USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
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THE SHAWNEES.
The Shawnees have always been a restless people, and their history, even after the settlement of America, is wrapped in obscurity. They moved about so incessantly, and were so often divided in their migra- tions, that we are unable to track the various divisions. It is inferred that the Shawnees were present at that first beneficent treaty of peace and friendship negotiated by William Penn in 1682. But there is no assurance of this fact, for to Penn and his associates but just arrived, all Indians were simply Indians, and the treaty makes no mention of their nation or names. The presence of the Shawnees is inferred from the fact that in Penn's later council with the Indians in 1701, we find Wapatha, a chief of the Shawnees, expressly mentioned as representing his people; and in 1722, in conference with the whites, the Shawnees are said to have exhibited a copy of the first treaty, though the two treaties of Penn may have been confounded. As early as 1684 there were Shawnees in the west, allied with the Miamis, and yet we after- ward hear of southern Shawnees expelled from Georgia emigrating to the west and building a village at the mouth of the Wabash.
When the war between England and France broke out in 1754 it involved the English colonies in America in a struggle with the French in Canada and the west; and the Shawnees on the Ohio took part with the French.
The Shawnees were at one time divided into twelve bands or tribes, but the number gradually declined to four. The present remnant of the once powerful Shawnees is very small, many of them having become absorbed by intermarriage with other Indian tribes; but the strength of this once powerful people has been wasted in the almost ceaseless wars in which they have been engaged, against the whites and other Indian nations. They have ever been eager to take the sword, and they have perished by the sword. The Shawnees were accustomed to boast of their superiority to the other tribes, and their haughty pride has had much to do with their conflicts and their destruction. This arrogant pride and warlike ferocity made them one of the most formidable of all the tribes with which the white settlers had to contend in the Ohio valley. They slew old and young, male and female, without pity and without remorse. They rejoiced in battle and carnage, in deception, stratagem, and faithlessness. But in judging them we must not forget that they were savage. Their whole education made them what they were; and in too many instances the white men, in the bitter struggles of "the dark and bloody ground," easily forgot their civilization, and fell into the cruelty, bad faith, and revengefulness of savages.
The Miamis, Wyandots, Shawnees, and Delawares possessed this re- gion as a hunting-ground at an early period. The Miamis claimed to have been the original proprietors of all the forests and hunting-grounds
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
along the Great Miami and Mad Rivers, and the other streams that flowed into them. It is not known with entire certainty when the Wyan- dots located in northwestern Ohio, but it was probably as early as 1700, and by permission of the Miamis. The Shawnees settled along the Mad and Miami Rivers about the year 1750.
The next noticeable event in the history of this territory is the set- tlement of the Shawnees at Wapakoneta and Ottawa towns in 1782, and the forests of Shelby, Auglaize, Allen, Mercer, and Van Wert became their favorite hunting-grounds, and continued so until after the invasions of Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne. At the treaty of Greenville in 1795, the various tribes engaged in repelling invasion by General Wayne, entered into a treaty and ceded to the United States a vast territory, covering most of the present States of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. The line known as "the Greenville treaty line" passed some distance south of Auglaize County, leaving all this region still in the possession of the Shawnees and Wyandots. When the earliest settlers entered Shelby County, it was densely covered by timber, while vast numbers of deer and other game roamed through the forests. From the undulating surface of the country the red hunters of the Shawnees made it a favorite resort during the hunting season. The Mckees, Girtys, and other fur traders had many stations for the purchase of peltry. In those days a great number of wolves thronged the forests, making night hideous by their discordant serenades.
In September, 1818, the commissioners on the part of the United States made a treaty at St. Marys with the Shawnees, when they released all rights to land in Ohio except the Shawnee Reservation at Wapa- koneta, twelve miles square. In August, 1831, a treaty was negotiated with the Shawnees of Wapakoneta by James Gardiner and Col. John McElvain, special commissioners appointed by the general government for this purpose, and Willipie, head chief, the aged Black-Hoof, Harvey Clay, Pusheta, and others of the Shawnees. The terms offered were so liberal that the Indians consented to give up the lands of their reserva- tion in what is now part of Duchouquet, Union, Clay, Pusheta, Wash- ington, Moulton, and Logan, townships mostly in Auglaize County, and remove beyond the Mississippi, to the Indian territory on the Kansas River, in the Far West, in September, 1832, D. M. Workman and David Robb being the agents for their removal. The Shawnees who emigrated numbered about 800 souls.
They waste us-ay-like April snow In the warm noon, we shrink away And fast they follow as we go Towards the setting day- Till they shall fill the land, and we Are driven into the western sea. - BRYANT.
The territory then comprised within the purpose of our review was occupied by a band of the historic Shawnees at the advent of the whites. Belonging to the great Northwest, this section was the central point amidst various famous Indian tribes. The Shawnees never failed to make their influence felt, for they were a nation of warriors and orators, and possessed a spirit of adventure, wild enough to transfer its seat from the extreme north.to the extreme south, for the Algonquins occu- pied New York, but were found in their descendants in Florida, and even here transmitted that tribe's unrest which urged the band to the Mad and Miami, and finally to the Auglaize River in Ohio. In all their migrations they preserved their peculiarities, for their asserted superiority was a shield against contamination. Tribal traits, customs, and beliefs were fostered with all the tenacity of heredity. Their home was wherever unrest might lead them, for was not the unbounded wil- derness their possession ? At home in New York, at home in Georgia, a last remnant entered Ohio, and here too they were at home.
From Florida they migrated to the Mad River of Ohio, under the leadership of Black-Hoof, whose life was spent in this adopted country. They were ever the same restless, brave, nomadic Shawnees of tradi- tion, whether viewed in the East, the South, or the West.
It cannot be determined with precision when they located at Wapa- koneta, but it probably arose through the indulgence of some native tribes, as it appears by the various treaties to which they were parties that they had been entirely disinherited of lands. Still, the tribe or band which participated in the Kentucky wars, occupied villages on the
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Mad and Miami Rivers, and it is probable that from these points came the band which settled on the Auglaize and founded the Indian village Wapakoneta, about the year 1782. Here they established their council house, which became the Indian capital of the northwest. This build- ing was still used at the advent of the whites, but was finally removed, and some of the timber used in the construction of other buildings. One of the logs, after having served over thirty years under water as a sill in an old mill, was recently removed, and has been divided and largely distributed throughout the community. A block from this sill found its way to the writer's desk, through the courtesy of J. C. Ed- miston.
The first land-title given by the government to this tribe which pos- sessed any clearness, was granted by the treaty of 1817. The confer- ence was held and the treaty entered into at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, near Lake Erie, by Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, com- missioners for the United States, and several Indian tribes, among which were the Shawnees. In this treaty no provision was made for the band of Tecumseh, as no names of that band are found in the schedule specifying the receivers of grants at Wapakoneta. This treaty is a novelty in comparison with most of the Indian treaties of modern times, as it sets out in an entirely different strain. The commissioners say, "That in consideration of the faithful services of the Shawness in the late war with England, and for divers other considerations, the gov- ernment of the United States settle on the Shawnees an annuity of three thousand dollars, to be paid annually, forever, to them at Wapaugh- konnetta.
" The United States also agree to grant, in fee simple, to Black Hoof and other chiefs of the Shawnee tribe, for the use of the persons men- tioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land, ten miles square, the centre of which shall be the council house at Wapaughkonnetta.
" The United States also agree to grant, in fee simple, to Peaitchtha and other chiefs of the Shawnee tribe residing on Hog Creek, for the use of the tribe there, to the persons mentioned in the annexed schedule, a tract of land containing twenty-five square miles, which is to join the tract granted at Wapaughkonnetta, and to be laid off in a square form."
It may be interesting to many, and particularly to young persons, to have the entire schedule of names inserted here. These were prob- ably written by Gen. Cass or the agent, John Johnston, either of whom well understood the Indian orthography. Among these may be found the names of great men, such as Black-Hoof and Wayweleapy, great as speakers, and Peaitchtha, great as leader in the agricultural arts. Seve- ral others on this list were men of strong minds and remarkable for honest, upright integrity.
SCHEDULE .- "The tracts at Wapaughkonnetta to be equally divided among the following persons, namely: Black-Hoof, Pamthe, or Walker ; Weaseca, or Wolf; Shemanita, or Snake; Athelwakesecah, or Yellow Clouds; Pemthewtew, or Perry; Cacalawa, or End of the Tail; Quela- wee, War Chief, Sacachewa, Werewela, Wasawetah, or Bright-Horn; Otharasa, or Yellow; Tepeteseca, Newahetucca, Caawaricho, Thacat- chewa, Silochaheca, Tapea, Mesherawah, Toleapea, Pochecaw, Alawe- metahuck, Lollaway, or John Perry; Wawelame, Nemecashe, Nerupe- neshquah, or Cornstalk, Shi She, Shealawhe, Naruskaka, Thacaska, or David McNair; Shapukoha, Quacowawnee, Necoshecu, Thucuscu, or Jim Blue Jacket; Chowelaseca, Quhaho, Kayketchheka, or William Perry ; Sewapeu, Peetah, or Davy Baker; Skapoawah, or George McDougal; Chepocuru, Shema, or Sam; Cheahaska, or Captain Tommy ; General Wayne, Thaway, Othawee, Wearecah, Captain Reed, Lawaytucheh, or John, Wolf; Tecutie, or George; Skekacumpskekaw, Wishemaw, Muy- waymanotreka, Quaskee, Thoswa, Baptiste, Maywealinpe Perea Cumne, Chochkelake, or Dam ; Kewapea, Egatacumshequa, Walupe, Aquashe- quah, Pemata, Nepaho, Tapesheka, Lathowaynoma, Sawacota, Memhi- sheka, Ashelukah, Ohipwah, Thapaeca, Capawah, Ethewacase, Quahethu, Chucatuh, Nekakeka, Thithueculu, Pelaculhe, Pelaske, Shesholou, Qua- nako, Halkoota, Laughshena, Capia, Thucatvouwah, or the Man going up Hill; Magathu, Tecumtequa, Tetecopatha, Kekusthe, Sheatwah, Shealewarron, Haghkela, Akapee, Lamatothe, Kesha, Panhoar, Peaitch- thamtah, Peter Cornstalk, Metchepeta, Capea, Shuagunme, Wawale- peshecco, Calequa, Tetotu, Tashishee, Nawebesheco, or White Feather; Sheperkiscoshe, Notekah, Shemakih, Pesheto, Theatsheta, Milhametche,
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
Chacoa, Lawathska, Pachetah, Awaybariskecaw, Hatocumo, Thomas- heshawkah, Pepacoshe, Oshashe, Quelaoshu, Mewithaquiu, Aguepeh, Quellime, Peartchtha, Onawaskine, Pamathawah, Wapeskeka, Lethew, Pahawesu, Shinagawmashe, Nequakabuchka, Peliska, Ketuchepa, Lawet- cheto, Epaunnee, Kanakhih, Joseph Parks, Lawnoetuchu, Shawnaha, Waymatalhaway, Ketoawsa, Sheshecopea, Locuseh, Quedaska.
The above contains the names of all the males belonging to the Shaw- nees who resided at Wapakoneta, over the age of twenty-one years, in 1817.
SKETCH OF PROMINENT INDIANS.
In order to avoid repetition as much as possible, we introduce bio- graphical sketches of the prominent Indian chiefs of this and other tribes, since the history of a chief is in a significant measure the history of his band. Thus the sketch of a warrior will exhibit the warlike actions, while a sketch of an orator will reveal the belief and diplo- matic character of the whole tribe. The warrior was the representative in battle, as the orator was the spokesman in council, and through these agencies we are enabled to view the life, manners, traditions, and characteristics of the nations they represent. In this list of chiefs, men of diverse character are presented which serve to show the many-sided life of the Indian race. Thus is presented Blackhoof, of lofty honor; the Turtle, "the gentleman of his race ;" Tecumseh, the ambitious zealot; the Prophet, a frenzied fanatic; Logan, a man of fidelity; Cap- tain Johnny, a friend of the Americans; and Blue Jacket, of rash and violent character.
BLACK-HOOF. (Indian name "Catahecasa and Quaskey.")
In 1810 when Tecumseh was attempting the consolidation of the Indian tribes from the Mississippi River eastward into Ohio, his first object was to secure the co-operation of the Wyandots, who were cele- brated for their talents and valor. With them had been entrusted the "great belt," the symbol of union in previous wars, and the original copy of the treaty of Greenville. The Prophet's influence was here exerted, and by flattery he secured the sympathy of this warlike tribe. These on their journey to the Prophet's town solicited the Miamis, who, in turn, induced the Weas to accompany them. Thus Tecumseh's dream of carrying into execution the plans of the great Pontiac promised to be fairly realized. In June the Prophet refused the supply of salt from Vincennes by the government, which was the first act of defiance. At this time Tecumseh was with the Shawnees on the Auglaize, using his influence to estrange them from the treaty of Greenville, and secure their assistance to carry out his plans. In this, however, he had been an- ticipated by Gov. Harrison, who had written these tribes and secured their lasting friendship. The new leader found his own people the first to frown upon his scheme of confederation, refusing even to enter into council with him. His failure here is largely attributable to the counter influence of the great Shawnee chief, Black-Hoof. This chief was born in Florida, had been present at Braddock's defeat in 1755, and partici- pated in all the Ohio wars until the treaty of Greenville. He had led the Shawnees in the allied attack upon Ft. Piqua during the French war, and afterwards told Col. Johnston that, "after the battle the ground was so strewn with bullets that basketsful might have been gathered."
He had been the great orator of his tribe, had fought bravely against the western progress of the whites, until disaster dictated the treaty of Wayne, and experience taught the hopelessness of the struggle. After this, as the head chief of his nation, he preserved the influence of his office, and the ascendency in council, and that influence was exerted in favor of peace. Even the eloquence of a Tecumseh was powerless to influence him, and during the following war he remained true to the American cause. Of such weight was his influence with his own nation that, when brought face to face with Tecumseh, he still called forth the loyalty of his people.
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He signed the treaty of 1795, and visited Ft. McArthur in 1813, where he was shot by some miscreant, who could not be discovered. The ball struck the cheek, but glanced to the neck, making a very serious wound, by which he was disabled for some weeks. He also visited Washington and Philadelphia, and was the bearer of the celebrated letter of Thomas
Jefferson, written to the Shawnees in 1802. In 1831 a proposition was made by the Government to purchase the land of the Shawnees about Wapakoneta. The Indians accordingly held a council, and prepared a petition to Congress, setting forth their grievances and asking addi- tional compensation. A committee was appointed, consisting of Black- Hoof, John Perry, Wayweleapy; and Spybuck, to present the petition to the Government. Francis Duchouquet and Joseph Parks were to act as interpreters. The deputation set forth on this mission about Decem- ber, 1831. These negotiations resulted in the surrender of the Ohio lands held by the Shawnee nation. An anecdote is told of the cele- brated chief, touching this sale of land.
He was asked if he agreed to the sale, when he replied: " No." " Why then did you sell?"
"Why," he replied, "because the United States Government wanted to buy and possess our lands, and remove us out of the way. I consented because I could not help myself, for I never knew them to undertake anything without accomplishing it. I knew that I might as well give up first as last, for they were determined to have our lands."
By long experience the aged chief knew the whites too well, and when he saw the futility of further resistance he resigned himself to the phi- losophy of reconciliation with his environment by yielding gracefully to the inevitable. At a council, held at Upper Sandusky in 1818, on the occasion of the death of Tarhe, or the "Crane," the Shawnees, Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas, Ottawas, and Mohawks were present. The business related to the lands of the various nations represented.
Each accused the other of being the first to sell their land to the government. The Shawnees were particularly alluded to as the last to come into the country and the first to sell to the whites. The person- alities and vituperation of the intemperate but able Red Jacket became odious, and the Shawnees only waited an opportunity to be beard. They whose tradition taught them that the Great Spirit first created them from his own brain, and thus gave them all the wisdom, as all other tribes and colors were created from the inferior parts of the body, could not sit idly by and have their great name and fame traduced. The opportunity having occurred, the representative of the proud na- tion appeared in Black-Hoof, who, tracing the history of the various tribes, treaties, and alliances, retorted against the Wyandots and Sen- ecas with bitter sarcasm and pointed severity. The discussion was thus opened by the two greatest orators, after which all the other ora- tors of note spoke for their respective tribes. Bitter personalities and taunting national reproaches were freely indulged, and the council broke up in confusion. At its close, when the wampum belt, the emblem of amity, was passed, some of the chiefs would not permit it to touch their hands. No greater indignity could be offered, and unusual anxiety and despondency prevailed until the next day. During the night all ac- knowledged the blunder of the occasion, but looked about wondering who would be equal to the embarrassment under which they labored. The council convened with a full attendance; silence prevailed until it was oppressive even to savages. At length the suspense was dissipated by Black-Hoof, he of commanding influence, of unsurpassed ability, and of celebrated oratory. He rose, possessing the key to the situation; he had lost nothing in the contest of yesterday ; he had everything to win in this council of to-day. With the wampum in his hand, he rehearsed the proceedings of the preceding day, and declared "they acted like children and not like men; that they had driven him to the defence of his nation; he was driven to meet them with their own weapons; but regretted the occasion which called forth his speech, and so regretted the speech itself. He had not feared to meet them in their own field, and that being unsatisfactory, he now proposed a new field which he believed they all would enter. He therefore appeared to recall those foolish words, and by consent of all his people who were present, he did regret and recall them." At the close his wampum was accepted by all, and the other chiefs hastily followed his example until all had presented and accepted the emblem of peace. The difficulty was set- tled, the council concluded in harmony, and the whole affair was for- gotten.
He is closely identified with our history, as his village, " Black-Hoof Town," his old home, is the present site of St. Johns. Of his character it may be said that, like many other great Indians, he possessed a high
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
sense of honor, and during his whole career evinced the noble charac- teristics of a lofty and humane mind. He loathed polygamy, and ab- horred the practice of burning prisoners. Against these he brought the force of his teaching and practice. He was of a cheerful disposition, mild in manners, and vivacious in conversation. He was said to have been rather small, not exceeding five feet eight inches in height. True to his public acts, after treaties of peace to which he was a party, he could not be induced to violate fidelity or compromise honor, and although urged to join against the whites by other tribes, he remained true to terms of peace at his own village, where he died in 1831, at the advanced age of 110 years.
Being an old chief he was buried with the ancient Indian ceremonies. On this occasion the whole tribe, realizing the loss sustained in the death of their honored chief, wore an appearance of solemnity and sad- ness. At his lodge, the body of the chief was wrapped in a new Indian blanket, surrounded by a large quantity of calico, belts, and ribbons. The corpse was upon a new slab, and his gun, tomahawk, knife, and pipe at his side. The Indians wore a very desolated appearance with their garments loose about them, their hair hanging as loosely as their garments, and many of their faces painted in ancient style. The men were all seated and smoking near the corpse. They looked upon him in tearful silence for several hours, and resembled a large family of children mourning the loss of an only parent. In front of the cabin was a large quantity of meat, the spoils of a two days' hunt by young men selected for that purpose. Twenty deer, besides turkeys and other game were killed, as no tame meat was permitted to be eaten. This food was simply stacked in the yard, and guarded by small boys. The very presence of dogs was forbidden. When about to proceed to the grave, a few of the choice young men, arranged the clothing about the body, placed four large straps beneath it, and bore it to the place of its long rest.
No children were permitted to be taken in the procession, in order to prevent all noise, as the ceremonies were to be as noiseless as the grave they approached. The order of march was taken up, with the family of the dead chief at the head, followed by his successor and the other chiefs, and then the whole company in succession.
On reaching the grave they formed about it in a group. The grave was about three and one-half feet deep, with a split puncheon at the bottom and sides. The corpse was lowered, the clothing last worn placed upon his body, and his old moccasins cut in pieces and placed with the clothing. This done, another slab was laid over all. At this moment John Perry, head chief, took some seeds, and, beginning at the head, walked around the grave, sprinkling them as he moved. He then went directly to the house, followed by all present, except three men, who remained to close the grave. On leaving the grave they proceeded in single file, none looking back. They then commenced conversation, and, after smoking once around the company, they opened the feast. It was now late, and the remainder of the day was devoted to feasting and dancing according to the primitive Indian custom.
WAY-WEL-EA-PY
was the principal speaker of the Shawnees, and delivered the opinions of his tribe at all treaties and in public assemblies. He was an eloquent orator, grave, gay, or humorous, as occasion required. At times his manner is said to have been quite fascinating, his countenance so full of varied expressions, 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 ears in an unknown language.
During the negotiations for the sale of their reserve he addressed his people and Gardner several times, extracts of which will be found elsewhere in this volume.
Col. Johnston says he often met this chief at his trading post in Wapakoneta : that he was a fine looking Indian, and was always ready to cultivate the friendship of the pioneers. He went west with his tribe, where he lived many years.
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