History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Chacoa, Lawathska, Pachetah, Awaybariskecaw, Ilatocumo, Thomas- heshawkab, Pepacoshe, Oshashe, Quelaoshu, Mewithaquin, Aguepch, Quellime, Peartchtha, Onawaskine, Pamathawnh, Wapeskeka, Lethew, Pahawesn, Shinagawmaybe, Nequakabuchka, Pefiska, Ketuchepa, Lawet- cheto, Epaunnee, Kanakhih, Joseph Parks, Lawnoetuchu, Shawnala, Waymatalhaway, Ketoawsa, Sheshecopea, Loenseh, 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.

SKETCHI 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 Tecumsehi 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 1735, 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 ascendeney 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.

. Hle signed the treaty of 1795, and visited Ft. McArthur in 1813, where he was shot by some misereant, 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 Shawnces 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, Waywelespy, 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 ancedote 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 know 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, Senceas, 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.

lle 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

IHISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

sense of honor, and during his whole career evinced the noble charac- teristies 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 turkey's and other game were killed, as no tame meat was permitted to be caten. 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.

{ " reaching the grave they formed about it in a group. The grave « Fabout three and one-half feet deep, with a split puncheon at the bottoni 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 cars 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. Jolinston 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.

JOHN PERRY ; OR LOLLAWAY,

head chief of the Shawnees, often traded at the store of Col. Johnston, and was known by all the earlier settlers. He could converse fluently in

English, and was a mansof good habits and influence with his tribe. Ite signed the treaty of 1831 at Wapakoneta, and when he learned that the tribe had been deceived, he went to Washington, with others of his tribe, to see if the President would change the treaty. A bill was presented to Congress, but it was many years before any action was taken in the matter. He went west with the tribe.

LITTLE TURTLE.

Michikinagwa, or Little Turtle, was the son of a Miami chief and Mohican woman. As the Indian custom gives to offspring the condition of the mother, he had to earn whatever rank he might attain. His extra- ordinary talents secured him rank at an early age, and his first services were those of a warrior. His history is closely interwoven with that of the expeditions of Gen. Harmer, who was defeated by the braves of the Turtle, and that of St. Clair in his expedition against the Miami Villages in December, 1791. The Turtle was chief commander of the Wyandots, Shawnees, Delawares, and Senecas in that memorable engagement in which St. Clair was compelled to retreat upon Ft. Jefferson in carnage and disaster. This slaughter is said to have but one parallel, which is the defeat of Braddock. The subsequent victory of Gen. Scott served only to exasperate the Turtle and his followers. Again he was brought to face Gen. Wayne (" the Black Snake") when he marched against Presque Isle in 1792. During- the night preceding this battle some of the chiefs favored attacking Wayne that night, but it was at length determined to wait until the next day, and then attack Presque Isle. This proposition was favored by Blue Jacket, but opposed by the Turtle. The latter even felt the hopelessness of the cause, and was inclined to peace. He urged: "We have beaten the enemy twice under separate commanders, and cannot expect the same continued good fortune. The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The day and night are alike to him, and during all his marches upon our villages, notwith- standing the watchfulness of our young men, we have been utterly unable to surprise him. Think well of this; there is something whispers to me, it will be prudent to listen to offers of peace." Charged with cowardice by other chiefs, he took his position in battle, but the success of Wayne only confirmed the wisdom of his position. After the con- clusion of peace he settled about twenty miles from Ft. Wayne on Ecl River, where the government erected him a comfortable house. He visited Washington and Philadelphia on several occasions. Although he would not attend the councils of 1802 and 1803, yet he was chosen one of four referees by the chiefs of the other tribes, the duty of these four being "to finally settle and adjust a treaty" with the agents of the United States. The Turtle was the head of this commission. He had many opposers all along among the chiefs, which would, perhaps, explain his sometimes vacillating conduct, as he had to sacrifice bis own judg- ment at times to palliate an opposing majority, and thus sustain his position. He even opposed Tecumseh and the Prophet in all their designs, which probably accounted in a measure for their tardiness of preparation. Of his character it may be said he looked with horror upon intemperance and human sacrifice. Brave as the bravest, he could not look upon the torture of any, and so gave his great influence against the crime. Whether his motives were of a pure or sinister character, it is certain he condemned the intemperance of his people, and took active measures against the wrong. While in the east he was a keen observer of the manners of civilized life and the working of our institu- tions, making inquiries pertaining to everything which came under his observation. During his visit to Philadelphia in 1797 he met and became personally acquainted with Kosciusko, in whose story of the great crime against Poland he was interested to deep emotion. On his return he visited Capt. Harrison (Governor), and made further inquiries concerning the great European murder of human rights. When the Capt. gave him a description of the last defeat of Kosciusko, he rose and pacing the floor, exclaimed in agitation: "Let that woman (the Empresy of Russia) take care; this may yet be a dangerous man" ( Kosciusko) During this visit he also became acquainted with the renowned French philosopher, C. F. Volucy, who took great interest in the savage, as the author was then preparing his " Travels in America." The Turtle had just communicated with Gov. Harrison touching the approaching war of 1812, and announced his sympathy for the American cause, when he

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

died at Ft. Wayne, July 14, 1812, and was buried by the commander with the honors of war.

TECUMSEHI. (A Shooting Star.)

The weight of authority fixes the birth of this mighty warrior at the Indian town Piqua, on Mad River, in 1768. His father's name was Puckesninwau, of the Kiscopoke band, and his mother's name Methon- taske, of the Turtle tribe, of the Shawnee nation. The parents with others of the tribe came from the south to the Ohio valley, under the leadership of the great chief Black-Hoof, about the middle of the eigh- teenth century, and first stopped on the Scioto, but finally removed to the Mad River Valley.

Puckeshinwau was killed in the battle of Kanawha, in 1774, and Me- thoastaske returned to the south, and lived to an advanced age among the Cherokee Indians. Tecumseh is said to have been carefully edu- cated by his brother Cheeseekau, which education was presumably in the arts of hunting and fighting. True, it is related he was taught a love for truth, and contempt for falsehood. There is little doubt he was taught a love for those cardinal virtues, courage in battle and forti- tude in hardship. In all these his instructor seems to have been emi- uently qualified, according to the savage idea, for his pupil ever after gave evidence of the development of these Indian virtues in a very marked degree. He boasted of his truth and fidelity, which as an individual he sustained throughout his checkered career.

The events of the period in which he was ushered into life and action undoubtedly did much to mould his character. All enter an arena under conditions which shape and mould their plastic conduct. He was young during the period of the Revolutionary War, and its influence was felt by the savages, even in the remote Ohio. The fierce and bloody border war, too, had its vitiating effects, for the whites here even vied with the savages in the commission of fiendish barbarities. Rocked in this cradle of carnage, to the lullaby of the war-whoop, he developed a love for war and a hate for Americans. In 1786 he was a participant in the defence of the Machachac villages against Gen. Logan. The conduct of the whites on this occasion was calculated to teach anything but jus- tice or humanity, and if Tecumseh in this, his first battle, did flee from the field, we would call it the result of horror at the cruelty of the whites, rather than cowardice on the part of the warrior. In his next engage- ment, against some flat boats which were descending the Ohio River, he signalized his bravery in bis rash lead according to the Indian idea; but to us he exhibited more' genuine courage when he looked with abhor- rence on the burning of the single prisoner of the fight, and denounced the fiendish practice in such unmeasured and forcible terms that the horrid rite was abandoned by his immediate followers. The great vic- tories are ever on the side of moral courage, rather than in the field of physical desperation. In 1787, in true harmony with the Shawnee char- acter, he and his brother with a small party of Kiscopokes started west- ward on an adventurous expedition. They halted for a while on the Mississinewa, but afterwards moved to the Mississippi, and encamped at the mouth of Apple Creek. At the expiration of about nine months they proceeded south to the Ohio, and engaged in a buffalo hunt, in which Tecumseh was thrown from his horse, sustaining such injuries that the party was delayed several weeks opposite Ft. Massac. From here they went south and engaged with the Cherokees in their war with the whites. Here Cheeseckau lost his life, and his younger brother and pupil, Tecumseh, assumed the command during the two following years spent in the south. After a wild career of adventure, in company with cight warriors, he started for the north, crossed the Ohio near the mouth of the Scioto, visited the Machachac villages, and came to the Auglaize in 1790, after an absence from Ohio of about three years. At the time of St. Clair's defeat Tecumseh was acting as a scout, and so did not take part in the battle.

In 1792 he was met in a skirmish by a small party under Simon Kenton, and again the following year he was defeated by a party under the same famous scout.

In the battle of Presque Isle, Tecumseh . led a party of Shawnees, where he was opposed by Capt. Harrison, who afterward became his chief antagonist. In 1795 he appears on Deer Creek, simply as a hun- ter. During the year be undertook the formation of a band of which

he was to be chief. The following year they moved to the great Miami, where they remained until 1798, when they joined the Delawares upon White River. Here he continued several years, until some difficulties arose calling forth the council of Urbana in 1799. Here Tecumseh appeared as an orator, whose style was said by the interpreter to be so lofty and his words so eloquent, that his speech was interpreted with great difficulty. At the time of an excitement consequent upon the commission of some border murders, he frankly disavowed and de- nounced such conduct, and eloquently spoke of the peaceful relations of the whites and Indians. About this time the Prophet Brother arose, who acted in concert with Tecumseh, although his personal means were of a more questionable character. His early and later life is enshrouded in mystery perhaps as deep as that by which he practised upon the cre- dulity of his converts.

In 1805 the Tawa Shawnees, at the head of the Auglaize, sent a deputation of visitors to Tecumseh and other chiefs to invite them to the Tawa villages. The invitation was accepted, but on the way Tecum- sch and Laulewusikaw met at Greenville, where they concluded to re- main. The latter had gathered hints enough from the missionaries to be crafty and cunning. Ile did not mutter from dark lodges, nor tell fortunes in the sand. He could not be a sorcerer nor impostor, because he was a preacher and a prophet. In November, 1805, he addressed an assembly at Wapakoneta, setting forth his new mission, and declaring some tenets he had received from the Great Spirit. He it was who had visited the clouds and entered the dwelling place of the devil, where he saw all who had died drunkards with flames issuing from their mouths. Consequently, he denounced drunkenness and many other evils, and closed by assuring them that the Great Spirit had given him power to confound his enemies, to cure diseases, and prevent death. These claims were calculated to impress the superstitious minds of the Indians. President Jefferson wrote of the Prophet :-

"Ile is more rogue than fool, if to be a rogue is not the greatest of all follies. * * * His followers increased until the British thought him worth corrupting and found him corruptible." He burned his vic- tims for witchcraft when no more plausible pretext could be invented; was cruel and heartless, even fiendish in his ambitious designs, and "ia not scruple to employ diabolical methods when they promised suce

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History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 23

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878