USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 1
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1800
Class F 497
Book 11/4HE
Copyright N.º.
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT
MAP OF MADISON CO. OHłO.
CO
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AND
GREENE COS.
THE
HISTORY 11
OF
MADISON COUNTY,
OHIO,
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, CHURCHES. SCHOOLS, ETC. ; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN; HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY; HISTORY OF OHIO ; MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, ETC., ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO: W. H. BEERS & CO. 1883
LIBRARY O
1820
C
OF
WASHINGTON
F197 N/4HG
ulver frage Hoyne PRINTERS 18 & 120 MONROE ST
CHICAGO.CO
PREFACE.
THE history of a county may be written in so many different ways that it will not be inappropriate, in placing this volume before the public, to stato in a few words the plan which we have adopted and the chief objects at which we have aimed. It has been our earnest endeavor to disen- gage from the great mass of facts those which relate to the permanent forces of the county, or which indicate some of the more enduring features of its growth and prosperity. The history of an institution can only be written by collecting into a single focus facts that are spread over many years, and such matters may be more clearly treated according to the order of subjects than the order of time, yet we have tried to preserve, as far as possible, a chronological system.
We present, first, an outline history of the Northwest Territory and the State of Ohio. Beginning the history of the county with a chapter up- on the Mound Builders, followed by a similar sketch of the Indian tribes and their relations to Madison County, we then give an account of the advent of the third race that has dwelt in the land. The record of the worthy pioneers, together with their trials, hardships, manners and customs; the early surveys, civil organization, topographical and geological outline of the county, etc., are each treated under a distinct head. These in turn are followed by a description of the institutions and improvements of civil- ization, and the gallant part borne by Madison's sons in the Nation's bat- tles. Then comes the town, township and village history, in which a more detailed account is given of the pioneers and early settlers, of the material progress made, and of the churches, schools, societies, manufacturing inter- ests and other concomitants of the civilization that has, in the past three- quarters of a century, worked such a marvel in the wilderness, and flour- ished to such full fruition upon the very ground which, within the recollec- tion of those now living, was the abode of wild beasts and savage men.
The view is a comprehensive one. It extends from the scene of plenty and peace of well-ordered society, of education and good morals, back to the time when all these things were not; from the scene (" mental, moral and material affluence; from the cultivated landscape, do d with farm house, villa and town, busy and bustling with a hundred industries, back to the days of the lonely log cabin, and farther, to the savagery and wild- ness of the periods which preceded the white man's occupancy.
Onr material has been obtained from State, county, township, town and village records, printed publications and family manuscripts, while a great deal of the matter had to be gathered from the early pioneers or their descendants, who, for the most part, were dependent upon their memories for dates and events. Thus conflicting testimony was oftentimes furnished, puzzling the historian, who could do nothing better than to adopt the state- ment which seemed to him the most probable and trustworthy; but we have aimed at accuracy, and believe we have been successful as far as success is possible in such an undertaking.
iv
PREFACE.
The general history of the county was prepared by R. C. Brown. The history of the medical profession, included in Chapter XI, was written by William Morrow Beach, M. D., whose genial, kindly advice was always freely extended to us from the inception of our labors until the completion of the work. Chapters XVII and XVIII are from the pen of F. E. Weak- ley. The sketch of Darby Township was furnished by Dr. Jeremiah Con- verse, to whom we are indebted for material aid and assistance while com- piling several articles for different chapters comprised in this volume. Jof- ferson Township was written by W. H. White, and all the others by N. B. Holder, while the whole work was under the supervision of the general historian.
The volume is one of generous magnitude, and we place it in the hands of our patrons with the belief that it will be found to be a valuable contri- bution to local historical literature. Wo return sincere thanks to the citi- zens of the county for the earnest co-operation we have at all times met with in our efforts to collect reliable material; but especially desire to mention the names of A. A. Hume, G. G. McDonald and William Warner, who, from memory, furnished us with many facts and events of by-gone days. The county officials, too, were ever ready to lend a helping hand in culling reliable data from the musty records in their respective offices; while mem- bers of every profession and calling did their share toward making our task a pleasant one. If what is worthy of consideration in the history of the county has been rescued from oblivion and placed in readable form for the present generation, the object of this work has been fully accom- plished.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
HISTORY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
PAGE.
PAGE.
PAGE ..
Geographical Position ....... 19
ments ..
Early Explorations 20
American Settlements ..... 59
Discovery of Ohio ..
Division of the Northwest Terri-
Tecumseh and the War of 1\12 ..... 69 Black Hawk and the Black Hawk War .. 73
PART II. HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.
History of Ohio. 93
Organization of Counties
French History 96
Description of Counties. 137
Ordinance of 1787, No. 32 105
Early Events ... 137
Some Discussed Subjects .... Conclusion .200
.. 196
The War of 181:
Governors of Ohio. 160
Banking 126
Ancient Works 174
The Canal System 128
Some General Characteristics 177
Ohio Land Tracts 1:29
Outline Geology of Ohio ... 179
Improvements 132
Ohio's Rank During the War 182 Published in the year 1833 ......... 204
PART III. HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I .- Archivology-Mound Builders and Indians-Antiquities-The Different Classes of Mounds-Elligies and Inclosures Sepulchral Mounds - Sacrificial Mounds- Temple Mounds-Mounds of Observation- Memorial or Monumental Mounds- Etligies or Animal Mounds-Inclosures-Covered Ways Sacred Inclosures-Lessons Taught by these Works-The Implements used by the Mound Builders and Indians-Mounds of Madison County -Their Location, Class and Size. 215
CHAPTER H .- The North American Indians Their Life-Language-Places of Abode and Character-The Medicine Man -- The Indian Squaw-Marriage and Social Relations -- Religious Belief-Original Ohio Tribes-Mi- ami Confederacy Six Nations-Location of Tribes and their Strength-Indian Wars and Expeditions-Sites of Villages-Victories and Defeats-Final Defeat of the Indians- Leading Chiefs-Simon Girty Peace of 1795 - Tecumseh and the War of 1812- Subse- quent Treaties Indian Reservations-Ex- tinetion of Indian Title in Ohio-Resumé from 1751 to 1794-Madison County as a Hunting Ground-Indian Camping Places- Burying-Grounds and Relics- Captain John. 230 CHAPTER III .-- First White Men -- Catholic Missionaries-French and English Trading Posts Fort Laurens Attempted Settlement at the Mouth of the Scioto Salt Works- French and English Claims-English Agents -American Possession-Ohio Company's Purchase Symmes Purchase Fort Har- mar-Pioneer Settlements along the Ohio- Fort Washington-First Settlement in the Virginia Military District-Nathaniel Mas- sie-French Settlement at Gallipolis- For- mation of Adams County-Ross County Set- tled and Erected-Settlement of Madison County-Territorial Legislature -- Ohio be- comes a State-Franklin County Erected Leading Men of the Scioto Valley 2.>1
PAGE.
CHAPTER IV .- Pioneers Prior to 1800-Jona- than Alder Benjamin Springer Usual Os- born James and Joshna Ewing- David Mitchell-Other Settlers-Michael Johnson -- William Lapin -- James and William Hlow- ey-David Martin- William Alkiro .. ...... . ... 271
CHAPTER \ .- Principal Land Divisions of Ohio -- The Virginia Military Lands Perils of the Survey -- Pioneer Days and Trials Pioneer Cabin Furniture, Food and Medi- cine-Habitsand Labor Clothing and Books - Early Manners and Customs, etc .- - Mills, Store Goods-Period of 1812 301
CHAPTER VI. - Events Leading to the Crea- tion of Madison County Darby Township --- Madison County Erected surveys of Boundary Lines- First Election-Early Li- conse Rates and Licenses Pioneer Listers Wolf Scalps-Taxation and Expenditures -- County Seat and County Buildings First Court House and Jail Second Court House and Jail-Present Buildings Prison Bounds County Infirmary, etc ...
CHAPTER VHI. - Boundaries of Madison County -Ercetion of Townships Area and Streams Topography Appearance of the country when first Settled Prairie Fires Timber Geological Series -Drift and Soil Water Supply-Wild Animals and Reptiles ...... CHAPTER VIII. Public Officers -Men ber of Congress - Presidential Electors Members of the Territorial Assembly Senators Rop resentatives-Associate Judges Prosecut- ing Attorneys County Commissioners "herifls -- Treasurers -Clerks- Recorder- surveyors-Coroners - Collectors Auditors Probate Judges Biographies of Pioneer Officials Politics ..
CHAPTER IX. - Territorial Judiciary -- State Judiciary Prior to 1551-Supreme Court Court of Common Pleas Justices of the Peace Circuits- Judiciary since 1851-su- preme Court Court of Common Pleas Dis- trict Courts Justices of the Peace-Pioneer Courts of Madison County
65
English Explorations and Settle-
tory.
137 | A Brief Mention of Prominent Ohio Generala .191
Comments upon the Ordinance of 1787, from the Statutes of Ohio, Edited by Salmon P. Chase, and
State Boundaries 136
vi
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
CHAPTER X .- Judicial-The Bench - Presi- dent Judges-Judges since 1851 The Bar -Visiting Lawyers - Resident Attorneys - Madison County Bar Association 391
CHAPTER XI .- Medical Profession of Madison County - Past and Present - Physicians of London - P'lain City - Jefferson - Mt. Sterling - Amity - Midway - La Fayette- Somerford - Liverpool-South Folon-('ali- fornia-Tradersville-Newport -- Danville - Lilly Chapel-Madison County Medical As- sociation -- Army Surgeons from Madison County .430
CHAPTER XH .- Education-School Lands- Pioneer Schools - Growth of Education Schools for t'olored Youth-Present Govern- ment of Schools. .458
CHAPTER XIII .- Agriculture-Its Growth and Progress-Buildings, Implements, Crops and Stock of the Early Settlers-Pioneer Farm- ing-Madison County Agricultural Society- The Madison County Stock Importing C'om- pany-Madison County Stock Sales .... 471
CHAPTER XIV .- Military History of Madison County-War of 1812-Mexican War-Civil War-Roll of Honor-Seventeenth Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Twenty- sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry- Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry -Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry-One Hundred and Thirteenth Reg-
iment Ohio Volunteer Infantry- Squirrel Hunters and Militia-One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards -Return of Peace .. 487
CHAPTER XV .- Resident Land Owners of Mad- ison County in March, 1819-The Sickly Sea- sons of 1822-23-Causes-Symptoms Treat- ment-The Blalock Tragedy 512
CHAPTER XVI. Publie Highways-The Old State Road-First Roads Opened by Madison County-The National Road-Corporation Pikes-The Roads of 1853-Railroads-Sta- tistics
CHAPTER XVII .- Seat of Justice-London in 1812-Original Lots and Lot Owners-Early Industrial Interests- London in 1835-Post- masters-Electric Telegraph and Telephone -The Conflagration of 1854-Dr. Kane- First Street Sprinkling in London-Distin- guished Men Visit London-Fire Depart- ment-Schools of London-The Newspaper Press-Banks
CHAPTER XVIII. Toland Hall- Past and Present Manufacturing Interests - Grain Elevators-Burying Grounds-The Centen- nial Fourth The London Gas Company- Churches-The London Library Association -Societies-The Woman's Anti-Liquor Cru- sade-Sales Day-Incorporation and Growth of London 564
PART IV. TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
CHAPTER I .- DARBY TOWNSHIP. 597
Schools.
Streams
597
Mills. 687
Soil
598
Officials
Physical Features ..
598
CHAPTER V .- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP .. 691
Surface, Soil, etc
698
Otlicials 699
Pioneers
602
Roads and Turnpikes
700
Early Stock Speculators
618
Schools. 700
619
Mills ... 701
Towns and Villages. 702
621
Cemeteries and Burying Grounds 703
1. 0. 0. F. 621
Urania Masons
Secret Societies. 709
CHAPTER VI -STOKES TOWNSHIP 710
710
Soldiers 622
CHAPTER I .-- JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
623
,14
Topography, Soil and Timber ..
623
Township Officials
717
Pioneers and Pioncer Life.
Towns ..
719
Early Incidents, Customs, and Reminiseen- ces
633
CHAPTER VIL .- RANGE TOWNSHIP Pioneers
721
Early Industries, Taverns and Stage Routes 634 Churches
Schools
733
Schools 639
Churches
73t
L'emeteries. 640
Mills
738
Jefferson (formerly New Hampton). 641
Roads and Turnpikes
738
Secret Societies .. 643
Secret Societies ...
739
West Jefferson Book Society 6.1-1
Remarkable Storms
739
Manufacturing 611
Township Officials ..
739
CHAPTER HIL .- DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP'
CHAPTER VHL .- PIKE TOWNSHIP 7.12
Surfaceand Soil
Surface, Soil, etc ...
Pioneers
6.18
Pioneers
7.1.4
Conflicts and Trials 650
Towns and Business. 751
Harly Conditions.
651
Mills ....
Pikes and Roads ..
753
Schools
653
Schools.
753
Churches.
658
Churches ..
153
l'emcterios 660
C'emeteries.
4.7-1
Towns.
6tit
CHAPTER IX .- MONROE TOWNSHIP Surface, Soil, ete ..
758
An Incident.
664
Schools
761
Churches.
761
Pioneers ...
Cemeteries.
762
Surface, Soil, ete
Pikes and Roads
Pikes and Roads ..
681
Mills ... 763
Churches. 681
Business Interests 763
Cemeteries 682
Incidents. 763
720
Churches ..
721
Licenses
633
Towns.
731
634
Churches . 704
Rectifiers 621
622
Cemeteries.
622
Surface, Soil, etc .. Pioneers
711
Early Settlers
Roads 624
632
Schools
1.2
Early Elections and Township Officials 651
757
Pikes
662
karly Marriages 603
Pioneers
CHAPTER IV .- UNION TOWNSHIP.
533
Topography, with Pre-Historie Deductions .. 599 Geology 601
Plain City
Churches. 620/1
Plain City Churches
PAGE.
CONTENTS.
vii
PAGE.
CHAPTER X .- CANAAN TOWNSHIP 768
Surface, Soil, etc ...
781
Pioneers ..
811
Towns and Villages
782
Election and Township Officials 817
Schools
783
Schools. 818
Churches. 781
Cemeteries.
788
Epidemic at Amity.
788
Mills and Factories.
788
Towns ..
522
Pikes and Roads. 790
Township Officers ...
790
CHAPTER XIH .- PAINT TOWNSHIP 82-1
CHAPTER XI .- FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP
793
Surface, Soil, etc.
793
Streams.
797
Pioneers
798
('emeterics.
534
Churelies.
800
Schools
837
Cemeteries.
802
Towns. Roads and Pikes. 837 857
838
Pikes
807
8.10
Towns
807
Seeret Societies 809
Mills 813
CHAPTER XII. SOMERFORD TOWNSHIP. 810
Schools. 843
PART V.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Union Township. 849
958
Monroe Township .. 1063
Jefferson Township 986
C'annan Township. 1070
Deer Creek Township. 101G
Fairfickl Township .. 1081
Pleasant Township. 1030
Somerford Township 1107
Stokes Township .. 1035
Paint Township ..... 1117
Range Township.
10-15
Oak Run Township. 1161
PORTRAITS.
John F. Chenoweth. 115
Thomas Timmons (deceased) 555
George G. Mebonakl ..
134
James Boyd .. 566
David Watson, Sr. (deceased) ..
151
Andrew Cary 575
Theophilus MeKinnon (deceased) 170
Russel B. Converse 586
Matthew Rea (deceased). 187
Dr. J. Converse. 596
Washington Withrow. 206
W. I. Ballinger, M. D
605
Patrick McLene (deceased) ..
211
John Taylor. 616
625
Aquiffa Folland (deceased).
235
Henry Warner (deceased)
916
615
A. A. Hume.
255
William Wilson
656
John Dungan
266
James Converse
665
W. It. Chandler
275
676.
Samuel T. Pearee
286
685
Jeriah Swetland
295
696
John Jones ..
306
Thomas Kilbury
705
William Riddle (deceased).
.John Price .. 716
725
James Lilly (deceased) 935
R. N. Brown (deceased ). 736
7.15
HI. W. Smith
355
.Jacob McNeal 756
Ephraim Bidwell (deceased) 765
776
J. C. Bridgman
386
Oramell Kennedy
785
B. F. Clark
395
Henry Burnham
796.
Robert M. Hanson (deceased
-106
John F. Locke
415
William Farrar
420
W. D. Pringle
825
Gi. W. Lohr ..
135
A. Cartmill
836
J. B. Sprague, M. D
416
J. B. Lauek
$15
John Lohr
J55
John P. Searle
466
James Wilson ...
475
William Morrow Beach, M. D.
-186
John C. Jones. 885
N. Mitchel. 896
David Selsor (deceased).
506
William Allen (deceased , 005
Charles Phellis
515
James M. Willard. 916
1. Bailey, Morgridge .. 526
I. N. Gardner. 925
Daniel Boyd.
535
Philip Markley 936
R. C. MeCloud
516
David llaskell 915
856
B. F. Welch, M. D.
John Roberts (deceased) .. 865
Benjamin Thomas (deceased). 876
Alexander Wilson (deceased ).
495
Robert Boyd.
375
Joseph King (deceased )
805
Edward Fitzgerald. R. M. Johnson
816
S. MeClinlick, M. D.
James Q. Minshall (deceased ).
3.16
James Milliken ..
Auburn Smith (deecased).
366
Abram Carey
1. ES. Bigelow ..
636
Jaunes L. Bradley (deceased).
J. T. Dominy
Luther Lane ... Elihu Knapp.
315
John W. Byers (deceased)
326
Henry Alder (deceased ) ....
226
Pike Township. 1051
Darby Township.
Schools 803
Mills 807
CHAPTER XIV .- OAK RUN TOWNSHIP. Surface, Soil and Streams. Pioneers 811
832
Erection of Paint Township. Officials of the Township. Churches.
832
833
l'emeteries
Mills 822
Secret Societies .. 823
PAGE.
Surface, Soil, etc ....................... 810
Churches 820
viii
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Source of the Mississippi ..
Present Site of Lake Street Bridge, Chicago, 1833
La Salle Landing on the Shores of Green Bay
A Pioneer Dwelling.
Buffalo Hunt
- Lake Bluff ..
Trapping.
28
Teenmisch, the Shawnee Chieftain
Mouth of the Mississippi.
31
Indians Attacking a Stockade ..
71
High Bridge
Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain ..
Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain
Perry's Monument, Cleveland 91
Indians Attacking Frontiersman.
55
Niagara Falls
92
MISCELLANEOUS.
Map of Madison County.
Front.
Population of the Principal Countries in the
Constitution of the United States ..... . 79
World.
203
Area of the United States .... 203
Population of Ohio by Counties .. 202
Area of the Principal Countries in the World ... 203
Population of Madison County 530
62
PART I.
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. -
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the "New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old "Northwestern Territory."
In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula- tion, at the present time, of 13,000,000 inhabitants, or nearly one third of the entire population of the United States.
Its lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far- stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent on the globe.
For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North- west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.
(19)
20
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
In the year 1541, DeSoto first saw the Great West in the New World. He, however, penetrated no farther north than the 35th parallel of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and that of more than half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence to Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no settlements, produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that he awakened the hostility of the red man against the white man, and disheartened such as might desire to follow up the career of discovery for better purposes. The French nation were eager and ready to seize upon any news from this extensive domain, and were the first to profit by DeSoto's defeat. Yet it was more than a century before any adventurer took advantage of these discoveries.
In 1616, four years before the pilgrims "moored their bark on the wild New England shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene- trated through the Iroquois and Wyandots (Hurons) to the streams which run into Lake Huron ; and in 1634, two Jesuit missionaries founded the first mission among the lake tribes. It was just one hundred years from the discovery of the Mississippi by DeSoto (1541) until the Canadian envoys met the savage nations of the Northwest at the Falls of St. Mary, below the outlet of Lake Superior. This visit led to no permanent result ; yet it was not until 1659 that any of the adventurous fur traders attempted to spend a Winter in the frozen wilds about the great lakes, nor was it until 1660 that a station was established upon their borders by Mesnard, who perished in the woods a few months after. In 1665, Claude Allouez built the earliest lasting habitation of the white man among the Indians of the Northwest. In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two years afterward, Nicholas Perrot, as agent for M. Talon, Governor Gen- eral of Canada, explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the present City of Chicago, and invited the Indian nations to meet him at a grand council at Sault Ste. Marie the following Spring, where they were taken under the protection of the king, and formal possession was taken of the Northwest. This same year Marquette established a mission at Point St. Ignatius, where was founded the old town of Miehillimackinac.
During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's residence at St. Ignatius, they learned of a great river away to the west, and fancied -as all others did then-that upon its fertile banks whole tribes of God's children resided, to whom the sound of the Gospel had never come. Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a
21
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe- dition, prepared for the undertaking.
On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist- ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But, nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox River and Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar- quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in giving them an abundant "chase." This was the farthest outpost to which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the year previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to Joliet, said : " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun- tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnished to conduct them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever yet ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the portage, returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin, which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck out into the broadening current and became conscious that they were now upon the bosom of the Father of Waters. The mystery was about to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have been clad in all its primeval loveliness as it had been adorned by the hand of
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