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 4
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 4
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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 chirf 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 not 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 work.
Let us look forward to a period of greater classification and detail, and view the Indian at a later period, when, through contact with dul 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 year-, giving evidences by different characteristics and remains, of different conditions and diferent degrees of improvement. They displaced the will and harmless Esquimaux. and then submitted to changes which gave promise at times of trans
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, 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 wickled 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, anil trace them to their connections with the local tribes with which our counties have to deal.
INDIAN NATIONS.
Compiled by Gro. CROGRAN, Indian agent from 1750 to 1770, from a report made to the English government in 1763.
List of the diferent nations and tribes of Indians in the northern district of North America, with the number of their fighting men.
Names of the Tribes,
Nos.
Thele Dwelling Ground.
Their Hunting Ground.
Mohawks, 1
100
Mohawk River.
Between that and Lake George.
Oneidas, 3
300
East side Oneida Lake, and on In the country they the head waters of the east live in. branch of the Susquehanna.
Tuscaroraa, 2
200
Between the Oncidas and Onon- : Between Oncida L'ke dagoes. and Lake Ontario.
Onondagas, 3
200
Near the Onondago lake.
Between Onondago Lake and mouth of Seneca River near Oswego.
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.
Aughquagas, 3
Nanticokes, 3 Mohegans, 3 Conoys, 3 Monsays, 3 Sapoones, 3 Delawares, 3 Delaware, 4
30 -- 150
At Dialogo and other villages i Where they live. up the north branch of the Susquehanna River.
600
Between the Ohio and Lake Where they live. Erie, on the branches of Bea- ver Creek, Muskingum and Guychugo.
Shawnees, 4
300 .. On Scioto and branch of Mus. , Where they live. kingum.
Mohegans, 4
300
In village near Sandusky
On the head bank of Scioto.
Coghnawages, 4 Twightwees, 5
250 300 300 ) 200 % 300 )
On the branches of Onabache, near Quetanon.
Between Oultanon and the Miamies.
300
Near the French settlements in the Illinois country.
250) 4.50 } 150 200 7
Near Fort Detroit.
About Lake Erie.
On Saganna Creek, which emp. S , ties into Lake Huron.
Thereabouts.
400 } 250 400
Near Michilimacinac.
On the North side of Lake Huron.
Near the entrance of Lake Sn- Thereabouts. perior, and not far from Fort St. Marys.
Near Fort La Bay, on the Lake Hunting ground is
Michigan.
thereabouts.
1.50 ) 150
Near Fort St. Josephs.
Thereabouts.
.4000
On Lake Michigan, and between, Where they respec- it and the Mississippi. . tively hved.
Connesdagoes, 11 } Coghnewagoes, H
Crondocks, 11
100)
1 150
Settled near Trois River.
. La Sull, t
10,000
Southwest of Lake Superior.
EXPLANATIONS OF FIGURES.
1. These are the oldest tribe of the confederacy of the Six Nations.
3. 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.
19. 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. Ansans, 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. Mnherowakes, 230. Trolle Avoines or Will 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 Indian4. 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 au enemy, and see a cruel death stare him in the face, he still cats and drinky 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-
Ukyoughtaines, G Pyankesnas, G Shockays, 6 Huskhuskeeyes, 7 Illinois, 7 Wyandots, 8 Ottowas, 3 Patawotomies, 8 Chippewas, 9 Ottawas, 9 Chippewas, 10 Ottawas, 10 Chippewas, "11
Miami River near Fort Miami.
On the ground where they live.
Chippewas, 11 Mynonamierk, 11 Shockeys, 11 Patawatomies, 11 . Ottawas, 11 Kickapoos, 12 Outtagamnies, 13 Musquatans, 12 Miscatins, 13 Outtamacks, 12 Musquakes, 12 Oswegntchies, 8 100
Settled at Swagnithy in Canada. Thereabouts. on the river St. Lawrence. Near Montreal.
Thereabouta.
Abonakirs, 11 Alagonkins, 11
100} 100
150 East branch of Susquehanna River, and on Aughquagas. Usanango, Chaghmett, Oswe- go, and on the east branch of 30 the Susquehanna River.
Where they live.
Where they live.
150
Where they live.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, 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 cloudled 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 nest 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 anthority, 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.
Their Great Council was composed of the heads of tribes, and those whose merits had elevated them to a like rank. A council house was erceted in each town, where councils convened, ambassadors were received, songs were sung, and the dead commemorated.
A chief seldom spoke at the general councils, as he usually entrusted his sentiments to another person, called his speaker or orator, this being a recognized class in all the tribes. Their manner of speaking was natural and easy, although often impassioned, their words strong and expressive, and style bold and figurative. When business of great consequence was to be transacted, a feast was appointed for a certain occasion, and at this almost the whole nation would participate. Songs and dances were a recognized part of these assemblies, as also of all others.
A national war is acted upon and entered into only after a solemn deliberation. An assembly of sachems and chiefs deliberate upon it, and consider it in all its bearings. It was in these councils that the women of the Iroquois Confederacy, or the " Five Nations," exercised a voice and vote. The presiding sachem proposed the subject of delib- eration, and, lifting a tomahawk, asked, " Who among you will go and fight this nation? Who among you will bring captives from them to replace our deceased friends, that our wrongs may be revenged, and our name and honor maintained as long as the rivers flow, the grass grows, or the sun and moon shall endure?" One of the principal warriors would
then harangue the assembly, and then addressing the young men would inquire who would go with him to fight their enemies. On such occa- sions they usually had a roasted deer, and as the warriors consented to fight he would eut a piece of meat, saying as he ate it, "thus will I devour our enemies." After these ceremonies the dance commenced, accompanied by the singing of war songs, and those relating to their conquest4, their courage, or their skill.
Originally wampuin was only a string of shells, gathered from the ses or lake coasts, but at a later period it consisted of a small bead of white and black shell, which was highly esteemed by them, and served the purposes of currency.
The calumet or pipe of peace was of great significance. The bowl was made of a soft red stone, which was easily hollowed, and very highty prized. The stem was of cane or a light wood painted in different colors. and adorned with the feathers of birds. The calumet was used to smoke tobacco or some herb when an alliance or other solemn engagement was formed. To smoke this pipe was the most solemn oath, and its viola- tion was the most infamous offence, deserving of punishment in the future world.
The tomahawk deserves notice, as it was of much importance both as an instrument of use in peace and a favorite weapon in war. It is a very ancient weapon, antedating the use of iron and steel. A hatchet finally substituted it, but the tomahawk, like the pipe, still had deep significance in public transactions. It was formed somewhat like a hatchet, with a long handle and ornamented by painting and feathers.
Each tribe has its peculiar symbol, which is generally an outline of an animal,-those of the Five Nations being the bear, wolf, otter, tor- toise, and eagle. When going to war they cut off all their hair, except a spot on the crown, and even plucked out their eyebrows. The lock of hair left on the crown was braided full of beads and feathers all twisted together. They painted themselves red as low as the eyebrows, suspended ornaments from the ears, and beads from their noses. Ou the way to war they sang the wild war songs, and were followed by the women, who carried the baggage, but who returned before the commence- ment of the action.
It will not be necessary to speak more fully at this place of the cus- toms and implements, as they will appear clearly illustrated by the dif- ferent incidents connected with the wars, treaties, and chiefs of various tribes to be detailed in the following pages. Let us first consider some of the treaties between the whites and the Indians.
INDIAN TREATIES.
It is not our intention to investigate the claims of France to all the lands between the Allegheny and the Rocky Mountains, because Mar- quette in 1673 and La Salle in 1679 urged the immediate occupation of that vast and fertile region of this extensive domain upon the King of France ; nor to the Kings of England because their subjects had made discoveries on the western continent and claimed the same by right of discovery, as their royal proclamation of October 7, 1763, boldly pro- claimed.
We look upon our country from an American standpoint, claiming that on the 4th of July, 1776, our forefathers renounced their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, fought for their inalienable rights, and triumphed over his armies. We then assumed that we were a free and independent people, and upon this as the corner-stone established a republican government-each State claiming the right of jurisdiction over the district of territory embraced within its respective charter.
Several of these States held large portions of western unappropriated lands, and each and all finally believing (after the Indian titles were exhausted) that they should be appropriated for the benefit of all, as each State in proportion to its population had spent money and shed blood ; new States were organized out of the said territorial lands and placed on an equality with the thirteen original States.
We may mention that a treaty was entered into between Sir William Johnson and the Six Nations of Indians on the 24th of October, 1968, at FORT STANWIX, which was attended by representatives from the colo- nies of New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, by Sir William Johnson and his deputies, by the agents of those traders who had suffered in the
24
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
holl the same
war of 1763, and by deputies from the Indian nations referred to. At that meeting the line was established beginning on the Ohio at the mouth of the Tennessee (or Cherokee) River, thence up the Ohio and Alle- gheny to Kittanning, thence across to the Susquehanna, whereby the whole country south of the Ohio and Allegheny to which the Six Nations had any claim was transferred to England. By this treaty rests the title by purchase to Kentucky, Western Virginia, and Western Pennsyl- vania, and the authority of the Six Nations to sell that country rests . on their claim by conquest.
A treaty was made at Fort Stanwix October 27, 1784, by Oliver Wol- cott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, representing the United States, with the Sachems and Warriors of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Tuscaroras, by which the Six Nations ceded to the United States all claims to the country west of a line extending along the west boundary of Pennsylvania from the mouth of Oyounayea to the River Ohio. The most distinguished chiefs were Coruplanter and Red Jacket.
A treaty was also concluded at Fort Mc Intosh, near the mouth of the Beaver River, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1785, by Geo. Rogers Clark, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee, with the Wyandot, Delaware, Chip- pewa, and Ottawa nations, by which the boundary line between the United States and the Wyandot and Delaware nations was declared to begin "at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, and to extend up said river to the Portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum, thence down that branch to the crossing-place above Fort Lawrence, then westerly to the l'ortage of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752, then along said Portage to the Great Miami or Omnie River and down the southeast side of the same to its mouth ; then along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga River where it began."
The Indian title to a large part of the country within the limits of Ohio having been extinguished, legislative action on the part of Con- gress became necessary before settlements were commeneed; hence Con- gress had surveys made and sold portions of land to which the Indian title had been extinguished.
December 20, 1785, a treaty was to be held at Fort Fenney, at the . mouth of the Great Miami, but changed to Jan. 31, 1786, by George R. Clark, Richard Butler, and Samuel H. Parsons with the Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawnese.
In 1788 another treaty was made, by which the country was purchased from the mouth of Cuyahoga River to the Wabash lying south of a cer- tain line mentioned in the treaty; in consideration of which the United States stipulated for the distribution of goods amongst the different tribes.
On January 9, 1789, a treaty was entered into at FORT HARMER he- tween General Arthur St. Clair and the Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, and Six Nations, in which the treaty at Fort McIntosh was recited and confirmed. The treaty was as follows :-
" Beginning at the mouth of Cuyahoga River and running thence up the said river to the portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of Muskingum, thence down the said branch to the forks at the crossing place above Fort Lawrence; thence westerly to the portage on that branch of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French A. D. 1752; then along the said portage to the Great Miami or Omie River and down the S. E. side of the same to its mouth ; thence along the southern shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of Cuyahoga where it began. And the said Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, and Chippewa nations, for the considera- tion of the peace then granted to them by the said U. S. and the pre- sents they then received, as well as of a quantity of goods to the valu- ation of $6000 now delivered to them by the said Arthur St. Clair, the receipt whereof they do now hereby acknowledge, do by these presents renew and confirm the said boundary line, to the end that the same may remain as a division line between the lands of the U. S. and the lands of said nations forever. And the undersigned Indians do hereby, in their own names and the names of their respective nations and tribes, their heirs and descendants, for the consideration above mentioned, release, quit- claim, relinquish, and cede to the said U. S. all the land east, south, and west of the lines above described, so far as the said Indians formerly
1
claimed the same, for theini the said U. S. to have anc. in true and absolute propriety forever."
The treaty provided that the Indians may hunt upon ands. The U. S. reserve the reservations made at the former treaty of Fort McIntosh for trading posts, viz., six miles square at the month of the Miami River, six miles square at the portage upon that branch of the Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752; six miles square upon the Lake San- dusky where the fort formerly stood; two miles square upon each side of the Lower Rapids on Sandusky River; "which posts and the lands annexed to them shall be for the use and under the government of the United States."
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