaked to Canada. There are many men, who, with a noble pride will say: "My father died in the war;" but we pity the one who is compelled to own his father
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run from the draft. It may be the refugee to Canada does not blush when he meets the crippled, war-worn soldier. Yes, it may be. There are those who cannot blush.
The military history of the Grand River Valley cannot be separated from that of the State. But this region has a more particular interest in the 3d, 21st, 25th, and 26th Infantry ; the 2d, 3d, 6th. 7th, and 10th Cavalry; the 2d, 3d, and 13th Bat- teries; and the Regiment of Engineers and Mechanics. Of these, the 3d Infantry was more especially the pet of the Val- ley, being composed almost exclusively of men from the river counties.
The sketches of the history of the regiments which follow are copied from the Adjutant General's Reports.
The list of the martyrs is partly from the same source. The list as gathered from the State records, was published in the county papers, with the invitation that any one interested would make corrections or additions. Numerous corrections and additions were made in Ionia and Kent counties; none in Ottawa and Muskegon. The list is doubtless imperfect, al- though great pains have been taken to make it complete.
THE MARTYRS OF THE WAR.
IONIA COUNTY.
Joseph Antcliff; 25th I., Co. B. Chattanooga, Oct. 15, 1864.
James E. Aldrich; 21st I., Co. P. Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 20, 1862. Rufus W. Aldrich; 21st I., Co. I. Lebanon, Ky., Oct. 15, 1862.
Martin M. Alger; 13th I., Co. F. 1862.
Silas W. Adams; 21st I., Co. I. Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 29, 1862. John Armstrong; 10th C., Co. G. Nashville, May 10, 1865.
Edwin Anway; 21st I., Co. I. Nashville, Jan. 9, 1863.
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