USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. I > Part 6
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INDIAN RUNNERS.
Indian sports consisted of foot races, ball playing, pitching of quoits and shooting with the bow and arrow. Foot racing was a favorite pastime; some of the Indian runners boasted they could nut-travel the horse in a long journey. A single Indian has been known to strike a deer's trail in the morning and run the animal down before night. An instance is noted of a young Seneca warrior and hunter, who struck the trail of a deer in an early October morn- ing, at the foot of Conesus lake, and followed his prey to a salt lick near Shingle House, Pennsylvania, where he ran down and captured his vietim after a chase of nearly one hundred miles. This was before the beginning of the Revolution. This was told Judge Talcott by Two-Guns, a Seneca of the Allegheny reserva- tion.
Morgan says that in preparing to carry messages they de- nuded themselves entirely, with the exception of breech-cloth and belt. They were usually sent out in pairs, and took their way through the forests, one behind the other in perfect silenee. A trained runner would travel one hundred miles a day. But three days were necessary, it is said, to convey intelligence from Albany to Fort Niagara during the French war, to Sir William Johnson from General Amherst. During the war of 1812 a runner left Tonawanda for Avon, a distance of forty miles, at daylight in the summer, and returned to Tonawanda again about noon the same day.
The curative means of these Indians consisted of roots and herbs. Dancing and singing were often resorted to to relieve the sick. Witcheraft was employed by the older people, who, more than the young, cherished the belief that disease was the result of sorcery and evil spirits. Indian medicine men-doctors-were often met with in the woods and swamps, gathering their supplies and stores to effect eures. Their remedies for snake bites were usually antidotes, but the ingredients they always refused to give, because it was given by the great snake who was the guardian of their birthplace. In later years they preferred the white settlers' favorite remedy -whiskey.
THE SENECAS' HEREAFTER.
The Senecas believed in a Great Spirit, whom they feared, and in an evil spirit, whom they hated, but whose power they believed
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was not inferior to the other. After death the good went directly to the happy hunting grounds, where game and fish were always abundant, and no enemies were there to molest, annoy, disturb or make afraid. The bad had a place of temporary punishment for bad conduct and cowardice, from which in due time they also were allowed to enter the pleasant abode of the good. The journey after death was of considerable length, so a dish of food and a wooden spoon were buried with the dead body for his subsistenee on his last journey. The gun, tomahawk and scalping knife of the warrior were placed by his side in the grave or place of de- posit. The Indians' heaven was by them designed for his race alone, although exceptions were made in favor of Sir William Johnson and Washington, alone, in reward for their acts of kind- ness and justice to their brethren.
Aboriginal belief that the soul survives the body was founded on traditions like the following, taken by Mr. Horsford, from the mouth of an aged Seneca many years ago: In ancient times war broke out between two warlike savage tribes. On one side the forces were jointly led by a great warrior and a noted successful hunter. The latter had killed much game for the skins; the re- mains were by him left for the beasts and birds of prey. The battle then on was going against him; he saw that to save his own life he must quit the field. As he turned to go the body of a great tree lay across his path and when he came up to it a great blow knocked him down. On recovering he found, strangely enough, that he could as easily pass through as over the obstrue- tion. Reaching home his friends would not talk with him. They seemed quite unaware of his presence. It now occurred to him that he had been killed and was present in spirit only; human eyes could not see him. He returned to the battlefield and there, sure enough, lay his body quite dead, and its scalp gone. A pigeon- hawk flying by recognized the disembodied hunter and gratefully offered to recover his scalp. So, flying away to the place of the retiring vietors, he plucked the sealp from the bloody pole. The other birds had in the meantime prepared a medicine, which soon united and healed the sealp to the head. Then bears and wolves joined with the birds in the dance of joy and gratitude. The hunter-chief got well and lived many years after, his experience strengthening their religious faith, and teaching them how to use the remedies, so strangely acquired, which to this day are the most effective known to the Indians.
The squaw was the true burden-bearer and laborer. Ask the proud and warlike Seneca to work or carry the goods or luggage ? No-that was for the woman. She planted, cultivated and har- vested. The squaws carried the luggage on their backs, fastened by the burden-strap or tumpline, a broad band of finely braided bark, suspended from the forehead, crossed at the shoulders and fastened to a belt behind. The men commonly wore the native costume, especially the inevitable blanket with its smoky, dirty smell. The squaws, always bareheaded, wore eloth petticoats, often of fine texture, leggings of the same eloth, and deerskin moccasins, neatly worked with colored beads, shells and bright thread, show- ing taste, delicacy and love of adornment-a trait of her sex in all ages, situations and conditions. .
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IIISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
The little papoose, bound to its light frame, was borne upon the mother's back, its arms pinioned and its little copper face ex- posed to the sun. This baby frame of strong, light wood, was two or three feet in length and about fifteen inches wide at the shoul- ders, the whole surmounted by a hoop placed just above the head, upon which a curtain or veil was then placed to screen the child's face, and from which hung some jingling ornaments to attract the attention. The frame served the child abroad and at home. While the mother attended to her household cares and duties in her hut it hung from a peg or limb of a small tree, so arranged that on passing a touch from her hand would set it swinging; in the field, so suspended from a limb, it was secure from snakes and other dangers, and the wind, by giving it motion, would lull the little occupant to sleep. Moss was placed between the heels of female infants to make them toe-in; in males the moss was so adjusted as to produce a perfectly straight position of the feet.
It was no uncommon occurrence with the first white settiers to awake late in the night to find the floors of their houses covered with sleeping Indians, who thus snatched a few hours' rest, quit- ting before daylight as quietly as they came. A piece of venison, or other game, would be left by these uninvited lodgers in payment for the intrusion. These settlers profited by the natives' knowl- edge of the forests or swamps. The stranger who lost his way in the woods or became bewildered in the thicket, which frequently happened, was fortunate to meet an Indian, because the latter's sense of location seemed unerring. No matter how far out of the true way the lost traveller might be the native would never leave him with verbal or other directions merely, but acting the part of a guide would accompany the traveler safely into the proper trail.
Schoolcraft says that the Indians would go to any new and strange location, pitch their wigwams and chase deer in all direc- tions and for long distances, the weather being never so stormy, thick or cloudy, but that when ready they would go as directly to their camp as could a surveyor with his compass and maps.
THE SENECA WOMAN'S RIGHTS.
The status and privileges of the women of the Seneca nation were and are the same as the women of many of the United States are contending and striving for, and who will not rest until ac- complished. No treaty was valid until it was agreed to by the women of the nation, especially if peace or war, or the acquisition or disposition of territory was the subject of negotiation, or was contemplated.
This fact was illustrated and the rule applied at what is known as the "Big Tree" treaty, held at Geneseo in the adjoining county of Livingston, on August 26, 1797. Robert Morris, who chiefly financed the war of the Revolution, by purchase from the state of Massachusetts had acquired the territory lying between the Genesee river on the east and Lake Erie and Niagara river, except a narrow reservation, on the west, and from the Pennsylvania linc on the south to Lake Ontario on the north, subject to the Indian right of occupation. This vast tract he had sold to the Holland Land Company, he agreeing to satisfy the rights and claims of the
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
Indians. This treaty was attended by a representative of the state of Massachusetts and of the Federal government and by many dis- tinguished and celebrated Indian chiefs, sachems, warriors and women, among whom was Mary Jemison, the "White Woman of the Genesee." Robert Morris did not attend, but was most ably represented by his son, Thomas Morris. The Indians objected to Robert Morris, because they said he had a. "big mouth and a big belly," by reason of previous transactions with him. Among the Indians were Red Jacket, Corn-Planter, Farmer's Brother and Young King. The council fire was lighted by Thomas Morris. The council lasted through a number of days. The Indians were not in a subservient mood. White adventurers, not in sympathy with Morris, had supplied them with whiskey and advised them not to sell to Morris for the sum he had named ($100,000). Red Jacket, furiously resenting and declining the offer, said: "Let us part friends and go home. I now cover up this council's fire." The day's proceedings then broke up in the greatest disorder. The next day Mr. Morris said to Farmer's Brother that Red Jacket had no right to cover up the fire; that Indian usage gave to him who lighted the council fire the right to cover it up; hence, as he had himself lighted this fire, Red Jacket had no right to cover it up and declare it extinguished. He therefore insisted that it was yet burn- ing. To this, after a few minutes' reflection, the chief assented. Negotiations with the sachems having failed, custom justified an attempt to secure the warriors who defended the lands, and the women who were the mothers of the warriors, and who cultivated the lands. They were now entitled to take the business in their own hands, because dissatisfied with the management of the sach- ems. After a few days spent in fixing details, Mr. Morris assured the women, whom he had invited with the warriors to meet him, that he would renew to them his offer of $100,000 and concede to them such reservations as were required for their actual occupancy. He showed them how much good the money would do them in re- lieving them of their drudgery. He also stated that he had brought some presents from Philadelphia for them, to be distributed how- ever, only in the event of the purchase of their lands; but as he had no cause for complaint against the women, their part of the gifts would now be divided among them. So that in a few hours, silver brooches glittered, and glass beads sparkled upon hundreds of the dusky daughters of the forest, while all were more or less fantastically arrayed in shawls and printed Indian goods.
After some days spent in rude festivities, alternated by serious consultations, Mr. Morris received a request to call the council to- gether for negotiation. Cornplanter, the principal war chief, opened the proceedings. He said the women and warriors had seen, with regret, the misconduct of their sachems, though the conduct of Mr. Morris had been too hasty. Farmer's Brother, on the part of the sachems, stated that these proceedings on the part of the women were, in view of what had occurred, in perfect ac- cordance with their usages. From this moment Cornplanter be- came the principal speaker. Red Jacket withdrew, procured whis- key, got drunk, and so remained, until the terms were agreed upon. Mary Jemison was present all of the time; took part in the pro- ceedings, both in and out of the council-house, and most persist-
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
ently demanded that her interests should be duly guarded. She had secured a generous gift from the Indians at Gardeau on the west side of the Genesee river, some ten miles above Mt. Morris, and about thirteen below the lower falls of the river at Portage. In fixing the limits of her reservation, she objected to have it stated in square miles, saying that she had various improved places, one of which was a patch of corn, one of potatoes, another of beans. She named certain boundaries, to which Mr. Morris, owing to the impatience of the commissioner, hastily assented, under the im- pression that the grant would not exceed one hundred and fifty acres. When afterwards the survey came to be made, it was found that Mary's farm contained thirty thousand acres of excellent quality.
Thus passed from the Seneca Nation of Indians to the Holland Land Company three million six hundred thousand acres of the best land in the state of New York; now containing ten cities, numerous large and prosperous villages, an intelligent and opulent rural population, with homes for three million people, where rail- roads approximate in frequency the Indian trails. This was ac- complished and made certain and effective by the unyielding de- termination of the women of the Senecas, after the failure of the wise men and sachems to negotiate. Here is an instance of deter- mination that the white sisters of today can emulate with like results.
Red Jacket, who had acted a double part in the matter, came privately to Mr. Morris, on the night before the signing of the treaty, and asked for a place to be reserved near the top of the names to the instrument for his signature, after the others had signed. He said he had opposed the cession, and to be consistent he could not publicly sign his name, but would do so before it went to the president; because it would do him injury to have the treaty sent off to Philadelphia without his formal approval of it, as Gen- eral Washington might think he had lost his position and influence with the Senecas.
TRADITIONAL ORIGIN OF SENECAS.
A brief consideration of the character, habits, occupation and places of living of the early Americans who were the first occupants of the region now considered; their superiority over all of the people who inhabited the northern states east of the Mississippi river; their unbounded sway and influence, for nearly two cen- turies, down to the time of their conquest and expulsion-arouses the inquiry as to the origin of this superior nation. Where did they come from ?
The Iroquois, of whom the Senecas were the most forceful and feared, owe their origin as a separate people, if not indeed their martial glory, to the encroachments of a neighboring nation more powerful than they. Originally inclined to tillage more than to arms, they resided on the northern bank of the St. Lawrence, near Montreal. Here, as one nation, they lived in subjection to the Adirondacks, who were on the south side of that river. But, pro- voked by some infringement of their rights, they struck for in- dependent possession of the country. Failing in this, they were forced to quit Canada, and finally found their way into central
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
and western New York, where, on the banks of its fair lakes and rivers, they laid the foundation of a power compared with which every other Indian nation falls short. This is dim and misty history.
Tradition, which has survived to this day, gives them a far different origin. The scanty information about these early occu- pants induces us to turn to tradition, especially to the narrative of the Indian David Cusick, a Tuscarora Indian, whose ancestors came from North Carolina and settled ou the Niagara river, near Lewiston, New York. Cusick's account of the origin of the North American continent is quite like the story of the existence and dis- appearance of Atlantis, as told by the ancients. Cusick says that six centuries before the Christian era the Senecas were directed to settle on a hill south of Canandaigua lake, near the present vil- lage of Naples, New York. Some traditions say they sprang from this hill, clothed and armed; hence their name, Nun'-do-wah'-o, which, in their language, signifies the Great Hill People. An agent of a Superior Power came to teach them the duties of life; seeds were given with directions for their use, and dogs provided them to help in taking game. Their numbers increased, villages sprang up, and prosperity and happiness abonnded. The agent of the Superior Being returned to the skies. Monsters of many forms invaded the country, from time to time, and devoured many per- sons. A great lake serpent traversed the trails from the Genesee river to Canandaigua lake, stopping all intercourse, and compell- ing the village to fortify against it. A snake of great size having a human head soon after appeared in the principal pathway. This was destroyed by a band of brave warriors selected for their prowess, after a conflict in which was exhibited, if we credit the tradition, something more than mortal valor.
THE FABLED SERPENT OF BARE HILL.
The tradition continnes. Two centuries later, a festival of re- joicing was held by the Senecas on the top of this hill, at which all of the inhabitants were in attendance. Suddenly the great serpent that lived in the lake made its appearance, swiftly coming up the hill, and surrounded the place of the merry-making, completely encircling it with its huge slimy and scaley form, its tail reaching beyond its wide-open cavernous mouth. Paralyzed with fear and overcome and sickened by the fetid odor exhaled from the ser- pent's body, they made efforts to escape by climbing over its huge and foul body. All were devoured, save one young brave and a young woman. The young warrior had been told in a dream how he could destroy this evil monster by piercing its body at a particu- lar indicated spot with a golden arrow delivered to him in a clond. He did as directed. In its death throes the monster straightened out, and with frightful velocity rolled down the hill into the lake and disappeared beneath its waters, uprooting trees, at each bound disgorging human heads with a terrifying noisc. For generations afterwards, Indians say, the beach about the spot was whitened with skeletons of its victims; that the heads of the victims rolled into the lake and that to this day stones of the shape of Indians' heads may be seen at the bottom of the lake.
To this day the Indians visit that sacred place, to mourn the Vol. 1-3
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
loss of their friends and to celebrate and observe some rites pecu- liar to themselves, in commemoration of this event; as the following, taken from a public journal of that locality, recites :
INDIAN LEGEND OF CANANDAIGUA LAKE.
Canandaigua, N. Y., March 22, 1910 .- Residents living in the vicinity of Bare Hill on the shores of Canandaigua lake have been startled and their curiosity excited during the past week by the appearance of fires upon the barren top of the hill. The recurrence of the phenomenon and its peculiar nature led to an investigation.
The fire appeared at the same place each night and was located about the center of the old Indian orchard which still stands upon the summit of the hill. A farmer who investigated the top of the hill in the daytime found a pyre of stones erected in the midst of the moss-grown trees, like a rude altar, and resolved to find who was burning a fire upon the summit of the steep knoll.
At night he went to the place and was surprised to find a solitary Indian attending the burning pyre. The Redman was dressed in the common garb, but was evidently holding some quasi-religious rite. He was not disturbed in his ceremony and for seven nights the strange fire was seen, but the lone Indian never appeared by day.
A dip into the legendary history of the Seneca Indian reveals the fact that this is the year and time that was set aside for the Indian rites in commemoration of the death of the serpent which is fabled to have encircled Bare Hill, or Genundewah as the Indians styled it, and by whose death the Seneca tribe was freed from a fearsome imprisonment.
On each fourth year in the "Harvest Moon" it was the custom of the Senecas to celebrate their deliverance from the fabled monster, and at that time their rites were observed on Bare Hill. The present time is the date for the ceremonies. Red Jacket, and The Blacksmith, two Seneca chiefs, re- lated the manner of the rites, and Seaver, in his "Life of Mary Jemison," also mentions the fact.
Just where the lone Indian who this year observed the ancient ceremonies came from no one knows, but he was undoubtedly sent by his tribe from one of the reservations where the remnants of his race live.
The Seneca Indians also send delegations each year to visit and inspect their tribal burial grounds between this village and Geneva.
THE LEGEND OF BARE HILL. By J. N. Greene.
In western central Empire State Between broad fields and wooded brakes
Lake Canandaigua pensive lies, "The gem of all the inland lakes." 1
From every nook and friendly shade Along its winding, pebbly shores A cosy cottage rears its form And opens wide its friendly doors. Here Nature with most lavish hands Displays her beauty, art and pride
In wooded glades and fern-leafed glens; . In towering hills and valleys wide. Upon the lake's deep bosom lay The busy steamers day by day, While many a white-winged craft is seen Before the breeze to scud away.
The fertile fields, the waving grain, The vine-clad hills on either side, Betoken industry and thrift, A people prosperous far and wide.
But here, where now are fertile fields, And houses, orchards, fruits and grain,
Was once one vast and wide expanse Of- rock-ribbed hills and wooded plain. Where verdant meadows, lowing herds And public highways now appear
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
The Indian hunter once pursued_ And ran to earth the panting deer. -
Upon the same bright, sparkling waves,
Where steamers early toil and late, The Indian lover plied his bark And wooed and won his dusky mate. Here on the eastern side one sees, Abruptly rising from the shore, A mighty hill, whose towering height, Measures a thousand feet or more. Like some huge sentinel it stands
Through winters' storms and summers' heat, Shielding with its mighty form The smiling valley at its feet.
Along its base and 'round its sides The grape vine clings with loving care, But stately rising, far above, Its proud old head, alas! is bare. -
To cover it with vine or verdure . Man and Nature vainly seek, . .
For a hundred summers' rain' and shine Have left its head still bare and bleak.
1
And now there comes the Indian legend, In romance rich, renowned in fame.
A legacy the Red Man left us, Telling how the bare spot came.
'Twas long ago before the white man Drove the Indian far away, -
When free he wandered through the forests, . Lord of all he might survey. It was the time of Golden Harvest, And all the tribes, north, south and east,
Had come to hold their solemn councils I
And celebrate the Harvest Feast.
A happy time of glad rejoicing For the old as well as young;
t
Where painted braves and dusky maidens Feasted, sported, danced and sung.
Upon the hilltop's lofty summit Their simple huts in rows were placed,
Around which, in the evening twilight, In sportive glee the children raced. The Harvest Feast was all made ready; The council fires awaiting laid, Till the last departing sunbeams Had given way to evening's shade.
1
In merry groups the warriors wrestled Or tried their prowess with the lance,
While the graceful, dark-eyed maidens Sighed and longed for the festive dance. All were cheerful, all were happy, No good spirit went before +
To tell or warn them of the danger-
Of the awful fate in store. In the midst of their rejoicings, When shout and laughter filled the air,
When hearts were light and faces glowing, And joy was reigning everywhere, .
Then without a moment's warning On the ambient air there rung A low and awful cry of horror That froze the laugh on every tongue. Cheeks were blanched and limbs were rigid, Terror glued them to the earth, Every heart was wildly throbbing And horror reigned instead of mirth.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
For as they looked, lo! far beneath them, From the waters bright and warm, There they saw a mighty serpent Slowly lift his awful form. Which with swift and gliding motion, Head aloft, and gleaming eyes,
Darting fangs and cheeks distended, From the lake began to rise. Up the hillside, gliding, writhing, On he went with swelling form,
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