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1
HIST
R
CAYUGA CO
NEW YORK
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
1789
1879
Gc 974.701 C31s 1135624
M!L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
mil 2
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01148 8738
Gc 974.701 C31s Storke, Elliot G. History of Cayuga County, New York
GENEALOGY 974.701 C31S
3500
3
-1789 .--
HISTORY -OF-
CAYUGA COUNTY,
NEW YORK,
WITH2
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches
LEOFJU
SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
BY ELLIOT G. STORKE. ASSISTED BY JAS. H. SMITH.
Published by D. MASON & CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y.
-I879 .--
Truair, Smith & Bruce, Printers, Journal Office, Syracuse, N. Y.
-
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, BY D. MASON & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
35.00
CONTENTS.
1135624
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION. 7
CHAPTER I. - The Iroquois Confederacy-Perfection of its Organization-Tradition of its Origin- Hiawatha's Address to the Council-Extent of their Sway-Sources of their Power-Their Civil, Social and Political Codes, 8
CHAPTER II. - The Iroquois and Early Colonists- French. Dutch and English Settlements-The various Wars between the French and the Iroquois from the first settlement to the close of the Revolution, 12
CHAPTER III .- Jesuit Missions among the Cayugas- The Jesuit Relations-Duration of the Mis- sions-Details of the various Cayuga Mis- sions, 20
CHAPTER IV .- Indian Habits and Usages-Indian Dwellings-Indian Towns-Social Usages- Dances and Feasts-Burials. 28
CHAPTER V .- Land Titles-The Military Tract- Congressional and State Land Bounties-Sur- vey of the Military Tract-Conflict of Claim- ants,. 32
CHAPTER VI .- Early Civil Divisions-Formation of Cayuga Co. - First Town Meetings and Elections-Formation of the Towns-General Topography of Cayuga Co., 34
CHAPTER VII .- Geological Formation-The Dairy Region-The Grain Growing Region-Com- parative Statistics, 38
CHAPTER VIII .- Early Modes of Travel - Western Inland Lock Navigation Co .- Early Roads- Stages-Erie Canal-Railroads, 41
CHAPTER IX .- History of the Press-Newspaper and Book Publishing-Men of the Press,. 49
CHAPTER X .- Progress of Education-Schools. 51
CHAPTER XI .- Art and Professional Artists,
64
CHAPTER XII .- Valuation and Taxation-Support of the Poor-of Lunatics-County Poor House, 71
PAGE CHAPTER XIII .- Agricultural Societies-Patrons of Husbandry-Fire Relief Association-Agri- cultural Statistics .. 74
CHAPTER XIV .- Cayuga Co. Medical Societies, 85 CHAPTER XV .- Early Courts, Counsellors and Cases- Cayuga Co. Civil List, 90
CHAPTER XVI .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebellion -Organization of the various Regiments and Batteries, 99
CHAPTER XVII .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebellion -19th New York Volunteers,. 107
CHAPTER XVIII .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebel- lion-19th New York Volunteers. 107
CHAPTER XIX .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebellion-
3d New York Artillery.
113
CHAPTER XX .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebellion --- 75th New York Volunteers, 125
CHAPTER XXI .- Cayuga in the War of the Rebellion -Captain Kennedy's Battery-Bounties paid in Cayuga Co. - Amounts paid by the several Towns, .. 134
CHAPTER XXII .- Aurelius and Hardenbergh's Corners -Early Settlers - Col. Hardenbergh-First Mill-The "Corners" in 1800-County Seat located here -- Clinton's description of Auburn, 138
CHAPTER XXIII .- History of Auburn-Village Incor- porated-First Officers-Visit of LaFayette- Owasco Canal-Railroads-Auburn College- Visits of Clay, VanBuren and Adams, 146
CHAPTER XXIV .- History of Auburn-Incorporated as a City-First City Officers-Fort Hill Cemetery-Merchants' Union Express Com- pany-Auburn Prison-Asylum for Insane Convicts. . 151
CHAPTER XXV .- Auburn Manufactures,
162
CHAPTER XXVI .- Auburn Wholesale Business-Banks and Bankers, . 177
CHAPTER XXVII .- Auburn Schools,
184
CHAPTER XXVIII. - Churches of Auburn,
197
iv
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIX .- History of Auburn-First Library --- The Water Works Co .- The Auburn Gas Light Co-The Auburn Steam Heating Co .- · Fire Department-Bench and Bar-Village and City Organizations and Officers, ...... 212
CHAPTER XXX .- History of Auburn-Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens, .. 225
CHAPTER XXXI .- History Town of Sterling,
252
CHAPTER XLVI, ---
CHAPTER XXXII .-
" Victory,
267
CHAPTER XLVII .-
CHAPTER XXXIII .- " Ira, 273
CHAPTER XXXIV .-
6.
" Conquest,
281
CHAPTER XXXV .-
288
Cato,
CHAPTER L .- 66 Sempronius, 475
" Genoa,
484
Locke,
507
CHAPTER LIII .---
' Summer Hill,
512
CHAPTER LIV .- Addenda.
517
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Armstrong D. H., Auburn, portrait facing 186
Austin Sedgwick, Sennett, portrait .. 346
Auburn, view of Genesee Street, .. 138
Aurora, view of St. Patrick's Church.
322
Bundy W. L., Auburn, view of store
212
Briggs Lansingh, Auburn, portrait, (steel, ). 236
Benson Mrs. E. A., Niles, portrait ... 444
Baker Abel, M. D., Owasco, portrait.
=
385
Brinkerhoff David, Owasco, portrait. 387
Court House Frontispiece
Chedell John H., Auburn, portrait .. .facing 222 Clary Joseph, M. D., Auburn, portrait ..... .. between 250-251 Clary Mrs. A. M. B., Anburn, portrait. 66 250-251 Castner Richard, Throop, view of residence facing 339 Castner Richard, and wife, Throop, portraits 339 66
Cady Curtiss C., Sennett, portrait .. 344
Cady C. C. Jr., Sennett, portrait .. 344
Coburn Rev. Keyes, Sennett, portrait = 340 Courtney Brothers, Springport, view of mills 368
Courtney John F., Springport, portrait ... 368 Courtney Charles E., Springport, portrait. 368
Cascade House, Venice, Malcolm Taylor, Proprietor 442
Cayuga County Map .. 9
Chamberlain James, Owasco, view of residence. 64 382 Cooke William C., M. D., Moravia, portrait .. 475 Chamberlain David, Owasco, portrait. between 384-385 Chamberlain James, 384-385.
Chamberlain Margaret, Owasco, portrait .. 884-385 Chamberlain Polly, 66 384-385
Curtis W. H., M. D., Moravia, portrait .... facing 463
Cuykendall Solomon, Owasco, portrait. facing 383 Cook Elisha, Venice, view of residence. 441 Dunning Henry Silas, Auburn, portrait. 46
142 Drew M. D., Cato, portrait. 290
Drew M. D., Cato, view of residence.
290
Dugan Hugh, Sterling, view of residence.
254
Ellery William, Mentz, view of residence
322
Erity E. B., Mentz, view of residence.
314
Ellis Cyrus, Niles, view of residence.
445
Ellis Cyrus, and wife, Niles, portrait.
445
Fosgate Blanchard, M. D., Auburn, portrait.
247
Fyler S. B., Conquest, view of Howlands Island, between 286-287
Fitch Jeremiah, Aurelius, view of residence,
350-351
Fitch Jeremiah, Aurelius, portrait ..
350-351
Frye Moses MeKinster, and wife, Owasco, por- traits .facing 388
Greenfield Elondo, Moravia, view of residence ....
418
Gutchess Stephen & W. W., Mentz, view of resi- dence, facing 321
Grant J. Lewis, Auburn, portrait,.
153
Genesee St., Auburn, looking east,.
138
Hurlburt Amos and wife, Moravia, portraits.,
463
Howland Ang., Ledyard, view of residence,
. between 392-393 Harris Esther, Conquest, view of residence, ...... .facing 284 Hunter John, Sterling, view of residence, ... between 264-265 Hunter John, Sterling, portrait (steel) .. 264-265 Hunter Thomas, Sterling, portrait (steel) facing 262
Hunter James C., Sterling, view of residence, 254
Healy Ebenezer, Sennett, portrait ..
345
Healy John Mason, Sennett, portrait,
345
PAGE CHAPTER XL. - History Town of Sennett,. 340
CHAPTER XLI .-
' Aurelius, 346
" Springport, 358 CHAPTER XLII .- CHAPTER XLIII .--- 66 Fleming, 376
CHAPTER XLIV. Owasco, 382
CHAPTER XLV .- 6 Ledyard, 390
Scipio, 417
Venice,.
432
CHAPTER XLVIII.
" Niles,
443
CHAPTER XLIX .-
" Moravia,
451
CHAPTER XXXVI .- "
Montezuma,
298
CHAPTER LI .-
CHAPTER XXXVII .- «
" Mentz,
308
CHAPTER LII. ---
66
CHAPTER XXXVIII .- “
Brutus
322
CHAPTER XXXIX. -
" Throop,
334
PAGE
V
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY.
PAGE
Howland's Island, Conquest, residence of S. B. PAGE
Fyler, .between 986-28; Hubbard John W., Auburn, portrait. 243 Henry John J., Mentz, portrait,. facing 318
Hunsiker Hoyt, M. D., Owasco, portrait,
..
Irwin James H. and wife, Sterling, portraits, between 260-261 Irwin James H., Sterling, view of residence. .. 260-261 Jarrod Mrs. Terrissa, Auburn, view of residence.
between 198-199
Jarrod Canfield, Auburn, portrait,.
66
198-199
Jarrod Mrs. Terrissa, Auburn, portrait ..
198-199
Johnson Robert, Sterling, view of residence,
.facing 274
Jump Isaac, Scipio, view of residence.
facing 418
Knapp John Turner, Cato, portrait,.
facing 204
Kellet John and wife, Springport, portraits, between 364-365
Letchworth Josiah, Auburn, portrait, (steel,).
facing 234
Legern J. C., Locke, view of residence.
..
512
Legern J. C. and wife, Locke, portrait. ..
512
Morgan Col. E. B., Ledyard, view of residence,
between 400-401 Morgan Col. E. B., Ledyard, portrait. (steel) between 400-401 McCullen Thomas, Mentz, view of residence ...... facing 318 Myers M. S., Auburn, portrait, . .. 220
"Mount Pleasant," residence of Elondo Green- field, Moravia, view 418
Moreland Moses, Sennett, portrait, ..
341
McCrea Thomas, Auburn, portrait
66
462
Mead E. A., Moravia, portrait.
=
475
McIntosh John, Aurelius, portrait, (steel, ) between 348-349 Nicholson Elizabath, Mentz, view of residence, ..... facing 310 Newland Lemuel A. and wife, Niles, portraits, betw. 446-447 Newland Lemuel A. and wife, Niles, view of residence,
between 446-447
Post Geo. I., Sterling, portrait ..
facing 253
Patee Eliphalet and wife, Owasco, portraits
..
386
Powers Cyrus, Moravia, portrait ..
4.
466
Rich Geo. R., Cato, portrait.
296
Richardson Naomi, Springport, view of residence. facing 442 "Rooks Nest" view of the residence of the late John Rooks, Niles .. 444
Rooks John, Niles, portrait.
444
Seward Wm. H., Auburn, portrait, (steel). 220 Sprague C. B., Ira. view of residence. 281
Searls Wm., Auburn, portrait.
248
Searls Theodore J., Auburn, portrait. 243
Schuch Louis, Anburn, portrait facing 251
Schuch Louis, view of hotel.
251
Sunderlin Horace, Sennett. portrait ..
342
Spencer J. O., Springport, portrait .. ..
374
Spencer J. O., Springport, view of Agricultural
Works.
374
Sheldon Daniel and Eliza, Brutus, portraits, 394
St. Patrick's Church. Aurora ..
.. 322
Sylvester Joseph H., M. D .. Moravia, portrait. $62
Taylor Malcolm, Venice, Cascade House 442
Titus William and wife, Moravia, portraits. 458
274 Upcraft John, Sterling. view of' " Lakeside Farm," Van Petten Jacob. Sterling, view of residence ...... Van Patten Frederick, Auburn, portrait .. 165
2416
Van Etten Abraham, Niles, view of residence. 451
Van Etten Abraham, Niles, portrait .. 4.51 Van Etten Henry N .. Niles, portrait .. 451 Van Etten Mrs. Clara J., Niles, portrait .. 451
Wooden Wm. D. and wife, Scipio, portraits. 423
White Robert. Auburn, portrait. 177
Wilcox Robert E .. Conquest, view of residence .. 64
2×4 Wilcox Harry J., Conquest, view of residence ..
Wilcox Harry J. and wife. Conquest. portraits. 282 Willard Sylvester, M. D., Auburn, view of residence 6. 1×1
Worden Warren T. and wife, Auburn, portraits,
between 244-245
Worden Warren T., Auburn, view of residence, " 244-245 Waldron Jacob, N., and wife, Sennett, portraits ... . facing 343 Webster N. E., Scipio, view of residence. 428 Winslow William B. Springport. portrait .... between 364-865
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Ackerson Cornelius, Sterling. 267
Andrews Thomas, Sterling .. 267
Armstrong D. H., Auburn facing 186
Austin Elisha Sedgwick, Sennett.
..
346
Baker Abel, M. D., Owasco.
385
Bundy Wm. L., Auburn. 247
Briggs Lansingh, M. D., Auburn 237
Brinkerhoff David, Owasco. facing 387
Cady Curtiss C., Sennett.
" 344
Cady C. C., Jr., Sennett.
6 344
Castner Richard, Throop
339
Chedell John H. Auburn. .facing 222
Clary Joseph, M. D., Anburn 251
Coburn Rev. Keyes, Sennett facing 340
Cooper William, Sterling.
267
Courtney John F. & Charles E.
375
Cuykendall Solomon, Owasco.
.facing 383
Chamberlain Ninian, Owasco.
between 884-385
Curtis W. H., M. D., Moravia 475
Cooke Wm. C., M. D., Moravia 475
Cook Elisha, Venice.
518
vi
HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY.
PAGE
Dugan Hugh, Sterling. 265 Dunning Henry Silas, Auburn facing 142
Ellery William, Mentz. 322
Frye Moses McKinster, Owasco.
facing 388
Fosgate Blanchard, M. D., Auburn.
246
Fitch Jeremiah, Aurelius.
.between 350-351
Grant J. Lewis, Auburn
facing 153
Gutchess Stephen, Mentz. 321
Hall Benjamin F., Auburn
238
Healy Ebenezer. Sennett.
facing 345
Healy John Mason. Sennett.
345
Hewett Ralph, Sterling.
266
Hurlburt Amos, Moravia.
475
Hunsiker Hoyt, Owasco
517
Howland's Island, Conquest,
286
Hubbard John W., Auburn,
242
Hunter James, Sterling,
263
Hunter Jolin, Sterling,
264
Hunter Thomas, Sterling,
264
Ireland John, Sterling,
266
Irwin James H., Sterling,
between 260-261
Irwin William, Sterling, 265
Jarrod Canfield, Auburn,
between 198-199
Johnson Robert, Ira,
280
Knapp John Turner, Cato,
.facing 294
Kellet John, Springport.
between 364-365
Letchworth Josiah, Auburn,.
234
Lockwood Homer, Victory,
273
Legern John C., Locke,.
512
facing 462
McCullen Thomas, Mentz, 322
Miller Ehjah, Auburn,
226
Moreland Moses, Sennett,
facing 341
Myers M. S., Auburn,
220
Morgan Christopher, Ledyard, .
399
Morgan Col. Edwin B., Ledyard,
400
PAGE McIntosh John, Aurelius. between 348-349
Newland Lemuel A., Niles, 446-447
Post Geo. I., Sterling, facing 253
Powers Cyrus, M. D., Moravia,
466
Patee Ehphalet, Owasco,
386
Rich George R., Cato,
296
Rooks John, Niles,. 451
Schuch Louis, Auburn, 251
Scott John, Sterling,
267
Searls Theodore J., Auburn,
243
Searls Rev. William, Auburn, 243
Seward William H., Auburn.
229
Sheldon Daniel, Brutus.
facing 324
Sprague C. Burton, Ira
281
Storke Elliot G., Auburn. 250
Sunderlin Horace, Sennett.
facing 342
Spencer J. O., Springport.
374
Sylvester Joseph H., M. D., Moravia
facing 462
Throop Enos Thompson, Auburn. 225
Titus William, Moravia ...
.facing 458
Upcraft John, Sterling.
266
Van Patten Frederick, Auburn .facing 165
Van Petten Jacob, Sterling.
266
Van Petten Peter, Sterling. 266
Van Etten Abraham, Niles.
451
Waldron Jacob N., Sennett
facing 343
Worden Warren Thatcher, Auburn
244
White Jonas, Auburn.
252
White Robert, Auburn.
facing 177
Wilcox Harry Jefferson, Conquest .
287
Winslow Warren B., Springport
between 364-365
Wooden William D., Scipio ...
423
MISCELLANEOUS.
List of Citizens who assisted in the publication of the History of Cayuga County with Personals, 519
McCrea Thomas, Auburn,
INTRODUCTORY.
THE authentic records of CAYUGA COUNTY are generally supposed to be limited to the present race of settlers, embracing a period of about one hundred years, and that all its anterior history was involved in the doubt and obscurity of vague Indian traditions.
But civilized and thoroughly educated men dwelt here more than two centuries ago. As early as 1656, French Missionaries resided in this County, and instructed the Redmen, not only in the mysteries of their Holy Faith, but also in some of the arts and improvements of their age, of which interesting remains have, from time to time, been found by subsequent settlers.
Those Missionaries wrote out full and minute accounts of their experiences with the Indians, including more or less of their habits and modes of life. The latter, however, were most minutely given in respect to the Huron and other Canadian tribes, who where first visited, and those details are not repeated in their account of the Cayugas. The latter are chiefly confined to a description of their efforts to Christianize the savages. These Missionary reports, denominated " Relations," were sent to France and hidden away in the musty alcoves of French libraries, and, so far as they relate to the Cayugas, have not, until quite recently, been accessible to the general reader. For the translation and publication of the latter we are indebted to the thoughtful efforts of one of our own citizens,* for the earliest and most interesting facts in the history of the County.
Until the present undertaking, the history of this County has not been written. The materials for such a work were widely scattered. They laid in the imperfect town, county, society and private records, and in the vague and faded memories of individuals. The written records were often fragmentary and, sometimes, entirely wanting ; and of the first generation of settlers, but few only remain.
The great labor and difficulty of collecting and collating such material into systematic order, and in reconciling conflicting statements, can, therefore, be readily apprehended. Much time and diligent research have been required. Competent men have visited every locality in the County ; public and private records have been carefully examined ; well-informed residents consulted, and information obtained from every other available source.
* Rev. CHARLES HAWLEY, D. D., President of the Cayuga County Historical Society.
viii
INTRODUCTORY.
An earlier preparation of this work would have lessened the labor and produced more satisfac- tory results ; would have given access to the personal experience and relations of the very first set- tlers, with whom have died facts and incidents which are now beyond recall.
It must, therefore, be obvious that the time for the publication of such a work had fully come, and a longer delay would only have added to the obscurity of the facts, and the difficulty of their acquisition. At this date, though we have not the personal experience, and the incidents in the lives of the very first settlers, as detailed by themselves ; we still have their " oft told tales " from the lips of their immediate descendants and can thus collect and chronicle, with a close approach to accuracy, the facts of early history.
In our researches for those facts we have been greatly aided by the intelligent, industrious and successful efforts of the Cayuga County Historical Society in the same field, to whose interesting and valuable collection of historical records and papers, we have kindly been given access, and from which we have derived much valuable material. The following papers read before the society and on file with it, have especially aided us in the preparation of the chapters to which they respectively relate : "Travel and Transportation," by the late J. LEWIS GRANT ; " Art and Professional Artists," by Major T. J. KENNEDY ; " Medical Societies," by THEODORE DIMON, M. D .; " Homeopathy," by HORATIO ROBINSON, M. D .; and the elaborate and scholarly "Biography of the late Hon. ELIJAH MILLER," by the Hon. BENJAMIN F. HALL.
We have also consulted the following, among many other similar works : SMITH's History of New York ; Colonial, Documentary and Natural Histories of New York ; COLDEN's Five Nations ; KIPP's and PARKMAN'S Jesuits ; SCHOOLCRAFT's Notes ; BANCROFT's and LOSSING's Histories of the United States ; ABBOTT's and GREELEY's Histories of the Rebellion ; CLARK's Onondaga ; New York Civil List, 1879 ; and files of the New York and local journals.
The data for the several town histories have been derived from the various town, society and private records, and from gentlemen well informed in local history. To the latter, who are too numerous for individual mention, we hereby express our grateful acknowledgments.
That errors have in all cases been avoided we do not expect ; so far as we have relied upon the perfection of memory, our statements are subject to its lapses ; but such verbal and traditionary statements have in all practicable cases been verified by records, and are, in the main, believed to be substantially correct.
E. G. STORKE.
J. H. SMITH.
MAP OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK. Scale, 5 Miles to one inch.
NORTH PART
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MZENGRAVED EXPRESSLY THE CAYUGA COUNTY- ) HISTORY
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CENTRAL
HISTORY
OF
CAYUGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
CHAPTER I. NATIVE INHABITANTS.
THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY-PERFECTION OF ITS ORGANIZATION-TRADITION OF ITS ORIGIN -HIAWATHA'S ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL- EXTENT OF THEIR SWAY-SOURCES OF THEIR POWER-THEIR CIVIL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CODES.
T HE first inhabitants of Cayuga County, of whom authentic records have been pre- served, were the Cayugas, one of the five nations that formed the famous Iroquois Confederacy. That Confederacy was the best organized and the most powerful of any on the Continent. Its history is not only very interesting in itself, but is also very closely connected with the early settlement and development of this part of the State, and may, therefore, in a brief form appro- priately introduce the general history of the County. The history of the five nations is, also, the history of the Cayugas, as their interests were always closely allied and their habits and usages essentially the same.
The Confederacy, at its first formation, com- prised five separate nations,-the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. Territorially, the Onondagas were the middle nation. The Oneidas and Mohawks lying to the east, and the Cayugas and Senecas to the west of them. The seat of their government was upon Onondaga Lake, where their wise men,-the civil rulers of the league,-assembled to deliberate upon and determine all questions of
national concern ; and here their council fires burned for many generations .*
The union of the separate nations was formed anterior to authentic history ; its date rests only upon the authority of vague Indian traditions, which are legendary and fabulous. Like all rude nations, they trace their origin to supernatural agencies. Divested of the hyperbole of their language, the following is a brief account of their origin :
Hundreds of years ago, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the deity that presided over the fisheries and streams,. visited the earth to clear the streams, point out the best fishing and hunting grounds, and bestow good gifts upon the people. He crossed Lake Ontario at Osh-wah-kee, Oswego, and disclosed to two hunters, whom he there met, the object of his mission. They, at the invitation of the vis- itor, accompanied him over all the lesser lakes, when he made a full provision for the sustenance of all good men. He taught the people the art of rais-
* The council fire at Onondaga was finally extinguished January 19, 1777, in the following speech of the Oneida chiefs to Colonel Elmore : " Brother-We are sent here by the Oneida chiefs, in con- junction with the Onondagas. They arrived at our village yesterday. They gave us the melancholy news that the grand council fire at Onondaga was extinguished, We have lost out of their town by death ninety, among whom are three principal sachems. We, the remaining part of the Onondagas, do now inform our brethren that there is no longer a council fire at the capital of the Six Nations, However, we are determined to use our feeble endeavors to support peace through the Confederate nations. But let this be kept in mind, that the council fire is extinguished. It is of importance to our well being, that this be immediately communicated to Gen- eral Schuyler, and likewise to our brothers, the Mohawks. * * " The reasons for this step have never been satisfactorily explained, and still remains a mystery.
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HIAWATHA'S ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL.
ing corn and beans, made fishing and hunting free, and distributed liberally the fruits of the earth.
Having done all this, the spirit man decided to live as man, among the children of men, whose habits and character he henceforth assumed. He was given the name of Hi-a-wat-ha,-very wise man,-and was consulted by multitudes. After a few years of quiet, a ferocious band of warriors from the north of the great lakes, attacked them and slaughtered many of their people. Hi-a- wat-ha, being consulted, advised a grand council of all the tribes, which was held at a spot on the banks of the Oh-nen-ta-ha, (Onondaga Lake,) believed to be near the present site of Liverpool. Three days had the council fire burned, but Hi- a-wat-ha was absent. He was sought and found in great dejection and informed the messengers that he had concluded not to attend the council, for, he said, he had a fearful " foreboding of ill fortune." But the business of the council awaited his presence. After repeated solicitations and communion with the Great Spirit, he consented to attend the council, accompanied by a favorite daughter, where he was received with great re- spect. Soon after he was seated, a monster bird, of such size as to darken the sky, descended with the speed of lightning, piercing with his monster bill the body of Hi-a-wat-ha's daughter, killing her instantly ; the bird being also killed. The father was greatly dejected, and remained for three days prone upon the earth, during which no business was transacted. Finally recovering, he joined the council and its deliberations pro- ceeded. At the second days' session, he made them the following address :
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