USA > New York > Cortland County > Pioneer history; or, Cortland County and the border wars of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 8
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120
METEOROLOGY.
of such shape that they can be cultivated to their sum- mits, and vary in height above the valleys from two hundred to six hundred feet. The valleys, geologically speaking, are those of denudation, being scooped out of the rocks above mentioned. The bottoms are filled to . an unknown depth with drift made up of the detritus and boulders of the northern rocks, as well as of the rocks in which they are situated. These valleys are of moderate width, and have no inconsiderable elevation above the ocean. The valley in which Homer is situ- ated is at that place 1096 feet above tide water. This elevation will account in a measure for the difference in the climate between this and the western portion of the State, especially from Cayuga lake westward. While Homer has the elevation just noticed, Ithaca is situated only four hundred and seventeen feet above tide-a difference in altitude of six hundred and seventy- nine feet. The mean temperature of Homer is forty- four degrees seventeen minutes, while that of Ithaca, with a difference in latitude of only eleven minutes of a degree, is forty-seven degrees eighty-eight minutes, thereby giving a difference in mean temperature of three degrees seventy-one minutes. The annual range of the thermometer in Homer, for 1845, was one hundred and four degrees, while that of Ithaca was ninety-two.
The daily range of temperature is one of the most marked characteristics of our climate, and this is espe- cially true of the late summer and early autumnal months. The vicissitudes of weather are very sudden and extreme, but the change in the daily temperature which exerts the most striking influence on the health of community, in our summer and autumnal months, is, the rapid depression of the mercury on the approach of
121
METEOROLOGY.
night-fall. There is often, in August and September, a change, from two o'clock to ten o'clock P. M., of from twenty to thirty-five degrees. It will be readily seen that if the body is not prepared to resist the influence of these changes, disease must result. The following table, prepared from observations taken in Homer in 1851, shows the monthly mean of the daily range of the thermometer :
Jan.
Feb.
March. 15.06
April. 13.43
May. 17.77
June. 16.40
July.
August.
Sept. 20.23
Oct. 15.09
8.53
10.03
In order to maintain an equable condition of the sys- tem, it becomes necessary to change clothing as often as the weather changes, or at least wear next. to the surface of the body those materials which do not con- duct heat rapidly.
The following table will give some idea of the climate of our county. The table was compiled from the records made by E. C. Reed, Esq., the Meteorological observer of the Smithsonian institute, of Homer :
No.inches High- Low- rain and est p't est p't
melted
of
of
Range.
Highest point of barom- eter.
Lowest point of barom- eter.
Range.
Direct'nCloud- wind. iness.
1853.
snow.
ther.
ther
May,
4.69
80
33
47
29.132
28.408
.724
N. W. 5
June,
4.00
88
47
41
29.121
28.517
.604
N. W.
4
July,
2.28
83
47
36
29.046
28.555
.491
S.
4
Aug.,
3.59
. 89
43
46
29.007
28.405
.602
S.
4
Sept.,
4.72
83
32
51
29.085
28.278
.807
S.
4
Oct.,
4.56
68
24
44
29.191
28.336
.855
S.
4
Nov.,
3.15
63
6
57
29.333
28.347
.986
S.
7
Dec.,
1.76
44
-2
46
29.012
27.974
1.068
S. 7
1854.
Jan.,
2.60
54
-5
59
29.268
28.039
1.229
S.
7
Feb., 4.46
48
-2
50
29.275
28.202
1.073
S. E. 6
March, 3.34
60
3
57
29.094
27.997
1.097
N. W. 7
April, 5.84
69
16
53
29.312
28.271
1.041
N. W. 6
13.35
11.42
Nov.
Dec.
17.12
20.33
CHAPTER XI.
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
"Can you tell me a tale or some legend old, Of the forest wild or the streamlet cold, Where the Indian, hound, or the arrow flew, Or the true hearts pledged their love anew ?"
THERE are many interesting and instructive legendary reminiscences treasured in the memory of the young braves and chieftains of the scattered remnants of the Delaware tribe. They are particularly fond of rehears- ing the unwritten incidents which form the only perfect memorial of the ancient history of their nation. The one which we are about to narrate was gathered from a source which entitles it to a place in our history, and the various corroborating facts derived from the tradi- tions of the early Indian occupants of the Wyoming valley, clothe it with a garb of undoubted reality.
At a period far back in the annals of the heroic past, there were numerous Indian settlements clustered along the banks of the classic Wyoming, the majestic Susque- hanna, the serpentine Chenango, and the ever to be ad- mired Tioughnioga. Near the mouth of Cold Brook, a small tributary of the Tioughnioga, the Indians had established a small settlement. The wigwams were rudely constructed, yet sufficiently comfortable to answer
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LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
the requirements of these red dwellers of the forest. They belonged to the Leni-Lenape or Delaware tribe, which originally came from the eastern shores of the North American continent. They were a warlike people, proud and ambitious, bold and resolute. Early in the sixteenth century, they separated by common consent from a branch of the parent tribe, which had previously settled in the Wyoming valley. Here they came seeking repose by the side of the beautiful stream that flowed through the picturesque Tioughnioga. They were supe- rior hunters, and lived chiefly by fishing or upon the success of the chase. As their numbers increased and their hopes brightened, the Mingoes, who were scattered along the shores of the great northern chain of lakes, became more or less jealous of the surrounding tribes, whom they endeavored to bring under their subjection, while they extended their jurisdiction over the hunting- grounds of their more feeble neighbors.
The impulses of the Lenapes were warm and ardent -their enthusiasm extravagant, usually leading to laud- able ends. They frequently suffered from the incursions of predatory parties of Mingoes, who sought by stealth to lessen their means of enjoyment, or, if possible, arouse in them a spirit of revenge, that they might find in it a pretext for making war against them, and thereby .exterminate or make them yield to their dictatorial no- tions of right. The aggressions of the Mingoes were carried on to the last point of forbearance, adding insult to insult, until finally the cry for revenge was only to be appeased by blood. The old chief was disabled by various infirmities from directing or taking part in the inevitable struggle for which the Lenapes were prepar-
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LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
ing. He had fought in many a severe battle, and had particularly distinguished himself in the fierce and bloody wars waged against the Alligewi on the Missis- sippi, as well as in the devastating incursions against the Mengwes. The scars upon his person were so many certificates of his valor ; and when he saw the storm rising and heard the elements muttering, his soul went up to the abode of the Great Spirit, invoking the as- sistance of the strong arm of Right in behalf of the oppressed. He called to his presence Ke-no-tah, a young and aspiring brave, and thus addressed him :
" I am an old warrior, but can no more go out to bat- tle. When the moon went down, crimsoned with the blood of my people who fell on the shores of the Great Waters, I was borne from the victorious battle-ground covered with my blood. My father and brothers were among the slain, and I wept that my pierced limbs would no longer sustain this now withered and decay- ing body, for my heart thirsted for blood. I was then young and strong, and could strike for the hearth-stone of my cabin. A few moons more, and this branchless tree will have fallen to the ground. The night is dark and the wind rages-a storm is gathering about the Great Lakes. Our enemies will soon be upon us, and Ke-no-tah must nerve his right arm to crush the de- stroyer."
The dark eyes of the young brave flashed a falcon glance upon the venerable chieftain, as his tall and manly form assumed a still more noble and dignified appearance. "Give me," said he, "command of the braves, and we will go out to battle-we will consume
5
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LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
our enemies-we will drink their blood and devastate their homes."
A council of warriors was convened, before whom the powerful eloquence of Ke-no-tah was poured out like a wild gushing torrent, and he was at once chosen chief to lead the young and impetuous braves to battle. He had on several occasions evinced the true, native war spirit, having never faltered, not even when surrounded with darkness and danger, and, if the safety of his people required it, his blood should be poured out upon the red altar which the Mingoes had erected.
The sun had appeared in the orient sky, and his chariot wheels were fast approaching the zenith of the heavens. The dark green foliage clothed the ancient forest trees, the sweetest incense rose from the dewy flowers and was borne upon the balmy zephyrs, hill and dale were made vocal with the native songsters of the woods, the water of the beautiful river lay calm and smooth, and pure as a transparent sheet of glass, the antlered deer bounded over the hills, while at various intervals the scream of the wild bird was heard in the distance. All was peace and quietness in the little set- tlement. Suddenly, however, "the scene was changed." Three painted savages from the northern lakes ap- peared at the wigwam of the aged Sachem Conduca, demanding a surrender of their cabins, their arms of defence, and their hunting-grounds. Altahalah, the youngest daughter of Conduca, unnoticed by the in- vaders of her quiet home, silently withdrew from their presence, and hastily throwing her blanket over her shoulders, she bounded with the speed of a youg nfawn to the home of Ke-no-tah, to whom she had been prom- ised in marriage.
126
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
"Brother ! brother ! they have come !- Fly ! fly to the home of Conduca !" It was enough ; the young brave, snatching his tomahawk and war-club, hastened to the relief of the worthy and much-loved chieftain. When he entered the cabin he found the Mingoes mak- ing loud threats against the peaceful settlement, and intimating that unless a general surrender was made blood would be spilt. This brought Ke-no-tah to his feet. The muscles of his face became suddenly swollen with passion, and his eyes flashed defiance as he thus addressed himself to the foremost speaker :
" Talk not to me of blood ; it is my delight. It is the element upon which I live. I was not born like other warriors. I was never dandled upon the lap of a moth- er. A dark cloud came over the high hills, and from that cloud a thunderbolt was hurled against a large pine tree, shivering it to the stump, and from that stump I sprung up completely equipped for war. Blood is my delight ! Vengeance is mine !" Such was the effect of his eloquence and manner that the Mingoes absolutely quailed before him. Thus finding all attempts at bring- ing the Lenapes to their desired terms, they left mutter- ing curses upon the heads of Conduca and Ke-no-tah.
The day declined. The sable shades of night had curtained the earth, and the hollow murmurs of the storm-beaten tempest were heard advancing ; anon the muttering thunder told the name of God, and the light- ning's flaming wing pointed to his dwelling-place. But hark ! what wild scream was borne upon the midnight air ? It was the Indian war-whoop, and it fell like a death knell upon the ear of Altahalah. The Mingoes had suddenly fallen upon the little settlement, and
127
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
though but partially prepared to make a resolute re- sistance, were not to be defeated without one gallant effort forcountry and home,-aye, for their lives. The far-seeing eye of Ke-no-tah had watched their approach, and he had already gathered the young braves, as well as many of the old scarred warriors, around,him. At the first shrill whoop of the invaders, Ke-no-tah and his brave warriors rushed like fierce blood-hounds from their retreat, and fell like a thundering avalanche upon the Mingoes,-whose spring was like the hungry pan- ther as he leaps upon his prey, and whose deafening war-whoop was death ! The contest was short but ter- rible. The two forces fought with the fierceness of ti- gers, and when the battle-cry had ceased, and all was still save the low wailing of the wounded and dying, it was found that the Mingoes had fled, leaving the greater number of their well-trained warriors locked in the icy hue of death. The Lenapes had suffered se- verely, as but few remained to tell the tale of the horrid butchery. The banner of Ke-no-tah had tri- umphed.
The full-orbed moon rent her mantle of darkness and looked down upon the work of carnage, where many a brave and ardent defender of his rights had fallen. At this moment Altahalah was discovered, clasping in her arms the lifeless form of Conduca, and silently wiping the congealed blood from his wounds. Her face was deadly pale, and a cold tremor ran over her whole frame.
Relaxing her hold on Conduca, and looking down upon his livid features, she exclaimed, " Oh ! my father, my father, has the Great Spirit called thee hence to his
128
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
fairer hunting-ground in the brighter land of promise ? or, hast thou fallen by the hand of the usurper, whose pointed arrow cleft thy warm heart ?"
" Calm thyself," said Ke-no-tah ; " the great Spirit has smiled upon the soul of the brave Conduca, and the strong arm of thy friend will protect thee."
A shriek burst from Altahalah, for at that moment a powerful, athletic savage, who had secretly stolen to her side, had seized her and was fast disappearing in the deep, dark wilds. Pursuit was immediately made, but the almost impenetrable thicket into which he had darted with the seeming celerity of a winged spirit, very greatly impeded their progress, and it was only occasionally that they were revealed to their pursuers by the sudden flashes of lightning that glared through the trees. The pursuit was continued until nearly morning, when all signs and traces of their flight were entirely lost. Returning to the place of massacre, what a heart-rending scene met their sight ! Many of the dead and dying were still lying where they fell, pierced by the fatal arrow, or the hunting-knife, or still more murderous tomahawk.
"The gaunt wolf, Scenting the place of slaughter, with his long And most offensive howl did ask for blood,"
for they had come howling like so many demons to feast and surfeit upon the remains of the slain. It was with difficulty that they were driven back to the hills, or destroyed, that the wounded might be protected and the dead removed for sepulchre.
The last mournful rites having been paid to the dead,
129
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
and such protection prepared for the few remaining disabled and infirm warriors, with their wives and chil- dren, as the limited means allowed, Ke-no-tah gathered his bold and intrepid warriors who had escaped in the sanguinary conflict, and, putting himself at their head, again sallied forth into the unbroken wilderness to seek and recover the fair captive. Days, weeks and months were spent, but without avail. Once, however, Ke-no- tah supposed that Altahalah was almost within his out-
stretched arms. Descending a deep ravine, just as night had curtained the earth, a sudden flash of light- ning gleamed across the dark mountain pass, and ex- hibited to view the reclining fugitives. Slowly, but
silently, they pursued their way until they had approached within a few yards of the hated foes. Pres- ently another flash of lightning glared fully upon them. There they were, sleeping upon the green ver- dure of the hill-side; but Altahalah was not there. Was she dead, or had she flown as the young dove wings its way from the talons of the eagle ? These were questions which their unlettered minds could not solve. But they resolved that the score of usurpers should die at their hands, and they were true to their determina- tion,-for when the next flash of lightning sent its livid glare over their dark features, they were cold, ghastly, dead!
Ke-no-tah called Altahalah, but he heard no responsive answer; and the horrid thought that she might be dead, or dying by starvation in the wild wilderness, came rushing upon his bewildered and maddened brain, and in his frenzied moments he smote his forehead in agony.
The Tioughnioga valley was deserted, for the red
7
130
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
men had abandoned their homes made desolate by the ruthless barbarity of the unfriendly Mingoes, and had joined the Monceys whose council-fires burned at Mini- - sink on the Makerisk-kiskon, or Delaware river.
The evening shades were gathering their misty folds over the earth. The orient moonbeams sent a golden hue through the tall tree-tops, and the dark shadows of the gnarled oaks looked like huge monsters, as they loomed over the calm, still water. A dusky maiden reclined by the side of her native river, which lay as a polished mirror upon the wild bosom of nature. Her sweet voice, like an æolian harp, chanted the favorite air of her noble brave. She heard the tramp of the fleet- bounding deer, the hoot of the old gray owl, and the sharp, terrific scream of the panther. She saw their eyes glaring like fiery meteors in the thick underbrush near where she had selected for the night her moss- covered couch. Her hair hung in long dark braids over her uncovered shoulders; her eyes were black as the raven's plumage ; her complexion of the purest olive, and her whole form of the most perfect beauty and sym- metry.
Now she gazes upon a little cloud that is peering o'er yonder misty peak. A gentle breeze ripples the glassy waters; the cloud increases with terrific blackness ; the wind sweeps by with tempestuous force ; the moon is veiled from sight; one-half of the blue expanse is palled in the tapestry of gloom, and the other half ex- hibits clouds of every shape, now piled like Alps on Alps in snow-white purity, now bathed in purple, pink and gold; afar, the rumbling thunder is heard, and sharp flashes of lightning leap like tongues of fire
131
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
athwart the darkened sky : the rain pours down in tor- rents. But 'tis passed ; delightful coolness fills the air, and all nature is refreshed. She gazed down the river, and her quick ear caught the sound of oars, for at that moment a canoe was gliding through the gentle wave- lets. Her eagle eye discerned at a glance the richly ornamented crest and white plume of her favorite chief. Nearer and nearer it approached the shore-a stroke more-the young and devoted sachem leaped upon the shore, and ALTAHALAH was in the arms of KE-NO-TAH, her lover.
CHAPTER XII.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND ORGANIZATION OF TOWNS.
" Their fortress was the good greenwood, Their tent the cypress tree; They knew the forest 'round them, As seamen know the sea."
IT is a characteristic principle of the correct histo- rian, to describe with the most perfect minuteness, the origin, or first feeble beginnings of a new settlement. These are usually read with more than ordinary interest, and especially if the pioneers suffered many and great inconveniences. In most instances, those progressive spirits possessed many of the self-sacrificing traits of character, kindred to those which contributed most es- sentially in providing the blessings of freedom which we now enjoy. They labored not alone for themselves, but for their children, friends, and country. It was no easy task to abandon the hearth-stone of their boyish days, the endearments of social ties, cultivated associ- ations and the many luxuries common to settlements that have long prospered under the progressive spirit of civilization. It required something more than mere passive beings to convert these valleys into fruitful fields, or cause these rugged hills to yield forth the rich products of a virgin soil.
133
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
The early pioneers possessed something more than mere negative characters. They were bold, enterpris- ing men, well suited to the task of preparing a lodgment in the wilderness. Nay, they were stern realities. The law of progress was most legibly stamped upon their characters. They exerted all their energies to the fur- therance of the general improvements of the age in which they lived - whose forward movements were steady and firm as
" The eternal step of progress beats To the great anthem, calm and slow, Which God repeats."
We love to study and contemplate the attributes of character which so peculiarly distinguished these brave and devoted pioneers, for great achievements succeeded their bold efforts for the extension of civilization. We delight in recurring to their history, for their good deeds and noble enterprises should forever live fresh and green in our memories, and stimulate us to deeds of patriot- ism, philanthropy, and a devotional fellow feeling worthy the descendants of those who warred with the mountain oak, when they struck their tents in the wilderness and grappled' with stern adversity for the mastery. Their triumphs were of the noblest character, achieved by men whose native dignity and determined will made them what they really were-Nature's true noblemen. They were kind and courteous, possessing none of that apish pride so common among those of more refined regions. Their law of courtesy consisted of justice and equal rights. They loved truth, took pleasure in assist- ing each other, laboring to increase the happiness of
134
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
those around them. They lived not merely for the sake of living, but that good might result from their labors in the field of enterprise. To slumber on in undisturbed repose, or waste their time forgetful of the object of their creation, or the duties of active men-to live, breathe and move as though the world's prosperity and adversity to them were alike-to stand as marble stat- ues in the great waste of time, or voluptuous monu- ments of ease and indifference, they regarded with the most utter abhorrence. Such men have been the forlorn hope of marching armies and tottering empires. Such were the ever-conquering spirits whom Napoleon held in reserve to strike the blow that should send conster- nation and death through the ranks of his iron-clad opponents. Such were the resistless and stern actors who, in the bloody conflict which gave an immortality to Wellington for his heroism upon the field of Water- loo, hewed their way to victory or death. Such were the champions of heroic valor, who left the sunny plains of Italy, camped along the banks of the noble Tiber, and finally put forth an impulse that gave a historic immortality to the seven-hilled city, over which was reared the standard of ancient Rome. Such were the daring men of our country's Revolution, who, amid death and desolation, strove to erect the temple of Liberty and Independence. Such were the men who converted our hills and valleys into green pastures and fruitful fields.
The hardy adventurers who first struck their tents along the banks of the Tioughnioga, or reared their rustic cabins on our hill-sides, were subject to incidents common to all pioneers, and which, to them, were full of
135
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
point and interest. Many of them suffered severely during their long and weary journey to their forest home. Looking back through the dim distance of the past, we behold a little company of bold spirits slowly winding along the banks of the majestic Hudson. Day after day they toil onward : night after night they sleep in a Connecticut covered wagon, or retire to rest beneath the branches of some huge umbrageous tree, or near by some sparkling fount or limpid rill. They have left home and friends behind, and, like the pilgrims who braved the dangers of the stormy ocean, have resolved to seek a home in the new land of promise. Some of the number, having never seen an Indian, and being unacquainted with their pacific character, were constantly tortured with the idea of being massacred, or perhaps carried away into hopeless captivity. They had read the murderous tales drawn from the bloody scenes of the border wars of New York and Pennsyl- vania, and had listened to the startling incidents con- nected with the heroic struggles of King Philip-scenes of devastation and blood, the bare recital of which sends the blood curdling to the heart. As they approach- ed the Mohawk valley, they were met by half a dozen Oneidas, who, in a most decorous and courteous manner, inquired with regard to their health and destination. Their manner, at once so agreeable, struck the ladies with astonishment. The warm shake of the red man's hand became in after time associated with some of the most interesting incidents connected with their adven- turous wanderings.
'Tis night. They have paused for repose in a dense wilderness, and their camp fire is already blazing by the
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