F572 .M16K19 - " " -TV "^ " ./"-^.. / !> L • »* • % ^^ *t^ Wliitney's I'oiiit JAnGKiw^ l^Wjim MICHIGAN. Scale, 2 inches to 1 Mile. _VJI^ BY MAIL 30 CENTS, "virr ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC c — BY — d\a;^ight h. kelton .) "ISLAND EDITIOl^I. », _i ::3=>^< ^' HON. "WM. P. PEESTON, President of Mackinac. «0 ANNALS S OF Fort Mackinac DWIGHT H. KELT ON LIEUT. U. S. ARMY. ISLAND EDITION. 18 84., ; Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by DWIGHT H. KELTON, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. y yiV"^ printed bv The'Detroit Free Press Co. Beauteous Isle ! I sing of thee, Mackinac, my Mackinac; riiy lake-bound shores I love to see, Mackinac, my Mackinac. From Arch Rock's height and shelving steep To western cliffs and Lover's Leap, Wj.ere memories of the lost one sleep, Mackinac, my Mackinac. Thy northern shore trod British foe, Mackinac, my Mackinac: That day saw gallant Holmes laid low, Mackinac, ray Mackinac. Now Freedom's flag above thee waves, And guards the rest of fallen braves, Their requiem sung by Huron's waves, Mackinac, my Mackinac. GREETING. rr^HE evenings of another long Mackinac winter have been -*- spent revising and amplifying the "Annals of Fort Mackinac." Facts have been simply and briefly stated. Most of the old local records are in the French langnage, in the translation of which I have been assisted by Lieut. Edward H. Plummer. As many of the explanations of the geographical names differ from those usually given and generally accepted, it is not expected that they will escape criticism. Most of the views of scenery were prepared especially for the "Annals," as was also the map of "Ancient Michilimacki- nac." Among the portraits there are several of persons, more or less generally known; among them that of Rev. Father Edward Jacker, widely known as the discoverer of Marquette's grave ; also that of Col. Pat. Donan, who has done more than any living man, as author of that beautiful little volume, "Mackinac Island, the Wave-washed Tourists' Paradise of the Unsalted Seas," to attract the attention of tourists to the " Isle of the Dancing Spirits." 6 GREETING. Among others I am under obligations to the following : Residing at Makinac — Dr. John R. Bailey, Hon. John BiDDLE, Hon. William P. Preston, Hon. Benoni Lachance, Hon. James Lasley, Capt. George C. Ketchum, James F. Cable, Esq. Space in this small volume will not allow me to mention by name the many persons to whom I am indebted for valuable assistance, nor the many records, manuscripts and books consulted. /Q/ hh^\^JLJJ:d^^j Fort Mackinac, Mioh., June^ 188J^, Fairy Arch. E; f^S e A\ ■lit: ;M A G lii i\ AC o \ ^ \ (Groa V # f ,C) .V o Ul o ^ ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC. The name Micliilimakinac, or, as the Indians pronounce it, Mishinimal'inang, properly signifies "• The conntry of the Mishinhnakir (Thus, Otawanang, the country of the Otawa ; Otchipivejiang, the country of the Ojibwa ; Osagi- nang [English, Saginaw], the country of the Osaki, or Sac Indians). And, in fact, the term " Michilimackinac," or, "the country of Michilimackinac," was by the early French applied to a large portion of the eastern half of the Upper Penin- sula of Michigan. By degrees the term was restricted to the French and In- dian settlements on either side of the strait, and finally to the Island of Mackinac. The French La Pointe de St. Ignace had likewise a broader signification than the present Point St. Ignace. It was applied to the whole of the little peninsula whose basis may be defined by a line drawn due west from the mouth of Carp River to Lake Michigan. Our map shows only the southern half of it. EARLIEST INHABITANTS. The " Ancient miners " of upper Michigan probably con- nected with the " Mound builders " of the Mississippi Valley, and with the Toltees and Aztecs, may have had an agricul- tural out-post at St. Ignace. The vestiges of a mound have been traced in the neighborhood of Point La Barbe. No tradition, however, referring to that people is found among our Indians. The earliest inhabitants known to the latter 10 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. were the Mishinimaki, or, as they uow call them, Mishini- makinago. According to the statement of a few still surviving at the time of the French occupation, that tribe was all but exter- minated by the Iroquois, in retaliation for a successful raid made by them into the country of the latter. ANCIENT MICIIJLIMAKINAC. 11 EARLY FRENCH VISITORS, AND TRANSIENT INDIAN SETTLERS. John Nicolet, on his remarkable journey from Canada to Green Bay — about 1634 — was undoubtedly the first white man that saw the Island of Mackinac, and, coasting around the little peninsula, entered Lake Michigan. From the meagre account left of his journey, nothing can be gleaned regarding the inhabitants of the Mackinac country at that period. But whatever Indian population that intrepid traveler may have met there, the whole neighborhood was deserted twenty years later, when the ascendancy gained by the Iroquois in consequence of their destructive onslaught on the Hurons (1649), had compelled all the little Algonquin clans on Lake Huron to seek safer quarters on Lake Superior and Green Bay. In 1651, or perhaps the year following, the small tpibe of Tionontate Hurons, on their flight before the Iro- quois, reached Mackinac, and deeming the island a safe re- treat, held it for about two years ; but being deceived in their expectation, retreated to the islands at the mouth of Green Bay, and later on, to its head. Some of the old clearings which dot the wooded part of Mackinac Island may date back to that period, for the Tion- ontates were tillers of the soil. In the autumn of 1654, two young Frenchmen, convoyed by Indians, passed Mackinac, on their way to Green Bay. They repassed the island in the summer of 1656, with fifty canoes laden with fur for the Canada market, and manned by five hundred Hurons and Algonquins. The next Frenchman known to have passed the strait was Nicolas Perrot, to whose Memoirs we are indebted for a 12 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC portion of what we know of those early times. He made his first journey to Green Bay about 1665. From that date down to the end of the century, Perrot was a frequent visi- tor at Mackinac, and on some occasions played a conspicuous part in the transactions between his countrjanen and the In- dians at that post. At length the Black Gown arrived. Father Claude Allouez was the first of the Jesuit mission- aries who saw the far-famed island. He had left La Pointe du St. Esprit on Lake Superior in the sunnner of 1669, and started from Sault Ste. Marie, November 3rd, with two French companions and some Pottawatomie Indians. From Novem- ber 5th to 11th, he lay wind and snow-bound on "Little St. Martin's Island," to which he probably gave its name, the day of his departure being St. Martin's day. Crossing over from " Big St. Martin's Island " to the opposite shore, he met two Frenchmen and a few Indians, who endeavored in vain to make him desist from his intended visit to Green Bay, so late in the season. While coasting along the shore, with the island in view, the missionary listened with pleasure to the recital, by his Indian companions, of some of the legends which the author of Hiawatha has put into English verse. Hiawatha is the Mena-bosho, or Nena-bosho, of the Algonquins ; and the Island of Mackinac was considered as his birthplace ; and again, after the flood, as the locality where that civilizer of mankind, observing a spider weaving its web, invented the art of fishing with gill-nets. Father Allouez reached the head of Green Bay after a month's journey full of hardship and peril. ANCIENT MICIIILIMAKINAO. 13 THE MISSION OF ST. IGIs"ATIUS— FATHER MAR- QUETTE— HIS CHAPEL. In the fall of 1670, Father Claude Dablon, in his capacity as Superior of the Jesuits on the upper lakes, selected the point north of the strait, then lirst called La Pointe de St. Ignace., as the site of a new missionary establishment in the place of the mission at La Pointe du St Esprit^ on Lake Superior, then on the point of being abandoned. One of the fathers, most likely Dablon himself, spent the winter on the spot, in all probability within the limits of the present village of St. Ignace, and put up some provisional buildings. A few Indians only, wintered in the neighborhood, but new and permanent settlers were expected ; first of all the wander- ing Tionontate Hnrons. Leaving Green Bay, 1656 or 1657, tiiat remarkable clan, then consisting of about 500 souls, had reached the Upper Mississippi, and after many adventures and reverses, finally settled on the Bay of Shagawamigong — now Ashland Bay, Wis. — where Father Allouez met them in 1665. Since the autumn of 1669, they had been under the care of Father Marquette, who was now (1671) to accom- pany them back to the Mackinac country. The party arrived at St. Ignace towards the end of June, at the earliest, for at the great gathering of Indians and French in Sault Ste. Marie, June 14th, they had not yet reached the Rapids. The exact site of Father Marquette's temporary chapel and hut (cabane) is not known. It appears, however, from some incidental remarks in that Father's report and in a later Relation., that those humble buildings stood at some, though not a very considerable, distance from the Huron fort near wliich the second church was built. On December 8th, 14 AK^'ALS OF FUKT MACKINAC. 1(372, Joliet arrived with orders from the Governor of New Fi-ance and the Superior of the Jesuits in Quebec for Father Marquette, to accompany him on liis journey of discovery. The party spent the winter in St. Ignace, and started May 17th, 1673. At that time the Hurons in St. Ignace num- bered 380 souls. Some 60 Otawas of theSinago chin had hitely joined them. THE HURON FORT.— SECOND CHURCH. In the second year of Marquette's stay, tlie Tionontates- began to build their fort or palisaded village. According tO' LaHontan's plan, it occupied about the middle of the level ground surrounding East Moran Bay. And there it re- mained until the Hurons' departure for Detroit, about 1702. Soon after Marquette's departure, Fathers Henry Nouvel and Philip Pierson, abandoning the old site, built a suljstantial,, though small, church and an adjoining residence, protected, after the fashion of the times, by a palisade enclosure. In this new church Father Marquette's remains were interred, June 9th, 1677. There can be no doubt about its position. The Jesuits' re- port of 1678 places it in close proximity to the Huron fort. So does Lallontan, in 1688. His plan shows it south of the fort or village, from which he says : " It is only separated by a palisade enclosure." And there it undoubtedly remained until its destructions by tire, about 1706. ANCIENT anCHILIMAKINAC. 15 ALGOK"Qm]Sr VILLAGE AXD CHUECH. Soon after Marquette's departure, several clans of Otawas and kindred tribes — all comprised by the missionaries under the name of Algonquins — made their appearance and settled on the shore of Lake Huron, a little over two miles from the Jesuits' residence, accordingly near the bluff called by the Indians the " She Rabbit," south of the " He Eabbit," or " Sitting Rabbit " (Rabbit's Back). Here too a church, and a dwelling house for the Otawa missionary, were built. Ac- cording to Plennepin, who officiated in it, it was covered with bark. In 1679, LaSalle honored it with his visit. Of its later history nothing is known. Besides a floating popula- tion, sometimes not inconsiderable, the "Algonquin village " contained, in 1677, as many as 1300 souls, the principal clan being; that of the Kishkako. ^fp&:T.^^^^^^5^:^^feS:^ ^ ^"^ ^v^*^ ^^; ^^'^^ in ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. EEMOYAL OF THE ALGOXQUIN TILLAGE. Lallontan, wlio visited St. Iguace in tlie spring of 16SS, is silent about that church and settlement, but j)laces an Otawa village in the immediate neighborhood of the Hurons, on East Moran Bay, stating at the same time that during his stay, the Otawas, apprehending some trouble with their Huron friends, began to fortify themselves on a neighboring bluff. From this it would appear that the Algonquins, or Otawas — a name then applied to most of the northwestern Algonquins — had, within the last few years, moved about two miles south. The former presence of an Indian popula- tion on the bluff above that part of St. Ignace popularly called " Vide Poche^'' is proved by the numerous articles of Indian and French manufacture ploughed up there by some of the present settlers. Tlie local tradition also places a fort on that hio'lit. ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC. 17 THE OTAWA VILLAGE AT GEOS CAP. In 1677, or shortly before, another body of Algonquins — Otawas properly so called — came to swell the Indian popula- tion of St. Ignace. They settled, it appears, on the shore of Lake Michigan, between Point La Barbe and Gros Cap. This assumption seems necessary to reconcile the statements, in the Jesuits' report of 1678, regarding the respective distances between their residence (near the Huron village) and the two Indian settlements, the Algonquin village and the " New Otawa village." The existence of a large Otawa settlement near Gros Cap, in 1699, is certain from the account given by the Missionary Buisson de St. Come of his journey from Macki- nac to the Lower Mississippi. The party, of which the noble Tonty was one, sent their canoes around the point to the Otawa village, and walked themselves across the "port- age." The village counted then about 1500 souls. In 1702, these Otawas followed Cadillac, with the bulk of the Indian population of St. Ignace, to his new establish- ment on the Detroit river, but soon returned to their old quarters, and finally went over to the northwestern shore of Lower Michigan, where their descendants are still living. It was during their second stay on West Moran Bay that the famous trader who left his name to it lived among them. The remains of their dead, together with wampum, glass beads and other articles of Indian and French manufacture, are frequently found in the sandy ground at the head of the little Bay. IS ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. ST. FRANCIS BORGIA'S CHAPEL. For tlie accommodation of the two settlements — the Alo'onquin Village on Lake Huron, and the ne\v Otawa Village on Lake Michigan — Father Henry Nonvel l)uilt a church of bark at a distance of about two and a half miles from the residence and church of St. Ignatius ; and, in honor of the first general of the society who sent mission- aries to America, named it the church of St. Francis Borgia. There, with Father Enjalran, he passed the winter of 1G77-8, in a wigwam adjoining tlie chapel, receiving and instructing daily frequent visitors from both villages. We do not know how long that chapel remained in use. Duluth, who spent the winter of 1680-1 in St. Ignace, still gives Father Enjalran the title of missionary of St. Francis Borgia. The (surmised) removal of the Algonquins from the Rab- bit Buttes must have made the position of the chapel isolated, as it was no longer on the thoroughfare between the two settlements. THE FRENCH VILLAGE. The presence of French settlers at St. Ignace, is first men- tioned at the occasion of Father Marquette's burial. Accord- ing to the report of the following year (1678), the singing at the church of St. Ignatius was alternately in Latin, Huron and French. The fur and corn trade kept pace witli the increase of the Indian population. LaSalle's arrival on the Griffon (1679), caused quite a stir in the commercial metropolis of ANCIENT MICHILIMAKINAC. 19 the West, for nothing less than that the village of St. Ignace was, and remained, until sujDplanted by Detroit. Hennepin, who wintered at the post (16S0-1), mentions his enrolling forty-two traders into a religions confraternity. Lallontan locates the houses of the French settlers in two or three rows along the bend of the shore, south of the Jesuits' residence. As a matter of course, the whole French j^opulation, with the exception of a few lawless coiireurs de hois, disappeared with the removal of the Indians to Detroit. '^ -^ ^-^^^^'T? 20 ANNALS OF h'OKT MACiONAO. HISTORICAL EVENTS, CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED. 1534. James Cartier, a Frenchman, discovered the St- Lawrence River. 1608. Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec. 1634. John Nicolet passes the straits on his way to and from Green Bay. 1642. The city of Montreal founded. 1650-51. The Indian settlers of the neighborhood to- gether with large numbers from Manitoulin, Thunder Bay and Saginaw, mostly Otawas, intimidated by Iroquois prowess retire to Green Bay. 1653. Eight hundred Iroquois warriors pass the strait. Failing to take the Huron fort on Green Bay after a pro- tracted siege, they break up, one division marching south, the other sailing northward. The former are cut down by th& Illinois, the latter routed by the Ojibwa, Missisaki and Nigik (Otter) Indians, on Lake Huron. 1654. Two French traders pass St. Ignace, on their way to Green Bay, they return in 1656 with a large trading party 60 canoes) of Hurons and Otawas. 1665, or earlier. Nicolas Perrot passes on his first visit tO' the Pottawatomi, on Green Bay. 1669. November 11th, Father AUouez passed Point St. Ignace, on his journey from Sault Ste. Marie to Green Bay : he relates the following Indian tradition : They say that this island is the native country of one of their gods, called "The Great Hare," who created the earth, and that it was on this island that he invented the nets for taking fish, after having attentively^ HISTORICAL EVENTS. 21 considered a spider while constructing its web for catching flies. They believe that Lake Superior is a pond made by the beavers, the banks of which were double ; the first, at the place which we call the Sault, the second, five leagues lower down. In coming up the river, they say, this same god first encountered tlie second embankment, which he tore entirely away ; and for this reason there are no falls or turbulent waters at these rapids : as for the first, being in a hurry, he only walked over it and trampled it to pieces, in consequence of which there still remain large falls and boiling waters. This god, they add, while pursuing a beaver in the upper lake, crossed at a single step, a bay eight leagues in width. In view of so powerful an enemy, the beavers thought it best to change tiieir place and consequently withdrew to another lake; from thence they afterward, by aid of the rivers that flow from it, arrived at the North Sea, intending to pass over to France; but finding the water bitter (salt), they lost heart, changed their intentions, and spread themselves among the rivers and lakes of this country. This is the reason why there are no beavers in France, and why the French have to come here in search of them, 1670-71. Father Dablon, or another Jesuit (possibly Marquette), winters at Michilimackinac, laying the founda- tion of the Mission of St. Ignatius. 1671. End of June, or later. The Tionontate Hurons, with Father Marquette, arrive from Shagawamigong (Ash- land Bay, L. S.) . Autumn. The Otawas of Manitoulin, on the war-path against the Sioux, arrive with a large supply of arms and ammunition lately obtained in Montreal. Joined by the Hurons of the new settlement, and — on Green Bay — by the Pottawatomies, Sacs and Foxes, they march through northern Wisconsin — a well-armed body of a thousand war- riors — and confidently attack the Sioux in the St. Croix Yalley. Utterly defeated, they retreat through the snow- covered woods, amidst sufferings and privations that lead to acts of cannibalism. The heavy loss sustained by the Hurons, who bravely covered the rear, accounts for the diminished numbers of the tribe, as stated by Marquette. 22 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 1672. The Huroiis build their fortified village on East Moran Bay. December 8th, Joliet arrives and winters at St. Ignace. 1673. May 17th, Joliet and Marquette, with five other Frenchmen, start on their voyage of discovery. 1673 or '74. A large body of Otawas and other Algon- quins, principally Kishkakos, coming from Manitoulin and the opposite shore settle near Rabbit's Back. Father Henry Nouvel, Superior of the Otawa Missions, takes charge of them. Father Philip Pierson becomes pastor of the Hurons. 1674-75. The second and permanent church of St. Igna- tius and the Jesuits' residence are built at the side of the Huron village. 1675. November 8th, Father Nouvel, with two French companions, starts on a journey to Saginaw Bay and the interior of Lower Michigan. He arrives near the head waters of Chippewa Piver, December 7th, builds a chapel (the first on the Lower Peninsula), and winters with the hunters of the Amik (Beaver) Clan. 1676. or thereabouts. Another large body of Otawas arrive and settle near Gros Cap, on Lake Michigan. 1677. June 7th, The Kishkako Indians, accompanied by a number of Iroquois, bring Father Marquette's remains to St. Ignace, where they are interred, on the following day, within the Jesuits' chapel. October. Father Enjalran arrives to assist Father Nouvel in the Otawa Mission. 1677-78. Fatlier Nouvel builds the chapel of St. Francis Borgia in the woods, between Rabbit's Back and Gros Cap. Himself and Father Enjalran winter there. The French and Indian trade begins to assume larger proportions. HISTORICAL EVENTS. 23 LASALLE, HENNEPm AIs^D HENRY DE TOIS^TY ARRIVE AT MICHILIMACKINAC, ON THE "GRIFEOK" 1679. LaSalle, on his first expedition to Illinois, arrives and spends some days at the settlement. The most remarkable character among the explorers of the Mississippi Yalley, in the latter half of the seven- teenth century, was Robert Cavelier de LaSalle. Viewed in the light and sense of worldly enterprise, he is to be con- sidered as surpassing all others in lofty and comprehensive aims, in determined energy and unyielding courage, both moral and physical. He faltered at no laborious undertak- ing; no distrust by nerveless friends, no jealous envy or schemes of active enemies, no misfortune damped the ardor of his plans and movements. If there was a mountain in his track, he could scale it ; if a lion beset his path, he could crush it. Nothing but the hand of the lurking assassin could quench the fire of that brave heart. We may briefly say, that LaSalle was born in tlie city of Rouen, France, November 22, 1643. The name LaSalle was borrowed from an estate, in the neighborhood of Rouen, belonging to his family, the Caveliers. Robert was educated at one of the Jesuit seminaries, and as one of that order he continued a short time; but in 1666, he came to America, and it is said that he made early exploration to the Ohio, and was possibly near the Mississippi before Joliet and Marquette's voyage hither. We can here only allude to a few items and facts in LaSalle's career. It was a marked incident, and so appears on the historic page, when LaSalle, in 1679, voyaged to Green Bay on the " Griffon," the first sail vessel of the lakes above the Falls, and which he had built on the bank of 24 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. Cayuga Creek, a tributary of the IS'iagara. But that busi- ness trip was a mere pleasure excursion wlien compared with the efforts required of hini to engineer and bring about cer- tain indispensable preparations, involving ways and means, before the keel of that renowned craft should be laid, and before she spread her wings to the breeze and departed out- ward from Buffalo Harbor of the future. And what an unhesitating morning-walk was that of his, in 1680, when lie set out on foot from the Fort which (not him) they termed Br'oken Heai't^ where Peoria now is, to go, some twelve hundred miles perhaps, to Fort Frontenac, where Kingston now is, at the lower end of Lake Ontario. His unyield- ing purpose was not to be delayed, but accelerated, by the avalanche of misfortune which had fallen on him. He could not wait for railroads, nor turnpikes, nor civil- ization : he could not even wait for a canoe navigation, for it was early spring — in the month of March — when the ice still lingered by the lake shores, and was running thickly in the streams. So, with one Indian and four white men, with a small supply of edibles, yet Vv'itli a large stock of resolution, he took his way. The journey was accomplished, and he was back on Lake Michigan in the autunm ensuing. It has been suggested that his own enduring, iron nature, as it might be called — unbending as it was in its requirements of others — served, perhaps, to create enmities and to occasion the iinal catastrophe. It may have been so ; but whatever view may be taken, the doings of LaSalle must be called wonderful, his misfortunes numberless, and his death sad. The day on which LaSalle was killed is said to have been March 19, 1687. HISTORICAL EVENTS. 25 HENRY DE TONTY. There is much of i-oiiuintic interest in tlie life of Henry de Tonty wliicli will ever attract attention to the story of his experience in the wilds of America. He was born in Naples, Italy, in or near the year 1650. In a memoir, said to be written by him in 1693, he says : " After liaving been eight years in the French service, by land and l)y sea, and having had a hand shot off in Sicily by a grenade, I resolved to return to France to solicit employment." It was at the time when LaSalle had returned from America, and was getting recruits and means for his Western enterprise. The prime minister of Louis XIY., he that was called the great Colbert, knowing the soldier Tonty well, specially provided that the important project to be undertaken by LaSalle should have the benefit of the personal aid of Tonty, who, though maimed and single-handed, was yet ready to go forth to dare and to do. Tonty says : "We sailed from Eochelle on the 14th of July, 1678, and arrived at Quebec on the 15th of September following." We can not, of course, attempt to follow the brave and capable lieutenant of LaSalle in his various movements, even if we had a knowledge of them ; yet we may say, that if a trustful agent or manager was needed for any adventure by LaSalle, Tonty was the man to till the requirement. If a fort was wanted, he was the architect and overseer to construct it ; if a peaceable envoy to the Indians was required, he was the gifted embassador ; if a tribe needed chastisement in battle, he was the able captain of the forces. We need not cite examples. Tonty was pro- vided with some sort of a metallic arrangement as a substi- tute for the loss of part of an arm; and he was known, it is said, far and near, among the tribes of red men, as " Le Bras 20 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. de Fer," or, The man imth the iron arm. If we rightly remember, more than one tale has been constructed by novel- writers, with its scenes laid in the Far West, presenting Tonty as the principal character. In long time past, an island at the lower end of Lake Ontario was known as, and called, the hie of Tonty., being named after our hero — the man with the iron arm; but the name was afterward changed to that of Amherst. Whatever the deserts of the titled General Jeffrey Amherst may have been, Henry de Tonty was the greater man of the two. Tonty died at Fort St, Louis, on Mobile Bay, in the year 1704. LOUIS HENNEPIN. Louis Hennepin, a Recollect of the order of St. Francis, was born at Ath, France, in 1645. He sailed for Canada in 1675, on the "Saint Honore." LaSalle was, also a pas- senger on the same vessel. Hennepin left Quebec in 1678, and set out with LaSalle to explore the country lyin.g south and west of Lake Michigan. On Cayuga Creek, a tributary of the Niagara Tliver, into which it empties from the American side, five miles above the Falls, LaSalle built the " Griffon," upon which they embarked, setting sail August 7th, arriving atMichilimackinac August 27th, 1679. From his minute description of the bay, the shore, etc., the Rev. Edward Jacker says : The Bay where the " Griffon " anchored is that which is overlooked by two steep and rocky l)luft"s famoui* in Indian tradition, and called by the Indians '' He " and " She " Rabbit. The former is known as " Rab- bit's Back." The Kiskakon Otawas were there in 1677. 1679. They arrived at Green Bay September 22d, and from there LaSalle sent the " Griffon " back, and it is sup- HISTOEICAL EVENTS, 27 Hon. P. W. HOMBACH, First Postmaster of the City of St. Ignace, IVIich. 28 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. posed to have been wrecked off the entrance to Green Bay, as a severe storm arose, and it did not reach Michihnackinac. After various mishaps Hennepin reached the Mississippi, which he ascended to the Falls of St. Anthony, in the sprin^^ of 1680. 1680. Dulnth and Hennepin arrive from the Upper Mis- sissippi, by way of Green Bay. They winter at St. Ignace. 1681. LaSalle passes St. Ignace on his second journey to Illinois. M. De Villeraye is appointed commandant by Frontenac abont this time. 1683. The fur ti-ade declines in consequence of the danger of transportation, occasioned by Iroquois hostility. Hence distress among the traders, and dissatisfaction among the Indians. 1684. Mons. De La Durantaye in command at Michili- mackinac. The French and Indian forces commanded by De La Durantaye, with Duluth as lieutenant, and Perrot as " manager " of the Otawas, set out to join in De La Barre's inglorious expedition ngainst the Iroquois. The Indian estimation of French power and valor is on the wane. During De La Durantaye's absence, M. De La Yal- trie acts as commandant. 1685. All the French in the Upper Lake region are placed under the authority of the commandant of Michilimackinac (M. De La Durantaye), This measure remaining in force until the abandonment of the post. Michilimackiiuic, already the commercial emporium of the Northwest, becomes also its military centre. Nicolas Perrot arrives with orders from the governor, pro- hibiting the Otawas to march against the Foxes on Green Bay. He succeeds in restoring peace between the two tribes through the intermediation of an Ojibwa chief, whose daugh- ter (a captive among the Foxes) he saves from the stake and restores to her father. HISTORICAL EVENTS. 29 16S6, Dissatisfaction among the Indians. Most of the clans are leaning towards the Iroquois and the English, as the stronger party and better able to supply their wants. The English endeavor to bring about a rupture by forwarding supplies and liquor to Michilimackinac. 16ST. De La Durantaye sets out with the French force to take part in Denonville's expedition against the Senecas. He arrests, in the neighborhood of the settlement, thirty English traders, and as many more on Lake Erie. The timely arrival of Perrot with tlie Green Bay Indians obviates the necessity of the commandant returning with the prisoners, too numer- ous for his safety, in a hostile neighborhood. He proceeds to Niagara, where the Otawas and Hurons, marching over- land from Lake Huron, join him ; they take part in a victori- ous attack on 800 Iroquois (July). The capture of those English parties probably prevented the massacre of the French in Michilimackinac, by the Hurons and Otawas. 1688. May. LaHontan arrives with a small force (from a fort near the outlet of Lake Huron), and spends a month in the settlement. He obtains with difficulty a supply of corn. The Otawas, distrusting the Hurons, fortify themselves on the Bluff, north of East Moran Bay. Joutel, Cavelier, and other survivors of LaSalle's expedition to Texas (having wintered on Green Bay) pass the settlement on their way to Quebec and France. Kondiaronk, or Le Rat, the great Huron chief, departs at the head of one hundred men against the Iroquois, but plots with them the destruction of the Ota- was by stratagem. The plot proves abortive, in consequience of Perrot and the missionaries gaining knowledge of it ; Le Rat confesses his guilt. Perrot, retu-rning from the Mis- sissippi with three female Ojibwa prisoners delivered to him by the Foxes, snatches five Iroquois warriors from the stake, to which they were condemned by the Otawas, in spite of the commandant's and the missionaries' remonstrances. 30 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 1689-90. The Otawas, at the instigation of the Hnrons, resume their project of effecting a reconciliation with the Iroquois. They send back to the Senecas the prisoners taken from them, and make arrangements for a meeting in the fol- lowing year. Fatlier De Carheil, being informed of theii- plan, warns the governor by a messenger sent in the Munter. Frontenac prepares a large convoy to reinforce Michilimack- inac. 1690. Spring. The Otawas take steps towards an alli- asice with the Iroquois, and — as a token of good will — medi- tate the massacre of the French traders. End of June or beginning of July. The post is saved by the arrival of M. De La Porte Louvigny (who relieved Du- rantaye as commandant), with Perrot, and with an Ii'oqnois prisoner, the evidence of a victory gained on the Otawa River over a waylaying party (June 2d). The prisoner is given, for execution, to the vacillating Hurons, who, dreading a final breach with the Iroquois, are disposed to spare him ; but yielding to the commandant's peremptory order, brain him after a short torture. Perrot, boldly haranguing the chiefs, assembled at the Jesuits' residence, reproaches them with their treachery, and endeavors to show them the folly of doubting the power of the French. They promise to amend. 1691. De Courtemanche and De Repentigny arrive with the news of the French victory over the English fleet before Quebec. 1692. Otawa and Huron warriors co-operate in driving the Iroquois from the St. Lawrence, and in the invasion of their territory by detached parties. August. Two hundred Otawas from Michilimackinac arrive at Montreal in quest of munition. 1693. A great amount of fur is waiting transportation ; on account of the Iroquois infesting the Otawa, the Indians HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 31 South Sally-Port. 32 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. M'ill not venture the jonrney without a sufficient escort. Frontenac being informed, despatches the Sieur d'Argenteuil M-ith orders for the commandant to send all the French li& can spare down with the convoy. August -ith. Two hundred canoes from Michilimackinac^ freighted with 80,000 francs worth of beaver, arrive at. Montreal, together with the principal chiefs of the western tribes. A great council is held, and the Indians return ciiarmed with the governor's manner, and laden with presents. 1691. July. De Louvigny leaves for the colon}' with a. great convoy of furs. The Hurons contemplating a removal, are again suspected of treacherous intentions. Opposed in their purpose by th& commandant and the Otawas, one half of the tribe consent to stay; the other half go to live with the Miamis on the- St. Joseph River. (M. Tilly De Courtemauche commandant there, since 1693.) De La Porte Louvigny is superseded by De La Motte Cadillac, the last commandant of " Ancient Michilimackinac."' (Louvigny becomes afterwards [1712] iirst commandant of ]S^ew Michilimackinac, commonly called "Old Mackinac") 1695. Cadillac advises the governor of the necessity of a. grand expedition against the Iroquois in order to prevent the defectian of the western tribes. Fi-ontenac contents, liimself with harassing the enemy, in which he is aided by Michilimackinac Indians, who return with a great number of prisoners. At a great meeting of western chiefs in Montreal, Fron- tenac emphatically gives them to understand tliat they must look u])on every French officer, residing among them, as sub- ject to tlie orders of the one in command at Michilimackinac. The orticers in command at the several posts, at that period, are: Tilly De Courtemanche, D'Ailleboust De Mantet,. HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 33 D'Aillebonst D'Argenteuil, De Lisle, Vincennes, La De- "Couverte, and Perrot. Le Baron, a Huron chief, concludes a treaty with the Iroquois. Cadillac with difficulty succeeds in suspending its execution. An Indian deputation goes to Montreal to insist (as advised by the commandant) on a reduction in the prices of goods. Frontenac partly satisfies them. The French court unable to cope with the evils springing from the system of trading licenses, ineffectually orders the ■evacuation of the post and the return into the colon}' of all soldiers and traders {poiireurs de hois\ in the West. 1696. The Hurons and some Otawas are already hunting with the Iroquois. Cadilla« dispatches a war party, consisting chiefly of Pottawatomies and Algonquins. The Iroquois, though warned by the Hurons, lose thirty scalps, and thirty-two prisoners, who are brought to Michilimackinac. Some Hurons found among them are restored to their tribe. In consequence of the Hurons' machinations, but few Michilimackinac Indians take part in the campaign against the Onondago and Oneida. D'Argenteuil starts with 50 Frenchmen, but arrives too late. Le Baron, with thirty Huron families, goes to settle near Albany. Kondiaronk, now permanently gained over to the French cause by Father de Carheil, prevents the rest of the tribe from following them. 1697. Fruntenac, in reply to the king's order (of 1695, received late in 1696), insists on the posts of Michilimacki- nac and St. Joseph being retained, with a garrison sufficient to keep off English traders (twelve or fifteen soldiers with an officer), and on twenty -five canoe loads of goods being annually sent to each place. His advice prevails in the king's council. 34 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. liumors of an impending war with England arriving^ Cadillac starts with a great number of Frenchmen, and three hundred Sacs, Pottawatomies, Otawas and Hurons. They arrive in Montreal towards the end of August. 1700, September 8tli. Kondiaronk and a deputy of the four Otawa clans sign a provisional treaty of peace with the Iroquois, at Montreal. De Courtemanche and Father Enjalran go to visit the other western tribes and persuade them to accede to the treaty. 1701. Otawa hunters fight a party of Iroquois who tres- pass on their grounds, and bring the chief to Michilimacki- nac as a prisoner. De Courtemanche a!Kl Father Enjalran, greatly aided by Kondiaronk, bring their negotiations with tlie tribes to a suc- cessful issue. Father Enjalran leaves Michilimackinac in June, with two liberated Iroquois prisoners. Courtemanche starts after the arrival of the Indian delegates, with a fleet of 144 canoes. Sieur De La Motte Cadillac founded the present city of Detroit, building Fort Pontchartrain, near the present Jeffer- son avenue, Shelby and Woodbridge streets. At the great meeting convened at Montreal, August 1st, for the conclusion of peace between the Iroquois, and the French and their allies (Illinois, Miamis, Kickapoos, Foxes, Wiimebagos, Pottawatomies, Menomonees, Otawas, Ojib- was, Ilurons, Algonquins, Abenakis and others, being repre- sented), Kondiaronk, almost in a dying state, makes a last speech of great effect. Me dies the following night, and is buried, with great demonstrations of respect, in the principal church of Montreal. August 4th. At the last general assembly (1,300 Indians being present), the treaty is signed by thirty-eight deputies. The Otawas of Michilimackinac ask for Father Enjalran HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 36 REV. FATHER ED^WARD JACKER, Discoverer of Marquette's Grave. 36 ANNALS or FORT MACKINAC. and Nicolas Perrot, and insist on the pruiiibition of the liquor trade in their country. 1702-3. The Hurons and a part of the Otawas, upon Cadillac's pressing invitation, remove to Detroit. 1705. The remaining Otawas having broken the peace, DeLouvigny comes to bring them to reason. He returns to the colony with Iroquois prisoners given up to him by the Otawas. DeVincennes follows with the chiefs. They apolo- gize to the Iroquois, and peace is restored. Not a single Christian Indian remaining ; the Otawas, since the departure of the Hurons proving unmanageable, and the licentiousness of the bush-lopers {coureurs de hois) exceeding all bounds, the missionaries (De Carheil, Marest, and perhaps Enjalran) burn the church and house, and leave for Quebec. Governor General de Vaudreuil sends orders to all the French at Michilimackinac to come down to the colony. 1712. Governor General de Vaudreuil sent De Louvigny to re-establish Fort Michilimackinac, which he did, but on the south shore. 1721. Peter Francis Xavier Charlevoix at Michilimack- inac. 1728. Sieur Marchand De Lignery's expedition at Mich- ilimackinac. 1730. Sieur De Buisson in command at Michilimackinac. 1761. As a consequence of the surrender of Quebec, on the 18th of September, 1759, the French-Canadian posts were given up to the British, but the latter did not arrive at Michilimackinac until September 2Sth, 1761, when Captain Belfour, of the 80th Regiment, arrived from Detroit with a detachment of the 60th and 80th Regiments. Leaving Lieutenant Leslie, of the Royal American or 60th Regiment, with one sergeant, one corporal, one drummer, and twenty- HISTORICAL EVENTS. 37 five privates of the same regiment, Captain Belfonr and his party, on October 1st, proceeded to Green Bay, Wis. Although the British occupied and controlled Canada, it was not formally ceded to Great Britain until 1763. The preliminaries of peace were signed at Fontainebleau, November 3d, 1762, between the courts of France, Spain and Great Britain. By the definitive treaty signed at Paris, February 10th, 1763, l)y these three great powers together with Portugal, Canada was ceded to Great Britain, and Louisiana to Spain in exchange for Florida, and the Bay of Pensacola, which Spain gave up to Great Britain to recover Cuba. Louisiana was retroceded to France by the treaty of St. Idelfonso, October 1st, 1800, and purchased from France by the United States in 1803. CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC. 1763. Under this conspiracy eleven posts were attacked, and eight captured. June 2d. Fort Michilimackinac was captured. The gar- rison consisted of Captain Etherington, Lieutenants Jamet and Leslie, and about thirty-five men. A band of Chippewns, while playing a game of ball just outside of the Fort, knocked the ball, as if by accident, so that it fell inside the stockade ; the players rushed after it, and seizing their weapons from squaws, who had them concealed under their blankets, and had previously entered the Fort as a part of the plot, they raised the war-whoop and fell upon the garrison. Lieutenant Jamet and fifteen men were killed. Captain Etherington and Lieutenant Leslie, who were watching the game of ball, and the rest of the garrison were taken prisoners ; they were after- wards ransomed by Lieutenant Gorelland his command from the Fort at Green Bay. 38 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 1780. July 15th. The British abandon the Fort at " Old Mackinac" and transfer the garrison to Mackinac Island, where they build the present Fort Mackinac. The history of "Modern Mackinac" properly begins at this date. 1783. By tlie definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States, made and signed at Paris, Sep- tember 3d, 1783, by David Hartley on the part of Great Britain, and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay on the part of the United States, the post of Michili- mackinac fell within the boundary of the United States, but under various pretenses the English refused to withdraw their troops, and occupied it with other lake posts. 1791. By the second article of the treaty of amity, corii- merce and navigation, between Great Britain and the United States, concluded at London, England, November, 19th, 1794, and signed by Baron Grenville, on the part of Great Britain, and by Hon. John Jay, on the part of the United States (ratifications exchanged October 2Sth, 1795, and proclaimed February 29th, 1796), it was stipulated that from all posts within the boundary lines assigned, b}^ the treaty of peace to the United States, the British troops should be withdrawn on or before June 1st, 1796. 1795. By stipulation 13, article 3, of a treaty of peace between the United States and the tribes of Indians called the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawnees, Otawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel Rivers, Weas, Kickapoos, Pinke- shaws and Kaskaskias, made at Greenville, Ohio, on the 3d of August, 1795, and signed by General Anthony Wayne, on the part of the United States, and by the Sachems and War- chiefs of the said tribes, the Indians ceded to the United States "the post of Michilimackinac, and all the land on the island on which that post stands, and the main land adjacent, on which the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants, to the French or English Governments ; and a piece HISTOKIUAL EVENTS. 39 View from Steps of P. E. Church. 40 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. of land on the main to the north of the island, to measure six miles, on Lake Huron, or the strait between Lakes Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles back from the water of the lake or strait ; and also, the island " Bois Blanc," the latter being an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation." 1796. October. Two companies of United States troops, under the command of Major Henry Burbeck, with Captain Abner Prior and Lieutenants Ebenezer Massay and John Michael, arrived and took possession of the post of Michili- mackinac. 1802. In the year 1800 the Connecticut Missionary So- ciety sent Eev. David Bacon (father of the late Rev. Dr. Leonard Bacon, of New Haven, who was born in Detroit in 1802) as a missionary to our frontier; he arrived at Detroit August 11th, 1800, where he was entertained at the house of the commandant. Major Thomas Hunt, U. S. A. Mr. Bacon left Detroit, with his family, and came to Mackinac in June, 1802, where he remained, teaching and preaching until August, 180-1:, when he was recalled. Rev. David Bacon was the Jirst Protestant who preached at Mackinac. 1812. June 18th, war with Great Britain was declared by the Congress of the United States by a vote of 79 to 40 in tlie House, and 19 to 13 in the Senate. June 19th, war was formally proclaimed by President Madison. HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 41 MAJ. WM. "WHISTLER, U. S. A. Commanding Fort Mackinac, 1833. 42 ANNALS OF FoRT MACKINAC. SURRENDER OF FORT MICHILIMACKINAC. Detroit, August 4tli, 1812. Sir — I take the earliest opportunity to acquaint Your Excellency of the surrender of the garrison of Michiliraackinac, under my command, to his Britannic Majesty's forces under the command of Captain Charles Roberts, on the 17th ultimo, the particulars of which are as follows: On the 16th, I was informed by the Indian Interpreter that he had discovered from an Indian that the several nations of Indians then at St. Jqseph (a British garrison, distant about forty miles) intended to make an imme- diate attack on Michilimackinac. I wasinolined, from the coolness I had discovered in some of the prin- cipal chiefs of the Ottawa and Chippewa nations, who had but a few days before professed the greatest friendship for the United States, to place confidence in this report. I immediately called a meeting of the American gentlemen at that time on the island, in which it was thought proper to dispatch a confidential person to St. Joseph to watch the motions of the Indians. Captain Michael Dousman, of the militia, was thought the most suitable for this service. He embarked about sunset, and met the British forces within ten or fifteen miles of the island, by whom he was made prisoner and put on his parole of honor. He was landed on the island at day- break, with positive directions to give me no intelligence whatever. He was also instructed to take the inhabitants of the village, indiscriminately, to a place on the west side of the island where their persons and property should be protected by a British guard, but should they goto the Fort, they would be subject to a general massacre by the savages, which would be inevitable if the garrison fired a gun. This information I received from Doctor Day, who was passing through the village when every person was flying for refuge to the enemy. I immediately, on being informed of the approach of the enemy, placed ammunition, etc., in the Block houses; ordered every gun charged, and made every preparation for action. About 9 o'clock I could discover that the enemy were in posses- sion of the heights that commanded the Fort, and one piece of their artil- lery directed to the most defenceless part of the garrison. The Indians at this time were to be seen in great numbers in the edge of the woods. HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 43 At half-past 11 o'clock the enemy sent in a flag of truce, demanding a sur- render of the Fort and island to his Britannic Majesty's forces. This, Sir, was the first information I had of the declaration of war; I, however, had anticipated it, and was as well prepared to meet such an event as I pos- sibly could have been with the force under my command, amounting to 57 effective men, including officers. Three American gentlemen, who were prisoners, were permitted to accompany the flag: from them I ascer- tained the strength of the enemy to be from nine hundred to one thousand strong, consisting of regular troops, Canadians and savages; that they liad two pieces of artillery, and were provided with ladders and ropes for the purpose of scaling the works, if necessary. After I had obtained this information, I consulted my officers, and also the American gentlemen present, who were very intelligent men; the result of which was, that it was impossible for tlie garrison to hold out against such a superior force. In this opinion I fully concurred, from the conviction that it was the only measure that could prevent a general massacre. The Fort and garrison were accordingly surrendered. The enclosed papers exhibit copies of the correspondence l)etween the officer commanding the British forces and myself, and of the articles of capitulation. This subject involved questions of a peculiar nature; and I hope. Sir, that my demands and protests will meet the approbation of my government. I cannot allow this opportunity to escape without ex- pressing my obligation to Doctor Sylvester Day, for the service he ren- dered me in conducting this correspondence. In consequence of this unfortunate affaii;, I beg leave, Sir, to demand that a Court of Inquiry may be ordered to investigate all the facts con- nected with it ; and I do further request, that the court may be specially directed to express their opinion on the merits of the case. I have the honour to be. Sir, etc.. His Excellency General Hull, Commanding the N. W. Army. PORTER HANKS, Lieutenant of Artillery. P. S. — The following particulars relating to the British force were ob- tained after the capitulation, from a source that admits of no doubt: 44 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. Regular troops 46 iucluding 4 officers. Cauadiau militia 260 Total 306 Savages, Sioux 56 Winnebagoes 48 Menomouees 39 Chippewas and Ottawas 573 715 Savages. 306 Wliites. Total 1021 It may also be remarked, that oue hundred and fifty Chippewas and Ottawas joined the British two days after the capitulation. P. H. MiCHiLiJiACKiNAC, Micli., July 17th, 1812. CAPITULATION Agreed upon beticeen Captain Charles Roberts, commanding Ms Britannic Majesty's forces, on tlie one part, and Lieutenant Porter Hanks, commanding the forces of the United States, on the other. ARTICLES. I. The Foi't of Michilimackinac shall immediately be surrendered to the British forces. Granted. II. The garrison shall march out with the honours of war, lay down their arms, and become prisoners of war, and shall be sent to the United States of America by his Britannic Majesty. Not to serve in this war until regularly exchanged; and for the due performance of this article the offi- cers pledge their word of honour. Granted. III. All the merchant vessels in the harbsur, with their cargoes, shall be in the possession of their respective owners. Granted. IV. Private property shall be held sacred. Granted. HISTORICAL EVENTS. 45 V. All citizens of the United States of America who shall not take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty, shall depart with their prop- erty from the island in one month from the date hereof. Granted. (Signed) CHARLES ROBERTS, Commanding H. B. Majesty' s forces. PORTER HANKS, Comma nJin^i the forces of the United States of America. Notes. — Dr. Sylvester Day, IT. S. A., was the Surgeon at the Fort. He and his family resided at the time in a house belonging to the late Samuel Abbott, which stood on a lot now owned and cultivated as a garden by Mr. Patrick Donnellj'', on the east side of and adjoining his residence on Astor street. Mr. Michael Dousman went to the house and told the inmates of the presence of the Bi'itish on the island. Dr. Day immediately arose, and taking his family (one of whom, his son, is now General Hannibal Day, U. S. A.), went to the Fort and warned the garrison of the approach of the foe. His Majesty's forces were under the command of Captain Charles Roberts, of the Tenth Royal Yeteran Battalion^ and consisted of forty regulars of the same regiment, with two six-pounders, which were embarked at St. Joseph on board the N. W. Co.'s ship, " Caledonia ; " two hundred and sixty Canadians, with their employes, and four hundred Indians, with ten batteaux and seventy canoes. Tlie American troops numbered sixty-three persons, in- cluding five sick men and one drummer boy. There were nine vessels in the hai'bor, having on board forty-seven men. After the capitulation two other vessels arrived, with seven liundred packs of furs. The prisoners were sent to Detroit, arriving there August 4th, thence to Fort Fayette, where Pittsburg, Pa., now 46 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC, Stands, wliere a roll shows them to have been mustered on the 17th day of November, 1812. Lieutenant Hanks was killed August 16, while still on parole, by a shot fired from the Canadian side, while he was standing in the gateway of the fort at Detroit. The citizens sought refuge in an old distillery, which was situated under the bluft" near the old Indian bui-ying ground, west of the village. The British sent a guard there imme- diately after landing. The three American gentlemen (prisoners) referred to by Lieutenant Hanks, went from the distillery to Captain Rob- erts' command. They were Samuel Abbott, John Dousman and Ambrose Davenport, all prominent citizens of the village, and well calculated to comprehend the true state of affairs. Fort Holmes was built while the British held possession of the island, in 1812 and 1814. The inhabitants of the village were all forced to contribute labor. It was called by the British Fort George, in honor of the British king ; afterward rechristened by the Americans in honor of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, who was killed August 4, 1814. The old ditches can be plainly seen ; the parapet was pro- tected b}'^ cedar pickets, so ]>]anted as to render scaling im- possible without a ladder. The covered ways, constructed to shelter the troops, have fallen in. In the centre of the enclosure there was a building used as a block-house and powder magazine. It was removed by the Americans, a4id is now used as the government stable. The platform that now crowns the summit, and commands a magnificent view of the Straits and the surrounding coun- try, was built by Captain, afterward Colonel, John N. Ma- comb, during a survey of the lakes in 1849. As you stand on this platfoann, three hundred and twenty feet above the HISTORICAL EVENTS. 47 level of the surrouiiuing v.'ater, facing toward the flag-staff in the Fort, on your right is Point St. Ignace, four miles distant, the southeini extremity of the northern peninsula of Michigan ; nearly in front of you lies Mackinaw City ; eight miles distant, on the northern point of the southern penin- Block House, Built in 1780. ■sula, a little to the right, is where old Fort Michilimackinac stood, where the massacre of June 2d, 1763, took place ; a little farther to the left Cheboygan, eighteen miles distant, and off to the left, where the northern shore and the water seem to mingle and disappear together, is the mouth of the St. Mary's River, thirty-seven miles distant. 4S ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAO. NAVAL BATTLE ON LAKE ERIE. 1813. September lOtli, the hostile fleets of Great Britain and the United States, on Lake Erie, met near the head of the Like, and a sanguinary battle ensued. The British fleet consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-four guns, under com- mand of the veteran Commodore Barclay, &,nd the fleet of the United States consisted of nine vessels, carrying flfty- four guns, under command of the young and brave Commo- dore Oliver H. Perry. The result of this important conflict was made known to the world in the following laconic dis- patch, written at 4 p. m. of that day : " Dear General: — We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two- ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop. " With esteem, etc., "O.H. PERRY. "General William H. Harbison." HISTORICAL EVENTS. 49 Block House, Built in 1780. 50 AJSTNALS OF FUKT MACKINAC. BATTLE OF MICHILIMACKINAC. EEPORT OF COL. GEORGE CROGHAN. U. S. S. War Niagara, off Thunder bay, > August 9lh, 1814. y Sir— We left Fort Gratiot (head of the straits St. Clair) on the 12tb ult. and imagined that we should arrive in a few days at Malshadash Bay. At the end of a week, however, the commodore from the want of pilots ac- quainted with that unfrequented part of the lake, despaired of being able to- find a passage through the island into the bay, and made for St. Joseph's, where he anchored on 20th day of July. After setting fire to the Fort of St. Joseph's, which seemed not to have been recently occupied, a detachment of infantry and artillery, under Major Holmes, was ordered to Sault St. Mary's, for the purpose of breaking up the enemy's establishment at that, place. For particulars relative to the execution of this order, I beg leave to- refer you to Major Holmes' report herewith enclosed. Finding on my arrival at Michilimackinac, on the 2Gth ult, that the enemy had strongly fortified the height overlooking the old Fort of Mackinac, I at once de- spaired of being able with my small force, to carry the place by storm,, and determined (as the only course remaining) on landing and establish- ing myself on some favorable position, whence I could be enabled to annoy the enemy by gradual and slow approaches, under cover of my artillery, in which I should have the superiority in point of metal. I was- urged to adopt this step by another reason, not a little cogent ; could a position be taken and fortified on the island, I was well aware that it would either induce the enemy to attack me in my strongholds, or force his Indians and Canadians (the most efficient, and only disposable force) off the island, as they would be very unwilling to remain in my neighbor- hood after apermanent footing had been taken. On enquiry, I learned from individuals who had lived many years on the island, that a position desirable as I might wish, could be found on the west end, and therefore immediately made arrangements for disembarking. A landing w^as- effected on the 4th iust., under cover of the guns of the shipping, and the line being quickly formed, had advanced to the edge of the field spoken of for a camp, when intelligence was conveyed to me, that the HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 51 Col. P. DONAN. 52 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. enemy was ahead, and a few seconds more brought us a fire from his battery of four pieces, firing sliot and shells. After recounoiteiing his position, which was well selected, his line reached along the edge of the woods, at the further extremity of 'the field and covered by a temporary breast work ; I determined on changing my position (which was now two lines, the militia forming the front), by advancing Major Holmes' battal- ion of regulars on the right of the militia, thus to outflank him, and by a vigorous effort to gain his rear. The movement was immediately ordered, but before it could be executed, a fire was opened by some Indians posted in a thick wood near our right, which proved fatal to Major Holmes and severely wounded Captain Desha (the next officer in rank). This unlucky fire, by depriving us of the services of our most valuable officers, threw that part of the line into confusion from which the best exertions of the officers were not able to recover it. Finding it impossible to gain the enemy's left, owing to the impenetrable thickness of the woods, a charge was ordered to be made by the regulars immediate!}^ against the front. This charge although made in some confusion, served to drive the enemy back into the woods, from whence an annoying fire was kept up by the Indians. Lieut. Morgan was ordered up with a light piece to assist the left, now particularly galled ; the excellent practice of this brought the enemy to fire at a longer distance. Discovering that this disposition from whence the enemy had just been driven (and which had been represented to me as so high and commanding), was by no means tenable, from being inter- spersed with thickets, and intersected in every way by ravines, I deter- mined no longer to expose my force to the fire of an enemy deriving every advantage which could be obtained from numbers and a knowledge of the position, and therefore ordered an immediate retreat towards the shipping. This affair, which cost us many valuable lives, leaves us to lament the fall of that gallant officer. Major Holmes, whose character is so well known to the war department. Captain Van Home, of the 19th Infantry and Lieut. Jackson of the 24th Infantry, both brave intrepid young men fell wounded at the head of their respective commands. The conduct of all my officers on this occasion merits my approbation. Captain Desha, of the 24th Infantry, although wounded, continued with his command until foi'ced to retire from faintness through loss of blood. Captains Saunders, Hawkins and Sturges, with every subaltern of that liattalion, acted in the most exemplary manner. Ensign Brj'an, 2nd Rifle Regiment, acting Adjutant to the battalion, actively forwarded HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 53 Block House, Built in 1780. 54 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. the wishes of the commanding officer. Lieuts. Hickman, 28th Infantry, and Hyde of the U . S. Marines, who commanded the reserve, claim my particular thanks for their activity in keeping that command in readiness to meet any exigency. 1 have before mentioned Lieut. Morgan's activity; his two assistants, Lieut. Pickett and Mr. Peters, conductor of artillery, also merit the name of good officers. The militia were wanting in no part of their duty. Colonel Cotgreave, his officers and soldiers, deserve the warmest approbation. My acting assistant Adjutant General Captain N. H. Moore, 28th Infantry, with volunteer Adjutant McComb, were prompt in delivering my orders. Captain Gratiot of the engineers, who voluntered his services as Adju- tant on the occasion, gave me valuable assistance. On the morning of the 5t4i, I sent a flag to the enemy, to enquire into the state of the wounded (two in number), who were left on the field, and to request permission to bring away the body of 3Iujor Holmes, which was also left, owing to the unpardonable neglect of the soldiers in whose hands he was placed. I am happy in assuring you, that the body of Major Holmes is secured, and will be buried at Detroit with becoming honors. I shall discharge the militia to-morrow, and will send them down, together with two regu- lar companies to Detroit. With the remaining three companies I shall attempt to destroy the enemy's establishment in the head of Naw-taw-wa-sa-ga River, and if it be thought proper, erect a post at the mouth of that river. Very respectfully, I have the honor to remain, sir, your obedient servant. G. CROGHAN, Lieut-Col. 2nd Riflemen, To Hon. J. Armstrong, Secretary of War. HISTOKICAL EVENTS. Oi> REPORT OF KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING, ON AUGUST 4th, 1814. On board the U. S. Sloop of War Niagaka, ^ 11th August, 1814. f Artillery — wounded, three privates. Infantry — 17th Regiment; killed, five privates; wounded, two sergeant.^, two corporals, fifteen privates. Two privates since dead. Two privateer missing. 10th Regiment — wounded, one captain, nineteen privates. Captain Isaac Van Home, Jr.. since dead — one private since dead. 24th Regiment — killed, five privates; wounded, one captain, one lieu- tenant, three sergeants, one musician, five privates. Captain Robert Desha severely; Lieut. Hezekiah Jackson since dead — one sergeant since dead. 32nd Regiment — killed, one major. Major Andrew Hunter Holiwes. United States Marines — wounded, one sergeant. Ohio Militia — killed, two privates; wounded, six privates— one private since dead. Grand total — one major and twelve privates killed; two captains, one lieutenant, six sergeants, three corporals, one musician and thirty-eight privates wounded. Two privates missing. The above return exhibits a true statement of the killed, wounded and missing in the affair of the 4th instant. N. H. MOORE, Captain 28th Infantry. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 56 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. REPORT OF CAPTAIN SINCLAIR. United States Sloop of War Niagaka, Off Thunder Bay, August 9th, 1814. \ Sir— I arrived off Michilimackinac on the 26th July; but owing to a tedious spell of bad weather, which prevented our reconnoitering, or being able to procure a prisoner who could give us information of tlie ■enemy's Indian force, which, from several little skirmishes we had on an adjacent island, appeared to be very great, we did not attempt a landing until the 4th inst. , and it was then made more with a view to ascertain positively the enemy's strength, than with any possible hope of success; knowing, at the same time, that I could effectually cover their landing and retreat to the ships, from the position I had taken within 300 yards ■of the beach. Col. Croghan would never have landed, even with this protection, being positive, as he was, that the Indian force alone on the island, with the advantages they had, were superior to him, could he have justified himself to his government, without having stronger proof than appearances, that he could not effect the object in view. Mackinac is, by nature, a perfect Gibraltar, being a high inaccessible rock on every side, except the west, from which to the hights, you have near two miles to pass through a wood, so thick that our men were shot in every direc- tion, and within a few yards of them, without being able to see the Indians who did it; and a height was scarcely gained before there was another within 50 or 100 yards commanding it, where breastworks were ■erected and cannon opened on them. Several of those were charged and the enemy driven from them; but it was soon found the further our troops advanced the stronger tlie enemy became, and the weaker and more bewildered our forces were; several of the commanding officers were picked out and killed or wounded by the savages, without seeing ■any of them. The men were getting lost and falling into confusion, natural vmtler such circumstances, which demanded an immediate retreat, •or a total defeat and general massacre p^.ust have ensued. This was con- ducted in a masterly manner by Col. Croghan, who had lost the aid of that valuabla and ever to be lamented officer. Major Holmes, who, with ■Captain VanHorn, was killed by the Indians. The enemy were driven from many of their strongholds; but such was HISTOKICAL EVENTS. Oi the impenetrable thickness of the woods, that no advantage gained could he profited b}'. Our attack would have been made immediately under tlie lower fort, that the enemy might not have been able to use his Indiaa force to such advantage as in the woods, having discovered by drawing a fire from him in several instances, that I had greatly the superiority of metal of him; but its site being about 120 feet above the water, I could not, when near enough to do him an injury, elevate sutficientl}' to batler it. Above this, nearly as high again, he has another strong fort, com- manding every point on the islifnd, and almost perpendicular on all sides. Col. Croghan not deeming it prudent to make a second attempt upon tliis- place, and having ascertained to a certainty that the only naval force the- enemy have upon the lakes consists of one schooner of four guns, I have determined to despatch the " Lawrence '" and " Caledonia " to Lake Erie immediately, believing their services in transporting our armies there will be wanting; and it being important that the sick and wounded, amount- ing to about 100, and that part of the detachment not necessarj- to further our future operations here, should reach Detroit without delay. By aa intelligent prisoner, captured in the "Mink," I ascertained this, and that the meclianics and others sent across from York during the winter were for the purpose of building a flotilla to transport reinforcements and sup- plies to Mackinac. An attempt was made to transport them by the way of Matchadash, but it was found impracticable, from all the portages being- a morass; that they then resorted to a small river called Nautawasaga, situated to the south of Matchadash, from which there is a portage of three leagues over a good road to Lake Simcoe. This place was never known until pointed out to them last summer by an Indian. This river is very narrow, and has six or eight feet water in it about three miles up, and is- then a muddy, I'apid shallow for 45 miles up to the portage, where their armada was built, and their storehouses are now situated. The naviga- tion is dangerous and difficult, and so obscured by rocks and bushes that no stranger could ever find it. I have, however, availed mj'self of the means of discovering it ; I shall also blockade the mouth of French River until the fall; and those being the only two channels of communication by which Mackinac can possibly be supplied, and their provisions at this- time being extremely short, I think they will be starved into a surrender. This will also cut off all supplies to the Northwest Company, who are now nearly starving, and their furs on hand can only find transportation by the way of Hudson Bay. At this place I calculate on falling in witlv 58 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. their schooner, which, it is said, has gone there for a load of provisions, and a message sent to her not to venture up wliile we are on the Lalce. Very respectfully, I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, ARTHUR SINCLAIR. To Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. Notes. — Col. Croglian landed with his troops at what is now called ' British Landing,' so named from the fact that the British landed there on the niu-ht of the 16th and 17th of July, 1812, when they successfully surprised Fort Mack- inac. On entering the gate on the road leading to British Land- ing, after passing through the narrow belt of timber, you <;ome to a slight ridge which crosses the road, passing diagon- ally through an orchard, on the left. On the south side of this ridge the British troops were concealed, having four field pieces; the line was protected by a hastily constructed al)attis, and the left by an entrenchment, the remains of which can be seen in the orchard some 250 yards to the left of, and nearly parallel to, the road. The British forces were under the command of Lieut. -Col. Robert McDouall,Glengary Light Infantrj^, then in com- mand at Fort Mackinac. Major Holmes' body was put on board a schooner and sent to Detroit, where it was buried in the old cemeterj^ on the corner of Larned street and Woodward avenue, on land belonging to "The First Protestant Society." In 1834: when excavating for the building of " The First Protestant Church '' the remains of Major Holmes were found with six cannon balls in the coffin. The balls were placed in the coffin for the purpose of sinking the body if in danger of being cap- tured by the British while on its way to Detroit. The remains were placed in a box and buried in the Protestant cemetery near Gratiot, Beaubien and Antoine streets, and have not been disturbed since that time. HISTOKICAL EVENTS. 59 1S15. By the treaty of peace and amity between Great Britain and the United States, concluded at Ghent, Belgium, December 24t]i, 1S14, and signed by Lord Gambier, Henry Gonlbourn and William Adams, on the part of Great Britain, and by John Qnincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Henry Clay, Jonathan Russell and Albert Gallatin, on the part of the United States (ratifications exchanged February 17th, and pi-oclaimed February ISth, 1815), the post of Michilimackinac was again restored to the United States. The British occupied Fort Mackinac until the arrival in September, of Major Talbot Chambers, with the United States troops, consisting of one company of Artillery and two companies of Rifles. The British troops then withdrew to Drummond's Island, in St, Mary's River. 1816. Two companies of Rifles left Fort Mackinac, under the command of Colonel John Miller, and established Fort Howard, at Green Bay, Wis, 1819. First steamboat at Makinac, the " Walk-in-the- Water." 1 821. June 21st. In the west end of the basement of the cottage on the corner of Astor and Fort Streets (then used as the retail store of the American Fur Co.), occurred an accident the result of which is known to the medical fraternity throughout the world. We refer to the acci- dental shooting, in the left side, of Alexis St. Martin, a Canadian, eighteen years of age, in the employ of the American Fur Company. St. Martin was not more than a yard from the muzzle of the gun, which was loaded with powder and duck-shot. To be brief, a hole was made into the stomach, which healed but never closed. Through this aperture, the action of the stomach, on various kinds of food, was observed. These experiments, extending through a series of years, gave much valuable information. Dr. Wm. Beaumont, at that 60 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. time the Post-Surgeon, attended the wonnded man and afterward made the experiments. 1823. Rev. William Montague Ferry, by direction of the United Foreign Missionary Society, established a mission for the Indians of the Northwest at Mackinac Island, this location being chosen because it was the center of the fur trade in the JSTorthwest. Mr. Ferry arrived at Mackinac October 19th, and opened school November 3d, with twelve Indian children. At one time there were twenty-four assistants, and one hundred and eighty scholars. The children from the village attended as day scholars, and those from the several tribes as boarders. They were trained in habits of industry, and taught trades, and how to cultivate the soil, besides receiving a common school education. The school was first held in the old Court House. In 1825, the building now known as the " Mission House," was erected for missionary and school purposes. Thomas White Ferry, ex U. S. Senator, was born in the Mission House, June 1, 1827. The building known as the " Mission Church," was erected in 1830. It was consecrated March 4th, 1831. Mr. Ferry was relieved August 6th, 1834. He then settled at Grand Haven, Mich., where he lived for thirty-three years, highly esteemed and eminently useful. He died De- cember 30th, 1867. In 1837 tlie Mission was discontinued. 1862. May 14th, the steamer "Illinois" arrived at Mackinac from Detroit, having on board Co. A, Stanton Guards, Michigan Volunteers, Capt. Grover S. Wormer, of Detroit, commanding (afterwards, Lieut.-Col. and Col. 8th Michigan Cavalry, and Brevet Brigadier-General United States Volunteers), with First Lieutenant Elias F. Sutton,. Second Lieutenant Louis Ilartmeyer, Chaplain James Knox,, and Dr. John Gregg, having in charge the following dis- tinguished gentlemen from Tennessee, who were State HISTORICAL EVENTS. 61 prisoners of war : Gen. William G. Harding, Gen. Wash- ington Barrows, and Judge Joseph C. Guild. For six days after their arrival, the prisoners were allowed to remain at the Mission Hotel, under a guard, while quar- ters were being prepared in the Fort. The three sets of officers' quarters in the wooden building between the stone quarters and the guard house, were assigned to them. Gen. Harding occupied the set in the west end, or nearest the stone quarters, Gen. Barrows, the middle set, and Judge Guild, the set in the east end. The rooms were comfort- ably furnished by the prisoners, who remained here until September 18th, 1862, when the Fort was again abandoned, the prisoners taken to Detroit, and thence to Johnson's Island, Lake Erie. 1877. Father Marquette's grave discovered at St. Ignace, by Rev. Father Edward Jackcr. 1882. The Protestant Episcopal Church on Fort street, built through the efforts and under the direction of Rev. Moses C. Stanley. 1SS3. A cable was laid by the Western Union Telegraph Co. to Mackinac Island from St. Ignace. (The latter place is connected by cable with Mackinaw City.) The line was opened July 13, the first message was as follows: Mackinac, Mich., July 13, 1883. Hon. Andrew Foley, Mayor of St. Ignace, MicJi. ; Please accept our cougratulatious on the completion of the link which connects the oldest village in Michigan with the youngest city. We wish your city continued prosperity. \VM. P. PRESTON, President of Mackinac Village. 04 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. FRENCH AND BRITISH OFFICERS. The following named officers were at Fort Micliiliniackinac- on the dates given ; their names are the only ones (of French and British officers) which appear in the old and official records : 1742, 12th August. i\IONS. DE BlATNVILLE, Commandaat of Micliilimackiuac. 1744, Gth .lauuary. M<)^'S. DE ViVEHEVET, Commaudaut of Micliilimackiuac. 1744, nth July. DE RaMELIA, Captain and King's Commandant at Nepigon. 1745, nth July, and 1747, 2:3d >[ay. DUPLESSIS DE 3IoiiAMPOXT, King's Commandant at Camnianettigsia. 1745, 25th August, and 174(3, 29th June. NOYELLE, Jr., Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 1745, 25th August. Louis de la Cokne. Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinae. 1747, 7th February, 20th June and 1st September. MoNS. de Noyelle, Jr., Commandant of ilichilimackinac. 1748, 28th February, 1749, Uth March and 21st June. MoNS. Jacques Legardeur de St. Pierre, Captain and King's Commandant at Micliilimackiuac^ 1749, 27t'i .January. Louis Legardeur, Chevalier de Repentigny, Second in Command at Michilimackinac. FRENCH AND BRITISH OFFICERS. 65 1749, 29th August. MONS. GODEFROT, Officer of Troops. 1750, 24th March, and 1753, 4th June. MONS. DUPLESSIS Faber, Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Loaia. 1751, 8th October. MoNS. DuPLESsis, Jr., Second in Command at Michilimackinac. 1753, 4th June. MoNs. Beaujeu de Villemoxde, Captain and King'.s Commandant at Camanitigousa. 1753, 18th July, and 1754, 15th August. MoNS. Marin, King's Commandant, Post of La Bale. 1753, 18th July; 1754, 8th May; 1758, 33d February, 39th June, 16th July and 17th October; 1759, 30th January; 1760, 35th May and 8th September. Mons. de Beaujeu de Villemonde, Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 1754, 8th July, and 1755, 35th May. Mons. Hehisin. Captain and King's Commandant at Michilimackinac. 1755, 8th January. Louis Legardeur, Chevalier de Repentigny. King's Commandant at the Sault. 1755, 34th August, Louis Legardeur Chevalier de Repentigny, Lieutenant of Infantry. 1756, 38th April. Charles de L'Anglade, Officer of Troops. 1756, 19th June. Mons. Heutelle Beaubaffin, King's Commandant at . 66 ANNALS OF FOBT MACKINAO. 1756, 19tb July. ]MuNS. COUTEROT, Lieutenant of Infantry. 1758, 2d July. MONS. DE L'Anglade, Second in Command at MicWlimackinac. 1758, lyth July. Louis Legardeur, Chevalier de Repentigny, Officer at Michilimackinac. 1774 to 1779. A. S. De Peyster, Major Commanding Michilimackinac and Dependencies. 1779 to 17S3. Patrick Sinclair. Major and Lieutenant-Governor, Commanding Michilimackinac and Dependencies. 1782 to 1787, 10th May. Daniel Robertson, Captain Commanding Michilimackinac and Dependencies. 1784, 31st July. Phil. B. Fry, Ensign 8th, or King's Regiment. 1784, 31st July, George Clowes, Lieutenant 8th, or King's Regiment, 1791, 15th November. Edward Charleton, Captain 5th Regiment Foot, Commanding Michilimackinac. 1791, loth November. J. M. Hamilton, Ensign 5th Regiment Foot. 1791, 15th November. Benjamin Richa Lieutenant 5th Foot. 1791, 15th November. H. Headowe, Ensign 5th Foot. LEGEND OF "ROBERTSON'S FOLLY." Captain Robertson was a gay young English officer and a great admirer of the ladies. One pleasant summer even- ing, as he was strolling in the woods at the back of the fort enjoying his pipe, he suddenly beheld, a few rods before him and just crossing his path, a female of most exquisite form, feature and complexion ; she seemed about nineteen ; was simply dressed ; wore her long black hair in flowing tresses ; and as for a moment she turned on him her lustrous black eyes, her whole countenance lighting up with anima- tion, the gallant captain thought he had never before seen so beautiful a creature. He politely doffed his cap and quickened his steps, hoping to engage her in conversation. She likewise hastened, evidently with the design of escaping him. Presently she disappeared around a curve in the road, and Robertson lost sight of her. At the officers' quarters that night nothing was talked of but the young lady and her possible identity. She was clearly not a native, and no vessel had been known to touch at the island for many a week. Who could she be ? Cap- tain Robertson could hardly sleep that night. A rigid inquiry was instituted in the village. The only effect was to engender as intense curiosity in the town as already existed among the garrison. As the shades of evening drew near, the captain was again walking in the pleasant groves enjoying the delightful lake breezes and the whiff of his favorite pipe. He was think- ing of last evening's apparition, and blaming himself for not pressing on more vigorously, or at least calling to the (j8 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. fair spectre. At this moment, raising his eyes from the ground, there she was again, slowly preceding him at a dis- tance of scarcely more than thirty yards. As soon as his astonishment would permit, and as speedily as he could frame an excuse, he called to her : " Mademoiselle, I — I beg your pardon." She turned on him one glance, her face radiant with smiles, then redoubled her pace. The captain redoubled his, and soon broke into a run. Still she kept the inter v^al between them undiminished. A bend of the road, and again she was gone. The captain sought her quickly, but in vain ; he then rushed back to the fort and called out a general posse of officers and men to scour the island, and, by capturing the maiden to solve the mystery. Though the searcli was kept up till a late hour in the night, not a trace could be found of her. The captain now began to be laughed at, and jokes were freely bandied at his expense. Two days passed away, and the fantasy of Captain Robert- son began to be forgotten by his brother officers, but the captain himself maintained a gloomy, thoughtful mood — the truth is he was in love with the woman he had only twice seen, and who he felt assured was somewhere secreted on the island. Plans for her discovery revolved in his brain day and night, and visions of romance and happiness were ever flitting before his eyes. It was on the evening of the second day that he was irresistibly led to walk again in the shady path in which the apparition had twice appeared to him. It led to the brow of the precipice at the southeastern corner of the island. He had nearly reached the famoiis point from which we now look down perpendicularly 128 feet into the placid waters of Lake Huron, when, sitting on a large stone, apparently enjoying the magnificent scene spread out before her, he discovered the object of his solicitude. Escape from him was now impossible, silently he stole up to her. Robertson's folly. 69 A crniieliing of the gravel under his feet, however, disturbed her, and turnino;, her eyes met his. " Pretty maiden, why thus attempt to elude me ? Who are you?" There was no answer, but the lady arose from the rock and retreated nearer the brink of tlie precipice, at the same time glancing to the right and left, as if seeking a loop-hole of escape. " Do not fear me," said the captain, " I am commander of tlie garrison at the fort here. No harm shall come to you, but do pray tell me who you are, and how you came on this island!" The lady still maintained a stolid silence, but in the fading light looked more beautiful than ever. She was now stand- ing within three feet of the brink with her back to the terrible abyss. The captain shuddered at the thought of her making an unguarded step and being dashed to pieces on the rocks below. So he tried to calm her fears lest, in her agitation, she might precipitate a terrible catastrophe. " My dear j'oung lady," he began, " I see you fear me, and I will leave you ; but for heaven's sake do pray tell me your name and where yon reside. Not a hair of your head shall be harmed, but Captain Robertson, your devoted ser- vant, will go through fire and water to do your commands. Once more, my dear girl, do speak to me, if but a word before we part." As the captain warmed up in his address, he incautiously advanced a step. The girl retreated another step, and now stood where the slightest loss of balance must prove her death. Quick as thought, the captain sprang forward to seize her and avert so terrible a tragedy, but just as he clutched lier iirin, she threw lierself backward into the chasm, drawing her tormentor and would-be savior with her, and both were instantlv dashed on to the rocks below. 70 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. His mangled remains were found at the foot of the preci- pice, but, singular as it may seem, not a vestige could be found of the woman for whose life his own had been sacri- ficed. His body alone could be discovered and it was taken up and buried in a shady nook near the middle of the island. He was long mourned by his men and brother officers, for he was much beloved for his high social qualities and genia! deportment ; but by and by it began to be whispered that the captain had indulged too freely in the fine old French brandy that the fur traders brought up from Montreal, and that the lady he professed to see was a mere ignis fatuus of his own excited imagination. But the mantle of charity has been thrown over the tragedy, and a commonplace explanation given for the name the rocky point has acquired, of " Robebtson's Folly." AMEKIGAN FUR COMl'ANY. 7.1 THE AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. To notice sliglitly the origin of the American Fur Com- pany, we will say that John Jacob Astor, a German by birth^ who arrived in New York in the year 1784, commenced work for a bakery owned by a German acquaintance. He was afterwards assisted to open a toy shop, and this was fol- lowed by trafficking for small parcels of furs in the country towns, and which led to his future operations in that line. Mr. Astor's great and continued success in that branch of trade induced him, in 1809, to obtain from the New York Legislature a charter incorporating " The American Fur Company," with a capital of a million dollars. It is under- stood that Mr. Astor comprised the company, though other- names were used in its organization. In 1811, Mr. Astor, in connection with certain partners of the old Northwest Fur Con^pany (w^hose beginning was in 1783, and perma- nently organized in 1787), bought out the association of British merchants known as the Mackinac Company, then a strong competitor in the fur trade. This Mackinac Com- pany, with the American Fur Company, was merged into a new association called the Southwest Fur Company. But in 1815, Mr. Astor bought out tlie Southwest Company, and the American Fur Company came again to the front. In the winter of 1815-16, Congress, through the influence of Mr. Astor, it is understood, passed an act excluding foreigners- from participating in the Indian trade. In 1817-18, tlie- American Fur Company brought a large number of clerks from Montreal and the United States to Mackinac, some of whom made good Indian traders, while many others failed upon trial and were discharged. Among those who proved their capability was Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., then a youth 72 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. of sixteen, tlie earliest resident of Chicago now living there. He was born in Windsor, Vt,, in 1802, and his parents were Elizur and Abigail (Sage) Hubbard. His paternal emigrant ancestor was George Hubbard, who was at Wethersfield, Ct., in 1636. Mr. Hubbard is also a lineal descendant of the -clergyman -govern or Gurdon Saltonstall (named for Bramp- ton Gurdon, the patriot M. P., whose daughter was the grand- mother of the governor), who was the great-grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, the firm and efficient friend of early ^ew England. We need, therefore, merely add here that Mr. Hubbard left Montreal, where his parents then lived. May 13, 1818, reaching Mackinac July 4th, and first arrived at Chicago on the last day of October or first day of November of that year. In 1828, he purchased of the Fur Company their ■entire interest in the trade of Illinois. Having entire charge of the management of the company in the West, were Ramsey Crooks and Robert Stuart. To William Matthews was intrusted the engaging of voyageurs and clerks in Canada, with his head- quarters in Montreal. The voyageurs he took from the habitants (farmers) ; young, active, athletic men were sought for, indeed, none but such were •engaged, and thej- passed under inspection of a surgeon. Mr. M. also purchased at Montreal such goods as were suited for the trade, to load his Ijoats. These boats were the Canadian batteaux, principally used in those days in transferring goods to upper St. Lawrence River and its tributaries, jiiaiuied by four oarsmen and a steersman, capacity about six tons. The voyageurs and clerks were under indentures for a term of five years. Wages of voyageurs, $100, clerks from $120 to $500 per annum. These were all novices in the business; the plan of the company was to arrange and secure the services of old traders and their voyageurs, who, at the (new) organization of the company were in the Indian country, depending on their influence and knowledge of the trade with the Indians; and as fast as possible secure the vast trade inthe West and Northwest, within the district of the United States, interspersing the novices brought from Canada so as to consolidate, extend and monopolize, as far as possible, over the country, the Indian trade. The first two years they had sue- AMEEICATSr FUR COMPAKY. I S ceeded iu bringing into their employ seven-eighths of the old Indian traders on the Upper Mississippi, Wabash and Illinois Rivers, Lakes Michigan and Superior, and their tributai-ies as far north as the bound- aries of the United States extended. The other eighth thought that their interest was to remain independent ; toward such, the company selected their best traders, and located them in opposition, with instructions so ta manage by underselling to bring them to terms. Block House Built in 1780. At Mackinac, the trader's brigades were organized, the company select- ing the most capable trader to be the manager of his particular brigade, wliich consisted of from five to twenty batteaux, laden with goods. This chief or manager, when reaching the country allotted to him, made detachments, locating trading-houses, with districts clearly defined, for the operations of that particular post, and so on, until his ground was fully occupied by traders under him, over whom he had absolute authority. We will here allude to Mr. Astor's attemjDt to establish an American emporium for the fur trade at the mouth of the 74 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Columbia Eiver, Avhich enterprise failed, through the capture of Astoria by the British in 1814, and the neglect of our government to give him pi-otection. The withdrawal of Mr. Astor from the Pacific coast, left the Northwest Fur Com- pany to consider themselves the lords of the country. They did not long enjoy the field unmolested, however. A fierce competition ensued between them and their old rivals, the Hudson's Bay Company, which was carried on at great cost and sacrifice, and, occasionally, with the loss of life. It ended in the ruin of most of the partners of the Northwest Company, and merging of the relics of that establishment, in 1821, in the rival association. Ramsey Crooks was a foremost man in the employ of Mr. Astor in tlie fur trade, not only in the east, but upon the western coast, and has been called "the adventurous Rocky Mountain trader." Intimately connected, as Mr. Crooks was, with the American Fur Company, a slight notice of him will not be out of place. Mr. Crooks was a native of Greenock, Scotland, and was employed as a trader in Wisconsin, as early as 1806. He entered the service of Mr. Astor in 1809. In 1813, he returned from his three years' journey to the western coast, and in 1817 he joined Mr. Astor as a partner, and for four or five years ensuing he was the company's Mackinac agent, though residing mostly in New York. Mr. Crooks con- tinued a partner until 1830, when this connection was dissolved and he resumed his place with Mr. Astor in his former capacity. In 1834, ]Mr. Astor, being advanced in years, sold out the stock of the companj'. and transferred the charter to Ramsey Crooks and his associates, whereupon Mr. C. was elected president of the company. Reverses, however, com- pelled an assignment in 1843, and with it the death of the American Fur Company. In 1845, Mr. Crooks opened a commission house for the sale of furs and skins, in New York City. This business, which was success- ful, Mr. C. continued until his death. Mr. Crooks died in New York, June 6, 1859, in his 73d year. Mr. Astor died in 1848. Washington Irving, in his " Astoria," gives a graphic account of the occasional meetings of the partners, agents and employes of the old Northwest Fur Company, at Mont- AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. 75 real and Fort William, wliere tliej kept high days and nights of wassail and feasting ; of song and tales of adventure and hair-breadth escapes. But of those lavish and merry halls of the old '' Northwest," we need suggest no comparison with the agency dwelling of the American Fur Company at Mackinac, where the expenses charged for the year 1821 were only $678.49. In that account, however, we notice the following entries: 31^ gallons TenerifPe Wine, -44^ gallons Port Wine ; 10 gallons best Madeira ; 70^ gallons Red Wine ; 9 gallons Brandy ; one harrel flour. 76 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. MACKINAC ISLAND Is situated in the Straits of the same name, about four miles east of the narrowest part, fifteen miles from Lake Huron, and thirty from Lake Michi^i^an ; contains two thousand two hundred and twenty-one acres, of which the National Park contains eight hundred and twenty-one acres, and the Mili- tary Reservation one hundred and three acres. A RAMBLE THROUGH FORT MACKINAC. There are various ways of reaching the Fort from the village ; probably the easiest is up " the steps," the view at the top being well worth the breath it costs to reach it. Now follow us, and we will show you through the Fort: This old block-house on our left was built in 1780, by the British troops under Major Patrick Sinclair ; beyond, to the left, are two buildings, officers' quarters, built in 1S76 ; pass- ing along toward the flag-staff, we come to another set of officers' quarters, built in 1835, and another old block-house, the upper part of which is used as a reservoir, into which water is pumped from a spring at the foot of the bluff, and distributed through pipes into various buildings. This inno- vation on the old-time water-wagon was made in 1881, in accordance with a plan devised by, and executed under the direction of, Lieut. Dwight H. Kelton, lOtli U. S. Infantry, Post-Quartermaster. Water first pumped Oct. 11, 1881. "While reinforcing the flag-staff in 1869, a bottle was taken out of the base, containing a parchment upon which was written : kamble thkough fort mackinac. <7 Headquarters Fort Mackinac, May 25th, 1835. This flag-staff erected on the 25th day of May, 1835, by "A" and "G' Companies, of the 2d Regiment of Infantry, stationed at this post. The following Ofiicers of the 2d Infantry were present : Captain John Glitz, - - "A'" Company, Com'd'g Post. Captain E. Kerby Barnum, - "G" Company. Ist-Lieut. J. J. B. Kingsbury - "G" Company. 2d-Lieut. J. W. Penrose, - - "G" Company, A.C.S. 2d-Lieut. J. V. Bomford, - "H" Company. Asst. -Surgeon Geo. F. Turner, - U.S.A. David Jones, . . . - Sutler. Absent Officers: Ist-Lieut. J. S. Gallagher, "A" Company, Adjutant. 2d-Lieut. J. H. Leavenworth, "A" Company, on Special Duty. Colonel Hugh Brady, Bvt.-Brig. General, Commanding Left Wing, Eastern Department, Headquarters at Detroit. Lieut. -Colonel Alexander Cummings, Commanding 2d Regiment, Headquarters Madison Barracks, Sacket's Harbor, New York. President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. Builder (of flag-staff), John McCraith, Private, "A" Company, 2d Infantry. Another document was added and the bottle was re- entombed. Going down the steps to the right, we are brought face to face with one of the old landmarks of this country, the old stone officers' quarters, built in 1780, with walls from two and a half to eight feet thick ; formerly the windows had iron bars across them. In 1812 the basement of this build- ing and the old block-houses were used as prisons, in which Captain Roberts detained the men and larger boys of the village, after the capture of the Fort, until he decided what to do with them. Those who took the oath of allegiance to Great Britain were released and allowed to return to their homes ; the others were sent to Detroit. Mr. Michael 78 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Stone Officers' Quarters. Built 1780. KAMBLE THKOUGH FORT MACKINAC. 79 Doiistnau was permitted to remain neutral and was not dis- turbed. In 1814, the basement of this building and the block- houses were used as a place of refuge for the women and children of the village, while the vessels containing the American troops were anchored off the island. The old wooden building on our right, now used as a storehouse, was built for a hospital in 1828 on the site of the original hospital, built by the British. The long, low wooden building at the other end of the stone-quarters, formerly officers' quarters, is now used as a storehouse; facing it are the barracks, a two-story frame- building, built in 1859, occupied by two companies of soldiers, one on each Hoor, with mess-rooms, etc., complete for each. We come next to the guard-house, built in 1828. Turning toward the Ijarracks, we have on our riglit, first, the Com- missary, built in 1877, on the site of the old stone-magazine. In the small building adjacent to the Commissary are the offices of the Commanding Officer and Adjutant, and next door, the office of the Post-Quartermaster, which is con- nected by a passage-way with the storehouse beyond; built on the site of the post-bakery of early days. Going up the path from the guard-house we will examine the " reveille gun," and take a glimpse at the magnificent view from the gun-platform. Below, at the foot of the bluff, are the Government stables, blacksmith shop, and gra- nary; beyond them, the company gardens, where the build- ings of the United States Indian Agency stood in earlier days. In front of us is Round Island, where, for a long time, there was a large Indian village, the only remnant of which is an Indian burying ground, on the southeastern part of the island. There is also an old burying ground on Bois Blanc so ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Island, it is a singular fact that all these Indian graves were dug due east and west. Wauchusco, a celebrated spiritualist of the Ottawa tribe, lived on Round Island for several years previous to his death, which occurred September 30, 1837. To the left of Round Island is Bois Blanc Island. The building in our rear is the hospital, built in 1858; leaving it to our right, we pass another old block-house, and over the old north sally-port, just outside of which, on July 17th, 1812, the British troops stood in line and presented arms while Lieuts. Porter Hanks and Archibald Darragh marched the American troops out, with arms reversed, to receive their parole as prisoners of war. Passing on we come to the library and reading room. When built, the fort was enclosed by a stockade ten feet high, made of cedar pickets, into the tops of which were driven irons with three sharp prongs projecting. Formerly all the buildiniji-s belouii-ino- to the fort were within this stockade. A better idea of the block-houses as they appeared then,. and of the stockade, may be obtained from the illustrations, which are reduced from old drawings. The old gates still remain in place at the south sally-port,, near the guard-house. The flags of three great nations have successively floated over the post at Michilimackinac, which has been the theatre of many a bloody tragedy. Its possession has been disputed by powerful nations, and its internal peace has continually been made the sport of Indian treachery and white man's duplicity. To-day, chanting te deuuis beneath the ample folds of the fleur-de-lis, to-morrow yielding to the power of the Briti.-h lion, and, a few years later, listening to the ex- ultnnt sci'eams of the American eagle, as the stars and RAMBLE THEOUGII FOKT MACKINAC. 81 stripes float over the battlements on the " Isle of the dancing spirits." The historical reminiscences rendering it classic ground, ^ ^ '^M H^H^F^^ ^l^i!f>^^iL^SniH^cJi ^BBiV^Hb BHffip^^.^^^^qg^H|BM| ^^^^EbmB HI^^^W'^^^^L. «^^^ wffii'*- '^'^^ S^ w-^ V ^^W l^fr S?| H^K "^^ S^IlS Ib^-4 "^"'"^ ~^^^^ ^o B^^B^^^^J^^,^^ ig- _^;g|^ ^^^ ^^^ and the many wild traditions, peopling each rock and glen with spectral habitants, combine to throw around Mackinac an interest and attractiveness unequalled by any other place on the Western Continent. 82 ANNALS OF I<\)KT MACKINAC. AMERICAN OFFICERS. The following named officers of the United States army have served at Fort Mackinac. The year of their arrival their actual rank at that time, and the organization to which they belonged are given : 1790. Henry Burbeck, Major, Abner Prior, Captain, Ebcnezer Massay, Lieutenant, " -Johu Mieliael, " ISOl. Tliomas Hunt, " Josiali Dunliam, Richard Whiley, 1802. Francis Le Barron, 1807. Jonatliau Eastmanji 1808. Lewis Howard,* " Porter Hauks, Archibald Darragh, 1810. Sylvester Day, 1815. Talbot Chambers, Joseph Kean, " Joiiii O'Fallou, " John Heddelson, James S. Gray, " Benjamin K. Pierce. Robert McClallan, Jr, Lewis Morgan, George Wilkins, John S. Pierce, Thomas J. Baird, Edward Purcell, 1810. John Miller, " John McNeil, " Charles Gratiot, * Died at Fort Mackinac, January 13. 1811. Major, Captain, 1st Lieutenant, " Surgeon's Mate. 1st Lieutenant, Artillerists. Captain, " 1st Lieutenant, " 2d Garrison Surgeon's Mate. Majoi', Rifles Captain, " Artillerists and Eng'rs. 1st Infantry. Artillerists and Eng'rs. 1st Infantry. 1st Artillerists and Eng'rs. Artillery. 1st Lieutenant, 2d Captain, 1st Lieutenant, " 1st 2d 2d 3d Hospital Surgeon's Mate. Colonel, 3d Infantry. Major, 5th " Eniiineers. AMEKICAN OFFICEKS. 83 1817. 1818. 1819. 1816. William Whistler, John Greene, " Charles L. Cass, " Daniel Curtis, " John Garland, " Tiirby T. Thomas, Britten Evans, " James Dean, Andrew Lewis, Albion T. Crow, William S Eveleth, Lawrence Taliaferro, Edward Brooks, Joseph P. Russell, Joseph Gleason.f William Lawrence, William S. Comstock, Peter T. January, John Peacock, William Beaumont, Thomas C. Legate, Elijah Lyon, James A. Chambers, Joshua Barney, James M. Spencer, Alexander C.W. Fanning, " William Whistler, Samuel W. Hunt, " Aaron H. Wright, •' George H. Crosman, Stewart Cowan, 1825. William Hoffman, Richard S. Satterlee, " Carlos A. Wait, " Seth Johnson, 1826. David Brooks, " Alexander R. Thompson, 1827. James G. Allen, 1831. 1822. 1823. Captain, 3d infantry ■Sd 1st Lieutenant, 3d 1st 3d 1st 3d 1st 3d 2d 8d 2d 3d 2d 3d Hospital Surgeo n's Mate. 2d Lieutenant, Engineers. 1st 3d Infantry. 1st 'I 3d Post Surgeon. 1st Lieutenant, 5th Infantry. Lieut. -Colonel, 2d Surgeon's Mate, 3d 2d Lieutenant, 3d 2d 3d Post Surgeon. Captain, 2d Artillery. 1st Lieutenant, 3d 2d 2d 2d 2d 1st 2d Captain, 2d " 3d Infantry 1 st Lieutenant, 3d 2d 3d 2d 6th 2d 3d Captain, 2d Assist. Surgeon 2d Lieutenant, 2d Infantry. 1st 2d 2d 2d Captain, 2d 2d Lieutenant, 5th t Died at Fort Mackinac, March 27. 1820. 84 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 1837. Edwin James, " Ephraim K. Barnum, " Edwiu V. Sumner, " Samuel T. Heintzelman, 1828. Charles F. Morton, " Sullivan Burbank, " Robert A. McCabe, " William Alexander, " Abner R. Hetzel, " Josiah H. Vose, 1829. James Engle, " Amos Foster, " Enos Cutler, Moses E. Merrill, " Ephraim Kirbj- Smith, " Isaac Lynde, " Caleb C. Sibley, " William E. Cruger, " Louis T. Jamison, 1830. Henry Clark, 1831. John T. Collingsworth, " Robert McMillan, 1882. George M. Brooks, " Waddy V. Cobbs, " Joseph S. Gallagher, " George W. Patten, " Thomas Stockton, " Alexander R. Thompson, " John B. F. Russell, 1883. William Whistler, " Ephraim K. Barnum, " Joseph R. Smith, " James W. Penrose, " Charles S. Frailey, " George F. Turner, 1884. Jesse H. Leavenworth, " John Clilz, :j: Assist. Surgeon 1st Lieutenant, 2d Infan try. 2d 2d 2d 2d 1st Lieutenant, 2d Infantrj-. Captain, 5tli .5th 1st Lieutenant, 5th 2d 2d Major, 5th 2d Lieutenant, 5th 2d 5th Lieut. -Colonel, 3d 2d Lieutenant, 5th 2d 5th 2d 5th 2d 5th 1st 5th 2d 5th 1st 5th 2d Lieutenant, 5th Assist. Surgeon Medical Department Colonel, 5th Infai itry. Captain. 2d 1st Lieutenant, 2d 2d 2d Bvt. 2d Lieut., 5th Major, 6th Captain, 5th Major, 2d Captain, 2d 1st Lieutenant, 2d 2d 2d Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 2d Lieutenant, 2d Infantry. Captain, 2d " t Died at Fort Mackinac, November 7, 1836. AMERICAN OFFICKRS. 85 1835. 1836. 1839. 1340. 1841. 1843. 1843. 1844. 1845. 1847. 1848. James V. Bomford, Julius J. B. Kingsbury, Marsena R. Patrick, Ejastus B. Wolcott, James W. Anderson, Samuel McKenzie, Arnold E. Jones, H.irvey Brown. John W. Phelps, John C. Pemberton Henry Holt, Patrick H. Gait, George C. Thomas, George W. Getty, Alexander Johnston, William Chapman, Spencer Norvell, Henry Whiting, John M. Jones, Rev. John O'Brien, Martin Scott, Levi H. Holden, Moses E. Merrill, William Root, John C. Robinson, John Byrne, Charles C. Keeney, George C. Westcott, Silas Casey, Joseph P. Smith, Fred Steele, Frazey M. Winans, Michael P. Doyle, Morgan L. Gage, Caleb F. Davis, William F. Chittenden, William K R. Beall, Charles H. Larnard, 2d Lieutenant, 2d Infantry. 1st 2d Bvt. 2d Lieut., 2d Assist. Surgeon, Jledical Department. 2d Lieutenant, 2d Infantry. Captain, 2d Artill. ry 2d Lieutenant, 2d Captain, 4th 1st Lieutenant, 4th 2d 4th Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department Captain, 4th Artillery. 1st Lieutenant, 4th 2d 4th Captain, 5th Infantry, 1st Lieutenant, 5th 2d 5th " 2d 5th Bvt. 2d Lieut., 5th Chaplain. Captain, 5th Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department Captain, 5th Infantry. 1st Lieutenant, 5th 2d 5th Assist. Surgeon, , Medical Department, 2d Lieutenant, 2d Infantry. Captain, 2d Bvt. 2d Lieut., 5th " 5th Captain, 15th " 2d Lieutenant, loth " Captain, 1st Mich. Vols. 2d Lieutenant, 1st 2d 1st Bvt. 2d Lieut., 4th Infantry. Captain, 4th 86 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. 1848. Hiram Dryer, 2d Lieutenant, 4th Infantry. 1849. Joseph B. Brown, Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. Joseph L. Tidbivll, Bvt. 2d Lieut., 4th Infantry. 1850. Charles H. Laub, Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 1851. David A. Russell, 1st Lieutenant, 4th Infantry. 1852. Thomas Williams, Captain, 4tli Artillery. " George W. Rains, 1st Lieutenant, 4th " Jacob Culliertson, 2d 4th " Joseph H. Bailey, Captain, Medical Department. 1854. Joseph B. Brown, Assist. Surgeon, , 1855. John H. Grelaud, 1st Lieutenant, 4th Artillery. 1856. Edward F. Bagley, 2d 4th " William R. Terrill, 1st 4th " Joseph H. Wheelock, 1st " 4th " John Byrne, Assist. Surgeon, Medical Department. 1857. Arnold Elzey, Captain, 2d Artillery. " Henry Benson, 1st Lieutenant, 2d " Guilford D. Bailey, 2d 2d 1858. Henry C. Pratt, Captain, 2d " Henry A. Smalley, 2d Lieutenant, 2d " John F. Head, Captain, Medical Department. 1859. William A. Hammond, " " " George L. Hartsuff. 1st Lieutenant, 2d Artillery. 1862. Grover S. Wormer, Captain, Stanton Guards, Mich. Vols. " Elias F. Sutton, 1st Lieutenant, " " Louis Hartmeyer, 2d " " James Knox, Chaplain, Mich. Vols. " Charles W. Le Boutillier, Assist. Surgeon, 1st Minn. Inf'y. Vols. 1866. -Jerry N. Hill, Captain, Vet. Res. Corps. " Washington L. Wood, 2d Lieutenant, " 1867. John Mitchell, Captain, 4od Infantry. •' Edwin C. Gaskill, 1st Lieutenant, 43d " Julius Stommell, 2d 43d 1869. Leslie Smith, Captain, 1st " " John Leonard, 1st Lieutenant, 1st " Matthew Markland, 2d 1st 1870. Samuel S. Jessop, Captain, Medical Department. 1871. Thomas Sharp, 1st Lieutenant, 1st Infantry. AMERICAN 0FFICEK8. S7 I«73. William M. Notson, Captain, Medical Department 1873. Carlos Carvallo, 1S74. Charles J. Dickey, Captain, 22d Infantry. " John McA. Webster, 2d Lieutenant, 22d " J. Victor De Hanne, Captain, Medical Department 1875. Alfred L. Hough, Major, 22d Infantry. 1876. Joseph Bush, Captain, 22d " Thomas H. Fisher, 1st Lieutenant, 22d " Fielding L. Davies, 2d 22d 1877. Charles A. Webb, Captain, 23d " John G. Ballance, 2d Lieutenant, ■^■M " Theodore Mosher, Jr., 2d 22d " Peter Moffat. Captain, Medical Department 1878. Oscar D. Ladley, 1st Lieutenant, 22d Infantry. 1879. Edwin E. Sellers,§ Captam, 10th " " Charles L. Davis, " 10th " Dwight H. Kelton, 1st Lieutenant. 10th " Walter T. Diiggau, 1st 10th " " Bogardus Eidridge, 2d 10th " Edward H. Plummer, 2d 10th " " George W. Adair, Captain, Medical Department. 1882. William H. Corbusier, " " 1883. John Adams Perry, 2d Lieutenant, 10th Infantry. §Died at Fort Mackinac, April Sth, 1884. LEGEND OF "LOVER'S LEAP." Many years ago, there lived a warrior on this island whose name was Wawanosh. He was the chief of an ancient family of his tribe, who had preserved the line of chieftain- ship unbroken from a remote time, and he consequently cherished a pride of ancestry. To the reputation of birth he added the advantages of a tall and commanding person, and the dazzling qualities of personal strength, courage and activity. His bow was noted for its size, and the feats he h id performed with it. His counsel was sought as much as his strength was feared, so that he came to be equally regarded as a hunter, a warrior and a counsellor. Such was Wawanosh, to whom the united voice of the nation^awarded the first place in their esteem, and the highest authority in council. But distinction, it seems, is apt to engender haughtiness in the hunter state as well as civilized life. Pride was his ruling passion, and he clung with ten- acity to the distinctions which he regarded as an inheritance. Wawanosh had an only daughter, who had now lived to witness the budding of the leaves of the eighteenth spring. Her father was not more celebrated for his deeds of strength than she for her gentle virtues, her slender form, her full, beaming hazel eyes, and her dark and flowing hair. Her hand was sought by a young man of humble parent- ao^e, who had no other merits to recommend him but such as might arise from a tall and commanding person, a manly step, and an eye beaming with the tropical tires of youth and love. These were sufficient to attract the favorable notice yO ANN'ALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. of the danghtei', but were by no means satisfactory to the father, who sought an alliance more suitable to the rank and the high pretensions of his family. "Listen to me, young man," he replied to the trembling- hunter, who had sought the interview, "and be attentive to my words. You ask me to bestow upon you my daughter, the chief solace of my age, and my choicest gift from the Master of Life. Others have asked of me this boon, who were as young, as active and as ardent as yourself. Some of these persons have had better claims to become my son-in- law. Have you reflected upon the deeds which have raised me in authority, and made my name known to the enemies of my nation ? Where is there a chief who is not proud to be considered the friend of Wawanosh? Where, in all the land, is there a hunter who lias excelled Wawanosh ? Where is there a warrior who can boast the taking of an equal num- ber of scalps ? Besides, have you not heard that my fathers came from the East, bearing the marks of chieftaincy ?" "And what, young man, have you to boast? Have you ever met your enemies in the field of battle? Have j/ow ever brought home a trophy of victory? Have you ever proved your fortitude by suffering protracted pain, enduring continued hunger, or sustaining great fatigue? Is your 7iaine known beyond the humble limits of your native vil- lage? Go, then, young man, and earn a name for yourself. It is none but the brave that can ever hope to claim an alliance with the house of Wawanosh." The intimidated lover departed, but he resolved to do a deed that should render him worthy of the daughter of Wawanosh, or die in the attemot. He called tog^ether several of his young companions and equals in years, and imparted to them his design of conducting an expedition against the enemy, and requested their assistance. Several embraced the proposal immediately ; and, before ten suns LEGEND OF " LOVEk's LEAP."' 91 set, he saw himself at the head of a formidable party of yonng warriors, all eager, like himself, to distinguish them- selves in battle. Each warrior was armed, according to the custom of the period, with a bow and a quiver of arrows, tipped with flint or jasper. He carried a sack or wallet, provided with a small quantity of parched and pounded corn, mixed with pemmican or maple-sugar. He was fur- nished with a Puggamaugun, or war-club of hard wood, fastened to a girdle of deerskin, and a stone or copper knife. In addition to this, some carried the ancient shemagun^ or lance, a smooth pole about a fathom in length, with a javelin of flint firmly tied on wuth deer's sinews. Thus equipped, and each warrior painted in a manner to suit his fancy, and ornamented with appropriate feathers, they repaired to the spot appointed for the war-dance. A level, grassy plain extended for nearly a mile from the lodge of Wawanosh along the lake shore. Lodges of bark were pj'omiscuously interspersed over this green, and here and there a solitary tall pine. A belt of yellow sand skirted the lake shore in front, and a tall, thick forest formed the background. In the center of this plain stood a high, shat- tered pine, with a clear space about, renowned as the scene of the war-dance time out of mind. Here the youths assem- bled, with their tall and graceful leader, distinguished by the feathers of the bald-eagle, which he wore on his head. A bright fire of pine wood blazed upon the green. He led his men several times around this fire, with a measured and solemn chant. Then suddenly halting, the war-whoop was raised, and the dance immediately began. An old man, sitting at the head of the ring, beat time upon the drum, while several of the elder warriors shook their rattles, and " ever and anon " made the woods re-echo with their yells. Thus they continued the dance for two successive days and nights. 92 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. At length the prophet uttered his linul prediction of suc- cess; and the warriors dropping off, one by one, from the lire, took their way to the place appointed for the rendez- vous, on the confines of the enemy's country. Their leader was not among the last to depart, but he did not leave the village without seeking an interview with the daughter of Wawanosh. He disclosed to her his firm determination never to return, unless he could establish his name as a warrior. He told her of the pangs he had felt at the bitter reproaches of her father, and declared that his soul spurned the imputation of effeminacy and cowardice implied by his language. He averred that he could never be happy until he had proved to the whole tribe the strength of his heart. He said that his dreams had not been propitious, but he should not cease to invoke the powder of the Great Spirit. He repeated his protestations of inviolable attachment, which she returned, and, pledging vows of mutual fidelity, they parted. That parting proved final. _ All she ever heard from her lover after this interview was brought by one of his success- ful warriors, who said that he had distinguished himself by the most heroic bravery, but, at the close of the fight, he had received an arrow in his breast. The enemy fled, leaving many of their warriors dead on the field. On examining the wound, it was perceived to be beyond their power to cure. Tliey carried him toward home a day's journey, but he languished and expired in the arms of his friends. From themoment the report was received, no smile was ever seen in the once happy lodge of Wawanosh. His daughter pined away by day and by night. Tears, sighs and lamentation were heard continually. Nothing could restore her lost serenity of mind. Persuasives and reproofs were alternately employed, but employed in vain. She would seek a seques- tered spot, where she would sit and sing her mournful LEGEND OF " LOVEk's LEAP." 93 laments for hours togetlier. Passages of these are yet repeated by tradition, one of wl)ich we give: THE LOON'S FOOT. I tliought it was the ioou's foot. I saw l)eneatli the tide, But no — it was my lover's shining paddle I espied; It was my lover's paddle, as my glance I upward cast, That dipped so light and gracefully as o'er the lake I passed. The loon's foot — the loon's foot, 'Tis graceful on the sea; But not so light and joyous as That paddle-blade to me. My eyes were bent upon the wave, I cast them not aside, And thought I saw the loon's foot beneath the silver tide. ■But ah! my eyes deceived me — for as my glance I cast, It was my lover's paddie-blade that dipped so light and fast. The loon's foot — the loon's foot, 'Tis sweet and fair to see; But, oh, my lover's paddle-lilade, Is sweeter far to me. The lake's wave — the long wave — the billow big and free. It wafts nie up and down, within my yellow light canoe; But while I see beneath heaven pictured as I speed, It is that beauteous paddle-blade that makes it heaven indeed. The loon's foot — the loou's foot. The bird upon the sea. Ah; it is not so beauteous As that paddle-blade to me. It was not long l)efore a small bird of beautiful plumage flew upon the rock on which she usually sat. This mysteri- ous visitor, which, from its sweet and artless notes, is called Chileeli, seemed to respond in sympathy to her plaintive voice. It was a strange bird, such as liad not before been observed. It came every day and remained chanting its 94 ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAC. notes till nightfall ; and when it left its perch, it seemed, from the delicate play of the colors of its plumage, as if it had taken its hues from the rainbow. Her fond imagination soon led her to suppose it was the spirit of her lover, and her visits to the lonely rock were repeated more frequently. She passed much of her time in fasting and singing her plaintive songs. There she pined away, taking little nour- ishment, and constantly desiring to pass away to that land of expected bliss and fi-eedom from care, where it is believed that the spirits of men will be again reunited, and tread over fields of flowery enjoyment. One evening, her lifeless l)ody was found at the foot of the rock, but when death came to her, it was not as the bearer of gloom and regrets, but as the herald of happiness. EARLY MICHIGAN, The lirst Eni-opean Settlement within the limits of the State of Michigan was by the French, In 1641, Fathers Charles Raj^mbanlt and Isaac Jogues, npon the invitation of the Ojibwa, visited the rapids of the St. Maiy's River. Untoward eircnmstances prevented the establishment of a mission. The iirst white men who passed tiie rapids, entered Lake Snperior, and coasted along the whole extent of the south- ern shore of Lake Superior, were Des Groseillers (famous for his later exploits on Hudson Bay) and another 3'oung Frenchman. They spent the winter of 1659-60 in Northern Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota, and in the followino: sum- mer returned to Canada with three hundred Indians and 200,000 livres' worth of fur. Father Renatus (Rene) Menard was the first Jesuit who labored for some time among the Indians in Upper Michigan. His stay on Keweenaw Bay lasted from October 15th, 1660, to Jul}' 13tli, 1661. About a month later he perished during an attempt to reach the Huron Settlement on tlie headwaters of the Black River (Wisconsin). In 1665, Father Allouez coasted along the suuth shore of I^ake Superior on his way to Shagawamigong (Chegoime- gong), where he founded a mission. Its site was at the head of Ashland Bay, Wisconsin. In 1668, Father James Mai-quette reached the Sault, where he was joined by Father Claudius Dablon. The settlement of Michigan begins at this period. 96 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Under fne French and British dominion, the territory was associated with tlie Canadas, l)iit became part of the territory of Virginia at the close of the war of independence, although it w^as not formally occupied by the United States until 1796. Virginia liad in the meantime ceded to the United States all of her territory northwest of the Oliio River, and Congress^ by the historical "Ordinance of 1787," passed July 13th of that year, provided for its government as the ''Northwest Territory." The first seat of government of the Northwest Territory was at Chillicothe, Ohio. By act of Congress of May 7th^ 1800, the territory was divided, preparatory to the admission of Ohio into the Union as a State, and the "Indiana Terri- tory" was erected, with the seat of government at Vinccnnes^ Indiana. By act of January, 1805, the Territory of Michi- gan was set off from the Indiana Territory, tlie seat of gov- ernment being established at Detroit. By this act, the southern boundary of Michigan was fixed by a line drawn due east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michi- gan until it intersects Lake Erie, and tlie western boundary through Lake Michigan and thence due north to the north- ern boundary of the United States. This included on the south a strip of territory, now forming a part of the State of Ohio, and did not inchide the northern or Upper Penin- sula of the now State of Micliigaii. In the year 1835, the people of Michigan took steps for forming a State Government. The admission of the State into the Union was delayed until 1837, chiefly in consequence of a disagreement in regard to the southern boundary ; tlie State of Ohio laying clain:i to the strip of territory previously referred to, which it was claimed on the other hand was within the Territory of Michigan, and which embraces within its limits the pi-esent City of Toledo. The dispute at one time threatened an armed collision, and military forces were EARLY MICHIGAN. 97 iiiustei-ed on both sides, in what is popularly known as the *' Toledo war." The difficulty was settled by the act of Congress of June, 1836, fixing the disputed boundary in accordance with the claim of Ohio, giving to Michigan, instead, the territory known as the Upper Peninsula. The seat of government remained at Detroit until 1847. when it was removed to Lansing. The land area of the State comprises two natural division^ known as the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the adjacent islands. The Upper Peninsula contains 14,451,456 acres. The Lower Peninsula contains 21,677,184 acres. There are 179 islands included within the boundaries of the State, varying in area from one acre upward, their total area being 404,730 acres. Bois-Blanc Island contains 21,351 acres. Round Island contains 180 acres. Mackinac Island contains 2,221 acres. 98 ANNALS OF FOET MACKINAC. GOVEENORS OF MICHIGAN. UMDER FRENCH DOMINION. Samuel Champlain, . Ifi22-1635 M. DE MONTMAGNY, 16;i0-1647 M. D'AlLLEBOUT, 1048-1650 M. DE Lauson 1651-10O& M. DE Lauson (son), 1656-1657 M. d'Aillebout, 1657-1658 M. d'Argenson, 1658-1660 Baron d'Avaugour, 1661-166S M. DE Mesey, 1663-1665 M. DE Courcelle, 1665-1673 Count de Frontenac 1672-1682: M. DE la Barre, 1682-1685 Marquis de Denonville, 1685-168& Count de Frontenac, 1689-1698 M. de Callieres, 1699-1703- M. de Vaudreuil, 1708-1725 M. DE Beauharnois, 1726-1747 M. DE Galissoniere, 1747-1749 M. DE la Jonquiere, 1749-1752 M. DU QuESNE, , . 1752-1755 M. DE Vaudreuil de Cavagnac, 1755-176tJ under british dominion. James Murray, 1763-1767 Guy Carleton, 1768-1777 Frederick Haldimand, 1777-1785 Henry Hamilton, 1785-1786 Lord Dorchester, 1786-1796 territorial governors. NoriJaoeiit Territory. Arthur St. Clair 1700-1800 EAULV MICHIGAN. 99 Indiana Territory. William Henry Hariuson, 1800-1805 Michigan Territory. William Huli-, George B. Porter,* Stevens T. Mason, ex officio, 1805-1813 Lewis Cass, 1818-1831 1831-1834 1834-1835 undek state authority. Stevens T. Mason William WooDiniiDOK, J. Wright Gordon, f . . . . John S. BARin', Alpheus Felch, William L. Greenly.! .... Epaphroditus Ransom John S. Barry, Robert McClelland Andrew Parsons,! • ■ • Kinsley S. Bingham. Moses Wisner, Austin Blair, Henry H. Ckai-o, .... Henry P. Baldwin, John J. Bagley Charles M. Croswell, ..... David H. Jerome, Josiah W. Begole, 183.5-1840 1840-1841 1841-1842 1842-1846 1846-1847 1847-1848 1848-1850 1850-1852 1852-1853 1853-1855 1855-1859 1859-1861 1861-1865 1865-1869 1869-1873 1873-1877 1877-1881 1881-1882 1883-1884 * Died while in office, July 6, 18-4, and was succeeded by the then Secretary of the Territory, Stevens T. Mason. + Lieutenant-Governor acting as Governor. ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. lUl NATIONAL PARK— ISLAND OF MACKINAC. Oil Miirch lltli, IsTo. Hon. T. W. Ferry, Senator from Miciiiii'an. introduced Iti the Senate the following-: lie>irdped, That so mucli of the Island of ^lackinac, lyiiii; in the Straits of Mackinac, within the County of Mackinac, in the State of Miclii.eau, as is now licld by tlie United States under military reservation or oUier- wise (excepting the Fort Mackinac and so ranch of tlic present reservation thereof as bonnds it to tlie soutli of the vi!la:i:e of Mackinac, and to the west, nortli and east respectively ')y lines drawn north and south, east and west, at a distance from tiie pi-esent fort liag-staft' of four hundred yards), herebj' is reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of tiic I'njted States, and dedicated and set apart as a National public park, or grounds, for healtli, comfort and pleasure, for the benefit and enjojnient of the people; and all persons who shall locate or settle upon or occupy the same, or any part thereof, except as herein provided, shall be considered trespassers, and removed therefrom. That said public park shall be umler the exclusive control of the Sec" retary of ^Var. whose duty it shall be. as soon as jiracticable, to make and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or proper for the care and management of the same. Such regulations shall provide for the preservation froni in jr.ry or spoliation of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders within said park, and iheir retention in their natural I'ondition. The Secretary may, in his discretion, grant leases, for building purposes, of small parcels of ground, at such places in said park as shall recpiire the erection of buildings for the accommodation of visitors, for terms not exceciding ten years; all of the proceeds of said leases, and all other revenues derived from any source connected with said ]iark, to lie expended under his direction, in Ihe management of the same and in tlie construction of roads and bridle- paths therein. He shall provide against the wanton destruction of game or ti.sli found within said park, and against their capture or destruction for any purposes of use or profit. He also shall cause all persons tres- l)as«ing upon the same, after the passage of this act, to be removed there- fi-om, and generally shall be authorized to take all such measures as shall 102 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. be necessary or proper to fully carry out the objeots and purposes of this act. That any part of the park hereby created shall at all times be available for military purposes, either as a parade or drill ground, in time of peace, or for complete occupation in time of war, or whenever war is expected, and may also be used for the erection of any public buildings or works: Provided, That no person shall ever claim or recei\e of the United States any damage on account of any future amendment or repeal of this act, or the taking of said park, or any part thereof, for public purposes or use. Senator Ferry did not forget his work or neglect his oppor- tunities, and on March 3d, 1875, after a two years' struggle, he finally procured the passage of the Act for the Mackinac National Park. His regard for this spot — his birthplace and boyhood home — led him to advocate his park bill at all times and places, until his fellow-members dubbed it " Ferry's Park." The following are the approved Rules and Kegulations for the Park at Mackinac: I. Mackinac Park will be under the immediate control and manage- ment of the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac, wlio is charged witli the duty of preserving order, protecting the public property therein, and enforcing these rules. II. All tenants renting under the Act of Congress providing therefor must conform to, and abide by, such rules and regulations as are pre- scribed for the care of the park, and will be held responsible for a com- pliance with the same on the part of the members of their families, their agents and employes. III. The sale of wines and malt or spirituous liquors on the park, without special authority from the commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac, or higher military authority, is prohibited. lY. No person shall put cattle, swine, horses or other animals on the park, except as follows: The cows belonging to the residents of the Island of Mackinac may be placed in a herd, under the care of a herder, and be permitted to graze in NATIONAL PARK. 108 sucli i)arts of the park as may he designated by the commaudiug-officer of Fort Mackinac. V. Racing or riding and driving at great speed is prohibited. VI. No person shall indulge in any threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language in the park. VII. No person shall commit any obscene or indecent act in the park. VIII. No frays, quarrels, or disorders of any kind will be permitted in the park. IX. No person shall carry or discharge fire-arms in the park. X. No person shall injure or deface the trees, shrubs, turf, natural curiosities, or any of the buildings, fences, bridges or other structures within the park. XI. No person shall injure, deface or destroy any notices, rules or regulations for the government of the park, posted, or in any other man Ber permanently fi.xed, by order or permission of the authorities of the park. XII. No person shall wantonly destroy any game or fish within the park, nor capture nor destroy the same for any purposes of use or profit. XIII. Any person wlio shall violate any of these Rules and Regula- tions shall be ejected from the park by military authority, and m case the person so offending shall have committed any offence in violation of any of the statutes of the United States, or of the State of Michigan, the offender shall be proceeded against before the United States or State courts, according to the laws providing for the same. XIV. The commanding-officer of Fort Mackinac may, at any time, add to or modify these Rules, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. When the Park was surveyed, lots were set ajDart for build- ing purposes in the following places: on tlie bluff near '■Robertson's Folly;" on the bluff on the northwest side of the island, and on the bluff extending from the old Indian hurying-ground along by '"Pontiac's Lookout." LEGEND OF "ARCH ROCK." After the Gitclie Manitou had called into existence tlic beautiful Island of Mackinac and given it into the care of the kindred spirits of earth, air and water, and had told them it was only to be the abode of peace and quiet, it was so pleasant in his own eyes that he thouo;lit, ''Here will I also come to dwell, this shall be my abode and my children may come and worshij) me here. Here in the depths of the beautiful foi'est they shall come." Then calling his messengers, he bade them fly to all lands of heat and noise and troublous insects, and tell the suffering ones of every race and clime that in these northern waters was a place prepai-ed where they could come and rest, leaving all care behind. In the straits of Mackinac, In the clear pellucid wave, Sitting like an emerald gem, Is the rock-girt Fairy Isle. Round its bold and craggy shore Sweep the billows far and wide, With a gentle sinuous swell. And the moan of distant seas. Blue its waters, blue the sky. Soft the west wind from afar Moving o'er the scented grass, And the many myriad flowers. The cool invigorating breezes shall bring health and elasti- city to the weak and weary. Plere disease shall not dare 105 106 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. invade the pleasant glens or beautiful hilltops. Here let them come and receive my blessing. " Ye shall also tell the stranger friends, who may come to seek me, tliat my royal landing is on the eastern shore ; there shall they draw up the canoes upon the pebbly beach under the shadow of the Aiiohp:d Gateway. Under the Arch which they can see from afar, let them come with songs of rejoicing — neither night or day shall it be closed to any one who may seek me. Let them land before it and pass through it and ascend to my dwelling, and worship before me. When the great spirit made known his wish to dwell with men, all nature seemed to rejoice and to make preparations for his abode. The tallest trees claimed the privilege of being the poles of his wigwam, and sweet balsam firs laid themselves at his foet for use. The birch trees unsheathed themselves and sent their bark in all its soft creamy whiteness to form the outside covering. The trees of the forest all vied with each other in seeking a }^lace in the future home of the Gitche Manitou. Scarcely had the poles fitted themselves into their places, and tlie l)ircli bark unrolled itself and arranged its clinging sheets in orderly rows upoTi the outside, when the noise of distant paddles was heard from the lake — swiftly and gaily they drew near, guided by the spirits of earth, air and water. Never had such a sight been witnessed on this earth. The Gitche Manitou, went to meet them, and stood upon the Arch and upheld his hands in blessing. As his children unloaded their offerings of beaver, white- l)ear and other skins, they marched in procession up to the gateway and fell upon their knees and offered their thanks to the great spirit for the happy privilege of contributing to the comforts of his earthly home. LEGEND OF '' AKCH EOCK." 107 " Yes, my children dear, my loved ones, I am here in joy and gladness. Here to live in peace among yon. I have come to teach yon wisdom In the arts of love and living. I accept your native offerings. These white bear, and fox skins silvery, Shall a couch of warmth and comfort Make for me when around my lire, I am resting from my labors. Of the beaver skins and otters They shall line the wigwam smoothl}^ So Ka-bi-bo-nok-ka, the north wind, Ne'er shall peep or whistle thro' them. Enter in my gateway proudly, And ascend my staircase slowly, And see the home of the Great Spirit, Where he dwells among his children." They did as he eoninianded, and when they were about to return he thus addressed them: " Now, my children, as you leave me, Forth to go upon your journeyings, Tell to all who know and love me, That whenever a chieftain Wooes and weds a dark-eyed maiden, He shall bring her here before me. Gay with garlands, sweet with roses. With the sound of music fleeting Far and near from every islet That lies sleeping in these waters. In these glittering, dark green waters. Sweetest strains of music blending Shall salute them, as the billows Of the mighty lake of wonders Bears them onward to the portals. Where my blessing will await them. And as long as they thus serve me I will dwell upon this island. Henceforth blessing youth and maiden Joined in closest bonds of wedlock. lOS LEGEND OF " ARCH KocK." But, it" ill the coining seasons, 8oine foul sjjirit roams among you, Ami destroys my loving children. This fair home that I have built tShall become a rocky^ fastness. Where they all may fly for shelter And be safe in my protection." Many, many years have passed, Tho wigwam ot the Great Sjjirit has been transmuted into stone, and is now known as the Pykaisiii). The Akchei) Gateway can still be seen as in ancient times, witli its portals guarded by tall greeii .entinels. ■rantiUT) puaH JO Xdvins tnojj saxim ajn -J'BJS UI 90U13;S!Q •laAai-aJi-Bi aAoqe iqSiI JO jqapH ;^ ;S! :S! CO ^ a)" 6 !S M W !« g d 3'S.5 i o-^ DO? :e p '"'"■■s o.r; 3 -S^SSfl'a'-'a'* ») '■" ^ 033.5 . Z ^ .a O c3 0) o ^g^Sp5ao>>aogooHHWc:ccHQC-aaSa^Ho3 O ^ « C5 — -I >- Q- CO O -I =0 3 22 mo o = " BO U S [109] LEGEND OF M4CKINAC ISLAND. There once lived an Indian in the north, who had ten daughters, all of whom grew up to womanhood. They were noted for their beauty, but especially Oweenee, the youngest, who was very independent in her way of thinking. She was a great admirer of romantic places, and paid very little attention to the numerous young men who came to her father's lodge for the purpose of seeing her. Her elder sis- ters were all solicited in marriage from their parents, and one after another went off to dwell in the lodges of their husbands, but she would listen to no proposals of the kind. At last she married an old man called Osseo,who was scarcely able to walk, and too poor to have things like others. They jeered and langhed at her on all sides, but she seemed to be quite happy, and said to them, " It is my choice, and you will see in the end who has acted the wisest." Soon after, the sisters and their husbands and their parents were all invited to a feast, and as they walked along the path, they could not help pitying their young and handsome sister, who had such an unsuitable mate. Osseo often stopped and gazed upward, but thev could perceive nothing in the direction he looked, unless it was the faint glimmering of the evening star. They heard him muttering to himself as they went along, and one of the elder sisters caught the words, '' Sho-wain-ne-me-shin nosa."* " Poor old man," said she, " he is talking to his father, what a pity it is that he would not fall and break his neck, that our sister might have a handsome young husband." Pres- *Pity me, my father. [Ill] 112 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. ently they passed a large liollow log, lying with one end to- ward the path. The moment Osseo, who was of the turtle totem, came to it, he stopped short, uttered a loud and peculiar yell, and then dashing into one end of the log, he came out at the other, a most beautiful young man, and springing back to the road, he led off the party with steps as light as the reindeer. But on turning round to look for his wife, behold, she had been changed into an old, decrepit woman, who was bent almost double, and walked with a cane. The husband, however, treated her very kindly, as she had done him during the time of his enchantment, and constantly addressed her by the term of ne-ne-moosh-a, or my sweet-heart. When they came to the hunter's lodge with whom they were to feast, they found the feast ready prepared, and as soon as their entertainer had finished his harangue (in which he told them his feasting was in honor of the Evening or Woman's Star), thej- began to partake of the portion dealt out, according to age and character, to each one. The food \vas very delicious, and they were all happy but Osseo, wlio looked at his wife and then gazed upward, as if he was looking into the substance of the sky. Sounds were soon lieard, as if from far-off voices in the air, and they became plainer and plainer, till he could clearly distinguish some of the words." " My SOD — my son," said the voice, " I have seen your afflictions and pity your wants. I come to call you away fi'om a scene that is stained with blood and tears. The earth is full of sorrows. Giants and sorcerers, the enemies of mankind, walk abroad in it, and are scattered tlii'ough- out its length. Every night they are lifting their voices to the Power of Evil, and every day they make themselves busy in casting evil in the hunter's path. You have long been their victim, but shall be their victim no more. The LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND. IV spell you were under is broken. Your evil genius is over- -come. I have cast him down by my superior strength, and •this strength I now exert for your happiness. Ascend, iiiy son — ascend into the skies, and partake of the feast I have prepared for you in the stars, {^nd bring with you those y^ou love. "The food set before you is enchanted and blessed. Pear not to partake of it. It is endowed with magic power to give immortality to mortals, and to change men to spirits. Your bowls and kettles shall be no longer wood and earth. The one shall became silver, and the other wampum. They shall shine like fire, and glisten like the most beautiful scarlet. Every female shall also change her state and looks, and no longer be doomed to laborious tasks. She shall put on the beauty of the starlight, and become a shining bird of the air, clothed with shining feathers. She shall dance and not work — she shall sing and not cry." "My beams," continued the voice, "shine faintly on your lodge, but they have power to transform it into the light- ness of the skies, and decorate it with the colors of the •clouds. Come, Osseo, my son, and dwell no longer on «arth. Think strongly on my words, and look steadfastly at my beams. My power is now at its height. Doubt not — -delay not. It is the voice of the Spirit of the stars that ■calls you away to happiness and celestial rest." The words were intelligible to Osseo, but his companions thought them some far-off sounds of music, or birds singing in the woods. Very soon the lodge began to shake and tremble, and they felt it rising into the air. It was too late to run out, they were already as high as the tops of the trees. Osseo looked around as the lodge passed throngh the topmost boughs, and behold ! their wooden dishes were changed into shells of a scarlet color, the poles of the lodge 114 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. to glittering wires of silver, and the bark tliat covered thein into the gorgeous wings of insects. A moment more, and his brothers and sisters, and their parents and friends, were transformed into birds of various plumage. Some were jays, some partridges and pigeons, and others gay singing birds, who hopped about, displaying their glittering feathers, and singing their song. But Oweenee still kept her earthly garb, and exhibited all the indications of extreme age. He again cast his eyes in the direction of the clouds, and uttered that peculiar yell, which had given him the victory at the hollow log. In a moment the youth and beauty of his wife returned ; her dingy garments assumed tlie shining appearance of green silk, and her cane was changed into a silver feather. The lodge again shook and trembled, for they were now passing through the uppermost clouds, and they immediately after found themselves in the Evening Star, the residence of Osseo's father. " My son," said the old man, " hang that cage of birds, which you have brought along in your hand, at the door, and I will inform you why you and your wife have been sent for." Osseo obeyed the directions ; and then took his seat in the lodge. " Pity was shown to you," resumed the king of the star, " on account of the contempt of your wife's sisters, who laughed at her ill fortune, and ridiculed you while you were under the power of that wicked spirit, whom you overcame at the log. That spirit lives in the next lodge, being a small star you see on the left of mine, and he has always felt envious of my family, because we had greater power than he had, and especially on account of our having had the care committed to us of the female world. He failed in several attempts to destroy your brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, but succeeded at last in transforming yourself and your wife into decrepit old per- sons. You must be careful and not let the light of his LEGEND OF MACKINAC ISLAND. 115 beams fall on you while you are here, for therein is the power of his enchantment ; a ray of light is the bow and arrow he uses." Osseo lived happy and contented in the parental lodge, and in due time his wife presented him with a son, who grew up rapidly, and was the image of his father. He was very quick and ready in learning everything that was done in his grandfather's dominions, but he wished also to learn the art of hunting, for he had heard this was a favorite pursuit below. To gratify him, his father made him a bow and arrows, and he then let the birds out of the cage that he might practise in shooting. He soon became an expert, and the very lirst day brought down a bird, but when he went to pick it up, to his amazement, it was a beautiful young woman with the arrow sticking in her breast. It was one of his aunts. The moment her blood fell upon the surface of that pure and spotless planet, the charm was dissolved. The boy immediately found himself sinking, but was partly upheld, by something like wings, till he passed through the lower clouds, and he then suddenly dropped upon a high, romantic island. He was pleased on look- ing up to see all his aunts and uncles following him in the form of birds, and he soon discovered the silver lodge, with his father and mother, descending with its waving barks looking like so many insects' gilded wings. It rested on the highest cliffs of the island, and here they fixed their residence. They all resumed their natural shapes, but were diminished to the size of fairies ; as a mark of homage to the King of the Evening Star, they never fail, on every pleasant evening during the summer season, to join hands and dance upon the top of the rocks. These rocks were quickly observed by the Indians to be covered, in moonlight evenings, with a larger sort of Puk Wudj Ininees, or little men, and were called Mish-in-e-rnok-in-ok-ong, or txirile 116 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. spirits^ whence the island derives is name. Their shining lodge can be seen in the summer evenings when the moon shines strong!}^ on the pinnacles of the rocks, and those who go near those high cliffs at night can hear the voices of the happy little dancers. ANCIENT NAMES OF RIVERS, LAKES, ETC. Lalce Ontario. — Champlain called it " Lao St. Louis / " Coiuit de Froutenac, in 1674, called it "■ Ontario ;'''' on San- son's map, 1679, it appears '■''Ontario ou Lac de St. Louis ; " it had also the name '''' Frontenac ','''' Hennepin called it " Ontario or Frontenac ; " Tonti and Father Menibre call it *''■ Lake Frontenac ','''' on De L'Isle's maps, 1700 and 1703, it appears as '"''Lac Ontario^ Lake Erie. — This name, says Mr. Baldwin, was derived from the tribe of Fries, on the south shore; the same tribe was also called the Gat nation. Hennepin called it " Erie,'''' also '^Contyi " and Sanson's map, 1679, gives it " Erie Lac j " Membre called it '■'■ de Contyj^^ De L'Isle's maps give it *' Lac Erie.'' Lake LLuron. — Champlain called it '■'' Mer Douce;'''' Father Membre, as well as Hennepin, called it " Lake Orleans;'''' De L'Isle maps, 1703 and 1718, give it '■'■ Lac Huron ou Michigane ;'" on his map of 1700, it appears as " L. des LLurons.'" Lake Superior. — Marquette's map gives it " Lac Superieur ou de Tracy / " Hennepin called it '' Lake Conde ; " on De L'Isle's maps it is "Z<^c Superieur ;'' Senex's map, 1719, and Coxe's of 1721, call it ^'- Nadouessians.''' Lake Mickigan. — Marquette, Dablon," and LaSalle, called it the lake of the '■'' llinois ;'" Claude AUouez, in 1676, reached this lake on the eve of St. Joseph ; he said " we give it the name of that great Saint, and shall henceforth [117] 118 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. call it " Lake St. Joseph', " Allouez was the first to give it the name of ''•Lake Machihiganing ; " LaSalle and Father Meiiabre call it "-Lake Dauphin ^''^ St. Cosine called it '•'■Miesitgan^^ and also '■^ Missigan ^''^ Marest was one of the first to call it Lake Mich'igun. Note. — The name as spelled by Allouez comes nearest the Indian pronounciation, which is Mashiiganing or Mishii- ganing, the double i being pronounced e-e. The term signifies "a clearing," and was first applied to the north-western shores of Lower Michigan where there were large ancient clearings. Lake St. Clair. — Hennepin wrote it '■^St. Clare /" on the map of De L'Isle, of 1700, it is "Z. de Ste. Claire ;'''' on his maps of 1703 and 1718, it appears "Zac Ganatchio ou Ste. Claire.''^ Shea says "it received its name in honor of the founder of the Franciscan nuns, from the fact that LaSalle reached it on the day consecrated to her." Mississippi River. — One or more of the outlets of this river was discovered in the year 1519, by the Spanish officer, Don Alonzo Alvarez Pineda j he named the river "i?/o del Espiritu Santo.'''' De Soto named it "Z'Z Rio Grande del Florida.''^ Marquette, on his map, gave it the name " de la Conception • " he also used the name Missipi. LaSalle, Membre, Hennepin, and Douay called it the "Co^- hert ;'''' Joutel said the Indians called it '■^ Meechassippi ^ ^^ but he called it the '''•Colbert or Mississippi f on De L'Isle's map it is ^^Mississippi " and "xS'. Louisf Allouez first speaks of it as ^'■Messipi " and again as the '■^ Messi-sipi /" St. Cosme calls it ^^ Micissipi.''^ Note. — The name of the river, in the principal Algonquin dialects, is " Mishisihi " (pronounced Me-she-se-he) meaning "large river." The translation " Father of "Waters " is a poetical license. ANCIENT NAMES OF EIVEBS, LAKES, ETC. 119 Missouri River. — Marquette called it the ^''Pekitanoixi^'' meaning tmtddy water j the Recollects called it " the River of Ozagesf Membre called it the ^'•Ozagef on De L'lsle's maps, 1703, 1718, it is " le Missouri ou de R. Pekitanoni;^^ Coxe called it " Yellow River^'' or '•'•River of the Massorites.''^ Ohio River. — Marquette called the lower Ohio '•'' Ouahous- kigouf Joutel called it '•'•Douo or Ahachaf from the mouth of the Ohio to the Wabash and up that stream was known as the '•'• Ouahaohe^'' so it was called by Membre, St. Cosme, and LaHontan. Above the Wabash, the Ohio was more particularly known as '•''Ohio ott Belle Riviere^'' the river is so called on De L'lsle's map, 1703. Evans, in 1755, calls it " Ohio or Alleghany or La Belle." Illinois River. — Marquette speaks of it, but gave it no name ; on Franquelin's map it appears '•''Riviere des Ilinois ou Macopiiisf LaSalle called it the '•'•Seignlaif Fathers Hennepin and Membre the '•' Seignelay i^^ Dablon not only applied to one of the upper branches of the Illinois (the Desplaines) the name ^'St. Louis^'' but to the continuation, the Illinois itself ; Coxe called it the '•'•ChiGagoiif De L'lsle's map, 1718, gives it '•'• Riv. des Ilinois.''^ Des Plaines River. — LaSalle, in 1680, called the Des- plaines the '•^Divine River /" Membre and Charlevoix did the same. La Salle afterward, however, called it the '•'•Che- eagou.^^ Dablon called it '•'•St. Louis River,^^ including^ perhaps, the continuation, the Illinois ; Franquelin's map, 1684, gives it '•'• PeanghichiaP The river was frequently called the '■'•Chicagouf see De L'lsle's map, 1718, and D'Anville's, 1755. Chicago^ and River. — Marquette called it " Portage River f LaSalle applies the name '•'• Checago'''' to this locality, but his Checago River was generally the Des- 120 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. jplahies; Franqnelin's map, 1684, gives to this locality or river the name of '"'■ Cheagoumeinan,^^ and to another stream ■"^. Chekagouf Tonty, in 1685, says that he arrived at the ^'■Fortof Checagouy St. Cosme calls it " Chikagou,^'' ^''Chi- cagu^'' '■^Chicaqw,^'' and also " CliimgSP LaHontan, 1703, has it " ChegakouP Senex, 1710, gives it '■'■GheGagouf'* De L'Isle's maps have it " Checagou^^^ also " Chicagou /" Moll, 1720, gives it " Chekakou; " Charlevoix, " Chicagou.''^ Col. De Peyster speaks of it as ''''Eschecagou,'''' and again as '■^Esohicagou^ a river and Fort at the head of Lake Michigan." Popple's atlas, 1733, has it '■''Fort Miamis ou Ouamisf Mitchell, 1755, "i?. and Port Chicagou,^* and Sayer & Bennett's map, 1797, says '•'•Point Chicago RiverP Sandusky Bay. — On De L'Isle's map, 1718, it appears "Z<2C San-dou-ske.^^ Saginaw Bay. — On De L'Isle's maps, 1703 and 1718, it appears '■^Baye de Saguina^'' and '■^Baye Saguinamf Coxe called it the ^''Sakinam^ Note. — " Osaginang^'' or " Osakinang^'' is the Indian name, derived from " Osagi^'' or " Osaki.'''' The Sacs lived on the Saginaw and Titibewasse before removing to Wisconsin. PattersorCs Point. — A rocky point of land on the north «hore of Lake Michigan, some sixty miles from Mackinac, is so-called, from the fact that Mr. Charles Patterson, one of the principal members of the Northwest Fur Company, with all his crew, was there drowned about the year 1788. Marquette River. — On De L'Isle's map, 1703, it is " R. Marquet ; " Charlevoix called it " River Marquette,''^ or "*' River of the Black Role.'''' Isle Royal, Lake Superior. — On De L'Isle's maps, 1700 And 1703, it appears " /. Monong ; " Coxe calls it ^'Minong^ Note. — ^'' Minong'''' is the Indian name. ANCIEJS'T NAMES OF KIVERS, LAKES, ETC. J2i MichiliinaGkinaG. — Marquette called it " Miohiliinaki- nong j'''' Hennepin and Membre speak of it as '"'■ Missili- rtiakinak ', " Joutel called it " MiGiliinaqxiinay / " De L'Isle's map, 1703, calls it " Isle et Hahitation de Missiliinakinacr Note. — Marquette came nearest the Indian pronunciation of the word, which is " MishinimakinangP The change of " n " into " ^," by the French, is frequent in Indian names. Green Bay. — Marquette called it '''■Bay of the Fetid ^^^ Hennepin and Membre did the same. Marquette says the Indians called it ^^ Salt Bay ; " St. Cosme called it ^^ Bay of Btcants;" on De L'Isle's maps, 1700 and 1718, it appears as " Baye des Puans^ Milwaukee River. — Membre calls it '•'■ Melleoki • '''' St. Cosme termed it " Melwarik ; " on De L'Isle's map, of 1718^ it is called " Mdlekiy Note. — " Minewag " is the Indian name. Fox River of Illinois. — Joutel, on his map, gives it '■''Pe- teseouyi''^ St. Cosme calls it '■'' Pistrui j''^ Charlevoix calls it " Pisticoui.''^ Wisconsin River. — Father Marquette called it the " 3Ies- consing :'''' Hennepin quotes the Indians as calling it the '^ OusGonsin'''' or ^''MisGonsinr Membre called it the -'JSles- concing / " St. Cosme, the " WesGonsin.''^ Note. — The Indian name is " Wiskkosing,'^ the ''6>" having the nasal sound of tiie French " c/i." 122 ANNALS OF FOBT MACKINAC. COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS, AT MACKINAC. 180 l-G David Duncan. 1843-49 1806-10 George Hoffman. 1849-33 1810 Harris H. Hickman. 1853-55 1810-15 Samuel Abbott. 1855-61 1815-16 William Gamble. 1861-67 1816-18 John Rogers. 1867-71 1818-33 Adam D. Stewart. 1871- 1833-43 Abraham Wendell. Samuel K. Haring. Charles E. Avery. Alexander Toll. Jacob A. T. Wendell. John W. McMath. S. Henry Lasley. James Lasley. INDIAN AGENTS. Agents for Mackinac and Vicinity: 1816-24 Wm. H. Puthuff. 1861-65 D. C. Leach. 1824-33 George Boyd. 1865-69 Richard M. Smith. 1883-41 Henry R. Schoolcraft. 1869 Wm. H. Brockway. 1841-45 Robert Stuart. 1869-71 James W. Long. 1845-49 Wm. a. Richmond. 1871 Richard M. Smith. 1849-51 Chas p. Babcock. 1871-76 George I. Betts. 1851-53 Rev. Wm. Sprague. 1876-82 George W. Lee. 1853-57 Henry C. Gilbert. 1882- Edward P. Allen. 1857-61 Andrew M. Fitch. MACKINAC COUNTY, PROBATE COURT JUDGES. Bela Chapman. Alexander Toll. Bela Chapman. George C. Ketchum. George T. Wendell. Benoni Lachance. Thomas Chambers. 1823-25 William H. Puthuff. 1860-65 1825-29 Jonathan N Bailey. 1805 1829-33 B. Hoffman. 1866-73 1833-40 Michael Dousman. 1873-77 1840-44 Bela Chapman. 1877-79 1844-48 William Johnson. 1879-81 1848-53 Bela Chapman. 1881- 1853-(i0 JoN.\THAN P. King. VILLAGE OFFICERS. 123 MACKINAC VILLAGE, PRESIDENTS. Wardens or Presidents of the Borough or incorporation in 1817-31 Wm. H. Puthupf. 1848 1832 George Boyd. 1849 1823 Wm. H. Puthupf. 1850-55 1824-35 Michael Dousman. 1856 1826 Jonathan N. Bailey. 1861 1827-30 Samuel Abbott. 1872 1831 Edward Biddle. 1873 18 .2-43 Samuel Abbott. 1874 1844 Edward Biddle. 1875-76 1845 Samuel Abbott. 1877-81 1845 Abraham Wendell. 1882 1846 Bela Chapman. 1883- Village of Mackinac, since its 1S17: Augustus Todd. Bela Chapman. Augustus Todd. Jonathan P. King. John B. Couchois. John Becker. Wm. Madison. Dr. John R. Bailey. Edwin C. Gaskill. Wm. P. Preston. Horace A. N. Todd. Wm. P. Preston. POSTMASTERS. Postmasters at Mackinac since the establishment of tJie Post Office in 1819: The Office was knoxon as Michilimackinac until 1825. 18^9-22 Adam D. Stewart. 1859-61 1822-25 John W. Mason. 1861-66 1835-29 Jonathan N. Bailey.* 1866-67 1839-49 Jonathan P. King. 1867-77 1849-53 James H. Cook. 1877-80 1853-59 Jonathan P. King. 1880- ♦First Postmaster at Chicago. Appointed March 31st, 1831. The first post-olflce on this side of the Atlantic was established by Gov. Lovelace, at New York, in 1673. John Biddle. James Lasley. John Becker. James Lasley. George C. Ketchum. James Lasley. MACKINAC COUNTY, CLERKS. Clerks of the County from its organization in 1818: 1818-21 Thomas Lyon. 1855-58 John Becker, 1833-34 F. HiNCHMAN. 1859-68 1825-46 Jonathan P. King. 1864 1847-52 P. C. Kevan. 1865- 1853-54 Wm. M. Johnston. Wm. M. Johnston. Charles O'Mallet. John Biddle. THE GIANT FAIRIES. Long years before the white man came into these regions, many fairies lived here, rollicking fairies, who laughed and danced and sung their lives away. Every flower and bush and tree, every rock and hill and glen, was thickly peopled with these canny folk, and on moonlight nights all the Indians in their wigwams sat in breathless attention — Then they hear, now sweet and low, Sounds as of a distant lyre, Touciied by fairy hands so light That the trembling tones scarce ai'e heard. What the music none can tell. So unearthly and so pure, — But it seems as if the notes Loosened all the magic sounds Held within the tinkling grass, — In the mosses and the ferns, In the vines which climb and creep, In the flowers of every hue, — In the heavy-folded rose, In the violets at its feet, In the lily's gentle swing. Sweeping o'er the lonely streams. Through the sands on deserts low. Through the snows on mountains high. Through the flowers on the plains, Through the sylvan shady bowers, Through the forests dark and hoar. Through the lofty oaks and elms, [125] 126 ANNALS OF FORT MAOKINAO, Through the leaves of tulip trees, Through catalpas, white with bloom, Through magnolias kingly crowned, Through the poplars, amber sweet, Through the towering cypresses, Pendant with the gray old mosses, Patriarchs of the lowlier tribes. With the sound of laughing brooks, And the notes of singing birds ; Softened by the cooing dove, By the plover's gentle dip, By the lonely, limpid rills, By the silence, deep, profound, Resting o'er the wilderness. With the thunder's distant roar. Rolling, rumbling through the sky. Over mountains, hills, and plains, Over rivers, lakes, and seas; Chiming with the overture In its massive undertones, Mellowing, melting all its chords Into dulcet harmonies; Into dirge-like requiems; Into rhythmic symphonies; Gathering all the breath of song In its weird and wayward moods; In its plaintive, touching strains; In its playful laughing trills; In its wild and fearful tones; Trancing all the insect tribes, Hid in thicket, bush, and grove; — Butterflies, of every hue. Bees, of wondrous skill and lore; Beetles, puzzled, lost, and wild; Mites and emmets, flies and gnats, Maddened, ravished, filled with joy,— Frenzied with the flush of song. THE GIANT FAIRIES. 127 Birds, in forest, tree, and copse. In the jungle, in the grass. Near the lonely stream and lake, On the wing in winding iiocks, Wildered with the rapturous sounds, Pause to listen, still and mute, Till the tempest rushes past, — O, the music ! O, the sweet ! Breathing fragrance, breathing song, Mingling all of earth and air That can charm the wakened sense. Thus with odors rich and rare, Music lent its magic power. Dirge and requiem, ditty, lay, Fugue and march, and waltz and hymn Silvei'-toned, euphonious, grave; Chimes of measured step and grace, Dulcet strains of sweetest rhythm. Overtures of matchless sweep, — All that fills the hungry air, All that wakes the sleeping sense. Blending with the virgin soil; With the creeping juniper, With the cedar and the pine. With the rich magnolia's bloom, With the jasmine and the grape. With the scent of early fruits; — Such the music, such the air, Sweeping westward o'er the lakes. Such, — the Isle of Mackinac. It was upon the eastern rock-bound shore that the giant fairies most loved to congregate. There they skipped up and down their famous stairway, and, flinging themselves into the water, would disappear in its depths, perhaps to rise again on the back of some immense sturgeon or whitefish, the reindeer of the lakes, for a race through, the sparkling water. 128 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. These genii lived in the many caves in the rocks. In the- depths of their quiet homes were — Tables, crowned with daintiest food, Wine of berries, rich and sweet ; Beds of eider-down and moss; CI I ambers, opening to the sea. Filled with sparkling stalactites ; Rubies bright, and amethysts, Diamonds flashing, filled with light; Marble halls and palaces ; Corridors, of awful length. Stretching westward toward tbe sun, Opening into distant halls, Wildering to the aching sight. Wide the pavements covered o'er With the shells of every hue ; Lichens green, and red, and white, Spreading wider, flush and fair, Sprinkled with the aureate dust Found within their hidden caves. Their favorite dancing place was the platean jnst below whei'e the fort now stands, and the entrance to their subter- ranean abode was under the immense rock that supports one of the corners of the wall. Here their mystic ring, was kept, and on moonlight nights- they gathered from far and near — At twilight on the lonely Isle, 'Mid the rustling of the leaves, And the chirp of dainty birds. And the notes of whip-poor-wills, — Oft was heard the mystic dance Of Giant Fairies, lithe of step. Moving in their sinuous sweep To the sounds of lute and string. Now, where the rippling waters play, Or on the billow's gentle swell. Laughing, rollicking and free. THE GIAXT FAIKIES. 129 Or clambering Donan's Obelisk, With towering leap and sportive romp, With heyday pranks, and leer, and jest, They reel, and minuet, and waltz, In wassail mirth and jollit3^ Upon Ledyard's lofty Cuffs they pei-ch, In graceful curves they reach the Akch That hangs upon the eastern shore, — Now gently tripping round its base, They climb upon its rugged sides, And sweeping o'er its dizzy height, With rapid flight and easy grace. They move around the Pyramid, And peep within its secret caves, Or stand upon its star-lit shaft; — And then, away, away, away, They sweep around the grand plateau That sits enthroned upon the Isle; — Within Skull Cave they barely peep, RuGGLEs' Pillar, they lightly touch. To Whitney's Point, they hie away, Thence, the Lover's Leap they climb. Here the tramping fe'fet were heard Of the Pe-quod-e-nonge dance. When the gathering warriors came Plumed and painted for the fight; — And the startling yell was heard O'er the Island — o'er the straits, O'er the waters, deep and clear. O'er the Huron and its shores, O'er the breezy Michigan; Suddenly La Salle's morning gun from the " Griffon " ran^ out on the breeze and echoed and re-echoed witli many re- verberations from the adjacent shores. With horrible shrieks and cries and groans they flew from all parts of the island, and entering their cave disappeared evermore from mortal view. 130 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Reluctantly they left the Isle When the " pale faces " touched upon Their native waters, rocks, and hills; — For only will they deign to dwell Where the wild hunter seeks his food And claims the forest all his own. I sing of the fairies fled, I know not where they are. Whether living, dying, or dead. On the earth, or some distant star. In the hollow wastes, or the vacant caves. In the shadowy, dreamless land, Where the river of Lethe gently laves Its footless and dusky sand, — Far, far away is the spectral band. Over the silent moor, Over the secret dell, Over the waters fresh and pure With music's magic spell. Hither and thither they went. Now rapid, or grave, or slow, Till the drowsy hours were spent And the morning began to glow. But we see them now no more, We hear them not at even. By river, or lake, or lonely shore, Beneath the western heaven. And thus have the fairies left our shore, Their beautiful forms we shall see no more; The caves are forsaken, the mountain and plain, Our Island home shall greet them— never again. PRIESTS. 131 PRIESTS. The following Priests of the Roman Catholic Clinrch have served at Michilimackinac : The dates opposite their names indicate the first and last year of their stay ; or, as the case may be, of their visits ; for many of them made only occasional visits, having other parishes, or missions, in their charge. Their names are marked thus *. The first church on the main land, north of the Strait, was built in 1671 ; the second about 1674 ; burnt in 1706. The present church was built in 1838. The first church on the main land, south of the Strait, was built about 1712, when the post was re-established ; the second, about 1741. The first church on the island was built about 1785. It occupied a part of the old cemetery on Astor street. The second was erected in 1827, on the site of the present one, on land donated by Mrs. Magdalene Laframboise. The present building was erected in 1873. Beneath the altar are the graves of Mrs. Magdalene Laframboise, her only daughter, and grandson, Langdon Pierce (wife and son of Capt. Benjamin K. Pierce, U. S. A.). On the marble slabs over their graves are the following inscriptions : "Magdalene Laframboise, died April 14th, 1846, aged 66 years." " Josephine Pierce, died November 24th, 18'30." In "Ancient Michilimackinac" (St. Ignace). 1670. Rev. Father Dablon, S. J. (or possibly Marquette.) 1671-73. Rev. Father James Marquette, S. J. 1673 (?) Rev. Father Philip Pierson, S. J. 132 ANNALS OF FOKT MACKINAC. 1674 (?) Rev. Father Henr}^ Nouvel, S. J. 1677 (?) Rev. Father J. Enjah-an, S. J. 1680-81. Rev. Father Louis Hennepin, Franciscan.* 16?? (?) Rev. Father De Carheil, S. J. 16??-1706. Rev. Father J. Marest, S. J. In " Old Mackinac " (Lower Michigan). 1708 (?) Rev. Father J. Marest, S. J. 1741-52. Rev. Father J. B. Lamorinie, S. J.* 1741-65. Rev. Father Du Jaunay, S. J. 1742-44. Rev. Father C. G. Coquarz, S. J.* 1753-61. Rev. Father M. L. Lefrauc. S. J. 1768-75. Rev. Father Gibault, Vic. -Gen. of Illinois.* On the Island and in Modern St. Ignace. 1786-87. Rev. Father Payet, of Illinois.* 1794. Rev. Father Ledru, Dominican, of France.* 1796. Rev. Father Levadoux, of Detroit, Vic. -Gen. of the Bishop of Baltimore.* 1799-1823. Rev. Father G. Richard, Curate of St. Ann, Detroit, and Vicar-General.* 1801. Rev. Father J. Dilhet.* 1816-18. Rev. Father Joseph Crevier, of Canada.* 1825-27. Rev. Father Francis Vincent Badiu of St. Joseph's.* 1827-30. Rev. P. J. De Jean, of Little Traverse Bay.* 1829-31. Rt. Rev. Edward Fenwick, Bishop of Cincinnati.* 1830. Rev. Father Mallon, of Cincinnati. 1830-83. Rev. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican. 1830-38. Rev. Father Frederic Rese, Vic. -Gen. of Cincinnati, Bishop of Detroit, 1834.* 1831-65. Rev. Father Frederic Baraga, of Little Traverse Bay. Afterwards (1853-68) Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette.* 1833. Rev. Father J. Lostrie. 1833-34. Rev. Father Francis Hatscher, Redemptorist 1838-43. Rev. Father Santi Santelli. PRIESTS. 133 1834-m "Rev. Father F. J. Bouduel. 1843-45. Rev. Father C. Skolla, Franciscan. 1845. Rev. Father H. Vau Renterghem. 1845-52. Rt. Rev. P. Lefevre, Bishop of Detroit.* 1846-74. Rev. Father A. D. Piret, retired to " Chenaux." 1870. 1852. Rev. Father Fraocis Pierz, of Little Ti'a verse Baj'.* 185-1-57. Rev. Father E. L. M. Jahan. 1858-01. Rev. Father Patrick B. Murray. 1861-67. Rev. Father Henry L. Thiele (two terms). 1868. Rev. Father Charles Magne. 1868-71. Rev. Father Matthias Orth. 1869-70. Rev. Father Philip S. Zorn, of Grand Traverse Bay.* 1870-71. Rev. Father Nicolas L. Sifferath, of Cross Village.* 1871. Rev. Father Charles Vary, S. J., of Sault Ste. Marie.* 1871-79. Rt. Rev. Ignatius Mrak, Bishop of Marquette.* 1871-72. Rev. Father L. B. Lebouc. 1872-73. Rev. Father Moses Mainville. 1873-83. Rev. Father Edward Jacker. 1875-78. Rev. Father William Dwyer. 1878-79. Rev. Father John Braun. 1879-81. Rev. Father John C. Kenny. 1880-81. Rev. Father C. A. Richard. 1880-82. Rt. Rev. John Vertin, Bishop of Marquette.* 1881. Rev. Father Bonaveuture Frey, Prov. Cap. Order.* 1881-82. Rev. Father Kilian Haas, O. M. Cap. 1881-82. Rev. Father Isidore Handtmann, O. M. Cap. 1882-84. Rev. Father John Chebul. 1883. Rev. Father Joseph Niebling. 1883-84. Rev. Father P. G. Tobin. LEGEND OF MISHINI-MAKINAC. 135 LEGEND OF "MISHINI-MAKINAK." Note : — There is a tradition that many centuries ago while a party of Indians were standing on the bluff where St. Ignace is now located, and looking out over the straits they saw the present Island of Mackinac rising out of the water, and beliving it was some animal, from its movements and shape they pronounced it to be a turtle. The Island was known to the early French visitors as " Michilimackinac: " popular tradition says that the meaning of the word is " Giant Turtle," In the Ojibwa dialect as now spoken, " Mishimikinak " signifies " Big Turtle." Edisoked. — A story teller ; one who repeats and hands down the tales of Mena-bosho and other kindred legendary lore. Eh heh ! Eh heh ! — is the usual refrain of Indian magic songs. Where the restless currents of Michigan The twin-born Huron embrace, Along the headland there sat a clan Of the wild Ojibwa race. In the noontide calm, on the sleepy shore, Reposed the lords of the land, While the story-teller's mystic lore Beguiled the simple band. Thus spake the prattling Edisoked; — "A wigwam stands in the deep; Enchanted lies in the channel's bed The Giant Turtle asleep. 130 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Around him paddle whitefish and trout, Tlie slow worm creeping goes; The sea-gull's scream and the i-over's shout Break not his cliarmed repose. Rise up, rise up, O Turtle grey; Rise up, thou chief of the lake, Thy cousins call thee, — eh heh! eh heh! Enchanted Turtle, awake. The lake lay calm and the wind was hush'd, But lo! there rose a swell; The surges over the pebbles rushed The song had broken the spell. It heaves; it eddies. Alack! Alack! The breakers tower and fall; Unwieldy Mishini-makinak Toils up to answer the call. Already whitens the flood mid-way Twixt shore and shore. On the strand, Along the headland, in blank dismay The brown Ojibwa stand. And slowly, softly the rounded back Emerging meets the eye, Till all of MiSHINl-MAKIXAK Lies basking 'neath the sky. He floats, a mammoth in turtle shape, An overturned bowl, the back; The dragging tail a fleshy cape. The jowl a headland black. The mighty shell like an island lies, At anchor out in the lake. *Tis not an isle. O strange surprise! 'Tis the Chief uncharmed, awake! Unmoved, alike, by the billow's sweep, By the tempest's battering shock, Severe and calm in the azure deep, He stands a lowerino; rock. LEGEND OF MISll INl-MAKIN AK. 18" But alert within that frowning form The spirit blithe and gay, With fairy sprites, that 'round him swarm, Communes by night and day. The dappled trout and the whitefish come Up-Iake, down over the Falls; His children all from their silent home To the gay carouse he calls. The Red Man — eager yet doubtful, while The silver tide runs past, Enticed, bewitched, to the magic isle His birch bark paddles at last. And one there comes in robe of black, With face so sweet and grave. That frowning Mishini-makinak Smiles on hira from the wave. With toilworn feet, a pilgrim quaint, The holy cross in his hand From la belle Pr((nce he comes, good saint, To sleep on the rocky strand. And over the waves as the chief grows old, In storm or sunshine gay. The LiLv, Lion and Eagle bold Tlieir homage come to pay. On hoary Mishini-makinak Their several flags unfurl. While wrestling, each from the giant's back The other seeks to hnrl. Oh! sure is the flight to the mother bee Of the humming swarms of the hive; But surer, swifter, from land and sea, The Chieftain's vassals arrive. From prairies far and their burning heat, From Hudson's shivering bay; From the western peaks, at the Giant's feet They flock their wealth to lay. 138 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. The skiff, the light canoe, the smack, The merchant's ship in their wake, All bound for Mishini-makinak Are plowing river and lake. Bright, broken dream! It calls not back That gay ehivalric time: — Wilt thou still honor old Makinak, Age of the dollar and dime ? Behold the answer! Do not these things Arabian marvels eclipse? y On comes — on comes, — as on eagle's wings, A fleet of wingless ships ! With panting bosom, — with splashing gait, With dull monotonous roar, They come, — their frolicsome human freight In the Sorcerer's lap to pour. There all, in sweet oblivion lost, (The touch of witcliery's wand.) Their ailments ofi^er a holocaust At Giant Tuetle's command. MACKINAC ISLAND. LAKE NAVIGATION. 13b MACKINAC ISLAND. Height above the Straits of Mackinac. Fort Mackinac — Parade 150 feet. Fort Holmes— Platform 330 " Top of Pyramid Kock 285 " Donan's Obelisk 135 " Robertson's Folly 138 " Highest Point of Arch Rock. . 150 " Top of Arch 140 " Buttress facing lake at Arch Rock 110 " Lover's Leap 145 " Lower Plateau of Island 150 " Upper Plateau of Island 295 " LAKE NAYIGATIOK Distances from Mackinac Island by Watbb. {Steamboat Routes.) Miles. Alpena 125 Ashland, L. S 570 Bayfield, L. S 585 Beaver Islands 45 Bois Blanc Island 3 Cheboygan, Mich 18 Chenaux Islands 15 Chicago 375 Cross Village BO Detour 40 Detroit 370 Duluth, L. S 675 Eagle Harbor, L. S. . . 425 Eagle River, L. S 435 Grand Island, L. S 225 Miles. Harrisville 155 L' Anse 335 Mackinaw City 7 Marquette, L. S 260 Milwaukee 290 Ontonagon, L. S 495 Oscoda . . 175 Petoskey 60 Port Huron 300 Portage Lake, L. S 360 Round Island 1 Sand Beach 235 Sault Ste. Marie 90 St. Ignace 5 Traverse City 120 140 AJSrjSfALiS OF FOKT MACKINAC. SUMMER AND WINTER. The Maximum and Minimum temperature at Fort Mackinac during the summers and winters specified — from observations taken with a Fahrenheit thermometer at 7 A. M. Simimer of Deg. above Zero. 1855 September 8 67 1856 July 26 75 1857 July 36 75 1858 August 18 74 1859 July 18 76 1860 August 3 69 1868 July 17 79 1869 August 2 66 1870 July 18 69 1871 August 7 75 1872 July 2 74 1873 July 23 73 1874 September 12 71 1875 September 1 68 1876 August 14. 1877. .74 .July 28 77 76 1878 August 9 1879 July 15 75 69 78 71 66 1880 August 8.... 1881 September 5. 1883 July 35 1883 August 18. . Winter of 1855-6 March 9, 1858-9 January 9, 1859-60. . . .January 31, 1860-1 February 7, 1867-8 February 27, 1868-9 March 4, 1869-70. .. .February 31, 1870-1 Februarys, 1871-2 Dec. 20, 1873-3 February 23, 1873-4 January 30, 1874-5 February 9, 1875-6 February 2, 1876-7 January 13, 1877-8 January 7, 1878-9 February 37, 1879-80 . . .February 1, 1880-1 January 14, 1881-3.. . January 33, 1883-3 January 33, 1883-4 January 24, De^. below Zero. 1856.... 19 1859 ...25 1860. ...10 1861. ...34 1868. ...34 1869. ...10 1870. ...10 1871. ...13 1871. ...14 1873. ...17 1874. 1875. ...10 ...34 1876. ...17 1877. ...14 1878. ....8 1879 .. 20 1880. 1881. 1883. 1883. . . . .8 ...33 ...18 ...10 1884. ...18 NAVIGATION. DISTANCES FROM ST. IGNACE. 141 NAVIGATION — STRAITS OF MACKINAC. Arrival op First Steamboat at Mackinac Island. 1854 April 25 1855. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. .May .May .May . April . April 1860 April 10 1861 April 25 1862 April 18 1863 April 17 1864 April 23 1865 April 21 1866 April 29 1867 April 23 1868 April 19 1869 April 23 1870. 1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. .(No April 3 April 3 April 25 April 30 April 29 May 5 April 22 April 20 record.) April 22 April 3 May 3 March 9 April 21 April 18 DISTANCES FROM ST. IGNACE, MICH. VIA — D., M. & MARQUETTE R. R. Newberry, Seney, Munising, Au Train, Marquette, Negaunee, Ishpeming, Mich. Miles. . 54 . 75 . 108 . 121 . . 150 . 162 . 165 Republic, L'Anse, Haucock, Houghtou, Calumet, Lake Linden, Mich. 185 213 244 244 257 267 U'A ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. DISTA]N"CES FROM MACKINAW CITY, VIA— MICH. CENTRAL R. R. To Miles. Albany, N. Y 841 Battle Creek, Mich 840 Bay City, Mich 183 Beaver Lake, Mich 123 Binghampton, N. Y 751 Boston, Mass 1042 Buffalo, N. Y 543 Cheboygan, Mich 16 Chicago, 111 505 Cincinnati, 552 Cleveland, O 463 Columbus, O 474 Detroit, Mich 391 Fort Wayne, Ind 395 Freedom, Mich 6 Gaylord, Mich 63 Grayling, Mich 90 Hagersville, Ont 463 Indian River, Mich 34 Indianapolis, Ind 561 Jackson, Mich 395 Kalamazoo, Mich 3G3 Lansing, Mich 359 Louisville, K}^ 662 Mackinac Island (by water). . . 7 To Miles. Mullet Lake, Mich 22 NewYork, N. Y 983 Niagara Falls, N. Y 521 Niagara Falls, Ont 517 Niles, Mich 411 Otsego Lake, Mich 71 Owosso, Mich 232 Pinconning, Mich 163 Rochester, N. Y. 613 Roscommon, Mich 105 St. Helen's, Mich 117 St. Louis, Mo 737 St. Thomas, Ont 404 Saginaw City, Mich 196 Saratoga, N. Y 846 Springfield, Mass 944 Standish, Mich 155 Summit, Mich 138 Suspension Bridge, N. Y 519 Syracuse, N. Y 694 Toledo, O 350 Topinabee, Mich 2'J Toronto, Ont 526 Utica, N. Y 740 Zilwaukee, Mich 192 INDIAN AND FRENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. Akbre Ceoche, — a French translation of the Ottawa Waga7iaMs% which properly means " the top of that tree is crooked." A large tree of that description for- merly stood on the height west of Middle Village ; and to that neighborhood the term Arbre Ci^oche was applied until about 1828, when it was transferred to the Ottawa settlement at Little Traverse, now Harbor Springs, Mich. AssiNNiBoiNE. From the Ojibwa Assinibwan, " Stone- Sioux." The tribe — a branch of the Dakota family — is said to have received this name from the nature of the country it formerly inhabited. The term is composed of Assin, " a stone," and Bwan, ''Sioux," or "Dakota." Bat de Noc. Corrupted from the French, Bay des Noquets^ " Noquet Bay." The small tribe or clan of the Woqitet, or Noquai Indians, was found in that neighbor- hood by the first French explorers. Later on they were merged into the tribe of the Bawitigowininiwag (Men of the Stream lashed into Dust), or Saut Indians. " Noke^'' the " totem " of the clan, is the sirloin of a bear. Cheboygan, also Sheboygan. From Jibaigan (pronounced Zhe-lah-e-gan), or Jabaigan, " a passage way by water." It conveys the idea, to the Indian mind, of a short route by wnter by which some distant point may be reached, other tlian l)y the main water highway. 145 146 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Ohegoimegon, (Ashland Bay, Wis.), jjroperly Shagawami- gong, — a long-stretched tongue of land, or shallows, over which the waves break. CHBNAuk (plural of chenal) " channels." Cross Village, — the translation of the French La Croix, " The Cross." The settlement obtained its name from a large wooden cross, planted by one of the early missionaries on the bluff where the village now stands. The Indian name is Anamiewatigong^ " at the Tree of Prayer." Escanaba. From the Indian Ishkonabe^ " the end of the good (sandy) beach." Gros Cap. " Big Point," evidently so called on account of its elevation and massy form. The Indian name is Nedinang, a compound of " ne " and '•'' dina^'' two forraatives, the first referring to a point,, the second to a height of land. Nedina^ " there is a high point ;" Nedinang^ " at the high point." IsHPEMiNG. An Indian name given by the whites to a village (now city) located a few miles above Negaunee. Ishpiming means " above," or " on high." Kenosha. Indian ginoje^ or kinoje (pronounced he-no- zha)^ " a pike." Perhaps from a chief of that name. Keweenaw. From the Indian Kaklweonan, " a short cut across a point of land." The term refers to the route by Portage river and lake across the Keweenaw peninsula. L'Anse, " the small bay " or " the head of the bay," the translation of the Indian loihwed. Lake Agogeebic. Agogeebic is a corruption of Agogi- hi)ig, and this is the locative case of Agogib, or Agogibi, the O jibwa name of the lake. In practical use the word INDIAN AND FRENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. 147 seldom occurs otherwise than in the loca*"ive case. This accounts for the ending " io " in the anglicized form, "(?" having been substituted for " ??.^." In a similar manner the word " Wisconsin " has been coined out of the Indian term, '" Wishkonsing,''^ which is the locative of " Wishkons,^'' the " 6>n, " to be pronounced as in French. Lake Agogeebic received its name from a certain aquatic plant, called agogih, which is said to be found in it, most likely in the north-western corner, where the water is quite shallow. The plant is perhaps the same as our " water flannel," a species of conferv83, which forms beds of entangled filaments on the surface of the water. The term agogib is a compound of two " formatives," '•'■ agog'^'' and "*5." Agog, also agogw, and agvmgo, im- plies the idea of something sticking, especially to surfaces, as in agwagwissin, " it is monldy," agwagohikad, " it is rusty," agogin^ '" it cleaves to something." "• Ih,^'' also "Ji," Ji-'id " ^?»i," refer to water, and liquids generally. For example, nibi, " water," takib^ " a spring," anamihing, " under the water," ghcashkwehi, " he is drunk." Agogib accordingly means " something sticking to water," or, " covering the surface of water." " Water-mould" would be a sort of literal translation. The original name of the lake, was Agogibi-Sagaigfui, '' Water-mould Lake." In the Cree dialect, the corresponding term akwakupi- sakaigan^ is still in ordinary use for any body of stagnant, water covered with similar ulants. Among the Ojibwa, the term appears to be less generally known, or understood; hence the want of accord in the many attempts that have been made to explain the meaning of the M'oi-d Agogeebic. 148 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Lake Michigami, or Meshigami, — means "the branch- ing lake," and is so called from its form. It may also be translated " great lake." Lake Yieux Desert. French translation of the Indian Getekitigan (pronounced ga-ta-ke-te-gan), " old garden." On an island in the lake there are traces of gardening, considered by some to be of pre-historic origin. Lake Winnebago. The Indians now call it Winibigo- Sagaigan, " the lake of the Winnebago Indians ; " but the original name was Winibi (pronounced loin-ne-he), "dirty water ; " in the locative case, Winihing, or, in the southern Algonquin dialects, Winibig : the same as Winipeg, which is the Cree form of the same word. From the lake, the Winnebago Indians, who lived in that neighborhood before they moved to G reen Bay, received their Algonquin name, and the early French, being informed of the fact that the tribe had formerly lived on the " dirty water," were led into the erroneous belief that the tribe had formerly lived on the sea, or on salt water, which the Indians also called " dirty water." This circumstance accounts for Nicolet's much discussed assertion that on his voyage to Green Bay he was within three days' journey of the sea. A three days' sail would have brought him to Wijiibig — the " dirty water." The assumption that he reached a point within three days' journey of either the Wisconsin or the Mississippi, and mis- took the Mishisibi — "the great river" — for the ocean, is improbable. No one acquainted with the Algonkin tongues, as he was, would have made such a mistake, for Sibi never means any other than running water. INDIAN AND FKENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. 149 Manitou Payment. A French corruption of the Ojibwa Manito Birnwa, " the shooting of the Spirit." Indian tradition relates that on tlie fine sandy beach east of Manitou Payment Point, Mena-'hosho^ after transforming himself into a tall tree, lay in wait for his enemy, the " Great Bear of the Lake," and as he slept on the beach, after gam- boling for some time with his fellow spirits, shot an arrow through his heart. A tall pine tree overlooking the Ponlfettes settlement and visible from a great distance has, in the Indian mind, some sort of a connection with that fabulous event. Manitowoc. From the Indian Manitoioctk., " tree of the Spirit," i. e., " the Cross.' The Pottawattamie Indians, who inhabited that neighbor- hood in the second half of the 17th century, erected a large Cross in one of the settlements, hence the name. Menominee. From Manoraini, or Omanomini, the Ojib- wa name of the tribe called in their own dialect, Omano- mineu (pronounced O-tnan-o-me-oia-oo), and by the French, Les Folles Avolnes, " Wild Rice Indians." Manomin is the Ojibwa name of the " zizania aquatlca,''^ or wild rice. Michigan. From the Indian Mishiigan (pronounced me-she-e-gan) " a clearing ;" Mishi, " Hrewood ;" Mishiige^ " he gathers firewood ;" Mishiigan, " a place where wood lias been cut," or, '' a clearing." The name is first men- tioned in tlie Relations of 1670, p. 97. The form Machihiganing, as given there, is in the Ottawa dialect and in the locative case. There were at the time of the earliest French visitors, large clearings on the east and west shores of the northern part of Lake Michigan. The French were the first to transfer the name of the shores to the lake itself. The original Indian name was Ininowe-Kitchigami^ i. e., " Great Water of the Illinois ;" 150 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. the Indians still call Lake Superior Otchlpwe-KitchigaTni^ " Great Water of the Chippewas ;" and Lake Huron Otawa- Kitchajand, " Great Water of the Ottawas ;" from the prin- cipal tribes on their shores. The explanation that Michigan comes from MishigaTni, " Big Lake," is erroneous. MicHiPicoTEN, or Michipicoton, is corrupted from the Ojibwa name, Mishiplkwadiiia^ which means " there is high land in the form of a large knob," or "a big bluff." This term is a compound of three "formatives," 7m.sA*, " large," piko, or pikwa, " a ball," or " a knob," and dina, " there is high land." According to Farmer's map, Michipicoton Island reaches at both extremities a height of 800 feet. This accounts for the name. From the island the name has been transferred to a neighboring bay and river. Pekwatinong^ properly Pil:wadinang, the locative of Pikwadina, the name under which " Old Mackinac " ap- pears in Indian history and legend, has the same meaning, less the additional descriptive misM, " large." The term refers to the high land, or bluff, west of Mackinaw City. MiLLECOQUiN, anglicized Milakoka, corrupted from the Ojibwa Jfinagwakmg, or Minagoking, " where there is a good smell," namely, of tish caught by Indian travelers, who were always certain of making a good haul in that neigh- borhood. Milwaukee. The Indian name is Minewag (pronounced 7nin-na-wag). This is the locative case of Minewa, which might be translated " there is a good point," or, " there is a point where huckleberries grow." Some Indians derive the name from Menwe, " cumin," or some similar herb of strong and aromatic scent, which is said to grow wild in that vicinity. The full name of the INDIA.V AND FRENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. 151 river is Minewagi-Sih% hence the forms Melleoki^ and Milwaukee. MisHiNiMAKiNA (Mackinac Island). — We will consider the popular explanations, — " Big Turtle," " Island of the Giant Fairies," and " Island of the Dancing Fairies." The usual rendering, " Big Turtle," agrees well with the Indian legend according to which the Island of Mackinac was originally a Manitou in the shape of a giant turtle. As it is said that Menahosho was the maker of a new world, and was horn on the Big Turtle Island, this explanation of the term is rather tempting ; might it not serve to connect the Indian legend with Asiatic cosmogony according to which the world rests on a giant turtle f There is, however, one great difficulty, — " Big Turtle,'^ in the western Algic dialects, would be mishi-7nikinah, and the name of the Island is Mishi-nimahina. In the " loca- tive" case the difference is still greater: Mishi-mikhiahong and Mishi-nimakinang . The insertion of the sj^llable "m," and the absence of the final " k " in Mishinimakina can only be accounted for by the assumption of two ancient forms : mishini for " mishi^'' and makina for " TmikinakP There is a bare possibility that these forms were once in use. '• Island of the Giant Fairies." In a manner this ren- dering may be accepted. According to Indian belief, the Mishinimakina-gog, i. e., the people of Mishinimakinay are solitary wanderers, whose presence in the woods is betrayed by the report of tiieir guns, to see them being impossible — a kind of Indian fairies. The fact underlying this belief, — apparently of modern origin, — may possibly have been the fate of the broken-up ti'ibe or band of the Mishininiaki Indians, who, perhaps^ preferred a solitary life in the woods to being absorbed by other tribes. This however is a mere surmise. 152 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. " Island of the Dancing Fairies." This explanation rests •on the pi'esence of the syllable " nim " in the name of the island. Ifishi, " great ; " nimi, " he dances ; " aki, " land ; " hence, 31ishinimaki, " the great dancing land." From being the name of the place, it became that of the inhabitants, as in the case of the Ahenahi ( WahanaM, ■" Eastland," also " Eastlander "), and finally Misldnimakina^ ^' the home of the people of the great dancing land," was formed. On etymological grounds the derivation of the name from the root " niin " is hardly admissible ; for the " i " in this root is long, while the corresponding vowel in Mish- inimakina is short. Besides, the proper way of compounding ^'■nim'''' with '''- akV would be nimiioaM — "dancing land." MoNASTiQUE — Manistique (Rivcr). From the French La Manistique. The Indian name is Onamanitigo-Sihi, ■"Yermilion River." MuNisiNG. An Indian name given by the whites to a town on the shore opposite G-rand Island, Lake Superior. The term is intended for Tninissing, the locative case of miniss, " island." Manattan is the same word in one of the eastern •dialects. Naubinway — Ndbinwe — "ecJio." The prefix nab implies repetition or imitation ; the verb inwe means " he gives out a sound," or " he speaks in a cer- tain manner; hence Nalnivwe — " he repeats a sound," or " he eays the same thing again." An Indian by the name of Nahimoe formerly lived at the place which bears his name. Negaunee. The result of an attempt to translate the word " Pioneer." " Pioneer Furnace " was the original name of the settlement. The Indian nigani, means " he walks foremost." INDIAN AND FRENCH GEOGKAPHICAL NAMES. lo'S- NoTTAWA. Indian, Naclowe (pronounced nad-o-wa) the- name given by the Algonkin tribes to both Iroquois and Hurons. It is also the name of a species of snake. Odjibwe — -O'-jib-vm (English — Chippewa) etymologically means " one who drinks while holding th§ liquid at thfr extremity of the lips," *. e., by sipping. The word is not in practical use ; but, if an Indian holds a bowl of soup to his mouth and then draws in or "sips" the soup, they will sometimes for a joke, say '■^ odjihwe-mmihwe^^ — "he drinks in Ojibwa fashion." Why, when and where the term was applied to the tribe, is unknown. Ontonagan River. Indian, Nindonagan, "my dish." The origin of the name is given in Baraga's dictionary as follows : — " A squaw once went to this river to fetch water with an Indian earthen dish, but unfortunately the dish escaped from, her hand and went to the bottom of the river, whereupon the poor squaw began to lament : Nia, nind onagan, nind onagmi, — " Ah, my dish ! my dish." Such is the Indian tradition. Ottawa. Indian Otawa (pronounced o-tah-wau, the second syllable being long). The meaning of the word is doubtful. Most Algonkin tribes are named after their ancient homes. If such be the case with the Ottawas, their name may possibly be derived from the root law or tmva, " an opening," " a gap," " a pas- sage through," and refer to the strait which separates Mani- toulin, the home of the tribe before its dispersion in 1650,. from the northern main land. The prefix " o," and before vowels, " od," is commonly used for the purpose of changing topographical names- 154: ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. into those of persons or tribes. Thus, from sagi, " the mouth of a river," is derived Osagi, "Sauk" or "Sac;" from ishlcwagami, "the last L^ke," is formed Odishkwa- gami, "Algonquin ; " from agaming, " on the other side of the water," Odagami, "Fox Indian." Some have derived the name Otawa from atawe, " he trades," or atawewinini, " a trader ; " and since the Ottawas were great fur traders, that derivation might seem applicable ; but the change from Atmve into Otawa, slight as it may appear to English speaking persons, is inadmissible in the Algic dialects. It is true that in the form Onda- tawawat, under which the tribe became first known to the French, the letter " a " appears in the place of " o," but that form is evidently the Huron rendering of the Algic name. Hence the name Ondatawatoat was very soon dropped, and Outaouacs, the plural of Otawa, in a French guise, substituted. Petoskey. Indian, Bidassige, "the sun is coming on," or " it is near sunrise ; " the name of (Ignatius Petoskey) an Ottawa Indian born about 1787 near Manistee. This word is one of those compovmds peculiar to Indian tongues, in which the ending of a verb indicates its sub- ject, e.g., toasseiassige, "the sun shines," 'miskwassige, "the sun looks red." The initial formative hid implies a motion in the direction of the speaker, an approach ; e. g. hidassin, " it is driven liither by the wind," hidipo, " a snow storm is coming on." Note. — Neitoshing (the father of Petoskey), pronounced na-e-tosh-mg, " one who arrives in the nick of time." Keway-ka-ba-wikwa (the wife of Petoskey), Giwegaha- wikwe, "she turns around, standing;" giwe, "he turns;" gabawi, " he stands ; " the ending hwe from aTcwe (Ottawa) or ikwe (Ojibwa) shows that the bearer of the name is a female. INDIAN AND FRENCH GEOGKAPHICAL NAMES. 155 The masculine ending of Indian names, in the Algic dialects, is inini, '•man;" also nahe^ abe, abes^ and kiwis, e. g. Ahitawinini, "Half Man;" Anishinabe, "Indian;" Kitehiaiabe, '■'■hig^ beast;" Aiabes, "little beast;" Madji- kiwis, " first born." These endings, however, occur only in a very limited number of names. The gender of most masculine proper names is sufficiently indicated by the ab- sence of the feminine ending. Thus — Pagioanegijig, " Hole-in-the-sky " (not " Hole in the day," as commonly rendered), is masculine. Pagwanegijigohwe, is feminine. Wedjanimweivegijig, "Thundering noise around the hori- zon," is masculine. Wedjanitiiwewegijigokioe, is feminine. In a number of names ordinarily given to females, the feminine ending is likewise wanting. Netas. JViids, is the Ottawa corruption of the French Ignace (Ignaiitis). This never formed a part of Petoskey's Indian name, but is the name which was given to him at his baptism. Niids has no meaning in Indian ; Bidassige alone in- cludes both ideas, that of "the sun," and that of his " coming on." PoiNTE La Baebe. "Beard Point," or "Barb Point." The well known popular explanation ascribing the origin of the name to the fact that the voyageurs, on their re- turn to Mackinac, by way of Lake Michigan, used to shave — se faire la barbe — on that point, admits of some reason- able doubt. The western extremity of Pointe La Barbe resembles so much a barb, i. e., the point of an arrow or fish- hook, that the thought of its having been so called on that account, suggests itself very naturally. In modern French the term " barbe " is not used in that sense, except in 156 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. botany ; but it had not become obsolete toward the end of the 17th century, at which time most of the prominent geographical features of the laku country received their French appellations. Points St. Vital. Father Allouez on his journey from Sault Ste. Marie to Green Bay, encamped at that point on the night of the 3d and left there on the 4th of November, 16G9, the latter being the day on which the martyr St. Vital is commemorated in the Roman office. PouFFETTES. A coiTuptiou of JBoitffettes, "bows" (of ribbons) or "knots," and so called from the remarkable curvatures of the shore, resembling a triple knot. The popular derivation from ejpoux faits "husbands made," because "numbers of couples used to be married there upon the arrival of some traveling missionary," belongs to the realm of sportive etymology. Rabbit's Back. The Indian name is Wdbos Namadabid., "sitting rabbit," from the appearance of the bluff when seen at some distance. The pagan Indians were in the habit of offering a sacrifice in the form of tobacco strewn on the water (when passing that point on a journey), for a spirit, or rather two, which were supposed to preside over that neigh- borhood. Wcibos N'abe-Aiaa, " the male rabbit," and Wahos Ikwe- Aiaa, " the female rabbit ; " the former being represented by the higher bluff, the latter by the lower, about a mile to tlie south of Rabbit's Back. Saugatuck. Indian SagataJc, "at the mouth " (of a river). Skilltgallee. a remarkable corruption of the French " les Isles aux Galets^'' — the Pebbly Islands. INDIAN AND FRENCH GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. 157 St. Ignace. — named in honor of Ignatius de Loyola (b. 1491, d. 1556), the founder of the order, or " the Society of Jesus." !Nadowekweiamish, "the miserable bay of the Hurons," is the Indian name of St. Ignaee. It is generally used in the locative case ; JVadoioehi/jeiamishing — " at, to, or fi-om St. Ignace." The word is contracted from Nadowewikiveiamish : — Nadotoe, "Huron " ; 'wikioeia, '• there is a bay" ; "???," pos- sessive affix; ^' ish,'' vituperative and commiserative ending (implying contempt or pity). This ending, apparently quite inappropriate, is accounted for by love of banter, a characteristic of the Ottawas, the former neighbors and doubtful friends of the Hurons at St. Ignace. The fact of the Hurons having taken possession of the level ground surrounding East Moran Bay, before the arrival of the Ottawas, may have raised the envy of the latter, and thus occasioned the coining of the " nickname." A different explanation is given in Baraga's dictionary — it runs thus : — " JVadoioekweiamish properly signifies ' Bad bay of the Iroquois squaw.' " An Indian tradition says : " The Iroquois {Nadoioeg), who formerly possessed this Bay, were attacked there by their enemies, and behaved like old squaws, until they were all killed." From this circumstance, they say, the place obtained its Indian name. If it can be established that the ending am, or eimn^ signifies a bay, this explanation might be defended, although it is difficult to reconcile all known facts of history with the Indian tradition. The circumstance that the former presence of the Tio- nontate Hurons at St. Ignace was all but forgotten in the latter part of the last century, may have led to the inven- tion of that story. 158 ANNALS OF FORT MACKINAC. Nadoioe means " Iroquois " as well as " Huron." Nad- owehwe, " an Iroquois squaw." Hence, if am, or eiariiy signifies a bay, Nadowekweiariblsli would be " the miserable bay of the Iroquois squaw." SuAMico. From the Indian Onaivamikong, the locative of Osawamik, " yellow beaver," The settlement between Green Bay and Oconto is mentioned in the Relations of 1673-9. Tawas. From Otavxins, or Otaiods, " Little Ottawa,"' the name of an Indian chief, who once lived in that neigh- borhood. Wauc40shance, Wagoshes, " a little fox ; " from loagosh^ a fox, with the diminutive ending " «?5-," or '^ ens?'' Waufun. The Indian spelling is Wahan (pronounced wah-han). It means " the early morning, or " the day is dawning," also " east." Wisconsin, The Indian name for the country is Wish- kons I in the locative case, Wishkonsing/ for the river,^ Wishkonsiioi-Sihl. Tlie "o?i" has the nasal sound as in French, The mean- ing of Wishkons was probably " a prairie," or simply "grass," From the fact that some early writers spelled it " Mescon- sirig,^'' also '■' Misconsin,^'' it might be inferred tliat the name of the river was originally MasJikossiwi-Sibi — "grass river." Pronunciation of Yowels and Consonants in the Chippewa. (Algonquin) language :— a as in father. e as in net. g as in get. i as in live. as in bone. j as in the French language [zh). i between vowels, as "y" in beyond. View of Fort Mackinac from the Southwest. jAnaiiwm i^ii^No, MICHIGAN. Kelton. Scale, 2 inches to 1 Mile. NATIONAL P/s.1r11k^ Kelton's Pyramii I Catholic Vj-^K @ Fort Holmes \ \ ^ '•'•'' """'" \ Cemetery \ / \, ^'^ '} « --"If ^^^'^ SkulMave /, .--.limekiln 1780 \^ Quarry 1780^ Hubbards Annes Lover-h^t^^^nevjTs Kitchen Pontiac'a TOlJ^ in-yjrag^ound John -Jacob -AsTOR House MACKINAC ISLAND, MICH. featrquarttrs of tk |imcrit;iit im~im^mq, \ \ gcairquavtcr s 0f tht Jirms anir |laij|| (Bti'um, ^ HE AS TOR HOUSE is conveniently located, NEAR the Soiithcrri entrance to Fort Mackinac ; is provided luith good rooms, good beds, large par- lors, tzuo pianos, four billiard tables, bath rooms, barber s shop, telephones, large office and I'eading room, fine vcra?idas, and an observatory on the top of the m.ain building. Fresh Milk, Butter, Eggs, etc., da,ily fro7n the *'Astor Farm.'' Giles ts of this house only have access to the origi- nal Books of the Old American Fur Company, which have attracted so much attention from the Antiqii.arians of Europe and America. ACCOMMODATIONS S FOll 500 GUESTS JAMES F. CABLE, JOHN R. BOGAN, Proprietor. Clerk. LiNTSFORD B. Coaxes. George T. Arnold. COATES' & ARNOLD'S WHARF, MACKINAC ISLAND, MICH, %mm (111(1 ^. iliiJ aiii ^leaiiital l^ffeiits TICKET AND TELE&KAPH OFFICES ON THE DOCK, ALSO, Baggage Eooms, and Ladies' and Gents' Waiting Eooms, DEALERS IN Wood. Hard ^^ Soft Coal HAY, CORN, OATS AND STRAW, Fresli and Salt Fisli, FistL Barrels J Salt^ T-wihes^ AND NETTING. -A-i^jvcsr .A^isriD nsr-A-^vx" coDsrTE..A.CTOi?.s. W m WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SKOCEK? STORE We keep on hand a large supply of the BEST FAMILY GROCERIES. ICE FOR SALE. We have the largest Ice House in the World, well stocked with Mackinac Ice. OFFICE ON WHARF. TECUMSEH. :EST.A.:BXiISI3:EID 1S54. JOHN R.BAILEY l^^^CDJ^Xl^j^G^ UVLIOH. DEALER IX Drugs and Medicises Native and Foreign Mineral Waters, Etc., ^ansts of p6fl l^acklaacj Books, Stationery, Cigars AND CDNFECTIDNERY. Pure Wines and Licjuors for Medicinal Purposes. Prescriptions Carefully Compounded. DR. JOHN R. BAILEY U. S. EXAMINING SURGEON, Laie Sii7-geon U. S. Fo/s., late attending Surgeon at Fort Mackinac. OFFICE IN DBUG STORE. Summer Residence, adjoining Island House, Mackinac. Winter Residence, Cliffside Cottage, St. Ignace, Mich. Store and Residence Connected by Telephone. PYRAMID ROCK, c/5" < < C/3 o H o ;^ >— ( < O O W > h o o h en Q h if) < h o w Dd h View from Steps of P, E. Church. Michael McNally. Patrick Donnelly- McNallv & Donnelly McJYally S' Donnelly heg to inform the pub- lic that they have constantly on hand the following provisions, which are stored in their- MAMMOTH REFRIGERATORS: -^ IFE-ESH (S« Beef, Bacon, Trout, Geese, Mutton, Hams, Oysters, Butter, Veal, Lard, Chickens, Eggs, Pork, Sausage, Ducks, Cheese, Venison, Whitefish, Turkeys, Salt, AND ALL KINDS OF Choice VEGETABLES received Daily by Express. VESSELS PROVISIONED AT SHORTEST NOTICE. . ZT. S ATrrty CLrtd JSfcwy CoThtr actor's. FcLstiLrcLge for Horses ctrtd. Cattle, S. HIGHSTONE ^i/^ Mackinac Island, Mich. Best Assortment in the N^ort Invest of Rare Shells, Minerals, Lake Stiperior Agates and Amethysts, Indian Pipes, Wampnm, War-Clubs, Toma- hawks, Scalping Knives, Indian Head Dresses, Bows and Arroivs, Eagles Feathers, Bears Claws, Porcupine Skins, Arrow Heads, Spears, Boomerangs, Snow-Shoes, Mackinac Canes, Pishing Poles, etc., And all kinds of CURIOSITIES. A beautiful Line of Porcupine-Quill and Sweet- Grass Work, Including Scented Table-Mats, Canoes, Satchels, Portfolios, Reticules, Handkerchief Boxes, Miniature Mococks of Maple Sugar, Call and see Indians at Wort Making the Articles we offer for sale. Annals of port Mackinac. Price, 2S Cents. By Mail, 30 Cents. View in Fort. Picturesque Mackinac Island. This Great Historic Summer Resort and Sanitarium is reached by the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Company by their pleasant route through the lal -^ ^^-^^ ^^\ i^^/ ^♦^ %^lp;*' ^^^'^\. ^-^OTi^*- .♦^'^^ '^o^ •!*• HECKMAN BINDERY INC. | ?^JAN 90 N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962 "^o^ ^^^^.