The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 24

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 24

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Munsees -- Hawkinpumiska, Reyutueco, Peyainawksey, Puckconsittond.

Senecas-Coffee Houn, Wiping Stick, Big Turtle, Civil John.

Miamis-Meshekenoghqua, the Little Turtle, the celebrated chief, the most famous forest warrior and distinguished leader of his time He had command of all Indian allies of the British against Harmar in 1790, St. Clair in 1791, Wilkinson in 1792, Wayne in 1793, 1794 and 1795. Nagohquangogh, or Le Gris, was the village chief of the Miamis, a sensible old Indian of great influ- ence in his own tribe and among the neighboring tribes. In their hostilities to the whites, the Miamis devoloped a number of skilled chieftains, the most noted of which were: The White Loon, Long Legs, Richeville, The Owl, White Skin, Silver Heels, Big Man, Double Tooth, Crooked, Porcupine, Sunrise, King Bird, Big Body, Stone Eater, Poor Raccoon, Open Hand, Young Wolf, Butterfly, Tiger's Face, Flat Belly.

Pottawatomies-Windigo, Nawac, White Pigeon, Winnemac, Five Medals, Thupenebue, Run, Le Blanc, No Name, Mogawgo. The Black Bird was also one of the leading warriors of the tribe.

Ottawas-Wewiskia, Augooshaway, Little Otter, Dog. Bear's Legs, Stump- tail Bear, Neagey, Machiwetah, Big Bowl, Sawgamaw, White Fisher, Bear King.

Piankeshaws-Big Corn, Black Dog, Three Thighs, Lightning.

Weas -- Little Beaver, Painted Pole, Negro Legs, Little Fox, Little Eyes, Long Body.

Eel River- Ploughman, Night Stander, Charley, Gun, Earth, Swallow.

Kickapoos-Keeawhah, Cat, Otter, Duck, Persuader, Brave, Josey Renard, Standing, Black Tree, White Blanket, Bear, Dirty Face.

Chippewas-Mesass, one of the chief counselors and leading warriors of the many tribes of Chippewas; Bad Bird, Young Ox, Little Bear, Young Boy, Bad Legs, Little Thunder, Cat Fish, Big Cloud, Spark of Fire, Ball.

Sacs-Tepakee, Kesheyiva.

INDIAN VILLAGE LIFE.

The towns and villages of the Indians inhabiting the valleys of the Miami, Maumee and Wabash Rivers, were located immediately upon the banks of the streams, on ground high enough to be out of the reach of floods. But little at- tention was paid to the locations, as positions for defense, except that a spot

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free from timber was generally selected, and a place where the canoes could be easily landed, and the squaws have easy access to water. The strength of a vil- lage could be easily estimated, as lodges, wigwams and cabins were invariably placed in one line along the stream; some of the towns extended thus for two or three miles along the river.

The wigwams were constructed in a substantial way to resist wind and storm, and to keep the occupants comfortable through the winter season; some were large and roomy, twenty feet in diameter; others were smaller; circular or oval shaped, made of bark or matting laid over a frame work of poles that were stuck in the ground and leaning to the top, where an opening was left for the escape of smoke from the fire beneath. In the winter, these wigwams were also lined with matting, tastily made of rushes, grasses and reeds; bunks were made of poles, with skins and furs for bedding, the interior of the wigwam being cozily arranged and kept tidy and clean by the squaws; two openings were left on op- posite sides, either to be used, according to the direction of the wind.

Cabins were arranged on the inside like the wigwams just described; the roofs were of bark or matting; a hole was left in the center for smoke to escape; a mat or skin was hung in the doorway. "Lodges " were not often found in the villages, being mostly used for temporary habitation in hunting camps, sugar camps, and in the war camps that were sometimes formed as a base for opera- tions at any great distance from the towns. Lodges were built in this way: A frame was formed by planting the ends of half hoops in the ground, the hoops one behind the other, about two feet apart; a ridge pole, or thong of hide, was fastened on top from bow to bow; over the whole of it, matting or skins of wild animals were spread; the occupants slept on the ground, the cooking being done in the open air.

Corn, beans, pumpkins and tobacco were the crops raised by the Indians; the tilled ground was not fenced; the animals were pastured at some distance from the villages to prevent injury to growing crops. By some of the tribes, fruit was also grown; the trees were seedlings grown from seed purchased of the traders. After the trading stations had been established in the West, the rude implements and tools used by the Indians were replaced with those better adapted to the cultivation of the soil, and for other domestic purposes. Steel traps took the place of "dead falls" and "pits;" awls and needles made of the bones of birds were no longer used in sewing garments and fitting the matting to the wigwams; cultivation was accomplished with the iron hoe, and better cooking utensils were supplied.

MANNERS, CUSTOMS AND CONDITIONS.

The burdens and toil of Indian life were the duties of the squaws; they built the wigwams and cabins, performed all the village drudgery and home work, cared for the dogs and ponies, gathered the fuel, planted the seed, culti- vated the soil and harvested the crops, cut up and jerked the game brought in by the hunters, cooked, made the clothing, and, when on journeys, carried great bundles of the camp equipage; the responsibility of the care of the families and wigwams was upon them; they were neat and tidy in their habits, and kept everything clean about the villages; they were uncomplaining, and not quarrel- some. (The reader must remember that we are now writing of the Indians as they were and lived during the last half of last century.) A squaw who would utter a groan, or cry, in childbed, would be forever disgraced, as unworthy to be a mother, and it was believed that her offspring could not fail of being cowards. The squaws were not demonstrative, as a rule, but were thoroughly loyal to the family relations; separations were of rare occurrence, though for cause an In- dian might send his squaw away.

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The wigwam government was adapted to their modes of life; of course the warrior was boss of all; his wishes were obeyed without question, his word was law; the papooses were not noisy; they were allowed to roll around the floor of the wigwam in cold or stormy weather, and in the open air during the milder seasons; to carry them about, they were slung to the squaw's back; to leave them alone in the wigwams, they were bound to a board longer than them- selves, and stood away in the corner. The younger Indians were never whipped, and were scarcely ever scolded; constant attention was given to their training, that they might grow in experience to meet the necessities and ways of Indian life; they were taught to observe what they believed to be right; were pointed to examples of bad Indians, and that such were despised by everybody; they were shown examples of braves, and honest Indians whom all respected, as worthy of imitation,

After boys were at the hunting age, they were no longer under the govern- ment of the squaws, but were kept hunting all the time; from early spring until winter set in, they lived along the streams, learning to swim, to paddle canoes, to build canoes, to fish and trap; they roamed through the woods, learning to shoot and hunt, acquiring the knowledge of woodcraft and the hardships of out door life. The young of both sexes developed early; at the age of fifteen, the boys were free to come and go without restraint; two years younger than that, the girls were budding into squawhood, and it was a rare thing for a young squaw to reach the age of fifteen before being appropriated by some young buck lover Courtship and marriage among the Indians were not attended with any very great delays or ceremony; when a brave was attracted by the good features and figure of a handsome and tidy young squaw, greased, painted and full feathered, in all the pomp and pride of a warrior, he would walk down the village street until, arriving before the wigwam of his inamorata, he stopped; then, if his ad- vances were at all encouraged, it was considerd as an acceptance, and they were quickly paired; they were mated without being required to ask consent of any one, and without interference from any source. If the weather was favorable for out-door enjoyment, a feast and dance would sometimes be arranged, in which old and young would participate, keeping up the merry-making until all were tired out.

In moving from one village to another, as families often did, the squaws, as under all other circumstances, had all the work to do. The wigwam goods were tied in great bundles and fastened on the backs of the ponies, or carried on the backs of the squaws, if there were not ponies enough. Riding or walking, the squaws carried the papooses on their backs. Pelts were used in lieu of sad- dles, and buck and squaw rode alike-straddle. A halt was made for dinner, but the ponies were not unloaded except at night. There was but little trouble with the youngsters, or papooses; they were trained to be quiet, and scarcely ever cried. It was a funny sight to see the little papooses, lashed to forked sticks, leaning against the stumps or trees at these midday halts.

Upon arrival at the new location, it was the squaw's duty to cut the poles and erect the wigwam, and arrange all for the comfort of her warrior; and, as we have said before, the interior of these wigwams were kept neat and clean, the sides lined with furs or matting for warmth; a cheerful fire blazing in the center made an attractive picture, as a place of shelter from any storm-an abode of comfort. In going to bed, the bucks pulled off all clothing but their breech- clouts, and the squaws all but the skirt; the clothing thus taken off was used for pillows.

Indian dress in the earlier times was exclusively made of furs and sking. Great taste was shown in making the garments, and in the arrangement of the ornaments used, such as shells, beads (made of fish scales), and beautifully col-

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ored grasses and feathers. Indian tanned skins have always commanded the highest prices. After the French occupation of the Western country (1750), cloth began to be used by the squaws in making clothing for themselves and the youngsters; the brighter colors were the most popular-anything so it was red. suited the savage taste. Warriors, old and young, were the most particular as to their personal appearance. The hair was pulled out by the roots all over their heads, except a tuft on top, left as the scalp-lock; to this was fastened the plume of feathers; nose and ears were pierced for rings of lead or copper; their bodies were left bare to the waist, and profusely painted; many wore hand- some belts of wampum across the shoulder. The breech-clout was a piece of linen, cloth or pelt, nearly a yard long, and eight or nine inches wide; this passed under the belt before and behind, leaving the ends to hang loosely over the belt; leggins were made long to be fastened to the belt; the hips were thus left exposed. Moccasins covered the feet, and the ankles were closely wrapped. When expeditions to distant points were to be made, a fringed and ornamented shirt was worn to protect the body from the bushes. Thus dressed in the gor- geously colored deer-skin suit, wearing the wampum, with rifle, bullet-pouch and powder-horn, a glistening tomahawk and scalping-knife hanging in his belt, the brave was ready for the war-path. Hunters, like the warriors, were dressed in full suits of deer-skin, but the decorations were not so profuse.

The squaws dressed in the gayest costumes their tastes could suggest; beautifully worked moccasins, soft deer-skin leggins, richly fringed and decor- ated in the brightest colors, with beads, shells and spangles; pendants and neck- laces were worn, strings of ornaments of bear's tusks and claws, stone medals and ear-rings; plump arms and busts exposed, except as partially hidden by the bands of beads and ornaments; beautifully developed, tall and graceful dusky belles. In the every-day village life, they wore an under-garment and skirt; in winter, furs were almost universally worn.

Whether buck; squaw or papoose, one act of cowardice or dishonesty was a life-long disgrace to an Indian. Reverence and honor were paid to the aged, especially to parents. They were not quarrelsome or covetous. The sick were tenderly nursed, and the disabled properly cared for.

There was general pride in the skill of the hunters and achievements of the warriors. The taking of the first scalp by a young warrior was an occasion of special excitement and rejoicing. The return of a party from the war-path, or from a hunting expedition, was always attended with public reception in the villages; but, after the rejoicings were ended, the lazy life of the heroes began, and if winter had set in, they had nothing to do but to lie around until the spring should come; smoke their pipes in peace while telling of the adventures of the past; there was very little else to interest them. On bright days, they sometimes got up a little excitement over a game of foot-ball, or a foot- race; occasionally there was a dance or a feast, but, as a rule, the winters were passed in idleness. Smoking was their comfort; pipes and tobacco were en- joyed under all conditions, whether half-snoozing in the bunks, or lolling in the sunshine outside; the pipes were made of corn-cobs, clay, stone and wood.

In the wigwams and villages, with the warriors and hunters, between the old and young, in all situations of life among the Indians, there was perfect equality. In their character and conduct were seen a strong sense of independ- ence, a great aversion to anything that looked like caste or subjugation. They gloried in their native liberty, and for one of them to show a feeling of super- iority was an effective barrier to all further success. A chief, being asked if his tribe were free, replied: "Why not, since I myself am free, although their chief?" The chief of a tribe was not a ruler; he could neither make peace or war, and, except as others were guided by his example, he had no control of

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SAMUEL WELLS BUTLER, TP.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

affairs. A brave was chosen war chief upon his own merit as a warrior, as one of exceptional bravery and skill: the village chief was selected as one possessing administrative ability, of commanding address and great eloquence, well versed in the tradtions of the tribe, and their relations to neighboring tribes. Possess- ing these distinguishing traits of character and influence, by reason of which they were the chosen leaders of the tribes, it was equally necessary for each to maintain his standing as warrior and hunter. For purposes of consultation, and as a place to assemble the chiefs and braves, a council-house was usually built near the center of the village. There all met on an equality to determine questions of common interest; the calumet of peace and war were placed side by side, the choice to be made by the signal taps of the war clubs. There the Indian orators gave vent to bursts of native eloquence, for which they were so justly famous. It was at these councils that opportunity was afforded to acquire popularity and influence that would promote the speaker to position and author- ity. Graceful form, with proud demeanor, were great elements of popularity. for pride was one of the controlling influences of their religion. They believed that the Great Spirit was Ruler over all, and that He was an Indian. Manitou was the name most generally given to the Great Spirit. The Indians believed that they were the first of the human race created; that they sprang from the brain of the Great Spirit; that they possessed all knowledge, and were under the special care of their Creator. Their traditions were vague, but their relig- ious sentiments were clear. They had no fixed days or manners of worship. They believed in a future state of reward and punishment in the "happy hunt- ing-grounds " beyond the grave; that "all who do well will be happy, but those who do bad will be miserable; " they justified the barbarous outrages of their savage warfare, their cruel torture of men, women and children. upon the pre- cept of blood for blood; and among themselves, as one of their chieftains said, they let each individual " paddle his own canoe." What principles of religion they had, they followed closely. They believed in a good spirit and an evil spirit, and a number of inferior deities that were active in managing the affairs of the universe. To these they made sacrifices to avert calamity, to secure bless- ings and success, and in the way of thanksgiving for benefits received. They believed firmly in punishment and reward in this life.

The medicine men, who had care of the sick, and were in charge of all re- ligious feasts and observances, were held in great respect, as possessors of super- natural power. By the practice of their magic art, they were supposed to have close relations with the Great Spirit. Their medicines, made from roots and herbs, were, in their use, surrounded with all mystery possible; all the arts of the conjurer were solemnly practiced.

Indian burials were conducted with as much form as any of their cere- monies. In the grave with the corpse were buried the rifle and trappings of the warrior, or hunter, his pipe and tobacco, and a sufficient quantity of parched corn or other provisions to last him on his journey to the happy hunting-grounds of the future life. There was no common place for the burial of the dead, each grave being located in the forests or on the hills, to suit the wishes of the sur- viving friends. When an Indian or his squaw died, the widower or widow would remain in mourning for about a year, after which being at liberty to mate again.

The regular times for feasts were when the green corn could first be used; in the hunting-camps, when the first game was killed: the war feast was cele- brated after a victory, and there were great festivities in the villages upon the return of the warriors, or of a hunting party. Notice of a feast was given by sending a runner to the wigwams with small pieces of decorated wood; the bearer would verbally give all particulars as to time and preparations. Bucks, squaws and the young Indians would be seated on the ground around the fires,.

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on which were boiling the kettles of green corn, juicy venison and bear meat, pots of fat coon and hominy. Warriors dressed for the trail, with waving plumes, military trappings and dangling decorations; squaws wearing bright- colored skirts and strings of flashing ornaments, their black hair hanging in long braids; papooses rolling on the green sward, waiting for bowls of the rich mess. Each with wooden bowl and spoon would help themselves from the ves- sels; then, with sugar or molasses as dressing, the abundant feast was enjoyed. None but the warriors participated in the wild excitement of the war-dance, but the young Indians were allowed to look on, as a preparation for participation in the strategems, horrid deeds, cruelties and bloody tragedies of savage war- fare. There were other dances that young and old joined with loud shoutings, and the clangor of tomtoms and other rude instruments; winding dances, with intricate figures, like the popular " German " of to-day; wild-like square dances, in which the coy squaw maiden might show her preference for some handsome warrior or hunter. These dances were continued into the night, lighted by the blazing big fires.

The sports and pastimes of the savages were in character more in the way of preparation and incentive to the objects and pursuits of savage life; such as running races, jumping, wrestling, shooting, canoe races, throwing the toma- hawk, practice with the bow and arrows; foot-ball was a very popular game, the excitement sometimes lasting for several days, and involving the whole village in the sport.

Whisky drinking was one of the first of habits, peculiar to the whites, adopted by the Indians, and has done more to take away from them that noble na- ture and independent character with which they were so marked at the begin- ning of the present century. The leading chieftains of most of the tribes recognized and fought the habit as the most dangerous foe to their followers; yet, whether in hunting-camp or on the war trail, the Indians were ever ready for a carouse. They entered upon a spree deliberately. Guns, ammunition, war- clubs, tomahawks and scalping-knives were laid aside, and two of the Indians selected by lot to stay sober and keep the rest from injuring one another.

The Miami Rivers, and streams flowing into them, were favorite spawning and feeding waters for the choice varieties of the larger kinds of fishes, and, during the months of cool weather, many were taken by the Indians, in wicker traps and baskets, and by spearing. The young Indians had great sport in fol- lowing the larger fish on the shoals and rapids, killing numbers with spears and arrows, and in the winter, through the ice, would spear many in the same way.

Trapping was the most profitable pursuit followed; besides being a good school for the young Indians, it furnished employment for the villagers who were old, or who by accident or the fortunes of war were incapacitated for more active duty. It sometimes happened, when the season was favorable and game unusually plenty, that the whole tribe would devote the winter to the traps that were located at all favorable points along the streams, or occupy a stretch of country for thirty miles across the valleys.

The skins of muskrats, mink, and the smaller animals, were sought; beaver, otter, coon and bear skins were more valuable, and all were in great demand at the trading stations North and East. The great abundance of game in the woods, the rich soil of the valleys of the Northwest, in which were located the villages and cultivated lands of the savages, were unfailing sources of supply. Knowl- edge in woodcraft, ways of life in the forests, were the first necessities of sav- age life; a single individual, or a small band of hunters, would leave the vil- lages, to be gone several months, or even for a year; rifle, ammunition, toma- hawk, pipe, tobacco and scalping-knife, were the only requirements. Selecting some point as a center in the territory to be hunted, some slight shelter of poles

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or brush would be set up, and without delay traps would be set and hunting be- gin, to be followed with energy and the closest attention. If the season proved profitable, of course there were more pelts and meat secured than could be car- ried in one load back to the village, or to a trading post; but the hunter who had started alone, would, without help, bring his game in; he would arrange a load and carry it one day's journey, where he would secure it on an elevated plat- form of poles, or hang it in a tree secure from the wolves, while he returned for another load; in this way, the bear meat and venison, smaller game, furs and pelts were transported.

Hunting expeditions that were organized in the early spring, in the fall, and sometimes in midwinter, afforded an exciting change for numbers of the In- dians, their squaws, youngsters and papooses; the transportation might be in canoes, or the camp equipage be carried across the country by the squaws or on ponies. All work and care of the camp would be done by the squaws; they would build the lodges and huts; being located near a stream, they would not have far to fetch water or wood; they cured the meat, tanned the skins, cooked, pastured the ponies, gathered eggs from nests of the forests, pounded the hominy, tapped the sugar trees, collected the water and boiled it down; and, when the hunters were unusually successful, or a large number of animals were taken in the traps, the squaws would be sent out along the line to bring in on their backs heavy burdens of venison and bear meat and pelts, from the scaffolds on which the game had been placed out of the reach of wolves and other wild animals.

Having the benefit of association with experienced, skillful hunters, on ex- peditions of this kind, the Indian boys learned the mysteries of woodcraft and the application of expedients in almost every emergency. One great accomplish- ment acquired was to be able to imitate notes and calls of the game birds, and the noise of the beasts of the forests; the possession of this imitative faculty was considered the highest stamp of a good hunter and gallant brave. The turkey call, and harsher notes of wild duck and goose, would serve as a perfect decoy; imitation of the bleating of a fawn would bring a doe within rifle range; the too-hoot of the owl would bring response from the wolves, if they were around. Warriors on the war-path used these calls as signals, in an open attack on an enemy by day, or when gathered around a cabin or settlement for massacre at night; so much so that the settlers were always suspicious when they heard the notes or call of any of the birds or beasts of the woods.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 24

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214