History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 3

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 3

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After hearing the discussion, he arose and addressed the assembly by nations, pointing to each as he spoke. "You (Mohawks) who are sit- ting under the shadow of the Great Tree, whose roots sink deep into the earth, and whose branches spread wide around, shall be the first nation, nearest the rising of the sun, because you are warlike and mighty. You (Oneidas) who recline your bodies against the Everlasting Stone, em- blem of wisdom that cannot be moved, shall be the second nation, be- cause you always give wise council. You (Onondagas) who have your habitation at the foot of the Great Hills, and are overshadowed by the crags, shall be the third nation, because you are all greatly gifted in speech. You (Cayugas) the people who live in the Open Country and possess much wisdom, shall be the fourth nation, because you under- stand better the art of raising corn and beans, and making houses. You (Senecas) whose dwelling is the Dark Forest nearer the setting sun, and whose home is everywhere, shall be the fifth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. Unite, you five nations, and have one common interest, and no foe shall disturb or subdue you. You, the people, who are as the feeble bushes, and you who are a fishing people (Delawares from the sea-shore) may place yourselves under our protec- tion, and we will defend you. And you of the south and west may do the same, we will protect you. We earnestly desire the alliance and friendship of you all. Brothers, if we unite in this great bond, the Great Spirit will smile upon us, and we shall be free, prosperous, and happy. But if we remain as we are, we shall be subject to his frown. We shall be enslaved, ruined, perhaps annihilated. We may perish under the war storm, and our names be no longer remembered by good men, nor repeated in the dance and song. Brothers, these are the words of Hiawatha. I have said it. I am done."

The confederation was formed the next day, and the mission of Hia- watha was accomplished; so after further advice he announced his pur- pose of returning to his divine habitation. In the presence of the silent multitude he entered his mysterious canoe, when suddenly the air filled with music like the warbling of birds, and the canoe rose in the air higher and higher, until lost to view in the blue depths of the sky.

Atatarho, an Onondaga chief who was eminent for valor and wisdom, was chosen sachem of the confederation. When a delegation of Mohawks approached him to notify him of the honor, he was found seated in grim solitude in the dark recess of a swamp, smoking his pipe, with drinking vessels about him made of the skulls of his enemies. The delegation could not go near him, as he was clothed with hissing serpents-the emblems of wisdom. While standing at a distance their leader ap- proached, and made known their errand. Atatarho then arose and accepted the honor, the serpents were transformed into a mantle of bear's skin, and following the delegation the president of the league went to the council and declared his willingness to do the desires of the sages and warriors of the confederated nations.

From that time forward the Iroquois Confederacy was invincible, until the craft and power of the white man first paralyzed and finally destroyed it.

When permanent settlements were undertaken by the whites early in the 16th century, the dusky inhabitants, as already observed, were found speaking about one hundred different dialects, although there were but eight radically distinct nations. These were known as the Algonquins, Huron-Iroquois, Cherokees, Catawbas, Uchees, Natchez, Mobilians or Floridians, and Dakotahs or Sioux. The term Algonquin was applied by the French to a large collection of tribes north and south of the great lakes, who spoke different dialects of the same language. They occupied the territory now comprised by Canada and New Eng- land, part of New York and Pennsylvania, all of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, eastern North Carolina above Cape Fear, a part of Kentucky and Tennessee, and all north and west of these States east of the Mississippi River.

The Algonquin nation embraced the Huron-Iroquois, who occupied parts of Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, with a few scat- tered families in Virginia, North Carolina, and the Iroquois confederacy of the State of New York.

The Cherokees inhabited the fertile upper region of Georgia, and were called the mountaineers of the South, being also the most formidable foe of the conquering Iroquois.

The Catawbas were their eastern neighbors, who dwelt on the borders

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

of the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers. Although the Iroquois made incursions in that country, they never subjugated the Catawbas.

The Uchees were the remnant of a powerful people, and lived in the beautiful region of Georgia between the present sites of Augusta and Milledgeville. They claimed to have descended from a people more ancient than any of their neighbors, and preserved traditions telling of migrations from a far-away country.

The Natchez occupied the territory east of the Mississippi reaching north ward from the site of Natchez along the Pearl River to the head- waters of the Chickasaw, and claimed to be an older nation than the Uchees. Like all the Indians of the gulf region, they were fire and sun worshippers, and offered sacrifices to these deities.

The Mobilians or Floridians occupied a large territory bordering along the Gulf of Mexico. It extended along the Atlantic coast from the mouth of Cape Fear to the extremity of the peninsula of Florida and westward to the Mississippi River. Their jurisdiction extended up that river to the mouth of the Ohio. The nation was divided into three confederacies, known as the Creek, Choctaw, and Chicasaw.

Under the title of Dakotahs or Sioux a vast number of tribes west of the Mississippi River have been grouped. They spoke dialects of the same language, and were by the French explorers regarded as one nation. They have been arranged in four classes, namely: the Winnebagoes, Assinniboins or Sioux proper, the Minetarces, and the Southern Sioux. At this period they were not stationary or fixed residents of a domain, nor was there any semblance of a national government except that of the Iroquois confederation. They had wandered about for centuries, and yet they were not strictly a nomadic people. Neither were they agriculturists, but like primitive man they were hunters and fishers, who depended upon the chase and hook for employment and sustenance.

Turn now to a hasty glance at the Indians of the lower gulf region, whose hue of skin, features, and texture of hair resembled that of the natives of the north, but whose habits of life were modified and softened either by descent, or contact with the tribes of Central and South Ame- rica. The men were well proportioned and active, while the women were smaller, well formed, and often beautiful. In cold weather the men wore a mantle made of a sort of cloth manufactured of the inner bark of beech and interwoven with hemp. This was thrown over the shoul- der, leaving the right arm exposed, while around the loins was encircled a short tunic. The richer men wore mantles of feathers of every hue, or the skins of fur-bearing animals with deer-skin tunics wrought in colors, and moccasins of the same material. The women of the higher class, during the cooler season, wore a garment of cloth or feathers or fur wrought like the mantles of the men. This was folded closely about the body, and fell gracefully below the waist. Their heads were always uncovered, while the men wore skullcaps of cloth ornamented with sea shells, claws of beasts, or strings of pearl. Pearl pendants were some- times suspended from the ears. In summer the only clothing of both sexes was a drapery of what is called Spanish moss, gathered from the trees. This was fastened at the waist and fell below in graceful negli- gence. The chiefs, prophets, and other principal men and their wives painted their breasts in stripes of white, yellow, and red, while some tattooed their bodies. The spacious houses of the chiefs stood upon large mounds that were ascended by steps of wood or earth. The dwell- ings were built of timber, often in the form of a pavilion with a broad piazza. They were covered with palmetto leaves or thatched with straw. The winter houses were daubed with clay. Their weapons were string bows and arrows and javelins. The arrows were made of dried cane tipped with buck-horn and pointed with flint or fish-bones, and were car- ried in a quiver made of the skin of the fawn. The warriors all wore shields in battle, composed of wood, split cane, or alligator or buffalo hide. On the left arm was a small bark shield to protect it from the rebound of the bowstring. Another weapon was a short sword made of hard wood. If a chief wished to make war, he sent a party by night toward the enemy's town to stick arrows in the ground at the cross-paths or other conspicuous places, and from these arrows suspended long locks of human hair as tokens of scalping ; then assembling his painted war- riors, after wild ceremonies he would take a vessel of water and sprinkle it about, saying, "Thus may you do with the blood of your enemies ;" then raising another vessel, he would pour the water upon the fire, and as it was extinguished he would say, "Thus may you destroy your ene.

mies and bring home their scalps." After battle the bodies of captives were cruelly mutilated. Their scalps were placed upon poles in the public square, where the people danced about in celebration of the tri- umph, as they sang or rather chanted wild songs of joy.

Hunting, fishing, and the cultivation of rich lands were the chief em- ployments of the people. Hemp and flax were both known and culti- vated. The women assisted in the fields, which yielded large returns for the labor bestowed. The productions were stored in granaries of stone and earth covered with mats. Salt was obtained by evaporation. Pottery was made and used for kitchen service, some of which was skil- fully and even beautifully formed. They were skilful artisans, as shown by their arms, canoes, and ornaments. Fortifications with moats .or ditches were constructed which evinced something of military skill. Some of their temples were grand and imposing, with steep roofs of split cane matting closely interwoven. At the entrances, or within, some of the temples, were wooden statues of persons entombed in the sacred place. Rich offerings of pearls and deer skins were seen in these edifices, all dedicated to the sun, the great and good God of their theology. That theology was very simple. The sun was the supreme deity, while the moon and stars were venerated as a little inferior to the sun. In all invocations the appeals were made to the sun : " May the sun guard you!" "May the sun be with you!" being usual forms of invocation.

Their funeral ceremonies were peculiar. The body of a chief or prophet was embalmed in a certain manner, and placed in the ground in a sitting posture. Food and money were placed in the grave, a coni- cal mound raised over it, and at the foot of this was a paling of arrows stuck in the ground. Around the tomb the people gathered and kept up a continual howling during three days, after which appointed women visited the tomb three times a day for a long, indefinite period. A chief was not only a magistrate but a high priest as well, and so was held in high veneration. To him, murderous sacrifices of the first born male child were made in the presence of the agonized mother, while a group of girls danced about the sacrificial altar, singing wild, wierd, and pierc- ing songs.

Such is a view of the Indians with whom the Spaniards first came in - contact, and it is these with the Iroquois Confederacy of the north which form the two exceptions to the general character and habits of the dusky nations of North America. View them as you will, they were still the children of Nature struggling to a higher life, throwing aside a little savagery; practising a little more morality, and recognizing a little higher standard of humanity as the ages swept around.

They were savages, and yet with all their barbarities and horrid rites, at some period, in some manner, a faint gleam of civilization broke upon them, and continued its softening influences until something of civiliza- tion was attained in Mexico and South America. These in turn sent forth gleams of light which were dissipating something of the darkness which overspread the great tribal land of the north. That ray had burst forth along the gulf shores, but shed its greatest lustre upon the Iroquois Confederacy, which, in many respects, might challenge comparison with the leading governments of the old world. It recognized the man, but knew no tyrant. It built up a powerful democracy, while the old world was rearing new despotism upon the ruins of old tyrannies. The Euro- peans, with their boasted excellence of government and religion, had nothing to do with the founding of this Indian republic. It enjoyed more civil rights and breathed more religious freedom in a day than Europe had ever dreamed of in a century. The western world has ever been the productive garden of liberty, and neither tyranny nor bigotry flourish on its soil. They are exotics, which wither, and droop, and die before the free breezes, under the free light, and above the free land of the western world.

Let us look forward to a period of greater classification and detail, and view the Indian at a later period, when, through contact with dif- ferent tribes, Europeans were able to make completer statements touch- ing the different tribes, their languages, customs, traditions, sachems, chiefs, and modes of life. Their foot-prints are discernible over a whole continent, down a long descent of years, giving evidences by different characteristics and remains, of different conditions and different degrees of improvement. They displaced the wild and harmless Esquimaux, and then submitted to changes which gave promise at times of trans-

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

forming their customs, habits, religion, government, and their very natures. . That innovation was slowly sweeping from the south, and making inroads which gave promise of radical improvement. At this stage the whites stepped upon the scene, and with a banner of civiliza- tion in one hand they with the other wielded a sword which swept before it a Mexican civilization superior to that represented by the invader's flag, stained, as it was, with human blood.

Let us first introduce the different tribes found by the British over a century ago, and trace them to their connections with the local tribes with which our counties have to deal.

INDIAN NATIONS.

Compiled by GEO. CPOGHAN, Indian agent from 1750 to 1770, from a report made to the English government in 1765.

List of the different nations and tribes of Indians in the northern district of North America, with the number of their fighting men.

Names of the Tribes.

Nos.

Their Dwelling Ground.

Their Hunting Ground.

Mohawks, 1

160

Mohawk River.

Between that and Lake George.

Oneidas, 2

800

East side Oneida Lake, and on' In the country they

live in.

Tuscaroras, 2 Onondagas, 2

200

the head waters of the east) branch of the Susquehanna. Between the Oneidas and Onou- dagoes.

200

Near the Onondago lake.

Between Oneida L'ke and Lake Ontario. Between Onondago Lake and mouth of Seneca River near Oswego.

Where they live.

Cayugas, 2

200

On two small lakes called the Cayuago. on the north branch of the Susquehanna.

Senecas, 2

1000

Seneca County, on the waters of the Susquehanna, the wa- ters of Lake Ontario, and on the heads of Ohio River.

Their chief hunting grounds there- abouts.

Where they live.

Nanticokes, 3 Mohegans, 3 Conoys, 3 Monsays, 3 Sapoones, 3 Delawares, 3 Delaware, 4

150

At Diahogo and other villages up the north branch of the Susquehanna River.

Where they live.

600

Between the Ohio and Lake Erie, on the branches of Bea- ver Creek, Muskingum and Guychugo.

Shawnees, 4

$00

On Scioto and branch of Mus- kingum.

Where they live.

Mohegans, 4

800

In village near Sandusky

On the head bank of Scioto.

Coghnawages, 4 Twightwees, 5

250

Miami River near Fort Miami.

On the ground where they live.

300 300 } 200 5

On the branches of Onabache, near Ouctanon.

Between Oultanon and the Miamies.

300 ) 800

Near the French settlements in the Illinois country.

250

Near Fort Detroit.

About Lake Erie.

400 ) 250

Near Michilimacinac.

On the North side of Lake Huron. Thereabouts.

400

Near the entrance of Lake Su- perior, and not far from Fort St. Marys.

550

Near Fort La Bay, on the Lake Michigan.

Hunting ground is thereabouts.

150 } 150

Near Fort St. Josephs.

Thereabouts.

4000

it and the Mississippi.

tively lived.

100

Thereabouts.

Connesdagoes, 11 Coghnewagoes, 11| Crondocks, 11 Abonakies, 11 Alagonkins, 11 La Sull, t

100) 150

Settled near Trois River.

100) 10,000

Southwest of Lake Superior.

EXPLANATIONS OF FIGURES.

1. These are the oldest tribe of the confederacy of the Six Nations.

2. Connected with New York ; part of the confederacy with New York.

3. Connected with, and depending on, the Five Nations.

4. Dependent on the Six Nations and connected with Pennsylvania.

5. Connected with Pennsylvania.

6. Connected with the Twightwees.

7. These two nations the English never had any trade or connection with.

8. Connected formerly with the French.

9. Connected with the Indians about Detroit, and dependent upon the com- manding officer.

10. Always connected with the French.

11. Connected with the French.

12. Never connected in any trade or otherwise with the English.

' *11. There are several villages of Chippewas settled along the banks of Lake Superior, but cannot ascertain their number.

t There is a nation of Indians-settled southwest of Lake Superior called by the French La Sull (now known as Sioux), who, by the best account from French and Indians, are computed ten thousand fighting men. They are spread over a large tract of country, and have forty odd villages ; in which country are several other tribes, who are tributaries to the Lasues, none of whom, except a few, have ever known the use of firearms-as yet two villages.

In 1794 a treaty was made with the American Indians, and the fol- lowing tribes, with the number of fighting men, was obtained at that time, and is worthy of being preserved in connection with the foregoing subject :-

The Choctaws or Flat Heads, 4500. Natches, 150. Chickasas, 750. Cherokees, 2500. Catawbas, 150. Piantas, a wandering tribe, 800. Kisquororas, 600. Nankashaws, 250. Oughtenous, 400. Kiellapous, 500. Delawares, 300. Shawnese, 300. Miamis, 300. Upper Creeks, Middle Creeks, and Lower Creeks, 4000. Cowitas, 700. Alabamas, 600. Akinsaws, 200. Ansaus, 1000. Padomas, 600. White and Freckled Pianis, 4000. Causes, 1600. Osages, 600. Grand Saux, 1000. Missouri, 3000. Saux of the Wood, 1800. Blances or White Indians with beard, 1500. Asinbones, 1500. Christean Cauzes, 3000. Oniscousas, 500. Mascotins, 500. Lakes, 400. Muherowakes, 230. Trolle Avoines or Wild Oats, 350. Puans, 700. Powatanag, 550. Missasaques, wandering tribe, 2000. Otabas, 900. Chippewas, 5000. Wyandots, 300. Six Nations, 1500. Round Heads, 2500. Algonquins, 3000. Nepesicus, 400. Chalsas, 130. Amitestes, 550. Mackinacks, 700. Abinagius, 350. Consway Nurius, 200. Total, 58,780.

HABITS AND IMPLEMENTS.

Let us cast a glance at the customs and habits of the modern Indians as prevailing during the settlement of the western sections long after the period of discovery. We find them the descendants of the tribes which occupied the sea-coast at the period of colonization, and were driven westward before the advancing outposts of English settlement. Before the influences of civilization they have faded away, until their name is almost forgotten in localities where years ago they were the "rightful lords," and absolute possessors of the soil. Whole tribes have dwindled away or disintegrated, until ouly a remnant may be found incorporated with other bands or tribes.

Still their habits are largely the same as when first seen and studied by Europeans. The indolence of the men was proverbial, throughout the years, for labor was ever degrading to them and belonged only to the women. The only elevated pursuits of the men were war, fishing, and the chase. True, they sometimes assisted in forming canoes and. building houses, but the heavy labor devolved upon the women still. All outdoor drudgery belonged to them in common with household duties.

Patience, fortitude, and equanimity are strongly developed traits of the Indians. The most sudden and unexpected misfortune is borne with calmness and fortitude. No word, no change of countenance was permitted to reveal the tempest within the soul. Let him fall into the hands of an enemy, and see a cruel death stare him in the face, he still eats and drinks with as much cheerfulness as is shown by his captors. So during sickness or under pain their resolution rises to a grim but sturdy fatalism.

They are graceful in deportment, observant in company, and respect-

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Aughquagas, 3

150 East branch of Susquehanna 100) River, and on Aughquagas. Usanango, Chaghmett, Oswe- 100 go, and on the east branch of 80 the Susquehanna River.

Where they live.

150

Where they live.

Ukyoughtaines, 6 Pyankesnas, 6 Sh ckays, 6 Huskhuskeeyes, 7 Illinois, 7 Wyandots, 8 Ottowas, 8 Patawotomies, 8 Chippewas, 9 Ottawas, 9 Chippewas, 10 Ottawas, 10 Chippewas, #11

450 150 200 / On Saganna Creek, which emp-, Thereabouts. ties into Lake Huron.

Chippewas, 11 Mynonamierk, 11 Shockeys, 11 Patawatomies, 11 Ottawas, 11 Kickapoos, 12 Outtagamies, 12 Musquatans, 12 Miscotins, 12 Outtamacks, 12 Musquakes, 12 Oswegatchies, 8

On Lake Michigan, and between Where they respec-

1 300

Settled at Swagalthy in Canada, .on the river St. Lawrence. Near Montreal.

Thereabouts.

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

ful to the old. Of cool and deliberate temperament they reflect before speaking, and in council every man is heard in turn according to his age, his wisdom, or his services. These determine the rank, and this determines the order of speaking. While one is speaking the others preserve a death-like silence. The young men attend the council for instruction in the history of the nation and its warlike achievements as . they are recounted by the orators.

They all believe in a Deity, but their religion is clouded by supersti- tion. The "Good" and " Evil" Spirits govern Nature, which is their mother, having sprung from her bosom, to which, after subsisting upon her bounty for a time, they know they will return. The Great Spirit is everywhere, but has his immediate habitation on the Island of the Great Lakes. They recognized inferior spirits still superior to man and worthy of invocation. The Evil Spirit they believe to be ever inclined to wrong or mischief, and, as he bears great sway, he must be placated, and so becomes the principal object of their devotion. To him their petitions flow, humbly begging him to do them no harm; while the Good Spirit, being of a beneficent character, is entreated to bestow blessings, and frustrate the bad designs of the Evil Spirit. "May the Great Spirit favor you with a prosperous voyage; may he give you an unclouded sky and smooth waters by day, and make you lie down by night on a beaver blanket and enjoy uninterrupted sleep and pleasant dreams, also may you find continued security under the great pipe of peace," was the prayer uttered by an Ottowa chief as he saw Major Carver take his de- parture in a canoe. To obtain the favor of the Great Spirit it was neces- sary to become a distinguished warrior, hunter, or marksman. The priests often made pretensions to revelations of future events, and were thus authorized to command the action of the tribe. It was also part of their duty to unfold religion and interpret dreams. The next world was represented as abounding in all desirable things, and wherein the desires of all the senses would be fully gratified.

They have great regard for the dead, as part of the burial service con- sists in depositing with the deceased such articles as he most used or to which he was most attached during his life. These articles were usually his bow and arrows, pipe and tobacco, as these would be needed in the spirit land. While the mother mourns the loss of a child, the neighbors make presents to the father, which he reciprocates by giving a feast. Each band has a civil officer, styled the sachem, and a military leader, called the chief. The former is chosen for his wisdom, and the latter for his valor. The chief was entrusted with military affairs, but exer- cised no civil authority, this being entrusted to the civil ruler, who affixed his own signature and that of the tribe to all treaties and land conveyances. Still the Indian considers himself free, and never dreamed of renouncing his liberty. His rulers, or rather his leaders, were his own creation, and a command or positive injunction by them he treated with absolute contempt.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 3

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427