Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 46

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 1006

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Speaking of the benefit of a good name, let me pursue the matter a little further. The people of the whole State in this respect have been specially favored. The name of but one other equals it in the merit of brev- ity. Regardful of the English alphabet, it makes three letters do the business-"O," "H," "I,"-three letters only, inasmuch as the last is only a second appearing of the first. It is the only State the name of which sug- gests the idea of "elevation ;" does this in no intemperate sense. The name drops in with song so nicely that, away back early in the century, multitudes sang its praises who had never seen Ohio, living, as they did, by the ocean side ; sang them while feasting their eyes with the broad expanse of the roll- ing blue and breathing in the grateful odors of the salt meadows.

Poetry and song ever appeal to the imagina- tion, and so helped its quick settlement. Great things always require them-as war and religion. All soldiers, even savages, have their war songs, and the only religionists among us who have not song are those calm, sweet-tempered people, "the Friends," and they are fast melting ; soon will vanish entirely, when the "thees " and "thous" will be heard no more in the land. A single verse drops in here as a matter of history. It is from one of the songs that was sung at the East at the end of some game where kissing-never to be a lost art-was going on between young peo- ple, who later largely became fathers and mothers out here in the Ohio-land :

"Arise, my true love, and present me your hand,

And we'll march in procession for a far distant land :

Where the girls will card and spin, And the boys will plough and sow,

And we'll settle on the banks of the pleasant Ohio.'

Suppose an unsavory name had been given to the great river, and then applied to the State. It might have retarded its settlement for years. Say the name of a certain river now in Vermont-"Onion." Who would have sung its praises ? What kind of emi- grants would have been attracted, and by what name after they got here would they have been called ? As it was, the pioneers were the brightest, bravest, most cheery young people of the East, and their children inheriting their exuberance and plnck, fill the land with hope and song.

A song most widely sung is that entitled "The Hills of Ohio " (p. 296), by Alexander Auld, published in his "Key of the West." He was born in Milton, Pa., and came to Ohio in 1822, when a child of six years, and at the age of fifteen began teaching music. He taught music for fifty years, and is still living in Deersville, Harrison county, enjoy- ing a happy, healthy old age. In a letter recently written by himself, he says he first taught by the old four-note system, but that on Christmas eve, 1835, he added to our present musical scale the first, second, and seventh syllables, thereby increasing the pop- ularity and simplicity of his own patent-note system. He is the author of four books, viz. : "The Ohio Harmonist," "The Key of the West," "The Farmers' and Mechanics' Minstrel," and "The Golden Trumpet." It is said he sold 600,000 copies of the "Ohio Harmonist," and about 700,000 of the other three, making in all 1,300,000 of Auld's singing-books-and these went largely into Ohio homes-hence he is widely known. The words are not original with Mr. Auld, but were set to music and largely sung by emigrants in the early years of this century.

Indian Characteristics and Customs .- Mr. David Robb, one of the agents for the removal of the Indians, had great experience among them, and has left this record of their peculiar traits :

Intemperance to a great extent prevailed among the Indians; there was, however, as wide a contrast in this respect as with the whites, and some of the more virtuous re- fused to associate with the others. This class also cultivated their little farms with a degree of taste and judgment : some of these could cook a comfortable meal, and I have eaten both butter and a kind of cheese made by them. Many of them were quite ingeni- ous and natural mechanics, with a considera- ble knowledge of and an inclination to use tools. One chief had an assortment of car- penters' tools which he kept in neat order. He made plows, harrows, wagons, bedsteads,

tables, bureaus, etc. He was frank, liberal and conscientious. On my asking him who taught him the use of tools, he replied, no one ; then pointing up to the sky, he said, "the Great Spirit taught me."

Fascinations of Indian Character .- With all their foibles and vices there is something fascinating in the Indian character, and one cannot long associate with them without hav- ing a perceptible growing attachment. The Indian is emphatically the natural man, and . it is an easy thing to make an Indian out of a white person, but very difficult to civilize or Christianize an Indian. I have known a number of whites who had been taken pris-

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oners by the Indians when young, and with- out exception they formed such attachments that. after being with them some time, they could not be induced to return to their own people. There was a woman among the Shawnees, supposed to be near an hundred years of age, who was taken prisoner, when young, in Eastern Pennsylvania. Some years after, her friends, through the agency of traders, endeavored to induce her to return, but in vain. She became, if possible, more of a squaw in her habits and appearance than any female in the nation.

Indian Punctuality .- As a sample of their punctuality in performing their contracts, I would state that I have often loaned them money, which was always returned in due season, with a single exception. This was a loan to a young man who promised to pay me when they received their annuity. After the appointed time he shunned me, and the matter remained unsettled until just prior to our departure for their new homes. I then stated the circumstance to one of the chiefs, more from curiosity to see how he would re- ceive the intelligence than with the expecta- tion of its being the means of bringing the money. He, thereupon, talked with the lad upon the subject, but, being unsuccessful, he called a council of his brother chiefs, who formed a circle, with the young man in the centre. After talking to him a while in a low tone, they broke out and vociferously reprimanded him for his dishonest conduct ; but all proved unavailing. Finally, the chiefs, in a most generous and noble spirit, made up the amount from their own purses, and pleas- antly tendered it to me.

Belief in Witchcraft .- The Indians being firm believers in witchcraft, generally attrib- uted siekness and other misfortunes to this cause, and were in the habit of murdering those whom they suspected of practising it. They have been known to travel all the way from the Mississippi to Wapakoneta, and shoot down a person in his cabin merely on suspicion of his being a wizard, and return unmolested. When a person became so sick as to lead them to think he was in danger of deatlı, it was usual for them to place him in the woods alone, with no one to attend ex- cept a nurse or doctor, who generally acted as an agent in hurrying on the dissolution, It was distressing to see one in this situation. I have been permitted to do this only through the courtesy of relatives, it being contrary to rule for any to visit them except such as liad medical care of them. The whole nation are at liberty to attend the funerals, at which there is generally great lamentation. A chief, who died just previous to their remo- val, was buried in the following manner. They bored holes in the lid of his coffin-as is their custom-over his eyes and mouth, to let the Good Spirit pass in and out. Over the grave they laid presents, etc., with pro- visions, which they affirmed the Good Spirit would take him in the night. Sure enough ! -these articles had all disappeared in the morning, by the hand of an evil spirit lothed

in a human body. There were many funer- als among the Indians, and their numbers rapidly decreased : intemperance, and pul- monary and serofulous diseases, made up a large share of their bills of mortality, and the number of deaths to the births were as one to three.

A few anecdotes will illustrate the wit and dishonesty of some, and the tragical eucoun- ters of others of the Indians. Col. M'Pher- son, the former sub-agent, kept goods for sale, for which they often got in debt. Some were slow in making payments. and one in particular was so tardy that M'Pher- son earnestly urged him to pay up. Know- ing that he was in the habit of taking hides from the tanners, the Indian inquired if he would take hides for the debt. Being an- swered in the affirmative, he promised to bring them in about four days. The Indian, knowing that M.Pherson had at this time a flock of cattle ranging in the forest, went in pursuit, shot several, from which he took off the hides, and delivered them punctually ac- cording to promise.

Love of Whiskey .- While we were en- camped, waiting for the Indians to finish their ceremonies prior to emigration, we were much annoyed by an unprincipled band of whites who came to trade, particularly in the article of whiskey, which they secreted from us in the woods. The Indians all knew of this depot, and were continually going, like bees from the hive, day and night, and it was difficult to tell whether some who led in the worship passed most of the time in that employment or in drinking whiskey. While this state of things lasted, the officers could do nothing satisfactorily with them, nor were they sensible of the consequence of continu- ing in such a course. The government was bound by treaty stipulations to maintain them one year only, which was passing away, and winter was fast approaching, when they could not well travel, and if they could not arrive until spring, they would be unable to raise a crop, and consequently would be out of bread. We finally assembled the chiefs and other influential men, and presenting these facts vividly before them, they became alarmed and promised to reform. We then authorized them to tomahawk every barrel, keg, jug, or bottle of whiskey that they could find, under the promise to pay for all and protect them from harm in so doing. They all agreed to this, and went to work that night to accomplish the task. Having lain down at a late liour to sleep, I was awakened by one who said he had found and brought me a jug of whiskey : I handed him a quar- ter of a dollar, set the whiskey down, and fell asleep again. The same fellow then came, stole jug and all, and sold the contents that night to the Indians at a shilling a dram -a pretty good speculation on a half gallon of "achisk," as the Indians call it. I suspected him of the trick, but he would not confess it until I was about to part with them at the end of the journey, when he came to me and related the cir-

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cumstances, saying that it was too good a story to keep.

One of our interpreters, who was part In- dian and had lived with them a long time, related the following tragical occurrence. A company of Shawnees met some time pre- vious to my coming among them, had a drunken frolic and quarrelled. One vicious fellow who had an old grudge against several of the others, and stabbed two of the com- pany successively until they fell dead, was making for the third, when his arm was ar- rested by a large athletic Indian, who, snatch- ing the knife from him, plunged it into him until he fell. He attempted to rise and got on his knees, when the other straddled him, seized him by the hair, lifted up his head with one hand, while with the other he drew his knife across his throat, exclaiming-" lie there, my friend ! I guess you not eat any more hominy."

Religions Ceremonies .- After we had ren- dezvoused, preparatory to moving, we were detained several weeks waiting until they had got over their tedious round of religious cere- monies. some of which were public and others kept private from us. One of their first acts was to take away the fencing from the graves of their fathers, level them to the surrounding surface, and cover them so neatly with green sod, that not a trace of the graves could be seen. Subsequently, a few of the chiefs and others visited their friends at a distance, gave and received presents from chiefs of other nations, at their head- quarters.

Among the ceremonies above alluded to was a dance, in which none participated but the warriors. They threw off all their cloth- ing but their breechelouts, painted their faces and naked bodies in a fantastical manner, covering them with the pictures of snakes aud disagreeable insects and animals, and

then, armed with war clubs, commenced dancing, yelling and frightfully distorting their countenances : the scene was truly ter- rific. This was followed by the dance they usually have on returning from a victorious battle, in which both sexes participated. It was a pleasing contrast to the other, and was performed in the night, in a ring, around a large fire. In this they sang and marched, males and females promiscuously, in single file, around the blaze. The leader of the band commenced singing, while all the rest were silent until he had sung a certain num- ber of words, then the next in the row com- menced with the same, and the leader began with a new set, and so on to the end of their chanting. All were singing at once, but no two the same words. I was told that part of the words they used were hallelujah ! It was pleasing to witness the native modesty and graceful movements of those young fe- males in this dance.

When their ceremonies were over, they in- formed us they were now ready to leave. They then mounted their norses, and such as went in wagons seated themselves, and set out with their "high priest " in front, bear- ing on his shoulders "the ark of the cove- nant," which consisted of a large gourd and the bones of a deer's leg tied to its neck. Just previous to starting, the priest gave a blast of his trumpet, then moved slowly and solemnly while the others followed in like manner, until they were ordered to halt in the evening and cook supper. The same course was observed through the whole of the journey. When they arrived near St. Louis, they lost some of their number by cholera. The Shawnees who emigrated numbered about 700 souls, and the Senecas about 350. Among them was also a detachment of Otta- was, who were conducted by Capt. Hollister from the Maumee country.

The principal speaker among the Shawnees at the period of their removal was Wiwelipea. He was an eloquent orator-either grave or gay, humorous or severe, as the occasion required. At times his manner was so fascinating, his countenance so full of varied expression, and his voice so musical, that surveyors and other strangers passing through the country listened to him with delight, although the words fell upon their cars in an unknown language. He removed out west with his tribe. The chief Catahiccassa, or Black Hoof, died at Wapakoneta, shortly previous to their removal, at the age of 110 years. The sketches annexed of Black Hoof and Blue Jacket are derived from Drake's "Tecumseh."

The Chief Black Hoof .- Among the cele- brated chiefs of the Shawanoes, Black Hoof is entitled to a high rank. He was born in Flor- ida, and at the period of the removal of a por- tion of that tribe to Ohio and Pennsylvania was old enough to recollect having bathed in the salt water. He was present, with others of his tribe, at the defeat of Braddock, near Pitts- burg, in 1755, and was engaged in all the wars in Ohio from that time until the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. Such was the sagacity of Biack Hoof in planning his military expe- ditions, and such the energy with which he

executed them, that he won the confidence of his whole nation, and was never at a loss for brares to fight under his banner. Hc was known far and wide as the great Shawa- noe warrior, whose cunning, sagacity, and experience were only equalled by the fierce and desperate bravery with which he carried into operation his military plans. Like the other Shawanoe chiefs, he was the inveterate foe of the white man, and held that no peace should be made nor any negotiation attempt- ed except on the condition that the whites should repass the mountain's, and leave the

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great plains of the west to the sole occupancy of the native tribes.

He was the orator of his tribe during the greater part of his long life, and was an ex- cellent speaker. The venerable Colonel Johnston, of Piqua, to whom we are indebted for much valuable information, describes him as the most graceful Indian he had ever seen, and as possessing the most natural and happy faculty of expressing his ideas. He was well versed in the traditions of his people ; no one understood better their peculiar relations to the whites, whose settlements were gradually encroaching on them, or could detail with more minuteness the wrongs with which his nation was afflicted. But although a stern and uncompromising opposition to the whites had marked his policy through a series of forty years, and nerved his arm in a hundred battles, he became at length convinced of the madness of an ineffectual struggle against a vastly superior and hourly increasing foe. No sooner had he satisfied himself of this truth, than he acted upon it with the decision which formed a prominent trait in his char- acter.

The temporary success of the Indians in several engagements previous to the campaign of General Wayne, had kept alive their ex- piring hopes ; but their signal defeat by that gallant officer convinced the more reflecting of their leaders of the desperate character of the conflict. Black Hoof was among those who decided upon making terms with the victorious American commander ; and having signed the treaty of 1795, at Greenville, he continued faithful to his stipulations during the remainder of his life. From that day, he ceased to be the enemy of the white man ; and as he was not one who could act a nega- tive part, he became the firm ally and friend of those against whom his tomahawk had been so long raised in vindictive animosity. He was their friend, not from sympathy or con- viction, but in obedience to a necessity which left no middle course, and under a belief that submission alone could save his tribe from destruction ; and having adopted this policy, his sagacity and sense of honor alike forbade a recurrence cither to open war or secret hostility. He was the principal chief of the Shawanoe nation, and possessed all the in- fluence and authority which are usually attached to that office, at the period when Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet com- menced their hostile operations against the United States.

When Tecumseh and the Prophet em- barked in their scheme for the recovery of the lands as far south as the Ohio river, it became their interest as well as policy to enlist Black Hoof in the enterprise; and every effort which the genius of the one, and the cunning of the other, could devise, was brought to bear upon him. But Black Hoof continued faithful to the treaty which he had signed at Greenville, in 1795, and by pru- dence and influence kept the greater part of his tribe from joining the standard of Tecum- seh or engaging on the side of the British in

the late war with England. In that contest he became the ally of the United States, and although he took no active part in it, he exerted a very salutary influence over his tribe. In January, 1813, he visited Gen. Tupper's camp, at Fort McArthur, and while there, about ten o'clock one night, when sitting by the fire in company with the Gen- eral and several other officers, some one fired a pistol through a hole in the wall of the hut, and shot Black Hoof in the face : the ball entered the cheek, glanced against the bone, and finally lodged in his neck : he fell, and for some time was supposed to be dead, but revived, and afterwards recovered from this severe wound. The most prompt and dili- gent inquiry as to the author of this cruel and dastardly act failed to lead to his detection. No doubt was entertained that this attempt at assassination was made by a white man, stimulated perhaps by no better excuse than the memory of some actual or ideal wrong, inflicted on some of his own race by an un- known hand of kindred color with that of his intended victim.

Black Hoof was opposed to polygamy, and to the practice of burning prisoners. He is reported to have lived forty years with one wife, and to have reared a numerous family of children, who both loved and esteemed him. His disposition was cheerful, and his conversation sprightly and agreeable. In stature he was small, being not more than five feet eight inches in height. He was favored with good health, and unimpaired eyesight to the period of his death.

Blue Jacket, or Weyapiersenwah. - In the campaign of General Harmar, in the year 1790, Blue Jacket was associated with the Miami chief, Little Turtle, in the command of the Indians. In the battle of the 20th of August. 1794, when the combined army of the Indians was defeated by General Wayne, Blue Jacket had the chief control. The night previous to the battle, while the Indians were posted at Presque Isle, a council was held, composed of chiefs from the Miamis, Potta- watomies, Delawares, Shawanoes, Chippewas, Ottawas and Senecas-the seven nations engaged in the action. They decided against the proposition to attack General Wayne that night in his encampment. The expediency of meeting him the next day then came up for consideration. Little Turtle was opposed to this measure, but being warmly supported by Blue Jacket, it was finally agreed upon. The former was strongly inclined to peace, and decidedly opposed to risking a battle under the circumstances in which the Indians were then placed. "We have beaten the enemy," said he, "twice, under separate commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune always to attend us. The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him ; and, during all the time that he has been marching upon our villages, notwith- standing the watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something whispers

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me, it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace." The counsels of Blue Jacket, however, prevailed over the better judgment of Little Turtle. The battle was fought and the Indians defeated.

In the month of October following this defeat, Blue Jacket eoncurred in the ex- pedieney of suing for peace, and at the head of a deputation of chiefs, was about to bear a flag to General Wayne, then at Greenville, when the mission was arrested by foreign in- fluenee. Governor Simcoe, Colonel MeKee and the Mohawk chief, Captain John Brant, having in charge one hundred and fifty Mohawks and Messasagoes, arrived at the rapids of the Maumee, and invited the chiefs of the combined army to meet them at the mouth of the Detroit river, on the 10th of October. To this Blue Jacket assented, for the purpose of hearing what the British officers had to propose. Governor Simcoe urged the Indians to retain their hostile

attitude towards the United States. In re- ferring to the eneroachments of the people of this country on the Indian lands, he said, "Children : I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is your right and title. I have given orders to the commandant of Fort Miami to fire on the Americans whenever they make their appearance again. I will go down to Quebee, and lay your grievances before the great man. From thence they will be for- warded to the king your father. Next spring you will know the result of everything what you and I will do." He urged the Indians to obtain a cessation of hostilities, until the following spring, when the English would be ready to attack the Americans, and by driving them back across the Ohio, restore their lands to the Indians. These counsels delayed the conelusion of peaee until the following sum- mer. Blue Jacket was present at the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, and eondueted himself with moderation and dignity.

THE FRIENDS AT WAPAKONETA.

Early in this century the Society of Friends established a mission among the Shawnees at Wapakoneta ; this was interrupted by the war of 1812. At a very great expense they erected a grist-mill and saw-mill on the Auglaize ; also a resi- dence for Isaac Harvey, the superintendent, and his family. Under his instruc- tion the Indians acquired considerable proficiency in agriculture, the product being corn, pumpkins and beans. They made rapid progress in civilization and the acquisition of property.

Domestic animals were introduced and the horse was brought into use to relieve the women the labor of ploughing and carrying their burdens. While willing to be educated in agriculture, they were for years averse to having their children taught by the whites. Eventually this overcome, their young people made rapid progress in study.

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Historical collections of Ohio in two volumes, an encyclopedia of the state, Volume I, Part 46

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio Number of Pages: 1006

Author: Howe, Henry, 1816-1893
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Cincinnati : Published by the state of Ohio
Number of Pages: 1006